Journey into Wellness

It's officially happening - I'm embarking on yet another journey. I think I finally have the tools I need to be successful, and God willing, all will be revealed along the way!

To begin with, I start the "Fall Journey to Wellness" tonight. Yoga lead by my friend, Frances, and nutrition accountability. I bought The Mediterranean Zone Diet book and it was delivered this morning. According to the website, here is what I'm getting:

Dr. Sears revolutionized nutrition with his 1995 bestseller, The Zone. In the two decades since its publication, his dietary principles for optimal hormonal balance to control inflammation have become the standard by which all diets are measured.

The Mediterranean Zone takes his principles of anti-inflammatory nutrition to a new level by explaining the key role that polyphenols play in the reduction of inflammatory responses as well as their activation of anti-aging mechanisms embedded in our genes.

This book will also help you understand not only why the American health-care system is rapidly unraveling, but also what you can do to protect yourself and your family from those consequences.

Sounds good, so far!

In addition, I'm going to dive into a 36 week program to motivate and inspire me to finally write a book. (Details to come!) So many of my friends are published authors, and I thought, what the hell am I waiting for? But first - this journey. I will be working on The Artist's Way. I purchased about three year ago, the complete 3-book journey by Julie Cameron. The first 12 weeks (which works perfectly with my 12 weeks of yoga,) will be based on her first book, The Artist's Way, (according to the website,) is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist’s life. Still as vital today-or perhaps even more so-than it was when it was first published one decade ago, it is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In a new introduction to the book, Julia Cameron reflects upon the impact of The Artist’s Way and describes the work she has done during the last decade and the new insights into the creative process that she has gained. Updated and expanded, this anniversary edition reframes The Artist’s Way for a new century. This program will take 12 weeks to complete. 

Then I will head into Walking in this World. Another 12 week program. In this sequel to her international bestseller The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron presents the next step in her course of discovering and recovering the creative self. Part Two in an amazing journey toward discovering our human potential, this book shows readers how to inhabit the world with a sense of wonder. Full of valuable new strategies and techniques for breaking through difficult creative ground, this is a profoundly inspired work by the leading authority on the subject of creativity.

And finally, I will wrap it up with Finding Water, another 12 week program. This powerful new installment in Julia Cameron’s groundbreaking body of work on the creative process will guide readers to discover enduring inspiration that it will lead them to water.

Finding Water completes Julia Cameron’s bestselling trilogy on the creative process, beginning with The Artist’s Way and Walking in This World to offer guidance on weathering the periods in an artist’s life when inspiration appears to have run dry. This book offers advice and wisdom about tackling the most challenging issues an artist faces, such as:

– making the decision to begin a new project;
– persevering when a new approach to your art does not bear immediate fruit;
– staying focused when other parts of your life threaten to distract you from your art; and
– spotting possibilities for artistic inspiration in the most unlikely places.

This powerful new installment in Cameron’s groundbreaking body of work on the creative process will guide readers to discover enduring inspiration-it will lead them to water.

I would like to invite YOU to join me on this journey. If you are interested, I will leave a few of the ideas I have picked up and anything else that might be useful. You can purchase the books I mentioned from the respective websites or Amazon. If you are a Prime Member, you will get free shipping and two day delivery. 

Right now, I would recommend getting the books, and a notebook and pen. That's it. Start as simple as that. We can do this together! Last night, I read a quote in the Artist's Way that reminded me what I needed to do:

It's now or never. I'm not a stand on the sidelines kind of girl. All of the puzzle pieces have been accounted for, all that is left is me. 

One final thought - I was reading my daily devotional. It is from a book I have had since 1996 called Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie. Today's thought was "Learn to be Present." She says, "There is a better way to live. One where we keep our hearts open and know what we feel. We take the risk of being vulnerable enough to share who we really are and to allow others to do the same. We become fully present for each moment and each person on our path."

