Thai Turkey Salad
Serves: 8
Serving Size: 1.25 oz salad mix and 2 oz turkey
For a filling and fresh lunch, combine mango, turkey, and spinach!
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup plain non-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 bag (10 ounces) mixed salad greens, chilled
1 pound honey roasted deli turkey breast, cut into thin strips
1 mango, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3/4 cup green onions, sliced
4 Tablespoons lightly salted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. In small microwave-safe bowl, combine yogurt, peanut butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and hot sauce. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave at 50% power 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, until brown sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool while preparing salad. In large bowl, combine chilled salad greens, turkey, mango, bell pepper and onion.
2. To serve, combine salad and dressing, tossing to coat. Top with peanuts.
If fresh mango is unavailable, look for jars of peeled and sliced mango in the produce department. Cut slices into cubes to equal 2 cups.
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 180
Fat: 6.4 g
Carbohydrates: 10.9 g
Protein: 20.5 g
It's The Weigh YOU do the Thin(gs) YOU Do! It flows, shimmer & glow...spinning and dancing in the light of THIS Moon for ... as it is the weigh you do the Thin(g) YOU do!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Before the Dawn~Dream a Little Dream with me...
Things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle - Abraham Lincoln
Envisioning yourself where you truly want to be, not where you think you suppose to be can be daunting for ones who think they have no imagination. Adding that to envisioning yourself achieving your weight release/health goals can send the faint a heart straight to a place, any place that has nothing to do with facing the task at hand.
But on the other hand...
There are people who think all they have to do is imagine something and it just happens. That visualization is the end all be all to bring something to fruition simply by envisioning. That by simply imagining it without no work being put into it riding on a magical mystical tour it (whatever you want) will plop into your lap because you thought it up. But that truly is a very passive place to be. For the record there are times when passivity ain't a bad thing.
As one who dreams unabashedly & freely with no plans to stop, (in fact one of my perennial favorite cartoons was "Bobby's World" that was out in the 70's and I pray is still airing somewhere). Bobby's World was of an adorable 4 year old on his Big Wheel bike who had an incredible imagination and live well with them. But the dreams existed in his world and parents had to step in many time for a reality check.
But if imagination was all it took, I would have been a overnight success. Well as Eddie Cantor,actor, once said: "It takes twenty years to be an overnight success"
Traveling with a women's empowerment conference for almost a decade and that was a common theme. I watch many women step out, did the work and were successful, there were others who did the work, had not done the visualization & were less successful (perhaps) and the ones who could not see it, avoided doing the work and you can imagine the end result.
But among the ones who were successful said that many times their success was far beyond what they could imagine! And those who's vision did not meet reality. Stuff happened.
Shucks if my vision had been on target I would have my MacArthur Fellow by now, been interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning and received my Kennedy Honor in the Arts.
And who's to say it may not happen at some point? But other things I had envision came to fruition, but let me tell you it was with a lot of hard work and sacrificing, a great sense of humor and a bucket full of tears.
In fact, I was watching the Kennedy Honors last night and the first segment was on Morgan Freeman, one of my favorite actors. Though he had started the business age 9 he was 50, yes, 50 before he achieve his breaking movie "Driving Miss Daisy" and now at 71 years young, he is receiving this honor. He was no less talented at age 20, 30 or 40 and created an impressive body of work, but still he was 50 which is the kiss of death in an industry that worships the young to get his breakout movie. He could have stopped and threw in the towel early on but what a loss to us all if he had...
For one, I do believe in having vision and encourage people to think out of the box, to use or re-use their ability to imagine. Imagination is as necessary to life as is breathing. It has kept me going many a day when especially when things seem bleak.
But I know I also have to put the work in and after it is all said in done post all of it, to let things work themselves out. Sometimes things working themselves out may take a direction you least expected to enjoy things way beyond anything you would have imagined. This is the part where passivity could be a good thing. When you have done the envisioning, the homework, put things in action, then sitting back and letting things work itself out is good. Passive, but in a good way.
"The Bible stated: Joseph dreamt another dream...Dream another dream. If one thing fails, try something else. Learn from your mistakes and try it again. So what if it got hard for a season, it will only be that way for a season". ~Tyler Perry
Dream a little dream with me...
How cool is that?
A woman of somekind!
By Dello Duverney ©70
She was sixteen,
Had a mind out of this world!
She was no li'l girl....
She was a woman of somekind!
She was a woman of somekind!
Although she wasn't too fine,
Now she knows what is' going on.
Knows What's right and
What's wrong...
She also feels what is weak....
And what is strong!
She's a woman of somekind!
She's a woman of somekind!
She experiences love with its problems,
She could tell you things you never heard of.
She can give you something
You never dream of!
A talk out of this world
As I said, "She's no li'l girl"!
She's a woman of somekind!
She's a woman of somekind!
She remembers the past,
She knows about the present,
She thinks of the future.
She is some kind of female,
She's different from all other girls,
Although, she is living in this world..
She's not prejudice, she's not crazy!
She is helpful & loving!
She is mature in the mind
And too far gone in the mouth!
She was too far gone to be forgotten!
And too sweet to get ate up!
She is LOVE!
All rights reservedDDV©70
She was sixteen,
Had a mind out of this world!
She was no li'l girl....
She was a woman of somekind!
She was a woman of somekind!
Although she wasn't too fine,
Now she knows what is' going on.
Knows What's right and
What's wrong...
She also feels what is weak....
And what is strong!
She's a woman of somekind!
She's a woman of somekind!
She experiences love with its problems,
She could tell you things you never heard of.
She can give you something
You never dream of!
A talk out of this world
As I said, "She's no li'l girl"!
She's a woman of somekind!
She's a woman of somekind!
She remembers the past,
She knows about the present,
She thinks of the future.
She is some kind of female,
She's different from all other girls,
Although, she is living in this world..
She's not prejudice, she's not crazy!
She is helpful & loving!
She is mature in the mind
And too far gone in the mouth!
She was too far gone to be forgotten!
And too sweet to get ate up!
She is LOVE!
All rights reservedDDV©70
A hair Raising Experience
Thinking about a new hair without a whole lot of work. The principle I said about having real plus women modeling real clothes applies to hair. Women of all sorts of sizes and ages.
We should be wearing our clothes and hair not the clothes and hair wearing us!
And every woman should have at least one red lipstick. The right tone of red for her.
The red lipstick Nia Long is sporting is more my speed a orange tinged red.
Its all in the weigh you do the thin(ngs) you do.
How cool is that?
If you are like me and Love Color & Panache
Again Ashro, Newport News & Jessica London http://www.jessicalondon.com/ who for me carries more variety of Tall Plus
For those who are really casual or informal all the companies carry a large selection of informal,comfy casual clothes and the real clothes horse will have her fashionista desires satisfied.
The red top also comes in black for the not so bold
the lime top comes in 15 different colors but runs a little small.
Now see me, I wuld wear the red top and the purple skirt together or the lime with the purple. And either wuld go with the grey herribone skirt for a toned down look.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Too Too
A few of my favorite things and yes, they are sizes 18-24. And yes I do wear them. And very affordable except for the Inspira suit, all the items are $32-$89 & the Inspira suit is $138.
