Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thankful Thursday

I am SO thankful my house is RENTED!  Yeah.....it was SO much work for Rob and it cost me some gym/workout time- BUT it's DONE!
I really like the tenants and I hope everything goes well with our 1st ever rental.

I can now get going with organizing at home and getting our tax stuff together.  THEN it's vacation mode!  I hope to pack this weekend.

Some things I love lately



 Slips as dresses

 Greek appetizers for dinner on Friday's during Lent
Toasted Pitas
Greek Olives and Feta Cheese

<3


 Lands End selling Mastectomy Swim Suits


 James Jean- Swan

Bright White Kitchens & Sunlight

Vintage Purse


 New to me SockWebsite
I love socks

wear them like this



Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Veggie Wedgie Wednesday

Well I am trying to look into some good anti-inflammatory vegetables and Spinach is one of them.  Spinach is so good you could probably call it your mulit-vitamin veggie!

SPINACH



Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Benefits from Spinach Phytonutrients

Even though virtually all vegetables contain a wide variety of phytonutrients- including flavonoids and carotenoids-spinach can claim a special place among vegetables in terms of its phytonutrient content. Researchers have identified more than a dozen different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. (Some of these substances fall into a technical category of flavonoids known as methylenedioxyflavonol glucuronides.) The anticancer properties of these spinach flavonoids have been sufficiently impressive to prompt researchers to create specialized spinach extracts that could be used in controlled laboratory studies. These spinach extracts have been shown to slow down cell division in human stomach cancer cells (gastric adenocarcinomas), and in studies on laboratory animals, to reduce skin cancers (skin papillomas). A study on adult women living in New England in the late 1980s also showed intake of spinach to be inversely related to incidence of breast cancer.

Excessive inflammation, of course, typically emerges as a risk factor for increased cancer risk. (That's why many anti-inflammatory nutrients can also be shown to have anti-cancer properties.) But even when unrelated to cancer, excessive inflammation has been shown to be less likely following consumption of spinach. Particularly in the digestive tract, reduced inflammation has been associated not only with the flavonoids found in spinach, but also with its carotenoids. Neoxanthin and violaxanthin are two anti-inflammatory epoxyxanthophylls that are found in plentiful amounts in the leaves of spinach. While these unique carotenoids may not be as readily absorbed as carotenoids like beta-carotene or lutein, they still play an important role in regulation of inflammation and are present in unusual amounts in spinach.

Decreased risk of aggressive prostate cancer is one health benefit of spinach consumption that should not be overlooked when talking about the anti-cancer properties of spinach. "Aggressive prostate cancer" is defined as stage III or IV prostate cancer which carries with it a Gleason score of at least 7. (Gleason scores are prostate cancer rating measurements that require lab studies of prostate tissue and evaluation of common tumor-related patterns.) Interestingly, in a recent study that evaluated possible prostate cancer-prevention benefits from a variety of vegetables including spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard and turnip greens, collards, and kale - only spinach showed evidence of significant protection against the occurrence of aggressive prostate cancer.

Antioxidant benefits of spinach
Most of the flavonoid and carotenoid nutrients found in spinach that provide anti-inflammatory benefits provide antioxidant benefits as well. Given the fact that spinach is an excellent source of other antioxidant nutrients - including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and manganese-as well as a very good source of the antioxidant zinc and a good source of the antioxidant selenium-it's no wonder that spinach helps lower risk of numerous health problems related to oxidative stress. Our blood vessels, for example, are especially susceptible to damage from oxidative stress, and intake of spinach has been associated with decreased risk of several blood vessel-related problems, including atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. (Interestingly, the blood pressure benefits of spinach may be related not only to its antioxidants, but also to some of its special peptides. Peptides are small pieces of protein, and researchers have discovered several peptides in spinach that can help lower blood pressure by inhibiting an enzyme called angiotensin I-converting enzyme.)

Two of the carotenoids that are especially plentiful in spinach-lutein and zeaxanthin-are primary antioxidants in several regions of the eye, including the retina and the macula. Although we haven't seen specific studies on spinach intake and prevention of eye-related problems like macular degeneration, we have seen studies showing that human blood levels of lutein can be increased by consumption of spinach in everyday amounts. We've also seen at least one group of researchers suggesting that spinach has a likely role to play in prevention of eye problems, including age-related macular degeneration.
Read more of this HERE

I love a spinach salad with some walnuts and feta cheese......or with chicpeas!  If you eat bacon it would be great with bacon and eggs (hard boiled)!  YUM.



