Farmers Market = Fresh!

I went to the Farmers Market this morning in Bellefonte.

I love the new location. It's by the Gamble Mill and the parking is free. Most parking meters are set up to no longer take dimes and now are only taking quarters. Sometimes I don't have a quarter and need to worry about not having change with me to feed the meter. So, I just don't go in town to do things much. I feel they lose business by doing this. Maybe if parking was free all around people would go shopping. Who wants to come out to find a ticket on the windshield? I know I don't. Okay, Now that my rant is over back to the Farmer's Market.

While there I bought a zuchinni for .75 cents and four cucumbers for $1.00. How many grocery stores can you walk out of and pay only $1.75 for these? None that I know of.



And, You know what the best part is? They're fresh! You know it came out of someone's garden and you don't have to worry about how long it's been stored in someone's truck getting old or collecting germs from other products when there has been other foods in there.

Fresh! Fresh! Fresh! Love the local farmers selling their stuff. I can't wait for the watermelons to come.

I thought I'd also tell you it wasn't only about fruits and vegetables. I also picked up a few free recipes, they were selling a canning book, and you could even have a taste of some of the products. Just like going to Sam's club and getting a sample before you buy. Someone else was selling homemade soap, and you could even buy a T-shirt. And, it doesn't even stop there. I talked to one lady selling homemade pastas like ravoli and someone selling meats. I didn't order any yet, but I will I'm sure. I gotta tell my son about the bison meat, he loves it.

For you local's out there. It's set up on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 12 noon. Check it out. And, if you're not local, I'm sure you can find a Farmer's Market near you. It's fresher and cheaper.

National Dance Day

Did you know that Saturday, July 31st is National Dance Day? Your suppose to get out and dance. It's a way to recognize dance as a form of exercise and to get healthy. If you want to find out more about it you can go to Fox National Dance Day to see if there's something near you. Unfortunately for me there isn't.

And, if you can't get out to dance somewhere just dance in your living room.

A good way to burn off some calories.

Haven't Posted in Awhile - Health Issues - Decluttering

Health Issues: Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I just got my one foot healed up pretty good. They believe it was from a Planter's Wart on the bottom of my foot which she froze. It took two times but now my foot is feeling good.

That being said, my right foot is still hurting. After a x-ray not showing anything 3weeks ago, the doctor now believes it could be a stress fracture. There is no indication it is anything else. So, I will now have to go through another test. It's a bone scan for my foot kind of like the Hida test I just had done for my gallbladder. What they do is about the same thing by putting a radioactive dye into your system and then slowly scan the foot area to see how things are going.

This past week I had a Hida scan done about the same way to check my gallbladder function. The doctor said my gallbladder is only functioning about 17% and will have to come out. So needless to say I get to have surgery next week.

I'll have to then do the bone scan a few weeks after that to test to see if I have a foot fracture. If I do I may have to wear a shoe type cast or have a cast put on depending on what they want to do.

So, with all this I haven't been getting my exercise in and not eating so well either. Seems when I'm stressed I tend to eat more junk food. Once all this is healed up, I need to work on doing a food cleanse for my body.

Decluttering: Thought I'd let you know what I have been up to with my decluttering goals. If you want to see everything I've gotten rid of since Jan. of 2010, just scroll down to the bottom of this blog. But, yesterday I cleaned out some books and got rid of about 165 books. It feels good getting rid of this stuff that's taking up space. If you remember my goal this year is to get rid of clutter and to simplify what I have. That way I can find things easily. I'm tired of holding onto things or storing things that I hardly ever use or look at anymore.

Some of my next goals will be to clean out some cupboard space and get rid of some dishes and glassware. I also want to declutter my clothes that I hang onto just incase I'll get back into them. I say, the hell with it, I want to buy new clothes if I lose weight. I deserve it! Right?

Here's a few questions for you...
Do you keep your books that you've read or do you get rid of them? And, if you keep some, how do you decide on which one's to keep? Are they signed? Favorite author? Do you intend to read them again someday?

Do you keep clothes that you can't wear or do you just get rid of them? If you keep any of them, when do you decide you've kept them long enough? 6 months? A year? Longer?

