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Wednesday/Hump day Never really got the hang of calling Wednesday hump day. I get the hump notion behind it, just don’t quite like the sound of it. “Happy Hump Day” Nahh, not liking it. So Happy Wednesday it is   I came across an article that got me thinking about relationships. I am going to post the link so you can all read. Its really interesting. More so for me because I’ve been thinking a lot about this same topic as well. So it came to me at the right time Funny how those things happen.  I observe people “people watch”. Partly in day dreaming and wondering what their life entails, and partly to learn. I honestly live and learn as I go along, and think we should all. No one was born with the manual and mastered the trait instantly, so why not live and learn? Well the article is about relationships and the 5 most important things couples should know. All leading to true love.  In my own relationship, I for one know that I have grown and changed throughout my 14 yrs of marriage. Knowing Michael for 25 yrs, as friends, I definitely have changed. But see, I think that part of nurturing and growing in a relationship is enjoying and learning from those changes that are inevitable. We aren’t the same, and shouldn’t change the way we are to accommodate or please our partner. Part of a union, to me, is growing and learning from eachother. Complimenting one another and never giving up our own unique individuality for fear of losing that partner.  I know many couples out there where one has “lost” their true self for fear of “rocking the boat”. The relationship is completely one sided. The one calling the shots continues and the other is slowly but surely losing all self-worth.  Ok, enough said Yes I could go on and on. Have to remind myself this is a blog and not a book!   Enjoy the article.

http://www.oprah.com/relationships/How-to-Know-Its-Real-Love-Advice-from-Martha-Beck/1

Since its “Hump day” I got one for you to try.  Organic Vodka Add some cranberry and pomegranate juice w/splash of OJ and you will be loaded (no pun intended) with anti-oxidants AND good for you Vodka. Might as well get some health benefits from it!  Salud!

Have a Great Workout! Join me on a 3k run

Until tomorrow…Besos y Abrazos..xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Its Tuesday and the kids are home, no camp today Happy day friends! Great day outside and plan on enjoying it. Did anyone catch the moon last night?!? My goodness…what an amazing site!   M&V were mezmorized at the “big piece of cheese”.  Classic Veronica, “Mom, is there really a man on the moon?”   Then when I went on to talk about Neil Armstrong and the astronauts she added, “well I need to get my suit ready for when its my turn” I just melt at the amount of assurance kids can have. Give them the right amount of support and guidance and they will, with every morsel of their being, believe that the sky is the limit….and why not. I am so grateful to know that I was raised that way (and let it be known that my mom still reminds me )  and my kids will as well. “You can’t” or “I can’t do it” does not exist. Remove it from the vocabulary. If you can see it and dream it, then you can do it….no matter what.  All we need is someone on your corner telling you you can. Know that at least one is…me

So I am not doing the traditional workout today at the gym. I am using my God given strength and energy to burn the extra calories. Getting started with house “mommy jobs” and wrapping it up with a good old fashion car wash and water fight/pool time.  Yes its easier to go to a car wash and have someone else do it for us, but re-living my youth and sharing the moment with my kids..well that alone is worth any amount of suds I may get on my face

Make it Fun Friends & Have a Great One!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends! It’s Monday and I am ready!   Can’t believe we have just started the last week in July. One more month of Summer! Life is going by way to fast. Yet as I am saying this and writing it I myself am on speed with so much to do! We do it to ourselves and then complain. OK B, close your eyes and breathe. Everyone out there who is on speed today take a moment to breathe and focus. Align myself with the present moment and everything will fall into place. Or in kid terms…  “slow and steady wins the race”   Casa Gomez was filled with Marlboro Blue this weekend. Woo hoo to the Mustangs! Boys did great even in the 100 degree weather!  We were drenched in both sweat and rain, but all in all came out victorious! This evening one more win before championship game Wednesday night! Got to love little league! One thing that does make it all the more fun is that our team is fortunate to have a great group of kids and parents. We’ve made some great friends this season, of which I am sure will be around for a long time   OK friends, lets get moving today and stick to the plan.  I wrote a story on childhood obesity for Popular Hispanics Magazine that I hope you all take a look at. We really need to put a stop to this epidemic. The other night I watched a report on “Feeding America”. Now this really drives me crazy. On one hand we are obese, and on the other hand starving!  Where is the balance?! How can we allow there to be such extremes? We say it, we preach it, but do we live it? Balance. SO important in everything we do. Make today about balance.  It is critical to our very being

Posting a link today for all of you who enjoyed some some vaca frita or greasy french fries this weekend.  I’ve said it before, actually we’ve all said it.. “you are what you eat”  

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35350889/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

Its Monday so Get Moving! Have a Great Active Day!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Where have you been? I’ve missed you so!   Yes the weekend is here!  Am I excited because its the weekend or because I am two days closer to cuddling up with Don Draper and all the fab folks of Mad Men on Sunday night!!!  LOVE that show and am proud to say have been a fan since day 1    Making it short and sweet today. Posting a link to an article I read on Obesogens aka  Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.  Much study has been done on this natural and synthetic compound that works by mimicking Estrogen which is a major NO NO for women.  Please read and pass on.  I’ve said before and blogged on the pros and cons of Organic. I know its a cost factor to many, but need be, pick and choose your battles/foods. These chemicals are destroying us and fueling the weight gain obesity issue in our country and world.  Many health factors are linked. Its imperative that we educate ourselves and make change…now!

