Hooray! It's Monday...

Really? A rousing cheer for Monday? Of course. Monday is do over day. I get a fresh start if I choose. At least that's how I choose to see Mondays now. I need do overs. So, today I am shooting for health supportive, nutrient dense foods to nourish my body with. Today is the last day of anitbiotics...hooray again! I still feel groggy, tired and very low energy. So, I need to find a way to support myself to bounce back to health and vitality.

I didn't do much this weekend, including shopping. Have I ever told you how much I love to shop? Well....I used to shop for recreation. I enjoyed browsing, touching and drooling over all sorts of pretty little things. But in the past couple of years, I have been feeling smothered by all our stuff. There is stuff everywhere, it is amazing that we can even breathe! So after many many trips to donate all the excess stuff, I stopped shopping for the sake of shopping. Shopping is not entertainment, is what I tell myself.

I went beachcombing and pulled together all the ingredients to complete all of the centrepeices for my daughter's wedding. Yay! I got to check something else off my list! All I have to do now is find the fabric for the dress I dreamed up while I was sick. Other than that, all the other wedding related projects on my list will be completed the week prior while I am at my daughter's. Fun fun fun!!!

I have some nice black beluga lentils in my cupboard. They call to me every time I open the cupboard, so I am thinking about a salad. I actually bought the lentils because I used to get the most amazingly delicious beluga lentil burgers...mmmmm loved them! I saw the lentils, thought of the burgers and made the purchase. However, I find that I am not as interested in the "burger" experience as I once was, so the lentils have been sitting there, neglected and lonely. So, I decided to find some other ways to use beluga lentils. I think salad. I will let you know how that goes. I should think a few brightly colored vegges, mixed with shiney black lentils will be a treat for the eyes and for the palate. Of course, I will let you know how it goes.

Lentils are high in fiber and protein, and since I don't eat any red meat (or chicken or pork) I am always on the lookout for good sources of protein.

Update: The beluga lentils remain lonely and untouched in the cupboard. They did not turn themselves into a salad, and although I beleive in magic, I am no Samantha Stevens. I apparently have to do something more than twitch my nose in order to turn a pantry staple into a salad. I will keep you posted. Until then, I continue to have do-overs, Monday or not!

I have also made a choice to include some chicken and a little beef into my diet...we will see how that goes.

I`m Back!!

Yummy! Israeli Couscous salad.

We have returned from a 2 week summer vacation. On the agenda this trip was a family reunion. I have known about the reunion for at least a year, and as the excitement mounted, so have the pounds. I have put on even more weight, and I think I have broken my own record for all time high...even during pregnancy! Sigh.....

I learned even more about my family at this reunion. I have an even deeper understanding of my Mom and the choices that she made in her efforts to protect me. I am not saying I agree with all of those choices, but I am able to understand them. I have a deeper sense of respect for the lived experiences of famly members, for theirs are stories of love, loss and courage...This is where I come from, and in them I also see myself...humour, creativity, strength and courage... Our family story is one of loss, separation, and coming back together again. My story is their story too.

We have returned home, and along the way discovered that both 100 Mile House and Williams Lake have Farmers Markets on Fridays...cool! We stopped at fruit and veggie stands and filled the coolers with yummy food.  So, this morning, I decided the israeli couscous would come out of the cupboard.

I bought the couscous at a health food store in Powell River last summer. I have browsed recipes and found a few I would like to try, but haven't yet. Today, I decided not to (re) invent the wheel, and just make something relatively simple and yummy.

Israeli couscous are little pasta nuggets, lightly toased and yummy. I cooked one cup in 2 cups of boiling water until the water was all gone. Then a quick, cold rinse to end the cooking process. What I have learned in my extensive research about all food and diet related topics, is that cooking your pasta el dente makes it lower on the glycemic index than if it is (over) cooked. This means it takes more energy over a longer period of time to digest properly which may result in feeling satieted longer, and may help to keep blood sugar more steady.

I added the following veggies, all diced approximately equal in size: 3 celery ribs, one red pepper, 3 carrots, one small zucchini, 1/4 sweet onion, one broccoli head separated into small florets....tossed with the cooked couscous and the following as a dressing:  4 cloves garlic minced, 2 T extra virgin olive oil, cracked black pepper, juice of one lemon, 3 packets of stevia, italian herb mix, tarragon and a little water (about 3 T). Shake the dressing ingredients in a jar then pour over the other ingrediants. Toss together.

