What's Your Resolution?

While I’m not too keen on making one single big New Year’s Resolution, I do appreciate the tradition of reflecting on the events of the past year and thinking about how to move forward in the year to come.  If you’re anything like me, you don’t need a special season to set high expectations for yourself; you’ve already got the goals set with a detailed plan in place to ensure they will be reached in a timely fashion.  Ahh, the joys of being a Type A personality! Maybe you have made a single resolution for 2013 or perhaps you’re in the same boat as me, but in any case remember to stick to your guns, regardless of missteps, temptations, and naysayers. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself when you aren’t perfect.  I’ll give you an example:  Dave decided he would start eating 100% gluten-free for the New Year.  Twelve hours into 2013 he grabbed a beer out of the fridge and drank half of the bottle before realizing that his beverage was not gluten-free (another reason to rid your home of everything containing gluten!).  Clearly, this was not intentional, but a misstep still the same.  Instead of throwing his hands up and declaring gluten-free to be an impossible feat, he told me about it, we both laughed and then decided to buy some gluten-free beer to make things easier for him.  Likewise, don’t give up when you make a mistake or feel bummed about making slow progress.  As my husband frequently tells me, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”  So true.

Temptation can present itself in many forms, but we are most likely to give in when feeling vulnerable.  Make a conscious decision to remove yourself from situations that may result in giving in to temptation.  Don’t make exceptions.  Constantly remind yourself of the big picture, whether through gathering with like-minded people once a week, posting words of encouragement in your home, or simply spending some time each day in quiet thought to stay focused. 

Do what you feel is right, regardless of those who may doubt your abilities or ideas.  Remember that we are all here to do the best we can with the time we’ve been given.  Others may not understand your goals, but as long as you can see the big picture and feel you are heading in the right direction then that is all that matters.  Maybe you have noticed that YOU are one of the naysayers from time to time (we all are, really).  In this case, try not to doubt others but instead provide encouragement and learn to appreciate we all have different paths that are waiting to be discovered. 

What are your goals for 2013?  I hope you are able to achieve them and much more in the months ahead.  Cheers!

**If you are thinking about going gluten-free for 2013, take a look at my step by step plan HERE.  

Gluten-Free, Step by Step

Going gluten-free – how is it done?  After my own experience yo-yoing on a gluten-free diet, I now undoubtedly know that the best way to go about eliminating gluten from one’s diet is to do it cold turkey.  It may sound easier said than done, and to some extent, it is. Unless you have a plan in place, you’re almost guaranteed to fall off the wagon.  When I initially took gluten out of my diet, I didn’t quite understand the repercussions that “just a little” bit of gluten were having on my health.  I was under the false impression that indulging every once in a while couldn’t hurt as long as most of my meals were gluten-free.  As I later learned, gluten can stay in the system for weeks, and even the tiniest bit of gluten can wreak havoc on those with the most minor sensitivities.  This is why I advocate a 100% gluten-free lifestyle for those who have or suspect a gluten allergy.  If you are thinking about going gluten-free, even just for a short while to determine if you have a sensitivity, please take a look at my step-by-step plan:

1)      Change your outlook.  While many people view a gluten-free lifestyle as one that restricts and makes it difficult to dine out or attend parties, try looking at it a little differently.  Not only will going gluten-free be much easier on your body and quite likely heal some of your ailments, it’s also much easier to eat healthy when subscribing to a gluten-free diet.  Most fast food, bread, pasta, and desserts will be out of the question, resulting in a lower carb intake.   Sure, there are gluten-free varieties of many processed foods, but most gluten-free folks find that after cutting back on carbs, the cravings just aren’t there anymore.  Plus, if you frequently dine out, gluten-free pasta, bread, and dessert simply won’t be available at many restaurants. 

2)      Clean out your pantry.  As I said before, the best way to approach gluten-free eating is by making it a lifestyle and allowing no compromises.  Get rid of everything in your pantry and refrigerator that contains gluten.  Donate your canned and boxed items to a food bank, ask a neighbor or friend if they would like some extra food, make a pie for the local shelter – whatever you do, get rid of all of the gluten-containing foods in your house!  Trust me, it will make the process much easier.

