And now, until we meet again…ADIOS

As Lawrence Welk ended his show for years, The ME-gan lifestyle will also say “Adios,” and bid you good health and a good life!

Good night, good night until we meet again
Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen ’til then
And though it’s always sweet sorrow to part
You know you’ll always remain in my heart

Good night, sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you
Here’s a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true
And now ’til we meet again
Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen
Good Night!

Mary

Do you ask yourself bigger questions than what you’re having for lunch?

When I started this blog I told you not only would I be writing about the ME-gan Lifestyle and enjoying the goodness in Mother Nature’s wholesome gluten free, vegan food, but that I also simply like to WRITE! I’m a writer and poet at heart. Life is a poem to me. Some days, like some poems, bring laughter while others bring tears. Some bring retrospect and some bring hope & inspiration. Some bring regret and remorse.

On that note, let’s make ‘THIS’ day great! Consider this:

Do you ask yourself bigger questions than what you’re going to eat for you next meal?

 

I see it more and more where people are living in the moment. Sometimes they can’t think past their next meal, and that is truthfully what they are focused on. While we are not to worry about tomorrow or dwell on the past, planning for the future has never been wrong. If someone told you that setting goals and planning for your future are wrong, then they are wrong.

What we do today, has a huge impact on us down the road; how far down the road you ask? Only God knows. We don’t know if we are going to live another day, week, year, decade(s), etc. But expect to live a long time and prepare to live a long time, so if you do, you will be ready and able to live each day as best you can; and you will also be able to provide for your family, as you should.

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22

Living life in your later years in a state of declined health and lack of money in the bank – due to lack of caring & planning, would leave you living your last years pretty miserable. Don’t you want to enjoy that last stage of your life? Be prepared, set goals, and plan, so that you can live life to its fullest. Like a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, don’t waste a drop!

So ask yourself something a little more meaningful today than what you’re having for lunch.

Mary

 

 

 

For the Angel of Death spread his wings

The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seen:
Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!

And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,
But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride;
And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,
And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

And there lay the rider distorted and pale,
With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail:
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,
The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord.

He ain’t heavy… he’s my brother; so on we go.

To those who REALLY matter most, our vets! God bless them all! (so don’t bother me with your pettiness).

 

 

 

 

And Then There Was Music…

Tags

amore, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, LOVE, Rod Stewart, romance, The Great American Songbook Collection by Rod Stewart, timeless music

Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows
Of dawn and dew

Ahhh…Sweet music and romantic lyrics; what more do we need to make a successful night of Amore? Recognize those lyrics?

One of my favorite “full of passion” albums is The Great American Songbook Collection by Rod Stewart. Dim the lights, light many candles, uncork that bottle of wine and get ready for what may come.

Life is short – I say make as many memories as possible while you (we) can. Monday night or Sunday night…why wait? Grab that person you love, hold them tight in your arms and move across the kitchen floor like Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. Pretend you’re never letting go; before you know it that fluttering moment will be a faded memory.

I’ll leave you with this, (see if you can name this timeless tune)…

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.

Hope you’re enjoying your Saturday night!

Deliver Me From Anti ME-gan Temptation

Tags

by-pass surgery, choices, eating healthy, Gluten Free, joint pain, ME-gan Lifestyle, skin issues, Vegan, weight loss

The healthiest I have been probably in my life, was the 4 years that I was living the ME-gan Lifestyle. I had witnessed so many changes in myself, including my weight, my appearance, my skin, and most of all… my health. Sure other people noticed the ‘surface changes,’ but only I truly know the ‘health’ changes that I went through and the pain, suffering & many symptoms that, after years, finally subsided.

One night I was out to dinner with family and they kept looking at me and saying something along the line of, “OMG, you have lost so much weight… ” and they kept repeating it (I think it had been 5 months since they had seen me). That really made me feel good, but between you and me they had NO idea what had caused these changes in me. It was far more than dieting and/or self-control.

To recap, I had come to a point in my life where I felt I needed change. I felt that if things did not change right then and now, I may just end up fat(er), disabled (health wise), and giving up on life (mentally).

Long story short, and my book is all about this…, I changed my own life – me AND God. No one else. No doctor, no friend, no spouse, no sibling, only God and me. I lost weight; I was actually happy and again, most importantly, I got healthy.

No doubt the ME-gan Lifestyle works; no doubt at all. There are no bad side effects, no extreme dieting, no ‘buying’ other people’s food or pills; it’s all a lifestyle change. I never said it would be easy, but your focus is (should) be on the benefits. Do you want to live healthy, or continue on with being unhealthy and being physically and mentally miserable?

So basically, that’s it – IT’S YOUR CHOICE; no one else can make it for you.

With me – after several years of living and loving the ME-gan Lifestyle, my life changed. I went through rough and major upsets, including kid issues (serious and sad). All these things knocked me off my kilter – by no fault but my own, and landed me in the same old ‘pre ME-gan Lifestyle rat race.’ DARN!

