It is encouraging to see that Florida will soon be offering affordable health insurance options for the state's millions of uninsured adults.

Will this really make a difference and will it give Florida residents a policy that has some real coverage?

I've had some "affordable insurance" in the past and to be honest it didn't give me diddly squat! When I needed it to cover me, it didn't. So in essence my hard earned money went to line the coffers of the insurance company and the pockets of the slick salesman who promised the world and gave me - - - -.

So I wonder what sorts of regulations will be enforced to protect Florida's citizens from being ripped off by unscrupulous insurance vendors.

health insurance

Yes! Yes! Yes! Now that my trusty ole' pc is zipping along once again... I would be delighted to take on some I-Strategy work!

I am still in the market for a new computer ... but hopefully I'll be able to hang on a couple more months.

There are always far too many places for my income to go and never quite enough of the green stuff to cover all the bases. You would think that by living in a bank, I would have an endless cash supply. Ha Ha Ha! I wish! Perhaps that is why I splurge on the calorie budget!

But I truly suspect that all of this is a-changing as I turn the corner for a prosperous new season.

Come .... won't you join us for the journey? Orovo

Yippity Do Da!

Yippity Day... My, Oh My What A Beautiful Day!

For the first time in many weeks, I'm completing my queu of assignments on time before pay day!

My computer had been presenting one issue after another, creating a long annoying string of unacceptable, yet unavoidable excuses.

No completed assignments... no money! Not a pretty picture! Why, it is enough to cause one to break out in an anxiety rash! acne treatments

I don't feel like buying any lingerie right now!

I suppose if I had simply said, "NO" to the desserts today, my tummy wouldn't be feeling so bulgy!

What is my problem? I have such an ongoing weakness for all things rich, chocolate and decadently sinful!

Somehow I have got to get my will aligned with the savvier parts of my brain!

When you live the European way, above the shop or behind the shop, in the urban quadrant of the city, as I do ... it is not unreasonable to miss the pleasures of the garden.

My present garden is limited to a postage-stamp sized plot of soil, just barely large enough to hold a tree in one square and a rose bush in another.

Yard work takes a good fifteen minutes every now and then, to pull a handful of weeds or clip the dead heads off the rose bush. Sweeping in front of the store could easily become a daily chore, as the Florida winds seem to deposit a good dusting of sand and soot to my curb. We are not all that close to the beach... why then is there always such a collection of sand to sweep away?

Is this the result of beach erosion? Do the winds deposit sand inland this far? I never imagined they could, but then I'm always finding out all sorts of things are possible that I previously didn't think were possible.

teak patio furniture

I'm getting ready to go for a walk. Just need to drink up my zipp fizz, first.

Today's walk should be especially entertaining. I'm taking a different route than usual for reasons perhaps I'll share at a later date.

Let me just say my change in route has something to do with a new friend :)

New friends are a great thing, especially if a new friendship can include fitness in the mix!

life insurance rates

Well I don't need a magnifying glass to see that I've put on a few pounds.

Why is it that diets only work up to a point?

A suppose the real answer is that THE DIETERS ONLY WORK UP TO A POINT until we get bored or burned out with the deprivation and then go back to our old patterns.

The reality is that we need to truly want one result over the other. So we need to move beyond the immediate gratification that comes with taking our short-lived pleasure today and casting our sights further down the road to the long-life pleasures of tomorrow.

Why can't we just have our cake and eat it too?

Where does the blame lie? We seem to live in an age where it is commonplace for the wrongs of life to be shifted to innocent parties. When are we just going to start owning up to the simple fact that we are responsible for the state of our own lives? We need to quit blaming someone and something else. It is not the government's fault, it is not societies fault, it is not your parent's fault, it is not your spouse's fault... look in the mirror and lay the real fault in the correct place.

We have an extraordinary amount of control over our destiny, we can choose to seize hold of the life we want or we can wallow in the misery and shift all the blame to something else. The choice is ours and the time is NOW! mortgage lenders

"An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity." - Sir Winston Churchill

Through the art and practice of positive thinking, extraordinary things are breathed into existence. Look at all the great inventions of our world that entered through the heavy door of what was initially a problem.

It takes spiritual muscles to push through that door and to engage in positive thinking. Positive thinking requires faith in believing in something that is not yet a reality. The best place that I've found to develop and exercise one's spiritual muscles is through an honest one-to one relationship with our creator. By believing in HIM, AMAZING things are possible.

van racks

The major special event of the year! At Last! America's most famous special event designer tells her own story!

Major Advertising! Major Promo! Author appearances coast to coast! First printing 500,000 copies! Already puchased for a major film starring ...

speaker mount

Forget the rules! Arouse the senses! Imagine the fun of wearing a pair of sable leather thigh high boots, then fling the doors open and say, "I've arrived!"

Sometimes one needs to change their paradigm and break free of the shackles that bind.

Memories preserved in delicate detail- everything.

The taste, the scent, the sight and most especially the emotion ...all locked away in a secret compartment, ready to spring to life with just the right combination of cues.

luxury watches

Benefits and Features of Hi-Energy Supplements

The hi-energy supplements that I get from Winners Weightloss in Tallahassee have been one of the keys to my weight loss success.

Here are some of the benefits:

1. Satisfies sweet cravings

2. Tastes good

3. Versatile

4. Can be used in cooking

5. Stimulates metabolism

6. Essential for hair and nail growth

7. Satisfies psychological cravings

8. Regulates the body's water balance

9. Major source of building material for the body

10. Aids in formation of antibodies

11. Promotes healing process

12. Important in process of blood clotting formation

13. Needed for formation of hormones

14. Proper amounts of protein can reduce fatigue and the lack of stamina often experienced during dieting.

new pocket watches

There is a joy that comes in pushing oneself beyond one's prior limitations. Our limitations vary from person to person, situation to situation.

It can be too easy to give up and accept defeat. Diets are a perfect example of this. In order to be successful we have to push ourselves to places we often don't want to push ourself too.

And yet when we do it, we have the potential to achieve the uncommon. patch panel

Every other Sunday I seem to make a mad dash to complete my assignments before the cut off on Monday morning.

I don't know why I wait till the last minute. This is a trait that has demonstrated itself repeatedly in my life. I suppose it has a great deal to do with priorities.

We often do those things that are high on our list of priorities before we do the tasks that are not quite so high.

car covers

Time is money. I'm not sure why this little nugget of truth has been hard for me to grasp hold of.

I have often treated both time and money as if there was an unlimited supply of each, only to awaken to the rude reality that both can easily be squandered if one is not careful.

Why can't life be easier? Perhaps a life of ease would remove all the adventure from the journey. Isn't the journey all the better when we meet the depth of our own strength?

business funding

Sometimes we over indulge in food because we are unsatisfied in other areas of our lives. We are looking to be filled up, yet we are not necessarily choosing the right filling station.

