Friday, January 13

Quote of the Day:  “Paradise is where I am.”  Voltaire

RULE #4:  ADD COLOR TO EVERY MEAL

“Eat red, yellow, orange, green, or purple food” meaning filling your plate with fruits and vegetables.  “They’re low-calorie and loaded with vitamins and minerals your body needs to function, keep your immune system up, and maintain strong bones and muscles.  They’re also rich in fiber, which is key for slimming down. Tufts University researchers have found that people who eat high-fiber diets are less hungry and lose more weight than people who eat less fiber.  It takes longer to process fiber, says Bonci, so you’re full longer.”

Here are some suggestions, I thought were really great: 

Grill vegetable kebabs as well as meat, add dried apricots or golden raisins to rice pilaf, roast vegetables on the weekend and add to salads all week, add frozen vegetables or canned white beans to spaghetti sauce

I am listening to a book on tape called The Olive Farm- A Love Story by Carol Drinkwater.  It’s a beautifully written adventure about two people who have recently met, fallen madly in love and now are taking on their dream of buying and restoring an olive farm in France.  I loved it immediately from the first sentence of the book.  Here is what the main character, Carol, says about her life:  “I am moving the rudder, shifting the course of my life… taking my fate into my own hands.  Turning dreams into reality and there is nothing more sacred or precious than that- to chose a direction.  But how often do we miss all the signposts?” 

Speaking of French culture, today I am in New Orleans attending a USTA conference for Tennis & Tutoring.  Joe and I arrived at the “‘Nawlins” airport last night around 10:00 P.M. and then stepped outside and then into the dirtiest cab I have ever seen.  I don’t know when the windows were last washed but judging from the finger prints and caked mud, it had been some time.  Our driver talked on the phone via earpiece the entire time that he drove us.  Although I am entirely against talking on your phone while transporting customers, I did enjoy listening to the fast-moving lilt of his French-creole.  I had signed up for an early session, and so along with about 40 other conference goers we spent the day learning how to teach youth and younger children how to play tennis.  The workshop was amazing and I think perhaps life-changing for me because it showed me what I really want to do with the TNT program in Salt Lake.  I really am enthused to incorporate the lessons learned and get underprivileged youth a chance to have a better life through tennis and academics.  Plus, I love playing the game and I think there are children out there who will love it as much as I do!

Joe and I infront of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square