Here come Santa Claus...

Well Christmas is three days away, although my family always celebrates on the 24th...


Any special plans? Relatives coming to town? Are huge platters of glutenous food going to be made? What did you ask Santa to bring you?


Obviously my family doesn't believe in Santa because we open gifts the night before... I think my family just feels like we should give Santa a break considering he has so many other chimneys to shimmy his big booty down!


Any ways... are you still in a bind on what to get family and friends for Christmas... here's a list of what I got my family members, which might give you some last minute ideas...


MOM: A book - yes my mother is EXTREMELY hard to shop for because when she wants/needs anything she buys it for herself right then and there... but I do give her things every day be it helping out around the house, going to Salt Lake City with her for her medical procedure, things like that.



DAD: USB adapter cord for his mac book air, Long Underwear [he's a skier and we live in a very cold city], books and an Amazon Kindle [hm, yes we got him tangible books and virtual books - ha ha]




OLDER SISTER [26 yrs. old]: Computer Program [for digital design], Snow Shoes, Printer, Scarves




OLDER BROTHER [23 yrs. old]: iPod Touch, myTouch cell phone - with all the "fixings", football tickets to a Giants game





Oh and well... I already know what I am getting for X-Mas which kind of stinks because I do like a surprise... but oh well, I generally like giving more than I like receiving anyways!


So here is what I believe is wrapped under the tree for me: A North Face Fleece or 2, A Flavor Carbonated Water Maker, a Whole Foods gift card and yea, I think that's it - which is just fine with me! Honestly, I would be happy with a few hundred packs of Orbit Gum, Whole Foods gift cards up the wazoo, perhaps a gift card to the Vitamin Shop [love me some energy drink]... and maybe subscriptions to gossip magazines since I buy them EVERY WEEK... ALL 5 of them!

So any ways, happy holidays EVERYONE... and tell me what you got and might be getting this Christmas!

Bloopers x2!

Bloopers!

Oh and if you're wondering... THIS WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON TV! ha ha ha!!!

The newest anchor at ABC...

Oh I wish! ha ha!

Some Updates...

Well since the year is coming to an end, I thought I'd give an update about... my life!! (I know you all care OH SO MUCH!!)


So here's what's going down in my world:



- The Semester for me has been pretty much OVER since December 3rd @ 1:15pm!



- Interning at ABC (being the general news intern) pretty much ended YESTERDAY!


- I anchored my own show at ABC


- I will hopefully be interning at ABC next semester but as a WEATHER intern so I have more of a focus.




- I finally got around to taking a picture of that AWESOMELY DELICIOUS recipe I posted a few days back... here it is:




- I am graduating college in May 2010...




- After graduation my family and I are going to TURKEY for 10 days!




- My credit card was murdered by X-Mas... I am just that good of a gift giver!!


- I am leaving Boulder, CO this coming Saturday for an ENTIRE MONTH... I am going home to recoop, relax and prepare myself for this coming spring semester which I have a feeling might "kick my butt"!!!




- My car "wolfie" decided he wasn't feeling so good last night when I got home... but I brought him to the doctor today and he seems to be doing a lot better... or so I think?!?!




- The weather in Boulder has been in the low teens for the past four days and it doesn't seem to be getting any better until Friday! Oh but then I leave to go home where these temperatures will continue (I live in northern Wyoming)...


- I am going to Salt Lake City on the 17th... with my mommy... it's not really a vaca though, she has to have a medical procedure done :(




- I bought an awesomely comfy blanket!! (YES THIS IS BIG NEWS! ha ha)




- I didn't have a stomach ache last night (also INCREDIBLY BIG NEWS!! - I typically have stomach aches EVERY single night)


- My voice tape for my radio production class in due on Wednesday




- My resume website is due on Friday


- I have constantly been rejected from all modeling gigs because I am a measly 5'2''!!



*Alright, I'll stop there because by the end of this list it just sounds like I am complaining! ha ha!

