First comes chicken, Then… A Ring??

Hmmm... I’ve got one for you! Engagement Chicken!! What’s up with that! There’s been so much hype about this chicken that it’s totally piqued my curiosity! I’ve seen so many stories and read a ton of articles about women serving this dish to their men, and just like magic, he pop’s the question!

Well... it doesn’t happen exactly like that! While some women have claimed that they’ve gotten a marriage proposal within a couple of days or weeks, others claim that it did nothing for them at all. So, the jury is still out on this one! I’ve always heard that the way to a guy’s heart is through his tastebuds, but this is way too crazy!

Although I haven’t tried it, I’d like to hear from those of you who have, and did it work for you? And for the rest of you who are feeling just a little bit bold and have been secretly dreaming of that June wedding, don’t “Chicken Out”! Try it and put it to the test... then let us know if wedding bells are going to be in your near future! It’s pretty simple to prepare and healthy for you too! I can’t wait to hear how many of you have actually gotten a new ring and a man out of this!

Here’s the Recipe… Good Luck!!

Engagement Chicken
Adapted from "Marcella Hazan's More Classic Italian Cooking"

1 whole chicken (approx. 3 lb.)
2 medium lemons
Fresh lemon juice (1/2 cup)
Kosher or sea salt
Ground black pepper

Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

Wash chicken inside and out with cold water, remove the giblets, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander until it reaches room temp (about 15 minutes). Pat dry with paper towels.

Pour lemon juice all over the chicken (inside and outside). Season with salt and pepper.

Prick the whole lemons three times with a fork and place deep inside the cavity. (Tip: If lemons are hard, roll on countertop with your palm to get juices flowing.)

Place the bird breast-side down on a rack in a roasting pan, lower heat to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and turn it breast-side up (use wooden spoons!); return it to oven for 35 minutes more.

Test for doneness - a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh should read 180 degrees, or juices should run clear when chicken is pricked with a fork.

Continue baking if necessary. Let chicken cool for a few minutes before carving. Serve with juices.

Moooove over Milk!

Do you love milk but don’t drink it because whole milk isn’t good for your waistline and the reduced fat or skim varieties just don’t offer the taste that you love?

Well, move over milk, there’s something new in the house that tastes great and is heart healthy too! Smart Balance has a new line of Milk Products available with Omega 3’s, more calcium, protein and vitamin E, essential for supporting cardiovascular health, healthy brain function, and overall health maintenance. There are 4 varieties… Fat-Free, 1% Lowfat, 2% Lowfat and a Lactose-Free. I just tried their 1% Lowfat Milk this morning and couldn’t believe how wonderful the flavor was! It tastes just like a full fat milk and was just as rich and creamy in taste. My tastebuds were jumping for joy!!

Smart Balance is so sure you’ll love their delicious taste that they are offering a money back guarantee on all of their products, so you’ve got nothing to lose by trying it out. You may soon be moving milk back into your diet!

Check out their website www.smartbalance.com for more product information, coupons, and to sign up for their newsletter.

The Heat is, well … Off!

As we welcome fall, gone are those hot humid days of summer, leaving you no excuse to get outside and well... smell the roses and take in some of that crisp fresh air! Do something that gets your blood flowing and your adrenaline running high. Pump up your cardio routine with a long bike ride on one of your favorite trails, or try to break your previous jogging milestone, or, if you’re not up for either of those, at least go out and do a little speed walking. For an added challenge, and a little one on one bonding with your G-Kids, try doing your run behind a jogging stroller, or take one for a ride in a Baby Cart attached to the back of your bike. I’m sure one of the older ones would love to challenge you to a little bike race! Go for it! You might just surprise yourself and win! Not only will they love spending time with you, but you’ll also benefit your workout with that extra little push. You owe it to yourself to set a goal and work hard to achieve it. The heat may be off, but being the super G-Ma that you are, you’ll soon be looking Hot, Hot, Hot!!

Let’s get to the bottom of things!

A “Boy Shorts” bottom that is! Hmmm... boy shorts bottom? Are you kidding me? I don’t think so! Well don’t go selling yourself short... no pun intended. Want to wear that String Bikini bottom or those Boy Shorts or even those little G-string panties you were drooling over in the latest Victoria's Secret catalog? Well, being the G-Ma “Hottie” that you are... you can!! There’s still time to add these sexy little items to your Wish List for Santa this Christmas. You never know... you may even get them “Special Delivery” from Santa himself! So let’s get started!! The challenge is on!

Try putting one or more of these simple exercises into your regular workout routine and you’ll get right to the “bottom” of things... and be on your way to Santa’s lap, in no time!

These moves will build and sculpt the glutes and inner thighs, tone the quadriceps and hamstrings, and improve balance. Don’t let them intimidate you... they’re not as difficult as they seem. Just start off slow and work your way up.


One Legged Squats (With light hand weights - 3 lbs each)
(1 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 Repetitions)

Stand on one leg, lightly resting only the toes of your other foot on the floor. Lower yourself as if you are going to sit in a little chair, as far as you can, while still maintaining your balance. Return to the standing position by pressing your heel. Complete one set then alternate to the other side and complete another set. Repeat until you reach your desired number of sets.


