Author: Julie

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It’s September and time to kick start Autumn entertainment!

Kitty is ready for autumn.

It’s Fall, Y’all!

Or, at least pre-fall, as the official first day of fall this year is September 23rd. The -ber months are, in my opinion, the best months of the year because they symbolize cozy times together with the ones you love. Here, in Northern Sweden, there’s already a slight chill in the air in the early mornings, just that first hint that cooler temperatures are on the way. I truly love autumn, and would like to share some of the ways that I like to kick start the season in order to get the absolute most from this most colorful time of year.

It’s prime apple picking time!

Get That Autumn Feeling Even On Warm Days

Even if the weather is still a bit warm, I love looking for the first signs of fall. I watch for the first signs that the leaves are starting to change colors, go outside to try to feel even the smallest hint of coolness in the air, or go in to town and see the new fall clothes and decorative items arriving. However, with some creative thinking you can always fake that fall feeling until it’s like you’re living in your own personal Hallmark cozy movie.

Fall Atmospheric Series and Movie Recommendations

Nothing gets me feeling more autumnal than watching a movie or series with a cozy, warm, or even spooky vibe. Here are just a few of my personal favorites that I absolutely love and highly recommend to get into the spirit of fall:

The Good Witch On Hallmark Channel or Netflix

Hallmark channel The Good Witch

This show has all the elements of a cozy fall feeling. Every episode is like a hug from someone you love, a cozy blanket, and a nice fall beverage. But seriously, it’s that good! The show is about Cassie, who runs the Bell, Book, and Candle shop and the Grey House Bed and Breakfast in the town of Middleton. Cassie has special intuitive gifts that enable her to understand others, and she’s also a healer. She uses her intuition and knowledge of healing herbs to help others, hence the good witch element. This series is very wholesome and something that the entire family can watch and enjoy together. The whole town has a lovely fall aesthetic, a funny mayor, and a whole cast of town residents who have their own quirks that keep the show binge worthy.

There are also The Good Witch movies, that are equally charming and give those fall cozy feelings, but these movies are very hard to find on any streaming platform. They are, however, available for purchase through the Hallmark Channel and Amazon. I haven’t seen them in years, and hope to re-watch them this fall.

Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is another series that is abundant in autumnal vibes. The fall aesthetic is in almost every scene, from the overall look of the town of Stars Hollow, to everyone’s coffee obsession, and even the clothes. It just feels and looks like fall.

This show features single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter, Rory and their friends, family, and colleagues in the charming town of Stars Hollow. At the heart of the show is the relationship between Lorelai and Rory, as well as their relationships with their significant others. This show is more focused on romantic relationships than The Good Witch, and both are truly excellent shows.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

This series is more on the dark fantasy/dark academia side of fall, so it might be better suited for late September or October. One things for sure, it’s delightfully dark, and perfect for that autumn feeling. If you enjoyed the lighthearted camp of the late 90s show “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” well, you should also give this a try because the main characters are there, but with a satanic twist. Yes, in this version, Sabrina is the daughter of the Dark Lord, and she’s mighty powerful.

Sabrina and her family of witches and warlocks live in a funeral home in the town of Greendale. This town is teeming with supernatural activity and is rich with the whole autumnal aesthetic. It’s dark and gloomy, and to make the fall vibes stronger, Sabrina must attend the Academy of Unseen Arts. It’s peak dark academia at this school, where the dark arts are studied and perfected. It’s a must watch for dark fall nights.

When Harry Met Sally

What is more cozy and fall than a classic romance? This 1989 movie gem is just about on everyone’s list of favorite fall aesthetic movies for a reason. Not only is it a beautiful romance movie, but it is a gorgeous movie to watch. The cinematography is stunningly beautiful, especially so if you love the look of fall. Even the fall fashions of the late 20th century fun to look at in this movie.

Meg Ryan plays Sally Albright and Billy Crystal is Harry Burns, and this movie is the story of their relationship as it matures over the course of twelve years. It’s an absolutely lovely story, and even nostalgic for those of us who adore the look and dialogue of the 80s and 90s.

There are so many fall related series and movies, but this is just enough to get you started on this September 1st. I plan on a part two of this entertainment guide, as well as my favorite fall activities, books, and recipes. Happy September to All!

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Team Daenerys Targaryen Forever: My Thoughts on the Game of Thrones Series Final Season

This is what it looked like every night at our house through most of January 2022.

When the HBO series Game of Thrones began in 2011, I didn’t watch it because I didn’t have HBO, and it didn’t look like anything I’d want to see. Despite that, several people told me how great the show was and that they thought it was something that I’d like. Jump forward in time to 2022, and we now have HBO, and my husband I and decide to watch an episode to see if we like it or not.

