Fabulous Food Show

The Fabulous Food Show returned to Cleveland November 9-11. I took advantage of being a pourer volunteer for the Cleveland Wine School. The volunteer perks included free admission to the show, lunch, parking, and a tee-shirt. While I thought I was going to be pouring wine, I got assigned to pour beer instead. All of my life I have never been much of a beer drinker. But by the end of the night, I believe I drank more samples of beer than I've drank my entire life. Fortunately, this beer pouring experience gave me a new appreciation for beer that certainly never existed before.

Opportunity Knocks...

I'm answering. My director at work put together a stock market challenge for my new department using paper trades. I'm enjoying the challenge so much that I'm going to give it a shot in real trading. A couple of months ago, I took advantage of some credit card balance transfers and lower interest rates. This freed up some OPM (other people's money) that I'm going to use for trading.

I've really got that gleam in my eye to make it happen; becoming debt free, buying a home, early retirement. It's not going to happen tomorrow, but it is going to happen. I can feel it!!!

The Key Party

My cousin invited me to join her book club and I saw it as an exciting opportunity to force myself to get more reading done. I love reading about new thought provoking topics but the fact of the matter is I am terrible at forcing myself to read more often. Even when I do read, I've developed a habit of reading the first chapter or two and never actually finishing the book. Again, I am looking forward to the change of pace.

The first book on the agenda with the book club was the Key Party by Lisa Nicole & Siddeequah which we discussed this past Friday, October 26, 2007. Since I've already admitted to not reading more and keeping up with the latest authors, I had no idea about the content of this book. In fact, I was definitely taken aback.

So if you don't know what a key party is, far be it for me to spoil it for you. You'll have to find out for yourself.

Gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

I'm not sure where HL got this from, but I love it, love it, love it!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

Yesterday I had my cavity and despite a little anxiety, it was not so bad. First I had some numbing gel put on my jaws to prepare for the anesthesia injection. After the anesthesia settled in a little, the dentist drilled out the decay in the tooth. Last, the dental assistant filled in the cavity hole. Since the cavity filling is now white instead of black, nobody has to know I even had a cavity unless I tell them.

He's a Winner

Byg is doing his thing and I think it is phenomenal. What started out as one man with a camera and his dream turned into a real solid opportunity. His posts Make That Money Boo and the latest follow-up give the details.

Question: What am I doing in my life right now so that I can be a winner too?

First Cavity

Last Tuesday I went for my dental checkup and got informed that I have a cavity on one of my lower wisdom teeth. Of course all the self-guilt started to sink in on how could I have let this happen. I'm 32 years old and just now getting my first cavity.

A friend helped me realize that the wine, coffee, sweets etc. combined with getting older more than likely contributed to the cavity. It made me realize that I am drinking more wine, more coffee, and eating more sweets. Brushing once a day, stretching dental visits and next to no flossing just isn't going to cut it anymore. I have to make the necessary daily adjustments to ensure that my teeth and gums stay healthy for a very long time.

My cavity filling is scheduled for next Tuesday the 16th. While I am nervous, I am confident that there should not be any unexpected problems.

Flamenco

My friend and her co-workers were planned a trip to Pittsburgh to see a Spanish music and dance ensemble. In fact, my friend works with law professors and a kid of one of the professors performed in and directed the show. When she asked me if I wanted to go I just couldn't pass on such an opportunity. Since I had never been to Pittsburgh or to a Spanish dance show, how could I say no. After looking at the website that my friend sent to me, I was even more excited than before.

http://www.arteypureza.com/

The two hour drive to Pittsburgh this past Friday was beautiful thanks to unseasonably hot temperatures. Our accommodations at the Marriott were just lovely. Prior to the show we had dinner at Lucca Ristorante. The restaurant, food and patio terrace seating was fabulous! I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone finding themselves in downtown Pittsburgh.

After dinner, the show was just beautiful. The director's goal was to maintain the authenticity of Spanish Flamenco and he definitely succeeded. I really felt like I could have been right in Spain. Afterwards we went to a restaurant and enjoyed family style Middle Eastern cuisine with the performers.

Before heading back home Saturday, my friend and I went to IKEA. I only have one word to describe IKEA ----WOW!

Surprise!

One of my co-workers took a vacation during the week of his birthday. Some colleagues in his department decided to give him a welcome back present.

