Well this entry is a little behind this morning because we were hosting a family get together yesterday and there just wasn't any time.  Time.... this time of year will definitely be all about time - having enough to get everything in is usually what we struggle with.  Instead I encourage everyone to work on being in the moment more often.  Sometimes we forget that a moment isn't very long - it's long enough to take a deep breath and say to yourself - aah - how am I doing?  How does this feel?  What I believe is that taking that moment is easier if we are eating well and honoring our bodies as the hard-working machines they are.  Here are a few ways to do that.

Fibre - eating it helps us breathe easier.  A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who consumed at least 27 grams of fibre had a larger lung capacity than those eating less than 10 grams.  Why you ask?  "Fibre may reduce tissue inflammation that can damage lungs," says study author Stephanie London, M.D., Ph.D.  Taking that deep breath will be so much easier with more fibre.

Have you noticed everything has now come in the 100 calorie snack size?  And it's a good thing for portion control BUT the big but for me is that it is still an unhealthy choice - cookies, chips etc.  I want people to be aware that they need to make healthier choices most of the time and use these snack pacs for the occasional treat.  Here are a few that are worth watching for:

• Reese's Peanut Butter Snacksters - if you like peanut butter in your snacks (great protein) this includes peanut butter chips, cereal puffs, and of course Reese's Pieces.  100 calories and 4 G of fat.
• Miss Vickie's Nine Grain Simply Salted chips - chips with all the goodness of steel-cut oats, buckwheat, and barley.  Very hearty!  140 calories, 7 G Fat for 15 chips.
• Quaker Caramel Drizzle Mini Delights - Rice cakes with caramel - hopefully taste added to rice cakes.  90 calories, 4 G Fat.  I haven't looked for or tried any of these options but if you have seen or tried them please let me know so we can keep others posted.
• Pringles Baked Wheat Pizza Stix - I have seen these around.  A package has a dozen sticks dusted with Italian seasoning.  90 calories, 4 G fat.
• Kellogg's Wild Animal Crunch Cereal - chocolate vanilla flavor on the whole-grain cereal.  100 calories, 1 G fat for 1/2 cup.

I still recommend of course the nuts, fruit, veggies, yogurts and whole grains as first choices.  I believe when you buy processed food you are getting additional extras that you don't really want like preservatives, color, and salt!

I'm not sure where this tip fits but it is talking about what we eat affecting our mood and may even help us get through the holidays with a smile on our face.

Take time to find -- and do -- things that make you happy. It could mean better blood sugar. 
 
It’s true. A study shows that depressed people may be 42 percent more likely to develop diabetes. And the stronger the sad symptoms, the greater the odds. 
 
The Culprit: Unhealthy Habits
Sad feelings, researchers suspect, can make you wanna do some pretty unhealthy things -- like pig out before bed, sack out on the couch all day, or maybe even smoke or drink. And those are all things that could put you on the road to diabetes. But bad habits are only part of the picture, experts note. Even in the absence of bad habits, depressed people are still more likely to develop diabetes.

It is difficult to find nutrition related quotes so here are a few inspiring quotes:
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance."  Aesop

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."  Maria Robinson

"I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content when I cannot be mended and patient when there be no redress."  Elizabeth Montagu

I had a wonderful time at the reunion on Saturday ladies.  I hope to make that a regular occurrence so we can stay in touch.  Of course one of the best ways to stay in touch with be the clothing exchanges!  So start putting those clothes away for the spring!