Truth, part 2

A continuation of yesterday's post...truth, justice & my way.

5. Be your own personal stylist. I've learned planning my outfits for the week over the weekend for the week, it.frees me up mentally & time wise in the mornings.

6. Plan plan plan. I plan meals, and my life. It helps me keep my sanity. 

7. Create a happy list & use it.

8. Follow your bliss at least once daily.

A good thought this morning

 Buddha Quote 

Funky ceili

Ceili is the proper name for Irish dancing, as popularized by riverdance. It is an amazing aerobic exercise & I highly recommend it.

Its st Patricks week & I'm gearing up for some harmless fun. Back in the day, I've gone to Boston (5 times), NYC (8 or 9 times) and Trenton (local Irish pub,live music) a few more. I'm not a drinker, so its even more entertaining to watch people use a holy day as an excuse for public drunkenness.

So ive turned it into a week this year. Mainly because its Thursday, and Oct got the build up going. Since I've got Celtic blood, and a first name that is incredibly gaelic, I'm allowed to celebrate. Big man, who is of another ethnic persuasion, doesn't quite understand. Little man doesnt really care, so I'm on my own for celebrating.

My nails are painted as the Irish flag.

Erin go bragh!

To Spa or Not, that is the question

 Unplug And Recharge With A Daily 'Spa' Moment: via HuffPost  

Another great npr story

 Learning To Live A Full Life With Chronic Illness 

No way out

Over the years, I've looked for a quick fix for a lot of things-everything from good grades to losing weight. Now that I'm a parent, I realize there isn't any easy way out.

As my son gets older, there are higher levels of need, and I am rising to the challenge. He's more than halfway through second grade, and we are looking at the backside of it. The downside is spring fever/winter fatigue is setting in. Not wanting to do homework. Not wanting to practice spelling. And the big one: exerting independence.

Guess he's growing up!

For me,.theres a certain level of frustration because for the last week or so, things have been out of whack in our home. The big man has been exhausted and recovering from bronchitis. Ive been working out again, both in the morning and a little bit of dance in the evening. This means scrambling at night to get all done that needs to be done.

So, when there is a bit of a hiccup.or resistantance, I just don't force the issue. Ok, so we don't have to do any extra work in your workbook. We don't have to clean up before bed. I'm sacking off on my cleaning a room a day plan.

I'm just tired after dinner.

But its ok,  because school work isnt suffering. We've had fun playing. It's all good

Lent starts: what are you giving up?

 Tweet from Tweetcaster 

A tweet from christy turlington

 Tweet from Tweetcaster 

She is a fellow yogi, and a passionate advocate for women worldwide. She has used her fame for good & truly tries to make the world a better place.

We were part of a Twitter girls night out, talking about WWW.one.org & making the world a better place.

No apologies

I've spent a good chunk of my life apologizing for things, whether or not its my fault.

Im sorry its raining out.

I'm sorry your husband left you.

I'm sorry that I'm so sorry.

For some strange reason, I've thought that its all my fault my whole life, and while it may not be a big deal-its worked for almost 41 years-to me, I heard my son apologize for something he didn't do.

Ugh.

I don't want him to go through life the same way I have, feeling that its all my fault. Feeling that I'm somehow responsible for some random event.

There are enough issues in daily living that he doesn't need the same neuroses that have plagued his mother.

It's Shove Tuesday, which means Lent starts tomorrow. I am at a loss of what to give up. In my faith, its not just a tangible item, its also a state of being you can give up.

So I am going for 2: reacting to stress & negativity.

I'm going to try to change how I react to those Debbie Downers who seem to invade my life.

For all I know I may be changing the little man's life as well.

Justify

 Why You Should Never Defend, Explain Or Justify: via HuffPost  

To the Limit

The other morning my son told me he was proud of me for working out. It's a struggle some mornings, getting up, getting dressed & getting on the treadmill, either doing a weight workout or pilates and my yoga morning blast. Most mornings its 30-45 minutes of absolute me time.

