Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Posted by terrepruitt on December 6, 2012
I am so glad you are here. As we get closer to Christmas it might become more of a challenge to keep going, but six days in . . . . YOU CAN DO IT! So can I, right? I am here to GET support as much as give support. I have a few things going on this weekend and I need to get stuff done. I could easily skip 30 minutes, especially since I am going to teach a Nia class tonight. With my class I will be getting in my aerobic exercise. But I will be back to let you know I did my 30 minutes. It might end up being practice for tonight.
What about you?
Posted in December 2012 30 Minute Movement Challenge | Tagged: aerobic exercise, Christmas, Day #6, December 30 Minute Movement Challenge, evening Nia class, Nia, Nia class | 5 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on November 22, 2012
I have so much to be thankful for I work on giving thanks all year long. I tell the people who I am thankful for that I appreciate them. I do feel so much gratitude that I don’t feel bad taking one of my posts for sharing some things and people who I am thankful for. Why not, right? It is my blog and Thursday happens to be one of the days I post. And since Thanksgiving is set up to occur on Thursdays it just happens that I will be posting on that day.
I did have a conversation recently with my Nia students and we agreed that it would be nice if the United States celebrated Thanksgiving in October as our Canadian neighbors do. We were talking about how it would be beneficial to have the Holidays spread out a bit. Having more time in between Thanksgiving and Christmas could ease some stress. It wouldn’t be one big rush. Plus the fact that not all of the days off from work would be so close together. Sounds like a good idea.
As I type this (a bit before Thanksgiving) what is really in the front of my mind to be thankful for is my Nia Students. I am very grateful to them for holding space for me while I took the Nia Blue Belt Training, the next level of Nia. As a dance exercise teacher there is a fear that students won’t come back if a class is cancelled. It takes commitment to come to a class day after day and week after week and sometimes once that habit is broken it is easy to let it go. So knowing that my students are committed to Nia and to supporting me really helped me let go of the fact that I had to cancel my classes and it allowed me to really BE where I needed to be.
I am also very thankful for the people involved with my Nia Blue Belt. I am thankful for the organizer. She kindly kept in communication with me when I didn’t know if I should sign up for the intensive because my mom had been having health issues and at one point she was going to be scheduled for a major (MAJOR, MAJOR) surgery the very week of the intensive. She let me know that I could register as close as 30 days prior. 
I have huge gratitude towards the Nia Trainers who each have their own story, one flying from Hurricane Sandy to come teach us, and the other having had a bee sting, a car accident, and surgery. And the class, my fellow Blue Belts. Some of the trainees are actually other belts retaking the blue, but they will be fellow blues to me. I appreciate the warm and welcoming space that was created and held. There were many people going through personal situations and they were able to step into the space strong and ready to learn. They put the issues aside and focused and made it through. Thank you so much, Blues!
My husband was so great during the entire week of training. I am a firm believer that the body and brain needs nutrients throughout the day so I make sure that I make him lunch every night. He is one of those worker-people that will just power through his day not giving a thought to food. So it is really important that he have lunch right there to eat. During the intense week he made sure to make his own lunch (AND DINNER) because he knew that if he didn’t I would. He helped it feel as if I were on vacation from my home duties. This helped tremendously.
I am very thankful for my mom’s health. She has been going through some issues this past year and true to my mom she has stumped her doctors. At first they didn’t know what exactly was going on, then every time they had a treatment plan it would change because my mom does not follow text books or protocols. She had a stricture in her throat which led to the discovery of lung cancer. And over the past year has had surgery three times none of which were the one that was planned to fix her throat. That surgery was to be a major surgery. And by some miracle (the doctors are amazed) that surgery is no longer needed and her cancer was removed along with a lobe of her lung. She is almost back to normal. She just needs to work on getting used to have less lung. I am very thankful for her health. It was a very long, stressful year.
My friends are always on the top of the list of blessings I am thankful for. I am always amazed at the wonderful people who I have that love and support me. And I am eternally grateful. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for Nia. It is an amazing practice and through it I have met even more amazing people.
