Category Archives: health

Nov12

Spinal Warm-Ups

Posted on by
Standard

Last month I was having loads of pain in my upper back, neck, and head.  I had a Group-on coupon for a spinal exam and massage at a chiropractor in Tacoma that I decided it was time to use.  I really just wanted the massage but the office insisted I do the full spinal exam (minus the x-ray of course).  At the end of the exam, the chiropractor told me I was all sorts of messed up and I was in serious need of chiropractic care.  Do I doubt that my back isn’t in great shape?  No.  Do I think that I might benefit from some holistic chiropractic, probably.  But I was not about to dish out thousands of dollars to this quick talker to “fix me”.

I did some research, talked to my PT friend, and in the end decided that I would commit to doing 10-20 minutes of yoga in the mornings and see if I noticed a difference. For the last few weeks I’ve been religious about doing at least a few minutes of yoga in the mornings.  This past week, I did about 20 minutes of yoga in the morning every day except Saturday.  Saturday was the only day I had shoulder, neck, and head pain.  The rest of the week I felt great!

Not only have I been feeling worlds better, it was free and in my own living room!  I didn’t waste time or money traveling to and from and I felt empowered to be healing my own body!  I’ve created a short (13 minute) video that combines a couple of the short practices I’ve been doing from myyogaonline.com.  I’ve modified a little due to my baby bump (23 weeks tomorrow).  The routine includes all 6 ranges of spinal movement and is a fabulous way to start your morning or wind down after a stressful day (or both)!  I end each practice with 5 minutes of relaxation (I set my alarm clock but use a different ring tone than my regular alarm so I don’t feel irritated when it goes off).  Sorry the lighting is poor and my voice might be a little scratchy.  I recorded this at 5:30 this morning–fresh out of bed.

Nov4

Meatless Mondays (or any day) on a Budget

Posted on by
Standard

My transition from vegetarian to vegan was pretty abrupt.  I’m sort of an all or nothing thinker and for me, to just go for it was the best option.  However, it did take me some time to adjust to this new way of eating and there was a little bit of easing.  I began shooting for “1oo% plant based days” but that first month did include a bit of cheese here and there when offered to me by others.

You don’t have to go “all the way” to reap the wonderful health benefits of a plant based diet.  Maybe you aren’t in a place where you are ready to dive head first into the world of no animal products.  That’s okay!  I know the first time Josh suggested to me that we become vegans I was told him absolutely not.  It took me a year and a whole lot of my own research to make that for myself.  The great news is, you can just take it a little bit at a time!

Meatless Mondays are a great way to start!  Choose one day (or even meal) per week and make it meatless or completely vegan!  Its only 1 day and it will encourage you to discover the wonderful world of plant based recipes!  For a 4 person household, having one meat-less day a week is equivalent to giving up driving for 3 months in terms of carbon foot-print!  If every American gave up meat and cheese one day a week, it would equivalent to taking 7.6 million cars off the road! Not to mention what it will do for your help!   This strategy might also make the transition easier for your partner and family.  Include them in it!  Help your kiddos understand why you are doing it–for health, environment, humaneness to animals.

With a baby on the way, Josh and I have been discussing our budget and I’ve been challenging myself to be a little more thrifty and conscious of my purchases.  With that, I’m doing my best to cut back on some of the “luxury” vegan food items I’ve found myself splurging on lately.  Eating a plant based diet can be done on a budget!  It just takes some planning!  Nomeatathlete talks about “A Grain, A Green, and a Bean”. It can be as simple or as fancy as you’d like.  Grains are relatively cheap and if you buy dried beans, and then splurge just a little on organic greens you’ll be making delicious, healthy meals for stinkin’ cheap!  You can spice it up however you like!  Sometimes we add some fancy store bought curry sauce from Trader Joes (check the ingredients for animal products) or just add a little soy sauce.  You can even just sprinkle some of your favorite spices on there and call it a day!

Grains we LOVE

  • Brown Rice
  • Quinoa
  • Barley
  • Burgler
  • Amaranth
  • Whole Wheat Pasta
  • Wild Rice

Greens we LOVE

  • kale
  • swiss chard
  • collard greens
  • spinach

Beans we LOVE

  • chick peas or hummus
  • black beans
  • kidney beans
  • white beans
  • lentils (any kind)
  • Organic, Non-GMO tofu
  • Tempeh (soy)
  • Field Roast (not a bean but delicious and high in protein)

We cook the grains and then add the beans and greens and whatever veggies we have around that we want to toss in.  We leave it on a low heat just long enough to warm it all up but not so long as to really cook the veggies–the fresher the better!  Add some sauce or spices to your desire and ENJOY!

