I Have Discovered the Fountain of Youth

Happy to Be Almost 50!!!!!!

  I will be 48 this month and I will let you know that I have indeed discovered the Fountain of Youth…YEP!!!  For some time now, I have been enjoying the benefits of this mighty fountain and I must say that it has helped maintain my now 48 year young self.  Am I sitting around drinking secret shakes, popping youth pills, or strapping some contraption that shakes the literal crap out of me to keep me young…OH hell to the big NO WAY…I mean are you kidding me?  In fact, I cringe every time I see ads that promise this type of thing…and the gimmicks that are   invented…OH MY! 

I am also NOT going to be one of those people who hide my age because of hearing this…”OH…you look so good…FOR YOUR AGE”…I just smile as I sometimes whip out my ID when I purchase a bottle of red wine for a special occasion.  I look at life this way…it is an absolute honor to live each day, to celebrate every moment…and I have earned every smile line that adorns this face…so I will proudly announce that I am almost 50!!!!!!  Whoo hoo…YEP…there, I said it.  Now, getting back to my fountain of youth…I would have to say that it starts with my attitude about life.  I am indeed a kid at heart, do not sweat the small stuff, Give my worries to God, and laugh as much as I can…my hubby makes sure of that…he is quite the jokester.

My Fun Healthy Self

Ready for the next ingredients to my Fountain of Youth…a LIFESTYLE of health that consists of regular exercise, eating healthy foods, lots of water, rest and fun.  YES…it is that simple.  The fact is that the Fountain of Youth does not exist, but taking care of ME through a healthy lifestyle is definitely a close second, and I am good with that. There is nothing in a bottle or on a surgery table that will provide the youthfulness that living healthy does. Each day we get older…that is a fact and there is no alternative…in spite of all the gimmicks and surgeries…right?  What I choose to do is live each day taking the BEST care of me physically, emotionally and spiritually…and that is what keeps me young.  I will probably be dancing my literal pants off when I am 80 and still jumping in a few water puddles…lol.  You see, It is all in how I think about life, and just because I am almost 50 does not mean I am going to put my backside on the couch, dress in frumpy clothes, and think life is half over….NO WAY!  Each day, life is just beginning in my book, with all kinds of possibilities and undiscovered adventures.  I want this body to be in the best shape for whatever adventure comes my way and that will take dipping into my Fountain of Youth every day.

FREEway to My Fountain of Youth

Were you expecting something else from me?  An ooh-la–la magic Darla potion that I will start marketing and available on shelves tomorrow…well, maybe in a way…because my magic is no secret and the best part…FREE.  YES…my Fountain of Youth comes in the form of moving my body…FREE, sleeping…FREE, and of course, I buy my food so that is some cost to the fountain…but remember  I look for the deals…so I will say DISCOUNTED.  Now that I think further about it, I will share that the Fountain of Youth does come at the cost of my SWEAT…but that is still FREE…meaning my sweat.  I should also say that it comes at the cost of physical work, the cost of commitment, the cost of dedication, the cost of planning, and the cost of cooking…but the cost is still FREE…do you get what I am trying to say.  Taking care of ME and gifting myself this Fountain of Youth is a choice I make freely and happily…because I am almost 50 feeling 20 something on most days….and that my friends is PRICELESS!  

Proud of YOU Eli

I dedicate this blog to my fabulous son Eli as he graduates this month with his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in community mental health, Minor in Bible and Theology, and Addiction studies certification. This Mom is very proud!!!  I Love You Son

Happy Mother's Day Mama!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to My Mom…thanks for blessing me with your example of the importance of cooking/baking and gifting me with the passion that I now have to create the recipes that I so enjoy to share with family, friends, and online. 

I Love you Mom…My Friend

Motivation of the Day:  The Fountain of Youth Exists Freely Within Each of Us

Just Added to the In My Kitchen Stay Healthy Recipes: Stay Healthy Carrot Cake

Stay Healthy Carrot Cake

My Workout of the Day:

ARC Trainer: Strength level 6 for 20 minutes (Interval)

30 minutes HIIT Training

My Nutrition of the Day:

Coffee (2 cups…oops)

1.      Stay Healthy Date Oatmeal Cookies (2)

2.      Post Workout Shake (The Works)

3.      Corn tortilla filled with no salt black beans, shredded cabbage, and N/F Greek Yogurt

4.      Grilled Salmon & Peppers

5.      Stay Healthy Sweet Potato Brownie

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STAY HEALTHY!

