Spa Saturday

One Saturday every month I make it a Spa Saturday! This is a day for myself. Pampering, good food and did I mention pampering?

You can do this at home and it will cut the cost tremendously.

Upon waking, have a great start to your day with breakfast ( you should eat breakfast every day, it really is the most important meal of the day!). I usually have a creamy Shakeology shake. This morning it was an almond joy (chocolate shakeology, 8 oz. almond milk, 1 tsp. almond butter, 1 tsp coconut oil and ice) I enjoy it in a tall glass with my glass straw!Next up is skin brushing. Get a natural bristle brush and start at your feet (don't forget the bottom of your feet), use upward strokes and go over your whole body (women should avoid the breast area). Pay special attention to the inside of your arms, behind the knees and your armpits. This stimulates your lymph system and helps your body to detox.

After skin brushing, it's time to work out. I am doing the Insanity workouts and they are HARD! It's a super sweatfest and then it's off to the shower or tub.

If you are a shower person, be sure to lather up with your favorite body wash. Using a loofah or bath scrubby will really get your blood flowing. If you are a bath junky, use a great smelling bubble bath or oils, light some candles and grab a good book and enjoy your soak in the tub. Baking soda in your bath will leave you skin silky smooth. If you are sore from working out, use epsom salts to soak away the pain!

While in the shower or tub, use a great conditioner for your hair! Leave it on and let the warmth and steam of the shower or bath work its magic.

After you get out of the shower or tub, smooth on a great lotion all over! Your skin will love it! I like to put on some comfy clothes - a great pair of sweats and t-shirt are perfect for the rest of the day!

I start at my toes and work my way up! A great pedicure after being in the shower or tub is just wonderful. I love to keep my toenails painted, but I can't stand chipped nail polish. Trim your nails, push back the cuticles and polish those toes! Since it's Halloween, a nice orange would be perfect. Be sure to let each coat dry completely before you apply the next one. It makes a big difference.

Move on to the your hands next. Use a very emollient lotion or scrub to get those hands soft and beautiful! I file my nails and push back the cuticles. I don't polish my nails, but I do like to buff them and they stay shiny!
Next is the face! I like to use a mask and scrubs on my face. DermaE has some great products. Vanilla Bean Cleansing Mousse smells so good and is so creamy and has an age defying formula. I also like the Microdermabrasion Scrub and the Cleansing Enzyme Mask. Gentle exfoliation is essential for a smooth complexion.

Then I like to put on my makeup. I've always been a Bare Essentials fan! I love the mineral makeup!!! I've recently discovered nvey eco makeup! I really like these products! The bronzer and eye shadows are really good and I especially like the lip gloss! I love that all the products are organic and natural. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and what you put on it matters!

Water, water and more water is so important for healthy skin and hydration. Be sure to sip on water all day! You should be drinking 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water every day! (minimum of 64 oz and max of 100 oz)

Once you have done your face and hair, you are ready to enjoy a nice leisurely day! Go to lunch/dinner with someone special. Be sure to eat healthy and make your Spa Saturday good for your whole body!

Kate's Raspberry Salad (from The Gorgeously Green Diet by Sophie Uliano)

one of my favorite cookbooks, be sure to pick up a copy today from your favorite bookstore!

Serves2

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 cup walnut or extra-virgin olive oil

Rind of 1 orange, grated

1 cup fresh orange juice

3 tsp raspberry vinegar

1 tsp honey

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup coarsely chopped and toasted walnuts

4 cups lettuce leaves

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

1 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts

Press half the raspberries through a fine-mesh sieve into a screw top jar, pressing on the solids to extract the juice. Add the oil, oarnge peel, orange jice, vinegar, honey, and slat and papper to taste and shake well.

Combine the remaining raspberries with the lettuce, onion and avocado in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing and top with the goat cheese, if using and the walnuts.

one lucky duck

I went to NYC in July and loved every minute of it! I think I truly am a city girl. While I was there, I made everyone else go with me to One Lucky Duck! We were so busy in NYC doing all the touristy things that we didn't have a lot of time for eating. BUT, I had decided that I would get to a few places that I really wanted to visit! It's hard to find good vegetarian food in my town. Especially since my favorite and the only vegan restaurant closed - boo hoo!! So, off we went on a trip in search of One Lucky Duck!

