Januarying

 

January is my least favorite month, but it’s not all bad, especially not having to deal with snow and cold now that I live in Florida.  Here is what I have been up to so far.

Reading

Firekeeper’s Daughter - My sister recommended a YA book and while I was hesitant, when I discovered it was set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I was sold.  And, it may well be my favorite book I read this year.  It has great Native American characters, an interesting setting and a mystery involving drugs and the FBI. When it becomes a future Netflix series as scheduled, it will be fabulous.

 Organizing

There is something cathartic about the New Year and putting away Christmas.  I feel like everything is in the proper place and I have the “white space” I need back.  A small thing, but very helpful, is my mission yesterday to unsubscribe from all those Christmas shopping emails I added to get discounts.  

Cooking 

December was the dinner party that wasn’t due to caution with Covid exposures, so I finally cooked the meal (just for us) that I shopped for and tried to make twice.  The main dish was a favorite Skinnytaste recipe (Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls with Spinach) and I highly recommend.  It has great flavor and a beautiful presentation when traditional lasagna can look messy to serve.  

Watching

My oldest daughter was of the age that loved and got caught up in the Harry Potter books and movies and we did many midnight book releases and movie premieres.  Looking back, it was magical and fun for me too and I am thankful to have read and loved all the books right along with her.  I watched the Harry Potter 20th reunion on HBO Max and thought it was very well done and quite fascinating.  I may have even shed a tear.

Recommending

My beauty routine is quite basic, but as I age, there are things that can be done with very little effort.  I have been using Bliss That’s Incredi-peel once a week and my skin is thanking me.  You just wipe on your face after cleansing and right before bedtime then you wake up in the morning with seriously soft skin.  It’s low glycolic acid, so only stings a bit when you apply and gives me less concern of doing something like this at home.  The price at Ulta was great too, compared to what the salesperson was trying to get me to buy.

Happy Januarying!

 

Keep Moving

 

Yoga is kind of a passion of mine, but when lock downs started, I let myself get out of the habit of practicing on a regular basis.  Then, when things did open up and there were at least beach yoga classes to attend, I hurt my knee and have been afraid to injure it more.

Well, I am paying for that now.  By not stretching and moving, I have made everything much worse.  I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with pain from IT band tightness.  This can cause pain and irritation in the hip or knee.  I was told to do IT band stretches and apply ice before follow up with an orthopedic doctor if necessary. Yoga is perfect for stretching the hip, so that is what I have been doing; both regular longer practices and ten minute stretches targeted to the IT Band.  I am choosing to practice at home with an app I really like (Down Dog) as well as You Tube.  Until I am able to move my knee a bit better again, that is what feels the most comfortable and I have a pretty good view if I set up my mat poolside.

All this said, the point of this post is advise from a fit mid life women who stopped moving (besides walking) for too long.  It showed me how important it is to stretch and stay strong and flexible.  I want to be active for a long time and it is a slippery slope to aches and pains if you don’t persevere.  My back also paid the price of not stretching and I have been a regular at my massage place.

The good news is that after two weeks of consistent yoga, I already see improvement.  

Namaste my friends.

On Turning 60

So, I have some thoughts on turning 60.

 First, it’s not so bad!  60 is the new 40, right.  But, in all seriousness a few years ago, I was dreading leaving my fifties and 60 sounded like a really big number.  After moving to Florida and totally reinventing my lifestyle, I am in better shape than I have been in many years, my heath is good and life here is really like living in paradise everyday.  There is a lot to celebrate.

I wrote about my health journey after being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes here, and how that was really the catalyst for me to make changes.  There are so many health issues associated with Diabetes and I was determined to overcome all those challenges.  Along the way, I reclaimed the active younger me who I had lost.  Who was that person that drank a can of Coke for breakfast ?! Walking and yoga, along with healthier eating will be what keeps me young and enjoying retirement with my husband.  We retired young and are determined enjoy every minute of it.

Age really is just a number and that is so evident here in Florida.  I tend to be one of the younger ones
around and I am so inspired by those who are twenty years older than me, but still active every day.  It’s all about keeping moving, keeping flexible and staying strong.  I recommend yoga to everyone
for that very reason.  At 60, I am stronger and more flexible than ever and am proud of those 2
(working on 3) minute planks.  And when I golf, my drives are longer than ever.

