Health Nut

My niece's husband was voted Tampa Bay's Healthiest Person yesterday! Congrats Ryan. He's not only one of the healthiest people in the area, he's also helping other get fit, stay healthy and keep themselves out of debt. What a good man.

Slow Down You Move Too Fast

This year for Lent I am doing something new. Instead of giving up something just to give it up – like chocolate or drinking alcohol or such, I am instead focusing on taking more on. This means to volunteer more, give of my precious time more and take better care of myself. My life is so busy lately and I haven’t had much time to spend with those who matter most to me. So during Lent, and beyond I want to work on my relationships with my friends and spend some quality time with these wonderful people.

Of course this means giving up my very precious “me” time, but I can even build on the quality of that as well. I am taking 15 to 30 minutes a day to meditate and use my “me” time more effectively. It’s hard to slow down for that long and I am using meditation podcasts to assist me in finding this inner peace and voice.

Now mediation is nothing new for me. I’ve done meditation for years and know that it really adds so much to my life including clarity, peace of mind and greater happiness. But it takes a bit of work on my part to slow it down enough to really feel these effects. The free podcasts I use regularly are The Meditation Podcast and Meditation Oasis. Both are free on iTunes and run anywhere from 8 minutes to 30. These guided meditations help me disconnect from the physical world for a little while and address my spiritual needs.

Do you meditate? What do you use or where do you go to reach the inner you in peace and quiet?

Heart Healthy Month Tip: Mediation has been shown to lower blood pressure and even cholesterol levels – all the better for your heart.

Fat Tuesday is Just a Name

I just had to go with some Cajun fare tonight, but was too busy to make something downright dee-vine!

Solution: 727FoodNow and Anna Stella Cajun Bistro. Miss Heidi shared with me a gift card to use this food delivery service and I thought tonight would be the perfect time to not only try delivery, but this restaurant.

But why make Cajun just one night? Even eating healthy, I was able to fit in this deliciousness into a few days with an Oyster Po’Boy tonight and Crawfish Etouffee dinner on Wednesday. I couldn’t even finish the sandwich tonight, it was so rich and delicious, but I did finish each little crispy oyster! So Yum!

Great experience overall. I highly recommend trying 727foodnow or a delivery service in your area. It was so easy, they were right on time and the delivery fee and tip aren’t much more than a tip if you went to the restaurant. In fact, I will probably continue this little treat monthly to save me some time from cooking and cleaning while enjoying a wonderful meal.

Heart Healthy Month Tip: Even when you overindulge, like I did tonight, you can still keep a heart-healthy lifestyle. Have a healthy breakfast and lunch using most of you calories at dinnertime. Split restaurant portions into sensible portions before you indulge. Add a little extra exercise to your routine that week. If you know in advance that you are going to splurge, you can workout a little bit more or harder a day or two in advance. This way you can have extra without the guilt. All good for your heart.

A Monthly Bundle of Joy

I discovered Birchbox.com in November thanks to Janel. It was love at first site and after my first box arrived in the mail, I subscribed for another 12 months and have loved pretty much everything I’ve received. So far my favorites have been:

Zoya nail polish (this polish has staying power and comes in so many colors from these muted tones to bright gemstone hues that really excite your fingers)

Benefit the Porefessional (I wear this under my makeup everyday for a flawless look. The little tube I received in December has lasted until just last week, amazing what a little dab will do)

Harvey Prince Ageless Perfume (a sweet smell of pink grapefruit that makes every day have a fresh appeal)

Stila eye liner (great color and great product, no more drugstore eyeliners for me, this one never causes any irritation and the color stays true all day).

It’s also such a great thing to come home from a hard day at work and find a little package of goodness on the doorstep with so many fun things to try inside.

Heart Health Month Tip: Do something nice for yourself. It’s easier to take good care of yourself when you feel great. A little gift for your favorite Valentine (yourself) should never be a second thought.

Getting to the Heart of it

I have been away for oh so long, but I am back again. The world sort of tail spinned for me with Finn’s passing, work going crazy, the holidays and then trying to learn to breathe again, but now I am back to what I love.

