Struggling with motivation at the moment.  Still doing more right than not but attention to detail is lacking.

4-6 serves of fruit (4 serves both days)

1 raw salad salad (tick yesterday, 0 today)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (yesterday 0, today 1)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick both days)
1 serve orange veggies (tick both days)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick both days)
1 cup cooked legumes (tick both days )
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick both days)

Yesterday I had a meeting which I arranged catering for.  I made homemade hommous with veggie sticks and fresh fruit and nuts for morning tea and I arranged wraps so there would be minimum refined carbohydrates.  That way I was able to have a salad wrap.  I also had a sourdough roll after dinner.  Damn bread is so tempting!

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (tick;  yesterday today I went to yoga and meditated during savasana ,  I’ve yet to meditate tonight)

3. New recipes (0)

4. walked the bay yesterday,  yoga this morning.  I was going to run tonight but I was too slack

Today I’m grateful for:

• cat cuddles
• organic fruit and veggies delivered to my work
• my Dad and step-mum coming to visit me in September.  I’m so excited
• cat toys

I ran this morning (day 2 of the couch 2 5km program) so perhaps that’s why this evening I was so bloody hungry!  Anyway this is how I went today:

4-6 serves of fruit (4 serves)

1 raw salad salad (tick)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick)
1 serve orange veggies (tick)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick)
1 cup cooked legumes (tick)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick)

Also had a whole packet of malaysian style tofu.  Cravings for pancakes but resisted.  Tomorrow I think I’ll have porridge for breakfast and see if I’m less hungry.

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (tick.  5mins this morning and 10 tonight)

3. New recipes (0)

4. Exercise (ran)

Today I’m grateful for:

• Stella doing the census online
• Linda loaning me her car so tonight I was able to collect my bike with flat tyre.  Tomorrow when I walk past the cycle shop I’ll pop in and buy a new innertube.
• all the funny census tweets on twitter.
• my family in England being safe from the riots… at least I hope they are and I assume they are as no one has let me know they aren’t.
• my electric blanket on a chilly night
• my job which is interesting and inspiring to me

Yesterday I didn’t meditate and it was almost 2pm before I seriously got moving out of bed.  I’m calling that a rest day.  A late night on Saturday threw me out of my routine and chaos ensued.  I did however, stick to the healthy eating even though I had breakfast at 1:30 in the arvo.

Today I struggled to get out of bed so meditated in the bus on the way to work.  Bad move.  I won’t make that mistake again.  Two children called Dakota and Amber were fighting over an iPhone in the seat in front of me, and their mother kept threatening to slap them if they didn’t stop fighting.  She also threatened to slap Dakota for kicking her sister.  When young Dakota quite sensibly asked why she shouldn’t kick her sister she was informed by her mother that “you might hurt her and it’s not nice to hurt people”.  I was tempted to tell her that it might be a bit tricky for an approx 4 yr old to pick up on the irony of her mother slapping her because it’s not nice to hurt people but I refrained.  Not really conducive to meditation.

Food-wise I hit my target of 4-6 serves of fruit (4 serves) woohoo!
I had 2 raw salads!

1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (strangely didn’t meet this target today)
1 serve orange veggies (tick)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick)
1 cup cooked legumes (didn’t get any in today as I planned to have some for dinner but got home so late I only had some strawberries before bed)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick)

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (meditated of a sort, in the bus as described and had a brief 5 mins on the stool tonight.)

4. Exercise (worked out with Sparta Jen)

Today I’m grateful for:

• an opportunity to cat-sit the gorgeous Guan Yin, Linda’s beautiful Burmese.
• Stella giving me a lift to Linda’s place tonight
• the loan of Linda’s car so I can easily move my clothes, food etc to Linda’s when I house and cat-sit on Wednesday.
• a great workshop facilitated by Mary O’hagan, former Mental Health Commissioner from NZ, consumer advocate and really inspiring lady
• compassionate feelings toward a woman on the bus who seemed very intoxicated.
• good people working in mental health

Last night I met a friend of my workmate Zoe’s whom she’s told me about before; he’s got severe arthritis and in his most recent blood tests all his levels are normal and he’s completely eliminated medication through a vegan diet.  Unfortunately the restaurant was very noisy and another work colleague’s meat-eating partner was sitting in between us which meant it was a bit rude yelling at each other across him  so I didn’t get to talk to him much.  He’s pretty passionate about veganism and healing your body through food.

