this was just on the radio this am, a cool interview with Sarah Slean about her running practice... you have to fast forward a few minutes in before the interview starts, but it's really a good one...
Exercise: The Slean machine
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
some suggestions for simple calorie-cutting
Check this out:
Making substitutions when cooking, picking the right beverages, and switching to lower-calorie condiments are just a few tricks to cut calories
I would also add: try not to eat all of the corn chips just because they are lime flavored and taste great w/ guacamole, and maybe don't keep making guac to eat with the chips... So even if I don't eat fried things and drink coke all day long, it's good to remember to pay attention to mindless snacking (or purposeful procrastination snacking)... I think paying attention is a big part of the equation. Now I have to remember to pay attention to when I am eating all of those chips!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Slow Love
from Slow Love
by Dominique Browning
Slowly, slowly, the months go by, each one a variation transposing loss, loneliness and anger to gratitude and hope. I no longer dread the advent of another rosy dawn. As I stop struggling so with fear and simply accept the slow tempo of my days, all those inner resources start kicking in — those soul-saving habits of playfulness, most of all: reading, thinking, listening, feeling my body move through the world, noticing the small beauty in every single day. I watch the worms, watch the hawks, watch the fox, watch the rabbits. I open my heart to new friends. I settle into my new home; its healing balm has been there all along, nestled in a sofa that beckons me to pick up a book, hovering outside the window inviting me to take a walk. I find room in my life again for love of the world, let the quiet of solitary moments steal over me, give myself over to joy. What a surprise! That I can cook a meal for my children, or take a long walk on the beach, or watch an osprey wheel through the sky, or set down a page of thoughts — these are moments of grace. Old Testament loving-kindness, the stuff of everyday life.
She also has a blog: slowlovelife.com
with a lot of interesting stuff. Here's something on mushrooms and eating less meat:
mushrooms-monday-tuesday-and-any-day
by Dominique Browning
Slowly, slowly, the months go by, each one a variation transposing loss, loneliness and anger to gratitude and hope. I no longer dread the advent of another rosy dawn. As I stop struggling so with fear and simply accept the slow tempo of my days, all those inner resources start kicking in — those soul-saving habits of playfulness, most of all: reading, thinking, listening, feeling my body move through the world, noticing the small beauty in every single day. I watch the worms, watch the hawks, watch the fox, watch the rabbits. I open my heart to new friends. I settle into my new home; its healing balm has been there all along, nestled in a sofa that beckons me to pick up a book, hovering outside the window inviting me to take a walk. I find room in my life again for love of the world, let the quiet of solitary moments steal over me, give myself over to joy. What a surprise! That I can cook a meal for my children, or take a long walk on the beach, or watch an osprey wheel through the sky, or set down a page of thoughts — these are moments of grace. Old Testament loving-kindness, the stuff of everyday life.
She also has a blog: slowlovelife.com
with a lot of interesting stuff. Here's something on mushrooms and eating less meat:
mushrooms-monday-tuesday-and-any-day
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
motivational thought for the day
from Detroit Yoga website:
I Did It Today!
In yoga practice, as well a other activities and endeavors, when we achieve something or "get" something, we'll often say, "I did such and such today!" This is a mistake...wether we're talking about a difficult yoga posture, or a New York Times best selling book, the work was done way before the achievement. All of the weeks, months, and years of practice and work that came before "that" day, is what made it happen. Very, very rarely, are there over-night successes. Anything of value worth having or creating, takes patience and hard work. Michelangelo had this to say about the two... "Genius is eternal patience." and "If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." He clearly knew something that many of us are ignorant to...and, had an employer that we should all strive to work for. Stay True, JDS
http://www.detroityoga.com/
I Did It Today!
In yoga practice, as well a other activities and endeavors, when we achieve something or "get" something, we'll often say, "I did such and such today!" This is a mistake...wether we're talking about a difficult yoga posture, or a New York Times best selling book, the work was done way before the achievement. All of the weeks, months, and years of practice and work that came before "that" day, is what made it happen. Very, very rarely, are there over-night successes. Anything of value worth having or creating, takes patience and hard work. Michelangelo had this to say about the two... "Genius is eternal patience." and "If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." He clearly knew something that many of us are ignorant to...and, had an employer that we should all strive to work for. Stay True, JDS
http://www.detroityoga.com/
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
OK, Then Make Applesauce!!
I just peel and core the apples (using one of those core-slicer things, see pic) – I don’t cut the slices any smaller, so it cooks up chunky. Add 2 – 3 tsp of both cinnamon and nutmeg… that ‘s all.
I usually use about 3 lbs of apples (about a store bag size)… enough to fill a large pot. I have been buying an assortment of apple types from Farmer Q’s on Washington…they have a lot on sale now to clear out their stock. I also had a box of picked apples from my sisters trees. The better tasting apples I use, the better the sauce (duh?).
