Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Living Life.............


Life is not a race--but indeed a journey.  Be honest.  Work hard.  Be choosy.  Say "thank you", "I love you", and 'great job" to someone each day.  Take time for prayer.  Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.  Love your life and what you've been given, it's not accidental--search for your purpose and do it as best you can.  Dreaming does matter.  It allows you to become that which you aspire to be.  Laugh often.  Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.  Some of the best things really are free.  Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.  Forgive, it frees the soul.  Take time for yourself--plan for longevity.  Recognize the special people you've been blesssed to know.  Live for today, enjoy the moment. 
-Bonnie Mohr

And this is my Daily Cyn..............

Monday, November 29, 2010

Post Thanksgiving Tips...........

Well, the Thanksgiving holiday is behind us.  The left-over turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are long gone.

Just about everyone I know is starting some kind of diet today to lose the excess weight they gained over this past weekend.  It's tough to avoid over-indulging during the holidays.  How could you not when you are surrounded by all the delicious foods you love in such abundance? Now your pants are tight, you are exhausted, and you panicked just a bit when you stepped on the scale this morning!

 How do you get back on track successfully? Here are a few suggestions:

Forgive yourself......
You ate an entire pumpkin pie! No...not at one sitting but one sliver after the next until it was gone.  Who can resist pumpkin pie? Rich, creamy, sweet and spicy--not to mention--absolutely delicious when slightly warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. Don't punish yourself for what you ate this weekend.  Be kind and gentle with yourself.  We all indulge now and then.  If you continue to beat yourself up about it, you will find it impossible to stop over-indulging and will continue on the path of non-stop eating from now until the new year.

Start off slow.........
If this has been a weekend of continous feasting today is NOT the day to fast, starve, or begin a crash diet.  So many people jump right into starvation mode after feasting.  Instead, consider eating cleansing foods.  Drink plenty of filtered water with fresh lemon (lemons are very cleansing).  Make a big pot of soup. You can use the leftover turkey if you want--just toss what's left (carcass and all--just trim all the fat and throw away any small bones) into a big pot--add some carrots, celery, onions, a potato or two, and some vegetable broth or water and let it simmer. Serve it with your lunch and dinner. Sip it between meals if you get hungry. You want to eat foods with a high water content this week.  Water is cleansing. Be sure to include lots of fresh fruit, salad, and green vegetables into your diet.  Turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, homemade bread and biscuits and several slices of pie are taxing to your body.  They make your digestive system work at a much slower pace.  This is why you might still feel sluggish and bloated. Now you need to eat food that is going to move through your system quickly.

Step away from the Crappy Carbs.....
Chances are you have eaten plenty of bread, rolls, biscuits and pie crust over the past few days. Try to avoid these types of foods for the next week or so.  What do I mean by Crappy Carbs? Anything made from white flour and white sugar: bagels, muffins, croissants, rolls, pasta.  These foods will only make you feel even more bloated and sluggish. Concentrate on fresh whole grains like brown rice and quinoa.  Consider hot multigrain cereal or oatmeal with fresh fruit for breakfast instead of your regular egg and cheese on a roll.

Think Lean Protein.........
I am sure you had your fill of turkey until the next holiday.  You need lean types of meat like grilled chicken and grilled wild salmon or your favorite mild fish.   Use meat as a garnish rather than the main focus of your dinner plate. Eat stir fry with lots of fresh veggies over brown rice with a few strips of chicken on top.  If you are adventurous, toss some tofu in your stir fry instead of meat.  Try to avoid beef, hamburgers, pork, cold cuts and fast food. Again, these are hard on your digestive system.  Make a few of your meals completely meatless, if you can.  Your body will thank you.

Avoid Sweets
Did you over-dose on sugar this weekend?  All that left-over pie, ice cream, fresh whipped cream, home made cookies. Give your body a break and try to avoid cake, cookies, pastries and other white-flour, white sugar treats for awhile. Eat plenty of fresh fruit to satisfy your sweet-tooth.  Bake apples or pears. Core them, sprinkle with ground cinnamon, and put them in the oven in a pan filled with a bit of water for about 30 minutes. Baking fruit brings out the natural sweetness.  Slice your baked apple or pear in half, top with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and you have a delicious, satisfying dessert.

