Archive for May, 2009
I’m going to make this quick because the CAVS game is starting! Is your home team still in the playoffs? For those of you who are still watching, the Cavs/Magic series has been a real nail-bitter! It is almost too stressful for me to watch! The Mister and I are getting ready to make some ice cream sundaes and cheer on King James!
I had my first real fruit salad of the season today! My goodness, this just made me realize how much I miss fruit when it’s not in season. It makes SUCH a difference to eat the freshest fruit of the season. So juicy and flavorful. Makes me and my taste buds happy.
Fruit salad
Cherry goodness
My fruit bowl contained:
Cherries
Watermelon
Strawberries
I guess this was a reds-only fruit party!
The star ingredient was definitely the cherries – they were bursting with flavor! I think the fact that I haven’t had them in so long also made this a special treat.
What’s your favorite RED fruit?
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I miss my dog. She’s still alive and kicking, so don’t go feeling too sorry for me, but she’s a family dog and thus resides with my parents. I miss having a smiling furry face bound towards me when I open the door and I hate the empty spot on my lap where she used to snuggle (even though the Mister is a pretty good stand-in 
) I was able to spend some much wanted time with Teddy (don’t judge, my brother named her) this weekend and realized again just how much I love her. This week, I’m thankful for my dog.
I’m thankful that…
She still gives me kisses, even if I yelled at her 30 seconds prior
She’s always excited to see me
She senses when I’ve had a bad day and lets me wipe my tears on her ‘coat’
She hasn’t run away
She pretends to listen when I talk to her about my problems (I’m telling you, she’s perfected the ‘i care’ face!)
She adds to my healthy lifestyle
Wait, what?
No, Teddy isn’t a nutritionist or personal trainer, but ” for nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits,” the article “5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health” on WebMd explains. In fact, “people with pets have been found to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to people who did not have pets, even when matched for weight, diet, and smoking habits,” according to the article, “Physical & Medical Health Benefits of Pets” on peteducation.com.
In addition, “dogs have been shown to reduce blood pressure in a number of populations. Studies in women undergoing stress tests, have demonstrated that the presence of a dog had more of an effect on lowering blood pressure than the presence of friends.”
I know all the walks Teddy and I take together have certainly only helped my fitness and health initiatives. So while cats may provide some of the benefits I listed above, I don’t know of many that will willingly walk outside on a leash!
Teddy
She asks that you please excuse her grassy hair, the paparazzi snapped this photo only moments after she finished playing catch
Do you think you pet has contributed to your healthy lifestyle? Are you a cat or dog person? What is the name of your furry friend?
Don’t forget to enter this week’s Fashion Friday Contest! Email photos to info@thedailybalance.com by midnight tonight!
Ladies and gentlemen, I have done it!
After months and months of reading and swearing (reluctantly) that I would try something that looks like a juicy cockroach, I have finally sunken my teeth into a medjool date!
Upon VeggieGirl’s instruction (she’s quite convincing, people!), I purchased some FRESH (not DRY) medjool dates from Whole Foods. They sat in my fridge for a few days. OK, OK! I admit it, I avoided them. You must admit they look like cockroaches, no?
Medjool Date (image credit: farm1.static.flickr.com)
Medjool date stand-in (image credit: keetsa.com)
Well I finally bit the cockroach bullet. Verdict?
Nothing short of a-mazing. THANK YOU, VeggieGirl, I knew you wouldn’t steer me wrong
Medjool date with peanut butter
Honestly, the texture of the date blended right into the peanut butter and it tasted as if I was eating 3-4 tablespoons of sweetened peanut butter. Mother, may I!
You must try this now! Honestly, you will not be disappointed – and hey, you might scare off some cockroaches – they may think they’re next!!
Have you tried medjool dates?
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