Healthy Life Pro: recipes

The Cost of Living

What is the first thing that comes to mind�money�right? Well, that is part of the �Cost of Living�. I see this phrase in a whole new way as in the choices I make with my life. What I choose to think, feel, how I act, respond, do or not do all determines my �Cost of Living�.

Happiness comes at a price and so does stress and struggle. I know that when I feel at my best and happy about how things are going, the cost for me is a great day, feel on top of the world, confident, and just all together fabulous�right? Just as allowing some injustice that has been thrown my direction to take over my whole persona, well the cost would be stress, anxiety, and just an overwhelming YUCK feeling in my life bank.

Sometimes, it is difficult to always pay the right cost all the time in life to receive the right result. Look at how the �Cost of Living� affects health and I will speak personally here�If I choose to sit around and do nothing active, then the cost would be that my body receives no benefit of exercise, no positive endorphins to flood my system�and boy do I love that feeling, and really puts a damper in my routine. Let me hit up my nutrition using the same analogy. If I choose to eat processed crap, overload my system with sugar, and do not pay attention to what I put in my face, the cost would be not feeling well, probably constipated (YUCK), low energy, and really not feeling mentally good about ME. In both regards, my health would suffer at the cost of my not taking care of ME.

The mental game comes with the biggest cost as it really determines how each day will unfold, and overall how life is lived. If I walk around with an �I can�t� attitude, the cost for me would be �I won�t� which eventually leads to never will, and I would suffer not only emotionally but physically. Can you imagine what kind of life that would be for me�bitter, depressed, judgmental, wanting it but not willing to work for it�feeling the victim in life�now that is a heavy cost of living. Looking at the flip side of having an �I can� attitude, the cost would be �I will� and �I did�. Putting forth some energy (cost) to reap the benefit of a happy healthy life sounds like the type of journey I would and will want to continue for a lifetime.

That is ultimately what I am trying to get across with the �Cost of Living��YES, it takes a conscious effort to want a healthy life and I do want this for ME. It does cost me time, energy, some money, planning, and caring and I am not saying that it is always easy, but I can tell you that it has been worth it. So I do put money in my health bank in the form of exercise, healthy food, water, quality ME time, time with God and many things that are invaluable�money can�t buy my health, but the things that I do for ME can and do provide me with a life that is full, healthy, and happy.

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

Dedicated to My Mother ~ Happy Birthday

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Have a FABULOUS weekend and upcoming week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla;)

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HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING!

My Daughter ~ My Friend

My daughter sent me a text to let me know she was having a �Friendsgiving� tonight and the more I looked at the words on my phone, the more I thought about the meaning of the words. My mind started reeling with ideas of how I would write about this and a quick call to my girl to get her insight was in order. Well, my daughter and her friends have been meeting every Tuesday for girls dinner night, where they take turns preparing the meals, and enjoy a special sharing of their lives�talking, laughing, comparing stories, and eating the meal prepared with their own hands�no orders in�these gals are serious about their food, their lives, and their friendship. Sounds somewhat like �Sex in the City� gone REAL and how FABULOUS is that!

I think about that and am proud of the special bonds that my daughter has with these very special ladies�I have had the privilege to meet a few of them. They celebrate their year anniversary of �Girls Dinner� night for Friendsgiving this year�HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LADIES!

My Daughter and Her Fabulous Friends

This struck me deeper than the words Thanksgiving this year, as spending time with those we love can and often times does include people that are not related by blood, but a deeper bond�a chosen bond. A true friend is a rare gem and gift from God and to have more than one is even rarer. Think about the sharing of food made with your own hands, laughter around a table, sharing stories of life and really listening and caring about the lives and feelings of others around that table�WOW�now that is a THANKSGIVING!

I am saddened by the many who struggle through the holiday filled with hurt, pain and overwhelmed with stress at the very thought of going through the motions with people, some family, some not�but honestly, none of us�yes, me included�are not immune to hurt from time to time, and during the holiday it can feel larger than life itself. It is in those times, where a �Friendsgiving� would feel so good to be a part, to be able to share openly, honestly, and receive that in return, to relish in the aromas of food made with tender, loving hands, warm laughter and REAL moments of caring surrounding each and every person. I wish this moment for every struggling person out there on this holiday�a very special �Friendsgiving�.

