Jul 31, 2011

Picture Of The Day

For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible...

This is just too incredibly to not post.  Many would have already seen it, but still amazing.  If someone said that MIRACLES do not exist...well here is a story (another one) that proves you wrong.  Out of difficulties grow miracles...

A Caribbean Airlines jet is seen broken at Cheddi Jagan International airport outside Georgetown, Guyana (I was born in Guyana) July 30, 2011. The packed Caribbean Airlines jet carrying 163 people crashed and broke in two Saturday as it landed in Guyana at night, injuring several passengers but killing no one. The Boeing 737-800 overshot the runway and burst through a perimeter fence after arriving at Georgetown's Cheddi Jagan airport just past midnight from New York. The front of the plane snapped off and it stopped meters from a deep jungle ravine.   Amazingly all 163 passengers survived!


 The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen...

until next time...

Jul 27, 2011

Me Time....

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile...


cafe served just with a heart
just for us:)
 It's not usual that I get to spend an entire day by myself and do just what I want.  Saturday was one of those days and I have had the time of my life.  My day started out with breakfast at Einstein's Bagel's, just a simple treat, but one I enjoyed immensely. A little visit to the Apple store also lots of fun.  Tons to look at:)  Have my eye on a few things there.
After that I treated myself to a haircut and some pampering in the beauty salon...also enjoyed walking around Las Olas Boulevard and just doing absolutely nothing, but having fun.  There I met up with my friend Liliana and together we took off to lunch...a lunch that lasted well over 5 hours, and a few cafes con leche afterwards and we were laughing up a storm...was the perfect time.  We just talked, and talked and laughed until we could not anymore.  Liliana is absolutely funny and no matter what kind of a day you are having she says something that just cracks you up....

Could not ask for a better day and a better person to spend it with.  Thank you Liliana for making me laugh...see you soon.

As it has been said before "  I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy.  From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace"
Laugh often,
Dream big,
Reach for the stars....
 
until next time...

Jul 26, 2011

Picture Of The Day...

United we stand; divided we fall...Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness....

A country united in the face of tragedy...

People gather outside Oslo City Hall to participate in a "rose march" in memory of the victims of Friday's bomb attack and shooting massacre Monday July 25, 2011. Anders Behring Breivik has admitted bombing Norway's capital and opening fire on a political youth group retreat, but he entered a plea of not guilty, saying he wanted to save Europe from Muslim immigration.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted...

Jul 24, 2011

Norways Tragedy...

When tragedy strikes we put away our differences, with faith banding us together for the greater good of the cause....

I am not Norwegian, but it does not really matter what your nationality is, in times tragedy everyone is united by the same feelings and the same emotions.  Tragedy knows no boundaries and seeing a person hurting, crying, suffering and knowing in your heart that no-one can do anything to relieve their sadness, grief and sorrow is enough to break your heart and to start the tears flowing. 

Right now a serious tragedy is affecitng Norway and its people.  I don't live there, I don't know these people, but it does not matter because you see I have experienced tragedy, pain, sorrow and grief just like them, and I will tell you that right now their world is upside down and for them right now there are no signs it will be better for a long long time....this has affected me more than it has Arvid, but like a friend said to me everyone reacts in different ways.  Even if you have not experienced tragedy, there is no one who cannot relate to what the families, victims, people of this tragedy are going true.  One would have to be heartless to not be affected.  I would like to believe that most people have in them some compassion.

Why do people do the things they do?  Why did this gunman kill innocent people?  These are questions that one can ask and ask...

Metal World Reacts To Norway Tragedy

So, if you’re the kind of dude who only gets his news from sites like Gun Shy, then you probably missed that yesterday, Norway had their own 9/11. Some crazy fuck named Anders Behring Breivik blew up a building and then, dressed as a police officer, descended on a youth camp and started shooting people. He killed 92 before he was taken into custody; he has since confessed his guilt and police are investigating whether others were involved.

