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!
 

#12. An Angel Says...Think of Other People

Be the solution, not the problem.

Here's to your health!

#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!

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!

#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!

#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!

#8. An Angel Says...When at Work, Take a "Care-Break"

I don't know about you, but sometimes when I'm at work

I tend to stay at my desk and continue through-out the day

to just work and not take breaks. It's very tiring and draining.

Before you know it, you're in a terrible mood...

An Angel tells us that we should take a "care-break" just for us.

Even for a brief moment, it will make a difference in how we

see things and a chance to catch our breath and clear our minds.

A little free air can go a long way for our health.

Not only in body, but in mind also.

Make for a happy day at work.

Everyone in the office will love you for it!

Here's to your health!

Are You Getting Enough Calcium?

OK, time to get back to some healthy information…

I had a recent doctor’s appointment and my physician pointed out that I needed to take calcium everyday along with some Vitamin D3. He did a blood test and found that I was deficient in both. I have acid reflux and I take an antacid (Omeprazole) everyday to ward off that evil devil. If you have suffered from acid reflux, you KNOW what I mean.

The doc told me that these antacids leach calcium from your body and I need to replenish my system with supplements. The instructions are to take 500 mg by mouth 3 times daily (with meals). Right now I am taking, twice a day, Caltrate chewable (yummy) with 500 mg of Vitamin D3 included. Then I take a tablet of 500 mg of calcium once a day. Chewable with Vitamin D3 in the mornings (breakfast) and evenings (dinner); tablet without D3 in the afternoon (lunch). Calcium is also best absorbed when taken with magnesium.

Here are some things I found out about calcium or the lack of:

1.     Calcium may be involved with more bodily functions than any other mineral. It promotes the health of our bones, muscles, and heart, as well as many of the body’s cellular processes.

2.     While dairy products contain calcium, they are not typically the best source of calcium for most people.

3.     Your body may not be digesting calcium adequately to extract sufficient calcium to meet its requirements.

4.     Although Americans and Canadians tend to consume the highest amount of dairy products in the world per capita, we have a higher incidence of osteoporosis than most other countries.

Here are some common signs of a calcium deficiency that can be signs of other problems in the body and, of course, you should see your physician if you are suffering any health issues:

1.     Back or hip pain

2.     Bone loss, malformed bones, or bones that are vulnerable to fractures or breaks

3.     Brittle nails or vertical ridges on nails

4.     Cramps in fee, toes, or legs

5.     Dental cavities or frequent toothaches

6.     Headaches

7.     High blood pressure

8.     Heart palpitations

9.     Insomnia

10.  Joint pain

11.  Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability

12.  Nervous tics or twitches, or muscles that twitch

13.  Women: painful or lengthy periods or excessive bleeding during periods

Source taken from The Phytozyme Cure, by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD

When looking for a calcium supplement, avoid those that contain fillers, colors, or chemicals, and there should be a third-party verification that the supplement is lead free. It is said that this is a metal that is frequently found in many calcium supplements. I found this shocking since there have been so much research done and we know the effects lead can cause on the body. But double check to make sure…

McGillUniversity did a study of over 9000 women and found that those women who took 1000 mg of calcium supplements lived longer than those who didn’t.

Good sources of calcium include: almonds, almond butter, broccoli, carrot juice, carrots, dark leafy greens, kale, kelp, navy beans, oats, sesame butter (tahini), soymilk and tofu (which organic is suggested since soy is heavily contaminated by genetically-modified organisms – GMOs), wild salmon, and sardines.

Another good reminder, weight resistance is excellent in building healthy bones and exercising CAN improve your health.

Well, there you have it. I wish you good health in whatever way you decide to get your calcium and exercise.

Here’s to your health!

#7. An Angel Says...Be Vigilant

There are always many people and things to be thankful for.

But we go day to day without one thought,

and our moods can get us in places that makes it 

hard to appreciate anything.

