bittersweet.

Today is a sad day for me because one of my co-workers, well more my friend will be leaving today for bigger and better things. Of course I'm extremely happy for him, but a little bit of my selfish side is kicking in because I will miss him and don't want him to go. We tend to forget how much time we spend with the people we work with and the impact they have on our lives. I mean truly, we spend more time with them then our own families. We know their moods, their birthdays and the things that make them tick. They can be there for us to talk to when we have bad days and need a pick-me-up. I love getting to know my co-workers if they are new or old, we can never learn enough about someone to whom we call our friends.

So, farewell my friend you know who you are (you are a die hard reader of my blog after all), thanks for that as well. :)

"God Bless" (private joke)---and meet you for lunch soon!

image found - wordpress.com

LEAVE your troubles behind!

Fall is the best season to go for a super refreshing, brisk walk. Walking in fall is not only a great workout for your body but also does wonders for your state of mind. Looking at the breathtaking colors and picturesque views brings this instant euphoria and makes us relax and feel at ease.

Living in New England is the best place to enjoy all the wonders fall has to bring. The next few weeks are prime foliage time, let's all get out there and splurge on the beauty this season brings.

image found - palousefolklore.org

embrace.

Spend time and appreciate the person or people you care most for this weekend and make your "heart" happy.

Have a wonderful fall weekend!

image found - blog.boxbe.com

Friday Quote.

To avoid sickness eat less; to prolong life worry less.
~Chu Hui Weng~

Fall Superfoods.

In honor of yesterday being the first day of fall, I wanted to write about one of the best parts for me, the cornucopia of fall fruits and veggies. So here is a list of peak season superfoods that are at their tastiest and most nutritious right now.

Bartlett pears. This vitamin-C-and-fiber-full fruit is versatile enough to use in salads and baking. Yellow pears are ripe.

Beets. A sweet vegetable that is rich in folate, which wards off anemia. Plus betanine lends beets a red hue and may fight lung cancer.

Butternut squash. Look for a squash with a long neck and a fat, round base. The orange of its flesh comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that keeps your eyes sharp and your skin smooth.

Cranberry beans. These legumes net you iron and potassium. Look for dark red beans, which are easier to shell than the young, green ones.

Apples. Take a bite out of your breast cancer risk by chomping on an apple! Cornell researchers have published six studies in just the last year showing that eating apples can lower your risk of breast cancer.

Kale. It gets an A+ for its vitamin A content - one cup of the boiled leafy greens contains almost 200% of your daily value!

Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts enhance the activity of the body's natural defense systems to protect against disease, including cancer. The key to loving this notoriously hated (but super healthy) veggie? Coat in olive oil and roast in a 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes, for a crispy, caramelized side dish.

Happy Autumn!

image found - photobucket.com, ref self.com

healthy eating on a budget.

The best way to eat healthy on a budget? Meal planning. Dream up two or three dinners you want to make the upcoming week, write down the ingredients, and then buy only those. You can break your grocery shopping down into a couple of trips, do mini-shops every week, then once a month maybe buy in bulk at Costco etc. Look for produce that won’t perish, like apples, and try to score some great deals on frozen veggie burgers and peanut and almond butter. You can also stock up on frozen veggies as well.

Here are a few recipes that are tasty, but won't do a lot of damage on the wallet.

~Spinach Turkey Burgers
Combine ground turkey with 1 egg, sea salt, and pepper, and mix well. Add defrosted frozen spinach and form mixture into four evenly sized patties. Cook each patty for about 6–7 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Serve on whole-wheat buns or hoagie rolls with lettuce, ketchup, and mustard.

~Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Thaw bag of frozen shrimp. Peel and de-vein. Set a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil. In a large skillet, heat about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil on medium high. Add 3 garlic cloves, minced, and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Add 1/4 cup dry white wine and the juice of 1 lemon and bring to a simmer for about 4 minutes. Add shrimp and toss well. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until shrimp are cooked through. Watch out—they cook quickly! Meanwhile, cook the whole-wheat angel hair in the boiling water and drain. Add the hot, cooked pasta to the shrimp mixture and toss. Season with sea salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese.

