About a month ago I revealed on Instagram that I was newly single. I didn’t do it for sympathy, I did it because I wanted to reveal this new chapter in my life as well as possibly reach out to other women dealing with the fall out of a failed marriage too. Not that I have any special antidote for getting through an insanely hard trial-I just know that while you don’t want other people to hurt, it still feels good to know you are not alone.
My girls and I have been adjusting for a month now. I think the best advice I can give anyone that is going through something painful is to find the positives-because even if they are hard to find, I promise there is something positive. The biggest positive in my life is that I have changed as a parent for the better. When you become the sole source of everything for your children, rising to the occasion is vital. I’ve tuned in and engaged in a way I never had before. By golly, I’m going to break my back making up for what’s clearly missing and I’m so honored to do so.
I thank God for all I have to be thankful for and really focus on all the space in my closet, getting in bed at 8:30 to watch re-runs on HGTV, watching rom-coms again, and creating new traditions like Saturday game night! While I seem to be adjusting rather well, I have to admit that at night I wander around the kitchen eating all sorts of randomness because my cravings are out of control probably due to the uneasiness I’m stuffing deep down. So, my point in sharing all of this is that I’ve decided that since I’m really enjoying my late night snacking, I realize I’ve got to really shape up my days so that I can “afford” (calorie wise) my new bad habit!
I just posted about bee pollen. This smoothie is a great way to incorporate bee pollen into your daily diet.
What I’ve done is replaced my lunch with a smoothie. This is not just any ordinary smoothie. This is the mother of all smoothies. It’s jam packed with goodness my body can use plus it’s so filling that when I drink it around 12:30-1, I can get all the way to dinner without snacking! That’s a huge score in my book! Granted, this smoothie is a little under 500 calories. That’s why I replace lunch with it. It is so incredibly nutritious and healthy that you will not only feel full, you will also experience an energy boost to curb that mid afternoon zombie lull.
Power Packed Smoothie!
- 1 Handful of spinach (7 calories)
- 1 Handful of kale (30 calories)
- 1 red apple (72 calories)
- 1/2 cup apple juice (60 calories (optional) *Only if you need more sweetness
- 1 TBSP. Unrefined Coconut Oil (117 calories)
- 1 TBSP. Chia Seeds (70 calories)
- 1 TBSP. Flax Seeds (37 calories)
- 1 TBSP. Bee Pollen (40 calories) ***If you haven’t taken bee pollen-start slow-maybe just a small pinch then gradually increase***
- 1/2 TBSP. Raw Honey (30 calories)
- 1/2-1 cup of cold water
The handful of spinach and kale should all be to your taste. Of course, the more the better for you but kale can have an overpowering taste. In fact, I freeze my bag of kale and that curbs a lot of flavor-It also lowers it’s nutritional value but it’s better then not adding it at all.
Try this smoothie if you’re looking to cut back on junk and too many empty calories. Clearly I am not a health care professional. I simply share what works for me currently. By no means do I advocate skipping too many meals. I figure, if I can replace my usual lunch, which doesn’t always qualify as healthy, with a living, raw smoothie then I’m way ahead of where I was.
If anyone is hurting over a broken family I hope my little transparent post has made you feel like you aren’t alone. No matter how things look on the outside we’re all dealing with our own cross to bear. God knows your path and if you can lean on him, I promise you, he’ll carry you through this. You have all you need to survive and thrive! I love this simple lyric from “It’s A Beautiful Day” by U2-“What you don’t have, you don’t need it now. What you don’t know you can feel it somehow”. I like to remember this when I get antsy about what I don’t have control over.
Life is hard and rarely ends up the way we think it will, huh?
Thank you to all of you who have offered kind words of support during this time. I never take for granted this sacred space-thanks to you all, I am able to continue to stay home with my girls.
xx, Jenni
