Just for today

This is really great..I came across this from a on-line class I am taking-they took it from the guidelines of Al-anon. I shorten some it just so can get the idea-but the ideas is great. Just for today-I will live through this day only and not think about yesterday or brood about tomorrow. Just for today-I will be happy. No dwelling on depressing thoughts. Just for today- I will improve my mind by reading something that requires efforts. Just for today- I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable, to be kind, and to not speak ill of others. Just for today -I will do something to improve my health. Just for today- I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions. This is just so good. I have been passing it around to all my friends and co-workers.

Past to the present

I have heard many people say that our past paves the way to our future. What do you guys think of that statement? I think that sometimes we think that our lives have stalled when we become depressed or discourage. When you feel that way, take a deep breath-step back, and review what has already happen in your life. What a rollercoaster our life has been through your childhood, jumping into adulthood and rolling with the punches to whatever part of life you are in now. Would you answer the question "What do you want to be be when you grow up?" differently now than when you where younger. My life is very different than it was when I was in my 20-30's and not what I thought it would be at all. Think about your dreams then and compare them to now. Have you succeeded in obtaining them or are you still working on the dreams? I wish everyone your dreams and successes.

Fruits and vegetable

I am taking a new course in the Universal class.com on nutrition. Since I am talking about fruit and veggies this week, I wanted to pass on another bit of information about these "wonder foods" as I call them. When possible eat veggetables in the raw RINSE all veggies and fruit before eating, but do not soak the,. Microwaveing veggies looses fewer of the nutrients. However, if you boil or steam, keep the lid on to help retain nutrients. Steaming is another great method of cooking veggietables but use as little water as possible. Sir-fry can be an alternative way of prreparation. Cook with glass, stainless steel or enamel pots. Be warry of cooper-can destroy some of the nutrients. So let us all keep on eating these great foods to be good to ouselves.

Healthy eating tip of the week

Fruits and vegetables. If you have notice the new food prymamid, it is now color co-ordinated. Makes selection easy and it is more fun. The brighter the the better. Fruits and veggies might be called the foundation of a healthy diet-low in calories, packed with vitamins minerals antioxidants and fiber -wonder food.. GREENS: These veggies are packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and vitamins. They help with the blood and respiratory system. Be adventurous. I do eat many veggies but am trying to be a little bolder and expand my preparation and eating of the other veggies in the world. Kale, mustard greens, Chinese cabbage are few of the veggies outside the box for me. What others are trying? Sweet vegetables:Naturally sweet vegetables and healthy sweetness to meals and might help reduce your sweet cravings. A couple examples of these interesting additions to your meal: corn carrots, beets yams, winter squash. I never thought of these being sweet but am giving them more of a try. Fruit: Vital to your diet. Provides fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Shop fresh and local when possible but keep a variety going as much as possible. Come on healthy eaters and join in the fun of eating veggies and fruit. They can save the day.

What matters?

We have to be concious of what matters in life. Read a quote from Franics bacon about our bodies "A healthy body is a guest-chamber for the soul; a sick body is a prison."
We want to keep our bodies as guest-chamber. Let us be aware of the fragilness we all could be dealing with. Stress, sickness and even people can just run us over. We all must take a preventive approach to well being. As I keep saying: eat right, sleep well, exercise somehow on a regular basis. Deal with your emotions also to help keep all body functions running good.
Let us all try to stay healthy. Summer is coming!

To much organized

What a statement right? Can anyone be to organized. The answer is yes, if it takes over your life.
With all the technology out now, it seems everywhere one looks there is a note for us to something, be somewhere etc. Do not let all these devises run your life. FREEDOM, sometimes not when all this micro-organizations takes over. So pencil some time in for yourself. We humans have to have some time to play, relax, enjoy our friends and family. Be conscious of today--never know what tomorrow is going to bring.
Just learning that more of my friends have been diagnosed with cancer really makes this point.

