Suzy Levi's Daily Dose

Smoke Free Day 2

    I am not sure that I can really call today day 2. Yesterday turned out to be such a mess that I relapsed by 3:PM! I didn't get to go running. The only exercise that I got was when I walked to the store for a pack of cigarettes!

    I am not sure what went wrong  but it made me wonder if I will ever succeed? How was it so easy the last time? I know that my life was not perfect in July but somehow I was determined and I did it... With joy. I really liked being a non smoker. I know that I will this time too but for some reason it is much harder. When I succeed I will not even take one hit no matter what!

    So today I will gear up. I will re listen to Allen Carrs Easy way to Quit smoking, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allen-Carrs-Easy-Stop-Smoking/dp/0140277633

I will remind myself that I have everything to gain and nothing to lose! Smoking does nothing for me. As I roll up my sleeves for the fight against nicotine, I will think about you on my side rooting for me! That will help me the most.

    So even though I relapsed, I am still going to call tomorrow day 3 because it will be the 3rd day on my journey to freedom.

    Freedom...Ahhh! I cant wait!

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi

   

   

Smoke Free for Me Day 1

    Take a deep breath (Wow I can!) let it out slow... Ok I've done this before, Why is it so hard this time?  Last time I quit smoking I spent 6 months of joy. It was wonderful. This time I have learned my lesson, I will not take even ONE HIT! You see that is why I am in this predicament again. We had a big family tragedy and I absentmindedly took a hit. By the time I realized what I had done, it was too late.

    This time I am taking you with me on my journey. I thank you in advance for your support and comments. If you or anybody that you know is still a smoker and wants to quit, I invite you to share this blog with them. This is what it is for, So that we can all breath easy!

    It is with Gods help that I put out my last cigarette last night. I am now about to go running. I'll tell you how that went tomorrow. I already feel better but I must use my no panic training to be successful. I simply can not worry. Period. About anything. At all!

    So here is to the smokers, and the quitters, and those who know struggler's, We can do it!!!

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi

   

7 Steps to Vibrant Health

 This is the kind of nut shell article that is designed to motivate. It motivated me as I was creating the list. Health is a choice. Even better bad health can be reversed immediately. These tips are in order of what I think is most important first. Of course if you are starting any health programs please consult a doctor that you trust first. As usual these statements are solely my informed opinion. I must also say that my big goal is to take my own advice. I do make every effort to follow the following 7 steps.

Shall we begin?

 

1- Think Positive.  For me that is faith. In God and myself. Henry Ford said one of my favorite quotes; "If you think you can or you think you can't, either way you are right." It is never a good idea to start a positive lifestyle by shooting yourself in the foot. Thoughts like "I hope I can", or "this probably won't work for me" are goal busters. Your biggest fan and your biggest enemy will always be you. If you need more help see my article on thought control http://dailydose.typepad.com/suzy-levis-daily-dose/2010/01/control-my-thoughts-or-controled-by-thoughts.html Think that you can, and YOU WILL!

2- Live With a Purpose.What is your big dream? You know that thing that you have always wanted to do. What is stopping you? Can you take a step towards it today? I think that people who live with purpose glow with health. Here is an example, me. My dream is to be a writer. When I sit down to this here blog I feel a great sense of living. Yes I feel alive. True I ultimately want to be a Grammy winning song writer, however writing this blog is me taking a huge step towards the big picture and I love it! The more you live, the healthier you will be!

3- Move it to lose it. Even if you don't have to lose any weight, exercise is so important for health. Exercise makes you feel good, it gives you energy, it makes your heart healthy and, it delivers oxygen to your brain. That last function is big. With an oxygenated brain you will be much more even and positive. Sweat also detoxifies the body. No need to join a fancy gym. Just get out and move. I love to take 5 lb dumbbells for a brisk stroll. 2 birds with one stone, cardio and strength training.

4- Eat Healthy. You know the deal so I wont stay here long. Produce, produce, produce! 1 T of Olive oil in the morning, whole grains and low saturated fat meats. Done!

5- Drink Lots of Tea. Tea is the number ont healthiest drink that you can consume. You should drink it once a day, all day long! It has too many benefits to list here so please read my article on it. http://dailydose.typepad.com/suzy-levis-daily-dose/2010/01/is-tea-a-wonder-herbcamella-sinensis.html .

6- Stay as Calm as Possible.The calmer you are the less cortisol your body produces. Cortisol is the fight or flight aide hormone. We all need it but not as much as we sometimes produce. I know this sounds trite but "Don't sweat the small stuff." The everyday stresses are the real damage culprits. Stretch, Meditate, light candles. Relax and let it go. Life is too short to waste stressed and worrying. Believe me I know this first hand.

