I love a trendy bargain!

Okay, has anyone been to Old Navy for the new spring line? I LOVE IT!!! Very cute and very.....CHEAP!!! The line has a "safari" theme, lots of fitted, belted jackets and print tops that will look so chic this spring. I bought a lot of things even the little slip in shoes and the clutch bag!!(okay too much time on my hands.)

I just love the fact that it's trendy and reasonably priced. I love to try to be up on the trends (and I know those of you who see me at the warehouse with greasy jeans and old t-shirts are thinking, "she is soooo not fashionable!" ) but I also know that I don't want to spend a lot on them because next season they'll be out, so these little fashion finds suit me perfectly. You've got to hurry because a lot of items are selling out and by the time the weather gets nice they won't have anything left, just that one last pair of size 5 shoes! (who wears those little sizes!)

p.s. Don't buy what I did, I want to pretend to be original, LOL!!!!! Alright, alright, if you do, don't wear it when you come to Pooka on Saturdays!!!!

Boost Your Diet With 6 "Super Foods"

When it comes to food it seems like the more we find out the less we know. One day we hear a food is good for us then another study says maybe not. It gets even more confusing when you factor in the unique needs we have as women (though, they did get the dark chocolate and red wine thing right!) Even though it's frustrating we still have to do everything we can to remain healthy. I came across an article on WebMD.com that offered up 6 "super foods" that will help women stay healthy and strong. Funny thing is these foods have always been around and we are probably eating some of them now.

The author, Colette Bouchez, and her medical experts* did a great job of not only pointing out the specific benefits of each food but also telling us how many servings we need. So here is an excerpted version of her list:

Super Food # 1: Plain Low-fat yogurt

Goal: 3 to 5 servings a week

What it does: May decrease the risk of breast cancer, very strong evidence it can reduce problems associated with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory digestive tract disorders, can help reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and vaginal infections and it's loaded with bone-healthy calcium.

Super Food # 2: Fatty fish -- like salmon, sardines, and mackerel

Goal: 2 to 3 servings every week

What it does: Protect against heart disease, stroke, hypertension, depression, joint pain, and a number of illnesses linked to inflammation, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis; possibly offers some protection against Alzheimer's disease.

Super Food # 3: Beans

Goal: 3 to 4 servings every week

What it does: Protective effects against heart disease, breast cancer, may also play a role in stabilizing female hormones. In research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, doctors found a relationship between a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and a higher intake of legumes. Last but not least, if you are in your reproductive years, beans can give you a steady supply of folic acid.

Super Food # 4: Tomatoes (or watermelon, red grapefruit, red navel oranges)

Goal: 3 to 5 servings each week

What it does: Protective effects against prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and protection against UV damage from the sun.

Super Food # 5: Vitamin D fortified low fat milk or orange juice

Goal: At least 400 IUs of vitamin D daily

What it does: Helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis,may reduce the risk of diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and tumors of the breast, colon, and ovary.

Super Food # 6: Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries)

Goal: 3 to 4 servings every week

What It Does: May decrease the risk of several cancers, including those in the breast and gastrointestinal tract, high in vitamin C and folic acid, protects the heart but also may protect against skin aging. Cranberries may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in women, while the nutrient, lutein found in all the berries, can help protect vision.

So there it is. We are familiar with these foods and we already knew they are good for us (maybe we didn't know how good!) The key is to get enough of each one - each week. The benefits are incredible so let's make an effort to get more "super foods" in our diets!


*SOURCES: Elizabeth Somer, MS, RD, author of Age-Proof Your Body, Ballantine Books. Susan Krause, MS, RD, clinical nutritionist, Hackensack University Medical Center, New Jersey. Tara Miller, MS, RD, Director of Corporate Nutrition, NYU Medical Center, New York City. Laurie Tansman, MS, RD, CDN, clinical nutritionist, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.

Exercise, Yeah... Right!

I mean really! I just read an article on how people should be working out at least three times a week for thirty minutes in order to keep in shape. Okay, so are we going to add thirty more minutes to these already looooong days? Because I just don't have the time! I know that sounds like a cop out but why can't we count getting up early, getting yourself and everybody in your house ready for school and work, "working out" ?

I mean most of us are making breakfast, getting dressed, getting other people dressed, bending down trying to find gloves and hats, racing to the car, running back into the house because someone forgot their toy for "show and tell", running to the bus stop to drop the kids off, running after the bus because we are RUNNING LATE ... driving to work like crazy, trying to put on your makeup with one hand, while driving with the other( you must have excellent eye/hand coordination for this)... running up the stairs because the elevator takes too long, ripping off your coat as you run down the hallway and hurling yourself into your seat, before your boss comes down the hallway again looking for you.

Exercise!?! Yeah, Right... because after being at work all day (trying to work as fast as you can), it's time to go home and the rush starts all over again! Race to the car, drive like crazy to pick up the kids from aftercare so you don't have to pay the extra ten bucks a minute, race home... everyone is hungry - kids are acting like they haven't eaten ALL DAY! Make dinner, eat dinner, do homework, give baths, brush teeth, read a book, put the kids to bed, kids get up, put them back to bed, wash dishes, iron clothes, make lunch, take a shower, watch the news... time to go to bed!

