Tag: #wholeness

Guys.  It’s time to get real.  I’ve put on a little extra cushioning lately.  I knew my jeans were fitting a little less perfectly, but I wasn’t really too worried about it. Sometimes we get off track, and the last months have been trying for all of us between Covid, our political situations, and the divide that seems to be happening between folks, even close friends and family members. It’s been kind of miserable, but there have also been aspects of beauty in the chaos, if we look for it.

With the cooler weather, I’ve also been a little more slack about my simplex carb intake, (I looooove Wood’s gf pumpkin scones and damn, there’s a lot of stress in the world…) have not being nearly consistent enough with my yoga practice (see above ) and I’ve been spending much more time sitting on my backside than ever working on editing my book.  This last week has been especially bad as I injured my back stacking wood so I’m unfortunately not doing a whole lot of anything when it comes to real exercise. 

But while on a couple of fun trips recently, (Oregon coast, and last week  to the Olympic Peninsula) my hubby took a some pictures of the spectacular scenery with me in the frames in front of him.   I was a little shocked to see that my ass had grown to extra thicc proportions, not a great look for my small frame.  Not that I have ever had an expectation of having a straight or thin physique – I’ve always been curvy, and love my figure –  but I  have small bones and when I put on a few pounds, that extra weight tends to pass my upper body to go directly to my hips and, you guessed it, backside.  So when I carry extra weight that is not muscle you really see it.  As clearly demonstrated by my hubs’ photos. 

 I am passionate about understanding, practicing, and teaching the science and spirit of co-creation (you may have noticed). Creating a healthy, whole, and happy life should be a balance between nurturing and caring for the mind, spirit, and body. Our bodies are the temple of Spirit, after all, and should be a reflection of our inner realities. Lately, though, I realize my slacking in care needs to change, so it’s time to get back to a routine that includes daily exercise and less simple carbs. 

The thing is, I’m really not good at denying myself things that are delicious.  I can’t eat gluten as it does an awful number on my digestive system, so when I want a treat, it’s usually prepared with white rice flour.  Which may be easy to eat (Woods GF pumpkin scones) but the body quickly converts simplex carbs into glucose, and unless you are exercising frequently, converts to fat fairly equally quickly.  Which, as I mentioned, goes directly to my ass and hips.  The body is an amazing thing – it puts calories away into storage for those lean times when we really need them.  But when was the last time the average American had a “lean time” in which we didn’t have an abundance of food to eat – so we don’t really need to be storing fat for the winter, amiright? 

My point is, if I don’t want to have a butt the size of Bermuda and hips that can rival Jessica Rabbit on my petite frame, I have to keep my simplex carbs to a minimum, with the exception of a cheat day each week. (Saturday Sundays!)  But I also don’t want to feel like I am denying myself, so there are a few little tricks I use that help a whole lot to get back on track:

• Consistent routine.  I start my day with some form of exercise.  Period.  For me, it’s usually yoga and walking, but I also do some HIT and weight training.  But whatever gets you moving is a good thing!  I also try to get in a few sets of 10 push ups and squats throughout the day.  

• Staying on track with my Intermittent Fasting.  I usually eat my first meal between 10 and noon and my second between 4 and 5:30.  I don’t eat anything after that.  Again, consistency is key.  For most, eating 6 on,18 off might not work. 12 on, 12 off is much more typical.   I’ve experimented quite a bit with my hours and this seems to be the best for me for feeling physically at my peak. 

• Sleep!  Getting to bed at a decent hour makes a huge difference in my eating patterns the next day.  Less rest means our bodies look for the missing energy elsewhere, often by consuming extra calories.  

• Shiritaki noodles.  You can buy either the yam or tofu variety, but most science shows that too much soy increases estrogen which can be no Bueno.  And I love to eat  tofu, so I pretty much stick to the yam noodle variety.  These noodles are super low calorie, (20-40 calories per bag)  no to low carb, filling, and incredibly versatile and easy to prepare.  I love throwing a rinsed package into a pot of broth and veggies for a delicious pho, but I also do a marinara on either the angel hair or fettuccine variety, a light olive oil and parmesan, or one of my favorites, a spicy pasta putanesca with green fettuccine.  The noodles will take on the flavor of whatever you are cooking with, much like tofu.  

