oats

Want Power?

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Thanks for (another) delicious dinner Matt + Kath!

My husband was thoughtful enough to leave me some oatcrumbs this morning.  Thanks love but next time you can just finish them.  😉

Crisis narrowly averted, I added bulgar wheat cereal!  I purchased this cereal months ago but was hesitant to try it for some reason (probably because I LOVE breakfast and so when it’s not good it messes with my whole day).

Into a small pot went 1/4 cup bulgar wheat cereal and 3/4 cup water.  It’s usually 2:1 like most grains, I added extra water because I planned to throw the meager oats in after a while. It took about 15 minutes to cook and turned out SO GOOD!  Success!

BTW, roasted salty sunflower seeds on hot cereal is where it’s at.

I have been thinking all morning about the article When Thinspiration Strikes from this months Fitness magazine.  In this article Kelly McGonigal, Pd.D, refers to using your “wantpower” rather than willpower to achieve your goals.  What a difference changing those three little letters between the w and the p make!

Think about it, for me “willpower” conjures images of depravation and steely, possibly uncomfortable,  determination.  “Wantpower” makes me think of my goal, it helps me visualize the outcome and what I WANT rather than what I “can’t have”.

I am going to start using this in my daily life.  Perhaps today.  I want to go for a run today, I haven’t run in over a week.  Rather than use my willpower to push me out the door I will use my wantpower.  I want to break a sweat.  I want a runners high.  I want that feeling my body gets after a run (strong, lean, flexible).  I want the sense of accomplishment I feel after a run.

Speaking of wantpower, I want a stronger immune system.  January and February are notoriously a tough time for me, health-wise, but I am ready to break that pattern.

Starting January 1st I am…cleansing?  Cleanse is such a buzz word I hesitate to use it but I suppose it is correct.  For 23 days I am forgoing alcohol, sugar, and white refined grains.  Coffee and flour will be limited to 3 times a week or less.

My intention/hopes for this cleanse are improved immune health, improved energy, and increased attention given to what I am eating.

Note: I don’t think that I am wheat intolerant.  The reason I am limiting flour is because it is processed and thus provides inferior nutrition compared to eating whole grains in their whole form (like quinoa and brown rice).

It’s not an exact science but it makes sense for me right now.

Have you ever done a cleanse?  Or a detox?  What is your opinion on limiting or eliminated whole food groups from your daily diet?

At this point in my life I am against eliminating food groups for an extended period of time.  I am not interested in eliminating wheat, alcohol, or sugar from my life long term but I think a few weeks will help me focus on feeding my body with optimal nutrition.  When my body is healthy and my immune system is strong I think it can handle some white sugar and the occasional white bread product but right now it needs a little extra TLC.

 

Multi-tasking Morning

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Mmmmm, luckily I am an excellent multi-tasker.

Oats and blogging are old friends 🙂

I know that “they” say it’s best to give your food your full attention but sometimes it slows me down to be doing something while I eat.  I like to take a bite and chew it for a nice long time as I type a bit or read.

It is a gorgeous day here in Central Virginia and I am so glad I have plans to be outside most of the afternoon.

Last night was really nice.  We met Yoshia at South Street Brewery for a drink/catch up/business meeting.  Yoshia and I were friends from 8-13 years old (in West Virginia) and have been completely out of touch since 1998 or earlier.  She called Tate Monday in response to a Craigslist ad for an office we have for rent, she didn’t know she was calling my husband!  We chatted for 3 hours last night!  It’s so fun to be around people with so many friends in common.

Yoshia is a massage therapist and is very interested in renting an office and joining us in our vision for a wellness center!

COMMENT COMMIT Day 3

Today I am going to strength train (20-30 minutes with Exercise TV), go for a walk with a friend (probably 4 miles), bike to yoga, and take a yoga class (YAY).  It’s going to be an active day!

What’s your workout plan?

I have to tell you, I am loving the committing to my workouts with you here, getting your support, and following up!  You’re my workout buddies!

If you haven’t participated yet, it’s SO easy!  Write a comment in response to this post about your exercise plan for today then come back tonight and let us know how it went.  Think of it as a way to put your workout on your to-do list then you cross it off at night with another comment.   Remember, this is all about support, if you don’t complete your whole workout plan don’t be afraid to tell us!  Life happens!  Some people do better when they set their goals a little higher than achievable.

“Shoot for the moon- even if you miss it …you will land among the stars”-Claire

Go forth and move it!

“Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential.”
– Liane Cardes