Pursuit of Healthfulness Wk 7, Wishcast and 52 Photo Projects

Hey Friends I am doing 3 posts in one this weekend as I could not get to my computer on Wednesday.  So I am doing my weekly check in with Melissa over at My Red Tutu for our Pursuit of Healthfulness, Wishcast Wednesday with Jamie Ridler and sharing pics with Bella over at 52 Photos Project.

The funny thing is they all kind of go hand and hand this week with each other and my Healthy Pursuit.

Jamie Ridler :  What do you wish for your Health and Wellness

Bella:  Where to you go to renew your spirit

I have noticed in my pursuit of Healthfulness this week  that I am truly addicted to sugar in the form of bread and dark chocolate, I literally can not go a day without them and I believe it is taking a toll on my health and energy.  I try to go for the apple but then I just eat the chocolate right after.  I'm also noticing the bread and chocolate feed off each other when I have one I crave the other.  This has been very frusterating for me because I AM noticing it but not changing it yet.  I have kept up with adding greens every day at least once if not twice a day.  I even had kale with my eggs this morning.  Another thing I noticed is if I go to long without eating I will overeat so I would like to plan my meal times a bit better.

In addition to diet and nutrition for Jamie's prompt what do I wish for my health and wellness and Bella's where to you go to renew your spirit prompt the answer would be to spend more time in nature. I have been pretty inactive lately and even taking a short walk in the park this week had my legs cramping, a sure sign that I have not been moving enough.  My spirit is renewed while taking photo walks through the park and just noticing the beauty of the trees against the natural canvas of the sky, it truly soothes my soul.

So as you wish for yourselves, I am also wishing for you.  I would also love to hear where you are in your Pursuit of Healthfulness.  Let's jump on over to Melissa at My Red Tutu and she what she has to share this week.

Namaste,

Karen

52 Photos Project and Wishcast Wednesday: 1/18/2012

green bokeh

Good Morning All.  Today is Wednesday and I am wishing over at Jamie Ridlers Studios and sharing pictures with Bella over at 52 Photos Project. 

Today's Prompt:
Wish:  If you listen closely what do you wish to hear?
Picture:  Color w/emotion, what color makes you feel good.

If I listen closely what I wish to hear is that all is going just as it should and I can trust that I am exactly where I need to be on my journey. 

I love so many colors so this photo prompt is a hard one.  When I looked through my pictures I noticed that I am drawn to colors in nature, especially the greens.  Green makes me feel good.  I almost never wear green but I painted my bedroom this amazing green and even though it's a vibrant green it brings me peace.  Here are some of my favorite pics highlighting the color green.

Green on White

Green Bedroom

Neighborhood green

Collard Green

So my friends what are you hearing when you listen closely and what colors soothe you?
As Always as you wish for yourself, so I wish for you also.

Namaste
Karen

The Pursuit of Healthfulness - Week 6

This week as I post my update (late) for week 6 of My pursuit of Healthfulness with Melissa over at My Red Tutu, I realize I have been doing alot of emotional healing lately.  This past week my pursuit has been as much about my mind and spirit as my body. 

On the nutrition/diet front I have been successful in adding greens to my diet each and every day, I have even been taking pics of them and posting them on instagram as #dailygreens.  My favorites are, collards, spinach, arugula, broccoli rabe and kale.  I saute them lightly in extra virgin olive oil with red pepper flakes, curry, salt and a touch of honey. 

On the mind/spirit front I have recently connected with Jane Cunningham over at Reframing Your Story.  Jane with listening and creating art will take one of your stories, you know the one you have been telling yourself over and over, the one that holds you back and keeps you stuck, the one you need healing from.   She will take your story and tell it from a different perspective, to look at it through eyes of love and compassion.  What I discovered in my session was that I have not felt loved or important for most of my life, and I have the power now to get in touch with that girl inside and give her that love.  The girl below with the two tight ponytails who is withdrawn and very sensitive, the girl who has pushed things down for so long.  I can go back and show her she is loved and important.  I know it may not be easy and it may take a bit to reach her but I am on the way. 

 Another resourse I am planning on checking out is the book, What are your Emotions Trying to Tell You, which was recommended by my friend Joy Tanksley who I have done coaching with.  I have been emotionally eating since childhood so now is the time to change those patterns, to create new ones.

I leave you with this Yogi Tea message, I love getting messages from the magical to the mundane from unlikely sources.  This one was a reminder, one I needed to hear this day, Yes where there is love there is no question.  Let's jump on over to Melissa over at My Red Tutu and see what she has been up to.

As always I would love to hear where you are on your Pursuit of Healthfulness.

Namaste,

Karen

The Pursuit of Healthfulness - Week 5

Fun with Instant Camera

Hello Friends.. This week post is late because I was having posting problems..but It's here now.

This last week as I and Melissa over at My Red Tutu finish our 5th week of our Pursuit of Healthfulness I noticed a few things in regards to my health that I believe I can make improvements on. 

1.  I never seem to get to sleep before 12 or 1am and I usually wake around 6 when my husband gets up and the I go back to sleep for awhile longer.  So I am not getting a straight 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  And I usually fall asleep in front of the TV in the den and then wake and go to the bedroom.
2.  I made a Good Luck meal on New Years Day that made me sick to my stomach..lol.. I am thinking it may be the combination of onion, lentils, fennell and sausage.  It may have been too heavy on my digestive system.
3. I feel down and sluggish when just sitting around watching tv or reading.  low energy.

What I can do to make some small changes.

1. Try to actually go to bed around 11pm even if I am not tired.  Stop drinking any liquids around 9pm so I don't have to go to the bathroom this might also help me sleep uninterrupted a bit longer.
2. Try a clean food plan.  Eating closer to the source and less processed.  I think this may help me get my digestion back on a healthy track.  I have been getting this CLEAN EATING magazine and it has some great recipes and suggestions.  I'll let you know if I try any of the recipes and how I like them.
3. Try to get outside in nature for a minimum of 1/2 hour a day.  This weekend I was out driving around taking pics of the sky and trees with my Fuji Instant Camera which I got for Xmas and am having so much fun with.  I noticed my energy and spirits being lifted by combining the creative with being outside. (see some of the pictures I took above in the group shot)

So my friends what are you doing this week for yourself, feel free to share your story below by linking your post or just leave me a comment.  Let's jump on over to Melissa's and she what she has to share this week.



Namaste,
Karen

Day one ...2012

welcoming my words for 2012

Happy New Year my friends.  Today I am welcoming my words for 2012 starting with clarity and then flowing into focus.  I am also sharing these pictures over at Bella's 52 Photos Project, the prompt was:  Day 1.

We started the day making a good luck meal for the beginning of the New Year.  Sausage with fennell and lentils, it was so good.  You can find the recipe over here at  Epicurious.   You can also read the traditions around the world regarding New Years and good luck foods to be eaten this day here at Epicurious Lucky Foods for the New Year.

Today is also my 46th birthday which I'll be celebrating with family.  My husband started my day out with a great surprise of canvases and a Dick Blick gift card.  I love that he supports and encourages my creativity.

So how are you and yours bringing in this New Year?  I would love to hear your traditions, resolutions or words.  May this year bring you good luck, health, joy and love.

New Years Day night falling with a beautiful flare

 

Namaste,

Karen