The only constant is change...

Change. Originally uploaded by flightlessXbird

Just a note to let you all know that I have decided to merge all of my writing about health, religion, culture and living passionately into a new blog titled The caterpillar that could Why? Because I want to make the info I post more accesible to YOU avid readers and also make it easier and organized on the writer (ME.) It will be the same writing style just everything under one blog and more creativeness and inspiring ideas for all of you. I am so excited and I know you will love the change. Embrace change!

"Shoot for the Moon...

Picture by Anna Klevan

...even if you miss it you will land among the stars." Brian Littrell

"According to a study of 1,801 people published in the International Journal of Obesity, women who set unrealistically high weight-loss goals dropped more weight in 24 months than those who kept their expectations low."

Women's Health

Indian Fig

Info From The Cook's Thesaurus

Prickly Pear = Indian Fig = Indian Pear = Barbary Fig = Tuna = Cactus Pear

I bought this fruit today at the supermarket without knowing what it was. I am all about that now. Every time I see a new fruit or vegetable that I have not yet tasted or do not know how to cook, I buy it on purpose to learn.

The pulp of these cactus fruits is a brilliant red or, occasionally, a yellowish green, and it tastes a bit like watered-down watermelon. Cooks exploit the color by adding slices of the pulp to fruit salads, or by puréeing it and straining out the seeds. They're quite popular in Hispanic countries and around the Mediterranean (now that makes sense.)

Benefits of Indian Figue:

Helps against constipation

Reduces wrinkles

Sue's Grocery

Today I bought two different kinds of organic pasta from Napolis. I also bought dorade fish, sweet corn on the cob, whole wheat bread, grapes, pears, oranges, figues, tomatoes, 4 cases of water (water is my best friend), prunes (good for when you are constipated), anchovie spread (will show you a quick and easy recipe for a snack with it later on), etc.

I have never cooked corn on the cob so we will see how that goes.

Organic Spinach Pasta al Dente

The organic aisle at Carrefour (the supermarket I go to) called my attention last week. I ended up buying organic pasta from Napolis , a Tunisian manufacturer of fresh pasta that in order to gain competitive advantage, decided to enter the organic market. I also found organic olive oil.

I had fresh mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and olives with tuna inside (not organic though) so I cut them. I boiled the pasta and made sure to taste it so it turned out to be al dente. Once the pasta was ready, I drained it and added a sauce made from organic olive oil and garlic paste. I finished by adding the cut veggies into it. I also added a can of tuna.

Et voici, la Pasta Bio aux Épinards . C'était excellente!

Re-Creation of Resolutions Before 2010

Today while exercising (I always brainstorm while doing cardio) I thought of the bad habits that I have and would like to change. Also, I thought of the dreams I have not yet fulfilled. I had made a list of resolutions on December 31st and today is August 1st. I think I have mainly fulfilled most of them except #5 and #6. Below is the new list to do before 2010:

1) No alcohol (last time I drinked was like 2 weeks ago)

2) No coffee

3) Be nicer to my cat

4) No sweets

5) Eat more veggies

6) Learn Italian

7) Start writing a helpful book

8) Star in a movie

9) Build a successful business

10) Meet more enlightened people

What about you? What would you like to change that you still have not?

When Injuries Happen to Healthy People

I have been taking it easy on the running. Last time I jogged was this past Saturday. I hurt the ligament in my right ankle. This is why I stopped jogging this week and doing high impact classes such as Boot Camp and Body Combat. In them I jump a lot so I will take a break until the ligament is healed.

I was feeling quite sad and depressed. I took my boyfriend's suggestion on using the elliptical machine. It is great! It does not impact my feet and my knees and I still burn almost the same amount of calories in the machine.

I am still able to do the Spinning, Body Pump and Body Sculpt classes. This is what I will be doing until it heals completely. My boyfriend said something that is very true. He said that at least I caught it at a point where I can recuperate. He mentioned the case of athletes that get injuries and are not able to perform any longer. It could have been worse.

Yesterday, my boyfriend bought me new runners. I did a research and it said that you need to change them after you have run in them 500 miles. Even though they still look new, they will not give the same support to your feet as in the beginning.

Make sure your tennis shoes are supporting your feet enough! I think this was the main reason for my injury. I started running everyday 4 miles since mid May. I did an estimate and calculated that I ran 300 miles in only 2 months and a half and I had the old runners since 8 months ago.

These are the ones Tarek bought me. I love them! He was also the one who suggested that I buy new ones. I am usually so frugal that I do not care (therefore my injury.)

Take Good Care of Yourselves!

xoxo

Sue Ellen