Thankful…
I went back to last years Thanksgiving blog and what I found was quite interesting. The only thing that changed was that a full year had passed. Well, maybe an i Phone…Enjoy the read & Happy Thanksgiving! 
Posted on November 22, 2010 by Barbara
Gathering my recipes and gathering my thoughts, that is what today has been like for me. Most of the time I am on auto pilot with breaks in between for battery recharging aka yoga/meditation Although I aimed for much of the same, today has been a little different. What am I thankful for? I’ve been asking my kids this question so why not ask myself. I am thankful for my family, my husband, my kids, my sister, my mom, my brother, my niece, and my nephews. My friends, my home, and my clothes My shoes, my wine, my Mac. My new snazzy Flip video camera, my Jets when they win and my Yankees even when they lose. I am thankful for the sun that shines and the rain that falls. For the arguments that open my mind and my ability to do so. For Barklow even though he makes me vacuum twice a day 
and for the fact that I can burn some calories while doing so For the memories that tug my heart and for that hole that will never be replaced. For the eyes I will never forget and for the touch I so long for. I guess the bottom line is I am thankful for everything my life is about and everyone that has touched it. Many of you know what Thanksgiving day is to my family. For those that don’t, 7 yrs ago the day after Thanksgiving was the last time I hugged and kissed my dad goodbye. Although I am writing with tears in my eyes and much of my being just wants to scream, I don’t. I smile and am so thankful for feeling this pain. The pain is only as great as the love. For that I am thankful
Enjoy this beautufl time of year my friends. Be thankful even when you don’t want to be. No matter how hard it seams, it is a beautiful life one that we ought to be Thankful for
Now, do enjoy the yummy’s! I know that even though I tell you not to overdue it you probably will. After all what kind of Thanksgiving would it be if we are not stuffed! However, remember, the traditional Thanksgiving feast can be very healthy. Load up on the veggies and turkey. Stick to sweet potato and a small portion of stuffing and DO NOT forget to save some room for the pumpkin pie, apple pie, and all the other pies, my fav!!
Have a Great Holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!! Que la pacen de maravilla!
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo ”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
Low Fat Pumpkin Pie!
Shhhhh no one has to know and no one will be able to tell. Two things I LOVE to do when cooking. Once your family or guests are enjoying every last morsel of your heavenly delicious dish, THEN you tell them what was in it.
Whether its added veggies in a pasta sauce for the kids or honey instead of sugar in pumpkin pie, thinking outside the box and using alternative ingredients to traditional dishes is the key to healthier recipes. Its not necessary to change tradition, however it is necessary to enhance them so that we may be able to enjoy la fiesta for years to come!
My Low Fat Pumpkin Pie~
Ingredients~
- Low Fat Unbaked 9-inch Organic Pie Crust
- 1 can 100% Pure Pumpkin (15 oz)
- 1/2 cup of Pure Honey
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can 2% Evaporated Milk (12 fl oz)
Directions~
- Mix cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl.
- Beat eggs in a large bowl.
- Stir in pumpkin & spice mixture.
- Add evaporated milk & honey and blend well.
- Pour into pie shell
- Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow cooling for at least 2 hours.
- Serve or refrigerate….Enjoy!
Have a Healthy & Fit Fabulous Day!
Besos y Abrzos….xoxo “…..Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!”
Posted in Healthy Recipe
Tagged Active Lifestyle, BandBFit, Barbara por Atras, Barbara Trujillo Gomez, Familia, Family Fit Blog, Family Fitness, Fit Blog, Fit Kids, fitness, Fitness Blog, Fitness Plan, Health & Fitness, Healthy, Healthy Diet, Healthy Recipe, Honey, Latina Blogger, Latina Health & Fitness Blogger, Low Fat Pumpkin Pie, Miel Pura
Pie & Wine……
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.
During this month of gratitude, & season of reflection I will be sharing with you all the things I am thankful for. Although my family is without a doubt what I am most thankful for, I feel the need to start with two things that often keep me going…..
Pie & Wine…..and yes its Low Fat!
As some of you may know I have had a recent case of what I thought was wine allergy. Well, after a visit to an allergist and a game of trial and error, it appears the grapes are not all to blame. A component in the wine, which I think is a preservative, is the cause of my sinus congestion. After trying better wines and different regions, I am once again able to enjoy my vino!
Have a Wonderful Day filled with Fun, Fitness, Food, y Familia!
Besos y Abrazos…xoxo ”….Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!
