Hello. :)

Well, it is fall. Hello fall. :)

And hello followers :) I hope you're doing well. I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a break from this blog for a little bit and focusing on my other blog. I imagine that I will post on this blog on the first of each month asking questions, offering reflections and the such. :)

Dear Summer...

I got myself a monthly contributor gig for a great local website.

I wrote a letter to Summer...

What would you write to summer?

Challenge: Reading Aloud

Yesterday, Sunday, August 29 WHOLE LIFE ACTION PLAN (why the all caps, I don't know) sent out an email about a challenge.

I thought about it...seriously when was the last time you read aloud? I read scripture at church (when I'm assigned). I read something to myself when I'm at my desk and something doesn't make sense.

K and I tried reading a book together aloud, but our different sleeping schedules made it difficult. I also like to just finish books.

But this week i'd like to read aloud at least once with a friend, myself and/or K. I think reading aloud is helpful to slow me down...it makes reading much more of a practice than an afterthought.

So.
Will you read aloud this week? If so, tell me how it goes!

Paging Dr. Google. Paging Dr. Google.

From my writing circle...


We are quick to fix ourselves with google searches and suggestions from friends. Somewhere along the line, somewhere in our time, somewhere in our existence, we were taught to look for answers outside from ourselves.

For headaches, take aleve.
For bug bites, find some ointment.
For a broken heart, find some ice cream.
For a shitty day, grab a drink.
For a stubbed toe, take a tylenol.
For a rough morning get that coffee.

For a lonely night, get that booty call.

Way back before super modern medicine. Way back before google. Way back before our medicine cabinet.

Our hearts knew.
Our souls knew.
Our minds knew.

So the question is, did you try any natural remedies?

When was the last time we looked into ourselves to see what our body, yes, our body is telling us.

Listen to your heart beat. Hold your hand to your heart. I like to think that you are feeling the essence of God - everything that is beyond your control.

You.
Cannot.
Make.
Your.
Heart.
Beat.

Yet, every day. every hour. every minute. every second. your heart beats.

Wait for it, what is it telling you today?

Prescribe yourself a true and full dose of yourself.

Drink it in. Gulp it in.

Feel every single part of yourself.

Our souls bring us back to ourselves if we only listen.

Sacred Spaces (for whole health)

I know that I am not the best at nurturing my soul. I talk myself out of quiet times...I've actually started to write in my journal a bit more regularly these days...but I need to invest in my soul more.

What do you do to provide sacred spaces in your life? Is it a physical space like a prayer room? Is it having time by yourself in the morning/evening? How do you nurture your soul?

Here's a good blog on sacred physical spaces. David Bayne has provided the WMF prayer rooms every three years at our staff retreat. Check out the pictures and if you have any questions about what methods, practices he does, comment. He's a great resource.

what was your favorite summer purchase?

Farmer's Market find?
A new hair product? (Me - Kinky Curly hair product!)
A bike (Thanks Marcia! She donated a bike to me!)

A new countdown/celebration

Check it out on Facebook!

On September 1 you will have three weeks until the end of summer. We've all heard that it takes three weeks to make/break a habit. What about making a habit for your health? Pick 21 things you want to do (yep, similar to the 31 day challenge). You can pick more or less...but pick something for your health!

And if you want an extra challenge and you know you aren't getting the vegetables and fruits in your meals...consider joining me in the summer shakeology shakedown...All you have to do is have Shakeology as one of your meals for 21 days and tell us how you feel. Don't have Shakeology? You have time to get some, get to teambeachbody.com/jarabeara!

alone but not lonely

A new week...

It's a new week and it's quite hot in Omaha...I mean there's an excessive heat advisory...but it's a new week and rain, shine, heat, rain...it's a new week.

I'm watching a story on the Food Bank in Omaha. They're working with one of the local Farmer's Markets.

Every person they are talking with all have the same thought...they want to share with others. It's a refreshing piece on the news. Usually the news is depressing here. The local food bank is welcoming donations of non-perishables and fresh produce from your gardens.

We're all in this together...what way will you encourage your neighbor this week?

July? Where did you go?

It is already August.

July decided to jump ship on Spring apparently. I feel like July got sick of the summer heat and passed it onto August.

And it is August.

What summer moments are you savoring these days?
Me? Coming home and seeing the transformation of our garden.

Me, meet me. You, meet you.

Our Lives don't change with ridicule and mocking...I think lives change, even our own, when we get into a true relationship with ourselves....mind, body and soul. Let's get to know ourselves this week...

If you're interested...keep track of ways that you're learning about yourself this week...blog, tweet, facebook, email about it. Can't wait to meet you. :)

I wrote this in a post here.

Me...I'm learning that if I let myself cry...about everything...I feel better.

i'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

I've spent the last 2 + weeks out of my routine and out of Omaha.

K and I hosted one of my college besties for a few days before Word Made Flesh's 10 day staff gathering aka retreat aka conference aka fun. It was great, but it was really difficult to stay in touch with my body. The whole retreat had lots of parts of rest and relaxation, but I felt like I was hovering over them...I felt the need to go go go...and so, my workouts were different...I slept a lot...I ended up swimming some :) I ran a few times...taught Turbo once...and napped...and didn't eat exactly great.

I shared on my other blog about my last doctor's visit...her thoughts and PCOS. I have to have a major overhaul on my eating...I'm a pretty good eater on most days when I'm feeling good and have energy...but on those other days, you wouldn't recognize me.

So, I'm easing into a new way of eating...thanks to Kenley and friends. Kenley is going to try my way of eating for a week :) And he's going to start P90X with me...and whoever else wants to start it around the globe!

Anyway, I already feel like myself being in our house without an agenda...thank goodness. I was tired of looking at a schedule...

OH And we went to Nashville to celebrate one of our goddaughter's birthdays. It was such a treasure. I'm sure i'll write about that more :)

soundtracks

I've always loved listening to music. I have vivid memories of listening to music from a very young age. Our family vacations had a mixture of NPR, a little bit of country and that contemporary jazz my dad liked.

I'm not sure what made me want to be in the band...but I have a feeling it was my family's love for music. I felt safe in music. I loved how music allowed me to enter into other parts of the world, other parts of my mind...so in elementary school I picked up the flute, played for a few years...went to midstate and loved the flute. I tried my hand in composing...learned that I'm not one for composing. I was in honors choirs...I sang in college, participated in musicals...and always loved listening to music.

So. today, I ask you, what are the pieces of music that are the soundtrack of your lives right now?

I listen to so much exercise music for classes...that a lot of times I get out of touch of some of the music that speaks to my soul.

I have to tell you about of my dear friends, Aaron Strumpel. I can call him a dear friend because i've been joking around with him for the past four days at our retreat. He just released another album...I don't push music a ton. I link to some Itunes purchases...but today is a new day. It's past midnight and I'm in love with his newest album Vespers:1&2.

It is just $5 and it's beautiful music and it supports an amazing artist. Like us at WMF, Aaron raises his salary...and it's through the support of his art that he's able to continue to serving God through music. This is the soundtrack of beautiful summer nights, slow mornings and those I need to journal this part of my life evenings.

Track 4 is just about the most beautiful song right now in this moment...the intro...captures my heart...and then, and then 1:10...about makes me drop to my knees...and 1:27 oh my gosh.

Music brings something healing to my emotions...good music really does make me a healthier person.

What are you all listening to these days?

friendship

I believe that there is a direct correlation between having genuine friends and good, whole health. When you have friends who will call you out on your you know what and you're able to receive it, you will have a better chance at finding whole health. And...that relationship is beautiful when it's cyclical, we all need each other.

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. ~Luciano de Crescenz

o

I'm spending the weekend with one of my longest 'n' dearest college friends. We have kept in touch throughout the years after college and ended up working at the same organization for the past few years.

You know you have an amazing friend when the following happens:
* She gets you and your moods
* She gets you and asks you to bring her up to speed on your tangential rant
* She makes you feel like you're on vacation just by being in her presence
* She would and does watch hours of MTV and doesn't bat an eye

If you have one of those friends...or several of those friends...thank them. True gratitude is an amazing gift that doesn't have to be returned...just give it.

it is hot hot hot

so.

the temperature is rising for the country.

how do you stay motivated to workout outside? or even go to the gym. if i had a choice, i'd really want to stay in the a/c wherever i am...even the car by the gym ;)

and also, what are some good recipes you like during the summer? i love making a version of tabbouleh...some type of grain, mint, tomatoes, cucumber...so many fresh vegetables!!!

what about you!

listening to your body...now what

I love telling people about listening to their bodies...I ask them, where are the emotions you are feeling...where do you tend to carry your stress, etc etc and i.e. and more etcs :)

But what do you do after that?

