"You Have To Accentuate The Positive" Mindful Monday

"The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive - Eckhart Tolle

We all think negative thoughts. Even us super positive people (and yes, I am this way constantly) have negative thoughts. Sometimes, if you are like me, the primary victim of your negative thoughts is yourself. Other people direct their negative cells toward others. Still others just take an Eeyore outlook on life. "Oh well. Nothing good ever comes to me anyway" Some lucky people have all those negative voices in their heads and more. These are your cup half empty people for sure. You are what you think. This means that what you express in the form of words, emotions and thoughts will be expressed in reality. Not only do negative thoughts create negative energy, but they will also keep you from experiencing the present moment. The more negative thoughts you have, the stronger they become. It may be a difficult task to stop your negative thinking, but there are many tools that can help increase your ability to think positively! ! Once you create the shift from negative to positive, you will create a much more positive life for yourself. You deserve a happy existence. Here are some ways to shift the negative into positive: (excerpt from Chanel Mulcahy, Truestar Blog) 1. Stop, breathe, and connect. Be aware of the thought, embrace it and let it go. As you breathe in, allow a positive thought to take place of the negative one. Even if you do not believe in this positive thought, the more you think about it, the more you will make this positive thought a reality. 2. Smile. Even if you have to force it. (author's note) otherwise known as "Fake it till you make it"!! 3. Give back. Take the attention off of yourself and do something kind and selfless for someone else. 4. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. This is the secret to positive thinking. Any time you feel you cannot get rid of your negative thoughts, list five things for which you are grateful. 5. Surround yourself with positive people. Positivity brings about positivity. If each day you allowed your thoughts and words to be filled with positivity, you would feel better, perform better and create more positive opportunities. My favourite is number 4. Practise being thankful It's not as hard to be positive when you realize just how much you have to be grateful for! Mindful Monday - FIND YOUR CORE!

"Summertime...And The Living Is Easy"

