Skip to main content

Year Two, Day 25: Something in the Water

I love waking up to the sound of rain. I have my window open, smelling the sweet air, feeling the cool breeze. Time to catch up on the news. If I dare. But I have a feeling it will get my adrenaline going. It does.
I am reading the news about lead in the water in Portland Public Schools.(http://projects.oregonlive.com/lead/schools/)

As I am reading the article, I hear Carrie Underwood on the radio. She is singing "Something in the Water". I kid you not. I'm listening to 104.1 The Fish.
Even though my kids are grown, I feel a knot of irritation in my stomach. Not only are the lead levels of lead quite high, they have been for quite some time and the public was not informed. Many angry and frustrated parents out there. I do not blame them. This on top of the chemicals in the air from Bullseye Glass and Precision Castparts recently. It is hardly safe to live anymore! What is so upsetting is the dishonesty from responsible parties who knew and chose not to notify the public. No one likes to be lied to. But that has become the norm. Look at our presidential campaign. Oy.

But raising my blood pressure first thing in the morning is also not good for my blood pressure.

I am going to breathe and stretch and enjoy this cool air.

I had a good day of healthy eating yesterday. I spent a lovely day in Salem, eating lunch at my favorite Indian Buffet, "Cuisine India"  near the Amtrak station on State Street. With my new eating focus on veggies, fruit and legumes, I have found I am actually craving vegetarian and lower fat, higher water content food.  And to put the cherry on top of my day, I came home to a lovely surprise. My daughter had made her incredible homemade beet borscht. I had a big bowl and went to bed with a smile on my face. I did not ruin it by watching "The Sopranos" or reading a mystery novel. Just went to bed!

And I am feeling so much better today. Not as achy. And a pound lighter. Yay!  Let's hear it for water! (Without the lead, of course!)





It was such a beautiful day for walking. Here are some pictures of my walk through downtown Salem:




 I am going to continue blogging my food intake- it appears to be making me more mindful of what I put in my mouth. I am looking forward to a long workout and sauna at the gym after I teach today.

But before I do, here is yesterday's food and exercise log:

FOOD LOG 06/01/2016 
9:00 a.m.: 1 fried egg, 1 8 ounce glass of water at home
11:00 a.m.: 8 ounce bottle of sugar free lemonade at home
11:30 a.m.: 1 peanut butter/oat energy ball (homemade by my wonderful daughter!), 1/2 grapefruit at home
1:00 p.m. at "Cuisine India" in Salem:
1/2 cup Basmati rice, 2 small piece tandoori chicken, 1/2 cup curried vegetables, 1/4 cup mushrooms and peas, 1/4 cup lentil dal, fresh vegetables(lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper) 2 T chutney, 2 T raita, 1/2 cup rice pudding, 1 8 ounce glass ice water.
 3:30 p.m.: Iced coffee with sugar and milk at student's house in Salem
5:00 p.m. Small order of french fries, hot dog (without the bun), 1 T ketchup, 1 small unsweetened iced tea at Salem Burger King.
9:00 p.m. 1 large bowl of my daughter's incredible homemade beet borscht at home in Portland. 1 8 ounce glass of water.

EXERCISE LOG 06/01/2016
9:45 A.M.: 15 minute walk to the MAX train in Portland
12:30 p.m.: 10 minute walk to lunch in Salem
1:30 p.m. 20 minute walk downtown Salem from lunch to transit mall
8:30 p.m.: 15 minute walk from MAX train back home in Portland

And I am off to teach.

Happy Thursday!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 347: My Big Fat Greek Salad!!

I have perfected the art of making a Greek salad!  I have made two huge bowls in the last week. My kinds rave. Essentially the secret is f vegetables , good feta cheese, Greek olives and a homemade dressing made with light, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar,  and oregano. Here is my recipe: MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD Serves 4 hungry adults 4 cups greens (I used a "spring mix" from Fred Meyer) 2 cucumbers 6 roma tomatoes one small red onion 1 cup cubed feta cheese 1 cup Greek olives (pitted) Get out a big bowl. Peel a clove of garlic, cut in half and rub it over the interior of the bowl.  Wash the lettuce if it is not prewashed and packaged like mine was.  Dry the leaves, and tear into bite sized pieces. Throw into the big bowl. Note: Romaine lettuce is good to include in the mix, because it is hearty. Peel the cucumbers and dice. Add to bowl. Cut the roma tomatoes in half and squeeze out the seeds (otherwise they make th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Two, Day 307: Chasing Away The Gloomy Weather...with Music and a Smile! :)

It seems to me that most of the city is depressed, tired and sick. I still have my low grade snuffly nose, along with sneezing, and itching eyes.  Low energy. It is nice to know I am not the only one. Misery loves company, don't you know! Even through the gloom, I had an enjoyable day.  I told myself several times that I really am a lucky woman. My kids are grown, I'm going to be a GRANDMA, and I love my work. My church job is a nice secure little job and it seems I am quite needed there.  I am still learning the ropes. But I am enjoying it. Meeting new people. And best of all, I have only a 1 1/2 minute commute (by foot!). I have a cozy little room in a household full of wonderful laid back people.  People who love animals and music. But best of all, my afternoons are filled with music. I basically get on the bus and travel about town, sitting at pianos, visiting with students, who are like my family. We talk. They play the piano for me. I offer pointe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Year Two, Day 50: Mindful Biking

More breaking ground today. I rode my bike to the Max, and then to my first student, who coincidentally lives close to my gym.  Maggie waiting patiently for me at the gym, 6/28/2016 I am starting to notice positive changes from my daily biking.  First of all, I feel such a sense of freedom and exhiliration when I hop on and take off.  It reminds me of my childhood. My brother and I rode all over Vancouver, WA on summer break.  It was my first experience of independence from a rather harsh father.  Back then we didn't wear helmets. And there were many hills. I will never forget the joy of coasting down a hill with the wind in my hair. I have hints of the feeling now. I also have noticed my energy is higher. And although I am sore (cycling uses muscles that I have not worked in awhile), I am getting stronger. Feeling strong! Cycling is also good for my mind. I find myself going through routes in my head. I am hoping to add more routes to my day...
Post a Comment
Read more