My back is finally feeling better after over-doing it in yoga. Stretching twice a day, along with scheduled walks, has helped tremendously. My plan of eating better; however, has not improved.

In addition to a busy schedule, there’s another test to my healthy eating plan–my son Jake and his wife Alex are practicing vegans.

And, currently live with my husband and I while Jake is going back to school. They have two precocious little boys, Nolan – 5 and Lincoln – 10 months. While it doesn’t matter much to Lincoln, Nolan struggles with his Nani and Grumpa eating animals. This is super challenging when sharing meals, keeping snacks in the house, and having very different ideas of what’s healthy and what’s not.

I am not an animal rights activist, nor do I think it’s wrong or unhealthy to eat animal products. For Nolan’s sake though, I tried really hard to give up meat.

This proved to be a bit of a disaster.

Who knew? Too many grains, beans, and certain fruits and veggies actually irritate an already “irritable” digestive system.

Being vegan is also a ton of work! When time is tight, you’re traveling, you want to go out to eat, or going out is your only option, you might be out of luck.

I want to eat things that taste good and make me feel good. Sometimes they have to be quick and easy too.

After two vegan weeks and another two vegetarian weeks, I confessed to Nolan being vegan just wasn’t for me. He did express he was “concerned” I’d have problems later in life (he is five going on 50 after all) but is resigned and loves me even though I eat animals.

We live in a society rampant with diet and lifestyle induced health issues. We have just as many experts with solutions to fix them. Ultimately, each of us lives very different lives with values that shape even what we put in our mouths. There is never going to be a “one size fits all” diet that works for everyone.

So here’s what I need to do:

• Be OK with my kids being vegan, and realize it’s also OK that I’m not
• Be open to finding dishes we can all enjoy
• Plan meals together to include the foods we all need

Here’s a recipe Nolan loves which is pretty yummy, although I have to tread lightly with it. Jake’s “veganized” version of the Pioneer Woman’s Black Bean Burgers is quick, easy, and tastes great with any of your favorite burger toppings.       

Jake’s Black Bean Burgers

• 1 15 ounce can black beans
• ½ white onion minced or grated
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs (plain or Italian, it’s up to you)
• 1 flax-seed egg (mix 1 tbsp ground flax seed and 3 tbsp water. Let rest for 5 minutes)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Squish all ingredients together, then form 4-6 patties depending on how big you want them. Cook on a slightly oiled surface (a cast iron griddle or fry pan works great) till warmed through and lightly browned. 

Eat and enjoy!

It serves me right!

I injured my back doing yoga of all things, and I’ve not been able to sit, stand, sleep, or walk comfortably for 4 days!

It’s because I’ve become a lazy slug. OK, I’m not lazy. I’m actually quite busy. However, I’ve thrown all healthy activity out the window to immerse myself in new opportunities at work.

Basically, I’ve stopped taking breaks, walking, and planning healthy meals. I rarely make dinner at home anymore, but work long hours and then opt to eat out instead. I sit all day long then come home to sit some more.

Well, it’s finally biting me in the butt – literally. I can’t even take a gentle yoga class without injuring myself.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you sacrificed what’s good for you because of busyness in another area of your life?

Balance was a lot easier for me when my kids were young. I needed it so I could be everything I wanted to be for my family.  My kids are grown now and no one is keeping me from working long hours or immersing myself in work.

But, no one is making me do it either.

I’ve always been passionate about eating healthy and love the ritual of making a meal. Food magazines, cooking shows and recipes on Pinterest have always been my go-to when I need to veg out (no pun intended). There’s also nothing better than a good stretch and walk to reinvigorate me and clear my head.

My body is clearly telling me it’s time to regain some balance. So after I’m done icing my back, I’m going to have a healthy lunch (a BLT salad sounds perfect), then do some gentle stretches, and take a little walk.  I’ll need to take it slow, but that’s OK.

My goal is to make time to…

• Stretch and walk every day
• Get my butt back to yoga
• Plan for healthy meals made at home instead of going out

Life is going to be busy, but if you don’t take care of your body, it will slow you right down. Lesson learned!

On a final note, here’s what I put in my simple BLT salad.

• 2 Cups or so of your favorite lettuce (I chose romaine)
• 1 Small tomato cut in chunks
• 3 Strips of cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 Tablespoon mayo whisked with a little lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toss it all together and BAM! Your done. I wish I had some croutons. Hmm, maybe next time.

 

 

 

Last Sunday, my son Jake and I took his two boys for a walk. Nolan, his 5-year old decided to ride his bike. As we started out, Nolan was adamantly directing our course away from our desired route of the river which is just a few blocks from our house. As we continually redirected Nolan, he was getting more and more irritated with us. “I don’t want to go to the river, I don’t want to take the hills!”

You see, almost every street that heads down to the river is a steep hill. Really fun to ride down, but Nolan also knows that once down, he has to ride back up – not fun.

Jake and I guided Nolan to the route where the hill was more of an incline and he contentedly coasted his way down until….

He discovered where we were. He was ticked!

To appease him, we stopped at every bench along the river to rest. We started looking for and pointing out interesting bugs, birds, and rocks. We worked to take his mind off the climb and focus on the beauty and fun along the way.

The past several months have felt like a continual uphill climb with more work than I have time for and little dramas that suck the joy out of every day life. I tend to get caught up in these things and forget to focus on the beauty and little joys of everyday.

Then you see real tragedy strike. Homes and lives lost in the blink of an eye from the devastating storms and floods in Texas and Louisiana.

What the heck do I have to complain about?

My lessons this week:

• Instead of focusing on the little dramas that weigh you down, look for something beautiful each day.
• Take time to rest and do something that just makes you feel good.
• Make time for the people you love.

So what did I do?

• Took a day off and reorganized my bedroom.
• Went to see my daughter Olivia in an improv show and she was AMAZING!
• Helped my mother-in-law pick out paint samples for her bedroom.
• Spent time with my niece and her husband as they were passing through town.

None of these were grand events, but each created in me a sense of peace and joy. They took my attention off difficulties, drama, and sadness and provided simple and beautiful moments to savor.

So Nolan made it home last Sunday. Once he stopped focusing on the climb, he enjoyed the journey. He just needed a change in perspective. Sometimes we all do.