Move your Body........
Don't forget to exercise! If you started your holiday shopping, park as far away as you can from the entrance of the shopping mall or your favorite store. Take the stairs instead of the elevator at work.  Take a walk during your lunch break.  Chances are, your pet had a little extra food, too.  Your dog will love getting outside for some exercise with you.  Enroll in a yoga class, kickboxing, or dance lessons.  Anything to get your body moving and burning those extra calories.

You will start to feel great again and any excess weight you might have gained will melt away in no time if you follow these simple suggestions.

And this is my Daily Cyn........

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Denial is the Enemy

I know I talk alot about food. I am always encouraging others to eat REAL food.  By now I am sure you know what I mean--whole, healthy, food that is not pre-packaged, processed or loaded with calories, fat and sugar. 

I happen to be one of those people who never craves sweets. I could live without cookies, cake, pie, ice cream, and chocolate.  Those type of foods do absolutely NOTHING for me.  However, put a bag of Doritos in front of me and all hell will break loose.  I could eat a whole bag in seconds flat.  Chips, Cheese-Doodles, Fritos-anything crunchy and salty I crave.  I never, ever buy these items because I know I would be perfectly content to make a meal out of bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos or BBQ-flavored potato chips and a glass of Shiraz.  That would be heaven for me.  If I am at a party or a gathering of some kind, however, I will indulge in a handful or two.  I must.  If I deny myself that occasional treat I know the first chance I get, I will be buying a bag of chips at the local corner store and eating the whole package! For days after, I will feel awful. I won't be beating myself up emotionally about it ( I am way past that stage) but I will be physically ill and sluggish because I am simply not accustomed to eating any sort of junk food in excess.  My body just doesn't like it. 

I randomly post blogs, comments, and photos of all different kinds of food.  I am here to tell you, it's ok to indulge now and then.  If you absolutely MUST have that donut and coffee for breakfast, then by all means, do it! This might sound shocking to you, especially coming from a nutritional consultant with a focus on real food.  Get this throught your head- the food is not necessarily the enemy--DENIAL is!

When we deny ourselves something, we want it more.  We become obssessed with that which we are denying ourselves.  We dream about it, we talk about it, we punish ourselves for wanting it.  As long as things are going well and we have healthy choices to rely on, we are successful in avoiding the so called "offending food."  However, an upsetting day at work or disagreement with our significant other and all bets are off.  We sit down with an entire gallon of Chocolate Fudge-Brownie ice cream, a dozen Krispy Kremes, or, in my case, a bag or two of chips and eat and eat and eat until it's gone.  This kind of behavior sets us up for failure in a big way.  All the effort and work we've done to improve our diet or lose weight is cast aside and forgotten.  We "fall off the wagon" and it's almost impossible to climb back on.  So.....what's worse? The occasional donut for breakfast or the whole dozen?

It's the holiday season! This is the most difficult time to follow any kind of real healthy eating plan.  You are surrounded by cookies, homemade pies, traditional favorites, and spiked eggnog.  What are you supposed to do?  Give yourself permission to enjoy.  Don't deny yourself anything. If you deny yourself your favorite foods during this time, you will be miserable.  You will make everyone around you miserable and you just might be causing more harm than good.  Eat what you want--just do it in a sensible, respectful way.

How?........

If you know you are going to a party in the evening, pay attention to what you eat all day.  Be sure to have a healthy breakfast with lots of fruit and vegetables.  Do the same thing at lunch- have a salad with grilled chicken and light dressing.  Have a bowl of soup or eat a light meal before you go out so you are somewhat satisfied ahead of time.  This way you will not be starving when you arrive to your event and eat everything in sight.  Don't camp out beside the buffet table or you will be tempted to nibble and nosh unconciously.  If you are attending a sit-down dinner, offer to bring a healthy side dish, a big tossed salad, or dessert.  Build your meal around what you brought and sample small tastes of everything else you want. If you over-indulge at any time, forgive yourself immediately and get right back on the path of healthy eating.  Commit the next day to sipping vegetable broth, water, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to help cleanse your body. 

My hope is that you will thoroughly enjoy this holiday season in good health, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones. 

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Typical?

Is this your typical breakfast, lunch or mid-afternoon snack?


" If we're not willing to settle for junk living, we certainly shouldn't settle for junk food. "

And this is my Daily Cyn.............

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thanksgiving.........the Day After

Me and my great-grand nephew, Alizarius
What a wonderful day I had yesterday surrounded by family, friends and loved ones.  My lovely niece brought her twins later on in the evening as we ate dessert.  That was the "icing on the cake' for me. 

