Hello friends! Today was an exceptional day. I sang at the Hyrum Senior Center, and they had the neatest program. About a month ago, the director called me and asked me if I would come and perform for their "Old Days" program. She requested that I sing a bunch of old time songs. When I got there, I noticed she had a table all set up with different things like old lp records, hats, yo-yo's, etc. She talked about how back in the old days, kids were never bored, and if they even mentioned it to their parents, they were in deep doo doo. Nowadays, that is all we hear from kids..."I'm bored, I'm bored!"
She was asking most of the folks there what type of games they played when they were kids, and I was so amazed at what they could do or make to keep them entertained. But that was the way life was back then! Now, I was born in '66, and when I was a kid, I had a lot more than what those folks did, but still....I did not have what kids do today. This day and age of electronics can be a bittersweet thing. I am definitely one that loves my gadgets, but there was a time I did not have these things, and I survived! We played outside and rode our bikes. My house was constantly filled with music, and when I learned to play the guitar at age 10, there was never a dull moment while I was alone in my room. My record played got a lot of good use, and I would make up songs and dances till I dropped from exhaustion.
But these folks today came from an era that was grand. They were around when the first movie in color was released (Wizard of Oz). I even sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and they sang right along with me. I just loved hearing all their stories of how they lived and survived, and it all worked out fine. In fact, people didn't have much back then, and I think they appreciated things more. They talked about how they would listen to the radio before television even came out, and how they used their imaginations while listening to a program being broadcast. I heard about everything from attending 10 cent movies to playing hide and go seek. Yes, there were hard times, but people worked mighty hard and survived, and were very happy.
Women's fashions were feminine and lovely. I enjoyed hearing how the women talked about wearing their best dresses on Easter Sunday accompanied by lovely hats and dainty gloves. How times have changed! Here is a little poem that the director shared with everyone today:
THE MOVIES
When I was young, a long time ago
On Saturdays we would go to a show
The admission then was only a dime,
Oh, we had such a wonderful time!
The girls would sigh and throw the hero a kiss,
When the villain came on, we would boo and hiss
The cowboys were all handsome and strong,
We knew that they could do no wrong
We always bought popcorn and a drink
Then, it was over, quick as a wink
Oh, how I miss those happy ways
We all enjoyed in the GOOD OLD DAYS!
When I was a kid, I lived with my grandparents, and I remember that once a year, certain movies would come on the tv like "Sound of Music" or "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." It was a special occasion to settle in at night and watch these shows. My grandpa and I would never miss any of them. Now you can rent them on dvd and watch them all you want! Cartoons were classic and brilliant to watch. Our favorite was Bugs Bunny and The Pink Panther. Oh, how I miss those days.
I just had to share this with all of you. It enriched my day and really made me stop and think that the simple things in life are the best. I loved how I would sing an old song today, and they would close their eyes and sing along with me. Priceless.
This also leads me to say that even the food we eat is different. Back in those days you didn't see hardly any processed food. Everything was whole and natural. Let's get back to the basics with our food! My eating plan is very basic. My body and mind has changed since I started this new lifestyle 37 days ago. I am down 22 pounds, and I think clearer and move so much better. While teaching Zumba, I can even jump! That is progress for me! I have inspired a few others to follow my plan, and I know that their health is benefitting from it, too!
This morning, I went to the Dr. to get checked for sleep apnea. I have to go back Friday to pick up this little clip that I have to wear on my finger at night, and it records my oxygen levels. After wearing that for a night or two, I take it back in and they check it, and if the levels are low, I have to go to the sleep center one night and be tested with all these wires hooked up to me. Fun, fun! Then if I have sleep apnea, they will give me a CPAP machine to wear at night. I heard they are wonderful and keep you from snoring all night long. My cousin who educated me on this told me that sleep deprivation causes all kinds of trouble like weight problems and fibromyalgia, which is exactly what I have. She said when you finally get the sleep and oxygen that you need at night, your body functions a whole lot better. I am hoping they can get to the root of my problem because I know I snore horribly while I sleep!
She checked my blood sugar level, and that was wonderful. Everything else was good, and best of all, stepping on the scale was exciting. That has never been an exciting thing for me! But today was because I have been sticking with everything so good. See, it all pays off! Remember, if I can do it, YOU can do it!
Here is what I ate today:
Breakfast-
1 bowl creamy buckwheat cereal with almond milk
1 c. green tea
32 oz water
Mid-morning snack-
5 baby carrots
1/2 c. sliced jicama
16 oz water
Lunch-
Chickpea, Avocado and Spinach Salad (I could not find pea shoots)
(See recipe from day 36)
16 oz water
Mid-afternoon snack-
1/2 c. mixed nuts
16 oz water
Dinner-
Smoothie with 1 c. almond milk, 1 scoop Shakeology powder, 1 banana and ice
16 oz water
After-dinner snack-
1 hard boiled egg