I am probably in the best shape I have ever been in my life and I haven't exercised yet!

Peace & Blessings,

April

Auntie Rocks!!!

Okay, well after learning about all the great free stuff they offer at Whole Foods, I decided to borrow April's 6 year old and take him to the Kids and Seafood night. I figured, okay, I can learn to make some fish and get my dinner on! Boy, was I wrong!

I'm pretty sure that I said William's name at least 100 times [let me clarify before April get's to bloggin' about me talking about her baby!] He was very good, he's just 6 and very busy, all the kids were. I just couldn't understand, didn't these kids realize that I was trying to learn something and get free dinner! BE QUIET!!!

While attempting to batter and coat my own fish stick, William says, "Auntie Dawn I have to go to the bathroom"; "Auntie Dawn I'm thirsty"; "Auntie Dawn can you tie my shoe?"; "Auntie Dawn can we go somewhere after this?"; "Auntie Dawn I got fish on my shirt"; "Auntie Dawn I want shrimp", Auntie Dawn, Auntie Dawn, Auntie Dawn! All I could think was, "wow, I am sooo changing my name! Thank GOD I didn't bring the little one!"

Needless to say I still have no idea how to make fishsticks and I left quite hungry! I do know how much it means to April when we come by and take the kids out for a while, Moms need a break. Of course, the best thing about being Auntie is you get to bring them back home!

p.s. I'll be borrowing him again on March 14 for cupcake making night! Aunties gotta do what Aunties gotta do - I might bring the little one, he can't say my name too good yet! LOL!

Adventures Are Waiting... In A Book!!

Greetings People!

I must leave the culinary world for one moment to enter the literary one. I heard an interesting statement this week that said most adults have not read a book in over a year... are they kidding?! That is too impossible for me to believe. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. My Pooka sister April shares this passion and proclaims herself the world's best reader!! I hope to one day take her title!! Nothing is better than the imagination. The book beats the movie every time!!

I have to thank Helen and Howard for instilling in us Pookalitas, my brother Douglas too!, how important education, learning and reading are. I have such fond memories as a child of my Mom taking us to the library!! We each had a card and were so excited for adventures we were going to have through the books we read. There is nothing like opening that first page and reading the first line of a book. Does anybody know what I am taking about?!!

I would like to share some of my favorites. I have a lot but these come to mind first: Nelson DeMille - Charm School, Jill Nelson - Volunteer Slavery (loved that!!), Jamaica Kincaid - Annie John, Ralph Ellison - Invisible Man, Toni Morrison - Beloved -OH MY GOD- either you got that or you didn't, anything by James Patterson or Dean Koontz is also an entertaining read. Sometimes I have my romance phase and other times my, I-have-been-out-of-school-and-need-to-learn-something phase.

I am currently reading Suze Orman, Woman & Money. EVERY woman must read this book. It's about having financial security not just for yourself but your family as well. If you open an Ameritrade account by 3/31/08 you will receive $100 at the end of the term because you read the book. Talk about active learning!! I have just given some of you your birthday present!!

Anyway, my point is to make reading a part of your being. You can even enjoy a delicious snack while you read!!!

Food and Fun!

My kids really don't like to go food shopping (or really any other kind of shopping) when we go to the mall even the little one will start to holler and pull away if we go into a woman's clothing store!

The one place that they are always ready to shop at is Whole Foods. Why you might ask ? Well besides lots of little tables of food laying around for them to eat off of, the people that work there are really friendly. William is not afraid to ask for and receive a couple of pieces of shrimp (his favorite) every time we go. They also have awesome classes for adults and kids, and the majority of them are free! Kids can decorate cookies, make fish sticks, meet local heros (Yeah Pooka!) etc. Adults can learn how to eat healthier ,learn how to apply makeup properly and test team members favorite foods. You want it, you got it! They also love new ideas!

Check out their website at http://www.wholefoods.com/ The classes and special events section, there is something for everyone!

Peace and blessings,

April

Sushi vs. Having a Baby...the decision is harder than you might think

Well my husband is at it again! Sometimes I welcome the information he passes on to me during his reading and research via the web, newspapers, magazines and television; then other times, I'd prefer not to be informed!

This time he read an article on NYTimes.com about sushi and the effects it may have on woman regarding childbearing. Well I'll let you ladies in on a little secret..I am addicted to sushi! I eat sushi approximately 3 times a week. Sushi is the only food that I consume whereas after I've eaten it, I have no guilt! It's healthy, it's fresh (at least the restaurants I patronize), it's filling, and it tastes good! I love Sushi! There's a sushi restaurant down here in North Carolina (where I am currently working Monday thru Thursday on my job where I'm still working for the "Man") that is fabulous! Everybody knows everybody by name i.e. the customers know the sushi chefs by name, the sushi chefs know the customers by name. It's like going to Cheers!

Nevertheless, it gives my husband pause that I am eating so much sushi. I told him that it's not all sushi that has high mercury levels (as stated in the article to be cautionary with regards to your intake) and it's not just sushi. It's also the cooked fish dishes i.e. Chilean Sea Bass, Salmon, Tuna. In spite of my plea, he still worries that my addiction may affect our ability to have healthy kids. Well, my response to him was, "I can forego having kids if I can continue to eat sushi." :)