Giveaway - Books

Just a reminder: that you only have about a week left to sign up for my book giveaway. It's called "Walking Down Life's Path". The giveaway ends on August 2nd. Please take a look at the post below for the details.


A memoir of a collection of short stories.

And, my sister's book giveaway "The Weeping Rose" ends Aug. 8th.

Her book is a poetry book with photos added to each poem.

We would love to have your reviews to see what you think.

Book Giveaway and Giveaway Scout Blog

I'm giving away two of my books called "Walking Down Life's Path"

on Goodreads The book is a memoir of bits and pieces of my life. Short stories that can be read fast and easily. Josh who has The Giveaway Scout site

has posted about it on his blog. Looks like a great site to check out lots of other giveaways you might like. I know I'm heading over there right now. If you want to see the widget for this giveaway blog, check out my sidebar on the right hand side. You can go to his site to add the scrolling bar to your own blog.

Also, while we're talking giveaways. My sister, Janet Foster, is also listing several of her poetry books

on goodreads. Her book is called "The Weeping Rose".

All you need to do is go to Goodreads giveaway and sign up for a chance to win. Don't forget that if you do win, we apprieciate your feedback and review on goodreads.

Just want to say thank you for taking the time to look at both sites and your interest in our books.

I'll update on my weight loss a little later on today or tomorrow.

Versatile and My Book Giveaway on Goodreads

It Pays To Be Versatile...



I have been nominated for a new award! Thanks to Two Sixty-Six (266) for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award!

First I thought I'd share The Dictionary definition of the word versatile
ver·sa·tile (vûrs-tl, -tl)
adj.
1. Capable of doing many things competently.
2. Having varied uses or serving many functions: "The most versatile of vegetables is the tomato" (Craig Claiborne).
3. Variable or inconstant; changeable: a versatile temperament.
4. Biology Capable of moving freely in all directions, as the antenna of an insect, the toe of an owl, or the loosely attached anther of a flower.

versatile
adjective
1. adaptable, flexible, all-round, resourceful, protean, multifaceted, many-sided, all-singing, all-dancing He stood out as one of the game's most versatile athletes.
adaptable limited, fixed, inflexible, unadaptable, one-sided
2. all-purpose, handy, functional, variable, adjustable, all-singing, all-dancing a versatile piece of equipment
all-purpose limited

As with all such accolades, this one has its own set of guidelines to follow:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate fifteen newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.

Hmmm… I'll try sharing at least several of the seven things about myself that maybe my readers don't know.

1. Let me start by sharing this with you. You may not have known I wrote a memoir book. Here's also the details of a giveaway for you to enjoy.

I know this site is more about weight loss but it's also a site I have for posting things about my life with everyday issues.

So, I debated about posting this here but then thought I'd give you a chance if you didn't know about my book to win it. I figured everyone likes a giveaway. I'm giving away two chances for you to win and you can click here Goodreads Giveaway to go directly there.



It's a collection of short stories of memoirs. You don't need to read this book in any particular order, as I didn't write it in any particular order. It's not like the typical book with a beginning and end. Like a said, it's a collection of shorter stories that can be read easily and quickly. It's a book sometimes made of life lessons and what I may have learned about them along the way. Some stories I hope you will laugh and others I just hope you enjoy reading them and maybe get a small message out of them.

I'm the type of person where I don't like to dwell in the past, if life throws you bad curves you have to get up, dust yourself off, and try over and over till you get it right. I guess this does fit in this blog since it's my life issues.

If you want to read the blurb about what this book is about you can go to my website here: Lulu

People listing books on Goodreads would like to receive reviews that's why they give them away on this site. You can read the rules on the Goodreads sidebar when you sign up to win books.

I am going to start working on another book which will either be a children's book or a fiction book. I have a couple topics in mind that I've been pondering.

Okay, now off to the other seven things about me to post.

2. I love skunks and used to have one for about five years. They make nice pets if you're allergic to cats and other animals. They have more like coarse hair instead of fur. That being said it is illegal in alot of states to own a wild skunk. Where I live you had to have a permit to own a skunk and they have to be adopted by a breeder who domesticates them. (I don't recommend going out to buy one unless you do your homework.) I always wanted one since I was a child and I knew alot about taking care of one before I got mine. I had to give mine away to another skunk owner due to work related hours. I feel they do need a companion.