Did ya miss me? Well no need for a broken heart. In fact, February is National Heart Month and I am celebrating by taking special care of the ticker. Have you checked your ticker lately? The American Heart Association suggests checking out the My Life Check tool on their website. I did it and found that I am a bit over 50% with a lot of good habits while still having a lot of room for improvement.

What about you?

Sometimes it’s the littlest changes that make the biggest impact. And it’s it worth keeping yourself happy and healthy since there are so many wonderful surprises that could pop up anytime!

Heart Healthy Tip for Today: Before I sit down to watch TV or a movie or get a few pages of reading in, I take a long walk, usually with Polly. This way I get it in before the excuses start and I feel so much better for the rest of the evening.

Making Work Into Play

Even though I am part of the Y, I still prefer to play at getting my exercise instead of working out. I like the dance classes and even weight lifting, but other than that, I get bored – quickly.

So instead, I sweat and do cardio cleaning and landscaping my yard. Raking for 30 minutes really gets the heart going and doing squats while picking up those leaves gives my thighs and buns a real burn. Digging holes for new plants and trimming hedges puts the umph back into my arms, and the walking back and forth is great for intervals.

As I catch my breath and inspect what I have done I feel good in at least two ways.

Walking the dogs and running errands can be fun to as I recycle and grocery shop on my bike. My pups usually get two walks a day to wear them out and to get my day started as well as relaxing when I get home.

Inspired by the two hours of dancing I did at the Depeche Mode concert, I have been dancing around the house like crazy adding in some of those sensual stripper moves to tone my abs. Maybe I’ll be good enough one day to do a performance for my next boyfriend.

Play spurs on the other workout kind of things that will keep me healthy as I do push ups, sit ups and lift weights in the back yard after cleaning it and do yoga on the deck when the morning is nice.

But I want to do more. Kayaking with Chris. Walks to the park with Ren. Doing consecutive martini glass lifts with Guy. Plus, mattress calisthenics are always effective as well.

What is your favorite way to stay fit?

Fini and Begin Again

My stained glass angel ornament on my pink tree - that's Christmas to me

Life is what happens when you’re trying to write a blog. So instead of writing, I was living, but now I am back and happy to have some semblance of routine and normalcy. Nothing bad kept me from this personal task, all good with holidays to boot, but it did leave me snackered. Here are the top ten things that have transpired over the past 4 weeks. (In no particular order)

O Tannebaum

My perfect pink tree. Kitsche, I know, but aren't you jealous?

I just love my Christmas tree. It is pink with white lights and stands only about 6 feet tall (on a crate.) I have all kinds of ornaments on it even one that was crafted with my own wee hands when I was 3. I got the tree last year for $30 and the guy at the store said, “You’re goin’ to be the only person in Pinellas County with a pink tree.” My response, “I hope so,” even though I knew that there would be many folks in the gayborhood that would adore some pink plastic perfection. Even Guy was jealous. I wrap the bottom and its pedestal wine crate in a Santa-inspired, red and white faux fur skirt and even sans gifts it is a sight to behold. I hate the thought of taking it down and packing it away for another full year.

All the little children

Leilani having a blast at her recital. Her enthusiam was contagious!

It wouldn’t be a holiday without a children’s recital. I was invited to Leilani’s class’ Christmas program and had the honor of listening to three-year-olds massacre the old Christmas standards. It’s sort of like watching the auditions for American Idol, but not sad at all with kids forgetting their lines and waving to mommy in the front row, or those standing fear-struck as dad coerces them to look at the video camera. I just loved it. And of course Leilani stayed on cue and didn’t pick her nose nor lift her dress even once to the relief of her mother.

Noah, not to be outdone, does his famous rolling eyes routine. He's such a comedian.

I’ll be home for ChristmasA quick shot of my family during the gift exchange.

