The Sun Is Out!

The sun is out here in Middle Georgia.  I am thankful the the much needed rain, but happy to see the sun again after several days of cloudy, wet weather.  I am definitely a sunshine kinda girl.

Made a reservation today for cruise with girlfriends Trish and Roberta for next January.  That is the time of year here that is cold, cold and more cold and I am ready to escape.  We got a Great Deal on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas and we are all excited to be getting away for some girl time!

Do you have girlfriends you love to travel with?  Time passes quickly ladies, and you need to do it now!  Don't put it off.  I am looking forward to that lovely sunset on the seas again and sharing time with two really special ladies whom I love.

I am going to have to be "good" and get back on track to lose a few more pounds before January.  I love the 17 Day Diet and it seems to work really well for me.  Today I am cooking again, fresh asparagus ( I love the fresh summer veggies ) and grilled chicken and sliced fresh tomatoes (locally grown of course!).  I eat lots of Greek Yogurt, FAGE seems to be the best out there and mixed with sliced fresh fruit and a little Truvia, it tastes like a smooth ice cream..Yummo!

I am also headed to the pool this afternoon...can't lose weight without a little exercise!  I love water in any form so the pool is the best option for me, but treadmills, stairclimbers and even free weights can all help in the quest.  I may be sixty-five but I am going to keep going like I am thirty-five for as long as I can.

Just finished up my last article for LongRidge Writers School and got it in the mail.  I'll be happy to get my diploma, and now I need to get busy submitting to all those magazines out there who just can't wait to publish my stuff! LOL  Well, folks, have a great day and smile.

God Bless Peace, Love and JOY

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I'm Not Dead Yet!

In yesterday's blog I talked about "calculated risk."  Today I want to talk about living each day to the fullest and looking forward to tomorrow.

Have you seen the movie, "As Good As It Gets?" Do you live each day thinking oh well, things are going okay and this is as good as it gets?

I feel like a lot of people are on that treadmill.  The one where you go to work and come home and do the chores and go to work and come home and do the chores, and as long as the bills are paid and the kids aren't killing each other then we should be satisfied.  Well, maybe....and maybe not!

I think at lot of us, particularly those over 60, have decided that we have done it all...and now we will just cruise off into the sunset.  Well guys, I have to tell you I intend to go out of this world still trying new things, going new places and experiencing as many wonderful things as I can.

Call it a bucket list or whatever, but you need to continue to set goals for yourself no matter what age you are.  You need to have fun like a child.  See the world through the eyes of a child.  Perhaps if you spend some time really "listening" to a child and how they view the world.  Part of it is just opening your eyes to new possibilities.

Did you always want to learn to fly?  Do you think you are too old to learn?  You are not!  Want to climb a mountain (by the way this is NOT one of my things! lol) ...well perhaps you might not want or be able to do Everest, but how about starting with one of those rock walls?  Aw, c'mon you can do it!
Always wanted to learn to play a piano or paint a beautiful picture?  You would be surprised at what you can do if you will just TRY!!

I am a firm believer in living each day to the fullest.  I am also a firm believer in setting new goals and moving forward.  As an RN I have always told people with arthritis to "keep moving," because if you stop moving the arthritis takes over and you become immobile.  Well, the same is true of life in general, if you stop moving you become immobile.  All your little hurts (arthritis, gout, etc.) will feel larger and cripple you.  Keep moving!!  Keep doing! Keep setting new goals!  Improve your physical health by eating right and exercising (find one you like and you will keep doing it).  Don't become a couch potato in front of that TV watching other people live.

Whether it is taking small mini vacations to places close to home, or planning that trip to Europe that you always wanted...do it...do it now!  Believe it or not, even the planning will energize you and make you live each day looking forward.

I hate hearing people say the best years of their lives were in high school.  What's up with that?  Life doesn't end at graduation from high school or college.  Life doesn't end until your last breath.  So guys and gals, keep doing, keep breathing, keep moving, keep planning and live your life to the fullest!  After all you only go around once!

