Do People Really Spend That Much?

While I was surfing through the New York Times I saw a headline that looked just up my alley:

You’re Choosy. So Are We.

Three fashion stylists join the writer on a trek to find chic pieces for the 40-plus customer.

I'm about to go into the next decade, so for sure they meant me. I've been "40-plus" for quite awhile.

I was expecting some advice for real women. Instead the writer wrote:

"Although we didn’t work with a budget, we were strict with our choices; each piece had to be worth the money, as well as be age-appropriate, whether it was a $55 cardigan from Topshop or a $3,000 Rick Owens leather jacket."
"The Lim boutique, to our surprise, yielded a lot of affordable, well-made clothes, notably a tailored cream jacket ($550) and a silk jumpsuit ($450)."
"But, looking at a $1,400 silk print dress, Brana said with a rueful laugh, “I don’t know anymore if that’s expensive or not.” She decided that it was a good buy, along with a $2,100 metallic leaf-patterned coat at Marc Jacobs and a below-the-knee striped jersey dress with a long, winding sash."
"...at Diane Von Furstenberg, where Darina pulled out a beige suede coat ($885) and a flared olive cotton skirt with a canvas belt ($330)."

Next trip to New York, I'll just stick to my usual sales racks.

And for today's Health Tip, I suggest that you watch and listen to this. Be prepared to laugh. Remember that laughing is healthy!

The Bible Verses Tel Aviv

There was an irony in this year's International Youth Bible Contest, one of the highlights of Israeli Independence Day. The theme was Tel Aviv, in honor of the city's 100th anniversary. Tel Aviv can be considered Zionism's most successful "political settlement," since it has no real ancient history.





Of course, the very knowledgeable committee which composes the questions found ways around that minor detail.





The final stage of the contest is broadcast on TV, and like every year, I watched it at my cousin's house. We're always curious to see which schools, Israeli and diaspora, are most represented.





This year, two young men battled for first prize. One from south of Jerusalem and the other from north of Jerusalem. One from the Hebron Hills and the other from my regional council of Mateh Binyamin, Efrayim the southern Shomron.


The winner was Sapir Malka of Kochav Ya'akov. Kochav Ya'akov is near Ramallah, north of Jerusalem. He's a student in Yashlatz (Yeshivat Yerushalayim L'Tzeirim) the same yeshiva high school which suffered a murderous terror attack just over a year ago. Eight people were murdered in the attack. No doubt that his victory is l'ilui nishmatam, to "elevate their souls."

Yihi Zichrom Baruch

May Their Memories Be Blessed

Israeli Independence Day Eve in Ofra

Last night we went to the Ofra Yom HaAtzma'ut Festivities, because our eldest grandchild was performing with the other kindergarten kids.

Ofra, the "mother of all yishuvim in the Shomron," has a very well-deserved reputation as a super-efficient, well organized place, and last night's show was excellent and not too long.

Here are a few pictures. No, our granddaughter isn't in any of them.

An Unexpected And Undesired Visitor

We had an unexpected visitor yesterday, and I'm not talking about the guys lurking on my merpest, balcony.

There I was at home on Israel's Soldiers and Terror Victims Memorial Day, after going to the Shiloh Cemetery, trying to be a good house frau. I had just brought all the clean dry laundry to the couch to be folded and turned on the TV to watch the depressing short movies about the dead, when the phone rang.

It was my next door neighbor. He told me that his son had spied a snake on my roof, and he was pretty sure that it was one of the most poisonous and lethal to inhabit this part of the world. They had just watched it eat a bird, so it wasn't about to move for at least a few hours.

I rushed out and looked up. Yes, that was a snake.

I then called the head of security who took the alarm seriously and not only because I'm friends with his mother-in-law.

The neighbor and security chief first tried to get it down themselves but then had second thoughts. So we tried calling the Shiloh maintenance man, but he wasn't working. Then we tried the moked, regional security, who said that we should call Information and ask for a "snake catcher." We caught a snake catcher, named Golan, and he agreed to come to Shiloh, even though he wasn't quite sure where Shiloh is.

Then the neighbor told me that he heard that there was someone on the yishuv who could catch the snake, but by the time I managed to reach him, Golan was on his way.

