16+ tips for surviving self-quarantine.

My family and I have been self-quarantined in Beijing since January 26. As the coronavirus has escalated in North America, I've had family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers reach out to me—asking for advice, asking about my experience, looking for commiseration, and some people specifically asked me to write a blog post.

Here it is, but with two big disclaimers: I am not an expert and this is my personal experience.

First, answers to questions a lot of people have asked:

Were you/are you worried about shopping for groceries? Did people run out and stock up on toilet paper and other supplies there?
In the beginning we were worried about groceries, because people kept talking about the possibility of shortages. We stocked up on enough food for about a week or two, a mix of fresh food and non-perishables. We bought one pack of toilet paper, two boxes of diapers for Clarke, one box for Mabel (she only wears them when sleeping), and two six-packs of baby wipes. Most of this we ordered (grocery delivery in Beijing is common and very cheap). I made one grocery run at the very beginning of our self-quarantine for a few items we couldn't order.

In the beginning, we did have a bit of a hard time getting fresh produce, but I think that had more to do with it being Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and stock gets low at that time anyway. After a few days, it was no problem.

Over the past seven weeks, we've continued ordering groceries a couple times a week. A lot of restaurants were closed (because of the holiday and because of the coronavirus), but as they've slowly reopened, we've been ordering delivery a few times a week as well. We feel it is safe and a small way to help support local businesses (the restaurants themselves but also the delivery companies).

I don't think people stocked up on toilet paper the way they have in North America; I didn't hear of any shortages. I know people did stock up on masks and hand sanitizer, and there were shortages of those items.

What precautions did you take to stay safe and healthy?
We've been self-quarantining; the first two weeks were mandatory and the rest of the time it's been encouraged that we stay home as much as possible and only go out when necessary. (Protocol has been different depending where in Beijing/China you live.) We live on our school's campus; I've left campus three times (once for groceries, once for toys/activities, and once for a walk for my mental health). Tony has left once. The kids haven't left at all.

We wash our hands often—every time we leave our apartment, after getting a delivery, when we come in from outside, and all the usual times like after using the washroom and before eating.

When we leave campus and/or are around groups of people, we wear masks. We wear masks because it is recommended/required here. (Clarke hasn't worn a mask because the risks to babies' breathing outweighs the benefits.) Follow experts' advice on masks wherever you are.

What have you told Mabel? How much does she understand or know?
We have kept it very simple and told Mabel only what she needs to know, when she needs to know it. When she asks questions, we answer only what she asks and are as honest as we can be while keeping it appropriate for her age/maturity.

For example, she knows that school is closed right now and her ayi (nanny) and friends aren't here. She knows that she has to wash her hands more than normal because of "germs." Sometimes she seems to fixate on germs and I've told her that there are always germs and we should always wash our hands. I've explained that germs aren't all bad, that they can help make us strong, but sometimes they can make us sick so we're being careful.

She surmised on her own that school is closed "because germs" (her words) and so we went with that, and just told her we hope she can go to school again soon. We're doing online learning for now.

When she asks where her friends are, we tell her: Canada, Costa Rica, etc. When she asks why, we tell her because their moms and dads wanted to go there. (Obviously it's much more complex than that, but I'm not going to get into all that with my two-year-old.) When she asks when they'll come back, we tell her we don't know but hopefully soon.

Sometimes she tells us she's sad and I acknowledge her feelings and am honest, "I'm sad too" or "I miss my friends too." Sometimes I leave it at that and sometimes I try to swivel to a positive.

I think her young age is an advantage to us right now because her questions aren't too complicated.

How are Mabel and Clarke doing being cooped up?
We're lucky we live on campus so we have been going outside to the soccer field and playground almost every day. (There aren't many other people here right now and they're all being cautious too.) I don't think Clarke notices any difference (but maybe he misses our ayi and his baby friends?). The hardest part for Mabel has been missing her friends, teachers, and ayi. She tells us she misses her friends almost every day.

How did you stay mentally well? What is the best thing you've done to keep from panicking? 
The most difficult thing for me has been my mental health. I’ve gone through a range of emotions. It’s stressful not knowing when it will end, I feel guilty about Mabel having more screen time than usual, I've felt anxious and depressed, I miss my friends and feel lonely. I’m what I call an “introverted extrovert” so I love being home, but I also love being with other people. I'll share what has helped me below.

