Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

Plateau. That's a kind way of saying your body has reached the point where you are no longer able to make any changes to it physically. You try in vain to lose that last five or ten pounds and you consider looking into that fad diet you keep hearing about because you're desperate to lose one last inch or two off your waistline.

It's a cruel joke, really. You push yourself and remain dedicated to the cause of being and living healthy and your body, inexplicably, decides that what you're doing is good, but not good enough. So, what can you do about it? How do you reach that next level of fit without driving yourself absolutely bonkers?

Well, one way is to change your regimen. This is something that I have suggested before and feel very confident is a great way to get over that proverbial hump. But, more than that, you have to get over the drama of the new attitude you've acquired from becoming so fit—your ego changed right along with your body. Trust me.

You have to reconfigure your goals once you hit that plateau (or wall as some say) and ask yourself what you want for yourself and your body now? Are you still simply trying to live a healthier life or are you looking for the physical manifestation of all your efforts—fitting into that size "whatever you want" pair of jeans or cocktail dress? It's an important question to ask because, quite honestly, the vast majority of us can always be fitter and eat healthier—these are things that are rarely overdone in today's fast food society.

So you have to look at yourself in the mirror and ask what's next? If you want to get over the plateau, that's easily done, change your workout and/or add something more to it that will challenge you and re-energize your bored body.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something deeper—perhaps an answer to why you are so obsessed with looking perfect or losing that last few pounds—then that journey will take a much more introspective approach and you will need to tap into the side of you that isn't satisfied with being what you are right now.

The only way to do that is to meditate, relax, journal, and seek out the memories that scare you to death. Find out where it was in your life that you first began to feel those inadequacies and make it your mission to correct the negative thoughts so that you can finally focus on the present.

In the meantime, expect setbacks as you tackle new obstacles and try not to get frustrated by the process of making adjustments to what was working so well before now—if you can. Being fit is only half the battle, the bigger challenge is in staying fit and being aware enough of your inner self to understand why that matters so much to you.

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Memorial Day: It's About More Than Firing Up The Grill

Today, as I reflect upon the hundreds of thousands of lives that have been lost, changed, or otherwise altered forever by the stress and torment of war, it's impossible not to feel compelled to recognize and appreciate the true sacrifice the men and women—as well as the families—of our armed forces have made to grant us the freedoms that we so often take for granted.

This country, more than any other, was built on the shoulders of those who were brave enough to stand up and fight for out right to speak, live, and think freely and it is to them we owe a daily hat tip of respect and gratitude for all they do and have done to make sure that this country remains a land for the free.

So, as you fire up the grill and take part in all of the splendors of another day without work, please do not forget to say a silent prayer for all of those men and women who have fought and continue to fight for your right to spend this day in the sun as the good Lord intended—free and without any threat to your pursuit of happiness.

Lady Gaga As The Next Oprah...For Real?

I don't know if Lady Gaga is the next Oprah or not, but I know Oprah Winfrey has definitely left some big shoes to fill. Here, one last look at her impact, her influence, and her legacy.

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Video of the Week: Is This Woman For Real?...

Here's my take on Arnold Schwarzenegger's dalliances with what is seeming more and more like a multitude of women: he's a scumbag and deserves no mercy.

That said, I am utterly disgusted by the nerve of any woman who wants to offer an apology after she's admitted to having an ongoing affair with another woman's husband. Granted, it was Arnold's responsibility to protect and respect the vows he took when he made the decision to marry Maria Shriver, but shouldn't there be some measure of dignity and honor coming from these alleged other women as well?

Perhaps my error here is in believing that there should be more respect, as a society, for the sanctity of marriage.

If a man or woman is unhappy in his union, that is not an excuse for infidelity. If it gets to that point, I feel, they need to let their significant other know about it so that they are allowed the option of either leaving the marriage or taking the necessary steps to fix what's broken in the relationship. However, none of that can happen if some lonely heart is waiting in the wings throwing dirt on your vows.

