brain foods

omega-3 fatty acids: required for intellectual performance

sources: salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, flaxseed, chia, kiwi, perilla, lingonberry, camelina, pursulane, black raspberry, butternuts, walnuts, pecans, hazel nuts

choline: enhances memory and minimizes fatigue
sources: beef liver, whole large egg, ground beef, cauliflower, navy been, tofu, almonds, peanut butter

b vitamins: powerfully influence mood and mental performance

sources:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3,(niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B7, also called vitamin H (biotin)
Vitamin B9, also vitamin M and vitamin B-c (folic acid)
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin B8 (myo-inositol) is no longer classified as a vitamin because it is synthesized by the human body

sugar: it can make you sharp! (although no one can figure out what is the right dose at the right time)

sources: it's everywhere!!

carbohydrates (especially when eaten with no protein or fat): may indeed be mentally soothing. Muzak for the mind. There are times when we all need some of that.

sources: vegetables, fruits, whole grain high fiber foods, beens, legumes, raw nuts & seeds, most low fat dairy

*Marano, Hara Estroff, Psychology Today, What Is Good Brain Food? Diet tips for staying in top mental health.

Psyched for Success

1 October 2003

Last Reviewed 7 Feb 2007

*wickipedia.com

sark wisdom

A friend gave me a card once written and illustrated by Sark with words worth repeating...

The Inspiration Guide by SARK
...live your life in full color
...do it anyway
...refuse to sit still for negative thinking
...lie down, breathe deaply
...let miracles find you
...open a book to any page and let that paragraph inspire you.

I actually did open a book the night I got the card and, low and behold, was greatly inspired. So much so that I have a piece of what you might call "art" (i use the term loosely). It was a dark time at the very end of one of my past relationships. Through deep soul searching, I discovered a lot about myself with that exercise. Here's a long lost post from that very night.

I think I'll do it again tonight.

more jots

I cleaned out my closet last weekend. My slight ocd tendencies have caused me to be bothered by the sight of my work clothes that I no longer need. So I went through, one by one, and and made several piles - "winter," "too-small," "I don't want this any more," and "keep this." Sadly, the biggest pile was the "too-small" pile which almost filled an entire extra-large tote. But I smiled at this and accepted it as further motivation to lose those pesky 20 pounds. I looked at it this way... I could either (a) give the entire tote away to smaller friends or Goodwill and go shopping for a new wardrobe in my current size, (b) Put a big bow on the box and, when I do lose the weight, have it serve as a gift to myself. Essentially a new wardrobe that I already love. I chose the latter, with the exception of a handfull of articles that I gave to my friend, Leah.

So! My new goal is to lose 1 pound per week for the next 20 weeks. Nothing drastic. I also did some research on just how, technically, it is that a person does lose a pound a week. Here is what I found.

*To lose 1 pound a week you must burn an extra 3500 calories during the week.
*Personally, I need 2100 calories a day to maintain my current weight so I need to cut down to 1600 per day to meet this goal.

Weight loss is not denial at all. It's a gift to your temple; a sort of housekeeping, really. This body is my home, after all. It's also a mode of transportation, a giver of peace and energy and let's not forget the keeper and supporter of the mind - my favorite organ:) It's wonderful and mysterious and controls our entire being. I will cherish it and it's home.

today

while the kids were splashing in the pool today, I brought my notebook and pencil outside and wrote. It's kinda my "thing" and, while I usually write the best when I'm mournful or contemplative, I'm not quite "happy" unless I have some sort of editorial outlet. Anyway, since my life is now all about being a mom, I wrote about it. Below is a snippet of what I jotted down in between breaking up fights, replacing goggles, and fishing dead bugs out of the pool. It started out as a poem but ended up being just random sentences flowing out of me...

Being a mom means being calm. The house is a mess and things often go wrong. But... you enjoy the smiles, the whines - not so much. Sometimes, you just let it all fall apart. It's learning to breath and focus through those days and hours that can almost kill you. Its loving the joy, innocence, creativity and brilliance that can only come from the untainted mind of a child. It's hoping that everyone in their life will love them so strong; deep down, knowing that they won't and preparing to be there when their anger and confusion make them want to do things that, 20 years from now, they'll regret. It's trying not to make them YOU. It's sharing your space, your precious space. It's holding them when all you want is to be alone - yet wanting them back the minute they do leave you alone. It is all this and so much more. Almost too much to think about sometimes. For now, I'll focus on today - crying at dance recitals, kissing boo-boos, timing time-outs, changing diapers and wiping noses. At the end of the day knowing someday... I really will miss it.

smm - vbs

We spent this past week at our first Bible School experience at St. Mary Magdalene. Macy brought Megan as her guest and Nicholas and Stephen came with me to hang out in the nursery where I had volunteered to help. What follows are some shots from the week. Like I said, I was "helper" in the 2-3 year old room where we had 13-15 (depending on the day) of said young-uns. I think fun was had by all. I actually got quite attached to a few of the tots, but, needless to say, I am more exhausted than usual.

