Being out in the deep woods and countryside brings me endless amounts of joy and peace. My thoughts are rich and fertile and my lungs seem to expand greater gathering cleaner air. My nose helps this process along constantly sucking in deep breaths of all the glorious scents that can be found lingering about the hills and pines. Hunting, fishing, hiking and the like put me in a euphoric state and make me feel light yet rooted and exposed to the bone. Nothing better in my book.

I would assume some of the same emotions can be felt by those in tune with the Self regardless of the environment. I'll bet those that stroll the downtown streets can find joy in marvelously tall buildings, window shopping and the smells and sounds of bustling streets. Definitely not my pony to ride, so to each his own.

Take Alabama, for example. Warm summers, swamps, rivers and dark woods would drive anyone inclined to earthy living outdoors. Catfish noodling has always amazed me. It must take more than just fortitude to stick an arm down the throat of a toothy, forty plus pound, aggressive prehistoric looking fish. I'll pass, but it's sure "good watchin'".

With all the etouffee this and the deep fried that one could easily surmise that the Crimson Tide State is generally unhealthy. Well, that's all about to change come January 1, 2009. The southern state is about to employ measures to encourage state workers to get fit or pay up. In August, the Alabama State Employees' Insurance Board approved a plan to tack on an additional $25 to cover their insurance premiums, if they don't take advantage of free health screenings available to all state employees.
Bravo, 'Bama!

The critics don't see it this way though. They've branded the plan unfair and discriminatory against those with genetic predispositions. This "Fat Tax", mind you, is only imposed on those who refuse to take the free screenings which help to identify health risks associated with obesity.

First, I'll offer to run these critics through a quick nutritional analysis and preworkout warm up. If they can make it through just ten minutes of the warm up and have at least one serving of vegetables in their diet on a daily basis that are not prepared deep fried, then I'll start to listen to their oppositional stance.

Others have argued that this "Fat Tax" amounts to lawful discrimination that infringes on the right of free will. Lets look at free will within this free country. Free to do what? Anything and everything I guess. Frankly, we have experienced freedom to such a degree that we forget about effort and productivity on many levels. So much so, that we have become glutenous and lazy. As I have preached before and will continue to do so, we are breeding a weak human race that is evolving itself on a path to self destruction and elimination.

Having a little "Come to Jesus" meeting with your doc may be just the right kind of "slap in the face" reality for your free will and deteriorating body. I know it's a whole sack of cats easier to stop by Fried Freddy's and pick up a cheap meal instead of going home and preparing something that has more nutritional value than old shoe leather. But, if you want to still have most of your parts in working order by the time you slide into your golden years, it might be time to take note and save yourself $25.00.

After all, you may need that $25.00 to get you to the end of the month if the state of the economy continues to dwindle...just like your health. Get on board the only boat that doesn't seem to be sinking, get yourself checked out with your doc and find the solutions your free will has been ignoring with a Habitsforming program designed with your needs as priority. Find awareness without excuses.

Yours in reality,
Rochelle Gravance

As you may now be well aware of by reading my entries, I grew up in a rural area where you could bet that the sun would always rise in the East and set in the West. Certain daily occurrences could be assumed and were mostly banked on. Life seemed simple and for the most part it was. Most were prudent in planning for future potholes down life's curvy road.

Although, I did notice a strange and mysterious difference in those same individuals when instead of swerving for a pothole in the road, they had to stop and make decisions because the bridge was washed out. Granted, there's a measurable difference between a missing bridge and a small bump in the road. I guess the question is, should we become merely passive and give up the journey just because the path became challenging and something unexpected?

As I see it, two global choices can be made at this juncture. Choice number one will involve using one's intelligence and natural born instincts to surface the ingenuity and fortitude to search out resolution through options. Choice number two involves not much of anything. How does this make sense? Well, we know that some sort of passage needs to be discovered or built. It might not be too difficult to come up with resources if we decide to build some sort of bridge or passage. And instead.....we decide to take the Palin route. You see, just today she conceded to putting the election in God's hands. My guess is she's been roughed up enough by the media and wants to show her allegiance to her chosen faith, maybe to secure more votes, that she's putting the election in God's hands. In short, hoping it works out in her favor. And, often times when we leave it up to hope, we become passive and absent of action.

When it comes to your health, will you pull a Palin......or will you get to work and take action? I can tell you personally, I'm not going to sit around and hope for the best. I'm going to do something, several things in fact, to begin to make tracks in a positive direction. I think it's important to move toward a specific ambition on several different avenues. This way, each gives perspective to the other and more options become available.

Habitsforming takes this approach to a whole new level. With innovative training approaches integrating all aspects of fitness into one session leaving nothing left to chance.....or hope. Habitsforming is now offering to the public, for the first time without prerequisite, the Habitsforming Holiday Meltdown Boot Camp. All ages and fitness levels are welcome to experience freedom of movement, improved body composition and new awareness of the Self. Here's the best part....Habitsforming is so sure that you will feel better upon completion of the boot camp that we will put our money where our mouth is and guarantee it. A 100% money back guarantee. That's it, that's all, nothing else.

Hope for better health or make your play and get moving. IT'S GUARANTEED! Palin only wishes her chances for vice presidency were as easy as a phone call away. Habitsforming just made it easier than ever to get started on your path to health just in time before the holidays add a little more cushion where you don't need it.

Faithfully yours,
Rochelle Gravance

P.S. Look for Habitsforming holiday eating tips in the Vashon Loop's coming issues.

P.P.S We'll have Habitsforming holiday eating tips right here in the coming submissions as well. 206 571 2277 connects you right to the source to get started on your journey to better health.

