Renewed ComMINTment!

08/15/2011 – Walked and talked with a good friend

Good morning Mintdom!

After last week’s conference on personal growth, I am renewing my comMINTment to my health. For me, this was a life-changing event. Par for the course, it seems that I keep reading things that reinforce my comMINTment for instance, I just read; “Improvement cannot happen without change”. One of the big changes that I have comMINTed to is to turn off the TV.  Although I have not been able to disconnect from the company yet because I have 10 months to go on a two-year contract with them, I have not watched any TV since I got home.  I am telling you, it has been a blessing for me.  I have not missed it at all and I am so much more productive with my time.  I also made a new comMINTment to Weight Watchers again and of course to walk 3 days a week and swim 3 days a week.

I admire the main speaker for the conference.  He really ‘Walks the Talk’.  What a great example to follow. This morning, I walked and talked with my good friend, Ann. I understand that, that is not exactly what ‘Walking the Talk’ means, but I just had to use it. LOL

Simply setting a goal is not enough. In order to reach a goal, you must take action, and if “ImproveMINT cannot happen without change” what one change will you comMINT your actions?

AffirMINTion: I love being TV free!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

“Every accomplishMINT starts with the decision to try.” – Unknown

My mom says that she made a comMINTment to turn the TV off… AND I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!
 

  xoxo
PS: Although I liked my new friends, I really love the one on one attention at All Aboard Dogs while my mom was away.

The Pool is Open – Goals – Seed Planting

05/30/2011 – Memorial Day

Good morning, Mintdom,

I just love that the outdoor pool is open!  It is not big enough for swimming; however, it is GREAT for treading water, and socializing.  I like to go swimming in the indoor pool and dry off outside.  It will be easy to go swimming after work now – yeah!

One of the reasons why I need to get stronger is that I am going to a conference in San Diego in August.  I really need to be stronger for that and the pool will help me prepare for a lot of walking at a large convention center. One of my favorite authors, Jon Gordon is going to speak.  He is author of several books, including The Energy Bus, The No Complaint Rule, and his latest, The Seed.  I am including a link to Jon’s latest book, The Seed. I strongly recommend it. I am so excited about seeing him! In addition, Dave Ramsey is speaking – maintain a working budget is also one of my struggles.  I hope to get some insight as to how to overcome some of my obstacles to keep that in order.

My top five summer goals are the following:

1. Work up to swimming 5 days a week

2. Work up to walking 3 days a week

3. Eat fresh, whole foods

4. Maintain my budget

5. Have fun with family and friends!

I actually did not have to list number 5; that is easy for me to do.  Minty and I LOVE to spend time with family and friends.  It is good though, because that is something that I KNOW I can check off easily, and checking off things on a list feels so good!  On a side note – I usually bring a list to the grocery store, and if I ‘forget’ to put something on the list before the store, I add it IN the store so I can check it off!  Unfortunately, it is something that I probably do not need to buy! LOL

Do you have summer goals that you would like to share?  What is your top goal? I would love to hear your answers.

AffirMINTion:  I plant the seed of good health each day!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

Finding Purpose and Passion at Work and in Life!

Click for information

Minty Mini MoMINT

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today” – Author Unknown

My Mom says… I am her beautiful little flower girl, inside and out… AND I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

 

 xoxo

Flower Girl!

Attitude * ComMINTment * AND Trivia

01/31/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – Strength Training Arms + Chest Added – H2O – 6 Glasses – 5,363 Steps
02/01/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – H2O – 8 Glasses – 3,423 Steps

Good morning, Mintdom,

I did not do my strength training yesterday; however, I made up for it this morning and did both arms and legs. The one extra thing that I need to comMINT to today is, to make a doctor appointMINT.  I am anxious to go and dreading it all at the same time. It is not for anything important; I just need to go for a physical.  I just do not like going at all. I know, I know, I need to change my attitude. I am working on it!

I am on a food kick right now.  I am working on eating healthy meals.  In order to eat healthy, I have to know what I am eating; therefore, I am looking at food labels. I also like to take do the Trivia Quiz on www.Sparkpeople.com .  Here is an interesting question.  Minty will have the answer for you below. 

Which of the following ingredients is a sign that a food product is made with 100% whole wheat?

1. Wheat flour
2. Multigrain
3. Unbleached wheat flour
4. Enriched wheat flour
5. Stone ground wheat flour
6. All of the above
7. None of the above

I actually got this question correct on the quiz.  How did you do?

AffirMINTion: I LOVE going to the doctor. I can hardly wait to make my appointment.

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Minty Mini MoMINT

My mom says… the answer is number 1*, just like me, and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

Proud that My Mom Knew the Answer!

