Soul Runnings

 Good Evening Friends: A quick check in today. I just wanted to share a proud Teacher Zita victory. This has nothing to do with belly fat. It has all to do with my wonderful piano students!  I held my first ever Zoom piano performance class for four of my more advanced students. They are in middle school and high school. Most have been with me for all of their musical education, up to 9 years! I am so glad I invited this group for my pilot class.  They are all so comfortable with me and they got to meet each other. I'm sure they recognize each other from our biyearly recitals, but this was a nice, informal way for them to meet and hear each other play. It went off without a hitch! Well aside for some unavoidable technical issues. One of my students needs new equipment. She played beautifully, but to the rest of us it sounded like underwater music. I plan on holding these classes once a month, but I enjoyed it so much (and so miss teaching live and in  groups), that I asked them if

Good Day, Friends! Oh, but it is a glorious fall day, indeed! This will be a short bit of a check-in. I am wanting to get outside and soak up that sunshine and crisp fall air before my students. Much good news to report, even though it will brief! First of all, I finished knitting my father's prayer scarf. It is my first attempt at a scarf.  A tad rough, but I prayed for him with every stitch. He suffered a stroke about five years ago and then as he was recuperating, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. My mother, a retired RN, is his caregiver. She takes excellent care of him, but I'm not sure how much longer he will be with us. So I am going to give it to him this Thursday.   Prayer Scarf for my Father Speaking of my mother, we are cutting back on our breakfasts in a restaurant. It is getting just too spendy. This morning she picked me up bright and early, at 6:30 a.m. It was too dark yet for our walk, so we drove through McDonald's. I ordered a large coffee, bl

Good Evening Friends: I am still smiling from my wonderful visit with my boyfriend last night. I met him at the airport. I was early, since I bribed my son-in-law with gluten free cookies for a ride. But I didn't mind. I had a book to read. And it is so rare that I have time to sit. So I sat. And I people watched.  But I was buzzing with energy. I had not seen him since my trip to Vegas, over a month ago. I was wearing my new jeans. But I was worried because my belly is still an issue for me. My sweet man has told me many times that it is not an issue for him, that if I am choosing to lose weight and get in better shape for my own satisfaction, he is happy for me. But he also said I am beautiful the way I am. Geesh - how lucky am I! Well, his plane was delayed. I tried to relax and read. But I was nervous.  Although it was in a good way.  (Who am I kidding, I get excited and a bit nervous just to talk to him on the phone. And I hope it stays this way.!)  I so enjoy feeling alive ag

Hello Friends! Dirty trick, that heading! But it made you look, right? Of course there is no such thing as miracle fudge. Don't I wish there was!  I did, however eat a small piece of fudge late last night. And I did wake up three pounds lighter! But the fact is, I had a baking urge hit yesterday. I decided to make cookies and fudge for church. They always have treats for us at the break, and I wanted to give back. Plus, I wanted to bribe my son-in-law to drive me to the airport tonight. So I promised him gluten free cookies. I had a blast! All of the above treats are not only gluten free, but reduced sugar. The gluten free snicker doodles were amazing! I have to admit I tasted as I baked. And I rewarded myself with a small piece of rocky road fudge after it was all said and done. Which was about 9:00 p.m. - well after my eating window had closed. But, it was a very small piece.  I wasn't expecting much downward movement on the scale this morning. But when I stepped on, I let ou

 Good Evening Friends: Today was a very busy day. I am tired. In a very good, I was productive today kind of way! I am still ketoing. And I made a fantastic discovery! I made some more cheese crisps in my Dash mini grill.  Then I packaged one up for my last meal of the day. I like to get out for a walk every day after babysitting and before teaching piano. A walk is what I need to clear my mind. And get a bit of movement in. I also enjoy having somewhere to go to sit and read and perhaps have a bite and some tea. The only eating establishment within walking distance that is open for dine is Taco Bell. Not the most keto friendly, or diet friendly place. But there are some local regulars that sit around and talk and crack jokes. And they have half the tables marked off with x's so it's safe for social distancing and for introverts like me who enjoy sitting and reading in public, while people watching at a distance. I made a mistake yesterday. I ordered pintos and cheese. My last

