Fork in the road...

Day 12 (YAY -I'm back to caught up :D) photo is Fork.  This is a typical meal in our house worth of forks :) Two 'little' ones, two big ones!

Tip for better nutrition:  Go nuts! Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, pistachios all contain
healthy monounsaturated fats that lower you risk of several diseases. Grab a small handful 3-5 times per week.  Notice the recurring advice?!  Not only are they 'healthy', they are good for your heart, they are easy and unless you have an allergy to nuts, they are a good source of protein (especially if you don't like meat!)

"It's hard to detect good luck-it looks so much like something you've earned." ~ Frank A. Clark ~

Talk is cheap...

Day 11 - someone you talked to... Really?!?  At least it was a weekend day :)  But I still choose this picture.  These three crack me up -  it's my kids and their cousin (about 3 months younger than my 2 1/2 year old...)  They are funny, especially when all together :D

Nutrition tip:  Chew on schedule. Too much time between meals can drop your energy levels, decrease your metabolism and result in overeating. Space your meals evenly throughout the day and eat a healthy snack between each meal.  Not going to lie.... I don't do this on a regular basis.  #1 reason, we just don't always think about it.  We KNOW it works (and it helps lose weight for those looking for those tips too) but scheduling doesn't ALWAYS allow it work out that way.

"It is better to be born lucky than rich." ~  Author Unknown ~

Quiet time...

What's that?!  I'm a SAHM....there's very little quiet time in my life (and I LOVE it!!) but Day 10 wants something loud...SO.... a mall play area full of kids or a room full of 10 3-5 year olds with tap shoes on?!?!  Or just the everyday music/parade/playing stuff we do?!?!!  You decide... .:D

Nutrition tip of the day:  Eat 4-6 servings of vegetables daily. High in nutrients and low in calories, veggies can help prevent diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more. One serving is equal to 1/2 cup.  In my house, I think my husband and I have no problems doing this...but our kids, a little more picky.  Don't get me wrong, I TRY to give them at least one veggie at lunch and dinner, but sometimes getting them to eat it is the trick.  We've started doing carrots and dip for snack, or letting them pick the veggie of the day and that's what we eat...they have to eat at least as many bites as they are old, especially if they pick it :D

"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can  totally transform one million realities."  ~ Maya Angelou ~

I saw

RED!  *(a little Warrant moment, anyone?!?!)
Not only that, just a reminder... High Noon will be re-uniting on March 25th for a benefit for Mary Solberg (wife of HN Drummer, Mark. )  It's only happening once a year or so...so get out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (If you're in the MN area :D)

Tip for better nutrition:  Start at the perimeter of the grocery store. Fruits, veggies, dairy and grains, which should make up the bulk of your diet, are located here. Eating these unprocessed foods boosts your nutritional intake and promotes health.  How funny....this is how I've started making my lists too...because generally speaking every store is set up like this!  (I did it based on the store I shop at the most, but I've found it true at many, MANY stores!)


"I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings, and strictly honest who complained of bad luck."  ~ Henry Ward Beecher ~

Look out the

Window...you never know!!

Tip for better nutrition:  Slow down. Savoring your food in a calm environment helps you tune-in to your body's signals. You're less likely to overeat and experience problems like acid reflux when you take your time to really enjoy the moment.  We USUALLY have a sit down meal with all of us around the table.  I believe in two things at meal time... 1) Family time! 2) Sitting down and slowing down, are good for, not only digestion, but mental states.  Relax!!

"I find the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."  ~ John Heywood ~

Letting go...

Day 7 wants something you wore... I have a hard time moving past Tony Stewart not racing for Home Depot anymore, so I still wear my Tony (orange) stuff and wear it proudly - it all says Stewart, so it's still cheering for Smoke, right?!!? ;-)

Nutrition tip:  Avoid trans fats. They increase your risk of heart disease. Foods with "partially hydrogenated oil" as an ingredient contain trans fat (even if the label says 0 grams) and should be left on the grocery shelf.  Again, it can be a tough thing to start doing, but once you do it, it's so worth it!!!

