Simple Elegance...and FIT TIP (#133)

I watched bits & pieces of the royal wedding.

One of my favorite things **other than the huge entertainment value the hats & headgear provided** was the bridal bouquet.

Made up of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth, and Sweet William...the flowers were chosen for their meaning and significance to both families.

Lily-of-the-valley signifies a return of happiness.
Hyacinth means constancy of love.
Ivy is for fidelity.
Sweet William stands for gallantry...and was added to celebrate the groom.

The bouquet is also believed to have contained stems from a myrtle planted by Queen Victoria in 1845, as well as a sprig from the myrtle used in the Queen's wedding bouquet in 1947.


FIT TIP (#133): Bigger Mood Boost
Women who do interval training receive a bigger boost in mood immediately following workouts than those who exercise at a steady pace.


Words for the Week
{5.2.2011}
"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it." -Jonathan Winters

A Girl and Her Boots...and FIT TIP (#132)

One of my little Texansat one of her egg hunts.

Oh yeah...if you should need me for anything

try looking for me here!



FIT TIP (#132): Feeling Zen
Mood-enhancing chemicals, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, flood your brain for a couple of hours post-exercise and for up to a day if you've taken part in an endurance event. Stress? What stress?



Words for the Week
{4.25.2011}

He Lives

He had no servants,
yet they called him Master.
He had no degree,
yet they called him Teacher.
He had no medicines,
yet they called him Healer.
He had no army,
yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles,
yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.

The greatest man in history
was named Jesus.

Bunny Ears...and FIT TIP (#131)

FIT TIP (#131): Turn Down the Tunes
When a restaurant want its customers to finish their food and go, it plays fast music. And for good reason: the speedier the tune, the faster (and more) you'll tend to eat. So, before any meal, either switch off music or put on slow, soothing songs.


Words for the Week
{4.18.2011}
"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." --Shakespeare



Words for the Week
{4.11.2011}

Weekend Yummy-ness...and FIT TIP (#130)

Homemade Oreo Cookies

So easy, so yummy!

Mix together:
1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Bake @ 325-350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Once cool, sandwich with vanilla frosting.

Take my word for it...these lovelies will not disappoint.
Quick to mix, fun to put together and easy to devour.
They have never, ever let me down!


FIT TIP (#130): Spring Clean Your Health
Something about spring makes people want to start fresh. Take advantage of that impulse by shaking up your exercise habits incorporating the
4 ELEMENTS of PHYSICAL FITNESS:
Aerobic Fitness, Muscular Fitness, Stretching and Core Stability




Words for the Week {4.4.2011}

These Faces Don't Lie

Things aren't always as they seem.Every time I look at this picture **of Chloe & Stone**

I laugh long and hard.

Every. Single. Time.

The strawberries appear to be delicious...

red, plump, juicy, etc.

But, apparently **note kidlet's facial expressions**

they looked much better than they tasted.

We have horrible poker faces

in our family.

Words for the Week {3.28.2011}

These Spring Days...and FIT TIP (#129)

Spring has sprung.I'm thrilled about it.

**these spring days** being out and about in the Valley of the Sun means being accompanied by the scent of orange blossoms. Divine! Speaking about being out and about... **these spring days** I don't want to be in a gym. Gasp! I enjoy exercising in the great outdoors... knowing the HEAT is right around the corner. **these spring days** remind me of a spring day 31 years ago when I became a mother. A role I have so loved and cherished. **these spring days** I am a blog slacker. I admit it. I haven't been blog-writing or blog-reading much. And so much is going on!!! **these spring days** I spend more time using my iPhone than my laptop. GPS, iPod, camera, etc. etc. All-in-one. Amazing, right?

FIT TIP (#129): Play! **these spring days** Schedule play time into every day.

Words for the Week {3.21.2011}

Words for the Week {3.14.2011}

Green Goodness...and FIT TIP (#128)

Celebrated St. Patrick's day...
watching BYU take part **and win** in March Madness, while eating **and drinking** yummy green goodness.

My thrifted leprechaun was close by.
Isn't he cute? Best of all...he is a music box.

Better than a four-leaf clover...**scrumptious** Lime Squares
**heat oven to 350 degrees**
Mix:
==1 cup all-purpose flour
==1/2 cup butter, softened
==1/4 cup powdered sugar
Press into ungreased 8x8 or 9x9 pan.
Bake 20 minutes.

Beat until light & fluffy:
==2 eggs
==1 cup granulated sugar
==1/2 teaspoon baking powder
==1/4 teaspoon salt
==2 teaspoons grated lime peel **optional**
==2 tablespoons lime juice
==2-3 drops green food color
Pour over hot crust.
Bake until no indentation remains when touched lightly in center.
**about 25 minutes**
Cool & cut into squares.


FIT TIP (#128): Moves Matter
When you move your body every day, whether it's taking a walk, lifting weights or simply stretching...exercise becomes part of your daily landscape.


Words for the Week
{3.7.2011}
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness." -Audrey Hepburn