Happy Halloween

Lets talk Halloween Costumes

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing up in goofy, sexy costumes, and making a fool out of myself. This year I was not prepared for Halloween, that trip overseas really did a number on me, I didn't have time to put together a costume. I might slip into my high school cheerleading uniform, who knows what the night will bring. 

Check out these cool costumes

All of them seem creative and homemade. I like that better then buying an expensive get up that you can only wear one day out of the year. Halloween is another excuse to show your creativity and think all the way outside of the box. 

Lets talk Pumpkin Carving

Growing up my Father was very competitive. It was always a lot of fun at our house around the holidays. On Halloween he would pull out his professional pumpkin carving kit and challenge us to a pumpkin carving contest. I never won, but I got really good at carving pumpkins. This year I didn't carve one, but last year my best friend and I got down and dirty. 

I don't have the pictures anymore, which sucks. Enjoy these other beautifully carved pumpkins.

 

 Lets talk 

Healthy Halloween Treats 

  

Apple-Nut Butter Teeth
(inspired by Fork and Beans’ Apple Vampire Mouths)

Ingredients
2 apples (I used two Granny Smith)
handful of sliced or blanched almonds or raisins, cut in half or sunflower seeds
lemon juice (to help prevent turning brown), optional but for aesthetics
your favorite nut or seed butter, homemade or store-bought
Tools/equipment needed
1 small knife or boning knife

Directions
1. Cut each apple into 4 slices. Cut core from each wedge.
2. With a small knife, carve out a small wedge to make a top and bottom lip. Make sure not to cut too far because you want to make sure that the apple is still in tact.
3. Place lemon juice in a bowl and brush onto each apple wedge (optional).
3. With a small knife, spread a small amount if nut or seed butter on the bottom “lip”.
4.  Carefully and gently (to avoid ”teeth” breaking),  place the almonds/seeds/raisins into the top portion of the mouth until it sticks without holding it. The nut/seed butter also helps hold the ”teeth” into place. Use your knife to carve out a little tiny hole if needed. Enjoy!
Makes 8 apple teeth. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
For step by step cutting instructions, click here.

Ghost Cheese
(inspired by Octopus Hot Dogs at Cafe Mom)

Ingredients
String cheese
currants, small pieces of raisins or other dried fruit or black olives for eyes
Tools/equipment needed
boning knife
wooden skewer

Directions
1. Cut stick of string cheese in half so you have two “ghosts”. Using a sharp boning knife, slice each piece of cheese in half lengthwise, leaving 3/4 to 1 inch connected at one end for the “head”.
2. Cut the two legs in half again half length-wise, so you now have 4 “legs.” Continue (if desired) to cut in halves to make a total of eight legs.
3. To insert eyes (currants, raisins or olives), poke two holes in the “head” of the ghost and push the two eyes in to adhere. Enjoy!
For step by step instructions on cutting, please click here.

 

Apricot Fruit Bugs 

Ingredients
6 packages all-natural fruit leather (I used Stretch Island Fruit Snacks, grape flavor but any will do)
16 dried apricots
sesame seeds OR sunflower seeds OR currants OR melted coconut butter for eyes
Useful Tools/Equipment:
metal or wooden skewer

Directions
1. Carefully open the fruit strips so they do not tear. Using a sharp knife, cut each fruit leather into 8 thin vertical strips. With the three packages, you should have a total of 48 strips or “legs” for the bugs.
2. Gently squeeze the sides of an apricot together until 3/4-inch thick. Using a wooden skewer, make a hole through the center of the side of the apricot and thread one of the fruit leathers through the hole. Repeat twice more on either side of the first hole. Gently flatten out the apricot to its original shape.
3. The end of the fruit leather that is inserted into the apricot will become slightly sticky when pulling through the center, I dabbed two sesame seeds on the legs for an adhesive and made two eyes. This could also be done with maple syrup/honey/agave or melted coconut butter for a “glue”. You could also melt coconut butter and pipe straight onto the apricot to make eyes in lieu of the seeds or nuts. Enjoy!
Makes 16 fruit bugs (easy to cut in half or thirds for smaller batch if needed)
“Bugs” can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
 

I found all of these recipes on one site: 
http://naturalnoshing.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/halloween-snacks/ 

Thats all folks. 
Have a safe and spooky Halloween  

Blessings

Mary  

My Trip to London and the Enlgish Countryside

 

I AM BACK!!

