Let's talk about marriage...ok, not in a mushy, 'pie in the sky' kinda way, but in a serious, 'we's grown now' kinda way.

So last Saturday, I drove out to my good buddy's home to celebrate the birth of her first child. Her family and friends were there...and of course her hubby. As I watched them interact together, it occurred to me that I needed to add them (J and M) to my 'fav couple' list. They are so natural and comfortable with one another. It's clear that they love each other...but they are also great friends. I got the feeling that they had the kind of relationship that will last.

Previously only my good friends R and P were on that list. Another really cool couple that do not hide the fact that the love each other...but they are still their own independent persons. They love to hang out and party together, but they each make time to do stuff on their own.

Then I caught some new pics of my homies J and D, who recently celebrated their one year anniversary. Another couple that I think might need to go on the list. Here's the thing though, these 3 couples are really the only married ppl (my age) with whom I'm truly close. (Tea, remind me if I'm missing anyone important). Now given the divorce rate in this nation, I'm wondering...how can it be that everyone that I know has the 'right stuff' to make a marriage last? Is it just that all couples seem perfect in the early stages, or do my friends truly have some key elements that are important for a strong marriage?

Certainly there are other couples that I am watching from a far...who seem like they are on the rocks, so it isn't that all marriages seem blissful. My friends just seem...different.

What do you think? Is is the 'right formula' or am I just being naive?

Yesterday I successfully took my old bed apart for donation to the Salvation Army. I cannot tell you how gratifying it is every time that I do something handy on my own. As a woman, I don't really like to feel helpless. So every time that I make it happen on my own...I just want to celebrate. Actually I have found that most home projects are not as tough as you think they are...you've just got to know where to start. I found this cool little website: BeJane.com, and it's all about empowerment. Check it out.

Hey Everyone! So sorry for being MIA. It's just been 'one of those weeks', ya know? Lots of late nights (and not the good 'btwn the sheet' kind...the bad 'staring at a tiny laptop for 14 hrs' kind).

However, I have stayed on my grind. I've been eating right, yoga on Monday...a nice swim today, and I'm planning to swim tomorrow followed by yoga on Friday and Saturday. Oh you counted it right, that's 5 workouts for the week. I've found that 4 is my happy place, and probably where I will need to be in order to maintain my weight once I lose it. However, it is definitely not working for dropping the pounds. A sista has been STALLED like a car on a 10 degrees below zero day. I'm talking about dragging out of bed early 4 days per week, avoiding the high fat/high cal options on the menu, and then staring down at a scale that has moved nary an inch each Friday. A bit discouraging, I'll admit. However, the good thing about losing weight is that you can always start from the very second that you set your mind to it.

Here's the thing...I haven't been counting calories, but I also don't want to go that route. Not just b/c it's no fun, but because you just can't do that forever. I honestly feel that my routine was so extreme when I was on the Biggest Loser Plan last year (counting the calories on every item that I ate...sticking to a 1200-1300 cal diet...being hungry all the time...NO splurges (except JA, and I would fall off of the wagon for that banana porridge ANY day of the week, but I digress)) that as soon as I started living 'normally' then I began gaining. I want to go back to my 2007 weightloss plan of simply eating right, exercising, losing weight over time, and KEEPING IT OFF. That being said, I at least need to ramp up the workout program to get things in gear.

Ok - I got a bit long winded there. Anywho...here are some workout tips to keep your body moving and ready for spring wardrobe shopping:

For Women

For Men

As for me, I'm very excited that my new bed is being delivered this Saturday. I CANNOT WAIT to climb aboard. Of course, I have to get my old bed dismantled tonight (and I'm a bit fearful of what lies beneath), but I have confidence in myself. Add to all of that a slight reprieve on a work deadline, a superbowl party this weekend, and the release of Steve Harvey's book (anyone who listens to the Strawberry Letters on his morning show has got to be interested in what he has to say), and I'd have to say that things are all smiles on my end!

Couches, Dressers, and Beds...Oh My!

So if you know me, then you know that I don't really like bargain/discount shopping. The crowds and the disarray of it all are just overwhelming, so I limit myself to either accompanying friends on their expeditions or shopping for myself no more than a few times per year. However, the desire to begin working on one of my goals led me to Darvin Furniture's Warehouse Sale. Good God Almighty, it was insane!

I knew it was going to be...interesting when I pulled into the lot and had to drive clear to the back to find a park. I get into the store, and it's A. freakin' huge and B. not in a clear 'grid layout'. It is a massive space with lots of diagonal aisles and off-shoot rooms, so I spent a lot of time wandering around trying to find the piece of furniture that I spotted an hour ago to re-assess if I want to move forward with the purchase. (Let me also note that I stayed as far away from the clearance section as possible. Pieces of furniture in every which direction, final sales and no assembly included. Absolutely Not!)