Morale to the story: Don't take off for your birthday!

La Cave du Vin

La Cave du Vin (The Wine Cave) is a wine and beer bar located below the Grog Shop in Coventry. It has an excellent selection of fine import beers, including many Trappist beers. They have six taps, one of which almost always features Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout, but most of which rotate beers on a regular basis. Their variety of superb beers is a contender for best in the Cleveland area. Some food is also available, but it mostly consists of a variety of cheese platters. In general the food is meant to compliment the drinks, rather than the other way around. The service is excellent. The bartenders are happy to assist people with selecting a good beer or wine. Just don't go there and try to order Miller Lite. They also have a wide selection of wines and champagne, both domestic and imported.

The prices are elevated compared to other bars in the area. However, the atmosphere is more relaxed and refined, making this bar a classy alternative to other Coventry hotspots.

Address: 2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard Coventry Village Cleveland, OH 44118
Phone: (216) 932-6411

Fruit Flush Diet

I was finally fed up with my insides getting the best of me. Irregularity was my middle name and I just could not take it anymore. Being constipated 3-4 times a week is insane. So in early August I made a choice to stop the madness by eating more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. I already knew that nature has given us all the natural laxatives we need. It's a matter of taking advantage of them. I decided to give my body a natural cleanse to kick start my new way of eating. I did a search on the internet and came across the Fruit Flush Diet. I did the fruit flush over a weekend and it worked great to help my body prepare for the new fresh fruit and vegetables I would be eating. It's been almost 6 weeks since I did this diet and changed my eating habits. I am so proud to say I have not had a single episode of constipation since.

Lesson Learned: Stop making excuses and just do it!

Fruit Flush Diet -- Shopping List

(Purchase organic foods when available.)
_____ 16 oz whey protein or egg white protein powder (see ingredients to avoid, below)
_____ Fresh fruit of choice
_____ Raw salad vegetables (variety is important)
_____ 1 Avocado (if used as a salad topping)
_____ Olive oil or flax seed oil (for salad dressing)
_____ 2 lemons or limes
_____ 1-2 gallons pure water
_____ 3-6 oz chicken, fish, turkey, or lean beef
_____ 4-8 egg whites (if you prefer, in place of lean chicken, fish, turkey, or beef)

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN A PROTEIN POWDER
Here is a list of ingredients to avoid in a protein powder. The protein powder you choose should provide, in a single serving, 24 grams of protein per ounce (28.35 grams).

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID:
· Casein
· Calcium caseinate
· Sodium caseinate
· Fructose
· Aspartame
· Acesulfame-K
· Acesulfame potassium
· Sucralose
· Sugar
· Sucrose
· Evaporated cane juice
· Artificial flavors and/or colors
Reproduced with the permission of Jay Robb Enterprises, Inc., Carlsbad, California, http://www.jayrobb.com/

Some nutritionists believe in only eating low-carb or low-glycemic fruits due to the belief that sweet fruits, such as bananas and grapes, can overload the system with sugar. Because you are only eating one serving of fruit every two hours and it is a fact that fructose enters the bloodstream at a relatively slow rate, on the FRUIT FLUSH, you may confidently choose whatever whole, fresh, raw, natural fruit you choose without fear of overloading your system. Juice is NOT ALLOWED on the FRUIT FLUSH, nor is dried fruit, both of which are too concentrated for use with this program. Avocados, which are rich in fat, are only allowed in the evening with your salad.

FRESH FRUIT SERVING SIZES FOR REFERENCE:
THE FOLLOWING LIST CONSTITUTES APPROXIMATELY 1 SERVING (100 CALORIES):
Apples -- 2 medium
Mango -- 1 large or 2 small
Apricots -- 6 medium
Nectarines -- 2 small
Banana -- 1 medium
Oranges -- 2 medium
Blackberries -- 1.5 cups
Peaches -- 3 medium
Blueberries -- 1.5 cups
Pears -- 1 medium
Cantaloupe -- 2 cups cubed
Pineapple -- 1 cup
Cherries -- 1 cup
Plums -- 3 medium
Grapefruits -- 2 large
Raspberries -- 1.5 cups
Grapes -- 1 cup (or 15-18 grapes)
Strawberries -- 2 cups
Honeydew -- 2 cups cubed
Tomatoes -- 4 medium
Kiwifruits -- 2 medium
Watermelon -- 2 cups (cubed or balled)

During the entire three days of the FRUIT FLUSH, you should become slightly hungry every 2 hours, at which time you will eat. This eating pattern fuels your body and keeps you from ever being overly hungry.

