Happy and Healthy Meals and Snacks

Even though I admit food makes me very happy, I’ve been cutting back on the sweets and implementing more meals with vital nutrients and protein. Lately I’ve been thinking of ways that food can still be delicious yet healthy. With a world of people who are unfortunately becoming obese due to detrimental food habits, I’m trying to create new habits while still staying happy eating my favorite foods. 

Instead of Burgers go for a Turkey Burger or Lean Beef

Even though burgers are rather delicious, there’s still a way to prepare and eat a good burger without packing on the mayo, mustard, or whatever additional toppings are added to the burner, but in reality aren’t needed. First of all I’m going to eat a burger that’s made out of lean beef or opt instead for a turkey burger. That way I’ll still be happy while eating my burger but now I’ll be healthy too! Another simple way to cut back on the calories with a burger is using light mayo as opposed to real mayo and skipping the bacon, because too much bacon has too much fat.

Healthy and Yummy Snacks

In order to keep my body healthy I’m also going to start eating healthier snacks. As opposed to eating the 100 calorie snack packs with cookies and other goodies, I’m going to switch to small servings of nuts and popcorn. Veggies dipped in a low fat ranch or apples dipped in a low fat caramel dip are also considered a healthy snack. Even though, I might want to consider skipping the caramel even though it sounds rather tempting.

Grilled Chicken Makes Me Happy

A simple meal that’s also packed full of protein is chicken, which I plan on using to make so many good meals! Chicken can be used in tacos, soup, or prepared grilled. It’s a meal that I love and plan on incorporating into my diet regularly. Chicken definitely makes me happy because not only is it healthy, but it tastes good too.

So thankfully there are ways to eat food that’s healthy while still staying happy. Of course occasionally I’ll still eat my favorite desserts after a hard week of working out, i.e. chocolate covered gummy bears and delicious frozen yogurt. But just for now I think I’ll keep my body happy by giving it the food it needs and in return I’ll be a happier person too.

Sierra is currently on healthy and happy fitness quest. When she has an occasional splurge meal she likes to check out lasagna recipes.

Happiness is a Big Yellow Dog

A couple of years ago, my husband and I were struggling financially. Like many people, major reductions in income had caused problems and we were juggling bills. Having never been in this situation before, and searching diligently for employment for nearly a year, I had fallen into a hopeless state of mind, which I now recognize as major depression.

Our family's dog had died the year before, and I missed her desperately. She had grown up with our kids, who were now grown and out of the house (adding empty nest syndrome to things weighing on my mind) and been the perfect dog. A chow and collie mix, she was protective of the kids and I and the perfect watchdog, she never chewed a thing in the house or had accidents. We’d had a yellow lab visit us when we grilled burgers on the deck of our house, and she was the sweetest and most gentle dog I’d ever met. She lived on the next street, and when they found out how she was escaping from the yard, they put a stop to her visits.

Realizing that I needed help to bounce back from this dark place, my husband found an ad for yellow Labrador retriever puppies online. When the local breeder put the ad online for these last two “clearance” puppies, it seemed like the time was perfect. My daughter and I drove to the breeder’s and had the most awful time deciding between these two sweet puppies. The one we picked in the end was the adventurous one who seemed to get into everything. I often regret not taking them both home with me.

Within a few hours, I was totally in love with this adorable little fellow, and everything he did amused me—even when he chewed up my new shoes and my eyeglasses. He had a hard time conquering all the steps in our house the first day, but by the second or third day, he was racing up and down them, circling the kitchen island at high speed, and pouncing on Daddy while he sat in his recliner watching TV. He chased his squeaky ball and skidded across the hardwood floors. We started taking walks together and frequenting the doggie parks in the area, which forced me to get out of the house and socialize with other people. Everywhere we went, people made a big fuss over what a pretty dog he is, and people want to meet him. Drive thru windows became fun as he waited excitedly but patiently for a biscuit or ice cream pup cup from Dairy Queen. Because he’s a lab, he loves the water, and we’ve driven to Florida each winter since he came into our lives, and the three of us swim and have a great time together. Last week, a lady was fishing near the doggie beach and casted out a red and white bobber shaped like a ball, and he “retrieved” it for her. He was interested in the puffer fish she caught, too.

I used to laugh at people who treated their dogs like their children, but now I fully understand it. He is like our baby and we spoil him rotten. When one of us is not feeling well, he lies by our side and puts his head on our shoulder or our belly. He sits on the sofa and watches TV with his head in my lap (but never in the middle, he likes the end seats.) He goes in the car with us wherever we go, and if we both go in the store, he guards the car for us. He stays home only rarely, and when we come home, he is thrilled to see us. What more could you ask for from your best friend?