So, I am listening to my body and my emotions, but what do I do next...

you know...first I think just listening to our bodies is all we have to do. There are lots of prayer practices where you are encouraged to just be...not ask anything...just be and rest in the moment. We want homework and to-do lists so often...that we can't just let our bodies/emotions be what they are...

BUT...more than that, I think when I listen to my emotions I can see trends and write about them more...I can see what environments or situations I need to move away from...

What about you...when you listen to your body, let them just be...then what do you do?

seize the day

I don't say that to say....do everything right now....

but I do say it to remind you AND ME :) to enjoy the day that we have.

reflection: warning signs

What are your body's warning signs for your spiritual, physical, mental, social health?

For me I begin to notice that I'm not journaling...or i'm not spending time in silence...
I'll notice that it's harder for me to get motivated to work out and/or eat healthy...
I'll also notice that I'll be shaking until I find a piece of chocolate
I'll have some type of blow up with a friend or myself....
I'll cry at a drop of a penny/dime/dollar...
I'll not be able to make it through my workout...
I'll say that I'm really tired ... and then repeat it.

What do you do with those warning signs? I have to pay attention to them and listen to them.
It is hard for me to actually take those signs seriously...it's sometimes easier to keep moving in the same direction and make the same decisions. I guess that's what discipline is about. So hard.

So this week I'd like to journal, be in silence...cry when I need to...listen to my emotions when I just want chocolate...step back from situations that make me want to blow up....etc.

What about you? Warning signs....and what do you do with them?

independence day

What are you declaring your independence from today for your health? Who has helped you find independence? Who and how will you help others find independence?

july 1

I gotta know...

What do you think about it being all up and through July? Are you excited?

Time seems to be going so fast, but this month, I am choose to live a day at a time.

Simple Vegetarian Recipe

Gallo Pinto...
Kenley makes this when we're low on time and full of hunger.

The recipe is so simple. How much...that I don't know :)

Garlic (as much as you want)
Onion (as much as you want)

coriander or turmeric
sometimes both (as much as you want)

rice
beans

This recipe is all to taste to me...I usually through in a ton of salsa to eat it with...it's simple, protein and all of that. Find some recipes online! YUM!

We love the cookbook : More with Less

call for ideas!

what do you want to see highlighted on the blog (other than amazing video blogs) :)

recipes?
encouragement?
spiritual reflections?
workout ideas?
workout recommendations?
food ideas?
soul reflections?
mind reflections?
reflections?


your ideas? :)
your reflections.

name change...

Day by Day...the health journey.

New name, same blog, same idea.

I'll use part of this blog to reflect on the day by day of our health journeys...offer advice/encourage and ask a lot of questions. If you would like to participate as a guest blogger on this, let me know, I will give you all the permission you need.

So, July 1. That's the next challenge type of deal...One of the things I need to do for my challenge is to learn proper follow through....let's see, maybe I should send out the little gifts I wanted to for the participants of the first challenge :)

July 1...like I was saying (tangent anyone??) or any day, check your birthday and start to write out your health intentions for you...not for me, not for your neighbor....but for you. It is your health. When you are healthier, so are we.

Health. Pass it on.

encouragement

One of the things I always reiterated during the challenge workouts on Sunday with my friend Nick is that the workouts we were doing...they were open to anyone's fitness ability. You pick your own pace, you push yourself and you find what will motivate you. I could scream and yell at you, but at the end of the day, it is your choice to give it your all.

I noticed that we both were saying different things in our classes...this is your workout.

This is your health journey. One of my 31 things was to not compare myself and my journey to anyone else's. You can find inspiration in others and encouragement others, but don't get down on yourself.

This is your life, your journey, share it with others, ask questions...at the end, be encouraged. You are making good choices for your whole life.

next health challenge: july 1

the next challenge that will be highlighted up all and through this blog will highlight our upcoming birthdays....

you will notice the blog title will change to reflect the next challenge :)

you need to join this challenge. it was amazing to see how people gathered around each other in encouragement, support and inspiration. we don't want to do this alone :)

and, know that your health ALL OF YOUR HEALTH is important. mind, body and soul.

if you're in, let me know, leave a comment, start blogging, share on facebook.
what do you have to do?

pick a number of things you want to do for your health, for you....not for anyone else...but find a number of things that you want to do up AND PAST :) your next birthday.

for me, i'll find 30 things i want to do until my 30th birthday.

you know you want to join. july 1st is when things will start!
:)

my 31 things.....

Hey you all! This will probably be one of the last posts on this blog on just the 31 days til summer. I'll start blogging more about the birthday countdown.

It was so much fun to celebrate summer in the neighborhood! Ill upload some photos!

My update, i'll just keep the ones that I didn't do or will do for the next challenge :)

Work up to 25 full pushups - well, I haven't tried yet. I hope that I can. Yikes.
Track food daily - slacked off. (next challenge)
Meditate/journal at least weekly (next challenge)
Take before/current/after pictures (need to take after)
Get 7 hours of sleep (next challenge)
Be still and be at home. (just added this one)
Walk Dolly each day (bday challenge)
Increase outdoor running mileage to 5 miles / run (update, add running to routine, not going to go for mileage)
Finish reading In Defense of Food and Women Food and God (must finish in defense of food)
continue with p90x and now TURBO FIRE!
Call/email/text my family daily (keep in touch with family)
Stop hitting snooze (must add to next challenge)
Turn my computer/cell phone off an hour before bed (add to challenge)
Set health intentions for the summer and year (doing that now)
Say when i'm full and stop eating (listen to my belly and my emotions...next challenge)
Don't compare myself to others, enjoy my journey for myself (found so much freedom for that)
Make weekly menu and meals on Sundays (summer challenge)
Finish unpacking our house (summaaaa challenge)
Clean/garden weekly (love it, will keep it up!)
Encourage and read group members' blogs/tweets/updates each day (love this)
Check in with group members to see how they are doing and to update how I'm doing (hopefully i'm doing that)

The next challenge will start July 1...cause it's 9 months from my birthday :) I know, selfish.

In the interest of full disclosure...

WOW. What a 31 days! I've done so much I've needed two days to recover enough to write my concluding blog post.

So, confession time. While I mostly finished my list, a couple of them were modified from my original intentions. I'll chalk it up to completing #10: learning healthy ways to deal with stress. Basically, removing a few stressors :-)

Let's recap a few things I modified slightly, in the interest of getting them checked off my list.

1. Write a screenplay for a short film. I have 4 pages of horrible drivel written that I'll never show anyone. But, it's a start.

2. I've REALLY been trying with my sleep. I try to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier, but my body fights it. For some reason, it can't realize that sleep is GOOD for me. Lame.

4. Shoot a personal video project. I tried shooting video of myself, and it was an abysmal failure. If you want to see out of focus shots of me lip syncing, too bad.

5. My "creative retreat" consisted of browsing CSS galleries for a few hours. Creative retreat indeed, but not what I had in mind. My idea was to visit a monastary. Next month...

9. Learn to prepare 3 healthy meals. These "meals" were 1. Blackberry Agave Limeaid, 2. Sweet Potato fries and 3. Edemame (which basically was microwaved.) It's a start...

18. Come up with a redesign for my website. I've figured it out conceptually. It's mostly in my head. Just not "finished."

22. Situps. I think I did 50. But I ran and swam a lot.

24. Wash my car. I had every intention of doing this on the LAST day (since it stormed so much.) But, I busted my back, and the thought of washing my car made me feel 18% paralyzed. So I cleaned the inside instead.

26. Skype date with my niece is going to happen soon. Just not yet...

29. Massage. Tried to schedule it, but this schiester company requires you to have a chiropractic exam first. Lame.

31. Learn a song on the piano. I started with Rachmaninov's Prelude in C# Minor. It was HARD. So I finished learning a Clementi Sonatina I had learned half of before. I love it. So, I learned about half a song. I think it counts.

BUT: I'll have you know--I ran 11.5 miles! And I swam my triathlon distance countless times. And I've MOWED my YARD regularly!

This past 31 (or 33) days has been wildly productive, and good for the soul!

congratulations !

sniff...sniff...

A storm rolled into Omaha last night...full of thunder, rain and lightning. I recorded the "HAPPY SUMMER" video, available on facebook, and reflected on the rain and how it signifies a new season...what was yesterday is now gone, we have today to celebrate.

Thank you for your participation in the challenge. Like i've always said throughout this challenge: this is your health and your journey, thank you for inviting us into this part of your life. I encourage you to reflect on the past x amount of days you've done this...share your story and thoughts with us.

