The Adult Onset Athlete

This week's article is from Coach Kathy Morton, MD. I'm excited to have Kathy on the Greener Grass Life team as she brings a wealth of experience & wisdom as well as humor & compassion, which you're sure to notice in her article, The Adult Onset Athlete:

The Adult Onset Athlete

Okay, I’ll admit it. I used to skip gym class - a lot. Enough so, that I almost didn’t graduate from high school.

You see, I used to put off my afternoon class homework until the day it was due. If I couldn’t get it all done between classes, I would skip my morning gym class to finish it.


Eventually, my surprised parents received a letter from the school, telling them I was in danger of failing gym, and my early (January) graduation plans were in jeopardy. My English and Social Studies teachers had to suppress their smirks as I explained that I would be skipping their classes, several days that week, in order to take gym, almost all day, in order to graduate. Talk about the punishment fitting the crime.

Read more on the Greener Grass Website!


Thanks to the encouragement of many people, including Kathy, I now call myself an Adult Onset Athlete.

Want to join us?

If you're enjoying reading our articles & know someone else who might benefit, please tell a friend!


Have a wonderful week!

Kim Ellis, RN BA cWC cHC
Greener Grass Life, Inc.
coach@greenergrasslife.com

At the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Annual Conference last week, I facilitated a workshop entitled Powerful Choices.

The entire hour was dedicated to methods of incorporating more joy & energy into our lives. What a fun time we had!

The last 1/2 of the session was spent brainstorming activities to incorporate into our lives that would bring us more joy & energy. I promised to publish the results of our brainstorming because I thought it would make a wonderful article for everyone.
Joyful Actions:


Take a break
Take action
Playing the piano
Cooking
Sleeping
Reading
Travel
Drinking beer, wine, etc.
Time with kids
Comedy
Casinos
Volunteering
Making money
Adapt
Make a list
Un-clutter
Re-inventing
Remove mess
Movies in bed
Weight lifting
Bikini wax
Daughter
Call someone every day
Delegate
Make a list
Swimming
Cuddling
Hot shower
Fancy coffee
Dining out
Make whoopie
Founding partner
Date with spouse
Music
Shopping
Espresso & ice cream
Helping others
Help elderly
Eating
Spending time w/family
Spending time w/friends
Relaxing
Accomplishment
Coaching
Movies
Pets
Get a massage
Meditation
Yoga
Walking
Running
Monopoly
Bingo
Primoti Sandwiches (in Pittsburg)
Holding my kids
Playing with my kids
Talking with spouse
Riding horses
Chocolate
Scrapbooking
Taking pictures
Sitting outside observing nature
Manicure
Pedicure
Reading
Meeting new people
Make soup & homemade bread
Positive friends
Art
Teach
Listen to a hawk
Theater
Summer concerts
Work
Chocolate chip cookies
Exercise
Exercise with family/friends
Scooter
Board games
Sleep, Nap
Make more money/enjoy life too
Vacation
Good book
Sunny skies
Smell a flower
Call a friend
Organize anything
Talk to kids on phone
Dance
Call grandkids
Thank you’s
Tell jokes
Play softball
Make someone smile
Watch children laugh
Go for walks
Make someone laugh
Browse a bookstore
Tell a child a story about growing
Bake & eat a cake
Look at spouse’s eyes
Take dog for a walk
Watch Family Guy
Visit the sick
Play basketball
Pet my cat
Pet my dog
Go to the beach
Sauna
Gain weight
Lose weight
Take a steam bath
See a sunset
Travel to Italy
Play a game
Feel comfortable in your skin
Learn few words in a new language
Cuddle with spouse
Hugging
Watch a sunrise
Take a bubble bath
Go to Disney with family
Smores
Barbeque
Campfires
Camping with family
Watch the ocean
Travel
Mama Mia Musical
Opera
Concerts
Plays
Giving & Receiving
Food fight
Pleasure travel
Snorkeling
Flirting
Massage
Contributing to charity
Jazz & easy listening music
Bowling
Ride motorcycle
Nature
Think positive
Choose your battles
Let it go
Haircut
Journaling
Poetry (reading & writing)
Smile

Of course, this list is specific to the group at the conference. There are hundreds, maybe thousands more joyful actions we can each choose. Some are complex, like traveling to Italy. Others simple, like smiling.


