New Year's Family Superstitions

     So with New Year’s Eve/Day approaching, I thought I would share some of my family’s superstitions with you. Have a wonderful New Year!

~ On New Year’s Eve, we take the wax of melting candles & pour over a bowl of cold water. The shape it forms tells your future for the New Year. The year I got pregnant & had my daughter, my wax formed a pink baby booty. (red candle wax) I was, however, convinced I was having a boy until the day she was born. I remembered the wax & pulled it out of hiding & couldn’t believe it. I still have that booty.

~ In my family, we were told not to be in the bathroom at the stroke of midnight, because that is what you would be destined to do the rest of the year!

~ Open the door to let the old year out! Take pots to bang with spoons/noise makers with you to scare any bad spirits away. This is also the reason for the tradition of loud fireworks at midnight too.

~ Have an open purse ready by the window (preferably with some moonlight shining) at the New Year. This will guarantee your prosperity in the coming year.

~ There are plenty of food traditions too. We always had a bowl of nuts to crack on the Eve & ate pork on New Year’s Day. The pig is an animal that moves forward, not backward ~ yes, you never knew a pig could have a profound purpose! (Chickens for instance can move all kinds of ways, including circles – not profound at all for such a special day.)

~ Make sure the first person to enter your home in the New Year is a man for good luck. Preferably tall, dark & handsome ~ lol!

     I know this all sounds exhausting! I guarantee it is fun & will help ensure a wonderful, prosperous New Year. Enjoy your celebrations!

It's a Wonderful Life After All!

     I am proudly re-posting this blog from last year. Sometimes the Christmas season moves quickly away from what it is intended & proceeds to kick us in the butt. It is always good to remember what really is important…

    Frank Capra’s 1947 classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” was never intended as a Christmas movie, the film’s wonderful message comes through at the end during Christmas. George Bailey, the main character, is a man who struggles with the reality of his life & the dreams he could never say ‘yes’ to. He wanted to see the world. His younger brother goes off to war and becomes a war hero & George, because of a medical 4-h, hangs back in Bedford Falls to run the family savings & loan business. When a large bank deposit is lost & the business is about to go under, George, regretting the life he never had & unable to deal with the life ahead of him tries to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. He is thankfully saved by a novice angel, Clarence, trying to earn his angel wings. Clarence shows George what the people & town of Bedford Falls would have become without his selfless, kind heart & compassionate spirit. His wife & kids, family & friends come through in the end raising enough money to pay back the loan & saving the business & town. George’s brother toasts him in the end… “to George Bailey, the richest man I know”. This movie is such a ‘wonderful’ reminder of the kindness of others, family & the true Christmas spirit; the spirit that isn’t wrapped on Christmas morning, but that we hope & pray stays with us year round. 

     So if you find yourself this season at that proverbial bridge, too stressed, too unhappy for a myriad of reasons… remember there are friends & family out there that are forever in your corner, always within an earshot shout-out who will be there & listen & help & provide unconditional love to you (and a few laughs ~ because friends will always remind you to not take it all so seriously). They will help you across that bridge without a hiccup on your part and remind you that it really is a wonderful life! Merry Christmas to you all!!!

The Best Present ~ 'A Christmas Story'

   The now 30-year old classic “A Christmas Story” movie is always a must see. Airing by TBS in marathon form Christmas Eve 8pm through Christmas Day, believe it or not holds one of the most important Christmas messages amongst all the humor.

    The semi-fictional story set in the 1940’s, narrated by the main character Ralphie’s adult self, tells of Ralphie’s Christmas as a nine-year old & his one wish for an official Red Ryder BB gun. His desire is so great that he uses three adults in his life to help guarantee his success. His Mom of course promptly says, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” His next target, his teacher, reads what he thinks is the most persuasive essay on the wish, a guaranteed “A” (for acceptance in his mind), receives a C+ and a “you’ll shoot your eye out” warning. Last, but not least, is Santa Claus. Surely the big guy will get this for him, but Ralphie gets the same message from his last hope! So, with hilarious subplots throughout, we arrive and it’s Christmas morning. Ralphie has opened all his gifts & is looking dejected. You know the feeling, when that one wish doesn’t come true. His father prompts him to a slightly hidden box & Ralphie’s hopes begin to soar! Sure enough, it is his Red Ryder BB gun! His mom is surprised & dad is so pleased with himself. So we realize that it was his extremely, busy, grumpy father who got him all along. There lies the best present; having a someone who gets you.

    Ralphie falls asleep (soundly for the first time in weeks) that night holding his rifle, knowing it was the best Christmas he ever had, but really knowing deep down that it was the gift of having someone know who you are & what your greatest desires are that is the best present of all. So this year thank this person(s) as special in your life & feel constant gratitude for them this holiday season & throughout the year. Merry Christmas!

Poinsettia Cocktail

   This is the time of year that needs a specialty party cocktail. This Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail is just the perfect drink! Easy to prep, fun to serve & drink.

½ ounce Triple sec or Cointreau liqueur (for  some orange flavor)

3 ounces cranberry juice or raspberry/cranberry juice

Champagne or Spumante

Garnishes: Orange peel curls, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, pomegranate seeds

Optional: splash of grenadine for extra red & sweetness

Serve in festive barware.

