Healthy Baby's One Baby Boomer Rebelling Against, Frumpy, Dumpy and Lumpy

The countdown begins. The new year is just hours away, 2013 here we come. Yeah, a new year, a time to reflect on 2012 and have hope for 2013. I love New Year resolutions, but before we talk about this years, how about revisiting the ones we made on January 1st, 2012. How'd you do? Each Jan 1 our family gets together and we make a collage of our hopes and resolutions for the year. We then post it where it can be seen throughout the year. I'm looking at mine now.

I wanted to:

1, enjoy being a grandma for the first time ( check),
2, eat healthier foods ( most of the time, and I do read all food labels now, so check)
3, start a hobby like gardening or photography ( haven't started these, but maybe blogging counts so check)
4, get into an exercise program ( check, going to CrossFit and loving it)
5, rebuild, (check, after a few stressful years I was looking to 2012 as a year to wrap up loose ends, close some needed chapters and move on to better things, done)
6, enjoy our family ( check )


Here is a list of some of the more common New Year Resolutions, is yours listed here? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear what you're resolving (or at least working toward) for 2013.

Drink Less Alcohol
Eat Healthy Food
Get a Better Education
Get a Better Job
Get Fit
Lose Weight
Manage Debt
Manage Stress
Quit Smoking
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Save Money
Take a Trip
Volunteer to Help Others

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

"Pot" was something your mother cooked with

"Grass" was something you mowed

"Aids" were helpers in  schools and hospitals

"Chip" meant a piece of wood

"Coke" was a cold drink

"Hardware" was found in a hardware store . . . and "Software" wasn't even a word!

It's finally warmed up to 30 degrees! Now there's a sentence I thought I'd never say. These Alaskan days are cold. All last week it was in the negatives, like -10, -4 and that was during the day. A consequence of the warmer weather is the onset of SNOW.  I expect we won't see the asphalt driveways and highways until May.

I try to go to CrossFit 3 days a week, it's so easy to talk myself out of it, especially now that I'm in Alaska and the sub-zero temperatures, ( -10 as I write this) remind me that I'm warm and cozy in the house and the thought of leaving it is not inviting. But yesterday I sucked it up, put on the parka and headed to the Box, (or gym as most fitness places call them, but CrossFit likes to call the gyms Boxes)

Those who can did it like this, I did the 1st round with the scaled down version using a PVC pipe,  &  used no weights at all for my 2nd go around.  I know, the squat is a scary thing to think about,  I mean what about those knees?! Well as I'm told and it has proven to be the case with me, if you  are instructed to do the squat the correct way with the weight on your heals and knees out etc. then  you will not have those knee problems. I know that one priority with CrossFit instructors is making  sure that proper form is being used at all times. The last exercise was the jump roping. If you can do double unders, (where the rope goes around twice while you jump only once), then you did 75 of those. If not then you did 150 single unders, (regular jump roping), so that's what I did. Of Course with CrossFit, everything is timed.  I did this WOD in 27:48 minutes. I felt really good about going and doing the workout,  so much so that when  I got home I rewarded myself with a home made  full fat chocolate latte!

It's been about 20 years since I've fixed this carrot raisin salad and I have to ask myself why. It is so good and simple to prepare. The reason could be because up until recently I had to hand grate my carrots, but now that I've upgraded to a food processor this step takes but a second to do. There are many variations, but I kept this real simple and  combined 2 cups of grated carrots, with a couple stalks of cropped celery and a large handful of raisin. That's it. The cropped celery gives it a nice crunch and the raisins add the sweetness.  If you haven't served this salad up recently, may I suggest you give it a try.

 I'd like to introduce Michelle, (not quite a baby boomer but a grandma to 10) a woman who is overcoming and working toward fit and healthy. I hope her story will encourage you as it has me. Enjoy.

