Thursday's This for That! Brummel and Brown

Today's this for that is a great product I have been using for sometime.  Many of us try to avoid butter at all costs weather its in recipies or as a spread.  There are many different products out there and I have tried a bunch.  For a long time I used Country Crock until I came across this great spread. 
It's called Brummel & Brown® and unlike other spreads its made with yogart.  If you are like me that may sound like cause for concern but I decided to try it and I was pleasently surprised.  It still had all the flavor and consistensy of a butter spread with less fat and calories, it also has no cholesterol and 0 grams of trans fat per serving. It has the sweet, creamy taste of butter blended with the wholesome goodness of natural yogurt! 

Butter                         VS              Brummel & Brown

Have you ever tried Brummel & Brown®? Would you?

"I Used To Be Fat"

I started watching the new MTV series “I used to be fat”. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but it has turned out to be a really inspiring show. The premise of the show is young people setting out to lose unhealthy weight. It takes overweight teenagers who want to lose weight the summer before heading off to college. They are given anywhere from 89 to 110 days to dramatically change their lives. These young people change the way they eat, start to exercise, and are given a personal trainer to help guide them through the process.

Granted it’s easier to stick to a program when you have someone guiding you through it. The advantage of one on one help along with a camera crew following your progress is more motivation then most people will ever have. That, I’m sure put a lot of pressure/encouragement on them reach their goals. You know you would be less likely to eat that slice of pizza when it’s being documented for the world. You also don’t want to be seen failing in front of everyone you could possibly know, yet alone millions of strangers.

So with all the unique factors out of the way the show is still very inspirational. It’s encouraging and inspiring watching these young people transform their bodies and lives. You watch them go from introverted high school students to confident young adults ready to take on the world and become the people they were born to be. It is also a great way to keep yourself motivated in your own life. Watching these young people achieve such massive success reminds you what is possible and reenergizes you to obtain the goals you set out for yourself.

Have you seen this show? What do you think?

New Adventures!

My goal this winter was to keep my work out routine rather than hibernation.  Unfortunately it was getting too cold, and the weather was not ideal for bike riding.  I decided to find some new ways to get in exercises in my new town as the seasons change. I decided that with my new addition to the family, I now have a hiking partner whenever the mood strikes.  Not only is it a new and fun way to burn calories but it is also just as beneficial to Ozzy!

I researched walking and hiking areas in my town and found a beautiful area with trails, waterfalls and endless beauty.  I had no idea this even existed in my town and was surprised to find that it was just one of many trails in the area.

So a few weeks ago Ozzy and I bundled up and headed out on our first hike.  It was a fun afternoon and didn't feel like a workout.  Even though I was looking for something new due to the changing seasons its always a good idea to try something new and/or look for new and fun ways to get active.  You never know what you will discover and you might just find something you LOVE!

What kinds of activities do you like to do to stay fit when the weather gets cold?

SNOW!

Driving through a peaceful winter wonderland today!

ENJOY!

Resolutions!

It’s a new year which means many of you have probably set out to start the new year with a resolution. Statistics show that 40 to 45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each year. Usually we start the new year wanting to curb a bad habit or make a drastic change. The most popular new years resolutions are about weight loss, exercise, and quitting smoking.


Though so many people start the new year with great goals in mind only 75% of resolutions are maintained past the first week and only 46% make it past 6 months. Even though many of the people who make resolutions end up breaking them, research tends to show that making a resolution is useful. People who out right make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't.

But why do so many people break their resolutions? I think people put too much emphasis on making a resolution. "Resolutions" set us up for failure because we think about them as all-or-nothing. Most people think in terms of "keeping" their resolutions or "breaking" them. Thinking in these terms of success or failure can be harmful when you have your first setback leaving you feeling like a total failure.

Instead of starting out with these grand plans as soon as the calendar hits January 1st instead make subtle changes until you reach your ultimate goal. If you want to lose weight, for instance, instead of starting out with the goal of losing 50 pounds, instead resolve to do so 5 or 10 pounds at a time. Also, concentrate on some of the other positive outcomes you will gain, like more energy, better skin, and being healthier. Don't focus on what is impossible but on what can now be accomplished.

The same idea works for other resolutions as well. If you want to exercise more, instead of going out and signing a one year gym membership start small. Resolve to work out three nights a week, start taking walks or using a workout dvd or video game. If after a few months you are still in this routine than think about paying for a gym membership.

What if you break your resolution? Instead of thinking you are going to quit or start doing something for the rest of your life, or that if you fail then you should never try again. We all need to remember that we are all human! Setbacks are normal and should be expected. So start this year becoming a better you, no matter what you choose to resolve.

Holiday Thoughts!

As the holiday season began to near i decided not to do a post related to the season and or the theme of eating around the holidays.  I feel as though it is something that everyone talks about and is talked about so much that it can build you up for failure.  We all work everyday to be healthy so why should one day ruin all that.  We all know tips and ideas to stay on track and to avoid overeating but building it up to be such a huge ordeal makes it easier over indulge and blame it on the holiday season.

There is so much more to focus on during the holidays than what you are eating.  The holiday season is the time to enjoy your family and friends and be grateful for what you have in your life.  It is not a time to dread.  I hope you all enjoyed your holidays and allowed yourself to relax, enjoy good company, and remember what is really important in life. There is so much that we take for granted all year long and I think the holiday season puts alot of it in perspective and reminds us all what really is important in life. 

Sometimes things happen in life that you can't control. Recently I had a set back in my life right before the holiday season that took me by surprise.  Of course I spent a few days wallowing in my own self pity, crying, and feeling defeated.  Soon after though I instead looked at this set back as a great opportunity to be fully fulfilled in my life. 

I spent this holiday season happy and satisfied with my life and the people in it. I am now eagerly looking forward to the new year and the new possibilities I have before me. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and continue to have a loving and enjoyable new year.

Greenwich Farmers Market!

Follow us as we check out the Greenwich Connecticut Farmers Market! Check out the a variety of local stands and some Greenwich locals enjoying the morning market.

Tuesdays Tip! for dry skin

As the dry winter air starts to surround us it begins to take a toll on our skin.  Already I am suffering from dry/itchy skin as well as chapped lips.   For the past few weeks I have started keeping a bottle of inexpensive olive oil in my shower.  After I bath or shower I pat dry with a towel then lather on a few tea spoons worth of oil over my body and face.  It is a great moisturizer for your skin and will keep it silky smooth.  If you do decide to apply it on your body while still in the shower or tub make sure to be careful next time you enter as there may be a slippery residue. 

I have also been making my own facial exfoliating scrub with whats in my kitchen cabinet.  Once or twice a week I apply a mixture of about two tablespoons of olive oil and one teaspoon salt.  I use course salt and gently massage the mixture for about a minute than rinse with warm water.  If you do not have course salt you can use table salt as well as brown sugar.  The olive oil will leave your skin radiant and smooth without causing you to breakout.

When it comes to chapped lips winter is my worst enemy.  It seems as though every year when Thanksgiving rolls around my lips all of a sudden become dry and flaky.  I have found what works for me is Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E.  I even keep a small container in my purse.  I use a small container that you can buy at a drug store or container store that mimics a lip gloss container.  I fill it with the cocoa butter and have a travel size lip treatment I can take with me anywhere.

Have you ever tried any of these remedies?  Do you have any other at home treatments you use?