Melissa's Life Unscripted

Book Review - The Shelter Of God's Promises

2011-03-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

The Shelter Of Of God's Promises by Shelia Walsh

We all know that the Bible is full of God's promises but so often we forget these promises during the hurriedness of daily living. No matter where you are right now, feeling secure in God's promises or doubting them this book will help lift your spirits through Sheila's personal experiences, stories and Biblical truths. This book which is geared toward women, offers 10 chapters to help remind each of us of those promises.

Provision

Peace

Confidence

Love

Grace

Hope

Strength

Home

Another nice feature is the in-depth Bible study included in the back of the book...

This is a wonderful book to add to your home library!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review - Lady in Waiting

2011-01-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

Please bear with me as this is my first ever book review. I'm sure I will get better as I go along...

“Lady in Waiting” by Susan Meissner” was a book which I received to review as part of the Blogging for Books program at waterbrookmultnomah.com. While I found this book intriguing I’m not sure I liked that every few chapters it bounced back and forth between a modern day story of Jane Lindsay and the sixteenth-century story of Lucy Day

Over all it was an well written book and I enjoyed reading Jane’s story from the moment her husband left, to finding a hidden ring and the journey she took to find herself. I would recommend this book to others, as it was very interesting and I found that it challenged me to rethink how I view happiness and if I’m living my life focusing on doing things that make other people happy or if I have a balance of making others happy as well as doing things that make me happy too. And it also hit home to not take my marriage for granted. “Love is a journey” and you never know what tomorrow may bring.

____________________

The Story (from Publisher’s Weekly): Jane Lindsay never thought she’d be alone, but after her husband leaves her, she must face the reality of her marriage and life choices. One small ring, found in the binding of a book bought at an English rummage sale, changes the course of Jane’s thinking as she researches another Jane, whose name is inscribed in the ring. Readers jump back in time to England after the death of Henry VIII. Lucy Day is ordered to Sudeley Castle, bearing a dress for Lady Jane Grey. Lucy narrates the tale of Lady Jane, pawn in the schemes of powerful men who seek the throne of England even as young Jane Grey is determined to live-and die-on her own terms. Modern Jane studies Lady Jane, coming to realize that she alone must choose how she lives. Both the history and the modern tale are enticing, with Meissner doing a masterful job blending the two.

Bushkill Falls

2009-09-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

We couldn't catch a break with the traffic jams...

Ready for our Bushkill Falls hike : )

It was a beautiful sight!!

If you open this picture for a bigger view you can see the stairs winding through the woods...

Thus ended our weekend away. It was such a fast paced trip I wouldn't exactly call it enjoyable but got to see lots of neat things!!

Boston Continued…

2009-09-13T17:24:00.001-07:00

Our second day of traveling was a beautiful day. Love the roads that didn’t have as much traffic on them!!

A sign for Boston!

The happy driver : )

Some sights around Boston…

Took Jean and Nancy to their first IMAX

Boston Public Gardens

The worn out group

Wedding party I saw headed toward the gardens…

Me in front of the MAC store, I just wish I could afford to go in…

Fast Paced Trip To Boston – Day One

2009-08-29T21:29:00.001-07:00

Boy has this month just flown by. I’m quite behind on blogging. I did my food blog for awhile and now I'm kinda tired of it so I’m jumping back over to this blog where you can keep up with what’s going on in my life. That normally is not a whole lot of anything…

I have a ton of pictures from Boston to share. If your a friend of mine on Facebook then you’ve probably already seen these…

This is Mom and I before taking off on our trip. We had a whole lot more energy when we started then we did when we got back.

Here’s the whole gang, me, Aunt Jean, Aunt Nancy, Mom

I use going on a trip as an excuse to go to Starbucks!!

Cool bridge, I think we were driving through Hartford, CT

This was one of the many traffic jams we encountered...

Traffic jams always resulted in this face

I was happy to finally make it to our hotel in Milford, CT

After we unpacked the van we went out to explore. We ended up here at a little beach. There was also a light house that was pretty neat looking!!

Nancy and I

The “boardwalk”

The little island in the distance. That is how far we had to walk to see the lighthouse.

The lighthouse was pretty neat looking. I didn’t have time to walk the whole way out to it but I did walk part of the way.

After we left here we went to a mall to eat and shop and then headed back to the hotel to rest of for more driving that was awaiting for us the next morning…

Micah & Noah Then and Now 7.29.2009

2009-08-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

Getting to see Micah and Noah this past week brought back memories of when they were born. I've already shared most of these pictures before but I just kinda felt like thinking back tonight and thank God for these two little miracles. They were born REALLY early on September 27 of 2008. They were due the beginning of December. Neither Micah or Noah weighed even 3 pounds when they were born. So very very TINY!!!

Micah

Noah

When they were finally allowed to go home from the hospital both boys were around 5 pounds. Still tiny little babies!!

This was Jen and I in the hospital. She was holding Micah I was holding Noah.

This is Jen and I on Saturday she was holding Micah and I was holding Noah(they are 17 pounds now).

Last evening we got to visit for a short time again. It was my Mom first chance to see the boys(other than in pictures).

Micah(who LOVES to squeal and it's very HIGH PITCHED!!)

And Noah who loves to roll around all over the place.

Micah & Noah

Such little sweet hearts. I wish they lived closer instead of 4ish hours away!!

Busy Fun Tired 7.25.2009

2009-08-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

My Saturday started off the the wedding of my co-worker Mary and her now husband Rodney. They had a lovely little outdoor wedding. It was peaceful and cool there. I loved the location!!

Beautiful cake!! I loved the cake topper!!

Me at the end of the day...

Mary saw this turtle while we were leaving the wedding. He seemed picture worthy. ; )

During the afternoon before swinging by a picnic with some old friends I stopped for a walk in the park. First up are some curious horses...

They all ended up coming over to the fence to see me. : )

Beautiful creek. I wanted to get in and wade so bad. It just wasn't the right timing.

Then it was off to see my friend and her twin boys. I haven't seen them since they were premies in the hospital. They are such adorable babies!!

All in all a great day, just a wee bit tiring!!! : )

Animals At The Fair 7.24.2009

2009-08-05T18:43:00.001-07:00

Me and a friendly cow who felt the need to slobber? drool? on my shirt. Lovely. HAHA!

This little guy looked so sleepy. I felt bad that he had to deal with all the people coming to look at him. Especially the annoying ones that felt the need to take pictures(me...).

Happy Birthday Jean 7.21.2009

2009-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

My Aunt turned 60 this past Sunday and I wanted to make a cake. I rarely make cakes so quickly regretted making this decision. All it all it turned out pretty good!!

Nothing better than an oreo icing layer. : )

The finished product!! I didn't do to bad if I do say so myself...

We did a pretty good job eating it!!

The balloon with the face cracks me up!!

Sunflowers

2009-08-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last Day Of My July 4th Weekend 7.11.2009

2009-08-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

Headed to Penn's Landing with an all you can eat ice cream fest on the agenda. First we walked around some...

And then it was time!!

$5 well spent dollars!!

Ummmm yeah, it was a little crowded in there!!

Here I am looking a little wilted from the heat. Yes, I am holding NINE empty ice cream cups... Can I still remember them all?? Mint Chocolate Chip ~ Chubby Hubby ~ Chocolate ~ Phillies Graham Slam ~ Chocolate Marshmellow ~ Butter Pecan ~ Starbucks Java Chip ~ Strawberry ~ Cheesecake!! A seriously awesome experience!!

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July!!

July 4th Weekend Day Two 7.9.2009

2009-08-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

If you have to be set up at a craft show could you have a better view?
My friend's Mom makes soap and was set up at a craft show this past weekend. The show just happened to be on the boardwalk at the beach!!!

The view from behind the stand

So many boats!! I've never been on one but that day I wanted to be out there VERY BADLY!!!

My friend had things under control at the soap stand so I got to go mingle with this crowd. I loved soaking up the sun!!

July 4th Weekend Part One 7.8.2009

2009-08-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

Waiting patiently outside of Cheesecake Factory

A trip to the zoo

Me and my friend Kina

The perfect shirt for a day at the zoo. The best part is that I didn't even know we were going their. I just bought and wore the shirt cause I thought it was cute!!

Cute little babies!!

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear...

Got bugs?!

This deer was at our hotel. They were EVERYWHERE!!!

That was pretty much the excitement of day one.

A Fun Day 6.25.2009

2009-08-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Mom and I got to babysit for the evening...

These have got to be some of the cutest kids EVER!!!

Taking a walk to see some barnyard animals(Hannah was a little freaked out by the goats)

Autumn with th goats

And again with the donkeys

Ok, this is a pretty bad picture of me but I had a pretty sweaty afternoon... Gary & Hannah with the donkeys. It was a fun evening with three well behaved kiddos!! :-)

Me And My Dad 6.21.2009

2009-08-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

2009

Trip Down Memory Lane... 2008

2007

2006

Welcome To My Saturday 6.20.2009

2009-08-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

Because I'm crazy I never change my alarm during the weekend. It still goes off just the same as it does Mon-Fri...
But when I woke up to this...

I couldn't help but to more of this.

Finally after hitting snooze a gazillon times(why didn't I just turn the thing off?) I finally rolled out of bed, just in time for one of my favorite morning activities...

Riding bike in my bare feet while surfing the internet. Seriously, do I have it made or what??

