Monthly Archives: September 2013

WALKING ON SUNSHINE



Good Monday Morning to all. I am up just a little bit earlier than usual, I have decided to wake up about a half hour earlier and walk for 30 to 45 minutes on the treadmill before work to give me just a little extra edge. I am still going to do all of the things I have been doing, but I think this may speed my metabolism up each day. I am going to do this Monday through Friday, before blogging and work. I would love to one day go to one of the early morning yoga classes at Yogaworks, but right now 6:30 is just too early for me and my schedule.

Next Monday October 7th, 2013 I will be marking my first ten pound loss by joining Mel and The Monday Night Mission in their beautiful work, feeding the residents at Skid Row. I am now at 13 pounds, but this has taken some planning. I work at a restaurant called Seasons 52 and they have offered to order food for the cause, and it has taken a few weeks to plan. I will write a complete separate post all about my first charity and all of those involved. Mike my trainer and friend is joining me, as is his girlfriend Maria and maybe some other friends as well. I really look forward to this humbling experience, and hope to help at least once a month as a regular volunteer.

Off for now, coffee and breakfast and then off to work. I wish you a beautiful last day of September. Love and light to all.
Namaste’
Rose

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME

My wonderful friend back east messaged me recently, she was listening to the late great Mama Cass singing the song Dream a Little Dream of Me; she thought of me since it is one of my favorite songs to sing. I played it and sang along, the melody takes you to a far off place where everything you visualize is possible. I love The Mama’s and the Papa’s and I am now “California Dreaming.”

Following the path of love and light.

That made me start thinking about our dreams; the dreams we have for our future, the visions we have as we sleep. After all this blog is about achieving personal goals of fitness and making a difference in society, basically making these elusive dreams a reality.  Have you ever had an idea in a dream, and woke up and made the midnight imagination come to fruition? I did that just recently with an idea I had in a dream. Dreams sometimes hold clues and messages, the key is to be able to retain the information and decipher the code. Listening and hearing is always important in life, whether asleep or awake. You just have to be aware and follow the messages that are sent from your slumber.

I listen always, and I have become very intuitive of late, it is actually uncanny how in tune I have been recently. I think this project is making me more aware of everything around me. I love the meditation portion of my yoga classes. I am finding peace in mind and changing my form for the better, and making a difference with each new charity I volunteer with. Next week is the Monday Night Mission. I am really looking forward to my first ten pound milestone, and marking it by helping feed the residents of Skid Row. Talk about taking the E out of Ego. This will be a humbling experience and I welcome that. After my first time volunteering with The Monday Night Mission I hope to return at least once a month and be a regular volunteer. Love and light from my dreamy California home to yours. 
No one can sing this song like Mama Cass, enjoy!!
Namaste’
Rose

BEACH DAY


Good Morning to all and Happy Saturday. I am headed to the beach, a late start since my husband James got in late from the Dodgers game last night. I am in a reflective mood today, so this post will be definitely short and sweet. When I feel like this I usually write poetry, but I have not had the alone time to do so, so maybe I will do a little scribbling at the beach. I am a dreamer, my head is always in the clouds so the beach may be perfect for my mood.

I have discovered a new autumn snack obsession. I love mixing real canned pumpkin with fat free sugar free Greek yogurt and a bit of cinnamon. I found a decadent substitution for the pumpkin, but you have to be diligent about the portion size, this stuff is really dangerous. Trader Joe’s now has pumpkin cream cheese, and two tablespoons is only 70 calories and 5 grams a fat. Mix those two tablespoons in your fat free Greek yogurt and boom you almost have pumpkin cheesecake. It is amazing but make sure you measure, this stuff is addictive. I love it, since I have not allowed myself a cheat day yet these little substitutions get me through. A little bit with jam on a whole wheat English muffin and tea is a lovely treat too.

Off to Malibu, wishing everyone a bright and beautiful weekend. Love and Light from my west coast home to yours. 
Namaste’
Rose

NEVER STOP

Rosie the Riveter


Good Morning and Happy Friday to all. I woke up looking for inspiration for my day and I found it the minute I signed on.  I just saw a story about Eleanor Otto on NBC, she was one of the original female workers during World War II during the “Rosie the Riveter” campaign. Eleanor is now 93 years old and still on the job in Long Beach California working for Boeing. She wakes up at 4 am daily, smiles, gets her coffee and is on her way. She loves working and said she will not be set out to pasture. 

