Spring time makes everyone want to chuck things and decluttering is a great habit to be in….but here’s a little something you can add into your life. Try this week to eat (not drink) five straight-from-the-garden fruits/veggies each day and journal about it. Believe it or not, this is a tough one for many of us grain lovers. You don’t have to give up your sandwiches, pasta, cereal or crackers – just make sure you eat your five real, natural fruits or veggies as well. Plus, it’s only for one week, so I think you can mentally get yourself to reach this goal.
If you are already whimpering, and trying to find ways to get around this challenge, let me tell you that ketchup and spaghetti sauce don’t count unless you make them from scratch. Same goes for fruit smoothies. What we are doing here is going for RAW food = the least amount of touching to Mother Nature’s perfectly packaged gifts of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The great thing is that you probably won’t have enough room in your belly for the grains or processed stuff after you get the good stuff in first.
Part 2: I also want you to journal this week as well. Write down what fruits and veggies you consumed and how your body feels. You don’t need to journal all the bad stuff. We are taking our life changes one step at a time so I don’t care about all the other junk right now. We are working on a pace to snowball into the life we want. Just write down the good things: number of fruits/veggies, if you worked out or parked farther away to walk, if you took a long bath or pampered yourself in anyway, things you are grateful for, if you threw out a bit of clutter….anything and everything you feel is a positive addition to your life.
Next week’s blog I will share my journal, and some of your entries, in order to inspire us to go further. This will be a solid piece of evidence that you can look back on when you need a pick me up. It says for seven days you proved you are a great person and contributed to the betterment of the world around you. Who knows, it might become one of your wonderful habits in the future.
In peace this week,
Heather
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Health Care Reform
It’s all the buzz this week. Healthcare Reform is everywhere in the news, all over Facebook, and getting people rankled. There isn’t a news media outlet you can trust with all the facts because they aren’t given all the facts to start with or they want to skew the facts so they look good. The Democrats and Republicans in Washington are fighting like kids on a school playground: just trying to win and not really caring about the central issue. Yes, I know they all say “we care about the people of the United States” but let’s just be honest for a few minutes and say they long ago forgot what their real jobs are, and are now only feeding their own egos. If they weren’t, there wouldn’t be any pork added into anything….every item up for vote would have its own line, no bundled votes. Time consuming, yes, but then again, isn’t that their jobs? What else do we pay them to do?
The second biggest issue I see is the ability of the insurance companies to do whatever they want as a group monopoly. It’s just like the gas companies. Technically they are all separate companies, but in reality they work together to set prices and policies. As a group, they don’t have a single company who stands out by not denying claims and paying for benefits without hassles. On the other hand, I understand the insurance companies’ primary job is to make money. They really aren’t a service organization.
And so the main crux is upon us as a country. Do we want to be sure everyone has basic needs like a socialist society or do we want to preserve capitalism in its most pure form of Survival of the Fittest? Or wait - can’t there be a middle ground with healthcare? We already have it in the postal service and in education. You can use the US Post Office or you can go to UPS, FedEx, or Goin Postal. Public and private working in the same market. You can send your child to the public school or pay for a private one. The choices come in what you consider your priorities. Of course the basic system isn’t as well funded or fancy – that’s the definition of basic. I agree we need improvements in our basic systems, but at least they are there and that’s really a different topic altogether.
So the rest of today’s blog is a fact day from Factcheck.org. No opinions (except mine). I figure this will help in our effort to come up with some real discussions and solutions without the extra ego crap getting in the way of progress. This is our country and we need to take care of it. Let’s begin our education with the recent Health Care Reform Bill just passed in the Senate. Please remember that not everything in this bill starts the minute the President puts his signature on the paper. Some of these are years in the future.
1) The Congressional Budget Office (CBO as their friends call them) thinks that for those in the group market — those who get insurance through their employers — premiums would largely stay the same (which has been a steady increase each year for many years). The average premiums for those who buy insurance on their own would go up, however, by 10 percent to 13 percent. The reason is that benefits could become a lot better for this section of the market under this bill. Also, most people buying their own coverage could receive subsidies that make their net costs for these plans substantially lower than they otherwise would be. Those people, though, could not be on Medicare, Medicaid, or on their employer’s insurance plan.