No it's not really a Starbucks drink. I just recycled the cup. My eyes were deceived but my taste buds however, were not fooled...

After doing dishes I moved onto the next activity on my list...

Accelerated pilates!!

Who was I kidding? About 40 mins in I had no strength left in my body(hey, it works as an excuse to "give up") and decided to just watch the last 10 mins. The folks on the DVD did a great job! Haha! I gotta admit I love the 20 min DVD a ton more than the 50 min. Hopefully someday I'll be able to power thru it!!

Up and dressed in my Carrots N' Cake tee playing with my blog. : )

Mom mentioned that my toes were just way to BRIGHT

So I toned it down a little bit. : )

Headed to the library and afterwards I stopped by C and C Coffee for a mocha treat : )

Then it was time for the dreaded assignment for today! Welcome to my MESSY room!! Seriously how does it get like this??!! I know I'm a better house keeper than that!! Sigh...

Since I showed you the before I MUST show you the after pics.

Still got a little left to find homes for. But man am I so glad I got that done. My room looks WONDERFUL!!! : D

Were you wondering what I got at the library? No, not really? Well, let me show you anyway... ; )

Fun things to come...

And now I'm beat. It's time to clean up and kick back and relax the rest of the night. Hopefully everyone else's day was as fun and happy as mine!!!

Hair Cut 6.12.2009

2009-08-05T18:25:00.001-07:00

Ok, I've been all kinds of excited about getting my hair cut today. It's been such A LONG TIME!!!! So here's pics of the results(with before & afters)!! : D Oh and it looks kinda bad this morning cause it was still wet...

Love my new "do"

Desk 6.10.2009

2009-08-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

A new picture for my desk at work... I love sunflowers and this was the picture from my one co-workers May calendar. I asked and she said I could have it, yay!!

The Weekend 6.8.2009

2009-08-05T18:23:00.000-07:00

Friday I headed to WV for an overnight stay at my brother and sister-in-laws. I didn't get a picture of them but here's their one dog Abby

And their other dog Maddie

Happy Birthday Aunt Nancy!! :-)

R&R 6.2.2009

2009-08-05T18:22:00.001-07:00

A little R&R prior to an hour walk and 30 min bike ride...

Friends Birthdays 6.1.2009

2009-08-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

Visiting Hershey Chocolate World to celebrate some friends 21st birthday!!

Front Porch Flowers : )

Kiddos 5.25.2009

2009-08-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these kids!!! :-)

Swing(yes of course I got to swing too!!)

Picking strawberries...they seriously made it look fun...

Nope, Kendall and Cody aren't camera shy at all...little hams!!

As always I had a great evening of food and fun with my friend Michelle and the kiddos Cody and Kendall!! :-)

Mother's Day & Babies 5.11.2009

2009-08-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

Grandma

Aunt Nancy, Aunt Jean, Grandma & Mom

My co-workers new Granddaughter

Food & Family 5.9.2009

2009-08-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

Dad, Mom and I when out to eat a small Italian Restaurant. I had been their once before but it was everyone else's first time. I think we all enjoyed our food.

I love the atmosphere of this place. Got a quick picture by the wall by the table we sat at. I'd love to visit Italy someday!!

And James took another picture outside with me and Danelle my sister-in-law :-)

First Pedicure!! 4.27.2009

2009-08-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

My birthday surprise from my friend Michelle was my very first pedicure!!! It was so wonderful. Nice and relaxing. And now I can't wait until I get to go for another one sometime...

Pretty pink toes!! :D

Lazy Spring Day 4.21.2009

2009-08-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

Nothing better than laying in the sun with a book on a warm spring day...

Happy Birthday Grandma 4.13.2009

2009-08-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Tax Time 3.27.2009

2009-08-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

So I've been known to procrastinate. Probably not as bad as some people but it does happen. But tonight I sat down and got ALL my taxes done. Federal, State & Local. I'm so HAPPY that I don't have that to worry about for another year!!

My Aunt came over to work on hers. Mom was working on hers. I was working on mine. My cousin created a nice distraction when he stopped by with his new puppy Max. Isn't he the cutest!!

He didn't think taxes were all that exciting either.

I was done first!! : D This was my Aunt and Mom still working on theirs...

And as I was wandering around the kitchen I saw this on the fridge and thought it would be cute to share. Was I not the cutest baby??!!??!! Of course I am a bit partial. ; )

Spring Flowers 3.21.2009

2009-08-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

Spring in full bloom!!

Fun Time 3.20.2009

2009-08-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

This evening I headed to my friend's (Hi Michelle!!) for supper and fun playing with her kiddos.

Cody being silly before supper

Cutie pie Kendall

Cody enjoying his ice cream
Kendall enjoying hers...well, at least she was enjoying getting her picture taken, haha!

My Office

2009-08-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

When I got to work after my long weekend there was this cute sign on my office door. : )

And a few office decorations...

And my birthday party!!

The spread...

Food line

Makes a girl feel special!!

Birthday Weekend - 3.13.2009

2009-08-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

Birthday weekend in Pittsburgh, PA with Mom and I...

Because it was my birthday I was actually able to get my main entree for free(how awesome is that??!!) I had 1/2 serving of ribs, 4 grilled shrimp, asparagus & a plain baked potato(which was awesome)

My Mom taught me well and I didn't waste a bite. LOL

I even saved room(somewhere??) for 1 and 1/2 mini desserts, pecan pie and snicker ice cream dome. I was quit happy and just a little bit stuffed. : )

After dinner we walked around a litte bit and then headed to the Duquesne Incline(I was more excited about this than Mom)

Mom sitting as far back as she could. She was quite the sport on this little trip!!

The ride up

The ride down

The view from the top was totally worth it. This is looking at downtown Pittsburgh

And here is a picture of a good many bridges.

We finally went back to the hotel and called it a night. I was asleep by 10!!! (This is the only "pic" of the room...)

Downtown Pittsburgh was GREEN with St. Patrick's day celebration(Mom and I aren't into the whole drinking scene and wouldn't have minded missing out on this...)

Just some sights along the way...

The theator were Mom and I went Saturday evening to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Our hotel(worst part was the $20 a day parking!!)

Mom and I walked along the river

Saw Del Monte foods...

The bridge we had to walk across to the other side of the river(Mom was once again thrilled!)

Baseball stadium

One thing I said I wanted to do was get a cup cake. I found a cute little place called Vanilla Pastries. Mom went for the fudge cupcake

I went for the coconut and a mini carrot cake : )

Made it to the theater to see...

The stage(and yes we both have fun and the show was entertaining!)

What a great time away with my Mom!!! : D

IMAX - 3.1.2009

2009-08-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday Fun!! Went to the IMAX to see "Under The Sea"

Dad's first time... What a CUTIE!!! ; )

Puppy Sitting

2009-02-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

So I know it's been quite away since I've been in this blog. I've been to busy keeping a food journal. I would do more if it didn't take so long to upload pictures. But such is life...

This past weekend was sent at James & Danelle's. They were going away for the weekend and needed someone to puppy-sit. I headed to WV on Thursday night and spent Friday & Saturday night there as well. I left today and headed home.

I had to say the weekend was so worth it if just for the fact that I ran into an old boss of mine whom I haven't seen for around 5 years. It was so crazy and unexpectedly out of the blue. But very cool!! And in my opinion, very cool things don't really happen to me that often.

I really didn't to much this weekend. Hit up a couple malls, mostly so I could get a little walk in. I missed my treadmill TERRIBLY!! I didn't buy a thing at either mall. For some reason I really want to buy a new top or skirt but just can't find anything I like...

I also spent what felt like tons of time taking Maddie and Abby(mostly Abby) outside to go to the bathroom. At James & Danelle's they have a bell hanging on the door. They ring it when they need to go out. For Maddie this works great. For Abby, I think it's just a game she likes to play. Needless to say, I didn't think it was a very fun game. LOL

Abby

Maddie

Playful Abby

Calm Maddie

My comfy bed! Maddie slept with me and it was like having a electric blanket!! : )

Welcome 2009(and the BEST day of my life)!!!

2009-01-01T19:17:00.000-08:00

I always find it to be somewhat funny how with every new year you have all these great plans and expectations for your life. Your "New Years Resolutions!" Then about after a month(or even before then) you lose that New Years Day zeal" and settle back into the normal routine that you've had in previous years. Or at least I very often find that to be the case for me.

Do I have plans for the new year? Of course I do. I might make out a little list of what they are(and maybe not). I do have another blog that goes into greater detail of somethings I want to do. No way will the whole list be completed this year. But eventually... If your curious. you can check it out.. Melissa's 101 Things To Do In 1001 Days

I kinda have this little motto: "Wish It ~ Dream It ~ Do It" and I sure do A LOT of wishing and A LOT of dreaming. But I don't do much when it comes to the "do it" part. And this year I'd kinda like to change that. I know that God has a plan for my life and I really want my wishing, dreaming and doing to fall right in place with that plan.

No, I'm not sure what this year will bring. But I'm hoping and praying that with 2009 I'll have the strength needed to always make the right decisions. The self-confidence I need to follow my dreams. And the peace to accept the dreams that don't come true. But no matter what, I want to wake up every morning and know that "Today is the BEST day of my life!!"

Another Christmas Come & Gone

2008-12-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

This is just some random pictures from my Christmas day. : )

Me of course...

Dad and Me

Mom and Me

Mom conquers the turkey

My Grandma : )

Pap letting the women take charge (about time!!)

