Mindful Living - And other things I've never thought of!

Healthy Living Class

I started a 15-week healthy living class on January 8th.  Perfect timing for New Year's Resolutions.  Today the teacher mentioned that we should live mindfully in everything we do.  So, when we do anything we should focus on that things.  The first week's assignment was to be mindful about our eating.  Think about how the food tastes instead of eating them in a hurry or with distractions.    I am always multi-tasking.  I grade papers, have facebook open, and the TV on.  My teacher suggested I do one thing at a time and do it mindfully focusing on the task at hand.  Novel thought! 

In Italy, 2 years ago, I had no problem focusing on the taste!

Healthy and Delicious!!!!!

Meal Planning for One Doesn't Take Long.

We were also supposed to plan our meals and snacks a week in advance.  The problem with this is that I am single and although my brother lives with me, he is a vegetarian.  So, it's only me eating the food. I made Chicken Tortilla Soup, froze half of it, and still it lasted me for a week.  I didn't even get to the second meal I planned for.  Lol.  So, I have a bunch of veggies waiting to become stir-fry.

Moving More

When I started this class, I decided I was going to dive head-first and follow all the directions.  I started to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.  My first day, I walked around Lake Johnson - a 3 mile walk with hills as a bonus.  (The next day I bought better tennis shoes.)  I have been doing various exercises depending on the weather.  I've been doing the Just Dance on the Wii, Wii Fit, Yoga, other other exercises.  Thanks to Barbara, Kathy, and Helen for going on walks with me!

 This video is my nieces and nephew doing the Just Dance during Christmas Break last year.  There is no way I'm going to show you me dancing!  I really wanted to show my brother Kenneth dancing, but I'll save that blackmail for another day!

Winter Time Blues and Healthy Goals

I just finished talking with my health coach - it's pretty cool actually, it's free and she calls me and asks me how I'm doing and we set goals and then she asks me about my goals.   It's a part of my state health plan.

I told her that I was a complete bum last weekend and didn't do anything or go anywhere even though fun things were happening.  I work and come home and work again and then I don't want to do anything.  I even turned down free dinner and game night!  My coach reminded me that it is getting darker sooner and maybe it's just the winter time blues because I'm not getting enough sun.

My goal for this month:  Do something social every other weekend and exercise 3 times a week.

Ideas

1. Dinner at Hibernian Grill - in the library with the fireplace.  (A winter tradition.)



2.  Movies with friends - when is Les Miserables coming out?



3.  The Apex Nativity display and the Messiah sing along - on my birthday - Dec. 8th.



4.  I want to see a musical - I'm not sure what is playing or where it is playing, but surely something good must be playing during the Christmas season.




5. Travel - I have a 3 day weekend - where should I go?