Review: My 2011 Intentions

Here are my 2011 Intentions:

• I intend to create a daily practice of yoga, meditation and journaling
• I intend to drink at least one Green Smoothie daily
• I intend to do 35 minutes or more of cardio exercise at least 4 times a week, this includes dog walking, rebounder, etc. 
• I intend to focus on growing my blog this year, including number of followers, investing in SEO program, creating regular posts and updating the look
• I intend to write and publish my first book
• I intend to focus on my Spiritual practice, which could include taking classes at the Rime  Buddhist Center, increasing my meditation practice, Spiritual reading, prayer, and creating my own Sacred Space.
• I intend to start the year with a 21 Day Adventure Cleanse, and do mini-cleanses throughout the year
• I intend to continue to build and grow my friendships and schedule at least one social outing each week
• I intend to attend a Vipssanna meditation retreat as part of my healing and Spiritual growth
• I intend to take a vacation this year, location TBA

So How Did I Do?

1. I started the year with a yoga practice, but after my water weight came on I no longer could do it. This is going on my 2012 goals. Journaling was hit or miss, and I meditated frequently, but not enough. 
2. Green Smoothie--check!
3. Exercise has been on and off because of my condition as well
4. Been working on growing the blog, but didn't do many of the things I wanted to do. Will flip to 2012. 
5. Book writing flipped to 2012
6. Definitlely did a lot of Spiritual work this year and will continue to grow next year. 
7. Did the 21 day cleanse, twice actually. 
8. Friendships--check!
9. You can read about my Vipssanna experience here. 
10. I took at vacation to Portland, which you can read about here. 

All in all not bad, most of it is continuing into 2012, but that's because several things are lifetime goals. 

How Did You Do With Your 2011 Intentions?

My 2011 Intentions: How I'm Doing

At the beginning of the year, I created a list of intentions for 2011. We are a little more than half way through the year, so I thought it was time to check in on my goals.

• I intend to create a daily practice of yoga, meditation and journaling
• I intend to drink at least one Green Smoothie daily
• I intend to do 35 minutes or more of cardio exercise at least 4 times a week, this includes dog walking, rebounder, etc. 
• I intend to focus on growing my blog this year, including number of followers, investing in SEO program, creating regular posts and updating the look
• I intend to write and publish my first book
• I intend to focus on my Spiritual practice, which could include taking classes at the Rime  Buddhist Center, increasing my meditation practice, Spiritual reading, prayer, and creating my own Sacred Space.
• I intend to start the year with a 21 Day Adventure Cleanse, and do mini-cleanses throughout the year
• I intend to continue to build and grow my friendships and schedule at least one social outing each week
• I intend to attend a Vipssanna meditation retreat as part of my healing and Spiritual growth
• I intend to take a vacation this year, location TBA

My Success:
I drink green smoothies almost everyday, and really enjoy it. I attending a Spiritual retreat called Spirit Junkie, started A Course in Miracles, and have been learning to be more Spiritual. I blogged about my 21 Day Adventure Cleanse experience. I have made several new friends, made an effort to get social at least once a week, and have done fun things like the Roller Derby, chit-chat at a local coffee shop, and going out to the movies. Read here about my Vipssanna Meditation experience. I took a vacation to Portland, you can read my blog post here.

In progress: 
I started off the year on a good path regarding Yoga and exercise, but sadly my health has taken a turn lately and prevented me from doing so. Hopefully as I build up my strength again, I can start small by rebounding. I also have not been very diligent about journaling, although I've done it a bit, and I've only recently increased my meditation practice. I will continue to focus on these two things. I have not had the mental clarity to focus on a book, so this may roll-over to 2012, once I am healed.

Overall I think I'm on the right track. How are your 2011 Intentions going? 

21 Day Adventure Cleanse: Days 4-7

I've made it a full week on my cleanse now and I'm feeling pretty good.  The last few days I've been a little fatigued, and spent some extra time resting.  Today, however, I feel great, alert, and ready to get things done.  There is a list of "check in" items, to review at the end of each day.  In addition to tracking each item of food, I am also tracking how much water I drink, what supplements I take, how my eliminations are, what time in the evening I have my last bit of food, and how the cleanse makes me feel physically and emotionally.  I also record if I abstained from: coffee, alcohol, gluten, animal products and sugar and whether or not I did: dry brushing, neti pot, exercise, meditate, chew mindfully, laugh out loud, spend time in nature, get a good eight hours of sleep.

I've been doing a great job abstaining from everything but sugar. I have been eating a piece of dark chocolate at the end of each day. I admit that I haven't even resisted the urge. This week, though, I would like to see if I can go a few days without, and break the hold sugar has on me.

Chipotle Hominy Stew

I have been meditating everyday to the Vortex meditations, which I highly recommend.  Exercise has been hit or miss.  We had several nice days last week and Triton and I ventured out on walks, which gave us our "time in nature" quota as well.  I can't say I'm as motivated to walk in three feet of snow, in the 12 degrees. However, part of my 2011 Intentions included daily yoga, which I can't say has happened so far. The Yoga Journal online started a 21 day yoga challenge, today, which I signed up for. This should get me back on track for my intention and daily exercise.

I've generally been pretty good with the detox tools, but I haven't done a lot of laughing and as for chewing mindfully, I am terrible at this! So this week those are the things I will focus on.  I have been sleeping pretty well, except the last two nights, I've had to get up and pee every 30-45 minutes, no joke! Apparently my lymph is moving stuff through, which is great! However, it makes solid sleep very difficult.  Let's hope that chills a bit this week. 

How are you doing with your 2011 Intentions? 

2011 Intentions and 21 Day Adventure Cleanse

I've read several articles debating on the importance of New Year's Resolutions.  This year I've put together a list of "intentions" for the year, things that I feel are doable and will help my continued growth.

• I intend to create a daily practice of yoga, meditation and journaling
• I intend to drink at least one Green Smoothie daily
• I intend to do 35 minutes or more of cardio exercise at least 4 times a week, this includes dog walking, rebounder, etc. 
• I intend to focus on growing my blog this year, including number of followers, investing in SEO program, creating regular posts and updating the look
• I intend to write and publish my first book
• I intend to focus on my Spiritual practice, which could include taking classes at the Rime  Buddhist Center, increasing my meditation practice, Spiritual reading, prayer, and creating my own Sacred Space.
• I intend to start the year with a 21 Day Adventure Cleanse, and do mini-cleanses throughout the year
• I intend to continue to build and grow my friendships and schedule at least one social outing each week
• I intend to attend a Vipssanna meditation retreat as part of my healing and Spiritual growth
• I intend to take a vacation this year, location TBA

Yesterday I started my 21 Day Adventure Cleanse.  Unlike a lot of cleanses, you are encouraged to eat as much as needed to be satisfied, as long as the meals fit the parameter of the diet.  I am abstaining from all coffee, gluten, animal products, and sugar.  The focus is on fresh vegetables and fruits, either raw or steamed, nuts and seeds, rice, and healthy grains.  The cleanse also encourages daily exercise, meditation, and the utilization of detox tools such as the Neti Pot and Dry Skin Brushing.  Once a week there is a fast, only fresh juice, smoothies and tea.  This day of rest allows the body to really eliminate toxins.  I have been journaling my experience and will post recipes and my progress as I continue through the 21 Days.

What are your Intentions for 2011?