Fahrenheit 451

Upon finishing this book by Ray Bradbury, I reflected on how much I enjoy reading. I love to absorb characters, places, everts, being provoked to thought and learning something. I can go to a different world, or create my own...... All in the pages of a book. In fact there are times when I get angry at Hollywood's interpretation of the events and characters at times-- I want to shout and say.... The character looks nothing like that.

But none the less, I thoroughly enjoy a good book.... Turning pages, and traveling to another place.

I also enjoy learning from the research, insights of coaches who been successful, or being challenged to be better, or change my thought pattern. I enjoy the comfort and anguish experienced in poetry and humor that some provide in satire or just sharing life's events.

 

I couldn't imagine a world without books, and yet as I read through the pages of this book written in 1953, I see many of the political issues we face today discussed. Government control and edicts, people behaving like drones, don't let them think.... And I think of this,

'Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; he thinks too much: such men are dangerous.'

--William Shakespeare, Julius Ceasar, Act I, Scene 2

 

I prefer to live in a world, where I can 'think too much'.

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Guilty because I ate?

My last meal prepared on my current stove. Tomorrow, I get a new one.

This is asparagus, tomatoes, mini-eggplant, and broccoli on a bed of spaghetti squash.

Lots of carbs, and gluten free!

 

 

 

* sometimes the diet information/trends/fads is utter madness.*

 

I received this in the body of an email--

You know how “weight loss experts” are all like,

“When you want to eat a cookie, take a warm bath instead!”

OR

“Call a friend”

OR

(my personal favorite...)

“Just drink water!”

Right.

Because my years-long battle with yo-yo dieting hasn’t already proven that I can’t do shit when I want that [fill in the blank] food item that beckons my name like crack cocaine. If it's a choice between brownies and a warm bath, I know most of my clients would choose brownies every time.

When we try to “replace” food with something else, we inadvertently tell ourselves that “eating is wrong.” And the second we tell ourselves that l“eating is wrong,” we’re at risk of binge-eating (i.e. rebellious, I-can’t-hold-back-any-longer, I’ll-take-six-slices-please, binge-eating).

But here’s the thing—

at the end of the day, learning to deal with our feelings in new ways (i.e. taking baths and calling our friends) IS the answer to ending emotional eating, but only if we practice those skills without making eating wrong.

Sound complicated?

I had to share because it is a JUNGLE out there. UTTER MADNESS, I say. And when we are less than successful, or falter or fumble, somehow there is something wrong with us. FOOD is not our enemy, and yet, we feel that way, especially after an 'expert' informs us our desire to eat is wrong.

I keep referring back to the rules.

#1 -- Eat when you are hungry. Don't eat when you aren't hungry.

So developing that relationship with self, and sneaking eating a cookie or piece of chocolate just because might be part of that process. Food is not our enemy. We are not lesser for our cravings, or our hunger. We are who we are regardless.

I ate a whole bag of popcorn the other day while watching a movie. The entire bag. I enjoyed every little bit, in fact was disappointed when it was empty. Do I do that every day? No. But eating a bag of popcorn randomly while watching a movie isn't going to change me as a person.

Tonight, I thoroughly enjoyed the food in the picture. Tomorrow, I might enjoy more of the kind, or have a taste for something else. I try to follow the 80% rule-- make wiser choices 80% of the time. So, I am not obsessed over the other choices I make.

And I am ok with it.

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Watching Infomercials

Flipping through Facebook this morning, and an infomercial caught my eye. Needless to say, 30-minutes later I still had not yet learned what foods to eat to burn fat and was being asked why I wasn't enrolling in their program. Which led to watching several videos and reading reviews on the programs, and watching yet another 30-minute video which had awesome information, and led to another sales pitch.

Honestly, I want the bottom line. I don't want or need to be schmoozed-- I want solid information to make a decision. Don't play on my heart strings. Just give me the informatIon. If the information you are selling is readily available as you claim, give it to me. Otherwise, you the seller seem shady and sketchy, when you don't tell me the information you already told me I would learn by watching your video or infomercial.

You lost me as a costumer. Period.

 

What I did learn was........The industry is catching on to not eating processed foods-- healthy or not, if it is in a box, it is processed.

