Trust the Cookie

   Sometimes it seems as if our home is a work in progress.  When we first moved in, it was pretty bare.  We immediately began renovations.  Over the past six and a half years, we have gotten new carpeting, added a deck, finished the basement, and completely gutted the kitchen.  Yesterday, we began our change over to hard wood floors. We really had no choice.  The carpet was a bad decision.  Over time, it faded and stretched.  We've managed to avoid any permanent staining, but there was no way to avoid the hills that seem to show up in the most visible areas.  So, we saved up and now we are adding hard wood to certain areas.
   Having contractors banging and pounding throughout the day can be extremely stressful.  The cat goes into hiding.  Our son too.  Every so often, my husband hugs me and asks if I am okay.  The strange thing is...I am fine...maybe a little bit anxious and distraught, but I blame that on the total chaos this has caused.  I can blank out the noise, but furniture is displaced and there is dust everywhere.  For a while, we even lost the cat (we found her behind a bookshelf).  I am not looking forward to the big clean after they finally finish the job and vacate out home, but its not really that bad.   And from the looks of what they've done so far, its going to be beautiful.  I didn't need to plan dinner.  We just ordered take out (sometimes you just have to order take out).  Anyway, after I finished my hot and sour soup, I grabbed my fortune cookie.  Of course, the writing was small.  "Where did I put those readers?"  Finally, once I could see again, I read, "You have inexhaustible wisdom and power."  It was probably the best fortune cookie message I had ever gotten.  It even gave me a surge of strength to face the next day...and most likely what will prove to be the next three days of disruption of my normal daily peaceful environment.
    But, that was yesterday.  This morning, when I got up, my husband informed me that he had a change in his schedule.  He had to leave early.  He couldn't wait to move furniture with the installers.  We had to do it.  And this was before I had my coffee.  I initially thought he was messing with me.  He does that.  Not this time.  I was fortunate not to injure myself lifting.
    Well, he is gone now.  Our son is at school.  I am alone.  And the installers have not yet arrived.  I can't work out yet.  I can't hear them if I am on our treadmill downstairs.  I sit here in my work out clothes waiting, listening to the door, and trying to be patient.  I don't do "patience" well.  It takes a concerted effort.  I walked around the house looking for things to do to fill the time.  I put some laundry in.  I even replaced the hardware on the old hutch (a honey do mission that has been waiting five years for completion).  Its 8:47am.  My husband said they were supposed to come at 8 o'clock.  Are they late or did he hear them wrong?  Maybe they said 9 o'clock?
    Then I thought to myself, just trust the cookie.  You are wise and you have the power.  Take a deep breath.  Write your blog, then fold the laundry.  They will come.  Now is merely the calm before the storm.  And this storm will, in the end, bring beautiful hard wood floors.  You can go work out after they arrive.
     Well, I'd better go.  Its 9 o'clock and they just arrived.  Guess he did hear them wrong.  Well, time to hit the treadmill.  The laundry can wait.  : )  

What Every Woman Needs More Of

  Have you ever fell in love with a certain product only to find you can't get it?  Thats what happened to me.  The last time I went to the doctor, she told me women of my age (nice huh?) need extra calcium.  She put in a prescription for calcium pills.  I picked them up, but to be honest, I never opened the bottle.  I mean...don't I take enough vitamin supplements?  I did take her seriously though.  You see, I know there is only so much calcium I can get from yogurt and cheese.  I don't drink milk.  Well, I drink soy milks and creamers.  Does that count?  Its not a dairy product.  My multivitamin has calcium right?  Don't some fruits and veggies have calcium? UGH... I really didn't want to forced to drink cow's milk again.  I needed an option.  I like options.
   I was in GNC (General Nutrition Center) on the first week...you know?  Its when they offer the discounts.   The cashier asked if I wanted to try the Be-Balanced calcium chews.  They were in a bowl next to me as I purchased a few other items.  I thought, why not?  They were free.  So I tried one.  They were pretty tasty, not unlike a piece of caramel candy.  Besides, the doctor's message was echoing in my memory.  More calcium....You need more calcium.  You are getting old.  So, I bought a bag.  And I took one faithfully every day.  Unfortunately, I came close to running out too early to hit the discount week.  If you know me, you know I don't pay full price unless I absolutely have to.  I am a thrifty woman.
   Later, I was in the mall shopping for something (I don't know what) when I passed a store I hadn't heard of before called Vitamin World.  I was curious so I went in.  The prices were exceeding better than the GNC and they pretty much carried the same stuff.  I walked in just to look around.  Low and behold, they too had a calcium chew.  I picked up a bag.  I figured they were all the same.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that Vitamin World's calcium chews tasted even better than GNCs.  Well, time went on, and eventually I ran out of the Vitamin World chews.  I found myself without a chew and with no other reason to go all the way to the mall.  It was a bad weather day too.  I didn't really want to drive that far just for a bag of calcium chews.  Now what?
   Well, I had no choice about grocery shopping.  We had nothing in the house I could turn into a reasonably healthy dinner.  I headed out to the nearby Shopper's.  It's next to Target.  For some strange almost supernatural reason, I always need something at Target.  Well, you know what?  At Target, I noticed they also had a calcium chew.  This time, it was Caltrate.  On the package, it claimed to be the #1 selling brand.  I figured it would be worth it to give it a shot.  I mean, if everyone was buying it, it had to be good.  It wasn't.  Of the three I had tasted, it was the worst.  Still, until I could get to either GNC or better yet, Vitamin World, I would have a Caltrate chew once a day...because, after all, I am a woman of a certain age.  Still if I had to recommend a favorite calcium chew, I would put them in the following order.  Vitamin World first, then GNC, then lastly...Caltrate.

