Great Black Pants!

Yesterday I was walking the mall checking out the fall styles.  I went in to White House Black Market just browsing, but I am always on the lookout for the perfect black pant.  Came across some black pants that had an amazing texture, some stretch and look dressy.  They are called Perfect Form Ankle Pants and they come in several colors.  Tried them on (in Short because I am 5'4" with short legs and a long torso) and the fit was great.  And so comfortable.  They look somewhat dressy, so I could dress them up for a meeting or down for casual.  There are also some other Perfect Form styles of pants.  Go check them out!

The Joys and Benefits of Napping

I discovered napping back in the 1980's when I was diagnosed with CFS.  I knew that it was up to me to make the best of the situation and do everything I could for my immune system.  So even when I was working, I either shut my door and put my head down or I would come in the door in the afternoon and head straight for the bed.  My daughter knew that I needed about an hour to recharge and then I was ready to exercise, fix dinner and get through the evening.

Studies have shown that a power nap of even 10-20 minutes can do so much for your brain and energy levels.  It calms down your whole body, mind and spirit.  All good.  It is best to not make it longer than about 30 minutes or you may end up feeling groggy.  I still continue this practice today.  I miss it when I don't get my nap and my husband can tell when I haven't had my nap.  Lots more tired and grumpy.  If you are feeling stressed and tired, why not try a power nap to see if it will help?  It surely can't hurt!!

How to Get Rich?

Do you Overeat or Over-Anything?

Whenever I think about dieting, I get all excited about trying something new and not extreme.  I hate "dieting" and I prefer just to eat healthy food without having to over-think it (calories, carbs, how often, how much, etc.)  That is why I love this scripture verse by Saint Paul so much - it is so sensible and true.


"Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything."  1 Cor. 6:12

Are you mastered by sugar, chocolate, over-exercising, over-working, over-anything?  I try to remember this verse when I think I "have" to have what I crave, or what I "have" to do.  The fact is not everything is good for me.  And I don't want this craving to master me. Try meditating on this verse when you feel you have to go to the kitchen and get that late-night snack....or have to check your e:mail or be on the computer.

Being Still

Has anyone ever told you that you should practice meditation or spend time just being still?  I have read books on meditation and tried several different kinds:  centering prayer, focusing on a mantra, focusing on breath, or just sitting.  The health benefits of meditation are enormous, I know this.  That is why I keep trying.  What has worked best for me is focusing on a sacred word or phrase (whatever is meaningful) or just my breath going in and out.  Now I try and do this for about 10 minutes before I get out of bed in the morning and sometime during the day.  I don't expect long periods of nothingness and I don't expect to stop having thoughts.  Having thoughts is natural.  When you realize you have strayed off, just go back to your word, phrase mantra or breath.  It really does calm your whole body down, especially if you are having stressful times in your life. 

Why not try 5-10 minutes od slow breathing today?  I love this image: