0 Navigating the Reboot Getting Back on Track After Falling Off of It The Track I Mean

(Note to readers: This post is a tad self-indulgent. [On a blog! Go figure.] But hopefully, itll help some folks who have been sidetracked on their financial and foodie journeys.)

Between September and early January, I was adopted by a cat, got married, went on my honeymoon, traveled to another wedding, got a new job, traveled for Thanksgiving, moved to a new apartment, blew through Christmas, traveled for New Year, broke my toe, and was buried in snow up to my cerebellum. Except for the prolonged limping, it was fantastic. I loved every minute with family, co-workers, and various strangers at the airport.

However.

You know all those good intentions you have stored in the back of your mind? And those behaviors you honed and practiced until they became habits? And those years and years of good financial, nutritional, and organizational practices, which you blog about almost every day, to the point where your husband asks with some regularity when you’re coming to bed?

Um.

Not to say I’ve spent the last few months buying Lexuses and cleaning out Chipotle. But I’m ludicrously out of shape, and my financial discipline has fallen way off. Part of this is (see above reasons). Another part is that I’m cooking for three different websites, all of which require an array of totally unrelated groceries. As far as the third part, I have no excuse. Spreadsheets made me sneezy? Yeah, thats the ticket.

Yet, my undies are not in bundles. It’s been a wonderful few months, which I wouldn’t trade for all 30 Rock reruns in the world. And, though its not often mentioned in the frugality blogosphere, its thoroughly possible to temporarily neglect budgeting and still feel okay about yourself.

But now, its time to shape up, ship out (?), and get back on the horse. (You know the horse. It’s big and made out of money and noodles.) So heres my plan. Maybe its applicable to your situation, too, and we can track our progress together. That would be neat.

1) Set some measureable goals, both long and short term. Theres no better way to spark action and drive than having a quantifiable objective. For the short term, Id like to get in shape, at least to the point where Im not winded by subway stairs. For the long term, HOTUS and I would like to buy an abode before the apocalypse. So its time to start saving.

2) Forecast necessities. First, the Commodore 64 from which I write this blog will soon be incompatible with … anything remotely technological (though it will make an incredible paperweight). Second, Im running out of contact lenses. Actually having none would not only impair my ability to see, but impair my ability to get fuzzies caught between my contact and my eye. And last, but not least, my iPod, which I love like a child, has a big ol line running through the screen. Is this a necessity? Thats like asking, "Can I live without daily infusions of Weezers Pinkerton?" Which – duh. No.

3) Create spreadsheets/tangible records. (*Sigh*) As it turns out, procuring a new job and a new husband kind of blows your former budgeting process to tiny pieces. Getting a handle on our spending, plus our combined financial powers, will go a long way towards accomplishing #1. Hello, Excel. Be nice to me.

4) Work out. For real, now. While dreams of being the first woman to play Major League Baseball have long been quashed by the sad acceptance of my A) total physical incompetence, and B) gender, it doesnt mean I should forgo exercise entirely. A 33-year-old shouldnt be stiff arising from bed in the morning. So, walking (and perhaps the dreaded jogging) will soon be in order.

