{update}

{mmmmmmmmmm!}

So I thought it was time to give an update on my diet, since the beginning of this month

I've decided to try going Macrobiotic. It's definintly not easy... but I already feel like I am healthier!

I decided that I will take a few things that I've learned from Macrobiotics and return to a Vegan diet. I will continue to eat whole grains and lots of raw veggies, and I am totally cutting processed foods out of my diet - very important! I'm also going to continue buying all organic foods and sugar-free juices.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and realized that my local grocery isn't very accommodating to Vegans. Whole Foods is 30 minutes away from our loft, so I wanted to see what I could buy in town. After a lot of searching  I found some really good items -- one of them being... VEGAN ICE CREAM!!!!!!!

I love ice cream, so this will make the transition much easier. Also... I was able to find chips that were vegan and stocked up on bananas and lots of yummy natural juices.

I am excited to dive into this new lifestyle because.....

1. It's good for the environment

2. Extremely healthy (Weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure)

3. Our current food industry is exploitive and cruel (see Food, Inc. it will change your life!)

4. Buddhism promotes Veganism, because we are all connected and therefore all lives are equal

5. It's a way to be creative with food & try new things!

More Reason's to Drop Meat!

{please send positive energy, vibes & thoughts our way...}

I also wanted to update all of you on some news that I recieved yesterday.

The first thing I thought was "Wow, what a coincidence - my blog yesterday was about giving!"

My godbrother is very sick and needs a kidney transplant. We have known about this for a while, and this will be his second. I was tested in June to donate and the results were good, but not optimal.

So yesterday I was sitting at my desk and got a phone call. I answered and it was MCV - Mitchell needs a kidney transplant and they want me to go in for re-testing. I am scheduled to go in for blood work next Wednesday and {fingers crossed} hopefully I will be a match.

He is such a strong and brave spirit and I want to do anything possible to make sure that he is able

to enjoy life to the fullest.

I took a deep breath and sat down with my boss to give her the news. To my surprise, she was extremely supportive and assured me that it's possible for me to do the surgery and still get paid while I'm recovering.

Recovery can be anywhere from 2-4 months, and I am hoping that I will still be able to work 1/2 days in the office and then 1/2 days at home doing the paper work.

This, of course, may put things on hold as far as my career change... but I think it's worth it and if everything falls into place I am confident that this is somthing I should do.

Please take some time next Wednesday to think positivley about Mitchell, his family, my family and myself.

We need all the good vibes we can get right now!

{thanks in advance!}

Macrobiotics is Hard!

Today is Monday. I am tired. Yesterday I found myself at a superbowl party... reading a magazine and feeling so awkward{as usual} as people screamed at the tv and we all stuffed our faces with chips, beer and wayyyyy too many other snacks. I think it has left me feeling weird today - so I need to snap out of it, and quickly! As the above quote says, You must be the change you want to see in the world. I will try to remember this today... besides, I have a lot to be thankful for!

I went shopping yesterday morning for macrobiotic foods and began to feel really overwhelmed, to be honest. First of all, I feel like I still have so much to learn. Second, it's hard to jump into this lifestyle alone.... none of my friends even know what macrobiotics is, and don't understand the benefits when I try to explain. So, my hubby and I took the long trek to Whole Foods and I decided to start simply. I bought things that were organic, vegan, un-sweetened and mostly important: included ingredients I could both pronounce and recongnize. I think I came out with some really great choices, now all I need to do is start trying out recepies.

As soon as I got home I started looking online for Miso Soup recepies and added some shittake mushrooms and onions for extra flavor -- to my surprise, it tastes amazing! I have never been much of a cook, so this was quite an ego boost and gave me a little glimpse of hope that this might actually work. I made enough for a week {you're apparently supposed to drink a bowl before every meal} and began to realize that this diet involves a LOT of cooking. Maybe I'll actually become better at cooking and learn to enjoy it! But as for now, it is work. I also made vegan cookies, because giving up sweets is going to be drastic and I want something available if and when I get a craving -- I did, however, use all natural ingredients... which made me proud!

{Here are some pics}

the miso -- as you can tell, there's a lot of stuff in here!

really good - I am interested to see how they will go with soy milk!

