A Little of This

2016 – A Year That Didn’t Go As Planned

December 24, 2016 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

In the beginning of 2016 I was hopeful. I was working at UPS temporarily as a pre-loader but 2016 was going to be the year I found my dream job and got married.

At the end of January I had caught a cold that was making its way around the hub. That last week I struggled to keep up with loading the trucks properly. Those weeks taught me to appreciate UPS workers and how they bust their butts. The first week of February is when I fainted on Dave and my world turned upside down. All my plans for the year went out the window. It was severely anemic from uterine blood loss.

I no longer could dance, run around the neighborhood or hit the gym (which I joined to stay fit for the wedding…lol). I discovered that I had fibroids in my uterine wall and it had to be removed. Since our wedding date was set for April, it was discussed and determined by my fabulous Doctor that we would have to wait until after the wedding for surgery. There simply wasn’t enough time between to get me on the schedule and have enough time to recover.

Not wanting to push the wedding off yet again, Dave and I agreed with the plan. I quietly waited at home while my body fought me every step of the way. I can’t tell you how many times Doc had to change my medication just to get it to stop bleeding.

On April 24^th surrounded by a small group of family and friends, Dave and I finally got married. As planned, we kept it simple and it was a beautiful day.

Our wedding bliss was short lived when I fainted yet again a few days later. That is when Doc’s team and Dave’s HR manager worked overtime to get me on Dave’s insurance. The effort it took to push the paperwork thru and then schedule my operation was amazing. I am forever grateful for everyone who helped out.

June 7^th I entered the Newton Medical Center for my hysterectomy. The procedure went smooth and I spent three days in the maternity ward. What a fabulous group of women. I was blessed to have the team that I had to help me while I was there. I was given a lot of pointers and a Giggle Pillow to help with minimizing the pain.

By the end of August I was back up and running. A little slow but I was moving again. I was back to dancing and hiking. I wasn’t winded just walking into the grocery store. It was amazing.

Now you may be wondering about the dream job? I did join a fabulous team (North Porch – Women and Infants’ Centers) as their Program Director.

I have reflected on this past year and what I learned. First, all the best plans in life can change in a moment so enjoy everything whether it’s planned or not.

Second, to be gentle with myself. Over the past year I wondered if I had done this, would I have caught this sooner and not have to hit the critical stage I hit. I also gained weight as I went from active to sitting all the time. I am looking to loose some of it but have to realize that my body changed in a big way and things I did in the past might not work as well.

Third, kind of goes with number two, eat better. Since I wasn’t feeling good I relied on crackers and bread for many meals. I need to cut back all of that so I can become a healthier me. I won’t give up everything but I will be looking to eat cleaner, less processed foods. I have a lot I want to do next year and I want to run circles around 2017.

Here’s to the next adventures in life!

Filed Under: A Little of This, Adventures, Be True To You! Tagged With: 2016, 2017, adventure, choices, Determination, dream, dreams, Emergency, employment, Goals, grateful, Health, healthy, Husband, Job, Jobs, journey, Love, Love Yourself, Loving You, Medical, Planned, Sidelined, Unhealthy, Unplanned, Wife, Woman, Women

The Joys and Lessons of Hiking

October 5, 2016 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

When I was 12 years old, I joined a Girl Scout Backpack Interest Group. I was an awkward child with little self confidence. Naturally I was unsure how I was going to fit all that I needed for a weekend on my back as well as fit in with the other girls. Under the guidance of several leaders, Barbara, Dave and my Mom, I learned how to properly pack a backpack for a two day trip. I figured out what was necessity verses a nice to have. As for fitting in with the girls, I had no problem making friends since we were there for the love of the outdoors.

I quickly learned to leave the fashionable attire at home and take the comfy cloths and boots. It may have had something to do with all the toenails lost to the “pretty grey boots” I wore that first year or the cold head and hands because I was too cool to wear a proper winter hat and mittens. I gained the knowledge of layering cloths for the seasons as well as bringing extra socks to change into if my feet got wet.

