I for one have fallen smack on it and am still reeling from the aftereffects. The odd electrical shock will course through my body systems reminding me that I’ve been living a life of non-compliance for nearly two weeks now. I’ve done moderately well on the food front, mostly meaning that I’ve eaten bennies here and there. However, I have also eaten large portion amounts, a fair amount of sugar and have downed much coffee. I have not been in the pool or to the gym in two weeks and have not been getting my fair share of sleep. Worst of all, I’ve not been careful about de-stressing and taking care of my psyche. This is not to say that there have not been super highly beneficial lights shining in through the deep dark tunnel keeping me from being stunned and shattered on that third rail. It is just that I haven’t been taking the care that I deserve.

So…I have printed off my weekly food portions chart (three days late, but here this week nonetheless). I have stocked my ‘fridge with bennies and a few neutrals (and no avoids), and am so looking forward to Thursday off so that I may catch up on a few extra zzzzz’s. Thursday at home will also allow me to boil a big pot of beans on the stove. I get so grouchy without my beans…there’s not much explanation for it, and I’ve learned to just accept it. At least most of the time there are a few extra containers full of beans waiting patiently in the freezer to be devoured. (*wink**) As for getting to the pool or gym: I’m still learning how to effectively manage my new schedule, so they will be priorities as soon as I can make them so.

Here’s hoping that y’all are having a fantastic, sunny fall season and that you’re lucky enough to have caught a glimpse of the amazing Northern Lights show that has been happening this week. Take care of you and most of all…be well…

BTW—I tried goat cheese for the first time this past weekend and it was YUM-MY…if you’ve not ventured into that cheesy arena, give it a run, you just might like it!!

I don’t know how I haven’t gotten to submit a blog since the third week of October…I’ve THOUGHT about it often enough, but just haven’t sat down to write. I am firmly ensconced in life at the middle school, and am recalling how to survive the daily hormonal ups and downs of pre-teens. Good grief!

Life on the BTD has been scattered because I haven’t really been cooking or preparing food, so the compliance comes from yogurt, rice, cottage cheese and whichever veggies I grab to throw in the microwave to be steamed. Of course, the lemon water has never been absent, and I’ve been much better about getting in 2 Nalgenes of water a day.

I’m settled into a new place now, and am finding my ground with time management. My goal for this weekend (after a great visit to a dear friend out of town) is to get that weekly food chart on the kitchen counter and a plan for the week’s meals. I also resolve to blog regularly…so stay tuned!! Be well...

Natalie…if you’re reading this: Girl, your hotmail account is full! Each e-mail keeps getting popped back to me…I will try to reach you by phone this weekend!

Here I am pre-writing yet another blog to you from an airplane seat high, high above the clouds. My time in Los Angeles went by far too quickly, but the “work” part of it was very successful and I did get to at least see my dearest friends at least once. Sadly, the SoCal weather did not cooperate and it rained like mad my whole time in town. I was looking forward to soaking up some sunshine as I’m already noting the ill effects of declining light in New Hampshire. Ah la la, ca c’est la vie, I suppose. Hopefully we’ll get some sunshiny (if cool) weather this weekend in New England and I can play outside for a bit…as you know…my AB blood needs the care and feeding of fresh air, sunshine and outdoor activity!

I was no where near compliant most of my time in town, in fact, I forgot to eat for the majority of the trip!! There was so much running around to do and visiting to complete that I just didn’t eat. I didn’t sleep much either…so needless to say, I’m feeling a bit rough around the edges today. My tummy is kind of acidy, I have a headache and my joints are really bothering me. The good news is that I can go to bed early the next couple of nights and will be able to prepare compliant meals to get back on track.

If I haven’t mentioned it before, using the weekly chart to mark off all foods consumed is a great treasure because it allows me to see where I’m lacking in an instant. I always struggle with animal protein and tend to fall short with the grains, pasta and cereal. Having it there in the kitchen in black and white makes it much easier to decide what to pack for lunch (for example, if I see that I haven’t had any yogurt or cottage cheese by Wednesday, it’ll be in Thursday’s lunch!!), and what needs to be prepared for dinner (usually some fish and extra rice). I’ve included the chart below for your reference. The serving sizes are for women, but when I checked quickly, it looked like the only significant difference for men and women are the protein portions.

