Attitude * ComMINTment * AND Trivia

01/31/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – Strength Training Arms + Chest Added – H2O – 6 Glasses – 5,363 Steps
02/01/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – H2O – 8 Glasses – 3,423 Steps

Good morning, Mintdom,

I did not do my strength training yesterday; however, I made up for it this morning and did both arms and legs. The one extra thing that I need to comMINT to today is, to make a doctor appointMINT.  I am anxious to go and dreading it all at the same time. It is not for anything important; I just need to go for a physical.  I just do not like going at all. I know, I know, I need to change my attitude. I am working on it!

I am on a food kick right now.  I am working on eating healthy meals.  In order to eat healthy, I have to know what I am eating; therefore, I am looking at food labels. I also like to take do the Trivia Quiz on www.Sparkpeople.com .  Here is an interesting question.  Minty will have the answer for you below. 

Which of the following ingredients is a sign that a food product is made with 100% whole wheat?

1. Wheat flour
2. Multigrain
3. Unbleached wheat flour
4. Enriched wheat flour
5. Stone ground wheat flour
6. All of the above
7. None of the above

I actually got this question correct on the quiz.  How did you do?

AffirMINTion: I LOVE going to the doctor. I can hardly wait to make my appointment.

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Minty Mini MoMINT

My mom says… the answer is number 1*, just like me, and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

Proud that My Mom Knew the Answer!

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

*EXPLANATION (from Spark People)
To make sure you are getting 100% whole wheat bread, look at the ingredients list—not the front of the package. “Whole wheat flour” or “100% whole wheat flour” should be the first ingredient and the only flour listed. Do not fall for deceitful terms such as “wheat flour,” “unbleached wheat flour,” “multigrain,” “enriched,” or “stone-ground wheat flour.” These are just sneaky ways of saying refined white flour.

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A Culinary Adventure – Sticking Toe In

01/27/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Arms – H2O – 8 Glasses – 3,203
01/29/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – None – H2O – 8 Glasses – 4,678
01/30/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Legs – H2O – 7 Glasses – No Step Data – 10 minutes of shoveling sidewalk

Good morning, Mintdom,

I am venturing out of my culinary rut, and trying some new recipes.  My sister got me started when she suggested that I look for some new healthy snack alternatives. I have tried a couple of new main dishes and I posted them on Facebook.  A girlfriend posted her White Chili.  I asked her for the recipe; it looked healthy so I tried it and posted it.  So far, I have sent the recipe to all over the country, including CA, NM, and someone that went to my high school! Anyway, do not be afraid to step out of your culinary comfort zone. 

Here is the recipe – it originally came from Cooking Light Magazine.  Thank you to my friend, Maureen for passing it on.

This white chili recipe uses hot pepper sauce made from jalapeños; it is milder than the red hot pepper varieties. Stirring frequently toward the end of cooking time prevents the bean-thickened broth from sticking to the bottom and scorching. Serve with Spicy Jalapeño Corn Bread. (I did not make)

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup chili, 4 teaspoons yogurt, and 1 teaspoon green onions)
Ingredients
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
5 teaspoons green hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons stone-ground cornmeal
1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions (about 1)
Lime wedges (optional)

Preparation
1 Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat Add chopped onion and garlic to pan; cook 5 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally Add broth, hot pepper sauce, salt, and chicken to pan; bring to a boil Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes Remove chicken from broth mixture; cool

2 Add cornmeal and beans to broth mixture, stirring with a whisk; simmer 15 minutes Mash about 1/4 cup beans against side of pan Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add chicken to pan; simmer 5 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently. Top each serving with yogurt; sprinkle with green onions. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Nutritional Information
Calories:
198 (19% from fat)
Fat:
4.1g (sat 0.8g,mono 1.7g,poly 1.2g)
Protein:
24.8g
Carbohydrate:
14.3g
Fiber:
3g
Cholesterol:
56mg
Iron:
1.6mg
Sodium:
456mg
Calcium:
63mg

A Mini Minty MoMINT
“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.” –Author Unknown
My Mom says… she is teaching me a new trick, and I LIKE it! My mom gives me a treat every time I shake hands…and I like that too!

Life is Minty Fresh!

Minty is Ready for Her Lesson

Are You Happy?

