#makehealthyahabit

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Thirteen

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Part of being healthy is having a healthy mind.

And I believe our thoughts directly play into our health.

It’s very easy to allow negative thoughts to spread in one’s mind and take over but for the most part, it’s not worth being angry and negative…

Today, I had to catch myself.

I believe a woman was flirting with my husband right in front of me. And while that should have made me smile and feel proud, instead I felt a pang of anger and wanted her to just stop it.

Yes, I am a Leo. And Sicilian. And originally from New York.

But those are just excuses. Allowing my temper to flair over petty things is not good for my mind, body or soul.

And I’m glad I caught myself today and stopped that stream of negative thought from taking up anymore of my time.

Instead, I focused on positive things, like my husband and I doing yoga together for the first time. And now I’m going to do an all natural detoxing mud mask for my skin, because that too needs some healthy love.

And that feels so much better than holding a grudge.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twelve

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For motivation and knowledge, I decided to do a little research today in the name of health.

I’m realizing that common beliefs about health can be very wrong and doing one’s own research is the best way to find out what is in fact healthy for you.

Take for example food products that are modified to be “low fat”. Well… is that a good thing? My husband has made me aware that the “low fat” labeled food items are typically far worse for you because of what is being used to replace the fat. Check the ingredients.

I also now read the labels of the food items I buy. I’m kinda surprised it’s taken me this long to become aware of what I put in my body. And though it’s disappointing to realize how much corn syrup is used in items I like, I’m glad to have learned that all the information I need to know is right there in the ingredient list. Forget the claims on the packages or the myths perpetrated through advertising.

My new rule #1 when buying groceries and personal items – Read The Ingredients.

I also experimented with making my own toothpaste today (see pic above.) I used a little too much salt but dang, my teeth feel clean! As with cooking, I need to perfect the recipe…

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Eleven

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Today was all about focusing on what I’ve chosen to do – make healthy a habit and get rid of my unhealthy ones.

I know this is the right thing for me and I’m aware of why I’m doing it.

It hasn’t been easy but that’s okay.

And as I was thinking about these things today, I realized something has come in very handy for me during this time of change…

Self pep talks.

They’re incredibly helpful to remind me of why I’m doing what I’m doing so I can either keep doing it or stop. They help keep me going when the going gets tough.

And each day, change sets in a little more.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Ten

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In the name of health, sometimes you have to make yourself do something even if you don’t want to do it.

As the momentum of the new year wears off, getting into the habit of making daily healthy choices has not been as easy for me as I would have liked.

I have to expect some unhappiness and frustration, though right?  If it was easy, I would have done it years ago. But now it’s time for the tough to get tougher as the struggle hits.

So rather than focus on the difficulty of breaking bad habits, I think I’ll focus on the new healthy habits that have already begun to settle in…

I rode my bike to the store for some things we needed today even though it was cold and the car was right there.

And then for a snack, I made dehydrated apple chips. I haven’t bought a bag of potato chips since I began this project and for me, that’s a big deal. (I friggin’ love kettle chips.)

I suppose that some things will come more naturally for me, like biking instead of driving, while other things, like quitting fast food fries, will be more difficult. That’s just part of the deal.

And discipline and strength have a ton to do with it.

I think if I summon these two things,  I’ll make it past the initial difficulty of breaking the bad habits that have become such a part of my life and replace them with the healthier ones that I want.

It’s a matter of staying strong. Wish me well as I keep moving forward… (and go another weekend without a glass of wine!)

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Nine

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Have Courage, Will Travel

 

I feel a bit like at an intersection.

One direction is the easy road.

The other direction, the not easy road.

I look both ways.

 

Life is choice and sacrifice.

The universe is the show.

Each day is another step.

I know which direction to take.

 

“Our lives improve only when we take chances and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.”

-Walter Anderson

 

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

 

 

 

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Eight

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There was a wine tasting at the restaurant I work at today. Typically, I love these because I get to taste and learn about really cool wines. But seeing as I haven’t had a sip of alcohol in a week, it caused me to pause.

For my purposes, I’m not quitting drinking altogether but rather limiting my intake. Wine had become an unhealthy habit when it should have been a treat.

I allowed myself to taste the wine today though. And boy am I glad that I did. (It was a delicious and interesting zinfandel!) But I will not allow myself to use that as a reason to come home and drink two more glasses of wine to relax.

I’m not saying that a drink isn’t a nice way to unwind. It is! But in moderation. Every now and then.

A rarity rather than the norm.

“Throw moderation to the winds, and the greatest pleasures bring the greatest pains.”
– Democritus

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Seven

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Today, I’ve been quite absorbed with something I’m editing and haven’t given much thought toward food.

And it’s these moments that I realize I tend to make unhealthy choices.

I’ll typically grab something that’s easy like fast food or a slice of pizza but those are exactly the type of choices I’m trying to change.

I’m thinking I need a better plan for when I’m in a rush and/or don’t have time to prepare a meal from scratch…

Right now, I’m going to do my best to cobble something together quickly with the few healthy groceries I have in my fridge and pantry so I can get back to work but this realization that I need to better prepare myself by having healthy food available on the go is an important lesson learned. And I’d love any suggestions!

Healthy choices will not always be convenient. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still make them.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

 

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Six

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Today was all about experimentation.

Using healthier ingredients, I decided to make something new for dinner and something old.

The new was cauliflower rice.

While I think it’s a creative way to have a “rice”, I completely overused the coconut oil and the entire dish tasted of little else. Even my husband, who loves coconut, thought it was too much.

Sigh.

The old was something called panelli.

They’re a Sicilian dish I grew up eating – fried garbanzo bean dough – and absolutely delicious. Well…. when made right. Which I failed to do this evening. I’m still experimenting with recipes passed down and also from a cookbook and though they didn’t come out that bad, they weren’t anywhere like my mother’s and grandmother’s.

Sigh.

And then, I accidentally overcooked my shrimp.

It was not my night in the kitchen.

But you know what, that’s okay.

Experimenting is part of the equation when making changes and not everything is going to be like hitting a ball out of the park.

I tried.

And tomorrow is another day.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Five

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Today was a little harder than the other four.

I was somewhat depressed, which I suppose goes hand in hand when trying to stop one’s vices, and intense cravings kept sweeping over me for some things I’m trying to reduce or eliminate.

I can’t say anything was wrong exactly but I felt a little down.

Then, as I was walking on the street toward work, I felt something on the side of my head. As I wondered, “What the hell was that?”my hand went to the spot and I soon learned exactly what it was.

Bird poop.

Granted, it wasn’t a ton but I think it’s safe to say that any bird crap in your hair is no fun. And it was a perfect addition to my day.

But then, as I thought about how great a glass of red wine sounded, I realized that these kinds of days are going to happen. There are going to be bad moments. And I can’t run to my vices at the first sign of them.

No, I have to remind myself two things:

These types of days are tests.

They are not reasons to give in.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Four

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Out of all the things I love to eat, sandwiches come close to being my favorite of them all.

And I love having chips on the side. They’re the perfect supporting crunch for the delicious main star.

But they are so not healthy for me. And I know this. But I’m not okay with giving up one of my favorite side dishes (and yes, I know I just referred to potato chips as a side dish.)

So I thought about this. How can I still have chips with my sandwich but make them healthy?

Kale Chips.

They are so easy to make and you can adjust the spice level to your preference every time you make them.

I used this recipe from the recipe blog, Oh She Glows, and absolutely loved it!

Sometimes, it’s about finding new ways to make the things you love healthier for you.

And those kale chips tasted just as good, if not better, than any kettle chip I’ve ever had.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.