Luckily, after borrowing a very high ladder, Golan and partner captured the snake and revealed that it wasn't the poisonous one, but very similar in looks, Baruch Hashem, thank G-d.




OK, it still cost money, though less than I had feared. Consider it like going to some private doctors for tests and discovering that you're in perfect health.

While waiting for the snake to be removed, I had this feeling like my house had been made "impure," like the Biblical leprosy which not only affected people. It was a great relief to discover that the snake was harmless. Bli neder, eventually I'll post videos of the snake on my youtube and WEJEW.


Golan can be reached at 054-486-8974. Tell him that the lady from Shiloh sent you.

The Empty Chair, Israel's Soldiers And Terror Victims Memorial Day

I left a bit late to get to the ceremony at the cemetery this morning. The siren began, and I stood still. I looked around. Everyone stopped whatever they had been doing. People stepped out of their cars. Tractor drivers got down from their tractors, as you can see in the picture.

The cemetery was full of people sitting and standing during the memorial ceremony. The graves in this picture are mostly of old people who died from "natural causes."

I never like photographing my neighbors during such events. I try to be discreet.

We've adopted the custom of reading T'hillim, Psalms, of the letters of the soldiers and terror victims' names at each grave. I stood with the parents of someone buried in a different cemetery. We found ourselves standing around an empty chair.

It spooked me. An empty chair, such a simple and direct symbol of their dead son.

Hashem Yinkom Damom

Diet Support Group, Topic Ideas

I guess it's sort of crazy that I'm running this diet support group, though I've never experienced being in one. The women aren't complaining. They know that I'm experimenting on them, so that later on, I can make a business out of it, G-d willing.

So far, the routine is weighing everyone as they come in and writing their weight in my book. I don't say their weight out loud. If they want to, that's their business. I do my best to encourage. For example one came in over a week after the Passover holiday warning everyone that she certainly gained weight. Her weight was exactly the same as the meeting almost a month earlier. So I said:

"OK, so you gained weight over Pesach, but you've already lost it. That's great. Now you'll continue losing weight."

Emphasising the good and encouraging them are important. I also try to be creative with each one's individual medical situation.

But the bulk of the hour's meeting must be some "main topic."

I prepare/research first. We've already discussed low carbohydrate fruits and the different vitamins in colored fruits and vegetables. I've touched on fat soluble vitamins and the difference with water soluble vitamins. I'll give more information and recipes about that. It's important, because their are neighbors trying to promote raw diets and juicing. I've decided to go much more conventional, just adding the Blood Type Diet.

Today's conventional diet is much healthier than the old style conventional. There's lots of salad, even unlimited.

A friend who wants more of a "phone support" set-up has asked for information about which foods "go to which part of the body," or how to lose weight from the stomach and heart areas. (I need links with info.) Those are good questions. I suggested that she do her "nut noshing" early in the day with the cut vegetables she snacks on. She's getting too many calories from that before bedtime. And I'm convinced that she'll be less hungry at night if she eats her nuts in the morning.

I have to research the topic of misreading signals. Too many people eat when they need to drink water or go to sleep. Apparently, besides mimicking ADD/HD symptoms, insufficient sleep also causes diabetic symptoms and overeating.

If you have any suggestions about topics, or if you've ever gone to a good weight loss support group and can give me some pointers, please let me know.

Thanks!!

I Guess They Don't Have Apple Machines Any More

In the middle ages of the previous century, when I went to school, we could choose between a cooked meal, chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables, or a "hero sandwich," a very filling tuna one. We could also bring our own food, usually a tuna or peanutbutter and jelly sandwich plus an apple for dessert.

The only food machines gave a choice of apples, red or green Delicious.

When I was in elementary school, I could even walk home for lunch. We lived five minutes away, and our mothers were home waiting for us. I think that we had the same sandwich menu and then rushed back to school. If the weather was nasty, we'd bring sandwiches along and eat, seated every other seat, in the auditorium. In my day, PS 46 was so over-crowded that the "cafeteria" was a classroom, and we were in double-session (either morning or afternoon) until (including) the Second Grade.