    Chill all the ingredients first. Mix juice & orange liqueur well. Top with champagne. If you are serving a party crowd, mix together a pitcher of first two ingredients & have ready to pour. Place on a tray and then top with the champagne in front of you guest. Very festive. (Practice this first so you don’t over fill the glass with fizz!) I love this recipe because of the options you have. For those who do not like the orange flavor, substitute vodka instead! You can also switch cranberry juice for pomegranate. Salut!

Cookie Baking Tips

   A blog worth re-posting this time of year especially with the cost of ingredients. Happy Baking!!

   Here are just a few cookie baking tips to get us through these last few days of holiday prep. Right about now is when the baking begins full force. This first tip is something I tried last year & it works great. My cookies were the best ever!

~ Use butter whenever possible – nothing beats it, but melt first & let cool to room temperature. Melted/cooled butter will dissolve the sugar much better! Make sure to cream butter & sugar well, no shortcuts here!

~ In keeping with using butter, use the best ingredients available (ie. real vanilla extract, chocolate). It will make a difference.

~ Follow cookie/recipes closely. You don’t want a too dry or wet outcome. Refrigerate dough that requires this, a sufficient amount of time or you will have cookie that spread way too much, are way too thin.

~ Mix just enough when adding dry ingredients to make sure your ingredients are properly blended but then STOP. Overmixing leads to hard cookies that do not rise properly.

~ Make sure your ingredients (ie. flour, baking powder, baking soda) are not old – again the outcome will not be the same.

~ A sugar cookie shortcut is to buy the refrigerated Toll House dough especially if this is the kid’s cookie project.

~ Make sure to line the cookie sheets for those cutouts with parchment paper. That way the cutouts remove easily & there are fewer lost heads!!

~ An oven thermometer is great to use throughout the year to make sure your temps are what is expected.

~ Use cooling racks & transfer to cookie CANS if possible. They make a difference. Make wax paper circles to separate each layer in the can.

~ Finally, if you find your cookies that should be soft getting hard over the holiday weeks, add a slice of bread every few days. The moisture in the bread will transfer throughout the can!

Cherry Lemon Crowns Holiday Cookie Recipe

    My daughter reminded me of this wonderful Christmas cookie we haven’t made in a while. It is so delicious, festive & most likely not a duplicate of any you make right now.

Cherry Lemon Crowns

2/3 cup butter or margarine softened

3-oz. cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. grated lemon rind & 1 tsp. lemon juice

2 cups flour

1 dozen each candied red & green cherries, halved

Lemon glaze drizzle ~ 1-1/2 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar & 1-2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice ~ combine to a drizzle consistency.

    Beat butter & cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Add sugar gradually until light & fluffy. Add egg yolk, lemon rind and lemon juice, mixing well. Add flour until blended. Cover and chill dough 2 hours. Shape dough into 1” balls and flatten into 1-1/2” discs on ungreased cookie sheet. Press candied cherry in center of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until edges are slightly golden. Cool 1 minute & transfer to wire racks. Cool completely & drizzle with glaze. Let stand until glaze hardens. Yields 4 dozen. Yum!

     Check out this cool You Tube Video that shows you how to separate your egg yolks & whites with an empty water bottle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AirVOuTN_M

Hada Labo Tokyo Hydrators

   It has been some time since I’ve reviewed a hair & beauty product for you. I’ve used this particular product less than a couple of weeks now & I just had to share! The Hada Labo Toyko line of facial skin hydrators is that amazing. The line of five products is sold at Ulta stores & Ulta online. I have only tried the Skin Plumping Gel Cream so far. This is the time of year when it seems the air/heat just sucks the moisture out of your skin. This cream contains Super Hyaluronic acids (3 kinds put together) for a product that contains the most of this buzz word ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is what holds the moisture in your skin & attracts moisture to your skin. This also contains collagen, arginine & ceramides – all buzz words of the most expensive moisturizers. The best part is the price! The five products range from $11.99-$24.99 full price. This, of course, is Ulta we’re talking about! So products are always going on sale & they have that wonderful $3.50 off coupon every week. I even had a $3.00 off manufacturer’s coupon (which is why I researched this in the first place. – they had me at hyaluronic acid!).  The line is on sale now buy one, get on 50% off until 12-24 with a $5.00 off coupon! This hydrator is amazing. It feels wonderful going on, my skin looks & feels silky & it works great under foundation. It feels like a super hydrating serum. It claims to plump lines & wrinkles & I agree. I am looking forward to checking out the rest of the line!

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/a/Hada-Labo-Tokyo/_/N-1z13ouy?ciSelector=searchResults&cmpid=PS_Non!google!ULTA_Small_Brands&CAPCID=32456860830&cadevice=c&CA_6C15C=330000200000039022

Happy Thanksgiving! Holiday Shopping Tips

Give thanks for each new morning with its light

For rest & shelter of the night

For health & food

For love & friends

For everything

Thy goodness sends.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

     Here is to another Thanksgiving where we can feel gratitude & count our blessings! If you are saving your shopping for the weekend, here are a few quick tips:

Check out the websites http://www.bradsdeals.com/ and http://www.retailmenot.com/ for the coupons (for stores) & coupon codes (for online shopping). Between the two sites you should be covered. Brads Deals offers great sales on items, with new deals every day. Also remember Saturday is Shop Small Saturday where your local one-of-a-kind stores will offer all types of sales & discounts. Support your local small retailers! https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Easy Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

     When I think of crockpot meals, this is always at the top of my list. It is soooo easy & so good that no one will touch a can of soup again. With the teenage tester in college, I have started to freeze the soup for the first time so she has ‘home-cooked’ meals. So here is the repost:

    The days are getting colder, unfortunately, but none the less we will prevail! The recipe that follows I guarantee to be THE BEST, THE EASIEST, THE MOST DELICIOUS Chicken Noodle Soup you have ever made or tried. I know some may never have made soup before thinking it too complicated. This slow cooker recipe will change your mind. The beauty of this is (esp.) on a working day to just to load it up & forget until dinner.

