How To Drive and stay alive in New Jersey

I got this one in an email from a friend and just HAD to pass it along. It really is perfect for NJ - what about your state?

Seriously, there are only two things needed to drive effectively in NJ: A horn and a middle finger. Everything else is superfluous, including knowing where you are going.

For those of you who live in Jersey or have lived there, these things may come as no surprise. For those who haven't traveled there before, Beware, Be Prepared and Be Afraid,,,, Be Very Afraid.

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is Nork - rhymes with Fork, not New-ark. Also, Trenton is not pronounced Tren-ton, it is Trent-in.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5 AM to NOON. The evening rush hour is from NOON to 7 PM. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on the turnpike is 85 mph. On the parkway it's 105 or 110. Anything less is considered "Sissy.." (Just ask the former Governor of NJ)

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Jersey has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second; However, in Monmouth and Burlington counties, SUV-driving/cellphone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. EVER ! Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of Jersey. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, cats, barrels, cones, celebs, rubber-neckers, shredded tires,cell-phoners, deer and other road kill, and the homeless feeding on any of these items.

9. MapQuest does NOT work here -- none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they do and all the Turnpike EZ Pass lanes are moved each night once again to make your ride more exciting.

10. If someone actually has their Turn Signal ON, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off" accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. Do not try to estimate travel time -- just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday appointments, and right after church on Sunday for anything on Monday morning.

SAFE DRIVING

15 minutes of fame

Thanks to The Fresh Diet, I have received my 15 minutes of fame (and then some).  First there was a great article posted on The Fresh Diet Blog recently and then my name was mentioned in an blogtalkradio.com's online interview with the CEO, Zalmi Duchman and Marketing Genius, Jim Gilbert from The Fresh Diet.

I have to say I think Glenn did a great job on the article on me (he really made my words work in the article) and put a link to my blog, as well as the interview.
 
If you want to check out some of the other members of the Fresh Diet Family who have been featured in articles or some of the employees of the Fresh Diet, you should jump on over to their blog (they really have done a pretty good job on it).  But, to make it "easier" for you, check out Donna, who introduced me to The Fresh Diet, Tina and Carol who are all customers and Arley, Debbie, Chef Carolina, and the creator of those great meals I post about all the time Chef Yos!

Check them out and find out about some of the great people I love to chat with all the time, as well as Fresh Diet Facebook Page.  Maybe this will be the added "push" you need to start eating this way - The Fresh Diet Way - just like me and a few thousand others every day!


Oh and stay tuned for my meals this past week on The Fresh Diet ........ I have to "round up" my pictures from my phone and camera and Jenn's phone (yes I have been a picture taking fool), so I hope to do one big post for Sunday.  We have to work tomorrow (like THAT is something new) and we have a Charity Event tomorrow night ........ 

Craig's List Post

I got this the other day in an email - I wonder if it has any basis in fact? If I had the time I would do further research - but I really could see this happening. We all need one of the "few good men" in our corner.

AJ - this one is for you!
Semper Fi Son2. 

An Actual Craig's List Personals Ad

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.
Date: 2010-09-27, 1:43 a.m. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket.. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason.. my girlfriend was happy that I just returned safely from my 2nd tour as a Combat Marine in Afghanistan .. She had just bought me that Kimber Custom Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].

After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 153 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb .... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.

Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what 's going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target.

The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life.. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky. Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours, Semper Fi,

Alex

Quote of the Day - Accomplishment

I think this is one of the things that we always forget when we are trying to make changes.  It's not just the "big picture" that we need to keep in our head - its all the little things along the way.  It IS really ONE small step at a time that gets us to our ultimate goal!

When you accomplish 

one of your short-term 

or long-term goals, 

make sure that you reward yourself well!

Common Sense ....

An Obituary printed in the London Times. Interesting and sadly rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

One Smart High School Principal.

I received this as part of an email the other day -- and as they said "not sure how true this is, but for my money .... they got it right!"

A CALIFORNIA PRINCIPAL'S OPENING MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
Dennis Prager, a principal at a high school in Redding, California, on the first day of classes in 2010:

To the students and faculty of our high school:

I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers, and against our country.

First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow, or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian, or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American. This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans.

If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial, or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race-and non-American-nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum --"from many, one". And this school will be guided by America's values.

That includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation, or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness.

Your clubs will be based on interests and passions -- not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry, and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those based on ethnic or racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.

Second, I am not interested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America's citizens for more than 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English-language skills, I will have been remiss in my duty to ensure that you are prepared to compete successfully in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English. But if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.

Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for a meal at a nice restaurant than they do for church or school. These people have their priorities backwards. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.

Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the "F-word," you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission plus epithets such as the "N-word," even when used by one black student to address another, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few of your age to distinguish instinctively between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.

Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until the state of California decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.

Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom-wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual, or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates from this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.

Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.

Body Media FIT

I have a new "toy" to help me move towards my goal of weight loss.  And so far its been very interesting to see what happens each day.

Its a Body Media FIT armband that I wear almost 24/7.  I actually only take it off to shower and upload my data.

Has anyone else used this?  If so, what did you think?

One of the things that I have read in a number of places, is that not only is diet and exercise important but so is sleep - and not just any sleep, but good quality sleep.  This little gem measures good quality sleep as well.  I can see that I don't get enough of the good sleep (well ok right now I don't get enough sleep period but this too will pass)

It also tells me how many steps I have taken ........ and it seems to be more reliable than the pedometers I have had in the past.

I am going to use this in conjunction with my Fresh Diet experience so I don't need to calculate my calories for each meal - I will just "assume" that I am getting the calories that TFD tells me I have each day and use the BodyMedia as another tool to help me figure out what I am burning and how well I am truly sleeping.

I got mine at Costco's on a "special" that included 1 year of monitoring.  I will see how it goes over the course of 6 months to a year and then decide if I want to renew - but so far I have been rather impressed.

The Real Fresh Diet Returns

This past Wednesday's meals were less than the norm from the Fresh Diet and to say I was disappointed would be an understatement.  As you could see, if you read my post, it was definitely NOT a day to remember, but it was just one day.  My meals have returned with a renewed sense of what the Fresh Diet really is ......... wonderful, filling meals that help you to either maintain your healthy weight or help you get to that healthy weight.

Seeing my little buddy sitting outside my door was so nice Thursday morning, especially when I opened the bag and started to bring my meals out on the counter.  They were BACK!

My breakfast granola was so very nice - perhaps a little more granola than yogurt, but still a wonderful breakfast that was so very filling.

Blueberry Oat Muffin with Honeydew and Peach Ricotta Cheese was so very good - it was so moist and sweet.  Even the Honeydew was a nice complement to the muffin.  And really who wouldn't like a nice light Peach flavor to their Ricotta - I still love these muffins.

Sunday morning was a great Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, bell peppers, and cheddar cheese on a Spinach Tortilla.  One of the very helpful people on The Fresh Diet Facebook Page, Carol B (check out her blog too)  noted that they always dry grill their wraps - so I decided to try it on my breakfast burrito.  Well I got a little carried away with the "grilling" so if you look close its a little "brown" on the outside - but was so very good this way.  I will definitely be doing this again on the rest of my breakfast wraps.

My pulled pork sandwich for lunch on Thursday was just as it has always been - and oh so very tasty!  Even though we had lunch brought in, I was good and just ate my Fresh Diet meals - and I did NOT feel at all deprived for having missed their sandwiches.

This was the Jamaican Style Chicken Wrap with Lettuce, Red Onion and Fruit Chutney.  This was larger than my original meals (I had moved to 1600 calories) - had more chicken in it - but I really wish it had more lettuce.  The fruit chutney was a very nice compliment to the wrap.  Everyone at the table in the lunch room thought I had the best lunch of the day, and I have to agree.

This was a "new" entree for me.  Smoked Mozzarella Salad with Whole Wheat Penne Pasta, Baby Spinach, Bell Pepper and Parmesan Dressing.  I had to cut the mozzarella into smaller pieces - they where huge chunks and the dressing was way too heavy for this salad.  I thankfully had not put the dressing on the salad, it really tasted like mayonnaise with grated Parmesan added in.  I threw out the "dressing" and just used some balsamic vinegar which I think was much better.  I have to say overall I was not too impressed with this one.  The pasta tasted over-cooked and "pasty" - but it was a new items for me.  To be honest, I don't know if I would try this one again or not.

Veggie Burger with Goat Cheese and Cranberry with brown rice pilaf and sauteed mushrooms.  I have had this veggie burger before, but the goat cheese and cranberries was a nice addition.  I'm not overly enthused with the burger however, it just seemed too dry.  This may be a "pass" from now on.