I hope that those of you that celebrate Thanksgiving have a very Happy One. And I invite everyone to take a moment to think of something they are thankful for. Anything you care to share that you are thankful for?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Blue Belt Intensive, Blue Belt Training, Canadian Thanksgiving, cancer, Christmas, dance class, dance exercise, gratitude, lung cancer, Nia, Nia Blue Belt, Nia class, Nia students, Nia trainers, Practice, Thanksgiving 2012 | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 3, 2012
Whew! For some reason I am feeling pressure about my first post in 2012! I feel I need to write more about Nia. Well, more accurately, I would LIKE to write more posts about Nia and my Nia classes, but I don’t have to start out the New Year with a Nia post. I feel pressure to make some grand announcement about something spectacular I plan to achieve in 2012. I have been looking at people’s resolutions. I don’t typically make resolutions. Some of the resolutions I am seeing kind of strike me as odd to be resolutions, yet, at the same time if people really need to declare these things for a new year, then by all means I hope they succeed. Yet, I am still somewhat surprised that people need to resolve to smile at strangers, encourage people to do their best, say thank you, tell their loved ones they love them, stop and smell the roses, etc. I guess we get busy and we forget to do these things, but to me they are just part of life like brushing your teeth so I don’t need to make a new year the time I start to do these. I was watching TMZ (Yeah, sometimes it is all that is on) and the main guy was saying something along the lines of why make resolutions and do it at the start of a new year when you can just do it at anytime of the year. Made me laugh. This year I am going to put some things at the fore front of my life and make sure they come before other things. So I am going to make two resolutions. For some of you, you will think the same as I did in thinking about the stuff I just mentioned. You might think that these are everyday things, and for some they are, but for me I get busy, distracted, lazy, comfortable, don’t-want-to-be-a-bother, or whatever-my-excuse and I don’t always follow through.
My first resolution has to do with my 31 Day Project. Ugh! I started out pretty good with that, but then I went out of town for a weekend and that killed my momentum along with the fact that in December the house gets rearranged AND things come into the house. There are Christmas decorations and gifts and other things to deal with so December was not a smart time for me to start my project. Although it encouraged me to do a couple of things, I did not get all done that I was thinking. So while one of my resolutions will not be to get rid of or fix one thing a day in the year, it is to get organized and to do or complete some of the projects I have sitting around. Some of the projects have been started and some have not, but I am going to get them done this year. With the completion of some of these projects that will help with the “getting rid of” and the organizing. Because as you may know if you have any projects to be done you might have the supplies taking up space and as soon as the project is done you will have that space open. I will do at least one project a month. I don’t have 12 lying around, but I know I have at least three and there are at least nine more that I would love to do.
The other resolution is to connect with my friends, family, and people in general more. I am a home body. Most of the time given a choice between staying at home with my hubby and my cat or getting up, getting ready, fighting the traffic to go out, I am going to stay home. My couch wins out over putting on makeup and “hard pants” anytime. My cat and her meditative purring ALWAYS trumps fighting traffic. Even domestic chores are better to me than traffic. But when I actually force myself out, I have a great time. Early Monday morning I was reading a friend’s blog (Zebra Sounds) and she asked her readers what they wished for in 2012 and as I was typing in the comment box that I wanted to connect more, I realized that I had just closed the Facebook page on the event without saying yes because I really wanted to be home with my hubby more than get ready to go out in the cold. And I realized that it was silly to say “I wish” when it was ME that was in control. So in the comment I announced I was going back to FB to say yes. I went, and of course I had a great time.
I realize that visiting face-to-face is not always possible, especially with one of my best friends who just moved away. So I am allowing phone calls to be part of my “connecting”. Of course seeing someone in person is often better, but sometimes it is not possible. And sometimes I forego the phone call because I want an in person visit, but we can’t work our schedules out so then I don’t get anything at all. Well, I am allowing phone calls to count as connecting because for some of us that is all that we have. I do understand that sometimes a phone call out of the blue is an interruption so I will not get my feelings hurt when someone can’t talk. But at least I will have made the effort to connect.