News from the far North was brought to my attention today. Alaska, the crown jewel of wilderness where apparently if one squints hard enough and holds their mouth just right Russia appears as only a stone's throw away. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska during his trial stated he is appalled by all the extras that his contractor threw in during the remodel of their cabin. He is now considering calling law enforcement agents to begin an investigation over the contractor stealing his old furniture and replacing it with brand new leather furniture among many other extras he was not aware that he received.

This story pushed my brain sideways and got me to thinking how this may apply to us all everyday. As exciting and adventurous as my life is, every once in a while the universe seems to throw me a sucker punch right in the guts that sets me right on my behind for a moment. Initially, I may be fighting mad and wonder what must I have done to cause such a train wreck that put the brakes on all my plans. I have to go through all the emotions before I finally gather consciousness and begin to look for signs of what I may be missing. It's at this point that I begin to gather valuable information that I can apply to my situation. Information that I was previously unaware of because I wasn't looking for it. I guess one can say that if you only look at what you want to see or expect to see, that's all you'll see.

Gratitude for those universal sucker punches may be hard to muster, though I think one can if given the space and encouragement to do so. How might this apply to you? How about this......you're out of shape, over weight and you've tried it all to reverse the trend without success. I say, you're looking toward the same direction each time at diets and exercise programs with same tired eyes. Maybe looking at things in a new light, with new eyes and a new perspective will bring you gifts you didn't count on.

Why not try increasing flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination through exercise to achieve weight loss goals. Surprised? Wonder how to do that? The Habitsforming method of training establishes core fundamentals within the conditioning programs to establish and maintain these necessary functions as a true measure of a healthy, fit body along with nutritional advise to get the results you're looking for. You must, however, realize that this does not mean sitting on machines and running on a treadmill. No more crunches and long, boring cardio either. It's a concept of moving the body in a dynamic and challenging yet entertaining and fun way. And you won't have to report any of the extra benefits and gifts you will most certainly, unknowingly receive to the government. Committed to giving you more than you expect.

Yours under the rug.
Rochelle Gravance

As a kid, I grew up in a house with two older brothers and an older sister. I was quite a surprise to my parents when the infamous stork pulled up on the old Ford tractor and said, "Here you go mom and dad, you're not quite done yet."

Being over eleven years behind the closest sibling made things a bit tougher as I matured. I felt the need to keep up and prove myself. Take up more space, if you will. We were a hard working family. My dad was gone most of the day driving truck and spearheading the family owned trucking business. My mom and we kids milked cows in the morning before school and after school keeping the dairy business on track and growing. Their was always so much to do. We all kept extremely active.

In the evenings, once all the chores were done, we'd all gather around a large, rectangular, wooden table with benches for the kids to sit on; three on one side, my sister and my mom on the other and my dad heading up the table in his chair. Elbow room was at a premium as we dished our plates, ate heartily and called it a day.

Times are different now. Jobs are keeping people more sedentary, tables seem to be smaller and less time is spent at them. Seemingly more families eat in front of the television to view what the media and society proclaim as reality.

Frankly, the reality is we as a society are taking up more space not because we are trying to prove ourselves, but because we are fatter and are truly taking up more space. We may just be setting ourselves up for a mass die off. One that may be quite appropriate since we are creating a weaker race of humans devoid of movement and proper nutrient intake.

Today, if one desires to be a representative of a healthier race of humans and take up more space with their character and intellect instead of their girth, we must do two things:
1. Move our bodies adequately
2. Take in as many healthy calories as possible.

Yes, you heard me right. Take in as MANY healthy calories as possible. Seems contradictory, doesn't it? I'll be the first to say ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Stay tuned to Habitsforming.com's blog for part #2 of this often misunderstood theory.

In the meantime, GET MOVING! Habitsforming offers 30 minute group sessions that will provide you with all the conditioning your body needs without zapping your schedule of time or your pocket book of cash.

Interestingly yours,
Rochelle Gravance

Things are about to get a little western. A phrase I'd often use to describe the unpredictability of what to expect next. We may have laid down our rifles and seemingly conquered the harshness of the Old West only to create new territory with dangers that we have not encountered before.

Growing up in a rural farming community taught me a few things I still hold on to and reflect on to guide me through a very complicated "system of things" in our world today. It became quite clear that in order to keep a farming/ranching business afloat, one needed to diversify. Business owners that put all their eggs into one basket often found themselves struggling once the market was flooded and prices plummeted.

This holds true for every human being that presses foot to earth in the here and now. Concentrating and putting forth effort in only one area of life allows one to fall short and suffer in the many areas remaining. A form of recession within the being. We can apply this perspective to the very roots of our existence.

We must care for ourselves and not ignore the essentials that not only allows one to survive, but thrive. Diversify the food we eat. Fruits, veggies, essential fats and lean proteins will nourish the body and allow it to thrive. Diversify the exercise we take part in. Strength, conditioning, mobility, flexibility and coordination must all be a part of a well rounded exercise program.

One must place consideration and effort in all aspects of health and well being to reap the benefits of existence. Habitsforming programs take into account all aspects of health and well being. I can preach this method because I practice it. It's now your turn to experience what it feels to be diversified and sound in all aspects of well being.

Habitsforming offers group sessions that are completely diversified and affordable so you have no excuse but to get yourself started. Sign up for a twelve week package that'll have you feeling and looking healthier than ever right on through the new year. No need for useless resolutions come January 2, 2009 when you get started now. Call for details.

Rooted in your health,
Rochelle Gravance