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I have a group of coworkers swapping packaged, processed and refined products for fresh, whole foods. One woman lamented about having so little time to cook healthy meals, so we talked about making good choices in convenience foods like pre-cooked brown and wild rice and veggie packets that heat up in the microwave in just a few minutes. There are some good frozen convenience foods, like diced roasted chicken that can be tossed into your salad in the morning, thawed and ready to eat by lunch; fruit that can be blended into a breakfast smoothie instead of reaching for a donut; or whole wheat or flax waffles that can be popped into your toaster.

What's in your lunch bag?

Thanks to your suggestions a few weeks back, Alysia, I'm eating much healthier and have officially worked in three to four fruit or vegetable servings each day.

With regards to good convenience foods, I discovered an all-natural and flavorful lettuce wrap package that takes only five minutes to make and while I'm still a little clumsy when it comes to wrapping, it forces me to slow down and enjoy my food a bit.

Found this great article on mindful eating from the Wall Street Journal ...

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB121062985377986351.html?mod=2_156...

In terms of moving, our CEO, Michelle, has encouraged us to get away from our desks for at least 15 minutes a day as many of us tend to keep our heads down and focus on work. Her solution? Playing ping pong. What a great idea and a fantastic way to kick off National Women's Health Week. Have heard of people taking walk breaks during lunch. Any other ideas for fitting in a little exercise in at the office?

I love those convenience frozen veggie packets, as mentioned above...frozen peas go great in any meal with tomato sauce (spaghetti, lasagna), and the frozen corn goes great in mexican-inspired meals (rice, bean burritos) for an extra veggie serving.

This week, I am giving myself the gift of ALONE TIME! ahhhh...just the sound of it helps me relax...

I am a social person to an extreme, and am getting up 30 minutes earlier 3x a week to do a 30 minute jog, then one night this week I am going out by myself. Not sure what I'm going to do yet...bookstore? movie? dinner? It's hot here in Texas, so my outdoor activities are in the morning. I just don't want to go shopping because that's too "easy" and not really valuing my time alone with my thoughts.

Suggestions? What do you do when you have a few hours of pure alone time?

I'm an IT consultant and have been working at a client site for the past few weeks. While I've enjoyed the social interaction, I've also gained a few pounds - even though I pack my own, healthful lunches! It's the lack of exercise that is making the difference.

Michelle's urging to get up and play ping pong is great and such a fun way to break tension.

I have to get up from my desk to stretch, at least once every 30 minutes. There isn't a game room or a nice area around the client's building to take a walk, so it's a little challenging to find ways to make up for the lack of activity I would normally have if working from home. I started taking a resistance band to work so that I can do some Pilates in my chair.

Hot in Texas? Oh, we haven't had hot, yet, LOL! But, it has certainly been muggy and that makes the morning jogs a little uncomfortable.

WebMD has a few ideas for exercising at your desk:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-at-your-desk

Video: http://www.webmd.com/video/exercise-at-your-desk-overview

When I have pure alone time, which is rarely, I like to do something in creative arts.