Break Fast

Until about a year ago I rarely ever ate breakfast. For some reason I could not get over the idea that eating breakfast meant wasting calories on a meal I really didn't like that much anyway. That was until I realized that skipping breakfast is never a good idea. Think about it this way. You finish your evening meal at 7:30 and barring any late night snack attack, you don't eat again until the next morning. In my case that can be about 13 hours in between meals. Literally when you eat in the morning you are breaking the fast your body has been in since dinner. And in addition eating in the morning not only helps break that fasting period but it also gets your metabolism going allowing you to start burning calories.

But as good as eating breakfast is eating a plate of fried hash browns, fatty meats and pancakes is not always the best recipe.

The ideal breakfast should be an balanced combination of protein, a fair amount of fiber (as low glycemic carbohydrates) and little fat. Here are some quick, healthful ideas:
A bowl of whole-grain cereal with calcium-fortified soy milk and some fruit. Add a tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseeds on top as a source of omega-3 fatty acids.

A soy shake (blend 1/2 cake silken tofu, 1/2 cup apple juice, 1 cup frozen organic strawberries and 1 banana).

Keep some hardboiled eggs (choose free-range, omega-3 fortified eggs) on hand to eat with

wholegrain toast. Include a glass of calcium-fortified orange juice and a container of nonfat plain yogurt. Add your own fruit or granola.

With these suggestions you'll be on your way to a great start to your morning.

"'When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,' said Piglet at last, 'what's the first thing you say to yourself?' 'What's for breakfast?' said Pooh. 'What do you say, Piglet?' 'I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?' said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. 'It's the same thing,' he said."A. A. Milne, 'The House at Pooh Corner'

Guilt Free Relaxtion

For months and months now life has been on overdrive. Selling our house, moving in with my folks, planning a move, getting ready for school, moving into a 2 bedroom apartment from a home, etc, etc.

There have been moments in these last few months I have felt as if there was no way my little brain could hold any more information or my mind could take any more emotional stress. But somehow our bodies kick in and compensate for the craziness while allowing us to forge ahead, amazing.

Now I sit, finally on vacation and realize that I am coming down from what feels like some sort of adrenaline high. Am I actually able to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee without tending to a list of to do's? Am I actually able to compose a blog post without feeling rushed in doing so?

It's amazing how often we don't allow ourselves to take time to relax and recharge isn't it? In our fast paced world it almost seems as if the message that is being sent is that you're lazy if you slow down. You must not be working hard enough. You must need something to do if you take that half hour in your day to sip that cup of tea, or take that much needed nap.

After all these months of full speed ahead I realize what a dis-service I have done myself by not taking more of those moments. Thankfully I am looking ahead to a week on a beach with nothing to do but I fear that the moment my feet hit the white sand I will fall into a state of complete and utter exhaustion. I wonder, how would I be feeling if I had taken more time for me? Dr Andrew Weil of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine states that "Relaxation is perhaps the single most important key to health and well-being. It is the antidote to stress which is known to contribute to the development of disease. When we relax our body has an opportunity to unwind". The benefits of relaxation have been well researched and include a slowing of the heart rate which in turn reduces blood pressures. Help in lowering the rate of breathing, which reduces the need for oxygen and increases blood flow to the muscles and decreases muscle tension
As a result, many people experience more energy better sleep, enhanced immunity, increased concentration ,better problem-solving abilities, greater efficiency, smoother emotions -- less anger, crying, anxiety, frustration, less headaches and pain.

Wow! All of that from a little relaxation??? I say bring it on then!

Let's stop the feeling of guilt for taking a few moments everyday for ourselves by focusing on all of the benefits that come from it. I guarantee if will have a ripple effect on those around you and your mind and body will thank you.

"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them" ~Sylvia Plath

Alive and bloggin

Thank you everyone for your patience in waiting for my return. We are settling into beautiful Central New York and I have a ton of post ideas coming soon.