"I don't know anything about luck.  I've never banked on it, and I'm afraid of people who do.  Luck to me is something else; hard work and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't."  ~ Lucille Ball ~

It's 5 o'clock somewhere....

"It's always 5 in Margaritaville".... hahahahahaha! (PS - I LOVE THAT SONG!!!)  (yep, a few minutes late...........) 

Tip for nutritional month:  Drink water. It's the only beverage your body really needs and craves. Gradually replace soda, flavored coffees, sugary drinks and other high-cal liquids with water. Aim for 8-12 cups each day.  Hard to do, but not really?!?!  I use an online tool to help track my water.  And the simple body improvements (weight loss, regularity, etc) from drinking more water - awesome!! :)  

"Good luck seldom comes in pairs, but bad things never walk (come) alone." ~ Chinese proverb ~ 

Just smile....

Today's photo... a smile :)  

Nutrition advice for the day:  Too busy to cook healthfully? To save time, use your Crockpot, cook and freeze large batches of food, buy pre-cut or pre-cooked ingredients, and keep an organized grocery list.  I think I only agree with half of this advice. Even as a SAHM, my crockpot is my best friend in the kitchen!! :)  I don't like buying many pre-cooked items...and if you're on a budget, pre-cut and pre-cooked often up those prices.   So be careful...just know it's better to eat at home, so do what you need to do ;)  

"Good luck is often with the man who doesn't include it in his plans."  ~ Author Unknown ~ 

Come to my

Bedside :)  The photo of day 4 - (I couldn't decide which 'bedside' I wanted to use, so you get both views :D)  

 (This is my actual bedside stand)

 (This is my side of the headboard :)

Nutrition tip of the day:  Know your "red flag" menu words. Avoid restaurant items described as: battered, bottomless, breaded, buttery, cheesy, country, creamy, crispy, fried, giant, loaded, smothered and stuffed. Yep, that covers about 90% of the menu of the places we go.  Just another reason why we don't eat out much anymore!!!

"Good luck comes in slender currents, misfortune in a rolling tides."  ~ Irish Saying

Who are the people...

In your neighborhood?!?!  That's the question for day 3 :)  Really it's just a picture of your neighborhood, so here ya go - one way (the way we know MOST of the people ;D)

Nutrition tip for the third day:  Enjoy 2-4 servings of fruit each day. Fruits are rich in nutrients, fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants, which all help prevent disease. One serving is equal to 1/2 cup. FRUIT! FRUIT! FRUIT!  We eat A LOT of fruit.  My kids LOVE it, it's so good for you and it satisfies many cravings (crunchy, sweet, sugar....etc)  We easily get 2-4 servings a day :)

"Each misfortune you encounter will carry in it the seed of tomorrow's good luck." ~ Og Mandino

Fruit of ....

The day #2 :)  

The tip for better nutrition today:  Eat breakfast. It boosts your energy, metabolism and mental focus. Plus, breakfast eaters consume fewer calories throughout the day than people who skip this meal.  I used to be a non breakfast person, but seriously, the difference it's made in my weight plan, my energy and my overall health is amazing!  Even if it's a piece of toast as I go out the door.  Or a thing of yogurt before the kids get up... AMAZING!! :D

"Don't believe in miracles-depend on them." ~ Laurence Peter

Up, Up, Up....

I'm going up from here :)  Day 1 of March's photo a day! 

Nutrition tip for Day 1 of March:  Keep a food diary. Before you can improve your diet, you have to know where you stand. Record everything you eat and drink for five days and use these tips to improve your diet a little bit each day.  There is a great site called Spark People Join (use me as a referral if you need to - JudyRinMN) and use their online tools to help you get started!!

"A sure-fire recipe for good luck? Consciously and continually look for opportunities-and then take action."   ~ Steven Scott