A Healthier, Happier Hour

While Happy Hours and Cocktail Parties are indeed a great time, they’re usually far from healthy, making me far from happy. Not that I’m expecting a platter of fruit, water and nonfat everything, but it would be nice to have a little variety. These days, “Girls Night Out” consists of salty chips, fattening cupcakes, sugar-overdosed fruity cocktails (that taste more like cough medicine then an alcoholic beverage) and sliders, or our excuse to eat burgers “guilt free.” All of the sudden an innocent hour turns into an entire day’s worth of calories and a bloated upset stomach the next day.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I eat crappy, salty, high fat eats, I wake up the next day feeling absolutely terrible. A grumbling stomach, jeans that don’t fit, a few new pimples and baggy eyes make me anything but a happy girl. Take a deep breath and relax. This is a healthier happier guide for all of you healthy chicks out there who still like to have fun and party now and again. Hey, who doesn’t?

Host Girls' Night Out at Your Own Home: If the shindig takes place in your own home, you get to control what you serve. Choose a few healthy options that your guests can enjoy, and that you’ll eat as well. Why serve something that you wouldn’t even put in your mouth?

The other day, I had a skincare party at my house, and served up a plate of fresh veggies (red pepper, cucumber, carrots) and hummus, and another plate of reduced fat white cheddar, sharp yellow cheddar, and fresh red seedless grapes I had bought on sale! I then threw a few saltine-like crackers along the tray with cheese, and although I couldn’t eat them (boo gluten intolerance), I knew my guests would enjoy. I had a bottle of red wine in hand as well ‘cause not only is it good for your heart, but it’s such a nice accompaniment to any Girl’s Night. I was going to bring out some dark chocolate chunks later in the evening, but we never got around to it (too much chatting). Make sure to see below for more ideas to serve at your next party (or your friend’s)!

Once you plan out what you want to serve, tell your friends to bring a few apps or drinks as well. Then, if one of them ends up bringing a ginormous double chocolate, triple fat, extra sugar cake, you have a few healthier options to fall back on.

Dish Out Refreshing Cocktails: Now that it’s summer, no one wants to drink heavy and/or cream based drinks. That’s why Corona Light becomes so popular in the summer months; heavy drinks simply don’t do it for us. Make sure you offer some delicious, light drinks if you’re the one hosting the party yourself. And if it’s not at your home, bring supplies to make your drink of choice as a “housewarming gift.” A few of my favorites are a light white or blush wine like Zinfandel or Pinot mixed with plain, unflavored seltzer water. Rim the cup with a slice of strawberry for an extra kick! And just ‘cause it’s healthy (er) doesn’t mean it isn’t taste. Your friends will be begging you to be their bartender for the night in a matter of minutes once they get a taste for themselves.

Know When to Stop: If you’re feeling a buzz, then take advantage of it for a while, rather than going overboard and feeling crappy the next morning. Instead, take it slow and actually enjoy your yummy sips. After all, drinking is supposed to be a social activity anyway, right? Chat with your friends, sip slowly, and have fun. If you're feeling a little tipsy, put more ice in your drinks to water them down afterward or drink a glass of water after each drink so your still getting some hydration. If you’ve had one too many, chug a bottle of water before bed. Trust me; it may not seem that important but it works wonders for your morning hangover!

Learn to control yourself with the apps too! I know when I get a few drinks in me, all I want to do is munch on everything in site. But, think (or at least try to think) about the choices you make ahead of time. Do you really want that brownie? Are you really in the mood for another slice of pizza? If so, then go for it! Eat half or eat it slowly so you can actually enjoy it. If you’re eating because you’re bored, simply pop a piece of gum or go for the fruit instead!

