Autumn Rambling...and the Round Trip Winner Announced

autumn layout made in Lightroom 4 with added touches applied in photoshop

Hello lovelies,

It's October.... already.... Oh my.....The other day on IG I wrote Happy September? Am I really a month behind? 

Autumn has been extra pretty this year. Such a gift..... I've been snapping lotsa pics on our walks... I gotta appreciate the lovely shades while they are here... Winter is LONG and a little dull....in our parts. :)

Here's a few recent pics...taken by the lake.... If you look real close at the bottom right image...that little white speck is Benny. 

It seems like so long since we've chatted. How are you? Tell me...what's new?

It's been a busy few months around here.... life seems to by flying by so quickly... I really wish it would slow down... But that's not going to happen!! So I suppose the key is enjoying the moment... right here... right now. 

'sigh'......

I had a revelation the other day.... I realize that without a doubt when the pressures on... I want CARBS... I mean it's a constant thing...craving crackers, toast, chocolate... pretty much any carb will do!! I try to pick the 'healthier ones'.... and do it in moderation....but still... the craving is always there.

My revelation... I'm a stress eater!! I don't think of myself as high-stress person....I'm pretty laid back.... But maybe that's cause when I'm stressed I eat carbs to supress the stress??? Hmmmm... Anyhow, yesterday I went cold turkey... no 'bad' carbs.. NONE... and I'm going to try that for the next few weeks.... I need to get them out of my system...So I ate lots of veggies, greek yoghurt, nuts, berries, scrambled eggs... nothing processed, nothing white.... and so far so good..... Wish me luck.... I can do this!! Actually...for me...it's so much a head thing... once I make up my mind...I'm usually pretty good at following through...fingers crossed.... 

Oh that reminds me.... John ordered a juicer the other night.... Do you juice? If so, any tips? I have no idea if I will be able to juice... I have this thing about liquids I don't like...causing me to gag..... Ugh... TMI? (too much information?... probably..hah)

Anyhow, I'm open to juicing suggestions.... 

So, lovely friends.... tell me... do you love carbs too? :) I know I'm not alone.... Any tips..... 

Okay.... I've rambled on... enough of that....  I must tell you the Round Trip winner......

Big congrats to....Donna Hopkins... Send me an email Donna...so I can get you 'hooked up'.

Round Trip begins on October 30th... would love to have you join us!

Okie doke... I'm off... Hoping your day is lovely...

xo, Kim

Comments

[Yvonne Michelle @Photecstasy]

I'm the worst person in the world when it comes to eating healthy. My mom used to make granola in the 70's & 80's. My dad would eat wheat germ for breakfast. I would have died to have sugar cereal growing up. My parents were addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper & Diet Coke. I can't stand diet, but I'm a bonafide Coca Cola Classic addict. I need to figure out something, because I'm in the same boat as you. I never used to be like this, then all of a sudden I woke up one day & was hungry. All. the. time. I hate it. I'm anxious to see how your carb detox goes! Good luck! :) xo Yvie.

[Kerri]

Oh yes..... I am a fellow carb lover ..... really have to work at not shoving too many in my mouth. I find that "Light" popcorn is a great alternative to chips and crackers .... and it punches the ticket for me :)

Your Autumnal Images are absolutely amazing.

And you - Yes YOU - are so inspiring :)

[Kathy]

Kim, love the collage of Autumn, my favorite time of year! Juicing is great. Use organic carrots tho and add sweet fruit to off set any bitter greens like kale or spinach. Start slow w beet amounts, yum. I divide into the small jelly jars and just store in 'frig 1 1/2 day worth. Some people use the fiber leftovers to add to soups etc.
I am on Weight Watchers w my sister and friend. In 4th week and making progress big difference in face and chest within first week! I Started a daily walk in early morning and last week stepped it up to jog spurts. Turning 60 on Halloween so it is never too late. You honestly inspired me to chase my photo passion after I retired! Now it is spilling over into a whole life appreciation, I can't believe I look forward to my morning walk that gives me the energy to enjoy the rest of the day. With the cooler Calif weather I am taking my Art of Texture supplies outside to make a mess and create some textures. Maybe I will even crank up the dusty juicer today. Good luck on no bad carbs, you are going to feel great soon!

[Diana]

Juicers can be good, but all the fibre gets left behind.

[Darlene]

I love autumn/fall and especially halloween
Juicing I can send you info - I have some recipes but making healthy smoothies is what I do - heloed me stay healthy throughout my journey with breast cancer
Wheat grass is good for juicing and extremely healthy. I drink a shot almost everyday
Its ok to cheat once in awhile but I modtly eat fruits and veggies.

[Andrea]

Good for you Kim. Try fresh apple juice. Yummy, nothing like fresh. There are some great books out there also when you want to try mixing. Great fall collage.

[Deb M]

I am so bad when it comes to emotional eating. When stressed, I love carbs of any kind (though crunchy ones are my favorites)-then I tend to get more stressed when I realize that I've just ingested a million or so calories of not -so-healthy food. Popcorn is an excellent suggestion. I don't know if you have it in your area, but we have packaged, seasoned popcorn made by the makers of Annie's kettle corn called Boom Chicka Pop (or something like that). 35 calories per cup and it tastes great-just a touch of salt. this time of year, fresh apples are also a good choice for me-sweet and crunchy :)

I also am a Diet Coke addict-folks at work tell me that everything is better if you just drink some extra water every day-might help with the cravings!

