Everyday Systems

ironchef

Nice work jean! You are doing so well.

ironchef

Great news that surgery went well and hope the recovery improves tonight!

It's interesting isn't it, we're so conditioned to believe that reaching for food will help us feel better, when in fact No S can feel like an island of calm in the middle of a stressful time.

ironchef

I had a really good start, but fell off the wagon for more than 3 months about 18 months in. Back to it now. I intend to follow essentially No S principles for the rest of my life (although I've adjusted them at the moment to account for morning sickness). My biggest motivator is that there is no ot...

ironchef

Go Linda! I'm so pleased to read this :) Interesting that 5 RSVP'd and then only 2 came - just shows you that you're not alone in finding the occasion a bit intimidating. You are right about doing scary things - I've always liked that quote from Dune about letting fear pass over (or through?) you, a...

ironchef

Hi all, Thanks so much for your lovely replies, I can't tell you how much it helps. I'm feeling a lot better today, mostly due to two good nights sleep; I think tiredness definitely contributes. I don't think I can count everything as an S day, because I expect to be sick most days for the next 2 mo...

ironchef

Question about restaurants: do people tend to just order a main course on N days if they eat out in order to follow NoS and abide by the one plate (or at least the visual cue of all of your food in front of you before eating) rule? Yes, I mainly try to just have a single plate, unless I am somewher...

ironchef

Welcome!

A cup of tea or coffee any time is fine if you want it. With milk and sugar if you like (remember it is "no sweets", not "no sugar").

ironchef

Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Red day. I felt so tired and queasy all day, then finally broke down mid-afternoon and had some olive bread. I felt well enough to cycle home, then sick again, so ate a Cruskit when I got home. Then felt sick again, so shared some olive bread wit...

ironchef

Great idea. Here's one of mine that seems to work: When...someone brings morning tea to work, I...join the group, enjoy a coffee and chat without taking any food. This totally works and no one seems to notice. Another one I use a lot: When...some baked good on an N day look too good to pass up, I......

ironchef

Yum, I love "tasting menu" dinners. And Happy Anniversary!

I think it is great that you organised the coffee catch up, you never know, it might be really fun

ironchef

I cracked and bought some olive bread at the bakery downstairs, as well as a lemongrass and ginger tea. Feel somewhat better now after a slice of bread and the tea. Ah well, a red day. I'll have to remember my crackers for tomorrow.

ironchef

Ugh, really struggling with feeling queasy today. I ate lunch about 2 hours ago and now I'm feeling really bleurgh. I ran out of salt crackers here at work. I want to go and buy something to eat, but perhaps I should buy myself a peppermint tea instead. Classic Ironbaby on the weekend, said while re...

ironchef

I handle sugar the way No S states: No Sweets, except on days starting with S. That's No Sweets, not No Sugar, so a teaspoon of sugar in my coffee or on my oatmeal would be absolutely fine if I want it. I'm a relatively "hard line" person compared with other posters (and Reinhard) on what I consider...

ironchef

My husband's T-shirt drawers are like an archaeological dig - as you go through the layers, you move back in time until you uncover club T-shirts from our distant college past. Every 4 or 5 years I try my hardest to get him to cull a few :) I had a good run today - got rid of a bunch of loan paperwo...

ironchef

Hang in there MsJ! We're pulling for you.

ironchef

Absolutely. I use the Donna Hay basic banana bread recipe as a basis, and then make it up from there. Ingredients: 125g butter 1 cup sugar (I use Dark Muscovado unrefined sugar, brand is Billington's, as it gives a lovely gingerbready taste to the loaf) 2 eggs 1 cup mashed over-ripe bananas 1 cup ma...

ironchef

Thanks everyone, yeah, sharing my son's first ever taste of icecream was something I'll never forget. Linda - a Mr Whippy van without softserve! Isn't that against the law?? Aww, Kookie, thanks :) My Dad was born in South Africa, so that's where the taste for roiboos comes from. Also a lifelong love...

