This week I thought I’d do a special Question of the Week Whenever I have Time in honor of Thanksgiving. Sometimes I think many of us get so wrapped up in weight loss and our own body image that we don’t recognize all the wonderful things in our lives. It’s like all we can focus on is our discontent with our bodies and what size jeans we wear.
Simply by taking a moment to reflect on things outside of ourselves can really help snap you out of that mindset. I truly think it goes back to those Core Value feelings…
…core value eating is an expression of self-value. Instead of focusing on what you cannot have, you focus on building more value in your life. It helps you to stop thinking so much about weight and food and start looking at yourself and others with more compassion. As you value yourself more, you automatically value your health and well being and learn to motivate yourself with “acts of kindness.”
Click here to read my post about Core Value vs. Core Hurt feelings.
SO… I’ll start. :)
I’m thankful for the light of my life. My motivation. My workout partner. My child. Without him, Lord knows where I’d be right now.
I’m thankful for my husband, my true partner in life. For as much as I complain and poke fun at him he really is my soul mate. And I don’t even believe in soul mates! lol
I’m thankful for my Mom. Her sacrifices and unconditional love continue to amaze and inspire me on a daily basis.
I’m thankful for my body. For as much as I abused it growing up it has forgiven me.
I’m thankful for my family’s good fortune. We work hard but so do so many others. We have been very fortunate in our careers and other life decisions. We truly are blessed.
I’m thankful for my friends who I think sometimes don’t realize how much I need them.
I’m thankful for you. Yes… YOU. You reading this right now. You take time our of your day to check in on me, see how I’m doing, support me when I’m down, pat me on the back when I feel good. YOU mean more to me then you will ever realize.
I’m thankful for so much in my life I can’t even begin to explain. The little things. The moments that I used to miss. The games of war and memory. The family dinners. Even the mayhem and mishaps. All of it.
ok… Your turn… What are you Thankful for?
27 Responses to What are You Thankful For?
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What's Cooking in my kitchen?
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Finally my first Farro idea! I have to say, I love this stuff! It's chewy and yummy and, well, fun! I tossed it with what I could find in my pantry and it made a wonderfully satisfying lunch. Filling but not heavy, tasty and quite nutrient dense. According to NutritionData.com this [...] -
I've seen it mentioned in a few of my clean eating and healthy cook books but honestly, I never even thought of Farro as an option for me. I refuse to shop at specialty stores and I try to use only common products that I can keep in stock and purchase from a typical grocery [...] -
I've never had a tuna melt. Is that weird? I guess that's what happens when you grow up not liking mayonnaise. I never ate tuna salad or egg salad or chicken salad. Honestly, they always kind of grossed me out. Then I realized.. hey.. why does tuna salad have [...] -
I have no idea where this idea came from. I was hungry. It was lunch. I had Brussels Sprouts. That was all the catalyst I needed.:) I decided to use a slice of real bacon to add flavor and little fat that would help sauté the sprouts. I'm trying [...] -
WOW was this good. I mean seriously good. It's not vegetarian so don't start throwing stones. I'm calling it a Garden Vegetable Burger because I use the new Laughing Cow Smooth Sensations Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread. It was this recipe on Allrecipes.com that inspired [...] -
I drink water 99.9% of the time but every so often it just doesn't cut it. I want something else. Something more. Something slightly sweet. Today was one of those days. I decided to make a refreshing drink based on the famous Arnold Palmer, half lemonade and half iced [...] -
The other day I made a whole chicken on the grill in pieces. It was delicious! Just a little BBQ sauce and an open flame is all I need to make The Husband happy in the dinner department. I also picked up a few ears of corn from the grocery store. They aren't in season [...] -
Let me explain so you don't think I'm making a chili recipe and just put it on pizza. I'm calling this vegetarian Chili Pizza because chili is what inspired flavors. I think I told you. Little Bean is really into, well, BEANS! We go through a can about every 2 days. Yesterday [...] -
I've confessed my inability to follow recipes here on GreenLiteBites many, many times. I don't know why it's so hard for me. I can barely follow some of my own and I wrote the darn things! I think most of my problem stems from not having all the ingredients listed and, [...] -
Leftover brown rice and leftover sauce meet in this quick lunch idea inspired by my favorite food of all time: Pizza. I swear I can turn anything into a pizza concoction. Have you seen all my pizza ideas? I've used everything from pumpkin to zucchini, polenta to wontons. Nothing is off [...] -
