Anything is Possible

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
—Golda Meir (1898-1978); 4th Prime Minister of Israel

I subscibe to a quote of the day from the Foundation for a Better Life. This one was yesterday's quote and I liked it so mcuh I wanted to share it on the blog.

As we work together to build and maintian healthy and fit mindsets, we should remember that we can all do anything. When you sense a spark as you implement or practice one of our philosophies, then fan it (or lean in to it or play full out). Get caught up in all of the possibility implied by the tiny spark.

Also, if you haven't read Extreme Self Care by Cheryl Richardson - do so. It is a slim book but packed with important ways to practice caring for yourself. I have picked it up again and have begun working through the chapters. It is a great support for the work we do as a team and will be a wonderfu support reference for those days when you fell like you are not in the game.

Love, Tee

It works! It really does!

Yesterday, we climbed on our bikes after a busy day working outside in the garden, delivering products to a few --- busy busy day. Starting an exercise project when heat of the day was at its height was questionable wisdom, at best, but we were determined. Did we choose a flat 3 miles? No-o-o-o. Steep hills down.... steep hills up. Felt good on the way down to hear the wind whistle in my ears. Then up we go, steep incline for almost a mile. I was hot, tired, and --- not in the best biking shape (Mindy Ziffren Hall I'm not... not yet), but I said to myself "Ten more feet, ten more feet", then again "ten more feet, ten more feet..." and we made it to the top of the hill. Around the circle, down the hill by the high school, across the road from the pond, and then....the last 50 feet - another hill. By this time, I was almost out of breath. But I remembered, one more, just one more hill. And we did it. Three miles of bike, steep hills down, steep hills up. It felt so good to accomplish "just one more" with you, my partners. It works!! Did some stretches and deep bends, did some yoga this morning, and I have am not sore! Seasource Gelee is my friend! Awesome feeling when completed! More biking coming up this week, but this time wisdom says, try the flat surfaces first, then break in to the inclines gradually.

ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING CALL MONDAY THE 29TH AT 8 PM

We are excited about Monday's Abundant Healthy Living Call!
Please join us at 7:55 so we can begin right at 8.
Dial 616-347-8300 Code 939046#
Use your Mute Key or *6 if you have back ground noise.

This Week's CSA Marketbasket Items

Here's our newest fresh produce assortment from our CSA:

Beets, Red Cabbage, Summer Squash Mix, Italian Green Beans, Red Skin Potatoes, Red Veined Sorrel, Cucumbers, Dill

I know I'll be making a cucumber salad with dill for dinner tonight. Beets we'll roast later. Sorrel we'll add to one of the many salads we make during the week. It really is nice to have this variety!

I know that jawz was my companion last night when we had dinner with friends. A little heavy on the poison food items. So this is a nice way to recommit and get back on track. We're having Mark's sister and brother in law and their two girls over for dinner. It should be easier to put together a healthy meal plan for today!

Enjoy your Weekends and Choose Healthy!

Watermelon anyone?

I stopped at the Amish Farmer's Market yesterday and picked up some watermelon - just sounded good on a hot summer day. And my massage therapist said that it tasted great with mint so I wanted to try that.

So with our dinner last night I cut up some watermelon and some fresh mint that we had, tossed, and enjoyed! The mint really does add a nice complementary flavor.

I'd love to hear about any healthy summer recipes anyone else has to help cool off as the summer days heat up!

Enjoy your Friday and Choose Healthy!

Quote For The Day

"I used to think, 'This is just the way I am!' Now I know that I create myself anew....everyday!"

Jill Clark

So let's play on the one string we have, our attitudes, and create our days anew. Destiny isn't someplace we go, it's where we are. And we're OK!
Love To All!
Go forth and be abundantly healthy and fit!
Gin

Exercise and Eat Right

This is from "100 Simple Secrets of Successful People" by David Niven, PhD:

"You're focused. You use your time well so that you can accomplish as much as possible. Because you're busy, you don't have time to exercise, and you grab some fast food because it's quicker.

That makes about as much sense as trying to save time by never buying gasoline, then having to walk to work when the car dies.

Healthy habits increase our energy and improve both our performance and our satisfaction on the job. It may take more time, but in the end, preserving your own health makes possible everything else you want to do."

------------------------
We are worth it!

Happiness is...

A full body massage. Just say ahhhhhhhh....

And it's good for your health too! I googled a bit to share some benefits of massage and found a really nice article. Some of the key benefits are:

• Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
• Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
• Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.
• Increases joint flexibility.
• Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
• Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.
• Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

To see the full article
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php?article_id=468

So if it isn't already on your list, add massages to the things you can do to be healthier!

