Beauty at all Ages

Last weekend I spent time with two of my nieces.  One is almost three months old and the other just turned five. Watching children learn and grow can be fascinating. It just so happened that I got to watch as both explored their own beauty.  That sounds weird, but I can't think of another way to say it.  Let me explain.

First, Natalie (almost three months) and I were playing on the floor. We enjoyed some tummy time, but when she got tired of holding her head up, I rolled her over to her back.  It just so happened that she was lined up so that she could see herself easily in the mirror.  She was captivated by herself.  She would not take her eyes off of that mirror.  Now maybe I'm taking what is a simple developmental stage and extrapolating too much from it, but I loved that she loved herself so much.  She was not looking in that mirror wishing she had straighter hair or smaller nose. She was looking and loving what she saw.

Julia (age 5) and I went to the park later.  She and her brother darted off when we got there, clambering over all of the playground equipment. I sat on a bench and watched their fun from afar.  The park was full of children, and these kids don't have trouble making friends.  However, after we'd been there for awhile, Julia came walking over to me. I could tell something was wrong, her shoulders were slumped forward and her lip was sticking out.  I said "What's wrong?"  She said, "That girl over there told me I was ugly."

My first thought was, "What is wrong with that six year old that she would tell some girl she had just met that she is ugly?" (Especially when Julia is just as cute as a button.)

Of course I tried to comfort Julia and make her feel better, but her whole demeanor was already altered.  She sat next to me sadly for about 10 minutes (which is a really long time for a kid to sit still at a park).  She eventually went back to playing, but she didn't forget what that girl said to her.  When we got home, the first thing she told her mom was what the girl had said to her.

I've been thinking about both of these instances ever since. It's made me wonder a couple of things. First, when do we lose that uncomplicated appreciation of our amazing bodies that Natalie showed me by being transfixed by the mirror? Again, maybe I'm trying to pull too much out of it, but I think it's a reminder we all need -- to love ourselves as we are. We are wonderfully made.

Julia's experience made me start thinking about how people can be so mean to each other.  There was no reason for that girl to be so blatantly rude. Maybe as adults, we're not quite as blunt, but we can still be pretty vicious. And on the flip side of that, why do we let other people's hurtful words affect us so much?

Is this too serious a post?  I'd like your thoughts, if you have any, on the topic.  In the meantime, here's my two beautiful nieces.

Taken with my phone, so sorry for the quality.

Product Review: Skinny Cow

I thought I could share with you, from time to time, my thoughts on a light or healthy product on the market.   Today's feature is Skinny Cow.

Skinny Cow has a full lineup of healthier ice cream treats.  Some are bars, like the one I've tried this week, and some are cones, ice cream sandwiches or ice cream. I've seen them in the freezer section for a long time, but I've avoided them because "diet" ice cream is usually no fun.  Also, they are a little expensive.

A few weeks ago, I brought home my first box. I was pleasantly surprised at how good these bars, which were only 100 calorie, 2.5 grams of fat bar, were.  They are so creamy and chocolately and deliciously good. They are just chocolate ice cream drizzled with  fudge, but, man, it hits the spot. Also, They're big enough that you don't (usually) feel like you immediately need to go grab another one.  In short, they a great way to satisfy an ice cream craving. I highly recommend!

The Domino Effect

People tell me, from time to time, that I am an inspiration.  Sometimes it is said idly, sometimes it is said because the person speaking has been empowered to change because of something they read on this blog.  Either way it is a great honor for me. I never set out to be an inspiration, but I am glad if you feel that way.

But today I want you to know that I'm not the only one who can be an inspiration.  Each of us has the power to inspire, encourage and impact those around us. People are always watching, seeing the example you set as you lead your life.  Most of the time you never know how your actions have affected another.  I'm lucky enough that because I'm pretty open and honest on the blog, people feel open enough to tell me things like this directly.

My friend Nancy sent me an email a few months ago to tell me about the domino effect.  She said that the changes she has seen me make has helped her get into the gym after her doctor recommended it.  But the cool part of this email was that her sister looked at the changes Nancy had made to be healthier and was inspired to start walking again to try and lose some extra weight.

I haven't asked Nancy lately how her sister is doing with that, but can you imagine how the chain could just keep going and going?  That's what the domino effect is all about.  And it doesn't just apply to weight loss and healthy eating. Maybe if we each try to be more loving and less self-focused, that will inspire others around us to adopt similar attitudes.  And that chain could just keep going and going.

The domino effect is what's inspiring me lately.  How can you affect those around you?

PS The first Lost and Not Found Walking Club was a lot of fun.  If you live local, I hope to see you out there next week! Same time, same place!

CSA

Exciting news! I've joined a CSA Farm for the early summer.  What's a CSA Farm, you say?  A Community Supported Agriculture Farm.  It's a great way to get locally-grown fresh vegetables, which are good for you, and at the same time support your local farmer.

I became a member this week, and paid money up front to get 12 weeks of seasonal fruits and vegetables delivered to me.  Each week, the CSA will drop off a box for me and other members at my work (there are numerous drop off locations all over the state. I'm just lucky one of them happens to be where I work). This helps them because they have guaranteed sales for the produce they grow.

