Fiesty and Frugal

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Meaghan

It’s no secret that I can be a bit cheap sometimes. I’ve caught myself at Joe, shaking my head at paying twelve whole dollars for a pair of pants for my bugz. I actually debated between a pair of $5 and $7 leggings as well. I don’t like spending money where I don’t need to, and grocery stores seem to be the worst offenders. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

You go in for just what’s on the list and still end up over-spending on little things here and there.

Thus, I am presenting my family with a challenge: to see how long we can go without buying anything other than milk at the grocery store.

Milk is the only thing that I can’t think of an alternative source for. I mean, I could cheat and buy it at the drugstore or convenience store, but them I’m spending way more, which is the point of this challenge in the first place!!

But I have great sources of local, fresh meat and produce. I am off on Saturdays for the entire summer, so I can peruse the farmers’ markets around us and stock up on meat and produce as need be. The only things I should need to go to a store for are milk and toiletries.

The other part of the challenge is to stop spending money on food during the day. Obviously, grocery shopping doesn’t count… I mean buying lunches and snacks, regardless of whether they come from Safeway, Starbucks, Sunterra or Subway.

How’s that for alliteration?? I am awesome.

Collectively, Leith and I spend waaaaaay too much on our midday eating, and it’s wearing away at my budget in an unhealthy way. It’s a lot of wasteful spending that we both recognize needs to change, especially with the other financial transitions in our life right now. We are going to get back on our bread-making train and start our monthly big cooks again so that we have a constant source of quick lunches and midday snacks to grab in the mornings before we leave. I am also working from home a lot more now, which should make those choices easier

I also like the idea of being able to consciously put more money into our local food economy. We stepped away from that this past year, mostly due to poor planning and lack of effort. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with some of my favourite local suppliers: Halwa Farms, Sunshine Organic and the Red Tractor, to name a few.

What do you think? Can we do it? What are your local favourites in the Edmonton area?

And do you know anyone who sells milk outside a grocery store??

Today

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Meaghan

…is kicking my azz. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

I am frustrated emotionally, spiritually, professionally, physically and mentally.

Ever corner of my life seems to be fraught with contradiction and negativity. I am trying SO hard to block the things and people causing this disruption, but it feels very hard today. I am trying to look for the personal growth in the situations, instead of giving in to the pity-party edging on to the sidelines.

I am trying to find things to laugh about.

I am trying very hard to keep some perspective.

I am feeling utterly defeated. This chest cold came out of nowhere and settled in nicely for what looks like a good, long stay. Well, at least a longer stay than I’d appreciate. I don’t expect to be rushed off to the hospital any time soon

But it was kind of the last throw down in a week of defeat. It’s knocking me when I’m already down.

Ohhhh, I just want to curl up and whine and moan about my life right now! The thing is, it isn’t a bad life, so I don’t really want to whine. I just want to be trivial and petty and judgemental for a day or two.

Catch-22: all that negativity will just compound. I don’t like putting out what I can’t afford to receive from this world. But in the haze of sickness, my brain is so tired that it doesn’t feel like analyzing or justifying or making the world a better place.

My brain wants someone to step up and do the dirty work for me, to sludge through this slump and have me wake up healthy and happy with all my problems solved.

Wouldn’t it be nice?

So in the meantime, I am going to keep my negativity under wraps as best I can, go buy groceries and get (another) good night’s sleep tonight. Hopefully I feel better soon.

Lifelong Learning

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Meaghan

Waaaaay back in 2000, I was a young, naive dancer with hopes for the world. I was enrolled at Grant MacEwan in their 2-year dance program with plans to transfer to the University of Calgary’s Kinesiology degree after. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

Two weeks into the course, I withdrew. It was waaaaaaay too modern-dance for my small-town, low-self-esteem, 19-year-old ego to handle. I was terrified. I got a job at Chapters, taught dance in the evenings and went to the Edmonton School of Ballet. 2 years later, I reapplied to the Faculty of Science, got accepted, opened my own dance studio, declined my BSc and continued dancing at ESB.

Three years after that, I closed my studio and went to NAIT. I graduated from the Personal Fitness Trainer diploma program with Honours and was class valedictorian. I chose that route over a Bachelor of Physical Education because a) I didn’t want to spend 4 years in school and b) the NAIT programs was very focused and intense – no need for meaningless, well-rounded Arts options and the like (i.e., wasted tuition dollars).

