Lately I have had time away from this blog. I've been overwhelmed with the process of moving but continue to think about things I'd like to share. I've had some asking me if I am going to continue by blog. I absolutely will when I am settled and have more time. For now this has been on my mind for quite some time so I thought I would at least post this picture. I will add to it when I get back to a place where I can focus on one thing at a time. I have much more to say. Just remember it's all a matter of perspective. Make the most of your situation. Your choice.
Those who know me well know that I shed tears easily. There are times when my family watches me and just waits for the moment they know is coming; either during a movie, reading a card, witnessing someone else's happiness, or expressing my own sentiments. Okay, yes, I've been known to cry at dog food commercials or when someone wins something on the radio. At times it can be embarrassing.
On the other hand I love to laugh and get others laughing as well. I am known for doing this sometimes at my own expense. Nothing feels better than sharing a laugh.
I have learned...
If something moves you to tears it is a good thing. It is good to feel, whether it brings back a memory or makes you sympathetic. To be touched, and be in touch with your emotions, is a benefit of being human, and moves your soul.
I believe...
Too often people tend to get caught up on negative thoughts. They forget how good it can feel to laugh. They don't take the time in their day to think about the things that are most important to themselves. They are too preoccupied or bombarded (especially with social media) with thoughts that belong to everyone else, and don't make the time or the space for their own thoughts.
Remember, what you do every day matters more than what you do once-in-a-while,
so how do you make it a "Heck of a Day"?
I have many ideas. I am sharing here a speech that I hope you will never forget.
The following video of an acceptance speech by "Jimmy V", Jimmy Valvano, is extremely touching. It has made an impact on me from the first time I saw it and almost emptied a whole box of tissues. I have watched it many times and still can't watch it without being driven to tears.
I do these three things every day, but now I do them with awareness and purpose. I hope this clip has the same effect on you that it did on me, and that you remember the three things that are important to do every day. And then you do them.
What an incredible speech and tremendous man. How wonderful to have so much to give, and so much to live for, when time is short.
Sadly, Jimmy Valvano barely lived a month after he presented this speech.
The interview below provides more insight into his character and the strength and determination it took to make that passionate and inspirational speech.
Be Inspired.
Take care of your Health,
Be happy,
AND
Have a Heck of a Day!
(every day)
Cancer does not discriminate. Every one of us is touched almost daily with news of someone we know and love either struggling with or being taken by this horrible disease. Jimmy's words have left an impact for a lifetime and his soul lives through this wonderful foundation.
I just HAD to try this one: Coconut-Mango
(I added blueberries)
YUM!
It has been quite a while since I have shared a recipe here, and believe me, I have tried many. With a focus on health, I am always looking for ways to make the most nutritional food taste good too. I have come across this particular recipe too many times to count and became curious. So I finally decided to give it a try and there are many reasons I think it is worth sharing. I typically have the same easy, but very nutritious breakfast every day. It's part of a routine that keeps me pretty healthy. I make a delicious shake every morning for my husband and myself with chocolate Shakeology, peanut butter, and banana. (info at the end of this post)
I know many people skip breakfast in the morning, or they they think a cup of coffee is all they need. I can't imagine coffee in my stomach alone--all that acid eating away at my stomach lining with nothing to soak it up. And by skipping breakfast you may be setting yourself up for a slower metabolism. There's no reason for your metabolism to start working if there has been nothing to fuel the engine. If there is no fuel, gears don't turn. Your body can go into "starvation mode" and store fat for survival. Have you ever noticed that if you don't eat you don't get as hungry, but once you do eat you can't go as long until the next meal? (Your metabolism went to work)
About Oats: Didn't our mothers feed us oatmeal as a healthy, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast as we were growing up? If you occasionally go out to breakfast, don't you always see oatmeal listed in the "healthy choice" side of a menu? There are times when hot oatmeal is just too--hot (or too much trouble) So I think the Overnight Oats recipe is a great solution for those that don't want to take the time to make something in the morning. Like the name implies, by morning when you wake up, it's done. Another nice thing about this recipe is-- it is extremely easy to adapt to your dietary needs and preferences. You can come up with a huge variety of ingredients to mix with your oats.