ironchef

Expensive clothes are the hardest for me. I've given a lot to friends and family, and I've found a few great charities - for example I donated some very expensive formal dresses to a charity that holds school balls for kids who normally wouldn't get the chance, due to homelessness and/or poverty. Ho...

ironchef

Before No S, I was too far in the "orthodox" direction, although I wouldn't label it orthorexia. My cousin is orthorexic and is dangerously underweight and under nourished (she is working on it at the moment under the care of her excellent doctor, but it is really hard). The insidious nature of this...

ironchef

Thank you for checking in and sharing these insights. You are such an inspiration, and I only hope to be telling half such a great story in 4 years time.

ironchef

Unfortunately, there isn't an off switch, especially if (like me) you've spent a lot of years dabbling in various diets. Your brain is used to spending a fair bit of energy thinking about food, and will take a while to stop. But with time, it will fade away, especially if you make an effort to focus...

ironchef

Go Swuddly! Forewarned is forearmed.

I usually don't put food on the border of my plates at home either, it looks weird.

ironchef

Absolutely love the recipes I've gotten from Linda (and eschano). I've also posted recipes (like hazelnut torte). I'm totally relaxed about skipping a few lines in posts, so I hope anyone who wants to or finds it helpful will keep posting their food.

ironchef

I used to be a lot stricter when I was learning the ropes, but now I often have fruit off my plate if it makes sense that way, for example last night I had a bowl of barley soup, a slice of buttered toast and some watermelon slices. Of course, these were not all in the soup bowl! What I try to follo...

ironchef

Thanks Sinnie :) I had a really great experience of pregnancy and labour last time around, so hopefully things will again go smoothly. Managed to not WTH yesterday, although it was tough because I took my volunteering friend out to a movie, and I would normally get an icecream or some popcorn. Tough...

ironchef

Thanks guys :) Minor red day today, as the Mr Whippy van came past the park this afternoon while I was there with my son. He's never seen "the pink van that plays music" before, and I got the lady to make him an extra small soft serve cone. I shared it with him, because it was late arvo and I didn't...

ironchef

Well done on a green day :) Yeah, I used to read through and then my brain goes "omg, someone only had fruit for breakfast and non-fat/non-sugar coffee, I had a huge bowl of oats with PB and buttered toast and full cream milk and this can't work if I'm never moderate and blah blah diet head". So I t...

ironchef

Always glad to hear from you, and I really like the idea of choosing exercise that you enjoy, I always stick longest with the things I enjoy. I've never written down food, and I skip the bits of posts where others write down their food. I find it very triggering, as it reminds me of my calorie count...

ironchef

That would drive me nuts. I'm sure that like you, this is informed by my upbringing, with a strong link between sharing a nice meal and being a good host/caring for someone/celebrating. Although, it is very interesting to spend time with someone who doesn't value food in that way - it can clarify yo...

ironchef

Thanks guys :) I'm feeling much better again with two green N days under my belt. I ate some pretty heavy plates on Monday, but they were still plates. I'm still walking every day - I have only missed one day since I started, on Sunday because it was pouring with rain and hail (and it was a Sunday!)...

ironchef

Happy Birthday! And nice work on the running

ironchef

Welcome back and good luck Kookie! I spent a lot of my adult life either dieting my way down or eating my way back up through the "healthy BMI range". Vanilla No S can be a way out. Sure, freggies or lean protein or eating organic or whatever are great, but I really feel relaxed knowing that if I ha...

ironchef

Well done, sounds like a great weekend! You've made a very strong start. I don't know how eschano structures her weekend, but I think in principle, the S weekend is meant to be two "eating" days. So, if you start Fri night, you should really finish after Sunday lunch - i.e. back to normal for Sunday...

ironchef

I don't mind eating later, so I'd be happy to make this my dinner one night a week (just sticking to the savoury stuff). You say that doesn't suit you, so I think the options oolala gives are great. Certainly a smaller than usual dinner at home, followed by a side plate with a small serve of whateve...