Ahhhh, the dog days of summer. Rest, relax...crawl out of bed late, stay up watching the sun go down with a glass of wine..the sleepy breath of a warm summer wind floats over us. Idyllic summer, blue skies, picnics....bliss..
Uhh, wait a minute! What the heck? My summers usually consist of juggling childcare options, drop offs, pick ups, run to work here, turn around, teach a class there, get home, drop off kids to hubby, grumpy kids, no money, classes down, expenses up, plan a weekend trip, cancel weekend trip need to work because Sean is home to look after kids, class planning, class promoting, finding work for fall, talking to prospective clients, delivering flyers, panicking, arguing, rushing. Well, you get the gist, right? Before I know it I'm rushing the kids out to buy pencil cases for back-to-school and I'm devastated because all the time I looked forward to was thrown out the window. Don't get me wrong, I loved what time I had with my gorgeous kids, but was I actually present for it?
I am a certifiable workaholic and licensed perfectionist. If I am not actively doing something, I am planning it, worrying about it and intending to get it done. It is likely that my state of doing nothing is actually causing me anxiety and stress. I have a hard time watching a TV Show, reading a book, going bowling, because I can't come out of my, "zone" and do only one thing. This is me, most of the time.
I am constantly driven to be excellent in EVERYTHING, and I always fulfill my potential. But I had forgotten how to live.
This summer I vowed things would be different. I consciously made changes that would have resounding effects for my family and myself. I accepted less work, giving up classes to other instructors, turned down some insanely excellent opportunities. It hurt everytime I said no, knowing in my heart that these chances were gone, and that come fall I would regret this. Also, we had to survive on far less money for the summer months with my reduced hours. But I wanted to put some things in place over the summer holidays, with the thought that if I did things right when I was not busy, these would become habitual and stay in place as my workload/stress load increased.
These were my plans for summer:
a) to relax. Watch a movie, read, sit outdoors, play on a swing, go for walks (and runs - I'm not giving up that!) I scheduled in complete days off and made myself take them regardless of what the business had left hanging. I slept in until the kids would pry my eyes open and jump on the bed wanting to get out and play.
I grabbed them and tickled their toes and hung them upside down. I practised headstands with them. I giggled at silly movies they made me watch, and watched their eyes light up at "adult" movies like Jurassic Park. I danced in the kitchen with Amy. I ducked when David launched his football at my head. I worked hard to forget the things I may be missing that would be good for the business. It was hard.
b) to learn to cook. Admittedly for the last few years, cooking for me had become dumping one box and one can into a pot and adding a veggie to the side. We bought salad dressing in a bottle, pasta in a pouch and soup in a can. We ate out, not all the time, but probably too much.The scary part is, even at that time, we still ate more healthily than most families. In the spring I read a book called, "Cooked" by Michael Pollan, and it inspired me to bake my own bread. That first loaf changed everything. Over the summer I scheduled myself a cooking time every week, and started to work. I made a series of dishes in that time  each week that I would freeze for meals to be pulled out, same with desserts, bread and now school lunches.
I loved that cooking time. I also loved that the whole family gravitated to the kitchen unbidden during the process as well. Amy is now my baking sous chef, David is interested in cooking classes and learning more (he can now make himself a scrambled egg and toast!) and Sean and I have found a new way to share. I have made a huge batch of tomato sauce, peanut butter, artisan, whole wheat and loaf bread, naans, pitas, breadsticks, granola bars, hummus, soups, chicken stock, casseroles, rose sauces, salad dressings and the list goes on. It has truly changed the way we eat, live and nourish ourselves in so many ways.
It is something special to sit and eat a meal made entirely by your own hand.
c) to be social and reconnect with people I love, past and present. This one is harder - schedules can be a huge road block. BUT with that in mind, sometimes just the invitation to dinner, phone call to chat etc...can be the reconnection itself. We have spoken with several old friends - and have plans with several more. We still have a ways to go. My business has certainly pushed my social life to the backburner, but I know that soon our "daytimers" will be full again and I will be back where I belong - with people! And now I can feed them excellent food - see it all ties in!
d) to schedule my priorities into my day. I wake-up at 5:40am and workout. Make the kids and Sean (with everyone helping) a fresh breakfast. Get ready for work.....I schedule in time for business marketing and accounting, scheduling etc.. I schedule in house cleaning, groceries and laundry etc....I know where I'll be and when I'll be there.
So four HUGE changes were implemented over the summer months (and I also gave up sugar, but that's another blog) and the results are pretty clear as I return to my normal work week. Keep in mind that I work a 36 hour "work week", not including travel time (4-6hrs/week), or "homework" class planning, notes, marketing, etc (another 5-12 hours/week ave.) Basically I have added another whole work day or more with the changes above. YAY! Even more busy, right? Oddly, no! I find that now my priorities have switched I have had time for:
- a shopping day and lunch at Port Perry with a dear friend
- a date at the Toronto Film Festival with some awesome friends
- an after dinner walk every day with the family
- a chapter each day of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" read to the kids (we're going ot see the movie soon!)
-an actual investment in watching tv. Rather than working, cleaning and watching all at the same time.
- a workout or stretch session 6 days a week - as a result my body feels awesome, I am less tired and less sore
-actually going to the movies. Like in jeans, and a blouse.
- going out in public in non-lycra pants and with A REAL BRA! Not a sports bra! and putting on non-waterproof make-up!
-a facial. Yes - I did! totally treated myself.
-movie in the park event with the family. And I didn't even take my phone. I know!

And interestingly enough, not one opportunity passed me by. When I started up my fall session I had more than I could handle thrown at me. And you know what I did with that blessing? Gladly passed it along. My business is going as well, or better than forecast, my shifts and classes in Oshawa and the Senior's Centre are balanced perfectly so I can be home to pick up the kids and have dinner at home. I am finished my day generally by 9:30pm latest - and am REALLY finished - no checking emails, sending reports, studying and working until 2am in the morning (unless absolutely necessary). I now know everything tht happens to each of my family members during their days, and this delights me.

"happiness is having everything you need, along with the ability to recognize and be grateful for it" Annie Tiffin

I have found my balance. I will have to work hard to keep myself motivated and in routine, but I'm not too worried about a little hard work. It has the best rewards.

Find  Your CORE!

"Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"

Cronut burgers and Miley Cyrus.
I know, I haven't blogged in forever and have a MILLION exciting things, inspirations and new exercises to share. But this week in the "news" has been all about a glut of excess that must be addressed.

I was lucky enough to spend 7 days in Cuba at the beginning of August. It was SO beautiful, relaxing and sublime. We were fortunate enough to step off of the resort and head into "real" Cuba.
Cubans get from place to place like this:

 or this:

 or maybe this:

 I wouldn't mind this mode of transport:

If you are lucky, maybe this:

or this:

They live in homes like this:

And eat food like this: 

They work hard. Get paid very little. But funnily enough - when Sean and I wandered amongst them, there was simple happiness to be felt. Cubans greet each other with loud,exuberant greetings, kisses, back slaps and smiles. They take pride in the little material goods life has brought their way. They smiled, met our eyes, said hola! to these two tourists wandering through their streets. They are proud to help each other, to be a community, and to contribute to their society. I am NOT in any way glossing over the hardships that Cuban people face and continue to face. What I am pointing out is their amazing ability to be happy despite them, with very little resources, money or support. 

