Watchdog on duty!

Day after day I sit half awake watching an "organization show" that I absolutely love. Whatever is going on in the house, takes second place to this half hour show. It's kind of addicting. I started out telling myself I would learn some great ideas for organizing my own life. Well, I did pick up a few things here and there and put them into practice. I even bought some shelving and some baskets and rearranged and organized. I would get frustrated if anything interfered with my "show" even angry at times that I had to miss the best part for some reason or other. Then the re-runs started. I had already seen them, I said to myself I have seen this one already and before I knew it my butt was in the chair and eyes glued to the TV. So why am I sharing this stupid admission of watchdog fever with you? Probably because it happens to us all. We all share some crazy addiction to one thing or another. It consumes our time, our life and sometimes it even ruins it.

We believe we need it. We tell ourselves we can't live without it. Our lives are better because of it....and on and on we talk to ourselves don't we? Just listen the next time you rationalize something you are addicted to. I don't know about you but it bugs me to give away my power. But I still have trouble not doing it.

I was watching the Steve Harvey show last week and there was a busy couple on that were having trouble finding time to be with each other. They wanted Steve to tell them where in their crazy schedule they actually carve out time. So he looked over each of their schedules and he pointed out a couple of things they could both do and the wife said to Steve that her husband had a girlfriend....the look on Steve's face you can just imagine...she was talking about her husband's TV time. His girlfriend was the TV because he ALWAYS scheduled in time to watch her.

Point to ponder is...What are we letting steal our precious time ?? How can we get more out of life if we just let things pull us in one direction or the other? I encourage comments:)

Are you expired?

If we only came with a "GOOD UNTIL" date, we would know how fast and how hard to live wouldn't we?
Do you know people that have already expired, that are way past their "buy before" date?? They have given up and given in to defeat. Their attitude stinks, they have let their health go, they have given up hope...or thrown in the towel of life??

On the other hand, imagine for a minute, those people that have been given some bad news. They have a dis-ease or cancer and have been told they have 6 mos to a year to live. But they ignore that expiration date. They beat the odds, they steal from the gravedigger. Time takes on a whole different meaning to them doesn't it?? You really would want an 8th day of the week. You would push to the max to do things to get healthy. You would say and do the things you had been putting off. (Or at least the ones that really mattered to you)

So we have looked at both ends of that spectrum and I suspect you and I are somewhere in between? If you are like me, some days pushing the envelope, trying to get in all done and some days just relaxing and enjoying the moment. It's the middle that gets muddled. There is no urgency, no "good until" date to keep us moving forward. Some things seem important, but then that fades with either lack of money or lack of time to pursue it.

Not enough time and not enough  money is most people's problem. But it's just an excuse disguised just enough to fool ourselves into believing that it really wasn't that important. Are you willing to let your plans expire? What date have you set to start something new? Maybe it could be today. www.sandra777.com

Keep Asking!!

I just have to keep asking. Can I? Should I? Will I?

As I was reading T.D. Jakes new book "Instinct" (which by the way is absolutely the best) I can't help but feel him speaking directly to me. What we are good at and what we are good for are in rhythm. I think, If we follow our natural God given journey, the one our soul is absolutely dying to fulfill, we will not only enjoy what we are doing but be awesome at it. Sound good? But in all honesty, only 10% of people are actually doing it. Think about yourself and what you wanted to do when you were say 16-17. When you felt your heart was happy and doing something it really really loved to do. Are you doing it now? Have you had the opportunity to pursue that to the fullest? I know I haven't.

So I just keep asking my heart why does it want what my head says is impossible. Ever have that struggle?? It really is a tug of war with no winner since it's a battle within myself. I want the pain of the need to accomplish it to just go away and leave me alone. I pile up excuses and reasons in front of the door to that very dream, but if it could be realized, it would blow my mind! I know it would!

So why the struggle? Like I always tell others...just do it! I want a wellness center and my heart won't stop until it gets it. I can't think of anything else. I visualize it right down to every detail. I have walked thru it room by room and soaked in the feeling that goes with my virtual tour. I can smell the elegant oils diffusing, can see the fountain and the lush foliage in the lounge, i sit in one of the soft leather chairs and look out the tall glass windows that make the circular welcome area. I see the juice bar full of chatting friends and the yoga room full of relaxation and invigoration, the kitchen is the center of a natural cooking class and the aroma of garlic and onions surround me as I open the door to peak in at todays menu. You see this dish is available in our natural food cafe' just down the hall. One of the local co-ops has opened a shop and several are huddled around one of it's members who is giving a demonstration.