Good evening friends.   It is getting late, but I have made a new commitment to at least check in every day.  Setting goals and keeping them keeps me motivated and afloat when things get rough. Like this keto diet, for instance. It is kicking my butt! But I am not giving up. I have seen too much improvement.   And speaking of butts, now that the weather is cooler, I am going to live in jeans and sweaters. Not so much because of the weather, but because I am down a size! That, my friends is reason enough to stay on the course! Now that I see an improvement in my backside, I hope to flatten out the front! I was not brave enough to post pics of my front view with my shirt tucked in just yet.  But I will get there! Part of what is helping me stay focused is to plan my meals ahead of time. I've been perusing a lot of keto recipes on Pinterest in my free time. Today I made Keto Lasagna Stuffed Peppers. Like lasagna. But without the noodles. Stuffed in a green pepper. It was quite tasty!

Good evening, friends! I did a thing today. In my quest to continue being successful in staying on my keto way of eating, I created my own version of keto cheese crisps. Basically, thinly sliced cheddar cheese, baked. It can be crispy, like a cracker or softer and more pliable, in which case you can fold it like a taco shell.  My first attempt baking them in the oven on a cookie sheet was a big, fat fail! I didn't have parchment paper like all the recipes on Pinterest recommended. Some used oiled foil. But the crisps stuck to the foil. I was foiked! So I tossed them.  Then I remembered my Dash mini griddle! I decided to use three cheeses : Cheddar , mozzarella and parmesan. I also added a dash of garlic powder and flax seed meal. Score! These are so yummy! As a carbaholic, I crave crackers and bread, I ate them with a bowl of my African Chicken Peanut soup. Divine!  I am studying all things keto, and collecting recipes to keep me motivated. But the biggest motivation is one size sm

 Hello Friends: Just a quick check in before bed. I wanted to tell you all that I made it through the day without crashing! On top of that, I lost a whole pound overnight.  I did a happy dance after I stepped off the scale. 1 pound in mind world is a big deal. I sweat blood losing this weight. And to add to my glee, I woke up practically pain free and feeling UNinflammed. I don't know how else to describe it. I felt supple, light and like everything was flowing. Even my hooping felt effortless. Now, at the end of the day, I am tired and a bit achy. But I put in a lot of work here at my piano in the basement, giving lessons over Zoom and doing computer work. I think I need to do some stretching and make some lavender tea before I hit the hay. I ate low carb all day. I had my West African Chicken Peanut Stew for breakfast. For a snack, I had roasted kale, and spinach/cheese balls. For lunch I actually had Taco Bell.  I felt so creative when I realized I could order one of their bowls

 Hello Friends: I've been laying low the last few days.  Have felt under the weather.  Mostly extremely tired and a tad blue. OK, actually I feel like curling up in a ball and sleeping for 20 years. Like Rip Van Winkle.  Do you remember that story? I do. It scared the bejeebers out of me as a kid! Funny, when I looked up the story, it is not how I remember it.  I remember Rip Van Winkle meeting some strange men and saying he was so tired, he wished he could sleep for 20 years. And then he took a nap and woke up 20 years later.  That is not exactly how the story goes: https://www.bedtimeshortstories.com/rip-van-winkle-story I used to get scared when I was tired, because if I said out loud that I wanted to sleep for 20 years I might just fall asleep and then wake up to find my world had been changed. Odder still, my favorite  plot in movies and novels is now time travel! I am an odd bird indeed. Anyway, back to my fatigue., I am pretty sure it is blood sugar related. I will spare you

  "L'appel du vide  (French: lit., "the call of the void"): The instinctive urge to jump from high places. "When you're walking on the edge of a cliff and you get a sudden urge to jump ... it is a very peculiar sensation. Most people have had this experience because it means a sudden sense that you cannot trust your own instincts." Good Afternoon Friends! Another glorious fall day here in the Couve. I am still feeling pretty fine!  I have made a few tweeks to my diet that I think have helped, in addition to my mindfulness and movement training. I am still practicing intermittent fasting. Most days I do not eat anything after 2 p.m. I drink only water, tea and some night a shot of vodka before bed. My weight is stable, but I would like drop another 20 - 30 lbs. I have noticed a trend that other intermittent fasters joke about. When the 2:00 hour approaches, I feel a bit panicky. I often have something sweet as a treat to hold me over until the next day.

