What's Your BMI (Body Mass Index)?

Here's an easy chart from RealAge to calculate your Body Mass Index. Anything over 30% body fat can lead to a host of health issues. All you need to know is your height, weight and waist size. I think it's good to know if weight loss should be considered an issue.

A White (Day After) Christmas

It's the day after Christmas and we're receiving our first big snowstorm of the season here on the East coast. It's a good opportunity to just relax, recharge and and stay warm inside. I've been going through my reading list here on Blogger and perusing some of my friends' holiday posts. Wow, I am so lucky to have found such a productive and creative bunch to follow! It's especially nice to see what others have written and to feel that holiday connection. There are so many words and images to inspire and sooth my spirit here. Meanwhile, the wind whirls big drifts of the white stuff all around the house. I watch the clock, keep an eye on the build up and wonder how much shoveling I'll have to do to get back to the barn for the dinner time and nightly feedings. Looks like I'd better sign off soon while there's still some daylight and go find my knee high winter boots! For those of you experiencing wintery weather, enjoy it. For those of you with warmer weather, appreciate it!

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." ~ George Santayana

"The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches." ~ e.e. cummings

"A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but just look what they can do when they stick together!" ~ Author Unknown

"Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while." ~ Kin Hubbard

Holiday Happiness

"HAPPY HOLIDAYS!" IS THE MOST COMMON GREETING OF THE SEASON.

So, what is happiness and how do we get it?

Abraham Lincoln said that people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. It is a simple statement that yields a wealth of truth. Situations constantly change. The way we deal with physical pain, fear, frustration, stress, loneliness and other negative situations, directly determines our state of mind and ultimately our own degree of happiness. Someone once told me; "It's not so much what happens to you, as how you react to what happens to you, that determines your happiness in life".

"We create our own happiness." ~ Walt Disney

"It takes wit, interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and alive. It is the greatest feat man has to accomplish, and spirits must flow." ~ Robert Henri

Reposted from my 1/12/09 Spirit Art Letter.

Easy Mock EggNog

I just made myself an easy holiday drink and thought I would share my recipe with you here today.

1) ripe banana
1-2) scoops vanilla ice cream
1-2) cups milk

Mix in blender

Garnish with nutmeg

I know it sounds crazy, but I think it is amazing how yummy it tastes and how much it resembles EggNog! Give it a try and let me know what you think!


See all my snowman illustrations available for royalty free licensing from iStock here.

First Snow

See more snow quotes at "The Quote Garden".

Remember To Be Kind

The Holiday Season is upon us and one of the important things to remember is to be kind. The gift of kindness can be as simple as a smile or a compliment.  This quote by Robert Brault , has really stuck in mind ever since I read it. He said; "Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true."

"A kind word is like a Spring day."  ~Russian Proverb "Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer."  ~Mignon McLaughlin Excerpted here from my '09 Spirit Art Letters.