Healthy eating tip 3

Healthy eating is not only about the food-it is also about how a person thinks about food. New eating habits can be learned. It is important to slow down and THINK about the nourishment you are putting into your body.
Eat with others when possible. It seems that most humans are social people. Eating can create a social and emotional environment with many benefits. Eating with your children creates a great family time and the time to be a model. Eating in front of TV or computer can lead to mindless eating.
CHEW CHEW and enjoy. No shoveling allowed. Savor the tastes and textures of the items that going into your mouth.
Listen to your body. Many nutritionists make the suggestion to have a glass of water before a meal. Stop eating before you feel full. Believe it or not, your brain has to have a few minutes to realize that the body is full.
Eat breakfast and eat smaller meals throughout. I have come to enjoy eating five to six meals a day instead of the standard three BIG ones. This new pattern keeps a persons energy up and the metabolism going.

Details

Are you a detail person. I can say that I am not. I am not a very organized person either but am working on that.
Having heard some disturbing news these last couple of days I have been thinking of the small things in life that Do make one's life enjoyable.
Do you get to see the sunset or sunrise? How about the big moon last Saturday night?
Are you the person that is taking everything for granted? Driving a car has become a source of stress rather enjoyable. Thought about the space shuttle lately? The Internet is old news to some of us.
Take some time to look around at the items that surround one daily. Think about the creations, ideas, thoughts and time that went into making these things.
How about nature. The wonders never stop when one considers nature.
Let us thank God for the creation of all--even the fact that we are alive is amazing.
This new thinking might make a person a little happy.

Hectic life

Yes, we all seem to be living a hectic whether we work, stay at home or are retired.
I have been doing more reading on this topic and with help of many nutrition articles, came up with some ideas to add to my daily routine. You might want to do the same.

DRINK water. Everywhere one goes this seems to be the one item that is always mention. Water is the all-purpose daily wonder substance AND none of us seem to drink enough.
Cut back on soda and coffee
Watch your sugar intake and replace when ever possible with a low sugar version.
Stock up on healthy take along snacks and bring them with you. This will help curb the soda machine, snack machine craving.
PLAN healthy meals. When a person gets into this habit, it does not take long. Then shop for the ingredients for you Healthy meals.
Yes, even purchasing ready-to-cook frozen foods are a great idea to keep a healthy variety in your meal planning.
Pack a lunch the night before
When making the healthy meals, try to cook a double batch. Great for lunches, and quick meals for another time in the week.
Walk, walk, walk--during your break, at lunch, after work. MOVE is the key.
Last but of course not least--sleep. This is another point that is always stressed in any article.

Herbs for immune system

Everyone I know seems to be getting
SOMETHING in the virus department. I feel like have been taking antibiotics for months. I have been trying to add some alternative sources to help my body get back into balance. By talking to my chiropractor, massage person and doing some reading I have come up with some ideas that I am going to share. REMEMBER that I am not an expert but have been using some of this items and feel that could be helping.
Always follow the manufactures dosage and direction on all these herbs...

American ginseng: might help prevent upper respiratory infections but need to be taken at the beginning of the cold season.
Echinacea: preventing and treating of colds and flu. Echinacea stimulates your own immune fighting cells.
Elderberry: dark blue-black elderberries a rich in the compounds that could disarm viruses.
Green tea: try to get into the habbit of drinking green tea regularly to help strengthen your immune system.

Remember that a person immune system never rests. As human beings we need to be constantly trying to help our body systems.
Try to be conscious of the food we consume by choosing immune boosting foods.
Remember to exercise
Try to reduce stress as much as possible
Sleep more
Treat infections promptly
Avoid toxins that impair our immune system and damage our cells. Toxins are everywhere, so this is a real challenge now a days. Add more organic foods into your meal planning. Look for the GREEN products and start using them in your daily activities.

These are some of things that I am trying to do-better to start even if I am on the older side of the picture.

