Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 90
February 3, 2017
Week{s} in Review
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Week{s} in Review
The past few weeks I’ve observed a gamut of emotion.
From grief on Inauguration Day, to connection at the Women’s March on Washington, to anger over executive orders and “alternative facts,” to delight at my pugs’ antics, to hope at launching my psychotherapy practice, to deprivation during my detox.
These waves of emotion translate to a need for groundedness . . . and lots of sleep.
To help get grounded, most mornings I start with writing in my journal—curious to see what will bubble up. There’s been a hot cup of ginger, crystallized lemon, and a splash of stevia nearby. I peruse my Daybook and evaluate priorities, often pulling over items I didn’t have the energy to finish the day before. I sit with my breath and notice the sensations around and within me such as heat, cold, tight, open, heavy, light.
After today’s spring TranquiliT photo shoot (Facebook Live sneak peek at 2pmET), I’m off to Tranquil Space to savor a yoga class and host Writing Lab (2 spots left). Then Tim, the pups, and I are heading out to his place in West Virginia for the weekend to decompress, go to a matinee, and hit our favorite veg resto that allows dogs.
I’m grateful for these mini breaks to hit the pause button and refill the tank. It’s a lot about the essentialism we discussed in last month’s Tranquility du Jour Live gathering—making space for what matters most.
During these times of emotional overwhelm and political outrage, I find self-care practices to be critical to survival. In my upcoming studies of Veterinary Social Work at the University of Tennessee, one module is about compassion fatigue. It’s a common struggle among caregivers of all kinds. And we are all in some way a caregiver—to the planet, kids, parents, pets, work, community, partner, ourselves.
Please keep your own well full during these times, so that you can be the most powerful agent for good possible. We need you now more than ever. Bisous. x
Over the past few weeks I prepped for today’s photo shoot (samples, looks), taught an Inauguration Day yoga class, marched with Tim in the Women’s March on Washington, collaborated with clients, set up my Psychology Today and Good Therapy profiles, psychotherapy website, released a podcast, attended a journal writing workshop, began e-course updates (if you have them already, the updates are automatic), taught a Mindfulness daylong and weekly classes, attended a postcard-writing event at the Women’s National Democratic Club, had tea with a friend, watched Z: The Beginning of Everything, survived a 10-day detox, and slept a lot.
Pics in Review
Out on the town with Ms. Starr
Book and tea time at Politics & Prose
My new gold Buddha snow globe {thank you, Carol}
January dreams review
Gold leggings
Dolled up for 13-year-anniversary vegan dinner
Tim and I at the Women’s March on Washington
Tranquil Space Marchers
New tee
My babies
Savvy Sources
28-Day Commit to Sit with Sharon Salzberg
Why the Women’s March May Be the Start of a Serious Social Movement
I Trained Myself To Be Less Busy
52 Things You Can Do In the First 52 Weeks of Trump’s Presidency
In The Time Spent On Social Media, You Could Read 200 Books A Year
Spending 10 Minutes a Day on Mindfulness Subtly Changes the Way You React to Everything
If It Won’t Fit On a Post-It, It Won’t Fit In Your Day
10 Lovely Bookshops
Six Habits Highly Organized People Have in Common
10 Ways HSPs Can Bounce Back From An Emotional Slump
How To Fight Stress With Empathy
5 Ways To Add More Reading Time To Your Day
How To Be Mindful With a Snack
Hooked On Our Smartphones
15 Outstanding Podcasts For Writers
Weekend Wish List
Host inspiring Writing Lab
Go to a matinee
Take pugs to dog-friendly dining in Shepherdstown, WV
Read
Write
Organize project to-dos
Walk in the woods
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February 2, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Ten
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And the detox comes to an end. And what an end it was!
Breakfast was the standard green smoothie and steel cut oats. Lunch was Amy’s tasty Barley Vegetable soup—so filling.
Wednesdays I’m at The Women’s Center with clients from 11 to 8ish and try to dash out for a bite and stretch my legs at some point. Yesterday’s break came around 4:30 when a colleague told me about a new farm fresh eatery called Modern Market across the street. I was eager to give it a try.
After surveying the menu for longer than considered normal debating “They have pizza! Can’t do it. Do I want a salad? Nah. The sandwich looks good. But which of the veg ones is better? Or should I try the 1/2 soup and 1/2 salad?). I mean, really? This is not a life-altering decision. As you’ll see from the photo, I went with a vegan butternut cashew soup and a sandwich which was fairly on point. Except the bread and, okay, probably the tasty blueberry pesto smeared all over the bread.
I was feeling proud of myself for showing pizza restraint, but needed a sweet treat, so I headed to Starbucks to grab a bag of dried apples. Fingers crossed they had “original” in stock. I opened the heavy door and my eyes hit the snack display when I saw the word “cinnamon.” My heart sank.
