Running with a Purpose

Getting into running was probably one of my biggest physical obstacles/accomplishments I had in years. Due to my history of neck/back issues - herniated discs, etc - docs always seemed against this activity for me. Not until a few years ago, did I start hearing from other body workers that running actually may do me good. Since my back and neck muscles were so weak, maybe running would help build the strength I needed? Last year I joined Team in Training and decided to run my first half-marathon.  Training definitely did not come without its hitches but overall I felt great both mentally and physically. It helped me lose the weight I was hoping to for my wedding and it also allowed me an outlet during the wedding planning.  That quickly came to an end when I was told I would need spinal surgery last fall.

After the surgery, I didn't exercise for 6 weeks. When allowed, I jumped back into yoga privates with Gina Norman from Kaia Yoga.  At 8 weeks, I bought a 10-pack of personal training sessions, and at 10 weeks, I decided to start running.  Wrong!  My body didn't like this idea at all.  My hips and legs immediately revolted but still I continued to try to run through the pain.  That didn't last very long. One of my best attributes is my intuitiveness with my body. I tried not listening, but when it let out a scream to stop I did.  I rested, did my daily walks, and now feeling like I'm up for the challenge again.

This time I will start out slow and really listen to what my body is telling me.  I had my first group run on Saturday and felt great during and after.  I actually cannot wait for the rain to stop so I can get back out there again today.  Running with Team in Training, helps me to stay on course.  I may not have someone in my life battling cancer at the present moment, but that can quickly change with a blink of an eye.  Just knowing that there are others out there needing support is motivation enough for me. If you'd like to donate to this cause, please do so at my fundraising page.

I’d like to wrap this up with one of my favorite after running breakfasts. Easy, quick and just hits the spot. Try it! I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

Cinnamon & Raisin Ezekial Muffin with PB&J

 

 

• 1 toasted Ezekial Muffin

• 1 tbs of natural peanut or almond butter

• 1 tsp of jam or half banana (cut into thin slices)

Vegetarian Tacos

Since the start of Lent, I've given up meat and fish and loving all my favorite vegetarian meals and embarking on a week of vegan so will be trying out a lot of new ones. I went many years without meat all together, but have found that I work best in moderation. My body responds best when I take a break from time to time as I'm doing now  Today, I thought I'd share one of my favorite vegetarian meals that is a my husband's best: vegetarian tacos, which we had for dinner last night. It's so easy, there's no excuse not to try.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of garbanzo beans
• Blue corn taco shells
• 2 tsp of olive oil
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• small can of organic corn
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 1 red or yellow pepper chopped
• 1 scallion chopped
• 1/2 cucumber chopped
• feta cheese optional
• taco sauce optional
• cilantro

Directions:

Puree beans in food processor or mash with fork.  Heat olive oil in pan and add chickpea puree with 1/2 packet of taco seasoning.  Mix well and cook for 5-8 minutes or until mixture is hot.

Add all chopped veggies to bowl and serve with tacos.  Add all your fixings and feta cheese is optional but adds nice flavor if you eat dairy.

Enjoy!

Spring Awakens

As Spring approaches and we settle back in to longer days, you may start to notice changes on both a physical and emotional level. My body always naturally gravitates toward the warm and heavier meals of the winter months and slowly I start to see the desire switch to lighter and cooler. The notion of winter pounds shouldn’t be a surprise or always be viewed negatively. We instinctively need to protect ourselves from the cold. Root vegetables and hearty soups and stews will soon start to be replaced by raw and grilled vegetables, leafy green salads and sweet fruits. Those winter pounds that may have snuck up on you also may start to naturally shed themselves.

I’m the first to admit that I want to get back into shape for the summer months. However, I do realize that this burden to look or feel a certain way by a certain date is not healthy on so many levels. Instead, how about letting nature take its course and start changing your lifestyle as the seasons allow; those March days where the weather allows you to be outside more need to be taken advantage of. No matter where you live, there are places to explore. Walking a beach or going to a local park is not only enjoyable but is giving you the exercise you need and want.

Now that we’ve moved our clocks ahead and we actually will see the sun during the work week, make a promise to yourself to get out there and enjoy them. It’s so easy to let time go by and before you know it the cycle of seasons will bring something else upon else.

Have fun and stay tuned for a lot of new recipes for the warmer days ahead!

Wisdom -- Presence Through Pain

Wisdom -- Presence Through Pain

Gratitude for Self

My Sunday morning routine for the past two years is I wake up super early as always, take my pup for a nice long walk, and then sit down with a cup of coffee and plan my yoga classes for the week. I must admit that the classes usually take on a life of their own and never follow the format planned, but I need a foundation to feel prepared. In my true ADD fashion, there are a million notebooks around my office loaded with food and weight journals, yoga sequences, and life journals in no logical order. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself hoping that I could be one of those people who had their journals in the same spot, in chronological order, but now I actually get a lot of pleasure opening up these journals because I never know what I will find.

