A quickie today as it's late and my head is ready to hit the pillow.
Steps = 4255 (that's a little better), daily average = 3366
Emails in my inbox = 12,355
Hope you had a chance to enjoy the sunshine if you live in the PNW!
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Feed your brain... Day 3
Hey, 3 for 7, in my blogging world...I'm on a role! I wanted to share one of the newer things I'm doing to keep myself in optimal shape - and this one is not directly related to physical health.
Source: WebMD
I first starting hearing about Lumosity on TV commercials and then through ads on the internet. It claims to use theories of neuroscience and neuroplasticity to gain brain skills. The fact that they even knew the word neuroplasticity was interest-piquing....much of what I do as a physical therapist is based on this research and science. So, considering that there was much you could do without paying for the service, I decided to give it a try. The idea is that you are given a series of games to play and based on your performance you are given a number called your BPI (Brain Performance Index) and the games are increased in challenge based on how you are gaining skills.
While I can't vouch for whether or not the site does all it claims to do, but the games are fun and cognitively challenging, and add a nice mix to my usual Sudoku or Crosswords. And the research does show cognitive activity is linked with a sharper brain later in life. And as someone whose grandmother dealt with Alzheimer's, the more I can do now, the better!
The Stats:
Steps = 899 (I unfortunately learned today that my pedometer does not measure all steps when your pants fit a little loose.) Average steps per day this week =2922
Emails in my inbox = 12,407
I first starting hearing about Lumosity on TV commercials and then through ads on the internet. It claims to use theories of neuroscience and neuroplasticity to gain brain skills. The fact that they even knew the word neuroplasticity was interest-piquing....much of what I do as a physical therapist is based on this research and science. So, considering that there was much you could do without paying for the service, I decided to give it a try. The idea is that you are given a series of games to play and based on your performance you are given a number called your BPI (Brain Performance Index) and the games are increased in challenge based on how you are gaining skills.
While I can't vouch for whether or not the site does all it claims to do, but the games are fun and cognitively challenging, and add a nice mix to my usual Sudoku or Crosswords. And the research does show cognitive activity is linked with a sharper brain later in life. And as someone whose grandmother dealt with Alzheimer's, the more I can do now, the better!
The Stats:
Steps = 899 (I unfortunately learned today that my pedometer does not measure all steps when your pants fit a little loose.) Average steps per day this week =2922
Emails in my inbox = 12,407
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Flipping the Numbers - Day 2
I recently acquired a new pedometer, courtesy of Walgreens' Walk Program - they had a booth at Auburn Valley YMCA Healthy Kids Day, where I was helping with our booth from work. They were giving them out free, so I thought, why not? Maybe because I'm newly on this change kick, I decided to put it on today and just see how many steps I took on a typical work day.
In another area, I have been fighting the good fight against clutter. And not (well, not just) the paper kind. I have been dealing with an overly crowded gmail inbox. While I've always tried to be good about answering personal and important emails, those ads and whatnot from mailing lists have often been just left to build up. And it struck me at work to think about two numbers that I'd be tracking, steps and items in my inbox.
And how did they stack up?
Steps taken today = 4945
Emails in my inbox = 12,456
Methinks that something is a bit askew.
Let's see how long it takes before I am taking more daily steps on average per week, then have emails in my inbox.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Reboot... Day 1, Take 2
Awhile back, while shopping, I got a free trial of the magazine Allure. While not a magazine that I would typically buy myself (and worth skipping a few articles), I have liked reading the articles on beauty, fashion and health. While looking over the December 2012 issue, I saw that they had a whole article on tips to get you, and keep you exercising called "Exercise Surprises. Having dropped off the consistent exercise train in the last few months, there were a couple of points that jumped out at me.
The first stated "take a harsh look" and suggested putting on a too tight pair of skinny jeans and looking in the mirror. Well, I have recently noticed that a couple pairs of skinny jeans that fit like a glove back when I was actually doing Pilates weekly, now result in the uncomfortable resemblance to a baked good (yeah, that one), deeming them unfit to wear with certain shirts. Not good.
The second that struck me stated "go public". When you attempt to blog your goal it's both a personal motivator and a way to hold you accountable. True. And then I started thinking about how health is more then just being in shape. It is physical, but also mental, emotional and very importantly to me as a person of faith, spiritual. Maybe this blogging isn't such a bad idea...and then of course it hit me - I already had this idea...about a year ago...whoops.
I still like the idea of that year of "Holystic" Living, combining all these aspects of being healthy and whole. Honestly, I am in a different place than in a year ago, and in the busyness that life has handed me, I do feel like exercise, healthy eating, and organization have largely gone out the window. And living solo, there is really no one to hold me accountable.
So I am jumping in with the idea of "Going Public" and doing a "Take 2". And my first goal is simply to post, because honestly, using a blog to hold you accountable is pretty silly if you never actually post in it. So this first week is to post something, however small, every day about what I am doing right now to make a little change. And I'm shooting for complete honesty, good and slightly scary. So far I'm 1 for 7. I'll take it!
Blessings!
The first stated "take a harsh look" and suggested putting on a too tight pair of skinny jeans and looking in the mirror. Well, I have recently noticed that a couple pairs of skinny jeans that fit like a glove back when I was actually doing Pilates weekly, now result in the uncomfortable resemblance to a baked good (yeah, that one), deeming them unfit to wear with certain shirts. Not good.
The second that struck me stated "go public". When you attempt to blog your goal it's both a personal motivator and a way to hold you accountable. True. And then I started thinking about how health is more then just being in shape. It is physical, but also mental, emotional and very importantly to me as a person of faith, spiritual. Maybe this blogging isn't such a bad idea...and then of course it hit me - I already had this idea...about a year ago...whoops.