We think what we are feeling is hunger. In certain respects it is. But just maybe it is not a physical hunger, but rather it is a spiritual hunger.

A spiritual hunger can not be filled with food, wholesale fashion jewelry or worldly things - it must be filled with the living presence of our creator.

Be on the look out for a Diet With Kathi workshop later this spring. In this class I'll be spilling some of my secrets for losing close to 100 pounds.

As a foodie, good tasting food is about as important to me as fresh air. I can't live without either.

I'll be sharing how I've managed to create wonderful dishes, while staying within the guidelines of the Winner's Weightloss Program.

We all know that diet food usually doesn't taste all that satisfying and perhaps that is the chief reason diets often lack both the short term and long term statistical results that deem them successful.

What if you could learn some dynamic flavor principles that would forever change your kitchen paradigm?

For more information about this class and other great classes, call the Canopy Rose Culinary Arts Studio and Catering Company at 850-539-7750.

Did you know that you can sponsor postings on our blogs? It is very simple! We simply add a text link to the bottom of our posting with the sponsors website.

progesterone

One of the perks of losing weight is being able to wear a more interesting collection of clothing. Let's face it- dressing up or down just isn't much fun when your body is covered in excess baggage. Isn't that sort of what obesity is... visible and unhealthy baggage of brokeness.

I'm looking forward to an Atlanta buying trip this spring. I can't wait to give away the rest of my double digit clothing and get back to the single digits- the low single digits! corsets

If a memory foam mattress is anything like a memory foam pillow, I would one day like to get one!

My friend has memory foam pillows at his house and I never would have thought that I would like them. But actually I like them even more than my white goose down overstuffed king size bed pillows.

There is something very nice about them!

It's not like I've been on holiday or anything. Actually I've been consumed with transition for many months. I hope to get more regular with my postings on this blog.

I think I'd like to go in a different direction on this blog for 2008. However, that direction has not presented itself to me yet.

So consequently you hear from me when I 'm working on an assignment. This assignment is for Nike golf.

Now that is an idea I could get into...maybe a golfing weekend in PebbleBeach!

It was Christmas time when the box of two wines arrived. Being in the middle of moving, I immediately moved them to the kitchen in my new residence, anxiously awaiting a special occasion to open the bottles and partake of some fine wine.

So one afternoon as my friends who helped me move and I sat down to a simple lunch, I suggested we try the wine. They were thrilled!

We were about to turn a meal into a celebration, thanks to the gift of wine.

They were very favorable about the wine, but for some reason I just wasn't crazy about it. Perhaps my taste buds were off that day. Perhaps the wine was a bit too dry for my taste preferences. I'm really not sure what it was. Perhaps I was too stressed with my move to enjoy a truly fine wine.

There was a bit left in a bottle and I shared it with a client a couple days ago. She also, like my other friends, gave this wine the thumbs up. I guess I need some instruction on understanding good wines. So it is for that reason that I would like to join a wine of the month club that my teach me how to appreciate a good wine.

Why pay retail prices if you don't have to? The Internet has made it a breeze to find exactly what we are looking for with the added benefit that any savvy shopper can usually find anything they want at a price that they are willing to pay. Standard mark-ups are way, way too high on most products. That is why you need resources like directbuy on your rolodex.

Yikes! I didn't realize so much time had passed since my last blog posting. My days have been consumed with first the sale of my house, then the closing, packing and moving and now getting settled into my new home and business. I wish that I could say that through it all, I was victorious in my weight loss. While I didn't put any weight on through this journey, I also didn't lose very much... at least not as much as I should have lost. Hopefully now that I am beginning to get back on an even keel, I will get refocused on losing the rest of my weight. To date I've lost close to 100 pounds! But lately I'm really struggling with sugar and chocolate cravings. One night I ate an entire pint of chocolate fudge frozen yogurt. I couldn't help myself. I just kept eating until the carton was empty. This is truly a sickness! It is really no different than any type of addiction...alcohol or drugs or nicotine. Fortunately a sugar addiction isn't illegal or cause one to have impaired judgement, but it still is self-destructive and it still sets up an unwelcome outpost in the head that tries to control one's decisions. I'll never really understand what it is that happens in the mind that causes an addictive substance to take over. But I will continue to battle this in the best way that I know how. Maybe the center should install a hidden spy camera in my kitchen, ten everytime I deviate it will catch me in the act!

Hidden away in the bottom of the old chest was a golden timepiece that had been in the family for several generations.

With five sons, the challenge was about who would inherit this antique piece of jewelry.

Max did some deep thinking and arrived at the perfect solution. He would order a custom made
pocket watch for each of the son's. They would be exquisite replicas of the original from Switzerland.

With the Christmas holiday season is over and New Years festivities but a blink away, the time is approaching to turn our thoughts to Super Bowl!

Get your super bowl tickets today!

Looking for some low fat noshes and nibbles for an at home Super Bowl Party? Don't miss my Super Bowl Party Food article E-zine Articles.

It's not too early to order your Superbowl tickets!

Now wouldn't a winter-time trip to the Super Bowl make for some fun after the New Year?

This year by Super Bowl I should be down a big 1-o-o!!!!

Seasons of transition....

This year I've witnessed much transition in my extended family. From young people leaving the nest to enter college to my mother moving in with my brother and my stepmom moving into a swanky retirement village.

And now I too find myself in transition. Change is a good thing... it pulls us forward into the future and to becoming more and more the people we were created to be.

assisted living software

Dieting during the holiday may present a tough and difficult challenge, but with the help of a good program it is certainly not insurmountable. That is why I am glad to be on a doctor-approved weightloss program through Winner's Weightloss. By the New Year I should be down 100 pounds from my beginning weight.

Dodge Charger accessory

Cobblestone Frittata Omelet

When I whipped this up for breakfast this morning, the torn bites of bread reminded me of the cobblestone streets of my hometown.

1 egg, beaten
a sprinkling of shredded cheddar
a pinch of blue cheese crumbles
favorite seasonings
1 slice 40-calorie honey wheat bread, torn in little squares
Optional: Plus any favorite touches you would like ie: spinach, broccoli, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, herbs, etc

Spray electric skillet with non stick spray and heat to medium.

Add bread crumbs to toast in one corner of pan.

In center of pan add beaten egg. Sprinkle with seasonings. Add cheeses. Cook, then top with cobblestone bites. Turn. Cook lightly. Turn again. Vegas

"He is a huge fan of the New England Patriots and he has invited me to go to their next football game."

"Wow! That sounds like fun!"

"He said he has season Patriots tickets for two and wants me to be his guest all season."

"That is going to be alot of traveling. Just try to stay on your diet."

