Cari - strawberries are a trigger food for me...I have to tread carefully! I'm finding my sweets cravings are far better managed when I make myself avoid them altogether. It has gotten easier, but some days i still have some... Work in progress, right?

And KUDOS to starting to feel free of all the mental crap that goes along with some foods. Crazy, isn't it?

Nancy - I'm just chuckling a bit because too much of EVERYTHING here. And yes, people get their feelings hurt because they look at that gift as part of themselves, not realizing that that times how many friends and such you have makes it hard on you... Maybe you should say, "Thank you for all your gifts over the years. Due to space issues when traveling, I'm selecting my favorite gift from you out of many to keep close to my heart. I wanted to let you know how much you and these things mean to me, but I can't take everything, as I have to take part of all my friends. I wanted to offer you the chance to reclaim any of the items that may have special meaning to you..."

Many times they'll say, Thanks, go ahead, donate them or whatever... Just a thought. (Wording is rough, sorry!)

Finished my stupid class to wrap up my legal matter next week...so one thing down. I have to decompress some over how pointless it was and what a waste of time before I can pick my next item!

Happy Wednesday, all.

My favorite way to eat strawberries is either by themselves, dipped in whip cream, or blended up in a strawberry cheesecake fat bomb - and these are like Pringles - eating just one? Nope.

One monkey, definitely done, but not all. Working as I can.

Believe it or not, keto is easier than low carb. When you drop in that low, it literally assassinates most your cravings within a couple days. You might have to watch electrolytes close when you first drop. Since most mental disorders in women are at least amplified by hormones, it makes sense that going low carb helps, though I know low carb helps other things, too. Me, once I realized how close I was to keto, I decided to give it a try, and jumped in the next day. I went low carb 1/15/15, and Keto 2/18/15. I've had two off plan days, but I haven't knocked myself fully out... Keto also gives you control. By knowing your limits clearly, it removes that gray area. It's black or it's white. Also, being under 40 grams consistently will eventually get you into keto, but 20 grams is the "gold standard" number...moves you in quickly keeps you there without much problems.

I drink tea whenever I want to. Sometimes not often, sometimes multiple glasses a day. If I'm feeling luxurious, I'll add some heavy cream, if not, as is. I ALWAYS use a small bit of AS. The tannin levels in tea cause a weird reaction in my mouth if I don't use some kind of sweetener. That being said, let me tell you - I have discovered that I react to pretty much everything in some way - usually cravings. Ironically, Aspartame doesn't generally mess with me, but it tastes like crap! LOL But, the best one I have found is Sweet Leaf Stevia. I don't trigger with it, and you can't use too much, it starts tasting weird... It is the only with with a true 0 glycemic impact, and even the fillers in organic stevias were problems for me, but Splenda (surcralose) as the worst! I generally can't use the liquid ones because whatever is in "natural flavors" triggers migraines in me... So I get packets. Been almost a month and since I cut back my sweeteners, I havent' even gone through a whole box.

I hadn't heard about all this mess with Reggie... Lies and BS will alter a relationship like no one's business.... I"m sorry to hear that. And as optimistic as I try to be, my cynical side says no, you can't find a normal man who doesn't do those things - unless he's a priest - or a geeky 19 year old virgin (I have a soft spot for nerds)... All men have their weak spots. It's your job to decide what is worth living with. Some things just aren't.

Cheating is a huge one for me. My ex had an 18-month on-off affair with my former best friend. We were separated twice during that time, but not due to her. I found out after he ended it...and still was stupid enough to reconcile with him, have a kid, and waste the next ten years of my life on him.

My fiance is a traditional storyteller (he's Native and also within his faith), and he really knows how to add flourishes to carry a story along... But he doesn't cheat, steal, or con...his dad was a con man. Like legitimately. So he won't put up with that either... I just don't always understand his ways, nor he mine, but it is a tolerable difference...

hugs

mindfulness coloring book? I"ll have to look that up! (hugs), LIse...

It's hell admitting things like that about Reggie, but I'm glad you know yourself well enough and are strong enough these days to do what you need to do for yourself!!!

Love that about the planner, but I'm terrible with them. I make lists but never use them. I start a planner and neglect it. I create budgets but don't enforce them... UGH, all of it...

Good luck. Around here I can't find a part time thing to save my BUTT!!!! I did just finally get a small raise (first since 2011), but our medical coverage costs went up too, so it was like a wash... Frustrating.