Clean and simple meals win almost any day. No need to go way over the top when you can’t handle it. A delicious omelet is great for breakfast in bed instead of burning the house down trying to make waffles, bacon, eggs, and hollandaise.

Corn tortillas bring more flavor to the table.  Makes me happy to be gluten free and I love Mexican food.

Using exotic names make anything sound better. Why eat chocolate cake when you can eat double decadent cocoa dream.

Some foods make everyone itch…not just allergies.  Taro if not cooked completely causes a scratch at the back of the throat.

Dessert is everyone’s downfall.  If you can’t handle it, buy it from a bakery or the grocery. Or you can follow one of these two lovely people’s recipes. 

Use everyday ingredients with fancy names to impress your friends.  Herve coverts sound much nicer than green beans.

Last Week’s Goals

• Road Trip.  Our trip was beautiful and productive.  It was nice to see our new location and what we are facing.  Not to mention the gorgeous views on the drive up and back and from my back yard.  I may pull a Sarah Palin because I can see Canada from my back yard.  Free foreign policy. 
• Celebrate the Wounded Warrior Project.  My friend Patty is superb and she throws an amazing Zumba event.  Not to mention the fact that we raised $1200 for our soldiers who have suffered in the line of duty.  It was a party time indeed!
• Eat at home.  We’re eating everything we have as fast as possible.  Unfortunately we planned too far ahead and I’m trying to figure out menus as quickly as possible to limit what we need to buy.  Eating out with friends limits the personal meals as well.  I’m working on it. 
• Schedule, schedule, schedule.  Oh boy…everything is scheduled, and now I’m panicking.  My calendar looks fuller than a stomach after Thanksgiving.  But I’m so happy to have it all ready to go.  I have a few more things to try and fit in but if they don’t’ I’ll have them planned for our replacements. 
• Friend fun.  They are almost all scheduled.  I just need a day or two more.  I don’t know if I have a day or two more but I’m looking for the time.  If not I’m working on scheduling it in when traveling to a conference this fall. 
• Work a bit.  HI HO, HI HO, I’m working over and over.  I had to find things to keep the stress level down or I would have lost all my marbles by now.  I had good practice this past Christmas.  I’ve kept up with Zumba class and made it a part of my schedule instead of an afterthought.  I am using my lists wisely. And I’m focusing all what has to get done before what I may want or what would be good to get done. 

This Week’s Goals

• Organize the boxes. I have so many things organized into boxes and packed all over the apartment…now it’s time to organize the boxes.  Group them in rooms without carpets before the steam cleaner comes and double check the labels.  A must do this week.
• Put away the china.  We have personal dishes from our wedding and other gifts…ummmmm lots of tea cups.  I need to pack them finally and box them so they will be ready for lots of tea in cold almost Canadian winters.
• Sweat for stress.  My schedule is packed and Zumba is on it.  Dancing and spending time with friends take the stress off for an hour a day.  It’s a necessity and always on my to-do list.
• More veg.  I want a CSA share so bad.  It’s not possible with our current situation so we have been limited on the fresh veggies.  I’m going to take a trip to the farmers market this week and buy some fun fresh thing to sauté and eat raw for the next two weeks. 
• Water schedule.  With the heat and my insane schedule I need to stay hydrated.  I’ve set a water schedule for myself.  A large glass of water (10 oz.) immediately upon waking; at least 2 Sigg bottles (1.5 liters) before noon (over 4 hours); another 2 Sigg bottles before Zumba at p.m.; one during class; 2-3 bottles throughout the evening.  I will either be hydrated or float away.