How many times have someone said or you said I am too big for___________ when it comes to color, style and hair. Or someone which seems to be a newer but truly is the same old song "age appropriate" way of telling you that you are too old, too fat too something to wear fashionable clothes.
Though still a long way to grow finally some of the designers are discovering that not only do lagniappe women ( "land-Yap"~ Creole for something extra) want more then a big tent with a hole cut out for the head and arms, but they had the discretionary income to buy something more.
So while it may not all be altruism or ding the right thing and more about the bottom line, we are seeing more clothes selections to purchase from. The other part is recognizing that not all plus or women have one shape so you are seeing more plus petite (which is not a contradiction) and tall plus. And have varying taste and have no desire say like in my case want to look like what my 93 year old mother would not wear!
Now who knows...Maybe one day some of the one who create for plus women will use real plus women modeling the clothes rather then a size 6 with padding, which if I could clue them in, is laughable when you see these tiny tiny arms poking out of sleeves of mumus that Mrs. Roper of Threes Company favored.
And when I say real plus I am talking from 20-32 and beyond . When did size 12 and 14 become plus? Jumonia, Spiegel & a few others are setting the stage and hopefully in time others will follow. Nothing like a well fitted, quality and affordable dressing to make one feel good while on the road to a healthy, for them, weight which for some will be an 18 not a 0.
So when you tell yourself or someone else tells you that you are too_________. Respond if you feel like with "You are right... I am too, too!
Now how cool is that?
Seeing is Achieving
"Steal Away" Sculpture by the late Tina Allen (1949-2008)www.tinaandrews.com
You are missed...
Picture Weight Loss Success With Visual Cues
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer http://www.sparkspeople.com/
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer http://www.sparkspeople.com/
Visual images hold amazing power. We can all still “see” the Challenger disaster, the flag rising over Iwo Jima, even our own high school yearbook pictures. The images are still with us today. And so are the emotions that go with them.You can use this power to your advantage to help you lose weight. If you surround yourself with visual cues, you have a great chance of meeting that goal. A picture of what you want (or don’t want) to look like; a vacation postcard that you’re using as a reward; a picture of your kids who you want to stick around for – these images can stick around and pull at you even when they’re not in sight.Seeing is believing. Seeing is also achieving.
How Do Visual Cues Work?
First, let’s look at how the brain processes information. The mind simply can’t keep up with the 36 million bits of visual data that bombard it every second. So the conscious mind doesn’t bother trying. It simply passes most of the info along to be processed somewhere else.According to brain specialist Amy K. Hutchens, 99% of learning is done on a non-conscious level. “That’s a fancy way of saying that vision dominates your brain activity and behaviors,” she says. Basically, what we see can determine how we act.
Seeing The Good Stuff
Your brain needs a method of filtering through the clutter and locking onto what’s important. This is where the science comes in. The “reticular activation system” (RAS) sorts through those millions of bits of data, making sure that you’re only aware of certain things. It calls your attention only to the details that you don’t want to miss, such as hearing your name in a crowd.Have you ever bought a home or rented an apartment? Once you made a conscious decision to start shopping, it probably seemed like For Sale or For Rent signs were popping up everywhere. In actuality, the signs probably had been there for months, but you just noticed them for the first time. That’s because this specific priority was now “registered” with your RAS.Weight loss is a priority that can be “registered” the same way.
Mare Petras, a fitness expert who helped organize the first Great American Workout, sees this as a perfect reason to write down or put visuals to your goals. She explains, “If you put down a solid vision of how you want to look, your vision will pop up when you need it. In my experience, overweight people are sometimes powerless over impulses. Seeing a visual helps them to stop and think – and make better choices. It adds color to a black and white goal.”
Once you write something down or see a picture of your goal, your brain starts to work on that goal without you even realizing it. You’ll notice people wearing the same swimsuit you want; you’ll see bike and walking paths that you didn’t notice before; you’ll see healthier menu items that you skipped over in the past. You’ll be drawn toward making the right decisions.
Positive Pictures = Positive Progress
Another way visual cues can help keep your motivation high is through the power of positive association. Seeing a positive stimulus increases the production of serotonin, which is responsible for feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Seeing that same cue often enough builds a pattern of positive response that creates momentum. Soon, the positive feeling will transfer to your goals as well.Dr. Daphne Stevens, a psychotherapist with 30 years’ experience working with weight control and fitness issues, says that this connection between picture and motivation only grows stronger as you achieve and see results. “Pardon the pun, but a sense of mastery ‘feeds’ on itself,” she says. “The satisfaction of doing positive things for the body substitutes for the quick-fix rush of sugar or simple carbs that put on the pounds.”So write your goals down right now, plaster that fridge with positive pictures, tape an inspiring message to your dashboard, do whatever it takes to surround yourself with visual cues.You’ll see success – both in your mind and in your life.
Monday, December 29, 2008
On the Rocks with a Kick
Spiced Banana Orange Smoothie
Serves: 2
The ginger gives this smoothie a kick.
INGREDIENTS
1 medium banana, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large seedless orange, peeled and sliced
2 cups plain or vanilla-flavored soy milk
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
3 or 4 ice cubes
DIRECTIONS
1. Place all ingredients except ice cubes in blender. Cover and blend on high speed for 15 seconds or until smooth. 2. Add ice cubes, cover and blend for 15 seconds more or until well blended. 3. Serve immediately.
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 288
Fat: 5.2 g
Carbohydrates: 37.3 g
Protein: 12.5 g
Serves: 2
The ginger gives this smoothie a kick.
INGREDIENTS
1 medium banana, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large seedless orange, peeled and sliced
2 cups plain or vanilla-flavored soy milk
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
3 or 4 ice cubes
DIRECTIONS
1. Place all ingredients except ice cubes in blender. Cover and blend on high speed for 15 seconds or until smooth. 2. Add ice cubes, cover and blend for 15 seconds more or until well blended. 3. Serve immediately.
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 288
Fat: 5.2 g
Carbohydrates: 37.3 g
Protein: 12.5 g
Crab Quesadillas
These quesadillas have an irresistibly creamy filling. They also make great appetizers. Make it a meal: Serve with your favorite salsa on top and a cup of black bean soup topped with chopped avocado.
Ingredients
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
4 scallions, chopped
1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos, (optional)
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
· 8 ounces pasteurized crabmeat, drained if necessary
· 4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas
· 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
1. Combine Cheddar, cream cheese, scallions, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapenos (if using), orange zest and juice in a medium bowl. Gently stir in crab. Lay tortillas out on a work surface. Spread one-fourth of the filling on half of each tortilla. Fold tortillas in half, pressing gently to flatten
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas in the pan and cook, turning once, until golden on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and quesadillas. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.
Nutrition Information
Per serving
Calories: 303
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 83mg
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Potassium: 117mg
Sodium: 625mg
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value), Vitamin A (30% dv), Iron (25% dv), Calcium (20% dv).