Man... this is an area I really need to work on. My mind wanders a mile a minute, and it is hard to just sit and be in the moment. My hope is tonight, through yoga, I will be able to reconnect with that more spiritual side of who I am. Something.. or rather, someone I lost a long time ago. 

Today as we move forward, Beattie recommends we

Give the gift of presence to yourself and to the world.

I guess I am a joiner

Soooooooooooo....

I decided to finally hold myself accountable publicly when it comes to my health and wellness.
You guys know I have been trying so many different things over the past year and a half. I have uncovered so many great tips/tricks and FINALLY have a plan.

I have put off many, MANY things - but I finally got a grip - and I have to admit, felt inspired by a few of my blogmates. Yes, I have hopped on the band wagon and I have started a second "Wellness Blog." I would love for those who want to go on this journey with me to follow. If not, no worries.

Destination: Unknown is the mother ship, and THIS is where the deep thoughts go. But I wanted to have a place to share the information I have gained over the year or so.

If you would like to check it out - head over to - http://lotuspathtowellness.blogspot.com/.

So.. yes, I am a follower. EEk.

PS - Super thanks and inspiration to Miss Leanne at From Chaos Comes Happiness and to Ashley at Flashes of Brilliance for taking that lifestyle change step! :-)

Take it From the Tap

"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry." ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

How very true that statement is. The topic of water came up in conversation a few times today. Ironically, this is all happening the same day I planned to watch the documentary TAPPED on Netflix.

As you guys know, I went shopping this morning for groceries. I have been inspired by one of my favorite blog-friend's - Leanne at From Chaos Comes Happiness. She has recently started a second blog on healthy lifestyles, and is chronicling her journey.

I explained in the post before this one, I have spent the past year, trying different aspects of health out. Trying to see which techniques and habits I was comfortable forming. Then when Leanne took the BIG jump to health, I thought - By God, I need to get back on the wagon. I jumped off back in November (typical holiday break.) My pending cardiologist visit (one year later) is next week.. and I just hope he has good news.

Well, in this whole process - I wanted to not only choose healthier options for food - I actually want my food to BE healthy.

What?

You thought the produce at Publix or Winn Dixie has all the nutrients and is clean just for you?

Au contraire.

But I will get to that in another post.

There is one resource I have been eyeing suspiciously for years.. and that is bottled water. If any of you actually know me, I rarely drink bottled water.. well.. not until recently. Let me tell you why - remember the whole CPAP machine thing? Well, I have to only purchase Purified Water with no minerals. It is hard to find, but was told it is best for the machine. Stupid me thought that might mean best for me, so I started purchasing bottled water. What they MEANT was the minerals sometimes leave a film.. etc. Okay..

But all of these years leading up to this weird trend of mine, I thought.. wait a minute..
1. Is it REALLY water from _____ rivers and streams?
2. If plastic is bad for the environment - how can it be good to hold our water?

Ding Ding Ding.

To answer the first question, watch this:




Okay - and to answer the second question - watch this:


 Okay.. try to pick your chin up now.

If you would like more information on how to take action or even how YOUR city is doing?
Go HERE.

Yep, back to my old tap water days. Good to know, I was NOT crazy.

Good on so many levels

  “Don't ever give up on something or someone that you can't go a full day without thinking about.”

2011 is shaping up to prospectively becoming the best year of my 30s.

I see health, I see commitment to new interests, I see a more solid relationship.

Good things are starting to happen, and it is all because I hung in there, and gave it my all.

We have 1/2 of October and two more months until the big night!

Health: This time last year I visited a cardiologist. I have been struggling with High Blood Pressure for years. I decided to bite the bullet and find out what was going on in my body. After months of tests, a few sleep studies, and one bought of meningitis (again) - I got some answers. This January it will be about one year on a CPAP machine, and yes my dear friends, it is making all of the difference. I feel a LOT better. I am sleeping more soundly, I wake up  more refreshed, and honestly, I can't imagine life without this freedom. I went well over a decade waking up gasping for air, or spending an entire day with crushing headaches and elevated blood pressure in the a.m. That ship has sailed, and I feel normal.

