A Bitter Sweet, Good Bye

I have been thinking about this for a while and I have decided to close this blog down.  I started this blog as a quest to get on the right track and live a healthy life style.  I needed to be at peace spiritually, physically and mentally, with who I am, as a women.  This is a devotion that I strive to live each day and this blog gave me the outlet to put my feelings into words. I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do with this blog, now it's time to move on.

I am moving forward with my life and striving to be the wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmom and friend that God intended me to be. I am truly blessed with my life and I thank god everyday for it. So, as I get ready to welcome the New Year, I will be concentrating on my life with my family and friends.  Thank you to all my readers and you can still catch me over at my, "Family, Fun and all the Little Things"  blog.

So, I still hope my family and friends can hop on over at my other blog. I will be making a few fun changes over there in 2013. http://sharingfoodswithfriendsandfamily.blogspot.com

Thank you and have a Happy 2013.

Queen Diva saying.....Bye Bye !

Childhood Memories

While I was driving home last night, I heard a song on the radio that reminded me of my childhood.  Listening to that song made me think about my favorite "childhood" Thanksgiving memories, and for some reason I started to think of how fast my life is spinning.  Maybe this is normal at my age.....who knows.
I started to remember some fond Thanksgiving holidays, as well as some not so good Thanksgiving holiday memories.  I want to make that clear, because like most families, my family was far from being perfect. I recall some holidays where family members went home angry because something someone said or me and my siblings would get in trouble for some childhood behavior and I could go on and on.   But, as a 51 year old woman I get to filter out what memories I choose to remember. I get to do that, so here are a few of my favorite memories and again (my memories).

• My mother would put up one Christmas tree the night before Thanksgiving. One of many trees that would go up and down during the holidays. That's a whole different story.  Ha, Ha 
• My mom took us to the Stroehmann bakery outlet to buy loafs of day old bread, to make our stuffing.
• Sitting at the kitchen table and cutting the bread into cubes.
• Chopping up onions and celery.
• Using a huge bowl to mix the eggs, bread, onion and celery, and all the herbs and seasonings.  i remember squishing it in between my fingers.
• Smelling the butter, celery and onions simmering.  MM, MM
• I remember stuffing the bird with the bread stuffing the night before.  Yes, the night before.  We all seamed to survive without getting food poisoning. 
• The smell of the turkey roasting and the pies baking.
• I remember the table always having a bowl of nuts and fresh fruits. 
• I remember my mom using our ping pong table as the family table and setting it up in the family room. We have a very big family.
• I remember the huge turkey all golden brown, sitting on the table right before it was sliced down.
• I remember how insane it was trying to get all these humans to sit down and pass the food around.
• I also remember hiding under the table with some of the food I didn't like and feeding the dog with them. 
• I remember my mom wanting the holidays to be perfect from table settings, to the left over turkey sandwiches.

These are my favorite memories from my childhood. 

  After all good or bad, these memories are a part of who we become as adults.   God Bless and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Got Gratitude?

Got gratitude? Of course! There’s nothing like gathering with loved ones around a bountiful holiday table to make us count our blessings. But giving thanks shouldn’t be something we practice once a year; it should be a vital part of our everyday life. Studies show that gratitude can actually improve your health by strengthening your immune system and making you more resilient in the face of crisis.

Now, with that said;  I have been under a lot of stress in the past few weeks (dealing with medical issues) and since all is well now, I started telling myself, "you need to be grateful for this body that God has created".  I am not as young as I used to be, but that doesn't matter.  This is my body and my life and it's beautiful. I am made perfect in the eyes of God.

So here is how I, Queen Diva gets her gratitude on. When I wake up in the morning I look in the mirror and say out loud, thank you God, for the gift of today, thank you for my health and family and friends and I thank you for all the blessing you have bestowed on me. Then I add "You are beautiful". It's something I had to get in the habit of doing and it's a great way to start your day.

  I am grateful, I am truly grateful and not just because it's Thanksgiving.

How about you?  You got gratitude?

 

Making Strides to End Breast Cancer

My family is going to be walking in the" Making Strides" against breast cancer 5K walk, this upcoming weekend in Bethlehem Pa.  I walked a few years ago in Philadelphia in the Susan G. Komen walk but that always runs on Mother's day and for some reason has been hard to get together.  Then I found out last minute that there is another walk that we will be able to participate in.  So, we are going to do it and I am so excited. 
My mother had breast cancer and the women in my family are always at a high risk and we are a bunch of strong woman in charge of our Ta - Ta's.    So, we will walk this upcoming Saturday.
Like so many woman the cure for cancer is very dear to my heart. Let's make Strides to cure breast cancer.

