Another Step to Becoming Healthy

Today was my first day without soda.  I’m not experiencing too many withdrawal symptoms other than a killer headache.  I know that’s to be expected, but dang, this hurts!  ALOT!

I know there will be many benefits to not drinking soda.  I’m feeling one of them already.  I’m not nearly as sluggish as I am after a day spent drinking nothing but sugary, caffeinated, zero-nutrient gook.  It’s funny how something we drink to keep us awake can have such an adverse effect on how we feel.  Seriously, I feel pretty good besides the headache that kept me in the dark most of this evening.

Another benefit, I’m taking part of the money I would spend on soda and I joined the local gym.  It’s not nearly as expensive as some others, you don’t have to sign a one or two year contract, and I can go when it’s convenient for me.  That was essential since Rick is working longer hours and I have to have someone to watch Khaila.  I signed up this afternoon, came home to whine about my pain, and after Khaila was in bed and the Excedrin kicked in, I went back down to check it out a bit more.

There were two people there when I got there, a husband and wife.  This is very important to someone who has over 50 pounds to lose and is going into a gym for the first time.  Once I don’t feel as awkward and out of place, it’ll be easier to go in when it’s busy.  The machines were easy to figure out, although I think the computer was wrong, it said I achieved “superior” level for the fitness test.  I was worried about getting bored since I forgot my mp3 player, but they have several television sets mounted to the wall.

If you’re an Evansville reader and you haven’t checked out Evansville Health Club, I encourage you to do so!  Justin was very friendly on the phone this morning, was great in person, and I’m sure my “official” orientation tomorrow afternoon will be informative.

Choosing a CSA

The past year has brought many scares related to the food we eat.  It used to be recalls were something “reserved” for meats, but more and more, vegetables have been the culprit.  Having a young child has changed my view of the world, and now it’s changing my ideas about what we eat. This got me started thinking about joining a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, program.

With my husband’s new job comes new health insurance.  Part of the plan is a wellness incentive program.  With this plan, we can receive up to $300 back from any approved program.  This includes the CSA.  Even at $450 for the season, $22.50 per week, it’s a good deal.  With the rebate, it will be much cheaper than trying to buy fruits and vegetables in the store.  Plus, we will be able to rest easy knowing that we are eating foods that are not coated with pesticides and preservatives to extend the shelf life and accommodate shipping from who-knows-where.

I will admit, I used to pick on people who were so adamant about eating organic foods or did anything I considered “crunchy granola”.  Now, I realize the things they were doing were different from what I was doing, not bad or weird.  I realize they had some great ideas.  Slowly but surely, I’m trying to change how we live in our home to be safer and healthier.

The search for a CSA has not been easy.  I started my search at MACSAC.  There aren’t many south of Madison, which is where I would prefer to find one.  There were two west of Madison, near my moms, that I was interested in, but both are full for the season.  There were others that seemed interesting at the beginning, but as I looked at the offerings, I knew much of it would go to waste in our house.

Finally, I found one that I have contacted and I’m waiting to hear back from.  Scotch Hill Farm is south of Evansville.  I am hoping they still have room.  If they do, we will make the trip to Brodhead weekly to pick up our veggies.  I will update throughout the summer, both my opinions of CSA as we go through our first year and also recipes I come across for veggies we haven’t tried in the past.