My name is Michelle, I am 49 years old and this year, 2012, I knew I needed a dramatic change in my life! On January 2nd, I was sitting in the living room with my husband and I was looking at all the pictures I had downloaded over the holiday season. All of a sudden I realized there was not one picture of me with my Grandchildren….I was too embarrassed to have my picture taken as I had gained so much weight, especially over the previous year. I turned to my husband weeping and told him I needed to do something and I joined Weight Watchers on line that very hour. I have struggled with my weight since I was about 12 years old. I have been up and down all of my adult life. This time I was only 5 pounds shy of my all-time high. So….what will make this time different? I realize that taking this weight off is really a very small piece of the puzzle. It really has to be about getting healthy and fit and making this my lifestyle….maintaining the weight loss is always the biggest challenge!
My husband decided to follow the program with me and has lost over 40 lbs at this point. We decided it was time to get healthy together! We started walking and biking and have started to have a “we need to move more” mentality. We also realized that portion control is a huge thing for us…this is the main key in our success with Weight Watchers. I think most people who struggle with any weight issues realize that the key is eat less and move more. Weight Watchers just gives us a good starting point with that and I like the accountability factor with tracking my food and having a consistent weigh in day. So….here are some differences in my life since Jan 2/12: 1. I hated having to get dressed to go out (I had only 3 or 4 tunic tops and a couple of pairs of leggings) I felt huge and heavy. NOW I find any excuse to get dressed…I have such a fun wardrobe! I feel so good inside and out! 2. I was a size 2X in tops and a 20 in pants. NOW I am down to a size L in tops and a 14 jean! 3. I hardly moved off my couch. NOW I am a much more active person. I try and do a structured workout 5 times per week and I have a new retail job that keeps me moving the whole time I’m at work. 4. Was dealing with some major back issues and breathing at night was getting to be an issue. NOW through some strength training and muscle development, my back issues are minimal. I still have to be careful, but am in much less pain then before. I can breathe at night (and my husband’s snoring has dramatically lessened with his weight loss too! GOOD bonus :) 5. I was unhappy and miserable NOW I am happy, full of joy and much more positive. I feel like I don’t stick out like a sore thumb anymore! It has been 10 ½ months and I am 2/3 of the way to my goal. I just passed the 50 lbs off mark and it is my goal to be at or very close to my target weight by my 50th birthday in May of 2013. A huge motivation for me is my beautiful grandchildren. We have 9 with #10 due in Feb. of 2013. We want to be here and healthy for these amazing children. We want to be a vital part of their lives in every way, physically, spiritually and emotionally. And we want to be able to set good examples for them and help them to develop good and healthy habits in their lives. I will have to always take one day at a time in this area of my life. I know how easy it could be for me to slip back in to bad eating habits and to fall back in to my lazy couch potato ways. But I pray the Lord help me each day and by faith, I will live a healthy life. It helps that my husband and I will encourage each other…to be on the same page will help us dramatically. WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!! This life is good! God is good! Healthy eating is good! Moving my body is soooooo good! 50th birthday….here I come!!!
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If Michelle's story inspired you would you be willing to jump start your New Years Resolution and begin December 1st. I mean really, how many NYR are there gonna be that begin with eat less, exercise more and get healthy? I know that's how mine will start. If we begin now, then maybe just maybe we can get through December's Christmas parties and cookie making without gaining an ounce, and what a bonus if we actually lose a couple. Will you join me? If you're in, then let's start with baby steps. I will be doing the following:


 If you have a tip for staying healthy during the holiday season, I'd love to hear it.

You can probably guess from the title that I'm getting over the flu. First time in a decade or so. It has been no fun!  This brings up the issue of the flu shot. I've never had one and I tend to be that person that goes to the doctor as a last resort. My solution to most everything is drink lots of water (to flush out any bad guys) eat well, get plenty of sleep and take a few vitamins.  I should mention that I'm in Alaska for the winter this year, a far cry from the Arizona winters that I'm used to. I'm living with my daughter and her family ( I'm here to help out with grand baby) and Kevin, my son in law is a 1st grade teacher, so no doubt, these changes could have something to do with my getting the flu. 

I've done a little google search on the net and there are pro's and con's for this shot. One doctor has posted his opinion and here's a short portion of it.

Why the big vaccine push? "It's all about money," he says. "Vaccines are a pharmaceutical company's dream. Pharmaceutical companies have a product that both the government and the media will help them sell, and since vaccines are protected, they can't be sued if anyone has a complication. If hundreds of millions of people get a shot and a million get serious complications, no one can get sued. Vaccines are a pharmaceutical company's dream."
Read more: Dr. Russell Blaylock Warns: Don't Get the Flu Shot — It Promotes Alzheimer's 

I am a believer of the 'evils' of the pharmaceutical companies, and I try to first work on natural remadies as much as possible. I do think as a whole, we've gotten a bit vaccine crazy. My kids had far less vaccines then is recommended today. 

Top left is a clear ornament filled with pearls
Top center is a microwave popcorn bag cover
Top right are painted blocks

Middle left mitt stuffed with baking utensils
Middle center spices / rubs
Middle right painted 2x's

Lower left Snowmen magnetic strips
Lower center Lemon Vodka
Lower right clear ornaments with acrylic paint dripped inside

Once again, I'll be choosing one of these for a DIY gift. I'd love to hear any of your alternative gift ideas.

Turns out that today is the day to shop on line. Back in 2005 the term Cyber Monday was coined and refers to the first Monday after Black Friday when shoppers can enjoy the convenience of web based shopping and still get the 'deals'. It's estimated that 51% of people will be hitting their computers for some serious Christmas shopping. In 2011 the percentage was 41% and in 2010 it was 38%, so you can see the growth.

