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Encouragement: March - the month of Luck - Even if Your Not Irish!

3/30/2018

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Green is my favorite color. March is a green month. With four leaf clovers, leprechauns, and other Irish inspired icons. All things lucky, green, and Irish.

What is Saint Patrick's Day? What does it mean? Where did it begin?

“Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick
(Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick"),
is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March,
the traditional death date of Saint Patrick ( c. AD 385–461),
the foremost patron saint of Ireland.” - Wikipedia

March is also the third month of the year. It's means that one-fourth (one quarter) of the year has already passed. Gone. So, what did you do for the first quarter 2018? What accomplishments did you make during the first quarter of 2018? Are you making progress on your goals for 2018? Are you living your life to the fullest? Most importantly, are you happy?

It's easy to make goals on January 1 and then forget them by March 1. Ask yourself this question – will you be happy if you never accomplish those goals? If not, then you need to get serious about them and get them done. Don't carry them over until the next year, then the next year, and so on. Get them done and then set new goals.

There are goals I have made in the past that I either didn't get to work on or worked on but couldn't complete in the time allotted. So I carried them over into the next year. I just didn't have time to finish them. For example, losing weight. I lost a lot of weight in 2016, but I needed to lose more so I carried that goal over into 2017 and continued to work on it. Don't give up on a goal even if you don't get it completed in 2018, but work on it. Don't just let it sit there without any action at all.

Sometimes when we take a small action on a goal it does something to us. Sometimes it motivates us to do more. Sometimes it sparks us to tweak it and accomplish more. Sometimes we realize that the goal is too lofty and we are most likely never going to accomplish it. However, if we have made these goals using the SMART process that I wrote about in January 2017 and 2016, then success is almost guaranteed.

March is the month of luck and green...If you haven't started working on your 2018 goals what better time to start than in the month of lucky four leaf clovers? Get your 2018 goals out and review them, evaluate where you are with them, take action – any action, no matter how small,
just take action!


Have you started working on your 2018 goals? Have you accomplished any of them? Did you use the SMART method for goal setting? Are you happy?

XOXO
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Life: 21 Ways to Listen to an Audiobook Without Really Trying!

3/23/2018

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If you are like me, you love to read. You also find it hard to find time to read. It may be that your eyesight is not what it once was. I have found that audio books are a great way to keep reading even when you can't, for whatever reason.
Most of the time I check my books out at the library. My library has a system when you can check them out online and then download them into a temporary file (mine is called OverDrive) and when the book needs to be returned, it just disappears or you clear it and you never pay a late fee again. You can also recheck it out if you need it longer. I listen to books mostly on my ipad, but you can also listen from an iphone or android phone. It is the best thing to happen to readin since book binding, lol.
There are other options for obtaining audiobooks, for example subscription based and free, as well. A few apps like:
1. Audible,
2. Audio Books,
3. Kobo,
4. LibriVox,
5. Otto,
6. Goodreads,
7. and Loyal Books


I can not endorse any of these apps as I only use Overdrive, but most have good reviews and I know a few people who have used some of these apps and like them. Choose one or more that meet your individual needs.


Here is a list of ways you can listen to an audio book and not take time away from other things you do.
I do a lot of these and I finished over ten books last year. Try them and see if it doesn't make you feel better about waiting in line and you can actually finish a book rather quickly.



21 Ways to Listen to AudioBooks Without Really Trying. Listen while:
1. Exercising
2. Cooking a Meal
3. Washing dishes
4. Folding laundry
5. Baking
6. Doing housework
7. Walking
8. Doing Arts and Crafts Projects
9. Fishing
10. Surfing Social Media (Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
11. Paying Bills
12. 
Waiting for a Doctor, Dentist, Hair, Nail, etc.,
13, Appointments
14. Showering, brushing teeth, dressing, etc.
15. Getting dressed

16, Waiting at a drive thru
17. On Long drives
18. Working out at the gym
19. Walking downtown or at a mall window shopping
20. Doing a project (wrapping gifts, coloring, sewing, etc.
21. Watching children or grandchildren play at the park.
BONUS. Sitting by the pool or on the beach!

