UPDATE

This morning started well enough with a reflection/ re-read of all my previous postings. The following are statements on the progress I've made in each area.

• Plan a wedding (nuptial renewal event)-- See 'To Wed or Not To Wed' we may still party but a nice out of country, week-long trip would be great too.
  

• Buy a house/ find a new apartment with a washer and dryer -- With the economy the way it is Phillip and I have a lot of options. The main goal is to save as much money as possible to take care of our debt. Second is location. Meanwhile, Catt moves out the last week of July.
  

1. We could stay where we are (renew the lease in Nov)
2. Move somewhere different for less and maybe a little closer to work for me
3. Go in on renting a house with Phillip's Aunt and Uncle (4 bed, 3+ bath for $1200 a month in Dekalb/Central Fulton area)
   
4. Buy/Rent a loft or small house for just us

• Visit friends and family all over the country -- I went to Detroit, MI for a week with Jekka and John. Will probably visit more family when Phillip get home in the Fall. I'm trying to stay in touch with many of my friends since I have the time. Usually I'm doing some of this throughout a week:Trivia and TV watching with Darryll and DeDe; Dinners and theater events with Lena/ babysit Render; Sleepovers at Jekka and John's; Ma Jong at Craig's; Annual party with Adrienne; Spending time with Tricia and chilling with my sorority sisters.

• Take a much needed trip for relaxation -- Really I've done tons of relaxing right here in the apartment, but I will get a pedicure one of these days. This has turned into Going to TNX Convention in Philadelphia this September.

• Study and pass the GACE (Pedagogy) -- My test is August 22nd. Yesterday, I requested lots of books from the library to help me study and I brought a study guide book earlier this spring to work with. It's just 5 weeks away and school starts in 2. I've decided to take the High School Sociology GACE test as well since I have an actual degree in that, it's consider a science= higher pay, and I would be considered highly qualified. And once I got the certification I can go back to school for a Master in Education.

• Payoff all Phillip's and my bills -- This one has had its challenges ('Hidden Costs') but I think we are doing well. We got one card almost completely paid off but then we used it to buy my sister's ticket for her mission trip ('The Goddess and Her Money'). Otherwise everything is current and up-to-date.
  

• Get matching wooden wedding bands-- have designed them, but need to get confirmation on the commission and start the payment plan. (This got set to the side during my trip and the whole credit card issue)

• Learning more about Druidry, Wicca and Druidcraft-- I'm actually pretty proud of my progress. Phillip and I are corresponding in Ogham now, we created a Book of Shadows blog and we have continued our practice of reviewing some aspect of divination regularly. We're currently working on The Druidcraft Tarot in comparison to the Sidhe Tarot.
  

• Expanding my Spirituality-- I have begun listening regularly to Ariel's Druidic Craft of the Wise Podcast along with reading other Wiccan and Pagan based media. I hope to develop a regular mediation period in my daily routine as suggested in ' Lifestyle Changes'.

• Start my stationary business--I have done some interesting project with paper this summer. Lena came over for craft night and we marbleized some old stationary i had with paint and shaving cream. It was allot of fun! I also plan to make my own paper out of the shredded scrape from when i cleaned out my filing system. As far as business goes I'm researching my craft at this point by checking out instructional videos and books from the library and reading craft blogs. This should be crafting in general since there are other craft projects that i want to do as well although it would be nice to sell them I'm fine just being creative.

• Lose 20 lbs.-- This goes into being healthier the lower I keep my weight the lower my risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and all the other things black women are susceptible too. so I've taken up Lyra with is an aerial art form perform mostly in cirque-style shows and burlesque. It takes tons of core strength to do since your lifting your own body weight. It also has a sensual grace to it because of the various poses and positions. I enjoy it very much and look forward to getting my own equipment.

• Get on a better fitting birth control to our lifestyle-- Went to my OBGYN, Dr. DeMarco, who was very happy with my pap and overall health. I got a shiny new Nuva Ring prescription now I just need to check prices of the various pharmacies nearby to get it filled.

• Catch-up on all my favorite TV shows and movies-- This I've been doing at DeDe's (watching Bravo cooking and fashion shows with Uncle Darryll), checking out movies from the Library, and watching shows on my laptop via Hulu.com and other sites
  

• Save Money-- We are still working on the saving aspect of our finances such as creating an emergency fund and over the long-term for future large purchases (house, trips, school, kids, retirement etc)

• Get ready for our Camping Retreat in October-- We're considering going to Asheville, NC even if we don't camp but I got a video on camping for beginners from the library, looked at some different camping sites in the National Parks system nearby and joined the REI co-op for discounts on camping supplies anyway. We may not do this in October but next spring/summer instead.
  
