Using Papaya for Better Digestion

I don't get medical problems often, but every once in a while something will pop up that I need to tend to. Right now, I'm having stomach issues, which is annoying to me, because I can usually eat like a bear (as long as I exercise to counterbalance my caloric intake), and my digestive tract usually does what it's supposed to.

However, lately, I can feel my food taking a lot longer than usual to digest, and I figure that I must have done something to throw off the natural acidic environment of my stomach. Also, although I don't think it's hereditary, my dad had ulcers, so I hope I'm not heading down that road! From the random stomach pains I've been having lately (and remembering what my dad used to go through with that), I know that that is not somewhere you want to go! So, for now, I've been drinking milk, and maybe eating some dairy, and those soothe my stomach instantly.
This same thing actually happened to me once many years ago, and I went to the doctor. He suggested eating papaya, either raw or taking it in tablet form. I did what he said, and it worked.

So, this evening, I'm heading to the supermarket to stock up. I have to admit, not having grown up eating papaya, it's a bit strange to me, but I'll eat it anyway. Maybe I need to find a better way to fix it than just slicing and eating it. Maybe some honey on top? I dunno. To me, the taste is just a little bit funky, but bearable.

However, upon further examination, papaya is one hell of a fruit! Well, it's actually an overgrown herb called herbaceous perennial. The reason that it helps with digestion is because it contains the enzyme papain, which helps to break down certain proteins in foods. This stuff is also used in meat tenderizer, and in other concoctions, has been used to help heal wounds by eating away the dying tissue.
Almost scary to think of putting it in your stomach, but the stomach's environment and lining are impervious to the tenderizing effects of papain.

Also, if you're looking for a super food, this is IT. Papayas are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, and lycopene.
They have 33% more vitamin C and 50% more potassium than oranges and with less calories. Papayas have 13 times more vitamin C and more than twice the potassium of apples. Papayas have four times more vitamin E than both apples and oranges.
How about THEM papayas??

So, while I'm working to calm and straighten out my stomach, I know that eating these papaya for the next few days is gonna turn me back into Super Woman. They're that good!
If any of you have some good suggestions on how to prepare them, let me know! I could use some ideas! :)

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The Health Benefits of a Good Massage

When it comes to keeping healthy, exercise and diet together are what will get you the best results all the way around. But did you know that getting regular massages can also help you to stay healthy?
Other than just for sensual reasons, massage can relieve stress, release toxins from your muscles, organs and lymphatic system, help increase the mobility of your joints and also help to alleviate symptoms of certain diseases.

Here are a few more benefits achieved by getting therapeutic massages:

*Increased circulation of blood throughout the body

*Improve and strengthen your immune system

*Relief of body pain

*Improve blood flow to surface of the skin, thus improving its appearance

*Lessen pain of migraine headaches

*Releases endorphins into the blood, making you feel wonderful!

*Alleviate symptoms of arthritis

*Improve and facilitate the healing of scars

*Lowering of high blood pressure in some patients

*Improved athletic performance

*Faster recovery from strenuous workouts

*Improved range of motion and joint flexibility

*Decreased need of medication for certain ailments

These are but the tip of the iceberg of what massage is good for.


The most common types of massage you can find just about anywhere:

Shiatsu
Swedish
Rolfing

The last time I went, I made the mistake of asking for the "sports massage". I swear, that lady dug her fingers into my muscles so hard I spent to whole time trying not to cry! Even after I told her it was too hard, it still hurt! I will be sure to opt for one of the "gentler" massages next time I go, seriously! ')

Nowadays, you can also get hot stone massages, and massages combined with aromatherapy, among many other creatively conceived ones. I still have yet to do a hot stone massage. Always looks great in the pics! ;)

While it is a bit of an "extra" expense to many, (especially in this crazy economy) if you can at all, try to get a massage at least once a month or every other month if you can. More than just for stress release, relieving sore, achy muscles and just feeling great, the health benefits of a properly give massage are absolutely worth it!
When's the last time you had a good massage?

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So...What Would be Your Last Move?

I have been thinking about my own mortality lately....don't ask me why. I am pretty healthy according to my last check up, but my mind keeps going there, to the "what if" scenario. What if I was just told that I had only X amount of time to live? What would become my priorities? What would be my last actions before leaving this planet?
I don't usually think in such a morbid sense, but maybe it's some type of self motivating mechanism attempting to make me get up off my butt and finally finish the half billion things I've started and left undone.