Since my family has developed into quite an extended posse, we try to make it for at least one day a year to be together, including spouses, mates, in-laws and kids. This year my niece Amanda hosted at her posh house. The food was divine with deep-fried turkey, pole beans cooked with bacon, Greek salad, butternut squash casserole and apple cobbler (my addition.) Plus it was great seeing the clan. My nieces and nephews are all grown with the youngest in his second year of college. Brian brought the girlies (his two divine daughters Madison and Sailor) and they are what really make the season bright. Even Laura, the actress, made it home all the way from LA and her Orange County-lifestyle. I miss the lot of them, but we just don’t seem to be able to hook-up much. Plus it is a nice time to catch up and do a simple gift exchange. This year was pretty weak though since my niece Erin left early and no one stole from anyone else, except me to try to get the ball rolling. Plus for me it’s all about giving so I was so pleased to see that Holley, Brian’s wife, got the afghan I made. She is so sweet and really appreciates things like that. My brother never makes it to these things since he lives in Michigan or something and I guess it is better to be there than with us.

Madison and Sailor Grace having a blast on Christmas Eve. They really make the holiday for me.

Sailor helping her mom with her new afghan. It was my first big project and turned out so sweet.

Feliz Navidad

You can't have black beans and rice without red wine vinegar!

And to balance out all the stress from driving to the family Christmas, I spent Christmas Day at Michelle’s and enjoyed my favorite meal of all time – Cuban roast pork, black beans and rice and baked ziti. Last year, she went to Ohio to visit family (why else would someone go to Ohio) and this left me beanless for the first Christmas in more than 10 years. It was painful. But I made up for it this year with double plates of food and a very sick belly that evening. Her family had done the Christmas Eve too so it was just us, Vivi, Ronn and her mom lounging around watching the Food Network and drinking wine. Mich and I recycle presents (meaning we usually take something we have and give that as a gift instead of buying something impersonal – except wine, that is good for all occasions.) This year I gave Vivi a Mary Poppins Barbie I had gotten about 12 years ago from an ex-boyfriend. It was still in the box with most of the accessories. I also shared with her half of my Hello Kitty collection (the other half goes to Leilani with her brother Noah gets my X-Men comic collection.) There was only a touch of drama, but it wouldn’t be a holiday without someone drinking too much and being all passive aggressive. (Vivi took the picture of her mom to the left, not too bad I thought. )
Vivi has already learned-leave the gun, take the cannoli!






Cause I’m a loser baby
Weight Watchers is a godsend. I am doing pretty well though I have fallen off the wagon a couple times. It’s the holidays and I let myself falter from time to time, but try to keep up with the exercising. I know that this is my time, and 2009 is all about me. I no longer want to think about my weight or convince myself that one day I will be thin. I am working towards my goal and I plan to be the hottest beatch at next year’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Now, I just need a hot guy to show me off. So far I have found a bunch of new recipes, including a vegetarian chili that so rocks, I just love a cup of it in the afternoon when I get ready to work out. I feel more alive than before and even when I am naughty (which I love being naughty) I can still be on track, a touch. I have vowed to not buy any new clothes until I get to the halfway point (which I am shooting for the end of April) and will be treating myself to exercise toys, accessories for my bike and cookbooks instead. I just love deciphering recipes, deconstructing them and making them more healthy. And that is what this is all about – it’s not a diet, it’s a healthy way to live.

I want to ride my bicycle
I just love, love, love my bike. I really do. I like to ride to the beach on Saturday morning, ride my bike to my friends’ homes, ride to the store and the library, and ride around just for fun. The weather has been great here and that only inspires me to get out and ride even more. My morning rides are the hardest to convince myself of, but when I do get peddling, the music in my ears and a fresh cup of juice or a smoothie when I get back really bring it all together. I feel so much better about myself when I ride. Since I can’t walk much, it is one of the only ways I can get mobile. My boss even gave me a harnessed pouch for Finnegan to ride in when I go out riding. I’ve thought about riding up to Georgie’s in the evening for cocktails since I will have to stick to one and not feel too guilty about the calories. We’ll see about that later. Future adventures include: the Saturday Morning Market downtown, visiting Michelle and Renee (both are just a few miles more) and maybe one day go all the way to Guy’s.
Santa baby

Made this when I was three - aren't you impressed???