Some Yummy, “Healthy Chick"-Approved Bites

• Fresh hummus served with chopped up veggies like red pepper, yellow pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery and carrot sticks. Bring a bag of Stacy’s Pita Chips or make your own Pita Chip’s with my Brown Rice Pita Chip recipe for extra yummy dippers!
• Plain popcorn, sprinkled with cinnamon for a sweet kick or black pepper, Parmesan cheese and a pinch of salt for a more savory option!
• Stack toothpicks with grapes, melon and mozzarella or sharp cheddar cheese chunks for some mini fruit kabobs, which pair perfectly with a glass of wine!
• Buy fresh or frozen shrimp. Dethaw and serve with a low sugar, natural cocktail sauce. If you feel up to it, make your own cocktail sauce like this recipe from Eating Well!
• Mini sammies on whole-wheat pitas pockets or English muffins. Stack with turkey, cucumber, and a squirt of Dijon mustard or light mayo.
• Make mini Caprese bites by stacking a slice of fresh Buffalo mozzarella cheese with a thin tomato slice, and a tad of store-bought pesto!
• Fill mini paper cups (you know the ones we drank out of when we were little) with a scoop of cottage cheese, topped with slices of fresh pineapple or peaches. Sprinkle with cinnamon, and serve with a miniature spoon.
• Food Should Taste Good chips-These all natural, low sodium chips are gluten, preservative and Trans fat free, and come in a variety of flavors from Jalapeno to Sweet Potato and Blue Corn. Serve in a bowl by themselves or in a tray with hummus, salsa or other light dips of your choice!
• Take advantage of the summer season, and serve a tray of sliced, fresh watermelon! Perfect thirst quencher and great for belly bloat too!
• Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate
• Grapes and apple slices served with a reduced fat cheese of choice!
• Slice a few pears up into thin slices. Then serve with a sweet/tart “dip” of Gorgonzola cheese, chopped walnuts, agave syrup or honey any cinnamon. Test as you go, as the recipe will change depending on how many you’re serving.
• Combine a container of Cool Whip Light with a packet of fat free vanilla pudding mix. Serve with various fresh fruits like strawberries, cantaloupe and melon!

Help: Summer Sweet Tooth Attack!

When the weather gets warmer, our craving for cold treats skyrockets as well, or at least mine does. A nice cold margarita , ice cream sundae or Fudgesicle suddenly looks a whole lot better than it did minus a few degrees. So with all this 70-degree Boston weather lately, my sweet tooth is off the wall.

But just 'cause temptations set in doesn't mean you need to finish an entire gallon of Ben and Jerry's ice cream or pound 5 martinis. That can't be healthy (or smart) for anyone. Um, hello, swim suit season is coming up! Don't worry, girl; I've got you covered with some better choices to tame those uncontrollable cravings so you don't have to miss out on all the fun after all (and you'll still look killer in a bikini)!

Fro Yo: Rather than diving into a giant ice cream sundae, why not opt for some Fro Yo instead? And no, I'm not talking about the supermarket crap you'll find loaded with fat and sugar! Opt for some fresh, non fat frozen yogurt at a local ice cream/gelato shop. You'll find many eateries these days carry the healthy varieties, from sugar free to fat free, still with all the yummy flavor. Last weekend, I paid a visit to Bubble Tea & Berry, which had several flavors of nonfat frozen yogurt to choose from, plus tons of fresh, wholesome options to add on top! Best part about it: it was self serve so I didn't need to get the over sized cone). I filled my cup with a teeny bit of chocolate/vanilla frozen yogurt, topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries. Other fun toppings included nuts, chocolate chips, fresh coconut and kiwi! The small portion satisfied my sweet tooth in no time, and I walked it off on the way home too!

Greek Yogurt: Speaking of yogurt, Greek yogurt is another option for a good-for-you dessert. Who ever thought you'd ever hear that in the same sentence? Dessert. . . good for you? Yup. Greek yogurt is loaded with nutrients, protein, and calcium, and is naturally low in sugar. Not to mention it supports a healthy digestive system! I like CHOBANI Plain 0% Greek Yogurt with only 100 calories per container, 0 grams of fat, 7 grams of sugar, and a whopping 18 grams of protein! Since it's not really sweet, I like to add fresh berries or banana, walnuts, flax seed oil and a little cinnamon to spruce it up! So delicious!

Order Drinks on the Rocks: OK, I know we're girls, but enough already with those girly fruity-pettutie drinks. If you really want something that sweet, you may as well buy some Juicy Juice! When you're out with friends, try to stick with drinks "On the Rocks." Vodka on the Rocks (or Vodka Soda) with a splash of cranberry of pineapple is always a delicious option, with a sweet burst to complement the bitterness. And if you're out for Mexican night, get your Margarita on the Rocks with natural agave syrup to save loads of calories compared to the frozen blended variety (which uses a high sugar, high cal mix).

Freeze Fresh Fruit: It's never fun when you buy a ton of fresh berries, only to have them go bad in just a few short days. Instead, why not freeze them to make them last longer and taste just as delicious (or even more)! I like freezing strawberries, blueberries, mango, and even grapes. It's perfect for a quick fresh snack on the go, or to cool you down on a hot day. Trader Joe's and other supermarkets also sell fruit already frozen so you don't even have to do the work. Trader Joe's Very Cherry Blend is low and calorie and absolutely to-die-for, made up of Bing cherries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. You can eat those babies right out the bag they're so good!

