New healthy recipe, organic produce and ......Dragon Boats?

It's organic produce coop day and I can't wait to pick up my veggies at the Veggie-Table. (See the "Organic Produce" page for details or to join.) I found a new, healthy recipe I am anxious to try and I need the fresh kale I have ordered to make it. (See "Recipes" page.) I found the recipe on the Whole Foods Market web site and I highly recommend their site.

In researching the Bible to find what Adam and Eve were given to eat, I ran across this web site called "ivillage." I know nothing about the site but there was quick quiz to determine your "biotype." Mine was Hunter-Gatherer and my diet should consist mostly of plant foods with some lean meat. The results also said I love to eat outside and should do that as often as possible. That is so very true! I do love picnics and boating and back packing. I never do any of those activities without food being involved. I almost always choose a restaurant with outdoor tables if the weather is good. Noise is a deal breaker though. I detest traffic noise!! Here is the link to the quiz. It's short and rather fun:

http://quiz.ivillage.com/uk_diet/tests/Pioneer_of_dancer.htm

What's that about Dragon Boats??? I am a Rotarian and our big project/fund raiser is coming up next month. I attended a Dragon Boat meeting last evening at Lucy Ho's Bamboo Garden in Leesburg. (The owner, Paul Lao, is a member of the Tavares Rotary and Paul treated us to many fine Chinese dishes. The food was fabulous!) The plans for the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival are well underway and I am impressed with the organization of the event.

Most of the downtown merchants in Tavares will be participating and I'm sure it's going to be a great time!! You can find more information at www.cfdragonboat.org There is a great video highlighting the city and the Dragon Boaters. Come join us on April 16Th for the Opening Ceremonies (evening)and the "Waking the Dragon" ceremony. Then on April 17th the races begin very early. Plan to spend the day with us. It will be fun and will benefit several deserving charities, including Tavares High School!!

Back on track, literally!

A weekend of laying around, eating, drinking, snacking, caramel corn and desserts has caused a renewed desire to visit the gym. I am praying God will help me with the discipline part of losing weight through exercise and diet. Having been skinny most of my life and now dealing with a weight problem is discouraging so divine intervention is needed please!

Eating right is not a huge issue as I adore fresh vegetables and whole grains and most healthy foods. As a matter of fact, I prefer them. (I shall never give up fried chicken though!) I am stocking up every other week with fresh, organic produce from the coop. (See the "Organic Produce" page.) When I bring the produce home I wash and prepare all of it for cooking and place all in green bags. When dinner time rolls around all I have to do is take out as much as I need and chop it or steam it. (Thank you Rachael Ray for that wonderful tip!) So the diet part of the equation is not a problem.

Now for the exercise part...I am not a fan! I shall have to say God is doing a work in that area. I visited the gym today and spent some quality time on the treadmill and ALMOST enjoyed it.

As I was moving to the weight machines this little lady on the eliptical machine stopped me. She said she was looking at my ankles and lamenting that her ankles used to be thin. Now she has trouble with water retention and her ankles are swollen. She is in her mid eighties and looks marvelous. She used to be a professional ball room dancer. Her scoundrel husband left her with four small children when she was in her thirties. She took in ironing and cleaned office buildings while the children were sleeping. When the children were all in school she took a job in a factory. All of that information in 10 minutes from a woman I didn't know. Wouldn't you want to learn more?

You see how God works? He placed this very interesting elderly woman in my path and now I can't wait to go back to the gym to hear more of her life story. I don't believe in coincidence so my new friend, Barbara, is a gift from the Most High God!