• Trader Joe’s Jicama wraps.  I pan-fry two, slap them together so they don’t fall apart while I’m eating and fill them with whatever sounds good at the time.  Last night’s dinner was gyro meat with herbed tahini and sprouts on these wraps.  Tonight I made monk fruit-sweetened mole with chicken, cauliflower, sweet potato, black beans and peppers.  Served on the wraps  with shredded cabbage and avocado-cilantro crema.  Believe me when I tell you, both meals were spectacular, and with these delicious meals I don’t feel like I am denying myself one bit. 

• Cabbage.  Cabbage is an underappreciated food hero.  It is high in fiber, vitamin C, K and A, is anti-inflammatory, and feeds your intestinal flora.  Healthy intestinal flora=healthier weight.  I try to incorporate it into my meals as often as possible.  An easy and tasty slaw is shredded cabbage, black beans, salsa and a bit of light sour cream.  I also throw in pepitas and sunflower seeds, high in chlorophyll and a variety of other nutrients.  Earlier I mentioned easy, healthy pho?  Chopped cabbage, ginger, fresh garlic and a jalapeno cooked into the broth, and topped with fresh cilantro takes it to a whole new level.  Cilantro and ginger are two more antioxidant, anti-inflammatory superfoods worth eating regularly.  This is also a great immune-boosting soup to make if you are feeling a little under the weather.   

• Hydration!  Drink first if you think you are hungry, then wait 10 minutes.  Often we misinterpret our bodies’ natural cues and eat when we are actually dehydrated.  Urine should be light yellow to clear.  ‘Nuff said!

• Healthy, low-carb, gluten-free baked goods.  I have found that it is usually when I deny myself of things I enjoy that I fall the hardest into poor eating habits. (I’ve been good for weeks...Just one(or 5) cookie won’t hurt… So once a week or so I bake a “sweet” using almond, flax, and coconut flours.  I use monkfruit to sweeten.  Last week’s treat was a low-sugar, low carb blueberry-apple-ginger cobbler.  We enjoyed it warm with dairy-free yogurt for breakfast one morning and for dessert after dinner another night.  So delicious!  Having something that feels a little indulgent keeps me from craving things like chocolate chunk cookies, though I intend to try an almond flour dark-chocolate chunk cookie one of these days…

• Greens.  Years ago, I had a nutritionist tell me that we could practically eat a bathtub of greens without gaining weight, and I took that advice seriously.  I love serving salads or sauteed greens with each meal, and in these cold winter months I throw every veggie I have on hand into my soups and stews.   It’s also a good way to sneak veggies into meals without kids realizing it!

And last but most importantly, mindset.  How do you want to feel in your skin?  We all have different body types, shapes, and metabolic processes, but ultimately, what makes you feel your best?  Lizzo is a voluptuous goddess who loves herself as she is – but also works out regularly so she can perform well and feel fabulous.  I have several Pacific islander friends who are bigger boned and carry a little extra thiccness – and look exactly right and hot as hell as they are.  I am both curvy and athletic, so feel my personal best when my body reflects both aspects of who I am. 

 No matter what your “normal” might be, I hope you can look into the mirror and see your inherent gorgeousness.  If COVID and the stress of the recent divisions within our society has caused you to stress-eat or stop exercising, that’s ok.  I feel ya, literally.  But regardless of what’s happening outside, my wish would be that you would feel your absolute best inside.  Sometimes we fall off the wellness wagon almost by necessity, but at some point, your body deserves to feel it’s optimum.  You deserve to feel your best.  I know I’m ready to get back to feeling fabulous in my skin; my outer reality reflecting the inner reality I desire rather than the stress I may have been feeling of late. What is the reality you most desire for yourself, in your body and beyond?  Whatever it is, you deserve it, beautiful.  Much love!

• Terah