So, I’m looking at 60 as the beginning of a new chapter.  A chapter of life that I am excited about, without looking back and worrying about getter older.  It’s a cliche, but if you are as young as you feel, I am ready to live my life with energy and new experiences for as long as possible.  There is so much to look forward to.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Slow and Steady

Yesterday held a significant milestone in my journey towards better health.

Over the past nine years, since my diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, I have been all in on changing my
lifestyle and becoming more healthy.  It's been a slow and steady process that includes diet, exercise
and stress reduction. Along with improved A1c numbers, (3 month blood glucose average) I have
continued to lose weight over the nine years.  Yesterday, I hit my goal weight.  I have never gone up more than a couple of pounds in that time and I might hit a plateau here and there, but the weight has continued to fall off.   I think now that I have reached this goal, I may even work at losing another 5 pounds.

How did I do it?

Diet and Medication

It's important to ask your doctor to prescribe weight lowering diabetic medication, rather than weight
gaining if possible.  They might not tell you, but there is a difference.

My diet is one that has evolved over the years and I do not deprive myself of anything.  I eat
breakfast, a small snack, a later lunch that has the majority of my daily carbs and a light dinner or
protein/carb snack.  I count carb servings all day.  If I want dessert, I have it.  But, it will be a small piece of cake, one cookie or maybe even just a few bites.  Low carb ice cream, Bai coconut water and Truvia for baking are my secret weapons.

Wine does not really effect my blood sugar, but bananas send it soaring.  You learn what works for you.  I rarely snack and having given up caffeine a few years ago, do not drink much soda.  I used to drink regular coke and can't even imagine drinking one now.

Exercise

Immediately after my diagnosis, I started to walk at least 5 days every week.  I also stared yoga
which I love and has helped me build strength.  Since moving to Florida, there is no excuse not to get
outside.  Year around golf is a wonderful perk. I will never be one to go to the gym, but the important
thing is to move each day.  I also exercise later in the day to help my overnight blood sugar spikes.
My goal for this year is to try some new kind of exercise, like a Barre class.

Stress Reduction

This is probably the hardest to acheive, because life happens to us all.  But, I have learned to distance myself from things that cause stress, sometimes taking a step back if needed.  I quit my job when I could see what it was doing to my blood sugar levels and while not realistic for all, reduce that stress any way you can.

Yoga is a great way to acheive peace for the hour during the practice, as well as the way that peace stays with you.

 I hate the words self care, but it works.

There are no quick fixes to good health, but I am here to tell you it can be done if you are willing to make even some small changes.

Happy Thursday!

An Active Monday

 

 

 

 

 

It's a lifestyle at this point. Yes, being active is good for my health, but it has become something I love. I love the way I feel and I love exploring new places.

Mondays are my yoga days, right here in my neighborhood. I only have to walk the three blocks to the clubhouse, yoga mat in hand and I'm ready to begin. We are a small, but committed group (I'm the one with the green mat) and the instructor is really good. I really feel it, in all my muscles, usually the next day. We do a lot of core work and I believe it is so important for someone my age to stay strong and flexible. I'm slowly, but surely, building up my time on planks. I also go to yoga on the beach, but that is really more about the beautiful location, than getting much benefit from the practice.

It was such a beautiful night, still warm and breezy, so I grabbed my puppy, jumped in the car and drove the short distance to the beach. We walked on a path around a small lake on one side and the gulf on the other, shimmering in the pre sunset light. So peaceful.

A good day for both body and mind.

Happy Tuesday!

 

A Healthy Decision

 

 

 

There is something that I have been pondering for a while. But in the Starbucks era, where coffee becomes a social activity rather than just something to drink, giving up caffeine is hard to contemplate. But, I have been noticing some unpleasant side effects from caffeine that are pushing me towards a decision. I don't drink a lot of caffeine; usually one or two cups in the morning and maybe a Diet Coke during the day. But, I have noticed that even a small amount of caffeine lately is causing some slight dizziness, as well as being a prime trigger for occasional migraines.

I think that these symptoms are telling me that it is time to finally give up on caffeine. There are plenty of alternatives from decaf coffee ( no - I'm not giving up coffee) to herbal tea to a wide variety of soft drinks without caffeine. I will keep a water bottle with me at all times and it will be beneficial to drink more water in the long run. I can also make flavored water with my infuser that is both healthy and delicious.

