It’s been forever and I day since I’ve blogged. To be frank I lost my way in my fitness journey when I got Candida Oral Thrush. The anti-fungal medication caused me to have some gastrointestinal issues that are still lingering now. With that a bit of health anxiety, worrying that aches and pains could be something more. All of this just became too much, and I realized I need to be my own health advocate and get back on track. Down the line I will have my back checked to see why it hurts, but I believe I can heal it with fitness.

My new way of blogging won’t be about the scale. I’m going to be focusing on my wellness/fitness/health/and happiness. I’m going to build good health from the inside out. My focus will be fitness and clean vegan whole foods plant based way of eating. I’m going to limit oils, sugars and salt. I’ve not felt well in a while and that is my motivation. I recently had all my bloodwork come back stellar and now I need to get back my strength, fitness and flexibility. No more inconsistencies. I’m going to break out the juicer a friend gave me. I’m going to purchase a water filter. I’m going to treat my body like a temple and not a trash can. In the months I’ve not blogged I’ve kept busy with writing projects and a new wonderful charity. I will post a link to that soon. I will be blogging and sharing my new journey to health. Happy Tuesday to all.
Starting weight 167 lbs 

workout to start is this video, yoga sun salutations and speed walking. https://youtu.be/WDQWjiOhHbc

Weekends were special occasions in my childhood home in Cleveland, Ohio. They were simpler times, but definitely special in a unique way. Fond memories of my Mother nurturing us through food. I’m transported back to our living room on a Saturday night, getting ready to watch Love Boat and Fantasy Island, the popular television shows of the time. I can almost smell the delicious cakes my mother often baked. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon enveloped our humble environment and made home feel extra comforting. We may not have owned the fanciest of furnishings, but her food made our home a popular destination with all of our friends. There was always enough to share when they showed up on our doorstep, and show up they did. The way she nurtured all of us through her love of sharing what she did best has resonated with me throughout my years.

Sharing your gifts is an important virtue I’ve learned, as well as cooking and baking. I’m still friends with all of my childhood friends, and they too continue to share their gifts with others. In a time when we are focusing on a virus that multiples silently, I prefer to try to focus on how kindness multiples; kindness feels better than illness. Of course we are taking it seriously, praying for all and social distancing;  I just wish to redirect my energy in more positive pursuits. More joy and less worry. My anxiety needs a break.

Through this quarantine I’ve been cooking a lot more, and baking. Before the Pandemic began I often baked vegan goodies for my co-workers. There’s nothing like sharing your homemade creations and sharing smiles with those around you. Last week I baked a yellow cake, per request of James, and the scent of deliciousness brought me right back to those moments with Mom. He loves when I cook for him and I love nurturing him through food. These are the moments I’m trying to recreate and relish as we retreat within the safety of our four walls of domestic life. It’s these homebody moments that brought me back to my childhood. 

Going forward I plan to take some of what I’m doing and try to have more of a domestic life, even after the world opens back up. Slowing down had its benefits. I bought new bedding in December, nothing expensive, but I was saving it for the next move. I decided to do some spring cleaning this weekend, and make the bed to enjoy now. My dear friend Kristen gave me the loveliest set of dishes, I think I’m also going to unpack those. I’m going to make home as homey as it can be.  Get busy living, right? 

Of course I’m going to be cooking and baking healthier versions of treats, it’s too easy in quarantine to make unhealthy comfort foods, and I’m practicing portion control for those moments I do cook vegan splurges. Balance is as important as good health. Today is day three of starting my new wellness journey and I’m feeling very confident in my ability to go the distance again as we continue to social distance.  Stay home and stay safe!!
Love and Light and Happy Cooking And Baking, Rose

I hope this post finds everyone safe from this world pandemic. I send love, light, healing and prayers to all. When I hurt my knee I felt like everything was unraveling, I never dreamed we would ever be living through a world pandemic, it’s frightening to say the least. My struggles paled in comparison to what’s going on now. I regret ever complaining.

My quarantine time began in fear in mid March, bad allergies and health anxiety ruled my mind. I couldn’t sleep, and I was living in fear. I’m starting to feel better now, keeping news to a minimum and trying hard to focus on positivity of being at home. My knee is finally healing. We rarely go out, only once a week for groceries and we wear masks. I’m working out and running in my apartment, and I will be sharing what I’m doing to get through this stay at home time. I also plan to share some recipes that I’ve been cooking. We do mostly healthy vegan food and I cook vegan comfort food on the weekends. For Easter I made a tofu lasagna, a banana bread and vegan chocolate cake. All recipes I will post this week.

My website was down but I’m grateful to tech support for getting me back up and running. I will post what I’m doing for wellness, creativity and finding joy in the time of Coronavirus. We will get through the financial struggles, my first wish is we all stay healthy, and soon they will come up with ways to fight this terrible disease. In the meantime I plan to use my time a little bit more wisely, with less worrying.
Sending love and light to all.

Rose