Sure, there are some who, at least in this case, would actually blame Maria for perceived short-comings in her ability to keep her husband close but, on the real, let's be more intelligent about this situation. Any woman who chose to entertain Arnold's demands, with full knowledge of his situation, is simply a woman with poor morals or below average self-esteem.

That being said, I am loathe to have any appreciation for this particular female's audacity in offering up an apology to Maria for "...the mistakes I made in the past and for being intimate with your husband..." and to then have the nerve to ask for forgiveness while in the same breath knowing she's about to try and cash in on her 15 minutes...despicable. If anything, she's happy for the opportunity to make a dishonest dollar off the pain and suffering of others.

Sorry, but there's simply no honor in that act.

Take a look at this woman's interview and tell me if she looks sorry to you.



Give me a break, lady. I hope, for Maria's sake, this classless nightmare ends soon.

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So Long, Oprah...

Let me start this entry by saying I was never an everyday watcher of The Oprah Winfrey Show. I'd DVR the show daily and then cherry-pick the ones that interested me the most. That said, the show has been an intricate part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I was in elementary school when it first aired and now, married and a mother of two children, I sat riveted as I watched this institution of a show—and there can be no denying that it was just that—come to an end.

I'll admit, I shed a few tears as the studio went dark and Oprah exited for the very last time. I shed them because I realized I would miss her voice, her energy, her presence, and her awe-inspiring ability to convey a genuinely positive message to women everywhere and I feel no hesitation when I say there will never be another like her.

And today's show was the ultimate gift in that Oprah offered one final lesson of encouragement for all of us.

Some may have taken offense to it's overtly spiritual tone, but I appreciated her candidness and her decision to, once and for all, give glory to Him.

4:00, Monday through Friday, will never be the same for me as, for the first time in 25-years, watching Oprah will no longer be an option. Even so, I feel eternally grateful to have been a part of this moment in history and it has been my pleasure to play the role of spectator to this self-made woman of God's success as she inspired millions to know what's possible if you just allow yourself to shine.

So, goodbye Oprah...until we meet again.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Carb Crazy: Don't Fear The Bread, Fear The Flour

Diana Vreeland once said, "people who eat white bread have no dreams". Vreeland, a noted fashion editor for Harpers-Bazaar, and one time Editor-in-Chief for Vogue magazine, was considered an icon in the fashion industry during the 50's, 60's, and 70's. In short, she wasn't a dietician, nor did the surgeon general have her on speed dial, but the quote still resonates today as one of great insight by a woman who lived for a very long time without any significant health problems. 

That said, I love bread! Love. It. And I would be a wreck if I had to completely eliminate it from my diet, and don't even get me started on pasta—Italian cuisine is a staple in my kitchen. I cook a pasta-based meal at least once a week!

So, when I began the process of changing my lifestyle to one focused on healthier eating and more purposeful exercise, I considered all the alternatives for my bread and pasta loving habits and what I found out very early was that it wasn't necessarily the bread or pasta that was bad, but the type of bread or pasta and, like anything else, the amount I chose to eat.

First off, look for breads made using whole grains as opposed to white flour. While you do not have to forfeit your love of carbohydrates to get the waistline you so desire, you do have significantly reduce your intake of sugar—a prime culprit in most items made using white flour—if you wish to lessen the possibility of additional weight gain.

Secondly, watch your intake. Don't gorge—moderation is a key component in everything.

Finally, don't shy away from pasta. Personally, I have taken to eaten pasta noodles made from tofu as they have less calories and offer—at least for me—as delightful an alternative as regular spaghetti. There are even gluten-free versions available.

The point here is you don't have to sacrifice bread to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. It's all about moderation and using the information you can find on food labels in order to make the best decision for you and your lifestyle.

