Eating Cupcakes at Pop's and Grammy's

Too, too cute these two!

10 yummy snacks under 100 calories...

1 oz low fat mozzarella cheese and 6 basil leaves, a cup of cherry tomatoes
......100 calories.



3oz of low sodium turkey (Boars Head low sodium turkey is great!)
.....90 calories



Sprinkle a tablespoon of parmesean cheese over 2 cups of air popped popcorn
...85 calories




2 oz. cottage cheese, one medium peach.....80 calories
You could blend cottage cheese with a package of splenda for a sweeter treat.



5 ribs of celery, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter....100 calories




1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup blueberries and raspberries..... 90 calories




1/2 apple with 1oz low fat cheddar cheese, 90 calories




8 oz sugar free hot chocolate and whipped topping....85 calories



Skimmed latte..85 calories

Chocolate pudding with whipped cream.... 75 calories

And the list could go on and on.............

Cheesy Butternut Squash Casserole

I had a butternut squash on the counter and Charlotte asked me what I was going to do with it. I know it's not fall yet, but close, so I got hungry for this yummy casserole. We eat it in place of potato's or pasta..yum! It includes our favorite snack..laughing cow cheese.

Ingredients:

4 cups cubed butternut squash

2 wedges The Laughing Cow cheese, Light Original Swiss, room temperature

3/4 cup diced onions

1/4 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. chili powder

1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place squash in large microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup of water. Cover and microwave for 6 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, uncover and drain water. Set aside.

Place onions in a small microwave-safe dish with 2 tbsp. water. Cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, uncover and drain any excess water. Set aside.

Place squash and all other ingredients except for the onions in a blender. (Make sure squash cubes are not still piping hot.) Pulse until thoroughly mixed (but not liquefied). Remove blender from the base, and then stir in the onions.

Transfer squash mixture to a small casserole dish sprayed with nonstick spray. Place in the oven, and bake for 35 - 40 minutes (until edges begin to brown). Then serve with a spoon as you would mashed potatoes! Enjoy!

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PER SERVING (1/4th of casserole):
101 calories,
1g fat,
457mg sodium,
20g carbs,
3g fiber,
5g sugars,
4g protein
POINTS® value 2*

Banana Split!!

I love www.hungry-girl.com ....they understand we are human and need something yummy every once in a while.

My friend Charlotte and I were talking about how Dick and I would have angel food cake and strawberries every night when we first started thedailyplate. It helped to not feel deprived and gave us hope we could really do this....Dick looks so nice in his 36 inch pants and those 12's are feeling loose on me.

Here's their recipe, a regular Banana Split would be around 850 calories.

Ingredients:

1 small banana

2 ripe strawberries,

roughly chopped 1/4 cup Breyers Double Churn Free Creamy Vanilla fat-free ice cream

1/4 cup Breyers Double Churn Free French Chocolate fat-free ice cream

3 tbsp. Cool Whip Free, thawed

2 tsp. Hershey's Lite chocolate syrup 4 tbsp.

Fat Free Reddi-wip

Optional: 1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda!)

Directions:

Mash the strawberries until a puree is achieved (warming them for a few seconds in the microwave, if needed, will help). In a small dish, mix the puree with the Cool Whip until completely blended. For a sweeter flavor (optional), mix in half or all of a no-calorie sweetener packet.

Place mixture in the freezer until just frozen (do not over-freeze, or it will be hard to scoop). Peel the banana, and then cut it in half lengthwise. Place halves in a long dessert dish with the flat sides facing inwards. Scoop the frozen strawberry/Cool Whip mixture into the center of the banana "boat".

Place the chocolate ice cream on one side of the strawberry scoop and the vanilla ice cream on the other side. Drizzle chocolate syrup over the entire banana split, and then squirt the Reddi-wip over the whole dessert as well. Now dig in!

MAKES 1 SERVING
Serving Size: 1 banana split (entire recipe)

Calories: 237

Fat: 0.5g

Sodium: 72mg

Carbs: 56.5g

Fiber: 6.5g

Sugars: 32.5g

Protein: 4g
POINTS® value 4*

Get the lowdown on restaurant burgers here....knowledge is power!!! Seems like what Melissa said before still holds true, the junior or child size is the best option and closest to the right portion.