3)      Begin to embrace your inner chef.  No, you will not need to become a gourmet chef, but be ready, willing and able to prepare the basics: steamed rice, baked fish, your favorite fruits and veggies, etc.

4)      Make a two-week menu for yourself and your family, replacing favorite gluten-filled foods with gluten-free options.  It’s ok to have the same things over and over, but preparing two weeks’ worth of food will help you see the big picture and make the process more manageable.  Include things that are simple and require little preparation.  Here is a sample menu for one day to get started:

Breakfast – Yogurt and berries with a hardboiled egg

Snack – Lara Bar

Lunch – CranberryWalnut Salad with chicken

Snack – Apple slices with almond butter

Dinner – Baked salmon with rice and sautéed vegetables

Dessert – Dark chocolate squares

5)      Make a grocery list.  Include all of the ingredients necessary for your first full week of gluten-free eating.  

6)      Review your favorite restaurant menus to determine what you can/can’t eat there.  As gluten-free is becoming more main stream, an increasing number of restaurants are expanding their menus to include options for gluten-free diners.  However, some restaurants just aren’t ready to expand their offerings.  I strongly recommend checking out restaurant menus online or calling in advance to ensure you will be able to enjoy a gluten-free meal.  In some cases, your favorite restaurant many not be able to offer you much more than a salad, so be prepared to become a fan of salad or find an alternative.  I’ve found it very helpful to have a list of restaurants offering various gluten-free menu items like pizza, Italian food, burgers, and sushi.  If you are in the Denver area, take a look at some of my recent restaurant reviews for ideas.

7)      Come up with a plan when attending parties.  I find there are usually very few (if any!) gluten-free options at cocktail parties, casual outdoor barbeques, and event celebrations (baby showers, holiday parties, birthday parties, etc.).  To avoid starving yourself all evening or indulging in something you will later regret, have a light meal prior to the party and keep a small snack with you, just in case.  If you are attending a more formal dinner party, you may want to chat with the host beforehand to discuss your limitations.  In some cases, this may not be appropriate so, again, I would suggest eating a light meal prior to the dinner.  If there are plenty of gluten-free options, then you will still be able to enjoy the food, but your portions will be a bit smaller than if you had not chosen to eat a bit beforehand.  If there aren’t many options, then you will be glad you filled your stomach!  Food is a wonderful way to enjoy time with friends and family, but it doesn’t have to be the main event.  Enjoy parties and time with friends without focusing on food and try not to view it as a limitation.

Any other suggestions from my gluten-free friends?  

De-cluttering the Suitcase

Whether going to Grandma’s for the weekend or vacationing on a 10-day cruise, many of us have travel plans of some sort this holiday season.  Of course, along with the anticipation of spending time with loved ones and making fun travel plans comes the inevitable question: “what should I pack???”  I, for one, have always struggled with this question and so, in an attempt to make things easier, I always end up packing half of my wardrobe, a coat for each season, my entire bathing suit collection, and MANY pairs of shoes (just in case).  After about the millionth trip spent lugging around multiple suitcases and still with nothing to wear, I’ve decided to implement my de-cluttering policy when packing for my next trip.  Following many of the same guidelines I used when clearing out my wardrobe clutter, I’m going to focus on packing versatile pieces of clothing, appropriate for a variety of occasions.  I’m also going to limit the size of my luggage and the amount of bags I bring.  Even though we are driving and I could potentially use a larger suitcase, I will be limiting myself to one carry-on size piece of luggage, plus a large tote to keep with me in the car. 

De-cluttering the suitcase can make things physically easier during travel, create a more relaxing home away from home environment, and make for a more pleasant unpacking experience back at home.  Here are some basic guidelines to get you started packing for your next trip:

1)      Consider the event.  Is the trip casual or formal?  Where will you be spending most of your time? Do not pack a special occasion outfit “just in case.”  If there’s no obvious reason to pack it, then don’t.  Speaking from experience, I find it very rare to be invited to a ball while on vacation J.