ironchef

Lots of fairs and festivals going on, along with family birthdays and YES, family births! A new grandson born last week. He is adorable, of course 8) Congratulations! "Every baby is the sweetest and the best" - L M Montgomery. I must confess that my eating has suffered a bit from all the celebratin...

ironchef

Well, we checked out the BBQ and it isn't just a matter of changing the hoses over, we need to get different jets as well. My husband is going to contact the manufacturer this week to work it out. This is what bugs me about decluttering now we're on to the bigger / harder stuff. When it was just my ...

ironchef

Thanks jean and heather :) I had a really good Saturday - basically an N day with a slice of passionfruit butter on toast and a bowl of icecream after dinner. Sunday I had normal breakfast, but for lunch we went out and I had pancakes with maple syrup and banana. Then my son only ate half his peach ...

ironchef

Hi MsJ, welcome, and sorry you're in such a tough spot. Stress is a killer for eating for me too. No S plus exercise absolutely can help you feel healthier, and saner and more in charge around food. If you are overeating and not exercising, then learning to eat and exercise moderately will also mean...

ironchef

Yup, you guys were right, looks like I'm up the duff :) Very pleased and excited, although doesn't really seem real yet. tessy - I made the passionfruit curd much the same as I make lemon curd (what we call lemon butter). I didn't strain out the seeds, but I think I should have. The taste is lovely,...

ironchef

Yay, back to green. Go tessy! Yum, fresh raspberries - we don't really get great berries here. I am envious

ironchef

I'm with Linda, treat yourself to something new and fashionable that fits and is comfortable. I'm actually in a similar place, myself. I have a ton of pre-pregnancy clothes, and I'm wondering if I'll ever fit into them again, and if it's worth it to keep them. Even when I got back to my pre-pregnanc...

ironchef

Yeah, my concern was my mouth and teeth, as I was pretty sure stomach acid could handle anything I can bear to drink. I guess the difference is that I'm unlikely to chug vinegar or lemon juice in the quantities people drink soda. My sister is a dentist, so she's quick to jump on anything we drink (e...

ironchef

Crazy week this week because I worked 3 days straight to make up for the Monday holiday (i.e. long weekend). I have organised my dad to come over tomorrow to look at changing over these 2 BBQs. It's not as simple as I thought (it never is), as the old one works off a gas bottle and the new one has a...

ironchef

Good luck with your October experiment. And seems like you have a good handle on vanilla No S, so you can always fall back on it if you need to. Just wanted to say that 2 pounds in a month (1/2 a pound a week) is fine for a moderate weight loss approach when you don't have much to lose. So, don't fo...

ironchef

It just feels like if there's no fight I might have asked for too little. Perhaps, but not necessarily true. Maybe you were just reasonable and accurate and they've responded accordingly? I find it hard to know what I'm worth out-there. A couple of ways I've found out in the past: 1. Find a friend ...

ironchef

Good on you for being aware and taking a moderate S day when you needed it.

ironchef

Doh! It's tough when someone pulls out your favourites. Most of my remaining fails these days are "social" fails. As you say, today is a new day. Hope you have a great day! Perhaps try practicing a "polite, but firm" standard answer to give people who push stuff on you in those situations. It's hard...

ironchef

Gross story about mice coming up - skip if you are squeamish! Years ago before I studied engineering, I worked up North on a mine site in a store room. Late one day, the guy driving the forklift dropped a pallet of soda cans, and a bunch of them burst. We didn't have time to clean up the whole puddl...

ironchef

Well done clearing out storage areas - it's easy to be "out of sight our of mind" with stuff that's behind a cupboard door. My current aim with any storage area is to retain at least a little bit of blank space. Cupboards don't need to be full (*gasp* don't tell me mother I said that!), it's easier ...

ironchef

Great idea on the savings! Long winded ramble about pay negotiations below. If you have asked for a certain figure, and they have granted it, I don't think you can go back and ask for more. In their minds, they've given you what you asked for and now the negotiation is over. Going back confuses them...