Add caption

Our hearts go out to Norway — which has given so many great metal acts — at this difficult time of recovery. If you’d like, send that crazy fuck to us, and let America kill him if you don’t want to.

Anyways, a number of metal musicians have reacted to the tragedy, including Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy, Nikki Sixx, and Ihsahn.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with Norway today,” said Gossow. “Watching the news is heavy. What a horrible, disgusting deed. 87 people dead so far. It makes no sense. The world got a bit darker today.”
Norway mourns victims of massacre:(

Pagan’s Mind issued a collective statement, reading, “Words are too small to express how we feel right now. 91 people killed, most of them youngsters same age as some of our own kids… But it’s important to keep living life like a dream and don’t let bastards like this coward gunman, who didn’t even have the guts to end his own misery before police arrested him, ruin your freedom of speech and freedom to explore the world.”

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to everyone affected by the bombing in Oslo, and the shooting at Utøya. What a terrible tragedy. I don’t think anyone expected this to happen in Norway. I guess this puts things in perspective. People in places like Baghdad have to deal with this sort of stuff all the time"....another member stated

Today the entire world is reaching out to Norway and all the people affected by this terrible tragedy as witnessed by some of the above comments/thoughts/condolences.  Sad as it is, tragedies have a way of uniting people from all over the world like nothing else can.   For it is during a tragic situation that we all sympathize and forget our differences and we say...here is a nation/human being just like me.  When tragedy strikes, it brings out the best in people. Too bad it only happens when there is a tragedy. We say to ourselves...this peson is hurting and I would like to do my share of whatever it takes to make a difference.


Scott Ian of Anthrax wrote, “The horror played out today in Norway sickens me to my core… my thoughts are with you.”

Most of those who died on Friday were young people gunned down on a tiny forested holiday island that was hosting the annual summer camp for the youth wing of Norway’s ruling Labour party. A 32-year-old Norwegian was arrested on the island and also charged with the bombing of Oslo’s government district that killed seven people earlier.  You ask yourself over and over WHY? WHY? WHY?

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it....

until next time

Jul 23, 2011

10 Things Never to Say to a Man You Love....

Men are simple things. They can survive a whole weekend with only three things: beer, boxer shorts and batteries for the remote control....

Whether they admit it or not, a man's ego is a fragile thing. Here, guys dish the ten things they like to hear least

1. I can't wait to see what you're doing for my birthday.
2. Are you... crying?
3. If we leave right now, we'll have time to stop by   Bed  Bath and Beyond.
4. Do you need help lighting the grill?
5. I'm putting this whole conversation on my blog.
6. You had so much hair back then!
7. I don't care how big and drunk he is, he shouldn't be talking through the movie. I'm going to say something.
8. Actually, it doesn't happen to every guy.
9. We're vegetarians now.
10. My dad can fix that; you should call him.

I don't claim to know all about men, but I must say that yes... most men have a very fragile ego.  Many would rather not talk about things than to admit something was wrong...and if they do believe something is wrong many would like to pretend that given time things will get better.  Telling a man he can't do something is almost a dare for him to prove you wrong...good and bad.

In the meantime, cheers everyone and as they say...God made woman beautiful and foolish; beautiful, that man might love her; and foolish, that she might love him

Men play the game; women know the score....

until next time

Jul 20, 2011

About Life....

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower...
...and remember everyone, life is simple, it's just not easy.  And she finally stopped playing their song, when she realized she was dancing alone.



Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending....

until next time...

Jul 18, 2011

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.....

A break up is like a broken mirror. It is better to leave it broken than hurt yourself to fix it...it takes a couple seconds to say Hello, but forever to say Goodbye....
When we are young we dream of that someone to come into our lives and together we will walk away into the sunset and be happy together always and  forever.  This is a beautiful way to envision life and it is what we all want, but it is not necessarily what we get.  Sometimes there comes a time when we reach a point and we say ENOUGH!  I love you, but I am not in love with you anymore...we've grown apart.  So very sad, but it is also a reality many of us face because sometimes we just don't understand why we are breaking up when so many things fit in place.