The real key is finding a way to incorporate these actions into our daily lives. After our fun brainstorming session, the groups were challenged to come up with tips to help them remember to do these actions. The list is a bit smaller:



Make a list
Take a moment in the car before driving
Date book
Organize
Sign on the TV to turn it off
21-day habit
Adapt
“Just do it”
Post-it notes
Take action
Think about it, write it down, take action
Partnership
Don’t beat yourself up
OHIO – Only Handle It Once
Through friends & family
Let it go
Timeline
White flag next to door
Make a list


Change is difficult, even when we're motivated & excited abut it. Our natural tendency is to stay in our rut. But by making those powerful choices each day to live a more joyful life, we gain momentum!


Keep moving forward!

Kim
Visit the new website at www.greenergrasslife.com

Chronically Fabulous

2 situations have come together in the 21st century to create an interesting phenomenon - advances in medical care & a highly stressful lifestyles.



What's the phenomenon?


A huge increase in people living with chronic conditions.


Because of our advances in medical care, conditions that used to be debilitating or deadly, are now chronic, but livable.



Because of our highly stressful lives, many more of us are becoming prone to stress-related conditions (not just anxiety disorders, but autoimmune disorders & other conditions caused or activated by long-term stress).



Is it possible to live well with a chronic condition?

Absolutely!

I've met a bunch of people living Chronically Fabulous!!!



Spending a few wonderful days this weekend with members & staff of the National Psoriasis Foundation at their annual conference was an amazing experience. I met so many people living Chronically Fabulous - people who have developed fascinating ways to integrate fun & full lives into managing a chronic condition! I was - I am - impressed!


In researching how some live well with their chronic conditions, I've come up with a few tips:

1. The first & most important step is "negotiating a co-existance with (the) sinister force"1 This is all about our relationships with others & our relationships with your bodies. Some manage well during this time...others crumble.




2. Pay close attention - Listen. By tuning into the subtle hints our bodies send us, we can catch the early warning signs of illness before anything gets out of control. (Just be careful not to obsess!)




3. Put our bodies 1st - giving ourselves permission to be human, not superhuman is vital in reducing the physical, mental & emotional stressors that can lead to relapse of a chronic condition in remission.




4. Schedule rest - important for everyone, but medicinal for those living with chronic condition(s)! Never underestimate the power of rest to heal!



5. Create time & space for joy - Joyful living becomes so much more important when we spend so much time focused on our health. Negative must be balanced (or overcome) with a great dose of fun & joy!



6. Get creative - solutions are everywhere! I recently met a woman who had such severe arthritis she couldn't pick up small objects...her creative solution...2 adorable service dogs! They are about 5 pounds each & not only help her in this manner, but bring joy into her life & the lives of everyone she & they meet!



7. Team up - isolation can be depressing. Finding others who have similar interests, conditions, etc. can be inspiring. Check out these sites: Chronic Babe & Healing Well or others.
   

If you or someone you love is living with a chronic condition, I encourage you to incorporate some of these tips into your life & begin or keep living Chronically Fabulous.

Next article - watch for the list of Joyful & Fun & Energizing Activities we can incorporate into our lives. The list is a result of brainstorming by participants of my Powerful Choices workshop during the National Psoriasis Foundation's Together in Change annual conference - I promised to publish it for them & I'm excited for everyone to see their great work!

Have a great week!

Kim

1: http://www.umass.edu/fsap/articles/ill.html

Going for the Gold!

I really wanted to write a post inspired by the Olympics this week!

I've found myself so enthralled watching these amazing athletes I didn't want to stop & write.

While I missed the Opening Ceremonies on TV, with technology as it is today, I was able to catch-up by visiting the NBC video website.

If you didn't see the Opening Ceremonies, I highly encourage you to take some time to watch some of the videos.

And, of course, there are a few Olympians I'm watching:

Dara Torres - the 41 year old Team U.S.A. swimmer competing in her 5th Olympic games after taking a 7 year break. She took a few weeks off after giving birth to her daughter & then was competing again. Read her story & then visit her website. I can't wait until her upcoming book is released.

Lopez Lamong - one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan, now Citizen of the United States for 13 months is running the 1500 meter in Track & Field & was the U.S.A. Flag Bearer. Read his story & be inspired!

Michael Phelps - U.S. swimmer is going for the gold over & over, this man's built for the water. Click his name & check out the pics!

Natalie du Toit - competing for South Africa, Natalie is the 1st amputee to compete in the Olympic games.

Dana Hussein Abdul - competing for Iraq, Dana has risked her life to continue her training .

Sheila Taormina - U.S. Pentathlon competitor, is the 1st woman olympian to qualify for the Olympics in 3 sports.

