shan

shan

Tuesday, November 26, 2013



Maybe Next Time...

OK, I fully intended to cook a healthy Thanksgiving meal, BUT my husband has had a rough past few days. He specifically asked that I fixed a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I just couldn't say no to him, so I caved. Now that I know what we'll be having, there is only one thing left to do, break out the elastic waist sweatpants. I figure I'll need them for both the pre-meal workout, and for the meal itself. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving, and I hope you MAKE time over the next few days to be active. It may not always feel like it, but just as the body enjoys good food it also enjoys activity. Treat yourself to both. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Healthy Thanksgiving

I'm going to admit, I'm not one who does well on any kind of diet. I once heard someone say that "no is the greatest aphrodisiac of all time." Seems the truth where I'm concerned. Tell me "no" or "not to" and I'm instantly attracted to whatever it is I'm supposed to avoid.
With the holiday season in full swing, I'm getting request to both prepare, and partake in the delicious, not so good for you foods reserved for just this time of year. While I'm not an avid calorie counter, I have been trying, with some success, to eat relatively clean. I'd like to stay focused on that during the holidays. I plan to enjoy, and share in the food and festivities, but I decided I'm going to try something new this year, healthy Thanksgiving.
My family dislikes when I attempt to "healthify" anything.  They are not necessarily traditional, so they won't mind me changing up a holiday meal. In fact we haven't prepared a turkey on Thanksgiving in years. Their only rule is that whatever I fix needs to be tasty, but I've learned that healthy on their palettes is not tasty.
I don't intend to go this far...
For years now I've tried to talk them into some sort of baked fish meal for the special day. I've gotten no takers. This year though, I'm putting my foot down. This Thanksgiving I get to choose what's on the menu. Hey I'm fixing it, sounds fair to me. Plus, my husband has proclaimed (for the past two Thanksgivings (thank you very much) that those were the "BEST Thanksgiving" meals AND the "best meals" he's had in his life. He's in his forties. That's a lot of Thanksgivings, and meals. Point is, I have earned the right to bomb one. So this year I'm going with a healthier Thanksgiving. I'm hoping someone out there is crazy enough to join me. I'll post a menu later, but we have a week to plan. You don't have to make a tofu turkey or anything, just offering a few healthy alternatives is a great place to start. Happy healthy recipe hunting. 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Seeing Red
Yum!!!

This time of year has me seeing red.  Ruby Red that is. I have had a love affair with Ruby Red Grapefruit for years. I enjoy grapefruit for perhaps the very reason most people don't, that tangy, bittersweet flavor. It's sort of an acquired taste I guess. Apparently, both my kids have "acquired" the taste, because they both love them too. I was forced to share. It has become our thing, sharing fruit. Grapefruit being chiefest among them. 
This time of year begins the best season to buy grapefruit in the US. And buy them we do! In addition to the simple pleasure of enjoying a treat with my girls, there is a lengthy list of health benefits associated with the fruit itself, and even with the peel! Ruby Red Grapefruit is credited with everything from reducing the risk of cancer to weight loss, and skin care rewards.
Go get some!
I can't mention the benefits, without mentioning that grapefruit does have interactions with certain medications, some of them severe. That's a topic worth discussing with your Dr (I'm not one). If you are not on any medications, and haven't indulge before, or tried one in a while, starting now is a really good time to try one. 
Enjoy!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Crazy Grateful

Sometimes I can get really discouraged when I think about all that I don't have, and all that I want. The "my life would be so much better if....." conversation can be haunting, and usually steals my peace. When I indulge these thoughts, I often ignore my current blessings. This morning I woke up to a healthy family, and I am suddenly feeling more grateful than ever. When I think of all I have (and I don't mean material things) I could scream! This is sheer joy! Today I am just crazy grateful for a functioning body, an incredible family, good friends, and the wisdom to KNOW that I am crazy blessed!

Saturday, November 2, 2013


Just Dance

I don't know why I'm wired this way, but when I hear upbeat music, I can't help myself, I have to move to it. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a crowd, heard a great song and felt like I was losing my mind trying to control the urge to dance, then looked around and it seemed like no one else could hear the music playing or was having the same issue. I really don't even have to hear music out loud, if it's in my head, same problem. My sister even came up with a name for it, "random dancing." Apparently I break out in spontaneous fits of dancing. Her son, my nephew has the same ailment. Whatever is wrong with me I've learned to except it. It's my normal, and thirty some years have taught me this oddity isn't going anywhere.
Lately, it's been harder to control the urge. What I need is a few hours of nonstop dancing, to get it all out of my system. I feel like I need to just hit a dance floor (most likely in my kitchen) dance like crazy, and leave it all there.  If I don't address this soon, I'm afraid I'll end up like this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/v/vVomTmbpdfI?autohide=1&version=3&feature=share&showinfo=1&autohide=1&attribution_tag=muDVwFwNCkFsH7_v3QnQqA&autoplay=1