I am going to continue, as I always do, in 2012 to be grateful and thankful for all of my blessings, to be more positive than negative , to smile at strangers, to encourage people, and to tell my loved ones I love them, but I am also going to try to find the top of my desk. I am also going to try to make room in the corner of my office that is stacked full of stuff. I am also going to get out more and connect with people. I am also going to allow phone calls to be considered a good connection and use the phone when I can’t get in a face-to-face visit. To all of you that succeed at doing these two things, for those of you that consider that them a normal thing, I applaud you. Maybe you can share with me how you manage to make these things a part of your everyday life and I can learn from your tips.
We all have different life styles so our resolutions really can be very different. Somethings that are everyday things for some of us are resolutions for others. Did you make any resolutions? How about goals? Did you set any for 2012?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2012, 31 Day Project, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Christmas gifts, connect to friend, face-to-face, Facebook, New Year, New Year's Resolution, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia post, organizations, projects, Resolutions for 2012, special people, Zebra Sounds | 8 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 24, 2011
It is Christmas Eve and while I never really take time off from Nia and being self-employed, I am posting about decorations again. Another post inspired by yet another blog friend. My friend shared her snowmen with us on her blog and I told her I wanted to share ours. I wasn’t sure how, but I took pictures anyway. I was just going to e-mail them to her, but then I thought I should just post them on Facebook. But then I decided that snowmen would be a nice little Christmas Eve post. Some of my favorite decorations that we have are snowmen. We have one set in particular that I always receive compliments on. They were our first set and they are simple and sweet. They always go in the same place every year. Some of our other snowmen migrate around the house. Sometimes I forget where I put what so things are not always the same. But these ones always go in the same spot — basically. They might end up on the left or the right or the center, but they are always on the same shelf.
So funny . . . now that I am actually looking at them while cropping the picture, they aren’t really even snowmen, are they? They were labeled snowmen when I bought them (I think) so I think of them as the family of snowmen. Well, whatever they are they are cute and sparkly!
You might notice that a few of our snowmen are snow angels. I really like that. They are so cute. I actually didn’t put up a set of our hanging snow angels. I didn’t put up a lot this year. When I was decorating I allowed the fact that our tree was dead three days after we bought it to put a damper on my Christmas decorating spirit. I didn’t put as many ornaments on the tree as usual because the more it was touched the more the needles just fell off. I was afraid it wouldn’t last until Christmas. With this being our first Holiday Season without John’s mom, the whole tree thing made me sad. Then since we weren’t going to have anyone over during the Holidays I decided the less I put up, the less I will have to clean around and the less I will have to take down. I do have a goal of “Christmas everywhere you look” so I did that, it is just not as much as usual. But it is just fine. I do “tests” and turn my head this way and that, and YUP! still Christmas wherever I look so it’s grand!
There are snowmen in various spots of the house. I believe last year these (the ones directly to the left, pictured in front of the sleigh) were our latest addition. I do not collect snowmen, nor do I particularly fancy them, there are just some that I see and I like. But I don’t like all snowmen. I like sparkle, glitter, shine, and blue. So I really love that they make so many Chanukah decorations because the color scheme for that seems to be blue! So yay, more blue!
Do you decorate for Christmas? Or for the Holidays that you and your family celebrate?
I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and peace and joy throughout the year!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: angels, Chanukah decorations, Christams Eve, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Facebook, Facebook Friend, Hanukkah, Hanukkah decorations, Happy Holidays, Nia, snow angels, Snowmen, Snowpeople, Twitter | 10 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 22, 2011
I first want to say that Nia in San Jose is on it’s regular schedule even with the surrounding Holidays. Next, I want to say with so much holiday stuff around me it is more fun to post about decorations, cards sent, cards received, gifts given and received, Christmas Trees, ornaments, lights, and the cheer, than about how to exercise “off” those extra calories you might be consuming. It is better to avoid eating too much than to try to work it off. Many websites give you advice on how to avoid over indulging at parties, I posted one myself last year. They are articles of advice on how to keep motivated during the holidays everywhere you turn. As you know I like to post about other things. I love Christmas and all of its decorations and cheer that it brings. I love how people get creative with gifts and decorations. When I first saw this I wanted to post about it. But I often hesitate because I do also want to post about exercises and working out, but this kept popping into my head. I love it that much.