Then I had my twins. And life became very family-focused. I finally had the chance to relaunch my career in the past year, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. But it’s left me wanting more. I want that degree that I never got to when I started out in 2000. I want that BSc Kin because I crave anatomical and biomechanical knowledge like some kind of junkie.

I’m up late reading textbooks, for goodness’ sake!!

I need to go back to school. I already have a good dayhome. My fall teaching schedule would actually allow it, as long as I had someone else teach my Devon and Stony Plain classes… The only problem is money.

Ha. Isn’t money always the problem??

We’re looking at $10,000 a year for tuition/books/fees/etc., plus another $1200/m for day home, plus you know, the extra money I bring in for our lifestyle.

I surely don’t have that in my bank account. The last thing I want is a $60,000 loan after 4 years of hard work (3 years, if I studied through the summers…). We just got out of that kind of debt.

I guess I’m looking for answers. For someone to reach out and say, “Hey! Here’s a great idea/resource that will help you fund your education as a mature student without being indebted for the rest of your adult life.”

Any ideas on how to scratch this learning itch?

What not to do with your pelvis

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Meaghan

A lot of life and worldly wisdom floats by me from day to day. When I’m caught up in a particular thought though, it seems that opportunity flies into every open window! _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

I’ve been focusing a lot of pelvic floor health with HAWT Fitness lately as I try to nail down our curriculum and write out my core expectations of instructors (haha…punny). I’ve been talking to many different colleagues and professionals about various aspects of pelvic floor health, and there is a lot of misinformation abounding in the wild web of the Internetz.

Oh, Internetz…you never cease to amaze me

I was talking to a physiotherapist friend of mine about pelvic floor dysfunction this week, and how the joint instability can cause little muscles like piriformis and the hip adductors to overcompensate. Then, when the pelvic floor is weak and vulnerable, you have a whole chain reaction of misuse and misfiring muscles.

Delinquent little bodies

A few days before, I had the pleasure of watching Dr Oz (via weblink, NOT watching him out of sheer…um, I don’t know…why do people watch him??) and 3 urogynecological experts give a studio full of women a horrible “Super Kegel” exercise that does exactly what those misfiring muscles want us to do – create compensation, instead of building foundational strength.

Sigh… Oprah, I love you, but your “experts” hurt my heart…

Then I came across Pfilates today. And that heart hurt became heart-screaming-in-frustrated-agony. Here’s the gist of the program, directly quoted from their website:

“…In creating the Pfilates program we have ventured to provide a plyometric (movement oriented) method of pelvic floor exercise that could be incorporated in to any regular fitness routine. Our neuromuscular research reveals that movements which engage the external hip rotators, adductors of the thigh, transverses abdominals, and gluteal muscles also facilitate, or induce, a pelvic floor contraction. This information has proven especially useful for women unable to perform an isolated voluntary pelvic floor contraction….”

The thing is, those contractions might induce a pelvic floor contraction IF the neuromuscular pathway between the brain and pelvic floor muscles is strong and well-used. Unfortunately, it isn’t in most people. Thus, those bully muscles that take over for the pelvic floor functioning get to show off again and further destroy the kinetic chain.

Oh, that hurts my heart.

Oh, the prolapse!! The incontinence!!

Sigh…

This is why I am leading my HAWT Revolution…to teach people about the importance of building up a strong foundation first, giving those phasic bully muscles a break and helping our bodies learn to function efficiently. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misinformed individuals (and professionals!) out there making it tricky for me

Do me a favour? Ask me how to properly activate and strengthen your pelvic floor. Your organs, posture, daily activity and sex life will thank me.

And remember: this is just my opinion. I’m always open to constructive feedback and corrections. Just don’t be mean and snarky about it

Oh, and Gramma? I’m sorry I wrote “sex” in a blog post. Please forgive me…

Addition:

I got all freaked-out at myself, like I always do after a soapbox moment, and decided to delve even further and find some video examples of the Pfilates exercises. Here is a link to #5 – the Butterfly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao4TQ5EILPw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

It really is as bad as I want to think it is. Working with many clients (both moms and otherwise), I know that holding the feet off the ground with the hips and knees flexed at 90 degrees requires a LOT of deep core/pelvic floor strength so that the rectus abdominis and hip flexors (psoas) don’t take over. How does one concentrate on multiple pelvic floor contractions in this dynamic exercise when their pelvic floor is being over-powered by such strong phasic muscles?