So, we've made it to the next season. Depending on what hemisphere you are on, you're either finding some shorts or a coat to wear. Wherever you are, happy new season.

I have found it such a joy to celebrate this season with people all around the world. I am inspired. And seriously, this is one of the first summers i've made an intentional effort to look forward to...and I have you to thank.

I'll keep up with this blog a little bit here and there...I was asked to do another challenge for fall..so stay tuned :) You can find me at Health Hustle on Facebook, i'll have lots of information there regarding the next Birthday Challenge (a simple challenge where you pick ways to be healthy until/and after your next birthday, let me know if you're interested).

So, a few things, send me your mailing address. I'd like to send you something small for your participation!

Also, I want to give a few shout outs to some participants and also tell you about a fun opportunity.

monica alegria frazier - my bff from high school, you need to read her blog. she is on her goal of losing 100 pounds in a year and she is almost there. this girl is an inspiration: http://fraziertoo.blogspot.com/.
jason parmer - bff from college, he owns a design/ad firm in KY, find him! www.apparelstudios.com/
rachelle serlet - this girl is becoming a personal trainer :) and she's a licensed massage guru.
jessica crocker - another bff from college. i love her writing. for some reason every time i read something of hers, i tear up. http://lovinmesome.wordpress.com/
nikki 'hayden' montgomery - in KY folks, if you need someone to inspire you in all areas of your life, this is your woman. met her in college and our friendship has grown since then! http://nikkislosingit.blogspot.com/
david bayne - friend and coworker in argentina. if you want tools on contemplative spirituality, find it here : http://wheresdavebayne.blogspot.com
drew davies - his firm did word made flesh's redesign. love his firm so much. check them out: www.oxidedesign.com
sarah lance - friend and coworker in india. she is a part of Sari Bari, saribari.com, a business initiative of WMF India that invites women to find freedom out of the sex trade. Visit their website for more information.
del marie - Daphne Eck Coppock and Annemarie Fowler..both inspiring women following their hearts, they sell amazing plain, locally grown yogurt. For more information find it here: www.delmariecreamery.com/blog/
melissa koplin - one of my newest friends...met her last year and my life hasn't been the same! melissa works at a collective of women who are inspiring others to find their authentic selves...thecatalystcollective.com/

Wow, that's a long list and that's not even everyone. Take a moment today and look around you at the gifts in everyone who is around you. We live in a time where we can forget the miracle of friendship and talent that surrounds us just today.

And before I forget, a little info on me :) If through this challenge you have found that you need a little more accompaniment and/or tools for your physical health, let me know, visit teambeachbody.com/jarabeara and learn a little bit about my health journey from 230 lbs to where I am now...my health journey has not been just about the weight, but about finding the importance of all aspects of health (mind, body and soul). Let me help you in your journey, too :)

Alright, that's it.

love love love. GET ME YOUR ADDRESS. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Eve of Sunday!

Wow, tomorrow is Sunday, it is the last day of Spring. I am sad to see Spring go, but I am excited to welcome a new season into Omaha and into our lives. This will be my first summer as a wife and dog owner so I'm excited to explore the city with Dolly and Kenley.

I am getting sort of emotional about Spring ending. I've never been caught up in seasons like this...it sort of reminds me of graduation or the end of a school year. The end was always bittersweet. Seasons are the epitome of change. And I welcome them. I am looking forward to the next challenge - celebrating until my 30th birthday!

Don't you worry, i'll continue posting on this site. I don't feel like starting a new one and this one seems to be doing fine.

What are you looking forward to this summer? Any visits? Any staycations?

I am looking forward to spending weekends at home. I really enjoy our long Sundays...first church, a workout and a dinner with a friend normally. For some reason that makes my weekend seem extra long.

I'm also looking forward to taking care of my body in more ways than one :) I enjoy my natural hair and am looking forward to it growing out.

What are you going to miss about Spring? What will you carry from Spring into Summer?

Thoughts? Reflections?

Four weeks!

Mental health....

So,

This is a sort blog post.

How are you doing? what has your body been telling you lately?

Do you feel present in your body today? What has surprised you the most about listening to your body? What advice do you have for others?

For me, I have to tell myself to breathe...if you're around Omaha or you've talked to me lately on the phone and you may or may not be in a crisis, you'll hear me say something around the following:

Breathe. I need you to take a deep breath in, now exhale. Take another deep breath in, exhale.

Do it again, and now exhale the breath and focus on your feet. Do you feel your feet?
Yep, do it again, exhale, and there's your stomach? Is that what it is, what does it feel like?

Inhale, exhale, your chest, are you carrying your stress there? Exhale and release.
Inhale, exhale, there are your shoulders, inhale and exhale, stay here. Inhale and exhale.

Inhale, exhale, and feel your head, move your hands, where are your fingers? Move your toes...inhale and exhale...

And be present.

At this point, you can move into a prayer time, a meditation, a writing time...
your body will tell you how to meet it, this breathing practice is how I'm able to find myself, the mystery of simple breathing centers me into knowing that I am created and beloved by my Creator.

Summer challenges

What are some of the challenges that you face in the summer? How do you plan on preparing for them?

For me, I like to drink cold drinks more often in the summer...there's something beautiful about a diet coke. Then there's a little something magical about some sweet tea. And dang, can I tell you about this margarita from Don and Millie's?

I also enjoy going to parties and celebrating. There's always a number of things to celebrate in the summer, weddings, birthdays, the weather.

And you know what, I usually work out a ton more in the summer and boom, i'm eating my calories and then some.

What do I plan to do? I plan to plan. There ain't no way in hell i'm going to go through summer feeling all guilty and moping around. I'm going to celebrate summer for the season that it is....OUTSIDE of food.

I choose to be present to the varying temperature...and go outside, run a little bit more, sweat a little bit more and be okay.
I want to take photos of the changing season.
I want to make tea out of the mint in my garden and then I want to cool it and drink it as a reminder of the earth.
I want to relax more.

I want to remember what it was like to enjoy summer as a student...and relax. What about you?

Less than a week: Lots left to do!

Jason here again.

OMG. Less than a week, and still LOTS left to do! I crossed a lot of things off my list, and was feeling pretty good, but then realized I still have several "big ticket" items left.

In the next FIVE days, I have to: write a screenplay, start a day at 5am, shoot a personal video project, go on a creative retreat, write an encouraging letter, come up with a redesign for my website, wash my car, catch up with an old friend, get a massage, Skype with my neice and finish learning a song on the piano.

OK. I'm off to do a few situps. Here goes nothing!

Terrific Tuesday

I'd like to remind you of all of the amazing people who have shared their stories....

Read them, show them some comment love and pass it on.

http://nikkislosingit.blogspot.com/

http://fraziertoo.blogspot.com/

http://hilarywilken.blogspot.com/

http://lovinmesome.wordpress.com/

http://kimberlyinkathmandu.xanga.com/

http://amandacash.blogspot.com/

http://pacingtheturtle.blogspot.com/

http://daphnedel.wordpress.com/

http://caanca.tumblr.com/

http://wheresdavebayne.blogspot.com/

http://bnhanson.tumblr.com/

http://karako17.wordpress.com/

http://lisatheknitter.wordpress.com/

If I missed yours, leave it as a comment!

Eating as a family...and with others

So, I don't think that Mr. K would mind me mentioning this story. We're watching the news, I just finished my light dinner (late night at work and I was hooongry and have 90 minutes of yoga in the morning). And K is digging into a piece of fried chicken. I'm not really looking at what he's eating cause you know what...I don't eat meat blah blah blah...but what I'm wondering is how do you all make healthy choices when others are making different choices? I've mentioned that there have been times when I'll keep up with K and eat the same things he is...but I know that I have to stop that.

The question or questions is or are....what do you do when others are making different food decisions - especially family members? How do you politely decline bad food choices and choose good health choices?

Thoughts, talk to me!

one week

So, we have one week left until the official end of the 31 days til summer challenge. I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the participation. Thank you for participating in whatever capacity you chose...some of you picked one thing to focus on, some of you picked several things...whatever you did, good job.

I had no idea how this idea would actually go...and now i'm wondering, what can I/we do next?

I feel like I have an idea....well I think I have an idea. Next year I'm turning 30 and there are some things in my list of challenges that I'd like to continue...so I might move my health intention towards a 30 things til 30. I know for the wedding I got into really good shape, but after the wedding I sort of gave up a little bit of my focus. I still went to the gym, but I didn't have the focus. I want to regain that and take it into the summer and into my 30s.

What do you want to take with you next week?