After the first few years, I began planning menus and making requests for when Mom went to the grocery store. Instant soups, my favorite was creamy chicken, and sandwiches became my go-to lunches. For dinner Mom and I would share a freeze dried dinner we had purchased from Campmor. Peanut M&Ms became my main staple in my group until they introduced Peanut Butter M&Ms. I would add honey roasted peanuts or Raisinets but I usually munched on just M&Ms while hiking.

As a group we hiked mainly around northern NJ or NY and I loved almost every minute of it. I hated when my path crossed with snakes. It’s the reason I fell in love with cold weather hiking. I knew during the winter months the little suckers wouldn’t be slithering about.

When I first started hiking I would hurry up to get to the end of point. I rarely wanted to stop for lunch or look around to see the beautiful sights that trail offered. I thought the point was to get to the campsite or the end of the trail as quickly as possible.

It took a many years but I started listening to Barbara’s educational stories about the plants and wildlife in the area. I learned to appreciate and explore old quarry mines and building ruins. I sat with my friends underneath Tripod Rock and scaled the great Bear Rock. I would have never had these experiences if I just kept walking or rushed thru lunch. I finally learned to slow down and take in the beauty that was all around me.

I sometimes have to remind myself to cherish all the various views in the world and the journey it took to get there. I love finding the beauty in a babbling brook or seeing sunshine falling peacefully thru the trees. No matter what, I will always love the view from the top.

Filed Under: A Little of This, Adventures Tagged With: adventure, backpacking, food, Girl, Girl Scouts, Girls, Gorp, hiking, journey, Outdoors, Woman, Women

My Favorite Water Bottles

August 27, 2016 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

We have always been told to drink plenty of water as children. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties when I actually started to take that advice. At first I started buying liter water bottles at the grocery store for its ease and convenience. About a year and a half after I started, I added up the money I was loosing for the ease and convenience and immediately started looking for alternatives.

I found an aluminum water bottle. It became my new best friend, I would fill it up and home and take with me everywhere. It was light weight and fit in my car holder. I liked this option however due to taking iron pills, the metal had a metallic taste to it.

I then switched to BPA-Free plastic water bottles with an infusers in the center which I found at Shop Rite. I was excited as these allowed me to add fruit or veggies to flavor my water. The downside was the time I felt I had to wait before drinking them so that the flavor would disperse throughout the water. Also, The plastic water bottles didn’t last as long as I was constantly using then as well as dropping them as they were a uniform cylindrical style and not easy for me to grip…lol.

As I continued on this journey I discovered discovered my first favorite water bottle, made by Life Factory and sold at my local health food store. I have to admit I first noticed it because the plastic coating and top was purple, my favorite color. I like the idea of a glass bottle because it wouldn’t have a metallic aftertaste. Its shape was easy for me to grip in addition to having a small handle on the lid. I liked the top which was easy to drink from. The one con was the base was slightly too big for my cup holders in my car. It sat three-quarters of the way into the large holder. It was not very sturdy but it was a concession I could learn to live with. I did drop it once but I was lucky that it didn’t break.

My next favorite water bottle came when Ball Jars created drinking lids for their narrow and wide mouth jars. The option for the narrow jars was a lid insert with a straw which was secured with the metal band. The wide mouth jars had a two-in-one option. The lid insert was designed so that you can sip directly or use a straw. Over the past few months I have preferred a 32 oz wide mouth jar with the insert. Depending on my mood I will use the straw.

The wide mouth doesn’t fit into my car’s drink holder however, traveling with the wide mouth Ball Jar is possible. I simply removed the drinking insert and used the steel canning for a secure fit until I get to my destination. In my car I use the 12 oz narrow jars as it fits nicely in my car’s drink holder.

Filed Under: A Little of This Tagged With: adventure, aluminum, bottle, BPA Free, glass, Health, healthy, journey, Juice, Juicing, plastic, water, water bottle

DIY – Lip Scrub

June 14, 2016 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

My lips have always been dry. To say I have spent a small fortune on lip products would be an understatement.