Clutter 101

Yes, guys I finished my class on clutter. I am very inspired. The biggest challenge was my files, which I am still working on.

I really learned much from this class. Oranization skills, places to go for help.

Step by step ideas and how to start and continue with the projects. ONE big point of advice: It took a long time to get the way it is now messy, cluttered. Do not except to accomplish all the decluttering in one time frame. Many little jobs make up a whole. Many tries accomplish the task.

YES people we can all accomplish any amount of decluttering. Just keep on trucking by checking off the lists and it will happen.

I am sure I will come back to this subject.

Think before you speak

This is a totally different topic than I have touch on before. I am so bad at this that I just thought I would mention. Sometimes, I say things and wonder WHAT? I am trying to be real careful sat the grief meetings, since I am one of the older time frame people in my cycle. Been there, done that. Somethings work, somethings don't.

I found a cute saying dealing with this subject relating to nature.

a philosopher said "Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak". ALRIGHT. My new goal..

I know that I tend not to listen as much as I should. People are very challenging even in my line of work. Instead of trying to justify your feelings, LISTEN, speak planning and simply..then wait for a reply. Try to be an attentive and courtesy listener. You are not responsible to change the world, fix all the problems.

You want to be heard when you are talking so extend the same thoughtfullness. We might all be surprised at the results..

Healthy eating tip 2

Something happen to my last post, so I am trying again.

Moderation. Healthy eating is not an all or nothing process. I feel it is a slow process so we can develop habits. Think balance: protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

"OFF limits" is not the way to think. Think limit portion size , limit to once a day. Try to curve the cravings slowly and then they will not be so prominent in your mind.

Think small portions all around. At restaurant take part of meal home.

When at home use smaller plates and don't go for seconds.

USe the visual clues like deck of cards, teaspoon of salad dressing, bread size of cd or one small roll.

Shinning a llight

While I was reading a book from my mothers collection, I came across a great idea that most of do naturally. I hope anyway. Think what a warm feeling you get when a friend calls out of the blue or you recieved a card for not reason. Pass it on..send a note to someone you have not spoken to lately. All of us humans need encouragement at one time or another. Sometimes we do not even know it.
With all the turmoil on the otherside of the world, many of us are going to be having the blues. Our thoughts need to go out to Japan and to each other. Give a smile, a hug, a card a call. Reach out and spread a little sunshine. We will all be better for the process.

Tip of the WEEK???

Think of water and exercise as a food groups. These are both in the new Food
Pyramid.

Water is the flusher of waste and toxins. I have been told that I do not drink enough water which could be one of the causes of my low energy and headaches. I am unconsciously walking around in a dehydrated state.

Exercise: Be active as much as possible. The activity does not have to be what is called exercise. WALK, take the stairs, do some stretching at lunch. Even just standing and lift your arms is an activity. Breathing, which some of us do not do deeply enough. POINT is to Move the great body.

Healthy Eating

Besides taking a class on-line, I am reading many tips from Spark and toher sources. Find a great one from HELPGUIDE.org

Healthy eating tips. I a m going to break the ideas down into parts. Maybe some of you can find more information to add as we go along.

Set yourself up for success. We have talk about this, with the goal setting, exercising, so this might be a little of repeat.

SIMPLify: Think of the new eating plan we are undertaking as a color design, variety and freshness.

Focus on finding foods that you love and try to expand on these. Find new recipes, use fresh instead of frozen when veggies or fruits are in season.

START SLOW to make changes to your eating habits. Remember it takes time to change a habit. We all know that overnight is not going to happen. Small steps work better on anything we try. Go light salad dressing on the new colorful salad you are adding. Try a new veggie once a week and cook it different ways.

EVERY change you make is for the better. We do not have to perfect. Do not try and eliminate what you might consider "the bad food" all at once. IF you consider you missteps, just keep on trucking. Every healthy food choice counts.