There's Nothing Like a Snowstorm...

Man, oh man, just when the Spring bug had started to bite...6 - 8 inches of blowing snow, covering ice on the driveway, steps, sidewalk...I fell like a cartoon character as my shoes hit the ice underneath the snow - and I, with no mittens (I was just retrieving the trash can), fell flat on my ass and back...it sort of felt like slow motion. Got a laugh out of me, yup. And then I got suited up for some serious shoveling and sand distribution. It is beautiful, and I saw neighbors with snow shovels, and driving was terrible and what are you gonna do? I was appreciating my bone density, my warm mittens, my free time, my strong back, and so many other things. Gotta love it, right?

So now I am reading "The Happiness Hypothesis" by Jonathan Haidt. It's due back at the library today, so I will have to get back to it and then brave the elements...the library is too close to drive to, but far enough to make walking to it an adventure. I am not so sure I agree with everything he talks about but it is an interesting look into our two minds (conscious, the rider, and subconscious, the elephant) and how it is we negotiate our lives. It's worth a look. I can't renew it, someone else wants it, so I may just have to buy the darn thing! I appreciate that I can make that choice. He makes a good argument for my blog...I get to prime you for good stuff everyday! Now you will have to go read the book to see what I mean.

Got up extra early today to make breakfast for my hard working son - to warm him up for his journey to the bus stop on a cold 11 below wind chill kind of morning. I am a lucky woman! I don't have to go out there unless I want to!!! Yippee!

Have a great day, and weekend. I will likely be back on Monday. What kind of fun can you get into this weekend? Have lots!

What if (again)...

What if the health care crisis could go away without any additional dollars being thrown at the "problem"? It's absolutely possible. If every individual understood that his/her mind and body are intimately connected, and believed that each has the power to choose his/her health status (which is true) and intentionally chose to feel better, little bit by little bit, it wouldn't be long before this "health care crisis" were a distant memory. Our grandchildren will say "can you believe how crazy people were back in the beginning of the 21st century that they allowed Big Pharma to convince them they all needed drugs and surgeries to feel better?"

Okay, it sounds a little simplistic. It's an elegant solution, and certainly worth a try, since it doesn't cost anything. And then, when people realized their power to be healthy and happy, guess what happens next? ALL GOOD THINGS!!!!

So let's get started. Prove to yourself that you have the power to be healthy. When something is going wrong in your body, it's a message to you that something is going on in your life that you are not resolving...stress...anger...hurt feelings...feelings of powerlessness...it really doesn't matter. Listen to your feelings, and work to turn toward better ones. Visualize yourself in perfect health...in great detail. Appreciate all the things that are going right already. Get into the feeling of what it would be like to be perfectly healthy. Treat your body in a way that will keep in perfectly healthy. Appreciate that you have the ability to do that. Rinse and repeat.

Don't worry...be happy. Folks who can't will go the hard way. The rest of us will reap the rewards and happiness and abundant life. Ain't it great? Describe yourself as you want to be. It's great to be healthy happy slim toned excited free wealthy and ageless! I love being able to wear my 4s and high heels, and eat when I am hungry, until I am satisfied and look gorgeous all the time.

Try this for a few days and see what happens!

Healthy Again

Yes, everyone in the house is healthy again, or at least well enough to be at school or work. A couple of the members of the household are certainly not at their best. Soon. I am feeling terrific!

I am looking forward to running hills today...last time I checked the weather.com, it was 32, with no wind chill. The wind chimes are telling me a different story, but in any case, I get to have an outside workout today, and that is always a good thing after a long spate of indoor stuff. I am looking forward to the surge of growth hormone, as it will be a fasted workout. Also a good thing. Burn that fat! Check out bradpilon.com to see why I say that.

Glad to see that Obama is choosing to feel optimistic about what is going on these days. I truly believe that if everyone would choose that way of feeling, our economic issues would fly right by. I am choosing to feel very optimistic about our economic picture, and guess what? The economic picture of this household continues to thrive! Feels way better than the alternative!

Off to run the hills! Do something today that gets your heart rate up! Even for just 30 seconds! And then wait a minute and do it again! Do that for 10 minutes, and we are talking a complete workout. Really.
:-)

Choosing to...