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You're So Vain

I often say of my daughter (who is still just a toddler) that she's never met a mirror she didn't like. I mean, literally, she is incapable of passing a mirror without admiring the beauty that she most definitely owns and I do her humility no favors by showering her with as many compliments and touts of how infinitely gorgeous she is on a daily basis. If there's one area in which I hope my baby girl never lacks confidence, it's that of self-image—so take that airbrush nation.

That said, I am also completely aware of the superficiality that can develop if you tie your self-worth into your physical appearance. There has to be more substance to your total make-up than just the glow of your skin, the build of your body, and the tags on your rags. You have to be every bit as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside, otherwise you are akin to a piece of artwork done without purpose—beautiful to look at, but essentially soulless.

Outer beauty fades, inner beauty doesn't. It 's that simple. Never forget to cultivate the spirit in as many ways as you do the body.

That means making time for others, being a voice where there isn't one, extending a hand when needed, and always remembering to do everything with purpose and from the heart. If you do those things, you will encompass a more enchanting beauty than you've ever witnessed before. That will be the beauty people appreciate every bit as much as that which you see in the mirror.

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Pajama Jeans: It's Like The 'Snuggie'...Only They're Even LESS Cool

See, this right here is why some people don't need to have the ability to buy airtime and market a product. While I am more than certain someone saw this infomercial and thought 'wow that's what I want', I can't imagine what genius thought it would be a cool idea to call it the 'Pajama Jean'.



Seriously...why on earth would anyone want to buy this item—ever? And, might I add, how much I love the fact that they throw in a free grey crew neck with purchase. I mean, let's be honest, what woman's wardrobe would be complete without a GREY crew neck?

After I finished laughing profusely, I decided that I had truly seen it all.

A pajama jean...woo, boy, y'all are killing me.

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Bill O'Reilly: The Internet Is The Devil...And Here's Why

Mr. O'Reilly took the time to weigh in on the whole Arnold Schwarznegger/Maria Shriver ordeal this past week and here is what he had to say about the media's role in presenting the story to the public:



Okayyyyyyyy......

Listen, public figures (especially those born in the 20th century) are well-aware of the microscope they put themselves under when they choose to run for public office. That's precisely why so many of them make it a point to hire image consultants and public relations specialists to help them to project the most positive persona possible.

Schwarznegger, having spent most of his career in the spotlight, was not unaware of this fact when he made his decision to run for the office of Governor in the state of California. So, this whole idea that he is an innocent bystander, in the current media free-for-all on his character, is ridiculous because if there is anyone who knew what such an admission would do to his career, it's Schwarznegger.

Furthermore, I take issue with any argument that would suggest that the media's presence is the reason why many people won't run for office.

Here's the thing, if you are a philandering, dishonest, morally corrupt, individual with no real grasp on human decency, then you probably know that going in and deserve whatever pounding you get once the slithery media snakes get their hands on your information.

By contrast, if you are an upstanding citizen with nothing to hide, then you have no reason to worry about what hair-brained stories the media creates in an effort to make reporting about you more interesting. 

To be fair, I do not advocate sensationalism as a means to sell magazines, newspapers, or internet subscriptions—lies are lies, no matter who tells them, and there should be more of an emphasis placed on telling the truth in media.

That said, Arnold is a victim of his own indecency and I hold absolutely no pity for the way his entrails will be dragged through the waters of public opinion. He made his bed, his maid laid down in it with him, so he's entitled to carry upon himself whatever dirt those sheets accumulated.

Video of the Week: How Good is In-N-Out Burger...Seriously?

I won't deny that, in the past, I've obsessed over the perfect burger. I mean, honestly, I was a lot like that little guy from the Popeye cartoons—you know the one who would always say "I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today"—but with information comes power and my burger eating days have dwindled to almost nil.

That being said, I still wonder if the perfect burger does indeed exist and what exactly a lover of such an item might do to indulge in one. Although, I must say the display seen below borders on idiocy.



Seriously...how good is this burger?

Unbelievable.

