Archive for category Healthy Living

Do You Love Where You Are?

Sep 4

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | No Comments

I’ve lived in quite a few cities…it’s not like I just moved from town to town…ok well maybe I did…but hey, I got to discover my country. I lived in several of our wonderful provinces, but I never for one moment, lost sight that British Columbia was my Home. I always knew deep down my travels would lead me back here, to the Island or the Mainland- that wasn’t the issue, it was just the ‘coming home’ part of it.

In all the cities I’ve lived in, I never hated any of them; they each had a certain charm…but there was this invisible string that somehow kept me connected to BC, to Vancouver in particular, so that I never felt far from home.

I can say with 100% honesty and clarity today, I love where I am and where I live. I wouldn’t trade living in Vancouver for anything….this city has the best of everything and, it’s unbelievably gorgeous to be in. It may rain alot, and our winters are often ‘green’, not white…but to any Vancouverite, that’s part the charm. If we want ‘white’, we can go up any of the many mountains and ski hills that are on the North Shore.

The cuisine is varied and eclectic, the neighborhoods diverse and the range of entertainment available- astounding. Vancouver truly is a world class city. I’ve moved to the suburbs and to the Valley over my years back home and never was I as happy and fulfilled, as I was when I lived IN the city itself. I’m relishing a move back now, into the trendy Main Street area and My Guy and I are lapping up all this funky neighborhood has to offer. Just walking down the the street awards us with endless heritage homes, one-of-a-kind cafes, fascinating characters and the tantalizing aromas of local patios offering up lunch…

I’m happy where I am. My Guy and I are about to begin an exercise regime that will take us both walking/running up into a local park…we have both made a promise to support one another in this…and just the simple act of walking through my new neighborhood brings a smile to my face. This is what I’ve talked about people; loving where you are NOW and making the most of it. Get up and move! Get out and see! What is outside your door, is literally there for you to walk into and discover.

If you don’t like where you are, or what you see when you look out the door- how can you change it? What steps can you take to get to where you need to be?

Answer me that. Wait, no…you owe yourself the answer to that…

Love CM

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Just another day in Paradise

Sep 1

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Keep Moving | 2 Comments

Sometimes I feel like a utter and complete wreck. If it’s not my bowels bothering me, it’s my head…which pounded for 3 days and I went to the doctor at My Guy’s insistence. I grumbled, “I’m not a SICKIE!” but my doc said I’ve got an ear infection…in both ears. I wish at times I could rip these hunks of flesh off my head and chuck them in the ocean for all the grief my ears have caused me over the years. This was one more little thing to add on to make me feel just a little bit crappy…I’m on different antibiotic drops (with a steroid in it) and it’s only day 2 but I have high hopes. So to those who know me and work with me, just speak a little louder because I swear, I’m not ignoring you!

The new digs are great but there are some problems in the name of Aslan, the cat. He’s keeping us up at night, every night, with his meowing, batting at the pulls on the blinds, beating up his brother, swatting My Guy’s alarm clock off his bed-side table at 4 am….the list goes on. I thought maybe it’s just because we’re in a new place and surely he’ll calm down…but no, not so far and we’re both getting grumpy. Shutting the bedroom door does no good because Aslan just throws his big body against the door and howls in rage…then the other cat gets all agitated…and the madness never stops…See this vicious cycle?

On the bright side, everything I need is within walking distance now. Technically it was before but I had to wade through Suburbia-Hell to get to it, so I always hopped in my car to get where I needed to go that much faster. Now it’s different. I WANT to walk along Main…I want to walk to my doctors and take Cambie back or explore a new little street and discover a tucked away little family grocer I never knew existed.

I’m standing here on this invisible line; one step in front of me is this new life and I’m so eager to jump head first into it. It’s one step at a time, one day at a time and all these little obstacles (like my ears and Aslans night-time antics) are just little bumps along the way. Life is a collection of these little things and we should be in tune to them.

