Post 18 / Day 114 ~ Cultures, Foods & Celebrations

This week has been a week of celebration.  Oh boy!  I wish there was a happy zone where it all can make sense and agree to disagree.  HUH?


Okay.  When you think of the word "celebration", what do you think of?  I think of food... not just food, but delicious, decadent food... I think of drink... and you guessed it, not just any ordinary drinks too... and then there's dessert!.. and I mean yummy, delicious, sultry dessert. 

When the thought of a celebration comes to mind, the last thing that comes to mind is healthy eating, getting all your fruits and vegetables in, let alone diet food all together!  Quite honestly, none of these food scream CELEBRATION!  LOL!  Quite the opposite.  

Funny how society, and our different cultures have conditioned us to think a certain way about different foods.  I mean really, growing up, did we run after the ice cream truck when we saw it, or what it the fruits and vegetable truck?  Get what I mean?  A little funny imagining what that would look like!  You can barely get your kids to eat spinach per say, yet their running after broccoli and carrots! 

Here's to another glass of water!  Do not over do it, please.

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings to you and yours. 

Images courtesy of google images, or property of Carla Barila Karam and of My LifeStyle ReDesign (c)

Post 11 / Day 65 - 99 Foods That Help You Loose Weight

99 Foods I can buy to help me be healthy, and loose weight!?!?!  

You're kidding me, right?

Nope!  No I am not!

In my perusing this past week I came across a list put together by Dr. Oz (I'm sure it was his staff  wink, wink) of 99 foods I can purchase at the grocery store that will help me loose weight.

This is a must for a healthier you.

Well, guess what?  I am going to put this list to a test.  I will be shopping next weekend (I'm giving myself a week to clean out the fridge) and will be exchanging some items that I normally purchase.

First off, some of the food on this list are frozen prepared foods.  Homie doesn't do tv dinners. I do not like preservatives... I run from them!  That, and Dino, my hubby, can be picky.  Sooo... I will do the best I can to stick to this list, and substitute on other items.

Secondly, I agree that Dr. Oz (and his staff) has suggested quite a few named brands out of convenience.  However, as stated in Dr. Oz's disclaimer, I too do not endorse any of the named products listed.  I will be comparing the products' listed nutritional value and ingredients to other brands, making the best decision for my family.

However... I am faced with a challenge.  I live in El Paso.  There is one health food grocery store in town, and it is nothing like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods!  The best part about living in Los Angeles was the number of health food stores!  Big or small, you can find them there.  Challenge or not... I will prevail!  wink, wink.

For Dr. Oz' healthy grocery list you can either click here to print it, or go to Dr. Oz's website for it there. 

Here's to another glass of water!

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of google images.

Post 9 / Day 51 ~ Taking 10,000 Steps

I haven't blogged much about exercise.  Not that I do not like doing exercise... as a matter of fact back in the day when I worked at Gold's Gym in Venice, Ca [The Mecca of Bodybuilding] arrr...arrr.. I used to work out about three to four hours per day... yes I said per day!!

The Infamous Santa Monica Stairs... boy do I know you all too well!!  I even miss having you near by  too.  Hmmmm... I think I will be venturing out in the City of El Paso in search of the perfect stairs.  All we would need then, is the beautiful climate Santa Monica has to offer, as well as the ocean breeze!  I can dream can't I?  wink, wink

How I wish I had a picture of me from back then... I was 38 and in the best shape of my life!! Yes, even better than when I was in high school or even in my twenties or thirties.  I did not have a six pack!  I HAD A TWELVE PACK!!  [Ask my husband, we were dating back then.]  I used to do about two hundred to three hundred sit ups every day.  Today... well, I'm happy to do fifty.  LOL!

I mentioned early on in my blog, that I was going to be realistic about this.  In the real world, I do not have four hours to be working out... I have a five year old little girl to care for, who is not in school, yet needs to be taken to gymnastics, play dates, etc.  Then I also have a husband I take care of, ur fur babies and our home... meals, laundry, daily house chores and the family finances.  

With all that said... I didn't even get to "me" time... is there such thing?  I don't know about you, but it is very difficult for me to take time out for "myself" when there is so much to do.  My goal is to get everything done... then comfortably take "me" time as I enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I have however taken my own advice and "take" time for myself.  The chores will always be there, as will everything else... my sanity and my health are another issue.  Therefore, I MAKE time for me.  Just as I have to take Calley places, doctor's appointments and such... I started making the same provisions for myself.