I need that.

Honestly, it makes me a better mom. Seriously. How mad can you get when you get that endorphin rush going? It helps me release pent up energy. In a lot of ways I lack control over my life. I can't control what happens in school. I can't control other people's response to me. I can't control traffic. I can control how I deal.

I run.

I lift.

I dance.

I stretch.

For those who didn't know me back in the day, this side of me is something new, and may even be shocking. I tried to do all of this, but it was hard because of humpy.

Little man wants to run in the lepruchan fun run with me on the 26th, which inspires me. He wants to be healthy.

My main goal of life coaching has been to lead a healthy lifestyle, and to inspire my family to do the same. I am thinking that we may be meeting that goal.

Meatless Monday: leftovers for breakfast & lunch (waffles, Tex mex black bean quinoa burritos); snacks apples in yogurt peanut butter sauce & an orange. Dinner: jambalaya!

Kicking it up

Last night I did a kickboxing class from exercise tv on demand. I was proud that I made it through the whole workout without stopping. I was also proud of the fact that I did it.

Usually when I get home from work, I take a nap. I sometimes won't even get changed out of my work clothes, I just collapse. And I did close my eyes for a little bit after dinner, but it wasn't that get me to the bed because I worked all day.

Ugh.

So I did kickboxing in the privacy of my own home. It felt a little strange, because my body doesn't naturally move like that. I am so not ready for the gym either. But I did it. My legs feel like rubber today, but its all good.

So, its exciting to try new things. Tonight, after work, I am going to try belly dancing whilst dinner is cooking.

Herbed chicken & couscous

2 c cooked chicken

1 c shredded carrots

Cumin

Garlic

Oregano

Couscous, cooked

Saute carrots in olive oil till cooked. Add chicken & herbs, with a little water if needed. Heat through. Serve over couscous.

New Soul

It's Sunday, and depending on how you look at it either a new week is starting or an old week is ending.

This upcoming week I'm adding some new stuff to the mix. The last time I was this small, I was in my late 20's, and I was a gym rat. Back then I would go to the gym on my way to work in the morning do Cardio, and do weights. After work, I'd go back & do a class. Then it would be going on with the rest of my life.

So, I don't belong to a gym anymore, but I do workout the same in the morning.

I miss mixing it up in a class. I like doing different things to move more. Different classes offer different things for.me.

I like kickboxing. It helps get some of my stress out. It makes me move in different ways, and it helps me increase my flexibility & reaction time.

A former coworker was into belly dancing & convinced me to take a class with her at the Y. I got hooked. With humpy I couldn't because it actually hurt. Now I can again. It allows me to try different movements and have a better connection with my body.

I love to dance. Anyone who knew me up until my 30's would have known that I danced my way through life. I would come home after the gym & put the stereo on & dance my way through cooking dinner.

I was in perpetuatal motion. I embodied Newton's law.

I took different aerobics classes, and it helped me move differently. I did Latin samba, line dancing, disco step. The names have changed in the last

12 or so years, but the essence remains the same. It means I move differently & build different types of strength & endurance.

I've seen small changes over the last 3 months since surgery. The most profound change for me has been mental. I had a complete paradigm shift from one extreme to the other.

Dec 7 was a day of rebirth. I am truly a new soul.

Oprah goes vegan (& you can too!)

 via HuffPost  

Ball & Biscuit

I weighed myself yesterday.morning. before surgery, it was a chore I dreaded. Today, not so much. Since surgery, get this, I've lost a whopping 51 lbs.

I repeat, 51 pounds.

That's almost my son. I had been carrying 5 bowling balls around on me for who knows how long. Actually, a very long time, over 10 years.

My boss complimented.me yesterday. She told me that I was looking great. That meant a lot.

Right now I'm loving the positive.feedback.

I'm enjoying feeling pretty again. I will admit I didn't feel pretty being heavier.

51 pounds.

