Get to know you through the seeming magic of journaling. Watch the gems spill forth.

Hello Everyone!

The last day of 2021!!

Pearl One

Today, let’s talk about one of your raging success stories.

I know.

You’d much prefer to hammer away at yourself remembering the many ways in which you’ve let yourself down through the years, but hear me out.

There are aspects of life that likely feel intuitive and “obvious” to you, but that are a serious challenge for me.

For example, I’m so impressed when I meet a friend who turns out to be an amazing housekeeper, a gardener-extraordinaire, or someone skilled with her budget.

I may have figured out this “lose and maintain after 50” thing, but you’ve had wild success in areas of life that perplex me.

But this is great news. Take a look.

Journal Gems.

Take out your journal and choose one success-experience — large or small — that you’re particularly proud of. (It might be I nailed that presentation or I’m in my element when I need media attention for my cause.)

Next pull apart your success-experience like it’s a LEGO castle piece. by. piece.

Spread your castle’s pieces all over the floor (in your mind’s eye). Now write about each piece. If two pieces are still stuck together un-stick them. Our goal is to learn the maximum amount possible – in granular detail — about how you created your success-experience.

I recently did this exercise and learned what “tools” lead to my success-experience.

Immersion. I likely drove everyone in my life crazy because I ate, slept and talked about my success-topic almost daily for years.

Growth. If I’d thought that a book, documentary, or a talk on the topic had merit, I was in. I was always up for learning.

Focus. Because I was so immersed in my success-topic I put other fun things in my life to the side.

Creativity. I was constantly looking for as many hacks as I could find: in my case that meant audiobooks in the car, a particular type of travel, and hanging out with others who shared my passion.

Pay It Forward. After my successful project was a done-deal, I reached out to others who were new to the path sharing ideas and support.

What lead to your success-experience? Break it down specifically as possible. (I hope you’ll share in the comments below.)

Finally, write about how you can apply your success tools to losing after 50.

This is your new superpower, use it to crush this difficult trek we’re making together. ♥

Pearl Two

When it comes to resolutions, I’m a fan of making positive New Year’s resolutions that add to my life versus making me feel annoyed with myself.

One year, I resolved to laugh big at least once a day. It couldn’t be a little smile or smirk. I had to really laugh (and yes, this resolution lasted all year. I’m stealing it for 2022).

Another year I resolved to give a wide berth to people in my life who appear to have NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Keep in mind that we all have narcissistic pockets – sure I can save 25 dogs who need a forever home, no problem –, I’m talking about people who approach every area in their life from a narcissistic, larger than life point of view).

Instead of resolutions, I’ve heard that some have great success in looking back over the past year at what worked and what didn’t make it. I love this idea because it’s essentially reverse-engineering the past year.

I’d love to hear in the comments section below what your positive resolution will be! ♥

Pearl Three

When I was young my mom often kept a small carton of cherry tomatoes right next to the kitchen sink. The idea was that each time she was washing her hands she’d quickly clean one or two tomatoes and pop them into her mouth. This resulted in eating a lot of cherry tomatoes several times a day.

Today I do the same. Have you found ways to get more vegetables into your life? I hope you’ll share because we’re all wondering. ♥

Pearl Four

Self-Sabotage. This is my last post on self-sabotage. We’ll have a new deeper-dive topic in 2022. Today’s self-sabotage: I don’t get into my bedroom early enough in the evening to actually have time to read before it’s time to turn the light off.

Say I’m trying to be asleep by 10 p.m.

I need to start my five evening chores at 8:30 p.m. (clean cat box, fresh water for River and so on). After the chores I head upstairs to clean my face, give River his ten minute massage (lol) and read for an hour.

Normally I don’t start my evening shut-down until 9 p.m. and don’t end up falling asleep until after 11 p.m. Which finds me zonked the next morning. Duh. Time to make some changes. (My new mantra: I manage the clock, the clock doesn’t manage me.) ♥

Pearl Five

Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.” Jack Canfield ♥

Have a beautiful, safe weekend guys!

♥, Wendy

PS If you like the pearls, I’d love it if you’d share with a friend or family member.

PPS Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime. 🙂

Amazing dress and photo by FloAtelier

Years ago I was heading out to garage sales in a pair of jeans that cut me at the middle (what was I thinking? Likely that my giant sweatpants were in the laundry). Once home, I peeled those babies off with a massive sigh of relief.

I know you know.

That said, I’m going to go a little meta on you.

Do you care that you’re FED UP at times? Or do you throw yourself under the bus at the first whiff of a pan of cinnamon rolls your husband makes on weekend mornings?

