In the Storm

what I've been reading | july

Today, I am sharing all the glorious books I have been reading lately and I am linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy Quick Lit where you can find, even more, great reading possibilities. I adore this time of the month where I visually compile everything I've read here on the blog and permanently document what I've been reading with a scrapbooking page for my annual albums. I get to combine two great loves: scrapbooking and reading.

And, here it is the middle of July and I have already read over half of my goal and checking off more on my 2017 Reading Challenge. I am a bit slim on reading as I have had a house full of family for the past couple of weeks so reading has been low on the priority list.

Love Lives Here by Maria Goff. I have mixed feelings about Love Lives Here. Parts I adored and parts were just hoo hum, bland, and uninspiring. The first chapters were breathtaking and then many of the stories following fell flat, interspersed with a few bold, poignant statements or paragraphs. There was enough here and there to make me hold on but I'm not sure what my take away of this book, is. 48/100

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. After I moved past the unusual beginning - the letter writing - or what I thought was just in the beginning - and realized the entire book was letters, I became engrossed in the conversation between so many different and delightful characters I couldn't put this book down. The idea is brilliant and I loved this story told through only letter writing. 49/100

Still Life by Louise Penny. The debut novel in the Inspector Armand Gamache series and, I hope, another beloved series. I wasn't even half way through the book and I was already thinking I would definitely be reading the next in the series. 50/100

Unshaken, a Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. This beautiful novella is the story of Ruth, the Moabitess, who by God's grace is in the lineage of Jesus, the Christ. Rivers, remaining true to scripture, yet with plausible liberties, offered a storied life of how Ruth became one of the most beloved women of the Bible and a great, great, great....grandmother of Jesus. 51/100

 

Naked In Death by J.D. Robb. While it's true I have already read Naked in Death, it is, however, a check in a box on my 2017 Reading Challenge list, read a book you have already read.

Hell's Corner by David Baldacci. A bit out of order, as I usually like to begin a series of books from - well - the beginning. But when I picked it up from the bookshelf they have at my work I didn't realize it was the fifth in a series. I enjoy well-written counterintelligence suspense novels and this one does not disappoint. While I certainly believe reading a series in order is best I haven't been concerned by anything I might have missed as Hell's Corner reads much like a stand-alone book. 52/100

 

All the other books I've read this year can be found here: January  |  February  |  March  |  April  |  May  |  June

Whole 30 | the beginning of the journey

I am unashamed to admit I need help. I love food. But, my body betrays me, almost daily, that food - or at the very least the food I eat - doesn't like me. I am at a weight I said, after having John and Jarrod 20 years ago, I would never get to again. Yet, here I am. It is a painful, heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching admission.

I like me. I buy new clothes and like buying new clothes. But, the mirror is evil-personified.

Then there is moving. Or, not being able to move. Sometimes, just walk let alone run. I set under-inspiring bucket list goals because I can't move or my size limits my choices.

I could say I'm not making changes, as of today, because I want to be beautiful in my husband's eyes. But that would be a lie. I am making changes because I want to be beautiful in my husband's eyes.

That is not the only reason.

That is not the most important reason.

Yesterday, I began Whole 30, a journey, I hope, to living free of pain. Of weight. Of an unhealthy relationship with food.

Maybe, I'll receive the added bonus of hearing my husband say, "You're beautiful!" But, for clarification, he already has my back and loves me deeply and generously.

WHY?

So, why Whole 30?

For the next 30 days I am on a cleansing journey. Cleansing my body of the unhealthy that causes - well - inflammation. I have rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, bursitis, my back aches, my hips scream, my knees don't work, and I need relief. After reading the book, It Starts with Food, I felt this was the best avenue I could take especially after reading the author of the book's very own sister had RA and because she changed the way she ate all her RA symptoms disappeared.

Don't get me wrong. This isn't a whim or skim the top of the water decision. Instead, I'm jumping in with both feet. I read the book. I weighed the consequences. I joined a local Whole 30 Facebook group. I have researched and planned and plotted my course. I can't spout all the science behind it but it made sense as I was reading and researching. Change the way you eat. Remove those foods that have been proven to cause inflammation.

So, yesterday, July 10, 2017, I began Whole 30.

Let's Do This!

WHAT?

What does this involve?

I'm eliminating certain foods from my diet. Simply put, I am removing all sugar. The only, and I mean ONLY sugar allowed is in fruit. Period. Therefore, I am reading labels, especially packaged meat such as bacon because most bacon HAS sugar. Can you believe it!

I am removing all grains, which of course means breads, pasta, rice, etc...and a host of other things because it is comprised of some form of grain.

Then, there is dairy. Yep! Gone.

No BUTTER allowed! Thankfully, clarified butter is Whole 30 approved (insert smiley face and a happy dance).

No CHEESE allowed! I know, right? It is enough to say, 'Nope, can't do it. Not gonna' happen!'

But, there is good news.

Meat and seafood and vegetables (except corn) and fruit are allowed.

HOW?

How am I going to do 30 days of this kind of eating? Simple.

One.

Day.

At.

A.

Time.

And, at the end of each day I didn't cheat I am checking off the day as a success. I'm not seeing the 30 days I'm seeing today. Tomorrow I will only worry about tomorrow's success.

Well, there is the planning I've been doing. And the meal planning. And the whole food buying. And the practicing. And the food prepping. And talking it up with my husband and my family who are in my corner and want me to succeed. And the Facebook group cheering me on with 'You've got this!'

And so, day one - SUCCESS!