The Chiropractor

I recently changed chiropractic offices when I began feeling a pain in my side awfully reminiscent of last year's rib-out-of-place debacle. I woke up on a Sunday morning with what felt like a stitch in my side (do you know what that is? My hubs claims it doesn't exist!), or a bad cramp, and it just wouldn't quit.

Monday morning I called my yoga instructor/new chiropractor and made an appointment for that afternoon. I, unfortunately--I felt at the time, couldn't meet with my yoga instructor but her husband, who instructs Tai Chi classes instead.

While I've gotten to be rather close with my new yoga friends, they really don't know too much about my personal life, namely my current inability to bear a child.

So, you can imagine my surprise when, as I lay belly-down on the red vinyl table, Dr. Tai Chi spoke of my misalignments in my back-namely, some that represent my menstrual cycle and ovulation.

Perk. Those were my ears clamoring for more information. I had never mentioned to Drs. Tai Chi or Yoga that I had irregular cycles or issues with ovulation.

Dr. Tai Chi asked if I ever had issues with one cycle being very heavy and painful compared with the previous month. Yes.

Then he talked about my ovaries and something about them getting tired or whatever. I don't exactly remember because I was trying to digest the million things he was saying in his South African accent while being adjusted this way and that.

Regardless, the main point of this is on Wednesday Aunt Flo arrived. Or so I thought. No, she did. It was just that the usual pain I have when she's here, wasn't. And the usual Flo wasn't usual...she packed light for this visit.

I feel I glossed over this too much...um, I couldn't even feel her presence.

Did Dr. Tai Chi have something to do with this? Can I be fixed from the outside? Is there hope for me? I seem to be seeing a lot of "hope" lately. We shall hope and see.

Ahimsa

In yoga, we've started to delve into the Yamas beginning with Ahimsa. Basically it's non-violence. And this includes no self-violence. No, I'm not a cutter nor am I physically mean in any other way (unless you count the things that Jillian Michaels makes me do...) but I am very guilty of self-deprecation. And so through the study of Ahimsa, I'm trying to live the life and be more loving of me.

I was in a discussion recently about signs. I believe in signs, I see little ones all the time. For example, my lucky number is eight. Basically, my birth date, time, and weight are all eights. Really. So I took that as a sign and eight's been my number, forever.

In the previously mentioned discussion there was a talk about 11. A person had many occurrences with eleven. So 11 became their sign. But it doesn't always have to be numbers. Sometimes when things don't go right--trying to make something turn out just so to only to have that certain something no longer needed. Sigh.

There's even the off-chance that I'll take extra work home in the midst of winter and voila, a snow day the next morning. It's like the universe is sending you little signs. It's her way of showing she cares.

So this morning, as I was working on the no self-deprecation, I was consciously thinking nice thoughts about myself ("My butt looks fine." "Those hairs that stick up on my head are probably overshadowing the 3 1/2 inches I got cut off last night." And so on.). And as I was in the main office of my work I was sitting in the chair, known as the therapy chair. It was there in the therapy chair I saw my first Ahimsa sign.

On the front desk of my friend and co-worker sits an apple-clothes pin contraption that holds the out-going mail upright. And as is very common in an elementary school setting, there was a Scholastic Books envelope waiting to be shipped off to the land of not-so-cheap books. Sitting next to the mail holder is a cup of pens. Where am I going with this whole Ahimsa-signs-of-the-universe thing?

Well, the exact position of the cup of pens combined with how I normally sit in the therapy chair--pushing myself to think kind things--partially blocked the view of the Scholastic envelope. The envelope that always has the same saying on the back, "Thanks for your buying our books at really unreasonable price..." oh wait, it doesn't say that. And it doesn't really matter. Except the first part. Today, the envelope, or the universe, said "Thanks for you."

Don't Give Up

Did you give up on me yet? I cannot believe it's been more than a month since I've written anything! I will get back into it. Surely.

Long story short--in regards to working out. Once the school year started I changed my ways a little. I am getting up earlier in the morning and working out, walking the dogs, and then getting ready for the day. Despite not liking the early rising time, it's actually working out quite well. I love being able to come home and just make dinner--not change, work out, then getting dinner ready. And most days, the pups get a walk after my workout. Too bad it's super dark that early in the morning.

Other than that, we're still on the budget. We're at $60 a week which I sometimes find hard to meet. I need to spend more time with my coupons but they're so overwhelming to me. Anyone have a good way to keep them helpful instead of drowning me?

I'm still not drinking coffee (I know!!!) but have started drinking chai lattes in the morning. I really like the warm morning beverage.

I still love my yoga class. This upcoming weekend we have a yoga retreat. I can't wait!

Okay, to make my grocery list. Happy Sunday. Happy October. Remember, share those couponing ideas!

