7 posts tagged “health”

Crosspost from http://adviceandfables.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/trial-run/ - Smoothies, mmm!

This year so far has been a whirlwind of change... for the better.  It's semi-epic.  Huzzahs all around.  Here are some highlights, in no real order, since I haven't been really updating much. Ever.  I am surprisingly quite behind on responding to emails, comments, phone calls and various things of that nature.  My apologies, but I'll be back soon. :) 

1.  My diet has changed to be largely vegetarian. Bonus points for getting J'luxe to partake in this sort of thing.  He ate tofu with me.  Stir-fry FTW!  This been going on for about a month now; my visit to Jyoti-Bihanga switched on a light.  After our orders arrived (Daisy graciously accompanied me), I realized that veggie meals are cheaper and easier for me to make at home as well as on-the-go.  
  I never realized how many options there were and how tasty they can be!  I think the trick to switching is not to consciously make A Change.  Just eat better, eat healthier, listen to your body.  If you say one morning, "I'm never going to eat red meat again!", you're going to want a steak by dinnertime.  You know how it works.  Instead, tomorrow make a salad with a bunch of tasty fruits and veggies.  Make it giant where you're not hungry, but later maybe you could have some long-grain rice and steamed snow peas with a bowl of pear halves for dessert.  You just take it one day at a time, and really, after you get past the first few days you just don't want the things you used to.  I do still enjoy tuna quite a bit, chicken and shrimp aren't bad either, but my cravings now are less for Chik-Fil-A and more for foods that don't give me that blah feeling an hour later.  It's kind of awesome.
  Cutting out sugar is getting to be a little easier too.  When grocery shopping, it's easier to resist picking up a pack of Oreos as opposed to some raspberries and organic chocolate bars (to melt over the berries).  Okay... maybe not Oreos, those beasts are like the Sirens of the cookie world.  Thank god there's only one more sleeve of Thin Mints remaining, this should finish up our Holiday Stash of sweets pretty nicely.
 
2.  drunkbunny is forming itself into a nice little bundle of something.  I've been working at about 50% of where I should be, although progress is definitely being made.  A few days ago a light bulb hit me in the head and I realized if I'm ever going to get anything done I need to actually do it.  This involves a social hiatus, which should probably last about two weeks to be effective.  I have, however, made prior plans that last me until at least Monday, so I'm not going to cancel on everyone.  Instead I will just not make any more plans after this for the next two weeks.  Remember how I mentioned being very behind?  I'm hoping to catch up on all of that while getting portfolio work done as well.  Oh, and speaking of hiatus, this ties nicely in with my next item:

3.  Finance control!  Never in my life have I wanted to make a finance spreadsheet, let alone check ALL my statements and collaborate them to figure where the fuck I screwed up in my life.  However, what did I spend part of today doing?  You guessed it.  Then I brought my paperwork home and installed Excel so I could finish.  It's interesting.  The first thing to catch my eye as a solution was this:
Current problem:  Expenses > Savings/Deposits. 
Solution:  Savings/Deposits > Expensese.
It's not really tough.
  My goals now involve tracking things rather fastidiously, and trying to do little things to save where necessary.  Like opting to ride my bike to work instead of drive my car.  My commute (one way) is TWO MILES.  Did I mention living in Sandy Freaking Eggo?  Have you guys heard anything about the weather here?  It's like that one joke...
Anchorman Bob: So Pete, what's the weather like in San Diego?
Anchorman Pete: Um, we've got.... nice.  Okay Bob, back to you.
  It's like I watch somebody else living my life.  Ridiculous.  I could get up and do 15 minutes of yoga on the beach, get ready and bike the two miles to my waterfront job, have a nice healthy breakfast and tea there while helping people plan their weddings or parties.  Then I hang out for eight hours, bike back home, and make art or play video games or blog or go to dance class or have coffee with friends.  I'll tell you right now what got me into getting up earlier (by the way), it was this site: Zen Habits.  That guy just writes to inspire, so whatever he said worked.