Ingredients
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
4 scallions, chopped
1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos, (optional)
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
· 8 ounces pasteurized crabmeat, drained if necessary
· 4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas
· 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
1. Combine Cheddar, cream cheese, scallions, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapenos (if using), orange zest and juice in a medium bowl. Gently stir in crab. Lay tortillas out on a work surface. Spread one-fourth of the filling on half of each tortilla. Fold tortillas in half, pressing gently to flatten
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas in the pan and cook, turning once, until golden on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and quesadillas. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.
Nutrition Information
Per serving
Calories: 303
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 83mg
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Potassium: 117mg
Sodium: 625mg
Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value), Vitamin A (30% dv), Iron (25% dv), Calcium (20% dv).
Asian Chicken Salad
Serves: 4
The fruit that tops this salad helps to make an already healthy dish packed with even more vitamins. Reprinted with permission by Public Health - Seattle & King County.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups cooked chicken, skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups cabbage, shredded
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup carrots, grated
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 mandarin orange or tangerine, divided into sections
1/2 cup nonfat Asian or Oriental-style salad dressing
black pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, cilantro, cucumber, and dressing. Toss well.
2. Top with green onions and tangerine sections. Pepper to taste.
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 125.5
Fat: 0.9 g
Carbohydrates: 19.5 g
Protein: 10.9 g
The fruit that tops this salad helps to make an already healthy dish packed with even more vitamins. Reprinted with permission by Public Health - Seattle & King County.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups cooked chicken, skin removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups cabbage, shredded
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup carrots, grated
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 mandarin orange or tangerine, divided into sections
1/2 cup nonfat Asian or Oriental-style salad dressing
black pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, cilantro, cucumber, and dressing. Toss well.
2. Top with green onions and tangerine sections. Pepper to taste.
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 125.5
Fat: 0.9 g
Carbohydrates: 19.5 g
Protein: 10.9 g
Crossing Over
Mexican Lasagna
Serves: 6
A tasty cultural crossover with layer after layer of delicious surprises.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground turkey
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 onions, chopped
2 (10 oz. each) cans black beans, drained and slightly mashed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 cups tomato sauce
1 (10 oz.) can stewed tomatoes,
coarsely chopped
6 medium whole wheat tortillas1 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven 350° F.
2. Sauté meat, 1 onion, and 1 garlic clove on high heat while breaking up meat. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Stir in black beans. Set sauté pan aside.
3. Heat oil in another sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté remaining onion, until soft. Add remaining garlic, chili powder and cumin, sauté for 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce and tomatoes with juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, simmer partially covered for 20 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Transfer all but 1/2 cup sauce to meat and beans;
Mix well.
4. Dip half the tortillas, one at a time, in the hot tomato sauce. Lay tortillas in the bottom of an 8.5 x 11 casserole dish. Spread half meat and bean mixture over tortillas. Sprinkle half the cheese over meat and beans.
5. Add another layer of tortillas and meat & beans mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 35 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes.
NUTRITION INFO (per serving)
Calories: 546.3
Fat: 20.3 g
Carbohydrates: 60.4 g
Protein: 34.9 g
Serves: 6
A tasty cultural crossover with layer after layer of delicious surprises.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground turkey
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 onions, chopped
2 (10 oz. each) cans black beans, drained and slightly mashed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 cups tomato sauce
1 (10 oz.) can stewed tomatoes,
coarsely chopped
6 medium whole wheat tortillas1 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven 350° F.
2. Sauté meat, 1 onion, and 1 garlic clove on high heat while breaking up meat. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Stir in black beans. Set sauté pan aside.
3. Heat oil in another sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté remaining onion, until soft. Add remaining garlic, chili powder and cumin, sauté for 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce and tomatoes with juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, simmer partially covered for 20 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Transfer all but 1/2 cup sauce to meat and beans;
Mix well.
4. Dip half the tortillas, one at a time, in the hot tomato sauce. Lay tortillas in the bottom of an 8.5 x 11 casserole dish. Spread half meat and bean mixture over tortillas. Sprinkle half the cheese over meat and beans.
5. Add another layer of tortillas and meat & beans mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 35 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes.
NUTRITION INFO (per serving)
Calories: 546.3
Fat: 20.3 g
Carbohydrates: 60.4 g
Protein: 34.9 g
Now the joint is Jumpin'
Jumpin' Jambalaya
Serves: 5
A flavorful favorite that you can enjoy without guilt. Add your own spices to taste.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound steamed shrimp, peeled and chopped
8 oz. turkey smoked sausage pieces
1-1/2 cups cooked pinto beans
16 oz. can Cajun style stewed tomatoes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
4 cups long grain brown rice, cooked
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, celery and peppers until they soften.
2. Add garlic, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, Tabasco sauce, salt and water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until veggies are soft.
3. Stir in pinto beans.
4. Heat skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey sausage and cook until browned (5 min).
5. Add shrimp, sausage and cooked rice to pot of veggies and simmer for 5 minutes, while stirring.
NUTRITION INFO (per 4-ounce serving)
Calories: 467.7
Fat: 10.2 g
Carbohydrates: 69.6 g
Protein: 27.1 g
Serves: 5
A flavorful favorite that you can enjoy without guilt. Add your own spices to taste.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound steamed shrimp, peeled and chopped
8 oz. turkey smoked sausage pieces
1-1/2 cups cooked pinto beans
16 oz. can Cajun style stewed tomatoes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
4 cups long grain brown rice, cooked
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, celery and peppers until they soften.
2. Add garlic, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, Tabasco sauce, salt and water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until veggies are soft.
3. Stir in pinto beans.
4. Heat skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey sausage and cook until browned (5 min).
5. Add shrimp, sausage and cooked rice to pot of veggies and simmer for 5 minutes, while stirring.
NUTRITION INFO (per 4-ounce serving)
Calories: 467.7
Fat: 10.2 g
Carbohydrates: 69.6 g
Protein: 27.1 g
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary
Ingredients
2 lbs. sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon olive oil
sprinkle of lemon juice and rosemary
Directions
1. Wash and cut sweet potatoes into sticks or wedges.
2. Place potatoes in a bowl and toss with oil, then spread out onto a baking sheet and sprinkle with rosemary.
3. Bake about 30 minutes at 375� F, or until browned and tender. You may want to turn potatoes over half way through baking time.
4. Sprinkle with lemon juice, if desired.
Serves 6.
Nutritional Info
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 162.5
Total Fat: 0.9 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 15.1 mg
Total Carbs: 36.7 g
Dietary Fiber: 4.5 g
Protein: 2.6 g
Spicy Baked Sweet Potato "Fries
Serves: 4
A healthy alternative to an American favorite. www.sparkspeople.com
INGREDIENTS
2 medium sweet potatoes, washed and cut (lengthwise) into strips (1/3 inch on each side)
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
DIRECTIONS
1. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 450° F.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix to evenly coat potato strips.
4. Place potato strips on lined cookie sheet (allow space between individual strips for even cooking).
5. Bake for 15 minutes (or until potatoes become crispy) turning strips every 5 to 7 minutes (or as needed).
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 117.6 Fat: 5.5 g
Carbohydrates: 16.4 g
Protein: 1.2 g
A healthy alternative to an American favorite. www.sparkspeople.com
INGREDIENTS
2 medium sweet potatoes, washed and cut (lengthwise) into strips (1/3 inch on each side)
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
DIRECTIONS
1. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 450° F.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix to evenly coat potato strips.
