|
|
Greetings!
"Time, time, time; see what it's done to me..." Simon and Garfunkel.
I've had a tricky relationship with time...well, my whole life. Picture eight-year-old me on a crisp morning, frantically slapping my buster browns on the pavement as I careened down our loooong driveway, "Return of the Jedi" lunch box banging against my leg...late for the bus. Not a few times, that yellow fumey monster would whisk by before I could reach my stop, and I'd be forced to ride humbly with my mom in the car to be dropped off at another stop.
Flash forward: me at 15, racing down a different (but still loooong) driveway, stringy ropes of wet hair flying behind me, shoes in hand, pantyhosed soles tearing on the asphalt...late for the bus.
Flash forward: me at 17, deftly navigating the curvy country roads, on wheels now, saxophone case bumping around in the back seat...late for band practice.
Flash forward: me at 29, leisurely getting ready for what I thought was to be a casual miniature golf outing with my nieces and nephews, as my future husband impatiently prodded me to hurry, only to be whisked furiously to my sister's house...late for my wedding shower.
Are you getting the picture? If "time keeps on ticking, ticking, into the future," I was running along behind, calling out "wait up!"
Being late never made me feel good. I always felt super-guilty about the people waiting on me, and I really hated the stress of rushing. But the worst? I resented the whole concept of having to obey a number or suffer the consequences.
Any of you who have travelled in the Carribean, in Central or South American countries, or even the American south have probably noticed the locals have a different relationship with time than us Yankees. It seems the closer you get to the equator, the less hung up people are on the clock. Things happen when they happen, and the exactitude of scheduling to the minute isn't as much of a consideration. I feel right at home. No wonder so many of us like to vacation in Cancun.
So, what did I do? I'd love to say that I cured myself. While I knew that I wanted to deal with time differently than the typical Type A personality, I also knew that many appointments and people deserved the respect of being on time. Looking back, I know my chronic tardiness was knotted up with issues of procrastination and overwhelm. So in some areas of my life I became more disciplined about keeping track of the clock, and building some crucial time-management skills that I talk about below, as well as learning to let go of stuff that was wasting my time.
But taking that approach to the extreme for me was like telling myself I could never eat chocolate again - the craving would just end up driving me crazy! So I make sure to carve out time in my life for forgetting time...an afternoon here, a weekend there...to get that Chicago feeling, "does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?" True "free time" is a wonderful thing, and almost as relaxing and freeing as a vacation in Jamaica. Not quite, but almost.
It's a work in progress for me. If, like me, you're working on honing your time management skills, check out my super-useful tips below. And as always, be patient and kind to yourself and take a breather from your strict schedule whenever you can!
Health and happiness,
Jen |
|
Time Management
 "Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them? The secret to managing your time well isn't working more hours. The secret is working smarter, not harder. It is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively.
Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others of us play first and work later. It is important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Maybe you are super-organized at work, but burned out because you don't know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren't fulfilling your goals and dreams.
Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are some steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:
- Allocate time for planning and organizing.
- Create to-do lists that are realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
- Under-schedule your time: leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. When you estimate how long something will take, add on 1/3 of that time.
- Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity.
- Practice the art of intelligent neglect: eliminate trivial tasks. Even better: delegate!
- Prioritize what is most important and do that first, especially if this task is the one you dread the most!
- Consider your biological prime time: at what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
- If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn to say NO.
- Ask for help and delegate.
- In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.
- Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished.
Also take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large, too complex, or when we feel we won't be able to handle it. When you get that "deer in the headlights" feeling, try "chunking": break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps, and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged, and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, "Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?"
As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management can be your ticket to bigger fun, greater satisfaction, and a vibrant, exciting life. |
Food Focus: Root Vegetables
As soon as the weather starts to turn crisp, I crank up the oven and prepare one of my most-anticipated cool weather dishes - roasted root vegetables! Before refrigeration and modern transportation, these were the only vegetables that could remain fresh over the barren cold winters. Their dense flesh is hearty and warming to our bodies when cooked. Peeling, chopping, and cooking these sturdy guys may not be the quickest route for dinner, but if you invest the time, your efforts will reward your tastebuds and your health!