I picked up the package, turned it over, saw the huge sugar content despite there being no added sugar. Then I picked up the dark chocolate bar with sea salt above it. Less sugar. I was torn. Then the pastry case caught my eye and I saw the sweet potato cupcake. I may have lunged for it. As you can see from the photos above, it didn’t stand a chance. And it may have given me a belly ache.
While I don’t know its sugar content—probably best that way—I do know it was not part of the detox. In my defense, I was in search of dried apples! To tie a bow around the detox, I finished the evening with a handful of homemade kale chips.
As I bring this series to a close, I’m sitting at my desk with a cup of green tea containing a packet of raw sugar. I haven’t sipped from it yet as I wanted to finish my ginger and crystallized lemon water first. I think it may be a religious experience and I want to savor it.
These 10 days have been challenging on numerous levels with all that’s happening in America. I’ve vacillated from anger to sadness to even numbness at times. I experienced a migraine and nausea, but mostly I just suffered from extreme cravings. Not having my go-to sugary, doughy (bread, pasta) comforts wasn’t easy. And looking back, I don’t think I made it one full day without consuming something “illegal.”
This detox has helped me see how habituated these food choices are, how filling non-sugary and non-doughy foods are, and how much work it takes to rewire. I hope to continue this journey (don’t worry, I won’t be detailing it moving forward), so that I do more than combine my pizza with kale chips or. Instead, I eat less pizza-like food altogether.
As Michael Pollan says, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Bisous. x
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February 1, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Nine
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Today is the last day, so tomorrow will be the finale for Detox Diaries. A big thanks for following along, sending advice and words of encouragement. It takes a village!
Tuesday was spent hovered over a computer co-creating my new therapy website with Tim, interspersed with clients and a meeting to finalize my new therapy sublet space (details forthcoming). Since I barely left the house and we don’t keep “bad” food in the house, I was forced to behave.
Breakfast was the usual steel cut oats and green juice.
Lunch and dinner was another jaunt to Chipotle for their vegan sofritas bowl.
I snacked on homemade kale chips (thank god for a dehydrator and nutritional yeast) and a handful of walnuts.
On Monday I’d been given two chocolates with a belated holiday card. I set them on my desk as a reminder to send a thank-you note. While working late last night they caught my eye. And you probably know how the story ends.
My favorite part of this process has been observing how I was rarely hungry. The “good” foods filled me up and my biggest struggle is controlling my reaction to cravings.
The headaches have subsided. I haven’t had caffeine in a week and don’t miss it—only the morning ritual of drinking my favorite green teas.
While I haven’t gotten on the scale, my midsection does feel, well, less fluffy. Probably due to the missed baked goods. Although I haven’t been a model student, I’m grateful Tim and I plodded along. Thank you for cheering on the sidelines! Bisous. x
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January 31, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Eight
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My discipline appears to be trailing off. I succumbed to a snack-sized bag of Goldfish, an organic fruit roll-up, and four dark chocolate Dove bites with very little guilt. Have I simply thrown in the towel?
Monday started as most do—a bit wobbly trying to find solid ground. After an emotional weekend felt around the globe, this state of unease definitely affects one’s eating habits.
Breakfast was a yummy green juice (ginger, spinach, kale, cucumber) and steel cut oats topped with apple, walnuts, and pumpkin spice. Filling and flavorful.
A few hours later my blood sugar was low post-yoga and I found Goldfish and organic apricot bar in Tranquil Space’s team room. I looked both ways, then quietly snuck it in my bag and noshed on it while walking to my next appointment.
Leftover kung pao tofu provided my lunch and dinner. “Dessert” was kale chips coated in nutritional yeast.
Back to Tranquil Space that evening to teach, I found a few remaining Dove bites hiding under dozens of Charms Blow Pops in my office and popped the chocolates into my mouth.
Again, off track other than breakfast and kale chips. It’s frustrating as I don’t think this detox asks too much and it’s only 10 days, but I don’t seem to be able to shake certain habits of convenience (hello Goldfish, fruit bar, Dove bites).
I did decline salt water taffy in the name of the detox, so maybe I have a sliver of discipline. Here’s hoping I can finish strong! Bisous. x
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January 30, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Seven
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Sunday’s slow start included a green juice, kitty, book, and journal.
I’m reading about slow living in prep for my upcoming virtual retreat and do find myself moving at a snail’s pace as of late. Is the philosophy already rubbing off on me or am I simply lacking sugar? Hmmmm.
Other than a piece of melt-in-your-mouth caramel, I was fairly on track yesterday.
Breakfast was a green juice and a black bean tostada seasoned with nutritional yeast. Oh, okay, so the corn tortilla isn’t allowed.
