It happens to the best of us. After a certain age, I guess it is inevitable in some way, shape or form. Some people get red sports cars, others, a Harley. Some get new hairstyles, a new wardrobe or grow a beard. The beard part, on men, can look pretty good. On women, not so much. I am speaking, of course, about mid-life.
I have noticed this year that it appears Mother Nature herself is going through her own mid-life crisis. Or maybe it’s menopause. Regardless, she’s acting more psycho than normal.
Kind of ironic, since Mother Nature did have a hand in “inventing” mid-life. Now it seems she’s getting a taste of her own medicine. Unfortunately, just like an unsuspecting spouse, we Ohioans are experiencing the change of life right along with her.
I guess it’s her moods swings that are affecting me the most. One minute she’s sunny and happy, the next she’s gloomy and cold. She can’t make up her mind at all. Snow one minute, rain the next – and some ice and frost thrown in for fun. I am not sure if she enjoys watching us go from down parkas to t-shirts and back again in the course of 3 hours, but at times I sense a hint of humor in the air…possibly a touch of smirk when I look at the sky. Other times her changes can make my head spin, and therefore it leads me to believe she’s just as mystified by the sudden change as I am.
We humans aren’t the only ones this Mother Nature mid-life crisis is torturing. The poor birds don’t know whether to feather their nests or to grab the next flight back to the south. The geese are circling overhead, not sure to land or keep on going. In bird circles, Ohio is the most gossiped about area. Used to be all they chatted about was which house has the best bird feeders; now, it’s whether or not to bi-pass Ohio and head straight for Michigan.
The squirrels are starting to look less fat and furry, and it’s sad to see them shivering out in the cold, cursing the fact that they already sent their winter coats to the animal Goodwill. Even my dogs are getting a little tired of the “sweater on – sweater off – sweater back on” ritual.
The crocuses are trying to reverse themselves and stay buried a little longer, and the daffodils have decided they’d rather wait and come out when they know they won’t get goose bumps on their yellow petals.
Mother Nature, in your change of life form, you are channeling the Katie Perry song: “Hot N Cold”. If your goal is to drive us crazy, you are succeeding.
Now, it’s true they say mid-life can be fun. It’s a great time to learn new hobbies, find new passions, and travel. So, Mother Nature, how about you take all that menopausal frustration and put it into something productive. Like maybe a spring day that will stay that way. For a few weeks. Without snow. Just a suggestion – please don’t turn on me…I’m on your side, really. And if you want, I can give you the name of a great doctor – or wine store - here in town…your entire family will thank you for it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A new me, instead of new jeans....Welcome to a healthy living! It's fun and refreshing and feels wonderful!
So, call me crazy, but instead of buying a pair of $100 jeans guaranteed to make me look thinner, I actually decided to become thinner!
This of course requires discipline, planning and moderation. Three things that really are not my strong points. I realize that if I sincerely want to make this happen, I have to make this a lifestyle change and not a diet. Nope – I am not using – nor will I ever – use the “D” word again. This new way of eating is a choice. It’s not a punishment (although to hear me complain at times, one would think I am being tortured!).
So, before I go any further, I’d like to give a shout out to some of my new friends: organic baby carrots, oranges and broccoli. Yup, you read correctly. I know, amazing, isn’t it? The girl that literally drools whenever someone mentions the words sourdough bread, chocolate and red wine. They too are my friends and always will be – I just won’t be seeing them as much anymore.
Since I am planning on living to be a very healthy and spry 100 (or more), I decided I’d better get on the bandwagon and take care of this body. The no-no’s - mainly sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol and bread – were calling me from afar the first few days. I know, what else is there, right?
Well, once I got past the initial shock and caffeine headaches, my body started waking up! I now have more energy, I sleep well and the brain fog is lifting. And better yet, the jeans are getting a little bigger, too!
I am not an exercise person – seriously. But I now enjoy my wii dance moves even more and Yoga seems easier. Simple stuff like parking farther away (unless it’s raining, I mean I do have limitations) in a parking lot and walking the dogs more often now seem fun.