I thought as much.

Here’s the thing: when we tap into our feelings of being massively fed up — when pants don’t fit, rings are too tight or a gorgeous number too small to wear on New Year’s Eve — we’re on the road to creating a vital superpower.

It may not seem like it, but the feeling of being fed up is a dear friend that we can rely on when losing/maintaining seems “harder than it should be.”

Cherish the feeling of being fed up, cuddle her, learn from her. And forever more keep her close at hand.

Speaking of tight jeans, some experts actually suggest wearing super tight pants on hard days to, you know, remind yourself not to overeat.

To this concept I say, a million times no!

Ultimately the plan is to create a better relationship with ourselves. Stuffing ourselves into jeans that don’t fit is mean and the opposite of having our own back.

Instead be extra kind to yourself. Protect your wins and don’t use the old-fashioned thinking that maintaining is somehow “bad.”

Plateauing is the magical ingredient to losing for a lifetime.

Journal-write — on your laptop or in a large notebook — about being fed up.

• What makes you feel fed up the most?
• Imagine becoming comfortable with the feeling of being fed up. How can this new “tool” help you in your day-to-day?
• How can you keep the idea of being fed up with you so that it’s available to you at the toughest times (like after dinner when you want something sweet)?

Caring that you care begins with allowing the feeling of being fed up into your life.

And just to be clear, no, it’s not your imagination. Yes, losing after menopause is hard for all of us. But we can do hard things. Watch.

Have a fabulous week everyone!

♥, Wendy

P.s. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!

Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Of course you incur no additional cost.

Beautiful holiday dress and photo by Amordress.

We made it to Friday!! Go us!

Pearl One

Once Upon a Time the powers-that-be thought they knew the truth. (It would be a cool story, if people hadn’t actually died.)

Our “Happy Ending” begins.

Do you remember when ulcers were thought to be caused by stress? It was a common refrain, “I’m so stressed I’ll end up with an ulcer.” But then in the early 80’s two Australian doctors traced ulcers to a bacteria.

They discovered that ulcers were a simple infection; easily cured with antibiotics.

Did the medical world throw confetti and party-hardy?

Nope.

The experts completely dismissed the young doctors’ discovery for about a decade. Finally in ’91 the medical world conceded, and eventually the Australian docs shared the 2005 Medical Nobel Prize. See? An all is well, ending.

My point:  nobody believes me when I tell them about a vital skill that I learned as I was losing weight with a forever-mindset.

Intermittent-maintenance.

As I lost weight slow as molasses while plateauing several times, I’d tell myself at each plateau that I was “holding.” I’d remind me that my body needed time to adjust to its new weight. My plan was simple: don’t wake the cave woman brain that assumes a quick drop in weight means that starvation is around the corner.

The slower we lose — with plenty of breaks for plateaus — the deeper our cave woman snoozes in her cave unaware of our ultimate plan.

We’ve proved through the decades that losing weight quickly, is a disaster, so instead I tried the opposite and lost slow as a sloth.

It worked.

Join me in believing the truth behind a forever-weight loss. ♥

Pearl Two

You know the most annoying part of losing after fifty? Losing a lot of weight only to have my tummy go all pot belly on me.

Here are the pot belly fixes I’ve considered:

CoolSculpting. I thought long and hard on this idea until a super model popped out of the woodwork to sue someone for her CoolSculpted face that she didn’t want to show in public. My review: Not enough research on this one, so no.

The Mommy Tuck. My cupcakes don’t really need work, but I sure could use a tummy tuck. Thing is, anesthesia is no joke. Like most of us, I’ve had major surgery but for serious problems none of which included snipping off my kangaroo pouch. Not to mention the money!! Review: No again.

Tummy spot exercises. Everyone seems to agree that spot exercises aren’t a thing. Also one can do 300 sit-ups a day, but if loose fat continues to embrace the stomach muscles, the muscles won’t show. Review: Phew, I didn’t want to do 300 sit-ups a day anyhow.

Spanx. Review: yes.

Peplum. Whether we’re talking cute tops or bathing suits anything peplum is a life-long friend to a pot belly. Review: truly stylish.

Camouflage, no, not that kind of camo. I don’t have a fancy life, but if I did, this is how I’d camo my tum: I’d paire a tulle skirt with a fun tee and statement earrings to draw the eye up. Review: creativity brings camo to life.

Embrace age. One of the best parts of being not 22, is that you and I largely don’t give a hoot what someone thinks or doesn’t think about our tums. Review: A keeper.

