The Journey Starts With A Spoonful of Yoghurt

I'm starting my journey by eating yoghurt again. It is the season, after all, spring and summer bring wonderful fresh fruits. Today I tried something new.  Siggi's Dairy Coconut Yoghurt. I was browsing in the grocery store, (yes, I'm one of those people) and I LOVE coconut; so thought that I would try it. It's thick and creamy with a light sweet taste of coconut. The Siggi's Dairy uses all natural milk from grass fed cows (no rBGN).  It was more expensive, so I'll probably only use it on occasion.  Then I added Qia: Chia, Buckwheat and Hemp Cereal for a bit of crunch. Qia is full of protein, fiber and ALA Omegas. So the combo is both tasty and nutritious!

 I usually use Chobani Plain Non-Fat Greek Yoghurt, then add fresh fruit and sometimes granola. The fruit adds all the sweetness that I need, especially in season ripe berries! If you like a little more sweetness than I do, use the Vanilla or add your own honey, agave nectar or other natural sweetener of your choice. I do grab the occasional pre-mixed individual container.  They are a quick and easy choice. I prefer blending my own. It really doesn't take that long to cut up a little fruit. I keep the granola handy both at home and at my desk at work. The granola gets added at the last minute so that it doesn't get soggy. I enjoy this combo for breakfast, lunch or a snack.


I have made my own yoghurt in the past. We were making it at one of the restaurants that I worked for, so I would make it at home sometimes. I won't do that this time, there are so many more choices and the Greek style yoghurt has more protein. I do think that I will make my own granola sometimes. I used to do that too, both in the restaurant and at home. Just have to gather up some of the things that I enjoy to make it: oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc. I will probably add some Qia too! It takes a little prep and cooking time, but it's fairly easy. I'll dig up my old recipe and share it here soon.

This is a delicious and nutritious way to start the day, and my journey back to health.

Eating My Way Back to Healthy

from www.facebook.com/holisticdad

I need to be healthy again.

I've thought this off and on the last few years as I finally started to realize that my health wasn't getting any better.

I have tried doing a variety of things to improve my health.  I changed my diet for both better nutrition and weight loss, walked everyday (this actually worked), joined a gym, tried a variety of supplements, fads and quick fixes; only to end up back where I started.  Sometimes worse off because a new issue arose.  

It's not about being older and watching youth slowly slip away; or trying to retain the youthful look or feeling. After all, I'm only 25 (give or take 25 or so  :D )!!  Mentally, I still feel that I am. On a good day, I am physically too. Then the fatigue sets in or the memory fails. One of a dozen plus little signs starts to rear it's ugly head; and I'm reminded that I'm not one of the young ones anymore.

Over the last decade, my health has taken a slow nose dive. Nothing serious... but nothing with an easy fix either. I haven't been 100% for a long time. There are the obvious reasons: age, weight, reduced activity... Add in my health issues: uterine fibroids which has caused or contributed to heavy/irregular/extended periods (sorry guys if this is TMI) and an iron deficiency; May-Thurner Syndrome which caused the DVT and potentially contributed to the irregular periods; and low progesterone (or estrogen dominance) that has also contributed to the irregular periods plus fatigue, moodiness, crazy sleep patterns, cloudy brain (or a lack there of).  My Gaul Bladder was removed. I have nodes in my thyroid. Bunions. Degenerative disks (L4 & L5) which occasionally pinch the sciatic nerve. Acne. Dry skin. I'm sure the list goes on....

So, today I make the commitment to make a change. You are my witness and will share in the journey (well, those few that might actually be reading this). I'm going to make small changes. Exchange a not so great item for a better item. Choose nutritious foods that my body needs. Find out what my body needs and what won't work for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to stop eating sweets or having a drink out with friends; just maybe less. I may try converting some of my favorite recipes. I will start walking everyday. This has worked well for me in the past, I just need to restart the habit. I will take daily vitamins. At least until I'm at a healthy norm then the fruits and veggies can take over.

This is just the beginning of the journey. I will learn, make mistakes, have set backs; but will always move forward. Feel free to contribute, give advise or ask questions. I don't have all the answer, but will share what I learn and where I find the information.

Celebrate Or Not. It's Your Choice.

90th Birthday Cake for UMW member.

It occurred to me that there have been a lot of celebrations lately. A 90th birthday among several others, the birth of a baby, graduations, bridal showers followed by two weddings....  There are more. I suppose if you look around hard enough you could always find something to celebrate or be joyful about. Not just the milestones and occasions in life.

For instance, Spring has begun again and the weather has started to be milder. This has been a beautiful week end with the temperatures in the 70s, the sun shining warmly, hardly a cloud in the sky. This is a week end that people long for.... to go outside and work in the yard, to enjoy the myriad of games that you have to take your kids to, to actually want to walk the dog. This is one of those week ends that puts a smile on every ones face.