Fat kids were rare and obesity was unknown. It was nothing like today. We played outside all the time, biking and roller skating. Bell Park Gardens, Bayside, NY, was full of little playgrounds, and way back when few cars were in the parking lots during the day. It was heaven.


Nobody had a clue that it has given us better health than any of today's kids can expect.

Finally, Back To The Pool, And More In Jerusalem

I can't remember the last time I went to the pool. I used to go to the Neve Yaakov pool at least once a week in the winter. This winter I was there less than once a month, and last year about the same.

Once I'm there, I have a great time. There's no better way to exercise, and I'm sure that the reason my fat skirts still stay up is because of insufficient exercise.

From there I caught a ride to Pisgat Zeev and then two buses to Rechov Uziel, Bayit V'Gan, where I visited a friend who lives in the "senior place" in the Shalom Hotel. On the way, I passed under the "String Bridge," which is all decorated for Yom Ha'Atzma'ut, Israeli Independence Day.

She treated me to lunch there. The food isn't bad. As you can see, there's a great salad bar. Besides that, there are two soups and a choice of animal protein, chicken or fish cooked in various ways, some carbohydrates, vegetables and a choice of desserts.

From there I was off to the bus station, where I took a picture and a bus but no noshes!

I've been off of sweets. Fruit takes care of any sugar cravings I have. I'm allowed three a day.

"Any Cars"

"Before we cross the street. Look carefully to see if there are any cars coming."
"Any cars."

"Do you want some cucumbers?"
"Not"

My granddaughters are picking up English from my visits. Their English may not be perfect, but they do reply in English... sometimes. No, I don't correct them. I praise them for their excellent English, Baruch Hashem, thank G-d.

More Good Diet News

My diet support group is growing. Actually, it doubled. OK, from two to four participants, but that's an improvement. One had always wanted to come, but she needs a reminder call. And the other has tried other groups and decided to join mine.

At this point, I'm not charging money. I'm practicing. Each week I find a different theme to help with dieting and nutrition. I like the group small, so I can help each one individually. This week was complicated, since one member doesn't know enough Hebrew to follow all in Hebrew and one knows some English, but it's a new vocabulary to talk diet. Another is multi-lingual, so I had to keep switching languages.

Today we discussed the various colored fruit and vegetables and the differences and how to serve them.

For A Radiant Post-Birkat HaChamah....

...Havel Havelim that is... check out The Rebbitzen's Husband.

He starts off telling us that the quantity of posts has expanded... it's post Passover, so maybe it's like yeast dough on a hot day.

Enjoy the latest HH! There's lots to read there.

When To Buy, As If I Had A Choice

I guess that I'm not the only traveler stuck between advertised bargains and future prices. Will the future prices be better than today's bargains? Not even the New York Times knows for sure.



Last year, our tickets to New York had to be timed to attend a wedding. We knew the date well in advance and got what was considered a good deal.

Now, I've been waiting to make the purchase for quite a while. I have to coordinate the visit with my sister, and she doesn't yet know when she can travel. I missed all the "cheap travel seasons." That's rather ironic, since I had been counting on going when it's cheap, while school's still in session, since I'm no longer teaching. But she still is and has children she must take into account. And I must take into account her life.

If I don't, the trip is a total waste. And the purpose of our going to New York, from our different corners of the earth, is to help our parents. In Jewish lore it's known as כיבוד אב ואם Kibbud Av v'Em, Honoring One's Father and Mother. So, whenever I get the dates from my sister, I'll buy my tickets whatever the cost. And whatever it cost will be whatever I'm supposed to pay.

Shavua Tov u'Mevorach

Have a Good and Blessed Week

Just What I Had Wanted To Hear: "You look awful in that skirt!"

Really!

I'm not being sarcastic, facetious, ironic or anything like that. After five months of the Start Fresh weight loss diet, I was waiting for some "hints" that I had ought to retire my "straight" skirts.

It has been bothering me that even with 23 pounds, or 10 kilos off, I can still wear the same clothes. The skirts aren't falling off. OK, most do have at least some elastic, even the zippered ones. So I guess that I just don't stretch the elastic as much as before.

I really was happy to hear my friend tell me how ridiculous I look in the skirt, that it just hangs on me like a badly fitted sack.

