Wednesday, August 27, 2014

FAVORITE COLORS

Since I was a child, I would call green and red two of my favorite colors, not together though, unless we're celebrating Christmas.

Looking back on my childhood, I recall a green,white and black plaid blouse that I wore until it could be worn no more.  I have tried not to like green so much, and yet I choose it more than not.  The walls in my living/dining room and back entry are all the same beautiful green/grey.  The colors in my bedroom are green and pink; upstairs bath are green and other pastels; and craft and sewing room are .....green. Yet in my wardrobe, I have very little green.

The other color is red, or "rad" which is the way I pronounced it as a child.  Like all colors there are many shades and hues, so although I don't have any true red in the color schemes of my home decorating, I have shades of it.  The accent color in the living/dining room is a deep wine color. The free-hand designs I painted on the walls in the computer room are dark red.  But in my wardrobe, there is very little red or wine color.

By the way, my kitchen is yellow with blue accent and first floor bath is a dark tangerine, almost red.  As I look closely at all these colors, I can see that on the first floor, the main living area of the house, the colors are bright with deep shades and hues; whereas the colors on the second floor - bedroom, bath and crafting area are pastels.

When I am planning a tea party, the colors of the linens, cups, teapots, and even the food usually are chosen by a season or theme.  It is then that I am thankful that I am not color blind. I also enjoy pairing up some things that may not traditionally go together. I love the colors of fall - gold, bronze, orange and yellow of leaves, and reds found in apples - that's the season we are coming into here in Northern Michigan.


Even our long winters, have colorful choices - shades of whites, silver, pink.



and then spring brings the newness of green leaves and grass, 




followed by the blossoms of early summer and blue sky and waters. 

 

 Photo used by permission - Elizabeth Shevokas




Recently, I've been learning about some new colors.  They are the colors of cancer-fighting foods.  As part of my journey to wellness, the colors that I love are the colors that I also eat.  The greens are brussel sprouts, and broccoli, with red as peppers, and apples, and the pink of shrimp.  The bright yellows are also peppers, and pineapple too.

There was a saying once, that was something like this: Do you have to wear what you eat?  (do you spill your meal on your clothes every time you eat?)

For the first time, I can feel good about wearing and eating my favorite colors.  Are you eating your colors?

Enjoy the beauty around you, look for the colors.


Sunday, August 24, 2014

STRENGTH AND STRIVE

STRENGTH AND STRIVE is the class I participated in at Motions Fitness, after being a member for three weeks.  I did a post on this earlier called, HELLO TO ME CLASS PARTICIPATION.

At that time I had decided not to go back to the class.....at that point. My goal was to get stronger.  And now I have.....gotten stronger. Several times during the weeks that followed, I stood behind the class, watching and thinking that I could accomplish it.  After nearly eight weeks of working out with my trainer for two times a week, I realized as I watched the sets of exercises, that I had done most of them individually.

So on Monday, August 18, I made another attempt to participate in a class, which is included in my membership.  I had said farewell to my fears for the most part, and had met many of the ladies that were in the class, so there really was nothing holding me back.  I found Donna and told her I was "doing it" so she found me a spot right behind her.  The first time in the class I was so dependent on following her, but I found that it wasn't as necessary, though I was glad to have her right in front of me.


Once I couldn't lay on my back on a hard surface, and now I can do that.
Once I couldn't imagine doing even a modified push up, now I can do that.
Once I could barely keep moving to the next set, now I can do that with more energy.
Once I did not believe I was capable, now I know that I am.

I have gained STRENGTH as I have been STRIVING.  I will continue to get stronger.  I will continue to strive.  You never quite reach a point when you can say, "I've made it" and then quit.  You've got to keep staying strong, keep striving to be healthy and fit.  I've realized that.

I've set some new goals, which will include one or two times per week in one or two class(es), and one time a week with my personal trainer.  Funny, I never thought I'd be doing more than just once a week with a trainer!

I'm not addicted.  I'm not hooked.  I just feel better, healthier, happier, and more energized than ever before. You can do this
.  I found hope - you can too.