Since today is no different than any other Sunday, I opened up one of my many journals and came across a list labeled Gratitude for Self. I wish I could say that I created this beautiful list, but I know I must of saw it somewhere, wrote it down, and made a promise to myself to read it everyday. So I apology in advance that I'm not able to give its creator the proper credit, but I truly feel its one list I must share. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and write it down somewhere, really think about the statements and if you don't get anything from it now, I suspect that one day you will come across it again when needed. Isn't that how life just works sometimes?

Gratitude for Self

1. Ability to move on from the past and look forward to the future without constant fear

2. Realization that I cannot do everything for myself and I should reach out when help is needed

3. Grateful that my past has been a learning experience and not an inhibitor of future success

4. Friends that love me for who I am

5. Realizing what is harmful to me and not letting it in to my life

Eating Healthy Can Be Easy

Let me preface this post with THANK YOU Fairway for coming to CT. When I lived in NYC, I would try and head over to Fairway but never as much as I would have liked. Living in a 5th floor walk-up, it was much easier ordering from Fresh Direct. Luckily now that I live in CT, Fairway has made its way North and opened its largest location yet in Stamford, CT. If you have a car and it is close enough for you, I strongly recommend the trip. Finally, there is affordable organic shopping with a variety that surpasses all others. Vegetarian, Vegan or if traditional boxed food is your thing, all is there.

Recently, one of my vegan clients posted info on the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart http://pcrm.org/kickstartHome/mealplan/index.cfm and my first thought what a great way to start off the New Year. However, this was after I already picked my menu for a 5 day conference I'm attending January 6-9th so I'm moving my start date back to January 11th. Starting on a Tuesday gives me the Monday to do all my shopping (hence the Fairway enthusiasm) and prepare food for the week.

The most common statement I hear from most potential and existing clients is how they do not want have to cook all their meals. My philosophy has always been that no matter what your style of eating is i.e. Omnivore, Vegetarian, or Vegan, the most healthy foods are organic (when possible), whole foods. This however doesn't mean that you need to cook every meal that day. Making three large meals on a Sunday, gives you most of your lunch and dinner options for the work week. Allow yourself one meal a week to eat out or order in. I promise that once you get yourself on a healthy regimen you will not overindulge on that "free" meal. And if you do in the beginning, your body will quickly tell you "Please do not do that again!" The key factor to eating healthy is being prepared. Have options available for each meal and either plan it out for the week or at least plan for your next day. Once you have most your meals prepared ahead of time, you won't need to worry about growing tired of the same old thing each day.

Knowing that I'll start my 21-Day Vegan adventure, I will not eat meat and cheese 3x a day before hand. Instead, I'll start cutting back now. I'll bring healthy snacks on my trip so I'm not tempted by poor options. Remember that doing something healthy is not a punishment. You will look and feel great! Make a conscience effort to not deprive yourself of your cravings but instead be one step ahead of them and I promise they will start to decrease.

New Year, Same Me!

I couldn't believe how many emails I've received over the past week with the subject line "New Year, New You". Of course, I was intrigued by the first one but after the last one this morning, I really became annoyed. What's wrong with the old me? And why do these newsletters/companies insist on playing on the same old theme that each year we need to change something about ourselves? So the positive of this all is I'm now writing which I've avoided the past year.

To say 2010 was a little hectic is an understatement. I continued to try and grow my counseling practice, teach more yoga classes, work full-time as an Online Marketing Consultant and plan a wedding. Throw in training and running a half marathon, actually get married and then have a spinal discectomy with fusion and I become a little dizzy thinking about it. Of course, as I live and breathe my day to day life, I would continue to put pressure on myself that I wasn't doing enough. Everyone has their "thing" and mine is probably being too hard on myself. As long as I could remember I would over commit. Always too quick to say "I'll do it!" and then when the time came to do all the things I committed to, I would feel exhausted and hold resentment. I do take pride in myself and the drastic improvements this past year in this area. I'm more comfortable saying no and I don't regret it when I do. What a relief! It's literally the feeling of having a thousand pound weight being lifted from your chest. Being able to breathe normally, wake up each morning without a feeling a dread, and be excited about what lies ahead is amazing.

Taking time to reflect on the previous year is the best part of the "New Year" for me. I'm not completely against resolutions, but we all know they are forgotten by Feb 1st. I truly believe it's because we over emphasize on what we want to change about ourselves. How about loving or being content with who we are and taking time to reflect on all the positives we've done throughout the year? Maybe we can build upon the positives instead of making resolutions to do what we really don't enjoy anyway. Was there something you did that is out of your ordinary that you really enjoyed? Give yourself a few hours to sit with a pen and paper and write down all the events, activities, situations that made you happy this past year. You may find a glimpse into your true self that you didn't know was there. Enjoy this New Year with the Same You!

Running the Fairfield Half Marathon

Wedding Day