EXPERIENCE

Meditation is mindfulness ... and mindfulness keeps us in the moment... and being in the moment is living in the present.  Awareness is to keep your self company.  It is important to learn how to quiet our minds, and there is no one right way to do it. Meditation is a vital way to regain balance and peace, feel happiness, and reconnect to your inner strength. 

There are several ways that I like to meditate.  One of my favorites is by going out for a walk.  My body and my breath take on a comforting rhythm as I stride through the neighborhood.  I focus on the trees, the flowers, the sky; and I release my mind of stressful thoughts from my day.  I get some of my best ideas when I walk -- they just seem to come to me.  If you are searching for a way to meditate, I highly recommend walking! 

Another favorite, if you wish to sit still, this meditation could be for you.  Find a private place to sit - a comfortable spot.  Light a candle. Look at the flickering flame and breathe deeply,  release your thoughts with every exhale, and "just be."  Let the light shine within.  What a bright idea!

OBSERVATION

The Russian saying, "hunger is the best sauce," hits the spot... hunger inspires the flavor of every morsel lucky enough to be a first bite.  It is as if the anticipation of food and the need for it readies the palate to be sensitive to the nuances of the flavor that otherwise pale in comparison. 

ADVICE

Do not take life's experiences too seriously. Above all, do not let them hurt you, for in reality they are nothing but dream experiences.... If circumstances are bad and you have to bear them, do not make them a part of yourself.... Play your part in life, but never forget that it is only a role. ~Paramahansa Yogananda

TILT (This I Learned Today)

Every culture has its culinary delights.  Here are some ethnic answers to battling the bulge while you indulge.

è Red wine is a "gift" from the French.

è In Argentina, cattle is grass fed - which is natural to the cow - thus the beef is leaner versus that from grain fed American cattle.  You can go grass-fed ... buy it at www.grasslandbeef.com.

è Fast-food choices in Australia tend to be healthier than those in America.  Salad with the hamburger, or fruit and raisin toast instead of coffee and doughnuts.

è Germans consume more water on average than any other beverage, and they get creative with it, adding a splash of fruit juice for flavor.

è Lemon and oregano with olive oil and garlic is a favorite dressing or marinade in Greece - forget the ranch.

è India offers Lassi smoothies with fruit, spice and yogurt, not the added sugar.  And lentils, a near-perfect protein, are a staple.

è Shop daily as our neighbors in Latin America to prompt filling up on more fresh fruits and vegetables.

è Consume low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods like soy, seafood, sweet potatoes and shiitake mushrooms... a longevity secret from Japan.

è Try Thai chicken satay or Yam nua - lots of lean meat and other good stuff (just avoid the coconut milk and deep-fried noodles).

è An inspiration from China - green tea, full of antioxidants.

è And, our friends from Italy provide us with olive oil for good fats.

AND A COUPLE OTHER THINGS ... or ten

A former vocation as a personal trainer has blessed me with an awareness for fitness.  Often I am asked for tips on how to get and stay trim.  Here are a few of my favorite recommendations - after, of course, seeking any needed medical advice.

1.  calories in = calories out to maintain...

2.  move it to lose it - a short walk after eating boosts energy and metabolism; no time, you say - three 10-minute walks a day have the same benefit as a 30 minute walk... just do it

3.  build some muscle - lean mass will burn more calories per pound of flesh

4.  do it for you - for your self-satisfaction, then you will be likely to stick with it

5.  don't deprive yourself, pace yourself instead - have a scoop of ice cream, not a pint or treat yourself to a fig bar, not a row

6.  make small changes that add up - cut current sugar consumption in half, sip sparkle soda instead of colas

7.  drink lots of water - sometimes quenching your thirst will relieve the illusion of hunger

8.  weigh your success by how you feel and how your clothes fit - not the numbers on a scale or tape measure

9.  be gentle with your self

10. take your vitamins

So, all this talk about fitness and diet are ways to be mindful of the body; and treating your palate to delicious, healthful foods will lift the spirit and engage the senses... huh, it beats looking at this as a regimen for diet and exercise.  Enjoy every bite of life.