Baby Steps

Yesterday Will was sick.  Today we both are.  We had to stay home from church in exchange for a boring, uncomfortable day trying to balance rest and taking care of kids. 
I have done a lot of reading because I couldn't fall asleep.  I have a subscription to Whole Living magazine.  I was going to let it expire because it's not quite my style, but this month's issue had some things that inspired me.

First, the idea that Yoga can curb cravings.  The mag reports:

 “When you don’t get enough daylight, you produce less serotonin,” says Barbara Olendzki, a registered dietitian at the University of Massachusetts–Worcester. And low levels of the hormone can increase our cravings for carbs. But yoga can help. Food cravings are often anxiety-related, and the calming practice may curb our impulse to polish off the office M&Ms.

Now, for me, cravings are completely anxiety related, but the relationship is not causal.  I get anxiety because I know I'm craving something that isn't good for my body.  But I like yoga, so I'm going to try leaving the kitchen and striking a pose when I really really really want to bake sugar cookies. The reason I stopped doing yoga at home previously is that my two year old thinks I'm pretending to be a jungle gym when I'm in down dog or other similar poses.

Second, and article titled "Back in Action" suggested going three weeks without 6 "Liver-bullying foods":

Processed Anything

Added Sugars

Dairy

Gluten

Alcohol

Coffee

 

See why I was going to let my subscription expire?  This is obviously not geared to us mortals.  But I decided that it wouldn't be bad for me to pick one thing and try life without it.  Since my main problem is that I have no self-control when it comes to sugar, and I already abstain from alcohol and coffee, that leaves me with dairy, gluten and processed foods.  I don't know yet.  What would you do? (Incidentally, the magazine is closing down, anyway.)

 

 

Lastly, there's a book recommended called Missing Out: In Praise of the Unlived Life by Adam Phillips.  But I think reading the review was thought-provoking enough that I don't need to read the book.

 

 

"We are haunted by thoughts of what might have been, whether romantically or in our career choices.  "In our unlived lives." he writes, "we area always more satisfied, far less frustrated versions of ourselves." the author argues against indulging in such wistful thinking.  He urges readers not to dwell on supposed missed opportunities, which might have ultimately disappointed us anyway."

 

I am certainly guilty of daydreaming of another life.  But after reading this I wondered: If I had another life, would I be daydreaming of being a mother, with adorable kids and a fabulous husband?  Because that is what I have.

 

Now I need to come up with a plan to battle the waking dreams.  And my kitchen is still a mess.