Posted in Healthy Recipe, Life
Tagged Active Lifestyle, BandBFit, Barbara por Atras, Barbara Trujillo Gomez, Familia, Family Fit Blog, Family Fitness, Fit Blog, Fit Kids, fitness, Fitness Blog, Fitness Plan, Health & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Healthy, Healthy Diet, Healthy Recipe, Latina Blogger, Latina Health & Fitness Blogger, Latino, Low Fat Pumpkin Pie, Thankful, Thanksgiving
Fabulous Fit Friday!
Time to finish off the week with a bang!
Another week is almost over. The weekend is here. Time to kick back and enjoy some quality time with those we love. And then comes a new week…..do over time!
Some may think that I’m rushing with the thought, but I see it as excited anticipation of doing things! Its not like I’m living waiting for a “day to come” I am planning on the great things ”that day” will bring! There’s a difference.
Planning, time management, organizing, de-cluttering. All things that I strongly believe are necessary tools for success. Whether its in reaching fitness, work, school, or personal goals. They are the KEY! Try it. Organize your desk, drawers, pantry….you will feel the weight come right off and the clarity in your vision crystal. For me its as simple as throwing out the trash! Nothing worse than an overloaded trash bag…..ahhh clean & clear.
Today I am going to share some of the pics from the American Heart Association Latino Health Summit~ Tu Corazon Latino I attended last week. A great group of leaders coming together to tackle the health issues that so greatly effect us all.
I am looking forward to continuing or mission…..our passion.
Enjoy!
Joining Co-Charis Lucinda Desir & Dr. Ortiz
Go Red Panel~ A Day in the Life of the American Latina
Signing & Sharing my Passion
Have a great one! Make Health & Fitness a priority! Beauty comes from the inside out…..Show the Glow!
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
Posted in Health & Fitness
Tagged Active Lifestyle, AHA, AHA Latino Health Summit, American Heart Association, BandBFit, Barbara por Atras, Barbara Trujillo Gomez, Familia, Family Fit Blog, Family Fitness, Fitness Plan, Go Red, Go Red for Women, Health & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Healthy, Healthy Diet, Latina Blogger, Latina Health & Fitness Blogger, Latino, Por Tu Corazon, Tu Corazon Latino
Things I Learned….
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” ~Eleanor Roosevlet
I can’t believe this week is over! October is soon coming to a close, Mother Nature has blown some cold wind upon us, and before you know it we will be toasting to a Happy & Healthy New Year! Wow, cliche or not, time is flying by!
With that said, I thought I’d blog today about the things I learned this week. I like looking at each day as a learning experience and am the first to tell you that although I may know much about certain things, I love the fact that I still have so much more to learn….keeps me young at heart
I started my week filled with allergy frustration. Realizing that staying away from wine wasn’t alleviating my congestion & recognizing that it may be a component of something else, I bit the bullet and made an appointment to see an allergist. Meanwhile I will take an Allegra-D daily on an empty stomach. Yes, empty stomach is the key! Didn’t read that fine line before. “Read” (key word/lesson) directions even when you “think” you know what to do
I learned that as much as I am influencing my kids to eat healthy & stay away from junk food, there is a time in the year where you just have to bite the bullet and give in. Yes, we are upon that time of year. My home is filled with Halloween goodies~ cupcakes & candy! Now its up to me to stay away from it all…..live by example B We have a few weeks to break from it all before Thanksgiving & Christmas…oh boy!
I learned that although I knew we had a big issue with health care in our country, its much bigger than many know. I also learned that our education system really needs some major revamping! Actually no new news there.
I learned that although sometimes I feel as if I am fighting an uphill battle preaching to people the importance & value of living a healthy life for themselves and their family, it is something that I will continue to do. Why? Because, I firmly believe that is what I was put on this earth to do.
Often I miss my days at Jaguar LandRover, my corporate days. And have said before how leaving that world was one the hardest decisions I had to do in my life. Last night driving home feeling energized from the days events, I realized & learned something extremely valuable for my being that helped me accept that decision once again. One of the questions asked yesterday to the panel at the AHA Summit by the wonderful Maria Hinojosa, was what drove our emotional heart. I answered what drove me, which was my children and their future as leaders and individuals. Mostly because I strongly believe that what we fuel our bodies with are detrimental not only to the well-being of our bodies but to development of our minds/brains, body/self image etc. But what I didn’t say was what tugs my emotional heart. My family in general.
