My New Recipe Blog

To all who are following this blog (which I've neglected keeping up, I know), I want to share with you my latest endeavor: Organi-Vegi-Gluten-Free, a new blog featuring recipes and tips for cooking delicious gluten-free, vegetarian cuisine.  I've been eating gluten-free since April 2010, which has been an adventure unto itself, and more recently added vegetarianism to the mix, and for about the last year have been striving to support organic agriculture with my food purchases.

Going gluten-free has been one of the best things I've done for myself in life, as not only has it nearly eliminated the digestive pain I suffered for years with, but it has opened my palate to new flavors, and opened my mind to more conscious eating.  It is so important to know and take responsibility for the food we put in our bodies.  Eat well and be well, my friends!  And check out Organi-Vegi-Gluten-Free!

Get active, get happy

Yesterday I completed the President's Challenge Active Lifestyle Program by getting active at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week for six weeks. For two weeks toward the end of the program, I was unable to complete a full five days worth of exercise because of the holidays. I felt guilty about that, but thankfully, the program allows for two weeks of slacking off (or being ill/injured/otherwise physically unable to exercise).

Going for a daily walk around the neighborhood or at the beach has given me a renewed appreciation for "the slow life." Having been in the drive-everywhere-and-get-there-fast habit that so many of us Americans have been in for several years, I've surprised myself discovering how many places I can reach on foot just to do errands. In fact, in our little corner of Arroyo Grande, literally all the necessities of life are within walking distance. Even the hospital - and if you can't get all the way there on foot, the ambulance company is just three driveways down the street.

The benefits of walking outdoors have been noticeable for me. I'm cheerier after the breath of fresh, clean air; I feel brighter after exposure to the sun, which causes your body to make vitamin D; and eight weeks of nearly-daily walking, my leg and foot cramps and "restlessness," which used to be quite regular, have diminished substantially. The most important benefits of getting active have been the energy boost - which in turn means I have more energy to be active - and the general sense of well-being that comes with listening to and being in tune with your body.

This weekend, I plan to move on to a loftier goal, the Presidential Champions Program. Toward that end, Alden and I are going to join a local gym and keep each other motivated by going to the gym together. After getting pretty good at Wii Fit's yoga poses, I'd especially like to try real yoga for stretching and toning - integrating the mind and breath into the poses.

The President's Challenge

Today I decided to become a runner. I know it's some of the best exercise you can do for your body, it's great stress relief, and it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get into.

Well, being that I'm so incredibly out of shape, I decided I should probably become a walker first.

The problem I have with any regular exercise program is motivation and sticking with it long enough for it to become a habit. Sure, I unlocked the golden Fit Piggy on Wii Fit by logging 40+ hours of pseudo-yoga, strength training and aerobic activities, but that took me nearly a year. And while it's been a great starting point for doing more serious and strenuous versions of those activities outside of the game, I haven't been able to stick with them regularly, especially aerobics/cardio.

I'd heard of the President's Challenge before (probably during the last failed attempt to whip myself into shape), and I stumbled upon it again today while looking for advice on starting a walking program. You can sign up for several different goals based on your starting activity level, and when you achieve those goals, you receive an award from the President's Challenge. What a great way to motivate Americans to get fit and stay fit - the idea is that if you can stick with the program for as long as it takes to earn the award, you will have formed a regular exercise habit. Cheesy? Yes. Effective? We'll see.

Knowing that my current activity level is far below what it should be, I signed up for the beginner's goal, the Active Lifestyle Program. I just logged my first 40-minute moderate walk around the neighborhood this afternoon. I need to keep it up for five days a week for the next six weeks - wish me luck!