Nov3

A Scary Story and a Rainbow of Hope.

Posted on by
Standard

Last Wednesday we celebrated Halloween.  I dressed up in a ridiculous pregnant cat costume (teets and all) and set out with our costumed friends to a couple of bars in our neighborhood. I’m not super into Halloween.  I don’t like scary things–zombies, vampires, blood, and the sort gross me out.  I also don’t like the the over consumption and glorification of candy–processed chunks filled with drugs like sugar and caisine (not to mention an assortment of unpronounceable chemicals).  Despite all the things I don’t like about Halloween, it was a lovely excuse to be silly with friends and enjoy their company and our interesting neighborhood.

A conversation I overheard while I was splurging on my vegan field roast melt (since I couldn’t indulge in a cocktail or glass of wine I thought I’d at least indulge in a sandwich), got me thinking about some of the food choices I’ve been making lately (in my pregnant state) and also about how other’s think about food, health, and diet.  After excusing myself at 9:30 to go home for some preggo sleepy-sleepy time, I pulled out my old friend The China Study and began picking through it.  After reading just a few pages, I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, but I also couldn’t fall asleep because I was so disturbed by what I’d read…Here is an excerpt:
Read the rest of this entry →

Oct23

Natural Cold Remedies

Posted on by
Standard

Today marks the half way point of my pregnancy!  Just 20 more weeks until  we get to meet our little man.  Unfortunately, this mama is under the weather.  Being pregnant is not exactly the most comfortable thing I’ve ever done so throwing a head cold and cough into the mix wasn’t exactly ideal but its very common. When your pregnant, your immune system runs at a lower speed (which is a good thing because it keeps your body from fighting off the foreigner taking up residency in your uterus) making pregnant women more susceptible to catching icky germs.

That I spend my days in places with a bazillion kids who haven’t quite mastered the art of covering their mouths, washing their hands, and blowing their noses, it’s not much of a surprise that I caught something.  I’m spending today in my Ho-Ho-Ho PJ’s and bath robe doing a whole lot of resting and trying to flush this virus out of my system so me and baby can feel like our healthy selves.
Read the rest of this entry →

Oct11

First Annual Sweet ‘P’ Turkey Trot

Posted on by
Standard

He lived it up–and so should you!

 Please join me at 9 AM Thanksgiving morning, for a trot around Point Defiance Park in celebration of Payton’s life!  For the past 2 years my family has participated in a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in Payton’s honor, as Thanksgiving falls right around his November 25 birthday. Payton lived so fully for 4.5 years and both his life and death remind us to continue living with joy,  love, and gratitude!

This is an unofficial event—meaning there will be no aid stations, no official numbers, no marshals telling you crazy turkeys which way to turn, and no race shirts/bags. I am told by park authorities that a number of the restrooms will be open…and for goodness sakes, we’ll be in the woods (ain’t no shame in squatting ladies). No swag at this trot but its FREE FREE FREE!

There will be several options for routes—the longest being the entirety of 5-mile drive and the others being portions of it.  I will post maps with the various “short” cuts that you are welcome to print and use as a guide. Please keep in mind that all the routes have some hills to climb.

Coffee (BRING YOUR OWN CUP!) will be provided afterwards and please do feel free to bring a special breakfast type goodie to share (bagels, muffins, fruit). Small donations will be accepted for the coffee bar.

Kids, Strollers, and dogs are welcome.  Just remember to bundle your little turkeys up!  Don’t want any cold feathers and sad faces at this trot!

Quick Facts:

When:  November 22, 2012 @ 9AM

Where:  Point Defiance Park—Start and finish at main picnic area (by playground)

Cost:  FREE!

Costumes:  Payton loved ORANGE.  Please do your best to rock the orange OR give us your best Thanksgiving costume (there may be a prize for best dressed).

Register: by commenting below, emailing me at peaceloverun84@gmail.com, or shooting me a message on Facebook.  Please let me know if you plan on coming, how many people you will be bringing, your e-mail, and if you plan to bring a treat to share.

Directions:   Click Here!

Looking forward to celebrating with all of you!

