See You in April

I will be back blogging in April.  Take care!

I Want Sunshine

I really didn't want to walk today.  It was cloudy, cool and breezy.  For those who think NC is in the sunny south then you are wrong.  It became apparent this past summer when my garden didn't thrive.  We have very few cloudless days of full sunshine.

I made myself walk. I listened to the Nature Harmony Farm podcast. It's about a couple who own guess what? Yes, a farm. It did make the walk go by faster.  Now that it's over I'm glad I did it.  Sunshine would have made it even better.

Cheap Therapy Solution #4 and #5

(a follow up to my Cheap Therapy post)

I'm not sure this falls under the category of cheap but I feel it is in the overall big picture.  A few days ago I scheduled a massage for Friday.  It ended up being good timing because I was sore from yard work on Thursday. Also since I was recovering from a cold, I like to get a massage to get all the toxins moving along and out of my body. I went to a new therapist.  It went fine.  I think it was good for me. I felt better.  The next day I had to go out of town with my daughter for an event she was attending.  Though the town wasn't anything exciting, I realized how I missed traveling or at least getting away.  I've written before of my love of traveling. Due to various circumstances I have not been able to leave as much as I use to or would like.
It hit my while I was driving that for about the same price of an hour message I could get a hotel room (week day rate) for 1 night in several of my favorite places within driving distance of home. My husband has encouraged me to get away from time to time.  In conclusion:  massage was solution #4 but I have a feeling that solution #5 - getting away will be more therapeutic.

Food for Thought

I won't post again about my cold.   I've gotten a comment and 2 emails about working with my nutrition coach so I will talk about that. My coach is named Sara.   She has 3 wonderful blogs I have followed for a while: Happy Foody, Walk Slowly, Live Wildly, and the Happy Janssens . I won't give away all her secrets but a little summary:

Her main emphasis is going toward eating more raw food.  I already have a green smoothie for breakfast but have gotten slack by using Green Vibrance powder instead of real greens.  Now I'm doing both and having another one when I get home to curb the afternoon hunger - one of my biggest downfalls. I'm making sure I have a fruit and a veggie in my lunch on the days I work or a big salad the days I'm home.  She's also stressing being prepared - having food on hand.  I am only so so about this.  Being organized really does help especially when packing my lunch for work.  Sara would like for me to give up coffee, dairy and beef.  If I lived alone this would not be too difficult.  None of those things are huge "must haves" for me anyway.  However I am not alone and cook for others.  She understands this and stresses I shouldn't push my ideas on to my family.  Sometimes I do fix my own food. I usually have decaf coffee so that will be a compromise for me.  I am going to strive to have less beef dishes, add less beef as an ingredient and have more meatless meals.  I didn't go into the coaching session thinking I would be enlightened with all new information. Instead I got reinforcement about matters I was somewhat aware of along with fresh ideas, sources for further education and encouragement.

Inside Looking Out

The sun is shining. I'd love to be out enjoying the spring day taking a walk or doing yard work. Unfortunately my cold still seems to be in charge.  For right now I'm inside looking out. I will at least sit outside for a little while later when it warms up.  I don't feel completely terrible.  My energy gets zapped after I try to go about my normal activities.  Rest you say.  Easier said than done with work, kids and a husband who was out of town. It is a beautiful spring day and that makes me feel somewhat better.

Breaking Down For the Good

SunChips has been promoting their compostable packaging.  I bought a bag.  The kids ate them.  Now it's going into my compost bin to be put to the test.  They said it breaks down in "just 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost bin".  It will take longer here since the temperatures are still cool.

Dealing With What You Got

I have been fortunate to not get sick the last 2 cold and flu seasons.  Last year was crucial because Mom was having chemotherapy.  I even had a flu shot.  This year I chose not to have one.  I don't work in the public.  My kids are older. I decided to take my chances.  No flu yet.

Yesterday while I was taking care of my son who had his wisdom teeth out I began to feel run down. My nose was runny.  Today I'm about the same - tired and I don't feel I have all my breathing capacity.  I'm not congested but the drippy nose continues.  It could be worse. Now what?

I  am not against prescribed and OTC medicine but I'm not quick to pop a pill either. (Part of that is from my childhood.  Mom was quick to pop a pill or give us one instead of taking proactive measures.  Growing up we had several colds a season.  She was a smoker but denied a connection.)  I don't do well with the typical cold meds.  They keep me awake (yes even Nyquil).  The relief never lasts as long as it's time to take another dose.  I feel worse once they wear off and they seem to prolong the whole ordeal .  Zinc lozenges have been recommended. I've taken them in the past with good results but then got a little scared.  A nurse said she had just seen someone who had lost their sense of smell and taste after using them.  I read up and it can be a side effect.  So far today I've drank a lot of water.  I will move on to peppermint tea.  I don't know of any medicinal benefits but mint always makes me at least feel as though I'm breathing better.  I did Yoga for Common Cold.  I don't necesarily believe those particular moves help with colds but doing some light exercise and stretching can't hurt. It's a beautiful weekend.  I'm not happy to have a cold but basically I'm going to take it easy.  I will test my patience and not fight the cold.  I will let my body heal.   In the past I'd continue to be Super Mom.  Now I will ask for help.
Is there anything you do when you are sick?

Cheap Therapy Solution #2 and #3

(a follow up to my Cheap Therapy post)

Drink more water

 

The water cooler guy (for lack of a better description) was at my office.  He offered me a special on residential delivery. I thought I'd give it a try because our well water is very hard.  Now a month later, I'd say it's worth the cost.  My kids are drinking more water since the cooler is right there.  Both my son and I have given up sodas for Lent.  I do feel much better the days I drink more water.  As for extras on the water cooler, my daughter felt it needed some decorations.  The rocks are from various rivers and streams we've waded in.

Eat better

 

I can tell a big difference when I eat well and when I don't.  Maybe it's growing old but I'll pick feeling better over eating junk or eating too much.  Same goes for drinking - a glass of wine or one beer is about my limit these days.  My eating habits had slipped over the last few months.  I didn't feel as good either.  The thing is I like healthy foods.  My downfall is laziness.  I've made a big effort to eat better. To go along with Cheap Therapy and trying something new I have connected with a nutritional coach for a week (beginning next Monday) to educate and motivate me.  I will post about working with Sara and how I am feeling once we get started.

I'm Ready For Spring

Cheap Therapy Solution #1

(a follow up to my Cheap Therapy post)

Take more pictures.  I'm not aspiring to be a professional photographer.  My camera is an advance point & shoot not a dSLR.  I use to take pictures for fun, to share, for memories.  I hardly pick up this camera anymore.   That needs to change.