Hi Loves.. How are your weeks?!
On Sunday night I went to the Blue Jackets game with my parents & Gardner! Before we left, I had my snack which featured this bar & an orange
I bought these because they were on sale & fit well into my meal plan but I wasn’t sure if I’d like them. It was pretty good!!
After the game, I got a late dinner with my parents at a restaurant called Betty’s. Betty’s is a small diner/bar but has really impressive vegetarian/vegan options! I started with black bean hummus and pita (gotta get my carbs!!) & then got the warm 3 mushroom salad with goat cheese & schwezan marinated tofu… soo good!
It was a fun game!! They won (which hasn’t been happening much lately :[) & it was just a good time.
I decided to make some overnight oats! I included blueberry oikos, 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of water & then topped it with cinnamon raisin swirl, banana, and some cocoa roast almonds
Gardner came over & we had this GRAND idea that we would go to lunch at jersey mike’s subs(i’m trying to venture out to new placess.. i’d never been) & then sled. well the first part happened, the second part not so much :-\…it was cold!!
But i LOVED Jersey Subs.. I got THIS babbby
JUST KIDDING!!! haha that was the boys! He got the GIANT turkey & provolone sub.. oh boysss..
I got this turkey & provolone wrap- delicious 🙂
oh & check out the picklee– that is so me! haha
I had IOP and had to leave at 5.. as always, I ate dinner there & had the portabello mushroom veggie burger with swiss cheese & pretzels, a sliced pear, carrots & some almonds
IOP went pretty well- nothing particularly noteworthy. Afterwards, Gardner and I went to see Up in the Air & it was good but soo sad. We had a good time together and there were only 2 others in the movie theatre. I’d recommend the movie! When i was there, I snacked on a luna peppermint stick bar, 12 cocoa roast almonds, & some grapes.
This moring I finally tried egg-white oats!! I put 1/3 cup of oatbran iwth 1/4 cup of liquid egg whites & 3/4 cup of water. I also had peanut butter, banana, & a half serving of granola on top… soo good! I love the fluffiness the egg whites caused.
Look at that beautyy 🙂
A♥J
The other day, this girl talked about how she was completely present while knitting. I was talking to Gardner about this because lately i’ve really been working on being more present in my life & experiences. I know that it is unrealistic to expect to always be tuned into what I am doing, but at the same time, I hate the way that eating disorders can make you go through the motions without really living or experiencing things.
Life should be about the moments that you are completely in tune with what you are doing, who you are with, or whatever it may be. Last night, after the movie, Gardner & I sat in his car for 15 minutes and had really great, deep, heartfelt conversation. I felt so completely tuned in, happy & content and it felt good. I decided it was my goal to try to tune in to what I am experiencing at least once a day- no distractions, no Ed thoughts, nothing besides the present.
We talked about how nature can do that for us. It is so amazing to just take in your surroundings & really appreciate them.
(love http://www.weheartit.com –> great site, Lexi!! hah I heard about it from you)
Are there any moments you can think of where you have just been completely in tune with what is going on?
I hope you are all having a great week & I really enjoyed hearing about your collections 🙂 very cool!
xoxoxoox
Shelley♥
Finding Happiness and Health 
I LOVE pickles with sandwiches!
Aww…agreed Shelley! I try to be really tuned in and present to moments too…b/c you’re never going to get them back, you know? It’s great to be reminded of that :). Happy Tuesday!
I like the idea of adding the egg to the oats and would like to give it a try in order to fit more protein into my breakfasts; how did you cook the concoction?
LOVE the blog by the way! You’re truly and inspiration girl!
-Allyson
http://runningintheinbetween.wordpress.com/
Hey hun!!
What a great post! Have you ever read The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle)? It’s a whole book dedicated to to exactly what you’re talking about–learning to be more present. I had to read some parts for a course in college and I became hooked. I bought the book and read the whole thing. Just a few weeks ago I actually re-read it as I found it so incredibly beneficial. It’s honestly the most life-changing book I’ve ever read!