It was a great reminder why I’m overhauling my lifestyle starting with diet.  I don’t have arthritis, heart disease or diabetes or any other condition that following a diet free of animal protein has proven to reverse.  I do however have a vulnerability to depression and anxiety so I’m following a hunch that eating for physical health will improve my mental health.

At it’s most basic level it works like this:

• I have also noticed that as I get older, colds and seasonal viruses take their toll on my immune system and I end up with respiratory tract infections which take much longer to recover from.
• Sinus or chest infections mean I end up in bed recovering and can’t exercise
• I stop exercising and it’s harder to start again
• Less exercise means I gain weight
• I feel heavy, lethargic and unattractive and my mood gets bleaker

So what’s in store for next week?  My intention is to continue following Robyn’s healthy eating guidelines based on Dr Joel Fuhrman’s eating guidelines, continue with the gratitude journal and increase my meditation and exercise.  Having said that, it’s 11.25am and I haven’t meditated yet so I’d better get on the stool!

4-6 serves of fruit (4 serves)

1 raw salad salad (tick although it was a papaya salad so not sure it counts!)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick)
1 serve orange veggies (0)
1-3 serves other veggies (0.5)
1 cup cooked legumes (0.5)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (1/4 cup brown rice)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick)

This morning I  walked to Orange Grove Markets and bought some fruit and veg for the week.  I had a late breakfast of a grilled veggie roll with ayvar (capsicum relish) with Caro, Jean and Steve at Balkan.  I don’t think I’ll eat bread any more.  It just doesn’t seem to agree with me!

Lunch I had minestrone soup at Iku in Glebe made with brown rice instead of pasta.  I also had a fruit slice thing like a cake.  I shouldn’t have.  It wasn’t very nice.

Dinner at Yullis was really nice.  Leek and ginger dumplings to start, salt and pepper tofu with papaya salad for a main and vegan sticky date pudding with coconut (dairy-free) icecream for dessert.  Back on the eating plan tomorrow!

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (meditated this morning for 5mins and went to Govinda’s tonight and did 1 hour of Kirtan (chanting) before Zoe’s dinner party.  Kirtan isn’t what I would call meditation but it is a meditation so I’m counting it!  Actually it was a great way to start the evening for a non-drinker as the chanting and swaying kinda loosened up the inhibitions before I got to dinner, without any alcohol passing my lips.

3. New recipes (0) .

4. Exercise (walked to Orange Grove Markets and from Kings Cross to Surry Hills.  Not a lot in other words!)

Today I’m grateful for:

• my bed.  I’m looking forward to sleeping!
• the lovely weather today
• the staff at Yulli’s looking after me and making sure I got vegan meals
• good workmates.  Tracy, Zoe and Bed you are gorgeous girls!

4-6 serves of fruit (4 serves) woohoo!

1 raw salad salad (tick)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick)
1 serve orange veggies (tick)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick)
1 cup cooked legumes (tick)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick)

I finished off the last of the pinenut brittle and really wish I hadn’t.  I was grumpy all day and I wonder if it was the sugar.  I also got so hungry I polished off some stale rice crackers while cooking dinner.  Mental note to self, pack snacks for the afternoon.

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (meditated last night, this morning and tonight @ only 5mins but I’m confident I’ll build this up once I’m in the twice a day habit.)

3. New recipes (0) but I’m about to look up some recipes and see if there’s one I want to try for Sunday dinner.

4. Exercise (walked most of the bay with a work colleague after work tonight)

Today I’m grateful for:

• having things to do this weekend with friends
• days like this being few and far between.  I’m not often grumpy and down these days.  I’m grateful that the depression I felt for almost 2 years after my last relationship breakup has lifted and today is just a down day.
• having a roof over my head, a meal in my tummy and a warm, comfy bed to sleep in
• my legs.  I know I’d survive if I couldn’t walk but I’m mighty glad I can!
• my brother.  Spoke to him tonight and I am grateful that we have a friendship
• the warmer weather.  Our electricity bill doubled over winter!