On Day 1, the series of protein drinks will stoke your metabolism, lower your glycogen levels, and force your body to burn fat as part of its energy needs.

On Days 2 and 3, fruit will power your body while cleansing and purifying the cells and organs. Plus, the protein drinks and fresh fruit are high in water content, which, in turn, will help keep your system hydrated.


DAY ONE
Mix 1 1/4 cup of whey protein or egg white protein powder (your flavor of choice) with 1 quart (32 ounces) pure water. Shake, blend, or stir, and store in a sealed container in a cool place. The protein powder you choose must NOT BE sweetened with added carbohydrate or contain artificial sweeteners. This means it MUST NOT CONTAIN: aspartame, fructose, sucrose, evaporated can juice, sucralose, maltodextrin, sugar, corn syrup, corn sweeteners, barley malt, molasses, agave, or brown sugar.

The protein powder you choose should also contain approximately 24 grams of protein per one-ounce serving. If you choose an egg white protein, you may wish to add the herb stevia to naturally enhance the perceived sweetness without increasing carbohydrate content.

Before pouring each glass of protein as outlined below, lightly shake or stir the container to re-mix the protein drink.

SHOPPING TIPS: Choose a high-quality protein powder that tastes good. Avoid the bargain brands that may save you a buck or two but can taste like chalk and are often filled with asparatame, sucralose, fructose, sugars, acesulfame-K, acesulfame potassium, and artificial flavors and colors. The body is a temple of the spirit. It deserves only the best. I also suggest purchasing organically grown foods whenever possible.

· 8AM -- 6-oz glass of protein mix
· 10AM -- 6-oz glass of protein mix
· NOON -- 6-oz glass of protein mix
· 2PM -- 6-oz glass of protein mix
· 4PM -- 6-oz glass of protein mix
· 6PM -- 3-6 cups raw vegetable salad and 3-6 oz of lean chicken, fish, turkey, or beef or scramble 4-8 egg whites in 1 tsp olive oil. Top the salad with 1-2 tbs olive or flax seed oil (or ½ avocado) and the juice of ½ lemon or lime.
NOTE: Drink an 8 to 12-ounce glass of water one hour after you consume each protein drink or meal. (If this doesn’t quench your thirst, you may consume more water.)


DAYS 2 and 3
· 8AM -- 1 serving fresh fruit
· 10AM -- 1 serving fresh fruit
· NOON -- 1 serving fresh fruit
· 2PM -- 1 serving fresh fruit
· 4PM -- 1 serving fresh fruit
· 6PM -- 3-6 cups raw vegetable salad. Top the salad with 1-2 tbs olive or flax seed oil (or ½ avocado) and the juice of ½ lemon or lime. Consume 1 protein drink mixed, as follows: 12 oz pure water, 5 tbs high-quality whey or egg white protein powder, Stir and drink slowly
NOTE: Drink an 8- to 12-ounce glass of water one hour after you consume each fruit meal. (If this doesn’t quench your thirst, you may consume more water.)

Zumba

I've been in search of ways to stay active yet have fun at the same time. My friend is now doing Weight Watchers and on their chat one of the members mentioned she was doing Zumba. My friend had not heard of Zumba but was curious about it. She sent me the link to Zumba to see if I would be interested.

It does look interesting and I will try to make the introduction class to see if I would like to start taking the classes more regularly.

Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer

How can I be more positive at work?
Put a "quote of the day" on everyone's desk
Use positive language
Be wiling to do for others without measuring
Be willing to help others without measuring
Be an example for others to follow
Ask one more question before you answer
Don't join the bashing
Don't join the pity party
Don't join the revolt
Solve, rather than complain
Get the third party being talked about negatively into the conversation
Quite whining

How can I be more positive at home?
Praise others
Don't belittle
If "familiarity breeds contempt" lives at your house, kill it
You know the buttons. Don't push them.