 I will post some pictures and please keep your fingers crossed for good weather.

Today I decided to have a bowl of natural oatmeal with fat free milk and a baA number of health benefits are attributed to regular intake of oatmeal. These include:


•Lower blood cholesterol.

•Reduced risk of heart disease.

•Healthier metabolism.

•Stabilized blood glucose levels.

•Healthy weight control.

•Normalized blood pressure.

I know it sounds boring but my tummy always feels good after I eat oatmeal. 

Living for Today!

I read this article from a popular weight loss web site and I thought I would share a portion of the artical right here on my blog. I think it would be a good way to start the week off......looking at today and our future :

We often look back at things that have happened in our lives with a little more nostalgia than they may deserve. Think about how many times you've said to yourself, "Boy, I'd sure love to be back there again."
But part of creating a successful future for yourself comes from looking to the present and toward the future, too. Here and now is where you are, and as much as you might think you'd like to at times, you aren't going back.

So enjoy the things and places that you're encountering now!
This philosophy can also be directly applied to your weight loss program. You can think about the past with regret, as in, "Boy, I sure wish I was as thin now as I was back then," or, "I wish I'd been more careful about what I was eating all those years ago."

Or, you can live for today—and do something about it.
Forget about the past. It's just that—the past. Concentrate on the future and what you need to do to make it really count for something.

The past can't be rediscovered, it's over, and history has already been written.
But the future—that's an entirely different story!

Plugging Away

That's what I have been doing.  I have been cooking fresh foods and been getting some fruits and veggies at the local farmers market. I still go to the farm for organic milk.  I have to admit, I am super lazy when it comes to exercising. I do it, just not as much as I should be. Just trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

So with all that said, I have lost 10 lbs.  I have done it slowly........and that's okay with me.

Now, we all know that October is "Breast Cancer Awareness" month. This hits home, because my Mother had breast cancer in both her breast when she was in her mid 50s.  Two weeks ago I had my yearly mammogram and guess what?  I received a call telling me my mammogram came back abnormal. Well, I didn't get too shaken up, because after all this could mean almost anything. So they sent me for another "compression" mammogram.  A few days later, I get a call that this turned out abnormal  as well.  The doctor then sent me for an ultrasound....days later, I get a call that this looks suspicious.  GREAT!  The next step is an appointment with the surgeon.  I am trying to keep my cool and not freak out, but honestly it surly is bringing me some anxiety.
I think of all the woman with breast cancer, and how they need to be brave to fight the fight against cancer. These Divas, must be so strong in order to go through the the treatments that are needed to eliminate this disease.

I will keep a positive attitude while I wait for my appointment with the surgeon. I do feel like all will be well.   Remember Diva's go get your yearly mammogram, early detection early cure.

Encouraging Others

Today, I am encouraged to be on the lookout for ways to be a blessing and to speak kindly to other people. It's amazing how one word of encouragement can change the direction of a person's life forever. When you reach out and speak kind words to others, it causes others to rise higher, and in return causes them to speak kind to the next person.
When your kind to others, something supernatural happens to your own life. Hopefully it won't be long before I can see myself and others that I encourage, to rise up higher. This can make such a difference in my life and hopefully to those around us as well.
In other words: Be kind and encourage others to be kind.

.

Little Things Make the Difference

This is a little long of an article but i think it's so true and very interesting.

Everyday choices compound over time—for better or for worse.

How many times have you given up on something because you didn’t see any progress? We’ve all done it. We live in an instant-gratification culture, and the lack of visible results can be highly discouraging… so disheartening that the tendency is to throw in the towel.

You walk every day for 30 minutes during your lunch break for a week or two, but the scale doesn’t budge.

You hold your tongue with your spouse, determined not to spit out a sarcastic comment… but they keep acting in the same boneheaded way.

You pay a little extra on your credit card, or bump up your contribution to your 401(k) for a few months, but the impact on your balance is negligible.

So why not go back to reading novels at lunch, saying the first stinging remark that comes to mind or spending your hard-earned money? Those little things aren’t enough to make a real difference, right?

Wrong. Little things make all the difference.

