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Feeling better, though still kinda spaced out from the headache. That’s usual for me, though, after migraines.

Work stress or salmonella? Detox from raw foods? Well, whatever caused my illness, I have a solution. You know how Bush is the Decider? I am the Solver.

If salmonella, it’s going to run its course. If detox, it’s gonna run its course.

But what about work stress?

Honestly, I have been super-stressed at work, and with the recent resignation of one designer and the impending maternity leave of the lead of that team, my job is only going to get more crazy, at least until October or so.

I hate getting sucked up into the work day, hate finding myself all worked up about silly details, etc. Must find a way to rise above. To keep my perspective. I always joke with my team about how the daily yoga practice can get me through ’til about noon, but then all bets are off. It was just a joke for a while there, but actually seems to be *true* at this point. My afternoons have been super stressful and I’ve been unable to RISE ABOVE.

The weird thing, of course, is that I can actually be more useful to the organization if I keep the higher level. There are plenty of people already working all the details.

Okay, so combine these ongoing thoughts with my morning reading in Brain Rules, which is a delightful book about how the brain works.

One of the things the author discusses is how much better the brain works when one exercises routinely. As in, every day. Our ancestors walked all over the place — as do my contemporaries who live in walking cities. I always loved walking around Boston and New York when I lived there. But now I am in Scottsdale, where people drive. There are few sidewalks. Things are far apart. Oh, and it’s going to be summer soon.

For me to walk around outside my office would entail treks on highways in 110 degree weather. I’m gonna take a pass on that.

But I *can* make a point of going to the gym and taking a walk every day. And I can wipe every freaking thing off of my lunch-hour calendar in order to do that. Because, you see, people have noticed that I am around at noontime, and I have been dumb enough to schedule meetings during that time. No more!

I am cranky and unhappy at work, and it’s pretty clear I need to have a break at noon. I already know I don’t mind missing eating, so am susceptible to working instead of lunch. But I also know that if I have a leave-the-building-to-stop-by-the-gym-and-jump-on-the-treadmill habit, *nothing* will get to me give up that break.

So be it. It will be meditation-and-put-work-in-perspective time.

I’ve printed out day passes for two gyms that are close to work, and will go check them out. Ideally, I can find a place that isn’t jam packed from 12-1. (Ha. As if.)

I am curious to see how this impacts practice. I am determined not to go “self-competitive” in these sessions (that’s gonna be a challenge). The idea is to spend 30 minutes just moving easily and resetting my mind and emotions to zero. Essentially, a gently physical way to help my mind/nervous system. *Not* a workout.

If I sound a little nervous about this, it’s because of my prior gym addiction. I don’t think I am still susceptible, but am not entirely sure. Is gym addiction like substance abuse, where you are always recovering? We’ll see.

If I start logging data about gym time, please drop me a comment and tell me to knock it off.

God, I felt awful last night. Worked from home the first half of the day and felt terrific. Went into the office for four back-to-back hour-long meetings, and left with a raging headache and stomach ache. Came home and got directly into bed. Put a pillow over my head and prayed for unconsciousness.

A couple hours later, The Cop left for work. He’d brought me ice to put on my head, water, and some ibuprofen. Still felt awful. Considered getting up to wash my face and brush my teeth, but didn’t. This means I’m really sick, because I am fanatical about flossing before bed.

Woke at 3 AM. Wondered if the headache was all gone. Seemed to be. Kinda shaky and spaced out, but fairly normal. Tried to go back to sleep, but no go. I had a 7:30 breakfast meeting, so figured I might as well get up and see how I felt about practicing.

Practice was fine, if a little spaced out. Kept monitoring myself to see if I felt particularly weird. All in all, not too bad.

Now I’m back at home after the breakfast meeting & will work from here all day. Stomach still sketchy, but no headache. Whatever it is, seems to be getting better. Or maybe healed by primary.

At the office and in between meetings.

What’s new? On Saturday I had a brainstorm and decided it’d be fun to try a raw food diet. Which I know exactly nothing about. Well, I knew exactly nothing about. Since Sunday, I’ve been reading this book. So I know I little bit more.

Ani Phyo also has a website that’s pretty interesting.

Some things I know from (limited — Saturday –> today, Thursday) experience:
- Raw food is really tasty
- I don’t get very hungry at all when I’m eating raw food
- There’s a whole subculture of raw foodism
- The only non-raw thing I miss is soy milk
- It’s nice to “cook” by preparing raw nuts, fruits and vegetables — very aesthetically pleasing
- Yoga practice feels strong and light
- No blood sugar ups and downs during the day
- Actually feel kind of hyper-energized, though perhaps I am hallucinating
- The Cop and I have pizza every Friday night, and I’m not going to stop that

Otherwise, everything else is still in the initial experimentation stage.