My, How Time Flies!

I often think about wanting to post an update and then life keeps happening! Well, here are a few things to catch you up to speed... I've posted a new series of Touch Drawings on my NowHereHealing blog. It is a series of Dancing Women I am pretty excited about! I will mount and frame them in the near future, but for now I posted them "raw". I'm also going to post an update on NewlyNomads after I get done here - so many things happening in Montana and in our lives....

For our ten year anniversary (how did THAT happen!!???) Bruce flew me to Florida to see my mom and best friend. It was a wonderful, although, a short visit. It was somewhat surreal being back in Florida. I missed it, felt it was still somewhat "home", and yet I also felt like a tourist and was happy to get back to MT. I suppose all of the above can be true all at once.

Tamara and one of her Expressive Arts Florida partners, Elizabeth. It was so cool to finally see their new studio space!

We spent some time playing with art supplies and Tamara showed me a process called "string drawing". Very Cool!!

Anyway... I think most of my other pictures and updates belong on the Newly Nomads site... See you there! :)

Motivation

I know watching a TV show about someone else getting in shape won't actually get ME in shape but I have recently discovered the show "The Last 10 Pounds Boot camp" and find that it at least makes me question my own food choices and helps me motivate to work out. It is also a good reality check about what "keepin' on keepin' on" with my current diet and minimal exercise routine will get me vs. the results that I want. I sense some hard work and sacrifices ahead of me if I am serious about getting back in great shape.... We did decide to join the local gym (within walking distance) and we're both excited to be going again.

I did catch another cold that swept through at work (and Bruce caught it) but I at least kicked it in a matter of a few days and I don't have the residual cough that usually lingers for weeks on end.

And it is SPRING TIME and the weather is getting just beautiful!! All the more motivation to be outdoors and active.

Another Yummy One

So Costco sells the Del Monte "Fruit Naturals" that are red grapefruit already peeled and in their own juice. I add one of those to my spinach, apple, water mix and..... mmmm...... It-makes-my-toes-curl heavenly goodness!

Sharing the Wealth (and Health)

I just realized today that eight people have signed on to drink the green smoothies since I started - that's pretty exciting. And more people are getting curious. I truly try not to be annoying and talk about them all the time but people do end up asking me questions and I am happy to tell them (and even let you have a taste since I bring at least 32 oz. to work with me each day). It's awesome to hear other people talk about the health benefits they are feeling since having started on the green smoothies.

I am noticing more changes too. I become full way faster now. I haven't necessarily paid attention to that right away and have ended up over eating on a few occasions but my awareness around that is shifting, and that is good. Also, when I think about what makes me feel as if I over ate now as opposed to a few months ago, there is a huge difference. I simply don't need as much food. I do still enjoy the occasional sweets but I don't seem to rummage through the house in a desperate attempt to find chocolate anymore.

A New Yummy Discovery

Today I made a smoothie using two celery stalks, one banana, about 1 1/2 cups of frozen mixed berries and two cups of water.... Mmmmm..... I know celery has wonderful cleansing (diuretic) qualities but I haven't always been crazy about munching on it without the help of some kind of dressing, so blending it in the smoothies allows me to have way more of its goodness without getting sick of the taste or adding unhealthy fats to go with it. Yay!

Maybe I've already mentioned one of the biggest side effect that I've noticed so far, and that is that I don't feel the need for coffee in the morning. I never really felt dependent on it, but it was clearly a huge part of my morning routine (sometimes to the tune of 3 cups in a row - for the love of it). Now, I can choose to not have it and it doesn't feel like I've started my day missing out on something. Now, when I get a great cup of "Mocha Mud" from a local espresso stand, maybe once a week, I actually pay attention to its taste and savor it!

I do notice a subtle shift in my energy as well. It's not a "wow, let me go run a marathon" kind of a shift, but I am definitely able to sustain focus and productivity throughout the day much better. I feel more motivated - less "weighed down". All of this has also inspired me to start practicing Qi Gong again. For a (long) while, I got very distracted and far away from practicing meditation, Tai Chi or anything else, and it finally feels as though I am ready to return to some good things that have been missing. I don't think that is necessarily thanks to the smoothies but there seems to be a shift overall toward wanting to take care of my body and spirit. Such a welcome shift!

Spreading the Word

So far three families have caught on with the green smoothies since we started. That is exciting!!! My day feels weird without one now - in fact, I consume well over half a gallon a day.

Try one. Just be careful, they're kind of addicting!

Day Three - Favorite Smoothie So Far

2 cups water
two bunches (handfuls) of spinach
1 apple
1 kiwi

YUM!

I went back to the doctor today and delivered a hug to Lawrence, the (smoothie king) nurse practitioner. (Don't worry, I'm not a freak - I actually had a physical scheduled and I had told my husband I was going to have to hug the guy after the gift he gave us...)

OH, and I had already lost weight! I don't crave junk or nearly as much coffee as usual, and I have energy!!!