3b.  Oh yeah, I filed my taxes early!  And I'm getting a refund!! You know what I'm doing with that?  Paying off a bill that's been haunting me for two years and opening a savings account.  AWWWWSUUUUUUM.

4.  On the health/fun/fitness front, I've started taking dance classes again, with the ultra-talented Sabrina.  I can afford her classes and she has a great personality, plus it's just so nice to feel that spark again.  Dance does something to me that not even art can do, although it comes pretty close.  I think to be able to see yourself you have to find someone that reflects it, someone that inspires you to do your best.  This comes off as so cheesy, but I've always enjoyed watching Sabrina dance.  Not just because she is beautiful and expressive and technically talented, but because she is one of the few people that really translates the music.  When you watch it's just hypnotic, almost magical.  She really feels the music and shares it, and it's just ...good.  I only hope I can afford to continue taking instruction from her, and that I actually do something with it.

5.  Realizing Adulthood.
  It's true.  I lump all those thoughts together, realize that my life right now (even though I've got some debt) is not horrendous.  I've got a car that's just barely five years old, a stable relationship, a decent figure, a comfortable job, some talent, a SWEET oceanfront apartment, a handful of very stable and awesome friends, and a cat who thinks he's a puppy.  Things slowly seem to be working in my favor, and it's times like this, where I can sit back and regroup, that I just hold on to the moment and remember it for later.  We're talking about buying a house again, which is another reason for wanting (needing!) to keep a very tight watch on my finances.  Every small thing, down to buying generic versus brand-name soy sauce. 

For some reason, this birthday seemed to be more real than the others. Maybe because my coworkers keep saying "Just wait 'til you're 30, just wait"... but why?  I don't fear getting older, I fear instability.  Being poor.  Waking up one night and realizing that I have totally lost my bearings in life, THAT is what scares me.  Age doesn't matter.  You just have to make every moment count. 

I think this is the year that will start off many of those moments.

...from what, I don't know.  Winter?  It's no surprise that winter doesn't really show up here in San Diego*, but there is a definite period of less-than-summer.  The weather is cool, the days are a little more grey and rainy than normal, and people seem to be glum.  I enjoy it, as it's a nice break from the constant sunshine.  Plus I can wear my scarf!  And comfy clothes!

I'm also taking a break from a three-day break, most of which has been spent leveling my BE 'lock and feeling weak.  The two are not related, despite what some stupid articles might give the impression of.  Whatever bug has gone around seems to be tougher this year than last, although I hear the same thing every year about how someone got hit harder than ever before. 

My goal lately, both aiding in a speedy recovery as well as my general health, is to fix my diet.  Things like trying vegetarianism for a couple weeks and adding a multivitamin to my daily diet probably can't hurt me. Daisy took me to Jyoti-Bihanga last week and I had the most awesome stir-fry of all time.  It was one of those meals you want to just keep eating until you can't move.  In fact, it was so incredible that it prompted me to almost go completely vegetarian and buy tofu.

Did you hear me?

There is tofu in my refrigerator.  On purpose. 

I have plans for it that don't involve throwing the brick at someone's head. 

This must be a sign of that whole 'responsible adult' phase that's been cropping up lately.  Oh, before I launch into that (and speaking of veggies), I'd also like to say that a trip to 99 Ranch almost made me go completely vegan.  Not the whole store (or the stench of fish), just the meat/deli section.  You know what?  Just do a Google image search for "chicken paw".  There was also a large array of "pig's feet" and "shoulder of lamb".  I was alright until I - for some unknown reason - decided that all this meat needed a closer inspection.  There it was... tendon, bone and all.  Chicken Paw of Doom.

Something horrible happened in my stomach, and I almost made the solid decision to never bring an animal product into my life again. 

I love a good steak, juicy piece of chicken, or even a nice tuna sandwich.  Scrambled eggs?  Milk and cookies?  Bring it on!  But man oh man, something about that chicken paw made me recoil in horror.  I've never even been able to use that phrase properly and know what it felt like. 

