Surprise – and then there were two!
by stacia on July 28, 2010
in meditation, silence
Mother Nature's Creativity
Nick asked me to shoot a few videos of him for the upcoming USANA convention and another one of our sites. While I was waiting for him to get ready, I wandered over to our Butterfly bush and tried to capture Mother Nature’s artwork. I love having this right outside my office window. When the bush is about 6 feet high, the butterflies go crazy with it.
I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, sometimes I just happen to get a great picture.
I’m shooting away, trying to capture a good shot of the butterfly there to the left, and Nick motions for me to follow him around the side of the house. I follow, wondering why on earth we’re heading to the back yard.
Behind our shed? Well, the guys had been throwing the clippings back there every fall when they cut the bush down. Now? HUGE butterfly bush and so many colorful butterflies flitting about. Who knew?
What a beautiful surprise! We’d thought we lost the one out front due to the snow storms, but now I have TWO! Lesson, be open to your surroundings and unexpected surprises.
PS – If you’re a writer and missing the Romance Writer’s of America Conference in Orlando, then head over to Savvy Authors! There’s a summer symposium and I’m running the Muse Workshop from now thru Sunday.
Back to the Gym & Loving It
by stacia on May 17, 2010
in Goals, broken bones, change, fitness, marital arts
When I'm focused and sculpting
I’ve been lazy this winter/spring. I seem to let everything else get in the way of getting a workout in (although, my husband would probably disagree….as were at the gym a lot, I just feel like I’ve been slacking).
Work. Play. Meetings. Sleep.
I keep wondering where my previous dedication went? Where is the woman who worked hard and worked out harder? She was up training 2 hours every Saturday BEFORE class to work on her martial arts skills. She powered though painful workouts when her shoulder was screaming at her. (Remember, recovered motorcycle accident victim…all my own doing.)
I think I’ve figured it out. It’s a down cycle.
For all the years of focus, determination, and dedication, my body and brain demanded a rest. A respite. Regardless of the fact that I didn’t really want one. (So for the friends who tell me I need to relax and take a break….this is for you, you know who you are 
) And for the record, I never used to like working out. Oh, as a kid I roller skated, rode my bike, but never was into sports or anything like that. Solo sports are more my speed. I like to challenge myself. Apparently, as an adult, I’ve learned the benefits of working out and I like the results.
And then, sometimes, the subconscious will kick your butt without you realizing it. Your body and brain demand a break.
But, now, it’s time for the break to be over. It’s gone on long enough to actually annoy me. That’s saying a lot.
I need a new goal. Something I’m passionate about. Originally, it was to prove to myself that I could heal and become whole again. Thus, the learning to love the gym and sculpting my body (yes, that’s ME in the picture – whole and healthy and happily adding weight back after dropping way too low – god bless good food and a tan). Next up, black belt…worked 2 years on that one, and finally achieved it, most of it on my own with Sensei’s help. But, the gym and lifting fell to the side.
Now, I need to figure out how to blend it…and determine a new goal. Somehow, after working towards my black belt…I lost sight of the next step. Where am I going now?
How do I find this new goal?
- Read everything health & fitness related I can.
- Talk to business partners, industry experts, etc. to figure out where the challenge is.
- Meditate – look inward to see what it is I want to accomplish next.
Of course, I’m always open to recommendations. What about you? What goals are you setting? Physical, mental or emotional?
PS – I’m slightly tempted to go back to competing, just to get myself refocused…we’ll see. I’m sure I’ll post up the next step. 
Do share yours!
Good for You Breakfast – Losing Weight the Easy Way
Post written by Stacia D. Kelly, PhD. Follow her on Twitter.
Organic & Raw - The Best
I keep forgetting to post up the raw food/vegan meals I’ve been trying out lately. And, for the record, I tried to eat a hamburger on Mother’s Day, didn’t happen. My tastebuds and body said, nope.
Some of the benefits changing my eating habits that I’ve noticed:
- Lighter feeling – less weighted down – yet I haven’t stepped on the scale to see how the numbers are doing.
- More energy – while I fell asleep with the 6 year old last night, I’m noticing a definite increase in energy levels and the ability to push through any short lived lulls
- Brighter – I’m always multi-tasking, but I’ve been feeling a little bit sharper and able to switch gears if and when I need to.
I never realized how much processed foods weigh us down (pun intended) in body and mind, which eventually brings our spirit down too. To that end, this morning’s breakfast smoothie recipe.
- 2 Granny Smith Apples (juiced)
- 1 piece of ginger root (peeled & juiced)
- 1 large navel orange (peeled & juiced)
Blend together with ice & 1/c container low fat Greek Yogurt (I used the Fage brand) for protein.
It should fill up a 32oz blender bottle. Pack up and go!
While I know we hear conflicting things on drinking your fruits and veggies vs eating them…I find drinking them works best for me. My body absorbs the nutrients faster. And, if I want it to be more filling with a healthy fat? Add a 1/4 avocado to the blending mix. Avocados thicken it right up and help to fill you up. I just tend to use the avocado with my veggie drink rather than my morning fruit one. If you’re worried about the damage the fruit sugars are doing to your teeth, brush them right after finishing your drink.
PS – With the juicing I get the added benefit of having some great compost to drop in the garden. The upcoming fruits and veggies are thriving on the added nutrients!
