Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve. ~Mary Kay Ash
It is hard to believe that the first month of 2017 is almost over. It has been a busy few weeks for me especially at work facing some tough and unexpected challenges. At times, I wish I could skip 2017 and move on to 2018. However, through this experience I learn that I am tougher than I thought I was mentally. With this realization, I set out my own challenges to continue the year and control my own path.
My first challenge is to start another round of the elimination diet that I did last year. There is a list of food that you will need to completely avoid for three weeks, then adding them back one at a time for a few days each and note any kind of reactions towards the added food. Since I have already identified food that I cannot consume, I treat this as a yearly cleansing. Here’s what to avoid – dairy, sugar (use honey or real maple syrup), corn, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, coffee, tea, chocolate, alcohol (except Tequila), citrus and citric acid, nightshades (such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants, paprika etc.). This feat requires lots of will power and family or friends support. I hope the tips below will help you get through your weeks with some ease.
- Before you start, please talk to your doctor first if you are being treated for any health conditions.
- Set a start date and slowly wean yourself off some of these items, especially coffee and tea.
- I always plan my weekly meals and prepare a grocery list before the weekend. Sunday is usually my food prep/cooking day. Since my son will be joining me, I have to plan for his school lunch too.
- I find that paleo recipes are the best and with the least amount of substitution required. My favorites are Nom Nom Paleo and The Domestic Man. I own their cookbooks and love those recipes. Vegan or gluten free recipes will sometimes work too.
- Asian cooking is the hardest to change since we use a lot of soy sauce. The best substitute is coconut aminos with some fish sauce (Red Boat brand). My favorite website to buy specialty products is Thrive Market.
- Refer to my previous blog post for breakfast recipes.
- This plan is what I learned from my doctor and please consult your own doctor before starting.
The next challenge is to accomplish at least 10 hikes this year. After a year break to get my health back it is time to return to my favorite outdoor activity. Maybe along the way, I can learn to take better pictures of our beautiful Pacific Northwest. What’s in store for you in 2017?
My story is to pay better attention to myself mentally before I form thoughts. I am getting the glimps of my mind, which has more potential before its forming into a certain thought just like stem cell before it gets formed into a certain cell. My proactivity has more chance to prosper when I have some room for myself. This is how I will love myself better this year!
Happy to sense your proactivity.
LikeLike