Feeling Grateful

Thanksgiving will be here soon.  It's a day to be grateful and thankful for all of our blessings bestowed upon us.  Many people in our lives are saddened when the holidays come since their loved ones may no longer be with them in celebration.  There are many poor and homeless people who are alone and hungry.  As most of us are blessed and remain very thankful and grateful, we can lend a helping hand to those who are in need of love, kindness, comfort, or a good home-cooked meal and a warm place to sit at the table.

Let our hearts be open, and pray for those who require assistance at this time.  Let our souls give unconditional love and support to others as we celebrate this day of harmony and togetherness with one another.  On this special day we remember that we were given support, love, and caring when we needed it the most during our personal journey.  As we sit with our family and friends, we enjoy and cherish the time spent with the people who mean the most to us.   We cannot focus on all of the food that's prepared, but only eat enough to satisfy our hunger.  There's many foods that we can enjoy that are healthy and nutritious.  Turkey is high in protein and very filling.  Sweet potatoes contain many nutrients and vitamins.  Green beans, peas and carrots, or broccoli also are rich in calcium and rich in vitamins.  How about dessert?  Make or bring your dessert.  Prepare a low-calorie gelatin dessert, which is good with low calorie cool whip on top. A fruit salad is also tasty with pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and some mango to give it great color.

It's a challenge to celebrate this day as it's known to be quite a feast.   We should plan ahead on what we're going to eat; here are some suggestions.  If you're at home, or bringing a dish, prepare an appetizer filled with raw carrots, celery, raw mushrooms, cauliflower, and peppers.  For the dip you can bring three different types of hummus.  There's a great roasted pepper flavor, or garlic flavor, or a spicy flavor for variety.  We can enjoy the celebration and remain true to our journey.  If you're a guest, request a smaller dinner plate to eat on so you don't pile on too much food.  Also drink water instead of soda, wine, or any other beverage that will contain a lot of calories.  Once we begin to feel full, stop!  Continuing to eat may ruin your day and the feeling of being uncomfortable will remain with you for hours to come.

May all of you have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving.  Peace and Love to all.

Linda Hegedus, ©

 

A Lot Can Change In A Day!

 

As Esther Phillips sang, “What a Difference a Day Makes” 24 little hours ….Yes one day can make all of the difference!  Did you ever eat a food item that contained too much sugar, and consumed a larger than normal amount, that you ended up craving more sugar?  It’s a vicious cycle of wanting, needing, and feeding that old addiction to what we used to crave the most.  It's what satisfied our inner-being, or so we thought.  I found myself wanting and craving something sweet.  Although, I must confess that I did indulge in a temporary moment of weakness and enjoyed the moment.  As I began to eat something sweet and savoring the taste and the feeling it gave me; it was as if I was taking a drug that made me feel comfortably numb.

Comfortably numb on food, that is…. The high didn’t last long, and like any addict, all I wanted to do was sleep it off.  It felt like I was buzzed on sugar.  It began with the first piece of candy, which led to another piece, and yet another piece of delicious candy.  I felt the old me coming out for a while, and in the moment of this feeling, I was aware that my old behavior was beginning to emerge.  If just for that moment…. I felt free and naughty at the same time.  I knew what the consequences were going to be if I continued, but it didn’t stop me from doing this to myself.  I justified this behavior as I was good for so long, and always stayed true to my routine, but just having that sugar led to becoming out of control until I felt like vomiting.  I was intoxicated with sugar.  My pants began to tighten up, and my feet and hands began to swell.  I was so doped up on sugar that when I walked upstairs to my bedroom, my head was pulsating very hard as if I was going to have a stroke.

I know what I’ve done and was afraid, but as a drug addict or an alcoholic reacts to their demise, they sleep it off.  That’s exactly what I did was sleep it off.  When I woke up the next morning, I felt a little off, disconnected, and physically very tired.  It was as if I had a hangover from the indulgence of partaking to the sweets and treats.  I realized that old part of me which I thought was buried for good, came out and will always be silently sitting within me.  Just like a drug addict that takes that drug for the first time after being clean for so long, they want more and more, or the alcoholic who’s been sober for years and slips into having a drink, and realizes they can’t stop.  I felt that way as well with eating high carbs, which led me to wanting sugar!!!!

 

After taking a long and hard look at myself, and what this habit would do to me long-term, I said to myself I cannot do this anymore.  I was mortified that I explored that area, and thought that aspect of my being was long gone, but when it resurfaced, I knew it would always be a part of who I was but not who I am now.  It’s almost 5.5 years out from my RNY Gastric Bypass surgery, and the dumping syndrome was apparent, but it seems as the years pass by, it’s not nearly as prominent.  This week I’ve been back to my healthy lifestyle, which includes my supplements, and eating an all organic plant-based diet, in addition to drinking 74 ounces of water; and walking for ½ hour of five laps around the track, which is one mile and a quarter.  Since this weekend was mild outdoors, I rode my bike on the trails as well. 

 

“What a Difference a Day Makes”, 24 little hours came to my mind when I seen my pants are already loose, and the excess fluids were flushed out from my inflamed body caused by the extreme sugar intake.  My mind is clear once again, and I feel energized!  My hands and feet are not swollen, and my head is not pounding.  Thankfully I got back on track immediately and realized in one day you can turn it all around for the better!

Linda Hegedus, ©