Mindfulness turned to mindlessness

Today started out with the best intentions…as all days do! I was up bright and early and decided that I needed to get outside and get moving. I have been wanting to start back up running but today just wasn’t the best day for my body. I didn’t let that hold me back completely; I got walking and tried to make it mindful; staying present and just observing the world around me and the feeling of the outdoors. Towards the end of the walk though, as it began to heat up and get sticky, my mind was drifting and I began to think of my to-do list for the day and the schedule that I wanted to maintain.

I got home and made a very mindful breakfast 🙂 Thanks to Ash’s lovely post on oats I have begun mastering the art of stove-top oats 🙂 This girl was all about the fast-microwave oat breakfast but, no more! One needs to take a little more care and love in preparing their meals because food is more than a pit stop, it’s fuel for our bodies and minds! So, into the pot went:

1/3 cup rolled oats (rounded)

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup light Silk original

1/2 scoop chia seeds

1/4-1/2 t cinnamon

1 small banana sliced thin

1 packet Truvia

I cook it low and slow for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat so it didn’t get too hot (I have this fear of scorching milk, probably from some past cooking mishap). When it was done I topped it with 1 T almond butter mixed with 1 T soy milk (heated in the microwave for a few seconds) and ate it with a side of blueberries.

After really enjoying my breakfast I decided that the earlier I could run my errands to Trader Joe’s and the grocery store, the better. I showered and got ready as quick as I could and headed out the door. Does anyone else get super distracted at Trader Joe’s? Even when I have a list and a game-plan I ALWAYS want to shop around and find new things. I always get drawn to the sample counter and all the aisles that do not have the items on my list. Anyway, I got out of there with only a few extra things than planned and continued on my way.

The grocery store was an absolute WARZONE. Anyone from the Massachusetts that has experienced Market Basket knows what I am talking about. I posted an update on facebook about how crazy it was and all of the mom’s that I know replied with their understanding…or just laughing at me. Even though I stuck strictly to my list in there, it still took a while navigating all the crazy ladies that shop in the middle of a weekday.

Getting home from the store was a nice lunch with Eric (the boyfriend). I invited him over for lunch and extended the time I was putting of typing my paper for class this weekend. Once he left there was little left but to face the music: the paper had to get done. The mindlessness ensued:

As I typed I facebooked, twittered, cleaned, did laundry, oh and munched. Yup, snacking away, drinking water too, which I needed, but by the time 5:30 rolled around I felt like I had snacked my way from lunch to dinner, but I had the finished 16 pages to show for it (all 16 were not typed today, but done is done)!

To get back on track with the mindfullness I spent a little time outdoors with my mom while she did some watering and gardening. Something about plants, fresh air, and all things green.

So anyways, I’ve really found that it’s a true balance. Each day will not be a perfect harmony of all the different factors, and life’s tasks will surely get in the way, but taking time to do a few things that bring you back to center and help you find a little peace make it all worth it.

Have a good night!!

-Em