End of Year Wrap Up

It's that time of year again.  Time to reflect on all the things that have occurred in my life over the last year.  There have been a lot of ups and a few downs -though those seem to be happening all at once and within the last week.

As I wrap up my first semester of graduate school as the year comes to a close -over all it has been a very good year.  My injury to my finger last year which caused some major problems has resolved a bit.  While I am still unable to straighten the knuckle, I am glad that I still have use of my rouge digit.

My upcoming two weeks sans child will be good to reflect on this past year.  What have I learned?  What have I accomplished?  What could I improve upon?

Just as the sun dwindles to the shortest day the dark gives peace to the mind and a quiet solitude in which to sit and meditate upon our lives thus far.  While you spend this holiday season with your loved ones remember to take time out for yourself and be present within yourself -your stress levels and your soul will thank you.

Peace, Love, Health to all of you.

Quote of the day

I am at the moment deaf in the ears, hoarse in the throat, red in the nose, green in the gills, damp in the eyes, twitchy in the joints and fractious in temper from a most intolerable and oppressive cold.  ~Charles Dickens

Hello Fans!

Fans! I want to apologize for not having posted anything recently.  To update you; I started school mid-October and am currently working on my Masters in Public Health.  Naturally, this takes up a lot of my time and energy.  I do hope to post something wonderfully informative here in the near future using some of the new and fascinating topics that I am currently learning.  Till that time, I just wanted you to know that I am still here, and I am still trying to bring you insightful perspectives on health, wellness, and spirituality.

Please comment if there is something specific you would like me to discuss or visit my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Health-is-Spiritual/153755798060524?ref=tn_tnmn

Thanks again for being such wonderfully dedicated fans.

Stay Healthy! Stay Active! Stay Beautifully You!

The 5 Tibetan Rites - all together now

The 5 Tibetan Rites and the Chakras

Rite 5 -body toning and tranquility

Rite 4 -clarity and development

Rite 3 -joyfulness and flexability

Rite 2 -induce vitality and strength

Rite 1 -slow the aging process

Quote of the Day

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is 

finally better than your dreams." 

~Dr. Seuss

Image from: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3064/2759921710_27262ccd45.jpg

Benefits of The 5 Tibetan Rites

The 5 Tibetan Rites

Look for future postings of additional videos.

Quote of the day

"Time is generally the best doctor" ~Ovid

Image from:http://www.suzetteroberts.com/.a/6a0147e1d21819970b01538ec40b06970b-800wi

The 7 Laws of the Mind part 1

As I divulged in my last post I was going to expound on and delve into the concepts briefly laid out to me and those who were in attendance by Anthony Verderame.  I shall attempt to not only divulge the Laws but how to change your thoughts to be more positively aligned with how the brain works so that these laws can work for you rather than against you.

 The 7 Laws of the Mind are immutable.  They go by a variety of names (Laws of Attaction; Magical Laws of Thinking; Universal Laws of the Mind) and some 'sets' may have more or less and the 'laws' may be called/titled slightly different, but essentially they boil down to how the mind works at perceiving "reality."

1. Law of Responsibility

We have evolved to be self-aware, but no one really taught us what that means or how to be self-aware while avoiding being self-destructive.  For every thought or emotion there is a chemical and physiologic reaction within the body.  We are constantly creating ourselves and recreating ourselves with every thought.  Those thoughts that tend to repeat will have a stronger standing in our subconscious perception of ourselves then those thoughts that do not get repeated: i.e. if you tell yourself every time you see your reflection that you are beautiful then your subconscious mind will agree and even when you are not seeing your reflection you will believe yourself to be beautiful -BUT- the same goes if every time you see your reflection you tell yourself that you are ugly, then your subconscious will take that as truth.  You have a CHOICE in what you think as they are YOUR thoughts; so choose WISELY!  If you are not creating your thoughts than someone else is, take responsibility and reject all negativity that comes from without and from within.

2. Law of Reverse Effect
Remember all those times mom told you NOT to do something?  Like "Don't drop those dishes!" or "Don't forget ____." And what happened? You dropped the dishes and you forgot ____.  Have you ever wondered why? (Parents pay attention to what comes next!) The brain cannot process a negative.  The reason why this occurs is that the subconscious identifies the weakness of the statement: "Don't drop those dishes" your subconscious immediately seizes upon the idea or concept of dropping the dishes, so what do you do? You drop the dishes.  Even if you were to attempt right now to imagine your child-self walking to the cupboard with an armload of dishes, it would be very hard for you not to imagine yourself at some point along the way not DROPPING the dishes.  Even as you read this you are probably mentally hearing the sound of all those dishes clattering to the floor (I know I am as I write this).  There are four major weaknesses to negative suggestions such as these.