The recipe is as follows:

6-8 cups of water (depending on size of your slow cooker)

4 medium carrots cut into ¼ inch slices

3 medium stalks of celery cut into ¼ inch slices

1 small onion, chopped

2 bay leaves

1 whole chicken rinsed (3-5 lbs.)

½ t. dried thyme

¼ t. ground (I like white) pepper

1-4 t. salt (I use sea salt & about 1-2 teaspoons. You can always add individually to taste later)

I usually chop the ingredients the night before so they are ready to go. Combine veggies, water & seasonings. Place chicken on top. Cover & go!

Cook 4-5 hours on high, 7-8 on low.  I take out the chicken & cut the white meat into smaller pieces & return to the pot. I take out some of the celery & onions. These veggies absorb the fat & you don’t need them all anyway. Which reminds me, leave the skin on your chicken! This is where you are getting the flavor & the meal is HEALTHY really! Serve with your cooked noodle of choice. Undercook the noodles slightly if you are planning to freeze some. Enjoy!!!

Easy Slow-Cooker (Crock-pot) Chili Recipe

  My first easy slow-cooker recipe for you is chili. This recipe is so wonderful because you can control the amount of ingredients (ie. making it vegetarian) & you can control the amount of heat from your seasonings. It is also very economical. This recipe is for a 6-8 quart size slow-cooker. Any size smaller you can easily halve the recipe. Enjoy!

2 lbs. ground meat or turkey (optional for a vegetarian meal)

1 lb. bag carrots sliced ¼” or less

2 medium sweet onions sliced & halved

2 cloves garlic chopped

2 packets chili seasoning mix (You can control heat levels here; they sell mild, regular & hot)

2-28-oz. cans tomato sauce

1-28-oz. can diced tomatoes (you can choose a can with chilis for heat or two smaller cans & mix one of each)

1 large can of light skinned kidney beans (2 cans if you are going vegetarian with this)

1 can of beer added the last hour of cooking (optional) (It’s good for you!)

Shredded sharp cheddar cheese for serving.

Sautee ground meat on stove top & drain. Place all ingredients in slow-cooker on high for 4-5 hours or slow for 8 hours. This is one recipe where the veggies do not get mushy when added at the beginning. Tip: If you are pressed for time, boil sliced carrots for a few minutes on your stovetop. You can reduce cooking times to 3-4 hours high, 6 hours low. They take the longest to cook. Add the beer the last hour of cooking. Remember to only stir once when cooking. With every lid opening you lose 20 minutes of cooking time. The leftovers freeze beautifully for later meals. I usually serve with corn bread or muffins & top with shredded sharp cheese. Have hot sauce ready for those who want to crank up the heat! Delish!

6 Slow-Cooker Mistakes You're Making

   We’re entering the slow-cooker season & here are few things to avoid when preparing your recipes from Bon Appetit magazine.

1)   Use the leanest meat – In fact fattier meats will stay moister & will become tender with the slow cooking process.

2)  Throw your meat into the pot raw – Brown your meat on the stove first to add a delicious layer of caramelized flavor.

3)  Don’t add anything with low notes or sweetness – These low notes combine to make a great sauce base. Consider bacon, browned onions, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar & tomato paste.

4)   Add bright notes, crunchy veggies & dairy at the beginning – Fresh flavors like citrus, herbs, vinegar should be added at the end so they don’t get lost. Veggies midway so they don’t get mushy & dairy at the very end so it does not curdle.

5)  Leave the skin on chicken – The skin will never cook up crispy the way you would want, so pull it off. Chicken does not need browning before going in. Also, chicken with the bones will cook up more tender.

6)  Cook something that needs to hold its structure – There are recipes for lasagnas, etc. but it will end up being a mushy mess. Make something like chili or soups for easy slow-cooker recipes.

Check out my next blogs for slow-cooker recipes starting with chili!

GNO Swap

    Usually an excuse is not needed for a Girls Night Out (or In as the case may be) but trying a new idea is always fun! I recently had a few friends over for a GNO Swap. I asked everyone to bring books/mags, jewelry, purses, scarves, clothes, shoes, candles, decorative items, etc. that they would like to part with. Everyone was up for the task (yes, it took some time to collect a few things) & it was a huge success! Not only did we have great food, drink & laughs, but everyone got to leave with a boatload of stuff for themselves & the other women in their lives. And imagine, we didn’t spend a cent! This is definitely worth exploring with your groups of friends. Some it may not work with & with others it seems like the perfect night out.

     I nicely displayed items on tables & draped over chairs. I had tote bags for them to take & pack up their items. This was so much better than my coveted garage sales that I swear by; controlled environment & it was free! Everyone agreed at the end of the evening that we will do this again! Now we know to put items aside for this swap. We even had some special items for each other. “I know _____ will love this! I received a beautiful set of glasses with songbirds on them; they are perfect for me. I had a couple very nice sweaters (alas, hot flashes have affected my wardrobe too) for my (also size small) friend who I knew still wears sweaters. It all worked out so well. Enjoy!