4. Place potato strips on lined cookie sheet (allow space between individual strips for even cooking).
5. Bake for 15 minutes (or until potatoes become crispy) turning strips every 5 to 7 minutes (or as needed).
NUTRITION INFO
Calories: 117.6 Fat: 5.5 g
Carbohydrates: 16.4 g
Protein: 1.2 g
Do I need a Shrink?
30lbs loss
20lbs loss
10lbs loss
Moon currently
Ok I was told about this website where you can go in and upload your picture and the computer will generate a image of what you would look like at anywhere from a 10-50 lb weight loss.
So I did and came to discover I would not look very good at 100 pounds loss. The reduction does not do full body only your face. I discovered for me 50-60 pounds was alright. Just alright for me I would be happy at that.
There are also other things there like try yourself with a different hair color, hairstyle even a face lift and I was like "Nah I think I pass". I like me that what I looked like with the other stuff was not interesting.
Understand its a computer generated image and with the weight drop in other parts of the body comparable to the face I still don't think 100 pounds would be good for me.
Have fun!
Make your own weight-loss visualization at http://weightmirror.com.
Ok I was told about this website where you can go in and upload your picture and the computer will generate a image of what you would look like at anywhere from a 10-50 lb weight loss.
So I did and came to discover I would not look very good at 100 pounds loss. The reduction does not do full body only your face. I discovered for me 50-60 pounds was alright. Just alright for me I would be happy at that.
There are also other things there like try yourself with a different hair color, hairstyle even a face lift and I was like "Nah I think I pass". I like me that what I looked like with the other stuff was not interesting.
Understand its a computer generated image and with the weight drop in other parts of the body comparable to the face I still don't think 100 pounds would be good for me.
Have fun!
Make your own weight-loss visualization at http://weightmirror.com.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Doing the Dance while peeling layers
People's weight challenges may not always about a person not liking themselves. I saw a commercial yesterday for bariatric surgery that struck me oddly. They showed a woman who was overweight but not obese (which was an improvement) dancing lovingly with her husband while the voice over talked about her getting this surgery. It shows her doing all the conscious thing about seeing a competent doctor, looking at the information talking to her husband And I am so like "Sez what"? What blew me away was she was not morbidly obese!
Definitely overweight but not morbidly obese.
The implication in my eyes was that no longer is the surgery for those who are morbidly obese, but someone who is borderline obese (?) or overweight as a dieting tool. I was so taken aback I wanted to rip the commentator out of the tv screen and give them a shaking. This has very subtle implications.
To quote another woman "The woman says that she is having bariatric surgery so that she can kiss her husband under the Eiffel Tower. I always wonder if France has banned everyone who is not thin. There is also a commercial for Jenny Craig and Valerie Bertenelli says that this is the first year she can wake up and not worry about her weight and I keep wanting to tell her that she could have been doing that all along".
This is not, I repeat not any form of criticism for anyone who is contemplating having the surgery or have had it. Nor am I against Jenny Craig Ms. Bartenelli or what means individuals making conscious careful thought what works for them. I happen to believe there is more then one way to get healthy & people will make choices for themselves in how to process it. The conversation was about commercials. My thoughts were the implication in the commercial.
Even when discussing this as a form of weight loss the producers shows a woman who is on the far smaller side of obesity. It is loaded with hidden messages.If people can be reminded that there is no quick fix and we are so heavily influenced by marketing. First they have to create a need and it is important to coerce you into believing you are not good enough. Human nature being what it is and especially for women we are never going to measure up under a system who has created a hostile environment to be all the things that women should be proud of. Then the next step is to have you believe their product is the end all be all to cure what ails you and if you spend enough money you will be acceptable. But it will never be enough as if you reach that goal despite it all, the bar has to be raised to keep you buying.
According to marketing you will never be enough all on your own. Make no mistake I am not against a healthy weight or striving to be the best you for you. I just question a system that needs to coerce you into perceiving yourself as inadequate and then taking a very natural desire for acceptance and inclusion to manipulate you to try everything crazy thing under the sun to be like by people you don't know, may never meet and might not like if you ever do! Being proactive approach and having a realistic view of oneself and health, weight and well being is crucial as we have all discussed.
Yes I know I have the remaining weight to release and some of my by-product challenges of this weight that are fixable and within reach, but I would be doggone if I am going to wait until someone else decides that I cannot enjoy living until that happens.We are way over the top with programming that is not only anti woman, but anti fat women but some of that we as a gender have to take accountability for. I love that quote of Sister Dr. Maya Angelou on whining "Quit whining because it lets a brute know that a victim is in the room".About the word whining, but people have taken that word to make it a generic one size fits all word. It has taken a life all of its on.
Whining is incessant complaining. Or excessive complaining. That's all.
I do not see a problem when a person has complaint. Complaints have their rightful honorable place! But nowadays if you have cause for complaint, people look at you as being weak. That somehow that faux pull yourself up by the bootstrap mentality is the ONLY honorable way to go! What they are really saying is I don't care, I do not want to be bothered. Instead of saying that the word whining is used to save face instead of how they really feel as it doesn't appear "nice". Or perhaps (Oy Vey) they think they may have to get involved though they have not been asked to.
But what it comes down to is if you speak up for yourself or cite discrepancies as we are discussing here then you are looked upon as a whiner and Oh no, we cannot have that! People want women to be quiet, be compliant, to just "look good and shut up".Obesity would not be at epidemic proportions if all was right in the world! Things are being stuffed down that needs to be brought to the surface and scrape off and disposed! And it does not have to be something as horrific as sexual abuse, violence or trauma that can make that happen.
My weight gain came about the last 2-3 years because of anger. I (and I am only saying this to acknowledge my part is this script) allowed myself to be used that worked me to death, disrespected and minimize my work and treated me like I was a joke behind my back. And I went along with it...I did not want to believe it was happening so I chose to turn a blind eye to it initially trying to find justification in what I was doing as noble. The work I was doing was indeed noble. I was proud of it then and proud of it now. But the people around me diminished my worth & my work, considering me by deed as a joke.But I was not going to let the see me sweat.
Oh no! I was going to be polished, poised and professional to the end though it was killing me inside. Around the end of 2006 as I was literally walking like someone 90 years old, I had a small epiphany that something was wrong, terribly wrong. I had not realized how much weight I was putting on. But the end was not yet to be. I was not yet ready to look myself in the mirror and be culpable for my part.
Before it was over with by the end of 2007 I was weighing in at a whopping 320 pounds! I was showing all my anger, screaming loud and clear how hurt, angry, dismayed, disappointed and grieving I was inside that I would not let myself really look at. I am not there now here at the end of 2008 in more weighs then one. I am still working toward a goal for me, but the difference from this time last year to now has been a ride.
