Greetings Tushkateers! Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely week and weekend; and for those who celebrate Mother's Day - I do hope it was a joyous one. We went to visit my 94 year-old mom and brought her a new summer wardrobe. I know for sure that now that she's in her 90's, she's not hitting the mall with the same regularity that she once did. Anyway, I got her the funkiest outfits ever. She tried them on for us - a fashion show - and she looked at least 10 years younger and her smile subtracted another 10 years. It reminded me that fashion gives a lift, a jolt of energy .... so for those of you who are losing weight and need something new, try a new top or accessory. Perhaps a scarf or something that reflects your happy spring energy. Let's make this week the week to get your spring time groove on!!!
And while you are grooving ... groove on this. There's only 6 days left to vote for OLofWL on Intent.com! And going to Omega (see below) for my workshop would get a permanent groove on going for you, guaranteed!
REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR OLofWL: Intent.com is holding a contest for best Internet sites and lo n' behold, Our Lady of Weight Loss was nominated. OLofWL is a bit competitive (I had no idea, until this contest popped up - she's driving me mad!), and she is hoping that you will go there right NOW (for goodness sake) and vote for her!!! FYI ... you can vote once a day! On behalf of OLofWL - thank you! :)
AND YES ... Please do sign up for my Omega workshop, entitled: "Our Lady of Weight Loss EnLIGHTens: Health, Happiness and Well Being!" In addition, to blowing the fat cells out our mind, we are going to build an altar to Our Lady of Weight Loss and sacrifice our Twinkies! My workshops are more like transformational playshops. Please COME! If you have any questions, write me!
Now ... Get ready for your Monday morning Kick in the Tush! The best weight loss and wellness wisdom ever!!!
Our own physical body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body lack. We give it orders which make no sense. ~Henry Miller
A few weeks ago, my 94 year old mother called me in a panic. "Janice, I know you like to gloss up your lips, but stop it right now. It's gonna' kill you." Truth be told, since the 'news' came from my mother, the alarmist, who reports to me on all such matters, I tuned it out. Does anyone listen to their mother? (I digress; another blog piece!)
But this morning, my cousin sent me an article that I actually read! I urge you to do the same.... Read On!
Combining hypnosis and visualization techniques with creativity, as well as strategies rooted in positive psychology, Taylor helps us move into the "lite." With knowledge, dedication, and humor, she guides us to ... Read On!
It is one of my favorite food holidays! Here follows two of my best Our Lady of Weight Loss approved Cinco de Mayo recipes. A bit tweaked, but still celebratory! Enjoy!!! In the meantime, if you are thinking ... "hmmmm, I'd sure like to be myself," here follow some great tips from Our Lady of Weight Loss (another original :). ... Read On!
Happy Mother's Day! This morning, as I gather my 'stuff' (camera, gift for mom, healthy snacks) to head off into the sunrise to visit my 94 year-young mother, I am reminded of this video that I shot 2 short years ago. Not much has changed. My mother still sits in her apartment, doing her solo act. She did finally stop driving herself to and fro the supermarket this past year. She said it was like having a limb chopped off, but she felt it necessary. Her reflexes aren't exactly what they used to be, and she certainly didn't want to put anyone else in danger. Brava that she came to this conclusion on her own! ... Read On!
Weight Loss Counseling is a tax deduction!
I'd mentioned in the last KICK that Weight Loss Counseling is a tax deduction. A bunch of y'all wrote me, asking for more info. So ... here follows an excerpt from the IRS website. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway - I am not an accountant. You definitely should check with your accountant to make sure all the 'i's are dotted and 't's crossed, and then write me for a free consult!
Here's what the IRS site said: You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group, weight loss counseling as well as fees for attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.
You cannot include the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because the diet food and beverages substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs. You can include the cost of special food in medical expenses only if: The food does not satisfy normal nutritional needs; the food alleviates or treats an illness, and the need for the food is substantiated by a physician.
Tasty AUDIO Coaching Tidbits: The first is called "Imagine!" and the 2nd is an intro to the new plan that I am working on: "The Hyp-NO Diet: Have You Cake and Eat It Plan." They are samples - tasty tidbits - if you will; a preview of what I am working on and how I work. Interested in one-on-one coaching? Write me!
