little changes…
this week has been a quiet week & i am so thankful. i’ve been able to make time to not do anything but relax, breathe, & focus. also, with that quiet time, i’ve been able to realize little changes that i’ve made in the last month or two that have really influenced the quality of my life.
for one, i’ve stopped wearing make-up… & it feels so good! my friend, {jessica}, really influenced my decision to do this. her natural beauty is something i have admired since meeting her. in addition, i have more time in the morning to knit, do a little journaling, write letters, and pray. i am no longer spending time in the mirror- it’s great! also, my skin is thanking me for this change. i’ve always had “problem areas,” but those areas are slowly clearing-up.
secondly, luke & i plan our meals ahead of time. we have a little chalkboard where we write what we will eat for lunch and dinner monday-sunday. while making our meal plan, we keep in mind what we already have, what’s in season, and how we could use leftovers for the next meal. we also set aside one dinner to eat leftovers as a way to “clean out the fridge.” it cuts down costs & we make a trip to the grocery store only once a week. {shari} made a little entry about her meal plan so check it out if you’re interested…
thirdly, i’ve changed my diet. during the fall & winter months, i slowly fall into the habit of eating sweets- breads, cookies, pies, & cakes. i am not eliminating sweets; i am only changing the recipes of the sweets & the amount i eat. instead of sugar, i am adding natural sweetners such as honey & banana. instead of white flour, i am using peanut butter & whole wheat flour. also, my experience in becoming dairy-free has been a difficult one, but it is so nice to feel healthy and not search out the nearest bathroom before eating certain foods.
finally, i am taking walks. i usually carry along my camera to capture the changing seasons & it has been such a therepeutic experience. it is so important to get out and have a change of atmosphere. when i catch myself getting tired, i go for a walk & i feel refreshed. also, it has been a great way to manage my depression during the dark seasons of my life. while on my walks, i try to find atleast one thing that i appreciate & love about nature, and it usually makes me feel better.
i hope to continue to make these little changes. maybe i could start making a little change every week? we’ll see…
but before i go, i’d like to know- have you made any changes lately?
love,
natalie
natalie
shari | 29th Oct 09
such wonderful healthy changes. i stopped wearing makeup in college and have never gone back. i love the idea of having the chalkboard in the kitchen. might have to follow suit. lovely photos natalie.
dänika | 29th Oct 09
what wonderful little changes!
you're braver than i am, going no-makeup; i do on the weekends, and my skin thanks me, but during the workweek, i look terrible and sickly under these fluorescent lights 9+hours a day if I don't wear a little bit. i have really pared down my makeup routine to the bare essentials, though, and gotten rid of quite a bit.
over here, we've been making the change to natural/organic cleaning products for us and our home. we use Method products for cleaning (or baking soda and vinegar, which i still use very often), and Tom's of Maine toothpaste and deodorant. next up, i really, really want to make homemade laundry detergent – so much cheaper than store-bought, and better for us and the environment, too.
fawn & fern | 29th Oct 09
Natalie i'm so proud of you for all the positive changes you've made in your life in the past year. You're amaaazing!
I hope someday if Nick & i get married/live together, we will get in the habit of planning out our weekly meals. So smart! My parents do it, too!
I feel the saaame way about fall/winter eating habits. I have been kind of bad lately with craving sweets & giving in, but i'm not letting myself do that anymore. I made these really amazing banana nut muffins the other day & i need to give you the recipe! it's totally dairy free & i used only honey as a sweetener. they were perfect!
I miss you & love you…but you already know that!
fawn & fern | 29th Oct 09
oh & i love that idea for homemade laundry detergent! awesome!
Molly | 29th Oct 09
Such good changes… and it sounds like you are focusing a lot like I am / I want to focus.
In fact, I just started a blog a week ago doing exactly that last bit of what you are doing too:
http://ourdailywalks.blogspot.com/
Perhaps I should start a little flickr group!
🙂
Natalie Freeman | 29th Oct 09
Natalie, I want to encourage you in these changes you are wanting to make a part of your life. You have looked so beautiful this past week. I think that make-up can cover up the natural beauty you have. And we will certainly work together to make our meal-plans more balanced and healthy.
I love you so much. I hope your day brightens!
ALFIE | 29th Oct 09
natalie: your beauty shines through this post. your challenge to make change and live simply is so encouraging. thank you for inspiring all of us to embrace the art and beauty of a simpler life!
Anonymous | 30th Oct 09
congrats on the changes..
i hope you can keep them up..
Kate | 30th Oct 09
this is such a beautiful entry, natalie. thanks for sharing! =)
anna | 2nd Nov 09
i love your little changes.. and you know – i think those are HUGE changes! I just stopped wearing make up, and it's strange.. it's like getting to know a whole new person in the mirror.. and i'm right across the street if you're feeling like the diet change is hard.. there will always be a healthy snack i can share with you in my attic 🙂
Jess | 4th Nov 09
thank you for the kind compliment. I have never really cared much for make-up, besides blush, which you know I am fond of. But it really does make my morning routine quick!
I love the photo of the tree and clouds.