I read Julie and Julia - a tale of a married woman who decided to tackle all of Julia Childs' recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year. Inspired me to be more experimental in my own cooking.
I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (on loan from Amanda Lane). This book has so far changed my life. The term "locavore" was voted word of the year in 2007. I understand the appeal. Growing your own food, as well as eating and purchasing food from local farms and stores keeps the petroleum industry at its heels, strengthens your community's economy, and is so much better for your body. The slow-food movement is really sparking a fire in me to be more environmentally responsible, and more respectful on my body and what I put into it.
I read Super Natural Foods, a gloriously beautiful book that outlines ways to incorporate natural foods into your diet. Never again will I buy "enriched" white flour, now that I know that all the good stuff has been stripped out and the remaining endosperm is bleached... with BLEACH. I will use the laast of my granulated sugar and sweet n' low and start using more natural sweetners such as raw cane sugar and honey. It will be expensive, but I think my.. um... "voluptuous" .. ahem... body... can handle the moderation.Allen and I have been attending the Financial Peace Seminar with Dave Ramsey. I have learned SO MUCH about our finances. After about 3 classes we were able to sit down and budget our lives for the next few months. We were spending close to $1,000 a month on eating out, beer and stupid things!!! With a more managable budget, we can still have the things we want AND pay off ALL OUR DEBTS in under a year!!! I can't imagine how good that will feel!!!
Allen and I have finally gotten the marraige talk out in the open. Our communication issues are mostly about me not wanting to nag or burden him, and him not wanting to say anything that will make me defensive. After a couple weeks worth of talks, I believe we have reached a good solid footing in our relationship and in our communication with each other. The confusion and frustration I felt in October is over!
I will clean the emotional, financial and physical clutter out of my life. It is a long and hard road, but one I am really happy to be on!!