One of the things I did was to go back and find pictures over the last 20 years and make not of what had been ging on in my life, the people I associated with (or not) and found patterns. And not all of them were bad and even the ones thatt were were not as bad as they could have been. It took a lot of work and time and having to "go there" again and again and again in snippets, bits'n pieces as to not be overwhelmed to be overly grieved. The purpose and intent was to find some answers, to be culpable where necessary and for releasing.
Along the weigh I had laughter mixed in the tears, a few jaw dropping moments & lots of relief!I expected better and I also now expect it to get better (now)
It took, as I called it my personal sabbatical , all of 2008 for me to peel back all the layers as I dance in anger having to process & say out loud to myself all I was angry about. I had to stop lying to me and lying to protect others who did not have my back and those who could care less.The more I stripped, the more I can to the clear understanding of my culpability in this:I had given away "all my stuff" to quote a line from Shange's play "For Colored Girls who committed Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf"
Acceptance is normal and natural and very human. People using it to manipulate and coerce others to profit is not humane. I am not taking ownership for other people's action, but simply for my part in complying.So almost full circle back to Dr. Angelou's quote, I've learned that I need too be selective in whom I do talk to about certain things. It is difficult and dicey to be vulnerable because you will not know some of the time who is the parasite or the leech that will suck you dry. Sometime it will indeed be someone you are friends with, sometimes a family member, an acquaintance or a total stranger looking to make a buck. And it may not always be about financial profit, there are always a way that someone can benefit from you appearing not having self acceptance.
And even if a person's intention was not to hurt you and that is a very real possibility, sometimes they do unknowingly.
But now today a year later while I refuse to walk around being paranoid or suspicious of everything & everybody, but I will simply being better tuned into when to stop something before it stops me.But I did not get it in a cellular weigh back in 2007 and by 2008, I landed in the cardiac unit for a week in April because I let something get out of control subsequently causing me so much stress that I was hospitalized. I did not have a heart attack. As a silver lining I had the best, albeit it very expensive, physical including a MRI & a heart Cat to discover I had a beautiful mind and a large, healthy heart.The doctors told me then if I did not do something however to get the stress under control one day I may not be as fortunate.
While laying in that unit It had dawned on me that this was the 3rd trip in 15 years just like this because of high stress from outside sources and because I did not pay attention landed me in the hospital! Those 3 visits the cost would have been a sizeable down payment on a house, paid a car in full, allowed me to travel unencumbered to South Africa or Europe, been more then enough to create a viable business or wipe out all my debt.
Ah , the "gift" that kept on giving.
Possessing that awareness now gives me a different bent.So I can had to get very real and see what I was doing to participate in the madness.
But back then I was close but not there yet. That last cardiac unit had abut 30 beds and 75% of those beds were occupied with women! I was told by one of the nurses that last year they had one of their own nurses came in to work in the middle of a heart attack!
This is an end reult as how much the society of women are conditioned to take care of everybody else and disregard what is happening to them.How many times have we poo-poohed when we don't feel well or if we do lay down it is implied that we are lazy even if its only the thoughts in our own head?I don't know about you, but I have heard too many times and often from other women said in a disparaging voice, about "selfishness" if a women acts in a way to care for herself for a moment.
need a whole new time and way of thinking & acting which I believe we are fashioning, transforming now.
How cool is that?
Definitely overweight but not morbidly obese.
The implication in my eyes was that no longer is the surgery for those who are morbidly obese, but someone who is borderline obese (?) or overweight as a dieting tool. I was so taken aback I wanted to rip the commentator out of the tv screen and give them a shaking. This has very subtle implications.
To quote another woman "The woman says that she is having bariatric surgery so that she can kiss her husband under the Eiffel Tower. I always wonder if France has banned everyone who is not thin. There is also a commercial for Jenny Craig and Valerie Bertenelli says that this is the first year she can wake up and not worry about her weight and I keep wanting to tell her that she could have been doing that all along".
This is not, I repeat not any form of criticism for anyone who is contemplating having the surgery or have had it. Nor am I against Jenny Craig Ms. Bartenelli or what means individuals making conscious careful thought what works for them. I happen to believe there is more then one way to get healthy & people will make choices for themselves in how to process it. The conversation was about commercials. My thoughts were the implication in the commercial.
Even when discussing this as a form of weight loss the producers shows a woman who is on the far smaller side of obesity. It is loaded with hidden messages.If people can be reminded that there is no quick fix and we are so heavily influenced by marketing. First they have to create a need and it is important to coerce you into believing you are not good enough. Human nature being what it is and especially for women we are never going to measure up under a system who has created a hostile environment to be all the things that women should be proud of. Then the next step is to have you believe their product is the end all be all to cure what ails you and if you spend enough money you will be acceptable. But it will never be enough as if you reach that goal despite it all, the bar has to be raised to keep you buying.
According to marketing you will never be enough all on your own. Make no mistake I am not against a healthy weight or striving to be the best you for you. I just question a system that needs to coerce you into perceiving yourself as inadequate and then taking a very natural desire for acceptance and inclusion to manipulate you to try everything crazy thing under the sun to be like by people you don't know, may never meet and might not like if you ever do! Being proactive approach and having a realistic view of oneself and health, weight and well being is crucial as we have all discussed.
Yes I know I have the remaining weight to release and some of my by-product challenges of this weight that are fixable and within reach, but I would be doggone if I am going to wait until someone else decides that I cannot enjoy living until that happens.We are way over the top with programming that is not only anti woman, but anti fat women but some of that we as a gender have to take accountability for. I love that quote of Sister Dr. Maya Angelou on whining "Quit whining because it lets a brute know that a victim is in the room".About the word whining, but people have taken that word to make it a generic one size fits all word. It has taken a life all of its on.
Whining is incessant complaining. Or excessive complaining. That's all.
I do not see a problem when a person has complaint. Complaints have their rightful honorable place! But nowadays if you have cause for complaint, people look at you as being weak. That somehow that faux pull yourself up by the bootstrap mentality is the ONLY honorable way to go! What they are really saying is I don't care, I do not want to be bothered. Instead of saying that the word whining is used to save face instead of how they really feel as it doesn't appear "nice". Or perhaps (Oy Vey) they think they may have to get involved though they have not been asked to.
But what it comes down to is if you speak up for yourself or cite discrepancies as we are discussing here then you are looked upon as a whiner and Oh no, we cannot have that! People want women to be quiet, be compliant, to just "look good and shut up".Obesity would not be at epidemic proportions if all was right in the world! Things are being stuffed down that needs to be brought to the surface and scrape off and disposed! And it does not have to be something as horrific as sexual abuse, violence or trauma that can make that happen.
My weight gain came about the last 2-3 years because of anger. I (and I am only saying this to acknowledge my part is this script) allowed myself to be used that worked me to death, disrespected and minimize my work and treated me like I was a joke behind my back. And I went along with it...I did not want to believe it was happening so I chose to turn a blind eye to it initially trying to find justification in what I was doing as noble. The work I was doing was indeed noble. I was proud of it then and proud of it now. But the people around me diminished my worth & my work, considering me by deed as a joke.But I was not going to let the see me sweat.
