Your stomach isn't a wastebasket!

Mornin' Sunshine!

Well it's back to work for me today. I had a nice weekend. I enjoyed a girls night out on Saturday and some great workouts, did some cleaning and of course once my boys got home on Sunday evening , all was right with the world. We had a nice picnic/play date in the park yesterday. 

I have been working on increasing my plank endurance. I can do about 1 minute, 30 seconds, working up to 2 minutes. I did them yesterday evening and my boys were arguing and I had to scold them twice while trying to hold the plank. I had my eyes closed, trying to breathe. Then I felt a pillow land on me. I still managed to hold it! haha! I think that should qualify as some extra willpower kudos!! :) I am going to try to put a song on and hold a plank for the length of it next. We'll see how that goes! :p I am a fan of the plank with the awesome help it gives to the back as well as other areas. My back is not good sometimes! 

J.T. was funny yesterday. He asked to only have fruit for dinner. He just didn't have much of an appetite. Not sure what the deal was. We had been outside awhile and he was tired and just not hungry. He had eaten a good breakfast and lunch. So fruit for dinner? OK! That so rarely happens as he has a really good appetite. He may take after me a bit. By dinner and in the Summer, I sometimes just don't want to eat. I don't like eating a lot late very often. 

That being said I just saw a recipe for a cinnamon bun smoothie! Yum! 1 frozen banana, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup. Sounds delicious doesn't it?? 

Yesterday I had this quinoa/oatmeal blend from Trader Joe's, a banana and yogurt. I ate that for breakfast and then went to the gym. I burn a lot of calories so I fueled myself well. I need to learn to eat some sort of protein after as I go to a grocery store and want to buy everything there when I've just burned so many calories! I get really good burns in on Sun/Mon as those are my easy gym days. But by Tuesday I am tired!! lol! 

So many of us know we need to eat better and that it's good for us..but just what are the benefits of a healthy lifestyle? Besides the obvious of course. You maintain a healthy weight without stressing about it. And your clothes feel better. You are less bloated. 

You also go to the bathroom regularly. This is very important. Getting rid of waste daily will have you feeling so much better. And people who don't eat a healthy diet will find themselves doing this much less. That must make you feel really crappy! (Pun intended!). You will be very bloated and just not feeling good. 

You will sleep better. When you eat the foods right for your body you won't wake up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache or acid reflux. And you will wake up more refreshed and actually rested. I know that spicy pepperoni pizza is tasty but it's not going to make you feel awesome later on! Especially if you eat it later in the day. 

When you eat a good dinner (good, nourishing food), it makes you actually want to keep enjoying your night. A heavy dinner of greasy food makes you want to go home and sit down. When you're out for a date or girls night out, you want to have energy to go see a movie or maybe go dancing a bit. Something!! :) 

And lets face it. By eating well..and looking and feeling better...your sex-drive will increase. Your confidence and energy help with this a lot. 

So what can be bad about eating healthy? You can make it tasty and fun too. It doesn't have to be bland and boring these days. Not with the amazing ingredients we have to choose from. Spices, herbs, fruits and veggies. Cool grains and legumes. Good stuff. I know a pizza or buffalo chicken wings are good. They are a nice treat sometimes. But when I do indulge...I do end up feeling awful after. I always say listen to your body. Treat it well and it will reward you. Pay attention to just how great you feel when you eat healthy. When you do that it makes you want to indulge less often. Having energy and no stomach issues, no reflux, no headaches.....it can be addicting! :) 

Alright, time to get up and around. I have a craving for eggs this morning! YUM!! 

Have a lovely day everyone! 

xoxoxo

Tam

Hold on....and Push it! :p

Hello, my friends! In goofball mode today! :) 

How have you been? I hope your week has been a good one and that your weekend has started off awesome. Mine starts tonight and I have some fun planned! I'm surprised we aren't all sick here in New England. The weather has gone from hell to normal to Winter for a day and back to normal. Really weird stuff! Thursday we all went outside and said "woahh, where did this come from?" I felt like November! 

I am not writing as much right now. Must be that "Lazy Summer" feeling in the mornings. Sorry!! haha! I could write other times of the day but lets be honest, I work full time Tues-Sat and I'm a single mother with two energetic boys. I get home and it's that "Buh buh buh" scene from the movie Overboard. lol! So I tend to write in the morning when I'm having my coffee. I'm always thinking about things and reading and educating myself on nutrition, exercise, etc. And the morning before work seems to be my write and think, think and write time. And I try things myself as a sort of guinea pig to see how they are. Speaking of coffee, what is it about that first glorious sip in the morning? Nothing can beat the first sip! :)

I just saw on the news that Jamba Juice has a free smoothie for kids aged 8 and under today from 11-4. Sweet! So partake in that for sure. Though smoothies for the old fogies would be nice too! hehe! This is a great way to help instill healthy habits into our young'uns though. 

One sort of trend, fad, whatever you call it..that I am curious about and feel like could be helpful in regards to weight loss is the idea of intermittent fasting. Apparently this way of eating can help burn fat and build muscle. There is a lot of information out there and you can Google it and read up as well as various testimonials. I am not a fan of fad, get it quick diets at all but this one just makes sense to me. There is a book called the 8-Hour Diet. The basic idea is that you eat during an 8 hour period and then once that window closes, it's closed. And then you fast at least 16 hours. The theory is you can eat what you want but of course they recommend certain foods based on their nutrients. There are others that don't seem to focus on 8 hours but more the fasting period after. Some say start at 12 hours, then work up. 