Nine Healthy Habits from the Kiwis: Living Healthy in New Zealand

So, I just got back from a two week trip in New Zealand and was taken aback at how different the country is from the U.S. There I saw the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen, got a taste of the New Zealand culture, and was able to experience the "adventure capital of the world" with everything from skydiving, bungee jumping and other extreme sports. But the most notable difference between our two countries is how incredibly healthy the people live over there.

Usually vacation consists of beers, burgers and chips, but no, not in New Zealand. I've never experienced such a healthy, wholesome vacation in my entire life, with a plethora of fresh food and endless outdoor activities. Throughout the two weeks, I did a little research and took note of some of the healthy habits the "Kiwis" practice. What stunned me most was that they don't even charge extra for eating healthy as they do in the States. You want a salad instead of fries, a special type of bread? No problem, free of cost. If only we could live a little more like that in the U.S.

Alas now, I'll share with you some of the things I've learned so that we too can live a little healthier, eat a little fresher, and be more at ease with our bodies. Check it out; it's pretty awesome. Or how the Kiwis would say: Sweet as.

1. Go Organic All Over: In New Zealand, the word "organic" was plastered over every menu. Literally, almost everything prepared was made with organic vegetables, fruits, grains, milk and even cheese. It's no wonder everyone looks so healthy over there! I ordered a wonderful salad the first day I was there, made with fresh greens, assorted veggies, nuts and organic cheese. Even their coffee and teas were made 100% organic, and I consequently felt healthier consuming in everything I ate. When you know where your food comes from and what it's made of, it makes all the difference for your body and overall wellness. Our bodies process organic natural food much better than other processed varieties.

2. Cut the Artificial Crap: Coffee shops and bakeries aren't filled with "sugar free" cookies or packets of Splenda like here in the U.S. In New Zealand, they keep it clean, providing natural sugars and honeys for sweeteners. More so, most of their food is made GMO-free. That is, it has not been genetically modified with additives like corn or soy beans to alter the taste. Rather, much of the food in their country was prepared natural. Even their gelato (which was oh so delicious by the way) was labeled GMO-free. My mom and I were shocked that we could pay such little price for such well made, natural food, which would be costly in the U.S. It's amazing that they take the health of their people so seriously in New Zealand, and I hope we can learn from them.

3. Go Green: In addition to offering a multitude of green foods, New Zealand also prides themselves in the fact that they are a green country. Everything was so clean there, with no litter on the street corners or toxic sewer smells. Even their coffee cups were made with recycled cardboard, and you must pay extra for a take away cup at coffee shops, even at Starbucks! While at first I was taken aback by this unexpected charge, I was delighted that they promote an environmentally friendly environment. This also allows people to sit back and enjoy a social cup of coffee with a friend, without always being on the go as we often get wrapped up in far too much. Next time you go to a cafe, try sitting down and eating your meal, drinking your tea or java out of a real mug. You'll save a cup while also catching up with a friend with some solid conversation.

4. Downsize Your Java: Speaking of coffee, their coffee servings are much different than what we're used to over here. Rather than being served in a ginormous cup overflowing with whipped cream and syrups, their coffees come in a small mug, the perfect pick-me-up portion. I drank a Cappuccino nearly everyday their, with just a tad of steamed "trim" milk (skim milk) and cinnamon on top. It left me feeling energized and refreshed, rather than full and drowsy, being the ultimate start to my day!

5. Keep it Clean: The food in New Zealand was prepared so fresh and clean, that I'm already having withdrawals missing it. Rather than giving the patron millions of fattening dressings and sauces to choose from, their salads and pastas were delivered with just a tad of oil and vinegar, fresh herbs and/or light sauces. One night, I had a light lunch composed of roasted vegetables, served with a tiny portion of Bearnaise sauce on the side for dipping. Turned out, I barely even needed any of the sauce, they were so darn good! Even their meat was cooked simple with organic sea salt with flavor, sans all the high-calorie barbecue sauces and gravies Americans drench on their meats. And surprisingly, it tasted just as good, even better than the high-fat varieties because you could actually savor the natural flavors of the food. One night, we ate Stone Grill style (where the meat is cooked on a 400 degree hot stone in front of you), and all of the meats (chicken, lamb, venison, and beef) were prepared only with salt, nothing else. I must say, I've never tasted something so delicious and succulent! Even their pizza was "clean," made with thin crust and covered in fresh feta cheese, pine nuts, and roasted veggies instead of loads of fatty cheeses, meats and sauce.