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/loveyourbody/why-you-cant-lose-those-last-10-pounds-1964849/

Have a Fabuouls Energy Filled Workout which will make your Day Great!

Feliz Fin de Semana!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Read a quote this morning I am going to share…great way to start the day   “Excellence is a combination of passion & focus. When you have passion for what you are doing and get your focus in the right place, everything else will follow. Embrace the moment.”  Isn’t that great!  It is so true. We can all talk about a passion we have be it gardening or sky-diving, but if we don’t combine it with focus the passion will be lost and not fully embraced. You would be cheating the passion and in turn the fire will sizzle and fade away. Focus illuminates the passion    One of the ways I stay focused in my passion is through fuel…the nutrition kind   Just had a nice juicy grapefruit with my egg-whites for breakfast and thought of sharing the huge benefits it provides.  Not only are grapefruits low in calories and filled with essential nutrients, it is also low in sodium, high in potassium, and high in fat burning enzymes. The fact that they are low in sodium is important because it helps in flushing away the excess water we retain from consuming foods that are high in sodium. Enzymes are very important when it comes to digesting our foods.  Grapefruits are high in fat burning enzymes! Fat burning anything, I am all for!   Lastly the fact that many fruits are high in water, 90% in grapefruit, is critical in boosting water ingestion for the energy we need, and valuable in speeding our metabolism. Indulge friends! Summer was made for juicy nutrition filled fruits. Grapefruits have the added benefits! Enjoy

Enjoy today’s workout…Take a walk to the market and pick up some fruits!   Mini-workouts give huge benefits. Throw in 10 minute spurts throughout the day! Get up right now and run up and down the stairs….go!

Have a Great Day…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Need to be honest….blame it on PMS weakness   Yesterday I went to my fav market Wegmans, and after walking pass the fresh bread counter about 100 times debating on whether to do it or not, I did it. I bought a loaf of organic wheat bread, came home, poured EVOO w/herbs on a small dish, dipped the bread in the oil and ate THE WHOLE THING!!! OMG que rico! Boy did I embrace that moment!    xoxo..

Yes that is how I feel right now! Woke up great…then it began. HAVOC! God bless havoc! Even now sitting on the computer I have a fly that won’t leave me alone, a bulldog pup, which by the way is a 10 month old dog still considered a puppy?!?!  OK a “puppy” that all he wants to do is slobber on my furniture or lick it and the more I tell him to stop the more he does it with an added sneaky look in his eye. Kids who refuse to come to me to ask for something instead insist on yelling throughout the house, and deadlines and “to do’s” that are haunting me!!  Breathe B, breathe.  It seams that once something starts to go wrong, EVERYTHING snowballs with it.  Had a conflict with my mother and now every thought and action is clouded. UGH I hate that! Why can’t I be one of those people who just don’t care and go on with life. Brush off everything. Well I am not, and I guess I am grateful for that. So I smile and sing an old Mexican song I learned many years ago. ” …canta y no llores, porque cantando se arregla sielito lindo los corazones..”   OK, I also had it with the yelling and YELLED BACK! And now I sing   Boy is life crazy sometimes.   I’m shaking it off and focusing on the bright big picture.  Its a great glorious day!  My day, your day, and up to us to make it great…I choose great….slobber and all

My workout today….going for a run followed by a self given Yoga mini-session. Any amount of Yoga & meditation does wonders for me. I urge you all to give it a try. Body & Mind…love it!

Have a Great Day….Buen Dia!!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Simpre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends!   Before I get into something very important to report I must pose the question. Why do I feel guilty my kids are off at summer camp?!? They love it and are having a blast, so what is the problem?  I am convinced that no matter what, when it comes to mommy-hood, your are damned if you do and damned if you don’t!   There is a recall I need to report on a diet supplement.  The “Natural Herb” product Slim-30 is being recalled for carrying ingredients not approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration).  The product, which is marketed as a “Natural Herb” carries N-Desmethyl Sibutramine & Sibutramine. These ingredients are drugs used as a diet suppressant and can cause major damage to your heart, in addition to possible strokes.  An increase in blood pressure & blood rate can be deadly so PLEASE stay clear of anything carrying these drugs.  Again, another classic example of knowing what you are putting into your body. It takes just one time for it to be your last time. Many times we are desperate and we here that this is it, the greatest weight loss product out there. We cave in and give it a try. I know because I too have been sucked in.  Belevie me there is NO MIRACLE DRUG!  You have to eat right and live an active and healthy lifestyle…bottom line.   Once you implement a healthy lifestyle there will be no need to be sucked in to these “quick fixes” that don’t work. You will be on the right path, the life-long journey,  and slipping into that dress or bathing suit will be stress free.   I promise you. 