01/24/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Arms – H2O – 8 Glasses – 4,253 Steps
01/25/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Legs – H2O – 8 Glasses – No Step Data
01/26/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training Arms – H2O – 6 Glasses – 5,365 – 10 Minutes of Shoveling

Good morning Mintdom,

I am living in a little frozen Mint world today.  Yesterday, we got about 5 or 6 inches of snow.  I worked from home most of the day, and today, I will do the same.  It was actually good for me as I got a lot accomplished, and I am looking forward to getting a lot more work done today. The only distraction I had was Minty.  The snow is good for Minty too as she loves playing and eating it; we are both happy!

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Openheim

I have been thinking about happiness lately and I have a couple of questions for you:

Do you consider yourself happy?

Do you think that happiness is genetic?

My mom says that she thinks that I was born happy. I rather think that it is a choice.  I search on Google for the answer and found several articles (just a few are listed below for your reading pleasure) on this topic.  Before I give you my opinion on this topic, I would love to hear what you think about the topic, and the two questions. Please feel free to share your thoughts here .  I am sure that you will have many interesting things to say.

AffirMINTion: I am a happy person

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says… I am the happiest creature that she knows, and I LIKE it!

Life is Minty Fresh!
 

Happy Minty

xoxo

http://www.forbes.com/2004/09/23/cx_mh_0923happiness.html
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1721954,00.html
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-imprinted-brain/201005/happiness-ultimately-its-genetic
http://www.lifecho.com/happiness-genetics-circumstances-intentional-activity/

Mints Just Wanna Have Fun!

01/21/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – 10 10 10 Strength Training – H2O – 8 Glasses – 5,046 Steps
01/22/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – H2O – 8 Glasses – 4,442 Steps
01/23/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing + 10 Minutes w/Minty on Floor– H2O – 8 Glasses – 4,652 Steps

Good morning Mintdom,

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie

Speaking of fun – this is a GREAT video.  www.tinyurl.com/funpianostairs . It is a shame that we cannot have more of these.  Exercise IS a lot easier to do if you have fun doing it.  I love to dance (cardio) and play with Minty on the floor.  What sorts of things do you do to make exercise fun? Feel free to share your answers on www.Mintdom.com – I am sure you all have some fun ideas!

AffirMINTion: Dancing is fun and I like doing it every day

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to. 

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says that she is succeeding with her exercise because I put the fun into it… and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

 xoxo

PS You know my mom had to give you this www.tinyurl.com/MintyFun
PSS AND you can have fun dancing to it! xoxo

Take Time to Play! :)

01/19/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise Strength Training (10-10-10) – H2O – 8 Glasses – Steps – 4,300 +

Good morning Mintdom,

I feel good about getting my steps up there, and I actually did better then what you see above, but somehow I have misplaced my pedoMINTer or it fell off and that was about what it said when I last looked!  I hope that it is at the office or in my car.  If not, I am off to buy yet another one!  LOL!  It really helps me to wear a pedometer, as I am much more aware of moving during the day.

I have to be extra good with food and water today as tonight is our office’s happy hour.  By good, I mean I am going to eat correctly, with protein, fiber and a lot of water.  I do not want to be hungry or thirsty when I go, which will help me not over, indulge!  I am looking forward to it though.  Our happy hours are fun because the people are so awesome! I think it is always good to take time out to play, although some in my family might think I like fun a little too much! 

“Have fun in your command. Do not always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you’ve earned it; spend time with your families.” – Colin Powel

AffirMINTion: I love putting fun in my day!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says that she has fun playing on the floor with me… and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

Minty Plays!

Mints Rule!

01/17/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Strength Training (10-10-10) – H2O – 8 Glasses – Steps – 4,432
01/18/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Cardio (Dancing) – H2O – 8 Glasses – Steps – 3,303

Good morning Mintdom!

My steps were low yesterday, because I worked from home due to ice on the roads.  I am sure that I could have brought my step count higher; however, I did not focus on it.  Today will be better.  I am still stiff from the little strength training exercise that I did on Monday – yikes – ten minutes, and I am sore.  My sister, Nancy gave me the exercise to start with on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  She calls it 10-10-10; it is three sets of 10 reps for three little strength training exercises. I am restarting with baby steps.  It takes a long time to get in shape, and I swear it takes a minute to get out of shape!  The good news is that I am aware that I stepped off the path of my health journey and that awareness has led me right back. I am looking forward to getting stronger!

“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.” – Lao Tzu

For those of you that have stepped off your path – you can come back anytime!
http://tinyurl.com/comeback2

AffirMINTion: I am stronger every day in every way.

A Mini Minty MoMINT
 

“I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.” – Pietro Aretino
My mom rules, but she is a queen.  My mom calls me her little princess… AND I LIKE IT!

 

Life is Minty Fresh!