You can take an audio book with you anywhere you have your phone.

By the end of the year, you could have read at least 5 books......which is probably more than you read this past year? Right?


Do you love to read but find it hard to read for some reason or another? Have you ever listened to an audio book? What was your experience? Do you have any tips or suggestions for the rest of us? Please share.

XOXO
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Product Review: Tex-Mex Jackfruit by the Jackfruit Company

3/16/2018

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Let me be clear, I love meat. I am not a vegetarian. However, I do like to cut down on my red meat for health reasons.

Moderation is the key to a healthy diet. Moderation with anything you eat. There are all types of meat substitutes on the market. Some are good, some are just okay, and some are not good at all.


Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis knows I like to try new and different foods. They know that I am not afraid to eat something that I have never heard of before.
​

Recently I purchased a meat substitute made from Jackfruit. It was already seasoned and ready to use. I made tostados using traditional taco shells, taco blend shredded cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce (spinach actually). (See picture below) It turned out really good and it was really easy to prepare.
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A few things you should know about Jackfruit:

If you are interested in trying Jackfruit, you can purchase a package that has already been seasoned and is ready to use or you can find many recipes online to make your own from scratch.

If you use a recipe and make your own from scratch, do yourself a favor and purchase the Jackfruit canned. If you buy a whole green Jackfruit, you will find it filled with a sticky white resin that stains whatever it gets on. Trust me, you really don't want to do this from a fresh Jackfruit. It is messy and you can ruin a lot of things with the staining resin.

​ The canned version is so much easier and not at all expensive. Trader Joe has a canned version for only $1.99 for a 20 ounce can (45 calories to a 1 cup serving).

Here is a link to a good recipe for using this fruit as a substitute in BBQ: Jackfruit BBQ Recipe
What can you do with Jackfruit? Here are a few more ideas:


1. The fleshy part (the "bulb") can be eaten as is or cut up and cooked.
    1. Jackfruit Salad (recipe at: Spicey Jackfruit Salad Recipe )
    2. Jackfruit Tacos (recipe at: Jackfruit Fish Free Tacos Recipe )
    3. Buffalo Jackfruit Spinach Dip (recipe at: Buffalo Jackfruit Spinach Dip Recipe )
    4. Jackfruit Tuna Melt Sandwich (recipe at: Jackfruit Tuna Melt Sandwich Recipe )


That's a few to get you started. There is really no recipe that Jackfruit can't be used in place of the meat, if you season it correctly. Jackfruit is a very versatile meat substitute.


Here are a few nutrition facts about Jackfruit:


  1. Calories: 157 per 1 cup sliced fruit
  2. Fiber: 3 grams or 10% of Daily Value
  3. Potassium: 110 mg
  4. Protein: (not much) 1 gram
  5. Low Sodium: 0%
  6. Carbohydrates: 12% of Daily Value
  7. Vitamins: C = 37% of Daily Value
B6 = 25% of Daily Value
Magnesium = 12% of Daily Value
A, Calcium, Iron = 2-4% of Daily Value


Jackfruit doesn't provide a lot of protein, but it is packed with several other nutrients and without the animal fat and cholesterol. A great substitute if your goal is not to eat meat.


I would buy this product again and make tacos, I will admit it is different than beef or pork, but it is good. The texture is like meat and the seasonings are right on the mark for a tex-mex dish.


Do you try to limit your diet of red meat? Are you vegan? Are you open to meat substitutes? Have you ever tried Jackfruit? What was the experience like? Share with us any recipes you may have for using this tasty fruit as a meat alternative.


XOXO

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Book Review: Aging Myths by Seigfried Kra, M.D. - Is it all in our head?

3/9/2018

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Most people accept that at some point in their future they may experience mental decline. Dementia and Alzheimer's being the two most dreaded possibilities. However, that doesn't have to be the case for the majority of us. We don't have to accept those possibilities without a fight.

Diet, exercise, and social skills all play a part in the prevention of these ailments. Although this book is several years old, the information is still good. In fact, recent studies have reaffirmed a lot of Dr. Kra's writings.

