As much as I adore Sderot, I have to admit our visit to the Shuk Ha'Carmel today was the high point of my day. First of all because we walked from her house to the Shuk and I didn't struggle in the least. Just the opposite, I enjoyed the walk, I enjoyed being part of the street life, I enjoyed all the shops, the people, the city!
The Shuk itself made me incredibly envious of Laura and her life here, what an amazing way to do your shopping, blocks and blocks of fresh fruits, vegetables, olives, nuts, fish, chicken, prepared foods, and all if grown within miles of here. The Shuk is open 6 days a week and is how the people here get their produce and many of their groceries.
Beyond the health aspect of eating fresh food grown nearby, the energy at the Shuk is just amazing. The shop owners are part grocier, part entertainers. There is music playing and a vitality that is lacking in the US.
I brought back to my hotel the freshest, tastiest strawberries and bananas I have ever had. They made for a great protein shake!
Today overall was a good day on all fronts. I got tons of exercise, I had great food (both from the Shuk and our lunch in Sderot), I felt totally in control of my body and didn't feel I had to limit myself (heck I spent most of the day walking in cute sandals) and it just felt great to be alive.
My one challenge for tomorrow is to keep working on getting enough calories. I am finding that harder than I thought. The food here is so healthy but it is a heavy fruit, veggie, grain diet and not as protein driven as we have in the US. So while I felt like I ate a ton today, when I journaled it, it wasn't exactly the number I was hoping for. I need to add in more PB and tuna and some other items to raise the calorie count up to the level of exercise I am doing. So that is my goal for Friday.
I can't end without sharing the picture of myself from today vs the one from a year ago. I have to admit that the picture today is the first one of me from Israel I really like. And the fact that it is in shorts makes it all that much more shocking for me. I truly think I am beginning to "get it" how far I have come, and how different my life is now. I feel like I smiled today in a way I just haven't before!!!!!! I love where my life is right now.
This is beautiful Pam.
ReplyDeleteShalom Pam,
ReplyDeleteThe Shuk is a microcosm of life in Israel. All the different foods and produce are symbolic of all the Jews from over 102 countries that have come here to revitalize our nation and people. They blend into a cacophany of sounds and tastes, colors and textures, and together, although very different, are one great experience.
As far as protein is concerned, you can eat hummus as chickpeas are loaded with protein. Sorry, but plums won't appear for another few weeks, so I guess you'll just have to come back when they are in season! Of course, if you decide to join us in this crazy targetted little country, you can just go to the shuk all the time! The Mahaneh Yehudah Shuk here in Jerusalem is also an experience not to be missed. Sometimes I wonder what is so special about supermarkets like Wegman's anyway, when you can go to a shuk?
See you Sunday,
Irwin