Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Does age really matter anymore?

I like to make jokes about being a 25 year old in a 45 year old body but I still know my place in life. I know that I can't really be 25. I have a family...husband, children, home, job, pets, etc...that means I have to be grown up...right?

Don't get me wrong. I completely agree with those who say 'you're only as old as you feel' (some days, I'd swear I was 90). There's nothing like living the laundry and dirty dishes behind to spend time hanging out with my girls. However, there's a time when I just have to take a deep breath and admit that I'm not a kid anymore.

Some people seem to have a hard time accepting that. I have friends who are 30+ and still feel they should be hanging out with their pothead friends and staying up all hours of the night, watching old movies, while I feed them (and their cats). For some reason, they don't understand that I work to feed MY family and MY cats.

Oh well, not that my rant is going to make them act any different...especially since they don't even subscribe to this blog.

Sunday, March 15, 2009


Those boots were made for walking...and running...and playing...and looking cool!
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It's Good to be Bad

Foods with a Bad Rep That Are Actually Good for You

Some of your favorite guilty pleasures are better for you than you might think. In fact, many offer hidden benefits. Here are the foods that you can stop avoiding at the grocery store. Just watch the serving sizes.

Coffee
That morning kick of java can have lots of other benefits in addition to making you bright-eyed for work. Coffee drinkers seem less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. Also, coffee has become the most common source of antioxidants in the American diet. And studies of coffee drinkers have found it may lower the risk of some types of cancer.

Regular or decaf? Researchers say the benefits may come from something other than caffeine, because decaf drinkers also see lowered risk when it comes to heart disease (though not as low as those of caffeine drinkers). Be more concerned about whether your coffee is filtered—unfiltered coffee (like the kind made in a French press) has been linked to heart risks.

Eggs
When you think of eggs, you may be blinded by their link to cholesterol. But for most people, eggs (in moderation) are not only harmless but healthy. Researchers studying overweight people found that those who began their day with some eggs ate fewer calories and less fat later in the day than those who didn’t. It may be the protein in the eggs that helps you feel fuller longer. Plus, there is some evidence that shows eggs may help prevent memory loss and preserve eyesight.

Egg or not? If your cardio health is fine, you can safely have an egg a day as long as you watch your cholesterol intake from other foods (like shrimp or pastries containing eggs). If you have heart disease or major risk factors for it, experts say limit cholesterol to 200 milligrams a day (one small egg has 157 mg; one medium, 187 mg). In either case, get regular cholesterol checkups.

Peanut Butter
With the word “butter” in the name, you’d figure the gooey stuff isn’t all that healthy. But even though it has about 200 calories per serving, it has a good amount of fiber and protein, which can help fill you up so you eat less overall. And the fat it has is mostly the heart-healthy monounsaturated kind. It also serves up vitamins and minerals and has been shown in studies to help decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Reduced-fat or regular? If you’re buying reduced-fat peanut butter because you think it’s better for your waistline, save your money. The calories are the same (or even a little higher) thanks to the extra ingredients that are used to make up for the missing fat (including more sugar). Instead, look for lower sodium counts—which can range from 40 to 250 milligrams per 2-tablespoon serving.

Chocolate
This isn’t permission to eat candy bars with abandon—chocolate does have a good amount of fat and calories. But when you satisfy your sweet tooth with a small chunk of dark chocolate, you may be helping your circulation. Researchers believe that the dark stuff helps increase blood flow. This means chocolate may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Plus, denying yourself may only backfire. When researchers asked a group of women to either think about eating chocolate or block chocolate from their minds, those told to banish thoughts of chocolate ate the most of anyone.

Chocolate like you’ve never had it before… The next time you eat a piece of dark chocolate, sit down. Take a few seconds to smell it before putting it in your mouth. Remember that 1 piece tastes no different than 20 pieces. Really focus on the taste in your mouth—even try sucking it instead of chewing it.