Oh, did we ever feast! My mom cooked up a storm and our Thanksgiving table was overflowing with all kinds of delicious treats- a huge turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, two kinds of cranberry sauce, baked sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn pudding, biscuits!  After dinner, coffee, fruit, nuts, roasted chestnuts, and every kind of pie known to man.  It was a non-stop eating frenzy.

I am the only "non-meat-eater" in the group so I did not  indulge in the turkey, the gravy or the stuffing.  I ate my little veggie burger but my VEGAN ways were cast aside as soon as I saw that corn pudding and the green bean casserole! They are full of dairy products but I could not resist a small taste of each. I also could not refuse a sliver of coconut custard pie after dinner.  How do I feel today? YUCK!!! My stomach hurts and I am sluggish. Interesting............in just three weeks of a totally vegan diet (no animal products, no dairy, no eggs) how much better and healthier I have been feeling without them and how awful I feel right now after just a couple of samplings of this and that.

What does this tell me? My body thrives and functions well on lean protein like tofu, tempeh and beans, whole grains, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Anything else makes me feel tired, bloated and physically ill.  Does this mean I will never again enjoy a slice of homemade coconut custard pie? NO.... but when I do, I must be willing to pay the price of feeling lousy for a day or two after. 

Today, it's vegetable broth and some fresh fruit, vegetables, and lots of water for me.  I must rid my system of the offending foods and be gentle with myself.  I am going to rest and enjoy the company of my friends and family and keep it low key today.

It's ok to indulge once in awhile. I would never discourage anyone from doing that.  What is life if we can't enjoy good things like cake and pie or turkey with home made stuffing with friends and family?  When you do this, however, step back for a minute and try to notice how you feel after. Do you feel more sluggish than normal? Is your stomach queasy? Do you feel moody, aggravated or sad? Pay attention and be kind to yourself the next day and get right back on the path of healthy eating..........until the next holiday!

And this is my Daily Cyn...........

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

thanksgiving greetings


I am thankful for...........

Health
Healing
Good friends
Family
Faith
My country
Freedom
Hope
Promises
The ability to dream
The ability to achieve my dreams
Food
Love
Life
Work
Play
Pleasure
Pain
Joy
Sorrow
Peace

And this is my Daily Cyn................

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Sweet Potato Souffle

Here is a great alternative that sticky-sweet casserole with mini-marshmallows.  It's delicious, healthy, and you will never miss all the fat and sugar! Compliments of Bethenny Frankel.

8 small sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and chopped into large chunks
8 large egg whites, beaten until peeks just start to form
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
4 Tablespoons of milk
2 Tablespoons of honey
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1.4 teaspoon scooped seeds from a real vanilla bean
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.  Drain and move to a large bowl.  Mash and combine all other ingredients except egg whites.  Finish with an immersion blender to make the mixture completely smooth.  Taste and add salt.
3.  Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the sweet potatoes, 1/3 at a time.  Mix lightly to keep air in the mixture.
4.  Bake for 30 minutes in individual ramekins directly on the oven rack until slightly firm.  Serve hot or warm.

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I Can't Afford to Eat Healthy........

"I just can't afford to eat healthy!"

I hear this over and over--from friends, from family, from clients I work with. Everyone knows they need to eat well. Everyone knows they need to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet.  I am just a voice, an advocate, trying to encourage others to do so but I hear the same objection all the time.  Well....I am here to say, "Yes, you can!"

Here are some simple tips, ideas, and suggestions:

Take a look at your most recent grocery bill.
Where did you spend the majority of your money? Chances are, you spent it on pre-packaged, processed foods.  Rice-a-roni, boxes of mac and cheese, canned soups, frozen meals, boxes of cereal, and convenience food.  Yes, I know we are all busy.  I understand how easy it is to take a frozen solid pre-made lasagna, pop it in the oven for 45 minutes and call it dinner. We work, we go to school, we are all on different schedules, we are constantly on the run. Who has time to actually make a lasagna?  Think of it this way--for the money it costs to buy one frozen lasagna, you can make a big pan (maybe two) of delicious homemade lasagna and feed you family several times over.  So much more cost effective and so much better tasting! When you shop, try to avoid the pre-packaged stuff. This is where your money goes!

