We've had a seemingly never-ending summer here in the Midwest. Until late last week, temps were in the low 90's. The leaves haven't even begun turning and we're in mid-October. What's going on? Al Gore - maybe you DO have a point, huh?
Late this week, though, and over this weekend, we've been blessed with wonderful COOL weather. We even had an old-fashioned fall thunderstorm last night, with tons of thunder, lightening and pouring down rain. Yes! It was so nice to sleep to that rain, and to wake up late to the sound of falling rain and cooler temps. We spent the late morning watching Dracula with Keanu Reeves and Winona Rider and directed by Francis Ford Coppola - that 1992 Oscar winning version.
Saturday's activities were pretty simple but relaxing. We puttered around, took the girl to play practice and bought our Halloween decorations. Made chili - that WW taco chili.
Taco Chili
1 lb lean ground hamburger (I used low fat ground turkey instead)
1 can of chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of red beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of Rotel tomatoes
1 package of taco seasoning
1 cup of frozen corn
That's it - brown the hamburger, put all the ingredients in a crock pot and warm it up on low for a couple of hours.
1 cup = 2 pts. and it's CORE if you're on the CORE plan.
Sanity Saver I I bought the new issue of O that is out on the stands now. Oprah's magazine is really really good. The October issue is even better than usual. It has some articles about beating the blues - without medication. I can always use that type of info. I don't take anti-depressants but I could use some natural mood elevators, and this issue has some good tips in there and a few articles on journaling your way to better mental health, as well as a lot of tips on beating stress and the blues.
Sanity Saver II Speaking of Oprah's suggestions, I'm reading EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gordon. It's really good so far. This woman takes a journey to three places, Italy, India and Indonesia in search of overcoming depression right after a divorce. She's on a spiritual quest and this book is fun so far. I'm in Italy with her right now, and wishing I could literally be on a trip to Italy. When my daughter was there, she absolutely adored Venice. The author of this book is in Rome. What I like about this book is that when she feels in despair, she turns inside herself and does some journaling, asking her inner voice for some answers and letting the answers pour out of her within the pages of her journal. I haven't been journaling in quite some time, not since the Morning Pages recommended in Artist's Way. I think I need to try it again, only this time, instead of just pouring out all the stuff that is bothering me about life, I think I'll try asking some questions of myself and seeing if I have some answers instead of the usual complaints. If I get away from complaining and into searching, maybe there will be something there. Ya never know!
Sanity Saver III I've been wanting to take vitamins on a regular basis. I have been reading about Flax Oil to help with depression, as well as helping with a variety of other health conditions. I want to take a daily vitamin, my vitamin C, calcium etc. So I bought myself a pill container with the days of the week marked on it. Those pill dispensers aren't just for the aged - I'm going to use it to make sure I fill my vitamins on Sunday and take them all week long. Maybe I'll get better about doing that on a regular basis.
Still knitting on the second sleeve of the denim jacket. But I'm getting close . . . really close . . . to getting this wrapped up. Maybe I'll be wearing the new jacket soon, now that the temps are dropping. Happy weekend.
4 comments:
I can't wait to see that second sleeve done. The first one is so pretty, the way the colors came out. Plus, I'll have to try the chili recipe today, since it's still somewhat nice and cool.
I wish I had a magic wand to wave and disappear your blues. It sounds like you've begun several self-therapies and I hope they all work. :)
It is amazing weather indeed when we are hoping for it to be cool! (up here in Canada, anyway).
How did you know I needed a good chili recipe? ;-)
Not surprisingly, I find that knitting helps me banish my blues... and also gives me time for reflection. I have managed to solve some work questions by picking up the needles and going on autopilot. Good luck with finding whatever works for you ;-).
It also helps to put your daily allotment in a little tin that will rattle in your pocket or purse. Some supplements are pre-food and others are with food, and having a little rattle-rattle sound reminds you to take them throughout the day.
In Legacy of the Heart they talk about the "advantages" a difficult childhood can provide as an adult, and they have good de-blueing tips.
Hey everyone, thanks for the comments. As for my depression, I'm not really depressed right at the moment, it's just something I always have to keep an eye on. It creeps up and sometimes overtakes me.
I love Fall, so I'm pretty happy right now. Plus, I finished knitting my sleeves and they look pretty cute. I just need to do some sewing tonight to attach them to the jacket.
E - you're back!!! Yeah!!! I missed you. It's crazy, because you're never really "here" but when you write, I feel like you are! How was SOARS? Thanks for the idea about the little tin in my purse for the vitamins.
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