     So gather a group together for an exciting GNO Swap soon!

My Younger (Fearless) Self

    So, now that we are embarking on a fearless journey, it helps to have the right tools to use along the way. I really believe having a bucket list (search my earlier blogs on this) is a wonderful starting point. I recently did a sampling of acupuncture. I always wanted to try this but had left it off my BL. That’s how life works, sometimes you are suddenly presented with a great experience & it is up to you to take that risk & leap! A great tool, I feel, is to find an old photo of just yourself. It should be a young (fearless you). It should be one that you could place on a desk and say “this makes me happy.” It needs to invoke a time for you that was joyful, or it should look like you are just plain having fun with your life. My photo is to the left here. I was just a few years old & on the beach in Margate, NJ, simply having a blast! (Lucy the Elephant is in the background) I look joyful, I can feel that from the photo. I can picture my Dad with his box camera taking this treasured shot. Heck, it even looks like I’m doing my first asana – the spinal twist! Too funny! And that is how this photo should go. Let it be one that lifts your heart, makes you smile & helps encourage you to take risks (like you did when you were a kid). Be fearless with your choice!

Fearless Journey

   In this month’s O Magazine, Dr. Phil talks about the F-word. We’re talking about the word behind a staggering high percentage of life choices we make. The word is fear. A psychology professor of the good Dr. said 80 percent of decisions are based on fear rather than desire. Wow. Think what that means... Too hard to grasp, I know. And we are not talking about not walking down a dark alley kind of fear. We are talking settling on a boring job offer instead of on a career that makes you happy because you are afraid no one else will hire you kind of fear. Dr. Phil believes we don’t even notice we’ve been selling out (I call it settling) because that’s all we’ve done most of our lives. (see link below to the full article).

    I began a more fearless journey when I turned 50. (Yes, starting with this blog I had been thinking about writing.) I have to say, being fearless has been downright fun! This year alone, me posing a question to my besties, “who wants to go to Scotland with me?” was terrifying. I was fearless igniting an idea & they in turn were fearless in saying yes! The planning & the trip were remarkable. So many things could have gone wrong, but didn’t. We all found the money, our aging parents stayed healthy & we stayed healthy so we could all see this dream vacation materialize. Kudos to all of us for taking a risk. They probably didn’t even realize they were embarking on a fearless journey too! One book that has helped with so many aspects of becoming ‘great’ & ‘fearless’ is 8 to Great by M K Mueller. I’ve mention it before in my blog. It’s a book everyone should read, young & older. Risk taking is covered at length here. Taking risks is such an important part of staying young. What good is being young if your heart & mind feel lifeless & old? In the 1960’s two psychotherapists went around the world to study 33 different cultures to find what the happiest people had in common. The most common characteristics was not love, money, fame, good looks, health or lots of friends. It was risk. Meuller asks, so who has more fear cowards or heroes? Turns out we all have the same, but heroes feel the fear and do it anyway.

    So take this fearless journey with me. The road to success in never a straight line, so don’t worry about the stumbles along the way. Two of the hardest risks are believing in our dreams & trusting, but the rewards are great. Start small, but start losing those fears. Check in on your bucket list & revive your fearless spirit!! The journey is all yours to begin, to savor, to live.

Remember, “Some people live for ninety years. Others just live one year ninety times. ~Dr. Wayne Dyer

 “Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear) and risk (for growth), Make the growth choice a dozen times a day. 

~ Abraham Maslow

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-Youre-Selling-Yourself-Short-Dr-Phil-on-Fear

Houseplants For Health

     So, did you know, according to the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), the inside of your home is often more polluted that the outside. Scary, yes, fixable ~ yes, yes, yes. We generate toxic fumes when we cook & clean for starters. Although I’d love to always eat out & never raise a toilet brush, let’s be practical. We can start reducing in-home pollutants (even cancer-causing ones) like benzene & formaldehyde with houseplants. Researchers at NASA have known for years that certain houseplants effectively reduce home levels of pollutants. (Heck, they use them in space!) As an added bonus, houseplants will increase the relative humidity in the air which has been shown to have a relaxing effect. Plants have also been proven to reduce dust accumulation (woo hoo-double bonus). I have to admit, as much as I love outdoor plants, I have been a houseplant slacker. I don’t have great light & I’ve used that as an excuse. Also, plants can sometimes look dated. So I will help us all get over that. Two excellent choices are gerbera daisies (so pretty) and the ficus tree are for sunnier locations. The pothos & peace lily are wonderful air cleaning machines for medium to low light. Also on the list, for this autumnal time of year, is the florist mum! So if you need a beautiful hostess gift this time of year, think mums. At Christmastime, perhaps a red gerbera daisy for something different & healthy! I think containers have come a looong way to make a plant look special in any room. Enjoy the clean air!

     Check out the links below. The first is for gerbera daisy care & the second for a list on 10 of the best plants! One of the surprises for me was liriope or lily turf. I adore this outdoor plant. Who knew it will do wonders inside too!

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-gerbera-daisies-inside-65627.html

http://www.englishgardens.com/10-best-clean-air-house-plants

Mediterranean & Menopause

    So what do a Mediterranean diet & menopause have in common? Well, according to a new Australian study, you may be able to reduce hot flashes and night sweats by eating a diet rich in fruits like strawberries & pineapple and by following a Mediterranean-type diet. This would include garlic, salad greens, pasta & red-wine! These eating habits may help stabilize blood sugar & estrogen levels which would ease uncomfortable menopause symptoms. They had me at red wine...