We got there and it was a small place, but I just loved the atmosphere as soon as I walked in. We got smoothies, I had mango and a Honey Bunches of Grawnola Bar. We were all glad that we had made the trip :)

One Lucky Duck recently sent me a sample pack of their snacks! It was like being back in NYC for just a short moment (that is how long the snack pack lasted, just a moment!!)

I got to sample

Gingerbread Cookies

Chocolate and Blonde Macaroons

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Honey Bunches of Grawnola Bar

ALL of the snacks were really good. My favorites were the Macaroons and the Grawnola Bar.

Be sure to stop by if you are in NYC and if not, check out the website to get a snack of your own!

They also sell cookbooks, skin care products, clothing, all kinds of great products!

Green 4 Your Soul - Go green and watch your life bloom!

While we are on the topic of dry winter skin, I wanted to let you all know about the Green 4 Your Soul's Shea Terra Miombo Mango Body Scrub. This stuff is da bomb! It feels so good and actually just melts on your skin! My skin is so soft when I get out of the shower. I like salt scrubs, but most of them are so rough. Not the Shea Terra Miombo Mango Body Scrub!!! Not only will you be doing your body a favor ( the scrub tones and encourages skin renewal), but Green 4 Your Soul also gives a portion of the proceeds of all Shea Terra products to support empowerment programs in Africa. The Miombo Mango product line helps protect the Miombo Rainforest.

There is an entire line of Shea Terra products and they are reasonably priced. The line includes some amazing scents: Bourbon Vanilla, Pink Guava Pomegrante and the Miombo Mango. I will be ordering these for Christmas gifts. I love knowing that I will be helping the environment as well as my family and friends. They will LOVE their gifts this year!!

Shea Terra Products:

*No Sulfates, Parabens, Silicone, Artificial Coloring or Synthetic Fragrance
*Made with Organic Shea Butter and Other Organic Oils
*No Animal Testing
*Shea Terra Shea Butter products contain 10%-100% certified organic shea butter
*Shea Terra sources its raw materials in Africa from individuals, coops and non-government organizations that provide training, humane treatment and fair wages to its workers. Shea Terra Organics promotes Free Trade practices.
*Only sustainable raw materials are used to support preservation of the continent's rich and rare resources
*Each of Shea Terra Organics product lines supports a unique empowerment program in Africa, including wildlife and nature preservation, and education initiatives.
*Shea Terra Organics is committed to ecologically responsible production, with all its products made by hand to off-set carbon waste. Product packaging is recyclable. *Packing materials are made from recycled paper and pulp. Promotional material is printed on recycled paper with soy ink


Ingredients include:

Dead Sea Salt, Proprietary herbal blend (spring water, aloe ferox, kigilli, african potato, certified organic chamomile, certified organic pot marigold), Fractionated shea butter oil, Vegetable emulsifying wax, Certified organic shea butter, Soap wort, Yucca root, Red palm oil (from Minnesota), Mango extract, Miombo bush mango, Paraben free preservative (phenooxyethanol, caprylyl glycol)

Head over to Green 4 Your Soul and check out all the great Shea Terra Products today!

Follow Green 4 Your Soul on facebook, twitter or follow their blog!

Avoiding Winter Dry Skin with ecoTOOLS

Can you imagine wearing anything on your body the size of your bedroom? Well, you do - every day in fact. Spanning 20 square feet, your skin is the largest and most demanding organ of the body. Thinner than your sheerest shirt and home to more than four million pesky pores, it takes time and effort to refresh and replenish every inch of it. Helping to ease your skin situation is ecoTOOLS, equipped with its new bath & body care products. Made 98% from nature, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dermatologist-tested and cruelty free, these tremendous tools will certainly put saving your skin on the top of your winter to-do list!


Looking for mega moisture? Lather up with “Sustainable Softness” Body Lotion ($7.99). It features nourishing shea butter to instantly hydrate and sustain softness. Smooth on to leave your skin feeling silky, serene and best of all, green! With all of the holiday shopping and preparations, you’ve certainly had the whole world in your hands. Featuring jojoba oil and notes of cardamom and ginger in its fragrance, “One Hand Helps the Other” Hand Cream ($7.99) hydrates and replenishes dry, cracked skin. Don’t forget those feet you will be hiding in booties and ballet flats all season long! The highly-emollient “Love Heels All” Heel Cream ($7.99) features repairing natural butters with a traditional winter mint scent. You’re bound to put your best foot forward this year! I was lucky enough to have ecoTOOLS send me the Love Heels All Heel Cream and the One Hand Helps the Other Hand Cream. These are top notch products. My hands and feet are looking really good! Pick up some today at Walgreens or another store near you! Another great stocking stuffer and we all know that you can't start picking those up early enough!

