Good morning!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments in my 10k race recap! :)
Surprisingly, my body isn’t too sore this morning. I attribute this to the ice bath (brrr!) I had shortly after getting home, oodles of chocolate (hell yea!), stretching, and of course some healthy eats.
I ended up having a great day yesterday! I think I was running on endorphins all day long (and copious amounts of green tea!). I finally got around to designing my OSG business card. My new cards will have Glo bakery on one side and OSG on the other side. I ordered them from Print 100. I have been using Print 100 for the past year and I am super happy with their service, free shipping, turnaround (2 weeks), and quality.
For dinner, I whipped up an avocado and tomato salad with mixed greens…
and my Better than Bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette.
And for the main I tried my hand at making roasted apple and acorn squash soup. It sounded delicious and I had a CSA acorn squash to use up!
Mmmm!
Roasted Apple and Acorn Squash Soup
Adapted from B.C. Tree Fruits
Ingredients:
- 2 small apples, cored, cut into pieces
- 1 acorn squash, cut in half, seeds removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- salt & pepper, to taste
- Parsley, to garnish
- Few sprigs rosemary, chopped finely
Directions: See this post for directions.
It’s squash season!! :)
Mmm squash flesh. ;)
After pureeing the rest of the ingredients, I added the chopped squash and mixed:
This soup was good, but it wasn’t my absolute favourite. If I were to make this again, I would use less apple and more garlic. The apple taste was a bit too pronounced for my liking.
I really enjoyed the chunks of squash in it though. Instead of blending the entire soup, I blended everything except the squash and then I just chopped the squash and mixed it in. It had a great, chunky texture!!
I also added a bit of rosemary and that was a nice flavour in there too.
After dinner I polished off this entire box of Vosges Naga Mango (Dried Mango + sweet curry + dark chocolate). Oh my gosh was this ever delicious! Whoever thought to pair sweet curry, mango, and chocolate together is a genius!
What Have You Learned?
Seeing as today is the first day back to school in our neck of the woods, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on what we have learned during our journey to health!
Here are some things I have learned along my journey:
- I should strive to be a Size Healthy and not a specific number
- If I honour my hunger signals and cravings, I won’t feel an urge to binge
- There is no point to compare myself with others. It is much more fun if I strive to improve based on my previous accomplishments.
- If I am not happy in my career, I will always have a big piece of my happiness missing and my heart will feel a void.
- My body is not the worthless piece of junk I thought it was, in fact, it is capable of so much more than I thought!
- Use quotes to inspire when you need motivation.
- Eating a vegan diet makes me feel at peace
- Take a chance on YOU. What have you got to lose?
- The goal weight I had set for myself previously was NOT my happy weight
- A ‘Happy Weight’ is probably not going to be the size of a magazine model for most people. Finding your happy weight may mean that you have to accept the size your body was meant to be at.
- Some days will truly suck. There is no way of avoiding this and it is totally normal. There will be days you overeat and feel crappy, fall off the exercise wagon & lose motivation, or have personal health problems to deal with. When I accepted that these experiences were part of the normal ebb and flow of life, I was able to move on quicker and not beat myself up for it.
- Sometimes chocolate is always the answer (like last night!)
- You only get one body and one life, make sure you treat it well and make it a happy one
- Recovering from years of disordered eating took much longer than I thought and is always an on-going process
- Surround yourself with POSITIVITY, good friends, and family. Read uplifting things.
- There are many potholes along the road to recovery. If you trip up, dust yourself off, put on a band-aid, and keep going FORWARD!
What have you learned along your journey to health?
I loved reading about what you have learned and I hope to remember all of those things!
I JUST did a post on this myself! I have learned that it is essential to listen to my body above all else. It will always know best, even if my brain wants to argue!
I could probably write a novel about everything I’ve learned on my journey to health but I’ll try to keep it simple: embrace positivity even in the things that seem negative at first glance, life is not a race, what’s right for other people isn’t necessarily what’s right for me, and how I look does not define me.
I’ve learned…
that it’s OKAY to have a bad day
that food is just food, it’s something I need to nourish my body and I should never be “afraid” to eat a particular food
that I should love and accept my body for what it does, not because of what it looks like
I think that may be the most blatantly obvious, but also the best thing for anyone to learn in their life:
Some days will truly suck. There is no way of avoiding this and it is totally normal.
Definitely twittering/facebooking that!
I am learning:
That I am not perfect and I don’t have to be.
That there are no “bad” foods — there is no reason to fear any foods.
That for me, exercising is the easy part but I need to focus on my diet in order to feel “well”
That moderation, not deprivation is the best choice for me.
That food is not a reward or a way to punish myself.
That exercise is for gaining strength and health, and not a way of punishing myself.
That the number on the scale does not define me as a human being.
That a jeans size does not have the power to make me feel bad.