And those are it for now. Readers, have you ever fallen off the horse? How did you get back on? Tips are sweet.

~~~

If this prolonged navel gazing appealed to you, you might also enjoy these:

• If I Had Known Then: Food and Financial Advice for the College Bound
• Mission Statement ... OF DELIGHT
• Should You Read Cheap Healthy Good? Take This Quiz and Find Out

0 Technocrats Running Amok What It Could Mean For America Inc

Check out The New York Times columnist David Brooks most recent article for an insightful look at how the Europeans entrusted their collective economic future to an expert technocratic class.  Once those mandarins were unleashed, their bureaucratic disdain for undereducated commoners was only exceeded by their skill at complex obfuscation.  Egads.

On the other side of the globe, Chinas state-managed businesses are making a mess of high speed rail, creating a housing bubble and are enabling an autonomous Peoples Liberation Army.  And last but not least, the Russians have taken the concept of state sponsored oligarchy to a whole new level.

Compared to the rest of the world, carrying mortgages, automobile manufacturers and solar panel plants on the U.S. balance sheet may just have to be a new way of doing business.  If thats the case, well also need our pool of cool, pedigreed, hyper-educated Masters of the Universe like Energy Secretary Mr. Chu, who can easily triangulate on policy, politics and returns on investment. Thanks to brainy virtuosos like him, Uncle Sam, Inc. will be able to roll the dice and be a venture capitalist. 

And health insurance isnt immune. The virtuosos in Washington are busy setting the essential benefit, determining the best medical loss ratio and which companies can compete in exchanges.  Generics are regulated and if there is no approval, drugs wont be covered.  Even though elections have consequences and Disease Management Care Blog readers may loyally disagree from time to time, how can we turnips dare to cross swords with experts like this?

Its ironic that with this as background, our political class can claim to understand the concerns of "Occupy Wall Street."  So does the DMCB, but that doesnt mean it isnt also worrying about those elite technocrats helping Washington become Wall Street.

0 It is Not so Much What is Happening It is How You Respond to It

Hi,

I have been reading a very interesting book called "12 Steps to Raw Foods, How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food" written by Victoria Boutenko who, I am finding, is a rather amazing person with straight forward and pointed insight into the issues surrounding "going raw" from the reasons to go raw, to how to deal with temptation. She is a person full of curiosity who sought to solve a problem in her own life: the illness that was affecting herself, her husband, her son, and her daughter. She simply started looking for the solution to her immediate problem and did not give up until she found the raw food solution which changed all of their lives. Seek and ye shall find is the foundation that she operates from and she leaves no stone unturned.

I started reading this book because I found it at the library, along with a couple of others, and I was enticed by her writing, her ideas, and her story from page one. It is excellent reading. My own belief is that raw food is the most nutritious, and most healthy food we can choose to eat, but I have had such a time struggling to do it, falling off the wagon, and having to get back up again that I was feeling like I was at my wits end, wondering why others could do it but I could not. In her book, I discovered this is not unusual and I am not alone.

From Victorias extensive experience in helping others to understand the importance of eating raw she also observed that many people who came to her classes and were enormously happy with the positive health changes that were wrought in their lives by doing what she taught, still did not remain raw foodists. At one point she discovered that every single person she had taught, not long afterwards, quit doing it. She wondered why and with the same curiosity and seeking she used to solve her health problems, she did what she needed to do to find out why this was happening, and how to solve this problem, too. What she discovered is that cooked food is addictive and that if you become aware of that, it is more likely that you can nurture your skills at getting off of the addiction and getting on to new and rejuvenating health with raw food. Now she has had the experience of visiting former students who not only remained "raw" and continued to live in their new health, but because of her students others have also gone raw and improved their health, too.

That, for me, is what I am seeking: the reasons for going raw, the how to go raw, and the way to stay raw all boiled down into something that I can keep fresh and in focus so I can actually reach my goal. Why do it if you are not going to keep doing it until there is a compelling reason to do something else? And how do you deal with temptation? 

It seems that some people go raw, and stay raw for a certain number of years and then make another change as is needed for their own health. Some people go for the rest of their lives as a raw foodist. It all depends on the individual. And, I think that is one of the main points that anyone needs to understand -- that I need to understand. It is about personal mission and purpose. It is also about listening and responding to your own body and its specific health needs.

She has also given me a way to begin to satisfy my bodys cravings by feeding it highly nutritious green smoothies. She explains that the body wants and needs certain nutrients and if the foods we are eating (the Standard American Diet) are not fulfilling those needs we are left continually hungry and craving. The green smoothies are raw green leafy veggies and fruit that have been broken down for the bodys use. Breaking the food down in a blender is like a supplement to chewing which makes it easier for the body to digest and actually use the fabulous nutrients to heal what needs to be healed. Once the body has been nourished for a few weeks in this manner the cravings begin to stop and then it is much easier to go raw with less problems. She said it took her and her husband about two months, but the children adjusted more quickly. The green smoothies were something I had left out. After reading this I made one this morning which was very satisfying. Who knew? In a few weeks I will know if this is actually true or not. I will keep you posted.

