Week of July 5-12, 2010

Are you doing anything unusual to keep in shape, to keep hydrated, energized or stress free this summer?

There is nothing unusual in what I am doing in order to maintain a holistic lifestyle. However; it does require discipline and that is something I work hard at.

Here’s what I’m doing this summer, maybe you can be encouraged and perhaps follow on my footsteps:

• I get up every morning and start the day with 1 hour of exercise before I go to work.
• I change my workouts to not bore myself!!
• I make sure I have a healthy breakfast, usually eggs, oatmeal or pancakes (recipe for pancakes to follow)
• I use sun block.
• I make sure I supplement with omegas, vitamins and minerals that my body may need in case my diet is not optimal. Do you know that in order to obtain the required amount of calcium your body needs in a day (1200 mg), you would have to eat 16.5 cups of raw broccoli? I think we all may have to supplement.
• I drink at least 7 glasses of water a day plus eat fruits and drink tea.
• I have a small healthy lunch and when I arrive at home from work I eat dinner.
• I work hard at not eating any fattening snacks after dinner.
• I make a point to spend some time with my children outside to burn some extra calories and to get some healthy exposure to the sun. Plus; my children benefit from this time as well.
• I de-stress once my children are put to bed by reading, having tea, and spending time with my husband.
• I reflect on how my day went and pray to make adjustments in my life and I thank God for the blessings I experienced.
• I make sure I get at least 7-8 hrs of sleep at night.

A holistic lifestyle depends on you. Can you make time in your schedule for healthy choices? Do you have the discipline to say no to unhealthy foods? Of course, you need support in order to accomplish some of these changes and I am willing to offer that help.

Oat Flour Pancakes
1 cup oat flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 egg
½ cup plain soy or rice milk
½ cup water
1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
¼ bag frozen blueberries (optional)

Mix all the dry ingredients pressing out lumps. Blend egg, water, milk and applesauce and beat well. Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. Make onto hot lightly greased skillet.

Good Health Everyone!