~Mediterranean Stuffed Bell Peppers
Gently cut the tops off of four large red bell peppers. Set aside. In a medium-size pot, bring 1 cup quinoa, a pinch of sea salt, and 3 cups water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover and let cook for about 12–13 minutes or until the quinoa has soaked up all the water and is light and fluffy. Remove from heat. Add 1 can drained diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles, 1/4 cup chiffonaded (or roughly chopped) fresh basil to the quinoa and gently stir. Stuff each bell pepper with quinoa mixture and serve with a large salad and warmed whole-wheat pitas.

Let's start cooking!

image/ref found - health.com

The Battle Of The Flu.

In the colder months are you avoiding your co-worker with that hacking cough, cold, or flu in the cubicle next to you? Do you draw your hand back from a handshake or doorknob because you have cold-and-flu phobia? If so you're not alone, no one likes to be sick, I know I don't! When we are it seems like the whole world is out there living and we're on the bleachers watching from a far. We may not be able to stop from getting sick, but maybe we can help to do some things that will help us get sick less.

Here are 10 ways to avoid colds and flu this season:

1.) Avoid touching your face, especially the nose and eye area.
2.) Get enough sleep, when tired your body isn't fighting as hard.
3.) Get a flu shot.
4.) Eat healthy fruits and vegetables to support your immune system.
5.) Work out to strengthen the immune system.
6.) Keep your distance from people displaying symptoms of a virus.
7.) Keep sanitizing gel or lotion with you.
8.) Smile and be happy, it boosts immune system.
9.) Drink lots of fluids.
10.) Take time for yourself to relax and recoup from the busy week.

Germs be gone!

images found - www.scientificamerican.com, wordpress.com, weblogs.cltv.com, ref health.com

all about the eyes.

If you are like me you probably stare at a computer screen for most of the day at work and maybe even at home at night. My eyes often get dry, sore and tired and it doesn't always make for a fun day, especially if you wear contact lenses as well. I thought I would find some good eye exercises and some soothing eye relief ideas to help get our eyes feeling healthy again.

Eye push-ups: This exercise trains your eyes to work together to aim at the same task, which can help prevent eyestrain.

Hold a pen in front of your face, about an arm’s length away. Move it toward your nose slowly, staring at the same place on the pen. Bring the pen as close as you can to the tip of your nose before you see a double image.

Change your focus: This exercise helps you cut down on eye fatigue.

Hold a book or newspaper as close to your eyes as you can without the print becoming blurred. Stare at the words for 15 seconds. Then, look at an object approximately 10 feet away and stare at that for 15 seconds. Repeat five times.

The eye roller coaster: This exercise improves the flow of blood and oxygen to your eyes.

Close your eyes and slowly roll them in a complete circle. Then, move them from right to left. Repeat three times.

Palming and cupping: This exercise relaxes your eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them. Close your eyes and put the fleshy part of your palms over them. Press gently for a few seconds. Then, cup your hands over your open eyes. Keep your eyes open and look into your palms as you breathe slowly through your nose for 30 seconds.

Although it might seem simplistic, blinking and yawning are also beneficial because they produce tears that lubricate the eyes. And you can also help your eyes by taking nutritional supplements that contain bilberry, vitamin and lutein.

Tea bags and cucumber slices

Beauty tips like placing tea bags or cucumber slices on your eye lids do help soothe them. Your eyes will get some relief. A cold compress is more effective however.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated and sweetened drinks. Good hydration is the key to good health and lack of fluid in your body can strain your eyes and everything else.

image/info found - myonlinehealtharticles.com

brain damage.

You too?

image found - photobucket.com

Happy Trails.

We are half way through September and the weather is turning brisk and the air crisp. This is the perfect time to plan a hiking day trip.

If you are looking for a workout, hiking offers an opportunity to break a sweat. The level of excursion is not as high as most other exercises, so here are two ways to get the cardio health benefits of hiking.

