lessons

(PT 3) Do You Really Need🍫🍫It?…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

Chocolate is my weakness when it comes to sweets. I always crave a little bit of chocolate throughout the day. I am trying to cut back though, and I must say, I’ve cut back tremendously from the start of the year.
I have tried to eat only certain forms of dark chocolate, for a healthier choice, or specially made chocolate with less additives and sugar. That hasn’t worked to curb my craving, I end up craving the good stuff.
I used to feel the need to always have some sort of chocolate on deck, chocolate covered almonds, chocolate candy bars, chocolate covered raisins, brownies, you name it. So, I decided to use hot chocolate to satisfy that daily craving, which has has helped curb that craving. I limit myself to one mug, and I don’t heap 2-3 tablespoons into the mug like I used to. A little almond milk is nice to add sometimes, and one mug leaves me satisfied for the day.

I don’t know if I’ll ever not like chocolate, and it’s hard not to glimpse at the chocolate candy isle when I am shopping. Force of habit. When I do catch myself looking off towards that isle, I tell myself that I don’t need it, and I already have some at home.
I don’t know if I’ll ever reach a point where I won’t
like chocolate.

I am weaning myself off of chocolate because I know that it is the sugar that I’m craving. The less of it I eat everyday, the more I realize that the need to eat it, is more in my head! And by the way, I did eat a little chocolate today, but it was just a little, for flavour. That’s all I really needed.

I have more to say on this sweet topic but I will continue in another blog.


Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,


~Dawn Lovely

(PT 2)Do You Really Need🍬It?…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment
Continuing…


I’ve improved since last month by a long shot, I find myself not craving candy as much, but my sweet tooth is still well and very active. I know that I will continue to crave sweets, but it’s just about sticking to a good substitute. Over the years I have tried many different healthier/natural foods to ease my cravings which has helped. Dried fruits like, prunes, apricots, and raisins are a good substitute for candy. They are very sweet, and jammed packed with nutrients as well.


Regardless of your financial situation, we are in the best time to  moderate our diets. We all know that there is some form of sugar in practically everything we eat. Now is the time to make room for the foods that do your body good, that help to strengthen your immune system. You will be amazed at how much money you save once your try cutting out what is not really needed.
The money that you save by cutting back, you can put towards the “marked up” prices to purchase fruits like strawberries, blueberries, avocados, pineapples etc. Those fruits tend to be pricey, compared to a large pack of skittles. You can also consider supporting your local fruit markets in your neighborhood, to help them stay open.

Regardless of how healthy I try to keep my diet, I still feel it necessary to indulge in a daily snack or dessert.

I am now focusing on what types of sugar I choose to eat through the day, and the times of day I crave sugar.

I’m glad that I am able to walk past the candy section without feeling the need to grab a box. The artificial glucose syrup candies are not as appetizing to me now, but I’ve had to fill the void with something.

As much as I love fruits, I still need something different as a substitute when the usual won’t do.

One of the reasons that I adore living in the city is, even during this shut down I’m  still able to find one of my all time favorites. I finally found one of my carribbean favourites at a local fruit market, tamarind balls. They are made from natural tamarind, but processed with some sugar, and chilli. There are different types of these candies some are spicy and hot, some made to be more sweet. They definitely satisfy my sweet tooth. I don’t find myself feeling a “sugar high” after eating a few. That is the beauty of them filling in  for my candy cravings.

I hope this post helped in some way! I’m going to grab a fruit before I start getting ready for bed.

Take Care, Stay safe and  Stay tuned.


Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely
Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

Those Quarantine Dreams🌛💭…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

I was meaning to continue on from my last blog, but I felt the need to share this with you, regarding dreams. Since the beginning of this quarantine, I have been having short weird dreams. Sometimes during a quick unexpected, drop asleep type nap. Sometimes after a long much needed proper sleep. My body clock has been off it’s usual schedule for obvious reasons, and the weather isn’t helping.
I know these dreams are coming from a lack of  consistency, but I still want to understand what it is I’m seeing. These dreams are more difficult than usual for me to read, because they are so short and random. I have to think a little deeper to figure where the ideas came from, and why they suddenly showed up.