You can imagine our culture shock when the #1 news story our first week back featured this:

The Cronut Burger

And our second week back, THIS was the number 1 story:

The Miley Cyrus

I don't need to explain these phenomenon to you do I? Unless you have been, well, in Cuba, you know what is in the above pictures. Both examples of our culture of excess. Our societal quest for the biggest, best, most shocking, most caloric, most sexual, most, most, most. What we have arrived at is the above grotesque displays of excess, truly historical in their vile, gluttonous desire to be the "most". I don't hold the products (aka Miley and the burger) personally responsible for their actions. They are simply pawns in this game. But we, as consumers need to send a message at some point, and that message, should be this:

"We have everything we need to be functional, happy, productive members of the most wonderful country in the world.Enough!"

Vote with your wallet by making your own food, creating your own entertainment, talking to your neighbours, helping those in need, playing games, moving, singing, dancing and being grateful.  Take care of yourself and others around you. Stop searching for more, start living with less and simply be in each moment. Live with hope, love with abandon and serve others selflessly. You'll be too busy to watch the next teen star twerking, I promise.

FIND YOUR CORE!

"I'm Talking To the Man in the Mirror"

Thin-Spiration. The online phenomenon of ogling bone thin women with the intent of depriving yourself to look like this. Using these images as inspiration and motivation to lose weight, to make yourself "better".
Now I am all for finding ways to keep yourself on track for a healthy and happy life, but this is a trend that disturbs me.
Not that it's new - we have been staring at images of pin-thin cover girls for decades, longing to be just like them. Our modern day role models are less people who change the world and more people who change their bodies to fit the ideal of a modern day woman. We care less about what people have done and more about what they look like. And, most disturbingly, this is how we now judge ourselves.
Thus begins the cycle of inadequacy that leads us to continue to push ourselves to be better. And when we find we cannot reach that impossible ideal, we sink into self-loathing and self-defeating behaviors.
I don't know how we stop this, short of tuning out of media altogether, but I know that we can seek healthy living role models to emulate that boost us up, inspire us and make us want to work hard to be our best.
Bottom line is - when we look in the mirror we need to turn off the voice that compares us to others and tune into the voice that sees the truth of what is in front of us. The voice that confirms the truly valuable parts about us that define us more than what a number on the scale could ever do.
Find Your CORE!

"Taking Care Of Business"

Your "Ask Annie" Q & A for the week!
"Anne - how on earth am I going to keep motivated while you are away? I am used to our schedule and am worried that I will fall off track when you leave"
Thank you for that question! Having you ask it shows me how much you desire to stay on the right track. I will share my tricks for keeping active on my own.
i) schedule in your workouts: put them in your calendar, just like you would if you were coming out to a class. Plan when/what/where you will workout and include that in your calendar entry. Fitness video, walk with friends, no matter what you plan, write it down and follow through. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
ii) get together with friends: include workout buddies in your plans - having someone else to work out with will both motivate you to follow through with your workout, but also will make the time pass more quickly and be more fun!
iii) listen objectively to your body: if you are not currently training for a goal (ie/weight loss, etc) then maybe your body could use a little break. Check in with yourself, and see if that body could use a little rest. Enjoy a few recovery days and then get back on track with your scheduled workouts.
iv) try something new: grab a different style of workout video or try a new form of fitness/sport. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. Try yoga, play baseball with friends, go swimming....switch it up! Our bodies like surprises and it's good for our minds too!
v) get out to Zumba!: our Zumba classes are still running! Getting out and staying in routine will help keep you going the other days of the week.

Remember - no matter what methods you use, you can totally stay on track while I am on vacation. And it will be worth the effort.

Find Your CORE!

Baby,Baby, Baby...OOOOHHHHH!

My son David wants you to know he disagrees with the title of this blog because the Bieber is "uncool". So now that we have kept David's cool factor intact, let's move on.

