Life with Mom Slim Challenge 2

My mom is great.  She is amazing.  She is 94, now, and looks fabulous.  Here she is enjoying an ice cream cone at Baskin Robbins.

Luckily for me, ice cream is something I enjoy but don't crave.  On this occasion, I was happy to simply drive her there and watch her childlike enjoyment.

Once a month, Mom hosts her Wednesday Bridge Group at our home.  The reality is, though, that Katerina Katering (me) takes care of everything.  I'm happy to do it as I think it's wonderful she still plays bridge (and frequently wins) and likes to entertain in her beautiful home.

That said, the menu I'm to prepare is very often food I don't eat.  Most recently, it was Enchilada Lasagna. 

This is a recipe shared with Mom from a close friend in Madrid, Spain.  It is delicious.  It is also off the charts re: fat and calories.

It was a bit hit with the ladies.  Yesterday, I had a tiny portion which I savored.  However, now, I have the challenge of ignoring the leftovers.  In my head I call it Mom Food as though I'm not allowed to have it because it is hers. 

This is not an unusual circumstance. 

I frequently make mom Pasta with Pesto Sauce which I ADORE.  Still, if I joined her in eating it as often as she likes to have it, my body would suffer.  I would suffer.  I know that, so when I serve Pasta with Pesto, Mom savors it alone.  The aroma is divine but oh so tempting.  So, I go to the lower level of the house, my domain, and stay there until Mom's dinner is over.

When Mom is enjoying something I don't crave, we eat together -- just completely different dishes.  I serve Mom her favored high calorie, high fat meals and I serve myself a delicious high protein low carb meals. 

You might wonder how she doesn't weigh a million pounds, especially as she doesn't get much exercise.  Here's how she does it:

• small portions (she gets full easily)
• she eats very slowly
• she rarely snacks and if she does it becomes "lunch" or "dinner"

What she eats is a challenge for me.
How she eats is a wonderful model for me.

One thing is for sure, every time I triumph and resist delicious, tempting food, I know I'm loving myself well.  Occasionally, I love myself well as I savor a small portion.  And if I succumb to the temptation, I love myself by forgiving myself and recommitting to healthy, slim food choices, immediately.

Helpful?  Feel free to share it.

For the slim life: Love your closet, love yourself!

This dress just arrived from my favorite store, Nordstrom.  I am so happy to share that I ordered it in size Medium, and it fits!!  Mind you, I'm much curvier than this stick of a model, so it looks different on me.  Actually, I can honestly say I look better in this dress than the super slim model.  Yay!

I am feeling very good about my shape and fitness, at the moment.  Frankly, it feels scary to even "publish" that news.  I'm still a size away from fitting into the sexy red halter dress from my Mom's slim years, so still in slimming mode.

This takes me to a very important feng shui for slimness point: The more you love yourself exactly as you are, today, the more quickly you will reach your slim goals.

It also reminds me of  the Slim Closet chapter in my book.  If this dress had not fit me comfortably, now, I would have sent it back.  Right away.  Even if it was only a little snug and might fit in a week or two.

If a garment is not wearable today, it should be either (a) not in your home at all or (b) at least in a storage area out of your daily presence.

Slimming down your closet is one of the quickest, easiest ways to support your desire to be slim and fit.  When every garment in your closet is wearable, now, you feel much better about yourself, now.  If every third garment is too tight to wear, it makes you feel bad to even move past it to the roomier clothes.

By the way, Mom's sexy red, halter dress is in a storeroom, in a garment bag, completely invisible by casual glance.  

Find other equally easy ways to support your slim lifestyle in Slim House Slim Body.  Order your copy, today!

Path of Slim Sanity, Part 1

Part of the view from my chair

I'm currently reading Women, Food, & God by Geneen Roth.  After seeing Geneen's recent appearance on Oprah, I have become filled with the hope of being completely free of the swing of the weight pendulum.  Take Geneen's concepts, add in feng shui for slimness -- that's a recipe for a life of sanity around food.  Yay!

I've only read about 3 chapters, so far, and already I am feeling more sanity around food.

I have to laugh at myself, though. 

• I just very carefully selected what I was hungry for breakfast-wise. (Geneen) 
• I placed a medium-sized portion on a pretty plate the size of which made the portion feel ample. (feng shui).  
• I chose my favorite cutlery.  (feng shui) 
• Found a throw to wrap around my legs; it's a little chilly for alfresco dining here in Lake Oswego, OR this morning.  (feng shui)
• I settled down in a comfy chair on my lovely patio to have breakfast with the garden, birds, and squirrels.  (Geneen & feng shui)

My  Patio

And then managed to eat it all barely noticing how delicious it was, barely noticed the garden, the birds, or the squirrels, my mind was so busy. (Not Geneen, Not feng shui)

Personally, I find that hilarious.  Also, insightful.  It's good to know that however careful the preparation may be, one must continue to be careful to Stay Present with Every Morsel.

