Eat Your Vegetables

The evening news last night had a segment on changing our labels on food to show calories and content on what they consider to be a more reasonable food serving.  I am not so sure that is going to be the answer to obesity in this country.  I was shocked to see that the serving for one will increase and of course that will mean more calories.  I am wondering how many people are going to really read those labels.  I would rather think that we need to bring back home economics in our schools and teach children how to eat nutritious balanced food.  We need to teach them to cook and get them away from fast food and processed food.  And, of course they need exercise.

I am so glad I grew up eating vegetables.  I was part of the generation that was required to take home economics and we grew up with a garden and no fast food.  I don' t recall myself or any of my friends having weight problems.  I have been actively taking care of my health the last two years and all test have been good.  It must be the vegetables or perhaps good genes.  I think I'll keep eating those vegetables.  So thankful that I love all vegetables and always willing to try new ones.  I am not a fan of eating out, but I have to admit that occasionally I do.

Maybe we should realize that if we weren't fat as children, then we must have been doing something right. I do not recall growing up on processed food and have tried to remember that when I grocery shop.  If you shop the perimeter of the store you will buy from the four food groups.  Most of the isles are filled with processed food in boxes and temptations that are packed with calories and saturated fat.

I do believe in the 10 percent rule.  That means don't deprive yourself totally of treats, but perhaps you can make them from scratch.  At least, you will know what they are made from.

I am going to follow my heart and eat those fresh fruit and vegetables.  I know people claim their lives are to busy to cook, but who has time to read processed food labels.  I would rather spend my time eating raw vegetables and looking for nutritious easy recipes than reading a label.  And, we need to lobby to bring back home economics to our school system.  Everything starts with education.

Now that I have made myself  hungry thinking about food, I'll have a persimmon.  What is your choice?

Life is beautiful when you have a garden !!

Elizabeth

Signs of Spring

Laney and I woke this morning to sunshine and cold temperatures.  We were both quite surprised as we opened the back door and saw snow.  It was just a light dusting, but the words out of my mouth were yuch !  I was thinking is winter ever going to end.  I am hoping the warmth of the sunshine melts the snow quickly.

Just last week we we're enjoying a sneak preview of spring, as the temperature made it to 65.  The snow melted quickly in the warm air causing flooding in some areas.  Our backyard became a swamp and I wondered at one point wether there was something scary lurking beneath the puddles of water.  I think Laney was a little scared as she walked very cautiously through the yard.  It was nice to actually see grass.  Hopefully in another month we will have green grass.  The few days of warm weather have departed, but it gave us all a burst of energy to sustain us until spring decides to come and stay.

My husband and I spent the beautiful warm day Saturday, washing our unrecognizable cars.  They were covered with salt and road soot.  We also enjoyed a long walk outside under a blue sky and lots of sunshine.  The warm air felt good and we pinched ourselves, as we were able to shed our winter coats.  We did however keep the coats within reach as the cold air is once again upon us.  The high tomorrow is only 17 degrees.  What a difference from last week.

We also cleaned up our yard that was covered with leaves and seedling from the trees.  The snowfall had come early last fall before all the leaves had fallen.  We were quite surprised to see what was under all the snow after it had melted.  I was surprised to see the first signs of green vegetation coming up in my flower beds.  It was a sure sign that spring was just around the corner.

Life is beautiful !!
Elizabeth

The Warm Up

I woke up to sunshine today and the sound of ice and snow dripping from the house.  I am thankful for another day of sunshine after the last four days.  We had the snow storm  Friday night that dumped four inches of snow on us and then Saturday night another light snowfall.  Yesterday afternoon we started with snow that turned to sleet and freezing rain then back to snow.  The roads were very icy last night as temperatures fell into the twenties.  I captured a picture this morning from the front window of the ice and snow on the road in front of our house.  Hopefully in the next couple of days it will be gone, as the temperature is suppose to be in the fifties by Thursday.

I am thankful for all the sunny days we have had this winter.  It does help with the winter blues when there is sunshine.  This winter  will be remembered for a long time.  We had approximately 46 inches of snow.  Now that it is warming up outside we are bracing for flooding.  My husband said the roads
were already flooding last evening during the storm.  The rain and melting snow were too much for the sewers to hold.