Planking Is The New Craze?...I Don't Get It

The newest craze in Australia is something referred to as "planking". It's an activity that is described as "people lying flat on their stomach in unusual places while a photograph is taken"...no, I'm not kidding, that's how it's defined.

Yeah, I didn't get it either. 

While I realize that you cannot demean or make fun of people for whatever they might deem interesting or entertaining, I find it troublesome when activities such as this one don't have limits or safety guidelines.

The video that follows is what can happen when "planking" is taken to the extreme:



Now, obviously, one might say that some common sense should have been taken on the part of the deceased but, to be fair, this whole "planking" idea doesn't seem to make much sense in the first place—I certainly don't get the fun of just lying on inanimate objects, very still, just for kicks and giggles.

Where is the fun in that? It's not like you're doing anything that would make someone stop and admire your great skill or anything—you're just lying there. I guess if you've got nothing better to do and you want to test your core strength, then this is a pretty good way to do it but, other than that, it seems odd.

Frankly, I would suggest not doing this activity at all in favor of something that a) makes a little more sense and b) doesn't sound so darn asinine when you describe it to another human being...but that's just me. 

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Healthy Food Choices: Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

I'm sometimes offended when people make the assumption that eating healthy means eating foods that don't taste good or offer much in the way of substance because that is simply not the case.

Back in the day, when there weren't as many options aside from what one could grow or catch on his or her own, we didn't have the wealth of resources (farmers markets, whole food stores, organic growers, etc.) available to us that we do now. So, it was easy to believe that a diet that wasn't based around meat was filled with an overabundance of leafy vegetables, beans, and granola—and, I'll admit, most people aren't ready to get on board with a diet that, presumably, has that little substance.

However, now more than ever, we are exposed to an endless amount of food choices that offer those who are willing to shun meat a more filling diet based around not only fresh foods like the above-mentioned greens, beans, and nuts—and for the record, I'm not a full-blown vegetarian just yet, but I have found that my desire to eat meat lessens with each meal I don't choose to use it as an option—as well as some delicious meat-alternatives like tofu, tempeh, and tofurkey.

No, I'm not kidding. 

Just the other day I enjoyed a Gyro made with tempeh, as opposed to lamb or chicken, and it was delicious! Of course I was later questioned if such a thing it can actually be called a Gyro if it doesn't contain the signature Greek staple of lamb meat but I can say, without question, that I didn't miss the meat one bit and I enjoyed every bite.

Now, to be honest, most of these foods are an acquired taste. Going from eating a diet filled with chicken, beef, and pork to one that is mainly based around soy, tofu, and beans is not something that can be done overnight. It's a process that takes time and most people will need a few weeks, or even months, to get their bodies used to such a change. However, in the long run, you'll feel so much better.


Anytime you  make a decision to fill your body with foods that are made from fresh ingredients, you feel better (both mentally and physically) because you are no longer burdened by the overall weight that processed, heavily saturated, foods often leave behind—put simply: fresh is better.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do still occasionally enjoy meat dishes, but it's less than I did six-months ago and, if given the option, I will often now choose the dish without meat.

Still, though, take note of the preparation of said foods before partaking in any of them. There are a number of unhealthy vegetarians and self-proclaimed "health nuts" running about who aren't paying attention to moderation and preparation where their diet is concerned—a black bean burger can be a delicious alternative to one made of angus, but don't fool yourself into thinking that you can over -indulge in such dishes simply because it's not made from a meat source.

Always use moderation, watch the amount of salt and oil you use in preparation, and be aware of serving sizes—those rules apply to everyone!

Your body can't function at it's best if you only allow bad stuff into it and while I'm not advocating vegetarianism, veganism, or anything else (I'll leave that to Kathy Freston), I do support your taking a healthier approach to what you choose to eat each day. The choice can be as simple as selecting grapes over a bag of chips or drinking a glass of water as opposed to a soft drink.

It's the little things that make the difference.

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Video of the Week: Would You Vote For This Man?

