Earlier, Lighter, Dinner and Speaking Your Truth

Earlier, Lighter, Dinner, Speak your truth and the Universe will respond. It started with an open conversation.

It was November 6, 2014.  My fiance and I (we got married a year later) were living with my mom and dad in a three bedroom house in rural Arizona. I had just signed up for Yoga Health Coaching and was about to embark on an epic journey that continues today.

It started with Body Thrive and eating an Earlier, Lighter, Dinner. 

I called a house meeting that morning. My family and soon-to-be-husband stood around the kitchen island. I remember saying something like this, “Hey! So, I’ve finally found a way to incorporate everything I love to do and make money at it. I just signed up to be a Yoga Health Coach. It’s a 15 month training and certification program where I get to kick ass, take names, and learn new skills to become a certified Yoga Health Coach.”

Took a deep breath. They continued to stare at me, a little unsure of what I was saying. I felt the warmth from Jesse’s arm near mine, I noticed the stubble on my dad’s chin, and the way my mom shifted from one foot to the other.

“Look guys, shit’s going to get real around here because I’m going to be doing things a little bit differently. I’m going to be eating lunch as my biggest meal of the day and dinner is going to be at 5:30. I’m also going to go to bed at 10pm no matter what.”

Follow through with this big idea.

Paused, but only for a moment before I launched in again. I needed my family to understand how serious I was because I couldn’t convince myself through my own doubts. I have a history of being the black sheep of my family and making impulsive decisions like moving to Brazil and France and India for months at a time. I could tell they thought this was another one of those impulses. There was some tiny part of me that needed my family to help hold me accountable because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to follow through with this big idea.

“I’m going to need for you to see me as someone who makes a lot of money and who makes a significant difference in the world.” I told them I needed them to believe in me because I didn’t yet believe I could do any of it.

I continued to talk at them, “I also want to ask you if you’d be willing to commit to cook one meal a week. A meal that I can eat—and look, I have this handy recipe book!”—I pulled out Cate’s Body Thrive Recipe Book. But the thing is, I need you to make it for lunch, not for dinner so you’ll probably have to make the day or night before.

A rush of relief came over me

This might also mean that we don’t eat dinner together or that I may be eating something different than you’re eating. Is that okay with you?” They smiled and nodded. A rush of relief came over me. That was almost too easy. My mom beamed at me across the kitchen island, her round face glowing. My dad nodded and then smiled. As I turned toward my future husband, his green eyes shone, but I thought I detected a hint of questioning in his look.

Even today, I still believe they didn’t fully understand the extent to what they were agreeing to. Nor did I. “One more thing,” I added, “When you cook, I need you to make extra so that there are intentional leftovers. This is really going to to help me out.” That’s how Earlier, Lighter Dinner started in my household.

It lead to amazing results.

It took many months for everyone to get with the program, but as a result my husband started to notice that we could actually commune around the dinner table instead of just stuff our faces and pretend to listen to each other. 

My dad noticed that when he actually ate breakfast and lunch he didn’t need to overeat at dinner and he found that he slept better. My mom started to notice that cooking earlier and making less complicated meals for dinner was actually easier!

I started to notice that my family enjoyed the food that I made—marinated kale salads, light soups, and simple, simple meals. My mom started coming to my public yoga classes and my dad started stretching at home. And just last month my dad came to his very first yoga class every! Whoot!

It continues to optimize my life.

So here’s the deal, I’ve found that when I want to make a shift, when I am able to voice my desire(s) out loud, the Universe hears me, and the people around me hear my request and in turn everyone responds. I believe the Universe wants to give us what we want, we just have to be clear.

Eating an earlier, lighter dinner enables me to go to bed early, get up early, and live my life the way that I want. Of course there’s always a give and take but it all started with a conversation. When we initiate from the heart, who knows what might happen?

Until next time,

Shinay