Monday, May 31, 2010

Thank You Isn’t Enough

Happy Memorial Day!


In all your celebrating this weekend, don't forget the reason for Memorial Day. We should honor all of those who have offered their service and lives to defend each of us, our children and our country. May we never allow the job they have done to be in vain. No matter what anybody thinks of war or our soldiers, we enjoy living in the most free country in the world, thanks to these courageous men and women.  In the midst of all the people today who are trying to take away those very freedoms they fought for, I still  stand, support and honor our heros! 

To all our service men and women - I honor you. I salute you. A simple 'Thank you' is not enough!


A big thank you to my family and their service:


Grandpa Pete - Sgt. in the Army in World War I and World War II

Grandpa Thallheimer - Merchant Marines

Uncle Marc August - Navy CB's in Vietnam

Grandpa Arndt - Navy ~ Korean War

Great Uncle Arthur - Navy ~ Korean War

Uncle Richard – Navy

Cousin David Saul – Navy

4th Cousin, Jake Wagner - Rangers Iraqi Freedom (was a part of the rescue team that rescued Jessica Lynch)

On my husband's side:

Grandpa Banks - Navy

Grandpa Newsom - Army ~World War II

Step Dad, Randy - Navy ~ Vietnam

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"The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history."

Woodrow Wilson


"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Abraham Lincoln

Friday, May 28, 2010

A Bikini? A Tankini? Or A Body Suit?

I have to make a choice.

It’s summer - finally.

Our vacation to the Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs is fast approaching.

I don’t have a swim suit.  At least not one that fits.

I’m also as white as a ghost.  Glowing white.

A long time ago, I use to be a ‘sun goddess’ as they call them.  I had a love affair with the sun.  And baby oil.  Not that you would EVER find me purposely applying baby oil a.k.a. mineral oil to my skin these days since it’s pretty much toxic…but I digress.

The sun.  Baby oil.  A magazine.  Approximately 6-8 hours a day.  I was a ‘sun goddess’. 

See what I mean.  This was June 15, 1992 – 18 years ago!  My friend and I were baking cookies for a bake sale we were doing for Poms.  A little tan, a little burnt. A  Tan-burn.Untitled-4

Soon after I got married, that all ended.  I can’t even tell you why.  The last time I wore a bikini was my honeymoonTen years ago!kari1 karibw

I even stopped wearing shorts.  Capri pants became my best friend.  Maybe it’s because you couldn’t buy stylish shorts that went past your butt and I wasn’t into walking around with daisy dukes that didn’t cover my bum. Yep.  Capri pants it was.

I had to start wearing swimsuits about 6 years ago when we started going to Glenwood Springs every summer.  Ugh.  I never liked how I looked in swim suits.  First and foremost, because I’m female, but mostly because I have an awkward shaped body.  High hips. Really high hips.  Chicken legs.  Padded mid-section.  Not too bad, but padding none the less.  After all I have given birth to two kids.  I have a not so abundant bosom (I blame the kids).  Like I said, ugh!

So, I was browsing the internet looking for swimsuits I could buy.  I’m not into the swim suits at Target and such, only because I’m not into the fabric of most of them, they fade easy and they stretch quickly.  Yes, I tend to stretch out the bottoms.  Anyhooodle…

Here’s what I found.

(all photos taken Hapari’s website, Nordstrom’s website and some other sites from forever ago that I don’t remember.  oops)

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Wishing we could get away with more full coverage suits like the ones below these days.
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Okay, a little, um, out there.  Maybe I could try the cape and cause a new fashion frenzy.  Right here in Colorado – imagine that!
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Maybe this – a little more classy.  I like the heeled sandals.  I normally wear heels at the pool.  Seriously.
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Shoot, this covers up all insecurities.
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Updated version of the black classy one above.  Being strapless, I’d probably slouch.  Not attractive.
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Thinking this would emphasize my funky hips too much!
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Cute, but you really need a toned butt, not to mention thighs, to wear shorts like that.  Okay and a six pack.
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I like how these things cover the bum!  You can have a little ‘junk in the trunk’ if you know what I mean – and still look good!  Not that this model does, but just in case you do…
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They do say the color black slims you up a bit.  I hope it’s dark black, because I don’t think I’d have such smooth lines as her.
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These are more my type – even though I still don’t like wearing bikini bottoms. 
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I like these colors and the flowers.  My chest is small enough (thanks to nursing for 29 months  [and counting] of my life) that I don’t have to worry about showing any cleavage.  I got NONE!
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Not a huge fan of the colors – but I definitely like the skirt.  I can so do this.  It would hide pretty much everything! Photobucket 

So, what style do you wear???