No Stinkin-Thinkin...

This is Baby Doll......otherwise know as Dick, Dad or Pop-Pop.

He's a dreamer....schemer (in a good way) and all around good guy...he's my baby doll. Thirty years ago I made the mistake of calling him "precious" in front of his mom and dad....they about died. His mom said, "give her a few years and she'll be singing a different tune!"....she was dead wrong, but that's okay!

This man is precious!! Anyway, he has a saying that I thought I'd share with you if you tend to look at the "what if " side of life. (Like me!)

"No stinkin-thinkin".....simple and to the point, give it a try, it works!

Proverbs 12:25

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up."

The Ironman cometh...it's almost here!!!!!

This is the week of the Ironman. It's Sunday!.

The Ford Ironman Louisville course leads athletes through a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike trek, and 26.2 mile run. The swimming course begins and ends at Waterfront Park and consists of a swimming a loop through the Ohio River. The bike course starts out flat as athletes head down River Road toward Oldham County before becoming hilly. The final course is the marathon portion of the course, starting back at Waterfront Park and ending in Downtown Louisville's Fourth Street Live. Ironman Louisville course maps are available through the Ironman Louisville website.

This is our son Brad. The hours and hours of preparation come together on this Ironman course. Doing just one of the events alone is a feat unto itself....but all three? Amazing for sure.

We have been to a couple of the Triathlons Brad has competed in, there is a jovial atmosphere....Superman costumes, men, women all ages....all shapes and sizes. The Athletes all are pretty focused, some intensely. Do not get their way when they are riding their bikes in for the run...stand back!! When Brad finishes the race, we all go for breakfast/lunch and he seems fine, hungry, no big deal. I know the Ironman will be a bit different, but how? We will see...

So, really can't wait to grasp how all this all plays out. Since I've never participated as a spectator at an Ironman, I'll be all eyes watching who competes, how they compete, and especially how they are when they get done with the race. They finish at Fourth Street Live....a Louisville party place...sure there will be bands playing...will they be dancing in the streets?....... I'll let you know! Go Brad!

Little things...

Seems like along with weight loss
come some little changes that all add up.

Eat to live, not live to eat.

Nutritional information is required reading. If something has a sodium level of over say 700mg a serving....I pass it up, or too many calories per serving. There are just too many wonderful tasting low calorie foods to enjoy to fill up on junk. It seems I tend to shop around the edges of the grocery store and have a basket full of fruits and vegetables, saving money too!

Exercise is a way of life, like brushing your teeth or eating.


Sleep and rest....time out...very important to health. Also, just spending quiet time to pray or listen to music renews your spirit, feeds your soul.

My danger time of a day used to be 4pm...I'd get hungry and grab anything, then eat dinner several hours later. I've noticed since I've been eating more whole foods, my body has stopped the craving at 4pm. If it does happen to hit me, I have a healthy snack, grapes, banana, almonds, wheat crackers, laughing cow cheese or Weight Watchers Giant Fudge Bar.

Drinking water has become more important to me too, diet sodas don't have their draw like they used to.

Sometimes all it takes is one or two little changes at a time, not a complete overhaul.

note...I just got my shipment of Ann Taylor Loft size 12 jeans...I'm loving this!! ;-)

This post is for Rachel...

Go see a great Chick Flick



Then head on over to Panera and get anything you want...nothing is too bad in there!!












Finally stop by McDonalds and
have an ice cream cone...150 calories..big deal!!


Chin up

{{{{{{{{hugs }}}}}}}}}

You go girl!!!!

I survived Ruth Chris...

For Rich's birthday we drove to Knoxville to celebrate his 25th with him. Another salesman in his company suggested Ruth Chris because they have the 2 for $89 special, which includes a salad/soup, entree with 2 sides and a dessert. He and his wife decided to join the 4 of us...the more the merrier!

Checked on-line to see if they have any nutritional information, could only find out their sweet potato casserole is 782 calories and the creamed spinach was 294 calories.....I'll have the water please! Found a blog that said Ruth Chris chefs pour butter over everything...lovely!