This isn't a recipe just an idea I had to share. I can't believe how good it was! I've never had grilled pineapple. Can you believe it? I just never really had the desire to grill it before. When you love something raw sometimes it doesn't occur to you to cook it. [...] -
I whipped this up for lunch on a whim today because, well, I have a baby who's obsessed with three things… Cheese, Beans, and Avocado. No, really. Look... It's my go to meal for him so I find myself with beans and avocado readily available. [...] -
You know that tradition 7 Layer Mexican Dip? The one with the cream cheese, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, cheese, green onion and olives? Yea. That's the one. Well I had a craving for it the other day. Well, not exactly for it as I can never make anything the way it's suppose [...] -
If you go through the archives of GreenLiteBites I have about 5 total beef recipes. Five. Compare that to the 80+ I have tagged with chicken/turkey there's a clear winner in the meat department on my blog and in my home. I don't have a beef with beef (omg The Husband [...] -
I'm a kitchen sink smoothie maker. Whatever I have on hand goes in the blender and viola! A quick breakfast or a healthy snack. Last year I posted an "Elastic Approach" to how I make smoothies but I still like to share specific combinations that worked really well. This was one [...] -
The other night it was just the kids and I home for dinner and I decided to make what I wanted to make no holds barred. Without The Husband home it's much easier for some reason. Hmmm wonder why? Ok, not here to husband bash.. really.. I'm not! I'm here [...] -
*sigh* I was really hoping to share an awesome turkey burger idea. I had grand plans for my leftover ground turkey. The results was alright but they could have been so much better. I added diced pineapple, red pepper, green pepper, oats and soy sauce to the meat and formed 2 patties. In hindsight I [...] -
I made this on a total whim yesterday having no idea if it would work. To my surprise it did AND the husband actually said he liked it... UNSOLICITED! Here's the story. I had only 4 tilapia fillets defrosted for dinner. I knew it wasn't going to be enough for us [...] -
This is a slight reboot of a recipe I posted last year simply called Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. Staying true to my use-what-I-have-on-hand roots I, well, used what I had on hand and made a similar dish with a spicy twist. Topping the result with avocado added a cool creaminess that [...] -
Did you hear? The Laughing Cow recently launched Smooth Sensations a line of 5 cream cheese spreads. There's Classic Cream, Classic Cream Light, Strawberries & Cream, Garden Vegetable and my favorite… Cinnamon. It's a sweet wedge of creamy goodness! Today I decided to use my new favorite flavor [...] -
Confession time, I recorded a 30 minute video making this with both kids (partally) 2 nights ago. I miss videos. I really do but they seem so much more difficult with 2 children. I'm also having technical difficulties with my video recording and audio syncing making it VERY time consuming to edit. [...] -
A couple of years ago I shared a modified version of Sloppy Joe's I made for a party. Everyone loved it but I've been wanting to try to make something similar for the family on a smaller scale and without the pre-made canned Manwich sauce. I don't particularly have any issues [...] -
Yesterday I was dreaming about a salad. Not just any salad, but a chickpea filled, cucumber, and red onion salad with a fun, tangy dressing. Unfortunately, I had no cucumber or red onion. Well, that's a lie. I had a half of cucumber but it was a mushy mess and [...] -
Dinner meals are getting harder and harder for me to share lately. I've gone back to just whipping things up without really measuring anything (this meal was going to be one of those until I realized I still had enough light to take some photos.) I've also instituted a few brainless meal nights [...] -
Three years ago I posted a video called "Makin' Hard Boiled Eggs" where I shared my system for, well... making hard boiled eggs. Genius name, I know. I'm smart like that. Anyway, since then I've gotten tons of feedback and comments thanking me but all the information is locked in a long winded 10 minute [...]
About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
Right now, I really needed to be reminded of the points of core value eating, so thank you for that.
I can’t believe I’m commenting on my own post but while researching at work this study came to my attention…
http://www.acfnewsource.org/religion/gratitude_theory.html
“The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Additionally, the gratitude group experienced less depression and stress, was more likely to help others, exercised more regularly and made more progress toward personal goals. According to the findings, people who feel grateful are also more likely to feel loved. McCollough and Emmons also noted that gratitude encouraged a positive cycle of reciprocal kindness among people since one act of gratitude encourages another.”
I had no idea there were studies done about this! Now I’m really glad I did the post. :)
oh! and justrun — Your are welcome! I need to remind myself of that concept ALL the time. It really helps me.
