Mindfullness

The holidays are upon us and like all of you, I have been rushing around getting ready, running from once place to another.  Today, as I actually took time out to "show up" for yoga I thought to myself, this running around is really no different then what I do all the time....on a daily basis.  Always rushing from point A to point B and not really paying attention to what happens in the middle.  I always walk away from yoga with a new perspective and truly take in the wise words of the many wonderful teachers i get to experience at the Birchwood Center.  So I am here to pass along her words through me in my words, to you all (all 4 followers that I have...lol).  When we travel from one destination to another, there is always so much going on in between that we don't pay attention to....that gets lost in transition.  So not only in my practice of yoga, but in my day, I am choosing to pay attention to all the "in between" while I go from point A to point B.  So far so good....there is a beautiful world out there with much to be grateful for...and all I have to do is show up.....Happy Holidays and from my heart to all of you a very blessed New Year!!!!!

Baby Products

What is the world coming too....all you mommies out there, use Johnson and Johnson?  Check out this article...very important
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/14/johnson-johnson-baby-products-toxic.aspx?e_cid=20111114_DNL_art_1

Organic vs Natural

How many people know the difference between something labeled organic and something labeled natural?  If you buy something with the label "all natural"  don't you think you are getting something all natural?  And what exactly does that mean?  Unless you are buying organic you may still be getting additives, pesticides, and fungicides in your food, just to name a few.  FDA regulation allows food companies to add a list that goes on in the tens of thousands of "natural" additives to our so called all natural food and still call it "natural."  FDA considers these additives as GRAS (generally regarded as safe).  What these additives are doing is altering the flavor and taste of our food.  So here is my advice....go organic.

Want more info...check our Dr Mercola's website
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/22/natural-breakfast-cereals-contain-pesticides-gmo.aspx?e_cid=20111122_DNL_art_2

Healthy parent healthy kid

It was a beautiful weekend and my daughter and I spent a lot of time at the park.  While we were there I noticed a young child, couldn't be more then 8 or 9.  This child could not lift themselves up to get onto a swing....why you ask?  because the child was too heavy.  Of course in my mind I have all the answers, just feed the kid healthy food, but is it really that simple?  We live in an instant gratification fast food nation.  Where are we going wrong?  When I was little, I don't necessarily remember my mom cooking textbook "healthy", but she served real food, whole food, not packaged processed crap that is in our stores.  Food that had to be cooked, not already prepared or microwaved.  We didn't own one and still don't. We were also not in front of the TV all day watching shows or playing video games either.  She booted us out and told us to get lost and lost we were...using our imaginations all the way until dinner.   Today, kids eat poorly, don't get exercise and spend way too much time on all these "devices" that keep us in touch 24/7.  There is a campaign for healthy lunches in schools and programs to get our kids moving.  What is that all about? For every answer I came up with, there was another problem to solve, so I want to know what you all think.  Why are we so fat and what can we do about it?

Fast Food

If you are one of those people who think fast food is ok to eat only once in awile...you may want to rethink that after you read the article below and find out whats really in the fast food you may be eating or even worse...feeding your children

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/08/do-you-have-any-idea-of-the-chemicals-used-in-fast-food-chicken.aspx

check it out

Alternative Health Care

To All:


Yesterday, Sunday, Dr. Mercola posted a lengthy new interview with
Dr. Gonzalez.  In this, Dr. Gonzalez discussed people such as Steve
Jobs who seek out conventional cancer care with poor results.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/09/dr-nicholas-gonzalez-on-steve-jobs.aspx?e_cid=20111009_SNL_Art_1

If this does not work, try the following:

http://tinyurl.com/3ddxmlf

Some great archive articles via this site...check it out and become informed

Weight Loss and Metabolism

This very short article is a great explanation of why strength training is so important...check it out

http://pjb.getprograde.com/Strength-Training-And-Metabolism.html

Race

Want to check out the pics from last years mud run???? go to the link below

http://www.asiorders.com/estf.asp?EVENTID=65258&PWD=&BIB=2295


Sorry...this years race pics aren't posted yet...but stay tuned...when I get them...so will you

Healthy Eating Tips

Check out this site for essential tips for eating healthy, losing weight and keeping it off!

http://pjb.getprograde.com/15-Rules-for-Fat-Loss.html?advert_id=CN

Race

40 and fabulous....what's my secret????  MUD!!!!!!
http//www.downanddirtymudrun.com/

Race

Tomorrow is the big Meryle Down and Dirty Mud Run.....keep posted for results...or check it out for yourself.  Is this something you can do?  I say go for it! http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com/

Read Read Read

Well here is some scary but VERY important information on our hair, skin and nail products.  Know what is in them and what we are putting not only on our bodies but in them too......check it out  http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=749

Great Resources

Hey check out this website...has a lot of info on resources on where to go for alternative health and clean living   http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/references.htm

Turn up the intensity

OK...so you are out there walking with your friends everyday, rain or shine and still no change in weight.  Are you chatting too much?  Not walking long enough?  Could be, but maybe you just need to turn up the intensity.  Never mind the fact you don't like to run (I hear that ALL the time).  You don't have to run....that's right....hit the HILLS!!!! Add them into your usual walk and turn the usual into a downright workout!!!!  Try it...what have you got to lose....except calories.

playground exercises

tricep triceps

Healthy Eating Habits

    One of the most common questions I am asked is, "how do you keep your eating on track when you are always on the go?"  My answer...can you guess?  It's plan plan plan.  A little effort before goes a long way after.  For example...and this is an easy one...I recently went with my daughter to a carnival/festival/Italian feast....How did I avoid wanting to eat the sausage and peppers and calzones etc?  I ate a healthy lunch at home so I wasn't hungry and therefore was not tempted with what was around me..yet I did enjoy all the smells...and that's calorie free.
     If your are going to be there for a long time...where ever there may be....well then...plan plan plan...bring easy healthy to pack snacks like apples, granola bars, grapes or cheese sticks. 
     Like I said, planning ahead saves time, energy and calories in the long run.

NO Excuses

Hey ladies,

      Is finding time to exercise difficult?  Here are some helpful tips from me to you in getting in that workout. Being a single working mother it is always difficult for me to find the time, well, for me.  So here’s what I do to not only get a workout in but spend time with my daughter.

I put her in the jog stroller and run with her to the park.  Once I ‘m there I use the park playground as my “gym”  I do step ups…tricep dips…push ups…pull ups…and squats, just to name a few.  Inbetween my sets I chase my daughter around playing tag or monster.  And then of course there is the run home.

     There are no more excuses.  When other moms see me doing this it inspires them.  Keep posted to my blog and I will teach you how to use the park as your playground too….