restorARTively

Week 1 down - many more to go The first week of the hundredth time I gave up refined sugar is Easter week. Planning continues to be a challenge in my fourth decade. Exercise was consistent all week. It consistently woke up the muscles I didn't know I still had in areas I can't see under the flab. This time is not the same. Reforming my health is about more than the extra poundage I have accumulated. It's about how it got there, why I hold onto it, and the biggest challenge in getting rid of it. Forgiveness. My Facebook status on Easter Sunday mentioned my prayers "that I can forgive". Forgive myself that is. I forgave the doctors, nurses, hospital, and health system that were party in James's wrongful death. I cannot forget and I may not agree with most of them on most everything. I do forgive them though; which is what has made it possible for me to seek post-verdict conversations with a couple of them. Forgiving myself is much harder. How do you forgive a mo...

I have just struggled through breakfast. First one I have had in months. Generally I eat one meal a day, snack throughout, and enjoy sugar way too much . All that has added up to one overweight - yup, fat - mama. So,in the hopes for new health for all Americans, I will follow the advice of a trusted physician friend and start reforming my own health care. And in the spirit of transparency and community, I am sharing the journey with anyone who cares to join me. From what I hear, finding a community of support helps success. I started a few days ago with keeping track of what I was eating. I was not eating much but the simple math was clear: NO breakfast + sweet tooth + little exercise = Fat Fortunately, I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol levels, and normal glucose levels. So, healthy for now except too big for my britches (so to speak). So, today I suffered through a measured 1/2 cup of Quaker oats and raisins. I tried sweetening it with cinnamon and a tablespoon of applesauce ...