I have a friend I know through blogging. I believe I “met” him on another friend’s blog. I forget exactly how the timeline went but we started following eachother on Twitter and we are friends on Facebook. He is one of those people that seems to be everywhere. I don’t know how he does it, but he comments or “likes” my posts and my photos on several sites. He is one of those people that is very supportive. He is always there to support me in my internet dabblings.
He takes great pictures. I am always amazed at the shots he gets on his morning walks. But the latest photo that had me clapping with glee and I just can’t get out of my head is the photo of his book tree. I keep thinking, “Who would think of that?” Well, the answer is a man that works in a bookstore, but still, I love it. It is so cute and so imaginative. Really why can’t you decorate anything, right. I also kind of think of it as a bit of a joint effort. He, of course, came up with the biggest part, putting it together and stringing it with garland. I just make a tiny suggestion of using paper clips (or a strong wire) to hang the ornaments.
This is one of those things that just makes me happy. Do you have simple things in your life that make you happy and make you smile? This is one of them. Simon is often making me laugh and smile, but I really loved this one and wanted to share. I received permission to post his picture here. You can see it here (click) on one of his blogs.
A note to Simon: Simon, my friend, you are a constant source of smiles and laughter to me. I appreciate how you are always so supportive with your “likes” and comments. I think you are a great photographer and look forward to the pictures of your morning walks and all your pictures. Thank you for this lovely book tree, it makes me giggle when I think about it.
_____________
I hope you all enjoyed his little book tree. I hope that no matter what holiday you celebrate at this time of year you are having a happy and peaceful time. Thanks for being here!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: a book tree, a tree made of books, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Christmas Ornaments, Christmas Tree, Facebook, Facebook Friend, holiday stuff, Holidays, Nia, Nia San Jose, San Jose Nia, Simon's Book Tree, Twitter | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 20, 2011
Look what my parents bought me for Christmas. Yup, I asked for dumbbells, but I did it at the last minute so then gave me cash instead—WAIT! I just realized that. Hmmm? Maybe I’m onto something . . . . Sorry, I digress. Anyway . . .they gifted me more than plain dumbbells cost so I got a weighted bar too! Yay! I just got it and I can’t wait until my toe is COMPLETELY healed so I can really use the bar.
A weighted bar can be used in so many ways. It can be used as you would use dumbbells. You can use it for bicep curls, bent over rows, dead lifts, lunges, triceps extensions . . . . pretty much like dumbbells. The length adds to the effort of having to keep it stable. So, I can use it now, sitting down, but since it does add an additional balance element to it, I need to wait until my toe is healed (and I can actually balance my foot) before I start adding that extra weight.
One reason wanted this was so that I could do Good Mornings, because that is one exercise that needs a bar. Holding the bar over your shoulders just makes more sense.
For now I am able to still do Nia in my classes, but I am limited until my toe heals. I am not doing much with weights at the time being. I am very excited to really get to work with my bar, though. So stay tuned.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: balance exercise, bent over rows, bicep curls, Christmas, dead lifts, dumbbells, lunges, Nia, Nia balance, Nia Classes, Nia exercise, triceps extensions, weight bar, weighted bar | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 30, 2010
Tomorrow morning is my last Nia class of 2010, it will be in Los Gatos at 9:30 am. I mention this because I am ending 2010 with three classes a week. I mention that because someone was reminding me that the end of the year Holidays (Christmas, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, Advent, Yule, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukkah, Yalda, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay, and the New Year – just to name a few) are difficult for some because it is a time of reflection and sometimes dwelling on all that was not accomplished in the passing year and maybe even dwelling on 
some of one’s failures. Once when I was sharing with one of my Nia students all that I still had to learn just in regards to Nia, she reminded me of how far I had come. Instead of listing my goals and resolutions for the new year, I am going to share some of the things I did accomplish.