Is there an end in sight for you? Is it getting better?
Last I heard, cases have gone way down and most new cases are from people coming from abroad. For the time being, we are still practicing "social distancing" and there are strict measures in place in public areas like temperature checks, limiting the number of people allowed to sit at tables in restaurants, etc. Still no sign of when schools will reopen.

Tips for Your Mental Health

1. Stock up on self-care items for yourself.
Buy or borrow a bunch of books you've been wanting to read. (I love my Kobo and you can borrow library books online!) I've been using face masks and taking bubble baths a few times a week.

2. Get outside (or at least open the windows)!
I feel so much better after even just a few minutes of sunshine and fresh air. Like I said, we're lucky to live on our school's campus, but go for a walk or to a park if you can. (Note: Follow local/health experts' advice; I am not an expert.)

3. Exercise.
I was in a great routine pre-coronavirus but all that went out the window. I recently started doing pilates again and it's helping me feel better mentally and physically.

4. Keep up your planner.
Since I'm on maternity leave right now, I haven't been using a planner. I started again though and it's bringing peace and order to my days. I write down a few tasks to accomplish each day. And I sometimes retroactively write things down and check them off—Bath kids, check! Laundry, check!—to "prove" to myself that I did something that day. (Of course, it's okay to not "be productive" every day! You should take days off!)

5. Get dressed.
At the beginning, I was using self-quarantine as an excuse to stay in PJs and not do my hair or makeup. After a while, I realized that was contributing to my low feelings. Now a few days a week I get ready like I normally would; it's amazing what showering and putting on a bit of makeup while listening to a podcast and drinking coffee can do for you!

6. Talk to friends.
If possible, it's great to have a friend who is going through the same thing and someone who isn't. (I realize that latter option might be harder now that it is a global pandemic.) I've had regular video chats and group texts with friends and while we've been talking about the coronavirus, we've also talked about regular things: work, books, podcasts, joys and hardships of parenting, etc.

I haven't done this yet myself, but I've heard of people having virtual wine nights, book clubs, etc. I'm excited to try!

7. Find the silver linings.
When I start to feel really down, I try to find and focus on the silver linings. I get to spend more time with my family. I've been reminded that I can do hard things. Colleagues whose maternity leaves were shorter than mine have been able to spend more time with their babies.

8. Acknowledge the hard parts.
So many people have asked me some variation of, "Is it hard?" Yah, this whole situation sucks. Hashtag understatement. Acknowledge it. Sit with it. But try not to dwell in it.

9. Limit time spent on social media.
Easier said than done and I need to do better at this myself.

Tips for Kids

Some of the above apply to kids too: Get outside; exercise (Cosmic Kids Yoga is great); video chat with family and friends. Three more things that are helping us:

1. Stock up on toys and activities if you can. 
When I knew we’d be stuck at home for the foreseeable future and wasn’t sure if stores would remain open, I went on a small shopping spree. I bought everything from a DUPLO dollhouse, to a train set, to bath toys, to finger paint, to stickers. Tony and I agreed that we would give the kids a new “thing” whenever it seemed right and that we would probably (hopefully!) not use them all. We will save whatever is left for gifts for their birthdays, holidays, and maybe even other kids’ birthdays!

(That Lego doll house is in the running for the best money I've ever spent; Mabel has played with it—with us and independently—every day for the past 5 weeks!)

More ideas for activities: Busy Toddler and Days with Grey

2. Say yes.
That’s a tip I first read on A Cup of Jo and I always try to live by it, but especially now. Mabel wants to sleep upside down in her bed? Yes! Wants to play naked? Yes! Wants cereal for supper? Yes! Wants to jump on our bed? Yes! This has been hard for her, especially missing her friends, so I’m trying my best to keep her happy and entertained AND safe and healthy.

3. Throw away all the guilty feelings!
I know it’s easier said than done. I have felt guilty that Mabel is getting way more screen time than usual, that we chose to stay here so she isn’t able to go to school or play places or libraries (although it seems that would have eventually been the same if we had returned to Canada), that we’re ordering delivery for dinner a little more often because it’s hard to work and take care of the kids and cook and clean. When I give myself grace and tell myself I’m doing my best, it’s easier on all of us.