 Here's a dressing idea for your bacon and egg spinach salad:

Fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

Transfer the fat to a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.

Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss. Add the dressing and bacon and toss to combine. Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them. Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.

Recipe from Alton Brown Food Network- Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Cheap Trick Tuesday

It's time again for Restaurant Week in Downtown Binghamton!
4/5-4/14
Great deals for DateNight or Girls Night Out
Dinner- 3 courses- $20
Lunch- 3 courses- $10  


So I MUST include this Deal
$5 Meals at KFC
and $10 Buckets on Sunday
(don't forget you CAN get grilled chicken)
Going on NOW



10 pcs of chicken- no cooking for mom - it's a steal of a deal  :)

And have you been to KFC lately?
Did you see our new reusable containers?
They are microwavable safe and dishwasher safe
They are the perfect size for watching your portions   

Monday, March 28, 2011

Denise

Well thank you so much for praying for my friend Denise.  
Denise is finally at peace and whole again in heaven.


It totally sucks...........last I talked with her she had a trach. put in and was faced with another tumor and more chemo and she was still laughing with me.  I hate cancer because we give up so much to fight it....it seems like they take piece by piece.  Denise and I used to talk about music because she would put together memorials and such on the computer. 

Denise and I met at Doorways to Healing, she was the first person I met there.  She wanted us all to get together and have a picnic, but we didn't get that chance.  Just more reason to remember to always take that picnic if possible.

I feel so bad because I know she went through so much.

Cancer Sucks!




Motivate Me Monday

Sometimes presentation is everything!!

I really want to eat more beautiful fruits and vegetables this week!



Some of those did make me hungry!

Fill the plate half with veggies!


This is the final and 4th week of The 4Wk Challenge 
my 3rd week was my worse one yet- 
gained .6  :(

Cheers


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Jackie

No I don't run- but Jackie does


Well as I was getting ready to clean up some magazines and paperwork at home -
like always I breeze through my magazines and save any articles I want to keep.
I came across this ad and thought of my 4Wk Challenge partner Jackie!
I know the weather has been bad for outside running and I really feel for her as we are on Week 3 and it has NOT been easy with weather and all.
How much easier would it be if the sun was shining and we didn't have to wear our winter coats?
Well- we just make adjustments. 

So this post is for Jackie- Hang in there!
Spring will show up I just know it


Here's some eye candy Jackie! 


I LOVE this outfit- Could see Jackie in this taking her kids pics 
Loft Jeans- Old Navy shirt


Had to throw this up as well.......digging the links!
Oh and the nails!

It's been so nice to know someone else out there is trying real hard these 4Wks to kick start them self like me.

I've know Jackie since we were wee girls.  Although we may have never been close friends- she is someone who would be there for you- that's a pretty amazing quality!   I'm so lucky to have a friend like Jackie- she had been there for me from before my breast cancer and during that time I know she prayed for me and it helped me SO much. 
She is truly one of those people who only gives off goodness and joy. 

Monday, March 21, 2011

Welcome Spring Welcome


Well how sad were you when you woke up to snow on the 1st day of Spring?

As of 7:21pm this evening Spring has Sprung
Oh - it was so much easier to stay active when the sun was out and I didn't have to wear a coat.

How can I think about what I'm going to wear on Easter with snow on the ground? 
Another year of freezing on Easter?- I hope not.  

This year for Lent I wanted to DO stuff instead of give stuff up- being I'm already giving up.
I want to eat better
I want to get to confession
I want to get to stations at least 2x- 1x with Lucas- where we volunteer to help
I want to pray more

I also started up with my prayer for the shoulder

Here is how the Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Jesus came about:




(found on my prayer card)
It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard asked Our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering and Our Lord answered: "I had on My Shoulder, while I bore My Cross on the Way of Sorrows, a grievous Wound, which was more painful than the others and which is not recorded by men. Honor this Wound with thy devotion and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through Its virtue and merit. And in regard to all those who shall venerate this Wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins and will no longer remember their mortal sins."

Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Jesus

O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy Flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other Wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen.

After thinking about Jesus and his wound I feel pretty silly crying about trying to get into shape.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

4Wk Challenge Week 2 Done



Why is it that everything can't be good all at the same time.  I mean I may get my bed room organized finally and then my office area is BAD!  The laundry all done, but the sink is loaded!  My hair is done, but my eyebrows need shaping......it's never ending.  Right?