I started reading "Choice Theory" yesterday, by William Glasser. The title caught me, because you know I think that everything is a choice. It still surprised me to read Glasser say to his client that he (the client) was not depressed, he was "choosing to depress." Glasser says he changes all those clinical nouns and adjectives to verbs for accuracy. I don't have anxiety, I choose to be anxious. I don't have a phobia, I am phobicking (I love that one - too silly). An interesting exercise - change your adjectives into verbs, and take a look at what you are choosing. If you like what you get - terrific. Otherwise, think about making other choices. Keep in mind, I don't think anyone can just choose the complete opposite of where they are, but they can start the baby steps of turning in the other direction. Little by little, a choice of despairing can become the choice of being happy. For a handy list of emotions to help you make those baby step choices, check out "The Law of Attraction" by Abraham-Hicks. (google can get you there)

Today will bring a heat wave - maybe even 39 degrees. What a lovely thought. How shall I choose to be in this day? I have had a lot of practice choosing to be happy. I hope you get some practice today! Start with getting a picture of you being happy (in your head). Visualize in as detailed a fashion as you can. Then watch your face start to smile! Do you know, your face can help your brain get happy every bit as much as your brain can make your face look happy? Try it and see! Not feeling it? Then try this. Stand up straight, shoulders back, legs shoulder width apart, draw your navel in to your spine, breathe deeply, plaster a big grin on your face and just breathe fully for a minute - then get that happy picture in your head. A little "self-hypnosis" never hurt anybody! Be sure to do at least 5 things (they can be little things) that bring you joy today. And everyday!

Blue Sky

It's another beautiful day out there! I am feeling terrific, and have an open day...so what else is new? I've been thinking lately about tearing down a wall in my house, between my kitchen and family room...seems like a better idea all the time. My family thinks I just watch too much HGTV. :-) How is it possible to watch too much HGTV? Can't be done. ha ha ha!

I think it's time to catch up on my reading...a notice from my library about a book due in a couple of days sparked that brainstorm. It's a book about how we think without thinking, I may have mentioned last week or so - intriguing.

I'm looking at a bunch of alstromeria (flowers) my husband brought home a month ago for the High Heel Party I had back at the end of January, and I am amazed that they are still looking pretty good! How is that possible! It has been almost a month! Lovely.

Have a terrific day...remember to do at least 5 things that you love to do or that bring you joy. The better it gets, the better it gets! And you get to choose!

Am I trying to program you to think good things. Yup, guilty as charged. :-)

"Spoiled" brat

Sometimes I feel like a spoiled brat. I get to wake up and do what I want every day. I even have about 14 different flavors I can put into my coffee in the morning, so every morning is a treat! Every single morning! I can be in my robe til past nine in the morning, and look forward to whatever tasks I have on my plate. Nice. It's nice to be able to take one's time.

Now, if you don't have that kind of time right now, how about you spend a few seconds getting to where you can feel how good it would feel to have it. Flesh out your thoughts - what would you do with that kind of freedom? How would it feel - then actually feel it. Really. And bask in the feeling for as long as you can. When you are smiling and feeling it...memorize that place, and then go there a few minutes here and there throughout your day. You can't get there til you feel it. So, there's your homework. Good stuff.

It is good to feel good. :-) Oh, and it's not what happens in your day that really matters, it is how you feel about what is happening. And you can direct your feelings if you make that your intention. So direct them to where you want them to be. Go ahead - it doesn't hurt!

New Snow

Okay, so I wanted to run hills today, and the new snow won't stop me, but the wind will. And it is so much prettier with about an inch of clean white snow covering all the yuck out there, so I will have to get out in it for a little while anyway. It's falling slowly, like snow globe snow - lovely.
But, seriously, did we need 22 mph winds today? Not. Makes me glad that I power-walked my hill a couple of times yesterday for no good reason. :-)

You ought to check out "Fathead" a new movie by Tom Naughton. Wish I saw it 10 years ago when I was trying to figure out how to get to my pre-brain surgery recovery weight. Woulda been there a long time ago, had it been around then. Glad I can see it now. Glad that I am familiar with most of what is in there anyway, because it is fun to see it in a funny documentary format. It'll make you fall in love with bacon all over again, and throw all those cereals away!

Have you ever felt "bulletproof"? You know what I mean, right? Like you finally have the combination and you are happy and healthy and there's nothing that can sidetrack you anymore? That's how I feel every single day. It's a nice feeling. How to get it? Decide that it is good to feel good, and always think about things that feel good, or at least a little better. Better and better - like the commercial says - we are worth it!

Sounds too good to be true? Email me, and I can tell you why it is true. :-)

It Feels Good...

...to take my time waking up - to be happy about the prospect of a sunny and 30 degree day - to know that I have all the time in the world (seriously) and that I get to choose.

Had a wonderful, low key weekend. A couple of concerts, dinner out, an attempt to try a new wine bar, but time was not on our side, a couple of soaks in the hot tub while enjoying all the colorful solar lights, a few good walks, including hills. Happy Valentine's day and the kids away, mostly. Life is good. One of my knitting projects was completed, and it's all wrong - way too big, but I have an idea for using it - we'll see. Another one has been launched, this time, I will get the size right.

