Monday, December 15, 2014

Shall we wrap? Wrapping Christmas Gifts with Postal Paper

Love the idea of doing my own thing when it comes to wrapping Christmas gifts or any gift for that matter.  Wrapping with postal paper gives you the opportunity to be creative......

Here are some of the gifts I wrapped this year so far.  All using brown postal paper and decor/ornaments from the 99c store, buttons, ribbons, etc......

I meant to glue a red button on its nose, not sure what I was thinking using white, but cute nonetheless

Used stickers from the 99c store and black ribbon - perfect for a shoe lover

All gifts wrapped for one of my daughters have the letter "A" for Angelina

All gifts wrapped for one of my daughters have the letter "B" for Brooke

printed out "Joy to the World" music sheet, cut out a reindeer and glued a red button on its nose - added some ribbon and rope

found this ribbon and ornament/star from the 99c store

found this ribbon and ornament/star from the 99c store

Ribbon, Doliey, Bow, Rope and ornament - so cute  

Ribbon from the 99c store along with a snowflake ornament - snowflake ornament came in a pack of 6.

For another shoe lover.... 



Ribbon, raffia and a star ornament

"Joy to the world" music sheet, reindeer cutout, red bow and button nose - for a cute little reindeer girl :)

O'Christmas Tree - Raffia, Ribbon and tree cutout with red button tree topper

Raffia, Bow and berries with tag traced on package

Big package - small impression

Bird cutout using "Joy to the World" music sheet, snip of our Christmas tree, some berries and a little red bow

Another "B" for Brooke with red raffia and two ornamental balls

Monday, July 28, 2014

7.26.14: Lake Sonoma & Overlook Rock | 5.15 Miles | 2hrs 41min

off the beaten path....

This loop hike goes by Lake Sonoma and climbs to several panoramic viewpoints.....super hot day, but totally worth it.

Located Norvin Green State Forest | Wyanokies Region | Passaic County, NJ | (I'll update w/GPS coordinates soon)

Take a look at the pics I took while hiking with my daughter Angelina.....click here:
Lake Sonoma & Overlook Rock

and take a look below and see how many calories I burned in one hike....BAM!!!!


 






Monday, June 23, 2014

6/21/14: 5.5 Mile Hike @Ramapo Lake, Ramapo Mountain State Forest

This 5.5 Mile Hike Started on the MacEvoy Trail and through Lookout Trail and Hoeferlin Memorial Trail. Beautiful viewpoints along this hike and ruins from the estate of William MacEvoy built in 1910.





For more pics...Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10203168737493592&type=1&l=6ff55591dd

Friday, May 23, 2014

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Juicing: Strawberry Sour Patch

After last night's intense 90 min. hot yoga class - I slept like a baby!! Got up at 5:30 this morning juiced and began my day right!! Now having an egg white omelet w/spinach and turkey and boiled baby red potatoes. Oh Yeah! On my way to bringing sexy back....although my husband begs to differ saying "Sexy Never Left Baby"........... 

STRAWBERRY SOUR PATCH

1 Bunch Kale
2 Handfuls of Spinach (not shown in pic - added the spinach last minute)
2 Green Apples
1/2 Large Pink Grapefruit
1 Orange
4-5 Strawberries



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Purple Healing Potion in a Jar

Seriously! I bet if people drank this juice daily a multitude of their ailments and/or diseases would be cleansed away.  

I started eating Bok Choy about 7 months ago.  Never thought about eating, let along drinking Bok Choy juice.  On one visit to Trader Joe's I ran across Bok Choy - the package also contained a recipe...Holy Wow!!! Delish!! Can't recall what it was, but the next time I make it I'll post it.  

At any rate....after my first try, then other try's in smoothies, I was quickly hooked on Bok Choy; and the health benefits of juicing Bok Choy are out of this world beneficial.  

This recipe that follows is one of my own....Love it and already feel my body detoxifying as I sit here and type.  

I mean imagine this..... 