2) Despite the fact that the federal health insurance plan (a.k.a. the “public option”) is now gone from the bill, Republicans and conservative groups have continued to claim that the bill institutes a system like the one in the United Kingdom, Sweden, or Canada, or otherwise amounts to a government takeover. It doesn’t. A pure government-run system was never among the leading Democratic proposals. Instead, the bill builds on our current system of private insurance, and in fact, drums up more business for private companies (as if they need more money) by mandating that individuals buy coverage and giving many (but not all) subsidies to do so. There would be increased government regulation of the insurance industry, however, not enough to really help the overall situation the industry has sunk our country into in the first place. These “government-run” claims have also included heavy criticism of health care in Canada and the U.K. = such as the assertion by former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop that seniors would be “too old” to qualify for artificial joints and pacemakers in the U.K. If that is true, why are the majority of those getting joint replacements and pacemakers in the U.K. seniors? Someone is qualifying.
3) “If you like your plan, you can keep it.” Obama has repeatedly made this claim, and it’s true for the most part. But not for everyone. Employers could still drop coverage under this bill — just as they can do now. Basically, this is just talk because it changes nothing. Though all employers with over 50 employees must provide some kind of health insurance for their employees, it really could be cheaper for them to just pay the fine ($2000/employee) annually…and that only counts if an employee has to use the federal subsidies to get their own insurance. I can see a ton of ways to get around that fine. Another time…
4) Medicare cuts or Medicare savings…whatever you want to call them, it’s a $500 billion reduction in the growth of future spending over 10 years, not a slashing of the current Medicare budget or benefit. It’s true that those who get their coverage through Medicare Advantage’s private plans (about 22 percent of Medicare enrollees) would see fewer add-on benefits; the bill aims to reduce the heftier payments made by the government to Medicare Advantage plans, compared with regular fee-for-service Medicare. The bill also boosts certain benefits: It makes preventive care free and closes the "doughnut hole," a current gap in prescription drug coverage for seniors.
5) As for Medicaid….eligibility level is expanded to $29,327 as a household income. The Federal Poverty Limit for a family of four is $22,050. (Freaking SAD!!!) It’s also stated that some adults with no children will be able to qualify, but not illegal immigrants.
6) “The health care plan would be the largest middle-class tax cut for health care.” Note the “for health care" part of this claim that has been made. This may be technically true, given the qualifier. But who would even maintain a list of the biggest “middle-class” tax cuts, since there is no agreed upon definition of who is “middle class.” (The vast majority of Americans say they’re "middle-class," making this a popular buzzword for politicians.) This grandiose-sounding assertion, however, is only being made about tax cuts for health care. The bill includes about $460 billion over 10 years in subsidy money. Incidentally, President Bush’s 2001 tax cut totaled about $1.3 trillion over 10 years, with about 42 percent of the benefits going to the middle 60 percent of all income earners, according to a breakdown by the Tax Policy Center. That amounts to $566 billion over 10 years, a bigger cut for the middle earners than the health care tax cut.
7) Economic studies simply do not support the claim that medical malpractice suits are a major driver in health care spending. Many Republicans strongly back limiting liability awards in medical malpractice cases, and it’s true that doing so would save some money = about 0.5 percent (roughly $11 billion in 2009)." That’s real money, but it’s a very tiny part of the more than $2 trillion spent on health care annually in the U.S. There’s disagreement over what exactly the biggest drivers of spending are, but medical malpractice doesn’t top the list. About 75 percent of spending, for instance, goes to taking care of chronic disease.