I am thankful for learning how to eat right 5 years ago. If I didn’t learn what was a normal size portion, what “bad” food can do to you, exercise, etc I dont know where I would be today.
Roni – as ALWAYS – beautifully said. I got a little teary eyed reading your list because I can relate with every single point. My husband and I are going to Mexico for Thanksgiving, and I’m sad to be leaving my family and I was making a list the other day in my head. You said it perfectly.
I’m just so thankful for my life. I have had a lot of ups and downs in the past year but it is definitely up right now and I’m blessed.
I am thankful to have finished a year of treatment and am now a breast cancer survivor!
I am thankful for every day I wake up. For every night I lay down next to my husband. For every minute inbetween that I get to spend learning new things, seeing my family, nurishing my body and having a warm house to come home to.
I am thankful for MY JOB! I complain about it way too much, but my company has been really good to me these last 14 months as I’ve launched my PR career and adjusted to living in Boston. It’s really tough to find a good job in this economy!
I’m also EXTREMELY thankful for my boyfriend. In the past five years, we’ve truly grown together. He makes me laugh and feel special every single day. He will literally wait on me hand and foot if I’ve had a long day, and the best part is I’ll do the same for him!
Hey Roni – Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love a day where I focus on being thankful and hang out with my family, nuclear and extended. It is so easy to focus on all of life’s little annoyances, isn’t it?
The things for which I am most grateful are the people in my life — my devoted husband, my spunky, funny and beautiful girls, my honest and giving Mother, my brother and SIL, nephews, friends … it sounds so cliche, but really, these are the treasures in life, aren’t they?
I am grateful that my older daughter, diagnosed with verbal apraxia at 2, can now speak eloquently, fluidly and confidently at age 6. I am grateful for all of those who have helped her achieve this. It doesn’t always turn out that way.
I am super-grateful for my health and need to be kinder to it in the upcoming year.
I am always glad to be employed.
And just glad to be ALIVE!
By the way, I really like that core value eating thing too. I read the post originally and it really resonates with me. Thanks for all that you do!
I’m thankful for finding this site. I’m thankful for my husband, my number one supporter. I’m thankful for my kick-butt doctor who has helped me get to a point where I feel healthier than I have in years. I’m thankful that I can walk, and that I am learning to run :)
I am thankful for my husband and my children. I am thankful for all of the support I get from my husband on my health journey. I am thankful for my parents and my family, my in-laws, my friends, and everyones health. I am thankful that I found this website because I read it everyday and you give me inspiration.
I’ll post about this later this week, but I’m thankful for a lot. One thing? The blogging community. Seriously, you all have enriched my life so much! Have a great thanksgiving!
I think I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I’m thankful that my dad seems to have 9 lives. I’m thankful that I still have both my parents who are my role models. I’m thankful that my boyfriends mother was able to have another Thanksgiving dinner with us, contrary to what doctors may have thought. And most of all, I’m thankful for everyday that I live, I wake up in a home that I love, next to the love of my life and spend my day talking to friends and family. I don’t think anyone can ask for anything more :)
When I step back to reflect on what I have, it’s amazing! A family who loves and supports me, a job which provides more than enough for my basic needs, the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in a field I love, and friends who keep my spirits lifted. While I miss the days that my body was trained to run a marathon and I had a better relationship with food, I have everything I need to make that happen again, and I am thankful for that too.
Great Post!!!! I am thankful for my husband, my children, my parents for teaching me how to live and love, my sisters, in-laws, friends for their constant love and support, for the roof over my head, food in my belly, my legs so I can run, and the warmth of knowing that when it does get bad, it’s never really that bad, I am blessed to have this life, and will try not to take it for granted.
Thanks for the insight – as always!!!!
I am thankful I was able to spend some time with my Grandma B. in the hospital before she died in 1980…, she was and still remains to be one of my heroes today.
I am thankful that I had such a caring Grandfather, the church was his life and he was a wonderful man.
I am thankful that I can remember my Grandma G cared enough to put chocolate syrup on my ice cream. This is the only memory I have of her before she died
I am thankful that I was blessed with being able to give birth to six healthy children.
I am thankful for having a Mom who still loves and cares for me very much.
I am thankful that I have a roof over my head.
I am thankful for the food we have in the refrigerator.
I am thankful for having a car to get us to and from places.
I am thankful that I am here and can have the opportunity to spend the time with my kids.
Hiya Roni, great post today! Really nicely said!!
