Category: Inspiration

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Practicing the Mary Diet

I write about diet because it is intertwined with nurturing yourself. And creativity is influenced by what we eat. What to eat to be creative? Check out the blog entry at creativebits.org.

In my post on January 6th I mentioned three diets I have looked into and I also mentioned being a flexitarian. I’ve considered the vegetarian, vegan and raw vegan diets too.

John Robbins’ book, Diet for a New America, was released in 1987. I tried the vegetarian diet a few years after that. One of the factoids from Robbins’ book that stuck with me was that it takes 1300 gallons of water to produce a 12 oz. steak.

After my research on various diets my 2011 goal is to nurture my creative self by following the Mary diet – all things in moderation, what works for each individual’s metabolism varies. Eat with the mindfulness that one teaspoon equals 4 grams and attention and gratitude for the origination of whatever is ingested.

In case you don’t know about John Robbins, here’s a 2 minute video featuring him.

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Three Strategies to Satisfy Your Hunger

The Garden, a monotype by Mary Gow
I believe how we feed ourselves is how we nurture ourselves. And creativity flows when we feel nurtured.

Do you have a diet you’ve decided to try this new year? I’ve been studying the 17 Day Diet, the Belly Fat Cure and the Paleo Diet. I have been a flexitarian (a semi-vegetarian moving towards becoming a vegetarian).

Seems the latest hottest new diet is the 17 Day Diet. One friend has lost 4 lbs. in four days on 17 Day Diet. It involves 4 rounds of 17 day regimens and calls for 17 minutes of exercise each day.

I have tried Jorge Cruise’s Belly Fat Cure and had some luck with it though I tire of counting 15/6 every day. That stands for no more than 15 grams of sugar and 6 servings of carbs a day.

I think the Paleo Diet might be worth investigating though it would make vegetarians cringe. This diet mimics the way the cave man ate, which means no sugar or carbs or grains and consists of eating lean meats (free-range hopefully), fruits and vegetables.

I’d rather not be on any “diet” since it implies it is not my natural way of eating. If I have to give up sweets and sweet potatoes it’s going to be a challenge. What are you finding works for you?

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3 Personal Reflections on the Hero’s Journey

I once set out to go around the world and travel continuously in one direction to make a complete circle of the globe. I accomplished that goal but not without the challenges of a hero’s journey. A few things I see upon reflection:

1. You might get stumped on Step 6 (Tests, Allies, Enemies), don’t give up then. Don’t let the first challenge or new friends derail you from your journey. Especially the first people. It was exciting to be in Bali, a place I had dreamt of visiting. But instead of painting in Bali as I was planning to do, I let the people I met distract me. Don’t succumb to these decoys if you can help it.

2. The Rule of Three applies on your journey. Expect to encounter at least three big challenges (see 6, 8 and 10). I stuck with my journey in spite of the distractions and was savvy enough by the third test to say, no, I’m going to do things differently this time.

1. The Ordinary World
2. The Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting with the Mentor
5. Crossing the First Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
8. Supreme Ordeal
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)
10. The Road Block
11. Resurrection
12. Return with the Elixir

3. Traveling long distances is NOT required for a hero’s journey. We go on hero’s journeys all the time. We are constantly being tested. In fact I’m on one now. It’s between my ears.

Happy Travels to you this New Year!