The mind is everything.
What you think
you become.
Buddha
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Nirvana and Enlightenment #146
To take no action
sounds like a very Zen statement.
But, to take no action, life ceases to exist.
Life gone.
Nirvana is gone.
Nirvana is a living experience.
Do dead people contemplate Nirvana?
sounds like a very Zen statement.
But, to take no action, life ceases to exist.
Life gone.
Nirvana is gone.
Nirvana is a living experience.
Do dead people contemplate Nirvana?
Self Meditation 31
Study the letting go process of dying, in little ways, via the frequent opportunities you have to let go.
Meditative prayer approaches God with humility and devotion, contemplates His divine qualities, and invites His presence into the heart of the meditator.
It is not "ordinary" prayer which includes complaints and requests.
Meditative prayer approaches God with humility and devotion, contemplates His divine qualities, and invites His presence into the heart of the meditator.
It is not "ordinary" prayer which includes complaints and requests.
The Well-Directed Mind
Whatever a mother, father or someone else might do for you,
the well-directed mind
can do for you
even better.
Buddha
the well-directed mind
can do for you
even better.
Buddha
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A "High Energy" Eating Plan
As strange as this may sound at first, certain foods require more energy to process and digest than others do. And eating them regularly can help you lose fat and stay energized throughout the day.
Many foods fit the bill as "high-energy" foods, such as celery, carrots, and apples - just to name a few. Simply eating a small portion of these types of foods right before your meal, will give you all 4 of the benefits listed above, making it easier to stick with your nutrition plan. Sounds pretty simple, huh? It is.
BREAKFAST:
Eat a 1/2 of an apple 15 minutes prior to your first meal. Then eat a healthy breakfast that contains, a natural starchy carb, like oatmeal. And finally, include a protein source, such as a small protein shake. You'll find that you'll eat less, and your cravings for sugar will dramatically diminish. The pectin in the apple peel will help your blood sugar stabilize and you'll be less hungry throughout the day and have more energy.
LUNCH:
Eat a raw carrot (or several baby carrots) immediately before lunch. Then, eat a healthy lunch: a small portion of a natural starchy carb, such as black beans or brown rice, some veggies, such as a salad, and a lean protein, such as chicken, tofu, or fish.
DINNER:
Eat 1-2 raw celery sticks (or similar veggie) prior to dinner. Then, eat a healthy dinner of a lean protein source with lots of veggies. Chicken salad, shrimp fajitas, or lean steak kabobs all work well.
Following these three easy steps can cause radical changes in your body's ability to cleanse itself, burn more fat, stay energized, and prevent you from overeating at each meal.
Many foods fit the bill as "high-energy" foods, such as celery, carrots, and apples - just to name a few. Simply eating a small portion of these types of foods right before your meal, will give you all 4 of the benefits listed above, making it easier to stick with your nutrition plan. Sounds pretty simple, huh? It is.
BREAKFAST:
Eat a 1/2 of an apple 15 minutes prior to your first meal. Then eat a healthy breakfast that contains, a natural starchy carb, like oatmeal. And finally, include a protein source, such as a small protein shake. You'll find that you'll eat less, and your cravings for sugar will dramatically diminish. The pectin in the apple peel will help your blood sugar stabilize and you'll be less hungry throughout the day and have more energy.
LUNCH:
Eat a raw carrot (or several baby carrots) immediately before lunch. Then, eat a healthy lunch: a small portion of a natural starchy carb, such as black beans or brown rice, some veggies, such as a salad, and a lean protein, such as chicken, tofu, or fish.
DINNER:
Eat 1-2 raw celery sticks (or similar veggie) prior to dinner. Then, eat a healthy dinner of a lean protein source with lots of veggies. Chicken salad, shrimp fajitas, or lean steak kabobs all work well.
Following these three easy steps can cause radical changes in your body's ability to cleanse itself, burn more fat, stay energized, and prevent you from overeating at each meal.
More On Core
It Starts With the Core
The core is the center of the body, where all movement begins. When you lift a heavy grocery bag, reach for a suitcase, pick up one of your children, move a bookcase or throw a ball, the core muscles should activate even before your limbs are in motion. Healthy core muscles will provide your body with the structural integrity and support to your spine for everything from walking and running to lifting to standing to sitting.
Let's review five of the more effective core exercises:
Traditional Ab Curl
Lie on your back with your hands behind the low back. Don't flatten the back to the floor. Keep one knee bent and the other knee straight. Tighten the abs and slowly crunch up from the sternum (that T-shaped bone in the center of your lower chest, also known as the breast bone), bringing your shoulder blades off the ground. Don't forget to breath in and out. 12-15 repetitions, 1 set.
On-Your-Back Bent-Leg Knee Raise
Lie on your back with your head and neck relaxed and your hands above your head, holding onto the sides of a bench or a piece of heavy furniture. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Use your lower abdominal muscles to raise your knees up toward your rib cage and face, the heels toward the butt, and toes to the shin. Then slowly lower your feet back to the starting position. As your feet lightly touch the floor, repeat. 12 reps, 1 set.