Some inspiration ...

New York Times Bestseller ... Cook Yourself Thin ... skinny meals you can make in minutes.

Well, I purchased yet another cookbook ... I have many but felt like some new inspiration might be good.

I have made two of the recipes and both were superb!
Eggs Benedict on Portabello Mushrooms with fresh sauteed spinach and Red Pepper Sauce. I made these for us for Father's Day and they were delish!

Last night we had turkey burgers with sweet potato 'fries'. Also excellent.
These gals use lots of herbs and zing so the food is rich with flavor not fat.

Tonight ... Sesame Peanut Noodles!

Seize the Day

I was going to blog a quote today but I just wanted to simply say - For the grace of God go I.

What are you waiting for? Play full out. Get in the game. When it's over, don't you want to be able to look back and know that you took this life, you lived it, you honored it, you loved yourself, you cherished your family.

Take it all in - it's a glorious day. Do one thing today that makes your heart sing. Then repeat each and every day.

Looking forward to the transformation the next six weeks will bring.

Love, Tee

Abundant Healthy Living - So Glad We're In This Together

I do love starting a new 6 week session - it's wiping the slate clean, it's letting go of any past 'transgressions.' It's about new beginnings, looking forward, living NOW in the best way possible.

I continue to remind myself that small shifts continually applied make a huge difference.

This really was evident for me on Sunday when Mark and I went over his sister's house for a Father's Day cookout. Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and more. I had a hamburger with cheese, no bun, I only had a little potato salad, and the only dish I did seconds on was the marinated fresh veggies (cauliflower, broccoli and mushrooms), and then only a small amount of the dessert. It was enough.

I focused more on the conversation than the food and felt great about the day. I know that I didn't suddenly become this healthy fit person - and believe me I still find myself falling into old patterns - but I know that each time I faced a social situation where there was lots of food, I gradually made changes to handle it better. Some of the time I did great. Others, not so good. The key was that I didn't dwell on when I was 'weak', and approached each new situation as a fresh start.

Thank You Tee for your words at the end of our call - your words about this program giving you grace were so right on - it does feel that way. Thank you for this inspiration

"It's SUMMERTIME and the livin' is healthy"

Today, as we step in a new season be looking for ways to take advantage of the extended daylight, the bounty of locally grown fresh food/fuel, the extra options to exercise and to notice and appreciate the beauty all around you. Ah, SUMMERTIME!

Kale Chips - Part 2

Not totally impressed. Supposed to sprinkle with paprika and pepper and since that can be uneven, some chips have quite a kick! They do dry out quickly while baking (only in oven 6-8 minutes). Turn into very thin, fragile chips. I haven't given up on these completely - I'd like to experiment a bit, but at this point the hands on favorite is Parmesan Zucchini Crisps for a crunchy healthy treat!

There may be a Part 3 to this. I am open to suggestions too. We still have several kale leaves left so I'm not finished with them yet!

Kale Chips

Hi all - tonight I'm making Kale Chips from our Dinosaur Kale - one of our CSA local produce marketbasket goodies. If they pass the taste test, I'll post the recipe!

Today's The Day!

'Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend.'

John Lennon and Paul McCartney

This was in the paper the other day, as soon as I saw who wrote it I broke into the song, it was great, I loved it and it's so true. This was written more than 30 years ago and it is so pertinent today!
Go and enjoy your day and remember these words.
Live your best life today 'cause that's what we have...today!!
Love To All!
Ginny

Increase your vibration and your Abundant Healthy Living results

I attended a lecture last night about vibrational energy and the mind body connection.
For me the highlight was the following list of different ways to shift into a higher vibration and bring about the state that supports health.

Focus on compassion, joy, laughter or beauty
Breathe deeply and slowing five times
Focus on gratitude and appreciation
Gaze at or hold a crystal. Crystal hold an amazing amount of vibrational energy
Use Essential Oils, they also have vibrational energy
Listen to music that you love
Focus on a photo or picture of someone or something that you love

See if you can watch this Skype Laughter Chain video and not feel the joy of others laughing! It immediately lifts your energy
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=laughter&emb=0&aq=f#

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

I made these last night with Zucchini AND with Baby Yellow Squash - Delicious and EASY! My kind of recipe!

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 30 min
Serves: 4 servings, serving size 1/2 cup

Ingredients
Cooking spray
2 medium zucchini (about 1 pound total)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (3/4-ounce)
1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick rounds. In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini with the oil. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan, bread crumbs, salt, and a few turns of pepper. Dip each round into the Parmesan mixture, coating it evenly on both sides, pressing the coating on to help it stick, and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. (The coating doesn't have to be very thick, a light coating is really enough.)