I came across an interesting article today dealing with exactly this sort of situation. 

Every romance hits a few dry spells, but if you can’t remember the last time you laughed together or got frisky in a new way, it might be time to reconsider your relationship. Did your weekend getaway fail to inject some energy? Did that last birthday gift fizzle upon reception? Sometimes there’s nothing tangibly “wrong,” but a kite with no wind to keep it aloft isn’t going anywhere but the ground, if you get my drift. When you break up, your whole identity is shattered. You are no longer alive.

Without a concrete, acceptable reason to break up with someone...infidelity, drama, boredom, depression, financial, etc... many couples simply continue to tread water in their dead-end relationships. Other times, one partner’s passive aggressive behavior — such as becoming increasingly distant, or engaging in acts of sabotage — pushes the other into initiating the split. When you sense that your love’s flatlining on the table, it’s time to either bust out the defibrillator or agree to call it a day.

Not all relationships were meant to last a lifetime. Sad but true.  Sometimes couples just drift apart and that's the simple truth.  Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it’s better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together.

Before deciding to move on from a ho-hum relationship, imagine yourself on a luxurious vacation — whether it’s six months of island-hopping in the South Pacific, helicopter-skiing in the remote Alps, or five-starring it in Paris. You’ll need a companion for the greatest trip of your life. Is it your current flame? An ex that you let slip away? A brewing love interest on the sidelines, maybe? Or some mystery/fantasy person you haven’t even met yet? The answer that first comes into your mind should illuminate the state of your current relationship — especially if it’s stalled and sputtering. Sometimes the person you really need is the one you didn’t think you wanted.

Breakin’ up is hard to do. Short-term affairs can be ended quickly with a phone call, or two unreturned phone calls, but significant splits are rarely quick and should always be done in person. Even after being prepped for the act by friends and reference books, breakups are hardly clean.  In lieu of a clean-cut split, some couples opt to downshift by taking a break first. Never be sad for what is over, just be glad that it was once yours.

This weaning period helps soothe the ache for companionship and helps both parties answer an important question: Is this a case of “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” or is it really “out of sight, out of mind?” Regardless of the answer, during those final throes, don’t mistake that jolt in your pulse from finally doing the right thing with false readings of love’s pulse. The hardest part of dreaming about someone you love is having to wake up.

Breakups are usually hashed out through expressing your feelings while avoiding the specifics: “I’m just not happy,” “I feel trapped,” “I don’t want to keep holding you back.” With no villain or bad behaviors to focus the blame on, it’s best to keep the harsh  statements to yourself.  Instead of making accusations, frame your reasons for breaking up around the goals you’ve made for yourself and the relationship’s incompatibility with those goals, such as: “I’m hoping to get married someday and I don’t think we’re headed that way” or “I love your band, but life on the road isn’t for me.”

Exes who still work together, helped the other find a new partner, or stay in touch online are proof that even when love can’t go the distance, peaceful goodbyes are possible. In fact, these kinds of breakups bode well for former lovers who can enjoy a genuine, lasting friendship once time has passed and there’s nothing more at stake than a cup of coffee together, figuring out how to avoid similar relationship mistakes in the future by dissecting what went wrong and learning from it.

It’s all about perspective....are you wary of pulling the plug because going solo sounds scary and lonely? It takes some healthy self-esteem and a dash of courage to realize that it’s better to be happy and alone than to suffer with perpetual malaise in a relationship where nobody’s thriving.

If you believe there’s probably a better partner or relationship out there for you, staying with the wrong person just because it’s easier than initiating a split severely limits your chances of finding what you really want. Potential suitors can spot unhappiness miles away, and that sourpuss look on your face invites only sympathy, not friendly conversation. Plus, when the right one does come along, is dissolving your doomed duo to date someone else an honorable way to end things? There may be a universe of singles dying to ask you out, but don’t expect to attract any worthwhile candidates until after you’ve ended this tepid twosome and extinguished your NO VACANCY light....just remember, it’s lonely being free.

There comes a time when you realize you have done everything you can to make things work and it did not...next step is to move on.  Tough time ahead, but never impossible.

Moving on is simple, it’s what you leave behind that makes it so difficult...I don’t want to keep being the girl that keeps crying about the same things....

until next time..

Jul 17, 2011

Don't Ask...

I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you...

The sayer of the quote is warning the listener that, if asked difficult questions, he will lie. If the listener does not want lies, dont ask the question....


Beware if you plan of telling a lie because as they say, don't lie to me, unless you're absolutely sure I'll never find out the truth.  Lying is done with words and also with silence.

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything....

until next time...

Jul 16, 2011

Cool Gadget...

A new gadget that lasts only five minutes is worth more than an immortal work that bores everyone...

Every so often, in our daily lives we encounter some kind of gadget that catches our attention even if it's only for a short time.

I am not the exception and both Arvid and I are quite impressed with this "gadget' we have in our pool area.  It is just so cool.  Not extravagant, maybe many of you have seen it before, but we have only seen it here in our building.  It is a bathing suit spinner. 

It is just one of these "machines" in which you put your wet bathing suit into this machines, you then press down on it and before you know it you have a dry bathing suit. Makes going to the pool and hot tub even more fun...hheading there soon again....


That's all for now and remember...

Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it...

until next time...


Jul 14, 2011

Picture Of The Day...

Happiness is a direction, not a place....

For me there is no better place than Chicago in the summer.  Any given day you can just walk to the park and something is going on.  There is never time to be bored....always something to see and do.  Today for instance, we just felt like listening to live music and enjoying a relaxed time with a Pina Colada...no problem.  Just steps from us and we were there.

 Laugh longer, live louder....

until next time..

Jul 13, 2011

Braggers...

Tell me what you brag about and I'll tell you what you lack...

Today as Arvid and I were enjoying a nice and relaxing lunch, in walked in a group of people talking loudly each trying to speak above of the other.  Right there and then I could tell by the look on Arvid's face that our relaxed time was soon to be ruined.

The group sat not far from us and like many people they were not very quiet. Let's just say we heard more than we wanted to.  Each was trying to better what the other was saying.  In the beginning I thought it was funny, but after a while it just got boring.  At the same time it also reminded me of some people we know who are constantly bragging about how they know so and so, they have this and that...you get an idea of what I mean.

I know we all brag at times about things, but we don't make it a point to do so constantly just to impress others.  It is not part of our daily lives.  Why do people brag?  Do they think they are impressing anyone?  For sure I can say I am not impressed.  I just look at them and think of something else. 

I believe many brag because they are insecure of themselves, they feel that by trying to "impress" others it makes them look much bigger than life.  I look at them and I see "LOSER"  Please don't try to impress me with who you know..I DON'T CARE!  Don't try to impress me with what you have..I DON'T CARE. 

He who is humble is confident and wise. He who brags is insecure and lacking....

until next time....

Jul 11, 2011

Narima's Cuisine....

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination...
You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction

My sister, Narima has started up her own business and thankfully she is doing really well.  With her hard work and determination her energy level is endless and her desire to succeed in her business knows no limits.  With all she has accomplished both Arvid and I are extremely proud of her.  Having 3 kids, a dog and a husband to cater to can sometimes make life very hectic, yet even so she is always positive and always ready to do the best and most for her customers.

In her own words here is a little bit about her.....also you can visit her page
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Narimas-Cuisine/217439814953571 and like it.  It is a pretty awesome page and you can actually feel your senses going into high gear just by the pictures of these delicious foods.

IN HER OWN WORDS:

Welcome! Narima’s Cuisine caters authentic, homemade Caribbean dishes and desserts made 100% from scratch. Take your taste buds straight to the Islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica & the West Indies!