One episode quickly became another one, and we were soon obsessed. We binge-watched the entire series, and loved it so very much. Game of Thrones is quite possibly the greatest series ever created, with characters that you feel so passionately either for or against. Along with that, there is suspense and intrigue to keep you needing to know what will happen next.

I am going to assume that whoever reads this has watched the series in its entirety, so I don’t need a lengthy description of the various plot points or character descriptions. What I’d like to do here is outline the reasons why I’m infuriated by the series ending, and why I love Daenerys Targaryen and feel that she should still be alive.

The Remaining Starks Should be Grateful to Daenerys at Winterfell

Bran, Sansa, and Arya should be thanking their lucky stars for being alive because they could not have won the battle of Winterfell without Daenerys’ and her army. Of course, Arya gets major credit for killing the Night King, and Bran gets credit for drawing the Night King to him. I don’t really know what good Arya was doing way up on that tower for most of the battle before she made it over to Bran, but that’s besides the point. Daenerys, Jon, and the dragons were saving so many lives by mowing down the zombie attackers. Also, so many unsullied and Dothraki soldiers risked their lives to save the North. No way could the combined Northern forces have defeated the Night King and his army alone.

Did Daenerys and her combined forces get any credit for that? Yes, but definitely not from the incredibly ungrateful Stark family. The Stark family really proved to be nothing but pure, ungrateful trash in my eyes. Meanwhile, true and brave fighters like Tormund Giantsbane and Yara Greyjoy were smart and always acknowledged Daenerys’ sacrifice to help them. Jon Snow was also grateful to the Mother of Dragons and her armies, but, of course, he is definitely not a Stark.

Daenerys is Betrayed by the People Closest to Her

Varys

In the beginning of the show, Varys was one of the most supportive people of Daenerys, even before they had even met in person. He knew that she would make a far superior ruler of the Seven Kingdoms than anyone from the House of Baratheon. He pretended to be loyal to the Baratheon Kings until he was able to meet up with Daenerys and her army. That is why it is so puzzling and surprising that he would eventually betray her.

Varys did so very much to help Daenerys get support against Cersi. He went to Dorne to get their support, and he also got support from the House of Tyrell. Unfortunately, Cersi and her minions were already several steps ahead, but Varys did very good work to help Daenerys and her cause. His treasonous acts against Daenerys broke my heart because I really liked his character. The change in attitude toward Daenerys was so sudden, and there wasn’t really a good explanation of it in the show. We see Varys’ loyalty changing directly after the defeat of the Night King. He saw that all the people were openly supporting and congratulating Jon Snow. Also, he noticed that it hurt Daenerys’ feelings to be so under-appreciated. For some reason, that made Varys suddenly conspire against Daenerys in support of Jon Snow. Ultimately, Daenerys had to execute Varys not only because she had warned him what would happen if he betrayed her, but also because he truly deserved it.

Tyrion

I so loved Tyrion for most of the show, and eventually hated him because he betrayed Daenerys in the worst way. He essentially decided that he had the moral superiority to be her judge and jury after the Battle at King’s Landing. In my opinion, he is just as guilty of murdering Daenerys as Jon Snow is. You know how Charles Manson didn’t kill anyone, but manipulated others to kill for him? Well, Tyrion is a Manson figure in that sense because he convinced Jon Snow that Daenerys needed to go. Watch the scene where Tyrion convinces Jon to murder Daenerys and tell me that is no a master manipulator in action. He is a horribly despicable character for this action alone. But, I also hated him when he let Jamie Lannister go to Cersi, thus betraying Daenerys. He was also wrong for disagreeing with Daenerys’ decision to kill the rotten head of the Tarly family and Samwell’s stupid and overly proud brother. She had to do what she had to do there.

Jon Snow

Nobody in their right mind can hate Jon Snow. He is the moral compass of the show, and he is one of the truly good characters throughout every season. That said, I was furious at him when he killed Daenerys. It was such a shocking and unbelievable betrayal, and it is outrageous that he would allow himself to be so manipulated by Tyrion. I’ve already talked about the way that Tyrion suggested that Jon kill Daenerys, but there was also an interaction with Arya that helped convince Jon to commit cold-blooded murder. Arya told Jon that she knows Daenerys is a killer, and that Daenerys will see Jon as a threat.

It’s just incredibly foolish of Jon to believe Tyrion and Arya, when he knows that Daenerys loves him more than anyone. Daenerys exhibits nothing but loyalty to those she loves, and has never given any indication that she would be violent to Jon Snow. It’s just a terrible shame that Jon allows himself to be so easily manipulated.

