Spring into Healthy Habits ...Part One

Spring to me symbolizes beginnings; gardens come to life after a long winter's nap and nature's little and large creatures begin to give birth to their young. So, why not take this season to (re) introduce healthy habits into our lives.

Healthy lifestyle habits are important for everyone, but especially important for people who are facing Life Transitions (LT). During LT, our moods are a rainbow of shades - from bright and sunny one minute to dark and gloomy the next. This affects our immune system, our physical self, our emotional and mental state. Add the various medications prescribed to help you cope with pain, emotions of our LT  and you have the recipe for an explosive brew waiting to take you down. 

Below are some things that I'm re-introducing to my daily routine to help me with the effects of my LT and the affects medication, physical pain and brain injury have taken on my mind, body and spirit. 

I have been starting my day (again..lol..) with warm water, the juice of half a lemon, one teaspoon of fresh grated ginger and a drop or two (optional) of pure honey. WHAT I HAVE NOTICED: my belly does not bloat as often; I do relieve my kidneys more regular.

Additional Benefits:

Balances pH ~ Though lemons have citric acid, once metabolized they do not create acidity in the body. Lemons are one of the most alkaline foods. Starting your each day with lemon water will help reduce the overall acidity in your body.
Aids Digestion ~ Lemon juice helps flush out toxins in the body, it encourages the liver to produce bile - an acid which is required for digestion. Heartburn and  constipation may be reduced with properly functioning digestion.
Boosts Immune System ~ High in vitamin C, lemons are great for fighting colds. Lemons also contain high levels of potassium which stimulates brain and nerve function and helps control blood pressure.
Assists with Weight Loss ~ Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps to reduce hunger cravings.

Meditation, is perhaps one the best alternative therapies for someone facing LT ~ ironically it is also something that requires focusing, being in the moment, and stilling the mind from thoughts of living in the  past or worrying about the future.

For me guided meditation is helpful in staying focused, as there is quiet, gentle, constant reminder to let go of thought and just be. I'm not going to say it's easy - IT IS NOT-! WHAT I HAVE NOTICED: I'm learning to breathe better and improve flow of air to my lungs, my attitude towards my situation and life is changing (in a more positive out look).

The amazing things about meditation is that you can do it anywhere and it only takes 15-20 minutes a day. If you are meditating on your own, set a gentle alarm with vibration mode for the duration of time you would like to meditate. Ease yourself into it... start with a couple of minutes and increase by a couple minutes each time until you are able to do it for 15-20 minutes.

Additional Benefits:

Reduced Stress and Anxiety ~ by learning to switch off from the worries that fill our days and mind with all the various things that relate to the LT we are facing, we are better able to make more effective decisions in our life.
Creativity ~ by achieving the ability to live in the present, we are able to discover our creative potential, as things from the past that we can not change or the future which we have no control over are set aside.
Ability to Stay in the Moment ~ learning to stay focused in meditation will also help with keeping our thoughts on everyday tasks at hand, limiting disruption from our immediate surrounding.


Healthy eating is one of the first things to go when we are feeling down, sad, loss of energy. It is so much easier to grab a bucket of ice-cream; bag of chips; any fast food; you know what I'm saying - we have ALL been there. Then the weight starts to pile on ... you begin to lose confidence, you get angry with yourself for letting yourself go and what happens next -- "I know there is a half pizza , in this fridge!!" the poor eating choices turn to habit and you find yourself an the vicious cycle of the D words = Diet, Depression, Diet, Depression etc....

Consulting with a professional nutritionist was the best money I have ever spent. Together we went through my goals for healthy eating (feeling better, increase energy, lose weight), to develop healthy habits that will become part of my LIFESTYLE not a temporary diet plan. We started with the Mediterranean lifestyle way of eating, and adjusted some things to better reflect my life. WHAT I HAVE NOTICED: there really were no TABOO foods, moderation in consumption is very important. The foods are prepared using fresh wholesome ingredients and limiting sugars, and processed foods. Eating balanced meals - helps to reduce the amount of between meal snacking, North American lifestyle has made so accessible and easy for us to grab on the go.

Additional Benefits: 

Weight Loss ~ by eating healthy foods you will lose weight over a period of time, but more important since the weight is loss by eating healthy you will be able to maintain it.
Reduce Supplements ~ eating balanced healthy meals will give you all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Stop Looking for the Fountain of Youth ~ healthy foods promote good cell growth and eliminate harmful free radicals and toxins in your body. your skin regains its healthy glow and suppleness.

