I'm Bringing Summer Back

Wow! It’s so good to be back! I told you guys how I was having a minor surgery on back, right? Well, lucky Elaine was also fortunate enough to get strep throat and a nasty stomach virus at the same time. Three fun things at once! Actually, the surgical procedure was no biggie and I probably could have gone to work later that day if I hadn’t been delirious with a fever.

You know how it goes. First the throat gets a little scratchy and you have that annoying cough. Then comes the subtle body aches and fever. Then comes the not so subtle body aches and miserable disposition. I was a mess! And, I tried to eat some of my favorite foods while I was sick and now I am no longer able to eat them. Goodbye to pizza rolls, Spaghetti-o’s and mint chocolate chip ice cream! What a shame. I actually tired to force myself to eat mint chocolate chip ice cream yesterday and couldn’t do it. I almost broke down in tears at work. Fortunately, I was able to suck down lots of diet soda, which not only soothed my restless stomach but also helped keep me hydrated.

I also discovered these amazing low-calorie popsicles that I absolutely adore. They come in all kinds of flavors such as Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Crush and Diet A&W Root Beer. People tend to either be a huge root beer fan or not and I happen to LOVE root beer! You guys should definitely check them out. It helped soothe my sore throat and also gave me that last little lcik of summer beofre fall breezes through.

Thanks for all the kind words and emails while I was away. Y’all are the best.

My Skin Scare

Sorry for lack of updates lately but I’ve been a little distracted with a minor health problem. A few weeks ago I went to the dermatologist for a routine health check and had her check a couple of spots on my back. I’ve got a small mole on my back that looks like a freckle and it’s been there my entire life. Certain that I was in perfect skin health, I asked her to check out just in case of the rare possibility it might be dangerous.

Well, she was a little concerned and took a biopsy of the spot. Last Friday I found out that spot is the most severe form of atypical skin before it becomes cancerous. Being the procrastinator that I am, I decided to try and set up an appointment to have the spot removed in November because I’m kind of a big deal and my schedule’s very packed with hot dates and traveling around the world. Actually, I hate needles and didn’t want to deal with it. My doctor pooh-poohed the November thing and now I’m getting this spot on my back removed on Wednesday.

It’s scary to think what might have happened if I’d waited a few months. I could have been one of the many people diagnosed with skin cancer. For some reason, people tend to ignore the notion of skin cancer as they lather their bodies with baby oil and fry in the sun. Skin cancer isn’t biased and can attack a person of any race, gender or age. If you haven’t had your body checked for abnormal spots, you need to do it NOW! Remember the ABCs of moles and melanoma:

A – Asymmetry
B – Border
C – Color
D – Diameter
E – Evolving

For me, the mole had evolved over time and the border was jagged, a clear sign of the possibility of melanoma. For more information, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

In the meantime, I’m catching up at work in preparation for my undesired break. I will be sure to stock up on lots of movies and a wide variety of diet sodas! Also, I’m loving this low-calorie treat from hungry-girl.com. It’s delicious!

HG's Cookie-rific Ice Cream Freeze

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Dreyer's Slow Churned Light, Vanilla
5oz. 8th Continent Light Vanilla Soy Milk
1/2 pack of 100 Calorie Packs Oreo Thin Crisps
2 Splenda packets
1 cup of ice
1 tsp. Coffee-Mate Fat Free French Vanilla Non-Dairy Creamer powder (dissolved in a small amount of warm water)

Directions:
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend on high for 45-60 seconds. Pour and enjoy. Mmmmmm!

Serving Size: 1 shake
Calories: 158
Fat: 4g
Sodium: 234mg
Carbs: 24g
Fiber: 0.5g
Sugar: 15g
Protein: 6.5g

Where Were You That Day?

I think it’s a day similar to when JFK was shot. September 11, 2001 is a day that no one will forget and everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.

I was a freshman at the University of Georgia, still finding my way around campus. I was on a bus headed to my Intro Spanish class when my phone began to churp. It was my roommate telling me that classes were cancelled for the day. I was about to raise my fist in the air and shout my jubilance when she told me that it appeared the U.S. had been attacked by terrorists. The next few minutes were a blur as I called friends and family to make sure everyone was okay. Now, most of my family lives in Texas so it was irrational to think someone I was related to had been hurt but, in that moment all rational was lost.

I was lucky in the sense that nobody close to me was killed that day but many, many people were not so lucky. I encourage you to check out the stories of two brave individuals below. These two men are prime examples of the brave people that gave their lives’ that day.

http://snackiepoo.typepad.com/blog/2006/09/2996_project_a_.html
http://kapgar.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/09/did_you_ever_kn.html

15 Best Foods of All Time

In the latest edition of Runner’s World, the magazine takes a look at the “Best Grocery List of All Time.” According to the mag, we all tend to buy the same food products time and time again at the grocery store. I tend to agree as I always stock my cart with diet soda, cottage cheese, Reeses Peanut Butter cups, apples and so on. I don’t even need to make a list anymore because I always buy the same stuff.

The following is a list of what Runner’s World considers to be 15 foods that they consider best for runners as well for general health.

Almonds – They contain vitamin E, which lowers your risk for heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Eggs – Such great source of protein and vitamin K, which will ensure your bones stay strong and healthy!

Sweet Potatoes – I’m not a huge fan but they have a lot of beta-carotene in them, which is a very powerful antioxidant

Whole Grain Cereal – This is a great way to get your daily fiber requirements and keep your stomach taut and happy

Oranges – Super delicious and packed with vitamin C. A recent study indicates vitamin C might help reduce muscle soreness after a particularly strenuous workout

Canned Black Beans –Provides 60 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for fiber and folate, which helps with your heart as well as circulation

Mixed Salad Greens – A variety of greens will provide you with tons of phytonutrients that help “fend off age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes.”

Salmon – This orange-colored fish may help fight the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.

Whole-Grain Bread- Basically the same benefits as whole-grain cereal

Frozen Stir-Fry Veggies – I can’t say enough about these as their simple to cook and pack tons of vitamins and nutrients

Whole-Grain Pasta- Do you notice a “whole grain” theme here? Whole-grain pasta is delicious and I definitely prefer the taste and nutritional benefits to regular pasta.

Chicken – Chicken is a great source of protein but it also contains vitamin B, which may help regulate fat.

Frozen Mixed Berries – Berries have tons of antioxidants that may help fight Alzheimer’s or cancer. Right now is a great time for these delicious treats so stock and up and freeze them for winter.

Dark Chocolate – Oh, how I wish I liked dark chocolate! It helps lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol and has antioxidants. Remember, the darker the chocolate the better.

Low-fat Yogurt – This tasty treat will give your body the protein and calcium it needs. The bacteria in it will also help fight against a bacterial infection in your digestive tract.