“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” – Patanjali
Year after year, day after day, this quote continues to inspire me. This blog has truly been a venue for me to break those bounds and give voice to my thoughts, so I’m glad to be back at it after a few years off. In truth, there are so many moments where I have felt that inspiration and have experience the universe conspiring to support me. I’ve heard it called flow. Have you felt it too? I sure hope so.
My Off White Living story used to go something like this: I have struggled with eating white flour and sugar for years (true) and I’ve found some ways to overcome that addiction (mostly) and I’m here to share them with you (which I did). Good story, a great start, but the story has changed.
Today my story is something like this: I recall hearing something from one of my favorite teachers that you know you are on the right track with your life path when it scares you to death. I also had a great boss tell me that if I’m not radically uncomfortable, I’m not pushing my boundaries and growing. Yes. Yes to all of that. I have been scared and uncomfortable many times- sometimes due to my own sabotaging behaviors and sometimes because I was brave enough to be on the bleeding edge of my own abilities and charting the path unknown. I have also worked with clients, chatted with friends, and read the stories of others regarding the path to health and wellness. Bottom line, I see the common denominator is that we all have to face our demons, reconcile our fears, humble ourselves to the false limitations we’ve imposed, and embrace the unknown if we want to heal and be well. For some, this is easy, for others like me (and maybe you) it is a process. I hope to share some of that process here with you. Because when I share, I grow. When I make a connection with others around the topic of wellbeing, I feel a spark. It’s wonderful and it’s essential for me to keep the fire going.
Off White Living 
P.S.
We are a local Oregon business, located in Oregon City.
I hear ya lovely lady! I’ve been working for a year to get this off white thing happening for me. Well ever since I met you I suppose. I have been working hard and I’m really grateful for your blog to help me on a regular basis kick this white stuff habit! Thank you!
🙂
HI Rebecca!
Thanks for visiting my blog/site and I am glad you like it!! I am still yearning for more visitors but what can you do? My goal is to just put out the informaiton for women to have whenever they need it.. I am really liking your blog as well, it’s informative with a nice twist of your personality. I will definitely add you under my blogroll so women can have even more information on nutrition! Keep us going girl on getting off of this “off white” stuff.
Hi Rebecca–
Thanks for visiting my place. I will be back often. I am currently suffering my “Easter migraine” that comes from mainlining white food all morning (which I am so not used to). This is an excellent resource and one I will be happy to recommend…..thanks!
Angela at Reality Testing
OMG! I read SUGAR BLUES in Jan. and I have been trying very hard to get off sugar. I actually broke down two weeks ago and had a handful of jelly beans 😦 and my tongue was numb!! no more jelly beans! I also have read GEEN4LIFE, wow!
I am a single mom of three boys and they are not very game for all this raw stuff, so i have fallen off the wagon but understand how being “off the white stuff” makes me feel so much better!!
Thanks for your blog!!
Hallie
Hi Hallie,
thanks for the comment and good for you for your attempts of removing sugar. Be patient with yourself. Think “Progress, not perfection”. I think that every day we can avoid or minimize sugar or processes foods, is a drop in the bucket of good health. Over time, there are more good days than bad. Keep up with your kids, they will eventually get on board. Healthy food is an acquired taste, as is junk food. Make it interactive, that helps.
Hi Rebecca:
Glad to have found your blog! I’m also off-whites and processed carbs, insanely consistently for about 3 weeks, off and on for about 2 months – but the last 2 days, I don’t know what it is, I am *starving* and my mind is going right towards carb carb carb. I even bought a dark chocolate bar last night but, just like an alcoholic in recovery, have left it sitting in my cabinet as a “last resort” kind of thing. I’ve lost 15 lbs, and I want to keep going!
Something that have been a true lifesaver for me is listening to online radio shows – Connie Bennett’s blogtalkradio show, Sugar Shock, and Leanne Ely’s Saving Dinner blogtalkradio show. Reading stuff is great, but actually listening to someone talk is how I learn.
Hi Rebecca,
I am glad I found you… I feel GREAT when I am able to go a while without sugar and carbs. I KNOW this is problem for me and it drives me crazy! Afternoons are the worst time. I love tea and we grow organic veg in our garden, but I LOVE Nestle Crunch on a stressful afternoon! Oh no!
Thanks Rebecca… and I also have a cat muse… her name is Betty!
Cheers
Elizabeth
I’m glad to have found your site! Lately I have begun to realize that my relationship with food is more like a damaging addiction than healthy coexistence. I stumbled upon your site from a link on another Salem area site, and it seems like providence!
Great stuff. Really enjoy your thoughts, ideas, and information. Would love to collaborate!
Thanks, I’d like to consider collaboration as well. I appreciate you reaching out!
Rebecca
Rebecca, this is fab! Steph pointed me to your blog, and so glad to read your story – we have a lot more in common than I thought! I am on the “Good Mood Diet” (off-white) and feel so much better and am dropping weight. Also feeling a little craving here and there, and live in a household where my 94-yr-old mother-in-law makes cookies and brownies to keep herself busy!
Not yet getting much exercise, but that’s my next project – as you said, Progress Not Perfection.
Thanks for sharing this great info. Love, Patricia
Wow – I just stumbled upon your site after searching “lowering your sugar intake” – it has definitely become a concern for me – as I just returned from Starbucks with a tall chai latte (hello?! Over 200 calories here)!
I have bookmarked your site for ongoing inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by Angie! Yeah, those coffee drinks can really get ya with the calories and sugar…and S.Bucks is introducing a 31ozer for iced drinks – YIKES!
I absolutely love the quote at the top of this post by Patanjali. (I just saved it).
Its one thing too hear a great quote, but to see someone living it like you is awesome.