Talk it Up!

I'm not one for excuses and negative self-talk.

My daughters 8th grade science teacher told them,

"Excuses are like armpits. We all have them, and they stink!"

I agree!

It comes down to what we say to ourselves in our minds.

Do we realize how truly powerful this really is?

Try saying this:

I'm going to feel amazing after my workout!

NOT I'm so tired.

Every little bit I do adds up!

NOT Skipping my walk today won't matter.

Healing takes time. I'll still do "something" everyday.

NOT I'll never recover from this injury.

Eating veggies will fuel my body with nutrients I need!

NOT I don't have time or $ to eat healthy.

THINK IT THEN BELIEVE IT!!!!

Vacation Eating

I've returned home from the Sunshine State!

The Island of Sanibel hosts the infamous restaurant "Cheeseburger Cheeseburger".

If you eat a ONE POUND cheeseburger, your picture is taken & hung with the other big eaters. Even children get their picture taken if they eat a 1/2 lb burger.

Photos plastered the wall, adults and children alike!

I can only imagine how I'd feel after eating that much... BLEH!

The ambiance was fun with 50's paraphernalia everywhere and rockin' music.

I ordered half a chicken sandwich.

After the meal the server asked if we had room for yet another milkshake

(our family of 6 had already shared 2).

"No thanks, I'm good." I said.

She replied, "Well why not? You're a tiny thing, you can afford it! I'm worried you didn't get enough to eat today!!"

I laughed.

I am within my healthy weight range because I am conscious about my health & practice specific habits that make a difference. Even the seemingly small "specifics" add up!

Truth is... I can't afford it, nor can anyone else.

We stayed in a condo vs. a hotel so I could eat "my food".

I didn't want to eat out but a couple times during the week.

Kevin and I hopped on these bikes we found stashed in the condo garage and raced down the road to the local market to buy exactly what I love...

FRESH FOOD! LIVE FOOD! WHOLE FOOD!

Food that PAYS YOU BACK that you can "AFFORD"!

We threw it in my basket and raced back in the dark just in time to swim a few more

laps in the pool before it closed!

(I ADORE vacations that allow me to be active and wear NO MAKE-UP & wear a CAP!)

In Memory of Cindy Severtson

Until next time Cindy...

I will miss you. Thank you for saying,

"If Heavenly Father thinks our family can endure this... then we can."

You endured well and with such grace. Thank you for the reminder. I will never forget.

In Memory of Cindy Severtson

You will be SUCCESSFUL!

Be willing to accept and anticipate the bumps, set-backs, mistakes & learning curve when trying to

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH.

It's about getting up after you've "slipped" and saying,

"I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR HEALTH!

Rising Against Pushes Us to Rise Above

"A certain amount of opposition can be of great help to (wo)man -

Kites RISE against, not with the wind" John Neal

I was reminded this last week that we all... everyone of us, has challenges in our lives we are hoping to rise above. Each person you meet is carrying an imaginary

"backpack filled with rocks", only you and I cannot see it. Those rocks can represent depression, obesity, financial struggle, guilt, relationship trials, addictions and/or many others. Where does someone even begin in lightening their load?

I believe it begins by taking charge of your health. Start there!

I give you permission to put yourself first!

Putting yourself first is not easy!

Cut up those veggies

Get yourself to the gym

Go to bed at a decent hour

Say "I love myself more than that 3rd slice of pizza!"

Listen and obey your "true hunger signals"

Speak positive affirmations to yourself

This is where you start. No matter what!

If you don't have faith in yourself then know that I have faith in you.

There is always something to learn from each person who crosses your path.

It is the "good and the not so good times" we need to appreciate. Appreciate them all. Because in the end like they say, "Its all good."

There is always room for improvement & opportunities for growth.

Take advantage of these opportunities and become who you were meant to be.

Happy March 1st, 2010 EVERYONE!

When was the last time you flew a kite?

Playin' the Game!

There is no reason to starve yourself in order to lose weight!

You just have to be smart about it.

Relax.

Enjoy the journey.

Be ready to adapt and learn a thing of two along the way.

