Simple Leason's

I just left one of my new favorite cafes in Long Beach...Starling Cafe.  As I was standing there waiting for my Lavender Latte to-go I noticed a simple but impactful piece of art.  At first it looked like kids writing, as I got close up I realized it was a stitched piece.  The lessons were simple and what everyone should live by.  It reminds me of the saying "Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten"... here are the 5 Lessons to Live By (Writer Unknown):


1. Don't Be Negative
2. Be Kind to Others
3. Never Give Up
4. Remember to say 'Please' and 'Thank You'

If you have any additions please share....Enjoy!

Cara

My Favorite Daily Fix...

Every morning my routine is pretty much the same thing, alarm goes off, I role out of bed 1/2 asleep, walk upstairs, start a cup of hot green tea, turn on my computer, check email and then reality hits I am actually starting my work day.  To ease into my actually responsibility I always start my day reading a guilty pleasure, a blog called "Cupcakes & Cashmere".  Friends I know I talk about this, I seriously recommend you check it out.  It's girly and fun and a great way to start your day.

http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/

INSANITY & P90X....Huge Fan

About a year ago is when I was first introduced to "Beachbody".  I remember the day clearly.  I was sitting in the bar of Pancho's in Manhattan Beach and looked up at the TV screen and was mesmerized.  I seriously couldn't take my eyes of the screen.  I felt so stupid it was an infomercial that I was seriously drawn into.  After that night (which by the way did not stop me from enjoying Pancho's amazing margaritas along with chips & salsa) I couldn't stop thinking about the infomercial.  They seriously hypnotized me.  I thought to myself wow, what a work out.  It looked intense and fun at the same time.  I loved the fact that it was geared towards both men and women.  Well, eventually I got over it.

Then, wedding season arrived.  My very good friend was getting married so of course there was event and event.  Each time I saw her she looked better and better.  By the time her wedding hit she literally was in the best shape of her life, better than when she started college.  She looked amazing and she gave all the credit to P90X.

So of course I begin my day dreaming all over again. I think to myself, "Wow, maybe an infomercial can actually jump start my desire to work out again." 

Following my friends wedding I decide to take the plunge and buy my first set of Beachbody DVDS.  I decide to invest in the P90X series.  I jump on board and do everything I can to follow the program.  I can't say I was the best student, I was a committed student, but not the best.  The workout was great, P90X really worked my core which is my weakest link.  It helped get me pumped and excited to workout each day.  I have to admit why I say I wasn't the best student, after awhile I found that the length of the tapes became difficult.  I wanted to work out so badly and I really whole heartedly love the series, however my schedule was a problem.  The tapes were usually an hour and working out 6 days a week was hard. I did the best I could and I can happily report that I saw results.

Then another friend introduced me to "INSANITY".  The program was the best thing to cross my path.  Within the Insanity set you have tapes that are around 30 - 40 min and there are tapes that run for an hour.  The work out is a serious core, cardio blast.  The best workout I have come across in years.  I use to be a cross-country runner until my knee went caput.  Since then I have struggled to find my fix.  And now I found it, INSANITY.  It's amazing. It's fun.  And it seriously makes a difference quickly.  I didn't follow the program exactly.  I worked out 3 days a week selecting the tapes I liked best.  And with that I saw great results.  I can only imagine if I had the will power to stick with the true recommendations.  The images I was drooling over in Pancho's could really be me. 
Here is a video sneak peek:




If anyone is looking for a fitness change I strongly recommend Beachbody.  The best part is there is a set for everyone.  If you order one and feel it's not for you return it and pick out something new.  I kept both P90X and Insanity because I see value in both programs.  To view their serious visit http://www.beachbody.com/ .

Good luck working out and if you have tips please share the love.

Healthy Skin Starts with Healthy Habits

A great article was sent to my inbox from http://www.joybauer.com/ .  It was all about healthy skin and what contributes to healthy skin. Contributors include point blank genetics followed by lifestyle.  Lifestyle determines the amount of oxidation that takes place (interaction of oxygen molecules and any other substance) examples the article provided are smoking & sunlight.  The way to improve our skin going forward is through healthy habits, specifically nutrition.  Daily nutritional needs include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, Selenium & Omega-3 Fatty Acids.  To learn more about this topic visit her article by clicking the recipe title below.

Joy Bauer provided a great daily smoothie comprising of all the recommended nutrients. Check it out below or by visiting the original article by clicking the recipe title below.

Joy's Beauty Blend


2 oranges, remove the peel and cut into sections

1/2 chopped mango

1/2 cup sliced strawberries (An alternative to strawberries would be frozen mixed berries. If you make this substitution the Nutrient content below will not be the same.)

1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded

1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt (A great substitution would be Greek yogurt. If you make this substitution the nutrient content below will not be the same.)

2 tablespoons wheat germ

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon sugar



Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Nutrient Analysis for one serving (the above recipe makes 2 servings). The Nutrient Analysis noted below is directly from JoyBauer.com .

Calories: 250

Protein: 9 g

Carbohydrates: 48 g

Total fat: 4 g

Saturated fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 72 mg

Fiber: 9 g

Vitamin C: 126 mg (209% DV)

Vitamin A (all from beta-carotene): 5,839 IU (117% DV)

Vitamin E: 3.9 IU (13% DV)

+ Omega-3 fats

We All Need Humor In Our Life!

Not really a Tid Bit, but humor that a friend shared with me.  Take life's little pleasures and remember to laugh.

After Travel Blues

Image from Idea go

Do you get sick after traveling? Specifically on planes?


I just returned from Texas and brought home the worst cold ever. I am usually pretty resilient, but this time not so much. My head, ears ,and throat had so much pressure. My body ached. I felt like a baby; every other moment begging my husband to cater to me. I slept, drank water, ate soup and slept some more. I was useless. After almost a week I finally started to feel better.

And of course, I still had to work and my line of work requires a lot of talking and to doctors. I sounded like an old man. It was apparent that I was totally sick. By the time I was feeling better you could hear it in my voice. My doctor even brought it up, "So I can hear you are doing better"...yup, that’s right I no longer sound like an old man. Then he gave me a brilliant tip. I am not a doctor and can't guarantee this will actually work, however it sounds good to me.


Doc said, "When you travel it's common for people to get sick. Why, because the combination of recycled air and air pressure. The air pressure creates an incredibly dry environment causing the tissue in your nasal passage to create minute cracks. The cracks are then more susceptible to infection carried throughout the recycled air. To help prevent both (cracks & infection) prior to taking off take a Q-Tip with a small amount of either Vaseline or Neosporin and swab the interior portion of each nostril. This will coat the inside of your nasal passage with moisture to help prevent the mini cracks."


Sounds good to me. Anything to keep me from getting sick. Between docs tip and Airborne I think I will remain healthy with my future travels. Any tips please share?

Table of 8

We all get 'forwards'.  I pretty much always delete them. Occassionally will read them.  And even less often actually forward them.  There is no meaning behind the forwards I select to read, forward or trash.  It simply has to do with where my mind is at when I receive the forward, what I am in the middle of and if I need a break. 

I received a forward today that was sent to me by my Mom, Sister & Mother-in-Law.  All great woman.  I liked the subject line "Table of 8". While reading it I thought everyone could be reminded of the moral of this quote...Enjoy!

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that have been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."