Oh no! I was going to be polished, poised and professional to the end though it was killing me inside. Around the end of 2006 as I was literally walking like someone 90 years old, I had a small epiphany that something was wrong, terribly wrong. I had not realized how much weight I was putting on. But the end was not yet to be. I was not yet ready to look myself in the mirror and be culpable for my part.
Before it was over with by the end of 2007 I was weighing in at a whopping 320 pounds! I was showing all my anger, screaming loud and clear how hurt, angry, dismayed, disappointed and grieving I was inside that I would not let myself really look at. I am not there now here at the end of 2008 in more weighs then one. I am still working toward a goal for me, but the difference from this time last year to now has been a ride.
One of the things I did was to go back and find pictures over the last 20 years and make not of what had been ging on in my life, the people I associated with (or not) and found patterns. And not all of them were bad and even the ones thatt were were not as bad as they could have been. It took a lot of work and time and having to "go there" again and again and again in snippets, bits'n pieces as to not be overwhelmed to be overly grieved. The purpose and intent was to find some answers, to be culpable where necessary and for releasing.
Along the weigh I had laughter mixed in the tears, a few jaw dropping moments & lots of relief!I expected better and I also now expect it to get better (now)
It took, as I called it my personal sabbatical , all of 2008 for me to peel back all the layers as I dance in anger having to process & say out loud to myself all I was angry about. I had to stop lying to me and lying to protect others who did not have my back and those who could care less.The more I stripped, the more I can to the clear understanding of my culpability in this:I had given away "all my stuff" to quote a line from Shange's play "For Colored Girls who committed Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf"
Acceptance is normal and natural and very human. People using it to manipulate and coerce others to profit is not humane. I am not taking ownership for other people's action, but simply for my part in complying.So almost full circle back to Dr. Angelou's quote, I've learned that I need too be selective in whom I do talk to about certain things. It is difficult and dicey to be vulnerable because you will not know some of the time who is the parasite or the leech that will suck you dry. Sometime it will indeed be someone you are friends with, sometimes a family member, an acquaintance or a total stranger looking to make a buck. And it may not always be about financial profit, there are always a way that someone can benefit from you appearing not having self acceptance.
And even if a person's intention was not to hurt you and that is a very real possibility, sometimes they do unknowingly.
But now today a year later while I refuse to walk around being paranoid or suspicious of everything & everybody, but I will simply being better tuned into when to stop something before it stops me.But I did not get it in a cellular weigh back in 2007 and by 2008, I landed in the cardiac unit for a week in April because I let something get out of control subsequently causing me so much stress that I was hospitalized. I did not have a heart attack. As a silver lining I had the best, albeit it very expensive, physical including a MRI & a heart Cat to discover I had a beautiful mind and a large, healthy heart.The doctors told me then if I did not do something however to get the stress under control one day I may not be as fortunate.
While laying in that unit It had dawned on me that this was the 3rd trip in 15 years just like this because of high stress from outside sources and because I did not pay attention landed me in the hospital! Those 3 visits the cost would have been a sizeable down payment on a house, paid a car in full, allowed me to travel unencumbered to South Africa or Europe, been more then enough to create a viable business or wipe out all my debt.
Ah , the "gift" that kept on giving.
Possessing that awareness now gives me a different bent.So I can had to get very real and see what I was doing to participate in the madness.
But back then I was close but not there yet. That last cardiac unit had abut 30 beds and 75% of those beds were occupied with women! I was told by one of the nurses that last year they had one of their own nurses came in to work in the middle of a heart attack!
This is an end reult as how much the society of women are conditioned to take care of everybody else and disregard what is happening to them.How many times have we poo-poohed when we don't feel well or if we do lay down it is implied that we are lazy even if its only the thoughts in our own head?I don't know about you, but I have heard too many times and often from other women said in a disparaging voice, about "selfishness" if a women acts in a way to care for herself for a moment.
need a whole new time and way of thinking & acting which I believe we are fashioning, transforming now.
How cool is that?
Monday, December 22, 2008
20 Sips of Soulful Tips Volume 1
Contact Maria Dowd ~Sol to Soul Club
at http://sol2souljan09.eventbrite.com/
It's the seemingly small stuff that counts.
Integrate at least three to five or more and see what begins to unfold:
Drink a full glass of water before each meal. Water rocks! ¨
Go to bed an hour earlier. ¨
Light an aromatherapy candle. ¨
Turn off the television and play a board game. ¨
Turn off the video games and play outdoors. ¨
Create a dream board. Have your children make theirs. ¨
Power down a credit card balance. ¨
Give a foot massage to your loved one. Don't expect one in return. ¨
Go to bed with relaxation music or sounds of nature, not the TV. ¨
Put your credit cards up for a month. ¨
Does your child need a tutor? ¨
Do 20 crunches in bed every morning for 21 days. ¨
Have a garage sale. ¨
Double your recycling efforts.
Switch to recycled toilet paper. ¨
Flush the toilet every other time. ¨
Shop thrift. You'll be very surprised. ¨
Tell your children how proud you are of them. Seal it with a hug. ¨
Replace five pair of "seen better days" panties. Try on the next size up if your hips have rounded from your last purchase. ¨
Don't "drive thru" anywhere for 30 days. ¨
"The first wealth is health." Ralph Waldo Emerson
It's the seemingly small stuff that counts.
Integrate at least three to five or more and see what begins to unfold:
Drink a full glass of water before each meal. Water rocks! ¨
Go to bed an hour earlier. ¨
Light an aromatherapy candle. ¨
Turn off the television and play a board game. ¨
Turn off the video games and play outdoors. ¨
Create a dream board. Have your children make theirs. ¨
Power down a credit card balance. ¨
Give a foot massage to your loved one. Don't expect one in return. ¨
Go to bed with relaxation music or sounds of nature, not the TV. ¨
Put your credit cards up for a month. ¨
Does your child need a tutor? ¨
Do 20 crunches in bed every morning for 21 days. ¨
Have a garage sale. ¨
Double your recycling efforts.
Switch to recycled toilet paper. ¨
Flush the toilet every other time. ¨
Shop thrift. You'll be very surprised. ¨
Tell your children how proud you are of them. Seal it with a hug. ¨
Replace five pair of "seen better days" panties. Try on the next size up if your hips have rounded from your last purchase. ¨
Don't "drive thru" anywhere for 30 days. ¨
"The first wealth is health." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Viva le difference!
So people can tell the difference between Zydeco and Cajun I've included very short videos below. You can easily tell the difference. People want to do too much blending or assimilating when both can be enjoyed as they are indeed 1st cousins musically and are routinely played interchangeably at events. People from outside Louisiana routinely use swing dancing to this music. Simply enjoy and les bon temp rouler
Aie!
Authentic Cajun Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egNCukv6pqQ&feature=related Cajun Music Roots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkv0oStQE4I&NR=1
And Cajun dance (high level) These are very very short films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAebhI5yMw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es6AiyEWAnw&feature=related Roots (I just wonder why she's barefoot and he's not)
Now this is zydeco music with Buckwheat Zydeco ,the late Rockin' Dopsie & Clifton Chenier. (You can see how this is the grandaddy of Blues, R& B etc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQdPr7MQdBQ&feature=related Note here 2 of the Neville Brothers sitting in with Buckwheat!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmk95WeClCw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRD8NUyGVeU&feature=related
Aie!