More Tips for Getting Through This

1. Continue to live your life.
It will look and feel different, but you need to adjust to your "new normal" for however long it lasts. While we've been self-quarantining, we've celebrated Tony's birthday, transitioned Mabel to a "big girl" bed, handled temper tantrums (Mabel's and our own), and done our best to have fun.

2. If possible, continue to pay people/support businesses.
I've been worried about the economy (locally, nationally, globally) since this all began. Tony and I are very fortunate that we are still getting paid (he's working from home and I'm on maternity leave). Because of that, we're able to:

+ Continue paying our ayi even though she's not working with us right now. (At first she wasn't allowed on campus; now she is a couple times a week, but we're being extra cautious.)

+ Continue my weekly pilates class with my "pre-coronavirus" instructor (via Zoom) so he'll still have that source of income, in addition to free/more affordable exercise classes online.

+ Order food and drinks from local restaurants and places like Starbucks. (Yup, Starbucks. I know they are a BIG corporation, but the way I see it, if people are ordering from them, baristas have more job security and so do the delivery guys and they will continue to get paid.) I've seen people online suggesting buying gift cards to your fave places to use after this ends. Do whatever is possible/what you feel most comfortable with.

3. Help others.
I've seen so many great ideas online and I'm sure you have too. Donate cash to food banks, offer to get groceries or run errands for those more at-risk, help look after someone's kids if they have to go to work and you're able to stay home, whatever you're able to do.

4. Do your best to flatten the curve. 
I know it sucks (again, hashtag understatement) to have trips and events cancelled, to be stuck home with your kids, to not be able to go out for your morning or afternoon coffee. But it is possible, it is doable; we've been doing it for 7 weeks and counting now.

If you have any more questions or if there is any way I can help you, please leave a comment, email me, or message me. We will get through this together!

my 16 favourite natural skincare products.

With the help of Think Dirty, I began the switch to natural products back in February. Since then, I've switched almost everything I use. I've had time to try a few different brands and many different products, and I've discovered some favourites.

Here are 16 of my current fave products (where applicable, the product's Think Dirty rating is noted in brackets):

Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (0): I use this for everything—eye makeup remover, oil pulling, moisturizer, hair treatment... T saw me slathering it on my toast one time and exclaimed, "You're eating your cream?!" Coconut oil is amazing!

Desert Essence Whitening Plus Toothpaste (3): I've tried 4 different natural toothpastes and this is the winner. It works and it has a strong mint flavour, which I love, because it makes my mouth feel extra clean. (T and I also love this toothpaste by Jason.)

Acure Volume Shampoo (3): I've heard that there are lots of natural shampoos out there that don't lather well. This is not one of them. I only need to use a little bit to get lots of lather and my hair is clean and has more volume than when I don't use this. (I also love Acure's clarifying shampoo.)

Acure Volume Conditioner (0): This conditioner is a little more runny than the chemical-filled ones I used in the past, but it still works well. (I also love Acure's clarifying conditioner.)

Acure Clarifying Body Wash (3): I've tried natural body washes from three different brands, and this is one of my favourites. It lathers really well; a little goes a long way. (Another favourite, especially if you're looking for something scented, is Deep Steep body wash.)

Schmidt's Lavender + Sage Deodorant (1): I have this in the jar and stick. I apply from the jar in the mornings and if I need a touch-up through the day (which is rare!), I use the stick. I really should write a post devoted to natural deodorant because I was an incredibly sweaty skeptic before making the switch, and now I am a not-sweaty-or-stinky convert. (Shoutout to another fave: Soapwalla deodorant cream!)

Now Foods Organic Jojoba Oil (0): Like coconut oil, this is a multitasker; I sometimes mix it with my body lotion or conditioner for extra moisture. I like it because it's similar to the skin’s natural oils. I've also read that it can be used as a carrier oil with essential oils.

Acure Day Cream (0): As someone who struggles with acne, I was surprised to find that I liked this face moisturizer better than their oil control version. I love the way this feels and the smell is especially nice in the morning.