–completed my second year teaching Nia
–consistently taught Nia at least twice a week all year
–taught up to four classes in one week
–subbed several Nia classes
–taught classes at a Park and Recreation Center
–consistently posted to my blog
–penned at least 200 blog posts (I post on other blogs)
–witnessed an increase of number of participants in my Willow Glen Nia class
–paid studio rent with funds solely collected from teaching Nia
–taught at a few Nia Jams
–held a Nia workshop
–raised over $300 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society
–been married for 12 years
–went from two Nia classes a week to three classes a week
–started up a new Nia class in Los Gatos
While some of these may seem small or as if they didn’t require a lot of effort, that is not the point. The point of this post / exercise is to celebrate things no matter how big, how small, how easy, or how difficult. It is just a moment to do a Snoopy Dance because they are. It is a way to not dwell on all that has not been done or all that has yet to be done. It is just to say, “Aahhh.” and with that ahh turn my face towards the future and the excitement of what 2011 will hold.
So? What about you? What is on your list of things you did?
Happy New Year.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2010, 2011, Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Happy New Year, Kwanzaa, Los Gatos Nia, Multiple Sclerosis Society, New Year, Nia, Nia class, Nia Jam, Nia Los Gatos, Nia sub, Nia Teacher, Nia workshop, Park and Recreation Center, Snoopy Dance, teaching Nia, time of reflection, Willow Glen Nia class, Winter Solstice, Yule | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 11, 2010
Ok, so every year at Christmas my friends and I get together to celebrate. Today is our 24th year. I am explaining that because I am in a rush but I want to post something. I know if I don’t do it before I leave I won’t do it when I come back. Since I have my injured toe all I was able to do yesterday was teach my Nia class and decorate the tree. It takes me a long time to do anything so my posting is a little rushed. But . . . . I still think this is a great idea . . . .and that is why I am posting it. Its about the Honey Do List.
Are you lucky enough to have a partner that helps with things? Do you make a list? Well, I am lucky enough to have a hubby that does things. He always helps me a lot when I have company coming over and he is REALLY doing a lot because he wants me to rest my foot. I am going to share something with you that I think should be on EVERY Honey Do List all the time.
I think it is nice to let your honey know that s/he is appreciated. So I include that on the list of things to do. Yup. The list might look like this:
Silly, maybe, but I think this is part of wellness. My hubby works hard and I think it is important to let him know that he is appreciated. Everyone likes to know they are appreciated. I think it goes a long way. If your honey is looking at the list of things to do and sees that it could make his/her day. I think happy and positive go a long way. If your partner is running around doing things in a state of “grump” that just adds to the negativity out there. If s/he is running around in a state of “I’m appreciated”, it adds to the positivity out there.
Well, that is my take on it. What do you think?
Posted in Helpful Hints | Tagged: appreciated, chores, Christmas, Christmas celebration, happy vibes, Honey Do list, how to get your honey to do things, Nia, Nia class, Nia Teacher, positive vibes | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 7, 2010
In my most recent Nia class, I decided that I wanted to help people focus on the good of the season. I think that sometimes there is a lot of negative emotions around the Holiday season. By negative emotions I mean the way people actually feel during this time of year. There is always the ever present I-don’t-believe-in-Christ-so-I-don’t-agree-with-any-of-it, the it-makes-me-sad-so-therefore-I-am-going-to-be-sad, the WHAT?-ITS-CHRISTMAS! The feelings of inadequacy; there is not enough money, goals for the year were not accomplished, baking isn’t getting done, cards aren’t being sent, house isn’t getting cleaned, nothing is enough, there is too much . . . . .oh my the pressure! I was thinking all of this is negative stuff. So in class the focus was pushing away the negative, somewhat rejecting it, with the intent of bringing in the positive.
