Pursuit of Healthfulness – Week 6.3

I missed my post on Friday and now its Monday so that accounts for the 6.3.

This past week was a bit of a downslide for me.  I ate out more than usual including a hamburger and fries that tasted great but a few hours later made me feel sluggish.  I had chicken pot pie that was delicious and a brownie sundae with my sister.  I had beer and wine and more cheese than normal.

I am noticing more and more how various foods make me feel.  I am learning what gives me energy and what saps it, what makes me bloated and what fills the hunger without any side effects.  I feel like I have a long way to go but one step at a time.

Since I am heading out of town for the rest of the week I’m sure I will be tempted with all types of foods I’ve been avoiding…that’s what happens when you go on vacation.  I am sure that I’ll have a lot to share when I return next week.

Until then, check in with Karen at Journey Back to Self and please feel free to share your journey here.

Posted in Health & Wellness, The Pursuit of Healthfulness | 2 Comments

Get In Really Close

Even though I haven’t been taking many photos recently I wanted to get back in on the lovely Bella’s 52 Photos Project.  I looked through some photos from the past couple of months and found a few where I got really close.  I love playing with the macro function and would really like to get a macro lens but that’s just not in the cards right now.

I am hoping that Bella’s prompts will get me to pull out my camera more often.  I’ve missed taking photos.

Posted in 52 Photos Project, Photography | 2 Comments

Pursuit of Healthfulness – Week 5

Wheatless Waffles from Trader Joes

Its a new year and I see all kinds of people making resolutions to get healthy, eat better, lose weight.  At the Pilates studio, we are starting to see some new faces, people looking to turn over a new leaf.  My cousins are starting a Biggest Loser contest amongst the family.  Everyone on a pursuit to get healthy.

Karen over at Journey Back to Self and I started this pursuit to encourage each other but hope we can do that for you too.

The holidays were a bit of a challenge to eat healthy.  I did give in to temptation a time or two…hello cheesecake.  But I did learn a few things that I want to share.

  • it wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought to not eat every single cookie that was put out.  one or two and I was good
  • taking just a little bit of all the food that was put out was satisfying
  • when eating out, I’m still learning what to eat.  I went to PF Changs and had some rice noodles with chicken and shrimp, I was so bloated afterward and the next day felt like I had a hangover without the booze…crazy!
  • I am still learning what my trigger foods are, what makes me bloat up, what makes me dehydrated, etc.  Its a process and it takes time…learning patience.

The weight loss as remained pretty constant, around 8 pounds total to date, although I am feeling better physically so I’m not as concerned that the pounds aren’t melting away.

How about you?  Any revelations over the holidays?  Anything new you have learned on your pursuit?

Please feel free to link here.  And don’t forget to go visit Karen to check out what she has to say this week.

Posted in Health & Wellness, The Pursuit of Healthfulness | 3 Comments

EASE

definition:  the state of being comfortable

a. freedom from pain or discomfort
b. freedom from care
c. freedom from labor or difficulty
d. freedom from embarrassment or constraint

Over the past few years, I have not made resolutions but instead have focused on a word that encompasses what I want to bring to that new year.  Last year, I chose two words, Trust and Balance.  I worked a lot last year on trusting myself and others and bringing balance to my life.  I’m still working on both of those.

This year when thinking of a word, I pondered a few but the one that stuck with me and kept playing over and over again in my head is EASE.  Not Easy as in I want my life to be easy but Ease as in quit fighting so hard.  Ease on down the road…don’t make things harder then they need to be.

We will see what 2012 holds for all of us.  I think its going to be a good year indeed.  And I hope that all of you incorporate some EASE into your life too.

Posted in Inspiration, Life Lessons | 5 Comments

Merry Christmas from me and Allie

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!

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The Pursuit of Healthfulness – Week 3

It has been a challenge the last week and a half to stay on track with my goals.  I was traveling part of the time and this week has been busy getting ready for the holiday.  I’ve been sleeping in late (or should I say oversleeping) every morning so my breakfasts this week have been protein bars (pictured above).  I like these particular bars because they have 20 grams of protein and I don’t know about you, but I need crave protein in the morning.  And if I’m planning on getting a workout in, its a must.  I would much rather enjoy some eggs or oatmeal with fruit and nuts but this week I’ve been rushed so these bars have done the trick.

I did indulge a bit while traveling in LA so my weight loss had a little set back.  I enjoyed prosecco at the big book launch and fries with oysters which is Christine and my traditional meal.  I have decided not to beat myself up about it because I enjoyed every single moment.  I’m learning what food means to me, what it represents.  I’m not quite ready to share that yet but I will very soon.

I’m learning some very interesting lessons on this pursuit and I can’t wait to share more in the new year.  I think I’ll be taking a week off for the holidays and will see you back here in 2012!

Now go check out Karen’s latest post as I think she has some good stuff to share.

And if you are joining us on this pursuit and want to share, be sure to link up here.

Posted in Health & Wellness, The Pursuit of Healthfulness | 2 Comments

Guest Post and Giveaway by Christine Mason Miller

****The Giveaway winner is (drumroll please) Karen Delaney Dino aka Deldino!  Congratulations!  Christine will be in touch to ship off your extra special wall art!****

Today I am excited to have Christine Mason Miller here to share her new book, Desire to Inspire.  Christine is my best friend and she has been inspiring me for the many years we have known each other, since the day she whipped up bigger than life silhouettes for the Virginia Tech Homecoming Dance in 1987!  We became friends shortly after that day and I can’t imagine a better BFF.  Through the good times and bad, she is always an inspiration.  I am so proud of her latest endeavor and cannot wait to hold this book in my own two hands.  Check out a snippet here…

Christine Mason Miller’s latest book – Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World – is a collection of stories, exercises, images, quotes, and anecdotes from twenty extraordinary contributors, all sharing insights and experiences of how they create a meaningful life and, in turn, make a positive impact on the world. Each chapter discusses a different aspect of living a passion-fueled life, and this month Christine is offering a 60-Second Snapshot of each chapter as part of her Desire to Inspire Virtual Book Tour. Click here for all her online book tour dates!

Today Christine discusses Chapter 5 ~ Twists, Turns, and Other Beautiful Surprises

“The unpredictable nature of following dreams and creating a meaningful life is perhaps the only certainty that exists along these journeys. There are no guarantees in even the best laid-out plans; one way or another the details of life are going to trickle in and force me to re-evaluate, venture into unknown territory, or abandon certain items in my metaphorical backpack.” ~Desire to Inspire

Both of these statements are true, and beautiful for their own reasons:

My life has turned out exactly the way I dreamed it would.

My life has turned out nothing like I thought it would.

Leave a comment today through 5pm December 21st and be entered to win one of the three wall art pieces pictured below!  

The winner will be selected at random and announced on December 22nd.

Christine Mason Miller is a Santa Monica-based artist, writer, and explorer. Her next book – Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World – is now available at bookstores everywhere and Amazon.com. Follow her adventures at www.christinemasonmiller.com.



Posted in Guest Post, Inspiration | 13 Comments