During the fasting period you can drink water and zero calories beverages like tea, etc. And some even say you can have fat-free broth. Obviously results will vary from person to person based on each individuals health and body type. And it can be worked into your life however you see fit whether it's daily or 2-3 times a week. You can choose to do a longer fast. Say a 24-hour fast every other day. Which would be stop eating by 6pm and then not eating until 6pm the following day. The shorter fast is that 8 hour window of eat...lets say you start at 6am and stop by 2pm. Then fast until 6am the next morning. That's 16 hours. Again it's not every single day unless you want it to be. You can have results (albeit not as fast) on doing it 2-3 days. 

The concept is that our bodies need a sort of recovery period from eating to digest properly as well as other needs. The fact is humans, especially Americans just eat way too much food. Our portions are out of control and we eat a lot. Many diet programs promote eating several meals all day but intermittent fasting can be even more beneficial. Obviously there are pros and cons to everything and you need to use good judgement upon starting anything. If you're very active and exercise a lot, you need to be sure you're fueling yourself properly. But I see how this way of eating can be beneficial. And if we're all honest, we know that going to bed without a lot in our stomach just feels better. Less acid reflux and other problems. There is that old saying that we should be eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. Of course that can't be done every single day but trying to make it a normal part of your life is a good idea. 

And to me one of the best benefits of this is less snacking. If you follow the rules and stop eating the minute your window closes, then that will eliminate a lot of hidden calories many of us tend to incorporate. We all snack. Little bites here and there. That can add up quick and may very well be why we are struggling to lose weight. Even if you're not participating in intermittent fasting, by giving yourself that window, whether it be 5pm or another time and you know you are done eating by that time will help. 

It's something to think about for sure. I don't see it so much as a fad but more as something that makes sense that has been around for centuries that the human body can benefit from on occasion. Even doing a juice fast or cleanse is great for the body. It can eliminate cravings, clear out additives and bloat. What is bad about that? :) 

Soo, that's 'bout all she wrote today. I have to say I was diagnosed with glasses the other day! :p I now have reading glasses!! I used to just have them for night driving, etc. Now I have them to read. Man! I can read without the glasses but using them does help my eyes feel less tired at the end of the day. I was constantly rubbing them and they burn. Now it seems to be better. Especially with the astigmatism which makes things look weird. Double vision a bit. Ah well! I'm not a whippersnapper anymore. lol! I am wearing them right now as I write this. I remember having 20/16 vision once upon a time. Sigh! 

What do you think?? They are way cool ProDesign glasses which are a Danish company. Funky and fun! Who wants basic when just using them for reading? :) 

Okie doke! Have a great day! I am working 7 hours and then it's my weekend baby!! Woohoooo! 

My friend and I were going back and forth with "oldies" the other night. So I will leave you with this gem! Wow, betcha feel old now if you didn't already! Gosh, this was out in 1990!!! I was a Sophmore in high school. *thud*. (That was me fainting!!) 

Posting this one too.....cause.....why can't music be this cool anymore?? hehe!

Move your bod, eat veggies, drink water, sleep......rinse and repeat! :)

Hi guys! Happy Wednesday!

First a shout out to my friend Shellie who is balancing a family, full-time work and school. She's in stress mode and running on fumes. You can do it Shells!! You've already been through so much. Kick some butt! :) 

So if you're doing everything possible to lost weight and be healthy and just don't seem to be finding success, it could be due to various reasons. Things you're doing to sabotage your efforts that you don't even realize are contributing. Of course some are  "duh" type things but there are some others that might help you to reach your goal if you understand why they are hurting you. 

Stop skipping breakfast. I know there are mixed stories out there about breakfast. But studies show that people who eat breakfast do lose more weight. It starts the day off right revving up your metabolism. Just make sure to include some protein and fiber. I often eat a greek yogurt and a banana. Then mid-morning will have some nuts.  That will provide sustainable energy which we all know is a must when trying to lose weight or be healthy. We MUST be satisfied for this to work. 

We sometimes tend to overeat healthy foods. I won't keep trail mix on hand because I can't stop eating that. Nuts too! haha! I do eat them as snacks a lot and they keep me full. Seriously when I eat a bunch of almonds or mixed nuts during my work day, I tend to not want a lot of dinner later on so it's good for that however they are high in fat and calories and it can add up fast if you aren't paying attention. Same with avocado, etc. I love them but will not eat more than half a day. I sometimes buy one at lunch time and share with a co-worker. 

Try to educate yourself about proper portions. You'd be amazed if you actually measured certain portions out and saw what they look like. And just how much we are eating. It does open your eyes to why so many people are obese. We just eat way too much food. My eyes are sometimes bigger than my stomach too. I've learned that it will take much less to fill me up than I think. Especially following a great workout where I burn 1500 calories! I am famished and ready to devour anything in my path! haha! But that brings me to my next point...

Proper post-workout snacks! Immediately following a workout our bodies do need a perfect combination of protein and carbs to help repair muscles and recharge our batteries. Something only 150 calories (if it's the right thing) will do the job. It doesn't take a lot.