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

*EXPLANATION (from Spark People)
To make sure you are getting 100% whole wheat bread, look at the ingredients list—not the front of the package. “Whole wheat flour” or “100% whole wheat flour” should be the first ingredient and the only flour listed. Do not fall for deceitful terms such as “wheat flour,” “unbleached wheat flour,” “multigrain,” “enriched,” or “stone-ground wheat flour.” These are just sneaky ways of saying refined white flour.

Are You Happy?

01/24/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Arms – H2O – 8 Glasses – 4,253 Steps
01/25/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Legs – H2O – 8 Glasses – No Step Data
01/26/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Arms – H2O – 6 Glasses – 5,365 – 10 Minutes of Shoveling

Good morning Mintdom,

I am living in a little frozen Mint world today.  Yesterday, we got about 5 or 6 inches of snow.  I worked from home most of the day, and today, I will do the same.  It was actually good for me as I got a lot accomplished, and I am looking forward to getting a lot more work done today. The only distraction I had was Minty.  The snow is good for Minty too as she loves playing and eating it; we are both happy!

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Openheim

I have been thinking about happiness lately and I have a couple of questions for you:

Do you consider yourself happy?

Do you think that happiness is genetic?

My mom says that she thinks that I was born happy. I rather think that it is a choice.  I search on Google for the answer and found several articles (just a few are listed below for your reading pleasure) on this topic.  Before I give you my opinion on this topic, I would love to hear what you think about the topic, and the two questions. Please feel free to share your thoughts here .  I am sure that you will have many interesting things to say.

AffirMINTion: I am a happy person

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says… I am the happiest creature that she knows, and I LIKE it!

Life is Minty Fresh!
 

Happy Minty

xoxo

http://www.forbes.com/2004/09/23/cx_mh_0923happiness.html
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1721954,00.html
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-imprinted-brain/201005/happiness-ultimately-its-genetic
http://www.lifecho.com/happiness-genetics-circumstances-intentional-activity/

Mints Rule!

01/17/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training (10-10-10) – H2O – 8 Glasses – Steps – 4,432
01/18/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Cardio (Dancing) – H2O – 8 Glasses – Steps – 3,303

Good morning Mintdom!

My steps were low yesterday, because I worked from home due to ice on the roads.  I am sure that I could have brought my step count higher; however, I did not focus on it.  Today will be better.  I am still stiff from the little strength training exercise that I did on Monday – yikes – ten minutes, and I am sore.  My sister, Nancy gave me the exercise to start with on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  She calls it 10-10-10; it is three sets of 10 reps for three little strength training exercises. I am restarting with baby steps.  It takes a long time to get in shape, and I swear it takes a minute to get out of shape!  The good news is that I am aware that I stepped off the path of my health journey and that awareness has led me right back. I am looking forward to getting stronger!

“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.” – Lao Tzu

For those of you that have stepped off your path – you can come back anytime!
http://tinyurl.com/comeback2

AffirMINTion: I am stronger every day in every way.

A Mini Minty MoMINT
 

“I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.” – Pietro Aretino
My mom rules, but she is a queen.  My mom calls me her little princess… AND I LIKE IT!

 

Life is Minty Fresh!

Princess Minty

 xoxo

Another Step Towards Health – That’s Gilly!

01/16/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – H2O – 8 + glasses – AND…. (Drum roll) 4,122 Steps
 
Good Morning, Mintdom!
 
I am so happy to get a pedoMINTer back.  I actually bought one before the holidays, but it was defective so I sent it back.  The company just sent me a new one. My committMINT is going to be at least 4,000 steps a day this week. Next week I will up it to 5,000, and I will go from there. Seems like a pretty big step back when I was doing 7 – 8,000 steps before my pedoMINTer broke; however, when I started with a pedoMINTer, I was barely doing 2,000 steps a day – that is progress!
 
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
 
It sure is nice to have a pedoMINTer back.  I need to buy a backup in case this one fails.  I do not want to be pedoMINTerless again!

AffirMINTion: I take steps each day towards better health!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is Gilly!*
 
A Mini Minty MoMINT
 
My mom says… she is taking steps to better health, AND I like it!

Life is Minty Fresh!

This is me BEFORE my beauty appointment

 xoxo

* Note: I just heard the word ‘Gilly’ for the first time.  It means ‘better than good’

The Art is in Keeping This….

09/24/10 – 8,109 steps

09/25/10 – 4,447 steps

09/26/10 – No Data

Good morning Mintdom,

For me, part of living a healthy lifestyle includes living a healthy financial lifestyle.  In order for me to have a healthy financial life, I have to have a couple of things: an income and a ‘working’ budget. A ‘working’ budget is the key.  Oh, I come up with budgets all the time. In the past, I have done well with my working budget; however, like diet and exercise, it does not take long to get out of the habit of paying attention and keeping track.  That is where I am now.  I have not paid attention for a while – until yesterday.  My sister Becky had the great idea to do our finances together, so I packed up my computer and my statements, bills, etc., and headed over to her house. I am so happy that I did that.  After looking at my spending, I know where I can cut back, and I found out that I am not in as bad a shape as I thought!