The Attack on Kings Landing

This was a completely justified invasion on the part of Daenerys and her combined forces. I doubt there’s anyone who think Cersi needed to stay on as the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. After all, she mass murdered her own people when she blew up the big church where they were having a trial for Loras Tyrell. For Daenerys, however, it’s not only necessary for personal reasons because she is next in line as a descendant of the last Targaryen king. That is, at least until she finds out about Jon Snow’s heritage. Jon has told anyone and everyone that he doesn’t want to be king so he supports Daenerys. Another reason why Daenerys wants to attack King’s Landing is because she really hates Cersi after she has Missandi beheaded. Daenerys is extremely loyal and protective of those who are loyal to her, and Cersi really messed up when she had Missandi executed.

What Exactly Happened After the Bells Chimed?

This is a question that I’ve spent some time trying to figure out, and I have some ideas but no conclusive answers. First of all, there is nothing to suggest Daenerys knows that the ringing of the bells is a signal of surrender. It’s never something that was shown to be discussed in front of Daenerys. The first I recall hearing about it was when Tyrion tells Jamie to ring the bells if Jamie can convince Cersi to surrender. Tyrion says nothing about this plan to Daenerys. How was she to know that was the signal? And, who was authorized to ring the bells? From Cersi’s reaction, it sure doesn’t look like it was her idea to ring the bells. Anyway, I suppose that the reason why Daenerys is murdered is her behavior after the bells rang.

So, yes, Daenerys directs Drogon to burn and destroy almost everything and everyone in King’s Landing. Yes, that was overkill, when she should have just had Drogon fly directly over to the tower that Cersi was in and destroy that. She did let her grief over the execution of Missandi, and her hatred for Cersi guide her actions that day. Personally, I think she was justified in her actions because Cersi was the ultimate evil, and the civilians were incredibly stupid to stay in town when they had to know an attack was imminent.

That being said, we have a saying in our family where something in a movie or TV show absolutely makes no sense, we say, “It wasn’t in the script.” So, yeah, the writer of the show needed a dramatic or shocking ending and just put it in the script. It was a cop-out and a terribly disappointing end to a great heroine.

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Book Review: Merry Christmas, My Viscount by Emily Windsor

Regency historical novels are definitely a favorite of mine, and I decided to give this a try since it was free through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Set in the year 1814 at a mansion in the English countryside, this book is the second in a series that follows a group of hunky intelligence officers who also happen to be members of the aristocracy. Recently widowed from a loveless marriage, Lily Mereworth decides to attend a week-long Christmas celebration at the home of her best friend, Rosalind. Among the guests invited to this gathering is newly ennobled Viscount Asher Rainham, who is also one of England’s most highly ranked intelligence officers.  Lily, with the encouragement of Rosalind, has made a sort of bucket list of bold actions to take in order to be free from the oppressive rules set by her former husband. Having already marked off several of these actions, like burning the etiquette book that her former husband gave her, Lily is gradually re-gaining the confidence that she had before her marriage. There is one item on this list that is proving to be the most intimidating for Lily, and that one is to seduce a rogue.

What I Liked about this book:

The main characters, Lily and Asher were both so perfectly matched for each other, and their quirky personalities made them very likeable. I especially liked that they are both intelligent, especially with numbers and calculating odds. Lily has used her intelligence to make wise financial investments. Being a widow in the early 1800s means that she has more control over her finances, rather than having a husband making monetary decisions. Therefore, Lily is very reluctant to get involved with another man and risk having someone control her again.

I also liked that the main characters were older and had mature adult conversations. Fairly often in the historical romance genre, the main characters will be young and immature. This was not the case for Lily and Asher’s story. After being married for eleven unhappy years, Lily is old enough to know what she doesn’t want in a man. She longs to be the brave and fun person she once was, and is doing whatever she can to break free of the strict rules of etiquette that her husband set for her.

Asher is a not a typical hero of a historical romance in that he is incredibly intelligent, he is highly observant of others, and thus a great listener. This has served him well in his career as a spymaster. While not an overtly alpha male character, he is a tough guy with a heart of gold. He really is the total package, smart, strong, and gorgeous.  

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was the Christmas setting. Everything is just a little bit more magical during this time of year, and the whole premise of a Christmas gathering is interesting. The hosts of the gathering, Rosalind and Lucas, decide to task each guest with choosing a fun activity for the group do do each night. Each of these activities provide a romantic backdrop as Lily and Asher get to know each other. This was such a fun idea, and it reminded me of how before modern times, people had to use their imagination to come up with their entertainment.

What I feel could have been better about the book:

The only aspect that I felt a bit lacking was that there could have been more information about Lily’s family background and more details about what her living situation was like both before her marriage and after. My other complaint is that the book is far too short at 180 pages. While this is the second book of the series, these characters aren’t mentioned that much in the other books. Asher, being the head of the intelligence agency does appear more than Lily.

How steamy is this?