Darla;) 

Setbacks SUCK

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Setbacks Suck...but Hey...I make the BEST of IT

Well, I have to say that I do not like setbacks…and in fact they do SUCK.  Going through the pain of a setback from my injury is the hardest part…but also having to cut way down to doing nothing with my fitness program…big YUCK.  I am such an active person and giving in to what my body is telling me is definitely a mind vs. body fight, and I have to say that I do practice what I preach…and listen.  I would not push my clients through a setback in ways that would further aggravate an injury and I need to apply that to myself…is it hard…YES.  Always honest here…I am one of those can’t hold her down personality types usually, but the wiser Darla says…hold yourself down GIRL!!!  I have been through so much and I can tell you…IT IS NOT WORTH IT…meaning pushing myself through pain only to land flat on my ass for days…hell to the BIG NO THANKS. I also have a supportive hubby who keeps me accountable to that.  In fact, he makes me promise that I will not workout for however long it takes to get back on track and feeling close to 100%...MAN THAT IS A TOUGH ONE FOR ME…I have to admit, I hesitate to answer…lol…but you know what, I have gone most of my life without an accountability coach…so although hard…I appreciate it.  The athlete in me truly wants to do at least something…cardio at the minimum…but if I feel discomfort even in that movement…well…I need to STOP doing that.  I confess that it is so hard to shut this part of me down…meaning the athlete, but what I do enjoy during my recovery time is working with my clients and being a part of their efforts as I push them through their fitness programs.   In a way, this satisfies my urge to workout because I am still in the environment, actively involved by pushing them, and celebrating the accomplishment of the finish.   

Getting back to my inner turmoil when it comes to setbacks…I am a person just like you…and I do feel frustration, blah, yuck, maybe even a bit of anger about it…I say to myself…really Darla…still feeling like this today…ugh…another day of ice packs, TENS unit, ice packs, ice packs, ice packs…well you get the picture.  Not a fun time and in fact it gets in the way of my quality life functions…spending time with friends, family, hubby, etc…It is really a hard thing to enjoy something when my pain level is saying a BIG HELLO all the time.  These are times I have to take a deep breath and accept that it is what it is for the moment and still the BEST me in the circumstance.  What the heck Darla…really…how can you be the BEST you when you feel like shit (can I say that??) Oh well…I did…that is me.  The fact is…I CAN and I DO…is it anyone’s fault that I am having a flare up…NO…well, maybe mine if I tried a new exercise that caused the problem…so…the motto that I hold true to…Life is 10% What Happens to You and 90% How You Respond to It…is always whispering in my ear.   

LOVE THIS

My response is…I do not like this, but I am not going to be a crabby “B” to hubby, friends or family…I mean really…what would that do for me or anyone else.  I take this moment to reflect on things like…not repeating the movement that may have caused the flare up or how I can modify the move even more to protect myself…it seems like I will always be a test as I go Gal…meaning it works for the New Modified Me or it Doesn’t…and then stick to the routines that DO work.  Setbacks do suck, but they also teach me what my body can or can’t do, and although I sometimes feel sad about the things I can’t do and think to myself…really…this is going to kick my ass like that, I appreciate even more those things I can do that don’t set me back at all…and that my friends…is FABULOUS!!! Stay Healthy!

MOTIVATION FOR THE DAY:  Always Strive to Be the BEST Version of YOU

Workout of the Day:

ARC Trainer cardio segment 45 minutes (I have been on this routine for 2 days now)

Nutrition of the Day:

Crock Pot Chicken Ready for Meal 5

Coffee, one cup…fabulous

1-Pre-workout shake

2-Post-workout shake, ¼ cup pumpkin seeds

3-Peppered turkey breast with Avocado on a Thin Bun, Grapes

4-High Fiber Wrap with Almond Butter and Dried Cranberries

5-Crock Pot Chicken and Baked Butternut Squash

6-Two Protein Balls

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Stay Healthy!

What a Vacation Adventure...OH MY!

