18 March 2007
One of the things I love most about Living the Good Life is the message that you don't need to be perfect to be doing a good job. In the case of going green, that can mean doing what you can -- reusing shopping bags, conserving water in the home -- even if you can't go whole hog and move out to the country and build a straw bale house (which Linda and her family are doing, incidentally). Even a little bit of good is still good.
I remind myself of this every so often in a lot of different realms, and it's a philosophy that can be a big help if you're trying to jump some (figurative) hurdles. Walking one mile is better than never getting out the door; eating more fresh green veggies is better than popping another tray in the microwave. You don't need to run a marathon or know the function of every vitamin to make a positive change.
But enough of that positive talk! I'm at the point where I need to have a subtle shift in the way I've been doing things. As Minnie and I up the distance on our daily walks, I'm left with more calories to 'fill' each day. I've made such a habit of the way I eat throughout the day that these calories almost always are left until the evening, when I eat them in the form of dessert. Desserts. Sometimes three desserts.
Oh, the embarrassment. To be fair, one of my desserts is usually a bowl of cereal -- hardly an extravagance, eh? I love having multiple desserts, but it's getting ridiculous, especially when there are nutritional holes in my diet that I could be filling. The change I want to make is moving the calories 'back' in the day -- eating more for lunch and dinner. I want to eat more useful things like almonds and less sugar (she says, having just made scones AND frozen yogurt).
But this is what I like about the every-little-bit philosophy. You can make a small change, turn it into a habit, and then move on to the next small change. It builds up and builds up, and you'll never be perfect (it's a cliche, but I'll say it anyway -- how boring!), but someday you'll pause for a moment and realize how far you've come. I mean, honestly -- I'm making adjustments because I walk too far? Who'd have guessed!
What little changes would you like to make?
I just moved into a new home two days ago and I am trying to make the switch to an organic household. Using basics like vinegar, baking soda and castille soap for cleaning and trying to cut back on paper towel consumption (a terrible habit we have!). Whatever seems like an easy switch to make to go organic, I say, why not?
Also I have slowly been trying to drink more water because I am always dehydrated. It's led to many health problems and something as simple as drinking more water shouldn't be so hard, but for me, it is. Trying to take it one day at a time and increase slowly.
Thanks for your daily inspiration and btw, your lunches are indeed divine!
posted by Taryn Domingos at March 18, 2007 08:06 AM
Thanks for this post. I needed to hear exactly what you said about not trying to be perfect. I've been making changes like using cloth bags and more natural cleaning products, but then feel such guilt over so many things I could do, but don't. But I will keep working on the little things and continue to add more that work for me.
posted by kayla_d at March 18, 2007 03:18 PM
Well said!! I totally agree with you, and I also love desert. Mine is popcorn and chocolate...at the same time. I cannot watch a movie or show with out it. So, I try and make some positive changes in other areas. And that's what it's all about isn't. Thank you for sharing your philosophy :o)
posted by Allie from Minneapolis at March 18, 2007 07:06 PM
I don't really like sweets, so dessert's never been a problem for me, but I would like to do more cooking at home. That's why I like your lunch blog — for spying purposes =P
posted by Meg at March 18, 2007 11:23 PM
I'm trying to learn the Sun Salutation series of yoga movements. It looks so simple, yet I can't even come close on some of the poses. A little bit every day . . . maybe I'll get there yet.
posted by anne at March 19, 2007 02:19 AM
I'd like to have more courage and faith; to take the proverbial first leap in everything I plan to do. Sounds corny, but I worry too much, and that's got to change. I just need to have faith.
posted by Amy at March 19, 2007 01:00 PM
I'd like to walk EVERYDAY, so far I manage it every other day. Sometimes I find every excuse possible to stay in the house. I have lots to do (don't we all) but 30 min outside isn't a big deal, so why do I put it off? I HAVE committed to one no T.V. day and one vegetarian day. So maybe there's hope for me.
posted by carol at March 19, 2007 03:03 PM
Carol -- I feel your pain! Right now, I'm looking outside, thinking, 'But it's so windy out there!' But I realized the other day that, no matter how many 'better' things I can think of to do instead of going for a walk, I NEVER regret having spent an hour taking Minnie out, whereas I'm always disappointed if I skip it.
posted by Anna at March 19, 2007 04:12 PM