Shop local and in season
Scope out local farm stands and buy your fruits and vegetables there.  You are supporting your local farmer and getting the freshest, best and least expensive produce you can possibly find.  All fruits and vegetables need not be organic, either.  Here is list of produce that you should always buy organic and a list of safe, conventional fruits and vegetables. http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/slowfoodorganiclocal/a/organicproduce_2.htm
Buy produce that is in season.  Winter is almost upon us.  A peach is not a winter fruit.  You can buy them in any market any time of the year, but if you want them now, you are going to pay a high price for them.  Buy and cook what is in season and buy plenty. If apples are in season--bring home lots of them. Cut them up, toss them into lunch boxes, bake them, turn them into apple pies, applesauce, or cook them with your oatmeal.  Waste not, want not. Never throw away anything! Those bananas on your counter that are turning brown? Cut them up and turn them into banana bread or banana pancakes. 

Buy in bulk.....
Rather than buy a box of rice or a package of flour, I buy it in bulk.  My local health food store carries just about everything I need in big barrels.  I measure and fill my own bags of nuts, flour, TVP, rice, quinoa, coffee beans, granola! EVERYTHING! When you buy a box of rice, guess what you are paying for? The box! You will be suprised at how much money you will save when you shop this way!

Join a food co-op........
When I was married and raising my son, I belonged to a food co-op.  We were a group of health-conscious folks who placed an order once every few months for the food we wanted. This was a great way to save money and keep my pantry stocked full of necessary staples.  We would all gather together and decide what we needed.  Rather than buy just one pound of coffee, we all chipped in for ten pounds and divided it up among each family. We would buy 20 pounds of flour and take what we needed.  We would have big blocks of cheese delivered and slice it up into smaller pieces.  We had so much fun on co-op delivery day. It was such a great way to make friends and share recipes. The children played together as the adults sipped coffee or wine and chopped, divided and measured.  Interested? Here is website to find a local food co-op in your area: http://www.niany.com/food.coop.html.   You can even start your own with a few friends.

Keep Your Pantry Stocked........
If you always have what you need on hand, you will spend less money.  Always have flour, rolled oats, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and other non-perishable essentials in your pantry.  Boxes or cans of chicken and vegetable broth can be transformed into soups or added to pasta dishes for extra flavor.  Keep cans of beans on hand to be add to salads, and to make chili and even dip for veggies and chips. Cans of whole, chopped or diced tomatoes are good to keep for sauce for pasta and homemade pizza, to add to soups, or even to make salsa when fresh tomatoes are not in season.  Keep plenty of grains, noodles, and pasta in your cupboard as well. If you keep your pantry full, you will need to shop less often and will never run out of ideas.

Cook a big one.........
The last time I bought turkey breast at the deli counter, it was $9.00 a pound! That's insane! How can anyone afford to make lunches for their family? Buy a small turkey, put it the oven and forget about it for a few hours.  Yes, it is going to cost more than $9.00, however, you can get several meals out of a whole turkey! Slice up the left overs for lunches, and toss the bone, some carrots, onions, celery and water into a big pot, add some noodles and serve your family turkey soup for a week! Freeze it into smaller container and when ever you want soup, simply defrost, heat and serve! Do the same with a ham. Have Sunday dinner, and slice up the rest for sandwiches. Take the bone, add some split peas, water, some fresh veggies and VIOLA! Homemade split pea soup! Why would you buy pre-sliced cold cuts when you can get several meals out of a whole piece meat? Think of the money you will save!

YES....you can afford to eat healthy with a little planning, organization, and a small investment of your time.

And this is my Daily Cyn.............

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Recipes from "The Vault" : Avocado Tahini Dip


Avocado Tahini Dip



Why would you use pre-packaged, processed dips that are full of artificial ingredients, flavors, and preservatives when it takes moments to make a dip like this? You can serve it your family and guests with out guilt.  You know exactly what's in it because you lovingly mixed it up yourself!!! Nothing that comes in a jar or container can ever compare to this amazing, exotic dip.
Spread it on crackers, serve with crisp tortilla chips, or use it as a dip with fresh cut veggies at your next holiday gathering. It's healthy, delicious and nutritious............




1 large, ripe avocado, peeled and diced
1/3cup tahini  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahini
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup milk OR plain, unsweetened soy or almond milk
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional)

Place all ingredients except parsley in a food processor and process until smooth.  Top with the minced parsley, if desired.