"Oh I know- tailgate fare can be a killer!"

One of the first clues about a party arrive in the form of the invitations.

A big fan of creative invitations from way back, I think savvy hosts and hostesses that take the time to create one-of-a-kind invites are smart.

Afterall an invitation is the first introduction to a party. They set the tone. They suggest the degree of formality and fun. If done well, they will excite us by the possibilities that await us.

My Take On So Called Business Opps

Mention the words, business opportunity to me and I'll probably take off in the opposite direction faster than you can say, "millionaire".

Call me jaded if you want, but I just don't believe that most of these so called " business opportunities" are all that they are cracked up to be. I'm sure there might be some good opportunities out there, but I'm not aware of them.

Probably the best thing you'll get out of investing in a business opportunity is the education you'll pick up along the way. If you already are not able to see things for what they are... a good six months plugging away to make a cheerleading upline wealthy, will do the trick.

Do you have the need for audio racks?

Well if you are like the rest of us, there comes that defining moment when you realize that it is time to jump on the bandwagon and join the club.

But the big question that remains is where do I go to find the right sort of racks to best meet my needs. That is why I'm glad I discovered Stands and Mounts! Check 'em out. You'll be glad you did.

Cocooning or Traveling?

I vacillate between wanting to cocoon at home and wanting to taste the world. Traveling has always been a big passion of mine, but in recent years I've spent a big chunk of time cocooning right here in Tallahassee.

Now as my life evolves and new business opportunities open up, I am ready to extend my borders once again. That is why I like checking out sites like Condo Hotels

Dieting sure can be darn-right difficult! I've been struggling away at this for almost a year now and I've back-slidden more times than I'd like to admit.

I'm somewhere close to the 90 pound mark. I'd be long past it if I could just stay 100% focused on the goal. But the truth is real life gets in the way.

Stress enters the picture and noshing sure starts feeling ever so comforting.

Lori ought to set up a radar detector in my kitchen!

Prioritizing

This week I'll be getting ready to set up a small booth at an antique mall.

My plate is so full, it is hard to keep everything straight in my mind. Prioritizing helps.

If I can simply identify the most important tasks to complete first.

1. Complete this weeks blog assignments.

2. Price and box items going to the antique mall.

3. Start packing for the big move.

4. Follow up on all the loose ends.

5. Follow along on my calendar to make sure I don't overlook an appointment with everything going on.

6. Price out the wall sconces.

Don't Drink The Water!

"Don't drink the water!" He whispered as they eyed the passing pregnant woman. "That makes about the twentieth one we have seen today."

"Must have been a cold winter."

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to get pregnant?"

"At my age? Are you crazy? I do not want to have a baby."

"I don't know! I sort of get the feeling that you do."

"In your dreams, dear! Now lets just pick up the baby clothes for the shower and skadoodle out of this maternity palooza!"

An Impressive Trophy Collection

"Wow! You sure have the trophies !I've never seen such an impressive collection."

"Well, they all pale in comparison to the race marked out for me by the Lord."

"Sounds like you are committed to being at the top of your game in all areas of your life."

"I like being a high-achiever. But not for my glory- but for HIS!"

Orlando On My Mind

Orlando on my mind.... Shopping for Orlando real estate ? Whether you are a buyer or seller of property in the Orlando market, here is the company that can assist you.

Did you know that over 77% of home buyers start their search on the Internet? Wow!

When looking for the company that can help you, you will want to make sure to go with a real estate agent that not only utilizes the extraordinary power of the Internet, but also engages the stratospheric potential of the blogosphere.

Ask your agent: What is your presence in the blogosphere? This one question could make all the difference in the world. If your realtor scratches his or her head and doesn't have a clue how blogs are being used as an important weapon in the savvy realtors marketing artillery- RUN!

Not Applicable

As a single woman without children, I really don't see any real value in buying life insurance.

"Why spend the money on something like this? It's not applicable to my life."

On the other hand if I had a family, I'd be the first to sign up for term life insurance.

Shopping For Orlando Real Estate

Shopping for href="http://www.homekeys.net/Researcher/Real_Estate-Florida-Orange-Orlando.aspx">Orlando real estate?


Did you know that over 77 % of real estate transactions begin initially on the Internet?

It is true. A large number of buyers begin their house hunting online. It just makes sense to surf the turf of a region before you fire up your automobile.

If you are looking for residential or commercial property in central Florida, then by all means click on this link for a quick scan of what is on the market right now.

Good luck and Happy Hunting!

The Effects of Stress On A Diet

Why I think I could probably write volumes about the effects of stress on a diet. The biggest challenge I have faced before and during this diet is the varying degrees of stress in my life.

I don't know why I have let food be the crutch that has held me up during stressful times.

Even now, being totally conscious of what is happening, sometimes I can't help myself. I find there are times that I just want to plow into a hearty meal of comfort food.

I'll get a vision in my mind and I can't seem to shake it. What is up with this? I'm real close to the 90 pound mark and the 100 pound mark is just around the corner.

Yet, perhaps the most stressful days are approaching. Finding a new place to live, packing, hunting for land for sale or rent.

A Dream Life

Ever find yourself at a crossroads in life where you don't recognize the person you've become? The face in the mirror, isn't even a face you recognize....or the life you are living is so far removed from the life you once dreamed of for yourself?

You are not alone! Many of us discover that somewhere along the journey, we assumed a lifestyle that wasn't at all what we wanted.

Sure we might be decades into these mysterious lives. But we can still make the decision to refashion our future any way that we desire. We just need to decide to do it!

Let's live it up! For a bit of inspiration from someone who is living her dreams at an early age, why not get a set of Hannah Montana tickets.

The Acai Story

The Acai Story
By Jim Swank

Acai is a palm tree that grows in the North of Brazil and is known by the people as "içá-çai", which means "fruit that cries". Acai Berries grow on an Amazon Palm Tree and have been prized for hundreds of years by the indigenous people of Brazil for their ability to provide a sense of strength, energy, and a high nutritional content. Acai is the only super berry on the market that has everything that you need, naturally from only the berry itself. Acai is considered one of the richest nutritive fruits from the Amazon or the world for that fact. Acai (ah-sigh-ee) is an all-natural energy fruit from Amazon palm berries.

Acai
Acai Medio is normally used in Brazil because it is cheaper and easier to process than the acai especial. Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is the fruit of a palm tree that grows in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. It is Not a Magic Bullet, but It May be Close. While there certainly is no single food that can be considered a magic bullet, Acai must be ranked high among the most powerful and beneficial natural sources of vital minerals, anti-oxidants and nutrients that support a healthy body and lifestyle. It also provides a nearly perfect profile of amino acids plus it contains important vitamins and trace minerals too. Acai also contains two good fatty acids, Omega 6 (Linolenic acid) and Omega 9 (Oleic acid) each of which plays a large role in maintenance of your cardio vascular system. Acai is Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals, Fiber and Proteins Each capsule is a rich source of important nutrients for optimum health and vitality.