Christmas was simple this year. I wasn’t able to give very much, if anything since money is pretty tight, but I was blessed with several treats. Ronn gave me a bottle of vodka accompanied by a bottle of deliciously spiced olives. That was my Christmas morning treat – a spicy martini to go with the healthy egg white omelet and tomatoes. Michelle shared with me a set of espresso cups and saucers from her grandmother and homemade marinara and cranberry sauce that she canned. Guy made it a Warholiday with a money tray in Andy style and a pink martini ornament for my pink Christmas tree. Heidi shared her generosity with my kids by getting the kitties some cat nip balls and Finnegan a squeaky toy. I just love how she always thinks of the pets during the holidays. Patty gave me a flask, though it only holds six ounces (HA) because she knows me so well. I know that will definitely get a lot of use. I always feel blessed when people share gifts with me, even if it is stuff that I never considered, I still am grateful since no one really has to do it. Plus, my friends are the same way since they appreciate anything that is given to them and they teach their kids this too, since just being kin is a gift.

Finnegan Begin Again
I waited 35 years to get a puppy for Christmas and it finally happened. Finn is still with his mommy and grandma since he isn’t weaned. It will be about 4 more weeks until he comes home to me. I have been visiting him at least once a week and even held him all night on New Year’s Eve. It was a quiet end to the year. Ronn joined me over at Patty and Jim’s where we sat out back, drank champagne and held puppies – what could be more magical? My first kiss of the new year was Finn with his sour puppy breath and newly opened eyes to see how much I love him. I am so excited to be a new mommy.

Kids in America

Dancing to "They Don't Know About Us" by Tracey Ullman

I ended the year dancing with my dear friends Patty and Tuttie to old 80s tunes and began 2009 dancing with Renee and Malika to reggae/hip hop favorites. I just love to dance, but don’t get the chance much. Being a goth kid in high school and college limited my dance moves though I have always loved dancing around the house. That is where it ended since I felt clumsy with my weight and lost with all the choreography. But that is all changing. Malika was showing me how to belly dance and Renee shared some of her Jamaican moves getting me up and running and I didn’t care how I looked, as long as I was having fun. So that is one of my new year’s goals – to dance more just for fun. Plus it is great exercise. Dexy's Dancing!!

Hot Hot Hot
For my new adventure in 2009 I got a new haircut. It isn’t too different from before and is even a recollection of a few years ago with short curls framing my face. I love it an am so excited with my new look. 2009 has so much possibility! Plus I have the perfect accessory for my new look - FINN!

And one sad note. On December 20, Jerry Taylor was murdered. Jerry and I worked together for several years. Though not close, we shared many laughs in boring meetings. As circumstances would have it, I spotted him a few months ago at my new place of business and found it a touch comforting to see someone from the old stomping grounds. He was an innocent victim of a deranged psychopath who also murdered Beth Evans, his ex-wife and a friend of Jerry’s. We weren’t close, but it still keeps me struck with sadness to think how this vibrant man and loving father will not longer be there to bring light into his daughter’s eyes.

Veggie Tales - Day 13

It’s not a big shocker to those of you that know me that I have always had a big problem with my weight. Being as I am now at an age that I need to lose it or get stuck with it forever, I have been trying things to go it alone and make it work. No good. Most of my friends do not have weight problems so they don’t really get it. Patty can drink beer every day and Shepherd’s Pie and be as petite as ever. Tuttie could dine on chips and beer each evening an nothing will ever move on her scale. But I could think about a chocolate chip cookie (and there it happened again) gain a pound.

It’s not that I don’t like to eat healthy, I love veggies and fish and chicken, but I love them so much I can’t stop eating. It is all portion control and being around people who dine almost solely on the bad foods. So I am following the Weight Watchers point system, good or bad, I feel it is the healthiest plan and I pray it works this time.

My silver lining lies in the fact that I love the foods that are healthy for me and I love to cook. Weight Watchers allows me to eat what I like, even the “bad” stuff, but to count it. So far the hardest thing for me to give up is cocktails. But I have found that Roobis Tea with Lemongrass is a nice drink for the end of the day. I just try to keep myself busy so I get tired around sunset and there you go – no drink needed.

