Day Three: Sept. 13, 2011 Grand Tour South Rim Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam

When we booked our coach tour to the Grand Canyon we were told to call the day before so we called on Sept. 12th but we should have been calling on Sept. 13th to book for the Sept. 14th trip. We headed to Bally's to catch the bus on Sept. 13th at 7:00 AM.

As soon as you are seated you receive your breakfast which consists of a banana, orange juice and cinnamon bun as well as a brief ininerary. Once we gathered all 55 people we were on the highway. Our first not official stop was the Hoover Dam. I was amazed at the size of the structure and immediately thought of the dam scene from the dam movie Las Vegas Vacation. Unfortunately, it rained hard most of the way to Kingman where we had our first rest stop but I enjoyed the comfort of the coach and the scenery.. Our tour guide/driver Steven spoke throughout the trip and played a video about the dam as well. Interesting stuff..

We arrived at the Grand Canyon at 1:00 PM where we were told we would spend 3 hours. Do not be late or they will leave! We grabbed the boxed lunches and water that were provided. Lunch consisted of an apple, turkey sandwhich, potato chips and cookies. As we sat down to eat lunch, I put my water bottle down for one second and a very large squirrel wrapped his teeth around the cap. I opened it and let the water flow for him. I discarded the rest because I didn't want to get Squirrel Disease!

The sight of the Grand Canyon is truely a spectacle! I am so glad we finally took the time to see it after six times of going to Vegas and never having gone!  There are many paths to follow and you could easily spend days there hiking.. I was surprised at how many paths have no barriers and learnt that 17 people fall to their death per year taking photos. We spent and hour and then.. the clouds rolled in... Then the rain and then the thunder.. lightening. We headed to the nearest building and sat to watch the storm unfold. The sound over the canyon loud and thunderous.. Afterwards we were treated to a huge rainbow over the canyon!

We were picked up promptly by the bus as promised and headed back to Las Vegas. On the way they played a Grand Canyon video and the movie Las Vegas Vacation. We arrived to sun rise and entered Las Vegas on Sunset with all the lights of the city! Checked back into hotel at 10:30 PM. Long day but an incredibly good one!

Day Two: Sept. 12, 2011

Monday morning: We headed out to the the Belagio to see the conservatory and unfortunately, it was being reset for renovations so that was dissappointing but they have done a fantastic job at the displays in the entrance, check in areas and I was just there in May so it wasn't too dissappointing!

We wandered through the Cosmopolitan and he was impressed by the massive Chandaliers there. We then decied to head out to Raffles Cafe for lunch at Mandalay Bay from our hotel, the Paris. For lunch, I ordered the Shrimp Wraps and he had the Club House. My shrimp wrap was very tasty and more then adequate. His Delux Club Wrap was HUGE! It could have easily been shared! Once again, took advantage of the restaurant.com certificates for our lunch.

We decieded that a three day pass for $20.00 was in order because our plan was to go to the Outlet Mall in the afternoon since the Divas show wasn't until that night at 10:00 PM in the Imperial Palace.  We spent the afternoon there. My favourite shops there are Lane Bryant, Coach, Dress Barn, and Fossil. I ended up getting some great deals at Lane Bryant because of their renovation sale!

The night we headed out for a walk and then to the Imperial Palace for Frank Marino's Divas show. Frank wasn't there so they had Cashetta the Extra Large Medium as Hostess for the night. The acts included: Britney Spears, Madonna, Rhianna, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross. Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion.. etc.. Our favourites were Janet Jackson, Madonna and the finale act. The Rhianna act was good and very edgy.. I had a cocktail with the show and it was a fun 90 mins. We purchased our tickets months back on Travel Zoo for $30 each but you can find coupons on the strip for buy one get one free if you are determined!

Later that evening we wandered down the strip and snacked on Chicken McNuggets. Not something I usually do but.. its Vegas! Great place to people watch. We saw loads of tourists from the UK, Germany and Canada.

Spent some time on the slot machines in the Paris and donated.. No winnings to report.

Pictures From Day One

Lovely Las Vegas TR Sept. 11 Day One

We got back from Vegas yesterday and as promised here is my TR for the Trip Advisor Forum. It is written in installments. If you have any questions, please email me and I will do my best to try to answer..