Turkey Sage and Pine Nut Meatballs with Nine Grain Pilaf and Sauteed Spinach.  I know I've had the turkey meatballs before, but these were rather "strange" to me.  They had a very different "mouth feel" and not very pleasant to me, but I'm not sure why.  They were definitely dry and it wasn't because of any "breading" like addition to hold it all together.  If anything it was almost like there was nothing but turkey that was somehow smushed together.  Because this was the day that my meals changed to the higher calories - I ended up getting 3 meatballs ....... really was a shame I didn't enjoy them, I ended up throwing them out.  The sides though were really pretty good.  I can't believe I am saying that spinach was pretty good.

 Grilled London Broil with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce with Celery Root Thyme Mash and Cashew and Orange Brown Rice Pilaf.  The London Broil was pretty good - but I'm beginning to think I'm no longer a big fan of red meat.  I do LOVE Celery Root though.  The Cashew and Orange Brown Rice was a new combination and pretty interesting.  I liked the pieces of orange in the rice, but I think the cashews were a bit too big and should have been diced or chopped or something.

Fresh Berries and Ricotta.  I know it doesn't look like much - but it was so perfect, light and sweet.

Endive Cups with Blue Cheese and Roasted Cumin Walnuts.  This was another new item for me - but it will be something that I get when it is offered again.  I so loved these.  There was just enough to calm any feelings of hunger without making you so full that you didn't want to eat dinner.  A real winner in my book.

Sugar Free Apple Cranberry Cake was so very good.  The cake was more dense than I expected based on other cakes I have had but it was not heavy.  The Apple and Cranberry were perfect complements and I think helped lighten the cake.  I will be looking for this one again.

I also had Pina Colada Cheese Cake, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Maraschino Cherries and Pecans ....... but I will be darned if I can find those pictures.  These were also pretty good - but then when isn't cheese cake good?.  One day I had Ginger Poached Apple with Mascapone Cheese which were interesting but not exactly what I expected.  I assumed it would be similar to the poached pears but these were diced pieces of apple .... I'm not sure if I will have this as an option or not again.... I guess it depends on what else is available on that day.

I now have to decide if I want to go back down to the 1200 - 1400 calorie days or stay with the 1600 - 1800 calorie days.  With the new menu "tweaking" the 1200 calories were just too small (or perhaps it was the NY kitchen getting things right) and the 1600 - 1800 calories are just too much.  I will have to think about what I want to do.....or perhaps I will not have both the snack and dessert each day and stay with the higher calories.

I guess I will just have to see what happens in the next few weeks with my weight loss.  What do you think I should do?  Anyone have any thoughts on this?  I'm open to suggestions.

I FABULOUS CSN Giveaway

I know that I just love CSN Stores, they have just about anything you could want or need AND they have it at great prices. 

I am always looking for things there, even when I really don't need something, I go to "just look".  This morning I found a fantastic giveaway ....... one that is even bigger than any I have seen so far.  Now you only have until Tuesday - so you really need to get clicking if you want to be in on this fabulous CSN Giveaway at Once Upon a Miracle. 

As she says this is bigger than Andre - you know Andre the Giant.  Where else can you enter to win a $140 CSN Stores Giveaway?  WHAT are you waiting for ????   Get on over to Once Upon A Miracle and enter today!

The Fresh Diet March 9

After having a few days without my Fresh Diet meals because of an "error" that suspended my account I was so very excited to see my little buddy waiting for me outside my door this morning.  My days and nights are so hectic this time of year, that having someone else make my meals makes sure I have wonderful food that isn't from a fast food joint or some kind of take out place.

This morning, however when I opened my bag to take my meals out, I got to see what the new "tweaking" of the menu was all about.  I know now that this tweaking is suppose to increase the vitamin and minerals and "good fats" to make The Fresh Diet meals even better for us.  Well I have to say this 1st day does not bode well, in my honest opinion.

Breakfast this morning was Oregano, Zucchini & Mozzarella Cheese Quiche with Fresh Pineapple.  This was probably the best meal of the day.  I have had this before and except for the fact that the fresh pineapple was 3 "chunks" of a slice .... so perhaps a 1/2 of a slice of pineapple (yes slice) it was as good as it has been in the past.  This meal was the biggest meal I had the entire day - I guess I should be thankful that I didn't have the granola this morning (although tomorrow I could be in trouble with breakfast too)

My lunch was to be Mushroom Souffle & Gruyere Cheese Panini on Whole Wheat Ciabatta Bread.  I have to say, I have had this before and have loved it .... this as you can see is 1/2 of a piece of the bread and someplace at the cut is the little bit of gruyere cheese and 7 slices of mushrooms.  The shadow makes it look like there is more cheese on this piece of bread than there is.  When I took this out of the bag - I actually weighed it ...... somehow 2.2 ounces of food for my entire lunch would not be the lunch of a child let alone an adult.  Whoever got the other half of my "panini" got all the filling ..... hope they enjoyed it because this was a totally unappealing meal.  And did not last for a hour after eating.