Health
We also think that any juice made from a blend of healthy fruits is much better than the soda and sugar filled juices most of the population is drinking now. Health Link Directory Research on Acai has shown that these Anti-Oxidants are known to fight and regulate cholesterol levels in the body. Dietary fiber, which is excellent for digestive tract health. As featured on Oprah, "the benefits from eating healthy are endless. Acai Berries can help a promote a healthier cardio vascular system and digestive tract, because of its synergy of monounsaturated (these are the healthily) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols. I , of course believe that Acai has tremendous health benefits, but a number of Monavie reps have crossed the line and sold some very sick people a false set of promises. Distributors of Monavie have made unsupported health claims for Mona Vie on various websites. Please consult with a health care professional before starting any supplementation program.

Products
While the Acai berry is clearly a very healthy addition to any diet, many Acai products remain vague in their use of the acai berry. There are many Acai products on the market, but most use confusing proprietary formulas. Acai was recognized for its functional properties for use in food and nutrasutical products. Other companies add a trace amount of Acai to their products just so they can say they have Acai. The products promise the consumer everything, from extra energy to anti-aging benefits.

Energy
The reason that Acai is so great is that it's bursting with antioxidants that protect your health and give you energy. It is usually mixed with energy drinks, ice cream, and even energy bars. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has entered into a distribution agreement with Los Angeles-based Bossa Nova brand acai juices, and Anheuser-Busch adds the fruit to its new energy drink, 180 Blue.

Brazil
In 2004, NBC Today's Matt Lauer hosted an Amazon Rainforest road show from Brazil, reporting that locals now call the legendary Acai Berry the "Viagra of the Amazon. Brazilian athletes, on the other hand, consider Acai as an important staple in their diets. Natives living in the Amazon river region in Northern Brazil, have had as part of their diet the Acai berry for hundreds of years for it's nutritional value. The popularity of the Acai berry is starting to spread from Brazil to the rest of the Americas. It usually grows in the wild Amazonian jungles in Brazil, where it is harvested by natives who have been reaping its health benefits for generations now. The Brazilian natives believe the Acai berry to have amazing healing and nutritional properties.

Super
Perricone named the Acai berry as the #1 Superfood on the Oprah Winfrey show. Acai is the only super berry on the market that has everything that you need, naturally from only the berry itself. " In fact, just about every brightly colored fruit and vegetable fits the category of a superfood, as do nuts, beans, seeds and aromatic and brightly colored herbs and spices. The beneficial properties of each one of these superfoods could fill an entire book.

Acai is considered one of the richest nutritive fruits from the Amazon or the world for that fact. Acai is Not a Magic Bullet, but It May be Close While there certainly is no single food that can be considered a magic bullet, Acai must be ranked high among the most powerful and beneficial natural sources of vital minerals, anti-oxidants and nutrients that support a healthy body and lifestyle. Acai is the only super berry on the market that has everything that you need, naturally from only the berry itself.

This article was written by Jim Swank. For more information on health and nutrition go here: http://www.healthandbizguru.com/
Jim Swank has been in the health care field for a number of years. His particular area of expertise is Health - Nutrition and how it helps learning disabilities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Swank http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Acai-Story&id=629925

This Diet Has It's Just Desserts

One pilot, one sky diver, and one hobbyist who builds RC helicopters... what's up with this?

Best I can tell boys will be boys, whether they are ten or sixty! These boys (I mean men!) all have a wanderlust for aviation and are looking for their dream match.

Should I risk my life with the pilot who wants to whisk me off to North Carolina or the sky diver who has offered to take me on a tandem dive?

Being on this diet has it's just desserts! Invitations like this don't come along every day! But when they do.... life sure gets tasty!

Real or Imitation... The Choice Is Yours

I love the story about the pearl necklace where the little girl's father has asked his daughter to give him her imitation pearls. But she is reluctant to do so, eventually she does and when she releases her grasp on the inferior and mediocre, she is free to accept the rare and beautiful real pearls.

Oh, how many times we clutch so hard to the inferior things of this world when God has something far greater for us. But the problem is that we can only clutch so much at a time.
And if our hand is filled up with inferiority, there is no room to clutch onto the superior.

Do we hang on to our weight, our old habits and our brokenness when we could simply let go and let GOD give us something much better... a new life in him!

Kathi Goes Digital!

Happy Day! I am finally getting to where I can download my own photos onto the computer.

Once I get the hang of working between the two operating systems on my computer to download the digital pics, I'll be able to share pictures with you!

Yippity Do Da!Yippity Day! My oh my what a wonderful day!

I took this picture last month after a jaunt to the Growers Market. I think this was before I roasted the vegetables.

Just playing with the camera at this point! Hope to bring you some cool photos in the months to come and who knows... maybe I'll share some cooking videos, too!

Elegant Bites For A Fabulous Healthy Body

Winner’s Weightloss Cooking Class
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Noon & 5:30PM

Tallahassee, Florida

Elegant Bites For A Fabulous Healthy Body
By Kathi Dameron


1. I’m Losing My Marbles! So far I’ve lost 75 of them!

2. How To Create A Beautiful Skewered Cocktail… Fragrant Shrimp Skewered Appetizer Cocktails with Far Eastern Spices

3. How To Add A Dash of Style and Pizzazz to A Savory Baked Appetizer … Spinach Artichoke Triangles with Fiesta Confetti Bites

4. Toss the Shrimp and Fresh Grapefruit In A Wild Greens Salad and Living Vegetable Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

5. Strawberry Kiwi Frozen Slushes will be served

These measurements are estimates, please adjust to suit your own preferences.

Fragrant Shrimp Marinade

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 ½ teaspoons fresh cracked mixed blend gourmet pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ package orange Winner’s Weightloss Supplement / water
½ teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons canola oil
Apple cider vinegar (optional)

Mix together and use as a marinade for shrimp, seafood, fish, etc.


Spinach Artichoke Triangles

1 - 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained
½ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup water mixed with
¼ package Winners Weightloss chicken soup supplement
1 egg
2 egg whites
¼ bread crumbs
black pepper to taste
½ teaspoon dried oregano
dash of cayenne pepper
½ cup shredded spinach
½ cup grated zucchini
¾ cup shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
fat free sour cream or yogurt
confetti chopped veggies

Chop artichoke hearts in food processor. Set aside.
Mix together water and chicken soup supplement.
Saute onions and garlic in water blend until tender.
In small bowl mix together egg and egg yolks until frothy.
Mix in remaining ingredients then transfer to a 9x9x2 baking pan that has been pre-sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Spread with garlic and herb fat free sour cream or yogurt (optional) and garnish with confetti chopped veggies, then cut and triangles and serve.

