Just having a bit of fun today. I love an "easy" day. Or I should say, I love a day when everything just flows. I finally got my butt in gear and have been working out for 5 days a week over the past 2 weeks. I took a total workout hiatus over the summer and when my pants weren't fitting quite right (meaning, I could not zip them all the way) I knew it was time to face reality. And all it took to get into the gym...was just committing to one day. That's it. Making the time and the effort to get off my lazy bum and hit the treadmill (having good workout music is key!). What I have noticed in the past 2 weeks is that I am freakishly happy again. It's almost like my life was constipated and working out has flushed all that negative crap right out. I am making a vow to myself to keep this up. I forgot how important exercise is...just to clean out your energy and get your body moving.
I really do feel polished and clean.
Also, I am really really really making an effort to eat better. Lot's more veggies and being more creative in the kitchen (which is really not my favorite thing...Char, can you be my personal chef?). But the key thing is...at least I am trying!
And it's trying that is the most important thing. Trying!
What new things are you "trying?"
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Butternut squash
1 bag chopped butternut squash (I bought at Trader Joes).
1 tbsp butter (or more if you like ;))
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp molasses
I did this stove top... Use a heavy bottom pot, add a tsp of oil and add the squash (every once in a while stir it around). Put the lid on and cook for about 20 min until the squash is tender and can be smashed with a fork. Add butter, brown sugar, molasses.
Then eat and enjoy!
Happy fall ya'll!
Prince "little red corvette" (classic!)
Ministry "Work for love" (best song ever)
Justin Timberlake "My love" re-mix
Britney, "Gimme more" (I know I know...but her music is awesome to listen to when running)
Maroon 5 with Rhianna...Paul Oakenfold re-mix "If I never see your face again" (oh so very awesome)
Erasure "Chains of love" (gotta have that!)
Pet shop boys "Send me an angel" re-mix & "West end girls" (excellent!)
Lady Gaga "Poker Face"
A.R. Rahman "Jai Ho"
ABBA - 10 minute re-mix
Orgy "Blue Monday" Hardcore re-mix (this will really get you going)
Underworld "Born Slippy" (from the Trainspotting soundtrack)
Gypsy Kings - 7 minute re-mix (super fun)
And a few other re-mixes that I found (but can figure out the names...but they are rockin!)
Well...that's a pretty diverse list huh?
19 comments:
you are so right. exercise clears the mind and really makes you feel good. last night i was ANNOYED that there was nothing worth watching on tv, and nothing recorded on the dvr. i grumbled as i changed and put the tennis shoes on, but the long walk made me feel GREAT. it is such a battle to keep up with the eating right and exercising, but i am trying too. trying!
Freakishly happy...LOL....PERFECT! I love that!
It is so important to work out, get the endorphins going and all is bright and beautiful in the world again!
I make my squash like that all the time...it's one of my favorite easy dishes :D Yummmy and soooo good for you too.
Ahhhh, I feel happy just coming here today. Freakish happiness is contagious...LOL YES!
Hugs and Love to You, Caroline :))))
oooh looks good. I love playlists....always looking for a good one.
Quite an eclectic range of music--I like it:)
I'm glad you are having such joy in your days. It's such a wonderful cycle--eat healthy, exercise and you feel good, which motivates you in so many other ways in life; I love when you said "life was constipated and working out flushed out all ofthe crap". Can't say it any better than that!
And I'd like Jennifer Anniston's chefs Jewels and Jill to be my chefs:)
I'm so proud of you!!! and yes, I would love to be a personal chef.....though I don't always cook healthy.
Good for you for getting back in to an exercise routine. I am in desperate need of exercise. So hard to get started. I can do it! Just one day, right?
I love your playlist. I would have all those if I knew how to work my I-pod. Technically challenged I am.
is squash what I here in Australia would call butternut pumpkin?
happy exercising... my favourite way to exercise is to walk in the company of my dog for as long as possible :)
best wishes
Ribbon
Yea to the excitement you have for your exercise. I don't know what I would do with out mine and set I am a bit lax as I have been choosing yoga and not enough of it. Squash sounds divine!
I can hear the happiness in the tune of your words and the pumpkin ..... mmm looks so yum!
You go girl.
an upbeat plan..both in your eating and music!
I want to feel polished and clean too....but I guess I'll have to get my butt in gear to have that happen right?
and do think we could share char ?
I want her here to cook for me too :)
GREAT photo !
{kind of funny...my word verification is "table"
Your photos are so gorgeous, I sometimes have to stop drooling and remind myself to read the posts - you write so well, too!
Butternut squash is one of what I call my "smug foods" - the kind that makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing by my body. I've been having a clearout in my home as well as a body detox, not just for health, but like you say, to get rid of that constipated life feeling.
Mind... body... spirit. They're all so connected. To be in tuned to one, helps all the other cylinders fire. To be physically unhealthy definitely plugs up the pipes for the healthy flow of mind and spirit. Like all other areas of life, it requires a certain amount of discipline and fortitude to jump start your program, then joy takes over. Thank you for the reminder. I need it too.
Exercise helps me so much too. I'm trying to get some exercise time in each day. It does clear the cobwebs a bit. Like your tunes list!
I got back into my early morning running routine a few months ago and I also stick to 5 or 6 days a week. I noticed immediately how happy and energetic I am now, it's great! We have the same taste in workout music as well!! :-)
I'm not much of a cook and I've never known how to cook butternut squash; looks so easy, especially since I can purchase at Trader Joe's. Can something else be subbed for the molasses? I cook for one and keep very limited items on hand and molasses isn't one I've ever used.
Since I've been laid off (7 months), I've been taking a walk every morning after I do my breathing (pranayama) exercises and a little light yoga. Starts my morning off with a clear head and healthy outlook. I love to hear the birdsong, the squirrels chattering, and all the sounds of morning. I love the sunshine on my skin, the sounds of my footfalls, the swing of my arms. Walks and yoga classes 2x a week make my body feel great and help tons and tons with the fibromyalgia and spondylolisthesis that I have to manage.
BTW, LOVE the blog header and background. GORGEOUS!
That squash looks yummy! I've never used sugary stuff to sweeten it though....must give it a try, thanks!
I know what you mean. I have practically given up trying on my jeans any more...I'm tired of not being able to get that darned zip done up. Like you, I have taken steps recently. I had Reece to do me up a plan working with weights which I started about three weeks ago. I love it though I'm still taking it reasonably easy due to sickness! I'm also going to do more walking and riding the exercise bike.
Great play-list....I LOVE The Pet Shop Boys! I like listening to a wide range of music too. :)
I love squash.
I don't listen to enough music that speaks to me. I am rarely in the car alone- so we listen to Tara's mix most of the time.
I think I need to fill up my IPhone with MY music.
Very diverse mix. Sounds good to me. By the way, I LOVE the look of your blog. It's beautiful here. What I'm trying is the walking every day, at least twice around the property. Also a low-fat diet, prescribed to me from the hospital and my doctor. Yay. I don't think I could do the butter with this recipe, or maybe just a little bit . . .
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