Dad at his normal holiday spot

Me trying to make myself useful

A bunch(but not all) of my Christmas gifts

My best gift is the spa package my Mom is treating me too!!! It includes all of the following... It's going to be so awesome!!

Serenity Package—

vital body massage (50 min)
european facial
signature spa manicure
signature spa pedicure

(package duration: approx. 4 hours)

vital body massage
We have combined our most popular massages into one extraordinary treatment. A personalized experience incorporating organic aromatherapy for a balancing sensory journey, steamed towels at the perfect temperature, and if needed our ever popular hot river rocks to prepare the muscle and mind. Depending on your wants and needs, a variety of massage techniques will be utilized.

elemental nature european facial
We address your skin concern ranging from aging to dryness, sensitivity and oiliness. Your treatment will include customized product formulas, massage techniques and rituals to restore your skin to balance.

Infinity and Air—restores nourishment to dry, dehydrated and mature skin.

Fire—cools and soothes sensitive, irritated skin.

Water and Earth—purifies oily and congested skin

signature spa manicure
A “facial” for your hands! Our unsurpassed system has six beneficial steps. You will start with a delightful cooling gel, exfoliating gel, mineral mud mask, moisturizing cream massage, nail & cuticle rejuvenator, and finish with nail shaping and painting.

signature spa pedicure
A “facial” for your feet! This state-of-the-art pedicure has seven beneficial steps. Your healing treatment begins with a cooling gel, a soothing mineral soak and rub, exfoliating gel, mineral mud mask, moisturizing cream massage, nail & cuticle rejuvenator, and finishes with nail shaping and painting.

Hope everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

My Family : )

2008-12-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

I love my family!!

What A Example!!

2008-12-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

In a world were so many marriages fall apart even after just one year I had to post about a major milestone in my family this week. On Monday(Dec 8th) my Grandparents celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary!! Can you imagine spending that many years of your life with someone?! I think they've been such an example showing that you can stick it out through the good times and through the bad times... Aren't they just so cute!! :D

Recipe for "A Happy Marriage"

Take two happy people and separate them
from their parents. Add the following
ingredients in generous proportions:

Love
Acceptance
Respect
Communication
Patience
Kindness
Gentleness
Self-Control
Commitment
Faith
Hope
Truth

Mix together, then thoroughly sift in
daily life. Strain out jealousy, arrogance,
selfishness, provocation and accounting
of wrongs. Bake in the trials and
tribulations of life for 50 years, then
celebrate when golden.

Happy 63rd Anniversary Pap & Grandma!!!

Getting Back Into Blogging Mode

2008-12-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry, guess it's been awhile since I've blogged. Sometimes I feel like I live on the computer and I guess I just needed a little break. I'll try to start keeping on top of my blogging a little better here during the next couple weeks. For now it's very late (1:51am) and I must get some sleep!!!

Weekend Fun Times!!

2008-11-25T19:01:00.000-08:00

The Ultimate Red Robin Dessert

Throughly Enjoyed By Kina

Me The Soap Seller...Or Seller Want To Be

One Of My Favorites

Possibly The Best Part Of The Weekend

Yummy Pasta

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Leaving King Of Prussia Mall

First Snow Of The Year

2008-11-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

We had snow flurries off an on but on Friday the snow was flying. This was early in the afternoon. By the time I left work at 3:30 the snow had all melted...

My Grandparents : )

2008-11-18T03:17:00.001-08:00

Thought I would share a picture of my Grandparents this morning. This is my Grandma who is in the hospital right now. Hopefully the tests they are running will determine what's wrong and how best to fix it. We'd really like her to be able to go home(and so would she). And this is my Pap, he just turned 87 on Saturday!!!

Once Upon A Day

2008-11-16T03:39:00.001-08:00

I was reminded yesterday of the times when our household members included baby ducks...and yes, there were like 3 times. I'll try to make the reason why short and sweet(or not)... From 4th grade until graduation from high school I was home schooled. Since our neighbor worked the the 4H we were going to incubate chicken eggs one year...kinda as a science project. Well, right before that happened I found a duck egg in our yard, it was that time of year and we always see ducks from time to time because there's some water not to far from our house. Anyway, I got the great idea that we should incubate the duck egg too. So we did...for 28 agonizing days. And then it happened, there was a crack in the duck egg, it was time for my little duck to hatch!! So the hatching process isn't supposed to take that long, but it took my duck like 3 days...the first night we slept in the living room. Well, needless to say we thought the little duck died. We got the egg out and low and behold she was still alive(yeah, it was a girl). Finally "Pokey" hatched. Pokey was the best little duck because she thought I was her mother. When she wasn't in her little home(a large cardboard box with a heat lamp) she would follow me around. Mom would bring her to my room in the morning and put her in bed with me and she would snuggle into my neck. Seriously it was really fun... Then she grew up and we had to release her into the wild. We have the chance to have ducks in the house a couple other times but none was as fun as Pokey was. I don't have a picture of her...pre-digital camera days. But the little duck below(who I found outside seperated from the family) looks just the same as Pokey did. This little duck wasn't as fun because she was wild and didn't think I was her mother...

Swimming in the bath tub

Drying off after a swim :)

Days You'd Rather Live Without

2008-11-15T21:37:00.000-08:00

So my morning started off with a phone call that my Grandma was on the way to the hospital via ambulance because she was having trouble breathing. She was in the hospital a few weeks ago to get her blood pressure monitored and to make sure she was getting the right dose of medicine. After getting home she got a cold, was really tired and never got back to her old self...this all led into the morning. So after I cleaned up a little I headed to to hospital to see how Grandma was doing. Ends up she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure...her sodium levels were also low and she was retaining fluids(all symptoms of this condition). She was admitted to the hospital and I am hoping to hear from my mom later to see how she is doing. I'm sure it's been a really long day for my mom!!

So I'll admit that because both my grandfather and grandmother have heart problems it makes me more concerned about my heart and I want to make sure I take care of it. My Grandfather had a pretty serious heart attack a couple years ago and Grandma's had high blood pressure for as long as I can remember. So here are 5 strategies to keep your heart healthy...

Heart disease may be the leading cause of death for both men and women, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it as your fate. Although you lack the power to change some risk factors — such as family history, age and race — there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take.

1. Don't Smoke Or Use Tobacco Products
Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,800 chemicals. Many of these can damage your heart and blood vessels, making them more vulnerable to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a heart attack.
2. Get Active
Regularly participating in moderately vigorous physical activity can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease by nearly a quarter. And when you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater.
3. Eat A Heart Healthy Diet
Consistently eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products can help protect your heart. Legumes, low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease.
4. Maintain A Healthy Weight
As you put on weight in adulthood, you gain mostly fatty tissue. This excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease — high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
5. Get Regular Health Screenings.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your cardiovascular system, including your heart. But without testing for them, you probably won't know whether you have these conditions. Regular screening can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action.

Oh Baby!!

2008-11-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

As promised here are the pictures from my trip to see Jen & Sean along with Micah and Noah last Saturday. Aren't the boys precious??!!

Micah peeking at me...
Awwwww, so sweet!!

Micah eating

Noah Sleeping

Micah's hand

Jen & Micah + Melissa & Noah

Micah

Sean & Jen a.k.a Daddy & Mommy

Hi!!

2008-11-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

I know I've kinda been MIA. I will try to update with some pictures of my visit with Micah and Noah tomorrow!!

From Two Animals To Seven

2008-11-06T02:17:00.000-08:00

Well, last evening I started taking care of the neighbor's animals on top of taking care of the two where I'm staying. So right now I have a total of 7 animals that I'm taking care of. The plan is to get out of the house here by 6:30 so I can run over there and feed everyone. Then I'll stop back there after work to let the dog out. It'll be to soon to feed them. So after I take Sabrina for her walk and feed her I'll have to run back over to fed them. My last trip over is between 10:00 and 10:30 to let Zeek out one last time before bed.

Sound fun?! At least it's only until Monday morning!!

Time Change

2008-11-04T02:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know about anyone else but this whole day light savings has got me messed up. I don't like it getting dark so early in the day!! Somehow when it gets dark at 5:30ish I just lose any incentive I have to get things done and just start feeling so sleepy. I wanted to update my blog last night and tell about my day(it wasn't that exciting though) but I could barely keep my eyes open. So I went to bed really early last night instead...figured I might as well because I'll probably be burning the midnight oil since it's election day.

PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY!!!

P.S.
My treadmill came!! It's still in the box though...

Lunch + Mom & Dad

2008-10-31T02:36:00.000-07:00

I never did get pictures on here from last Saturday's lunch I made for Mom & Dad. Well, as you can see from this pic it was partially eaten...I forgot to take pictures before he got started. AND I forgot to take pictures of dessert...all I wanted to do at that point was eat it. LOL. We had beef bbq sandwiches from Clean Eating magazine, roasted potatoes, broccoli and dessert was apple crostada. Very yummy all around!!

Neglected

2008-10-31T02:31:00.000-07:00

Yup, my blog has been neglected this week. I don't think a single out of the ordinary thing has happened. Nor do I have any fun plans for the weekend. I have been putting off a load of laundry so I guess I'll catch up on that. I need to bake some chicken breasts too...I just keep forgetting to thaw them. Maybe I'll hop on later and add some pictures...

Hope everyone's having a good week!!

