daily news from the piano bench

I learned so much about myself and life today.

I'm not even quite sure where to start.

Take an attitude of gratitude and drop your "baditude."

I hit a bump in the road with my raw food diet again tonight.

Stopping at Burger Sling and eating a whopper jr., small french fries and a side salad
is not the end of the road, but I find it interesting how I go straight to old dietary habits
when I am truely hungry. I guess the fix for this nighttime hunger issue is to
bring healthy food in the car with me, so that I am not stopping for fast solutions
which end up being contrary to the healthy lifestyle I desire. It is interesting how some people;
myself included; after working out, will justify eating whatever they want. I have decided to
take this in another direction....I may end up eating something that is not healthy for me after a long day of work/exercise and no calories, but instead of shaming myself and feeling guilty, I am going to spend some extra time on the treadmill. Tonight I counteracted the
poor food choices I made by spending an extra 15 minutes on an incline at 2.5 miles per hour, while I finished knitting Jacob's pumpkin colored fingerless gloves that he wanted me to make.





Yoga class went really well tonight. My prayers go out to the instructor and her family that just lost their dog to old age and they are grieving that loss. My childhood dog and best friend, Gretchen, our German Shepherd (who shepherded my heart through those tough teenage years) died 10 years ago and I will never forget her and she will always hold such a special place in my heart.



I started reading "The Vagina Monologues" today and got through a very lengthy foreward and introduction by the author. This book is supposed to encourage women to be proud of their bodies and not hide in shame just because they are women. It is also, from what I gather, a book that speaks out against violence against women. This world needs more activitsts to speak out and act out against violence towards any group.



Tonight I made some cucumber, watermelon & lemon raw/vegan shampoo for tomorrow's shower. I am anxious to see how it affects my hair. The body is overwhelmed on a daily basis by toxins in the products we put on our skin, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. This may not be a daily ritual, but it seems to be something good that you can occasionally commit to, just for the momentary relief of the bodies systems. The more relief you give the body in the way of taking a break from different toxins that can be internally/externally affecting you, the better the body can use energy & nutrients to heal and repair other areas of itself. Not only does the body need physical rest through sleep and meditation, but also in the area of what we are putting into our mouths. Each day, I am going to make an effort do something loving and kind to my own body to give it rest. Tomorrow morning, I will wake up early and get on my treadmill, do yoga, wash my hair with raw, organic shampoo and eat raw fruits and vegetables. I will also inspire my children to do the same.