Discussion Board

Hi,

I tried this WOE a while back, but wasn't successful because it was just the wrong time to make the change. My family and I had moved from the city to the country, and there was a lot of work to do, as well as adjusting to the new lifestyle. It's been a wonderful change, though. We're in a quiet area, surrounded by woods. Deer wander through the yard daily. After years in L.A., it's like being in paradise.

Anyway, I have my first ever garden growing, and yesterday a bean sprout made it's appearance. How exciting! We have 2 growing seasons here, so for now I have beans, carrots, tomatoes, jalapenos & chilis, zucchini, and watermelon planted. Oh, and some herbs.

Several months ago, my doctor prescribed an antidepressant that ended up causing weight gain. I was already about 20 lbs. overweight, and the med added another 10. At that time, I realized I had to take control of my own health. I went off the med, and now take a vitamin supplement instead.

I ordered The Starch Solution, which is on its way from Amazon, but am using the guidelines from the main site for now. Yesterday was my first day. Throughout the day I had sweet potatoes, rice & vegetables, salad, roasted potatoes (made with onion soup mix), and blueberries. I didn't use any oil in cooking and never missed it. At the end of the day, my main feeling was relief. This was because I didn't have the negative feelings associated with my previous eating habits. Whenever I'd eat a burger, cheese, or chips, I'd feel like I was hurting myself (and I was, of course). I don't want to do that any more.

Sorry for the long post! Thanks for being here,
Vivian

Welcome aboard, Vivian! I am glad you are enjoying living in the Smokies and that you have found us.

You seem to have made a good start. Enjoy the book and the food and keep us posted on your journey!

Thanks, pinkrose! I feel this is the right path for me.

Since we're retired, my dh and I are on a grocery budget. So at the beginning of the month, we do our first shopping trips to 3 stores in town for the best bargains. Yesterday we went to 1 of them, and the list was quite different than normal, lol.

I'm feeling great after 2 days, and can tell I've lost a little weight. I'm waiting a week to weigh myself. I'd rather concentrate on healthy food and avoid that diet mentality, which is negative to me.

I've lined up food ideas for the day, and have lots to choose from, so I can relax. It's so nice to have good feelings about food.

Hi Vivian. I grew up in the burbs of DC but visited the country often. I'd go and stay at my Grandmothers twice a year and she was in the country, plus go to WV often. I have always felt that setting was more me than the rat race city.

I'm still in the burbs but garden and it is helping greatly. so good for you on starting the garden. We do have a garden board here too. Look on down on the list of boards.

Good for you on trying to make changes to your diet too. Keep up the good work. Lots of info is available on here.

Thanks for the welcome, Faith! I'm doing fine and keeping the food simple, trying to plan the day's meals so that I don't panic and grab the wrong thing, lol.

I'm enjoying reading the forum messages and will check out the gardening section, thanks. I'm finding the journals very interesting, too.

We live in the country, probably just a few hours west of you.

I started harvesting from my garden this week. So far, it's been cucumbers and zucchini, and hopefully the peppers, tomatoes, melons, beans, and corn will follow soon. The tomatoes and melons are being very reluctant to fruit this year. I started a lot of them indoors and expected a better showing by now, but I suppose in a month I'll be complaining because I can't eat everything I'm growing plus what's in my CSA box.

We have lots of deer as well. Turkeys, bobcats, foxes possums, groundhogs, skunks, voles, hawks, and we even saw a golden eagle a week or so ago. Oh, and we've been adopted by someone's runaway peacock. That's been interesting. I had gotten used to all of the noises here, and when that came along it was a little disturbing because I knew it didn't belong.

I like going out in the morning, soft bird chirps, the occasional rooster. As the day goes on, it gets louder and louder, until evening hits and (depending on the time of year) the cicadas and frogs are creating a cacophony trying to (it seems) outdo each other.

Frieda,

We started planting late because it took a long time to get our garden set up. Everything seems to be growing quickly, though. It's our first garden, so we've been consulting books and asking our neighbors for advice. It's going to be amazing eating foods that we grew ourselves.

The wildlife in your area sounds a lot like mine. Do you have turkey vultures? Yesterday the deer were right outside the front door, and let my son get quite close to take a picture. I haven't heard any cicadas yet. Usually they start up a little later in the summer here.

We have too many turkey vultures. They've become a problem for folks who raise livestock. It's normal for them to feed on left over placenta, but they will also now attack calves, kids, and lambs and they are being born, or weaker newborn livestock after they are born.