Please try to get a ton of fruit and veggies into your day. A lot of people just aren't eating enough and these foods can assist in weight-loss by providing a huge amount of nutrients and filling us up with fiber...but in a sweet little low-calorie package. Especially right now when so many goodies are in season. Try to eat a peach or plum or raspberries for an afternoon snack with water or green tea. Do this instead of other less helpful snacks! :) You can get enough servings in if you really pay attention to it. 

I know it's difficult and these are only a few ideas but just try to make these a daily part of your life. Also, get plenty of sleep, drink a ton of water, forego soda (I mean it! lol!), stop eating in a rush or standing up. And make sure you indulge sometimes. Like I've said, make "the norm"..the healthy, good for you stuff and the "Here and there" the fun goodies. I think that's an easy balance to follow. But the funny thing is once your body is used to the good for you stuff, you find certain indulgences just don't hit the spot as they once did. I find certain treats much less satisfying than I did before changing my lifestyle. 

Okie dokie, time for me to get up and around and head to work. Enjoy your day everyone! And if you're struggling with life, just keep on, keepin' on! You will get through this. 

xoxoxo

Tam

Git R Done!

Hi guys!

Hope you had a lovely weekend. Here in the NE, it started super hot but the heat advisory was cancelled on Friday. Yayy! So now it's normal humid and heat! :) 

I had a great workout yesterday morning and then took my boys for some fun at the Palisades Mall, in NY. It's the second largest mall in the country. We went to Dave and Busters and played some games, hit the Disney store, had lunch. Fun stuff! I have to admit last night I was enjoying the Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon on Syfy! :) I am a giant geek at heart and that was a show I enjoyed!! Still do! ;) And then I slept a solid 8 hours. Woke up feeling pretty damn good! 

I just got back from another great gym workout and grocery shopping. I immediately drank an Odwalla Mo Beta smoothie, and devoured a container of blackberries and a peach. I guess I needed it. :) Today is an "at home" day to get a few things done and relax. Tomorrow is an early day to drop my boys off with their sitter and get to work by 8! 

So you want to be healthier and just can't seem to find the time. Right? Some of you? :) There are a few habits y'all need to break to get to healthy and feeling great. First you need to stop making excuses. There is always time to do some sort of exercise. If it means getting up a little earlier in the morning to get it done, so be it. You really will reap the benefits of such determination and will just feel amazing. Being an early riser is also a great way to help turn a boring life into an extraordinary one. Allowing time in the morning to exercise, breathe, even just sit and enjoy your coffee you are easing into the day rather than starting off hurried. 

Don't skip workouts. Find a way to move. You can do something 20-30 min a day if you really wanted to. Try to get cardio a few days a week and do some sort of strength training. I've talked about the plank before. It is so great and you can do it anywhere. Squats, lunges, push-ups etc. It does't take fancy equipment to do these things. 

Self-defeating thoughts and comments are never helpful when trying to live a healthy life. I used to hate exercise. I felt like so many people nagged about it and like anybody when someone is almost forcing thoughts on you, your first instinct is to rebel. So I decided for me, on my terms, what I wanted to do and when..and make it a part of my life and learned to love it. When you decide to do it because you want more energy, to feel and look better and to hopefully live a longer and more quality life with your family then it becomes a lot easier. I am amazed that I love working out as I do. It was those baby steps I've talked about before that helped. I just eased into it. Sort of how I ease into my day by getting up earlier and having time. Ahh, that time is a good thing. 

Stop with the mindless eating. Turn away from the tv or computer screen for a few moment and savor your meal. Stop just cramming food in. And at the same time don't get into an eating rut. Sometimes we get busy and bored with food and just grab whatever. Try to make sure you have some fun yet healthy snacks around and ingredients to make flavorful, quality food. I often buy a bag of broccoli slaw and have my asian peanut viniagrette around. If nothing else, I know that's going to be delicious! And keeping smoothie ingredients on hand is good. I use frozen berries for that. They are less expensive and keep longer. And make for a yummy icy cold, refreshing smoothie. 

Alright, if you'll excuse me, I have some watermelon to eat! I ate 3 pieces of that the other day like a boss! My boys love it too. It's so cold and juicy! Perfect this time of year. It's 92% water so it is a helpful way to get enough water into your body on a hot day. And it's high in lycopene which helps the cardiovascular system as well as our bone health. It contains citrulline to helps prevent the over-accumulation of body fat and works as a diuretic and helps promote kidney health. On top of that it is a great source of potassium and high in vitamin-A and vitamin-C.

I saw this and had to share. Ahhh doesn't that look delicious? I may need to incorporate it into a smoothie later too! ;) 

"Then as it was, then again it will be. And though the course may change sometimes....rivers always reach the sea" - Led Zeppelin

xoxoxo
Tam

Anything Can Be

Morning my darlin' clementines! 

I've been a little MIA the past couple of days. Sorry! Wednesday morning I was out of the house before 7 am and yesterday I just had a lazy morning with the boys since I didn't have to be at work until 10 am. Summer just calls for some lazy mornings. It's awesome. We don't have to be out at the crack of dawn for school so I try to enjoy this chill time with them. 

We've been in the midst of a heatwave this week and it's just not pleasant to be outside at all. The humidity hasn't been horrible but according to the weather dude, it's back today. So the high of 98 today will feel much hotter and a lot more suffocating. Ugh. Damn humidity! One pro to working in air condition all week. 

