Gratitude

So, how was your Thanksgiving? What were you feelin' thankful for? I am happy to report that my dinner was not disastrous. I did run into some unexpected family turbulence, but hey, that's what holidays are for, right? All in all, it was a wonderful week in Michigan with the fam.

Ron, Griffin, Murphy, and I are now freezing our tails off in Appleton, Wisconsin. I fell off the health kick wagon BIG TIME over the holiday weekend and am only now starting to find my way back. I went without the green juice for several days (for those of you who are new to this blog, I'm traveling with a juicer and making kale and cucumber cocktails every morning) and I missed it terribly! I felt a cold coming on today so I high-tailed it to the produce department. Once I downed a big ol' glass o' green, I felt like a wilted plant coming back to life. Y'all gotta try the juicing thing, really. It's pretty amazing.

Getting back to Thanksgiving, I really would love for you to share what you're thankful for. There's power in writing and sharing what is positive in your life. So, let me state a few of my top gratitudes for the record:

I'm grateful that Ron walked the dogs this morning (it was 17 degrees )while I stayed under the covers.

I'm grateful that after an embarrassing ten minutes in the grocery store checkout line, we figured out the problem with my debit card and I was able to pay for my veggies.

I'm grateful that I get to connect with caring souls through this blog and other online mediums.

I'm grateful that Oprah is going to be talking to Sarah Ban Breathnach (author of one of my all time favoirte books "Simple Abundance" on XM Satellite Radio in a few minutes.

I'd better go tune in! They are talking about gratitude! Now, quick- tell me what you're grateful for.

Love and Thanks-

Sandra

Giving Thanks

A brief holiday greeting before I hit the sack. I'm in my sister's house, in the guest room that has become "Auntie's room." The turkeys (yep, I'm making two- one in the oven, one on the grill) are chillin' in their respective brines. The cranberry fruit conserve is in the fridge next to the creamed spinach gratin and the pumpkin banana mousse tart. The potatoes are peeled (thanks to nephew Michael) and sitting in a pot of cold water, ready for mashing tomorrow. It is now time for chefalotta to sleep. I've been preaching since day one on this blog about taking care of yourself. It sure is difficult when life gets busy. I did have my green juice this morning, but I had pizza tonight. God only knows what dietary sins will be committed tomorrow. We have to cut ourselves some slack once in a while.
I am so full of gratitude this Thanksgiving. It's such a gift to be "home" in Michigan with my family, to be here as a grown woman, able to give back a tiny bit to the relatives who have given so much to me over the years. I'm making it my goal tomorrow to be present to all twelve of my them, to really see who they are on the inside, despite what issues they may have on the surface.
I hope that your day is filled with an abundance of gratitude. Take some time to reflect on all of the gifts in your life. I am thankful for your friendship and I wish you all the happiest of turkey days.

Much Love,

Sandra

Stop time

As I walked my dogs through the freezing rain of Cleveland this morning, I had one of those stop-time moments. I was bundled head to toe so that all that was exposed to the elements was a slit for my eyeballs. I watched Griffin and Murphy happily bounding along, stopping to sniff random spots along the pavement. I marvel at their olfactory magic. Did you know that a dog's sense of smell is forty times better than a human's? I always wonder what exactly they are sniffing when they follow an invisible trail. I ask them, aloud, "What was there? A dog? A squirrel? A homeless person's bed?" They never answer. It was sprinkling a cold rain today (does the sun ever shine in Cleveland? It has been gray every single day we've been here) and the dogs' coats were glistening. There isn't much grass in theatre square where we are staying, but we came upon a tiny patch with a single tall tree reaching out of it. The tree is what made time stand still for me. I looked up and let the rain tickle my cheeks. The tree was still oddly full of leaves in that glorious pinky-red color, like the color of perfectly ripe Fuji apples. The dogs relaxed as we stood there and so did all sense of time. I watched as individual leaves fell. It was sad to watch their lives coming to an end but it was right, too. The Christmas decorations around the square seemed a bit early with the leafy tree still sharing the spotlight. But, the holiday decor isn't early. Summer stretched out like a lazy cat this year and autumn had to wait. But now it's time for each of those leaves to fall. It was mesmerizing watching them cascade one by one to the ground. I hope when it's my time, I will fall with as much grace and beauty.
I think it's important to note that this is the time of year when I am usually most depressed and more often than not, physically ill. So, what's different this year? You won't believe it, it's so unique, I'm sure it will be revelatory for everyone reading this. The big secret I've discovered to physical and mental well-being starts with... get ready....it's a real shocker: Eating right and exercising! There are other factors that come into play, too, like not having to sing "Think of Me" in a tight corset every night. But mainly, it's the green juice, the working out, and the meditation that's lifting my spirits. I can't recommend these strongly enough. Do you remember Cheryl Richardson who used to be on Oprah all the time? She's a life coach who wrote a book called Life Makeovers. She preaches "Extreme Self-Care." I think those three words hold the key to living your best life. Think about what that would mean for you. What would have to change for your life to be stamped with those three words? No one can do it for you. May I suggest that you take an action step and do something today that is solely for your own self-care. If it helps, you can think of it as community service. I promise you (and you already know this) when you feel good, you will have more to give to those you love.