Positivity - Alexa's Angels

Positivity is this year's hottest trend! Dream big, plan well and achieve optimism with a positivity piece.

Today it can be hard to keep a positive outlook on life. I was lucky enough to win this adorable bracelet to keep me positive. All I have to do is look at my wrist to remind myself to stay positive!

Carrie over at Maneuvering Motherhood sponsored the giveaway and I am so grateful to her for doing so! My prize was not only 1 of these wonderful bracelets, but 3! So, to pay it forward, I am going to giveaway 2 of the Positivity Bracelets!!

Alexa's Angels want you to help start, spread and experience a National Positivity Movement. To help jumpstart this movement, they are collecting positive quotes, sentiments and thoughts at http://www.shareyourpositivity.org/. The goal is to collect a virtual databank or 500,000 positive sentiments that anyone can visit, be inspired by and help to inspire the world at large.

I'll make it really easy to enter:

1. Visit Alexa's Angels here and leave a positive comment, come back and leave the same comment here on the blog.

2. Become a follower of Carrie's blog Maneuvering Motherhood, come back and leave a comment to let me know you follow her!

3. Become a follower of my blog - leave a comment to let me know, if you already are just tell me!

4. Become a fan of Feeling Fit with Dana on facebook, let me know by leaving a comment

5. Sign up as a free member at my Team Beachbody coaching page - be sure to leave a comment, let me know if you are already a member!

Be sure to leave SEPERATE comment for each entry! This gives you more chances to win!

Check out Alexa's Angels for great gift ideas!!!!

Drawing will be on Nov 10th and winner will be chosen by random.org! Good luck to you all!

Congrats to Carma!

Comment # 13 was the lucky comment in the Skinny Dip Candle Pamper Pack Giveaway! Congratulations to Carma!!!

Thanks to all that entered and be sure to check back often for more giveaways!!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

We are still enjoying our long weekend at the lake! I love that I can work from wherever I happen to be!!

Get fit physically and financially!

Please take a few minutes to watch this great video from Beachbody and if it speaks to you, leave me a message and I'll get in touch!

Mood Lifters and Cute Socks by Karen Neuburger

Lately I have found that I am in need of a mood lift. I think being home for sooo long and Brian's condition has affected my moods. I'm usually a pretty upbeat, happy and positive person. Lately, I'm tired all the time, mad or just plain ol' depressed. So, I'm looking around for ways to improve my mood.

MUSIC - putting on my ipod and dancing around the house always can make me happy. I love all kinds of music and will sing along with the best of them. This even seems to be improving Brian's mood LOL! He's laughing at me singing along with the ipod. Surely it isn't THAT bad???

EXERCISE - nothing make those endorphins raise like exercise. I've been doing the Insanity workouts with my workout buddies! The more I sweat, the better I feel

FAMILY/FRIENDS - being with my favorite people will raise my mood leaps and bounds. Having the kids over and taking care of Madelyn one day a week is helping. Going out with friends is also a great time! It's a nice break from the daily routine!!

CUTE SOCKS - I got these adorable socks and am really enjoying them. Karen Neuburger Pure Comfort socks are enriched with Aloe vera and Vitamin E. These have made my dry heels much better and they hold up well in the wash. The aloe vera and vitamin E will last for 20 washings. I've washed mine several times and they are still leaving my feet soft, but not greasy! This would be a great stocking stuffer for Christmas! $8 retail value! Cute socks are a true mood lifter! SUNSHINE - it seems that Brian and I missed most of the summer. Stuck in the hospital and then indoors during the best part of the summer. I love the hot weather, going to the lake and just enjoy being outdoors. Swimming, walking or biking, anything outdoors is good to my mood! Brian ordered me the HDvision sunglasses. I really like them too! Perfect for being outside in the sun! I hope that we have a mild winter (we have heard a wet, cold winter is in store for us UGH!) and little snow. COOKING/BAKING - I LOVE to cook and bake. I have been enjoying some great cookbooks lately. I just got Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet and really like all the recipes I have made so far. Rustic Pasta was amazing! I can't wait to make the peanut butter cups. These are just a few of my favorite mood lifters. What do you do to get in a better mood? Be sure to visit Karen Neuburger!!!