Sept. 11: Departing from Canada. When I first booked the trip I was totally unaware of the date and then realized shortly thereafter that travelling on this date that there would be heightened security. So, we left a bit earlier then usual for the airport. Checking in through security, we were randomly selected to have a body scan or pat down. Oh yes, at 5:30 in the morning. I wanted the pat down to limit the amount of radioactvitiy crossing my body but we were shuffled through the scanning process because I was/am female. So I assumed the pose which is hands over head in the triangle position with fingertips.



The flight was smooth and we arrived in Vegas safely. Luggage came quickly except for.. his. Then, I listened to him squawk about his luggage being lost. Me, unphased, soaking it all in.. One hour later we were directed to West Jet office and collected his missing luggage so all was well! We took advantage of the complimentary Showtime Shuttle service to/from hotel (included in the package) and were soon on our way to the Paris Hotel. Even though I had just been in Vegas in May, I always seem to see something new or notice some little things I didn't before!

We arrived at the Paris Hotel and stood in the long checkin lineup which went quickly and effieciently. I asked about an upgrade and it would cost us $50 a night for a view of the strip and if we wanted the much coveted Red Room it would be an extra $100 a night. Meh, who stays in their room anyways I thought to myself. The itenerary I had planned certainly didn't include staying in the room for long.. So, grabbed the room keys and off we went to the eighth floor to our Deluxe Room. When opening the door we were hit with a very strong perfume fragrance. Apparently its the cleaning supplies they use and it overpowered us. He was about to squawk so I called down to the front desk to ask if we could be moved or if there was something that could be done. They brought up an ozone machine and the room was cleared within three hours smelling clean and fresh.

While waiting for the room, we decieded to go have a bite to eat at Stripburger and sat outside on the patio overlooking the Strip. I ordered the Shaken Lemonaide and Southwest Burger. He chose the special of the day which was a Prime Rib Burger.. On the side, we had a Threesome! Wink. A threesome is onion strings, fries and deep fried pickles. I enjoyed the deep fried pickles more then the Bb Kings ones I had on a previous trip. Our blood sugars restored and a lil bit of alchol in our bellies we were good to go!

We travelled across to the Imperial to pick up our tickets for Divas the next night. Along the way we stopped at the pharmacy at the Venetian for four liters of water because I've come to realize that being hydrated in Vegas means more then alchol! We wandered back to the hotel and after being up for 12 hours it was time for a rest. In a few hours time we were headed to Casa Di Amore. We unpacked our stuff and collapsed onto the two beds. I peaked out the window to see a beautiful view.. of the roof! Oh well. The room was beautiful, clean and the beds were comfy. Lots of pillows. Tasteful decor. Marble bathroom. My only comment was the tv was not flatscreen and reception was poor. But who goes to Vegas to watch tv? I don't. We used it only to see the weather forcast.


Casa Di Amore. Thank you to everyone on the trip advisor forum who suggested! I contacted them immediately after check in and asked for our reservation to be pushed back because we were eating lunch late. Luckily, they were able to accomodate us. We were picked up in the stretch limo at the hotel and greeted by our driver who took a picture of us to remember the evening. He wore shades, dark suit and slicked back hair. Very cool. He even held out his hand for me to help me out of the limosine. Its a smart move on the restaurant's behalf to bring visitors from the strip because it is about a 10 minute drive off the strip and if you don't know Vegas then you wouldn't know about this gem. The restaurant, not large, was humming on Sunday night! Women dressed up, men in suits and a fun atmosphere not to mention the decor. Vegas, how it used to be.. Our booth had the push button upolstery, candles on the tables and very retro looking. The the side of the room, a small stage with red velvet drapery. Our waiter, Tony was friendly and gave us great suggestions on what to order. We couldn't go wrong! The menu, Southern Italian, is large and includes cocktails, wine, appetisers, entrees and desserts. We chose salad for appetiser and for the entrees, I chose PASTA ALLA FORNO and he chose the BAKED LASAGNA. With the meal, wine and for dessert we chose TIRAMISU TRADITIONAL. Throughout our dining experience, we listened to the live entertainment, a trio who performed standards by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis. We took adadvantage of the restaurant.com certificates. Note, they cannot be used wiwith the 1/2 off wine special that evening. Content and satisfied, we were taken back to the hotel in the limosine. We gave the driver $10 for the evening.