If you're willing to play the game of LIFE then why not make it a game of

HEALTHY LIFE!

Of course there are rules; otherwise, it wouldn't be a game!

Start with Rule #1:

Choose foods that are more filling.

In correct portion sizes these foods fill you up.... not out!

The foods below made my list because they are high in one or more of

fiber, water, protein & air.

There are many others. These are a few of my favorites.

Fullness Factor Foods!

Watermelon

Grapefruit

Carrots

Raw Nuts

Any Leafy Greens

Oranges

Yogurt

Broiled Fish

Berries

Apples

Oatmeal

Baked or Roasted Sweet Potato

Eggs

Beans

Whole Wheat Pasta

Want to take it to the next level?

Try combining the above ingredients.

An example for Breakfast:

Oatmeal with Berries & Crushed Raw Nuts

For Lunch:

Dark Leafy Green Salad with Drained/Rinsed Beans, Shredded Carrots & Boiled Egg

For Dinner:

Salmon, Baked Sweet Potato & Whole Wheat Pasta

For Dessert:

Yogurt or Fruit

Free Shipping

I've talked about this beautiful citrus before and if you'd like it

shipped to your home for free go here.

The regular price is $19.00. They have about 400 boxes left.

This offer is only available to those who live in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa & Minnesota.

Start Them Young

Kevin and I have 4 daughters, 2 of which are teenagers.

Their teen years is the ideal time to teach them about breast cancer & self-examinations.

Monthly self-exams are part of living a healthy lifestyle.

Our oldest was asked to participate in a Breast Cancer Awareness Fashion Show in order to help raise funds for cancer research.

She looked beautiful!

We all have a friend or relative who has been affected by this disease.

Remember them in your prayers always.

Superfood Shake

2 Handfuls of Spinach

2 Handfuls of Frozen Blueberries

1 Handful of Ice Cubes

1 Cucumber peeled

1/2 a Pineapple

1 apple, peeled & chunked

6 oz. All Natural Dannon Yogurt

Almond Milk, Unsweetened Vanilla (Enough to blend)

This tastes WONDERFUL!

My Personal Front Runners in Superfoods!

PUMPKIN

APPLES

WHOLE EGGS (yes yolk & all)

FROZEN BLUEBERRIES

POMEGRANATES

GREEK YOGURT

BUTTERNUT SQUASH

PINEAPPLE

OLIVE OIL

HERBAL TEA

BEANS

SALMON

SPINACH

Blood Sugar

This question was sent to me:

It seems I am never hungry at "dinnertime". I am usually starving about 4:30 and have a snack then. The problem is, even if it is a small snack, I am still not on "E" at dinner. However, family dinner time is a big deal at this house. Suggestions?

Here is my answer:

I have a great tip for you! This is what I do when I am hungry but need to hold off...

The reason you are hungry is due to the rise and fall of your blood sugar. When it "falls"... you feel hungry. On occasion, I will then purposefully raise my blood sugar. Fruit juice (100%) works the best and the fastest! About 3-4 oz. It will hold me for about 45 min or so. It does the trick! (A small yogurt will do the same thing but with protien.) This is the only time I drink juice. Other than milk, I am not a fan of drinking my calories. I do not drink juice on a regular basis. The benefits of the actual fruit is far better!!!!!! More bang for you buck! (Fewer calories + the fiber!)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Yet Another Secret Weapon

There's just something about listening to the whistle of a tea pot on a very cold and wintry day.

Nighttime can be a hard time for most people... "Let the snacking begin!"

NO, I say!

Just remember, you don't get rid of old habits... YOU MUST REPLACE THEM!

Instead of the regular routine of Cheetos & Ice cream,

try this....

TEA!

I drink Herbal Tea (no "tea" or caffeine).

Not only is it delicious but it will help you unwind AND you can drink as many cups as you would like (unsweetened, of course).

I've had a crazy sweet tooth the last 2 weeks...this does the trick - EVERY TIME!

MY MOST RECENT FAVORITE!

Celestial Seasonings

Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride

Holiday Tea

Between Friends

A dear friend gave this to me the other day...