Before I leave, let me leave you with one little story…it happened this morning at 7 am. I decided to walk out with My Guy as he left for work, a little kiss on the back porch, you know how it is. As I’m standing there watching him walk off in the pouring rain, I see some of the items we haven’t really found a home for yet, getting wet so I think “I should go move those out of the rain.” I reach behind me and pull the door closed so the crazy cats don’t escape…little do I know My Guy has locked the door (the bottom twisty-type lock). I go about my business and move some stuff and decide it was a dumb idea, too cold and want to go back inside…BAM! I walk into the door as I attempt to turn the handle. It’s locked! It’s 7 am, and I’m in a robe and slippers…the more I hesitate the farther down the street towards the bus stop, is My Guy. I hitch up my robe, kick off my slippers and run down the side of house bellowing his name…he can’t hear me! It’s raining and he’s probably running for the bus…I bellow more for good measure though.

I had to admit defeat and thought long and hard about the possibilities of crawling through the barred windows (albeit the bars are quite decorative and all) while the 2 cats stared at me. No doubt they were wondering what the hell I was doing on the wrong side of the window when there was breakfast to be dished out…

Hundreds of thoughts flew through my head: ‘Yay I can take the day off, but wait how will I call in? And wait, what kind of day off will it be in the rain?’ Sigh. The landlords live 2 streets up the road so again, I hike up my robe, clutch my slippers to my chest and head out into the rain. It’s pouring- hard, typical Vancouver rain. Unrelenting. (Turns out the radio announced it was the wettest day today…but I digress) I run up the street in my bare feet, the cool water feels kind of nice actually and it’s liberating to fly by morning commuters in your robe; a flash of my fuchsia nightie lending me a touch of mystery (or so I like to think…).

I rounded the hedge to landlords house, and there He was. On the porch, face to face with a drenched mad-woman, no doubt homeless in a robe with wet slippers in her hand…I had nothing to say but ‘Um hi. I locked myself out…’ and he laughed. I laughed too.

…I ran home with the spare keys clutched in my fingers, the cool wetness no longer feeling that great because my feet felt raw….but I got in to the warmth and to my hungry cats!

That my friends, was a helluva way to wake up…and all before my coffee!

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Right here, Right now…

Aug 27

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | No Comments

So many thoughts to put down but all they do is swirl about my head, taunting me to put them to the screen. I want to jump up and scream “I’m so happy!” but my headache of the past 3 days is causing me to be less than exuberant. I want to write a million words but my computer and writing set-up at the new digs isn’t all that comfortable. Yet. Despite these things, I wake up and embrace each day and look forward to coming HOME to my new home and My Guy. It’s been a while since I’ve truly let myself feel like this; and let me tell you, it’s exhilarating.

As Melissa over at Sugar Filled Emotions would ask: what am I thankful for?

- I’m thankful I moved back to Van city; even though I was just across the bridge, it feels like I’ve come home…

- I’m thankful we asked for a recommendation for a full and rich, IN YOUR FACE, red wine tonight at Firefly Fine Wines and for under $20 received what was the best red I’ve had in a long time. It was pure velvet on my tongue….a Malbec from Argentina by the name of Domaine Jean Bousquet. Once I finished my glass I suggested My Guy run back to the store and get a case of the stuff. Yeah, it’s THAT smooth. It’s proof a really great wine doesn’t have to break the bank. Oh and no, he didn’t go get a case…

- I’m thankful mom’s ultrasound was all good…

- I’m thankful I live closer to 2 very special people in my life whom I haven’t spent nearly enough time with as of late (G & L) It’s never too late to rekindle friendships; if you are missing someone, pick up the phone and call them. Don’t let people you love slip past you.

Enough about being thankful…let’s get to the nitty-gritty. I’ve put on some extra weight and it’s my promise to myself and to My Guy, to shed those pounds and be who I was. I’m ok with how I look; but I don’t LOVE how I look. I’m not the woman I was 2 years ago when the weight loss was kind of still new feeling and I was on cloud 9. Now I feel as if I shouldn’t have slipped. I feel like these extra pounds are weighing my spirit down and to work hard at losing them, would probably boost my self esteem. People say I’m not fat but that overweight girl inside of me will NEVER quite see that. I will always see who I was in the mirror…these pounds need to be lost FOR ME and me alone. I need to prove to myself I can do it again.

If there is something you’ve been putting off, maybe now is a good time to tackle it. I’d love to write more but damn this work space is sucking right now. Sleep well.