WHAT'S UP WITH YOU??

Gummy Focus!

Slim Out without Slimming Out

Healthy Inexpensive Foods... Have you been saving your Gs?!


1. Frozen Vegetables (10 to 30 cents per ounce) & Frozen Fruit (10 to 50 cents per ounce)
2. Fresh Bagged Spinach (66 cents for 4 cups)
3. Canned Vegetables (28 cents per serving)
4. Canned Tuna (20 cents per ounce) & Salmon (23 cents per ounce)
5. Eggs (12 cents each)
6. Nulaidreddi Eggs (25 cents per serving)
7. Old Fashion Oats (6 cents per ounce)
8. Frozen Whiting Fillet (28 cents per ounce) & Catfish (25 cents per ounce)
9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Generic @ 29 cents per ounce)
10. Butterball Frozen Boneless Turkey (23 cents per ounce)
11. Whole Fryer Chicken (Generic @ 99 cents per pound)


What other inexpensive yet healthy foods have you been able to find! I know I am missing a whole bunch - but with this semester over just around the corner, I can hardly concentrate!! ha ha.


**Prices vary from store to store but are generally around this much... these prices are for Albertsons Supermarkets**

Oh it's my 2nd favorite day of the year!!!

So obviously you now know that today (Thanksgiving) is my 2nd favorite day of the year, November 1 being the first.... and even though both of my siblings decided to NOT come to Thanksgiving dinner with my parents, I still had a good day and a great meal.... Here is the meal I ate (plus a bit more on a second plate!! Oh and... I did eat a lot more when I was putting the left overs away! ha ha)

(On this dish: Breast Meat Turkey, Roasted Onions, Stewed Onion in Turkey Drippings, Roasted Butternut Squash with Cinnamon, Brussels Sprouts & Leek Sautee, Roasted Chestnuts & A Large Salad dressed with Flax Seed Oil Dressing underneath the entire mound! Oh right and I ate the turkey's heart too - mm mm good!)

Hope you all stuffed your face good just like me!! ha ha! Have a good rest of your day.... NEXT UP: CHRISTMAS!

Inevitable Holiday Lbs...

Well I am on DAY 2 of my fall/Thanksgiving break... and let's just say... I think I have already packed on about 5 lbs!!! ha ha!


Typically this ALWAYS happens when I go home though because my dad is a MASTER cook and loves to LOAD UP on the olive oil!!!


So yea, I thought I'd share the wealth... and tell you all a recipe that I am OBSESSED WITH... but you must know, I am not the BRAINS behind this recipe... Kalyn's Kitchen is... so thank you Kalyn for contributing to my new found ass... ha ha!

Warm or Cold Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Pepper, Capers, and Basil Dressing

(Makes 4-6 servings)

16 oz. frozen or canned artichoke hearts (I prefer frozen artichoke hearts, but canned artichokes are often cheaper)
1 T extra virgin olive oil
salt and fresh ground black pepper
12 oz jar roasted red pepper (or use one red bell pepper roasted on a barbecue grill)
3 T capers (drained but not rinsed, next time I might use even more)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
freshly chopped parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Basil Dressing:
2 minced shallots (or use about 2 T finely minced red onion)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (or use 3-4 tablespoons purchased basil pesto, frozen basil, or Pistou sauce)
3 T fresh lemon juice
1 T white wine vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (I'd use a bit less if using pesto, frozen basil, or pistou sauce)
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350F / 175C. Pour roasted red bell pepper into a colander placed in the sink, and let drain well.)


2. Thaw frozen artichokes in the microwave, or drain well if using canned artichokes. Put artichokes in large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and fresh ground black pepper. (Use a bowl that's big enough for finished salad, so you don't have to dirty two bowls.) Spray small baking sheet with non-stick spray or olive oil, then arrange artichokes in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes.


