Diabetic holiday dessert recipes, fat-burning treats for World Diabetes Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 November 14 is World Diabetes Day, says the International Diabetes Federation. November--in the shadow of holiday feasts-- is a good time to raise awareness about sugar diabetes and associated health dangers. There are two kinds of diabetes. Type 1, "juvenile diabetes" says Diabetes.org, is diagnosed in childhood typically. Type 2 you typically get from poor lifestyle habits--being overweight, eating too much junk, exercising too little. Type 2 diabetics can usually keep it under control with diet. They may be able to eat some sugar if it's healthier and kept in moderation. I lost 100 pounds (see photos) and got prediabetes under control with diet. Here are healthy diabetic dessert recipes for holidays. Some are made with ingredients that actually burn fat instead of create it. Diabetic holiday dessert recipes, fat-burning treats for World Diabetes Day

Free Printable Halloween Costume Patterns and Design Guides

Did you know that next to Christmas, Halloween is the biggest marketing holiday of all? The average per capita spending is around $70 for Halloween costumes, candy and decorations. Halloween costumes are expensive to buy or rent. So why not make yours this year? Here's a website with 200 free printable Halloween costume patterns, accessory templates and designs. Make costumes for babies, children, teens, adults and couples--all free. Many use recycled and scrap materials. Free Printable Halloween Costume Patterns

Free Printable Astrology Signs of the Zodiac Tattoo Patterns and Coloring Pages

I don't have any tattoos myself, nor do I think they're particularly stylish. But like it or not, tattooing is crazy-popular. A frequent design for tattoos are individual horoscope symbols. The signs of the zodiac distinguish which star pattern or constellation a person is born under. The 12 symbols, or signs of the zodiac roughly follow the 12 months of the Gregorian or western calendar. The study of stars and their effect upon human behavior is called astrology. Predicting the future based upon stars and star symbols is called reading a horoscope. The names for the constellations and signs of the zodiac come from the Latin and the symbols are indicated in Greek. Here are Free Printable Astrology Signs of the Zodiac Tattoo Patterns and Coloring Pages

How I Lost 100 Pounds: Diet Restaurant Guide to Lose Weight

 I gained a lot of weight after losing two stillborn babies. Since 2012, I lost 100 pounds. As you might imagine, I get asked a lot how I lost weight. So, I write diet tips and recipes to help.



Today's is about restaurants-- huge diet death traps. Restaurant food is higher in salt, fat and sugar. Portions are bigger than recommended. But eating out is so common. Ironically (or not) overweight/obese people tend to eat out more. Don't get me wrong. I love going out to eat. But it's important, if you want (need) to lose weight, to learn how to eat in restaurants and stick to the diet. How I Lost 100 Pounds: Diet Restaurant Guide to Lose Weight

Why Girls Should Not Wear Sexy Clothes

Girls shouldn't wear sexy clothes. I'm not talking morals or modesty here. I'm not saying sexy clothes make women vulnerable to predators (that's another issue). I don't mean showing a little skin or occasionally dressing sexy. I'm saying that wearing overly sexualized clothes all the time stems from underlying psychology problems.

I don't mean psycho-sexual disorders such a nymphomania. What I am speaking of is nothing like nymphomania, if there even is such a condition, which my research leads me to doubt.

Women who show their bodies constantly usually have low self-esteem. Female anatomy, especially breasts, have become a status symbol. Big boobs get attention and admiration, from both genders. Girls with smaller breasts covet big ones. They value themselves on breast size. Many believe big boobs are the only way to attract guys. Hence the crowds of women seeking breast implants.

I hate the word "boobs." Breasts are for nursing babies. Calling them "boobs" (or worse) mocks and devalues women's bodies and women by association.

I'm concerned for girls who are taught to use their bodies as tools. I worry about women who can't see their own worth, outside of sexual attraction. I'm not saying it's wrong to make ourselves attractive. I'm just concerned about the motivation behind it.

Women aren't objects. Dressing in revealing clothes we objectify ourselves. I fear for girls who dress provocatively to get male attention. It's not the fault of men alone. We women communicate wrong body messages to each other--beginning with the most vulnerable and precious--our daughters.

Fashions come and go. In my utopia where everyone is psychologically healthy and emotionally stable, we are the masters of fashion, not slaves to it. For more of my ramblings on emotional health, stop by and see me at www.emotionalhealthhelp.blogspot.com.