One of the revelations that I have gotten from reading Victorias insight is that temptation is a distraction and can only be conquered by keeping the main goal in the fore front of your mind. As I thought back on times when I was able to accomplish some thing in my life, it did come from being completely focused on what I was going to get out of doing it. As I have gotten older something has changed in me. I suppose that is simply how life is. We do not remain as we were when we were young. Life and experience change us and sometimes the change is discouragement.

As I think about it, I am glad I did not stay where I was. I like many of the changes that have taken place in me as I have matured, but there are parts of me that I just never conquered. Weight and health being not only the most obvious, but also the most frustrating and difficult for me. It is no wonder. The standard American diet I was eating is not a healing nor a weight loss diet. It is what is causing the fat, the pain and the suffering. Not until a person realizes that for themselves and makes the drastic change to consuming healthy raw foods can they ever get beyond it. You are what you eat.

My recent setback with the Xylitol has given me a new impetus. I was taken back to square one with that one, but I have started over again, already. A friend pointed out to me her view that I did not simply stay down, that I continued to begin again, and I appreciated her encouragement. When she said that I realized that yes, there was a time in my life when for some long years I had completely given up on ever losing weight or improving  my health. But after praying for God to deliver me, I did get the motivation to no longer quit. I got the belief that I can get up and try again. Like Victoria, I just needed to seek and to find the answers that I needed.

I am about to begin doing some of the written exercises she suggests with the idea in mind of zeroing in on what my main reason for doing this is. I have kept my reasons vague, to myself, out of habit, and that seems to be one of the problems. I need to get clear on why I want to do this. What will be the benefit to me? Why is it so important? If I am honest I can see that I kept my reasons vague for the purpose of doing things my own way and continuing to sample the forbidden things. I wanted to make the change, but didnt want to change anything -- if that makes any sense. It was a way of having my cake and eating it too. But I can very clearly see that that does not work. I accomplish nothing when I plan to avoid what is really needed. If you skirt the real issues you simply keep going in circles and Im really tired of doing that. Id like to get on with it.

So. Here I am, again. I kind of like this place. It is exciting to think that I can do this. I just needed the right perspective, information, and help to get going again. I am grateful to God that he answered my prayers for help with Victoria Boutenkos experience, insight, and compassion for real life situations. Here is the URL to her web site: http://www.rawfamily.com/

I want to encourage you and let you know, that I believe you can accomplish your health and weight goals, too. I am rooting for you. Thanks for rooting for me, I appreciate it.

Be back soon

--Marcia

0 You Have Options When It Comes To Teeth Whitening

Who doesnt want a bright smile? Unfortunately as we age, things we eat and drink or the results of bad habits, such as smoking, discolor your teeth and now there are products that can be bought to help clean those stains so that they can be white once again. Though most people are happy with the appearance and feel of their teeth after they leave the dentist following their regular checkup and cleaning, some prefer to go above and beyond for clean teeth and desire products to help with teeth whitening. Before you choose a product, you should do your homework on the different products on the market.

The first step you should take in the research process is to consult your dentist at your regular check-up. He will know what procedure or product will be right for you because not every whitener is the same. If you have fillings or bonding in the front portion of your mouth, you may want to consider other options to whiten your teeth because they will not bleach well resulting in those areas sticking out in your newly whitened mouth.

If your dentist determines that you are a good candidate for the cleaning procedure, you will have several options. One of these is to have the them bleached in your dentists office. This can usually be accomplished in one visit where the dentist will apply a gel to your gums for protection from the bleach. He will then use special lights or lasers to help speed up the process. You could also bleach them at home with whiteners that contain peroxide. These are usually purchased in gel form to be used according to manufacturers directions. You could experience some sensitivity and irritation in the gums after using this product and could take several applications. Finally, you could use a whitening toothpaste and work on the process each time you brush your teeth. This toothpaste has special ingredients that aid in the teeth whitening process and help remove stains. They dont change your tooth color because they only work on the surface stains. Like bleach that you use at home, this will take several applications.

Bleaching does work in most situations, so make sure that you have consulted with your dentist before trying it at home. Then, when you are looking for the best teeth whitening system for your personal use, make sure that it is approved by the American Dental Association. That way you know that it has been tested and proven to be safe and effective.

A Scottsdale teeth whitening specialist can help if you want a better smile. Take a look here: http://www.scottsdaledentalcare.net.

By : Anna Woodward
Article Source : You Have Options When It Comes To Teeth Whitening

0 Root Canal When Your Tooth May Need It

Chronic tooth pain is among the most difficult body aches and pains for anyone to deal with. But how do you know if the pain can be dealt with utilizing a root canal? After all, the process costs a lot of money, so you need to know which situations actually require root canal treatment.

