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Healthy reflections

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NYCLADY784
Posts: 3511
1/16/07 10:02 P

sometime its fun to cook!

My due date is in March!

NYCLADY784
Posts: 3511
1/16/07 9:55 P

A good cook is a sorceress who dispenses happiness.

- Elsa Schiapirelli

The joy of cooking

Cooking for someone is a great expression of love, comfort, and gratitude. A hearty meal prepared with fresh, healthy ingredients can warm anyone's heart. This is why many cultures send meals to those who have recently lost a loved one; our motivation behind traditional holiday meals; and why affectionate memories of family often center around the table. Sharing food with people is an intimate occasion. Try out a healthy, new recipe this week. Experiment and see what magic you can cook up in the kitchen!

My due date is in March!

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
1/15/07 6:43 A

Becoming a mother makes you the mother of all children. From now on each wounded, abandoned, frightened child is yours. You live in the suffering mothers of every race and creed and weep with them. You long to comfort all who are desolate.

- Charlotte Gray

Following the lead of a mother's heart

Something happens inside a woman when she is pregnant that forever transforms her heart. Some attribute this to hormones but anyone who has had a child will tell you that it is something much more primal. Instinct teaches us to love and protect our own baby, but why then do we cry at the drop of a hat over emotional commercials on TV or a touching moment in a movie? Motherhood often gives women a deep sense of empathy for all children. Our hearts no longer simply "go out" to sick or destitute, but rather break and weep over their situations. Cherish this gift, as it can impact the world so greatly if you let it. Take the calling of your heart and spread that love around where it leads you.

Madeleine Shanti arrived August 13, 2005.
She was 6 pounds 1 oz and 19 inches! A tiny, perfect little girl! She is my heart!
YAY! I did it! 26.2 miles and I can't wait to do my next marathon! But first I'm working on being able to walk again!

Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your c

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
1/12/07 6:33 A

A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight.

- V. Borge

The power of a positive face

Have you ever contemplated how much a smile can change a person's day? Both the person who smiles and the one who sees it are positively impacted by such a small act. This seemingly tiny reflex can perk up a bad attitude, make you seem more warm and inviting, and often pass some happiness on to others. So the next time your alarm goes off for your 5 a.m. run or your new baby cries in the middle of the night, smile instead of grumbling. You'd be surprised how a positive face can in turn become a positive and motivational attitude!

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
12/29/06 5:53 A

This seemed especially appropriate after the holiday bustle and in my particular case, thinking about what the future may hold...
Hope you guys like it!

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.

- Charles Richards

Pencil in some face time with yourself

Millions of people use organizers, palm pilots, calendars, personal assistants, sticky notes, and date books to help them manage their busy lives. Do you allow these organizers to rule your life? Do you allow space for personal time? Often we micro-manage our lives and schedule our time so much that it comes at the price of our own freedom. Instead of scheduling another meeting with your co-workers, schedule one with yourself. Make the most of today because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
11/23/06 6:17 A

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness...never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

- Lord Chesterfield

Valuing time before it is too late

Often our days are busied with worry, stress, complaining, work, and a general wasting of time. Once we finally realize the value of our time, often for many of us it is too late. Your pregnancy is only 9 months in duration, and while that might seem like a long time in the midst of it, truly it is a blink of an eye. Today, make more time to be present in your life. Even small moments- heartburn, a kick, or satisfying a craving- should be enjoyed. Restructure your day so that you can get all of your work done, but allow for extra time to be spent on personal matters. Stop procrastinating!

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
11/15/06 10:00 A

I thought this was kind of good timing since the holiday season is fast approaching!

The holiest of all holidays are those kept by ourselves in silence and apart, the secret anniversaries of the heart.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet

Anniversaries of the heart

We all have anniversaries that go largely unspoken and unobserved. The day you met your spouse, a miscarriage, the day you bought your first house, a first kiss. There is no calendar to reflect them, no Hallmark card to express the emotions tied to the events, only a quiet observation within a few hearts. They are not restricted by the passage of time either. Today, think about some of your own secret anniversaries and perhaps observe them in a meaningful way. Who might also benefit from being involved in your observation? You cherish these memories for a reason, so honor them by not letting them fade from your consciousness. After all, these are the most personal of all holidays.

MAMABO-2
BabyPoints: 4667
Posts: 1482
11/7/06 10:49 A

Awesome! Thanks Deb!

Benjamin Miles 8/26/05
Hans David 11/2/07

"Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures, it is our gift to each other."
--Elie Wiesel, "Hope, Despair, Memory"

"We couldn't all be cowboys, so some of us are clowns..." Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
10/27/06 1:36 P

Blessed is he who speaks a kindness; thrice blessed is he who repeats it.