If you pick it up let me know what you think! It is fantastic!!!
xo
Lauren
http://www.Biochemista.com
I love the idea of this ‘being present’ so manh times we can often go through the motions of something and not think about it, but being present brings SO much to the current situation that we are experiencing. Thank you for brining this up! I have never been to a Jersey subs, but it looks so great!! that is a HUGE sub!! we have a sub place in my town call ‘mighty subs’ and they make GINOURMOUS subs like that, all the boys in HS used to go there for lunch 🙂
have a great day girl!
I don’t know if it counts as being present… In fact, it may be the exact opposite! But I love getting so involved or absorbed in a task (like collaging 😉 ) that I totally lose track of time and everything around me. No ED thoughts in my head, nothing. So I’m not aware of or present in my surroundings, but I’m just being. It hasn’t happened it a long time, but I love when it does. Nice that you can talk to Gardner about such deep things!
Way to eat out girly!
Rachael*
Wonderful post, girl! I have a hard time being in the moment because I am so busy and always looking forward to the next thing- weekend, finishing school, vacations, or even the end of the day. It’s so hard to just be still and not wish away life!
Thanks for this post and I think you are doing a fabulous job and learning so much (along with teaching us along the way)!
Shelly! I wanted to make sure you were knitting, I was going to write you an email about it. Knitting and sitting go hand in hand!
You should be posting what you’re knitting- the furthest I got was scarves- this year I’m trying to switch to crochet.. here’s hoping.. haha
hey girl! i actually don’t knit- jenny does 🙂 i think it would be fun though!!
Your portobello mushroom burger looks sooo good! I definitely have a problem living and staying in the present. Sometimes it’s so hard to stop thinking about upcoming things that you forget about what’s going on around you right now. I’m really trying to work on that, especially since I’m going into my last semester of college. Have a great day girl!
That’s one of my goals to, to be in “tune” more,to stop thinking about food all the time, and just enjoy the moments.
That is one huge sandwich! I’ve been wanting to see that up in the air movie to, glad to hear you enjoyed it. I’ve yet to try egg white oats but hear great things about them to – i must try that now with all the cold morning 🙂
I wish I could say I was present and in tune more. I’m practicing a lot more yoga lately, which is helping. When I swam back in college I always felt present, I miss that!
I like the idea of being in the moment. That is something I need to work on too. I should learn how to knit! It would probably help prevent binges and such. Your dinner looks so good! Love the hummus and mushroom dishes!
hey i was jw. at iop, u can have like diet crack…i mean coke and powerade zero and stuff? wow! at all the places ive been to it had to be milk, juice, blah blah blah!
keep up the great work! i luv ya
Love this post! I definitely feel in the moment on long walks and also when I’m by myself in the mornings. It’s my time to ponder.
Have a wonderful day!
Sarah
P.S. My bf eats like Gardner ; )
I like how those carrots look an attractive way to eat vegetables for sure 😛
And that sunset photo is priceless 🙂
I saw up in the Air too! Decent.
I once attempted a full week of silence.. 82 hours I think I did? My first blog entry is immediately after it ended.
Wow, talk about experiencing the present moment. I now try to do a full 24 hours of silence whenever I am trying to cleanse myself of something negative… or whenever I am transitioning to a new phase of life (I will probably do one right before I start my new job)… It’s kind of a way for me to start fresh. TRY IT!
ahh i need to be more present in school.. i get SO busy sometimes and sometimes i just have to be still and pray! love jersey mikes..hahah thats totally the sub my boy would get too! the biggest ones! keep doing great shell!
I’ve found it’s much easier to feel “present” since I started daily meditations. It carries over into the rest of your day.
Great sub!
Aww I’m so glad you have been able to spend so much time with your bf. You guys seem like you’re such a great couple:)
One of my goals for the year is to be “present” more often, rather than always filling my brain with “to-dos” and other junk. I have been working hard on this goal, and have found that my ability to stay focused even on simple things like a MOVIE has become much better. It’s crazy how much of a difference it makes if you just remind yourself to stay in the moment, and focus.
I have not been to Betty’s but I hear it’s really good! I’ll have to make a trip there soon 🙂
Id say nature is a big one. or just sitting with people I love having a meaningful conversation (some of the best moments you can have in your life. hands down).
That hummus plate looks AWESOME!