Let’s face it.  I’m a female that is a tad insecure about how she looks in anything other than her jeans and hoodie.  I’m working on being confident enough that it doesn’t matter WHAT I look like.  I won’t care what anyone thinks (well, except maybe hubby).  Until then – this is a big issue for me!

I’m going shopping this weekend to look for the perfect swimsuit – as if that really exists.  Hopefully I can find one at a store.  If not, I’ll be getting online and trying my hand at buying a swimsuit on the web.  How in the world would I even know what size to get?  I usually have to try on 15 sizes, at least twice, to make sure something like this fits me!  Here’s to happy shopping!

Happy Friday Bloggy Friends!  Have a great weekend! As always….

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“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.”

John Lubbock

Thursday, May 27, 2010

What You Eat Does Matter!

I know, I know, these are not my most popular posts….

I realize this may not be the most exciting topic for some, but many people asked me about what foods were good for balancing hormones. 

If you’ve been with me from the beginning of these posts, you know that as a Wellness Coach it is my desire to help people take care of their bodies by eating healthy, exercise and changing their overall environment that affects their physical health.

Years of research has opened my eyes to so many things and more recently research on our metabolism and hormones has been my focus.  This information, if acted upon, can change your physical bodies!

Today I am going to let you all know the foods that help specific hormones and foods that will cause those hormones to become unbalanced.  If you don’t understand why it matters, just know that your hormones are what keep your body alive and running.  When your hormones are unbalanced – you will find many results of that unbalance: sickness, headaches, moodiness, diabetes, thyroid issues, pms symptoms, infertility, weight gain, premature aging and so much more!

The two hormones I’ll discuss today are the Thyroid Hormone and Insulin!

In the posts following this one I will continue with individual hormones and I will go into more detail of over all eating habits and what foods we should be eating, how often we should eat, what we should avoid and what habits we need to change.  I will also address myths and truths regarding our modern diet and FDA guidelines that are clearly failing the American people.  Implementing this information will bring about a noticeable change in your life.

The list below is a good guideline for you.  I’m not saying you can’t ever eat the stuff that unbalances your hormones – that’s your decision – but knowing the information might change how often or how much you consume those products.

FEEDING YOUR HORMONES

Thyroid Hormone
&
Insulin

Thyroid Hormone

Foods for balancing/supporting the Thyroid Hormone:

  • Iodine naturally present in foods such as shellfish, fish and sea vegetables (seaweed). 
  • Sea salt (in moderation).
  • Fruits and veggies with the exception of those with a sluggish Thyroid.  If you are in that group the following cruciferous veggies should not be eaten raw as they will block the uptake of iodine in your body.  These veggies should be lightly cooked:  Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi,  mustard, turnips, rutabaga, spinach, watercress
  • Selenium rich foods (wheat germ, whole grains)
  • Zinc rich foods (beef, lamb, pumpkin and sesame seeds, yogurt, boiled spinach.
  • Monounsaturated fats from sources like Olive oil, avocadoes, almonds, cashews, sesame and pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts.

Foods that interfere with the Thyroid Hormone:

  • Caffeine (eeek) such as coffee, tea, chocolate and caffeinated sodas
  • Goitrogenic foods:  peaches, peanuts, radishes, strawberries, pine nuts, bamboo shoots
  • Soy:  Edamame, tofu, tempeh, isolated soy concentrate, faux meat products
  • Simple Carbs:  refined grains, white pasta, white bread, sugar, potatoes, pastries, corn
  • Excess alcohol
  • All low-fat, low-carb and low protein diets
  • Excess salt
  • Vinegar
  • Soybean and corn oils (polyunsaturated oils)
  • Fluoride in tap water

Insulin

Foods for balancing/supporting Insulin:

  • Zinc that is found in dark meats and seafood
  • Trace mineral, Chromium (found in brewer’s yeast, whole-grain breads, meat, eggs and shellfish)
  • Exercise will help you lose weight which will lower your insulin levels

Foods that interfere with Insulin:

  • Refined carbs like white pasta, white bread, white rice
  • High-glycemic carbs
  • Sugar
  • Low-fat products (filled with tons of sugar)
  • Enriched and processed foods (think bakery items)
  • Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, splenda)
  • Margarine, shortening

To read the previous posts in this hormone segment, visit these links:

Addicted to Hormones Part One

Addicted to Hormones Part Deux

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Have yourself a wonderful Thursday my bloggy friends!  Come back tomorrow for my swimsuit post.  Oooohhhh!