My babies. When I’d lost the 55 lbs. I looked down and thought, why do I still look like I’m carrying twins? Over time, I came to think of my pouch as a leftover souvenir from my darling boys. My kids are in college now, but I’ve trained myself to see my tum and remember my darling babies.

Review: best thing that ever happened to me. ♥

Pearl Three

The Self-Sabotage Department.

Truth be told, I procrastinate. I’ve often assumed that procrastination might be part of the human experience because so many of us do it.

But then I began family travel writing.

I never procrastinated writing my travel articles. Why? Because I knew first-hand what it’s like being a traveler with very little money, and not having a clue about how to approach a region.

And kids along for the trip meant the stakes were super high. Traveling parents have a limited amount of money, time and energy. Friends would ask, “Do you procrastinate writing the articles?” I’d answer emphatically, “No, I care about the parents too much.”

I wanted to tell parents everything they’d need to know to have a wonderful family travel experience. No way would I procrastinate when it came to families making memories.

And that’s when it hit me: I don’t procrastinate when I genuinely care.

Interesting, right?

These days I’m taking a hard look at how I handle my life: do I create Christmas-fun well in advance (freeze sugar cookies, buy presents early etc.) so that I’m not running around crazed trying to get everything done in the same week? Do I let my hair get pretty shaggy and then call my stylist at the last second hoping she can squeeze me in?

Yes, to both.

Bottom line: I procrastinate big-time when it comes to myself. And I’m betting you do too. We give and give and give, and then attempt to soothe ourselves with food.

Why not put ourselves at the top of the list for a day, a week, or a month? Let’s show ourselves what we can do when we care about our own needs and wants. ♥

Pearl Four

I’m a huge fan of sweet potatoes. I clean a medium-sized sweet potato, place it on a paper towel, pierce it with a fork several times, and nuke it the microwave for two minutes (maybe more) on each side. Yum.

I add olive oil and black pepper. Or a few baby marshmallows and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Yum again. ♥

Pearl Five

“Seeing Is believing, but, sometimes, the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” — Conductor, The Polar Express ♥

Love to you and yours including, of course, the fur-darlings!

♥, Wendy

P.S. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.

I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥

You see the problem.

Happy Friday! We have a lot of new people, so consider some pearls to be an awesome refresher. 🙂 And don’t miss Pearl Four. Yum-city.

Pearl One

What if everything happens for us (rather than to us)?

Kind of a mind-blower, right?

I keep this jewel of a question in mind when facing the difficulties we all stumble through in life. I try to remember to ask myself: what if a, b, or c is really a lesson wrapped in annoying, time consuming, or tragic circumstances?

I’ve used this question for so long, I’ve forgot who first said it. I googled and, turns out, Tony Robbins. (Shocker.)

As an example, let’s take how successful I am at maintaining a regular workout routine. Which, of course, is not at all.

I once developed a strong habit for over two years taking yoga and mat Pilates classes every week. Then the owner moved her business and my good habit tanked.

Now’s the time I need to ask myself: what if my reluctance to workout has something to teach me? Sadly, I’m big on excuses. My favorite: I can’t do regular yoga/Pilates classes. Too pricey!

Generally, the problem we start with – being unable to maintain a workout schedule – is really an emotional wound that needs our attention.

Take a few moments to journal about your current circumstances and how you respond to them. You’ll be amazed at all that your unconscious produces. (She loves to be listened to too.) ♥

Pearl Two

Live the holidays for January-You.

You know I’m big on setting future-me up for success. Let’s take the Christmas holiday as an example. About a week or more ahead of time I’ll journal from the perspective of January-first-me writing a letter to current me (btw, this works on any holiday).

I imagine January-first-me will be stunned, but then ecstatic that I didn’t overindulge all of December.

January-first-me is likely incredulous that I maintained my workout schedule along with taking a pass when the family’s cinnamon roll-extravaganza commenced.

I journal in detail. I ask myself: How will I navigate early, mid-, and late-December? Not to mention the Big Day of? I’ll write about the special foods I’ll buy and hide in the fridge, I might even use micro-rewards to keep me on the straight-and-narrow.

There’s no doubt that it’s a skill: staying present in the fullness of the holiday-moment while at the same time staying true-blue for January-first-me. But that’s the thing, our amazing brains can absolutely track both.

Show yourself what you can do this holiday season. ♥

Pearl Three

The Self-Sabotage Department. Let’s see, there’s so much to choose from. Here goes: I’m at my best in the mornings so I keep my schedule totally open until noon so I can write (alone).

Problem is, I sabotage myself by frittering away my most energetic hours. I write on my laptop that — of course — has access to the internet. I allow myself to be lured into checking the weather, “talking” to people on a great forum, googling my symptoms to see what disease I might have, and so forth.

