Forty Day Promises

Today we play, tomorrow we begin in sorrow but with hope. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. While I realize that many of you may not recognize this religious holiday I am using it as an example of penance, change, rebirth or new life. The last few weeks we have discussed making small but steady changes in our lives. For those of you that follow the season of Lent as a time of penance, change and almsgiving followed by a period of great joy it is a time to focus on what is important. The Lenten journey within the church calls us to express conversion in relation to oneself. This time begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter. It is at this time that reality of our own mortality may be contemplated..."from the earth we came and to it we must also return". Lent reminds us of our humble and wayward spirit and how we must constantly reign ourselves in and refocus our purpose. Whether you are observing Lent or have never been spiritual it is a good time for you to have a start and a finish to positive change in your life. Depending on your spirituality this time of self-initiated and/or church sanctioned penance may be the time you need to reflect and become a better you over the next 40 days. Pick something in your life tomorrow you have been wanting to change or give up and make a 40 day promise to yourself to follow through. (For any readers wanting to learn more about Lent check out my other blog Five Children and a Farm) Copyright © 2016 Micheline Edwards All rights reserved to by Micheline Edwards

Positive Substitutions...Making the Shoe Fit.

Most of you have hopefully taken some insightful time as mentioned in previous posts and begun to notice reoccurring thoughts. Plans, changes and maintenance of good things in your life are likely 3 categories in which you could put most of those conversations with yourself. Even if this is the first time you are reading this blog you have probably had deep insights at some time about your direction in this world. This blog is about making changes; we are going to call them substitutions. I see this as a fun way of thinking that makes most of us feel like we are just trying something out. Substitutions allow us to make adjustments, largely without failure. If you sub out a few ingredients in a recipe you usually have the same general outcome but often it is improved. Substituting or “instead of thinking” allows us to enjoy a healthier lifestyle in a more gradual “see if the shoe fits sort of way”. In our house it is pretty common to find assorted bags of grains, seeds and such. My kids usually refer to this as “there is nothing to eat” when these items are in their “raw form” (although they DO enjoy them even when not baked into things like banana bread). My family is fully aware that these ingredients are also the materials that create healthy and delicious meals. With my family shrinking I was noticing that I had these healthier options but was not using them as much as I had in the past. My substitution this week is to make better use of what I already have and should be using. To start incorporating good choices into more meals. This week one of my swap outs is substituting rolled rye for rolled oats in my breakfast bowl (see image for side by side visuals and my page Welcome Wellness for a link to nutritional comparisons/serving suggestions).

I found this to be a nice subtle change. For you the substitution might be switching out one ingredient you use often for an organic version or changing one habit you have for the better. Some ideas that might get you started: Instead of soda try 1 part juice/4parts sparkling water for just a few of those colas (start slow or you won’t like the way your new shoe fits). Substitute 100 percent whole grain bread instead of white (if you don’t like whole grains then start by making your sandwiches half/half). Try asking to hold the processed cheese and/or sub out mustard for other sauces if you need to choose the fast food fix (you could lose 200 calories or more and excess fats just by doing this). Little changes can reap huge rewards and by subbing out parts of your favorite foods you allow your tastes to adjust so you are more likely to stick with your healthier new you. If any of you have taken to hiding under the bed or in a closet to enjoy quiet time to get to this point; you may want to just start with that issue and find a more socially acceptable thinking place. Blanket forts can and do qualify if you don’t get caught. For many of you the substitutions you feel compelled to make this week will not be diet related but something you know in your heart needs adjustments. Start small and enjoy a better you. Copyright 2016 Micheline Edwards