 Good Afternoon Friends! As I was coming home from breakfast with my mom, we drove by the little park across from my home.  The air was brisk, the sky was overcast, and as I glanced at my beloved trees, I noticed golden leaves floating down to the ground. "The leaves are finally falling", I exclaimed. "Are you writing a song?"  my mother responded a tad sarcastically. "I suppose I am!" I responded.  I do so love the fall. The cool, crisp air. The changing colors of the leaves. The hint of winter, hunkering down with a mug of something warm to drink.  A good book. a cozy sweater, and my knitting. But most of all I think I like change.  The fall signifies change. And as someone who is constantly working on myself, as if I am a human improvement project, I like the change the fall brings. Especially since I don't need to do a thing, besides prepare for colder weather! Yesterday, being Wednesday, I headed to the corner thrift shop on my lunch break. Ever W

Good Morning Friends! Our home is quiet this morning. My granddaughter is at "farm school", an amazing preschool my daughter discovered that takes place on a farm!  My granddaughter is in heaven. When she met the teacher, she said her name and then, "I like horses!" The teacher smiled and said, "You came to the right place!" I can breathe easier knowing she is happy, learning and getting some fresh air and play time with other children!   So suddenly I have more time in my life. And I intend to make the most of it! I hooped, I vacuumed, I washed dishes and now I am sitting down blogging! For breakfast I had leftover kale-chickpea-lentil curry on brown rice. And in the slow cooker I am making zucchini stew with sausage. I love making stews in the crockpot, especially in the fall!  And I am feeling more motivated to shed this tire around my waist that hasn't budged in so long.  Looking at my diet, I have been eating too much processed food, carbs, meat a

  Good Morning Friends! I am continuing to work on becoming a confident turtle! My counselor came up with this months ago when we talked about my shyness and how I love people, but social events are anxiety inducing for me and I tend to retreat back into my shell for a time afterwards to recharge. Like a turtle.  But the social isolation of the pandemic has caused this introvert to want to come out of her shell more often!   Like a confident turtle! Take yesterday for example. I had a wonderful experience with a small group of people in a church service! A little background first: I had been watching my granddaughter every Sunday morning while her parents went to the church they are employed at.  First they were going to help with livestreaming while the church was closed. Then, when the church started to reopen, my daughter was not sure she wanted her daughter in a crowd.  But now, they have been working hard at maintaining social distancing, requiring masks and having hand sanitizer

  Good Evening Friends: As I typed the word "friends", I got a warm, soft glow somewhere deep in my chest.  It's where I feel love. It's where I imagine my soul lies. Today I reconnected with a friend. We go way back. My first job out of college is where we met. I was 22 years old.  We have stayed in touch over the years, but not enough, especially once I started having children and got myself into survival mode. One thing isolating during a pandemic has taught me is that I do need people. More than just liking on Facebook. My friend and I met for breakfast at the same little diner that my mother and I frequent.  I was on the "Vine" (a bus here in Vancouver), just entering downtown when I received a text message from her: "I am here. Sitting at your table!" This cracked me up. She arrived early and told the server she was meeting Zita. The server was our regular lady, who we love. She led my friend right to our regular table! I was surprised she di

Good Morning, Friends: Another day of relatively good rest.  Perhaps since I gave up my nightly Vodka shot. Ironically, I started taking shots nightly to help with my insomnia. It helped at first. But what I didn't expect was that it increased my desperate longing for my absent boyfriend with whom I am having a very intense relationship from afar. He is now working in another state, where the time zone is 2 hours ahead of ours. Since I am not usually done with work and babysitting until after 9 p.m. and he has to wake up early, it makes night time phone calls difficult. So when I get ready for bed and slam back a shot, I am secretly longing for night time conversation with the man. And when that does not happen, I go to bed disappointed.   Something shifted for me recently. I was reading about the phases of attraction between a man and a woman. Ours is not a typical relationship. We were close friends about 24 years ago. We hadn't seen each other or had any contact for about 18