Weight Loss Rewards that Don't Involve Food

 I've lost 100 pounds--woo hoo! Left photo is at my fattest and right photo is summer, 2014. Thank you Lord and Hallelujah! All that hard work paid off in a skinnier, happier me. That's reward in itself. But hard work deserves some special treats. Before I lost weight, that would have meant wining and dining blowouts. But rewards don't, shouldn't always involve food. Here are non-food rewards for weight loss--so I can stay on the thin and narrow path. Being a tightwad, I've listed inexpensive rewards. Affordable Non-Food Rewards for Women Who've Lost Weight

Firm Up Post Weight Loss Skin: A-Z Toning Exercises, Supplements, Treatments

I've lost 100 pounds and am now faced with the burning question--how to firm up post-fat saggy skin? It's tricky if you have a lot of weight to lose, like I did. You don't necessarily lose weight evenly in all places. You can't predict exactly how your body will look like when you're done. You don't know what parts will be saggiest. For me, it's neck, face and tummy. Do you read excuse-making here for not exercising? Maybe so. But weight loss means body-under-construction. So now that I'm where I want to be , I can start the firm-up process. Here are A-Z skin and muscle toners to firm up a post-weight loss body. I've included lower-impact exercises for those of us with health problems that prevent more strenuous workouts. Use these for post-partum toning too. Firm Up Post Weight Loss Skin: A-Z Toning Exercises, Supplements And Treatments

Fiber Foods, Fatty Acid Fat Burners for Weight Loss from A to Z

I've lost almost 100 pounds and dropped nine sizes from 20 (Left) to 3 (right). I burned excess belly fat and trimmed other body fat. I lost 14 BMI points. How? I swap saturated and hydrogenated fat, starch, refined sugar and flour for high-fiber, fatty acids foods. Ironically, good fats--omega oils, MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and fiber are natural bad fat burners. They work together. Many fiber-rich foods are high in fatty acids and also low in saturated fats. Here's an A-Z list of good-fat, high-fiber foods.  A-Z Fiber Foods, Fatty Acid Fat Burners for Weight Loss

BB Cream is Moisturizer, Foundation, Sunscreen all it One!

My makeup shelf resembles a pharmacy with it's jumble of lotions and creams. Wouldn't it be nice to have a skin care product that does it all? Moisturizer, blemish cover, foundation, skin protectant, sunscreen, toner, bronzer? I found one--BB cream. BB stands for "blemish balm" or "beauty balm."  For a Multitasking Foundation and Moisturizer, Try BB Cream 

2014 Swimsuit Trends Favor Plus Size, Tankini, Two-Piece Separates Offer Options

Plus size, disproportionate, apple-shaped women rejoice. Because finally 2014 swimsuit trends flatter us! For plus size and apples shapes, the uber-popular tankini de-emphasizes midriffs, chubby tummies while accentuating hips. Unfortunately, we chesty-curvy gals aren't so lucky. Swimsuit tops still aren't generous enough. But with tops and bottoms sold separately, there are swimsuits for all body shapes and sizes. 2014 Swimsuit Trends, Tankini, Two-Piece Separates Provide Options

Got Belly Fat? Want Belly Flat? Foods to Add and Burn Stomach Fat

I've lost 97 pounds and dropped from size 20 to size 3/ 4. I gained 100 pounds after losing two stillborn babies. I put on weight all over, but especially in the stomach. Belly fat has always been my nemesis. So I research what causes and cures belly fat. Some advice is contradictory, so I follow trusted physicians like Dr. Oz, and my personal experience. The trick is to avoid saturated fat, highly-inflammatory, sugary, salty and bloating foods. Eat healthy MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids), metabolism-boosters, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, fermented foods, vitamin C. Here's an A-Z guide of foods that add and subtract to tummy bulge.  Belly Fat or Flat, Foods That Boost and Burn Stomach Bulge

Belly Fat to Flat, Foods That Add and Subtract Stomach Bulge

I've lost 97 pounds and dropped from size 20 to size 3/ 4. I've gotten my BMI from 34 to 23. I gained 100 pounds after losing two stillborn babies. I put on weight all over, but especially in the stomach. Belly fat has always been my nemesis. So I research what causes and cures belly fat. Some advice is contradictory, so I follow trusted physicians like Dr. Oz, and my personal experience. The trick is to avoid saturated fat, highly-inflammatory, sugary, salty and bloating foods. Eat healthy MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids), metabolism-boosters, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, fermented foods, vitamin C. Here's an A-Z guide of foods that add and subtract to tummy bulge.  Belly Fat or Flat, Foods That Boost and Burn Stomach Bulge

Teach Kids Good Hygiene, Tactfully, Proactively and with Common Sense

 Does your child have that not-so-fresh smell? Time for the H-word (hygiene) talk. An awkward subject, but one kids need to hear about. Here are tips to teach personal cleanliness tactfully, sensitively and proactively. I use the B4 plan--tell him nicely "before" others tell him rudely. I've included shopping suggestions for personal care products, too. Teach Kids Good Hygiene, Tactfully, Proactively, Supportively

Workaround for One Piece or Bikini Bathing Suit Dilemma

I have lost 96 pounds and dropped eight sizes. So a wardrobe makeover is in process. My husband posed a good question for summer wear: one piece or two-piece bathing suit? With Spring Break coming up, it's a good consideration.