    As an added bonus, it turns out a Mediterranean diet (or better way of eating) may also be vital to fighting the metabolism slowdown that follows weight loss. A Harvard study shows that eating this way can help keep energy levels elevated so you could naturally burn about 20 percent more calories throughout the day vs eating a low fat diet. The blood sugar swings are eliminated, so no metabolism sabotage there. No more plateau problems. Eating more fish, fresh fruits & veggies, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts & healthy fats like olive oil is hardly a ‘diet’ in my book. Check out the Dr. Oz link below for more suggestions with 12 rules to live by & the Mediterranean better way of eating.

http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/daniel-heller/mediterranean-diet-12-rules-live

And check out Dr. Oz’s shopping list link below. Did you know you can even save money eating this way!?!

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/mediterranean-diet-shopping-list

6 Things Your Body is Trying to Tell You!

    This is what I like to call ‘reminder’ information. Info that you know but sometimes forget how important it is! Aside from the obvious, when participating in any form of exercise, stop if feeling any pain or discomfort. From the editors of Prevention magazine, here are reminders of things your body can be trying to tell you & that you should listen!

1~ When you are dehydrated: Our kidneys lose some efficiency over time so sip water throughout the day. Not everyone needs eight glasses a day, start with less. If you get sluggish during the day, you may be dehydrated. Water is best, but herbal tea is okay too. Coffee is healthy for you, but don’t count it as your fluids.

2~ When to go easy on dessert: As we age, our metabolic rate slows due to less muscle mass, being more sedentary & a decline in cellular activity. So we need to move more & be mindful eaters. The desserts that worked for you in your 20’s may be tougher to burn off in later years. Skip altogether or choose wisely.

3~ When to hit the hay: Face it, few of us can go, go, go on a few hours of sleep a night. (Sorry, Martha, we can’t keep up!) Get more sleep than you think you need & always at least 7 hours. Go off the grid an hour before bedtime for a more restful sleep.

4~ When you need to stretch: ALL THE TIME, I swear! By our 40’s, most of us have lost 3-4 inches in the sit-and-reach test. Yikes. The elasticity of tendons, ligaments & joints decreases. Studies show the more flexible you are, the less stiff your arteries are! The answer: yoga & tai chi.

5~ When to drop a grudge: Studies show we become more forgiving as we age so... cultivate a kinder heart for a healthier heart! Learn to forgive yourself too!

6~ When to skip that extra glass of wine: We know it is good for you but as you age, you begin to lose the ability to tolerate alcohol due to the body retaining less water. Stick to glass every now & then.

More Yoga ~ Less Grumpy

    According to Redbook magazine, “Yoga may be the most effective OTC happy pill around.” Well you know I firmly believe that! There are now even laughter yoga classes you can take! So why will yoga make you less grumpy? Besides the stress reducing benefits, yoga boosts your levels of gamma amino butyric acid, a chemical linked to mood improvement. I believe it. Who doesn’t lie there in shavasana, after an hour workout, and say, “I never want to get up.” (because I’m so happy & relaxed!) So here are three postures you can try to reduce those crabbies:

~ Downward-facing dog ~ Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders, palms pressing evenly into the floor. Tuck your toes under & lift your knees off the floor as you straighten your legs. Hold for three to five breaths.

~ Dolphin Plank ~ Start on all fours, then lower onto your forearms & slowly step your feet out behind you & tuck your tailbone slightly. Pull your abs in tight. Hold for three to five breaths.

~ Legs up the wall ~ Get yourself into this posture with a folded blanket under your butt & lower back if you like. Lay on your back & scootch your butt as close to the wall as possible with the legs stretching upward. Point & flex those feet. The hard part now begins: you need to relax & breathe for 5 to 10 minutes!

See link below for more yoga info & postures. Enjoy & beat those grumpies!

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories

Mottos & Mantras

    So just about every product has a tagline and every company a mission statement. When did all that start? Although a wonderful idea to keep a company on track, a mission statement is probably a bit wordy for you and me. I do, however, believe in a motto or mantra to keep yourself on (life’s interesting) track.

     Maybe it all began with Bobby McFerrin’s catchy little a capella song of the 80’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. I mean how can that not resonate with everyone. Today’s ever popular mantra “Stay Calm & Carry On” is also very relatable. Oprah reveals in October’s issue of ‘O’ the Bible verse mantra that has been with her through all her experiences: “Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” You know, after reading my blog, that I love inspirational & funny quotes and always place one at the top. These change with the topic. I feel we all need something inspirational or funny to keep ourselves on topic with our days, weeks, years. Or, a motto that keeps us in the present or moving forward with our future. As with the seasons of our lives and the seasons of the year we need to first: find a motto or two and second: be flexible with it. Remember that we are ever changing. My daughter has Carpe Diem as her motto. (I had the same one at her age). Had this been the reason for her to skydive recently? I have a few Carpe Diem moments left in me too (but mine have only gotten me to zip line height so far!) There are a few, however, I always seem to come back to as time marches on. One of my favorites: “If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.” A new favorite as today’s blog quote: “If I believe it, I will see it.” Sometimes it’s as simple as something nice that a friend says to you like “you continue to amaze & inspire me.” Now that’s a mantra to strive for your entire life!