It's NOT About Your FAT; It's About Your LIFE!
EVOLVE! (Don't just improve.) Improve means to do something better. Evolve, however, means that you permanently and fundamentally change a part of who you are.
Janice partners with her clients to provide a thought-provoking process that inspires clients to facilitate positive change, enabling them to enhance the quality of their lives, maximize their potential and permanently remove that excess weight once and for all.
Dear Our Lady of Weight Loss ~ It is very difficult for me to stick to a diet plan, because I am surrounded by people who do not support my efforts, in any way, shape or form. They either eat in front of me, cook fattening food and insist that I eat it (or else) and/or comment on how I look or what I say in a way that makes me feel badly about myself. I sink so low when these things happen. Sometimes it takes me weeks or longer to recover. What's wrong with me? Am I the only one who is so weak? Ridiculously sensitive? Please, help! ~ L.M.B.
Dear L.M.B. ~ We are all very affected by each other. There is nothing wrong with you; you are not weak or ridiculously sensitive. And ... There's no doubt that our energies have a bigger impact on each other than we might imagine. It is somewhat difficult for me to respond, not knowing the particulars, but in general here is something for you to 'chew on.'
It's always best to move into the 'observer' position and practice "response-ability." Note what they are saying without reacting to it. "There goes Uncle L. saying that I must eat his bacon chili or else." I can feel my blood pressure rising. What does the 'or else' mean? I note that I hate confrontation and am willing to go 180 degrees away to avoid it. I am going to take in a deep breath and then remember that I have "response-ability." It is my responsibility to myself to remember and exercise my 'ability to respond.' I have many choices. I do not have to do what others tell me. I can leave the room; limit my time with people who are not supportive. I can ask myself how I am participating in this 'dance,' and I can change it. Knowing that energies between people are strong, I can work on sending out a stronger signal. I can override their negativity with a positivity that they've not known before. I have the responsibility and ability to respond in a way that works for me. I will observe and not react. I will feel the fear but not respond from that position.
I do hope that helps and if you (or anyone else who is reading this) need clarification, please write me! ~ OLofWL
Need to talk to a 'trained ear,' someone who can hear what you are saying and help you turn it around and get your upward spiral in motion? Write Janice, Life & Wellness Coach, for more information about her (telephone) coaching sessions and ask about her 4-week program.
It's not about your fat; it's about your life! I am inviting you to step out of your fat suit and into life!
Quote of the Week Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient. ~ Aristotle
Get Jiggy JigSaw Puzzle
Our Lady of Weight Loss says, "Get Jiggy and Jiggle Your Excess Away!"
Joke of the Week from Tushkateer
and Director of Jokes, Marsha Coleman
A golfer's diet: live on greens as much as possible
An amputee's diet: he needs a hand from a nutritionist
An optimist's diet: starts on Thanksgiving Day
A vegetarian's diet: carrot cake, zucchini bread, and
pumpkin pie
A cardiologist's diet: shake your salt intake
Someone who wants to be thinner but won't work for it:
Wishful Shrinking Diet A dressmakers diet: what you have to do after living
beyond your seams The PhD's diet: change your weight by degrees
Righteous Recipe
Spinach and Warm Beets Salad
This is the kind of salad that I eat as a meal.
Ingredients 8 cups baby spinach * 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil * 1 cup, red onion sliced thin * 2 plum tomatoes, chopped * 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives * 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley *3 cloves garlic, minced * 2 cups beet wedges (steamed if you like - or just buy a jar and use those ... cause sometimes dealing with beets is too much for me) * 2 tablespoons fig balsamic vinegar (or any balsamic vinegar, but I do love fig) * salt n' pepper, to taste * 1/3 cup feta cheese
Instructions Place spinach in a large bowl. * Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. * Add onion and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. * Add tomatoes, olives, parsley and garlic and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes begin to break down, about 3 minutes. * Add beets, vinegar, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the beets are heated through, about 1 minute more. * Add the beet mixture to the spinach and toss to combine. Serve warm.
What's your favorite recipe? Send to OLofWL and get a prize!