When I was younger, to get my lips soft and smooth I always had to scrub them with a rough face cloth and apply lots of lip balm. I didn’t wear dark lip colors in of fear my dry cracked lips underneath would show.

About 15 years ago, I was introduced to my first lip scrub by Mary Kay. Although it worked wonders, I didn’t like the feel or smell of the chemicals that came along with it. I kept using it, however, I started looking for a more natural options.

Throughout my journey I have found several scrubs including my find from last year at Lush. Many of the scrubs I tried were either expensive, dry or difficult to use. Still not happy I researched DIY sites and found numerous recipes for a lip scrub recipe that I could adapt my preference. Below is the recipe that I tweaked from several recipes I found online.

DIY Lip Scrub

Approximately 2 tablespoons of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of agave nectar (Honey can also be used)
1 1/2 teaspoon olive oil – Add or subtract the amount of Olive Oil to create the lip scrub to your preference

Simply mix it in a small bowl
Apply to your lips gently massaging in a circular motion
Rinse with warm water and pat dry
Apply Lip Balm

Alternative Flavoring: To add a little flavor, you can add extracts used in cooking/baking. I have used a little vanilla extract which makes it taste a little like you are smearing a sugar cookie around your lips.

Lip Balms

I have been through many phases with my lip balms over the years. I used to use Blistex Medex and Chap Stick. Today I only use Burts Bee Lip Care products. During the winter I love the Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm with Kokum Butter or Medicated Lip Balm. For everyday use I use Beeswax or Honey Lip Balm.

I use them alone or before I apply my lip color of the day. Burts Bee also makes great lip sticks that provide moisture and color at the same time.

Filed Under: A Little of This Tagged With: DIY, Do It Yourself, Homemade, journey, Lip, Lip Balm, Lip Scrub, Lips, Loving You, Natural

Listen to Your Body

March 11, 2016 by originalcyn 1 Comment

A few years ago, my body was sending me subtle messages that something was wrong with it. When I asked my doctors about my unusually heavy monthly bleeding, it was chalked up to be stress related. I accepted that for many years because I thought that the doctors knew best.

In 2014 I developed a bad habit of eating ice. I thought it was just stress related as my Mom was sick in the hospital. It wasn’t until the habit got worse in 2015 did I do the research. Not only was I damaging my teeth but the craving and eating ice is a symptom of anemia. Without health insurance I felt like I had nowhere to turn so I attempted to deal with this myself by eating more iron rich foods.

By the end of the summer of 2015 my energy was dwindling when friendly advise sent me to give blood at the Red Cross. Why? The first thing they do is to test your hemoglobin to make sure you are a healthy candidate for giving blood. With a simple prick of my finger, I learned that I was on the verge of becoming severely anemic (For information on hemoglobin levels by the Red Cross, Click Here) . I started taking iron supplements and eating more iron rich foods.

I started to feel a bit better and thought I had this under control. In September I went to an OB/GYN for a follow up and asked about anemia and how it could be related to my heavy monthly visitor. Again, I was told that it was just stress. It was also recommended that I find ways to relieve the stress.

By late October, I stopped teaching belly dancing and was finding it difficult to hike with my backpack group. I was getting drained quickly. I tried more vitamins and eating better. At the end of November I took a holiday position loading box trucks. I thought regular exercise and proper eating would help me feel better, more energetic. By the end of January, I was sick and exhausted. I thought I had caught was going around work, it was just a head cold and it would pass in a week.

On Feb 2, I passed out on my kitchen floor. When I came to I was disoriented with fuzzy vision. Dave (my hubby-to-be) called 911 and an ambulance was sent.

My hemoglobin was 8.1 when I was admitted so they scheduled me for a blood transfusion. I also underwent a battery of tests to find the underlying reason I was seriously iron deficient. The OB/GYN on duty found a fibrous mass in my uterus, which was the cause for the heavy bleeding as well as enlarging my uterus. In nearly five years, she was the first person to give me a medical reason other than stress for all of this.