Well I know that I'll be doing some on line shopping today, but I must confess it's not because it's Cyber Monday ( although I will be sure and check for any great deals before I order) but it's because I'm in Alaska now and the shopping is quite limited. We have a Fred Meyer and a Walmart. Now grant it a person can get just about anything they need at either one of these stores, but really do all my gifts need to come from Walmart?
So get together with Pay Pal and your computer and have a fun shopping day. And don't forget, you can do it all in your PJ's. PS be sure and first google ' Cyber Monday Deals' to check on the sales. Happy Shopping

I have been reminded by my newest follower's blog, Encourage One Another, that laughter is the universal language and . .  a whole lot better then  Prozac.

So here you go:

How old are you?

A woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch.

"I couldn't help noticing how happy you look," she said. "What's your secret for a long happy life?"

"I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he said. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise."

"That's amazing," the woman said. "How old are you?'

"Twenty-six," he said. 






 The first Baby Boomer turned 64 on January 1, 2010

An earlier post featured 12 Thanksgiving centerpieces that were meant to inspire. This first photo is the one that I chose as my inspiration, and the other photo is my finished product. Although I liked the idea of the candles, I wasn't able to find the right ones for the glass bottles that I'd chosen, so I improvised.

3 oil & vinegar cruets 4.00 each but I picked these bottles because I need them anyway. So the net cost for me is 0.

I filled the cruets with raisins, almonds, and pecans, all things that I have in my pantry and that will get eaten. So the net cost to me is 0.

Finally, the floral grasses. Had I been at my own home I know I would have been able to find something in my craft supplies, but since I'm wintering at my daughter's home, I purchased these and used only a few so we now have some supplies for a future DIY project.
The cost was 5:00.

Well there you have it, my DIY centerpiece inspired by an image I found off the internet.

Thanksgiving is just 2 days away! I send warm wishes to you for a day of thanks and appreciation for all that you have and all that is yet to come.

Sincerely, Sharon

I must have been craving an antipasto salad, so when I was invited to a potluck the only thing I could think about putting together was a platter with: salami, artichokes, olives, peppers, and tomatoes. I mean my mouth is watering while I write this. So anyway, I just finished it and I'm getting ready to head out the door.

Don't you just want to grab an artichoke?

I'm living in a Winter Wonderland and it's not even Thanksgiving. The winter snow is officially here and it will remain and increase until May. Oh my this will be my first winter in Kenai Alaska, and as a gal who's spent her baby boomer years in Washington State and Arizona the white streets, lawns and trees along with the sub zero temperatures will be an adjustment. Now on the flip side, I'm pretty excited for the new adventures that await me. Right off the bat I've been able to check off one more item on the old bucket list. This time it's:

Ice Skidding

Me and my Honey

Just the other day, before all the snow fell, Mackey Lake was well frozen and we used this opportunity to skate/skid across the lake, something I've always wanted to do. I do need to be specific here and confess that no actual skates were involved, but I did put on some pretty slippery shoes and skidded across the lake. I'm thinking that still counts.

                                    This is a photo taken just a couple short weeks ago.

Baby Boomers Taking Baby Steps To Better Health


When was the last time you jumped rope? Third grade maybe. Remember how much fun it was. Maybe you jumped with 3 or 4 of your friend and sang rhymes like:

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Touch the ground.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Turn around.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Show your shoe.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, That will do.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Run upstairs.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Say your prayers.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Blow out the light.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, Say good night.

I remember having a great time and not once thinking I was exercising or that this was 'good for me' and I doubt if I even got tired. Well fast forward about 50 years and my how things have changed. I decided to pick up a jump robe recently and discovered that
It was way harder then I remembered
I got really tired

Instead of getting discouraged and putting the rope in a drawer I decided to jump a little bit every day or so.

I'm happy to report that I can now jump 100 times without stopping! To some this may not seem like a big deal, but to me it is. I plan on continuing but I know I'll need to work on keeping it interesting. Maybe I'll start reciting Teddy Bear Teddy Bear. . .

So my challenge this week for Baby Boomers Taking Baby Steps to Better Health is:

         Pick up a jump rope and give it a try. Start off slow with a goal of jumping 10 -20 times without stopping then work up from there.

 Give it a try, your body will thank you!

So one would think that I'd be embarrasses to put up a video of me jump roping 100 times, but what the heck...

If you want optimum health then we can't neglect drinking water. I own a book titled 'You're not sick you're thirsty' you can find it on Amazon for as low as 1.25 used. The title says it all.

So . . . .please join me in today's challenge.

Monday's challenge toward better health is:

1) drink 48 oz of water each day PLUS
2) eat two foods that contain at least 90% water.

Do this for one week, your body will thank you!

My CrossFit Journey. . .it's just beginning!
By Jan Shields