Here is Eleanor’s story via NBC, this brought me to tears.  Today I am totally inspired and will not stop, and my family and friends call me Rosie.  Age is irrelevant and it will never slow me down. I want to visit the Rosie the Riveter Park in Long Beach soon. Inspiration granted because I was looking for it. “Ask and it is Given, Seek and You Shall Find”.

Yoga tonight after work. I love life.

Namaste’
Love and light
Rose

http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/53117754#53117754


SORE BODY, HEAVY HEART

Stormy loved to travel, here she is in Delaware at the Bailey Home.


Good Morning to all. It is Thursday and I am so happy it is almost the weekend. I am really sore today. Tuesday I worked out with Mike, my trainer and friend and the new workout left me  really sore. I had a Vinyasa Yoga class last night with Nicole, and I am even more sore this morning. Sore in a good way mind you, but I may need to purchase some Epsom salts to soothe. Tonight I am taking either a Vinyasa class at Yogaworks, or a Inyegar class. It depends when I get there and how I feel. The Inyegar class is very challenging but slower, and may be a good fit since my muscles feel fatigued.

Off for today, this post is short and sweet. I am sleepy this week and a bit over emotional for some reason. My cat Stormy that passed away last January has been on my mind a lot. I was in the pet store and all of a sudden I was reminded of that horrid week, and other reminders hit me as the day progressed. It is strange how you go through your daily life and all of a sudden something from the past hits you and you are transported to that time and place immediately. I am a very emotional creature, so I choose to feel whatever comes my way, but then I find it necessary to block it out a bit so I can get on with everything I need to accomplish. I cannot believe it has already been eight months since we lost her. She was family and will forever be missed yet remembered.

Wishing you a beautiful Thursday
Love and Light
Namaste’
Rose

WAKE UP IT’S WEDNESDAY


Good Morning to all. I am so sleepy today, and I am so happy it is Wednesday. The weekend is almost here, we are almost over the hump. My little rascals were in rare form this morning, so my sleep was really compromised last night. I had to lock both cats out of the room, but of course Spanky howls loud and I had to let him back in. I adore my cats but they really love to mess with our sleep. I think they think we are their  personal play things.

Yesterday I did a new workout with Mike my trainer and friend. He had these cords you put on a tree and then you use the resistance of your own body weight.I love working out in the park, I get the fresh breeze on my face and I am surrounded by trees.  The workout was really challenging which is good, I can see this new feature to my workout is going to really work. My body is really changing and I am so happy and grateful. I am stronger, fitter and I weigh less. I cannot weight to see my weight get in the 170’s. I am so close. 

I got to meet Mike’s lovely girlfriend Maria and three precious dogs. I love dogs, we just have cats since it is a bit more convenient for us. Cats are a handful but they do not need walking. One day we will get a dog too. I would take in all animals if I could. I think it may be time I visit the animal shelter again.

Tonight is my weekly yoga class over at Pink Iron with Nicole. I love her Nicole and her class. It is not until 7:00 so it gives me time after work to figure out dinner and relax a little. I am off for now, I am so sleepy I can hardly function. Coffee, yes coffee is definitely needed today and not just for the taste. Today I need that bolt of energy from caffeine.

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday.
Namaste’
Love and Light always,
Rose


WEIGH IN TUESDAY

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday. I am off to work soon, then my work out with Mike later this evening. My husband James is working from home today, and yesterday I took a day to be here for the building mortgage inspector. I wish that was today, then I could have my whole afternoon with him as he works. He is very happy today. His Baseball Team The Pittsburgh Pirates made it into the Playoffs for the first time in over twenty years. I am very happy for him, he can enjoy his day off and I will get on with my second cup of coffee and my busy day.

Ok, so let’s cut to the chase. Weigh in Tuesday. I gained .5 today. Just a half of a pound, and I knew it because the time of the month. That is not so bad, but it is funny how you know you did not lose, even though you did not do anything to gain. No splurges yet, just Mother Nature letting me know this is not always a walk in one of her glorious parks.

I did have a few non weight milestones this weekend. I bought a jean jacket about six months ago, and even though I have worn it, it has never closed or buttoned. This weekend we went to the beach and it was chilly, so I put it on and I was so surprised to see it close and button fully. Another milestone, I was looking at my shoulders. I have small shoulders, and they have always been rounded. Not anymore, they are now a little square and they even out my figure. I am so happy to see my body changing with the workouts and yoga. My husband went even as far to say I am getting petite. I am only 5’2 so I need to be smaller for my size. I have still a ways to go but these little things keep me pushing. Plus I am so much stronger and healthier. Yesterday the manager at Trader Joe’s told me I look glowing, that is the icing on the cake.

