My New Wall!

So, I decided to not go with a railing for outside from one landing and down to the pool.  Instead, I came up with the idea of building a planter wall so that on one falls over the edge...plus it looks finished.
Thanks to Hardco in Whitby for supplying the stone and to Century Greenhouse in Port Perry for their Flowers!  Love both these businesses! 

BEFORE

AFTER#1

AFTER#2

LOVE IT!!  Next construction is the pool wall!!.....just wait!  I REALLY enjoy doing stuff like this!  Vince does all the cuts and I do the design and placing of it all.  We are such a great team! ;)

NL xoxo

A Powerful Antioxidant that WILL Benefit Your Health

Most of you don't get in the proper nutrients that our bodies need. Too many of you consume foods that are processed.....the quick and easy foods! But when you think of it, quick and easy foods can be healthy.....fruits and veggies are quick and easy! Hmmmm, no excuse there!

Processed foods are extremely bad for our bodies, and it's funny how people will wonder why sickness and disease occur.

Eat foods that are natural....foods that God or the earth gives us!

Try adding in blueberries once a day or even a few times per week to start! The health benefits of blueberries and it's "krew" alone will change your life and health!  The blueberry, also known as "brain-berry" or "youth-berry", has more powerful disease-fighting antioxidants than any other fruit or veggie.

Some of blueberries krew include purple grapes, cranberries, cherries, blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries, strawberries and currants. You can buy these fresh, frozen or even dried. Be aware that some dried fruit is heavily sprayed with chemicals to prevent pests and mold. Blueberries and cranberries are not heavily treated but strawberries and grapes (raisins) are, so buy organic dried fruit when you can.

Blueberries and it's krew are known to play an important role in the prevention of....
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
- senility
- cancer
- degenerative eye disease
- cataracts
- age related conditions (eg Alzheimers and Dementia)

So add a little (a cup or two) of blueberries or it's crew, to your eating habits daily and see what the benefits of these antioxidants can do!

*note, buy organic products as much as you can!

NL xoxo

Have a Little Patience and Teach!

"You're a Loser";  "You're useless"; "You can't....."; "You will never......"; "You're so stupid".....I've heard these phrases once too many times!  I've heard it from parents talking to their kids, or other kids, this way...from the TENDER age of 1 years old all the way to 25!  Yes!  THAT young AND that old!!  Really, things like this should never be said.  Why!...Why would ANY parent want to put their child down or give them limits, at whatever age?  I don't get it!  It makes me SICK to my stomach to hear such negative things come out of parents mouths sometimes. 
I remember when Aspen was starting to learn how to walk, and she was holding on to my hands, her tiny feet had tripped a bit (sooo cute) and she fumbled in her walking......my response was "oopsey!  try again sweetie, you can do it".....but a response from someone else who was around at that moment  was "Loser!  Can't you walk yet!"
It took me A LOT to keep my temper and manners in control....and not hauling off and givin them a good shot to the head and tellin them where to go!
Its like a business....people who are great at what they do have failed many times!  This is how you learn!  You are not stupid for failing at something....you see what works and what doesnt, and try again.
Parents!, listen to your kids! Talk to them! They are tiny and are learning. From birth they are learning. If Aspen gets frustrated or upset, I NEVER get frustrated back. I understand that she doesnt know how to deal with a situation and I have to guide her through it and teach her. You will NEVER catch me saying a negative thing and telling her to "SETTLE DOWN!" or "QUIET already". I calm her down and talk to her and ask her what's wrong. Even though she can't talk sentences or all words yet, but she talks her own language and I try to figure it out.
Another example, I went for a walk with one of my BOOTCAMPERS the other day and we were walking in a neighborhood, and came up to a toddler "losing it" cause he didn't want to go in. Now, mom didn't say anything, just picked him up (nicely) and took him in the house kicking and screaming. Now my choice to handle that, and I have been in that situation where Aspen gets upset, is to talk to her and explain things. And I always get down to her level, so on one knee, so it doesn't look like a "power thing" because I'm standing over her. And this way of handling it does work. It takes a few minutes longer, but in the end she starts to understand and there's no "BLOW UP" taking place.
Just take a few more minutes with your kids and keep calm. You have to remember that they don't understand a lot of things and you need to teach them. 
I will encourage my daughter everyday!  To be a strong individual and who SHE wants to be.  I want her to enjoy every minute of life and live for each day.  Don't get lost and follow what society is doing or what society says....I know some of you understand me when I say that.  Vince and I live this way and its fantastic!  He encourages me and I encourage him....we are a team in life!  Go for dreams!  And don't let anyone try to bring you down.
Remember, how you choose to talk to your children at a young age, WILL affect them later in years.....You see it all the time.....the older kids/adults who were brought up in a negative environment, and those brought up in a positive environment.
Show your kids (whatever age!) LOTS of love and encouragement!