Lazy

2008-10-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

I gotta admit I've been a bit lazy this week. I have a new recipe for my cooking blog, pictures that I wanted to add to this blog and I took pictures of today's lunch for my food blog. I just don't feel like moving from the couch to get my camera and upload everything.

I'm excited...tomorrow I'm having my parents over for lunch. Hopefully everything I have planned turns out to be yummy!!! I'll let you know. : )

Other than that no big plans for the weekend. Kina's coming over sometime tomorrow afternoon and we(Mom to) are planning to head to the mall.

I'm sitting here wishing there was a good movie on tv. Last I checked there wasn't so I'm stuck with the food channel. All that's doing is making me hungry!!!

Is it only Tuesday??!!

2008-10-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

It seems like this week is really dragging. Between work, running to see my grandma at the hospital, meetings at church and taking care of "my own house" I don't really feel like I'm getting to much accomplished...

I have more pictures that I want to upload, just haven't had a chance, maybe Thursday since tomorrow night is church again. Plus I am hoping that Grandma will FINALLY get home from the hospital. The poor thing has got to be tired of laying in that bed. Hopefully her potassium and sodium levels get straitened out.

I saw a really awesome rainbow tonight. I tried to take pictures of it but it's kinda hard to drive and take pictures at the same time(shhhhh don't tell!!). It was REALLY BIG and SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!

Right now I'm laying in bed(gotta love lap tops & wireless internet) with a dog sleeping on the floor beside the bed. I got my walk today but didn't get to take her for one. I know that means she'll probably drag me up the road once I get to walk her as that's what it felt like when we walked last night. LOL

If I make it through tomorrow the week is half over... YIPPEE!!!

Morning Comes To Early

2008-10-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

I'll admit, I get up earlier than I have to. But I've gotten into the habit of riding the exercise bike 30 mins before work and now that I've started that routine I don't want to stop!! So here I sit, riding and blogging...

Past Weekend...it was a nice weekend. Pretty laid back which is nice. There was the Apple Fest downtown which my Mom, Aunt and I went to. I didn't but anything at any of the street vender's but I did stop in a book store and pick up a couple books. :) Then Saturday evening Kina came over and all we did was pretty much sit and talk. It's nice to go out and do things...but it's nice to be able to stay in and just relax.

Last evening I managed to keep pretty busy. After work I went to see my Grandma in the hospital(hopefully she's getting out today). Came home, ate, walked the dog, fed the animals, cooked some food...I've been wanting to try quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) but's kinda expensive. I did find a box of it that was a quinoa and rice blend so it wasn't quite and much so I made that and will be having it at lunch time today. I also made up some chicken breast and cleaned up all the dishes and did two loads of laundry. Then I sat and read one of the books that I had picked up Saturday.... It was by Deeannne Gist and called Measure of a Lady. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I ALWAYS pick up christian books but sometimes they come across rather worldly to me and I don't quite understand what the author was thinking when they wrote the book. I got two by this author so we'll see, maybe the other one will be better!!

As Promised Flat Rock Hike

2008-10-16T16:47:00.001-07:00

Wiped Out

2008-10-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

I had great plans for tonight that included Flat Rock hike pictures. Well, I'm just about done in. After work today I went to my grandparents to pick up some apples. Then I can home let the dog out, changed and drove over to the mall to walk. 45 mins later it was back home for some supper. I did some dishes(I make tons!!) stuck a spaghetti squash in the over and took Sabrina for a 15 min walk. After we got back I started working on a butternut squash. They both seemed to turn out ok, we'll see how I like the taste once I eat them with a meal. Biggest Loser was on tonight so of course I had to watch that. Totally forgot there we more dishes in the sink(they are still there) and the clothes I washed Saturday morning are still hanging on the clothes rack needing some attention. I'd say that tomorrow was looking better but there's evening church so I won't have any extra time. Oh I also spent time running around the house like 3 times looking for something that I really need, was positive I brought and can't find. I am making due but would have been nice to have what I needed. Mom check my bed, maybe it's there... Either that or I'm just going crazy!!! G'nite!!

Please stayed tuned...

2008-10-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try and get some pics from a hike to Flat Rock uploaded tomorrow. There's some other stuff too. I can't even keep track of everything anymore. But yes...tomorrow more updates!! For now I'm just doing brainless stuff, like riding the bike and watching baseball on tv. LOL

Vacation The End

2008-10-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

I feel like trying to get vacation pictures uploaded has taken over my blog. This is the end of Ocean City 2008 pictures. Hope you enjoyed looking at them!! I know I had a great & relaxing time on vacation. It's nice to be able to kick back and do things at your own speed! :)

Vacation Take Two

2008-10-07T19:48:00.001-07:00

Vacation

2008-10-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is a start...more to come. :)

Kina & Melissa

Dad's Favorite Spot

He's a happy man...he did share with me. :)

Aren't we cute in the kiddie pool??!!

Kina's Dessert

My dessert, oh yeah it was good!!

One of my many sunrises...

My Family :)

Sep 21 - 27

2008-09-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday~ I helped in nursery...the highlight of the week!! :)

Tuesday~ Last Tuesday of each month we visit a local nursing home and have a time of singing and devotion. The folks there really enjoy seeing us!! :)

Friday~ I tried to clean up my room some...didn't get to far. I also packed up for vacation a bit. I finished up with that today.

Last but not least, we all have different goals in life...mine is to wear holes in my sneakers from all the walking I do. I just wanted to share my sneaker collections(I know everyone is dying to see it!! haha).

Happy Friday Everyone!

2008-09-26T02:56:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you may have noticed my little Countdown box that I just put up yesterday. I recently ran across something called 101 Things To Do In 1001 Days. I love to make lists and planning ahead and so I loved the idea and started making my list right away. I'm "officially" starting Monday but I'm still playing with my blog trying to figure out the best way to incorporate my list. So while Monday is my starting date I'm not sure I'll have my list on here by then. Never the less, I will get it one here and keep you updated on my progress!!

Healthy Vacation

2008-09-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything about nutrition or exercise but since we're leaving for vacation in a couple days I thought I'd find some tips on eating healthy while on vacation...hence the following article! I know at the beach we do lots of walking so exercise shouldn't be a problem at all! :)

Eating Healthy on Vacation

It’s very easy to fall off the healthy eating wagon when you’re on vacation. An irregular routine – not to mention all of the temptations – can cause you to make poor choices and relax your restraint. But with a little common sense and hard work, you can eat healthy and still manage to have fun. Whether you’re on a plane, in the car, in your hotel, or out and about, there are simple ways to watch what you eat and still get the most out of your vacation.

In Your Hotel:

Because vacation is a time to relax and kick back, many people fall into the trap of the convenience of room service and a mini bar. However, choosing food from either of these two places can wreak havoc on your body. To avoid temptation, do not accept the mini bar key when you check into your hotel. If you decide to order room service, try to pick healthier options such as salads with low-fat dressing or grilled meats with vegetables.

If your hotel offers a continental breakfast, try to stay away from the donuts and sweet rolls. Instead, you should choose fruits, whole-grain cereals and low-fat muffins. Eggs are a great source of protein, but skip the cheese and hash browns on the side. As with room service, if you are skeptical about what you are about to eat, ask the hotel manager for nutritional content information.

If you find out ahead of time that your hotel has a microwave and refrigerator, the American Society of Travel Agents suggests bringing some of your own food (that way, you already know the nutritional content). In case your room doesn’t have a microwave, the in-room coffee maker can also double as a water heater when making meals such as oatmeal. If you bring food from home, it will reduce the number of meals you eat out or order from room service.

Out and About:

Perhaps the hardest time to eat healthy on vacation is when you are out and about, visiting attractions and exploring the area. While on vacation, convenience plays a major role in the food choices you make. It is a lot easier – and cheaper – to grab a burger and fries at an amusement park than it is to have a salad. However, making healthy choices can keep you more energized to thoroughly enjoy your much-deserved vacation. Consider finding a grocery store when you get to your destination and stocking up on healthy, portable snacks that you can carry with you while you’re exploring your surroundings. If you must eat food from a convenience stop, consider a grilled chicken sandwich or baked chips rather than greasy fries. You don’t have to deprive yourself, but save your indulgence for the treat you really love the most – and savor every bite. Make indulging a special treat rather than the norm on your vacation.

The American Society of Travel Agents offers a few tips for eating out:

Only eat when you are hungry: If you are on a business trip, don’t fill up just because it’s free.
Be aware of portions: Restaurants tend to serve overwhelmingly large portions, so only eat enough to make you full.
Forgive yourself of overindulgences: Because it is extremely easy to overindulge while on vacation, don’t punish yourself for it. Simply scale back a bit and try to eat healthier for the remainder of your trip. Take a walk around the hotel or swim in the pool to burn a few extra calories.
Look for healthier menu options: Order food that is broiled rather than fried, or includes low-fat cheese and low-fat milk as an ingredient. Try to pass up the bread basket and avoid the butter, margarine and oil that come along with it. Choose fish or poultry for your entrée and try to include vegetables rather than fries or cole slaw.
Moderate your desserts: It is OK to give in to your sweet tooth every now and then, but choose a sorbet instead of ice cream, or fresh fruit instead of cake.
Don’t skip meals: To keep your metabolism up, try to eat every four to five hours. If you can’t fit in three larger meals throughout the day, try to fit in six smaller meals or snacks.
Avoid appetizers: If you want an appetizer, eat it as your entrée to avoid eating oversized amounts of food.
Don’t eat a large meal at night: Because your body slows down before you go to sleep, you will burn less calories overnight.