My emotional heart is tugged by the loss of my dad to a massive heart attack. The fact that I never met my grandfathers due to them passing early in life due to heart related illnesses. The sad unfortunate reality that both my in-laws were taken from us way to soon after losing their battle with cancer. So, what really drives my emotional heart is the reality that If I don’t preach the grave importance of living a healthy life to my kids, my husband, my mom, my sister, my niece, nephews, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, aunts, friends….everyone, well then I would be doing a huge disservice to them, those who left us too soon, & the world as a whole.
I once read this quote, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, usually do” and didn’t think much of it. Today I learned that I am one of those people. I love what I do, and I love educating & motivating people to embrace healthy living as a way of life. One by one, day by day. We will get there….
One more thing I learned, well I knew it already, but its nice to see again. Love & support from family & friends is priceless AND my kids think I ROCK!
Have a fabulous weekend all!
Get MOVING & make some smart health & fitness choices for yourself & your family!
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
PS Almost forgot! As much as I LOVE my Christian Louboutin shoes/boots, I learned one valuable lesson that Michael will be very happy to hear! Steve Maddens knock off’s are much more comfortable and only $89 bucks on Zappos!
Posted in Healthy Recipe, Life
Tagged Active Lifestyle, American Heart Association, BandBFit, Barbara por Atras, Barbara Trujillo Gomez, Familia, Family Fit Blog, Family Fitness, Fit Blog, fitness, Fitness Plan, Go Red, Health & Fitness, Healthy, Healthy Diet, Latina Blogger, Latina Health & Fitness Blogger, Por Tu Corazon
Not My Vino!!
I am freaking out right about now and frankly in disbelief. It all started last Summer when after a day of celebrating Michael’s birthday I woke the next morning feeling as if I had a severe case of the flu coming on. Major sinus infection, chills, the works! I never in a million years thought it was due to the Chardonnay I so wonderfully enjoyed. It wasn’t until another episode occurred that I shook my head and said “NO way!” I ran to my handy helper and “Googled” away! Sure enough I found much information on the many allergic reactions to sulfates, a preservative commonly used in Wine. Since I am a seasonal Chardonnay connoisseur I brushed it off, NEVER thinking it would happen with my Merlot. After all, all the reports stated that white wines have a higher content of sulfates, and I can probably live without sulfates thanks to the many organic options out there.
Well, not so fast. Don’t think its sulfate related after all. This fall I’ve suffered from allergies more than I normally do. Blamed it on rag weed and pet dander. NEVER thought it had anything to do with the glass of Merlot I so look forward to after a long days work.
As many know I am one who listens to their body and truly analyzes all the effects different foods give me. I went back to reading & research. Luckily I came across a great site for Beekman Wines & Liquor out of Glen Rock, NJ. True to my heart this liquor store keeps a blog of great information on wine & alcoholic beverages. I came across a post on RWH (Red Wine Headache). Luckily I don’t suffer from the headache part, but since it is related I read on. Much of what was written made great sense, but since it didn’t exactly pertain to sinus/stuffy nose I decided to drop them a line explaining my dilemma.
Less than an hour after pressing send, I received a great note from Joel Mitchel of Beekman Wine & Liquors. Got to love good customer service
What I loved about his note was that he reiterated what my instincts were already telling me. Below are a few of the steps he suggested I take:
Some suggestions:
1. See an allergist. They may be able to test you for various sensitivities common to wine.
2. Try taking an antihistamine before drinking. Even a VERY small dose (half or even 1/4 of a pill may alleviate your symptoms with no alcohol/antihistamine danger.
3. In my experience, Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs cause fewer problems than other wines. Also French wines may be better for you than American.
4. You might also try some organic wines. More and more are available today. Many French (and other) wines are produced organically even if they make no claim on the label. You may have to do some research.
Joel also made a good point. He stated how it clearly wasn’t red vs white related ruling sulfate out and pinpointing to another component found in wines that I may be sensitive to. Unfortunately don’t know what that is…yet!
When I tell you that Wine stores and Vitamin shoppes are my “libraries” I am not kidding! I LOVE standing before a wall filled with all the varieties reading about them all! There are nights where I actually dream about living beside a beautiful wine vineyard!
So no, this is not the end! I will find out what is going on. I will test and research and learn. I know I am not the only one out there, and know that this will not end my love affair with my Vino….maybe just for the time being.
No joke, I was in bed all day Saturday after simply enjoying two glasses of Merlot! That was not good! Now its becoming a quality of life issue, and that I will not accept.
On that note…stay tuned. My allergy free wine journey has begun!
Until the next time….Enjoy a clean living preservative free day!