After spending the afternoon pecking away on our laptops, we headed out for a family walk with the pups followed by a jaunt sans pups for Chinese—kung pao tofu. Fried tofu probably isn’t allowed and neither is the white rice, but boy was it good.
Snacks included clementines, walnuts, and lots of ginger tea (fresh ginger, two packets of crystallized lemon, spritz of stevia).
So, actually, I wasn’t as on track yesterday as I’d thought. Green juice, check. Black beans, check. Corn tortillas, nope. Fried tofu, nope. White rice, nope. Caramel, nope.
Three days to go! And I still haven’t had that cupcake. Think I’ll celebrate the end of this with a trip to Sticky Fingers Bakery.
I ran into two yogis today who said they were enjoying these posts. I typically get the “you’re so honest” or “that’s how I always eat” response. I’m in awe of those who keep sugar to a minimum and eat mostly plants (not just pizza plus green smoothies and kale chips).
Mostly plants, as Michael Pollan recommends, is definitely a goal and this sliver of focus on food choices and cravings continues to be insightful. Bisous. x
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January 29, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Six
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The timing of this detox feels both odd and apropos considering our current political climate.
Odd because I’m absorbed in a 10-day cleanse when there is so much angst going on around us (blog post forthcoming on ways to get involved). Apropos because what better time to pay deep attention to what’s been consumed—on all levels.
With that said, I appreciate your kind encouragement via email and Facebook throughout this process. It’s nice to know I’m not alone on this food awareness journey.
Despite knowing better, my passion for sugar and processed foods (with kale chips and green juice thrown in) has never been more apparent. Growing up in Oklahoma, a salad was iceberg lettuce and a tomato or two, Thanksgiving dinner was mainly from a can or box, and Lucky Charms was my drug of choice throughout the day (why save cereal just for breakfast?).
When I went vegetarian in 1999, I struggled with knowing what to eat and have a few sheets of paper where a friend wrote down options—soy dogs, miso soup, dried fruit, baby spinach, hummus, veggie burgers—and even got me a subscription to Vegetarian Times. Yep, I was in foreign territory and continue to navigate it with the grace of someone who’s had one too many flutes of bubbly. Bisous. x
Saturday I was fairly behaved.
Breakfast was a green smoothie that I took to a writing workshop at Politics & Prose.
Lunch was herbal tea and avocado toast in The Den at Politics & Prose (my new favorite getaway).
Dinner was brown rice and veggies with Tamari sauce followed by granola and non-dairy yogurt.
At a dog-friendly bar event, I snacked on an avocado and bean tostada.
After my brown rice and veggies dinner, I was jonesing for that cupcake. After twenty minutes of discussion, I called The Cakeroom to see if they had my favorite left. I mean, why walk the five minutes in vain? Well, they were completely sold out of cupcakes, but did have a couple slices of cake left including my favorite—coconut. Again I hemmed and hawed, and settled on granola with non-dairy yogurt. And, it was truly satisfying with much less guilt!
Cheats: toast, tostada, granola. Everything else was fully legal!
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January 28, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Five
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Friday started out strong and ended with a sugar-induced belly ache.
Fueled on a breakfast of steel cut oats and a green smoothie, I headed to Tranquil Space for yoga. Feeling woozy afterwards, I hit Safeway en route to my next appointment and picked up a pre-made salad. Tucked inside was a small fork—they think of everything!
Early evening I longed to grab a bite out and pretend we were normal. After much back and forth on the healthiest option to help us stay on track, we decided on a sushi spot in Dupont. Prying open the edamame pods and dipping sushi into soy sauce commingled with wasabi was a sensory delight.
But it wasn’t enough. I craved something sweet to top it off and asked for the dessert menu. Thank goodness, nothing appealed.
Feeling defeated, I remembered Kramerbooks was next door and they had many options. We walked through the stacks of books to a table and I vacillated—what’s the lesser of all the evils? I chose peach cobbler (fruit!) and, as you’ll see from the last photo above, it didn’t stand a chance. Immediately I felt yucky although it did taste so darn good.
Note to self: it tastes so good going down for the first 50%. Then it doesn’t feel good and once I finish it, it’s even worse. Tim said, “I told you so!”
Although I haven’t been fully faithful to this 10-day detox, it has been insightful to note my deep cravings and the effects those cravings have on me when I succumb. You may have seen Fed Up in 2014, it’s an insightful documentary on the power of sugar. For example, did you know sugar is considered eight times more addictive than cocaine?
Cheat: peach cobbler, otherwise gold star{ish}. Bisous. x
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January 27, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Four
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Day four was a doozy thanks to a migraine gone wild.
My day started with low energy and a headache that hung from the night before. I chalked it up to energy output coupled with an emotionally-charged past few days in our country.
After an hour staring at the ceiling where I vacillated between self-flagellation and self-compassion, I got up to walk the pups, pop Advil, and eat breakfast. Then I slipped into the tub to soak where I began to come alive. Baths usually have that effect.