CM

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I’m a Vegetarian so no, I don’t want any Fish OR Chicken…

Aug 16

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Eating Right, Healthy Living, Vegetarian | No Comments

Here's one guy who deserves HIS label!

I get this all the time…I ask servers in restaurants if they have any vegetarian specials (usually after they spend 2 minutes telling me about the fantastic steak deal that’s on…) and they point to the menu and say, “Of course! We have chicken and fish and…” At this point they usually stop in mid-sentence because I’m banging my head against the table muttering something like, “Vegetarians do not eat fish or chicken! Vegetarians do not eat fish or chicken!” I look up from the table to see the innocent, wide-eyed look of a deer caught in the headlights. The poor souls haven’t a clue.

I don’t eat fish or chicken. I do however partake in the occasional dairy product and I say ‘occasionally’ because to do so more, hurts my tummy. Alot. I don’t call myself a Vegan because I eat eggs, and I eat cheese (sure one could say Lacto-Ovo)…a Vegan eats NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS WHATSOEVER. Being a Vegan is a very strict practice and it’s one I tried to stick to, but alas, I didn’t make it. I’m happy with my choices now…I’m just not happy with all these silly labels floating around out there.

If you are eating LESS meat than you used to, fabulous. I’m ecstatic for you that you’ve made that decision, but do you really need to call yourself a Flexitarian of all things? So this would mean practicing Catholics, who have long since abstained from eating meat on Fridays, are Flexitarians too? Hmmm. Opens up a whole other chapter doesn’t it? I love that people are practicing eating less meat, but does there have to be a name for it?

I have even heard this gem thrown around: West Coast Vegetarian (they eat fish). Call me crazy but in my dictionary, that type of person is usually referred to as a Pescatarian. I’m not sure if it’s cool to have a label to identify what you eat or if people think maybe we Vegetarians are lonely and need the company?

I’m usually not this rigid….but lately this one has been really, really bugging me. I’m trying to relax about it…in the meantime, go see what all the fuss is about over Meatless Mondays and see if you can incorporate it into YOUR lifestyle.

But for heavens sake, don’t make up some loony label for it!

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Mario Does Veg

Aug 14

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Eating Right, Healthy Living, Nutrition, Vegetarian | No Comments

I have to admit I was a little surprised to read celeb chef Mario Batali was in the process of writing a vegetarian cookbook. I absolutely love watching the Food Network but often had to change the channel if too much meat was being flung around. Now while Mario did introduce me to a side of Italian eating I hadn’t seen before, I just couldn’t handle the odd cuts of meat (cheek, tail etc). I realize they are delicacies and all that, and I’m not one to push my beliefs on anyone….HOWEVER…I chose to not watch. An article in the New York Daily News reads he has confirmed he is writing it and also that he has cut down his meat consumption to five days a week. I don’t care what a person cuts their meat intake to, just the fact they are cutting it makes all the difference. It tells me they are aware, they are willing to make a change…and who knows, five days may go to three and so on and so on….

Little steps…

So yay I say to Mario for penning a vegetarian book! Stay tuned for the info.

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Back to Reality…almost.

Aug 12

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | No Comments

When I say almost I mean, I’m not due back until Monday August 16th at the clinic. Phew. I need time to rest after my vacation ‘home’ to the Island. As you can see from my previous post it was alot of hard work shuttling between swimming holes and cold beers, sun-tanning and late nights. We got back last night, had some settling in to do and needed to lavish a weeks worth of attention to My Boys who actually didn’t seem to notice someone else had been looking after them and I was now HOME. Sigh.

One thing I did when I was back home, that I’ve missed in my life here…is get outside and appreciate what nature has to offer. I think I forgot to stop and appreciate where I do live, and it took a trip for me to stop and take in all the smells and sights of just being outside. I may be biased, but the air sure feels a helluva lot cleaner back home, the water just that much clearer and pure…the mountains that surrounded my parents house literally took my breath away.

We vowed to get off our butts once we got back and get out and GET MOVING more…to feel as alive as we felt there….here. I may live in the city, and probably always will, but my heart will always be in the small town I grew up in, and I value that way of life. My goals this fall are simple: get more active, continue to eat well and conquer what ails me- NATURALLY. I have an amazing support system in My Guy and I have treasured friends who constantly motivate me to embrace each day. I’m lucky. I’m truly lucky to have my entire life before me and to be in control of how I approach it. I’m happy I’m not alone in facing it and thankful for the little things.

