I’ve made it two months today. Actually I started on November 14th so I guess two will be on January 14th but 60 days is quite an accomplishment for me. I’m down around 23 pounds.. but whose counting. 🙂 I’ve committed to a year of eating well and taking care of my body. I’m finding that taking care of my body brings awareness about taking care of all aspects of my wellness. Body, Mind, (emotional) and Spiritual. They all go hand in hand.

I had a business event last night and my cloths were too big. I found something I have not been able to fit into in over a year and it fit perfectly. What a great feeling!

 

 

It always helps to have a buddy to cheer us on. I have always been fortunate to be blessed with wonderful people in my life.  I was on Martha’s Vineyard on a photography job last summer and I met Debbie Phillips, founder of “Women on Fire” . Through her, I have met so many supportive women the last several months. Supporting friends and family is so important and I have been on the receiving end of that support often. Like today, I have been struggling to get back to the gym and I made a commitment with a friend to go work out this morning. I would never have gone without that commitment. I got over that “first day back” hurdle. I feel like I’m ready to get back to work on my body, thanks for the support of a wonderful friend.

While chatting with one of the women I’ve been getting close to because of this blog, I found myself suggesting that we always have healthy snacks around so that we can choose to eat the right foods always. One of my favorite choices is the LarBar. I am so excited, I wrote to LaraBar and asked their permission to blog about them (you know you need permission to display logos too etc) anyway, I got an email back from LarBar today and here is what they said..

“I checked out your blog – way to go!  We are cheering you on in your journey, and would *love* to contribute some bars for you to review on your site.  I’ll get those in the mail to you this week.”

I can’t wait to see what they send and I can’t wait to try them and share all about them with you; they have so many amazing new flavors.

 

 

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  • Debbie Phillips - January 12, 2012 - 7:06 pm

    I am so proud to know you and my lucky fortune to have met you, Ms. Josie!!!
    I can’t imagine the world of Women on Fire now without your many gifts. Fortunately, I don’t have to! Thank you for being the ultimate Woman on Fire.ReplyCancel

  • Anna - January 11, 2012 - 9:56 pm

    I remember those Larbars. They are delicious!
    And how many of us, women, have to go to the gym, really?…
    Very happy you made it, Josie. Hopefully, I’m next)ReplyCancel

  • Rosalie Donatelli - January 9, 2012 - 11:10 pm

    That’s great Josie.
    I can’t wait to hear about what they send you.
    congratulations on the gym too. We just joined ours too
    and i started by joining the belly dancing class. what fun! 🙂ReplyCancel

I am right back on track after one bad night two days ago. I started my day yesterday with a green smoothie made with organic spring salad, celery and apple. Later I made lentil  soup which really hit the spot.

Check out how healthy Lentils are for you:

About Lentils  

My Recipe for Lentil Soup

* My recipes are not an exact measurement. I improvise however I feel like it.

Olive Oil

1 Onion

3 Cloves of Garlic

Ginger

Cilantro

2 Stalks of Celery

4 Carrots

4 Tomatoes

2 Cups of Lentils

Pepper to taste

Water

(I used 2 Cups of Trader Joe’s Organic Lower Sodium Chicken Broth which can be Omitted for Vegans) and 2 Cups of Water

Cooking Instructions:

Pour a small amount of Olive Oil in a large pot.

Chop the Garlic, Ginger, Onions and Cilantro and saute them in with the Olive Oil.

Chop and slice the Celery, Carrots, and Tomatoes and add them to the pot.

Add 2 cups of Lentils

Add the Water  and Chicken or Vegetable Broth as desired.

Stir the ingredients together and cover and let simmer until the Lentils are cooked.  (About an hour but could take longer depending on your preference.)

 

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  • Rosalie Donatelli - January 9, 2012 - 11:21 pm

    That soup sounds good. I make my own homemade vegan broth. I make a real big pot and freeze it in quart and pint sizes so there is always some available when a recipe calls for it. I put a lot of variety of vegetables so it is packed full of nutrients as well as flavor.
    Also, to add to Kathy’s comment, another great substitute for tomatoes (or with tomatoes) is to put some steamed carrots and raw cashews with water in a blender and whip. Add to the soup at the end. It gives a creamy consistency and also a nice sweet flavor while adding vegetable protein. I add this to a lot of types of soup.
    And I love that you’re making green smoothies now too. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • arlene - January 8, 2012 - 2:35 pm

    You might find this surprising, but I have never cooked w/lentils! Jeff is picky and won’t even eat beans and I either have to change recipes to omit them, or I dont make the recipe. I usually make meals that BOTH of us will eat. Maybe its time I try to make something like this for MYSELF! I’ll have to check into it! I’ll let you know what happens!ReplyCancel

  • Loreen - January 8, 2012 - 1:53 pm

    Good for you! The smoothie sounds interesting. Did you add any liquid?ReplyCancel

  • Ginny - January 8, 2012 - 1:44 pm

    Good for you!!
    Great recipe, thanks.ReplyCancel

  • Kathryn Donatelli - January 8, 2012 - 1:21 pm

    Really good stuff. I like to put broccoli, cauliflower and lemon juice to substitute for tomatoes since I’m sensitive to the nightshades. Congratulations on getting right back up the next day. There’s nothing like waking up with a sugar/carb hangover to remind you of how you used to feel.ReplyCancel

I promised to share my challenges, successes and my failures this year so I have to publicly own up to what I did yesterday.  The last few days have been a little difficult for me to stay on track. I did well on day 53 but I didn’t post. Yesterday I found myself struggling to keep it together as far as portion control and food choices. I ended up eating pretzels and corn chips with salsa. I also had a ham and cheese sandwich on bread. Yes, bread! I would have eaten a box of chocolates if there was one in the house. As a result, I felt like a truck hit me when I woke up this morning. The good news it that I had one bad night in 54 nights and I am not letting one bad night stop me from my commitment to gain better heath and wellness this year.

Today I’m starting my day with a “Green Smoothie” and I’m going to drink more water and eat lighter,  just to rid my body of the  feeling I woke up with.

This Mornings Green Smoothie

Organic Spring Salad

1 Celery Stalk

1 Apple

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  • Debbie Phillips - January 9, 2012 - 9:19 am

    Good for you!!! I so appreciate your honesty. Please keep going…your messages are so inspiring. Going to try this Green Smoothie today.ReplyCancel

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