A New Adventure in the Quest to Get and Stay Healthy

Middle Eastern Dance

More commonly referred to in the non Arab-Western world as

Belly Dancing!!!

Trina and I signed up for an 8 - week class at our local community school. This is a class that teaches the basic moves of the dance. 

No pictures to share right now:-) but I can tell you that I love this class!

I'm learning to move muscles I never even knew I had!

A big part of this dance is learning to isolate different muscles in the back, chest, stomach and butt. It also focuses a great deal on posture. 

We just finished our third class last night and as I sit here this morning I can really feel it in my stomach muscles!

Check out this link to see our teacher and to learn more about this type of dance...

Sahara Silk Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble

Last year at this time if someone had told me I'd be tying on a shimmy shake skirt and doing Zumba and belly dancing I'd have said they were crazy!

Out of the box and out of my comfort zone! 

I love it!

A New Salad - Vanilla Pear Watercress Salad

This time at our weekly Healthy Habits meeting we got in the kitchen and mixed up a new salad. It was a hit!

Trina tasted this salad at Publix and she brought the ingredients to our meeting. 

It was quick and easy to mix up.

Vanilla Pear Watercress Salad

In the kitchen- Renee, Trina and Patti

Many hands make light work.

Ready to eat!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup seedless grapes, halved
1 pear, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons Bakery pear spread (similar to pear butter)
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (we added 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 Tablespoons canola oil (we only used 2 Tablespoons)
2 1/3 cups watercress (or arugula leaves)
1/2 cup sliced almonds.

Prep:
Halve grapes, peel and chop pear, pick the watercress leaves from the stems and rinse and spin dry.

Whisk in salad bowl: pear spread, vanilla, vinegar, salt, and oil until blended
Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat and serve.

Calories (per 1/4 recipe) 210 original recipe

A Day Trip - Jekyll Island

A fun day trip trip to Jekyll Island to meet the author of "Splendid Isolation". The historical novel about the Jekyll Island Millionaires' Club written by Pamela Mueller. 

We combined reading the book with a quick tour of the Millionaires' village. Knowing the history really made the buildings come to life.

It was very interesting talking with Pam not only about this book but about writing in general. She gave us some really good tips. (Just in case we ever want to write a novel or our own diet book:-)

We had a great time and met some new friends!

Do something new and have fun today! 

Patti

My Very Good Week - By Patti

I've had the best week I've had in a long time.

I love our weekly get together. I don't like calling us a group or that we have a weekly meeting because that seems so formal. We're just three friends getting together and helping one another.

Last week we went on a field trip of sorts. To the mall - specifically to Victoria's Secret. Lunch out and a day of shopping does wonders. It was the jump start I needed to get back on track. 

At Barnes and Noble I bought two books. 

Walk It Off by Readers Digest

Some really good, practical ideas to get you walking. Plus exercises and recipes. 

The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook

A fun read about Noreen who loses both her job and her boyfriend and finds herself floundering. She dons a pair of sneakers and a pedometer and starts walking. Along the way she meets two new friends and improves her health and her life. 

Like Noreen I pulled out my pedometer and started walking this week.  Tried to get in at least 10,000 steps a day. 

I tracked every bit of food I consumed and stayed within my points.

Ate my five veggies and fruits each day.

Even got in two servings of dairy - on most days.

And it paid off. I lost 2.4 pounds this week! 

Yippie!

I've struggled each week to lose  .2 or .4 so I'm elated!

Since Trina posted about her purchase here I have to share my big Valentine's purchase.

I loved what she had to say on her post...

Have fun now while you're on your way

to accomplishing your goals!

I agree! Why wait?

Don't put things off until you think you achieve that perfect goal.

Have fun NOW!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Patti