6. Choose Lean: Speaking of meats, New Zealand is known for having lean meats, especially since lamb is their #1 variety. They also had a number of lean options, from Venison to grilled chicken, making for a perfect salad topping or main meal. Even their Kebabs were prepared with lean meats and fresh toppings, that I actually felt healthy, rather than guilty, when eating one.

7. Embrace the Mountains: Enough about food. Another reason the Kiwis are so healthy is their exposure to so many outdoor activities. From hiking up a volcano to nature walks and glacier hikes, there is never a dull moment in New Zealand. Everyone stays active, even if that means simply walking to work or the local supermarket. Go ahead, plan out a hiking trip with your friends or head out to a biking trail! It's time to embrace the warm weather and get outside, girl!

8. Take time for You: With all the crazy hustle bustle, we often forget to take time for ourselves. Not in New Zealand. There were a number of spas, salons and other such arenas to help alleviate stress and improve your energy levels. After a day at the Polynesian Day Spa in Rotorua, I felt better then ever-refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for anything. I suggest you take the time once in a while to be pampered as well, whether that's treating yourself to a mani/pedi, massage or simply allowing for some quiet "me" time.

9. Be Sensitive to Your Allergies: It amazed me how food-allergy-friendly New Zealand was. Being sensitive to wheat, I am always nervous about traveling, never knowing what kind of food they'll have available. I didn't need to worry at all in New Zealand. In fact, it was as easy as ordering a burger to get a meal made gluten free in their country. From gluten free bread, to gluten free pasta, they had it all! Better yet, I didn't even have to ask the waiter what was in the food as each item was conveniently labeled with a "G" for Gluten free at nearly every restaurant I went to. What impressed me most was that their was no extra charge for the gluten free varieties, which is great because why would one have to pay extra due to a food allergy anyway? I'm hoping the U.S. starts to take tips from New Zealand, as dining out has never been so easy for me. I was able to follow my dietary needs without worrying or spending tons of extra dough to do so!

Highlight: New Zealand Style Fresh Spring Salad
*Serves 2
*1/2 cup Arugula
*1/2 cup Baby Spinach
*2 small clementines, broken into segments
*1/2 large pear, chopped
*3 TB feta or gorgonzola cheese
*handful of pine nuts
*1/4 cup Vidalia onion, chopped and sauteed in Olive Oil
*2 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Plus a little extra for onions)
*2 TB lemon juice, fresh
*Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients, and top with warm sauteed onions. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice; salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Bikini Season is a Comin'! Don't Worry, No Crazy Diets This Year. . .

Bikini season is here and that means lookin' and feelin' sexy in teeny bikini's, little bitty shorts and cutesy dresses! This year, I will not even consider the dreaded four letter word D-I-E-T. There will be none of that nasty Cayenne pepper juice that the celebrities use, and no cabbage soup (ew). Dieting is for those going on spring break who want to drop 15 pounds for the big vacay, and then gain back 30 with all the beer and crappy food. No, that's not very "Healthy Chick"-like.

Instead, we healthy chicks want to focus on sculpting sexy muscles, toning our bods and burning fat. Looking beautiful and shiny and glowing on the outside and feeling even more beautiful and shiny and glowing on the inside.

That's why this year, I researched foods to help build muscle and burn fat. I came across this lovely article called "20 Super Foods You Need to Build Muscle and Lose Fat" at StrongLifts.com, and thought it was only fair to share it with you.

After reading this, you'll definitely want to stock your fridge with these magical fat burners! Here goes:

1. Whole Eggs: Yup, turns out you don't have to eat those "Egg Beaters" or all Egg Whites after all. The yolk has tons of nutrients and protein. Just don't go eating 5 eggs a day, and you'll be good to go!

2. Fish Oil: Phenomenal for your skin, hair nails and bod! It also reduces inflammation (bye bye bloat and puffy eyes!) I take supplements, but you can also get your fish oil from fatty fish as well.

3. Wild Salmon: Tons of good for you Omega 3's and oh so yummy!

4. Berries: Blueberries, Blackberries, Cranberries, Strawberries. You name it-berries. Berries are packed with antioxidants and have a naturally sweet taste! Buy fresh or frozen and add to oatmeal, yogurt or just snack on 'em plain.