Rishi tea

I love to drink tea. It has so many health benefits and I like the flavor. I have to be careful of the caffeine, my body doesn't tolerate it in large doses, but I like to drink it. Hot or cold, sweet or unsweet. I LOVE chai lattes!

I came across Rishi Teas and have found a new way to drink tea. Tea Powder. Pure tea for sustained energy and health! These are so cool! Tea Powders that come in small, handy packets that you just mix into water and drink! You just empty one packet into 16 oz of water and shake vigorously.

Rishi Tea Powders are made from 100% pure tealeaves that are cold milled into a fine powder. No added colorants, synthetic sweetenes, sugars or flavors, just the antioxidant, vitamin and mineral richness of real tea.

The teas tasted GREAT! The packets are very handy and can be thrown into your purse or wallet to take with you and drink anywhere. I enjoyed all the flavors I tried:

Sencha has long been Japan's most popular green tea, loved for it's refreshing character

Oolong tea is one of the most cherished teas of Asia, adored for its profound aroma and numerous health benefits.

Matcha was originally used by Zen monks to promote clarity and focus during meditation. Rishi matcha is made from premium shade grown Japanses green tea.

Genmai green tea is refreshing and nourishing with the sweet flavor of roasted rice.

Tea is one of the healthiest beverages! All types of high quality loose teas offer health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits associated with teas according to Rishi Tea:

White Tea - contains cancer fighting anti-oxidants, cooling and detoxifying, has the lowest content of caffeine found in all teas, anti-aging and anti-stress properties, high L-theanine amino acide content promotes longevity and concentration.

Green Tea - highest contect of cance fighting anti-oxidants, antiseptic and anti-viral effects, kills oral bacteria that can lead to colds and flu, fights degenerative diseases and suppors immune system function, strengthens tooth enamel and fights bad breat, potent source of viatmins and mineral, effective for slimming and weight loss.

Oolong Tea - high content of te polysaccharides, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, high content of anti-oxidants, strengthens tooth enamel, potent sourece of vitamins and minerals, effective for slimming and weight loss.

Black Tea - heart health, black tea can help prevent heart attacks, helps prevent plaque build-up in arteries, increases bone density, oral health: kills bacteria in mouth that can cause cavities, fights bad breath.

Pu-erh Tea - erhaps the most effective tea for slimming and weight loss, helps metabolize fatty acids and oily foods, believed to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, cleansing and detoxifying to the bloodstream.

Other general benefits - promotes mental clarity and alertness, stimulates neural activity and improves learning function, provides even, sustained energ and sound rest, much lower caffeine content than coffee, strengthen immune system and has anti-stress properties, cleansing, detoxifying and longevity promoting.

The benefits of tea are realized when consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle, on a regular asis over sustained periods of time. Common knowledge is that tea helps to prevent illness more so than recover from it!

If you are a tea lover, you need to try Rishi Tea! Find a retailer new you here! Follow Rishi Tea on Twitter!!

Having Trouble Sleeping? NightWave is the answer!!

Since Brian's accident, we've been having trouble sleeping. Brian is taking prescription medications and I have tried to avoid those, but have taken them on occasion. I was so thrilled to come across the NightWave Sleep Assistant.

The NightWave Sleep Assistant is recommended by sleep specialists, easy to carry - toss it in your purse or luggage when you travel, and can even be used to reduce anxiety during the day.

The Nightwave Sleep Assistant came in the mail and I was excited to give it a try. One of my friends was over and we were talking about it and she wanted to give it a try. I let her try it first (cause that is how I roll LOL!!).

This is her response to me on how she liked it:

"The NightWave worked pretty good when I was going to sleep initially. It helps to shut down all the things going through your head and concentrate on your breathing and to slow yourself down. I'm not a true insomniac so I don't know how helpful it would be for someone who is. One of the benefits would be that there's no hangover, like with meds and you don't need a prescription for it."