1. They create a void by neglecting to tell you the answer to the question of what it is you are supposed to do
2. They create the wrong mental picture
3. They create a challenge that forces you to not want to give up the very thing you are expected to give up
4. They destroy creative imagination

What mom should have said was: "Take these carefully and put them away."  Take a moment and go back to that child version of yourself and give her/him those instructions instead.  Do you make it to the cupboard? Of course you do!  How about if mom had said "Remember _____."  Guess what! you would have remembered _____.  The next time you are trying to remember a person's name don't tell yourself  "I never remember names" instead tell yourself  "Their name will come to me" and continue on with your conversation or activity and eventually the name you were attempting to remember will POP into your head.  With practice the time it takes for you to remember will become less.  Now parents when working with your children and adjusting behavior watch your language, are you using negatives? or are you directing your child to the outcome you prefer?  Try it -you just might be surprised.  

(by the way I have used this technique almost exclusively on my own son since he was 4 with great success[and in combination with traditional directional parenting before that as there were other family members involved who did not agree with this method] )

Quote of the Day

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? ~Vincent Van Gogh

Mindful Thinking

It was one of those random moments; Facebook sent me a suggested Event on an evening discussion with the topics of mindful eating and focused nutrition.

How could I miss the chance to engage with others in a topic I love; needless to say it was a Pounce moment and well worth my time.

I was surprised to learn that I knew the hostess in a professional manner and a little leery at first that the evening was really a product promotion in disguise.  Thankfully it was a very informative presentation and solidified and perpetuated my belief and understanding of topics I've discussed in the past.

T.O.P. Living

As explained by the guest speaker Anthony Verderame, a certified Whole Life counselor and coach, means to live life with the notion that you Think On Purpose.  I have already expounded a bit on concepts similar to this in past blog posts: Gratitude Not just for Thanks Giving and Spiritual Growth or Winter Blues.  He discussed or rather highlighted the 7 Laws of the Mind, 5 ways on How to Think, and 3 ways on how to Apply all this information into your daily life to create the top living suggested by his fancy word play.

As for nutrition?  

Well he did not go into specifics, really because he only had 49 minutes to divulge all his secrets.  His presentation was really a roundabout way of saying that in order to change your habits you first have to change your thinking; which is something that I agree with wholeheartedly!  What you think to yourself, think about yourself, and imagine about yourself play a vital role in who you are as a person.  Why bog all that down with negativity and self-degradation hiding yourself in a shadow of self-doubt and criticism when you are a shining soul full of love and light. 

Change one thought  

What was the last negative thought you thought to yourself?  Did you drop something and call yourself stupid or an idiot?  Are you really stupid?  Are you truly an idiot? NO!  So why did you say that, think that, and/or feel that?  When you can dig deeply into the reasons why you think, say, or feel negatively about yourself than you can move toward making better choices in what you eat, how you react in stressful situations, and your general outlook on life.  This ultimately was the underlying idea in Anthony Verderame’s presentation.

As for the Laws of the Mind, How to Think, and the Application process those topics are deep enough that I can share them in another blog moment.  So be patient as I look deeper into those topics to share with you that profound wisdom.

 Health! Wealth! and Wisdom! to all of you

Best Farmers Market Tips

Check out this awesome article I came across on Farmers Markets.  Learn how to get the best bang for your buck and the best finds!



http://nourishedkitchen.com/farmers-market-tips/

10 Disgusting Food Ingredients

How many of these foods will you eat after watching this quick info vid?

Sun Salutation how-to by Surya Namaskar - Sri Sri Yoga

In my other blog I challenge myself monthly to 1) keep myself active, 2) try new things, 3) to keep my body, mind, and spirit young by continually trying different, new, or exciting things.  This month's challenge is yoga so I thought I would share with you, my readers, a little demo video on the Sun Salutation I shall be doing every day for 30 days.  This video will be posted there as well.

For more information and the calendar of how many I will be doing daily: http://30dayssomethingnew.blogspot.com/2013/08/augusts-challenge-sun-salutations.html

Quote of the Day

 “It is better to practice daily for 20 minutes than to practice for an hour occasionally.”
                                                                                       ~Krishan Verma, senior Sri Sri Yoga teacher,

Meal of the month

It is officially summer here in the Upper Midwest -took long enough this year.  With summer sun, heat, and bar-b-q's comes light summer cuizine; beyond salads and the lemonade stands I found this wonderful dish that includes summery/tropical vitamin packed fruits.

 Lemon Chicken

2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breast, cubes

1 tablespoon grated ginger root

1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel

1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 green onions, minced

1 glove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 lemon, very thinly sliced

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup cubed mango

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Sauté the chicken, ginger root, lime peel, orange peel, lime juice, lemon juice, onions, and garlic in the olive oil until the chicken is white.  Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, and lemon.  Stir; simmer for 15 minutes. Mix the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Add the chicken a little bit at a time, storing constantly. Mix in mango, cinnamon, and sugar. Simmer until the mango is warm and the sauce is thick.

