Three days later and here I am, biding my time to safety as I defy gravity with the help of this airplane. I've never been one to care for flying - and I would be lying if I felt more comfortable now. However, my neighbor is good company and I have a cup of hot tea to calm my nerves until we land.
Days two through four were difficult, to say the least, while maintaining discipline on the 21 Day Wellness Program. After the Evil Meatball Saga, my weekend's climatic ending was at my best friend, Tabitha's, Mother's 60th Birthday Party. Thank goodness for Two Mother's pre-packed juices and spa meal, or I don't know how I would have made it through!
I was sure to arrive early to show my support and offer a hand when needed. It took only ten minutes or so to find parking near the Lake Shore Drive high-rise condominiums, and I walked the two blocks as fast as I could to get inside before guests began to arrive. As soon as I entered the 2nd floor party room, I was greeted by Ms. Momsen and her head full of colorful curlers. In that moment I knew I would be put to work - and my work would be on the food.
I spent the next hour prepping delicious appetizers with cream cheese and ham and milk and sugar. My hands were dipped and draped and powdered with all sorts of goodness that was 100% inedible. The smells were intoxicating and deep breathes followed every second that Ms. Momsen stuck her finger in a mixture for a little taste. Every time she did so, I had to reach for my green juice to gain an equal sweetness, encouraging myself through thoughts that "Mine tastes better, anyway." And it really was good, thank God.
Guests eventually arrived and the food was served, cake included. The aromatic smells made me salivate and I found myself much more hungry than the day before. This time, I did feel it in my stomach. So was it a craving driven temptation from the pleasurable pickings? Or was I physically more hungry? Regardless, I stuck to the plan and enjoyed my vegetables and dressing. And for dessert, I treated myself to the fruit tray. The party ended and I survived, feeling great about myself.
Monday came and went with ease. Mondays are typically my busiest day of the week, so I am used to eating lightly and being out of the home from 7:30am to 9:30pm. For breakfast I made myself an egg omelet (no milk) with sautéed spinach and red pepper. For lunch, my Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce co-workers were kind enough to host a "Rachel's Last Day Party" by ordering in Q BBQ, making sure to include a fresh salad that met my dietary requirements. And in the evening I fixed up an easy dinner of quinoa, avocado, tofu and tamari sauce.
If I slipped up in any way, it would have been Yesterday (and this morning, by accident... I think). On Tuesday (yesterday), my Director asked to treat me for an official last day lunch. She knows my weakness is Sushi, and I had my tamari sauce readily available, so why not? I made sure to stick with fish and rice only, however it was not the recommended brown rice. Additionally, my dinner was also spent out celebrating my change in career with my Acupuncturist over Vietnamese. I ordered a simple grilled shrimp with fresh lettuce and rice vermicelli off the gluten free menu, but again, the rice vermicelli was not made from brown rice.
And now, here I am - still on the plane - waiting to land in Ft. Myers, Florida, and I can feel my stomach churning. Not from hunger... but the other kind of churning, if you know what I mean. When the stewardess offered us drinks, I requested hot tea. I asked her what kind she had, and if there was herbal. Her response was, "I think the tea we have is an orange..."
"That should be good," I interrupted, anxiously awaiting for my steamy hot beverage to calm my nerves. What I did not ask was if it was caffeine free, and based on the way I am feeling right now there is a pretty good guess that it is definitely not. Oh well, it suites the needs for some comforting warmth and it's better than coffee.
One thing we learn with yoga is to not waist our energy becoming angry or upset with ourselves - but rather to accept what is and appreciate what is available to us. So that being said, I appreciate the fact that I am able to sit comfortably as I defy gravity and soar above the clouds. I am grateful to have the company of an entertaining and energetic stranger next to me. And I am grateful that in less than an hour I will be in sunny Florida. :)
Namaste my fellow Yogis and Yoginis,
Yogi Rae
Days two through four were difficult, to say the least, while maintaining discipline on the 21 Day Wellness Program. After the Evil Meatball Saga, my weekend's climatic ending was at my best friend, Tabitha's, Mother's 60th Birthday Party. Thank goodness for Two Mother's pre-packed juices and spa meal, or I don't know how I would have made it through!
I was sure to arrive early to show my support and offer a hand when needed. It took only ten minutes or so to find parking near the Lake Shore Drive high-rise condominiums, and I walked the two blocks as fast as I could to get inside before guests began to arrive. As soon as I entered the 2nd floor party room, I was greeted by Ms. Momsen and her head full of colorful curlers. In that moment I knew I would be put to work - and my work would be on the food.
I spent the next hour prepping delicious appetizers with cream cheese and ham and milk and sugar. My hands were dipped and draped and powdered with all sorts of goodness that was 100% inedible. The smells were intoxicating and deep breathes followed every second that Ms. Momsen stuck her finger in a mixture for a little taste. Every time she did so, I had to reach for my green juice to gain an equal sweetness, encouraging myself through thoughts that "Mine tastes better, anyway." And it really was good, thank God.
Guests eventually arrived and the food was served, cake included. The aromatic smells made me salivate and I found myself much more hungry than the day before. This time, I did feel it in my stomach. So was it a craving driven temptation from the pleasurable pickings? Or was I physically more hungry? Regardless, I stuck to the plan and enjoyed my vegetables and dressing. And for dessert, I treated myself to the fruit tray. The party ended and I survived, feeling great about myself.
Monday came and went with ease. Mondays are typically my busiest day of the week, so I am used to eating lightly and being out of the home from 7:30am to 9:30pm. For breakfast I made myself an egg omelet (no milk) with sautéed spinach and red pepper. For lunch, my Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce co-workers were kind enough to host a "Rachel's Last Day Party" by ordering in Q BBQ, making sure to include a fresh salad that met my dietary requirements. And in the evening I fixed up an easy dinner of quinoa, avocado, tofu and tamari sauce.
If I slipped up in any way, it would have been Yesterday (and this morning, by accident... I think). On Tuesday (yesterday), my Director asked to treat me for an official last day lunch. She knows my weakness is Sushi, and I had my tamari sauce readily available, so why not? I made sure to stick with fish and rice only, however it was not the recommended brown rice. Additionally, my dinner was also spent out celebrating my change in career with my Acupuncturist over Vietnamese. I ordered a simple grilled shrimp with fresh lettuce and rice vermicelli off the gluten free menu, but again, the rice vermicelli was not made from brown rice.
And now, here I am - still on the plane - waiting to land in Ft. Myers, Florida, and I can feel my stomach churning. Not from hunger... but the other kind of churning, if you know what I mean. When the stewardess offered us drinks, I requested hot tea. I asked her what kind she had, and if there was herbal. Her response was, "I think the tea we have is an orange..."
"That should be good," I interrupted, anxiously awaiting for my steamy hot beverage to calm my nerves. What I did not ask was if it was caffeine free, and based on the way I am feeling right now there is a pretty good guess that it is definitely not. Oh well, it suites the needs for some comforting warmth and it's better than coffee.
One thing we learn with yoga is to not waist our energy becoming angry or upset with ourselves - but rather to accept what is and appreciate what is available to us. So that being said, I appreciate the fact that I am able to sit comfortably as I defy gravity and soar above the clouds. I am grateful to have the company of an entertaining and energetic stranger next to me. And I am grateful that in less than an hour I will be in sunny Florida. :)
Namaste my fellow Yogis and Yoginis,
Yogi Rae
RSS Feed