Mmmmmm. :)

And this is my Daily Cyn............

They Say............


They say you never know a person until you walk a mile in their shoes....... Just make sure the shoes are Christian Louboutin!

What does this has to do with health, healing, nutrition or self esteem?

NOTHING!

I am just in a fun and frivolous mood after several days of suffering with a sore throat and fever and I hope this makes you smile...........

And this is my Daily (and very EXPENSIVE) Cyn..................

Friday, November 19, 2010

Recipe from "The Vault": Vegetarian/Vegan Split Pea Soup

Split Pea Soup
Nothing warms the body or soothes the soul more than a bowl of homemade soup.  Split pea soup is hearty, thick and satisfying enough to serve as a light supper with a tossed salad and crusty whole grain bread or rolls. 

Classic Split pea soup is cooked with ham hocks to add flavor but you can make a vegetarian version that tastes just as good without all that extra fat and sodium. This is one of my oldest and easiest recipes for split pea soup.  I have making it for years and it is always so delicious! This is perfect for Sundays when you are just hanging around watching football. You just have to get up and stir it once in awhile.  Your whole house will smell so good as it simmers on the stove.  Enjoy!

1 lb. dry green split peas (rinsed and picked over for stones, etc.)
2 qts water
1 bay leaf
3 onions
3 whole cloves
6 ribs of celery, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
2 small turnips, diced
1 Tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
dash of liquid smoke (if desired)

Place the peas in a large pot with water. Bring to a boil, simmer 30 minutes. Add the bay leaf, 1 onion studded with the cloves, celery, carrots,  turnips, salt and pepper.  Cover and simmer 30 minutes more.  Chop the remaining onions and coool in oil until tender but not brown.  Add to the soup, along with a dash (about 1/4 teaspoon) of the liquid smoke (if desired) and simmer 30 minutes more.  Serve warm with crusty whole grain bread for dipping.

Makes 8-10 servings......

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Starting a Business Beats Looking for Jobs

It's a Risky Economy
A job search under any circumstances is no treat - rewriting your resume at least a dozen times, job searching on the Internet day after day, and landing maybe two interviews for every hundred openings you dig up - but in a shaky economy it can be downright brutal. Business revenue declines, which causes companies to cut payroll, and then the lack of personnel drives frustrated customers away. It’s a vicious cycle. But why get trapped in that rat race if you don’t have to?


Looking for jobs can be a very shortsighted process. Long gone are the days when people worked at the same company for decades and retired with a nice pension. Since at least the 1980s, most professionals change jobs every three to four years, and it’s usually the employer’s choice rather than the worker’s. Starting a business can be a scary proposition - especially if you come to the process with a lot of unanswered questions in your mind - but a job search can take up just as much time, effort and even capital. Besides, here is all you’re left with at the end of that road - just another job that you might hold for five years, after which it’s the same process all over again, except you’re now five years older!

Four Reasons to Drop Job Searching for Entrepreneurship
If you have reached the stage in your career where you’re earning a comfortable living as an executive or someone with skills honed over many years in business, there are many strikes against you on the job search front. Here are four reasons why starting a business may better serve your long-term financial goals:

* Experience - Few companies hire at a senior level and expect people to come aboard in an entry- or mid-level role. In your own business, you’re immediately at the top of the heap, both in earning power and in the decision-making process.

* Location - The job you want may not exist in the city where you live, which either forces you to relocate or else downgrade your desires. Starting a business allows you to work wherever you wish.

* Security - While it’s true that new businesses can fail, there are no guarantees these days that a 50-year-old company will still exist next year, either. By starting a business, at least you have it within your personal power to be successful. If you’re just another cog in the wheel, most of your own financial future is in the hands of others.

* Personality - The corporate world forces people to conform to a particular mindset. Not all of us are cut out to operate in this manner, but having a maverick-type personality is oftentimes a dead-ender when working for others. This is, however, the exact trait that makes a terrific entrepreneur.

Take These Steps to Start Your Business 
Instead of looking for jobs, try these things instead. Make a list of your skills and experience. Seek out small business owners in your area and find out what skills they had before they took the leap - people love to give advice, after all. Check out various franchising opportunities on the Web, since buying a franchise is one of the easiest ways to own a business. Explore your local community college and sign up for a course in entrepreneurship. People just like you who took the plunge and never again looked back at the job searching process are usually the ones who teach these classes. If you’re currently employed but nervous as to how long your job will be there, begin doing some freelance work or consider starting a business on the side. This will let you see if you’re cut out for the entrepreneurial lifestyle, bring in some extra income, and provide a welcome landing spot if that pink slip shows up someday on your desk.