So, if you found out that you had, say, 6 months left to live, what would be the last 3 things that you would absolutely make sure that you did? 3 to me are reasonably achievable in that short time, depending on what they are, I suppose.

I know that my first move would be to book a plane and go spend time with my family. Ever the independent, self sufficient one, I know that I don't see them enough. I'd spend time with all of them, and my nephews and nieces would get an earful on how to get through life successfully. I'll make sure!
I'll also make sure to have good times and create wonderful memories with them all.

Second would be to scrape up every dime I have and go to Asia, Africa and everywhere else in the world I can afford to go. Travel and exposing myself to different cultures and languages has always been important to me, and has always been part of my life.
I have a long list of places I have yet to see. Hopefully I can hit a few of them.

Lastly, I'd try to finish every book I ever started writing (there are four), and complete every project that I only conceived of or completed half way. With all of the things I've started and never finished, 6 months won't begin to be enough, but I'll damn sure try!

These things would all begin today! You know that saying "today is the first day of the rest of your life"? Well, no other phrase could be more apt in this instance.

So, what would be your 3 things to complete? I'm sure that connecting with family will be on everyone's list. What else do you want to make sure you've absolutely done before leaving this world?

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I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

....OMG....I almost fainted!!!!!

After 10 years of trying to get it, I finally GOT IT!!! I still can't BELIEVE IT!!!

After being on the web forever and getting every other form of it known to man, I checked on it today, saw that it was available and now.....

BELONGS TO ME!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~~~!!!!!!!!!

OH. MY. GOD. You guys just don't understand my relationship with this domain name. Let me explain.
I first tried to register "thefitnessdiva.com" back in 1999, and someone else already had it. Some chick in Florida. I marked the expiration date of the domain on the calendar for the next few years, and would always check to see if she either put a site on it, or let it expire (I was always hoping she'd forget and let it expire).
Finally, I gave up. Then blogger came along, and I got to register thefitnessdiva anyway, just with the .blogspot.com ending. Then, last year, seeing that thefitnessdiva.net was still available, I bought that, figuring that owning the .net is better than nothing. After that, I just focused on building this blog.

In the meantime, about 50 other chicks have come out of the woodwork all trying to be "the fitness diva" on their various blogs and websites. I'm like, whatever....I'll beat you all. Watch me! I AM the original!!

Anyway, you guys know I buy domain names and register names constantly. I get an idea, type it in the address line, and see if it's already registered. Well, I just got curious today and decided to check on the old URL thefitnessdiva.com, to see if there's a site on it, who it is, etc, etc, and WHAT DO YOU KNOW? It came back "No site found on this url". I RAN TO GODADDY and checked!
SAYYYY WHAAAAATTTTT???? IT WAS AVAILABLE!!! Just sitting there, all by it's lonesome. Available! THEFITNESSDIVA.COM!!!
I bought that domain so fast I almost broke a finger! So, now I am doing a 24 hour long happy dance! I finally own my main domain name!!!
And, by the way, you all know the .COM trumps ALL! ;)

Now, look at what happens when you click on http://thefitnessdiva.com.
Nice, huh? YOU BETCHA!!!! :D

And now, I don't even have to build a website. My work is DONE!!!

I just had to share my happy moment!! I'm thrilled, and hope you all are happy for me, too!

AFTER 10 YEARS OF TRYING, THIS DOMAIN NAME FINALLY BELONGS TO ME!!!!!!! :D

YESSSSSS!!!!!

Hee hee hee heeee!

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Actors and Models.... Looking for Work? Check out One Source Talent!

Those of you talented models and actors out that are looking for exposure check out this Modeling and Acting Company.



One Source Talent, with locations in Detroit, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, and Los Angeles helps find talent for MTV casting directors, HBO, NBC and ABC casting directors, Ford Models, ReQuest Model Management, Public Image World Wide, New York Models, LA Models, Click, Percent Model Management Miami, and Hour Detroit Magazine. They do castings for everything from feature films to commercials.

