Still Kickin'

Springtime in Texas is so pretty ....oops, it's summer now.

I sooooo apologize for my long absence. I won't bore you with excuses ... bottom line is I fizzled out on blogdom for awhile and got busy with other things. I wouldn't blame you for thinking I've been hiding because maybe, maybe I gained my weight back??? Happy to report that's not the case ...I've remained healthy and happy, and managed to lose a few pounds I found over the holidays. I'm still oscillating between 1-3 lbs. from goal (annoying 4-12 sticks of butter!) but I've got a college reunion coming up soon .... that should do it for me.

Here's my plan: to keep this blog up until August, (exactly one year from the time I launched it) at which point I will post final, final, that's final! "after" photos with massive declarations of success, and then I'll take this blog down and will launch a new (non diet-y) blog called A Ripening Life. I'm hoping to re-direct my followers over there and I'll be ever so grateful if you'll come along. This new blog will be a place to celebrate the sweetness and growth of our ever-ripening lives and I will happily welcome ideas, contributors and lots of new friends. (Humor included!) I'm so in love with the ripening process and am passionate about exploring the many ideas which can propel us in the direction of our dreams. If this resonates with you, please come along.

In the meantime, let's talk rice. Yep, specifically brown rice. I continue to be a big fan of Alicia Silverstone's book, The Kind Diet ... which I raved about in my last post of a million years ago. This has led me to learn about the HUGE number of health benefits brown rice offers; from cholesterol to cancer, and heart disease to weight loss. Amazingly, the list goes on and on.

So I just want to share how I've been starting my morning for the past few months, with a completely yummy brown rice hot cereal. I hope you'll give it a whirl. This will jump-start your day, get your metabolism humming along faster, and it's so, so good for you. Here's how you make it:
Combine 1/3 -1/2 cup cooked brown rice (I like the short grain), about a tablespoon of pure maple syrup, a dash of vanilla, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a splash or two of soy milk to dampen. Microwave for 25-30 seconds. Add some fresh blueberries, raisins, dried cranberries or whatever you fancy; stir and microwave another 25-30 seconds. Sprinkle in some toasted sliced almonds or nuts of your choice, sit down with the morning paper and enjoy. A great way to start the day!

Rice is nice and nice to see ya!