In The Compound Effect, SUCCESS magazine Publisher Darren Hardy explains how much those small, seemingly inconsequential choices matter. Your choices, even the tiniest ones, add up over time. That’s the essence of the Compound Effect. But “time” doesn’t mean days or even weeks. It means months, years.

If you’ll develop the patience and the perseverance to continue making positive choices, you’ll love the result. But, throw in the towel and make negative or neutral choices, and instead of moving toward the life, the job, the relationships or the body you desire, you’ll steadily move away from those goals. Is it any wonder that, on average, Americans gain one to two pounds a year? Choose not to be average.
So how can you avoid average? Incorporate healthy or positive habits into your life. Get so good at making positive choices that they become your default.

Try this exercise.
Start by focusing on one of your goals. What do you want to accomplish by the end of the year?

Now, write down what needs to happen to make that goal a reality.

What are the habits you need to develop? Name them all, but pick just one or two to work on this month.

Don’t sabotage yourself by trying to change everything at once, but don’t cheat yourself either. If you’re already doing pretty well in one area, determine to continue to improve that area and develop a new habit.

Track your progress daily. Become aware of your choices so that you can course correct day by day. In The Compound Effect and on the book’s website (TheCompoundEffect.com), Hardy offers a few free resources. The one to check out for this exercise is “The Rhythm Register.” It’s a tool you can use to track your behavior and keep yourself moving in the right direction.  (I USE THE LOSE IT APP)
“Your only path to success is through a continuum of mundane, unsexy, unexciting, and sometimes difficult daily disciplines compounded over time,” Hardy writes. But the payoff can be extreme. “The results, the life and the lifestyle of your dreams can be yours when you put the Compound Effect to work for you…. You will create your fairytale ending.”

I know I get discouraged when I don't see the scale move, but I know when I eat and exercise I feel better regardless of the number on the scale. Or better yet, when my annual blood work comes back all with in normal limits. So, little steps to a healthy Diva life.

Have a wonderful weekend.

It's been Difficult :{

It's been very difficult to blog lately.  I have been busy with my business, and helping my daughter (she had a baby) through out this summer.  By the end of the day I couldn't even think of writing, cooking and crafting or anything else that matter.  When I did have time, I tried to get some household chores done and tried to get the family together for dinner.  I think things should be getting back to so called "Normal", whatever that may be. : ).  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

In the mean time I have been trying to watch what I eat during the week and chilling out on the weekends.  Well, the weekends have creeped up on me, as well as my night eating. With that said, I am going to get back to eating approximately 1300 calories a day.  Wish me luck!
I am going out later to food shop and stock my kitchen with fresh foods.

Oh yea, not sure if I mentioned I am going to talk to someone about a sleep study. I will keep you posted on this.

Queenie's Toes

Sunday afternoon I pampered my sore feet, to a home pedicure.
I just didn't feel like going to a salon and putting out the cash that comes with it.  I was in the mood to chill out and add some shine to my tootsies.I enjoy the scent of a few candles and a drink in hand.  I think they turned out regal.

My Favorite Wine Glass !

Now, it would have been a lot better if I had someone to clean up after me!

Lose it.

My daughter has me hooked on this APP for my IPhone.  It helps you keep track of what your eating and how much you exercise.  It's kind of cool because I am always playing with gadgets and apps on my iphone anyway, so why not try it out.  I have been using it for a few weeks now and have lost 6 pounds.  I hope, I keep it up.....I know, I will keep it up.   How's that for a positive affirmation? 

Succeed at weight loss with Lose It! Set goals and establish a daily calorie budget that enables you to meet them. Stay on track each day by recording your food and exercise and staying within your budget.
Enter food and exercise easily using a searchable database. Quickly re-enter foods and meals you’ve had in the past. Lose It! together with friends for additional support and motivation. Setup motivators to help keep you on track.     Check It out!   http://www.loseit.com/

I just had to post a picture of my cat "Vera".
She is packed for the beach.. Ha Ha

Why Do I Relay ?

Cancer made its mark on my family in 1990 when my mother was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. It’s an experience that no family wants to go through, but none the less, a lot of families battle this disease that they call the “BIG C” and it stinks. 

I have others that I know in my family and friends that have fought hard against cancer. I myself have precursors for cancer, so I go to specialist twice a year for screenings.   My screenings will be a part of my life forever.  I do not have cancer, but I am one of the lucky ones that have the blessing of an early prevention, early cure.