5. Yogurt: Go Greek, and get the plain low fat kind. No, Go-gurt and Fruit-at-the-bottom sugary kinds doesn't count ladies! But that doesn't mean you can't sweeten your plain kind with agave syrup or berries!

6. Flax Seeds: Protein, Omega 3s, and all! Grind them to get the most of 'em or use flax seed oil!

7. E.V.O.O: Yup, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add this to salads, saute your veggies in it, and be creative with it!

8. Mixed Nuts: Go nutty with almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc! Just aim for the natural nuts without added salt and sugar. That will just backfire the whole concept of the nuts.

9. Red Meat: I know many are afraid of it, but a top road or sirloin burger or steak won't hurt you once in a while. Just keep your portions in check, and don't eat it every day. Red meat actually is loaded with protein, vitamin B12, iron and zinc.

10. Broccoli: I like to coat mine with garlic, olive oil, lemon and a dash of Parmesan cheese.

11. Spinach: Learn from Popeye and go for this miracle veggie! It prevents muscle and bone loss, also containing tons of nutrients to prevent cancer and other diseases.

12. Turkey: Go lean! Make sandwiches with lean cold cuts or chop up ground turkey in your pasta or veggie dishes.

13. Quinoa: It's not only gluten free, but also packed with fiber and protein. You can add quinoa to soup, make a veggie stir-fry with it, or simply eat it plain. Eat it as you would rice (just with wayyyy shorter cooking time!)

14. Oats: This wonderful breakfast reduces cholesterol, and fills you up with good carbs and tons of energy. Sprinkle your morning oatmeal with flax seeds and cinnamon and enjoy!

15. Tomatoes: Top on homemade pizza, wraps, salads, or omelets!

16. Oranges: Yup, we all remember them from soccer practice. Now, it turns out they actually are great for your bod, contain loads of vitamin C, and phenomenal antioxidants. Eat oranges plain, just as you did back in your soccer days.

17. Apples: They may not keep the doctor away, but they help weight loss by filling you up. I love dipping my apples in almond butter or sprinkling them with cinnamon!

18. Carrots: Rich in fiber AND low in calorie. Dip these wonder veggies in hummus or eat raw.

19. Water: Your body needs water to digest and process all this good-for-you food. Drink 2 cups of water with each meal, and throughout the day.

20. Green Tea: After your morning coffee, switch to Green Tea. It speeds up fat loss and protects the body against cancer and other scary diseases!

Little Life Goals

I think often in life we get far too wrapped up in all the drama (i.e. the 5 pound winter weight gain, the guy who just wants to be "friends", the coworker you butt heads with, the "eh" job) that we forget what the whole purpose of life is; that is to be happy and enjoy it to the fullest.

I know for me, when things aren't going too well, I beat myself up and it's hard for me to see the positive light at the end of the tunnel. Instead I turn into this negative monster, where I think everything's bad when in reality it's not. In fact, it's not at all. My life is splendid really.

Take last week for example. I got so down on myself all because things weren't working out in my love life, and the job I hold isn't my "dream job", so instead of working at it, I instead got fed up and turned into Miss Negative Nancy.

But, that's not who I am. I am no negative Nancy. I never have been. So why lately have I been so damn hard on myself? I've realized these past couple of months, I started letting what other people think of me affect me so much, that I was losing sight of me, the me I love. Is he going to call? What am I doing wrong? Why doesn't he like me? Why am I still working this job? I went to college for God sakes. Ugh, I gained 3 pounds. How could I let this happen? I was doing so well. I am sure many of you have thought similar thoughts, nasty, ugly cruel thoughts about yourself.

Well, throw them out! That's what I did.

Suddenly, I took a big, solid look at my life, and realized I was acting like a crazy person, a person I myself didn't even like. That's when I realized what happened. I lost sight of the little goals I used to have for myself, the little tiny inspirations that drove me to keep working at it, and keep doing my thing. This may sound funny, but in college I liked having assignments and essays and midterms (to a certain degree of course) because it made me work at something, and I in turn felt productive. After all, I was going to college to get my degree in journalism to in time become a magazine writer. This was what drove me, the little goals I worked toward.

Lately, I had been losing sight of all these dreams, so I decided to make a change, and start having little itty bitty "life goals" to work toward. No, they don't have to be anything dramatic, but rather simple little things that you can incorporate into your every day life. Pissed at yourself for gaining weight? Well, don't throw yourself a pity party. Maybe start running or walking a little bit every day to make you feel good about yourself inside and out. Angry about your love life or lack there of? Start focusing on you and your confidence and passions, and in time everything else will come.