It wasn't very long ago that we were chastising a good-looking congressman for sending a "racy" pic of himself to a member of his constituency. Of course that congressman wasn't single and he didn't appear to have a message for the masses either—Aaron Shock, a Republican Congressman from the state of Illinois has both.

In what can either be construed as a great way to, sorry for the pun here, attract voters to him and his cause, Shock has stripped down to his boxers to show off his healthy body and say, without question, if I can do this, so can you.

I have to admit, it's a message I can get behind, but it's one heck of a risk for a young (he's only 29) congressman in a town (Washington, DC) that is known for finding whatever angle they can to discredit a potential risk to their party. Or, better still, maybe they just won't like the attention the young man will garner from this 15-minutes of fame—who knows?

Here's a clip from his Today Show interview with Matt Lauer. What are your impressions: good message or good press?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

'GMA's' Diet Food Challenge Emphasizes A Common Problem With Weight-Loss Programs

Good Morning America (or GMA as some have come to call it) did a diet food contest in hopes of finding out what both chefs and everyday people thought of the foods most often associated with the three major diet programs—Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and NutriSystem.

You can click the link above to see the results, but here is my overall opinion of all of those programs: they work so long as you are using them in a manner that suits your lifestyle, but it seems counter-productive to only use pre-packaged food items to reach your goals.

As much as frozen and shelf-stable (which is what brands like NutriSystem are considered) can be a great way to start getting acquainted with portion-control and and calorie counting, they can also become health hazards if they are not appropriately monitored by the user.

For instance, if a meal states that it is under 500 calories, be sure that it offers enough vegetables to help you reach your dietary goals for the day. If it doesn't, plan to add to your meal by preparing a small salad or adding a side of steamed veggies. Furthermore, be cognizant of the nutritional label of every frozen or shelf-stable food item you choose to purchase—how much sodium does the item contain? How many grams of dietary fiber does it offer?

While it's easy to get addicted to eating frozen meals as a means of losing weight, you should really begin working towards the preparation of your own—fresh food based—meal planning. In the end, a diet based around pre-packaged snacks and foods is not one which will be valuable over the long haul because what happens when buying 15-21 meals a week (at $4-6.00 a pop) is no longer viable?

In most cases, if a person has not learned to prepare his or her own meals, they will revert to the old way of doing things—much of the time resulting in unhealthy purchases.

My humble advise, as always, is to use whatever plan you choose to follow in a sensible way by taking advantage of the supplemental services each offers (i.e. personal coaches, chat rooms, and weight-loss support meetings) but start working towards becoming your own personal chef and finding great, naturally grown, foods that will both enhance your life and your health.

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Pain: The Body's Way of Saying "I'm Challenging You"

It's not easy to work out five days a week and, I admit, some weeks I don't reach that goal—being a mother, wife, and woman of infinite responsibility can make that hard sometimes—but I put forth the effort to do something everyday no matter what; as long as I'm physically able.

That said, you can only do so much of the same thing before your body gets bored and requires something more to produce results. So I am always challenging myself to do more, push harder, and test the limits of what is thought possible.

Sometimes that approach is met with resistance of both the physical (sore muscles, a deep burning sensation—hint, hint, that's your muscles saying "gimme more", and fatigue) and mental kind (questioning your ability to do the routine and wondering if it's actually worth all the physical consequences).

I cannot tell you the number of times I've felt like doing nothing or opting for the easier, more manageable routine, that I know can be completed with ease. After all, if I believe those around me, I should be in "maintenance mode" now, so there is purpose in coming up with more challenges for my body to meet.

For those of you who can understand the latter point, here's a word of wisdom from a simple woman of faith: there is nothing wrong with being satisfied with where you are, physically, but if you're not, you will never get to that point without finding new ways to both challenge yourself and present your body with a reason to get stronger, leaner, and more physically fit.

Part of the beauty of learning a new exercise routine or fitting in one additional set is the great feeling you get from the knowledge that you are progressing.