3. While artichokes roast, fit food processor with steel blade and process minced shallot (or red onion) and chopped basil (or basil pesto, frozen basil, or pistou sauce.) When shallots and basil are fairly well chopped, add lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and Dijon and process 30 seconds. Then measure 1/2 cup olive oil (or a little less) and with food processor running, add it slowly through the feed tube and process 1-2 minutes, until dressing mixture is well-blended.


4. Put roasted artichoke hearts back into the bowl and toss with 1/2 cup basil dressing, then let it marinate for a few minutes if you're not rushed for time. While artichoke hearts marinate, cut roasted red pepper into same-size pieces (I cut them into small strips about 1 inch long.) Chop red onion into very small pieces and drain capers. Add roasted red pepper, chopped red onion, and drained caper to marinating artichoke hearts, and enough dressing so that all ingredients are moistened. (You will not need all the dressing, but save it to re-moisten any leftover salad.) Season salad with salt and fresh ground black pepper, sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil if desired, and serve.

***While this recipe doesn't call for too much olive oil: my dad DEFINITELY used about 5x more than what's recommended! ha ha! Oh and I ate like the ENTIRE 6 servings!!***


PERHAPS this could be a Thanksgiving side dish?! Turkey and this concoction sounds like a dream come true to me!

The newest addition to my video collection...

Food Review + Coupon!

Just ate some lunch... after an intense cardio and weight training session... wanna know what I ate? OF COURSE YOU DO!! ha ha.

It's by far the best combo of food ever - and ALL PROTEIN: that's right, need to build up my muscles after pumping that iron!


My Combination: Yellowfin Tuna jarred in Olive Oil + 2 Whole Omega-3 Enriched Eggs!

(mmmm, over easy!)

BOO YA - Definitely HEAVEN in my mouth... and in my stomach right now!


So you might be wondering, "where's the food review"... well I am here to review:

TONNINO TUNA

According to their web site: this yellowfin tuna is carefully selected and hand picked in glass jars to create a product of exceptional appearance, taste and texture!

AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!

Boasting 6 different varieties of tuna... this stuff doesn't disappoint ONE BIT!!






Popping open the jar, you see these tube shaped tuna fillets of deliciousness covered in olive oil waiting to be eaten... and depending on what flavor you buy... the armoas of oregano, garlic or hot peppers aren't far behind after twisting the lid!


And while some of you may just think that this stuff tastes like canned tuna in olive oil, you're wrong! I don't know if it's the jar, or the type of tuna, but the taste is just magical, definitely not what you would find in a can!


Oh and certainly DON'T miss out on the Ventresca, which is the fattiest most delicious part of the yellowfin tuna as it is it's belly! And as the website calls it: "the creme de la creme"...


Are you worried about the mercury that might be lurking within these succulent fillets?? I mean we have ALL heard that tuna is pretty high up on the list when it comes to being contaminated with mercury... right?


Well listen to this: Tonnino tuna fillets are manufactured from small, juvenile Yellowfin tuna, which are low in mercury...

It has been proven that Yellowfin, or light tuna, have mercury levels that are three times lower than canned Albacore tuna (also called white tuna), according to a Department of Health study . (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2004_news/04-012.htm).

Straight from the web sites mouth... and into mine! ha ha!


Oh and now that you don't have to feel like your poisoning yourself when you eat this stuff... you can simply sit back and enjoy the numerous benefits it has to offer from high quality protein to an amazing amount of omega-3 fatty acids!


So how would I grade this stuff?? Well I think you can already tell... I give it an A!


Not an A + though because it's a bit hard to find... but if you have a Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage or a store similar... you will more than likely find these products tucked away in one of the aisles!


PS: Just to give you even MORE motivation: here is a $1 off coupon! But hurry it expires at the end of next month!!!


***Do you remember this post awhile ago... about my FAVORITE salad ever: well, eggs & tuna come together in that bad boy too so if you're looking for a more rounded meal: try it out!!

Jaw Dropping Benefits!

