Tuesday, March 4, 2014

My birthday and what it means to me

Started my birthday off with an early morning dog walk to get it out of the way because I have a lot I'd like to accomplish today!

I had some indulgent dreams of eating this beautiful paleo pumpkin pie Chris made last night (to give it plenty of time to set and get that great texture) for breakfast:


It's mostly eggs, nuts and pumpkin!!! But, more logical heads prevailed since it also has honey and maple syrup. I'll probably eat a slice in the afternoon, when I'd normally have something a little sweet like fruit or chocolate.

I made a better decision and had cottage cheese with organic wild blueberries:


It was as much a treat as pie, actually! Not very sweet, but delicious. Over 12g of protein to start the day. Lunch is a beef burger leftover from the other day with onions and sweet potatoes.

Not sure about dinner. Chris wanted to take me out to sushi or something, whatever I wanted. But I don't think I will be able to. My weight is still up from my indulgent weekend, and in my heart of hearts, I just don't feel like I should indulge anymore this week!!

It definitely has something to do with my birthday. I turn 32 today. I'm another year older. It's a reminder that this body is temporary and I have to take care of it.

I want many more years in this world.

Today is usually TV night for all our friends. You know, we get together and watch Survivor and people usually drink and there are snacks and things. And, usually, when TV night falls on someone's birthday, there is cake and other celebrations.

So I told my friends I'm not going to go to TV night tonight. I don't want to risk the temptation of drinking or overeating. Not today. I just want a healthy day to start this 32nd year of my life. I want to set a good tone for this year.

So, I'm going to eat well, eat normally, get my work done, feel good about who I am and what I'm doing, and spend a quiet night at home with my husband and my animals.

I also have a therapy appointment today.

My birthday? It's a weird one for me. It's not so much about celebrating as about making sure I am healthy, happy, and ready for the year to come. 

Presents from Chris: a GoT graphic novel and a Zuni wolf fetish:



Alright! My coffee is almost finished and I'm about to head out to school. 

Namaste, my friends. <3

Me at 32 :)

22 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! I'm a lot older than you, and you have plenty of years left, don't worry! And you can do whatever you want for your birthday!

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  2. Happy Birthday!!!! Sounds like it's going to be a great day! Blueberries and cottage cheese....I've never thought of that combo, but it looks yummy! Enjoy your day!!

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  4. Happy Birthday Jeanette! Beautiful, healthy and young are you. Have fun.

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  5. I know what you mean about temptations when getting together with friends, however I don't get to see mine that often so I go anyway. it is important to them. Sometimes I eat something before I go so I won't eat all of the chips. Happy birthday!

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  6. Happy Birthday - that pie looks good, I've never had pumpkin pie before and I'd best not start to make it now! It's a shame you feel you can't enjoy time with your friends, it's probably something in the future you'll need to sort out because it's no fun missing out on social activities because of food. Have a nice day and I hope therapy goes well :)

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  7. jeanette, happy birthday! i read your blog pretty faithfully and really appreciate all you have to say. i'm not sure how to say this without sounding judgy but i feel very bad seeing you not attend social gatherings with your friends because you don't want temptations. especially on your birthday! and to not go to a beautiful healthy sushi dinner with your husband because you see it as an indulgence is so unfortunate. i truly wish you all the best and really hope that therapy will work wonders for you. we could all use a little therapy in our lives. :)

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    1. Thank you for your comment! I actually relaxed a little and thought about it- decided a small sushi dinner with my husband was NOT harmful and went :)

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  8. I'm sorry you are not in a place to go, say 'thanks but no thanks', and be true to your food ideals, instead of tempted. Hopefully you'll be in a better/stronger place this time next year! Happy birthday!

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  9. Happy birthday!!! Lately I have felt frustrated about how social gatherings always seem to take place in restaurants or at someone's house with food. I wish I could be strong enough to say "thanks but no thanks" but for some reason when I am at a restaurant it becomes so hard to say no to foods that I know are not doing me any health favors. So I have also started just opting out of these gatherings altogether.

    I also get resentful about always being the friend trying to come up with creative ideas for get-togethers ("Let's go for a hike!" "Let's go bowling!" "Let's go to a museum!") and the only suggestion anyone else ever has is to go out and eat food.

    Wish we lived closer, I have a feeling we would get along IRL :)

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  10. We play cards. We have many different games, most played with regular decks, sometimes a lot of decks. We have games we can play with huge groups, on down to 2. We do not eat while we play. We all love to play. All the kids friends (24, 20, 16) actually love to do this when at our house. None of their families play. And we have close family friends that we see many times a year and that is what the two families do when together. Very, very fun.

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  12. Enjoy every bit of your birthday. Best wishes.

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  13. I had a comment in there that was long and turned into a post for next week.

    Did your therapist support your birthday plans as empowered (that you were doing what you wanted to do) or did she argue with you?

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    1. She didn't argue with me, but she urged me not to make decisions about whether I do or don't go somewhere based on food. She said we can work on feeling in control around food - because I often over eat in social situations because I get social anxiety. It's something to work on!

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    2. This is a good topic. I (7years of maintenance all together) often do not want the hassle of food. It is not that I am particularly worried about over eating (although there is ALWAYS that), it is that I get tired of being surrounded by food. Just don't want the hassle is the best way I know to describe it. I am fortunate that I (like you) do not have to deal with this feeling in my own house. A lot of bloggers families are like society in general.

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  14. "I turn 32 today."
    "I just want a healthy day to start this 32nd year of my life."
    These can't both be true. If you're turning 32 then you're ending your 32nd year, and starting your 33rd.

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  15. Happy Birthday and many more! You are so young!!! :)

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  16. Happy Birthday and here's to a great year ahead for you.

    All the best Jan

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  17. I was looking for pumpkin pie recipe - ?

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    1. It's my hubby's recipe- I'll ask him to write to down for us!

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    2. Thanks
      You might consider either using "recipe" label on key posts (mango salsa recipe, pumpkin pie recipe, fish tacos, meatloaf, etc ) or putting links on your sidebar in a recipe box. I don't think it would take much time. Can use the search box to find those posts. I think there were some soups you have mentioned but not posted recipes too.

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