Guilty Food Pleasures, What’s Yours?

Our last day was a bust. Cold, rainy and windy. Not how you want to end a week at the beach but we can’t complain. With 3 gorgeous days to frolic in the ocean, a golf day for Dad, 3 beautiful morning runs for Mom and lots of boardwalk strolls we lived it up at the shore.

Today I’m feeling a little bleh from all the junk I ate but I have no regrets. I’m only at the beach once a year and there’s just few things I enjoy here and only here. Jelly rings being one of them. Every year we hit the candy store and each pick one thing. I get 5 raspberry jelly rings. I didn’t think to take a photo of them but they look like this…

I remember my Mom eating them when I was little and now they are my special treat too.

I love them so much but right now? Ugh. They are sitting in my stomach like a stone.

What’s your guilty food pleasure on vacation or otherwise? Is there something you like to eat even though you don’t feel too great afterwards?

Inquiring minds and my bloated stomach need to know. ;)

Thanks Nuts.com for the photo!

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Bromelain Facts, Benefits and Risks: Fight Inflammation and Naturally Treat Cancer

Welcome to the 2nd installment of Natural Health Weekend. If you missed the first episode featuring Colloidal Silver, go here to check it out.

WHAT IS BROMELAIN?

Bromelain is an all natural enzyme derived from the pineapple plant, primarily extracted from its stem. It is reported to effectively treat many causes of inflammation and also serves as a natural cancer treatment.

BROMELAIN HISTORY

The enzyme has been widely used medicinally by Central and South Americans for several hundred years. The first documented extraction of the pineapple enzyme occurred in South America the late 1800's. Bromelain was introduced into the United States as a supplement in 1957. In 1993, Germany’s “Commission E” (the country’s governmental regulation agency comparable to the FDA) approved the use of Bromelain to serve as a post-surgery anti-inflammatory.

USES AND BENEFITS OF BROMELAIN

Bromelain is known to relieve symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-surgery inflammation (including dental), sprains, tendinitis, allergies, sinusitis, ear nose & throat inflammation, general joint pain. It also aids in digestion, treats digestive inflammatory disorders and aids in burn wound care.

Notably, Bromelain is also used as a natural alternative to prevent and treat cancer. “Research published in the journal Planta Medica found that bromelain was superior to the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorauracil in treating cancer in an animal study…”  ~ source

Surprising Cancer-Fighting Benefits Of Pineapple Enzyme

What Big Pharma Doesn’t Want You To Now About Bromelain

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS

Although much safer than Pharma medications, Bromelain may still cause mild side effects in comparison to conventional meds. Bromelain could have a blood-thinning effect when used in conjunction with certain prescription medications. Diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain are among other adverse symptoms. Do not use Bromelain if you are allergic to pineapples.

More Details On Possible Side Effects of Bromelain

THE GREEDY FAMILY’S USE OF BROMELAIN

Bromelain has been a medicinal staple in The Greedy Family’s house since about 2009. The husband first used it after exploring natural sinusitis treatments during a time when health insurance was not available. Since then, Bromelain has helped our entire family treat allergies, sinus inflammation, and avoid full blown episodes of miserable sinusitis. Bromelain helps us to steer clear of Pharma antibiotics and their troubling side effects. No one in our family has experienced adverse side effects from the use of Bromelain.

More Info On Using Bromelain For Children

“WHICH BRAND OF BROMELAIN SHOULD I BUY?”

After trying several different brands, we settled on Nature’s Plus Ultra Bromelain 1500 mg capsules as the best and most effective. I give the youngest Greedies Nature’s Plus Chewable Bromelain, 40 mg. One drawback to the chewables is slight moisture absorption that can develop in the pill bottle. Keep the chewables bottle closed properly and store in a cool, dry place.

Bromelain is a safer, low cost, natural option in comparison to Pharma drugs. If you or a loved one suffers from any type of inflammation or is facing cancer, consider the use of Bromelain.

The topic presented is for informational purposes. I am not a medical professional and make no guarantees regarding the natural health remedies you use.

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Om wearing BLAKE BRODY yoga shoes…

and I like it.

For those of you playing along at home I AM still in the mode of saying ‘no thank you‘ to most offers for product reviews.

As a reader it isnt what I like to typically see on blogs (Im nosy. I want your thoughts, feelings and navel-gazings) and I always assume you’re precisely as I am.

So Ive decided to say no to reviews.

Until I change my mind…as every misfit reserves the right to.

I opened the email from Blake Brody on a day where my back throbbed, my allergies raged and quite frankly I wanted nothing more than a surprise in the mail I didnt have to pay for.

And the fact said surprise would be something Id HAVE to wear to yoga in order to review (hello free motivation!!) was more than a little bonus.

You see, the Blake Brody shoes have no SOLE:

Oh. Did I mention I was a SUCKER for the HEART?

They are designed to be worn DURING yoga and, since they have no bottom beyond the gripper, misfits like I cant get em, wear em around, & never use em for yoga (greetings 99.9% of my running shoes).

The grips offer traction, ENHANCE our feets sense of the ground & allow for complete pointing and flexing freedom.