Desert Essence Coconut Hair Defrizzer and Heat Protector (3): I think my Tresemmé heat protective spray and Dove frizz-free cream were two of the last products I switched. I didn't want to throw them out despite them both being rated a 10(!!!). And then I found this spray and I will never go back.

Acure Sensitive Facial Cleanser (1): This has been a fave since I first started using natural products. Obviously, I'm a big Acure Organics fan!

Thayers Witch Hazel (1): I use this as a toner every night. Not much to say other than I like it, and Thayers has been around since 1847—there must be a reason for it.

Kiss My Face Moisture Shave (3): I've used many things to shave my legs—bars of soap, shaving cream, hair conditioner, and coconut oil—and nothing has worked better than this.

Deep Steep Argan Oil Foaming Hand Wash: I've used many different hand soaps and they've all either given me headaches from their strong scent or made my skin too dry. This one does neither. I plan on trying different scents throughout the year.

Deep Steep Bubble Bath (3): You guys, this one makes me really excited! I've tried Lavender Chamomile and Coconut Lime. They smell wonderful, leave my skin feeling soft, and a little makes A LOT of bubbles! If you're like me and are were a fan of Lush bubble bars, switch to Deep Steep! They're cheaper, last longer, and better for you!

Herbivore Orchid Facial Oil: This is expensive but it's worth it. Trust me, I did not want to love the $80 CAD facial oil, but I do. It has done miracles for my skin. The good news: It lasts a very long time. I've been using it morning and night every day since February and the bottle is just half empty.

Herbivore Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask: Okay, same thing. $60 CAD face mask? Pfft. But it's another miracle worker! After using this and the orchid facial oil, even Tony notices a difference in my skin and that's saying something! This also lasts a very long time. I use it several nights a week and the container is not even half empty.

Tips:
1) Save $5 off your first iHerb order with code NVW180. They ship all over the world!
2) Herbivore products are cheaper at Sephora and shipping is free if you spend $50.

(This is not a sponsored post; I just like sharing the things that I'm using and loving. However, iHerb links are referral, and if you make a purchase through them, I may receive reward credits to be used on my own purchases.)

currently obsessed: think dirty.

The Think Dirty app has changed my life! Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but I do think it's greatly improved my life.

I've always known that there are bad chemicals in a lot of the products we use every day, and I've become more aware of it over the past couple of years, but it was always pretty easy to just... not think about it. 

Then I downloaded Think Dirty and the information was right in front of me. You can scan or search for a product and see its rating, its ingredients, and their effects. (All of these photos are screenshots from the app on my phone.) 

When I began adding products to my "bathroom shelf," my overall rating was a 9 or 10. Oof. It was eye-opening. I couldn't ignore it anymore. When I talked to friends about it, I compared it to what I used to say to my parents: "You know smoking is bad for you, so why do you keep doing it?"

So... the face powder I've used for years is rated a 10. Great...

"Carcinogenic in lab studies." Just what you want in something you put on your face every day. 

I love that Think Dirty makes this information so accessible and easy to understand. They have references for the info they provide, and for most products (like the one above), they suggest clean alternatives. 

Since downloading Think Dirty in February, I've been steadily replacing my skincare, cosmetic, and even cleaning products. It's become kind of like a game... how low can I get my rating?

Since I took this screenshot, my overall rating has dropped to a 3(!!!).

When you first add your products, it can feel disheartening; my rating is how high?! But once you start swapping "dirty" products for "clean" products and you see your rating go down, you feel so accomplished! It's addictive! 

(Sidenote: I've ordered most of my natural products from iHerb, and three of my new favourite brands are Acure, Schmidt's, and Attitude. Use code NVW180 to save $5 on your first order!)

Do you use natural products? What are your favourites?

(This is not a sponsored post; I just like sharing the things that I'm using and loving, or rather, currently obsessed with. However, iHerb links are referral, and if you make a purchase through them, I may receive reward credits to be used on my own purchases.)

my first juice cleanse.

I have felt so blah for a long time. Bloated, gassy, tired, blah. So I decided to do a juice cleanse.

For some reason, I decided to do the Transformation Cleanse: "This cleanse is made for green juice lovers and health nuts! Our most intense cleanse that digs DEEP inside the body to rid yourself of built up toxins that have been stored in the digestive system for years.  This cleanse will yield the biggest results from weight loss to glowing skin.  Transform your body from the inside out with this extremely powerful cleanse."