Vitamin World          GNC                           Caltrate
20 calories                15 calories                 15 calories
2 grams sugar            2 grams sugar          1 gram sugar
3 grams carb             3 grams carb             2 grams carb
500mg calcium          600mg calcium          600mg calcium
5mg Sodium              5mg Sodium               10mg Sodium
100iu VitaminD         800iu VitaminD           400iu Vitamin D
40mcg VitaminK       40mcg Vitamin K        Not listed

  

The Spice of Life

 

   Last night, my husband and I decided to try something new for dinner.  So, I hit the internet.  After reading several on line reviews, we made a plan to try a local Indian Restaurant, "Taste of Tandoor".  I have to admit I was excited.  Well traveled, he and I love to experience new foods, and new flavors.  Most Friday nights, we stick to the favorites, restaurants that have always proven to please.   But, unfortunately, these restaurants are also the ones with the longest lines.  As I said before, I hate waiting.  My mood immediately deflates as soon as they hand me that thing that blinks when the table is ready.
http://www.tasteoftandoor.com/
   We initially thought it would be just the two of us, but a change in plans meant our youngest was coming along.  When we were in the car, my husband informed him we were trying something new.  He got very quiet.  He doesn't like to deviate from his usual macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, pizza, or other traditionally "kid" foods.   But, at this point, he was captive...along for the ride.  We pulled in to the strip mall where the restaurant was located.  The curtains were drawn.  I became curious as to why.  Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised to see a nicely laid out, clean and inviting eating establishment.  Hidden so nicely, it was only half full of customers...no waiting for a comfortable booth.  Still I was prepared to make a quick recommendation for an escape to the nearby and familiar "Glory Days" restaurant.  Before I could change my mind, I glanced around at all the happy customers.  Then we were greeted with a smile and seated.  Our drink order was taken and we were left with an impressive, but extremely confusing menu.  What's this?  What's that?  We had no idea.  My husband couldn't read the menu, even with his glasses on (the menu type was very small).  Our son embraced the new experience, gladly serving as our guide, slowly sounding out the ingredients to each dish so we could decide on our selections.
   They brought out the appetizer we ordered...an assorted platter with items such as Murg tikka, Palkh pakora, Seekh kabob and Samosa.  None of us had any idea what these things were, but how can you lose with an assorted platter, right?  We laughed about it.  It was all rather tasty, different yes..but tasty still.  We ordered the breads...Roti (unleavened whole wheat bread) and Lachha Paratha (multi layered whole wheat bread).  They looked like the Naan I bring home on occasion, but these were warm (baked at the restaurant).
    For main meals, my husband ordered Gosht Masala (Lamb with ginger and garlic sauce), and I ordered Goa Shrimp Masala (Shrimp with coconut milk, cooked with ginger, garlic, curry leaves and spices).  We both ordered our entrees "hot", very spicy but one step below "Indian hot".  Our youngest took a look at the menu, then politely asked for the kid's menu.  As a teenager, he hates to do this.  It has become somewhat embarrassing.  In the end, he returned to the adult menu.  He decided on keeping it simple.  He ordered the Indian tomato soup.  We all had a side of Basmati rice puluo.  Mostly, he ate the bread and the rice.  We said nothing.  After all, this was for the experience.  We asked only that he try everything.  The waiter came over and asked if we wanted dessert.  My husband and I were both stuffed, but in the interest of trying new things, we took a look at the dessert menu.  We all looked.  Our son chose the Pistachio kulfi (Indian ice cream with cardarmon and pistachio).  I don't normally eat pistachios.  Neither does our youngest.  The waiter came back with dessert.  We just looked at him funny.  He had set it down in front of our son and with one spoon.  My husband laughs and says "Where's mine?"  He asks the waiter for two more spoons..we were going to share.  It was so frozen, our son had to help me get a spoonful.  My husband, a lover of pistachios liked it...it was different.  But our son?  He was in heaven.  He gladly finished what we could not.  The spicy food wasn't to his taste, but he absolutely embraced the unique Indian dessert.  This in itself gave me hope that he would be more willing to try new restaurants in the future.  I suggested we try Korean food next (no one argued).      
    This morning, I was on line again checking for more information on Indian food.  I was pleased to discover that it is actually healthy.  : )  Turns out enjoying "the spice of life" can be good for you.