This guest post was written by Denise Gabbard. After a career shift a few years ago, she is a professional writer and online marketing professional, and this post is courtesy of nonstick cookware sets.

Is there love in my future? How do I know?

Valentine’s Day is coming right up. Will you be spending another one alone?

Dating can turn into hard work, and there are times when finding one more new person to go out with may not be the answer. Could it be that you have lost your faith in love altogether? If so, one more date with the wrong “Mr. Right” is no solution.

Wouldn’t it feel great to renew your faith in love? Would you like to learn some new techniques to help you forgive yourself for past mistakes, and then change your perspective on the kind of love you wish to find now?

Most of us start out believing that love can transform our lonely existence into something better. When that doesn’t work out as hoped for or planned, do we dare dream again?

I say YES! Let’s face it, we have all had our share of disappointing and disillusioning relationships. We’ve all been traumatized by love. Our faith can run pretty thin at times. How do we get past early disillusioning experiences that stand solidly in our path to ever believing in love again?

I battled this demon five years ago, and I won this time! Now I wish to share all that I have learned with you. My new book How to Believe in Love Again is a simple labor of love where I help others who fear they will never experience the joy and intimacy of true love again. This is my valentine to unhappy singles everywhere.

Gather a deeper understanding of why you might unconsciously fear love, and then search out those experiences in your past that keep you feeling stuck. Spend some time learning about your own unique shame and trust issues, and then learn how to forgive yourself for past mistakes. Learn new ways to listen to your powerfully intuitive inner wisdom. And then change your beliefs about what love might have to offer you now.

You have grown and changed so much through the years, perhaps it’s time to update your perspective on love. Don’t feel desperate, feel empowered in your search, and then go out and get the love you deserve this time!

Laura Lee Carter, known as the Midlife Crisis Queen online, worked as a research librarian before transitioning into her work as a writer, love coach and speaker.  She holds three M.A. degrees including one in counseling psychology with a specialty in life change solutions.

Check out her new blog: http://believeinloveagain.wordpress.com for more information and feel free to contact her directly at MidlifeCrisisQueen@gmail.com

10 Creative Valentine's Day Date Ideas

Author: George

Are you having trouble deciding what to do for your Valentine this year? Here are 10 creative Valentine's Day date ideas that may make it easier for you to choose. 1. Planned Surprise Picnic Dinner. Everyone loves a surprise, and an unexpected grand gesture is sure to sweep your Valentine off of their feet. Stage a classy candlelit picnic in an intimate outdoor setting. Arrange a playlist of each others' favorite songs. Bring a single pair of headphones to share with your special someone to accentuate the ambiance. Be sure to bring a blanket to snuggle up if the weather gets chilly.

Author Bio: George is an artist and a part-time writer. He contributes for a workout website and a website for comparing insurance quotes. When he isn't immersed in a new project on his studio/porch he is probably at the park with his German Shepherd Max.

Are you having trouble deciding what to do for your Valentine this year? Here are 10 creative Valentine's Day date ideas that may make it easier for you to choose.

1. Planned Surprise Picnic Dinner

Everyone loves a surprise, and an unexpected grand gesture is sure to sweep your Valentine off of their feet. Stage a classy candlelit picnic in an intimate outdoor setting. Arrange a playlist of each others' favorite songs. Bring a single pair of headphones to share with your special someone to accentuate the ambiance. Be sure to bring a blanket to snuggle up if the weather gets chilly.

2. Fairy Tale Carriage Ride

Every girl has dreamed of her prince charming whisking her away and embarking on a romantic adventure, far from her troubles. Make your Valentine's dream come true with a surprise visit, at home or even at work, arriving by horse and carriage to take her on a journey. Dress up in your most princely attire, and take her on a fairy tale carriage ride through the city. She will be smitten by your lavish pampering as you treat her to champagne and hors d'oeuvres, while traversing the city in elegant style. Be sure to make her feel like a princess and show her how chivalrous you can be. Just don't forget to add your new horse and carriage rental vehicle to your car insurance policy - just kidding!

3. Rose Pedal Scavenger Hunt Serenade

Here is how to arrange a Rose Pedal Scavenger Hunt Serenade for your Valentine.

1. Place items throughout the house giving subtle hints about your objective.
2. Decorate the path with rose pedals to guide her along the way.
3. Set the mood with her favorite scented candles and await for her arrival.
4. Open a window to reveal a lawn side quartet to assist as you serenade her to the best of your ability.
5. Let her know that with her you are not afraid to be vulnerable and can just be yourself.

4. Luxury Penthouse Suite

Show your Valentine that they are the best and that they deserve the best. Go all out and splurge on a reservation for an elegant penthouse suite, and treat yourselves to a night of luxury. Indulge yourselves with champagne, strawberries, and candle light while you toast to your everlasting love.

