Will Power and Won't Power

I recently read an article in the New York Times that claims if you exert significant will power in one area in your life, will power tends to slip in other areas. (Read it HERE.) This makes sense to me. I mean if I have the power to go and walk/run 4 miles, I have to admit the power to avoid chocolate completely escapes me. And if I manage to avoid chocolate (especially chocolate chip cookies), well then I barely have the will to live, so much go out and do a yoga class.

Does this mean that I am doomed to only achieve one goal in my life? Um, Noooooo. But it does mean that I can really only effectively accomplish one thing at a time. This frustrates the multitasker in me to no end. But in a way, it's important validation. I have found that multitasking usually means trying to do a bunch of things at once, very poorly. And by time I factor in all the corrections, it really takes the same amount of time as doing the tasks sequentially. Now this is ME I'm talking about. Some people (especially Moms) seem able to have a cell phone conversation, break up the kids fight, cook dinner, and do 3 loads of wash simultaneously. I guess I'm just not one of those people. But the good news is, eventually these will power items become habits that I don't have to think too hard about any more--allowing me to move on to the next item.

In any case, as I was ENTIRELY too lazy to exercise beyond a tiny little dance session in the morning on Friday, at least I have this relatively healthy summer yumminess in the plus column. This is my take on the typical melon and prosciutto salad. I like to serve it with VERY fresh melon, prosciutto torn into small pieces and scattered over the top (to make it easier to eat), the juice of half a fresh lemon squeezed over the top, and finely minced mint right out of the garden. Now if this doesn't say summer, I don't know what. The Midwesterner in me is appalled to think about April being summer. But however reluctant I may be in embracing my new LA home, I guess I'm just accepting it.

So, my dear friends I'm encouraging you to pick a single, teeny-tiny focus for your will power--and work it with all your might.

Cause peeps, nothing breeds success, like success.

oxoxo
TFC

Love Yer Belleh

Our society seems obsessed with bellies. "Let them be slender." "Let them be rock hard." "Let them be defined into a 6 or 8 pack of mean little muscles." And while a few of us are genetically or psychologically disposed to this sort of "abs", alas many of us are not. Which causes far too many of us to be mean to our bellies. Our soft underside. The holder of cookies and cradle for our potential children. We stuff them into too-tight jeans, we smush them under girdles, we suck them in and hold our breath. And we can't breathe. Which is sad, because life is so much better when you chuck your control top pantyhose and just

b r e a t h e...

That's why I was so excited when I got an email from the Fat PDX. Seems they are holding a BELLY UP event in June or July which will encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes and dispositions to bare their bellies for the camera. Woooo Hoooo! In the spirit of the thing, hundreds have already submitted belly pictures showing off their middle parts. You can see them in the Bellies Are Beautiful gallery here. And you can help support that great event by contributing $5 or more and earning the special patch shown above. Now this is one merit badge I'm PROUD to own.

So whether you're sporting a six-pack or a keg, take a picture and send it on in. And remember, it's never too late to love the skin you're in.

With love,
The Fat Chick