Zookenberry Update

So the way I am posting on Zookenberry is about to change; like I've said I am changing how Zookenberry is centered. It seems to be evolving into much more of a cookbook - a way to eat healthy while living healthy. The 'Daily' goal/information posts won't stop, but they aren't the main focus anymore, but rather just a component.

I am using my blog to begin gathering information together - and hopefully get your feedback. The more people I have trying out recipes, and giving me ideas, the better. I have worked up a schedule, revolving around a 'featured food' each week. Below is the posting schedule for how things are going to run;

Monday

-  Introduce food/superfood and its nutritional value
-  Lunch Recipe
-  Dinner Recipe
-  Cooking Tip

Tuesday

-  Food Fact (Did You Know)
-  Food Background/origins
-  Breakfast Recipe
-  Snack/appetizer Recipe

Wednesday

-  Weigh-in Post
-  Add 5 to 'What's in Your Food'
-  Vegetable Recipe
-  Day-long Meal Plan

Thursday

-  Activity Idea
-  Review/Editorial/Response
-  Dessert Recipe
-  Wee Column

Friday

-  Food Fact (Did You Know)
-  How to Entertain & Be Healthy Recipe
-  Friday Fish Recipe
-  Nutritional vs.

Saturday

-  Next week's 'up and coming' (shopping list)
-  Next Daily Goals & Associated Info

Sunday

-  N/A

This week is the beginning - but it will be next Monday that begins the official posts. Just thought I would give you a bit of an update on how things are going!

Being an Accountability Partner

One of the keys to weight loss (and you've probably already heard me mention it a dozen times) is having an accountability partner. It is so easy to fall off track when you have only yourself to be accountable to; we can be really creative with our excuses when there are cookies to be eaten. However, your accountability partner is the one who will see through those excuses, tell you that you're being slightly ridiculous and get you back on track.

If you are an accountability partner to someone you have quite the responsibility. You should be talking with your partner at least once a day; asking what they've done to get active, if they're doing what they need to meet their goals, where they are struggling and what is getting them through. Make sure you know your partner's goals, motivation and inspiration. You may see your partner slipping off track even before they notice - stay alert and ready to give encouragement. When they are struggling use what motivates and inspires them, help them find something new to work towards and get excited again.

Plan activities together, even if you don't live close to each other. Do both of you have a similar desire to start jogging? Plan a day to start and them compare stories. It's a lot harder to convince yourself not to go, when you know your partner is going. Do both of you have a weakness for cupcakes? See who can hold out the longest, or come up with the best substitute!

Compare healthy recipes, explore new activities and watch each other's progress! Go through the daily Zookenberry blurbs together, and discuss your goals. Break out the worksheets and compare notes. This is not a lonely process, it's not meant to be.

Changing your life is not easy - but it can be fun, rewarding and very possible when you have someone along side you. All the effort you put in to being a great accountability partner to someone will come back to you - as they need to be just as much of a support system to you as you are to them, to be successful.

Not Gone, Just Brainstorming

Hello everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that Zookenberry hasn't disappeared, I'm just reworking the process a little. I have some great ideas - it just requires a change of direction, I'm really excited though and hope you'll enjoy! Talk to you soon.

Introduction

I am having trouble deciding how to introduce this blog - it's not just a blog, it is meant to be a book of sorts. It has a definite beginning and end. However, I didn't want to just write a book, I wanted to interact, to show video, to engage my audience in other ways then through just text. Why? Because there is no step-by-step guide to living healthy. My experience has shown me that it is a journey, that if taken together it is a goal we can all achieve.

Having said that, I am sure I will refer to this blog/book (.. blook?) as a guide from time to time. If only because I lack a better word. Zookenberry is meant to be an information source, a support system and a community where people at all stages can come and learn. There is a plethora of mis-information available out there and much of it has been ingrained into us as truth. I hope that my research will be valuable to you, and hopefully inspire you to change your life for the healthier.

Originally I was going to call this blook "The Zookenberry Diet", for the simple reason that a Zookenberry does not exist... nor does any super food/super secret trick that can make you lose weight and live healthy. If there was, don't you think we all would have found it by now? This title is still up for debate though and for now will remain simply "Zookenberry"... because not only is this not a diet, but I despise the very thought of a diet.

Life is meant to be enjoyed.
Food is meant to be enjoyed.

Neither life nor food is very enjoyable when it becomes a chore, when they are limited and controlled by a diet, when guilt is the main emotion because you aren't able to live by those limitations or when rebounds happen and your situation seems even worse than before. No wonder so many people live unhealthily; the media puts out an unattainable image for us and then the weight loss industry adds on a million and one ways to achieve this image - yet none of them work. Zookenberry isn't set up as a cure-all, but instead works on the individual level - finding what motivates, encourages and inspires each person.

For almost a decade now food and nutrition has been a passion of mine, and now that I have a 'few' extra pounds after having my daughter, being healthy is all the more important to me. Not only do I want to feel good about myself again and get my energy back, but I want to be a good influence for her.

That is where Zookenberry comes in. It will be our journey together to change our lives, without guilt, and without rules and limitations. Instead it will be a learning process, with slow and sustainable changes to our lives that will hopefully have some wonderful side effects.

Interested? Click here to read "Using Zookenberry".