Monday, October 15, 2012

October Bella Article



Back in June, I had all of these grand plans for my summer.  I would decorate and paint my one untouched room.  I would sew all kinds of adorable items for my ETSY shop.  I would clean out my closet and take a truckload to Goodwill.

Here is what I accomplished over the summer:  gained 5 pounds, napped my days away, and I managed to create one apron for my shop (anyone need an apron?).   I felt horrible.  If I were coated in slime, you wouldn’t be able to tell me apart from the giant slugs in the backyard.  

As summer drew to a close, I realized I needed to do something.  I needed more energy.  I needed to lose those five pounds (plus about 30 more on top of that).  I needed to make some major changes in my life.  I needed more than just a diet plan.  So through the help of my source of all info (Google) I ran across health coaches.  I then narrowed it down to one, Taunya Bruton in Christiansburg.  So far, this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I’m sure she wasn’t quite sure what she was in for during our initial consultation.  I basically started with all of the things I WOULDN’T do….I’m not going to the grocery store every day, I am not buying weird or expensive ingredients that my Kroger doesn’t have, I’m not cooking meals with ingredients I can’t pronounce, and I’m not giving up sweet tea.  Taunya assured me that I didn’t have to give anything up and that the entire program would be tailored to me and my needs.  There were no restrictions, no points to tally, no calories to count.  She is like a dietician, counselor, and teacher all rolled up into one.  I am making changes in all areas of my life, not just what I eat.  As a result, I am a smidgen smaller, I feel better, and I have more energy.    And I haven’t craved sweet tea since I started changing my diet to more whole foods.  How is that for miracles?  

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Conversation with a 6th grader


"Ms. Saunders, do you like me?"

As if I would ever say no to this question.  "Of course I like you."

"But do you like me as a friend?"

"No, no I don't."

"What????" he asks with a noticeable droop in his shoulders.

"I like you as a student.  I teach you, I support you, I care for you.  But I am NOT inviting you over to my house to 'hang' and watch tv or play video games."

"Oh!  I don't want to do that with you either!"

Case closed.