Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

This poem by Portia Nelson has become one of my favorites. We can all probably relate to it in one way or another.



Autobiography In Five Short Chapters

Chapter I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in this same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in... it's a habit... but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

- Portia Nelson

Joy Bauer's Simple Detox Diet

If your holiday celebrations left you overstuffed, you’re not alone. Good news! This daily detox menu will blast away bloat, boost energy, burn fat, and ensure that you regain your mojo in just a few short days — but by all means, follow for up to a week if you want. It’s the perfect way to start the new year with a fresh, clean slate! The meals do not include meat or poultry — but you can eat fish, and they’re loaded with the ideal mix of antioxidants, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Here’s how it works:

•Follow the same daily menu for three to five days in a row.
•Eat only what is listed on the menu — no added sugar, honey, sugar substitute, salt, salad dressing, condiments, etc.
•Drink only what is listed on the menu — no soda, fruit juice, alcohol or diet beverages.
•Enjoy black coffee or tea at breakfast (regular or decaffeinated).
•Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water within 30 minutes of eating your lunch and dinner meals. Drink as much additional water as you’d like throughout the day.
•Drink one cup of regular or decaffeinated green tea after your lunch, afternoon snack and dinner.
•If you’d like to make this plan vegan, see simple substitutes at breakfast and dinner.


Ready, set, go!

Breakfast:
Joy’s Protein Power Smoothie

In a blender, combine 3/4 cup skim milk (for vegan plan, substitute soy or almond milk), 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (for vegan plan, substitute soy, rice, or pea protein powder), 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 5 ice cubes. Blend until smooth and frothy. Optional black coffee or tea.

Lunch:
Drink two 8-ounce glasses water (with optional lemon) within 30 minutes of eating. Drink as much additional water as you’d like during the meal.

Salad:
•Unlimited spinach leaves
•Unlimited antioxidant-rich produce (Best choices include bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots, red onions, broccoli, and sliced beets. You may also add cucumbers, mushrooms, celery, and cauliflower.)
•1/2 cup red kidney, pinto, or black beans
•1 tablespoon toasted, chopped pecans
•Dress with 1 teaspoon olive oil and unlimited balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 pink or red grapefruit
1 cup green tea

Snack:
1/2 cup unsalted pistachio nuts (in shell)
1 cup green tea

Dinner:
Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water (with optional lemon) within 30 minutes of eating. Drink as much additional water as you’d like during your meal.

Unlimited baked, grilled, broiled, or poached fish — good choices include cod, halibut, haddock, and wild salmon, seasoned with fresh lemon and black pepper (for vegan plan, substitute sautéed tofu)

Unlimited steamed broccoli with optional fresh lemon and black pepper

1 cup green tea or naturally caffeine-free herbal tea

10 Secrets of Super Healthy People

We all know them, those people who never seem to get struck down by the latest flu bug or fevers or even an occasional head cold. How do they do that? Following are 10 surprising habits of super healthy people:

1. They stress less. Duh! But what if you are typically a hot mess of stress? Exercise is the best way to combat stress, so get moving!

2. They sprinkle brewer's yeast on their food. This is because brewer's yeast is high in the B vitamins. A great brand to try is Bragg's Nutritional Yeast. Sprinkle it on popcorn, in soups, even put it in bread or cookie batter.

3. They eat less. None of us would die of starvation if we passed on seconds. In fact, research proves it may help us lower incidences of age related health problems, such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.

4. They embrace bacteria. Put down the antibacterial wipes and sprays once in a while. We've become too clean for our own good.

5. They opt for herbal remedies. A great herbal thing to do is drink green tea, which have polyphenols and the potential to burn fat, boost metabolism, protect against liver disease, control blood sugar levels, and lower bad LDL cholesterol. I'm sold.

6. They make friends a priority. I keep telling my husband it's a GOOD thing I so often meet my girlfriends for lunch or dinner or coffee!

7. They stay pH balanced. In our society, we are too acidic with all our meat and sugar. Most vegetables are alkalizing. Eat some and balance yourself.

8. They eat garlic. Not the supplement kind. The real thing is best for the most medicinal value.

9. They detox regularly. Always check with a doctor before doing a detox diet. A great one is Joy Bauer's simple detox diet. And if I had a link I would post it here, but since I don't, there's google.

10. They take more naps. Say no more - I can easily do that!

Quiz: Which foods have the most of these nutrients?

1. All of these foods are good sources of vitamin C, but which contains the most?
~ a cup of sliced strawberries
~ a cup of chopped green chili peppers
~ a cup of orange sections
~ a cup of diced tomatoes

2. These foods are all good sources of folate, or folic acid. Which contains the most?
~ 1 cup of orange juice
~ 1 cup of asparagus pieces
~ 1 cup of chopped raw spinach
~ 1 cup of cooked kidney beans

3. Which of these foods is the best source of calcium?
~ 1 cup goat's milk
~ 1 cup cow's milk
~ 1 cup sardines
~ 1 cup rhubarb

4. All of these foods are good sources of vitamin A. Which has the most?
~ a cup of cooked kale
~ a cup of sliced carrots
~ a cup of cooked spinach
~ a cup of cooked beet greens

5. Which of the following fiber-rich foods contains the most fiber?
~ 1 cup orange sections
~ 1 cup oat bran
~ 1 cup apple slices
~ 1 cup raw kale





answers: vitamin C (green chili peppers); folate (kidney beans); calcium (sardines); vitamin A (carrots); fiber (oat bran)

100 Calorie Snacks

All numbers are approximate, but this really shows you how quickly 100 calories adds up.

Salty Snacks around 100 calories
11 french fries - 105 calories
3 cups air popped popcorn - 93 calories
1 large piece of beef jerky - 82 calories
11 Stacy's Simply Naked pita chips - 104 calories
1/2 cup boiled peanuts - 100 calories

Sweet Snacks around 100 calories
2 oreos - 107 calories
1 Rice Crispies Treat - 90 calories
1 cup applesauce - 102 calories
2 medium sized chocolate chip cookies - 96 calories
10 Junior Mints - 106 calories

Healthy Snacks around 100 calories
1 cup grapes - 104 calories
1 medium sized banana - 105 calories
1 medium sized apple - 95 calories
3/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt - 90 calories
1/2 cup edamame - 95 calories

Sinful Snacks around 100 calories
1/3 cup chocolate ice cream - 95 calories
1 fun sized butterfinger - 100 calories
3 Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies - 112 calories
1/2 glazed cake donut - 96 calories
1/2 bag plain M&M's - 115 calories (No, not the family sized bag!)

Cheesy Snacks around 100 calories
3/4 ounce Nacho Cheese Doritos - 90 calories
2/3 ounce Cheetos - 107 calories
1/2 slice Pizza Hut thin crust cheese pizza
1 fried mozzarella stick - 102 calories
40 Goldfish crackers - 102 calories

Give less this holiday season

I came across this great idea in this month's issue of Natural Health magazine. Rather than buying more stuff for those on your Christmas list, spending $5 here and there on one knicknack or another, spend some time taking friends and family members off junk mail lists.

Visit the website dmachoice.org to register their addresses. They will appreciate their emptier mailboxes, and you will help cut back on the estimated 100 million trees that are sacrified each year to fund America's junk mail habit.

If anyone wants to do this for me, I'd be honored. All I want this Christmas is less junk! And a Starbucks gift card.