    So think about some quotes or mottos that may resonate with you right now and where you’d like to be in the future. Post in your cubicle or office, at home, on your phone. Keep wherever you can find them when you need a spirit lift some days!

Mums for the Fall

    The Chrysanthemum, the most popular plant of the daisy family & is the quintessential plant of the fall garden. I get this question often: will the mums (cutest flower nickname) I plant this fall come back next year? Well the bad news is ‘no’ but the good news is the low cost of these plants shouldn’t sway the gardener one bit. Who isn’t drawn to decorating with corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, gourds & mums!

    So, the reason these won’t survive is that if planted in the ground, they will not have enough time to establish a root system strong enough for them to survive. (We also leave them in their containers for decorating purposes – so not a chance there). To complicate things more, there are two kinds of mums: Hardy (Garden) & Florist mums. Florist mums are produced for cuttings mainly & will never develop a stolen that would help produce those necessary roots. The hardy mums when planted in the spring, however, do stand a chance at coming back for years to come. These contain the stolen for developing roots. These need at least 6 hours of sun a day, need a well-drained soil, water them well & provide plenty of mulch for over-wintering. They need to be pinched in spring/summer to encourage that round shape & not the leggy look. They may produce blooms in spring but can be pinched off until summer to produce a fall-fabulous set of blooms. Use beautiful grasses as a backdrop for your hardy mums. Enjoy the link below that shows some new varieties. The sky is the limit when it comes to color. My suggestion is to buy what you are blown away by & not worry about next year!

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/all-about-mums/?page=3

Garden Surprises 2013!

     I purposefully entitled this blog Garden Surprises. This will not just include my surprising successes, but my surprising failures as well.

     I would have to say when you grow something from seed & it goes gangbusters, that is a success & it gives you satisfaction beyond compare. For me, this year it was the decorative hyacinth bean vine. It is still going strong & so beautiful, from the leaves & stems to the flowers and the pods now forming. I have it in many spots & its doing fine everywhere! It was easy to grow, hummingbirds love it & it didn’t take over. Yay, a success. For my first failure, my Felicia plant. (the woman said it was easy...) I haven’t gotten it to bloom since the original blooms I bought with it fell off. The pretty variegated foliage kept it from being a total bust. It is supposed to be a houseplant too so I may try again with it next summer, perhaps some research... Another surprising success was the dragon wing begonia I planted in the spot with hot afternoon sun. I know this plant handles shade & sun but one plant, in hot, hot sun got ginormous! See photo to left. Very much a surprise. One of my surprise/failures was the Butterfly Marguerite Daisy. In going with the simplified containers this year, I had one per a container. The one that got more sun grew beautifully, the one with less sun/more shade, not so much. They were in identical planters. It looks like a miracle grow commercial! I will definitely plant ‘Butterfly’ again; it was easy care for sure & so pretty. Next time I will plant in lots of sun. I’m disappointed in my usually robust campion but so happy with all the rain that my phlox, blackeyed susans and coreopsis did well (although with a some powerdry mildew problems) Rain =Success! Lastly is the success of the Pocket Hose. It was a gift & I was skeptical that it could be so great, but it is! Forget the shorter 25 footer (I was given two). I used the 50 ft. & was so pleasantly surprised at how well it worked. It’s so light that there was no flower destruction! It’s a must.

    So we come to the time of year where we take a deep breath & enjoy what’s left. Cut a few flowers & enjoy them inside. With the cooler nights now, have a fire in the fireplace, with a cup of tea & enjoy your cuttings. Don’t even dream of next year. Stay in the moment, there will be plenty of time for planning your successes...

Damn Auto Correct!

     So how many times, do we plink away on our cell phone, swear & mumble, “Damn auto correct?” Really, it lends itself to frustration & depending on the good-sense-of-humored recipient, lots of laughs. So I was thinking about our lives. What if your life came with an auto correct feature? What if we were born with a compass always pointing due North that would bing every time we veered off course?  Would that make our lives a safe vanilla? In the end, we would have much less stress because we wouldn’t be making poor choices. It would make our lives safe & predictable, not much flavor or excitement. That would work for some I’m sure. I, however, prefer no auto correct whatsoever. Reflect on this passage from Gail Godwin’s novel The Finishing School:

    There are two kinds of people... One kind, you can tell just by looking at them at what point they congealed into their final selves. It might be a very nice self, but you know what you can expect no more surprises from it. Whereas, the other kind keeps moving, changing. With these people, you can never say, “X stops here,” or “Now I know all there is to know about Y.” That doesn’t mean they’re unstable. Ah, no, far from it. They are fluid. They keep moving forward and making new trysts with life, and the motion of it keeps them young. In my opinion, they are the only people who are still alive.

Ah yes, I think I’d rather like to explore East, West & South too...

Carmindy & Ted's Tips ~ What Not to Wear

    With 10 seasons of What Not to Wear under my belt, I can safely say I have learned a few things. (I think they actually threw a boxy, boiled wool jacket that I also owned, into the can!) I am so sad to see it all go. Finding a style for yourself & never taking it all too seriously are good lessons to be learned. And yes, the right shoes can make you feel wonderful!! We have also learned much on hair & makeup from the show.

Ted & Carmindy chimed in with their rules too! For hair:

1)   Get your hair cut every 4-6 weeks.

2)  Use the right product for your hair. Ted also recommends a finishing shine spray.