I hope you have a moment today where time stands still. Be aware if it happens. It's a holy moment. (Hint: you don't have to wait for one to come to you; you can create one right now...just stop what you're doing and find something beautiful. Now, stop thinking and really see it. Take a few deep breaths and let beauty seep into every part of you.) Now write and tell me about it.

Peace and pretty leaves-

Sandra

Guilty Pleasures

Did any of you watch "The Next Iron Chef" on Food Network? If you did, then you know how incredibly cool I am to be sitting next to this man. It's Chef Michael Symon, the winner of the competition and one of the most fabulous chefs in the country. He is such a rock star to me! I felt so lucky to be in Cleveland this week. Chef Symon has two restaurants here, Lola and Lolita; check 'em out if you're ever over this way- YUM! Ron and I hung out at Lolita and watched the finale of the show along with a packed house of Michael Symon fans. The place erupted when he was announced the winner. It's a good thing I don't have to sing Christine these days because I screamed until my throat was raw. I was, I AM so happy for him. I'd been rooting for him since day one. How excited was I to get to meet him and find that he was just as sweet and humble as he seemed on the show?!

So, last night began the new season of Project Runway. Did you see it? YAY, reality tv! I'm working out almost every day, I've cut out almost all sugar, Starbucks, and processed foods. I need some sort of guilty pleasure! A girl needs a break from trying to live righteously all the friggin' time. Give me a healthy competition for The Next Iron Chef or America's Next Top Anything. In reality, I have a diet pretty low in reality tv. When they get to trashin' each other, it kinda makes me cringe. As a general rule, I steer clear of the genre just like I do violent tv and movies. I have enough nightmares without inputting all that rot into my subconscious mind. But the Food Network? That's educational programming! I will have you know, I am in charge of the Thanksgiving feast for my big ol' Michigan clan this year! It'll take place in my sister's home, but I am the designated Chefalotta. I need all the pointers Alton Browne can feed me through the boob tube! So, if I take a break from writing my book and watch several hours of cooking shows successively instead, aren't I really just serving the greater good?

What are your guilty pleasures? C'mon, don't be shy. Share with the class!

p.s. Aren't you impressed that I figured out how to post a picture? Scroll down to see the Batman/Batgirl photo I promised!

Two kinds of peeps

As I sit here fresh off of the Elliptical, my Gap Inspi(Red) t-shirt clinging to me, I am reminded of a quote I once read:

"There are two kinds of people in the world, those who exercise and those who don't."

