Lest anyone out there believe that I am eating a totally vegan diet 100% of the time, I've got news for you. I'm not. Just like everyone, I'm doing the best I can right now and I'd have to say that my best right now is about 90% vegan and I'm totally good with that! What can I say? Easter reminded me how much I enjoy a hard boiled egg.
With anything in life, it's important to do the best you can rather than strive for perfection. Perfection is boring. This is something I've dealt with my whole life. I've always wanted to do things the right way and have things just so. While there is nothing wrong with working hard to achieve the best results, it is also critical to go easy on yourself and not beat yourself up over silly things. Give it your best effort and move on.
In our media-infested world (Can I copyright that term? I really like it and plan to use it more!), we see images of people we may admire, people we may think are doing things "perfectly." Let's be honest. There is no such thing as a person doing things perfectly no matter how rich, beautiful, or healthy they may look on a magazine cover. (C'mon, certainly we are all familiar with airbrushing by now!). Even in health magazines where celebrities or models from the fitness industry talk about how clean their diets are, you know they're indulging every now and then, having some chocolate or a few glasses of wine. I don't think we could survive without such indulgences (especially when you have kids).
I guess my point today is to say, just do your best in everything you do and be satisfied when you've given a good effort. To me, right now, eating a 90% vegan diet is as good as I'm ready to do regardless of what I've written in the past. I am happy with that and I know that I have taken major steps over the past two years to reduce the suffering in the world and I've made myself a healthier person in the process!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Resurrect Yourself
Today is Easter, the day on which Christians believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead to live in eternal life. Throughout the years, other traditions have been attached to Easter including the celebration of new life (really just a metaphor for the story of Jesus), the changing of the seasons from the dead of winter to the blooming and growth of spring, and, of course, every kid's favorite--the Easter bunny hiding eggs and bringing chocolate!
Regardless of what you believe about Easter, every person on the planet can really see themselves as a metaphor for the story of Jesus. We all experience difficulties, challenges, our own crucifixions, if you will. We may be going through such events in our lives right now. The wonderful part of this metaphor is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Challenging circumstances have so much to teach us once we are able to reflect on what we are going through. And then when that light comes, it can truly feel like new life!
The important thing to remember is that all growth comes from challenge, whether you are talking about improving your physical fitness or getting through a serious illness. Today I heard a story of a snake shedding its own skin several times a year in order to be "reborn," to change and to improve. While a snake is not my favorite creature, the analogy made sense to me. We continually have to shed our skins, overcome our challenges, to resurrect ourselves to a new life, a happy life, a healthy life. I have a hard time realizing the most important part of this growth sometimes--that is, growth is an ongoing process that goes on in different forms for your entire life. You don't shed one skin and call it a day. You face challenges to help you evolve into a more complete person. They may seem brutal when you are going through them, but you will be stronger, wiser, and more confident for having faced them and come through on the other side.
Regardless of what you believe about Easter, every person on the planet can really see themselves as a metaphor for the story of Jesus. We all experience difficulties, challenges, our own crucifixions, if you will. We may be going through such events in our lives right now. The wonderful part of this metaphor is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Challenging circumstances have so much to teach us once we are able to reflect on what we are going through. And then when that light comes, it can truly feel like new life!
The important thing to remember is that all growth comes from challenge, whether you are talking about improving your physical fitness or getting through a serious illness. Today I heard a story of a snake shedding its own skin several times a year in order to be "reborn," to change and to improve. While a snake is not my favorite creature, the analogy made sense to me. We continually have to shed our skins, overcome our challenges, to resurrect ourselves to a new life, a happy life, a healthy life. I have a hard time realizing the most important part of this growth sometimes--that is, growth is an ongoing process that goes on in different forms for your entire life. You don't shed one skin and call it a day. You face challenges to help you evolve into a more complete person. They may seem brutal when you are going through them, but you will be stronger, wiser, and more confident for having faced them and come through on the other side.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Running Lessons
I love to run... No, really, I love to run! I remember running my first 1 mile fun run in Havelock, North Carolina when I was 6 or 7 and I had a little medal to commemorate it. My love of running didn't really pick up though until after college when I finally decided to run further than three miles. I would find new routes, increase the mileage, and before I knew it I was running my first marathon.
But to me, running is more than just training for races and trying to break personal records. It is truly a metaphor for life. One morning, about a month ago, I was out for an early morning run by myself--no kid, no dog--and I was thinking about all of the lessons I have learned over my running years and the parallels between the journey around the block and the journey through life. So here's what I came up with...
1. It's cheaper (and better) than therapy! A good run on your own gives you time to deal with your demons. It allows you to work things out in your head without anyone interjecting their opinions and it gives you time to clear your mind.