Ronn eats completely different things than me, but I have decided to put myself first so that I can feel better and get thinner. And since my weight has been a bit of a problem for him, he will understand the measures I must take.

So I salute the veggies that lay before me. One trick I have found is to cut up all the snack veggies when I get them and put them in Tupperware. This way I can fill a quart bag each day for work and gnosh on that. (Oh and I am still working on this, since I have been doing this for two weeks and really hate them now.)

New mantra: I am very thankful that I love veggies! I am very thankful that I love veggies! UGH!

The Air That I Breathe - Day 6

Life has been very weird the past two weeks and now I can try to get back to my gratitude list. I am just glad for my health right now, since it hasn’t been good for a few weeks. It seems I spend more time at the doctor’s office, in physical therapy or at the pharmacy than I do anywhere else. I also spend more money. My plans for new soffets and painting my house have dropped a few notches as the funds are redirected toward paying off somebody’s medical school student loans.

But at least I have the time and money to go about these excursions without making myself feel any worse.

The downside is I hate being an invalid and missing out. I missed seeing an old friend, I miss walking in the evenings and I miss just being able to do anything I want to do. The doctors all say “Rest” is the best thing, and the drugs. But now I am on the mend and in hindsight I can see that it is all part of some plan, or at least I lie to myself about that.

So now I am thankful I can breathe full lungs of air, I can move about on my own two feet, I can smile and laugh and I can pray for perspective. The other bright side is I got to read more, take hot baths, and knit.

There is still more to do. I have blood tests to take and analysis to be done, physical therapy to be manipulated and just keeping myself sane. I had always envisioned myself at this age being vibrant and so full of life, but lately I am dragging and just pulling myself through each day. Today that stops. I am restarting my life. In good health.

I hate my crutches - Day 35

I have had many crutches in my life: alcohol, bad lovers, excuses, food and so much more, but the crutches I hate the most are the ones I am using now because of my foot. I hate them. Yes hate is a strong word and so worth it.

I have bruises beside my breasts, my arms ache and everyone looks at me like a cripple (which I temporarily am). Renee and Wayne were the only ones who gave me any encouragement when they refused to ask "Are you OK" "Does it hurt"?? They called me hop-along and crip most of the day so I felt better. I don't handle sympathy well. It almost brings me to tears thinking about 2 more weeks of this.

It sucks.

I Fucking Hate My Crutches!!!

Cookies in the Rain - Day 28

Friday was a day of feeling like crap. The medicine I am on makes me a bit ill in my tummy and compound that with a throbbing ankle – life hurts. I went into work and had to leave promptly there after. Of course this was the day that my battery decided to also be on its last legs so I had to buy one of those too. Oh the joys of auto ownership. And to think, I am considering having two of these to my name and driveway.
I sipped soda, which I only use for medicinal reasons, and laid around feeling like crap. I put all work aside and moped, then slept, which helped a tiny bit.
Barbara is a knitting and craft buddy, though she is so much better than I am at all things artsy. We also currently have another thing in common, our inactive feet. She broke her foot a few months ago and is slowly on the mend. There we sat, with our feet elevated snacking on olives from Mazzaros as the men folk chatted about golf and the rain came down.
Not wanting to cook, the foursome agreed on take-out pizza from my favorite place, Gianni’s. They just remodeled and the pizza is still wonderfully great, it’s all in the crust.
Barbara showed me a sock she is working on – her umpteenth pair I think, and said she could help me when I am ready to do socks. I started one about 5 months ago and got the top done, stopping at the heel since I no longer was a regular at the yarn store. Work sucks for screwing up my schedule.
I introduced her to Etsy, told her it would at least pay for her habit, and encouraged her to do more items.
And as the title states, there were cookies. Another Mazzaros delight, Jim and Barbara brought dessert of multicolor delights. Now I like sweets, but cookies aren’t usually my favorite. But for those that know, Mazzaros isn’t an average bakery. There treats remind me of the wondrous items I satiated myself with when in New York and Brussels. They are so wonderful and delicious that we were silent except for the moans of orgasmic, dessert elation.
Fruit filled or chocolate, sprinkled with colorful sugars or laced with powdered sweetness, these cookies are the best around. Take a bite.

