Self reflection

Being healthy and happy with yourself is so much more than working out and eating right. It is not about living YOUR life to the fullest or as Rick Warren says, "It is not about you." How do you know you are truly happy and healthy? When you stop caring so much about what you look like in a bathig suit or how much your abs are popping. Yes I take care of myself and I work out and I like to look good, but I do for so many other reasons. I have been given this body and this opportunity so I am not going to take advatnage of it. However, I will sacrifice my perfect abs and lean legs for a child to know and love. I will also enjoy a a slice of pizza or two and a coke with my husband because it tastes good and it is quality time with my loved one.

Most importantly being healthy and finding happienss is being able to look beyond myself and my needs and recognize when others need me or maybe just my time. I am not here to make myself happy, I am not here to live for myself. Everyone is here for a purpose and though we don't and may never know what that is we can recognize that we are more than what we see everyday. As I sit here and watch the footage of Haiti in the after math of the earthquakes it is quite obvious that my needs are far less than theirs. Yes I have financial worries, and oh do I have them especially with a baby on the way, but I have a roof over my head and I have a great support system of family and friends. I know where my family is and I know that they are ok. I know that they are taken care of and I know if they need me I will be able to get to them and help them out. If God forbid anything shall happen to them I will know what and how and I will be able to get to them to bid them farewell. Many of the American citizens that have immigrated to America for a better life and the opportunity to provide for their families back in Haiti will never get that opportunity. Many fathers who are working 2 and 3 jobs in send money to his wife and children will never see their families again and will never know where they are buried, or even if they are buried. It will be some time before they will even be able to get back home to see any of their surviving family. These are people, these ARE American citizens in need. We we are Americans who have the means and opportunity to help even if it means that not buying that new top to go out this Friday. It may even mean staying home on Friday all together. But it will also mean that someone may not die of an infection caused by a broken leg and they may be able to feed their child one more night.

Yes I know that we have homeless in America, and elderly that need medication, etc... But we also have a government that is set up to help, even if it is not doing a very good job. We have various charities and foundations that are functioning and doing what they can. Haiti's government is living at the airport, their foundations are in ruins. Their hospitals are in tents with one voulnteer doctor to 35 critical patients. Yes we are in need but who needs it more.

To help donate to your local church or other reputable foundation, like the Red Cross.

Breakfast Smoothie

Instead of skipping breakfast try making a breakfast smoothie. I drink at least one of these a day, usually as my snack between breakfast and lunch.

8 oz skim milk or low sugar soy milk (I like 8th continent)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I like BSN Dessert)

1 T full flavored virgin coconut oil

5 large frozen strawberries

1/2 c raw oatmeal

1 T whole flaxseeds

1 T bee pollen

Put in a blender and yummy your good to go.