Authentic Cajun Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egNCukv6pqQ&feature=related Cajun Music Roots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkv0oStQE4I&NR=1
And Cajun dance (high level) These are very very short films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAebhI5yMw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es6AiyEWAnw&feature=related Roots (I just wonder why she's barefoot and he's not)
Now this is zydeco music with Buckwheat Zydeco ,the late Rockin' Dopsie & Clifton Chenier. (You can see how this is the grandaddy of Blues, R& B etc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQdPr7MQdBQ&feature=related Note here 2 of the Neville Brothers sitting in with Buckwheat!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmk95WeClCw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRD8NUyGVeU&feature=related
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Zydeco for cardio vascular fitness.
Much to my delight I have discovered here in Oregon there are 2 zydeco events given monthly. I stumbled on one and went and sat and just enjoyed listening to the music. It was difficult to tell if the people were having a good time or not because at home there is a lot more exuberance in the movement.
But I will keep going every month just so I can have some movement and build up my cardiovascular stamina. I will not do much however until after surgery and healing time, but I expect by spring I can be rocking away. Zydeco music is so infectious and happy even if you are sitting you will find yourself tapping your feet or doing something which means there's movement and energy burning.
So if you are looking for something fun and not staid and serious here you go. I've posted several You Tube links that will give you some idea of the music and the dance. Take your time and be mindful as in any thing of your body and your abilities in health.
Though I would love to, because of my knees I have to modify movements but I can without a doubt do a Cajun Waltz which is absolutely lovey when done in a traditional circle. You will see grandpa dancing with granddaughter or son with his mother etc. It is very easy on the knees.
This video is showing it as a line dance for a change of pace:
Cajun Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRqQAaNf2rg&feature=related
Basic zydeco movement...Very basic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m_3MBn_TXs&feature=related
Much better to get the basics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDgbEOnaksE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06DybByY3hE&feature=related
Now for a Zydeco line Dancehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iie91k_eZwk&feature=related
Another line dance though could have been with more flair. It is slow enough though for you to get the footwork.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQJWh_XX7s8&feature=related
Age nor size has to be a hold back. The steps can be modified for you own level. In the background you can see people doing a Cajun 2-step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbzzVWVgBmI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXCIscKBWI&feature=related
What I like about this one. They are demonstration many of the turns you can learn:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Lk2ZpMnu8&feature=related
and here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUtC7I_XGFs&feature=related
For the record it is not uncommon to see women friends dancing together though as there are usually not enough men to go around. At a Fais do do (Fay-doh-doh) which is defined as
1. A French colloquial expression equivalent to “nighty-night”.
2. A traditional French lullaby;
3. A township gathering where the children are put to bed in the nursery while the adults party in the dance hall.
4. A Meeting place for people, music & flavor from around the corner & around the world.
For those in good shape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87lSxFnmzwk&feature=related
Ya Ya info
The late Boozoo Chavis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3bvnRV-Zek&feature=related Now if I can only find Lynn August to download
The late Beau Jacque performing my all time favorite song of his "Cornbread"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7EGkHoJkw&feature=related
For those who do not know the difference Zydeco a North African word translated as "snap bean" orgins are African. The grandfather of R&B, Blues & Soul. Zydeco was the music of African enslaved people who while not permitted to play music of Africa at the risk of death,took Cajun music and mixed it with African rhythms
It's Cajun music with soul & rhythm. There is a call & response between instruments.
Cajun music is indigenous to Cajun people who are the descendant from those who migrated here from Nova Scotia, Canada, originally exiled from France for religious beliefs.
The two musical forms are often interchanged many with creolized words from Africa & from France.
But I will keep going every month just so I can have some movement and build up my cardiovascular stamina. I will not do much however until after surgery and healing time, but I expect by spring I can be rocking away. Zydeco music is so infectious and happy even if you are sitting you will find yourself tapping your feet or doing something which means there's movement and energy burning.
So if you are looking for something fun and not staid and serious here you go. I've posted several You Tube links that will give you some idea of the music and the dance. Take your time and be mindful as in any thing of your body and your abilities in health.
Though I would love to, because of my knees I have to modify movements but I can without a doubt do a Cajun Waltz which is absolutely lovey when done in a traditional circle. You will see grandpa dancing with granddaughter or son with his mother etc. It is very easy on the knees.
This video is showing it as a line dance for a change of pace:
Cajun Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRqQAaNf2rg&feature=related
Basic zydeco movement...Very basic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m_3MBn_TXs&feature=related
Much better to get the basics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDgbEOnaksE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06DybByY3hE&feature=related
Now for a Zydeco line Dancehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iie91k_eZwk&feature=related
Another line dance though could have been with more flair. It is slow enough though for you to get the footwork.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQJWh_XX7s8&feature=related
Age nor size has to be a hold back. The steps can be modified for you own level. In the background you can see people doing a Cajun 2-step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbzzVWVgBmI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXCIscKBWI&feature=related
What I like about this one. They are demonstration many of the turns you can learn:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Lk2ZpMnu8&feature=related
and here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUtC7I_XGFs&feature=related
For the record it is not uncommon to see women friends dancing together though as there are usually not enough men to go around. At a Fais do do (Fay-doh-doh) which is defined as
1. A French colloquial expression equivalent to “nighty-night”.
2. A traditional French lullaby;
3. A township gathering where the children are put to bed in the nursery while the adults party in the dance hall.
4. A Meeting place for people, music & flavor from around the corner & around the world.
For those in good shape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87lSxFnmzwk&feature=related
Ya Ya info
The late Boozoo Chavis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3bvnRV-Zek&feature=related Now if I can only find Lynn August to download
The late Beau Jacque performing my all time favorite song of his "Cornbread"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7EGkHoJkw&feature=related
For those who do not know the difference Zydeco a North African word translated as "snap bean" orgins are African. The grandfather of R&B, Blues & Soul. Zydeco was the music of African enslaved people who while not permitted to play music of Africa at the risk of death,took Cajun music and mixed it with African rhythms
It's Cajun music with soul & rhythm. There is a call & response between instruments.
Cajun music is indigenous to Cajun people who are the descendant from those who migrated here from Nova Scotia, Canada, originally exiled from France for religious beliefs.
The two musical forms are often interchanged many with creolized words from Africa & from France.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Apple and Pork Stir-fry with Ginger
Serves: 4
Serving Size: 2 oz. cooked pork per serving
INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp. peach jam, preferably fruit sweetened 2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce 2 Tbsp. water1/2 tsp. cornstarch1-1/2 tsp. dark toasted sesame oil1 Tbsp. finely minced fresh ginger root1/2 pound (8 ounces) pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips1-1/2 tsp. canola oil1 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 cup chopped green bell pepper1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained2 firm apples, such as Fuji or Gala, cut into one-inch pieces1/2 cup scallions, thinly slicedFreshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS1. In small bowl, combine jam, soy sauce, water and cornstarch. Set aside. 2. In large non-stick skillet, heat sesame oil over medium high heat. Add pork and ginger and stir-fry until pork is browned and just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. 3. Transfer pork and ginger to bowl with slotted spoon. Add canola oil to skillet. Stir-fry peppers, water chestnuts, and apples until peppers are crisp tender, about 3 minutes. 4. Add pork back to skillet along with scallions. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add jam mixture. Continue to stir-fry 30 seconds to one minute, or until sauce thickens. Season to taste with black pepper.
