When your mind is wandering elsewhere you have no chance to express yourself. But if you limit your activity to what you can do just now, in this moment, then you can express fully your true nature, which is the universal Buddha nature. This is our way.
Suzuki Roshi on Soto Zen Buddhism
so, I let myself relax so far as food went this weekend, while just cutting down on my portion sizes a bit. I started reading a Buddhist book by Thich Nhat Hanh that my husband has had on our bookshelf for a long time called ” Living Buddah, Living Christ”. It’s really interesting. The most important thing I am learning from it is seeing the similarities between all people regardless of their belief system or practice. The accepting and loving attitude exhibited in this book makes me want to be a better person. We have another book by him called “Being Peace”. I really love this little book. I will be going to the library this week (most likely tomorrow) to pick up a few other books that a fellow tumblr so kindly suggested! :D
other ventures begun: i started doing origami this weekend. i will do one project a day. i have always loved origami, but never took the time to sit and do it. i am using this new hobby as a means for sitting, focus, and mindfulness. i added a tumblr blog i have named “An Origami A Day (keeps the crazy away)”. i will be posting each daily project.
i am still gardening. my baby plants have finally sprouted! i also have a venus fly trap that i have named Mars. he is very pretty.
i mentioned in earlier posts that i will be following a vegan diet again, and will be in process of transitioning back to that this week. will be getting vegan cookbooks from the library to read up and learn to make some new yummy meals!
going to make a list of all the vegan foods, both naturally vegan and specialty items that i really love so that i won’t forget to get these things when I am able to go grocery shop. it’s easier to stick with a certain way of eating if you have it on ice or on your own shelf.
okay, well. enough said i suppose by this title.
i love cake, my husband brought some home.
i ate 3 pieces. i swear i am an addict and clearly have little control.
i asked him to never bring me cake again.
i need self control, specifically in this manner.
when i was a strict vegan, this was easy. cake has animal products. like eggs. so heck No i didn’t eat it.
people, i know it’s strange, but i am going to give the vegan thing another go. i am a nutty foodie food junkie.
there are wonderful yummy foods to eat as a vegan, but for a foodie like me, it is MUCH healthier. why? well, because many of the foods i crave are automatically out. my cravings lowered and my self control was better.
i am only human. let’s see how it goes this time around. will keep you posted :)
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
Thich Nhat Hanh
I read this article and really enjoyed it. Although it is about working the ideas behind a typical French diet into ones own, I found that all these tips really focus on healthy, mindful eating. I found it really helpful, hope someone else will too!
After I made my early morning post, and breakfast and coffee were had, my daughter and I went on an hour long walk winding our way around the apartment complex. It was beautiful out! It was windy and actually a bit chilly, nice and sunny though and we enjoyed every minute of it.
I let her play on our back porch that is screened in and reheated some coffee and gave her a sippy cup. It was so beautiful out. We had fun together.
Later on that morning, I had to call and cancel the membership to my gym but that went very well. I only owe 20 dollars and everything is done, and they were really nice about it. I don’t know why I’m always so racked with nerves when I have to make calls like that. When it comes down to it, MOST people are very understanding.
So, after lunch, we went out on another walking adventure! It was much warmer, but still nice and breezy and there were tons of beautiful birds out.
I know that it will take more effort on my part now to burn the calories that I need to each day, but I should see this as an opportunity! This is an opportunity for me to get outside to get creative! There are tons of ways to exercise that are enjoyable. Why make it no pain no gain? Walking is awesome. Fresh air, exercise, taking nature in, sunshine (or hey, even a rainy day walk would be fun with the right gear!)
If any of you out there in tumblrland have ways that you like to exercise that are free and that you find enjoyable, please share! I would love to hear your ideas and how you like to be healthy! :D
Have a peaceful, happy Friday!
Love quinoa.
8 Health Benefits of Quinoa:
1. High quality protein with the nine essential amino acids, the protein balance is similar to milk. At 16.2 to 20 percent protein, it has is more protein than rice (7.5 percent), millet (9.9 percent) or wheat (14 percent).