Habituating my brain to only writing in the morning is my aim. Sixty-six days is the amount of time needed to embed a habit. Tomorrow is day one. Wish me luck. (A year later I can report that I feel much more in control of my mornings and keeping them for writing only.) ♥

Pearl Four

The best part of the holiday? I mean, eggnog, right? And do I have an awesome product to share with you.

First, a funny eggnog story. I once heard about an office Christmas party that had a huge spread of food with an eggnog fountain as the centerpiece.

An eggnog fountain where eggnog fell onto vanilla ice cream. At the bottom of the fountain guests ladled the yum into their party mugs.

Yeah, the days of going hog-wild on the high fat and calories of eggnog are in my last lifetime. But I found an awesome work-around. Today, thanks to the various brands of faux “milks” on the market – almond, oat, coconut, soy – the same companies are also producing fake eggnog. The delicious faux-eggnogs appear in the refrigerator section of Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Publix and Whole Foods every November.

The faux-eggnog calories are ridiculously low making them an incredible addition to your holiday season. I wrote about the various eggnogs and seasonal drinks last year here: Ultimate Guide to my Favorite Holiday Drinks (hold the sky high calories).

Please run, don’t walk: These egg nogs are popular, so you might want to skedaddle. ♥

Pearl Five

What seems like the right thing to do can also be the hardest thing.” ♥

As we head into the season of a-lot-of-food, I hope you’ll go easy on yourself. Meaning that maintaining throughout November and December is the kindest thing you can do for your mental health. Telling yourself that you “have to” lose during the holidays is mean. Work on maintaining your smart habits and finding ways in the season that touch your heart, and are also calorie-free.

Hugs,

♥, Wendy

P.s. Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime. 🙂

Happy Friday, All! Let me know how you’re doing with the long weekend!

Pearl One

I’m currently knee-deep in 1938 Manhattan. A Rolls Royce with driver, a glittering Park Avenue apartment and $10,000 diamond chandelier earrings figure prominently.

But here’s the part I love: the author juxtaposes the wealthy world to a more humble man’s way of life. We hear the advice from the heroine’s dad through her thoughts:

“Whatever setbacks he had faced in his life, he said, however daunting or dispiriting the unfolding of events, he always knew that he would make it through, as long as when he woke in the morning he was looking forward to his first cup of coffee.” ― Amor Towles, Rules of Civility

This is my take on the dad’s advice to Katie: summer cottages at the Hamptons are cool and all, but the true luxury in life is the ability to cherish the smallest of pleasures.

Whew.

Isn’t that a good one?

Her dad’s insight applies to our “losing after 50” life too: learning to appreciate the small treasures that have nothing to do with the food-on-steroids in our culture.

Instead a book so exceptional that we finish the last chapter a changed woman; a lengthy cuddle with our fur-sweethearts total attention on our furs-kids rather than multitasking as we scratch their heads; or noting a beautiful walk on a crisp December morning, these are the “desserts” that don’t clash with our smart eating lives.

Nothing against luxuries. As a travel writer, five-star hotels are a blast, but Amor Towles brings it when he says it’s not the chic addresses, or diamonds, or three Michelin starred meals that make a life.

It’s the little things.

Journal-write about what brings you joy – that don’t involve calories – and refer back to your wisdom daily. ♥

Pearl Two

Do you know about this amazing site? The first tier (that I’ve used for years) is totally free, and it’s the coolest.

AllTrails.com reviews every walk/bike/run trail in your town or city. Same when you’re on vacation many places in the world. Looking for a moderately-challenging, but shaded walk? Or are you hoping to find an easy hike to a waterfall? How about a path that passes a dog park?

It’s all at AllTrails.com. ♥

Pearl Three

Last week I wrote that mid- to late-November is the ideal time to tell people in our life, “Please no food gifts.”

So several readers asked, then what should we ask for?

Good point.

I put together this inexpensive list that uplevels all of our smart eating lives. I have every single one of these items below and can attest: awesome.

Pink and Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons. These beauties make a gorgeous gift to give or receive. I actually keep four sets of measuring cups and spoons – albeit not this fancy — in an easy-to-access cupboard because I measure everything. I separate the spoons for easier use. This set all in gold is really pretty too.

Snuggly Snowflake Slipper Socks. I live in slipper socks even in the Atlanta-summers.

Insulated Lunch Bag. I take my petite carrots, baby tomatoes, sliced cucumber, an occasional hardboiled egg and yogurt to eat in the car when I’m running errands.