8) Here’s a bit of hub-bub about the “Union/Cadillac plans”. The bill places a tax on high-cost employer-sponsored plans – specifically there’s a 40 percent tax on the value of plans above $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families, starting in 2018. The tax falls on insurers, but we all know it would be passed along to policyholders one way or another. The thinking behind it isn’t to raise money by slamming workers with a 40 percent tax…the existence of the tax will supposedly prompt employers and employees to choose less expensive health plans (as if there are some to choose from – see second paragraph). In lieu of the higher cost benefits, employers would raise salaries. And that’s how the government really makes its revenue here: on payroll and income taxes on those higher paychecks. My question is…who said the employers will raise salaries for the commoners? And if given a choice, would you rather have greater benefits or a higher salary? Those healthy youngsters without kids want money, where most moms and dads are begging for benefits. Again, it’s all about your priorities.
9) The insurance companies are getting a bit of a slap on the wrist in that they can no longer deny coverage for children with pre-existing conditions, and starting in 2014 can’t deny coverage for anyone at all for a pre-existing condition. WOO HOO!!! That’s not saying they can’t charge you into premiums and co-pay bankruptcy, only that they can’t deny you coverage.
This is nowhere near the whole of it. As usual, the bill is full of crap that really has no purpose or bearing on healthcare but is bribes for votes. Disgusting, I know. It’s not a Democrat or Republican lonely practice, they both do it every day. As you might tell, I wouldn’t do well as a politician. “Kids need healthcare? Well, give it to them damn it! I don’t care if your bonus will only be $1 million instead of $2 million.” I have an attitude problem. I’m okay with that. I like me.
What are your thoughts?
Heather
The second biggest issue I see is the ability of the insurance companies to do whatever they want as a group monopoly. It’s just like the gas companies. Technically they are all separate companies, but in reality they work together to set prices and policies. As a group, they don’t have a single company who stands out by not denying claims and paying for benefits without hassles. On the other hand, I understand the insurance companies’ primary job is to make money. They really aren’t a service organization.
And so the main crux is upon us as a country. Do we want to be sure everyone has basic needs like a socialist society or do we want to preserve capitalism in its most pure form of Survival of the Fittest? Or wait - can’t there be a middle ground with healthcare? We already have it in the postal service and in education. You can use the US Post Office or you can go to UPS, FedEx, or Goin Postal. Public and private working in the same market. You can send your child to the public school or pay for a private one. The choices come in what you consider your priorities. Of course the basic system isn’t as well funded or fancy – that’s the definition of basic. I agree we need improvements in our basic systems, but at least they are there and that’s really a different topic altogether.
So the rest of today’s blog is a fact day from Factcheck.org. No opinions (except mine). I figure this will help in our effort to come up with some real discussions and solutions without the extra ego crap getting in the way of progress. This is our country and we need to take care of it. Let’s begin our education with the recent Health Care Reform Bill just passed in the Senate. Please remember that not everything in this bill starts the minute the President puts his signature on the paper. Some of these are years in the future.
1) The Congressional Budget Office (CBO as their friends call them) thinks that for those in the group market — those who get insurance through their employers — premiums would largely stay the same (which has been a steady increase each year for many years). The average premiums for those who buy insurance on their own would go up, however, by 10 percent to 13 percent. The reason is that benefits could become a lot better for this section of the market under this bill. Also, most people buying their own coverage could receive subsidies that make their net costs for these plans substantially lower than they otherwise would be. Those people, though, could not be on Medicare, Medicaid, or on their employer’s insurance plan.
2) Despite the fact that the federal health insurance plan (a.k.a. the “public option”) is now gone from the bill, Republicans and conservative groups have continued to claim that the bill institutes a system like the one in the United Kingdom, Sweden, or Canada, or otherwise amounts to a government takeover. It doesn’t. A pure government-run system was never among the leading Democratic proposals. Instead, the bill builds on our current system of private insurance, and in fact, drums up more business for private companies (as if they need more money) by mandating that individuals buy coverage and giving many (but not all) subsidies to do so. There would be increased government regulation of the insurance industry, however, not enough to really help the overall situation the industry has sunk our country into in the first place. These “government-run” claims have also included heavy criticism of health care in Canada and the U.K. = such as the assertion by former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop that seniors would be “too old” to qualify for artificial joints and pacemakers in the U.K. If that is true, why are the majority of those getting joint replacements and pacemakers in the U.K. seniors? Someone is qualifying.
