Feeling Better

Hey workout bloggers.

Well..I've been down a little. I have had a chest cold for about two weeks. I am finally feeing better. I worked out fully today. And I felt so good for it. I think I need to buy a humidifier for next year. I tend to cough more in the evening when the air is very dry and hot in my room. But when I get up in the morning... Workout outside, go to work...I can breath, and the cough is limited. I have felt fine physically..just a nagging cough. But I have a full physical in May. So anything that may be wrong will be checked out thoroughly .

I have had some distress though. My father is having some major medical problems. Congestive Heart Failure, and he is need of a kidney transplant . I have offered over and over..but he refuses to accept. You see, kidney disease runs in my family ..and my father is worried me and my sister will need our kidney's as we get older. Right now he is on dialysis. I am having such a hard time with this.... You see...My Daddy...all my life has been a bit of a street hustler . He did any and everything he could to take care of me and my sister.. I lived very well as a child, and wanted for nothing all while I was growing up. My Dad has not only lived a Street hustler's life..But I have been present both times my father has been shot...and once stabbed. So just as anyone who can't fathom living without their parents, these things have added to my child like ideal of my Dad's "invincibility". I am having a very hard time dealing with this. I try to listen to my dad who's only response to my offer of a kidney is ... "I have lived good, I have done everything I have wanted. I didn't expect I'd ever get this old (61) with the life I have lead.. So you are not losing ANY organs for me." I must admit.. I'll be 37 this year..and with everything I have witnessed, and seen..I am MORE than lucky to still have both my parents and 1 grandparent. But this whole situation is harder on me than I expected. To top it off..I am a TOTAL DADDY'S GIRL.. Ohhh I'm babbling. I guess I just need to get that out.

Anyway... the whole kidney disease issue has made me rethink my attitude about buying store brought juice. As I said..Kidney disease runs in my family. My father's father died on Dialysis. My father's mother ..her mother died of a kidney disease..and my older sister had a baby who died of "Potter's syndrome " shortly after it was born. Essentially the baby's kidney's stopped functioning in the womb to the point that there was no amniotic fluid. I realized that in all the years I neglected and outright refused to drink water cause I thought it tasted gross... I did my self and my kidney's a huge favor by consistently drinking cranberry juice. I remember my mom being upset that everytime she bought a bottle..it would be gone within an hour. I love the stuff. It has probably saved me from having any issues later in life. So I will buy Cranberry juice from the store, when the actual berries are out of season and unavailable to actually juice in my juicer. I'll feel better for the effort. If you aren't aware...cranberries and cranberry juice has an enzyme that is good for your kidneys.

Anyway.. I hope all of your workouts are getting you where you want to be . And don't forget to pick up your latest issue of OXYGEN MAGAZINE

Ohh My KNEES!

Man... I tell ya..the one thing that can through off a work out is knee and joint pain. And that's a big deal.

As you all know..I do a lot of "Slim N '6"...and the trainer Debbie Siebers,has been affectionately called "The Squat Nazi"... Now this is an awesome thing when you think of toning and firming the thighs and ass...but I tell ya...she is MURDER on my knees. I just put in the DVD..and I'm dreading the work out. The problem is..I know her workout is so effective. So I took two glucosamine and chondrotin tablets to help . I'm just giving them time to hit my system before I do my work out.

There isn't much else to add about anything today..Drank so juice, had a good nutritional breakfast. Now that digestion has occurred , I'm going to give it my best today. I have all day to hit it , because I'm off of work today. Nice extended weekend.

I hope all of you are doing well.

Let's Try Somethng New Week.

Okay.. I am very much into trying to keep my workout challenging and fun. The way I do that is I try something new. I plan ahead to try to fit it into my regular workouts that work for me. Then I learn how to incorporate it on a regular basis.

So my suggestion is try something new starting Monday or Sunday. Try Yoga, or Pilates ... Maybe Plyometrics, or strength training . I want to try kick boxing, as I hear it is a LOU LOU. I'm searching for an affordable class that I can fit into my schedule. I hope to find one .

