For The Love of Love, And Living In The Present Moment
Posted by Michelle Moquin on January 22nd, 2013
Good morning!
I’m keeping it short and sweet this morning. There were many wonderful moments from yesterday. Two that I want to share that really touched me.
This is one…
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Call me a sucker for romance, one who enjoyes PDA (Public Display of Affection), a champion for love...I am all of the above and more when it comes to love. And yes, I’ll admit at this time in my life I am missing that sharing of my life with someone that I care deeply about who feels the same same for me. So, when I see two people who are so obviously in love, it brings tears to my eyes, warms my heart and shows me once again that a love like that is possible.
And doesn’t Michelle Obama look simply stunning with her new stylish bangs, donning her Jason Wu dress and Jimmy Choo’s! President Obama isn’t bad on the eyes either. :)
And this is the other one…
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Talk about being present and in the moment. I watched with joy as I saw President Obama turn around and take a moment – just for himself. To see him take it all in…taking a moment to take one more look.
This moment brought tears to my eyes too because we all have moments like this that we don’t want to forget…moments where we’ve done something amazing or are recognized for something incredible that we’ve accomplished…or simply just taking a look knowing that you will never be in that exact position again, and the importance of where you are now.
And like the challenging times that we struggle to get through – we want the moment to pass, these moments of grandness we want to capture and grasp for just a moment more…because as in both moments we must also acknowledge that “this too will pass.”
Readers: What were some of your fave moments from yesterday’s Presidential Inauguration? Blog me.
I just want to end with “Welcome back Al!” I’ll check in with the rest of you tomorrow.
Peace & Love…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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January 22nd, 2013 at 11:10 am
Great moments recorded there, I’m guessing the peeps who recd 2nd dance were just elated. I would’ve been : )
I know the flu has hit almost epidemic proportions in parts of the country, found this on Mercola’s site, just checked in there to see what could be done to keep myself in a never sick trend, turns out I do 95% of his list, try it, stay healthy, esp this season, I know peeps who’ve missed 2 weeks out of life bc of it. PS – vegans/vegetarians, eat your fatty oils w/o the animal protein parts.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/22/flu-epidemic.aspx?e_cid=20130122_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20130122
Wishing you all good health, Luv, Zen Lill
PS I run an effective ‘jumpstart’ weight loss program, some of you have experienced the first round of here a few years back. I’ve studied much about nutrition since. My teachings remain the same, eat less (and better food choices) and exercise more (weights amongst other things will keep afflictions of the aging human body at bay and tone your look, too).
I’ll give you the first sentence of the program gratis bc I love you all: fat does not make you fat, sugar/white carbs make you fat. & then I never use the word -fat- again : )
& My next program is an assertiveness training program, I’m always amazed at how people leap from quiet/silent/passive-aggressive to aggressive, an all or nothing proposition, when there are several effective methods for conveying your wants/needs/non-negotiables without any of that confrontational (or say nothing, put up with it) behavior. Cannot wait…!
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Lyle, I did the research, now it’s your turn.
9:55 Police Scanner Audio “be advised we have multiple weapons, one rifle and one shotgun”
CNN Reports 5:07 PM Bushmaster was found IN THE CAR.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:08 pm
5 Surprising Foods to Help You Live Longer
Whether your blood sugar (glucose) levels are normal and you want to keep them that way…or you have diabetes and glucose control is your mantra…it is smart to eat a well-balanced diet to help keep your glucose readings healthy.
In fact, maintaining healthy glucose levels may even help you live longer by avoiding diabetes—one of the leading causes of death in the US.
Most people already know that cinnamon is an excellent choice for blood sugar control. Consuming just one-half teaspoon to three teaspoons a day can reduce glucose levels by up to 24%. Cinnamon is great on cereals, vegetables, cottage cheese and snacks (think fresh apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon).
Other smart food choices…*
Glucose-controlling food #1: BLACK BEANS.
Beans, in general, are the most underrated food in the supermarket.Beans are high in protein as well as soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber helps you feel fuller longer, and insoluble fiber helps prevent constipation. Beans also break down slowly during digestion, which means more stable blood sugar levels.
Black beans, however, are particularly healthful because of their especially high fiber content. For example, one cup of cooked black beans contains 15 g of fiber, while a cup of pink beans has just 9 g.
Bonus: Beans protect the heart by lowering cholesterol and reducing damage from free radicals. For example, one study showed that you can lower your total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by about 8% simply by eating one-half cup of cooked pinto beans every day.
Helpful: To shorten cooking times, use canned beans instead of dried beans. They are equally nutritious, and you can reduce the sodium in salted canned beans by about 40% by rinsing them.
Another healthful way to use beans: Hummus. In the Middle East, people eat this chickpea (garbanzo bean) spread as often as Americans eat bread. It is much healthier than bread because it contains both protein and olive oil—important for slowing the absorption of carbohydrate sugars and preventing blood sugar “spikes.”
Hummus is a good weight-loss dish because it is high in fiber (about 15 g per cup) as well as protein (about 19 g). Ample amounts of protein and fiber allow you to satisfy your appetite with smaller portions of food.
Hummus is made with mashed chickpeas, tahini (a sesame seed paste), lemon juice, garlic, salt and a little olive oil. Stick to the serving size on the label, which is typically two to four tablespoons.