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Our Magma Boat Grill for Marine Stay Healthy Cooking

I am not kidding…my vacation was full of adventure, storms, bears, and a few bumps and bruises…YIKES…but OH…did I have a BLAST.  Well…the last week in June and into the July 4^th weekend…a vacation on the water seemed absolutely perfect…escape the heat, enjoy swimming in beautiful Lake Shasta, and take in the majestic Glacier and surroundings.  We would stay on our boat, bring our Stay Healthy Foods, and try our new addition...a marine Grill to enjoy our fabulous foods.  I am a planner, so list in hand, creating the budget and down to every morsel we would stock in our cooler.  The excitement and anticipation of a week escape into the beauty of nature was over the top YAHOO…ready to GO!  My hubby paid attention to the weather forecast and attended to the mechanics of the boat and truck…thank goodness.  Let me tell you and can you believe this….drum roll…THUNDER STORMS were on the way…a tarp was packed with bungee cords just in case we had to batten down the hatches.  We were hoping for the forecast to change the closer the trip came…we both were not going to let anything like a forecast change our plans….Full Steam Ahead.  I pre-cooked Stay Healthy Omega Muffins, Whole Wheat Pasta with sundried tomatoes, basil, spice and olive oil, & boiled eggs.  I also included raw nuts, fruits, peanut and almond butter, plenty of veggies, fruits, yogurt, spinach salad, lean meats, graham crackers for a treat, & plenty of water.  We also purchased a small aged beef to break in the new Magma Grill.  It was truly one of those feel like a kid can’t sleep because we are leaving for someplace magical vacations.  The drive was fabulous…no clouds, great conversation, and we arrived at Lake Shasta ready to start our week of living on the boat.  Food on board, water, and us….life could not have been any better.  We launched the boat and found our cove for the night…now you have to imagine close quarters on a boat…and I look back now on how funny all this is…first thing… needing to drop anchor hubby quickly moves from the wheel to the front of the boat, but in the process foot connects with my jaw…YIKES…startled to feel a big foot in my face…but an ice is nice made it feel so much better.  Moving on to 4am...the forecast came true and the rain began to demand our “no stitch on” attention…there we were in the middle of the night, tarp in hand, bungee cords everywhere, balancing on the top of the boat  to batten down our home away from home. 

Tarp On, Thermals On...Ready to Weather the Storm

We could not get done fast enough and now in our thermals...YES…thermals and sweatshirts the end of June on beautiful Lake Shasta completely shut into our 24 foot boat.  We were very thankful for our prepared food because the new grill was now going to have to wait until the storm blew over.  We rocked, we talked, we ate, we napped and had truly quality time in our little shelter….this is where you know a relationship is a healthy one…teamwork and laughter through a crisis which turned out not to be…really.  It was still our vacation and we were going to make the best of what nature brought our way...and we did.  I was bummed that I could not be physically active as planned the first few days…but it was what it was…so there Darla.   So… foot in face, raging storm, playing balance without a stitch on in the middle of the night on top of a boat, tarp on, bungee cords securing our shelter and shut in this rocking tiny house….it could make for a funny movie…don’t you think.  Our adventure started on a Monday and the storm broke on Wednesday…we were able to un-tarp and poke our heads outside….IT WAS ON.  I brought my resistance bands and was able to do a little workout and swim like crazy. 

Mt Shasta after the Storm...BEAUTIFUL

It was like the Wizard of Oz going from black and white to color…all of a sudden everything was no longer grey but green and lush.  The water gleamed like emeralds and felt so refreshing!  Hubby and I grilled lean turkey burgers and corn, gourmet chicken sausages, thin bagels, and although quite horrible…boiled water for instant coffee…it grew on me.  We saw a black bear along the water and a brown bear during our tour of the Caverns.  Wildlife was everywhere and the beauty of the trees was breathtaking.  Now…imagine…we made the most of our Thursday because Friday was the drive back home.  Were we disappointed because things did not happen as we wanted them to….NO…it was an adventure…it was a journey….we worked together as a team and still had fun through every bump in the water.                                             

Grilled Aged Beef & Asparagus

Greek Yogurt Parfait!

     

Turkey Burger!!!