Bake the zucchini rounds until browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove with spatula. Serve immediately.

Per Serving: (serving size, 1/2 cup) Calories 105; Total Fat 6g (Sat Fat 2g, Mono Fat 2g, Poly Fat 0g); Protein 5g; Carb 8.5g; Fiber 1.5g; Cholesterol 1mg; Sodium 222mg

Excellent Source of: Molybdenum, Vitamin C
Good Source of: Calcium, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Protein

2008 Ellie Krieger, All rights reserved
Copyright 2009 Television Food Network G.P., All Rights Reserved

Ask if...

"Ask if what you do makes a difference. It does." ~ William James

This is a good question on so many levels. Ask if it makes a difference to eat poison or fuel. Ask if it makes a difference to delay an 'indulgence' for 5 minutes. Ask if it makes a difference to go around the block one more time.

Ask if it makes a difference to be gentle with yourself instead of feeling guilty when you falter. Ask if it makes a difference to start the day in gratitude. Ask if it makes a difference to smile at the clerk when you're checking out at the store.

What you do makes a difference. And who you are makes a difference. And who you are is not just OK, it's also wonderful and special and unique.

Be the best YOU that you can be today!

Love - Gerri

SUMMERTIME and the livin' is healthy!

Today, as we step in a new season be looking for ways to take advantage of the extended daylight, the bounty of locally grown fresh food/fuel, the extra options to exercise and to notice and appreciate the beauty all around you. Ah, SUMMERTIME!

ABUNDANT HEALTHY LIVING CALL Recording

If you missed Monday's Call you may listen to recording by dialing
616-347-8399 939046# .
It is about 45 minutes long and will be accessible until next week's call.

Please join us next week on Monday, June 22 for the first call of Session Three!

In My Back Yard - Misty Hollow

Dear Friends,

Gerri's haiku reminded me...

My best friend from high school, Sally Brenner (Hammerman), and her husband Jim, own a farm and CSA near Philadelphia. We grew up near there, Sally and I. When it was time for us to head off to college, Sally went to Bennington and I headed out to the Ohio Valley to Wilmington College. Fast forward>>>> today, Sally and her husband Jim own and sponsor a CSA from their beautiful farm near where we grew up; the url is listed here

http://www.imbymistyhollow.com/

The Green Man adorns their site, and all the vegetables, fruit, and assorted good things that happen at In My Back Yard are organic and healthy. For a season, Sally drove to our house once a week, took classes at Tai Sophia in preparation for the Master's Degree in Herbal Healing, and drove back the same night. A professor in Nursing at Jefferson Med School, she really didn't need the additional degree, so she and Jim decided to concentrate solely upon community needs and educating others about healthy and vital, nutritional and delicious bounty from the garden. Each week during summer, there's a workshop of one kind or another for those who have an interest in being part of this awesome community action. Check out their website AND their blog for delicious and healthy recipes, ideas, and ways to widen your knowlege base.

Anyone feel like a field trip up to IMBY Misty Hollow? They would love having us, and I'd love introducing you to them/the farm. It's a 2 hour drive from my house.

Green and growing,
Prue

SHIFT HAPPENS!!

Our job is to allow and be aware! Thanks, Gerri, that is a great post. xoxo

Catalyst

From "haiku mind" by Patricia Donegan - collected haiku poems and short interpretations:

not seeing
the room is white
until that red apple
~ anita virgil

What does it take to change our perspective? To see something anew? It's so easy to get "stuck." And then we hear something, or read something, or come across something that wakes us up.

This blog and our calls can often be that catalyst for me. I read something on the blog, or I hear something on our calls, that triggers a buried thought or memory and allows me to shift and grow.

Be open to the catalysts around you. You'll never know what new insight or discovery or adventure awaits!

Happy Friday to my Abundant Healthy Living Friends!
Love - Gerri

Within Every Crisis Lies an Opportunity

Adversity……

Within our struggles lies the essential wisdom we all need to become the kind of person we hope to become, to nurture the kind of team or organization we envision.
This adversity deserves whatever time and energy is needed to glean the fullest possible benefit. Everyday greatness requires harnessing adversity, when you use it to elevate yourself and others for some tangible gain……that’s using your adversity for the better.

I didn't write it down but I believe this is from Eric W. from NTC Atlanta. I would say he is a master at harnessing adversity!
Love You All!
Ginny

From today's Mike Dooley's Notes from the Universe ...

