Team Chardonnay

About seven years ago my family started having Sunday night dinners at my parent's house. When the weather was nice we would play some pretty intense games of croquet.  Because there were so many of us we had to break-up into teams.

Initially, my sister-in-law and I paired up as the yellow team.  Most of the family wrote us off as the fluffy, non-competitive players... which was true because all we wanted to do was laugh, sip wine and catch up about the past week's events.  But, to everyone's surprise, including ours, we were the team to beat.  We found the more we drank the better we performed... so we were crowned Team Chardonnay.  A title we held for nearly 6 years.

To everyone's sadness this summer my brother and sister-in-law defected to sunny San Diego (with my croquet set I might add...I still want it back) and Sunday's have just not been the same since. (I should have seen it coming when she switched to the lighter, crispier Sauvignon Blanc about a year ago.) 

In honor of Team Chardonnay I wanted to share my favorite brands under $10... because God knows this wine is expensive if you drink it daily... like I do.

Pretty bottle, too!

1.  Bogle (It received 89 pts from Wine Spectator & it's 8 bucks!)
2.  Bonterra (Love the screw top and it's ORGANIC)
3.  Toasted Head (A little heavier nice for Fall/Winter...thanks Deb)
4.  Mirassou (Simple, clean and cheap)
5.  Kirkland (Yes...Costco makes wine too...thanks Annette for this tip)

Let me know if I missed any 'good' ones!

Steph this blogs for you.... I miss you sister.

I want to thank all 18 people wonderful friends (new and old) and my family for following my blog...it really was 'good news' for my heart.  I feel the love. Thank you, C


*Have a great weekend.  I will be back bright and early Monday morning.  I hope to see you then!

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Hot Flashes...Back Fat...Jiggly Arms...OH MY!

What can I say?  These are all signs that you are F***ED...because you my friend are probably in perimenopause.  Thank God my friend Amber was able to guide me through the trials and tribulations of this odious condition.  I mean, truly, if I did not have her I would be curled up in a gutter somewhere wondering what the hell had happened to me. 

Oh, and did I  mention weight gain and black chin hairs.  Yippee!   I have gained 20lbs this year (well, probably 30lbs if I am being totally honest and I can't even discuss the chin hairs).

So, that is what this blog is about...to let you know that if you are having any of the above symptoms, there is 'good news', you are not alone and it is treatable.

It was on one particularly pitiful day that I called Amber...my hormones raging....I had been weeping for three days straight... ready to murder anyone who looked at me wrong.  She advised me to call my physician and while I waited, the two long weeks for my appointment, to go pick up some natural progesterone at a health food store. (Before anyone was seriously hurt)

With no time to waste I headed out immediately.  Confused, weeping and overwhelmed this nice saleslady found me standing in front of the vitamin section searching for this magical cream.  She just listened patiently as I explained my situation...in the middle of my story her eyes grew wide and she disappeared without a word to the back of the store.  I was convinced I had scared her away...feeling vulnerable and embarrassed, I almost left, but then she came running back waiving a CD in her hand.  She was excited and she told me that she and the rest of the staff had just listened to the recording of this amazing doctor, who was explaining all the benefits of natural progesterone. 

Within a few days of taking the cream, Life-flo Progesta-Care, I felt so much calmer...and no more tears.  After a month on the cream I started to drop weight and my hair and skin started to look better too...very 'good news' indeed. (Yes, the cream helped jump start my metabolism, but I am also exercising and eating very healthy, too...more on that coming soon)

Once I was normal again, I popped the CD in my car stereo and listened to Dr. John Lee give a detailed explanation about why natural progesterone is so good for women entering the early stages of menopause.  Fascinating stuff...it is great for bone density, too.  Check out his website and see for yourself...and of course consult your physician before starting any new program.

INTERESTING FACT:  They used to call this condition female hysteria and admitted you to the funny farm until it passed.  YIKES!

