Good Morning, Sunshine!

Some people bound out of bed early every morning and greet the sun with cheery anticipation of the adventures the day will bring. I am not one of those people! I generally roll out of bed and sluggishly crawl to the bathroom, brush my teeth and pull on my workout clothes. Once dressed I sit on the floor and watch the warm up section of my workout video, all the while trying to talk myself up to standing. Eventually I begin moving with the eternally chipper aerobics instructor on the TV and soon I am even bouncing a bit. By the end of the 45 minute workout my eyes are stinging from sweat and I am finally awake. Some of us take a little longer to 'rise' than others. :)
Maybe one day I will be conditioned into an early morning serenity -- but today is not that day!

Mantra of the Day: Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly -- Mae West

Contrary to popular belief life is better when appreciated at an un-rushed pace.  My husband and I have noticed that we are unaccustomed to the "American" pace. In Africa we became used to a more relaxed daily schedule. We awoke when we had rested enough. We scheduled our daily activities in a general agenda -- subject to change. We went to the cafe with friends at 9:00pm and enjoyed a slower pace. Now that we are home we have found it a bit jarring to resume the American pace of life. Rushing to get to lessons, practices, classes, WalMart, Hyvee and on and on and on. It seems that by the time supper and bedtime come around I have been run off my feet all day long. There has to be a happy medium. I am trying to find that balance. 

By the way....I love Mae West! She was a curvy, voluptuous and unapologetic WOMAN. If I had to pick a physical ideal for myself it would be a tie between Sophia Loren and Mae West. We should all take a second look at these 'real' women. They were BEA-U-TI-FUL and not too tiny! Forget the Twiggy, tiny versions of femininity that are thrust on us from every angle of media and pop culture -- I choose to revive WOMEN! Mae West and Sophia Loren -- I salute you!

Diet: Breakfast- Banana Smoothie, vitamins, 16 ounces water

Snack- Kashi granola bar

Lunch- Peanut Butter on Whole Wheat Toast, 8 ounces water and an Apple

Snack- Light and Fit Lime flavored yogurt, 8 ounces water

Supper- Tortilla Soup with extra beans, 16 ounces water