You can start adjusting your eating habits, by just cutting back on the quantity of a specific item. For me bread - fresh baguette from the bakery, with smooth creamy butter - was my food drug! I didn't give up bread, but instead of having it everyday (sometimes multiple times throughout the day) I have a slice with breakfast one or two times during the week and if I indulge in a baguette I only have a small portion and the remainder is frozen or Mr. G is instructed to make sandwiches for himself ASAP (he can eat anything and because he is very active, it gets burned off!! ... Yes, I remember those days and wish my body still worked like that).

What's your food drug of choice?

These are 3 easy things that you can start incorporating into your everyday life, and get on with developing a healthy eating habit for your lifestyle. So, what are you waiting for? get going, start today!!

High or Low

When it comes to tea many people confuse High tea and Low tea (also known as Afternoon tea). High Tea actually refers to a meal of the working class served at the end of the work day. Low Tea was referred to a a ladies' social in the afternoon, of a dainty meal ~ to get them through to dinner time.



At the end of the workday, generally served around 6 p.m. or a bit later; consisting of heavy foods such as meat and fish dishes; potatoes and other vegetables; other heavy dishes such as casseroles or baked beans and some baked goods, such as crumpets. The meal of course was serve on a high table ~ think dining room table like seating.



Low Tea or what we have embraced today as Afternoon Tea, generally served around 3 p.m. to bridge the gap between mid-morning meal, much like our breakfast and the increasing late dinner time of 8 p.m. or later, among wealthy households. This mid day meal consisted of, finger -sized sandwiches, followed by scones with butter, jam and or cream, then an assortment of cakes, strawberries and wonderful quantities of tea.

When you think afternoon tea, think of our sweetheart queen, Marie Antoinette 

and the lavish teas she hosted!

However, it is Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford whom (according to legend) we need to be thankful to. Traditionally dinner was not served until 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. in the evening, and in summer it was served even much later. To help her with the "sinking feeling" she experienced between the morning and evening meals, she ordered a small meal of bread, butter and other niceties, such as cake, tarts and biscuits to be brought secretly to her bedroom.

Have you had a "Traditional" High Tea? I have not, but I will say I am do love my Afternoon Tea!!!

Are you a High Tea or Low/ Afternoon Tea fan?

Don't forget to stop by and visit these fabulous hostesses, this week;

Tea Time Tuesday ~ with Sandi 
Tea Party Tuesday ~ with Trish

Martha's & Terri's Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Thursdays

Antiques And Teacups

Tablescape Thursday with Susan Betweeb Naps on the Porch

I'm Still Breathing ...

When you find yourself between the person YOU knew and the one YOU are getting know, 

breathing is one of the most painful things to do! 

This my friends is where I have found myself these past few months. 

As I venture down the road of accepting I'm no longer the person I was and not quite the person I WILL BE!

One must EXHALE the past in order to be able to  INHALE the FUTURE!

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I find myself saying the Serenity prayer...

So, I am starting to change what I can and leaving everything else in HIS hands.

You may have noticed some changes going on here at my BlogLand Home, "Falling Off a" is no longer part of the title ~ No, I'm not back in heels ..lol... falling implies a negative ... and to move forward, I must think positive. Since, we decided to start spending time at our city home, when I have medical appointments in the city and we live at our country home, High Heeled Life & the Country, seemed to be a perfect fit!

The images surrounding the actual header, represent parts of the new ME and Life, I am creating.  This will also give me a little reminder to focus my writing and posts on country living, simplifying life, things that add so much to my life like ~ taking time for tea; handwriting; reading; living in the moment; and things that I thought I knew about - but are re-learning~  and surviving & thriving through a Life in Transition.

Don't worry, I'm not going to forget the detour and the journey that brought me to where I am today. Once Upon A Time series will return, though it is difficult to write at times, I know that it helps, not only those who are facing similar challenges, but most important it helps their loved ones ~ understand the challenges they are facing [especially if they are unable to tell the loved ones themselves].

BlogLand Pen Pals ~ Is also changing name ... It is now BlogLand Pen Friends, there will me more about BlogLand Pen Friends and it's new button to come later this month.

ALWAYS REMEMBER.....

 "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." ... Hebrews 13:5

I challenge You to create Yourself and the Life, you are meant to have! 
Never Give up... Keep the Faith and never stop Believing!!




Thank you to all followers and readers, who visited and left sweet comments, these past couple of weeks even though I was not always able to stop by and visit. WELCOME to new readers and followers, I will do my best to come by and visit or respond to your comments in the next week or so. 


You have made the past 2 years a pleasure and I look forward to sharing many more with you!!!


Blessings xo

Joining:

Spiritual Sundays