3)  Every woman should color treat their hair. (to help their complexions)

Carmindy suggests:

1)   Carmindize your face buy highlighting the cheekbones, brow bones & tear duct area.

2)  Blend foundation using a non-latex sponge.

3)  Use her 5 minute face so there are no excuses that you lack time to look fresh & beautiful: Even your complexion with foundation, dust translucent powder & Carmindize you face: (apply eyeliner on the upper lash line, lots of black mascara, blush to the apples of your cheeks & a tinted lip balm). See the video link below of Carmindy showing how it’s done. No excuses!

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/what-not-to-wear/videos/the-five-minute-face.htm

What Not To Wear ~ Ultimate Rules Book

    So sadly, for this blogger, we are in the midst of the final season of the iconic style show What Not to Wear. Stacy & Clinton, the co-hosts, have taken us through 10 educational season & hundreds of makeovers. That knowledge has spilled over into thousands & thousands of better dressed viewers! Yes, this is my favorite show, and I am not even a fashionista in the true sense. I’ve loved 10 seasons of their humor, patience, empathy, talent & warmth. The show will so be missed by this blogger. So this week’s episode, which aired Fri., Aug. 30^th on TLC at 10pm, gave viewers the opportunity to once-and-for-all compile their Ultimate Rules Book. See the link below of the video from that episode. Here are the rules:

10) Keep the girls locked & loaded. Yes, get a professional bra fitting & reveal your waist & ribcage!

9) Dress your age. Dressing too old is as bad as dressing too young.

8) Your clothes have to fit the body you have, not the body you want. Ignore sizes, just a number.

7) Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. Never underestimate the importance of a first impression.

6) Color, texture, pattern & shine all create visual interest. Stop the beige blahs & have some fun.

5) You don’t have to show a lot of skin to feel sexy. Choose showing skin on one part of your body.

4) Jeans are supposed to make your butt look good. No more ‘Mom’ jeans!

3) Mom does not equal Frump. Get rid of the ‘Mom’ uniform: oversized t-shirt & hoody, mom jeans, and cross-trainers. Go from Frump to Fab!

2) You can show off your personality without looking crazy. No costumes... people need to notice you & not just your outfit.

And last but not least...

1) We’re always right. (Funny & so true. You will be sorely missed!)

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/what-not-to-wear/videos/the-rule-book-videos.htm

Easy Pasta Sauce & Added Blog Features

    I thought it was about time, with all the options this blog host has to offer, to take advantage of a few. First, you will notice to the left a search this blog option. With almost 200 posts under my belt, this feature is awesome. If you want to find a recipe, just enter a keyword. It is very cool...

   The second, also to the left, will allow you to receive e-mail alerts with every new post. You can also sign up a friend who you think may like this blog!

   I have posted this recipe before. Now I can refer to these recipes & you can find with a quick search. Yay! So this delicious recipe uses the abundance of plum you are harvesting right now. Very easy…

 7-10 Plum type tomatoes – boil quickly for a minute & remove from water, then peel the skins off easily (or 1 – 28-oz, can peeled, whole plum tomatoes)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (evoo)

1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp. sugar (to taste)

¾ tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried

½ tsp. tomato paste (squeeze tube works well for this).

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, more for serving

Heat evoo in a medium-sized saucepan, add garlic & cook until fragrant. Add tomatoes that have been roughly chopped (removing seeds prior to cooking). Add Balsamic, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, sugar & tomato paste. Cook over medium-high heat for 20 minutes. Add Parmesan, basil & any reserved sauce from canned tomatoes if you like. Add a little more evoo, sugar or salt to taste & cook 5 more minutes. Serve over 8-oz. of your favorite pasta shape. Ones with nooks & crannies work well to capture the sauce. Top with more grated Parmesan Serves 3-4. Easy & delish! Mangia!!

Baked Macaroni & Cheese ~ for the Lactose Intolerant

   I have very recently discovered that I am lactose intolerant. There I said it. The girl who would never give up cheese for Lent; the girl whose desert island food is New Jersey Boardwalk pizza (with Knorr’s vegetable, spinach dip a close second). I have probably been in denial for more than a year but finally have seen this to be not the end of the world. Last weekend I made a modified Mac & Cheese recipe accommodating my intolerance & let me tell you, it was best I’ve ever made. I used a super sharp cheddar cheese & extra seasonings to accommodate for what I thought would be lack of flavor. I definitely stumbled onto something. Even the Teenage Tester, reluctant at first, loved it. So here is the recipe. You can always substitute your milk for the Lactaid here in the recipe. I used Cracker Barrel cheese. They print right on the label the grams of lactose. This sharp has 0g & the yellow & white variety is visually perfect & delicious!

2 cups uncooked elbows (or small shells)

¼ cup butter or margarine (has some lactose, but not much)

¼ cup flour

2-1/2 cups Lactaid milk (I used fat free)

8-oz cubed/sliced Cracker Barrel marbled sharp cheddar

1 teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon bread crumbs

Cook macaroni according to directions. Meanwhile, bring milk, flour & butter to a slow boil. Whisk in seasonings & cheese until it melts completely. Drain macaroni & combine in cheese mixture. Pour into 2 quart baking dish sprayed with a non-stick. Top with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Delish!

