To start the day off right I enjoyed a vitamin C packed smoothie with oranges, papaya, mango and banana, and sipped a coffee while getting ready for the day. What a happy way to start. I really enjoy smoothies. Feeling so good I decided to get more dolled up than usual and why not? I didn't care that I was just going to the eye doctor, it felt nice getting done up to go out. Funny how taking a little bit longer can make a person feel even better. I'm not huge on make up or doing my hair, generally a pony tail and mascara do the trick and away I go. I think I might take a few extra minutes for this feel good. Perhaps I'll even pass on hoodies everyday and go for something a little dressier.
Our Saturday adventures started with a trip to see the eye doctor for myself and my girls. My youngest has perfect eyes, my oldest requires reading glasses and I need glasses full time. The best was hearing that my eyes look great over all. I have a bit of a astigmatism but that can be corrected with glasses. My prescription is not all that different from the glasses I was prescribed 10 years ago too. Yay! Although when I got the pair I have now it was mainly for distance and driving, now I'll have to wear the new glasses all the time. Taking an Omega3 was recommended for eye health as well so I've made note and will pick that up.
Omega Food for thought tid bit from the web:
"Omega-3 fatty acids are also being utilized by eye care providers to aid in the prevention and treatment of a variety of ocular disorders. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists are recommending omega-3 fatty acids to their patients for a variety of eye conditions."
So the hunt for the perfect pair begins, glasses that will look good and compliment my face. Funny how my taste in glasses hasn't changed much either in 10 years as I grabbed very similar glasses to try on. The only difference was that the newer ones I went for have more brown hues instead of black. I guess as I get older I'm not as interested in making a statement or being as bold. I'm okay with that.
It was exciting shopping for new glasses, something for myself. Especially because it will help me to focus and feel better over all which is a big part of what I am working towards right now. Glasses shopping exciting...I don't get out much hey haha. I didn't decide on any one pair and left it until tomorrow or another day when my mother can come along to give me her .02 on what looks good and suits me. I want to be sure about my decision, especially since I intend to have this new pair for another 10 years, the choice has to be right. I am leaning towards these....they appear darker in this picture but are a lighter brown.
After concluding our adventures in eye health the girls and I walked down the strip to the Salon. We walked, not drove! It wasn't far, but I often find myself driving so I don't have to spend the extra time walking to and from. Talk about past laziness...changing that too! I feel like I have more energy than usual too. That's a good thing as Martha Stewart would say. Is it the smoothies? Or I wonder if it's that I am focused on implementing more whole foods into my daily meals. Both? Whatever...it's working. It all feels good. I feel good.
At Christmas my husband and I made the girls Date Coupons. Each month they can choose the coupon of their choice with either parent or both and go out or stay home and do something. This was something we felt was really important to us as a family, time spent together and allowing for adventure planning. When life gets busy sometimes the little moments fall to the side and get swept up in the tide. We wanted a monthly reminder. There should always be time for the little things. Today the girls both turned in a coupon and decided they wanted to go try Eyebrow waxing. LOL My poor red faced ladies. It was comical and they both felt good and just a little pampered themselves. What a treat. At the same time we purchased a gift certificate for a manicure for my oldest daughter's friends birthday. Pretty good get.
According to WebMD:
"Masacara should be kept no longer than three months after opening. After three months, bacteria can begin to grow inside the tube; this growth of bacteria can lead to an infection. A strange or foul odor from your tube of mascara is another sign that your tube has expired. If you notice that your mascara appears flakey or is caking up, discard of it. You should also replace your mascara if you contract any type of eye infection; such as, conjunctivitis (pink eye). This will prevent you from becoming reinfected. It is also not a good to share your mascara with others. If you suspect that you are having a bad reaction after you have applied your mascara, please remove the mascara, discard of the tube and consult your physician. "
A little FYI.
On a time constraint we hurried home, dropped off my oldest to get ready for the party and ride to pick her up and we were again off and on our way to my youngest daughter's horseback riding lesson. I myself used to ride in my younger years and still love horses. I'm thrilled my youngest has the same passion. Now if only the lottery numbers were in my favor I would be living on an acreage with horses. It was a great lesson on a new pony just in from BC. What a horse, I was impressed for a new horse having just arrived and one that is only 6yrs old. Excellently trained and fantastic temperament! I could not get over how he just arrived yesterday and was calm as could be, stunning to watch, patient and kids could be trusted already in the saddle!
On the way home from what was an amazing lesson as always, my husband of almost 13 years asked me if he could use a coupon for a date with his two girls and go out for dinner. It's rare now with meal planning and budgeting that we go out, so we were in favor and decided on Kelsey's. I stepped outside my comfort zone tonight of eating the usual Buffalo Chicken burger, quesadilla or Cesar salad and ordered a Chicken Sonoma Valley Salad. YUM! New fave and healthy. Well healthier than the previously mentioned options I'm almost positive. On MyFitnessPal it listed the dish as 710 calories! Mixed greens, red pepper, tomato slices, feta, craisins, sunflower seeds and nuts, croutons, chicken and vinaigrette dressing. I didn't think a salad could/would have so many calories. In any case it was still far more healthy I am sure than a fried chicken burger, creamy Cesar dressing or cheese filled quesadilla I am content in my decision. It was pleasing to the palate.
Expanding my mind to new things is a feel good. I'll do it more often for sure.
The only thing I forgot to do today was take Alieve. I will remember tomorrow. I thought about it twice today but didn't have the pills on me. Once was at the eye doctor when I felt my jaw aching and then in the riding arena when again it started aching which at that point came secondary to my arm. The cold seems to stir up pain which makes ringette seasons now fun around cold arenas. It was easier when I was on ice and coaching and focused on the kids, but this season being off ice was more of a struggle.