My snack was Roasted Tomato and Mozzarella Whole Wheat Bruschetta.  Again this was an option I have had before but was definitely not anywhere near what I had today.  Aside from the fact that the bruschetta was 2 small pieces of overly dry and crumbly pieces of some kind of bread and the tomato and mozzarella mixture was primarily shredding mozzarella with all the tomato sitting on top - none under that "top layer" that had NO TASTE and little flecks of tomato ......

Dinner was my favorite fish, Fillet of Chilean Sea Bass with Citrus Chipotle Sauce with Spaghetti Squash in Fresh Basil Pesto and Sauteed Baby Bok-Choy.  My fish piece was weighed in at 1.8 oz!  The fish was not horrible, but it was not nearly as tender or sweet tasting as it has been the other times I have had this meal.  The spaghetti squash was basically tasteless and chewy and probably a tablespoon and a half  in total when put together .  Oh and it will not be an option I try again.  The sauteed baby bok-choy was just "OK" and although there were pieces of the "stem" end chopped into my veggies it was significantly better than the spaghetti squash.

My dessert was a Butterscotch Chip Cookie.  I have to say whoever made the cookies today was having an interesting day "decorating" with the chips.  Please note the 2 butterscotch chips placed on top.


I would be extremely surprised if this day was at the 1200 calorie mark in the 1200 - 1400 calories per day levels it was set at back in October when I first started receiving my meals.  I have spoken to CS at The Fresh Diet and they are increasing my calories to 1600 to 1800 per day, so hopefully there will be better meals to show and eat in a few days.  If what I got today was in the 1200 calorie range, what were they sending before I have to ask.  I know they have said they are trying to make sure that the meals from all the kitchens will be the same ....... well from the pictures I saw on The Fresh Diet Facebook page there today's meals were a bust in that department.  The difference in the distance from the NY kitchen to the CA kitchen is about the same difference in the Bruschetta made by the NY kitchen and the CA kitchen. ........ hopefully tomorrow will be better and by next week my meals will be actual meals and not whatever this was today.

I'm going to go to bed now so I don't go scavenging through my kitchen to find anything to eat - because at this point I am STARVING.

My Fresh Diet Meals Feb 27th - March 4th

I have been crazy busy these last few weeks - and I know its like this every year at this time, but the first few weeks just take a toll of me, before I get into the groove of all work and no sleep.  Hopefully I will be hitting my stride really soon.  What has been nice is to see my little buddy from The Fresh Diet sitting outside my door waiting for me to "invite him in" each morning.

 tri-colored bell pepper and cheddar cheese egg bake with fresh pineapple.

 Whole Wheat Blueberry Waffles with cottage cheese and fresh blueberries.  So very good and surprisingly warmed up well in the toaster without getting overly "crunchy"

Hazelnut Espresso Whole Wheat Muffin with Fresh Honeydew and Raspberry Cottage Cheese.  Another one of the great muffins offered by The Fresh Diet Kitchens.

Exotic Mushroom and Feta Cheese Quiche with Fresh Pear.  I know the pear looks a little on the "brown" side but it really was good and the longest pears I have seen in a LONG time.  I'm really loving the egg bakes and quiches, they are a pretty filling way to start the day.

 Goat Cheese Salad with Kalamata Olives, Toasted Pine Nuts - a WINNER for sure.

 Mixed greens with pear and walnuts with a raspberry vinaigrette - very nice flavors together - even had to guard my plate against some of the "onlookers" in my office.

 Angus Beef Burger on Whole Wheat Bun with Tomato, lettuce and Dijonaise.  When I pulled this out of my bag, my officemates were so jealous.  They were even saying that they were craving a burger too - but somehow my burger looked and tasted better than some of those fast food burgers that are near the office.

Cajun Seared Tuna Salad with Baby Corn, Tomato, Baby Lettuce & Tart Cherry Vinaigrette.  I was very disappointed in this salad.  It was actually spinach not lettuce, and that was the bulk of the salad.  The tuna was overdone, no grill marks so I guess it was either baked or pan fried but way too long - it was whiter all the way through than the tuna you see in a tuna fish can.

Lean Turkey Meatballs with Fresh Marinara Sauce with Wild Rice & Cranberry PIlaf and Steamed Brocoflower.   I usually like the meatballs but these had a grainy texture was definitely NOT the norm, I'm just not sure if it was because it was turkey or the preparation.