Try it on a bed of rice, couscous, or other grain. (Serves 4)

The Joy's of Co-Operatives

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.

Co-op's those funny looking grocery stores that sometimes consist of strangely/uniquely dressed patrons/members, a plethora of choices in produce, bulk amounts of everyday (and not so everyday) items allowing you to buy only what you need, and a mix of unique sounding brands for seemingly other-worldly foods.  Co-ops place a high priority on environmentally friendly practice and products with connections direct with local farmers in most cases.  While you might not find a 100% selection of organic food items, be sure if your co-op has a mission that benefits their patrons all your fresh items will be labeled as local, organic, conventional, or fair trade.

My own local co-ops (as I think most do) consist of a locally appointed board made up of active members within the community and within the co-op sub-community.  Membership gives access similar to being a co-owner or like that of buying stock within the company and can be more rewarding than just the wonderfully fresh produce with dividends returned on a yearly basis based off your own commitment/patronage to the co-op community; though not all co-ops have this type of membership.

Cooperatives are not new.  Historical records will suggest that the first co-op was formed in Scotland in 1761 and became popular with the Co-operative movement in 1844 which inspired the formation of financial co-operatives such as credit unions.  While co-ops do not require a membership to shop there are additional advantages to joining than the possibility of a monetary kick back and exceptionally good food, co-ops as part of their mission offer community based classes in a variety of subjects.

Classes range from inner personal work like meditation to cooking classes, but also farm tours, health and nutrition, along with quarterly news letters that contain interesting and educational articles, and a connection to your community and your local food source that is lost in the big box/chain grocery stores.

Find a co-op near you with either of these great pages:

• http://ica.coop/en
• http://www.sustainablefoodtrade.org/

Beach Ready?

Yes I know it's June already and for most of the country it is already Beach Weather, but not here.  This Northern Midwest spring has been crazy with temperatures that are better fit for April and endless days of rain with maybe (if we're lucky) one day of sunshine and warmth as a hopeful reprieve.  For me and those who live in my area there is still time to become beach ready.

Typically, when people think of getting beach ready they spend hours and weeks in the gym, go through crash diets, and other crazy stuff in the hopes of being able to wear that swimsuit without looking like a beached whale on the beach.  Well, there are better ways about doing this.  The best way is to make a beach ready life style a year round thing instead of a crash course a month or two before the weather turns hot.

In my other blog I challenge myself monthly which has helped me not only keep my interest up in living a healthy beach ready lifestyle, but the change up does not allow for boredom that can sometimes come from doing the same thing over and over for weeks or months at a time.  While I have been gearing up for a 5K over the last few months I have fallen into one of those boring rhythms; what better then to write about choosing healthy lifestyles to shake things up for myself.

Time to shake the dust off that pile of workout videos (wish they were actually dvd's instead of vhs), dig out that tennis racket, and find those state park maps.  What better way to get psyched about summer then to actually get outside for fresh air and some vitamin D rich sunshine (if it ever stops raining that is).  With the change of season from spring to summer now is the best time to visit Farmer's Markets for fresh wholesome produce -preferably grown locally and organically.  Ditch the boxed, canned, and/or frozen meals that tend to become the norm of winter food supply and allow your taste-buds a refreshing change.

While I have no way of knowing if the weather will ever allow for beach fun, here's hoping that I can at least enjoy the great outdoors in health.

If you would like to view my other blog and check out my monthly challenges you will find it here: http://30dayssomethingnew.blogspot.com/

The funny things they make you do at work

Was having trouble sharing this yesterday. In honor of National Chicken Dance Song day (yesterday 5/16/13), and employee appreciation week my work made us come up with a skit for a company wide competition (know idea what the prize is). Here is our submission. Enjoy!

Volunteer!

Take Action!

ACS's CPS-3 video!

Great video on why we should ALL volunteer!

Cancer Prevention Study -3

Recently I was invited to take part as a Community Advocate in junction with the American Cancer Society's third cancer prevention study.  Recruitment is occurring all over the country.  I reach out to all of my readers to volunteer to help create a better future!

Volunteer today for a cancer-free tomorrow.

What if you could prevent even one family from hearing the words “you have cancer”?

Right now you have a unique opportunity to fight back against cancer by enrolling in the American Cancer Society’s new research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). By joining CPS-3, you can help researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer, which ultimately saves lives.