Romance novels can range from the sweet and innocent, to downright filth. Each and every fan of this type of fiction has their own personal preference for how steamy they want the romance to be. In my opinion, this book had just the right amount, which is not too graphic. Don’t get me wrong, this book is steamy, but not overly so.

Would I recommend this book?

Overall, this is one of those historical romances that stands out for the interesting and entertaining characters that you will cheer for as they find love. The entire series is great, but this story was especially dear to me for the cozy Christmas setting and a great second chance love story.

My rating, is a five out of five stars for this lovely story, and I highly recommend this to all fans of historical romance.

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Why I Love Cats

One of the greatest honors of my life has been getting to know many great cats. I love just about all animals, but as far as pets go, cats really are perfect for my personality.

Cats are almost universally hilariously funny critters, even if they don’t realize how amusing they are to us humans. They are naturally entertaining, getting into all kinds of things they shouldn’t. Just put a box anywhere, and they need to immediately go to inspect what’s in it. I get so many laughs everyday from my cats, just watching to see what they get up to. They are pure entertainment.

They love to play and can make a game out of almost anything. An old shoe string, a crumpled piece of paper, really just about anything becomes a toy to a cat.

As much as they love to play, cats are also champion sleepers. They love finding a cozy area to take a nap, and they’re always finding new places to sleep.

I love it that as far as pets go, they are very easy to care for. Cats are extremely clean. They spend so much time bathing and grooming themselves, that they always smell so good. Cats love clean so much, and they thrive in clean environments. While both my husband and I don’t have to have our house super clean, our cats do, so I clean for them.

Besides their wide range of personalities, cats are super cuddly and loving. They are such wonderful companions, and they enrich my life every day.

Cats love a good vantage point.

Meet My Cats

Our oldest cat is Santos. He got that name from his previous owners, and we never bothered to change it. We’ve had him since 2009, and he’s now 12 years old. Besides Santos, we also have our little girl cat, Callie. She is 9 years old, but could easily be mistaken for a very young cat.

Santos (Our sensitive boy)

Like all cats, Santos definitely is a character and is full of personality. When he was a kitten, he was super playful and full of energy. He could also be slightly aggressive and would attack us for no reason. He didn’t intend to hurt, but he really just never learned how to play. We believe that is because we adopted him too early. He probably should have spent more time with his Mama Cat and his siblings before we adopted him. Over the years, though, Santos has mellowed and is the sweetest little guy you can imagine. He just wants to be loved and held. He loves going out on our backyard on his leash. He’s a great sleeping buddy, and he especially loves for someone to hold him and walk around. Whenever her hears us talking or doing something in the kitchen, he always comes to see what is going on. He is a very sociable cat, and loves visitors. He truly is a good friend to all.

Nothing in the world has ever been more adorable than Baby Santos.
Santos is very sociable and loving.

This little fellow loves it when someone is in the kitchen. He is always curious to see what we’re making, and he especially loves it when we’re opening a fresh can of food. He’s great company while we’re cooking, just content and comforted by hearing our voices.

What’s for dinner, Mom?

Santos doesn’t like water, but he is fascinated by it. He especially loves it when we defrost our freezer each winter. He will sit by and watch the ice melt and drip down all day like it’s the most interesting TV show in the world.

Nothing beats watching the freezer defrost!

Callie (The playful one)

Callie is a special little girl. Despite being a fully-grown adult cat, she is still very small. She’s not as affectionate as Santos, but when she wants attention, she makes sure that she gets noticed and receives lots of petting. She absolutely loves to play, and can make just about anything a toy.

Where are the birds?
Scratching pads are especially fun when they are filled with catnip.

Before we raised all of our curtain rods to the ceiling, a funny thing that Callie would do was to climb the curtains and walk across the curtain rods. She is always up for adventure. Every day, she seems to get up to some new adventure, and just seeing what she gets up to is entertaining.

Those were good times, getting to inspect her domain from high up.

This little girl loves comfort. She somehow manages to find the coziest spot in our home where she can relax in style. She is shy around strangers, but has the sweetest personality to those who take the time to get to know her.

Feeling super cozy on her stack of blankets.

Our little girl is also very smart, and has a long attention span. She loves to watch youtube videos, and she finds ways to hunt birds. We still can’t figure out how an indoor cat manages to capture birds. And yes, we always take the birds from her and release them back into the wild.

Sweet girl loves to watch videos.

For anyone who has pets, you know how they become your family. It is especially true for us because Santos and Callie are like our children. Like a lot of proud parents, we think our cats are the cutest, funniest, and smartest in the world.

Two happy kitties.
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New Year’s Resolutions 2021

Happy 2021!