I dabbled in Mediterranean foods beginning last October - since then I have incorporated so many new foods and recipes into my diet. I find when I head back to the fried, fatty American-processed foods, I get physically ill. We are only eating whole, "clean" foods and it feels good. I can see a difference in my skin, in my eyes, in my hair, my nails. I am getting the proper vitamins and minerals and it does not involve supplements. Sure, I have a long, long way to go, and yes - I still gobble up the chips and candy corn on my desk.. but the  desire and craving to eat better is there.

I have spent almost 3 months attending a Zumba and Body Jam class. 4 hours a week of vigorous aerobic activity. I did something that is so uncharacteristic of me today - I actually jogged. I am sooo not kidding. I am still flipping out. ;-)

Guys - this isn't about weight loss - it's about feeling healthy. That's all I want. I want to slow down the wear and tear on these arteries... that's all.

I have made a conscious decision (however) to join Weight Watchers for 3 months - just to kick start the healthier portion side and slow down on the snacking. I will sign up on Friday. It's the only way to keep up the momentum this holiday season and in the colder months. The ONLY way.

I plan to make an appointment to see my cardiologist in November and my pulmonary doc - hopefully to find out the news that I can drop one of these meds!!!

Because in the end - I want to be med free! :-)

Relationship: The most beautiful thing in the world has transpired. Sure, sure - the cultural differences and minor arguments will always be there - but an understanding and proof we are (and I will use my dear friend, Laura's words) serving each other is clear. We are taking care of one another, loving one another and learning to be in a relationship that is working "backwards." The beauty of meeting online is that we had to talk. But our honeymoon stage took place without the learning the little idiosyncrasies of each other. Our time in Egypt was the most beautiful time of my life, and the transition this year with immigration and culture has been a major learning experience- finally - the hard work I put into this is starting to pay off. We have adjusted to each other. We are more understanding of one another - and STILL - I love this man more than anybody in the world.

Sure, I want to strangle him - but I am learning to be patient and adjust. I see my egyptian (the original one I fell in love with) is back probably 75% of the time - which is a HUGE increase from 25% of the time! :-) I think 2011 is our year for BiG growth.

Friends: Since moving to a new state 5 years ago, I had to make all new friends. I had some good times, and unfortunately picked up a few cuckoo-birds along the way. Luckily I weeded through the trash and found my jewels!

Work: Blessings are coming on strong! Big wins!

Volunteer involvement: Moving on to new and exciting activities! I plan to volunteer with children of incarcerated parents, I hope to help with a local Girl Scout troop, and I plan to mentor some communications students at the university level.

All in all - I am gearing up for an amazing 2011. A Healthier, happier, more deeply loved Nicole.

It's all good. I placed the foundation and I am ready!

Health Do-Over

As I was watching a L'oreal skincare commercial, I got to thinking about my skin, my health, my peace of mind. The commercial was about how as a teenager we did not take very good care of our skin and body and now are paying the price. They claim to have a product that will work as a "do over."

First of all, I don't believe in do-overs. I believe in starting over. But unfortunately, you are stuck with the baggage you own. However - your start over is a more educated one.

However, let's pretend I could get a "do-over." What would I do differently?

1. I would have used sunscreen every day while at the pool in the summer.

2. I would have started with a skincare regime around the age of 12. (I simply used a bar of soap back then - never had a break out in my teen years!)

3. I would have learned more about exfoliating and moisturizing in my early 20s.

4. I would not have lay out for hours in my senior year of high school.

5. I would have only drank water in college!

6. I would not have started drinking in college.

7. I would have taken advantage of the gym facilities while in college and not gained weight.

8. I would have encouraged my mom and dad to let me talk to a therapist in high school to help deal with the panic attacks. (I was not sure what they were - no one really understood panic disorder back then.)

9. I would have volunteered even more at church.

10. I would take all of the above advice and put it to use today.

If you could get a health and well-being do-over, what would you have done differently?