Happy Easter & Passover! xoxoxo

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday and lovely holiday. It's Spring and the weather is mild and sunny and pretty here in Connecticut. I miss my family during the holidays but I have my boys and they make every day amazing. They are happily enjoying the presents from the Easter Bunny. Chocolate, Legos, squirt guns, Pez, Iron Man (for my oldest) and Incredible Hulk(for my youngest) banks! Awesome. And I scored Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory at Target for $5 which was the gift from Mommy. My oldest is obsessed with this movie and I don't think I've seen him so excited in a very long time! 

Today is a holiday. Enjoy it. Don't stress about anything. Food, traffic, people. I know it's difficult but when you stress over things it means they win. And you can choose to rise above and just smile and enjoy the day despite the stresses. Enjoy the time with family and friends. Enjoy the food. Indulge a bit. You can get back on track tomorrow. Eat to taste and celebrate. Don't eat because you're bored or distracted. But eat to celebrate and know you can get back to the "norm" tomorrow. Have the confidence in yourself. 

It's a short one today because I have a long day of snuggling my boys! And cooking! :) I am making a honey glazed roast chicken and a carrot lemon risotto with veggies. Here are the recipes. 
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/honey_glazed_lemon_roast_chicken/    http://www.marthastewart.com/344896/carrot-lemon-risotto

Here are my loves! How lucky am !? :) 

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka, (Roald Dahl)

Give this a listen. Hallelujah!! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU

God Bless!

Tami

It's Most Eggscellent!!

That time is upon us. Easter Sunday! 

I know for those who gave things up for Lent, it's an extra awesome day! :) One of my favorite movies is Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. It revolves around Lent in 1950's France. Very good film! If you haven't seen it, Netflix it! 

What else is a common theme around this time of year? Eggs! And lots of leftover hard-boiled eggs. What to do? Eat them!! If your cholesterol is good then eat the whole thing. If it's not good, then eat the whites. Me? I shall make deviled eggs and egg salad and enjoy them immensely. 

Eggs have gotten a raw deal for a very long time and are now the incredible edible egg. There have been several studies including one in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that has found no link between eggs and causing issues with healthy people. The amino acids in eggs make the protein easier to absorb to aid in muscle repair after you've worked out. Researchers also found that women who ate two eggs for breakfast lost 65 percent more weight than those who ate carbs and they had more energy. Egg yolks are high in lutein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants to help keep macular degeneration under control so your vision can stick around. Eggs are also a good source of choline (in the yolk mostly) which has been shown to lower breast cancer rates. 

Isn't that amazing? One of my favorite ways to eat eggs is to "fry" them. I use olive oil spray and cook it  up. I love a sunny side up egg with a ton of black pepper. This looks amazing. Open-faced sandwich with ricotta, arugula and a fried egg. From Cooking Light. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/open-faced-sandwiches-with-ricotta-arugula-fried-egg-10000001981718/ (Arugula is a kick-ass green of it's own! So the combo on this sandwich is pure awesomeness. I just might make this for dinner tonight. 

If you need to stay away from the yolk, make egg-white salad. And throw some avocado in there. Ahh doesn't that sound delicious?? Here is a great recipe for a healthy Avocado Egg-White Salad. http://moreoatsplease.com/2012/12/05/healthy-avocado-egg-white-salad/. Looks SOO good! With the right combination of flavors, you don't need additives or junk food to make things taste good. It's so much more satisfying and tastes so much better when you use herbs, spices, etc. And put this salad on one of those Joseph's tortillas I talked about in yesterdays blog. Now that is a most eggscellent meal! Ba dum bum!!! :) 

A great way to cook eggs for a quick, healthy meal is to bake them in a muffin tin. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray each of the muffin tin cups with nonstick cooking spray, crack an egg into each cup carefully to avoid breaking the yolk. If you want a runny yolk, leave it alone. If you don't want a runny yolk, pierce it with a fork. Sprinkle each cup with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for at least 15 minutes.  If they aren't done to your preference then bake longer, checking every 5 minutes to not over bake. Pull the muffin tin out and allow to cool for 5 minutes. They look like this. Looks great doesn't it?? 

I need to get ready for work now. You all have a lovely Saturday. Whether you are cooking in preparation for a wonderful Easter Feast or coloring eggs or shopping for Easter Baskets, enjoy it! 

God Bless!
Tami

It's a GOOD Friday! xoxoxo

Happy Good Friday. I hope all of you have a lovely day and are ready for the weekend and have a lot of fun plans or just want to veg out and that's OK too! 

I had a great workout yesterday. Burned 1400+ cals. My lower back is somewhat tender this week. I have had issues with it before and have even ended up in the ER because of it. I think it is partly due to the weight I carried and also not being careful. We think we're invincible in our 20's and all it takes is lifting something wrong ONE time and we are down for the count and will always have some trouble if we aren't careful. I was a nanny through my 20's and I think lifting children and piggy backs and other fun things is part of the reason. I have stopped using free weights or weight machines a lot because of this and focus on Pilates and calisthenics and sometimes yoga for strengthening. And since I stopped the weights my back issues have gotten much better. Not sure what is going on this week....but I just need to baby it a smidge. :) The point of this is to listen to your body! I know if you are sick or in pain and can't work out like you usually do it gets frustrating. But it is very important to listen to your body or it will just delay the healing and have you "out of sorts" even longer. 

I had forgotten there was movie night at my son's school from 5:30-8:00. So I hit the gym and sweat hard and didn't have time to get a shower in. So there I was, sitting on the floor in the gym with my boys watching The Lorax, all sweaty and blech! It's a very cute movie and my boys had a great time. Walking to the car, my oldest said "This was a great day! Thanks for taking us here mommy!" So it was worth sitting in sweaty clothes for three hours to hear that! Though that shower I had when we got home was one of the best of my life. Right up there with those after having c-sections! :) And we won one of the raffle prizes. A Lorax floor puzzle which my little guy practically slept with. And the message from the movie was excellent. Taking care of our environment needs to be a priority or our children and their children are going to pay the price.

Alright..I wanted to talk about a few of my favorite products. To maybe help give you all some new ideas. I can't go into every single one right now but I will give you an idea of my favorites. 