Today, I wore a relatively new skirt. I bought it barely a year ago. It's an A-Line, with an elastic waste. It cost a lot of money. It doesn't feel the same as I remember. I remember "filling it out." Now it just hangs.

I'm supposed to feel happy, but being that I'm less than half way through my weight loss, --don't say "diet!-- I know that this isn't the time for a totally new wardrobe, as if I could afford one. I just need to weed through my closets and take out the big of the clothes and leave what still looks OK. I must spend as little as possible, because G-d willing by next summer I'll be at least another size or more smaller.

Let's just call this the "problems of the rich." No, I'm not "rich in money." Thank G-d my "changes in eating" are paying off, and I'm losing weight. I shouldn't complain.

I Like These "Long" Fridays

Twenty-four hours aren't just twenty-four hours on the Jewish Calendar. That's because we divide our days at nightfall. So now, in the northern hemisphere, evening is late. That gives us more time to prepare for our Shabbat, Sabbath.

Today, I did a few things.
I went to Tel Shiloh, about a kilometer and a half from my house. We have a monthly women's prayer on Rosh Chodesh the first day of the Hebrew month.

Then I went to my neighbor to get measured. She'll be sewing me a skirt.

Then I went back home and cooked.

Then I went back, more than half way down to visit a neighbor whose mother had just died. She's only going to be here until Saturday night and then she'll sit shiva (keep the mourning week) some place else.

Then back up to cook.

Now I really don't have time, so that's it for now.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov!

Life Coaching, Being Coached

I only heard about Life Coaching when I took a course in it a few years ago. It seemed like a great way of counseling, helping people. But par for the course, or typically me, I never had the guts to go out and do it, open a business.

It's not like I haven't used the skills and techniques over the years to help people, but I always just "did it as a friend."

Now the time has come to start the next phase of my life. I no longer have the physical and emotional strength to control a classroom, not that full-sized classes were ever my specialty. My teaching success was always more in the problem-solving needed to tutor, whether individuals or small groups. I can easily see what skills and knowledge are faulty or missing, and then I have creative ways of explaining/teaching it.

To help me, I've taken a coach, Yehudit. From what I've experienced with her in contrast to the course I took, there's a lot of room for individuality in coaching. Each coach brings with him/her different skills, techniques, personality etc. That's reassuring.

Honestly, Yehudit's coaching techniques, at least as far as we've progressed is extremely different from what I had learned. That's not a criticism, just an observation. Yes, I'm an observer, which is a skill I also use in my political articles. My out of the box mind makes me see things differently from the conventional. Sometimes that's a problem, but I think that as a coach it should be a great advantage.

I've begun my own "internship," stajj, in Hebrew, with a diet support group. I don't take any payment. G-d willing, in a few months, the participants will enthusiastically recommend me to others, and then I can open a business and charge money.

Bartering, Dieting and Spending Less

True Confessions...

Especially, now, when I don't have any income, I need to barter. A friend offered "altering" and the sewing of new clothes in exchange for my photography skills. Considering that I can't afford to buy new clothes, that's useful.

I just paid ns20, under $5 for fabric for a skirt. Thank G-d a lot of my clothes are getting too big on me. I just took out a bag of sweaters and blouses to give away. I've been told that the smaller, standard, one-size-fits-all are much less expensive than the "women's" larger size clothes.

There's a big problem in the proliferation of stores, designers and departments of fashionable "women's" clothes. It's now so easy to dress well when overweight and obese. It's too easy for sure.

It used to be almost impossible to find gorgeous clothes in large sizes. Now it isn't. I love the wardrobe I've built up over the years. I feel rather stupid saying that it "breaks my heart" to give away some of the clothes, but that's how I feel.

You can rack that up to the reason I was so ambivalent about dieting, trying to lose weight. I knew that a significant weight loss would necessitate a new wardrobe. I guess I sound sort of foolish and stupid saying this.

But I am thankful that the Start Fresh weight loss diet, which is not in any way one of those torture diets, has worked so effortlessly for me. It should G-d willing improve my health. Being a religious person, I do take it as a gift and message from G-d. It's funny that when I first signed up, I threw out for the application a number of pounds I needed to lose without even thinking or planning. Later investigation did show that it would leave me at a decent weight, within the recommended. I'm now almost half-way there. And I've started a Diet Support Group. I do it as a volunteer at this point. Maybe that will be my new profession, but I must lose more weight first.

