Food Storage for Lovers

My oldest baby is sick today with a fever. It made for a nice mellow day at home and I am finally taking a breath after another crazy few weeks. I even took a nap today. (The miracles will never cease!) I got a new calling this past week that sent me rummaging, in a brief emotional moment of stress, for chocolate throughout the house: Young Women's President. And I have been canning again (thanks to my great friend).

The bad news of the month is that I haven't really made a lot of progress in the weight loss department (currently at 168 lbs and holding), but the good news is that I haven't made any gains, either. And I am learning so much--about myself, about food, and about self-control in general.

I think why this month has been harder is because I am trying to tighten up the self-control muscles in multiple areas of my life. I am trying to learn to eat consistently, well (ie not wasting time eating gross food, emphasizing whole-grains, fruit, vegetables, etc), and with gratitude for it.

I am also trying to become stronger, physically. This involves breaking down years of mind barriers (I'm not that kind of person...) in addition to just plain getting up earlier than the children to exercise.

Then there is the budget. Without divulging too many boring details, we have enacted a tighter stance. And though there is money that could be spent, we are trying not to spend it.

Not to mention the fervent desires of my heart for meditation, scriptures and prayer. They go without saying and, always for me, take discipline and constant attention.

Mix it all together and I am running out of indulgences, frankly. I cannot (or will not) eat mounds of cookie dough. I am not wantonly purchasing to my heart's content, and I am trying to be frugal even in the necessities. The advent of motherhood has effectively relegated personal exercise and spiritual enlightenment to the early morning hours. And the list goes on and on.

Where can a girl catch a break?

Finally, though, in the interest of complete disclosure, I am not tearing it up in any of the above categories. Really, I am not. But there is so much satisfaction and power in the attempting--in the striving. And I can feel my heart changing.