I thank the American Cancer Society for campaigning the early detection, early cure cause. It has saved so many lives and has giving hope to many families that are living with cancer.

This Blog

Linked From Here

Important Links

The Web

I “Relay” because I want to see an end to cancer. I “Relay” to help raise money for important services and programs that support cancer patients and their families every step of the way. I Relay because cancer has affected people in my life whom I love and as affected many of my families and friends. I Relay to raise money for more clinical trials and programs to help patients while fighting cancer. I Relay to remember those that have lost their battle with cancer. I Relay For Life.

If you would like to donate to my team please click the link below.  Thank you!
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=37180&team_id=1203351

The Menopause and "Brain Fog" Phenomenon

I just read this article from the web site "Quality Health". I found it very interesting.
My kids think I am losing my mind because I forget things and sometimes I find it hard to focus. I am just glad to know I'm not the only 50 year old woman with these symptoms.

This is interesting. Read on.

Hot flashes and night sweats get all the attention when it comes to menopausal symptoms, but for many women, it's the way perimenopause and menopause affect their brain that's a bigger priority.
Mood swings, anxiety, depression, insomnia and "brain fog (a combination of confusion, memory loss, and inability to focus)," are common complaints during menopause. Women in their 40s and 50s who should be at the top of their game, find themselves dropping the ball, making small errors and forgetting details like never before.
What's causing them to lose their edge? It's the body's reaction to not getting the supply of estrogen and progesterone it is used to. Women have estrogen and progesterone receptors all over the body, not just in their reproductive organs. When these receptors are no longer fueled with reproductive hormones, they respond by altering the way neurons fire. Toss in fatigue from too many sleepless nights, and it's no wonder some women experience brain fog.
Desiree Bley MD, Portland OR OB-GYN says, "Three things happen during perimenopause and menopause that cause women's brains to process information differently:
1) "Women expand their focus in order to manage everything-children, careers, families, and more. They aren't really losing brain function; they're just at a point where there's too much on their plate and some things are falling off."
2) "Estrogen levels decline but our androgens (male hormones) stay the same. Though we've always had these hormones, we're used to functioning with our estrogen as dominant. We're not used to having our androgens run all our machinery. Women come to me and say they're getting hairy, angry, and forgetful. I tell them, 'Welcome to your male hormones.' This is the way men operate all the time." (OF COURSE MEN HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT)
3) "Chronic sleep deprivation-whether it's caused by hot flashes, kids waking you up, or a spouse who snores, sleep deprivation accumulates. Our brains can only take so much. The key is finding better sleep."
Researchers at UCLA studied more than two thousand women between ages 42 and 52 for four years (during pre-menopause, early perimenopause, late perimenopause and after menopause). They tested their verbal memory, working memory and processing speed and confirmed that during the five or six years leading up to their last period, women do indeed, lose their intellectual edge.
The good news is once menopause is over, most women rebound and their brainpower returns to normal. Researchers also found that women who began hormone replacement therapy before having their last period experienced cognitive improvement but those who began after their last period did not. Dr. Bley agrees, "When women add a little estrogen back, they often say, 'I've got my brain back.'"

Updated: October 20, 2010

Copyright © 2012 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved.

Memorial Day Weekend

This is going to be one busy weekend, but it should be fun too. Ya, got ta love three day weekends.

Today, we are driving up to my brother and sister in laws house, their son is turning 16.  They have an amazing house that over looks a beautiful lake.  Then, we are off to my "Jersey Shore" place.  I love being on "Shore Time".  I always feel so relaxed when I am there.  We will hang out there all day tomorrow, then home on Monday morning.  My kids are coming over for a cook out later on Monday.

So, these are all good times. I just want to keep on track....I have been tracking my progress and general health on the "Lose it" app. Thank You daughter Nicole for showing me this App.  http://www.loseit.com/index.jsp  It gives me the ability to look at how my day is unfolding based on my food intake and exercise per day.  I set up my program to remind me at certain times of the day, take to alert me to log my meals. There is an app for your phone as well. Check it out.

With all that said......I plan to make good choices but be realistic too.  I hope everyone has a nice and relaxing weekend. Enjoy, but keep in mind what Memorial Day is really about.

It's Hot out there....and

I need to start moving more.  I have been using my hand weights and I have beeen doing a few crunches a few times a week. I need to start walking and biking more.  That's my goal for today.