Good Luck!
Deb

(and your photos are great!)

I've never juiced, but I have a SIL who swears by it-I'll check with her to see if she can share a few favorite combinations.

[Sylvia]

Oh, you're not alone, Kim, I love carbs too !
We went to a pumpkin market on Sunday and there were macarons and they looked delicious ...
I couldn't resist buying some :-)
I've taken photos and my image for tomorrow's Beyond challenge is about these sweeties ...
Your Autumn collage is gorgeous, lovely warm tones !
Nice day,
Sylvia

[Sarah]

Beautiful images! I am with you - once I decide to quit something it is easy, it is the decision that is hard. I am a boredom eater, so I try to have something to do even if I am sitting down, keeps the hands busy :) Good luck with the juicer! The smell of strange liquids sets me off. Have a great rest of your week!

[JennM]

Just want to say that I find the blue tones of your autumn photos so refreshing. There is an amazing balance of traditional warm autumnal tones, but the blue in the photos ...its really captivating.

and you can do it! (the "good" carb thing!) ;)

[Viv Halliwell]

I have the will power of a pea .... Carbs I love bread especially, but now I'm making my own bread with apple and raisins yum..

[Barb]

Lately I've been eating tacos and popcorn for lunch and/or dinner...

[Janice]

Kim, You can do this. (no bad carbs). I've been bad carb free for 3 weeks. I thought it would be hard, but not so much. Eating lots of veggies and fruits, greek yoghurt, nuts.Have cut processed foods out. Next I want to cut sugar, but I fear that will be harder than the carbs.

[Sharon]

I totally want to give up pasta, breads and deserts just because I feel better but I love those foods so much! So moderation is what I try. Good luck to you on your new eating plan - I know you can do it! As for juicing, there is nothing like fresh apple juice, oh yum. Lots of recipes on the internet. I have a Vitamix and make whole fruit smoothies which are great - not so adventurous as to try green things yet, ha ha! However, people who blend veggies with some fruit say it tastes good.

Wishing you lovely autumn days!

[Roxi]

some of my iPhone photos are my best because they are more artsy. MY opinion. We do low carbs, except I ate a bunch of sugar today.LOL

[Mary Ann]

Hi Kim,
I am also a stress eater and am addicted to carbs. I have a Doctor appointment today to discuss going gluten free. Check out www.mindbodygreen.com, it's a great healthy site! As for juicing....... i love it! I started juicing last month. Don't be afraid. Start with a Carrot, celery, apple juice. Carrots and apples are sweet. This is my main juice and you can always find organic carrots, celery, and apples in the grocery store all year long! Always add an apple to your juices, it's a natural sweetner. Then just play..... I've added beets (just a little), kale, spinach, cucumbers, ..... Of course, sometimes the color is a bit intimidating, especially when it brown and mucky, but hey, it's sooo good for you. Yes, the fiber is gone, but you are absorbing pure nutrients..... I want to try to grow some wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is potent! One day at a time!

Anyway, I know how you feel. Take care of yourself. You're not alone! Thank you for being a daily inspiration,
Happy Thursday!

[Mary Ann]

http://juicingsaturdaystrategy.com/gut-repair/

Web surfering this morning, i found this video on making a gut repair juice...... maybe for you and i to try in our future! :)

Cheers!

[Sherri B.]

Your photos are so lovely...gorgeous fall leaves! I love carbs, too, and in the winter my cravings become especially strong. I've never used a juicer but they sure seem to be popular. I'd be curious to try a juiced drink just to see if I like it. Have a good day, Kim! :)

[Rima]

Dear Lovely Kim,

What wonderful iPhone photos. Only you could figure out how to take a simple click, bring it into PS & LR and turn it into magic! As for carbs, and chocolate (and wine) and stress - well I totally empathize. And it's a vicious cycle. So you're smart to stop. It's not easy, but the rewards are great. I sometimes fall off the wagon and remind myself that dark chocolate is indeed a health food! :) . It's really exciting that you're going to get a juicer. It's one of my big wish list items. I LOVE anything green mixed with carrots, ginger and/or apples, especially in the winter. Ginger is so healthy and great to guard against those winter colds. My favorite basket of goodies from which to create are: beets, carrots, (they do have lots of sugar) kale, celery, carrots, apples and GINGER. Oh boy I have to drop this wine glass and go get some veggies :)
You can do it Kim. Have fun on your journey.

Rima

[Heather :) :) :)]

Congrats to Donna on winning that giveaway....

I love carbs, but my body doesn't, so I have to be really disciplined to not eat them. However, I"m also a stress eater, too...and that's the first thing I run to when I"m stressed. It's not a good combination...and i"m not perfect...but I do try to stay away from the carbs. They make me feel lethargic among other things. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;) :) :)

[LDG]

Congrats on the healthy eating! But don't scramble the eggs! Just attended a conference this past Monday on the Power of Food for medical professionals and the speaker says eggs are a perfect food. But the minute we break the yolk, we start an oxidizing process which then continues on in our bodies once we consume it. Just thought I'd share that amazing little tidbit.
Also, wanted to let you know that in a busy life, your blog is so relaxing and fun to read. I visit and don't want to leave. Thank you!