I actually tried something yesterday that I am a huge fan of now. I am not a big fan of bottled juices as many of those that claim to be healthy use a lot of concentrated juices. While "concentrate" is not the Antichrist some think it is, the heating process to produce it does kill a lot if not all of the nutrients in the fruits and veggies inside. And it does bring out the sugars more. So it's a sugary fruit drink without the nutrients. No bueno! I didn't have time to eat before getting my boys out the door to school. So I grabbed an Odwalla berry smoothie. I looked at the ingredients and was really excited to see it say "mango puree", blueberry puree, and " juice". No concentrate. And the label even says "Extremely perishable. Keep refrigerated" which makes you know there isn't anything in there to "prolong the shelf life" which is what concentrates are for. No GMO's. Full of vitamins and other good stuff. The Blueberry B is 210 calories for the bottle , 0 fat, 15 mg sodium and has 530mg of Potassium, 35% of Vitamin C, 530% Thiamin, 530% Riboflavin, 530% Vitamin B6, 530% Vitamin B12 and others. Awesome right?? A lot of the smoothies and juices are even lower in calories. And if that wasn't awesome enough, the bottle is up to 100% plant based recyclable. Called a "Plant bottle" Many are gluten free and vegan too! You can check the website for the products and find where they are sold near you. They are a little on the expensive side but if you don't have a juicer and don't have access to a juice bar, they are great (and less expensive than the juice bars!!) Woo Odwalla! Go on with yer bad self! http://www.odwalla.com/

I also love the Joseph's brand flax, oat bran and whole wheat tortilla. I use them with hummus, put almond butter and honey on for a quick, running out the door breakfast and really as a wrap for anything I need to wrap! Each one is 70 calories and 1.5 grams of fat, 6g of fiber and 7g of protein and is a good course of Omega-3's. They have a ton of other products but my favorite are those tortillas and have been for about 5 years. Check them out! http://www.josephsbakery.com/c-10199-Tortillas

I am lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe's. If you do then there are several staples I buy from there. One that has been a favorite and very versatile are the "Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts". Each one is 110 calories and 4g of fat. They aren't as ideal and natural as making your own baked tenderloins but in a busy world they are a decent alternative. I cut them up, put in a bowl and mix with buffalo sauce and put on a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, etc for a lighter buffalo chicken wrap. I also put sauce and a little Parmesan cheese on them for a quick, lighter chicken parm. Or just give them to your kids to dip into sauce. My boys love them! And I buy a package of them every time I go. 

Another item at Trader Joe's that I love are the pre-packaged 96% lean hamburger patties. They are 150 calories and 5 grams of fat per patty. Already portioned out and ready to go. There are 4 per package. I put a little seasoning on them and put grill or broil them. Sometimes George Foreman them! lol! Though I am not a HUGE fan of that anymore as it makes things a little too dry. I use my George Foreman as a panini press too though! ;) But these hamburger patty's are helpful being pre-portioned and gives you an idea of what that sort of portion should look like. 

Another favorite item of mine is broccoli slaw. The brand I buy is Mann's but you might be able to find other brands at your local grocery store. I find it near the packaged salad section. It is so good and I often mix with some nuts, grilled chicken and a good sesame, ginger, Asian type dressing. There is an Asian Style Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette from Trader Joes that is so good I could drink it straight from the bottle. As far as the Mann's Broccoli Slaw...1/4 of a package has 25 calories, 0 fat, 25mg of sodium, 3g of fiber and has 60% of Vitamin A, and 110% of Vitamin C! So you can eat a ton of it!! :) Check the website out. A ton of great recipes too! http://www.veggiesmadeeasy.com/

When I go to the grocery store, I always get fruit and veggies too. Whatever is in season and on sale works for me. My boys aren't picky about those things. I am a huge fan of the Fage Greek yogurt as well and often buy that for a quick breakfast. I buy the 0% and sprinkle a few nuts on it(walnuts or pecans are delish!) and drizzle some honey. So amazingly good! 

I hope this has been helpful in giving you all a few ideas. And also with the breaded chicken breasts, to make you realize you can make your own healthier versions of things and still have the same flavors which is a huge part of not feeling deprived. 

Have a beautiful Friday. Enjoy this Good Friday. I will leave you with the quote that can apply to so much and inspire! 

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not"  - Dr. Seuss, The Lorax. 

God Bless!
Tam

Be water, my friend!

Good morning everyone! It's Thursday! We have made it to the other side (most of us that don't work Saturday anyway lol!). 

Last night was the full moon. That always explains a lot of weird stuff that occurs the week or day of the full moon. I truly believe it affects us. Without being a scientist you just see what the full moon does to water. An adult human body is 50 to 65 percent water. A child's body is 75 percent water. An adult brain is 75% water. When you think about that it makes sense why some get a little "wonky" around this time. Just like the barometric pressure can have an effect on us, especially those who are headache prone. The atmosphere and weather really does make a huge difference. 

Apparently there is a way to harness the energy of the full moon. To use it to your advantage for two days before and two days after. The whole idea of think good thoughts is very important at this time. The whole mind over matter deal is very powerful during a full moon. You can transform your thoughts and therefore transform how you feel about yourself and others. And focusing on the good will manifold into having good days feeling good about others. The full moon is also a time to let things go. If you are having an altercation with somebody, it's a good time to just be calm, collected and refrain from getting angry. try to keep the energy in a happy place to best benefit yourself and your loved ones. If you meditate, the full moon is a time to partake in that habit and the benefits will be increased as well. The calm, stillness and mindfulness will be much more powerful. And you can also use this time to make plans. Focus on dreams and use the energy to drive you to get creative and brainstorm and perhaps come up with a game plan for what you want to accomplish. 

Wow, who knew there was so much you could do with the big, bright thing in the sky. If it's all a bunch of hogwash...and some of you are skeptical..well.....if you look at the last paragraph I wrote, it includes nothing but positive. Forgetting the negative and using your thoughts to make things happen. How can that be a bad thing ever? :) Just talk to the man in the moon and say "Hey dude, lets make it happen!!" :)
If you haven't seen The Man in the Moon with Reese Witherspoon, you MUST!! This will be all of us later, gazing up a the moon, thinking good things and dreaming! :) 

Now, back to the water thing. Drink it. I know it's tough to get rid of a diet soda habit or other things...but try. I've already had 24 ounces of water this morning before I had coffee. When you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Chronic dehydration can lead to sickness and premature aging. The average person needs a minimum of 64 ounces per day. So me downing 24 ounces is a good start to that. Though some research suggests men and women get a lot more than that. Especially if you're active. It can come in the forms of some foods like soup, veggies and fruit. So it doesn't mean nothing but water....though learning to make drinking a lot of water a daily habit will do nothing but benefit you. 

I was told on Sunday by someone that I look younger and younger every time they see me. And I was asked my secrets. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not...but I do know I exercise a lot, eat well, sleep well, wash my face and moisturize, take vitamins, eat foods with antioxidants and drink a ton of water. Take that for what you will. Simple, daily habits that can truly change your appearance. My mom always looked younger too so it might be good genes as well! :) 

Honestly who wants to look older before they have to? Especially when something as simple as drinking water can make such a difference. There are other medical benefits of water. Dehydration can cause asthma, constipation, migraine headaches and rheumatoid arthritis. And drinking water can aid in weight loss because it tricks your body into thinking it's full. The more water we drink, the more toxins that will be eliminated from the body and the healthier and more energetic we will feel. And our bodies will just run more efficiently. As I've said, if you are feeling hungry in the afternoon, eat an apple and a bottle of water. You will feel satisfied until dinner. 

As far as foods, the greatest sources of water are watermelon (duh, lol) and strawberries. They both are made up of 92% water. Raspberries, peaches and oranges are pretty high as well. For veggies, cucumbers and iceberg lettuce are 92% water as well. We are always told to eat the darker leaf lettuces and that is true for health benefits but iceberg has it's own kick-ass ingredient to brag about. The water!! :) Celery, zucchini and tomatoes are also good sources. So a nice salad for lunch is a great idea. I often make my big salad piled high with celery, cucumbers, etc. And get a container of berries for later. 

It's 7:47 am and I feel good. Awake, rested and ready to go. My nights sleep was a little sporadic as my  3 year old climbs in and snuggles up and I get head butts and feet in the ribs and whacked in the nose when he reaches over to hug me (and I love it! lol!)....I did have some coffee. But even before that I started to wake up and feel better because of the water I drank.

