Fortunate

I've spent this month contemplating gratitude, writing a few sentences daily about what I'm grateful for. I've tried to keep it thoughtful and honest. I've tried to avoid being superficial, or obvious. It's not easy. What I started to notice was that I felt like I was circling back on a theme of recognizing how fortunate I am in this world. I kept thinking of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

I am fortunate. No matter how I feel, no matter what I desire, no matter what. I am fortunate. This month has had me thinking about the basics. All of my problems, all of my miseries are only possible because I am fortunate. When I look at the pyramid, I see that the base is food, water, warmth, and rest. I have all of these at my disposal. Some, in such excess that I can afford to throw them away. I look at the full pyramid and realize that as an overall state of being, all of my needs are met and I have the opportunity to focus on achieving my potential. That's a damned good place to be.

So, I may not be rich, or have the best clothes, or the exact body I want...there are many things I want or don't feel like I have enough of, but I do have everything I need. This is my luxury, this is my wealth, this is my fortune.

11/18/13

cereal, berries and peaches

 mushroom risotto, squash and cauliflower

savory chicken, chicken soup sauce, squash and cauliflower

11/19/13

cereal, peaches and fruit cup

 BBQ with rice and beans, corn and fiesta mix veggies

lasagna, mixed veggies and fiesta veggies

 11/20/13

pasta fagioli, corn, peas and peaches

PIZZA!!!

 11/21/13

eggs, sausage, potatoes and fruit cup

 Greek salad

Caesar salad

skirt steak, potatoes and root veggies

 green beans

flourless chocolate cake

11/22/13

pizza and peaches

BBQ chicken with rice and beans, green beans and squash

 11/23/13

cereal and peaches

 cheese ravioli, corn and mixed veggies

PIZZA!!!!

 11/24/13

cereal and berries

Chinese take-out

11/25/13

steak strips, green beans, corn and berries

SHABU!!!

 11/26/13

cereal, berries and fruit cup

really bad cafeteria Chinese food and squash

 OK pork gyoza

 Oh. My. God. Amazing kimchi pancake!

Pink Floyd Maki and Summer Maki

11/27/13

eggs, potatoes, sausage and kielbasa

Cheeseboy's The Gobbler!

 11/28/13

savory chicken, mixed veggies

Thanksgiving Dinner!!!!!

turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, gravy, squash, green beans, and peas

pumpkin and pecan pies

There are no easy answers

I've been doing some (sorta) super strict eating for two weeks...and I'm having some pretty huge cravings! It sucks. But I admit, it's probably the only way for me to NOT binge on pizza, chocolate, and all sorts of other delicious sugary and starchy treats. I definitely needed a kick in the pants to get back to healthy eating. Did it work? Not sure. I have this idea in my head that I wouldn't have cravings, that this would be easy...ugh. There are no easy answers.

I've been fighting a cold for the two weeks that I've been doing this. Trying to get enough rest while learning the new job has been less than successful...most nights. My desire to exercise is even less during these tiring times. There are no easy answers.

My plan? Stay on track. There's one more week left of this 'bootcamp' eating. No cheating on the food. I've checked out class schedules at the gym. There's two classes on Tuesday that I'll enjoy. I'm planning on going to them. I will plan for some cardio on Monday after weight loss class. If I bring my gym clothes, I'm more likely to go to the gym. I have social plans on Wednesday and Thursday, so those will be off-days. I'm not sure about the weekend though...I know I should make a plan and commit to keeping it. Unfortunately, I have some competing thoughts. There are no easy answers.

 11/4/13

pasta fagioli, peaches, cauliflower, and mixed veggies

beef stroganoff, peas and corn

 11/5/13
savory chicken, cauliflower, mixed veggies, and peaches

 This is how I order out...salad with almost every veggie on the menu gleaned from other entrees

cheese ravioli

 11/6/13

mushroom risotto, cauliflower, corn and peaches

pasta fagioli and peaches

 11/7/13
cereal, pear and apple

pasta fagioli, corn and cauliflower

cheese ravioli

11/8/13
cereal, banana, fruit cup

 savory chicken, cauliflower, corn and peaches

yeah, I cheated...steamed veggies, scallion pancakes and general gao's chicken

11/9/13
cereal, peaches, berries

 mushroom risotto

pasta fagioli, squash and broccoli

 11/10/13

salad and fruit for breakfast

 pasta fagioli and broccoli

5 bean casserole, corn and cauliflower

 11/11/13

cereal, banana, berries

savory chicken, squash, broccoli and berries

BBQ chicken with rice and beans, chicken soup with broccoli and peas

11/12/13

pasta fagioli, mixed vegges and peaches

carrots and apple

salad with all sorts of yummy stuff, including avocado

11/13/13

BBQ chicken with rice and beans, squash and berries

savory chicken in chicken soup with green beans, brussel sprouts and mushrooms

11/14/13

cereal and berries

creole chicken, peas and corn and pear

lasagna, mixed veggies, brussel sprouts and mushrooms

11/15/13
cereal, banana and berries

cheese ravioli, mixed veggies and corn

 various appetizers - mushroom pate, bread, crab dip, artichoke dip, etc.

mushroom tart

filet mignon, potato, veggies and pureed parsnip

chocolate caramel tart, ice cream and some carmelly thingy

 11/16/13

cereal and peaches

BBQ chicken and fiesta blend veggies

cheese ravioli, chicken soup with cauliflower and mixed veggies

 cereal and peaches

beef stroganoff, green beans and mixed veggies

pasta fagioli, corn and mixed veggies