Fresh Squeezed Living

Tea Cup: Twinings Chamomile & Delicate Apple = Love at First Sip

In a previous, a post titled Herbal Tea Bus Offers Starbucks Customers a Ride; I shared how I ended my long time love affair with coffee. To be 100% honest, I have to admit I still love the smell and easily recall the amazing taste of great coffee. My transition from coffee to herbal teas was primarily made when I discovered the caffeine jolt my daily coffee drinks provided was affecting me in some undesirable ways. Those jolts that helped me rev up for the day ultimately wrecked havoc on my ability to sleep calmly through the night.

I even switched to decaf but my, I can’t get to sleep blues continued to plague me. Aside from the poor quality of sleep I endured, I began to notice some slight heart flutters from time to time. I visited my doctor to discuss my concerns. She asked if I consumed coffee and or other caffeine laden beverages on a daily (or less frequent) basis. (I admitted to my love affair with coffee.) After agreeing to some tests to identify if I had an undiagnosed medical condition, I discovered no condition existed. It was then that my doctor suggested I wean myself off the coffee drinks and take notice of how my body responded without caffeine.

Video Recipe: Homemade Greek-Style Veggie Burgers (Delicious & No Passport Required)

As everyone in the FSL community is aware, I love (most) everything Greek! Their culture, history, country, people and of course the food provides so many things to fall in love with. Have you found that to be true as well?

Have you been dreaming of a trip to Greece lately? Is your heart and passport ready but your wallet is not? Many people have had to alter their summer travel plans this year. Many cite that due to their wallet being lighter (in weight) than they had anticipated they now have to make some sacrifices.

Sometimes things come up in a life and we have to make a few moderate sacrifices to get to where we want/need to be. Sacrifices can be okay especially when we expect they will be short term. Temporary sacrifices/substitutes in lieu of a greater gain cause us to focus on the long-term reward vs. short-term discipline necessary to gain the reward.

Me Time: How to Make Your Next Bath (or Shower) a Luscious Treat

One of the many enjoyable things about summer is the cool, often fruity, sometimes exotic and very delicious treats eagerly awaiting the chance to make friends with our taste buds. I don’t know about your taste buds but mine are anxious to make new friendships with delicious treats.

Even those who are counting calories and slimming down, still somehow look to carve a summery treat into their week (if not each day). I believe in a balance approached to living, eating, exercising and spending. There is a time to cut back and then there are times to indulge. Summer treats just make summer a bit more fun and a whole lot more delicious. Wouldn’t you agree?

Food: Locally Known Helps You Save Some Green on Your Next Salad

Is your wallet feeling a bit ill over the soaring gasoline prices? If you are like many others, to keep your wallet off life support, you’ve had to make some adjustments in your discretionary spending habits. Maybe you’ve redirected some funds from one area of your budget to cover the higher costs for necessities.

Did you give up your daily Starbucks designer coffee drink? Do you find you are making less visits to your local movie theatre? Maybe you’ve decided to head over to your local public library to check out those bestsellers.

If you are like me, you haven’t come upon much relief to your wallet at your local supermarket either. The unexpected pricing trends across a variety of categories prove that higher costs for corn, ethanol and gasoline are affecting us on so many different levels.

Yoga: Grab your sunscreen, head over to the beach and strike these poses

Who could ever forget Madonna’s 1990-chart topper, Vogue? Not only was the song itself very enjoyable but the video caused the song to soar even further up the charts. Filmed in black-and-white, the video recalls the look of 1930s Hollywood films with the use of artwork by the several distinguished artists. The video features the dancers and back-up vocalists for Madonna's then-upcoming Blond Ambition Tour

A live performance of "Vogue" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards also proved popular. It featured Madonna and her dancers dressed in an 18th-century French theme, with Madonna bearing great resemblance to the great Marie Antoinette. No stranger to stirring up a bit of controversy, Madonna’s performance was considered risque.

Video Recipes: This Secret Ingredient is For Those Who Are Big on Taste & Short on Time

How good are you at keeping a secret? Do you find you can hold the secret for a short while but then….it somehow inadvertently slips out? Keeping a secret can be a bit of fun or it can also be a source of great stress depending on the how others could be impacted if the secret got out of the bag. Knowing a secret can make us feel more “in the know”, but some secrets also carry a burden of responsibility when we are called to keep it well uhh….secret.

Fitness: Camp is Back but With a Twist

When you were a youngster, did you go to summer camp?  Did you go to more of a day camp or sleep-away camp? I attended sleep-away camp for the first time at about the age of 10. I was so excited to pack my duffel bag with summer clothes, pajamas, bathing suit, towels, and of course bug repellant.