3) “If you like your plan, you can keep it.” Obama has repeatedly made this claim, and it’s true for the most part. But not for everyone. Employers could still drop coverage under this bill — just as they can do now. Basically, this is just talk because it changes nothing. Though all employers with over 50 employees must provide some kind of health insurance for their employees, it really could be cheaper for them to just pay the fine ($2000/employee) annually…and that only counts if an employee has to use the federal subsidies to get their own insurance. I can see a ton of ways to get around that fine. Another time…
4) Medicare cuts or Medicare savings…whatever you want to call them, it’s a $500 billion reduction in the growth of future spending over 10 years, not a slashing of the current Medicare budget or benefit. It’s true that those who get their coverage through Medicare Advantage’s private plans (about 22 percent of Medicare enrollees) would see fewer add-on benefits; the bill aims to reduce the heftier payments made by the government to Medicare Advantage plans, compared with regular fee-for-service Medicare. The bill also boosts certain benefits: It makes preventive care free and closes the "doughnut hole," a current gap in prescription drug coverage for seniors.
5) As for Medicaid….eligibility level is expanded to $29,327 as a household income. The Federal Poverty Limit for a family of four is $22,050. (Freaking SAD!!!) It’s also stated that some adults with no children will be able to qualify, but not illegal immigrants.
6) “The health care plan would be the largest middle-class tax cut for health care.” Note the “for health care" part of this claim that has been made. This may be technically true, given the qualifier. But who would even maintain a list of the biggest “middle-class” tax cuts, since there is no agreed upon definition of who is “middle class.” (The vast majority of Americans say they’re "middle-class," making this a popular buzzword for politicians.) This grandiose-sounding assertion, however, is only being made about tax cuts for health care. The bill includes about $460 billion over 10 years in subsidy money. Incidentally, President Bush’s 2001 tax cut totaled about $1.3 trillion over 10 years, with about 42 percent of the benefits going to the middle 60 percent of all income earners, according to a breakdown by the Tax Policy Center. That amounts to $566 billion over 10 years, a bigger cut for the middle earners than the health care tax cut.
7) Economic studies simply do not support the claim that medical malpractice suits are a major driver in health care spending. Many Republicans strongly back limiting liability awards in medical malpractice cases, and it’s true that doing so would save some money = about 0.5 percent (roughly $11 billion in 2009)." That’s real money, but it’s a very tiny part of the more than $2 trillion spent on health care annually in the U.S. There’s disagreement over what exactly the biggest drivers of spending are, but medical malpractice doesn’t top the list. About 75 percent of spending, for instance, goes to taking care of chronic disease.
8) Here’s a bit of hub-bub about the “Union/Cadillac plans”. The bill places a tax on high-cost employer-sponsored plans – specifically there’s a 40 percent tax on the value of plans above $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families, starting in 2018. The tax falls on insurers, but we all know it would be passed along to policyholders one way or another. The thinking behind it isn’t to raise money by slamming workers with a 40 percent tax…the existence of the tax will supposedly prompt employers and employees to choose less expensive health plans (as if there are some to choose from – see second paragraph). In lieu of the higher cost benefits, employers would raise salaries. And that’s how the government really makes its revenue here: on payroll and income taxes on those higher paychecks. My question is…who said the employers will raise salaries for the commoners? And if given a choice, would you rather have greater benefits or a higher salary? Those healthy youngsters without kids want money, where most moms and dads are begging for benefits. Again, it’s all about your priorities.
9) The insurance companies are getting a bit of a slap on the wrist in that they can no longer deny coverage for children with pre-existing conditions, and starting in 2014 can’t deny coverage for anyone at all for a pre-existing condition. WOO HOO!!! That’s not saying they can’t charge you into premiums and co-pay bankruptcy, only that they can’t deny you coverage.