I was reminded of something from my daughter today as she shared her story of �Friendsgiving�� cherish the bonds of special friendship, take the time to stay in touch, to share a meal, a laugh, a cry�LIFE. As I celebrate the holiday with family and friends this year, I will be thankful for my chosen bonds, those gems in my life that will hold my hand when I need it the most.

Happy Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving Everyone!!!

Try my Crustless Sweet Potato Pie

Have a FABULOUS weekend and upcoming week!

Stay Healthy!

Darla;)

Receive My Stay Healthy Nutrition Guide as a Free Gift and Thank you when you donate to Stay Healthy Fitness...

HAVING A MOM MOMENT

I LOVE BEING A MOM

I sit here as a mother who has just watched her oldest son get married and I am in awe of where I am in life�not in an unhealthy way, but just in a WOW way. I see the cycle of life being repeated in my children, every single one of them, and sometimes I am filled with disbelief of how fast the time has gone, the ages of my children, and the lives they now live, and finally� where I am�WOW! I can still remember when my parents were my age and going through what I just experienced�can you relate?

In a couple of years I will be 50 years young and wiser for the journey, but holy moly, I blinked my eyes and time traveled to �now� in an instant�so it seems. I try to explain this phenomenon to my kids and they are not getting it just yet�but they soon will as their lives are becoming filled with the responsibility of adult life�marriage, work, college, financial obligations, etc. This is a time of reflection for me as my very emotional �Mom Moment� took place watching my son get married�I hung on every word that was said, visually photographed their faces, every look, laugh, tear in that moment and sat there so full of being overwhelmed with gut wrenching feelings�happiness, sadness, joy, pride�everything all wrapped into one emotional package that required lots of tissue to the rescue.

Each moment seems like it will last forever, but I am here to tell you�NOT�and I am sure many of you share in this feeling and knowledge. I am now in a different stage of �Mom� and although I absolutely love where I am�it can feel weird. I can still remember when my kids were small as if it were yesterday, and when they walk through the door now, I am looking at beautiful people capable of self sufficiency, intellectual conversation, and I am thankful that much of taking care of myself through fitness and nutrition has rubbed off on them�and I think�WOW�that fabulous person came out of me�not to be gross or anything by saying that�but I am blown away by the adult who is also my child�I hope that makes sense. The time I spend with them is much different, still full of love and hugs, but very much �adult� in our sharing.

WOW... My Adult Kids

In my journey of Momhood I have transitioned through many phases, learned so much, loved so dearly, and pained through moments of difficult times. I would have to say that being a mother has been one of the biggest successes of my life and probably one of the most important roles I have played and still play. Marrying my best friend and husband, Don�I have gained 2 more adult children and with both our sons now married, I have 2 beautiful daughter-in-laws, in addition to our first grandchild last year. Needless to say, I am one proud MAMA and Nana.

OUR FAMILY

What does my �Mom Moment� have to do with maintaining healthy ME�I say it speaks volumes of who I am as a healthy person, a woman who places value and priority where it should be, and always does her best to live as a healthy example to all of my children�even if I get called �Dr. Phil� or something funny like that when I put on the therapist hat. Balance is important to living a healthy life, and taking care of myself through living a healthy life along my Mom journey has made a difference in the lives of my children who now implement healthy lifestyles for themselves. It has been such an honor and privilege to watch my children grow into beautiful adults and my Momhood journey still continues as I now add the phase of grandmother�and you know�I feel pretty blessed to be able to feel like a kid, play like a kid, and enjoy every moment in this life looking forward to the next great event that will send me needing a box of tissue� I AM READY!

I dedicate this Blog to my Beautiful son, Eli and new bride Hayley. I look forward to being a part of your lives as husband and wife, and continuing my journey as Mom to you both. Here is to YOU, your marriage and may God bless you as you begin your journey together. Love you~

Photo Credit : JenStewart Photography

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

Don't Forget to Check Out the In My Kitchen Page for New Recipes

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

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