Three weeks ago when I started my countdown challenge to summer (and I took up my old New Years Resolutions that I had already cast aside), I decided to make some changes in my daily life. So far I’ve picked some realistic goals, increased my walking speed and looked at some new healthy recipes for the spring. This week my focus is on increasing the amount of vegetables I eat. It’s shocking how easy it is to go through the day with out eating many vegetables. Most days I’ll have 2 with my dinner, salad and a veggie, but some days it’s only one or the other. Eating vegetables is a fast and easy way to make your diet healthier. They help fight cancer and other illnesses by providing our bodies with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. This week I’m going to make sure I’m eating them with lunches, snacks and dinner. Maybe sneak in some veggies with my scrambled eggs at breakfast. It’s almost asparagus season here in Michigan join me in learning some new ways to cook them.

Hey my lovelies, I’m back on line and ready to go. I have a NEW USED computer I bought from my son, which helped him buy his NEW computer (what’s wrong with this picture?). Spring is here and I have NEW videos to share with you. It’s more than 10 weeks till summer but in 10 weeks it’s Memorial Day and that’s close enough for me! Your mission (should you chose to take it) is to get ready for summer. Getting ready means what ever you want: lose 15 pounds, start an exercise plan, wax the unmentionables, you get the idea. What ever changes you’d like to see in yourself before summer starts. We’re doing a countdown together, and we’ll focus on a different topics each week. Lets do it!

“If you want to eat less, first imagine eating a lot.” These are the opening words to an NPR story about weight loss. It says if you think about eating the food before you eat it, you’ll be satisfied with eating less when you eat the real thing. I found this article very interesting. When it comes to visualization I’m on board with the idea. Doesn’t matter if it’s improvement of your golf swing, dancing, public speaking or stepping up to the buffet bar, being prepared is important. Running the event through successfully in your mind first is a good start. With New Years just a few days away and Resolutions to keep I think I’ll try this out and see how it works.

Greeting on this summer Monday and it’s time to get ready for summer. Check out ideas for a Healthy Heart. All kinds of heart healthy ideas for your summer. Enjoy!

Check out this article by the Environmental Working Group about sunscreens. The question is, where do you find the “good” ones?