NL xoxo

Sweet Potato Salad

This is a VERY delicious dish that my husband makes!! I really enjoyed this one and you will too!  This recipe is from the cookbook "Eat Clean".

Ingredients
4 sweet potatos - peeled and cut into bited size cubes
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 purple onion - coarsely chopped
2 leeks - chopped
1/2 cup low sodium stock
1 tbsp unsulfured molasses
2 tsp exotic mix (recipe below)
1/3 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1 tsp sea salt

Exotic Spice Mix
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black peppercorn
2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp coarse sea salt
1/2 tsp anise seeds
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
*in frying pan over medium heat, toast all spices together.  Dont spray frying pan or use oil....cook spices dry.Toast for several mins until pan begins to smoke.  Remove from heat and let cool.  Put spice mix into a magic bullet and pulse until you have a smooth, finely ground spice mixture.  Store in a glass jar for future use.

Cook sweet potatoes in a pot of water until they are tender but not soft and mushy.  Drain and let cool.  In a big frying pan heat olive oil, when oil is hot add onion and leek and saute for several minutes until onion is soft.  Add stock and molasses.  Bring liquid to a boil, stirring frequently.  Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid becomes thicker - about 10 mins.  Remove from heat.  Combine sweet potatoes with onion mixture.  Add exotic spice mix and add in sunflower seeds and sea salt.  Mix until well combined.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

NL xoxo



Mmmmm...Cherry Yogurt Pops!

Here is a summertime treat...and its healthy!  You and the kids can now enjoy a cool treat that is healthy for them instead of eating popsicles that are made of water, sugar and food coloring!  Aspen, Vince and I LOVE these!

Cherry Yogurt Pops
2 cups fresh cherries
1/2 cup cherry juice
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1 cap full vanilla extract
1 teaspoon honey

Wash cherries VERY well.  Cherries will be sprayed (if not organic) so washing is EXTREMELY important!  Cut cherries in half and take pit out.  Puree the cherries and set aside.  Take half of the cherry puree and mix in cherry juice.  You can use any juice you want really.  Try to find a juice that is REAL juice (it will expire quickly), as it will be healthier then regular juice. 
*You can also make your own cherry juice by cooking 2-3 cups of cherries on low heat until mushy.  Then pour the cherries through a fine strainer and into a bowl.  Or you can use a cheescloth.*
Pour the cherry puree/cherry juice into the popsicle molds.  Freeze for about an hour.  In a separate bowl, mix the other half of the cherry puree, yogurt, vanilla extract and honey.  Mix well.  Then pour into the popsicle molds making sure the cherry puree/cherry juice mix is frozen.  Add popsicle sticks after about 20 mins.  Freeze well and enjoy!

*when i poured the cherry puree/juice mix in first, I froze them on an angle in the freezer so that I will get that slanted effect in the popsicle.

Enjoy!

NL xoxo

VitaBit #1

Here is a little VitaBit on Vitamin D and my story on why I have been taking it for YEARS and why I have my family on it and also I recommend to all my clients. 

Back when I was in high school (grade nine) I remember my mom coming home from the doctors and her telling my dad that the doc had mentioned that she is low in Vitamin D, and was close to having osteoporosis.  Because I listen to EVERYTHING around me I remembered this and have never forgotten it.  So I hear that mom is close to osteoporosis….she also has an underactive thyroid (which I didn’t at that time yet)….. and now she is to be taking vitamin D…..Well, I always need to know the “why” to all things, so this is something I later did my research on.  Was there a connection with underactive thyroid and osteoporosis?  Or was there a connection between Lack of Vitamin D and an underactive thyroid?   