I rest my case. This program is NOT what a weakened pelvic floor need.

Where I am

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Meaghan

A statement, instead of a question. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

How’s that for a change?

Granted, where I am now is at my kitchen table: blogging, instead of finishing the gigantic task of cleaning out my office.

But I digress… (obviously)

I’ve been giving a lot of thought as to why I feel so good lately. I think that I am finally (finally!) comfortable in my own skin. I know who I am and what I am. I don’t know where I’m going, but I also don’t need to know anymore. I am okay with letting life happen and unfold as it will.

Unless I’m travelling…then I’m still going to get super-freaked out about absolutely nothing…like whether we leave 5 minutes early or 5 minutes late…

I know what makes me happy. I know what reactions serve me best. I know how to manage those reactions and how to dissect them so that I can remain calm in the face of conflict.

I know how to soothe myself when it is within my control. Things that aren’t within my control take a lot more work (like when my dog was trying to die…yeesh) but even then, I can put on a public face and work through my emotions in private.

I’ve stopped pretending. I’ve stopped flowing with what people expect of me. I’ve started just being. That doesn’t mean that I put up a wall or draw a line and refuse to budge. It means that I know in my heart where I stand on almost everything, so I don’t need to make a stand. I can definitely blog my feelings about opposing views, but I can also just smile and nod and know where I am is reassurance enough for myself.

I don’t need everyone to like me or want me. I am happy with those who choose to, but I don’t fault those who travel elsewhere. We are all on our own journeys, and it isn’t my place to judge their choices.

I’ve given up on hate and anger. Yes, I still get angry, but I find it much more to feel the sting of momentary anger, honour it, and move on. No grudges, no pain. I have held onto far too much negativity in my life to keep a storage space. It is impossible to understand all the events that lead up to someone’s negative actions, so it would be ridiculous for me to hold on to the momentary anger caused by them.

Smile, nod, and have faith in myself.

I am happy with who I am. I make no excuse for the lifestyle, choices or beliefs I have. Not everyone will agree with me, and that is their right. I am me, open and existing, and if your journey causes you to cross paths with me, then I hope we enjoy our time together.

I am happy where I am

Dom & I

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Meaghan

There was only one thing I wanted for my 30th birthday:

Well, I’d also like Leith to spell my name right…

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv21.nonxt2.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D7bc9a418b1566340%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1308529402%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D709E02C9CBCF7CAAE9DFFB228EEB7C9FED3D44BF.B7ECF2108C1444DA15DB0FFB639D3609C9121E03%26key%3Dlh1

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3-0

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Meaghan

Hey you, _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

We made it. 30 years, huh? Phew… I thought it was going to be a lot scarier that this, but it actually feels really, really good.

Really good.

I think our 20′s were like the puberty of adulthood: gangly, lost, hormonal, learning to function in this new body. Our 30′s feel like a new beginning, full of balance and stability. Junior high vs senior high…or high school vs university…either way, it’s the place of knowing who you are, what you stand for, and where you belong.

Oh my gosh, it feels so good!

We didn’t feel like this on Thursday. We still felt like a lost puppy dog. Oh yes, we were starting to get a glimpse, with some new ideas stirring in our soul, goals to accomplish in the next decade. But it felt uneven.

Then we woke up Friday morning, and felt whole. It felt like the world was opened up in front of us, full of possibility and wonder. All the growing pains were worth it; there is an entire decade to smooth out the bumps of the last decade.

Although it is kind of freaky to think that we can speak of life in terms of decades now…yikes!

It doesn’t “feel” 30. It feels like “me”. It feels comfortable in our own skin, beliefs, path. I can see why we stop counting birthdays after 30: we’ve proven our existence on this planet, and now it is simply the time to live and love and experience.

It feels so good.

The 20′s were tumultuous and confusing. Paths converged and split, often leaving us in a dust pile of doubt and despair. Now I feel whole, so very whole. I am satisfied with my life, my husband, my family, my career path. I have big ideas and the stability to achieve them.

It’s going to be so good.

We are going to rock our 30′s. Rock our 30′s.

Change the world. Love ourselves, continue to grow and learn and live.

We made it

Love,

Intentions

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Meaghan

Oh, but I have the best of intentions! _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

And the best editing skillz – that came out as “best intestins” the first time around. Yikes.