For my online friends, I'll try to get some pictures posted after the class. Maybe I'll even post a video after future classes. Thanks for reading my blog :) Love and Kisses! Kathi

Create A Stress Plan

To all my Dear Dieting Compatriots,

Do you have a Stress Plan to guide you when times of stress in your life threaten to wreck havoc on your diet?

Not until I sat down to write this post a few minutes ago did I realize the importance for creating a stress plan or plans to carry me through times of personal crises.

The bottom-line reality is that food has always been my comforter through the storms of life.

How unhealthy and dysfunctional is that?

A couple years before embarking on my Winner's Weightloss program, it occurred to me, perhaps by a ray of divine insight that when I felt inner turmoil, I would turn to sugar.
A friend who is a psychologist had told me that my behavior was a classic example of self-medicating oneself. In fact, he had done his dissertation on the very subject.

Interesting.

I called good ole' mom.

"Did you use to give me sugary treats when I was upset?" I asked.

"We always had cookies for you children to calm you when you were upset," she responded.

Bingo! I had found the root of my eating disorder! Momma's good intentions had created a pattern that I would battle my entire life.

After a time of aggravation with Momma, it was time to let her off the hook, forgive her for the damage she had unknowingly created. After all she was only trying to be the best mother she knew how to be. Unfortunately, she had no clue that sugar was a terrible stress solution.

With stress of varying degrees an inevitable part of the human condition, a dieter would be wise to create their own personal stress plan, maybe even a plan a, a plan b, and a plan c!

The challenge before us is to create OUR STRESS PLANS! I'm going to start formulating mine and I encourage you to do the same. I invite you to share your strategies, what works for you and what doesn't. If you have a blog or website that you author, or a favorite site of encouragement that you visit that deals with diet-related issues, please share a link with us!

I want to hear from you! To comfort and nurturing! Kathi

You've Been Flamingoed!

Jaunty bright pink plastic flamingos decorated the front yard.

Lordy, Lordy!

Look whose Forty!

Gabriela knew she was in for a fun birthday, but she had no idea that her husband had booked a surprise trip to the fabulous Flamingo Las Vegas where she was about to meet the surprise of her life!

Don't miss Gabriela's and Marco's hilarious romp!

Yellow-Tailed Snapper With Fiery Mango-Habanero Salsa

"After the race, let's stop at the fish market." I said as I laced up my Air Jordan running shoes.

"Fish, tonight? Fish is always a great Friday night dinner entree. What do you have in mind?"

"I was hoping to find a yellow-tailed snapper that we could grill and top with a fiery mango and habanero salsa. Maybe we can stop by the farmers market and pick up some nice wild greens, too."

A Master's Cheesecake

"Every spring, champions of the game of golf gather at the Augusta National Golf Club to compete in the first of America's major tournaments, the Masters." Second Round Tea Time At The Masters by The Junior League of Augusta, Georgia.

Attending the Masters is exciting, whether or not you are a player. But by all means ladies and gentlemen, dress the part. For the latest fashions in golf apparel ladies check out the women's golf pro shop online. While you are at it, don't miss the divine recipes in the cookbook. One of my favorite recipes is Marie Neel's Kahlua Cheesecake on page 299.

I know it is not a diet recipe, but with some slight variations it can be transformed into a low-fat wonder!

Keep your eye out... in future postings I'll be sharing some of the yummy Winner's Weightloss cheesecake recipes on this blog.

Only Two Things: Results and Excuses

A sudden silence fell across the table, then after a brief pause the conversation continued.

"So what did you tell him?"

"I told him that his calls were harassment and that if they didn't cease, I would report him."

"Obviously, he didn't take you serious. He has called all week. "

"That is the way a commercial collection agency works. Their objective is to collect their client's money. Fortunately, there are laws to protect people from threatening phone calls."

"Good! Because this stress is wrecking havoc on my diet."

"Don't let the stress be your excuse. There are only two things in life: results and excuses!"

Mango Madness

Down here in Florida where the mangos grow... the inspirations for good heart-healthy cookery are a-plenty.

While mangos don't actually grow in my backyard, they grow in abundance further south.

During mango season, you'll find the fruit of these juicy treasures showing up in everything from tropical salsas and frozen cocktails during happy hour to playing the staring role for delicious grand finales at the dessert hour.

Yes, they are delicious when used in synergy with other ingredients... they are equally delightful to eat the just picked fruit from a tree and let the nectar trickle down your chin!

Photo Credit: Ajay Singh & SXC

Beauty and Health The Scandinavian Way

"The Scandinavian female is in tune with nature. She thinks French perfume is divine, but give her one that wafts of pine needles and she'll drench herself with it. A magnum of champagne has its allure-but so does a pitcher of fresh milk. Stepping out of bed onto a fur rug is groovy, but so is wading at the edge of the sea." ~ Gale Knutson

Sitting on my desk is my cherished copy circa 1969 of this fabulous book on Beauty and Health the Scandinavian Way. Scandinavia... known for Finnish women with pink and white complexions, snow-capped mountains, and modern desks.

Photo Credit: Ajay Singh & SXC

Feather-Light Angel Food

Looking for a light dessert to take to a party?

Store-bought or home-made Angel Food cake is feather light and fat free. Just top with some fat free cool whip and a medley of fresh berries. Yum!

Whip it up in your indoor or outdoor kitchen.

Photo Credit: Ajay Singh & SXC

Stop Fretting Over What Others Think!

While dining at a quaint and obscure little restaurant off the beaten path, I overheard the following conversation.

"Set yourself apart from the rest. Don't be afraid to make the changes that will propel your life to where you want to go."

"You speak wise words. But I worry too much what others think."

"You must stop fretting over what other people will think. Follow the light within. Get help for your addiction. For as long as your addiction has its ugly claws in you, you will fail to achieve your greatest potential. "

"Then you think I should go into the drug rehab program?"

"Absolutely! I want to see you launch into the stratosphere!"

As I heard the conversation that played out at the nearby table, I considered my own addiction to sugar and carbs and realized that no matter what our addictions might happen to be, ultimately these addictions shackle us to a bondage of inferiority and keep us from realizing our fullest potential.

The Secret To Today's Lunch

The heady perfume of fresh marjoram perfumed the house as the chicken and summer vegetables roasted in the oven.

My mouth watered in anticipation of lunch, a lunch that would help the scale inch down.

The secret to today's lunch is the chicken noodle soup supplement that gently baths the chicken and chunky vegetables and infuses flavor without the addition of fat. The marjoram adds just the right fragrance to this savory treat.

A Sweet Diversion

Born out of a rainforest of rare flowers with rich and luxurious notes....

