Do It TODAY!

by Cindy Gering

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today,” said Thomas Jefferson on the subject of procrastination.  I remind myself of this quote often when it comes to getting motivated to exercise.  It’s something that I’m sure many struggle with, as I have heard numerous jokes about one’s diet or exercise regimen starting “tomorrow."  And, of course, tomorrow never comes.   

When it’s cold and dreary outside, we need an extra nudge to keep us motivated to exercise.  But now that the sun has been shining down on us and has ushered in an early spring, we need to rid ourselves of every excuse, and get moving!  We have been given a gift of some additional beautiful days, which are perfect for a bike ride, walking or gardening.  (I am also including a delicious and healthy recipe below, to help use up the abundance of a yummy vegetable garden.)

In contrast, maybe you take the view of Aaron Burr, “Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow,” when it comes to fitness. While humorous, it’s very easy to take this approach.  I have found that there is and will always be something else that “needs” to be done and will compete for my time and energy.  If exercise is not a priority then I fall prey far too easily to this mindset.   

For me, it comes down to self-discipline and balance.  Balance must be sought after in so many areas of a busy woman’s life, but I encourage you to include some attention to your health and well-being.  It truly is energizing to exercise.  It seems that I get more accomplished when I make time for my work-out than when it gets scratched off the “to-do” list.  I find myself more motivated to get other chores accomplished and also find my mind more clear as well.  These are just a few of the immediate benefits for having a regular maintenance program to stay (or get) in shape.  If you haven’t already begun this spring, give yourself the boost and attention that you need and by all means don’t put it off till tomorrow, because today is all we have.  Determination today leads to success tomorrow!  

 Savory Stuffed Zucchini

2 medium zucchini; halved lengthwise (scoop out seeds & discard then place zucchini on baking sheet)

In skillet:

2 T. butter

½ c. diced red onion

½ c. red pepper, diced

1 yellow squash, seeded & chopped

Saute until veggies begin to get tender.   Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and sauté one more minute.  

Add 1 large or 2 small Roma tomatoes, diced, then turn off heat and add:

¼ c. Italian bread crumbs

¼ c. fresh grated Parmesan

2 T. bacon bits (turkey bacon works well)

½ t. dried oregano

Salt & pepper, to taste

Mix together and stuff into zucchini shells.  Bake for 45 minutes @ 375 or until tender.  Enjoy!!

Learn how to Prevent the Preventable!

by Cindy Gering

With spring right around the corner and somewhat already here, how are you preparing to get or stay fit and healthy?  The seasons bring with them different approaches and opportunities regarding fitness and health.  Perhaps you will soon begin to plant a garden in order to have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand.  The nice weather may cause you to dust off the bicycle and go biking or jogging in the afternoons.  One of the ways we can stay “fresh” and motivated in these areas is to learn about new approaches, philosophies and even new recipes to keep things interesting. 

Every day, we make choices that pertain to our health and fitness, among other things.  There are things at the grocery store that I will never buy now, but would purchase occasionally in my more naive years.   I have learned to make some foods from scratch in order to avoid preservatives and fillers used in many “shelf” and processed foods. A good rule of thumb is to shop the perimeter of the store first, then work through the inside isles. Most of your shopping cart should be filled with the “outside” items such as dairy, meat and produce.    

My tendency is to cook wonderful, comfort foods that I learned to love at my mother’s knee. I certainly don’t throw those recipes out, but I do look at how I can revise them a bit to make them friendlier because they are healthier and lighter! Need an example? A great one is to substitute applesauce for oil when baking! If you don’t want to go all the way, do half and half. Using whole wheat flour is another great substitute that lets you stay away from refined, processed flour. 

It’s also important to become more knowledgeable about your family history and diseases that are prominent in our society.  Diabetes and heart disease are dramatically on the increase.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that by 2050, one out of three adults will have diabetes if current trends continue.  We are also seeing a rise in children with this disease.  Our bodies gradually change with every birthday and so we must learn how to prevent the things that are preventable.  (CDC also states that “Type 2 diabetes [which accounts for 90-95% of cases] can be prevented through healthy food choices, physical activity, and weight loss.”)  When we educate ourselves about these things,we are accepting a more responsible and aggressive role in our personal health.

I believe we should always have a teachable spirit and be in the mode of learning how we can better ourselves, ultimately so that we can fulfill God’s plan for our lives, one day at a time, and bring honor and credit to Him. So, open a book, or even go online and educate yourself on some healthy alternatives in food and exercise. The more knowledge we have of these things, the more likely we are to prevent the preventable!  No matter how many birthdays we have, let’s never get too old to learn!