It's funny, somewhere along the way the last few years my cravings and taste for things changed. I will have great workout and earn a treat but I end up not enjoying the like I used to. My body craves real, good food now. I love a good piece of chocolate over other things. Or home-baked goodies. Honestly, one of my favorite indulgences is either Tiramisu or Almond Cream Cake with amaretto! Ahhhh! I can go without the candy bars, cookies(unless homemade chocolate chip), etc. Ice cream or frozen yogurt is good this time of year but I don't need a lot. I'm not really keen on french fries or that sort of thing. I find myself craving things like shrimp cocktail, guacamole, eggs (a nice omlette), fresh fruit in season, sushi, baked or grilled salmon, a nice filet from time to time, and eating meat free feels great some days. I just feel better. You really can change how your body works and what you crave. You just have to work at it. 

Here are some recipes that look awesome to me and make me drool. Skinny Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Enchiladas Yum! Peach, Basil and Brie French Bread Pizzas (I'll save my carb usage for this baby for sure! lol!), Oatmeal, Cottage Cheese and Banana Pancakes (Gluten Free), Banana, Oat, Protein Muffins. Many of these are from The Ambitious Kitchen as you will see. She has a bunch of great recipes. But this is the kind of food I crave. These are the treats I want. Interesting, eh? Fresh, creative and delicious using REAL food. Ahhh just spotted this! Smashed Avocado and Tomato Basil Bruschetta. Honestly, I could eat that every day! :p

I've been upping my plank workouts. They are just fantastic. If you want a simple, daily move to work a bunch of muscles at once, try the plank. There are variations you can do to create a fantastic 20 minute workout. This Shape article shows you exactly what to do. As it states, "Even an hour of crunches won't match the body benefits of a 10-minute plank workout" Shape Magazine Plank Workout. Do a few of these and tell me your body doesn't hurt!! :) 

Have a lovely day! Leaving with some Neil Diamond. Cause he makes me feel good! lol! :) 

And a little Shel Silverstein because....he makes me feel good too! :)
"Listen to the mustn'ts child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me. Anything can happen child....anything can be" 

xoxoxo
Tam

The road to Badass!

Hi guys! 

I hope you had a great weekend and a nice start to your work week. Mine starts today! How do two days off go so fast??? :) 

I don't know about you but I truly love to feel badass! :) Life tends to stink at times and make us worry and stress and feel anything but badass. But you can decide you want to feel awesome, badass, cool, and just have everything together despite life trying hard to make you feel like crapola!

First you can start your day feeling grateful. Compared to many places in the world, we really don't have it so bad. Feeling grateful for your life (Despite the ups and downs) can be a great start to that badass feeling we all want. And if you are trying to make a lifestyle change, be grateful you have the tools (healthy foods, a floor to exercise on, access to water) to make it happen. 

Try to work on patience. This is something I strive for every day. I have two high-energy little boys who fight like cats and dogs some days. I miss them like crazy when they're gone and then play ref the time they're here. I sit there thinking "Why does this happen??" lol! But it's just part of having children. That sibling rivalry will happen forever. That dynamic of fighting all the time but protecting each other from outsiders is also common. I had that same relationship with my big brother. So I do keep that in mind when they fight a lot. 

I also work to accept, forgive and just let go. What is the quote? "Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone; you are the one who gets burned" - Buddha. I really feel that's true. I'm not an angry, unforgiving woman at all. I try very hard to learn from everything. I don't want certain people in my life and I'm not happy with what's occurred but by being angry and stressed by it, then they are getting what they want. I refuse to allow that to happen. They just aren't worth it! And they're behavior is a reflection on them. Not us. Just let go. :) 

Be true to yourself. Figure out who you are and go with it. Self-discovery and self-awareness can be an amazing thing. Even with the "flaws". By being aware of these things and knowing who you are, you can better create the path to badassness! When you stop the judging of others, overactive mind, worries, control, and the peer pressure to be something to make someone else happy...you will help to clear the clutter that is blocking the way to being you. I know this sounds a little corny..but it's just true. Be YOU. It's a pretty amazing thing to suddenly realize who that is and embrace it. You tend to discover who your true friends are in the process as well. And those that truly care about you will show it and be there. Anyone else....didn't really have your back, did they? 

These are just a few ideas to help you  achieve the feeling of being "Badass". There are some days I feel that and some days I feel like a silly girl. But I get back up and keep on going. What are ya gonna do?? Right? 

Alright..time to get up and around. Enjoy your day and feel awesome!! 

I love this song!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! Time to Say Goodbye! 

xoxoxoxo
Tam

The importance of LIGHT ...when we see darkness.

Hi guys! Welcome to the weekend! 

I hope you have something fun planned. I don't know about you but the Summer is flying. It always seems to be the way but this year especially seems to be going by at a greater speed than previous years. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe just being super busy all the time? It is mid-July already!

I have been so tired the last few days. Maybe the weather. The heavy humidity, etc. That and taking care of my boys and working full time! Guess I have a reason to be tired. haha! Also, Wed evening my little guy fell asleep around 6 pm. He is so busy during the day, running around outside, swimming...and following dinner and bath he just conked out and I could not wake him. So that meant he woke up about midnight full of energy and tossed and turned for a long time and kept me up in the process. 