How 31 Days Nearly Killed Me

Jason here again! Amped last night after posting my delicious drink discovery, I decided a midnight run was in order. (Forget #2: Establish a healthy sleep schedule...)

It's been muggy and stormy here quite frequently, so I thought checking the radar would be a good move, as a few drizzles were coming down.

The radar showed just a smidge of light rain, followed by a large break in the clouds, so I figured I'd be good to go.

Well, the radar map lied. And true to form, I got to the farthest point from my house and the wind began whipping through the valley. Like, Twister wind. People's crap blowing off their porches, wind chimes from miles away audible. Dang. Then, the dark ominous clouds started looming. So dark that they even look darker than the night sky at midnight. Then, the pelting, monsoon rain and way-too-close-for-comfort thunder and lightning.

I literally was afraid for my life, remembering a story my friend Peter told about his football coach from high school being struck by lightning. I was running as fast as my soaked shoes could carry me, and then finally made it back to safety, and since I didn't die from the storm, I'll probably get trench foot from soaked-to-the-core shoes. Guess there's no returning them now! Just as a side, here is the CORRECT weather map when I returned. I live just at the top of Nicholasville, where the sign for US-27 is. Yeah. I'm badass.

It dawned on me when I was in an all out sprint that our bodies are capable of SO much, if we push them. I was going out for a leisurely, stress-reducing run, but I was able to run a lot faster than I expected. I think that's probably true for a lot of us this month as we push ourselves. Our bodies are capable of so much more than we push them to. So whether it's that extra sprint up the stairs, or 2 rounds of P90X, you can do it. I promise. Just pretend you're me, about to get pummelled by a storm. Oh, and during my next race, if someone could chase me with a shotgun, I bet it would improve my time.

Yummy Drink Discovery!

So, in an ongoing effort to work on #14: Limit my soda intake, I've been brainstorming about tasty replacements.

Since my kryptonite seems to be Mountain Dew in particular, I figured some type of citrus flavored beverage was in order. And I often crave fizzy, so those two were musts.

Jara introduced me to agave nectar, which I've found to be AMAZING. I started using it on my grapefruits, and it's SO much tastier than the refined sugar I had been using. It just compliments that citrus so well. Love it. It's actually sweeter than sugar, so you need less to sweeten, and can get away with a lot less calories. And, it has a much lower glycemic index and more nutritive value, so it's diabetic friendly, and MUCH better for health.

At any rate, I decided to whip up a couple drink concoctions, and BOY are they tasty! I could sip on these ALL day. If you're a soda-aholic like myself, give this drink a try!

Agave Blackberry Limeaid

Squeeze 1/2 lime into a large drinking glass, chilled.

Mix in 2-3 tsp. of raw agave nectar

Crush 2-3 blackberries into the glass (blackberries optional)

Add ice to your glass, and fill with club soda or tonic, chilled.

Stir lightly, and sip with a straw!

YUM. With 2-3 tsp. of agave nectar, you're looking at less than 60 calories from sugar, and a very healthy drink. Blackberries and limes are GREAT for the body and soul!

you are magnificent...

I just heard that quote "you are magnificent" on that show America's Got Talent. I'm sitting in our little dining room and type type typing away. We don't have an office set up, but I realize that moving away from being right in front of the television does give me a bit more focus.

All challengers, next week at this time we'll be heading towards the end of the official 31 day challenge. You may or may not have checked everything off of your list and that's okay. I don't even know if I'll get to all of the goals that I wanted to do, and like I said, it's okay.

You are magnificent. You, just being you, are magnificent. There are so many times when others try and say things about us...or when our minds try to convince us that some lies are some trues. But at the end of the day, you have to be able to turn your ear and hear the truth.

You are magnificent.

Do you have an encouraging mantra that you like to repeat? Sometimes I have to tell myself 'you are strong and powerful' just so I don't forget how far I have come.

So, tell us what you like to say....and remember you are magnificent.

It's HOW MANY Days Til(l) Summer?!

Jason here!

I can't believe we're less than two weeks away. And with that, I guess I should publish at least one blog post since Jara graciously allowed me to blog here instead of starting my own blog!

In the past "however many" days, I've learned that health is way more complex than I often generalize it to be. Health, it seems, is more about wellness. And wellness covers every aspect of our lives. Our relationships. Our goals. Our dreams. And yes, our minds and bodies.

Toward the beginning of Jara's challenge, my grandma was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in much of her digestive tract. Immediately I began researching healthy and natural ways to help her stave off the disease, and realized how crucial diet, exercise, and especially mental and spiritual health are to battling all kinds of health issues. I think we could learn a lot from our eastern friends by practicing meditation, quieting ourselves and listening to our bodies as well.

I've been LOVING this challenge, and just feeling like I'm making a significant improvement in my overall wellness. Tonight, I just crossed off # 15: Finishing my garden. And while I've crossed off a lot from my list, I have some REALLY tough ones ahead. (Like #1: Write a Screenplay.) Better get started...

I'm so glad I have friends who want to spur each other on toward wellness. Friends who care about our minds, bodies and souls are the ones that will stick with us our whole lives.

POP COUNT!

If there's one thing I learned since the inception of this challenge, it's that I am ADDICTED to soda. And, it's no real surprise that it is REALLY bad for you. So, since #14 is "Limit my soda intake," I thought I'd better be transparent, and post how much I actually drink. Don't judge. I'm working on it. :-)

Starting this week, I'm going to try making my own version of soda, with some fresh ingredients, natural sweetener and a no HFCS. (High fructose corn syrup.) I'm going to call it JP's Tonic. It will be lime, club soda and sweetened with agave nectar (thanks for the recommendation, Jara!)

So, without further ado, here's the dreaded pop count:

5/25/10

32 oz. of Mountain Dew

5/26/10

12 oz. can of Mt. Dew

20 oz. of Coke

5/27/10

32 oz. of Mt. Dew

12 oz. of Mt. Dew

5/28/10

15 oz. of Mt. Dew

5/29/10

32 oz. of Mt. Dew

24oz. of Coke

5/30/10

32 oz. of Mt. Dew

5/31/10

20 oz. of Mt. Dew

24 oz. of Mt. Dew

6/1/10

12 oz. of Coke

6/2/10

32 oz. of Mt. Dew

30 oz. of Mt. Dew

6/3/10

12 oz. of Coke

6/5/10

40 oz. of Coke

6/6/10

32 oz. of Mt. Dew

40 oz. of Coke

6/7/10

12 oz. of Coke

6/8/10

32 oz. of Dew

6/9/10

32 oz. of Dew

12 oz. of Coke

6/11/10

32 oz. of Dew

6/12/10

32 oz. of Dew

three weeks...

It's been three weeks...and as you know I like to post a little video, you'll have to wait a few more hours. I'm going to head home, do p90x and show you a little post-workout routine :)

MUAH!

How are your 31 things going? I just checked my list and one of the things that I want to do is to make my health intentions for the summer and year...this is my last year in the 20s...next year I enter into the 30s and I think that I'd like to do some type of intention that surrounds growing older and taking my health seriously. What do you think you'll do June 22?

Happy Three Weeks!!!!!

Togetherness....

I just have to say that I'm so happy for all of those who have been participating in the challenge. I have been inspired by everyone's reflections. What reflection/blog/thought has inspired you the most so far?

I'm glad that we're together.

Mistakes? Guilt?

Okay. Be honest.

How many times have you heard this or said this...or even thought this.

I shouldn't have eaten that 15th piece of cake.
I was bad this weekend, so I have to work out extra hard.
I can't believe that I ate that much.
I didn't eat enough vegetables together.
Are you really going to eat that? (to yourself OR even others!)
I already messed up...
I don't care.
Who cares.

Our life can't be governed by these different marks of guilt-driven conversations. I feel like we should change the constant internal-conversations that we may hear or even say. I have friends who I've heard say...I've been bad this weekend.

I. Do. Not. Care. About. Your. Bad. Choices.

How does anything get labeled as bad? Like, for instance, that chocolate cake that so-and-so made for so-and-sos birthday...that isn't bad. The time and work they put into making that cake to celebrate so-and-so wasn't bad. We have demonized certain foods and put them in the bad category.

My issue is more around why I would think that eating 2343 pieces of chocolate cake would help me a healthy person. To be a healthy person, I feel like I need to have choices that support my well-being. I need to look in my life and reflect on why I thought that eating 342343 pieces of chocolate cake was a good answer to x, y, z.

Do not let your life be driven by guilt. If you do, there can't be any freedom in your choices. You're in a constant cycle of punishing yourself for choices that someone or even yourself said were bad. Be free today.