Oct7

Autumn Runs and Freedom from “Dieting”

Posted on by
Standard

How the heck did it get to be October already?  So far, we have been granted the most glorious Washington October I can recall.  The mornings have been crisp and chilly, with glorious sunshine that slowly warms up as the day rolls on.  By afternoon, it’s in the low 70′s and then the evening brings the chill again which is great for a warm dinner and snugly blankets (and early bedtimes).

I skipped out on the toddler music class and stroller fitness both days this week because I just could not stand to let these beautiful fall mornings slip away without enjoying them. So, I loaded the girls in the stroller and hit the road at Point Defiance Park each morning, allowing the girls a peaceful snooze in the old growth forests as I worked my way around 5 mile drive.  Speaking of which, I seem to be adding a few minutes to my time each week.   All of us are getting bigger–Jen’s girls, me, and the sweet potato in my belly.  I’m learning to let go and be okay with slow.
Read the rest of this entry →

Aug22

How Pregnancy has changed me (thus far)

Posted on by
Standard

Whose belly is that??????

My body was telling me I was pregnant moments after conception–well, maybe not moments but within days I was feeling a little morning nausea on my runs.  That I might be pregnant crossed my mind but I tried to not obsess over it and dismiss the nausea as a little bug…

When my menstruation date came and went I took a pregnancy test that read negative.  I waited a few more days and Auntie Flow still had no arrived so I took another test.  It was positive–as were the next 3.  Over the next few weeks I felt my body changing from the inside out.  Of course there was the nausea and the extreme exhaustion…and then my bra started to feel a little snug, the thought of eating spinach salad (a staple in our house) made me gag, then my pants started feeling uncomfortable, and I was craving childhood foods like my mom’s Mexican Pie and Nachos (neither or which are vegan).
Read the rest of this entry →

Jul24

Minestrone Soup

Posted on by
Standard

Minestrone Soup, homemade bread, olive oil and balsamic (aged to perfection thanks to my Auntie Kelly). Try not to get warm fuzzy feelings when you eat this meal.

I was dying for some minestrone soup the other day. I love having a big pot of soup on hand to dunk into throughout the week!  I typically add a little broth each time I reheat a bowl as the liquids tend to get soaked up into the veggies and pasta.  This is a great one for winter (or a cool Washington summer).  Whip up a batch of bread, pour yourself some olive oil and balsamic and you’ve got yourself a delicious Italian meal.

As a splurge, I added some veggie Italian sausage to my bowl last night–oh my word, was it delicious or what.

Recipe Inspired By cleangreensimple.com
Read the rest of this entry →

Jun21

Yoga in the Park…

Posted on by
Standard

Coming to you this summer!

What:  Free outdoor yoga in various parks in Tacoma and Puyallup

Why: Because northwest summers are the best and Yoga feels so dang good!  And because my yoga certification program requires that I teach a minimum of 8 hours of free yoga.

Who:  Come one, come all. No prior experience necessary.

Where: Point Defiance Park, Wright Park, Bradley Lake (Puyallup), and a special day in Ocean Shores.

When:  Beginning mid-July and running through the end of August (See schedule for details).  All yoga sessions are approximately 60 minutes.

Other Important Info:

We will also being group runs before some of the yoga sessions. Anyone is welcome to join, stay tuned for more details

I’ll designate a meeting spot in the park the week of the class

Please bring your own yoga mat, blanket or towel to use a a prop, and a plastic garbage bag to place under your mat if you are worried about it getting dirty/wet

In case of inclement weather, I will post a back up plan on cafemj the day of or worst case, reschedule!

Let’s get our yoga on! Yeah!

Schedule:

Date: Place: Time:
Friday July 13 Ocean Shores–Beach House or Jetty Beach if weather allows 4 PM
Thursday July 19  Wright Park 4:30 PM
Sunday July 22  Point Defiance Park 9 AM
Sunday July 29

Saturday July 28

 

 Point Defiance Park 9 AM
Thursday  August 2  Wright Park 4:30 PM
Sunday August 5  Bradley Lake (Puyallup) 9 AM
Thursday August 9  Wright Park 4:30 PM 

10 AM
Sunday August 19  Point Defiance Park 9 AM
Thursday August 23  Wright Park 4:30 PM

Please RSVP to peaceloverun84@gmail.com or 253-370-3431…if you forget and want to come, come!