Laney is sitting on my lap, as I write this post.  She is scared as the house is making all kinds of noises.  I think a big portion of snow and ice has just let go on the roof and I can hear it sliding.  They have warned people to be careful of  ice cycles  and huge hunks of ice falling off  buildings and homes.  People have been injured from ice hitting them. Wow, I just heard another hunk of ice sliding on the roof.  It sounds scary.  I hope there is no damage.

This is going to be an interesting day as the windows are now popping.  Laney is on guard, as every time she hears a noise she jumps.  I hope there is no damage to the house.  We had forty mile hour winds last night and something sounded like it broke loose from the house.  I have not gone out to assess the damage.  I don't think I want to know.  I am thankful we have not had the problems that the people in the southern states have had.  The snow and ice was surely a shock for them.  I hope everyone is safe not mater where they are.  Spring is surely on its way.  I heard birds chirping this morning.  It made me smile.

Life is beautiful in the sunshine !!
Elizabeth

Happy Valentine's Day 2014

Valentine's Day started off with the sun shinning again and kisses from my husband.  I wish we could have spent the day together, but he was off to work.  I did have the pleasure of spending the day with Laney.  My faithful four legged friend.  We celebrated our seventh Valentine's Day together.  She has my heart and she is the best spoiled dog ever.

The sun departed this afternoon and the snow is falling once again. The weatherman predicted up to four inches of snow.  My husband has arrived home safely after spending an hour on snow covered roads.  There is a fifteen car pileup on the highway and several accidents on the side roads.  We hope no one was seriously hurt.  I think most people will be spending Valentine's eve at home.

We are nestled in now and enjoying a peaceful evening with our spoiled dog between us.  The Valentine memories this week have definitely helped remind us to fill each day with love and happiness.  It will always overshadow the heartache in life.

I made a new and special memory of this day, as I gave my husband an album filled with love letters.  They were the love letters I gave him in college.   We have had a good laugh reading them.  I signed them all with love always.  And, as a result we lived happily ever after.  Happy Valentine's Day !!


Life is beautiful !!
I love you John...you are my Valentine!

Elizabeth

Dads Are The Best

Wow, another day of sunshine to make this a beautiful week to celebrate love.  Tomorrow is the big day that a lot of people wait for to celebrate with their loved ones.  Valentine's Day is one of the biggest days for the florist and candy companies.  I am not a fan of candy, but I'll take the flowers any day.  A hint to my husband.  Remember to celebrate love everyday.  One day a year is not enough.

I have another great memory for Valentine's Day.  This memory is from my high school days.  My friend and I did not have dates for a turn about dance that usually occurred around Valentine's Day, so my wonderful dad said he would take us out for some fun.  He is always up to having fun and can make me smile even when I'm down.  He has the greatest sense of humor still at the age of 84. 

He decided to take my friend and I ice skating.  It was a day to remember.  My dad decided to show off his skating technique, and while doing so he hit a divot in the ice.  It threw him face down onto the ice, and he slid across the ice on his belly.  Never fear he was not injured, but a little embarrassed, as he stood up and knocked ice off his clothes.  I still remember the three of us busting out laughing, and my dad standing there smiling.  He is my hero!

He has had a busy year medically, but his sense of humor has pulled him through.  He kept quite a few nurses laughing.  He told me yesterday he is ready for new adventures.  I hope he has many more.  I love you, Dad !!

Here is another heart from someone in college,  I couldn't find a name on it.  It must have been from someone in my chemistry or biology lab.
         

Hope where ever you are that tomorrow and everyday is filled with love !! Sweet dreams to all.

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Another Sunny Day

This is turning into a beautiful week of sunshine.  It helps make up for the bitter cold air.  The sun is streaming through all the windows downstairs and you can feel the warmth from it.  It will be a good day to go out and walk in the stores, as it is too cold to walk outside.  Laney is quick to go outside and return to the warm comforts of  the house.  She and I can't wait until we will be able to walk outside again.  I hate to rush the days away, but the winter weather is starting to get old.