To regain my life’s activities, I had to take a seat and rest with little activity, take the right iron supplement (yes, there are different kinds) and hormonal medications to reduce the bleeding as well as eat healthier. It has been a struggle to set aside my favorite activities such as dancing, hiking and exercising. Even walking around the stores can be a struggle some days.

The good news is I know what is wrong and am working with my doctor to find the best plan to recovery as quickly as possible. I just can’t help but ask – what if the previous doctors had figured this out a few years ago? Would they be following the same course of action to clear up the underlying problem?

Unfortunately, my experience has been that many doctors treat the symptoms without truly knowing the underlying cause. Sometimes they are lucky and the person gets better. However, as in my case, things became worse.

Moral of the story:

If you think there is something wrong that your doctor is not addressing, please seek a second or third opinion. I can’t help but to think how much easier I would have it if only I had pushed the issue when I first started seeing the signs.

Filed Under: A Little of This, Be True To You!, Various Tagged With: choices, dance, dancing, Doctors, exercise, fitness, Health, healthcare, healthy, lifestyle, Love Yourself, Loving You, stress, unheathly, Woman, Women

My Favorite Christmas Movies

January 2, 2016 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

Growing up, one of the best parts about Christmastime was watching my favorite Christmas movies. I knew they were coming on the TV right after Thanksgiving and I would watch the TV guide to make sure I didn’t miss them.

I am sure you would agree there are a lot of movies that could be on the list, however, to keep this post short and sweet I narrowed my list down to my Top Five Christmas Movies.

The Christmas Carol (1984)

Although there have been numerous versions of this story created before and after; my favorite version is the one staring George C. Scott. I thought he was the perfect Scrooge.

This version also struck me because there weren’t a lot of special effects which added to the crude representation of each character, especially the three visiting spirits. Can you forget the scene when Christmas Present shows Scrooge the children names Ignorance and Want. No great effects, yet the scene however I found it to have a tremendous impact. As I got older, I realized why these two “children” were to be avoided.

The Year Without a Santa Clause (1974)

In this movie I remember watching Santa give up on Christmas. Then Mrs. Clause and a few elves worked together to bring back Christmas cheer to Santa in hopes that he would want to bring joy and toys to the children around the world.

My favorite characters in this animation where the Mizer Brothers who argue about the temperature. I always sang along to this song. I know that I always sided with Heat Mizer. Even back then I preferred the heat…lol.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

I lived for this Peanut Gang special every year. I think it was just a classic that had a great message and happy ending. It could have also been the scene where Snoopy gracefully skated around the pond.

I always felt bad for the Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree. It was scraggly and no one wanted it. In the end, the gang accepted it and showed us the true meaning of Christmas. It wasn’t about the imperfect tree. It wasn’t about gifts that the children wished for. It was a celebration of a story about hope and peace.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964)

One of the greatest Christmas stories, in my opinion. Loved the message of the misfits becoming victorious by saving the day.

I sang along with this movie every year. Who didn’t root for the underdogs to save the day (and of course, they did). I know Rudolph was the main character but I still fell in love with the misfit toys especially Charlie-in-the-box.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Try not to sing, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel…” I know that I couldn’t and still can’t help myself when this song comes on. It was an iconic movie that I grew up with. Although there was a non-animated version created starring Jim Carrey; my heart still belongs to the original animation and musical scoring.

Some honorable mentions would be:

Home Alone
Mickey’s Christmas
Santa Clause (starring Tim Allen)
Christmas Shoes (It is a sappy story that will bring about tears of joy and sorrow)
Frosty the Snowman
Polar Express

Did I miss one of your favorite Christmas/Holiday movies? If so, please share your favorite Holiday/Christmas movies in the comment section below.

Filed Under: A Little of This, My Favorite Lists, Uncategorized Tagged With: Childhood, Christmas, Favorite, Holiday Memories, Holidays, Movies, My Favorite List, Traditions

Give Memories, Not Just Gifts

December 5, 2015 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

Over the years, I have always heard the a few questions before and after the holidays:

Before – What are you asking for?
After – What did you get?