Well now, wasn’t the year 2020 something special? When I think back on it all, I just shake my head in disbelief because it was like nothing I’d ever seen. The covid-19 pandemic changed the world. For me, it was mainly good because I’m an introvert and enjoyed being stuck at home with my husband and cats. The only downsides I encountered were not being able to travel to America to see my family, and I saw the ugliness and selfishness of people who refused to follow public health guidelines. So many people have not survived the covid-19 virus, and I hope that in this new year we all can do our part to help eradicate it.

At the start of every new year, I always make a list of the things I want to accomplish, and 2021 is different because I’m publishing my resolutions on the internet for anyone to see. Hopefully, this alone will make me more accountable for my progress. So, it is with that in mind that I present to all, what I have resolved to do in 2021 and onward.

Focus on becoming healthier and eating right

Yes, everyone who decides to make new year’s resolutions makes this promise, but it’s always a good one to make. It is my hope that by eating right and exercising every day will lead to better overall health. At the time of writing this, we are now 29 days into 2021, and I have stuck to the eating right part of it. I have given up eating sweets and chips, unless of course, there is a holiday or special occasion.

Shop less and try to avoid buying anything from China

Even though I do want to become a minimalist, I love to shop. As a result of this inner conflict, I have way too many things that I don’t use. So, for this year, I have decided to buy only what is necessary. Instead of buying new clothes, shoes, decorative items, etc, I will try to use what I already have. The reason why I’m making this resolution is not only to save more money, but also for the environment.

Another part of my shop less resolution is to try to avoid buying anything from China. Why just China? Well, I can’t fully explain it other than to say that pretty much everything that I own from China is pure crap. The quality is not at all good, and I’m not sure if they follow good labor practices or environmental practices.

Read more books

This one is easy, and a very enjoyable resolution to follow. As a child, I read all the time, and loved it. However; in my adult years, I have mainly read magazines, online news stories, and very seldomly books. The books that I have read have been few and far between, and usually not really for pleasure. That all changes this year, and I have set the goal of reading 100 books this year.

Compliment and encourage someone every day

Look for the good is such a positive motto to live by, and this year I intend to do more of that. Instead of paying attention to the negative, I want to find those who are doing good in this world. When I see it, I hope to do my part to give support. This is such a simple way to add a little bit of positive energy in the world. Not only does it (hopefully) improve another person’s day, but it can also improve your own. Every day, I want to look for those who are doing good and to acknowledge it in some way.

Work on and improve the content of this blog

Even if not many people end up reading this blog, I want to try to make it the best that I can. I enjoy writing out my thoughts and goals, and putting them out there for anyone to read. It is my goal to learn more about making a good blog and improving the quality of my writing.

It is my hope that 2021 is a better year for everyone, and that we can all work to improve and learn to become better people. All the while, doing whatever we can to make the world better for all.

*All photos used in this blog post are not taken by me, but are all public domain stock photos.

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Suggestions for the Merriest Christmas Music Playlist

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Christmas music helps to make everything extra magical. I have loved Christmas songs ever since childhood, and while I love the traditional songs of the past, there are so many great modern songs out there. I have compiled several lists of my favorite Christmas songs that I hope will add to your Christmas celebration.

I seriously want everyone to have a very happy, magical Christmas. This year has been a crazy one, and I hope that even though Christmas is going to be different this year, I hope that it will be a great one. Listening to holiday music sure does add to the feeling of joyousness throughout the holidays.

While there are so many great holiday songs, and countless versions, I have narrowed down my list to include some of my favorites. Some songs have not been included because I’ve heard them so much, and some are included because I just can’t hear them enough. Everyone has their favorites, and I hope this list will include some of yours.

Enjoy, and have a Very Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Songs:

Sometimes, you just want to hear the Christmas songs from childhood, and here is the list that I’ve made for that:

Christmas Love Songs:

These are the songs that are about being in love at Christmas.

Classic Christmas Songs:

Here is my list of classic Christmas music, with some modern classics thrown in there.

Non-traditional Christmas

A little more bah-humbug, but still Christmasy.

Christmas songs can be enjoyed all times of the year. The great Dolly Parton once said, “Christmas is a state of mind. You just kinda throw yourself into the spirit, and it can happen almost any time.”

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On a Budget and Out of Shape? A Quick Guide to Starting a Home Workout Program

The fitness industry is a 94 billion dollar a year industry*, and that’s just the statistic for 2019. In my own efforts to get in shape, I have personally contributed to this industry by buying exercise equipment, gym memberships, workout gear, etc. While I’ve had varying degrees of success with these purchases, I’m amazed at the wealth of resources there are for people who want to start working out, but don’t want to invest their hard earned money on something that may or may not work.

The internet has a tremendous amount of free workout videos, health advice and information, and I have picked some of my favorites out to save you time, and hopefully get you started on a workout plan that you like. Again, the links that I am including are for beginners only. There is even more extensive workout and training information out there for those in the intermediate and advanced states of fitness.

