Nothing Spooky Here...and FIT TIP (#51)

Total blast having Gavin & Stone in
the Valley of the Sun as
October slips away.

**for Chloe...we missed you**
Monkeys separated by Superman
**AKA Gavin, Stone, Dallen**


Monkey or not,
these are the most kissable cheeks.
Ever.


To touch or not to touch...
that is the question.
**as Stone meets Milo & Phoebe**


To touch, of course!
**c'mon now**
Was it ever really a question?

FIT TIP (#51): Meditation...
builds on deep breathing, and takes it a step further.

When you meditate, your brain enters an area of functioning that's similar to sleep, but carries added benefits you can't achieve as well in any other state...including the release of certain hormones that promote health.

Also, the mental focus on nothingness keeps your mind from working overtime, thus decreasing your stress level.

Fall Dippin'...and FIT TIPPIN' (#50)

Enjoyed a full house of out-of-town visitors this week.
We indulged in all kinds of delish eats...
including the following:
Toffee Apple Dip
~8 oz. cream cheese, softened
~8 oz. toffee bits
~3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
~1/2 cup granulated sugar
~1 tsp. vanilla extract
~6 large apples
Stir first six ingredients together in sauce pan over medium heat. Allow to cool. Dip apples (or slices) into mixture. Set aside until the dip sets up. Also works great with pears.


Sweet Pumpkin Dip
~2 cups confectioners sugar
~8 oz. cream cheese, softened
~15 oz. pumpkin pie filling
~1 tsp. ground cinnamon
~1/2 tsp. ground ginger
Combine sugar and cream cheese until well blended. Beat in remaining ingredients. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Serve with gingersnaps. Yummy!


FIT TIP (#50): Great Strides...five ways to get more out of your walks:

-1-Bend your elbows. Your arms will swing faster, helping your legs to move faster.

-2-Keep your stride short. Don't take long strides that feel awkward.

-3-Think heal-to-toe. Push-off with your heal. Toes should leave the ground last.

-4-Keep your abs pulled in and tight.

-5-Include interval training. Incorporate periods of very brisk walking followed by slower, recovery times.

Look Who's Hanging Around

My **scary people** vintage photo banner.
Truly hope you don't recognize any of the participants!

Came across a quick & entertaining read
at seriouseats.com
For the most part, I happen to agree...

TOP TEN WORST HALLOWEEN TREATS
**in no particular order**
~Raisins--Little boxes of stuck-together shriveled globs are not what little kids schlep around the neighborhood for.
~Candy Corn--The fruitcake of Halloween; it just never goes away.
~Toothbrushes--Complimentary bristles on a stick do not remind "treaters" to brush.
~Smarties--Fruit-flavored, but fruit does not **should not** taste like dust.
~Apples--Before the "poisoned candy scare", evil people handed out apples.
~Tootsie Rolls--Looks like chocolate and sort of smells like chocolate, but not chocolate.
~Misc. Wrapped Hard Candy--Something about them feels past the expiration date.
~Dum Dum Lollipops--See previous entry...misc. wrapped hard candy.
~Laffy Taffy--It gets all stucky to the teethy and doesn't even taste that goody.
~Anything Fun-Sized--Since when is one bite fun?
This list brings back such vivid third-grade memories!
And personally, I like fun-sized candy bars.
**could have something to do with my "portion control" obsession**

Not Your Daddy's Farmhouse...and FIT TIP (#49)

Old McDonald has nothing on this farm.

To my surprise & pleasure,
this is what I drove by the other day...
not far from where I grew up.

Wanting to share **with you**
I swung my car around and
pulled out my camera.

My neighbor knows the owners.
He said...
if they had seen me,
they would have invited me in.

Oh, how I wish they would have seen me!
**I want in**

FIT TIP (#49): Take Your Time
Try to take at least 20 minutes to complete a meal. This is how long it takes for your brain to recognize that your stomach is full.

For example:
Have you ever whipped up a second batch of pancake batter **by request** only to discover all tummies are full & content by the time the platter of warm pancakes are ready for consumption? Me too!

Dear Jack...and FIT TIP (#48)

Mr. O'Lantern,

I realize that you grow in various shades of white, yellow and orange. But really, for Halloween you must be orange.

Halloween IS orange. Orange and Black, with splashes of neon Green and a tad bit of Purple.

No matter what **creative** people **like Martha** are doing with/to your color, you will forever remain orange in my heart and in my Halloween decorations.

With much love and respect,

CC

P.S. Once Halloween is over, I may or may not be picking up some glorious off-white pumpkins **thank you Sprouts** to decorate for the next holiday.


FIT TIP (#48): Scheduling Success
Schedule your workouts. Mark them on the calendar and set-aside time to complete them. Consider them as important as any other appointment or event you have marked on your calendar.

Mystery Solved...and FIT TIP (#47)

This is what became of the hay delivery.
A pumpkin patch...
next to our office complex.

It appears they are serving up
food and fun,
along with an impressive
assortment of pumpkins.

I plan to mosey on over
tomorrow...
for a closer look, and
to check out the goods!

FIT TIP(#47): Progressive Muscle Relaxation
With no special training or equipment, you can relieve tension and feel much more relaxed in minutes...by tensing & relaxing all the muscle groups in your body.

Start by tensing all the muscles in your face, holding for ten seconds, then relaxing for ten seconds. Repeat this with your neck, followed by your shoulders, etc.

You can do this anywhere. As you practice, you will find you can relax more quickly & easily...reducing tension as quickly as it starts!