How can I be more positive with my spouse?
Be a partner, not a spouse
Surprise her - surprise him
Compliment at all times
Stay humorous, but never make fun of
Stay affectionate
Be interested in each other and each other's interests

How can I be more positive with my children?
Never yell at them
Instead, ask what they did
Then ask if this was the BEST they could have done
Ask them what could have been done differently
Ask them if they think they can do that the next time
Encourage them to do right after they've done wrong
Get them to love school at an early age
Fight to get them good teachers
Do homework WITH them
Never put them down
Speak to them with a YES! Attitude

Jena6 Solidarity

Last week co-workerA sent me the below email notice and I showed my part by wearing all black today.




A different co-worker made a comment to me that it was cool how people were wearing black to show support but that really isn't enough. There should be a lot more being done to help the Jena6 boys. Well I definitely agree with the statement. I also said that people are getting involved to help them.

But I really had a problem with that kind of statement coming from somebody who knew about the solidarity effort yet made no attempt to show his support by wearing black.

I believe the below quote is appropriate for this situation.

"The human race is divided into two classes--those who go ahead and do something, and those who sit still and inquire, 'Why wasn't it done the other way?'"
--Oliver Wendell Holmes

Spend Wisely

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. - Annie Dillard

Thanks Sophia!

Leap of Faith

If you are truly passionate about fulfilling your dreams in life, you have to take that leap of faith and just go for it. Even if it's a complete 360 degree difference.

That is exactly what Dreamangel did and she shares her story with us in her post. Inspiring.

Very very inspiring.

Red Beans and Greens Salad

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Show: 30 Minute Meals
Episode: 30 Minute Spaghetti Western

1 cup chunky prepared salsa, such as chipotle salsa

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it

1 head escarole, chopped into small bite size pieces

1 (14-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained

1/2 red onion, chopped

Salt and pepper

First whisk salsa and olive oil together in a large bowl. Then combine salad ingredients in the bowl, toss and adjust seasoning.

I saw the above recipe on 30 Minute Meals a few days ago. It looked simple and delicious enough for me to try myself. I put my own spin on it by using chicken instead of kidney beans. I also chopped up some cucumbers and added some cheese. Can we say yuuummmmy!

2 in 1 Week

That Airborne I've been taking has been working so well somebody had to take it even one step farther. I was feeling great Saturday and Sunday. I went shopping at Whole Foods and didn't I have to be in the aisle with some fool sneezing out his lungs. By Sunday night, I had a scratchy throat and I knew I was in trouble. I couldn't stop downing the Airborne just yet.

While working triple overtime for my immune system, I cannot preach enough about how great this stuff is working. I should be back to my chipper old self in a few days.

Airborne

Starting with last Wednesday night, Airborne made an official believer out of me. Upon returning to work Monday, I learned that two of my lunch buddy co-workers had got sick the week before. Needlesstosay, their germs were still lingering.

I had heard of Airborne several year ago but never took it. I got a summer cold early this summer and my manager and another co-worker highly recommended it. They told me that as soon as you feel symptoms coming on, start chugging Airborne like there is no tomorrow. By the time I got this advice, I was already 3-4 days into my cold. I bought it anyway just to see if it would help any.

This time around was a completely different story. After I ate dinner on Wednesday, I felt really nauseous and by the time I was ready for bed I had the chills as well. So before I went to bed, I drank some Airborne nighttime formula. I slept like a ton of bricks. I couldn't even recall rolling over. I woke up feeling better than when I went to bed and certainly not like I needed to call in sick or anything. In fact, I felt like I normally would feel after I've had a cold for 4-5 days and I'm on the upswing of getter better. I couldn't believe how great my sinuses felt.

Before going to work on Thursday, I decided to go to CVS and pick up more Airborne. I got both the nighttime and daytime formulas. I drank two servings of the daytime and one serving of the nighttime. By the time I got to work on Friday morning, I didn't even feel like I had been sick at all! Unbelievable! 2 days later my flu-like symptoms were almost 100% gone and all I had taken for it was Airborne and a few cough drops. No other cold medicines or antibiotics were needed.

Airborne was created and developed by Victoria Knight-McDowell, a former second grade school teacher.

Wine Tasting 101

After being invited to attend the Women & Wine networking event, I went to the website of the Cleveland Wine School so I could learn more of what was being offered since I hadn't known of the school previously. The idea of learning more about wine definitely intrigued me such that I pondered signing up for a four course series.

My goals of taking the course included the following:
- to gain a better understanding of wine and how it is made.
- to become more skilled at pairing wine with various foods.
- to find out what my favorite wine tastes are.