I may slip now and then, but it's really something I want to try, not just for a while, but for the long term. It's all part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a low carb diet, exercise and better sleep patterns. It really is the next piece of the puzzle for me.

Happy Wednesday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

My Side of 50

Yoga in Market Square

When Megan told me that one of the things she had planned for our weekend in Pittsburgh was attending an outdoor yoga practice on Sunday morning, I couldn't have been more pleased. It has been on my bucket list for awhile to do this and while I practice a fairly gentle form of yoga, I still felt like I could keep up.
When we arrived at Market Sqaure, the sky was bright blue, without a cloud to be seen and it promised to be another hot day. But, the heat didn't keep anyone away and every available inch of the square soon filled with yoga mats.
The instructor was very good and for a novice like me, was clear in her instructions and explanations of the different yoga poses. It was a little faster in transitions than I am used to, but I was able to work up a good sweat and enjoy the sun and sky as I moved through the practice. The hour went faster than I anticipated and before I knew it we were relaxing in Shavanasa pose and I felt a real sense of accomplishment and peace.
I started yoga for the health benefits and always come away feeling flexible, strong and even somewhat younger than when I started. But, a benefit I didn't plan was being able to practice with my daughters and perhaps, that is the best of all.
Happy Wednesday!

{Linking with these friends}
French Country Cottage
A Stroll Thru Life
Savvy Southern Style
The Charm of Home
Art and Sand
Between Naps on the Porch
Cozy Little House
Eclectic Red Barn
Skip To My Lou
Rooted in Thyme
Craftberry Bush
21 Rosemary Lane
Stonegable
Rattlebridge Farm

Rainy Day Yoga

When a rainy day comes along and I know there will be no walking, besides the walk to the mailbox, I get my exercise and stress relief with a yoga session, right at home.
It feels amazing to light a candle or two in a room made gloomy from the rain, spread out my yoga mat and begin the gentle stretches. The voice on the DVD I use is soothing, as well as the background music. I practice yoga for three benefits - flexibility, weight bearing exercise and stress busting. These are important to everyone, but especially for a fifty year old type 2 diabetic.
Yoga does not have to be intimidating. My Yoga Over 50 DVD has a variety of practices; both short and long. The yoga instructor gives easy to understand direction and corrections and lets you know how to adjust if you are feeling pain.
You will come away calm and your body will feel in alignment, especially your back. And, a rainy day can be the perfect day for doing something positive for yourself.
Have a wonderful weekend!

{Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style
Between Naps on the Porch
21 Rosemary Lane
Stonegable

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Morning Yoga

In these long days of winter, getting my daily walk in, is not easy. Either the temperatures are too cold to face or the roads are too icy to safely walk on. Not to mention, my favorite walking paths are covered with snow too deep to navigate and I won't see them again until the spring thaw. I still get out when I can, but it's not consistent enough.
My morning yoga sessions have been a wonderful way to keep moving and give me a great attitude the rest of the day. Usually about mid morning, I spread my new, cushiony yoga mat on my floor, light a few candles for atmosphere, if the day is gloomy and get started. I use a DVD I purchased on Amazon last year and still love it. There are choices of different yoga practices; some longer than others, so there is a variety. The instructor's voice and the music in the background are very soothing. And, holding the yoga poses is a great way to get that weight bearing exercise we all need.
For me though, it's not so much about the exercise of my body, but the release of stressful thoughts. You may start a yoga routine tense, but usually by the end, you are thinking of nothing but your breathing and the act of doing the pose correctly and fluidly. It really is the best thing for mind, body and spirit.
Happy Thursday!

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Hair Remedy

 

 

 

This winter's cold, with the constant dry heat coming out of the furnace vents, has really done a number on my hair. It's dry and filled with static, especially right after I wash and dry it. After begging my stylist for help at my last hair appointment, I discovered two products that have made a dramatic improvement for me.

First, my stylist recommended Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo. It really makes a difference in the texture of my hair and the shine was back within the first week of use. There is no lather, because of its natural, no sulfate blend and that took some getting used to, but my hair was loving it. And, it has that Aveda scent of lavender and chamomile that I love.