 

2)      Consider the weather.  Check the forecast about a week before leaving and then again right before you leave the house, adding or taking away items accordingly.  And, as I learned one stormy day in New York City, ALWAYS pack an umbrella.

3)      Consider your mode and length of travel.  Longer trips call for more comfortable clothing.  A road trip with several planned stops may require a more polished travel outfit.  Regardless of how I’m travelling, I like to wear a large scarf, dress in layers, and keep sunglasses on hand.   

4)      Consider your accommodations.  Are you staying at a hotel with lots of amenities or will you need to pack your own shampoo, soap, hair dryer, etc.? 

5)      A week prior to the trip, make a list of outfits for each day, keeping in mind the considerations listed above.  If you are a visual person, hang your clothing items on a separate rod to make things easier.  Then, go back through and edit the list to reduce the number of clothing items and save space.  For example, if you have two pairs of jeans on the list, instead bring only one versatile pair.  Don’t forget items like belts, socks, gloves, pajamas and the like.

6)      Now make a list of toiletries and “extra” items like books, laptop, phone charger, etc.

7)      Wash clothing as necessary and pack all items (or as much as you can) a day or two before leaving.  I find this to be a much more organized approach to packing than the alternative of throwing everything into a suitcase on the morning of the trip.  By finishing your packing ahead of time, you now have the opportunity to add items you may have initially forgotten, thus minimizing the chances of forgetting to pack your toothbrush.

Happy holidays and safe travels to all of you!

Organization Part III - De-cluttering the Technology in Our Lives

I hope everyone has been enjoying the posts about de-cluttering!  Last week I discussed a difficult topic for some, the wardrobe.  This week I’m going to take de-cluttering to the next level by suggesting that while technology has undoubtedly made many positive contributions to modern life, it may also be preventing many of us from achieving, growing and living.  By the way, this is quite the revelation, coming from a former iPhone and Facebook addict!  Clearly, I still have an affinity for technology as I’m writing this for my online blog, and I’m not suggesting we give up on technology all together but perhaps, for many of us, a bit of reflection is necessary.  Just as we need be particular about relationships, food, and possessions, so should we be mindful of how we spend our most precious commodity – time.

The Phone  

I’m sure most of you reading this have a smart phone of some sort.  Maybe you’re texting someone right now, in which case unless you’re telling them how awesome my blog is, then put the phone down!  In all seriousness, as much value as smart phone technology brings to daily life, the dependence upon smart phones can provide severe limitations and also detract from quality of life.  I doubt I need to go into “the rudeness factor” as I’m sure most of you have experienced this by being put on the back burner whilst your companion checks his email, returns a text (or 10), or catches up on Words with Friends.  In my opinion, this is just plain rude, but unfortunately, this behavior is becoming quite commonplace and, therefore, acceptable in modern society.  As I have learned from my own experience, becoming more mindful in these situations helps to gain awareness of one’s own behavior. 

Over a year ago I noticed I was becoming very involved in my phone and decided to, for the most part, eliminate my use of the cell phone.  I still carry my cell phone, but without a data plan and now only use it to place the occasional phone call.  It’s not uncommon for my phone to be turned off for days, or even a week at a time.  Very rarely do I miss the ability to surf the web or look up directions, weather, etc.  I find that now I regularly engage in more human behaviors like asking someone for directions or the time, and carrying a book or journal with me if I know I may be waiting for a while.  It’s refreshing to depend upon myself rather than a machine.  

If you would like to de-clutter the phone usage in your life, please take a look at these simple suggestions:

1.       Become more mindful of your behavior.  If you notice you frequently check your phone for email or texts, or feel the need to respond immediately when you hear your phone’s notification ring, take a step back and adjust your behavior.  Unless it’s truly urgent (see #3), try not to immediately pick up the phone, especially if you are in the presence of company.  On that note, if you are with company and know you will need to answer a call or respond to an email, give your company a heads up.  This is a very polite approach and tells others that you value their time as well as your own business.

