Kids Off Drugs

Today's blog topic is keeping kids off drugs. I believe in telling kids at a young age that drugs are harmful. I was taught at home that smoking "turned your lungs black and made them cry". At a young age I think this quick explination worked for me. I think programs like D.A.R.E. are great for grade schoolers. What really got my attention was my high school freshman health class. Having to do research papers as well as seeing actual evidence and pictures of diseases caused by drugs ultimately made me completely not interested in trying anything.

Unfortunately, there is only so much the school system can do. Peer pressure has a big impact on kids. Sometimes actions speak better than words. What you and your family do at home is what your kids absorb.

I think keeping kids involved in sports, summer camps and church activites is important to learn how to make friends and develop a good circle of friends to enter high school with. This can bring support, positive outlooks, and gives them good socializing skills. Hopefully this will help them better cope with the always difficult high school drama.

Stress Reduction

For my next blog I decided to share my thoughts on yoga and how it helps reduce my stress. I personally prefer bikram yoga which is yoga in a 100 degree room, 40 percent humidity. Not only does it relieve stress and calm me down but I also like to think all the toxins in my body are sweating away. It is a 90 minute class based on bikram's 26 posture yoga routine. This yoga is all about flexibility and focus. Every day is a new day. Never focus on how you will do in the past or the future but think about the now. PHYSICALLY-While doing the yoga I feel pain but in a good way like when you normally work out. It is not easy and sometimes I want to give up, but ultimately I know it is worth it! Afterword I seem to have more energy and the next day I have the typical workout soreness. EMOTIONALLY-During the exercises sometime I can get emotional which is normal, I feel very focused and have a clear mind. SPIRITUALLY-In between poses during the second half of class we do something called savasana, which is basically just laying down and letting all of the hard work soak into the body. I often pray during this peaceful time. MENTALLY-I feel focused and have a clear mind. This technique reduces my stress and I hope to go more often.

I highly recommend you all to try it! Any of you are welcome to join me :)

Fast Food Nutrition

For my next blog post I decided to look at some fast food chain nutrition facts. After choosing 3 different chains, I made a "healthy" decision based on how an item sounds versus the actual facts. The outcome was mostly what I thought but there was one item I was suprised by. The baja salad from Wendy's, which happens to be one of my favorites, is in reality pretty bad for you all around. With high sodium levels and a high caloric intake, I sadly will not be eating this on a whim anymore. I cannot just judge a food item based on looks off a menu or how it sounds; I must look at the facts and come to a realization that not all is how it seems.

Here I inserted a spreadsheet and ranked the food items from good to bad.

You in 6 words

http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/

I decided to do the you in six words since I am taking a creative writing class next semester and thought it would be fun :) The six-word memoirs from the website smithmag.net are so interesting to read. I highly advise you all to take a look at it and sign up.

So here is what I choose to describe me in 6 words - flower waiting to bloom, add water
I am in this transition point in my life where I am on the brink of change and new opportunities.
I have to be ready to wander into the unknown and see where it takes me.

Veggi Dish

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/oz-approved-7-day-crash-diet
http://www.drfuhrman.com/ask/default.aspx

After hearing about Dr. Oz's approved crash diet, I was totally up for it. It is all about eating mostly vegetables and fruits for 7 days straight and of course longer if you would like. I feel so much healthier when not eating meat so I figured what the heck. I did not start this to lose weight. It just sounded fun. My sister and I made a recipe found on the website. It was the most delicious healthy veggi pita wrap I have ever had.

Here is he food! It's started off with a whole wheat pita, some greens, cooked mushrooms, cooked onions, topped with some spiced tahini sauce (ground sesame seeds), and a few tomatoes.

I have to admit even after doing this and watching the FoodInc documentary, I have eaten meat. But I am more aware of what and how much I should be eating. I am still all about good, healthy eating habits and going to your local market.