We wandered along the strip for a bit until I experienced something I never have. It rained, good and hard. A heavy rain. On the roof, pools of water and strong winds. Along the sidewalks, they were washed clean flowing into the gutters. It lasted for about an hour and then the cloud burst was gone.

Day Two.. My first Drag Queen show at the Imperial..

What's On Your Plate?

Today I watched this smart documentary about two young girls who went into the schools and communities in NYC to find out about where their food comes from, community gardens and what holds the school system from providing more then Snapple in their vending machines and delivering deep fried options to the kids.

It made me question my own choices and what other options I could have in buying fresh produce.

Check out the video on You Tube.

Glug, glug, glug

Water, water, water.

When I think of yesterday's water intake I know I didn't drink the water I should have. In fact, very little! I had some when I got up and very early morning but throughout the day I didn't drink any except for 2 extra large green teas.

I honestly don't think to drink water unless I am thirsty and then if I do it has to have loads of ice. My family are amused that when I go there or at home I literally go through trays of ice cubes. Oh, and if they are empty I am an unhappy bunny! ;)

I'm up this morning with my lemon and water. Now, I have to find a way to incorporate the habit of drinking water throughout the day. Since I'm on sobriety fluids will NOT include alcohol, soda or other beverages.

Sabotage

It seems anytime I want to eat healthy, that I am under scrutiny but this time things are different. I really don't care what anyone thinks or says, this is for me. It's my body and I'm the owner of this model..

It wasn't until recently that I took note of how someone's remarks made me react.

Are you still on your diet? Have you lost any weight?

Amazing how this one puts enormous amount of pressure on yourself to report the numbers they want to hear. Then when you hear

It's great you're losing weight. Maybe you can keep it off this time

I've decided that I am going to diffuse comments that are not supportive immediately.

Why do these things bother me so?

Partners,parents, friend and even people at work are either afraid of the changes in me from losing weight, how my relationship will change with them, or maybe its the.. I won't bother you about your weight if you don't bother me about.. Ah, the unspoken contract!

I think something I have dealt with for many years is my partner's junk food habit. Its has been quite easy for me to give up and pack it in after being exposed to such junk food. This time him eating that stuff doesn't bother me at all. I'm not going to blame on person. It happens with many people. My largest challenge is to resist the temptations under the roof!

Day Three

Two challenges I have right now.

Today I am working at 11-730 shift. Lunch will be no problem but dinner could very well be. I've decided I will break my lunch break in half and use 30 mins. for lunch and 30 mins. for dinner. I will skip my coffee break so I can do this. I will not wait until I get home and am beyond irritable to eat.

The second, my partner's birthday. He has requested that we go for dinner. Usually not a big problem because who wants to cook and clean dishes?! I would rather do other things. So... we've had a chat about where to go that will also allow him to enjoy his meal and give me some healthy options. No birthday cake. :)He has been very supportive in my goals except for the chocolate I happened to see him eating last night.

I've also decided I will not drink any alcohol until we are away in Vegas. That too will cut down on the calories and sugar content. I do like the cocktails in the summertime! Mind you, with the weather we have been having it certainly doesn't feel like summer except for mosquitoes which are monstrous

!

Kinda Crabby

Yesterday went without a hitch. Almost. I allowed my day to get away on me and didn't end up eating my morning snack until the afternoon. I was incredibly hungry and crabby by lunchtime. I slowed down to eat and I was restored back to a normal human being. Otherwise everything was on plan. I have a slight headache today as I did yesterday.

My responsibilities at work changed yesterday and I am excited by the new challenges! Whoo!

Losing it before Vegas

Our trip to Vegas is Sept 11-18th which is an entire week of indulgence so I have set myself a goal of eating clean.

Last night after work, the last thing I wanted to do was go grocery shopping but I have committed to eating well and the supplies were pretty sparse.

Today I began. I got up early and drank a mug of hot water and lemon. For my breakfast I ate two eggs scrambled in Nutriva Coconut Oil and one large pear. Afterwards, a cup of green tea.

