It’s day 8 of detox and as Michael Bublè would sing, ‘I’m feeling good.’ My metabolism and energy are way up. I’m starting green food phase today. And I’ve dropped another half inch of my midsection in two days. That puts me down 2.5 inches in 7 days. I’ve only taken off about 1 inch in below tummy area, 3/4 inch in hip and 1/4 inch in thighs, but as I said, I have a lot of muscle and probably won’t see big changes there and right now my body is fighting hormonal issues so I won’t have a true picture for another couple of weeks. But hey, progress is progress.

Yesterday proved to be a bit of a challenge though. I figured out a long time ago that I stress eat. While having to deal with a major stress situation I found myself craving to eat something. However, as to not blow my progress, I opted to snack on baby carrots. Then to put my hands to use and focus on something else, I sauteed some baby spinach with mushrooms and onions, one of my favorite dishes.

I’m also finding that I am hungry between meals now. This is actually a good thing. It means my body is starting to use up what I’m eating and will have to start using it’s fat stores. Remember, a little hunger is not a bad thing. You don’t always have to go stuff yourself every time you feel hungry. Just don’t starve yourself or your body will slow down to conserve.

As said I am feeling much more energetic now and will actually attempt to add a second time of exercise today as I go though my day. I did kickboxing this morning, so maybe some Pilates for stretching and relaxation. I have a great 20 minute workout that doesn’t take long to do. As a mom and business person it can be difficult to find time to exercise, but I know I have to make time to do it in order to be my best each day for my family. I don’t like feeling sluggish or like I have to take a nap all the time when I have so much that needs to be done. Don’t get me wrong, naps are great, but I don’t like that ongoing tired feeling.

I need to go to the store today and pick up more fresh veggies. One of the keys to getting through this is stocking your refrigerator with good choices so that when you do get those cravings you can reach for the right thing. I may end up having to make a trip to the Whole Foods store in the next city though. I’m looking forward to the startup of the farmers market season here again. The economy and the preceding food scares have really taken it’s toll on being able to find great organic products in our neighborhood stores. For a while our local Target and Walmart had started to carry many organic produce selections. Now they are few and far between and what they have is slim pickings at best. I guess I’ll have to start making the trek to WF again. I really wish they would put one in our city though.

That reminds me…. I heard there were some people boycotting Whole Foods because of the comments that the CEO, John Mackey, made. Are you kidding? Get real people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It is still a free country after all. As a mother of three who will be paying for everything that is going on today, I have very definite opinions about the healthcare and economic issues too. It’s my right. It’s what this country is founded on. To say that you will boycott someone just because his political views are different from yours and he criticized the government is insane. What will happen to our country when our choices are taken away and what we are entitled to have or not have is based on current popular opinion or some government checklist? Our country would be taking a step back.

Now don’t blast me, but I feel that in some ways, Mr. Mackey is right. Many health issues can be avoided by proper diet and taking care of oneself. Yes, I think everyone should have healthcare, but I don’t think that I should be the one that has to pay for it when my own is already so high. I’m also not willing to give up my privacy to make it happen. If you haven’t read the entire bill and know every nuance of it and the ramifications of every action contained in it, don’t blast those that have a different opinion than you do. We all have issues we are most concerned about. Mr. Obama promised to “reach across the lines” and reunite our country. His administration has only succeeded so far in dividing it even more. The healthcare reform is one of those issues. Don’t let this divide our country. He promised change, but I’m not sure this is the kind of change we need right now. Like many, many Americans, they’ll have to convince me.

Off my soap box now. I try not to talk politics because it is so volatile as been revealed of late, but some things just irk me. Stay tuned for day 9 of my detox.

What example are you setting for others? Especially our kids. They are our future. What our world will be like tomorrow depends on the example we set today. Someone once said that you reproduce not what you say, but who you are. Think about who you are and the example you are setting for tomorrow.
John 13:15
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

This past weekend I went on a women’s retreat. It was a great time and an enlightening experience. For the first time in my life I did something really fearful. Well, at least for me anyway. I’ve always thought of myself as somewhat brave, but I never put my physical body in harms way unless I have to.

