INNER PEACE - Week 7

This week we come to the final Chakra... the 7th Chakra.

This is our Crown Chakra - our ENERGY CENTER - at the skull.
Representing Spiritual Enlightenment and union with all living things. The Energy Center is associated with the colors of white and violet.

Signs of this chakra being blocked may include depression, lack of sense of spirituality or even swinging the pendulum the other direction - to a fascination with religion or occults - as we search for balance. We may feel a disconnect with life's flow. If you are an emotional eater you may see significant weight gain as you choose the comfort of food, isolating yourself from family and friends. We become loners because we feel we have nothing to offer.

With a balanced 7th Chakra you should experience a stronger connection to the universe. You are able to create and live the life you desire.

As I work out my shopping list for this week, these are things I need to include for a healthy, balanced 7th Chakra:

Fruits & Vegetables with white pigmented and/ or skins.

Bananas
Cauliflower
Chives
Garlic
Leeks
Mushrooms
Shallots
Parsnips
Turnips
(I'll pass on those last two... just can't bring myself to eat these!)

I had already planned on a couple of healthy snack cookie and muffin recipes for this weekend... including Morning Glory Muffins which contain bananas, zuchini and carrots.

Beginning next week we'll get back to our Exercise Tuesday posts as we discuss the different exercises best for the Chakras and sharing recipes on Wednesday that coordinate.

Here's to balanced chakras and a healthy journey!

MONDAY MUSINGS - Check In

I've determined I really like bell peppers... in any color. While grocery shopping last week I picked up three bell peppers - 1 red, 1 yellow and 1 green. As I cut into them the other night for a Teriyaki Stirfry (coming up in a couple of weeks) I discovered the green bell pepper was perfectly shaped for a stuffed pepper. I've not had stuffed peppers in a very long time. So I used half of each of the red and yellow pepper for the stirfry and put the remainder in a zip bag with the seeded green bell.

Last night I made the stuffed bell pepper - chock full of diced red and yellow bell peppers, a 1/2 C of cooked white rice and a 1/2 C of browned ground sirloin. (More about the sirloin thing next week)

This was dinner last night...

I'll share the recipe with you on Wednesday.

In the mean time, I realize though I'm still high Protein/ low Carb I'm also automatically incorporating fruits and vegies into my daily eating regime. Something I've had to focus on in the past is now coming naturally to me. 

And I'm still...

Enjoying the Journey

186/184/125

INNER PEACE - Week 6

I know I missed posting last week. First day home with hubby after my trip and still so much to do on the house before rains moved in later in the week. I just did not get on line much at all.

So this week we pick up with the Sixth Chakra - The Third Eye. This chakra is associated with both physical vision and mental clarity. We receive inner guidance and use this to tune into our inherent wisdom. The Third Eye is also associated with my favorite color - Purple or Indigo. Purple has always been my 'power' color though it isn't one I wear often. Odd.

An unbalance in the Third Eye Chakra may affect memory, unexplained phobias or decision-making. Chronic headaches, vision problems and obsessive or compulsive thinking. Emotional eating and weight gain can cloud this Third Eye center, preventing us from seeing ourselves as we really are. Correcting the balance in the Sixth Chakra will help strengthen intuitive powers and trust in inner wisdom.

Foods that will aid in bringing the Sixth Chakra back into focus include :
Black Currants
Plums (fresh or dried)
Eggplant
Purple Peppers
Raisins
Red Cabbage
Red Grapes

Next week we'll discuss the basics for the Seventh Chakra.
Until then.... Enjoy the Journey

INNER PEACE - Week 5

Before I talk about this week's Chakra, I am going to make a quick abbreviated post that should have been up yesterday. Yesterday was m first full day home so of course it meant running errands with Bob. What is it about one or the other of us being away from home that the first day back becomes 'errand day'? I spent part of the afternoon catching up on some email.

I did get on the scales yesterday morning to discover I had GAINED 2 pounds over the course of nine days. I guess the couple 'treats' I allowed myself were enough to make a difference. While I can't go 'liquid' like my daughter, I do know I have to be really careful this week if I'm to not gain any more and look 'presentable' at the symphony on Saturday night.

Speaking of my daughter, I hope you'll check out her new blog and story. She is an amazing woman. Like me, when she gets something in her head, she's like a locomotive on a run away track when it comes to focus. Her blog - getfit4younotthem is a testimonial story of what you can do when you set your mind to something.  We are both on our own personal journey, just taking different paths while finding what works for each of us. That's what the 'journey' is all about. Thanks to her journey, I know I'm ready to get back to exercise.

Okay... CHAKRA time.  Today we're talking about the Fifth Chakra - the Throat. We all know where our throat is located, but do we understand the connection this chakra has to the rest of our body? Represented by the color BLUE, this energy center is associated with the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Because this chakra involves sound, we also associate it with communication, speech and self-confidence.

If the Throat Chakra is stagnant, you might have difficulty communicating with others and expressing yourself. Signs of problems may include frustration, social anxiety, dishonesty and a short attention span. Bob will tell you the only one of these I may deal with is the latter. I have what we call 'ooo shiny thing' syndrome. If something catches my attention, I am off. Though the 'medication' for this unbalanced chakra is NOT something I deal with. When the Throat Chakra is out of wack, you may find yourself stuffing your throat full of food, causing weight gain.

When balanced, you speak the truth and can express yourself creatively in a variety of ways. You are also a good listener. When the Fifth Chakra is healthy, you have energy for speaking, singing, thinking and other creative pursuits such as writing.