Maybe last year you couldn't last five minutes on the elliptical machine before bailing on it altogether but, as you did more, your body became accustomed to the rigor and now, maybe, that five minutes is what you do to warm-up your body before advancing to the more intense levels of your regimen.

Progression makes you feel good. Progression is what keeps us all fired up to do more and you should try to never lose your desire to do more.

Your body is your temple to build and glorify. There is nothing arrogant or conceded about doing that if your intent is the overall goal of being balanced on every level and feeling as good about yourself on the outside as you do about the inside.

Celebrate yourself, challenge your will, and try to be better everyday.

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Video of The Week: The First Lady Moves The Crowd

I am all for a program that encourages healthy living and First Lady Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign is something I, as a parent, definitely support. The obesity rate among our young children has skyrocketed thanks to the over-consumption of unhealthy goods—including those served in our school cafeterias—and there isn't enough emphasis on physical education (P.E.).

Quite frankly, there are many schools in the country which no longer incorporate P.E. into the days of our children and it used to be a staple in every curriculum!

So, it's high time that we all start instilling the value of exercise into the minds of our little boys and girls while they are still young enough and impressionable enough to accept it as a normal part of their daily life. And, as the First Lady demonstrates, it doesn't matter how you get moving—just move!

Learn more about the 'Let's Move' initiative here, but take a look at The First Lady's recent visit to a local Washington D.C. school where she got her groove going with a group of very lucky middle-school students.

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Jamie Oliver: The Truth Shall Get You Cancelled

Jamie Oliver, better known to most as the energetic British chef who dazzled the US with his humor, charm, and great recipes as The Naked Chef started what he called a Food Revolution a couple of years ago. His goal was to help reintroduce people to their home kitchens and encourage them to cook fresh, cook smart, and eat sensibly.

His message, while simple, was something of a nuisance to those who were hell bent on keeping this world fully processed, always fried, and never informed. In short, he wasn't hawking high-fructose corn syrup or advocating the consumption of meat at every meal, so he was not as marketable to the masses as a Bobby Flay or a Paula Deen.

Yet he managed to garner a huge following and many awards for espousing a fresh message to those who were looking to make a change in their eating habits and his philosophy of eating fresh foods (homegrown if possible) resonated with those who were getting fed up with the corn-fed ways of this world. He helped spark the migration of many individuals back into their kitchens, gardens, and local farmer's markets.

So, although I am not one for watching much reality television, I was intrigued to see him take on "the man" in the second season of his television series: Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. It was clear from start, though, that Oliver would be taking on a much bigger fish than the one he found in season one.

Los Angeles definitely wasn't West Virginia. 

You can read all about the madness in L.A. here but, in short, Jamie wished to see all L.A. schools ban flavored milk from their menu.

In L.A. , school lunches are served with the option of chocolate or strawberry milk. However, one small carton of flavored milk is loaded with more sugar than even one can of soda. So, Oliver, in only the way he can, decided to make a push to get rid of the option altogether.

His suggestion was met with a lot of resistance, but he eventually got what he wanted—at least that's what we've been led to believe—but the proof will be in the pudding when the next school term begins.

Curiously enough, after Oliver's second major run-in with a school lunch program—this time in the epicenter of the entertainment world—his show has been cancelled. ABC has pulled Food Revolution show from it's schedule in order to air more Dancing With The Stars recap shows.

Coincidence?...Maybe, but it's one heck of a coincidence if it is one.

I sincerely hope that another network decides to continue with Oliver's premise and offers more programming of this sort to the masses because it's definitely something that needs a platform—even if it's not always easy to accept the message it sends.

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Do You Know What You're Eating?

Many people haven't the slightest idea how to read a nutritional label—ya know, that thing on the side of the box that lists 'servings', 'serving size', 'fat', etc? Well, that little box is your best supermarket friend because it gives you the facts about the item you're purchasing.