My husband suggested that since I have lost weight, I might try a two-piece or even bikini. I still have belly pudge, but so does most every woman on the beach. Not being body-perfect doesn't stop them wearing a bikini. And it shouldn't. But personally, no matter how toned I get, I'll never wear one. Not to be prudish, it's just too revealing.  But there are problems with one piece, too. Here's a workaround. Diet Tip Workaround for One Piece or Bikini Bathing Suit Dilemma

Affordable Personal Care Products Teen Boys Love

 I taught middle school and raised four kids. So I speak fluent teen. When we think cosmetics, we tend to think of girls. But boys are concerned about hygiene too. Here are seven personal care products teen guys love.

Nivea sensitive skin shave gel: Razor bumps are the bane of shaving. They itch, burn and look ugly. They're hard to get rid of. Using sensitive skin shave cream like Nivea and Aveeno, helps prevent razor rash. Nivea makes an after-shave balm that soothes, too. Affordable Personal Care Products Teen Boys Love

Ban Bossy, Empower Girls to Speak Out not Shut Up

I hate it when Americans pontificate about the plight of girls in other countries, then silence their own women. I know women are abused. I pray for them and support empowerment missions, like Amnesty, WAR and Global Girlfriend.



It the hypocrisy I object to. In our supposed enlightened nation, girls have low self-esteem issues 3.5 times more than boys. Girls don't speak up, don't take leadership, don't assert their intelligence. They play dumb and weak.  

Ban Bossy, Empower Girls to Speak Out, Not Tell Them to Shut Up - News - Bubblews

Skip Mardi Gras Blowouts for Easier Fasting, Dieting

Tomorrow is Catholic Mardi Gras aka Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, Carnivale. Call it what you will, it translates to feasting. And too much fasting on Ash Wednesday and lent more difficult.



Blowouts make dieting harder too. Take it from one who has lost 95 pounds. Left photo is me now. Right is 2011. I didn't drop eight sizes by jumping off the wagon at every chance.  I did it with balance and common sense. When I have given up calorie counting, it was planned and for a brief periods. And I keep it in moderation.  I Skip Mardi Gras Blowouts for Easier Lenten Fasting, Dieting

How I Lost 93 Pounds With Little Diet Changes

I've lost 93 pounds and dropped eight sizes, from 20 to 4.  I put on 100 pounds after losing two stillborn babies and taking antidepressants. People ask how I lost the weight and I say not in big, invasive ways (surgery, drugs) but with little habit changes. Here are 14 easy tweaks I made to help me lose. How I Lost 93 Pounds With Little Diet Changes

My Weight Loss Photo Journal Update February 2014

I keep talking about how I lost 93 pounds. I've done a few photo exposes, but here's the most recent one as of February, 2014. I'll try to do side-by-side shots but I'm not too good at getting photos lined up.  My Weight Loss Photo Journey Update February 2014 

I Lost 90 Pounds and You Can Lose Weight Too

Last year at this time, I was 50 pounds heavier and the year before, 100 pounds overweight. I used to hear about SparkPeople, Facebook and real-life friends losing weight. And I thought, I can't lose weight. That will never be me. I will always be fat. It's here to stay. I wasn't always fat. This is what I looked like when I got married in 1982. 110 pounds. 5'4" Good measurements. But I couldn't see it. I thought I was fat. I had a lot of negative self-messages playing in my queue. If you need to lose weight, I'll be you have a lot of negative messages rattling around in your head. But  You Can Lose Weight, Just Change Your Playlist, Like I Did

Simple Diet Tweaks, Food Swaps

I've lost 90 pounds now. Trust me I know how hard it is to stay the diet course. I am going to Louisiana to see our daughter in Cajun country. She and son in law are uber par cooks. I will be wined and dined with gumbo, mufaletta, etouffee, courtbouillon, boudin, po boys, beignets, plus all the northern goodies daughter learned to make at home--baklava, almond cookies, stained glass window cookies etc. It will be a diet blitzkrieg. If you want to keep up weight loss momentum on vacation, here are simple tweaks. Simple Diet Tweaks to Keep Weight Loss Momentum in Christmas Feasting - News - Bubblews