My puppy says...go outside!

Mondays in July are pet day! We want to show how smart our furry (and non-furry!) friends are. They teach us all the lessons we need to learn to be truly happy in our lives – if only we would listen to them!  One of the lessons our pets show us that I just love is going outside! They are like the US mail, rain, snow, sun, they want to go outside (well, I guess not all. My parents’ terrier Chihuahua does not like the cold!).

 Let’s take a page out of our pets’ playbook and head outside. Stroll through the snow; dance in the rain; play in the sun. Every day…go out and enjoy nature!

Bring on the pets...

He is always there for me with unconditional love. He encourages me to play and move and be silly and have fun. He cheers me up when I am blue and snuggles with me when I need a snuggle. Sounds like the perfect friend, right? Well, he is. And he’s my dog! (The picture is my dog Wolfgang in one of his favorite spots...he loved to travel!)

Having strong connections with others is important, but there is something about a canine friend that just makes me feel special.  And, it’s one of the best and easiest ways I know to improve my health! There are many studies that show the benefits of having a pet – from decreasing blood pressure to lessening depression to encouraging exercise. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a dog – a cat, turtle, bird or even the squirrel that lives in the tree in your front yard. ….whatever you want to become friends with will work! Just make that connection!

For the month of July, we are going to focus on the benefits of pets to our mental and physical health every Monday. Be sure to check out our furry friends!

Let's compare breakfast!

For June's 400 calorie meal comparison, I decided to focus on breakfast. I've included my old breakfast of Great Grains cereal with milk and my current breakfast of Fage yogurt, berries (strawberries in this case) and granola. Here are the pictures:

(The cereal is in a bowl that is placed on the plate to compare accurately.)

Aside from my terrible picture-taking abilities, it is interesting to see the difference in the amount of food for the same number of calories. Even more poignant, just like the May comparison, my healthy meal left me completely satisfied while my not-so-healthy one left me wanting more. Additionally, I felt tired within an hour of eating the cereal, but the yogurt kept me going all morning.


Although I have to admit, I can't wait to have a pancake meal to compare...I rarely eat pancakes...but they are yummy! However, knowing how I feel when I eat healthy versus not, I think I’ll keep them to a minimum!

Let us know if you have a meal that makes you feel great…or one that brings you down. Post it here!

My Cozy Spot...

I moved to NC a few months ago, and although I love our new home (a small townhouse), I don’t have a place in it where I can go and be alone. I don’t have a Cozy Spot. Everywhere I live (or visit for more than a few days!), I find a Cozy Spot. No, this is not like Sheldon’s spot on The Big Bang…actually, maybe it is (without the extreme OCD)!  One of my “must-haves” in my life is a Cozy Spot – a place where I feel completely comfortable, safe, and happy…a place I can go and not be bothered. It is the place where I connect with myself and get many of my great ideas. I write, I think, I dream in my Cozy Spot. Throughout my life, my Cozy Spot has been a porch swing, a tree, my couch, a bathtub, my bed, the floor of a friend’s spare bedroom, a rocking chair, and a lawn chair on my deck. In my new home, I haven’t felt connected to any one spot. I think I may have to go out of my home and wander the neighborhood in search of a spot. It will only be a matter of time, but soon, I will have my new Cozy Spot.

Here's a picture of a great Cozy Spot...too bad this isn't at my home ! (It was at a spa.)

 

A Cozy Spot is a great way to help you focus on your Me-Time. Tips for creating a Cozy Spot:

- A place that is not constantly invaded by family or roommates

- A place where you feel physically comfortable (a comfy seat, a good temperature, good lighting)

- A place with something that inspires you…this can be anything from a picture you love to a burning candle to a favorite stuffed animal

Once you find a Cozy Spot, remember to try to snuggle up there every day for a few minutes (or more!) of Me-Time.

Take a breath...

One of the best things we can do for our bodies is also one of the easiest – breathe!  Breathing is amazing because it can both lift you up and calm you down. When I feel sluggish, I take several deep breaths and drink a glass a water; more often than not, I feel much more energetic. Breathing is also a great way to relax and calm yourself down. I’m not so great at using breathing for this. It works if I’m trying to get into a meditative state from a normal state. However, for those rare times when I’m really concerned about something, nothing calms me down. I can do all the breathing exercises in the world, but it won’t help! I have been able to minimize the number of times this happens, but alas, it still does happen.

So, pay attention to your breathing. Right now, stop reading and pay attention. Are you taking shallow breaths? Deep breaths? Holding your breath? Until we focus on it, we often don’t even realize that we are not breathing deeply. Deep breathing is necessary for getting oxygen throughout our bodies. Try to stop and focus on your breathing throughout the day. Take a break from what you’re doing and several take deep, strong breaths.  You can do this anywhere – while at work, in the car, walking, cooking – anywhere. So, try to do it as often as you can. I bet you’ll be surprised at the result!