October 2011 - Page 9 of 10 - My Healthy, Happier Life

ashleyd / October 5, 2011

Favorite Things: Bold Colored Pumps!

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who has sent emails, text messages, tweets, and comments regarding last night’s post. I can’t wait to share all your suggestions and ideas with my mom and dad! Keep them coming!

Now, onto a more fun and fashionable topic, color!

More than ever, I study the Fall fashion books each September trying to decide which of this year’s trends I’ll attempt and which I’ll pass altogether. I still haven’t decided how I feel about the flare pant or the collage this year. But, one trend that I love is BOLD COLORS. This trend can be intimidating at first but when incorporated into the wardrobe you already own through accessories, it becomes far more attainable and affordable. In my opinion, shoes in a fun, bold color are a perfect way to add an unexpected pop to any outfit!

A huge Piperlime fan, I scour the website on a weekly basis looking for their latest additions to the Girl On A Budget section. I fine that purchasing one to two pieces that support each trend during a season can easily convert a boring or outfit.

Last week, I saw these Nine West shoes in the Girl On A Budget section and fell in love.

They met all my requirements for a trendy item:

Positive reviews from other consumers. This pair in particular was given five out of five stars.
Under $100

Available in 1/2 sizes, even through 10 1/2

Knowing that many items run out quickly on Piperlime, I purchased them quickly since I could always return them.

THEY ARE AMAZING! I’ve worn them to work twice now, once with a plain black dress and the other time with a pair skinny pants and an animal print blouse. My co-workers and friends alike have professed their love and are amazed to hear that they were $89, are very comfortable, and are Nine West!

Available in black, purple, and gold sequin I highly recommend snagging your own pair in suede today. I can’t attest to the gold pair personally, but the picture online doesn’t make it very appealing.

What is your favorite way to add a pop of color to an outfit this season?

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ashleyd / October 4, 2011

Prediabetes Help Needed

Wow, what a manic Monday it’s been!

Yesterday, I didn’t leave Charleston until 6pm, soaking up every moment of sunshine during a short shakeout run, a long walk on the beach, another game of Bocce, and lunch on the front porch with the other stragglers.

IMG_4775 (478x640)

Due to my late flight and the taxi line at LaGuardia, I didn’t get home until 9pm, thoroughly exhausted from the wonderful weekend and ready for bed!

This morning, after a quick four miler on the treadmill, I was able to wear my first Fall outfit thanks to this morning’s cool weather.

Blazer: Hive and Honey Charlotte Cardigan Blazer in Mustard Yellow (Only $69 on Piperlime)

Necklace: 80% off on Kate Spade sample sale last week

Shoes: Cole Haan Stephanie Air Oxford Pump

Pants: Express Editor Black Pant in Tall

T-Shirt: Gap Favorite Long Sleeve T-Shirt

My work day was longer than I expected but my meals kept me going all day long.

Tonight’s dinner was eaten late as I didn’t walk through the door until 9:30. Bo is still at the office and therefore the meal’s only requirements were healthy and easy. I opened up a can of Progresso Low Fat Clam Chowder and added a 1/2 cup of vegetables to it before microwaving. The result was a warm, filling, and comforting bowl of soup.

Last but not least, I need to enlist your help. Unfortunately, there are some things in life about which you never want to be right. For years, I’ve been telling my father that he needed to watch his weight and start exercising more. Over the past fifteen years, he has started carrying all of his weight in his abdomen area, which is infamous for causing many problems in both women and men. While he has supported my mom’s healthy habits over the past year by converting my brother’s old bedroom into an amazing workout room complete with flat screen television, treadmill, elliptical, and recumbent bike! Unfortunately, this change didn’t really affect his habits.

My father was just diagnosed with prediabetes. The American Diabetes Association describes this on their website as follows:

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "prediabetes"—blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 79 million people in the United States who have prediabetes. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during prediabetes.

Unfortunately, my dad also found out from his doctor today that there is blood in his liver. Therefore, his risk has now reached a higher level and he really needs to spend the next few weeks staying active through both his full time job and exercise, evaluating his food choices, and cutting out alcohol. I’m happy that I’ll be home this weekend on vacation and able to help him and provide some motivation. But, right now, this is totally new for he and my mom and they are looking for any healthy food recommendations, substitutions, or diabetic suggestions. So far, he has discovered frozen grapes as a great dessert and snack substitute in place of sugary treats.

If you have any recommended books, websites, or recipes please leave a comment! I know this is a common diagnosis and I’m dedicated to helping him get healthy!

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ashleyd / October 2, 2011

A Busy Day at the Beach

What can I say? The fresh air, long run, good food, and bocce games took it out of us.

After everyone finished their runs we made lunch and were entertained by our new guest, Isabelle. Isabelle is the second baby our group of girlfriends has had but she was the only one to make the trip down to the beach this weekend. She had more outfit changes than Brittney Spears and was the center of attention all day.

My lunch was more delicious than normal as my hunger returned just in time.

A turkey sandwich, complete with cheese, mustard, and Duke’s mayonnaise. On the side I enjoyed some pickles, Baked Lay’s Ruffles, and a Blue Moon Pumpkin beer.

After lunch our group split into two groups, the ESPN crowd and the beach crowd. Normally I would have been on the couch cheering for Georgia Tech, Georgia, and Notre Dame. But, since I’ve only had two beach weekends this summer the beach was my destination of choice yesterday.

These are the beverage choices of a long runner: a gallon of water and a beer.

We were blessed with gorgeous weather again yesterday though the wind kept things too cool for swimsuits.

After the Dawgs won the game the rest of the group came down to the beach for a game of Bocce.

Bocce is the perfect beach game because it allows you to keep talking, hold a beer, and play all at the same time. The driftwood, shells, and soft sand made for a more challenging game than normal.

By dinner time everyone was ready for a big Low Country meal, a Low Country Boil. Also known as Beaufort Stew or Frogmore Stew, a Low Country Boil is, according to Coastal Living Magazine

Once called Frogmore Stew, this one-pot wonder was created by a National Guardsman when he needed to cook a meal for 100 soldiers. Richard Gay, who learned the recipe from his family, had everyone remembering his stew. The dish was later named Frogmore, where Richard was from, by the guards who teased him about home. The postal service eliminated the name Frogmore, which changed this popular dish to Low country boil.

This seafood dish is a combination of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes. Great for relaxing trips to the beach, it is also easy to create for a crowd. Low country boil can be served on newspaper for easy clean up. Crab, onion, and butter are frequent additions to the pot, and having a removable drain basket only makes cooking easier. The rule of thumb here is the bigger the crowd, the bigger the pot.