Is gift giving a great way to show you care? Yes, as they say, “it’s better to give than receive”, but it’s not the only thing you can give. Make memories with your friends and family as memories can be taken with them for the rest of their lives. It can be as simple as sharing or starting a Holiday tradition like Elf on the Shelf, a family dinner, volunteering at a food bank or caroling somewhere. It doesn’t have to elaborate or expensive, just bring joy and warmth to the hearts of everyone involved.

Who knows maybe the traditions you start or share will be passed down for generations to come.

My Christmas Memory

One of my fondest Christmas memories is of a particular song – Silent night.I have been singing it my entire life.

In 1974 my family joined St. John’s Episcopal Church just shy of my second birthday. As part of our first Christmas there, I was slated to play an angel in the Annual Christmas Pageant. The Angels sang the first verse of Silent Night up the aisle. So that I would know the song, my parents sang it all over the place. Over the years, my Mom would remind me of how I learned that particular song and why I have a fondness for that carol.

Singing it today still brings warmth to my heart and a tear to my eyes because I know that it was my parents who taught me to sing Silent Night.

No matter what you celebrate this time of the year, may it be about the people you love. Always remember: things get dusty, toys break and other stuff is forgotten but memories will live you for the rest of your life!

Below is a current favorite rendition of Silent Night by Taylor Davis on violin featuring Home Free. Its beautifully simple arrangement just like the song is suppose to be. (That’s just my opinion.)

Filed Under: A Little of This Tagged With: Christmas, Church, Family, Friends, Giving, Holiday Memories, Holidays, journey, Love Yourself, Memories, Pageant, Silent Night, Traditions

Not All Salads Are Created Equally

July 10, 2015 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

In my journey to eat healthier and cleaner I have looked to salads for lunch and dinner options. I learned that not all salads are healthy. What makes a good, healthy salad depends on what you put into it. I have researched a variety of options looking to create a savory salad while watching the caloric, sodium and sugar intake.

I narrowed down my main ingredients with additional options. Here is what I found to be the salad that works best for me.

My typical salad starts with:

Greens – At least 2 cups of a variety of spring greens, spinach & kale and romaine lettuce
Cucumber – approximately 1/2 of a cucumber for plenty of vitamins including Vitamin K, C and B1 as well as magnesium
Celery – one or two stalks at most to add crunch and saltiness
Chickpeas – one cup for added protein (watch the various brands for sodium content if you are watching your salt intake)
Grilled or baked organic chicken – around 4-6 ounces
Red onion – just to add a bite to the salad

The previous list are my main staples for my salads. It has become the base for most of my creations made at home. I do add a few extra items but it all depends on my mood. These include:

Cheese – I get into the cheesy mood so I will add some Parmesan, sharp cheddar or feta. On the rare occasion, I will add a small amount of blue cheese. These add a little more fat and salt to the salad.
Green or Kalamata Olives – These add a pinch of salt
Tomatoes – I add about 5 grape tomatoes for a bit of sweetness
Bean Sprouts – They add a little added vitamin c and potassium
Nuts – I use a few slices almonds or pine nuts to add a bit of crunch
Radishes – To change things up, I will substitute the red onion for radishes just to give it a different flavor
Green Peppers – I add for a little crunch without a lot of calories. They are a great source of vitamins and minerals

Over the years, I have tried a few salads that contained fruit, however I don’t do it too often because the fruit contains too much sugar and I become hungry a short time after finishing the meal. I have found that the chicken and chickpeas add enough protein to keep me fuller longer.

For my salad dressing I tend to have varying tastes. If I use a store bought dressing, I read the label to make sure that besides being tasty the dressing doesn’t add a lot of unnecessary calories, sugar or salt. For something creamy, I will go after the yogurt based dressings found in the produce aisle. The two brands I purchase the most are Bolthouse Farms and Walden Farms when I am in the mood for a creamy dressing.

For a savory dressing, I make a extra virgin olive oil and red pepper infused rice wine vinegar. This allows me to get the level of heat that I want without a lot of added calories. The great thing about making the dressing yourself is you can make it to your taste.

