a favorite artist releases his debut album,

please go here to check it out. My favorite song is "Now is the Time". You can hear it on his myspace page by clicking here.
In this piece, Ian France uses a sound recording taken from a Martin Luther King speech and pairs it with his own electronica composition resulting in what seems to me a reflection of what is going on in the world around us today. The rest of the music is pretty cool too.

I am totally blown away.

I just read my dear soul sister-in-laws post for today and I must say she totally blew me away. One word in particular that comes to mind is courage. This woman, my sister-in-law, has guts, from the photo she posted of herself, (Man I know how that feels, I had so many of those same photos, though I have to admit to having burned mine) to the weight loss ticker she plans on putting on her blog. Another word is willingness. It is clear by her courageous actions that Lisa is willing. How cool is that? I know for myself, at times I may want to lose weight, but unless I am truly willing, I won't be successful.
I will be watching Lisa closely because I know as always, she will be an inspiration.
Lisa wrote about how she doesn't see herself in the picture she posted. I am sure every person who needs to lose weight feels the same. I believe the truth is because that really isn't who she is. I know I am buried somewhere deep down under my extra weight and finding my way out from there is like a scary liberation of sorts, so far outside my usual comfort zone.
Anyone reading this blog knows a little bit about my own weight loss journey. I started Weight Watchers last November 10th and since then I have lost 12.6 pounds. Personally I know I need a program to help me. Otherwise I feel like it is just too easy for me to lapse into my usual amnesiac denial. Everyday is filled with food choices and most days it is just too easy to eat whatever is in front of me instead of making a plan and sticking to it. I can think of many reasons why it's hard to lose weight. Like, eating super healthy foods requires a certain diligence. The food has to be purchased and prepared which takes time and effort. Time I would rather spend doing other things, and then it's like, oops, it's way past lunch & I am sooo hungry ! and then the cravings kick in. Or it could be forgetting breakfast which really sets my day up for fatigue and hunger, leaving me snacking hundreds of extra calories the whole time I am preparing dinner.

Weight Watchers is helping me change my behaviour. It's helping me stay focused on my goal by giving me tools to avoid the pitfalls of having to eat everyday. WW is also helping me to recognize the fact that losing weight is something I am willing to do and that yes, there are specific ways to accomplish this. It has taken me so long to lose what I have lost but I am sure if I didn't stick with some sort of program I would most likely have gained weight instead of losing or maintaining. I also feel like this is for good. Once I am done losing I will be one of those lifetime members at WW that learns how to throw away her scale and miraculously not gain weight.

Benefits I have gained since my 12 pound weight loss:

• I'm just inside the healthy BMI (body mass index) range

• My blood pressure is normal

• My cholesterol is normal
  

• I'm sleeping better

• I have more energy

• I can run faster

• I fit into a size 12

• I actually look forward to shopping for clothes

• I no longer avoid looking in the mirror as I get dressed.

• I actually have clothes in my closet that are comfortable and that I like.

The really great thing is that I haven't even lost all of my weight yet. I guess that is a positive way to look at it being that I have a ways to go. Until then I must say it is hard to stay motivated. Sometimes it's a daily struggle, other times it's easy. Overall since I have been in WW it is definitely easier.
A list of things I think or do to keep me motivated:

• I attend my meeting every week. I've learned that no matter what the outcome is, this always makes me feel better.
• Exercise everyday. This way if I absolutely can't one day, I'll have only skipped a day. Even if it is an unusual 3 or 4 days-things happen after all, setting a goal makes me get back to it.
  
• I keep a food journal. Even half a day is better than not at all. This always gives me some clarity, especially with portion control.
• When I start to think about eating something, I ask myself why? Am I hungry, tired, angry? What is the reason I am thinking of food? This has been big for me, probably the hardest. For me it is still a habit in the making.
  
• Instead of thinking about what I can't eat, I like to focus on things I can eat that I really enjoy. This makes me feel empowered.
  
• I started running. By far this has been the best kept secret mood enhancer I have ever experienced. Not more than 5 minutes into a run I can go from slogging through my day to conquering whatever lies before me with absolute confidence.

So, thank you my dear soul sister, once again you have inspired me. Please know I will be cheering you on, much like you have cheered me on and I will be praying for you as I watch you succeed.

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."-Shakespeare

Saturday morning I found out I lost 2.4 pounds. So I didn't lose the three I thought I had at the beginning of the week. Actually I did lose it last Monday, I just found some of it back. Three would have been nice, but I am grateful I lost 2.4.