I am thankful for my kids and my hubby most of all, and yes for my ex-hubby too. I’m thankful for all of my family. I’m thankful for friends. I’m thankful for my new found health and the inspiration to get here from strangers like you Roni.
I’m thankful for having legs, because I know someone who just got his amputated. I’m thankful for my Mom always making me brush my teeth and paying out for braces for 4 years, because I know a young someone who just got dentures. I’m thankful for the person who invented pantene because the one thing I’ve always loved about myself is my hair.
Last but not least, I’m so thankful, that God forgives me and loves little oul me!
I am thankful for my husband who gave me a future with a home and family and security. I was lost until he came into my life. He grounded me and helped me find my own person.
Aside from my family and boyfriend and good fortune and home, I’m thankful that I’m learning to listen to my body and to trust it. I’m in the middle of a three-day TG baking blitz and had to come here and post this. I’m making all of the desserts for the gatherings I’m going to, and I chose all of the recipes, so they’re all things that really appeal to me. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been both excited about all of the baking I get to do and worried, because it wouldn’t be the first time I gave up and binged on all of the sugary goodness around me (and I should say here that in this case I’m talking about the pre-TG madness, the joyless, mindless alone eating. I’m planning on eating whatever I want on the actual day, and counting it).
Well, I can say that I’m doing great! I’ve had small tastes to make sure everything is right, but those haven’t ballooned. This is where the trust part comes in. Just now, I found myself scraping the pumpkin pie filling bowl with a spoon, trying to get all of it. I started to have that feeling of “oh no, here I go” and panicked a bit. It tasted so good and I wanted to continue with other treats. Then I had the presence of mind to look at the clock. It said 12:30, half an hour past when I usually eat lunch. I stopped what I was doing, heated up some lentil soup, and am about to go eat it. It’s so amazing to me to think that when my mind starts throwing those crazy feelings at me, maybe it’s just telling me to eat a bit, and that’ll satisfy my body. It sounds so simple, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt this way.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I am grateful that I am healthy enough to be able to exercise – some people are so unwell they can’t even walk. I have the means to buy healthy food and the ability to cook it. I am thankful that I am in a good groove where I am living healthfully and losing weight steadily. I am grateful for excellent online resources like yours, without which I would definitely not be losing weight. I’m grateful that I *like* broccoli :)
I haven’t been keeping up with my reading, and I just caught up with your blog – read about 15 entries to catch up to today – and totally random, but I wanted to say:
~ I think you are very pretty. And that haircut you got in CA is very flattering.
~ Your house is lovely. I’m genuinely happy for you – it makes me feel cozy just thinking that there is such a cozy place out there and that people I like are enjoying it :)
~ As someone who’s only ever lived in a city, take it from me – those shots of houses surrounded by lawns and wide streets – total bliss. Please appreciate it. I’m glad your son is growing up in a beautiful, healthy place.
~ You seem like such a great person and caring mom, it makes me wish you had more kids.
Man I love Thanksgiving! I think its great to reflect on all the things we HAVE and to take time to appreciate them.
I’m thankful for my family, my (WONDERFUL) husband, my job, my health, and my #1 man God :) We are also thankful for you Roni and the other bloggers who help us when we need it and let us know that we aren’t alone in the world
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I am Thankful for the growth I’ve done in my personal development over the past 12 months. You see last year at this time, my son (ArmyGuy) had just hit the soles of the Iraq, Iran Boarder.
In order for me to survive this, I had to learn to grow personally. I chose to only think positive thoughts of him. Every single time I thought of him, I pictured him Happy, healthy, safe, learning from the experience and bonding with the guys he was over there with.
He arrived home two weeks ago. My sister (his second Mom) where able to actually meet him upon his arrival in Kansas. Everything I pictured happen. He did not witness one death, he now has 9 Big Brothers (he was the youngest), he is so positive about life.
The power of the mind.
I’m thankful for the support and community I’ve found while blogging about diet. You included. I’m also thankful for comments and I’ve resolved to comment instead of just lurk at some of my favorite internet haunts. And Roni yours is top on my favorite list.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for the many times in my life where I have had the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone in order to grow into a bigger, better, stronger, more confidant, person with a greater level of clarity on what it is that I want in my life.
Thanks for asking Roni. :-)
I am thankful for family, for friends, for feeling inspired to get fit and for being lucky enough to live in the USA. I am also thankful for your blog so full of friendly ideas and thoughtful tips.
Right now, I am most grateful for the gift of life. Despite all my depressing and morbid thoughts, being alive still feels great!
-Denise