Sometimes we have to look deep for them.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary states the meaning of

vig·i·lant

adjective \ˈvi-jə-lənt\

: alertly watchful especially to avoid danger.

 

So I suppose the little angel is warning us

to avoid danger we need to vigilantly

look for things and people to be thankful for.

Once we start showing appreciation, 

our hearts can connect with Him that sustains us.

Our moods can change and we can 

truly be grateful.

Hug someone today!

Here's to your health!

 

 

Creativity for Tea Time...

TEA TIME; a place for encouragement of faith, family, and friends; face to face and heart to heart.

Here's a little encouragement of sudden creativity in an artistic production:
      Need an idea as to what to do with your cup treasures that are chipped or cracked?

WHY NOT MAKE A TEA CUP WALL!!

What an uplifting, inspirational craft!

Why not plant some herbs here...

Or maybe be real creative and set a table 

for tea outside IN YOUR GARDEN.

I LOVE this table! It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

Also another way of growing some wonderful herbs.

I love being creative, but I'm sad to say these are not my creations.

These are brought to you by the world wide web.

But they are definite projects I would like to take on.

To join in for tea, I would like to show this beautiful

cup and saucer I found on the web.

It makes me think of my grandfather who had

peacocks on his farm. I loved gather the feathers with him.

We just can't get enough inspiration for creativity.

I would like to join Martha's Favorites and Artful Affirmations for tea.

Here's to your health.

#6. An Angel Says...Every Morning, Afternoon and Night

"Thanks for arms and legs and eyes, that carry me beneath the skies. 

Enabling me to look both down and up, and contemplate the fullness of my cup."

~ Joyce Boger ~

Ingratitude is one of the woeful failings of our society. The failure to acknowledge the sovereignty and the beneficence of God, the refusal to bend our will to His, are at the very root of the major problems in our society.

Prayer, family prayer in the homes of people in all lands, is one of the simple medicines that would check the dread disease that robs men and women of honesty, character and integrity. In generations past, individual and family prayers, in the homes of people throughout the world were as much a part of the day’s activity as was eating. As the practice of prayer has diminished, moral decay has increased.

The inclination to be holy, to be thankful, is increased as family members kneel together and thank the Lord for life and peace and all that they may become under His guidance. In remembering together before the Lord the poor, the needy, the oppressed, there is developed, unconsciously but realistically, a love for others above self, a respect for others, a desire to serve the needs of others. One cannot ask God to help a neighbor in distress without being motivated to do something toward helping that neighbor.

What miracles would be evident if, beginning now, beginning this Thanksgiving season, we all would lay aside our own selfishness and lose ourselves in the service of others. Our prayers of Thanksgiving, this season and daily all through the year, will bring comfort to our hearts, knit us together in love, and open to us the treasures of wisdom, knowledge, gratitude and forgiveness.

[“Express thanks in prayers and service, say Church leaders,”Church News, 20 November 1982, p. 3]

Here's to your health!

#5. An Angel Says...Hugs, Words, Notes

Everything we say produces an effect in the world.

Whatever we say to someone else will produce  

some kind of an effect in that person. 

We are constantly creating something,

either positive or negative with our words.

Our words can make a positive difference

on the people we interact with every day.

Before we speak, we should ask ourselves

"Is what I am about to say

going to uplift the hearer?

"Will it inspire, motivate, and create

forward momentum for them?

Will it dissolve fear and create safety and trust?

Will I create a positive or negative ripple effect

by speaking these words?"

Let's be determined to unleash

the power of words

for positive change.

(Beautiful words taken from  AKinderWorld.com)

Here's to your health!

#4. An Angel Says...You Must Live in Peace

If we could remember this in times of trouble,

The peace would come to not only others,

but also to ourselves.

So with my morning tea, I believe

Here's to your health!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUG! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE 8!

My granddaughter had a birthday this week!

Time flys when you're having fun...

Leila took this picture of herself. 

She's quite a camera bug.