It tastes yummy right away, but I am going to let the salad marinate until dinner time. I plan to have a green salad, israeli couscous salad and a bbq chicken breast for dinner. A delicious start to a renewed commitment to good goddess health.

Turning the Page

I won't say that I am sorry to see the end of 2011. Many challenges have been met on my path and I have to say...I am tired!! I have few regrets left over from last year, mainly that I haven't taken the time available to me and used it in the best way possible. It has been a year of learning, and my aim is to put what I have learned into action during 2012.

At the end of 2011, I again succumbed to pressure and took up smoking cigarettes. It lasted a month. Today is day 5 smoke free...again. I also smoked during my daughter's wedding and preparations, and at other stressful times during the year. This is what I learned. I replaced tobacco use with food, I replaced alcohol use with food, then I tried to work on my relationship with food. However, I did not focus quite enough (for me) on coping strategies to replace those self harming behaviors. So, when stress arose, as it will, I was not prepared to meet it head on in a healthy way, so I revisited old ways of "coping".

So, my plan for 2012 will include ways of coping with the loss of those self harming (yet somehow self soothing) behaviors, as well as learning to cope with whatever stresses I encounter on my path in healthier ways. I have purchased a Tai Chi dvd which has 5 different healing approaches. I had initially thought that I would go to Tai Chi classes, but since I opened my heart to embrace all possibilities, my career has taken a different path than I thought it would. This puts those classes out of reach (geographically) for now. So, I purchased the dvd to support me to develop a more consistent practice. I will also include Yoga and walking to meet my physical and emotional health needs. Truth is though, I haven't started any of these practices yet, as I am recovering from a couple of relatively minor slip and fall incidents over the holidays. Relatively minor, because the old me would hardly have even noticed. The current me still copes with life with one unstable knee which appears to decide all on its own when it will function and when it will give up. Ouch. To support me to increase awareness of my physical capabilities, I plan to engage in a much more consistent way with my meditation practice. My goal is to become less distanced from my body and the messages it provides me about how I am doing and what I need.

I am returning to a health supportive, nutrient dense diet. I have been eating primarily veggies, fruit and grains since my return home. I have had stir fried veggies on brown rice, and made a fabulous pot of bean and veggie soup last night. The fruit bowl is filled and sitting on my desk at work. This weekend, I am making a borscht inspired stir fry, which not only sounds yummy to me, but makes economic sense as these seem to be the veggies readily available and at a reasonable cost. I will let you know how it turns out.

There are many things to look forward to this year. Multiple exciting possibilities, and the likelihood of significant change....but we are not there yet. Right now, I am grateful that the babies were born healthy, that both Mama's are now doing well. I am grateful for family, and embracing all that it means to be part of a family. I will work on strengthening relationships during this year. I will also work on letting go...I simply cannot continue to carry all that I have been for such a long time.

I embrace 2012 ... in good Goddess health....and my hope for you is that 2012 brings all you can wish for!

I am Good. I am Enough.

Well, so far I have written primarily about food. I am truly interested in food security, and worry that we are changing our environment so drastically that we may "engineer" ourselves out of the ability to produce fresh, nutrient dense, health supportive foods. Today, our vegetables, grains and fruits are more frequently tampered with. These tamperings render plants more able to withstand weeds and...to make produce look pretty, stay "fresh" longer...in other words, to appeal to the consumer's sense of sight. What about the other senses?

Naturally, I am reflecting on the abundance of summer, and of harvest time. I am so grateful for the decision we made to shop locally, organically, and to build our meals around what is freshly available. I had forgotten how delicious a red, ripe, organic tomato smells. I loved the smell of fresh onions as I slice them and the juices run onto the cutting board. And freshly sauteed summer squash with a bit of garlic and onion...I made full meals out of that! Fresh corn on the cob...mmmmmmm....we have enjoyed its abundance this year!

So, not only do I worry about long term food security, I worry about this winter. What will we eat? There is no way I can go back to spending my heard earned cash for produce that looks pretty...I don't want a decoration, I want food! I can't even imagine eating mushy, tasteless, aroma-less produce. Since we have been shopping local farm stands, I tend to view produce in the grocery stores as compost. Seriously, it looks dead, lusterless, and....the aroma of fruit that I remember from childhood is mysteriously absent.