Where would you be today - both financially and emotionally - if you had started your own business the last time you were slogging through a job search?

-From The GlobalBX Newsletter
 
And this is my Daily Cyn........

Why?


Why stroll along the shore when you can walk on the water? With faith, nothing is impossible!

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Two Choices


You have two choices when you reach the middle of the sea.
You can turn around and go back to familiar territory or keep swimming to the other shore.

And this is my Daily Cyn...........

Saturday, November 13, 2010

VEGAN Transition


If you have been following my blogs you know that I am a Vegetarian who once was a Vegan who went back to being Vegetarian.  I loved being Vegan (no animal products- no meat, no fish, no dairy, no eggs) but it did not fit well with my hectic, stressful lifestyle at the time so I needed to add some animal products to my diet.  It has been a few years now and I decided to make the transistion back to Veganism again. I knew there were still some changes I needed to make, however, in order to accomplish this and reap the true benefits.

Over past six months I have been doing some major work on my inner temple.  By this I mean- my heart, my mind and my spirit.  I had an unexpected, personal tragedy occur this year that turned my life upside down. I was slipping back into some of my old habits again and I knew that wasn't good.  I recently began seeing a therapist to help me deal with all of it.  Stress comes and stress goes but it is something we all must deal with. Most of the time, I just try to drown it out by turning up the volume on everything in my life. I recognize this about myself now and I know how it nearly killed me a few years ago. Once again, I began reading books that nourished me.  Instead of turning on the TV for company when I came home from work, I began playing music that was uplifting and filled my house with peace and joy.  I stopped falling asleep on the couch in front of TVevery night and climbed into my nice cozy bed with a good book at a decent hour. I started a morning exercise routine. I lit candles, burned incense, and sipped sparkling water from a wine glass. I cut back on coffee and started drinking more herbal tea. I stopped drinking alcohol and reserved it for special occassions.  That was quite a challenge! Anyone who knows me, knows I love my vodka but every gathering, every occassion, and every weekend involved drinking and lots of it! I was eating more and more carbs, cheese and fish to absorb all the liquor and as result, I was putting on weight. NOT GOOD!  The positive changes I have been making over the past several months became habits, the habits became my lifestyle and finally......I was ready for the Vegan Transition. 

My diet now consists of tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, hummus, tahini, fresh fruit, lots of green vegetables, unsweetened almond milk,  homemade soups, a minimal amount of rice and soy cheeses, some vegan meat alternatives (burgers, veggie sausage), water,  and the occasional treat (emphasis on occasional). I have been eating this way for a week now and I FEEL FANTASTIC! I want share with you some of the changes I have noticed in this short period of time:

I have unlimited energy...........
I already am pretty energetic but now I have energy to spare.......... 

I have taken off weight already......
Yep! This is great side benefit.  I bought a great pair of jeans this summer but never wore them because they were too tight!. I could not even pull them up over my hips two weeks ago!  This morning, I slipped them on and zipped them right up without sucking in my gut! How exciting is that?

I have a few pimples on my face.......
Hold on! What? Aren't zits a bad thing? Not necessarily. I never break out so when I do, I know it is my body's way of eliminating toxins. That's a good thing!

I feel clean.......
Everything I am putting in my body is fresh, clean, whole, nutritious.  No artery clogging, mucous producing cheese or junk food slowing down my body now.

I am satisfied.......
I am not starving by any means.  I am full and content and have no desire or need to snack between meals.  This might sound like a boring way to eat but trust me.....it isn't!

Is a Vegan Diet for everyone? Not neccessarily.  It happens to be working very well for me but it might not work for you- at least not as a permanent way of eating. Can I do this permanently? I would like to but I will listen to what my body has to tell me concerning that.  So far...so good. 

If you are looking to cleanse your body you might want to consider eating this way for a few weeks or so.  It can't hurt, especially when you do it correctly. Eliminating meat and dairy is not going to benefit you at all if you do not make other changes to your diet and your life, as well.

If you would like to learn more or are interested in improving your diet for any reason: weight-loss, health issues, or just because you want to start eating well and don't know how to start, send me an email or contact me on Face Book. I am at your service...........