It's almost 8:30am. On with my day!

KCC- Good For The Entire Year- At Mother In Israel

The 41st Kosher Cooking Carnival is very ably hosted by A Mother in Israel.

It's beautifully presented and has a great variety of posts. Take a look, and remember to send in your posts as soon as you post something which suits the carnival.

• Traditions
• Halacha, Jewish Law
• Kosher Cookbook and Restaurant reviews
• yes, recipes, too
• anything kosher!

May's KCC will be hosted by Gillian of Food History. If you're interested in hosting an edition, please contact me at shilohmuse at yahoo dot com

Trading Clothes

I had never done it before.

Yesterday, I went down with my comfy beige linen Hagara skirt to my neighbor to have it altered. I ended up giving it to her, a perfect fit. And I came home with two silk blouses and a never-worn Pleat Pleat By Rafael suit, which matches a hat I have and love and almost never wear.

We're both very pleased with our "purchases," and I probably have another few things in my closet to give her. This is really a great way of going shopping.

Another neighbor has done it with her daughter, and that even includes shoes. My married daughter took some of my clothes for her maternity wardrobe. But I've never taken anything from someone else's closet. She had been telling me that she had a couple of things for me, and I didn't believe her.

Now I'm a believer!

Does Wine Go Cooked With Tofu?

I guess it's a bit too late to ask. I needed a liquid in my "tofu stir fry," and all I could find was some white wine. We haven't bought Tamari sauce yet, nor ketchup, and I cooked up the mushy tomatoes with yesterday's tofu. Maybe I ought to go to Jerusalem to shop, or to the Rami Levi giant claims to be discount supermarket in Sha'ar Binyamin, the "commercial" center on the way to Jerusalem.

Since I'm trying to save money, I don't get out much. Actually, I don't get out at all. Because we all know how easy it is to spend money when "out."

Another idea is to call a neighbor who promised to alter some of my too large clothes, and my nice, not cheap, linen summer skirt, the beige one, was too big when I was too fat, so now. I hope she can shrink it, since it would be pretty silly to gain back the weight just to fit into the skirt.

First for lunch. I sauteed tofu, dla'at (that's pumpkin,) a carrot and a tiny piece of sweet potato, plus onion of course. I won't photograph it, because I burn it. I have some pride. Oh, yes, the white wine and oil, too.

Trying To Reorganize

Some things ought to change here. I can start with the sign on the door which celebrates Purim, the holiday we had almost two months ago. Somehow, with all of my Passover cleaning, I skipped the front door. Not that there's any forbidden chametz on the sign, but it's ridiculously irrelevant.

Today's Holocaust Memorial Day, the beginning of our "getting ready for Yom Ha'atzma'ut, Israel's Independence Day. Actually, I don't really agree with the connection between the Holocaust and the State of Israel. The Zionist enterprise/movement began before the Nazis, and I don't like the idea that the world should think they did us a favor to compensate our suffering. Our Jewish State is part of a much longer history, but this isn't my "political blog."

Let's get back to this blog, me-ander.

I figure, rather realistically, that we're not getting any younger, and we can't always count on the kids being able to help us with the heavy physical Pesach schlepping. This year we set up by ourselves and then my husband was crippled by back trouble, so I won't let him schlepp things back up and down the attic ladder.

So, the solution is to find space down here, in the house for as many things as possible. It's too late to redesign the house with a laundry room and/or kitchen large enough for a "Passover closet." I measured the metal closet in the laundry room to see if the Pesach oven would fit, and it would. We just have to raise the shelf over the bottom shelf.

If I could get rid of some of the puzzles stored in that closet, it would also free space, and there's space on the top of the closet. So, if most of the bulky Passover things can be there, it would help in the future. The bulky things are the dish tubs, dish racks and a couple of super-sized pots.

Years ago, before we had internet, during the years in between computers, when I wasn't blogging, when the kids were home and younger, I did jigsaw puzzles, and we have so many. I don't know what to do with them.

