So checking in on how the goal setting is going.  Remember my long-term goal is to be using preplanned menus by 3/31/12 for at least 5 of my weekly meals.  I will eat breakfast Monday through Friday and have quick snacks on hand for daily pick-me-ups as needed. I will select one day every week or two to plan my weekly meals, make a grocery list and shop.

So to that end – my first short-term goal was to have my coupons in order and first week menu planned and grocery list written by Monday, 1/16/2012.

I didn’t quite make that goal.   However, I’m not giving up.  Let’s look at what I did accomplish.  I got all my coupons cut.  I did go to the grocery and pick up a few things.  I didn’t plan the week’s menu, but I did plan the breakfasts and snacks.  I thought ahead on each meal also so that I wasn’t rushing around trying to figure out what to do for supper. 

We ate much healthier this week. The highlight of the week was when I made poached tuna with spinach and tomatoes.  It turned out great and was nutritious to boot!  Even my daughter cleaned her plate!  I didn’t follow a recipe, but if you are interested I will post something!   I gave up microwave popcorn and now use air-popped with a little salt and butter (can’t totally give up the fat!).  I also keep clementines on hand for quick snacks.

So what can you take away from this post? 

If you do not immediately reach your short-term goal – DON’T GIVE UP!!!  Find your achievements.  You made progress.  I know you did.  Sometimes you have to look hard, but they are there.  Pick back up and reset.  Break your goal down even smaller.  You can do it and so can I.

So my new short-term goal is to finish my coupons, see what I have in stock and plan two meals for next week.  I’m also going to get some more healthy food to have on hand for a snack.  Have a great weekend and I will update you next week on my progress.

So – rewind – start over –  here goes.

What are the problems?

I feel that I eat too much fast food, too much processed food and not enough veggies and other healthy food! I am concerned about things in my food that shouldn’t be and other stuff like that.

So the who, what, where, when and how of my first long(ish) term goal:

By the end of the first quarter (3/31/12), I will be using preplanned menus for at least 5 of my meals weekly. I will eat breakfast Monday through Friday and have quick snacks on hand for daily pick-me-ups as needed. I will select one day every week or two to plan my weekly meals, make a grocery list and shop.

My first short-term goal will be to have my coupons in order and first week menu planned and grocery list written by this Monday, 1/16/2012.

Doable? What do you think?

The second thing I noticed was that the first few days I was very diligent about tracking what I ate. When I jump into a new project I jump in with both feet! So I created an excel spreadsheet and entered simple formulas to keep a total of my calories, my sugar grams, fiber grams and protein.  It was so exciting!  But soon I became “too busy” to keep up with what I was eating.  And I started eating more.

The last thing I noticed was that I was feeling desperate to eat more sugar as I tried to eat healthier. I didn’t have that problem the last time I tried this so I am researching what to do about those cravings. Every morning I drink a pot of white or green tea. I am going to start drinking a cup of hot water and lemon before that to try to help speed the sugar detox along.

So – what now? Well back to the drawing board. I am going to simplify my tracking to just a pocket-size notebook and pen to have a complete idea of what I eat. Then I am going to ruminate on why I feel a desperate need to grab food and eat. Is it sugar withdraw, is it stress, is it???? We will see.

Stay tuned.

Did you set any new year’s resolutions? How are they going? Don’t give up. Tomorrow is another day!

Suzanne

(originally written 5 January 2012)

Around the holidays, which for me start around Halloween and end sometime into the New Year – I become a food hog! I eat and eat and eat.

I have always been aware of nutrition and the part it plays in our health. As a matter of fact, I teach others about nutrition and health. So this year I decided to change things up a little. I’m keeping a log of what I eat. I am also tracking how many fruits and vegetables I eat per day along with fiber. The one thing I want to do is start planning my meals. With my and my daughter’s schedules, we often eat fast food because it is easy and – well – fast! I want to change that.

As a real estate agent, I often told my clients that what people do for a living, they usually do not do at home so well. I am a prime example. I teach others about eating & nutrition and diet & exercise, but I do not follow my own teachings. Come along with me as I begin to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. This is not a blog about denying myself what I want to eat, nor is it about a strict diet. Neither of those ideas will help reach my goals. What this blog is about is being more aware of what I eat and drink.

If you have any questions, comments or want to know about a specific topic, let me know. I am just learning, but have several experts that I can go to for help. I am pretty excited about my new career and my self-improvement project. I find that a person is more likely to stay on task with support. So I hope you will support me as I stroll along my new path and I will support you.

Suzanne

If you own a Louisville home and answered yes to both questions, then you need to be aware of the new EPA Lead Based Paint Rule passed in 2008 that is rolling out on April 22, 2010. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting into walls, window replacement, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

Contractors that are hired to do work like renovation, repair or painting projects in homes built pre-1978 must follow lead-safe work practices. This rule applies to any contractor (i.e., HVAC, plumber, electrician, etc.) that could potentially disturb lead-based paint. Theses contractors must be certified by an accredited training program. Be sure that a contractor shows you proof of accreditation.

You can still do the work yourself without having to follow these guidelines, but if you are selling your home disclosure to potential buyers is key and you may have to address these issues.

Of course, this rule applies to more than just Louisville homes and Kentucky homes. This is a national rule.

As always when a new rule comes into effect there will be confusion as to what the exact rules are, there may be misinformation being given out and there are exclusions to the rule. At Semonin we pride ourselves on staying educated to better server our clients. We are working on learning all the specifics of this rule so that we can be your source for answers. Keep watching for more information.

In the meantime here is a website you can visit to read more by visiting the EPA website here.

Contact me if you have any questions. I am always happy to help in anyway I can.