I did enjoy celebrating so-and-so's birthday party. I shouldn't have eaten that 15th piece of cake.
What was going on with my feelings this weekend? I feel really out of touch. I was bad this weekend, so I have to work out extra hard.
Again, what was going on with my emotions. I can't believe that I ate that much.
I need to ask so-and-so for that vegetarian casserole she was raving about. I didn't eat enough vegetables together.
Maybe I am a little full. I'll wait and see how I feel in a little bit. Maybe i'l take a walk and come back! Are you really going to eat that? (to yourself OR even others!)
Grace. Grace. Grace. I already messed up...
I choose to care today. I am worth it. I don't care.
I care. Who cares

Restart....

So, when I was younger and played video games (because who plays video games as an adult...unless anything on the wii counts, or bejeweled blitz...shoot)....well, when I played video games as soon as I knew I was going to lose a round or a game, I would quickly restart the game...who wants to LOSE? I did this whole restarting thing even when I was playing the flute...if I made a mistake, I would shake my head and just start over.

BUT, I didn't do this when I would play soccer or any other organized sport. You couldn't restart a game that you were playing with others. But somehow I got this in my head, I like to restart...I like to say, i'll eat better tomorrow...i'll work out tomorrow...I'll journal tomorrow. That is definitely one of my broken records...next time...or tomorrow...I can just restart...

But I choose to be present in today...even in my downs (I refuse to call them mistakes - more later)...in choosing my health....that's the journey that we're on...we have the ups and the downs. But it's life.

14 days til(l) summer

So...we have two weeks until the official start of summer in the United States aka the 'end' of this challenge.

Although the countdown til(l) summer will be over, your commitments to your health won't be over. They always say that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit...you may have been incorporating new things or continuing new things into your life in the past two weeks....those may very well have a chance at becoming natural parts of your lives. That's amazing to think about!

What are some things that you have found to be life-giving/sustainable these past two weeks....?

tell me tell me!

The Magic Pill Monday

Who has been asked...what are you doing to a) look so good b) have amazing skin c) lose weight d) have kick a#* arms e) have extra time in the morning f) wake up and feel awake....

I was chatting with Monica last week about what people ask us sometimes...and a lot of times the answer people want to hear is that you have a magic pill. We see these commercials with the Kardashian sisters and their beloved somethingorathertrimtheweight off pill. Or we hear radio spots for this is the new and approved dexatrim that won't speed your heart up but you'll lose weight in less than a minute.

Sometimes we don't want to hear that it takes a) hard work b) showing up (lisa and I exchanged blog comments regarding...running one mile is better than none) c) and staying.

When I first started my weight loss journey with WW almost three or four years ago...I was hovering near 230 lbs...that's a lot on my small frame. I started to lose the weight and it took a lot of work...and i've gained some back. I have to reevaluate what it means for me to do this. It does take hard work...and showing up....and staying. :) Living a whole life that is healthy isn't something that comes in a pill. It shouldn't.

I believe that our bodies are designed to receive and absorb the healthy ways of living. I remember when I heard about contemplative prayer...I was like oh my gosh I will find the peace I need in my life...tomorrow...and as soon as I do this prayer practice I will figure it out.

Um. Really. Incorporating healthy habits into our lives takes work. And time.

I love David Bayne's blog...he has good reflections on prayer practices if you're interested.

Our spiritual side goes with our physical side...they are married together and sometimes I admit, I'm really far from one or the other side and I feel quite unbalanced. This week I want to spend time in my sunroom, I want to be still and just be.

Also, check out Phileena Heuertz's book, Pilgrimage of a Soul, for more information on the active contemplative life.

sunday stairs....

Today we're going to run some stairs....we will run them fast, we will run them slow, but we will run them. We're supposed to have pretty nice weather....and hopefully we can enjoy all that spring/summer has to offer us.

The reason I wanted to do Sunday stairs comes from another challenge I was a part of in May...taking my typical day off and still adding something that will be healthy...if that's moving a little more, eating a little bit better...I have to take care of myself on my day off, too. For some reason on my day off, I take it WAY off....I don't eat very well, I watch A LOT of tv, and I just kind of give up...why is that? I mean, I know I need a break, but if I need a break from my normal routine I must be doing too much.

I want to find ways where I am able to relax throughout each of my days...what do you all do to relax during your days? Many of you are parents or full-time workers...or BOTH...or singles living in a busy city....or long distancers...but we're all just people....what do you do to relax?

Blogging Hints

So, if you notice that there is probably a blog posted once a day here...right? I'm not blogging everyday...but when I am inspired, usually on the weekend when I have a pretty good chunk of free time, I will blog a ton of different things, a ton of different topics, I sort of let my adhd tendencies have fun and I just blog...right now there are two blog windows open...lol...

SO I blog and blog and I SCHEDULE...on both blogger and wordpress there's an option to post later or post schedule or something...that's what I do. I try to post some blogs in the morning, some around lunch when people may have a chance to read on their lunch break. Don't feel pressure to blog every day...if you are feeling inspired today about five different topics, blog all of 'em and schedule them throughout the week. I LOVE to read your blogs.

happy two weeks!

How do you keep going?

I know some of the struggles I've had in my journey to health is perseverance. I think that at times when I'm working on something difficult, I will stop when I think I have arrived. I will have all of these amazing deadlines ready and when I get to the deadline, I'm like...DONE!

For example, I was working out and eating well before the wedding. I felt really great and felt that I was gaining a lot of insight on my health. Wedding, honeymoon and back to some old habits. I may or may not have eaten a lot of our wedding cake for a week. It was pretty awesome though. But obviously not the most nutrient dense way of supplying my body with fuel.

How do you keep going in a workout? Or eating well? Or writing out menus? Measuring portions?

Personal Tip: Don't Deprive yourself of...

• Nutrient dense food...GET YOUR CALORIES AND NUTRIENTS IN! If you aren't, track your food and see what you're missing. Your body needs calories and nutrients to operate at its full potential. Seriously. Are you doing it?
• Rest. REST. REST. REST. Rest from tv, computer, internet, movies, talking, music, typing, exercise, eating, baking...take a break. your body needs to rest. That's just how we've been built. We aren't robots who can operate on -4545 hours of sleep or -45343 calories. Fuel your body with rest.
• Moderation....in exercise and food. Don't go overboard in any direction. Find your own balance. Don't compare yourselves to other.
• Laughter. Dangit, laugh.

mindfulness: thoughts for summer

Taken from Parker Palmer's A Hidden Wholeness,

Summer is the season of abundance and first harvest. Harvest traced the seed of true self on its arduous journey from birth, through death and dormancy, into flowering, we can look at the abundance that has grown up within us and ask, "Whom is this meant to feed? Where am I called to give my gifts?" In the summer of our lives, we learn more about whose we are, rooted in our knowledge of who we are.

The idealists among us tend to ask the "whose" question prematurely: we want to serve the world's needs, but we burn out trying to do more than we are able. I cannot give what I do not possess, so I need to know what gifts have grown up within me that are now ready to be harvested and shared. If the gifts I give are mine, grown from the seed of true self, I can give them without burning out. Like the fruit of a tree, they will replenish themselves in due season.

A circle of trust that follows the cycle of the seasons can help us become gardeners of our own souls. It can teach us what every good gardener knows - that life is a constant interplay between the powers within us, for which we are responsible, and the powers outside of us, over which we have little control. As we learn the choreography of the life that Thomas Merton called the "general dance" - a cocreative process in which we sometimes lead and sometimes follow - we can participate in it with more confidence and grace.

. pg. 83

So, as we look forward to summer with anticipation or anxiousness, where do you offer your gifts that are born out of your truest self...when you are being all YOU...what do you offer?

For me, I offer perspective. I at least hope I do. I can't help but stand in awe at creation, if it's in nature, in words, in Scripture, in people...and when I let myself stop and be mindful of that moment, I have perspective.

Call for Recipes!!!!

I wanna see some recipes! Do you? How about we share some of our favorite recipes!

If you post a recipe include vegetarian/vegan/lactose-free/gluten-free relevant information! Also, include maybe if it's simple, time consuming, etc. :)

Love it!

Food diary glimpse...

