We all know that dark orange vegetables, like sweet potatoes, are powerfully healthy sources of Vitamin A and beta-carotene. But, I don't know about you...I find the flavor so strong that I'm really only in the mood for them a few times a year.

 

Last month, we had a friend over for last-minute dinner - and I found myself with just a few white potatoes and one sweet potato. So, I boiled them all and mashed them together (with margarine and non-fat milk). Mmm. More subdued flavor, and healthy nutrition.

 

Maybe you want to try this with your family?

The Taco Bell Diet 

Have you seen the new Taco Bell commercials in which Christine Dougherty claims to have lost 54 pounds over two years by eating off the Fresco menu at Taco Bell (and making other sensible choices). Feels sort of like a deja vu of Jared Fogle and his Subway diet that he claims help drop 245 pounds.

 

Can this type of approach work? Of course... whenever you eat fewer calories than your body needs, you lose weight.

 

But, heck, don't limit yourself to Taco Bell or Subway, for that matter. Buy a copy of Dr. Jo's Eat Out & Lose Weight plan. These 30 laminated wallet cards list hundreds of other sensible calorie choices at both fast food restaurants and and full-service restaurants.

 

I still haven't seen the movie Nine, but I've been told that, since I liked the musical, Chicago, that I'll like this one too.

 

I love watching dance - especially of generations past. So, yesterday, John and I began two six-week classes - 1920-1940's Charleston and Swing. Check out this video of what we'll be learning in our class (these are our instructors). What a way to burn some calories!

 

Wait till you see us on Broadway! Did I ever tell you that I danced on Broadway before? Sure, I stood under the "Broadway" street sign in NYC and danced - while my mother took my picture. LOL

 

Shouldn't you sign up for a dance class?

Have you ever noticed that once you learn about something, you seem to hear it everywhere? It happened decades ago, when I first heard my manager constantly repeating the word "behoove." I had to look up the word when I got home from work. Then, I noticed that everyone was using it - in the news, on TV, other people. I'm assuming that people had been using that word forever, but I just wasn't "clued" into it before. The same thing happened when I joined social dancing classes - now I hear about dance functions all the time!

 

The same phenomenon applies to our struggles - which might be more complicated than what a simple Internet search could provide. Have a struggle? Ask the universe!

 

Write down your questions and read them every day to keep them top of mind. Tell other people what you need... and you'll find out that the universe will answer. It isn't magic, it's just about "clueing" yourself into finding those connections. You'll find yourself noticing articles and books, meeting people and companies that will help you with the issue you're struggling with. Go ahead, give it a try! Ask the universe. The answer is out there!