Ah, what is it about chocolate that casts such a spell upon me? One thing I love about the Winner's Weightloss program is my weekly indulgence in a specially formulated chocolate mint confection.

A sweet diversion along the bumpy road of life.

Exclamation Point Living

"Exclamation Point Living" is a term that defines a great approach to every day living.

Why not live a life of excitement and passion for the things that sing out in your soul? Why purr when you long to roar?

I think feeling good about ourselves is linked to how we feel about our bodies. A subject that can often be shrouded in mystery that most certainly deserves a true excavation to unearth the whys of how one has come to let their body keep them from achieving their biggest dreams and desires for their lives.

Let's get proactive! Whether it is signing up for a monitored weight loss program like the Winner's Weightloss program that I'm on or doing weight watchers or simply investing in some effective diet pills.

Whatever manner you choose to lose weight and reclaim a healthy and attractive body, Exclamation Point Living is sure to come more naturally!

Nothing Fits!

Losing weight opens up all sorts of new fashion options. The time has come for me to clean out my dresser drawers and closets. Nothing fits!

The saying "I havn't a thing to wear," certainly applies to my life right now!

Even my panties are huge. Now I wouldn't ordinarily talk about lingerie, except for some inexplicable reason I received a blog assignment for the keywords crotchless panty.

Oh dear!

I debated long and hard whether or not to reject the assignment and send it back. But then I thought we all have different motivations for losing weight and who knows maybe being able to look hot in one's undergarments is just the incentive a reader might need to stay motivated to lose weight in this Sex and The City era.

Delicious Ingredients

On a few occasions, following a story and certain recipe in my newspaper column, I have discovered that the article has caused a run on a featured ingredient at the grocery store. Lesson learned... I always stock up on that special ingredient that I am writing about before the article comes out!

"I don't understand why the shelf is empty. Figs must be very popular right now," the grocer said to me as he scratched his head.

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled graciously. One for Kathi... I thought. Could my food column actually sway buying decisions? Who would think that from the isolated keyboard where I sit and hunt and peck with my two fingertips, that stories would emerge and end up influencing what someone might eat for dinner or serve for a special celebration.

Well I need to jaunt on over to Lake Ella right now and see what delicious seasonal produce our local growers have brought to town for the weekly Wednesday Growers Market, featuring treasures from mother nature. Check back and see what I discovered.

Omelette Party

Lori from the Tallahassee Winner's Weightloss recently shared this novel idea with me for making ziplock omelets.

I can't wait to try it out. Supposedly it works great whether you are prepping for one or an entire family.

The idea inspired me to think this recipe could be a great launching pad for an Omelette Party.

In my catering days, we would occasionally cater fancy high-end brunches complete with omelette stations, but my goodness that takes alot of work and labor, which is lovely if the client has the budget to meet the cost.

As a savvy entertainer, I look for ways to create the wow without breaking the bank.

Maybe an Omelette Party could be just the solution for a great late morning soiree. If you want to add some drama- why not cook those ziplock bags in big bubbling pots of boiling H2O over an outdoor fire. Of course for simplicity the kitchen range is ideal.

1. Write names on quart size ziplock bags.

2. Put out a variety of chopped and prepped ingredients such as cheeses, ham, onion, vegetables, spinach, artichokes, green pepper, hash browns, salsa etc.

3. Crack 2 eggs into each ziplock bag and shake to combine.

4. Have guests add prepared ingredients to their bags and shake. Make sure to get all the air out of the bags and zip them up.

5. Place the bags into roiling, boiling for exactly 13 minutes.

Find Out The Secrets To How Kathi Lost 75 Pounds

Local food writer and culinary artist, Kathi Dameron will be doing 2 thirty minute low-fat food demonstrations/ cooking classes on Thursday, August 30 at Winner's Weightloss on Capital Circle in Tallahassee.

Call Ruth at (850) 671-3200 for details, directions and to reserve a spot. Space is limited.

Find out some of the secrets as to how Kathi has lost 75 pounds!

This event is sponsored by Winner's Weightloss, Tallahassee's Number 1 Weight Loss Center for 14 years and Kathi Dameron and Associates, a Florida-based boutique consulting company that specializes in culinary collaborations.

Ah, The Joy of Locally Grown Produce

"No satisfaction is more elemental, more vital to well-being, than the pleasure we seek in what we eat." ~ Mireille Guiliano, Author of the # 1 best seller " French Women Don't Get Fat" and "French Women For All Seasons"

With this thought in mind, I begin planning out a menu that is seasonally-inspired and a celebration of the late August bounty not in the countryside of Provence, but the rural regions and urban gardens of North Florida and South Georgia.

For it is from this geographic region that the luscious, locally grown products find their way onto my menus.

This afternoon I will jaunt to the local growers market at Lake Ella for inspiration for my upcoming cooking class and for nature's treasures to sustain me.

Geting Back In The Swing of Life

Now that I've dropped 75 pounds through the Winner's Weightloss program, I'm looking forward to diving into lots of new recreational activities. Time permitting I hope to get back in the swing of things this autumn and tee off to some exciting days at the country club.

But somewhere in the craziness of the last ten years of my life, I lost track of my golf clubs. Guess I'll have to shop for some new Ping or Callaway golf clubs this fall.

Need Tickets?

"But daddy you said I could go to the concert!"

Flashing me a thunderous look, I knew I was hang gliding over a watershed and heading into the eye of a twister.

So read the words from the August 16, 2007 installment of the Entertaining with Kathi column.

Ah, concerts. Need tickets? Need schedules?Looking for the def leppard tour schedule? Find it here at Ticket Solutions!

Fire Pit Cookery

Cooking on location, whether in the backyard, the beach or some exotic location offers delicious solutions to even the strictest of dieters among us.

There is something about cooking over an open flame. That fire-grilled depth of flavor that certainly adds no calories, but evokes a character and richness near-impossible to achieve through tamer methods of cookery.

The outdoor fireplace can be used for heat and the drama of fire pit cookery.

It's the little things that can be the most frustrating. Things like missing cabinet hardware from a desk drawer. And before you know it perhaps you are wanting to sink your spoon into a pint of mint chocolate chip.

Don't do it! Take care of the little petty nuisances along the way and chances are your weightloss will progress nicely.

"Quality of life" is probably the number one reason that I embarked on this weightloss adventure.

We are not properly educated in the consequences of food in our bodies. We focus far too much on the flavor. But I think we need to understand what food does to our organs.

If we keep eating the rich, sugary, fat-laden foods that are such a part of the national diet, then we better beef up on our term life insurance!

Here it is Saturday night and I'm home finishing up writing assignments. While a low-fat dinner is roasting in the oven I'm trying to fire up my creative juices. But I'm drawing a blank for the word blinds.