The closet also houses games we used to play on Shabbat, like Othello, scrabble and more. Those are worth saving, since the kids will grown into them.

I guess the easiest of all these chores would be to decorate the door in something more timely.

Blogging About Losing Weight #3

I've been blogging about losing weight ever since I began my diet a few months ago. Actually, I don't like calling it a diet, since diets are temporary solutions to permanent problems, and we need permanent solutions.

Blog Carnival
blogging about losing weight carnival
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I felt like Pavlov's dogs. At the sound of the word "diet," I'd get hungry! Nobody can be more surprised than me that over 22 pounds, ten kilo are already off, since I started Start Fresh. Even after going "slightly off" the diet during Passover, I lost almost a pound. If you cook, you should know that there are lots of low calorie foods which can be made in the oven. Ovens aren't just for cakes and cookies. And ignorance is not bliss when dieting. I finally bought myself a digital scale, so I don't have to go to a neighbor to weigh myself.

The Blogging About Losing Weight Carnival comes out monthly, hosted here on me-ander. Please pass the link around and publicize it on your blog or site.

And here's #3!

Send in your posts for the next one. Overly commercial posts or more than two from blog/site won't be included. Please stay on topic.
Rusty Moore presents How Much Water Per Day? Exaggerated by the Media! posted at Fitness Black Book, saying, "Have you been pressured to drink more water than feels natural? Are you constantly coming up short of the recommended 8-10 glasses of water per day? You will like this article! I'm going to examine current studies that question the logic of drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day. Newer studies are showing that maybe you should follow your senses, instead of sticking to some rigid drinking schedule."
Martin Russell presents Phentermine For Weight Loss - My Story posted at Dr Martin W. Russell, saying, "As I was cleaning out some of my old medical files I came across a couple of letters from 1998 about the weight loss drug phentermine."
J.D. Bell presents Get On Your Bikes and Ride posted at It Takes Work, saying, "The title of this post is an obscure lyric reference to an old Queen song called Fat Bottomed Girls. This was the first thought that entered my head when I read about a gym in San Francisco that offers "
swapnil warang presents How to find out if you are overweight or not posted at switch2life.
Brain Blogger presents Depression and Diabetes Linked in Pregnancy posted at Brain Blogger, saying, "Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with increased morbidity for the mother and the infant. Complications of pregnancy-related diabetes include birth defects, congenital abnormalities, shoulder dislocation during delivery, cesarean delivery, excessive fetal weight and head size, and hypertension."
Y Niz presents Planning Your Diet (Lose Weight For Free) posted at TuesdayLose Weight For Free, saying, "We have plans for everything these days. That is how we can fit 100 different things into each day.
Scott LaPlante presents Perfect Body Image Best Weight Loss Guides Best Guides for Weight Loss posted at Best Weight Loss Guides.
James presents 3 Day Heart Diet, posted at Lose Weight In A Week.
healthsecrets presents How To Improve Blood Circulation posted at Health Secrets, saying, "It is possible to improve blood circulation very simply by improving your diet and adding exercise to you routine. Speak to you GP for further advice. Find 100’s health advice and artices like ways of increasing your metabolism please visit us."
Joel Riley presents Beyonce's Lemonade Diet For Weight Loss posted at Master Cleanse Diet Blog.
Joel Riley presents How to Use Diet Bets And Other Tips posted at Master Cleanse Diet Blog.
Joshua Seth presents Lose Weight or Die posted at Joshua Seth Blog, saying, "Here’s a thought: What if being overweight were as lethal as being a smoker? What if it could literally kill you? We all know how bad smoking is for your health. It can take years off your life. We beg our loved ones not to destroy their health by smoking but think nothing of “carrying around a little extra weight” ourselves, right?"
Peter Stockwell presents Senior Fitness is not just Walking posted at The Senior Walking Fitness Blog, saying, "You can lose weight just by walking, but it is best to exercise as well."
bricabrac presents New Healthy Urban Kitchen Program posted at Healthy Urban Kitchen Program, saying, "Healthy Urban Kitchen Program is a different approach to losing weight and gaining a healthy body. Rather than dieting, counting calories or low carb or low fat foods, it teaches you how to shop and cook healthy, what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat."
bricabrac presents Lose Your Love Handles Fast posted at Lose Your Love Handles Fast, saying, "Get rid of that unwanted fat around the middle and get rid of it fast."