I imagine, I dream, the days will come when staying present with food will be more the norm, a healthy habit.  Currently, though, I'm choosing to be amused by this Lesson in Absence.

How about you?

Slim Challenges of Life with Mom, Part 2

Mom & Me, Circa 2002

It has been quite the Slim Challenge to live with my now 91.75 year old Mom.  As you may recall, she eats the least healthy food possible at every opportunity and has sweet treats Every Day.  Even just keeping her company some of the time plus doing my fair share of stress eating (stuffing those feelings), had a weighty consequence.

After about 7 months of sporadic healthy behaviors, I hit my saturation point.  I recommitted to all my slim behaviors, started exercising regularly, and slowly I have let go of the 22# amassed.

I did think,  having developed wonderful easy ways to use feng shui to support slim intentions and written a book on the subject that I was off the Slim/Pudgy Pendulum Ride  forever.  Obviously, I've found that major changes in one's life can still wreak havoc with one's desires and intentions.

I am very glad that I was able to apply the principles in Slim House Slim Body, even when it didn't seem to be having a very direct effect on me.

Over the last year, I have been clearing out virtually every closet, cabinet, storeroom, and drawer in my Mom's very large home.  To her eyes, it looks very much the same.  Most of the differences are behind closed doors.

The bulk of this project was completed about the time I decided enough is enough and recommitted to my slim lifestyle. 

It took about a month for Mom to quit suggesting I taste her yummy indulgences.  For a while there, it seemed like I was saying "No, thanks" about 8 times a day.  Her new habit of refraining from asking me to share in such things makes it much easier to stay on track with my healthy food choices.

I'm currently at an acceptable weight.  However, there's this gorgeous, red, halter top dancing dress with a beaded jacket that will be perfect for Christmas dancing parties that I'd love to wear.  It's my Mom's dress from her former petite days.  I think it is possible that I can healthily wear it.  It's a wonderful dream, in any case.

Do you live with someone who either doesn't need to watch what they eat or simply chooses not to be careful?  How do you manage?

Copyright © 2010 Kathleen Tumpane. All rights reserved.

Use Nordstrom Wish List as Your Intention List

Nordstrom's Summer Fashions are soooo pretty. I was browsing through the "New Items" section when the idea of using the Wish List feature as an Intention List came to me.

It's easy and fun and such good feng shui.

All you do is browse your favorite store site, mine is Nordy's obviously, and use their Wish List feature to save photos of the clothes you intend to look great in.

It's best for your Slim Intentions to select clothes with waists, and not elastic waists, either. The more the clothes show off your newly sensuous, shapely, fit self the stronger the intention they are.

Here are some of mine:

I'm not exactly sure where I'm likely to wear these clothes. Perhaps, subconsciously, I chose them to fulfill another intention, a romantic life!

Interestingly, actually owning such garments is not a good idea until they fit you comfortably. When you actually own them when they don't yet fit, they nag you, which delays the accomplishment of feeling good wearing them.

While it is preferable that they be clothes you intend to own when they do feel good and look great, they can merely represent the clothes you'd enjoy seeing yourself in. It is best if they match your intended or current lifestyle and your intended or current pocketbook.

It's perfectly okay, though, to choose haute couture clothes even if you never intend to actually purchase them. Just think how lush your lifestyle can be when you use the money you've attracted to acquire this Slim Wardrobe. You could take a cruise! What a celebration for Slim You!

The Wish List can represent Slim Intentions, Wealth Intentions, Generosity (to self or from others), and Lifestyle Intentions (more social, more romantic, more travel).

So have fun visiting your favorite stores and start your Intention List, now!

Copyright © 2010 Kathleen Tumpane. All rights reserved.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include the copyright and this blurb with it:

Feng Shui Designer, Teacher, and Coach, Kathleen Tumpane ASID, is the author and creator of Elemenza Weekly, her FREE weekly ezine which includes her renowned column ‘Simply Feng Shui’ rich in Feng Shui Design and Lifestyle tips to help you design your home and office rich in elegant and subtle feng shui power that helps you live and work in balance. Visit www.elemenza.com to learn more. Kathleen is also author of Slim House Slim Body, to own your copy and be continually inspired visit www.slimhouseslimbody.blogspot.com.