Even though I know exercise is good for you, I’m still not a fan of working out. I really have to force myself to workout every day. But, what is good to know is that going from a sedintary lifestyle to moderate physical activity has been shown to produce positive benefits for your health.*

Just a quick note about these links, I’m not sponsored in any way to promote these resources. These are just some that I have found helpful, and I wanted to have them all accessible from one place. I hope you will like the ones that I have posted here, and find them useful.

Best Walking Workout Videos

Walking is one of the healthiest exercises out there, and sources say that even taking a brisk 10 minute walk every day can provide health benefits. Walking outside is by far the best way to go, but when you’d rather just stay close to home there are walking exercise programs that you can do instead. You’ll still get in the steps and still get a great workout, but you can do it from the comfort of home.

There are a lot of great walking workouts to try, but the Queen of Walking Workout Instructors is Leslie Sansone. Leslie’s Walk at Home video series come in a wide range of skill levels, and she makes exercise as fun as it can be. Needless to say, I’ve been a huge fan of hers, and I’ve bought many of her DVDs. I do consider those fitness gear purchases money well spent, but sometimes, just watching something from a tablet or phone is faster and easier than starting up the DVD player.

Leslie has so many free videos that you can watch on youtube, and this is one of my all-time favorite ones that she made:

The best thing about this workout is that it’s short (14 minutes) and the equivalent of walking a mile.

For when you have more time and energy

This next video is much more challenging, but still beginner level and fun.

Just think, it’s just 15 minutes, and you’ve walked a mile!

This next workout that I’m recommending is not for everyone, but I really like it, and if getting as many steps as you can a day is your goal, then this one is for you. This is a longer video, clocking in at just over 45 minutes, but it’s a 5K walk that you can do in the comfort of your home. Again, this video is led by Leslie Sansone, who makes the best walking exercise videos out there.

Best free step aerobics videos

To get the most out of these exercises you need to own an aerobic stepper. You can find these on amazon or Walmart starting around $25. I already own one so to start these videos were no cost at all. But, if you feel like $25 is too much to spend, you can just as well do these exercise videos without the stepper, just do the step combinations on the floor and you’ll still get a good workout.

For those who have never done a step aerobic video, the Jenny Ford Step Hero 1-6 workout plan is a great way to get started. Her instructions are easy to follow, and the workouts are just hard enough so that you will feel them the next day.

Even though this exercise series is for beginners, it’s tough and effective.

Jenny Ford has so many great free step workouts to choose from, and I highly recommend subscribing to her channel so you can stay updated on all of her workouts. Lifting weights can also help you improve bone health.

Best beginning toning exercises for the arms

As you may already know, adding weights to a workout can help you maintain or improve strength. Plus, the more muscle you have, the more efficiently you burn calories.

Here is my favorite exercise video for toning the arms. This video is from the free online diet and health program called SparkPeople. I very highly recommend going to www.sparkpeople.com and signing up if you’re interested in a diet and exercise program. There are many free exercise videos on the site, but also on their youtube page. While this video does require that you own some hand weights, hopefully if you don’t have your own, you know of someone who does.

Watch SparkPeople Coach Nicole guide you to toned arms

An Amazingly Hard Arm Toning Workout

Another great arm exercise video workout that I highly recommend is tough, but the more you try it, the easier it will get. The best thing about this workout is that it doesn’t require any extra equipment. The movements are not impossible, but repeating the movements without putting your arms down is so hard. It’s just a 10 minute workout, but it’s extremely effective, and you will seriously feel the burn.

Just getting started on a workout program is tough, especially for those of us who don’t like to exercise. However, there are so many great free exercise videos out there to help you get started. These are just a few that love, and I hope you will give them a try. It is also my hope that you will find these videos helpful to you in making a healthy start.

Sources:

https://www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/industry-news/2019-fitness-industry-trends-shed-light-on-2020-beyond/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-as-you-get-older/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/

8 reasons why weight training is incredible for your health
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How to Make a Healthy Scrambled Egg Breakfast Bowl

As I’ve been on a new diet for a little over a week now, I’ve tried to make sure to start the day with a healthy breakfast. Before, I’ve been a breakfast skipper, and just combining breakfast and lunch into one big meal. That’s not a good way to go because my weight has stayed in the obese category for quite some time. The reason why I’ve decided to go with the breakfast in a bowl method is simply to keep my portions down as well as I can. Here are a few ideas that I’ve found so far:

Start with the base

Want to start consuming lower carbohydrates, but still not give up carbs completely? Well, this one is for you! The scrambled egg bowl is an easy way to get a good serving of protein, and get loads of nutrients as well. Best of all, you can combine your scrambled eggs with whatever vegetables you have on hand to make it your own. This is an example of how I make my scrambled egg bowls.