Well here is a little info on all this! 

Vitamin D is crucial for many reasons, especially for women. Vitamin D is very important when it comes to cancer prevention in women; the types of cancer are breast cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and colon cancer.  Funny thing is that my mom passed away from Ovarian Cancer….not saying it was because of the lack of vitamin D (which she didn’t take all the time and stopped it for awhile…..Yes I pay attention to small things like this even at a young age!), but who knows right.  I will also share my story on my mom and ovarian cancer in another post.

Some of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be seen in WOMEN only…

·         mood changes during premenstrual syndrome

·         mood related symptoms such as depressive behavior and/or seasonal affective disorder

·          in menopausal women, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be closely related to osteoporosis

·         In pregnant women, we already know how important vitamin D is for the fetus (Vitamin D plays an incredibly important role when it comes to growth and development)

Infants who are only fed on breast milk can become deficient in vitamin D.   This is why I would add in vitamin D when I pumped milk for Aspen.  If the mother’s diet is low in foods that are rich in vitamin D, this will certainly lead to poor quality of her breast milk. If you are pregnant, you have to talk to your doctor about the right foods to consume during and after your pregnancy. Breastfeeding mothers must pay attention to what they eat. Sometimes, doctors can give you vitamin supplements to use during your pregnancy.

In BABIES and CHILDREN, here are some of the symptoms…

·         muscle cramps (in babies)

·         low calcium levels in blood

·         difficulties in breathing and fragile bones (and skull) prone to fractures

·         your child’s development is too slow

·         Immunity system can become considerably weaker

·         Low energy

·         painful bones

·         dental deformities

·         general weakness

·         darkened skin

·         skull deformities

·         difficulties in crawling

·         lack of sleep

·         no significant progress in growth

·         your child’s teeth are delaying and just won’t come out

·         obesity

·         immune system problems

·         multiple sclerosis

·         high blood pressure

Severe cases of vitamin D deficiency in children can cause certain heart problems due to heart muscle weakness which can endanger the lives of children. Such cases are rare, but keep in mind that your child must get the right daily dose of vitamin D needed for his/her normal development.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause permanent problems in children! 

Another reason  I have been taking Vitamin D for YEARS, throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding,  and have been giving it to Aspen since she was born.

In general for ADULTS, a lack of Vitamin D may cause….

·         Depression

·         chronic fatigue

·         weight loss

·         diabetes -- people who suffer from diabetes and have vitamin D deficiency can have additional problems with diabetes

·         heart disease

·         stroke

·         osteoporosis

·         rickets

·         high cholesterol levels

·         hypertension

·         teeth problems

·         bone problems

·         obesity -- vitamin D levels are closely related to obesity.

So, after reading all this you MAY now consider going out and getting some Vitamin D supplement!  You can also incorporate some such as egg yolk, fish, fish oil, some cheese, beef liver and some types of grain into your daily diet.  Consult with  your doctor or your natural health practitioner as well. 

Here are the brands I use for my family….Vince and I use the Sisu pill form and Aspen uses a Innotavtive Research liquid form.

NL xoxo

BeautyBit #1

Here is my first "BeautyBit" for the blog!


For those who didnt know this about me, I went to Makeup School downtown Toronto back in 1997.  I finished an intensive makeup course there and now do makeup for the odd wedding, prom or evening outing, but mostly for photoshoots and the fitness industry. 
I REALLY enjoy doing makeup and over the years I have come across many different tricks and products that I want to share with you.  So, here is my first BeautyBit.....


Clinique Makeup remover!  Its the pink one.  This makeup remover is the best I have ever used....better than other good brand names.  Because i wear waterproof mascara, this makeup remover takes off everything!  It keeps the skin soft and silky, and it doesn't irritate the eyes.  I have tried many different ones and absolutely LOVE this makeup remover!


I HIGHLY recommend this product!  I buy mine at the Bay, at the Clinique counter.

What is YOUR favorite makeup remover!!  Share on this post, I'd LOVE to hear!
NL xoxo

Why your Omega Oils are SO Important!

One supplement that I feel is so beneficial and extemely important to the body is your Omega 3 oil!  There are so many health benefits to taking in this supplement.  I have been taking in Fish oil for more then 10 years now and followed it all through my pregnancy and breastfeeding with Aspen and I also added in the oil to her bottles (when i pumped and later when i gave fomula) from birth until now.
 
