What goes around comes around

Being on this earth for 1/2 a century, (YIKES!) I've learned everything in life is cyclical.  We've all heard forms of this quote, "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes, it'll change." Although many people apply it to the area they live in, this quote has been credited to Mark Twain in reference to New England.

Eggs - Growing up they were good for me, then they told me no, the yolks are high in cholesterol and can lead to heart attack or stroke.  New research shows that eating whole eggs increases HDL - the heart-protective "good" cholesterol. Plus there are several nutrients specific to the egg yolk that help promote overall health.  Just Google - Heath Benefits of Eggs to learn more.

Potatoes - The potato is a starchy tuberous crop.  The word "potato" may refer to the plant itself or the edible tuber.  The name "spud" for a small potato comes from the digging of soil prior to the planting of potatoes.   They are filling, moderate in calories, and non-fattening.  They are nutrient-dense, their fiber keeps you regular and helps lower cholesterol.  Phytochemicals in potatoes appear to help lower blood pressure.  Potatoes which were once taboo are now considered a super food for weight loss!

The stock market goes up and down, the value of my house dropped and is now coming back around, and the Earth tilts toward the sun, then away from the sun. It is now is starting to tilt back toward the sun again, meaning summer was gone but it is now coming back - YIPPEE! (well, I think so anyway!)
We put away our summer clothes and  donned our cold weather clothes and now we pack them back up and bring out our summer clothes until it is time to bring out the cold weather clothes again.

This winter I was working at a job that was literally sucking the life out of me.  I quit exercising, I ate way too many onion rings and donuts, I felt crappy, couldn't sleep, had no energy, couldn't focus, lost all motivation to do better, and I didn't even care.  However, my beach trip, just weeks away is all the incentive I needed!

Trust me, once you find your motivation and force yourself to make the first step everything else will come around too.  Once you start exercising, you will eat better as to not undo your efforts.  When you eat better, you feel better. When you feel better your attitude is uplifted.  With a good outlook everything in your life is better and when you are happier you sleep better.  When you sleep better you have more energy to exercise, and the circle continues.  I promise!  PS. Don't forget, even if you are trying to lose weight you can still enjoy your eggs and potatoes!

There you have it,
Go give someone a hug.

Go YOU!

When I was going through my cancer experience I just kept thinking how hard this must be for a child to go through, or perhaps worse, to be the parent standing by without a cure.  In my journey to help children diagnosed with life threatening diseases I have met - in person and through social media - parents and families who are faced with extremely tough circumstances.  I am involved with the parents who are the major caregivers of these children who are fighting for dear life.  At another time we will discuss these amazing kids, but at this time I am focusing on their incredible mothers, as they are the ones I mainly interact with.

These women are just like you and me, with dreams and hopes for themselves and their children.  They are pulled in so many directions trying to cover all bases, giving time and energy everywhere: to their diagnosed child, their healthy children, their husbands, their home, their jobs, their aging parents,  their siblings, their friends, doctors, hospitals, insurance, (think of all the red tape involved!) plus, they need time for themselves to recharge their batteries. Can you imagine a day in their life?

These moms are spread out all over the country and use social media groups.  The ones I am involved in are initiated and monitored by those reaching out to help others even while in the midst of chaos themselves!   The groups may be lifesavers, giving the caregivers a safe place to land.  They connect to vent, to ask for guidance, to ask for prayers, and even to offer each other support.  I see these women run out of gas, break down and cry, and then guess what?  They feel badly for letting themselves get down!  REALLY?  Dear Ladies, Give Yourself a Break, and I don't mean a break as in a Kit Kat bar!  Allow yourself to ask for help, allow yourself to take help.  When I was sick I could actually feel God's hand working in my life though the people and experiences that came to me.  Be open to others, they may have been SENT TO YOU from above!

Here's to YOU! You are incredibly strong! I wish you could see just how tough, courageous and amazing YOU really are!  YOU are a huge INSPIRATION for all of us!  We all get overwhelmed and many of us couldn't walk a mile in your shoes, yet look how far you've come! May we learn from your example.

May we be more grateful for all the good we experience; may we be a little kinder, softer, have a tad more patience, and may we all remember to pray for those in need, those who are hurting, those who feel lost, those who lost hope.  May we remember to pray for you, your families, and your children.  Keep up the good work!  GO YOU!!

Pink is everywhere but gray matters!

As you know we have national appreciation/observance days and months.  Everything is honored from jelly beans (4/22) to military spouses, (upcoming on 5/9 - stay tuned).

Pink is associated with breast cancer and it is shows up everywhere from football to spatulas.

Lance Armstrong's yellow wristbands were worn by millions- Thank you!  The list goes on...

The color gray is associated with brain tumors, and May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month.  Here in Atlanta we have one of the first non-profit organizations in the US to focus on pediatric brain tumor disease.  Please think twice when you see the color gray - Gray Matters!  When you see gray, please know there are many who are affected by this disease, children, parents, and families.  .

By now you know that I've have my own experience with cancer, but I went through this as an adult.  Trust me, my life with never be the same, but I'm still here!   I belong to several wonderful groups and I am amazed everyday by the faith and strength these children and parents have.  It is extremely humbling, and they need our help. Please LIKE the PoodleonaNoodle facebook page to help bring exposure to the book, as all donations for May will go to the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children.  www.braintumorkids.org

Be grateful for everyday, be kind to each other, and remember - Gray Matters!

Just Listen!

At times do you find yourself at one of life's intersections not knowing which way to turn?
Has someone unknowingly said something and you hear the comment specifically as an answer to the decision you are trying to make, only to have someone else say the complete opposite?

Do you wonder if certain people enter your life at certain times as a direct answer to your prayers?  But then someone entirely new comes along to steer you in the opposite direction?

To buy or pass, to sell or keep, to go or stay, to talk or keep quiet, which one to buy, which one to keep, which way to go?  We all have situations that come up from time to time and the answer is always to be still and listen.  Listen to your gut, listen to the small voice inside, listen for God's direction.

How many times have you thought to yourself, wow, if only I followed my instinct, if only I had listened, I KNEW better, why didn't I listen to my instinct?.. Tell me, you do honestly believe it all comes down to listening to your gut, and you usually find your gut was right, and more often than not you wish you had listened to it right?  But, what if....

What if you have a tummy ache and your gut is grumbling?  What if one minute you hear quiet bubbling, and soon after you hear rumblings?  One minute your gut is telling you to go one way, and then it starts telling you to go in the opposite direction!  Have you come to a certain conclusion and felt good about it but shortly thereafter your tummy starts to do flip flops and you are certain you made the wrong decision?

This has happened to everyone, and yes, the correct thing to do is to listen to your gut.  So now that I am standing in my intersection, I will be taking some Tums, saying lots of prayers, and hoping I make the correct decision.  Wish me luck!

You've seen the commercial, say it with me...Tum, Tum, Tum, Tum, Tuuummmsss!