First, I gather whatever salad greens I have on hand for the base, and for me, that usually is a nice big handful of arugula.

Yummy, peppery arugula, but choose whatever salad greens you like.

Next I like to add some colorful vegetables, like bell peppers. I had these leftover from our taco night, so use whatever you have on hand.

Here, I’ve added some bell peppers, and later some onions.

Next, add your scrambled eggs, and I like to spice it all up with some hot sauce. Bon appetit!

Adding a nice hot sauce on top of everything really makes this a flavorful and satisfying breakfast.

Does this breakfast contain any nutrients?

Yes, it sure does, and I have weighed the ingredients and put them into the cronometer app that analyzes nutritional content. Here’s the breakdown of it all:

So, this breakfast is a healthy 225 calories, and it is loaded with vitamins, minerals. It is especially high in vitamins A and C, with even a fair amount of D, K, and B vitamins. There is just over 14 grams of protein, which is a good start to the day. If I plan on working out, I will add more protein by either toast made with bread that has seeds in it, adding ham, or having a small protein powder shake. If you’re also interested in trying it, you can use the nutritional guidelines that I have posted above to tailor your breakfast bowl to your own needs.

This breakfast is delicious and very filling. Everyone that I’ve made this for really enjoys it. If you’re looking to change up your breakfast game, I highly recommend you giving this a try.

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Meal Planning Techniques that Help Save You Time and Money

Keeping household spending in check and sticking to a budget is a top priority in our home. At the same time, we love good food and want to enjoy our lives, so we’ve worked out ways to save money and still get to enjoy delicious meals. It has taken me years to work out a system that works for us, and I hope that some of these tips and tricks that I’ve learned can help you and your family as well.

Are you aware that weekly food costs are the most controllable part of your household budget? Electricity, cable, internet, fuel costs, etc. are all costs that we really can’t control. Since we all need to eat, food costs are a necessary expense. However, I have found that if you take the time to carefully plan your meals, you can actually see positive results in your bank account.

Meal planning gives you more control of your finances

Avoid unnecessary trips to the store

When you follow a meal plan buy only the items on your list, you can avoid over spending by not stopping by the store every day. I can’t tell you how many time I have stopped by the store just to pick up one or two things, but end up spending over $50 worth of impulse buys and junk food. That’s such a waste of money, and it’s got to stop if you want to be in control of your spending.

Cut out the guesswork

If you’ve ever been stressed out by trying to figure out what to make for dinner, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed and end up just ordering takeout. Again, that’s just a waste of your money, and it’s not as healthy or satisfying as a home cooked meal. I’m not saying to never order takeout or have a restaurant meal, but I try to make that more the exception than the rule. A meal plan cuts out so much of the guesswork of wondering what’s for dinner. There really is a comfort in having the weekly menu posted, and having one less thing to worry about.

Seven tips for easy meal planning on a budget

  • Plan meals with ingredients that you can use in other meals. This is such a great way to maximize your food budget. For example, you make a big pot of chili for supper Sunday night, the leftovers can be turned in to topping for chili dogs later in the week. Then, say Monday night you plan for a crock pot pulled pork sandwiches, several nights later you can use the leftovers for stuffing in your loaded baked potatoes . Leftover rice from chicken a la king can later be turned into veggie fried rice. There really are a lot of possibilities to stretch your food budget by turning one meal into two.
  • Plan for meals that will provide a lunch. I almost always have leftovers, and food waste is cut down tremendously by boxing up whatever is left and re-heating it for lunch the next day. Even if there are only 3-4 boiled potatoes left and some salad leftover, I’m going to box it up and have it as sides for my lunch the next day. Remember, the most expensive ingredients are the ones that go wasted or thrown away.
  • Before you make your shopping list/meal plan, take a few minutes to take inventory of what you have on hand. This will go a long way in helping to stop unnecessary stops to the store, and help give you ideas for meals. For example, you might have several types of pasta, and some canned tomatoes. You can add ground beef or chicken and cheese to your list and make a delicious pasta bake. Build your meals around whatever you already have in stock.
  • Make as many meals from scratch as you can. Don’t get me wrong, I love the convenience of heat and go meals, and I do use them. But, eating this way is far more costly than making them own your own. I really don’t want to knock convenience food like frozen pizza, pre-made waffles and pancakes, because I use them, so this tip is only for when you feel that you have the extra time to make these items from scratch. Homemade pizzas and pancakes do taste so much better, and when you buy the ingredients, you can end up using them for multiple other meals.
  • Plan by category. A good weekly meal plan has a variety of different types of meals so you don’t get bored with eating the same things from week to week. When I plan my weekly meal plan, I think in terms of categories, like Italian, Tex-Mex, Asian inspired, traditional meat and potatoes, soup, fish, vegetarian, etc. I have saved favorite recipes in each of these categories, so I’ll usually choose one of those. Think about Taco Tuesdays, there are so many varieties you can choose from. Think beyond just traditional ground beef, and try mixing it up by trying fish tacos, chicken, or halloumi.
  • For those who shop in person instead of online, make your shopping list with the layout of the store in mind. I usually shop in person, and I know my store fairly well. The layout of my store is divided into 5 main sections, Produce, Dairy, Meat, Frozen, and Main/Dry goods. I make my list with the store layout in mind so that I can get in and out as quickly as possible.
  • Plan for snacks! So many times, I have decided to make a run to the store after dinner just to go get snacks. Those impulse runs to the store are so dangerous to your budget and your diet. Quick and easy snacks that I like to keep on hand are: apples, cheese and crackers, hummus, nuts, chocolate, and peanut butter.
Sitting down to a home cooked meal is quality time. Wish I could take beautiful pictures like the stock photos I’ve used for this post.