So please, drink your water! Drink it all day before you feel thirsty and your body will thank you for it! 

Come on now, doesn't this look good?? You know you suddenly feel thirsty and want a big glass of it. :) You know there are so many across the world that would love having the access to clean, fresh water that we have. Don't waste it. 

Peace out all y'all! Drink your water and then give me feedback on the difference it makes. So I can say I told ya so! He he he! My friend Shellie fought giving up the diet soda but admitted she feels better now. Booyahhh! lol! 

"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend" - Bruce Lee (I love him so!!)

God Bless,
Tami

Don't Worry; Be Happy!

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" - Leonardo da Vinci

Hmmm, don't you love things that make you stop and think? I am a huge fan of Leo's anyway! He is one of the people I'd love to sit and have a conversation with if I could make it possible. 

In my honest opinion, simplicity is a huge key to happiness. When you stop basing your happiness on things and the bigger the better and focus on the little things, it makes for a happier existence. I've been more comfortable and less than comfortable in regards to finances and how I live and really no matter what I've been a happy person. In fact though I deal with stresses at the hands of someone who seems to always want to cause me stress I am so much happier and much more peaceful than I was just a few years ago when in a miserable marriage even though it means I struggle more and can't do as much. I don't dread going home anymore. That was an awful way to live. 

Keeping things simple with so much can lead to happiness and success I think. Even with losing weight or wanting to be healthier. I talk about my success with weight-loss a lot but I know there are many struggling to put on weight and be healthier in that way. Or to just change their way of living and need good ideas of where to begin. Just because someone is vegetarian doesn't mean they are healthy. I have a friend that can't stop eating sweets! But she won't eat meat! Trust me, a plate of macaroni and cheese and cakes and cookies are going to end up being worse for your health than a piece of chicken! So those people need good ideas and help too. 

Life gets so complicated and in a way all of us are guilty of making it more complicated than it needs to be. I'm sure health issues, unhappy relationships and even the economy has waken many people up to what they truly need to be "happy". You need to ask yourself what you really want out of life. What will make you happy? Don't think of the If's, How's, Maybe's. Think of what it is and then figure out if there is a way to make it happen that can be smartly incorporated into your life.  Life is too short to just exist and not really live. And no, having a ton of money and stuff is not what I mean by living! If you lost every material thing you have tomorrow would you be able to find a way to be happy anyway? If the answer is no then maybe you should reassess your life and make a few changes because you can be happy without a lot of things. I am. :) 

I'm not a happiness expert or lecturing or standing on a soapbox. I hope it doesn't feel that way! Hahaha! :) I just think some of the toughies I've dealt with has given me a different perspective than some. And it does allow me to be a pretty happy, positive, optimistic person. I stress about things as does anyone and sometimes people tell me "Don't worry about what hasn't happened yet." So many of us stress and worry and are down in the dumps over what may or may not happen. If we put that time and energy into things that would help us and be a better person in the process....WOW! :) 

So back to the simplicity in being healthy. Get back to basics. Find a good multi-vitamin and take it. Eat your fruits and veggies and protein and good carbs. Exercise. Move your body in some way. Find something that works for you and just do it. It doesn't have to be complicated. Get a good nights sleep. Drink water. Forget the fads. Forget the gimmicks. Forget the "easy" foods that are packaged in sugar. Grab an apple or pear or plum(antioxidants in dark colored fruit!!!). That's just as easy and will make you feel a lot better. A bag of carrots, whole grain crackers. Put shoes on and go for a walk during lunch. Do squats and sit-ups watching TV. Do jumping jacks! Run up and down the stairs. Race your kids down the sidewalk. Good stuff baby! Not complicated, not expensive. Simple. 

The easier you choose to make things the happier you will be. If you make things complicated then you'll find an excuse to not get it done. Balancing everything in your life to do what you want is very possible. Yes there are priorities. Having children and making sure things are stable and they are OK is a priority. That is something there is no way around upon becoming a parent and being a loving, selfless, dedicated parent trumps other things. But you can focus on them and their dreams and happiness and go after your dreams as well. There is a way to do both. Might take longer and you might need to get creative and get up earlier and have a bit less free time for awhile but there is a way to balance it all out. You take one for the team! And feel good doing it! :) 

Have a blessed day everyone. I just listened to Pavarotti. Come on. How can you not feel  energized after listening to this!! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdTBml4oOZ8


God Bless,
Tam

Stop And Smell the Flowers! :)

Good morning everyone! It's a gorgeous sunrise today. The sky looks like a painting. The only problem is the saying "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning" comes to mind. Hmmm, hope it's not too bad and hope it's a false warning! :)

First, I wanted to make sure that you all are reading my blog as a guideline or as inspiration. A source of information that I read and share with you. I like to think of myself as a guinea pig of sorts and try certain things and then share the results with you. Or if I come across an article or information that I find particularly interesting, I share it. And to share what has worked for me so you can take from it what you feel applies to your own life and that you find helpful. 

But I am not currently certified and want to be sure that is clear. I do plan to be.  But please keep in mind that you should always make the best judgement of information given and you should know best if it is good for you. Most of it is harmless like the foods I eat and exercises I do, the fact I'm experimenting with cleaning with honey, etc. However me promoting eggs, they ARE now considered a food that is good for you. However they do raise cholesterol a tad (not to the levels they once thought and they do raise good cholesterol as well) but if you already have very high cholesterol then you should eat the whites only. That sort of thing. 

So I just wanted to make sure that was clear and I hope you all know your own health and bodies well enough to take what you can from the information I share and know whether or not you can safely apply it to your own life. My goal with this blog and future website and hopefully future coaching business is to help this country (and other parts of the world) become healthier through being smarter and making better choices and balance. And to not feel deprived doing it. 

I wanted to talk about simple things you can do to be healthier. I know it's so hard to change overnight and I certainly don't recommend that. It will only burn you out in the end. 

I promote real, true, whole foods and limiting packaged, processed foods as much as possible. However, if frozen or pre-packaged meals are an easier way for you to start and and give you an idea of portions and is something to begin with, I don't want you to feel awful eating them. They are convenient and time-saving and we certainly live in a busy, fast-paced world. And if you are going from an unhealthy lifestyle, it can be very difficult to immediately know what to do in regards to food. I would definitely recommend reading labels. There are some quickie meals that are healthier. 

The ingredients you should avoid if at all possible upon reading a label are: High-Fructose corn syrup, trans fats (shortening, partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated anything), artificial flavors, MSG, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. 

When you see the word "artificial", I don't know about you but I get nervous ingesting these things. And I used to. I used to drink diet soda, use Splenda, etc. But I have cut them out now. And I feel a lot better. Maybe it's cutting them out. Maybe it's because I drink much more water or green tea in place of them and those are helping. 

I really love the Amy's, Cedarlane and Kashi products for a quick meal. They can be a bit expensive so I don't buy them very often but they are good and at the end of the day less expensive than eating out all the time. If you read a label and can understand all the ingredients then that is a good sign! If you like tomato soup, the Amy's Chunky Tomato Bisque is so good! I have seen it at Target where you might be able to get it a bit less than at the regular grocery store. And they do have a lighter in sodium version. All in all her soups, frozen meals, snacks are good. As well as the Kashi products. 

