We just returned from 5 days in the Seattle area, where we attended a long overdue family reunion. What fun we all had! The weather was warm but not as hot as it is here. It was great to see cousins I had not seen in many, many years, and nieces and nephews with significant others I had not met, in many cases. And it was wonderful to visit with my brothers and sisters again.

​So, naturally, I did not exercise at all and did fudge on my normal eating plan, but today I got back to my 3 mile hike and my normal routine. I am really not a purist in all ways about my food, though I do know what makes me feel energetic and healthy and what does not. So I do try to stick with raw, organic, mostly veggies, plant based protein powder, and such.

​Hope you are all doing well.

​Linda

I thought I would have so much time this summer, but with grandchildren here to visit for 2 weeks and then my sister, niece and great-niece visiting for a week, I have been having lots of fun and staying quite busy.

​I am hiking 3 miles every morning and am trying to figure out how to keep that going when school begins again in August. Guess I may just have to start getting up at 4!! I am so enjoying the workout and refuse to give it up. Enjoying the benefits of regular AquaAerobics for all those years made it easier to keep an exercise routine going!

​I am still sticking to my heathy eating plan and summer is the best time for smoothies and juicing. Here is my favorite, in case anyone would like to try it. Just let me know what you think of it :)

Green Smoothie -

​​Put the following into your Vita-Mix or blender:

1 small avocado, peeled of course and without the pit!
​1 small lemon, cut into quarters, rind still on
1 unpeeled cucumber
3-4 celery stalks
​1/4 bunch of parsley or more
spinach or kale or chard if you have it
​1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp Omega 3-7-9 Oil (or other combo)
1 Tbsp cinnamon
​fresh ginger
​You can add Maca, Baobab, or Acai powder if you have it
​I sometimes include a few chunks of frozen pineapple or berries
1 Tbsp of chia seeds pre-soaked in a small amount of water

​Then I sip on it all morning long, saying "yum"!

​Enjoy!

A big thank you to all who attended our dinner celebration! It was such a treat for me to see all those smiling faces again, and to be able to enjoy your company. You know, whenever we were at the pool for classes, I would be setting up and getting ready and never had much of a chance to really talk with you all. So it's wonderful to get to know more about you! And next time any of you go to the Smith Flat House for lunch or dinner, look for a waiter by the name of Emerick! What an amazing job he did handling all of us in a most amazing fashion! I wasn't sure whether we were at an auction or on a cruise ship, the way he presented the food and dessert choices! What a kick! And the food there is awesome! The champagne I had was good too . . . I am definitely NOT a purist and enjoy food and beverages once in awhile that I don't make a daily or even monthly habit of having!

​Enjoy your week!
Linda

One thing I forgot to mention is that I am also not eating much in the way of grains either - except quinoa occasionally. So no wheat, corn, rice, barley, buckwheat, etc. I do have a bit here and there, but truly, 80% or more of my diet is only vegetables. It is a challenge at parties, potlucks, restaurants, but so far, even with a little "off time" I've been able to manage staying "on" and feel better because of it! When I do taste some of the prepared sweets, etc., only a bite will do and it usually doesn't really taste that great! It's my memories of certain foods that make me want to try them again, but the taste and the way my body feels afterwards, remind me of why I prefer my simple foods!  So it will be interesting to see what I come up with at the restaurant!

​Off to work on my garden . . .

I thought a blog would be a great way for all our AquaAerobics friends, as well as others, to keep in touch! My hope is that you all can add comments yourself, about a walk you may be planning, or some other form of exercise. Then anyone who wants to meet you there can respond too.  Or just shout out a big hello if you want! Hope you are all doing well!

​I do want to let you all know the reason behind my decision to no longer teach water fitness. I discovered that my thyroid is out of balance and I may also have an autoimmune thyroid disorder. With ANY autoimmune disorder, I have been told it is imperative to avoid fluoride, chlorine and bromine. Also, a diet of mostly veggies is in order (which I find I actually love), along with a gluten-free, dairy-free diet, and no alcohol, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, and more. So I am eating mainly veggies, nuts, seeds, superfoods, and occasionally chicken or fish. I try to eat organic as much as possible, avoiding pesticides and herbicides. I'm also beginning my organic garden for sprouts, arugula, cucumbers, parsley and other staples in my diet. I feel like I no longer live to eat, but eat to live!

​I must say, I do feel incredibly energetic with this diet, and with the added exercise I have been getting - a daily (almost, considering all the rain) 2 mile hike. I bought a fitbit and try to get between 10,000 and 20,000 steps a day in. Subbing Kindergarten gives me 10,000 in just a few hours!

​So I am continuing to eat well, exercise, and read up on thyroid and health! Seems that thyroid is a major issue in many women!
    
Hugs!
Linda