Here's a Great RECIPE for today...Roasted Asparagus...and let me share a little about that marvelous vegetable before you cook it!!

Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence. It leads nearly all produce items in the wide array of nutrients it supplies in significant amounts for a healthy diet. Asparagus is the leading supplier among vegetables of folic acid. A 5.3 ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for folacin which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, that cause paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year. Its wealth of nutrients, fiber and very low sodium and calorie content make asparagus a nutritionally wise choice for today's health-conscious consumer.

Asparagus is: Low in calories, only 20 per 5.3 oz. serving, less than 4 calories per spear. Contains no fat or cholesterol. Very low in sodium. A good source of potassium.(1) A source of fiber (3 grams per 5.3 oz. serving). (2) An excellent source of folacin. (3) A significant source of thiamin. (4) A significant source of vitamin B6. (4) One of the richest sources of rutin, a compound which strengthens capillary walls. Contains glutathione (GSH). (5)

1 pound of asparagus, tough ends removed
garlic salt
olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Lightly oil a large cookie sheet, and spread the asparagus evenly across .... sprinkle with garlic salt and drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top of the asparagus.

Roast asparagus for 10 minutes or until tender.  YUMMO and just filled with great 

God Bless and have an exciting day!!!

Exercise, Exercise, Come On Everybody Do Your Exercise!!!

EVERYBODY needs to exercise. I don't care whether you are 5 or 95, you need to get moving.

Yep, it is much easier for those five-year-olds, but you are never to old to do some kind of exercise. Right now, I have found that water aerobics works well for me. I have problems with a Morton's Neuroma in my left foot, so walking and running are off limits. But, jumping and running in the water, where there is less pressure on my foot works great.

Here is the news though...like any other exercise you have to WORK at it. Some of the ladies in my class just get in the nice warm pool and float around and chat. It drives me tea totally CRAZY!! They are chubby and so out of shape and they really need to be moving, but that is not the only problem. Their constant gossiping and chatting makes it hard for those of us who are serious about our exercise to focus.

I must admit that today, after putting up with it for several minutes, I finally began to turn around and stare at them (giving them the evil eye) hoping they would get the message...sigh, don't know if they ever did. I am there to exercise and to produce those marvelous endorphins that help me get through the rest of the week.
I would love to have a couple of minutes to address the class one day to explain how important this one hour three times a week is for some of us.

This is my only relief from my caregiving duties. I not only need the exercise to help with my weight loss, but to help with my mental status! It needs to be a "stress free" environment!

I can actually feel the difference after a good workout...mentally as well as physically. It is important for you to encourage your children to MOVE also.
Too many children nowadays sit in front of the computer, television or X-Box and don't exercise at all. They have eliminated physical education in many school systems throughout the United States. Many children don't even get to go out for "recess" any more! Wonder why childhood obesity is on the upswing? Well, just take a look at school lunches and add in the fact there is NO exercise, and .... well you see the results everywhere!

Find out what kind of exercise works for you. Perhaps tennis, or hiking or just walking in your neighborhood. How about joining your children or grandchildren in an outdoor game like hide and seek? Whatever it is, GET MOVING! You will feel better and look better too!

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Here is a neat home made dressing my husband just loves on his salad...so much better for you than the bottled stuff!

1 Ripe Haas Avocado, chopped
1 Ripe Tomato, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh or bottled key lime is perfect)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Chop all vegetables in small dice...add lime juice and vinegar and mix thoroughly. The ripe avocado (this is a healthy fat) makes this mixture creamy.
If you like you can puree the avocado, but I haven't found this to be necessary.

A couple of tablespoons of this atop your usual green salad and voila! It's great and healthy for you, and much fewer calories than your average salad dressing.

WORK IT PEOPLE...and I will see less of you tomorrow!!!