Early to bed for me tonight.  Hopefully I’ll wake in a better frame of mind

I strayed from the path a little today, but not too far and got back on track for dinner.

4-6 serves of fruit (4 serves) woohoo!  finally hit the target!

1 raw salad salad (tick)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick if you count the salad.  If not then 0)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick green beans with lunch)
1 serve orange veggies (tick 0.5 grated carrot in salad.  Not a full serve though)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick)
1 cup cooked legumes (tick thanks to a work colleague’s amazing lentil soup.  Yum thanks Tracy!)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (15g only sesame seeds)

I also had more than my fair share of Tracy’s pinenut brittle… oh so decadent and a white bread roll with lunch.  Ooopsy.

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (meditated last night and this morning and plan to when I get home tonight)  20mins this morning and I’ll do 5mins before bed tonight.

3. New recipes (0)

4. Exercise (walked from Leichhardt work 20 mins then walked most of the bay run, to the shops and then home)

Today I’m grateful for:

• my lovely friends and work colleagues.  It was great to catch up on the phone with Bullet tonight.  You’re right mate, we don’t do it enough.  I’m sure it wasn’t just the effects of the anaesthetic wearing off
• sunsets.  Beautiful sunset over the Bay Run tonight which I enjoyed with my two office buddies
• antibiotics as I’m getting healthier by the day!
• cheap oranges at supabarn!  $1.99 for 3kg bag!  I’m feeling lots of oranges in my smoothies this week.
• electric blanket – I love getting in a warm bed.  In the absence of a man to warm me up, an electric blanket is almost as good and it doesn’t get cranky with me or send my dodgy pornographic text messages.  Long story.  Don’t ask.
• technology which enables me to keep in contact with family and friends easily

A late night last night and an early start due to a physio appointment this morning so I blended my green smoothie and put it in my thermos for breakfast once I got to work.  By the time I got to work I was ravenous.  This may or may not have contributed to the food cravings today.

So how did I go today?

4-6 serves of fruit (2 serves)
1 raw salad salad (tick albeit a very small one)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick)
1 serve orange veggies (tick)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick)
1 cup cooked legumes (tick)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains if exercising (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick)

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (meditated last night for 5 mins only as I was home late, and this morning did 5 mins only as I had to be up early.  I plan to do a longer meditation tonight)

3. New recipes (0)

4. Exercise (rode to work, rode most of the way to pilates before getting a puncture and having to walk.  Pilates 40 mins.  Attempted to run from bus stop home (400m) but aborted half way due to breathlessness.)

Today I’m grateful for:

• a warm seat on the bus after a long wait in a cold bus stop
• that the puncture was when I was almost at my destination and not at the start of my commute
• that I got a piece of work done that I needed to finish today
• for a good laugh when my screen went sideways at work (try control, alt, arrow key for a great practical joke)

4-6 serves of fruit (3 serves)
1 raw salad salad (tick)
1-2 serves of leafy greens (tick)
1-2 serves of non-leafy greens (tick)
1 serve orange veggies (tick)
1-3 serves other veggies (tick)
1 cup cooked legumes (tick)
1/2 – 1 cup whole grains (0)
30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds (tick)

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes (meditated last night and this morning and plan to when I get home tonight)

3. New recipes (0)

4. Exercise (walked to work 40 mins)

I weighed in this morning at 75.5 which , according to Ms Sparta’s records, is 1.1kg lower than my last weigh in even though my measurements have increased! Not sure what to make of that.

Today I’m grateful for:
*planning ahead – this meant I was able to go out for dinner tonight knowing what I needed to eat to reach my nutrition targets and yummy it was too (mother Chus vegetarian kitchen)
*ex colleagues who keep in touch and become friends.
*sunshine – it was a lovely walk to work this morning in the sun
*my good health
*wordpress iPhone app so I can update this blog on the bus home

So how did I go today?