It's odd for me to not have a piece of gum in my mouth... or a pack (or 5) in my purse on any given day... I won't lie to you: I am Wrigley's FAVORITE CUSTOMER (if only they knew I existed)... because I chew upwards of 5 packs of gum a day! YES FIVE!!! (At least it's sugar free right?!)




So in order to make myself feel better about this habit... I need to remind myself of the benefits of chewing gum... And to all you out there who chew a lot too... Don't feel so badly!



- Chewing burns 11 calories an hour (and sugar free gum, one piece, has less than 5 calories!)

- Many athletes & coaches chew gum to "stay in the game"

- Some schools have encouraged students to chew gum to increase mental focus (alertness & concentration)

- Stress reliever & Frustration tamer

- Relieves boredom

- Improves ability to learn, retain & retrieve information

- Increases blood flow to the brain

- Reduces plaque, cavities & stains (sugarless)

- Remineralizes enamel to strengthen teeth (sugarless)

- Good way to tell yourself the MEAL is over




So there you have it! Currently I am chewing ORBIT SPEARMINT... what are you chewing?

The Cosiest Place On Earth... For You... And Other Intruders!

(nope, not me, wish it were though!)

So this past week I had the option of cleaning my bed sheets but instead of doing so... I reminded myself that I was going to have to make my bed with new sheets... and well I just got plain lazy!

(ha, yea, wish that were my bed room - HARDLY!)

Well I exhaustively dragged myself back to my apartment after class today and snuggled up in my comforter and sheets (haven't been washed in... two weeks!)... When I woke up from my half asleep/ half awake nap... I thought to myself,

'what in the world am I cuddling with... was it a BAD MOVE not to clean my sheets?'

According to science, everyone sheds skin cells... including when we're sleeping... and to dust mites, these skin cells look like huge cheese burgers or glazed donuts (whatever your vice may be)... so basically more mites are attracted...




While dust mites aren't really dangerous, many people are allergic to these little miscreants which leads to sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throats, you know the symptoms...




And as for your throw pillows and stuffed animals (yes, you do have at least a cuddly bear on your bed, don't lie)... you should show case them far from your bed if you suffer from dust mite allergies.


Oh and did I mention... we all SWEAT when we sleep too... sleeping is a work out... too bad people can't lose weight by sleeping alone, well unless you have some EXTREME sleep dreams! ha ha!


In any case, so what's the recommended amount in a month people should wash their sheets?


Some say at least once a month, while others say once a week... So if I go with the latter, I am in good shape and don't need to even think about what I might be going to sleep with tonight... but I won't lie to you, I am a sleep sweater and well, my feet get DIRTY when I wear flip flops... so yeah, I probably should have washed em' but oh well, if I don't get sick... then I am good! ha ha!


Yeah, I just jinxed myself: KNOCK ON WOOD!!

(I don't think this little guy gives a rat's booty about dust mites!)

Put Em' Up!

Man... if anyone crosses my path and gives me lip I could certainly TAKE EM' OUT.... especially now that I have "perfected" my jabbing skills! So watch yourself... you never know when an upper-cut is coming your way!

(Watch out - This is my attack face!)

Seriously though, if you're bored with your work outs.... (I'm talking to you: chick/dude on the elliptical - Oh wait, that's ME!)... totally sign up for a boxing class, or sign up with a trainer and ask him/her to focus on boxing with you!


You hit two birds with one stone: cardio exercise & weight bearing exercise! What more could you want?

(TAKE THAT 1993 FORD TAURUS)

So I intrigued you huh? Well... since I am no expert, I figured I'd link you all to a web page that details the WHAT TO DOs and the WHAT NOT TO DOs of boxing!




What I can tell you though... is that I am already feeling pretty sore... and I finished my work out... about 5 hours ago! Gotta load up on the protein or perhaps sit in a ice cold bath tub! ha ha!

Just in case you care about CU-Boulder

For my newscasts at CU-Boulder, they have to relate some what shape or form to our school or the Boulder community... So I was RIGHT on the MONEY when I came up with this story idea!