So I said I'd let you all into a little bit of what I eat on a "typical I planned my meals" type of day.

breakfast:
I start each morning off with a cup of light soy milk + shakeology. Shakeology is one of the only meal replacement/supplements that I would recommend. I add the cup of soy milk so I'm getting more calories. I'm not trying to drink this so i'm not getting my calories in...i'm drinking it because there are some 70 amazing ingredients, lots of veggies and fruit. (if you want samples, i got you)

morning snack: it depends on my schedule...i'll usually enjoy some fruit! but on tuesdays I don't have a morning snack b/c I teach a class in the afternoon and then have lunch afterwards.

lunch:
today's lunch was one of my favorites. i used some of my israeli couscous mixture (green onions, onions and tomatoes), put it on top of a salad...lemon juice, garlic salt...and TJ cilantro/jalepeno hummus. what what?
cup of cherries.

afternoon snack:
if i'm feeling hungry, i'll eat an apple!

dinner:
depends on what I feel like cooking when i'm home...either a thomas bagel thin and morningstar grillers...but i'm sort of feeling like a salad with salmon on top of it. we'll see.

I focus on making sure I get my fruits and vegetables....and enough protein to get through my workouts! and i'll probably have some evening snack of chocolate :) or more cherries!!!!!!

31 day submission: Caryl!

I don't even know Caryl, but i'm pretty sure that we would get along. She's friends with Lisa and she is currently in Quito...and she has sweet hair. I'm sort of obsessed with natural hair, beautiful curly hair right now ever since I chopped my hair!

Check out her blog!

Yesterday I was hanging out on facebook and saw that one of my friends, Lisa, had joined the FB group 31 Days till Summer challenge. The idea behind this group is that there are 31 days (fewer now) till summer and that you should come up with 31 things/habits you’d like to do/get going during the next 31 days. I happen to be in Quito at the moment, the city of eternal Spring, but that’s not going to stop me from joining in in a bit of self-improvement. Anyone that knows me or have followed my blog for a while knows that I’m pretty obsessed with setting goals so this sort of challenge is right up my alley. Now to think of 31 things I’d like to do during the next 31 days.

1. Go jogging at least 3 times a week

2. Take salsa lessons at least twice a week

3. Do at least 10 sit ups each day

4. Do 1 sun salutation sequence 4 times a week

5. Complete sample of knit design 1 and contract test knitters

6. Give myself at least 5 min of physio massage on my bum calf/shin around 4 times a week

7. Complete sample of knit design 2 and contract test knitters

8. Come up with 5 cities that I’d like to move to when I return to the US

9. Complete sample of knit design 3 and contract test knitters

10. Complete sample of knit design 4

11. Stretch at least 5 min each day

12. Do physio exercises at least 3 times a week

13. Go to dentist and get teeth cleaned

14. Blog at least twice a week

15. Do a 20 second plank each day (move to 30 seconds as I get stronger)

16. Floss every evening

17. Write up a spreadsheet of my to dos so that I can check each day as I do said item

18. Email at least one person just to say hi each day

19. Social goal – go to pub quiz/trivia night every week

20. Start a Quito knit night

21. Stick to budget of less than $50 per week (excluding excursions)

22. Go on a hiking excursion

23. Knit one row of Maplewing each day

24. Knit Little Birds sleeves – modify for longer body

25. Drink at least 1 liter of water per day

26. Listen to at least 30 min of an audiobook per day

27. Ask host mother to teach me to make Llapingachos

28. Teach my host mother how to knit cabled fingerless gloves

29. Take at least two tennis lessons from Steph

30. Improve Spanish by speaking more slowly and correctly

31. Read one novel in Spanish

31 things submission: Sarah

I love Sarah L. She serves in Kolkata, India. I met her over five years ago when I came to interview at Word Made Flesh...for her position. Fascinating how times have changed and how quickly time has flown. I love her 31 things and the thoughtfulness that has gone in it!

I am a little late to this endeavor but I am still going to do the 31 Days till Summer Challenge

1. Eat when I am hungry and understand why I want to eat when I am not hungry
2. Eat fruit everyday
3. Drink more water less coffee and soda
4. Listen to my body when it tells to me to rest
5. Take my medicine like a good girl
6. Be patient with India
7. Be Patient with myself
8. Take care of my feet
9. Do one creative activity every week
10. Exercise every morning...my body, my mind or my heart in some way
11. Make my own yogurt at least once
12. Trade my old books in for new ones
13. Plant my much delayed herb garden
14. Paint my other room a pretty color
15. Breath deeply and slowly for one minute everyday
16. Practice gratitude
17. Practice hospitality
18. Dance when I feel like it no matter who is watching
19. Run with my community twice a week
20. Be open to new friendships
21. Seek to understand my emotions before I act on them.
22. Go get a head massage
23. Roll my yarn into balls so I can make something beautiful
24. Read Break Free from Emotional Eating by Geenen Roth
25. Read For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts Taylor, W. David
26. Call my Baba
27. Cook something new and special for my community
28. Be my best self at Sari Bari, when I am not, take a deep breath and take the time I need to become my best self for the day!
29. Listen to at least one sermon every week
30. Sew myself a new dress
31. Choose to let my heart stay open and shed the shackles of self protection!

Plan to do this through the end of June since I am starting a little late. A list like this deserves the time and space to allow everything on it to become a reality.

31 day submission: Lisa!

Hey hey hey! Can't help but be so excited when new people submit their 31 things. Can't help but want to post them immediately...but thankfully there is a post later option so you won't get hit by all of these immediately. I met Lisa through Brent. She's dating Brent and living in Berlin. I've met her once and she might be one of the smartest people I know who has an amazing blog and great sense of humor!

Here ya go!

Well I wont let this get me down because summer plans need to be made! A few days ago Brent’s friend Jara decided to make a list of 31 summer-preparation things she wanted to get done in the 31 days preceding the official start of summer, and then asked her friends to join in. Since I love me a good list (and can’t really stand down a challenge of personal discipline) I’m going to join up as well. But since now it’s only 21 days till the start of summer, and since at least one thing on my list is, well, kind of a biggie, I’ve limited it to 21 things. Here it is:

1. start training for the Berlin Marathon (!)
2. do situps and streching and/or elastic band exercises, every other day
3. draft, test, fit, and finalize 3 basic patterns for sewing dresses
4. sew 1 summer dress
5. update the Poopsmith’s vaccinations
6. find a doctor and go for a checkup
7. mend all my clothes that need mending
8. finally attach the doors to my Ikea PAX wardrobe system (sigh)
9. clean winter clothes and coats and store them (if/when I stop wearing them)
10. begin dual-citizenship application process
11. write a contributing essay for the Empire Remixed blog
12. finish The Name of the Rose
13. pluck & groom my eyebrows regularly
14. begin dual citizenship application process
15. get a cool new haircut
16. help my friend Joke prepare for moving to Berlin
17. only wear outfits to work that I really like, rather than what I just pulled out of the closet.
18. get out of the house by 8:15 in the morning
19. finish knitting the sweater vest I started a year ago
20. send snail mail to people I love & miss
21. read the daily Bible reading and ecumenical commentary in the Neukirchner Kalender

31 things submission: Cait!

I haven't gotten to know Cait very well yet, but I have heard great things about her through friends! I'm looking forward to getting to know her through this challenge!



may all beings be balanced. may all beings be well. may all beings be happy. may all beings be at peace.

1. Continue riding my bike around town, to work and elsewhere

2. Take night runs with Tim two times a week

3. Cook lighter meals, ease away from winter diet which consisted of heavy oils and spices

4. Dwell in the present moment on my balcony

5. Finish organizing my budget, which will ease some worries about my financial situation

6. Paint whenever and wherever I feel like it

7. Spend a lovely evening with Melissa and Brandon Geary, it has been far too long

8. Go to the Yoga Path on my own this week

9. See Emelia and Megan when they get back from Arkansas

10. Practice this mantra; I am loved for who I am, not what I do

11. Think about what program I would like to pursue next Spring, only when feeling up to it

12. Spend relaxing and and spontaneous time with friends

13. Drink more water and tea during work hours

14. Make two appointments with Melissa for June

15. Stop by, stop in, drop by my neighbors and friends homes to say hello or share a flower or smile or brief conversation

16. Ride bikes to Hitchcock Nature Center

17. Eat from the garden, yum, kale is about ready for harvesting

18. Clean the refrigerator, yuck, ask for help

19. Practice this mantra; Wanting time alone is okay

20. Go to a Quaker gathering with Caldwell

21. Pray out loud near the trees once

22. Help my mom plant her annuals and listen about the new things she is experiencing with her illness

23. Do morning loosening stretches in the shower

24. Continue writing daily in my Frida Kahlo journal

25. Make two new woman friends

26. Practice this mantra; I’m whole, I’m not debris, I merit self-respect

27. Invite my parents over for dinner on a cool night

28. Listen more; to people, birds, trees. Use the skills mama taught about identifying birds by their songs and behaviors

29. Sing; even it is to the new Joanna Newsom album

30. Call my baby Jayme in Cave Junction

31. Make sun tea because I love it

Our Followers

Thank you to our followers on Facebook, Twitter (#31daystilsummer) and this blog. Appreciate that you're sticking around. Appreciate the ways that you offer inspiration by even just your presence.

