By Sage
Please forgive this bit of self-indulgence; I justify it by pointing out that a healthy attitude and a healthy outlook will only enhance a healthy body and spirit. With that said, I am going to indulge away… (ahem):
Dear Twenty-year-old Self,
Today you turn 40. In the zeal and ignorance of youth, you thought this day would never really come. You watched friends reach it, and you heard siblings complain about it, but you didn’t think it would ever happen to you. Well, my friend, it happened. Here we are.
Now don’t you feel sorry for me, Twenty! I’ve earned every one of these 40 years, and I’m celebrating! That’s right, I’m celebrating the fact that I’ve reached the big Four-Oh. More importantly, I’m celebrating the fact that I’m no longer you, Twenty.
I’ve graduated from college and am midway through a master’s degree; I’ve completed two triathlons and a half-marathon; I weigh what I weighed in high school; I have a successful 20-year marriage going, three astonishing children, a lovely, comfortable home, and I have met so many more truly wonderful people in the years since I was you, Twenty! I’ve snorkeled the technicolor waves of Aruba, ferried across Canadian waters alongside a pod of Orca whales, parasailed in Mexico, and explored the cobbled streets in Spain. I’ve published a book. I ski down Colorado’s sunlit slopes regularly, and run and bike the trails under its clear blue skies along the river. You, Twenty, could not say any of the above. I’ve read so many more books, made so many more friends, sung so many more songs, and learned so much since I was you. Please don’t be offended, but I would never be you again. The only thing you were, dear, was younger—and that’s no accomplishment. I don’t want you back… well, maybe I would take your skin, but that’s all. And even then, please leave me my stretch marks because I treasure every moment that formed those silvery badges of honor!
The truth is, Twenty, that I love being Forty now. Thank you for who you were then, and the decisions you made that brought me where I am today. You did the best you could, and I appreciate it. I know I never won that Oscar, that Grammy, or that Nobel Peace Prize you thought you were destined for, and I would say I’m sorry but I’m not. Those things aren’t going to happen, and that’s okay. It’s better than okay, it’s right. You set me on a good path, Twenty, but the truth is that I’m over you. Where I am now, who I am now, is just better. No hard feelings, alright? You had your day.
Lovingly,
Your Forty-year-old Self
Showing posts with label Sage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sage. Show all posts
1.27.2011
9.30.2009
The Most Important Meal of the Day
By Sage
I've discovered my new favorite breakfast, and I LOVE breakfast! When left to my own devices (In other words, when I don't have to wake to an alarm clock, which is... let's see... almost never...) then I wake up hungry. However, mornings are very busy for me, ergo I don't have time to make a gourmet meal. So what I've started doing lately I can do quickly, and it sticks with me for hours without feeling heavy or making me feel guilty.
1 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Hot Cereal
Handful of Old Fashioned (not quick) oats
Dried Blueberries
Raisins
Almonds & Pecans chopped into largish chunks
Skim Milk (or soy milk, or rice milk, or nut milk, or whatever you use)
Honey
Bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the 10 Grain cereal and oats, stir well, reduce heat and cook until water is all absorbed, stirring occasionally. Transfer cereal to bowl and throw in the amount of fruits and nuts you desire. Add milk to taste, and drizzle a little honey over the top.
Yum! I get the dried blueberries at Costco, and they're so wonderful for cereals, muffins, etc. Chock full of antioxidants, those! They're probably available at many health food stores, too. I've also found that when I'm really pressed for time, I can throw the nuts and fruits into a bowl of Raisin Bran, Smart Start, or some other whole grain cold cereal, which makes it much more satisfying and nutrient-rich.
You've got to start somewhere, why not with breakfast? Chuck that Captain Crunch, those Pop Tarts, and even that Sausage Egg McMuffin in the garbage where they belong, and do something good for yourself!
I've discovered my new favorite breakfast, and I LOVE breakfast! When left to my own devices (In other words, when I don't have to wake to an alarm clock, which is... let's see... almost never...) then I wake up hungry. However, mornings are very busy for me, ergo I don't have time to make a gourmet meal. So what I've started doing lately I can do quickly, and it sticks with me for hours without feeling heavy or making me feel guilty.
1 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Hot Cereal
Handful of Old Fashioned (not quick) oats
Dried Blueberries
Raisins
Almonds & Pecans chopped into largish chunks
Skim Milk (or soy milk, or rice milk, or nut milk, or whatever you use)
Honey
Bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the 10 Grain cereal and oats, stir well, reduce heat and cook until water is all absorbed, stirring occasionally. Transfer cereal to bowl and throw in the amount of fruits and nuts you desire. Add milk to taste, and drizzle a little honey over the top.