Happiness comes first. Partners, abundance, and cool shoes come later.Or at least this is how I'd line up my duckies.
Ungawa - The Universe

Show Gratitude - It's Good For Your Health!

"Feelings of gratitude release positive endorphins throughout the body, creating health" ~ Sharon Huffman

In Marci Shimoff's book "Happy for No Reason", there's an entire chapter on our bodies and how they are designed to support our happiness. Our brains contain a wealth of natural happiness-enhancing drugs: endorphins (the brain's painkiller - 3x stronger than morphine), seratonin (naturally calms anxiety and relieves depression), oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and dopamine (promotes alertness and feelings of enjoyment) among others. This pharmacy in your brain is open 24x7 and just waiting for you to release them.

On the other hand, a French physiologist, Dr. Israel Waynbaum, shows that just frowning triggers the secretion of the stress hormones cortisol, adrenalin, and noradrenalin, chemicals that increase your blood pressure, weaken your immune system, and increase your susceptibility to depression and anxiety.

Show gratitude, smile, laugh - all of these will give you access to your body's amazing happy 'drugs' for your cells. And smiles and laughs are often contagious, so share your health and happiness with your smile today!

I am so grateful for all of you and for this great program we have to support each other.

To a Healthy and Happy Wednesday for All!

Love - Gerri

What two or three little things can I do today ...

Staying the Course By BJ Gallagher

Our journey of life is about progress, not perfection.
It's not about doing one thing100% better
-it's a matter of doing 100 things,1% better each day.
Progress is evolutionary not revolutionary,
and most days we measure our progressin inches,not miles.
What matters most is showing up for your life whether you feel like it or not.
Ask yourself,"What two or three little things can I do today that would move me forward?"
You'll be amazed at how much distance you can cover by taking it in increments.
The little things add up; the inches turn to miles; and we string together our efforts like so many pearls. Before long,look what you have - a whole strand!
Ah... beautiful.

We are on the right track ...

"We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
~Aristotle

Zucchini/Squash Patties w/Pesto

Our latest 'eating local' adventure.

Hmmm. Let's figure out how to use some of these wonderful things we get each week! Mark found a recipe for Zucchini Patties w/Pesto

Plenty of Basil - And we usually have the garlic and pine nuts on hand - so Mark made the pesto.

And we used the zucchini and yellow squash we got from our local marketbasket pickup on Saturday. The pesto is actually mixed right into the patties. Lots of flavor. Definitely a winner. I'm definitely enjoying the FLAVOR of fresh, local produce. It really does make a difference.

This recipe was something we've never tried before. And I so appreciate Mark's willingness to explore these healthy food options. Especially when he's the chef!

More to come from Mark and Gerri's CSA Marketbasket Summer Adventure.

Week 2 of Local MarketBasket

This will definitely be a nice summer adventure to share on this blog. Both Mark and I just signed up with Twitter just to gain access to what will be in our weekly Marketbasket early - I will NOT add Twittering to my skillset anytime soon!

Anyway - just wanted to let you know what we're picking up this week: Davon Crest Lettuce Blend, Bulls Blood Beet Tops, Broccoli, Zucchini/Yellow Squash, Sugar Snap Peas, Purple Basil, Chives

We did pretty good using last week's produce, though I still want to dry some basil and freeze some. Will do the same with the basil this week - different variety. For those of you that I may see on Tuesday night at Discover Arbonne at San's - let me know if you'd like some fresh basil - I know we'll have enough to share!

No Exceptions!

'Based on an ancient principal, that when 2 or more people gather for a common purpose or goal they magnify their efforts and can more easily and quickly achieve the outcomes they desire!'


Thanks to Abundant Healthy Living I too had a no exception Wednesday, and plan on doing the same today! I feel so much better about myself! As I said on the call Tuesday, I have been making tons of exceptions...so it's recommit time and with one success under my belt I am ready to go for it again!
Make it a great weekend all! Blogs have been great to catch up on this morning! Thank You!
XO
Gin

Thank you!!!

I am so grateful to have this blog.. I totally forgot about the challenge Tee talked about on our call. After reading the blogs reminded me that we have this going on. My new behavior "to be " thanks you but my old brain says darn it.. Yes!! Today is the day i am committing to you and myself. although I think I did not have any sweets or chips of any kind yesterday now I am thinking about it. I did have some rice before 11am.
Thank you all for your inputs here. I am so happy I did not have any sweets after coming home from this mornings walk which i had to argue with my brain about 30 min.

loving you all and thank YOU!!!!