2. Meditation. Along with therapy, running can serve as a form of meditation or prayer. I've used my time on the roads to clear my head of distractions and just be in the present moment. I've also used runs to pray for others who need it (sometimes myself!) or repeat an affirmation over and over.
3. You might face a strong headwind, but you will turn a corner and eventually the wind will be at your back. Everyone has had struggles or has been through dark periods in their lives where it feels like the wind is just stopping you in your tracks. These times pass, though, and you will get stronger, one day getting to the place you want to be.
4. Listen to your body. Like all runners, I can be stubborn and try to push through nagging injuries only to find that I am making them worse. Injuries will teach you patience and the more patient you are, the quicker you will heal. Running forces you to listen to what your body is telling you (push harder, slow down, stop!) and this is something we should do always.
5. Exploration. Whenever I travel to a new city, I try to find out where I can run to check out the scenery. This has helped me explore places like San Diego, Chicago's waterfront, Dublin, and many more. My favorite travel run ever was in St. Andrew's, Scotland where I got to run on the beach where they filmed "Chariots of Fire" and you better believe I had the theme song going through my mind as I ran there. Maybe I even sang it out loud!
6. Slow down and smell the roses. When you drive around in a car, it is easy to go quickly through towns and neighborhoods without noticing the details. When you are running, you get a chance to really take in everything around you. This morning when I ran, I saw a tremendous variety of birds that I would not have seen in a car.
7. Discipline. When you train for a race, or just run on a regular basis, you learn that things do not come easily. You have to work hard for something that's worth it. As a result of that training, you get great results, feel healthier, and push yourself beyond your previously established limits.
8. Freedom! I feel completely free when I run--free to think about what I want, free to look at what I want, free to feel however I want to feel. Sometimes I will run at sunrise and the sky here will be so beautiful and expansive and I feel like I'm on top of the world. It's amazing!
I know running is not for everyone and for those of you who don't like it, or can't do it because of injuries, there is definitely something else that can give you all of the above benefits. Look for what it is because you will come out a stronger, happier person when you find it!
But to me, running is more than just training for races and trying to break personal records. It is truly a metaphor for life. One morning, about a month ago, I was out for an early morning run by myself--no kid, no dog--and I was thinking about all of the lessons I have learned over my running years and the parallels between the journey around the block and the journey through life. So here's what I came up with...
1. It's cheaper (and better) than therapy! A good run on your own gives you time to deal with your demons. It allows you to work things out in your head without anyone interjecting their opinions and it gives you time to clear your mind.
2. Meditation. Along with therapy, running can serve as a form of meditation or prayer. I've used my time on the roads to clear my head of distractions and just be in the present moment. I've also used runs to pray for others who need it (sometimes myself!) or repeat an affirmation over and over.
3. You might face a strong headwind, but you will turn a corner and eventually the wind will be at your back. Everyone has had struggles or has been through dark periods in their lives where it feels like the wind is just stopping you in your tracks. These times pass, though, and you will get stronger, one day getting to the place you want to be.
4. Listen to your body. Like all runners, I can be stubborn and try to push through nagging injuries only to find that I am making them worse. Injuries will teach you patience and the more patient you are, the quicker you will heal. Running forces you to listen to what your body is telling you (push harder, slow down, stop!) and this is something we should do always.
5. Exploration. Whenever I travel to a new city, I try to find out where I can run to check out the scenery. This has helped me explore places like San Diego, Chicago's waterfront, Dublin, and many more. My favorite travel run ever was in St. Andrew's, Scotland where I got to run on the beach where they filmed "Chariots of Fire" and you better believe I had the theme song going through my mind as I ran there. Maybe I even sang it out loud!
6. Slow down and smell the roses. When you drive around in a car, it is easy to go quickly through towns and neighborhoods without noticing the details. When you are running, you get a chance to really take in everything around you. This morning when I ran, I saw a tremendous variety of birds that I would not have seen in a car.
7. Discipline. When you train for a race, or just run on a regular basis, you learn that things do not come easily. You have to work hard for something that's worth it. As a result of that training, you get great results, feel healthier, and push yourself beyond your previously established limits.
8. Freedom! I feel completely free when I run--free to think about what I want, free to look at what I want, free to feel however I want to feel. Sometimes I will run at sunrise and the sky here will be so beautiful and expansive and I feel like I'm on top of the world. It's amazing!
I know running is not for everyone and for those of you who don't like it, or can't do it because of injuries, there is definitely something else that can give you all of the above benefits. Look for what it is because you will come out a stronger, happier person when you find it!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wendy Campbell
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by an amazing speaker who has made informing people about nutrition her life's mission (thank you Bree!). It is difficult to describe in words the energy and enthusiasm Wendy Campbell (a member of the Juice Plus--the whole food supplement we all take here--company) brought to the room when she started talking about how we need to change the way we eat to lead long, healthy lives. I will try to convey some of her message here...