Each night as my head hits the pillow, my dreams take off. More and more details reveal themselves and in the morning, I hate to wake up. Each morning I have to realize that it's not yet a reality. But I know that some day it still can be.

So what "wakes up in you each night" in your dreams. What does your heart still desire to do?When or will you do them?

I just keep asking how and when, but so far no answer. What do you think I should do? Should I stop living in a dream world or never give up hope?? I really don't know. What do you say??

Life...are you in??

It's a good question and one that we easily ignore.
Yes, we are all living. But ask yourself , am I engaged in life? Am I really in the game?
Have you pulled out all the stops? Do you attend every event that you can?
Do you call every family member when you think of it?
Have you sent out every card or gift that you really wanted to?
Did you get the oil changed in the car on time? Fill the gas tank and clean out the trunk?
Have you mowed the lawn? Played tennis, gone fishing, sewed that quilt?
How many things have you started that you still need to finish?
Life can get so complicated and so fast paced that we actually find ourselves retreating at times.
Raise your hand if you know what I mean here.
It's too much to get it all done. The work that is. Many of us are trying to work that 50 year plan.
You know the one your grandparents and parents worked. But now we need to keep working.
Longer and harder than they even did. Pray they don't change the retirement age before you get there.

So take a big breath here and let it out slowly...feel yourself relax.
Feel your bare feet in the warm sand of the beach as you wiggle your toes in deeper. Feel the sun warming your skin just enough. You are sipping some of your favorite cold beverage and the ocean breeze kisses your face with a light scent of some exotic flower blossom.
Love is in the air. Excitement everywhere. People are smiling and happy and laughing. You mind is
swirling with dreams. Those dreams that just won't die from way back. Some from your childhood and some you have added over the years. This is such fun, just thinking about those dreams feels so wonderful deep in side. You don't usually indulge yourself like this. It seems so foolish. It even hurts, because something tells
you, you don't deserve it.

Did you feel the wonderful high you got from experiencing those dreams?
Did you feel the energy sucking low of telling yourself to let go?

So , have you decided yet? Life...are you in??
Are you into the work part of life?
Now what about the fun, relaxing, exciting life you thought you would be having right now?
Are you in that part of life yet?
If not...do it! Get in the game. Get those dreams out and look at them,but this time get a way to make
them real. That's what I did. You can too.

You only need a way to do it and I have that just waiting for you.
So put all your excuses away and lets get going!! Together you can do it! It's time to get in!!

Get More Energy in your Day!

Greek Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 
• 2 tablespoons oregano (or ask me about using essential oils in cooking)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt ( leave out if on a low sodium diet or have high blood pressure)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ( one large lemon)
• 12 ounces dry pasta (Cook, drain and cool)
• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata/favorite olives sliced in half ( use sparingly with low sodium diet)
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes cut in half
• 1/2 cup sweet onions (chopped small) if people don't like onion pieces, use onion powder instead (no salt)
• 1 cup diced red or yellow bell pepper to taste ( if people don't like peppers, slice rings of pepper on top)
• 14-ounce can artichoke hearts drained, stems left on and quartered the long way (or leave out)
• 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta or blue cheese ( use smaller amount if on low sodium diet)

(See another version of this recipe on afamilyfeast.com)

So 24 hours...how do you get more out of that??

Get it together! Get Organized!! Stop wasting time looking for stuff, not finding it, getting frustrated and buying more. ONE thing no one needs is more stuff. It takes up more time. Time to clean it, maintain it, store it, use it, loan it, find it, save it...you get it.Our stuff owns us...yep it does.

Got more than one office in your home? Got more than one room with clutter?
It's taking a toll on you without you being totally aware of it. Seriously it's an energy drainer!

You say "ughh" as you walk by a mess, you tell yourself you are too busy right now to deal with it and it's still sitting there weeks, maybe months after the 1st time you said it.