Take my list for example. It's nothing drastic. It includes little things like going for an a.m. run before work each day (for clarity not weight loss), drinking more water for energy and cleansing, cutting out coffee in the afternoon and switching to tea for tranquility, doing yoga once a week for my mind, taking more day trips in Boston (to used Bookstores, museums, etc) for diversity and culture and continuing the hunt for my dream job...and never quitting.

This may seem silly, but this list helps me focus on me, not the cute guy, the not-so-good part time job or any other outside distractions. And since the list, voila, I've become a much more happier, cleansed person. It's like I had this epiphany overnight. I suggest if any of you are in the same boat, you go ahead and make your self a LBL (Little, Big List) that is a little list that goes a long way, and watch as your happiness levels rise. Go ahead, jump for joy! You are amazing, sexy, powerful, and beautiful. Yes, you really are.

Bethenny Frankel On Indulgences

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to see Real Housewive's of New York star Bethenny Frankel speak about her new book, "The Skinny Girl Dish" at Barnes and Noble in Boston.

While many fans were there ranting and raving about meeting a "celebrity," I went to hear her speak about healthy living. You see, I have been a big fan of Bethenny for more than a year, because her first novel, "Naturally Thin" helped me get over my fear of food, enabling me to look at it as exciting, energizing, fueling and decadent. That's what Bethenny's motto is all about: shutting out your negative "food noise" and embracing it, because after all that's what a naturally thin person does.

Anyway, at her book signing, Bethenny opened up the floor for questions, and I asked her what her biggest guilty pleasure was, expecting her to say something like chocolate cake or greasy pizza. But rather, I was impressed by her response.

"Well, I don't really have a guilty pleasure, because I feel you can eat whatever you want in moderation. A little of this, a little of that. Although my current obsession is red velvet cake, or even just red velvet frosting. I think you could give me a red velvet shoelace and I'd eat it."

That's amazing to hear a woman say she doesn't have a guilty pleasure, that food doesn't leave her with extreme guilt. After all, it is just food, just an insignificant object really, and yet it leaves so many women obsessing over it, analyzing the caloric content of it, and hating themselves because of it.

I think all of us, including myself, need to try and detach ourselves from all the negative emotions food may bring on, and start looking at it as we did when we were little kids. You know, when the homemade chicken soup your grandma brought to you could cure any cold, and mom's pork chops and mashed potatoes warmed your soul. When a hot dog was just a hot dog, not a fatty piece of lard, and chocolate cake was just chocolate cake or something to enjoy at a birthday party, rather than something that will destroy your waistline.

Sure, it's not the best idea to have Poptarts for breakfast, mac 'n' cheese for lunch, and pizza for dinner, but a slice of pizza or a bite of that gooey brownie that just came out of the oven isn't gonna kill ya. Trust me.

Lent: No, Ya Don't Have to Give Up Chocolate or Beer

Every year when Lent comes along, hundreds of people give something up, something they feel life would be a little trickier without. I remember when I was 10 I gave up lollipops, when I didn't even really like them to try and beat the system. It was my most easy, breazy Lent by far. In high school I gave up bread, which was a little trickier seeing as though I used to be a bread-and-butter fanatic. Then in college I gave up peanut butter for 40 days, my one "guilty pleasure"/addiction which was absolutely miserable. In the end of it all, I had gained about 5 pounds from my lack of a healthy fat in my diet, and had a psychotic peanut butter binge session early Easter morning. I don't really see how that's benefiting me, my faith or anyone for that matter. In the movie "40 Days and 40 Nights," Josh Hartnett gives up sex, which is also stupid because sex is actually healthy for you and that's not doing anybody any good either.

So, I've concluded that this year I will instead do something to better myself, and others around me who I love. I have decided that for 40 days, I am going to write a "Thank You" note/Love letter sort of deal to a different person each day who has effected my life in some way. Whether they've been there for me always, or have just changed my life in a little, simple way, each note will be different and unique to that particular person. Now, I'm gonna try to stick to the whole "go green" thing and email my letters of affection to save some paper, but for those who don't have email I will stick to the traditional snail mail.

I just feel that sometimes in life we all get so caught up in it all, frantically stressing over work, relationships, money, etc. Sometimes it's nice to just reflect on it all, and cherish the little things that mean a whole lot more than all the other crap.

Good luck to all of the rest of you enduring on this Lent journey. I hope you can find something to do that is meaningful to you as well. I wish you all a healthy, happy Thursday! *Rachel*