5. Spa Date

Valentine's Day is all about the celebration of the love shared within a relationship. Tension and stress from life can make that celebration difficult. What better way to properly celebrate your love than to immerse yourselves in a day of pampering at the spa. Relax together in an afternoon of rejuvenation as you treat yourselves to facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures. Take that renewed energy home from the spa and see where the night takes you.

6. Rustic Mountain Cabin Retreat

A change of environment can be a good way to shed the responsibilities of life and experience each other with a fresh perspective. Couples who love to spend their time outdoors may enjoy a quite stay at a rustic mountain retreat. A secluded log cabin will provide an intimate setting against nature's snowy backdrop. After a day of skiing or hiking the mountain trails, you can find peace as you retire to your cozy cottage and relax on the bear skin rug by the fireplace.

7. Cozy at Home

If the cliche of heart shaped boxes of chocolate and candle light dinners aren't your thing, you can plan an intimate moment at home. Take the low budget approach by cooking a frozen pizza and watching each others favorite movies on the couch. Cozy up together in your favorite sweat pants and simply enjoy each others company. Take the time to enjoy just being yourselves without breaking the bank. You still can't go wrong if you end up buying a box of Godiva chocolates though!

8. Second Honeymoon or Second First Date

Whether it is to revive an old spark or simply to celebrate your undying affection, retrace the steps you made so many years ago by taking a second honeymoon, or second first date. Relive the first chapter of your new life together, and remember what it is that holds you so close to your Valentine.

9. Creative Collage Craft Date

Work together to create a collage of your relationship. Merge your collections of pictures, movie and concert tickets, and other small mementos into a mural of your intimate moments together. You could also build a small scrapbook and time-line so you can see how far you have come, and dream of what the future holds.

10. Hot Air Balloon Ride

For the more adventurous among us, a balloon ride is the perfect way to launch your love to new heights. Take a trip through the clouds with your Valentine and declare your love in front of all creation. Fly the balloon over memorable locations where together you have shared precious moments in your relationship.

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How to make your Girl Happy on Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day is probably one of the special days in a year that automatically needs to be celebrated. Love should be felt in the air – it is the perfect season when lovers can show their affection to one another in a way that’s beyond the usual. And there’s no better way to be more romantic than to give our special one a remembrance of the special day, right?  

The concept of giving gifts on Valentine’s may sound easy; finding the perfect gift for our love ones is the hard part. But to have an idea of the most appropriate gifts we can give our partners this season, here are a few ideas to consider when looking for the perfect gift for a woman: 

Girl You’re Dating 

      Women are by nature easy to sweep off their feet. It would be okay to assume that anything can make them happy. One thing guys should consider though is the fact that girls would only be happy with ‘anything’ IF she’s into the guy too. Generally, women are easy to please. But don’t give her corals that you picked up from the seashore if you’re still in the courting stage and still unsure of how she feels for you. It’s either she’ll throw it away when you’re not looking or she’ll forever remember you as a cheapskate. Generally, men would think giving cute things like stuffed toys to girls during the first stages of the relationship is not a problem – wrong. Unless the girls you’re courting are as young as your baby sisters, stuffed toys would be sweet. But for women who are mature enough to buy themselves a car and pay their own rent, guys might need to exert a little creativity (or funds) in giving gifts.   

Girlfriend 

      Flowers and sweets like candies and chocolates are still very much appreciated. In fact, these things are advisable because it should remind them of the time when you’re still courting. But this time, the price won’t matter you can give her flowers that you personally picked from your mom’s garden or a variety of wholesale candy. But don’t just give them generic-looking candies. Of course men should still need to exert a little effort in finding the sweets that would best signify the occasion. There are candies that are usually made especially for V-day – these candies, usually red and heart-shaped, come in special packages. Giving them sweets that went straight out from the stores could mean they’ve become less special than they did back when they’re still being courted. Yes, girls can be that emotional.
 

Wife

      For some men, their wives are probably the hardest people to gift primarily because they think they’ve already given everything to them. But this type of reasoning should be left to those who want to be corny on Valentine’s.  

Wives could be the hardest people to give a gift too, yet they’re supposed to be the easiest. Men usually have a hard time because they only think of what else they haven’t given their wives. And more often than not, giving their wives one simple thing – which is their time – doesn’t cross their mind. Quality time can be done from a simple walk in the park or an extravagant romantic getaway in the Caribbean. For married couples, expensive material things should no longer matter. It’s each other’s company that’s valuable.  

There is no better gift couples can give each other but a time to reconnect and rekindle their love for each other. Some men might have given their wives all the luxury there is, but still, there’s no better way to make a woman feel special that to remind her that she is the only thing that matters.  

  Sumitted By Rose

Image: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net