NUTRITION INFOCalories: 296.8 Fat: 7.5 g Carbohydrates: 41.2 g Protein: 18.6 g
www.sparkspeople.com
Serving Size: 2 oz. cooked pork per serving
INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp. peach jam, preferably fruit sweetened 2 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce 2 Tbsp. water1/2 tsp. cornstarch1-1/2 tsp. dark toasted sesame oil1 Tbsp. finely minced fresh ginger root1/2 pound (8 ounces) pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips1-1/2 tsp. canola oil1 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 cup chopped green bell pepper1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained2 firm apples, such as Fuji or Gala, cut into one-inch pieces1/2 cup scallions, thinly slicedFreshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS1. In small bowl, combine jam, soy sauce, water and cornstarch. Set aside. 2. In large non-stick skillet, heat sesame oil over medium high heat. Add pork and ginger and stir-fry until pork is browned and just cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. 3. Transfer pork and ginger to bowl with slotted spoon. Add canola oil to skillet. Stir-fry peppers, water chestnuts, and apples until peppers are crisp tender, about 3 minutes. 4. Add pork back to skillet along with scallions. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add jam mixture. Continue to stir-fry 30 seconds to one minute, or until sauce thickens. Season to taste with black pepper.
NUTRITION INFOCalories: 296.8 Fat: 7.5 g Carbohydrates: 41.2 g Protein: 18.6 g
www.sparkspeople.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Incredible Edible art
Here's a visual feast for the eyes before dining if you can bring yourself to eat one after seeing it. But watermelon is very very good for you chocked filled with potassium, vitamin C and yes water.
A very highpowered laser beams made the designs. The kaser is the kind that is used for laser surgery. Which is a second marvel on how delicate this instrument is and can assist those with vision problems.
But eat melons and help to save your sight while you are at it!
Now we're Smokin'!
Go and sign up and pass it on www.onebodyonelifetime.com andsign up for the "Fit Matters" newsletter and eat a new delicious healthy conscious recipe every week. Even if you don't cook (much) you will find the recipes not difficult, the resuls delicious and good for your body.
Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
1 ½ cups mashed sweet potatoes
6 slices whole-wheat raisin bread, cut into cubes
½ brown sugar, or brown sugar Splenda blend
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
2 ½ cups fat free milk
2 whole eggs, beaten
1 egg white, beaten
Place the bread cubes in a 9” dish that’s been prepared with nonstick spray. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Microwave butter and milk in a 1-2 quart container on HIGH for 2 minutes or until butter melts. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over. In the microwave or on the stop top spilled milk is still a nuisance. Add approximately half of the egg mixture, rapidly to the milk mixture. You want to add it rapidly so you don’t have scrambles eggs in your milk mixture.
Pour egg and milk mixture over the bread crumbs and stir so it’s combined thoroughly. Microwave on power level 7 for 15- 20 minutes. The center may still be slightly soft and jiggly but it will set up as it cools. If it’s too “jiggly” for you cook for another three minutes on the same setting. Serve warm or chilled and note that microwaves vary and so do their cook times.
-Cherry Meatballs
Did you read the name of the recipe and turn up your nose? Shame on you, tis the season to try something different. If cherries don’t suit your fancy try another fruit as long as it’s an all fruit version. We’ve been talking about substitutions so have at it.
1 ½ lbs lean ground turkey or ground chicken
½ cup rolled oats
1/3 cup minced onions
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg white
½ tsp each garlic powder and ground sage
¼ tsp each salt and black pepper
1 cup all fruit cherry spread
¼ cup Dijon style mustard
Combine ground turkey or chicken, oatmeal, onions, parsley, egg white, garlic powder, sage, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well, using your hands for best results. What also gives great results is to let the turkey or chicken sit out long enough to take the chill off. It won’t spoil and you’ll be more comfortable using your hands to mix. Form mixture into bite size meatballs about 1 inch diameter. If you keep them that size this recipe could yield a little over 3 dozen. Place meatballs on a large baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
Bake at 400 ° for 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large sauce pan. They’re going to smell really good, but resist the urge to sample one. In a small saucepan, stir together fruit spread, and mustard. If you like them extra saucy you can double the recipe. Cook over medium high heat for 2-3 min. Stirring often. Pour sauce over meatballs, and give it a good stir. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
1 ½ cups mashed sweet potatoes
6 slices whole-wheat raisin bread, cut into cubes
½ brown sugar, or brown sugar Splenda blend
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
2 ½ cups fat free milk
2 whole eggs, beaten
1 egg white, beaten
Place the bread cubes in a 9” dish that’s been prepared with nonstick spray. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Microwave butter and milk in a 1-2 quart container on HIGH for 2 minutes or until butter melts. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over. In the microwave or on the stop top spilled milk is still a nuisance. Add approximately half of the egg mixture, rapidly to the milk mixture. You want to add it rapidly so you don’t have scrambles eggs in your milk mixture.
Pour egg and milk mixture over the bread crumbs and stir so it’s combined thoroughly. Microwave on power level 7 for 15- 20 minutes. The center may still be slightly soft and jiggly but it will set up as it cools. If it’s too “jiggly” for you cook for another three minutes on the same setting. Serve warm or chilled and note that microwaves vary and so do their cook times.
-Cherry Meatballs
Did you read the name of the recipe and turn up your nose? Shame on you, tis the season to try something different. If cherries don’t suit your fancy try another fruit as long as it’s an all fruit version. We’ve been talking about substitutions so have at it.
1 ½ lbs lean ground turkey or ground chicken
½ cup rolled oats
1/3 cup minced onions
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 egg white
½ tsp each garlic powder and ground sage
¼ tsp each salt and black pepper
1 cup all fruit cherry spread
¼ cup Dijon style mustard
Combine ground turkey or chicken, oatmeal, onions, parsley, egg white, garlic powder, sage, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well, using your hands for best results. What also gives great results is to let the turkey or chicken sit out long enough to take the chill off. It won’t spoil and you’ll be more comfortable using your hands to mix. Form mixture into bite size meatballs about 1 inch diameter. If you keep them that size this recipe could yield a little over 3 dozen. Place meatballs on a large baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
Bake at 400 ° for 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Remove from oven and transfer to a large sauce pan. They’re going to smell really good, but resist the urge to sample one. In a small saucepan, stir together fruit spread, and mustard. If you like them extra saucy you can double the recipe. Cook over medium high heat for 2-3 min. Stirring often. Pour sauce over meatballs, and give it a good stir. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Première neige~ 1st Snow
All these were shot in and around the studio in this woods. It was really a pleasure to get out inthe cld crips air and take pictures before the snow was marred with footprints, tire tracks etc...
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