1. First you will want to walk for more than 20 minutes. This consistently keeps your heart rate up and starts to burn calories. However, 20 minutes isn’t really going to cut it unless you do it every day. So, to really break a sweat and build stamina, you want to hike at least an hour. If it sounds like a lot, keep in mind you are going 30 minutes in one direction and 30 minutes back.
2. Second method is to go up. By up, I mean to hike a trail with elevation changes. Generally, a trail that goes up at a slight incline for a long time is better than one that goes up. Time is a key factor, so try to find a trail that isn’t going to wipe you out in the first 200 feet.

Here are a few local trails to get you started:

• Walkabout Trail – Chepachet, Rhode Island
• Arcadia Management Area – West Greenwich, Rhode Island
• Emily Ruecker Wildlife Refuge – Tiverton, Rhode Island
• Block Island Greenways – Block Island, Rhode Island

Great workout, fresh air and picturesque scenery, now that's what I'm talking about!

image found - naturetourism.allegheny.edu, ref new-england-vacations-guide.com

just for the fellas.

Alright friends, since my last post was strictly intended for the ladies I thought I would counter act that post with one just for the guys. I Hope you enjoy these great shaving tips from menshealth.com.

How can I achieve the 5 o'clock shadow look?
Use an electric clipper or beard trimmer with a short guard on it—I'd suggest a 1.5 guard. Let your facial hair grow out, and then maintain the look by trimming it with the clipper every other day.

Any tricks to keep my face stubble-free longer?
Prior to shaving, gently wash your face with warm water and then steam your face with a small towel soaked in very warm water. This softens the beard, opens your pores, and relaxes the face muscles, which allows for a closer shave. The closer your shave, the longer you will be stubble-free.

What do I look for in a razor?
The brand of razor really does not matter as long as it is a high-quality, multiblade razor. I think a four-bladed razor is your best bet.

How often do I need to throw out my razor?
Once you start to feel a little drag on your razor, it's time to replace the razor head. I suggest changing it about every six or seven times you shave. You will not get a close shave from a blunt blade: You will be shaved on some sections of your face and not on others, and you will end up with redness and blotches, which is never fun. The cure is simple: As soon as you feel a blade is not performing properly, replace it.

How do I keep my razor in top condition?
Always dry your razor blades after shaving. Razor blade dullness stems more from oxidation and rusting than from frequent shaving. When water sits on blades between shaves, it causes the oxidation process to begin. This leads to corrosion, which can cause metal on the blade to flake off, and the edge to become blunted and jagged. That results in blades pulling and tearing hairs instead of cleanly slicing through them.

Is an electronic razor better than a regular one?
No way! Avoid electric razors when possible, especially those with rotating heads. These razors can cause the hair to be cut off in all sorts of directions, and this can cause the hair to grow back into your hair follicle. When this happens, you get ingrown hairs, which are hard to treat and very uncomfortable.

See, I'm an equal opportunity blogger! :)

image found - 3.bp.blogspot.com

clothes to look younger.

The key in dressing to look younger is learn what flatters your body and not what the trends are of the younger generations.

Choosing the right colors of your clothes is so much more important than you would have ever imagined. A wrong color of your garment might make you look older than you are. Black is the most elegant color. You can use some bright color along with the black that brings out your own personality and attitude.

Black and white combination looks pretty and classy but if it doesn’t look well on you, think of pastel tones. They make your skin look vibrant and the face younger.

Violet color looks especially beautiful on women of middle age while light blue freshens up the appearance.

Too wide, shapeless garments are not flattering. Long baggy skirts and miniskirts are not recommended for a woman either, unless you have great legs, then a skirt to the knee could be perfect. Try to stay away from bright adornments and embellishments - they seem to look best on teenage girls.

Tip: Be aware of what the celebrities are wearing in the same age bracket and body type as you and mimic their style.

Mostly, wear something you feel great in and your attitude and confidence will show and shine through and that is very attractive.


image found - liesyoungwomanbeliev.com, ref slimmingforstyle.blogspot.com

Today's Quote!

"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."