Check out their site here: One Source Talent

And their blog here: One Source Talent Blog

Give 'em a click. You could be working by tomorrow! ;)

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Actress Natasha Richardson Dies from Ski Injury

This is so tragic, and hits home for me because I was just out on the slopes two weeks ago.
Natasha Richardson, while taking a beginner ski lesson fell and bumped her head. Even though they were doing the lesson on the bunny slopes and the fall at the time didn't seem serious, she was taken to the hospital later after complaining of a headache.
As it turns out, the trauma to her brain was much more serious, and the actress died today.
At the time of her lesson, she was not wearing a helmet. This gives me pause, because on my last resort trip, I saw plenty of skiers and snowboarders with no helmets. Hell, I even took my first snowboarding lesson over a year ago without one (I didn't know any better), but after realizing how quickly and easily you can lose control on a snowboard or skis, you'd better believe I make sure to wear my helmet every time I go, now.

Bikers and street bladers, you should make sure to do the same. I need to take that advice myself...I was just out with my roller blading group this past weekend, and only our newbie in the group had a helmet on. Over confidence and carelessness can lead to a casualty, or at the least, a really bad injury.

My condolences go out to her and her family. It's unfortunate that what should have been a weekend of fun turned out to be deadly.

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It's Taco Night!!

I am crazy for tacos, and I'm not talking about the ones you get at Taco Bell, either! (yuck!)
I like making my own, or getting them from this authentic Mexican restaurant near one of my work sites, called 5 Burros.
The great thing about tacos is that you can make them as low cal and low fat as you want, but still have a slammin', damn tasty meal experience with them. My favorite tacos are grilled chicken with lettuce, tomato, a bit of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese sprinkled on top, and some Pico de Gayo or red salsa. I prefer the hard, corn shell taco so you get that nice, satisfying crunch! Mmmmmm!
Even after eating 3 of these, I'm still not even over 500 calories! I don't do guacamole and sour cream, simply because I don't like them, so I can go taco wild if I feel like it. You can do the rice and beans thing on the side, or not. Usually, I'm happy just with the tacos!

Another great thing about doing tacos is that you can write your own ticket: beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp, or whatever you can think up can be the main filler. Also, you can do meat or no meat. As to what else to put in them, that's all according to your own tastes. I think that I have tried to put everything you can imagine in a taco, including okra. I have to admit, that one didn't work out so well...! ;)

A fun, tasty meal that I don't have to even count the calories for! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! Bring 'em on! ;)

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F-F-Friday.....!

Whooo, it's been a busy week for me. This weekend has come even faster than usual! All I want to say to you guys is to make sure to have some FUN this weekend! Get out, get active, have fun with your peeps (whoever they are - friends, family, other half, etc). I don't know what the weather is like this weekend where you are, but let's hope it's nice!(is cold here right now - don't know where that quick blast of spring we had last week went!). I'm hoping for some sun!

Enjoy your weekend, everybody! ;)

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My Favorite Freebies!!!

Like most people, I lovvveee getting something good for FREE or at the very least, cheap!
While perusing through some new blogs that have been visiting me, I came across a new favorite!! I don't know if you've visited his site yet, but do go check out Dollar Tamer, a fellow Entrecarder. He's got some cool freebies of all kinds on there, as well as some really great tips on how to save money and still live like a rock star on a 'not so rock star' budget!

I got excited when I saw a post for a free Kashi Go Lean frozen entree, and then proceeded to fill out a quick email form to get it. Now, ~presto!~, my coupon for a free Kashi frozen entree is on its way! You guys have seen me post out here before about Kashi Go Lean products, so, you know I'm pretty thrilled!

While clicking further through his site, I also discovered a link to Money Saving Mom. OMG. Clicking on that link led me to the MOTHER LODE!! She's got a Mr. Linky on there that has people from all over the net posting a link to their great cheap finds and freebies all on one page. You HAVE to see it to believe it! More than 160 or so links of cheap or free goodies on there, and multiplying! I will definitely be back over there to check it out in detail!

Another freebie/cheapie site I like is Freebie Reporter. This site always has great freebies and good deals on all kinds of stuff. I got a free Dean R. Koontz audio book off of there some months ago. Right now, among many other things, they are featuring a link to get the new Nine Inch Nails CD- free! I am so on it!! That thing is just about mine! There's also a huge variety of goodies on the site that you just might like, both free and cheap. Be sure to check Freebie out!

I hope that some of you find these links as fun and useful as I did! I know I can't wait to check back on them and see what's going on in cheapie land from time to time. If you find something hot over there, be sure to let me know! ;)
Also, if you know about a cool freebie or cheapie site, post about it in the comments! I'll be on it like syrup on pancakes! ;)

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Fight the Fat Friday!

