Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Sacred Honu

I love the importance of the honu, or turtle, in the Hawaiian culture.  Everywhere you go, you see honu symbols.  The honu literally permeates all aspects of life on the islands.  People seek out beaches and coves so they can see the honu swimming, and even swim with the honus.  The image is used on every imaginable item you can think of.  You will always remember the first time you saw a honu while swimming in the ocean.  It is thrilling!!! The honu is simply loved, revered and protected throughout the Hawaiian islands!

Here in the U.S., we simply say turtle.  Everyone has heard of the contest between the turtle and the rabbit.  The rabbit is fast out of the gate but, in the end, the turtle wins the race.  Slow and steady wins the race. 

Some people think of the turtle as slow and plodding.  Not me!  I relate to the honu/turtle.  I see my healthy journey as an ongoing journey, not a sprint to the finish line.  I know so many people who sign up for a "weight loss" program.  They drop a lot of weight, only to gain it all back.  Heck, I am one of "those people", having done that very thing in the past.  So what?  Just keep going forward, remembering that slow and steady wins the race.  Keep going, do not ever give up.  Like the sacred honu, you are worth it!

Now, instead of sprinting, I am on a life journey.  Sure there will be ups and downs, but in the end I really believe that slow and steady will make me a winner.  A winner of a healthier body, a winner of a healthier outlook, a winner of a stronger spiritual self, a winner.  That is why I relate to the sacred honu.  I am like that turtle...deliberately taking the steps I need to take to move me forward in life.   ...and in the end, if I am valued by others, then that is icing on the cake!

Desire to continue moving forward in life.  Dedication to all that is sacred.  Discipline to keep on swimming. 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Happy Summer Solstice!

It's hard to believe that the summer solstice has already come and gone.  It means we already had the longest day of the year! 

It is a great time of year to try to tap into the natural rhythms of the season.  Since the days are longer and lighter, it certainly can do away with the "I don't have time to exercise" excuse!  Since the weather is warmer, it can do away with the "it's too cold to go outside and exercise" excuse.  Since the summer fruits and vegetables are abundant it eliminates the excuse of "there isn't anything healthy to eat".

I have rediscovered a wonderful farm in San Diego called Chino Farms.  It is about 15 minutes from my house.  It is all organic.  I have been buying their Italian curly kale for my breakfast vege scramble.  It is delicious with fresh squash and egg whites and avocado.  I highly recommend it as a delicious breakfast to start your day.

So buy more fresh produce, get outside and exercise more and take advantage of more daylight to fit it all in!

Desire to enjoy summer.  Dedication to make breakfast everyday.  Discipline to exercise all summer long. 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

How Are You Paying It Forward?

At the beginning of the year I was searching for somewhere to apply my volunteer efforts for 2013.  I was fortunate to find the Veterans Association of North County (VANC) Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).  Every month there is a different class that meets twice a week on Monday and Wednesday.  I volunteer on Monday nights teaching classes and acting as a coach.  We help service men and service woman transitioning from military service into the civilian world.  It is really really satisfying to help these folks have a more successful journey, especially after they have served our country.

I participated in the attached video to help attract and recruit more coaches into the program.  I thought you might enjoy seeing it.  I hope it inspires you to find somewhere to volunteer and help others on their journey.  Full disclosure......at the risk of exposing my vanity.....I think some of the shots of me are quite good and others are just awful.....either way I hope it brings a smile to your face!


My volunteer energy is an important part of my healthy journey.  It provides perspective, it provides a strong sense of satisfaction and it keeps me grounded with the abundance in my life. 

Desire to give back to those who have given us so much.  Dedication to helping others.  Discipline to keep it on my calendar.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Get Up and Move Challenge

My company is very focused on wellness.  Wellness challenges are issued every other month.  If you choose to participate, you can earn points towards wellness rewards.  Wellness challenges so far have included Sugar Busters: no sugar for 20 out of 30 days and Hydration: drink at least 10 glasses of water each day, and others.

Last week we started a challenge called Get Up and Move.  The "challenge" is to be in motion for 600 minutes within 30 days.  That is only 20 minutes of motion each day.  It can be any type of exercise, walking, jogging, swimming, biking, cross trainer etc.  We can report up to a maximum of 90 minutes a day.  

It made me think about how much more exercise I do than, apparently, the average person.  In a typical week, I do 360 minutes a week which is 1,440 a month (I think my math is right).  What about you?

So, get up and move and contribute to your healthy journey!

Desire to move.  Dedication to move.  Discipline to move.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Eat What You Want!

Don't you love those infomercials just screaming at you from the TV to try a certain diet being sold and eat whatever you want!  No need to deny yourself your favorite food!  Don't change a thing!  Just do this (fill in the blank) and the weight will simply melt off your body!  It ranges from combining food a certain way to sprinkling some powder on your food, and a few other things in between.

Well, I for one, do not believe that there is a miracle food combination of magic powder that can make us reduce our body weight.

What I did do on Memorial Day, however, was to say to myself......Patty-you can have whatever you want to eat today!  Really, the sky was the limit, permission to eat and enjoy, guilt free, whatever I wanted on that holiday.  Want to know what happened? 

I wish I could say that I wasn't tempted by anything, but that would be a lie!  Instead, I roamed the aisles of my local grocery store looking at options.  Pancakes or waffles?  No thank you.  Ice cream?  No thank you.  Cakes or pies?  No thank you.  Chips, popcorn nachos?  No thank you.  French fries?  No thank you.  Pizza?  No thank you  Pastas and rice dishes?  No thank you.

It is funny what I did settle on.  I brought home a yummy whole grain baguette and a few cookies.  I toasted the baguette, shared it with my hubbie and had it with butter and honey.  Then I shared a few cookies with my hubbie. 

I was full and very satisfied.  Yes, I had enjoyed more calories than normal and enjoyed the carbs and sugar and I did it without going wild.  The day after Memorial Day I returned to my lean and greeen eating.

How do you enjoy your treats?  Are you mindful of what you select?  Do you grab the closest available treat without really giving it any thought?  I think it is worth it to be mindful of enjoying treats whenever we feel the need or desire to do so.

Desire to have a guilt free day off.  Dedication to figure out what will feed the hunger. Discipline to be mindful and thoughtful.