Friday, May 9, 2014

Happy Birthday to my granddaughter, Little Bit

Wonderful Things about my Granddaughter

My beautiful granddaughter turned 9 years old today. I am watching her grow into an awesome young lady and I am so thrilled she is in my life.

Here are some wonderful things about her from a grandmother’s heart:
1.     She is an amazing Ballerina
2.     She loves performing her dance moves for the family.
3.     She loves her sisters with all her heart.
4.     She loves to sit at the piano and play random notes and make it sound good.
5.     She always thinks of doing things for her sisters.
6.     She is a big help to her mother with picking up after herself and her sisters.
7.     She says “I’m bored” a lot, but can get over it really quickly.
8.     She has a soft and loving side about her.
9.     She’s quick to say I’m sorry if she hurts her sister’s feelings.
10.  She doesn’t like wet kisses, but she’s big on giving hugs.
11.  She loves to cook and bake.
12.  She loves to help in the kitchen.
13.  She loves helping with washing the dishes.
14.  She loves to laugh and scream.

I could go on and on……

She's a real blessing to me and her Pops. We love you, Little Bit. Happy Birthday!
Here's to your health!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving - A Great Time to Lose WEIGHT? ...WHAT?


OK, did we read that right? Lose weight during Thanksgiving? Is that possible?

I was visiting Dr. Leigh Connealy today and she says that it's very possible IF you stay focused and make a conscious effort. When we consider that a Thanksgiving meal can weigh in with as much as 4,500 calories AT ONE SITTING (a two days worth of calories), it's easy to see why we gain weight.

So this is what she has suggested:

Balance what you eat with exercise:


If you don't even consider cutting back on your favorite dishes, she suggests that you plan to work off what you eat. Calorie Count's website has a great chart that lets you total up the calories in your Turkey Day, so you have some idea in what you need to do to repair the damage. If it's too much to work it all off, then maybe deciding to have a sorbet instead of the pecan pie will also work for you.

Of course, if you haven't jogged or exercised in a long time, then consider doing something more appropriate to your health and normal activity level and follow through.

Cut back on tasting while cooking:
For all those great cooks out there, we know it's important for you to taste the dish to see what spices are still needed, but maybe getting a friend or family member to help taste will keep you from overeating and make another person feel important by valuing their opinion.

Take supplements first:
I like this suggestion. About 20 minutes before sitting down to eat, take your daily supplements. Be sure to drink a full, 8- to 12-ounce glass of water with them. You will get that full feeling and find that you will eat less and you got your all-important nutrients.

Go easy on the alcohol:
Yep! It's loaded with calories! Try sticking with the sparkling water and a wedge of citrus or alternate alcoholic beverages with a glass of water to cut your calories.

Start with soup and salad:
Have a cup of soup (preferably NOT the one made with cream, which is loaded with calories) and a small salad. The point is to take the edge off your hunger and prevent gorging. Oh, I am so guilty on the gorging part. So I really like this idea, too. Plus these are very, very healthy!

Have some protein first:
After you've gotten your plate filled, try bites of turkey or other protein first. That signals your stomach that food is on the way and turns off hunger mechanisms.  Vegetarians can accomplish the same thing by mixing a scoop of protein powder in some almond milk or hemp milk and drinking it before the meal.

Put down your fork between bites:
Well, now that's a good one. Dr. Connealy says, "it's an eating utensil, not a shovel!"  LOL!! So, take small bites, and chew each one thoroughly to help with the digestion process. "It's not an eating contest. It's about remembering the things you're grateful for." Slow down and enjoy.

Leave food in the kitchen:
If you or your guests want more, let them get up to refill their plates. It won't hurt them and maybe it will even slow them down a bit.

Save dessert for tomorrow:
Or skip it altogether. Or take one bite and wrap up the rest for the next day.

Save leftovers in single-serving containers:
In order not to overdo it the next day, pack individual containers with about 4 ounces of turkey, an ice-cream scoop size portion of stuffing, and a few bites of sweet potatoes and vegetables. This removes the temptation to overdo it.

Well, there you have it. Some very good advice that's worth trying.  Dr. Connealy says it's far easier NOT to gain weight than it is to lose it. By following these guidelines, you can have a guilt-free celebration and not worry about which diet to start once it's over.  Great advice, Dr. Connealy!

And remember to give thanks for your many blessings.


Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!
Here's to your health!
 

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

#11. An Angel Says...Life is not...




Just to let you know that I am not too far away, I thought I'd post this today 
to say let's all make better choices in our life, and give back where we can.


Things in life don't always turn out the way we think it will. 
So many turns and ups and downs. 
One minute we are OK and the next minute we are wondering,
WHAT HAPPENED?!



An Angel says it perfectly.



In other words, It's not about the day in my life, but about the LIFE in my day.
You can quote me on that.

Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair, 
so coping with a situation takes a conscious effort. 
Be aware of your surroundings,
be appreciative of those around you, 
give thanks and praise to God everyday, 
and know things will get better.

Here's to your health!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Wonderful Things about My Granddaughter, Doodle



Today is my granddaughter, Doodle's, BIRTHDAY!
She's 11 years old. WOW! 11!!


My beautiful granddaughter turned 11 years old today. I am watching her grow into an awesome young lady and I am so thrilled she is in my life.

Here are some wonderful things about her from a grandmother’s heart:
1.     She has a very sensitive heart.
2.     She is aware of others needs.
3.     She is strong with her beliefs.
4.     She stands up for herself and for others when she feels she needs to.
5.     She doesn’t follow the crowd.
6.     She sets examples for others to follow.
7.     She always thinks of her sister first, even when they have little spats.
8.     She’s an awesome artist.
9.     She’s a great athlete and an amazing dancer.
10.  She’s very helpful to her mother.
11.  She can organize like no body’s business!
12.  She’s extremely helpful with her baby sister.
13.  She loves to laugh and she’s so much fun!
14.  She never says, “I’m bored…” because she always finds things to do.

I could go on and on…….

God, thank you for giving her to us. She's a real blessing!

I would like to link with Have a Daily Cup with Ms. Olson for this lovely Thursday. If you haven't yet visited her, please do. She has a fabulous blog!

Here's to your health!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

#10. An Angel Says...You each have within you



Once upon a time, my husband's cousin's wife, Annette (and also my beautiful, awesome friend) use to send me some sayings through email that she found from a wonderful little book called, An Angel Says. I've decided to take some of those sayings, and find some of my own, to create a way to display them by finding some cute angels through Microsoft and then share with others. They give wonderful thought provoking thoughts!




Definition of HOPE

intransitive verb
1 : to cherish a desire with anticipation
 
transitive verb
1 : to desire with expectation of obtainment
2 : to expect with confidence : trust


Nurturing HOPE is very important.
Hope in the Lord.

Here's to your health!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

#9. An Angel Says....LOVE GOD

It has been many moons since I have had a chance to create in my blog. To let you know, I REALLY MISS IT! I miss having the time to sit and contemplate new ideas and thoughts; I miss visiting all the other wonderful bloggers that I have made good friends with. I do hope everything is going well in your world. I will try to post more often and come visit when I can.

I was talking with my dear friend, Marianne, at Leisure Lane, the other day. (By the way, if you have never visited Marianne's blog, do yourself a favor and go right now to see her awesome drawings and creations. SHE'S FABULOUS!)

Now back to the story she told me...
She met this wonderful older gentleman the other day and Marianne said he was a delight. He told her a simple and sweet way to get through this life. She said it sounded like it came from an Angel.

I just had to share it with you and decided to put it with my An Angel Says series.




Thank God for beautiful people.

Here's to your health!