LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - BEAUTIFUL HORSE

WEIGHT LOSS - DO YOU FIND EXERCISE BORING?

Does this happen to you? Well, it does to me at times. There are days I have to literally force myself to exercise. I don't have a problem with dieting, eating healthy, choosing the right foods and so on. I rather read or write or do something creative with my time than exercise. I tell myself, think of the wonderful health benefits exercise can offer and when it comes to weight loss, you have to exercise (besides eating healthy) - there is no other way. I look at people much older than me exercise with dedication and zeal.  Let me tell you why they do it. Since I've been there and done it...I can guarantee that if you exercise everyday, you will feel so energised, empowered and experience a great sense of well being. Only exercise can do that for you. Don't forget to combine it with healthy eating.

So, is this motivating enough to start an exercise plan? If you can't do it alone, rope in a family member, friend or colleague to exercise with. Join a gym. Go for walks in the park or walk on your treadmill.  Do some kind of calorie burning exercise if you need to lose weight.

STREET FOOD KITCHEN - BIRMINGHAM

I loved every moment and  every day of the one week we spent in Birmingham with our daughter, who lives there.  During our enchanting exploration of Birmingham, we would walk around for hours and not know time fly. Sometimes we used to be exploring the city the whole day. We were so in love with the city - there was so much to see and do. 

On one such day, a few months ago, I was exploring the Victoria Centre and surroundings in Birmingham city while my husband had to attend to something important. He said he'd meet me at the Museum of Arts at the Victoria Centre. As I walked around, I came across Street Food Kitchen. They prepare the food right in front of you. And the interesting part is, every day, they had different kinds of meat burgers made from ostrich, kangaroo, reindeer and bison meat. Out of curiosity, I decided to try out something I never had before and thought of surprising my husband as well, by ordering for Ostrich meat burger. I don't eat burgers generally, ever since I decided to eat healthy. But once in blue moon, especially during our vacations or travel, that's when I end up trying out something different, but however I try to stick to moderation. (Right now I am on a "Clean Eating Challenge").

I didn't find the Ostrich burger tastier than a chicken burger. It had no unusual taste nor was it something you would devour. But...there is something important about ostrich meat you should know. It is very rich in iron, offers more protein,  has low cholestrol, it's low in calories and low in fat compared to any other meat. Ostrich meat is not white, it's red. It has high nutritional value and considered absolutely healthy. It's best marinated and then grilled, stir fried, roasted, or in soup or curry. That would be healthier than in burger form. Ostrich meat would be good choice for people trying to lose weight. If you get ostrich meat, keep an eye on the cooking time, as the meat cooks fast.

ABILITY OR WILLINGNESS - WHAT DRIVES PEOPLE?

People seldom do things to the best of their ability.

They do things to the best of their willingness.

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - GAZING AT THE SEA

When we were lunching at Al Kout Mall, we sat by these large windows facing the sea. It was such a soothing and relaxing experience to be seated looking towards the sea and be immersed in total peace and tranquility. There were boats passing by and sea gulls flying about.  Here are some photos I had taken.

WOMEN AND JEWELLERY

Most women enjoy wearing jewellery be it some thing light for casual wear or something attractive for a night out. I mentioned 'most' and not 'all' women, because, I also know a few women who actually despise or have no interest for wearing any jewellery.  Jewellery compliments a woman's attire and adds a touch of glamor. I have a  penchant for delicate sterling silver jewellery with semi precious stones and crystals. I also like artificial jewellery with colored beads and stones. Artistically speaking, there is a great variety of amazing designs, sizes and shapes to choose from. I don't have much liking for gold. However, when it comes to investment and the way the prices have been soaring in the past 10 to 12 years, analysts believe investing in gold will definitely bring you huge profits in the future.

Here are some pictures of watches and beautiful jewellery - gold plated and sterling silver with pearls and semi precious stones and crystals I saw at Marina Mall.  

HUMOR - WIFE HELPS HUBBY WITH MEMORY

SCULPTURE IN THE SEA IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Jaume Plensa is a Spanish artist who designed and created a 12 meter tall sculpture called 'Awilda', at the sea shore of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro. The sculpture depicts the head and face of a girl with eyes closed, connoting the importance of people to dream. It's  made from resin and marble dust and took two months to complete. This sculpture is created as a part of OIR (Other Ideas for Rio) art exhibition that will be taking place. Artists from various parts of the world will occupy public areas in Rio to showcase their work.

FACING AND OVERCOMING FEAR

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - FLOWERS THE BEAUTY OF PINK

I took this photo of these beautiful flowers in Ahmadi. I just so love the color.

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
~Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

LANCOME PERFUME LA VIE EST BELLE

La Vie Est Belle in French means "Life is Beautiful". It's the latest perfume for women from Lancome. The fragrance  is centered on the idea of natural and simple beauty, freedom from conventions and the choice of one's own vision of happiness. It encourages an outlook on life, inspired by joy and pleasure in small things. The fragrance includes notes of Florentine Iris pallida, iris aldehyde, jasmine sambac, black currant, pear,  Tunisian orange blossom, Indonesian patchouli, vanilla, tonka bean, and praline.