Since the start of the year, I signed up my family at the local YMCA.  Calley has her gymnastics and I have my pilates, zumba and kickboxing classes!!  Calley goes twice a week and now so do I.  

You may think that working out twice a week is nothing.  This is not true.  Not in my world.  Twice a week has made a big difference in my life.  Not to mention the endorphin rush one gets.  I am having fun, meeting other people and taking time out for "me".  

Hold on now... it does not stop here either.  There are other things I do for myself... such as, parking far from the store entrance (extra walking), taking the stairs instead of the elevator or finally how about taking the stairs instead of the escalator?  This is a good one!  Half the time they are right next to one another.  You get to the top faster too!  

Little measures like the ones I mentioned, helps me sneak in exercise without it actually being "exercise".  Almost tricking myself..   Wait and the best part of it all... my daughter is learning healthy habits!  Amen.

The point here is not to "trick" yourself into exercise per say, but to actually take healthy measures to keep your body active and healthy... so we can live healthy, happy and active lives... and live longer in a healthier state.

SO this week, make some healthy choices for yourself.  Instead of driving around the parking lot at your grocery store looking for "that" perfect spot near the front, just park your car at the end of the row and walk those extra steps.  After all it is advised to take 10,000 steps per day... and "steps" do add up after all.     Going up to the 10th floor? ... get off on the 8th and walk those last two floors.  Going to the second floor? ... Take the stairs period.  Your steps do add up!  Not to mention the great legs and posterior you will soon discover! 

What will you do different this week?  Go ahead challenge yourself.  Don't wait until you're in your forties [or later] to get healthy... do something for yourself and do it now!

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of Bing images.

Post 7 / Day 37 ~ My Pantry of Possibilities

I am so excited for the new year!!  Why?... You ask.  Well, it is like you are given a chance to start over... a fresh start sort of speak.  As if, the only things in the "air" are kindness, goodness... and nothing but sweetness.  All ideas being obtainable with such optimism.

The new year always puts out it's own "holiday" energy.  When Christmas rolls around... I always get taken back to my own childhood at Christmas time... as if anything were possible... wishes "could" come true.  To me, the new year brings on a feeling of new, of hope and of many possibilities.  As if in one year everything in your life "could" change.   

I have started this year with so much hope and faith... so many plans and aspirations.  I have this "weird" feeling... a sense of "belief" if you will.  I believe that if I do right by myself... take care of myself...  enjoy my life... all else in the universe will fall into place.  Yes... that's right... it will all fall into place.

Funny... I remember once when my brother sick, he was working so hard and I suggested to him to take it easy, just while he was sick.  He was quick to respond to me ... "businesses do not stop sending bills out when we are sick... if I do not work... no one else is going to work for me."  

Having said that... If I want a particular LifeStyle, or rather if I want to live a certain way, a healthier way... a way that betters the chances of my living a long, happy and healthy life... to be around for my children... I have to do it myself... no one else is going to do it for me.

SOOooo... with my cabinets purged of all things (bad) that I can live without, which weren't many, I start my year (and the rest of my life,) with a healthy, yummy pantry! 

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  ~World Health Organization, 1948

Drink plenty of water (coffee and fresh juices made with water count too!)... [plenty = basically a gallon,] snack often, keep busy and be active with your family!  A family that plays together, stays together!  

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of Bing images.

I am not a doctor or a dietitian, and am not promoting for you to follow "my lifestyle re-design."  This is for my own personal gain (or loss) and not affiliated with wii in any way.  wii is not paying me for this.  I do however advise you to consult your physician before exercise or dieting.  

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam. Please contact me for permission..Just ask.

Post 5 / Day 23 ~ Foods That Are Your Friends

Nothing like trying to meet your goals during the holidays!  Holidays or not, we still have to eat, drink and exercise.  However, the reality is that during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is very hard to do certain things.  But once incorporated in your lifestyle, it will become second nature to do the right thing for yourself.

I am sure that my life is no different than most during the holidays.  If you have a big family like I do, you are just a little bit more busy.  Planning, making lists, shopping, preparing for the arrival of more family members and the cleaning that comes with it.

So, with all that said, time has become a huge commodity in my life and unfortunately stopping to exercise or even eating at times comes very difficult to me.  But, this does not mean that I did not get most of my water intake in, I stayed positive and I ate to my liking without going overboard.  Not only that but I baked cookies and made sweets, and I only tried one of each. 

Each week I try to learn something new with you when it comes to being healthy, whether it is a new exercise, recipe or even a new way of doing things to make life easier on me.  This week I came across a book that once belonged to our dear Nana... Foods That Cause You to Lose Weight ~ The Negative Calorie Effect by Neal Barnard, M.D.