The antioxidants and healing benefits of Beets, swirled in with a major boost of calcium found in Bok Choy, not to mention that this rich calcium gives your brain and nervous system major support boost.   Add a hint of detoxifying properties found in Carrots that helps cleanse your liver; and the bitter-sweet taste of Grapefruit that provides an abundance of vitamin's A, B, C, E, K.  Juice these ingredients and you my friend have a miracle healing potion in a jar (or cup, depending on what you prefer)


PURPLE HEALING POTION

2 Medium-sized Bok Choy bunch ~ click here for benefits of Bok Choy juice
2 Carrots with Stems ~ click here for benefits of juicing Carrots
1/2 of One Large Pink Grapefruit ~ click here for benefits of juicing Grapefruits
1 Medium Beet ~ click here for benefits of juicing Beets

Cheers again to my Lady friend on the wall

Monday, April 28, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day: 28: Strawberry Patch

It's been a few days since I posted, but I have been incorporating 2 juices to my diet daily.  This coming Wednesday is my colonoscopy after being advised that I have Crohn's disease.  Two weeks ago I had an upper endoscopy performed and to the doctor's surprise, he found not one ulcer - I expect him to find the same after this procedure - thus the reason I'm "Juicing for a Cure"

Juicing for a Cure Day 28:  Strawberry Patch

1/2 Head of Romaine
5 Leaves of Kale
1 Handful Spinach
10 Springs of Cilantro
2 Green Apples
1 Orange
1/2 Lime
5 Large Strawberries

WOW Sooooo Delish.....


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 24: Anti-Oxidant Boost

Stop ignoring the healing properties of Parsley ... too often it's used as a plate garnish, but did you know that it's actually loaded with nutrients....

Juicing for a Cure Day 24: Anti-Oxidant Boost

5 Leaves of Bok Choy
10 Sprigs of Parsley 
2 Green Apples
1 Cucumber 
1/2 Beet 

Prep for Two

Cause I like to share, here's some information for you.................

Green Apples: Benefits of Green Apples

Monday, April 21, 2014

Juicing for a Cure: Day 21: Sweet & Sour Kale

I'm jumping right along to day 21.  This past weekend, with Easter festivities and all, I still managed to juice twice a day Woot Woot.  I repeated some recipes and considering we were on the go this weekend. Once again, it was hard to update this blog - so lets jump right along to Day 21:

Juicing for a Cure Day 21: Sweet & Sour Kale

5 Large Leaves of Kale
1/2 Large Pink Grapefruit
2 Green Apples
1 Orange


Was so delish, I almost missed taking the pic before finishing

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 17 - Keeping the Doctor's baffled

Well yesterday was my first upper endoscopy, the doctors wanted to check for ulcers, considering I was recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease.  Prior to the test, I told my doctor the results will baffle him. I started juicing twice a day, stopped eating gluten products and daily products (another allergy, he said I have), and my prayed prayed prayed....well lets just say the Power of Prayer has prevailed, yet again.  

After the procedure, the doctor said to me, whatever you're doing keep doing, we found not one ulcer and expect to find the same in the next procedure in two weeks.  I said to him, I'm praying & juicing...he said well keep it up!!!  

and so I will ......

Juicing for a Cure Day 17:  Romaine Chard Mint

1 Head of Romaine Lettuce
1 Small Handful of Mint
3 Swiss Chard Leaves
1 Lemon

2 Apples 

I was running late today, and couldn't even take a pic, but it was delish!!! 

Juicing for a Cure Days: 12-16

Wow this past weekend was nuts, too crazy to even update this blog with the juices I made.  With Soccer Mom duties, Wifey duties, then back to Piano Mom duties, Theater Mom and Aunt duties, etc. let's just say I need a break......