When making a decision to buy any item you haven't grown or raised yourself, it's important to take note of what exactly has gone into producing it and how said production makes that particular item good or bad for your overall health.

I typically examine three basic elements when reading a nutritional label:

1. Dietary Fiber (per serving): Fiber is your friend. I won't go into the medical benefits (find a great article about that here) of what it can do for you but, I can tell you this much, it certainly helps keep my body feeling toxin free. I tend to look for foods that offer 3 or more grams of fiber per serving, but the more the better. 
2. Fat content (per serving): Where fiber is your friend, bad fats (foods high in saturated and/or trans fats) are your enemy. Stay away from chips and other packaged snack items that are fried in peanut or vegetable oil. Even more, if you choose to indulge in said items, note the serving size—most potato chips are meant to be eaten 10-12 at a time. If you're eating half a bag of Lay's a day, you could be hurting yourself. 
3. Sodium (per serving): The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for sodium, per day, is 24-2500mg. If that sounds like a lot, it's not, that's about a teaspoon per day. If frozen dinners are a staple in your daily diet, there's a good chance you are well over that allowance after eating just one meal. Pay attention to this element the most as it's the easiest to go overboard on and the hardest to track. 

Other things worth taking a close look at on a label are sugar content, carbohydrates, and calories.

Too much sugar can put you on a fast track towards diabetes, bad carbohydrates (particularly the ones you glean through consumption of white rice, soda, and white bread) can lead to heart disease and weight gain, and too many calories will topple any healthy living plan. Try to keep your caloric intake reasonable and make sure that the majority of that intake comes from fresh, not processed, foods.

My general rule of thumb when carting it up at the grocery store is to buy fresh (organic if possible) foods made from lots of whole grains. I stay as far away from prepackaged dinners and meals as possible and focus on maximizing fiber intake with every purchase.

It's my way of telling my body 'thank you' for not breaking down on me in a pinch.

Good fuel typically results in good mileage where the body is concerned. Fill yours up with as much good stuff as possible and you'll be surprised at the difference it makes.

Related articles

• Eat for a Healthy Heart (everydayhealth.com)
• How Fiber Helps Ease Constipation (everydayhealth.com)
• Nutritious Frozen Meals for Families (brighthub.com)
• Salt! Can I Handle The New Dietary Guidelines? (drkaylosesweight.wordpress.com)

Bend But Don't Break

Recently, I found myself faced with an uncomfortable decision. It was a decision that, no matter what I chose to do, was going to force me to reevaluate my approach to daily living. It was a situation so perplexing in its suddenness that it caused me to question both my strength and my character as a woman.

As I tussled with the prospect of losing this small, yet seminal, amount of control that I had become accustomed to having in my life, I discovered something very important about myself—I'm still growing as both a physical and emotional being.

I had begun to pride myself on being able to be both honest and real where matters of life were concerned and I no longer thought I was capable of such immature regressions because I understood, theoretically, the ramifications of each decision I made and each conflict I was presented with resolving. I had convinced myself that having knowledge about the outcome made me immune to reacting to anything in a rash manner.

I was wrong.

Here's a clue for all of you who, like me, have bought into the notion that your mental state is at-ease and completely mature: it isn't and you're not.

There are challenges awaiting each of us in this world and those challenges are meant to act as  reminders of not only how far you have to go, but of how much you've truly learned about your strength and integrity.

You cannot prepare for everything. Life is not predictable and your emotional self is not always prepared to handle everything that comes its way. You are meant to respond and act spontaneously, sometimes without warning or rationality, and that's okay.

Go with it.

The crime there is never in being true to your feeling, but rather in not recognizing the experience as an opportunity for growth and recognition of both where you are and where you someday want to be.

Related articles

• Job One is Learning to Live (eliseonlife.wordpress.com)
• strength: a personal account (thereaction.wordpress.com)
• Equip yourself for the battles of life. (howtotrulylive.com)