Soooo...After at least two hours of wandering I end up with a list of 3 diff sofas (that may or may not convert into sofabeds), two ottomans, and one bed that I like. Not too bad...except now I have to A. find the sales lady who greeted me when I first walked in b/c (as she whispered to me) they work on commission, and B. find all of these pieces again to discuss options with her. Yeah, no such luck on finding the ottomans again. Who knows where they disappeared to. It took a while to find the bed, but we did annnnnnd IT'S A PURCHASE! Now the couches were easier to find BUT, two of them don't convert into sofabeds, and I don't LOVE the third that does.

So now I'm in a conundrum b/c I am realizing that I probably will have to choose a sofa that doesn't convert. Well, that's ok, except that there are hundreds of sofas that I liked, but didn't consider b/c I knew they would never work as a sofa bed. Now you can imagine that I have walked a couple of miles in this damn store wearing a winter coat, scarf and sweater surrounded by hundreds of ppl in a Christmas morning-like frenzy. I CANNOT do another pass through this store. I opt to call it a day w/my bed and mattress (which surprisingly costs more than the bed) and walk out of the store w/a smile.

Now, this shopping story is far from over. This bed is bigger, so I have new bedding to purchase within the next two weeks (big fun)! Plus, I didn't like or buy the dresser or bedside table that came w/the bed, so those will need to be replaced to in-time complete the set. Annnnd of course, I still need a couch and ottoman. It's almost a bit overwhelming, but we shall persevere.

*dancing and singing* "You know what it iiiiss!"

OMG! I watched this morning's inauguration while talking to my dad on the phone, and it was absolutely amazing. I can't even describe the hope and excitement that I feel right now. I'll just say...grab a glass of champagne (or sparkling cider, if that's what you do) and give a toast to a true change in our country (both from a political and a social stand point). The future is now, and it concerns both you and me. Let's make these next EIGHT years the best that this country has seen in a long time, and let's embrace the principles and goals of President Barack Obama, which will carry our nation and our countrymen to the next level of success!

Don't Give Up!

This article was just what I needed to hear/read today. Even after having great success with weight loss, it can be very frustrating to diet and exercise all week, and then hop on the scale to find it unmoved or worse...higher. The important thing to remember is that no matter what happened yesterday (whether a success or a failure) today is what matters. You need to start anew each day, giving 100%, if you want to see positive results.

Enjoy!

Hey You! Don't Give Up!

by Kenn Kihiu

"'You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.' - Mary Pickford 1893-1979========================================================================

Read that quote again. Because it's so true, failure is not falling down, it's staying down. You might have tried to accomplish a certain goal once before such as losing weight and not succeeded, you are not alone. Almost everyone who has tried to lose weight has at one point failed. It's only a failure if you give up! I think the three most powerful words are 'Never Give Up!' Say them aloud right now and plant them in your heart. They are your key to success.

Let me explain. In March of this year, I got a call from my sister Eva. She could hardly contain her excitement. My 11 month old niece Audrey started walking! Most parents understand what a pivotal moment it is. Last time I saw my niece, she was desperately trying to walk. She would stand, hold on to things, try to walk and often take a big stumble. Sometimes she wouldcry but she would try again after a few minutes. Babies must walk and they don't give up and she never did.

I think we have a lot to learn from our babies because as adults, we forget that never give up attitude that we were born with. Let's face the facts when it comes to health and fitness the two hardest aspects of working on your self are getting started and sticking with it. Making any type of commitment requires resources, your time, your focus, your hard earned money, but the rewards you reap for staying committed to your health are without boundaries and touch every aspect of your life. Make tenacity your favorite word. Tenacity can be defined as commitment to the goal regardless of what has to be endured along the way. If you are crawling, start walking, heck, some babies find it easier to just run. If you have not succeeded in the past, understand that falling down is part of the process; it does not mean you have failed. Just keep trying, eventually you will walk. Just Don't Give Up!"

Sooooo Many Things...

Well this week wasn't too bad, if I do say so myself. I was sick, but I still got 3 workouts in. Of course, 4 is always my minimum, buuuuut given that I felt like I should have been doing ZERO, then I was pleased. PLUS...I went grocery shopping and I've been packing breakfast and lunch to work. I've been eating a restricted calorie diet, and I lost a pound this week. It's clear that I need to get my weight back down to where I was about 3/4 of the way through last year's Biggest Loser Challenge; #1 so I can stay in the clothes that I bought and #2 to remain healthy. However, I am surprisingly pleased with my appearance. I look in the mirror, and I'm happy with what I see. Now, to be honest when I go to put my pants on, then I don't feel the same way. Hence, the ongoing weightloss regimen. Yet, I feel good about myself, which is am important aspect that so many dieters lose sight of.

BUT here's what I really wanted to talk to you about. I've been bit by the 'Green' bug. Climate Change and overall concern for our planet has been on my mind for some time. I feel like I've been doing small things here and there like using recycled grocery bags instead of plastic ones each trip. However, I want to do more. But what? When I sat down to think about it, I felt as though I would have no impact on the big pollution that goes on by factories, etc. all over the world. Soooo...I went out to the handy dandy internet and came up with these tips. There are 10 listed in the articles, but these are the ones that I believe I can implement in my home immediately.