Um... I am not a green juice lover or a health nut. But I went for it! 3 days of it! (Wednesday-Friday)

Before I started, a few people asked me how I felt about it. I was excited! It wasn't until the night before I began the cleanse that I started to get nervous. Nervous because I wasn't going to eat any food for 3 days! And nervous I wouldn't like the juices.

The juices were delivered the night before and I was ridiculously excited. Not kidding.

It turns out, they were delicious! They definitely tasted "green" but in a good way. I really liked the second one, Green Love. I had been warned by a friend that the Slim-o-nade was disgusting and when I first began drinking it, I agreed. But after a few sips, it got better and I actually ended up liking it. I ended up looking forward to the Cashew Mylk all day... it was almost like a dessert. And now that I'm done the cleanse, I've even been craving the greenest juice, Master Green.

Does this cooler make me look dorky or cool? :)

Now, daily recaps.

Day 1
I woke up excited to begin! The first juice tasted very green, but I got used to it.

I felt great all morning. I almost felt like I was bouncing up and down the stairs, feeling lighter than I'd felt in a long time. I felt good. And then in the afternoon, I started to feel sick. Like I might even throw up. That feeling only lasted about an hour though and I was okay again.

When I looked in the mirror in the afternoon, I thought, I think my face is less red. But I didn't know if that was just wishful thinking. I was hoping someone would confirm it. And then! A little while later, a friend—totally unprompted!— said, "I have to say, your face doesn't look as red today." (My face is always red.) Hooray!

I went to the bathroom 16 times throughout the entire day. And there were a couple times I had to run to the bathroom and out came runny, green... you get the picture. Ick. But as someone said to me, that means the juice is doing its job. My body was getting cleaned out.

Note: I had a slight headache the entire first day, but I don't think that was because of the cleanse because it had started the night before. Although, the company recommended cutting out caffeine for two days before beginning and I did that. Maybe that was the cause?

Day 2
Pretty much the same as Day 1, minus the stomachache and headache. Also, I was definitely feeling less bloated and two more people commented that my skin was looking better. Still liked the juices and was even thinking maybe I should have done a 5-day cleanse!

Day 3
I felt fantastic! My stomach was definitely flatter! I don't think it was visible to other people, but I could see a difference in the mirror and it felt flatter. I wasn't bloated or gassy at all. I was wishing that I had done a 5-day cleanse and was even a little sad that this was the last day.

The day after
I was nervous about what would happen after the cleanse. What was I going to eat? Would I make healthy choices? Once I started eating, would I feel gross again? I was determined to try and eat healthier, so I had made a plan. We'd go to Moka Bros for brunch and then go grocery shopping. (I couldn't wait for brunch, so I ended up eating an apple.)

I was a little surprised to realize that from all the things I could have chosen from the menu, I was craving greens! A salad and green smoothie it was!

I had planned out what we'd eat for the week and made a grocery list the night before, so shopping was a breeze. Lots of fruit and veggies, eggs, chicken and salmon, Greek yogurt, etc.

That night, we went out for a friend's birthday, and the plan was drinks and then all-you-can-eat teppanyaki. I felt like I shouldn't drink any alcohol or eat anything at the restaurant except for veggies and fish, but at the same time, I want to live a normal, balanced life. I ended up having two cocktails, but then drank only water at the restaurant. And I did eat all the food I wanted. And I felt a little gross when we got home.

The next morning, I felt so disappointed in myself and asked Tony, "Did I just ruin everything? Did I drink juice for 3 days for nothing?" But then I realized that I had made better choices. And I definitely didn't eat or drink as much as I would have before.

General thoughts and observations
Did I actually look better or was it just in my head? Honestly, I don't know for sure. Only a few people said they noticed a difference, but I did. And I definitely felt better. And even if it was more mental, does that really matter if it's helped jumpstart me and my body, and I'm making better choices as a result?

People kept asking if I was hungry and the truth is, I wasn't at all! I would think I was hungry, but then I'd pay attention to what I was really feeling and I'd realize I wasn't hungry. The juices really filled me up!

