Catch Up, and GOYB Week 2
Posted by Morrighan on January 10, 2012 at 8:15 am | Last modified: January 11, 2012 5:15 amBack online, finally… it’s been a week of a lot of rest and relaxation, without my computer!
52Weeks posts, Imbolc and the amazing disappearing tarot posts will be posted as soon as I get some time to get them organized. I’ve got some handwritten stuff for the blog and tarot, and Imbolc is still with the independent editor. Tick tock, and all that. < |;-p
Also, I've got some excellent recipes to share once I get 'em typed up!
As for GOYB, week 1 was a start, anyway. I’ve had no pop of any sort since the 1st, and I’ve cut my coffee intake by half, substituting tea instead. I’ve tripled my water intake, though we’re using bottled rather than the Brita (I need new filters). My food diary looks all neat and tidy right now, each item listed so carefully.
Honestly, I’m rather proud of that. Usually my food diaries consisted of scribbled notes on bits of paper or post-its. When Draco and I went pet-supply shopping, we found spiral-bound notebooks really cheap, and since she’s always buying them to re-do her notes for class, I got her to grab one for me, too.
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GOYB Week 1 – Toes in!
Posted by Morrighan on January 2, 2012 at 1:36 pm | Last modified: January 2, 2012 1:47 pmTechnically a day late with this post, mostly because I had a darling little Scarlett here most of yesterday, and then there was a recovery period…
I don’t remember babies being so much fun and so much work at the same time. And Draco was doing most of the work! <|;) I've weighed in and done my measurements, recording them all at My Fitness Pal. I will take a before picture, but I won't be posting either that or the measurements until I feel more comfortable doing so. I know that's part of this challenge, to feel comfortable with this whole journey, but I'm just not, not yet. I expect the weight will creep up a bit over the coming week (possibly) as all the holiday indulgences pack on. Then again, who knows? I know I haven't been paying attention to my intake lately, so not only is that showing up by the edema I've been experiencing since Thursday, but by leg cramps as well. Nothing like your calf muscles saying HEY LOOK AT ME in the middle of the night! The Get Off Your Broom challenge hostess posted our mini challenges for the week. Two of those I've already mentioned above (weight, measurements & photo), and here is the other (or at least, my interpretation thereof): Create a plan.
My diet plan (Month 1):
My exercise plan (Month 1):
I’ll likely carry the exercise plan through to the end of the challenges (both GOYB & 60byXmas). Draco says she’s going to make me stick to it, and frankly, she’s damn scary. <|;)
Until next week – I’d like to issue a little challenge of my own… sign up with Get Off Your Broom Witchy Fitness Challenge. Even if you’re at your perfect weight and you’re pretty fit – it’s an excellent way to focus on your physical being for the winter months.
Good luck, fellow participants!
* The diabetic exchange diet was recommended by my doctor, as there is a high prevalence of Type 2 in my maternal family, as well as Type 1 in my paternal family. So far, I’m clear on both (and I’m too old for Type 1 to show up now, I think..).
Tags: 60 by Xmas, exercise, fitness, food management, Get Off Your Broom, weight-loss, well-being, wellness | Categories: Fitness Challenges, Healing Alternatives, Main | Comments Off | PermalinkSurrendering Ritual & Recipes
Posted by Morrighan on March 9, 2011 at 7:00 pm | Last modified: March 9, 2011 7:00 pmOne of the main reasons I’ve decided to work through a bunch of recipes in the coming weeks is that I’ll be doing a six week long ‘surrender’ ritual – starting late evening on Ostara, and going through until our ritual gathering at Beltaine. Our Surrender ritual involves giving up something for the six weeks prior to a major event: for me, Beltaine will mark my re-dedication to my personal path.
This is, I suppose, similar to Lent, and not the first time I’ve done it. In 1999, when I initiated a student and dedicated to my current path, I gave up red meat for the six weeks prior to Beltaine. I’m not sure I can do that again, although it may be just what the spiritual doctor ordered. If I could get the girls to go with it, it might be a good idea for all of us to go entirely meat-free for these six weeks.
Coffee was a suggestion, as was cola and black tea. Perhaps Artemis could give up candy, and Draco could give up her x-box…. Hmmm.
***
Surrendering Ritual
42 white birthday candles
Every morning, light one candle and repeat: My lady, I surrender myself to your light. Please help me through this day as I surrender my desire for (insert what you’re giving up). So mote it be.
Let the candle burn half-way, then repeat the ritual in the evening before bed, using ‘night’ instead of ‘day.’
***
Thoughts are, as always, appreciated!
Meanwhile, we’re trying these recipes out tomorrow, to have for our private Ostara (just the girls and I) on the 19th. While I’ve made Clapshot before, it was a recipe that didn’t have turnip, and so this will be different.
Clapshot
6 med potatoes (red or white)
1 lrg swede (commonly known as rutabaga or yellow turnip)
1 sm onion
2 finely chopped green onions, or
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
butter
milk
salt & pepper to taste
Peel and chop potatoes and swede into same-size pieces, peel and chop onion. Put all into a large pot, cover with boiling water and simmer until soft. Drain.
Mash with milk, butter and season to taste. Serve with pan-fried cabbage, and oven-roasted sausage.
Leftovers can be fried all together for breakfast the next day (Bubble & Squeak)!
Pan-fried Cabbage
1 pound bag pre-shred cabbage (Coleslaw Blend)
1 sm onion, cut in half, sliced thin
2 tbsp butter
small amount of oil
Put oil in bottom of heavy, deep frying pan and heat on medium. Add onion and butter, cook to just tender, add cabbage, cover and reduce heat to low. If necessary, add a small amount of water, remember to stir often.
You’ll know it’s cooked when the shreds are soft, and slightly carmelized. Season to taste.
Serve with pretty much any English meal.
Oven-Roasted Sausage
2 lbs farmer, kielbasa, pork or beef sausage
Bullseye barbeque sauce, HP sauce, or hot mustard
Pre-heat oven to 350*. Cut sausages in half length-wise, set in baking dish flat side down. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven to turn and cover each piece with your choice of sauces. Kielbasa is excellent with hot mustard, bangers (pork sausage) or beef sausages are wonderful with HP sauce and of course, that leaves barbeque sauce for the farmer sausage (aka smoked pork sausage). Return to oven for 15-20 minutes, check often.
Tags: baked sausage, Beltaine, breaking habits, clapshot, cleaning, cleansing, dedication, going without, Ostara, pan-fried cabbage, recipes, spring | Categories: Book of Shadows, Celtic & Pagan Info, Healing Alternatives, Main, Pagan Parenting, Recipes | Comments Off | Permalink