A lot of people will take things for granted and not take any supplements.  Not sure why this is.  I still havent figured this one out.  But why then does a doctor tell us its SO important to take folic acid and multi-vitamins before and during pregnancy.  If its so important then, then why dont people continue....:S (this is my dumbfounded face! lol)

I feel too many people (including many pregnant moms or soon to be pregnant) dont do enough research (or any at all for that matter).  So here I wil keep sharing in all my blogs to teach as many as I can, the importance of MANY things!  I love to research and I love to share!

So here we go on the Omega 3....

There are many different kinds of omega 3 fats, but the most important ones are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Flax seed and walnuts are excellent sources for ALA. Fish oils are an excellent source for EPA and DHA.  The ALA you can buy in supplement form if you didnt want to take in the extra calories of eating walnuts.  It is VERY important to make sure the Brand you take in is of good quality!  A few brands that I like are Ascentra Nutra Sea (fish oil), Udos, and Omega Nutrition (flax oil).
I take my oils in "oil form" not "pill form".
 
You can add im more omega 3 fatty acids by eating more wild-caught salmon, albacore tuna, walnuts, flax seed and avocados.

Now there is also the Omega 6 fatty acids that you may hear about.  Omega 6 fatty acids are found primarily in rich foods such as margarine, cereals, whole-grain bread, baked goods and fried foods. Most people consume far more omega 6 fatty acids and the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids is way out of balance. According to Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, there is mounting evidence proving that people with a high omega 6 to omega 3 ratio have a 95% higher risk of developing colon cancer
We can decrease our omega 6 fatty acids by eating less rich foods such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, processed foods and fast foods.
Omega 3 oils can help with...

• prevent heart disease
• blood pressure
• cholesterol levels
• provide relief for joint pain
• migraines
• depression
• autoimmune diseases
• reduce the risk of blood clots in our arteries
• improves blood circulation
• improvement in brain functions including memory and thinking ability
• chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism
• beneficial for pregnant women for the development of the eyes and brain of the baby.
• helps in avoiding premature births, low birth weights and miscarriages.
•  Type 2 diabetes
• Macular degeneration (total blindness with age)
• skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, dry skin and flaking skin
• helps maintain good hair luster

I hope this post helps you and makes you think a bit and has you running out to the store to get some Omega 3 oil!....especailly if you are pregnant or wanting to be pregnant.  The first 3 months of the baby's developement is extremely important.


NL xoxo

Buisness of the Week

I will be posting blogs on businesses that I have come across and bought their product or service.  I will be sure to share all of them with you.  Why not share with you?!!  If I really like something I will tell you all about the buisness so you can do some happy shopping and be very satisfied.  I will be keeping all negative tones off my blogs. ;)

So this weeks business I want to share is Canadian Tint & Design in Whitby!  I have done A LOT of business with them and I've ALWAYS  been more then happy with the results.  Very good business etiquette....which I always look at.  I HATE bad business etiquette!

Check out their site and see what they can do for you!
 www.canadiantintanddesign.com.

NL xoxo

Best Undies for Little Girls

My little girl is almost potty trained!!  Vince and I are soooo proud of her.  We bought her a potty back when she turned a year and would basically let her play (sit) on it when we would go to the washroom.  We never pressured her once. 
Over the past few months I have put her in undies occaionally....and she has her accidents but ah well.  I wanted her to get used to the idea of undies, plus undies make it more uncomfortable when wet.  I never used the "pullup diaper" as they are still big and bulky.  Who wants big and bulky!  lol
Each accident she has, we stay positive each time....no putting her down, or negative remark.  Well I can say that she is finally getting it.  She understands when she has to go now!  Took a couple weeks of her going on the floor and pointing to it to clean it up! lol Then a couple weeks of her running for the washroom and saying "PEE PEE! PEE PEE!"....and only to get there and she has already gone in her undies. lol  Oh its too cute.  Now, she has been going on the little toilet every single time she needs to go, ALL DAY for the past 4 days now!!!  She even goes #2...YES, poop! 
So I am happy that probably by the time her 2nd birthday rolls around she will be kicking those diapers to the curb and cruzin around in her undies!
I never really looked at undies for her but when I went shopping in Port Perry at the Cuddley Bunny and found some undies there, not knowing what they were all about.  These undies are called Girl Gotch!  They look like little boys underwear.  I thought they were the cutiest thing!  Check out their site at www.girlgotch.com and see why these undies are so fantastic!  They are also Canadian Made! 
Aspen is a tiny little girl and I have to get smaller pants and shorts so that they dont fall off her.....her diaper actually holds them up. lol  So i was hoping that these undies wouldnt fall off....NOPE!  Not a chance!!!  FANTASTIC!!!
I HIGHLY recommend Girl Gotch undies to EVERY SINGLE mommy who has a little girl!!