This is nowhere near the whole of it. As usual, the bill is full of crap that really has no purpose or bearing on healthcare but is bribes for votes. Disgusting, I know. It’s not a Democrat or Republican lonely practice, they both do it every day. As you might tell, I wouldn’t do well as a politician. “Kids need healthcare? Well, give it to them damn it! I don’t care if your bonus will only be $1 million instead of $2 million.” I have an attitude problem. I’m okay with that. I like me.
What are your thoughts?
Heather
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Welcome Spring
Can you feel that Spring is just around the corner? Besides the fact that we just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, Cesar’s death on the Ides of March, and Easter is around the corner. Walking out of Core Training last week was a new experience because the sun was rising….even with Daylight Savings Time jolting me ahead an hour. Since I started my workout classes January 4th, I’d arrive and leave in the dark, breathing the frigid air. But this week has been different. I walk in through the dark but walk out into the light. I’ve moved down from my “Nanook of the North” 20* below 0 winter coat to a lined/padded 22* above 0 sweatshirt from Old Navy. Things just feel lighter; physically, mentally, and spiritually. (Okay, Saturday’s forecast is for an ugly winter storm. This is the Midwest and our weather has ADHA. I’m enjoying the light sun until then.)
I want to clean and organize. Gather the house and life clutter and recycle. I want to start fresh and move forward without all the past junk holding me down.
I really think it’s time to pull out one of my favorite books, “Throw Out Fifty Things” by Gail Blanke. (http://www.throwoutfiftythings.com) Gail is great at helping you finally part with the psychological side of your physical clutter. And don’t kid yourself, you’ve got plenty, everyone does. Your past is what makes you who you are today, but it doesn’t have a say in who you are tomorrow.
So, what are you doing to welcome Spring? It’s coming and it’s a great time to start fresh on something new.
Heather
I want to clean and organize. Gather the house and life clutter and recycle. I want to start fresh and move forward without all the past junk holding me down.
I really think it’s time to pull out one of my favorite books, “Throw Out Fifty Things” by Gail Blanke. (http://www.throwoutfiftythings.com) Gail is great at helping you finally part with the psychological side of your physical clutter. And don’t kid yourself, you’ve got plenty, everyone does. Your past is what makes you who you are today, but it doesn’t have a say in who you are tomorrow.
So, what are you doing to welcome Spring? It’s coming and it’s a great time to start fresh on something new.
Heather
Friday, February 19, 2010
port-cath update
When Sami's nurse, Ellen, came over do to her port flush, Sami started screaming! Her skin on top of her clavical swelled and bruised immediately. We took her to the ER after talking with a surgeon. Found out that her port tube was torn. It's not unusual for ports to only last 2 years in kids because they are so active.
Well, last Friday the 12th, we had surgery to replace it. Quite the ordeal! This is her 3rd port. We didn't know if we should go to Omaha for the surgery or just trust the drs in Kansas City who don't work on OI kids much. We opted to stay in KC and crossed our fingers. It was same day surgery so we were home by 2pm.
Luckily, Ellen came out and gave Sami her Pam. at 4pm while she was still groggy.
The difference in this surgery was that Sami was well aware of what was going on. At age 6 we can't trick her anymore. She understands pain and fears it. Her anxiety of having surgery was hard to deal with as a mom...sometimes you have to hurt them to protect them.
Of course, Sami is a trooper, demanded ice cream and princess movies with her grandpa, and shopping for shoes with her grandma (silver sparkles with hot pink butterflies from Target). That girl can work it! And more power to her!
Now, if I can just get my sinuses to clear up....
Well, last Friday the 12th, we had surgery to replace it. Quite the ordeal! This is her 3rd port. We didn't know if we should go to Omaha for the surgery or just trust the drs in Kansas City who don't work on OI kids much. We opted to stay in KC and crossed our fingers. It was same day surgery so we were home by 2pm.
Luckily, Ellen came out and gave Sami her Pam. at 4pm while she was still groggy.
The difference in this surgery was that Sami was well aware of what was going on. At age 6 we can't trick her anymore. She understands pain and fears it. Her anxiety of having surgery was hard to deal with as a mom...sometimes you have to hurt them to protect them.