I cannot wait for this to become a habbit - and to continue learning so that shopping is easier and more relaxing than it was yesterday. I also need to start working on my career change... I think that will be my goal for this week. I need to make a few phone calls and get some information on obtaining a provisional license so that I can start teaching elementary school while I work on my master's degree. Any teachers out there with advice? Working in this office is beginning to bring my spirit down and I need an energy boost. I need people! I'll keep you updated on the macrobiotics and the career change.... by this time next year I will be a totally new, improved, self aware woman - and that is something worth smiling about!

Snow! Snow! Snow!

{Me with 2 of my college roommates a few years ago - Enjoying a snow day!}

I have been constantly checking the weather all week... and I seriously think we are in for a major snow/sleet storm this weekend {I could not be more excited}! It's not that I enjoy cold weather... trust me, there's no place I'd rather be than a sunny beach enjoying the ocean... but I have fell in love with the weather this year -- and it is not somthing we are used to around here! I love spending the day in my PJ's and being with my husband and pups for hours on end with nowhere to go. Sleeping in is also a plus :)

Depending on the weather, after work I am planning on going shopping so that I can really get a jump start on my Macrobiotic diet. Some favorites on my grocery list include: Wakame, Bancha Twig Tea, Nori Seaweed Sheets {for my chip addiction!}, Quinoa, Barley Miso, Dried Beans, Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Buckwheat Noodles & Pancakes, Couscous, Apple Sauce {great egg substitute for cooking!}, Corn, Shittaki Mushroons, Soy Milk & Cheese, Tempeh, Tofu and unrefined white sea salt. I'm not much of a cook, so I am really excited to see what my hubby Sean is able to cook up for us this weekend! Also -- one thing I have noticed in the past two weeks is that chewing your food completely makes you full faster! A lot faster! I love this! :)

Whatever happends this weekend, I am looking forward to spending time with the people I love. If it doesn't snow, I'm going to see Citizen Cope with some of my best friends and my parents will visit on Saturday. There's really no doubt in my mind that either way, this weekend will be spectacular!

Waking up this morning I smile.

Twenty-four brand new hours before me.

I vow to live fully in each moment

and to look at all beings with the eyes of love.

{Thich Nhat Hanh}

First {almost} Macrobiotic Meal!!!!!

 

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same. {Anne Frank}

So I did not make it to Ekoji tonight, because I am so so exhausted... but I am excited that tonight is my very first Macrobiotic meal {minus the Quorn Chicken - which is imitation, if you didn't know}. Tonight we are having short grain brown rice and miso soup, and of course the rest of the Quorn. Very simple... but we are still learning and I haven't been able to get to the store yet for the good stuff! I feel better already :)

Sweet Dreams -- the weekend is almost here!

Snowwww!

{Pete}

We are supposed to get another big snow storm this weekend... and our household is crossing our fingers for another weekend snowed in together! It is so nice to stay in PJ's all day, watch movies and play outside with my pups Pete & Samson. As you can see -- Pete especially loves the snow! I get so much joy out of watching him play in it... I am so thankful that he has gotten to see so much of it lately!

Of course... this may put a damper on my Macrobiotics shopping spree that I had planned for Friday after work. Luckily, we have a few things in the house already - so I am still going to attempt a few meals. I must admit, I have been very intimidated by this diet because it is so drastic, but luckily every website I look at reccomends a slow transition... which is what I am going to do so that I can {hopefully} make this into a way of life for good. I am very dedicated to changing my lifestyle for the better, so I am confident that this will work out and within a year I will be a *full-on Macrobiotic freak* {as my friends lovingly call it}! Also, the support from The Blissful Chef has been so helpful -- she's awesome, follow her blog!

I am looking forward to going to my Sangha tonight for meditation. It's been wayyy too long - probably 2 weeks due to snow and scheduling conflicts. I meditate at home, but it's not the same as when I am around other Buddhists.... somthing in the atmosphere puts me at peace and every moment there is so precious. I hope that you also have a "safe haven" in your life... somewhere you can go and feel totally yourself and at peace. I supposed this weekends weather will cause services on Sunday to be cancelled - so I am looking forward to making tonights meditation especially meaningful.