 

And what did I commit to...... Cutting out processed foods for the next month.

Planning and focus on eating wisely. Eating when I am hungry and being active daily.

 

That's my plan.

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Why We Get Fat

I am currently reading, 'Why We Get Fat, and What to Do About It' by Gary Taubes. Taubes is also the author of Good Calories, Bad Calories which contains a great deal of research to discuss calories and the food industry. * I read the first several chapters of that book, and would like to finish it. *

In Why We Get Fat, Taubes is discussing the Calorie In-Calorie Out theory that I hear so many runners (well, people who run for fitness) chat about. I have heard in conversation people say, I know how far Imhave to run to burn off a handful of M&Ms, or whatever their pleasure is...... My response to their aghast is, if only it works that way.

But I digress..... And Taubes addresses this calorie in - calorie out theory. Chapter Three entitled, The Elusive Benefits of Exercise begins with:

Imagine you're invited to a celebratory dinner. The chef's talent is legendary, and the invitation says that this particular dinner is going to be a feast of monumental proportions. Bring your appetite, you're told-- come hungry. How would you do that?

You might try to eat less over the course of the day -- maybe even skip lunch, or breakfast and lunch. You might go to the gym for a particular rigorous workout, or go for a longer run or swim than usual, to work up an appetite. You might even decide to walk to the dinner, rather than drive, for the same reason.

Now let's think about this a moment. The instructions that we're constantly being given to lose weight -- eat less (decrease the calories we take in) and exercise more (increase the calories we expend) -- are the very same things we'll do if our purpose is to make ourselves hungry, to build up an appetite, to eat more. Now the existence of an obesity epidemic coincident with half a century of advice to eat less and exercise more begins to look paradoxical.

This insight causes me to value the book F*ck Calories. You can get your FREE copy!

 

I am looking forward to finished Taubes book, and re-reading the other.

 

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It's my birthday..... Giving myself the gift

Thursday, 15 August, I celebrated the beginning of a new year on this planet. I celebrated life.

As I reflect back on the summer, I have been doing a great deal of stuff and eating some junk, overall enjoying life. I have my afternoon catnaps, and my Friday afternoons off, and just a thorough love for life.

What's missing?

My focus. My ability to do for me. Me..... While I am doing all theses things, I have lost myself (the reason for doing these things) in the shuffle.

On my birthday, I empowered myself to take care of me, to do for me, what is best for me.

In that..... I am pursuing running, swimming and cycling-- the things I enjoy. I am creating opportunities to go hiking, sight-seeing and just to enjoy this world.

And..... I am permitting myself to explore and be open to change and new possibilities. I have been struggling here in MA. It isn't easy meeting people, and making friends here.... Many people are closed. I struggle to create opportunities for networking and employment-- it is challenging doing things differently in the world of the same...... And so, change in my life is coming. A move to better opportunities. I love the ocean and the cape...... So, within the next 18 months I will be transplanting to a new ocean locale --- to create a new life, and a new adventure. I may be going warmer or colder..... I am not certain. But I have given myself this gift and permission to pursue the change.

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A walk is not just a walk

I went for a walk with my cousin through Marion yesterday. We moved!

And all the while chatted about life and stuff. It was great!

 

The total distance was about 5 miles.

 

Today, I feel the effects of walking. A little soreness, a little stiffness, and the overall feeling of moving. It is great! And most importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed the company, the views and the conversation.

 

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Hot tomato peppers

I purchased a few of these during my last trip to the market.

Sitting on my cutting board, the pepper looks pretty innocent. It wasn't. My eyes, nose and throat started burning once I cut it. I washed away the seeds, knowing that in some peppers the seeds are the actual HOT part...... Well, this innocent pepper, was just deadly. Not really, but my eyes are still burning.

I cooked the pepper cut in tiny pieces with mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. I mixed the menagerie into an omelette and sprinkled with almonds.

Tasted wonderful! My eyes teared, my nose is burning and draining, my sinuses are clear, and I am sweating!

 

I am guessing my metabolism is boosted, as well as my immune system.

 

What veggie have you tried recently?

 

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