When I read a label and there are just a few simple ingredients that are all things I know, then I feel safe. The only thing with packaged foods is they are often higher in sodium since you can't control it yourself. If they have a lighter in sodium version, that rocks! :) 

The Kashi site also has some great recipes! This Chicken Tortilla soup looks so good! Cooked in a crock pot! http://www.kashi.com/recipes/344 or if you're ready for more Spring recipes, try the Asparagus-Mushroom Risotto. http://www.kashi.com/recipes/346. Or if you love the crunch on chicken nuggets but don't want to fry and don't want to use wheat-based panko, then check out the Cornmeal-Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Blackberry Mustard. Umm yeahh! http://www.kashi.com/recipes/346. Amy's also has some great recipes using some of her frozen products(meatless burgers) as a base. Convenience man!! :) It's a good thing! Ohh, I just sounded like Martha Stewart there! Hehe! (Though HER website has amazing recipes too if you are wanting to indulge!!!) 

Time to skedaddle and get us all ready and out the door in an hour! Can I do it? Of course!! :) You all have a great Tuesday and treat your bodies well. It deserves to be nourished and respected with good stuff. And just enjoy it. Why bother being miserable or wallowing. Insist on enjoying life. I know it's easier said than done some days and with everything we all have going on. But it is your choice to make at the end of the day. How you choose to live. 

My son made me a little picture at the gym daycare yesterday. A purple Hyacynth. He was so proud saying "I know you love poople, mommy!" I do love blue and purple. :) Smell a Hyacinth and then have a bad day. Come on! My grandpa grows them and the scent fills the air around his house. I need to do that one day once I have a yard! They are just gorgeous. 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller. (He's so wise! lol!)

God Bless,
Tami

Food, food, glorious food!

Good morning. New Monday. New week. Make your day a good one despite it being Monday. I know, easier said than done but mind over matter. Kill people with kindness when they are assy. Everyone is responsible for themselves. What they say and do and how they act. So when someone doesn't treat me right I keep in mind that is on them. And I can choose not to be negative and irrational as it is in my power not to be. 

I had a great day yesterday. I had a kick-ass workout in the morning (burned over 1500 calories!) then went to my friends christening for her sweet baby girl. Then went back to her house for a reception. We were all practically fist-fighting to hold that baby all day she is so good. She hangs out and smiles at you. I bet she'd make those not sure about having kids want them....yesterday!! haha! I did indulge in baked ziti, chicken parm, meatballs, bread and cake. And it was awesome! lol! And I came home to my boys. My heart is always missing a little piece when they're gone and is whole again when they're home. I know that is cheesy but it's 100% honest!! :) I hope your Sunday was just as nice. 

You know, there are some days my coffee tastes so much better than others. I wonder why that is. I live a healthy life and focus on foods and drinks that will benefit me and occasionally I have thoughts of cutting coffee out, but then I think.......lets not get crazy now! haha! 'Sides, there are some that say coffee is good for us. It is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. Controlled trials show that caffeine improves mood and brain function so it makes us smarter. It also is said to increase metabolism and increases oxidation of fatty acids. It may also lower your risk of Type II Diabetes, Alzheimers and Parkinsons. It is also shown to be protective against certain liver disorders and lowes your risk of death! 

Now while anything in moderate amounts is preferable to a large consumption, coffee is looking to be one of the healthiest things on the planet rather than the beverage of doom it was once thought to be. I do drink a large vat first thing in the morning and then try to get green tea in later in the day. Another antioxidant rich source of caffeine...just in a smaller amount. You would have to drink three cups of green tea to get the same amount of caffeine that is in one cup of coffee just to give you an idea. I have to be careful of too much caffeine late in the afternoon. I won't sleep!

Isn't it funny that so many things are bad for us and then not. Current research is constantly contradicting past research. Eggs were once thought to be the devil that caused high cholesterol. Now they are promoted as one of the best foods you can eat. It makes me not sure what to think some days. But that is why I err on the side that if it comes from the planet or nature...it is good in SOME capacity if used the right way. Most of the products anyway. Clearly tobacco and other things are not good for us. But I think we are all smart enough to figure most of it out. And it seems obvious to me that with "modern conveniences" the cancer rate has gone up. Microwaves, cell phones, packaged foods and drinks, fake colors, fake additives. So, I really do think eating clean, going old school with some things and live a modern life using tried and true "old-fashioned" methods might be the way to go. You might not save as much time but you might add GOOD, HEALTHY years to your life. Seems like an even trade to me.

I was thinking about these mixed messages while on the elliptical yesterday. After I published my blog I just kept thinking about it. How the word diet means different things when used in different ways. If you say "I'm on a diet" people gasp and say "Oh, it's SO bad for you! Don't diet!" But if you say "I eat a healthy diet" then that is applauded. So it's all in context. Kind of stupid when you think about it. How the manipulation of a few words can change a meaning so drastically. People are made to feel bad about what they're doing by someone at some time no matter what it is they choose to do. 

I don't promote "diets' necessarily but I don't think they are the Antichrist either. Some anyway. I did say I promote the Mediterranean diet. But look at it. It promotes exercise, plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts and seeds. You use olive and canola oil, herbs and spices, focus on poultry and fish but are allowed red meat a few times a month and even promotes red wine. Because it's not really limiting certain things other than processed junk. It's promoting the healthy, whole, real foods. An old school way of eating. 

But I do think Weight Watchers and others are OK as well if it's a way of eating that works for you. See if you said the Weight Watchers method or Weight Watchers way, it sounds different than the Weight Watchers Diet. But "diet" is not a satanic word!! lol! And at the end of the day these diets are just a way of eating laid out very specifically. And there are those with certain health issues that can benefit from such a thing. Eliminating things can help those people. The thing I don't like is "get it fast" schemes or plans, "diet" foods, people not eating the fats and lowering their calories too much and then eating processed junk in place of better tasting and better for you foods. A diet that is too strict is not going to be something you can stick with for long. Most of us need variety. That is why finding that balance I talked about yesterday is so important. I very rarely eat pasta. But I enjoyed yesterday. Now I don't have a craving for it and probably won't for awhile. 

I love food. I love cooking. I love flavors. I think it is one of the greatest pleasures in life and making it a chore or looking at food as a negative thing is so sad to me! As Julia Child says "The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook". She lived to be 91 eating and enjoying food. That is something to think about! :) 

Have a great day everyone. Look up a new recipe and experiment. I love Cooking Light for those recipes. 

God Bless, 
Tami

The Story of YOUR Life.

Happy Sunday. And Happy Palm Sunday. Peace and love to all of you.

It's a beautiful but brisk day here in Connecticut. Make it a good one wherever you are. I am hitting the gym here in about an hour and then going to the christening of my friend's baby later. And then my boys come home at 5:30. I am so excited. I can't wait to see them! :) And then later later is The Walking Dead which I am a HUGE fan of! 

I read a quote by Albert Einstein that has me pondering a little bit this morning. He says " Information is not knowledge, the only source of knowledge is experience". 

