Fall nesting

 ok.

I love fall.

Fall means so many things to me.

Refreshing cooler days. 

Cute pumpkins.

Anticipation.

Gratefulness.

Gathering.

Ruts of routine

When we lived in Colorado our pastor invited a panel of 3 elderly men to share their stories about attempting to finish well. One of them shared a little story I have never forgotten.  On this particular morning he shared a story of a man who was traveling during springtime and melting snow was making the road difficult to travel. A sign posted at a crossroads said, "Take care which rut you choose, you will be in it for the next 25 miles."
He went on to explain how ruts of routine make for grooves of grace. When the rains come or the snow melts, it will flow by way of the 'rut'. In a similar manner, the simple routines we develop (intentionally or not) may allow for grace to flow more easily and quickly by way of the 'ruts' in our lives and friendships.
Teach me your ways!

Yep, it's all gone.

NO more Blue Bell ICE CREAM.

I'm on my newest healthy kick. After falling off my bike a couple of weeks ago and still feeling the soreness and pain...(fractured collarbone and punctured lung) well, let's just say that vigorous exercise has not been a priority. So, it's time to get with another program if I hope to fit in my blue jeans I put away last spring. A slow walk around the block does wonders for my mood (I seriously need sunshine) but nada for my hips.

So, I'm cutting out wheat after reading Wheat Belly. I'm seriously eating veggies and salads and chicken and eggs and occasional steaks. I treat myself to something chocolate once a day. Have you tried Dove's dark chocolate? A friend from book club brought me a bar of it along w/ some other 'recovery' items. Wow. So, I did stock up on some of that at Target tonight. Tamera (who was with me) told me to put it in the freezer and she said I would not eat as much. I sure hope so, since I ate the whole bar my friend brought me as I watched part of one speech of a national convention last night. I justified it as 'comfort' food.

A few of my new habits include:
A big salad at lunch that is just romaine lettuce that's already cut up in a bag. You know, Bag o' salad. I put a yummy salad dressing on it that is low in sugar. It's perfect and it actually fills me up.
Breakfast is usually eggs (scrambled or fried) with a small amount of fruit (berries). I actually fixed some cooked spinach with it this morning and it was great. Helped to mix in a dab of sour cream. Creamed spinach for breakfast. What do ya know? But if you are not eating cereal or oatmeal or bagels...well, you start rethinking breakfast.
At night, more salad with a pan fried (no oil) chicken breast or steak and some more green veggies.


A treat I really like for any meal is Ricotta cheese mixed with fresh berries.

Or Ricotta cheese mixed with a sugar free syrup (like you put in your coffee) and some walnuts.

So, here's to the plan. Wish me well. 

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