ironchef

Congrats on the promotion, well done! You're clearly a very dedicated worker (16 hour days?!) and I'm glad they have recognised you. One tip I got many years ago about pay rises (however moderate) was to save them. The logic goes - you already were making your budget work with your previous income, ...

ironchef

Sounds like a good book tessy. I'm a big fan of Thich Nhat Hanh (obviously), and my favourite book on the topic is "Peace is Every Step".

ironchef

"Smile, breath, you are alive!" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Delightful post, really pleased you are in such a good place.

ironchef

Thanks guys, I really am having fun with the new season. eschano, I have never understood all the hating on sweetcorn! I love it the stuff and so does Ironbaby. Watching him with corn on the cob is hilarious :) tessy - I know what you mean about Winter and the change in foods. When I spent some time...

ironchef

Go Linda!
Hope you had a lovely weekend.

ironchef

gingerpie. My husband can run backwards faster than I can run forwards (he's an umpire). Great that you're getting back to running.

ironchef

It's great to get rid of some of the bigger stuff - makes a big, visible dent! My husband and I spoke last night about getting rid of our old BBQ. We were given a nearly new one by my brother-in-law when he moved house, but haven't got around to cleaning up and donating or selling the old one. mr. c...

ironchef

Sorry about your fight - I find stuff like that really stressful.

Hope your weigh in goes well, Linda. Keep in mind that 16 days is a very short time for any weight loss plan, especially a moderate one, to take effect.

ironchef

Nice work! You are making a great start :) Having an easy, enjoyable strategy for potlucks and buffets is one of my favourite things about No S. And not having to worry about whether something is "health food". I went to bowling event on Sunday with my volunteering group and there was a big table of...

ironchef

I really hope your course gives you some food for thought (pun intended).

The gym trial is a great idea. Since I started walking for a mile or two first thing, I am hungry for my breakfast in a way I haven't been for months.

ironchef

Yay tessy, very inspiring

PS what is a cobnut when it's at home?

ironchef

Thanks for asking eschano! I'm quite proud that I made it through the first day (18 miles) finally yesterday, so today I started the second day. Those hobbits slept in and ate brunch before starting out - oh to be so lucky :) Sometimes today they'll be chased by the first Black Riders though, so per...

ironchef

Green so far this week. I've decided I'll have a small S event today at work, as my good friend told me earlier in the week he is going to bake pumpkin scones and bring them in. I'll have half a scone with jam. Funny dream last night: I was dreaming I had to urgently take care of a small entity, who...

ironchef

aspencer, giving myself permission to maintain already decluttered areas during the week has been great. It means my hotspots stay cleared up, and gets rid of the guilt that I should be doing some great strides. Today I mostly did some urgent weeding in the garden - a horrid, spiky bush that we remo...

ironchef

Ouch, that is really hard aspencer. I don't know what I'd do in that situation. It would be incredibly tempting to throw out shared stuff if you thought they'd never miss it. Is it really "free" for you to keep stuff? Do you have a spare room that you just don't need? For example, for us, it isn't f...

ironchef

OMG, that sounds amaze-balls! After honey, one of my favourite things ever in a dessert is cardamom.

Also, bubblebaths rock

ironchef

Nice work eschano. Isn't it nice "rediscovering" a piece of clothing you love, but forgot you had. Like going shopping in your own wardrobe :) I worked today, so I just did maintenance this evening - clearing the dining, coffee and bedside tables, and the kitchen counter. I feel much less stressed h...

ironchef

Well done on your excellent results so far! Sorry you're not feeling the best - I often feel a sense of relief on Mondays to go back to eating that makes me feel good physically. I would gently suggest that your second week (and first weekend) is a bit early to be deciding that only 1 S day is for y...

ironchef

A crazy weekend staying over at my folks house, so wasn't at home to do any decluttering or cleaning. However, I did take some things to my mother, father and sister that they had asked for when I did some recent decluttering (magazines, some old toys, some crockery, a picnic backpack), so that gets...

