How I Got Here

Good eve friends! I hope everyone had a fabulous Tuesday as each and every one of you deserve every day to be wonderful

Once again, I thank you for all of the wonderful comments after last night’s post All of the supportive and loving comments made me even more excited and confident to write tonight’s post

This weekend I began to notice some pretty significant things. The things I began to notice are the many positive changes I have made in my life Some changes are very recent and others are not, but each positive change should be recognized and celebrated

A life of positivity and healthfulness should always be celebrated

Celebration can take place in many different forms, but this weekend I decided to reflect on many of the recent positive changes that I have made in my life and try to understand how I made these changes. Since one of my all time dreams is to help others live a healthy fulfilling life, I will be sharing some of the strategies that I have used to get where I am today  A positive and healthy life.

Some changes I reflected upon this weekend are more personal and specific to something that was challenging me for one reason or another. An example being tofu. For some reason, not sure why, but tofu would give me anxiety after consuming it. I guess it was something different and out of my comfort zone, so ED would make me freak out a little…

When I experience feelings like this I don’t step away from the situation and avoid whatever is giving me grief. I face it and deal with it directly.

I found this tofu and fell in love with it. Despite the magnificent smoky flavour and the various meals I could create with it, I would get those funky ED thoughts after each time I ate it.

(I realize some of you may not be able to relate with anxiety towards tofu, but like I said, some of the changes I noticed and will be talking about are personal and specific)

I learnt a strategy it treatment that really helps me in a variety of situations, so I will share it with you in hopes to help those of you who are in need

When something gives me anxious or uncomfortable feelings I learnt to continue doing or eating what ever is bothering me until it doesn’t bother me any more So, what I did in this particular situation with the tofu was having it for one meal each day until I felt good about having it Since I am recovered, the process doesn’t take long anymore. After two days in a row of having tofu I told my Mom “what was a challenge is a challenge no more!” I love putting myself into situations that ED makes me feel uncomfortable in because I know whatever feeling or thought I am having is wrong and I will be OK.

Mediterranean Quinoa and Tofu Stir Fry

2 oz. extra firm/firm tofu (I used my smoked tofu because I love it best)

1/2 cup egg whites

1/2 cup quinoa

1 – 2 cups spinach

1/3 – 1/2 cup homemade marinara

Heat up skillet, add egg whites and begin to scramble. Add remaining ingredients. When heated through and spinach is wilted, remove from heat and enjoy

Another challenge all of you (who have been following along) are familiar with is the success I have had with my new bed time snack An accomplishment I noticed which is related to my bed time snack has to do with time.

The media is really influential and constantly feeds us information that isn’t entirely true…

Seriously, is there any proof that one should not consume anything after a specific time of night? Uhm, no. False, false, false.

Fact: I have ate my bedtime snack at various times (right before bed, an hour before bed, etc.) and guess what? I am still me. I didn’t gain weight over night (I haven’t gained any weight since having a larger bedtime snack at all actually), I can still see my abs (therefore, all of the information fed to us about gaining abdominal fat if we eat late is false), and I feel better about myself when I eat closer to my bedtime than not.

The new accomplishment I noticed is that I am able to keep my eyes off of the clock and not be so anal about when I eat my bedtime snack. When I first started having a larger bedtime snack (which I am actually working on increasing – will be discussing this later this week) I made sure I had it at a specific time. No later. Why? ED! Of course, I didn’t realize that it was ED enforcing this upon me until one night during my student council meeting…

My student council meetings begin at 7:00 pm on Sunday nights. One of the meetings a few weeks ago was running late and all I could do was stare and the clock wondering when I would be home to have my bedtime snack. Crazy, I know. However, after this Sunday’s student council meeting I didn’t look at the clock once, I gave my friend a ride home afterward, and I didn’t leap to the fridge for my bedtime snack once I arrived home Nope. I was calm and cool and ate it right before I crawled into my snuggly bed

I overcame being so anal about time by talking with others. I have had friends come to me about evening snacks and I educated them on the fact that it does not matter what time of night you eat, it’s what you eat and how much. I will be focusing my bedtime snack on proteins and fats in order to help my muscles recover while I sleep
Another wonderful thing that helped me get over the “time crunch” revolving around my bedtime snack was realizing that it was a RULE made by ED. Since I do not want any ounce of ED in my life, it was easy to not care about the time I eat my bedtime snack

I think it’s fun rebelling against ED

ED shouldn’t even think about messing with me

The next recent accomplishment I noticed this past weekend was the control I have during stressful times. Last year during the time of exams, I had a very difficult time sitting and studying. If I sat and studied all day, I felt as though my calorie intake didn’t need to as high as it was. However, I learnt that this was a wrong thought (an ED thought) and corrected myself after some extra discussions with my parents and others who supported me with my recovery.

This year my mind is so much stronger Each day, even rest days or long study days, I consume an adequate amount of calories to keep my body going I listen to my body and know that it needs the same amount of fuel each and every day, even on days of low activity.

I think I accomplished this over time I believe the farther you get in your recovery, the easier things become But, if I was to offer advice, I do know that my muscles are growing even on rest days so I want to supply my body with a sufficient amount of fuel each day so it never thinks I am restricting. I always want to be giving my body an excess amount because I want to see those muscles grow (P.s. my legs are coming along nicely… You can see hamstring definition! It wasn’t there before!)

I really hope talking about how I got where I am today has helped all of you Maybe some of you will be able to use some of the strategies I have used and apply them to your own life?

As always, I am here to talk and offer advice If you have a request for a specific post subject, shoot me an email! Since I am beginning midterms, I may not answer your email a.s.a.p., but I will answer eventually Remember, I am offering advice from experience; I am not a professional.

Before I leave you for the night, I have to share one more recipe!  

Today in Food Science Lab, I totally lucked out and got a total “Meg” recipe!!!! (a recipe I would make at home for myself).

It turned out wonderful and there were absolutely no leftovers Seriously. I went to clean up my dish and there was a tablespoon left and my teacher gobbled it up before I had a chance to grab the dirty bowl! Haha! I call that a success

Wheat Berry Salad

1/2 cup wheat berries

1/2 cup corn kernels

1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (can substitute for cilantro)

2 green onions, chopped

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/4 tsp pepper

Soak wheat berries for at least 6 hours prior to cooking.

Place soaked wheat berries in pot with water (water should be covering wheat berries by at least 2 inches). Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 – 1.5 hours. When wheat berries are tender, remove from heat, drain, and rinse.

Meanwhile, prepare vegetables and toss in large bowl. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, and pepper to make dressing. Pour over vegetables. When wheat berries are cooked, add to salad. Toss well.

In Food Science Lab we have a discussion about each recipe. I was so ecstatic when describing my salad. I think I am the only true foodie in my lab… no one else quite had the same excitement as I did

Nor did anyone else take a picture of themselves and their salad

Have you cooked with wheat berries before?
Did you find this post informative?
Have you tried smoked tofu before? If so, recipes!?

Have a wonderful night everyone

Love always,

Meg
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Quote of the Day:

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”

-Brian Tracy

Something to Do:

Check out Jocelyn’s giveaway! 😀 It’s a good one 😉