Halloween fun

Here are a few photo ideas for Halloween. I like to keep my decorating simple and not so scary. Just a few orange and purple lights, a couple decorated pumpkins, and a few pumpkin lanterns.

My sister put together this guacamole snack. 

Lastly, decorating a few Halloween cookies is always a fun and delicious Halloween project.

There is more to this life....

     “Fly Like an Eagle,” the song by the Steve Miller Band in 1973 sings the familiar words of “Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future.” My 18-year anniversary for breast cancer survival just passed on September 9. To the day, 17-years later, it was my mom’s one-year anniversary as well. I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 30, and although I had major surgery and radiation, I’m so thankful that I did not have to endure chemotherapy. Though, if I could have taken the chemo for my mom, I would have. It was hard to see someone I love have to endure such a crude therapy. It was both life-draining and life-saving at the same time. At one point, I was fearful that I would lose my mom to the effects of neutropenic sepsis. 

     Psalms 103:15-16 says, “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows it over and it is gone, and it’s place remembers it no more.” I’ve thought of my mortality many times in my many survival years, as I’ve seen others perish. Not just from cancer, but from all of the harsh effects of this life. In the past two weeks, several people near my age have passed away. This week, I have a dear friend recovering from a triple bypass surgery, another one in the hospital with sepsis, and another one in the hospital with bilateral pulmonary emboli (lung blood clots). The weight of the grief and sadness we encounter in this life can sometimes be too heavy to bear. 

     The thing is, we are all here on this earth for a specified time. Our days are numbered. It matters what we do with that time, how we treat others, how we love and are loved, and what legacy we leave behind for our children. Having survived breast cancer, along with many other survivors, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have more time with the ones I love and more time to make a difference. 

     The clock ticks away, each day passes.  I believe we each have a God-given purpose. Some of us strive to fulfill it, while others might still be searching for it. Remember to stop each day, and think about what is really important. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Laugh at the ridiculous. Observe the hints of Fall all around you. Don’t put off spending time with the ones you love. We take nothing with us when we leave this world, and none of us know when that day will be. Steven Curtis Chapman sings, “But there’s more to this life than living and dying, more than just trying to make it through the day,” in his song “More to this Life.” I believe that we are supposed to work hard, but that we are also to live fully with joy and to love abundantly. Thankfully, God gave us a way to live beyond this physical life. So we have hope for better days, hope to see the ones we’ve lost, and hope for a future unlike anything we’ve imagined. Take time to care for your body and soul. 

Just a little Fall beauty in West Baden, Indiana. Had to share. Enjoy!

Weight loss - This is awesome!

Weight loss is something we all think about at one time or another. After age 40, I started to gain weight. I could skip meals, fast, eat healthy, and exercise, yet I still gained weight. I know, in the past, when I was in private practice, many women complained of the very same issues. I seriously started to become depressed as I started having to stuff my bottom into my jeans, because I refused to size up. Can you feel my muffin top pain? The slowing of metabolism, the slow fade of estrogen, and the choice of sleep over exercise have all contributed to my struggle with weight gain. Maybe you have the same depressing issue.

It all changed when a friend told me about ketogenic eating. I was really suspicious, because I don’t like supplements or vitamins. I’ve always believed that we get the nutrients and vitamins we need from our food. There have been a few studies showing that ketogenic diets have an effect on neurons and brain activity. Some children with epilepsy are treated with a ketogenic diet because it reduces the number of seizures they have. When I saw a small study done on the reduced number of migraine headaches in those with migraines, it got my attention. I have at least 16 to 18 migraines a month. I’m not going to quote any references here, you can find them in the medical literature. They are out there.

In a nutshell, ketogenic diets reduce circulating glucose and insulin. They reduce the production of glucose, so that your body starts generating ketones for energy. When this happens, you lose weight, inflammation in your body is reduced, and you have more energy.

I’ve chosen to change my diet, so that I limit my daily carbs to 20-30/day, but it’s not necessary. This ketogenic drink I have tried twice a day for over the last month can give you the ketosis you need for weight loss and reduced inflammation without you having to completely change how you eat. With my change in diet, I also lack certain vitamins and electrolytes. So first thing in the morning, I add Keto Kreme to my coffee. It’s delicious and gives me a burst of energy.

So far, I’ve lost 7 lbs without exercise, my jeans are loose on me (and it feels good), my migraines are fewer and less intense, and I have more energy. It’s pretty cool, so I need to 
tell you about it. You can go to the website and request a 5-day trial, if you’re interested. 

My opinion? It works for weight loss, more energy, elevated mood, and less intense headaches. I’m a fan. 
http://dashcarbs.drinkyoursample.com/

Can I get an Amen?

I know it’s afternoon for some of us, but I still enjoy a hot cup of java on a cool October afternoon. At the end of this month, I’ll be giving away a $25 Starbucks gift card. All you have to do is sign up to follow my blog by email and then “follow”me. Drawing will be held October 31 👻🎃. Thanks!!

More give-aways to follow!

How to make a fun fall lantern

Fun Fall Lantern Craft

What you’ll need (all items available at Amazon.com)

1. Mod Podge (we used the gloss Mod-Podge)

2. Ball half-pint canning jar (remove lid and discard)

3. Large brush set (We used Melissa and Doug)

4. An assortment of different colors of tissue paper cut into small shapes (we used squares) 

Mod Podge dries quickly, so paint one region of the jar at a time with it. Glue on the squares of tissue paper. Then do another region. Overlap the squares so that all areas of the jar are covered. When the jar is completely covered with the squares, paint a coat of Mod Podge over the tissue paper. Allow to dry. Insert a battery-operated tea light and enjoy the ambience. You can obviously make these for different holidays by changing the tissue paper colors. We will be making some for Christmas. You can add a ribbon for a little sweetness!

Fun Fall Lanterns - DIY

My 7-year old made these fun fall lanterns. It was a very quick project, since we used Mod Podge. It dries quickly (but it’s a little stinky until it dries). She gave one to her teacher as a Happy Fall gift. We put a small battery-powered tea light inside. See the next post for materials needed and instructions.