It actually said "two kinds of women" but I'm trying to be more inclusive. I've never forgotten that quote. My motivation for working out changes as often as the weather, trim down, tone up, lose the blues, gain energy, boost immunity, stave off cancer, heart disease, cellulite, blah blah...but the one thing that remains constant is that I choose to be a part of Team Healthy. Membership is free and all are welcome! I want to be the type of woman who exercises- and NOT because I believe we should all strive to be a size two! (I'm NOT.) It isn't even because I want to live to be a hundred. I just want to be the type of person who exercises. It communicates something from me to me. It's a way of saying "I care about you. I will take good care of you. I will be strong and radiant and do everything in my power to thrive." Please remind me of this, dear blog family, when I'm whining that I don't feeeeel like it, the treadmill is so booooring etc. I know this from experience, even if I do fall off the wagon and quit for a spell, I always get back on. I'm committed for life. It's a decision about the kind of person I want to be. So, I ask you, friends, what will you choose? Who do you want to be? How are you treating yourself?
The gym here in Cleveland has PST written all over the place in big red and blue letters. I wondered if perhaps it was a drug they were selling. The answer came while I was on the Elliptical. There, next to the dashboard display of distance covered and calories burned, was a little round sticker with PST in the center. Written around the periphery in tiny little script were the words Positive Self Talk. They were selling a drug! Haven't we all wished for a magic pill that would make us feel good about ourselves? Well, may I suggest you start popping some PST pronto. Even if you can't possibly think of getting your heart rate up today, you can commit to PST. If you do feel like movin' and groovin' but the treadmill sounds too ambitious, how about just shaking your booty in your living room? I had the ipod on shuffle today and it played Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put your records on" and I couldn't help but dance while I spun my legs on that silly machine. I didn't care who thought I was a wacko, flailing my arms about in the gym. I was loving life and loving all of you. I really was thinking about you girls (sorry, not so inclusive there) while Miss Corinne sang "Girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song, just go ahead let your hair down." My favorite line from the song though, which I would like to dedicate to all of you is "I hope you get your dreams." I hope it so hard, my friends. And I hope that you start today with some PST. Tell me your favorite song. And tell me what you think of that quote. Two kinds of people...which one are you?

XO-

SJ

Juicer and Jeans

So, we arrive in Cleveland at about 1:00am- dogs, luggage, and juicer in tow, and lo and behold the nice man at the front desk upgrades us to a suite! I swear to you it is bigger than any New York apartment I've ever seen. There is even a microwave and a mini-fridge! Thank you to all of you who suggested that I just go for it and pack the damn juicer. I am now off to Whole Foods (thanks to Jan who posted here and gave me the address) to gather up tons of organic veggies. Woo-hoo!

Since we actually have enough drawer space here to unpack everything, I was dismayed to learn that I have somehow managed to leave home without my favorite pair of jeans. You know, those everyday jeans that you pretty much live in? The ones you wear over and over again without washing until they're so stretched out that you run the risk of plumbers crack? Please tell me you have a pair of jeans like that. Mine are J & Company and I got them for a steal- 50% off at a store in La Jolla when I was out there visiting my husbands, Rex and Gene. (They are actually married to one another, or they would be if it were legal, but they call me "wife.") How on earth did I forget the one pair of jeans I cannot live without? And- this is how lame a packer I am) though I was at home in Jersey for four entire days, I never got around to cleaning out the suitcase. So, I am now traveling for the next two months with my Batgirl Halloween costume taking up precious space in my luggage. (Some of you may know that my husband is a bit obsessed with superheroes. We were Batman and Batgirl. If I can figure it out, I'll post pics.)

I am the world's worst packer. I couldn't get my head around the long-term travel, so I only packed for the upcoming few weeks: Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin. I've got sweaters, coats, and scarves. But next month, we will be in California and Arizona. Look for me in the desert. I'll be the girl in the batsuit. It's the only thing in my suitcase without sleeves.

Do you have a go-to pair of jeans? What kind of packer are you? What item of clothing would you hate to leave home without?

Hey- I figured out the picture thing! It's embarrassingly easy.

I'm hooked!

Oh, friends, thank you so much for your comments! That's it, I'm hooked on this blog thing, thanks to you. Once again, I must thank Amy Prokop, my trusty web goddess, for not only setting up the technical side of this (I have no idea how she put that picutre of me on here) but for emailing all of you to let you know about the blog. I so appreciate your input on my juicer dilemma. Don't tell Ron, but it's going in the suitcase! We are leaving in a few hours for Cleveland, about a seven hour drive, so by tomorrow I'll be hanging over the hotel bathtub rinsing out scraps of spinach from my favorite new toy. Think of me fondly. :)

