Happy Birthday

 The secret to living a long healthy life? It really is quite simple; to eat, sleep and play healthy, live without stress, laugh often, and love always.  I wrote a poem for everyone who is getting up there in years, and having yet another birthday, do not worry, you are not getting old, you are simply mature.  My birthday was just last week, so I suppose this now applies to me as well!

Happy Birthday 

When you go to the drugstore, and the clerk is a gent.

From your purchase this chap, will take off ten percent.

You will ask for the cause of a lesser amount;

And he will say, "Because of the Seniors' Discount."

You can go to McDonald's for a burger and fries;

And there once again, get quite a surprise.

You can order a coffee and dance with glee, ‘cause

The clerk will say, "For you Seniors, the coffee is free."

Understand - You’re not old - You’re merely mature;

But some things are changing, temporarily, I'm sure.

The newspaper print gets smaller each day,

And people speak softer - can't hear what they say.

Your teeth are your own (You have the receipt),

And your glasses identify the people you meet.

Oh, you’ve slowed down a bit...not a lot, I am sure.

You see, you’re not old...you’re simply mature.

Your hair is changing, is it bleached by the sun?

You should see all the damage that chlorine has done.

Washing your hair daily has turned it all white,

But don't call it gray....saying "blond" is just right. 

Your car is all paid for...not a nickel is owed.

Yet some kids yell, "Old geezer...get off the road!"

Your car has no scratches...not even a dent,

Still, you get all this stuff from a punk who's "Hell bent."

Your friends all get older...much faster than you.

They seem much more wrinkled, so don’t feel so blue.

You've got "character lines" not wrinkles...for sure,

So we won’t call you old....just call you mature.

The steps in the houses you may visit today

Are so high that they take all your breath away;

And the streets are much steeper than ten years ago.

That should explain why your walking is slow.

But keep up with what's hip and get a new pole

I think you can still dance a mean rock and roll!

You’re still in the running...in this I'm secure,

You’re NOT REALLY OLD....You’re ONLY MATURE!

Happy  Birthday!!

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia and can be found in her new book, "Awakening Love".

www.victoryp.com

Rosario Stull - May she rest in peace.

The service and funeral for my godmother "Chayito" was very loving and serene.  She was a wonderful lady with exceptional qualities and led a full and happy life.  "Chayito" was 98 and died of a brain tumor.  She left our world to join her ex,  my mother, my Gabriel, my uncles and aunts, and all of our loved ones who are now enjoying a different life in heaven.  They may not be with us physically but they remain in our memory and in our hearts forever.   May they all rest in peace.

The dash


I wanted  to speak 
at the service, of my beloved godmother and  friend. 


Referring to the dates of her life, from the beginning...to the end. 


I noted that first came the date of her birth and the latter I said with tears, 


But wanting to stress what mattered the  most, was the dash between those years. 


For that dash represents all the time, that Chayito  spent alive on earth


And now only those who loved her, know what that little line’s worth. 


For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash, 


What matters is how we live and love; and how we spend our dash. 


Chayito taught us a lot through her life,

Living happy, loved and without strife.

So think about this long and hard; 
Are there things you’d like to change?


For you never know how much time is left,  that can still be rearranged.


If we could just slow down enough, to consider what’s true and real


And always try to understand, the way that other people feel. 


And be less quick to anger, showing appreciation more


And love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. 


If we treat each other with respect, like Chayito did, and always wear a smile...


Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.


So when her eulogy’s being read with her life’s actions to rehash, 


I feel so  proud of the things they say about how she spent her dash.

Let us learn from our beloved Chayito, she was such a dear, although she is not with us now,  in our hearts she’ll always persevere.

Best Fruits For a Healthy Life / Lemonade Kiss

Instead of eating empty calories like a bag of M&M's, grab a nutritious snack.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and keep your blood sugar in check with the following fresh or frozen low-carb choices.


