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!