                                                          Annie & David with new baby Bowen

I.BAKED.BREAD.
And it tasted...like bread. Actual delicious, crusty on the outside, warm and airy on the inside, melt in your mouth awesomeness. Bread. From NOTHING! No box, no breadmaker, no nothing - just a bowl, flour, water, yeast and my hands.
It was incredible. One of my proudest moments. Now I understand that this may sound like I am exaggerating or making too much of this, after all I am known for hyperbole, BUT I swear to you this was special. Something from nothing.A miracle.
This has been an interesting week in history. The birth of the future King of England. A media campout waited outside a set of doors at a nondescript London hospital, reporting on every shadow, every curtain movement. It was monotony at it's best. But the world tuned in. And never left. A collective "aaaawwwww" was heard around the world as the Royal couple exited those doors and showed the watching throngs their new baby boy.
On the same day, with less media and paparazzi (though with no less drama I suspect) a baby boy was born here in Oshawa. Born at 11:56pm (cutting it pretty close!), Bowen Raif Davies was born to my friend (and CORE member) Bex. I sat on the couch the day after these birthdays and fretted - first that the Royal couple hadn't shown me their child yet, second that I hadn't seen Bex and her baby yet. What is it about babies that they cause in us these visceral, raw emotional reactions? Why do we care SO much about this daily occuring, completely natural and truly, for the most part, pretty disgusting process?
It's a miracle.
From the second of conception to the hold of new life in your hands, it is a miracle. Something from nothing. In a world where we have forgotten how to create, have outsourced every mundane chore, and are too busy to take 1/2 hour to workout, babies take their time. They can't be multitasked, hurried along or processed. We have no control over what, who, when they become. Babies force us to be present. To be alive. To wonder again.
This is what the baking process was like for me - a conception, a process of growth and development, followed by the triumphant removal from the oven. The conception in this case, was short and sweet (much like the conception....oh, never mind ;) ) flour, add water and yeast, stir. Then wait. At this point you must stay present - not allow yourself to get caught up in a thousand other things. Breathe. Knead. Flour. Turn. Shape. Rest. Wait.  Pop into oven. Patience. Wait. Smell. Breathe. Ahhhh...it's time.
A miracle. Something from nothing. This will nourish my children, and represents more to me than just a loaf of bread. Patience. Presence. Important lessons.
Miracles occur everyday. How many do you take note of? Babies and bread - they insist on our attention, but other things go quietly unnoticed.
Have Patience. Be Present. And you won't miss a thing.

Find your CORE!

                                                             In the beginning...

                                        how all good things in my home start - with a grope!

the bun is out of the oven!

Food Glorious Food!

Disclaimer** Do NOT read this post while hungry, waiting for dinner or warm, yeasty delicious fresh out of the oven delicious bread.

I love food. I love eating. And I HATE.LOATHE.ABHOR.DETEST. cooking. Get the picture? There is something about splitting open a bag off something, pouring it into a vessel and heating in some form of human conducted box that bores me to tears. Because let's face it, this is what passes for "home cooked food" in today's day and age.
I have been reading the book "Cooked" by Michael Pollan, who is my favourite common sense food writer. The book chronicles his decision to take an active role in the art of cooking. After all, cooking, as Pollan describes it, is the one thing that sets us apart fundamentally from all other species. No other mammal, reptile or bird breaks out a Zippo to light up the barbie and throw on a slab of meat. We cook, because with the advent of fire, many things became digestable to us that were not before (ie/pork) also because using the energy from the fire (cooking) to kick start the digestion and allow us to use less energy than we would to process raw meat. This freed up our genetic ancestors to consume this extra energy to evolve our brains, and less time chewing made for a more civilized society - community building, inventions etc...... So, inventing fire and figuring out how to cook actually played a role in our evolutionary process.
Pollan is revisiting 4 popular methods of cooking: grilling, boiling, baking bread and fermenting. He takes the reader through the history of each, how to, and more. Well worth the read, as are all his books. Get them on your summer reading lists!
It got me thinking about how little we actually do for ourselves in the kitchen. So many of our foods are processed, manufactured, bagged, shipped and slung into our grocery carts without a second thought. I pride myself on avoiding much processed food, but realized that the meatballs I had for dinner came from a box, the sauce from a tin and the pasta from a bag. Hmmmmm.
So this weekend the Tiffin girls are embarking on Operation Bake The Bread. Yes - Amy and I are going to bake bread. We are going to mix, roll, knead, rise and bake bread.Together. Without killing each other - but that is a whole other blog. I'll keep you posted.
Find Your CORE!