Eating healthier

As the mother of a rescue dog, I started thinking about eating animal products. I've been a vegetarian for four years and find myself moving more and more towards a total vegan diet. There are many reasons to eat a plant-based diet and to be honest, mine is mainly health. But I also like the fact that I am not eating any animal - none. If I would rescue a dog, why would I eat a dead chicken, pig or cow? This is a personal decision and I'm not trying to "push" a type of diet on anyone, but if you have thought about eating healthier for any reason and moving towards a more plant-based diet, even just every once in a while, check out this fun website with my product review.

http://veganssavetheworld.com/2015/02/product-review-healthy-surprise/

Down and out....

I made a promise to myself that I would blog more in the New Year. There are so many positive things happening in our world and too often, all we hear are the bad things. But like many good intentions, I kept putting it off and putting it off. I didn't even have a good excuse because I was off my feet - quite literally - with foot surgery. It was a bit of a drag being on crutches through the holidays, but I knew my foot would be stronger in the end and there were so many more things much more serious than that. I would get better!

For someone as independent as I am, depending on others was difficult at times. Making it possible was the love and support of my friends and family who provided meals, rides and most of all, just support. Two of the most important people in my life, my husband and my "baby" were amazing. I truly couldn't have done it without them helping me from everything from getting dressed, getting around, making meals and taking care of the house. Top kudos to Paul and Cole - good, good guys! I love you so much.

Where would we be without our family and friends?

One of the joys of my work as a journalist is meeting truly inspirational people like Susan Evans. She took her cancer journey and turned it into a fundraiser to help cancer research. With her book - "Don't Write the Obituary" she also helps to inspire others. Very cool!

Want to read about her? Check out:
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2014/08/05/In-remission-for-ovarian-cancer-woman-writes-book-with-her-doctor/stories/201408050004

Take What You Need

I take yoga at a wonderful, little independently owned yoga studio called "Totally Yoga."

When I was there the other day, I noticed a sign like the above and some of the slips were already missing. I looked at it and fell in love with the idea. Then, as I looked at the remaining selections, I thought, "Well, I have lots of love, I have passion, I am healthy, my family is healthy.....I have an amazing life." 

That sign did two things- struck me as a great idea to put up in places I know others will be that may need a little something and made me focus on the positive instead of a few things in my life that kind of had me down. What do you need? Or do you have enough and give to someone else? 

Saying good-bye to a good woman

Myself, Sloop (Terry) and the beautiful Barbara

I haven't blogged in a while because life gets in the way -which it should never do when it comes to celebrating good things in life. Today, I am compelled to write about a beautiful lady who left us way too soon. Barbara was the wife and long-time love of a wonderful artist, Terry McCoy, aka Sloop Jones. We didn't have a lot of time with Barbara, but she was just someone you instantly loved and she served as the "woman behind the man" for Sloop's business. (I have written about Sloop in the past and encourage you to check out his amazing clothes www.sloopjones.com)
Barbara passed in July and today is her memorial service at one of the places that Paul and I love - the east end of St. John USVI. We are so sad we can't be there, but are there in spirit and wearing our Sloop today. I raise a glass of champagne to a woman that brightened the lives of many in so many different ways. Thank you, dear Barbara.

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2014/05/22/Forget-the-cookie-table-This-Pittsburgh-couple-is-having-a-bacon-table/stories/201405150444

Such a fun couple and what a fun idea. Even a vegetarian like me thinks it is awesome.

Our daughter, Eliza, has been dating a wonderful, young man for well over a year now and we love Pat. Yesterday, on Mother's Day, my husband and I walked with Eliza and Pat and his family in the Race for the Cure. We honored Pat's mom, Mary, a survivor and every other survivor. We also honored those who have lost their lives to cancer.

The weather cooperated and it was an amazing event. To see over 20,000 people walking in one long line, all for a common cause was wonderful. There were children of all ages, folks of all sizes and even dogs including two white standard poodles died pink. What great fun, but for a serious cause.

It was the first time that we met Pat's family and it was instant love. No suprise since Pat is such a fantastic young man.

What a spectacular Mother's Day - being with people we love, celebrating wonderful survivors and fighting for a cure for cancer.