Of course, Sami is a trooper, demanded ice cream and princess movies with her grandpa, and shopping for shoes with her grandma (silver sparkles with hot pink butterflies from Target). That girl can work it! And more power to her!
Now, if I can just get my sinuses to clear up....
Learning New Skills
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Well, phuey to that! I just learned how to sew. It’s a rare day that I can sit for a few hours to devote my attention and learn something new, but Sunday was the day and I made curtains! In no way were the seams straight, but they are hanging in my bathroom all the same and I’m bursting with pride.
Sewing is a skill I’ve wanted to learn since high school but never found the time. My life has been the college- marriage- and- kids whirlwind like many others I know. But with Sami needing alterations on almost all her clothing, especially in winter, it’s essential I learn this skill. She won’t want to wear children’s clothes forever (and even those are too long on her dwarf arms and legs).
So, what else can I learn? I feel on top of the world right now and am looking to perfect my sewing abilities, as well as find other things to learn….skills that are forgotten in our fast paced, disposable society. I just couldn’t believe how centered I felt while running the material through the machine! I am reading books about the Victorian age right now and the skills they had in embroidery, sewing, languages, music, etc… amaze me. I understand they weren’t going to work all day in an office or raising their own children, which just shows how skillful we are today in different areas.
Maybe you need to take the time to re-hone your skills, or break out of your mold and learn some new ones. What could a little freshness in your life hurt? Brag to me what you’ve learned lately!
Sewing is a skill I’ve wanted to learn since high school but never found the time. My life has been the college- marriage- and- kids whirlwind like many others I know. But with Sami needing alterations on almost all her clothing, especially in winter, it’s essential I learn this skill. She won’t want to wear children’s clothes forever (and even those are too long on her dwarf arms and legs).
So, what else can I learn? I feel on top of the world right now and am looking to perfect my sewing abilities, as well as find other things to learn….skills that are forgotten in our fast paced, disposable society. I just couldn’t believe how centered I felt while running the material through the machine! I am reading books about the Victorian age right now and the skills they had in embroidery, sewing, languages, music, etc… amaze me. I understand they weren’t going to work all day in an office or raising their own children, which just shows how skillful we are today in different areas.
Maybe you need to take the time to re-hone your skills, or break out of your mold and learn some new ones. What could a little freshness in your life hurt? Brag to me what you’ve learned lately!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Absolutely Beautiful
Have you ever turned your head and saw the most beautiful, breathtaking scene? One you could stare at for hours? No, no, not George Clooney.
It just happened to me on Monday (yes, a Monday). It was 5:40am and I was walking into the Community Center for the Power Yoga class, tired with my head down, thinking that if I was hit by a car, maybe just tapped a bit, I could sleep in the hospital bed. (Yes, I admit I have those thoughts.) But just then I looked up and stopped dead in my tracks.
The sky was pitch black, the air was thick and hushed. The snow was so fresh I could feel the blanket of it on the earth around me. I was in this cotton envelope that was clean and pure. Every tree was outlined in white, blinged out in nature’s sparkles. This was Mother Nature’s beauty and I was blessed to be in the middle of it.
I just stood there, transfixed in wonder, awed that little me was given this gift to experience. Eventually I did go into my class and during each resting stretch I said “thank you” over and over again. It was the best yoga session I’ve ever had! My body felt strong and flexible during and afterwards.
Today I’m thinking about how many more absolutely beautiful moments I can have in my life if I will just open myself up to seeing them. I could have kept my head down or saw the snow as a pain in the butt to shovel or drive in, but the majesty of it is all that possessed me. And I’ve have a truly wonderful week. Giddy even!
So I thought I’d share my good luck with you. Maybe you can pass along one of these moments from your life with your friends. Bragging is a great thing if you use it to inspire yourself and others. Shout it if you need to. I AM BLESSED! I HAD A SUPER MONDAY! TARGET HAS YOGA PANTS IN TALLS! Whatever your joy is, it’s a gift to be thankful for.
Send your great moments and good thoughts to me this week. Sami is having surgery on Friday to have her port-cath replaced. She’s very nervous about it, so I need to be extra calm and centered to help her anxiety. Thank you so much for your support!!