I've noticed that my tastebuds really woke up with the lemon water. Its almost as if my palate has been cleansed and my digestive juices are awakened!


I've packed my snacks and lunch for the day and am off to jump into the shower to get ready for work.

The Law of Vibration

I said these words to someone.

I am a sponge. I absorb the emotions and feelings of others.

I was then told, Repeat what you just said. As I repeated it, I heard myself giving myself permission to lowering my personal vibration, I did and as a sponge becomes larger so had I. The light bulb went on.

What I found incredibly interesting was how something as simple as someone mirroring what I had said can bring such clarifying.

I was recently "labeled" as an Empath and this has been confusing for me. To try and understand the context in which this was intended I had to of course surf the internet to find the definition.

They are sensitive to the visible as well as the invisible and pick up on body language, tone of voice, body movements, the words people choose when they speak, the words they avoid, the logic they use; and the hidden things that only an empath can sense inside another person.

I took the word Empath to mean empathetic. Compassionate, Understanding, etc. These I understood to be positive things. Being this way can be fantastic but commiserating or taking upon someone else's burden or negative energy can indeed be brought on myself unnecessarily. I had been taking the we are one statement to an incredibly undeserving level!

The last week has been incredibly emotional for me. My partner's father had a serious injury which has caused a great deal of stress on the family which was indirect to me. There has been much turmoil in the world with fires, earthquakes, floods and recently incredibly violence in one of Canada's most loved cities.

The violence has disturbed me. I saw reports of people beaten, injured and millions of property damage brought onto a city that was in a celebratory mood. The damage in fact was done towards the company which I am employed with so it hit close to home for me. I have been angry and seeing the reports brought me to tears. It saddens to me the casual disregard for fellow human lives, property and livelihoods.

In the last six months, I have become emotional when it comes to violence, abuse and injury. Something within my heart is pulled and tears flow. As I see others suffering, I too feel their pain even though it may not be happening to me at this very moment.

I spoke to someone regarding this and I feel as though I absorb and carry their personal vibrations. So, in turn my energy becomes depleted and I joke about the energy vampires seeking their teeth into my jugular vein.

My life lesson right now is that I can be supportive and compassionate but there comes a time where I cannot lower by vibration to that of another. It is their life lesson, not my own.

Be Gentle to Yourself

I Heard This Song This Morning

http://youtu.be/-BoGA5sPRrg

Use and Trust the Process

Well.. life has been fast forward this week.

Work has been incredibly challenging on many levels and lots of change has been happening so there is a level of stress that comes with that. I need to release myself to the change and stop resisting but I am so damned stubborn. If it get uncoortable I quickly settle into my old ways and into comfort.

My action plan this week was to:

My strategies are:

Nuture myself. Take the time to do things I enjoy that do no involve food and doing things that are free or cost me very little. I took the time to have a bubble bath, phone a few friends and am spending some time with a friend today. Listened to lots of music this week. I think this week I will search out new music this week. Any recommendations of music that inspires you? The weather this week hasn't been too agreeable. We got dumped on this week with snow but I am heading out today to hang out on Whyte today which will be great. I miss getting outside and wandering, searching and poking around. I am not feeling in touch spiritually and this concerns me. With this week has come a feeling of less then feeling centered. I also admit that I have kept myself away from my friends and family because I have been feeling imperfect.


The 80/20 Rule: This was a challenging week. I ate clean all week but two days ate processed and fast food crap. So, it wasn't a 80/20. It was more a 60/40. I am focusing on it this week. We are going out for a mandatory work dinner on Tuesday so that will be my free day.


Journalling. I had all the best intentions of getting onto this week and started out well. As you read, you will notice the breaks in the entries. I allowed this to happen instead of journalling about some of the events in the week.

Distraction and putting cravings on hold. Yep, the anxious feeling came. It said, NOW, NOW, NOW. I should have allowed my mind to be quiet and say.. Wait. It's ok, you are fine.

My message to myself today is:

I am always at the right place at the right time, doing just the right thing . There is no "wrong" in my life.

My Process

I am impatient soul sometimes. Sometimes I wish I could wave my magic wand and.. POOF! things would happen. I have to learn to trust the Universe that things will happen as they should as I impatiently drum my fingers on the table.