The Lopez Family - 3 Siblings competing for the gold in Taekwondo.

The list could go on & on. There are so many inspiring and interesting stories in these 2008 Olympic Games!

I rarely encourage hours in front of the TV, but for these few moments in August, it is probably worth a little time spent getting inspired!

And if you feel up to it - take up a new activity.

Be well.

Kim

Too Busy to Cook?

How many times do you eat out each week?

With our busy lives, it's almost inevitable that we spend a lot of our food dollars in restaurants. Unfortunately, those dollars also end up buying large portions of high-fat, over-processed & often times tasteless food.

I don't know about you, but there are times I'm just too busy to focus on creating healthy meals. Right now I'm there.

Some of you know the next few weeks are really busy for me!

1. I'm preparing to speak & offer workshops at the National Psoriasis Foundation's annual conference in Orlando, Florida on August 15th.
   
2. I'm preparing to launch Greener Grass Life's website by August 15th
   
3. I'm training for the Health First Triathlon on October 5th
4. I still work full time as a critical care nurse at Central Florida Regional Hospital
   

So, my hobby of cooking elaborate, healthy, vegetarian dinners is on hold for a while.

My eating plan is important to me, so, I need a few strategies to get through the next few weeks without living in restaurants.

Since I had to think all this through, I thought everyone could benefit from my brainstorming.

While not every one of these can be considered health food, I can assure you they're much better choices than hitting the drive-through or eating those huge portions at the local restaurants! None of these dinners should take more than 30 minutes to prepare, so we'll even save time. Join me. Let's eat in, control our portions & calories & maybe we can all save the 5 pounds Americans are expected to gain this year:

1. Pizza Night - keep cooked pizza shells, tomato sauce & "fixins" on hand for a quick & easy pizza night that everyone will enjoy. To make it healthier, be sure to keep the cheese to a minimum & increase the veggie content!
2. Soup - Even though it's summer, soup is always a great way to end the day! Keep your pantry stocked with the ingredients for your favorite quick soup recipes & whip up a pot in 30 minutes (Rachel Ray has a bunch of great recipes!)
3. Breakfast Night - We've all done this one. Nothing to eat? Whip up eggs & toast with fruit...or how about pancakes? Perfect dinner.
4. Quick Spaghetti - Forget the bottled sauce. Open a can of crushed tomatoes & add some spices, herbs, olive oil & wine. Serve over whole wheat noodles & in 20-30 minutes you have a wonderful, homemade pasta dinner.
5. Un-Tacos on the Floor - (o.k., I stole the name...but isn't it great? Thanks Deb!) Prepare all your favorite taco stuffings & get some baked tortilla chips. Serve all in separate containers so each person can make their own individual nachos. This is great "on the floor" watching a movie, or maybe on the back porch (like my husband served it to me with a glass of wine! Thanks Tom!)
6. Grilled Veggies - It's still summer, so break out the grill. Use your favorite veggies, like portobello mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, onions, eggplant, patty pan, tomato, coat with olive oil & grill seasoning & cook until done. Serve over rice or pasta with a touch of fresh lemon juice & enjoy!
7. Wrap it Up - Keep wraps or tortilla shells in the freezer & quick thaw them individually for an easy dinner. Just fill your shell with your favorite mixture, meat, cheese, etc. add lettuce, tomato, & whatever else you like. Skip the mayo to reduce calories. If you need more flavor & moisture, consider avocado slices or guacamole. Avocado offers richness without the unhealthy fat (still has the calories & fat, but it's good for you).
8. Use your Noodle - Whole wheat noodles can be a hungry, busy person's best friend! Just cook & toss with veggies, olive oil, herbs, spices & a little parmesan & you've got a meal.
9. It's in the Pot - For you carnivores, get out your crock pot. All day cooking creates full flavor & tenderness with minimal mess & effort.
10. Compromise! - Sometimes a partially homemade dinner is just the ticket! A little cheating can go a long way in the effort to save the money & time & calories of eating out.
• Need rice with your meal, but don't want to wait? Stop by the local Chinese restaurant & order a quart of rice. Perfectly cooked & ready to go!
• Want a salad with your spaghetti? Hit a salad bar on the way home.
• Too tired to chop? Grab some pre-chopped fruit & veggies at the supermarket.
• Just need to nosh? Hit the deli for some cheese, & hummus, grab a little fruit, & some pita bread, open a bottle of wine & appetizers just became dinner!

Well, now you know my dinner plans, what are yours?

Have a well week!

Kim