Dang, that's huge. I was huge.

I had been asked by a coworker how I'm doing it. The first 30 lbs was rather easy-surgery did it. Losing Humpy jump started it all. I wouldn't recommend having the issues I had, but it was the kick in the butt I obviously needed.

Since then, I turned my eating upside down. I started with healthier choices-I eliminated high fructose corn syrup. I stopped eating fast food. I added a lot more fruits & veggies, to the point that meat is an extra not the centerpiece.

My family, apparently, is ready to rebel like they are in northern Africa.

Ive got them raiding the pantry. Some are whining they are hungry, when there is an array of food in front of them...just not junk.

Add to it I'm really serious about working out again. Mainly because I am able to see results. I can see progress.

I feel strong & empowered. All by losing 51 lbs. Imagine what I'm going to be like when I hit my goal weight!

Unstoppable.

The ice storm

It's saturday morning, sunny and bright. The calm before the ice storm that is due to hit overnight.

I've been lazy lately, just getting back into the swing of things with work. I've been back a month & its been a bit of a struggle. My energy levels are not where I want them to be yet, and it saddens me. I want to be doing x, but I'm still not there yet.

I have some housework to do today, grocery shopping & errands, plus housework. I didnt do my kitchen zone cleaning last week for some reason that sounded good at the time, so I have to get it done today, plus this week's bedroom zones (or how I spent my day off). So...

And I want to spend some time outside before it gets cold & miserable again.

Discipline

I had an interesting conversation with another mom regarding discipline this week.

I really didn't have much to say about this topic. We have a different view on punishments in our home. I don't like using the "a" word, but autism does change everything. We really only punish for something major, like not telling the truth or willfully disobeying us. It's hard to punish a little person who does quite understand what's going on.

Autism does color our world and it does provide a framework for everything we do as a family. I don't think of things like that as much as I did a few years ago, but its still there.

I overlook a lot of things that would be punishable offenses in other families. I cook separate meals because of texture issues. I help with getting stuff ready for school. I go over what's going to happen at certain events to prevent meltdowns. I have to go over basic hygiene everyday & remind him.

On the other hand, his IQ is off the charts. He is so super duper smart, and is capable of so many things intellectually, that I really overlook some of the quirky behaviors. It's not that u excuse them, you just don't focus on them so much.

In the beginning, it was hard. There were days I was so disheartened & worn down by daily existence. I started this blog on one of those dark days. Things have Definately improved over the years & I'm grateful for everyday we have as a family.

I can honestly say I love my life.

Chipoltle corn chowder

Mmm Bacon

 Why Bacon Is A Gateway To Meat For Vegetarians 

This is not a love song

I had a hot date last night. Little Man & I had some quality time together.

We went to Target & did a little shopping. Our main quest was for a yoga mat. We found a really nice purple one, which works because its his favorite color. He was as equally excited to try out the mat as he was for his new hot wheels track. We learned 3 asanas last night: mountain pose, downward dog and cat.

It was great excitement and a little bit of bliss.

In the car, going to & fro, I had my ipod on. I had been listening to my I wish it was wxpn mix, and had been rocking out to social distortion on the way home (who, by the way, have a new album coming out). Without thinking I turned it on, and Lo & behold little man liked it. He really liked it! Then again he also likes Queens of the Stone Age, so hes got some pretty kick butt taste, and we got into "when the angels sing".

He never ceases to amaze me.

Today I have to go into work to play catch up from my sick leave. After that we have a party at pomegranate market to go to-its like our local answer to whole foods. It's their grand opening celebration. Then its onto cooking dinner. Tonight is kielbasa & pierogies. Tomorrow will be turkey loaf, Monday chicken parmesan sandwiches, Tuesday might be a chicken pot pie night, Wednesday is a pot luck at church and Thursday is the Chinese new year.

But before I do anything else, I need to get my workout in. I've been slacking off all week, and I feel it. Need to hit the treadmill and get the blood pumping.