So, I got it back from her and gave it a try. Brian likes to sleep with the TV on, this is part of the problem I have with going to sleep easy. I convinced him to give it a try for a short period of time. I have to agree with my friend, it helps to shut down all the thoughts going through my head at night. I'm constantly going over things I didn't get done, things to do the next day, worrying unnecessarily or whatever else is going on. The light is not too bright, I was a little concerned about that. I did have to turn off the bedside clock that shines on our ceiling. I did feel more relaxed and was able to let go of all the thoughts. I fell asleep easier and it seemed that I stayed asleep longer. I think after using it for a period of time that it is going to help with the early morning waking. I like knowing that it won't be waking Brian!!

The NightWave Sleep Assistant helps you to fall asleep by helping you to relax. The light shines on your ceiling is a soft blue light that changes intensity as you match your breathing to the light. I was worried that I would feel like I was holding my breath, but it wasn't like that at all. It was gentle, deep breathing.

I HIGHLY recommend you try the NightWave Sleep Assistant if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It's much cheaper than medication and you will feel better in the morning!

Head over today and order your own NightWave Sleep Assistant and get a good night's rest!

Exercise Plateau's

Everyone has hit the dreaded plateau. How do you overcome it? I have found that if I back off the exercise for a few days (no more than 1 week), then hit it hard again, it helps me break through the plateau.

Diet is key to losing weight. Exercise is another very important part of the process. You must burn more calories than you take in. Most times, this is easier said than done. Since I've gotten the Bodybugg, I've found that I eat more than I thought and move less than I thought! UGH! My weight is staying steady, but I'd like to lose those last 5 lbs.

Eat foods that are high in fiber, whole grains, fruits and veggies for the best results. Weight lifting will turn fat to muscle and muscle as we all know burns more calories. Cardio helps to burn off the fat. A nice balance of diet, cardio and weight lifting will get the best results.

Here are some great tips from Beachbody on breaking through the plateau:

Pirate's Booty Snacks

I am not a huge snack eater. I usually eat 3 meals a day with one snack occasionally. My snack might be a recovery drink after my workout or if I'm starving in the afternoon, I'll have some fruit or veggies and hummus.

I have found a new snack that I am enjoying. Pirate's Booty is a cross between a chip and popcorn. It satisifies my need to crunch :)

Pirate's Booty comes in so many great flavors. At our family birthday party last week, we all tried several of the flavors. The boys liked the White Cheddar and BBQ, while the girls liked the Veggie and Bermuda Onion.

Pirate's Booty has 50% less fat than potato chips, only 130 calories per bag ( I can usually only eat half a bag), and they are baked. So much healthier than regular chips.

You should be able to find Pirate's Booty at most health food stores. Get a bag today and snack healthier!

Gratitude

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. - Henry Ward Beecher

Recent studies have shown that people that are grateful and give thanks are happier! I can't think of a better way to better my mood.

I've been keeping a gratitude journal off and on for several months. Since Brian's accident, I haven't been as faithful about writing in it. I'm going to get it out and put it where I will see it every morning and get back in the habit of writing in it daily. I think it makes such a difference.

I am so grateful that Brian is with me today. He is my true soul mate and I love him with all my heart. I am grateful for a wonderful family and our new grandbaby, Madelyn. We are truly blessed to have such great kids. I love my job, being able to work from home and help others get healthy is more than I could ask for. I am grateful for my health, being able to work out daily and I am also so thankful for my wonderful friends, both personal and online! It's amazing to me how such great connections are made online. I can't wait to meet some of you in person :)

So, get out a notebook and start a gratitude journal today. It will make you happier and more fulfilled! I like to get a really cute notebook. I keep my food journal, my to-do list (this is a MUST if I want to get anything done in my day!!), my gratitufe journal and my call list. It's all there for me to see and go back and review.

Here's a picture of a sample journal entry for me and my cute notebook!

I'm going to start writing in mine everyday again, I hope you will too!

Skinny Dip Candle Giveaway!!

I love finding great new products to try and I have found one that has become a favorite! I just know that you will love it too!

Skinny Dip Candle is a great idea and wonderful product. This is a novel idea, basically you light the candle, enjoy it's scent while burning and after burning for a while, you blow it out. Immediately you can use the melted candle on your skin as a warmed lotion or massage oil. Because the melting point of these candles is 102 degrees, it will not burn you. You let the candle re-solidify and you can use it again next time. You just need to keep the wick trimmed to 1/4 inch.