I still like the idea of that year of "Holystic" Living, combining all these aspects of being healthy and whole. Honestly, I am in a different place than in a year ago, and in the busyness that life has handed me, I do feel like exercise, healthy eating, and organization have largely gone out the window. And living solo, there is really no one to hold me accountable.
So I am jumping in with the idea of "Going Public" and doing a "Take 2". And my first goal is simply to post, because honestly, using a blog to hold you accountable is pretty silly if you never actually post in it. So this first week is to post something, however small, every day about what I am doing right now to make a little change. And I'm shooting for complete honesty, good and slightly scary. So far I'm 1 for 7. I'll take it!
Blessings!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
A recipe to share
I got an acorn squash in my Full Circle Farm delivery box a few weeks ago, and throughout the holiday season it has been lovingly staring at me, begging me to make it into something delicious. We are in full blown winter weather here in Western Washington which means plenty of grey skies and drizzle, so soup was on the menu today.
I settled on the Acorn Squash Soup by Guy Fieri, which can be found here. I stuck the recipe fairly closely, only substituted regular whipping cream for heavy cream to cut down on a few calories, and used chili powder instead of cayenne because that's what I headed. I added a little bit more chili powder to get the slightest bit of kick. I also have a pepper blend in my pepper mill, so I didn't distinguish between white and black pepper.
Of course I wasn't on top of it enough to take pics while I made it, but trust me it was tasty! A salad made with organic romaine, carrots and apples and a little balsamic vinaigrette to accompany and a nice lunch was had.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Be Above Average
The other day I heard on the radio that the median number of books read by an American is 6 and the average was 15, based on a recent study by the Pew Research Center. Wow, only 6? I know not everyone is a reader but when I stop to think about how much time is spent on Facebook, or in front of a TV, I wonder how much we're missing out on using our imagination flipping through the pages of a book (or clicking the arrow button, if an e-reader is more your style :) )
So, be above average! (And definitely above median!) What do you think? Can you read more than 6 books this year? More than 15? I'm going to try, and I'll keep you posted on my progress!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy 2013! (Day 1)
It's that time of year, people throw out the past year and bring on the new, making all sorts of resolutions of how they are going to change/improve/do better...etc in this upcoming New Year. I personally have decided not to make a long list of resolutions, because let's face it, I know myself. And if I know anything about myself is that if I make a long list of everything I'd like to change, I'll find myself back where I left off in December before the month is out. So instead, I'm making some personal goals to use those to make positive changes in my own life.
One thing that has been sadly neglected is this blog. I love the idea of blogging, I love reading the blogs of friends who honestly have been much better at this than I. But before I chuck the idea of blogging out the window, I'm hoping to give one more go. Not as a resolution, but as a new area of focus. I was looking back at my old posts, and I've decided to revisit that idea of the year of living "Holystically" - my word for combining spiritual health with physical, emotional and mental health to strive to be better overall.
So ignore prior days, and dates. The new year starts now, in 2013. May this be a great year for all of us. Sadly 2012, especially the end was filled with news that was sad or fear-provoking.
I was struck a couple of weeks ago, when I accompanied our teens on our yearly trip to provide dinner and gifts for homeless young people, living on the streets of Capitol Hill. The organization we partner with is decidedly secular, but they know we are people of faith and have great respect for this. As we stood in prayer after the event, a mix of people from our church and the organization, our youth minister asked the group how they had seen Christ present that evening. One of our younger teens, wise beyond his years, spoke beautifully about how if we want to bring Christ into the world, if we want want to change to happen, then WE need to change. We need to be that force of good and happiness in the world so that events like those in Newtown and Portland do not happen. I've reflected on his words as Advent has given way into Christmas, and 2012 has heralded in 2013. It's made me think of a song that is actually one of my favorite Christmas songs, even though it is not traditional and put out by a secular group - "Better Days" by the Goo Goo Dolls. I heard it on the radio the other day and the bridge struck me profoundly:
One thing that has been sadly neglected is this blog. I love the idea of blogging, I love reading the blogs of friends who honestly have been much better at this than I. But before I chuck the idea of blogging out the window, I'm hoping to give one more go. Not as a resolution, but as a new area of focus. I was looking back at my old posts, and I've decided to revisit that idea of the year of living "Holystically" - my word for combining spiritual health with physical, emotional and mental health to strive to be better overall.
So ignore prior days, and dates. The new year starts now, in 2013. May this be a great year for all of us. Sadly 2012, especially the end was filled with news that was sad or fear-provoking.
I was struck a couple of weeks ago, when I accompanied our teens on our yearly trip to provide dinner and gifts for homeless young people, living on the streets of Capitol Hill. The organization we partner with is decidedly secular, but they know we are people of faith and have great respect for this. As we stood in prayer after the event, a mix of people from our church and the organization, our youth minister asked the group how they had seen Christ present that evening. One of our younger teens, wise beyond his years, spoke beautifully about how if we want to bring Christ into the world, if we want want to change to happen, then WE need to change. We need to be that force of good and happiness in the world so that events like those in Newtown and Portland do not happen. I've reflected on his words as Advent has given way into Christmas, and 2012 has heralded in 2013. It's made me think of a song that is actually one of my favorite Christmas songs, even though it is not traditional and put out by a secular group - "Better Days" by the Goo Goo Dolls. I heard it on the radio the other day and the bridge struck me profoundly:
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days.
During Mass today, on this feast of Mary, the Mother of God, Fr. Jim mentioned in his homily how Mary is the perfect model for us as we enter a new year. A young woman who waited in great hope and anticipation for the Lord, who was amazed by Him and pondered what she saw in her heart. A woman who had the faith and the strength to give her yes. Let's all find better days this year. Let's all make better days this year. Let's look to Mary as a model to have deeper faith and trust. May God bless you and yours on this first day of the year.
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