The arch of the sole-free shoe is designed based on foot mapping and helps protect against cramping while NOT hindering movement.

It’s pretty cool technology.

And did I mention I was smitten with how they looked and felt?

They were like a pretty foot-glove covered in hearts.

The Tornado as foot model. When did she get so big?!

While I loved the look & feel of the Blake Brody studio shoes my hesitation was two-fold:

Would wearing them practically announce to the class I was NOT a yogi?Would wearing them to class inhibit my ability to feel GROUNDED?  The feeling I most seek from yoga…

My answers were NO and NO.

I should know myself better than to think I would care what other people thought (*cough* misfit *cough*).  I brought the shoes.  I slipped em on.  No one said a word (till after class when a few women asked where Id gotten them).

I also found they did NOT inhibit my ability to feel as though yoga was grounding me.  I didnt feel the sense of having ‘shoes on’ and more than anything wasnt distracted by the studio shoes either.**

I adored them.

What didn’t I love?

My first inclination was to say the price (they arent cheap) yet the fact Ive perused the online boutique over and over and DROOLED is an indication —at least for me—-they’re not too overpriced.

Are they necessary?

Heck no.  That said, Im all in for anything which helps me look forward to yoga in a way I dont normally.  Some of you may not need props and prod’ings—-I do. Im not there yet.

Would I recommend them?

I really would. They’d make a fantastic gift —-to a woman in your life or to me to yourself.

**I havent done hot yoga in the studio shoes yet. Im a sweater.  I wonder if I shall drown my poor lovely heart topped shoes during the 90 minutes of poses? Ill keep you posted.  The shoes are treated with anti-microbial & anti-odor so there’s that BIG saving grace…

FTC the shoes were free and a kindasorta early birthday present to me!  The yammerings of love, allergies and back owies are all my own.

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Burpees and Booty Shorts: Fitness Moves Designed For Bad-assery

OMG! It’s ma-booty! I don’t have a backside “before” pic, but judging from old pictures I’m sure you can imagine what that looked like.

My lower stomachs area continues to put up a fight (story of my life) and my thighs still jiggle, but so what! I actually like my legs more than I ever have in my life. It hasn’t been easy getting to this point and I’m damn proud. Have you considered how far you’ve come? You should be damn proud, too.

Bad-assery is the name of the game. The fitness moves that I so strongly recommend for major body transformation will not only change what you see in the mirror. These workouts require a level of commitment, discipline and mental fortitude that will spill over to make-better other areas of your life. Trust me.

(side note: the booty shorts I’m wearing are from Target. Price: $16.99)

As with anything, find your lane and do what you love, but if you’re still searching for the right workouts, or simply need change to get you to the next level, consider this bad-assery:

1. High Intensity Interval Training: This include speed rope, sprint intervals and other forms HIIT.

2. Plyometrics & Other Bodyweight Exercises: Plyo moves like burpees, mountain climbers, ski hops, jump squats, box jumps, tuck jumps, bounding, split squat jumps, etc, etc… And bodyweight moves like push-ups, dynamic planks, lunges, squats, and Turkish get ups… ya feelin’ me?

3. Strength Training: I went from pure plyo for my weight training, to incorporating free weights (dumbbells), and now on to a completely structured system with Les Mills PUMP. I like to change things up periodically to keep the body guessing. However you choose to train, make sure strength training is part of your formula. You must! Losing weight will get you slim, but training with weights is the thing that will shape and sculpt your body, giving you curves and definition in all the right places (like in your booty area).

4. Yoga: Do not forsake it. You’ll keep your body limber to prevent injury and increase range of motion. Yoga can also aid in faster recovery time to keep your workouts going strong. Rodney Yee continues to reign supreme as my top Yoga DVD pick. He’s the man.

Oh, and I recently just had another vision of bad-assery. There’s just something that’s screams “sexy bad ass” about doing burpees in booty shorts while wearing Ryka Downbeat Sneaks. I accidentally stumbled across these online. I want a pair of these shoes!!

I hear the typical kind of chick who sports Downbeats is the one doing dancy-type fitness, like Zumba and Jazzercise. Yet I’m sure these could easily accommodate my sessions of burpees whoredom, complete with booty shorts attire, of course. Now tell me that wouldn’t be bad-ass…

(say “burpees and booty shorts” real fast for me 10 times)

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Bad Day Binge

I’m having a REALLY bad day. I spend most of my time buried in code trying to figure out a technical problem for a client which is still unsolved. I’m alone with the kids which isn’t bad but, well, you know, it’s harder. I’m leaving for the beach in 2 days (ohh poor me, right?) and my house looks like a bomb literally went off.

I was managing everything pretty well until tonight when I caught myself wanting to steal handfuls of chocolate chips form the bag and dip pretzels in the jar of peanut butter.

Damn.

Ok, I can’t lie.

I DID steal handfuls of chocolate chips and dip pretzels in the peanut butter jar.

I’m not quite sure that happened. It was like an out of body experience.

Stress eat much?

ugh.

I totally identify with the article. If you have binge eating tendencies you may find it helpful.