My family were orchardists, my father won accolades for his tomatoes and cucumbers. He was known as Tony the Tomato King. I grew up with fresh, frozen and canned fruit, primarily grown by a family member. I recall sitting between the rows in Auntie's garden with my cousins, salt shaker in hand, eating tomatoes plucked warm off the plant. Pick one, eat one...that's how it is meant to be! My family was also very talented in terms of turning beautiful fruits into works of art...pies and strudel are two of my favorites.

In my life thus far, I have been privileged to live with many different families, and learned many different ways of being. The common thread though, was the freshness of our food. I was usually fortunate enough to live with families that valued fresh food and had gardens to produce lovely health sustaining food. I don't know whether these gardens were organic or not...but the freshness of the food has stuck in my memory. Even when I lived with families that didn't have a garden, I quickly learned the art of foraging. I recall picking berries, wild apples, digging clams, and fishing to supplement my diet. Later, I even learned how to hunt, although I never enjoyed either the killing or the butchering of the animals. I don't eat flesh and I don't hunt anymore...haven't for many years now. In fact, "hunting" became a bit of a joke between Mom and I...I would arrange to go hunting with her in the fall, and would arrive and she would say, "I don't want to go hunting, I just want to visit.....go and hunt in my freezer". 

Sadly, for a long time, I associated having a garden, hunting, fishing, foraging...as activities for the poor. I rebelled and wanted everything store bought. I wanted wonder bread, not home baked...I wanted shiny, perfect apples, not fresh ones with the odd blemish. I didn't want to have to work to obtain my food. I wanted it done the easy way. I became one of the many overfed, undernourished people and my health suffered. I had stomach problems diagnosed as ulcers. I carried a bottle of liquid meant to numb my tummy and make the pain stop. I ate antacids. I never had a normal bowel movement. For me, regular meant once a week. And I hurt...all the time. I had migraines that showed up more and more frequently. My skin was dull and blemished, and my hair was dull and stringy. My energy levels were practically non-existent. Exercise? What? No thank you. I had to trick myself into exercising by joining a team and playing slow pitch. Interesting....I could do it for the team, but not for myself.

And I am still learning to do it for myself. Finally, I am at a place in my life where I understand it IS all about me! Wow! What a gift! I always thought that was the most selfish thing...to take time for myself, to engage in self care. I spent time looking after others, sacrificing self. I thought that would make me appear selfless, saintly.....finally....good enough. I have discovered that no matter how much I did for others, I never felt good enough. It wasn't until I began to care for myself with the same passion, love and commitment that I felt good enough. I am good. I am enough.

So, I take care of myself as best I can with what I know, and I research....and reach out. I allow others in, and accept offers of help. I still feel fear and still have the old impulse to avoid...new experiences, relationships...etc. I listen to the limitations put upon me by others...but I don't necessarily accept them. For example: I had knee surgery in February. Following that, I learned that I have severe osteoarthritis in one knee, with very little cartilage left. The other knee and my hips are also affected....as are most joints in my body. Arthritis is inflammation. As I learn to let go, and to lovingly embrace who I am, I find the pain lessens.

I had a referral for knee replacement in March, but haven't been in touch with the surgeon yet. I was told that any physical activity would likely worsen things, and definitely would not improve. This weekend, I hiked to three different waterfalls. I was challenged, and at one point, I thought I would have to turn around...but I didn't. I took my time, enjoyed the sights and smells of the forest, and made it to my goal destination each time. I could have used a walking stick and better footwear (remembering that for next time), but I did it! Yes, I did have some aches that night, but nothing I couldn't cope with. We even slept on an air mattress in the back of the truck that night, and I was fine. I know that each step I take helps me. I hurt more if I don't move than if I do. So really, it is about finding things I can do. The paths we took were not really that challenging, I think the furthest we trekked at once was 3km, one day I thought we did about 5km.

I am feeling really happy with myself. I took a small stone from each of the waterfalls and I will attach them to my walking stick. They will be my reminders to be wary of limitations....and to always, always be open to possibilities.

Why?

I have been thinking lately about why I am doing this...why do I feel the need to change my habits, attitude(s), perceptions, knowledge...etc...why?

Well, that's a long story, and that long story is exactly why. My life so far has been a full one. Full of experiences that perhaps, just perhaps, I have thought I would rather not have had. However, part of this process has been about embracing all of those experiences, no matter how difficult, and understanding that I am whole, complete and perfect...right now, just the way I am.