My strategies are:

Nuture myself. Take the time to do things I enjoy that do no involve food and doing things that are free or cost me very little. Self care.
*Bubble Bath.
*Read
*Download some of my favourite music
*Put my feet up and RELAX
*Phone a friend
*Go to bed by 10 PM and allow my body time to rejuvenate and refresh
*Wander through an art gallery
*Go for a walk
*Write
*Use up certificates for Massage, Pedicure and Manicure
*Watch a show or movie that makes me laugh

Those are my own personal ideas. What are yours that you do?


The 80/20 Rule: Eat well 80% of the week and treat yourself for one day so you don't feel deprived. I have been on diets that were so strict that I ate anything other than, I felt out of control! Then, I thought. Fuck, I've blown it so ... what the hell! Allow yourself some of the unhealthy food and enjoy it GUILT FREE. It is not cheating.


Journalling. Blogging. Its here. The good, the bad and the ugly. For me, it takes courage to post what I am feeling, thinking and experiencing. Someone told me it was vanity publishing and I can honestly say its not. I do it for myself and if there is anyone out there who takes one thing from my experience than I am thrilled!

Distraction. Take my mind off of food. That can mean shift in location, challenge your mind to shift your thinking or shifting gears to an activity. Your thoughts are very powerful: Have a craving? Say the alphabelt backwards, recall birthdates, recite a poem. You will break your thoughts. Shifting the location from food can mean so many things! Sweep the floor, clean, work in another area, go for a walk around the block. My thing will be going for a walk when the cravings hit. I've started doing this at breaktime so I just leave the store and clear my mind. I've given up Starbucks and changed over to David's Teas. I'm saving money too! http://www.davidstea.com/
Shift with activities: Crosswords, reading, read, put on music and dance, deep breathing, meditation, email a friend, stretches, yoga...

Put your cravings on hold: Cravngs will generally last and hit their peak at 6-10 minutes. I agree to wait 15 minutes before I decide to give into my craving. Ie, eat meal and decide if I need more. Have you ever been so hungry and ravenous that you just needed more but didn't allow your body to say thank you? Use a distraction while waiting and it too shall pass.

Emotions and Circumstances

Awareness. I am becoming more and more aware of my triggers.

I was aware of some of these triggers but last night really hit home for me. On our way home, Mike said to me, "What are we having for dinner?" I began to think what healthy meal I could create for both or us or what I could take out of the freezer that I had already created.

Then, the words. "Let me treat you to dinner tonight".

"Sure, sounds great". I hadn't had an afternoon snack and I was getting irritable from hunger so I took the bait. Hook, line and sinker. With that said, we were in the parking lot of Boston Pizza and I ordered from their Pasta Tuesday menu.

Along with the food came the feelings of.. guilt. Then, after the meal was done and on our way home I felt incredibly full, guilty and definately not in a happy space. The next two hours I beat myself up and felt like a failure.


Today, I make a list of my emotions: Before the meal: Irritable, rebellious, deserving. After the meal: I felt comforted, content, grateful. 30 Mins later I felt: Remorseful, Self Disgust and Tired.

I accept and realize there are times that with regards to food I will say yes when I want to say no. That happened last night. The food was ok but if I was to splurge once in that week, I would have chosen something much more desirable to me.

I am in control and stand in my own power. Who will deny me the ability to live a healthy and happy life if they truely love and support me?

People pleaser. To some extent we are all people pleasers and considered an admirable behaviour but it has less then desirable consequences for me. This creates emotions like resentment, anger and trigger problematic eating.

I stand in my power and will act assertively towards my health. It is a skill I have had to develop in my personal and professional life.

How many times have you been coaxed into eating while at a function, party, celebration, or while ordering food? Take note of situations or people that may be triggers and continue to practice saying no. Ie, second plates of food at a friends or family members home, social functions.


I am putting myself in control. Saying no to temptation isn't a matter of willpower, it about learning new ways of thinking and behaving.

Use your mouth to speak, not to eat.
Don't be afraid of the consequences. The consequences are self respect, standing in your own power, making your choice and self empowerment.

Why am I really hungry?

Have you ever taken the time to think about why you are eating before you take a bite of food?