I wound up the day dying hair, relaxing with my love, reading, blogging and cuddling with our cat Leonard. I swore after we said good-bye to my big brute of a cat Skaha almost 4 years ago that I would never again have another cat, but this little lady is a perfect fit in our family. Leni's cuddles are a therapy in itself. I adore the little girl and am thankful I broke my vow and chose to invite a cat once again into our lives. This little bitty was born on Valentine's Day too in 2011, which has her sharing the same birthday as my Grandma Mary. Sometimes things are meant to be. I think that was a sign.
For those who dislike cats or who didn't know pets can add to your over all health...check this!
- Lower risk of cardiovascular disease: Apparently, if you own a cat, you are less likely to die of cardiovascular disease. Indeed, a study from the University of Minnesota found that those without cats were between 30 and 40 percent more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than cat owners. Does it work for owning dogs as well? According to the study, dog owners didn’t reap the same benefits as cat owners.
- Reduce risk of heart attack: You can reduce the chances that you will end up with a heart attack when you own a cat. Not only will your entire cardiovascular system thank you, but you can reduce the chance that you die suddenly due to heart attack if you own a cat.
- Improve your immune function: Owning a cat can help your immune function improve. The feelings you get related to the cat can help you give your immune system a boost. Cats often know when you are ill, and can come and provide you with comfort, helping you get better while boosting your immune system.
- Decrease chance of developing allergies: If you are going to have a baby, you might consider getting a pet. Having a cat can help you prevent allergies in your children. There are some studies that newborns that live with animals, specifically cats and dogs, are more likely to avoid developing allergies. Being used to them from an early age triggers immunity.
- Help prevent asthma in children: In addition to helping to prevent children from developing allergies, there is some evidence that living with a cat can also help prevent asthma in children. If you have kids, owning a cat and exposing your kids to cats might help them to avoid developing asthma. Early and regular contact with cats can help your children avoid a number of respiratory problems.
- Reduce blood pressure: You can help reduce your blood pressure by enjoying the company of a cat. Indeed, having a cat can lead to lower blood pressure. Just stroking a cat is calming and lowers blood pressure. Those who own pets, according to a State University of New York at Buffalo study, are more likely to have lower blood pressure than those who do not have pets.
- Lower triglycerides: You can lower your triglycerides by exercising and eating fewer carbohydrates (especially from processed foods). But that’s not the only thing you can do. Some studies indicate that if you have a cat, you can lower your triglycerides and boost your health by owning a cat. While you should probably still exercise and eat better, owning a cat can help the process along.
- Lower cholesterol: Are you trying to lower your cholesterol? If so, consider getting a cat. Interestingly, cat owners have lower cholesterol than those who do not own cats. A 2006 study in Canada showed that owning a cat was actually more effective at lowering cholesterol than the medications designed to do that same thing. Indeed, you could save money on meds and improve your health, possibly, by becoming a cat owner.
- Reduced risk of stroke: The prospect of having a stroke is scary. If you are concerned about having a stroke, you might consider cat ownership. Owning a cat can cut the risk of stroke. A study at Minnesota University found that cat owners could cut their risk of stroke by 1/3. The idea that you can help reduce the changes of getting a stroke, thanks to a cat, is one reason to consider cat ownership.
- Reduce stress: Having a cat can help reduce the stress in your life. Having a cat has many psychological benefits, and one of those is relieving stress. Being able to care for an animal, or having a cat snuggle with you, can help you feel better, and reduce your level of stress.
- Reduce anxiety: Not only can owning a cat help reduce the stress that you feel, it can also reduce your anxiety. Petting a cat is calming, as are other aspects of caring for cats. When you are concerned with caring for another creature, it can help you take your mind off your worries. Additionally, the presence of a cat that will snuggle with you can help you calm yourself as your enjoy the unconditional love of a cat.
- Improve your mood: In many cases, interacting with a pet can help improve your mood. This includes cats. Owning a cat can help you feel better in general, boosting your mood. If you are looking to see mood improvement, a cat can help with that.
- Help with depression: Owning a cat can also help relieve depression. While a cat may not actually “cure” depression, it can help take your mind off your problems, and focus on something else. The love a cat offers can also be soothing to the mind. If you are depressed, cat companionship can help you in your battle.
- Help with autism: Autism is marked by difficulty in social interaction and communication. Those with autism have a hard time communicating in the same way that others do. Having a cat can actually help in these cases. There have been instances where cats have been instrumental in therapy for autistic children. Other developmental disorders can be helped with exposure to cats as well.
- Reduced loneliness: Many who have feelings of loneliness can find relief with a pet. Cat companionship can help those who are lonely feel a connection with another life. Just having a cat to come home to and spend time with can help those who are single, or widowed.
- Fewer health care visits: Those with cats make fewer visits to health care professionals. This includes visits to the doctor, and hospital visits. Studies have also shown that nursing homes that allow cats as part of the therapy for patients have lower medication costs than facilities that do not make use of cats as part of therapy.
- Longer life: Along with being married and avoiding main roads, you can enjoy a longer life with a cat. Cats provide a number of benefits that can lead to a longer life, including a form of social interaction. So, if you want to be healthy and live a little bit longer, consider owning a cat.
GO GET A CAT!!! Haha
It was a busy day, minor in comparison to ringette season when all of said above is balanced in with ringette schedules.
Tomorrow is a day to venture out with my mother and oldest on the hunt for the perfect glasses. Girl time is Great time and a rarity so it's abundantly enjoyed. Groceries will follow later, a family excursion following a meeting to meal plan. We got this :)
Today My Name Is...Proficient.
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