So if your bored...make a jump and buy a new at home dvd system..or if you already have that..get out and ride a bike, go running, go swimming. Hell..take a belly dancing class..Whatever gets ya moving.

Juicers To Consider

Hey Bloggers. I've gotten a few emails asking about juicers. So I'd thought I'd post regarding a few.

As you all know... I have my Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800 JEXL
There is a link above the picture that plays a Promo video.
I urge you to watch it.

In regards to inanimate objects..It is the one I most love. It was by far the best choice for me. It is not complicated to work, nor difficult to clean. You get not just maximum juicing. It has a very powerful motor that tops out at 13,000 rpm.. That is SERIOUS. It is easy to disassemble. It's easy to clean as well. I take more time to clean the screened blade , as to make sure that there are no extra fruit particles...but I must admit...I am "Monk" style anal retentive , bordering on O.C.D. So that may not be the case with you. This juicer does not come cheap. It retails for 299.99 . I highly recommend it, as it has done wonders for how I feel. I said before, I got mine for 60.00 off because I got it from Bed,Bath & Beyond , and had their monthly 20% off mailer. But I was willing to pay the full price. Worth every penny.

I almost bought the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer. I had heard about the benefits of juicing, and seeing the infomercial really confirmed what I had already knew. And the price is great for those who aren't sure they can make juicing a way of life. Basically you can make two installment payments of $49.90 plus shipping and handling. If you get this one, I would recommend getting the black and silver one, as that white one is notorious for getting juice splatter stains that won't come out. The metal one will be easier to whip down . The one down side to this juicer is that it doesn't come with it's own pitcher for the juice to flow into, unlike the Breville. But that may be okay for first time juicers.


Breville also has the Juice Fountain Plus JE95XL
This has a lot of the same features as the more expensive 800 JEXL model. And yet it retails for 149.99 . The main difference is that the cutting disc in this one is stainless steel ,, where the other is titanium. The juice cup is also made of a polymer material and not die cast metal. And this one has an 850 watt motor.. The more expensive has a 1000 watt motor. So this one is a slight step up from the Jack LaLanne in it's durability if you believe that juicing may play a major part in your life.

Before you delve into juicing...take this things into consideration...
1~How much time it will take you to do it. My juicer is very powerful, and doesn't require alot of prep. But let's be real.. If you like certain fruits more than others, it will require some chopping. And things fruits and veggies with extremely hard seeds, and large pits will require some slicing, as to not damage the blade. The one consolation with Breville is you CAN buy replacement parts.My hubby and I tend to pre-slice produce in advance, to save time for when we are on the go.

2~How much cleaning it will take. Some juicers from what I hear are really difficult to clean. I'm lucky to not have had to experience . It was a huge consideration in which to buy. So juicers have parts that are difficult to clean, and that has a major "Gross Out" factor for someone who is anal and obsessive like myself. Wax, juice and pulp build up can not only ruin a juicer, but can be a breeding ground for nasty bacteria if pulp remains behind...EEEEEEWWWWW!!!

3~The amount of produce you will increasingly buy. Produce is EXPENSIVE. And it's a shame. I have found it true that eating better costs a lot more. So basically... I go to Cotsco to buy most of my fruits and veggies. I buy in large quantities. I pile up . And you know what..it doesn't seem as expensive anymore. Because it no longer goes to waste. It's all used every time. I don't discover rotting fruit that I put in the fridge crisper anymore. So while fresh fruit is expensive . Just think ...so are mounting medical bills from the bad eating habits we all grew up with. Juicing has become a preventative measure for my health.

There are a ton of juicers to review. But I figured I could also give you the website that I did , a lot of my research on.
Discount Juicers

Also , if you see one you are interested in. Make sure you go on Amazon
and read the reviews of that particular juicer from customers. I'm sure you'll be able to find something.

And now...I'm feeling a little like the Grinch....a little green...so here are two drinks that reflect that.

Here is the
"Green Day"


And this is the
"Clean"


Good luck..and Great Juicing.