Think About It Thursday

Today I want to point you to two blogs that exercised my mind and my heart. I read/enjoy/appreciate the blog writings of Jeremy Statton, a writer and orthopedic surgeon (yeah, there’s a combo!). His blog site is appropriately www.jeremystatton.com.

He wrote two blogs about a hero of my own life, Mother Teresa. His writings prompt you to think about living a better story. I really like that idea and my hope is that perhaps my blog and those words from others I point you to here will inspire you to do that as well.  Here are the links:

http://www.jeremystatton.com/mother-teresa-ingredients

http://www.jeremystatton.com/empty-an-ocean

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Photo Credit:  Elevation Church www.elevationchurch.com

Wild Woman Wednesday

RATED P

I could only relate this to all of you on a Wild Woman Wednesday.

This blog posting is rated “P” which means if you need to potty, please do so before reading because I’m not responsible for the results…

My beloved, wonderful and absolutely amazing hero of a Mom turns 77 today. I tell you this to brag on her, of course. But I have to confess, I think she is aging much better than I am. The other night I was going downstairs to the kitchen, and by the time I reached my destination (we’re talking all of three minutes tops… my house is seriously not a McMansion… it’s more like a cottage on the dollar value menu). But I digress…

So anyway, as I was saying, I’m at the kitchen counter, and as I stand there quietly, I begin shaking my head slowly, because yes, yet again, I have completely and utterly forgotten why I have taken this little trek. Sigh.. After a moment, I notice my crazy adorable little grey-haired bird legs and no butt Mamma standing in the kitchen with me. Being the ever concerned person she is, especially when it comes to her only daughter, she asks what’s wrong. I sigh again, and admit I cannot for the life of me remember why I was there. “Oh! “ she says with glee, “you were looking for the aspirin!” Yes, wild women, my 77-year-old mother had to remind me why I was there. At that point, I REALLY needed the aspirin, because I was giving myself a headache straining to recall my mission. When did I become able to remember the lyrics to a Herman’s Hermits song from the 60’s, but can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday?

But it gets better. I have committed the unthinkable. I have done what is the quintessential seal of becoming older… its worse than when you find the first gray hair on your head. It’s worse than finding the first gray hair in your eyebrow. It’s worse than the first gray hair… ummm.. well, never mind…. It’s even worse than looking at your knees, thinking you need to buy new stockings because these are baggy, and realizing you’re not even wearing stockings.

I (choke, hang my head) have … dare I say it? Dare I admit it? I have….

Yes, I have taken my cell phone and put it in my bra. There, I’ve said it. I admit it. It has come to this… my brassiere has now become my second purse. Is there anyone out there under 50 who has ever done this? Probably not… I have come to the boomer generation stage when, while standing in line at the grocery store, my left boobala will begin to ring and vibrate and someone will ask me to please answer my bra. I’ve confessed it to the world and spoken it out into the universe… I have a ringing boobala. What’s next? Half of a leftover prune Danish? And I’ll probably reach into my bra and forget what I went there for and look even MORE ridiculous as I give myself a strip search!

So there you go, wild women, this is my plight, my future….my…. hmmm… what was I talking about? Oh yes, where did I put that ginkgo biloba?????

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Tuesday Tox

Okay, the holidays are over and you may be feeling the after-effects of falling off the healthy eating wagon. You’ve probably seen diet ads, body cleanses and detox recipes and ideas coming out of the woodwork. Lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks by consuming only hot lemon-cayenne pepper water! Eat only the magical elixir of cabbage soup 24/7… and on… and on… and on.

How about something that is simply, gentle and do-able for all of us? Let’s say you had a bit too much food, sugar, alcohol and overall overindulgences in those days between Thanksgiving and New Years. How about just doing a realistic run through your pantry and frig and tossing those products that you know are bad for you? Get rid of the salty/fat-laden chips and snacks and cookies. Toss the triple-dipper “I need to be alone with this” gallon of ice cream that whispers your name so sweetly in the middle of the night. Deep six the leftover candy (okay, like wine, who has leftovers?). Dump ALL the soda! Take those things which you KNOW trip you up and make you feel lousy and toss them! Because the only waste they’re going to is your waist!

Now… today is a new day. Just begin adding lots of fresh veggies, fruit and water to your daily food intake. It doesn’t have to be overnight – simply include a little more each day, and less of the high-carb, high-fat, and high-sugar foods. I’m not a doctor or nutritionist, but I like to take half my plate portion for veggies, a quarter for my carb, and a quarter for my protein. I also try to use a smaller plate which helps with portion control.

Eat more fish and chicken and less red meat. Try more plant-based menus (i.e., vegetarian), mix rice and beans for a good protein source. Instead of going crazy with a carrots and celery and water only diet, begin managing your meals with easy breezy planning. Be gentle with yourself, start out slow – make January your month to learn better eating behaviors and wiser food choices. Read nutrition labels, experiment with new recipes… have fun with discovering all the ways healthy eating will reward your taste buds and your body.

Oh yes, and I’m not saying NEVER have comfort foods or treats. Just choose them infrequently and in moderation. I’m all for having a brownie, slice of pizza or glass of wine. But do it in moderation – feel free to enjoy… but in small portions and only once in awhile. You can have it all (unless there is a medical or religious reason you can’t consume something)… just not all at once in the same day! Choose wisely, and you’ll begin to feel the GOOD after-effects like weight loss and more energy.

Eat mindfully, intentionally and healthfully this year… make it your day-at-a-time January goal. Slow but sure, that’s the way to do it, modifying your menu and behavior towards the goal of being your personal best in 2013. You can do it!

Blessings -- to your health!!

Coach Linda Bush

Monday Motivation

I’m sure in the last week you’ve been reading all kinds of articles and blogs on new year’s resolutions and goals and new beginnings.  It is a great time to think on all these things, an opportunity to start fresh.  I like to think of it as a time to reflect on the last year a bit (but not get bogged down or pulled backward).  And usually I’m the first one out of the gate to start planning new goals, reaching higher, packing in more… fixing… changing… adding. I'm known as a frantic frenetic flitter!

But this year I opted to put on the breaks and see what I can do to simplify, declutter, slow down and build margin and balance into my life.  That’s actually one of the reasons I haven’t begun blogging here right as soon as the clock struck 12:01am on January 1st, but instead waited until I was truly ready to write something.  I needed breathing time, time to sort out my life and kick it down a notch.  My dear daughter gave me a devotional book for Christmas that was (ouch) right on target:  “Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much” by Ann Wilson Schaef.  On day one’s entry it read:  “There is the temptation to set up an elaborate set of resolutions for the coming year so that we can at last, get it right."  Uh-oh... sounds like a page out of my new year's days past!

This year for me it’s going to be a time of balance and taking care of my schedule and time as much as my physical self.  It’s all about holistic, whole self/whole health living in all areas.  Our lives are physical, spiritual, emotional, mental… filled with relationships, careers, creativity, dreams, and goals and many other areas as well.  As women we take care of others daily… let’s make 2013 a year of learning to also take care of ourselves.  It’s not selfish or sinful – as we take care of ourselves, we become better wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, friends, employees, employers, students, volunteers… and on and on.  As Schaef wrote in the end of the January 1^st entry, “live this year in a way that will be gentle… one day at a time.”  I like that.  Let’s be wild women... let's live juice, but in a loving and gentle way for ourselves.  

Blessings,

Coach Linda

P.S.  I also saw a beautiful video clip yesterday in church that was very inspirational to me and I’d like to share it with you.  Please go to this link:  http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=090J9CNU

I hope you’ll enjoy it as well!