Recipe .. Kathleen's Fabulous Egg Salad

This may seem an odd inclusion as a Slim Recipe. However, it is so satisfying it is easy to savor a small portion. Serve it on cocktail rye toasted as shown here! Or savor a generous dollop on six Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Crackers. Yummmmmm.

As I'm currently living with my lovely 91 year old mom and other family members drop by from time to time, I usually do a full dozen eggs. As a single person, I'd do eight eggs, so I'd have several meals-worth.

Having instant yummy meal options makes it easier to choose healthy, yummy, slimming foods.

Ingredients:

8 - 12 hard boiled eggs, minced
Red Onion, minced
Celery, minced
Red Pepper, minced
Country Dijon Grey Poupon Mustard
Best Foods Mayonaise

I generally create a pile of onion, an equal pile of both celery and red pepper. Then mix them together on the cutting board before adding them to the minced hard boiled eggs. I add just enough mayo to bind everything. (My mom adds more mayo directly to her sandwiches; she really likes mayo.) Then, at least a heaping teaspoon of the mustard.

Copyright © 2010 Kathleen Tumpane. All rights reserved.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include the copyright and this blurb with it:

Feng Shui Designer, Teacher, and Coach, Kathleen Tumpane ASID, is the author of Slim House Slim Body; How to use Intentional Design to become and be slim. Visit her Slim Blog at http://www.slimhouseslimbody.blogspot.com for articles, tips, and news of teleclasses.

Recipe ... Yummy Slim Turkey Loaf

Ingredients:

1 medium Red Onion, minced
5 stalks +/- Celery, minced

Mix together:
1/2 slice of bread, toasted and minced
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

2 lb. lean ground turkey

Break up ground turkey in a bowl. Add the onions & celery, mixing completely. Add the egg mixture. Blend thoroughly.

Form into a large patty (2 lb. makes two large patties) the same shape as your Lean Mean Grilling Machine (LMGM). Cut into thirds. Transfer to LMGM using your large knife as a spatula.

Cook 5 to 6 minutes.


I'm more in the mood to cook in the morning, so I mince and mix then. Later, I form the patties and have the Turkey "Loaf" hot for dinner. The rest makes fabulously yummy meatloaf sandwiches and salads for days on end.

Copyright © 2010 Kathleen Tumpane. All rights reserved.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include the copyright and this blurb with it:

Feng Shui Designer, Teacher, and Coach, Kathleen Tumpane ASID, is the author of Slim House Slim Body; How to use Intentional Design to become and be slim. Visit her Slim Blog at http://www.slimhouseslimbody.blogspot.com for articles, tips, and news of teleclasses.

Inconvenience is good feng shui!

Two of the challenges in the slim life while being present for (living with) Mom has been
(a) being too tired in the early evening to have the energy to make a real, healthy dinner
(b) the abundance of high fat, high carb and yes, delicious, food in the house.

Gone, for the nonce, are the days when Dangerous Foods just didn't live with me. I have fresh appreciation of how difficult it is for those of you that have husbands and roomies that do not share your desire to surround yourself with ONLY yummy, SLIM food options.

I'm happy to report that I've had a breakthrough !! It primarily addresses the first of the challenges mentioned above ... being too tired at the end of the day to prepare a real dinner. However, it also reduces the desire to munch on all those scrumptious somethings in the kitchen.

What I've discovered is the magic of doing most of the prep work for dinner first thing in the morning. Well, not FIRST thing, but nearly. After my second cup of coffee and while I'm enjoying the third, I LIKE to cook. Or at least prepare up to the point of actually cooking.

That means, when the dinner hour approaches I have just enough energy to complete the process and enjoy an absolutely scrumptious, healthy meal.

I still seem to have the habit of munching the evening away. But, that is easily arrested by having the munchables sufficiently distant from my usual evening locations (Den sofa watching TV, snuggling in bed with my kitties reading a book). Distance to munchies being up the stairs and through the entire rest of the house to get to them gives me time to re-consider munching. Distance allows awareness to be heightened which helps break the munching habit.

If you live in very small space, distance may not be an option. You probably can keep your favorite munchies in inconvenient locations, though.

• top shelf especially if you need a step stool to get them.
  
• bottom shelf, way in the back of a cabinet, so you practically need to get on the floor to reach them.
• in a cabinet in your garage.
• in a box in the trunk of your car ... far away from the lid.

It is actually better to store your favorite indulgences in a room you rarely use, like a guest bedroom, or a room usually not associated with food, like your garage.

The goofier the location, the less convenient, the better!

In most cases, the feng shui suggestion is to place items in the most convenient location. In this case, the opposite is the best feng shui option. Don't you just love that!

My Holiday Wish for YOU