I am constantly battling with my weight, but lately I’ve decided to take a different approach. Normally, I diet (as in pretty much starve myself), get the pounds off (though it gets harder and harder the older I get, so it comes over more slowly each time!), and then I’m back up on the scale again in about a year or so. My food choices while dieting would be a mix of processed foods, like Lean Cuisine, and lots of vegetables and a tiny amount of fruit (since it is high in natural sugar and thus calories).

This go-round on the lose weight journey I have decided to try a more holistic, general, get healthy type approach. This means avoiding processes foods. I haven’t had a Lean Cuisine all summer, and I think I have kicked my habit. I look on ingredient labels before I buy anything to make sure there aren’t any weird or unrecognized ingredients. And, most recently, I joined an organic food buying group. Actually, I’m testing them out but more than likely plan to commit next time I pick up my food.

I’m eating lots of fruit – natural sugar and calories be damned! – and lots of vegetables, and they are so amazingly fresh. My local grocery store, which I switched to from another one because this one is so much closer to where I live, has just the worst produce ever, so I have really missed decent produce. I almost forgot what it was like!

Now, I still have to work on just eating less, but now at least I’m eating good food that is good for me. In fact, I will be enjoying some organic vegetable quiche for lunch today!

Here’s to good food and good crafting! Enjoy this week’s craft link installment!

Aileen’s Musings
If your anything like Aileen you have a lot of extra embellishments you haven’t used. Stop by and see her Altered Embellishment video where Aileen gives you some ideas on altering them to fit your project!

About Family Crafts
Now is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday crafting. Discover how you can make a fun and unique holiday gift for everyone on your list this year.

Carmi’s Art/Life World
Inspired by an antique find Carmi creates a new piece of wall decor.

Eileen – The Artful Crafter
The Artful Crafter’s motto is “Helping Crafters to Be”. To turn a phrase, today we have “The Artful Crafter – and Cyndi – Helping Crafters to Be-ad”.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
Craftside’s giving away 2 copies of the new book Sew Retro along with a whole bunch of beautiful fabric from the on-line store Sew L.A., a no-pattern tutorial on how to make a triangle tank top, a free Hennya (devil mask) print download, a how-to on drawing an eyeball and wings and our schedule for Make and Takes at CHA Supershow in booth 324.

Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter
Kathy Peterson has a new line of Adirondack chairs and five fabulous designers have been challenged to decorate them!

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has 4 books to give away this summer on crafting with tin! Book #2, “Tinwork” is up for grabs this week…come leave you comment and you may win!