Heather
It just happened to me on Monday (yes, a Monday). It was 5:40am and I was walking into the Community Center for the Power Yoga class, tired with my head down, thinking that if I was hit by a car, maybe just tapped a bit, I could sleep in the hospital bed. (Yes, I admit I have those thoughts.) But just then I looked up and stopped dead in my tracks.
The sky was pitch black, the air was thick and hushed. The snow was so fresh I could feel the blanket of it on the earth around me. I was in this cotton envelope that was clean and pure. Every tree was outlined in white, blinged out in nature’s sparkles. This was Mother Nature’s beauty and I was blessed to be in the middle of it.
I just stood there, transfixed in wonder, awed that little me was given this gift to experience. Eventually I did go into my class and during each resting stretch I said “thank you” over and over again. It was the best yoga session I’ve ever had! My body felt strong and flexible during and afterwards.
Today I’m thinking about how many more absolutely beautiful moments I can have in my life if I will just open myself up to seeing them. I could have kept my head down or saw the snow as a pain in the butt to shovel or drive in, but the majesty of it is all that possessed me. And I’ve have a truly wonderful week. Giddy even!
So I thought I’d share my good luck with you. Maybe you can pass along one of these moments from your life with your friends. Bragging is a great thing if you use it to inspire yourself and others. Shout it if you need to. I AM BLESSED! I HAD A SUPER MONDAY! TARGET HAS YOGA PANTS IN TALLS! Whatever your joy is, it’s a gift to be thankful for.
Send your great moments and good thoughts to me this week. Sami is having surgery on Friday to have her port-cath replaced. She’s very nervous about it, so I need to be extra calm and centered to help her anxiety. Thank you so much for your support!!
Heather
Friday, February 5, 2010
Plop and Drag No More
How many of you are dragging through your day? It’s been a hell of a week for me and I’m exhausted, yet there is no time or place to just hole up and rest. Love my husband and kids, but I retreat to the library for my relax/think time each week. Books don’t talk back or ask questions, everyone is quiet by default, and my decisions aren’t required or even wanted….so it’s a feeling of being invisible.
But reality always returns or some weeks I’m running too many errands to linger in the library. When stressed, your body shuts down stuff it doesn’t think necessary to run. It also stores fat to be sure you have plenty of fuel. This is why you are eating less but still gaining weight and your middle (tummy, hips, thighs, and butt) is expanding. How rotten is that?
When I’m tired I crave fast food….McDonalds Fish sandwich with extra tartar sauce or Wendy’s Baja wrap. Fast food is my crutch because I don’t have to fix it and my tongue wants the carbs. Apples just don’t satisfy. As I eat I get this calming feeling wash over me (darn those additive chemicals). But soon my stomach revolts, and my brain crashes, making me more tired than before….and I’ve added 20 more cellulite dimples….all for the fact that what I really need is some peace and rest to rejuvenate.
We all know getting more sleep is not a viable option or we’d be doing it already. Here’s some simple tips of what you can do to help with the daily energy drain :
1. Get a complete set of lab tests done. You could be low on iron or estrogen, or high on other stuff (don’t we wish sometimes). If your natural body chemicals are off you can’t be balanced anywhere else in your life. Sorry, no getting around this one or faking it until you make it.
2. Boost your vitamins and omega’s. You need more than the average joe because you are outputting more all day. You want to go as RAW as you can to get the most benefit. If your body isn’t absorbing the needed vitamins, then it’s a waste of time and money. There’s been plenty of studies of sewer systems that are loaded with multivitamins that have just passed right through our bodies.
3. Stop dieting! If you are eating diet foods you are adding more nasty additives and disgusting preservatives to your body….many are as bad as junk food. Natural foods with fat and flavor (real, pure butter for instance or Breyers Ice Cream) fill you up so you can eat less and feel fuller longer. This helps with giving you a constant energy source. Diets give me migraines!