Let the Cleansing Begin!

{a gift from a good friend!}

So it's Monday.... and the start of a new month. I am struggling to remain positive today, but determined to do so! I assumed that my work would be cancelled {or at the very least delayed} and spent the evening drinking wine, watching movies & hanging out with my hubby until wayyyyy past my bedtime. To say the least, digging my car out this morning and "sliding" to work was not fun. But I am here, and I will make today a positive one. Besides, this weekend was very special because I was snowed in with Sean & the pups... and we never stay up late on Sunday's so I can't be too angry about the extra time I was able to spend with my husband.

February 1st has come - which means the transition to my new macrobiotic diet is finally about to begin. I am making a trip to Whole Foods this weekend {after I get some $$} and stocking up on all things organic and healthy. I am taking this week to prepare by planning practical meal plans and building a shopping list of basic supplies. This weekend was fun because we got to clean all of the "junk" out of our fridge -- meaning lots and lots of pancakes, frozen pizza, soda & veggie nuggets... mm mm mm! A huge part of Macrobiotics is being aware of what you are putting into your body, and there is a special focus placed on chewing your food properly. For example, when you are eating in your car {if you are anything like me!} you probably stuff your face and swalllow without chewing all of your food - I know... I probably gross a lot of people out when they see me doing this, but who cares. The point is, you should chew your food 30-50 times before swallowing so that the food can be broken down and all of the nutrients can be absorbed by your body. Also, it allows for mealtime to be a form of meditation... since you are focusing on counting rather than watching tv or talking. Macrobiotics is going to be an improved way of life, and I am optimistic and ready for a change.

I have learned a lot so far about Macrobiotics and it continues to facinate me. As a Buddhist, anything that brings about more awareness is awesome. I am excited about being more healthy and developing a new relationship with my body by taking better care of it. Also, I love any chance to build more meditation into my routine - so bring on 3 new meditation sessions a day!

On a lighter note, the photo above is a gift from one of my very good friends. When she gave it to me, I mentioned that in the past I haven't been the best at keeping plants alive. My husband often jokes about how I killed a bamboo plant within a week.... which is supposedly impressive. Not in a good way. I am really proud of myself every time I look at that plant and see how much it continues to grow. Maybe it's my inner Buddha nature coming to surface! Being aware is a good thing, and I welcome you to enjoy every moment of life because in an instant it can all be over.

"Be happy in the moment - that's enough. Each moment is all we need - not more." {Mother Teresa}

Happy Thursday!

"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else." {Buddha}

I am new to the blogging world, and I think my inspiration to finally jump on this bandwagon is because I am in desperate need of a creative outlet. A place where I can be myself - free of judgement. Journaling is good for the soul, and with all of the recent changes in my life I feel it is a good idea to get some of this down. I feel that it makes things more real.

I recently began studying Buddhism and have been going to a Sangha a few times a week to meditate. For me this feels right. I have had conflict with my family over this {my mother is a Methodist pastor} but for once in my life I am putting my happiness above pleasing others. I have been a vegetarian for about 5 years now, and feel that I am ready to take things a step further. It is very important to be aware of things that are going into your body. Your soul is a temple and capable of bringing peace to so many people - and it's important to keep yourself healthy in order to do this.

If you haven't already seen the documentary Food Inc I encourage you to do so. It has opened my eyes to so many things and made me realize that I cannot rely on the government or a supermarket to tell me the truth about what is healthy and what is harmful. My husband and I try to eat mostly organic {especially dairy products}, but even some of those products are full of corn byproducts and other fillers that can be harmful. I have recently been inspired to try a Macrobiotic Diet and plan to start in February. This is going to be a drastic change in the way that I eat, and it will more than likely lead me to veganism, but again I feel it is important to keep your body healthy and this is a great way to do it. If you aren't familiar with Macrobiotics, I encourage you to check out this website: http://www.fitnessbegin.com/dieting/zenmacrobioticdiet.html


I will keep you all updated on my challenges and successes of this diet and any advice or meal plans would be greatly appreciated! I hope that blogging becomes a habbit and somthing that I can look forward to every morning. See you tomorrow!