Today was the first day of class and I am so happy I signed up. Marianne Frantz is a wonderful instructor. After the class was over, I felt so invigorated already with the new knowledege I had just learned. Unlike the networking event, pitch buckets were provided in the class. The drive home was a lot more sober this time around.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... by Maya Anjelou

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect..but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone . .even if she doesn't like it...

WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...be it to her best friend's kitchen table...or a charming inn in the woods...when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month...and a year...

Reorganization

Despite being on vacation this week, I got up and went to the company meeting today so I could find out who my new boss is. Although I've been through corporate restructuring many times before, the tips in the below link will be helpful to ease the anxiety of the unknown.

18 Ways To Survive Your Company's Reorganization, Takeover, Downsizing, or Other Major Change

Taryn Rose

Prior to reading Blackrussian's post Entrepreneurial Inspiration #1 - Taryn Rose, I was not familiar with Taryn or her products. She left her career as a surgeon to become a seller of shoes. Taryn Rose started with a $200,000 SBA loan in 1998. Today Taryn Rose International is worth $28 million.

Women & Wine

Last Tuesday I attended a netWorking Women & Wine event hosted by Marianne Frantz, founder of the Cleveland Wine School. The evening started off by sharing a Prosecco Sunrise cocktail with newly met colleagues and contacts. Then continued with a short presentation by Amelia Ceja of Ceja Winery. Amelia is the first Mexican-American woman to be presidentof a wine production company in the history of New World wines. Everyone sampled 6 Ceja wines paired with a light hors d'oeuvre. A few examples are listed below:

Slow Roasted Pork on Plaintain Chips with Tomato Caper Marmalade

2006 Ceja Sauvignon Blanc, Carneros

Sweet-Spicy Shrimp with Mango-celery Salad

2005 Ceja Chardonnay, Napa Valley

Cilantro-Lime Scented Grilled Salmon Skewers

2004 Ceja Pinot Noir, Sonoma Carneros

Of course the evening was capped off by everyone having the opportunity to purchase a bottle of wine. As a special treat, Amelia signed a bottle of wine for those who were interested.

I had a magnificent time and definitely took advantage of having Amelia sign my bottle of Ceja Sauvignon Blanc.

$330 Million

The Mega Millions jackpot was up to $330 million for Friday's 8/31/07 drawing. Four winning tickets were sold in Maryland, New Jersey, Texas and Virgina. It is unfortunate not a single penny of the pot is going into my pockets.

You can't win if you don't play.

Lucky or Unlucky?

Early this summer I watched an episode on 20/20 pertaining to the power of luck. Dr. Richard Wiseman was one of the main interviewees and I found his research to be so interesting that I ordered his book The Luck Factor: The Four Essential Principles. According to Wiseman, if you utilize several key characteristics, you can be in control of creating your own luck in life.

A full article of the show can be read by clicking on the 20/20 link.

Introduction

I started blogging about the chronicles of my Sisterlock journey about a year and a half ago and the rewards from doing so have been absolutely phenomenal. I got to watch and learn from the hair journeys of amazing women as well as get tips and advice for caring for my own locks. One of the biggest rewards of all was meeting some of these fantastic folks in person. But in my humble opinion, there is only so much hair blogging one can do. Many of the hair bloggers have already started separate life blogs or they've combined the hair and life blog into one. For several months now, I've pondered the idea of starting a personal inspiration blog.

Up until this point, I've done very little in actually getting this new blog up and going. I guess I needed something to zap the procrastination bug right out of me. When I read the article Being Thankful - How to Feel Appreciative for all your Life's Blessings by Trish Hoskin posted by Honey-Libra, I got exactly the motivation I needed.

It is now time for my new personal inspiration blog to come alive. In this blog I will include articles, quotes, books, pictures, other blogger stories, etc. that I feel will help me continue to achieve the goals I want to accomplish. Allow me to note how it is so easy for me to be a creature of habit. While I have my moments of going after spontaneous adventure, I want to use this blog as an opportunity to document my activities of doing something different from the everyday mundane. Examples include taking a different route to work, trying a different food dish, going to a new concert and most important talking to a new person. It's amazing how big things can happen from being at the right place at the right time and talking to the right person.

So to myself and anyone else out there reading....Good Luck!