When I tried La Vie Est Belle, I liked it. It's a pleasant floral fragrance. Julia Roberts is the face of the ad campaign for La Vie Est Belle.

ZIPPER BOOKMARK BY ZIPMARK

Peleg Design studio has created a really nice looking bookmark,  in the shape of a zipper. The book marker comes in blue, red and green colors and would fit most types of book of varying sizes and thicknesses. Looks nice, doesn't it?

WEIGHT LOSS - CLEAN EATING CHALLENGE - DAY 1 TO 4

My simple vegetable salad (orange and yellow bell peppers, cucumbers and carrots without any salt or dressing)

Last year, I went on detoxification diet for two months and lost quite a bit of weight. I felt great, lighter and much healthier. This time I am somewhat doing something similar, it's called The Clean Eating Challenge.

What is clean eating? It's simple, you can't get healthy without eating healthy. Eating right is the answer to good health.  When you eat a lot of junk, sugary and fried stuff, it will definitely show through excess weight, lack of stamina or energy, and even cause life style diseases like diabetes and heart disease.  When you eat whole, healthy and fresh foods, you will begin to glow with good health. You will  have endless energy, less stress, experience weight loss, better skin, clarity of thought and mind.

I've been on Clean Eating since the past 4 days. I have stopped eating wheat and any wheat based items. I do have rice though, in moderate amounts.  I have included plenty of green leaves, vegetables (raw and cooked), fruits, lean meat, fish, milk and eggs for protein in my diet. I have been eating smaller portions and drink plenty of water - 8 to 10 glasses. I am totally avoiding all junk food, restaurant foods/take aways, sugary stuff, refined food, fried stuff (which I generally don't have in the first place) and I am using less oil for cooking, no saturated fats or transfats, no buffets, no artificial juices, no soft drinks,  and absolutely nothing canned, no processed foods or meats and nothing that contains preservatives.

You can have 3 small meals a day with 2 healthy snacks in between. Never skip a meal, especially breakfast. Snacks can be a piece of fruit, cucumber, banana, few nuts, orange, apple, pomegranate, few dates, cherries and so on. I have a cup of tea in the morning with a teaspoon of natural sugar. Though clean eating can be a bit overwhelming at first, you will get used to it in a matter of one week. After that you will be fine with the new changes as you begin to experience the difference and improvement in your overall well being. If you eat this way regularly, all the stuff you enjoyed earlier, will not matter anymore. Do you want to lose weight, are you ready to make small changes and eat and live healthy? I am here to inspire you (and myself), so why wait? Start now...start soon...don't wait until after the weekend.  I almost forgot...you have to exercise..walking, cycling, jogging, dancing, yoga, cardio, aerobics, whatever you choose.

I shall keep posting on my Clean Eating Challenge progress.

EXCUSES

What are your excuses for not doing things you have to? Enrich your life with committment and experience the joy and personal satisfaction of following through what you need to do, whether it's your chores, accomplishing a task or fulfilling a dream.

PAINTING OF A DEER

One of the hobbies my children were engaged in was different forms of art. It was the summer of 1997, when schools had closed for summer vacation. My son did his first painting in water colors of a deer. This was 15 years ago, when he was 10 years old!. It hangs in the corridor near his bedroom.  This is one of my personal favourites of some of his work as a child. Today he is miles away in Michigan,  U.S.A, and I get to see him only once year. I think he will be pleasantly surprised to see his painting put up in my post.....

HUMOR - HORSE RIDING

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - CRUNCHY DRIED LEAVES

One of the things I enjoy doing is walking through beds of  crunchy dried leaves found in certain parts of the park when I go for my walk. I like the natural scent of the dried leaves. The rustling and crackling sounds beneath my feet, as I walk through dried foliage is so soothing to the ear. Imagine, these leaves were once green and healthy beautifying the park, purifying the air, making their food in sunlight, and then came a time, they had to leave their abode to return to cradle of earth that nourished them. Here is a photo I took of crunchy dried leaves at the Salmiah Park.

COFFEE CUP YOU CAN EAT

How would you like drinking your coffee and then eating your cup? Venezuelan designer Enrique Luis Sardi created a coffee cup that you can eat. I'ts Cookie Coffee Cup that was created for Italian coffee brand Lavazza. 

The edible coffee cup is made of pastry with the interior covered in special icing sugar which works as an insulator to make the cup waterproof, and as a sweetener for the coffee at the same time !.

THREE SIMPLE RULES IN LIFE

WEIGHT LOSS - EAT, BUT DON'T OVEREAT

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - CHILDREN AT PLAY IN SUPERMARKET

I think supermarkets should consider having a supervised play area where children can play or do some fun activities while their parents shop instead of children playing right amidst where hundreds of things are stacked and kept, for the children's own safety and to avoid things falling or even causing damage.

MUSEUM OF OPTICAL ILLUSION

Busan museum in South Korea is a unique trick eye museum that offers the viewer, magic of optical illusions.  The museum is huge, it provides a back drop for taking fun photos and it has a touch of humor to it.