My sister Debbie and I riding bikes on the boardwalk.
Nothing like it.

4 Ways to Go Healthy at the Coffee Shop

Anyone who knows me well, knows I LOVE my coffee.  I love the smell of it and the taste of it.  MMMMMmmmmm ! I can smell it brewing now.
While trying to get a hold of my quest for being healthy, I came across this article on  how to make better decisions while you're at your favorite coffee house.
 
So, here it goes.....

You walk into your favorite café with the full intent of sticking to a cup of black coffee. But then you're met with an abundant display of syrupy, creamy drinks whipped to perfection as well as sweet and savory baked goods so fresh they appear to be calling your name-and all your willpower goes out the window. Do you have to give up your favorite coffee shop when you're trying to watch what you eat? Not at all. Follow these tips on how to enjoy your coffee shop stop without blowing your diet.

Think small. If you simply must have a latte, frappe, or double-hazelnut-vanilla-chocolate macchiato to get your day started, go for it, but ask for the smallest size. Many coffee shops advertise their small size as a "tall" (that's code-speak for medium), but behind the counter, they also offer a "short" or smaller sized cup. Ask for nonfat milk instead of whole milk and sugar-free syrups. A 16oz. latte made with whole milk is 265 calories. A 12oz. latte made with nonfat milk is only 125. Better yet, go for a nonfat cappuccino with only 75 calories.

Think clear. To really save on coffee shop calories, there's nothing better than black coffee (zero calories). If you need some sweetener or flavoring, add a little sugar, which has only 15 calories per teaspoon and some cinnamon (zero calories). Artificial sweeteners are calorie-free, but they may not be your healthiest choice. If black coffee is too strong for you, add a splash (not a puddle) of low-fat milk.

Make a choice. If you choose a no- (or very low-) calorie beverage, you might be able to afford the calories in a small bakery item. But if you opt for a higher calorie beverage, skip the doughnut or muffin. Think about portion size. Most muffins constitute two or three portion sizes (according to guidelines provided by the USDA). Cut your baked item in quarters, ask for a to-go bag, and share the rest with your coworkers.

I have a Kerig coffee maker at home and I love it, because I am in control of what kind of coffee or tea I make for myself. But, of course we are not home all the time so I am just going to make a  decision know all the coffee facts.

  Now excuse me, it's time for my coffee break!  ;-0

hanging in there

I know I haven't written a post in a while.  Mostly because my life has been so busy.  Busy in a good way though.  I just became a grandmother for the second time.  My daughter just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, so this has been an exciting time.  My son is about to graduate from Kutztown University next week and I am so proud of him.  I  have also been busy opening our shore home and dealing with the ins and outs of running a daycare.   So, Yes I have been busy......

BUT 

That is no reason for me not to keep on top of things. Here is a list of how my health is coming along.

• I have been eating mostly fresh foods, but I have been over loading on sweets ( mostly baked goods that I have made)
• I have been working my arms and legs twice a week, but I have had a hard time getting my cardo in..
• My blood Pressure has been up so my doctor put me on a new medication. I hope it starts to work.
•  I should be loosing weight, but I have only been teetering with a 5 lbs weight loss. This is not enough to help me lower my BP.
• I have been tired and crash very early in the evening, but so are most of us after a busy day.
• One more thing, this menopause has been kicking my butt, but all of us woman go through this, so I deal with it.

 I am just taking things slow and easy. I want to feel healthy without it being such a challenge

Email Post

I get so many emails telling me to resend this email to X amount of friends and something good will happen.  I am sure all of us Diva's get these crazy emails from time to time.  I very rarely respond to them.  The messages are nice to read, but I don't like to resend them to others.   Even if you don't respond to them, who wants to have some crazy idea that something bad may happen.  After all, we have the whole "Power of Attraction" thing going on.  I would rather attract positive actions rather then negative actions.
But anyway, I really like this email I received and I love the person that sent it to me even more. So, I thought I would post it instead of sending it to others.  No need to fret if you don't send it to others.  Just live it!

***************I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things.. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and  sometimes it made me crazy.. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... while we have it..... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken......... and heal it when it's sick. This is true. for marriage....... and old cars..... and children with bad report cards..... and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a   best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ and so, we keep them close! I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life.  Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.  Keep them close! TEN THINGS GOD WON 'T ASK ON THAT DAY. 1.... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.. 2... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home. 3.... God won't   ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe. 4... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it. 5.... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. 6... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend. 7.... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors. 8... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character. 9.... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell. 10... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decision.