3. Here's something more related to food. I play with my food when I am full on my plate and move it around side to side. My husband pointed it out to me. I didn't even think I ever realized I did that.

4. I hate to exercise but know I need to do it in order to lose weight.

5. It's hard for me to get rid of things but this year I committed to cleaning out my clutter of things I don't use anymore.

6. I love all types of animals and if I had lots of land (which I don't) I'd have alot of dogs running around. This would also give me exercise taking care of them and going on walks. But, I only have one dog right now.

7. Hmmm...I more thing about me. I used to hate to read when I was growing up except dog stories. Can you believe it? When I was in school I'd only like reading books relating to dogs. Now, I love to read. I've been reading books like crazy over the last three years.

Well, that's my seven things about me. And, now I leave you with 15 more bloggers that I passed the Versatile paton to. Please visit their blog when you get a chance.

Here's 15 more bloggers to read and enjoy! I'm hoping to be versatile in the one's I chose.

1. Cheri's Seasons of the Heart
2. Kelly 30 x 30
3. Ann-Less of Me
4. Shannon-The Me Within
5. Ms Bitch Cakes
6. The Fat Chick Weigh
7. 282Point5
8. A Deliberate Life
9. The 1972 Retro Experiment
10. Kathy's Life and Musings
11. Sunday Scrappin Meme
12. Sylvia From Over the Hill
13. Mrs. Nesbitt's Space
14. Tumblewords
15. Photo Wannabe

New Week, Vent, Decluttering, Exercise, All of It

Okay this is going to be a little about everything.

New Week/Exercise: Sunday started a new week for me with exercise. It's now Monday and no exercise. Still having problems with my feet but they feel a little better today. So I decided to do some decluttering and get rid of some more clutter of stuff I don't use anymore.

Onto Decluttering: I posted alot of stuff for giveaway on FreeCycle. If you go to yahoo and type in Freecycle you can find your location. All you do is join the list for your county and then post things you would like to giveaway for free or you can ask for things you want and hope you get someone who will give you something in return. I haven't requested anything yet because I'm trying to get rid of stuff. I gave alot of things away a few months ago.

Well, today and yesterday, here's all the stuff I got rid of...
· Old Typewriter
· 30 gal bag of men's clothes and shoes
· 30 gal. bag of women's clothes and shoes
· My 10 ft by 6 ft blow up pool.
· Childs plastic picnic table
· Small beach umbrella
· 2-30 gal. bags of toddler toys
· Lg. Patio umbrella
· Computer monitor

It feels great to know all of this stuff is out of the house but I still need to get rid of stuff I don't use. I really want a clutter free house this year. That's my goal along with losing weight, eating right, and exercising more.

Here comes the vent: Why do people tell you and practically beg you to hold something for them and then don't show up? It's free! How much easier is it to get stuff with that price? Again I say... FREE! Is it really too much to ask that if you ask me to hold something to pick it up? I am trying to declutter like I said and want to get rid of the stuff I am clearing out. Then someone seems like they really want it and then they either don't show up or say, Oops! I didn't really want it. This of course is after I tell the other people that it is spoken for.

Okay, done with my soap box. This is the kind of stuff that makes you go to the ice-cream cooler. Am I on Big Brother? Is there a saboteur?

Exercise and Food

Still in the no exercise zone due to feet problems. But on the bright side, my tomato and cucumber plants are almost ready in the garden. I love tomato sandwiches with mayo and pepper. And, cucumbers are a great snack. Since we're talking about tomatoes and cucumbers here's a few nutition facts I got from the Internet.

Cucumbers - Are made up of mostly water, a little over 90% according to one site. If you look at other site it varies. They all agree that's it's over 50% water though. It's a good source of vitamin C with a few other nutrients thrown in. Cucumbers are good for the digestive system and have a cleansing affect on the bowel.

And, the added benefit very low on calories. One cup is = to only 16 calories. Cucumbers are great on sandwiches or just slice them up and add some dill, a good snack.
Here's a recipe for a quick cucumber salad.