In less than two weeks we will go down to join The Monday Night Mission. I look forward to my first ten pound charity. I will write a long post on what we will be doing there exactly when I find a bit more time. I am humbled by the work The Monday Night Mission does weekly, and I am honored to join them.

Wishing you a beautiful Tuesday. It will be a hot one here in Southern California.Love and Light.
Namaste’
Rose



HAPPY AUTUMN TO ALL


Good Monday Morning and Happy Autumn to all. I have the whole day off today, I have to stay home to be here for the building inspector. They are coming by, and if no one his home they plan to come inside anyway. I have cats that can get out, so I must stay home between the hours of 11-4. Looks like I will catch up on my reading.

My husband and I had a great weekend. We went to Malibu this weekend to walk and get some fresh air. I believe being outdoors often is crucial to happiness and well being. The beach was cold, so we went to Malibu Bluff State Park. I was so happy, I brought a jean jacket that never fit, and now it buttons. We decided to snap some photos to document my weight loss so far. I was being silly and hugging the trees. If anyone knows me, I have this California Tree obsession.



Yoga yesterday with Nicole was awesome. My hamstrings are opening up, we did the leg up against the wall stretch and it was much easier this time. I have yoga again this week at Yogaworks. I practice 4-5 times a week and I love it. I know in a few months my practice will really begin to open and expand.

I have picked Monday October 7th 2013 to go down and join the Monday Night Mission to feed the residents of skid row. This is my first ten pound weight loss charity.  I am going to write all about what we are doing in a future post when I have a bit more time. My friend and trainer Mike is accompanying me because he loves to help people, and anyone of my co-workers and friends are also welcome to join us as well. The more help for the cause the better. 

I wish you a beautiful first Monday of Autumn. Get out there and jump in some leaves, or treat yourself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte’, skim of course. Just because it is Monday does not mean you cannot enjoy life. 
Namaste’
Rose

MOM’S VEGETARIAN SPLIT PEA SOUP

My evenings have been very busy with yoga and working out, and walking for an hour a day. I do not always have time to cook daily like I did before, so I look for meals that can last more than a day. I love to cook one pot soups, especially as autumn approaches. One of my favorite go to soups is my Mom’s Vegetarian Split Pea. It is a pot of delicious healthy soup, and so simple you could probably cook it in your sleep. You can add whatever extra vegetables you like to the soup, to make it your own. It is high in protein and fiber and low in fat. I do not puree’ it, I like the texture in its natural state. I love to have a few crackers with it, it warms me up from the inside out. 

This recipe first came to me from my lovely Mother, for years when I lived in Cleveland, Ohio I was a vegetarian and she would whip up meals for me that would work for my lifestyle. This is one I have learned and adapted as my own, one of many. I am blessed to have such an amazing Mother and teacher, and my husband reaps the benefits as well. 
Enjoy!!
Namaste’
Love and light
Rose

You will need

I bag dried split peas
2 carton of low sodium vegetable broth
1 Mirepoix mix from Trader Joe’s ( Chopped up celery, carrots, and onions) If you cannot find Mirepoix mix use one medium onion, 5 celery stalks, and 5 carrots, chopped.
Garlic cloves, I use 5 chopped
Sea Salt 
Ground pepper
dried basil
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

This is really the easiest soup.

Warm the extra virgin oil for a few seconds in a large pot. Add the Mirepoix mix and the garlic and saute’ until translucent. I like mine cooked so I saute’ mine for at least five minutes. I flavor the veggies with a bit of sea salt, a generous does of ground pepper and basil. You can add whatever vegetables you like. Sometimes I add kale to my soup.

After the veggies cook, I add the 2 cartons of vegetarian broth, the whole bag of split peas, and I bring it to a boil.

Season it a bit more, and cover and bring the temperature to low and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Boom, you have soup. It is that easy. Serve with crackers or some warmed whole grain bread from the oven. I skip the bread since I am working so hard on my My Change For a Ten weight loss and I may not be able to have just one slice.
This soup lasts only two days in my house, because my husband eats three bowls at a time.:-)
Manga’