Books perfect for dessert in the evenings. (Although maybe skip asking for the “Elephant in the Room” for the holidays. People might not appreciate getting Elephant in the Room from you.

Digital Kitchen Scale Digital Weight Grams and Ounces (Stainless Steel).

Reusable Silicone Baking Cups Muffin Liners. I’ve had these exact muffin cup liners for three years. Easy to use, easy to clean. And I never have to worry about running out.”

High Performance Ultra Light No Show Socks. These socks rock for walking.

Heat Resistant Oven Mitts. Love, love, love these guys. Have a red pair that’ve lasted for years.

Hat for the Cold in Leopard. I’m at the dog park for an hour every single day. Late fall into spring it is cold, so I bundle up and top myself off in this hat.  

Pretty Jacket I Love for the Brrr Temps. I rarely buy a new coat or jacket, but I had lunch with a friend who was in therapy to learn to handle a super rough diagnosis. Her therapist suggested she buy a jacket in a color she’d never before considered for herself. She bought an electric blue. I thought it was a great idea, so I bought a jacket in bright green and love it. It keeps me warm when the temps drop into the 40s. (Photo of me in jacket below.)

For the baseball person Lover: Baseball 100.

I hope these gift ideas inspire you to think of new ways to support yourself as you go forward on this quite difficult path we’ve chosen. ♥

Pearl Four

Years into maintenance, I’ve extinguished my evening sugar-athon. However – don’t get me wrong – I had a bad relationship with sugar for years.

But.

We cannot transform a thousand eating habits overnight.

Here’s what I loved to eat in December before I kicked my sugar habit:

• Pepperidge Farm’s Gingerbread Men. Tiny, low calorie, and serving size four. However, not sure how the supply chain problem will impact our little guys, but in normal times I find mine at Kroger.

• Trader Joe’s French Macarons (find in frozen section near the ice cream) – Macarons are a great choice for a low calorie dessert (110 calorie for three macarons). Pair macarons with decaf coffee in the evening or hot tea and you have yourself a nice dessert. My review: More!

• The Santa Clausmopolitan. My thought: Pretty and yum. ♥

• The Simple Candy Cane – At 60 calories per, a candy cane is a classic go-to (dating back to 1670). My only problem: because a candy cane is just 60, I occasionally went bananas and ate 300 calories worth at a sitting. The moral? Don’t be me.

Pearl Five

You don’t get results from focusing on results. You get results from focusing on the actions that produce results.” – Mike Hawkins ♥

I hope you’re having a peaceful holiday weekend.

With love,

♥ Wendy

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.

Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!!

I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥

Easy Christmas Crafts to Make and Sell 

Make This Stunning Light Up Christmas Display From Dollar Store Bowls

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Christmas In The Dining Room

Salt Dough Cookie Garland

Simple Vintage Inspired Ornaments

Twine Tree Tutorial

Whipped Topping Candy

Christmas Cheer With Father Christmas

A Gift Guide & Yesteryear Wisdom for Our Arduous Trek When Losing After 50

Snowmen Bring Christmas Cheer to the Fireplace

Photo by Pexel.

Happy Friday! My backyard at the moment is blanketed in 14-karat gold leaf (the picture is not my backyard.) It looks like a movie set. I hope life is beautiful where you are.

Pearl One

There’s a beloved how-to for writers called Bird-by-Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.

One of many cool takeaways Anne shares is: “E.L. Doctorow once said that ‘Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.’ You don’t have to see where you’re going, you don’t have to see your destination or everything you will pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you.” (Pink emphasis mine.)

I love this quote so much.

As humans we seem wired to “look down the road” and if we can’t see five years into our future? Then we’re done. Losing weight at my age just won’t happen for me. No way will I be able to maintain smart eating for five years. No way on earth.”

Yes Way!

When we take a seemingly mammoth project day-by-day, hour-by-hour, heck, moment-by-moment, all of a sudden we we can bring our dream to life. ♥

Pearl Two

In another lifetime, I knew a woman who didn’t consider it a “real” manicure if the nail polish wasn’t from Chanel. (I know.)

Divas. For the longest time, I thought divas were haughty, difficult women who were incredibly talented, but super entitled.

I was wrong. Turns out, the word diva comes from Italian’s “dea” that means goddess and was initially applied to opera singers who were so talented as to seem like goddesses.

Cool, right?

“In reality, divas are just the women who know what they want and demand to get it.” – Article in CR Fashion Book (think: Vogue).

I like the definition: knowing what we want. The “demand to get it” part for our purposes could instead be about wielding massive action (that I detail here: How Massive Action Creates Serious Weight Loss).