You can also use the candle without burning, straight out of the tin. They include a little scoop and you can massage the solid ingredients into your skind just as you would a lotion or balm. I like to use it on my cuticles. They are so soft this way and it smells divine!

Skinny Dip Candle has been kind enough to offer a Pamper Pack for a giveaway. You are going to love this!! It includes:

Skinny Dip Candle - 6 oz as described above

Skinny Dip Salts - Dead Sea Salts with therapeutic effects and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Lip Balm - all natural except for the flavor oil which is enhanced with man-made flavoring.

All of the ingredients are natural and eco-friendly! These are great for people with sensitive skin.

I have been enjoying all of the products and I know that you are going to love them too! I have the Mango Papaya scent and love it!

Skinny Dip Candles also come in Skinny Mini tins. These are perfect to throw in your purse, give as gifts or as wedding or baby shower favors. The Skinny Minis would also make great stocking stuffers!! Skinny Dip Candle offers bulk purchase pricing to make these more affordable when you buy 20 or more! Great savings!!

I have a Skinny mini in a scent that men will love. It smells great and I'm sure that Brian will enjoy the benefits of a massage.

I am going to give you several chances to win a Skinny Dip Candle Pamper Pack:

1) Go to Skinny Dip Candle and tell me which flavor/scent you would choose if you win (This is a MUST to be entered!!!)

Additional Entries:

1) Become a facebook fan of SkinnyDip Candle and come back a post that you are a fan.

2) Follow Skinny Dip Candle on Twitter: leave a comment telling me you are following and your twitter name.

3) Become a follower of my blog: if you already are - let me know

4) Sign up to be a free member at Beachbody with me as your coach - be sure to comment and let me know you signed up, if you already are my customer, let me know!

It's that easy, 5 chances to enter - BE SURE TO LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!

Drawing will be on October 26, 2009. Winner will be chosen by random.org!

You are going to LOVE these products. Skinny Dip Candle is a must for all! Guys - this would be a great gift for your special someone!

Xtrema Healthy Ceramic Cookware!

I have found some of the best cookware ever! Xtrema cookware is non-stick cookware that addresses today's growing desire for a healthier cooking alternatives. I don't like using the standard non-stick cookware that stratches and can leach into your food.

Xtrema is also very functional. You can use them in the microwave, under the broiler and on the stovetop. This versatility means less clean up - I am all about that!!! The Xtrema cookware is also pretty! The tea pot is so beautiful, I leave it on my stovetop for everyone to see.

Xtrema is made of Extreme Temperature Ceramics (high temperature ceramic)which provides the healthiest non-stick cookware and promotes healthy, nutritional cooking.

Versatility, durability, can withstand high temperatures, longer heat retention and a 50 year warranty against breakage resulting from hot or cold thermal shock. What more could you ask for in your cookware?

I have been using the baker pan, the skillet and 3 1/2 quart saucepot and the tea pot. I LOVE them all. I made cornbread in the baker, all kinds of things in the skillet and made a big pot of veggie soup in the saucepot. They are so easy to use and the clean up is a breeze!

If you are on facebook, become a fan of their page.
Follow Xtrema Healthy Cookware on twitter.

Head over to http://www.ceramcor.com/ and check them out. Remember, Christmas is just around the corner (Mom if you are reading - that is a hint!!!!) Great gifts!!

Hearty Pinto Bean Stew - The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone
Serves 2
1 c pinto beans, soaked overnight in water to cover
2 cups tomato soup ( Imagine brand is good)
2 tsp shoyu
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 onion, cut in chunks
1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp chopped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp dried
dash of dried oregano
dash of red pepper flakes
fine sea salt to taste

Combine the tomato soup, 1 cup water, shoyu and oil in large soup pot. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Drain the soaked beans and add them to the stock. When the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat to med low, cover and simmer for 30 mins.

After 30 mins of simmering, add the onion, garlic, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes. If the stew seems too thick, add more tomato soup or water. Place cover slightly askew over pot, and simmer 30 to 40 mins longer or until the beans are very tender. Season to taste with salt.