I have come to a place of understanding. I experienced horrible things in my childhood...abuse, neglect, abandonment....you name it. I had a really hard time even admitting that some of the choices made on my behalf were really not in my best interest...as a child. What I have come to understand is, there are no "enemies", no places to assign blame, no "bad guys"....once I let go of my need to make it all someone elses fault, I was able to embrace my childhood and forgive those who made choices that in the end, harmed me. I understand that the adults in my life were also wounded, and I do believe they did the best they could. That is how I was able to forgive.

For me, forgiveness does not mean that I accept that what happened was okay, it wasn't okay. Forgiveness means that I am able to move on, step into my power and own it. When I was a child, I didn't have a voice or the ability to change my circumstances. I was given a set of values, beliefs and rules to follow, and was expected to do so without question. Now, I have a voice. I own my power. I decide if those values, beliefs and rules are for me. Some of those old stories still ring true, and many do not. It is all up to me. Forgiveness means that I am ready and willing to stand in my power...to decide, to learn, to live, to use my voice...stepping into my power means I live my life full on, no more hiding. Forgiveness means I am sticking up for that scared, lonely, rejected and abandoned child. Every time I take another step forward I am telling her "you are worth it, I love you".  Forgiveness means I do not allow the past to rule my future. Forgiveness means I have faith...it means that the Universe always seeks balance, and I don't have to punish anyone for anything. I don't need retribution to feel like balance has been achieved. Forgiveness for me means freedom.

Now I am in a place in my life that is filled with exciting opportunities. We can always have a "do-over" any time we choose, the important thing is to choose. So, here I am, reinventing myself for perhaps the hundredth time...but really, I am not re-inventing myself as much as I am returning...it feels like a homecoming. I am coming home to myself.

Along the way I learned something interesting about shame and guilt.  I have learned that guilt is something associated with the belief that I have done something wrong. Shame however, is associated with the belief that something is wrong with me. I am learning to let go of the shame, it doesn't belong to me, it never did. Shame is toxic. I have nothing to feel shamed about. I am learning to respond to guilt by changing. If I feel guilty about something, it means that I did something in a way that is incongruent with my stated values (reacting instead of responding perhaps?). Therefore, I have an ethical obligation to myself to respond. And then we come back to forgiveness...because forgiveness supports me to respond to situations in my life rather than just reacting.  I am responsible for my life. Responsibility is the ability to respond.

I know this sounds like a walk in the park rather than a lifelong commitment to continue this journey. This journey is clearly not about a destination...for me, it is all about the journey. What happens along the way is what I focus on. It is really challenging at times, to continue to have faith, put one foot in front of the other, when the path is bumpy, has roadblocks, and visibility is low. Sometimes the next step is all I can manage.

This isn't all about food, but it is all about food....if that makes any sense. My relationship with food is at times entangled, often interwoven with issues that remained long after the childhood trauma ended. Food became my comfort, solace, reward, centre of activity, the way I stuffed the emotions, the way I shut myself up and off. I didn't see my relationship with food in a health supportive way. I didn't see food as something I could partner with to achieve good Goddess health.  Food was what I used to fill the void. When I was working on my relationship with tobacco and alcohol, I used food to fill the void left when those substances were gone. I spent much of my life looking to become comfortably numb. I became involved in relationships that re-enacted the traumas from childhood. I was drawn to the familiar. I used food to cope. I did not eat to live, I lived to eat. I drowned that little girl inside with fabulous "treats" to make up for every single deprivation she survived, and to make her voice so small that I almost couldn't hear her. But she is a strong little girl, I can hear her, and I am finally learning to respond. She is me, and we want the same thing...live fully, squeezing as much as possible out of every single moment.

Wishing you good Goddess health....

Inspiration

I want to let you know about two blogs I currently follow:  Fat Free Vegan and Gluten Free Goddess. These are two very talented ladies who create the most delicious recipes...and where I regularly go for inspiration.

That said, I also wanted to talk about another inspiration...Shiritaki Noodles!
I am so happy to have found these. As a long-time pasta lover, I have tried many alternatives to the pasta I had become accustomed to, with mixed results. However, the Shiritaki...I love love love it!! I can currently purchase angel hair, spaghetti, and fettucini types, so that is what I will be experimenting with. Once I have a wee bit more time (and skill) I will add recipes to the blog, so that you can try recipes yourself and let me know how it goes.