7- Limit Junk.  It would be unrealistic for me to tell you to get rid of it all. I am sure that there is no junk in heaven, here however is another story. By junk I mean stuff and food. You are valuable to God. So valuable that he sent his Son to die for you. Junk is poison yet every day we stuff our lives with it. In our body's we put, MSG, Hydrogenated Oils, Saturated Fats, and copious amounts of sodium and sugar. Just limit it. You will thank yourself. Exterior junk is clutter. So many people have beautiful things buried in other stuff. Heave ho. Lose 100 pounds in one day. I promise you will feel healthier.

    And there you have it. My 7 step program. I hope it encouraged you to dig deeper. To help you start I will go back to number one. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

 

Is Tea a Wonder Herb?(Camella Sinensis)

     

 Question, What refreshes the mind, strengthens the memory, ensures longevity, helps reduce excess weight, helps relieve the common cold, and is the one of the most powerful antioxidants around? You guessed it, tea. 

    When I say tea I am not talking about herbal tea I mean the camella sinensis plant. In America we have 4 main ways to buy it. White, green, oolong, and black. All four are equally healthy for you. Tea has been scientifically proven to be a nutritional superstar.

    As I use this blog to plant seeds only I want to encourage you to study further and make your own informed decisions about your health inside and out. Most things I write about have helped me personally and I am excited to share. I recommend that you study further on these subjects so that you make your own informed healthy choices.

    I got alot of my information from a book that I suggest everybody read. "The Ultimate Tea Diet" by Mark Ukra. www.ultimateteadiet.com 

    Mr Ukra is a tea expert and I found his book riveting. This book focuses on weight loss as a whole but it is a wealth of good news about out comforting cup of tea. He points out that the benefit of tea is based on the synergy of 3 elements. Caffeine, L-theanine, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (say that 5 times real fast!) or EGCG. Apparently these 3 ingredients blended together are a powerhouse for T-cells. This explains why in Japan people smoke like chimneys and they remain cancer free. They drink 6 to 8 cups of green tea daily.

    Now I don't recommend smoking of course and I am not a doctor. This post is my opinion and I encourage you to conduct your own research. Please if you have a true medical problem seek a doctor that you trust.

    My own experience with tea has been very positive. I drink decaffeinated green tea at night and regular during the day. I don't snack anymore and I find it soothing. It has taken the edge off of all my unhealthy cravings. And the benefits just make me feel better about myself.

    That is why I asked for a tea pot for Christmas!

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi 

   

Control my thoughts, or Controlled by Thoughts?

    When I think about the fact that I am writing a blog about health and fitness, I find myself thinking about my mental health. Truly that is where all health begins. I am sure that I can eat salads and drink green tea until the cows come home, but unless I have control of my mind, it means nothing.

    I know that I don't choose to worry, and I don't deliberately invite anxiety...but... they pop by just the same. "Hello Suzy, This is the electric bill talking to you. I know that it is 2:00 AM but we have to talk. Did you pay me? We don't want a disconnection notice now do we? " These are the kinds of thoughts that can ruin my life if I let them. At 2:00 AM I am not so eager to control my thoughts and I find myself padding to the desk "just to check".

    It is the same for me with everything. Food, (You really want that cheesecake! Forget that South Beach crap! ) Exercise,(Lets see what is on tv, If it is nothing, then go work out.), smoking, (Oh my that cigarette smells good! Wouldn't you love just one?) and even my relationships. Especially with God. ( Where did He come from? Why would He answer your prayers? Who do you think you are??? )

    I don't know when it hit me that I can command my mind. I do know that the future looks brighter and brighter. As I choose positive thought my life gets more positive. No more living in the past and wondering where the good times went. The good times are yet to come and they have nothing to do with smoking or cheesecake.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/bingramos/126661740/

I find it profound  that my little mind can grasp this. Those things can not make me happy. They may bring me temporary joy but only my thinking, coupled with making good choices make me truly happy. This has nothing to do with religion. People of all faiths are depressed. People of all faiths are happy. The bottom line is the thought process.

    Of course my faith plays a big roll in my personal joy, but I have to let it. I could find myself jealous and comparing myself to the "Joneses" If I am not careful. I know that I don't deserve Gods love but He loves me anyways. Why should I waste my life thinking negative thoughts? No more lamentations. Even after I say one of my stupid jokes at the party. Oh well I can't take it back.

    I can move on to a great future with thought control. Then I'll start the diet and work out!

    Thanks for reading.