First of all, Wendy's passion for nutrition was infectious! She brought the energy about this topic that I feel inside and only wish I could transfer to you. After many of her statements about changing the way we think about food, I wanted to shout "AMEN!" She presented so much information and research basically backing up the fact that we need to eat more fruits and veggies and whole grains if we want to change the way we feel. I can't possibly relate all the information she presented but the message was: Change the way you eat to change your life!
Two of the many things she focused on stuck with me after the talk. One was what I call "no shame/no blame." Early on, she spoke a lot about the epidemic of obesity in our country but she was quick to point out that people should not feel shame about their current state of health. This is SO important! If you are ashamed of where your body is right now, you cannot make positive changes. The "no blame" part had to do with not pointing fingers at people. For example, we shouldn't continuously lash out against McDonald's or Monsanto or Agribusiness. We also can't judge the people who are sitting in the drive-thru line at Wendy's because it is the only thing they can afford or have time for. These ideas were so empowering to me. When we get past shame/blame, we can feel empowered to make the best choices for us with the information we have.
The other thing that stuck with me was when Wendy Campbell spoke about making these better choices for our children. I feel like this topic of nutrition has become more important to me since Christopher was born. I know he's not always going to eat wholesome food or make the best nutritional choices all the time. However, if I can arm him with a good base of fruits, veggies, and whole grains now and model good nutrition at an early age, he will most likely come back to that way of eating throughout his life. Wendy focused on the fact that there are so many diseases in children now that did not exist (or were only present in adults) until recently. This is a sad, sad fact and one that we must be proactive about! She feels (as I have for a while) that these diseases are due in large part to the sugary, processed, "nutrient-less" food available to children today.
I am so happy that I attended this event and it really reinvigorated my passion for sharing the information I've learned about nutrition with you. Happy weekend and eat your veggies!!!
First of all, Wendy's passion for nutrition was infectious! She brought the energy about this topic that I feel inside and only wish I could transfer to you. After many of her statements about changing the way we think about food, I wanted to shout "AMEN!" She presented so much information and research basically backing up the fact that we need to eat more fruits and veggies and whole grains if we want to change the way we feel. I can't possibly relate all the information she presented but the message was: Change the way you eat to change your life!
Two of the many things she focused on stuck with me after the talk. One was what I call "no shame/no blame." Early on, she spoke a lot about the epidemic of obesity in our country but she was quick to point out that people should not feel shame about their current state of health. This is SO important! If you are ashamed of where your body is right now, you cannot make positive changes. The "no blame" part had to do with not pointing fingers at people. For example, we shouldn't continuously lash out against McDonald's or Monsanto or Agribusiness. We also can't judge the people who are sitting in the drive-thru line at Wendy's because it is the only thing they can afford or have time for. These ideas were so empowering to me. When we get past shame/blame, we can feel empowered to make the best choices for us with the information we have.
The other thing that stuck with me was when Wendy Campbell spoke about making these better choices for our children. I feel like this topic of nutrition has become more important to me since Christopher was born. I know he's not always going to eat wholesome food or make the best nutritional choices all the time. However, if I can arm him with a good base of fruits, veggies, and whole grains now and model good nutrition at an early age, he will most likely come back to that way of eating throughout his life. Wendy focused on the fact that there are so many diseases in children now that did not exist (or were only present in adults) until recently. This is a sad, sad fact and one that we must be proactive about! She feels (as I have for a while) that these diseases are due in large part to the sugary, processed, "nutrient-less" food available to children today.
I am so happy that I attended this event and it really reinvigorated my passion for sharing the information I've learned about nutrition with you. Happy weekend and eat your veggies!!!
Bob and Jillian
If you know me well, you know that one of the only things I watch on TV is The Biggest Loser (or any other show where severely overweight people lose weight and change their lives--there are many shows like this and I'll find them if they're on!). I know the show is essentially the same every season but I absolutely love watching people who have led unhealthy lives learn how to change, gain confidence and enthusiasm for life, and help others along the way. The two trainers that help them do this are Bob and Jillian.
Now, of course, they each have their own DVD lines of workouts and, yes, it is another way to get you to spend money. But for me, I honestly can say these two trainers have helped get me in really good shape and have helped me feel stronger than ever. I've been "working out" with Jillian for well over a year and a half and started the Bob "Inside Out Method" DVDs earlier this year. Jillian's workouts are definitely challenging and will kick your butt, but right now Bob is making me work pretty darn hard! We have three of his DVDs (strength, cardio, and yoga) and after an hour of each of these (on different days, of course!) my body is spent... in a good way. I always finish these workouts feeling amazing and also exhausted and also strong. Bob's workouts are so tough that on the strength and cardio DVDs, the people doing them can hardly keep up. I mean, seriously! But they are super fun and super effective. I highly recommend these workouts if you're looking for a way to really turn it up a notch!
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