Anyway, the Shiritaki...the brand I buy has about 40 calories for the whole package...and are very low in fat but high in fibre. Usually, when others have pasta and sauce, I have spaghetti squash and sauce...not a problem, I love spaghetti squash. But the Shiritaki opens a whole new door for me. So far, I have made a Pho style soup with them, chow mein, as well as the typical noodle and sauce recipes. The Shiritaki noodle is tasteless on its own, and readily picks up the flavors of whatever you choose to cook them with.  I should also tell you though, that when you first open the package, the smell is a bit off-putting, kind of fishy. Don't let this dissuade you...simply rinse well, boil for about a minute and voila...no more smell!!

While visiting Fat Free Vegan this morning, I saw a recipe for stuffed baby eggplant. I have to admit, I am drawn to these beautiful, shiny purple veggies. I tried to make eggplant parmesan many years ago, and neither it nor I were popular following that effort....but I am ready to try again. I absolutely love Baba Ghanoush, so really, isn't it possible that I would also adore the eggplant? Even if I only learn how to make Baba Ghanoush, I would be happy (and full).  Probably the best way for me to just jump in and make something is if I purchase some eggplant at the farmer's stall. Being one who doesn't like to waste, I would then happily browse recipes and find one that would catch my fancy. Hmm...the weekend is coming.

I will definitely be trying Karina's (Gluten Free Goddess) tapenade recipe....thank you for posting from your archives!! And I am thinking, if there are baby eggplants available, I may try Susan's (Fat Free Vegan) stuffed eggplant on not so dirty rice recipe.  I also have a huge craving for Dukhobour style borcht...I use the word "style" here because I don't use nearly the fat the original borcht recipe I was given years ago calls for. One lady I knew back in the day would say "you don't like it right" when I would explain that I like no fat yogurt instead of the crean/sour cream.... Well, I like it right for me!!

Speaking of Baba Ghanoush....the very first time I ordered this, I had no idea what it was. I only knew it came with pita and veggies for dipping, so I figured it would have to be good. In addition, I was with a group of hungry students in the grad lounge, so I figured if I didn't like it, they would help eat it...I don't like to waste food!  The real reason I ordered it though, is that once I figured out how, Baba Ghanoush was really fun to say....and I have been a fan ever since! Just a wee story....

I noticed yesterday that the yellow summer squash is arriving...and it was both abundant and beautifully glowing...it beckons as well.  Sometimes I just want to try everything and I have to pull back just a little. Even I don't have an unlimited appetite...although I was called a pitless, bottomless, garbage can by some less than kind family members growing up. How's that for a grand connection with some of my food issues...But I am in charge now, thank you very much. I am fully committed to getting the "garbage" out of my diet.

Speaking of garbage, I am now focussed on removing the "whites"...white sugar, white rice, white bread...the bread is gone, the sugar is for the hummingbirds, and the white rice is gone (to be replenished by brown). I wonder if I should even be feeding the white sugar to the hummingbirds? Any ideas? Anyone?

Well, until next time....wishing you good Goddess health!!

Genetically Modified Organisms....mmmmmm.....yummy.....

I recently realised that I found myself stuck. I felt I had so much work to do that I became stuck, couldn't move...it all seemed so overwhelming. I am trying to remain holistic in focus as I follow this path to health. I have continued to experiement with health supportive foods, taking pictures so that I can post recipes later. Some were amazingly yummy first time, and others need a little tweaking. I made some corn cakes yesterday that were fabulous!!! More about that later....

I have also been journalling as I go through the process of learning about and loving all the parts that make this magnificent being whole. My wee, sad, abandonded child, my rebellious teen, my angry, resentful young adult....We must learn to love all the parts of who we are before we can truly love another. I have been researching topics that interest me, and journalling, journalling and more journalling. I have even been able to nurture my physical self by taking walks, which does result in a bit of pain, but I am able to walk through the pain.  I have developed osteoarthritis in my right knee and it affects my right hip as well. I have pain in most joints in my body, some restricts movement more than others. I continue to search for the right path to lessen pain, increase mobility, and get off pain medications and anti inflammatories...which I must say, I forget to take most of the time. On average, I only use anti inflammatories about 4 times a month...not bad considering they are prescribed for daily use. I should also tell you, I do this all with my Doctor's knowledge and support.

I have started learning some Reiki self healing techniques, I have only used this twice, as I am just learning this....but I did notice that it helps immediately. I also plan to join Taoist Tai Chi in September, when the beginner classes start...I will keep you posted on both!

