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About Maggie Downie

Thank you for giving your time to stop and read my blog. I hope it encourages you to keep moving. Move and the body will be happier. And when you're moving you can hike, run, swim in Jell-O, race over non-Newtonian fluids, travel the world or build igloos--if that's your thing. If not, you can watch me do it. This is just a spot to try and feel good about life.
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How Much Sugar A Day?

Sugar is actually good for us.  Sugar fuels our brain and provides quick energy.  At least that is the case with sugar before it is fully processed and transformed into the white substance we normally see.  Sugar cane contains minerals and vitamins (like calcium, phosphorus, chromium, magnesium, cobalt, copper, zinc, and manganese).  All those nutrients and the fiber in the sugar cane help us digest the sugar. When we consume sugar without the other nutrients (as is the case in white sugar) the body can be forced to leach calcium from bones and other tissues to help process the sugar.  So how much sugar should we get a day?

Two hundred years ago it is estimated that Americans ate about 10 pounds of refined sugar per year.  Today that poundage is estimated to be 156 pounds per person per year.  This does not include sugars from whole fruits or dairy products.  Just added sugar (white sugar, sugar cane, honey, maple syrup, agave, etc). 

The American Heart Association recommends 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 teaspoons a day for […]

How Much Sugar A Day?2019-02-13T17:46:20-05:00

Low FODMAPs

I have been on a Low FODMAP’s diet since January 2nd.  Commencing immediately after the season of sugar, gluten, chocolate, carbs, gravy, chocolate, eggnog, and did I mention chocolate?

Forced into a Healthy Lifestyle

This diet is not by choice, although I guess no one can make me do it.  My gastroenterologist prescribed it.  I keep getting this frustrating gut bacteria called SIBO.  You can delve deeper into that in my blog titled, “Gas or Menstrual Cramps.” It’s a tale filled with TMI and information you may never have wanted to know about my large and small intestine, or maybe you are super curious about intestines.

My doctor thought Low FODMAPS is so important that she prescribed me a dietician to explain just how I’m supposed to eat now.  Going into the New Year I did not feel like I was in the right mental place to alter my food lifestyle.  Like a little kid, I just didn’t wanna.  I keep reminding myself this is a LOW FODMAPs diet, not a NO FODMAPS diet.

Always Experimenting

This is not the first time I’ve tried a diet experiment.  Over the years, I’ve experimented with diets […]

Low FODMAPs2019-01-30T10:07:26-05:00

8 Mindful Eating Tips

It is our annual Mindful Eating Challenge.  We do this in February for two reasons.  Honestly, the shortest month of the year is appealing if you are going to do a food challenge.  But also, many of us tend to set healthy goals in January.  Many of us have lost track of those goals by February.  This is a second reset—a reminder.

I know one of my goals for January was to stop distracted eating—not scrolling through social media, watching TV, or working through meals.  It lasted one and a half weeks.

No Pressure

This month is not about pressure.  You may or may not do your goal perfectly.  The point is to pick something you’d like to change/think about/learn about the food you consume and how it fuels you and makes you feel.

In the past, I always gave up sugar for the month of February.  Almost no one wanted to do that with me.  So a couple years ago at the advise of Stephanie Tishler from Tishler Coaching Services we changed this to the Mindful Eating Challenge.  It’s now much more popular.

Some Suggestions

You can pick anything you want to focus on.  Here […]

8 Mindful Eating Tips2019-01-30T10:38:55-05:00

Setting Intentions

A few months ago I started taking a yoga class for the first time in about 17 years.  I’ve always struggled with holding poses in yoga.  I’m not so good at the stillness, so I’ve often stayed away from yoga.  For the most part, this power yoga class moves pretty fast and the moves are fun and challenging but manageable.  I’m really enjoying the class even though it requires me to get up early on a Sunday.  One of the aspects that I’ve come to really appreciate is setting an intention at the start of each class.

Focus

It gives me a focal point that I can return to when my mind wanders or I’m frustrated on my progress or discomfort in a pose.  I think, “Well, Maggie, your intention was to breathe, so focus there and see if it helps or what you notice” or “your intention was to find comfort, so ease off today and let it be comfortable”  This is a simple idea and no shocking surprise that it’s a way to refocus, but I definitely never appreciated that concept years ago.  And in a world that moves at a […]

Setting Intentions2019-01-16T15:00:48-05:00

Myers Briggs I’m No Martin Luther King

Guess I can enjoy an 8 hour hike in the woods alone because I’m an introvert.

My best friend from childhood came for a sleep over (is that still the term once you are an adult?) and suggested I take a quick, online Myers Briggs test.  The Myers Briggs test is a personality test that is supposed to tell you how you perceive the world and what motivates your decision making.  Offices sometimes use them to help people work together and understand coworkers’ motivations.  I presumed it would be somewhat relevant, but in the way a daily horoscope could work for almost anyone on any given day.  While fun I would not put a lot of stock in horoscopes.

But who cares if it is accurate or not?  It’s fun to answer questionnaires like we used to do in magazines as teenagers in her basement bedroom that was decorated with Absolute Vodka advertisements.  Now sitting in my living room, snuggled in warm blankets I took the 15-minute quiz.  Some questions were easy to answers, others were more challenging.  Do you think organization or flexibility is more important?  What are they looking for?  […]

Myers Briggs I’m No Martin Luther King2019-01-16T15:18:22-05:00
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