Who can join the study?
The study is open to anyone who:

• is willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which means completing periodic follow-up surveys at home for the next 20-30 years
• is between 30 and 65 years old
• has never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer)

How can you participate?
Participation is easy. Your initial enrollment requires two steps and will involve the following:

• After scheduling your enrollment appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to go online and complete your first, most comprehensive survey. This survey will ask you questions regarding medications you are taking, family history of cancer, lifestyle and other behaviors and will take approximately 45 – 60 minutes to complete.
• At your appointment, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form, complete a brief survey, provide a waist circumference measurement and a small blood sample (similar to a doctor’s visit). The blood sample will be taken by a certified, trained phlebotomist. Your appointment should last approximately 20 – 30 minutes.

What else can you do?

• Make sure to bring friends with you when you show up to change the world. And tell everyone you know about this historic opportunity to save lives and fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in your community.

To schedule an appointment or to see when they will be in your are check out the list of states participating:

http://www.cancer.org/research/researchprogramsfunding/epidemiology-cancerpreventionstudies/cancerpreventionstudy-3/cps3-locations#al

Recipe of the Month: Asian Phyllo Rolls

While I don't normally post recipes, unless its some fabulous new juice, I have had multiple people beg for the recipe of this dish that I made for a baby shower I hosted this past weekend.  So, without further ado -

Ingredients:
1/2 cup apricot preserves
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 talbespoon honey
4 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic gloves, minced
2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
(I used Macadamia Nut oil as I could not find this type of oil and it was what I had on hand)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 pound ground skinless turkey breast
(I used 9 ounces of cubed chicken breast)
2 cups frozen Asian-style vegetables, thawed, patted dry, and chopped
(I threw them in frozen and unchopped -again worked very well)
1 cup chopped bok choy
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (I used Bragg's Liquid Aminos instead)
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon sugar
8 (12x17 inch) sheets phyllo dough, thawed according to package directions

Dipping Sauce:
Combine the preserves, vinegar, honey, 2 teaspoons of the ginger, the garlic, 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil, and the crushed red pepper in a bowl.  Cover and refrigerate.
(I did not add the crushed red pepper as I didn't want it to be too spicy for the mom-to-be or any of the older ladies at the party -tasted just wonderful without so I would say the pepper is optional)

Rolls:
Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skilled over medium-high heat.  Add turkey and brown, about 6 minutes.  Add vegetabels and bok choy.  Cook, stirring until tender, about 4 minutes.  Stir in soy sauce, water, remaining 2 tablespoons ginger and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, and the sugar.  Cook 5 minutes.  Let cool.

Preheat the oven to 400^o F. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray.  Place on sheet of phyllo with the short side facing you on a work surface.  Lightly spray the phyllo with nonstick spray, then fold it in half lengthwise.  Place 1/2 cup of the filling in the center of the bottom end of the phyllo.  Fold in the sides then roll up to completely enclose the filling.  Place the rol, seam-side down, on the baking sheet.  Lightly spray the roll with nonstick spray.  Repeat with remaining phyllo and filling to make 8 rolls.  Bake
until light golden, 15-20 minutes.  Serve with dipping sauce.

Serves 8 (I cut them in half for 16)
Serving size 1 roll with 2 tablespoons dipping sauce
168 Cal, 5g Fat, 1g Sat Fat, 0g Trans fat, 19mg Chol, 380mg Sod, 25g Carb, 1g Fiber, 9g Prot, 24mg Calcium.

As this came from an old Weight Watchers cookbook it has a 3 point value.
(Calculations will be varied based on changes I made to the recipe)

ENJOY!!!!

Quote of the Day

 It's motive alone that gives character to the actions of men. 

~Jean de la Bruyere

Article Share -American Heart Association

How Important Is Cardiovascular Research Funding? Ask Chris Morgan

FAIRVIEW SYSTEM, MARCH 20, 2013

Research made possible by funding from the American Heart Association Heart Walk matters to heart patients like Chris Morgan, who suffered a life-threatening aortic dissection last year.

If you ever wondered how vital cardiovascular research funding is to our patients, just ask Chris Morgan.

The 43-year-old Farmington father of three suffered an aortic dissection last spring—a life-threatening condition that placed a 28-inch tear in his aorta.

The expert care Chris received at Fairview Ridges Hospital and University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview saved his life and put him on the road to recovery.

On May 4, when Fairview walkers arrive at Target Field for the American Heart Association Heart Walk, they can be proud that hundreds of patients like Chris benefit from their fundraising efforts. 


A 'busload of tingles'Chris, who coaches the Eagan High School swim team, recalls feeling a “busload of tingles” throughout his body last year at his team's banquet. He felt ill, but kept going for another three hours.

After the event, when Chris handed the car keys to his wife, Amy, she knew there was something seriously wrong. She drove him to Fairview Ridges Hospital's Emergency Department, where Molly Mattson, RN, whose child is on the Eagan swim team, was starting her shift.