Getting better and better and better at identifying what we need and then taking it seriously and going at it with gusto, is at the heart of being a good diva. 🙂

A few examples.

• At home: “I need sleep.”
• At a restaurant: “I need a carry-out box.”
• In grief: “I need time to cry.”
• In the kitchen: “I need more measuring cups and spoons.”
• At home: “I’m bored, I need a good book.”
• Daily: “I need a long walk.”
• The introvert: “I need time alone.”
• The extrovert: “I need people.”
• All of us: “I need beautiful comfortable sheets and an electric blanket in November.”
• In the closet: “I’m always in black and navy. I need color.”

You see where I’m going. Let’s take back the word “diva” because it never meant a talented, but difficult woman. It always meant goddess. (Sheesh.)

If the idea of going diva sounds overwhelming, commit to one day of living in diva-thought. One day too long? Try being a diva for one hour. And progress from there.

Going goddess is one of the most fun ways to bringing our dreams into reality. ♥

Pearl Three

From My Self-Sabotage Department. Readers are under the (very) wrong impression that I’m perfect re: food.

I worry that I’ve misled you.

Now keeping in mind that I’m in protection-mode (what we once called “maintenance)This morning I had two Toaster Strudels with my coffee. Two. Plural. And all that sugar and fat and preservatives tasted amazing.

That was this morning, this afternoon The Scarfer brought home a bag of my favorite hard candy (Werther’s Original in sugar free, so good). Do I eat one? Of course not. As I type six tiny ripped open bags are sprinkled across my desk. (Can I do anything in moderation??)

I know. You’re thinking, “you call two Toaster Strudels and six hard candies a binge?? You don’t get me at all, lady.”

Wrong! I know a real binge when I see one. Trust me when I say that having kept off 55 for 16 years now, my binges look different today from my heavy years (when nothing in the kitchen was safe. Nothing).

My point: don’t self-sabotage yourself into thinking that to accomplish your dreams, perfection is required.

Not only isn’t it required, but unless you’re Chris Hemsworth perfection doesn’t even really exist. ♥

Pearl Four

Food gifts. As I write, it’s mid-November. This is the moment in time when I remind friends and family, “remember, no food gifts for me! And thank you for understanding!”

This holiday season, don’t give yourself an easy exit by eating food you wouldn’t otherwise let pass your lips because “it was a gift! I had to eat it. All.”

Close all exits by letting everyone in your world know that food gifts for you are a no-go. When they ask you what you would like? Suggest the beautiful gold and pink measuring cup and spoon sets that any Inspired Eater would love. (I have four sets — not fancy — at the ready because I measure almost everything. I don’t care how good you are, “eye-balling will double your portions. Always measure.

So if someone forgets and gives me a box of chocolates or a plate of cookies, I’ll likely re-gift without guilt because everyone had been forewarned. ♥

Pearl Five

“All women are goddesses, and it’s just a matter of letting that goddess-power shine and if you don’t try to be the biggest and baddest damn goddess you can be, you are selling yourself short.” – Kimora Lee Simmons ♥

Happy mid-November everyone. Just wanted to share: if you’re in need of a super sweet show, try Love on the Spectrum. Netflix. Start with season two.

So, so sweet.

♥, Wendy

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.

Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!!

I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥

Snuggly “No Days Off” cozy-wear & photo by CharlotteChanelllc

Hi Everyone!

Happy Friday!

Pearl One

The latest saying goes, Gobble till you Wobble.

Yeah, no.

Overindulging on Thanksgiving straight into our sweatpants is so last century. Today, instead of merely inhaling and/or surviving temptation, let’s set ourselves up to thrive as we maintain over the four day. Losing weight is asking a lot, but maintaining is totally ours.

Behold the powerful, micro-tweaks that removed my Thanksgiving-stuffing behavior for the last 16 years.

Let’s Do This.

First, the right headspace. Our mission is to maintain over the Thanksgiving weekend, and this is the perfect moment to label maintaining: a part-time job. If we don’t seriously prioritize our maintenance-mission, it will steer right off the cliff.

Next, we’ll write a list of our favorite smart foods. Let’s show ourselves that we can take our wants – maintenance — seriously.

At this juncture, I literally write the day I shop onto my calendar because my smart food will likely be sprinkled throughout the grocery-land: some at Trader Joe’s, others at Costco, and many at Kroger. Planning is our North Star.

Once home with our smart food, we pick a cool hiding place in the fridge. (I claimed the top drawer long ago. My family thinks there’s a ton of carrots in there so they steer clear.)

Beware the kitchen. If you’re hosting the event, save your maintenance-mission by preparing food — cooking and baking — only after you’ve had a smart meal.