Sept 14 - 20

2008-09-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I wasn't going to blog tonight cause I was going to be lazy and start reading a new book I just got last week. As you can see in the pic below it's called Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd. This will be the first book I've read by this author but it seemed to fit me given my extreme sweet tooth...

So yes, I wasn't going to blog and then I read Kristen's comment about how good I was with keeping up with my blog which inspired me to not be lazy. Thanks Kristen!! :)

So last week... I believe I mentioned before that I was house sitting for a few days. Here is the house...the dog and the POOL!! :) I don't know why I always get so excited about the pool. I don't even really like swimming. I spend and hour in there floating around on the raft(and dozing off). It is a beautiful home though!!

Other than house sitting not much went on this week. We did have a yard sale on Saturday and as you can see by my pics it really started to sink in that it really is fall. I'm going to miss summertime!!! :(

Yard sale & Dad

After the yard sale was all packed up(worst part). I went to Hagerstown to shop a bit. Didn't really find a whole lot. I did pick up two outfits for Jen's twins. Of course til they are born and grow it'll be awhile before they can wear them but they are cute!! After I got home Mom was just getting ready to make dessert for Sunday's potluck at church. I started to help and then took over. Dessert is my specialty!! LOL Doesn't it look yummy!! I couldn't find a exact recipe so if your interested in it let me know...

What better note to end on than that??!! :) Hope everyone has a good week!! I'm still doing a countdown...5 days until vacation at the beach!!

October~Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-09-18T19:28:00.001-07:00

So I started noticing pink stuff everywhere for Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is next month. I really liked this mixing bowl set I saw at Target. I resisted the temptation due to the price.

But, I also saw the below t-shirt in a Kraft Food & Family magazine. I thought it was really cute and had to have it! The color looks a little darker on the model than it is in real life. The link for the shirt is at Pose For A Cure.

So that's not the only thing I saw and "had to have"!! I also ran across the insulated designer bags and I thought it'd be perfect for me to carry to work. The bags are being offered by Lean Cuisine.
I ordered the all pink one. I think it looks adorable online so hopefully it's the same in person. :)

Scrapbooking

2008-09-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

So I get into a scrap booking mood now and again. I really need to get into the mood more or I'll never finish my Texas album. But anyway, I did page really quick tonight. It's not the best page I've ever done but it's so cute. I had gone to Michelle's for an evening (girl time and play time) and Cody was so excited that I was coming. He made a card for me(Michelle did the writing of course) and then he wanted to make me a heart. Michelle said it was the first one he ever made and he did it all by himself(see bottom left corner). I thought it was so VERY SWEET that I had to scrapbook it and keep it as a memory!! By the way, that's Cody on the left and sister Kendall on the right. :)

I'm so EXCITED because...

2008-09-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!(can you believe I dropped it on the floor minutes after taking it out of the box??!! :O) I was unsure about spending money on a new one since my old digital wasn't cheap. But I decided to take the plunge. And in reality my old camera is starting to act up a little bit when I try to zoom in on things. Then again, my old camera hardly seems like it zooms at all compared to my new one. I don't have my memory card yet so I can only take about 5 pictures. LOL But I should have it before we go to the beach so I should be able to get some awesome pictures!!! YAH!!!!!

Biggest Loser

2008-09-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not a tv junkie by any means. I honestly barely watch it. But I just have to say I'm excited that tonight starts the newest season of The Biggest Loser It's the one show I've gotta watch every week. Last season the contestants got to be a little annoying so hopefully their a little better this time. In the end I was happy with Ali, the Biggest Loser!!

All in all I can't wait though, I especially like the challenges they do each week. Every time they climb stairs I always want to try it so this year when were at the beach and staying in the 13 story hotel I'm going to give a a try!!!

Sept 7-13

2008-09-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday~ Went to church in the AM & PM. Spent the afternoon at my grandparents. We had lunch there and then had cake for Mom's birthday which was on the 3rd.

Tuesday~ I had registered to go to a work seminar awhile back. I wasn't at all excited that it was raining that morning and calling for rain most of the day. Headed at at 7:20 for my drive to Harrisburg. Little did I know that my needing new tires was going to affect my drive. From what we could tell because I don't have as much tread on my tires as I need, my tires weren't gripping the road when I was running through puddles. So my tires were spinning which make my speedometer go wild. One second it was saying 55 the next it was saying 70 and then it was saying 60. At this point I had no idea what was wrong and needless to say was freaking out quite a bit. At one point I pulled over and jumped out to check all my tires. I got went doing that but not drenched. In the end I got mom to give me an alternate route to the seminar because I didn't want to get back on I-81. Got turned around a bit but finally got there at 9:20. Something that should have taken an hour took 2. Fun stuff! On the way home I did come I-81. Had rock hit my windshield which resulted in chipping it. At least it's not too bad and on the passenger's side. Also I did get a little satisfaction when the guy tailing/blinking his headlights at me on I-81 was pulled over by the police. It was probably the best part of my day. : )

Thursday~ Mom and I went to Michaels because Mom had a 25% coupon on your entire purchase. We ended up spending $1.50. HAHA After Michaels I went to Kohls. I didn't even spend $10 bucks there. I was thinking that was for two tops but I can only remember what one of them looks like. That's pretty bad...

Friday~ It was raining so I had to go to the mall to walk. I'm still a little paranoid driving on 81 since I don't have new tires yet(it's in the works). Made it there safe and sound though. I also started house sitting Friday night. It was only through this evening. I had to run back to feed the animals and leave the garage door opener. I also made the yummy gelato. I probably won't make anymore until next time I housesit(Oct 4th).

Saturday~ I had to get up at 3:45 am to take care of the animals and then head to Kina's to help her with a show. It was a pretty good day. We weren't terribly busy but pretty steady. The worst part was the yellow jackets that wanted to hang around the soap and be our friends. They were there ALL DAY!! At 4:00 we packed up, went back to Kina's and unpacked. Then Kina came up to where I was staying and we went out for a bite to eat and then crashed!!

I will have some pictures laters. Haven't had time to down load them yet.

Mocha Chip Gelato

2008-09-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Mocha Chip Gelato

I'm house sitting tonight and wanted to try something new. I've never made any kind of ice cream before but I wanted to try to make gelato which is basically a Italian ice cream. It was actually rather simple to do. I think I want to modify this recipe and make something other than chocolate...like cinnamon!! I think it was almost to sweet for me. Not sure but maybe I need to cut back the sugar and it was only 1/3 of a cup. I'll keep you updated on how future batches turn out. I'm not sure mine was like the real authentic stuff, but pretty close. : D

Walking for fitness:

2008-09-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

Everyone that knows me really well knows how near and dear to my heart walking is. Normally not a day goes by that I don't at least take a 30 minute walk. Today I thought I'd share with everyone why walking can be such a beneficial activity to get involved in. If you have to start small and build up to 30 minutes do so, but please...get out there and walk!! My goal is to keep walking every day for a least 30 minutes for the rest of my life. Hopefully I'm off to a good start!!!

How to trim your waistline, improve your health

Walking is a low-impact exercise with numerous health benefits. Here's how to get started.

Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise that can ease you into a higher level of fitness and health. It's one of your body's most natural forms of exercise. It's safe, simple, doesn't require practice, and the health benefits are many. Here's more about why walking is good for you, and how to get started with a walking program.

Benefits of walking

Walking for fitness can help you achieve a number of important health benefits. For example, you can:

Reduce your risk of a heart attack. Walking keeps your heart healthy by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). A regular walking program also reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, a factor that also contributes to heart disease.
Manage your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, walking may reduce it.
Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you're a woman, overweight and at a high risk of diabetes, walking can improve your body's ability to process sugar (glucose tolerance).
Manage your diabetes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, taking part in a regular walking program can improve your body's ability to process sugar, lower your blood sugar, reduce your risk of heart disease and help you live longer.
Manage your weight. Walking burns calories, which can help you manage your weight. For example, middle-aged women who walk more than 10,000 steps a day have lower levels of body fat than do women who are less active.
Manage stress and boost your spirits. Going for a brisk walk is a great way to reduce stress. Regular walking also can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Stay strong and active. As you get older, walking for physical fitness can prevent falls, help you stay mobile and maintain your independence.

For more information click here: The Mayo Clinic

Aug 31 - Sept 6

2008-09-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's me, playing catch up with my blog. My normal Sunday post got put on the back shelf this week. We'll see how good my memory is on what I was up to last week.

Sunday(8/31)~ was a normal church day. I really can't think of anything out of the ordinary happening. Our church does a Sunday service at a nursing home in Newville and it was my family's turn on Sunday. We sing some songs and Dad does a devotional. One of the ladies there is just the sweetest thing. It's sad though, because we've been told that when this lady was younger she was quite the grouch. Her family didn'y enjoy being around her. Since she's been in the nursing home she's changed(no longer grouchy) but her family remembers how she used to be and won't come to see if. So a word to the wise, have a happy and pleasent personailty now. Don't wait until your old because because that point no one may want to have anything to do with you!!

Monday~ Labor Day and a day off work. We took advantage and went to Camden NJ to Lady of the Lourdes hospital to see Jen.