ENJOY!

HAPPY FOOD!

Around this time of year people start getting stressed out because the holidays are around the corner and depressed because day light savings make the sun set earlier... and oh right: the weather pretty much "always" stinks and it's cold!


Well I just came across a list of some of the happiest foods in the world... and if you eat happy foods, you become happy because after all, you are what you eat, RIGHT?!


Ready... Set... Happy Foods!
(And yes the rainbow is completely necessary! ha ha)

- Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Tuna, Sable Fish(Black Cod), Anchovies & Eel

(AKA: Fatty-Fish or Free Ranged Red Meat full of omega-3 fatty acids & Vitamin D!)

- Spinach, Romaine, Kale, Arugula, Swiss Chard & Mustard Greens

(AKA: Leafy Green Vegetables)

- Flaxseeds, Hempseeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds & Sesame Seeds

(AKA: High in Healthy Fat Seeds)

- Omega-3 &/or Vitamin D Enriched Foods

(AKA: Eggs & Mushrooms)

- Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus & Artichokes

(AKA: Foods with Folic Acid & Soluble Fiber - to keep things regular... and we all know how happy we can be when we are! ha ha)

- Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Scallions, Shallots & Garlic

(AKA: Any vegetable in the Allium family)

- Seaweed

(AKA: Basically everything that comes from the sea/ocean is HAPPY! Expect in Nemo's case when he couldn't find home... but he eventually did, just remember that! ha ha)

MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR!

Yea, the title of this post says it all! I love November 1st because...


1. When I wake up everyone is still sleeping off their hangovers from a rough night before
2. It's typically sunny and a tiny bit brisk in the morning when I walk outside
3. The leaves crinkle under my feet
4. Autumn is in the air




BONUSES FOR THIS YEAR:


1. Day Light Savings - That extra hour of sleep was AMAZING last night!
2. Sunday - One of my favorite days of the week - No one stresses!

(Can you believe - the above is where I live!!!)

Trick... YOUR Taste Buds!

I know what you're ALL THINKING RIGHT NOW.... "Gimme a break, gimme a break... break me off a piece of that... kit kat bar!"


RESIST I TELL YOU - RESIST!!!


Yes, I am well aware that Halloween is this coming Saturday (I am a college student after all - ha ha)... which means a whole mess of candy is laying around at home, the office, the bathroom, oh who knows, you might even be tempted to take out the half eaten candy bar from the trash can!


It's not worth it, not worth it I tell you! There are so much healthier options you could choose over a Snickers bar or... dare I say it, Reeses peanut butter cup!


Take a look at this:




One Regular Sized Snicker's Bar Nutritional Info:
2.07 Ounces
Calories: 280
Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 1
Sugar: 30
Protein: 4

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Lactose, Skim Milk, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor)Peanuts, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Milkfat, Skim Milk, Vegetable Oil (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil)Salt, Lactose, Egg Whites, Chocolate, Artificial Flavor.




One Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Big Cup Reese's Peanut Butter Cup:
1.3 ounces
Calories: 200
Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 1
Sugar: 19
Protein: 5

Ingredients: Milk Chocolate (Milk Chocolate contains Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Nonfat Milk, Lactose, Milk Fat, and Soya Lecithin and PGPR (as Emulsifiers)Peanuts, Sugar, Enriched Flour (contains Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid)Dextrose, Vegetable Oil (contains Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Cottonseed Oil)Cocoa Processed with Alkali , Salt, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Chocolate, Nonfat Milk, Soya Lecithin, Sodium Bicarbonate, TBHQ (to Preserve Freshness)Vanillin (an Artificial Flavoring)Citric Acid, a Preservative.




