I’ve always been a health nut. I even had an all natural health food store in my home when my kids were small. Actually, I take that back, there were a few years I slipped– I used to smoke. But about 22 years ago I quit. The day I decided to quit I threw the cigarettes out the window as I traveled down the highway ( I knew I shouldn’t have littered, but down deep I thought I would be going back to retrieve them later that day) That was 22 plus years ago. Today I’m still smoke-free.
I replaced puffing with huffing. I have always liked to exercise. In fact my daily routine when I was young was to help Jack Lallane coax my mom to the television set so all three of us could exercise together (Jack is in his 90′s and today still advocates exercise) Today my self-infliction of choice is running. I started running about 11 years ago. I’m really slow and don’t try to beat anyone, just “old age.” I enter races (5 K’s, 10 K’s, and 1/2 Marathons) for the T shirts and the comradery. In the past 11 years I’ve entered over 50 races, some have been triathlons (running, riding a bike and swimming for a certain length.) It’s just a fun little thing I do to keep my sanity.
I have a lot of people, young and old, who depend on me to help them out, so I try my hardest to keep my energy level up and myself in shape. I can tell when I don’t run. My secretary, and my best friend, Linda, can tell when I don’t run. When stress levels here on the ranch are on the rise, she’ll without hesitating say, ” I think you need to go run!” It’s always an attitude adjuster for me. It just makes sense to stay healthy so you can be a service to others. Exercise and eating right helps us do that.
Here are some thoughts on keeping healthy. I’m no expert on the subject, but I keep my eyes and ears open for anything that can turn back the clock and I’ll share those with you.
My favorite scripture in the Bible follows. It keeps me motivated to stay strong.
A Wife Of Noble Character Proverbs 31: 10
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
she sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
She is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Whew! The depiction of this lady from centuries past portrays a superwoman. She’s so well-rounded! I know that I can never live up to the standard portrayed in the scriptures of this woman who raises the bar above and beyond the norm, but I think the Lord wanted me to try.
Running Makes Sense
The Andy Payne Run
I had always wanted to run this race I am finally winning medals…most everyone in my age group has either quit or died, so I bring home an occasional second or third (if there’s three in my class.) I won a first place this summer at OKC, but didn’t get a medal (the only time in 11 years of running that I’d been to a race that didn’t give them out.) I just about took the lady down that was giving race results when she said they weren’t giving out medals—not really, but I was disappointed. Earlier I said I wasn’t trying to beat anybody, well, I take that back, I got a little competitive after I tasted the thrill of victory. Anyway I explained to her that I’d been trying for 11 years to win a first place medal. She wasn’t too sympathetic suggesting I could make one out of a pop can tab or something…?
The past two months I’ve been training for a triathlon which takes place in April. I’ve participated in several of them but this one will be the first in several years. In a triathlon you swim a certain distance, then transition to the bike and ride the distance, then come back and finish with a run. The one I”m training for now is a 400 meter swim, 12 mile bike, and 2 mile run. If I go ahead and pay my entry fee early…I’m in and there’s no turning back, I have to train and I have to show up. It’s just a little “psyche” game that I play to keep me wanting to train.
SPRING FEVER TRIATHLON
Well The Day Arrived…I didn’t drown and I didn’t get hit by a car! This Is After The Race. This man was 81 years old, had a pace maker and finished the race! It’s people like this that spur me on…
Here’s a great website for runners and triathletes. I’d like to suggest training for a run. They are fun, you’ll meet a lot of other athlete “wanna be’s and a few really great runners for inspiration. Don’t be intimidated, just get a pair of good running shoes and start training a little bit each day. You can start with a 1 mile Fun Run and work your way up to a 5K, then 10K, and who knows maybe a 1/2 Marathon or Full. You’ll find a schedule of upcoming runs around the state and region at the website below.
The Juicer That Packs A Punch
If you don’t own a Vita Mix I would suggest looking into getting one. This machine is an amazing appliance that will not only keep you healthy, but save you money as well. I have owned one for the past 15 years and use it to make healthy fruit slushies, vegetable soups, breads and ice cream. When placing your order use my code for free shipping, 06-004469.
There are many days I can’t eat as healthy as I’d like. On days that there are men to feed, the nutritious meal thing goes out the window…and we eat chicken fries, mashed potatoes-the works. But on the whole, I try to fix healthy meals at home.
Satiation
Satiation is filling up on things that are good for you which have few calories so you won’t want to eat fattening empty foods. There is a scientific explanation, but this one will do. If you’re hungry for something sweet, suck on your favorite flavored sucker, or mint- something that will last a while- I like coffee nips or cinnamon hard candies (that’s what I used to quit smoking). If you want something salty keep pretzels, or beef jerky around. Put them in a bowl and sit down and eat them. Don’t stand around and mindlessly eat. Some other foods great for snacking:
- lean beef
- sliced apples/ with a little peanut butter
- orange slices
- a few almonds
- graham crackers/ vanilla wafers
- cottage cheese
- hard boiled eggs
- hot chocolate-made with lowfat milk
- carrot and celery sticks
- plain yogurt mixed with granola mix, nuts, apples,
( make a granola mix from raisins, nuts, oats, honey and dried fruits toast ingredients on low for 30 minutes or so-add dried fruits last as they burn easy)
Protein keeps you full longer. Things like cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, beef patties, nut butters etc. are hunger extinguishers.
There’s not much juice around my house. Drinking water is best. Usually one glass of juice won’t do and before you know it, you’ve had the calorie equivalent of a meal…in juice. That’s not satiation.
I try to fix a lot of soups. This way I can pack in a lot of veggies and fill us up (satiate) so we’re not as apt to fill up on fattening foods. I really try to just not keep fattening foods around. We live 11 miles from town, so I can’t just run and get a candy bar. I have to get creative to satisfy my sweet tooth.
I love my Vita Mix, I can pack a lot of nutrients into soups and drinks by adding vegetables and fruits I might not otherwise want to eat. I can also make a quick smoothy with some ice, an orange, banana, a little milk and honey and be satisfied.
Beef Is Best
Nature’s Best-Tasting Multivitamin
Not only does beef taste great, it is one of the best ways to fuel your body. Beef is a major contributor of protein, zinc and vitamin B12, vitamin B6, iron and niacin. By supplying a nutrient bundle in every bite, eating beef is a great way to make the most of your calories. A 3 oz. serving of lean beef contributes less than 10% of the calories in a 2,000-calorie diet. At the same time, it supplies more than 10% of the Daily Value for these nutrients.