At any rate these are the juices I prepared on Days 12 - 16


DAY 12:  Blueberry Garden


1 Bunch Dandelion
1 Apple
1 Beet
1/2 Cucumber
1 Cup Blueberries 
















DAY 13: Refreshing Watermelon

2 Cups Watermelon
2 Apples
1/2 Lemon
4 Kale Leaves
(sorry no pic, made this one at night for my morning rush)


DAY 14:  Fountain of Youth ( my niece AJ helped me with this one, and loved it!! )

1/2 of 1 Romaine 
1 Handful Spinach 
3 Swiss Chard Leaves
2 Apples
1 Orange
1/2 Cucumber




Day 15: Seeing Green

4 Kale Leaves
2 Large Carrots
1 Green Apple
1 Beet 
2 Large Broccoli Florets 
















Day 16: Kiwi Apple Kale

1 bunch Kale
3 Kiwis
2 Green Apples
1" Ginger 





Friday, April 11, 2014

Juicing for Cure Day 11: Purple Cabbage & Pears

Day 11 - Still going strong and feeling awesome!!!!  Feeling like my taste buds are changing big time.....and find myself eating more like a vegetarian then anything else.  Haven't had any type of red meat in two weeks, and if my insides can speak or shout I'm sure they would be saying "Woot Woot".  Detoxing my body daily!!

Juicing for a Cure Day 11: Purple Cabbage & Pears

4 Purple Cabbage Leaves
2 Sticks of Celery
2 Pears
1" Ginger Root



Thursday, April 10, 2014

Juicing for a Cure DAY 10: Pineapple Mint

Oh Yeah!!!  This one, like the others is delish!!!!  BTW I only post the juices that I like.  There have been a few, where I'm like "Ewe no way" so of course I didn't post those - I just experimented on others.....

Juicing for a Cure Day 10: Pineapple Mint 

2 Handfuls of Spinach
4 Kale Leaves
1 Small Handful of Mint Leaves
1 Cup Pineapple
2 Granny Smith Apples



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 9: Carrot & Beet Juice

I'll be purchasing a new juicer very soon  After reading about the Centrifugal Juicers, which I have...... no offense to Jack LaLanne but according to Dr. Max Gerson:  

“When the grinding wheel rotates against a resistance with insufficient access of air, positive electricity is produced and induces negative electricity on the surrounding wall. The exchange of positive and negative ions kills the oxidizing enzymes and renders the juice deficient.” – Dr. Max Gerson, MD

On that note: I'll be purchasing another juicer "Champion" found here:  http://www.renewedhealth.com/juicers/champion-commercial-juicer-72.html

Well it's Day 9 - I'm on a roll!!!  Yesterday I purchased all my fruits and veggies for the next two weeks.  My husband is now juicing along with me, being as he felt significantly better after juicing this past week. 

Last year my husband was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (a kidney disease).  We of course changed our eating habits and instead of agreeing to any type of drugs we decided to clean up our act and started eating healthier.  Well to the Doctor's surprise, my husband's levels were completely normal, after 3 months of eating completely healthy.  As a matter of fact, my husband could consume protein in excess if he wanted to, where he was once limited to a certain amount of protein, phosphate, etc.  - So he's adding juicing to his diet, and loving it!

We all have our own medicine in our own back yard.  Follow the signs to your local farmers market and there is where you will find a cure for everything imaginable. 

For those of you who have Netflix, I encourage you to watch Gerson's Miracle or read more about his therapy and way of living here:  http://gerson.org/gerpress/
 
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


So.....this is what I had this morning:  Carrot & Beet Juice

1/2 Beet (leaves and stems too)
1/2 Cucumber
1/2 Lemon
2 Extra Large Carrots (or 3-4 small)







Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 8: Detox & "C" Booster

8th DAY & FEELING GREAT!!!!!

I cannot believe how much I'm enjoying juicing my fruits and veggies.  Day 8 of incorporating fresh fruit and vegetable juices (2x a day) and I've been feeling great mentally and physically, and there is no way I'm letting this feeling go away. 

I don't feel run down by 1p-2p like I use to, instead I'm full of energy and ready to tackle any task.  BRING IT!!    :)

So this is what I juiced this morning.....Let's call this one: Detox & "C" Booster

4 Large Collard Greens Leaves
1 Handful Spinach
1 1/2 Oranges (you can use two, there were only three left so I split one in half for my husband and I...awe so cute!!)
1/2 of one Small Pineapple






Some info for you:

Benefits of Collard Greens:  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=138
Benefits of Spinach: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=43
Benefits of Pineapple: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=34

Monday, April 7, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 7: Purple Power

I'm starting to run low on my veggies and have halves of this and halves of that in my fridge.  So, why not put it all together and see what I get......BTW sooooooo frik'n good!

