by Susan Palombo

This is my fourth reboot and each of them has been different for me.  Although at this point, my diet is almost identical to this program, I don’t adhere to it that strictly at a business conference or a friend’s house for dinner when I’m not rebooting.   I continue to reboot because I love the reminder to take care of ourselves and to spend two weeks of concentration on our health.  I loved the quote on the cover, “The greatest gift you can give others is your best self,” by Joseph J. Sweere.  This time, as some of you know, I literally enrolled my husband, John, into the process.  My daughter, Megan, participated last time when she was living with us.  So my husband has certainly heard about the reboot and benefitted (sometimes an unwilling participant) from the healthy meals!  But he attended the kick off breakfast and WF tour so he has a much deeper understanding of iGnite and the philosophy and purpose around the reboot.  He now understands why we all like iGnite so much.  Mission accomplished on that!  (Success is a core value, of course!)

I am enjoying the spiritual and personal empowerment themes that were added this year.  And writing this blog for iGnite was certainly a gentle nudge to get me towards the back of the manual and to do some of the values work. Even though I have done things like that many times before, I really thought that was helpful.  (learning and growing is one of my values.)

So for Sunday, I woke up rested with a good 8 hours of sleep!  I made my hot lemon water and drank that along with a Tbsp of the ACV.   Then I took our Golden Retriever, Wall-e, out for the first walk of the day.  When I returned, I caught up on the news with a small portion of cooked steel cut oats. Since it was Sunday and iGnite didn’t have any classes, I went to a new studio and had a pilates/barre class.  Then my husband joined me for a small ball class.  The instructor provided an experiential tutorial on how to massage and break up your fascia (myofascial release techniques) for better body health and healing.   We learned something and our feet, calves, hams, back muscles feel much better! (Cue another value—learning and health).  After our class, we came home and I made a yummy brunch of the eggs baked in avocado.  I added some shredded cabbage and kale salad with sunflower seeds, dried cranberries and coconut flakes to our plate along with some salsa without sugar (very hard to find!). 

After our yummy brunch, John enjoyed football and I took a nice walk/run around downtown. (another value emerges on my lovely Sunday—that of vitality).  I visited the Capitol, and enjoyed the Pecan Street Festival, among other highlights.  Then I did some cooking for our 23-year-old twins who came over for dinner.  We had the Spaghetti squash with meat balls, some Brussel sprouts, and sweet potato chips.  Since they love left overs to take home, I also prepared the roasted chicken which they took home and we will have it tomorrow!  We did open a bottle of red wine and I admit to having a nice glass which was my first divergence from the Rx but it was very tasty!  Since I arise at 4:45 a.m., I dashed off this blog, watched 60 minutes, and jumped into bed to hopefully get 6.5 hours of sleep!

The parts I have incorporated into my life:  At this point, my diet is almost identical to this program. When I’m not on the reboot, I don’t adhere to it that strictly if I am at a business conference or a friend’s house for dinner but when I can control my food prep, this is how I eat.   I continue to reboot because I love the reminder to take care of ourselves and to spend two weeks of concentration on my health.  I loved the quote on the cover, “The greatest gift you can give others is your best self,” by Joseph J Sweere. 

Tips and Tricks that have helped me:  The meal plans helped this time.  But I still find each time and periodically, I have to restock and reorganize my pantry & fridge so that I have quick and convenient access to all of my favorite healthy fats, Omega 3s, etc.  so I regularly make small containers of shredded coconut, various nuts, ground flax seed, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, dried fruits, etc.  That make putting together a smoothie or a nutritious and delicious salad, quick and painless.

The most difficult parts:  I love a glass of iced green tea in the afternoon and I completely miss my corn tortillas (both soft and crunchy) which is used to contain many snacks and meals.

The most enjoyable parts:  In earlier reboots, I really fought the body brushing and Epsom Salt baths.  I have since really learned to love this wonderful treat.  It is a terrific cure for sore and aching muscles. I think the best thing is that I feel really full of energy after about the first day and a half.  It is much more fun to do this reboot with a family member or close friend you see often.

What I have learned about myself from the reboots:  Quite a lot actually.  I wrote a year or so ago my discovery of a dairy allergy as the cause/major contributor to life-long Eczema.  This has also reinforced that I am very disciplined and can initiate healthy changes and still enjoy life.  I do not feel deprived.  I have also learned about how important it is to take time for yourself to slow down, relax, recharge and replenish.  I was never good about taking the time to do that and in the last couple of years, I do dedicate time each and every day just to my health and well-being.  I am a happier and more balanced person.  (I do struggle with that since one of my core values is excellence.)