The thing is, one meal is not going to kill a diet, but I have always been a chain event eater. One thing goes to two things and there I go again struggling to do the right thing. Resolve won, and I survived. Ordered the trio, baked chicken, small crab cake and 4oz fillet Mignon, (ate half of everything) Caesar salad ( to die for!) broccoli, mushrooms, split ice cream with Dick and a small piece of Tres Leches cake...whew!! The food was out of this world delicious!

We walked a couple of miles later that night and had a wonderful, wonderful night. Rich and Rachel are so much fun to hang out with!

The main thing is....you can change..it can be done, habits can completely change course....WHEW!!

Amazing Grace...

I woke up this morning singing this song...Sometimes there are things in life that just tear you down, beat you up, wear you out........thank God for His amazing grace that renews our spirits and gives us hope!

Chris Tomlin
Amazing Grace, my chains are gone.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace


The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forget to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

Happy Birthday Rich!!

Rich is our baby, our baby is 25 years old. How can that be? This is a picture of Rich and his wife Rachel (We all love her a lot!!)

Rich was due August 8th 1983. That was also Melissa's birthday...she had been the baby for
9 years....after her birthday party she said, "Okay momma, you can have the baby now". She was ready to hand off the youngest baton... Whew!! Thankfully, he was born exactly 1 week later, so they always share birthdays on the same day of the week, a week a part. Melissa made the adjustment well from baby sister to big sister....she calls him her beloved brother.

Beloved he is!! What a joy he has been to our whole family! He's smart, funny, talkative, talented, and has a heart of pure Gold. He's a give you the shirt off his back kind of guy. He loves the Lord with all of his heart, soul and mind. I am so very proud of him!

Rich walked when he was 10 months old. We had been in the car for 14 hours driving to Florida for vacation. The minute I stood him up in the condo, he let go of my hands and took off on the tip of his toes all over the place. He was free, free at last!!

When he was three he became the evangelist of the neighborhood. ''Jesus wants you to love each other!" he'd preach to all the kids when they would have disagreements. "Pray, Jesus wants you to pray!" He then led all the children on our circle to be brave, take those training wheels off!! Find out what's around that corner!

Rich was about five years old when Dick asked him if he would like to go to a letting (a county bid opening) with him. Rich very excitingly said, "Yes! but give me a minute!" He then ran to his room and put on khaki pants, plaid shirt and tie...just like his dad. Ran out and said he was ready to go.....we just about died, wow..... just like dad. Be still our hearts. In the following years from time to time I've said to Rich, "whatever you do, don't do what your dad does for a living." Well...I might of just have well said, when you grow up do what your dad does...because that's exactly what he did, followed in dads footsteps..

Successfully, Rich has followed his dad into the equipment sales business. He recently landed a BIG account and sold 2 gigantic machines to an important company that had previously only bought CAT. This is big, really big.

Rich is just 25 years old....


What great things lie in wait for him?!!
The sky is the limit!!






Rich I love you dearly and know that whatever you do, whatever success you have in life, you give the glory to God. With your zest for life and spirit of adventure, you make the world a better place to be, and are the hope of the future.

Happy 25th Birthday!!

This is an important message......

If you are 50 or older and have not had a colonoscopy yet, get one. If there is colon cancer in your family then have one at 45.

It's the best thing you can do for yourself to give peace of mind to you and your loved ones. It's a little scary for me to have the procedure since My Mom died of colon cancer, but because of that, I do it.

The worst part is the day before you can't eat anything, you can drink, but no red or orange drinks. Broths, jello, Popsicles, coffee, tea and things like that. Then there are pills now, although I did the gallon of water thing. It's all over by the time you go to bed.

The procedure is a piece of cake! They put you out like light and then before you know it, your home, sleeping peacefully for several hours.

Today I went to the Women's Pavilion here at 8:30am, no polyps, but she did find a small amount of Diverticulitis that can be managed with a high fiber diet....awesome! I'm already on a high fiber diet!! I try to get at least 24g a day, but strive for more.

