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Day198: Turmeric Tea

Today is Day 198.  In a few days I will have been on this self-improvement journey for 200 days! 

Nearly 7 months.

What is slightly alarming is that Thanksgiving is in 4 days.  Our family is actually having a Thanksgiving I and a Thanksgiving II so that we can get everyone together.  A feast on Thursday at my brother's house. A feast on Friday at our house.  Yikes!

Should I just throw caution to the wind and enjoy the festivities?  Or should I be THAT annoying person who doesn't eat gluten, or desert? I do notice that I need to work on portion control. Always.

But my biggest fear is...dum, dum DUM...the appetizer table!  I have a serious issue with social gatherings. I get really nervous and then make a beeline for the food to hide my discomfort. But I am hyper aware this year. And I hope well armed. 

But I don't have a solid plan in place yet. I do much better with a plan.  My first thought is use a little plate for appetizers. Allow myself a few chips and dip.  And then perhaps hide out in the bathroom and do 50 wall pushups, come back out and stay away from the table until dinner.  Play some games with the kids. Visit with the adults. Help out in the kitchen.  But not take out my Kindle.

Arrrggg!

So many vices come out around the holidays.  And old weird emotions.  No wonder I would stuff myself. 

Well, after getting on the scale this morning, I am already thinking I need to reassess.  And the holidays are not even officially here yet.

I gained three pounds this week.

I have been eating more.  I've been relaxing my rules. I have been eating dinner later.  I even had rye toast with breakfast yesterday.

But, on the positive side, I have been going to the gym nearly every day.

And that is something to be proud of.  I think I am just going to go with my plan, but then just release all the guilt, bitterness, shame, all the yucky stuff. And focus on the good stuff.

Exercise has become my new friend.  Reading has always been there. And now I am compiling a notebook of research topics! Music.  I would like to start spending more time with my piano.

And I would like to actually start connecting more with people.  Especially my family and friends.  

So, I am going to take a deep breath today.  It is a real, bonafide day off for me!  I just had a nice breakfast with my kids. I made my famous garlic/jalapeno home fries, maple chicken sausage and scrambled eggs.  I also made turmeric tea.  I used this  recipe from Meghan Telpner's blog: 
 
Turmeric Tea
Ingredients
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of clove (Note from Zita: I didn't have clove, so I mixed the finished turmeric tea with chai tea made from a teabag)
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • tsp fresh ginger (optional)
  • As much turmeric as you can handle! Start with a teaspoon and go up from there.
  • 1-2 cups of water
  • Raw honey to sweeten
  • Milk sub of choice (Note from Zita: I used almond milk)
Make It Like So
Slow and steady stove top method
  1. Simmer herbs and water together for 10 mins
  2. Strain out and add honey and mylk


http://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/tea-time-with-turmeric/. 

I've made turmeric tea before. I've read many articles about the health benefits of turmeric. But this time I added fresh ginger and instead of cloves, as she suggests, I also made a pot of chai tea.  I strained the ginger out of the turmeric tea, added honey and almond milk and then we each mixed our own blend.  Very tasty!

I'm going to hit the gym and do a long session of cardio. Then I think I'll get in a massage before I come home.

Today will be a good day to clean and practice piano. I find these days of no set plans to be like a gift from heaven.

My stats are the same as last week, except for a gain of 3 pounds.  So this week, I am going to add more fresh fruits and veggies and go back to no eating after 7 p.m.  I will, however, allow myself to feast moderately on Thanksgiving.  I and II.

Happy Monday! :)

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