    Suzy Levi

Warm Up With The Winter Wonder of Cayenne (Capsicum Annuum)

 

   We have been warned that this was going to be a hard winter. At the rate things are going we will be skiing and sledding for quite a while. Me, I like a hard winter for a few reasons. I love winter sports and playing in the snow. Nothing is cozier than sitting by the fire with hot chocolate after skiing.

    I also like a long winter because it makes me really appreciate spring. I get real excited at the first Hyacinth.

    After that confession I also must state that I like to stay warm in winter also. I think that having cayenne in the pantry can be a tool of survival. (Please note that I am not a doctor and this article is a matter of my opinion. If you have a medical problem please seek treatment from a health care professional that you trust.)

    Anyone who has tasted cayenne knows that it warms quickly. What you might not know is that after the heat your body releases endorphins (the feel good receptors released by the pituitary gland) and you start to feel a warm glow. Surprisingly local cayenne application also relieves local pain. The reason is  once again endorphins. They charge to the area where the cayenne is. It is almost like capsicum feeds the little feel good receptors.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/2008/articles/Endorphins/Endorphins_files/image002.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/2008/articles/Endorphins/Endorphins.htm&usg=__tHsML1_0-T32_4XcOsi0d51Pz9U=&h=323&w=427&sz=52&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=W2Rz0ZUniIg0GM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dendorphins%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

    Cayenne may treat a variety of symptoms including asthma, toothaches, gas, and diarrhea. Paprika is a mild form of capsicum. It also has a high content of vitamin C.  Red peppers all pack a wallop of nutrition. Not only are they high in vitamin c but also vitamin A, potassium and niacin.

    I must warn that excessive amounts of cayenne could upset the intestines and kidneys. I do not recommend taking it as a supplement, however I add it to my chili and stews in winter and I believe that it keeps me warm in winter months.

    Some may have to build a tolerance to it little by little. That is fine. Less can be more in the case of hot peppers.

    So grab a cup of hot chocolate and a piping "hot" bowl of chili and I'll see you by the fire!

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi

Week 2 on The South Beach Diet

    Today is the beginning of week 2. I had a relapse on wednesday and ate  spinach turnovers. Yum. For about 2 hours I felt guilty. My thoughts screamed at me that I could not do anything right and I was doomed to get fat! Ouch, that hurt. When I came to my senses ("Thank you for sharing, now shush up".) I called Jen and vented.

    She set me straight immediately. She told me to have one cheat day. What? How can that work? She went on to explain that If I am way too regimented I will fall completely off the wagon. By allowing myself one day off I can fight the fight much longer.

    As I weighed the pros and cons of this thinking I saw how both sides could be right.

    My nature screamed that wrong is wrong and you can't make it right. One bad apple spoils the barrel, one flat tire stops the car. So of course one carb will make me fat!

    On the other hand rigid snaps easier. Even bridges have give in them so they don't crumble when the wind blows. Most important though is the fact that God himself took a day off. This is how we are designed. We need a break.

    So I decided to give myself one and guess what? I lost 5 pounds! My jeans are much more comfortable, I feel better, and I look forward to a spaghetti dinner next Wednesday. I can't say that this is the absolute right way, but it works for me!

    

    So on the other 6 days I must cut out the upper right part of the diagram above. It really does make more nutrient dense eating. No fluffy crap. Pure good for me food. I am keeping the meat and dairy low fat and almost no fruit. I do allow myself one grapefruit a day.

    Now about Wednesday, do you know of any real good Italian restaurants?

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi

The Line Between Pack Rat and Hoarding

    A&E has a show out that I feel is as encouraging as "The Biggest Loser". It's called Hoarders and it is on Monday at 10:00 Pm. I highly recommend that you catch a show or Tivo it.

    Like weight, clutter sneaks up on us and is also bad for our health. I don't think that this is a grey area, Too much stuff is bad. Determining how much is too much is where the grey lies.

    We all confess that we are "pack rats" about some stuff. Me? I hang on to CD"S and cassette tapes like they are gold. I have boxes full of them. I also hoarded canned goods. I think I have a can of sweet potatoes that is 5 years old somewhere.

    I could rationalize it that it is a can and not a box so It may come in handy one day when we are too tired to stand in the food line somewhere. In reality, that probably won't happen anytime soon.

    There is also my History Hoarding. The carnation in wax paper from homecoming 1983? Yep got that! Once again I could convince myself that If I get rid of it, it means that I did not go to Homecoming at all. Twisted huh?

    In the mid 1990's I read a book called Clutters Last Stand by Don Ashlett.  http://www.amazon.com/Clutters-Last-Stand-Time-Junk/dp/0898791375  It is a life changing book and hilarious! He calls Hoarding Junkitis. After that I decided that I was going to purge my piles of junk before I left it all to my family. As I de cluttered I started to feel lighter and freedom reared it's beautiful head. Less is more.