Have you ever fallen asleep with the TV on and had influences from the program playing, enter into your dream? We’ve all been there, and sighed in relief when realizing it was just the TV, not actually ME.
Well, these dreams are ALL me. The other day it hit me that the scenery, and the atmosphere outside has brought many of my actual dreams to life.

I have had this reoccurring dream of walking around in a large spacious vacant store. I am usually all alone, and there are barely any products on the shelves. Sometimes the stores look abandon, with old broken or used products on the shelves. Sometimes the store has everything, but what I really need.
The worst is when I awake, upset and afraid of what I couldn’t find in the dream.


I have dreamt those “Bargain Harold’s” warehouse stores, that you will only know if you are from a certain era in old school Toronto. I used to love walking around with my mother and siblings in that store. 

In real life, the streets are vacant and quiet, some stores have been boarded up, and through the windows some are a literal mess. I feel uneasy seeing this, but there isn’t anything that I can do.
My dreams draw upon these feelings that I need to feel, and now I have no choice but to accept what’s going on outside.
I don’t think I’ll be having those type of  dreams anymore.


Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.


Love and Respect,


~Dawn Lovely


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(PT 1)Do You Really Need🍭It?…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

On a tight budget, time limit, and limited stock, simplicity is the key to grocery shopping in these times. You may have to wait outside an hour longer than you anticipated.

There’s no telling what tomorrow will bring regarding rules and regulations for essential stores. Shop as though your life depended on it, without the stress. Pick up the essentials first, the basic staples, the most nutritious foods the body needs. Consider the rest extras, to supplement your pantry, or add-ons you could live without.

This thought process used to be challenging for me, when I used to rely more on snacks. You will improve over time, and there’s no better time than now.

There are many items in the grocery store that you just don’t need, omitting them from your list is a good start. Bunkers all over the store are packed with boxed snacks, full of sugar, salt, and preservatives. I haven’t seen a shortage of boxed snacks in a grocery store yet, and the prices are pretty good on those items. I don’t forsee an upcoming shortage of those packaged foods anytime soon. The news has yet to report on any possible shortages on chips and cookies.

If you have a favourite not so healthy snack, pick it, choose one and buy it in bulk. Ration it, create portions for the week, and have it as your main “guilty snack”. I eat pretty healthy on a daily basis, but I can admit to my borderline sinful sweet tooth, that I’m still working on curbing.

This quarantine time has put my sweet tooth to the ultimate test, for obvious reasons. I have found myself buying my favourite candy of all time, “hot tamales” to carry me through. As of now I haven’t felt the need to buy them, my cravings have subsided with work! I will share more of my tips in my next post.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

We’ll Have To Adapt🙄☝🏼🍞….

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

Continuing…

We have no choice but to adapt, because we don’t know how long this will last. What used to be a simple trip to the grocery store, is now a trip you really have to prepare for.

Yesterday was the first time in almost two weeks that I was out and about in the morning to shop. I was taken aback by the long line outside of the store, especially at that time of day. I hadn’t seen this outside of a store around here, and the gaps in between made it even longer. The “social distancing” and monitoring of the line is different in the busy daytime hours. That’s why I’ve been trying to avoid the crowded stores, and was only going out after dark right before closing. I need to get fresh air and sunlight, and I used to love to do my errands in the daytime. Standing in that line, I heard many people’s worries. I could’ve put on my headphones and plugged into my google play list, but no. I find it’s best to listen and take in the vibes of what’s going on around you. I felt sorry for the senior citizen who asked the grocery line security, “Are there senior citizen hours??” The reply was, “Yes, Monday and Wednesday.” I could hear the slight desperation in his voice, and I felt kind of bad for him. Some of the older folks don’t have any help, and have to shop amongst the general public. Another man ahead of me had to step out of the line to use the payphone that was two steps away. In typical “Canadian Manners” fashion, he turned around and told the man behind him, sounding slightly worried. He didn’t want to lose his place in line, even though we tend to be very understanding and polite. I usually would have offered him my cell phone to use, but I couldn’t, due to the virus situation. I barely touch my phone in public.

