Hogwarts Halloween Celebration

Halloween Morning Magic

We are preparing for a mystical night of Harry Potter magic in our Halloween themed Hogwarts School for Witches and Wizzardry! EEK!!!

Pumpkin Carving fun!

Meet Moaning Myrtle- a permanent ghostly resident of Hogwarts

Out neighbors have little ghosts like this one floating about their front yard

More to come...

Holiday Shape-Up

The holidays are here again and with it comes all the wonderful sweet and savory aromas, gifts of candies and breads, dinner parties and festivities. I believe I would like to begin my New Year's Resolution of losing weight, EARLY! Every other holiday butts ahead in line. Why not New Years? Ha! We all dread the after holiday weight gain. Why not reverse the trend to the after holiday weight loss!

What I need right now is a plan of action. Time to take advantage of my ever-growing Pinterest Board: Shape Up!

Plan of Action

Lately I have become more and more inactive and it shows. So exercise is definitely at the top of my list. Taking a few tips from Skinny Mom article on 23 top trainers tips, I decided to first;

Exercise first thing in the morning. I found some great inspiration for "Waking Up Early to Exercise" on You+Me=Fit.

I decided since I am not in really good shape and am in my late forties, I will begin my exercise with my favorite Youtube yoga coach, "Yoga With Adrien." I will shoot for a minimum of 15 minutes of yoga. Then I will do at least 15 extra minutes of exercise. I made a list to choose from: 

• Walk/run; jump rope; jumping jacks;  
• Lower belly exercises 
• Tush and thighs exercises 
• Chin exercises 
• Tiny arms exercises 
• Beginners Zumba

Next I think the other wise tips given, were to focus on feeling good, rather than on how I look, and to make sure I take time to meditate at least 10 minutes every day.

Then of course a nutrition plan will be vital. I decided to;

• Substitute at least one meal a day with a fully raw greensmoothie.
• Eat at least one large green salad a day
• Eat at least one piece of fruit a day
• Eat less
• Take vitamins
• Drink a pitcher of Day Apple cinnamon water , or other fruit infused water, each day
• Take 1 Tbs Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar each day

Lastly, 

I will endeavor wherever I can to make fun, exciting, healthy holiday eating choices. When ever and wherever possible I will cut sugar and fat, substitute healthier ingredients and keep it fresh!

And that's the grand-plan. Now the trick is carrying it through . . . wish me luck!!!

Green Apple Smoothie

Starting the day off with the right ingredients!

To your Vitamix (or other high powered blender) add:

1-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1 medium green apple cut in eighths, seeds discarded

1 stalk of celery, cut up

1 piece fresh ginger root, thumb-tip size 

1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

Stevia to taste (I added about 1 Tbs of dried stevia leaves. If you use a powder or drop you only need a tiny pinch)

1/2 cup of ice 

1 cup of water or more if needed

I scant Tbls Erin's Super Green Drink Mix (optional, but highly recommended for optimal health)

blend till smooth and enjoy!

Apple Hill

Ahhhhh.... smell the air; So sweet and spicy you don't even have to eat. Your nose is feasting on the aromas. And they sell the best dang apple pies I've ever tasted! Apple pies, apple doughnuts, fresh pressed, apple cider; Fudge and candies; BBQ's and music; Crafts and activities; Apple orchards, vineyards, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms. One can never get enough of Apple Hill.

Veggie Spring Rolls

One of my fave's for lunch- Veggie Spring Rolls. Takes an ordinary salad up a  few notches. Same ingredients, wrapped in rice paper, dipped in sweet chili sauce (I use the Trader Joes brand)

You can purchase them pre-made at most major supermarket delis, but I prefer to make my own. It really only takes 5-10 minutes tops. You just need a large leaf lettuce such as butter leaf. Then you need round rice papers. This is what I use: The packaging keeps them from breaking.

Cut up the veggies you want to put in your roll. Today I used  avocado, cucumbers  bell peppers, radishes,  cauliflower and shredded carrot. So yummy!

Here are a couple links for more recipes and instructions. But don't get boxed in; Fill these babies with whatever makes your body sing with happiness!

Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Cold Spring Rolls)

Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls

Happy Fall

Well it's here . . .

Beautiful, golden, warm, cozy, colorful, rapturous FALL! 
Pumpkins and apples 
Smells of sweet candies
Bluest of skies filled with large puffy white clouds
Smokey chimneys curling up into rain-dampened air
Mugs of hot coffees and cocoas and mochas
Craft fairs, petting zoos, children and baby coos
Red, orange, yellow and brown leaves rain from the trees
Ghostly magic whirls around in the breeze
Orange sunsets, full moons, crisp nights, chilly mornings 
Bowls of steaming hot soup shared with family and friends
Oh the wonder of Fall is here once again!

End of Summer Walk

Time to leave the homestead for a bit...

My dog and I went out for a long needed afternoon walk...

Along the quiet country road stretch out in front of our house;

Beneath blue and billowy skies...

I am reminded, "There is never nothing going on;

There are no ordinary moments" ... 

And that, "It's the journey that gives us happiness, 

not the destination"  ...

And I realize that home is not a place, but a perspective. Home is where you are loved, respected and valued, first of yourself, and then of those who dwell with you. Home is where you rest assured!