My suggestion would be have fun mixing and matching until you find the taste that works best for you. You can keep changing and revising as your tastes change. That is the beauty of creating your own salad. And remember, not all salads are created equally.

Filed Under: A Little of This, Culinary Tagged With: choices, Culinary, food, salad

Spiced Tea for Pain Free

March 22, 2015 by originalcyn Leave a Comment

This week I tried a spiced tea that is suppose to work as an anti-inflammatory. The recipe called for cardamon pods, ginger and cinnamon. Since I was unable to locate cardamon pods, I have been using cardamon seeds. I also used ground ginger and cinnamon since I didn’t have any fresh when I attempted this the first time.

The original recipe can be found at Secretly Healthy. It also calls for honey if you wanted to sweeten it up.

This tea was refreshingly different from just having herbal teas. It reminded me of Indian and Thai teas that you would get at the restaurants. I did feel better after drinking it. The combination of spices were not only tasty but had healthy benefits as well.

Below is what I did to create this yummy spiced tea. I also double the batch so that I wouldn’t have extra for future consumption.

My Version of the Recipe

4 cups of water

1 teaspoon of cardamon seeds

1 teaspoon of powder ginger (using fresh is better but in a pinch the powder also works)

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

4 black tea bags (I used Red Rose)

2 cups of Almond Milk Unsweetened

Boil the water and spices for 8-10 minutes. Add the tea bags and continue to boil for an additional 2-4 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea to be. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond milk. Strain the liquid as you are serving or putting away as the seeds are still in the mixture. I used a yogurt strainer which works well.

I didn’t add the honey as I am attempting to reduce sugar from my daily diet.

Filed Under: A Little of This, Culinary Tagged With: Culinary, food, Health, healthy, journey, Love Yourself, Loving You, spiced tea

My Green Juice Journey

March 10, 2015 by originalcyn 1 Comment

Getting Started

For several years now, I have started down a path of healthier eating. In 2014 I made the leap into juicing. I knew that if done properly, it would be a great alternative to certain meals and snacks that I was eating. I started doing research into the different juicers that were on the market as well as looking for experts who shared their knowledge and recipes. I found Reboot with Joe and Kris Carr websites to be a plethora of information on juicing as well as more tips on cleaner eating.

With the help of these two sites I was able to educate myself on the different juicers and which one would fit my need and budget. I determined that a Breville Juice Fountain Multi-Speed was the way to go. It was the middle of the road as far as functionality and pricing so I could get started without breaking my bank.

As soon as I got it, I started testing out a few recipes and I fell in love with it. Shortly after, I did my first three-day juice cleanse that I found on Joe’s website. His plan was easy to follow and provided the basic information as well as recipe with options for variety. I felt energized and ready to go.

Since then I have modified some of the recipes to fit my budget, every changing taste buds or availability of produce. My main staple is the Green Juice. For me, it is simple and has a lot of vitamins and minerals that my body needs. Below is my version of the Green Juice which combined several recipes and some tweaking of my own.

My Green Juice Recipe:

My Green Juice

3-4 Cucumbers

Spinach and Kale Mix Bag

6 Celery Stalks

3 Granny Smith Apples

1 Romaine Heart

Ginger Root

Turmeric Root

Lemon (optional)

I found that this gave me the nutrition I wanted and wasn’t overly sweet. I prefer more savory juices when making them at home. If I am looking for a kick, I will add a jalapeno pepper into the mix.

Storing and Taking It With Me

I saw several people using glass jars to store their juices in. I picked up Ball Jars from the store in several different sizes. My favorite size to transporting is a 12 oz Ball Jar. It is slender enough to fit into the drink holder in the car and short enough to fit into my lunch box.

I have gotten into a habit of making at least the green juice during the week. I have more energy and less sluggish when I incorporate this into my weekly meal plan.

Filed Under: A Little of This, Culinary Tagged With: Cleaner, Culinary, food, Green, Health, healthy, journey, Juice, Juicing, snack

Join Me on My Journey

2016 – A Year That Didn’t Go As Planned

The Joys and Lessons of Hiking

My Favorite Water Bottles