Yum! I get the dried blueberries at Costco, and they're so wonderful for cereals, muffins, etc. Chock full of antioxidants, those! They're probably available at many health food stores, too. I've also found that when I'm really pressed for time, I can throw the nuts and fruits into a bowl of Raisin Bran, Smart Start, or some other whole grain cold cereal, which makes it much more satisfying and nutrient-rich.
You've got to start somewhere, why not with breakfast? Chuck that Captain Crunch, those Pop Tarts, and even that Sausage Egg McMuffin in the garbage where they belong, and do something good for yourself!
9.10.2009
Run, Run, as Fast as You Can!
By Sage
I'm a complete novice about many of the topics covered by this blog, but I'm learning, and therefore I'm excited. Ember asked me to contribute for two reasons: 1) I'm one of the top five smartest people that she knows [Hee, hee, just kidding everybody! Let's don't add "my own horn tooting" to my profile, please.] and 2) I absolutely love to work out and have successfully lost significant weight and maintained that weight loss for going on four years now. My area of expertise in our mission statement is the part where we proclaim, unequivocally, that our bodies were created to be in motion. I can't say enough good things about regular, energetic exercise. I could go on and on in any number of posts (and let's face it--I probably will) about the myriad health benefits, the psychological and emotional improvements, the weight control perks and the overall awesomeness of being very physically active. I like to remember the part of Doctrine & Covenants 89 that promises we can "run and not be weary, and walk and not faint." To me, that's the Lord's plug for excercise, and I take it very seriously. Movement is a crucial part of your Temple Maintenance program. Yes, diet and nutrition play a big role as well, but that's another post.
What I wanted to blog about (you know, that word should really be spelled 'blahg' as in 'blah, blah, blah, blah' because honestly isn't that what we're actually doing?) today was that I just finished the most incredible book: an absolute must-read for anybody who has run, is currently running, or thinks that someday they might consider the possibility of taking up running. The book is titled Chi Running by Daniel Dreyer, and is basically a holistic approach to running. He teaches everybody, from beginners to ultramarathon-ers and everyone in between, how to run without injury or fatigue, and how to approach the sport as a lifestyle, not just a workout. He uses the principles he has learned in Tai Chi, and applies them to running with an honest, informative, and downright entertaining writing style. I was riveted, and I'm generally not into the self-help book genre. You've got to read it. Really. It will teach you how to work with your body, and with natural forces, to stay healthy and avoid the many pitfalls commonly associated with running. Go get it! And go get 'em!
Here's to you.
I'm a complete novice about many of the topics covered by this blog, but I'm learning, and therefore I'm excited. Ember asked me to contribute for two reasons: 1) I'm one of the top five smartest people that she knows [Hee, hee, just kidding everybody! Let's don't add "my own horn tooting" to my profile, please.] and 2) I absolutely love to work out and have successfully lost significant weight and maintained that weight loss for going on four years now. My area of expertise in our mission statement is the part where we proclaim, unequivocally, that our bodies were created to be in motion. I can't say enough good things about regular, energetic exercise. I could go on and on in any number of posts (and let's face it--I probably will) about the myriad health benefits, the psychological and emotional improvements, the weight control perks and the overall awesomeness of being very physically active. I like to remember the part of Doctrine & Covenants 89 that promises we can "run and not be weary, and walk and not faint." To me, that's the Lord's plug for excercise, and I take it very seriously. Movement is a crucial part of your Temple Maintenance program. Yes, diet and nutrition play a big role as well, but that's another post.
What I wanted to blog about (you know, that word should really be spelled 'blahg' as in 'blah, blah, blah, blah' because honestly isn't that what we're actually doing?) today was that I just finished the most incredible book: an absolute must-read for anybody who has run, is currently running, or thinks that someday they might consider the possibility of taking up running. The book is titled Chi Running by Daniel Dreyer, and is basically a holistic approach to running. He teaches everybody, from beginners to ultramarathon-ers and everyone in between, how to run without injury or fatigue, and how to approach the sport as a lifestyle, not just a workout. He uses the principles he has learned in Tai Chi, and applies them to running with an honest, informative, and downright entertaining writing style. I was riveted, and I'm generally not into the self-help book genre. You've got to read it. Really. It will teach you how to work with your body, and with natural forces, to stay healthy and avoid the many pitfalls commonly associated with running. Go get it! And go get 'em!
Here's to you.
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