VINO & A SLICE OF HAPPINESS

Who doesn't love a little wine and pizza? I know most of us are cutting back on the carbs, but it sure is a hard to say "No Grazie" to Pizza and Vino. Some of the best dinners and laughs I've shared have been with pizza and wine. Here are a few red table wines that are tasty, affordable, and worth sharing.

Half cheese and half pepperoni with a 2013 Napa Valley Red -  2013 Red from Pugila - 2013 Red  Cabernet

VALPOLICELLA - The most famous wine district in North-Eastern Italy's Veneto wine region. Flavors of tart cherries with a touch of toasty oak and mocha. A blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinari grapes. This was our choice for pizza night here in our kitchen. 2013 Valpolicella Brigaldara.

Red C Napa Valley-Cabernet / Sonoma County Red Wine 2013 - Ripe, round, black cherry, blackberry and herb flavors. From wine maker Jeff Morgan, crafted in the same style as his top Cabernets. Here in California we are proud of our elegant cabs. Your guest will serve you a lovely smile after you share a slice and this  Fab Cab! 

I-1 Italy Red Wine 2012 - Composed of Nero D'Avola and Negroamaro from Puglia. You will find aromas of macerated raspberries, dried lavender, plum tart, and toasty oak accents.  Besides the visual Italian look of the bottle on your table, this wine will flow perfectly right along with your pizza.

There are amazing table wines out there to be your perfect pizza partners, It doesn't have to be pricy to be yummy. When you head to the market make your way to the Italian region, the motherland of pizza wines. Try and take a moment and read about your wines, and most of all...have fun...enjoy. Add some yummy truffle cheese, grapes, figs. and chocolate. Any way you slice it...bringing people together and sharing a few laughs creates happiness. Start your holiday season off with an attitude of giving the simple things.  GRAZIE!       

                       In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.  Robin Leach

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)

Exercise for women who are on the go and want to keep those arms tone and looking fabulous

Our Muscles