Take control of your health; your life! The Primal Blueprint.

At work, many of the people I see are grossly overweight, injured (or injury-prone), stressed out, and unhappy in their little worlds. They claim they want to lose weight, or just feel better in general. They want to work on making an overall lifestyle change and then maintaining it...but then they walk right out my office door and forget all about these "goals" they speak of.

What has become of our population? I don't quite understand how people can be so uneducated about what they should be putting in their bodies, and how they should be moving, to stay in optimal health. Obviously, it is mostly due to the fad diets and conventional wisdom surrounding what a "healthy lifestyle" is. People don't know how to get what they want, and most importantly, don't care about how to actually do it. They want someone else to do it for them (personal trainers, nutritionists, doctors i.e. weight-loss surgeries/plastic surgeries, pills, fads, etc.).

In my spare time (ha! did I really just type that?), I've been reading Mark Sisson's The Primal Blueprint. I'm not reading this because I am interested in the latest fads of weight-loss/health, and actually, his book is completely anti-dieting. The fact that there should be no such thing as dieting is old news to me, and hopefully to you as well. I'm enjoying reading what he has to say, because he expounds upon how you can live the life you want. It's quite simple, actually. His book tells you how to take control of your life, your meals, your body. I recommend that everyone reads this, no matter what your qualms are. Even if you think you have your health down to a science, please, read the book. Also check out his blog, there is tons of information, and hundreds of comments made by people like you. 

Here's to being more like GROK!

Starting to run faster...

Heyyyy there. So, I'm amping up for my 1/2 Mary next Sunday (hahah, "amping" up, funny). I'm not totally ready nor trained well enough. Not until the last couple months was I able to get into it and really feel like I was improving and getting faster. Drrr. Guess that comes with losing weight and getting used to having a baby around. Anyway, so I am just now starting to get faster, but unfortunately the race is almost upon me sooo I will just have to suck it up and run my best! Maybe in the spring I will find another 1/2 to do and see how that goes? I mean, I will have the base so it should go better than this one did.

Also, going home for X-mas soon! Yey! Really excited! I still call it home, mostly bc I have called it home for 25 yrs...so why stop now? Things are great here, Mike and I are really enjoying Logan and the holiday season. I'm going to get us skiing more this year, and get my parents out here to ski Taos and Angelfire. Should be awesome!

Alright it's so damn late, what am I doing up? Goodnight all have a great weekend.

Time to Simplify Life

Cafes line the streets in Copenhagen...that's right up my alley.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark is pretty trendy - my friend dresses like this in the States, and sometimes turns some heads in confusion.

I am on a happy kick, aren't I? I swear, I will get back to posting my newest jewelry tomorrow, but I have a busy day today before we go to a football game. Sooo, I was watching Oprah today, a re-run (that I am able to record with DirectTv, LOVE it!), and she was talking about different places around the world. What really drew me in was her trip to Copenhagen, where the "happiest people on earth live" statistically. Now, I don't know if you all like Oprah or not, and I do think that she is on a little bit of a power trip, but I watch her nonetheless.

So, Denmark is a happy place. Health care and school are paid for, students are paid to go to University, women get 6 months to a year of maternity leave. People are out of work between 4 and 5 to have family time because that is of great importance to them. If you lose your job the government helps you find another one. Hmmm. Sounds like the opposite of America. No wonder they're all happy!

I think a lot of places in Europe are happy. It used to be that the States were the place to be, but I'm not so sure that's the case anymore. I have a friend who is Danish, and she travels to Denmark frequently. No wonder she is pretty happy, loves coffee, and enjoys her studies (currently looking to be a nurse). They simplify life over there - less things, less space, more LIFE!

Do you guys agree that "over there" seems like a great place to reside? Or do you think it's ludacris that they don't pay for school, healthcare, etc? It sounds appealing to me.

10 things that make me happy

Someone suggested I do this - it's always nice to see what makes other people happy. Maybe it will help you remember what makes YOU happy!

1. Being creative - using my hands to do anything, whether it is drawing, painting, decorating...basically creating anything.

2. Fall - I love the colors of the fall, especially in New England. The leaves turn anywhere from red, to orange, to yellow...

3. A good book - there's nothing like relaxing (if you can find the time) with a good read...

4. Swedish Christmas - I grew up with a Swedish Christmas Eve. I love the food, the rustic decorations, the Akvavit. It's an awesome celebration of life and people.

5. A Summer Swim - Diving into a cold lake, pool, pond in the summer is one of the best things in the world. Refreshing and fun...try to act like a kid again.

6. Ski Resorts - Is there anything better than shacking up in a hotel/cabin, using an outdoor pool, going skiing, staying cozy...all while other people clean your room and serve you food? I think not.

7. Wine with Mom and Gummie - Although I can't do it anymore, I love sitting outside in the summer, or inside in the winter, and having a glass of wine with my mom and grandmother. No better way for three generations to get together and talk.

8. Hot Chocolate - A hot mug of hot cocoa on a cold afternoon is always special, if you make it that way.

9. White snowy mountains - I love driving up and into huge, snow-topped mountains. It's breathtaking and somehow makes me feel at home.

10. Breaking a good sweat - getting out and releasing stress, feeling strong, and sweating a little (or a lot) is key to my happiness.


What makes you happy? Think about it, and maybe create your own list. It's funny how really simple things make you happy. I think we need to focus on the smaller things, stop racing through life, and live with more fulfillment from the little things around us.

Getaway Weekend

Hey all. I've been busy all week so a little MIA. We are heading up to Angelfire this wknd for a fun wknd away. Mike needs a break from work, and I just want to see the leaves and run around up north! Really looking forward to taking Logey out for a run in the mtn area. We're staying in Mike's bosse's house which is B-E-A-utiful! Mind you, this is only one of the houses the guy has. He has two up in Durango, CO as well. I have yet to go up there but it is on the list.

Mike's sister arrived in town late last night and is staying at Gail's (the mom) house. She will get to see Logan for the first time! Before I know it it will be time to go home for X-Mas which will be great. I can't wait to see the whole family - and possibly some snow??

Things have been tense lately. Lack of sleep is catching up with me, and I'm acting a little like a jerk, but that doesn't let every one else off the hook. If anything, I could use some support and help. We all get through it and forget about it - but it is hard when it's happening. We need to find happiness somewhere, in the little things.

Oh, so I went to do my tempo run on the 'mill last night, and only got in 4.25 miles bc SOMEONE got cranky (hungry) in the daycare and started crying a bit. Of course, the second I went in there he was fine. But we left anyway bc I knew he would start squaking if I left again. The run was supposed to be 7.5 miles, so yeahhh. I'm trying to run it at my 9 min pace but, wow, I only was able to do 9:20. I know for a fact that this extra weight is slowing me down, so as I shed some lbs I should speed up. The lady on the treadmill next to me was like, "you were chuggin' along there still!" when the daycare lady came to get me. At least it looked like I was workin' hard! Haha!