Friday, May 23, 2014

(Unofficial) Summer

The time of year has arrived that makes me fall in love with the Midwest.  My 35 commute from work is so lovely these days.  I pass baby cows and sheep, baby corn sprouting from the fields, and Trooper B. Zika sleeps in the back seat.  (Did you know I have always wanted to live on a farm?  One where I get to sleep in and someone else does all of the chores.  And I have access to walking paths and the public library and the grocery store is five minutes away.)  We are all in great moods in this weather (although one member of our family is still ready to move to San Diego after this winter) and ready for a lovely three day weekend together.

I just realized that I would do some chores on the farm.  Petting the mini donkey is a chore, right?

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Mindful

As I've been mentioning, I've been trying to be a little "cleaner" in my living every day.  Less caffeine, alcohol, sugar, etc.  More veggies and water and yoga.  It really has nothing to do with weight or calories as much as being healthy and happy.  Then yesterday I was meditating (more on that later) and I had a vision of a margarita.  I think it was a message, so last night I opened a bottle of Green Fin wine and bought a pack of Justin's organic dark chocolate peanut butter cups.  Green Fin is made with organic grapes (and only $3.99 at TJs!) so I'm pretty sure that qualifies as clean living.  And we all know wine and dark chocolate are good for us, so I was really investing in my health future.

If you've ever been curious about meditating, an acupuncturist recommended the site Meditation Oasis to me.  I have downloaded three of their apps on my phone for guided meditation.  There are meditations that range from 5-20 minutes that I try to do every day.  I have a very, very busy mind and the best thing for me to remember is that I'm never going to stop thinking or totally turn my mind off, but I just try to be mindful of it.  I also do the meditations laying down, so that my back and neck don't start to get tired.  I'm pretty sure Jim think I'm napping.  Sometimes I actually do come close to napping, but I guess that means I've achieved relaxation.

And then I have visions of margaritas.  I was actually specifically thinking of a grapefruit margarita.  Doesn't that sound lovely?  It's kind of like when I do yoga and the take away from looking at my feet so much is that I realize need a pedicure.  I have a long way to go.