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.  

Wherever you are...

My favorite new saying... 

This has been on mind a lot lately. Being present and staying present. No matter who I'm with at the moment, giving them my 100%.  Life surpasses us way too fast!  Just enjoying every morsel that life feeds me... 

Today is my little Gracie's birthday.  She is 6. Home from school, she ran up the driveway with a big birthday crown on her cute little head.  I couldn't wait to hold her and her sweet face in my hands.  A moment I didn't want to end. Happy Birthday baby girl.  This is what it's all about.  Surround yourself with those you love... & then tell them.

A Blast from the Past & Finding Passion!

Yes, that's me in 7th Grade----

What a week!  It all started by connecting with an old friend I knew while I was in Junior High. It's been 20+ years!  Then to end the week I was asked to chaperone an 80's dance for our church group. Ever been in a time-warp?  

So I got to thinking as I looked back through old journals and scrapbooks.  Aren't memories the best!!!!!  I'm so grateful I kept a journal, took pictures & kept it all!!!  

Oh sweet memories...

The driving force behind this blog & its title is just that... building memories!  Digging into life! A couple years ago I basically wrote a book on how to lose weight and being motivated to live! During that process, I interviewed a gal who said, "Food is constantly on my mind.  The moment I wake up I think about what to eat.  The second I'm done eating breakfast all I think about is what am I going to eat for lunch... & so on."

Don't get me wrong... I enjoy food!  But when you find passion in your life you begin eating to live and not living to eat!  

I love people.  I love special moments.  I love making memories!  I love doing what I enjoy!  I love a challenge.  I love doing something that's hard to do!  I love reflecting.  I love experiencing life.  

I don't love food.

Not sure what your passion is?  Try something new.  Anything!  Just try!

TO BUILDING MORE MEMORIES!!!!!

....Off to join the Fox Cities Rowing Team!!!  Want to join me!

 

"Healthified"

For one FANTASTIC website with my kind of healthy recipes & more... I heart this website!!!

CLICK HERE!

Eat Better America! We can do it! Simple & easy changes make a huge difference!

Thought for the day!

Keyword

Everything YOU want is out there waiting for YOU to ask.  

Everything YOU want also wants YOU. 

But YOU have to take action to get it!

(Jack Canfield)

So GO GET IT!  Whatever it may be! 

Nothing is stopping YOU... nothing.

Letting Go!

BEFORE

AFTER

I woke up yesterday to 1/2 of this lovely heart-shaped cake sitting on my counter.  Studies show that the ability to throw away food is a good indicator of being able to lose weight.  You don't have to finish your plate.  You don't have to eat the whole dessert.  Besides the first 1-2 bites are the BEST... from there the tastebuds are not as intense & begin to subside. 

SAVOR!! SAVOR!! SAVOR!!  Then-

LET THE FOOD GO! 

When you do... something happens psychologically and a sense of power will well up inside you. It's a great feeling.  Try it!

I was once told the definition of....

Emotional Eating is DESSERTS spelled backwards?

The Scale

I only weigh once a week... Thursdays. It's before the weekend, not after and I have a good portion of the week to consciously think about what I'm eating and how I'm exercising. Anymore than that I consider obsessive. Just keepin' it healthly.

I weigh first thing in the morning at roughly the same time.

So get nakie and weigh before hitting the shower.

Ignorance is not bliss.... not in this case. Keep it real & in check. (Same applies to our finances! Right!) Not sure why I just said that... just did.

Ever feel "dead"?

Make exercise a priority, not an inconvenience! Have a long day or week ahead of you? A lot of times we think we don't have the time for exercise. Nonesense!!! It will energize you and help you to explode through your day or week! Find something you enjoy! Heck, do some push-ups against the wall, take your stairs 2 at a time, lunge to the bathroom, walk briskly up & down your street for 10 minutes! Remember to take care of #1! #1 Priority!

Golden Pancakes

Golden Pancakes
2 c whole wheat flour
2 T sugar (I use sucanant)
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t sea salt
1 1/4 c buttermilk
3/4 c *Orange Puree*
2 eggs
3 T melted butter (I use coconut oil)

Whisk together. Makes about 16 pancakes!

*Orange Puree Recipe*
3 large carrots, peeled & sliced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled & chopped

Boil or steam carrots for 5 min. Add sweet potato an additional 5 min.
Drain & puree with 2-4 T water until smooth. (Makes 2 1/3 cups)

Try adding Orange Puree to Mac & Cheese!

Post Crescent Interview

I was asked a myriad of questions when interviewed by the Post Crescent on the health of our children. Here's a couple...

PC: I imagine parents have to be role models for their children. What can parents do to set a good example?

Me: Children are great copycats. They will mirror what we do! They too will notice the benefits you as parents are providing for yourselves. By staying active you are telling them indirectly that your health is a priority. I say to my own children, "Did you know that going to the gym makes me a better mommy?" Our children want to see us happy just as much as we want to see them happy.

PC: Why is physical activity important to encourage in children?

Me: Physical activity does so much more that the obvious of just keeping a child's weight in check. Children need to move their bodies every single day in a way that increases their breathing and heart rate allowing the "Happy Hormones" or endorphins to be released. This is one way to ensure healthy and happy children! It feels great to have a strong body thus allowing our children to do the activities they enjoy.

PC: How does diet factor into all of this? How can parents include a healthy diet in their family life?

Me: Millions and millions of dollars are spent on marketing food to our children. WE MUST do the same at home with fruits and veggies! Banana slices become Banana Wheels. Celery and carrots sticks become Lincoln Logs for building mini structures. Children enjoy eating what they create. Give them a few toothpicks, Dixie cups or cookie cutters and then watch them go to work.

Children love to dip! Our favorite is hummus. Try several different flavors for all types of cut veggies. We also enjoy fruity tofu smoothies, salmon lettuce wraps and veggie quesadillas. In the past I've told my picky eaters, "You are older now and so are your taste buds, give it a another try, perhaps you'll like it now." And always remember a little sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar can go a long way.

Queen for a Day!

A Tip For You!

Eat breakfast each and everyday.

It's a must! A priority.

It cuts down on cravings during the day!

It gives me the energy I need to do what needs to get done.

Eat breakfast like you're a QUEEN,

lunch like a Princess

and dinner like a Pagan.

I sleep better and wake up ready for breakfast.

For breakfast I enjoy things like fiber cereal, high fiber oatmeal,

1-2 peices of fruit, eggs, whole grain toast & turkey sausage.

Occasionally I like whole grain waffles or pancakes.

I am careful not to overeat but definatly satisfied.

Sunshine on Gray Days!

I've been amazed at good it feels to be back into the swing of things. I've been gone the last couple of weeks. My body loves to move! I work-out because of what it does for me mentally (foremost) and then physically. Be sure to move your body, especially on the gray days. Its all about you. Your well being. Do something good for yourself today even if its sneaky exercise.