Happier and Healthier

The person you see in the first photo is very unhealthy and unhappy with her body image on all levels. That's me in the Spring of 2011.

Spring 2011

Fast forward a year to the second photo. After I lost more than forty pounds!

Spring 2012

I was about to outgrow size 12 pants in the first photo. In the second photo, I'm comfortably wearing size 4 pants. 

In 2010, I averaged two migraines per week. I rarely have a headache now, and the inflammation of joints that caused pain with every movement is gone. A backache that kept me from enjoying working in my flower gardens is gone. I no longer take medications of any kind. My lab test results are now perfect. 

Everyone who sees me for the first time in a few months is amazed at my transformation. Of course, the first question is, "How did you lose so much weight so fast?" My answer is always, "Read the book "Eat To Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman" to learn what to eat and why.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I have continued maintaining my weight since 2011.

~~~~~~~~

While researching the world's healthiest foods, I found many of them in what I have for breakfast every morning. This is a hot cereal breakfast that keeps me from thinking about food until late afternoon. I'm sharing the recipe along with my story in hopes that I can inspire you to be a healthier, happier, more energetic person.

Susan's Power Porridge Breakfast

1 cup of hulled, organic barley (soak overnight and cook for one hour). Use filtered water.

1/4 cup of organic farro (cook for 40 minutes)

1/4 cup of brown organic lentils (add to the farro and cook for another twenty minutes)

1/4 cup of old-fashioned organic rolled oats (cook for about 10 minutes.)

2 Tablespoons brown flax seeds (I grind them in a coffee grinder) Stir as soon as you add these ground seeds.

2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds and sesame seeds

2 Tablespoon of raw organic pepitas (no shell pumpkin seeds)

2 Tablespoons natural raw walnuts

2 Tablespoons raw pecans

1 tablespoon of turmeric

1 tablespoon of Red Star Nutritional Yeast (Not brewer's yeast.) It supplies B vitamins.

Add cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, or ground cloves to taste.

4 Large dates (pits removed) cut in half, then diced

1 sliced banana and 1/4 cup of blueberries or any fresh fruits you like.

Cooking instructions: Cook the barley in a separate pot uncovered. Add as much cooked barley as you want to the cooked farro, lentils, and oatmeal. The other items are added as desired until warmed through. Put in a bowl and add the fruit. You can save any extra to warm up for another breakfast.

 (You may find these items on Amazon.com or BobsRedMill.com if unavailable in your area.)

Packed with high nutrition, this breakfast will help you feel satisfied well into the afternoon.

It's been more than twelve years since I began this journey. I haven't had so much as a cold since I started eating this breakfast, followed by a sizeable vegetable-loaded salad late in the day. I drink water and eat fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables daily.

I still share a dessert with Mr. Mickey occasionally and have a glass of wine with food. But, 90% of the time, I eat whole-natural foods that have not been processed in any way other than perhaps being steamed. So, mostly, I just wash, chop, and enjoy. 

Countless people have asked me, "How do you continue to keep the weight off?" This is my secret!

New Start!

Starting over is always stressful, but later in life, it can be downright overwhelming. You might think that getting a whole new wardrobe would be great fun, but I'm finding that not to be the case. 


During the past year, I lost more than forty pounds. That equates to size 12 pants that were too tight to size 6 pants that are too loose in the rear. None of the old familiar favorites that have carried me through in the past will now work for me. Thus begins the monumental task of rebuilding a wardrobe that took years to acquire.

The pieces I've chosen above can be mixed and matched to get the most out of my investment. The exception would be the light blue jacket. It is more dressy and would only be worn with black pants or a black skirt for evenings.  


My goal is to build a core wardrobe of basic pieces that easily move from day to evening and for any event. These pieces can be updated with accessories and layered over tops with interesting details or pops of color to make them current. 


I look for shapes and details that are appropriate for my body type. My upper body is still too thick as compared to my lower half. Instead of boxy large collar jackets, I look for deep V, single-breasted closures, or no closure at all. Lapels are notched high and upward with smaller or, best of all, no lapels. This draws the eye up to my face, which is roundish. I look for a lower scoop neck or V-necks in a simple style and sleek material to balance the roundness. Showing a bit of skin above the cleavage elongates the face. (At fifty-five, I don't show wrinkly cleavage on purpose.) 


The shape of a jacket or blouse should be nipped in a bit at the waist but loose enough to smooth the back. Boxy jackets or ones that are too long will overwhelm me and make me look older and shapeless. My waist has always been thick but wearing a shapeless high neck jacket with a round collar or a chunky knit cardigan makes me appear to have no neck at all as well as no waist and makes my chin appear to rest right on top of my bust.


I always search for pants and skirts with a plain flat front and ideally a side zipper. Even though I don't have much behind, I don't want to draw attention to it with flap pockets or embellished details. I still want smooth, effortless pockets on my slacks. Skinny jeans are for the very young and very skinny. I put those acid-washed, weirdly faded, embellished jeans in that same pile. I look for dark blue jeans, white jeans, and khaki pants with a slightly flared hem and smooth, simple natural waistline. 

I prefer blouses with the same waist tailoring and a crisp collar that can be turned up for an extra lift. I like three quarter length sleeves and always look for those in blouses, summer weight knit cardigans, and crossover detailed tops. Showing a bit of skin at the neck and forearm gives you a visual lift and makes you look taller and thinner. 


Wish me luck as I continue my search! I hope sharing this with you has helped you in your search for updates as well. Try writing down what you are looking for and why. It helps narrow the overwhelming choices when it comes to choosing what is right for you.