Our women’s group stayed the high school camp of Pine Cove. One of the hallmark activities there is the zip line that comes down off of a high tower down through the pine trees. I decided to take a chance. I was a bit apprehensive, but I thought, “I can do this.”

As I started to strap on my harness and put on my helmet, I started thinking,”What am I doing?” “Am I nuts?” Then I thought, “If kids can do this, I can too.” I got on my gear and got my rope and started the climb up the tower. On the way up I remember thinking, “Am I there yet?” “How high is this thing?” Then I stepped out unto the platform and see how far the drop was and my stomach started to feel queasy. I was the last one up and the helper had started clipping everyone onto their safety ropes and explaining the rules. “Am I really going to do this?” I asked myself. He then clips us all onto our zip ropes and instructs us to sit down on the platform. He tells us that you don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but if we’re ready to scoot forward and dangle our legs over. I’m looking down and thinking, “Lord be with me.” The helper now says to get into position and scoot forward so only our rear is on the platform and on his mark to lean forward to go off the platform. My heart is racing. “Am I going to do it?” I ask myself. “Yes, I am going to do this!” I have to.

He says go. Three of the four of us lean forward and off we go. I am scared out of my wits. I’m thinking, “What did I do?” But it’s too late. The initial drop was a free fall until the rope caught. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced. Then next thing you know, I’m whizzing through the trees and it is so cool. Then it’s over.

So what did I learn in this? Sometimes the scariest thing in life is to take that initial step. But once you get over the fear and just do it, you just may find that it is a fun ride. On a spiritual note, I also learned that God is always there to help us along and He WILL catch us when we fall if we just trust in Him and don’t let our fears get the best of us.

What are you afraid of doing? Don’t you think it is about time that you take that next step?

Time to get on my soapbox now. A subject that has been on my heart for a very long time is the lack of respect I see in young people today. I firmly believe that a lot of the problems in our society today stems from this one issue.

Parents send their kids to school in hopes that the teacher will teach them, then the teachers can’t teach them because the parents haven’t taught them basic respect – respect for others, respect for elders, respect for other peoples’ things, etc. Case in point: our neighborhood has been trying to get one of our major roads fixed. It used to be an old country road, but now a well traveled road thanks to new houses and a brand new high school opening in the fall. This road hasn’t been updated in about twenty years. One of our friends was in a major accident on this road due to teens racing. She tried to avoid them from getting hit head on and flipped her car when she hit the ditch on the side of the road. One of the teens was apprehended and arrested. Our friend says that she read the arrest affidavit and guess what? The teen doesn’t care that she almost died, or that she will have ongoing health problems because of it, or that her car was destroyed. He is not remorseful whatsoever. Lack of respect. He has no respect for life, his or anyone else’s.

Our pastor gave a wonderful Father’s Day speech about fathers being a shining example for their sons. This not only applies to just fathers, but all parents. What are we showing our kids today? When I first heard about the teen above, my first thought was, “That’s a reflection on the parents.” I know there are some people that no matter what their parents do, they will still behave in such manner, but can you imagine how much better our society would be if more parents stepped up to the plate and took the time to educate their children in basic moral values and don’t leave it up to a society, that is already questionable at best, to do it for them?

Just maybe, we wouldn’t have guns in school, or fight clubs if people valued life more. Just maybe, we wouldn’t have so my home breakins and carjackings if people valued other people’s property more. I could go on and on.

I heard a story yesterday about a woman who’s car broke down on the side of the road. My friend’s dad stopped to help her. She was terrified of getting help for fear that she might be attacked or something. He was finally able to convince her that he would do her no harm by telling her to crack her window just a little bit and slid his driver’s license in to her. He told her to call a friend and give him/her his information off the license in case something happens to her. She stayed in the car while he helped her. What is happening to our world- where there is a fear of helping others and a fear of being helped because of all of the disrespectful things happening in it?

Just my two cents worth today. Take it or leave it, but think about it. What are you teaching your kids?