Why so Dairy

Just as spinach comes back, and I can freely order it, I’m thrown a twist. My skin is now reacting badly to dairy. It always has I think, if I put two and two together and get four, but it just seems to be highlighted more so now somehow! Dairy is in EVERYTHING!!!!

From vegetables to proteins to grains…it’s in everything…milk and cheese…what’s a girl to do?

I remember a few years ago a doctor I’d visited for an annual check-up questioned me about my calcium intake. I proudly told her that I wouldn’t be engaging in the white or yellow stuff, and she seemed more than irritated with me.

“If you won’t drink milk, what about ice cream or cheese?”

“Bleech!” I thought. That was several years ago. And today, I’m no closer to her goal of getting me excited about dairy. I just ordered a salad/sandwich combo. I left the Parmesan on the salad, but had them remove the jalapeno jack off the sandwich. In my defense, I have discovered a chocolate calcium supplement that’s actually tasty! 500 miligrams…did I mention that it was milk or dark chocolate…stop it!

Could it be the panacea I’ve been waiting for...calcium without the dastardly deeds of dairy!

Regardless, I’ve upped my water intake. I know, I know, too much information. Whatever.

Game Playing

People love games. We grew up with games. As children, we made a game out of anything: boxes, socks, paper and beads. It was creative fun. I remember as a kid, I made up a card game I called ‘slap’ with my sisters. (I’m pretty sure that was it…) anyhow, I’m claiming that as my own.

The point being, as we get older, the only thing that changes is what we play with. The game playing doesn’t just stop one day. No. It becomes a way of life in subtle and not so subtle ways. I’m always surprised by the games people play (my naiveté, I suppose.)

There are corporate games, games to illicit some one’s interest in you, there are girl friend/boy friend games, spousal games, familial games, supposed friend games, child games (and they are all childish…but in this context, games adults play with both adult and young children.)

I think…no, I know that I’m sick of all the games. I am announcing right now that I no longer wish to partake in the shenanigans…none of them. Well…maybe one. I’m going to call it the ‘A-Game’.

A-Game rules:

1. Think before you speak
2. Always speak your mind, but from your heart
3. Take responsibility for all that you say, and all that you do
4. No untruths…
5. No judgment. Accept that we’re all on different paths and everyone’s path is simply different from your own. Not wrong, not awful or destructive and stupid...just DIFFERENT.
6. Mean what you say and say what you mean
7. Be genuine
8. Aim to please, not hurt or destroy

Seems easy right? Ok then, I challenge you to bring YOUR A game. Bring your best. Only your best.

Great minds

You may recall an earlier blog from June, The Old and the New. Well...check out this link featuring Aretha and Mary J. Blige (and why when referring to Mary, must you say her entire name???) And please...no 50 cent emails.

Aretha and MJB

In other music news...I think I may have to buy Sean Combs' (can't call him Diddy, Puffy or any of those other ridiculous names) latest CD. I keep hearing songs from the album, and I stop and inevitably, I think who is this? It's always him... and someone else, but the tracks are still hot. Just don't tell anyone that I'm thinking about buying it. Okay? Got a reputation to uphold. Thanks.

It's been a long while!

Busy, busy, busy would describe my life lately. All good busy, so that's good I suppose. My sleep pattern has been thrown off a bit. Many nights I awake at 3:30 (exactly!) and won't fall off until about 5:30-6:00.

Nice right? Well, it has provided me an opportunity to catch up on T.V. shows this season (first time in a long time that I've been able to do this...gotta thank the sleep faries...or pixies as it would seem.)

Anyway, here's what I've seen that has been worthwhile:

* Brothers and Sisters (as I stated in another post)
* Help Me Help You (with Ted Danson)
* 30 Rock (very, very funny stuff, I must admit)
* Heros (good drama)
* Top Chef (good reality drama)
* Desperate Housewives (still on the list)

That's a lot of T.V. for me! BUT were it not for my off sleeping pattern, 9-3:30, 5:30-7:00, I would probably on see like one or two of these.

Alright, better update later when I have GREAT news to share.

Best and love, Andrea