Healthy "to the Core" (...YES you CAN!!)

You have to believe to achieve!  As I've said in past posts but it's worth repeating: remember your core is not only keeping your body/center "physically fit", I believe to stay healthy to the core you also need to keep your "mind" fit!  You need to condition it just like you do your body.  You need to have a healthy mind and spirit in order to achieve your goals.  Nothing comes easy.  You must work for what you want.  So set a goal.  Stay positive, focused and believe in yourself!!  Your choice--choose wisely...YES you CAN!!

The cure for anything...

My favorite place to be is sitting at the edge of the sea...To me there truly is no better place to be!! 

(I do believe it is the cure for anything!)

THANK YOU to those that served/serve our country!

I wanted to say THANK YOU (especially on this Memorial Day weekend) to the men & women that serve &/or have served our country.  

Pictured below are a few of my family members that have served.

The 1st photo is my dearly missed maternal grandfather, Paul Bloom. 

The 2nd photo is my paternal uncle, Angelo Rozzo, whom I never met as he was lost at sea while serving.  

Thank you all for your courage & bravery!!!

Keep going!

(Photo courtesy: Jillian Michaels '13)

Stronger than the storm (--yes you/we are!!)

While I was on the treadmill this morning I had the tv on.  Mixed in with all the updates and sad news footage of devastated Oklahoma, a commercial for my home state of NJ came on.  It showed our beautiful beaches---where of course, just a few months ago we too had our own devastation thanks to hurricane Sandy.  It instantly reminded me that even though there was devastation, there was also "beauty" --people, often strangers, pulling together when it was needed the most.  Neighbors friends, complete strangers all supporting one another, all wanting to help one another get through the storms challenging, exhausting aftermath.

And seeing on tv the massive destruction in Oklahoma one has to wonder "where and how do they begin?"  

But this morning's commercial reminded me that we thought the same just months ago of our beloved & treasured shore region (hence the "Restore the Shore" campaign).  Of course it won't ever be the same (& sadly many of our fondest childhood memories have been taken from us so quickly) but as the commercial this morning brought to light "it's been fixed" and WILL be open for business & pleasure this summer. 

It will certainly take quite some time for Oklahoma to recover but I pray it "heals" as we here in NJ have...STRONGER THAN THE STORM!!

 

(Credits: Photos & slogans courtesy State of NJ "Resore the Shore" '12 & "Stronger Than the Storm '13)

Thoughts & prayers Oklahoma

Just the other day I posted on this blog a gorgeous photo of a butterfly on a big, bright, happy sunflower.  Days later I posted another of an amazing rainbow circling the sun in the afternoon sky....Yesterday a massive & ugly tornado torments Oklahoma.  It amazes me how Mother Nature can be so beautiful, yet so very destructive and how life can change so drastically in a blink. 

It certainly makes one realize that we should really enjoy & be thankful for what we have, when we have it!

Never take anything for granted.  

Stop & admire the bright sunflowers, smell the roses, love those around you, make peace with your past---it's absolutely worth the time!  

Thoughts & prayers to all those affected in Oklahoma.

Choose exercise over food when stressed!

This attached graphic is so true!!! 

Typically we reach for food when we need "comfort".  However exercise truly helps relieve stress and anxiety--trust me, it's been a HUGE help to me during some very difficult times! For me, I find a 45 minute run on the treadmill, along with some good music, incredibly lifts my spirits & clears my head--truly the best therapy ever!!  (There's a reason they call it "runner's high"!)

So the next time you need a "lift", don't turn to food as your pick-me-up.  Instead make the healthier choice---choose exercise...Both mind & body will be glad you did!!!

Good deeds

Rainbow AROUND the sun (Halo effect)

Wikipedia states:

A halo (from Greek ἅλως; also known as animbus, icebow or gloriole) is an optical phenomenon produced by ice crystals creating colored or white arcs and spots in the sky. Many are near the sun or moon but others are elsewhere and even in the opposite part of the sky. They can also form around artificial lights in very cold weather when ice crystals called diamond dust are floating in the nearby air.

Here are some pictures of the rainbow around the sun (taken with my iphone on 5/14/13).  Was awesome to see this in the sky and it lasted over an hour!!

You are what you eat!!

Next time you're about to pull into that fast food drive thru consider this:

The difference between 'interest' & 'commitment'

I find this true in many aspects of our  lives, not just fitness:

Happy Mother's Day (24/7)

It's the toughest, yet most rewarding & BEST job in the world--one I'm blessed to be lucky enough to have!  

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mom's!!!

Mother Nature's beautiful gifts: the sunflower & butterfly

My friend's friend took this gorgeous picture which is of 2 of my favorite "gifts" from Mother Nature: the sunflower & the butterfly.

Did you know that the Sunflower symbolizes: honesty, happiness, ambition, faith, longevity, good luck, confidence?

The butterfly symbolizes transformation & in the end the butterfly is glorious!

One of my favorite sayings was by Thoreau:

"Happiness is like a butterfly:  The more you chase it, the more it will elude you.  But if you turn your attention to other things it will come and sit softly on your shoulder."   

So this picture, which has captured both the sunflower & butterfly so beautifully, I wanted to share with you....hoping you too see & enjoy their combined beauty & important "hidden" meanings/messages.

Photo by Amanda Manley

Taken in Maryland 8/'12

Everyone you meet plays a role in your life....Who brings out the best in you?

When opportunity knocks-open the door and TAKE it!!

Yesterday I taped another television fitness segment, this time the topic: "fitness tips during pregnancy" (the host pictured here is 7 months pregnant). Surprisingly today a friend asked me "did you get paid?" My response "no".
Her next question "so why do it?" It took me off-guard that someone would even think this way---really? So I answered "when opportunity knocks, you TAKE it! Every opportunity can always lead to something more, possibly something even better!"

Case in point: this was the 4th TV show in less than 1 year that I have been asked to appear on as a fitness professional. If I had said "no" the 1st time for the other appearances, just because I wasn't getting paid, I can pretty much bet that the rest most likely would never have happened. Not only that, in addition to other things, they've helped me increase my business, as well as traffic on my blog!

Most importantly, the best "bonus" has been how it's benefited my kids.  They have seen mom do something that she has never done before and see that if you work hard enough you CAN make things happen! They have learned that when something is offered to you (even if you're not getting paid) it's important to look at it as an OPPORTUNITY--just go for it!  If you don't take them as they come you may never get a 2nd chance. And having my kids see & learn this life lesson early on in their lives is worth more than ANY dollar received! (Besides, they now think mom is "famous" lol and how can I not smile and be so proud of that?! Priceless!!)

Friends, remember that when opportunity knocks NEVER close the door...take it!!

Got Quac? Here's an easy, heart healthy recipe for today's Cinco deMayo celebration

                                
                                     Happy Cinco de Mayo! 
What Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete without guacamole?
Did you know that avocados are a heart healthy treat? So what better way (& day!) to enjoy them?
Here's a simple guacamole recipe (note: although this recipe below doesn't include it, you can also add some diced tomato too to add to the "healthy" factor!)  CELEBREMOS!