Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful for my health! Even as I am awaiting word on a back condition, I'm healthier now than I have ever been. It's a daily journey that I am on - one that values the temple God put my spirit in on this planet. To take care of it the best I can!

So here comes the first of the holiday season traps - the thanksgiving meal! Everyone seems to throw all restraint out of the window.  Where a healthy human only needs 1500 or so healthy calories a day, most folks will eat 5-6,000 calories during their thanksgiving meal. How is that loving yourself?

So here are some tips to eating what you love, while loving yourself. 

* Portions!  If you have to have that dessert or fattening mashed potatoes and gravy, let a spoonful do. Even a full plate with lots of sample spoonfuls will have way more fat and calories than expected! And even too much of a good thing is bad - 4oz of meat is a portion size (a deck of cards)

* Fill up on healthier choices - white meat turkey, veggies, fresh veggie appetizers

* Make recipes as healthy as possible - low or no fat instead of full fat ingredients. 

*Avoid pie crust! That's where a lot of the fat is! 

*Don't drink your calories! Sip water with lemon or unsweet tea with the meal. 

*No seconds!

Yeah some of you are thinking I'm I kill joy, but eating mindfully is a daily choice. Every day. 

You're worth it!

e b e r

And Now...A Mental Health Moment

I hate November. 

I don't want to. I am trying to be mindful of my thoughts and actions as I head into November, but how I dread it. 

It has been one of my worst months, dealing with depression. I can be moving forward and doing well, but as November looms, the terrain changes. Solid ground turns to mire and suddenly I am struggling to walk, to breath, and I can feel the downward slide. 

I hate it. 

In November, a pivotal life changer happened. Then four years later my first love was killed in a car accident, two days after thanksgiving. In November, his mother died - a woman who was like a mother to me. Recently in November, my favorite Aunt died. And just to add a kicker, my dad just had a major medical situation...unfolding as I write. 

My therapists have told me to be aware of triggers. Well, November is ripe with them. I set my face and set goals. I have a plan on how to eat, how to make sure to exercise. I make sure my accountability folks are aware. 

I pray. A lot. 

My jaw is clenched, though.  I'm terrified. I HATE the slide, I hate depression. I don't want to feel that way. 

Pray for my dad. 

e b e r