How does Narima’s Cuisine fit into your life?:

• Take advantage of my No-Cook Thursday meals! Where I cook a healthy, savory, reasonably priced dinner for your entire family. You simply pick it up and enjoy it! Check out upcoming No-Cook Thursday menus, and place your order today!

• Narima’s makes delectable homemade desserts, including my most popular Tres Leches Cake, a grand variety of cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes…and more!

• Imagine serving homemade Caribbean dishes for your parties, special occasions, or any get together where delicious and convenient food is a priority! If you’re interested in hiring Narima’s Cuisine to cater your next event, hop on over to our catering menu, and place your order for a custom price quote!


About Me (Narima):

Mom of 3 awesome babies, married to the love of my life, always with my head in a cloud of dreams. I grew up surrounded by a diverse family gathered in mom's kitchen, and have always had a passion for delicious food.
After waiting ten years for the right time to live out my foodie fantasies, I decided it's either now or never!
So, here I am trying to pass on my LOVE and my PASSION into every dish I create. Right here in my Loudoun County back yard.

Narima's Cusine makes everything from scratch and only uses the freshest of ingredients.  Also you can visit her website at http://www.narimascuisine.com/ and order directly from there if you so wish.  My sister has set very high goals on herself and little by little we have seen her accomplishing them.  To her I say...I love you and you know that I am your number one fan.  Keep doing what you are doing because for sure it is working.  As someone said....Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.  Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts...

until next time...

Jul 9, 2011

Life In Chicago...

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul....

One of the great things of living in Chicago and of course living where we do it that everything is just steps away from us.  Whoever said location, location knew exactly what  they were referring to.  Having no car in the city is an actual plus for us.  This way we never have to worry about if we will find parking or where will we find parking.  Not to mention the rates I have been seeing.  Some hotels state an overnight rate at $40.
with the band

If we need a car we are just steps away from the car rental agency.  They know us by name there since we are probably their most popular customers.  You see we pick up and take off for "road trips" every so often.  Chicago is not only a great city, but the people are so very nice. 

Here the music never stops.  As Arvid so often likes to say, "the main reason we moved to Chicago is for the Blues"   On Thursday we went out to listen to music at a place called Rosa's Lounge.   http://www.rosaslounge.com/    A favorite and a friend of ours from Fort Lauderdale was playing there.  No other than Albert Castiglia.  Let's just say he is GOOD!  We had a great evening and met many people once from Florida now living in Chicago.  Have to say there is something about this city that brings out the very best of people.  Everyone was friendly...I now see why Rosa's Lounge is referred to as Chicago's Friendliest Blues Lounge.

Let's just say the good music did not stop.  Comes Friday another one of our favorites was playing.  This time at Buddy Guy's Legends.   http://www.buddyguy.com/   Arvid of course knew this performer as well...he just happens to be the son of the late Muddy Waters.  Big Bill Morganfield was excellent and in the break he and Arvid caught up on some chit chat.
Let's just say that Arvid has the entire month of July already marked off with "must see" performances by different Blues artists.  Will see how many we can go to.  If it were up to him we would probably make them all....

It just goes without saying we always have the best of times here.  Life is so easy, uncomplicated.  We do NOTHING as Arvid says yet we are happy.  Brutus is here with us and everything is just so relaxed and peaceful.  Life in a big city.....nothing compares to it.  I love it, love it, love it!

Dreams are for those with the courage to pursue them. Good things might come to those who wait but good things do come to those who pursue them with tenacity. Life hands you circumstances, you determine your destiny with your tenacity of personal dreams or goals to take you on your journey so get your pursuing wings on and fly....

until next time...


 

Jul 6, 2011

Picture Of The Day...

Cats are magical. . .the more you pet them the longer you both live...

