Minori Family ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Hello!  I've never seen such a great family video.  The Ice Bucket Challenge they did was inventive, planned, and awesome!  Check it out and make a donation today!

Robin Willams Sketches for NAMI

This article is the only one I've done that has absolutely nothing to do with exercise.  It does have to do with mental health.  Robin William's suicide has rocked the world.  It should.  Just like the double digits of vets that do the same thing.  Every DAY.  We must fund mental illness for medications, research, and simply to help those that can't afford their meds and such.

Solution for me?

My future son-in-law, artist Carlos Cabaleiro, is sketching a Robin Williams series, and the proceeds go to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.  (NAMI)  They are VERY reasonably priced.

Please consider purchasing a portrait of this great comedian for the cause which could have helped him, maybe.  We will never know.  Let's not let it happen again.

The first one is from "Good Morning Vietnam," and can be found at the link below on ebay.

Carlos Cabaleiro Art

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251617390705

Thank you!
Best~ Veronica

Night Eating

I am a night eater.  I know many people that are.  Doctors say that's bad, but others say that a calorie is a calorie, and no matter when it is consumed, counts.  Now, I'm not advocating eating a pizza before bed, but a snack is okay.  I eat later in the day, but that's my habit.  It's all habit, and changing it is a mind trip.  Motivation to quit eating at night is all between the ears.

Some tips to counter balance night eating:

1.  Drink a full glass of water before every meal or snack, as this helps fill you up.  It really works!
2.  Do something.  Most of us night eat out of stress or boredom.  Change your habits, and you'll see the results.
3.  Chew gum or hard candy (sugar free) put on some music, stretch and do yoga, read, exercise, do a CRAFT, as it will keep your mind, hands, and mouth busy.
4.  Get on Face Book and play a game.  These things are addictive.  I quit them, but it does work for a few peeps I've talked to.
5.  Save some calories for what you normally eat at night.
6.  Have low calorie snacks available: fruit, sugar free ice cream novelties. (Not a half gallon that you will eat half of...
7.  Call a friend and talk a while.
8.  Clean something.  (This one is my favorite, as time flies.)
9.  If you do eat, don't graze.  Just eat one or two things.
10. Change your mind and throw away the food you just made.  A therapist once told me that you can throw food away (Which we were taught to NEVER do!), or you can throw yourself away.

In essence, stress, boredom, celebrations, holidays and more can be celebrated and handled in many ways, and you don't have to always center it around food.  Enjoy the company of others.

I know I will try harder.  I've gained 6 pounds, and I don't like it.  We are headed into prime eating season, and I should get a grip before I gain more!  Ahhh!

My Exercise Heroine

I have a hero.  I know she is a woman, and it is proper for her to be a heroine, but she is more than a girl hero, she's a super-hero!  Who is this amazing person?

My stepmother, Darlene.  She is in her sixties, (I won't tell her exact age for fear of serious retribution!)  She walks and runs most every day, and if she's not doing that, she is gardening, going to the gym, or working out in her home.

She is my inspiration.  She is now training for her umpteenth marathon.  She hasn't done one in a few years, but on the shady side of her decade in years, she is going for it anyway.  She busts some serious butt.  I never walked with someone so fast!

She wasn't always in shape.  She was overweight and smoked - a lot.  She quit smoking some years ago, and she lost her weight.  Now, she's just keeping it under control.  I want to get there, too.  She never is negative about my weight - like so many have been.  She is encouraging beyond belief, and even gave me a beautiful house dress (I love flowing, long skirts and dresses, and haven't worn one in years.), and color for my hair - just because I mentioned I wanted to go red, and that I wanted to be a bit more bohemian in my outfits.  You know, comfortable and funky.

The thing is, she builds me up and makes me feel beautiful in my skin now, not waiting until I lose all the weight, but celebrating who I am, just because.  No negativity, just a lot of praise, occasional pushing, but it is always with love.

Everyone needs a person like that.  She leads by example. :)