When it comes to hunger and food folks tend to act impatient, regardless of the circumstance. Folks are generally worried, in the span of weeks, how to access basic needs, has changed tremendously.

We have to adapt, and help each other through this, by polishing up on our newly learned outside etiquette.

I am Thankful for the caring, polite, aware folks of Toronto. I will continue in my next post.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

The “Right” To Eat🍞🥑🍗…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

My perspective on food has changed since the virus pandemic hit, I will never look at food the same. I couldn’t picture not having access to certain foods, since I’ve only lived in Western society. Looking at bare shelves for weeks, and not seeing the basics like rice available in a mega grocery store, hit me hard. I could only imagine this, or dream it, which I have.

I have always believed that everyone has the “right” to eat. There is enough food available on the planet for all of us, and I don’t need research or stats to confirm this. I think I’m mentally and physically prepared to go without, if a food shortage did hit. Preparation is the key, training your mind and body while you have the time should be top priority. If you have issues with eating a healthy diet, now is the best time to practice better daily eating habits. Eating what you need to eat, not what you want to eat is a good start to change your attitude about food.

I have never taken food for granted, I’ve talked about growing up in poverty at times in past blogs. I’d be okay living on rice and beans, if need be, my life experiences have prepared me for that. There is not a day where I am not Thankful for the food that I put in my stomach.

Back in high school days when I worked at the grocery store deli, I learned how much food grocery stores throw away. I was appalled and felt very uncomfortable having to throw away recently cooked whole roasted chickens that I prepared. I witnessed the bakery clerks throwing all of the days left over buns and bread into large black trash bags. There were so many buns, three to five trash bags full. I thought they would at least sell some of them as “day olds” at a discount price. I inquired about the possibility of giving them away to a local shelter, or even to the last shoppers in store before closing. I never received a clear answer, as to why we couldn’t look into it. This bothered my conscience, I hated that part of my job. I know that if I was in a poor country, maybe there would have been arrangements made.

Everyone has the right to eat, and in these times take note of your attitude towards food. You may have no choice but to adapt to a new way of life due to the current climate. I have more to say on this topic, I’ll continue in my next post.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

(PT2)I’m😞Worried Too,☝🏼BUT…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

Continuing…

Before I left, I imparted words of encouragement on him, words that I had been telling myself:

Things may get WORSE, and very soon, but for now, these are just changes. It’s going to be different around here, but not completely. There will be some stores open to buy basic needs, even if it’s only two or three. It’s going to be okay, all you can do is stay aware, watch the news and relax.

This was all my intuition and common sense speaking, I have to protect my health from more than this virus. I was starting to get migraines that come when I worry, at the thought of figuring out what more to do. That was my warning to sign to relax.

I’m worried too but, I love the lessons that I’ve learned thus far. I am so blessed to have the food and I shelter I have as of now. All the food in this area is not going to run out over night. Folks are just in a panic and frenzy, I can’t let them throw me off my game. I’ve been through it before, fear can not take over my faith now.

All the while I am still worried, just eighty percent less than usual. That’s good enough for now, until the next step is announced.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

I’m😞Worried Too, BUT….

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

The first day of the store shut downs, I had a deep conversation with a local produce market owner about the pandemic. He was expressing how worried he was about the government enforced shut downs and how it’s going to affect his business. He explained that the border shut down puts his shop in jeapordy, and if things don’t change in a week, he’s in big trouble. He said, “What are we going to do??? All the stores are closed. How are we going to feed our families??? After next week if this doesn’t change, I don’t know what I’m going to do…” He was very emotional as he spoke of the street, which is most popular for it’s restaurants and shops. His eyes were full of fear, and I felt his pain.

It was five o’clock in the evening, and the lights were out for majority of the stores and restaurants on the street. It looked very weird, I had never seen this time of day so dead outside in my life. It felt unreal. I was worried too, as I carefully picked out my items, overthinking my tight budget. I chose to buy many bags of rice from him instead of the franchise store. I like to support small businesses, especially in these times. I visit his shop at least once a week, and I told him that I appreciate his store and his prices. His care for his customers, and fair prices is better than a franchise grocery store. I told him that as well and he smiled as he thanked me.

