Mykonos

We spent a few hours on Mykonos.  

Tidbits about Greece

Today I thought I would share things I learned while in Greece.....

1.   Greeks do not flush toilet paper down the toilet.  Every bathroom has a little garbage can that is used to dispose of toilet paper.  My sister said it was because the pipes used for plumbing are very narrow.  Everywhere we went, even the ferry.

2.  Fava was on every menu as an appetizer.  It is yellow split peas, boiled down with spices, until it becomes a dip or spread.

3.  Siesta time is still practiced in Greece.  Especially on the island of Paros, most stores and businesses close from 2:30-6:00 pm.

4.  Lettuce tastes very good in Greece.  It was so full of flavor compared to the lettuce I get in the states.  Even romaine had flavor.

5.  Traditional greek salad does not have lettuce in it.  Is consists of tomatoes, cucumber, feta and olives.  I had that "just a few times" while there.

5.  Don't visit the Acropolis in the morning.  The cruise ship groups were there and it was packed going up the stairs.

6.  Grilled sardines and grilled octopus tentacles are very good.

GREECE

I just returned from my trip to Greece.  It was my first time there and I'm still trying to get into the American swing of things after being immersed in the Greek culture for 10 days.  My sister lives on the island of Paros, so that was our first stop.  It was nice having her as a tour guide as she has lived there for 5 years.  I'll try and share a little about my trip each day this week, starting with our villa in Parikia Paros.

Happy Friday!

                                                                     

Hope you have a nice weekend.  We are going to a 95th birthday party for my husband's great aunt and I would like to see the new movie with Meryl Streep.

Read this blog last weekend.  Would love to do this!

A wonderful poem about a dog that sounds a lot like Riley. (Except the biting part)

My sister-in-law works for Estee Lauder and told be about this.

Just bought this blanket for a trip I have coming up.  I sleep so much better on a plane with a blanket.

Read this book about a month ago.  It's one of those books I couldn't put down.

Saying goodbye to Riley

On July 6th, we had to put our beloved Riley to sleep.  She was 14 years and 8 months old.  Our family was her 4th owner by the time she was 2.  The story I was told was that first college kids had her, then a farmer and then a policeman.  The policeman wanted her for hunting, but she wouldn't retrieve.  She found a forever home with us!  A couple months ago we found a fast growing lump in her throat that quickly prevented her from eating.  The vet came over and euthanized her in our yard under her favorite tree.  From the time we found the lump, until she couldn't eat or drink anything, was about 3 weeks.  After she died, my middle son collected a bunch of her pictures and put together a video.  It was nice to remember all the good times we had with her.  Saying goodbye to a pet that was raised with your children is also saying a final goodbye to their childhood.

 

Favorite Exercise

What is your favorite form of exercise?  I love hiking, but in Wisconsin the terrain is not rugged enough for a great workout.  Have you ever tried the Les Mills classes?   Body Combat, Body Flow, Body Pump and Body Step are all offered at my local gym.  These classes are a great workout and offered around the world.  They last 1 hour and the music selection keeps you motivated.  The instructor makes a big difference.  Class seems to goes faster and you get a high energy workout with an energetic instructor.  Here is the link to Les Mills if you would like more info- http://www.lesmills.com

The routines are choreographed and change about every 8 weeks with a special class launch.  A good instructor will change up the routine, after a few weeks, with some old favorites.

Body Combat is a high energy mixed marshall arts inspired workout.
Body Flow is a yoga based workout.
Body Step is an energizing step workout, using an adjustable step for your level.
Body Pump uses a barbell to tone all parts of you body.

Any level of fitness can do these classes.  The instructors usually show low intensity to high intensity moves to make the workout right for you.

Elmo Birthday Party

Our nephew had a birthday party for his 2 year old this past weekend.  His wife and sister-in-law planned it and should probably be professional party planners!

Weight Loss

Last May, I changed my diet for about a month.  I had put on 5-10 lbs over about 2 years and I could not get rid of them.  I work out a lot and eat healthy, but they were stubborn.  I'm not sure how I put them on.  It was just enough where some pants/jeans/shorts wouldn't fit or were a little too tight.  Maybe it was the pumpkin spice latte and scone habit I had for awhile.  I'm 47, so weight doesn't come off like it did when I was younger.


I would eat the following during the week:

Fruit- apples, oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries

Meat- chicken, beef, whitefish, shrimp, trout, scallops

Veges- cauliflower, broccoli, onions, green/red/yellow peppers, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, mushrooms

Himalayan salt, pepper, vinegar, lemons, limes

Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with fruit as a snack in between meals.
Drink lots of water.
Anytime I felt hungry, I would eat an apple.

I would sauté in a little coconut oil if needed.
I did drink my coffee w/ half-n-half in the morning.  Black coffee or tea would be better.
I would eat a small piece of dark chocolate at night.
On weekends, I would take a break and eat a little more normal.  I would have a beer or wine if we went out to dinner.

Not much happened the first week, but after that the weight just seemed to melt off.  I lost what I wanted after a month-6 weeks.

It's been about 7 months now and the weight has stayed off.  I laid off the pumpkin spice lattes this winter, so maybe that is helping.  If anyone, wants to try it, let me know if you have any questions.   I think it's mostly laying off sugar, processed foods and starch.

Weekend Wanderer

Menominee River, Wisconsin/Michigan

Green drink

I've been craving this drink lately.  I had it at my local natural food store, but have been making it at home.  It tastes and looks like summertime.  The ingredients are 2 green apples, 2 limes, 1 kiwi, and and some kale.

7 layer salad

Here is my version of the 7 layer salad.  I get a lot of requests to bring this to parties from people who have tried it before.

Chop up Romaine lettuce to the size you prefer.

Toppings are peas, grated cheddar cheese, green onion, crispy bacon, hard boiled eggs. ( sometimes I add raw broccoli or cauliflower, cut up real small)

The salad dressing is 3 ingredients:  Mayo, brown sugar, parmesan cheese.   Mix all 3 together.  Taste until you get the right amount of ingredients.  I don't really measure.  I think if I had 1 cup mayo, I would add 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

Toss all ingredients together right before serving.  Add dressing in small batches. You want to add enough salad dressing to make it moist, but not soggy.

Weekend Wanderer

New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year to everyone!  I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season.  Did you make new year resolutions this year?  My yoga instructor said something yesterday that I thought was helpful.  If you make a big resolution, make smaller ones to help reach your goal.  For instance, if you want to have your house organized this year, make smaller goals of doing 1 room every 2 weeks.  If you want to lose "_____" pounds this year, make weekly goals.


I don't usually make New Year Resolutions, but I do want to organize and clean out each room in my house.

My sister-in-law said she takes 15-20 minutes when she has time and will clean out a cabinet, a closet, or a drawer.  It starts adding up and inspires you to do it everyday.

I think it does help to write down a plan and keep track of progress, because you can look back as the year progresses and see how you're doing.

Well, gotta go.  I'm starting with this cabinet today!