If you’re visiting the host’s home, only bring smart food options like a huge colorful salad, veggie sides (sautéed in olive oil with a light salt sprinkling), or a light dessert. This way smart food is readily available for you.

Other guests will appreciate smart food offerings too. They may not say it, but most of us over 50 are dealing with weight gain given our food-porn world (and COVID).

Thirty minutes before the Thanksgiving meal itself, “eat before you eat.” Have an apple with peanut butter, baby carrots in hummus, a mug of butternut squash soup (Trader Joe’s). In other words, cut your hunger in half.

One more micro-habit from the naturally-lean of the world. Don’t inhale your Thanksgiving dinner plate (speaking mostly to myself). Take the time to be fully present in the moment noticing your guests, complimenting their beautiful clothes (if they’ve dressed for the occasion) and eating the holiday food slowly. ♥

Pearl Two

If you haven’t yet noticed, I’m no fitness-enthusiast. I was for a second there, but then my yoga instructor moved.

I’m a big believer that weight loss happens through smart food habits. Unless we’re training like an Olympian, working out does little to help weight loss.

That said, the feel good cocktail that floods our brains after a sweaty session? I’m all for those.

Endorphins don’t get the attention they deserve. If at the end of your workout you’re not grinning like a goofball, then walk a little faster, spin a little harder, or take the tougher yoga class.

Endorphins are a great tool in our forever-arsenal that will have our backs throughout the long holiday weekend.

Let’s plan to get our endorphins every single day of the upcoming four-day. So, that’s five sweaty workouts: the day before, Thanksgiving itself, and Friday through Sunday. Five times to get sweaty and giddy. (I’m scheduling it on my calendar.)

Walking, yoga and Pilates are my favorites. ♥

Pearl Three

The Self-Sabotage Department. I love looking at how self-sabotage plays out in my days. It’s so interesting to me that as I profess to want something – say, a clean house – I don’t put a solid plan in place to make the change happen. I make no plans, no strategies, nada. (Keep in mind I live with the head-clutter bug and his two clutter bugs-in-training.)

Okay. See what I just did? My thoughts go to cleaning my house and my brain immediately gets defensive and starts blaming my husband and sons. Being defensive and blame-y serves nobody.

Truth is, I’d rather be doing a billion different things besides cleaning like going to the dentist, pet sitting my friend’s Great Dane, or having the annual holiday-spending argument with The Scarfer. (We’re of different religions: I come from the large holiday gala, he hails from the “what holiday?” home.)

It’s a whole new ballgame the moment I label keeping my house up/losing weight/working out every day a part-time job rather than something that “would be nice to have, if I have time.”

And that’s how you lose after 50. I turned losing into my part-time job so therefore didn’t feel put-upon when it took time to shop for special foods, boil eggs, chop t veggies, and make salads. ♥

Pearl Four

Here’s how I embrace the holiday without turning one meal — Thanksgiving dinner — into a five or six day food-fest.

I keep on hand the first two items and plan to try the third item this weekend!

One — Take a sweet potato. Nuke or bake it in the oven, add a sprinkle of brown sugar and a mini-marshmallow or two and dig in. Repeat as needed.

Two – Buy butternut squash soup from Trader Joe’s. Pour into large mug, sip away.

Three – Wonderful reader Margie in Southern California picked up these fun bites at Costco: Egg White Frittatas and says they’re “so, so tasty. Good when you need something in a hurry.” Perfect and thank you for sharing! I think these cold frittatas are found at the back of the store, in the same case as pesto. (If you’re at the TP, you’ve gone too far.)

Four — I also have a mini whole wheat pumpkin muffin I bake and eat each year when I’m slammed for time. You can easily turn them into mini apple, banana, or blueberry muffins. I’m trying to keep these posts more succinct! Email me if you’d like the mini muffin recipe: Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com. ♥

Pearl Five

There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something you accept no excuses, only results.” ~ Ken Blanchard ♥

For Tuesday’s member-newsletter, send in questions to Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com. It’ll be fun, we can learn from each other. Send in questions, tips, great food ideas and conundrums.

Have a mellow Thanksgiving week! Unless you’d love some excitement. Then have an exciting Thanksgiving!! 🙂

♥, Wendy

You know the scoop: I’m an Amazon affiliate. If you buy from a link in my post, I’ll receive money, but the arrangement won’t cost you a dime.

Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!!

I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥

Denim card holder & photo by Melissa at MemoriesByQueenBee

I’ve tried to write this post at least twice, but stopped worried that you might take this pearl the wrong way.

Here goes.