1. Green up your appliances. Getting rid of that old refrigerator in the garage could save you as much as $150 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Appliance use comprises about 18% of a typical home’s total energy bill, with the fridge being one of the biggest energy hogs. If any of your appliances is more than 10 years old, the EPA suggests replacing them with energy-efficient models that bear their "Energy Star" logo. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. According to the Energy Star site, if just one in 10 homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

4. Clean green. Stop buying household cleaners that are potentially toxic to both you and the environment. In his book, "The Safe Shopper's Bible," David Steinman suggests reading labels for specific, eco-friendly ingredients that also perform effectively. These include grain alcohol instead of toxic butyl cellosolve, commonly found in carpet cleaner and some window cleaners as a solvent; coconut or other plant oils rather than petroleum in detergents; and plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary or sage rather than triclosan, an antifungal agent found in soaps and deodorant. Or, skip buying altogether and make your own cleaning products. Use simple ingredients such as plain soap, water, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, washing soda (sodium carbonate), lemon juice and borax and save money at the same time. Check out these books by Annie Bertold-Bond for cleaning recipes: "Clean and Green" and "Better Basics for the Home."

5. Let there be energy-efficient light. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

6. Save a tree, use less paper. You can buy "tree-free" 100% post-consumer recycled paper for everything from greeting cards to toilet paper. Paper with a high post-consumer waste content uses less virgin pulp and keeps more waste paper out of landfills.

7. Want hardwood floors? Opt for bamboo. Bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly flooring material due to its high yield and the relatively fast rate at which it replenishes itself. It takes just four to six years for bamboo to mature, compared to 50-100 years for typical hardwoods. Just be sure to look for sources that use formaldehyde-free glues.

8. Reduce plastics, reduce global warming. Each year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags — from grocery and trash bags to those ultra-convenient sandwich bags. Unfortunately, plastics are made from petroleum — the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors to global warming, according to the EPA. In addition, sending plastics to the landfill also increases greenhouse gases. Reduce, re-use and recycle your plastics for one of the best ways to combat global warming.


I hope that you can also find one or two ways to help protect our planet...if not for yourself, then for your kids and grand-kids as well as all the plants and animals that will suffer for our actions.

Snacks! I love 'em!

I don't know what it is, but there is something about a little treat in between meals that is always appealing. My body is truly regulated to eat about every 3-4 hours, so like clockwork...I begin to feel a little rumbly in my tummy (for my Winnie the Pooh fans) right around 10:30-11 am and 3:30-4 pm. Since these cravings tend to come a hour or more before my next scheduled 'meal' time, then a snack is just what the body needs.

Of course, when you're trying to eat right (and particularly when you're trying to lose weight), then this can also be a wonderful (or treacherous) opportunity to fall right off the wagon. I mean, even things that seem small and harmless (like some trail mixes or a muffin) can be packed with calories, fat and carbs. I tend to try to go for a 100 cal pack or a piece of fruit, which works pretty well. However, if you're looking for a way to mix things up with a balance of healthy, filling, and tasty treats, then check out THESE options! Below are two of my favs!

Edamame
Grab a handful of frozen shelled soybeans and run them under steaming-hot water for a quick thaw. For a tangy twist, add a spritz of lemon.

HEALTH BONUS: Contains 8 grams of fiber and lots of cholesterol-lowering soy protein.

Cashew-Strawberry Crunch
Think of this as a gourmet cook's PB & J. Spread 1 tablespoon of cashew butter on a slice of Ryvita Fruit Crunch. (Or substitute peanut butter and Triscuits.) Drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon honey and top with sliced strawberries.

Health Bonus: Nut butters are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

This year I think that I am going to re-focus my attention on diet. I have done well with exercising on a regular basis. However, maintaining a healthy diet has really been a challenge for me. It is just soooo easy to make an 'allowance' here or there, and before you know it...you're eating foods that are un-healthy or simply high in fat and calories ALL THE TIME. It's a difficult tightrope to walk. Yet it is one that we must all master, if we are truly going to see CHANGE in our personal lives.

One of the most difficult issues for all of us is 'special occasions'. I do really well with maintaining my diet when I'm all alone, but I feel as though I must make an exception for all the little events that pop up. You know...a wedding, a baby shower, a holiday, an anniversary. These are all events that focus on food, and you want to enjoy the special day, right?

Well check out this article from ivilliage.com, which has a number of great tips for celebrating life with out sinking your weight loss/management plan. Hopefully these tips will help you to enjoy the new year while keeping your resolutions!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Let's make 2009 a year of transformation. God willing, we'll look back on this year with ZERO regrets.

Here's a little something to get you in the mood: Jill Scott - Golden