ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

'Tis The Season... The holidays are here, and what a special time to be Grateful. It's the perfect time to gather your friends and family, and share great food, wine, and of course laughter. We have soooo much to be grateful for, we have freedom, we have choices.  Let's start off with  I Am Thankful For....

 Thank you Mother Earth - Mother Nature for these beautiful flowers! We have a Pavilions nearby, and they always have a large variety of colorful flowers and greenery. Here I chose Tulips - Roses - Calla Lilies - Peonies. If you live in the West Hollywood area, ask for David! He's the best...

You can also buy long stem leaves and decorate the inside of the vase for an elegant touch to your arrangement. While arranging your flowers say "Thank You"...tell Mother Nature how grateful you are for her flawless beauty she has provided for us.

Tulips have so many leaves, just take and wrap those extra leaves around your stems for that 'Wedding Bouquet' look. 

I love the vibrant orange, perfect for a fall color.  Tulips love a little light, in just a few minutes they will open up as the light shines through the window.

Beautiful pink Tulips and Peonies, and the peonies have a soft...light fragrance as they begin to open. 

White Peonies, White Roses... 

I find groupings of three, to work well. Choose different vases, and heights for that artistic feel.

Simple Calla Lilies...Simple Vase... Elegance.   We all have many things we can be grateful for. If we can stay in a state of gratitude for just a few minutes a day, our hearts will change, we will feel lighter, and the longer we can say "Thank You" the Universe will recognize our gratitude. We can always be of great service to ourselves and others when our heart says "Thank You"

    "Choosing gratitude is akin to choosing forgiveness. It is to create forward and healthy           movement within the individual expressing it"       Reverend Keith Cox...my friend

  Thank you to my followers for being supportive and taking the time to read my blog, The Grateful Gardenia. I hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving, and you were able to share the day with your friends and loved ones. During this season let's envision laughter, hugs and a heart full of gratitude.   

                                    Make someone's day special today... it matters

STRONG ARMS 4-LIFE

As we age the arms are one of the first to show the signs of muscle loss. Our muscles do not respond well to sudden bouts of exercise, so the key is to work out your muscles on a regular basis throughout your life. The older you are, the faster your muscles begin to atrophy if you are not engaging in some sort of strength training exercise on a regular basis. 

 You can easily prevent muscle atrophy on your own. Carve out the time to incorporate strength training into your healthy lifestyle routine. You can start with light weights, some determination, and you are on your way. It's important to have protein 15 minutes after your workout, this will feed your muscles. I have noticed if I skip a few days, I can visually see a difference. I keep 2 pound weights in my kitchen pantry, and while I prepare dinner...I lift, and catch up on a few of my favorite programs (Homeland & Scandal) 

Stand parallel with feet hips distance - Raise arms to shoulder height - Palms facing down - Lift your arms at a rapid pace from your hips to shoulder height 20 times in this position. This will get your heart rate up. Keep your core strong, and make sure their is no arch in your back.

Position 2 - Arms in front of you - Wrist facing down - Begin to lift at the same steady pace up and down - Not taking your arms above your shoulders - 20 reps. - Keep your core strong -

Position 3 - Take your arms to the front - Turn your wrist so they are facing each other - Begin to lift at the same steady pace for 20 reps. - Not letting your arms and weights go to far above your shoulders- You will feel the burn!  I like to do 3 sets of 20 reps. * I am not a trainer - I enjoy   sharing with you what I do. We as women balance a lot! If we can share and support each other, we grow stronger in our mind and body.

I work-out my arms 6 days a week. I like to mix it up - I do pilates - yoga - and lift weights. Do include strength training into your fitness routine. It is the number one way for you to remain strong, and keep the bones healthy. Our bones are very porous and soft, and as we age, bones can become less dense. Resistance training can combat this effect because; as we put more tension on our muscles it puts more pressure on our bones, which then creates fresh new bone. As we build muscle; we make the muscle we already have STRONGER. We all hear stories how older people fall and break their bones, or we have a family member who has experienced this. Pick up weights, make healthy choices, express gratitude, and you will be happier in the long run. Start moving and don't stop not matter what your age! 

                         "Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength." Betty Friedan (1921-2006)

Our Muscles

HAPPY HOUR IN THE A.M.

Why not make your Happy Hour in the AM a healthy one?  This Martini a day keeps the doctor away. I love a good dirty martini, but how about a clean one too?  Martini glasses are entertaining, they remind me of Roger Moore and Old Hollywood, I decided to dirty up my breakfast one day by adding healthy granola with flaxseed from Whole Foods, and one of my favorite shakes with berries, and pomegranate seeds.

After seeing the new James Bond Movie, I wanted to go to dinner, drive fast, buy gadgets, and have a martini. I had this instead... Shaken not Stirred

Add in your favorite granola, berries, pomegranate seeds, and a healthy shake. The crunchy texture with the shake is oh - so satisfying. 

Chunky Granola from Whole Foods with flaxseed - almonds - honey - dried cranberries, raisins, and sunflower seeds  Sometimes I mix in the Odwalla protein drink, It really taste like a desert... Here's what's inside of the vanilla (32) grams of protein shake - vitamin B6- vitamin b12- DV calcium - DV- zinc - DV potassium - DV Iron  (DV- daily value) Substitute with Almond or Coconut milk if that is a better choice for you.

Wake up, be grateful, and set your intention for the day. Getting closer to the holidays, we are all busy, and it seems the hustle and bustle is becoming a way of life. If you only have a few minutes, make them healthy, and make them count. Just remember...You're worth it.

                           "I never go jogging, it makes me spill my martini."  * George Burns