Alternating Reverse Lunges (With heavier hand weights - 5 lbs each)
(1 to 3 sets of 16 to 24 Repetitions)

Stand with your feet together. Take a giant step backward with your left foot, lowering your left knee toward the floor as you bend your right knee. Keep your hips straight and facing forward. Lower yourself until your right thigh is parallel with the floor and your left knee is 1 to 2 inches from the floor. Return to the starting position, pressing your weight into the heel of your right foot as you come up. Repeat this step with the other leg. Alternate sides until you complete one set. Repeat until you reach your desired number of sets.


Plie` Squats (With one heavier hand weight – 5 lbs or more)
(1 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 Repetitions)

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, holding the hand weight vertically in front of you with both hands, with your palms facing up, cupping the upper end of the weight. Turn you feet so that your toes point outward and align your knees in the same direction as your toes. Stand up straight and contract your abs. Then while keeping your body upright and your knees directly over your toes, slowly lower your body until your thighs are parallel with the floor. Use your glutes to slowly come back up and return to the starting position. Repeat until you reach your desired number of sets.


Dead Lift (With light hand weights - 3 lbs each)
(1 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 Repetitions)

Stand with your feet together, holding the hand weights horizontally in front of your thighs and with your palms facing toward you. Contract your abs and your lower back. Keep your head up and bend forward at the hips while sticking your butt out and keeping your back straight. While holding and running the weights down your shins, lower your body as far as you can without having to bend your knees and try to get parallel with the floor. Return to the starting position by pushing up on your heels, keeping your back straight, running the weights up your shins, and squeezing your glutes hard. Repeat until you reach your desired number of sets.

It’s all about Attitude!

Attitude Really Is Everything!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say to either one of my daughters who are now 30 and 31 years old, while we were hanging out together, “Oh my God... That’s your Mom? I thought she was your Sister or one of your Friends”! Or, while taking one of my 2 adorable G-Sons out for a little one on one fun, someone saying to me after one of them calls me G-Ma, “You’re his grandmother?!! You look like you could be his Mom! I can’t believe you look like that! How do you do it?” While I'm certainly far from perfect, compliments like that will always make my day, and more importantly, they let me know that I must be doing something right! It’s really nothing more than getting out and being active, being bold... not old, doing things I’ve never done before, trying to eat right, having a regular exercise routine, and always trying to stay positive and knowing that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

Some of those people will usually say to me “It must genetics, right?”, or, ”How do you stay so physically fit and young looking?”, or maybe they’ll say something a little negative like “I’ll never look like that when I’m your age, heck, I don’t even look like that now!” And someone will always say “I’m always so tired, I don’t have the energy or the time”. This kind of thinking has got to stop! It’s time for an attitude adjustment!! You have to remember that you really can do anything, if you think you can. Think about who you want to be, then, make it happen. You have to be confident, and willing to make some good changes in your life, and there’s no better time to start than now. It’s never too late!

While you’re probably not going to get from point A to point B overnight, getting rid of that negative thinking and putting some positive energy into your life will make all the difference... take it from me! It’s definitely changed my life! Remember, If you always think you can’t, you never will. I always tell people to be bold and try something different, to set a goal, and try not to look at the “Big Picture” all at once, because sometimes it can be a little overwhelming when that distance from A to B looks way too big or even a little scary to accomplish. Don’t be intimidated by trying something new or out of your comfort zone. Take a deep breath, and just do it! Take baby steps, keep moving toward your goal, and before you know it, that “Big Picture” really isn’t that “Big” after all and soon those compliments will start coming your way!

Life can be like a roller coaster sometimes, full of ups and downs, and lots of thrills, it can even be a little scary, but just know that attitude really is everything! So jump in, throw your arms up, don’t let anything stop you, and just know that in the end... it’ll be well worth the ride! Whooo Hoooo!!

Life as an Extreme G-Ma…. She’s definitely not your textbook Grandmother!!

As you were growing older and starting to inch your way to those milestone ages, did you ever wonder what you were going to be like when your first grandchild arrived? How were you going to be? Were you going to have enough energy and strength to keep up? What about your health? And Hmmm… was everyone going expect you to be staying home, wearing aprons while baking apple pies and pot roast, and sporting one of those little white-haired beehive do’s?

Well this is the 21st Century and it’s time for a “Wake Up Call”! I’m here to tell you that not all grandmothers are created equal anymore! I’m on a mission to redefine the image of the typical grandmother, now known as a G-Ma, and set the stage for the “Extreme G-Ma” Generation!”

So what’s an ”Extreme G-Ma” you ask and what’s so un-typical about her? She is the new Pre-Geriatric Diva! The middle-aged “hottie” that works out, rollerblades, rides bikes, is computer savvy, has a full time job, keeps up with her grandkids, (otherwise known as G-Kids) and still wear’s Victoria's Secret and String Bikini’s. It’s all about staying active, eating healthy, living longer and most of all having fun!! I’m not saying that extreme is everybody’s thing, but if I can inspire just a few of you… then my mission will have been accomplished!