Am i seeing into your soul?? How do I know? I have been there and am so empowered now that I am working my way out of the swaller...is that a word? Anyway, this little piggie is cleaning up her act and what I wanted to share with you today, is that you should do it too! Never mind what your home, office, garage, man cave looks like when people walk in...it's behind those closet doors and inside those drawers and everywhere you have stuffed things that don't belong that are causing you to short circuit. Let me explain. It's like an electric wire...it starts out full power from the source and if the wire gets a hole in it, it loses some power...over time, many small holes, means you will hardly have power to turn on a light bulb.

So lets get on that project that is driving you crazy...you already thought of it. Yep, that one. Pull out our calendar or pull it up and carve out 2 hours to "Git-er-done" It will really help you POWER UP!

I'll be excited to hear about your project and what you learned and how it affected you. So stop back so we can all hear your story.

Stay healthy!!till next time.
Sandra
www.sandrabulalrd.com

It could be today!

Today could be the day someone you know gets cancer. Based on statistics...it could even be you or me.
http://www.cancer.org/ has all of the latest stats if you really want to increase your fear and phobia.

So why hit you between the eyes with it? So you'll listen:)

We can't get more out of life if we aren't living !!

Every day we make choices. We know when we make a bad one just like we know when we make an awesome one. Question is...how will that choice impact us in the future?

In my job as a medical underwriter for a long term care insurance company, (retired in 2011) i had the privilege of  getting an up close and personal glimpse into our nations medical history from every corner of the United States.

So what...right?  Here is what I found out...We are one sick, under educated, dying breed. I won't get on any soap box today...but I will give you a few facts to possibly wake you up !!!!!

You are the one I want to help today. You and I are here together and right now, it's you i want to focus on.

Here are some basic TRUTHS you should take to heart:

1- You are what you eat
2-  A body at rest stays at rest, a body in action stays in action
3-  You know your health better than your doctor
4-  Educate yourself to get health

One HUGE thing I noticed was that when individuals had a habit of "eating out" they had cancer in their history. Men had prostate cancer, women had breast cancer. WHY? because they didn't know that they were feeding themselves fats/foods that were causing an inflammatory response in their body. That simple.

So, no one wants to cut out going out to dinner with family and friends right? But there is a way you can ...pardon the pun...have your cake and eat it too.

That is to educate yourself about the healthy fats that you body needs to stay strong and build new cells and the ones that make you fat, sick and dead.

Call me for a 15 minute (just you and I) and get started today!! 1-800-503-0483

Get more out of life!! Live it!!

~Sandra
www.sandrabullard.com

Let me be me!!

Some days wouldn't you just like to scream at the top of your lungs?

Ok, well maybe you are the quiet, reserved, well mannered person in the family. But I bet you have thought about it. I want to just be me, be myself and quit feeling like I have so many rules that I can't breathe.

Come on, yell it!! Now didn't that feel great?I heard you way up here in New York! What a set of lungs!

Enthusiasm, that's what I like and you have it! We all have it! But we have to let go of the thoughts that bind us. The ones that tell us what we have to do for people to accept us.It's such a competitive world out there and it's getting even harder to stand out, or stand up or be unique. Or that's is what I used to think. But what I found out was, that I was already unique. There is only one me and one you. You are awesome. Just the way you are. Get and give permission to grow!! Become the me inside that you want to be. The person you were born to be.

Let's be free...you and me. Are you working still? Let's work together. Are you retired? Let's be retired together. Are you looking for yourself? Let's look together. I'm still discovering myself and you can too.

Sandra

Meals in a Hurry!!

Learn to alkalize your body !
Bean & Rice Combo

Ingredients:

1-½ cups cooked brown or white rice

1 tsp sea salt, (to taste)

2 cups black beans, cooked

½ tsp ground cumin

1 large avocado, cubed

2 medium tomatoes, diced

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced

2 green onions, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to package directions and keep warm.

2. Warm beans in a small saucepan and stir in ground cumin.

3. Cut avocado into cubes. Make a salsa by combining diced tomatoes, avocado, lemon juice,

garlic, and green onions; then add sea salt to taste (about ½ tsp). into rice bowls add warm rice, seasoned beans, and salsa.