The second step to less dry hair, has been to wash it every other day and use a dry shampoo to help give it volume on the second day. This is where I have found an inexpensive product (less than $5) works just as well. Suave Dry Shampoo is non drying, gives tremendous lift to the roots and sprays both light and invisible. The reviews for this product are great and probably the best review is that sometimes it is hard to find in stock at the drugstore.

As I get older, my hair has gotten dryer and this winter forced me to find a solution. These two products have made the difference and my hair is shiny and full of life once again.

Happy Wednesday!

 

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Thoughts for Thursday...walking, books, etc.

 

• The past few days I have been able to just wear a light windbreaker type jacket while walking. No gloves. No earmuffs. No heavy coat. It has been so nice to feel the warmth of the sun on my face. And, the grass is even starting to get a little green along the paths. Slowly, but surely our spring weather is coming.

• I am still so amazed by the stories of the heroes that have emerged from the terror attack in Boston. There are so many good people in the world, ready to help others, without thinking of their own safety. Here is a really good article that gives some examples of the selfless acts that occurred. There are angels among us.
• While I have been reading lately, I can't say that I have read anything good enough to recommend. There has been nothing particularly thought provoking or that I haven't been able to put down. I keep a running wish list on Amazon, but there is nothing on it at the moment that I am dying to read. There are books from some of my favorite authors, but they are not actually due to be published for months. Do any of you have anything to recommend? All suggestions would be welcome :-)
• Later this morning I am getting my hair highlighted and trimmed, and I am looking forward to it. The salon I go to is very relaxing and calming; where the appointment starts with a scalp massage and a cup of Aveda herbal tea. If you have never had that brand of tea, it is a very interesting blend, with the flavors of lavender and mint. My hair is at that stage where it is past due for the highlights, so I know I will look and feel great when I leave. We all need a little pampering.

Happy Thursday!

 

Linking with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom, Thursday Thoughts

 

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It's Heart Month

 

source

Since February is heart awareness month and specifically about heart attack awareness for women, I thought this list of 10 ways to love your heart was was important to talk about. Since I am a diabetic, many types of risk factors increase, including heart disease. I am happy to say that at this point in my continuing commitment for a healthier life, most of these 10 recommendations are things that I follow. Share this important information with your mothers, sisters and girlfriends - let's help each other live a healthier life.

Exercise 30 minutes per day will help strengthen your heart. Go for a walk, run or try any physical activity.

Lose Weight Extra weight increases your risk for diabetes, high cholesteral and heart disease.

Reduce Alcohol Intake Reccomendations limit alcohol for women to one drink per day

Quit Smoking Smokers have a 79% higher risk for heart disease

Be Proactive Educate yourself on how to prevent heart disease and the signs of a heart attack

Reduce Stress Maintain a balanced lifestyle and reduce stress through exercise or meditation

Get Regular Check Ups Visit your doctor regularly and have your blood pressure and cholesterol checked

Ask your doctor about Aspirin Both as a preventative measure and if you suspect a heart attack

Eat healthy 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables reduce your risk for heart disease by 17%

Know signs of a Heart Attack and what to do Learn the signs of a heart attack in women here

Have a great day!

 

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Squeaky Clean

 

I am linking with Kelly's Korner "show us your life" series today. She is asking her readers to share their favorite beauty products and I am sharing my favorite face cleansing cloths. Not glamorous by any means, but essential in keeping your complexion beautiful.

I am more of a natural girl, when it comes to makeup. A little sheer makeup, blush, loose powder, under eye concealer, eye pencil and mascara, and I am out the door. However, I love to start with a squeaky clean face, before I apply any moisturizer or makeup.

These Aveeno positively radiant daily cleansing pads are the best that I have found for my complexion, at this stage of life. They gently exfoliate and cleanse, without drying the skin. The moisture rich, soy extracts in the cleansing lotion on the pads, helps your skin feel smooth and soft. I use them both in the morning and at night. They easily remove all traces of makeup and are gentle enough to use on the eyes.

Let's face it - as we get older, our skin needs all the help it can get to stay smooth and soft. These cleansing pads are an easy way to begin the day with a squeaky clean, complexion and to help keep your face glowing all day long.

Have a beautiful weekend!

 

Vicki

 

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