It's all  high fives over  at our house all day now!!

NL xoxo

Who wants to be around a Negative person?! NOT ME!

The other day I really had the last draw with a situation…negative attitude!  Something I don’t do well with but I’m workin on it…when I hear a negative attitude and its toward myself or my family, I really just want to punch the person right in the face!  Seriously.  This is how angry I get inside.  Obviously I would not do such a thing.  But it would be a nice release sometimes! Lol  Instead, stupid me stays quiet and doesn’t really say anything cause I don’t want to hurt their feelings.  WHAAAAT!!  I know!  Crazy!  But don’t some of us do this?....not say a word so we don’t hurt the feelings of the other person?!! I know I’m not the only one. 

Why is it some people just don’t have a thought process when they speak?  Why is it people will want to put you down any chance they have?  I believe that some people honestly don’t see themselves as a negative or see themselves saying or doing anything wrong.  Its sad really.  Cause those of us see can see this and see what kind of person they really are….how embarrassing. 

You will see negative people with one of the following (or many)…

• a bad relationship
• poor self esteem/image
• stress
• frustration
• history of abuse (mental, verbal, physical)

All that can change your attitude towards life. This is why its SO important to be sure to talk positive to your little ones!!  They are sponges!  The kind of person we have grown to be today is a lot on how our parents have raised us.  And if you were in a negative house, YOU choose how you want to live the rest of your life.

What is so sad about negative people is that they are not happy people. You will always hear them putting others down, making fun of people, negative remarks.  I couldn’t imagine being such a negative person…it is very draining and other people notice this and will choose to keep their distance.  It is also very difficult to reason with a person who thrives on negative energy.

My husband and I have chosen to keep our distance from negative people.  It’s a tough decision!  Our first decision happened about 10 years ago….and just kept getting better! Lol  Seriously!  Once you do it the first time and get rid of some of the negative people around you, its like a HUGE weight has been lifted off!  Its great cause now you have control of your life and how you want to feel.   We live a very happy, positive life now and we teach our daughter, even at her age now (22 mths), the power of positive! Like I mentioned before and I will mention this many times over, We do not speak negative (discouraging) words to our daughter!  There is no "can't" in our vocabulary. :)

Now why do we have negative people around us?....for a learning experience because painful as they are, these experiences will prepare us for other challenges because life is a challenge.  All situations are there to teach….you choose how to use them.

According to one author, “the most important decision we make in our lives is the attitude we choose to express each day when dealing with people and circumstances.”  So even though I really wanted to express myself with a fist to the face or steppin up and verbally telling them where to go, I didn’t.  But yes I will speak up from here on in, but I hope to do it in a positive manner…even tho I am fuming inside!

To decide on change is not easy. A rotten attitude will delay your growth, take your happiness and success in life.  My advice to those who want to live a positive life… you don’t need misery in your lives so avoid negative people because they will bring you down.  If you stay positive and live positive, positive people will come into your life.....you attract what you put out there.  And when the negative comes it wont stay for long.

Stay healthy and positive!

NL xoxo

Cajun Lime Shrimp

Here is a very simple recipe, but very tastey!!  One of my favorites throughout the year....Cajun Lime Shrimp....

1 bag pre-cooked jumbo shrimp (no shell or tail)
2 fresh limes
2 pinches of coarse black pepper
3 or more dashes of cajun seasoning

Mix all together in a bowl.  Be sure to squeeze limes to get all the juice.  I use a spoon to help get out all the juice. Let it sit for 30 mins to an hour.  BBQ 3 mins per side.  Serve in a bowl OR you can make skewers out of them as well. 

