To See A Belly Dancer

Several of my coworkers said that I looked spring-like so I took the opportunity to pose for another staged photo.

Do you see a collarbone? Do you, hunh?

That's the March Shape magazine in my hand but if you get a chance to, you should check out the April issue. Diane over at Fit To The Finish is profiled in that issue.

And, back to the workplace, yet another colleague stopped me in the hall.

Colleague: Do you like belly dancing?

Me: I've never tried it.

I'm so into exercise right now that my mind went straight to belly dancing classes. Only, she was talking about going to see a belly dancer. She then handed me a menu. Um, no thanks. I'm not going to see a belly dancer while noshing on fried falafel, baklava and onion rings but I wish the new restaurant well.


I went to Cardio and Muscle class today. Found out that Kate, the instructor, is 20 years old. No wonder she is kicking my butt. I'm almost old enough to be her very nice auntie. By the way, the oldest person in our class is 63. Cool.

I wish that I had had enough sense when I was 20 years old to be serious about exercising. What can I say? There's no experience like bought experience.

I stopped by Big Lots on a whim after exercise class and they had my beloved Wasa crackers in stock. They have not had them in ages and they are way more expensive in the grocery store.


I was like Santa Claus when I emerged and, really, I should have purchased more.

Window Shopping St. Patrick's Day Style

I don't consider myself an superfluous extravagant consumer but it's definitely hard at times. So much eye candy, so little...I'm constantly giving myself little lectures. For instance, I was in Big Lots about a week ago and I saw some sturdy Okabashi sandals for $5 dollars. Did I need them? No. Did I want them? Yes, I wanted them even though I had just bought a pair of flip flops to replace my last Okabashi sandals. I wanted them as back-up sandals. You never know when you'll need another pair, right?

I was watching The Ellen Show during lunch and she had some silly big hair contest. She gave the three contestants Specialized bikes. I want one of those bikes. I wonder if I were able to get on The Ellen Show if she'd give away bikes again...

If I had beaucoup money, I would spend it on flip flops and bicycles. Oh my.

Without further ado, here are some other things that I would get:











When I look at these items, I realize how few things I need to exercise and relax.

What do you purchase with your discretionary dollars?

Post Script: Just found out that Okabashi will accept old shoes for recycling. Sweet.

Quote Of The Day Brought To You With Limited Commercial Interruption

Some of my folks and I were sitting in the waiting room and I was looking at the newly moved in vending machine. There was a blueberry Special K bar for $.75 cents. See, that's why I take my snacks with me, I said. You can get a 12 pack of Special K bars at Big Lots for $3.00 dollars.

My aunt's reply as she unwrapped her Milky Way bar?

It doesn't matter where you get them from -- Wal-mart included. This bar was $.60 cents; it costs a lot to be fat.

My aunts and uncles have been like guardian angels; they move me and make me laugh a lot too -- even when they ignore my suggestions.

The Good Times

I went to my fourth grocery store in three days.


Today I worked out on the EFX, my newest cardio friend. The gym is close to Big Lots where I went to see if they had any Wasa crackers and chocolate-covered peppermint sticks. I didn't find what I was looking for but I did score some Kashi ripe strawberry bars.

I couldn't very well bypass Sappington Farmers' Market which is in the vicinity. I had to, at least, get the part-skim cheese that I really like from there. I also picked up a few other goodies and I grabbed a Hanuta for, as Al Green would say, the good times.

House of Wasa

I found these Wasa crackers on sale at Dierbergs. I usually purchase them at Big Lots where the price is significantly lower. While Big Lots has had the multi grain, sourdough and rye in stock, the crisp 'n light have been rather elusive so I was happy to see them at Dierbergs. You can build quite the snack with a Wasa foundation.

Today, I went to the St. Louis Bread Company to which I have not journeyed in a very long time. I used to love to go to the STL Bread Co on Saturday when the cupboard was full. The goods behind the Plexiglas were a sight to behold. I went today to pick up some sandwiches for a work-related event. Oh my, the Bread Co now has bogels -- the bagel version of donut holes. I was overwhelmed by all of the pastries: bearclaws, soufflés, danishes, cookies and the humongous cobblestone muffins. Of course, their bulk made me curious and here are the cobblestone stats:

Serving Size 7 ounces (197g)
Servings Per Container 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 650 Calories from Fat 120
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 410mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 123g 41%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 62g
Protein 12g

I picked up the sandwiches which smelled scrumptious. I swear that from the bag of sandwiches that I had, I could discern the distinct smell of the Sierra Turkey sandwich or, perhaps, it was just my imagination, running away with me.

I tried a SOYJOY strawberry bar today -- not bad but not an item that will develop into a jones.