My journey to health has been a zig zagged one, and I feel that every day I learn something new. I did a similar post on my blog about my journey on learning about balance.
I have learned that the relationship that I have with myself has significantly changed over the years. When I was younger I saw myself and treated my body like an enemy, now I treat like I would a best friend. loyal to nurturing my body, caring for my well-being, protecting myself from harm, and listening to what my body needs.
I have learned that those that love you tell you are amazing for a reason, and I should listen!
I have learned that it’s not about being skinny, it’s about being healthy. I should do this for me and not for anyone else.
I have learned that there are days when I will struggle, but that’s ok. I will not feel guilty for being human.
I have learned that going a couple or even a few days without exercising is not the end of the world. I embrace resting, taking a break, and doing what my body needs to maintain balance and sanity ;)
Congrats on your 10K yesterday. I also wanted to say thanks for posting this from yesterday, “I know a lot of you reading this are currently struggling with disordered eating and I want to tell you that the fight for recovery is worth every second.” Thank you for being a daily inspiration, motiviation. You rock! As I always tell you…keep it up! And yummy recipes. I think you need to put out a cookbook? :) Have a good day….
Aww thanks Im so glad you liked it! :)
I would love to write a cookbook!! Hopefully some day :)
Hi Angela,
I just want to say thank you for being such an inspiration for me. Along my journey to health, I have learned that there are amazing people out there writing blogs! These people have been role models and inspirations without wich I am not sure I could have done what I have done, and you are probably one of the top ones on the list. In the past year, I have started working out, stopped eating meat and I ran my very first half marathon on Sunday!
Thanks for everything and congrats on your speedy 10k!
Amélie
Thank you for your comment :) Congrats on your half marathon! How ya feeling today? ;)
Good! I wasn’t brave enough to have an ice bath as the weather was freeeeezing cold in Montreal on Sunday, but I put some ice on my hips and I’m feeling ready to rock the next challenge now!!!! :)
This year, I’ve learned a ton about being healthy and happy.
-Change is part of life. Nothing stays the same, and don’t try to make it stay the same.
– No food is off-limits, though I can choose whether to eat it or not.
-Health should be a natural, happy state, not drudgery, hardship and misery
I have learned to focus on the “can’s” instead of the “cant’s.” I used to get discouraged that I couldn’t perform a certain exercise or eat a certain food (allergies) but when you focus on what you can do, it is so much more positive and motivating.
I’m still learning, each and every day. Some days I’ll even think I learn a lesson, only to forget it or “unlearn” or deem it irrelevant the next day. I’m still trying to figure out MY healthy and happy but even the not so good days are all helpful contributors to figuring out where I should and want to be. It’s a process and it’s coming along a-okay. Your journey and lessons are super though, and super helpful, and you always have the best and most inspiring insights. Love it!
I actually just learned something this morning. I’ve been building up my running time and today I ran for 25 minutes straight! I learned that my body can go much farther – it’s my mind that always wants to hold me back. Instead of thinking about how hard it was or how I’m not a “runner,” I filled my head with positive thoughts and the time just flew by. This was a huge moment for me and you’ve helped me get this far. It has been so motivating to hear that you were not just a natural born runner – it really gave me the hope I needed to start my own running journey. Thanks!
I love everything that you’ve learned. I wish I learned all of that sooner in life, don’t you?
I have had a hard summer. My fiance left for law school and I found myself in a job I thought I would loved which I ended up hating. Also I am finishing my Master’s in Public Health and searching for my first “gorwn up” job which is so scary!
I have spent a lot of time feeling lost, feeling confused and desperate.
What I have learned is it is all about confident. You said, take a chance on YOU. I hate the unknown. It is scary, but I need to just have confident that I am a talented and passionate person and will be able to not only find job, but one that uses my skills and fulfills my passion for health education!
I needed this post, thank you!
With such a positive focus and determination I know things will improve for you soon!
Such an inspiring post! Some things I’ve learned lately:
– It’s *okay* to be an exercise rut. If you just roll with it, it will eventually end.
– Taking risks is a necessary part of achieving the life I’ve always wanted.
– …and taking those risks does not make me reckless.
– Taking a day off from the computer every once in a while is very necessary.
– Encouraging and loving friends actually DO exist.
– God always answers our prayers…even if they’re not in the way we expected Him to.
xoxoxo
It was not about the food…it was never about the food.
I am stronger than I ever thought.
I can enjoy fitness instead of loathing it.
Encouragement is much better than criticism.
Family matters more than I will ever know.
I have learned that to be healthy- you need MORE of the good stuff and not LESS of the bad stuff!
LOVE this list. I want to print it out and carry it with me. This year I’ve learned how important it is to surround myself with people who value health as much and the way I do. This helps to keep me inspired and motivated when things get bad and old coping “skills” start to rear their ugly heads.
