2013 bring it on.

  For those that don't know me... I love the excitement and promise of a New Year. I love to make goals and intentions. It is something that makes the snow and the long winter months ahead that much more bearable.

    Last year I shared my goals and I would say 80% were done or followed through. So where did I go right...I made a huge breakthrough with my awesome physiotherapist this year. She is amazing!! My hip is back in action and I even danced on Christmas Day this year..it was impossible last year. I consumed more fruits and veggies this year than ever before. I had a guest blog spot on one of my fitness heroes ~Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Blog. I was so honoured and beyond excited. I tried cross Country skiing. I went camping and did it veg style. I did some hiking this summer. I am learning to "do what I can".

  Overall I can say that 2012 was a year of  laughter, love, family and friends. I had heartbreak, breakdowns and moments of "WTF" but I am learning what to do in those moments. Those moments also brought me things I didn't know I had in me. I am STRONGER, I can deal with things myself, I ask for more and I think I love myself more this year than any other year.

  So 2013: Plant Strong, Travel, Core, Serenity

 This year is going to be Plant Strong. I am following the lifestyle that is the most disease resistant of all.  I have the tools~ the books, the recipes and support systems (friends, family and Engine 2 Extra website.) I am listening to the podcast of some of the most amazing doctors and plant friendly people on the planet...Dr Barnard, Dr Esselstyn, Dr Campbell, Dr Mcdougall, Dr Lisle (love him he makes me laugh) Rip Esselstyn and Lindsay Nixon. I am finding ways to make these lifestyle choices more my own.

  I am having a Forks over Knives Event at my house and I am going to share what this Plant Strong Lifestyle can do for others. From this I hope to make my own community of  Positive Plant Strong peeps. So Stay tuned.

 Do some traveling- Disneyland this spring, summer trip with my sister and family again and maybe something this fall.hmmm.

 Core ~ well the one of the goals that I didn't get to was 30 pounds weight loss. So I am not adding that pressure. This year it's all about the core. I have had a weak core for a long time. So I am going to build up my foundation. I have a program from a book and I am going to build up from the exercises my physiotherapist gave me.

 Serenity~ to me this year I am going to continue to work on de stressing my life. Yoga, what I eat or don't eat and how I react to certain situations or events in my life. Bring a calmness into my life that I need.

let me introduce.. Ruth Heidrich

Photo from Ruth's Website

  I thought everyone should meet the lovely Ruth Heidrich. If your familiar with vegan books or watched Forks over Knives (if you haven't~ take the time it is eye opening) you will know the name. This photo is Ruth at 73 in 2008. She is still going strong in 2012.

  I love Ruth's story so I thought I would share her story from her website and this current article on Vegan Mainstream . Ruth was a very healthy women at 47 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She ran marathons ate really well and was in disbelief when her doctor told her she had breast cancer.

     So she fought back with the help of John McDougall's program helping her fight her cancer with a low fat vegan diet. She trained for her first Ironman after her surgery. Ruth has been Vegan for 30 years and has never looked back. She had the belief in her heart and from Dr McDougall that the change in her diet would and HAS helped fight her cancer. I love her spunk, her determination and her drive.What an amazing lady.

Two funny and lovely ladies from the HBO series "The Weight of a Nation"

  I personally believe that food plays a HUGE role in our state of health and our children's. I have been watching the HBO special " The Weight of a Nation" and it is quite scary the situation that we will all be in if we don't change. My biggest concern that our kids are the ones paying the price.I shared with John the information that the two main things that shocked me why our kids are getting so big. TV's in there rooms and the heavy marketing campaigns that the food industry is assaulting our kids with. That blew me away!!

  I am still learning and continue to be challenged everyday by the call of sugar, bad beverages and watching TV instead of getting outside. My pledge to myself and my son is that I am going to get outside every day. I will continue to add more veggies and fruit to my families daily diets. Nothing but water in his lunch kit. I am giving up coffee, pop and wine (except for a glass if we go out). I know that my weight loss is stalled by the drinks I consume. In the program from HBO they stated teenagers consume an entire meal in drinks a day. I thought lets be honest with myself .. " I do this". I have loved teas for years so in with tea and water. Yummy!!

  Is there a challenge you want to do for yourself or your family this summer?? Post in comments if you want or write them down for yourself. Lets all make this a healthier summer.

  On a fun note the countdown to my guest post on Tosca Reno blog is in 8 days. MAY 29th!!!

Into June I go!!

 So May I didn't get on to this blog as much as I would like.So I am going to get on here this month alot more.My goals for June.
   1 My smoothies every day.Get adventurous and try some new ones.I can't think of anything better on a hot day.
  2 Continue with my yoga practice every day.The progress is small but,today for the first time I could take my legs laying flat out to a bent position with no pain.COOLNESS!!
  3 20 minute walk EVERY day.I have a new toy..a beautiful treadmill.John and I talked and it works great and I don't have to fit it in around Josh.
  4  Try my new recipes.I have a quinoa soup recipe(Thanks Bonnie!!) that I will try this week.
  5 Continue to get my meditation time longer.
  6 Salads are about to become my summer friend.
  7 Get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather.I love it that your house gets an extra room outside during the summer.

  Anyone else got some great goals for June???