Enjoy!

NL xoxo

Great Sale! Don't Miss out!!!

Toys R Us has a great SALE on right now for outdoor playsets for kids.  We finally picked up the playset for Aspen and caught it on sale!!  Aspen is a huge climber and loves to try things by herself.  If shes not climbing at gymnastics, or climbing the ladder when Vince is fixing something, then shes in the house climbing what she can!  lol 
I  am a FIRM believer of letting my daughter explore (in a safe enviroment), and encouraging her that she CAN do it.  I NEVER say to her "No Aspen, you can't do that."  That is a negative response and it doesn't encourage her to try.  It already tells her that she is NOT capable of doing something when she hasn't even tried.  I believe we all need to try no matter what age.  And if you have someone encouraging you saying "I know you can do it, just try", then there's a stronger chance that the person will, and therefore be proud of their accomplishments......and not be afriad to go for other things in life!  Teaching this at a young age (still with certain boundries), will give them a good foundation for when they are older.    You will NEVER catch me telling Aspen "No Aspen, you can't do that".  You have to remember that they are very young and dont comprehend things like adults do, and these little people are SPONGES!!!
For example, how did Tiger Woods become so great at golf?  Sure he could have that gift for the sport, but most likely cause he started out so young (I think 2 or 3), getting used to the clubs and as he gets older he is so comfortable with the clubs that its like second nature for him.  Makes total sense!
Anyways, back on track! 
SO this great saving at Toys R Us, DONT MISS OUT!!!  On the outdoor play set we saved $678!!  THATS fantastic!
And make sure you have it delivered (if possible) or have the right transportation to pick it up! lol  Take a look at Vince's truck in our driveway.  I took this picture the next morning as he got home late with it the night before.  "WOW" was what came out of my mouth and then thought....I hope its not too big....GEEEEZ!! lol

And here is a pic of the first stage of putting together the playset....Vince, my dad, and my dad's friend Peter having a GREAT time putting it together! lol!!!

I will be sure to blog on the final product! 

NL xoxo

My FAVORITE product for skin care!

One of my FAVORITE products for skin care is Olive Oil!   Its actually an ancient beauty secret. 

The Egyptians, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans all took full advantage of this oil.  Mediterranean women are always admired for their beautiful skin. Many claim their secret is the oil of this tiny fruit.

When I was pregnant with my little girl, I wanted to use products on my skin that were not harmful to baby or me.  I still use Olive oil on my skin and continue to use it on my daughter since she was born.  I didnt want harmful chemicals (wait, are there "safe" chemicals?? lol) on her, so most of the products we use are all natural.  And WHY do i want to use natural products on our skin?....because our skin is the biggest organ on our bodies and absorb everything that is on our skin!  Makes you think!!
This is one of the brands that we use.....we sometimes use organic olive oil as well.   Little hint, look for Olive oil in a darker bottle! 

Benefits of Olive oil....

• Promote a smooth, radiant complexion
• Help maintain elasticity of skin
• Heal dry, brittle nails and soften cuticles
• Condition and add shine to hair

What Natural products do you use?

NL xoxo

Hmmmm...good one from a friend!

Sitting here thinking....been doing a lot of that lately (except the sitting part! lol).  I just got home from doing tans, makeup and hair at the OPA Fitness show in Hamilton and I came across a profile pic (actually its not a pic but a few words!) while i was going through my emails before bed last night.  Hmmmm....its a good one! 

Wanted to SHARE this one! 

NLxoxo

Enjoying the little things!

Ok, so I am on a little mission now…..I’m slowing things down in my life.   For those who know me, will agree, that I take on many things and will even add on more which results in a chaotic, STRESSED lifestyle. I do enjoy the challenges of being on the go, and I LOVE the fast pace of having a ton of things on the go. I HAVE to be busy.

My days are spent rushing around, being busy….training clients, doing computer work, teaching bootcamp classes in the evenings, house work, cutting grass, landscaping, AND while doing all of this, taking care of my 22month old little girl!  And she does almost everything with me….except the bootcamp classes.  Daddy is home by then to take over.  We have no one to help us other than my brothers’ wife (she is SOOOO great with Aspen!) who is there for us when we need someone to watch her for events we need to go to….otherwise we juggle our work schedules to make things work. 