I wanted to end this post by acknowledging a few things I’m thankful for:

- I’m thankful I had a good friend who watched over My Boys while I got to go home. Knowing that they were taken care of and happy, made all the difference.

- I’m thankful I had this time to visit with my parents. I miss them very much.

- I’m thankful My Guy got to experience my home-town memories and see the place (and people) that made me who I am…

- I’m thankful I have a car that could take me home without any worries!

A few snapshots of my vacation, to sum it up for you…

Here's the slug we named The Great Canadian Leopard Slug...

The best shoes to wear in a river...can walk with ease!

Our version of that Corona Commercial, but with Stella.

The Deep Hole. One of the swimming holes of my youth.

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Home Sweet Home

Aug 9

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | 2 Comments

I’m home. I arrived last week, and My Guy followed a few days later. It’s great to be home and in the place I grew up in, on the Island, but it’s also tinged with sadness at the place it’s become. It’s quiet. Like a ghost town actually…and that’s not how I remember it. Big Industry moved out of the town some years ago, and with that went a good deal of the population- in came retirees from all over North America to replace them…

This is still the sweet village I remember, just a little frayed around the edges and a little less people out and about. What hasn’t changed is the natural splendor of this small hamlet nestled in a valley surrounded by tall mountains, some still capped with snow. The pristine rivers still flow and the swimming holes remain as idyllic as I remember. What amazed me yesterday as we were out hiking and taking in the sights, how few people were out in the sun. I realized it’s not because they don’t want to- it’s because there is HARDLY ANYBODY to be out! We had the river to ourselves, took the Peppercorn trail through the still glistening wet forest, stopping at every rocky beach to behold the perfectly clear green water. You could all the way to bottom and count the rocks there…it was that pure and clean.

My Guy couldn’t believe the stunning beauty or the fact we had it all to ourselves. We didn’t talk much as we sat on the rocks and looked out over the river; there weren’t words to describe the colors and the tranquility we were experiencing.

There truly is no place like home. This is West Coat living at it’s finest- did I mention cell phones don’t even work here? (of course there is the Internet though, phew!) I’m so happy right now, and so content but with each moment I can’t wait to get back to The City and get on with The Move…new changes are a-comin’!

I hope this post finds everyone happy where they are in life, and if not, that you have the means to start making the changes to being where YOU want to be. Where you NEED to be. Now I’m going to go out t0 my parents back yard, sit on the swing in the sun and watch the blue jays play in the garden. And the best part? Zucchini from the garden for dinner.

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Is Gluten-Free the way to go?

Aug 1

Posted by Chere Michelle in Eating Right, Healthy Living, Nutrition | No Comments

Maybe it’s because I’m going through some digestive health issues, but it seems to me that ALOT of women I know are experiencing varying degrees of medical problems involving digestion and intestinal upset. Right now, I know of 6 women personally who are going through *something* that is equally frustrating and disheartening. They’ve all struggled through their doctors testing and re-testing…of living with some kind of pain…and of experimenting what they can and cannot eat successfully. I don’t know if it’s my little world, or is this a sign of something bigger?

Personally speaking, I don’t do alot of dairy. This isn’t because I’m a vegetarian (if I was a Vegan I would abstain from eating dairy) but rather because I feel my body can’t handle it properly and it just causes me too much discomfort in the end. I love my cereal but have found a soy milk I love (Silk) and eat cheese in moderation…

My next avenue to explore is a gluten-free diet. Gluten seems to be a major player in abdominal pain and in the 6 women I know of with issues, 3 are in some stage of attempting to go gluten free. It’s like a last ditch attempt at a pain free and uplifting day…

So what’s a person to do? Go gluten free? Go Veg? I firmly believe everything we put into our bodies must be something we are ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE is the right thing for us. We need to make conscious decisions and eat right….eat for LIFE.

In my research I’ve found some really great gluten free blogs and sites I wanted to share for those of you who may be looking down this avenue…

I’m really impressed with this site, Gluten Free Girl because it’s colorful, fun and the recipes are REAL. By that, I mean not frou-frou recipes that you have to hunt all over the city for a few weird ingredients that NOBODY in their right mind keeps in the kitchen. I’ve told a few people already about this blog and they love it….