The trip went well. We left at around 7:15 and got to the hospital before 10:30. That was even with a couple stops(Starbucks!!) in between. I got a little nervous about the time we got to the hospital because we were driving down a street where the porches and windows had bars on them. But once we got past that it was all good! I think Jen was pretty surprised to see us. Mom said her eyes got big. :) We got to visit for about an hour and a half and then Sean's parents, sister and brother-in-law stopped in. We stayed awhile visiting after that and then we left. After leaving there we headed to King of Prussia Mall. Can you imagine as big as the mall is I bought NOTHING??!!?? Well, nothing other than food that is. It was the day for treats...Starbucks(twice) and then chocolate and coffee gelato at the mall. So we did a lot of walking at the mall. I just wasn't into buying clothes and nothing else caught my eye.

Wednesday~ My mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!! I've yet to get her anything for her birthday other than a card...still working on it(any ideas of what you'd like Mom?? Maybe a book for vacation? ; ) )

Friday~ Dad and Mom went out for dinner and I stayed home and made them a similar dessert that I made for Kina and myself the other week. They said it was good. : ) Met up with Kina at the mall for awhile. Time was short and we didn't really get to talk much. Mostly just did some shopping. This weekend should remedy that because I'm helping her with a craft show so we'll have the whole day together.

Saturday~ I had plans but because of the rain had a change of heart. Instead I rode the exercise bike. Went for a walk(pre-rain). Cashed my paycheck at the bank(where else?). Got gas for my car. Sauted some veggies and made myself lunch. Read Whirlwind. Took a nap. Went to the mall. Watched a couple movies(feel asleep watching Love Comes Softly). I think I was in bed before 10 and if you know me, that NEVER happens...or rarely!!

And that was my week. Nothing to exciting. Maybe that'll change this week. :)

My Favorite Book Series (As of late)

2008-09-05T03:23:00.000-07:00

There are so many GOOD books out there to read but this series has been my most latest discovery. I bought Fancy Pants a few months ago and it was quite the entertaining book and as always had a good ending. Bittersweet followed Fancy Pants(I read them out of order) and just last night I picked up Whirlwind. I need to get Forevermore to complete the series... I haven't started Whirlwind yet, I may start reading it this weekend or, I may wait and save it for when I'm at the ocean the end of the month. : )

My newest addition:

As a nanny, Millicent Fairweather poured her energy and talents into the two young charges under her care—only to have them suddenly and without explanation sent to a boarding school. Bereft and unsure of where life will lead her, she agrees to accompany her sister and brother-in-law to America. They board the Opportunity, confident a better life awaits.

Widower Daniel Clark determines to begin life anew in Gooding, Texas, operating a mercantile. But when his nanny leaves him stranded aboard the ship with his young son, he finds himself in dire need of assistance. Obtaining temporary help from steerage, Daniel is initially taken aback by the pretty bundle of energy who takes over his suite. Yet Miss Fairweather's unique child-rearing techniques and tireless devotion to his son soon win him over.

When tragedy ensues and a whirlwind decision is made, Daniel and Millicent's lives irrevocably intertwine. Will love soon follow?

http://www.cathymariehake.com

More Pictures...

2008-09-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

~CLOUDS~

Frog on the farm...

Inner Harbor ~ Baltimore, MD

Fascinating

Here fishy fishy!

Not your everyday frog.

10 Steps

2008-09-03T02:59:00.000-07:00


Include a broad spectrum of colorful fruits and vegetables, including dried fruits in your diet. They're packed with important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that provide a broad array of health benefits including enhancing your digestive health. Eat your fruits and veggies Fruits and vegetables contain fiber and a broad range of nutrients important for maintaining digestive health. Read more about the benefits of fiber below. Eating fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet may also help reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Fiber can help your GI tract stay "regular," improve cardiovascular health and regulate blood sugar levels. Fiber also reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, enhances proper bowel function, prevents constipation and diverticulosis, and provides a feeling of fullness without adding calories. It is found in plant sources, so be sure to eat a diet containing a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Get plenty of fiber Health and nutrition experts recommend eating 14 grams of dietary fiber per 1,000 calories consumed. Fiber is found only in plant food, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It's the part of the plant that is not digested in the human body. It's important to eat foods containing both soluble fiber, such as oat bran and beans, and insoluble fiber, such as whole-wheat products. Both forms are necessary for a healthful diet. Soluble fiber mixes with water to create a gel-like consistency; this slows digestion to help the body absorb more nutrients and remove substances like cholesterol. Soluble fiber may play a protective role in heart disease and diabetes. Research has shown that eating foods with soluble fiber can help control the blood levels of both cholesterol and glucose. Oats and oat bran, nuts, legumes, peas, and some fruits and vegetables such as dried plums, apples and carrots all provide soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber does not mix with water but adds bulk to stool and helps move food through the digestive system. Insoluable fiber helps prevent conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as constipation, diverticulosis (a condition effecting 10% of people over the age of 40 where sections of the colon protrude through weak spots forming what look like pouches) and hemorrhoids. Insoluble fiber may also play a role in preventing some types of cancer. Whole grains (especially wheat bran), skins of fruits, dried plums and many vegetables (cauliflower and potatoes) provide insoluble fiber.
Consume adequate protein, especially vegetable protein, as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Try non-animal foods such as beans and soy products. For more information, Click here Consume adequate protein In today's world, proteins are obtained from two main sources: animal foods (e.g. beef, chicken and fish) and plant foods (e.g. soy and bean sources). Although animal sources of protein contain many important vitamins and minerals, they also contain saturated fats and cholesterol. Plant proteins, like beans, soy products and nuts, contain more beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fats but no cholesterol. When you do choose animal protein, choose lean meats, poultry and fish.
The nutrients obtained from food play a vital role in the health of the entire body, including digestive health. The human body needs a broad spectrum of nutrients in order to function optimally throughout your lifetime. Getting the right nutrients is about more than feeling good in the present day, it's about a liftetime of health and wellness. Get your nutrients from food first. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, growth, healthy skin and hair, tooth development, reproduction, and the immune system. The main form of vitamin A found in dried plums is beta-carotene, which functions as an antioxidant. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in limited amounts in food like salmon, tuna and fortified dairy products. Vitamin D can be produced by the human body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Vitamin D helps to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the human body. It is responsible for building strong bones and teeth. It is also needed for muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and for sending messages through the nervous system. Calcium is found primarily in dairy products, some vegetables and fortified foods. Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure and is necessary for nerve impulses and muscle contractions. It is also important in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance throughout the body. Potassium has been linked to reducing high blood pressure and the risk of stroke. A serving of dried plums (5 dried plums) provides 8 percent of the recommended Daily Value (3500mg daily) for potassium. Iron is a crucial nutrient for red blood cells, which transport oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia can develop if the body lacks the iron necessary to make red blood cells. Iron is especially important for women and children. Folic Acid is a B vitamin that can reduce the risk for neural tube defects. It also protects against heart disease and stroke through its role in the metabolism of the amino acid, homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are thought to contribute to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline in the elderly.
Instead, emphasize complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, because they are higher in fiber and contain many of the important nutrients needed for optimal digestive health. Try to limit fats and avoid concentrated sweets Studies show that a low-fiber, high-fat diet can increase the risk for some types of cancer, obesity, adult-onset diabetes and heart disease. Health and nutrition experts recommend choosing a diet that provides no more than 30 percent of calories from fat, and that most of those fats be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
Get enough fluids from beverages and foods you eat. Include a beverage with every meal or snack. Stay hydrated Healthy digestion requires adequate fluid intake. Many factors such as exercise, weather, weight and health affect how much water is right for you. The standard recommendation is to consume the equivalent of 8 glasses of water a day. Whichever guideline you use, it is important to make sure you are drinking enough fluids throughout the day, whether it is in the form of simple water, or water-rich food sources such as soup. Try adding lemon or cucumber slices to water for a refreshing twist. Decaffeinated herbal teas are also a great way to hydrate.
How you eat can be as important as what you eat. Eat slowly, stop eating when you feel full, and avoid eating just before bedtime. Make time for proper nutrition. Take along good-for-you portable snacks, such as fresh fruit like apples and strawberries or dried fruit like dried plums, granola or almonds. Eat mindfully Eat until you are satisfied but not stuffed; there's no need to finish your plate if you aren't hungry anymore. Eating too much can cause digestive symptoms including heartburn and stomach upset. Save the rest of your meal for later or serve smaller portions. Focus on your meal when you eat. Avoid working, walking around or other distractions. Keep healthy snacks on hand that are: Portable - take them anywhere; pack in any pocket Easy - no peeling, no cutting, no mess Convenient - look for foods that don't require reheating or refrigeration Healthy Snack Suggestions: Keep healthy snacks in your desk at work, in the car, in your gym bag and at home for when hunger strikes. Keep dried fruit like dried plums in the cupboard so that you always have some fruit on hand. Fresh fruit is a healthy and delicious snack option. Keep frozen fruit in your freezer for when you run out of fresh fruit. Make a smoothie by mixing the fruit with yogurt or ice. Dried fruit is also a healthy way to sweeten a smoothie. Whole-grain, low-fat crackers are a good way to get your whole grains. Try lower-sodium options.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, doing activities you like, such as walking, aerobic or strength-building activities. If you can't fit 30 minutes in every day do whatever you can, when you can. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to work, or take a walk during your lunch break. Keep Moving In addition to cardio and weight-training exercises, try to incorporate fitness into everyday life. Activities like taking stairs rather than elevators, power walking during lunch and coffee breaks, and taking the long way when walking can make a big difference.
Manage your stress. Stress has a direct effect on digestive health. Build time for relaxation into your daily routine. Stay Calm Taking care of your emotional well-being is important for your physical well-being. Stress affects the way the digestive system functions. Depending on the way an individual's body reacts, stress can cause the passage of food through the digestive system to slow down or to speed up, which can cause abdominal pain and/or diarrhea. Digestive muscles may exert less effort and digestive enzymes may be secreted in smaller amounts when you are under stress. Stress can also worsen symptoms of conditions such as peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Your body and mind need time to rejuvenate and relax. Try taking a walk as part of your lunch break as a way to revitalize.
You'll be able to feel the positive effects of healthy lifestyle choices. Pay attention to your body If you feel low in energy, get up and move your body; it might just perk you up! If you are satisfied, stop eating. When your stomach feels stuffed, you've probably eaten too much. Think about wellness, not disease.

