Ahimsa is the Sanskrit word for non-violence and one of the principles of yoga. In addition to the literal meaning, the principle encompasses not doing any harm to any being (including animals). I skipped running today in favor of this class on Yoga Today that focused on this principle in terms of on listening to your breath and not harming yourself by pushing too far. For me, it reminded me that “any being” includes myself. 

Here is a bit of an article from yoga.com about Ahisma. 

[W]hile practicing Ahimsa towards others, don’t forget about yourself. Treat your body with the same sort of care that you would any prized possession. No matter what town you call home, your body is where you live, so avoid harming it with polluting substances and keep it healthy. Neglecting your body is doing it harm. Even more importantly, be aware of your thoughts - when you make a mistake do you beat yourself up over it? Do you ever engage in vengeful thinking? When you are stressed out, do you forge ahead anyhow without taking a break? All this harms your psyche and has a direct effect on your attitude, not to mention your health. Negative thoughts, even if you are trying to repress them, also have an effect on the way you treat others. Of course you can’t just banish all negative thoughts – the point is to be aware of them and then consciously choose not to act on or believe them.

This class came at a perfect time for me because as I discussed last week, I’ve been trying to be a more positive person. And, although I’ve been doing better, I’ve been a little negative about myself. What I mean is that I’ve been feeling a little stocky lately. I think it’s all the running. I guess because of the way I am built (short and not twiggy), running makes my legs and hips bigger more muscular, so I get bigger, not smaller. That and, oh right I’ve been eating more, have made for some slightly snug pants. Anyway, woe is me, right? No. What I was reminded of today, from a simple internet yoga class, is that I should be kind to everyone, including myself. I wouldn’t be mean to a friend who had tight pants, so why should I be mean to myself? It won’t do any good, and it will just harm me, and in turn the universe. 

The message goes along with my favorite yoga chant, “Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.” I’ve heard translated different ways, but I think one of the nicest is, “May all beings everywhere know peace and happiness.”

So remember, be kind to all beings. 

Dinner

For dinner I had my mom’s homemade lentil soup, which has made all other lentil soup unacceptable to me.

Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanks for all the wonderful Thanksgiving dessert ideas. If you said you had a recipe, I would love to take a look. If it’s not too much trouble post it as a comment or shoot me an email at hangrypants@gmail.com. And for those wondering, my mom and I make the Pumpkin Pie from the Libby’s can recipe and it’s wonderful. It was the only pie I would eat as a child!

Alright, thanks so much for the input on the arm exercises. I would increase the weights because I don’t usually use 3lbs, but the point of that particular workout is low weights, more reps. so maybe I’ll add more reps. I just thought it was odd that I could barely lift my arms when I was done, but don’t seem to be sore a day or two after. 

Moving on, you may have noticed I’ve been in a reflective mood lately. Bear with me. I’m sure it will pass.

Two things have got me thinking about my life ten years ago.

First, my ten year high school reunion is coming up. I know that probably shocks you as my youthful glow and exuberance did not place me at more than a day over 18 in your mind.

Second, and I am sorry for telling the blog world this mom, but my parents recently developed pictures from my high school graduation and post graduation summer vacation. Yes, it’s true, my parents still have film that hasn’t been developed from a decade ago. Anyway, in looking at the pictures and thinking about my reunion I couldn’t help but think about how I have changed over the years. I was so young, carefree and completely unaware of things like trans fat, white flour, high fructose corn syrup, splenda, diet coke, scales, US Weekly, reality television, bills, jobs, health insurance, law school loans, etc.

Most of my growth has been positive, but a part of me wishes I could have some of my 18 year-old self back — the confidence that comes with ignorance and inexperience. So, I thought about what my old self would tell the current me…

Dear Matured Heather, 

You really need to smile a little more. You are way too hard on yourself. Live a little and eat a Snickers every once in awhile. You are good enough just the way you are. Oh yeah, what’s up with the ban on shorts? Your legs aren’t stubby and capri pants are not a good look for you. Work on that, please. Also, you have nothing to prove, so relax. I bet everything will work out as I’ve made excellent 5 and 10 year plans. 

Love,

Young Heather

******

Dear Young Heather,

You are absolutely right, but I also want to tell you something. You need to be less judgemental. When you meet people, try to accept them for who they are. No, they won’t be perfect and no they might not end up being the best friend you ever had, but they are people and you need nice, kind, fun people in your life. Also, you have nothing to prove, so relax. Everything will work out even if life does not conform to your current plan. 

Love, 

Mature Heather 

P.S. Hot pockets are gross. Stop eating them asap. No judgment. 

The things we learn and the ways we change over the years are remarkable. We sometimes say that people can’t change, but isn’t change inevitable? I wonder where I will be in 10 more years and what my letters to myself will look like then. What would you say to yourself 10 or 5 years ago? What would (s)he say to the current you? 

Alright I’ll share some eats. 

After adding another 5.5 to the Pile on the Miles Challenge, I had a quick but favorite dinner. I had melted cheese on a Food for Life English Muffin. On one I had tomatoes and on the other I had Annie’s BBQ Sauce and red onions. The cheese is Land O’Lakes white American sliced thin. Best American cheese there is. Yum. I  know it looks burnt, but that’s better. The top gets crispy and under is still melty. Try it. 

If you’re like me, you like to have something sweet, usually in the form of chocolate, at night. When the urge to splurge strikes, I reach for an Adora Calcium Supplement (ha – that sounds like a cheesy commercial). They are yummy and are good for my bones. Now the key to not eating 18 of these is to remember their purpose: calcium. Each has 500 mg of calcium and that is as much as the body can take at once. So, eating anymore would just be a waste. Try it.