Healthy Living

Usually January is one of the worst months for me. Its cold, dark, and gloomy. This month has not been as bad. I've tried getting outside as much as I can and I turn all the lights on in the house. It burns electricity, but I'd rather pay the electric bill than be more depressed than usual.

This brings to mind my new theory. I suffer from depression, and have for years. I am getting back to my normal self again. And I think its the healthy eating that's doing it. The last time I felt this good (mentally) was the last time I really ate healthy food. So now I am concentrating on eating lots of fruits, veggies, beans, grains, etc. I really don't eat much meat. I am also trying to buy organic when I can. And when the weather turns nice, I am going to try to find our farmer's market and support local farmers. My theory is that the more I stay away from processed foods, and the more I eat healthy food, the better I feel mentally. And so far its true. Thats not to say that I won't splurge now and then. I am only human, but I don't eat this stuff as often as I used to. I am trying to find other ways to de-stress: yoga, meditation, journalling, hiking, etc. I think that's whats making the difference this time.

Our snow

Here is the corner of my yard in today's snow.

Snow Day

Well, we actually got snow here in my part of Virginia. Usually my county is right on the snow/ice/rain line. But it started after 9AM and has been continuing since then (its 11:30 AM now). I was supposed to leave for work at 11:30 because its my late night and my boss called me at 10AM to say we were closing. My nephew is still at school. Apparently they waited too long (takes a while to mobilize the buses) so they are keeping the kids in school for now until VDOT has a chance to take care of the roads. My sister drives a bus for another county and she is sitting in the bus along the side of the road cause it is not safe for her to drive right now. I am a little worried, but there is nothing I can do. I don't drive well in bad weather. And my car is this 12 year old hyundai which is definitely NOT a winter weather car. I know people who live in the north are probably laughing hysterically at our reaction here, but we don't DO snow in Virginia. At least I know I don't. So I will just sit and worry, and monitor the weather and school closings.

Not sure what to say!

Why is it that when I am at work or in the car, I think of lots of things to post. But when I get home and get online, I forget them all? Maybe I am just tired. Our library is still getting ready for our renovation. The builders are doing site work and all this week (except today when it rained) we heard loud thumps and felt the building vibrating. Luckily that was just to get the earth packed down and we are hoping that the vibrations will ease up. They have already pushed back our moving out date. Date conflict with the movers. So far I am not too concerned or annoyed. It will be a bit of a pain to be in such a cramped spot for a year, but it will definitely be worth it in the long run, and I will have something to look forward to.

I am working on a book list for my library (along with my co-worker) on nonfiction about food and food people. I am reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell right now. If you haven't heard of it, its about this woman who decides to cook every single recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking over the course of a year. She had originally kept a blog and this book is a result of that. Its pretty interesting. However, some of the recipes just sound icky to me. The bone marrow sauce just sounded gross to me. But maybe thats just me!

Fun Site

This site lets you play a vocabulary game and will donate 20 grains of rice for every word you get right.

Apology!

I am sorry that I have been neglecting my blog lately. I have been really down on myself to the point where I figured that I was boring both online and in person, so I have stayed away from blogging. I have been visiting other blogs, I just may not have commented. SO! This year, my primary New Years Resolution is to be positive and stop my negative thinking. And I am going to get back to things that I like to do, including posting on my blog. I can't promise that it will be daily, but I am going to make it more regular. I am also going to cut myself a break and stop putting so much pressure on myself. I just make myself miserable that way.

I have been reading and keeping a written journal of the books I read. It helps when I am doing book lists for the library. But its in the other room right now and I don't want to get up so I don't have the author for one of the latest books I read.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. This is a true story about a man who after attempting (and failing) to climb K2, was nursed back to health by this tiny village in northern Pakistan. Mortenson pledged that he would return and, as repayment for their kindness, would build a school. This book tells how he accomplished this goal and how his plan continued to grow. Excellent book.

Slam by Nick Hornby. Hornby usually writes for adults, but this one is for teens. Sam is 15 and was born to an unwed teenage mom. He is pretty ordinary. Not bad at school and he loves to skate (skateboard). Then his girlfriend gets pregnant. And Sam's life starts to change dramatically. Hornby's book is great and not one of those "message" books. It is realistic and not preachy at all.

These are just quick summaries and reviews. I recommend both titles.