The roots of any plant are its anchor and foundation; they are the essential parts that support and nourish the plant. Root vegetables lend these properties to us when we eat them, making us feel physically and mentally grounded and rooted, increasing our stability, stamina, and endurance. Roots are a rich source of nutritious complex carbohydrates, providing a steady source of necessary sugars to the body. Instead of upsetting blood sugar levels like refined sweet foods, they steady them! Just as they absorb, assimilate and supply plants with vital nutrients, roots likewise increase absorption and assimilation in our digestive tracts.
Root vegetables can be classified in two categories. Long roots include carrots, parsnips, burdock and daikon radish. Round roots include turnips, radishes, beets and rutabagas. Long roots like burdock and daikon are excellent blood purifiers and can help improve circulation in the body and increase mental clarity. Round roots are nourishing to the stomach, spleen, pancreas and reproductive organs and can help regulate blood sugar, moods, and alleviate cravings. |
| Recipe of the Month:
Roasted Root Vegetables and Fall Fruit
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 25-35 minutes
SERVES: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 sweet potato, peeled
2 parsnips
2 carrots
2 turnips, peeled
1 large apple, peeled
1 pear
olive oil or organic butter
salt and pepper
optional: cinnamon, nutmeg to taste (my favorite is Penzey's "Apple Pie Spice")
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 375.
2. Wash and chop all vegetables into large bite-sized pieces.
3. Place in a large baking dish with sides.
4. Drizzle with olive oil or butter; mix well to coat each vegetable lightly with oil.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
6. Bake uncovered for 25-35 minutes until vegetables are tender and golden brown, checking every 10 minutes to stir and make sure veggies are not sticking. Add cinnamon, etc. if desired.
Note: Any combination of vegetables will work. Roasting one kind only of vegetable also makes a nice side dish.
Tasty Note: mix the leftovers with a hot grain cereal and maple syrup for a delicious warming breakfast |
Don't Miss These Amazing Events!
 GETTING THROUGH THE "HOLIDAZE": KEEPING YOUR WEIGHT AND SPIRIT BALANCED Do you look forward to all the holiday goodies, but hate the way you feel come January? Or maybe you feel overwhelmed with the stress that the holidays can bring. This workshop will help you:
- Control holiday cravings and maintain your weight without willpower
- Learn to manage time, increase your energy, and decrease seasonal stress and overwhelm
- Create more space for true enjoyment of the season
COMING IN NOVEMBER!!
HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS (yes, really!) COOKIE BAKE Exclusive holiday cooking class! During this fun and interactive class, you'll recreate your favorite cookie recipes the whole foods way. We'll use NO refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, ONLY whole grains, and LOTS of organic ingredients! You'll take home a dozen cookies as well as recipes.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8, 10AM TO 12 NOON
Kimberton Whole Foods in Kimberton
CALL AHEAD TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
| |
|
|
|
Rediscover Your Best Self
At Vital Touch Wellness we are committed to your life-long health and vitality. Our mission is to help our clients live their lives to the fullest, offering holistic health counseling, therapeutic massage, cooking classes, and nutrition workshops.
We have highly experienced and intuitive massage therapists on staff whose goal is to free your body from pain and tension and clear your mind of stress... so you feel uplifted and better able to take on your life with joy... long after you walk out our door!
As a holistic health counselor, I offer an individualized program to guide my clients through the confusing flood of information and research about nutrition. I help you discover which foods and lifestyle choices work best for you and your body to help you reach and maintain your goals. My mission is to inspire and empower you to nourish yourself from the inside out by integrating the best of traditional, eastern and western approaches to health! Come in for a free initial consultation with the coupon below, or forward this newsletter to a friend who could use some support improving their health. See my website for more details.
All the best,
|
Jennifer McLamb, CMT, CHHC
Founder and Director,
Vital Touch Wellness |
|
|