2.       Separate yourself from the phone for periods of time throughout the day.  Learning to live without your phone or turning your phone off for a small time frame at some point during the day can help with detachment, especially if you use your cell phone all day for work.  Dinnertime is a great opportunity to turn off the phone, set it aside, and devote time to the family, your pet, or yourself and enjoy a lovely meal, without distractions. 

3.       Learn when to classify communication as “urgent.”  It seems these days everything is urgent…but is it really?  “Urgent” means different things to each of us, but if it can wait, without negative repercussions, then it’s not really urgent. 

4.       Adjust the role of “phone” in your life.  Some people use phones simply to communicate with friends and family.  Other people use phones to play games, check out the App Store, text with abandon, surf the web, shop and occasionally make phone calls.  Whatever your use for the cell phone, ensure it makes sense for what you are trying to achieve in life.  If the hours a day playing games and surfing the web are making it difficult for you to accomplish personal or professional goals, then perhaps it’s time to turn it down a notch.

Television

As part of the de-cluttering efforts in our household last year, we decided to severely downgrade our cable.  Now, notice I said we downgraded, not cancelled, because we just aren't quite ready to give up television all together.  I definitely understand how it can be relaxing to unwind after work with a favorite TV show or watch a sports game at home over the weekend with friends.  However, it’s easy to become caught up in it all, especially with DVR technology, as Dave and I learned... 

It was earlier this year, after we returned from a week-long vacation.  While we were gone, we had recorded a week’s worth of “our” shows, ready for us to view via DVR upon our return.  I felt overwhelmed, knowing that we had to watch the previous week’s shows before the new ones aired that week, lest we should fall further behind.  As silly as this may be, the sheer thought of watching all of these shows in a day or two’s time actually stressed me out!  A couple of episodes in, Dave and I looked at one another, simultaneously sighed and turned it off.  A few weeks later we got rid of the DVR, HD, and downgraded our cable.  As dramatic as it sounds, I immediately felt freed as I had become somewhat of a slave to my TV.  All of a sudden, I had loads of time for other pursuits and no longer felt the need to unwind with TV every night. 

Activities

Entertainment comes in many forms, but I believe the best spark careful thought and true appreciation.  Sometimes entertainment can involve technology, but all too often these forms of entertainment can be consuming and mindless.  Try to balance technology in your entertainment activities.  Instead of spending free time gaming or watching reality TV or mindlessly surfing the web, try these ideas:

1.       Swap movie channels for a few quality films and the theater.  If you love the movies, why not cancel your movie channel subscription and use Netflix?  This way, you will look forward to just a few quality films each week instead of watching movie upon movie from the moment you get home to the moment you fall asleep every night.  Even better, try attending live theater or your local independent film theater from time to time to gain a different perspective on acting and film-making.    

2.       Enjoy the great outdoors.  While I most certainly wouldn’t call myself an “outdoor enthusiast” (hey, I live in Colorado, that title is reserved for the truly obsessed!), I do love nature and enjoy a tame hike, camping excursion, or fishing trip.  If you are reluctant to participate in outdoor activities because they aren’t your thing, start small and take a little picnic or walk the dog through the park every Saturday. 

3.       Get a hobby!  There’s quite a lot to be said for developing a hobby, something personal and special to you.  Perhaps this hobby is crafting or writing or cooking or something sports-related, but make sure it’s both mentally stimulating and rewarding. 

4.       Read.  Seriously, it’s a very under-rated activity!  Read whatever appeals to you, whether it’s a book about home design or FDR’s biography.  Or both.  Reading opens the door to new ways of thought and helps to understand others.  At times, read things you would not normally choose or be drawn to. 

5.       Frequent museums, festivals, art walks and other cultural events.  There are so many wonderful people and things to be exposed to in these environments.  Even if you are somewhat reserved, as I normally am, I find a small amount of exposure to these sorts of events to be quite fulfilling.

6.       Learn something new.  This is very fun, as you can choose anything you’d like!  I’ve noticed there are plenty of affordable classes around that teach languages, cooking, and various crafting skills.  If a class is not your thing (it’s not mine either!), try teaching yourself or finding someone who can teach you one on one. 