So nothing fancy today, just want to encourage anyone that may be thinking about needing to do it, please do.

This is so awesome!!

France was positive they were going to win....the Americans thought different!

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0811_HD_SWB_HL_L0194

Sissy's Birthday Dinner

Sissy and her tiny little birthday cake. We couldn't get Leah to crack a smile...she seriously wanted to know what was in that bag...enough with all this picture taking!!

This is my stab at a Fancy Nancy party...so much fun having girls around! The guys even got into the necklace thing too....aw Pop-Pop!!




Since we all started this new healthier lifestyle we have been forgoing birthday cakes that you eat and eat and eat...till it's gone. We have a wonderful pie and ice cream bakery here that have the best desserts you could ever want. I took orders early of what everyone wanted.....strawberry cake, coconut cream pie, chess pie...gooey stuff, everyone is happy. Dessert once a month or so is not going to wreck your diet.



Sissy will always be my "little girl" so I had to do the birthday cake thing.....in miniature. 08/08/08 was a very good day!! We watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics...Wowwy, wozzer!!

This a happy Mom...I love cooking for my family and having them come home! I realize I look like Howdy Doody ;-).....but this is the first picture taken of me that I can see the weight loss.




Maybe next time I'll let Dick take a picture of more than my face, poor guy has had a life time of me screaming, "waist up!!"

Power lunch

This was in the last Southern Living, the recipe looks great except for the ready to serve rice. I've tasted it and I don't care for it, I'd make some. Also if you don't care for fully cooked pork roast...seems like any meat would work here, chicken, turkey, ham whatever you have or like. Even some ground turkey or lean beef could work.




Prep: 10 min. You can make this recipe up to two days before serving. Prepare as directed through Step 2; cover and chill overnight.

Then take to work and store in a refrigerator until ready to heat as directed.

Ingredients
1 (8.8-oz.) pouch ready-to-serve whole grain medley rice*
1/2 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans
1/4 cup shredded fully cooked pork roast au jus
2 to 3 Tbsp. Cuban Salsa Verde

Preparation
1. Remove 3/4 cup rice from ready-to-serve pouch. Reserve remaining rice for another use.
2. Layer rice, beans, pork, and salsa, in this order, in a microwave-safe plastic container.
3. Cover with lid; lift 1 corner to allow steam to escape. Microwave at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir before serving.

*1 (8.8-oz.) package ready-to-serve brown rice may be substituted.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Uncle Ben's Ready Whole Grain Medley Brown & Wild and Hormel Fully Cooked Pork Roast Au Jus.

Note: Nutritional analysis includes 2 Tbsp. Cuban Salsa Verde.
Yield
Makes 1 serving


Nutritional Information
CALORIES 405(0.0% from fat); FAT 8.3g (sat 0.8g,mono 2.9g,poly 1.1g); IRON 2.8mg; CHOLESTEROL 35mg; CALCIUM 73mg; CARBOHYDRATE 62.8g; SODIUM 820mg; PROTEIN 23.4g; FIBER 10.6g


Anything that includes lime juice is yummy in my book!
Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce Noodles with Vegetables
Ingredients
1 cup cooked whole grain spaghetti (2 oz. uncooked)
2 cups shredded bok choy*
1/4 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup fresh snow peas
Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce (recipe below)
1/4 cup shredded cooked chicken (optional)

Preparation
1. Place pasta, next 4 ingredients, and, if desired, chicken in a medium-size microwave-safe plastic container. Cover with lid, and shake to combine.
2. Lift 1 corner of lid to allow steam to escape. Microwave at HIGH 2 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

*2 cups shredded coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage may be substituted.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Mueller's Whole Grain Spaghetti.

Note: Nutritional analysis includes Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce.

Yield
Makes 1 serving

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 344(0.0% from fat); FAT 2.5g (sat 0.6g,mono 0.6g,poly 0.8g); IRON 3.4mg; CHOLESTEROL 30mg; CALCIUM 190mg; CARBOHYDRATE 61.3g; SODIUM 641mg; PROTEIN 21.2g; FIBER 8.9g

Sweet Chili-Lime Prep: 5 min.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons bottled sweet chili sauce
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic


Preparation
Stir together all ingredients until blended.
Yield
Makes about 3 Tbsp.