Princess Minty

 xoxo

Another Step Towards Health – That’s Gilly!

01/16/11 – 10 Minutes of Exercise – Dancing – H2O – 8 + glasses – AND…. (Drum roll) 4,122 Steps
 
Good Morning, Mintdom!
 
I am so happy to get a pedoMINTer back.  I actually bought one before the holidays, but it was defective so I sent it back.  The company just sent me a new one. My committMINT is going to be at least 4,000 steps a day this week. Next week I will up it to 5,000, and I will go from there. Seems like a pretty big step back when I was doing 7 – 8,000 steps before my pedoMINTer broke; however, when I started with a pedoMINTer, I was barely doing 2,000 steps a day – that is progress!
 
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
 
It sure is nice to have a pedoMINTer back.  I need to buy a backup in case this one fails.  I do not want to be pedoMINTerless again!

AffirMINTion: I take steps each day towards better health!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is Gilly!*
 
A Mini Minty MoMINT
 
My mom says… she is taking steps to better health, AND I like it!

Life is Minty Fresh!

This is me BEFORE my beauty appointment

 xoxo

* Note: I just heard the word ‘Gilly’ for the first time.  It means ‘better than good’

Becoming a Better Me

09/16/10 – 7,089 steps
Water Aerobics

09/17/10 – 6,501 steps

09/18/10 – No Data
Water Aerobics (lite)

09/19/10 – 5,045 steps
Water Aerobics

Good morning Mintdom,

“Being a better you” is the theme of the day for Toastmasters today. I like to think that I strive to do that every day – no wonder I am never bored!  LOL I am intentional about improving myself in all areas of my life. One of my girlfriends reminded me the other day though how it sometimes works.  Let us say I am focused on the personal (this includes emotional and physical parts) side of my life.  I focus on that and not focus enough on my business side.  One day I notice that my business is not where I want it where I want it to be so I begin focusing on that.  The pendulum sways the other way and now I have gone the complete other way.  The trick is to coast back into the middle.  It is a challenge for sure, and one that I am up for because I am worth it!  What does ‘being a better you’ mean to you?

“Look within, for within is the wellspring of virtue, which will not cease flowing, if you cease not from digging.” –Marcus Aurelius

AffirMINTion: I strive to improve each day because I am worth it!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says that I am very loveable and cute and wants everyone to think the same, so she is helping me have better manners, and I like it!

Life is Minty Fresh!

 

 xoxo

Life is Minty Fresh!

09/13/10 – 7,806 steps

9/14/10 – 6046 steps

Good morning Mintdom,

Obviously, it is a challenge for me to keep up with my life since I did not write yesterday.  I am not complaining – I would rather have my life busy then not.  I have such a nice and full life, and I am so grateful – actually, I am so gratFULL!  Hehe.  I really could not have asked for a better life then I have right now.

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” –Brian Tracy

I am grateful for the challenge to keep up with my life even though it has frustrated me a little. If I stop to look at it all, it really IS a better life than I could have ordered. What are you grateful for today in your life today?

AffirMINTion:  I am grateful for the challenges in my life

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

I am grateful for all my toys.  My mom says… she is grateful for me, and I like it!

Life is Minty Fresh!

A Hard Habit to Break

09/12/10 – No Data
09/11/10 – 3,395 steps
09/10/10 – 8,495 steps
09/09/10 – 7,085 steps
09/08/10 – 8,239 steps

Good morning Mintdom,

With the exception of this weekend, my steps have been much better.  My short-range goal is at least 7,000 steps and I have been doing more.  Part of it is that I walk with my sister, Becky a couple of times a week and part of it is that I walk Minty three times a day.  I think having a puppy DOES help keep me more active even when I am not walking.  We get on the floor and play during the day.  I could probably do an exercise video on exercises to do with your puppy!  Seriously, having this commiMINTment is helping me form good habits.

“Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.” –Spanish Proverb

Ok, I have this song swirling around in my head – I thought I would pass it along if it were not already swirling around in yours. http://tinyurl.com/MintyHabit.  Unhealthy habits are hard to break; however, if you incorporate good habits, it is a lot easier! What are your good cobwebs that you would like to become cables?  Feel free to share your thoughts here.

AffirMINTion: I am an activity machine!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!
A Mini Minty MoMINT

Come on folks – walk your dog today.  If you do not have one – walk your neighbor’s dog.  Let us make today ‘Walk Your Dog Day’. Ha ha ha My mom says that I am helping her build cables towards a healthy lifestyle, and I like it! 

xoxo