National Nutrition Month

The number one New Year's resolution is to get healthy, whether it's eating right or getting to the gym to drop those extra pounds. Chances are, at sometime in your life, you have made a New Year's resolution pertaining to your health and fitness and chances are you broke it. Did you know more then 40%  of people say they don't keep their resolution more then 60 days?

March presents the perfect opportunity to stay on track with National Nutrition Month®. As Modern Divas we want to help champion this cause for our followers!

I believe in a healthy lifestyle, not a 'diet'. I want all our Diva's to feel comfortable and sexy in their own skin, whatever is the healthy size and shape for YOU; not the latest "perfect" body the entertainment industry deems desirable. What exactly is a size ZERO anyway?

Let's make some time to really take a look at your health and think about your eating habits and lifestyle. Where can you potentially make healthy changes, that will enable you to reach your goals for not only this year but a lifetime. Chances are that as a woman you will at some time in your life find yourself not only taking care of you, but being a primary caregiver for others, be it a husband, significant others, a child or a even a parent. And chances are, that as a woman, you will put yourself second or last on the list of people to take care of! Let's start the habit of keeping ourselves healthy first - remember a healthy woman creates a healthy home.

So, I leave our Diva's with this one question:
What is one healthy habit or change that you have adopted (whether it be just in the past 2 months, today, yesterday, or from years past) that helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Inspire others with your little piece of habit!

I decided that riding my bike and eating fish at least once a week (trying for twice a week) are my new adopted behaviors.

"Diva Power All The Way"

Keep on Moving

Movement – Does the word “exercise” make you cringe? Does it conjure up images of women in leg warmers, a super-fit instructor screaming orders to the jiggly, out-of-shape crowd in front of her, or endless setups and jumping jacks? The good news is that it’s not necessary to incorporate a strenuous and/or difficult exercise program into your life in order to lose weight. However, it IS necessary to incorporate movement into your daily routine. People often avoid exercise because it’s work. Our ancestors didn’t  spend hours doing P90X to get in shape. They got exercise by working in the fields, walking everywhere they went, and doing everything by hand rather than by machines.

In this age of convenience, TV and video games, and jobs that keep us indoors and sitting all day, we’ve become a sedentary society. Therefore, we have to be a bit more creative with our forms of movement. If you’re not used to doing much, start slow. Walk 20-30 minutes a day, take the stairs instead of the elevator (even if you just walk one flight then take the elevator the rest of the way), attend a spin class, Pilates, or a dance class. The key is to try different things until you find what you like, and then start slow so that you don’t burn out before you build up a routine.


One of my favorite types of exercise is playing with my granddaughter.  She is tons of fun and I sure get in a lot of movement time when I am with her. Plus my hubby just bought me a new bike and I am enjoying that.  Doesn't feel like exercise when your having fun.

Keep on Moving

Cool Cucumbers

My daughter has me hooked on drinking Cucumber water.  She is pregnant and doesn’t want to hold onto too much fluid, so she cut back on her sodium intake and started to drink cucumber water.  The cucumber helps flush out any excessive fluid buildup, plus it taste great.  I love it!
I thought I would share a few tips on the good old green cucumber.

Health Benefits of a Cool Cucumber

Acidity: The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity. The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Blood pressure: This colorless drink can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium.

Connective tissues, building: The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber water.  It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature. It actually cools the body down.

Diuretic: A Cucumber is natures diuretic, encouraging waste removal through urination. This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.

Inflammation: We know now that cucumbers can help counter uric acids that are causing inflammation in joints. When cucumber is taken it does its cleaning work at the joints, thus stirring up pain as it eliminates the uric acid. This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout.

Puffy eyes: Some people wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, probably due to too much water retention in the body (or having cried to sleep). To reduce the puffiness, lie down and put two slices of cucumber on the eyes for a good ten minutes.

Cucumbers are one of the foods I buy organic. They are not waxed and are grown without pestacides. If you don't buy them organic, make sure you give them a good scrubbing.

If you go to a professional Spa, chances are you will be

offered a cool glass of cucumber water.

I know what I am growing in my garden this year

....a row of cool green cucumbers.

Home Spa Morning

Sunday mornings are wonderful. Yesterday I woke up and enjoyed a cup of coffee while I relaxingly read the paper.  I didn't have a thing planned for the day, so I decided to have a home spa morning.

