Monthly Archives: September 2009

Hola Ladies:) Hope everyone had a nice weekend- ours was very good, downpour on Sunday morning and a Jets win! I am struggling today though….can’t even think about diet and exercise. Yes I have those days too! Wish I could curl up in bed and watch some great movie like “Working Girl” or “Chariots of Fire” I guess my conscience is telling me I need some major motivation! Instead reality hits and I put on my mom “hat”- time to play. Have you every really watched and listened to how much you can truly learn from your kids? Unconditional love, resilience, laughter, happiness-even their attention span could be a lesson to learn (sometimes). Once of my favorite is Superman. My little “big” girl (she is almost 4 1/2 you know ) really thinks at times that she is either Superman/woman or Curious George, climbing and jumping all over the place. Great exercise I assure you. But the falling scares the crap out of me-then it hits me. I could tell her until I am blue in the face how terribly hurt she could get if she continues (which I have), or let her encounter her first lesson on how to handle all the falls we will take in life as life goes on.  She is not going to stop even if she gets hurt, its too much fun. She will continue until she masters the jump/climb, lands on her feet and avoids the scrape. Precisely a great lesson to learn at any age:)

Todays Tip:  Sugar-boy do I LOVE sweets! But boy are they BAD!!!! The American Heart Association has stated how sugar is helping drive  the metabolic rate amongst Americans and explode the obesity rate. I can of soda has 33 grams of sugar in it which equals about 130 calories (1 gram =4 calories), woman should not consume more than 100 calories of sugar a day. Take this into consideration when you are reading the nutritional information of sugar grams on your next visit to the market/restaurant etc. For example, “light” cream substitute for coffee and such 22 grams of sugar, “reduced” salad dressings 58 grams of sugar, granola bars 11 grams of sugar. A few of our so called “friends”:) Drop me a line and I’ll give you some great alternatives!

Have a Great day! Buen dia!:)

xoxo   “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Google translates!!! I am soooo excited to let all the Latina Ladies (who don’t read English) know, that they can read my blog in Spanish by one simple click!!! So-Buenos Dias Amigas! Tengo buena noticia-ahora pudeden leer mi blog en Espanol simplemente por apretando “page” “Google Translates”, que se encuentra en la barra arriba al lado de “casa”.  Way to go Google! You can actually translate any page to any language-amazing! Got to hand it, AGAIN, to modern technology and those science whiz kids:)

I’m going to be brief today- A few thoughts as we start the weekend: ENJOY! If you’re looking forward to your “Cheat Day” don’t go overboard like I have in the past. But if you do, don’t worry-just get up the next day and get right back on your routine, we all “fall off the wagon” from time to time.

Have a Great Weekend!  (Let’s pray for an early morning downpour of rain on Sunday-too much juggling going on:) and then a sunny football afternoon!)

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

Hola Amigas! Bare with me, I may be a little deep today-I’m PMS’ing . My little girl, who is home with me , comes into my room and asks to put “Man in the Mirror” on. One of my favorite Michael Jackson songs has become one of my kids as well ( the power of parental influence at its best ). So I started to sing it with her-what a genius we’ve lost. “…want to make a difference for once in my life….”  “…start with the Man in the Mirror”.  I started thinking-why is it so hard to look at ourselves in the mirror? Truly look.  Nobody’s perfect, we all have flaws-but the difference is in those who are conscience of them, and are ready to make a change.  So why is it still so hard to make that first step? Whether its as simple as cleaning your closet or finally organizing the stack of pictures you’ve compiled throughout the years, or as difficult as quitting a bad habit, or starting that diet and going for that walk. We are quick to comment on how others look, and spend millions on beauty enhancers and diet supplements. Dream of the day we can follow in the footsteps of Jane Jetson and have one of those wonderful masks she’d ware while “skyp’ing” (Wow that Hanna- Barbera was ahead of their time !)  So today I say- Let’s make a change!  Whether its joining me in my journey, or whatever it is you need to work on-make it a positive one.  Let’s make a difference…..start right now with the Woman in the Mirror!  

Tip of the Day: Running around and need a quick healthy snack?  Have yourself a shot of milk-preferable skim/lowfat. Milk does do a body good:) and we ladies need it! Its loaded with healthy nutrients and packed with protein. For an added plus, pick up some Ground Flax seed during your next visit to the market and mix a tsp in it. Its nutty, sweet, and delicious. We need the Omega in Flax, and for those of us in peri-menapause or menapause research has shown that Flax helps with the hot-flashes & cold sweats!

Have a Great one! Buen Dia!

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

Its Wednesday, “my solo” day, since both kids are off at school y tengo los patines puesto! I am juggling and multi-tasking at its best. As “house manager” my schedule cannot get any tighter. On my list is the big question of how to get Max, my 7yr old, to his football game on Sunday AND all of us to Rutherford for the Jets game by 1pm. Never fear WE CAN DO IT! Then, when  I finally figured out how- I receive an email from the baseball coach-Travel Team tryouts are also on Sunday at 10a.m.!  Now what?  Juggle mom juggle!!  So as I am literally doing 4 things at once- I get the phone-call: “Oye, cuando tenga un chancesito entra al internet y buscame los numeros de la lotto?” Si mami, I will go on-line to get your lotto numbers since I am alone today sitting on my “Barbara por Atras” doing nothing!   But of course I go right on and give her the numbers, AND read the article on Juanes and the “Freedom Concert” that she/we have been talking about for weeks now, AND  browse Univision.com, AND check on MSN.com, and now since I am on I might as well check out what my FB friends are doing-it goes on and on…..the undeniable web, I get sucked in by our “Peep Culture”!!  What is it with us? With all we do- wife, mother,friend, daughter, sister, granddaughter etc. we still give ourselves more to do!  Meanwhile the clock is ticking and time is flying by.  So my Latina (& non-Latino ) sisters,  since we are and will always be wired in thinking that we need to do it all, in addition to enjoying the occasional chisme:)  My tip for today is: Chilean wine! I tried a Cabernet from the Alto Marpo District (south of Santiago) that was wonderful!  So enjoy a glass of wine & breathe, its Wednesday, life is good!  