I have often said that educating yourself and understanding how the body works is a huge tool to lead to success in being healthy. So I do feel as though information does help you to be more knowledgeable. However, it was in my experiences and failures that I was truly able to understand why I was finally able to succeed when it happened. And there are some that aren't ready or simply don't want to acknowledge that being healthy lies in eating better, healthier and exercise. Yes there is more involved with that but at the end of the day, that's the key. Not the pills or other gimmicks that people hope will help it happen faster. As in any "get it quick" scheme, that's just not reasonable. So to those people not ready, they may need the failures and the experience that comes with these schemes to get to the point they are ready to hear the truth. 

What does it mean to be healthy? There are so many different ideas out there of what healthy *is*. To some it means a dress size, to others it means ripped muscles and a six-pack, and others want that toned yoga body. Then the vegetarians and vegans are doing what they consider to be healthy for them. To some they just want to feel better and have more energy. And all the diets out there gearing towards a multitude of people who need different things to find success. Some say eat breakfast while others say don't eat breakfast and focus on intermittent fasting as our "ancestors" did. Some say "no carbs" and others say "good carbs". Some say no red meat and others say lean red meat is OK. Then you have the fish pushers but be sure not to eat too much mercury! Ay! Carumba!!! 

What this tells me is exactly what I have said before. That we are all different and like our fingerprints our bodies are unique to us and we each need to put in the time and effort to discover what is going to work for our individual bodies based on who we are, genetics, lifestyles, how we think and how we live. I don't think there is necessarily a perfect, right way for everyone. The approach I want to take as a health coach is to work with each person and truly get to understand them. Get to know their schedule, personalities, how they live and then design a program based on that information. And what I plan for one person may be completely different than the next. There will be some basic, key fundamentals of nutrition based on facts I incorporate but the how and when and what will vary from person to person. 

Some say to ditch the diet mentality. That it isn't healthy. And I agree to a certain extent because diet sounds temporary and to live a healthier lifestyle it has to be a permanent change. But that change is all about balance not deprivation or suffering and that is what people need to discover within themselves. The balance their bodies need and the confidence and faith in themselves to balance it out. To eat that piece of cake at a birthday party and then balance it with exercise or a lighter dinner. But if doing a diet such as Weight Watchers or low glycemic or South Beach works for YOU and fits into your lifestyle and makes sense and makes a difference and it's something that  you have success with and can keep up, then by all means do it. 

The things I will stick with and insist upon are forget if you're a size 2 or 12. If you are fit and healthy and your cholesterol and blood pressure is good and you are happy and like the way you look and feel...then that works baby! Stop making society and fake magazine covers determine your self-worth. And eat fruit and veggies! EAT KALE!!! Raspberries, berries in general, apples, bell pepper, cucumbers, spinach. Eat them. Eat a lot of them. You are doing your body a whole lot of GOOD by doing so. Drink that green tea! Antioxidants baby!! Shop in the perimeter of the grocery store or farmers markets. Stay away from processed food as much as possible. And if I were going to promote a specific diet based on the ingredients and what I personally think is going to make a difference for people it would be the Mediterranean Diet. 


I bid you a good day. Have a listen to this. It's Neil Diamond again. No hating!! I am sure some will tease me for my love of Neil but shame on you! lol! All of his songs are like telling a story. I feel like this when he's singing! :D

Here you go.  I give you The Story of My Life. You're welcome!! :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL_79ZMUabc

God Bless! xoxoxo

Tami

Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me!

"May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground. Carry on."

First of all, a shout out to my friend Adrienne participating in a walk/run in Sandy Hook, CT today. She is a Newton resident with a 7 year old. If nothing else makes you feel fortunate, then that tragedy just a few months ago should. And she had her 3rd baby in October. You can do it!! :)

I have said I'm a spiritual person. I talk to some about this and don't usually force my thoughts on others as I know people believe different things and that's OK. I just wanted to share this. Please oblige me a moment. :).....I have been dealing with added stress lately at the hands of someone who adds stress to my life quite frequently. I was sitting in my car a couple of weeks ago reading a story about a woman who had a near death experience. I was killing time waiting for my son to get out of preschool. I had the radio on, barely listening to anything that came on. A song started, again barely listening. All of a sudden the words "May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground, carry on". jumped out to me. I heard them so clearly. I can't tell you what the words were before or after that but those words were just so clear and I heard them.

I had just been reading by the author of that book that there are signs all around us if we open our minds and hearts enough to listen. So I heard that loud and clear. And now Fun is a favorite band of mine! haha!, which is shocking as I'm not a fan of a lot of modern music. I do like Mumford and Sons, Fun, and few others but that's it. (I would be happy at Woodstock, a Led Zep or Doors show, seeing the Beatles, Three Dog Night(LOVE Joy to the World and Shambala!), Sinatra, even going back in time to see Edith Piaf or Billie Holiday more than most music these days!)...But they march to the beat of their own drum and have a cool sound and awesome lyrics. Go Fun!! They're......FUN!! :) And I dare you to try and hit the notes he hits towards the end of Some Nights!! lol!

I have to admit to a love of Abba and Neil Diamond. I share this love with my friend Shellie. lol! Both do remind me of my mother and her listening to LP's on her big old record console that I had to dust on weekends. Ugh!! :) Anyway, I am rambling again! :P

But I will let these things that continue to happen push me forward. At least at the end of the day I have a clear conscience and can rest my head in peace. And I do believe what goes around, comes around. What else can I do, right? I'm like the little engine that could! lol! :)

When I'm at the gym, I use a similar force to keep me going. My unhealthy past and how great it feels to feel the way I feel now. That's some good stuff right there to keep me motivated. And being fit and healthy and being able to shop anywhere is WAY better than any pizza I've had, just sayin'! :)

I had someone email me on My Fitness Pal about my workouts. I am the elliptical queen. I like it because it's easy on the body and works a lot at once. Again, as I've said before, I can't get there as often as I'd like but when I do go I get a really good calorie burn in. I put a good hour and 45 minutes or more on the elliptical. Highest level. This is the one I use. I call it the super elliptical because you practically have to jump to get it to move! And it allows you to vary how wide the stride is that you use. But I once overheard (eavesdropped) on a trainer next to me talking to someone and he said, "Full, wide stride, the whole circle!" So that is what I do. At level 20 for almost two hours. Yes, it might be crazy but it keeps me de-stressed and healthy and I go 2-3 days. I see people on the elliptical, barely bobbing up and down at level 2. I will be honest and say you're probably better off getting off and going for a walk. The key to these kinds of machines is resistance and pushing yourself as hard as you can. Changing your position changes the workout too. Bending your knees a little more, even where you have your feet positioned makes you feel it in different areas. I constantly change it up. Putting more effort into your arms increases the arm workout, go backward, etc. It has given me a butt. I never had a butt!

I usually watch TV while on it. I am lucky in that my gym has individual TV's on every cardio machine that you can control. If it's in the morning, I watch talk shows, The Doctors,  sometimes Bravo which we all know can make time fly like crazy with all the drama. I also watch TV Food Network (And yes I get hungry watching it, lol!), and HGTV. One episode of Love it or List it while working out is awesome! That hour goes by FAST. And The History Channel is great too. My only problem is when something makes me laugh and I start cracking up on the elliptical. I think a recent episode of Ellen did that when I was able to work out in the afternoon once. She was going over recent I-phone auto-corrects that had been sent in. Honestly, I was in tears laughing and almost fell off. 