My meals have been somewhat boring lately I guess. Just the norm. Easy peasy things to eat despite the heat making me not want to eat. A lot of yogurt and bananas for breakfast, lunch is salad and dinner is often a smoothie and then some popcorn with my boys. And munching on nuts in between. The cool thing about this stuff is it leaves me feeling fantastic and full of energy. 

I think there are times during the year we need a bit of a lift. I call changes in my life that resulted from my decisions a "Life lift". I am still in this lifting process and think life really is an ongoing lesson. I feel like everything happens for a reason. Good and bad. All these things happen to teach us. And you can choose to learn and grow stronger from these life lessons. See just what you're capable of. What good is wallowing in self-pity? :) 

So if you're feeling low and in limbo...and sluggish and yucky and just know you need a change but aren't sure where to begin or how...and are feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of information and plans and really just have no clue on what to do, sometimes just focusing on your health and energy level can be the best start to change. It's OK to put your health high on your list. As I've said, if I'm not healthy and strong, what good am I going to be for my boys? 

Sometimes just a detox can be a great way to kick start some change. By committing to detoxifying your body for a period of time, you are setting the tone for what is to follow. When you do something like that and the effort involved, you are more likely to stick with it. I have talked about the food cleanse I do on occasion just to sort of kick-start my body a bit. 

Drink that amazing spiced lemon water first thing in the morning. Adding a bit of cayenne or turmeric to the warm lemon water is only going to add to the "de-yuckifying" of your body each morning. Try to do this a few times a week. 

Regarding what to eat or drink. Forget all the confusing rules or focusing on juice or eating a specific item. Just eat clean for a week. When you cut out all processed foods and the foods that seem to be a cause for many allergies (some of which are unknown to us), you can jump start your health and life lift! Avoid all dairy, soy, wheat, sugar, meat, alcohol and packaged foods(Items with more than one ingredient). Focus your liquid consumption on water, lemon water, teas, etc. I know this seems a little hard in this day and age but the Summer is the perfect time for this as many fruits and vegetables are in season and are cheaper and amazing. This can also force you to get a little creative and get out of  the monotony of eating the horrible foods that we eat out of convenience. By day 5 or 6, if you aren't feeling amazing, I would be shocked. And once you realize how food can make or break your energy...it's hard to go back to crap! 

Get up and sweat. Sweat the ick out! This one thing will do wonders for how you feel and look. Try yoga. This is a wonderful way to work your body and to detox your mind as well. Part of that "blah" feeling people get at times is the result of all those physical, mental and emotional moments that like to kick our butt some days. That causes a disconnect between the mind, body and spirit. This can manifest into fatigue, emotional stress, physical pain, chronic stress and illness. By learning to clear your mind through exercise, meditation or any other outlet, you can do amazing things for your health and mindset overall.

Take those detox baths I've talked about. I know a bath in Summer isn't refreshing but a detox bath is an amazing way to suck the yuck out of your pores, sooth aching muscles and help you sleep better. 

The days I can get a great workout in followed by a detox bath, great food...and lots of snuggles and laughs with my boys.....I rest my head at the end of the day feeling so amazing. I often can't keep my eyes open. My body is telling me to rest and rest well and is thanking me for treating it so well and is going to reward me by recharging my system as I rest. 

And if none of that works and you need a reason to open your eyes, gain a new perspective and clarity for the life you live, then watch this. Watch the entire thing. If you can without feeling a new purpose then there might be something wrong with you!! :) Malala's Birthday Wish. 

Have a great day and weekend! 

xoxoxoxo
Tam 

Life's a Peach

Hi there! 

Happy Wednesday! Many of you are half-way through your work week. Niiiiice! :) 

Well the weather the last couple of days has been tolerable at least. Hot but has felt like Summer...as opposed to hell. Sunday was so hot the a/c in my car and home was struggling to overcome it! I really hope all of you are being careful with the heat. Drinking plenty of water and using sun screen and just taking a break from it. 

Last night, dinner was salad and some sushi. Perfect in this heat! 

The weatherman on the news just showed a photo of the weather and humidity for today and it said "A bad hair morning". Ha, we have a comedian on our hands! Anyone with any bit of curl in their hair....are all appreciating the warning. I think waking up as Chaka Khan is a better barometer. :p 

I was just thinking about my trip to Italy years ago. We went around this time. It was closer to late July into the first bit of August. Very hot but so much fun.  I went with my friend Luann in 1998. Wow, cannot believe it's been so long but that trip to this day remains one of my favorite trips of all time. She says the same. We were young, silly, and just winged it. I am a huge history nerd so I was like a kid in a candy store. She said my jaw dropping upon seeing The Colosseum for the first time was priceless. We had stepped out of the subway in Rome and it was right there, looming over us. And the Sistine Chapel is amazing. Everything over there is. The food is awesome, the people are cool, the sites are breathtaking.....it's just a great trip and I highly recommend going if you've never been. And I got proposed to twice! haha! 

Soooooo, it's peach season! July into August and even September is the perfect time for these juicy little balls of awesome. If you aren't bending forward at a 30 degree angle with arm raised up to avoid being drenched in peach juice while eating it...then it's not a good peach! :) 

Peaches are from the rose family and are related to both the apricot and the almond. Wow, awesome relatives! And they are high in vitamin c and a good source of potassium and fiber. And they are just delicious. Here is a recipe for grilled peaches. Ahhhhh! Grilled Peaches with Balsamic but whether you're making jam, canning the peaches or putting them in muffins or cobblers, enjoy! And eaten by themselves they are a little bit of perfection. And here is a recipe for salmon with grilled peach salsa. Yum! Peach Salsa Salmon  And Spinach, Quinoa and Peach salad. Perfection on a plate, I'd say! Spinach,Quinoa and Peach Salad. If none of these look good to you then just do a search for peach recipes. And of course there are a ton of them on Pinterest! 