I call this one Purple Power:

1 Small Beet
1/2 of one small Pineapple
1 Celery
1 Cup Mixed Berries
3 Large Swiss Chard Leaves

Cheers! to my Lady Friend on the wall

Juicing for a Cure Day 6: "Just Beet It"

Beautiful day this past Sunday.  Picked me up some blessings at church this morning, then relaxed on the deck catching some sun while sipping on some fresh juice, just before Soccer Mom duties calls.

Juicing for a Cure Day 6: "Just Beet It"

1 Medium beet
2 Navel oranges
1 Granny Smith apple
2 Large carrots




What's so beneficial about Beets: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49

Juicing for a Cure Day 5: Green Goddess

I totally forgot to update my page with juices I made over the weekend, with Soccer Mom duties, etc....time is just a bit hard to come by sometimes.....but always time for juicing..

Juicing for a Cure Day 5:  Green Goddess

6 Chard Leaves
1 1/2 Cups Green Grapes
1/2 Cucumber
1 Green Apple
1/2" Ginger


Some info for you:

What's beneficial about Swiss Chard?: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=16

Friday, April 4, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 4: The Green Juice

So I've decided to drink fresh juice twice a day.  It's the first thing I drank this morning!!!  Off to a good start!!

On my last post I mentioned drinking fresh juice on an empty stomach (at least 20 min. prior to a meal), so why not let it be the first thing I start my day off with......

FYI:  Day two was rough in my giving up coffee routine - However, I have to say on day 3 and today, day 4 - I feel great!!!  No headaches, No grumpiness, no cravings....can I hear a Woot Woot!


Juicing for a Cure DAY 4

"The Green Juice"

2 Celery Stalks
½ Cucumber
3 Swiss Chard Leaves
2 Kale Leaves
1-2 Apples (I used 2) - If an Apple a day keeps the doctor away...imagine what two a day will do...

I found 30 recipes for 30 days here:  Green Juice a Day; but go in no particular order since I decided to start drinking twice a day.....


2 Celery Stalks, 1/2 Cucumber, 3 Swiss Chard Leaves, 2 Kale Leaves, 2 Apples
 

I used a sticky note: placed it on top of the lid then twisted the band....genius!!
 

The Green Juice - Oh Yeah!!!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Juicing for a Cure Day 3: "Green Detox "

Some things I'm learning along the way while juicing......

HEALTHY FACT: ALWAYS drink fresh juice on an empty stomach - this allows the vitamins and minerals in the juice to go straight to your bloodstream. Having fiber or a meal already in your stomach prevents your body from quickly absorbing the nutrients from the juice. General rule of thumb: Eat 20 min. after drinking your fresh juice.

Juicing for a Cure DAY 2

"Green Detox"
½ Head of Romaine
1 Handful of Spinach
2 Kale Leaves
10 Sprigs of Cilantro
2 Apples (Fuji or Granny Smith)
½ Lime

Green Detox


WOW YUM!!!!!

Found 30 Recipes for 30 Days here:  Green Juice a Day

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Juicing for a Cure DAY 2: "Simply Green"

Good day to you!!!

Started my day with some wholesome Oatmeal, now having my juice for the day.  I'm trying to replace one meal a day with juice then have a juice fast over the weekend, at least twice a month. 

I'm also starting "Inversion Table Therapy".  I'll let you know when I start and the changes I feel will be logged daily.

Juicing for a Cure DAY 2

"Simply Green"
5 Handfuls of Spinach
3 Kale Leaves
3 Celery Stalks
½ Cucumber
½ Lemon
2 Fuji Apples



OH YUM!!!

Found 30 recipes for 30 days on this site: Green Juice a Day