I work out every Sunday morning. I will be there by about 8:30 or 9 tomorrow. I try to get there before the rush, otherwise parking will be a pain in the butt. I have been watching CBS Sunday Morning from 9-10:30 when on the elliptical on Sundays. It reminds me of my mother who would watch it every Sunday. And the stories are really interesting and make the time go by fast. :) 

Just sharing my habits with yous guys! Hope that's OK. I know some of you might be able to apply some of it to your own life to help with your own "lifestyle change". Before I go to the gym, I eat something that will keep me fueled for awhile. Protein and good carbs mostly. Sometimes I dump a spoonful of almond butter into a tub of yogurt in a rush. Or I might eat a whole grain tortilla with almond butter and honey. And I drink tons of water. Before I even get to the gym I've downed 24 ounces. Or more if I work out later in the day. I re-use the same environmentally friendly water bottle with a blue skull on the side (lol) and fill it up at the water fountain at the gym. I'm old school! lol!

After the gym, I try and get some good protein in. Sometimes it's even in the form of chocolate milk. I love that stuff!! And it's a great post-workout treat to refuel you. Ahh, chocolate milk. How I love thee!!

Well you all have a lovely Saturday. I am going to get ready for work here soon. If you try the elliptical, keep in mind it took me quite awhile to work up to level 20 for almost two hours. I started at level 3 for 20 minutes years ago. The key with exercise is as you get into better shape, your body won't work as hard on the same thing you're doing. That is often what causes a plateau. So when it started to feel easy, I bumped it up a level and added 5 minutes. And I did intervals too. It would switch levels every couple minutes. Now I just do the level 20 but sometimes I do jump on a different elliptical. The ones with incline are great too and I will do that backward for 30 minutes before jumping on the other just to keep my own body guessing.

I was listening to Mendelssohn's Spring Song earlier. Listen to this and tell me I'm the only one to think of cartoons. Is it Bugs Bunny?? Am I aging myself?? Well, I love Looney Tunes to this day. They are fun! I am working on getting my boys addicted! :) Have a listen and enjoy!

http://youtu.be/8mz5Rtx-Eu0


"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us" - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

God bless!
Tam

Just keep swimming!! And buy honey! :)

Wow, I'm groggy this morning. Coffee to the rescue. I think I may have actually slept too much. :) 

I hope you all enjoy my blog. I don't really have an agenda each morning I start to write this. I write it as I'm drinking my morning coffee. My friend Jessie says she sits and has her coffee and reads it every morning. Almost like we're sitting and having a chat over a cup of coffee. I like that!! I hope you all feel like you know me a little bit and that you feel comfortable reaching out to me about anything. 

I tend to just start writing about whatever I have been thinking about. Once or twice I started writing it the night before. That can work too but it doesn't feel as spontaneous or as "me". If that makes sense. If you could see what's happening around me. My groggy boys nearby. One is playing his Nintendo D.S. next to me. The other is playing Legos. They usually need a hug and to climb into my lap to snuggle for a minute. I happily put the laptop aside to oblige them.Then I have to make breakfast at some point. Laptop is placed aside again. Constantly juggling, which I think is what life is about. I often publish without having the chance to edit much before leaving for work so please excuse any typos! :) 

My friend Shellie and I were talking about this yesterday. How people and women especially have to juggle so much in order to be successful. I am not complaining or stereotyping at all. I know men  work very hard and juggle a lot. Work full time and go to school. I admire those that put the effort to do it all as well. Because that is what working mothers have been doing for ages. We work a full day, come home, make dinner, help with homework, clean up, put the kids to bed and then study or attend classes or research or simply collapse. And the ones who are home with the kids work just as hard trying to juggle everything, despite negative comments otherwise. I was once told that all stay at home moms were lazy and unmotivated. I'm sure I don't need to tell you who said that. 

I am trying to figure out about taking the classes I need to get my nutrition certification. It can be done and I will make it happen with my schedule. You just have to be smart about this and consider everything when making these decisions. I am also looking into Esthiology leading to possible Medical Esthetics. It's all in time and slowly but surely. But I love the idea of being a board certified nutritionist and licensed medical esthetician. I was joking with my friend about how I will help you look and feel your best on the inside through proper nutrition and on the outside with peels and exfoliation!! haha! What a deal! :)

Juggle I must because the bills still have to be paid in the meantime. It's not just about me anymore(hasn't been since 2006 when I had my oldest son) and I need to make sure we're all taken care of while pursuing my dreams. There are no other alternatives and not all are reliable. So be it. But I know at the end of the day, even through my exhaustion, I will feel accomplished. I am in my element by working hard and working ahead and we must keep swimming!

This is sort of random and off topic...or maybe on topic as I was just talking about skincare. I read an article last night about using honey to clean your face as well. I have talked about honey in past blogs and I am a fan. It is a natural product that provides so many benefits. There is a two week challenge. Clean your face with honey. Apparently honey is antibacterial and antimicrobial so it gets rid of any gross stuff that will cause pimples and is slightly drying to keep them away as well as moisturizing. It also has anti-aging enzymes and healing benefits. Crazy huh?? You pull your hair back. Take a 1/2 teaspoon of raw or pure honey and rub it in your fingers to warm up a bit then massage it into your face for a minute or so. If you can let it sit for about 5 minutes, great. Then rinse off with water. Pat dry. So I am about to embark on the two-week honey challenge to see what happens. I will let you know two weeks from today if my skin does seem better or if I've been attacked by bugs or maybe Winnie the Pooh! :) 

I have a good weekend ahead of me. Today is work and not much planned tonight. Tomorrow I will work again but have fun plans for after. A date! Well slap my ass and call me Charlie!!....:) And Sunday will be the gym in the morning and then attending the Christening of my friends sweet baby girl. And then my boys will return at 5:30 Sunday. I don't like it when they're gone but I just keep busy and it goes by fast. 

Happy Friday everyone. I know the weather has been assy here in the Northeast but Spring is just around the corner. At least the sun is shining this morning. 

I will leave you with one of my favorite memories of my childhood. Stopping at Lost Lake in Oregon. At the base of Mount Hood. Can't get much closer to nature than that. Doesn't it just make you feel happy??

It reminds me of a quote I heard before. 

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see" - Henry David Thorough. 

God Bless, 

Tami

*Added note. After I published this and then went back into my bedroom, I saw my cat had thrown up all over my pillow and sheets. Isn't that just the way. One more thing I need to take care of before I can rest my head today! lol! I do see the humor despite cursing him out a moment ago. ;) 

It just makes sense!!! :)

Good morning. Happy Thursday. 

I have been getting emails and posts on my profile on My Fitness Pal with people saying they are enjoying my blog and that I am inspiring them in various ways. Eating Kale, doing planks again, even not obsessing over the scale so much. I really can't tell you how happy that makes me feel. It is exactly why I started this blog. To sort of hold your hand and help to guide you to the finish line. To be a voice of reason and encouragement when you start to feel defeated. If nothing else you know someone who did it and keeps doing it. And did it using simplicity and not gimmicks or fad diets. 

