Garbage gobble

Often I think about the residents of Galveston after the storm of 1900. They had to clean the mess themselves. They had no help, no water, little food and little knowledge on how to clean up such a mess.

This weekend we spent cleaning up, not your typical "clean the house before you decorate" type of cleaning, but removing debris from the streets and public areas that are sill left from Hurricane Ike in an effort called "The Garbage Gobble!" We wore safety equipment, I had to sign waivers for myself and my two sons who are under the age of 18 and we were only able to work of 5 hours before they made us stop and supplied us with a healthy meal.

The goal is to have the city looking good for our annual "Dickens on the Strand!" This annual winter festival is a great boost to the lagging economy every winter and it's just fun.

As I look over some of the writings of the 1900 survivors, I realize that they all believed that God had saved them for a reason, and that while they were feeling the stress of the moment, the miracle of their survival was still fresh in their mind. Most felt lucky that they had the ability to help rebuild their city.

I look forward to our Dickens celebration this year, not because it's going to be the biggest or the best celebration we've ever had, but because we are here to enjoy it!

I ate too much!

Do you feel this way after your Thanksgiving dinner? It's amazing how that piece of pecan pie or (my personal favorite) cornbread dressing can tempt us into overeating.

If you are feeling a little on the bloated side today don't feel that you've undone months of great eating habits, just follow a few simple guidelines to help you get back on track and go back to that healthy lifestyle tomorrow.

Here are a few little hints that help me when I feel I've eaten too much.

• Hydrate - Hydrate - Hydrate - While adding something else in your stomach seems crazy, water will help keep you flush out extra sodium from your system.
  

• Take a slow walk - Don't try to run or do any heavy exercise, but a slow and steady walk around the block will help keep you from feeling tired and falling asleep.

• Go Shopping - While the crowds of Black Friday might not seem like a joy right now, the festive spirit will help you to feel fresh. You might also find that perfect little black dress to wear New Years Eve. (or for your wife to wear)
  

• Most importantly, remember that one large meal doesn't sabatoge a great eating plan that you've started, jump back on the healthy eating habit and stick to it! (Then that little black dress will look extra special!)

Lifelong fitness doesn't mean that you can't splurge now and again. Instead, it's a slow and steady race to a long life of health.

What I'm thankful for

I know not everyone celebrates the American holiday of Thanksgiving, but I can't help but think of what this holiday truly celebrates to realize that thought behind it is more then just American. Thanksgiving is a day, when two very different groups of people sat down and celebrated their commonalities.

The Native Americans taught the colonists how to survive those rough winters in colonial America, and the pilgrims shared with them modern devices that made their lives easier. While it's true that both groups had vast differences in many things, both took the time to stop, thank their god (or gods) for a bountiful harvest and ask for a blessing for the year to come. This tradition is remembered today with food and family, but it's steeped in a rich tradition of accepting the culture of others while still following your own traditions.

Today I am thankful for so many things I could not possibly list them all. I am most thankful that both our differences and our commonalities help us reach people and make their lives a little better.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

New Link to the World Wide Web

For those of you who check this blog regularly. Thanks for the emails asking if I was ok. A couple of weeks ago, the computer I was using after the hurricane destroyed my personal laptop died on me.

This horrible tragedy left me with limited access to the internet. I'm happy to say that I'm back. I finally purchased a Macbook Pro. Since the hurricane I'd been looking at replacing what I'd lost, but I just was not sure about what was right for me. After weighing all of the pros and cons, I finally decided on my new laptop.

I am still getting used to it, but I have to say that I love it! It's very easy to carry around, and it does all of what I need a laptop for plus a bit more!

Thanks for your patience, and I sure did miss you guys!