I went away for two full weeks and enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. I was previously unfamiliar with snakes, so I was terrified upon discovering them in the lake that all of the campers enjoyed swimming in. I had never encountered a cricket before my sleep-away camp stay either. I discovered one in my cubbyhole on the day I was packing to return home.

Product Review: AeroGarden® Grows Gourmet Herbs Right In Your Kitchen to Season Your Dinner With Ease

We are living in a time of many exciting developments in technology. I particularly love discovering new gadgets and appliances. If a gadget or appliance can make my life easier, more fun or add a bit of additional luxury then I am usually in. Today, I have an appliance to share with you that will make your meals fresher and tastier. Do you also love the taste of fresh herbs added to your meals? In my humble opinion, fresh herbs give meals the gourmet taste and appearance we typically enjoy when dining out. Personally, I am quite fond of cilantro and basil.

Low-Cal Summer Icy Treats That Satisfy Your Taste Buds & Keep Your Waistline from Expanding

As a child, I remember one of my favorite things about summer was the sound of the ice cream truck just blocks away from my home. I knew in time the truck would make its way down my block. I would race inside to get some change out of the house. If I had not already spent all of my allowance, I would use some of it for my ice cream purchase. If I had already spent it all, I would ask my mom (or another available relative) for change and squeal with excitement about how the ice cream truck was on its way.

Most all of the other children were busy running into their home to gather change as well. In my old neighborhood, we knew to expect the Good Humor and/or Mister Softee ice cream truck on a daily basis. Come rain or shine they showed up without fail. Whether it was the sound of the ringing bells of the Good Humor truck or the unforgettable theme played by Mister Softee, it was all great sounding music to us children.

In a hurry and looking for healthy eating ideas?

In these days of trying to be more efficient and do things faster, we often find ourselves trying to multi-task, minimize distractions, reduce clutter and cram more and more into just a few precious hours.

As is often the case, we find ourselves acting like the Energizer bunny as we try to keep going, going and going. Do you often feel like you are playing the old game called “beat the clock“? We have probably come to learn (the hard way), that we have to provide our body with a generous amount good and healthy foods, moderate exercise, ample relaxation and reasonable sleep. If we get out of balance in any one area, it can lead to causing us to feel a bit “off”. When we become out of balance and remain in that uncorrected state for too long, we may even encounter feeling sluggish, irritable, depression, and burnout. Definitely not good.

We just need to be mindful of all these potential factors as we plan our days, weeks and months. Let’s get a plan to prevent these possibilities. Eating well is the foundation for everything good to come about in our body.

If you are like many others, one of the biggest challenges you face on a frequent basis is how to eat healthy when you are in a hurry. While this is an unavoidable challenge, it is definitely one you can overcome successfully.  You just need a plan.

When does 5% equal 100%?

Please do not become alarmed. I’m not about to get into anything related to algebra today. Woo hoo! I remember my high school algebra class very well. To be honest, I would prefer to avoid straining my brain in that way on this wonderful day (and maybe on every future day as well). How about you?

While high school algebra wasn’t much to my liking, I was quite a fan of Greek mythology in my middle school days. I was a child with an active imagination; Greek mythology entertained and challenged my mind with various tales of the ancient Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines, and mythological creatures. In all I spent countless hours pouring over the fascinating tales. I totally enjoyed and allowed my mind to be swept away over and over again.

Do you know how the rich get thin?

Not only do the rich including the likes of CEOs, socialites and celebrities know how to turn an idea/talent into a successful endeavor leading to a life filled with prosperity, fame and some of the priciest luxuries, they also know how to implement a strategic mindset that helps them stick with a weight-loss plan.

Yup, your mother was right. Her tips will help you achieve better health

Maturing from childhood to adolescence to adulthood is all about evolving through stages and various changes. It was interesting to experience the transitions from stage to stage. We quickly outgrew our shoes, struggled not to be seen with our pant slightly too short (or as we used to call them “high-waters”), hated those acne breakouts and undesired blemishes, and numerous other memorable challenges/experiences.

Maybe you had siblings that were there with you throughout the challenges of each stage. Maybe they sought to help you get though the stages with greater ease or possibly, they represented an added challenge as well. Whether you hated or loved them, siblings have played a big role, influenced many of our views about life and many of the decisions we have made.

All Tacos Are Not Bad

As you already know, Fresh Squeezed Living is all about sharing a fun serving of food, fitness, healthy lifestyle and relaxation ideas with busy professionals.

Today, I’m excited to share the good news about some new “tacos”. Over the years, Mexican inspired foods and drinks have grown exponentially (especially) here in the U.S. Seven in ten surveyed households use Mexican food/ingredients in meals prepared at home. Tortillas and salsa are the most popular Mexican foods. The category as a whole represents a $52 billion market. Forecast shows sales will grow to a shocking $63 billion. Mucho dinero.

This Is Not Your Grandmother’s Bank. This Bank Is All About Freshness.

Every industry continues to face new challenges and competitors as the desires/needs of customers continue to evolve. The banking industry today is no exception. If you think back even 10 years (let alone 20 years) ago it was very different than what exists today. Back in the days, banks gave away some interesting gifts to encourage new potential customers to come aboard. Ask your grandmother about those toasters they used to give away.

Now think about all of the consolidation that occurred in recent years. Seems the signs on the outside of the building continue to change. Have you ever received one of those letters that come in the mail announcing that your account will now be under new management effective XYZ date?

The Red Light, Green Light Approach To Eating Slower And Losing Weight

Do you remember Drivers Education class? Those were the good ol' days. Many viewed that period as somewhat of an indicator of further transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. How old were you when you obtained your Learners Permit? I grew up in New York City where public transportation was abundant (and relatively inexpensive), so I didn’t obtain a permit until the ripe old age of 20.

Do you remember your former Drivers Handbook? Who would have ever suspected that some of the guidelines that were originally developed to bring order to our streets and roadways could also bring order to our eating habits? Just as committing a traffic/driving infraction can produce an unwanted outcome so can violating good eating practices.

What does natural fog have in common with brain fog?

Depending on where you live you may be more familiar with fog more so than others. Fog is created when a cloud comes in contact with the ground. For those of us that have ever attempted to drive in foggy conditions we recall how diminished our visibility was. Leaving us to feel we can barely see beyond the extent of our nose.

We typically cut on the headlights (maybe even the high beams), tend to be more cautious at intersections and wonder if the traffic light ahead is green or red. Who can really tell? What we know for sure is that fog minimizes our ability to function as freely as we would like. Ultimately, we end up feeling slightly uncertain of what our next move should be.

It’s time to welcome in the substitutes

Do you remember how news that a beloved teacher was absent would quickly spread through the school hallways? I do. I also remember during my early school days that soon after that rumor hit my ears feelings of dread would begin to set in. Oh no, not the substitute. I believe it is almost a reflex reaction to respond negatively to most things considered a substitute for what we really want.

In the end, the substitute really was not nearly as awful as we forethought. If we even allowed ourselves to be open (even a little bit), we realized the substitute was really okay and just another regular person.

The same is true for us now as adults, just being a little open to substitutes can lead us on a pathway of discovering healthier eating habits that are also (not God awful) but okay and very beneficial.

Hey, doc maybe it’s time to prescribe an iPod instead of Prozac?

Okay, with an opening question like that I may have opened the door to being thought of as slightly “strange”, huh? I’m okay with that possible thought running through your mind. However, before you make a final determination and send me some referrals to local mental health clinics, I ask you to entertain for a moment the notion of how certain music produces soothing effects, stimulates better moods and positive thoughts.

If you are like many others and me, you occasionally (or even frequently) struggle with managing or trying to minimize stress on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly basis.

Organic Eating: Easy & Affordable Ways To Add Organic Foods

If you are like many in the Fresh Squeezed Living (FSL) community, you have been hoping to discover some terrific, easy & affordable ideas to help you add organic foods to your diet.  Well today is your lucky day!

Switching to organic is tough for many who don’t want to pay higher prices or give up their favorite foods. But by choosing organic versions of just a few foods that you eat often, you can increase the percentage of organic food in your diet without big changes to your shopping cart or your spending, writes Tara Parker-Pope.

Enjoy!

New to Fresh Squeezed Living? Consider subscribing to our RSS feed: Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or receive email updates via the sign up box in the right sidebar.

Sleep: Count Fewer Sheep With These 5 Tips For A Better Night’s Sleep

Is anyone really getting enough sleep these days? I’m probably in good company when I say that I occasionally experience nighttime troubles and my sleep is less than fulfilling. What can we do to increase our odds of more satisfying sleep? Many factors can contribute to and cause insufficient sleep. The key to getting better sleep is to identify the negative factors, minimize our exposure to them and increase our exposure to the positive factors. We just need some assistance with the identifying process and subsequently implementing a few simple adjustments.

Dinner Plate: Make It Delightful, Healthy & Tasty

If you are anything like me, you are frequently looking for healthy and delicious recipes to build a great meal.  Here are some of the tastiest and healthiest recipes I’m currently featuring on my dinner plate.  These delightful recipes put emphasis on using many of the best-for-you foods including:  Apples, Almonds, Broccoli, Blueberries, Red Beans, Salmon, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes & more.

Bon Appetit,

New to Fresh Squeezed Living? Consider subscribing to our RSS feed: Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or receive email updates via the sign up box in the right sidebar.

How to Lose Weight & Firm Up With Weights

Do you know how to lose weight with weights? It is a widely believed myth that training with weights will make you resemble Arnold Schwarzenegger or the Incredible Hulk. Ladies, do you shy away from the bench press and other weight machines? Are you afraid of building too much bulk?  Today I'm going to share some tips so you will not shy away from weights, and miss the host of health benefits received by weight training–-better posture and alignment, osteoporosis prevention, strength and desired weight loss.

Emotional Well-Being: 4 Habits That Lead To Greater Happiness

Everyone wants to experience more happiness in his or her life, right? Do you know anyone that would say I’m as happy as I could ever want to be? If by chance you know of such a person, please have them to contact me and share their secrets. While my life is fulfilling with sprinkles of excitement and charity, I remain open to learning more secrets to greater happiness enjoyed by others. I recently explored an article titled The Happiness Factor it clearly identifies four habits that longevity experts say are at the heart of a sunny disposition--and that you can adopt, too. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that according to research, performing just five acts of kindness in a given day will provide a significant payback, which greatly exceeds the effort. And boosts your sense of well-being and happiness. I hope you will also enjoy implementing these habits and watching your happiness factor go way up.

Enjoy!

New to Fresh Squeezed Living? Consider subscribing to our RSS feed: Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or receive email updates via the sign up box in the right sidebar.

Anti-Aging: Color Your Way to Better Health

Is it my imagination, or is it true, children are more drawn to a variety of bright colors than the average adult?  Children tend to pick out the brightest crayons in the box and off they go to create their next work of art.  Today we will learn how to create a masterpiece (in our diet) using gorgeous and colorful antioxidants of various hues.  We will discover how the beautiful colors of yellow/orange, green, blue/purple, red and white will influence our health and assist in our anti-aging desires and overall better health. Okay, let the class begin.

Enjoy!

New to Fresh Squeezed Living? Consider subscribing to our RSS feed: Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or receive email updates via the sign up box in the right sidebar.

Stress Reduction: Starting the Day

Beginning the day in a manner that adds touches of comfort, peace and enjoyment has the potential to cause us to enjoy our entire day and lives so much more. It is also a great set-up to helping us achieve greater success and fulfillment. While we cannot control everything, we will face on a day-to-day basis, we are able to make small deposits into our lives that lead to greater happiness in spite of the busy day facing us.

Which Exercises Deliver Big Results In A Small Amount of Time?

We all know that regular exercise significantly improves health, reduces fatigue, and keeps you looking and feeling great. But, who really feels like working out on a regular basis? Perhaps the reason we slack off on the exercise programs after just two weeks into the New Year, the beginning of summer or right after summer is because we’re simply not interested in the workout. Based on the areas of your body you want to work on and the amount of time you have to spend in the gym (or at home) every day, you can find a workout that you won’t dread when you think about it.

Organic Eating: It Is Written, Let There Be Healthy Bread

Have you heard about the bread that has been created based on a biblical scripture?  The reference scripture is Ezekiel 4:9. “Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.” King James Version

I discovered the bread appropriately named Ezekiel 4:9® a few months ago.  After just one slice, I quickly added it to my list of favorites. Ezekiel 4:9® bread is a very healthy  and tasty, Organic Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Flourless Bread made by Food for Life.   

Are You A Post-College Adult That Still Loves Noodles?

Have you heard the saying that Ramen noodles really is the poster-food of college students?  Maybe you remember your college days and more than a few days and nights of dining with a bowl of hot and tasty Ramen noodles.  Did you prepare yours on a stovetop, in a microwave or in coffee pot?  I’ve heard some wild stories over the years.  However, if money was a bit tight it was one of just a few true budget-dining options.

Do You Need Tips to Power Up Your Exercise Results?

Do I have any regular exercisers in the Fresh Squeezed Living (FSL) community? If you're a regular exerciser, you may have probably heard of "interval training." Generally speaking, it means adding short bursts of intensity - such as speed - between periods of active recovery.