And this is my Daily Cyn...............

Get Out of the Box!!!..



Regardless of how hard you try, you will never be comfortable in a box that is not made for you. Stop trying to make yourself fit!  Never allow anyone else to make you fit where you know you don't belong.  

Perhaps you have been crammed inside a box for so long that you don't even realize how miserable and uncomfortable you are.  Step out of the box, stretch your legs, and find a place that is comfortable with room to breathe and move.

And this is my Daily Cyn..........

Friday, November 12, 2010



Most of our doubts, apprehensions and limitations are based on the fears, experiences and beliefs of others.  It is only when we decide to leave them behind on the shore, walk into the water alone and teach ourselves to swim that we truly begin to live!

And this is my Daily Cyn.............

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

You never really know someone until you walk a mile in her shoes!!!!!!!!

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Dancing on the Edge.......

Yesterday morning it was COLD.  It was raining, snowing, and sleeting.  The minute I walked out of my nice warm house I felt as if I had been slapped in the face. The temperature and weather conditions were shocking!

Inclement weather means train delays-always. Harsh winds knocked a crossing gate out of service at the Brentwood station so of course my train sat idling on the tracks for almost thirty minutes.  It couldn't be the earlier train or the one after--it had to be mine. This meant I would miss my connecting train and I was going to be late for work again.  What a way to start the work week after a great weekend!

Thankfully, here in New York there is always another train.  They run every fifteen minutes or so during rush hour.  When you commute daily, LIRR delays and cancellations are something you must learn to deal with. They occur almost every single day and you have to roll with it.  It's not so bad when the weather is pleasant but on a day like yesterday--it is almost unbearable.  It was hat, gloves, and scarf weather and all I had on was a light jacket.  I was freezing.  Those of us who use mass transit must dig out all our winter weather paraphernalia much earlier than those who get to sit in their warm, cozy cars. Try standing on one of those raised train platforms with the wind whipping, your teeth chattering, your knees knocking. Five minutes feels like an hour. Yesterday was only a sample.  It's going to get colder!

Eventually I arrived in Hicksville to wait for a connecting train.  I can't even describe how cold I was.  I had also just finished drinking an extra large cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee.  I don't need to go into details about THAT but I am sure you can imagine.  Every single train was delayed but I was afraid if I ran down to the rest-room, my train would miraculously arrive and I would miss it.

I noticed a young guy standing on the platform nearby.  He was dancing and singing along to the rap music blasting from his I-Pod.  It was so loud I could hear it clearly.  I watched him for a few minutes and began to smile.  He glanced over at me, removed his headphones and said "Hey! What you lookin' at?"

" I don't know how long you have been waiting here but I do know you are as cold as I am," I replied. " I am just watching you make the best of a bad situation!"

He laughed and moved closer to me so I could hear his music even better.  There we stood, two strangers, dancing on the train platform.  I lost track of time and forgot how cold I was. Other commuters stared and frowned at us as if we were insane.  They were cold, aggravated and late, just like we were. The difference was, we were getting warmer as we danced up a storm and they were too tired, too embarrassed or too conservative to join in with us.  I didn't care and neither did my new friend. We were free!  

I was almost disappointed when my train finally did arrive.  All my worries and the fact that I was ridiculously late for work had faded away . I felt happy, warm, and filled with anticipation of a great day. All it took was a simple dance on the platform edge to make me feel this way.  I was thankful to a kind stranger for sharing his music and his joy with me.  

Life is what you make it, folks. You can stand there and shiver, whine and complain or you can dance without a care in the world and feel the warmth spread into your heart and soul. It's your choice.  I choose to dance..........

And this is my Daily Cyn.........

Monday, November 8, 2010

Be Who You Are.............


"Be who you are and say what you feel!  Those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter!"

And this is my Daily Cyn...............

(and yes.....this is me 28 years ago!!!)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Let Your Mind Start.............


~ Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before. ~  Erich Fromm

And this is my Daily Cyn..........

Friday, November 5, 2010

The McDonald's McRib Sandwich is Back..........

The McRib is Back....
Click here for the McDonald's Video........

Yes, folks, that delicious, spicy, saucy "pork" sandwich has returned for a limited time. People are racing to McDonalds right now to enjoy them. 