- Arabian proverb

Spreading goodwill that can return to you

This quote can be read in a few ways, and all of them are worth thinking about. First, complimenting and encouraging others is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to be a positive force in someone's life. As long as you're sincere, repeating that encouragement as often as possible can have effects that far outweigh the effort. Countless people have exceeded their own expectations just because others believed in them. Second, giving positive feedback works even better if done publicly. Take those kind words and repeat them until everyone knows the great things that this person is doing. Third, we've all had kindnesses bestowed on us in word and deed. In return for that favor, it's up to us to repeat that generosity for someone else's benefit. However you read this quote, the point is that there's a kindness out there to be performed. And you're just the person to do it!

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
10/18/06 6:25 A

Thanks, Kendra!

MAMABO-2
BabyPoints: 4667
Posts: 1482
10/17/06 9:02 P

For Deb:

"Don't even think about not making it."

--Georgia O'Keefe

"It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis.

--Margaret Bonnano

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
10/1/06 6:59 A

Boy, this one really hit home! I've said this so many times!

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.

- H. Jackson Brown

Making the most of your day

Do you often tell others (and yourself) that you just don't have enough time? If you are like most people, this is probably something you think about at least once a day. It seems like our lives continue getting busier but time never grows in proportion. This quote reminds us that great things can (and have been) done with the time that we all have. What will you do with your time today?

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
9/10/06 6:50 A

I couldn't resist this one...lol, stop and smell the roses!

It also reminds me of a funny story...on one of my longer runs around my neighborhood, there is a steep hill pretty close to home that I struggle with because I'm tired already by then. And there is a fence with lots o rosebushes. Well, of course, that's my incentive to get up the hill and then I get to stop for a second to smell them!!

We're always getting ready to live, but never living.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer

Don't put off living the life you want

There is no lesson for today. You have permission to stop thinking for a moment and just enjoy yourself. Stop looking at your computer right now and go look at the world. Rediscover the natural wonders that you walk past every day. How can there possibly be that many shades of green? Let your mind be grateful for a break. Don't think, don't strain. Let the memories of loved ones remind you of your favorite times. Close your eyes and try to smell the sunshine. Listen to your heart beat in your ears. If it's raining, smile at the thought of the flowers that will soon follow. If you're surrounded by buildings, celebrate the creative genius of human beings. See the hope, the alarm, the love, the grief in faces that stream by. Thank whomever you'd like to thank for the chance to even be here. For a moment today, don't worry about being better. Just be.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
9/1/06 5:09 A

If nature had arranged that husbands and wives should have children alternatively, there would never be more than three in a family.

- Lawrence Housman

Giving credit where credit is due

Being a woman isn't always easy. We make less money for doing the same job, have more pressures to look good but have to work twice as hard to keep our bodies in shape, and must endure both pregnancy and childbirth. Perhaps we need to rewrite that. Instead of simply "enduring," we should feel grateful that we are blessed with a body that is able to bring such a miracle into the world. Men will never be able to experience pregnancy, birth, or lactation, and while often those three things can bring us discomfort, it is our experience alone and should be honored. Give thanks for your body, for how you were made, and for what your body has provided for you.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
8/22/06 5:29 A

You'll never miss the water, 'til the well runs dry.

- W.C. Handy

Are you grateful for the luxuries in your life?

Even if you've never seen it, you are probably aware of the CBS reality show Survivor-sixteen castaways sent to live on an island to duke it out and vote one another off for a million dollar prize. What is most striking about this concept is not the competition, but the absolute gratitude these people hold for things we take for granted everyday. The dirty, unpurified water they cling to for life is the same stuff we flush, wash, and cook with everyday without batting an eye. They covet and fight for food that we could easily pop in our microwaves or sit down at a restaurant to order. The very fact that you can read this at your computer signifies that you are one of the most wealthy, educated persons on the planet. Take a moment to think about the luxurious and privileged life you live. Give thanks for a whole body, everyday freedoms, your family, and all of the choices you have. Cherish what you have while you have it because you never know when your life could change.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
8/8/06 5:29 A

Just a nice reminder that what we do is important!

Fifty years from now it will not matter what kind of car you drove, what kind of house you lived in, how much you had in your bank account or what your clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better place because you were important in the life of a child.

- Unknown

Molding the future generation

Countless problems in people's lives can be traced back to emotionally unfulfilled childhoods. Everyone has needs, from infancy until the day they die. Some are deeply rooted in interpersonal connections made with others. No business meeting, yoga class, or social function is more important than being a present force in your child's life. During the earliest years of life, we learn trust, empathy, and affection. Without parents who are present, the void is a wide one to fill. You are the most influential figure in your child's life. Use this responsibility wisely to teach her to love herself and others, care of the earth, cherish books and learning, and to trust and rely on you. You have been entrusted with a life, possibly multiple lives. Don't waste this precious opportunity!