For some they don't care why something works as long as it does. For me, I have to understand why. Like with the intermittent fasting or 8-hour diet. That makes sense to me when I really think about it and why it works for some. 

For me, the reason why my way of living works also makes sense. It's as simple as the comparison of our bodies to a car. And in order for it to run properly you have to fuel it sufficiently and with great products and take care of it. The day we realize that eating too few calories can hurt your weight loss and maintenance, is such a great day! Also there is a quote I talk about with some that says if you focus on change you'll get results, if you focus on results you'll never change. Pretty simple right?

Of all the diets out there I do think Weight Watchers is a good one. They do the calorie counting for you and make it easy. It is essentially what I did just in a different way. I have done WW in the past and had brief success. The problem I had was sometimes when you guesstimate the points and often would say "This appears to be about 5 points, etc". I realized I needed to do the counting myself to really understand how it works. And why fiber makes a difference. In my opinion, protein and fiber are a necessity to weight-loss and maintenance. Without them, you just won't feel satisfied. When I buy bread, I make sure it has 5 or more grams of fiber per slice. Cereal is the same way. Women need to focus on 25g or more a day and men need 30g. Be careful and try to slowly up your fiber intake as a sudden onslaught can make your digestive system all wonky...briefly! :) 

Also, a food scale is a great tool, especially early on. So much of our trouble here in the United States is portion size. Even with something like McDonalds did you know that the main meal back when they opened was what is essentially a Happy Meal now? The small burger and fries. Makes you think, doesn't it? We just eat way too much at times. Everything is super sized in this country. The only things I consume in large quantities is water and fruit and vegetables. Many veggies are 0 calories and water based and can be munched on all day! I love different colored bell pepper, cucumbers, carrots, celery. A food scale can help you educate yourself in proper portion size. What exactly 3 or 4 ounces of meat is. And as obsessive as it seems, even measuring things like BBQ sauce or salad dressing can help. Seeing what a tablespoon is. I don't measure these things anymore but by doing it I was able to learn and know how to eyeball it better. 

And activity. A lack of it is not going to help matters at all. I know so many don't like to exercise but it really is so good for you. If you make it a necessity to your life as anything else is. Make it a part of your daily/weekly routine and incorporate it at times that make sense and you can stick with. Between time with my boys, work and when the gym daycare opens, I can only get to the gym three days but I make those three days count with a great calorie burn. My work schedule may be changing and with my boys being with their father on Tuesday nights, it means I may be getting to the gym about 5:30 in the morning on Wednesdays since I won't be able to on Thursday evenings anymore. You have to take one for the team sometimes to stay in shape! And excuses will never help. Also, as hard as it is to work out early in the morning, it really does make you feel awesome all day. And at home I focus on strength moves when I can. Even at work while I was assisting with a visual field and monitoring the four minute test as the patient took it, I was doing calf raises! haha! 

See what I mean about it making sense? It has to make sense to work I think. I don't take diet pills or water pills. The only things I take are vitamins. And if I feel bloated, I drink a ton of lemon water which is a natural diuretic. You will be pee'ing non-stop if you drink that!! lol!  It's also a benefit of that cleanse I have talked about in previous blog posts. You are eliminating all added salt for five days so it allows your body to shed all that bloat. You feel light as a feather by day 5! The interesting thing about the cleanse is late on day 2 you start to get bored and want to quit and think you won't be able to eat another raspberry or another bite of spinach again in your whole life. If you stick with it, by the end....and when you go back to your normal foods, the first thing you notice is everything is way too salty. And then you start craving berries, spinach and eggs again. Try it, you'll see! :) 

So out with the gimmicks and pills and quick fixes. They just don't work because they don't make sense. If you want to be trendy, eat Kale (my friend Shellie resists but I will get her to eat it. Mark my words!!), try Pilates, Yoga or Zumba, get a juicer and put a bunch of fruit and veggies in there! Get turmeric and sprinkle it on your salads and dishes. These are all real. Nothing fake. And they make sense. 

I found this awesome website last night with great recipes. They have a bunch of Middle Eastern recipes which is a simple way to get turmeric into your diet and super flavorful!! The Edible Mosaic! Check it out. I am thinking of making the Chicken Mulligatawny and a Moroccan Spiced Chicken Stew. Both look amazing as do most of the recipes. :) Quinoa corncakes and butternut-maple butter. Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken with an ingredient list of: Chicken cutlets, salt, black pepper, chicken broth, fresh thyme, maple syrup, garlic, apple cider vinegar and stone-ground mustard. Clean, simple, delicious! 

http://www.anediblemosaic.com/

Have a lovely day everyone!!

God Bless!
Tami

SPRING SPRING SPRING SPRING!!

Happy Spring to all! 

Ahh, I know it's still cold but knowing Spring is here and Summer is soon to come just fills me with hope. I get the urge to start the Spring cleaning. Get my home and car all zen and de-winterized. Just being able to have the windows open with a nice breeze coming in makes me happy. I know those in colder weather states will understand. Those who get this kind of weather most of the year, just indulge me for a moment! lol!

I remember one day sitting on my couch. I turned off all noise. The TV, music, etc. and just sat on my couch with the windows open and heard the birds and the lawn mower. I love the sound of lawn mowers!! :) And the warm breeze coming in. Ahhh! I think I sat there for a good half hour. Meditative. 

It's so funny, I had gotten a fancy schmancy smartphone with my upgrade about a year ago. (I've never been an overly technological person. I understand and learn things fast and am very much internet and computer savvy but having the latest and greatest has never been a big deal to me) I had my beloved Blackberry for quite some time and it lasted through a lot! Even getting wet! Last Summer, I had my smartphone in my bag. And put a water bottle in there. Apparently the cap was not on right and the smartphone got wet. It now doesn't work right and hasn't for a few months. I can connect to Wifi but the 4G is kaput! So I bought a dinky Nokia and use that for calls, etc. Many said for me to just go on Ebay and find another phone. 

But I haven't and just use my Nokia until my next upgrade or at least partial upgrade which is pretty soon actually. I am punishing myself! lol! I feel like I need to be taught a lesson. Now I know if I put a water bottle anywhere near my smartphone, I will triple check the cap. Or make sure I have it insured this time!!  My point in talking about this is that not having internet access all day is actually pretty freeing. I mostly used it for directions or to pull up a recipe last minute or maybe get a phone number from an email but I can deal without that. And to not have access to social media 24/7 is actually really nice. I feel rather old school and not the least bit deprived. I feel like I see life a bit more. Something to think about for sure. 

I can't wait until the leaves start to bloom even with the allergies they bring. I think my least favorite part of Winter (despite the frigid temps) is the bare trees. I grew up in Oregon where the Evergreens stayed green all year and there was a lot of pretty even then. On the East Coast I don't see that enough. I seriously need to go hiking! I'm jones-ing just a bit! 

I finally bought the Ginkgo I've been wanting to add to my diet. And I keep forgetting to take it! haha! Isn't that ironic? lol :) I have put that and my daily multi-vitamin on the counter next to my coffee maker. I definitely won't miss that! hehe! 

With Spring I get the idea of a pedicure. I need to de-winterize my entire body. I have seen a bunch of recipes for homemade sugar or salt scrubs. I need to git r done. And I may need a hedgeclipper for my toes when I go for the pedi. Most people think about losing weight and getting ready for bathing suits but forget to get your skin all ready too. 