I ended up catching the flu Wednesday till Thursday and my hectic life comes to a screeching halt.   This is when I came to a conclusion that I need to slow down.  One of my friends was saying to me that maybe I made myself sick from the stressful lifestyle I lead…hmmmm.  I can honestly say, I think she is right!.  Stress DOES do a number on your body.  Even though I don’t feel stressed out, I have a lot on my plate.  Weekdays are filled, weekends are busy, therefore no down time.  No relaxing for me.  Its like EVERYTHING is on a schedule with me.  I have a “to do” list(s) that never seems to go away….just keep scratching off finished things and add more on.  Now, “to do” lists are great to have, to keep things moving and get things done.  But “getting away”, having some “down time”, is EXTREMELY important.  This is something I know and will tell my clients, but I don’t do it myself.

Well I start now. 

Both my husband and I are always on the go and never get any down time.  Did you know that we have NEVER been on a honeymoon!  And we just celebrated our 12 year anniversary July 3^rd (thank you to ALL those who wished us a happy anniversary…GREATLY appreciated!!).  And we have never gone on a vacation…other then a few days to enjoy Vegas all the timeswe were there for my competitions.  So we have NEVER been on a vacation! Pathetic?...YES!  Now we will be doing a few little mini vacations here and there, and I will be sure to blog them and add in pictures and video!

Here are a few little things that we seem to miss out on and ones that I really do enjoy and did at one time…small little things that can really make you feel good.

-          Enjoying a quiet morning tea out on the back deck

-          Sitting on a dock and just watching the waves roll in

-          Enjoying a calm evening beside a campfire

-          Relaxing walks

-          Fishing! And watching that bobber until it goes under! Lol (I use to LOVE this)

-          Enjoying a good book and a tea out on the deck.

-          Enjoying  a good thunderstorm and seeing the beauty of it.

-          Watching the birds eat at the feeder….those gold finches are so beautiful!

-          A nice long, slow boat ride looking at all the houses on the lake front.

I could honestly list more, but just wanted to give you a few.  I will be enjoying all this from here on in.  Its been awhile!  And if I don’t get some of my "to do" list done, it will still be there tomorrow!

What are some of YOUR relaxing moments you enjoy?

NL xoxo    

A little tidbit on Sugar

I've heard it many times over and over, from clients, overhearing conversations, seeing what people pick at the grocery store.....sugar-free! sugar-free! sugar-free!

Many people think that food that is "sugar-free" is healthier and you will be able to lose weight when consuming these products. That's not the case!

Foods that are advertised as "sugar-free" cookies, cakes and pastries will NOT help you lose weight, control weight, or help you control diabetes. You've gotten the wrong message!

White flour makes your blood pressure rise almost as much as table sugar. Most recipes for baked goods use about six cups of flour for every cup of sugar. Eliminating sugar from the recipe does nothing to slow the rise in blood sugar that you get when you eat bakery products. So whether you eat the regular bakery products or the sugar free ones, they are both just as bad.

You can easily bake healthy, YUMMY, desserts without white flour or sugar. You can use healthy flours, or no flour for that matter, and healthy "sugars" to sweeten your desserts. So there is no need to totally eliminate desserts from your life! With the right ingredients and limiting it to once a week for instance, you can still keep your weight under control, keep your blood sugars under control and keep your diabetes under control for those who are diabetic!

Happy Healthy Baking!

I will include a recipe later this week. In the meantime, please feel free to POST YOUR FAVORITE healthy dessert!

NL xoxo

Aspen enjoying fiesta!

Here is a little dancing by Aspen Jade!  This was taken last weekend at Fiesta at the Ukrainian Pavillion!  Enjoy!! lol

NL xoxo

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day everyone!  Wishing everyone a happy and safe long weekend! 
We spent a wonderful day together....going to a waterfront festival, Aspen's first pony ride,  she got to play on her new toy!, bbq, visiting family, watching the fireworks and having fun with the sparklers.

Aspen on her first pony ride....still probably trying to figure out what kind of dog this is! lol

Aspen so enjoyed the sparklers!!!  Kept wanting more!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

NL xoxo