Spring Cleaning

Spring weather is finally here which means we can finally get outside to admire our blooming flowers, take in a breath of fresh air and force those kids to burn tons of pent-up energy. Unfortunately, it also means, in many households, spring cleaning. I'll admit I'm not the best cleaner in the world but if there's one thing I try to do every spring it's clean my windows. My mom, who is immaculate and loves to clean, says to forget the store-bought window cleaner. She swears by this little recipe. Just put it in a bottle and spray. And even though you can use paper towels, she does advise the use of a squeegee or microfiber cloth.

3 Tablespoons of Ammonia

1 Tblespoon of White Vinegar

1 cup of water (you can add a little more if you'd like)

Happy Cleaning!

Rev Up Your Metabolism

I don't mean to be preachy .. I just want to want to pass along information that you might find helpful.

With that said .... I've been teaching fitness classes for the past 12+ years in Peoria and try to watch what I eat in an effort to be healthy. Like everyone else, I have my good and bad days. (I promise to start eating better after I finish that large cannister of chocolate covered raisans I bought at Costco. I couldn't help myself). Anyway, Family Circle (May 2007) printed this article about making over your metabolism and I wanted to share.

Make Over Your Metabolism

"It's a myth that your metabolism slows as you age. "Actually, most people simply become less active over the years," says endocrinologist Scott Isaacs, M.D., author of Hormonal Balance [Bull Publishing]. Here's how to stay slim:

Join the breakfast club. If lunch is your first meal of the day, your metabolism has likely slowed to preserve energy.

Get moving. Exercise boosts metabolism for up to 24 hours, and muscle burns more calories than fat. So try to walk an hour daily, and lift weights for 20 minutes three times a week.

Pack snacks. You'll store fat if you wait too long to eat, so have three small snacks daily. Try low-fat yogurt with granola or vegetable soup.

Fabulous Fruit Dip

Have you come across a great recipe lately? Food is one of my favorite topics so, please, pass it along. I'll start, even though my friend, Gretchen, made fun of me for actually writing this one down (because it's so simple.)

Fabulous Refreshing Fruit Dip

1 container of lite cool whip
2 small containers of berry yogurt
Mix and chill.
Serve with strawberries, kiwi, melon, bananas or your favorite fruit. YUMMY!

Enjoy!

Women Who Love to Wine

Here it is .. my first published blog. As I embark on this new venture, I promise not to bore you with details about my three beautiful children (Lucas is 7, Lauren is 5 & Logan is 3) or my wonderful husband, Bruce, who I will celebrate 10 years of marriage with this June. Yeah .. It's just not my style to go on and on and on about my passion for fitness or Krispy Kreme Donuts or brag about my great job. By the way, did you know that Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts are only 200 calories. I know that for a fact because I looked it up on the internet. LOL.

Anyway, the main purpose of my blog will be to bring you consumer information that you can use. I read tons of magazines monthly and come across lots of lifestyle news that I would love to share with everyone. The first installment .. "Women Who Love to Wine." (I do) Wines: 10 for $10 (or less). This list comes from the latest Consumer Reports Magazine ( May 2007) which says you don't have to spend big bucks to get a great tasting wine. Check it out.

Cabernet Sauvignon
* Colombia Crest : Grand Estates Colombia Valley (WA) 2003 $9.80
* Rosemount Estate : Shiraz0Cabernet (Australia) 2004 $7.50

Chardonnay
* Alamos : The Wines of Catena Mendoza (Argentina) 2005 $ 9.90
*Stone Cellars by Beringer (CA) 2005 $ 5.80

Merlot
*Concha yToro : Casillero Del Diablo (Chile) 2005 $ 8.60
*Bogle Vineyards (CA) 2004 $ 9.20

Pinto Grigio
*Hogue : Colombia Valley (WA) 2005 $7.30
*McManis Family Vineyards (CA) 2005 $ 9.80

Riesling
* Covey Run: Colombia Valley (WA) 2005 $ 7.20

Zinfandel
*Rancho Zabaco : Dancing Bull (CA) 2004 $ 9.00

Enjoy! And let me know what other consumer information you would like me to pass along.
Have a great day. Kia Kaha.