It's all good.

Feel Good.

Be Good.

Do Good.

Think Good.

Yes, Life is Good.

Digging in... with Photo Booth?

I once read you should spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6!  Well aren't I lucky.  I get that everyday!  My little 6 yr old Gracie & I have been practicing for her "Knowledge-a-thon"... 100 questions taken from the Classical Charter School's Kindergarten Curriculum. We were studying online yesterday.  

Me: Q #54- Four presidents are on what famous mountainside?

Gracie: (thinking very intently...) "OH! I know Mt. MUSHROOM!" (I begin to laugh...) Gracie says, "Oh no, its Mt. Mushmore!"

Me: Q # 89- Where would you find the Statue of Liberty?

Gracie: "You NORK!"

Before we knew it, we'd had enough and were both laughing & giggling too hard to continue & then found ourselves in Photo Booth, one of Gracie's favorite past-times.

I could just eat her up!  

"Give whatever you are doing & whoever you are with the gift of your attention."

YOU are a gift to someone.  Be there.

100%.

 

Herbal Tea

I am a fan of herbal tea. The kind with no "black or green tea" & no caffeine. Herbal teas are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, etc.  There are so many benefits. It's a great way to get your water in as well. If you live in the Fox Cities & have not been to the FAVA TEA COMPANY... then you are missing out!  

They have a whole wall dedicated to these types of teas. My #1 favorite is Ginger, others include Carrot Cake & Lemon Chiffon. And no, I do not add honey or sugar. Just steep & drink!

I'm looking forward to chilling the tea once the weather warms up.  

ENJOY!

p.s. My cholesterol numbers came back yesterday! Passed with flying colors!!!

Annual Exam

I spent a good part of my day being a good girl. And you should too. 

Not only did I have my yearly exam but I had a Lipid Panel done, you know where they tell you all about your cholesterol. Do you know your numbers? You should. Schedule your annual exam TODAY. And not only for you but for someone you love as well.

For some things to expect during your exam, click here. I left the doctor's office feeling pretty good about myself. So far so good. I'm right on track & passed with flying colors; however, I'm curious about my cholesterol & other routine test results that will come back next week.

Preventative Health is key and a MUST! Please let me prick your conscience to be "pricked" by your doctor. Ignorance is NOT bliss, NOT in this case...

Oh Sweet Endorphins

"Exercise releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy.  Happy people don't kill their husbands. They just don't."

Shoes

I am often asked about what shoes are best to wear when working out. I replace my shoes every 6 months.  My most recent are these... Nike Shox Vivify.  I've tried so many different brands and always end up back to my Nike's. Just fits me the best I suppose. You may be different.

But here's the deal. I suggest going to the Running Store.  CLICK HERE. You will be put on a treadmill for a couple minutes while being videotaped.  They will play it back in slow-motion and help determine your gait.  CLICK HERE. You will be sent outside running to "test" each shoe he fits you in. I was even put in a different  shoe on each foot and sent running so I could compare. 

Now with that being said, my brother-in-law is in podiatry school.  I just got this email from him.  He recently attended an "Athletic Shoe Conference". He said, 'You should test all your shoes in the store before you buy them, and don't let the salesman try to tell you otherwise unless he can tell you the 3 tests (shown above) and why each is important.  All the sports medicine specialists at our conference agreed that you shouldn't ever have to spend over $100 for your shoes.'

Spend it now... or spend it later. Either way you'll have to spend it.

I enjoy eating fresh crispy yellow, orange & red peppers! One of my all time favorites.

And can they be pricey! 

Yesterday as I went to the grocery store, that's what I wanted.  Are they in season? No. But my body was craving them, so that's what I got. I spent $10 on just a few peppers.  And to me worth every penny. They were cruncy, sweet & beautiful & I enjoyed every bite.

I say spend the money now so you don't have to spend it on meds later on. 

Meds like Glucotrol (Type II Diabetes) 

or

Digoxin (Heart Disease) 

& on & on...

with possible side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, palpitations, confusion, fainting, vision trouble, weakness, etc.  

Can't ever recall a veggie doing that.

WHOLE FOOD is medicine; chalk full of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants & minerals, etc.  Let your body reap the benefits today. It's worth it. You are worth it. Your body is worth it. 

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."  Hippocrates

Specifics from my point of view.

OK... Let me think. So specifically.  Here it is. Yes, I do specific things to stay healthy & keep my weight down. 

-I rarely snack.

-I eat breakfast.

-I usually leave food on my plate at the end of each meal.

-I do not drink soda.  (Maybe 1 a month.)

-Nothing is "off limits" like sugar.  

-I have trained my body to NOT like the over-full feeling.

-If I eat more than what I normally do... I compensate & wait until I am on "empty" again.

-I found an exercise I love! 

-I understand that if there's too much food going in, it won't matter how much exercise I do.  It just won't.

-I exercise first for mental benefits... then physical.  

-I listen to my body.  If I feel like emotionally eating, I do my best to recognize it & work through it.  Emotional eating is normal for most women.  Acknowledge it for what it is & pick up something besides a fork. A distraction I call it.

-I like to stay busy.

-I am highly motivated by music.  I keep my iPod handy. It's a great "pick me up"!

-I chew gum!  Love the minty stuff!

I'll keep thinking.