The basic symptoms that usually suggest a need for root canal therapy is a chronically painful tooth coupled with gum tenderness or swelling in the area right next to the tooth, or both tenderness and swelling occurring at the same time. Then again, not every tooth that calls for root canal can have the same visible symptoms. This is why it requires a dental expert to identify which teeth need to be treated.

The first way that dentists can discover the need for root canal in the absence of pain is by routine X-rays. Sometimes, the death of a nerve of a tooth may not be a painful occurrence, with the nerve tissue inside the tooth degenerating without resulting in any outward symptom. This means the need for root canal treatment can stay unknown, sometimes even for years.

In this case, the infection inside the tooth is not that dramatic and perhaps your body’s defense mechanisms are able to keep it under control, even without totally clearing up the infection. In the X-ray, this infection shows up as a dark spot at the tip of the root of the tooth, which shows a reduction in bone density surrounding that area. This comes about because of the infection kept inside the tooth which might have leaked out, and your body responded to the infection.

The second way that dentists require root canal is if a current dental work results in an exposure of a nerve tissue from your tooth. When this happens, you may feel a prick of pain, but other times, the patient has no idea that a nerve has been exposed. This exposure can cause a degeneration of the nerve tissue. In this case, the dentist may decide to go on with a root canal at this point instead of risking future complications, which may include painful tooth abscess.

The third symptom that dentists watch for is a recurring or persistent pimple developing on the gums. A lesion or pimple can sometimes form on the gums of a person whose tooth nerve has died. These pimples, called fistulous tracts, can appear and disappear, but they are technically drains for pus. This is why they normally produce a bad taste. Sometimes dentists may discover this kind of pimple during a routine checkup.

Lastly, teeth that have suffered trauma in any accident may sometimes be candidates for root canal. The nerve tissue of these teeth can deteriorate. Of course, not all teeth that have been bumped in a traumatic event can deteriorate, because sometimes they may do fairly well for many years. The usual hint that the nerve tissue in a tooth is degenerating is that it appears darkened compared to its neighbors.

In any case, a routine checkup should set your fears at rest, as your dental practitioner can help you pinpoint a need for root canal as soon as possible.

0 Why It Is Sometimes Wise To Use Protein Supplements

Walk into any health food store, or supplement store attached to a gym, and you’ll see that the world is not crying out for lack of protein supplements! But who’s consuming all those proteins, and if you can simply get this nutrient from food, why bother with supplementation at all? These are all valid questions, which will be addressed.

But first, let’s have a look at proteins. What are they, and what do they do? Biologically speaking, they are peptide-bonded chains of amino acids. They are broken down in the stomach and intestinal tracts by digestive enzymes, into their component amino acids. Amino acids are then used for a variety a purposes, the most important of which, at least for athletes and bodybuilders, is building new muscle mass, and repairing cells that have been damaged through exercise.

But why use supplements? The fact is that most people don’t necessarily need supplementation, since they get all the proteins they need from dietary sources (i.e. food). Proteins can be found in a wide variety of food types, including meat, fish, seafood, as well as in beans, lentils, soy, and much more. The complications start when you need a lot of proteins, like athletes and bodybuilders do.

Protein in meat is of high quality, but it comes with a high price: fat, and not the good kind. Regular steak will, on average, have anywhere from 20 to 35% protein by weight. It will have a similar percentage of fat, even if it looks lean. If you are so muscular that you need, say, the amino acid equivalent of 5 steaks a day, you would be eating so much fat along with the proteins that it would become completely counterproductive to your efforts.

This is where protein supplements come in. Most supplements are available in the form of powder, which are then mixed with milk or water to form a delicious shake. The available flavors are somewhat predictable: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and more. Most are tasty enough, after a fashion. You can also purchase protein supplement in the form of bars, which have similarly predictable flavors, except that they’re usually not that great-tasting. There are exceptions, of course.

The most popular type of protein used in supplementation is whey, closely followed by casein, as well as egg albumin and soy. Whey and casein are both complete proteins, derived from milk. They offer similar amino acid profiles, rich in anabolic, or muscle-building branched chain amino acids.

Whatever you chose, supplementation gives you choice and control; you don’t have to rely on fatty meat proteins, or their starchy vegetal equivalents. You can enjoy almost pure protein, with tiny, almost negligible fat and carbohydrate content. You can thus get all the nutrients your body need without exposing yourself to an unhealthy or unbalanced diet. It should be noted that you should always get your baseline nutritional intake through dietary sources, and supplement with whey or casein proteins. Those shakes are not snacks, nor are they meal replacements! In short, eat a healthy and balanced diet, then supplement as needed.

Authors Resource Box

Cecil D. Murphy is a writer and online marketer specializing in wellness, health and nutritional products. He was drawn to this field because of his own dark past both as a smoker, and as one who struggles with his weight. Visit his website to learn more about ViSalus http://planvisalus.com/, or even to join ViSalus, either as a customer or distributor, if youre ready to make a massive positive change in your life!

Article Source : Why It Is Sometimes Wise To Use Protein Supplements

Author : Cecil D.