(To enlarge the cartoon strip, click on the image; otherwise, read below.)

Between Friends

I'll go when I get my hair cut...

I'll go when I get a decent gym bag...

I'll go when I lose some weight...

I'll go when I get some new sweatpants, mine are too worn out.

I'll go when I have more energy...

I'll go when I get some more power drinks from the grocery store...

It's not that I don't WANT to go to the gym -

It's just that I can never seem to GET there.

Today is not that day...

I have a friend. She is a runner.

An early morning runner.... like 5 am.

Even in the snow!!

I asked her what is was that got her out of bed...

She said sitting next to her alarm clock is a little saying she'd

written on a card.

When she doesn't feel like hitting the pavement, she reads it.

"There will come a day when I can no longer do this...

& TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY!"

I couldn't agree more!

Our bodies are meant to move!

And more importantly move them on the days they don't feel like moving!

You won't regret it!

Jill & Stacy 11-09

Tree-Ripe Citrus

For Beautiful Florida Citrus Click Here!

If you live in the Fox Cities and would like "tree-ripe"

citrus (that has not been warehouse gassed) click the link above.

I've been a fan for years!

Email me if you have any questions.

summers.family@sbcglobal.net

I've been playing....

For proof click here!

I promise to blog soon...

I've had so much to say lately!

Wahoo!

23 woman for in 7 weeks, Fall Session 1...

down

192 lbs!!!!!

They are working hard!

I told them in the beginning if they worked hard and did as I suggested

they would succeed!

....onto Session 2.

I couldn't be happier!

Sweet Attack!

Fill up in one of these areas of your life instead of filling up on food.

Feel like caving into the sweet cravings?

Instead of eating something sweet... DO something sweet... for YOU!

IT WORKS!

Grab someone and love on 'em! (For me: Kevin or my girlies)

Go for FIBER. (For me: honeycrisp apple)

Take your Vit D supplement (For me: any brand really)

Make yourself some unsweetened herbal tea (For me: Anything with Licorice/Anise)

Drink water & stay hydrated! (For me: Hot water w/ lemon)

Wait 15-20 minutes & distract yourself! (For me: Real Simple Magazine or Email a friend)

Light a Sweet Aroma Candle: (For me: Bath & Body Vanilla Sandalwood)

Get Out-Physically Remove Yourself! (For me: Walk my 1.5 mile route through the subdivision)

Write about it (For me: Jotting down my thoughts in my very cute pink journal)

Just Laugh (For me: Calvin & Hobbes Comic Books)

R & R (For me: Snuggle with my heated rice packs under my "Big Fuzzy" blanket)

I do these things on a regular basis!

Am I exempt from temptations? Heavens no!

I have to stay focused & remember my end goal... HEALTH!

Is it hard work at times... YES!

But this is what I do!

YOU CAN TOO!

Bet you can't guess my favorite Sweet Weapon?

Food that makes you

G L O W!

If you haven't already, you need to

CLICK HERE!

Fish Tacos

TILAPIA:

Once tilapia is thawed, saute the fish, breaking it up as you cook. (When it is finished, it will resemble ground meat.) While it is cooking, add 1/4 tsp. cumin and 1/8 tsp. garlic powder.

SAUCE:

Mix 3 Tbsp. plain yogurt with 2 Tbsp. mayo, add 1-2 T. lime juice to taste (I really like my tangy).

You can either mix the sauce with shredded green cabbage or you can keep them separate to top your tacos.

ASSEMBLE:

1. Cook each corn tortillas in a pan with cooking spray (olive oil spray, etc). That little bit of oil keeps the tortillas soft and pliable enough to hold together.

2. Fill tortilla with meat

3. Top with finely shredded green cabbage (combined with sauce or sauce on top of cabbage)

4. Top that with what I call Jamaican Salsa (Diced fresh pineapple, fresh or frozen Dole mango, red onion, cilantro, & lime juice)

5. You can also do a Mexican Salsa instead with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, green onion & lime juice

Serve with a side of beans & a side of brown rice cooked in chicken broth.

Kevin and the girls really enjoy it and it's healthy. And me too!

Enjoy!