10 Reasons to love the beach

1. The sounds. Be it the sound of the surf or the seagulls or the kids laughing, they are all great.

2. The smells. The salty air and sun screen.

3. The sights. The water, the sea gulls, maybe a dolphin if your lucky. Maybe a good looking guy or girl? There is most likely something that will float your boat! Hahaha

4. The sand. Both wet and dry. Wet to build sand castles and dry to burn your feet and get everywhere it's not suppose to be so you can bring it home with you as a souvenir.

5. Sea breezes.....warm, soothing, wonderful.

6. Beach umbrella's.......how can you resist a blue and white umbrella?

7. Sea shells. If you're lucky you'll find a good one or two.

8. Beach balls. 

9. Sun glasses. Big ones.

10. Life guards.....you're safe.

I can't wait to go again.

CIAO, Stephanie

FOOD

OK, I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with food.

When I was getting chemo a few years ago I got injections of steroids to help with the nausea. I remember the first time they kicked in. We were at a Mexican Restaurant and I got my usual chicken chimichurra that comes with the refried beans and rice. I never ate the refried beans and rice. But THAT DAY...I chowed down on the beans and rice, I mean I inhaled them, all the while exclaiming how good it was.

I gained 45 LBS in 6 months. I developed hip bursitis because of the rapid weight gain. The doctor told me that if I lose the weight the hip bursitis will go away. It's been 3 years in Jan and I have lost only 10 of that 45 Lbs.

This has been the hardest weight I have had to lose!!  I used to be able to cut down on food for a few weeks and bounce back to my usual weight but no more!! Arrrgghhh!  Oh, yeah I'll lose when I practically starve myself. But I seems to go crazy after about a week and just pig out.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?!?!

OK, so my next step is exercise along with starving. Just kidding, I am still juicing and I actually like the Mean Green so that is the easy part. But it's the sensible dinner I am having trouble with.

For instance...I brought 2 - 10 oz Mean Green juices along with a yogurt to work with me today. Well, I had completely forgotten that my company bought lunch for everyone (all 900+ employees) today. Not just any lunch, but Jim and Nicks Bar-b-que. If your are from the South you know Jim and Nicks if not, well, just trust me when I say there is NO WAY to resist when the entire office smells of BBQ pork!!!

So, I ate the BBQ.

It was good too! BBQ pork sandwich, BBQ chicken, potato salad, mac and cheese, baked beans, cheese biscuits and chocolate cake. Stop drooling!

I was almost asleep by the time I was finished. Whew!!

Well, so I could not have a sensible dinner. I ate it at lunch. Did you notice there was not a single vegetable on that lunch menu??

I joined the YMCA yesterday and tomorrow I am getting up and going to work out.

I hopefully can combine the juicing with the exercise (for when I screw up my sensible eating plan) and finally lose some weight.

 Bon Appetit!

Got a cruise coming up in a few weeks NO WAY I can expect to be sensible then.

YIKES!!

Is that a burrito?

CIAO, Stephanie

Rain delays

Well, we got a three day week-end and this one is rainy and cool. Ha!

We can deal with that.

Let's see what to do on a rainy day??

I think my #1 choice would be to do NOTHING! Maybe watch some movies on TV and order in a pizza. But wait, I am trying to lose weight and eat healthy...got my juice made...sigh...well. I. Guess. That. Plan. Is. No. Good.

OK, #2 choice

is to go shopping. I'll browse World Market and I am sure to find something. Rainy days are good to check out the stores that you don't usually have time to go to. Fresh Market is an awesome market but way out of my usual Saturday route and even though I go past the exit it is right off of on my way home from work, the traffic prohibits me from just "running in" during the week. I'll probably stop there today.

I just got an e-mail coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond and Kohl's is a must.

#3 choice

 to trying different ways to apply your make-up or trying that new product. I have learned over the years not to try a new eye shadow in the time I have for my usual morning before work routine. I have had some hideous looks and no time to really do anything more than rub them off the best I could.

#4 choice

is to do my nails. I mean really do the whole deal. Soak, clip cuticles, file, buff, polish and top coat. Oh, and glitter if you got it ladies!

#5 choice 

is a nice soak in the tub. I like to bring in my Kindle, a glass of wine and my tub pillow. Actually got to do that last night. Read US magazine on my Kindle and just relaxed.

The best thing about a 3 day weekend is that I can take the whole day and do them all. Even #1 without the pizza of course.



CIAO, Stephanie