I knew I was rambling yesterday morning and had to fly off the computer, so thanks to Carol for this link about the kettlebells, as mine did not work….http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/eow-kettlebell-swing

I read a great article about vegan body building via Alicia Silverstone’s site, yesterday.  Although I have never been a bodybuilder, these stories always serve to assure me that I don’t need animal protein to stay fit and keep my body and my muscles happy and healthy.  If you are even remotely curious about any aspects of a plant-based diet, you should definitely check out thekindlife.com.  Part actress, part wife, part multiple dog mommy, part gardener and part blogger, Alicia’s site is always chock full of ideas, recipes and great articles and stories.  If you go to my links page, you can just click on to her site.

I would love to have a sit down with Dr. Oz.  I would love to thank him for bringing people like Drs. Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra and their infinite wisdom to all of us at home.  I would also like to give him a “what-for,” for telling us every day that diet and exercise are the answer and then also teasing us with the miracle supplement of the day.  Look, doc, there either are miracles or there aren’t.  I believe in miracles, but not when it comes to a healthy life style and weight loss!  I am getting pretty tired of watching him promote things that most of us can’t even pronounce, find or afford.  Does he not watch the news?  Do any of us need to feel that there is a miracle out there but we can’t have it?

On the upside, he had Dr. Chopra on again yesterday and I loved what he had to say and share.  Shivo Hum.  An easy enough mantra and meditation to help us all reduce stress and feel more happy and loving.  Free, available to all of us (and needed by all of us) Shivo Hum.  Sitting on the floor with a straight spine and relaxed arms say the words aloud a few times…shivo hum…shivo hum…shivo hum.  Then begin to say it silently and evoke love in your heart by simply thinking about someone you feel love for.  Then keep your awareness on your heart as you ask yourself “what do I want?” and then sit in silent meditation as you focus on the answer or answers to that question for about 5 minutes.  Chopra reminds us that the biggest misconception we have about meditation is that we think we need to stay free of thoughts.  Not true.  Thoughts are natural and will happen.  Acknowledge them and move back to your focus.  Don’t fight the thoughts as that would be counterproductive.

Looking for some extra movement yesterday, I decided to do some cleaning up of my garden and some seed planting in a second garden.  Let’s see how string beans, zucchini and yellow squash do from seed.  Anyway, gardening is always a great way to get in some exercise, fresh air and sunshine….and trust me, they don’t call Florida the “sunshine state” for no reason!

And now it’s time to go water those gardens and get this day moving.  Love the quiet time I get to spend with you each morning.  Thanks for stopping in and spending a little time.  Much love and if I may ask a favor, next time you find yourself saying “I am so hungry,” think about those that REALLY are hungry.  Stay tuned for details about a fundraising class in March to help feed those that are REALLY hungry.  For now pencil in Friday, March 23rd for a destress and decompress session at Tamarac Fitness Center, where Ron and Wendie have been kind enough to allow me to use their club for this event.  Time not scheduled yet, but thinking 6:15ish to 7:30 and a suggested donation of $10 per person– members and non-members welcome.  100% of the money donated at this class will go directly to the All Saints Soup Kitchen in Ft. Lauderdale where the mission is to feed hungry people regardless of their faith, (or lack of it).  More to come about this as details unfold.

Biggest Loser tonight….talk it up in the morning.  Until then, make it a terrific Tuesday!

As I go through my morning routine of deleting spam I learned several things this past week…so I apologize to those of you that were new to commenting and didn’t get your comments posted sooner…I also stumbled upon a site for inexpensive hotels in NY and like magic, I was able to book some rooms for an upcoming trip at a very good price!  I will look at my spam comments in a different manor now.  Still a tedious task, one might find gold amongst all their trash. Lesson learned!

Garden update…tomatoes are doing really well.  Last week we ate one that was as tasty, juicy and sweet as it was red, round and perfect.  Carrots seem to be doing well and picked out 2 of them.  Though they weren’t fully grown they made a pretty and tasty addition to that night’s salad.  I will be planting a second garden from seed this month.  Warm weather veggies.  I haven’t done much from seed, but Peter has inspired us, as he is growing EVERYTHING from seed since moving into his house!  Go farmer, Pete. There is a certain kind of magic in watching things grow.

Thanks, Carol, for the recipe for sweet potato veggie burgers.  I made them yesterday but left out the flour and bread crumbs for caloric reasons.  I had one on some whole grain bread and it was good, but I need to work on what will bind them (without adding silly calories) and then I will share some recipes.   Sweet potatoes are getting such a great rap for being one of the single best foods for us, and remember that trainer, Shaun T. from INSANITY, says we should have not 1, but 2 servings a day of this magical food.  My guess is ONE potato IS  often two servings, given the size of some of them!

Did you know that kettlebell swings may be the very thing to help your back troubles?  I would NOT have thought this, but researchers in Canada are finding that the movement of the hips combined with the core work might work to prevent back injury.  Try this link at MensHealth.com/kettlebellswing to watch the perfect swing.  As a a warning, if your back hurts while you are doing them, you are using too heavy of a bell.  As with any new exercises, perfect the form before increasing the load!

Congratulations to Nicole’s parents, LeeAnn and Gary, as they celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, today.  Thirty years is a big deal.  Enjoy.  Our kids definitely know the meaning of commitment!

And speaking of 30 years and committment…I am off to the gym.  See you there…or here!  Make it a magical Monday everyone…if you are lucky enough to have the day off, it’s already magical!