WHITNEY IS GONE...SO SAD...

The sad and untimely death of Whitney Houston has taken us all by surprise. Ever since Christmas I had this feeling that some well known celebrity was going to die, and was wondering who it was going to be. Now we know. What a tragic end to somebody who could have had it all. She was the Beyonce of my day and I just loved her song 'I want to dance with somebody...feel the heat with somebody...' Yeah! Yeah! She truly was magnificent in her prime - tragically she was in her prime, if she had only taken proper care of herself. Forty eight is the prime of life. What a sad end for her. May she rest in peace.

Well despite the setback of Whitney's demise...I have been valient in my efforts to be 'good'. Everybody in the house loves me when I'm being 'good' except my efforts at making a healthy colcannon dish tonight met with the thumbs down from Kevin 'what the heck was that?' he asked, most unimpressed. 'That' happened to be heart-healthy kale and broccoli mixed with mashed potatoes, minus the butter. Instead of putting in butter, I decided to use the juice from the kale and broccoli to make it soft and so in appearance it looked like green mashed potato. I think it was the green colour which put him off. Hunger is a great sauce and right now everything tastes good to me! I guess no butts...it has to be butter!

Day two and three are now history in my '21 Days to a New You'. Bet you thought I wouldn't last this long on the black coffee!! And that my sad break-up with cheese would end, with me giving in, and going back to Cheese saying all is forgiven. Well YOU'RE WRONG on both counts I'm happy to report.

Normally, Sunday is a bit of a loose cannon day for me, the fact it was grey and rainy did not bode well either. But 'He who fails to plan...plans to fail' Right? so I had my day all mapped out for me, to avoid weakening. My bedroom and bathroom were the beneficiaries and boy! they didn't know what hit them! I gave a massive clean out to the shower, bath, floors, cabinets and sink and you could see your reflection in the taps and mirrors!! lol. Next I hit our bedroom and I crashed out for a few minutes to re-gain my energy. This, I decided would replace my 500 cals burn on the treadmill. After the bedroom, polishing, and hoovering, I was well and truly bunched. Yesterday I continued cleaning out my clothes closets to get rid of out-of-season clothes (at least I am hoping it's out of season since they were my winter clothes). I deposited them in the basement and brought up some Spring clothes. Love doing that, as it really rings in the change of seasons.

It's only 3 days into my 21 day challenge, and so far, I seem to have a lot more energy. I'm feeling my mojo coming back...I've stuck to the clean eating. Hate the word 'diet' take away the 't' and you're left with 'die' no wonder they never work with a name like that...

So far I've 'temporarily' eliminated from my diet dairy, sugar, flour and wheat products, pasta, etc. though I do eat brown rice. Instead I am stocking up on the heart friendly foods which I read about this weekend. The 9 power foods in case you didn't know are as follows:

ORANGES, KALE, GARLIC, SARDINES, LENTILS, ALMONDS, POMEGRANATES, RED WINE (yes I must say that one surprised me though I'd heard it was good for the heart) and the best for last... DARK CHOCOLATE.

You can also add Blueberries, and all berries to the above list, as well as seeds, avocados and walnuts. In addition, I learned that protein is essential for menopausal women.

And sticking with the 'P' word...Prayer is also soothing to the soul, and keeps the blood pressure down.

The following is a favourite wake-up prayer that anybody can use..,

Morning Prayer to get the day off to a good start!

God of my life,
I welcome this new day.
It is your gift to me...
The first day of the rest of my life.
I thank you for the gift of being alive this morning
I thank you for the sleep which has refreshed me.
I thank you for the chance to begin life all over again.
Lord, this day is full of promise and opportunity:
Help me to waste none of it.
This day is full of mystery and of the unknown:
Help me to face it without fear or anxiety.
I CAN DO ALL THINGS IN HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

AMEN

Nighty night...after all that cleaning today, I'm heading for the hay now!