I did miss the action of eating though. Being around other people who were eating, I didn't feel jealous of their food, just that they were biting into something.

Evening was the hardest time, and I'm not even a snacker; I eat dinner and that's it. I think it was because I missed the action of eating and without work to keep me busy, I was thinking about how I wasn't eating for 3 days.

Cleanse like a "lǎobǎn." (Cleanse like a boss.) Love the branding!

Final thoughts
I am so glad I did this. I still feel good and I'm definitely making healthier food choices and motivated to keep it up. I'm already planning to do at least one more cleanse before I go home to Canada for the summer, if not two more. Green juice for the win!

If there's anything you want to know, a question I didn't answer here, ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer!

This post is not sponsored. I wanted to do a cleanse, I paid to do the cleanse, and I wrote about the cleanse, partly so I remember how I felt and partly because I know people are curious.

(Top photo: Juice by Melissa. All others are mine.)

reframing my thoughts.

It's not always sunshine and whimsy over here. I can be grouchy, grumpy, complain-y, etc. In fact, I'm those things way more often than I'd like to admit.

I've been trying to catch myself though. Catch the nasty, negative, complain-y thought, and turn it into a positive, thankful thought.

Examples from the past few days:

1. "I spent 7 hours on Sunday finding and booking hotels for our trip to Cambodia. My whole day was wasted!"

becomes...

"I'm very fortunate to be able to travel to other countries, and to be choosy about where I stay."

2. "Ugh. I have to make hummus tonight, or the vegetables are going to go bad."

becomes...

"How lucky am I to be able to afford fresh vegetables and choose to eat healthy snacks?"

3. "I wish he'd get up a few minutes earlier instead of sleeping 'til the last possible minute! Then he could be the one doing this!" - As I'm making the bed in the morning, worried about being late for work.

becomes...

"Woah. I could have got out of bed a few minutes earlier and then I wouldn't be stressed about being late. Plus, he always makes my second coffee for me."

***

I really hope this doesn't sound "preachy." I just wanted to share something I've been thinking about lately. I'm in the midst of my usual seasonal blahs and it can be difficult to feel happy. Trying (struggling, sometimes) to reframe my thoughts has been helping.

(Photo by Designlovefest)

portrait of an anxiety spiral.

Two weeks ago I had a panic attack right after getting a haircut. Actually, it started while I was getting my hair cut. I don't know why. There was nothing wrong with the cut. Everything was fine until it wasn't. In fact, I remember thinking, I feel good today! Everything is good! Look at me, I'm walking down the street and nothing is bothering me! This must be how normal people feel.

And that's the thing: I almost never feel "normal" and I rarely feel entirely "good."

Not long before the panic attack.

The other day I read Morgan Shanahan's "Portrait of an Anxiety Spiral" and had all of the thoughts. It's not just me! Someone else feels like this, too. I'm so relieved someone could put this into words and it makes sense. I hope other people are able to understand.

Here's an excerpt:

Sometimes it creeps on me in my bed before I open my eyes. Other times, I get all the way through my morning routine before it kicks me swiftly in the backs of my knees, taking me down in one feel swoop of desperate confusion.

It always anchors in my self-esteem. I am stupid. I am lazy. I am fat. I am ugly. I am boring. I am annoying. I am obnoxious. I am ruining all our lives. I can not get my shit together. I think it, and then I silently yell at myself for thinking it, and now I’m having a fight with my own inner voice and it’s so loud I have to close my eyes.

The thing is, I don't even remember ever having a panic attack before. Maybe once in high school? My problem is just a general uneasiness. A feeling of I just don't feel like myself. And then, like, Morgan, I end up fighting myself.

Ugh.

Anyway, I don't want to bring things down around here, but I also don't want to paint a picture that everything is always happy happy joy joy.

thoughts on yoga.

Three years ago, I took one 30-minute yoga class and I felt more relaxed than I had in... a long time. It was then that I decided I wanted to take another class, maybe even practice yoga regularly? But I never did. For many reasons. Or excuses: Timing, self-consciousness, lack of money. 

And then, through luck or fate or whatever you want to call it, a new friend was teaching a small class at my school, literally right beside my apartment building. How could I not sign up?

So, beginning in March, every Monday evening for 12 weeks, I practiced yoga. And I loved it.

