Tag Archives: staying on track

WEIGH IN SATURDAY

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It is a busy weekend and I have not had much time to post. Yesterday was the Eagles concert at the Forum in Los Angeles and today we are in beautiful Santa Barbara staying at the oldest California hotel, The Upham Hotel. We are here through the weekend, and the building leaves me completely speechless. Right now I am just sitting by a warm fire in the main area of the hotel as I post this blog entry. I could get used to writing in such a setting.

This morning I did weigh in, and I stayed exactly the same. Well, I lost about a half of a pound but that is it. I am happy with it, since last week I did lose four whole pounds. My weekend will consist of walking since I will not have a chance to workout or do yoga.

There is something so serene about sitting in a room dated as far back as the 1800’s. They have tea, coffee, cocoa, and milk and cookies set out for the guests. I think I am in wholesome heaven. I just want to sit here all night and write til my heart is content. Right now James has retired back to the room and I am still sitting in front of the fireplace. I am soaking in every last ember, my soul is all warm and fuzzy.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. I believe tomorrow is never promised so live life now. Get out there, do what makes you happy. Make others happy. Give in, give back, give a care to how you spend your days. Less complaining, more gratitude. Appreciating the simple as well as the grand moments in life. Life is a gift, so live it now in the present.

Namaste’
Love and Light
Happy weekend
Rose

JANUARY, JOURNAL AND BACK TO THE GRIND

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Good evening to all. I am on late tonight. I am back to the grind, and I will be in bed before 10:00 PM. I am happy to say my husband James has gone back to work and we can resume our normal routine. December was busy, and now it is time to get back to business.

I am starting with resuming my Monday through Friday routine of yoga and working out. I am also keeping a food journal again.I need to play a little catch up. I have a 5k in March, a charity to plan and my husband asked if I would be willing to go to Hawaii in February. Umm, who would say no to that question.

I am happy to say December was not a complete wash, I only cheated for two days, but I did eat a lot more sodium than usual. Today I am eating completely clean and low sodium. My stomach will thank me for this, since I have not felt well.

I am in the process of picking my charity for my next ten pound weight loss, and I have to put in the work to lose the weight.I am also trying to decide which item on my fitness bucket list to do this month. So much going on, sometimes I get overwhelmed but I will never forget the feeling of shopping for the first time in ages and not being reduced to tears.  Smaller size plus helping charities, this is a win win and the reason why I stay the course. I will not fail. It may take me time to get to my final destination, but the journey is one incredible joy ride.

Off for now, I need sleep since two Siamese cats will be torturing me around 4 am.
Namaste’
Love and Light
Sweet dreams
Rose

MONDAY MORNING

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Rose on the left with sister Gina on the right.



Good Morning to all on this chilly Monday Morning. I am so excited for the holidays and my weekend away for my Birthday. My plan is to work out like crazy and only splurge on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. The other days I am going to practice moderation and mostly clean eating. If I can get to the new year with close to another ten pounds off I will be very happy. This is the challenge, not to undo all of the hard work of the last five months. I am going to be silly and have my photo taken with Santa Claus, I have always loved to do that since I was just a little girl.  I think it will be a festive way to document the season and fun at the same time. If only I could get James to do it with me. 

Off for now, I am so sleepy I need a second cup of coffee today. Work, then workout tonight after work. Tomorrow I weigh in, and I hope being a female and water weight and all will not hinder my weigh in. Taking it one day at a time as the old saying goes.

Namaste’
Happy Monday
Rose









DANGER ZONE AHEAD

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Good Morning to all on this sunny Thursday here in Southern California. I must do a short yet sweet post since I am running a bit late today. The cats are so happy we are home from Palm Springs, and the holidays are approaching so it is mandatory that I push even harder because this is the danger zone time.

You know the time of year, you want to snuggle at home with your honey and watch Christmas movies, and that takes time away from your routine. I need to stick to my routine and get through the next few months. If I can lose another ten pounds by the New Year I will be very happy. I gained a pound this week and I did not even cheat while I was in Palm Springs, and on Thanksgiving and Christmas I am allowing myself to finally cheat, so this time of year may be difficult if not impossible to lose weight but I will make it through and make it happen.

Tonight after work I am working out with my trainer and friend Mike and if I have time I am going to try my best to make it to Nicole’s Yoga Class at Pink Iron at 7:15. So I will be running with Mike, and then running to make my Wednesday yoga class, but it is so worth it.

Off to work in a bit, my cat Spanky is snuggled on my feet. These are the times when you all of a sudden want to stay home and play homebody.  Coffee is so needed for an extra nudge out the door. Wishing everyone love and lots of light.
Namaste’
Rose

MONDAY BACK TO THE GRIND

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I love weekends away. Having some time away from home gives your perspective a different vantage point. You collect your thoughts, you connect with the person you love. It is refreshing and renewing. I always come home with ideas to make my daily life better. I was reading my LA YOGA magazine by a fountain by the pool, and being near the water made me feel so serene. I remembered years ago I waited on this strange but intriguing woman who told me I always need to have water near me. She told me I should purchase one of those fountain machines for my home so I can have the sound of running water to relax me always. I think I am going to look for one online, inspired by sitting in a little courtyard in Palm Springs.  

Our Palm Springs weekend for James’ Birthday was wonderful and now it is good to be home with our two loving Siamese cats Rascal and Spanky. They could not be happier we are home.