The key is to keep an eye on portion sizes and stay away from fruits canned in syrups or other types of added sugar. These fruits are all  Low Carb and Low Sugar, great for those of us with Diabetes, or anyone who just prefers to stay healthy!

Any kind of berries  3/4 cup = 62 calories & 16 grams of carbs.

                                              Antioxidants, Vitamins, Fiber

Cherries              12          = 59 calories & 14 grams of carbs. 

                                               Antioxidants, Fight heart desease & cancer 

Apricots             1          =  17 calories & 4 grams of carbohydrates

                                              Eat 4 for Vitamin A & Fiber

Apple  (small, size of fist) = 54 calories & 14 grams of carbohydrates  

                                             Vitamin C & Fiber

Orange             1          = 62 calories & 15 grams of carbohydrates

                                             Daily req. of Vitamin C & Potasium

Kiwi (one large size)         = 56 calories & 13 grams of carbs.

                                             Potasium, Fiber & Vitamin C

Peach              1 size of tennis ball = low carb, Vitamin A, C, Potasium and Fiber

Pear 1 size of your fist   = Low carb, Potasium and Fiber

Lemonade Kiss

What could be better than this?

Sitting on the bench

with a lemonade kiss!

Sailboats still

at a distance

with

waves caressing 

the soft white sand

and

swaying 

as if they were dancing

the way we do with the band.

I feel so blessed 

I feel in bliss

with you by my side,

and my lemonade kiss!

From the book "Awakening Love"

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Good Morning!

If you're having trouble rising and shining, try these simple strategies to help you look and feel more awake and alert. 
Waking up doesn't have to be hard to do!
Whatever your reasons for not getting enough sleep — partying, studying, or dreaded insomnia — there are days when morning just comes way too early. But before you reach for a triple espresso (a recent study from the U.K. found that the buzz we get from caffeine may be more mental than chemical, anyway) try these tips (Given by Dr. Hirsch) for looking and feeling awake and refreshed:

 

* Give your skin a chill-hold a cold washcloth over your eyes-refreshes and          reduces swelling

*Pay extra attention to your eyes-use eye cream to keep them hydrated and wrinklefree

*Skip the salt-avoid salt as much as possible especially after 6pm to avoid bloating

*Bend over backwards-literally, bend backwards along the side of your bed getting heart higher than your head

*Wake up and Smell the citrus-and eat the orange too!  Certain scents stimulate the brain and can make you feel more awake and refreshed, says Alan Hirsch, M.D., founder and neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. Three that do the trick: jasmine, which increases beta waves (the brain waves associated with alertness), and citrus and peppermint scents, which induce wakefulness by stimulating the trigeminal nerve (the same nerve that's activated when you're revived with smelling salts). So peel and eat an orange for breakfast, deeply inhale as you drink a cup of peppermint tea, or lather up with a citrus-scented body wash in the shower.

*Wake up to fresh flowers- Keeping fresh flowers in your home can make you feel more energetic, enthusiastic, and happy at home and work.

and of course if all else fails, 

*Find the bright side-use highlighter/whitener under your eyes and eyebrows to hide the dark circles under your eyes

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *

Good Morning

This  morning  when I awoke

And saw the sun above,

I softly said, “Good morning day”

The one I truly love.

Right away I thought of you 

And said a loving prayer,

hoping you would smile too

And keep you free from care.

I  thought of all the happiness 

A day could hold in store, 

I  wished  it all for you because 

No one deserves  it more. 

I felt so warm and good inside, 

My heart was all aglow.

I know someday you'll feel the same

because, happiness spreads, 

you know.

From the book "Awakening Love"

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Smoothies

Tired of eggs and oatmeal for breakfast? Take a break from traditional morning meals and prepare a healthy, delicious smoothie. A smoothie is a blended beverage that is typically made with milk and/or yogurt and fruit . Smoothies are so easy to prepare they’re a great option if you’re pressed for time.

