Soldiering On...

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."  - Henry Ford

Man, oh man, is today a bad day. It almost feels like I'm finding discouragement at every turn. For me, it's so easy to take a downcast look at the world when things aren't going well. I am finding - however - that by countering every negative aspect of my day with a positive one, I feel better. For example:

I got into an arguement with a family member.
On the other hand, I had a wonderful conversation with another family member afterwards and realized that my family really does have my back.

I got some discouraging news at my workplace.
However, I still have a wonderful job and a great boss that brighten my days and I am, unlike so many people today, still employed with some job security.

Bad moods and attitudes, like so much else, are really all about perspective. Instead of letting myself sink into a pity party, I went on a walk with some friends (we had 70 degree weather - - in November!) and made myself some hot chocolate and a delicious pumpkin bread.

While nutritionists says we shouldn't "eat our feelings," I can't imagine a better cure for the blues than the sweet and chocolately warmth of hot chocolate or the surprise of sweet, dried blueberries in a spicy pumpkin bread.

Vanilla Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
Truvia, a popular sweetener made of the stevia plant, is extremely sweet. It does not affect blood sugar levels and has been used in Japan for many years with no apparent healthy consequences (unlike some other no-calorie sweeteners).

- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 tablespoon good quality cocoa powder
- dash cinnamon
- dash vanillla
- 2 packets Truvia

Pour the milk, cinnamon, and vanilla into a microwaveable mug and heat for 1-2 minutes until hot. Add the cocoa powder and Truvia to the hot milk and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain. serves 1

Perfect Pumpkin Bread
I adapted this recipe from Lisa Lillien's Hungry Girl 1-2-3. The dried blueberries add a nice surprise to an otherwise standard - albeit delicious - pumpkin bread.

- 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Splenda
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- dash salt
- dash pumpkin pie spice
- 15 oz. canned pumpkin
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup dried blueberries (or other berries)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the flours, Splenda, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Add the pumpkin, egg whites, and vanilla and stir until completely combined. Stir in the blueberries until they are evenly distributed.

Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 25 minutes. Flip the pan around 180 degrees and bake for an additional 25 minutes (this helps the loaf bake evenly). makes 8 servings

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A Word about Walking

In her book Small Changes Big Results, dietitian Ellie Krieger promotes walking as a great form of aerobic exercise. She argues that it is a universal exercise: something we all do everyday. She also sees it as something that most healthy people can do without a high risk of injury or pain. And - by increasing your speed or walking up and down hills - you can make walking quite challenging. It's a practical way to get some exercise, enjoy the weather outside, and reconnect with friends.

Unlike when I run or practice power yoga, when I walk with friends I can easily forget that I'm "exercising." It's such an easy way to stay fit without becoming a slave to exercise.