It was scary going in, but I can tell you that once you take an honest assessment, no matter how good or bad it is it is a freedom to know where you stand. Not looking is like not going to the doctor because you are afraid that you might have cancer.  The thing is, if you DO have cancer, staying away from the doctor will not make it go away; however, going to the doctor might mean getting a cure for it.  Does that make ‘cents’?

AffirMINTion: I LOVE working on my finances!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says that there is an old saying that “The art is not in making money, but in keeping it” and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

xoxo

A Hard Habit to Break

09/12/10 – No Data
09/11/10 – 3,395 steps
09/10/10 – 8,495 steps
09/09/10 – 7,085 steps
09/08/10 – 8,239 steps

Good morning Mintdom,

With the exception of this weekend, my steps have been much better.  My short-range goal is at least 7,000 steps and I have been doing more.  Part of it is that I walk with my sister, Becky a couple of times a week and part of it is that I walk Minty three times a day.  I think having a puppy DOES help keep me more active even when I am not walking.  We get on the floor and play during the day.  I could probably do an exercise video on exercises to do with your puppy!  Seriously, having this commiMINTment is helping me form good habits.

“Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.” –Spanish Proverb

Ok, I have this song swirling around in my head – I thought I would pass it along if it were not already swirling around in yours. http://tinyurl.com/MintyHabit.  Unhealthy habits are hard to break; however, if you incorporate good habits, it is a lot easier! What are your good cobwebs that you would like to become cables?  Feel free to share your thoughts here.

AffirMINTion: I am an activity machine!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!
A Mini Minty MoMINT

Come on folks – walk your dog today.  If you do not have one – walk your neighbor’s dog.  Let us make today ‘Walk Your Dog Day’. Ha ha ha My mom says that I am helping her build cables towards a healthy lifestyle, and I like it! 

xoxo

Sneaking Back for a MoMint!

*Interesting Note – The last time I posted was for the birthday of my other sister!

08/31/10 – 8,757 steps

Good morning Mintdom!

I am still on my little break, but will be back full steam after the Labor Day holiday. I have been filling up on some good reading mostly about how to live intentionally. I have also enjoyed spending nice time with Minty (my puppy for those who are new) in the mornings.  She is doing very well and yesterday, I gave her all the living area for the first time. Overall, although I have missed you, it has been good and I have come to appreciate my life even more!

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” –Thomas Campbell

I had to write today because today is a VERY special day.  My sister Becky is celebrating her 50th birthday. The first word that comes to my mind when I think of Becky is beautiful.  Becky is beautiful from the inside – out.  When she was a toddler, and I was in elementary school, I remember standing in the lunch line (lunches just went up from .25 to .35 cents) at Our Lady of Lourdes School. I said to my friends, “I have the most beautiful sister – you should see her, and I am not just saying it because she is my sister.”  When she was about 6 years old, Becky had very long, light-brown hair with these little blondish ringlets at the bottom.

My (our) dad used to work in downtown DC and he went to work very early to miss the traffic. I remember Becky would get up and send him off with hugs and kisses, standing on the stoop as his car pulled away saying oooo ah oooo ah (hugs) until dad was out of site.  Becky turned out to be a beautiful wife, mother, sister, and friend. Happy birthday, Becky, I hope your day is as special as you are!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom and Becky took me on a walk this morning and I liked it!

xoxo

Happy birthday and you live in my heart too!

Birthdays Are Special!

08/09/10 – 5,726 steps
6 glasses of water

Good morning Mintdom,

Going to work a little early this morning as I have a busy day ahead of me and this is going to be another very short entry today.  I DID want to give a special shout out to my sister, Nancy whose birthday it is today!  Nancy does not like to make a big deal over this day, but to me it is a very special day.  Nancy is my youngest sister.  I was 12 when she was born.  She was so cute with her little pixie haircut.  I often tease Nancy for being the youngest and that she got everything she wanted and that she was spoiled.  I really am just teasing and even if it were true, Nancy turned out to be one of the most beautiful, creative, high integrity people that I know. Of the three sisters, Nancy considers herself the serious one, and while she is serious, I consider her more thoughtful then serious.  Nancy is always looking for ways to serve others, and she is very quiet about it.  Happy birthday, Nancy, you are not only my sister, but you are a GREAT friend.  I love you.

AffirMINTion: I enjoy my family and friends!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!
A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom told me that it is my Brandy’s mom has a birthday today and I like it!

Life is Minty Fresh!
 xoxo xoxo

 

 

Happy Birthday, Nancy from me and Brandy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWms7fJ5g2c