I went to the store yesterday and bought myself a boutique of fresh flowers. They remind me of spring.   It is always nice to come downstairs in the morning to see beautiful flowers.

I found some more wonderful memories of Valentine's Day.  They are some cards that my children made when they were young.  They made me smile and laugh.  I am so glad I kept them.

This card was from our daughter.

I love the art work.

A card for me too.  I love the big smiley heart face.

  

              And of course a heart from my son.

It is too bad our kids don't stay young forever.  They always made me smile with the home made cards.   Happy Valentine's Day to my children.  I love you!

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Friends

The sun is shinning again today, but it is very cold.  The high today is 13 degrees and the low tonight will be below zero.  I don't recall a February that has been this cold or as sunny.  The sun makes up for all the snow.  It was a beautiful day to be out with friends.

Friends are people that you enjoy being out with.  They are people that you have trusting relationships with.  They are there for you when you are having difficulties in life and they share the special moments in life with you.  They embrace your weakness and celebrate your uniqueness.  Today I had the pleasure of meeting a group of my friends for lunch to celebrate love and friendship for Valentine's Week.  They are my retired friends who have always been supportive of me and keep me laughing.  What a great way to spend a cold sunny day.

My husband was happy that my blog posting yesterday recalled the Valentines's Day from 1989.  It was a great memory for him,  as he loves being a dad.  Today I remember another special Valentine's Day from 2002.  I was teaching at the middle school and my husband appeared at the classroom door with balloons that stated I love you and a box of chocolates.  I still  remember my students giggling and saying it was so romantic.  I was quite surprised that he had drove all the way from work on his lunch break to surprise me.  He was a lucky man that evening. I am grateful for those memories.  They are part of our love story.

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Valentine's Week

I declare this as Valentine's Week since one day of celebrating love is not enough.  I vowed to make everyday filled with  love , laughter, and happiness as the new year started.  So far this year is turning out to be a great year filled with living life.  The weather has tried to stop us, but we have adapted to continuous snow and frigid cold temperatures.  We are grateful for everyday of sunshine.  I am excited because I heard a bird chirping this morning.  This is a good sign that spring is coming.

Valentine's Day is a date on the calendar that reminds us we have made it past the half way point of winter.  It has however also become a date of some trauma for me as it recalls some bad feelings from the year 2011.  I am reminded from a therapist to block out those bad memories and anxiety associated with the day by shifting thoughts to something pleasant.  I am doing that by practicing gratitude.  I have recalled a wonderful Valentine's  Day from the past that was a great gift from God.

The year was 1989 and I was at work at the doctor's office.   I was practicing as an RN and I remember feeling a little nauseated and tired.  I remember thinking I may have gotten the flu from the patients.  The doctor had suggested a pregnancy test and the suggestion turned into a positive result.  I was pregnant with my husband's second child.  I can still feel the excitement as I told him he was going to be a dad again.  It was the best Valentine's Day.  I hold onto that memory, because it was a gift of life and a perfect celebration of love.  I hope to recall many more wonderful Valentine Days, as I fill my life with loving memories.

Filling our mind with gratitude and loving thoughts makes us bloom into happy healthy people.  A daily ritual becomes a habit in 21 days.  I can't think of a better habit than daily gratitude and a life filled love and happiness.  My goal is to replace my anxiety with love and happiness. Then I can say everyday is Valentine's  Day!



Don't wait until Friday to celebrate Valentine's Day.   Start today and make everyday a life filled with love.


 Life is beautiful!!
I love you John! xoxo

Elizabeth

Grateful for Sunshine

I awoke this morning smiling,  as the sun was streaming through the bedroom window.  We are always grateful to see sunshine in the north.  It helps boost our mood and remind us that there is hope for beautiful spring days to come.  We have had quite a few sunny days to make up for all the snow and sub zero temperatures.  I have opened up all the blinds downstairs and the warmth of the sun has filled the room.

This has been an interesting week.  I was outside on Monday enjoying time walking around in the sunshine.  A lot of snow had melted and we could actually see the grass despite big piles of snow from the snow plows.  Then Tuesday night another snow storm came through burrying us again and then freezing rain on top of  it.  We are now experiencing below zero temperatures again.  The wind chills were 20 below this am.  We are now at  one degrees for mid day temperature.  The weather report shows more snow on the way for the weekend.

