A look back at 2011.

Happy New Year's Eve!!!  2011 was a challenging but rewarding year for us.  Looking forward to 2012!

I survived Snowpocolypse February 2011 in Chicago.  22" of snow and only ONE day of classes gets cancelled.  It was pretty amazing.  And I'm glad I listened to the locals when they told me to get to the store to stock up on food.

Tim and I had a fun Cinco de Mayo party in May (duh).  Friends, food, booze...my dad made the margaritas a little strong that evening but it was so much fun...

While I was home in Wichita visiting during that time, we decided to put the house on the market to get Tim and the dogs up to Chicago.  We put the sign in the yard the first week of May, had a buyer the last week of May, and closed on the house the last week of June.  We didn't know it would sell so quickly, but we couldn't have been any happier that it did.  We sure do miss our little Sleepy Hollow home...but we're happy to be in Chicago together!

In August we got settled into our new home in Forest Park, IL, about 7 miles west of the city.

Towards the end of August, my parents came to visit for a few days.  We had so much fun!

We spent the holiday in Palm Desert with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, Tay.  We had a blast (stay tuned for a Holiday blog post)! 

I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year's Eve!

Friday Favorites.

It's a cold, rainy day here in Chi-town.  Not cold enough to be snowy or icy...but much colder than the past 6 days we spent in Palm Desert, CA.  Cold and rain are definitely not some of my favorites, but these things just happen to be...

1.  LARABAR.  I had always seen these snack bars at the store, but it was one of my girlfriends that turned me on to these little gems of goodness.  A blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices make them super yummy and healthy.  They are gluten free and non-GMO.  Some are even dairy and soy free.  And zero preservatives - which is awesome.  My favorites include "Cashew Cookie" and "Chocolate Chip Brownie".

2.  Poo-Pourri.  Let's be honest.  Unless you are in the privacy of your own bathroom at home, pooing in public can be a little, well embarrassing to say the least.  Especially at work or school, where you cross paths with someone you know on your way out of the single-stall washroom.  But hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go.  Just spritz this little blend of essential oils in the bowl before you poo.  I must say, it really does a lovely job of covering up the, um, smell.  Let's face it.  Everyone's shit stinks.

Super easy to carry around in your purse!

3.  Chobani.  I have this Greek yogurt for breakfast almost every morning.  I seriously will wake up excited, knowing that I get to eat one of these little yogurt cups.  I go with the pineapple (as do most people as I discovered it was sold out when I went grocery shopping yesterday, so I settled with raspberry *sigh*).  I like it WAY better than the typical store bought yogurts, because Greek yogurts usually have less sugar and a lot more protein.  And they are more creamy and thick than regular yogurt.  It's like having dessert for breakfast.  And if you read my Wellness Wednesday post on probiotics yesterday, Chobani adds three different types of probiotics to their yogurt.  Bonus!

Wellness Wednesday.

My apologies for posting "Wellness Wednesday" on a Thursday.  Tim and I made it home from our holiday trip late last night...excuses, excuses...

Probiotics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria) that are either the same as or similar to microorganisms found naturally in the human body.  When we are born, our little gastrointestinal tracts are sterile and as soon as we begin our journey into the world (and constantly thereafter) we get exposed to different bacteria that start to grow in our bellies.  These bacteria perform a lot of useful functions, such as fermenting unused energy substrates, prepping the immune system, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, and producing vitamins for us (such as biotin and vitamin K).

Without these little gut bacteria our bodies would be unable to use some of the undigested carbohydrates because some types of the gut bacteria have enzymes that human cells lack for breaking down certain polysaccharides - a fancy word for carbohydrate.

Bacteria turns the carbohydrates into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs).  These SCFAs can then be used by our cells as a major source of energy and can help our bodies absorb essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and iron. 

Another important role of healthy gut bacteria is that they prevent species of bacteria that could potentially cause us harm.  It is basically a competition.  Our good bacteria is more accustomed to living in our bellies, so typically it can "beat" out the bad bacteria, helping to keep us healthy.  However, when we are out of balance - the bad bacteria outweighs the good - the bad bacteria can start to "beat" out the good...hence the relation to a competition. 

By taking a probiotic you are essentially trying to help your body maintain a healthy level of good bacteria in your gut.  There are ways in which we can damage or encourage the growth of not so good bacteria in our gut too...