Anyway, it is what it is. I’m trying to focus on the beach. Tomorrow Little Bean and I will be cleaning and packing and then I’ll be spending some good old quality family time. We need it! The Husband has been working nearly around the clock. It’s like crazy deadline time or something.

I did make an awesome dinner and a fun snack today. Both of which I’m planning on getting up on GreenLiteBites. Check them out…

oh! and I just posted this fun Avocado Orange Salsa…

Click here to check it out.

Ok, let me sum up this post for you so far.

Food, food and, oh… umm… gee…. more food.

Obsess much?

Wow. I’m in a mood today, aren’t I?

That’s what too much computer time with no adult conversation will do to ya. ;)

Let me end with something that makes me smile.

This was my view at dinner.

They freakin’ rock!

I can’t wait for beach time with my boys!

Quick note to take care of business… Teresa won the BlogHer tickets! Will be reaching out shortly!

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PLAYouts: Doing the sprinkler.

Juggling is NOT my gift.

To know me is to be aware—especially in the summer—we try really, really, really hard never to WORKout.

EVER.

Life is too short (and the summer, to my chagrin, too too fleeting) to allow exercise to be yet another arena where we have to toil.  Where we’re forced to (fingerquote) work (unFQ).

As a result, Ive chosen to morph the bulk of my fitness into fun.

I’ve decided I’d much rather laugh & play with the Tornado than force my workouts to fit a traditional mold. (shocking I realize. Im so traditional in all other realms, right?)

Ive talked about our playouts on television.

Ive rambled and ranted waxed eloquently about them in my role as Fila Spokesmom.

And, as with all things my blog, this isn’t just a post it’s how I live.

And, as with all things my LIFE, I wanna drag you into the playout fray & share the three reasons we adore them:

PLAYouts transform fitness into something which brings us TOGETHER.   To my dismay Im super excited the Tornado is finding her own way in the world.  And, as she does, we have more & more individual pursuits.  As a result we both value our playout time because it’s family time with the added bonus of fitness. It’s plain ole FUN.  The Tornado is technically at the age where we could do traditional sports together (I know. I stumbled a bit even *typing* the word traditional), but I’ve decided to follow her lead.  She still wants our time together to be movement of the silly playful, variety and not the ‘formal”  organized sort (hello apple! youve not fallen far from tree).
 It allows her to be the expert.  This facet has become more important the older she’s become.  Six rocks & yet six entails lots of being bossed around (hello kinder!) and many new boundaries, rules and regulations.  When we playout she’s typically the one in charge.  She makes up the games, creates the rules, & shows me how it’s all done.   Being the expert—no matter our age—is empowering.

All of this is on my mind today (or more aptly put *tonight* as I birthday-night-blog freeform) because the Tornado seized our day together to teach me a dance she’d learned at camp.

It was 100 degrees outside & I was more than happy to remain indoors and watch her.

I was wrong.

There was to be no watching involved.

She demanded I get the video camera.

She instructed me to film her & then she’d film me.

I am the one whose 43 year old core is already *sore* from “sprinkling.”

Please to enjoy:

Your 30 second instructional video:

Your insight into my awkward dance moves & weak core:

Yep. That’s it.

That’s all there is to it.

You in?

Joining us?

We’d love it.

GO FORTH, PLAYout, and SPRINKLER!

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Fickle Confidence

I know it’s weigh in day but I have something more important to talk about so I’m going to go with my gut instead of some self imposed editorial calendar which I’ve been mostly ignoring anyway.

It’s one way I’m working on my confidence today. I need too.

Since Monday morning I’ve been in funkville.

The Husband has been working around the clock. Little Bean’s been going through a clingy, whiny, pay-attention-to-me-every-waking-moment stage. The 7 year old is, well, a 7 year old, so everything goes in one ear and out the other.

I’m also coming off the high of running the 2 events this weekend. Returning to the daily grind is always a let down after a super fun weekend. Isn’t it?

Anyway, I’m noticing my own fickle confidence cycle.

There are times I am simply a confident woman.

I feel

empowered,

successful,

motivated,

determined,

fearless,

on top of the world!

Other times I’m like an insecure teenager.

I feel

unappreciated,

unloved,

mopey,

distant,

alone.

Of course my food choices and overall kindness to myself depends greatly on which mode I’m in. "Insecure teenage" tends to turn to food to make herself feel better. Nothing she sees in the mirror will every be good enough. And she assumes no ones likes her, not even her husband who just happens to be too busy at the moment to notice.

"Confident woman," on the other hand, knows food doesn’t cure anything. She treats herself with kindness and feeds her soul with gratitude. She knows the world doesn’t revolve around her and is totally ok with it. She takes nothing personally. She courageously forges ahead on her goals knowing she’s on the right path.

I choose to be "confident woman" but sometimes "insecure teenager" sneaks in the back door. Once I realize she’s in town I do my bet to escort her off the premises but it requires some muscle and a little willpower.

Today I told her to leave me alone and after a little arguing, I’m left a confident woman once again.

Now that you all think I’m crazy I shall go to bed.

Confident woman has a date with the gym in the morning.

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