There are three types of hunger:

Stomach: You are physically hungry and eating for your health. IE, you get up in the morning and make breakfast to put fuel in your body to start your day.


Mouth: You have a craving for food with a particular flavour, texture or aroma. Ie, Sugar, Salty, Savoury. Chocolate, Dessert, Potato Chips, Cheese.


Heart: Eating in response to an emotion; or a learned response or behviour. Ie, sitting in front of the tv and eating your feel good item.

Take one day to do this exercise: Each time you are about to eat, say to yourself HALT. Each letter will represent a feeling. For example, H=Hurt, A=Anxious, L=Lethargic, T=Tired.

My experience happened the other day, at 4 PM. In our office area, many of the offices have treats on the desk and its a meeting place as everyone begins to drain out at the time so it a communcal spot. I picked up a pievce of candy, and as I put it on the edge of my tongue I said outloud,"I don't want this, why am I eating it?" I then threw it into the garbage. So, now at that time I make sure I pack a piece of fruit to munch on instead.

Food For Thought

Do I make different food choices when I am rushed versus when I have more time?


Definately. I take ownership of this. If I am rushed going out the door in the morning or have no motivation to pack a lunch then yes, I certainly will make different choices then if I was not rushed. That means, eating in the food court. I've done a week worth of packed lunches and snacks. Then, yesterday after a crazy week and being exhausted with Bay Day shoppers, visits, etc. I chose not to take time to pack a lunch or snacks and ate in the food court. I chose Edo's which was the best choice. When I got home I didn't have any snacks so I was hungry to the point of irritability. I chose a piece of cheese and rye bread. I should have chosen a peice of fruit or veggies. I didn't. Today is a day off from work and I am monitoring what I am eating throughout the day and planning some of my meals because I am going from a ten hour work day right into a three hour class. I have to sneak a meal in between the two and a snack on our break that night.

Do I sometimes buy something that I hadn't planned on, just because its onsale?


I was raised on this! My parents would always shop the flyers and purchase their items by the muliples because it was on sale. I do not read the flyers and I do not do this. I buy as I need it. When buying produce or fruit I am buying what's in season and happens to be at a great price.

Do I ignore hunger pains when I am busy doing something?

Yes, I am great at this. I will ignore hunger pains until I get irritable and am "starving". Years of retail and crazy schedules. No time to eat. Taking the time to eat five times a days is still an opportunity for me.

Health Emergency

I just hit an incredible speed bump that got me to the dentist instead of the emergency ward. I've been battling a sore tooth and at first I wasn't concerned because it seems to happen every year for me at this time. But, when my face started to swell and it was evident I had an abscess I was scared. The internet is a great thing but sometimes reading too much about a symptoms can make you start to wonder if you are sick or dying.

So, after a treatment of antibiotics injected into my jaw to take care of the periodontal abscess and being sent home to take antibiotics I'm on the mend. Eating isn't easy or enjoyable. I feel quite miserable actually.

Dental health is part of total body health care. Thank you for the lesson Universe.

Exercise Two

I had to laugh when I heard this. Sumos make me laugh and then it scared the shit out of me. Sumo wrestlers are forbidden to eat breakfast because it allows them to GAIN weight. Skipping breakfast? Think again!

Rikishi are not normally allowed to eat breakfast and are expected to have a form of siesta after a large lunch. The most common type of lunch served is the traditional "sumo meal" of chankonabe which consists of a simmering stew cooked at table which contains various fish, meat, and vegetables. It is usually eaten with rice and washed down with beer. This regimen of no breakfast and a large lunch followed by a sleep helps rikishi put on weight so as to compete more effectively.

Many overweight adults do not eat breakfast. I am not perfect but I have much improved when it comes to making sure I eat within two hours of rising. Ideally one hour. Break the fast.

Certain eating patterns and lifestyle habits can effect how your body uses the food you eat and may promote food cravings. Understand your body and how it works. Don't work against it.

Exercise Two. Eat breakfast.

Exercise One Results

Places to buy food, order food or eat food at on the way to work if I so choose but many times do not.

