I strongly believe that our journeys are interconnected and that our individual transformation is not just for the self but also for the sake of others. Thus, while planning this first Wellness Initiative gathering, it was imperative that we stayed true to that belief by not only providing information on the selected topics but also creating a channel for us to learn from one another.
One of the elements of wellness that seem to be a challenge for many of us is maintaining our physical health. We are either afraid of finding out the unknown and thus stay away from everything medical; we don’t have the right information to make better choices or we know what we ought to do but simply can’t seem to follow through. It was, therefore, important for this Wellness Initiative to also focus on physical health, hence the topic of Clean Eating.
Interestingly, for the past few months or so I have been following my friend Linda Sellers who has embarked on her own “clean eating” and wellness journey and who has been generous with sharing along the way. I celebrate her commitment and accomplishments and am ecstatic that she will be joining us June 4th to share with our Sabătica community and help us approach our own quest for weight loss/clean eating/well-being with the right mindset and tools.
As a foretaste of what to come, below is a brief exchange I had with Linda. Enjoy and join us at the Bartlett Arboretum for much more.
The Wellness Initiative is your own personal invitation and a gentle reminder to make your total well-being a priority and a partnership offering to make that a reality and a way of life.
Please tell us about yourself!
I’m 39 years old. I work with children with special needs at New Canaan Public Schools. I have a 19 year old son named Andre who attends a local college in town. I enjoy going to Church..serving the LORD through Worship. It’s so refreshing and life giving. I also have quite a blast spending time with family and friends. I enjoy volunteering at a local homeless shelter; I believe it’s important to give back. For, freely it’s given on to us, freely we should give; one of the many things my mother taught me as a child. (Soo good)
The highlight of my days is my alone time…I love to read a good book or sitting in silence.. .kick off my shoes & sip my Match Tea or iced Match in my comfy cozy chair by the window. Hello all 4 seasons. Oh such a treat!
What prompted you to change your diet and adopt “clean eating”?
I had a major health scare. I was put on a cardiac and low sodium diet. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. But on the 3rd day, I started to reflect on what I was being fed and realized something wasn’t right.
They did a great job with portion control; no table salt, low carbs. However when I had my breakfast, a small muffin with margarine, I became sick. I knew I needed to educate myself on what’s healthy for me once I was discharged from the hospital.
My family started to help me research healthy eating. I became aggressive. I prayed for GOD to heal me from over-eating. I was able to get to the root of my eating disorder by surrendering it to GOD and I began a clean eating program that’s tailored for me. YAYYY!!!
How would you, in your own words, describe “clean eating”?
Clean eating for me is eating natural or organic, grass-fed meats/fish. Two servings of 3oz of protein twice a day.
This includes nuts and almond butter/peanut butter. Fresh or frozen organic fruits/ veggies…. Sometimes I get regular. It’s all about the budget..however I don’t and I won’t ever get regular beef due to the way my body processes it. I only purchase items with five or less ingredients. I believe less ingredients means more natural. Nothing prepackaged. No frozen meals.
How has that changed your life?
– I am no longer on meds for my heart
– My pseudo tumor has shrunk
– My optic nerve damage is improving
– My Bones don’t hurt when I wake up in the morning
– I have more energy than usual
– My skin looks great
– I lost 47 pounds since January 14 till present
I am accountable with my weight loss management through weekly meetings and weekly weigh ins along with some light exercise, walking on the treadmill or outside enjoying nature.
I do make mistakes along the way. The goal is to be aware and to expose them. Just being real with myself has helped me recognize that I will not be perfect; hey it’s okay, no big deal is what I tell myself. You are allowed to make mistakes along the way.
Thank you, Linda, for your authenticity and grace and for encouraging us to never give up; to keep going with everything we’ve got — faith, determination, education, action. xxx
sabătica 