Wanna try a treat that tastes like it's sinful?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Oh man! I made a treat for myself that TASTES "sinful" but it's not!!! I took a half cup of frozen raspberries from my garden and added a half cup of Dannon lite and fit vanilla yogurt to it last night. Now it's thawed and ready to go. This is SOOOooo good! Only 83 calories but 4 grams of protein and NO fat!!!

Try it, you'll like it! This is my new go-to treat!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IMNENA23 12/20/2011 10:42PM

Fresh berries from your own garden--what could be better! Report Inappropriate Comment

ARNETTELEE 12/20/2011 7:01PM

Wow....fresh raspberries. How lucky you are! And also to have a "sinless" treat! Report Inappropriate Comment

Dealing with Holiday stress

Monday, December 05, 2011

There is just no doubt about it. The holidays are much less stressful once the kids are grown and gone. It's also a little bit boring.... No excited faces, no eager questions, no reading holiday kid books....

When my kids were small I was in a constant state of stress over getting everything done that I wanted to do for the holidays. This included lots of extra baking, shopping, activities, etc. Now I am able to pick and choose what extras I will do and how I will focus my time for the holidays.

I love the activites at church at this time of year -but don't feel obligated to do ALL the activites at church. I love to bake - but since I love to eat what I bake, I also try to give lots of these treats away. Continuing with exercise patterns is crucial at this time and not only helps avoid those unwanted pounds, but also helps manage STRESS!!!

My advice to all - and that includes myself - is not to deny yourself things that make the holidays special, but do them in moderation. Whether it's extra concerts, activites, or treats, ENJOY them but be good to yourself by taking it easy.

Happy Holidays everybody!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HAPPYONE331 12/5/2011 5:28PM

Very good advice. Somehow, I still find myself stressing as the Day draws near. I still work, have more folks to shop for, and bigger crowds gathered around the tree. I'm not complaining, it just hasn't slowed down for me at all since the kids grew up and have their own families. I still love the holidays, though. Helps keep me on my toes! Report Inappropriate Comment

Empty Nester's Holidays

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Referring to myself as an "empty nester" is really kind of a misnomer since one of our sons is again living with us temporarily. But still, this is not the same as being in the full time business of raising kids 24/7. I find I am enjoying getting to know my sons as "near-adults" and to see them maturing their thoughts and values while out from under my constant care.

What fun to have an adult conversation with young people I love so much! I am also finding it enjoyable to spend time wtih my friends' grown and growing children. How fortunate to have them all in our lives!

A big challenge for me now is to figure out what we can do for fun together as a family when it only happens rarely. I would love to still play games but they are beyond that. Just another passage of life I am trying to puzzle through.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOLFGMA 11/29/2011 6:05PM

My married children still love to play family games when they are home. Sitting around the dinning room table playing Aw Heck, dominoes and other games will always be fun for us I hope. The main thing is getting together and being supportive of each other. I'm sure you will find something they will love to do just to be near YOU! Report Inappropriate Comment

To Italy and back

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Someone here on Spark People reminded me I should blog about our recent trip to Italy so.....here goes.

My husband and I joined 26 other fairly "fit" travels for a 17-day tour of northern Italy. I chose this tour b/c of the relatively small group size, the promise of hiking and other active "activites", plus the promise of both city and more rural destinations. We were SO pleased with our experience!

We started our tour at Lake Como where the weather was not the greatest, then went into the Dolomites where they had already received a foot of snow! The hiking there was still very enjoyable - see my new photo! Then we went to Venice - and yes, had a gondola ride with the singing and everything! Then to Bolzano, Florence, Pisa, and on to Cinque Terre. I had heard the hiking there was great and was not disappointed. We had a challenging hike and then got to swim in the Ligurian Sea the same day. Nirvana!

The weather kept warming up. We traveled to Sienna, and Assissi and then stayed in Umbria on an agritourismo so got to relax right next to Ovieto. Do any of you have your maps out yet????

Ended our tour in Rome. Got to see the ancient parts of Rome and the Vaticano. We were exhausted!

Did I stick to my Spark nutrition program while we were gone? I did not. Had lots of gelato and other yummy foods you don't usually get here at home. It took me a week to recover once I got home and I'm back on track and feeling pretty good now.

I would highly recommend this type of trip to anyone else celebrating a 30th anniversary. We waited a long time to do some traveling and had a great time.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

YOGATIME 11/2/2011 10:29PM

WOW! That sounds like a perfect vacation!! So glad you relaxed your diet a bit and ENJOYED yourself while you were gone. You are dedicated and whipped yourself back to shape soon enough. Such a wonderful active vacation! Welcome back! Report Inappropriate Comment

Plenty of positive influences

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

It is so easy to find something to blame for bad health habits. The manufacturers pack transfats into enticing foods. Parking is close to work so you don't have to walk far. Jobs are often sedentary so we don't burn up calories there. No wonder many of us have weight issues.....

I have been very fortunate in my life to have the positive influence of healthy women who I see as role models. I recently lost a good friend and neighbor to pancreatic cancer. She was 78 and until one year ago she kept active with her pets, golfing, and yard work. My mother was famous back in the 60's/70's for snacking on carrot sticks at work. She has kept busy in her gardens from the time I was old enough to remember. Now she is 87 and last night I had the pleasure of going on a walk with her and helping her in her flower bed.

What great examples these women set! Neither of them had a rigorous work out program. Both of them ate sensibly and kept active. They were personally rewarded with good health for many years and served as good role models for anyone who cares to notice.

I'll bet if you look you can find someone in your life with similar good habits who is enjoying good health. You only have to take the time to notice....

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FARMORGANIC 9/8/2011 11:10PM

Ooooh. I have a Mother like that, too! Report Inappropriate Comment