Mmmmmmm! Look at that!! Don't those donuts just look AMAZING and indescribably delicious?? Don't you just want to reach out and grab one?? You KNOW you do! ;)

But you know you shouldn't, right? Especially if you're trying to stick to a pre planned meal regimen and are making a true effort to cut down on the sugary and fatty treats that get you in trouble in the first place.
The thing is, even if you've already been really good, just having one of these can open up the floodgates on your sugar cravings, and then one will turn into two, and then there you'll be craving even more sweets tomorrow and the next day, and the next day. One NEVER ends up being just one, so don't even start!

Would you be able to walk right past that plate of donuts if you saw it sitting on a table at a friend's house, or at some social function you're attending? How about at your children's play dates? Would you have the discipline to just hand them out to the kids without indulging in some yourself?

Here are a few things you can do to tame that sugar beast!

* Drink water! We can't say that enough! Especially before going out somewhere.

* Go for the nuts - these will help thwart the food cravings

* Get your daily servings of fruit. That's some healthy sugar for your body - not that processed stuff!

* Eat before leaving the house. You'll be less susceptible to impulse eating if your stomach is already full.

* Picture that donut on your thighs or belly, and then think of a cool, form fitting outfit you have that you can't fit into yet. That donut + that outfit = NO WAY, JOSE! ;)

There are all kinds of ways to keep from reaching for those donuts (which here symbolize all fatty foods), but it's in those moments of weakness that you have to use some common sense and also a couple of strong preventative measures.

So, walk away from the donuts. I challenge you! ;)

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Five Really Good Reasons to Wash it Off Before You Eat It!

"God made dirt, so dirt don't hurt". That's what we used to say as kids when we dropped a prized piece of candy or food on the ground by mistake to justify still eating it. I know I did it! We all did! We would "kiss it up to God", blow it off, and say that little phrase. It's a wonder we survived! ;)

As clean as we think we are, there are moments where one can forget to be as conscientious about cleanliness as one should. One of those times is when we're hungry. How many times have you just popped a grape or a piece of veggie into your mouth without cleaning it off first? Well, even though you did survive, you probably ingested some nasty little business along with that tasty morsel.



Whenever I bring home fruits, veggies, meats and anything that I know has been touched by human hands, I make sure to thoroughly wash it off first. You have to remember that you don't really know where this food came from, who's handled it, and how clean or not so clean they were. Some foods go through a long line of people, places and things before they end up on your table, picking up all manner of bacteria, germs and parasites along the way, and you really just can't trust that everywhere along the line the correct measures have been taken to insure that your food is clean.
Pesticides, salmonella, e coli, and human waste are but a few of the things that are picked up by many foodstuffs, from the farm, to the packaging plant, to the supermarket and then to you. Err on the side of caution and be sure to wash it off yourself.

I was reminded of this just this past weekend. While in the fruit department getting apples, I noticed a woman picking through a bag of cherries and eating them. She'd fish through the bag, grab a couple, stick them in her mouth and suck off the fruit, and then spit the pits into her other hand (the one that was holding the bag). Then she'd repeat the process, once again sticking the fingers that had just been in her mouth back in the bag for more cherries. After a few rounds of this, she then rezipped the bag up, and tossed it back into the pile of bagged cherries that she got it from. I thought I was gonna retch! Yuck!!
The person that does end up with the bag of cherries this woman just spread all her germs through will have no idea of what transpired with those cherries prior to purchase. Hopefully they will be smart and careful and wash them off first!
And you wonder why some get sick with flu and colds so easily. It's by other unsanitary people that you pick up these germs!

It just pointed out to me that you really don't know what food goes through before you get it, so you need to remember that and clean your foodstuffs off well.
Besides the nastiness that food can pick up from the farm and manufacturing plants, the people that touch and process your food might not pay the type of attention to good hygiene that they should.
Don't even get me started about what can go on in the kitchens of restaurants. That will become a whole other post!

Food handlers and eaters! These are some rules you should work and live by:

• Wash your hands with soap and clean water before preparing or eating food.

• Avoid coughing or sneezing near food, or touching your nose, mouth, hair, body cavities and personal areas while preparing food.

• Avoid preparing food if you are sick or if you have wounds or sores on your hands.

• If you have to blow your nose, clean your ears or eyes, or in any other way attend to your body, excuse yourself to a washroom and do it there, remembering to wash your hands before returning to food preparation and handling.

If everybody did that, I'd sleep (and eat) a lot easier! Seriously! :) Let's all do what we can to keep it clean, folks! :)

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