One Regular Milk Chocolate Kit Kat Wafer Bar:
1.5 ounces
Calories: 210
Fat: 17
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 1
Sugar: 22
Protein: 3

Ingredients: Sugar, Chocolate, Wheat Flour, Cocoa Butter, Refined Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Milkfat, contains 2% or Less of: Milk, Soya Lecithin (an Emulsifier)Vanillin (an Artificial Flavoring)Yeast and Sodium Bicarbonate.



There are SO MANY THINGS WRONG with the three things above... Don't even get me started!!! Although, if you really haven't a CLUE what's wrong with the candies above... leave me a note and I will most definitely tell you! ha ha.


So now what? What's left to chow down on as you go house to house trick-or-treating (yea, let's hope whom ever is reading this... doesn't do that anymore!)... more like, what's left to eat at the Halloween party or out of your kids bag of candy...




Well I am sorry but I am definitely NOT going to advocate eating any of those candies... but I am going to recommend some yummy snacks to load up on so you don't get the munchies at midnight and raid the plastic jack-o-lantern!

HEALTHY SNACKS - MUNCH AWAY!!
* Cherry Tomatoes
* Bell Pepper Strips
* Nuts
* Seeds
* Vegetable Chips (homemade = slice, salt, bake!)
* Pureed Pumpkin or Other Squash (sprinkle with cinnamon - AWESOME!)
* Pumpkin Pie Flavored Coffee (sweetened with Stevia & cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice)
* Green Bean "Fries" (Broiled Green Beans with Salt & Pepper)
* Hard Boiled Eggs
* Olives & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
* Nori Sheets & Other Seaweed
* Celery
* Cucumbers
* Olive Tapenade & Tomato Paste & Salsa
* Turkey & Chicken Slices
* Grass-Fed Hot Dogs

Yeah, I know these sounds BORING - but you gotta TRY THEM before shunning them and reverting back to the chocolate!


Good Luck this Saturday!

Barefoot and loving it

Sniffle... Sniffle!

Every day we come into contact with so many things... desks, keyboards, door handles, sink knobs... do you ever think about all the germs that are TEEMING on all of these things when you touch them? Well I certainly wasn't until now... hmm... wonder what kinds of germs are on my keyboard as I type?!


While a lot of these germs aren't deadly... or won't get you sick... there are SOME THAT WILL... OBVIOUSLY (that's why we get sick - ha ha!). But of course there are preventative measures we COULD ALL TAKE... in order to make sure that we don't (or are less likely) to get sick...


Oh and by the way, I am in college and go to campus/class on a daily basis and am surrounded by sick people (yea, we have tons of Swine Flu cases reported on campus)... and I am constantly touching dirty desks, door handles, etc... and while I really don't want to jinx myself... I have yet to get sick... OH GREAT: bring on the flu!!! ha ha!


So want to know what you can do to ward off the flu... because we all know when we get sick it's TERRIBLE... plus who can afford to miss work (or school) these days!! I know I can't!! So here goes:



No Brainer # 1: Wash Your Hands (Lather up - 20 seconds!)


No Brainer # 2: Cough Into Your Elbow/Cover Your Mouth When You Sneeze or Cough


No Brainer # 3: Throw Away Tissues After Use (There's nothing grosser than seeing a used tissue... actually MAYBE there is! ha ha)


No Brainer # 4: Avoid Touching Your Nose, Mouth & Eyes


No Brainer # 5: Don't Hang Out With People Infected With The Flu





Thought Provoker # 1: Eat Darkly Colored Vegetables/Fruits (perhaps a no-brainer to some)


Thought Provoker # 2: Exercise DAILY (45 to 70 minutes of heart pumping exercise)


Thought Provoker # 3: Sleep Tight (7 to 8 hours... stop partying on a nightly basis! ha ha)


Thought Provoker # 4: Stress Less (Take deep breaths! Life moves on! It's not the end of the world!)


Thought Provoker # 5: Up Your Vitamin C Intake (250 mg to 350 mg every 2 to 3 hours... be aware that SOME might experience... loose stools - to say it maturely! ha ha)


Thought Provoker # 6: Up Your Intake of Beta-Carotene to 25000 IUs a Day (It is PUMPKIN season after all!)