Here's a simple meal that you can make even faster!
Curried Hummus Wrap

Ingredients:

1 large avocado,sliced

1 cup prepared hummus

1 tsp curry powder

1 medium cucumber cut into thin round slices

4 lettuce leaves (love leaf lettuce)

4 whole grain flatbreads

Directions:

1. Blend curry powder into hummus.

2. To make each wrap, spread ¼ cup hummus onto bread and top with avocado, cucumber and lettuce.

Ooooo...the most important part..ENJOY!! without guilt because you are eating healthy!! Just stick to a small portion size and you have it made in the shade! Comments appreciated!! Questions answered!

Who wants ice cream?

Life used to be simple. Why were prices much lower and the interest rates much higher? How do the drug and insurance companies get away with running the doctors. Why do doctors have to pay HUGE $$ for malpractice insurance and we complain we wait too long, get too little and pay too much? How has war become a profitable business? Why do we help other countries recover from disasters, starvation and illnesses while our own country is in need ?Why do both parents have to work? Why are so many people going out to eat and but say they can't afford to buy organic? Why does the neighbor's dog bark all day long for no apparent reason? Who wants ice cream?

Might as well stop asking questions that there are no good answers to right? Is there a solution to all of these problems? Who has the answer and why don't they share it? Why isn't somebody doing something?? Who wants ice cream?

Why are Americans becoming sicker and sicker? Why does the food pyramid keep changing? Why is butter bad one day and good the next? Why do people know they have to eat right and exercise but do everything but that? How do we make ourselves change bad habits? How did cigarettes get to be $10 a pack, require no advertising and still stay as one of the top 5 bad habits? How did getting the doctor of your choice get to be chosen by someone other than you? Who wants ice cream?

I haven't even taken a chip out of the iceberg on these questions. The worst thing about icebergs is what you can't really see isn't it? So what am I missing? What do you think? What questions are bugging you? Share your comments with me. I want to know!!

Oh... and who wants ice cream? That cures everything doesn't it?:)

Quick Tips for Tonight's Supper!

Grilling can be healthy as long as you don't char it. Turn it low and go slow. When weather does not permit outside grilling you can broil in the oven for similar results.

Cooking a one pot meal will feel so much easier and clean up will be faster. 

Learn to use easy clean up techniques such as crock pot bags, cover oven floors with something you can throw out instead of wash or scrub off. Cover cookie sheets and anything that splatters, put a lid on.

If you cook with a microwave ( I don't recommend it) put paper towels under and over things to reduce splatter and avoid cleanup.

If you start out late or are in a hurry, learn to use a pressure cooker. In just 45 minutes you can have a huge roast cooked or enjoy soups, stews and more!

Ingredients
·                     2 lbs russet potatoes (about 5 potatoes)

·                     1 1/2 cups heavy cream

·                     1/2 - 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

·                     3 cloves garlic

·                     2 sprigs thyme

·                     2 sprigs dill

·                     2 sprigs parsley 

·                     4-5 leaves of rosemary (not the entire sprig)

·                     1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (you can add more if you like it really spicy)

·                     1/2 teaspoon black pepper

·                     1/2 tsp garlic powder 

·                     dash of sea salt 

Directions:

1.            Peel and slice potatoes.  You can slice these by hand or use a mandolin which is the easiest way to get uniformed slices. Slice the potatoes to 1/8 inch thickness.  Place potatoes in a bowl with cold water to prevent from browning. 

2.            Prepare the cream mixture by heating milk on low heat and adding chopped herbs, salt, garlic powder, chopped garlic, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.  Let it simmer until for 5 minutes on low heat. 

3.            Butter a casserole dish and begin to layer potatoes.  Pour a little milk over the first layer and then sprinkle some Parmesan cheese.  Continue to layer until your milk mixture and potatoes have been used up. 

4.            Sprinkle a little paprika or cayenne pepper on the top layer then add rest of parmesan cheese. 

5.            Bake at 375 degrees for 55 minutes.  Insert a toothpick into the center of the dish to make sure potatoes have cooked all the way through.  If the top is not brown enough, turn broiler on for 2 minutes to get a golden brown crust.  Keep and eye on it since the broiler works quickly and can burn your potato dish easily!