I never missed a class, even though I was tempted to skip a few times—on the days I was tired, not feeling well, didn't want to be seen in tight clothing. You know.

In fact, there was one week I really wasn't feeling well (scratchy throat, achy and tired body, mentally) and I was debating whether or not I should go. I went and I think it might have been my best class. Other than a couple of coughs, I forgot that I had been feeling sick and I was able to focus better than any other time. (My scratchy throat started bothering me again just a little while after the class.)

I am a sweaty person. So it comes to no surprise to me, although it did a bit to my friends and the instructor (it wasn't hot yoga), that I sweat during class. (Not a lot, but more than my classmates I'm pretty sure.) But what I like about yoga (one of many things, that is), is that by the end of the session, after the cool-down, I'm not sweaty anymore. So in the future, I think I could do yoga on a lunch break and still look okay without having to shower.

I'm surprised at how good I am at it. I'm more flexible than I realized. I've always been able to bend over and touch the floor while my legs were straight, but I could never touch my nose to my legs while doing so. After the 3rd class, I could!

But I realized I need to work on my balance.

And relaxing. Woah, relaxing. My mind wanders and I have a hard time taking deep, relaxing, focused breaths.

I was usually a bit sore the next day, but not in a bad way. It felt good. I always felt amazing at the end of the hour and 15 minute workout.

It's the most difficult and most relaxing workout I've ever done. I'm in love.

P.S. For someone who hates wearing socks (like me!), this is the perfect workout!

rules for healthy living.

Now these are rules I can get behind. They're all great, but I especially like the first one. (It's also the one I struggle with the most.)

(Print by Julia Hendrickson)

operation h2o results.

I challenged myself to drink nothing but water and green and herbal tea for a month. That month was March. And I did it!

Here are my thoughts about "Operation H2O":

My goal was to drink more water (and tea). And I did. I didn't measure it or anything, but I know I did because any time I would have drank pop/beer/coffee/juice, I drank water or tea instead. Because I couldn't have other drinks, I was more conscious of having to drink water, so I filled up my cup more often. I had to order a new 18L jug of water for my apartment before I normally would have had to. And I had to pee a lot more often. (TMI? Sorry.)

People thought it was silly. And they told me so. Or they asked, "Why?!" with a look on their face. Other people seemed to get it once I explained it. But it's okay that some people didn't. At times, I thought it was silly and wondered why I was doing it. But I'm glad I did. Hooray for water!

There were times I wanted to "give in." There was that really frustrating day at work and all I wanted was a hazelnut latte. There's a coffee shop right across the street from work and it would have been so easy to give in to my craving, but I didn't.
There was the night I went to a newly-opened German restaurant with friends and the owner gave us free beer. FREE beer! I wanted one, but I said "No, thanks." I turned down FREE beer! (This is when I really got some looks.)
There was the morning at work when I was really tired and just wanted one cup of coffee. But I had green tea instead.
And then there were the dinners with friends when everyone else ordered beer or pop or lemonade and it would have been so easy for me to as well, but I asked for water.

There were times I did "give in." Two times, to be exact.
The first was on the very first day of the month, at my school's Chinese New Year dinner for the entire staff. There was free beer and wine and baijiu and I didn't have to drink it but I wanted to and I justified it: It was my first CNY dinner, the drinks were free, blah blah blah. Anyway, I don't regret it because it was a special occasion and I had a good time and another reason that I'm not ready to talk about on the blog yet.
The second was a little over a week ago, on a Friday night, when I went out to dinner with one of my students and his family. His dad offered me a beer, opened it for me, and ordered wine at dinner. I felt like it would be rude to turn it down, especially since I would usually accept them. Maybe if I had been in Canada I would have tried to explain my situation, but there was a bit of a language barrier ;)

I realized a couple things. I like water and am happy as long as I can drink some kind of hot drink (tea, for example). I don't need anything else. That being said, I did miss drinking a cup of coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings. And it would have been nice to drink that free beer, or to have a beer with friends on a Friday night.

So, from now on, moderation will be the name of the game.

P.S. I thought for sure I'd want a cup of coffee yesterday morning, seeing as how it would be the first day I could. I drank water. I thought for sure I'd get my free latte during my afternoon break. I drank green tea. But, I did go out for a beer with friends last night. And I enjoyed every sip.

