It was such a pleasure being treated to a lavish, delectable dinner this evening.. courtesy of my daughter and her friend. The complete meal consisted of four dishes and took them hours to create. Hours in a kitchen is no easy task in any kitchen, but, especially ours, with it’s tiny, cramped spaces, and crazy-hot temperatures due to it being the middle of summer and there’s no cooling in that part of the house. But the girls never complained and created such a fine dinner for us all.

Their (mostly) health-minded, vegetarian (Thank you girls!) meal consisted of:

• Pineapple, banana, cheddar-cheese and marshmallow salad
• Broccoli, tomato, mushroom and mozzarella on wheat pizza
• Fried potatoes with onion
• Cheesecake on graham-cracker crust

All dishes were made from scratch and tasted just perfect! I told the girls that I could sure get used to this and asked them when they thought they could do this again. It sounds like we’ll be in for a dinner treat every couple of weeks or so – Yay!

Take a look at a few photos I snatched up from tonight. :)

So, back in August of 2009, I posted briefly about trying out a vegetarian lifestyle.  I started a vegetarian diet in July ’09 actually, and it stuck. I enjoyed it, and still do – 7 months later. I can’t do Vegan as it’s just too restrictive for me, but the Pescetarian way suits me very well. This is a change I plan to keep and continue with for a long time to come.. along with consuming more whole foods and organic foods in general. It makes me feel good, healthy and positive. I’m trying to also exercise more, though I’m not much of an exercise fan. My work on the computer finds me quite sedentary, so I have to make myself stop working, get up, out, and active. I take a walk almost every day which helps too.

Back in October, I posted information about some pain I was experiencing and researched. Cubital tunnel syndrome is what I diagnosed myself with, and unfortunately, am still dealing with. It got worse in December and then just recently, in the last couple of weeks, has improved some.. so I have hope that it is finally healing. I have spent quite a lot of time with the one of those ACE bandages on.. the one for the elbow, which I think has helped. I’m hopeful it is getting better.. slowly.

For years now, it’s been an important pursuit of mine to be positive. I’ve been trying to make physical and emotional changes in my life that promote positivity in and around me. It’s not always easy, but it will always be something I work on/strive for and I think I’m doing pretty well. I see this as so much more than just a positive attitude.. it’s a way of life. It’s what you seek, what you promote, what you say and what you do.  It’s my belief that when you give out positive energy, you receive it back as well. I think it’s a conscience choice people make. Positive, Negative.. they are directions. You can choose one direction or the other.

I hope your new year is off to a good start so far. If you’ve set goals or made plans for yourself, I wish you success with them. Whatever you do, I hope much happiness follows.

- Karlyn