I am feeling very good about my low carb way of life - I can see that I will have to watch and make sure I eat enough - now, is that not heaven?!? It is to me. I am enjoying surfing the web for recipes that make low carb feel less restrictive. I am as healthy as a horse and have so much energy. And the size 4 jeans that I had to squeeze into last summer are just right. Nice. I am looking forward to more of the same for as far as I can see. It is so much more fun than agonizing over what I can wear or counting my calories or any of that stuff. It's nice not to spend so much brain power on all of that. Very freeing.

Sudoku continues to kick my butt these days. I have a feeling that the daily puzzles my son gave me for Christmas are harder than the daily puzzles my pal gave me last year for Christmas. I soldier through them, and often need to give them a 2nd or 3rd try. Good for my brain, I am guessing. Fortunately, I have a book of easier ones that I can escape to when need arises! Ha ha!

I am enjoying being semi-retired. I recommend it highly! And believe it or not, it is not boring at all to feel good all of the time! I am getting a bit behind on my reading, though, I must admit. But I blame that entirely on the HGTV design shows line up. Too much fun to watch all those cool ideas!

Late start...

Got a bit of a late start this morning - 7:38 am instead of 6:30 - 7 ish. Not so late. No eggs in a frame, though. Once in a while it's fun to really sleep in, but it has been a long time, so I am out of the habit. Happy that I can, though. Nice to not need to.

Sudoku is kicking my butt, lately! I appreciate the challenge, but seriously! I need to sneak in a few easy puzzles, just for kicks.

So, it's gray out there today - a perfect day to kick back and read or nap or delve into a project. A little colder so the streets and sidewalks are slick, so a nice long walk would be harder than I like. Maybe a little writing in my morning - other than this, of course. Oh, here comes the sun!

Here's a little activity to warm up your appreciation muscles. Page through your daily newspaper, and when you see bad news, appreciate that there are folks who are experiencing things that will help them to grow, or help them figure out what they would rather have or where they would rather be. But don't spend more than a second or two on the bad stuff. Look for good stuff - you should be able to skip most everything. When you see a nugget of good stuff, though, spend a little time there and see how it makes you feel. Anything that feels bad - move on quickly. There is no reason to read all that stuff. You will feel better if you don't. Don't you want to feel better?

New Stuff

I did a couple of new things this morning...as I watched my daughter enjoy her egg in a frame this morning, (oh it smelled so good) I thought - hmmm I wonder if I could make one out of the low-carb focaccia I made the other day? So I gave it a shot and it was grand! What a treat!

Next, I made almond milk out of the almonds I remembered to put into water and soak last night - which I had been intending to do for about a week or so, but kept forgetting to do. And it was a successful venture. Now, I will need to figure out how to use the leftover almond meal. I tried making a cracker and that has possibilities, but needs some tweaking. I love learning new things!

I have an open day ahead, with just a couple of errands to run with several things to read and projects in process. I can even take the day off from exercise with yesterday's hill run under my belt. Boy was that fun! Fresh, non-freezing, air! I so appreciate my open schedule! Keep it coming!

So what are you doing for fun today? Doesn't have to be much, just has to be fun! If you need a grin, take a peek at signspotting.com - I can pretty much guarantee you will at least grin, if not guffaw!

Remember to do at least 5 things that bring you joy today (and everyday). It is good to feel good!

Hill Day!

I can hardly believe it myself - but I am excited because today, for the first time in almost 3 months, the weather will allow a hill running day! It's a killer high intensity exercise, and there have been many days (good weather days) when I would rather skip it. But it has been so long now that I am actually excited! A friend an I meet once a week to run hill repeats. Luckily, we each live near a steep hill, so we typically alternate weeks. But icy roads and below zero temps have sent us inside to do bodyweight or dumbbell workouts. And those are good too - but they aren't hills!!! Hooray for hills!

Yesterday's post - you get what you think about - got some scientific support in Dr Eades post today - check out the his blog today (see the column on the right) if you are the "scientific support" type.

So what are you thinking about now? Make it something that really feels GOOD! It is good to feel good!

You Get What You Think About...

Let's say that you get what you think about. So what do you think about? Right now a whole lot of people are thinking about the economy - and they are thinking about it in a different way that I am. You know that the world is full of money. Think about how much money is spent on movies over any one weekend! Or on health club memberships (that aren't used), or on anti-aging creams. Do yourself a favor and think about how good it will feel, or feels now, to have more than enough money to do the things you want to do. If you get what you think about, wouldn't you rather think about that than the opposite? I sure would!