*Grub Med Restaurant (Greek/Mediterranean)
*Spartacus Pizza
*Aspen Pizza
*Mac's Conveinence Store
*Sobey's-- Groceries
*Safeway--Groceries
*Tim Horton's -- Coffee and Food
*Starbucks-- Coffee and Food
*Food Court in Mall--the healthiest choice there might be Subway or a stirfry at Edo but they use only white rice
*Staff Lounge. Three vending machine. One with junk food. One with coffee, tea. One with pop, water and pop


I have never bought food at any of these except the grocery stores. I admit I am fond of Roll Up The Rim. I am now packing my lunch and snacks to avoid the processed food in the food court. I thought that I was doing well by eating Edo, Subway ...


----C

Day One : Your Environment

The first exercise today is to take note of all places where you can buy or have access to food on your way to or from work. I'll do this today and post my findings.



This is an interesting one. Food is virtually everywhere. Did you know you can pick up some Harvey's after you pick up some items from Home Depot? Did you notice that at many of the Safeway grocery stores you can now indulge with Starbucks?

Grocery carts have spots for your beverages. Baby carriages have room in the arm rests for food, beverages and look in your car! Not one but usually two rests for drinks!

Did you know that in Paris food is 25% smaller at McDonald's than in North America?

Something to chew on...and digest

Eating Under The Influence

My doctor is one of the few that believes medication should only be a last resort and she believes that I can and will take my less then perfect current health to a place where I am vibrant and healthy.

This is where I begin..


This evening I went to the first of three classes on changing my relationship with food, understanding why I eat the way I do, comfort myself without food, changing my thinking and change my eating. Its a pretty tall order!

Each day you will make 200 food related decisions - 90% of which you won't be aware of. Frank Wansink

One of three factors that are influencing my choices are:


My environment


I was careful to put the word my before the statement because truely, I am in charge and it is whether or not I choose to accept responsibility of this.

Environment:

My life is a busy one and my schedule is not a regular one. I work anywhere from 10-12 hours and I rarely take the time to sit, eat slowly and digest my meal. Quite often, it is eaten in 10 minutes. Many times I opt for the conveinence foods that are readily available. In North America alone, I am not the only one living a life that is hazardous to my health and waistline. People and pets are getting... bigger !


Did you know that for every dollar our government and health care system puts into promoting healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, that the fast food industry spend $500 against it!


Taking time for grocery shopping? Shopping for healthier choices isn't made easy. They are marketted on the bottom or highest part of the shelf. Processed, unhealthy foods are sitting right in front of you; eye level of the shelves.

Save money; buy big! If you buy big, you will consume up to 18-25% more in a meal and when snacking you will eat 30-40% more when buying a jumbo sized bag! As consumers, we believe we are saving money but when in fact, our health is losing!

Eating on the cheap at places like McDonald's will also cost you more healthwise then you thought. Today's Happy Meal was an adult meal 3o years ago!

Food within reach. This happened the other day. I call it the See Food diet not to be confused with the Seafood diet!

On one of the desks at work, sitting in an open container was sugary wine gums. I put my hand in, pulled out a candy and just as it touched my teeth I said, I don't want this. Why did I pick that up? I was going to eat it without thinking? There is no nutritional value in this! I threw it into the garbage.

Mindless eating. See the above scenario. Our serving sizes are crazy. When you compare our plates to that of thirty years ago, they are so large that we have no idea of portion control. More, more, more. My Grandmother's dinner plate would be considered today's salad plate. Our dinner plate would be considered her serving platter!

Why does this happen? Learned behaviors or habits. When things are paired together repeatedly, I learn how to associate one with the other. Animals and people are very much that way. Turn on the can opener and see your cat go wild. Take a person to the movie theater and they reach for popcorn.

For example, a trigger can be a tough day at work and the response can be eating chocolate. The food then becomes the response to the trigger instead of its importance in nutrition or to the body for survival.

Learned behaviors can also be how you grew up as a child. Some of mine are: Food = Celebration. Snacks = You will spoil your appetite. Meals = Eat all your meal. There are starving children in Africa. Food + Reward.

Now that I recognize these behaviors and habits. It is time to break the link between the trigger and the learned response.

Learned behaviors can be changed with time, effort and courage.

It's a lesson I am working on.

Vision Board

I just finished creating a Vision Board for my Goals and Positive Affirmations for 2011. Check it out..