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Seek Wellness

As I mentioned back in THIS POST, my word for 2020 is Seek.  And January seems like the perfect time to talk about how I plan on seeking wellness throughout 2020.  The gyms are busy, people are eating healthy and on that bandwagon….and I guess I’m not that different.  I haven’t joined a gym but that’s pretty much the only difference between me and all the other goal-setters.

And I have to admit, I didn’t start 2020 with any clear goals for wellness.  I just knew I had to take a long hard look at what I was doing to my body and how I was treating it.  Fast food too often, way too much candy, sugar in my coffee and on my cereal, treats and junk food so easily justified and if I drank any water in the run of a day, I was doing well.  And being 44, well, that kind of punishment takes it’s toll.

It’s hard to believe that I used to run up the mountain, do half marathons…stretch out on my yoga mat….and now I do none of that.  Until now.  Well, to be clear, I haven’t signed up for any marathons.  But I have committed to a few things.  Nothing drastic or earth shattering, but simple steps to get me back on track to be healthier.  Because I see that I need to set an example for my girls, I see that my body needs some changes, I see that there are better ways to do things. And, most importantly, because I see that I AM WORTH IT.  And guys, that’s the most important thing.  I am doing this for me!

So, what exactly am I doing? This may change over time, I’m taking it a week at a time, but for now I am committing to:

  • Drinking at least 1 litre of water a day – I know I am suppose to drink 3 based on my height, weight, all that stuff but I want to set my goals to be obtainable at this stage.  I’m trying to set myself up for success
  • No fast food – I need to plan ahead and have food with me for those times I’m tempted to quickly grab some drive thru.  Subway is an approved choice, though, for the days I have to grab something
  • 30 minutes of exercise a day – might be yoga, walking, snowshoeing or the in-home work outs I’ll talk about in a minute
  • No ‘added’ sugar – I’m addicted to sugar – hardcore – so this is the toughest one for me.  This translates to no sugar in my coffee or on my cereal, no candy, no sweets.  I’m not too worried about what’s in the yogurt or fruit etc. but this is a tight boundary I need to set for myself.
  • 10,000 steps and 13 hours straight with at least 250 steps – this was an add-on when my Fitbit arrived, I want to beat Mom 😉 Sunday’s are my day where I don’t need to reach these goals, it’s tougher with church and that’s more important to me

Accountability is where it is at.  I can plan and make all the goals but I need people to cheer me on, people I can cheer on and people to reach out to when I struggle.  I’m thankful to have a few special gals who made their own commitments and who are there for me, no matter what.

I’ve also joined up with the amazing Suzi Fevens – a fitness guru, fellow blogger and friend.  I joined her wellU program and signed myself up for the 12-week ‘wellU Winter 2020 At Home Workout Program’  If this is something you might be interested in, it kicks off tomorrow and you can go HERE to check it out.  I’m excited and nervous to have committed to this….

I’m not expecting perfection. I know some days will be tougher than others. I’m setting out to be better than I was yesterday. That’s all. You’ll see I didn’t give any goals like ‘I want to lose 40lbs’ honestly, I don’t even know how much I weigh now. I debated buying a scale but opted not to because I don’t want it to be about that number. I want to feel more comfortable in my own skin, I want clothes to fit just a little better, I want to have a clearer mind and fueling my body better will help with all these things.  Daily, intentional movement will help with these things.

I’m not planning on posting all the time about Seeking Wellness.  I’m by no means an expert or a fitness blogger, I’m just a gal trying to make better choices.  And since it is January after all, I thought I’d share with you this part of my journey.

Warmly,

Lori

PS Published without pictures because I’m having technical issues….hope to add some soon!

 

 

January 26, 2020 By
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2 In Blogging/ Life

2020 Here We Are

2020

Wow, I feel like I just sat down to write a post at the beginning of 2019 and here we are welcoming a new year and a new decade.

I like the sound of 2020.  It has a nice ring to it.  Don’t you think?

What will the year 2020 bring?  That’s the big question.  We just never know, year to year, what life is going to throw our way. Every year has it’s share of highs and lows.  2019 certainly did.  2018 did, too, and I’ll bet that 1837 did, too.  There’s just no way to know.

But, here’s the thing.  How are you going into the year?  What’s your attitude like? Do you have a positive outlook? Are you looking forward to what the year will bring?  Or dreading what all could go wrong?