Besos y Abrazos…xoxo “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
PS. Thank you Joel! Looking forward to meeting you in person during my next visit to North Jersey! ~ Beekman Wine & Liquor
Posted in Health & Fitness, Life
Tagged Active Lifestyle, Allergies, BandBFit, Barbara por Atras, Barbara Trujillo Gomez, Beekman Wine & Liquors, Energy, Familia, Family Fit Blog, Family Fitness, Fit Blog, Fit Kids, Fitness Blog, Fitness Plan, Health & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Healthy Diet, Latina Blogger, Latina Health & Fitness Blogger, Latino, Red Wine Headache, Sulfates, Wine Allergies, Wine Sensative
What a Lame Excuse….
Which one was it today? I’m tired. I have no time. It’s raining out. I forgot my workout clothes. I don’t have time to make breakfast/lunch/dinner. I don’t know what to eat. It’s too expensive to eat healthy. I’ve got a headache. I’ve got my period. I’ve got a bad knee. I’ve got a bad back. I don’t know what exercises to do. I don’t like the taste of water. I don’t like vegetables/whole grain bread.
Yup….I’ve heard it all! Still can’t believe someone actually told me they don’t like the taste of water?!? Although I don’t think water tastes like anything, I suggested adding/squeezing a lemon/lime/orange to their water.
Frankly we all have them. There are a gazillion reasons out there to not do it. To not workout or eat healthier. Do you know how many times I hear, “I have to start working out” or “I have to start eating healthier” and its usually the same people over and over. What is stopping you? You REALLY can’t. Don’t have time?? Can’t afford it??
Come on challenge me. Let me have it. I want to hear your “good” reason as to why you are not implementing health & fitness into you life. I bet I can help you STOP making excuses!
I’m waiting…..
Besos y Abrazos…..xoxo “…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
To Supp or Not to Supp
That has been the question on many peoples minds this week as a recent report showed the dangers of supplement overload. I am one that believes in taking a multi-vitamin daily and have been giving my kids a multi daily since practically birth. This year I even started Max on liquid Omega and Veronica on the gummy version. However, with that said I must say one very important fact about adding a supplement to your diet. With vitamins & minerals the mindset that more is better is absolutely wrong.
First and foremost a balanced healthy diet is priority, and when you fall short on that then I believe we should supplement. A multi vitamin will provide you with the necessary vitamins & minerals your body needs. You don’t need to add anything extra such as Iron & B6 unless your doctor has told you so. You may be deficient in an area and need to add. As a women I add a calcium supplement and like the benefits of one that contains Vit D & K. I also add Flax Seed Oil/Omega.
Like everything in life educating yourself is the key. Multi-vitamins are not created equal. There are different types that cater to men, women, & age-groups/stages of life. Ask your medical practitioner. Do research on the benefits and hazards. Above all aim at living a clean & healthy life. Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors
Have a great one & get moving!
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo “…..Barbara por Atras, Barbar por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
Posted in Health & Fitness
Tagged Active Lifestyle, BandBFit, Barbara por Atras, Barbara Trujillo Gomez, Familia, Family Fit Blog, Family Fitness, Fit Blog, Fitness Plan, Health & Fitness, Health & Fitness Blog, Health & Wellness, Healthy Diet, Latina Blogger, Latina Health & Fitness Blogger, Supplements, Vitamin & Minerals
Try This Tuesday!
I don’t want to hear it! We are all busy & tired, and at times don’t know where to start. I get it. I am with you. So before you start thinking of a reason why not to move and exercise, try this. Right now….get up! Give me 20 squats. Go back to doing what you were doing, wait a few minutes, and get up again….give me 20 more! Do this three times throughout the day. One more thing. Before you head to the bathroom in the morning and before you crawl into bed. STOP…hit the floor and give me 20 push-ups followed by a 30 second plank. Aim for three sets…if you absolutely can’t keep at it, try adding more tomorrow. Even 10 is better than nothing. Anything is better than nothing. Believe me the adrenalin boost is the BEST feeling in the world!!
Squats: Stand with legs shoulder width apart. Bend the legs at knees lowering your torso between your legs never letting knees pass your toes. Bring yourself back and repeat. Keep abs tight.
You can also do lunges…ANYWHERE!! Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hands on hips. Start by lunging right leg forward and dropping left to floor, without touching, in a 90 degree angle. Abs tight- bring legs up to standing position and repeat w/opposite leg.
Yes….I do Planks everyday & everywhere! MY FAV! Press forearms and hands down on floor or bring up to push-up position. Don’t allow chest to touch the floor. Abs and body tight. Works the Core & total body.
Now….Get Moving! Make it Great! You are out of excuses!
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