I use my 8 Qt aluminum two handled soup pot – just simmer on lowest heat for 1.5 – 2 hrs.. stir every 20 min or so. When it smells good and looks sort of evenly hot and semi-mushy, turn off the burner and let it cool down for an hour or – sometimes I have to put it in the refrigerator overnight, if I don’t have it cooled enough to put in the freezer boxes. Hmmmmm.....Enjoy!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
stress and anxiety--it's for real
This is an interesting article on stress and anxiety...
American Anxiety
We're not crazy, we are stressed and anxious. It's a lucky break if you are not. I know I am.
And stress and anxiety can increase cortisol levels, which can be damaging, cause depression and fatigue, and also make it difficult to lose weight.
Yikes, reading all of this is making me anxious. It's a good thing I'm trying to go to the gym and spinning class and do yoga. Except now my neck and back are sore from looking at this laptop all afternoon. Alas...
American Anxiety
We're not crazy, we are stressed and anxious. It's a lucky break if you are not. I know I am.
And stress and anxiety can increase cortisol levels, which can be damaging, cause depression and fatigue, and also make it difficult to lose weight.
Yikes, reading all of this is making me anxious. It's a good thing I'm trying to go to the gym and spinning class and do yoga. Except now my neck and back are sore from looking at this laptop all afternoon. Alas...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Why do I exercise and eat well and gain weight?
This seems helpful: http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/f/gainingweight.htm
...even if it says the same things they all say... but it does also add that if you are just starting an exercise program, it could take weeks or months to see any weight (fat) loss. And gaining muscle is normal and may even happen faster than fat loss. It seems better for me to not step on the scale, but it is disconcerting when I feel like I am getting stronger and healthier and then I pull out a pair of pants from a year or two ago and they don't even come close to buttoning or zipping. I feel like there is something wrong with me, like I have some sort of disease or something. But then I remember that over the summer while I was walking the dog for 1-2 hours a day and hiking on weekends, I did get slimmer. I think I was also eating less, and definitely driving less. Keeping busy, I don't think I was as hungry. Then I came back, cut down on the exercise, started driving more, and was sad about being back in a less fun, less beautiful place. So many factors. And now it is January and I am working mostly at home and still doing a lot of driving.
And so, at this moment, I am trying to decide to do the new weight watchers for three months and just finally actually do it. Lose 30 lbs and finish the dissertation. That would be some treat and two really good ways to get on with my life that seems stalled in every way lately. When put that way it only makes sense. Until I look at my bank account and wonder if I will get my money's worth out of myself (can I dedicate myself to the online program or will it be a waste of my money?)? These questions always come back to me, what I am willing to do for myself, and what I am afraid of. Hmmm.
...even if it says the same things they all say... but it does also add that if you are just starting an exercise program, it could take weeks or months to see any weight (fat) loss. And gaining muscle is normal and may even happen faster than fat loss. It seems better for me to not step on the scale, but it is disconcerting when I feel like I am getting stronger and healthier and then I pull out a pair of pants from a year or two ago and they don't even come close to buttoning or zipping. I feel like there is something wrong with me, like I have some sort of disease or something. But then I remember that over the summer while I was walking the dog for 1-2 hours a day and hiking on weekends, I did get slimmer. I think I was also eating less, and definitely driving less. Keeping busy, I don't think I was as hungry. Then I came back, cut down on the exercise, started driving more, and was sad about being back in a less fun, less beautiful place. So many factors. And now it is January and I am working mostly at home and still doing a lot of driving.
And so, at this moment, I am trying to decide to do the new weight watchers for three months and just finally actually do it. Lose 30 lbs and finish the dissertation. That would be some treat and two really good ways to get on with my life that seems stalled in every way lately. When put that way it only makes sense. Until I look at my bank account and wonder if I will get my money's worth out of myself (can I dedicate myself to the online program or will it be a waste of my money?)? These questions always come back to me, what I am willing to do for myself, and what I am afraid of. Hmmm.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
some good winter advice
Keeping up health and immunity to illness is challenging, especially on a day like today when I think, yes I'll take the dog for a walk and get some fresh air. And instead, after walking only a few blocks the cold breeze and the icy sidewalks convince us (by that I mean Me) to head back home for another day inside the house, inside the gym, inside wherever the heat is blowing and drying out the air. The following article has some good advice about how to stay healthy, including the usual drinking lots of water and humidifying the air (because germs love dry heated air), as well as cooking with Tumeric (or taking supplements), meditating, scheduling social activities, and making sure to keep from being lonely.
Guide to Winter Wellness
We made it through January, but February always brings more new challenges. This week a major winter storm is supposed to snow us all in. But we don't have to end up on the couch all sick because of it. Come on February. Bring it.
Guide to Winter Wellness
We made it through January, but February always brings more new challenges. This week a major winter storm is supposed to snow us all in. But we don't have to end up on the couch all sick because of it. Come on February. Bring it.
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