Glad you’re doing well girly! 🙂
I’d say I’m very much present when I’m working out and blasting my music. It’s such a great feeling to be all sweaty and have your heart pumping while you’re listening to some great tunes. Music and exercise are two things I’m very passionate about, and combining them makes for a wonderful experience. 🙂
such a great goal to spend some time each day being very mindful and present. lol love that you took a pic of your IOP dinner!
I think that being present is so important but people tend to focus too much on the past or future. Being outside helps me a lot to focus on the present and great conversations as well.
I can’t wait to see Up in the air. It must be fabulous.
That dinner looks so good!
Good luck staying with everything and staying present 🙂
Great post! Being present is so important, I like the concept of ‘mindfulness’ a lot…Do you also notice the difference with bad ED-days in the past? Being present just wasn’t an option then…(at least not for me). So glad that’s over!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Loved this post so much! I need to work on that as well.
Bettys! Love it.
I am obsessed with overnight oats. I always crave them on mornings that I haven’t prepped them the night before, that’s the only problem! blah, but yeah overnighters are so so good.
Your IOP meal looks fantastic!! Reminds me of my meals actually. I love veggie burgers so much.
Glad you like weheartit!!! I love that site so much. there are so many inspirational and creative photos on there.
I like your idea of stay present. I am the happiest when I forget the past and don’t think about the future. it’s about the here and the now.
I don’t know when you go back to school — but let me know if you want to do something this weekend! I’m free friday before 2 or after 6, saturday all day and sunday all day!
Have a great day love!
Glad you had a great night at the game! Bettys restaurant sounds like a great place to eat!!
Fir your overnight oats how was the water? I usually add milk!
Congrats on trying mikes subs for the first time, love turkey wraps!
I need to try having egg white with my oats! Seems like it gives the oats do much more volume.
Jenna
You definitely need to read The Power of Now. It touches on this very subject of being “present.” I try so hard to be present, but with things like work, ughhhh, it is so hard to not just go through the motions. But important stuff like spending time with family… I feel like I’m getting much better about appreciating every minute of it.
you totally had me craving a pickle!! haha
do you order your meal at IOP? or bring your own?
Ahhh I’ve been DYING to try egg whites in oats, and I haven’t gotten around to it yet! Maybe tomorrow?! And thats such a great realization- I hate when I feel like I’m going through the motions and not really LIVING life to its fullest… thats a great goal!
ohh and I had a peppermint Luna today too- they are my fav it was sooo good:)
i’m so glad you tried the egg white oats! SO good in oatbran 🙂 it makes them like a bagillion times bigger and all think and creamalicious 🙂 mmm you’ll never want them any other way!
So glad you liked egg whites in your oats! yummmy. 🙂
The time that I’m most present would be when I’m running, attending a concert of a band that I love, or when I’m watching documentaries.
Whenever I’m doing these things, I just feel totally alive and enthralled.
oh that pita sounds delicious!
Hey, Shelley!
I´m such a fan of your blog!
You´re like an inspiration to me 🙂
But I just wanted to ask you..
Do you think you could eat that sandwich?
You know, the one you said it was yours, at first… a foot-long turkey&provolone sub.
And, if you don´t… Why, exactly?
Phisically? Mentally?
I´m really curious… you know, I have some eating issues too.
(By the way, loved the “Gertrude” idea! Talking about it has became much more easy, now.)
Kisses from a brazilian reader,
G.
you know a sandwich is huge when it needs to be cut in to FOUR parts! oh boys and their endless hunger.. gotta love ’em 🙂
I strive to “be present” each and every day. Often times I get caught up in anticipating the outcome of different situations rather than focusing and appreciating on what’s happening at that given moment. I’m slowly learning that life is FAR too short to not take full advantage of each and every moment. Thanks for the reminder, sweetheart! xo
I’m so great that you’re able to focus on what you’re doing and how you feel about it. i feel like that whenever I’m out in nature doing my job…it’s amazing what’s out there!
SO TRUE about being present! When I was active in my ED, i was never concentrating on anything, just always pre-planning what i was going to do next and in what order/obsessing about logistics…or thinking about food/weight/the stupid obsessions.