Jewel presents Medical Science: Treatment of Obesity posted at Medical Science.
diettips presents What Everybody Ought To Know About Herbal Supplements posted at DietTips, saying, "Many people have turned to herbal supplements for the main purpose of improving their health. There are various diseases that have infected mankind leading to this trend of people opting for herbal supplements."
femininespirit presents Easy Ways to Fuel Your Metabolism posted at FeminineSpirit, saying, "Ask anyone who is above the age of 40, and he or she will tell you that burning calories is a top priority. Metabolism is something, which a lot of people inherit. If you desire to lose weight quickly eating only the food you love, but can’t seem to come to grips with dieting, the Skinny Switch Secret might be just what you are looking for. Check it out now at here."
Robert Galway presents Ftiness Bootcamp posted at robertgalway.com, saying, "Boot camp exercises are chosen to build strength and total body conditioning through repetition, duration, and gradual intensity. A typical day of full basic training in the booth camp exercises are also easy to weave into your running program, as you can do them at regular intervals during your workout at a park, trail or track."
tidr presents Children to Eat Healthy Foods posted at tiDr, saying, "Here are some tips on how to avoid the junk food syndrome and keep your children eating healthy foods as the norm. Forming good eating habits will benefit your kids for a lifetime!"
Raquel presents Daily Fit: The Mediterranean Food Diet posted at Daily Fit Girl, saying, "This is a daily weight loss journal. Trying to lose 60 pounds by September 2009. Blog updated daily."
Aparna presents Weight reduction diet tips posted at Beauty and Personality Grooming, saying, "Obesity is a universal problem. It is bad not just because it makes us look ugly, but because it predisposes us to many diseases like increased blood-pressure (hypertension), heart problems, sluggishness in body movements leading to accidents, etc. Reduction of weight should not be restricted to rigorous exercising only. You will only feel hungrier after exercising. Only a proper combination of exercise and dieting will yield the desired result. Some useful tips to succeed in a reduction diet!"
Irene Rivera presents Loose Weight and Feel Great In as Little As 29 Days Effortlessly With Mangosteen posted at MangoSteen Facts Online.
Jill Forrest presents Diet posted at Yogababy, saying, "Eat your veggies!"
Silicon Valley Blogger presents The Cost of Being Overweight posted at The Digerati Life, saying, "Thanks!"
Bill Friend presents Fad, quick weight loss diets, are they bad? Quick Weight Loss. Do quick weight loss diets work ? posted at Quick Weight Loss. Do quick weight loss diets work ?, saying, "Fad quick weight loss diets can be damaging to your health, but there are ways to achieve safe, natural and sustainable quick weight loss."
Randy Powell presents Natural Health Through Living Foods posted at Eating-Veggies.com: High Alkaline Diet blog.
Maureen presents Does Hypnosis for Weight Loss Work? posted at Weight Loss Hypnosis Hub, saying, "Hypnosis for weight loss can be just a bit misleading. Unfortunately, it’s not a magic bullet. However, it can help you to suppress your appetite which in turn will cause you to actually eat less. Of course, as you know, when you eat less you lose weight. Hypnosis for weight loss will also help you increase your motivation to exercise each day. Aside from your mindset, the two most important aspects of losing weight are consuming less calories and exercising more."
fitnchic presents Counting Calories? Here’s What You Need to Know :: FitNChic.com - Get in Shape Fashionably :: posted at FitNChic.com - Get in Shape, Fashionably!.
Nick Andrade presents How To Get Thin Thighs Fast! posted at Slim Thighs Exercises, saying, "Learn how to get started with your own thigh slimming weight loss plan."
femininespirit presents Get The Facts About The Cookie Diet posted at FeminineSpirit, saying, "The cookie diet may take the cake as the world’s most awful ever fad diet. In essence this diet states that amino acids baked into cookies can control hunger. Don’t waste time with the cookie diet. Eat less, exercise more that’s the formula for good health. Forget miracle foods even if a star tells you to try them."
Personal Story
Katie Williams presents Fat Acceptance? posted at The Incredible Shrinking Me.
Cory presents Fat is Overrated posted at Eating Healthy, saying, "Dieters often focus too much on fat instead of limiting overall calories, especially carbs."
Dennis Dalton presents Simple Weight Loss - Part 1 posted at Simple Personal Development and Growth.
Ryan Suenaga presents My Story, Part Two posted at The Athletic Diabetic, saying, "Second part in my story about diabetes, this one looking a bit at the start of my weight loss success (80 pounds lost so far)"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of blogging about losing weight carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: blogging about losing weight carnival, blog carnival.