• Taking antibiotics.  When we take a broad-spectrum antibiotic (basically an antibiotic that is designed to target multiple different bacteria) we (unintentionally) alter our bacteria in our gut.  Perfect example - check the possible side effects of an antibiotic and you may see any of the following - nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  Hmmm...makes perfect sense.  I can't tell you how happy I was the last time I had to take an antibiotic (a prophylactic measure after some dental work) and the pharmacist recommended I take a probiotic if I wasn't already.
• Diet.  Anything with sugar can alter your gut flora.  Sugar tends to feed or nourish the bad bacteria in the gut.  Vegetables (fiber) tend to feed or nourish the good bacteria.  That is one of the reasons we hear our health care providers pushing fiber to benefit our gut health.  I wonder if those recent cupcakes, hot chocolates and candy canes were the reason I had a gut ache...

I know I said I would try to stay away from giving my own opinion on some of the Wellness Wednesday topics, but probiotics just happen to be one of my favorite supplements.  Here are just a few reasons why...

• They help balance the good bacteria...leading to a decrease in abdominal discomfort and bloating.
• Immunity.  The good bacteria in our gut has an amazing relationship with our systemic immune system.  The bacteria are key in promoting the early development of the gut's mucosal immune system.  They stimulate the lymphoid tissue associated with the gut mucosa to produce antibodies to pathogens.  The immune system recognizes and fights harmful bacteria, but leaves the good bacteria alone, which is actually a tolerance we develop when we are babies.
• Could possibly help prevent cancer.  Some studies are showing that certain strains of "good" bacteria, such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria - commonly found in probiotic supplements or fermented foods (yogurt, kefir) - prevent tumor formation.  This is cool research and I'm sure we will see more in this area.

My doctor recommended probiotics to me and I think it is a topic every person should discuss and bring up with their family doctor.  That way you can determine what kind and dose of probiotic is appropriate for you.  If you are not a fan of taking extra supplements, ask about different foods you can eat to help encourage the good bacteria in your gut stay at a healthy and consistent level.

Friday Favorites.

Yes, I know today is Thursday.  But tomorrow Tim and I are heading to the airport bright and early and tomorrow night we'll be having a fab time with my mom, dad, sister and Tay.  So...here are some of my favorites for Friday...tomorrow!

1.  L'Occitane hand cream.  I spied this little goodie on a blog that I follow and made a little mental note that I should pick some up after the holiday.  Well - little did I know my wonderful mother-in-law, Jody, had picked some up for me!  She must be a mind reader because I didn't tell a soul that I was jonesing for some of this nice hand cream.  It is simply wonderful.  Doesn't leave your hands greasy and it smells amazing!

2.  Stila lip glaze.  Picked up this one from a blog too!  Lots of pretty colors to choose from and I like the little brush on the tip.

3.  Quinoa.  I love this little protein-packed seed.  Pronounced "keen-wah", most people think of this food as a grain, but it's actually more closely related to beets, spinach and tumbleweeds (thank you Wikipedia).  Quinoa is one of the only vegetarian foods that provides all of the amino acids.  One cup has about 5 1/2 grams of protein.  One of my favorite ways to make/eat quinoa...

• quinoa (prepared according to package directions - it's super easy, if you can boil water, you can cook quinoa)
• one package of mini-mozzarella balls (I normally don't use the entire package, but use however many you want!)
• grape or cherry tomatoes (again, as many as you want!)
• chiffonade some fresh basil (chiffonade is a fancy word for cutting leaves in long, thin strips.  just stack a few basil leaves, roll them up and slice away - thinly!)

Throw it all in a big bowl, season it up with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil and some balsamic glaze (reduced balsamic vinegar).  Delish...and healthy!

Wellness Wednesday

Ta-da!!!  Here is the second weekly theme - Wellness Wednesday!  The purpose of these posts will be to write about interesting health topics, in the most unbiased form possible.  I want to provide facts, not just opinions.  I won't even give my opinion on most topics - unless I just can't help myself, but of course I'll give fair warning.

I decided to make my first "Wellness Wednesday" post be more of a tip rather than an actual topic.  Mainly because my mind is still in vacation/winter break mode and I'm not quite in the mood yet to hit you all with a big, break-through topic.