Based on some things that happened in 2019, I could face this year with a very negative outlook and a poor-me attitude.  But, that’s not me, not how I was raised or how I want to approach the coming year.  I’m looking forward to 2020.

I think I’m almost settled on my word for 2020.  There were a few that I was debating between but I’m pretty sure that it’ll be made clear to me tonight, so stay tuned for that post.

I had set out in 2019 to reach 1000 blog posts for Farm Fresh, but it soon become apparent that wasn’t in the books for last year.  I had laid out my game plan but life happened and I had to let that goal go.  Am I aiming for that in 2020? No.  I’m going to write when I’m inspired to write and share only what feels right.  I have a few fun things planned and I’m looking forward to sharing those with you.

One of the first things I need to do in 2020 is get my camera fixed.  I feel quite lost without it.  It had been on the blink since May and now – nothing!!! And what’s a blog post with just words? Boring.  I dug into the archives to find some pictures for this post.  This one?  It’s my favourite.

I hope that you are richly blessed throughout 2020, that you find Joy and that you are surrounded by love.

Look at 2020 – here we come!!

Warmly,

Lori

January 1, 2020 By
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1 In Faith/ Life

Waiting

We have lost the ability to wait.  We suck at waiting.  Waiting is too hard so we don’t want to do it.  We want it now.

I’ve been thinking a lot about waiting lately.  We live in a society where we don’t wait for anything.  Our drive thru experiences tell us just how terrible we are at waiting.  Amazon’s delivery options tell us just how bad we are at waiting.  Try waiting at the doctor’s office or at outpatients…you can clearly see how we can no longer wait.

How long did the Israelites wait in the desert before being allowed into the promised land? 40 years, people, 40 years.  Could you wait 40 years to get what was promised to you? What you’ve waited your whole life for? 40. Years.

I’m learning to trust God’s timing.  I think life would be easier if He gave me my heart’s desires NOW.  But, He’s telling me to wait on Him.  And I’m trying really hard to be ok with that, to trust He’s got this figured out and He knows the plan.  Clearly I don’t know the plan, I can’t figure out why things aren’t happening the way I want them to.  Wouldn’t it be better if these things happened sooner rather than later?  Ohh, but would I learn to wait? To Trust? No, these are clearly lessons He has for me, lessons I need in my life.  Waiting.  Trusting.  Being obedient. So tough but so worthwhile.

 

As a society, we miss so much that life has to offer because we’re so focused on the next thing or the thing we want.  Life is happening around us but we can’t see it because we’re looking ahead.  Looking ahead to when this situation changes, to the weekend, to vacation, to when you get a promotion, to marriage, to babies, to wealth, to health, to a new car, to falling in love, to a prettier house, to the next paycheck, to the bigger boat, the better job, to being 5, 10, 20 pounds lighter, to the next iPhone, to whatever!!  And we miss the here and now.  We don’t appreciate what we have in this moment.

I’m by no means saying I’m a good ‘waiter’….just hang out in our home when we’re all trying to leave on time….I’m not patient, I’ll admit it.  I’m usually the first one ready and I have to wait for everyone else and I’m not good at it.  I want what I want, what I think I need or what I think might be the answer to whatever problem and I want it now.  I’m no different from you.

I need to take a step back, take a deep breath and wait.  I can’t figure it out on my own, I can’t make things happen, I need to wait for God’s plan, God’s timing.  I’m seeing that now.  It took far too long for me to get here.  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

It isn’t just waiting for things to fall into place that requires my waiting, sometimes I need to wait before I respond.  I’m quick to respond with a sharp tongue or in anger.  And I need to just wait, think a moment.  And then maybe respond, or check my response and reel it back so it is more gentle and less hurtful.

Waiting really is an important life skill.  And I am more aware of ‘waiting’ now then ever.  And so, I’ll wait…

Colourfully yours,

Lori

PS These pictures were taken on the side of the highway in Wentworth today, drip drip drop….

March 20, 2019 By
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In Adventures/ Country Life/ Life/ Our Family

When the Sun Shines

The time has changed here in Nova Scotia, and I’ll be the first to admit that it kicked my butt.  I was exhausted.  I hated waking up in the dark again.  But I certainly did enjoy the lighter evenings.  So when a sunny Saturday arrived, I just wanted to go for a drive.