To say that the past 10 days has been stressful would be an understatement of epic proportions. I have had a bunch of extra commitments that don’t normally appear in my calendar, my back has been spasming (most out-of-character!) and I’ve been dealing with a terminally ill dog.

Normally, I have tried-and-true methods to escape and cope. I use the word “normal” in a very broad sense of the word, as in overall-average-of-the-past-five-years.

I sleep. I run. I go to Bikram yoga. I dance. I veg out and watch movies. I read fluff books. I blog.

This past week? Well, I’ve eaten.

I haven’t had the patience for movies or reading or blogging. They have all seemed trivial. I haven’t been sleeping – waiting for your dog to pass is a lot like having a newborn, waking up every hour to see if she’s still breathing. So far, she is… Due to a lack of sleep, I have had very little energy. I have also been nursing this stupid back injury that won’t go away, which has meant less energy spent dancing in my classes to save it.

You can bet your azz I haven’t been running or gone to yoga.

Between the pain and the anxiety, I have been eating my stress instead. Not cool.

I don’t mean to say I’ve been gorging myself, but I have definitely been overeating and over-snacking. Again, not cool. Making cookies, making ricotta and carob dessert, making mac n cheese with marscapone cheese…drinking wine and beer, having second helpings…the list goes on.

My face looks rounder today. I haven’t dared step on the scale. I know that I can’t actually put on that much weight in a week, but the fact that I’ve been so unhealthy really bothers me.

Thus, we set the intention: to follow a healthier lifestyle, with some actual effort and planning instead of this willy-nilly, blinders-on chaos that I’ve been sinking in to. I am better at controlling myself than this. Yes, I believe that life should be indulged in, but this has been excessive. I cannot even comment on someone else’s health and lifestyle when mine is in shambles.

Two of my friends are embarking on their own fitness journeys. As a fitness professional, their motivation inspires me and reminds me that I need to practice what I preach. While I am very active with my job, I need to find that balance: eating properly to sustain my energy (instead of just filling up the tank), experiencing a variety of activities (instead of just those dictated by my calendar) and enjoying myself and my family time.

So the intention is set. No more pity-party. Get up, dust off and get moving. I’ll keep you posted!

Lazy Monday

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Meaghan

I kept my bugz home from the day home today. I don’t teach on Mondays anymore, and with a busy weekend behind me, I needed some momma-bug time. Last week was hard on me (it’s still hard, but it’s becoming normalized…) and I just wanted a lazy, lovey day. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

We slept in a bit, made quinoa porridge, baked chocolate chip/oatmeal/cranberry cookie crisps, made really good mac n cheese, visited with Alysha and played with Bailey, had a long nap and watched a movie. Now it’s storming outside and I am indoors enjoying a Baileys-and-ice-cream sundae with my Bailey keeping my feet warm.

B is doing well. Her breathing is congested, but she is happy and wants to play whenever her energy is up. She gets tired a lot quicker now and naps a lot more. Her steroid dose got dropped tonight from 150mg to 25mg, so we’ll see how she is with that. It’s tough…

I’ve definitely been bad about my eating habits during all this stress. I’m a stress-eater to begin with, but I’ve been a little rebellious with the emotional toll of this past week. I’ll need to start running asap, or my bum won’t be thanking me at all!

Twitter and Facebook have been a constant source of support while I navigate these waters. I am so grateful for all the kind words of support, and for not having to explain when I see people in real life. It means a lot to me!

On the biz front, I am getting very excited about our summer and fall HAWT schedules. I was at the Mommylicious trade show yesterday and the HAWT Outside Kick-off is this Friday! It’s nice to have something to distract me.

On that note, I am still craving Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I know it’s a long-shot right now due to both cost and time commitment. I’ve been looking at a few other options, including the NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, and a restorative exercise certification from Aligned and Well. It’s less of an investment that a 4-year degree…but that is still the ultimate goal!

That’s about it for updates…I’ve rambled enough.

Garlic Mac n Cheese

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Meaghan

All that was left before I remembered to take a photo…

A few tablespoons of butter … a few tablespoons of marscapone cheese … a couple cloves of garlic … grated aged cheddar … melted, mixed over corkscrew noodles. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();

All real, no fake food. Comfort at its best.

MagzD Life

Monthly Archives: June 2011