Our heat (wet) wave is making for a different landscape these days - snow is melting, and all the things it was covering up are becoming visible. Hmmmm. Still cold enough out so that a nice long soak in the hot tub feels like a real treat! And windy enough so the wind chimes serenade me on and off all day - lovely.

I found a great low-carb recipes for focaccia that will spice up my life. Who needs regular bread when you can have the experience without all the carbs! You can find the recipe at Carbalose.com, and you need Carbquik to make it. GREAT STUFF!!!

Think about good stuff today - and if you are not sure what that is, it is ANYTHING that makes you feel better to think about. You are the author of your own life, so "write" (think) what you want into it! Seriously!

Hold that thought!

What If...

What if you are having a horrible day and you want to turn it around?

Look for a way to feel good about what is happening - and focus on that. A friend of mine had a terrible day yesterday - and I helped her turn it around. Email me if you want help with this.

Heat Wave

Oh my gosh! The weather calls for the next 5 or 6 days to be 30 degrees and higher! Better get the snow shoes out and use them while there is still snow!

Monthly coffee date with friends this morning - of course I have to have a little coffee at home first.
I did notice it's easier to be positive on my own than in a group of 7 women. Hmmm. Today I will tackle lasagne - low carb, course, thanks to Dreamfield's pasta!!! I have already done 5 things that bring me joy, have you? No pressure.

I started a very intriguing book yesterday, that I heard about on one of the blogs I follow, but don't remember which one. Anyway, the title is "Blink - The Power of Thinking Without Thinking." I'm not quite half way through it, and it has really gotten me thinking, and wondering about the how and why of what we do think. And how we think when we don't even know - and how we know when we don't even think. Wild. I got it out of my public library, the auther is Malcolm Gladwell (auther of The Tipping Point). It will make you think about snap decisions you have made already in your life. Very interesting.

So I am appreciating many things this morning - all the good news from my friends among them. I have found that an attitude of appreciation sets me up for a great day...and since I want all my days to fit into that category, it's a habit I appreciate having! That must be appreciation squared, don't you think. How many things can you appreciate right now - look around - I am sure there are lots! OK, so now, appreciate them out loud or just in the privacy of your own mind. You'll feel better if you do. And feeling better is the name of the whole game!

I have a bunch of solar powered lights in my back yard, a dozen or so - different shapes: some frogs, Moravian stars, globes, lilies. It has been so sunny the last little while, too. So last evening after supper, my beloved spouse and I had a nice long soak in the hot tub (it sits outside surrounded by a portable plastic greenhouse - sounds godawful but is kind of nice) and were treated to quite a light show, including all the solars and a little better than a half moon shining brightly. Aaahhh. That was lovely. Now, the sun is out again, so no light show, but I think there is another soak in my near future. Being surrounded by snow adds something to the experience - especially the short walk back into the house! Shiver!

I need to figure out how to add the blogs I follow, so you can take a look and see for yourself...I think you will find some interesting things, and helpful, too - especially if you want to feel better about your size without feeling deprived. I never do! And my size is getting to be near perfect!
Have a great day.
Appreciate some stuff!

A Good Day Starts

Even my sudoku puzzles went easily today!

So, what have you done so far today that makes you feel good? I do at least 5 things every single day that bring me joy - at least - and I look for things all day long to appreciate. These can be little things...or big things. The more I appreciate, it seems that the more I have to appreciate.

So far today, I had time before I got out of bed to appreciate how good it felt to be in my bed, how lovely it feels to be slim and fit and healthy, and how nice it was that I got to sleep in a little. (I got up around 7:30 am which is late for me). I made and drank some lovely coffee (2/3 decaf, 1/3 caf, with some sugar free Kahlua syrup in it - yum!) What a treat. I did my 2 daily sudoku puzzles successfully. I braided my daughter's hair and made her 2nd favorite breakfast for her (egg in a frame). The day is starting off beautifully. It is an open day. I will have time for a nice walk (since it is finally above zero), time to work on my latest knitting project, time for a soak in my hot tub...really time for anything I feel like doing. It feels good to feel good. It is good to feel good! We are all supposed to feel good. How do you feel right now? If not good, ask yourself, "what could be good about what is going on right now?" Look for something to feel better about and focus on that.

Life is supposed to be fun. What can you do today for fun! What feels good? If you can't answer that question easily - it's time to think about that!!!

Oh, another fun thing - I received an order for low-carb baking mix yesterday that looks like it will work - maybe even for my family! It's nice to be slim and eat whatever I want!

Have a great day. Find at least 5 things that make you feel good.
It may sound a little Pollyanna but it works to focus on what feels good.

Happy Healthy

What if being Happy and Healthy was all under our own control? I believe it is. That's what it's all about