Something to be said for being crazy

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This week, I worked 51.6 hours, even with Labor Day off. Today was my day of rest. So – what did I do?

I started removing wallpaper.

“Carole – are you crazy?”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I did sleep until I was ready to get up. I did lounge around on the beach for a couple of hours. I got the grocery shopping and laundry done. So, I started puttering. I didn’t intend to kill myself finishing the job in one day. I’m not that crazy! I just got it started.

Now most people would plop in front of the TV and not move. But I don’t know one single person who sits in front of the TV eating potato chips who is happy with their life.

I’m rarely bored or lonely. My life is very full. With this job – a little too full. I like to have more balance in my life. My life is seriously out of balance right now, and I don’t like it one little bit – but busy season will pass, and my kitchen will be half done. Writing the new decorating ebook has inspired me to get a few more things done around here. OK, that and a tree landing on my house. Hopefully the new windows will be here soon. Which will present another decorating dilemma. Sigh… one at a time…

And I’m not telling you this to brag. I am far from perfect. There are a bunch of other things I should have done instead of pulling down wallpaper.

I’m telling yout this in the hopes that it will inspire you to get off your duff and do things you like to do. Get out and live life.

Let people look at you and ask -”are you crazy?”

And tell them yes indeed!

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Sweater Love

So, I was flipping through the Victoria’s Secret Catalog. The clothes this season are so me!

They’ve got some great sweaters at reasonable prices. I’m really surprised. Silk and cashmere, cables, and I love tunic sweaters. I love all kinds of sweaters.

I don’t understand why you would want open toed boots though…

And $50 for a bra? OMG!

What? You’re shocked that someone 54 years old would shop at Victoria’s Secret? I’ve got the body of a 17 year old. I should wear baggy frumpy stuff?

Wouldn’t you love to wear cuter clothes? Who says we have to dress frumpy just because we’re older?

I don’t mean flashing or anything. But you can still look great if you want to. You don’t have to hide in baggy sweats.

Here’s the 3 simple rules to live by if you want to look great –

Eat a mostly healthy diet. You don’t have to be a saint, but you do need to eat a lot better. Focus on getting your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables, and staying away from packaged and processed foods and pop of any kind. Especially diet.

Get some exercise. It doesn’t have to be at the gym. I’ve seen people lose a lot of weight just eating healthier and walking.

Get enough sleep. That’s when your body does its repair work. Give it enough time to do it. And when we’re tired, we have a tendency to grab bad stuff just because we need more fuel to keep our energy levels up.

Get more help with eating healthier so you can look great too

OMG – I’m 54!

Yep, I just turned 54. I look at that number and I just can’t believe it. I sure don’t feel that old. I have officially out lived my mother. I look at pictures of old friends, and I’m amazed at how old everyone has gotten. It shocks me. And all of their health problems sadden me.

I’m so thankful that -

I don’t wake up hurting

I don’t spend hundreds of dollars on medications

I’m not sick

I don’t diet

I enjoy great food

I look, feel, and act younger than others my age

I’m back to the same size I wore at age 17. OK, maybe I’m not quite so happy about that, but that seems to be my body’s natural set point. Its just hard buying clothes when you have the body of a 17 yr. old at my age.

Is it luck?

I guess you could say I’m lucky that I never cared for packaged foods and learned how to make fast easy meals from scratch.

Or you could just call me a food snob. I absolutely despise the lab created chemical garbage that tastes bad and is making everyone fat and sick. I only want to eat good food.

Or you could call me a Rebel With a Fork -

But don’t call me old!

Get Camera Ready for Christmas

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How to improve your skin in one week?

It’s the time of year when life kind of beats us up -

Cold weather beating on your face

Crazy work schedules

Decorating, cards, gift shopping, dinner planning and shopping, getting the house ready for company…

School concerts, special events, parties…

Eating junk

Not getting enough sleep

Have you looked in the mirror lately? I mean, really looked? I did…

And everyone’s going to have their cameras out next week. Is it possible to look young and refreshed by next week? You bet ya!