Good meal planning does take a little bit of extra time, but it is time well spent. Having the stress of trying to come up with a a meal quickly can lead to unhealthy choices and costly. I hope that these tips are helpful, and can help make your meal planning easier.

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The Seven Ways I’m Approaching My New Diet

Today is the first day of my new diet, and I feel both excited to get started and sad because I’m having to start a new diet. Five years ago, I thought I was finally in control of my weight, and was making healthy dietary choices on a consistent basis. I had lost 26 kg (57 lbs.) and was exercising every day. Making health, exercise, and eating well priorities in my life was the norm, and I felt amazing.

Gradually, though, I started slacking, and I went back to all of my previous bad habits, and I gained all the weight that I had lost back.

So, here I am again, starting a new diet, and I hope that this one is going to stick. If you are also starting a new diet, or currently on one, I hope that you will find something to relate to in this post.

Good luck to all of us who are trying to make healthy lifestyle changes! Here are the seven rules I’ve set for myself, and I hope can be helpful for others:

Here’s how I’m approaching my new diet:

  1. In order to keep myself fully engaged and focused, I’m going to weigh myself every day. I will also record my progress. In the past, I’ve only allowed myself to step on the scale once a week, but that’s not working for me. Sure, I know that everyone’s weight fluctuates depending on fluid levels and so forth, but I need that every day weigh-in to properly monitor my progress.
  2. To avoid binge eating, I’m going to have my daily menu planed out in advance so that I will know exactly what I can eat. To begin with, changing my eating habits will be my main focus. I do know that exercise is important, but for now I will mainly be focusing on making healthier food choices, eating far less processed food, and portion control.
  3. Accept that hunger is a part of it all. Instead of panicking when I feel hungry, I’m going to deal with my hunger in other ways (more on that in another post). Mindfulness, meditation, and filling up on water and tea are some of the things I’m trying.
  4. Exercise moderately to begin with, but add more as I make progress. In the beginning, I’ll be walking and lifting light hand weights in order to burn calories, possibly tone up some, and for overall health benefits. Exercise always makes me incredibly hungry, so I have to keep things moderate for now. In the past, I’ve tried to exercise too hard, and have ended up binging on food.
  5. Know my why. This is not at all my own idea, but something I learned from Weight Watchers. It’s not just enough to say I’m going on a diet, but you need to have a reason why it is important to lose weight and be healthy. Plus, it’s not just enough to keep your intention in mind, but you also need to feel and believe in the reasons why you are dieting. So, I’ve decided that my why for losing weight is to be the best I can be for myself and my loved ones. I also want to be stronger and have the energy to do the things that I want to do. That is my intention, and I hope that by having this focus it will be easier to stick to my diet.
  6. No gimmicks! In the past, I have fallen for just about every fad and crazy lose weight fast scheme there is. Admittedly, I have had short-term success with a few of them in the past, but the results were nothing spectacular. Not only do gimmicks and fads only deliver minimal at best success, they are costly. You can end up wasting a small fortune thinking that some miracle cure diet is going to finally help you reach a healthy weight. When you don’t see miracle results, you can end up frustrated and feel like a failure. So, for this new diet, I’m not eliminating any foods from what I am allowed to eat, and I’m not buying any powders, supplements, special gear. Just real food, but moderate portion sizes.
  7. No giving up! So many times in the past, if I haven’t seen immediate results, I’ve just given up. I would announce to everyone around me, “It’s just not meant for me to be thin,” and then just go back to eating whatever I wanted. For me now with this diet, it’s now or never. I’ve got the motivation going, and I just can’t allow myself to give up. I will get to a healthy weight and it will stay.

Once again, good luck to all, and here’s to a healthier life!!

All photos in this post are stock images.