My personal examples may seem a bit extreme to some of you and an impossible idea for others, but I’m not suggesting that my decisions are the solution for everyone.  We all have our own unique experiences and I appreciate that; however, I truly hope these ideas have sparked some thought and inspiration.  

The Social Experiment

I have a confession to make – several weeks ago I conducted something of a “social experiment.”  You see, for a few weeks I had to walk to work which is not exactly a quick jaunt down the road, so the mile plus of pavement and stoplights gave me the opportunity to think sans dogs, internet, and other distractions.  A few days into it,  I decided to make some changes and see how people, both strangers and acquaintances alike, reacted to said differences.  These are the strategies I implemented:

1. SMILE – In general, keeping a pleasant look on one’s face yields positive results.  The other day I noticed a young woman jogging down the street.  She had a slight smile on her face and bopped her head to the music on her Ipod.  I took one look at her and thought, “Wow! She must be happy!”  Sadly, this sort of observation is rare, at least in my experience.  As I walk downtown, I notice people everywhere with what appear to be scowls or looks of malcontent on their faces.  Perhaps most people are simply thinking about something serious or concentrating on getting to work or maybe they really are just plain miserable, but I've learned it doesn't take much effort to keep a look of contentment on one’s face.  I recall the time period in high school shortly after I had my braces removed.  As a result of the orthodontics, not only did I have great teeth but I also had a new found self-confidence and smiled much more as a result.  I received so many compliments on my beautiful smile and subconsciously started to smile a lot more.  As I got older I noticed my smile getting thrown to the wayside.  After all, being a grown up means being serious, right?  Life becomes so much more complicated with bills to pay and other people to take care of and really important appointments that can’t be missed.  Even with all of that seriousness, I think it’s important to hold onto whatever joy we may have.  But, please, don’t walk down the sidewalk grinning ear to ear and chatting away with your imaginary friend.  You may then have a problem more serious than the scope of this blog J

2. Greet people – A simple “hello” will do in most situations.  By greeting people (happily, I must point out), it becomes apparent that we value them.  Now, when I was walking to work I obviously didn't greet every person I saw (that would be tiring!), but I made it a point to greet people whom I saw on a routine basis.  For example, there is a machine shop several blocks from our condo.  I see the same few workers out front everyday and usually just walk right on by.  As I've started to greet them, not only does it make my walk more pleasant, but I have a feeling that they felt more appreciated as well.  I remember how my grandfather used to wave and say “howdy” to everyone and I believe it brought him the greatest joy to show others he cared no matter if they were the town gossip or the local preacher or crazy Aunt Sally!  City living is much different than country living, but that doesn't excuse us from our responsibility to treat others with kindness.  Try it.

3. Use common courtesies– Those who know me well know that I abhor rudeness and can’t stand how “people these days” seem to have no respect for one another.  OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I think it’s pretty safe to say manners are not as commonplace as they used to be.  A large part of courtesy is respect, and once that hurdle is cleared it becomes quite easy to practice proper manners.  I’m not talking about which fork to use at the dinner table, but rather common courtesies such as holding the door open for others, helping someone trying to carry  heavy items, holding the elevator, saying “pardon me” when appropriate.  You get the idea. 

THE RESULTS

You may be wondering how my “experiment” ended.  Did I notice a big change in how others treated me?  Perhaps not a big change, but my pleasant demeanor did receive many lovely compliments from strangers on the street.  I’d like to think I helped brighten their day a bit.  Most notably, though, I noticed a change in myself and how I felt at the end of the day – happy, just what I was going for  J

Dinner Table Discussions

Several months ago Dave and I went to a wine tasting event a few blocks from our condo and ran into a neighbor with his girlfriend.  As I had not yet met his girlfriend, I introduced myself and we began to have a lovely conversation.  Over the course of the next hour, we discussed travel, food, and our experiences growing up in different parts of the country.  Never once did we discuss work and never once did it occur to me to bring it up.  Later that evening, as I was packing for a weekend trip, I realized I had not asked her what she did for a living.  It seemed strange at first and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had carried on a lengthy conversation with someone I didn’t even know, fully engaged, and walked away having gained a new perspective from a person who, for all I knew, could have been a touring ventriloquist!  What a strange but intriguing interaction! Would I have had a better conversation with her had I known her career?  Or, would I have had some amazing insight into her as a human being had I known she was a waitress or a doctor or a stay at home mom? I really don’t think so.  

