It’s so funny to me that sometimes, no matter how compliant, or how long one (okay, I) have been on the BTD, an avoid will sneak in and whollop the body with major reactions. I bought brie to share with my mother as she visited this weekend. We had crusty bread, cut up apples and pears, and oozing brie out of the oven. I was quite excited about such a yummy lunch! That is: I was excited until the brie hang-over kicked in!! My belly doubled in size (bloating), I had a hangover headache, and felt all-around, um, yucky. Of course, as I cruised over to typebase I noticed that brie is an avoid…

Okay, so if you’ve followed myself or nearly any of the other bloggers, you’ve read the above many times over. You’ve probably even felt it yourself after ingesting an avoid. I began writing this blog at the beginning of last week and just couldn’t bring myself to finish it. The problem is this: I’ve said the same thing too many times without making a change. I’m not talking about an unintentional avoid like brie, but the intentional choices that I make every day that make me fill like, well, crap. I crave sweets and junk food and I know that it only happens when I’m out of balance for my weekly intake of foods. I also know that if I just keep my weekly food check-off chart on the counter, I’ll eat compliantly…and more importantly not crave avoids. The problem is that I don’t consistently follow through with what’s best for me.

I let life get in the way.

The other topic that I’ve written on a few times is living a highly beneficial life. An HB life includes compliant food choices, but also life choices such as plenty of water, sleep, exercise, relaxation and personally fulfilling moments. My biggest weakness is falling behind on the relaxation and stress relief parts of an HB life. I don’t know how many times I’ll have to write it to begin to make it my own, but I know that if I don’t focus on taking care of ME in daily life, I’ll continue to feel crummy much of the time. One positive choice that I’ve made that has already made me feel better is to be positive at work. I’m always pro-active and positive with my students, but sometimes the grown-ups on staff are a little more challenging. I’ve decided that rather than contributing to some of the negativity that exists within the school site, I’ll work to stay positive and upbeat. That is what will help me to be HB in my day, and therefore, Highly Beneficial in my life.

I sincerely hope that this finds you safe, happy and content. Be well…

I just wanted to drop in with a few thoughts about combining different types of diets that are popular now with ER4YT. As mentioned in the previous blog, I have been working to incorporate both the Blood Type diet and the South Beach diet into a manageable kitchen routine. It seems to be working out just fine. The AB blood type seems to be highly compatible with the suggestions from South Beach. There’s a bit more cheese suggested and no fruit or rice, but this is only in the first two weeks of the plan. After the first two weeks of “strict” compliance, the two plans match almost perfectly. I am enjoying it because the South Beach book has recipes in the back (remember that I only own the Cook Right 4 Your Blood Type book…so recipes turn me on!), and as long as I pick recipes that are compliant, or substitute ingredients…both “diets” are followed with compliance. Reading another book with the similar goal of overall health and wellness helps to round out the picture that Dr. D has been creating whilst reinforcing my good habits (for eating and health), and reminding me what I need to work on changing.

Here’s to you, compliance, great recipes and winter’s icy grip…be well…

The simplest pleasures in life truly are the tiny little nuances of the universe buzzing all around us. A gentle puff of wind tousling one’s hair, the sincere kindness of an old friend’s voice drifting across a phone line, the simple act of spontaneous kindness from a stranger, the warm embrace from one whom you hold dear…all are reminders of our connectedness to each other and the world. I type this as I snuggle in my cozy bed early on a Friday night looking forward to a Saturday rising without the hum, buzz, or beep of an alarm.

Not that I won’t be up early happily puttering away completing chores on my extensive “to-do” list, the sublime pleasure is rising naturally under the warm glow of sunlight (please, oh please give me sunlight in the morning!) through one’s windows on a January weekend. I am looking forward to welcoming a dear friend from college and her husband to Manchester for the weekend to enjoy the closing of the Andrew Wyeth exhibit here in town and a compliant dinner “cooked in” with laughter and reminisced moments from days not too long ago... Do allow me to share the menu for the evening--perhaps you’ll be inspired to partake of the delicious feast!

My hunny and I have been combining the BTD with South Beach (a his and hers of meal planning if you will…), so Saturday’s dinner will accommodate the needs of both. I must add that we’ll be enjoying a completely non-compliant Key Lime Pie for dessert, of which we will all be pleased as punch and completely guiltless to partake.

The meal:

Scallops pan fried in olive and flax seed oil with caramelized onions, garlic, and mushrooms.

Mashed/Whipped cauliflower with soy milk, fat-free sour cream, garlic powder, salt and dill weed. (just like mashed potatoes only with cauliflower instead!)

Quickly steamed spinach with melted goat’s cheese

Perhaps some roasted peanuts or almonds for a bit of heaviness and crunch…

Here’s hoping that this finds you all safe and healthy…more to come soon…be well…

Hey’yall…I’ve got so much to share…but no time to write tonight. I’ll be blogging tomorrow…I promise…it’s one of my resolutions for 2005!! Hope that this finds you all well, happy and safe!