CUCUMBER ONION SALAD

1 large cucumber
1 medium onion
1 large tomato
zesty Italian dressing
wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Cut up cucumbers, onion, and tomato in small cubes. Salt and pepper as desired. Add 1 tbsp wine vinegar.
Add enough Italian dressing to cover (more or less to desired taste).
Great as a side dish for many meals.
Submitted by: Dee Chilton

Cucumber snack I got from this website: Cooks.com



Tomatoes - Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Also known to lower your chances of cancer.

Tomatoes come in at less than 30 calories per cup.

Here's a tomato recipe snack. I haven't tried it yet but it looks good.

Stuffed Tomato Snacks
Cherry tomatoes
(larger ones are easier to stuff)
Low-fat cottage cheese
Sunflower seeds
Wash the tomatoes and slice off
the tops. Scoop out the seeds and
pulp. Fill each tomato with cottage
cheese. Sprinkle sunflower
seeds on top.

(Sorry I forgot which site I found this on.)

And, if you want to combine the two...Use this recipe also from Cooks.com

EASY TOMATO/CUCUMBER SALAD

1 tomato
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
dill to taste

Dice tomato and cucumber into small cubes of desired size.
Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl.

Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, then serve.
Submitted by: Theresa S

Update: Still No Exercise

Thought I'd give you a quick update on my exercise routine. I still haven't been exercising because of my feet. If I had a exercise bike, I'd use that but I don't. Hopefully, I can get back into it soon. I feel so disappointed because I tried to start and now problems with my feet. I am working on getting it taken care of, got a x-ray the other day but still no one has gotten back to me with my results. Argh! I've already called at least three times. Anyway, will update again later.

New Week it's Sunday...Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone! I know you'll be having your BBQ's today. Keep it safe and don't eat too much side salads like macaroni or potato.

I thought I'd talk a little bit about watermelon today. I eat alot of watermelon in the summer and when you think picnics you probably have a tendency to think about watermelon.

I got a email this morning from South Beach Diet tips and it had in there that on the South Beach Diet you aren't to eat watermelon till phase 3. I always thought watermelon was the least calorie and thought of it as a good diet food. The reason they tell you not to eat much of it is because it can make your blood sugar levels rise faster especially if your diabetic and can cause cravings. A serving size is equal to one cup of watermelon chunks or one small wedge.

That being said it is still a good source of vitamin C. From the website Wikipedia"Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight."

I also got this information from the Wikipedia site that I didn't know. "Notable is the inner rind of the watermelon, which is usually a light green or white color. This area is edible and contains many hidden nutrients that most people avoid eating due to its unique flavor."

And...

"Watermelon rinds are also edible, and sometimes used as a vegetable. In China, they are stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled. When stir-fried, the de-skinned and de-fruited rind is cooked with olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sugar and rum. Pickled watermelon rind is also commonly consumed in the Southern US. Watermelon juice can also be made into wine."

I guess I need to eat a little less of this fruit since it raises blood sugar levels. I was diagnosed with diabetes last year and have to control my blood sugar levels. I always looked at the watermelon as a safe fruit but I will need to look at other fruits a little bit more carefully too. Which goes to show you I guess we all need to do our research while trying to lose weight.

Exercise: On a side note I didn't do any exercise this week. When we went away last week to visit family for three days it totally threw me off my schedule. I guess you could say I making up excuses but it's the only one I have. When I go away I don't tend to exercise and when I came back I felt sluggish again. So this week it's back to my workouts!

Getting Back Into the Groove

Well, ever since I got back from visiting family members I can't seem to get back into the groove of exercising. We we're only gone three days this past weekend. Came back and haven't exercised at all this week. I did however went swimming in the pool when we were there twice if that counts. But, I really wasn't doing that much exercise.

The dog even had a hard time for a few days getting back into the groove. So, What's the matter when we go away for a few days to return to not being able to get back into the routine we were doing before we left?

I have to get back into exercising again and soon before I have to start all over again. Any suggestions? How do you return to your normal routine when you're away and return?

I did weigh-in on Wednesday and lost .2 of a pound. Not sure how I did it, but I'll take any loss I can get. It's better than gaining.