Return to Paradise Day

Have you noticed how many people are starting to get fit these days? Others who are taking decisive action on their food choices? Still more who are educating themselves like mad on global initiatives that create wellbeing for the planet? I am amazed at what that looks in my world. Even the most resistant of us (and you know who you are :) are finding inspiration to improve these days. 

Yet...yet...

Did you know?

• In 1980, less than 50% of Americans were

overweight; today that number is more than

65% and growing

• 80% of preventable disease risk factors

are influenced by behaviors like smoking,

over-eating, poor diet and lack of exercise

• 1 in 5 American 4-year-olds is obese

• From 2005 to 2008, type 2 diabetes doubled

in American children

• By 2025, it is estimated that nearly half of all

Americans will have a chronic disease

Sources:

World Health Organization; fightchronisdisease.org;

CBSnews.com; dosomething.org

Yikes! How do you feel when you read that? I know responses will vary even if you didn't know the exact statistics.  

I know it's not really "news" to any of us either (just look around.) The doomsday familiarity of our current direction can actually cause yawns. It's as if it is all too much - too big - too complicated.  I don't like scare tactics and at the same time I won't condone keeping our heads in the sand.  That's just plain silly because we already have all the power we need to change this picture and create a healthy profile for ourselves and our children as we move forward into the future.

We shift individually and the world shifts with us.

So what's a person to do?

Here's a thought for today - just for today and see how it goes. Plan to set the bar just a little higher for yourself.    

Choose a day within the next 7 and designate it 

your "Return to Paradise" day!

  

Do and be all that you can do to return your own world to the highest state of health and happiness you possibly can.

Some simple suggestions to include or improve upon:

• Plan an organic home-cooked menu
• Add in some way to your daily exercise quotient.
• Wherever you go by car, park in the "lucky space" (the furthest space from the entrance) and walk.
• Take whatever stairs you can
• Participate with an online exercise video.
• Skip the extra coffee
• Take periodic breathing breaks - 3 minute intervals of deep breath and/or fire breath.
• Eat as a family - no distractions.
• Watch that documentary or read that periodical that educates you further.
• Share your strategy.
• Begin a new journal.
• Honor your Spirit.
• Get to bed early.

These are some rudimentary suggestions but you get my drift.  Step it up a notch for yourself and do it consciously.  Can you imagine what change we could create by doing this for ourselves just once - then just once a month - once a week? 

Start there. Start with us. Start with you. 

You are the world. 

namaste

The Power of Conscious Eating

So here's some good news on the home front... 


At three health centers in Massachusetts, doctors are handing out vouchers to their patients to subsidize their shopping at local farmers markets.  You can read the full article here.  Their purpose is to help combat obesity by offering affordable natural choices to readily available, high fat, cheap fast food.


How great is that? I'm a fan.


Once a month, my husband and I set up what I fondly call our "big red tent" to participate in our own local Farmers Market., and our time is coming 'round again tomorrow. 


I've come to love these Saturdays!  Everyone is open and friendly...it feels good to be close to farmers and growers, and to observe people who have a relationship with the food they sell...to see smiling faces, eye the abundance of the changing harvest and listen to the musicians that come to entertain the rest of us.  And the bread...yummmm...did I mention the bread??


Our purpose at the Market is to offer products and education on enjoying a healthy lifestyle, and to promote our Conscious Eating Program. which embraces the whys and wherefores of our relationship with nourishment and our power of choice.  We are a perfect fit for those choosing to support local farmers and organic growers.   


This is an abridged version of one of the short meditations from the program - one that you all can enjoy.  Just take a moment before you "dig in" and get centered on your own intentions for health. Think of it as grace before meals... 

You need not have a lot of time; 

merely the sensation that you have all the time you need.  

By slowing your breath, you slow down time.  This is a moment to savor and enjoy.

Slow your inhale, and enjoy this pause in your day.  Exhale, and let go of all the thoughts and stresses you brought to this moment…

enjoy the awareness that this meal is an oasis in the midst of your day.

As you slow your breath, you gentle your heart.

Accept this meal as a gift of nourishment, and be aware of the foods you choose.  See yourself savoring each and every bite…

May this day hold all the time and energy you need to be all that you can be.

Enjoy...enjoy!!

Namaste