In less than two weeks I have to see the DR & I would love to be 4 more pounds lighter when I see her. I am going to have to up the ante a bit I think.

Last week I committed to exercising everyday, juicing & joining the gym. I actually didn't exercise until Wednesday which only left me three days of that week to exercise. So Wednesday & Thursday I ran 3.2 miles & Friday I walked for 50 minutes. I never juiced, but I do have the organic celery, carrots, parsley and apples waiting in the fridge. I also didn't join the gym. I know I can juice and exercise today. I also may be able to check out the gym. I guess it is always good to set goals because inevitably I will wind up doing something and something is always better than nothing. I have to focus on my progress. It's OK to be honest with myself seeing what I didn't do, but I can't let that cloud my thinking. I don't seem to get very far thinking like the perfectionist I once was.

I like to volunteer to bring either the fruit salad or the green salad whenever I am invited to a food gathering. This way I get to use as many organic ingredients that I can. Consuming organic ingredients is a small step all of us can take to insure better health for ourselves as well as the planet. Besides, those organic strawberries here in this salad tasted far superior than any I have tasted this season by far! Go here if you would like to know more about the consequences of pesticide use. I can't imagine how boring life would be without birds in my yard.

We do not use any toxic substances on our property. We can't control other people's actions, but we can start with ourselves and in doing so I believe each of us can make a difference to help ourselves and our beloved planet.

I like to think my family and I are providing a sanctuary for all of the animals that come to visit here or make it their home. Sometimes when I am outside in my garden I feel like I'm in a jungle as I listen to nature's music. I also welcome the busy flying back and forth of the birds across the lawn from one tree to the next. I find my garden a complete respite for my mind.

losing weight 3 weeks in a row!!!

Dare I say I think I am getting my mojo back? Certain people I live with may think I am jinxing myself. I have to be optimistic though because losing weight is a huge challenge! So I am celebrating. When I got on the scale I thought for sure it would be another .6 or .4 loss so when the person that was weighing me said," down 1.2 "-to say I was ecstatic is putting it mildly. An added bonus was I impressed my husband & he's not an easy person to impress. I've noticed people who grow up with more than 2 other siblings tend to be like that and my husband has seven.
The topic of today's meeting was exercise. My poor WW leader, she is so great- very inspiring but people just weren't responding like usual this morning. Maybe because it was 7AM on a Saturday morning. We had a few laughs though. She is very funny.

On a sad note a woman talked about her week & said her husband had just had a heart attack & is in the hospital. I have to bring this up because he really is lucky to be alive. Maybe by sharing this story someone reading this may realize they should get to the DR too. The man had been sweating & feeling like his heart was coming out of his chest. He laid down for a while & started feeling better. A few hours later the same thing happened again. Then he went to work. His boss told him to go home & called his wife telling her she better take him to the hospital. The wife said if he didn't get in the car she would be calling an ambulance. Please say a prayer for him and his family. This story makes me think about how difficult it can be to take care of ourselves-like exercising.
looking at the fallen petals of the Star Magnolia tree lying on the ground made me think of the weight I envision falling off of me. I think I have to love all of me- like I love these petals- before I can let go of the weight. Then I feel it may just fall away.



I like exercise so it's not hard for me to do it but I know that is not the case for most people. My leader said we should never say we hate exercising even if we do because then we are programing ourselves to fail. If we talk about loving food so much & hating exercise she asked us what we thought our fate might be? I love both so maybe I'll just be happy.

"You have to make sure that you're doing more things in life that make you happy-because when you're happy you are less likely to overeat."-Eileen, my weight watchers leader

Sunny blue sky Sunday

What is it with boys & their climbing trees?

I love this trail because there are so many different parts to it that are interesting to look at.

Boys seem to like carrying sticks too.

I like moss in general but I especially love the way God put this moss in with these pretty white rocks. I recreated this nature scene in my garden at home.

These roots cutting across this path seem like steps made by mother nature to accommodate us humanoids.

A row of trees along this ridge serve as a canopy au naturale.

Every time I get to this part I feel like this is where the fairies live. These small trees are low & twisted to the ground. They are on either side of the trail almost like a fence type barrier- where the elves live too...

Peaceful, isn't it?

Part of the old farm.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.-Anne Frank

Like George W. would say, go to the Google...

Google is doing a wonderful thing today-go check out "the google" now or you may miss out on being a part of it!
When I come across someone taking a positive action I find it both hopeful and inspiring. Perhaps you will too-go check it out http://www.google.com/ -now!
If you missed this on Saturday, google earth hour & you will find out what happened.