~ Paul Dudley White

image found - livelighter.org

Movie Night.

Whether you are staying in or going out to the movies or watching one with close friends or your partner, choosing a great comedy is the way to go!

Laughing expresses a feeling of happiness. Humor and laughter are contagious and they cause a cumulative effect of amusement and joy. In addition, they offer a number of positive health benefits.

Here are the 10 top rated comedies for 2009.

1. Up
2. In the Loop
3. (500) Days of Summer
4. Adventureland
5. Passing Strange: The Movie
6. Julie & Julia
7. I Love You, Man
8. The Hangover
9. Funny People
10. Medicine for Melancholy

Have fun and laugh until your hearts content!

image found - golfinlove.com, parade.com, ref toptenreviews.com

It's My Birthday!

My first day home from the hospital. I'm wrapped with love in the beautiful yellow knit blanket my mom made for me.

My 3rd birthday, wow did I love chocolate cake and shoe string licorice, not much has changed. :)

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I had a blast last night sharing my birthday with several of my kind, caring and wonderful friends whom treated me to dinner, drinks and gave me hilarious cards and lots of laughs. One more great moment for the memory books.
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"Today" I am spending my birthday with family. Thanks mom and dad for always giving me such thoughtful, joyous birthdays that I will never forget and for always being there for me through thick & thin.

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And a shout out to all my Facebook friends who wished me the happiest of birthdays thanks for helping me celebrate my 22nd (again) birthday...LOL :P

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The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. - Lucille Ball

Wash Out.

And---the Red Sox game was delayed last night because of the rain. Oh well---I guess I will have to "Take me out to the ball game, another game". However---I do plan on going for a jog in the rain today, it does feel quite refreshing!

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So---to almost firsts and to making sure if something doesn't go your way this time, make it happen the next time.

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I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday!

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image found - flickr.com

Magic Of Baseball.

This evening I am going to my first official "Red Sox" game at Fenway Park. Even though the weather is gloomy, I will put that aside and embrace all the firsts I will relish. It will be my first walk through Yawkey Way, first time in the bleachers staring at the marvel that is the Green Monster, eating my first Fenway frank and cheering for our great hometown team and my favorite players. I will be singing take me out to the ball game and celebrating the seven inning stretch, cause by then we all definitely need one. I'll be watching the wide-eyed children who are just getting their first glimpse of the wonder of this sport and how they idolize these players and want to grow up and be just like them one day. But for today their parents are their hero for introducing them to this illustrious game.

Don't you just love the concession guys or gals who have all the baseball goodies at their finger tips?!...popcorn, peanuts, beer here. Win or lose it's only a game and we all have a great time with our family and/or friends. That's what this great American game is all about...

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America is ruled by it like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh, people will come,
Ray. People will most definitely come."

Field of Dreams Quote
Terence Mann:(James Earl Jones)

Let's Play Ball!

image found - bestsportsphotos.com

comfort foods.

• For a sweet tooth: chocolate, strawberry or vanilla protein shakes or mixed nuts with dried or fall's fresh fruit including apples, apricots, cranberries and peaches.
• To satisfy savory or cheesy cravings: include cottage cheese with berries and cinnamon (a favorite fall spice), or ricotta cheese with salsa and vegetables warmed in the oven as a dip for tortilla chips.
• Salt cravings: include vegetables and hummus, salted almonds, or feta with sun-dried tomatoes.
• Some like it hot! (spicy cravings): include salsa blended with soft tofu as a dip for vegetable sticks or a Cajun or Tandoori chicken skewers.

Fall's cooler climate naturally invokes the need for warm and cozy comfort foods. Combining lean proteins with the season's healthy harvest of fruits and vegetables can satisfy your need for filling, appeasing fare without forsaking your healthy diet.

image found - 1.bp.blogspot.com, ref sheknows.com

put the lime in the coconut.

Don't you just love that tune? So catchy! :)

Coconut juice, milk, cream and the shavings of the coconut flesh are highly beneficial to your health. Luckily, this healthy nut is also a tasty ingredient for soups, stews, curries, desserts and drinks.