Take care of you, happy, compliant eating and be well…

Hmmm...when I cut and pasted this chart in from word, it only copied the text. If you decide that you want it and can use it, perhaps copying and pasting it into word and adding a table will work. If it doesn't just drop me a line and I'll e-mail it to you as an attachment. Smiles!!

MEAT&POULTRY

2-5 OZ, 0-2 X/WK

SEAFOOD

4-6 OZ, 3-5X/WK

EGGS

1EGG, 3-4X/WK

CHEESES

2 OZ, 3-4X/WK

YOGURT

4-6 OZ, 3-4X/WK

MILK

4-6 OZ, 3-6X/WK

OILS&FATS

1 TBS, 4-8X/WK

NUTS&SEEDS

6-8 NUTS, 2-5X/WK

NUT BUTTERS

1 TBS, 3-7X/WK

BEANS&LEGUMES

1 C DRY, 2-3X/WK

CEREALS

1 C DRY, 2-3X/WK

BREADS&MUFFINS

1SLICE, 0-1X/DAY

GRAINS

1 C DRY, 3-4X/WK

PASTA

1 C DRY, 3-4X/WK

VEGETABLES

1 CUP, 3-5X/DAY

VEGETABLES-T

VEGETABLES-W

VEGETABLES-R

VEGETABLES-F

VEGETABLES-S

VEGETABLES-S

FRUITS

1 OR 3-5 OZ, 3-4X/DAY

FRUITS-T

FRUITS-W

FRUITS-R

FRUITS-F

FRUITS-S

FRUITS-S

JUICES&FLUIDS

8 OZ, 2-3X/DAY

WATER

8 OZ, 4-7X/DAY

What IS that song?! Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day…

Anyhow, I figured since I woke up with it running through my brain, AND it’s a Monday…the title was apt!!

Hey y’all…what’s shakin’? Do you LOVE the BTD boards or what? They have been a time sucker for me, but how nice to have so many people rattling around inside chatting with each other about living and eating well! And, I’m very impressed with the number of AB posts I’ve seen…we’re represented, yeah!!

Well, this is going to be a short, and scattered blog because I’m in Cali for a few more days doing business and recovering from pleasure. I’d like to look into the whole traveling compliantly concept sometime in the future, because it’s hard!! Thankfully, I’ve managed lemon water in every morning, and a little exercise, but that’s about it! I’m so stuffed full and getting very little sleep. The food hasn’t been too out of whack compliance-wise, but the sleep is KILLING me (or at least making me sick…). But of course, it’s wonderful to be here and to be catching up with so many friends AND to not be wearing a coat (although it is raining…boo!).

So…if you take anything away from this blog today (aside from being reinforced about my randomness), it should be to go check out the BTD boards…and…if you do nothing else: DRINK YOUR A.M. LEMON WATER!! *wink**

Stay compliant and be well…

No…I’m not trying to ward of vampires…silly!! Just colds!! The two little rugrats with whom I live have gotten quite a cold—fever, snots, sneezes, coughs, aches, pains—you name it!! As I have been taking care of them this weekend, I am on a 100% highly beneficial compliance kick (insert edit here: okay, so 100% HB for me...which includes coffee and a few other neutrals that are actually HB to my soul...which as we all know, is a pretty important component of total well being!!) so that I don’t end up sick too!! I’ve had lots of parsley soup (parsley, garlic, olive oil & rice noodles), turkey, pears, green tea (with honey & soymilk) and lots of lemons with water. I’ll be having some tuna tomorrow too…

Of course, remember that the second most important component is SLEEP…of which I’m trying to get plenty! Here’s hoping that you all are well and happy where you are. Keep reaching toward compliance (in food and actions!!), and take care…