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“When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I'll start tomorrow."  Tomorrow is disease.” 

Terri Guillemets

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

WW – Bring It On

I’m ready for summer!

Bring it on!

bella

remember to:
live.laugh.love.and.celebrate.life.

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“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” 

Russel Baker

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Week In Photos - Project 365: 136-142

I’m going to start doing my week in photos during the week now.  We have been really busy on the weekends and I haven’t been able to get them done, so…

Here are last weeks photos:

Sunday 136
“Delicate Iris”

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Monday 137
“Give Away Win from Sweet Vees Creations”

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Tuesday 138
“GQ”

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Wednesday 139
“Bella’s Graduation Day”

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Thursday 140
“Teacher’s Gifts”

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Friday 141
“Bella’s Last Day of School-Fun Day”

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Saturday 142
“Going To A Wedding”

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Head over and join at Mommmytography!

project365

You can also head over and start up with Sara at:

sara_p365button09

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


remember to:
live.laugh.love.and.celebrate.life.


signature1a


“Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha'.”

Ernst Haas

Monday, May 24, 2010

Help Me Choose THE Name…

I need your help.

Or more appropriately, I want your help.

I am in the process of starting up my new business and I need a name.  I had quite a few choices and narrowed them down to two!  I want you to tell me which you like better, then if you have any ideas for names you’d like to suggest, suggest away my friends!

I started a C-Corporation in 2003 and I was planning on keeping it, but after some research, you can’t run the type of business I’m going to run under a C-Corporation.  Sooo…I am going to dissolve the corp and start an LLC. 

I want the name to indicate that my services will cover ‘your entire life’.  Not just nutrition.  Not just fitness.  But the overall well-being of ‘you.’  This will also benefit when I receive my Doula Certification since I can do this service as a part of my business as well.  For those who don’t know – I am starting a business as a Wellness Coach with a focus on health and nutrition.

Anyhoodle!  Here are the two names I narrowed it down to:

KKAN Life Designs, LLC
(KKAN are my initials, and this is currently what my corporation is called)

1:28 Life Designs, LLC
(1:28 is in reference to Genesis 1:28 when God pronounced The Blessing on Adam.  The Blessing includes total well-being in every area of your life – and I believe we can live in that reality today – hence the name 1:28 Life Designs)

So, what do you think?

I finally received my ‘certification’ in the mail last week.  Isn’t she purty?!!!

5-24-10 163

I want to thank all of you wonderful people in my life for the beautiful and sweet comments, email and FB messages you left me regarding Jerry!  I couldn’t ask for better IRL and Bloggy friends.  I love you all!

And, last week Bella graduated from Pre-K!  It was a busy week, which is why you haven’t heard from me in a while.  They had a little program and hat cute hats and were given ‘diplomas’.  It was darling!

Have a good Monday!  Off to give some TLC to Scout.  He woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and isn’t feeling like himself today!

Don’t forget to tell me which name you like best – or suggest a name!

remember to:
live.laugh.love.and.celebrate.life.

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“The patient should be made to understand that he or she must take charge of his own life.  Don't take your body to the doctor as if he were a repair shop.” 

Quentin Regestein

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Week In Photos – Project 365: 122-135

Better late than never, right?  So – I’m 2 1/2 weeks late due to some personal things that have been going on – but I’m playing catch up today.  I was still taking photos daily – just no time to blog about it.  Two weeks of Project 365 at once!  Here we go:

Sunday 122
“Sprinkler Time”

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Monday 123
“Playtime”

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Tuesday 124
“Tae Kwon Do Girl”

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Wednesday 125
“My Birthday With My Kids”

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Thursday 126
“From Bella”

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Friday 127
“Tropical Mango”

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Saturday 128
“It’s All About Comfort”

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Sunday 129
“Mother’s Day”

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Monday 130
“Big Boy”

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Tuesday 131
“Part Pug, Part Sea Turtle”

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Wednesday 132
“Starbucks With A Friend”

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Thursday 133
“Me”

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Friday 134
“Saying Goodbye”

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Saturday 135
“Dandelions”

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Head over and join at Mommmytography!

project365

You can also head over and start up with Sara at:

sara_p365button09

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

remember to:
live.laugh.love.and.celebrate.life.

signature1a

“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.”
Oscar Wilde
(1854-1900)
 
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