Food Blogs and Websites.

I follow a few blogs and e-newsletters. Topics include fitness, the environment, travel and food. I like it when I come across interesting tips or advice. Most recently food has been a topic of conversation. I like to cook and keep meals interesting. I could keep things simple and not feel like changing things up so often, but I get a little bored. I really enjoy finding new recipes. However, I want to eat a healthy as possible, although a cheat meal is okay now and again, and prefer meals that are not complicated or take too long to prepare. You might think that is a tall order, but there are some really great foodies out there with good sites. I was just introduced to Hungry Girl which is informative and has some great ideas like Chicken la Fea (look it up, it's really yummy looking). Annie's Eats I've just heard about and at quick glance looks like tasty treats. Having had an authentic Moroccan meal a few nights ago, I was sent this one;http://moroccanfood.about.com/?nl=1. All sorts of traditional recipes that I look forward to trying.

I still continue to rip pages out of magazines, some of my fitness ones have good clean ones and also grab the cookbook every so often. Two of my favs are Clean Eating by Tosca Reno and one on Chinese stir fry. Eating clean, vegetarian and vegan is becoming easier and is so healthy for you.

What types of things catches your eye when looking for food blogs and sites?

Simple, fun and easy are for me.

Happy cooking and if you find some good sites, pass them along, I'm always looking for something new!

Personal Training Certification 3-Day Workshop in 2 Weeks

I'm getting excited and nervous. The first weekend of March I will be taking a 3-day personal training workshop from Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. I'm hoping to gain a lot of knowledge and pass the certification exam so I can get started in helping others enjoy working out and changing their lives. This will be a very intensive 3 days. I'm excited about what I hope to learn, but nervous about the exam. I've never been very good at testing. I received the study guide and text book a few months ago and have read it cover to cover once, now in the process of re-reading. I'm afraid I'll forget it all. I'm hoping that the hands on workshops will help reinforce the information and thus make it easier to retain.

If someone had suggested I become a trainer a couple of years ago, I would have thought them crazy. I've enjoyed going to the gym or exercising outside for several years now, but wouldn't have thought of helping others, not professionally. Then I was laid off and spending a lot of time at the gym, cycling and swimming and really realized how much I love working out and that it might be fun to help other people with their fitness goals. Exercising has been something along with dance class that helps ease stress, especially the stress of not working.

I don't know what this will all lead to, but I'm looking forward to starting something new. It's scary to make a big change, but can also be very rewarding. If you have something in your life that you want to change; your health, job, home, don't be afraid, embrace it. The roads in life are full of side roads and can lead you to some beautiful places. You have to be willing to take them.

I'm still nervous, but am confident I'll do well and so will you!