I found this poem on the web and it is so fitting for today.

"Little Girls"

Little girls are made of daisies and butterflies and soft kitty cat purrs
And all the precious memories of times that once were.

Little girls are made of angel's wings and giggles and a firefly's glow
And all the happy feelings, deep inside, that we all know.

Little girls are made of cinnamon and bubbles and fancy white pearls
And snowflakes and rainbows and ballerina twirls.

Little girls are made of sunshine and cupcakes and fresh morning dew,
And these are the reasons, little one, why everyone loves you.

Author: Karen Barnes

Here's to your health!

#3. An Angel Says...It Is Critical

How more critical than now!

It is sad to see our world becoming so violent.

No respect for life, no caring thought.

I pray there are still MANY out there that want peace.

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving

let your request be made known to God.

Here's to your health!

HAPPY 81st BIRTHDAY, MOMMA

(click on the picture to make it larger for better viewing)

My lovely mother is having a birthday this week.

I wanted to take the time to wish her a very

HAPPY Birthday.

All that I am or hope to be I owe to my mother.

She is always very patient and kind.

She's a very strong willed woman.

Very determined!

But stubborn at times. LOL!

I could always see the calm in her eyes

for she was never in for dramatics.

(My poem tells a lot about her eyes.)

She exhibits a gentle strength,

a rare patience, discipline, 

deep underlying strength (which always amazed me)

and steadfast persistence.

She is always very serious about her family.

She loves us all very deeply

and has always been a solid rock and

has built a firm foundation that we can rely on.

I love her very much.

Dear Sweet Momma,

Here's to your health!

The Butterfly Effect

 

Here's to your health!

The Power of the Flower

 photo from Pinterest

Do you remember the days of Flower Power? Young people running around with flowers in their hair, sticking stems of flowers down the barrels of rifles of our soldiers in our streets? I was reflecting back on those days, not that I was a flower child, but young people were doing whatever they could to try and bring back some peace to our Nation. There were even songs written about them. Well, I got to thinking about the power that the flower has over us and wrote this little poem.

You can click on the photo to make it larger for better viewing.

Here's to bringing peace back to our world and

 Here's to  your health!

#2. An Angel Says...Peace Starts

I dearly love 'An Angel Says' sayings. They are uplifting and can give you food for thought. With the happenings that are going on in our world today, I thought this one to be very appropriate.

We all come to this world for a reason. Maybe it's to develop

and strengthen the fruits of our spirit, like love, peace, kindness,

patience, joy, and even self-control. And maybe even to help

develop those fruits in others. I do believe that all people were

to come to this earth to become more Christ-like, but most are

taken by sin and not by the Spirit.

(Romans 8: 5 -

Those who live according to the sinful nature

have their minds set on what that nature desires;

but those who live in accordance with the Sprirt

have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.)

So take the advice of the Angel and BE that person

that brings peace to this world.

Here's to your health!

 

#1. An Angel Says...Each Time

A few years back my dear friend and cousin (by marriage) started sending me some beautiful sayings that started with "An Angel Says," and it proceeded with a lovely quote. I enjoyed them so much that I started sending them out to everyone in my office. It was uplifting and everyone seemed to enjoy them. As a matter of fact, if I missed sending them one, they would start asking me when I was going to send them their Angel.

SO, I decided that I would spice them up in how they could be displayed. I just don't know how to make them bigger on this page. In order to view them better, hit on the photo. I hope you enjoy them, also.

Here's to your health!

Walking Through the Meadow

Hit on the photo to make it larger.

I hope you enjoy my poem.

Here's to your health!

The Beauty of a Thistle

It has been a while since I have been able to post anything
and I apologize. The time just seems to slip away.

I took this photo some time ago, and I loved
the way the macro shot just jumps out at you. I
was mesmerized at it's beauty and these words
just came to me.

Hit on the photo to enlarge for better viewing and reading.

I hope you enjoy my poem.

Here's to your health!