Habari za situ nyingi? How are you after these many days? I have been traveling, learning, creating and planning. I traveled back to the states for the second time this year, this time to visit with my daughters and my now two year old grandson. Being in the states is always hard for me, I miss the peace and slower pace of life that I gave grown accustomed to in my 6 years of living in Tanzania. BUT being with family is precious! And spending time building bonds with the super smart, bundle of energy that is my grandchild was worth it. I had a lot of fun teaching him some Kiswahili. And we enjoyed eating fruit of all types together. He LOVES fruit and fruit makes up a major part of my diet.
I’ve also been reading, studying, reflecting, and creating. I have several new YouTube videos in production. You’ll see those in the next few weeks.
And I’ve been following spirit as it leads me towards the ways I can be most of service. Of fulfilling my purpose.
Over the past 12 years that I’ve been working with people who struggle to maintain their healthy plant-based lifestyle it’s been clear to me that just knowing the right recipes and nutrition information is not enough. YES it’s very important but NOT enough.
My time in the US underscored that fact. There were so many things that were tempting and problematic. Now, I’m very secure in the fact that I won’t eat animal products. But I did find it difficult to stay true to the whole-foods part of my typical diet. At first I binged a lot on the vegan things I don’t have easy access to here in TZ. Raisin bread, ice cream, plant-base meat and dairy alternatives, etc. You know, vegan junk and processed food.
My family doesn’t eat or live the way I do, so there was figuring out how to get my needs met given their typical meal and living patterns.
And the stress level and pace of life there made eating out or ordering takeout a regular occurrence.
None of this was a surprise. I knew I would be out of my regular pattern. But it still required me to tap into my Whole & Healthy toolkit to manage.
I observed what was happening. I observed how my choices made me feel in my body.
I released the need to defend my choices or to try to sway others.
I forgave myself for my less then optimal choices.
I took time to see where and how I could make choices that were more in alignment with my needs.
I reached out to my support network.
I incorporated nurturing and healing activities and moments into my days, walking, spending time outside, playing with Arlo, yoga, prayer. I did my best to stay connected to that part of me that is centered, clear, and purposeful.
I practiced being loving and accepting of others (and myself) unconditionally just the way they (we) are.
Through these practices I was able to align more closely with my preferred Whole & Healthy lifestyle practices midway through my visit.
At the same time I was working on pulling together a project that’s been in the formation process for the past two years. In the last couple of months the pieces began to fall together and I had many insights about how to share my over 30 years of experience and training in an accessible and meaningful way.
Now that I’m back home in Tanzania it’s time to bring it forth!
I’m very excited to share with you the Whole & Healthy Program, a Six-Week Transformative Journey to creating Wellness In All Aspects Of Your Life. So that you can Step Into Your True, Whole & Healthy, Bad-Ass, Powerful and Beautiful Self!
I’ll be sharing more about Whole & Healthy soon. In the mean time you can go to https://foodforthesoul.me/whole to learn more.
Are you ready to start showing up powerfully for yourself? What will you be able to do when you do? Leave a comment below.