2. Great source of riboflavin. Riboflavin has been shown to help reduce the frequency of attacks in migraine sufferers by improving the energy metabolism within the brain and muscle cells.
3. Inca warriors had more stamina and quicker recovery time by eating these quinoa seeds, making it a truly ancient powerfood.
4. Antiseptic. The saponins from quinoa are used to promote healing of skin injuries in South America.
5. Not fattening! Only 172 calories per 1/4 cup dry (24 of the calories from protein and only 12 from sugars, the rest are complex carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats).
6. Gluten-free. Since it is not not related to wheat, or even a grain, it is gluten-free.
7. Alkaline-forming. Although it is not strongly alkaline-forming, it is comparable to wild rice, amaranth, and sprouted grains.
My sis suggested quinoa to me not long ago! Saw this and had to re-post!
So, after much digging around with finances, I have decided to cancel the gym membership I have. I love the gym I go to. It is quiet, yet busily humming with people, lots of friendly people. There are even elderly people towards the front drinking coffee and chatting after their morning workout at tables. The gentlemen open the door for me and offer kind words. I love the options, the yoga, the instructors. everything. But I do see that how much I have to pay for it at this time is really too much for our budget.
It’s important to remember that this kind of thing is great, but it is truly a luxury, and as we are not flush with cash it’s best that I find ways to exercise on my own. In the past I have found this difficult to do, and find myself much more motivated to go to the gym that I enjoy.
Just recently, however, I have started taking the jogging stroller out, dragging it downstairs from the apartment and taking my baby girl out on walks. It’s beautiful outside especially in the morning and we both enjoy the breeze, the fresh air, the shade from the trees, windchimes hanging from the apartment porches and of course seeing all the birds and squirrels out and about. It’s good for both of us, and I must say, more enjoyable than being on an elliptical.
Tracking my foods and activities on webmd has greatly helped me to start moving more on my own, aside from the gym. I started doing some exercises with my husbands free weights one day after seeing some ideas for that in a book I flipped through at the grocery store the other day.
There are just too many ways that I can get moving on my own, for no cost, except my time, to keep spending money that would better be saved!
I am up having a tiny snack and some hot tea. Mmmmm. Cannot sleep for now, but that is okay. I am working on accepting things as they are and not fighting against them. Just going with the flow.
Some things that I have been thinking about and pondering the last number of days are this.
I have been re-reading Buddhism without Beliefs and have been delving into understanding the anguish that I feel, where it comes from, and how to LET GO.
I have become too attached to social networking in the last number of months. While it is very good to interact with others on a daily basis, I realize that I have become far too concerned with what others may think of me in all areas, and when I don’t hear from someone in weeks start to worry that they may no longer care for me as a friend. This is unhealthy. This attachment does cause me anguish.
I was meditating and praying the other day while on the elliptical (I like to do this, I find it makes my workout productive mentally and physically) and two thoughts came to me in this process.
1. to show preference to no one, to love all others and treat them equally and with care, to be a friend to all. In all my dealings, kindness and understanding to all others and this I must also give to myself.
2. to not be attention seeking. this one is tricky, because i don’t normally see myself as someone who is attention seeking. but at the heart of the matter, everyone wants to be heard, recognized, and loved for who they are. We all try to achieve this in different ways. I know that I need to let these things go as well. I can love myself for who I am, extend that to myself and realize that I must let go of wanting or expecting this from others. I am in control of loving myself and loving others. letting go of craving attention and validation is so important. at times I feel like it has been a thorn in my heart and this is truly anguish!
understanding anguish, the origins, and letting go. it is truly a process and a worthwhile one.
I have other thoughts swimming around that are along this same vein, things that I am chewing on.
Such as, accepting unpleasant feelings and recognizing them as changing and not permanent. Embracing what I am experiencing in the NOW, not trying to distract myself from it or push it away, and seeing it for what it truly is, and then- letting go.