31 day submission: Brittany!

A few weeks ago, Brittany tagged me in a post on facebook. She included a link to her blog. I love Brittany's writing and then to be included in it, what what? I was so excited to be mentioned in such lovely writing. I met Brittany when I met her roommate when they were looking for a place to live...a little over three years ago. Brittany inspires me in so many ways. She is my go-to woman when talking about hip-hop, diversity/inclusion, feminism, spirituality and general reflections on living life. She is so cool.

Check out her 31 things. What do you think of them? I love them. I hope to hang out on her hammock, too.

Starting a few days ago, there were 31 days till summer — gosh, I can’t believe May is basically over.
Over the last few months I’ve been spending some time exploring what it might mean for me to be well in my 25th year and a few friends invited me to join the 31 Days (till) Summer Challenge. Lots of folks are joining in, making lists of 31 ways to take care of oneself, and acting on each one. I’m jumping in a bit late, but made my list this afternoon. So, here goes something (not nothing)…
Commute by bike 4 days each week
Clean out my bedroom closet
Create a meditation space in the guest room
Read poetry
Take 2 turns at watering the garden each week
When cooking beef, only cook grass-fed cows
Only say ‘yes’ to opportunities that energize me
Cook a new recipe each week
Get a summer hair-do
Learn basic bike repairs
Practice yoga three times
Give away some clothes
Buy a new sports bra
Eat mindfully (including 3 meals a day)
Finish projects I start
Paint my toe nails as often as I want
Go to the Farmer’s Market & buy white radishes (yum!)
Write a few letters to Grams
Notice & pay attention to when I feel confined or constricted
Keep a food-mood journal for a few days
Remind myself as often as I need to: How & Who I Am Is A-Okay
Go to the park with Adina
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Listen to music loud, loud, loud
Invite conversation w/ my friends, fam & partner about what it means to be well
Take a nap
Laugh
Go to the pool once
Hang the hammock on the clothes line
Lay in the hammock
Give myself a break

Three Weeks

How's it been going on your challenge? It's been just a week into celebrating the arrival of summer. For me I've found that I'm listening to my body more and more. I am really excited for summer for a number of reasons this time around. I'm not sure if it's because I'm surrounded by people all around the world who are celebrating health and summer (and winter for our southern hemisphere folks). Part of it is celebrating summer in a place I can call home...and someone who is all my husband and all...and our favorite dog...and celebrating my summer hair.

So, what have you noticed in your body so far?
What has been the most difficult, surprising part of the challenge?
What would you adjust from your list? Add or delete?
What are some encouraging words you can offer others on this journey?

31 day submission: Dave!

Another submission for today! Sweet friend and coworker David B!

I met David through my service at Word Made Flesh. He was on our board at first, then he was an intern and I helped him with his internship and now he's on staff in Argentina! I have a favorite pair of flip flops that he gave to me as a gift for helping him with his internship. I break them out every spring/summer, they are even here with me on our vacation. He's a sweet friend and has really great resources on the contemplative spirituality and mindfulness that people have referred to in their sharing. Check his blog out!

A few weeks back Jara, our WMF Advocacy Coordinator, introduced a “31 Days till Summer” health challenge. I kept reading the Facebook and Twitter updates, as more and more people joined in. And a kept ignoring the challenge as not for me right now. After all, we aren’t counting down the days to summer as the temps chill down towards winter here in the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, I already have a pretty long to do list before leaving for my visit to the U.S. in July. I didn’t want to add more things to “should” on myself about. This past week I was communicating with Jara in some emails back and forth on some work stuff. I added a P.S. in one of the emails thanking her for the challenge and the inspiration she gives, but explaining why I wasn’t going to take on the challenge this time around.

She replied back with a super encouraging and understanding email. Then a couple days later I found this blog post from Jara…"Stop. Deep Breath." So, for the past couple of days I had second thoughts and decided to jump into the challenge! If nothing else, it will help me think more intentionally about my health and rhythm of life (physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually).

I am a little late in the game. Better late than never, I guess. And I will make up for lost time and keep up the challenge until I leave for the U.S. in early-July. I figure that is when I’ll find summer again up north anyway!

I started my list this morning. I’ve got 20! I’ll start with that and add more, as I am able. I’ll try to share some updates along the way on my blog. Big thanks to Jara and others who are taking on the challenge for the inspiration. (I stole some of your ideas.)

If you want to follow the challenge blog, click here….
http://31daycountdown.blogspot.com/

1) Stop. Deep Breath!
2) Complete the final three units of the Spiritual Exercises (Sacred Listening, James Wakefield).
3) Eat one vegetarian meal a week.
4) Learn and try simple vegetarian recipes.
5) Make an appointment with the dermatologist to have my skin checked over in the U.S. in August.
6) Ride my bike once a week.
7) Walk for pleasure and exercise at least once a week (beyond daily walking for necessity).
8) Walk or ride bike through ecological reserve once in June.
9) Write at least one note or email of gratitude once a week.
10) Finish reading Simply Christian by N.T. Wright.
11) Read Wisdom of Stability by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove before the Staff Gathering (if it arrives in time).
12) Drink more water.
13) Floss more.
14) Take a day E.P.C. retreat in June (agenda free!)
15) Keep up with “31 days Til (l) Summer” blog for inspiration and ideas.
16) Practice examen once a week – consolation/desolation.
17) Do something life-giving every Sabbath.
18) Buy my veggies and chicken at the farmer’s market in Tuesdays.
19) Stay after church for lunch in the Living/Comedor once in June.
20) Visit a Museum.

31 day submission: Erin!

I love this woman!!! Erin B. and her family have been lifesavers in so many ways. They support me in my service at Word Made Flesh and they also are just really great friends. I was able to welcome their fourth-born in the hospital. I was honored to see a new life enter the world...on my birthday.

sooo. a beautiful friend of mine ( isn’t she though?!) has sought out to inspire her friends and others to a healthier way of living. she has challenged and encouraged us all to choose 31 things inthe next 31 days that we want to do better or differently. we are to make a list and then do our very best to follow it! I started theis when there was actually 31 days til(l) summer for real . . . .no there are 20 . . . something. anyway. I am just getting around to sharing my list! here goes!

1. exercise everyday for at least 20 minutes
2. run stairs (plus some . . .sheesh!) with the 31 days omaha crew once a week
3. purpose to get the rooms inmy home decluttered and simplified. (one at a time erin . . . one at a time)
4. sew more
5. write at least once a week
6. be commited to my blog!
7. purpose each morning to be energetic, creative, attentive and loving to my children.
8. be a better wife by acknowledging him everyday.
9. tell myself each day that who I am matters and tht who I was made to be deserves to be nurtured.
10. do 20 push ups and 20 triceps a day (at least)
11. get my dance scedule figured out and ready to commit to for fall.
12. dont give up so easily
13. spen way less time on the computer
14.take my kids to a park or somewhere at least one a week
15. be committed to my diet staying away from foods that bother my body.
16. take care of the garden WITH the kids!
17. decide not to be afraid of wearing my swimsuit.
18. laugh more
19. write more letters
20. speaking of writing letters (find some typewriter tape!)
21. start at least one drawing.
22. stay within my grocery budget.
23. make a weekly meal plan.
24. leave the dishes and go for a walk with my kids.
25. visit my grandparents.
26. call my parents more.
27. read the Word each day (even if only for a few minutes!)
28. practicing loving everyone (it’s harder than it seems!)
29. make a skirt for myself
30. learn to be comfortable with who I am inside nd learn not to be afraid that people are going to think I’m a joke.
31. do this longer than 31 days.

whew! that took some thinking and now it’s gonna take some major commitment. I need to print this list off and tape it to every wall in my house!
well, that’s ll for tonight. I gotta go to bed and get rid of these sniffles!
nighty night!
Love to you!

Happy happy happy one week! (part two)

Enjoy the video! :)

Happy happy happy one week!

Good morning world...you've made it the first week of the 31 day til summer challenge :) What whaaaaat. You're on day 7! I'm soooo proud of you.

How do you feel? 8 days ago you may have been writing out your 31 things...14 days ago you may not have even known about this challenge. But today you know about the challenge and have participated in some capacity. And i'm proud. Keep it up.

Taco Salad

Alright, most of my summer vegetarian recipes are simple and use a lot of what we have around the house.