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 77(0.0% from fat); FAT 0.1g (sat 0.0g,mono 0.0g,poly 0.0g); IRON 0.0mg; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 17.3g; SODIUM 500mg; PROTEIN 0.1g; FIBER 0.1g

Yours

We watched the very brave Chapman Family on Larry King the other night and heard about a new verse to Yours Steven had written. Wow...very, very powerful. Beautiful little Maria will live on and on through these testimonies. Her little life was so precious, we will always hold her in our hearts and minds. God's mercies are new every morning and are so needed now.



Lyrics:

I walk the streets of London
and notice in the faces passing by
something that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry
Where is the hope for London
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
as I’m reminded every street in London is Yours

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
and they’re waiting for a cure no one can find
And I hear children’s voices singing
of a God who heals and rescues and restores
and I’m reminded that every child in Africa is Yours

It’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor
and it’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
You’re the maker and keeper, Father and ruler of everything
It’s all Yours

I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I brush by the beggar’s hand and the wealthy man
and everywhere I look I realize
Just like the streets of London
for every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation, this is our Father’s world

It’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor
and it’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
You’re the maker and keeper, Father and ruler of everything

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God
You’re the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

And it’s all Yours God, Yours God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours God, Yours God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
It’s all Yours

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

It’s all Yours, God (my life is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God (my heart is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God (my hands and my feet)
It’s all Yours, God (every song that I sing)

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

It’s all Yours, God (all gifts are Yours)
It’s all Yours, God (all our dreams are yours)
It’s all Yours, God (all our plans are Yours, God)
It’s all Yours, God (this whole earth is Yours, God)

It’s all Yours, God (everything is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God (everything is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

*****The 2008 radio single version adds this fourth verse*****

I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here
in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

Hmmm...lunch ideas...

This post is for my friend Charlotte who is bravely striving to eat healthier!




Cucumber and Cottage Cheese Spread


1/2 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup fat free or low fat cottage cheese
1 scallion or green onion, sliced
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Directions
Peel, seed and chop the cucumber into small cubes. Slice scallion. Mix all ingredients together and serve.
99 calories

Great with wheat crackers or in a whole wheat pita pocket.

I can think of dozens of things to put in a pita pocket....egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, turkey, ham, lots of veggies and some Meijers Gold Black Bean and Corn Salsa.....yum .....any kind of salsa would be good and spicy.....favor we need favor!!
















We love these in the Parmesan garlic...yum!!

We still love the Pepperridge Farm Baked Natural Wheat Crisp














One of my favorite lunches would be 1/2 cup cottage cheese
with 1/2 pineapple (in it's on juice), strawberries or cantaloupe.
I add a 1/2 cup of sliced cucumbers, seasoned or baby carrots for crunch ( w/light ranch dip)
and usually have a piece of Ezekiel 4:9 Bread with some
Brummel & Brown yogurt butter.








Another family favorite is Goodwiches, we got on a health kick back in the eighties and the kids loved these. Let them help you make it, it taste better that way!

I'll try and make them soon and post a picture.

Plastic wrap
1 onion sliced
1/4 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce (we love Montgomery Inn)
1 tortillas ( we like Mission carb balance taco size with 11g of fiber)
1 Tb light ranch dressing ( use anything you like, mustard, mayo, salsa..anything goes here)
2 dill pickle sandwich slices ( If you don't like dill, any kind of pickle will do)
broccoli (chopped )
cauliflower (chopped)
shredded carrots
Really any veggie you have on hand will work.

To prepare
In a sauce pan combine barbecue sauce and the sliced onions, cook on medium until the onions become soft and translucent. This is your "meat". This will be enough for about four goodwiches depending on the size of your onion. You can store for about a week what you don't need. It's also good on salads.

Lay the plastic wrap down first and lay the tortilla on top then start piling on your ingredients starting with the light ranch dressing. Layer the prepared onions, veggies and add the dill slices on top then roll the tortilla up the best you can, it will be full.