Thermals, Tarp, Instant Coffee, US...PRICELESS

We were thankful for things like our ready to go Stay Healthy food, our tarp that provided our shelter, and the warmth our thermals and cozy boat provided. Also, being a fit couple gave us the ability to be agile to batten down our hatches.  Life is a journey and this vacation is one that has so many fun stories that will be told over and over again….fabulous memories!  I hope you enjoyed the videos and images of my fabulous Shasta Vacation Adventure;)

Spinach Salad

Fabulous Shares from Our Shasta Adventure Vacation:

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Stay healthy!

Push it Baby….Man Today was Tough

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My Quiet Time is a MUST for my Stay Healthy Life

I needed my interval timer clipped on my body this morning...OMG….I really had to push this morning.  I am my OWN motivation and is that hard sometimes…HELL YES!  I may be a trainer, but also a person that sometimes needs a kick in the bootie when I am having a sluggish…oh my really…not today day.  This was one of those.  I have had a really busy schedule that has kept my mind switch turned to the ON function with little breaks….squeezing ME time in here and there…let me tell you it has been a juggle the last few weeks…just sayin.  Do I remain determined…YES…why…I make my health a priority…it is important to me…however…I did take a relax time early this morning with my one cup, outside on my lounge to enjoy the quietness of the sun coming up and meditation.  I had drifted from that very important part of my life…my quiet time where I contemplate, talk with God, journal things, and just start my day off with a “Right On Positive Attitude”….30 minutes of fantastic clear the clutter, relieve some tension, and just being and breathing.  I recognized that I was in a GO GO GO mode…and I needed to turn the OFF switch on for awhile.  Do I feel absolutely recharged…YES….boy did I need that…I was thinking…what the heck Darla…something is missing…my quiet time was it.  My life is about balance and taking time to smell and taste the coffee had taken a backseat for awhile…but no more.  Today marked my being back on track with meditation time…YEAH!   Off to the studio after that…however…still HARD…it truly was one of those days.  YIKES, YUCK…I do not like workouts like this…but I DO NOT LET MYSELF DOWN.  Timer clipped to my sports bra helped BIG time…WHY…I did not have to think about counting reps, and with every sound of the timer, I switched up my exercise…FABULOUS!!!  For me, it felt like I had my own personal trainer telling me to MOVE IT DARLA…hit that next exercise and keep going.  I knew I couldn’t stop until I heard the beep…NOW…after a few one minute intervals, I have to admit…it got easier to be “IN THE WORKOUT”…I persevered all the way…was I happy it was over….YES…and this girl felt very ACCOMPLISHED today.  I was able to complete my ARC for 30 minutes plus 20 minutes of pushing myself through one minute interval bursts.  I did not even write out my program…just created as I went along…this was also important this morning because I did not have to pre-plan…I just needed to show up…so I truly felt like I was being pushed by my own personal trainer …OK Darla…do negative pull-ups…squats…cross-over lunges..repeat other leg…jacks…lunge backs…step ups…get your bootie back on the pull-ups…on and on I went until the whole series of intervals was complete….I WAS A SWEATY MESS.  Thanks Darla for kicking my backside…it was a tough one… I DID IT!!!

Motivation of the Day:  Don’t Give Up On Yourself…Life DOES NOT Hand You More than You Can Handle…Promise!

My Workout of The Day:  YIKES

Post Workout...Interval Timer a MUST Today!

ARC trainer – 30 minutes

One Minute Intervals repeated 3x

Negative Pull Ups
Sand Bag Swings
Sand Bag Squats
Reverse Lunges repeat other leg
Jumping Jacks
Bench Step Ups repeat other leg
Cross Over Step Ups repeat other leg

Meal 2 ~ lunch size plate!

My Nutrition of the Day:

Me & My Coffee early morning, outside ~ FABULOUS
1-Post-workout shake

MEAL 2

2-Brown rice with Beans topped with Salsa, Yogurt, Avocado
3-Egg Whites & Stay Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
4-Protein Balls
5-Grilled Mahi Mahi with Grilled Tomatoes & Onions
6-Undecided…depends on time of meal 5

I LOVE TO BLOG MY STAY HEALTHY LIFE!

IF YOU ENJOYED MY BLOG, LIKE IT, LEAVE ME A COMMENT, AND IF INSPIRED…DONATE A PROTEIN SHAKE!!!

STAY HEALTHY!