DID YOU MISS ME?

I enjoyed London like a proper lady, the accents, the food, the sights, the sounds, the pubs, the people, the culture, the history, there was so much to take in.

The time change really threw me off which is why I haven’t been blogging for the last few days. I’ve missed all of you, and I hope you missed me too. While away I decided to change a few things about my blog. 

I will be posting in the afternoon instead of the mornings. I am starting a new business venture that gets me out of the house before 5am, I'll tell you all about it later. 

I am adding a workout journal to this site, you will be able to see what I’m doing on a daily bases. A few people have emailed me with questions about my exercise routine, and I’m always happy to share.

Lets talk London Fitness Classes

If you have been following my blog then you know how crazy I am about fitness. As soon as I discovered we were going to London I started looking for different gyms to visit. Sadly I was only able to check out Mayfair Virgin Heath Club. Gym box was 45 minutes outside of the city, and I just didn’t have the time to make it there.

As soon as I walked in I felt at home… sort of. As you enter the building you immediately climb 3 flights of stairs, which is guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Finally, when your legs start to warm-up, you are greeted by 2 beautiful receptionists, and a public transit looking gate.

Many patrons whisked by me, swiping their cards through a special card reader which, if valid, allows you access into the gym, by unlocking the childproof gate. It was hard not to notice how slim the gate entry way was, the average American would not be able to fit through, but UK residences didn’t seem to skip a beat.

“Um excuse me, I’m from San Francisco California, and I wanted to purchase a day pass to utilize your facility.” I blurted out in my best English accent.

“Please wait here Ma’am, and fill out this card.” The receptionist replied.

So far, so good, I said to myself, as I proceeded to fill in a series of check boxes inquiring about my height, weight, exercise level, and other standard gym questions.

Within 2 minutes a handsome young man, with red hair named Ben, greeted me with a firm handshake.  

“What brings you into our club today?”

I explained that I am a blogger, personal trainer, and motivational coach on vacation in the UK, and that my readers were dying to see a proper London health club.

Sorry ma’am we do not allow patrons to pop-in for a visit. You have to join the gym for a month to workout here.

As soon as I heard this, my heart dropped. I wasn’t too sad that I couldn’t get into the club; I was a lot more worried about disappointing my readers. The young man offered to take me around the facility so I could at least check it out. I happily accepted, at this point anything was better then nothing.

Ben then walked me around a massive club with a rotating rock wall, over 50 pieces of the latest high tech cardio equipment I’ve ever seen, a crazy neon-light illuminated spin studio, 3 different fitness studios, and the nicest pool area I’ve ever seen. After a quick look at the modernly designed locker rooms, Ben walked me back up to the front desk. I started to say my goodbyes and thanked him for taking his valuable time to show me around, when he asked me what I was planning on doing to the club. I told him I wanted to check out some classes, there was one that started in 10 minutes. Surprisingly Ben gave me the “go ahead” that filled my heart with so much joy I had to stop myself form jumping right into his arms.

I hurried down the stairs, locked my things in a locker and went straight to the Anti-Gravity yoga class that was starting in exactly 60 seconds. Even though I wasn’t early the instructor took the time to set up my harness and give me a quick warning to only try things I felt comfortable with. She also guaranteed I would be hanging upside down by the time the class was over…WHAT??? HUH??? UPSIDE DOWN??? What did I just get myself into? It took everything I had not to freak out and run out of the room.

The class was pretty awesome. The instructor checked everyone’s harness to make sure we were all safely strapped in properly. The first thing she taught us was how to safely jump into your sheet and wrap it around yourself like a cocoon.

I had no problem jumping, shifting and maneuvering, it’s a lot easier then it looks. Then she walked us through a full body stretch, cardio, lower body exercises, and we even learned how to use the sheets as a swing. The class was closed-out by wrapping yourself back in a cocoon for a 5 minute guided meditation.