htttp://www.indianfoodsite.com/nutritional_information.htm

Dear Lord, "Please let me get through this workout"

   Everything seemed to be going great this morning.  I drove our son to school so he could get in some volunteer time with the teacher.  When I came home, I husband was standing at the door smiling.  I had caught him before he left for work.  I walked in and we talked a bit about the upcoming weekend activities.  Then, after a quick kiss, he was out the door.
   The house was quiet.  Only 8 o'clock, and I was heading downstairs to my treadmill.  Yesterday was a bit depressing.  I didn't get to walk until after 10 o'clock.
  Soon, I was walking my steadily pace and happily watching "The Today Show".  I got as far as 4.70 miles, when my right knee gave out on me.  What the heck?  Where did that come from?  Luckily, I caught it in time...grabbed the treadmill hand rails.  I slowed my pace a bit, but continued.  I was determined to make it to 5 miles.  I focused on the television, not my wobbly knees.  Every now and then, I glanced at the treadmill mileage...4.75, 4.80, 4.85.  I thought, "please don't let me fall off this machine".  I hit 4.9 and knew for sure that I would finish.  The numbers came one by one... It was difficult to keep my focus on the television, and off my knee.      
   A good story came on.  When I looked back down at the treadmill, I was on 5.02.  It was all very exciting.  I had finished my 5 miles despite the fact that my knee was unstable.  I looked around.  There was no one to tell...no one to share my accomplishment with but it didn't really matter.  I knew I had been sent a guardian angel to help me get through...to push me...or maybe pull me to that 5 mile goal.
   I did my weight exercises...300 high repetition, low weight...then went upstairs.  Sit ups were a challenge today.  Great...I think I'm getting rug burns and I think I am losing a toenail.  But then, something happened that made me forget the rug and my toes.  I noticed, when in the down position, the sun was shining in through the window.  It felt wonderful to feel the warm sun on my face.  I made it to my goal...100 sit ups.  I thought, okay...what's next?
   Push ups...Only 20.  I can do 20 push ups, right?  It was the last task to complete.  Well, for some reason, my feet kept slipping.  I notice my stomach.  I hate my stomach.  I don't think my ab work outs are working.  Maybe I should reconsider plastic surgery.  I've lost a lot of weight.  When I bend a certain way, I feel like one of those shar-pei dogs.  I was quickly losing focus.  Suddenly, I had a strange urge to look out the window.  I was looking for a distraction.  I noticed that there was a cardinal on the bird feeder...which is strange because the bird feeder is empty and has been for days, weeks even.  The cardinal was just sitting there.  He seemed to be watching me do my push ups.  Honestly, I believe he was counting my push ups.  Okay, that's strange, right?  I know, at this point, I have completely lost my mind.  But you know what?  That bird gave me the motivation I needed to complete my work out.
   He reminded me that Spring is nearly here.  Knock wood...In a few weeks, I will be able to look back and say "I made it through the winter without throwing my back out, without getting hurt so bad I had to go to the doctor in tears, begging for pain meds."  I focused on knocking out the push ups.  When I got to 20, I glanced back at the bird feeder.  He flew away.  I was done.  I didn't need him anymore...today.  I wonder if he'll come back tomorrow and count for me.   Maybe I need to buy some bird seed just in case.  For now, I'll put out some bread...for my work out buddy and his friends.        

Okay, Who Moved My cheese?