Under a Bushel Basket

Do you know your own potential for greatness? Do you recognize your talents? You can probably see them in others much better than yourself. But this is what I learned about myself this week, I only see the things that need work. Who doesn't need work? Right?

This tends to take on a life of it's own with me. I start seeing the things that I need to change and only focus on those. It's like hitting yourself with a wooden spoon. It hurts! After a ton of bruises I say "Maybe that's not the best way to bring about change."

We all pick the way we do things based on pain or pleasure. If it causes us pain we naturally stay away. If we like it, we might even find ourselves doing that more often. Old habits die hard don't they? Especially if we have been doing them for a long while. Like eating the wrong foods, eating too much of the right foods, drinking, smoking, driving dangerously, returning to an abusive situation, continuing on a path of least resistance no matter the cost.

I've done all of those and more. What I think about most is the pattern. Setting oneself up for disappointment or listening to others say "watch out for that" and continuing on just the same. What keeps us tethered exactly on that path? How does anyone break a bad habit? How do we change the way we think about what we do? What keeps a moth from hitting a flame?

It's definitely an inside job. No one can change us. We have to find a way to change ourselves. Wow, that's tough!! I can get myself thinking the right thoughts and doing the right things that I know are what I want and before I know it...BOOM...back on the old path. Dang...I thought I had it, well I did have it. It felt good too!! It brought me such pleasure. Why would I want to go back to the pain??

I wish someone else would be in control of my actions. Sort of like a video game, give someone else the controller and that way it would be easy. Willpower, doesn't seem to do it. So what's the answer??

A personal success plan. It takes the emotional part away. Then it's just following your own directions. Make that recipe for success! Find a short term motivator and prevent long term consequences. So let's think of a few. How can we reward ourselves for making good choices?? Put a quarter in a jar so we can see our success pile up. Make a mark on a calendar, add a rubber band to our wrist, take little steps toward a bigger prize (that new goal we have). What would motivate you to change??

It's easy to hide our light under a bushel basket, it's easy to sit in the back, to not speak up, to be a wall flower, to not make waves, to feel we don't deserve the things we really want or want to happen. To sabotage ourselves is easy. How do I know? We do it, we keep doing it. We go right back to it. It must be easy. We have the potential for greatness and we keep hiding it. Flip off the basket and let that light shine! Find an accountability partner, someone who you feel emotionally safe with. Someone who won't judge you. Or get a coach or mentor to pull you out from under!! I'm here too. We can do it, we just can't give up!
www.sandrabullard.com

It's a loose spring!

Every once in awhile I get this really crazy notion...maybe you get those too? You wonder what it would be like to just get up today, get showered, dressed, pack a bag, hop on any flight going anywhere and be there for lunch or supper or lupper. What a wild and really loony idea huh?

So, ever wonder why no one that you know does that? If you know of someone that has done it or if you have done it I want to hear how you came to do it in the comments. Because that my friend is FREEDOM. In today's world of routine and schedules it's hard to find time to do anything you really want to do when you are working.

I guess that kind of thinking was how the "retirement bug" bit me. I was about age 35 when my nursing career was well underway, I saw how poorly nurses were paid. It made me mad to think that chefs made more money. Then there was the guilt of not being there for my kids. I kinda felt like my life took the drivers seat and I was just there for the 45 year ride. Stuff was passing me by on both sides so fast that I hardly had time to prepare or enjoy them.

I started putting those "special events" in plastic zip bags so I could keep the mementos. Figuring that some day ...when I retired, I could take them and put them all in order in a scrap book. Well, I had the hardest time finding a good old fashioned scrap book. You know the kind you just slap stuff on the page and call it a day? No, probably not. Well, they used to make it a little less of an all out 2 day project. But, hey, I retired in 2011 and I haven't gotten to it yet. If my kids are reading this...Sorry:)

I started painting the hallway about 2 months ago now. Luckily the paint can I cracked open had just enough to reach to the end of the wall I started painting. No problem right...wrong. The women behind the paint counter said, well mam (I hate that) we don't make that number base anymore so we can't match that paint color exactly. I bought the closest color they could mix up and there it sits. Along with my 8th day of the week.