I also have been very focussed on strengthening my spiritual connection. Much work has been done, with much more to do. Part of my path requires that I learn about as many other religions as possible and practice tolerance. This has been a very interesting part of my journey...I struggle to accept some of the more "ultra right" versions of christianity who expouse the "one right way" which is their way, and that all who do not beleive as they do shall burn in hell for all of eternity. In addtion, some of these christians beleive there are only a limited number of places in heaven, and that only they will have a space there. I struggle to understand why anyone would choose to beleive in a God or religion that uses fear to control, is intolerant of difference...It just doesn't work for me. 

I try to remind myself to keep things simple. I tend to over analyse and focus on every single little detail, and I have to often reign myself in and remind myself that simple is often better. Through experience, I have learned that all the efforts I put forth in paying attention to every little detail is sometimes lost, and by keeping it simple I seem to enjoy the process more, and the outcome seems more satisfying.  Keep it simple is becoming a bit of a mantra, especially when faced with a huge project. Of course sometimes the attention to detail is important and necessary....but not always...so, when I find myself stuck I ask myself, what is a simple piece of this I can start with.......and go from there.

Meditation. I keep trying, and I am getting better...I can't remember the last time my mind was totally quiet...I continue to work on this. Meditation is an important goal for me...It isn't that I can't meditate, it is more like I can't really control when I meditate...sometimes, it kinda just happens...it's like a thought enters my brain and I just go with it, wherever it leads. Next thing I know, it is time for work, or coffee break or ? and I have been off in lala land...lol...

I printed off a NON-GMO shopping guide from this site: NonGMOShoppingGuide.com  I continue to become more and more informed with regard to what is and what is not health supportive, and I continue to learn about how I can protect myself and our precious Mother Earth. Here is some information and tips:

What is a GMO?
GMO's are genetically modified organisms made by forcing genes from one species such as bacteria, viruses, animals or humans into the DNA of a food crop or animal to introduce a new trait.

Why should I avoid GMO's?
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine reported, "Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food", including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastointestinal system.

Tips to avoid GMO's....

1.  Buy Organic
Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingrediants. Buy products labeled 100% organic, Organic, or made with organic ingredients.  You can be really sure if the product also has a Non-GMO Project Verified Seal.
2.  Look for Non-GMO Project Seals
The Non-GMO Project is a non profit organization committed to providing consumers with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices including testing of at-risk ingredients.  Visit NonGMOProject.org for more info.
3.  Avoid At Risk Ingredients
If it is not labeled organic or verified non-GMO, avoid products that may be derived from GMOs. The eight GM food crops are: corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, hawaiian papaya (most) and a small amount of zucchini and yellow squash...GM alfalfa is also fed to livestock.

Sugar:  If a non-organic product made in North America lists "sugar" as an ingrediant (and NOT pure cane sugar), then it is almostcertain to be a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets.

Dairy:  may come from cows injected with GM bovine gorwth hormone. If its not labeled organic or non-GMO Project Verified, look for labels stating no rbGH, rbST or artificial hormones.

4.  Use the Non-GMO Shopping Guide
You will find a complete list of Non-GMO products available from each brand in the guide available at NonGMOShoppingGuide.com or use the the app for your iPhone ShopNoGMO, which is available free at the iTunes store. 

The shopping guide covers off dairy alternatives, baby foods and infant formula, beverages, body care, breads and baked goods, candy chocolate and sweeteners, cereals and breakfast bars, condiments oils dressings and spreads, dairy, feed and seed, fruits and vegetables, grains beans and flour, herbs spices etc, meat fish and eggs, mercantile, packaged/frozen meals, pasta, pet products, snack food and bars, soups and sauces, tofu tempeh and alternative meats, vitamins and supplements and a section on invisible GM ingredients.

I have also been doing quite a bit of research about how our food is produced. It only took a few articles to remind me why I decided to eat locally produced foods as much as possible. It also strengthened my committment to remaining vegetarian. I tried vegan, and eventually becoming full on vegan may become my path of choice, but for now I accept that I am a committed vegetarian who also enjoys fresh, locally caught fish on occasion.  I have also allowed eggs to show up in my diet, a little more regularly than I had wanted. A reminder to myself of the importance of mindfulness. It is really easy to stray from a chosen path if one is not mindful, especially with all the "attachments" I have with regard to food. It also takes some planning, as stopping by the drivethrough for a quick bite has not been an option for at least a couple of years now. I try to plan ahead and pack some healthy choices, and have found a few places on my "routes most travelled" that offer healthy vegetarian options.

The journey continues, and I focus on placing one foot in front of the other as I travel this new path. It seems both brand new, and amazingly familiar to me...which I find both of interest, and entirely appropriate.