MAMABO-2
BabyPoints: 4667
Posts: 1482
6/27/06 12:52 P

hah - even my mom couldn't hold a candle to Joan Crawford when it comes to narcissism...

Now I will say something positive: my mom called this weekend and told me how much she was looking forward to seeing Benjamin again. Believe it or not, that is progress!

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
6/27/06 12:05 P

Yeah, I was thinking of our mommies dearest!

MAMABO-2
BabyPoints: 4667
Posts: 1482
6/27/06 9:55 A

Thanks Deb - spot on!

K

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
6/20/06 10:54 A

Kendra, I know this one will have special meaning to you as it does to me!

Without forgiveness life is governed by…an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.

- Roberto Assagioli

The positive cycle of forgiveness

Ok, be honest. Do you hold grudges? Do you allow old drama to determine your behavior? Is there someone you just can't seem to forgive? Grudges and a non-forgiving attitude do nothing but harm both parties. You might feel like you're "winning" by not letting someone off the hook, but you're only increasing your own worry and stress. Bitterness can lead to hate, which can sour a life. Today, write a letter explaining your point of view to the person you feel resentful towards. Clear the air; forgiving him. Even if you don't send it, it is an excellent way to relieve tension. Forgiving someone does not absolve them of the wrong that you experienced. It can simply free you to live a life that isn't anchored to the hurt and resentment of past events.

MAMABO-2
BabyPoints: 4667
Posts: 1482
6/1/06 9:58 A

Deb - thank you for these! (and for your emails) you are an inspiration in so many ways!

K

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
5/31/06 8:13 A

I'm working on this one!
Deb

You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.

- Harper Lee, writer

Viewing the world though another's eyes

When baby-proofing a room, what is the best way to do it? You get down on the ground and see the world through the eyes of your baby. Never before have such dangers and opportunities for mischief been so apparent! The same is true with relationships. Many times you may try to empathize with a person by saying "I know how you feel." But do you really? When a person cuts you off in traffic, do you curse them under your breath or throw an angry gesture? What if that person is really just having a hard day, dealing with an unruly toddler in the backseat? Attempting to view the world through another person's eyes builds empathy and thus a deeper understanding of that person. Think about others you conflict with before jumping to conclusions.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
5/23/06 5:51 A

Know your limitsâ€¦but never stop trying to exceed them.

- Anonymous

Overcoming your personal "stop signs"

Many of us use our "limitations" as a stop sign for reaching our goals. While knowing our limits can safeguard us against injury and embarrassment, too often we use them as avoidance methods in our lives. What is holding you back from reaching your goals? How can you push beyond your comfort zone in a healthy way? Many women experience such limitations in pregnancy, labor, and later motherhood. Our bodies and mind are capable of overcoming much more than we could ever imagine if we just try. Today set new goals that may push you a little. Overcoming your personal hang ups and fears may be one of the most rewarding choices you'll ever make!

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
5/14/06 7:07 A

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

Be grateful to all of your teachers and anyone who took interest in you, particularly your family, for their knowledge and love contributed to your journey

- Unknown

Finding Thanks Doing the World's Most Thankless Job

Sadly, mothers are the unsung heroes of the world. No plaque is coming to congratulate you on giving birth, nor ribbons thanking you for breastfeeding. One day a year the nation thanks its mothers, and if you're lucky the kids remember your birthday too. The gratitude comes when your little one gets sick and amidst projectile vomit screams "I want my mommy!" Your kisses are the only magic potion that can make a scraped knee stop hurting. The "thank you" comes when, during a school play, your son bursts out a hearty "Hi mom!" instead of reciting his lines. So while you might not get a certificate of achievement, know that little by little, your efforts are making a profound impact on your children's lives. If you ever feel discouraged, just think of all the small ways they depend on and love you.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
4/23/06 7:40 A

I just love this one, can't resist the urge to post it!!

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.

- Albert Einstein, physicist

Seeing the wonder in the smallest details

What do you appreciate and what do you ignore? Is a sunrise any less special because its image wouldnâ€™t make it on a magazine cover? Is any day less precious because, in your mind, â€œnothing specialâ€ happened? For some reason, itâ€™s hard to be impressed with anything these days. Driving a car is a source of strain instead of wonder. The internet is already old news. Quick â€“ when was the last time you paid attention to a space shuttle flight? Remember when that was all people could talk about? Once you take something for granted, you also take the life out of it. When nothing is â€œspecial,â€ boredom and gloom arenâ€™t far behind. Look around where youâ€™re sitting right now, and try to see it for the first time, like your child would. Think about the human potential that created the stuff in the room. Think about the miracles of nature right outside your window. Think about how amazing it is that youâ€™re even here to see it.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
4/19/06 7:12 A

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing -- that's why we recommend it daily.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
4/1/06 7:16 A

Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday.

