aaahhhh, yoga!

Just home from yoga this a.m. and the sun is shining. What a glorious day!

New Yoga session with Sarah

There is another session of yoga being offered by my teacher Sarah. If you are curious at all, check out her classes.

the quest for yummy allergen-free food

I have been so bored with my somewhat limited variety of food choices, I've been looking for some new, tasty ideas that will make it easier to stay on my path. So I discovered vanilla soy yogurt--a sugar-free version--that mixed with organic sugar-free granola, ground flax and strawberries is delicious! The health food section at Zehrs in Orangeville actually has a better selection of that kind of stuff than Harmony Whole Foods (also in Orangeville).

I found a recipe for vegan blueberry-cornmeal muffins that looks good too. A couple substitutions, like agave syrup for the sugar, and I can have them. And for supper tonight, curried apple squash soup and quinoa salad. And I'll have leftovers for this week too!

Mid-week dinners are the toughest. Let's just say no one is exactly excited about eating what I can eat, and with the time crunch that we all face, it can be tough. I'm sick of salad and baked chicken, but since I don't eat meat, and I can only have limited grains, pasta is out. Quick cooking meals are a challenge.

I keep researching and finding options, now just to convince the kids and Rick that it'll be good, they just have to try it.....

hormones out of whack?

Tara, one of the doctors at the naturopathic clinic I go to posted a recommendation to the book, The Hormone Diet. I picked it up to read, thinking I might get some more insight into the wonderful, weird chemistry of my body, and some more answers to what's going inside of me. All I can say is WOW! Now I am finding out why hours in the gym, coupled with eating like an anorexic bird didn't make me skinny. I discussed it with my ND, Lia, and she's happy I'm reading it--much less explaining for her, richer discussions and I'm more involved in the decision making of my treatment. I believe her word for me was, "Cool". Ok I know, I'm a dork, but it is nice to know when I'm on the right track--there's a word I'm trying to think of to say exactly what I mean but it's escaping me, my progesterone must be low, lol.

Anyway, check out the website: www.thehormonediet.com

If you are struggling the way I have been, maybe there are some answers there for you too! And the ND that wrote the book is Canadian too.

Have a wonderful weekend, I'm heading out to yoga.
Namaste.

The View From 5'5": The Thing Women Do Most (Especially Moms)

I follow this blog from time to time, and this really got my attention. Check out the link:

The View From 5'5": The Thing Women Do Most (Especially Moms)

Happy New Year

As 2010 is drawing to a close, I'm contemplating my goals that have not come to fruition. But, I have been on my way. So with that in mind, I'm resetting my goals for 2011. I refuse to call them resolutions, you know how long those typically last!

My goals:

1. Finish reaching my goal weight. This shouldn't be too difficult once I'm totally back on my allergen-free diet....sadly, Bailey's is not on my "good" list.
2. Finally run that 5k race--probably for Breast Cancer, but if I get my butt in gear, maybe I'll actually get in more than one.
3. Try-a-tri. Seriously. I can do the swim, now only to train for the run and the bike.
4. Further my yoga practice. Yoga has given me so much in only a few months, I look forward to increasing and deepening my practice in 2011. On the off chance Sarah is reading this--Sarah you rock and I love you!
5. Start lifting weights again. My shoulder has recovered from the tragic knitting injury of the summer of 2010 (thanks to yoga and regular massage), it's time to start lifting again. The best way to boost metabolism and keep aging at bay. No stooped shoulders and osteoporosis for this chicky!
6. Keeping the newly found balance in my life. This is my most serious and necessary goal for 2011 and luckily, the previous 5 goals will help me to achieve this one. With balance comes happiness and fulfillment--need I say more?

I've realized that my, ahem, "fervor" may make others feel uncomfortable, and that I'm sitting in judgement of their choices. To all of my friends, I want you to know that I do not judge, I've been where many of you are on your journey, and my journey is still that, a journey. My deepest wish is to be an inspiration, a helper, a friend you can count on. I would love to workout with anyone--I need partner motivation too! I would not expect anyone to be in the same spot on their path, but I'm always open to "parallel" working out (I steal this from child development--parallel play), and prodding and encouraging each other. If you're interested let me know :)

With all of that said, Happy New Year my friends and hopefully new readers and followers. I welcome your comments. I'm enjoying my last night before getting back on the treadmill (figuratively and literally!), enjoy yours.

See you at the gym, or the pool, or at yoga!

Namaste!

post Christmas depression

I'm suffering from post-Christmas depression. Tree and decorations are down, presents put away and general malaise has set in. It doesn't help to be fighting a cold, no doubt brought on by eating sugar and other crap to which I'm allergic. Deep sighs and grumpiness mark the day. Logic tells me going for a run, or an hour of yoga would be the cure, but I'm wallowing in it instead. There's time enough to "pull myself up" by my proverbial bootstraps and sally on with my life. I think today I'll just give in and wallow. More sugar and wine will no doubt make it worse...so cheers! Who'd like a buttertart?!