It's hard enough to maintain a healthy diet, let alone during the holidays.  Perfect example, Tim and I just couldn't help ourselves as we walked into Kay's Pastry Shop - aka Grumpy Lady Bakery for those of you who follow my blog - on Madison St. this afternoon.  All the Italian cookies and mocha-red velvet-double chocolate cupcakes were totally calling out our names....I could instantly feel my pants tighten - ok, not really but I can envision these things in my mind people.

Anyways, we are getting ready to head to Palm Desert, CA for the holiday and I thought about how wonderful it is when we all get up on Christmas Eve morning and head to the "Bump and Grind" - no, it's not a nightclub (we can get pretty crazy when we're all together, especially in CA but we're not THAT crazy...) - a fun hiking trail that basically goes right up the side of a mini-mountain.  It's such a good workout and the best part is that it doesn't even really feel like a workout.  We all chit-chat about the exciting Christmas Eve dinner we have planned at our fav restaurant, La Spiga, and take in the sights as we hike our way up.  (I'll have to take some pics of the Bump and Grind trail this year...)

My sis climbing a tree after one of our morning walks at a previous holiday in the desert.  Another option for a Christmas Eve or Christmas morning activity. =)

There is something about that fun little activity that makes that beer poolside and super-ridiculously-yummy dinner that much more enjoyable.

My sis enjoying an adult beverage, poolside, at a previous holiday in the desert - after a morning hike of course =)

So my holiday health tip is get the family up Christmas Eve or Christmas morning and head outside (weather permitting) or head to the gym and do something fun - something active.  If you're lucky enough to get a white Christmas, bundle up, grab a sled and your loved ones and head outside for a few hours.  Head to the gym and challenge the family to a racquetball tournament.  No gym, no snow and too cold?  Cold, schmold.  We get some pretty chilly days up north here in Chi-town, but bundle up right and hit up a cool wilderness trail or play at the park.  After awhile, you won't even notice the chilly temps.  You'll get those endorphins (and metabolism!) going and I'll safely bet that you'll feel much better throughout the day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with friends and family!  Also, if there are any health or wellness topics you'd like to see me research and blog about, please feel free to let me know.

Friday Favorites.

I've decided that in order to blog on a more regular basis, it would be fun to come up with "theme" days.  There will only be two, the first one being "Friday Favorites".  I'll surprise you all with the second one so stay tuned!

FAVORITES
1.  Winter break!  My last final of the fall trimester was on Wednesday and I'm SO HAPPY to be on break.  The winter trimester won't start until January 9th so I have a long, wonderful few weeks ahead.  I plan on lounging around as much as possible - with a few workouts in between of course :) - and most exciting of all, Tim and I are heading out to Palm Desert for the holiday to spend time with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, Tay.

2.  Refresh tea lattes.  You can grab these at Starbucks or just as easily make them yourself at home.  Just pick up some Refresh Tazo tea, organic almond or soy milk and stevia.  Steep the tea for a few minutes while you bring the almond or soy milk to a boil on the stove.  Add the milk to the tea and top it off with the stevia and you've got yourself one yummy latte.  When I'm at Starbucks and feel like living on the edge - I have them put in a few pumps of vanilla syrup.  It's delish!

Do yourself a favor and use the organic milks.  Especially the soy milk.  Just say NO to GMOs!!!  Starbucks uses organic soy milk - always ask to make sure - and of course you always have the option (power) to buy organic at the store.  And, if you are using sweetener, stick with the natural ones like stevia or xylitol.  Or just use the real deal.  The ones with aspartame are not cool.  I know I said sometimes I'll have Starbucks add in some vanilla syrup - which I'm sure has all sorts of nasty substances in it - but this is just an occasional deal.  Everything in moderation people.  But when it comes to the milks and sweeteners which can be an everyday thing - stick with the good stuff.

3.  Seeing good friends from Wichita.  Suzanne and Hannah Tobias are in Chicago this week.  Hannah is an 8th grader at Robinson Middle School in Wichita and she plays the violin in the school orchestra.  Long story short - their orchestra had auditioned and was selected to play at The Midwest Clinic - an international band and orchestra conference here in Chicago.  They performed yesterday and they sounded amazing!  It was fun to see them and to hear Hannah play.  And I think I have a new found love for strings!  I might have to talk Tim into taking me to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.