I won't know what I'm getting with each delivery until I go to pick up the box.  This makes it even more exciting. (The website says "It's like Christmas!")  Some of you have noted that I don't seem to have experience with a lot of fruits and vegetables, so each week I'll have the opportunity to try new items.

Locally-grown seems to be a big buzzword these days.  It's better for the environment, because they don't have to transport the food around the world just so you can eat it. It's also better for the local economy.  While both of these things are great, they're not exactly why I decided to do it.  Mainly, I just wanted access to a great variety of fresh produce.

Check out the Gruber Farm Website, if you'd like more information.

Have any of you ever been part of a CSA?  Do you believe locally grown produce is important?

Annoucing: the Walking Club

Hello!  I think we, the Lost and Not Found Blog Family, should start a walking club.  Here's why:

1) Getting out to exercise is not always easy, but it's a lot easier if you're doing it with others.

2) We (as a society) often gather to be social over a meal.  Being social while walking keeps us from consuming calories, while also helping us burn calories. Bonus!

3) It's spring, which is really the most beautiful season and the most amenable to outdoor exercise. Plus, the days are longer, which gives us more time to enjoy the outdoors.

4) If you live in Rock Hill, we have the Riverwalk, a most beautiful, paved trail that runs along the wild Catawba River.  It's also not far from those of you in Fort Mill and Charlotte, as it's right on the northern edge of Rock Hill.

So, here's the plan, as I see it (although feel free to share any thoughts or modifications you'd suggest in the comments section below).  I plan to be in the parking lot of the Riverwalk each Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.  I'll wait a few minutes and see who shows up.  You can come every week or you can come whenever you feel like it.  No need to RSVP.  If no one shows up, I'll just take a stroll by myself and enjoy the scenery.  

Here's a map, if you need it.

Let me know if you have any thoughts/comments/suggestions!  I hope those of you in the Charlotte area are as excited about this as I am!

Prepped: Mentally and Physically

Another week begins tomorrow and for me, it is another chance to reboot a diet.  I've been eating horribly and eating sporadically for the past two weeks.  I just haven't been in the right mental state to try lately.  I can't exactly put my finger on what's been holding me back. But today I feel like I'm tired of pussy-footing (please excuse my language) around, and I'm ready to get back in the game.  That's a big deal, because the mental space is where this battle is waged.

A couple of things I'm doing differently:
1) I'm moving my weigh day to Mondays for a couple of reasons. First, because I always end up rebooting on Mondays, and therefore having to weigh to get a good starting point. Second, because weighing on Friday gives me permission to be more lax over the weekend with my eating, since I'll have more time to make it up.
Last Monday I weighed and found that I had gained a bit.  Then I had fourteen pounds to lose before making it to 100 lost.  This Monday, I know it will be more, in fact, quite a bit more, I'm sure.

2) I'm going to try sandwiches for lunch instead of leftovers.  I used to eat sandwiches for lunch a long time ago, and they got boring fast.  However,  I haven't eaten sandwiches consistently in quite a long time and I've been craving them lately. I bought some good stuff to make exciting and low-cal sandwiches, so I think they will hold my interest.  This also means I only have to make one meal today.


So, even though it's early on Sunday, I know I'll be ready by the time tomorrow rolls around. I'm trying a new experiment with roasted vegetables today and making chicken kebobs on the grill to eat for dinner this week.  I'm excited about both! I'm also excited to get back into a regular workout routine. I really have missed it.

Are you ready for your week to begin?

Back on the Sauce

Friends, I think it is time that I admit to myself and to you that I am back on the sauce.  And by sauce, I mean Diet Pepsi.

If you've been reading the blog, you know that I decided to give up Diet Pepsi in February.  At the time, I thought it would help me kick the last few pounds, crave sweets less, avoid a lecture from the dental hygientist and become, in general, a healthier person.

I gave it up and didn't touch a drop of the stuff for four and a half weeks.  I don't exactly remember what made me decide to try it again, but I was secretly hoping that when I tasted it again, I would find it gross.  Many people told me that is what happened to them when they tasted it again after giving it up.  But, no, it was just as tantalizingly tasty and ravishingly refreshing as it has always been.  Maybe even more so because I had gone without it for so long.

When I first went back to my first love, I only had it occasionally.  I had a pretty easy detox, when I gave it up, and I didn't want to get addicted again.  I don't like the idea of being addicted to something.  These occasional meetings with Diet Pepsi went on for a few weeks, until this week. This week I lived and breathed Diet Pepsi for three days. It was partly because I was travelling, partly because I was tired and needed the boost and partly because I got some free ones.

Now, while I still don't want to be addicted to caffeeine, I've decided it is a-ok for me to drink Diet Pepsi in moderation.  It makes me feel less deprived, and giving it up did not help me kick the last few pounds, crave sweets less, avoid a lecture from the dental hygientist or become a healthier person. In fact I've been rather unhealthier in my eating since I gave it up.

Anyway, I'm glad I got that off my chest.  Now I don't have to sneak out behind the bleachers to sneak in meetings with Diet Pepsi.