And in the same theme but off topic...(hmmm!).....I may be Princess Peach for Halloween this year. My boys are thinking of doing the Mario and Luigi thing. Oh boy! 

Have a lovely day everyone!

"We keep searching and searching when everything is within us" - Don Miguel Ruiz

And leaving with this. Back to my Italy story I guess. Some of you may associate it with The Godfather. But it's one of my favorite classical pieces. So romantic! And just beautiful! 

xoxoxoxo
Tam

Sustenance, I thank you!

Good morning, my friends. 

This is my 100th blog post. Wooooo! :) 

I hope you had a nice weekend and I hope you have a nice start to the work week. You have the power to make it nice despite outside influences trying to make it anything else. I've had a nice weekend so far. Today I have to get a few things done in the early part of the day but later is for fun with my boys. 

I have been thinking more and more on the Earth and what it provides and how it's suffering. We humans are just not treating it well and not utilizing it as we should be. The poverty, fear, starving. The fact that it happens at all considering the Earth provides so much to use is shocking. Seeds continue and the soil is still there if we take care of it. If all other resources failed, if we take care of the Earth and if every single person knew how to grow vegetables, the fear and uncertainty over the economy would not be so strong and weigh so heavily. The government, corporations and greed is destroying the very thing that can provide security. 

In the same light, eating more and more out of the garden is something every person should incorporate into their lives more. Even just making 1 or 2 days a week meat-free can do wonders for your health and the environment. Our need for animal protein contributes 50% more to greenhouse gasses than plans, trains and autos. And by switching to plant based foods, you will get more fiber into your body which helps you to clean out and feel better and have more energy. Less of that "afternoon sluggishness". And you save money by eating more grains, beans and legumes as well as find ways to be creative using these items. And many people who struggle with weight and especially those last 10-20 pounds will often find themselves shedding it by incorporating more of the nutrient dense and less caloric garden foods. As these foods often help you to feel satisfied faster and longer. 

Try it. Try one day eating completely meat free. Try lentils. Put kidney beans or chick peas on your salad. Be sure to get your protein through other sources. And good fats through nuts and seeds. And if you can handle one day, try two. And if you have the space for it in your yard, try planting a garden. Even it it's just a few veggies or herbs. Just give it a try. I think learning that particular skill can give people a sense of accomplishing something very important to the economy of the Earth. 

Enjoy the day!! For those in the Northeast, stay cool! And going back to yesterday's post a bit. REMEMBER!! 

xoxoxoxo
Tam

H2O Looooooooovee!

Hi guys! Happy Sunday. Happy Weekend! :) 

I hope it's been a great one for all of you. I worked through yesterday and other than that I've been enjoying the time with my boys. Both fell asleep early last night despite my attempt at a movie night. I think the heat and humidity is making all of us very tired. I had a lot of workouts this week and feel awesome. Burned over 4,000 cals since Monday, haha! And doing a lot of planks and squats too.  I know that's a bit nuts...but I have been indulging more this week. And it just felt great! :) 

I got a great workout in this morning, got a few groceries and now we are hanging out at home today escaping the heat! We have a busy day planned tomorrow so a relaxing day today is nice! I am currently eating a late lunch including a kale salad that has mandarin oranges and coconut on it. So yummy! 

I hope all of you are keeping hydrated during this heat. I know so many who don't drink enough water and suffer for you. You might not realize that's the reason you feel like crap but it very well may be. And keep in mind we need a ton of it during the cold season so imagine how much you need it during the hot months when you're sweating a lot. 

Did you know that a 5% drop in water levels can cause a 25-35% drop in energy and only 3% can cause fuzzy thinking and a drop in metabolism. If that's not enough, a teensy 1.5% drop can cause fatigue, headaches and reduced cognitive function. And allergies and asthma can be tied to dehydration and on top of hunger pains there are also thirst pains. Chronic joint pain and ulcers can lead back to being dehydrated. Don't let a dry mouth be your first thought of drinking water. That is the first sign of being dehydrated..thirst. By that point you are already dehydrated...so the important thing is to drink enough throughout the day that you are comfortable and don't get thirsty. 

Next time you want to drink soda or juice, opt for water instead. Slowly start to get the crap out of your life. Feeling better rocks!! And looking better never hurts. :) 

Check this out! Terrifying isn't it??

And before I leave you today...here's another goodie! :)

xoxoxo

Tam

Don't let your eyes refuse to see.

Good morning! Happy Friday! 

I hope all of those in the states had a lovely 4th of July. It was hot and humid here. The kind of weather that unless you're in a pool all day it's a little stifling. But it is Summer! In another couple of months we will be feeling "The Fall" in the air. 

I've been reading more and more about the benefits of yoga and need to incorporate it into my life more.  To help with flexibility and to just stretch out and feel loose. In yoga you are taught to sort of ground down through your feet to find your center and link your movement and breath. And you are to engage the core which is so good for your body. Any kind of core workout is key. And by learning to keep these muscles taught and strong can help you to do it naturally which also helps your lower back. 

