A Loud Call of Chips and Wine!

Habits. Aren't they oddly more noticeable in others than in ourselves? Maybe it was the recent never ending string of colds and flu or a last chance to make a resolution, but I decided to make some changes to my diet and my overall health.

It's not because of my age, or because I have a kid, or because of breastfeeding or because my husband doesn't eat as well as I think he should, or because he should be exercising more or because nobody ever calls me to motivate me to go out and exercise,  or "at least I think I do more than so-and-so friend, or because my work-out clothes are ugly, it's not because it's too dark, or too cold, or too rainy or too late, or too early, or because "The Good Wife" is on. It's BECAUSE of ME. I have adopted habits and beliefs, seemingly some without my own knowing,  that are not working for me.

1. Spending too much time in coffee shops with or without my friends and their kids drinking coffees and eating muffins, cookies or biscuits.
2. Telling myself that I need something sweet to feel like my meal is over? (wtf? this one is weird.)
3. Baking is better than store-bought, which might be true, but not if I end up eating 10 of the 12 muffins I baked.
4. I don't like most veggies.
5. I'm not overweight.

So for the last two weeks or so I've been implementing some new or forgotten habits to my routine...

1. Daily green drink. One first thing in the morning and one at 3pm.
2. Five minute meditation just before my husband leaves for work while he plays with the kid.
3. No sugar, honey, jam, yogurt, milk, cheese, white rice, wheat toast and pasta, pancakes, muffins, maple syrup, butter, and eggs. Hardly any meat and if so only the size of my palm.
4. If I can skip coffee I do, if not, I put a tiny bit of milk in my coffee.
5. More greens; broccoli, kale, collards, lettuce, green beans, cucumbers, and fresh herbs.
6. My snacks are less coffee, muffins, raisins, toast with jam, dried fruit, cookies, and waffles and more apples, almonds, ginger tea, blueberries, and green drinks.
7. I go for the 60-40 rule; 60% of my plate consists of veggies or fruit.
8. Daily activity: I've found a variety of neat yoga, strength training and cardio workouts on youtube, and I make a point of doing at least 30 minutes every day especially if I can't make it outside to exercise. Cafemom Studios and Ekhart Yoga are great!

and I've noticed some significant changes:

1. No more bloating, gas, stomach aches, and heavy lethargic feelings after meals.
2. Fruits that didn't used to taste that sweet like apples and berries are super sweet to me now.
3. I crave sweets much less and I've been more or less able to curb these cravings with distractions or ginger tea. This is the biggest daily challenge. It's funny, I found myself online one afternoon searching for "healthier" desserts for almost 3 hours!!! Crazy.
5. I don't feel deprived when I see others eating a bacon and egg breakfast of champions, a mountain of nachos, or slices of chocolate pecan pie. It's funny, I thought I would, but it seems my body has taken over my mind and happily steers me towards the fruits and veggies.

I had one relapse. There was this bag of chips, not a bag of pretend healthy, organic pita chips, real O'lays salty, crispy chips leftover from a party we had. It was Friday, 5pm, time for wine and chips? Right? OMG. Pain, cramps and dizziness. Wine and chips? What was I thinking?

How long do they say it takes for habits to form?  21 days? Well, I'm game for 21 days and maybe even for more! What habits would you like to put in gear? Check out what Leo has to say about sticking to a habit on his blog and let me know how you're coming along!

Simple Family Habits

There are some habits I've adopted over the last year that I've still managed to keep. Most of these habits I've stolen from other savy moms I know or from simplicity blogs. Here are some my favorites. I'm always looking for more good ideas, so please share yours!

1. Place 1 spray bottle with a water/vinegar solution and a rag under each sink in your home. I started doing this only about a month ago, and I love it. If I happen to be in the bathroom and notice it could use I wipe, it takes two seconds and presto!
2. Clear and rinse the sink after every meal. I've only started doing this recently, but boy, do I love it! It's like a clear counter, it just makes you want to cook something delicious!
3. Teach everyone to set and clear the table. It's the best way to support the chef in your family.
4. Always pack light. Trust your resourcefulness.
5. When it comes to mind, de-clutter where ever you are for a few minutes at a time.
6. Whether it's your toddler pitching a fit on the sidewalk, or your husband who is clearly not listening or anybody else who is rubbing you the wrong way, look up at the sky, take a deep breath and say to yourself: "This too shall pass." It eases the nerves.
7. Designate Zen Zones in your home: Clutter free surfaces where you can place one single beautiful item to admire like a flower, a stone, a picture frame etc...
8. Go outside every day no matter the weather. Do art, exercise, garden, ride your bike, take out the hose, blow bubbles, dig, read, take pictures, write a letter, eat picnics, fly kites, attend car-free festivals, geo-cache, ride your bike to a city park, or go farther to one of Metro Vancouver's 22 regional parks. (My favorites are Crippen Park on Bowen Island, Iona Beach in Richmond and Barston Island in Surrey.)
9. Give the gift of experience. My friend bought her husband a cooking class at The Dirty Apron, and he's still raving about it. Or if making tortellini from scratch is not what they might like, how about pole dancing or a photography class? (PS. Pole dancing is a great workout and a lot of fun!)
10. Limit your exposure to advertisement as much as you can. Paste a red dot on your mailbox to stop flyers and junkmail. Read books instead of magazines, don't give away your email or your phone number at any store, replace television with a new hobby, and stay our of malls.

Zen Zone Basil