After class an older woman came up to me and chatted me up, asking where I was from and what made me come to London, she then suggested I stay for the next class, which was beam Pilates. I figured I should get the full experience and decided to stay.

The Pilates class was like nothing I’ve ever seen. We stretched, pulled, pushed, and mediated on a small beam. It was uncomfortable and challenging, pulse the teacher was a riot.

I enjoy the experience and realized the US has a different outlook on exercise. We believe no pain no gain, while others like to connect with their bodies and perform slow and controlled movements. Since I’m used to holding positions until my body shakes with pain and joy I was positive that I wasn’t going to be sore the next day. Well, I was wrong, my abdominals, legs, arms, and butt were all pretty sore.

I also found out that Anti Gravity Yoga and Beam Pilates both started in California. SAY WHAT?? I plan on looking from some classes near me soon. 

The rest of my trip was filled with sightseeing, eating food, and hanging out in pubs.

Enjoy the pictures. 

My boyfriend planed this part of the trip. Our goal was to get off of the tourist path, and check out the real England, the English Countryside.

 Avebury (/ˈeɪvbri/) is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, in southwest England. Unique amongst megalithic monuments, Avebury contains the largest stone circle in Europe, and is one of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain. It is both a tourist attraction and a place of religious importance.

I loved Avebury because you can actually touch the stones, you can't do that at Stonehenge. It was also in a cute little English town. I felt like I was traveling back in time. 

Silbury Hill is the tallest prehistoric human-made mound in Europe and one of the largest in the world; it is similar in size to some of the smaller Egyptian pyramids of the Giza Necropolis.^[3] Its original purpose is still highly debated. 

Sillbury Hill was creepy and intriguing. About 10 cows blocked the gate leading to the hill, we had to wait for someone else to come help us shoo them away. The man made hill was impressive and small tombs were eerie.

 Here are a few selfies, I love when the sun makes me look like I'm a Angel. Happy Happy Girl. 

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. 

Stonehenge was a sight to see. I never thought I would get here. It felt surreal. The only downside was that to you couldn't touch the stones. 

 We stopped for lunch at an Classic English pub and enjoyed Fish and chips, bangers and mash, and steak pie. 

 Glastonbury at night.

 They take Halloween very seriously here. There is a Zombie walk on  Friday, this is the local bar decorated in hair-raising Halloween decor.

 Chalice Well

 I walked all the way up the tor (hill) with my zipper down!

 Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury has been described as a New Age community which attracts people with New Age and Neopagan beliefs, and is notable for myths and legends often related to Glastonbury Tor, concerning Joseph of Arimathea, the Holy Grail and King Arthur. In some Arthurian literature Glastonbury is identified with the legendary island of Avalon. Joseph is said to have arrived in Glastonbury and stuck his staff into the ground, when it flowered miraculously into the Glastonbury Thorn.

Glastonbury was my favorite stop on the trip. It felt like a real Medieval town. Most residence walked around in dress you only see at Renaissance festivals.

 We took the train back to London to avoid Friday Traffic. **You can drink on the trains in Europe.

Just hanging out in London

That's All  Folks
Blessings my friends,
Mary

References: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avebury

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silbury_Hill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge

London Pics & UK headlines

Lets talk Pics Pics Pics

 

 

I knew they had double decker buses in London, but I didn't realize they were so cool and modern.

Hanging out by the London Eye...

Look I got photo bombed! haha

Palace of Westminster

Telling time with Big Ben

The Mable Arch

My first time on a double decker tour bus, loving it

Today was a great day filled with site seeing, eatting, and creating wonderful memories that I will forever cherish. I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

I will type more tomorrow, I plan on checking out the gyms, as promised, I can't wait to share my review with all of you.

Lets talk UK headlines

I figure I would switch it up and give you some health news from across the pond. Enjoy

Eating fat is good for you: Doctors change their minds after 40 years

A DIET packed with fat is the healthy way to prevent heart disease, a leading British expert has claimed.

By: Jo Willey Wed, October 23, 2013

http://www.pressdisplay.com

Cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra says the obsession with a low-fat diet has “paradoxically increased” the risk of heart disease.