Under the direction of John Houghland, MD, Chris underwent a battery of tests to determine what was wrong. Realizing time was of the essence, John had Chris flown to University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

Once there, Chris was in surgery within an hour to repair the aortic dissection, led by yet another Eagan swim parent, Herbert Ward, MD.

The surgery was successful, and Chris was able to return to work seven weeks later. Chris credits his Fairview care team for having a positive effect on his attitude and overall prognosis. 

“The Fairview doctors working with me at Ridges and at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview are very educated about my condition,” Chris says. “I feel very well provided and cared for, and that means a lot to me.”


Walking to make a differenceChris’ story reminds us that research funding raised at the American Heart Association's May 4 Heart Walk and March of Dimes' April 28 March for Babies make a difference in people's lives.

To donate and make a difference in someone's life please copy and paste the following link:

http://twincitiesheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1033008&lis=0&kntae1033008=162AED6FED864CA5901BE6E056213DFA

Today's Scenic View

While you walk along the path
     enjoy the scenery
          for it changes quickly...

American Heart Walk

Good Morning Health is Spiritual Fans!  This May I will be participating in the American Heart Walk in my hometown.  My personal goal is to raise $1000.  I know that may seem like a lot, but the money spent is worth it if it means saving a life.  Here are some interesting statistics on heart disease:

The Plus Side:
3% of Americans are thought to have optimum cardiovascular health, according to a recent study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for which researchers questioned more than 350,000 people nationwide about their body mass index, cholesterol levels, fruit and vegetable consumption, and more. but the findings weren't all doom and gloom. For instance, if you're between the ages of 35-54, you're in the bracket most likely to have an "ideal" ticker.
Edelstein, Julia "Real Simple" (2013)

The Burden:

• About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.¹
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men.¹
• Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 peopleannually.¹
• Every year about 935,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 610,000 are a first heart attack. 325,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.²
• Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year.³ This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

CDC-DHDSP "Heart Disease Facts"

No One is Safe:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, Hispanics, and whites. For American Indians or Alaska Natives and Asians or Pacific Islanders, heart disease is second only to cancer. Below are the percentages of all deaths caused by heart disease in 2008, listed by ethnicity.⁴

Race of Ethnic Group	% of Deaths
African Americans	24.5
American Indians or Alaska Natives	18.0
Asians or Pacific Islanders	23.2
Hispanics	20.8
Whites	25.1
All	25.0

Please visit my pledge page and donate.  Even if it's only $1.00. Let's work together to create a better, heart healthier country!  Let's rid that map of all that red!

http://twincitiesheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1033008&supid=379205584

Quote of the Day

 Your work is to discover your work and then with all you heart to give yourself to it. 

                       

                               ~Buddha

Setting Goals to Build an Outstanding Life

Setting goals is a part of human nature.  We all at some point in our lives have looked a head and said to ourselves: "I want to be there!" where ever there was.  At some point in our lives we lose track of those goals, we get busy, life just seems to get in the way.  How do we refocus on what we need to do in order to accomplish what we saw as something worth our time and effort to reach for, to achieve?

Becoming a goal accomplisher should start first with a goal, but more than that it starts with making a goal oriented life.  What do I mean by a goal oriented life?  A goal oriented life should be one that allows you to focus on a lot of mini-goals that will ultimately allow you to achieve the bigger goals.  Many mini-accomplishments can snow-ball your momentum and confidence for reaching higher then you may have thought possible.

Think of one goal or one thing that you have always dreamed about doing, or becoming, a career you have always wanted to try.  Now what steps would you have to take to see that goal come to fruition?  Depending upon your thought, the steps could be a daunting amount.

Let's say for example: your goal is to run in the Boston marathon.  If you've never run in your life this can seem like a very scary, almost impossible dream.  Yet if you turn this dream into a set of mini-goals you will find yourself one day standing at the starting line of the Boston marathon surrounded by the hundreds of thousands of other runners, and a feeling of accomplishment will follow you over the finish line.

How to turn a big dream into mini-goals:

1. determine what your goal or achievement is
2. set a date in the future that will allow you the time to appropriately complete any steps that may be required
3. research what is needed to get to your goal's finish line
4. set your mini-goals up in easily achievable increments (cont. with our marathon example).

• talk to a health care professional about your health and any issues that might be present that could result in injury or failure
• read some running literature to educate yourself on the many different styles of running 
• find a good pair of shoes that work for you (only use them for your running training sessions)
• if you've never run, first see if you can walk a mile, 2 miles, or even a 5K.
• ask for running assistance from friends that run or find a running coach
• run your first mile, your first 5K
• actually run in a public event
• increase speed, time, and distance always striving for further, longer, and just a little bit faster (no one's going to be disappointed with you if you don't beat the Boston marathon time record on your first attempt)
• Once these mini-goals have been accomplished keep training and sign up for the big day.  Get your airline tickets and hotel accommodations.  If you invest that much money in the event it makes it harder to back out.