I set up my bathroom with some pretty candles and fluffy towels. I  lightly sprayed the towels with eucalyptus oil.  I then tied up my hair and started with a Sea Salt facial.  While my facial was drying, I soaked my hands in warmed (warmed in the microwave) hand cream.   Next, I used a deep conditioning hair conditioner on my hair.  It smelled like white grapes.  I also used a cold jell pack on my eyes. At this point, I streach on my bed and just relaxed. Ahhhh.

I jumped in the shower to rinse my facial off and rinse out the conditioner.  My hair was so soft and smelled yummy.  My face also felt soft and supple.  Once out of the shower, I went on to give myself a mani and pedi with some pretty pink nail polish.

It was very relaxing and think of the money I saved by having a spa day at home verses going to a Spa.

The only thing missing was a refreshing Mimosa.  Next Time : )

Sometimes we Divas need to take time out of our busy schedule and pamper ourselves.

These are a few of my favorite products that I used.

End of Detox Week

 My detox week is over.....Yahoo.  It was a challenging week because I had caffeine withdraw, thus I had headaches for 4 days. The headaches have been so bad that I went to the Chiropractor 3 times this week, just to help with the pain.  Not fun at all.  I all most gave in a few times, but held true to the process and I am glad I did, because I feel so much better. 
My Diva Nutrition class is going well.  I love that I added the stretch class before the actual nutrition class.  The relaxing music and ridding the body of stress feels wonderful. Keep in mind my business is owning and operating a daycare, so there is always noise and stress around us.  So, this little slice a peace and relaxation is heavenly.
Moving into this week should be easier since more fruits and grains are added to the diet. It's amazing how much more flavorful foods taste after a week of detox.  Yummy! I am especially enjoying the mouth watering berries. 

Onward to the weekend.........Enjoy!

On this Martin Luther King Day

A Good Start

So far, so good this year.  I took a week to slowly get back on track .  I did this to rid the house of snacks and unhealthy foods.  Then I needed to shop and fill my kitchen with fresh clean foods. With all that completed I was ready to go and that is just what I did. I am listening to my heart and it feels good.

This past weekend I went hiking on the Appellation trail with my hubby, son and daughter in law. We hiked up to Bake Oven Knob.  It was so beautiful and it was a lot of fun to get outside, walk and breath in fresh air. I also purchased an exercise bike (not happy with it, so it's going back) so I am stepping up the exercises. 

On another note, I began my third "Divas for A Healthy Life " program.  I think it went well.  I started the class off with some relaxing music and then went into a 10 minute stretch class. Afterwards we were so relaxed and it felt wonderful.  Once our stretch routine was completed, I started the class with week one and then each week will move on to the next phase. Each week we will weigh in, but we do it in private.  Then each week I will discuss different nutritional topics and how we can apply it to real life.    I just need to keep focused on listening to what my heart is saying.  Right now it's saying...."Alright Lisa, keep up the good work ".

Me and My hubby.  We hiked up to "Bake Oven Knob".
It's part of the Appellation trail in PA.

 

Feed Your Mind

A FB friend sent this to me.  I just had to share.
When I feed my mind with love......my heart explodes with happiness and tranquility.
Have a peaceful day!

Eating at Night

I think the below article  I read in a health magazine, was very interesting considering the fact that I have a night time eating problem.  I thought I would share.

"Diet folklore suggests that eating at night is almost never a good idea if you want to lose weight. Although many experts say this old adage is pure myth, a new animal study backs up the idea that it’s not only what you eat but also when you eat that counts. Researchers at Northwestern University found that mice given high-fat foods during the day (when these nocturnal animals should have been sleeping) gained significantly more weight than mice given the same foods at night.

The Fix: The diet take-away here? After dinner, teach yourself to think of the kitchen as being closed for the night, and brush your teeth — you’ll want to eat less with a newly cleaned mouth. If a craving hits, wait 10 minutes. If you’re still truly hungry, reach for something small like string cheese, yogurt or a piece of fruit."

I started my week of dietary detox today. I know I have so much sugar and fat and in my body, after a long holiday of feasting. This is going to be a challenging week, but I want all the junk out of my body.. As I wrote in my last posting: I need my mind to give me the facts on what are good dietary choices, but I need to listen to my heart when it comes to my actions.