Overcoming Challenges 2023
A Healthy View of Challenges we Face
Today on the second day of the new year, 2023, I sat in front of my computer for an hour trying to figure something out and ended up in tears. The frustration that occurs when you attempt to do something you have no idea how to do, can be overwhelming. But we need to just move on and do something that will change your mood and make you feel happy and go back later to the challenge and attempt to figure it out again. I did just that and played with my cats which always make me laugh and feel good.
I am a chef and I can go in the kitchen with a blank piece of paper and create any dish I can imagine. I can take any suggestions of dishes my students want to learn and create a recipe. I can stand up in front of an audience and teach my recipes as I cook them without being nervous and get the recipe done in the allotted time for the class. I can turn the camera on and create a video to put on my You Tube and Patreon pages, not a problem and I do it in one take, no editing. I can go in front of an audience and answer any questions about healthy food, the energy of food, what foods will help heal certain conditions and be completely comfortable. I can do a guest spot on a show and demonstrate one of my recipes and have a great time, not being nervous. I have many talents that most people can not do, but I have certain things I can not do or are very bad at, one of those things is working on computers.
Here is the situation:
I have to create a 4 page document/booklet/thing (do not even know what to call it) for a unique opportunity to be a part of a project for my business. It has to be created in ‘Canva’ a program that is free to sign up for and I did that yesterday. The booklet should be attractive with pictures and descriptive words about me. I do not have a problem attaining the pictures and the description. I do not know how to use the program. I do not even know what button to click first. They have these ‘templets’ that I am suppose to choose from. When I click on them it shows me some form that is not what I want. I then click ‘customize’ and it take me to another page with more options that I do not know what to click there either. As I stated at the beginning of the blog, I was attempting to figure this out for an hour and ended up in tears because none of it make sense. Then I received an e mail from ‘Canva’ that said, “Congratulation on creating 5 designs”. WHAT??? I do not know what I did. What designs? Where are these designs? I thought I was just clicking on ‘templets’. (Oh, this is so confusing.)
I was defiantly one of the last to get aboard the ‘computer’ train. My sister (who has a website design business) ran my website and did all my computer work for the first part of my business (I have been in business for 26 years). I got my first lap top computer 10 years ago and I was completely lost. I have made huge accomplishment in the ‘computer’ realm of creating things since then. I am able to do things now that I could never perceive when I first go my lap top. I have written 6 cookbooks on the computer. I self published them, I had to figure out how to type in a document, sizing of letters, margins, fonts (I did not know what ‘fonts’ were for many years), and all the editing tools that come with the computer editing. And boy, was that challenging to figure out. It take me a significant amount of time to create a cookbook being computer challenged. One wrong click when I am working on the computer and I am lost and need help to figure out what just happened.
I would rather be in the kitchen cooking, creating new recipe, teaching cooking classes, working with clients, or cooking for clients then be on the computer any day. And who is to say that computers actually help small businesses. When I started my business I printed up flyers, and posted them where ever there was a place, health food stores was the best place to put flyers. I had two cooking classes a week and I had students. My phone would ring with people asking me about my classes of other services I offer. Yes, it was a good time for my business. Then health food stores and other places got rid of their boards to put flyer, they said, everyone uses their computer and social media to advertise, no need for flyers. Fast forward to now, I struggle to get new students, most of my social media posts are not even seen (algorithms), and my phone is not ringing. Plus a couple months ago Face Book changed their format and I can not post on my Macro Val business page. How, may I ask, is that the computer helping small businesses? (I can share to my business page but can not do a post on the page.) (Yes, I know there are many positive things that come from the computer also, such as being able to teach virtually to all over the world now.) (Note: Sorry for the rant, I thought it was on topic for frustrations about computers.)
Now the point of my blog is to point out that challenges will arise and we need to face them so we can figure out the best way to move forward. When you are faced with challenges in your life the food you eat can actually help you overcome them and be able to face them. If peoples diet consists of refined processed, highly sugar foods, they will not be able to handle challenges. Many have seen how people explode over things that happen, that would be a super hyped up emotional response. And some actually cause harm to themselves or other people with this over blown emotional outburst.
Eat whole grains to have a more even emotional reaction to challenges. Whole grains have a calming energy. They soothe your organs. They digest slowly which also give your brain a slow steady supply of glucose (brain food). A slow steady supply of glucose gives your brain the energy, fuel it needs to function calmly, to over come challenges without exploding. Whole grains are the most balance (energy wise) food you can eat. You become the energy of the food you eat. Calming foods create calming energy.
On reflection, it is no coincidence that this challenge of figuring out ‘Canva’ is happening to me now in the ‘Water Energy’ phase, the winter season. This is the energy phase that holds the potential for adaptability, flexibility and being able to handle challenges. Looks like more Kasha and Sea Vegetables for me! Another note here, when I was frustrated attempting to figure out ‘Canva’, I had some Creamy Sweet Potato Soup that I had made with rolled oats. The sweet soup with the creamy texture helped to sooth my up tight, ‘stressed’ organs so I can handle the stress.
To stay healthy, rise to any challenges that happens along your journey. Eat whole grains to keep your emotions calm. Know that you can eventually figure out anything. Let go of the frustration, walk away for a while, do something fun such as play with your cats. Know that these challenges are part of life and we are all here living life. Ask for help and it will be given to you. Know that this shall pass.
Thank you for reading my blog as I expressed my challenges. I know I went a little personal here and not so much ‘healing foods’ as I usually do in my blog. Another healthy thing to help us is to express our frustrations, just writing this blog has helped my mood.
Please support my business by attending a cooking class, having a consultation with me, joining my private Patreon Cooking Channel, hiring me as your personal chef (Michigan) and/or choosing a paid subscription for this blog.
Bless you for the new year, 2023!
Wed. Jan. 11 - 6:30 to 7:30 PM (EST)
Sweet Potato Tempeh Chili! - All new recipe - Virtual - $25.00
The cold winter months are the perfect time for chili. This version uses sweet potato to create a nice thick texture and complementing the spicy taste of the chili. The high protein food, tempeh is used in the chili as a meat substitute.
Wed. Jan. 18 - 6 to 8:30 PM(EST)
Collard Kasha Lasagna Dinner - All New Recipes - IN PERSON- $60.00
This pasta free lasagna recipe features the signature whole grain of winter, Kasha. The Lasagna is three layers of vegetables, kasha, tofu and mochi sauce. A Sweet and Sour Vegetables side dish will be taught in the class as well. It is a complete meal and you will get to eat the food created in class.
Special Saturday Breakfast Cooking Class
Sat. Jan. 28 - 11 AM to 12 noon (EST)
Breakfast Cooking Class
All New Recipes - Virtual - $25.00
Sugar free, gluten free muffins with cranberry surprise in the middle! These are nutritionally superior muffins with pumpkin, pear, cinnamon and fresh turmeric. Plus an easy porridge with the warming whole grain buckwheat (kasha). The porridge will also feature pumpkin. If you want your vitamin C, these are the recipes for you!