ironchef

oolala, just wanted to thank you for your recent posts. I know they were on other threads and addressing other posters, but you said some things I really needed to hear. You are such an asset to this community. Good to hear from you and really interesting to read about your journey at the moment. I ...

ironchef

Thanks Linda, eschano, auto, I knew this was the one place I could admit I'm using this way of motivating myself to walk :) Those are awesome cat names, auto! My dog is Huan (Luthien's dog from the Silmarillion). I'm almost weirded out that after what, 6 months(?), of back and forth trying to work o...

ironchef

Cool idea. Mods: None. Intelligent Dietary Defaults: Breakfast oats with milk and fruit. Alcohol: 2 - 3 nights a week 1 - 3 glasses wine. Now less as I'm trying to get pregnant. Coffee: Recently quit. Previously 1 - 3 cups with a dash of milk only. Diet soda: Never. Full sugar soda on S days every s...

ironchef

I think perhaps I'll say that on days I work I can do general clutter maintenance (clear hotspots), but don't have to do deep cleaning and decluttering (unless I feel like it / have time). Decluttering as one side of a partnership when the other side doesn't come to the party is hard. With mr. chef ...

ironchef

Nice work - you are putting a good habit together :) Well done on getting rid of the bars. I don't have anything "bar-like" on N days, because they're like a "gateway drug" for me. If I can have a sweet fruit and nut bar, why not a sweet fruit and nut bar with chocolate chips? Then why not a bar of ...

ironchef

Well, I've been walking every single morning for a week and it is awesome. I get up an extra 20 minutes before normal, so I can do a mile with my dog before my son wakes up. I've only done 11 miles (so only just made it to "frugal supper" on the first night!) but I am loving it. Imagining I'm walkin...

ironchef

That is great work on your first week.

No S doesn't actually say 3 meals, it's just implied. Having a 4th mini (or nano) meal is absolutely vanilla! The main thing is that it is planned ahead and part of your routine.

ironchef

Good idea eschano - I usually have more free time on weekends. Perhaps my work days can be my S days, instead of my weekends? That gives me 3 S days a week though, which might be too much when trying to maintain and declutter a 3 bedroom house and a medium sized garden? Hmm, need to ponder. aspencer...

ironchef

I always joke that exercise is the only thing I forget I like. After yoga/walking/lifting, I always feel awesome and I'm so glad I did it, but before I'm full of groan and quibble. That never happens with cake - I never have to push myself to remember that I actually like it. In fact, I have to push...

ironchef

Yay, 20 minutes done! Didn't really get one big thing done, but lots of tiny little things that had been creeping up. We're changing our loans over, so there was lots of documentation from the old bank that we're not going to need anymore that needed shredding and recycling.

ironchef

I just like Greek yoghurt for the texture and I find it very satisfying. I'm sure someone has done a bunch of studies on the healthiest kind of natural yoghurt, but I've not read them

Any yoghurt that doesn't have added sugar / taste like a sweet would be fine.

ironchef

Thanks you guys! Walking is going awesome. I get up, drink a glass of water, and go. Because my brain is barely awake there is no dithering, bargaining or excuses - I'm halfway around the block before I realise it. I've even walked both weekend mornings, and very early Tuesday morning before the gym...

ironchef

Fresh fruit? Some Greek yoghurt? A bit of sugar and lemon juice?

ironchef

aspencer, I have begun or attempted: GTD, FlyLady, Habithacker, Remember The Milk. Probably a few more I can't remember :) Ultimately the system ended up taking more of my energy than the actual tasks. Things would inevitably break down - GTD when I had days with no access to paper, files or electro...

ironchef

Oh Linda, I really love your mocha stories. When I lived in London in 1999 I fell in love with hazelnut lattes at the Manhattan Coffee Company. I went through a really tough time, and getting one of those on the way to work each morning felt like it was sometimes the happiest part of my day. It soun...

ironchef

gingerpie wrote:It was really a beautiful day in these parts. I hate to see the day end. But alas. . . "All good things must come to an end".