1. To follow as closely as possible the daily healthy eating guidelines recommended by my naturopath Robyn Chuter*

• 4-6 serves of fruit – 3 serves.  1 orange and 1 serve berries in a green smoothie (breakfast) and 1 apple (morning snack).  
• 1 raw salad heavy on leafy greens 1 salad (lunch)
• 1-2 serves of leafy greens 1 serve spinach in my green smoothie, 1 serve bok choy in my veggie soup (dinner)
• 1-2 serves of non-leafy greens 1 serve steamed broccoli (lunch), 1 large zucchini in soup (dinner)
• 1 serve orange veggies 1/2 large carrot in salad (lunch) 1 serve pumpkin and 1 serve sweet potato in soup (dinner)
• 1-3 serves other veggies parsnip and onion in soup (dinner)
• 1 cup cooked legumes 1 cup chickpea curry  (lunch)
• 1/2 – 1 cup whole grains none but this is maximum amount not minimum and only if I’m doing a lot of exercise
• 30 – 60g raw nuts and seeds 15g ground linseed and 15g ground sesame seeds in green smoothie (breakfast)

2. To meditate twice a day, even if it’s only for a few minutes so far so good.  Meditated 20mins this morning, plan to meditate 20mins again before bed

3. To try one new recipe.  I should have mentioned this goal is one new recipe per week not per day.  I created my own veggie soup tonight with the veggies I had in the fridge.  It’s surprisingly yummy.

Veggie Soup

Lorna’s “what’s in the fridge” Veggie Soup
Makes lots
saute the following:
1 onion
1 sweet potato (orange)
2 small parsnips
2 cups pumpkin

Add 1 vegan chicken stock and  1 vegan mushroom stock cubes and enough water to cover all the veggies
Decide it needs more flavour so raid the fridge.  Add 1 tsp wholegrain mustard and 1 tsp mince garlic, 1 tsp dried tarragon and ground black pepper

When nearly cooked add shredded bok choy leaves.  

Mash the veggies.

Add juice of 1/4 lemon before serving.

The wholegrain mustard and the parsnips seem to work really well together.  I was really pleasantly surprised. 

4. If my cough resolves finally I’ll start running again. Still coughing so I haven’t run yet but I did work out with the excellent Sparta PT  and rode to and from work so I’m giving myself a tick for this one as well.

As I was prepping my veggies for my soup I cut up extra and threw them in a roasting dish so I’d have roast veggies for a salad tomorrow lunch.

Mistress Sparta took my measurements and I’ve decided for maximum benefit (accountability) and maximum shame I’m going to post them here.

• chest 101 cm
• waist (bellybutton level) 96.5 cm
• hips 110.2 cm
• right quad 48.2cm
• right calf 39.2 cm

I suspect that these measurements are larger than the last time Jen measured me (she’ll let me know when she checks my file) but that’s ok because in 60 days they will be much lower.  :)

Tomorrow I’ll weigh myself in the morning.  I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t think to do that this morning!  I am however pleased that I’ve met my goals for the day today with the exception of the fruit.  Tomorrow I’ll need to get some more fruit as I’m running low.

The final part of my commitment to myself (and you lot in blogland) is to document what I’m grateful for because keeping a gratitude diary is good for my mental health.  Today I’m grateful for:

• great friends and colleagues and their supportive comments
• sleep!  I slept like a baby log last night for the first time in 5 days.  I’m so grateful for that.  What a difference it made
• my job.  I LOVE my job.  I’m so lucky to work with such amazing people and in such an important area
• food.  I am so lucky to have money to buy and access to healthy, fresh, organic produce.  Those in East Africa are not so lucky and are experiencing the worst famine in 60 years; much worse than the “Live Aid” famine.  I’m planning a fundraiser and talk by the fabulously talented and gorgeous Siobhan Marren who will be back from working in refugee camps there in a few weeks.  Will let you know details soon.  For now I’m grateful for food and the opportunity to be able to do something to help.