We are grateful for the road crews who have worked hard to keep our main roads clear.  They are running out of salt for the roads.  There seems to be no relief in sight here in the north as we know from the past that snow can last into April.   I hope Mother Nature graces us with a beautiful summer.

Laney has not been to fond of the snow the last couple of days as, it is froze.  She can walk on it, but every few steps she sinks in snow drifts.  It has scared her and her paws freeze.  We need to remember that our pets can get frostbite just like us.  If your pet is outside limit their exposure to the frigid cold.

Valentines Day is next week and Laney and I have had fun decorating the house with roses and plaques with quotes of love.  My goal is to celebrate love everyday.  I have saved all the love notes my husband has given me this past year.  They are a reminder to love each other always and forever.  We need to remember to love ourselves and those who are dear to us.  Remember to make yourself happy and those around you will be happy.  It is like smiling at people.  Smiles are contagious and so is happiness.

I am grateful today for my life, my husband and children, my spoiled Laney, sunshine, flowers, and my wonderful friends.

Life is beautiful!!   Take care of yourself!!

Elizabeth

Practicing Gratitude

We had a fun weekend despite our crazy weather which was warm Saturday and freezing on Sunday.  The groundhog didn't see his shadow, so we are looking forward to an early spring.  The sun is shinning today and I am  actually going to venture out in the yard today to enjoy a little sun with  Laney.  A lot of the snow has melted, but the weatherman said more snow is on the way.  February is here and that means we are moving forward to Spring.

I have spent my winter days reading and practicing some gratitude thinking.  A social worker introduced me to the act of practicing gratitude a couple of years ago.  It does help change our thoughts about things.  It is hard sometimes to see the positive when someone we love is ill, but finding something grateful about the situation does help.

Since my husband and I have made it past the nightmare we lived over the last three years, we are now able to see some positive and grateful things that came from heartache.  When we practice gratitude it does not mean that trauma or heartache did not occur, but finding the positive in a situation helps us let go of heartache.  The trauma helped me to learn to slow down and take of myself.  It also made me see how important it is to have friends who support  me.  I am grateful for my friend who calls me to check on me and always ask how can she can help me.  She is always there for me, never judging me or making me feel bad about feeling scared.  She just listens and helps me find the positive things about situations.  I am very grateful for her.

My list of gratitude starts each day with waking up next to my husband and Laney by my side.  Then as the days pass I realize that we are still enjoying the things we love to do, and we are getting back to socializing with friends.  We are mentally stronger and appreciate everyday filled with love notes.  Yes, as I opened the lap top this morning there was a love note from my husband.  So, as February continues we will be grateful for a month of love and Valentines Day.

Today I will end this post with a quote from the book, The Gratitude Power Workbook, by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons.

                                                        Helping Hands
What is a friend?   When a friend says,  "I need you! " what do you say?

Do you say, "What happened? "  or do you say,  "How can I help?"

Does it really matter what happened--or does it matter only that your friend needs you, and has asked for your help?

God never asks us--"What happened?"

He says: "I love you--I am your friend!".............................author unknown

Life is beautiful!!

Elizabeth

Early Spring?

Mother Nature gave us a break today with warmer weather.  My husband and I traveled south about 60 miles to enjoy the day with a temperature of 61 degrees.  It is hard to believe that just five days ago it was below zero.  There was no wind today and with the humidity it felt like a spring day.  People were out everywhere enjoying the day.  Unfortunately the temperature will fall and the high tomorrow is 28 degrees.  It was a nice break today even if it won't last long.

A lot of the snow melted, but we are preparing for another major snow storm Tuesday evening.  Winter is not done yet.  Hope we don't get snowed in, as this was a long week of being indoors.  I think I can safely say that cabin fever is an epidemic here.

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day and I am praying for a cloudy day which means no shadow for the groundhog, but an early spring for us.  An early spring means beautiful flowers, green grass, and days of fun in the sun.  Hope my pray comes true.

Life is beautiful!!

Elizabeth