Glucose-controlling food #2: COCOA.
The flavanols in cocoa are potent antioxidants that not only fight heart disease but also help guard against diabetes. In recent studies, cocoa improved insulin sensitivity, the body’s ability to transport sugar out of the bloodstream.
It’s wise for people with diabetes or high blood sugar to choose unsweetened cocoa and add a small amount of sugar or sugar substitute.
Cinnamon hot cocoa combines two glucose-controlling ingredients in one delicious recipe. To prepare: Mix one-quarter cup of baking cocoa, one tablespoon of sugar (or Truvia to taste) and a pinch of salt.
Gradually add one-quarter cup of boiling water and blend well. Add one cup of skim or 1% low-fat milk and a cinnamon stick. While stirring occasionally, heat on low for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and enjoy!
Glucose-controlling food #3: DATES.
These little fruits are sweet enough to qualify as dessert but have more antioxidants per serving than oranges, grapes and even broccoli.
The antioxidants can help prevent heart disease as well as neuropathy—nerve damage that frequently occurs in people who have diabetes.
A single serving (for example, seven deglet noor dates) has 4 g of fiber for better blood sugar management. Be careful: Seven dates also have 140 calories and 32 g of sugar, so this must be added to your total daily carbohydrate intake, especially if you have diabetes.
Dates, in general, have a low glycemic index, so they don’t spike glucose levels. Medjool dates, however, are not an ideal choice. They have significantly more sugar and calories per serving than deglet noor dates.
Glucose-controlling food #4: SARDINES.
Many people know about the heart-healthy benefits of cold-water fish, such as salmon and mackerel. An analysis of studies involving hundreds of thousands of adults found that just one to two fish servings a week reduced the risk of dying from heart disease by more than one-third.
What’s less well-known is that the high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish also helps prevent a too-rapid rise in blood sugar. Besides being low on the glycemic index, fish contains protein, which blunts blood sugar levels.
Best for helping to prevent high blood sugar: In addition to salmon and mackerel, sardines are an excellent choice (when canned with bones, they also are a good source of calcium).
Tuna, to a somewhat lesser extent, offers omega-3s (choose canned light—albacore white has higher levels of mercury).
Also avoid large fish, such as king mackerel and swordfish, which have more mercury than smaller fish. Aim for a 3.5-ounce serving two or three times a week.
Glucose-controlling food #5: ALMONDS.
High in fiber, protein and beneficial fats, nuts can significantly lower glucose levels. In fact, women who ate a one-ounce serving of nuts at least five times a week were nearly 30% less likely to develop diabetes than women who rarely or never ate nuts, according to one study.
The poly- and monounsaturated fats in nuts improve the body’s ability to use insulin. Nuts also help with cholesterol control—important because diabetes increases risk for heart disease.
All nuts are beneficial, but almonds contain more fiber, calcium and protein than most nuts (and are best for blood sugar control). Walnuts are highest in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid salted nuts—they have too much sodium.
Excellent way to add nuts to your diet: Nut butters. Almost everyone likes peanut butter, and it is healthier than you might think. Like butters made from almonds, cashews or other nuts, the fats it contains are mostly monounsaturated, which are good for the heart. The fiber in nut butters (about 1 g to 2 g per tablespoon, depending on the nut) can help lower blood sugar.
Good choice for blood sugar control:
One serving (one to two tablespoons) of almond butter (rich in potassium, vitamin E and calcium) several times a week. Look for nut butters that have a short list of ingredients—they are the most nutritious.
*If you take diabetes medication, consult your doctor before making significant changes to your diet—drug dosages may need to be adjusted.
Source: Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, a registered dietitian and owner of BTD Nutrition Consultants located in New York City.
A nationally recognized nutrition expert and the author of Read It Before You Eat It (Plume), she has advised patients on the best ways to control diabetes for more than three decades. http://www.BetterThanDieting.com
January 22nd, 2013 at 9:23 pm
I have not had a flu vaccine in over 20 years and have never caught the flu. I believe that if the news media and Pharmaceutical companies are scaring the public into getting a flu shot for $25 and more, there must be a monetary reason for it.
Since when do these giant Corporations care about anything but the bottom line — profit.
I know that if people ever bothered to stick to their own beliefs, rather than rely on the news media they would realize that there is no solid evidence to support the effectiveness of the flu vaccine. However There is solid evidence that flu vaccines do not work as they claim to for the specific strains that are out there.
The flu virus can mutate faster than a new vaccine can be put on pharmacy and Doctors’ shelves, so one is putting themselves at risk of an allergic reaction or even death from having a flu shot. Weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourselves.
I personally will pass, thank you.
HOWIE
January 23rd, 2013 at 6:27 am
Howie, If more people would take the time to examine the propaganda pushed by these corporations your advice would be more apparent.
January 23rd, 2013 at 10:16 am
Thank you, Howie, it’s all there in your first sentence, if the govt/media is interested in selling something (we all are selling something, mostly ourselves daily in our jobs, etc…we just don’t think of it that way) they package it in scare/fear tactics, next time you read anything that triggers fear (or fight/flight) put your ‘buyer beware’ cap on and think it through a bit, maybe do some research as to the validity of the claim, there are lots of reliable sites to cross reference for almost everything now.
- ZL