Getting rid of what's unneeded to welcome what's needed

It is the first week of the Detox Diet- no potential allergens, allows the liver to cleanse itself and work more effectively. I have lost 5 pounds this week.

Week 2 gets more challenging, starting today. I am not a great fan of powdered, reconstituted drinks, so I have modified the diet to combine my breakfast and lunch fruit snacks, opting instead for a fruit smoothie-- no dairy on this diet, so I mix it with almond milk or herbal tea... any way I blend it with my favorite variety of frozen fruits.

Here is the week's plan:

SUNDAY: Superwoman Workout- circuit and fast track with high stepping. Well Being Thought of the Day.

• Breakfast: 2 scoops rice powder blended smoothie with frozen fruit, carob, almond milk.
  
• Lunch: 2 scoop smoothie and steamed broccoli with flaxseed oil.
  
• Snack: 2 scoop smoothie.
• Dinner: Steamed Rice and baby peas with flaxseed oil.
  

MONDAY: Run. Meditation: Find Peace of Mind.

• Breakfast: 2 scoop smoothie.
• Lunch 2 scoop smoothie. Spinach Salad with raw green beans and carrots.
  
• Snack: 2 scoop smoothie.
• Dinner: Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots with olive oil and garlic vinegar.
  

TUESDAY: Tale of the Tape Tuesday. Meditation: Embracing Change Joyfully.

• Breakfast: 2 scoop smoothie.
  
• Lunch: 2 scoop smothie. Herb salad with carrot.
  
• Snack: Melon and berries.
  
• Dinner: Baked acorn squash
  

WEDNESAY: Terrific Training workout and check in with my trainer. Well Being Thought of the Day

• Breakfast: 2 scoop smoothie.
  
• Lunch: 2 scoop smothie. Steamed Broccoli and Green Beans.
  
• Snack: Melon and berries.
  
• Dinner: Steamed Rice and Spinach.
  

THURSDAY: Light Cardio or Yoga. Meditation: How to Meditate.

• Breakfast: 2 scoop smoothie.
  
• Lunch: 2 scoop smoothie and steamed broccoli with flaxseed oil.
  
• Snack: 2 scoop smoothie.
• Dinner: Steamed Rice and baby peas with flaxseed oil.
  

FRIDAY: Light Cardio or Yoga. Inspiration Intention: Still the Mind, Stoke the Fitness Motivation.

• Breakfast: 2 scoop smoothie.
• Lunch 2 scoop smoothie. Spinach Salad with raw green beans and carrots.
  
• Snack: 2 scoop smoothie.
• Dinner: Steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots with olive oil and garlic vinegar.
  

SATURDAY: Light Cardio or Yoga Well Being Thought of the Day

• Breakfast: 2 scoop smoothie.
  
• Lunch: 2 scoop smothie. Herb salad with carrot.
  
• Snack: Melon and berries.
  
• Dinner: Baked acorn squash
  

Wisdom in stillness

"Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.

The Buddha meditated for six years, Bodhidharma for nine. The practice of meditation is not a method for the attainment of realization—it is enlightenment itself."

-Zen Master Dogen, "The Practice of Meditation"

From "Teachings of the Buddha," edited by Jack Kornfield, 1993. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

To really appreciate this quotation, one needs to find a stillness in mind to be able to actually hear and become clear on the connectedness and unity to all things. It is well worth the effort of meditation however to find such a stillness, and in stillness from our lives that appear too busy, comes some sort of relief and vision for a better life.

YellowCreek Day Spa-- The Gift of Tranquil Luxury!

March is our month of celebration. March 9 being my birthday, March 12 our anniversary and March 15 being my husband's birthday. This year Kevin found a real delightful gift of tranquil luxurious pampering at The Spa at Yellow Creek. Described as a haven of serenity and rejuvenation,seems like the perfect approach to my 40th birthday.

My day will be a sheer delight of Asian Treatment -- Asian Bodywork, Meditation, and Breathwork... Followed by a pedicure, facial and a fantastic spa lunch.

Sheer Delight..