    Dr. Spencer Johnson’s best selling Who Moved My Cheese? (Published in 1998) is a story of four characters that live in a "Maze" and look for "Cheese" to eat.   Years ago as an Equal Opportunity Officer, I used the story when I taught classes to soldiers.  It was about two mice named Sniff and Scurry, and two mouse-size people named Hem and Haw.  The "Cheese" was a metaphor for what you wanted to have in life…whether it was a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind.  The “Maze" was where you looked for what you want…the organization you work in, or the family or community you live in.  In the story, the characters were faced with unexpected change. Eventually, one of them dealt with the change successfully.  He wrote what he had learned from his experience on the maze walls. The moral was “when you see the handwriting on the wall, you can discover for yourself how to deal with change and enjoy more success and less stress in your work and in your life”.  I enjoyed the lesson so much; I bought the kid’s version for our youngest.  I even used it when I worked as a substitute teacher.  “Cheese” is one of those stories that easily applies to all age groups.  We all, at some point or another, have our cheese moved.  

    Today, I woke up thinking “Okay, Who Moved My Cheese”.  We recently replaced the old furniture in our basement.  The old furniture arrives between 9 and 12 this morning.  It completely disrupted my daily routine.  Most weekday mornings, I get dressed, see my son off to school, and then head downstairs to walk on the treadmill.  It starts my day off right.  Then, once I have showered and dressed, I write in my blog.  This morning, I am stuck waiting for the new furniture.  I hate waiting.  I suppose I could find something to do.  I can do other exercises in my routine.  I just can’t commit to that treadmill walk.  I have to listen for that inevitable knock on the front door (the bell doesn’t work). 

    To make matters worse, we are replacing our carpet this weekend.  I have spent the entire week moving breakables so we can move china cabinets and other miscellaneous furniture.  Up and down the stairs.  Okay, I could consider that exercise.  My husband has been on one of his work trips this week.  When he calls, I tell him what I’ve been doing, a little bit each day.  I am worried about getting it all done before they come to rip up the carpeting.  He knows it.  He tells me not to worry.  Honestly, that’s like telling a parachutist not to jump after they left the plane…and the chute has opened.  Let’s face it…worrying is what I do.  If I’m not worrying about the fact that all the furniture is still in place, I am worrying about whether or not I will twist or pull my back when my husband says “Okay, time to move furniture.  Come on.  It’s easy.”  “Sweetie, it is not easy.  I am not a he man furniture mover.  I am a petite fragile lady with, might I add, a bad back”.  He has always overestimated my physical strength.  How can I blame him?  He sees my other strengths.  He sees the “I can, I will” attitude I show the world.  Most days, I struggle with the urge to say “I can, I really want to.  Okay, I will try.”  Then subconsciously, I am saying, “Please let me lay down on the couch.  I am broken and exhausted.”     

    I know I have to deal with the change.  It seems I am always dealing with change.  I had to start walking because my knees were shot, because the doctor said I could not run anymore.  I still take the stairs, but I hold on to the banister because it hurts and well, for fear my knees will give out on me.  I took up yoga because I could not deal with the constant pain.  It balances me.  I do my kegels religiously, but I still wear those stupid panty liners just in case.  I take the GPS everywhere I drive so I don’t get anxious when we take a wrong turn and get lost.  Men won’t ask directions, but they have no problem with the gadgets.  I plan ahead.  I organize.  I am probably borderline obsessive compulsive.  But I know if they move my cheese, I have more stashed somewhere, my personal continuity plan.  Okay, that’s not the lesson Dr. Johnson meant me to learn.  What can I say?  It’s a process.  The handwriting on the wall tells me I can walk after the furniture comes… 

March Temptation

     
    This morning, I was driving our son in to school when I had this idea.  Every day, I walk my walk, and talk my talk...while doing my best to stay on track with my eating habits.  I know how hard it can be.  My biggest challenge is when my husband goes on work trips.  I swear I sometimes get so busy I forget to eat.  How did I ever do this when I had a full time job?  This month, I'm going to tempt you with something new.

    As Criss Angel says, "Are you ready?"  

    The largest weighed three pounds, two ounces.  One medium size one contains about 80 calories.  The skin contains more antioxidants and fiber than the flesh.  There are more than 7500 varieties grown in the world.  About 2500 varieties are grown in the United States.  Archaeologists have evidence of people eating them as far back as 6500 B.C.  Contrary to popular belief, there is no mention of this fruit as the forbidden fruit in the Bible. It is referred to as "fruit from the Tree of Knowledge" with no specification as to which kind of fruit. It was Hugo Van Der Goes who first implicated it as the forbidden fruit in his 1470 A.D. painting, The Fall of Man. After that, it became popular to depict it as the forbidden fruit. Did Adam get the forbidden fruit stuck in his throat explaining why men have these and not women?  Newton asked why it fell.  Henry David Thoreau referred to them as the noblest of fruits. Dan Brown used this secret for his best selling book “The DaVinci Code”.  We see them on our electronic gadgets.  Me? I once decorated my country kitchen with them.  There is no doubt about it. They are part of our history.  They touch our lives.  And I have yet to hear of anyone ever being allergic to them (which, in my opinion, is a plus).  But, what exactly does this popular fruit do for you?

