(Actually I can’t remember the exact title I received…Yoga “Master”…”Teacher….”Trainer……oh well the point is:)
So, in the same session on the Wii fit, I received both the titles “Couch Potato” and “Yoga Master”…..as well as the conflicting report of being “unrankable” in one skill and “your body is very flexible” in another….
Apparently, I can’t get out of the way of a huge shoe being hurled at my head, but I can achieve quite a “Zen State” in touch with many levels of my chahkra - although said “Zen State” is difficult to maintain whilst being PUMMELED BY A SHOE!!!….I’m just sayin’!
Anyway, this new “path to inner balance” via the Wii fit is:
STRESSING ME OUT!!…but, oddly calming at the same time - I think, perhaps, because this level of dichotomy is so very familiar……
I am both a Couch Potato and a Yoga Master….and I embrace both halves of myself as they come together in perfect….insanity!
I’ve had no coffee, espresso or latte……nothing since I began!! This must be put into proper context for you who are new to “Angie-ville” - last week alone, I probably consumed, on average, around 4 ounces of espresso per day….and 2-3 additional cups of coffee, other “energy” type drinks, and maybe 1 to 2 caffeinated sodas! In other words, can you spell A-D-D-I-C-T-I-O-N!?
In order to combat the excruciating headaches that come along with quitting that amount of caffeine “cold turkey”, I sipped on organic (freshly brewed, not bottled) green tea, with no sugar. The first day was pretty rough, but after that I didn’t even have my normal “it’s 10 o’clock and my triple espresso latte is wearing off” headaches!
At least one meal per day I’ve substituted “Living Fuel” (Greens & Berry) - so that I can be sure I’m getting all the nutrients I need….this also gave me some much needed energy to fight the “Detox Blues”
I’ve walked, briskly, around 3 miles each day - since I spent so many hours upon hours sitting in the Excursion “Bus”!
I’ve removed as much processed food as I could bear…decreasing each day - no gluten, wheat or refined flours or sugars. Being hypoglycemic for years (and not knowing it) has caused some serious insulin resistance “issues” for me - so even the smallest amount of gluten, and my body thinks I’m gorging on doughnuts all day!! So, I just have to remove it all together.
I’ve increased my water intake - probably the hardest part for me….I can’t explain this - it just is!
I’ve become more aware of my breathing - this may sound silly, but, shallow breathing can trigger adrenaline to kick in…..like in “high stress” situations, then my blood sugar drops…..stressing my organs and shutting down my metabolism - I know, right?…who knew a good, deep breathe could be so good for you - think of it as a “Victory Breath”!
Here’s where I am now:
Since I’m still in the “detox” stage I won’t say I feel wonderful…but, it’s getting better every day - I just choose to look at any discomfort as temporary……like the toxins are going away - Yay!!
I’m not into weighing myself - but, since weight gain is a sign that I’m not managing something right: (either my food choice or my stress), I weighed myself, grudgingly….but, I haven’t weighed myself every day (this is pointless and can be extremely counterproductive..but I won’t lecture!) - Anyway, I’ve lost 3 pounds in 5 days, so I know I’m moving in the right direction.
After a lovely trip to “Whole Foods”, things are a little easier - snacking on organic dark cherries and raw almonds gives me just the boost I need….(According to Dr. Susan Smith Jones: “Two ounces of almonds give you more than 50 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium - …(they) reduce cholesterol and lower risk for heart disease. (They) also may reduce the risk of colon cancer.”)
I’m continuing my love affair with the avocado! Women, hear me, these are miracle foods.…full of beneficial “fats” and oils that nourish your skin and hair…….WONDERFUL!!….eaten as a part of a natural “diet”, free of processed foods, these good fats won’t add weight - in fact, there are studies that support the fact that they actually aid in flattening your stomach - after 4 kids, I’m all for that!!!
I’m working my way into being consistent with a yoga regimen - that’s a personal goal of mine for this summer……we’ll see!!
I’ve been reading that Parsnips are wonderful for you - they are nicknamed the “beauty food”, but, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a parsnip in my life! Anyway, over the next week I’ll be getting some - figuring them out and putting them to the test - I’ll let you know!
BOTTOM LINE: The 3 top things I’ve been trying to embrace: Purity, Breath & Movement:
Purity: …in the things I eat and drink - is it real, is it beneficial, is it “life giving”?
Breath: How am I breathing in this moment - if I feel tense or stressed, then breathe….just breathe!! (Victory Breath!!)
Movement: How am I moving - am I in balance…if I’m growing weary, maybe I need to just move…stretch, breathe…walk outside…breathe…..MOVE!
So, there you go…
It’s a crazy life - but it’s mine…wait, that sounds like a certain show with a ton of kids… - no, I’m sticking with it since dealing with ONE of me is similar to dealing with EIGHT of them!!
.…okay, so this could go a whole bunch of directions…so, let me be more specific:
This last trip to Texas…..last week, affected me - and I’ve been trying to remind myself of this all day…..so I never, ever forget…..
You see, Byron and I (and Barry Leathers - C3 Executive Pastor and his better-half Amanda) went to the annual “Creative Church Conference” at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. The conference was good…I wasn’t feeling particularly receptive, though…just a little weary, actually……..but, I digress….