From You to Me

It's true! BUT... I think it was more you keeping me honest at lunchtime, Gerri! What fun to eat a healthy summer salad, review things we heard on the call, look forward to more calls like it, and to be grateful together for this goodness that is Abundant Healthy Living.

Imagine this, if you can: fresh off the lunchtime, the laughter, the good food, you name it, when I got home I found myself thinking about a handful of m&ms. WHAT!? No way! This is no exceptions Wednesday!. One more footstep, one more conscious decision, no more excuses, one more next-right-thing!

I have set my goal weight at 125. My journal is next to my bed. I've printed out the pages that help me snack on healthy foods, and I'm ready to rebound.

Right here, right now. Thanks to all you healthy, empowered, and genuine wimmens.

No Exception Wednesday!

I truly love our Abundant Healthy Living Calls - they refocus my awareness and my commitment to all that we are doing.

I realized as Tee talked last night how much I've been letting exceptions creep back into my days. A glass of wine here, dessert there, telling myself I've got 'room' to stretch the rules. But I also see a trend of the exceptions happening with more regularity. So for me, last night's assignment to go One Day Without Exceptions came at a great time. A good wake up call.

Today is my No Exception Wednesday. I am walking this morning (with umbrella!), and have my Qi Gong class tonight - so that's all good healthy stuff. Prue will keep me honest at lunch today.

Loving you all! ~ Gerri

Believe in What You Are Doing

Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best.

—DAVID O. McKAY

Whether it is health, wellness, finance, parenting, spousing, anything - disocver the purpose and rise to whatever it takes to live that purpose. I know this is something I struggle with everyday but I know it and I am worth it.

Talk to everyone tonight.

XO - Tee

Feeling Bloated?

If you want to feel and look less bloated the following list of foods to avoid should point you in the right direction ...

Certain foods simply create more gas in your GI tract. They include legumes, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, peppers, and citrus fruits.

Salt
Avoid the saltshaker, salt-based seasonings, and highly processed foods. Water is attracted to sodium, so when you take in higher than usual amounts, you'll temporarily retain more fluid-which contributes to a sluggish feeling, a puffy appearance, and extra water weight.

Excess Carbs
As a backup energy source, your muscles store a type of carbohydrate called glycogen. Every gram of glycogen is stored with about 3 grams of water. But unless you're running a marathon tomorrow, you don't need all this stockpiled fuel. Decreasing your carbohydrate intake temporarily can train your body to access this stored fuel and burn it off. At the same time, you'll drain off the excess stored fluid.

Bulky Raw Foods
A half-cup serving of cooked carrots delivers the same nutrition as one cup raw, but it takes up less room in your GI tract. Eat only cooked vegetables, smaller portions of unsweetened dried fruit, and canned fruits in natural juice. This will allow you to meet your nutrient needs without expanding your GI tract with extra volume.

High-Acid Drinks
Alcohol, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and acidic fruit juices: Each of these high-acid beverages can irritate your GI tract, causing swelling. You can have these drinks in moderation after the jumpstart if you choose.

Fried Foods
Fatty foods, especially the fried variety, are digested more slowly, causing you to feel heavy and bloated. On the Flat Belly Diet you'll eat fats, but you'll eat the healthy kind--MUFAs (short for monounsaturated fatty acids)--that target hard-to-lose visceral belly fat. MUFAs can be found in oils (such as olive oil), olives, nuts and seeds, avocado, and dark chocolate. Yum!

Spicy Foods
Foods seasoned with black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, chili powder, hot sauces, onions, garlic, mustard, barbecue sauce, horseradish, catsup, tomato sauce, or vinegar can all stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause irritation.

Carbonated Drinks
Where do you think all those bubbles end up? They gang up in your belly! Swap these beverages for delicious Sassy Water (the Flat Belly Diet's signature drink). You'll enjoy this soothing, flavorful water on the jumpstart and can continue drinking it throughout the diet (many Flat Belly Dieters do!).

Chewing Gum
You probably don't realize this, but when you chew gum, you swallow air. All that air gets trapped in your GI tract and causes pressure, bloating, and belly expansion.

Sugar Alcohols
These sugar substitutes, which go by the names xylitol or maltitol, are often found in low-calorie or low-carb products like cookies, candy, and energy bars because they taste sweet. Like fiber, your GI tract can't absorb most of them. That's good for your calorie bottom line, but not so good for your belly. Sugar alcohols cause gas, abdominal distention, bloating, and diarrhea. Avoid them.