But why set goals in the first place:

"If you don't have a goal in life, you are spending your life running around and not achieving anything for yourself." ~Bill Copeland

Our whole existence as humans is to achieve something, even if it's nothing more than to live.  While the achievement of just living is much easier now than it was say one hundred or even a thousand years ago we have lost touch I think with what it meant to really work at just living.  We need goals, we need something to look forward to, something to strive for it is a part of our nature.  By acknowledging them through journaling or blogging about them can help give you clarity about what it really is that you are attempting to achieve.  Goals are a representation of our desires and ideas of what it means to be in a better place or a better version of ourselves.  Having a physical reference (yes even a blog is physical) allows you to go back and remind yourself what you want to do which can help you maintain focus.  Blogging about your goals, especially on a public forum, makes you accountable.  Not only do you become more aware that you have slipped out of the energy expenditure required for your goal but those who follow along are aware as well.

Finally -and this is important: 

Goals force you to strive out of your comfort zone and into new life experiences that broaden the mind and can enlighten the spirit.  Even if you feel that you have already accomplished all that you ever wanted, setting even little goals that force you to experience the best that life has to offer can make your life outstanding!

"Goals ensure you get the best out of life, for two reasons.

Firstly, by becoming a better person, your new found knowledge and abilities let you experience more out of the same life events compared to the previous you. Think about how your worldview is different now vs the you 10 years ago. Do you see life with much more clarity, depth and perspective today than you were in the past? What may be a simple daily occurrence in the past holds a lot more meaning to the more highly evolved you today.

Secondly, time passes in our life, whether we want to or not. Goals with specific measures and deadlines ensure we are maximizing our output and experiences during our time here. If you have already discovered your life purpose, your goals will ensure you get the best out of your purpose" (Celes: on Jan 19, 2009).

Personally I have monthly goals right now that I blog about (clearly not here, so now you know where all my blogging time goes).  Since I started these goals last June I have noticed a dramatic change in my outlook on life.  Yes there are down falls, and yes there are times when it can seem that the goal is too lofty or to difficult to reach; but then sometimes it really is the little things that get you going and matter the most; and sometimes we need those little reminders, that gentle push of our dreams calling to us from our future to remind us we have purpose.

Blog:
www.30dayssomethingnew.blogspot.com

Reference:

Celes (Jan 19, 2009). 6 Important Reasons Why You Should Set Goals. http://personalexcellence.co/blog/6-important-reasons-why-you-should-set-goals/

Flavored Milk; Petition to Amend the Standard of Identity for Milk and 17 Additional Dairy Products

U.S. dairy industry petitions FDA to approve aspartame as hidden, unlabeled additive in milk, yogurt, eggnog and cream - by Mike Adams 

You probably already know that the FDA has declared war on raw milk and even helped fund and coordinate armed government raids against raw milk farmers and distributors. Yes, it's insane. This brand of tyranny is unique to the USA and isn't even conducted in China, North Kora or Cuba. Only in the USA are raw milk farmers treated like terrorists.

But now the situation is getting even more insane than you could have imagined: the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) have filed a petition with the FDA asking the FDA to alter the definition of "milk" to secretly include chemical sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose.

Importantly, none of these additives need to be listed on the label. They will simply be swept under the definition of "milk," so that when a company lists "milk" on the label, it automatically includes aspartame or sucralose. And if you're trying to avoid aspartame, you'll have no way of doing so because it won't be listed on the label.

This isn't only for milk, either: It's also for yogurt, cream, sour cream, eggnog, whipping cream and a total of 17 products, all of which are listed in the petition at FDA.gov.

As the petition states:

IDFA and NMPF request their proposed amendments to the milk standard of identity to allow optional characterizing flavoring ingredients used in milk (e.g., chocolate flavoring added to milk) to be sweetened with any safe and suitable sweetener -- including non-nutritive sweeteners such as aspartame.

This is all being done to "save the children," we're told, because the use of aspartame in milk products would reduce calories.

Milk industry specifically asks to HIDE aspartame from consumers
Astonishingly, the dairy industry is engaged in extreme doublespeak logic and actually arguing that aspartame should be hidden from consumers by not listing it on the label. Here's what the petition says:

IDFA and NMPF argue that nutrient content claims such as "reduced calorie" are not attractive to children, and maintain that consumers can more easily identify the overall nutritional value of milk products that are flavored with non-nutritive sweeteners if the labels do not include such claims. Further, the petitioners assert that consumers do not recognize milk -- including flavored milk -- as necessarily containing sugar. Accordingly, the petitioners state that milk flavored with non-nutritive sweeteners should be labeled as milk without further claims so that consumers can "more easily identify its overall nutritional value."