Lots of choices here. Change it up any way you want. Make your favorite
Since oats are the main ingredient in this recipe I did some research. Yes, it turns out, oats are very good for your health. Since the 80's the heart health benefits of Oats have been discussed. Here are a few reasons why: Oats are a whole grain that have more protein than most grains and contain a lot of fiber. Fiber has lipid lowering benefits. Oats contain specifically a soluble fiber known as beta-glucan. The beta-glucan is more soluble than other grains and it has been shown to slow the absorption of fat and help reduce blood cholesterol. This was first noted in 1997 and has been proven in many studies since. This makes oats or oatmeal valuable for maintaining a healthy blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.
The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in oats are responsible for its ability to prevent oxidation of arteries. It can also bolster the immune system. Because the carbs in oats are slow-burning, the slower digestion results in increased satiety and appetite suppression--curbing weight gain along with helping to prevent type 2 diabetes. Looks like Mom was right all along!
Give Overnight Oats a try! Keep it simple or make it elaborate. Use what you have on hand. A few fun recipes are listed here, couldn't list them all. You can search the web for more fun recipes such as: Carrot Cake Overnight Oats Nutella Overnight Oats Cafe Mocha Overnight Oats Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats
Have fun! Share with me what YOU
like.
Choose to be Healthy and Happy!
sources: www.authoritynutrition.com/foods/oats
www.medicalnewstoday.com
www.nutritionfacts.org
I do (and so does my husband) drink Shakeology every day. I credit it for initially helping me lose weight and keeping my health in check. I find it as delicious as it is nutritious, and convenient for a quick meal. For more information on Shakeology go to www.shakeology.com/nanciedwards
In my younger years I had no concept of eating for good health. I knew the term "well-rounded diet". I knew there was a difference between a bowl of ice cream and a bowl of vegetables. But my concern was only focused on the shape of my body in dance wear or a bikini.
Life is truly a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see.
(Trudy Symeonakis Vesotsky)
In a recent group exercise class at the gym I had an "ah-ha!" moment. It was during a mindfulness exercise. More about this class in another post but the class is called Flexibility, Mindfulness, and Gratitude. This class has become much more valuable than I realized.
. . . And what's changed . . . (and what hasn't). . .
A recent reminder of my tendencies went something like this:
We had just finished dinner. About 20-30 minutes later the conversation flowed: Me: "Hey, want a piece of that brownie brittle?"
(I can't help it, I admit there was more than a touch of excitement/persuasion in my tone).
To which my husband replied:
"No. I don't think so."
Me: "Really? Okay"
Hubby: "Oh, you can still have some. Don't let me stop you."
Me: "Oh, I don't want to eat it alone " (meaning "in front of you")
Hubby: "Or you can just wait until I go to bed."
(Does he know me, or what?!) ---Followed by both of us laughing--
Okay. This is the man who, when we married and I moved in that August, still had Halloween candy from the YEAR BEFORE! How does THAT happen??? That never happened in my previous life. I tried more than once to buy my "least favorite" candy to pass out at Halloween so I wouldn't be tempted by any left-overs. But it didn't matter. Because there was never candy in my house any other time, anything left over from Halloween disappeared pretty quickly. I also learned not to buy candy too far in advance of the holiday because eventually I wouldn't have enough to hand out and would have to get more.
Really? Who can keep candy around that long?
So the candy in this new married house slowly disappeared too (again it didn't matter what kind it was). As much as I tried to blame it on a mouse, or a candy fairy, or a Halloween ghost--it was ALLME!
...Shedding light on the dark side of social media and technology
On a personal note I have to admit that there is still a lot of Pollyanna in me. I want to believe everything I see and hear. I trust people. I always expect the good in people to come through. I always look for the good in people.
And so I write...
Sometimes in the darkest hour someone just needs to turn on the light.
BE THE LIGHT!
We have, for some time, been living in what I call a microwave society. If something takes more than a minute in the microwave people lose patience. (By the way I believe that has much to do with the decline of our overall health--giving up quality of food for convenience).
By the same token the advancement of technology and social media has made communication and news around the globe instant. We want and expect everything NOW! No need to add water.
