you'd be so pretty if...

When Something Has to Give

I've been talking recently about the need to prioritize when it comes to taking care of our health. I had to put my money where my mouth is yesterday.

There was no Monday post. Why?

I had a jam-packed day from morning to night, and ultimately, it came down to this: Write a blog entry or get a workout in.

Normally, workaholic me would have gone for the blog entry and sacrificed the workout. But in trying to make choices that better reflect my goals -- and in trying to pay more attention to my health -- I opted for a different choice.

Guess what? The world didn't end.

I read another wise quote this morning: "You can do anything. You just can't do everything."

Sometimes, we have to choose.

'Transformation'...What Comes After at Psychology Today

Today, I'm blogging about "transformation" shows like the CW's "Plain Jane"...and what comes after at Psychology Today.

See you back here on Monday with a brand-new post. 

A Q&A on One of My Favorite Subjects: Moms and Girls

Today, I'm being interviewed over at Margarita Tartakovsky's Weightless blog on PsychCentral. You can read part one here and part two here.  

Thanks, Margarita, for letting me talk about one of my favorite topics -- how we moms help shape the body image of our daughters.

Monday Morning Perspective

Ever have one of those days where you just wake up stressed? Overwhelmed by everything you need to get done, beating yourself up for all the things you've missed?

That's no way to start a Monday.

I'm grateful this morning for this little gem I happened to come across while I was reading with my morning coffee: "A lack of time is really a lack of priorities."

At any moment, I can choose to re-order the tasks in my day to clear space for the things -- and people -- that really matter.

Including me.

Turns out I can find time for that long walk today. I just have to remind myself that it's important.

How about you? Are you making you and your health a priority today?

Feeling Bad About Your Body? Try This...

Today, I'm blogging about how to instantly feel better about your body at Psychology Today. Try it!

See you back here on Monday with a brand-new post. 

What Will Your Food Legacy Look Like?

Yesterday, my 12-year-old son turned to me and asked, "Mom, remember those raisins Grandma used to bring? The ones covered in chocolate? We should get those."

My jaw almost dropped.

My son was very young when my mother died -- just 5 -- and he has limited memories of her. The things he does remember, however, all seem to have to do with food.

When I thought about it, I realized that my own limited memories of my Scottish grandmother (besides her accent) also have to do with food -- particularly the orange slices she'd give us on a Sunday evening when we gathered to watch the Wonderful World of Disney show.

I was three when she died.

Food is an emotional thing, and it often evokes strong memories of people and places for each of us. My son's question, asked out of the blue, made me realize that food is its own kind of legacy. Was your grandmother constantly trying new recipes? Was your dad known for his homemade pizza?

All of this has made me wonder: What will my children think of when they remember me someday?

I know this: I don't want it to be, "Remember how mom always ate salad?"

When's the Last Time You Danced?

Today, I'm blogging about my dance class experience at Psychology Today.

See you back here on Monday with a new post.

'You Can Learn a Lot From a Communal Dressing Room'

Today, I'm blogging about what you can learn from a communal dressing room over at Psychology Today.

Here's wishing all my readers a safe and happy Fourth of July celebration!

'Dressing' Up: A Great Idea

Did you happen to catch the recent story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune about a group of ladies who've decided to challenge themselves to wear skirts and dresses twice a week during the summer?

You can take a look at some of the pictures of women who've joined the challenge here.

What I love most about this is just how happy they all seem in their photos. They look good and they feel good.

I'd join this challenge, but sadly, I realized just the other day that I don't own any casual dresses. In fact, I had to borrow a skirt last-minute to wear to an event last week when I wanted to "dress up" a bit. It's one of the casualties of working in a home office, I guess -- you forget how good it can feel to break out of a fashion rut.

Something tells me it might just be time to hit the dress racks.

How about you? When's the last time you "dressed up" just for you?

'Body Awareness: A Different Kind of Graduation' at Psychology Today

Today, I'm blogging about a whole different kind of graduation over at Psychology Today.

See you back here on Monday with a brand-new post.