In other words, hiding aspartame from consumers by not including it on the label actually helps consumers, according to the IDFA and NMPF!

Yep, consumers are best served by keeping them ignorant. If this logic smacks of the same kind of twisted deception practiced by Monsanto, that's because it's identical: the less consumers know, the more they are helped, according to industry. And it's for the children, too, because children are also best served by keeping them poisoned with aspartame.

Consumers have always been kept in the dark about pink slime, meat glue, rBGH and GMOs in their food. And now, if the IDFA gets its way, you'll be able to drink hormone-contaminated milk from an antibiotics-inundated cow fed genetically modified crops and producing milk containing hidden aspartame. And you won't have the right to know about any of this!

The FDA confirms this "secret" status of aspartame, stating, "If the standard of identity for milk is amended as requested by petitioners, milk manufacturers could use non-nutritive sweeteners in flavored milk without a nutrient content claim in its labeling."

FDA requests comments
The FDA is requesting comments on this petition. You have until May 21st, 2013 to submit your comments. Click here for instructions.

This is a clue to stop drinking processed milk and milk products altogether
There's a bigger story here than just the industry hoping to get FDA approval to secretly put aspartame in milk products while not listing aspartame on the label.

The bigger question is this: If an industry is pushing to hide aspartame in its products, what else is it already hiding?

How about the pus content of its dairy products? How about its inhumane treatment of animals who are subjected to torture conditions and pumped full of genetically engineered hormones? How about the fact that homogenization and pasteurization turn a whole food into a dietary nightmare that promotes obesity, autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular disease?

There are lots of dirty little secrets in the dairy industry of course, and that doesn't even get into the secret closed-door conversations to encourage the FDA to destroy the competition of raw milk.

The only rational answer to all this is to stop buying and consuming processed dairy products, period!

I gave up ALL milk products many years ago and have never looked back. I drink almond milk, not pus-filled pasteurized cow's milk. (Click here for a recipe to make your own almond milk at home.) I don't eat yogurt. If I want probiotics, I get them from tasty chewable probiotics supplements such as Sunbiotics. I parted ways with processed dairy products many years ago, and as a result, my cardiovascular health, skin health, digestive health and stamina have all remained in outstanding shape.

There's also a philosophical issue here: Don't buy products from an industry that habitually LIES about everything. The dairy industry is like a mafia. They actively seek to destroy the competition, keep consumers ignorant and monopolize the market. They run highly deceptive ads with ridiculous claims like, "drinking milk helps you lose weight" and other nonsense.

The U.S. dairy industry is steeped in deception at every level, and now they want you and your children to unknowingly drink aspartame that's secretly blended into the product.

The dairy industry is to food as Lance Armstrong is to sports. It's all a big lie, laced with secret chemicals and false claims.

Stop drinking milk. Stop financially supporting the food mafia.

Recommended videos:
Raw Milk Rover (hilarious animation)http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=273C2497DFDE9F61CB9E8867113CA5CA

Got a PUStache? (satire)
http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=C463AA940B9AEBA5D294F87FF0716579

Jonathan Emord raw milk freedom speech:
http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=F8DF9A42CC5479D8829A2445C56AFEF3

Farmageddon interview with Kristin Canty
http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=3340FCCC93B2C17EEFA43C7E6296728D

Sources for this article:
This petition was originally brought to our attention by a reader who says it was covered on Activist Post. I haven't yet read that article but may update this article with a link to that article once I identify the URL.

FDA petition page:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/02/20/2013-03835/flavored-milk-petition-to-amend-the-standard-of-identity-for-milk-and-17-additional-dairy-products

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/039244_milk_aspartame_FDA_petition.html#ixzz2LwUdhS6j

Thanks goes to the Citizens Action Network facebook page for sharing this vital information.  Please! If you live in the US and you drink milk, eat yogurt and cheese -do NOT let our Government continue to decide what we put into our bodies and our children's bodies!  Aspartame is a poison and while as adults we have the choice to drink diet soda's (the leading sweetner is aspertame) and poison ourselves but if it is in our children's milk supply, millions of school children who MUST rely on school lunch will be subjected without consent to this horrific and addictive drug.  Please read up, learn more about it, and choose to stand up against the true tyranny!

Creating Wealth thru Happiness

I'm not sure who sent me this email or who the original author is but what a great concept!

Money does buy happiness, but happiness also creates wealth.

All the wealth in the world cannot buy you these 2 precious  things health and happiness.

Health is wealth.

Assuming you want to create both wealth and happiness for yourself and those around you, you have two approaches: wait until you're wealthy to be happy, or become more happy now and thereby create more wealth.