    French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.  One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.  A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.  The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.  According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples. A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.  One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.  Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer. The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.  A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

   Why am I feeding you all this information?  Well, this month, I have added something new...a personal challenge to my readers.  I know. I know.  You are thinking, "Another thing to keep track of?  Who is she kidding?  That's all I need."  Well, I promise this one will be easy.  I want you to eat an apple a day every day this month.  We all know they are good for us.  Together, let’s see if we can keep those doctors away.  

I scream, you scream...

   I think we, as Americans, have a crazy sweet tooth.  My mother used to say, “Momma needs some sugar”, meaning she wanted a hug and kiss.  Sweets get us through the most difficult of days.  They are something to look forward to after a meal.  We give them as symbols of our affection for another.  Once, when my stepdaughter was little, we took the kids out to dinner.  She ordered dessert.  When we explained to her that she had to have her main meal first, she replied with, "But I'm not hungry for the meal.  I'm hungry for dessert."  Who could blame her, really?  Even Harry Potter was given chocolates as a cure all for whatever was bothering him..."Here, have a chocolate."  I digress.  I'll discuss chocolates on a different day.  Today, I want to talk about my own personal sweet weakness.  It is and has always been ice cream.  

    As a little girl, my father would take me at least one a month to the nearest High’s Ice Cream parlor for a huge banana split.  It was for him, really, but I was allowed to go along and get my own (which I could never finish).  In some way, it made me feel special just to be included in my father’s sweet, cool decadent escape from reality.  Like most kids, I would have been happy with a scoop of chocolate that I could stir up into a pudding concoction.  Looking back, I think it was all about sitting on the swivel stool next my dad. 

   In high school, I actually had a part time job at High’s Ice Cream.  It lasted one day.  One by one, the store manager showed me how to make each dairy confection unique to the store.  There were no customers, so I asked, “What am I supposed to do after I show you I can make them...throw them out?”  She responded with, “There is no wasting here.  You have to eat them.”  I thought she was joking.  She was not.  So, I gently lay my scoop on the counter and told her no thank you.  Cocky as I was, I added that perhaps she should eat them.  Then I walked out.  I never went in to a High’s Ice Cream parlor again.  I somehow thought she’d remember me and force feed me one of those enormous tubs.  

   Even after that slightly traumatic experience, I still love ice cream.  As a matter of fact, I love going to Jo Jo’s on route one in nearby Dumfries, Virginia when its open (its seasonal).  And in Arizona, we actually considered buying stock in Cold Stone Creamery.  Ben and Jerry's is heaven if you are willing to wait in line.  And if have had them, you will never quite forget the famous "Dole Whip".  

    Unfortunately, for many of us, ice cream has become one of those foods you have to have in moderation…like the cake you only eat on birthdays.  And although time marches on, I would be the last one to say that you should give up ice cream entirely.  I know I won't.  Even my recently health conscious husband will grab his favorite “Skinny Cow” ice cream when he needs a treat.  Life is short, right? 

    So, in the interest of having fascinating things to read about on this every growing blog of mine, I decided to compare the healthier ice creams out there.  For the purposes of this comparison, I stuck with the ice cream sandwich.

Weight Watchers has a Giant Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich.  It is 140 calories, with 1.5 grams of total fat (.5 grams of saturated fat).  Each bar is 31 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of sugar, 4 grams of dietary fiber, and 4 grams of protein.  Each has a Weight Watchers points plus value of 4.

Breyers has an Extra Creamy Vanilla Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich.  It is 160 calories, with 4 grams of total fat (2 grams of saturated fat).  Each bar is 30 grams of carbohydrates, 16 grams of sugar, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 3 grams of protein. 

Skinny Cow has a Low Fat Ice Cream Sandwich available in Vanilla and Vanilla Chocolate combo packages.  It is 140 calories, with 1.5 grams of total fat (1 gram saturated fat).  Each bar is 30 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of sugar, 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 4 grams of protein. 

Klondike (Formerly “Slim a bear”) has a Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich.  It is 100 calories, with 1.5 grams of total fat (.5 grams of saturated fat).  Each bar is 21 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of sugar, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 2 grams of protein.     

None of the above has trans fat.  Each has six sandwiches per box.  If you are looking to cut back, yet still enjoy a cool creamy treat now and then, I recommend these low calorie ice creams.  They are tasted and approved by kids and husbands alike.  : )