Then, on the first night - which was, honestly, feeling a little like a TBN Christmas Special, a petite Australian woman woke me up from my glitter-induced trance……she came crashing right into the middle of my “weariness”…..
Her name is Christine Caine and this is what she said: (for my friends in “google reader”…there’s a video here…you’ll have to come to my blog to see it…sorry for the inconvenience!)
…and it didn’t end there. For a break, the next afternoon, we decided to take in a movie……..“Taken” sounded action-packed. We just didn’t bother to really research the story-line. So, I spent the next few hours - knees up against my chest in a theater, weeping…..and promising myself I didn’t need any more pushing to action……vowing to myself that it didn’t have to be my daughter in order for me to be compelled to help!
Then, Tommy Barnett spoke of his “Dream Centers” and I remembered once more my desire kindled the year before to do something like that……..it was all coming back to me……
On the final night, after a rousing message from Bishop T. D. Jakes…like there ever are any other kind from the Bishop….but, again….I digress…..
Anyway, on the final night - we came in a little later than usual after stopping to grab some burgers….and the lobby was just beginning to jump with activity….so I almost missed her…
I could tell she wanted to remain “unseen”…it’s what actually drew my attention to her. She looked as if she could’ve been meeting friends…going “clubbing”…..but, then again, not really. She was going out as everyone else was coming in….and just didn’t look like a carefree 20-something girl. She would’ve been tiny except for her 4-inch stilettos…..and so pretty….but, her make-up was already worn……….
Something about the way she put her head down and pulled her trench-coat so tightly around her made me look closer……our eyes met…..
She rushed by even more quickly then, not wanting me to examine her………..
It was like a gradual dawning….so that I was weeping on the elevator. She was leaving after her “work” was done.
I said to Byron, simply, “Did you see her?”. He said softly through tightened lips, “Yes” - (wanting to beat some unknown man into the dust). And all I could say was, “That was someones’ daughter….somebody’s little girl……..and someone has just been so, so careless with her……”
It haunted me all night…
…haunts me still.
But, I know I need to do more than just feel bad…..
So, I’ll do for now all I know to do: Research, Raise Awareness, Gather Support, …….and Act….however that is that I can….whatever that ends up looking like.
This is just the beginning of my journey into fighting injustice…..
It’s a huge, huge war.
But, I’ve got to practice what I preach - you know, “LOVE WINS”….remember that? Well, I’ve had enough reminders lately that there are so many out there that have no concept of what love even looks like…..let alone feeling like it’s “winning” for them.
1). I am frequently given to giving in to “peer pressure”….apparently!!
So, some of my dear friends Amanda and Alison have recently written posts entitled “Random Things About Me” - and I want, so badly, to be like them . Of course, upon further reflection, I realized that almost all of my posts could be titled “Random Things About Me”….so I’m thinking it may be redundant - but, here goes:
I am a complete chameleon, so even the “normal” things about me can seem completely random.
I frequently complicate the most mundane of thoughts by using large words…that I may or may not be sure of their proper meaning and/or context…but, I digress…
I frequently digress…and am easily distracted (have been known to be deep into a discussion and forget my point because the sky just looks too pretty)!
I love watching the sky, am a huge fan of lightening…although I will lecture everyone around me of the dangers of said lightening…especially in Central Florida.
I frequently lecture those around me with random tid-bits of knowledge that I have gathered…things that I shouldn’t even know, but do somehow - I’m very “Cliff Claven-ish” in that respect.
I love to watch shows that have been out of prime-time for years (hence my reference to Cliff Claven), then I will watch every episode in order…in perfect OCD fashion.
“The Office” is probably the only prime-time show I watch every week as it comes on.
I watched the British version of “The Office” before it ever came to the U.S. - it’s a little racy, though…so I prefer the American version.
I love British humor…and British murder mysteries…….and tea!
I love blogging….and my MacBook with the zebra skin….but, get very depressed when my “blog stats” aren’t good.
I’m very sensitive…most people don’t know this about me - I guess I hide it…or maybe I just get distracted by something random (like a pretty sky) and forget that someone has hurt my feelings……
Loyalty is the most important quality, to me, in a friend - that and adaptability…well, because who I am can change so frequently, you have to be on your toes to love me anyway.
I love my friends….and frequently give in to their peer pressure….
…hence, this post!
So, there you go and there you are!
Peace to the out!
(Oh yeah, also: I despise getting my hair cut since they frequently cut it all off even though I beg to the contrary! I got my hair cut this morning…I think I’ll leave you all hanging as to the result! ).
missed church to stay home with my sweet baby Ethan - bad morning, but every time I helped him he said, "Thanks, Mommy" (melted my heart!!) 9 hours ago
@kayleighbledsoe : "He's a 'chronological' liar!" I guess he tells line in a straight line.... ;-) 2010/03/13
@byronbledsoe : thanks for how you take care of all of us - I'm proud of you & love you. 2010/03/13
Insult 2 Injury: When u go to the Dr. and find you weigh 7lbs more than u thought then Dr. says u shouldn't lose any more weight! As if!! 2010/03/11
Tristan & Isolde: "Take me to the river...[for] life is greater than death and love is above them all." 2010/03/05
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