We're in Mexico!!

Many of you already know that we're in Mexico. I just haven't wanted to shout it out on the blog yet. But now my brother and his family are going to stay in our house while we're away. Thank you so much Heath and Chelsea! So I felt like I could finally post that we're here and our home is not vacant. Not that there's really anything there anyone would want anyway but just to be safe.

Okay so after paying $100 for "extra luggage", (Did you know the airlines are now charging for a 2nd bag no matter how much it weighs?) losing a well loved blanket that we found after we got here (would have been nice on the plane) and having a very impatient flight attendant on our second flight (Couldn't she see that I was ONE mom with FOUR little kids and we were all sitting on different rows and I couldn't get all their seatbelts on at one time?) we did eventually make it to Torreon, Mexico. And other than the million of police outside of our apartments yesterday everything is pretty good. We live right across the street from a hospital and I guess a policeman was shot yesterday so what seemed like the whole police unit was securing the hospital while the officer was inside so the guys that shot him couldn't come back and finish the job. They were all decked out in their bullet proof vests, masks, and guns (the boys really liked that part). We tried to avoid going outside just in case but we did have to go to and from our car so I casually let the kids know that if we were ever outside and they heard the guns shoot that they should drop to the ground. The police were there all night and this morning too but they've left this afternoon so I don't know if the officer died or was released but the twenty five police trucks and cars are gone. So welcome to Mexico!!



On a lighter note here's why I do like Mexico.

Huge, yummy green onions, these babies are so sweet you can grill them and eat them plain. Yum!

Cute little mangos, these are the sweetest, juiciest mangos you have ever tasted and they're perfect for the kids.

I know they're not big things but living here you learn to appreciate the small things. We could all use more of that!

"Baby Brains"

When I'm pregnant I swear that there is an extra hormone in my body that makes me have what I like to call "baby brains". I forget EVERYTHING. Things don't bother me very much. This hormone makes me very laid back and relaxed even if something bad happens. Now that Isabel is the age the boys were when I was pregnant with her I finally understand why she came so miraculously. Because there is no way I could have dealt with this x 2 without the "baby brains". She opens the drawers tries on all the clothes and them throws them on the floor. She's all over and makes messes everywhere she goes. She definately keeps life full. I always felt bad that I had "baby brains" when the boys were this age because I don't remember a whole lot but I realized it's probably a good thing that I don't remember much about the boys at this stage. I probably would be crazy by now, okay well more than I already am. At least I have pictures to bring back the memories. Thank goodness for pictures I guess.

Is Soda bad for your bones?

I've heard that carbonated drinks may harm your bones by taking calcium out and leaving them weak and brittle. So I looked around a little to see if it was true or not. And here's what I came up with.

3 reasons to think before you drink:

1. There’s research that links drinking certain types of soda with weaker bones—but carbonation doesn’t seem to be the problem.

2. Nutrition experts once believed caffeine could be the culprit. In a 2001 study out of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, people lost measurable amounts of calcium after drinking caffeinated sodas. Drinking decaffeinated sodas didn’t appear to have the same effect. As it turned out, though, people tended to make up for the losses by excreting less calcium later in the day.

3. But another study, reported in 2006 by researchers at Tufts University in Boston, suggests that colas, specifically, might be problematic. Among the 1,413 women whose dietary records and bone-density scans they reviewed, those who drank a diet or regular cola at least three times a week over five years had significantly lower bone densities than those who sipped cola once a month or less. No such effect occurred with other carbonated drinks, even after researchers factored in intake of calcium from foods. The likely cause? Phosphoric acid, which is unique to colas. When the body breaks down phosphoric acid, the acidity of the blood increases. To neutralize acidity, hydrogen ions bind with minerals, including calcium and magnesium. If they’re not available in the blood the body will take calcium from your bones.

My conclusion: Soda's not really for me. It looks like the carbonation is probably okay buy why chance it. Other than the occasional rootbeer float I think I'll stick to water.

Sisters

DJ: You and Janalynny are sisters.
AJ: And now you're good friends.

We were talking about families, not friends. I thought it was so cute how AJ had picked up on how much I love my sisters and I'm so glad that we have not only a sister relationship but a friend one too.

Just One More . . . At Least For Now

Fitness Friday - Rosemary

Whether you steep it, saute it, or soak it, oh-so-savory rosemary can elevate both your culinary skills and your health. Why? Because the fragrant needle-leaved herb is showing early promise as a cancer killer. More studies are needed to confirm the effects, but in cell studies, rosemary extract has given both breast cancer and leukemia cells a real fight. That's good news about an herb we already know is chock-full of antioxidants, those free-radical killers that help protect you from cell-level damage.

Ways to Get More Rosemary into Your Life

1. Stick a fresh sprig in your lemonade.

2. Add chopped rosemary to your fresh salads.

3. Use fresh or dried rosemary in marinades for meats or vegetables (olive oil, fresh or dried rosemary, and soy sauce make a nice, simple one).

Thanks Janalyn, for the rosemary plants. We can't wait to get back home to use them.

She had just turned 3!

Still reminiscing . . .

Just Reminiscing. . .

Fitness Friday - How long do you want to live?

Is it really possible for anyone to live happily to 100? Quality of life is just as important as quantity. Here are five things you can do to increase your life span potential and quality of life.


Top 5 Daily Habits for Your Longevity


1. Eat five small meals a day or at least go easy on your three meals and make sure you include good snacks. When you eat smaller portions five times a day, you deliver a steady stream of nutrients, blood sugar, and energy to your body throughout the day. Additionally, eating this way is less taxing on the digestive and metabolic systems and also reduces your risk of heart disease.

2. Climb the stairs instead of using elevators. Regular exercise can help promote physiological well-being, strengthen the immune system, maintain joint mobility, increase energy - and the list goes on. Look for opportunities all through your day to work in physical activity. Power-walk, run, or ride your bike instead of driving. There are so many things you can do it you just look for the opportunities.

3. Laugh it up! We know from research that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help protect the body from illness and cancer. Laughter also increases the release of endorphins, compounds that give you a sense of well-being, in your brain. Without a doubt, joyful people live longer and healthier lives.

4. Drink 8 glasses of water every day. Water is essential for all healthy body functions. Centenarians (people who have lived to a 100 or more) from around the globe cite their native water as the source of their health and longevity - and the scientists agree with them. What they all have in common is pure water sources located far from any city, free from chemicals and toxins. So choose good purified water and enjoy.

5. Unwind with meditation or relaxation. Stress is the root cause of most of the diseases that shorten our life span. And the bad thing about stress is that it only gets worse unless you find some way to manage it. Meditation is the best way to release tension and revitalize your being. It teaches you to breath properly, which is critical for eliminating up to 70% of your body's toxins and wastes. It also quiets your mind, lowers your stress hormones, and teaches self-discipline. So find a good Yoga class or sit back and let your mind go.

And just for fun you can calculate your life expectancy here. It's kind of fun to watch the numbers go up and down.

Bye to our Simba

I was so happy the day we got you. You were so cuddly and cute. I'm glad I got to have you for those fun years. I'll miss you.

As a side note. . . Simba got a big tumor and was getting very grouchy with the kids and everyone else. He didn't feel well and the vet said he was probably being that way because of the extra hormones being produced by the tumor. He's probably been sick for a few years but we couldn't see the tumor until just this year. Because he's been growling at the kids for awhile I'm pretty sure they won't miss him too much. When we saw some puppies a few weeks ago DJ walked away wanting another dog. He wanted to know if we could eat Simba so we could get another dog.

Hopefully, Simba is happier now. Love you Simba!

Simba Cesar

February 2001 - June 2008