A Gluten Free Day is another great blog mainly because the variety is really amazing….(plus the desserts!).

Stop over at I Am Gluten Free for one bloggers take on living gluten free and check out the yummy looking recipes!

All you have to do is Google “gluten free” for a wealth of information. This is definitely a road I’m considering taking, I’m just not 100% sure yet…I’m taking one day at a time and making sure I give my body the absolute best…

I’d love to hear YOUR story.

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Antioxi-what?

Jul 18

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Eating Right, Healthy Living, Nutrition | No Comments

Antioxidants. What are they really? Sure we hear ALOT about them and how great they are for us, but do you really know why? Wikepedia describes antioxidants as ” a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation can produce free radicals….in turn these free radicals can start chain reactions that damage cells…”

Phew. OK so the main thing here in this scientific gibberish is “damage cells”. That can’t be good. Antioxidants are ‘free radical scavengers’ and could prevent damage from heart disease or cancer.

Research is ongoing in this field but it can’t be denied that antioxidants are something we should try to get enough of because simply put, it can’t hurt. Right? Vitamin E, C and A are all rich sources of antioxidants…as are dried beans…

Of course fruits and veggies are loaded with these hero scavengers (do you really need another reason to eat MORE healthy?). Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries lead the Berries in antioxidants and since it’s summer now, what better time to dig in?

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I’m a Human Pin Cushion

Jul 15

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | No Comments

I am trying acupuncture. Originally My Guy suggested it for my lower back because I suppose I was moaning a fair bit about how much it hurt. Then I got to thinking…wait, what’s bugging me more now? My back or all these digestive issues going on in my body? That settled it. I made an appointment at the same place I go to regularly for massage therapy.

I admit I didn’t really know what to think, or what to expect. Of course I’ve seen treatments done on TV, I’ve read about them and knew what acupuncture was…but it’s a little different to suddenly be the one having it done on your OWN body!

At the beginning of my 1st treatment, the Practitioner took a VERY thorough medical history and asked me many questions, most about the issues I wanted specifically to work on, but about other areas of my body as well. She took my pulse several times and also asked to see my tongue at least 3 times…

Then it was time to lie back on the nicely cushioned table, close my eyes and let the needling fun begin. To be honest, I barely felt those needles that went into my scalp or forehead. There was a rustling sound of the needle packages being opened, a cool swab of alcohol, followed by a firm tap into my skin and then the Practitioner wiggled or adjusted the needle to where exactly she wanted it positioned.

When she got to my hands however, I jumped a bit in my skin. The placement of the needle was fine but it was the re-positioning and adjustment that literally hit me right to the nerves. I can’t really explain it, but it was like the core of a very sensitive nerve was suddenly touched, and an immense short burst of pressure applied. I jumped. It happened on my hands, shins and feet…I hardly felt the needles go into my belly.

These sensations are normal I was told…perfectly normal. Most people mention some kind of “pressure” feeling.

Once all the needles were placed, I was covered with a light sheet, the blinds closed a bit more and left alone…I had the sounds of a fountain and some music playing in the background. I didn’t fall asleep (I was very, very relaxed) but lay there listening to my breathing and focusing on relaxing every single part of my body. I figured this was a moment that I was given to just simply be.

Thirty minutes went by and I heard the soft whoosh of the door to the room being opened. The needles were gently removed, I opened my eyes to soft lighting and the Practitioner asking me how I felt. How did I feel? Relaxed. Languid. Peaceful. Most of all though, I felt this strange sense of positivity engulf me and I felt I had something to believe in, something that may in fact give me some sort of relief. I left that 1st appointment very satisfied, and in fact, had my 2nd appointment earlier tonight.

We are working on my tummy; my bowels and digestive system together with helping me sleep more peacefully.

Do I believe in non-traditional forms of medicine? I believe there is hope and energy in whatever we seek to help ourselves with. I figure millions of people can’t be wrong in claiming acupuncture has worked for them, so I don’t have anything to lose. It’s just one more step I’m taking to gain control over my body and how it feels. I alone have the power to help myself…and I choose to try whatever I can….

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