In this book I have discovered a little something I would like to share with you, call it a little Christmas present from me to you... following is a list of twenty foods you can eat in virtually unlimited portions.  There's a catch though, I know isn't there always?  The catch- Enjoy these foods with no butter, margarine or oily toppings (fats are fattening):

Corn, celery, Rice, peas, potatoes, Cauliflower, Lettuce (all varieties), pineapple, Broccoli, Cabbage, carrots, apples, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, oranges, grapefruit, Spinach, Bananas, lentils, Oatmeal 

By the way, there are way more foods than what I listed too!

I will leave you this week with this thought... remember to eat healthy and to eat often.  Have a craving for sweets? Eat an apple.  It will fill you up and satisfy that need for sugars, naturally.  Don't forget to drink your water, and stay active.

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of Bing images

I am not a doctor or a dietitian, and am not promoting for you to follow "my lifestyle re-design."  This is for my own personal gain (or loss) and not affiliated with wii in any way.  wii is not paying me for this.  I do however advise you to consult your physician before exercise or dieting.  

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam. Please contact me for permission..Just ask.

Post 4 / Day 16 ~ Choosing To Be Natural

There were six goals I was working towards this week..

1. eat BREAKFAST everyday                                              
2. have healthy SNACKS out or prepare a healthy snack in between meals
3. do AT LEAST a half an hour of cardio THREE DAYS
4. water, Water, WATER!
5. stay ACTIVE
6. keep POSITIVE

Is four out of six okay?  I am so happy to say that eating breakfast is one of the hardest things to do.  I am just not hungry when I get up.  However, as I have learned from many nutritionalists, personal trainers, professional body builders, fitness models, articles and doctors... BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY.  Well I am happy to say that I ate at least a piece of fruit each day!  Can I get a "whoop, whoop"!

The other three goals I met?  I stayed very active, very positive and drank water.  I did not drink as much as I should have, but I did drink some.  I am trying to at least have water with most meals, to get some water in.  As well as carrying a bottle of water where ever I go.

I know... I did not get cardio in!!  HOWEVER, and this is a big however, I have fit in my size 10 jeans this week!!  I do not know that I have lost any weight, but fitting in a smaller sized jeans is pretty good.   "Whoop, Whoop"! 

I am pretty sure that I can attribute the loss in pant size to being really, really busy lately.  

This weeks goals are making sure I eat the following...

My Daily Food Plan.
Click here for yours.

1. Daily:  eat fruits, whole grains, leafy greens, nuts, carrots and green tea.
2. Three times/week:  Oily fish, yogurt, avocado, broccoli, sweet potato and alcohol.
3. Once/week:  red meat, past and dessert.  Alcohol should fall in this area, however this is My LifeStyle Re-Design custom made for me.  Being that I want to lead a healthy life doing what I love to do, wine is something I love to have with my dinner.  
4. Zero/week:  fast food, soda (club soda ok), processed meals (ie frozen meals), canned soup (I never eat canned soup- home made all the way!) and "Diet" anything!  Not even artificial sweet-ners.*

The only foods that may be tricky for me, would be just eating more of anything.  Especially, when we should be eating 5 to 6 small meals a day.  Just like most of you, I am busy and find it hard to stop to eat.  But I HAVE TO!!  Especially when the result would be a higher metabolism.

Number four for me is not a big deal.  I have always lived by 'my' golden rule of not eating "diet" anything.  I have always felt that it you need to loose weight, then you have no business drinking soda!  

The way I feel about "artificial" anything is ... look at third world countries where they eat everything from the earth and made from scratch.  No processed canned foods etc.   Now, think about this... you do not hear of people dying from cancer or how about heart attack rates?  What about their life expectancy?  They tend to live longer lives.  :)   

Long ago I decided to stay away from processed foods and eat as natural as I can.  

Choose to reinforce your mind positively! Choose an empowering attitude! Choose to overcome unwanted obstacles! Choose to approach change with optimism! Choose to make each day better. Choose to be a magnet of motivation for others. Choose to be thankful for the gracious, glorious gift of CHOICE! Do it every day and DO IT BIG!!!    ~  Jimmy Hagewood

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of www.choosemyplate.gov

I am not a doctor or a dietitian, and am not promoting for you to follow "my lifestyle re-design."  This is for my own personal gain (or loss) and not affiliated with wii in any way.  wii is not paying me for this.  I do however advise you to consult your physician before exercise or dieting.  

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam. Please contact me for permission..Just ask.