Surround the Goodwich with plastic wrap like a cocoon and store till you are ready to eat then cut in half and peel the plastic wrap as you eat, rolling the plastic down as you go.


I like to keep Jello snacks on hand, like Jello fruit passion (30 calories) or sugar free puddings like Dulce de Leche....really yummy! Plus low fat yogurts.

If you have a micro-wave handy, a baked sweet potato is good with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese added after you nook the sweet potato. Even a baked potato with salsa...that Meijers Black Bean and Corn Salsa would be awesome.

I'll be posting more this week on good lunches to pack and take.
Please post your yummy ideas too, together we can do this!!

Hey Charlotte remember the peanut butter and apples you used to serve, that would be great with some melba toast and a cup of yogurt. Look here for more melba toast ideas.

Happy Birthday Sissy!!

August the 8th 1974 was a very good day. A little angel was born with the cutest little rosebud lips and chubby cheeks, cute as she could be!


Melissa walked when she was nine months old, crawling never got her to where she wanted to go fast enough....a walking nine month old is rare thing to see!


When she was three she decided her 2 wheel bike didn't need training wheels...once again you couldn't go fast with those durn things on!

People always say we look a like, I always say she is the new improved me, smarter, quicker, funnier, nicer, prettier and way, way thinner! ;-)

Melissa has endured hardships in her life most people never have to face. I've seen adversities turn into blessings time again in her life and I am so very proud of her!!! Anybody that knows her knows a life full of joy!

Sis has given me very good advice over the years...like when she was in the 10th grade, I was leaving for a retreat of 7th and 8th graders, I said, "Sis you got any advice?" .....she said,"Mom just hang loose and go with the flow"....I can't tell you how many times since then I called that up and it helps!! Try it!! Another time on a more serious note, we were talking about times when people do you wrong, she said," Mom, I don't want the job of being a judge, I let God do that!"

I could fill a book to overflowing with all the things she has accomplished in her life. And to think, she is just 34 years old!! What great things do we have to look forward to!!?? I know one thing will be another trip to China to bring home our precious Kate!!

Sissy I love you dearly and am so blessed to be able to call you my daughter. Have a wonderful birthday, it will be another great year!!

Wet T shirt night....

If anyone walked or exercised in our town last night they had to of experienced the wet t-shirt experience. I had on a white t-shirt...not a great idea since I was soaked to the bone when I got home. Thankfully, it was dark. A few bugs had jumped on for the ride too...lovely! But I did it!

This morning I got up early and walked 5 miles. The morning was cool bright and beautiful, so my t-shirt stayed a little dryer today.

Exercise is the key to so many things...your overall health, bone and muscle strengthening, weight management and peace of mind.

There was a time when I could only look out the window and watch other people walking, I never take it for granted. It took an 92 year old lady to get me walking again 3 years ago. If she could get out there and walk every day....well, so could I. Thanks, Lorraine!

Power foods..

I loved this article from www.sparkpeople.com about foods that we can reach for with no quilt. None of foods are scary or expensive. Simple.

"Power foods are a combination of low calories and high nutrients, or foods that keep you feeling satisfied.

Quite simply, you can make your calories work for you. The more efficiently you eat, the more you can eat before reaching your calorie limit.

The great part about power foods is that you are likely eating some of them already! And if not, parts of your diet can be easily replaced by other power foods. Adding just a few more power foods can make a big difference in your calorie intake and appetite.

At the top of the Power Food list are foods that contain proteins, fiber and healthy (whole grain) carbohydrates. These foods have tons of nutrients that give you long-lasting energy without a lot of calories, all while making you feel fuller faster. However, there are power foods in every food group and plenty of options to choose from."

Power Foods

whole wheat pita
whole wheat bagels
whole wheat pasta
brown rice
whole rye

Fruits/Veggies
oranges
berries
cantaloupe
watermelon
apples
avocado
chili peppers
spinach
sweet potatoes
tomatoes

Dairy/Protein
low fat or skim milk
low fat yogurt
salmon
tuna
chicken
almonds
peanuts
walnuts and hazelnuts
beans
eggs