On The Mend - Day 26

Note: I have been uber busy so here is an update. There will be several posts today, but they are from the past few days - Got it? Good.

Well we have word now that I will not be crippled for the rest of my life, but I won’t be running anymore and not even walking any races. That is a bit disappointing, but I look at the bright side – My ankle should be better in a few months and I will be back to working out. Now I am wearing a soft cast to keep my ankle stabilized and to keep me off of it as much as possible. Next will be a boot and then, hopefully, orthotic inserts.
I was browsing on-line for cute orthotic shoes, and actually found a few, though these will be a bit pricey and I am not a pricey shoe shopper. Mary Janes and a few sensible pumps seem to be my future in footwear, but I can make do. I love Mary Janes so adapting is a breeze. I just regret that I can’t be the cute shoe girl anymore.

This event did allow me to have an experience that brought everything back into perspective. I am pretty lucky that way. Usually when I get angry, upset or some such emotion about my own plight, the Universe sets me straight. I was pissed about the crappy insurance I have through work and how it has really screwed me – insurance only seems to be good for people who don’t need it. As I waited in line at the pharmacy to get my prescription filled, I was behind a woman who had to choose from three prescriptions she had since she couldn’t afford them all. I am not sure what her illness was, but she didn’t look too great and here she was, in a wealthy country like ours, having to choose which drugs she could afford. What if the cocktail of prescriptions were all supposed to work in unison? How would this negligence on the drug companies’ part affect her health?
Yes, I blame the drug companies for not doing what they should be doing – making cures for people and making them affordable enough for people to get them. And what about a country that allows this to happen. My anger translated into something more real that moment and I wanted to help this woman out. I asked her if I could help, not wanting to embarrass her, and she told me that it was OK, her daughter would come back later and pay for the other two. I think it was a fib to make herself feel better, she just had that look. I hobbled home and took my place in front of my TV and laptop to work as I recouped. But I can’t get her out of my head.

Run as Fast as You Can - Day 20

The process has started, or so I hope. I finally found a doctor to help me with my ankle issue. I have been wearing the bandage on my ankle for so many months now that I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a fashion trend this fall.
My last doctor, who I saw back in March, only told me to rest and gave me Anaprox for the pain and swelling, this new guy who I see next week should actually fix the problem.
Always my weak point, this problem came to a head 2-1/2 years ago when I twisted my ankle leaving yoga class. The ground was slippery and I was in sandals and ugh – pain. My boyfriend at the time offered to help me with elevation, ice and compression (the RICE solution), but I refused since I had dinner to make and things to do. (I have never been a big one for accepting help, it bothers me to do it, but I have gotten better. I guess I just need more help now.)
I stayed off it for a week, but I was in training for the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. I couldn’t disappoint my team or myself, so I went back to training. The twist occurred in August and the race was at the end of October so I figured I would be OK by then, and I was. I finished with no problems, but the normal swelling and aches associated with endurance racing.
Good, you say, you knocked another thing off your list and then you got help. Nope. I went on to do the Mayor’s Midnight Run in Anchorage the following year. I couldn’t stop since it meant so much to me to go to Alaska, with Guy, on the 10th anniversary of his diagnosis. We did the half together, walking to not miss a thing and it was wonderful. That was one of the best trips in my life with Guy as my companion. It strengthened our friendship and made me fall in love with Alaska.
Knowing that I probably wouldn’t be doing another race for a while, if ever, I should have started on the process to get back into gear. But no. I had other trips, lots of responsibility at work, the holidays and of course a feeling that I would be OK, no matter what.
Well now I am taking the true steps to getting this fixed. The problem has become so severe that I can sometimes barely walk, much less run. My exercise plan has been stinted, though I am still doing arms and abs. Plus I hate feeling so old in the morning. This really has slowed me down and I am done with it. I pray that this new doctor can help me out and get me back to something of my old self.