The Road To Wellness

Nice to see you! Wishing you a healthy day!

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was an early influence for me. In fact, I attribute my taking one of the pivotal steps in my life to him. His positive writings helped earn a place as an international exchange student when I was in high school. It was the single most important event in my young years.

Peale taught people to be positive about their lives and find the power from within to bring about change. I must add that I read his books as a teenager unaware of any controversy surrounding his life. I had only his wise words to guide me and influence me to make good choices in my young life. His words about the influence of attitude on one’s world right true even today.

There are perhaps many things that you’re not particularly satisfied with in your life. You wish you made more money. You wish you had a better car, maybe one that wasn’t in the shop so often. Maybe you would like it better if you were thinner or had thicker hair. Your life would have been so much better had your parents made more money so you could have gone to a better college. All these thoughts border on areas that you can’t change. You can’t rewrite your past, as much as you wish it were otherwise. What you can change is your attitude.

Fretting about the past is wasted energy. With a finite time on this Earth, none of us can offer to squander precious time or energy on futile tasks, especially those with no return. We cannot rewrite history. We can only accept it.

Peale’s words ring true: let go of those negative thoughts and a whole new world opens up to you. You have renewed vigor to tackle what today gives you. You walk lighter without the burden of dead wood. You have a spring to your step. Your mind is free to consider today’s challenges. You are in a better place to take charge of your life.

Peale reminds us to take charge of our own lives. You have the power to change. You have the energy to move in the direction of your goals and dreams. You drive your life. Focusing your energy on the important over the petty is the best thing you can do for yourself today.

Photo by jaylopez

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Staying fixed on a goal can be hard work, sometimes harder than achieving the goal itself. Pulling yourself out of a slump or putting yourself back on the wagon can be daunting tasks. Sometimes the best way to move toward a goal is to move toward it–every day.

I recently made a change to my workout routine. I was trying for the 30-minute power workout. When work gets nuts, it can be hard to even capture that little of a time slot. Instead, I decided to work with my schedule. Rather than working out three times a week, I’m working out every day.

Each day, I will do a short, 15-minute routine, rotating upper body, lower body, and abs. Such a short time slot won’t break my routine. In fact, it adds to the routine. I get a little break after lunch, before I’ve opened up my computer again. I get it done, can tick it off my list, and feel more energized during the lazy afternoons.

Photo by +angst

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The weekly recipe is all about summer, featuring the flavors, the colors, and the produce of summer. Earthbound Farm has always been my choice for salad greens. Organically grown using environmentally-friendly methods, fresh and Earthbound Farm are one and the same. For a taste of summer, enjoy the Strawberry-Tarragon Salad with Aged Balsamic Vinegar.

This recipe has so much going for it–fresh greens, ripe strawberries, and big flavors. I have to admit to not being a fan of blue cheese. For me, goat cheese is a marvelous substitute. This recipe showcases a good balsamic vinegar. If you have a bottle that you’ve wanted a recipe to showcase its superior flavor, this is it. Make sure and toast the pecans for added flavor. Bon appetit!

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Hypertension remains a mystery. The so-called silent killer is just as mysterious in its symptoms as it is in its prevention. You may never experience symptoms of hypertension. Likewise, the simplest of lifestyle changes can cut your risk.

We all know that to be healthy means to maintain a healthy weight, with a healthy BMI or body mass index. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Your heart has to work so much harder if it has to fuel a larger mass. Cut down on the mass, cut down on the heart’s work.

WebMD gives some additional insight. Consider exercise in your lifestyle. Though amounts vary depending upon who you consult, the important thing to take away from this is that the heart is getting active exercise on a regular basis. Fortunately, your heart isn’t picky. Exercise can take many forms from a formal workout to a run to a vigorous mopping session. Just be active.

A couple of their recommendations surprised me. WebMD recommends use of non-narcotic pain relievers to less than once per week. I usually succeed at this–except for one week of the month. I always try to stick with a recommended dose. I’m surprised at how some of my friends have no qualms about popping three ibuprofen.

I started taking folic acid years ago for the health of my hair. I was equally surprised to learn that it is a benefit to my heart. There you go; bonus benefits.

The message to take away from these findings is that you are in control, to some degree, of your own health. Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle will add years to your life.

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Julia Child said it best: appealing meal start with fresh ingredients. It’s a good reminder for the summer. It’s a great time to add some flavor and color to your meals.

There are many good reasons to seek out fresh ingredients starting with good nutrition. Fresh fruits and vegetables are complete with all of the vitamins and nutrients that make them power foods. Consider the high nutritional value of a few. Avocados are a powerhouse among fruits. A great source of monounsaturated fats, studies show that avocados can lower cholesterol and protect against breast cancer. That makes for a delicious reason to whip up a bowl of guacamole. When you’re done with the avocado, clean off the seed and roll your foot over it for a soothing massage. You deserve it!

The kiwi, with its cute name, is another fruit providing a variety of health benefits from helping to lower blood sugar to fighting asthma. Kiwis are loaded with the good antioxidants and phytonutrients that are so beneficial. Its sweet taste makes for a wonderful smoothie, blended with some honeydew and vanilla yogurt.

Broccoli has a reputation all its own. This cruciferous vegetable and others in this group share potential cancer-fighting abilities. It is high in vitamins A, C, and E as well as calcium and folate. Besides its health benefits, broccoli is just plain good and quite versatile. From a yummy broccoli salad to a delicious cream of broccoli, broccoli has a lot to offer the health-conscious cook.

Health benefits aside, using fresh ingredients gives you control in the kitchen. You know what is going into the meal you prepare. This can be especially important if anyone in your family has food allergies or sensitivities. Perhaps the tastiest reason for using fresh ingredients though is their color. A well-prepared meal dressed in a pleasing variety of colors adds a splash of visual appeal to your cooking. What can be more inviting than a bowl of fresh fruits ready for snacking?

You don’t have to be a master chef to make good meals. Healthy, fresh ingredients that pack a powerful visual punch will make any meal special.

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