I must confess, when the McRib sandwich was first introduced back in the early 1980's, I loved it! I couldn't believe how tasty a sandwich could be. I couldn't get enough! Several times a week I was at McDonalds, ordering my sandwich, french fries and a Diet Coke to go! That was long before I knew anything about the  dangers of fast food.  It was before I was responsible to love and nourish my own child or cook for a husband.  It was before college, research, illness, weight gain and weight loss.  It was long before I knew anything about REAL food!

The McRib: a barbequed boneless pork rib sandwich. Now I happen to be a vegetarian, but I do remember what ribs taste like. My family is from the South.  We invented BBQ and this sandwich, although quite tasty, is not it!

So...what is it then?

A little nutritional info first...........
490 calories, 220 calories from fat, 25 g fat, 8 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 1040 mb sodium, 44 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 24 g protein, 11 g sugars.

If all you are going to eat is the sandwich (no fries, no chocolate milkshake, nix the hot apple pie for dessert) the calorie content is not so terrible.  Half the calories are pure fat, however, and that much sodium in any meal scares the heck out of me.........

What's actually is in this sandwich that makes it taste so good?
McRib Ingredients

McRib Patty: Boneless pork (Pork, water, salt, dextrose, citric acid, BHA, TBHQ).
McRib Bun: Flour (wheat flour bleached and enriched with thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, folic acid, malted barley flour), water, high fructose corn syrup, yeast, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, cottonseed oil). Contains 2 percent or less of dextrose, fumaric acid, calcium sulphate, salt, acetic acid, soy flour, monocalcium phosphate, ammonium sulphate, cornstarch, fungal protease, natural culture, ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid, azodicarbomide, mono- and diglycerides, propionic acid, phosphoric acid, corn flour, calcium peroxide, calcium propionate, dicetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides.
McRib Sauce: Water, high fructose corn syrup, tomato paste, distilled vinegar, molasses, natural smoke flavor, modified food starch, salt, sugar, soybean oil, spices, onion*, mustard flour, garlic *, xanthan gum, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preservative), natural flavor (vegetable source), corn oil. *Dehydrated
Pickle Slices
Cucumbers, water, vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, alum, natural flavorings (vegetable source), polysorbate 80, turmeric (color).
Slivered Onions
Allergens: Wheat, Soybean Food Sensitivities: Gluten

Ok.  Unless we are completely ignorant, we already know this sandwich is mostly made up of artificial flavors, preservatives, additives, sugar and salt. One of the ingredients really spurred my curiousity- Fungal Protease.  I had to know what it was, so I looked it up. What is it? Fungal Protease is a digestive enzyme. It is an additive to help you actually process and digest what you are eating. Why on earth would McDonalds need to add a digestive aid? Why do you think?


Still tempted?  If you absolutely cannot resist, here is a suggestion.  Go ahead and order it. Avoid the salty, greasy fries, chocolate shake, and hot apple pie. Order the sandwich, remove it from the bun ( feed it to the birds in your yard later), and put the McRib on top of a McDonald's tossed side salad.  You probably won't even need dressing if you eat it this way. You will avoid all those carbs in the huge white flour roll it is served on. Later on this weekend, you can enjoy a nice slice of delicious home-made apple pie without guilt!

The McRib- Revealed..........

McRib as served














McRib open-faced












MCrib sans toppings












Sans Sauce


The Flip-side


 

McRib pre-cooked


The original product




YUCK!!!

And this is my Daily Cyn.............




Where ever you go.........


~ Wherever you go, go with all your heart. ~  Confucious

And this is my Daily Cyn................

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Today


I choose to greet this day with hope, love, joy, and peace. I will not carry the hurts, the pain, the cares or burdens of yesterday into this brand new day.  I will practice forgiveness, trust, and self-control.  I will set the tone of this day with a positive attitude. I will not allow anything or anyone to steal or crush my dreams.  I will nurture myself first, and then others. Today is a gift and a new opportunity to live, to love, to give, to hope, and to dream............

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Wednesday, November 3, 2010


Decide today to walk in love.  Let your love radiate out to all you meet. Let your love touch the hearts of people you don't even know. Let your love reach to the far corners of the earth.  Do all things in love, with love, and for love. In return, you will find love.......

And this is my Daily Cyn............

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

I Choose............


I choose to nourish my body, mind and spirit would good, healthy, REAL food.  The food choices I make today will determine my level of energy, how I react to positive and negative situations, and my ability to love and care for myself and others.

And this is my Daily Cyn.............