There are so many causes of mental decline, it is hard sometimes to pin point the exact cause without doing a number of tests. Even then sometimes those tests can be deceptive.

Some of the many causes of mental decline are:
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Mini Strokes
  • Adrenal Gland Failure
  • Poor Nutrution
  • Anemia
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Failure
  • Lung Diseases (low oxygen; apnea; COPD; etc.)
  • Medications and Recreational Drugs (Beta Blockers; OTCs; Alcohol; Marjuana; Cocaine, etc.)
  • Head Injuries, Brain Tumors, Brain Infections
  • Viruses
  • AIDS
  • Parkinson's
  • Alzheimer's
  • Conjestive Heart Failure
  • Depression


A lot of these conditions can be treated and many times memory is restored.
While some things we can't control, there are specific things we can control.

A few of the variables that we can control that many help delay or prevent mental decline are:
  • Nutrition: Low levels of vital nutrients contribute to mental and physical decline. Changing diet or adding supplements can turn this around.
  • Mental and Physical Activity: Mental and physical activities stimulates adrenaline and high adrenaline levels in the brain will prevent depression and boredom.
  • Social Interactions: Maintaining relationships keep our minds current and active.
  • Medications: Use of OTCs, Selective Prescriptions, Controlling issues naturally with out medications.
  • Other Health Issues we can control with or without medications:
    • Blood Pressure
    • Sugar Levels
    • Cholestral
    • Vitamin Deficiencies
    • Depression (Without Medications)
    • Weight (Under or Over)
    • Apnea


This book is full of stories of actual cases where mental and physical decline were reversed or cured with simple changes to diet, physical activity, positive thinking, monitoring of medications, etc.
While it is over thirty years old (Copyright 1986), the book is extremely interesting and you can learn a lot through the case studies. The tag line on the cover says “Reversible Causes of Mind and Memory Loss”. If you couple this book with modern discoveries and breakthroughs, while applying the lessons learned, you can make significant improvements to your own mental health.

I recommend this book as long as you incorporate the latest information that is available before making changes to your life. While this book is still relevant, medicine and research has expanded on these ideas and more is known. Use this book as a launching point to debunk the myths of aging.

Do you exercise physically and mentally? Next time you go for a walk, make note of how you are feeling before and after your walk. Is there an improvement in your mental and/or physical feeling after your walk? How?
​

XOXO
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Life: Reinvention and going out On Fire!

3/2/2018

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Over my life I have reinvented myself many times. From my first heartbreak in love to my early retirement from public work a few years ago. I have started over many times as many of you have, too. Each time I restart or reinvent myself, I use the lessons of past reinventions to guide me in the next.

I don't know about you, but I don't intend to live the rest of my life by other people's rules. Each person has the right and obligation to themselves to live life to fullest all the way to the end. Always do what makes you happy - following God's word, of course.

Never let someone discourage you simply because they are discouraged. If you show them how to live life fully, that will be the best lesson you could ever give them.
​
Show them how to live!

A lot of us have health issues, financial issues, image issues, and other issues that could hold us back, if we let them. There is no reason you can't be the best you can be in what ever situation you are in. Make the most of every breathe you take. Work within the limitations you have, but don't let them control you. There is always a way if you want something bad enough.

Remember, no one (and I mean no one) is going to leave this earth alive. We may leave as a dead soul or we may leave as a vibrant soul. You are the only one that can make that choice. Choose vibrant! Choose a life on fire!

When it comes time to leave this world, let's don't go out quietly - let's go out:

1. Tired from living a full, fun life!
2. Content that we have not wasted this life that was given to us!
3. Happy, knowing we have followed our hearts, fulfilled our desires, lived for our passions, and done all we could!

Let's go out - On Fire and Happy!

XOXO
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    My mission​

    Sharing thoughts and ideas for the woman over 50 that are helpful, fun, creative, inspiring and interesting. Over 50s who want to remain relevant, happy and loving their life.
    On fire for your own life!
    ❤ Sheryl ❤

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