• Research my family history as far back as possible-- I started getting family information together for the Dents, Perkins, Lawson's, and Whitfield's on Geni. Now I must go to the census and see what i can find there. It was really nice since lots of cousins added their information and now we have a pretty up-to date record of everyone in the family.

• Start writing fiction again/ publish a story-- haven't written a story yet but i have been blogging which in a way is story telling in itself, sort of.

• Work in my container garden-- my "garden" is coming along very nicely. I have two sweet potato vines, parsley, basil, oregano, mint, chives, cherries and I have peaches to be planted in the fall. I haven't gotten to actual veggies (mostly because of timing and space) but as this being my first garden I'm proud of my herbs.

• Go vegetarian-- I'm enjoying it ! 'Just and Ordinary Day...' & 'Lifestyle Changes'

"I will be abstinent, non-alcoholic, no meat-eating and spiritually reflective as well." Truthfully I have masturbated. I'm currently working on focusing that energy into being a better partner physically/ sexually. And strangely my alcoholic in take has increase right around the time my meat eating stopped. I think it has to do with a carb craving but it has not been heavy drinking just a beer/ale/ wine here or there socially which isn't any more or less that I drank before going veggie or ever. My spiritual reflections are noted above and in previous blogs.

"My resolution is to keep a food journal..." I did this for two day on my phone's notepad which was very convenient but I was on vacation. I don't understand my current reluctance but will try to get back in the habit. Especially since 5 small meals a day with a protein heavy one in the morning is a little unusual for me.

"By the time Philip returns I will have been veggie long enough that its a standing habit and will be cooking veggie meals regularly." I'm still experimenting but finding things to make has not been as hard as I initially thought. The goal is to remain flexible and try new things.

Wow!!!!
I tought this would be a short list but not until I was two hours into writing did a realize how much I've done thus far this summer, with plenty still to do. I might need a whole other break after this one.

WIP

Lifestyle Changes

So this past month I became vegetarian. No meat but I still eat fish, eggs and dairy along with the usual fruits, beans, grains, nuts and veggies. There has been a great improvement I think to my health- skin feels better, drinking more water, energy, weight loss and a host of other things that have probably happened and I just haven't noticed just yet.
I'm quite proud of my recent trip to Detroit, MI over the 4th of July weekend- where I only had fish once in a meal. Everything else was soy, fruits, and veggies. John, Jekka's husband, and fellow veggie lover helped me tons with ordering out. I had gotten good at making veggie friendly dishes at home but was hitting a bump when it came to eating out. My husband also suggested some great places to eat in and around Atlanta.
I was even more pleasantly surprised that I was doing a good thing for m body when I saw an episode of "the Doctors" and the mentioned a diet based on the needs of your blood type. This was very much similar to a diet I had read about in the past that connect your body type structure to primary food groups (genotype diet). After doing some research I found that both diets have the same founder!

Below is an excerpt from the website 'Eat Right for Your Type' about the blood type A, by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo:
What Makes a 'Type A' an Individual?



What makes Me Me and You You?

This is the question that is at the heart of the genetic puzzle. It is also central to our exploration of blood types. The key is genetic heritage - the story line of your life. Even though you are living in the 21st century, you share a common bond with your ancestors. The genetic information that resulted in their particular characteristics has been passed on to you.

People who are A blood type have a different set of characteristics than people who are Type O - they are susceptible to different diseases, they should eat different foods and exercise in a completely different manner. Some believe that personality is influenced by blood type! Dr. D'Adamo, author of the best selling books Eat Right for Your Type and Live Right for Your Type, among others, gives us a blueprint for living in his books. Read on to learn more about the Type A individual.

Type A History

The Type A emerges into the 21st century with many more complex challenges than their ancestors could have imagined. The key factor in the development of Type A can be traced to the struggle for survival long ago, when there was a rapidly dwindling supply of hunting game stock. Having exhausted the great game herds of Africa, humans pushed farther out from their ancestral home into Europe and Asia. The cultivation of grains and livestock changed everything. For the first time, people were able to forgo the hand to mouth lifestyle of the hunter/gatherer and establish stable communities. Over time the adaptations that produced Blood Type A were based on the need to fully utilize nutrients from carbohydrate sources. These biological adaptations can still be observed today in Type A's digestive structure. Low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and high intestinal disaccharide digestive enzyme levels permit the more efficient digestion of carbohydrates. According to Dr. D'Adamo, these are also the very factors, along with low levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, that make it difficult for Type As to digest and metabolize animal protein and fat.

