22. May 2010 by Patricia.

During a 9 hour ride – from Big Bend National Park to our home - I had a wonderful opportunity to ask our two oldest grandsons about their food habits. Both mentioned that when bored, they did not hesitate to go to the kitchen to snack, even if they weren’t actually hungry. Here’s what struck me. The boys thought this was a perfectly reasonable thing to do and did not chastise themselves for eating to assuage boredom. Is it possible that we are simply too hard on ourselves around our food habits?

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15. May 2010 by Patricia.

We took two grandsons camping in December – it was cold though dry. Our 14 year old woke up in the morning ecstatic because there were icicles in his tent. I can guarantee you that not everyone awoke that morning feeling pleased with the chilly night temperatures. His exuberance was such a reminder that we do indeed have choice about being happy with our situation – Hurray, Icicles! Or Ugh! Icicles!

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8. May 2010 by Patricia.

I asked my grandson if he wanted a banana. He said he would think about it. Ten minutes later he said he would have half and split it with my husband Bob.

Do you know whether you want a half, quarter or a whole banana?

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1. May 2010 by Patricia.

It can be exciting to think about burning 600 calories in one hour. You may have seen the report of new research suggesting that older women need an hour or more of modest activity daily to avoid gaining weight. The more important question is whether a fitness schedule will be fulfilling, enjoyable or sustainable over the long term.

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24. April 2010 by Patricia.

There is no question that it takes time to cook healthy meals for ourselves, so what is the benefit?

I see meal preparation as part of self-care and a way to connect with the food we eat. When food choices and body weight are issues, I believe the process of selecting and cooking healthy foods can help in staying aware of what and how much we are eating.

Eating with awareness reinforces the message that we know how to nurture and care for ourselves.

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17. April 2010 by Patricia.

For years I was not able to “drop the pounds” as quickly or as completely as ads on TV shows claimed. “Everyone out there” could do it but not me. The only conclusion I could come to was that there must be something wrong with me. [I know now, of course, that there wasn’t anything wrong with me.]

What happens when we sidestep hyped T.V. shows, diets that make marketers money, and questions designed to make us feel guilty? We then have a chance to listen to our own bodies, to find our own insights that will lead us to not only “drop the pounds” but to keep them off….. and to live a happy, healthy life at peace with food.

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10. April 2010 by Patricia.

Every time I started a new diet, the world opened up and the possibilities were endless. I was going to lose weight. Answers would fall into place and I would finally be happy. Although diet-induced happiness was short-lived, somehow with each new diet I hooked into that euphoria and believed its promise.

I no longer choose dieting as a way of life.

By focusing on the internal, rather than external solutions I have discovered deeper happiness and new possibilities. The happiness I feel these days is more real, more down to earth and certainly more long-lived.

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3. April 2010 by Patricia.

We all know the importance of breathing. I have a note on my computer reminding me to breathe slowly. Not those shallow breaths, rather the big, deep, conscious breaths. I do my best to include breathing in my daily practices. When I remember I always feel better for it. But when I don’t remember, this gives me valuable information too. Feedback, learning – never failure.

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27. March 2010 by Patricia.

Which one are you?

There was a time when it meant a lot to me to be able to say I was a “small.” Somehow “small” had a more feminine connotation. It is fascinating to see that I wear right now items in my wardrobe that are labeled small, medium, large and extra large. The size seems to depend on the style, make and how I want it to look once I am wearing it.

If I become concerned about wearing an item of clothing that is labeled large or extra large, the problem is an internal one which needs to be addressed. Questions I have asked myself are: What does being a “small” or a “size 6” mean? What does wearing a blouse with an “extra large” tag mean? How do I feel about myself inside? Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large? And does it truly matter?

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20. March 2010 by Patricia.

Have you ever had moments when you felt as though you could burst with sheer happiness? Is an overwhelming positive emotion scary? While it seems counterintuitive, sometimes handling happy emotions can be as problematic as dealing with unhappy or negative ones. Finding an outlet for intense emotions can be very grounding. Listening to Andrea Bocelli when I am feeling intensely happy helps to ground me. What works for you?

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