    If you have not yet, I urge you to catch an episode of Hoarders. It is motivating and encouraging. Do not attempt to eat while you watch though. You will see why. My hat is off to the brave people who let the cameras in to their house. I am sure that it was the hardest thing to do. They were brave enough to let the world see their junk. Me, I can't even let my in-laws over without cleaning first.

    I find myself praying for these family's. I know that hoarding is a disease like obesity. After I watch it,I am ready to go. Or  should I say let go!

    Hoarders has helped me turn my "junkitis" into "pitchitis".

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi

Week One on The South Beach Diet

    So I decided to join the resolution bandwagon. Why not? It's a new year. I like fresh starts, don't you? There is something about a clean slate that motivates me.

    I am on my 3rd day of carb-less-ness and I am visualizing big plates of baked zitti. That could blow this whole operation if I let my imagination be in control. I swiftly thank my thoughts for sharing, and ignore them. I focus my imagination on fitting into my pre-non smoking jeans. Ahhh much better.

    Yes I am a pasta freak and for the next 2 weeks I can have exactly none. As I grapple with this reality I realize that I must train my thoughts repeatedly or I am doomed to fail. I don't want to fail for many reasons but mainly, I don't want to blow my fresh start.

    It is a blessing that I don't have a sweet tooth because I had to watch my family eat my Husbands special french toast, while I had London Broil and veggies for breakfast. Thank God I love salad. Tonight I shall make a lettuce bun for my burger and consume copious amounts of green beans. They get to have bread. I will survive.

    Why? Because I am going to focus on what I can eat instead of what I can't. I am also going to focus on how good I feel instead of my deprivation. The arthritis in my knees is going away. I don't feel shaky or starving. The energy has not hit yet but I am anticipating it soon.

    And that is my plan. It is the same way that I quit smoking. I looked at the benefits not the cravings.

    I am 5'2" and my starting weight is 140. My target is 115. This blog will help me, and I appreciate you sharing this journey with me. I pray that it also encourages you to make whatever changes you need in your life.

    Lets take this opportunity of a new decade to make it the best ever.

    See you at the beach!

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi

   

Thanking God for Triumph and Trials

    For me 2009 was a good year. The decade? Not so much. Since I am trying to take my own advice, I must focus on the positive but I can't ignore the negative.

    I learned a lot about my self. One of my dads quotes will sum it up nicely. "When you laugh the world laughs with you, when you cry, you cry alone!" So I shall now make good out of it all, and laugh!

    I find it amazing that the decade started with us using up our water jugs and canned goods that we had "just in case". Better to be safe than sorry huh? Other choices we made were not so safe. One thing that I know is that it was God that kept us alive through it all.

    The most important lesson of the decade though was the house. We bought our dream house. It had everything. Fireplace, Hot tub, wall of windows, a deck and a front porch to die for. I won't even start on the kitchen.

    It was beautiful. It was a beautiful nightmare! It was everything that I ever wanted and I hated it. The 5 years that I lived there were among the worst of my life. If you ever saw the movie The Money Pit I can say that our experience was similar. We couldn't work on it because we were too busy paying for it ( And our 2 rental properties)

    We were starting to experience stress that our hot tub couldn't soak away. I think you get the picture. This house was starting to cost Paul and I our relationship. Pretty bad huh?

 

    Now here comes the blessing. Through it all I managed to thank God for every trial. Sometimes with some strong questioning. I realized that God did not choose that house for us. We did. We did not even ask him. We wanted beautiful house and we got it! The blessings started the day we moved out. We left with our relationship. Thank God.

    The house was over 100 years old and we talked to all of the previous owners or their relatives. It turns out that every couple that owned Big Beautiful House divorced when they lived there. That is not all, They all met financial disaster and alcoholism. Coincidence? You decide. I think not.

    As paul and I settled into our recovery zone we had alot of work to do on us. Slowly the stress faded away and we saw how God preserved what was really important. Our relationship with Him and our family.

    To the world we may have looked like failures. It was our fault. How easy it would have been to blame our troubles on God. How easy it was to blame each other. It took a while to stop that.

    As we recover we still have a hot tub and a fireplace, they are just at the club house. So we walk a little.

    Now we are starting to look for a house again. I will put my big ideas in pencil, and ask God where He wants us. I hope that I have learned enough from last decades trials  to choose the right house.

    In conclusion for my new decade resolution, I resolve to make big decisions way more prayerfully!

    That and to lose 20 pounds!

    Thanks for reading,

    Suzy Levi