Food Matters!

Have you seen the website, Food Matters, Inc?   If not, check it out.  It is worth the time!



ALRIGHT, folks.

Now what?  Ahhh, well, I've been getting my behind out walking with the dog still and doing stretching at home.  That's been the majority of the exercise.  I walked the pup down to the local dog park on Saturday (about 15-20min walk) and was there for about 90 minutes.  Were those dogs ever FUN to watch!!  They chase and bark and dig and splash in the little kiddie pool . . . just like bringing kids to daycare or the playground :-)  The socialization for dogs with plenty of play room and RUN time is crucial for their physical and mental health!

Back to people.  Focus.

We need to stay cognizant of our movement throughout the day - for example, I spent several hours at the library the other day and made sure to at least get up and walk around.  Truthfully, I went down to Starbucks on level 1 for some petro, but before getting there, I made sure I walked around for at least 15 minutes.  This was not only a way to acquaint myself with the monstrosity of Library West but also to get up and moving.  Another hour or so on the computers and then I opted to sit and stretch on the floor by my computer while reading a Runner's World magazine (hey, even though I am not running at present doesn't mean I cannot learn and enjoy and live vicariously!)

My nutrient intake has changed in the last couple of weeks.  I am substituting fruit (especially pineapple and strawberries) in the evening when my 'sweet tooth' drives my brain to insanity desiring ice cream or chocolate or even just carbs (cereal, pasta, etc).  As well, I have discovered (thanks to recommendation by dear friend RoRo!) Ezekial 4:9 cereal!!!  YUUUUM in the morning! A sprouted whole grain cereal with no preservatives or colors or additives, etc.  I have stopped buying 'cow's milk' and have returned to soy milk and almond milk.  Typically, I purchase the vanilla flavor, but found that I did not like the sweet vanilla soy milk with cereal, so I switched to vanilla almond milk - what a delicious change!  I cut up fresh strawberries or bananas to top off my cereal.  I've been using the almond milk with my coffee, too, in an effort to decrease the amount of creamer that I use (shout-out to Peppermint Mocha! Oh yeah!).

I'm hoping to really notice some changes in energy level, restful sleep, decrease in aches, and stablize my moods :-/  I've been a bit off my rocker lately.  I do contribute that to a lack of restorative sleep - not sleeping fully through the night due to aches or worries.  I have been using Progressive Muscle Relaxation in combination with meditative breathing to help relax my physical and mental body for bed at night.  Sleep is so critical in the maintenance of our physical bodies; not only do tissues need to repair but neurotransmitters in our brains are somehow restored or re-somethinged while we sleep (this plays a HUGE role in mood and perception - definitely coincides with deranged thinking patterns that follow sleepless nights for those with or without mental illness).

I have either come across some neat blogs on my own or have been directed to them by others.  I want to share another couple of blogs with anyone who may be interested!

First is a blog that is from the Tom's of Maine company that produces socially and environmentally friendly products.  The contributor of this article is attempting a vegan lifestyle for a month:
Good Matters™ blog Tom's of Maine 

Nature's Express is a vegetarian & vegan restaurant in California that offers a blog for interested peeps.  A lot of informative writing in this one!

More posts and blogs to come.  I want to investigate the next couple blogs before I share them!  Muaaahahahahahah :-)

P.S. My sister in law is coming to visit today!!! She is on a plane from the midwest and arrives in FL at noon.  AND it's her birthday!  Woot woot!  It's going to be a fun week!