Coconut boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance. It quickly creates a nutritional boost of energy that lasts. It supports tissue and muscle healing and repair, which means that it can help sore muscles after a heavy work out to repair quickly, enabling the body to endure heavy exercise sooner.

Coconut is heart healthy; it improves the cholesterol ratio and protects the arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease.

It helps to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Coconut also helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.

I'm cuckoo for coco-nuts... :)

image found - fatcult.com, ref healthmad.com

lifes little surprises.

Sometimes when you least expect it some of the best things in life can happen if you just believe.

Quote by me.... :)

image found - wikispaces.com

cold turkey.

I am amazed at this day and age how many people are still smoking. Even after all the evidence of how bad smoking is for our health and the people around us who are inadvertently affected by it. I see more and more teenagers smoking and parents who smoke in front of their kids. Statistics state by next year 6 million people will die from smoke related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, emphysema and several others.

So what will it take to get people to stop smoking?

Here are some hard core findings from tobaccoatlas.com that I hope you may consider before you decide to take your next puff.

* 1 billion men smoke -- 35 percent of men in rich countries and 50 percent of men in developing countries.

* About 250 million women smoke daily -- 22 percent of women in developed countries and 9 percent of women in developing countries.

* Smoking rates among women are either stable or increasing in several southern, central and eastern European countries.

* The risk of dying from lung cancer is more than 23 times higher for men who smoke than for nonsmokers and 13 times higher for women smokers.

* Tobacco kills one-third to one-half of those who smoke. Smokers die an average of 15 years earlier than nonsmokers.

* Tobacco use will eventually kill 250 million of today's teenagers and children.

* Nearly one-quarter of young people who smoke tried their first cigarette before the age of 10.

* Occupational exposure to secondhand smoke kills 200,000 workers every year.

"One hundred million people were killed by tobacco in the 20th century. Unless effective measures are implemented to prevent young people from smoking and to help current smokers quit, report predictions state tobacco will kill 1 billion people in the 21st century."

We only have one life, make it last!

image found - quit-smoking-4-ever.com

Common Myth?

Can a bowl of chicken soup really help fight a cold? Some research suggests that is contains a number of ingredients that help ease infections and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as a blocked nose or sore throat. It certainly seems to clear the sinuses so we can breathe better. It also makes us feel all safe and warm inside.

So myth? I think not!

image found - virginmedia.com

positive affirmations.

It is so important we stay positive and don't let this crazy rat race of a world get and keep us down. I found a lovely website called vitalaffirmations, here you can shuffle and pick a card from a deck and then it will display an inspiring, upbeat message---just for you! Read one or more daily and try to emulate the positivity it brings you throughout each day! :)

Free affirmation cards here.

image found - squidoo.com

vitamin C.

Taking vitamin C in supplement form combined with a vitamin C rich diet helps prevent wrinkles, protects your heart, keeps cancer at bay, boosts brain power, saves your eyesight, and helps you live longer.

Tip: For a pick-me-up---Add at least an ounce of citrus juice to your green tea—or try Tazo Lemon Green iced tea or SoBe Green Tea 3G. Both drinks are stocked with vitamin C!

image found - img4.realsimple.com, ref living.health.com

High School.

Today---September 1st, my niece officially starts high school. I can't even believe it. It seemed like just yesterday I was pushing her on a swing in the park as she shouts faster, higher auntie. Time flies so fast. I can still remember my first day of high school, me and my best friend were on the phone the whole night before saying how nervous we were and that we had to meet in the morning at the front door so we wouldn't have to walk in alone. I think it took me a whole week to find the perfect outfit to wear..LOL I'm sure my niece is feeling the same way today. There is such excitement that you are finally growing up and in high school, but at the same time we are scared to death of not only change but also of being the outcasted FRESHMAN and wanting to fit in.... Well, I'm sure my niece will be fine, she's a great girl and has plenty of friends to support her.

Good luck my sweet Linds, I will call you soon to hear all about it... :)

images found - i.ehow.com, photobucket.com