Have a Great Workout Day!! Get moving! NO EXCUSES

Until Tomorrow…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Its Monday! Back to work..back to the grind   STRUGGLING here big time!!! Had a GREAT week and fabulous weekend celebrating my man’s bday Great friends…great time! Today I am paying for it though I have made an awful discovery. I think I am allergic to wine!! Say it isn’t so please! Unfortunately I think I am. I’ve analyzed the pattern for some time now and it appears that when I over-indulge in white wine I wake up the next day with an awful case of sinus pressure and major congestion. Needless to say after a great day on Saturday filled with vino,  yesterday I was paying the price.  I’m not talking just a small case of the sniffles either. I mean BIG TIME congestion! Even today, although I am better I am still congested and groggy. Not good.  I’ve done some research and one fact is that white wine carries more sulfates than red. The reaction to white may be greater as well. That makes sense to me since the times it has happened I was drinking white wine.  Regardless, I am bummed. I truly enjoy wine and having a negative reaction to it is not fun. Would love to hear from anyone out there that has had this happen to them and any suggestions that have helped.   I read another article that I am going to quickly share with you all since chances are you are sitting while reading my blog. A recent study has shown that on an average Americans spend 8 hours a day sitting and more than 50 hours a week! I bet there are some that can even beat those numbers! This is terrible for us. Not only does the metabolism slow down, but you also use less blood sugar for energy, and burn fewer calories. You are probably saying right now, but I have to work or drive all day and that requires sitting. Well here is a fact. Taking frequent breaks to stand & stretch provide huge benefits. Taking breaks throughout the day will give you a greater benefit than lacing up for a run after sitting for 8 hours. Bottom line, get moving. Go back and read my blog of a few weeks back on tricks that work. Sitting while doing ab and glute squeezes for example   Stand up and do squats while holding your laptop or a dictionary. Sit on a stability ball instead of plopping on the couch to watch TV. It takes a conscience effort, one that is necessary

Until tomorrow…Have a Great day! Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Happy Monday Friends! Hope the weekend was great! Going to blog lightly today. Taking the week off. Much needed vacation with only a little of business. Why can’t it ever be no business! I guess I am simply one of those people who just can’t disconnect! Its not like modern technology really allows us. Frankly I don’t mind. Especially since my lack of disconnecting is caused by clothes and beauty    This week I have my wardrobe fitting at Macy’s! Yes, I will have the honor of representing Macy’s in their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration come this September & October! Nationwide campaign, in-store events, FUN FUN FUN!! Cannot wait!   You are ALL invited & will post location dates & times soon! The fun begins this week with a day of fittings and shopping! And no better place than to get it all done than at Macy’s….my fav!  Great clothes for the WHOLE family, great line of cosmetics & fragrances, classic & fashionable  jewlery, fab shoes, and lets not forget beautiful household goodies too!  When we first got married we bought most of our furniture from the Macy’s furniture store…..14 yrs later and it still looks brand new!  Just another reason why I love Macy’s    I’ll be posting some pics of my fitting on my Facebook page so don’t forget to tune in. Would love your opinion on my outfits. After all I will be representing ALL us FABULOUS LATINAS! Con orgullo y honor!

Just because you won’t be hearing from me this week DOES NOT mean you can slack off! Make it a Healthy & Great Week!! Get Moving & Stay on track. Its all about the journey….a glorious life-long journey!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Yes its here! Happy Friday Friends Alas the weekend has arrived. Not that I’m doing anything overly exciting. OK I guess watching my boy play baseball at another tournament is pretty cool. I tell you, I am ready to take all the parents blood pressure at these games! I am certain we are more nervous than the actual kids! Last game Max was the last batter up with two outs and man (boy) on second. He had to get a hit or the game would be over and all chances of winning would be gone. When I saw #1 at bat all the moms looked at me and I freaked!  First pitch….strike. Second pitch…ball. Third pitch…strike 2. Then it came. I looked out into the field, noticed a little butterfly fluttering by & I smiled.  There it was….A HIT! Run Max, RUN! Is all I screamed! Crazy huh?!? NO, its called Mommy-hood

Today I am going to post an article I read because it is to good to pass. Its about all the secrets the beverage companies are not divulging. It is estimated that 21% of our daily caloric intake are liquid calories, about 400 cal a day at least!  This number is twice as much as it was 30 years ago. If anything has changed throughout time is the ability of genius marketing. Did we not see that last night/yesterday waiting for the “Great Lebron” to announce his decision of where to play this fall? Un-real but yet so real indeed.  Yes marketing makes the world go round, but its up to us to stay alert and not blinded.  Enjoy the article…sure was eye-opening to me      http://eatthis.menshealth.com/content/12-secrets-beverage-industry-doesnt-want-you-know?article=1&page=1

Have a Great Weekend! Feliz Fin de Semana! Health & Wellness allow yourself to catch the fever!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Wouldn’t one bring more value to yourself when you achieve greatness by joining a team that is in the process of building, instead of having it handed to you on a Wade/Bosh silver platter? I’m just saying Precisely why I stepped away from the game when MJ left the Bulls. One of the few who achieved greatness with a team he helped build. xoxo..