So,by now you have completely forgotten what got you interested in reading this post. It was probably the loose spring headline that did it.
I started me thinking about getting older and how I feel about aging. In general, it's obvious that we can put on all the lotions and potions we can afford. Some do nips and tucks and sucks (that's the new one) oh and freeze, I forgot freeze the fat one. But we can't escape the time. It passes even when we aren't looking . But what you remember about people isn't so much what they look like because beauty comes from within. It's the springs that make the mattress. It's how they lived their life! It's what they had the courage to do that you couldn't! It's how they inspired you or how they taught you something about yourself.  No matter what you think about when their name comes to mind, it's that little piece of them that you recall. So by chance if you get a mattress with a little loose spring...think of me! Always there to support you, pretty fair under pressure and sometimes a pain in the butt.

Time is on your side!!

Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock, the clock struck one and down he run... where was he going in such a hurry? To market to market to buy a fat pig, home again home again jiggity jig.

I know you didn't come to read your old nursery rhymes, but time is a little bit of a riddle with too much rhyme and reason. We all get 24 hours a day, but if we took away the clock would the day seem longer or shorter? Do you think you could master time then? From sun up to sun down could you figure out when to do what, or what to do when?

As a world we have been driven by the clock since birth. Feedings every 3 hours, school and work start at a certain time and end at a certain time each day. Catch your favorite show, hear your radio program, "I have so much time before I have to..." are thoughts that come and go all day in the minds of people all over the world. When we don't want to get out of bed we want to smash the alarm clock don't we?

I have a challenge for you, it won't be an easy one, but just for one day, NEVER look at the clock. Take them down off the wall or cover them up. Don't sneak peak at the corner of your internet screen or linger on your cell phone to catch an inadvertent peak either!!! Don't watch the news to see what time it is and don't cheat!! I bet you can't do it! We are creatures of habit. It'so hard to change. Especially when it comes to time. But here is the good news...time is on your side.  If you do get through a day without a clock and don't get a fine (for parking too long and your money runs out) you miss something or someone because you were late or maybe early, or you just threw up your hands and just did the best you could with this new concept...you will see that when you do get your clock back, life is a snap...a walk in the park.

I want to hear from you if you actually do this challenge. Let's hear how you did and be honest. If I don't get anyone brave enough to try it...I won't be surprised. Mary had a little lamb...little lamb....little...

Start your day with Qi

   

Just like the sunrise inspires the flowers to open and the birds to sing, Qi-Gong practice in the morning....ahhhh....what a way to start each day.Warm up your mind and gently awaken your body by doing simple but meaningful movements. You can get your DVD from me.
     I used to believe that I didn't have time to exercise. Fear told me that if I spared even 15 minutes it would throw off the entire days schedule, I would be late for work and it wouldn't be worth it. I couldn't have been more wrong. If this is you, read on with an open mind will you?
     When we have a job to do each day, no matter where that is, it's important that we start each day in prayer, appreciation and reflective thinking to set the tone you want to have that day. Our thoughts, our beliefs, rule the day. Our body follows what our mind believes and helps us achieve our goals. So take 10-15 minutes and welcome each day into your life, I guarantee your days will be much better. Your mood will be brighter, your body happier and your life much more fulfilling. This practice will help you stay stress free and full of energy throughout your day and allow you to access spiritual inspiration. It will allow you to be open and creative and think clear. Have an abundant and passionate day!! Your best days are just ahead. Get the Simply Healthy Newsletter by returning to my website at www.sandrabullard.com and fill out the sign up form and get started now.
     This morning practice encourages us to use our Qi (key)-this lifeforce energy is inside us and we learn to channel this energy instead of our muscle force. These flowing movements help your flexibility, power, strength, increases circulation and promotes relaxation. I have never felt more alive and well! But don't take my word for it, try it yourself.
     We do what we believe 100% of the time. Willpower is only temporary energy. For sustaining long term, you may need to challenge your beliefs...is that really true? Then allow yourself to change what doesn't fit your goal and your lifestyle. Come back soon will you? Leave a comment below any time!
   
     

Simply Sizzlin'!!