"Nothing gold can stay"

We're having an absolutely gorgeous Spring week here too!

ironchef

One of the helpful things I read on here early on was that you don't need to fix everything that's wrong with your eating all at once. Focus on the big stuff - getting a good green N day habit going. I was looking at the monthly challenges and was wondering what a good definition of a "yellow day" w...

ironchef

Nice work aspencer. Keeping that one place consistently clear is harder than it sounds, especially if it is the family dumping ground. The desk will get there eventually. You'll chip away, and keep reading minimalists for inspiration, and then eventually the right moment and the right storage soluti...

ironchef

Beautiful! So pleased to read such a vibrant post - and getting back to Flamenco - yay! You'll eventually find the money system that works for you. And you're ahead of 90% of people in that you're thinking about it, and you're prepared to make friends with your money instead of ignoring it and hopin...

ironchef

Ok, now I'm finished my 21 day challenge I think I will just continue with a basic "HomeFree" habitcal.

The system is: each N day do a set time (15 - 20 minutes) of decluttering or deep cleaning. S days are weekends, and any other special day when that 15 - 20 minutes is just not going to fit in.

ironchef

Another lovely, moderate S day. Go you good thing!

Your post reminded me of Reinhard's podcast about "Extreme Moderation" - we are "all or nothing", just in a moderate way!

ironchef

That sounds like a very moderate S day :) I feel like I've put so much of myself in mothering and have unfortunately neglected myself in the meantime. I think this is very common, I often feel that I (and my husband) are to some extent "lost" in the overwhelming role of parenting a young child. You'...

ironchef

Welcome! I'm a reformed yo-yo calorie counter. I live in Australia and have no idea if there are even any other No Sers in my city, although there are one or two other posters from my country. The upside of being spread over many continents is that there is almost always someone awake to reply if yo...

ironchef

Sorry you've had such a tough week, and well done on the small wins.

Your list is great. Ask for help when you need it; your number (3) idea is a good start. Anyway, I hope you get some sleep.

PS Definitely learn Dutch (my Dad is Dutch)!

ironchef

Wow, go r.jean! 4 hours - you're a rock star! Paperwork is strange, it's so easy to keep (because 1 piece of paper is so tiny), but it seems to grow arms and legs in the cupboards. aspencer, sounds like the Nest is going really well! My mother came over yesterday and bought me a really sweet green T...

ironchef

Go Linda! Good work getting through these past two hungry days!

ironchef

Green Friday both systems, phew. Those Corica strudels are a bit of an institution here, but I did feel pretty rotten all afternoon after a brunch "meal" of sweets. I'm now down to one cup of tea at breakfast. Now that the short stage of feeling weary and getting headaches is over, I feel very happy...

ironchef

Green for my final day of the 21 day challenge - yay!

Cleared some larger stuff (travel and picnic gear) from our study, agreed to give the good stuff to my sister. Picked out a relatively new, but uncomfortable jacket to donate, plus some excess crockery.

ironchef

Go aspencer! I love the minimalists and have read a lot of their stuff. I find it very inspirational, even though with a non-minimalist partner and a small child I can never really aspire to their way of life. I have a fantasy where I'm single and have a huge packing party ;) Someone here (I think m...

ironchef

Thanks for this link - that site is super awesome, especially for a giant Tolkien nerd like me (I named my dog after the Luthien and Beren's dog in the Silmarillion). I've just started this week. I've been getting up early before my son and husband and taking my dog out walking. It's really nice to ...

ironchef

I adore cycling - especially on nice days when I can watch the sun setting as I ride home. HomeFree: Mon, Tues, Wed all GREEN. NoS: Mon, Tues, Wed GREEN Thursday big, deliberate, honking great FAIL . My workplace had morning tea of Corica strudel . C'mon, just look at those strudels - I'm only human...

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