During the Sex and the City era, it became very popular to find a regular dating advice column in newspapers, magazines, and blogs.  Many girls wanted a chance to be the next Carrie Bradshaw, but no one could 'live' it as honestly and clever as our HBO hero!

With Americans hopping on board daily for a new and healthy lifestyle--I'm surprised I'm not familiar with a regular column in my local newspaper that gives advice on how to start a healthier lifestyle and most importantly, maintain it!  Right now, the attention-grabber is COUPONING. 

After months of David and I partaking in weekly couponing, I'm actually disgusted when I see the shopping baskets of 'Coupon Crazies'.  Sure, it's great when I find a coupon for something on my list; but using time in my day to find coupons for items I don't need just so that I can deduct cost on my total bill is too time-consuming for the lifestyle I'm living. 

My priorities?  Running, walking, kundalini yoga, Zumba, and from time to time--cleaning up my house (I can feel David's eyes rolling even while he's away at work).  Many friends believe that I work out for 2-3 hours a day or something unrealistic like this.  Yes, there are a couple days a week that I enjoy a class or two that take up a couple of hours--but it's not a daily habit.  I've already worked out and I have an opportunity to meet a friend for a walk?  Love it, wouldn't pass it up--so pleased to have someone choosing a healthier game-plan to bond over.  That might add on more time to my daily exercise regimen--but seriously that's not 'working out'--that's just doing good for my body. 

If these 'coupon queens' used their couponing time to get in a HEART RATE RAISING workout, maybe they would also realize how horrible the crap in their shopping baskets were for them and especially for their family.  I'm sorry 'Coupon Crazy', but when I pass you with your basket filled to the brim with oreos, canned fruits and veggies, and loads of other nutritionless items, here's what I'm thinking (as I pull out my sergeant whistle):

START WITH 20 JUMPING JACKS AND 20 HIGH-KNEES
RUN 10 LAPS AROUND THE STORE (NOT IN THE STORE, AROUND THE BUILDING! but in the meantime, let's grab the items out of your buggy and put them back where you found them and where they live!)
FOLLOW THAT UP WITH 50 BURPEES and one cool-down walk around the store
DONE...were you able to do it or did you have to get yourself over to the pharmacy for some help?

No offense to our local 'Bargain Mom' but I'm ready for you to be a has-been so that I can give our community a daily pep-talk on how to make time for what's important-LIVING, LEARNING, AND SPREADING THE LOVE.  Namaste.

...finish a book that took over a year to start

When Mom took my brothers, sister-in-law, and I to Alaska during the Summer 2010, I noticed almost every person in the airport and on our cruise were reading the same book--'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.  I had brought a Chelsea Handler book and 'My Life on the D List' by Kathy Griffin--so I wasn't going to quit on my current reads.  I swore to myself that I would get a hold of TGWTDT (I'm going to shorten it--too long of a name!) as soon as I finished my other reads.

Luckily, a client lent it to me shortly thereafter.  I started to read it in the Fall 2010--but could not get into it!!  I kept the page earmarked, and put it away.  During the occasional deep clean of my home, I'd stumble upon it and think "oh, I should read this."  Finally, close to 2 years later, I decided to start it.

Folks, as I have demonstrated, many people begin this book, but can't get past the first 50-100 pages.  It's totally W-O-R-T-H the bore.  This is an intensely disturbing mystery novel combined with powerful characters who will make you wish you didn't have to put the book down.

However, this is not a book to mess with.  I have met a number of people (often women) who manage to get through the first of this series, and cannot touch the other two books as they know it is too graphically upsetting to them.  But for anyone who enjoys reading and especially mystery novels--this is a book for you.

I woke up at 6:45 yesterday morning and excitedly finished the last 100 pages.  I hoped to watch the Swedish version of TGWTDT, but David wants to read it now.  I guess I've sold it too often in front of him for him not to be intrigued.  So, now begins my patient wait.  I hope he finishes the book in a couple of months...but I'll pretend they haven't come out with the movie until then ;)