HAPPY PAPPY'S DAY!

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This weekend was Macy's big dance recital. She had a blast and, once again, wow'ed us onstage. Besides that... I had a very successful first week at home with the kids. We spent a lot of time playing in the toyroom and in the pool. The hardest part for me has been letting go of the constant urge to pick up the house. I have to realize things are not always (okay NEVER) going to be in place with three kids in the house. I'm down to picking up only three or four times a day.... I'm sure I'll eventually tire of the whole thing and find myself simply "wishing" for a clean house - as I so vividly remember my own dear mother doing.

What follows are some highlights of the week. We played at the spray park, hosted Megan for a sleepover, attended Macy's final dance class/awards presentation and, of course, were ever present at the "Movie Magic" recital.

and she was Beautiful!!!

We supported Macy and Megan at their Dance Awards...

... we went to "Kung Fu Panda" with Uncle Levi...

Thanks Ms. Connie

Last day at Ms. Connie's. As you can see from the pic - there were mixed emotions. Seriously, though. We will miss her as we move on to Mommy-in-charge land.

my new bosses

Today begins my first day at the new job - full time mom. Miraculously, it is 7:40 and everyone is still asleep. I have had a chance to get up, brush my teeth and check my email. Wow!

mollie, mollie, mollie the explorer!

I just took the Genotype test and discovered that, like Dora here... I'm an Explorer. This is based on my fingerprints, taste buds, finger length, teeth shape, leg length, and blood type. All part of the Blood Type diet, or, excuse me, eating style I have discussed previously. What does this all mean? Well, I haven't really figured it out yet. I'll let you know when I do. But right now, I'm headed to Fat Dog for some alcohol. hypocrit!

Apologies

(a happy day...)

Wow. Not sure why I felt the need to blog about Crocs and diss on bandwagon-jumping Americans in my last post. Crocs are lovely - especially on children. I just won't wear them, that's all... There... I'm a free thinker!

I believe I've snapped out of my funk considering I've spent most of the afternoon bouncing around the house doing house-keeping activities and have actually been humming and singing. Thanks for your words of encouragement, friends.

"rather than navigating the world of ideas alone, people pile on the well-known bandwagon... even if that means they have to wear crocs."

The fact is whether you favor droopy sweaters or Manolo Blahnik shoes, few people are original thinkers when it comes to what they wear. And what is true of fashion is also true of other ideas. This is because we do not really operate as free agents in the world and are entangled in complex patterns of collective behavior - mostly outside our understanding or awareness. (Scientific American Mind, June/July 2008)

How else can you explain the popularity of Crocs?

BY THE WAY... I'm happier today:)

down

I'm on the brink of what could be an episode of depression so I'm trying to fight my way back. Yesterday, I was sad for most of the day and topped it off with a little tiff with my hubby last night. I have a hard time calling it a fight or tiff for that matter because Mike doesn't "fight" in the manner I have been used to with other men in my life. There is no yelling (unless it's from me) and the matter always ends up in a sort of negotiation stage. I'm thankful he is healthy like this.

As for me, I have been pondering my feelings this morning. Trying to figure out where this sadness is coming from. It may be the effects of being home alone for so many weeks now. On the one hand I am getting a lot done, but on the other, I feel guilty having the kids in daycare. Next week will be the beginning of my stay-at-home life and things will get better in this regard. When you say stay-at-home mom, most people think it would be an easy gig. It's not. I think I'm a little scared about it. I guess it's like starting any other job. At first you're nervous and need to learn all the ropes. Eventually, though, you get the hang of it and maybe even enjoy it. I'm counting on this to happen and will allow myself time to adapt. I have high expectations of myself and may get frusterated some (okay, most) days but my inner dialogue must remain positive or I will end up down.

Happy thoughts to come.

me & my stevie...

girls night out

Went out with a group of ladies last night for drinks and dinner @ Sonoma Grill and viewing of the Sex in the City movie. Loved it! After that, a smaller group went to Casa Ole for Margaritas...