"There is no limit to what you can imagine. And the moment you imagine anything, it begins to come to life. When you imagine, you plant a seed. The more detailed and specific your imagination becomes, the more that seed will grow.

Imagine the place you would most like to be. Then imagine how you could get there.

Continue to imagine, in greater and greater detail, and at some point an amazing transformation occurs. The object of your imagination crosses over into reality.

When you imagine, you focus your mind on the possibilities. And your mind goes to work to make those possibilities happen.

When you imagine, be sure to imagine the very best. For what you can imagine sets the stage for where you'll go."

-- Ralph Marston

Hi readers of my blog... I had to put this on today because I wrote a little on my Poughkeepsie Journal blog - check it out - press here and it struck me so funny I couldn't help it.  The blog is all about self-love if you are not with a significant other on February 14th.....but you must admit...as much as I don't usually put things like this up - it is hysterical.. I can't stop laughing...   I know soon I won't feel this way anymore... LOL

Okay.. it's time to do a review on a really, really cool item and a fantastically cool company. Let me tell you a little bit about SnackTAXI. Their mission is to create fun and friendly items that make it easy for everyone to move their food in sustainable style.
Here are some the advantages as listed on their tags of the Sandwich Sacks.

They are machine washable - and it's true – I washed mine and it's still in perfect condition.

Their materials are free of lead, phthalates, and BPA – hooray!!!

The US alone adds 20 million plastic baggies to landfills every singe day – These fashionable little bags help to cut back on plastic bag usage.

Each reusable bag you use keeps as many as 100 plastic bags out of the waste stream – Hooray SnackTaxi!!!

I tested out my SnackTAXI sandwich sacks several times in the last few weeks. I brought everything from sandwiches to pretzels to healthy snacks and everything in between and I've been very happy with the quality, the lightness, and the fact that it is washable. It also helps that they are very stylish. All in all, I love my sandwich sacks. I may be trying other products of theirs in the future so stay tuned.

  You go SnackTAXI! Way to go!!! Check out the website where they have other products and all the wonderful designs and patterns for adults and kids.

This is from their about us page:

I invented SnackTAXIs way back in 2003 as a way to stem the tide of plastic ziplock bags that flowed from our house to the landfill when our 3 kids started school! We pack over 500 lunches every year, and had definitely fallen prey to the easy appeal of the ziplock bag.

SnackTAXIs are easy too - really! They are made in our home-based workshop by talented (and fun!) local sewers - we are committed to keeping our business local, and will never outsource our labor.

We hope you'll enjoy using snackTAXIs as much as we enjoy making them!

Erin Kelly-Dill, Owner



For more information visit www.snacktaxi.com

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I know alot of you like doing things for a cause and this Friday - Bella Capelli Salon now located across from Adams on Rt 44 in Poughkeepsie, New York is having a “Go Red For Women Event” to kick off the month. That day if you get a red hair extension for $10.00 they will donate it to the American Heart Association and you will also receive a $10.00 coupon towards future services. Also if you have a manicure or pedicure in RED $5.00 will go to the AHA.

Help them raise awareness in the fight against heart disease in women. All proceeds will go to the AHA. Go during the month of February and for a $10.00 donation support the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Program.

Joe Daily from 92.1 Lite FM will be there 12:00 – 2:00 on Friday, February 3, 2011. Have fun.

I posted this on the Foodie site I post on a few weeks ago and now I'm re-posting it here.

I hope if you’re someone who eats healthy you threw out all that wonderful holiday food or at least you are now eating it in moderation and are back on track.

I decided to get in touch with a wonderful company – Healthy Vending by h.u.m.a.n.  They have vending machines all over.  HUMAN healthy vending machines are filled with everything; snacks and drinks both hot and cold.   They describe themselves as “the world’s first health activist company to distribute eco-friendly and high-tech vending machines that only vend nutritious foods while simultaneously educating the consumer on nutrition and the products in the machine at the point of sale (via 23″ LCD screens).” I want to share some reviews on products they sent me. Over the next month or so I will be reviewing the following products that can be found in their machines.

Popchips – Sour Cream and Onion Potato

Revolution foods – Organic Mashups squeezable fruit, unsweetened – Berry flavor

Zico – Pure Premium Coconut Water with natural Mango Flavor – Yummy I can’t wait for that one

Nestle – Juicy Juice – 100% Apple Juice

Roll-ups – Simply Fruit – Strawberry

Planters NUT-rition – Wholesome Nut Mix

Cliff – All natural Crunch Granola bar – white chocolate macadamia nut

Annies – Organic Granola bar

Kashi TLC Roasted Almond Crunch

Larabar – Cherry Pie

Larabar – Cashew Cookie

So, let’s start off today with Popchips



Net Wt .8 oz(23 g)

Serving Size: 1 bag (23g/18 Chips)

Calories: 100  Calories from Fat 30

Total Fat 3.5 g

Saturated Fat 0g

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g

Monounsaturated Fat 2 g

Cholesterol  mg

Sodium 160mg

Potassium 210mg

Total Carbohydrate 16g

Dietary Fiber 1g

Sugars 2g

Protein 1g

All natural – no preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, no cholesterol, gluten free.  Woo hoo!!!!