Btw, I loved Up in the Air…George Clooney always manages to make his characters so sexy!
Being present in the moment is something I definitely need to work on.
I love that flavor of luna!! That power bar looks pretty good. I may have to give it a try!
i loved what you said about being present. it’s so weird how we can literally get caught up thinking about something and miss every other little thing going on around us. but i think being aware of this is even more important in solving this problem right?
love the eats as usual
xoxo
I love how you brought up the topic of being in tune with yourself and your surroundings. It’s not something I usually THINK about but when it happens, and I NOTICE that it’s happening.. I love the feeling. It’s both relaxing and beautiful.
Exercise helps me get to that place, but not just any exercise – outside exercise. Other times when it happens are just completely random. 🙂
I like Jersey mikes.. but haven’t been there in a while..
I completely agree that its important to tune in and experience the moment… sometimes I have a day go by and I can’t really tell you what happened as I get so wrapped up with everything else in my life.
Hello Love!!!!!! Mmmmm those subs you and your boy got look good, Jersey Mikes is good, have not had that in a while : )
I want to see that movie Up In The Air, glad to hear it was good : )
Have a great night love !! xoxo
I’m trying to be more “present” as well. It’s part of Buddhism that I’m trying to accompany into my daily life. I’m a big multi-tasker and I’m trying to learn to slow down and enjoy things a bit more.
I really liked Up in the Air as well 🙂
Being present–such a neat concept!!
I love Jersey Mikes–although I do prefer Subway! Powerbars sound yummy!!
❤ jess
xoxo
This post is so great Shelley. I jsut cant get over it. So much to say, dont know what to say.Too much. Your thoughts at the end are so real and true. I admire u enormously.
Shelley-
I love reading your blog and I love reading other peoples comments. It is so great how many people you inspire! It must feel very rewarding. Keep up the good work! Were so proud of you!
Also, maybe we should learn how to knit 🙂
A summer project perhaps????
Love, Mom xxooxx
“being more present in my life & experiences”–this is such an awesome thing. That is my yoga. Being mindful, present, not jumping forward or replaying the past, but being in the moment. It is a gift to recognize the need to do this, esp at your age. I am so proud of you for observing this and trying to be more present, ED or not. This is something EVERYONE can benefit from 🙂
thx for the sweet comments you always leave me, they make me smilllllle 🙂
Being present in the moment is so important..We really do appreciate and sense things we never did. Life becomes more richer and meaningful when present as opposed to just skimming past all the small but important details…
Shelley!
Not only do you have strength, courage and determination with all your fabulous eating… your WISE too!? Hehe.. I really love the fact that this post is so honest.
It is really important to realize what ED takes away from us every day. I do something similar with my therapist called Quiet Time… it’s a way of separating yourself from all the distractions and looking at reality for a few moments. I find after I do this, I am able to appreciate and notice the little things more 🙂
xox
Tat
Your egg white oats look delicious 🙂 I use to love putting granola on top of oats… I might have to venture back to doing that soon.
Great job, hun, on going out to different places to eat! Your strength is very inspiring 🙂
I struggle a lot with being present too… it seems like my mind is always pulling me back into the past or forward into the future. It just takes so much effort to stay focused on the present moment… but with practice comes perfect, right? 🙂
i dunno! HOWEVER (whoops, i just hit caps lock) i am really present when i’m running or more importantly, when i’m lifting HEAVY. especially during max lifts. (dangerous if you’re not careful) hmm. I’ve NEVER tried powerbar! WHOA!
=D
and yes. STIRFRY! next time you eat a stirfry YEL IT OUT! say it loud, say it proud
The food at Betty’s looks delish! 😀
I’ve been working on being more in tune with the present as well- as a planner, it’s hard not to always be planning for the future, but it’s so nice to just be still and appreciate the present 🙂
great post girl! I gotta say your egg white oatmeal looks super delish!!!! Yumz! I tink its true, for me at least. Sometimes you just get caught up in the motion of life and forget to live. Im trying to be better with that for sure. Im trying to tune into my body and just listen to it more. Its great to appreciate what you have in the moment. Have a wonderful day!
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