 Grilled Chicken Breast with Red Wine & Shallot Reduction Sauce with Southwestern Orzo and Sesame Soy Sauteed Baby Bok Choy.   I will say I expected the Orzo to be a bit spicy since it was called Southwestern but it wasn't spicy at all - probably could have used a little bit of spice.  I've not had Bok Choy very often and I am finding that this is a new veggie to all to my list of learn how to cook.

 Roasted Pork Loin with Apricot Curry Sauce with Farro Grain Pilaf and Steamed Snow Peas.  I actually like Farro, which I've never had before TFD, but will have to look for it more often.  The Snow Peas were a little "stringy" but sweet.  I've had the pork loin a few times and have never been disappointed with it.

 Grilled chicken with honey glazed beets and farmers carrots.  Never had the beets sliced before, and to be honest, they tasted less fresh and more canned.  The carrots were a mixed lot, some were just fine and others were rather dry and looked "old".

Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna with Wild Rice and Cranberry Pilaf and Braised Belgian Endive.  This was not one of the better dinners I've had.  The tuna was very overcooked (and I barely warmed it)  and the Endive was very tart or sour or something.  I did enjoy the rice pilaf, so it wasn't a total washout.

 Sugar Free Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake.  This was the first time I'd had this, but I will be looking for this one again.  It had a really nice cinnamon flavor but so very moist.  Definitely did NOT taste Sugar Free.

 Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake - I'm not very good at "hiding" my feelings where Cheesecake is concerned.  This company makes the BEST cheesecake, and being able to have cheesecake anytime I want and still stay on a diet .... wow gold star for me!

 Mixed Berries and Pineapple with Strawberry Yogurt.  The fruit was very fresh and sweet, but the blackberries had some serious seeds that actually got stuck in my teeth (guess that means they really were fresh and not canned or something similar)  I will be adding this for a nice light snack in the middle of the day.

 Passion Fruit Cheese Cake.  Actually had a tart flavor that surprised me.  I think it was the passion fruit, but since this was the first time I have had it I can't be 100% sure. 

Cherry Maple Oatmeal Cookie was so very good.  It wasn't as soft as some of the other cookies but it was good.  The cherry and maple was a great flavor combination.  Some of the other oatmeal cookies have been soft and chewy but this was more crunchy.

I did have other meals, but for the life of me can't find the pictures I took but there were some meals that I didn't get pictures because I was so rushed.  That is another one of the benefits of The Fresh Diet - I am seriously short on time during tax season so in the past its been take out or fast food or no eating - now I'm eating great food and I don't have to fuss or prepare or even shop.  You really should check out The Fresh Diet.

And while you're checking things out ....... don't forget my Proactive Giveaway.  If you've ever wanted to try Proactive ....... here's your chance.

Slow Down ...

The Music Won't Last

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round, 

or listened to the rain slapping on the ground? 

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight 

or gazed at the sun into the fading night? 

You better slow down; 

don't dance so fast, 

time is short, 

the music won't last. 

Do you run through each day on the fly? 

When you ask "How are you?" 

do you hear the reply? 

When the day is done, 

do you lie in your bed with the next hundred 

chores running through your head? 

You'd better slow down; 

don't dance so fast; time is short 

- the music won't last. 

Ever told your child we'll do it tomorrow 

and in your haste, 

not see his or her sorrow? 

Ever lost touch, 

let a good friendship die 

'cause you never had time to call and say hi? 

When you run so fast to get somewhere, 

you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day, 

it is like an unopened gift....thrown away. 

You'd better slow down; 

don't dance so fast; 

time is short - 

the music won't last.

Silly time now .....

My sister loved this one ..... but thought it was much more "appropriate" for her. 
Now I really wonder why she can't see me in this picture.

Can you see it?  

How about you? 

What did you do for "fun" today?

Now don't miss out on my latest giveaway ........ Proactive Giveaway is still open.  If you've ever wanted to try this product ... check it out.

Quote for today

I stumbled across this one and thought ...... this is perfect.  Sometimes we all get carried away with the happenings of the day and forget that what we say and do will effect someone in some way - make it a good way.

Manners are a sensitive awareness 

of the feelings of others.

If you have that awareness,

you have good manners,

no matter which fork you use.

Emily Post

Don't forget to check out my Proactive giveaway.

Meet the new best "friends"

I just couldn't resist this one .......

Don't miss my latest giveaway for Proactive