I have to say, and I’m sure it’s no surprise to some, that a few of my previous issues have slipped back in. I’ve experienced weight gain; my skin is not glowing like it was, and my joints get sore once in a while. I’m not as happy.

I’ve been off the strict ME-gan Lifestyle for almost 3 years and quite frankly I’m ready to live it again for good. I’ve done it off and on over these few years, but only months at a time – always reverting back.

We’re all responsible for our own lives. I can only control what I do, not what others do. We can ‘help & assist,’ but control? Never.

Tune in next week to see where I go (or have gone) from here.

Mary

Happy Valentines Day!

The Day for lovers! Hopefully your man does not wait until this one day of the year to show his love for you – 🙂

How do you and the love of your life show your love for each other?

Holding hands; gentle rubs on the shoulders, foot massages; preparing a good meal that fills the house with the aroma of good home cooking, which of course = love! ?? Walking in the rain, making each other laugh? Giving compliments and supporting one another?

Love… isn’t it grand!?

Hope you all are having a wonderful day full of love and bliss; chocolate and roses.

 

Time…it’s a funny thing.

Time will heal; it’s about time; a race against time; at this point in time; all in good time; it’s only a matter of time…

So many time idioms – What does it really mean?

Like sand through an hour glass, so are the days of our lives.

Let’s not forgot the 60’s tune by Jimmy Jones – Good Timin’

<SIGH> But haven’t we all learned by now that time is not promised to anyone? Wonder if tomorrow never comes? Sure, in time you’ll stop holding a grudge, and call your daughter again…but life can end with your next breath. The point is, WE DON’T KNOW.

So, my question is…do you just go on living the way you have been? Why say sorry when you know you were wrong? Why stop holding a grudge when you know it’s not important in the scheme of things? Why be the better person and forgive the other person… ? You be the one to make amends… who cares who’s wrong or right? Should we ‘accept’ their apology when we know how bad they hurt us and how they did us wrong? I think everyone holds a time idiom deep inside of them.

In time my pretty, in time..

Sorry… again, time AND tomorrow is not promised to ANYONE.

Maybe we should just NOT forgive and forget and then when we all get to the sunny side, no one will remember what took place on this earth and we’ll all be friends? That sounds like a good way (cop) out. Right?

Really?

I say…

Do some soul searching. You’ll find the answers; or maybe not. See ya!

Mary

Guilt Free Eating. Vegan & Gluten Free Goodness That Pops With Flavor!

Tags

About The ME-gan Lifestyle, delicious and healthy meals, GF Vegan Pizza, gluten free creations McDowell Road, gluten free meals, gluten free vegan bagels, go veggie cheese, roasted peppers, Roasted rosemary pesto potatoes, soyrizo, Trader Joe's, vegan meals

This past weekend I grilled some peppers to cook with and enjoy the rest of the coming week.

The first meal I enjoyed with these peppers was a grilled veggie sandwich, with my special spread that consisted of  ME-gan pesto sauce & Vegenaise – on a toasted gf vegan bagel. It was delicious.

I also made some roasted potatoes. I mixed the potatoes with evoo, rosemary, s&p, my homemade ME-gan pesto, shallots and garlic cloves. When these were done roasting, I used some of them on a ME-gan pizza we enjoyed for lunch. The pizza was out of this world, popping with flavors! Here are some photos of me throwing it all together:

As always the ME-gan Lifestyle is not only DE-lish and healthy – it’s pure guilt free eating!

Like I say in my book,

Put the HEAL into HEALTHY!

2 Easy & Delicious Meals for Anytime

Tags

Balela from Trader Joes, fresh meals, healthy foods, leftovers, quick meals, small portions, Thai stir-fry noodles, tofu

Last night was one of those nights I really didn’t feel like cooking; but I didn’t want to order out either. Using what I had, I boiled carrots and sprinkled them with dill weed. To go with I made yellow rice and sauteed spinach. The two made a perfect match and I portioned it out perfectly. Too much = no bueno!

Tonight, I got in the mood to experiment! I removed the kernels from 2 left over corn on the cobs, sauteed them with garlic & sliced sweet onion in sesame oil. In a separate pan I browned pieces of tofu. While all this was going on, I also had Thai stir-fry noodles cooking.  When everything was done, I mixed it all together along with some “Balela” from Trader Joe’s (this is a mixture of chickpeas, tomatoes and black beans) and sunflower seeds – just because! I added additional flavoring of garlic powder, dill weed, salt & pepper and some crushed red pepper. Topping it off with some GF soy sauce. Whenever I create meals like this, using a little of this and some of that, I never know how it’s going to turn out. I serve it with a warning and say “don’t feel obligated to eat it.” However, like most of my crazy concoctions, it was MAG-NIF-I-CO!

Here’s to good health and delicious food! Oh.. and smaller portions!

Mary