Going away creates challenges with your diet and workout routine, and even if you stick to eating as healthy as possible, restaurant food still is higher in sodium than home made food. I find I have a bit of a stomach ache today, and I look forward to getting on the scale even if I may have gained a little from water weight. That may just be an inevitable fact. Starting today I am returning to keeping a journal of all of my food, and I may start counting my Weight Watchers points once again. It is a great way to stay accountable, and keep on track without having to do the math of calories. I have been successful not counting, but I feel as far as I have to go it will help me keep my sanity. I will be posting about my next charity this week. Since the holidays are approaching I may do a few different ones through the course of December.

I want to wish all of our Veterans a Happy Veterans Day and thank them for their service. Our freedom is the best gift we have, and I truly am in debt to them for all that they do to uphold our safety. My father was a World War II veteran, and he served in the Pacific.

Off for now. Long day ahead of me. I am assuming work will be slow today since it is a holiday, so I am heading to Trader Joe’s after to find something healthy and simple to cook for dinner. I am going to just go walking/running tonight since I am not sure the yoga studio is open for the holiday. Back to the grind, so much weight to lose, many charities to assist, I have my work cut out for me and I love it. 
Love and Light
Namaste’
Rose

IYENGAR YOGA AT YOGAWORKS WEST HOLLYWOOD

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Good Morning and happy hump day. I cannot wait for the weekend to get here. This week Mike is busy so I am on my own with my workouts. I will resume working out with him next week. No worries, I will not sit on my laurels and be lazy. I went to another Iyengar Yoga class instead, and I always learn so much from Vladamir at Yogaworks. My Friday Vinyasa yoga teacher Tom was in the class, and I met some lovely yogi’s as well. This class is full of seasoned yogi’s but I hold my own pretty well except when we get to the inversions. That is where I am a beginner, and eventually I will get them as I get stronger in my arms but I am a long way off. Tom was next to me in class and he told me I am doing great, that I just need to continue to show up and everything will fall into place.

Vladamir showed me this amazing way to get into a shoulder stand using a chair as a prop, and you slide off the chair and bam you are in the pose. How cool is that. He really is an amazing teacher. A lot of the students in class go to the Iyengar Institute. It is an amazing way to break everything down and concentrate of the form of the poses.

Yogaworks gave me this punch card to use everytime I attend class, and it is almost filled. I get $25.00 coupon off merchandise. I really need a good yoga bag and there is one with room for all my work and workout gear plus a mat. To be a success one needs to be organized, and I have been lacking the right bag for this. 

Time to finish my coffee and get ready for my day. Tonight I am taking Nicole’s Vinyasa class at Pink Iron, and it is not until 7:15 so I have time to make my husband dinner and go for a run walk before. I wish everyone a beautiful and bright hump day. 
Namaste’
Love and Light
Rose

LENTIL SOUP RECIPE

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It is Sunday, and lazy Sunday it is. I am doing well on my journey to lose weight and get fit. Tomorrow is my first weigh in, so I probably will make a nice light, low sodium meal for Sunday dinner. One of my staple recipes is my Italian Style Lentil Soup. I make it almost every week, we love it and it is super healthy. 



I am great at making delicious vegetarian soups. I have become quite savvy at reinventing recipes to be healthy or vegetarian. I am no longer vegetarian but I eat that way most of the time. I hope you get the chance to make my simple yet wonderful Italian Style Lentil Soup. It is easy, inexpensive and oh so hearty. Serve it with some warmed crusty whole grain bread and you will sure win over even the most die-hard meat eaters of your family and friends. It is a big pot of deliciousness for all to savor and share, especially on a cool evening. I admit though, I also make this on a hot summer night. This soup is so healthy, and high in protein and fiber. A great way to eat a fulfilling meal and still stay on track.

ITALIAN STYLE LENTIL SOUP

You will need

One bag of dried lentils

A few tablespoons of olive oil ( I use two to three)

Chopped up onions, celery, and carrots. Enough to fill up the bottom of a semi large pot. I use Mirepoix 14.5 oz from Trader Joe’s, it is already pre-cut and I just add my own garlic. I use about six garlic cloves.
If you do not find Mirepoix use one large onion, two carrots, and two celery stalks, chopped fine.

Two  cartons of vegetable stock 32 fl oz. I use trader Joe’s.  You can use regular or low sodium, I have tried both. I usually use the low sodium vegetable broth.

One large can of diced tomatoes in juice.

One small can of tomato paste

Sea salt, ground pepper, dried basil.

Parmesan cheese to garnish

Saute garlic, onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil for a few minutes til the onion caramelizes and the vegetables cook down. Salt,pepper, and add some basil as you are cooking the vegetables. After they cook down mix in one small can of tomato paste.

Add full bag of lentils, 2 cartons of vegetable stock, and whole can of tomatoes with juice. You may need to add a little bit of water to fill pot up.

Add a bit more salt, pepper, and dried basil for flavor and stir.

Bring to a rolling boil, then simmer on low for 45 minutes covered.

When finished you can sprinkle Parmesan cheese and mix it in for more flavor.

I once sauteed some kale and added it to the soup right before it was finished cooking. It made it richer and more stew like.

I serve this with warmed whole grain bread from the bakery. It is absolutely delicious.

I hope you try and enjoy my Italian Lentil Soup Recipe. I love it and sometimes it is difficult to only have one bowl. Love and light to all from my west coast home to yours. Ciao for now.
Namaste’
Rose