Green Whole Food For A Healthier You

Hello!

Today I wanted to share one of my green juice recipes that I recently tried. I have been experimenting  with different fruits and vegetables by researching their benefits and how they help our bodies. I really liked these particular ingredients because they are full of nutrients for you that last you the whole day through. I really notice a difference in my energy, skin and overall well being if I skip a juicing day. I would also recommend the Breville juicer! Vita mixes are useful as well, I would just recommend a strainer if you don't like a shake texture. Anyways, here's a recipe to keep your skin and mind clear, body slim, and energy level going.

Teeny Greeny Juice:

1.  2-3 Fiji Apples (cut in half with seeds out)
2. Thumb size Ginger Root
3. A Handful of Parsley
4. Handful of  Cilantro
5. 3-4 Leaves of Kale
6.1 Lemon
7. 1 Cucumber

Remember to wash your vegetables! Especially of they are not organic! I'm not telling you NOT to wash organic vegetables,  so wash everything! Cut into pieces and throw them in the juicer. After your done you have a beautiful green color that makes your cells say yum! You will have energy like you don't believe just from this juice! Enjoy! I have been recently eating a great deal of Mangoes  I literally feel like I'm eating natures dessert! These fruits have recently been linked to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. They are also rich in vitamin B6, C and E. so if you feel like something sweet, reach for a mango instead of the Ice cream. Try this tomorrow! Have a good day!

Etiquette 101...Formal and Restaurant Dining

Hi Everyone!

Today I just wanted to touch on the subject of table manners! I need to brush up on some things that I have recently read that I think are important to keep while seated at a nice dinner. There's nothing stuffy about looking good while eating! First off,  always remove your napkin from the table and place it on your lap. There's nothing like looking at a napkin on the table until your food is served.  Not a big deal- just something to keep in mind. When you get up from the table, fold your napkin and place it near the left or right of your plate. Never place the napkin in your chair! In a restaurant, wait till everyone has been served to eat your dinner. It's the worst feeling when everyone is eating and you don't have a plate!

Here's the big confusion that most people forget when they are at a restaurant or formal dinner party.  Wine glass or water glass is on your right side, and butter plate and butter knife are on your left. That even gets me confused sometimes!

With the dinner utensils, start outside and work your way in. The salad, dinner and dessert fork are usually on your right, and the soup spoon, teaspoon and dinner knife are usually on your left side.  Your napkin is on your left side. Dessert and coffee utensils are North of your entree plate.

There are two ways to use your utensils while eating (I know, so much!)

American Style- Which is having your knife in your right hand and fork in your left.  While you are chewing your food, you place the knife with teeth inward toward the plate, then switch your fork to your right hand.

Continental Style- This style is nice which is using your left hand to cut and your right with fork. This is nice because you don't switch hands! When you need a drink, place both utensils down, the fork resting across the knife:)

Some helpful tips:

- Food is served from the left.
-Never take something when a particular dish is being passed to someone else.
-Loud eating noises are horrible.
- Never talk with your mouth open, that would be embarrassing if your chewed roll gets on someone's plate. Ew!
- Don't eat too fast!
- Playing with your food is a no-no (and don' t give children the excuse, he's just a kid) children are teachable, and you can do it in a nice way!
- When you are finished eating, never place your utensils back on the table. place the silverware on the plate in the 4:20 position.
- I detest political talk at the table because nothing ever gets solved in one evening, you're there in good company, not a debate.
- I also don't care for upstaging another person, do not iterrupt a person during a conversation. That is so irritating.
-Men, do not cut a woman off in a buffet style line, I had this older man do this to me recently. He clearly saw that another woman and I were patiently waiting. I know we can't rise chivalry back from the dead, but come on, these are just basic common manners!  I'm teaching waiting your turn in line with my Kindergardeners. They are amazing at it. I lost my appetite to eat after that sly move. I was embarrassed for him!
-Men, hold the door open for the ladies and push in their seat once in a blue moon. I'm sure your girlfriend, fiancé or wife will look at you a little differently, in a very good way! If you can't remember all two of these tricks, I'm sure one will suffice!   Remember, It's the little things!

My fiancé is coming into town next weekend. Maybe he will surprise me with a nice birthday dinner (hint, hint, if you're reading this now:)  I hope this was good advice! I need to keep these in mind as well!

More ideas to come!