Ramadan

No, I'm not suddenly Muslim. But I am, however, joining the outskirts of this holiday. With the encouragement of the community and my friend Nadia I've decided to do some fasting of my own. During these thirty days, not just sun up to sun down, I will be fasting from these four things:

1. Coffee--caffeine technically
2. Deep fried foods
3. Procrastination
4. Swearing

So far so good. I actually gave up coffee on Monday so I'm a day or so ahead and it's no fun. I am on day two of head and neck aches. However the procrastination is getting better. I'm getting things done that need to be done.

Unfortunately I've had FIVE slip ups in the swearing department. This one will definitely take more brain power for me. Four of the slips were last night and one today. I'm making progress.

I'm also on day four of working out. Feeling so much better already and liking the way my clothes are fitting better. Yay!

What Was I Thinking?

I totally wasn't in the right frame of mind to begin another 30 Day Shred. But now I am. And it's even Sunday today! I may switch things up a bit to not get too bored. I have the P90X Cardio disc and the Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout. I like having options.

Today was officially day one for me. Which means, the day before the first day of school, I will have completed 30 days. Sounds good to me, except the going back to work part. Where's my vacation gone?

This is week two of the grocery budget and planning. We're on a $60.00 a week budget and I am making myself make a weekly menu so that when I go grocery shopping I'm not aimlessly throwing things in the cart.

This week's menu: Chicken nachos, buffalo chicken salad, turkey burgers, ribs, homemade pizza.

Tomorrow I begin my slow return to work also. I'll only be putting my room in order and getting in cleaned up. And then I'll start thinking about what I'm teaching this year.

Happy second week of August!

Glorified Grahams

This is not my recipe. Or at least it didn't begin as mine. I have a friend who has the most amazing recipes and they're always out of simple ingredients. I don't have to scour several stores for this spice or that it's usually things I already have in the pantry. And I bet, with this recipe, you will too.

Interested?

First, you will need these ingredients:

2 sleeves of graham crackers
1/2 C. of butter (1 stick)
1/2 C. of brown sugar
2 oz. (about 1/4 C.) chopped pecans

That's it...for all this....

Here you go-

Melt the butter in and mix in the brown sugar until smooth and well-combined.

Get your grahams ready...

Lay them out on a baking sheet.

Spread the butter & brown sugar mixture over the grahams.

In retrospect, I should have allowed for the mixture to seep under the grahams more...trust me.
Then top with pecans.

While resisting the temptation to eat this concoction set the baking dish in the oven.

When you take them out, let them set for about 10 minutes to cool.

Go ahead and drool, it's okay. Just not over the grahams.

So, as you're enjoying these, make sure you tell Paula thank you.

Squidgy, Again

I'm not full on squidgy but I'm definitely getting soft around the edges. I started going to yoga class back in June and I love it. Problem is, it's not super workout yoga. Compound that with the fact that I've cut waaaay back on doing the Shred and I'm bound to gain a few back.

So, I'm back here again--ready to face 30 intense days of the Shred again. This is now the second cycle since the miscarriage that I have not conceived so what better to do than to get my body svelte? Okay, so it won't really get svelte, but it may get more toned.

I think I'm going to drag myself upstairs to the scale right now. I may or may not share the number I see. I'm guessing it's back over 200, sadly. But at the same time, if I've gained 5-10 pounds, it's my own fault.

So, wish me luck. And happy Shredding--if you do that sort of thing.

**Post Edit**
Okay, scratch that. I'm not in the 200s (whew) and I haven't even gained weight. Technically, since the last time I weighed, I've lost. I'm now at -31.2.
HOWEVER, knowing that I'm softer around the edges, I realize I have lost some muscle and since muscle weighs more than fat, I think I haven't really lost weight. So, time to get back on the wagon!

Pandora, It's Not Just For People

DIY

I'm coming back around to this blogging thing. I've been trying to get my life in order first. So, after a trip to Ikea with friends, here's project number one with a little confused dialogue.

Start with a blank and boring wall inside a cluttered office.

Oh, I have one of those.

Next, shop at Ikea for some organization things. But keep an open mind. You never know what you'll find in the kitchen area.

Hrm, okay if you say so.

My, are those heat pads made of cork?

Why yes they are.

Why would you buy cork trivets for an office?

Oh, you'll see...

Now you have velcro fasteners and trivets. You feeling okay?

Yup.

Hrm, putting the velcro fasteners on the cork? With both sides of the velcro on there?

Uh huh.

Oh, I get it! It's a build-your-own cork board!

Sho' nuff. The best part?

It's removable! Enjoy!

Back to Reality

I have lots to share but not enough time right now. I did want to share this with you all. Do you find it as funny as I do?

This was a cute little shop on the Upper West Side...

(The writing says, "In case it's difficult to read: West Side Cheese Company. Antiques Too)

What on earth does that little sign say? We'll be closed for the 4th of July holiday? We're out to lunch?