(Photo by Elise Cripe)

operation h2o.

I've decided to give myself a challenge. For the entire month of March, I'm not going to drink anything but water, green tea, and Chinese herbal tea.

I don't drink pop, juice, or alcohol very often; I only drink about one cup of coffee or black tea a day; and I only have a latte or hot chocolate about once a week. And although I know that everything is okay in moderation, I also know that I don't drink nearly enough water. Not by a long shot. So I'm hoping that if I cut everything else out, I'll drink more water (I mean, I'll have to, right?) AND reduce the amount of unnecessary sugar I consume. 

At first, I told myself I wasn't even going to let myself have tea because I didn't need it. But drinking a hot cup of something in the morning and at the end of the day is soothing and I don't add milk or sugar to green and herbal teas. A friend asked me if I was going to drink milk and I said no, but I'm still going to have it on cereal. (I actually haven't had a glass of milk since coming to China.)

I'm not sure how difficult this challenge will be. I'm sure some times will be more difficult than others. Like early mornings after late nights and trivia nights at the pub. Oh well, it's going to be nothing but H2O for this girl starting Friday!

(Photo by Elise Cripe)

not flossing your teeth is like...

Do you floss? While talking about oral hygiene with some friends last year,* we realized that although everyone brushes regularly (I hope!), there are a lot of people who don't floss regularly -- or at all.

One of the girls said, "Not flossing your teeth is like not wiping your butt." I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do think that flossing is important. Whenever it's late at night and I feel too tired to floss, her words jump into my brain and I cringe. And then I reach for the floss.

I started flossing regularly a couple of years ago, but I have to admit, for such a simple habit, it was a hard one to form. Apparently I'm not the only one who thought so, because Leo at Zen Habits wrote "The Tiny Guide to Creating the Flossing Habit."

P.S. This comic at The Oatmeal made me laugh.

(Illustration by Mark A. Hicks, via Discovery Education)

*This makes us sounds like dorks. Maybe we are, but at least you know we have nice teeth.

I've become a breakfast-eater.

It took 22 years, but I've finally become a breakfast-eater. And I don't hate it. In fact, I really enjoy it. 

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, because we've heard it a million times. I never doubted it, but I rarely ate an actual breakfast. I was more of a "grab a granola bar, or an apple, or maybe even a cookie, and guzzle a tea or a coffee" kind of girl. On a good day, I'd eat a bagel. 

Then something changed. I'm not sure what it was, but I've eaten breakfast every day since January 5th. Depending on the day, I either eat as soon as I wake up, or right after I shower. It's become part of my morning routine. On weekdays, I wake up about a half hour earlier than I used to, so that I can eat, drink tea or coffee, and do homework or read blogs. Considering I used to sleep until the last possible minute and have to rush out the door with no time to spare (hence the granola bar grabbing), this is a big deal. 

I think that taking the time to sit down and eat an actual meal in the morning has made a big difference. I now realize why breakfast is the "most important meal of the day." Not only does it provide me with enough energy to get through the morning, it sets the tone for my entire day. 

When I began eating breakfast in January, I thought I would take a picture every morning to document my progress. Like I said, this is a big deal for me. Obviously, there are not 35 breakfasts pictured here, but this is a pretty good representation of what my morning meals have consisted of. Cereal, toast, whole-wheat Eggos, fruit, the occasional egg, and of course, caffeine.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. If that's the case, I'd say eating breakfast has become a habit, and it's one I plan on continuing. 

Tell me, do you eat breakfast? If so, what are your favourite meals? I'd love to have some new ideas that are easy to whip up on a weekday morning.

(Pictures taken with Instagram)

I have decided to be happy.

Elise posted this gem back in September. I nodded in agreement when I saw it and have been repeating it to myself ever since. Especially lately. 

I repeat it to myself when I wake up, while I'm showering, while I'm brushing my teeth. I repeat it to myself while I'm walking to school, while I'm preparing lesson plans, while I'm walking home. I repeat it to myself as I'm cooking supper, while I'm getting ready for bed, and as I'm falling asleep. 

I guess you could say it's become my mantra. Do you have a mantra? What is it?