I love your list, all so true!
On of the most important things I’ve learn is that it is important to find a way to be happy without being perfect, to find a way to improve without aiming for perfection.
I’ve learned a lot. Mostly that my body responds better to certain types of workout, and that recovering from an eating disorder is an ongoing process–and that’s okay!
I’m very jealous of your soup; it is jussst hitting summertime in California.
I’m learning that my relationship with food is extremely complex and goes back alot further into my life history than I realized.
I have learned that most of the reason I pigged out on unhealthy foods is because I was unhappy/stressed. I have learned that being happy is very important (if not the most important thing) and that I should listen to my intuition/heart. Like you, I have learned that my “perfect” weight was unrealistic and unhealthy. I have learned that I can dress nice and go out and have fun even if I am not at my goal weight. I have learned that being thin doesn’t mean being happy, I am the heaviest I have ever been but I am the HAPPIEST I have ever been. And the latter is more important than the former. I have learned to enjoy the moment, because its all you have. And I have learned to cherish the time I have with family, friends, and pets.
Hi Angela!
I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for the last 5 months or so and wanted to thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself with all of us- I can’t even begin to tell you how much your honest thoughts have changed my way of thinking!
Reading this post was quite timely as I had a rough day teaching and felt kind of down and was analyzing what I did wrong but your thoughts about accepting the fact that some days are just going to SUCK really helped me move on and look to the future instead of dwelling on today.
I also wanted to tell you that I made your ultra fudgy brownies the other evening and they are SO wonderful! I’m making more tonight to freeze and have later- your recipes are so delicious, easy, and fun to make!
The biggest thing I have learned in my journey to health is to love myself. My mom asked me 2 years ago if I loved myself and I adamantly and immediately responded, “Of course!” although inside I began honestly assessing if I truly loved myself. I slowly began to recognize that I didn’t love myself and in fact, sometimes hated myself. Through the wonderful healthy living blogs, the book Women, God and Food by Geneen Roth, and lots of journaling, I began to see myself in a different light and marvel at how many other women are/were in the same boat I am!
Keep up the excellent work Angela- you affect more people than you will ever know!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope today goes better for you :)
Your list is similar to mine, except that for me, chocolate is ALWAYS the answer. :P
haha ;)
Love your learnings!
Mine:
*money does not equal happiness
*working with and helping others is what I am passionate about
*I am more than just a number on the scale
*gluten free vegan living has been a blessing for my health and wellbeing. As a result, I am symptom-free of an “incurable disease”
*I am capable of so much more than I ever dreamed possible
Thanks for such a great post… I am working on the “happy weight” issue. I just can’t part with my scale yet, but Ive learned that if I use it as a tool to keep me on track instead of make me feel bad about myself in the morning, it serves a much better purpose!
Eating healthy not only improves my health, but it improves my self esteem as well. I feel better about myself when I know I am treating my body with respect.
I’m late to the party, but I wanted to say that what YOU have learned is very inspiring. I’m a bit (ha!) older and am still learning. Right now I’m learning that who I define “healthy” continues to evolve. It’s more about overall wellness than a size or a look. I’m still a work in progress!
Your soup looks delicious! Apple and squash are perfect fall flavors…YUM!
Angela, your story is so inspiring! I think it is great that you learned so many things along the way! Way to go! :-)
I love you! You are so humble and balanced. LOVE. LOVE LOVE This one esp: “Take a chance on YOU. What have you got to lose?” One of my personal battles!
Maybe this is dumb, but what kind of lettuce do you use? I always struggle with my lettuce, and it seems when I try something new it ends up being either too sweet or too bland.
It is from our CSA share- organic mixed greens from a local farm :)
I know what you mean though, sometimes I try mixed greens and they are so bitter
Hi Angela,
This is my first time writing on your blog. I love, love, love your blog!! You don’t know how inspriational and helpful it (and You) and been in my personal journey from ominvore to vegan, in my career, and in my personal journey get in touch with me. Anyway, just wanted to say that you’re the bomb! Your recipes rock! I have not made a dish I didn’t like. You’ve definitely found your calling. Keep up the good work!! I look forward to opening this blog everyday. Take good care,
Tiffany
Thank you so much for your support! :)
I loved reading this, Angela! Your blog is always so inspiring and I really hope I too can learn to strive for Size Healthy.
Hi Angela, thanks for the inspiration toward recovery! Did you join any support groups to recover or did u do it with just the help of a therapist?
Just the therapist, but ive heard great things about support groups!
I love the last bit of this post. I have to second all of your points.
“Eating a vegan diet makes me feel at peace”
^ Totally agree! Two yrs late reply to this post haha
[Was searching acorn squash recipes and it came up]
Also agree about the quotes…I like ones by Rumi and Hafiz, the Sufi poets, some of their quotes are so awesome