Bringing Brutus into our lives is one of the best things we have done no doubt about it.  This little kitty is more like a baby to us than he is a cat...he has brought so much more tolerance and pleasure into our lives that the thought of not having him around is just not acceptable.   Arvid and I are looking forward to years and years with Brutus.....


As it's been said before....cat people are different, to the extent that they generally are not conformists. How could they be, with a cat running their lives?  There is something about cats/Brutus that calms you just by their walking slowly and curling up between your legs.

Time spent with Brutus is never wasted...

until next time...

Tattoo's Do And Don'ts...

 The world is divided into two kinds of people:  those who have tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with tattoos....

Many of us at some time or another have wished maybe to have some sort of tattoo because it's so cute.  Does not mean we may actually tattoo ourselves, but the thought is cool.  For instance, one of my sisters has been talking for years of getting this tiny, tiny tattoo on her ankle, but so far she has not.  Why?  I think that when she gets close to getting it she is somewhat afraid of the unknown...infection, what if I hate it, what if I want to remove it...etc.

Celebrities these days are know for getting tattoo's all over their bodies.  Here are some places which according to renowned tattoo artist Ami James from the popular  series "Miami Ink" you should not have a tattoo and the reasons why.

Jennifer Aniston was recently spotted in NYC showing off her very first tattoo: the name "Norman" on the inside of her right foot. The fresh ink is a tribute to the 42-year-old actress's dog Norman, a Welsh corgi-terrier mix that passed away in May at 15 years old. "Memorial tattoos are a serious and often necessary thing, but Jennifer chose one of the worst places of all time to get it," says "NY Ink's" Ami James. "The foot is consistently being exposed to the elements, naturally exfoliating itself and being exposed to constant friction. Even a good tattoo will not withstand that for much time at all," the expert tattoo artist explains. "Jennifer will be lucky if that tattoo looks decent for even a few months."

The tattoos on Angelina Jolie's upper left arm show the map coordinates for the birthplaces of her children. The tats have been inscribed in the same spot where a tribute to the 36-year-old actress's ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton once lay. His name, along with a Chinese dragon, were surgically removed after the pair divorced in 2003. "Tattoos last a lot longer than most romances," James says. "Thank god for laser."

Songstress Rihanna sports a Pisces symbol tattoo behind her right ear. "A fine line runs between a job stopper and something you can pull off in this location. A lot of clients do not take into consideration when they see a trendy tattoo location and how something of this nature can change your future prospects forever. I obviously do not support tattoo prejudice, but that doesn't mean it does not exist," James explains. "With a tattoo like this, something as simple as pushing your hair behind your ears in an interview may lose you a job to competition. Rihanna pulls it off, but then again, I doubt she will be looking for a job anytime soon either."

"Heroes" starlet Hayden Panettiere is often pictured showing off the tattoo she has running down the left side of her back, despite it being misspelled. In full, it reads, "Vivere senza rimipianti," which is meant to be "to live without regrets" in Italian. Unfortunately for the 21-year-old actress, her tattoo reads "rimipianti" instead of "rimpianti," adding an extra "i." "She got the wrong person for the job," James says. "A reputable shop double checks spelling." Although initially horrified about the misspelling, Panettiere says she is proud of her tattoo and wants to "live up to what it means."

Pamela Anderson rocks a barbed-wire armband tattoo on her left bicep. James doubts that there's much meaning behind Anderson's tat, saying, "The overly trendy, everyone-has-to-have tattoo began its career as the armband, then it moved to the lower back, and now it is working its way back up again." The tattoo artist advises, "Tattoos should be about individuality, not what's hot, because it may not be for long."

OK so here you have it, now it's all up to you if you will be getting one or not.  Just remember getting a tattoo is easy...getting it off not so easy.  The choice is yours...and remember beauty is skin deep.  A tattoo goes all the way to the bone.

Your body is a temple, but how long can you live in the same house before you redecorate?....

until next time...


Jul 4, 2011

4 Foods That Fight Wrinkles...

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been....