Anyway, I'm going to make my diet predominately vegetarian until I start feeling less of these flu/cold symptoms.  It usually helps. 

Today's goal was just to buy some cat litter.  Really.  I cannot, however, be trusted to grocery shop alone, especially half-dazed and wanting to detox.  So a full cart of groceries later, I came home and started cleaning.  Oh, before the store there was a stop to the library, which ended in a three-foot high stack of books, mostly about home decor, decorating small spaces, and keeping yo' sh/t organized.

It all started with the cat litter... then I found some weird mold on the windows (oh the joys of waterfront living)... then of course there was a need to vacuum.  This then led to needing to air the place out, which led to cleaning up and attempting to cat-proof the patio.

I think for now I'll just finish clearing the giant mess that came out of 2 plastic bins, and get the laundry started.  The actual throwing out/sorting of the items in the bin is something that can wait for another day, when I'm not exhausted.  Then I need to start on a purse for my friend as well as this deck idea that's been nagging at me for about a year. 

The drunkbunny stuff, since you all care, has been blossoming nicely.  I finished up a tattoo sketch for someone that actually looks like a tattoo sketch, and less like a chunk of random art.  Also, cleaning the apartment makes me feel A) like the mold/dander isn't making me as sick, and B) productive, since things are easier to get to and put away.

I have a lot to blog about, but there are other things that need to be taken care of.  So instead of an epic entry trying to play catch-up, I'm going to leave you with this list that got sent to me. Some of which I added to and edited.

Ways To Tell You're Growing Up

1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.

2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.

3. You actually keep healthy food in the fridge - and the beer takes up less space.

4. 6:00AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.

5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.

6. You watch the weather channel.

7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of 'hook up' and 'break up'.

8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.

9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as 'dressed up'.

10. You're the one calling the police because those f&*#ing kids next door won't turn down the stereo.

11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.

12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.

13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.

14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.

15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.

16. You take naps.

17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.

18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3am would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.

19. You go to the drugstor for Ibuprofen and antacids, not for condoms and pregnancy tests.

20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer 'pretty good shit'.

21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.

22. 'I just can't drink the way I used to' replaces 'I'm never going to drink that much again'.

23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.

24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.

25. When you find out your friend is pregnant, you congratulate them instead of asking 'Oh shit, what the hell happened?'

26. Taping up a poster of a 90's boy band or a Bud Light girl no longer seems like quality interior design. Besides, the tape will pull the paint off the wall.

27. Paying bills is no longer something that just happens to other people.

28. A dishwasher is a luxury, not just another name for your mother.

Bonus - You read this entire list looking desperately for a sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old ass.

*The history of Saint San Diego, also known as Saint Didacus of Alcalá, may be of some interest to you.  There's grave-robbin' involved!

+ Hugs!  They are A-Ok.  Give and receive as necessary for repeated good cheer. :)

+ Make yourself a really good cup of herbal [preferably sleepytime] tea an hour or so before you want to go to bed.

A more appropriate title will be forthcoming. For now, that fits.
It's my blog, I may keep that title. So there.

Just a little bit of daily routine, shared with all y'all, in hopes that it might add a little zest of zen to your lives.

When it's almost time for bed:

-This site reminded me to clean up after myself (although I've been much better lately).  For those of you who eat in front of your computer (or tv), go put your food trash/dirty dishes in the kitchen.  Where it goes.

-Put away your shoes.  Just do it. It sucks, but just do it.  You can grab them on your way back from putting away your stuff in the kitchen and toss them in the closet/shoe basket/shoe rack.  Then, surprisingly, you'll know where they are in the morning.  It may take a couple days but suddenly you realize that shoes have homes and those homes are the only logical place they belong when not in use.

-Stretch. One or two good full body stretches will get you comfy and ready for sleep.