My mind is in R & R mode and for the life of me, after this long and grueling week, I can not even begin to think of how to tie window blinds to a diet blog.

Then out of the inexplicable depths of the imagination it happens, a story begins to unfold.

I jump up from my cushy black leather executive swivel computer chair and leap to the darkened window, yanking the cord on the blinds, they fall with pure precision over the windows.

Accessories are a great gift for family and friends who are engaged in weight loss. My favorite accessories include animal jewelry and zebra or tiger print scarves.

No matter what your size, fashionable costume pieces are always in good taste and will be a fun part of a wardrobe through all stages of the diet.

"I am woman... hear me roar!"

Clocks, hamilton watches, the speedometer on a car are just three of the devices I have used to gauge measurement in creative ways.

Have you ever driven down the street and watched the numbers rise and fall on your dashboard and serendipitously correlated the numbers to the weight you would like to lose? I have.

I find all sorts of creative games to help me.

Going on vacation when you are on a diet can be a real challenge.

You certainly don't want to deprive yourself of the opportunity to sample the regional cuisine, but on the other hand you don't want to mess up all the hard work you've put in to drop weight.

So what do you do.

If possible get a flavor of the cuisine in advance. Surf the internet. For example if you are going to Branson Missouri, check out the eateries online that showcase their menus. Be savvy. Look for regional cuisine that is interesting but light.

Bon Voyage!

This is another post for my work as a blogger, that has nothing to do with my diet.

The assignment was listed as New York personal injury lawyer.

I scanned my brain for relevant material. A vision of an ambulance-chaser appeared.

Uggh, I thought.

I don't know diddly squat about this type of law and certainly hope that I never need to. But if you are in the great state of New York and find yourself in need of the services of this sort of attorney, then check out the link for more information.

My work as a paid blogger for various products takes me to all sorts of products that I might not have any idea about. Such was the case with this assignment for disposable medical products.

So click on the link and you are bound to learn everything you ever wanted to know about incontinence products but were afraid to ask!

This diet has taken me to a new adventure. After a few years of soloing it on weekends,with carbs for companions, I've decided to get out and date a bit.

For my fiftieth birthday I treated myself to a subscription on match. Dating at fifty is fun!

While my interest is primarily in Tallahassee, which makes more sense to me to date locally, it might be fun to find friends in out-of-town places that I might like to visit for weekend getaways. For example the Ozarks would be fun. Maybe I could find a Float Date and check out the Branson real estate.

During my days of selling advertising for regional Tallahassee publications, I had the wonderful privilege of meeting so many different business owners to chat about strategies to help spread the word about their business. Several times I talked with Clifton at Gulf Coast Metal Systems who is a metal roofing specialist for hurricane-prone Florida.

Like so many business owners, Clifton was looking for an advertising solution that wouldn't involve a throw-away publication. Advertising is too expensive to invest in print ads that only end up in a trashcan and the county landfill.

Businesses like American Steel Pan who are in the business of steel buildings are utilizing the power of the blogosphere to spread the word about their services.

Game nights are a great way to entertain family and friends. Last Saturday night I was invited to a game night at the home of two of my favorite newlyweds. Everyone brought a snack to share and the host and hostess provided some of their culinary specialties.

Among the highlights of the evening for me was winning at gin rummy 500 and being serenaded with a song of happy birthday by my friends.

Playing cards was something I hadn't done in years. Sitting around the card table with my closely vested hand of 7 stirred sweet old images of playing the same game in the U.P. with my Finnish grandparents at their summer cottage on Lake Superior.

The take away lesson for me was that I really should play cards more often... they really are fun.
When I got home I looked online at poker tables.

Fat bushels of ripe Georgia peaches sat on the rustic counter of the summer kitchen.

Over the next several days canning, pickling, and baking peaches would be the agenda. All this was in preparation for a Peachy Celebration that would coincide with a new cookbook and a television series.

One question drifted through my mind... how can I arrange home theater seating around the pool?

My vision was to set up the screening outside, sort of like the outdoor movies of long ago.

There I was ready to start another business without properly doing my market research.

It is not wise to launch off in new ventures without first doing your research. We have to guard ourselves against diving into ventures that are not founded in smart strategic planning.

For me it was a magazine. I was thinking more with my heart, than my head. The bottom line is I want to own my own magazine, but when more and more of the cards started showing up on the table, I realized that my initial decision was perhaps an ill-advised one.

In the nick of time, I was saved from signing on the dotted line.

Hopefully, my dream to create my own magazine will be realized some day.

If you get out of the routine of blogging for awhile, it can be down right difficult to get back into the groove. Sort of like dieting!

Today I hit the 71 pound mark. I'm planning to plow through the seventies in record speed. Considering it took me a couple months to get out of the 60's.

I can come up with a list of excuses as to why it took so long. But the bottom line is there are really only two things:

1. Results

and

2. Excuses

Despite whatever is going on in my life, there is no reason why I should have taken so long to move past the 60's.

So I'm going to sharpen my writing pens, don my workout clothes and get back in gear to lose the rest of this unnecessary extra weight.

I sent my friend an e-mail yesterday and I said "I feel like a basketball today. I might be down, but I'm coming right back up, ready to score a big one!"

Life is like that, isn't it?

But we needn't give the downs of our daily lives the power or permission to keep us down.

Pop right back up! Whether it is with weight loss or whatever difficult obstacles are planted along the way. You can do it. You can soar above the challenges by being in control of your own destiny. Just say "no" to accepting defeat and press on to victory!

So many of my defeats over the last several years were tied to poor financial planning. So I'm looking into resources like financial consolidation software to help me tackle my weakness.

I am planning on making some big changes to my approach with the Diet With Kathi Blog.

Some really fun adventures are on the way. Having already lost seventy pounds, I'm gearing up to lose another seventy through a variety of great hands-on activities. I'll be showcasing them here on this blog with all sorts of great resources.

I'll also be going on-location with camera and notebook in hand ready to record for all to see, compelling images, videos and stories.

Now I just need to make sure I always have a spare battery so that I don't run short and lose out on a great photo opp.

Dieting can be an extra burden if the dieter is stressed over financial issues. There is a link between financial stability and ability to maintain a healthy weight. Sometimes when finances are out of whack, weight seems to accumulate.
It did with me.

From school loan consolidation to adjustable rate mortgages.

Tonight I've been looking at some different options in notebook computers. Getting a laptop is something that I've put off for too long. I need a computer that is portable, not too heavy, but with a nice 15 inch screen. It needs to have all the bells and whistles and plenty of IBM memory.

Weight Loss Buddies Wanted!

Seeking weight loss buddies and friends who are interested in dropping weight, getting fit and becoming the very best possible version of themselves.

So far I've dropped 70 pounds, but hope to drop another 70 and be able to wear sexy single-digit designer clothes again!