Plank
Start to get in a push-up position, but bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms instead of your hands. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Pull your abdominals in; imagine you're trying to move your belly button back to your spine. Continue to brace the abdominals and put the low back in the neutral position. Hold this position for an increasing length of time up to a maximum of one minute, breathing steadily. As you build endurance, try to do at least a 60-second set. 2-3 sets, 1 minute per set.
Stability Ball Push-Ups
These are your basic push-ups, but you're doing them with your feet on a stability ball. Keep your body straight - don't let your hips sag or stick your butt up in the air - to max out on the exercise's core-strengthening benefits. Do as many as you can with strict form. 1 set to failure.
Side Bridge
Lie on your non dominant side with your forearm on the floor under your shoulder. Support your weight with that forearm and the outside edge of the same side foot (your legs should be stacked one on top of the other). Your body should form a straight line from head to ankles. Contract your abs and glutes in as far as you can, and push your hips off the floor. Create a straight line from ankle to shoulder and keep your head in line with your spine. Hold this position for an increasing length of time up to a maximum of one minute, breathing steadily. Relax and lower under control. Repeat on your other side. 2-3 sets, 1 minute per set.
Don't be afraid of core training, even if you're a beginner. Actually, if you're just starting an exercise regimen, core training is the place to start, because it will make everything easier. Your fitness professional can answer any questions you may have regarding the value of core exercises and how to properly perform these and other core exercises.
Dr. Crew's Mind-Body Fitness Studio is a private one on one training studio located in Port Jefferson Station, NY. For appointments call Dr. Crew at 631/880-2531. Dr. Crew is a Licensed Master Fitness Trainer through ISSA.
The core is the center of the body, where all movement begins. When you lift a heavy grocery bag, reach for a suitcase, pick up one of your children, move a bookcase or throw a ball, the core muscles should activate even before your limbs are in motion. Healthy core muscles will provide your body with the structural integrity and support to your spine for everything from walking and running to lifting to standing to sitting.
Let's review five of the more effective core exercises:
Traditional Ab Curl
Lie on your back with your hands behind the low back. Don't flatten the back to the floor. Keep one knee bent and the other knee straight. Tighten the abs and slowly crunch up from the sternum (that T-shaped bone in the center of your lower chest, also known as the breast bone), bringing your shoulder blades off the ground. Don't forget to breath in and out. 12-15 repetitions, 1 set.
On-Your-Back Bent-Leg Knee Raise
Lie on your back with your head and neck relaxed and your hands above your head, holding onto the sides of a bench or a piece of heavy furniture. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Use your lower abdominal muscles to raise your knees up toward your rib cage and face, the heels toward the butt, and toes to the shin. Then slowly lower your feet back to the starting position. As your feet lightly touch the floor, repeat. 12 reps, 1 set.
Plank
Start to get in a push-up position, but bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms instead of your hands. Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Pull your abdominals in; imagine you're trying to move your belly button back to your spine. Continue to brace the abdominals and put the low back in the neutral position. Hold this position for an increasing length of time up to a maximum of one minute, breathing steadily. As you build endurance, try to do at least a 60-second set. 2-3 sets, 1 minute per set.
Stability Ball Push-Ups
These are your basic push-ups, but you're doing them with your feet on a stability ball. Keep your body straight - don't let your hips sag or stick your butt up in the air - to max out on the exercise's core-strengthening benefits. Do as many as you can with strict form. 1 set to failure.
Side Bridge
Lie on your non dominant side with your forearm on the floor under your shoulder. Support your weight with that forearm and the outside edge of the same side foot (your legs should be stacked one on top of the other). Your body should form a straight line from head to ankles. Contract your abs and glutes in as far as you can, and push your hips off the floor. Create a straight line from ankle to shoulder and keep your head in line with your spine. Hold this position for an increasing length of time up to a maximum of one minute, breathing steadily. Relax and lower under control. Repeat on your other side. 2-3 sets, 1 minute per set.
Don't be afraid of core training, even if you're a beginner. Actually, if you're just starting an exercise regimen, core training is the place to start, because it will make everything easier. Your fitness professional can answer any questions you may have regarding the value of core exercises and how to properly perform these and other core exercises.
Dr. Crew's Mind-Body Fitness Studio is a private one on one training studio located in Port Jefferson Station, NY. For appointments call Dr. Crew at 631/880-2531. Dr. Crew is a Licensed Master Fitness Trainer through ISSA.
Merry Christmas, Darling
MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING
The Carpenters
Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas,darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm "Christmas-ing" with you
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
This will be the first Christmas without my Father who died on January 13, 2009.
My Dad loved The Carpenters.
Merry Christmas in heaven, Daddy.
I miss you and love you so much.
The Carpenters
Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas,darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm "Christmas-ing" with you
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
This will be the first Christmas without my Father who died on January 13, 2009.
My Dad loved The Carpenters.
Merry Christmas in heaven, Daddy.
I miss you and love you so much.
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