My Morning Boost

I love getting up for an early morning jog not just for the physical benefits, but for the mental ones as well. It gave me time to clear my head and focus on my day. It gave me time to instill a calmness. It's also the time that I am the most creative. I allow random thoughts and ideas to pop into my head. This morning my thoughts were on fundraising. That is what I do for a living. I raise money for a private college. I was thinking about how I was going to have to really kick things up a notch this year. I can't imagine losing one more student to lack of financial aid! I can't! I feel ready to take on this challenge today. I will make a difference. I WILL!!!

I'm Back!

I got up this morning, threw on my shoes and a hoodie and went out into the world for a short jog/walk. It's a start! I was greeted by the dawn chorus and the wonderful smell of early morning fresh air. It was beautiful. My jogging may not have been, but it sure felt good. I did realize how quickly your body can go downhill with a few months off from working out.

If you are wondering why I quit working out so much, it's because I injured my right shoulder muscles and was starting to suffer from knee problems. This hiatus has given me a chance to recover. Yesterday, I went to the gym and lifted on my lunch. It wasn't the best workout, but it was better than the previous couple of weeks. I really do feel like I am back!! Thank goodness.

Nature's Broom

If you are trying to watch your calories and diet, the first thing you need to do is increase your fiber intake.

The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fiber/NU00033 recommends 25 grams of fiber for a woman aged 50 and under. Men under 50 need 38 grams. Whoa.

I find this to be even more important than how many calories you are eating in a day because if you try to eat the foods that are high in fiber, the calories will follow. It is a challenge to eat enough fiber and fiber is FILLING! Just don't count on using fiber powders to get all of your fiber needs. In order for the fiber to filling, it has to come from food. According to the Mayo Clinic, the best sources of fiber are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Stock up on these foods and soon you will be feeling a whole lot lighter.

Eat up and keep your colon daisy fresh!

Wants vs. Needs

I just had a conversation with my great aunt and mother about what people consider necessary these days. It is amazing what we think we can and cannot live without. The internet would be a very good example. Here I sit using it to write to you, but would anyone miss me if I didn't have internet access? Doubtful. I know several people that can barely afford groceries, but they manage to have internet access, cable, cell phones and other "necessities."

Basic human needs include shelter, food, clothing and water. Anything else and it is a "want." Let's take a look at the things we don't really think about these days. Do we really need special shampoo, soaps, lotions, perfumes, flavored toothpastes, scented detergents, etc, etc, etc - this list could go on forever. The truth is we could use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and numerous other natural products that are very inexpensive and do a better job than some of the processed junk we use.

For the next few days, try an experiment with me. Look at where your money is going. When you pick something up at the store, take a second look. Is it something you really truly must have in order to live?

One way to think about it is to consider what people in poor countries live with and without. Do they use mint flavored whitening toothpaste? Heck, they are probably lucky to own a toothbrush. I am not asking you to give everything up because I probably won't, but at least start thinking about it.