I put on my TranquiliT leggings and 2in1 top—my uniform from September through March, added the TranquiliT slip dress and my new tee with “feminist” printed across the chest in gold foil. Topped with a blazer, leopard-print jacket, and boots, I was ready for the office!
Feeling better, I decided to walk and get my steps (10k/day goal). During the 30-minute jaunt, I called my seamstress to chat samples for next week’s spring TranquiliT photo shoot and then hit play on my Inauguration Day yoga playlist: Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” Dixie Chick’s “Not Ready to Make Nice,” and A Tribe Called Quest’s “We the People.” I turned the volume up as high as it would go.
I rounded the bend toward the office and the downtown skyline looked lonely following Wednesday’s contribution by Greenpeace activists.
The day progressed and my headache intensified, so I finished with clients and grabbed an Uber home.
In a slight daze I popped a migraine pill and crawled under the covers. While the big blue pills usually kill the headache, they also cause dizziness, a throat closing feeling, and nausea. It’s best to take them in a quiet setting where you can go horizontal without looking odd (like happened to me in a cafe earlier this month—patrons appeared confused once I popped upright after lying under the table on a bench hidden from view).
A couple of hours passed and I felt more myself, so I grabbed my laptop to ease into a project and eat dinner. It was getting close to yoga time and I had high hopes of taking class before going to see Swan Lake at The Kennedy Center with a friend.
I set my laptop aside, hoping to get ready for yoga. After a few steps, I felt dizzy and lightheaded. Disappointed, I went back to bed to rest up for the swans.
I made it to Swan Lake—the sea of white tutus makes this my favorite ballet.
Breakfast was steel cut oats with apple, walnuts, pumpkin pie spice, and a stevia squirt.
Lunch was a homemade salad with spinach, walnuts, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeños, and sunflower seeds.
Dinner was Amy’s organic alphabet soup. (cheat—the alphabets are pasta)
Snack was yogurt-covered pretzels. (cheat)
Overall, I was well-behaved although I rarely stopped thinking about that cupcake from the night before. While I don’t know if sugar withdrawal, caffeine withdrawal, or some other environmental factor triggered the migraine, I do know my sugar cravings are strong. This isn’t new data for me, yet I often give into the cravings, so noticing my body’s reaction when I don’t has been telling. To be continued. How many more days is it?! Bisous. x
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January 26, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Three
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Last night I biked through the DC streets en route home with one thing in mind: a cupcake. After 10 hours at my downtown office, I was eager to reward myself and the bakery closed in thirty minutes.
With visions of creamy vanilla icing and moist vanilla cake, my little legs pedaled quickly as the bike’s white light shone the way.
Finally home, I opened our front door and saw brown rice waiting for me on the counter. Wah-wah. Tim and I went back and forth as I rationalized a bakery excursion as a chance for a family walk and evening pug stroll.
The sad brown rice caught my eyes again as we put on our jackets. After ping ponging sugar vs detox in my head, I told him to go on without me and I’d eat the brown rice after all.
I crawled into bed around 10pm with a headache, woke up at 3am to nurse it, more Advil this morning, and a migraine pill this afternoon. I’m not sure if it’s my body missing sugar or something unrelated. Either way, I think there’s a cupcake in my not-so-distant future. Day four to come. Bisous. x
Breakfast was a green smoothie: spinach, frozen fruit, chia and flax seed, avocado.
Lunch was a vegan Chipotle burrito bowl.
Dinner was the rest of the Chipotle burrito bowl and a dish of brown rice topped with soy sauce.
While the soy sauce may have been a cheat, I played by the rules with everything else. Gold star!
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January 25, 2017
Detox Diaries: Day Two
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Yesterday I was better behaved. Truth be told, it’s probably because I didn’t leave the house.
Breakfast was steel cut oats with walnuts, apples, and a splash of illegal stevia.
Lunch was brown rice and teriyaki broccoli.
Dinner was a small bit of illegal leftover vegan risotto and this gorgeous salad shown above: spinach, sprouts, tomatoes, apples, walnuts.
Snacks included clementines, dates rolled in coconut, and a handful of walnuts.
Other than the stevia and processed risotto leftovers, I did good!
No Zen green tea with a packet of sugar to start the day. I missed the taste, but not the caffeine. Instead I consumed lots of herbal tea and hot water with lemon.
I’m supposed to add ground flaxseed to the hot lemon water, but I recall it all settling on the bottom last time and being goopy to drink. May obey tomorrow.
While I’m not hungry on this detox, I do miss sweet treats after most meals, my morning avocado toast (love the crunch), the taste of Zen green tea, and pizza. I think I could live on pizza. And maybe pumpkin pie, too.
To be continued. Day three. Bisous. x
Previous posts:
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