-Go to bed half an hour earlier than you normally would.  This way you're probably asleep before you would have normally even gone to bed.  Seriously, I know some of you (including me) have an Internet addiction, but you know roughly how long your daily e-rounds take.  If you start doing those rounds a little earlier that's helps, and for the love of all that is holy don't get sucked into surfing Myspace, Facebook or Livejournal when it's getting close to bedtime.  No matter what, just try not to surf endlessly into the wee hours of the morning.  Perhaps end your rounds at an inspiring site, a daily quote site or something that is not constantly updated.  Bonus points if it's a health/fitness site, maybe you'll be inspired to do some yoga in the morning. ;)

-Read in bed if you want, or maybe play some mediation music to fall asleep.  Nothing crazy, just some nice nature sounds or maybe monks chanting if you like that sort of thing.  SomaFm.com has 2 great playlists (Groove Salad & Drone Zone) that can help you pass out.

-Bonus points if you get up a little earlier than normal due to feeling more rested (hopefully from going to bed earlier)!

Have a good night, everyone.

I was having a fairly intense moment of depression for awhile there.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of two days.  It was enough to spark calling a day off from work, though that was just the undercurrent.  The main reason was because of waking up feeling like someone beat me up.  Hoorah for less-than-restful sleep, what little there was.

I'm going to try and keep track of these ups and downs a little better so I can adjust accordingly. 

In lieu of that, the manic cycle coming up will probably be bordering on epic.  Brace y'rselves.

Just got home from the gym about an hour ago.  The first thing I did was heat up a can of vegetable soup, with some fresh cherry-sized mozzarella cheese balls, a little bread & butter, and some olives.  It tasted so good, you have no idea.  I'm kicking around the idea of having a cupcake too, but that might wait.

I haven't been eating much because I'm on one of my rockstar diets --what some of you may refer to as poverty-- so the actual hunger hasn't been around so often.  However one of the main side effects of working out, coincidentally, is hunger.  Your body burns up a bunch of calories and gets the blood flowing, and the digestive system gets to going.  The goal is to eat enough to get rid of the hungry feeling and not gorge on everything in sight.

Another goal is to eat healthy.  Not just by ordering the medium (instead of the Supersize) at McDonald's either - our bodies have a tough --if not impossible-- time processing all that pre-processed stuff.  J has recently had a really evil flare-up of psoraisis, which has been progressing slowly towards WTF territory over the past six weeks or so.  He's got a doctor's appointment tomorrow which will hopefully clear things up, poor bebe.  Also they will hopefully tell him he needs fresh air and to let me do all the shopping so I can get us some really healthy things.  Like veggies, fruits, raw milk, et cetera.  I miss eating well and I miss having money to buy things you don't have to microwave.

Tomorrow morning is my first session (of five) with Rachel... yes, a personal trainer.  These sessions got paid for in late 2006, possibly early October.  Now that I've got some free time I made the choice to use them up right away and get a good schedule going.  It will probably take me about two weeks to get a job so in between applications, interviews and working on a portfolio I plan on working out.  Maybe even making some money in between if I'm lucky... and not being lucky isn't an option since I don't currently have enough for February's rent.

Let's not think about that right now.  Let's think about positive things, like the 750-piece puzzle spread out on my kitchen table, the one with the border almost done.  Or maybe walking on the beach tomorrow... or finishing one of the three projects that are about half done.  Or even better, cleaning the apartment.  A good housecleaning burns a serious amount of calories and helps your feng shui, and what's wrong with that?

As some of you know (and fewer of you care), I'm bipolar.  The short version is MOOD SWINGS.  Right now my mood is swinging as a delicate balance between manic happy productivity and crushing depression.  The goal is just to keep busy and not think too far ahead.

Another bad idea is to go grocery shopping when you're hungry, especially at 9 p.m. right after working out.  Just don't.  However if you have no real food in the house then you may make an exception and pick up some healthy stuff.  Um, Lean Cuisine?  I love you.

On that note I'm going to have a few more olives ('cause they're mm-mm-good!) and then maybe relax with some tea.  Perhaps I'll try to tackle the rest of that puzzle while everything digests.