Let me start by saying they are not only popped but they pop in your mouth meaning they have a good texture.  They are definitely tasty and they would take away the edge for potato chips if you are watching your fat intake.  Do they have the same crunch…no…but I am just as satisfied because I normally wouldn’t eat potato chips when eating healthy…so hooray for Popchips.  I will buy them in the future.  When passing your local Human Healthy Vending Machine (http://www.healthyvending.com) give them  a try. Let me know how you rate them.

See you soon with another review…. stay tuned!!!!

_

Do you need some tips on eating healthier? What can you do to make your diet healthier without depriving yourself? Here are some things I incorporated into my diet to get healthy and stay healthy.

• Eat more vegetables.
  
  
• Eat more fruits.
  
  
• Eat heart healthy fats. Fish and nuts are included in that category.
  
  
• Choose oils such as canola, olive and avocado oil. These have the lowest percentage of saturated fat.
  
  
• Prepare more homemade meals. You have control when you cook your own meals.
  
  
• Avoid fast food restaurants; most of the food is very high in fat.
  
  
• Eat a wide variety of foods. Balance is key!
  
  
• Eat more fiber.
  
  
• Eat Whole Grains instead of simple sugars (pastas, cakes, cookies, etc).
  
  
• Simple sugars should be eliminated or cut down extensively.
  
  
• Eat beans (legumes)
  
  
• If you really want to eat red meat, eat it in moderation. Choose chicken and fish.
  
  
• Egg whites are great. Eat yolks in moderation.
  
  
• Cut down on salt. (It causes water retention)
  
  
• Replace whole milk with fat-free milk. (This may take time, in steps, going from whole to 2% to1% to fat-free)
  
  
• If you like to drink alcoholic beverages, do it in moderation.
  
  
• Eat 6 healthy small meals daily within a certain calorie range.
  
  
• Exercise 3 – 5 days per week.
  
  

As far as eating healthy foods, it's up to you to see what works for you. We all have favorite foods. I choose to eat a lot of chicken, fish, turkey burgers and veggies. I do eat a pork chop once a week or so because I love pork chops. Notice I said a pork chop though – that means one. As long as it's in moderation, it's all good. I have vegetables every day and a salad 3 – 7 times per week with a meal.




My advice is if you are starting a diet or healthy eating plan, choose foods you enjoy. Use spices and herbs...spice it up! Find recipes that are low-fat, high-fiber, taste good and are healthy for you. They do exist. You CAN enjoy a healthy eating plan. I do.


Make your snacks healthy.

• Fruits, vegetables, yogurt.
  
  
• An apple with peanut butter is a great balanced snack and fills you up.
  
  
• Another good choice as a healthy snack is Almonds.
  
  
• Keep yourself hydrated. Haven't you been hearing this since you were a little kid in school? Drink your 8 glasses of water per day.
  
  
• Bring healthy snacks with you so that you don't reach for the first unhealthy thing you see.
  
  

_
Live appearance on a radio show tonight – tune in!!!!!! Today at 4:00pm (ET) for 1/2 hour I will be on a live radio/tv show on the internet.
http://www.realcoachingradio.net

If you can make it tonight at 4:00 – welcome… if not there will be a link to watch afterward. I will also be doing an hour show at months end. I’ll let you know.

woo hoo!!!

_I was blessed to cross paths with WHO. Take a look at this site.  It is soo sooo inspiring... here's an excerpt from the home page. 

<a href="http://www.inspirational-and-beyond.com/motivate-with-marion.html">Motivate with Marion</a>

"What I have to teach is based on a simple analogy of viewing our lives as Journey along the River of Life. Surrounding this I introduce the Methods and Concepts that have steered me through troubled waters and yet have helped me develop my character in all area's of my own life.

I hope this resource can inspire you to do the same. You might want to bookmark this page as there is plenty to see.

Ps Don't forget to checkout my latest article

It is all Energy! Happy Days - The White haired one"

The white haired one

Meridian Energy Therapist
NLP Practioner
Reiki Master

What are you doing to hold yourself back?  If you are not moving forward towards your goals you may be the problem... wouldn't you rather be the solution?  You are the creator of your destiny... you can have and be whatever you want in life if you just start believing it. 

Decide what you purpose in life is then take the action to start the progress.  I believe in visualization as you know...hence comes my Vision Board Workshops.  

Make your intentions clear - Example:  If you want to lose 20 lbs in the next three months  be specific - By April 7th I will lose 20 lbs by eating healthy and exercising 4 days per week for 45 minutes each time.   If you need to set shorter term goals as some of us do... Start with how much you will lose by February 7th , then March 7th, then April 7th.  Reward yourself as you hit each goal.  Whether that is taking yourself to a movie, buying a new pair of pants, whatever .. just plan a reward for taking the actions needed to get to your goals. 

Okay .. more on this soon....gotta run!!!!!!!!  Tell me about one of your goals...

Also start visualizing yourself as if you are already there... you already accomplished the goal.. this is very, very important... how will you look when you lose 20 lbs, how will you feel, what will you be wearing... feel it, see it, know it, own it....   Okay.. I really must run now.. Have a productive fun day!

Having gone through so many changes last year having to do with loss in one form of another, I am happy to be in 2012.

I want to wish you a very happy, healthy, joyous, prosperous, calm, peaceful year!!!!!!!!