MeehanWedding Cake with handmade flowers

Although I don't think that that is completely true. Not everyone automatically becomes happy when the sun starts to shine again. There are some, quite a few actually, that always have some degree of negativity. It doesn't matter what the circumstance, there are those that will always find something to be negative about.

Yes, some are clinically depressed and need help to find their way out.  Some seem to be stuck, focused on the dark clouds instead of seeing all the beauty around them.  But for many, it's just an attitude that needs a little adjusting.

We have become a nation of "Negative Nelly's" and blamers.  It's not my fault that my life is so bad.... it's they economy.... the Democrats/Republicans or Congress in general.... the boss.... the ex.... the Muslims/Christians/Jews....  You name it, people can find something, someone to blame or be negative about.  The media is a barrage of blame, polarization, and divisions. It covers all areas from celebrity news to politics and the world at large.  Even if you wanted to, there is no way to get away from it. (Except maybe to simply turn it off, but becoming a nation of hermits isn't the answer either.) We feed into it every time we turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper or magazine. We spend so much time hating or blaming others, that we don't stop to see whats really good in our lives. 

My Christening Day with family.

Don't get me wrong, it isn't that easy.  You can't just snap your fingers and suddenly you are laughing with joy. Most people don't become depressed in the blink of an eye either.  And we don't have to have a big grin to be happy; or just because we don't have that big grin doesn't mean that we are sad. You have to make it a conscious effort, remind yourself to find the beauty in the world.

I try to find joy in quite places. When I go on a beach vacation I enjoy waking up early (which isn't me at all) to walk on the beach and take photos, or just sit on the porch with a cup of coffee as the sun rises. I also love to go on a MINI Cooper Rally with my friend. She's a great driver, so when we get on those back roads that twist and turn, it can feel like a roller coaster. There are Sunday afternoons with a good book, dinner or drinks with friends, a cuddle with my purring kitty. And so much more.

Joy or happiness isn't going to be the same for everyone. It might be getting out there and seeing all the wonderful colors that are emerging with the spring rain, or going dancing at a club with friends, or watching your child connect bat and ball for the first time. You choose. Find your bliss. It could be anything. It will probably be many things.

All you have to do is make that first step.  Celebrate!

Why Can't Everyone Drive A MINI Cooper?

I went to dinner last night with a group of people that I hardly know but that I always feel comfortable and have fun with.

It was a gathering of MINI Cooper owners.  A club (phillymini.org) that I belong to because my cool friend has one.  I navigate for her.  Which really means that I ride along pointing out the occasional right turn on this street, landmark along the route, or traffic pattern that needs to be taken notice of; but mostly I am there as a companion to sing out loud the silly songs that we love, grab the snacks from the back seat, take pictures, and shout WHHEEEEEE!!! and laugh as we hug the curves of the road in her capable hands.

This evening did not include a train of MINI's through the countryside, just a small group enjoying a yummy meal (Blue Fig Cafe).  As I enjoyed the conversation around me, it struck me that if these people from diverse backgrounds could all come together and a enjoy one another's company why couldn't the rest of the world?  What was it about these people that they could accept all that come into the fold?  Even me, the introverted-misfit-tagger-along.  After all, I don't own a MINI.  I don't even have immediate plans to buy one (I drive a 2003 Toyota Matrix with just shy of 60,000 miles on her).  I am the sometimes NAVI, occasional "sister-wife", and life long friend of a MINI driver; and that's good enough for them.  It seems that anyone - be they friend, family, future or former driver - is welcome. 

Winnie!  photo from LEHenry

It is true that this is a social club with a somewhat large membership.  Generally at a rally there will be 20 to 60 plus cars all with a driver, many with a passenger, some with two.  Even the dogs come along.  It is a small sampling of the larger social incubator.  There is representation from many walks of life all enjoying a well planned, theme rich day on the road.  To be sure there is a hierarchy and some clicks.  You make friends with some or remain acquaintances with others, but in general there is a camaraderie.  Everyone is there to enjoy the event and to help others enjoy.  We are all there for the same purpose.  To enjoy the curves of the road, the scenery around us, and a potential meal after.  No matter who or how many attend.

If our communities, our country, the world, could follow suit.... how many problems would be solved.  Or just never exist to begin with.  If everyone would set there egos aside and look out for the well being of just one other person.  If we truly looked at someones life, walked in there shoes, paid a little attention.  Wouldn't we be too involved to hate?  Wouldn't we have a better understanding of what life really is about?  Wouldn't we extend a helping hand instead of a raised fist?

This may be very simplistic and "Polly-Anna" of me, but it's worth a try.

Photo found on www.smarterservices.com by doing a word search of "helping hands