I am especially touched by those of you who shared that your family members have also dealt with cancer scares. As someone who has kept fear a close companion all her life, I find that health scares are the whoppers. You really find out who you are and what you care about. It's as if a veil (or a mask, I guess...) is lifted and you have immediate clarity. This is how I want to spend my time on earth, these are the people I am invested in. The rest falls away. As with everything, a health scare can be a huge gift if you look at it the right way. Not to sound like Pollyanna, God knows I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but since we're all in this predicament...we're all dying, it's something to think about before an illness strikes. What truly matters to you? How will you spend your days? When fear plagues you, what will you do with it, crumble under its weight or transform it into something useful?
Another part of my health kick is daily meditation. Ever tried it? It's no big deal, just take a moment- you can do it right now- and focus on your breathing. You didn't notice you've been breathing the whole time you've been reading this, did ya? Notice it. Then, if you want, close your eyes and notice it some more. Don't try to change the rhythm or anything else, just notice it. See, you've just meditated. I have a playlist on my ipod for meditation music, ocean sounds, bird sounds, lovely calming music. When I take a "time out" and listen for twenty minutes it's as if my entire being pauses and lets out a sigh of relief and gratitude, "Ahhh...peace." Music is also the greatest motivator for my work outs. Put me on any cardio machine and give me great music...45 minutes flies by. I have to be careful not to get too lost inside the music. I was on the treadmill a few months ago, listening to Jennifer Holliday testify with "And I am telling you I'm not going." I closed my eyes to let the music take me away and instead the treadmill took me out. I made a most ungraceful dismount landing on my face with my ipod flying through the air. Mercifully, I was alone in our tiny condo gym.

Tell me of your experiences with meditation. Do you use music? And what are your favorite songs to work out to? Anyone getting inspired to join me on my health kick? I'll be checking your posts from Cleveland. Gotta run and make my veggie cocktail then throw that machine in the suitcase! Peace out!

Blogs and Breakfast

This is it- my first blog entry. Special thanks to Amy Prokop for getting me going. So, I'm wondering about you, fellow blog readers. What brings you here? And what makes a blog worth your time? Surely, it is not to find out what people had for breakfast. However, I would like to ask for your input on a breakfast challenge I am currently facing.
I have been dealing with a few health concerns and I'm longing to do everything in my power to heal in a natural way. I'm on a major health kick right now, which (as with every health kick I've ever been on) I'm hoping will last forever. I'm exercising regularly. Oh! That brings me to an important aside...I secretly long to have an "S List", like Oprah's "O List" in her mag. So, I'm going to post things here from time to time that I would put on my list of "things I think are just great". "S List" item number one: online personal training from http://www.gymamerica.com/. You input your goals, your current ability (like how many push-ups you can complete) and boom- it gives you a calendar with a specific training regimen tailored to your needs. I'm doing the 28-day women's toning program right now. I'm in week 2 and so far I've only missed one day (it's a 7-day a week workout). It's tough getting to the gym on travel days, but Ron and I are doing our best. We are at home in Jersey right now which simplifies everything. Ron (my husband) is on a health kick as well, but his is more about his waistline. Though I am as vain as the next person (almost cried yesterday when my hair was cut too short...ridic) I am motivated more by pre-cancerous cells and my tendency toward depression, particularly in the colder months. So, back to my health kick and my breakfast dilemma. One of the things I have been most excited about on my wellness plan is getting into the whole juicing thing. Did any of you see the awesome documentary "Crazy Sexy Cancer"? (Check out the website and read Kris Carr's fantastic blog.) I saw Kris, who has Stage Four cancer, on Oprah and immediately ordered her book "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips." (Put that book on my "S" List, too.) Kris investigated every possible remedy to heal her body and one of the things that is working for her is drinking vegetable juices in the morning. Dr. Oz just talked about them this week on the Ops, too, as part of his "aging well" program. Well, I quickly ordered my Breville compact juicer and this morning I whizzed together some kale, parsley, celery, cucumber, apple, and lemon...YUMMY! It really tasted surprisingly good. Ron even drank a glass. I feel like juicing is essential to my reaching the level of optimum health that I'm after. So, here's the problem. We're leaving home tomorrow to hit the road again. Ninety percent of the time, we are in hotels. Even if there is a mini-bar (which is not always the case) it's pretty hard to stuff a bunch of kale in one of those little boxes. The juicer takes up a lot of space in a suitcase, and where do I go to get organic produce in each city? Ron thinks I am absolutely batty for even contemplating traveling with a big ol' juicer. What do you think? It would be a giant inconvenience to schlep all that stuff around and try to juice veggies in a small hotel room with two adults and two big dogs. But, as I keep reminding Ron, chemotherapy would be a bigger inconvenience. Let me be clear: I do not have cancer. But shouldn't I (heck, shouldn't we all?) be doing everything in my power to stave off the bad cells? To pack or not to pack the juicer? That is the question. Tomorrow, we shove off to Cleveland. So, respond pronto! And what would be tops on your "Your first initial List"?