I'm having the same problem with eating and exercising.  This 2nd week was going good Monday- I had something come up with Lucas and I was able to switch my gym time around- GREAT!  Then Tuesday as I was parking for Pilates I had a fender bender in the parking lot which resulted in missing my pilates appointment....which lead to me buying some yummy peanut butter snack I should not be eating!  BUT thankfully the dogs found the bag and ate them before I did even more damage!  Ahhhhhh

So I was sometimes bad with my eating, but I made sure not to eat after 7.  I wanted to cook at least 1 low fat meal, but didn't make it.

I'm still loving my lunch bag.  This weekend I was working on moving out of my old house (still) and I packed healthy snacks which actually helped me.  I also still love my water bottle no matter how many times I leave it at the gym and have to drive back to get it.  I felt like this past week I was a scatter brain.

I did lose a pound and I'm feeling good.

Tomorrow morning I MUST get up and do my bikini workout!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I have a very busy week coming up, but I must get prepared with food and a good workout schedule.  I'm a bit nervous about it, but there are plenty of times to fit in some sort of workout I just have to do it.

I wonder how Jackie is doing- probably better than me.  I bet she got out and ran thanks to the couple of nice days we've had. 

At the gym my trainer had me do 2 new exercises and 1 I couldn't even do- I was so embarrassed and frustrated!  The other one was so hard too- something with the balance- I usually have good balance, but I did have a headache and wasn't feeling 100%.  Maybe you'd like to try these:


Bench Split Squats




Place one foot on top of a bench or physioball and the other foot forward in the split squat position. With bodyweight or dumbbells in hand squat down on one leg. The weight should be in the heel, shoulders back, chest up, and abdominals engaged. The key to this lift is to maintain perfect posture through the spine throughout the movement. Perform three sets of 10 reps each leg.

Step-Up - With a Flat Bench






Stand directly behind a flat bench. With one foot on the bench, to assume starting position, be sure to keep feet shoulder width apart. As you exhale, step up on the bench and be sure to use your quad muscle to bring your body upward. Be sure that your knee does not extend over your foot as you step on the bench. Once your body is above the bench, lower your body as your inhale and repeat the pattern with the other leg. This exercise can be done by alternating the legs on the bench or doing a set one leg at a time. For added resistance, hold a weight in each hand when performing this exercise.
My trainer was having me do this with weights, but I couldn't keep my form so we ditched them.  

Some motivational images to get me going










oh brother

Thursday, March 17, 2011

My New Life



Well there are days that are bad......really bad.  I get nervous out of nowhere and I was just telling my doc when he asked how much Xanax I take; that I often think I better take a Xanax and well it's at home.  When at home I feel comfortable to be scared/nervous and don't really need to take anything.  The bad times are definitely farther apart and I'm learning to cope.  I live in fear that the moment I go on with my life there will be a problem, but I'm learning to deal with that.

Another emotion they definitely didn't tell me about was anger.  Anger sucks and it makes me feel so bad after, like I deserve some horrible disease for being so ungrateful and having the nerve to actually be mad.  One night while out with Rob at a bar for something to eat I sat there and watched as women with their boobs hanging out danced around and carried on and I got so mad.  Like I could explode angry.  I wasn't mad at the women, but just mad that this happened to me and my whole family.  I guess it's normal, but I really don't like being a angry person and I hope to not take it out on other people. 
It's an emotion I just have to work through.

That being said cancer had brought some good in my life.

I love my family more than every before- I love when I hear my parents or Rob's parents laugh.  Don't know why, but it's something that never brought so much joy as is does now. 
I'm so glad we are all healthy and able to have fun at a moments notice!

I love Lucas and Rob SO much and being with them can make me better no matter what I'm going through.  Having a comfort like that is something I never imagined.

I love the outdoors...the sun, birds, trees and water!  I can look at any one of them and feel joy. 
 I love the smell of the outdoors. 
I love looking at babies and seeing life and Godness (yes God) in their eyes.  

I love my church and all the spiritual people who have helped me heal.

I just have A LOTTA LOVE   

and last but not least I have a better of idea on stuff and what's important
most stuff is not important
and the stuff that is, that I treasured and didn't use
I use
one day I came across my mint green vintage gloves
and I thought ya know what I'm going to wear them- why not? 

Life is good right now

I love
I suffer
I cope
I grow
I love bigger

Wear your vintage gloves and thank God for all you got.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Kate Beckinsale

I like her style



 Simple but cool mom style










 Dresses up for Halloween



 Dresses her pooch

 Ok and her hubby is pretty cool even if he snoozes during pedi time 

What a cute couple