To stimulate the Fifth Chakra wear colors blue and blue gemstones such as lapis. When it comes to food, think Anchovies, Blueberries, Blackberries, Organic Honey, Crabmeat, Crayfish (mud bugs), Lobster, Mussels, Salmon, Sardines, Scallops and Shrimp

Do you notice something about the proteins in that group? They are shell fish (with the exception of Salmonand Sardines. Fresh, blue-water types of fish. I think Swordfish would also be a good one to add to the list.

And when it comes to exercise for opening up the Throat Chakra, you can not beat a good Yoga routine. Breathe!

Enjoy the Journey

INNER PEACE - Week 4

I know I'm squeaking this in tonight before bed. I'm traveling this week and trying to be 15 places at once. Thankfully my Chakras have been aligned and strong so I'm not allowing myself to be as stressed as I could be. I am ready to go back home but that won't happen until Sunday.

This week we are talking about the Heart Chakra. Located behind the sternum with the thymus gland and the heart, you might think the color Red when you think of this chakra. Associated with Love Energy, the Heart Chakra is actually identified with the color GREEN.  The fourth chakra is the center point, connecting the three lower chakras to the three upper chakras.

People who experience a blockage in this chakra may experience depression, romantic rejection or jealousy. Isolation and loneliness are a constant struggle. A dysfunctional heart chakra may be the root of difficulty experiencing empathy or compassion in themselves or those around them.

If food is your avenue for dealing with any of the above systems, than you can add weight gain to the list of issues. If you are going to eat... eat the foods that will help put you on the right path. Look for foods with green skins or pigments:

Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celery, Cucumbers, Edamame, Green apples, Green grapes, Green peppers, Honeydew melon, Kiwi, Lettuce, Limes, Peas, Pears, Spinach, Zucchini.

Without knowing this list before hand, I went shopping yesterday. I am staying at a hotel with a mini-kitchen so am able to cook my own foods and stay on track. I bought a tub of fresh mixed fruit that included honeydew and Kiwi. Lettuce, Green Peppers also went in the cart. I'll try to pick up on the other foods this week when I eat out.

For now...
Enjoy the Journey

MONDAY MUSINGS - Check In

I'm off to a decent start for the week. Considering I will not be at home for the next 8 days. I tried to pack appropriately i.e. making sure to have a couple flavors of my protein shake and the fresh fruit I knew Bob wouldn't eat while I was gone. I'm starting the week of at 183. Would really like to drop at least 1 pound... happier with 2 while I'm traveling.

I did eat out at my favorite Chinese buffet last night. I haven't been in there in almost 4 years and the hostess still knew me when I walked in the door. I didn't over-eat. They have one thing on their buffet none of the MO restaurants carry... Peanut Butter chicken. Yum! I did go back for seconds on that treat.

I also drank part of a Mello Yellow last night so the psoriasis is acting up this morning. I'll limit that the rest of the week to just when I take my vitamins. With the amount of vitamins I take each morning, soda seems to be the only thing that doesn't make them want to come back up before I've even started.

I'll need to go grocery shopping before I do too much more today and I know we'll eat out tonight. I'm hoping for Golden Corral or HomeTown buffet. Massive amount of protein options without killing the travel budget.

So here's to a week on the road...
Enjoy the Journey

INNER PEACE - Week 3

Today I begin working on the Third Chakra... the Solar Plexus Chakra.

This chakra is associated with identity and self-esteem. The energy radiating from the third chakra controls motivation, ambition and power, with a physical location near the lower ribs and the color YELLOW

Okay, anyone who knows me knows this is probably my strongest Chakra. Very seldom do I have a day where I am not aware of where I need to be, how I need to get there and what I hope to achieve. My sister has even accused me of being arrogant.

But I think it all stems back to something my (step) mom said to me when I was about 14. She told me unlike my (step) sister, whom had some learning disabilities, I had the ability to achieve anything I wanted. How empowering a small phrase can be. Mom was my champion against my dad whenever I wanted to do something or be part of whatever was going on in school. She also taught me everything I know about cooking cleaning, gardening and caring for a home. Even now, as I approach an upcoming 9-day travel without my husband, I am making sure there is food in the freezer, the things he likes to eat are in the pantry and his clothes are clean. Yes, he's capable of taking care of those things... and does very well. But it's just part of that upbringing I can't let go of. A sort of 1950s mentality on what it means to be a wife.

My third chakra directs my daily routine in how I conduct business, follow through on things I start and network with people.

So although I have a well-balanced Solar Plexus, I will still look at what they suggest I do to stay the course.
Fruits and vegetables that contain YELLOW pigments are high on the list. So my shopping yesterday included:
Bananas
Pineapple
Onions
Water Chestnuts

When I researched yesterday, an article on About.com also suggested whole grains. Well, we know THAT is not going to happen. But I could do with a hearty bowl of oatmeal today.

So here's to a Bright, Shiny Week of Yellow Foods of motivation!
Enjoy the Journey!
Kelly
186/183/125-130

TIME FOR A CHANGE - Week 3

Happy Monday and April Fools!

For the record, I am NOT an April Fools kind of person. A challenge for a practical joker of a husband. And trust me, after the day I've had, I'm NOT in an April Fools kind of mood. It's just been one of those days. LOL Nothing BAD... unless you count me having to break into my own house LOL Just one of those days.

I have managed to maintain my weight this week. I'm not sure why no loss but am going to keep a closer eye on things for this week.

The week will be hectic. Bob comes home Wednesday night. Thursday we are on the go most of the day, Friday I will be packing for my trip and then leaving early Sat. morning. I'll have to be vigilant if I'm to continue to drop at least 1 pound a week, though I'd be happier with two.

Tomorrow begins working with the Third Chakra. I know I've not done much of the 'orange' stuff this week like I should have. I'm going food shopping today so maybe I'll research that third chakra and plan ahead. That would be a nice change of pace.

Until then.... Enjoy the Journey!
Kelly
186/183/125-130