Other experts have added their voices to his controversial call to end 40 years of advice to cut saturated fat – which has been described as “the greatest medical error of our time”.

They claim the guidance has left millions of people at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and “led to the over-medication of millions of people with statins”.

The public could just as effectively protect themselves by eating “real” food such as butter, milk and cheese and adopting the Mediterranean diet.

Dr Malhotra, an interventional cardiology specialist registrar at Croydon University Hospital, London, slammed the routine prescriptions of statins and claimed a diet high in saturated fats could be three times more effective at lowering cholesterol.

Writing on bmj.com, he said a preoccupation with levels of total cholesterol “has diverted our attention” from the worse risks of a condition known as atherogenic dyslipidaemia, which is an unfavourable ratio of blood fats.

He said saturated fat has been demonised since the 1970s when a landmark study found a link between coronary heart disease and total cholesterol, which correlated with the percentage of calories provided by saturated fat.

He said: “But correlation is not causation. Nevertheless, we were advised to cut fat intake to 30 per cent of total energy and a fall in saturated fat to 10 per cent.”

But recent studies “have not supported any significant association between saturated fat intake and risk of cardiovascular disease” and saturated fat has actually been found to be protective.

A Journal of the American Medical Association study recently revealed that a “low fat” diet showed the greatest drop in energy expenditure and increased insulin resistance – which is a precursor to diabetes – compared with a low carbohydrate and low glycaemic index (GI) diet.

Dr Malhotra refers to the United States, where obesity has rocketed despite the percentage of calorie consumption from fat falling from 40 per cent to 30 per cent in the past 30 years. One reason is that the food industry “compensated by replacing saturated fat with added sugar”.

He says eight million Britons take statins yet there has been no major impact on heart disease trends.

Adopting a Mediterranean diet largely based on vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, olive oil and fish after a heart attack is almost three times as powerful in reducing mortality as taking a statin, he says.

“Doctors need to embrace prevention as well as treatment. The greatest improvements in morbidity and mortality have been due not to personal responsibility but rather to public health,” he said. “It is time to bust the myth of the role of saturated fat in heart disease and wind back the harms of dietary advice that has contributed to obesity.”

Commenting on Dr Malhotra’s article, Timothy Noakes, a professor at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, said: “Focusing on an elevated blood cholesterol concentration as the exclusive cause of coronary heart disease is unquestionably the worst medical error of our time.

“After reviewing all the scientific evidence I draw just one conclusion – never prescribe a statin drug for a loved one.”

Professor David Haslam, chair of the National Obesity Forum, said: “The assumption has been made that increased fat in the bloodstream is caused by increased saturated fat in the diet, whereas modern evidence is proving that refined carbohydrates and sugar in particular are actually the culprits.”

Professor Peter Weissberg, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Lowering cholesterol, by whatever means, lowers risk. Cholesterol levels can be influenced by diet, exercise and drugs, in particular statins.

“There is clear evidence that patients who have had a heart attack, or are at high risk of one, can benefit from taking a statin. This needs to be combined with a balanced diet, not smoking and taking regular exercise.”

Wow! This is a lot different from anything I've read in the NY Times. If only I was buying what they are selling.

Blessings Friends

Mary

 

 

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I Heart London

 

I'm in London. After a quick trip over the pond I earned another stamp in my passport. I'm pretty excited, can you tell?

 

 

I went to a charity event as soon as the plane landed. It was special to spend time with professional "footballers" (soccer players) and kids. I will always cherish this experince.

 

 

Tonight we to dinner at Lobster and Burgers. Check out the pics and try to guess if I enjoyed my meal or not

 

 

 

Everything is so different here from right hand drive, to the banking system, to pub/bar etiquette.

We were allowed to drink standing up outside. It felt so wrong yet so right. I smiled and said hi to pretty much everybody I passed on the street and 9 times out of 10 I received a hi and a smile right back. I love friendly people.

 

Tomorrow we are heading off to see the sights, Big Ben, the London Eye, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and much much more.

 

Stay tuned friends

Blessings

Mary

 

 

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