Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Recipe: Christmas Coffee

coffee WavesImage by Omar_MK via FlickrChristmas Coffee

16 oz. Coffee Cup
8 oz. Water
3/4 shot Old New England Egg Nog pre-prepared with added Bourbon Whiskey, Rum, and Brandy (a liquor store item)
1 teaspoon Folgers Instant Coffee (I prefer Decaf)
1/2 teaspoon General Foods International Chai Latte Sugar Free (does contain aspartame - use sparingly)
1/2 teaspoon Sugar Free or No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa Mix
1 T Fat Free Kroger's Original Coffee Creamer
2 T Skim Milk
Low Sugar Whipped Cream (or Mini Marshmellows)

Place water, nog, milk, and creamer into cup and heat on High in microwave approximately 3 minutes... until steamy.
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir vigorously.

If ingredients do not dissolve completely, use a swisher (a cup-sized whisk) and swish until frothy. Add a dollup of whipped cream (or mini marshmellows).

Delightfully serves ONE.






















Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

Cover of "Robocop"Cover of Robocop
Finally got around to watching Iron Man 2 today. Loved the original Iron Man. So this one, with two infamous Come-backers (Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke) should've been a treat. But my review? It was so very exciting that it was boring. But, then again, maybe I'm getting it confused with Robo-Cop 2.

Oh, yeah. I guess Scarlett Johansen, in a tight black leather suit, kicking ass was kinda awesome. The martial arts choreography was actually quite good and would have been believable... if it weren't Scarlet Johansen.

Best Lines:
"I am fending off a Hammer-rhoid attack."
"I was here first. Get a roof."
And the last line of this (never ending) movie:
"It's funny how annoying a little prick can be."









Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday, December 20, 2010

Q & A: Tips on How To Release Frustration and Stress

A fighter doing some heavy bag work in a train...Image via Wikipedia
Is there a healthy way to release pent up frustration and stress?

Q: Lately I've been going through a crisis of sorts. There are other people involved and when I think about them, I get so angry I just want to scream or break something.

Please don't tell me to do yoga or slow breathing meditation or to hit a pillow. I already do Tai Chi (a soft martial art) and it doesn't help.

Day in and day out, this anxiety persists and I just feel like I'm going to explode. But mostly I just cry all the time. I'm on edge and feel emotionally drained. Is there anything I can do to help myself immediately?

A:  Exercise is key. It produces endorphins, chemicals in your system that work like a "drug" to help relieve stress. You will feel better about yourself at the end of each session.

And I'm glad to hear that you do a martial art. Why not try something a little more... INTENSE. I do a Muay Thai kickboxing class in which we kick and punch bags. The sweat just pours down, I breathe hard, and sometimes I even imagine certain faces on the bag... certain people I'd like to kick the sh-- out of. LOL. It works! At the end of the class it feels like I've done just that.

It's an awesome way to let go some anger and stress. Couldn't cope without it.

And I'm not sure how old you are but age shouldn't matter (unless you have a unique medical condition such as osteoporosis. Then do consult with your doctor first). This class is a cardio/aerobic kickboxing class, no actual sparring involved, which I know intimidates some people. If I can do it at fifty, anyone can.

Have you seen how hard those people work out on Biggest Loser? Most people think that growing older means relaxing... retirement. I'm afraid it's just the opposite. We have to work twice as hard for the same results we had in our earlier years.

Oh, P.S., reducing refined sugar and caffeine and aspartame in your diet also helps. These ingredients can cause these feelings of frustration as a symptom of an out of balance body chemistry. Most people don't understand how powerful sugar is in this regard. Plus, an added benefit of reducing sugar in your diet is more energy for your workout.

Do your legs sometimes feel heavy, like you're lifting them with 20 lb. ankle weights tied to each? Replacing refined sugars (What are those? See the book The Sugar Addict's Diet for a complete explanation.) with more natural ones will take of that. You'll feel much lighter. Instead of dragging yourself through your workout (and your day!), your energy level will skyrocket. And, as an added bonus you'll be able to think more clearly. Improved memory is a side-effect of reduced sugar consumption.

Here's a video from a typical Bag Class:







Sunday, December 19, 2010

Diet Cocktail Recipes Amaretto Sour Light

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laffy4k/203627108/
Choose All Natural Simply Limeade or Simply Lemonade.
Traditional Amaretto Sour
2 shots OJ
2 shots Sour Mix
2 shots Amaretto Liqueur

Amaretto Sour Light (my favorite)
2 shots OJ (all natural with no added sugars is best)
2 shots All Natural Simply Limeade (Contains no High Fructose Corn Syrup)
1 shot Amaretto (Lots of sugar! Drink sparingly.)

Amaretto Sour Super-Light
1 shot OJ
1 shot All Natural Simply Limeade
½ shot Amaretto
½ shot Rum (optional)
½ shot Vodka (optional)
2 shots Water

A Little Stronger and Not So Light  (all below)
1 shot Vodka
½ shot Rum
¾ shot Amaretto
2 OJ
2 ½ shot Limeade
1 shot water

Very Nice
1 shot Rum
½ shot Amaretto
½ shot Triple Sec
2 shots Limeade
2 shots OJ
1 shot Kroger's Light Apple Juice

Variation
1 shot Vodka (or 1 ½ Vodka & ½ Amaretto if you like it less sweet)
1 shot Amaretto
2 shots OJ
2 shots Limeade

For A Twist
Instead of OJ, use Tropicana Orange Mango Juice

Rum Sour
½ shot Rum
½ shot Triple Sec (or 1 shot Rum or 1 shot Orange Vodka only)
½ shot Amaretto
2 shots Orange Juice
1 shot Limeade (or you can use 7 calorie/carb G2 "Low Calorie" Gaterade Lemon/Lime)

Fresh Lemon squirt

Another Variation
1 shot Rum
½ shot Amaretto
2 shots OJ
1 shot Limeade

And Another
1 shot Rum
1 shot Amaretto
2 shots OJ
3 shots Limeade

Which is your favorite? Let us know.


Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Worldhealth.net Anti-Aging News

two-girls-exercising-cayucos-beach1Image by mikebaird via Flickr
Worldhealth.net Anti-Aging News  http://www.worldhealth.net
Enhanced by Zemanta






Easy Low Carb Diet Curry Chicken Recipe / A Low Carb Food

Curry in the spice-bazaar (egypitan) in IstanbulImage via Wikipedia
Easy Low Carb Curry Chicken

1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Zero Fat Olive Oil Spray
1 T Smart Balance* or I Can't  Believe it's Not Butter (non-hydrogenated, no transfat)
2 Onions Diced

4 Skinless Chicken Breasts Diced (can be bought frozen and thawed) and visible fat removed.

1 Packet Chicken bouillon (paste is best)

1 10 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes (Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis is best!)

1 12 oz. Jar of Chunky Salsa

1 Can Pineapple Chunks or Shredded (No Sugar Added). Optional: To reduce carbs even more, skip the pineapple. For an extra zing, add mango chunks instead!

2 T Curry (to your taste: hot, medium, or mild). I generally use Masala. But any kind will do.

2 T Dehydrated Beans (I use Fantastic World Foods All Natural Black Beans) for a healthier thickener than flour. Comes in a box.

1 teaspoon "No Salt" salt substitute or Real Sea Salt

1/3rd Cup Sour Cream (full fat or non-fat depending on which diet you're on)

2 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing 

Melt oil in deep frying pan. Start sauteing onions. Add chicken pieces and bouillon and brown on medium heat. Once browned, sprinkle with salt, curry, and dehydrated beans. Stir. Turn heat down to simmer on low. Add salsa, diced tomatoes, and pineapple chunks. Include the fluid in each. Do not add extra water. Let simmer for twenty minutes.

Just before serving add sour cream and ranch dressing.

Makes 8 servings.

Note: There are no potatoes or rice added to this curry to keep the carbs low. However, if you're not watching carbs, feel free to serve this dish along with whole grain rice. You could even add peas to the recipe (frozen taste the best).

*Chicken may be substituted with lean pork or beef.

*Smart Balance Buttery Spread: Excellent source of omega-3's, calcium, vitamins D, E, EPA & DHA.




Free SEO Tools

Free SEO Tools
Enhanced by Zemanta

Viva Levieva

Kutcher and Moore, September 2008Image via Wikipedia
There are three basic personality types: Visual, Auditory, and Tactile. For instance, an Auditory person will probably turn to music to calm and soothe their soul. I have known a few "audio-philes" in my time.

A Tactile will need a hug or do something that literally feels good in their hands (like scultping or great sex).


But a Visual, which is what I am, craves visual stimulation. I NEED movies and even crave certain types of movies when under duress. For that, my drug of choice is a good Sci-Fi. Which is hard to find, by the way.


So, consequently I see a lot of movies.

Saw an awesome movie last night on Netflix (I am officially a Netflix Instant Play addict!). The movie starred Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche. Plus there was a new little hottie I'd never seen before, Margarita Levieva. The film was called Spread (2009) and I was surprised that I hadn't heard of it before now. 

Ironically, Ashton played a "Player" who used older women for their money but was unable to have a real relationship with one (think Demi). My husband enjoyed the movie because there were actually MANY YOUNG HOTTIES well-displayed.

Having just seen this film could explain last night's dream. 

Dream interpretation, remember, is a great self-therapy practice that everyone should incorporate into their personal self-care routine. It can be used as an Adviser for the day to come. And, as I've stated before, the only book I use (and I use it daily) is The Dreamer's Dictionary by Robinson and Corbett.

Dream: I'm in a dark forest with an ex-boyfriend who was seven years younger than me. We are walking through the woods but it's cold. So we find a cabin. There is no electricity in the cabin or between us... at least not with him for me. So we huddle together on the bed to keep warm.

All night long I try to seduce him to no avail. He's just not interested. I'm very disappointed because I am craving him so very badly. I worry that maybe his lack of libido is because I'm too fat or too old. But, then again, maybe it's just too cold.


Now, my dream book states that disappointment in a dream is a contrary sign. But I've found it to be quite straightforward in its symbology. Still, the other interpretations suggest the possibility that this time I could be wrong. I hope so because anything to do with sex in a dream has to do with financial transactions and, generally, fat means 'well to do'. Skinny, of course then, means poor.


Darkness: Be prepared for a setback. But...
Walking in the dark: You will recover something you had given up for lost.
Mountain Village: Unexpected gain.
A strange bed: Forecasts an upturn in business affairs.
A strange bedroom: Signifies a change for the better.
Cold: Definitely a contrary symbol. "The lower the temperature was in your dream, the more comfortable and secure will be your estate in life".
Feeling alone/Loneliness: Contrary. You soon won't be.
Feeling fat: Predicts a happy life with few worries and many pleasures.
Feeling insulted/Rejected: Contrary. Signifies loyalty from friends and esteem from associates.
Anxiety: Contrary. Your worries will soon be relieved.
Annoyed: Contrary. Your plans will proceed smoothly.




Enhanced by Zemanta