Although everything seems to be going haywire, I know I will be okay, because of what I have already overcame in my life. But I am still worried, I will admit.

I left him with some wise words of encouragement, that came from my intuition. I will continue in my next blog.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned 🙂

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

Just Some Thoughts🤔:While We Keep Our😷Distance…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

There’s no way I could be bored in admist of the quarantine/chaos/calm this virus has brought to Toronto. Simply observing what’s been going with my fellow man amazes me. I feel as though I am in a movie, not reality. As I woke up this morning I forgot all about it, but after a few seconds passed, It hit me, Oh yaaaa thaaat! Then I sighed, feeling irritable.

Back in high school, I used imagine how it would be to live through a pandemic or plague of the past. Watching documentaries in history class had me fascinated. I couldn’t believe how they adapted to the situation, and they didn’t have the technology and freedoms that we have.

Last week in No Frills, a professionally dressed lady approached me asking if there actually was NO more toilet paper. We were standing in front of bare shelves. I understood her shock, but it surprised me that she looked so puzzled as to what to do next. I proceeded to let her know that a few dollar stores and markets up the road probably had some in stock. I knew that most folks in that area were only going to No Frills, which puzzled me. I was right, the few stores I went in had lots of toilet paper. The prices and sizes were actually fair, and no lines to stand in. Since we are supposed to be practicing social distancing, it was a safer way to go.

People were crammed in those long lines at No Frills like a can of sardines. I decided to take a risk and try a few independent stores. I assumed more people would do the same but, nope!

There was an influx of people headed towards the busy No Frills, I had a feeling majority were going in for bulk toilet paper at a “fair” price. I thought to myself, I guess people can’t get used to not buying certain products from different stores???

I don’t know what it is, but I feel fear is taking over basic common sense, and it’s bigger than toilet paper.

Take Care and Stay Safe, and Stay Tuned 🙂

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W

Times of Panic and An Act of Kindness🙏🏼☺️…..

~ dawnlovely ~ Leave a comment

The other night I had a pleasant, quiet walk to the store last night, a perfect relaxed night for thinking. The weather was surprisingly not chilly, it was quite mild, almost warm enough to go without gloves. I felt at ease, relieved, and very enthusiastic to go for a walk. The streets were quieter than usual on a weekday night in this area. I felt slightly nervous because it felt looked more vacant than usual, but I liked it.

I was looking to purchase a few items, basic products that I assumed would be in stock. I’ve seen on the news that folks are stocking up on certain items, but I was in awe to see the shelves bare. This was one of several big franchise stores in this area, I had already visited one that was the same. I was flabbergasted. As I moved around the store quickly in search of the not-so-urgent items, I noticed a very elderly man laughing out loud, shaking his head. He was looking down at the dairy cooler very perturbed. I caught his eye walking by and he said, “There’s only ONE left!…. Do you want it?You can have it if you like ” I wasn’t sure what sure what item he was talking about about. I looked at the bottom shelf and it was pretty much bare, then I noticed one bag of two percent milk at the back. I don’t drink two percent dairy milk, that’s one item I actually did not need. I am an almond milk drinking gal, but the gesture of offering was very kind. For all we know they may be no milk ins rock for weeks. The elderly man, looked clearly over sixty- five, the age that is said to be most at risk still cared about my well-being. He displayed a certain politeness and old school chivalry, anyone could see he is from a different generation of values. I kindly Thanked him and jokingly responded that everything that I needed was out of stock, and fortunately milk was not one of those items.

I left the store feeling slightly annoyed, but had a sense of warmth and relief. The man’s kind gesture gave me a little more faith in humanity. As I briskly walked home, I thought about how important an act of fairness or kindness is, in times of fear or uncertainty.

The night was very calm, but I felt the frantic energy that was coming within the week. Most people will not be offering the last bag of ANYTHING, even if they truly want to share.

Take Care and please be safe.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely

Follow me @:https://twitter.com/iamdawnlovely, https://t.co/wfctLWHJ1W