    This can easily be reheated in the microwave at 50% power to avoid the butter separating. Check out the Cracker Barrel link below for ideas on pairing cheeses with foods & wines.

http://www.crackerbarrelcheese.com/perfect-pairings/#pairing-basics

Fall Fashion Tips 2013

   With September almost here and the cooler temperatures coming, it means that time is near – to switch out your closet!! Some view this with dread, and do as needed (you will still find summer items in their closets in January) and some view it as a good time to purge & donate perhaps. Regardless, if you are shopping for a few new items this season, keep these ideas in mind. After hours of scouring fashion mags for you, here are the best ‘not so trendy trends’ & reminders of the styles that are here to stay & will give you style.

~ Jeans – especially skinny are in full force. There are patterns, colors (even ombre) to choose from & these days skinnies can be found to fit all body types.

~ Boots – wearing boots will always make you fashionable not matter if you are dressed up or down (sorry down does not mean ‘pajamas/yoga pants’ at the grocery store or bus stop or dropping the kids off). Stacked heel is back & lower bootie styles are everywhere. Wear with jeans (boot cut or skinnies) or with tights and a dress.

~ Leather in a skirt, pant or a detail in dresses, jackets or tops. Color blocking is still in so here is another texture for you. Extremely classic.

~ Prints are full force in pants, jeans, tops, dresses, scarves, nails. Polka dots (thanks Princess Kate), floral, animal, stripes, houndstooth, graphic, plaid/tartan (Go Scotland!!) Unless you are expert at mixing, keep the pattern to one piece.

~ Statement necklaces (or earrings – don’t combine both!) – A store like Charming Charlie has everything in accessories you can imagine & sooo inexpensive. But go with a plan, there is so much to look at (all divided into color families) your head will spin. I was recently at a store on vacation when a woman came in & said “I need red.” I thought, “I need to do that.” Here’s the link to find a store:

http://www.charmingcharlie.com/

~ Bomber/motorcycle jackets /denim jackets – quilting also ‘in’

~ Cobalt & all jewel tones

~ ‘Fun’ manicures

~ Still in style – belts & scarves, pumps (single color & color blocked), peplums in dresses & tops, great bags in all kind of colors, shapes & sizes (good place to make a statement!).

    Just remember to follow these Marypause 50 rules: Never shop with an empty stomach & make sure you are hydrated. Try to purchase items that don’t already exist in your closet now. (think outside your closet) If you have a ton of black, try a jewel tone. Try everything on in the store & then again in the comfort of home. Fit is the most important factor here – embrace your curves & don’t try to hide them with oversizes or shlump-a-dinka styles. Ask yourself, does this have style? Do I need this color? And finally, when it comes to shoes & boots & you’ve already made a connection, never ask yourself do I need this?  Happy Shopping!!

The RealAge Test

   I am always intrigued by Dr. Oz and the time & care he and his show place with feeling your best, no matter your age. Sure he gets paid a lot for doing his show, but he is a Dr. first and you truly feel a sense of trust, even through a tv screen. So when I saw this RealAge test that he recommends taking, I went for it. The link is below. The test will take anywhere from 15-30 minutes. You can request at the beginning or the end information or to become of a follower of Dr. Oz or others. I feel it is worth the time. Just be honest with your answers. Your ‘real age’ revealed at the end may be good news or just the news you need to hear to make changes in your life, small or otherwise. The info is all there for you to request if you need through Sharecare. Enjoy this process, you are your best advocate for a healthy life!

http://www.sharecare.com/static/realage-test-marketing-landing?cbr=YHST1300011

8 Healthy Foods You're Ignoring

    It is hard to keep up with the ‘superfoods’ updates, but the knowledge is important for our overall great health. This list is special because it really is a list of delicious foods we grew up with, a staple at our meals. With constant reminders to replace white potatoes with sweet potatoes, or frozen veggies for fresh, we can easily forget that: a) these foods are nutritionally good for you & b) variety is important in our diets so go back to your roots! As soon as you read them you will know the alternatives that have come to replace them. Here they are:

1)   Iceburg Lettuce ~ Adds fiber, low in calories, H2O rich, contains folate, iron & potassium & is inexpensive. And yes, you just can’t replace that ‘crunch’. (just this weekend I’d almost forgotten how to de-core, clean & serve this childhood favorite!)

2)  Potatoes ~ One of the top sources of potassium, we require 4700mg a day. A medium baked potato has 926mg. And can anything ever replace yummy mashed potatoes?

3)  OJ ~ With so many exotic fruit blends out there, we forget how inexpensive & simply yummy 100% OJ is. If you choose the calcium fortified, you are also getting Vitamin D along with the usual Vitamin C, potassium & folate. All great for muscle & collagen repair & healing.

4)  Cauliflower ~ Loaded with phytonutrients, A, C & folic acid, this is a super immune booster that should be eaten raw (easy) or parboiled like broccoli for maximum nutrition.

5)  Frozen Veggies ~ Simply convenient & delicious, They are loaded with nutrients since they are packed & processed immediately! It’s true, often better than fresh which lose nutrients as soon as they are picked.

6)  Instant Oatmeal ~ Convenient & heart-healthy, instant still contains fiber, beta-glucans which help lower total blood cholesterol & your LDL levels.

7)  Canned Tomatoes ~ One word lycopene. Proven to help against skin cancer & promote a healthy prostate, the canned have more readily absorbed lycopene than fresh. Just watch for added sodium.

8)  Peanuts ~ Wow. So much to this humble guy. Just watch the added salt again. So rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and cardio-protective resveratrol. And don’t you just love a peanut butter & jelly sandwich every now & then. Takes you back...