When it comes to wrinkles who does not wish for that miracle cure that will just wipe it all away and make us look forever young.  Well this "miracle" cure does not exist, but there are certain things we can do that can help us fight away wrinkles....at least this is what I have read.  Here are some foods that should help us do exactly that.  Have I tested all of this..?  Quite a bit of them yes!

If you love the white stuff -- we're talking sugar here -- your sweet tooth could be making your skin sag, crinkle, and wrinkle before its time. Blame glycation. That's what happens when sugar hits your bloodstream, gloms on to proteins, and forms the aptly named AGEs, or advanced glycation end products. AGEs are bad news for your skin. They damage the collagen and elastin fibers that keep it strong and supple.

While scientists aren't ready to say "sugar causes wrinkles," docs know from observing people with poorly managed diabetes what out-of-control blood sugar does to skin -- and it isn't pretty. Bluntly put, it causes "premature" aging.

That should be extra inspiration to skip the cakes, cookies, and sugary drinks and fill your plate with wrinkle fighters. I am guilty of indulging in too many sweet goodies lately:(

beauty buffet

Cover half -- yes, 50% -- of your plate with fruits and veggies. The antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in plants act like a dietary highway patrol, pulling over speeding free radicals before they can damage your skin's collagen and elastin. You'll also get loads of vitamin C this way (brightly colored produce is full of it). That's great because C is essential for making new collagen.

Then add extra flavor or crunch by topping your fruits and veggies with nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of olive oil. Nuts and seeds are full of vitamin E, an off-the-charts antioxidant. Since sunlight depletes vitamin E in skin, you need to continually replenish your supply, and the more you get from food -- not supplements -- the better. While that's true in general, if there's any chance you could get pregnant, taking big doses of E is a don't. It's linked to heart defects in newborns.

As for olive oil, its healthy fats help skin cells resist wrinkle-causing sun damage.

Fill 25% of your plate with lean protein. Think fish, skinless white-meat poultry, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and tofu. All give you the good proteins your body needs to make new skin cells and keep up with its own antiaging skin repairs.
Fill 25% of your plate with 100% whole grains. As in whole-wheat pasta, brown or wild rice, barley, any breads made from 100% whole grains, and more. Unlike the simple carbs in sugar, the complex carbs in whole grains are the kind your body and skin crave. Instead of triggering blood sugar spikes and forming brigades of aging AGEs, whole-grain carbs are full of fiber, which steadies blood sugar. Plus, the selenium and zinc in whole grains help harness the collagen- and elastin-damaging free radicals.

Hopefully this will stop or better put, help us all have less wrinkles.  The only thing to lose here are some wrinkles and remember if you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want:)

Laugh a lot, and when you're older, all your wrinkles will be in the right places....

until next time

Jul 3, 2011

Fun Days:)

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun...

I have had a very good week if I may say so...I have been doing some personal shopping for a customer and it has been quite a lot of fun running around and looking for stuff...not too often we get an all expense trip paid.  Worked out good because we went to Florida and were able to also make sure all was good there with the houses.

Not necessarily an easy chore, but for sure a very fun and challenging one.  I have not had to really look for that many things, but it's a start and one never knows where it may lead.

I have had a the time of my life running from shop to shop and in between all of this I was of course able to do some "personal shopping" all for myself.  In one of my stops I passed the Apple store and of course I had to go in.  Well the IPad 2 has caught my eye.  Not sure I need it....but I WANT it.  Now have to work my magic and see what happens.  I promise to be very GOOD this week!

HAPPY JULY 4TH TO EVERYONE!!

Thoughts are energy, and you can make your world or break your world by your thinking...

until next time...

Jul 1, 2011

Picture Of The Day

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye...



Just a wonderful feeling snuggling up to the one you love and dancing the day away....Red, Red Wine a favorite of mine and who better to enjoy it with than my husband in PA.  What a great time it was.


The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands...

until next time...