4. Chocolate is my secret weapon. You want the darkest chocolate to get the flavonoids (disease fighters) to pull you through. Like a glass of wine, a small bit works wonders. Here, more is not better. One or two squares a day can do the trick of boosting you a little in the afternoon.
5. If salt is what you need, combine it with some protein, like peanut butter/cheese/tuna on crackers, or popcorn and nuts, or pita chips with hummus. Drink loads of water to balance out the retention the salt will naturally do.
6. Stretch your whole body. Really reach your arms, legs, neck, point and flex your hands and feet, to all sides. You don’t have to do a whole yoga routine at the office, but keep the circulation going so the blood can reach your brain and work to your advantage. I wish I could bring my inverse table to work!!!
7. Try spraying Zum Mist or Arbonne’s Rejuvenating Mist. Just breathing in their spicy and citrus scents wakes you right up.
8. Because I don’t wear foundation, I can splash a little cold water on my face for a quick shock.
Here’s to you and your energy this week! I know I’ve been struggling to find little boosts throughout the days. I’m very much looking forward to sleeping tonight (fingers crossed!!) If you have any healthy energy secrets, be sure to pass them along.
Heather
But reality always returns or some weeks I’m running too many errands to linger in the library. When stressed, your body shuts down stuff it doesn’t think necessary to run. It also stores fat to be sure you have plenty of fuel. This is why you are eating less but still gaining weight and your middle (tummy, hips, thighs, and butt) is expanding. How rotten is that?
When I’m tired I crave fast food….McDonalds Fish sandwich with extra tartar sauce or Wendy’s Baja wrap. Fast food is my crutch because I don’t have to fix it and my tongue wants the carbs. Apples just don’t satisfy. As I eat I get this calming feeling wash over me (darn those additive chemicals). But soon my stomach revolts, and my brain crashes, making me more tired than before….and I’ve added 20 more cellulite dimples….all for the fact that what I really need is some peace and rest to rejuvenate.
We all know getting more sleep is not a viable option or we’d be doing it already. Here’s some simple tips of what you can do to help with the daily energy drain :
1. Get a complete set of lab tests done. You could be low on iron or estrogen, or high on other stuff (don’t we wish sometimes). If your natural body chemicals are off you can’t be balanced anywhere else in your life. Sorry, no getting around this one or faking it until you make it.
2. Boost your vitamins and omega’s. You need more than the average joe because you are outputting more all day. You want to go as RAW as you can to get the most benefit. If your body isn’t absorbing the needed vitamins, then it’s a waste of time and money. There’s been plenty of studies of sewer systems that are loaded with multivitamins that have just passed right through our bodies.
3. Stop dieting! If you are eating diet foods you are adding more nasty additives and disgusting preservatives to your body….many are as bad as junk food. Natural foods with fat and flavor (real, pure butter for instance or Breyers Ice Cream) fill you up so you can eat less and feel fuller longer. This helps with giving you a constant energy source. Diets give me migraines!
4. Chocolate is my secret weapon. You want the darkest chocolate to get the flavonoids (disease fighters) to pull you through. Like a glass of wine, a small bit works wonders. Here, more is not better. One or two squares a day can do the trick of boosting you a little in the afternoon.
5. If salt is what you need, combine it with some protein, like peanut butter/cheese/tuna on crackers, or popcorn and nuts, or pita chips with hummus. Drink loads of water to balance out the retention the salt will naturally do.
6. Stretch your whole body. Really reach your arms, legs, neck, point and flex your hands and feet, to all sides. You don’t have to do a whole yoga routine at the office, but keep the circulation going so the blood can reach your brain and work to your advantage. I wish I could bring my inverse table to work!!!
7. Try spraying Zum Mist or Arbonne’s Rejuvenating Mist. Just breathing in their spicy and citrus scents wakes you right up.
8. Because I don’t wear foundation, I can splash a little cold water on my face for a quick shock.
Here’s to you and your energy this week! I know I’ve been struggling to find little boosts throughout the days. I’m very much looking forward to sleeping tonight (fingers crossed!!) If you have any healthy energy secrets, be sure to pass them along.
Heather
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