Color Palette for September... Navy and Gray

Hello Everyone,

Fall will be here soon!  I love exploring different color combinations for Fall Style. Two colors in particular that really look sharp and well put together are Navy and Gray. Navy is an awesome color for September! I love wearing it! Theses colors are so versatile, you can dress them up or down. One piece of clothing that is essential in any closet would be the gray cable knit / cardigan / v-neck sweater. I remember wearing this sweater with my uniform in Catholic Elementary School from decades ago!  This piece never goes out of style. You can dress it down with jeans, or up with a pencil skirt and heels for work. Plus, I love how cozy it feels on my skin. The best type of wool would be cashmere. While it is usually the most expensive, it's also the softest! This is such a staple piece! There is something so professional looking about Gray and Navy in the work place! So, why not put your best foot forward this season?  Anything Gray or  Navy will look well put together this Fall.  I've seen some gorgeous work place dresses and even a dark navy suit! What about you, what color combinations do you like this Fall?

Wedding Ideas and Advice from a Rookie Bride-to-Be

Hello Everyone!

Today I just wanted to talk about planning a wedding! I am currently still in the midst of getting my Masters and graduating in December of this year. I feel like such a slow paced bride to be! I have been engaged for almost 5 months and we recently just picked the venue and church! It's been really challenging since my fiancé lives in Manhattan and I live in Nashville, and the wedding will be in Shaker Heights, Ohio. As it stands, we will be tying the knot on July 26, 2014.  Talk about an adventure! We are doing our best to communicate on a daily basis and take take turns with frequent trips from NYC to Nashville as much as possible. This is why I know we can achieve anything together! When we are together, we are inseparable! I feel like we are truly soul mates that took separate but similar paths and somehow managed to find one another again! It is truly a wonderful feeling! I can see us getting old with each other making one another laugh with canes and all! Anyway, wedding planning does take time, effort and lots of money! My next goal within the next couple months is to find the perfect dress. I've seen some of those episodes of Bridzillas, those women scare me! They need to relax and take a Xanax. I've never seen something so awful. They look and sound so miserable! They treat everyone around them horrible, and I feel bad for the man that their going to marry. Remember, my dear poor fellow, there is still time to run for your life!

While planning can sometimes be chaotic, and each person has their own opinion, we need to remember that this is a time of joy for two people as a couple to learn and grow. So, when I start to feel like things aren't happening as they should, I close my eyes take a deep breath and count to ten. After that, I am calm and everything that I envision, usually happens the way it should. I always want to consider my fiancé's thoughts and feelings with this as well! We are in this together! Many other couples are in a similar boat this year. I've been told from brides in the past, to savor the experience. They would have wished they had the opportunity to live in the present, enjoying the planning process! That precious time goes by so quickly, have fun with it! If anyone else has some useful pointers, please let me know! Right now, I will take it as a wonderful journey! So fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy the ride! If your engaged, how is planning going for you?

Happy Wednesday! On a Positive Note...

Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to talk about the subject of being positive. Life can get hard, overwhelming and frustrating sometimes, can't it!  I hear it in politics, companies, and school growing up. People love pointing fingers at others about problems that happen in life. STOP! No matter what happens in my life, I want to strive to be as positive and resilient in overcoming obstacles that happen in my life whether it be my own fault or the infinite universe.If you hang around negative people, you will become negative! Drop them! Choose to be around people that lift you up and encourage you! I believe we have the right to choose whichever path that leads each individual into their own idea of what success is. Each person has their own definition of  what success and happiness looks like. Success is filling your souls purpose in life. I believe we are all connected. Choose to lift people up in life and encourage them. This positive energy will help you along your journey.  I have become very well aware of what makes me successful and happy to appreciate each day as a wonderful gift. I am so lucky enough to teach children that they can achieve anything that they wish in life (with persistence and hard work of course)!

We have to remember that we are on this planet for a very short time, and no matter what happens we have to look at the things we are given and what we have. Don't keep wishing that something material will make you happy, or being with so and so will make your life better, or counting the days for something that will satisfy you. For me, staying in the present and being grateful for the many things I have experienced in life thus far, is the greatest gift. I am so grateful for everyone that I have met along my journey through life and the experiences (good or bad) that have made me grow into a a better and more understanding person. Days go by so quickly that we need to literally, " Stop and smell the roses" once in awhile. I know it sounds silly, but just pausing to stop during your day and telling someone you love and appreciate them, or to look at the beauty of fresh cut flower, because we never know how much longer they/ it will be around. I think we get into the routine of life to not notice that this world is beautiful, we just focus on problems and getting through the day.I hope this
blog inspires someone today to see beauty in their daily life and not to take things too seriously!
So, pause and enjoy the moment, then go back to work. Enjoy each and every day!