Both the “negative” and the “positive” is different for everyone so that was a very individualized point. We didn’t discuss anything that I mentioned above, so everyone could rid themselves of whatever they needed and attract whatever they wanted. It was very nice. It is a focus and an intent that can be used any time, I just thought we’d give it a spin this season.
As with all focuses and intents we use in a Nia class they can be carried into one’s day and/or daily living. This is where the thought of “letting go” keeps popping into my head. I love this season. I love cleaning my house, getting it all ready to put up the decorations. Then I love spending days . . . at least two or three days decorating the tree and the house. I always laugh because sometimes I can’t remember where I “normally” put something and it might end up in a new spot. Then I spend the season either saying, “Yes, that’s good.” or “No, that really doesn’t work.”
I sometimes feel very foolish for the sheer joy I feel when I look at a silly Christmas decoration that I cherish. But I do. I feel joy at the beauty and the sparkle of Christmas. This year since I am a bit limited in my movements I am having to really draw on that joy. I am going to have to strategically place things so that I can see “Christmas” everywhere yet not have as many decorations out and up.
Things tend to work in concert. We ended up with a much, much smaller tree than usual. Cool, since my hubby had to handle it without my help. Since it is smaller it will require less ornaments which will allow me to stay off my foot. Also a small tree requires less maintenance and the couches didn’t have to be moved. See? It is all gonna work out fine, I just need to let it go. Reject the negative when I start to feel a pout coming on. It’s ok that it is my favorite time of year and I can’t run around. Oh well. I can walk. My toe/foot IS healing. It is all good. For heaven’s sake its Christmastime. Let the negative go, embrace the season, embrace the unity.
Posted in Just stuff, Nia | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, Christmas Tree, Christmas tree ornaments, Christmastime, Holiday season, Holidays, Nia, Nia class, Nia focus, Nia intent, unity | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 4, 2010
I know sweet potatoes are full of good stuff. They are good for you to eat, but I didn’t think I liked them. I mean they are SWEET right? Well, recently I saw a recipe for roasted sweet potatoes. You know how I love roasted veggies. So I thought I would give it a try one day. While my hubby and I were buying veggies today we bought some sweet potatoes. Today was the day! By the time we got home from our Christmas Tree excursion, I didn’t want to look for the recipe. I figured that just knowing you can roast them was good enough for me.
Since I am not familiar with sweet potatoes I didn’t know what flavor to give them. My plan was onions and shallots, but my hubby was saying that they ARE sweet so I thought maybe a more sweet flavor would be better. Hmmmm? So I decided on both.
I cooked a pan of “sweet” sweet potatoes and a pan of savory sweet potatoes. Now I know why I didn’t think I liked sweet potatoes . . . . they ARE sweet. So to me they don’t need to be cooked with sweet flavors.
In my “sweet” pan I used lemon olive oil, lavender salt, and salt. In the savory pan, I used garlic olive oil, shallots, white onions, smoked garlic salt, and salt. I decided I liked the savory ones better. The potatoes themselves are sweet enough, to me they don’t need additional sweet flavoring. As you may remember sweet potatoes were on the list of anti-inflammatory foods. Yay! So that is one of the health benefits. They are also a great source of complex carbs and antioxidants! Here is some nutrient information about sweet potatoes:
(a cup of baked sweet potato with skin has about:)
—-180 Calories
—-72 mgs of sodium
—-41 grams of carbohydrates
—-7 grams of dietary fiber
—-4 grams of protein
—-769% of the RDA’s Daily Value of Vitamin A (WHOA!)
—-8 % Calcium
—-65% Vitamin C
—-8% of Iron
Eating a little “good” fat with this (like the olive oil) helps your body absorb that vitamin A (beta-carotene).
This veggie really packs a punch. I am going to try cooking it different ways. Do you eat sweet potatoes? How do you cook them?
Posted in Food, Vegetables | Tagged: anti-inflammatory, beta carotene, Christmas, Christmas trees, how to cook a sweet potato, inflammatory, roasted potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, shallots, sweet potatoes, vitamin a | 13 Comments »
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