Yoga is like a moving meditation so you reap the lightness and patience benefits as well. You hold a position longer, breathe and feel it instead of "Rushing" to and from. Life is so hectic enough, if you can find the opportunity to slow down even for a few minutes, it will definitely add to your quality of life. Experience the lightness as you breathe and ease out of a movement and are able to let it go. Clear your mind. Also you can learn to be more aware of yourself and your surroundings. You can pay attention to the things that come up in your mind and why. What hurts. What you can do easily and what frustrates you. And by understanding this, you can call out the ego. No judgement. Just see the facts and say "Bye" to the things that are inhibiting you in any way. 

It's a shorter one today! I have the morning free..heading to work by 11....so enjoying the extra cuddle time with my boys. Cuddles are the best medicine!! :) 

See??

Have a great day everyone and keep THIS in mind as well!! 

Leaving with a little Ray LaMontagne. He's amazing. SO soulful!! 

xoxoxoxo
Tam

Ramblin' post....with great tunes. Yeah baby!

Good morning! 

Well it's Wed. And most of us in the U.S. have tomorrow off for The Fourth of July. My boys are both old enough to enjoy the fireworks now. Yayyy! The 4th was a big holiday in my family growing up. On my dad's side. Because I come from a big military family. We'd usually spend it in the Tacoma area with his side. We'd be up there a week sometimes and would spend the days leading up to it preparing. My uncles and dad and brother and step-brothers (along with little Tami! lol) would go to the American Indian reservations to buy the stuff we weren't really supposed to have. Especially in a state like Washington which is called the Evergreen state. Lots of trees!  And my uncle Jon (who is only 5 years older than me) would make his own M-80's using powder from firecrackers, those cardboard things that used to be on hangers and candle wax. haha! And many things in my grandparents yard ended up blown up! Once my brother got older, his old Star Wars figures (original stuff) suffered the same fate. Ahhh! If he only knew how much they'd be worth now. Or that he'd have two nephews that love Star Wars!!! 

So then we'd have all our fireworks and the morning of the 4th we'd pile into my grandpas pickup which was nicknamed the "blue bomber" with the canopy on the back. And several cars would head to the beach for the day. Then we'd come back just as the sun was coming down and start the show. All the neighbors would come over to watch my family light off fireworks. And there were always incidents. One bottle rocket actually lodged into a power line. Ahhh the memories! lol! Sooo once you've grown up with that, it's pretty hard to top!! Being a grown-up stinks at times! :p

I am thinking of meeting some friends to check out fireworks tonight and possibly tomorrow night too. We will see what the weather does. And I have some ideas of some adventures tomorrow but again, weather permitting. It's kind of been an assy week weather-wise! 

I watched a movie last night. Called "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World". I LOVED it. There are so many post-apocalyptic movies that are based on zombies or survival. This one is about the human spirit leading up to such an event. And upon watching it you're going to be happy you have more than three weeks left and it makes you look at things a little differently. Plus the soundtrack is AWESOME. I immediately youtubed several songs. I had grown up with them. My mom had the LP's and would play them on her huge console. The console that was my job to dust when I was little! lol! That thing took forever! And now I want a record player and LP's. I wish I could get my moms! 

This is sort of a rambling post. Sorry! lol! 

If you suffer from migraines, I just read about this miracle green juice that saved someone from migraines! Can you imagine that? 

The ingredient list (Make all organic if you can!)
4 Kale leaves
2 handfuls Spinach
3 Celery stalks
1 knuckle size of ginger root
1 cucumber (peeled if not organic)
2 fuji apples. 

Throw into a juicer and consume. It yields about 32 ounces of juice. Hey, it's worth a try right?? I have heard so many people say that juicing has changed their lives. It's pure, potent goodness in a glass. And doing this regularly will give you so many benefits. All those fruits and veggies have their own nutrients to help various things. Easing migraines is only one benefit. 

One of my favorite indulgences are buffalo chicken wraps. I actually make my own! I use the baked chicken tenderloins from Trader Joes (or make my own baked chicken) and mix with buffalo sauce..and put it on a healthy wrap with tomato, lettuce, etc. It tastes exactly like the restaurant version but not greasy and much better for you! Try it! :) 

Ok, I need to skedaddle. Working 8:30-4:30. It's a jam-packed day full of patients for me to pre-test. Have a great day!! 

And leaving with some of the songs I loved from the movie last night. If you are from my generation, tell me that listening to this doesn't bring you back...to your parents playing their music. Or perhaps you were the parent listening to it! How lucky! I think the 60's-90's produced some of the best music we'll ever hear. 

The Hollies. The Air That I Breathe. I LOVE this song. And of course the scene in the movie in which this plays made me cry!! 

The Walker Brothers - The Sun Aint Gonna Shine Anymore. Ahhh such good stuff! 

And The Walker Brothers again with Stay with Me. Damn, where did music like this go? Or maybe I'm just a big dork?? haha!

I went to bed with these in my head. It was very pleasant! Hope you enjoy and if you haven't seen that movie....watch it! 

xoxoxo
Tam 

Sweet Serendipity!

Good morning! Happy Monday! Welcome to July! 