For more please click here... Tummywise.com

Top 5 Un-glamorous Healthy Foods

2008-09-02T03:19:00.001-07:00

Some healthy foods seem to be everywhere. But there are some healthy foods that tend to get neglected - even by people who are trying to eat a healthy diet. Whether it's because we don't know how to cook them, or just because they're somehow unglamorous, we tend to ignore some of the foods that pack the best nutritional punch.

1. Dried Plums

This is one food that definitely suffers from an unglamorous reputation - especially when referred to by their more common name: prunes. But they have twice as much potassium as bananas and 38 percent more antioxidants than blueberries! Plus, they provide both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber - including pectin, a type of soluble fiber that may lower blood cholesterol levels.

To get dried plums into your diet, throw a few in your purse for easy snacking, or add some to your child's lunchbox.

2. Beets

Beets contain fiber, iron, and Vitamin C. Plus, they contain betacyanin - a powerful cancer-fighting agent that has been shown to help prevent colon cancer in particular. Still not convinced? They also contain antioxidants that have been shown to lower total cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol!

To get beets into your diet, try marinating steamed beets in fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh herbs; grate raw beets onto salads, soups, or any other dish; or simply add chunks of beet to your roasting pan when you cook up roasted veggies! (Don't cook beets too long, since beets' anti-cancer activity is diminished by heat.)

3. Pumpkin

A serving of pumpkin has nearly 3 grams of fiber, and is packed with beta carotene - an antioxidant that can help improve immune function and reduce the risk for cancer and heart disease. Fresh pumpkin is only available in the fall and winter months, but canned pumpkin is just as healthy and available all year round.

To get pumpkin into your diet, cut fresh peeled pumpkin into chunks and roast with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper; drop a generous scoop of canned pumpkin into plain pancake batter; make a soup from canned pumpkin, chicken broth, and fat free half and half; or make a traditional pumpkin pie.

4. Eggplant

Eggplant is packed with fiber, and contains Vitamins B1, B3, and B6. Plus, it contains chlorogenic acid - one of the most potent free radical scavengers you can find in a vegetable, and nasunin - a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to protect lipids in brain cells, prevent cellular damage that can lead to cancer, and help prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

To get eggplant into your diet, purée roasted eggplant, garlic, tahini, lemon juice and olive oil to make home-made babaganoush that you can use in sandwiches or as a dip; add cubes eggplant to your next curry or stir-fry; or again, add to the trusty pan of roasted vegetables.

5. Beans

Beans are another food with an unglamorous reputation, probably attributable to the old schoolyard rhyme about the magical fruit. But research has shown that beans pack big health benefits - they can do everything from help prevent cancer and heart disease to regulate blood sugar. Plus, they're loaded with antioxidants, protein, and fiber. Dried beans are the cheapest, but canned beans work great if you're short on time.

To get beans into your diet, try a pasta salad with veggies and a can of rinsed chickpeas; use kidney beans to replace half the meat you would normally use in chili; or serve canned, diced tomatoes with onion, green pepper, and black eyed peas over rice.

The Bottom Line:

There's no reason you can't work these Top 5 healthy foods you're not eating into your daily diet. Try a few simple recipes, and you may find you have a new healthy family favorite! (HealthCastle.com)

August 23-30

2008-08-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

I can't think of anything to exciting that happened this week. But I thought I'd tell you about the words I spoke the most. They would include..."NO!!" "DOWN!!" "AUSSIE, BLOKE COME!!" And most importantly..."I will NEVER EVER have a dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ok, so maybe they weren't quite that bad. Michelle, had called several times and I always told her that things were going ok, and they really were. And when I said the house was still in one piece, it really was(at least for the most part). I am just not a big dog person.

So I pretty much got up at 5:30 every morning to take care of Abby, Aussie, Bloke the kitty's and fish. Which honestly wasn't that bad. I normally get up at 5:45/6 anyway. Every morning after everyone was taken care of I drove home to get ready for work. Then after work I'd go back home to exercise a bit and then head back to Michelle's to spend the evening with the animals. I tried to let the puppies play outside in the evenings but they insisted on eating field corn. Just couldn't keep them away from it. I tried for awhile and then gave up.

Aside from the puppies there were some plus sides to living in the country. I enjoyed the quite evenings walking down the lane. So peaceful and serene. I loved it! I normally think that I'm an easy person to make happy(at least I hope so) and a couple things happened on my walk to do just that. One night I got all excited about just a tiny rainbow in the sky.

And another night it was a tiny yellow flowers in the weeds that brought a smile to my face.

I did finish house sitting Saturday morning and then got to spend the day with my Dad & Mom and brother & sister-in-law. We headed down the road to the Inner Harbor at Baltimore MD. The weather was pretty nice and I think we all had a pretty enjoyable day. I had a headache I couldn't shake so wasn't quite myself but I was pretty good as long as I kept moving. Just a little tired. First we made a pit stop at the visitors center and had some lunch. After eating we went to the Aquarium and saw all the displays there.

As always the fish were pretty cool. I just wish I could take better pictures through the glass. After we left the aquarium we headed to Barnes and Nobles. I wanted to find a new book but I just couldn't get into looking for something because of my headache. I ended up at Starbucks buying chocolate milk of all things. I was hoping some sugar would make me feel better, but nope.

We headed toward where we were going to eat(Cheesecake Factory) and looked around at some shops. Then we got in line for the next table to open up. There was some kind of mix up and we ended up waiting an hour for our table. I have to admit the meal was worth it!! So YUMMY!!! Or maybe I was just really hungry. Regardless, it stunk that waiting so long to eat took up such a big part of our afternoon. After eating we headed to a mall and shopped something. I did find a dress I liked. But didn't want to spend $150 for it(yikes!). Didn't find a thing I liked on sale so I ended up empty handed. All in all it was a good day(and week)!!

The Lord Has A Will

2008-08-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

I was driving home from house sitting this morning and heard this song. Made me think about how much more I lean on the Lord and do His will than I currently do. Thought I'd share the song(click on title to hear) since it blessed my heart...

The Lord Has A Wil l

I need you lord; in all I do.
Your always there to see me through.
I can't get by unless I lean on you, lord.

Your love, lord, is in my heart.
You wrote it there; it wont depart.
It lights my way and keeps me out of the dark.

I thank you, lord, your word is sown
Into my life, and there its grown;
Its roots go deep where living waters are known.

The lord has a will,
And I have a need
To follow that will,
To humbly be still,
To rest in it,
Nest in it,
Fully be blessed in it,
Following my fathers will.

My Favorite... Flower

2008-08-27T03:19:00.001-07:00

You guessed it. It's the sunflower. Nice and big, a sunflower has a way of brightening up any room!

Facts About Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a great choice for planting to attract birds to your yard.
Sunflowers are one of the fastest growing plants. They can grow 8 to 12 feet tall in rich soil within six months.
Do you know what country grew the tallest sunflower? The Netherlands (25' 5.5" tall) grown in 1986 by M. Heijmf.
It require only 90 to 100 days from planting to maturity.
The former Soviet Union grows the most sunflowers. The sunflower is the national flower of Russia.
The sunflower is native to North America and was used by the Indians for food and oil. Some farmers use it to feed their livestock.
We use sunflower seeds to make oil, bird seed and for snacking. They have lots of calcium and 11 other important minerals. They do have 50% fat, BUT it is mostly polyunsaturated linoleic acid.
Wild sunflower is highly branched with small heads and small seeds, in contrast to the single-stem and large seed head of domesticated sunflower.
Sunflower heads consist of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers joined together by a receptacle base. The large petals around the edge of a sunflower head are individual ray flowers which do not develop into seed.
A well-known sunflower characteristic is that the flowering heads track the sun's movement, a phenomenon known as heliotropism.
The daily orientation of the flower to the sun is a direct result of differential growth of the stem. A plant-growth regulator, or auxin, accumulates on the shaded side of a plant when conditions of unequal light prevail. Because of this accumulation, the darker side grows faster than the sunlit side. Thus, the stem bends toward the sun.
Sunflower seeds are rich in oil, which they store as a source of energy and food. Sunflower seeds are crushed to give us oil. We can use sunflower oil for cooking.

To learn more about the sunflower check out Wikipedia...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower

Eat This Not That ~ Book Review

2008-08-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

Eat This Not That is the newest book in my "library" If you want to make the right choices when eating out or you just want to make daily changes in the food your eating this book is helpful. I like it because it is full of colorful photos and well...who doesn't like looking at pictures(especially pictures of food)??!!