Spring into healthy skin and energy! You can do a cleanse or fast to gear up. Make sure you consult a doctor before doing any sort of cleanse or fast to make sure you can do it. But they are beneficial to get rid of additives and toxins from the body which help you look and feel your best. But adding probiotics to aid digestion and reduce inflammation, exercise and sweat, eat whole foods and start to incorporate foods that will aid with seasonal allergies. Ginger is a natural antihistamene and bee pollen has an antimicrobial effect on the body.

And if the sun and thought of flowers blooming and being outside enough doesn't give you energy and make you happy, try to incorporate these foods into your diet which help you feel happier. DHA rich Rainbow Trout, collard greens which contain a large amount of magnesium and Vitamin C which work together to convert amino acids, tryptophan, and tyrosine to serotonin and dopamine. Spaghetti Squash, organic eggs and blue potatoes are also kick ass foods to increase happiness. The blue hue of the potatoes contain the same phytonutrients found in blueberries which  activate the "happy" part of the brain. 

Time for me to skedaddle and get to work! Have a lovely day everyone and be kind and treat others well. 

"He who sows courtesy reaps friendship and he who plants kindness gathers love" - Proverbs 

God Bless,
Tami

Lets Get Real!!

I was thinking (who me?? lol) about the pressure that is put on us from a very early age to look a certain way, act a certain way, think a certain way. It's good in some ways. This is how we learn manners, how to treat others, how we learn right from wrong. So it is important. Then we hit puberty. Our bodies change. I know for a fact that is when I started to have trouble. My body changed. I developed and I had no idea how to change my entire way of being as a pre-teen. Does anybody really? So the weight started to come on and I struggled. Most of it was from a lack of knowledge and understanding in how my body worked. And then that expectation of how I was supposed to look compared to the reality was disheartening and that began my hatred of food and exercise and all things that seemed to cause me so much stress. 

I was chunky in high school and yo-yo'ed through my 20's. I always had the willpower to not eat. The problem is like so many women, I completely ruined my body by starving myself. I think there was one time I experimented with making myself throw up. That wasn't for me. So not eating much was preferable. The problem is I lost the weight and ended up gaunt, with stringy hair and not the least bit healthy in the process. And of course I got the weight off and the second I allowed normal food into my body again the weight piled back on. It was a vicious cycle that just didn't seem to end and I had very little hope for ever finding my way through it. Who would have a positive feeling about "healthy" living after that? Everything involved with it seemed like a chore or a lecture and like many I rebelled and my thought process was "Screw this, you only live once. I'm going to live how I want!" 

But was I really living by eating unhealthy foods and way too much of it and sitting around? I did like activity but it was when I decided I wanted to do it not when I felt forced to. My comfort in the past was turning to food. I know a lot can relate to that. And then I ended up in an unhappy marriage with someone I never really had anything in common with. If you aren't in agreement of the simple things in a relationship/marriage like respect and courtesy then there is no way for it to work. And the weight came on again. 

I'm not exactly sure what it was that clicked in my head. I just know at the time my oldest was 9 months old and I was barely enjoying life with him. I didn't want to go anywhere, I didn't have energy. There was even a humiliating moment of not being able to ride a ride at an amusement park because I was too big. And then I thought of my mother who had passed away in 2000 of Lupus. The official cause of death was pneumonia with complications from Lupus. She was 50. And her mother, my maternal grandmother died at the age of 49. Both were smokers and my grandmother had other issues. And we all share the middle name Louise. It just hit me that I was allowing myself to be unhealthy and not only was I ruining my life, I was lessening the life enjoyment of my son as well. 

So I said enough is enough. I can do this. And thus began my journey. I started to read and research and understand. I began to see the thin people that enjoy life and wondered how. Yes metabolism makes a difference but it is in our choices and the way we decide to live that truly matters. From the time I hit puberty and my body changed, I started to view food as the enemy. And thought for the longest time that to be thin I had to never enjoy life, never enjoy a birthday party, never enjoy a meal out. And that just isn't true. 

My "lifestyle change" began in September, 2007. I took baby steps. Started slow and steady. Started to pay attention to my body and how it reacted to food. Started to make my own healthier versions of things. Started to realize that healthy food can be delicious and the way it made me feel was even better. And I saw that a night out with friends or enjoying a holiday meal didn't have to derail my efforts. That I could do both. Food didn't have to be the enemy. And I saw that I could control it. And from that day on, I have never let food control me again. I make the decisions. I can go back to eating healthy and be in control after a girls night out. Because I made the decision to. And my confidence grew each time I was successful. And I figured it out. How to be healthy and not feel deprived or suffer for it. 

I began to love exercise too. Rather than look at is as a chore I started to see it as something that helped me live. Gave me energy, took away stress, made my skin glow, allowed me to eat more. Now I view it as a necessity in my life and I look forward to my workouts and feel bereft if I can't due to being sick or anything else. I became an endorphin addict. How the hell did that happen?! :)

When you stop looking at healthy living and exercise as a chore and rather a positive thing to enhance your life based on your choices it really does help. The problem is for so long healthy living was about processed food, artificial sweeteners, plain/bland chicken breast and rice cakes with nothing on them. 

It is so enlightening to realize that eating real foods is the best thing you can do. Using herbs and spices and olive oil, eating chicken thighs and chicken breast, salmon, lean steak, nuts, seeds, avocados, berries, vegetables. And preparing flavorful dishes using awesome, kick-ass ingredients is what will keep you healthy and thin. Not skinny. Thin. Lean. Fit. That doesn't mean skinny or a number on the scale. It means finding that happy weight where you feel your best. Where you have energy and confidence and can wake up each day smiling. Where you can look at the awesome healthy food in the store or farmers markets and get excited about the dishes you can prepare. And if you aren't a cook you can still find healthier alternatives out there. I actually wish I could open a fast-food restaurant that focuses on whole, real, healthy meals. You go through the drive through and get a flavorful meal chock full with nutrients. That would be cool!! :) 

I found my peace with my body. I now thank it for putting up with so much abuse for so long and then rewarding me the minute I treated it right. We're old friends now. :) And food is a friend and exercise is a friend. I feel like I was meant to go through the trials and misery to get to the other side because I understood what didn't work and it allowed me to see what WOULD work and why when it finally did. And now I feel like it is something I can share to others. To hopefully save them the time and trouble it took me to get it right. 

Well, time to get ready for work. Lunch will be my spinach salad again. It's funny. I realized I liked having energy and feeling better after I eat. Not having an upset stomach or feel weighed down and tired. A burger or pizza is great once in awhile but it certainly doesn't increase my energy or make me healthier. Unless I make my own versions of course. ;) 

Now I have two boys and I devote my time to them. I make them a priority and my decisions always have their best interests at heart. I am happy to do this as they are my best accomplishment to date. Yes, I have things I've done as a woman that make me proud but being a mother has given me a perspective and patience and a feeling of contentment that can never be taken away. We are Team Awesome! If the right man comes along to be a part of this team then that will be a beautiful day. Until then we are one small happy family and I have running races down the sidewalk with my two energetic boys. Who would have thought I'd be able to do that?? 

Enjoy!! 

God Bless!
Tami