I maintain that, in today's economy, it's easier to start with the happiness, because unlike wealth (which takes time to accumulate), you can increase the amount of happiness in your life within minutes, simply by taking more notice of things that make you happy.

With that in mind, here are ten things that can make you happy immediately, regardless of where you are in the cycle.

1. Life

It's easy to forget that the mere fact of conscious existence--that you are alive--is itself a miracle. As the old saying goes "every day above ground is a good day."

2. Health

Rather than thinking of illness as something bad that happens to you, start thinking of health as something good that's happening to you.

3. Purpose

There is nothing more conducive to long-term happiness than knowing that your actions are making the world a better place.

4. Friendship

Almost everyone has friends, although it's easy to lose track of them in the rush of events. Take a few minutes--today--to reconnect with some of them.

5. Family

If you've got a good relationship with your family, rejoice! You're experiencing one of the deepest sources of happiness on the planet.

6. Self-reliance

Feeling secure that you can count on yourself to accomplish what you set out to accomplish creates a quiet but potent happiness.

7. Community

Having the support of a wider group makes you more aware that you're part of something greater than yourself.

8. Gratitude

Rather than focusing on what you don't have or what's out of reach, be thankful for the wonderful things already in your life.

9. Laughter

It is impossible to laugh and be miserable at the same time. Regular doses of laughter are more than medicine... it's the flavor of life.

10. Love

Create these ten things in your life and I guarantee that you'll either become more wealthy or, if not, you won't really care anyway because you'll already have what's important.

Photowalk

Spiritual Growth or Winter Blues

I ended 2012 and started the new year immersed in a set of books all geared toward spiritual enlightenment or betterment of the self in one way or another; not to mention my own physical regrouping after an arduous 33 days of antibiotics.  While the physical reboot has been going along well and despite a minor setback of catching a rather wicked virus which forced me to sleep for 36 hours almost straight thru -thanks to my healthcare associated day job - I turned toward an internal (spiritual/soul searching) reboot as well.  I don't know if it is due to the time of year; the mortality of the world clearly displayed in the bleak color of winter brown and the onset of temperatures that could freeze you where you stand, or the simple fact that this time of year has documented proof of increased death rates during the Holiday's, the lack of sunlight, and the urge to curl up beneath a pile of blankets till the spring thaw.  How ever the urge arose, I found myself spending my free moment's nose deep in several books.

The Secret of Quantum Living by Dr. Frank J. Kinslow
The first book I pulled off my overflowing shelves is actually a part two; a fact I was unaware of at the time I came across this book. The first being The Secret of Instant Healing which if I ever get around to obtaining a copy I will most likely devour within a few days.  Thankfully the author does a refresher set of chapters for those of us who did not happen to read the books in order so that the main concept is clear and understandable.
Quantum Living is based off similar principles to Quantum Physics and the reader is guided through the process of Quantum Entrainment or QE™.  Dr. Kinslow teaches the reader how to recognize the True Self through pure awareness exercises, and works through the whole self in four parts: The Mind, Body, Relationships, and Everything Else.
While it is a good instructional book when you actually get to the instructions and exercises the opening is a bit sluggish in that it really should be read as a sequel to the first one.  I would recommend this book for anyone ready to do some serious self-study and opening the dusty piles of baggage that have accumulated over your years.

The Law of Divine Compensation: On Work, Money, and Miracles by Marianne Williamson
This book could certainly be a continuation of The Secret books as it is along the same theme: what you think/feel/desire is manifested no matter if those thoughts/feelings/desires are beneficial to you or are detrimental.  While the book was a little Bible heavy for my tastes the message was still there and easily discerned.  The universal law is that we are all OF and FROM the universe (god, divine power, love, etc), we are perfect beings attempting to live up to our perfect potential and while we will make mistakes along the way it is our job to accept that, move on, ask for guidance, and let go of those things which prevent us from reaching our absolute potential.  My only complaint for this book and other books like it are for the "examples."  I understand the need for examples of negative behavior/thought patterns, but there's a part of me that has worked so hard NOT to behave/think that way, that I feel in the process of reading the examples I am regressing.  Positive Examples Please!

 
How to Read the Akashic Records: Accessing the Archive of the Soul and Its Journey by Linda Howe
A great instructional book and guide for some serious self healing.  While the author recommends some extensive commitment from the reader -a month- to become acquainted with the how's, who's, and why's of asking, accessing, and gleaning such deep insight to the secrets of not only our soul, but to the universal and spiritual presence of our place in the history of our soul.  Clearly with my nose so deep in two other books, I have yet to make that commitment.  This book requires an open mind and a little bit of faith in the understanding of reincarnation and that ALL information throughout all of time is accessible if we only know how to access it.

Happy Reading Fans!

If you are interested in reading any of these books please click on the titles as they are affiliated links.  Thank you for your audience and patronage.