- Sally Koch

You can impact more people than youâ€™ll ever know

Too many people sit on the sidelines of life waiting for that one great opportunity or the chance of a lifetime. We seldom realize that while we are waiting, we are missing the small opportunities to make a difference that surround us in our everyday lives. For example, you could pick up the litter on a street that you travel often, help someone carry her groceries to her car, or offer to help a child read a book. Of course, this list could go on and on. Your small action could make all the difference in the world to someone and you may never know it. Donâ€™t sit around and wait for the BIG CHANCE because you never knowâ€¦one of those small opportunities might turn into the next chance of a lifetime.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
3/29/06 6:48 A

I LOVE this one!

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

- Aesop, Greek author of fables

Investing time and energy in others

People usually talk of â€œspendingâ€ energy and time on others. As if once itâ€™s used, itâ€™s gone. But in reality, that effort is a powerful investment. Itâ€™s an investment because youâ€™ll get more of both in return. When a match lights a candle, the matchâ€™s flame doesnâ€™t shrink â€“ if anything, it grows. In the same way, youâ€™ll be even more inspired and successful by building others up. The bonus is, theyâ€™ll also be better equipped to return the favor. Take action today to make someoneâ€™s life a little better. Come up with just one nice thing to do for each of the important people in your life. One little thing that can make all the difference. After all, what good does it do to improve your health or your life if youâ€™re not going to do anything with it?

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
3/24/06 7:20 A

This one is really good too. I used to be this way...sad to read it but I need to stay focused on constantly improving this part of me too!

You canâ€™t escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

- Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President

Is procrastination curable?

Procrastination. Putting off until tomorrow what you could do today. Is there a more counterproductive habit around? It causes more stress and anxiety than the Grinch in December. Procrastination solves nothing and usually makes things worse. It piles up unfinished business that lurks in and preoccupies the dark corners of your brain. You hope the pile will disappear, but for some reason it doesnâ€™t. The worst part is that once we put off things weâ€™d rather not do, we start to delay the fun stuff as well. How many times have you said â€œnoâ€ to an opportunity because you had to take care of something you put off earlier? How many lost opportunities can you accept? Letâ€™s make action a habit instead. Tomorrow, focus on your toughest hurdle first. Get just that one thing out of the way and enjoy the rest of the day. Be firm and donâ€™t let yourself off the hook. After all, itâ€™s not going away. Follow that one strategy and youâ€™ll be surprised how the momentum carries through the rest of the day. Do it now!!

SHAYNEJ
Posts: 1057
3/23/06 7:58 A

I really like that one and it is so true.

Shayne

Luka 8/8/05 @ 11:17AM
Zora 12/3/03 @ 12:23AM
www.fruitcakeornuts.blogspot.com
Picture: Dec. 2007

Only when the last tree has died & the last river has been poisoned & the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can not eat money

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
3/23/06 6:55 A

Here's one I got today that I really liked. It kind of fits in with my goal of taking time to enjoy each moment and work toward "mono" tasking!

Stop living life for whatâ€™s around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street.

- Grant L Miller

Enjoying the road to accomplishment

Itâ€™s possible to be a little too focused. With blinders on, it becomes easy to completely live in our vision of where we will be in the future â€“ while ignoring the improvements that we have made in the present. The road to a healthy lifestyle is a long trip. While itâ€™s very important to realize what we are shooting for, we also need to make sure that we keep our heads in the present to enjoy the progress weâ€™ve made. If your goal is to lose your pregnancy weight, instead of waiting to celebrate until you lose it all, enjoy todayâ€™s small victories and take advantage of your improved health now. This approach serves as motivation for any aspiration in life. Set ambitious goals and enjoy the road to accomplishing those goals. Because life might pass you by if you are always planning for tomorrow without ever seeing today.

ITSAGIRL!
BabyPoints: 19662
Posts: 6753
3/22/06 6:32 A

I almost forgot, I wanted to tell all of you about this. It's e-mails from babyfit that you can sign up for. I just found out about it last week and it's great!
If you go to your account settings and click on it, there's a place where you can check off what you want to receive. The healthy reflections is my favorite, but I also get the recipe of the day and the natural mothering.
Deb

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