Maybe we are going about this conversation thing all wrong.  Perhaps we’ve just become accustomed to discussing work all of the time, but truthfully, is that the way to live?  When there are so many things to talk about, why not discuss some of those “off” topics at times.  While everyone else is lamenting about workload or horrible bosses or annoying co-workers, how about bringing up the new restaurant downtown or a funny personal anecdote or thoughts about future or past travels?  While difficult, I’ve been consciously trying to steer my conversations away from the predictable and on to more interesting and fresh topics.  Likewise, try having a conversation with someone new without discussing career, or weather, or any of those predictable topics.  See where it takes you.  Maybe it will be the best conversation of your life! 

Reviving the Blog

I started this blog partly for myself as a way to express my thoughts, but a large part of my motivation comes from the desire to inspire others to live healthy, fulfilling lives.  Upon much reflection and an obvious hiatus from the blog, I've come to realize that my inspiration doesn't always come from food (although, I must admit food plays a large role in my life). Like most of you, I find my thoughts frequently wandering and this is often reflected in my writing.  Over the past several months I haven't stopped writing; in fact, I have close to 20 different blog entries I have started but neglected to finish.  I find that when my life is "cluttered" - whether simply from tangible items taking up precious space in my closet or a messy house that I can't find the time to clean, to more serious issues like toxic people absorbing my time or a job that feels like a deadend - it is easy to lose sight of myself and quite difficult to see anything with much clarity.  In my personal experience, it takes the elimination of these distractions before I can move on to a positive, productive place in my life.  I feel as though I'm making great progress and look forward to sharing with all of you.

Through much self-reflection, I have learned that a large part of living a fulfilling life, for many, involves staying focused on a few key concepts.  Yours may be different, but here are some of mine:

Creating beauty - As a visual person and one who loves to create asthetically-pleasing things, I love the idea of finding beauty in everything.  Food, home decor, nature, our own unique style - these are all places I observe beauty daily. And, while life can't always be attractive, I find the opportunity to brighten things up a bit is constantly awaiting us all.

Staying inspired - It can be incredibly difficult at times to feel inspired, as I know from personal experience.  After working long hours, running errands, and taking care of the family, one can feel exhausted, at best.  I find that constantly reminding myself of goals, ideas, encouraging stories or my own special memories is crucial to my personal growth.  I am inspired when I read, talk to others, listen to music, or even when I daydream.  Once open to the idea of staying inspired, life becomes more meaningful.

Making each moment special - Now, this is a critical concept to living a fulfilling life, but one that requires to be carried out with a great amount of intent, at least at first.  It is often the "everyday" parts of our lives that we go through without much joy or expectation.  A trip to the dry cleaner, vacuuming the house, walking the dog - hardly any of us look forward with anticipation to these "chores."  So, the question is, how do we make these moments count, if even just for ourselves?  Here's an example: I often work from home, rarely leaving the house during the day and sometimes with no human interaction until Dave gets home.  It's easy to get caught up in myself with this type of schedule.  I find that giving myself a few key things to look forward to each day helps me to stay focused and value my days at home.  I look forward to listening to my favorite jazz or classical music while working from my home office, taking a mid-morning stroll with the dogs, preparing myself green tea and a square of dark chocolate each afternoon, and allowing myself some time to journal or simply think for several minutes at some point during the day.  While obviously there are days that are more full, more frustrating, or more exciting, these "small joys" help me appreciate the days that would otherwise seem like they don't matter.

I hope some of these ideas strike a chord with you.  Stay tuned for more food talk, recipes, insights, glimpses into my own life, and more.  Thank you for reading :)