How to Prepare a Smoothie at Home

When preparing a smoothie at home, use a food processor or blender, which will give this tasty beverage a thick, milkshake-like consistency. There are a variety of ingredients you can use in your smoothie.  Here are some basic guidelines:

• Fat-free (skim) or 1% milk
• Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt, including nonfat (0%) Greek yogurt
• Nuts or flaxseed
• Vanilla or almond extract
• Fresh or frozen fruit, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and one banana

How to Choose a Healthy Store-Bought Smoothie
While it’s best to prepare your smoothies at home (because you know they’ll contain only the healthiest ingredients), you can purchase smoothies in chain stores or grocery stores too, as long as you check the list of ingredients first. Be aware that some smoothie brands contain canned fruit with added sugars, sugary syrups, full-fat yogurt, whole milk, and/or ice cream, which may derail your weight-loss efforts.

Whether you prepare a smoothie at home or buy one, stick to a serving of 8 ounces — anything larger can affect your blood sugar and create cravings.

Smoothies

Some are too heavy.

Some are too weak.

Some are too bland.

Some are too bleak.

Some are too sour.

Some are too sweet.

Some are too loud.

Some are too meak.

Some don’t know the difference

from a day or a week.

But, the best one

is the one made for me

it is special, as you can see

The best one is YOU!

From the book, Awakening Love 

written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Depression

Depression can leave you with little interest in anything. But sometimes when you’re feeling down, there’s no easier pick-me-up than a favorite movie. It might make you laugh, it might make you cry, but a classic feel-good flick will always leave you a little happier and may even put a smile on your face. So whether you’re looking for a romantic comedy, nostalgia, or pure escape, read the top 10 movies to watch when you’re feeling down. Grab the popcorn and dim the lights!


Love Actually-Romantic comedy about all types of love-lot of laughs
Its a Wonderful Life-one man's life touches many others
Tootsie-great comedy with lots of laughter
The Shawshank Redemption- there is a moment in everyone's life that can be appreciated
Babe-a reminder that the seemingly impossible is possible, and the value of pets
The Blind Side- heartwarming story of the value of generosity and believing in yourself
Up-comedy to help you get in touch with your inner child-lots of laughs
Under The Tuscan Sun-Scenic delights of Italy; If you make room for what you want in life, your wishes may come true in unexpected ways
The Sound of Music-Listening to music has been shown to ease symptoms of depression, relieve stress, and calm the heart rate.  This is guaranteed to lift your spirits!
Breaking Away- on the value of trusting and, above all, never giving up.

Alone in My Thoughts

Alone in my thoughts

I sit missing you dear

What I would give to have you near

My eyes are without that glistening glow

The one from your love, the one you that you know

(The one that lights up when you love me so.)

Alone in my thoughts

where are you my dear

to have and to hold 

close to me here

Swirls of moonlight dance in my head,

your movement your touch, such a wonderful thread,

the image I perceive is without form 

yet fills my heart now all forlorn

Alone in my thoughts 

my heart awaits

for strings of love

to touch my fate

Among the visions of you and me

I struggle with uncertainty

why I feel lost like a child in the night

and I have this need to hold you tight

I dream of such things, which touch my soul 

and wonder what’s missing to make me whole.

Alone in my thoughts....

From Lost and Found: Love, a book of love poems

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

Order your copy from www.victoryp.com

Happy Valentines Day!

My Friends

My friends are like angels

who brighten my days

in all kinds of wonderful

magical ways.

Their thoughtfulness comes,

as a gift from above.

I feel I'm surrounded,

By warm, caring love.

Like upside-down rainbows,

their smiles bring the sun.

They fill lonely moments,

with laughter and fun.

My friends are like angels,

without any wings,

filling my life,

with most precious things.

Thank you!

From "Lost and Found: Love, a book of Love Poems"

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Order your second edition copy today!