Thought Provoker # 7: Start Supplementing with Vitamin D3 if You Haven't Been Already (1000 IUs or MORE per day!!!)


Thought Provoker # 8: STAY HOME WHEN YOU'RE SICK!!! (Yes, we all want to keep working so we can bring home the "bacon" but most likely you'll be less productive - if productive at ALL - if you go to work, plus you'll spread your germs to others!)


Though Provoker # 9: STOP drinking so much... enough said! ha ha!


Thought Provoker # 10: STEER CLEAR of the SUGAR!!! (Read those labels people - sugar has so many names, it's like the Puff Daddy... no P. Diddy... no just Diddy or Daddy or WHAT... of the food world!)


WARNING SIGNS... THAT YOU HAVE THE FLU:

- Migraine Headaches
- Itchy Eyes
- Sneezing & Stuffed Nose
- Aches & Pains
- Chills
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Dry Cough
- Stomach Ailments (nausea, vomiting, etc)

*So now what??*

GET OUT TO YOUR LOCAL HEALTH FOOD/SUPPLEMENT STORE & STOCK UP ON THE ABOVE VITAMINS... THEN HEAD TO THE GYM FOR SOME HEART REVVING ACTIVITY... AFTERWARDS... FUEL UP ON SOME HEARTY ROASTED VEGETABLES... WASH IT DOWN WITH SOME DECAF GREEN TEA (so you can sleep at night)... THEN RELAX WITH A GOOD BOOK... AND GO TO SLEEP!!!

Ready?

So this morning I woke up to a pleasant looking white covering on the grass and streets... A.K.A. SNOW... And While this white dust is "pleasant" to look at... it's not all that pleasant to go out in, but of course, that's exactly what I had to do!

I'm currently at my internship at ABC in Denver, CO... but I live in Boulder and it took me 45 minutes to get here because of the reduced speeds on the highway.

It seems like the winter months cause a lot of problems that slow things down... would you agree?

I try so hard to grin and bear it but right now I just wish I was snuggled up in my bed with a cup of hot tea, watching a movie or napping. I know though, that I will be happy with myself come Monday and Tuesday when I can do just that (because M & T is my "weekend").

So who's ready for the winter months? Seen any snow yet? Currently here it's 20 degrees and quite gloomy!

The only thing that excites me about the winter months... the HOLIDAYS! I am obsessed with Thanksgiving and Christmas - they couldn't come sooner!

Along with my complaining I thought I would list some ways in which we can all prepare for the harsh winter ahead (well at least it will be harsh here in Colorado, I can just feel it... literally!)

*Driving in the Winter Tips:

- Use Snow Tires

- Use Headlights at all Times

- In a Blizzard Use Your Hazard Lights

- Invest in a Windshield Scraper

- Drive SLOWLY - quickly slowing down won't help curb swerving

- Clean Hood of Car When Clearing Windshield

- Carry a Clean Cloth in Your Car at all Times

*Stock Your Home With:

- Blankets, Sweatshirts, Jackets, Scarves, etc (DUH - ha ha)

- Shovel

- Sand & Rock Salt

- Canned Food & Can Opener

- Matches

- Flash Lights

- Batteries

- Wood (for a fire in the fire place)

- Tea, Coffee, Cocoa & Hot Water

- Soup & Broth

- Camping Grill/ BBQ Stove - if the power goes out, this could be a good thing to have... if you're oven, etc is electric!

- Board Games, Cards, etc

- Pet Supplies - if you have a pet of course

Of course there are things you need to do to "winterize" your house, like clean out gutters, etc but let's hope you already know that if you are a home owner (I myself am not so I don't have to worry about that aspect)...

Otherwise, enjoy your winter as much as you can... in my next post: I'll discuss ways to fight off getting SICK - because we ALL KNOW how annoying it is to be sick and not feel good one bit!