Thank you

A Lesson, The Wooden Bowl

This morning I had a long talk with my sister. I'll have to forward this to her. It was sent to me by some good friends:

*The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.*

*A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year**-**old grandson.*
*The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.*

*The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and* *failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.*
*When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated wi th the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.*
*'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.*
*Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.*
* One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.*
*He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,*
*'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.'
The four-year-old smiled and went backto work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.*
*For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.
And for some reason,* *neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way
he/she handles four things:*
*a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your
parents,you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's
mitt on both hands**.**You need to be able to throw* *something back sometimes.*


*I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you*
*but, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,* *your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. ;

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that you should pass this on to*

*everyone you care about. I just did.*

*FRIENDSHIP CANDLE*

Sometimes life's full of challenges.

And For Today....?

I have errands and chores and things I've been avoiding. I should have gone to the pool, but then I'd find myself in Jerusalem. I'll have to try that for Wednesday... maybe. Other things must be done first.

If they gave out medals for procrastinating, I'd get first prize!

A Sign Of Summer

This isn't as reliable as Groundhog's Day, but... summer must be in the air, or in my shoes.

I've been kicking my shoes off recently. Some people think that Passover is the holiday of a "freedom" which is more like anarchy. My feet must identify with them. By the end of the day, the shoes are usually under the desk... sans the feet...

I'm tired. G-d willing, bli neder, I'll check in again in the morning.

Almost As Sad A Story As Christopher Reeve's

"Still Dancing in Her Dreams"

That's thee title of a New York Times article about Liu Yan, an unusually gifted Chinese dancer and choreographer, who was paralyzed from an accident last summer, reminded me of the story about Christopher Reeve as presented in an Israeli EFL textbook.


As I remember it, it began saying how in his sleep he dreams that he's healthy, the active athletic actor he had been before being paralyzed. Reeve's situation was much worse than Liu's. All he could control were his eyes and mouth.

Both Reeve and Liu were injured in accidents. In Israel there are many whose lives have been forced to change, not because of accidents, but because of Arab terrorists.

Recently, I received an update about Moshe Avitan, who was shot in the head by Arab terrorists a few months ago. Moshe and his wife Sarah were traveling from their home in Shvut Rachel to Kochav Hashachar, a short drive southeast.

Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d, Moshe is doing much better than the doctors had feared when he first received medical care. But, yes, that awful "but," he is now legally blind. He does have some vision, but he must learn an entirely new way of living and so do his wife and their daughters. G-d willing more of his vision will return.

Please pray for a refuah shleimah, a complete recovery, for Moshe Refael by Aliza Aisha.
Thank you

Another Real Havel Havelim

Yes, the Real Shaliach is back with the post-Pesach Havel Havelim. It's as really laibadik (sing-songy) as anything could be during sefira.

Actually, there was lots of singing in our shul this Shabbat, acapella, of course, with all the smachot, joyous occasions. A baby girl was named Gefen (grape vine) and a baby boy had his Brit Milah. His name is Sinai.

Enjoy that real HH, and send my regards.

Facebook Isn't Turning Me On

My visits to Facebook are getting less and less frequent. I don't need that niche between blogging and emails. None of my old friends have discovered me there, and I haven't discovered anyone I'd like to friend either.

It's not like I'm deleting my page or anything like that, but I can't remember when I last signed in. And when I do post something, nobody reacts to it. It's like being invisible.

I don't twitter either. I keep thinking that it would be a good idea to open an account...

I like real people, f2f, even phone calls, emails and blogging. So you can't say that I'm a techno-phobe or whatever the term is. I waste so many hours a day on the computer. Why should I add to it?