I’m not sure what it is about the early Spring weather that makes me want to hit the highway.  I would love to stay home all winter long.  If the weather was the lest bit bad, I just wanted to be under a blanket.  But, the sun has changed it’s glow and it’s time to explore again!

Saturday evening, it was time for a drive.  We didn’t venture far.  Just to Caribou Island.  The sky was blue, there is still ice in the strait and thankfully they paved the road at some point or it would be a mud bath for the car.  Not that that has ever stopped me from going on a drive!

The lighthouse at the end of the island looked so stark against the blue sky.  It was so perfectly Nova Scotian.  I think I may want to hit as many Nova Scotian lighthouses as I can this summer.  They are just so interesting, historic and scenic.  All things we love to explore.

We stopped at Waterside beach but the seaweed had taken over the beach and we just had a quick peek at the shore and turned around….besides, we didn’t want to disturb the couple that has found a sunny, quiet spot to enjoy their evening, either.  Beaches in March tend to be a lot more private and it felt wrong to evade.  Besides, the girls wanted to run on the boardwalk. And I wanted them worn out for bedtime.

When we left Waterside, we headed down the Sunrise Trail.  The light had changed and the sky glowed with an eerie yellow light and the rain started to hit the windshield.  Lena spotted a huge, vibrant double rainbow so I pulled over and turned to capture it, to no avail.  It’s just always better in person.  And it was way too big for one camera frame.  But you get the idea.

Since it was the day before St. Patrick’s Day, finding a rainbow to dance under, to think on the promises God gives us and to just appreciate all that we have seemed perfect.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday evening.

Colourfully yours,

Lori

 

March 19, 2019 By
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4 In Blogging/ Life

Knowing My Why

‘Knowing My Why’ makes a better title than ‘I Have No Idea What My Why Is’, right? Ugh.  

Know your why is such a catch phrase these days.  Know Your Why – build your audience.  Know Your Why – make more money.  Know Your Why – blah blah blah.  Farm Fresh Style – why??? Insert me doing a shoulder shrug with both hands thrown up!

I’ve had this conversation with a friend as we went back and forth, trying to figure out what direction she should go.  Knowing your why came up.  And we had a real conversation and I concluded I no longer know my why. Why do I continue to write posts here?  Why am I setting goals for 2019 for Farm Fresh?  Why am I striving to grow my following?  What do I have to gain from it all?

I can’t even say I lost sight of my why over the years.  It’s that it all has changed since the beginning.  I started this blog way back in 2012 because I felt a shift in my former place of employment.  I pretty much knew I was getting out, even though it would be close to 2 years before it actually happened.  I started a blog to create a platform for people to find me in the future.  And it worked.  But now? Well, I just don’t know anymore.  Sure, I get some design work through here, but it’s all done through Costandi’s now.  Technically, I don’t have to do this now.

But I can’t stop.  How could I just leave this blog behind?  I have made so many friendship, shared so many stories and worked so hard on building this from the ground up.  I can’t walk away from that.  Is that my why?

I hated english class in school.  I didn’t love writing.  But now? Well, I love it.  When I’m on a roll, I can crank it out.  My brain speeds along faster than my fingers can keep up.  I can’t imagine life without writing now.  Whether I’m telling you about a recent adventure or painting a picture for you, I’m loving the written word as an adult, far more than I ever did as a kid. I find myself scripting posts as I cruise along the back roads. Words have magic.  The order in which you arrange them releases their power.  Is my love of writing my why?

Blogging has provided me with opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise.  Experiences, relationships, income and product.  Those things matter, too.  I know there are others out there who, after blogging for this long without making ‘millions’ would’ve given up.  But I never set out for THIS to be the source of income, just as a landing spot for clients to find me.  But all that other stuff is sure a great bonus to it.  But is that my why?

I don’t journal.  I haven’t done up a scrapbook page in years and years now.  But As I scroll back through the posts, I have seen my children grow up in front of me.  It’s documented.  I’ve catalogued it.  Saved it for down the road.  I love taking a walk down memory lane, pictures paired with my version of the story.  Is that my why?

I still have no idea.  But I will continue.  I can’t see any reason to stop.  Nor do I have any desire to.

So here I stay.

Colourfully yours,

Lori

 

February 21, 2019 By
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