Looking to put together a fun-loving group of kindred spirits who want to reach for the stars!

Contact Kathi Dameron at 850-422-3599

I've gotten where I seem to live by two week increments. Somehow I need to align my diet to this schedule.

Lately I'm drifting in a five pound range. Up and down I go.

I had hoped to be nearing the 100 pound mark, but I'm struggling just to master the 70 pound one. Why is it so hard?

Why can't I just do it? I get so frustrated with myself. There is no reason why I should be hovering! But I know there are emotional culprits at play here.

For me my weight has a lot to do with emotional eating. In some ways I am battling some of the most trying times of my life right now. Overall I'm doing pretty good- considering! Two years ago, I would have eaten myself into oblivion to escape the torment. Now when I splurge it is an extra apple or two. No ice cream or cookies for me. I'm bound and determined to lose every ounce of fat that my body does not need.

So what doees all this have to do with a truck rack? Go figure!

I am really battling a plateau right now! I can't seem to move into the 70 pound range. It is so frustrating.

Part of it is my own fault. Scratch that last sentence. ALL of it is my own fault!

I'm the one who is in control of what I eat or don't eat. I'm the one who is in charge of exercising this body.

The truth is my life is really tough right now. Tougher than I even want to discuss. But that shouldn't be my excuse. I need to stay focused on the BIG PICTURE and not turn one addiction into another! Like shopping for new clothes or cool finds ordiscount furniture and decorative treasures from the far corners of the globe .

I have to ramp up my readership. My writings are being lost among the zillions of posts in the blogosphere.

There is so much to learn and so much to do.

But I am committed to soar like an eagle and bring the best of my works into the limelight where they can be read by the masses. Then they will be beneficial to the companies I serve, companies like the awesome and incredible Ruth and Lori at Winner's Weight Loss in Tallahassee, Florida and the Internet shop and click Coaster Furniture.

A Recipe For Preserved Children

I came across this recipe on an old vintage recipe card. It always puts such a smile on my face, as it reminds me of the carefree days of childhood from a bygone era when exercise wasn't even something that we consciously thought about. Yet, our lifestyles were active and obesity uncommon. Nowadays, children seem to stay indoors far more than they did when I was a child and childhood obesity has grown to frightening statistics.

Last month when Ruth did the fat test on me, she said something interesting to me.

"You can thank your mom and dad. " Apparently she could tell by the test results that I had good genes and that when I was a child, I had built plenty of good muscle.

"These overweight kids today won't have a chance," she continued, "their poor bodies are being set up for diabetes and a whole slew of major health problems."

Yikes! It is time to turn this tide.

Preserved Children

1 large field
1/2 dozen children
2 small dogs
pinch of brook
pebbles
flowers
blue sky
sun
1 old pick up truck
new truck accessories
bathtub

Transport the children to a big open field, stir in children and dogs. Pour the brook over the pebbles, sprinkle with flowers spread over a deep blue sky and bake it in the sky. When golden brown whisk back home to cool in the bathtub. Yields many memories that will never be forgotten.

Exotic Flavored Homemade Popsicles

Summer is a great time to get in the kitchen and whip up a batch of homemade popsicles. The Winner's Weightloss fruit-flavored supplements can be used in so many different creative concoctions.

I can't wait to start playing with the different flavors.

Ah, The Wednesday Afternoon Grower's Market at Lake Ella

Tired of the same old, same old?

Today I jaunted over to the Wednesday afternoon Grower's Market at Lake Ella.

This week I was smart. I made sure to get there as close to the 3:00 opening time as possible. Believe me, it makes a difference! Last week I missed out on just about everything I had hoped to procure.

The Lake Ella Growers Market, my friends, is the place to shop for produce in Tallahassee! You simple can't get much fresher, unless you grow your produce in your own garden, spray it down with the garden hose and pop it right into your mouth right there among the blooms. Lake Ella on Wednesday afternoon is the next best thing, without all the work.

I'm growing some green beans and Japanese Eggplant in a whiskey barrell at home, but the eggplant has a long way to go before I can roast it or saute it with a bit of garlic and bunch of swiss chard.

Personal Chef Services ~ Summer 2007

Imagine having your very own personal chef cooking up all your favorite foods and arranging them in your freezer complete with directions for reheating. What could be more delicious than a well-stocked freezer of soups, sauces, entrees, breads, vegetables, appetizers and desserts?

Culinary writer, food columnist, former caterer and event designer Kathi Dameron is offering private personal chef services this summer. For more information contact Kathi directly at 850-422-3599.

The Rocky Mountain Spa Resort evoked images of the sprawling ranches of the untamed west. Fresh, delicious western cuisine was treated with a feathery touch at this exclusive spa for billionaires who had come to whittle their waistlines and cut their carbs. And even though one might feel as if they had time traveled to a by-gone time, the well-hidden network cables provided global access to the rest of the world.

"My lips are zipped!" I said as I ran my thumb and my forefinger across my mouth in a quick zipping action.

The reporter was asking privileged information that I didn't have the right to divulge. Sure, I could have said something, but too much was at stake and it wouldn't be the smart thing to do.

I eyed the water bottle filter and unzipped my lips long enough to take a big gulp of fresh water. I sort of felt like a big exotic tropical fish in a small transparent goldfish bowl.

While jaunting in the Lilliemobile to the vacation home rental
Joy asked, "Lillie would you like some java?"

"Joy that sounds wonderful.It smells divine."

"It is one of my favorites... chocolate hazelnut. Freshly roasted and brewed decaf coffee beans with a drop of pure chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla extracts. But one of my biggest secrets is in the water I use. The ultimate secret is in the purewater.

Let's Make It An Annual Tradition

"The entire weekend was a celebration of what life can be like at its very best!"

"There is much to be said for the closeness and camraderie of good friends. I'm glad we had the opportunity to all get together."

"Lets make it an annual tradition."

"Great idea! I can't wait to see you next year. You'll be as thin as a pencil!"

"From your lips to God's ears! I still have a ways to go on this diet."

"You can count on me to send you words of encouragement!"

"So lets book our Orlando vacation rental for next year!"

I've Lost About 70 Pounds So Far

I've lost about 70 pounds so far. I'd be down further but I do some of the dumbest things to sabotage my efforts.

The bottom line is I am battling a case of severe emotional eating. The odd thing is that while I'm not turning to the sweets as I once did in times of stress, I'm still engaging in a form of dysfunctional behavior.

What happens is I get so stressed over certain circumstances such as my finances, that I skip eating or drinking my water altogether. Splat goes the metabolism and the scale doesn't move.

I need to move this ole' body and gulp that water.

A friend suggested Phentermine, but I said I preferred to stick with the Winner's Weightloss Regime!