I had a nice Sunday. I had quite a bit of hectic drama there for a few weeks (not by my choice) so I was taking some time to breathe the past week. Decompress. Relax. It's not completely done but it is what it is. I rented a movie and grabbed dinner on Saturday after work. And yesterday was gym, errands, cleaning and then vegging until my boys got home. I think veg was the theme and it was awesome! :)

I watched The Impossible on Sat. That's the movie about the family who was caught up in the 2004 tsunami in Asia. It's a true story and I don't think anyone (especially parents) can watch it without imagining what you would do if such a tragedy occurred. I was watching interviews with the mother, Maria Belon on Youtube after watching the movie and the thing she kept going back to is that we are so much stronger than we think we are. The human spirit can cope and come back from truly horrific and brutal tragedies. And we find out in those moments just how strong we truly are. It certainly does put things into perspective, doesn't it? 

Trying to think of a fun adventure for my boys this Thursday (July 4th). I have a few ideas but it all depends on the weather! It has not been very pleasant. Hot and humid and kind of overcast now. I don't mind the heat but I wish it would just be sunny and pretty too!!

I have been taking the Rainbow Light women's vitamin for awhile now and my nails seem to be stronger and my hair grows faster. That particular vitamin does contain Biotin which helps those things. I had forgotten about that addition until I noticed my nails were sticking around longer and not so thin. It could as a result of my healthy living in general but my hair growing faster is cool too. Check it out! 

Ok, getting real for a moment. So I am a single mother. And I do go on dates sometimes. I have delved into the online dating. I am extremely careful as I do have two little boys and won't just bring anyone around my kids. I may be overly cautious but I feel as though I have to be. I was dating someone for about 8 months in 2012 and the boys got pretty attached so I've not just jumped right back into it all. The problem I face is meeting someone with enough patience and understanding of my feelings regarding the boys. Meeting and spending a bit of time is one thing. But introducing as a "boyfriend"and having around often just takes time. And I just haven't met very many patient men when it comes to this. I'm not sure if it's the area I live in or just a common issue in general. And as single parents, we are all balancing the same hectic life. Time with our kids, work, time to ourselves. And if people are patient and just relax and not think so much, it can be so much better. It might be a matter of quality time vs quantity. But that's better than nothing right? And things end up being made so much harder and more difficult by those that want what they want, when they want it. Patience! :) 

Online dating has it's pros and cons for sure. The biggest pro is being able to meet people that you might never have met otherwise. Being limited to meeting someone because they live in your neighborhood or happen to be out when you are is tough. Though that's how people met in the "old days" so why doesn't it work now? Also, not having to be out an about all the time as a parent and still being able to converse and get to know someone is nice. The cons are that so many seem to be trying to create this perfect Stepford person/robot. And they tend to take people for granted a lot. You go online and there are MANY MANY people on there. It's pretty overwhelming. And people are more confident behind their computer than they are in person. So it ends up being the luck of the draw it seems. Some contact so many and can't keep it straight and can't find the time to truly see what happens with all these people they are talking to at the same time. 

I think I need to point something out. Just because all these people are online and at your fingertips, does not mean they are a compatible choice for a mate. It's no different than going to a mall or grocery store. Sure, you will see many many people and maybe even find several of them attractive. But what are the odds that all of them are going to be right for you and your world? Pretty slim right? And I think technology has made people forget that and get stuck in that frame of mind that "If it doesn't work with this one...I can jump back in". I think if everyone became a little "old school" and worked to make it work with someone who you "click" with and the foundation seems good....then people would find more lasting relationships. This is just my observation of course. But old school is a good way to be at times. No that doesn't mean staying with someone that makes you miserable. It means if someone turns you on and makes you laugh and the core things seem great...then if a few things annoy you or don't fit this perfect mold of what you think you want....then chill and realize that perfect isn't all it's cracked up to be and really doesn't exist! lol!! Anndd jumping back in does not mean magically filling that void. 

I also think being comfortable with yourself and the ability to be alone is healthy. If you have to jump from person to person all the time then that really isn't good for you. It kind of shows you don't have the ability to cope with things on your own. But to each their own of course! I've never been that way but perhaps it does work for some. I do feel content on my own with my boys though...yet I am open to the right relationship when the time is right and when they will fit into my world with my boys. We are the Three Musketeers! But we are all loving, happy and gracious people and the right guy (and perhaps his own kid(s) will only enhance that. 

I am an Oregonian at heart. Living in Connecticut. Sometimes I feel as though I don't mesh with people here very well. A lot (not all) men here are very "me me me" minded and self-involved. And pretty greedy. I can't tell you how many 40+ year old men I've met here that are looking to just start a family. I have heard the phrase "I want a big brood of kids". And they are 42 already!  I come with a ready made family and these boys are more important to me than anything else and don't want anyone unless they are completely accepting and happy with this package deal. 

I guess time will tell. In the meantime I will focus on my boys, work, friends, etc. Yes online dating is convenient but it doesn't mean I'm likely to find someone anymore compatible than I would if I went to Barnes and Noble or the grocery store! haha! I kind of miss the old school, olden days. Meeting someone by serendipitous methods. You know immediately if there is chemistry or not. Ahhh sweet serendipity! :) 

Have a great day! I am getting a great workout in and then taking my boys to play with friends later. Good stuff! I love Summer! :) 

"Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run there's still time to change the road you're on" - Led Zeppelin. 

xoxoxox
Tam