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Ingredients:

6 (6 oz.) mahi mahi fish fillets, 1/2" thick

Dressing:

3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp. honey

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. salt (you can omit)

 Preparation:

• Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. For dressing, in a small bowl combine cilantro, lemon peel and juice, oil, honey, garlic, and salt. Mix well.
•  Place fish fillets into glass baking pan and pour dressing over; turn fish to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Lightly grease indoor electric grill and preheat or fire up the outside grill.  Drain fish, discarding marinade. Place fish on the grill rack, tucking under any thin edges. If using a covered grill, close lid.
• Grill until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, about 2 to 3 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish on a two sided grill. On uncovered grill, cook for 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish, turning once halfway through grilling. Makes 6 servings. 

Grilling fish can be tricky. I cheat and use foil on the grill with poked holes because I tend to flip the fish and it gracefully slides between the grates of the grill. 

Tell us your grilling secrets and enter to win a surprise! 

Write in your secrets below and I promise to tell!! (so sign your name:)

Retirement or Ment to Retire?

Since hitting the 55 mile marker in life, retiring was that dream that I longed for. At age 16, I began working at a nearby restaurant, Callahan's, as a "windows take out girl" after school  and from that time on I had worked feverishly towards this magical moment. It's the 40 year plan. We all do it. It's all we are taught! Go to school, go off to college, get a good job, and work 40 years to retire. How many of you are in that plan? How many of you are still paying for that college education or now your kids college education? How many of you became millionaires on that plan? How many of you think you have enough to actually retire on when the time comes? An even better question...is the time going to come?

This was the big aha moment! There is no retirement as our parents know it today (if they are still here). The new retirement plan is being revealed very quietly to the baby boomers and if anyone is awake and savvy, they will tell you about it NOW. It's clear to me that you will need a way to make income well into your golden years. The cost of living is rising and there is no way you will know how long that money you stockpiled will last. My husband and I have planned and planned and we are still not sure. We have invested in everything including ourselves and our own businesses to be able to feel some security.

So you may be asking yourself, what can I do about this? Well, before I tell you, just let me say this, you aren't going to like what I have to share. You may even immediately shut your brain off when you hear it. You will take all of your current perceptions and your current understanding of this subject and may not be open to reading the rest of this. BUT...you need to open up that steel trap of a brain and allow the information to flow in. I am telling you this because it's the truth. Not just for me, but for everyone who has already retired, about to retire, planning to retire some day.

We have established that the 40 year plan doesn't make millionaires as a rule. So you don't want to be a millionaire? That's ok, but this plan will give you every opportunity to make yourself a comfortable lifestyle in retirement and it's entirely in your control. The more you work at it, the more you can have. Give yourself raises, trips, stuff, security, joy and the ability to help others...it has so many advantages. But it has been given a bad rap. What is it? Network Marketing, MLM, multilevel marketing, direct sales...whatever you want to call it. I know you are thinking...ponzi scheme, pyramid scheme....illegal. That's the rap it has gotten. But here is a fact, even Donald Trump has had his hand in it. So you know it's legit. Now more than ever before people want freedom. They want the freedom to spend less, save more, have time flexibility and security all rolled into one.

No matter what stage of the game you are at, you can invest under $2000 ( sometimes nothing at all) to get started and you can build that security blanket!! They all work similar but you have to know how to compare them so you get something that is a fit for you. You are in luck, I have experience in this department. I can help you learn HOW to pick a great business!

What's the next step? If you read this with an open mind, go to my website, www.sandrabullard.com or if you are already on it reading this, go to the "contact me" tab at the top of the page and request to talk to me about that. Talking is just the first step. You don't have to commit to starting a business until you find the one that is right for you, I encourage you to learn all you can and I can tell you just how to go about doing that. Do it now before you change your mind. I'll just be happy if you survive your retirement plan! I'm still working on mine.

Sandra

BALSAMIC & PARMESAN ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

      Let's Spice Things Up a Little!       Ingredients

• 8 cups 1-inch-thick slices cauliflower florets, (about 1 large head)

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

     Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

1. Toss cauliflower, oil, marjoram in a large bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until starting to soften and brown on the bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Toss the cauliflower with vinegar and sprinkle with cheese. Return to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted and any moisture has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes more.

1. Now Experiment with other herbs and spices:

• Onion

• Cajun

• Garlic

• Italian bread crumbs 

• Feta Cheese

 Got Leftovers????Use the electric mixer to make some mashed cauliflower, put it in a baking dish and bake in the oven until warm and serve instead of mashed potatoes.