One of the best skin care foods is cantaloupe. Eat a few chunks every day.

Orange juice is full of skin loving nutrients too.

These 2 orange beta carotene filled foods will also help build up your storehouse of vitamin C that will help boost your immune system.

Green tea is not only full of anti-oxidants, but when the tea bag is cool – you can place them on your eyes and help reduce puffiness.

Eat a salad every day to get plenty of skin and body loving nutrients.

Get plenty of healthy fats. Maybe olive oil in your salad dressing, or mixed with some parmesan for dipping your french bread, or heart healthy nuts, or salmon, tuna, or sardines.

Get some protein in every day.

Drink more water and less soda and coffee.

Get enough sleep. I know – this one is really hard this time of year. I’m having a few day stretch here where sleep will be in short supply – but you can bet that I’ll be making sure to get at least 7 hours every night once I’m through these few difficult days.

Exfoliate 1 or 2 times a week to remove dulling dead skin cells.

Use a gentle cleanser that won’t dry out your face.

Use a good moisturizer and eye cream.

Wear make-up. Make up actually protects your skin from the elements, hides imperfections, and highlights your best features.  Keep it simple and natural looking.

Only listen to music and watch movies that keep your mood happy and light. Be a kid and enjoy the season. When we’re happy, our face naturally lights up.

You know how people in love glow? If you switch your attitude from aggravation to love, you’ll look a lot better. Not to mention you’ll be better to be around.

Don’t wait until the day before and expect miracles. Start today so you can look great when your relatives whip out those cameras!

Smile

Discover more foods to help you look and feel better >>>

Break the rules – get fat

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My dad and his wife came down today and offered to take me to dinner after my grueling day at the garage sale where we made pitiful money

We went to Golden Coral – a buffet style place.

My father and I headed off to the salad bar for our first plateful. The similarities ended there. We all made totally different choices when it came to the food items. But we at least started off with a heaping plate of fruits and vegetables.

While we were at dinner, my step-mom said that my dad was not active enough since he retired. She said that he eats a couple pieces of toast in the morning, a lite dinner, and some ice-cream later at night, and he’s gaining weight even though he hardly eats anything.

Well of course – he normally ate a lot throughout the day, and now his body thinks he’s starving. Now it’s saving up in the form of fat. Add to that his inactivity and he can be headed for some real problems real quick.

It’s a very common misconception that if you eat less you’ll lose weight. All you’re really doing is slowing your metabolism down to a crawl.

Eat all day. Make sure to make the bulk of your food choices healthy foods. Get some exercise. It’s really as simple as that.

Another misconception is that as you get older, you naturally gain weight. It’s not the fact that you’re getting older that is making you gain weight. As we get older, we have fewer physical demands. We’re not chasing around small kids. Jobs usually demand less as we get older and more established. And then when we retire, most people are less active than ever. Add to that – once the kids are grown, many people let their heatlhy eating habits slide – right at the time when your health depends on it.

It has little to do with your age. It’s your habits that have changed.

What do you think would happen if you actually ate your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables and got some exercise everyday?

Well, you could be thin and healthy and full of energy like me. I’m just a couple years away from being able to start getting senior discounts at some places. I have a hard time fathoming that. Me, a senior citizen? No way. It’s not possible!

And then there’s Big Al. He’s an older man who walks around the neighborhood talking everyone’s ear off. I find him very intersting. You always get a history lesson. He talks mostly about jobs he’s worked, starting during Hitler. He was bragging today that he can see without glasses, he can hear just fine, he has 2 arms and legs that work fine. He will be 87 in September. (don’t tell him that I told you how old he really is)

You have a choice.

You don’t have to be a saint, but there are certain rules that you DO have to keep if you want a higher quality of life.

It’s my mission in life to get people healthy. If you’re ready to change to a healthier lifestyle, but you need some help – Find out how you can stay thin, healthy, and full of energy here >>>