Alaffia Lotion

Good Morning! It's Monday!!! I love Mondays, it's a fresh start, a chance to start over again if you need to and the beginning of another wonderful week!



I am always looking for new products that not only are good, but also help others in the process. I have found a great company, Alaffia.

Alaffia was founded as a way to empower communities in West Africa through the fair trade of shea butter. Fiar trade is the fundamental foundation of our organization, which is made up of the Alaffia/Agbanga Shea Butter Cooperative in Togo, West Africa and Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care in Olympia WA.

The cooperative handcrafts the indigenous raw ingredients; the Alaffia Team in Olympia creates the finished products. Proceeds from sales of our products are then returned to communities in Togo to fund community empowerment and gender equaltiy projects.

Some of the community projects include: Alaffia School, Reforestation, Bicycles for Education, and Women's Equality and Health Care Projects.

I tried the Vanilla Almond Shea Butter and the unscented Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Lotion.
Both of the lotions made my hands/body very soft. They are a bit greasy when you first put them on, but the result is worth it. I liked the body moisturizer the best! I can't wait to see what this does for my dry heels :)

Please take a moment to check out the great products that go for a great cause at Alaffia!!

Valslide Workouts

I have found a new fun workout!! Valslide is a great workout for everyone. You can be at any level and use these!!

Valerie Waters is the Creator of the Valslide and a trainer to Hollywood's hottest stars!!
(Jennifer Garner and Poppy Montgomery and Cindy Crawford!)

From the Valslide website:

Valslide®, created by Valerie Waters, personal trainer to Hollywood ’s elite was created with every level of fitness in mind. Valslide® makes lower body exercises smoother and easier on the body with more effective and immediate results. The simplicity of movement makes this exercise tool an obvious addition to all workout routines. The Valslide® is specifically designed for flowing, controlled range of motion that activates the muscles that lifts your butt and slim your thighs. While other programs use bulky, expensive equipment and fancy footwork to try and entice the exerciser, simplicity is what gives Valslide® the edge.

This is one of the most simple exercises, but it is so effective!!! You will know that you worked out for sure. It needs to be done on a carpeted surface. If you don't have carpet you can put a rug or bath mat (rubber bottom is suggested) down on hardwood or tile floors.

The DVD comes with Valslide amazing Seven, Valslide 20 minute workout, and Valslide 40 minute workout! I love the Amazing Seven. It is quick, but you will get a good sweat going and you work all muscle areas. Your heart rate gets going too! In the Amazing Seven you do reverse lunge, side lunge, curtesy squat, modified leg curl, modified push up fly, mountain climber and plank with one-arm slide. You get a 1 minute break between 3 sets. Perfect quick workout!! AND, you will feel it!!

Head over to Valslide today and check out her amazing products! There is something for everyone.

These are great for travel. It doesn't take up much space and it all goes into a convenient travel bag.

I know that this will become part of my weekly workout routine. I want those buns to look better and this will get me there!

You can also sign up for Valerie's newsletter at http://www.valeriewaters.com/ for amazing information!!

Great News!

I know that I talk about Shakeology quite a bit! I really do believe in this product! I just wanted to pass along the great news I got yesterday. My dad called to tell me that he had gone to his dr. He is now able to get off ALL his blood pressure medication since he has been using Shakeology daily for the last 3 months. This is HUGE!!!! I am so excited for him. His cholestrol is also down. All from just drinking one meal replacement shake every day.

Simplify nutrition with Shakeology. Each chocolate or greenberry shake contains protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes to help you achieve optimal health, increase energy, become more regular, and lose weight. Choose Home Direct to get a 30-day supply delivered every month right to your door! This works out to be $4 per day. You would spend that much going through the drive-thru for a meal, or a speciality coffee at Starbucks. Why not spend your money wisely and get ALL the nutrients you need for the day. 23 vitamins and minerals.

Shakeology is like eating:

10 cups cauliflower
4 cups broccoli
4 cups mushroms
4 cups radishes
3 cups lettuce
1 cup peas
7 carrots
3 raw onions

My friend Jason, lost 12 lbs in one month using Shakeology! The only changes he made was to give up snacking and having the shake for breakfast daily.

Order on home direct and you get shipping and the Shakeology workouts for free!

If you have high blood pressure or know someone that does, or just want to have a healthy meal with all the nutrients you need in a day this is the product.

Order here