Year Four, Day 55: Sunday Confession

I sinned.  And it wasn't pretty. It was a sin of the gluttinous kind. 

Involving cheese and too much meat. 

I fell off the wagon yesterday. I had two meals out. The first, with my mother. We went to a darling little diner called "Paul's" in downtown Vancouver.  I had corned beef hash.  I asked to substitute fruit for the toast, but the waitress proudly informed me that they had gluten free bread. She told me they received several calls a week asking for gluten free options. 

"The owner finally just purchased a couple of loaves of gluten free bread", she said with a grimace. "It's kind of weird little bread", she confided.

It was typical store bought gluten free bread. I'm used to it.  I prefer my home baked bread, bagels and rolls. But it gets expensive. I prefer almond flour.  Next time I should probably smuggle an almond flour bagel into the restaurant!

The breakfast was really good other than the toast.  And I cleaned my plate!

I hadn't had so much food in a week on my alkaline diet program. But we were celebrating, I justified!

My niece had just given birth to her second baby on Friday.  A precious little girl, "Autumn Rose".

We sat and compared pictures on our cell phones as I inhaled the my delicious breakfast. I also had coffee. I've been avoiding caffeine, except for a random iced tea.  At least I did not put cream in my coffee. I think cutting out dairy has been a plus.  I do allow a bit of yogurt, but no milk or cheese.

Well, until lunch that is.

I was really enjoying my leisurely Saturday with family. Usually I have breakfast with my mother and then teach back to back piano lessons in Portland all day. My mother is my first student of the day.

But now that I am a babysitting grandma, I have cut way back on teaching. After breakfast, we headed back home. My mother visited with Baby Gracie while my daughter took her husband to work. When she returned, my mother played the piano for us.  Gracie was mesmerized, listening attentiely to the performance and clapping enthusiastically after she was done.

If only all audiences were so appreciative!

After my mom left, we took off for a little trip to Portland. I needed to visit with the Chinese pastor of the church I used to teach at. Several students wanted to continue piano lessons with me. But their parents did not speak English. I wrote up a note for them, instructing them how to call and register through an interpretor.  But in order for the Chinese parents to understand my instructions, it needed to be translated! The pastor had happily agreed to translate the note and distribute to any parents of kids interested in piano lessons.

Afterwards we went to the library. The library has been my home away from home these past several years that I have been commuting to Portland and doing home visits.  My haven.  A place to rest, check email, blog, read.  It was surreal, yet very lovely to have two of my favorite people in my library haven. My daughter set up her computer to do some work. I took Gracie to the children's section.  She squealed with delight at all the toys, books and other kids to observe!

We also came out with a stack of children's DVD's.  Today, Gracie discovered "Beauty and the Beast".  Her new favorite. In fact, she learned how to switch the television from today's football game over to her favorite scene in the movie! It was so stinking cute. She grabbed the remote from her dad, pushed a few buttons and then started laughing and swaying to "Be Our Guest!"

But I digress. I was about to confess that at lunch yesterday, I ate chips, salsa and a pork tamale covered in melted cheese.

But I suffered.  All afternoon and evening my stomach was tied in knots. I was bloated and uncomfortable.  

I'm thinking it was the cheese.  Especially since I had a week of cleansing my system, eating mostly vegetables and fruits, legumes, a bit of grains and a bit of lean protein.  

With such a clean system, the cheese was like glue.  

At least I made it to the gym after my gluttony.  For penance, I road the stationary bike for 20 minutes and a few sets of bench press. Then I sat in the hot tub and sulked awhile. 

Doing penance at the gym.

So today, I was determined to get back on track.  I had a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Then I headed to church where I had a mug of green tea.  Then I headed out for a small bite of lunch to plan my eating for the week.  I'm on a tight budget since I've cut back teaching. So I stopped at Wendy's, and had a baked potato with sour cream and chives, no butter, a tall glass of ice water and a side salad with pomegranate vinaigrette.  

I felt better already. Then I headed to the grocery store.  I spent only $10, but was able to prep for the whole week. I made a crock pot of dal with fresh ginger, a pot of quinoa with lime and cilantro, a "detox red cabbage salad" made of shredded red cabbage, green onions, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. A gluten free meatloaf made with coconut flour and flax meal and a cucumber radish salad.  

I also mixed up a pot of my fruit water. Just lime and ginger today.

After my indiscretions yesterday, I am humbled but determined. I can see first hand how my diet affects my health and mood.  And I still am determined to lose 40 more pounds!

I didn't make it in to the gym today since I was a cooking fool in the kitchen. But I got a nice little hoop workout in the backyard. The video is still uploading. I'll post it when it is ready. Disclaimer: The lawn is uneven, so it was challenging to keep my balance.  And it was also difficult to keep a straight face with my daughter and Baby Gracie looking on. If you look closely, you will see Gracie video bombing me.

That's all for today's confession. It felt good to get that off of my chest.  I think I have learned my lesson!

Tomorrow is a new day. A chance to redeem myself: To eat healthy, to exercise, to spread joy and love to all I meet.  I have hope.  I will talk to you then!

Love,

Zita