I want to give a 'good news' shout out to Amber Flynn for listening to me for hours on end whine and cry on the phone.  (Amber is an amazing friend and Spiritual Counselor,  just click on her name and check out her website)

If you like what you've read so far click:  JOIN THIS SITE  above and/or follow CJ Blake by email.  Thanks for your support.

I Miss Oprah...How About You?

Doesn't she look beautiful!

It's Fall again and this is usually the time Oprah comes out of reruns with a big splashy season opener.  I had always dreamed of being on her show, or at least being an audience member.  Now that she is done I am bummed I didn't even try.

That's how life is sometimes...we think we have all the time in the world, but like most things everything has a shelf life.  While I did support her decision to move on, I do feel a little sad that someone won't be getting a new car or trip to Australia this fall.

I don't believe there is any living person, aside from my loved ones, who has inspired me more.  I have bowed to the altar of Oprah for 15 years (except during the James Frey debacle...not 'good news' so I will pass on sharing) as she has been a beacon for me and millions of others.  I know I am a better person for having watched her show.
 

Here is the 'good news.'  If you miss her, like I do, here are several options:

First, she has a show on OWN called Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes (I think I like this show better than the original).

Second, she is teaching a class called Oprah's Lifeclass starting October 10, 2011. (click on the link and hear a message from Oprah about it).

Third, if you've ever had a dream of being a reality TV star she is having Casting Calls for many new shows on OWN... you never know...you might be the next Snooki.

Finally, of course, there is O Magazine.  I particularly like "What I Know For Sure," which you can always find on the last page of the magazine.  Talk about 2 minutes of inspiration!

 

Oprah thank you  for 25 years of great TV and here's to 25 more with OWN.

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My Virgin Blog: Do You Have What It Takes?

Well, I'm about to find out.

My goal with this blog is to simply provide a daily dose of 'good news.'

To say I am nervous about daring to reveal myself in the blogosphere is an extreme understatement, and yet I feel compelled to do it anyway.  When I am faced with gripping anxiety I ask myself one question:  Are you going to choose FEAR or FAITH?

Three years ago, I opened a blog account geared toward home schooling families, and I am embarrassed to say at that time I chose fear.  I didn't post one article.  Today I have found the courage to choose faith. 

I am dedicating my inaugural blog to the movie Julie & Julia, because when I watched it this past weekend, with my mom, it inspired me to try again.  I just love that!

The film follows the lives of Julie Powell, a contemporary young woman, who finds herself in a dispassionate rut and chef Julia Child's.  To break her monotony, Julie has resolved to cook every recipe in Julia Child's, Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 365 days and blog about it.  The film weaves the story of Julie's uneventful life in New York with Julia Child, who was reluctantly accepted into the chauvinistic Le Cordon Bleu and fought for years to publish her cookbook.  Both of these women overcome the challenges of their respective goals.  It is the perseverance and dedication exhibited by these women that has inspired me to begin my blog and share my first bit of 'good news' with you.

I have seen this movie at least 8 times for just this reason because every time the credits roll I feel motivated to attempt something new...even if I might fail spectacularly.

...like this blog.  I have no idea what will happen when I hit the "post" button, but the voice inside is pressing me onward.  As always I am on a personal mission to follow my true path...even when it feels hard.  But, like today the hardest part is simply tapping the keys and following my heart.

I invite you to join me on my journey to share the beauty I see in the world.  Make a 2 minute investment in my blog and let me know how it makes you feel.  Please also share your 'good news' with me, so I can pass it on to everyone.  Maybe that way we can all find our way to a more happy and purpose driven life...lifting and supporting each other to new heights.  I hope we laugh a lot, too.

Many Blessings,
C

Coming soon:

   *What Do Gwyneth, Jenn Aniston and Julia Roberts Have in Common?
   *Team Chardonnay
   *Hot Flashes...Back Fat...Jiggly Arms...OH MY!!!


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