What Makes Type A Unique

Many neurochemical factors in the Type A genetic disposition favor a structured, rhythmic, harmonious life, surrounded by a positive, supportive community. The harried pace and increased sense of isolation experienced by so many in today's society often make these needs difficult to achieve. Type A best exemplifies the powerful interconnections between mind and body. This was vital to the shift away from hunting and procurement to building and growing. However, Type A's more internalized relationship to stress, which served your ancestors well, can be a challenge for the modern Type A. The Blood Type Diet's proactive mix of lifestyle strategies, hormonal equalizers, gentle exercise and specialized dietary guidelines will maximize your overall health; decrease your natural risk factors for cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The result: high performance, mental clarity, greater vitality and increased longevity.

Type A Diet

"When we discuss 'diet,' we are not talking necessarily about a weight loss plan, that's a side benefit to following this plan. We are actually discussing diet in the more traditional sense, meaning a way to eat," explains, Dr. D'Adamo. Type As flourish on a vegetarian diet - if you are accustomed to eating meat, you will lose weight and have more energy once you eliminate the toxic foods from your diet. Many people find it difficult to move away from the typical meat and potato fare to soy proteins, grains and vegetables. But it is particularly important for sensitive Type As to eat their foods in as natural a state as possible: pure, fresh and organic. "I can't emphasize enough how this critical dietary adjustment can be to the sensitive immune system of Type A. With this diet you can supercharge your immune system and potentially short circuit the development of life threatening diseases."

Handling Stress

In this busy, ever changing world, it's almost impossible to avoid every day stress. Type As have a naturally high level of the stress hormone cortisol and produce more in response to stressful situations. Cortisol is released in 24-hour patterns, typically in the early morning between six and eight A.M. with a gradual decrease during the day. It helps to cue the body's other cyclical rhythms. Due to the naturally elevated cortisol in type As, additional stress often manifests in several ways; disrupted sleep patterns, daytime brain fog, increased blood viscosity (thickening), and promotes muscle loss and fat gain. In extreme cases in Type As, stress can manifest in more serious ways, causing obsessive-compulsive disorder, insulin resistance and hypothyroidism. To help balance cortisol levels, Dr. D'Adamo recommends that you limit sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast; eating smaller, more frequent meals will also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. He also points out that the following factors are known to increase cortisol levels and increase mental exhaustion for Type As - be aware and limit your exposure when possible:

• Crowds of people
• Loud noise
• Negative emotions
• Smoking
• Strong smells or perfumes
• Too much sugar and starch
• Overwork
• Violent TV and movies
• Lack of sleep
• Extreme weather conditions (hot or cold)

Calming Exercise - The Critical Component for Health and Well Being

Heightened cortisol levels make it harder for Type As to recover from stress. Research has demonstrated that overall cortisol levels can be lowered through a regular program of exercises that provide focus and calming effects. Make these activities a regular - and life saving - part of your lifestyle. Dr. D'Adamo recommends, Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation and Deep Breathing Exercises. Meditation has been studied for its effects on stress hormones. It was found that after meditation, serum cortisol levels were significantly reduced. Writes Dr. D'Adamo, "While it's fine for Type As to participate in more intense physical activity when healthy and in good condition, be aware that these forms of exercise do not act as safety valves for stress in your blood type. I have seen Type As excel at weight lifting and aerobic activities, but you have to be careful about not over training, as that will actually raise cortisol levels."

The Personality Connection

Blood Type is a marker of individuality - and perhaps of personality as well. In Japan, it has long been believed that Blood Type is an indicator of personality - in fact, you are likely to be asked your blood type in a job interview or while out on a date with a potential mate! In a study conducted by Dr. D'Adamo in 1999, he found some interesting connections between blood type and personality. Type As most often described themselves in ways related to the following characteristics: sensitive to the needs of others, good listeners, detail oriented, analytical, creative and inventive.

Live Right!

In addition to exercise, stress management and eating the right foods, here are some key lifestyle strategies for Type A individuals.

• Cultivate creativity and expression in your life
• Establish a consistent daily schedule
• Go to bed no later than 11:00 PM and sleep for 8 hours or more. Don't linger in bed, as soon as you get up, get going!
• Take at least two breaks of 20 minutes each during the work day. Stretch, take a walk, do deep breathing exercises or meditate.
• Don't skip meals
• Eat more protein at the start of the day, less at the end
• Don't eat when you are anxious
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals. (3 meals & 2 snacks)
  
• Engage in 30 to45 minutes of calming exercise at least 3 times a week.
• Plan regular screening for heart disease and cancer prevention.
• Always chew food thoroughly to enhance digestion. Low stomach acid makes digestion more difficult.

It amazes me how on the mark some of these things are and I notice throughout my day to day routine. It seems that I am on the right tract and with just a few more lifestyle changes I will be much better off.


WIP