For starters, I’m not saying that you and I have a narcissist personality disorder (for short: called NPD).

Not at all.

Someone with an NPD diagnosis has a complete lack of empathy for others, is very self-involved, maintains only transactional relationships, and all of this fun permeates every tiny corner of his or her life. Meaning it’s not like someone with NPD is only monstrous at home to be sweetheart in the office.

That is not how NPD works.

Okay, now that’s off my chest, we can return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Everyone has pockets of narcissism.

An example. Long before kids, I volunteered with animal rescue groups. I raised money, fostered and so forth. If I saw a scared dog running down the street, I’d stop and help the love bug out. (I even kept a leash in the car for such a four-legged situation.)

Over the years I fostered more and more animals. Raised more and more money. Kept several fosters. And – of course – eventually burned out.

And there you have an example of my “pocket of narcissism.”

Narcissistic pockets are like when you:

• Think, “of course I can lose weight even if my family wants the cupboards packed with three different kinds of chips and a freezer bulging with ice cream. (At least in the first two or three years you need a “clean” kitchen. Family junk food eaters can hide stuff in top cupboards.)
• Stay up into the wee hours reading (thinking, “I’ll be fine in the morning”, when you’re inevitably zonked).
• Tell your friend. “Sure, I can sit with your elderly mother every Friday afternoon” (when you’d planned on keeping Fridays for a little down time. You think, “It’ll be fine, I can hang out with Norah).

You get the idea.

So how do pockets of narcissism play out in our losing-after-50 lives?

Well we’re deep into the pocket of narcissism when we get disgusted with ourselves for not losing “fast enough”, for not being “better” at losing, or even for not being able to fit into our favorite jeans.

You know how fish don’t know they’re in water? Noticing your own pockets of narcissism is initially like that. You’ve been playing the (exhausted) hero your entire adult life. At this point it just seems normal. ♥

Pearl Two

How do we know when we’re in a narcissistic pocket?

We’re in one when:

• We’re particularly critical of ourselves.
• Think we can take on way more than the average person.
• Notice that certain things we really care about aren’t happening.

How to Manage Our Pocket.

Managing our pocket will never be “one and done.” Knowing to stay on the lookout for our pockets is what straps us into the pilot’s seat.

Your Takeaway.

So, how to move forward with this new info? For starters:

• Ease up on the self-criticism. I mean, really turn down the volume. Journal-write about where the critical voice came from in the first place.
• Look at your “to-do” list and create a “to-don’t list.”
• Take steps towards talking to yourself in an understanding and supportive way. Ask yourself how thinking, I’m such an idiot actually works for you?
• Don’t expect yourself to lose weight throughout the coming holidays. In my mind, maintaining by January 1 is a diamond-studded win. ♥

Pearl Three

The Self-Sabotage Department. Where my great ideas go to die. I have a fab-habit of calendaring my tasks: not just appointments, but workouts, bathroom cleaning and so on.

This week I noticed that I’ve gotten looser and goosier with my calendar habit.

Beginning today I’m calendaring everything: workouts, daily food, sleep: all planned on the calendar.

Join me.

Pearl Four

I was awesome at eating a large daily salad. Then I went on a mostly liquid diet to calm down my TMJ. The TMJ was helped, but my great salad-habit careened off the road.

My plan forevermore: one bowl of salad a day. Here’s what I put together:

• First I put a half-teaspoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a large bowl.
• Then I add two or three handfuls of Spring Mix leafy salad (or Sweet Kale from Costco.)
• Cut in half five or six black olives.
• Toss in baby carrots.
• Add chopped cucumber and chopped baby tomatoes.
• Put a half-teaspoon of olive oil onto the top along with balsamic vinegar.
• Add pepper.
• Then I sprinkle a bit of feta cheese over it all.

Serious yum. ♥

Pearl Five

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

–Vincent Van Gogh ♥

If you’ve found this post helpful, please share with a friend or loved one. Very appreciated. Advertising budget is zero.

We’re just two weeks before Daylight Saving Time ends when we “fall back” an hour. I used to dislike this time-change thing so much because it got dark crazy early on the kids, but now I’m using it to my advantage. I plan to stay on my current sleep schedule but I’ll wake up at 6 a.m. while my body will still thinks it’s 7 a.m. (I need a quiet house, and this is my best chance.) 🙂

Stay well.

Hugs to you and yours,

♥, Wendy

p.s. Are you brand new to the Inspired Eater? Thank you for visiting!! I highly recommend reading the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find her to the right on this page under my short bio.). My posts won’t make a ton of sense if you haven’t first read Aunt Bea.

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