There are 8 Chapters in the book for a total of 299 pages plus the index:

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day > Plus 20 to avoid at all costs
At Your Favorite Restaurants
Eat This, Not That! Menu Decoder
On Holidays and Special Occasions
At the Supermarket
Drink This, Not That!
What to Eat When...
Eat This, Not That! for Kids

Chapter 1
So now your wondering what those 8 foods you should eat everyday are? Well, without going into much detail they are...Spinach, Yogurt, Tomatoes, Carrots, Blueberries, Black Beans, Walnuts and Oats.

Chapter 2 & 3
On pages 6-13 you will find the 20 Worst Foods In America. And yes...I have indulged in the #1 worst food in America. Let me tell you, those Aussie Cheese Fries at Outback Steakhouse were AWESOME...but I will never have them again. Can you imagine that 1 serving contains 2,900 calories, 182 grams of fat and 240 grams of carbs??!!??!! WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Breakfast to lunch to supper to dessert all your local restaurants are here and you will no longer have to wonder which meal to order. Sometimes you might be surprised that what you thought was healthy is exactly the opposite. Mystery is now taken out of the menu!

Chapter 4
Want to know what to eat at all those Holiday get togethers or summer outings? Which candy is ok for an occasional splurge and which should always be avoided? All I can say is, go ahead, have that piece of pumpkin pie!

Chapter 5
Wondering what to buy at the grocery store? Confused by all the "healthy" choices? This chapters expands on what to buy at the supermarket.

Chapter 6
You want something other than water but still are attempting to make a healthier choice. This chapter is just what you were looking for... And please, stay away from the soda!!!

Chapter 7
Sad? Stressed? Low on energy? Here's some pick me up foods!

Chapter 8
Tired of all those sugary snacks they make for kids? Throw them away and pick up some of these instead!

I'm sure no matter who you are this book can and will be a help to you in some way. For me it was a real eye opener!!

P.S.
Don't want to buy the book? Your in luck. The author also has a blog on yahoo with some of the same info... http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/

Or do you think you know what's healthy and what's not? Take the quiz and see... http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/eat-this-not-that/index.html

Fruit Pizza Recipe

2008-08-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

I was torn when deciding what my first recipe to post should be. I really wanted to pick something healthy, but my sweet tooth got the best of me. I figured at least fruit is still a main ingredient in this recipe! Fruit pizza is no doubt in my top 5 favorite desserts...maybe even #1 ofnthe list. It's been my birthday "cake" the last two years and I absolutely love it. And as far as the fruit you want to top it with...your choices are endless.

~Fruit Pizza~

Ingredients~

1 package, sugar cookie mix
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Fruit of your choice, canned or fresh. We normally used crushed pineapple, peaches, mandarin oranges, banana's and maraschino cherries. Other options are strawberries, blueberries, kiwi and grapes. Mix and match your favorites and if using canned fruit you will want to drain it first.

Directions~

Prepare sugar cookie mix following the directions on the package. Press on round pizza pan with floured hands. Bake and let cool.
After your sugar cookie "pizza" crust has cooled, beat together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture over sugar cookie crust.
Top cream cheese mixture with your favorite fruits.
Place in refrigerator until chilled and then serve.
Enjoy!!

Four Everyday Fruits Packed with Powerful Nutrition

2008-08-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Everyday fruits like bananas, apples, oranges and grapes may not have the same exotic pedigree as pomegranates and carambola, but that doesn't mean they lack nutritional power! With the bounty of summer produce nearing its end, perhaps it's time to reintroduce your taste buds to everyday fruits that pack a surprising and forgotten amount of respectable nutrition!

Top 4 Everyday Fruits that Pack Nutrition Punch

Banana A-Peel

What could be better than potent nutrition in a no-prep-required package? Not-so-boring bananas make a great fruit choice since they are loaded with minerals like potassium, which is important for heart, skeletal and muscle function. Research suggests a correlation between a diet low in potassium and high blood pressure, as well as an increased risk for stroke. A medium banana contains about 420 mg of potassium, and is one of the top ten food sources in the American diet for this mineral, according to the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, 1994-96. Even better, banana benefits don’t stop at potassium; you’ll also be getting a healthy dose of Vitamin B6, which helps improve immune function and protein metabolism.

Everyday Fruit Tips: Bananas are perfect sliced and mixed with oatmeal. For a quick, kid-friendly meal, spread a whole grain hotdog bun with peanut butter, and fill the bun with a whole, peeled banana.
An Apple a Day

So just how is it that apples have gotten the reputation for keeping the doctor away? It's likely due in part to the high antioxidant capacity that apples boast. Several studies have correlated eating apples with reduced risk of some cancers, heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. And the doctor isn't all that an apple can help keep away: it can help keep the pounds away, too. A 2003 study suggested that three apples a day could help aid weight loss efforts.
Everyday Fruit Tips: Core an apple and fill with raisins, then baste with apple juice and bake until tender; your plain apple becomes a spectacular, fiber-filled desert! Also, apples and protein can make a delicious duo for a long-lasting snack: just slice tart apples thinly and add to a peanut butter or turkey sandwich, or pair with an ounce of sharp cheddar.
Orange You Crazy for Citrus?

You'll discover much more thanVitamin C when you peel into an orange, though just one tangy fruit can fulfill your daily requirement. Oranges are bursting with benefits, like a healthy dose of phytonutrients - some of which have been suggested to reduce inflammation, as well as cholesterol and blood pressure. And like apples, oranges are a dieter's delight, since they have alow glycemic index and are high in soluble fiber, which slows down the rapid rise in blood sugar and helps tame hunger.

Everyday Fruit Tips: Mix orange sections into a green salad for unexpected sweetness and variety. For a satisfying snack, mix chopped oranges with low-fat vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of heart-healthy nuts like almonds or walnuts.
Great Grapes

You’ve probably heard the claims about the health benefits of grape-derived foods like wine and grape juice, but what does the grape itself have to offer? While most research suggests that the strongest antioxidant impact comes from concentrated sources like grape juice and wine, grapes are still great. Whatever variety you choose, grapes supply your diet with manganese, Vitamin B6 and potassium. Best of all, because they require no more prep than washing, a handful of grapes make it easier to sneak more servings of produce into your day.

Everyday Fruit Tips: Frozen grapes make a cool treat perfect for surviving the last dog-days of summer. Thread grapes on a wooden kebab with other fruits for an impressive guest-worthy dessert. Also, grapes make a great snack served with whole grain crackers and string cheese.

Written by Beth Sumrell Ehrensberger, MPH, RD
Published in August 2008
http://www.healthcastle.com/

Life On The Farm

2008-08-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

August 17-23

2008-08-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hello to all!!

I'm not sure how many blogs I've started in my life only to forget about them until it became to late to revive. I always have such high expectations too. Maybe this one will be different. After all, surely I have time to sit down once a week and catch everyone up with what's happening in my life...especially because normally it involves very little!!

Highlights from last week...

I found out... that Emily is expecting her first baby!! She is currently 10 weeks along and both she and her hubby are extremely excited!! Congrats guys!!

One of my... good friends, Michelle, called to see if I could house sit for her while she and her family went to the beach. I of course immediately said yes. Tuesday night I spent some time at her house learning the ropes. I will be here from the 23rd thru the 30th and am taking care of 1 dog, 2 puppies, 2 cats and 1 fish.

On Thursday... Mom got an email and it turns out that another friend of mine, Jennifer, is having some pregnancy complications. This is also her first pregnancy and she is having identical twins!! The following is a picture of Jen and an email her Mom sent.

"HI!! This letter is to ask for special prayer for Jennifer and the twins. She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. She went for a regular ultra sound and she did not have her regular Dr. It was an older doctor and he wanted to see what her cervix looked like. The bottom baby would not move to see the cervix, so they had to do an internal ultra sound quickly. They discovered that she has a bulge, which is a weak cervix. The bulge is not on the baby but her membranes could easily rupture and have the babies prematurely. The one baby weighs aprox. 1 lb. 7 oz. and the other baby weighs 1 lb. 4 oz. If they are born now, they would only have a 25 % chance to survive. The bulge is opening her cervix causing her to dilate. They put a plug in to help slow it down, gave her hormone and Omega 3. If they let her go home and bed rest, if something happens she would be too far away and the babies would not survive. They have a small hospital at Elmer, but it would not be sufficient for a critical case like this. She is right across the river from Philadelphia. She will be staying, probably for a long time. The doctor said the next three weeks are very critical. The babies need to wait until at least 28 weeks. Jennifer said they are 23 weeks but the ultra sound suggest because of their size they are more like 25 weeks. They would like for them to go much longer than the 28 weeks for a better chance of survival."

My heart goes out to Jen and her hubby Sean during this time. Please remember to pray for Jen, Sean and the babies!!!

Saturday night it... was time to hang out with my best friend Kina. We never really got to do a whole lot for her birthday so I decided to make dinner for her. Normally she's the one doing most of the cooking so it was nice to be the one at the stove for a change. Dinner was Cajun Shrimp Stir-Fry, Mediterranean Couscous and salad.

On the dessert menu we had Marvelous Mocha Pudding...had to be something that had chocolate as the main ingredient. It turned out great and was soooo easy to make. I will definitely be making it again!!

So that's all... for this week. Hopefully the animal's here where I'm staying won't drive me to crazy this week. I'll let you know and have pics next Sunday when I have my week in rewind...

Hugs,
Melissa