Water is now my best friend. Simple, plain, clear water. Not mixed with anything if you get my drift. I treat myself to soda water in a beautiful glass with a lemon. I carry around a huge jug of my daily requirements. I challenge myself to drink the max and maybe even more. I have made peace with the fact that the restroom and I will be on closer terms.
The best part? I really, truly do enjoy eating the freshly made and flavorful meals. Sure it’s a little more work – shopping, chopping, cutting. But I’m getting creative. I’ve made up recipes and use spices I’ve never bothered with before. Shopping has become an adventure in itself…buying fresh organic foods, healthy organic meats and eggs and delicious fruits and berries.
My habits have changed. I now grab for a sweet carrot instead of something with sugar. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve not gone CRAZY! I will still partake in some yummy chocolate or a glass of Cabernet. (Or both together!) I will still eat my new found love – bacon. I will still savor warm sour dough bread with freshly made Amish butter. But when I do, I will only have a little. And it will be the best wine/chocolate/bacon/bread I’ve ever tasted!
Fifty (one) is the new 40. Well, actually younger than that! I have new granddaughters to keep up with and dreams and plans (yes, the ol’ bucket list) to accomplish. The easiest way to do that is get this body healthy and running like it was intended to. So bring on the fresh veggies! All I can say is it’s a good thing wine gets better with age – I sure don’t want to waste any of the bottles I have!
This of course requires discipline, planning and moderation. Three things that really are not my strong points. I realize that if I sincerely want to make this happen, I have to make this a lifestyle change and not a diet. Nope – I am not using – nor will I ever – use the “D” word again. This new way of eating is a choice. It’s not a punishment (although to hear me complain at times, one would think I am being tortured!).
So, before I go any further, I’d like to give a shout out to some of my new friends: organic baby carrots, oranges and broccoli. Yup, you read correctly. I know, amazing, isn’t it? The girl that literally drools whenever someone mentions the words sourdough bread, chocolate and red wine. They too are my friends and always will be – I just won’t be seeing them as much anymore.
Since I am planning on living to be a very healthy and spry 100 (or more), I decided I’d better get on the bandwagon and take care of this body. The no-no’s - mainly sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol and bread – were calling me from afar the first few days. I know, what else is there, right?
Well, once I got past the initial shock and caffeine headaches, my body started waking up! I now have more energy, I sleep well and the brain fog is lifting. And better yet, the jeans are getting a little bigger, too!
I am not an exercise person – seriously. But I now enjoy my wii dance moves even more and Yoga seems easier. Simple stuff like parking farther away (unless it’s raining, I mean I do have limitations) in a parking lot and walking the dogs more often now seem fun.
Water is now my best friend. Simple, plain, clear water. Not mixed with anything if you get my drift. I treat myself to soda water in a beautiful glass with a lemon. I carry around a huge jug of my daily requirements. I challenge myself to drink the max and maybe even more. I have made peace with the fact that the restroom and I will be on closer terms.
The best part? I really, truly do enjoy eating the freshly made and flavorful meals. Sure it’s a little more work – shopping, chopping, cutting. But I’m getting creative. I’ve made up recipes and use spices I’ve never bothered with before. Shopping has become an adventure in itself…buying fresh organic foods, healthy organic meats and eggs and delicious fruits and berries.
My habits have changed. I now grab for a sweet carrot instead of something with sugar. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve not gone CRAZY! I will still partake in some yummy chocolate or a glass of Cabernet. (Or both together!) I will still eat my new found love – bacon. I will still savor warm sour dough bread with freshly made Amish butter. But when I do, I will only have a little. And it will be the best wine/chocolate/bacon/bread I’ve ever tasted!
Fifty (one) is the new 40. Well, actually younger than that! I have new granddaughters to keep up with and dreams and plans (yes, the ol’ bucket list) to accomplish. The easiest way to do that is get this body healthy and running like it was intended to. So bring on the fresh veggies! All I can say is it’s a good thing wine gets better with age – I sure don’t want to waste any of the bottles I have!
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