Have a Great One! Buen Dia

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

I woke up this morning saying to myself , “In 4 months I’ll be 40 yrs old-is that why my neck is sore and my body aches?!?!”  Heck no, just a minor set back from biggy back rides and cycling adventures with the family this weekend. I may be turning 40 in 4 months, but I am set on continuing to be an immature 40 yr old! The truth is sometimes I act and feel like I’m still 20!   But yes, the harsh reality is that my body is turning 40 and I need to add a little more exercise and sensible eating to my routine.  Its a proven fact that brief activity gives big payoff! So today’s tip while your watching your favorite TV show or novela, or cocinando el arroz con pollo and a commercial comes on get up and enjoy some of my fav mini-workouts! I’ll give you one: Wall sit- all it takes is 30 sec (which is usually the duration of one commercial), back against the wall, feet shoulder width apart, squat until knees are in a 60 degree angle and hold for 30-you are working your core (abs), buttocks and thighs! If you want another one, drop me a line and I’ll share some more of my fav’s.

Have a great one! Buen dia:)

xoxo……Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y siempre Barbara por Adentro!

Tenemos que tener pacienca.  Those who know me are laughing right now! Yes, I am not one of the most patient people out there. I always want quick results-down to my weight, hence my life of yo-yo dieting.  Thanks to Yoga I’ve been able to make some strides, although it is an on-going battle. Actually I prefer to call it journey.  My 4yr old woke several times last night thanks to her vivid imagination and dreams I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to work out (and frankly had no energy to)  since it was her “home day” (she goes to pre-school 3 days a wk), although I will argue that running after a 4 yr old burns just as many calories, if not more, than any run on a treadmill not to mention lifting 40lbs of piggy back rides! So, while meditating in bed before day-break it came to me….”slow & steady wins the race”. I got up, got down on the floor, curled up in child pose (before brushing my teethe) and gave myself 10 minutes:  20 push-ups, 20 counts of plank pose, 20 counts of side plank (each side), 20 counts of downward dog, came to a full stand of mountain pose to breathe, did 20squats & repeated the whole routine twice.  I really wanted to do it 3 times but by then my zone was gone since both kids were up and ready for the day!  Something is better than nothing-after all its the journey…a lifelong commitment.  Slow & Steady wins the Race!  Namaste

xoxo….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre  Barbara por Adentro!

Its mid-week, rainy here in the north east, not very motivated, and not sure what to whip up for dinner!  Easy & quick?  Make it a Picadillo Night (sauteed ground beef)!!  Picadillo could be accompanied with just about anything. It is healthy and delicious. You can make it over brown or white rice-remember its all about portion control so a little of white rice is not going to kill you. You can add it to a nice salad with shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, or even turn it into my version of a Sloppy Joe on whole wheat/grain bread. For those of you who have my book  turn to pg.88, and for those who do not  I’ll share it with you now:

Picadillo a la Truji

1lb. lean ground beef (could alo substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken breast

1 tsp spicy brown mustard

1tbsp of EVOO

dash of Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion

1tsp Goya Adobo

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1 tbsp. dry red wine

one minced garlic

2 tbsp pitted olives w/pimientos

small can of tomatoe sauce w/garlic & onion

In a medium-sized skillet- heat oil over med. heat adding garlic, onion & pepper until tender-this is your sofrito. Add beef, tomatoe sauce, adobo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, & wine. Cover for ten minutes stirring occasionally. When beef is fully cooked bring heat to low, add olives w/pimientos and its juice. Stir & Serve.

You are going to love it! A note to those working moms (well those that work outside the home )- make double the amount for leftovers later on in the week.  Sloppy Joe’s, Tacos, The Latino version of Pasta Bolognese , anything you can think of- even my husbands favorite while watching the games- Picadillo con galletas (crackers), add a little hot sauce & cheddar cheese-ANYTHING!

Buen Aprovecho & have a great rest of the week!!

xoxo…..”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro”

PS. thanks Niurk:)

A day like today may make you want to either curl up in bed or your couch remembering the horror of 8yrs ago. Some of us will take comfort in food.  I am one of those.  But no….yes never forget, but get up, breathe, be present & grateful for all we have.  The alternative will get us no where. 

Comfort food? Yummy Make it a Pizza night!  Make your own-pick up some dough from the market (or Naan bread for a thin crust healthier version), thinly sliced fresh plum tomatoes, sauce, part skim mozzarella cheese,( any topping of your choice) and sprinkle w/basil and EVOO, salt & pepper to taste. Place on a baking sheet in the oven at 425 degrees for 20 min or until cheese bubbles.  Side salad, glass of wine and for dessert…sugar free Jello brand arroz con leche with cinnamon! Sprinkle some more on top and add a dollop of Fat free whip cream!!! Delicioso! I’m hungry already!!! Buen Aprovecho!

xoxo……Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y siempre Barbara por Adentro! :)

There is a chill in the air,  kids are back in school, & I am ready for a major bathing suit and barbecue Summer Detox!! :)  Join me on the on-going  journey of achieving a healthy lifestyle- drop me a line, pick up my book. Whichever you choose, we’re ALL in this together!!

Have a fabulous day!!

Siempre…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Barbara por Adentro!!!!!!

xoxo…..