Roadtrip for R & R w/Mr. R...and FIT TIP (#83)

Left the big city for...

destination: Mineral Springs Spa
location: Small Farming Community, USA
**nestled in the foothills of these mountains**
companion: "Someone" whom I also refer to as

Mr. R

We enjoyed:

~various spa treatments
intermingled with soaks in hot tubs
filled with water from natural hot springs

~Mexican food that seriously rivals that
of "Uncle Ernie's"

~interesting people

~a new Temple
~good times, as usual


FIT TIP (#83): Vary Your Vocab
Saying that you SHOULD do something, like exercise, immediately implies that you feel the activity is a burden, according to exercise psychologists.

Try replacing SHOULD with WANT in your vocabulary. By telling yourself that you WANT to work out, you will help yourself get into the right mind-set for burning fat and calories.

P.S. Details regarding the infamous "Green Drink" forthcoming.

Bliss Before Green...and FIT TIP (#82)

Today, at 1:00 pm

I had yet to even take a sip
of my **breakfast** green drink. But...

I had eaten 3 pieces of chocolate.
Dang!

Why does chocolate
taste better than a bunch
of **good-for-you** veggies
pureed to a lovely green?

FIT TIP (#82): Chill Out
Just two to three minutes under cool water in the shower can boost your mood. The cold causes the brain to release feel-good hormones.

Lip Service...and FIT TIP (#81)

Eyes were itchy.
Nose was runny.
Throat was scratchy.

So, I popped an allergy pill.

And then I read this:

Thirty minutes of making out can improve allergy symptoms. Research shows that kissing reduces the amount of chemicals your body releases in response to allergens.

Can I get a woot-woot?

No lie...it was in Fitness magazine...so it must be true.

One more reason I'm glad to have "someone" in my life.
Allergy relief without causing drowsiness.


FIT TIP (#81): Hara Hachi Bu
This Japanese term means "eat until you're 80% full". It's a calorie-saving strategy used by the Okinawans, who have one of the lowest rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke--and one of the highest life expectancies--of any population in the world.

Try this: Stop eating when you feel only slightly full; within 15 minutes, you should be satisfied.

Happy weekend!!!

Yellow Wonder, Secrets Revealed...and FIT TIP (#80)

In honor of these sun-kissed days...
{93 degrees today in the Valley of the Sun}

a little YELLOW love!






The SECRET to perfect lemonade...
**sorry if you thought SECRET had something to do with "someone"

start by making sugar syrup
**also known as simple syrup**

Heat 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water
in small saucepan until sugar is dissolved.

Add 1 cup lemon juice **4-6 lemons**
and sugar water to a pitcher.

Add 3-4 cups of cold water **to desired strength**
and refrigerate 30-40 minutes.

Serve with ice & sliced lemons.







A few SECRET uses for lemons...

--Adios Ink Spots--
Best to apply lemon juice before ink dries.
Apply liberally and wash clothing in cold water.

--Heal Sore Throats--
Hold a skewered half of lemon over stove until peel is golden brown.
Mix the lemon juice with 1 teaspoon honey and drink.

--Microwave Magic--
4 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 cup of water will do the scrubbing for you.
Boil mixture 5 minutes in microwave and effortlessly wipe the walls clean.

Speaking of walls...



**lemon-y** FIT TIP (#80): The Power of Lemons

Gently apply to the nostrils to stop a bloody nose.
Massage gently into gums to stop gum bleeding.
Apply on skin to help prevent sunburn.

Psychologically, lemon balm can be used to:
~calm your anxieties
~clear your mind
~center your focus
It also improves memory storage and recall!

Absolutely Love...(and fit tip #79)

this picture, this girl...

and quotes.

I love quotes.
This one reminds me of the girl
and her mommy.
Whom I also love & adore.

And tips...I love a good tip. Like this one. A "green" way to clean your faucets, sinks and stainless steel...

Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean. Not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine...but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers/fingernails while you clean.


FIT TIP (#79): Value Variety
If you do the same workout every time, your body will start to adapt to it, and eventually stop burning as many calories. Incorporate different exercises in different ways to keep your body guessing.

An Animal, An Escape, A Recipe...and a FIT TIP (#78)

Recent view from my office window...

in the city. Awesome, right?

Dallen came for a visit.
He loves being outside.

And took it upon himself...

to get there!

I laughed so hard...watching him use Milo's **doggie** door.
Sorry Mark & Jacki.
I hope you laugh hard too!
**and let him come back**


AND a to-die-for recipe...
that "someone" whips up and brings to me.
**remember the hand?**
"Someone" refers to this as

FRITO'S SCOOPS CHEESE DIP
I refer to it as HEAVEN...seriously.

Mix together:
~two 8-ounce boxes of cream cheese
~12-ounce container of sour cream
~three chopped green onions
~small can of chopped jalapenos
~one can of Mexican corn, drained
~one-two cups of grated Mexican cheese (white/yellow combo)

He says
**ah dang, you now know "someone" is a he**
that this dip HAS to
be served with Scoops (Frito's).

But, when "someone" is not looking
I spread it on warm tortillas, bagels...
anything, everything.
Ooooh, my my!


FIT TIP (#78): Live with the 3 E's--
Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

I Wanna...and FIT TIP (#77)

play hooky today
and go here.

The forecast for the Valley of the Sun:
Sunny skies. High 86F. Winds light and variable.

I'd take along a kite.
For the light & variable part.

Wanna?

P.S. Sorry if you don't have sunny skies.

FIT TIP (#77): Go for the Glutes...Stability Ball Prone Scissors
Touted as the ultimate celebrity secret to a better backside! Worth a try, I say.

--Lie face down with your hips resting on the ball. Hands & feet on the floor.
--Walk your feet out behind you so your legs form a wide V.
--Slowly lift both of your feet about 12 inches off the floor & squeeze together.
--Lower toes back to floor, spreading into a V shape.
--Repeat for a total of 15 to 20 reps.

Chicks and Other People...and FIT TIP (#76)

Hey Chicks **and anyone else reading**

Happy Easter weekend!


Had a blast **as usual** in Texas.
Attended the **church** blessing of this doll.
Emerson Rose Jessup.
Love her!


Spent a quality weekend
with most of my favorite people...
as we met up in **our** south Texas town.
**ah ha, Mark on tip toes...trying to make Browns feel short? Awesome!**


Was entertained **non-stop**
by my 3 older "littles".
Love them!


Enjoyed a serenade
at Puerto Vallarta...
best Mexican Seafood Grill around!
Thanks to Cliff for the interpretation.
**note tip cup attached to guitar**

FIT TIP (#76): Bust a Move
The right exercise stimulates your metabolism. Muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in the body.

Research shows that about 30 minutes of interval strength training keeps your metaolism raised for up to 38 hours after you've worked out.

example circuit:

~~10 slow push-ups
~~with dumbells at your sides perform 10 forward lunges
~~follow up with 10 reverse lunges **personal favorites!**
~~on elbows, hold plank position for 1 minute. **work up the straightening arms into full push-up position**
~~While in plank position, lift right let 6 inches off floor for 30 seconds.
~~Repeat with left leg

Rest 30 seconds. Repeat circuit 3 times.