I like to have themes for my meals...so if i'm craving Mexican, i'll do a taco salad or a version of a taco salad and I use these items.

Herdez Salsa (This is amazing)
Brown Rice
Black Beans
Corn
Onions
Avocado
Tortillas (optional)
Salad Greens
Morningstar Crumbles (these replace ground beef or turkey)
Some type of taco seasoning or a combination of cumin/coriander, red pepper flakes)

I saute the onions and spices..maybe some garlic...and then add the crumbles...I usually throw some water in with this.

Then I cook the other veggies...and the grain.

Top it with salsa, sometimes plain yogurt....and avocado.

This is just something simple I put together. I use my food scale and find the portions and enjoy!

Meditating and Journaling...

I've been journaling for years...if you look at my catalog of my life, you'll see when i've journaled more and sometimes when i've journaled less. When i'm really listening to myself and how God is teaching me and leading me, I will write about it. I'm sometimes a verbal processor, but I really need to write to get it all out. But, that's just me. Some people don't need to write out what's going on.

The reason I want to journal/meditate and pray more is because I want to keep somewhat of a written documentary of the various seasons of my life. I think that I'm much more available to be present to myself when I write and listen to what's happening. You know?

What about you?

Stop. Deep breath.

One of the things I'm known for is my love for planning things. It's a love-hate relationship. I have this weird capacity to see schedules in a 3-d way, I see how things layer on top of each other, I have a pretty good sense of my friends' schedules (they don't know this, haha). But I just get it. I hear when people are tired and when I look at a combination of their schedule (if it does or doesn't include a workout) or if they aren't eating very well, or haven't been to the doctor in awhile...I can hear their weariness even more.

Part of the 31 day challenge for us all is to remember to STOP. And take a deep breath. I mean, a real deep breath. Not one of those, let me add TAKE A BREAK to my to-do list. But, no, just stop. I think that to-do lists have a place in our lives as long as they don't paralyze us or hold us captive to the calendar or clock. I use my to-do list at work to make sure that I'm holding onto the right projects in the right place. I refer to my calendar to make sure that I'm watching certain ongoing projects: pay this bill on time, buy gardening supplies, look at plane tickets, call so and so back, finish these minutes.

For me writing my 31 things was difficult on a number of levels. I didn't want to feel like at any point I was setting goals for myself that if I didn't achieve I would feel guilty. If you know me, you know that I reprimand people who demonize any type of food or berate themselves for not working out. Choosing health is choosing freedom. As soon as you feel like a goal/intention is suffocating you, don't do it. There is an element of re-learning or learning discipline, but there's a fine line between discipline, self-abnegation and punishment...and guilt. You have to find that line on your own. Don't compare yourself. If you only wrote 10 things you wanted to do for the challenge, take those 10 things and work it. Those are YOUR things.

As you learn how to listen to your body, write down and remember what you're learning about yourself. I know for me last night I had a piece of pizza, I was tempted to feel guilty, but I enjoyed that piece of pizza and knew when I was full. That's a big step for me. Yes, I need to watch how much dairy I have because of my lactose intolerancy, and yes, I love vegetables and maybe should have had a salad with my pizza, but you know what, it's over. I'm moving on and I enjoyed that pizza like it was the bomb.com. Cause, it was.

At any point this challenge is controlling you, step back and see what that means. This is a journey to health with others. And it should be enjoyable. And me saying all of this isn't to say that this journey won't be difficult. You got this.

31 things submission: Hilary

Alright! Welcome another participant!!! Hilary! I work with this young woman at Word Made Flesh as well. She's a sweet friend to all and has a heart that is open to joy, sorrow, excitement, sadness. She's really great and I can't wait to hear how her 31 days goes!

my friend Jara invited me to participate in this challenge. it was supposed to start on May 21 (31 days until the start of summer - the start of summer falls on June 21! YES!) but I missed that deadline. So, I am starting my 31-day challenge this Friday May 28th and I'll run it through until June 28th! i'm very excited - i feel my heart racing just thinking about this challenge! I love to compete and I think this is a great opportunity for me to compete with myself (in a positive way), be challenged and achieve!! ROAR! ...i needed to add that!

31 Challenges:
Run in the morning 3 days/week
Lift weights (including core strengthening) 4 days/week
Bake a new kind of bread
Weed the garden every week
Read out of my new devotional book everyday
Pray every day
Call dad every week
Call Halee every week
Visit Holly and Heidi every week
Eat hard-boiled eggs
Have protein source every day
No food after 9PM (great idea Liz)
Take Ayrton and Vesper to the park
Ride bike to work 3 days/week
Get 7 hours of sleep
Challenge myself with stairs/sprints every week
Compete in road race
Make a new flag
Try no gluten for 1 week
Each more than 5 fruits/veggies each day
Begin training for Market-to-Market race
Mow Heidi and Tom’s lawn
No clothing purchases
Sit on the front porch for 20 consecutive minutes not doing…not even reading
Think of consolations and desolations every night (thanks Amanda and Daphne!)
Finish reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Visit the Farmer’s Market when I’m in town
Take care of my car (clean the inside, check the oil and check the tires)
Go to a lake/campground/park outside of Omaha
Show gratitude, be loving and see God in others

I'll let you know how these 31 days and 31 challenges goes!

Middle of the Week (Day 6/31)

Just wanted to check in with you today...no worries, this isn't something to make you feel guilty that you haven't done any particular thing...but really just a check in. How has it been going? Have you noticed anything different? Have you shared your goals/intentions with a friend?

For me, the middle of the week can bring a very tired Jara...I will have taught a few classes at the Y, I will have been at work for 24 hours...(three 8 hour days)...and I just feel it. I hope to be present even to my typical midweek fatigue and maybe check back in with my goal to not hit snooze..and get 7 hours of sleep!

Meals...

What did you all plan for your meals this week? What's the favorite meal that you've made so far...or a meal that you're proud of that you would want to share with the group.

Here's a link to some of my favorite food and health blogs. They have good recipes listed, too!

You love oatmeal??? Check out Kath eats and her devotion to oatmeal!

Smitten Kitchen...love it and this recipe.

And if you're looking for a place to track your meals, check out DailyPlate. I like it!

I also dig this site...really good recipes with price breakdowns!

31 days till Summer challenge: Daphne!!!

I love love love this woman. She and I worked together at Word Made Flesh for about four years. We were neighbors in the office and at home in our apartments. Daphne is also a part of a lovely yogurt company, del marie, in Omaha. If you're in Omaha and haven't tried it out, you need to, it's an order. Check out her list of 31 things.

I love love love the listening to your body parts!!!!!! (PS We got Caleb to do a round of stair running yesterday)

I took the challenge!! Thanks for helping me to be a more whole, healthy person Jara!

1. Go vegan 1 day a week.
2. Wash my face and moisturize each night before bed.
3. Take a day off the Internet (includes checking iphone!).
4. Move every day even if it’s just a walk.
5. Do my planks.
6. Run 1 mile without stopping.
7. Ride my bike for transport one day a week.
8. Listen to the stomachache. What does it say? Write it down.
9. Listen to my desire to eat more. Am I really hungry? Write it down.
10. Stop (or don’t start) eating when I’m not hungry.
11. Say a nice thing to myself each day.
12. Be kind. apologize and ask forgiveness of myself when I catch myself being mean to me.
13. Try PX90 with Jara.
14. Run stairs with Jara at least once.
15. Think about my desolation/consolation each day.
16. Practice gratitude. Write it down.
17. Take a week-long break from solitaire (yeah, I’m a big nerd!).
18. Go to the park with Finley.
19. Smile at people when I’m out.
21. Plant my garden and watch it grow.
22. Sit up straight while on the computer.
23. Have that prescription made into reading glasses.
24. Turn off the TV and read.
25. Get up before 6 am.
26. Stay up past midnight (not on the same day as 25).
27. Take a nap (okay, maybe on the same day as 25 or 26).
28. Write something just for fun and share it with someone.
29. Work on expressing my honest feelings and thoughts rather than what is expected of myself or others.
30. Let my nails grow. Ask myself “why?” when I have the urge to bite them. What’s making you anxious, lady?
31. Do my very best during the 31 day challenge and not give up.

Crocker's thoughts on small steps...

"as far as i see it, health and wellness is all about incorporating small changes (steps if you will) into your daily routine, making those routines habits, and making those habits a lifestyle.

while everyone else is trying to be a habit breaker, i want to be a habit maker."

- crocker's blog

Incorporating small steps into our lives makes a lifestyle change sustainable...that's what I think. I mean you hear about 21 days to make/break habit...you take it a day at a time.