Oct 22, 2010

The Worst Restaurant Breakfasts in America....

 It would be nice if the Food and Drug Administration stopped issuing warnings about toxic substances and just gave me the names of one or two things still safe to eat.....


Remember when breakfast was the healthiest meal of the day?   Well it does not seem that way anymore.  Here is a list of so called worst and best breakfast foods in America.....Enjoy and stay healthy!!!


 
6: Worst Breakfast Beverage:
Starbucks Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with whole milk and whipped cream (venti, 24 oz)

720 calories

27 g fat (17 g saturated)

103 g sugars



Pure black coffee is one of the world's most potent elixirs. In fact, research shows that a morning cup can help decrease your risk of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and type-2 diabetes. That’s good news, since 77 percent of U.S. adults over 18 years of age drink coffee on a daily or occasional basis. But here’s the problem: There's a big difference between an untainted cup of joe and the souped-up, sugar-loaded blends (this particular drink contains 26 scoops of sugar) that list coffee as one of the ingredients. And this Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha is the definition of caffeinated indulgence. You can switch to an equally delicious and refreshing drink (Starbucks has plenty, such as the caffe mocha, which is still coffee with chocolate in it, after all), and cut 520 calories in the process!

Drink This Instead!
Iced Caffe Mocha (16 oz, no whipped cream)
200 calories
6 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
26 g sugars



Bonus tip: Daily e-mails (or tweets) that contain weight-loss advice remind you of your goals and help you drop pounds, researchers from Canada found. I'm partial to the instant weight-loss secrets that you'll get when you follow me on Twitter here.


#5: Worst Pastry Breakfast:
Cinnabon Regular Caramel Pecanbun
1,100 calories
56 g fat (10 g saturated, 5 g trans)
47 g sugars






This isn’t breakfast—this is dessert. And an atrocious one at that. The only speck of nutrition to be found in the bun comes from the nuts. Too bad they’re coated in sugar. This dangerously bloated bun contains nearly an entire day’s worth of fat and more than half of your daily allotment of calories.

That’s as much as you’ll find in 8 White Castle hamburgers. The Cinnabon Stix below are far from a healthy breakfast, but they're better than nothing (albeit barely).

Eat This Instead!
Cinnabon Stix
379 calories
21 g fat (6 g saturated, 4 g trans)
14 g sugars



Bonus Tip: Improve your health and lose weight at the same time by adding these 10 Surprising Superfoods to your diet.

#4: Worst Scrambled Eggs Breakfast:
Bob Evans Border Scramble Biscuit Bowl
1,028 calories
57 g fat (25 g saturated)
3,055 mg sodium



Bob Evans also offers a Border Scramble Omelet, which contains nearly 400 fewer calories than this overflowing biscuit bowl. The difference in is the bowl itself (several hundred calories of carbohydrate-loaded dough) and the cheese sauce—this biscuit bowl boasts a Queso sauce that no one in his or her right mind would consider a healthy topping. Instead of switching to the Border Scramble Omelet, however, cut another hundred calories by choosing the Garden Harvest, which is also loaded with vegetables.

Eat This Instead!
Garden Harvest Omelet
542 calories
38 g fat (17 g saturated)
1,762 mg sodium


Bonus Tip: Walking into a restaurant doesn't have to feel like a stroll through a minefield. Check out these Top Restaurant Swaps for Instant Weight Loss, ripped straight from the pages of the all-new 2011 edition of Eat This, Not That!

#3: Worst Breakfast Sandwich:
Denny’s Grand Slamwich
1,320 calories
90 g fat (42 g saturated, 1 g trans)
3,070 mg sodium

Word to the wise:  If a restaurant menu item is named for its monstrous size, there’s not a chance it’s good for you. Words like “Grand” and “Big” and “Double” are all tip-offs: Steer clear of this Frankenfood at all costs. This ginormous breakfast sandwich comes with a day and a half worth of sodium, as much saturated fat as you’ll find in 42 strips of bacon, and the caloric equivalent of four and a half cheeseburgers from McDonald’s.

Eat This Instead!
Veggie-Cheese Omelette
500 calories
37 g fat (12 g saturated, 0 g trans)
940 mg sodium



Bonus tip: For more freaky food inventions like the Grand Slamwich, check out our shocking list of the Worst Food Creations of 2010.



#2: Worst Pancakes:
Friendly’s Apple Caramel Walnut Pancakes
1,540 calories
30 g fat (11 g saturated)
2,290 mg sodium

Friendly’s has one of the worst breakfast menus of any restaurant we’ve seen—we had to customize the “Eat This Instead” order below to make it even worth considering. Quick tip: When eating at Friendly’s, never order anything sweet or pastry-like, like these pancakes. No matter what you’ve ordered, you’re guaranteed at least 900 calories. And that’s before you get to the sides. For the best breakfast meal, choose protein-rich foods, like eggs, and skip all sugar- and carbohydrate-laden sides, like toast, muffins, or pancakes.

Eat This Instead!
Super Sizzlin’ Bacon Combo (with 3 scrambled Egg Beaters, hold the toast)
570 calories
29 g fat (5 g saturated)
1,310 mg sodium

Bonus tip: Most people wouldn’t assume pancakes are a healthy choice. But what about those who are trying to eat healthy and end up with a plate full of calories and fat? To see how that’s entirely possible, check out our list of 20 Salads Worse Than a Whopper.

#1: The Worst Breakfast in America:
Cheesecake Factory French Toast Napoleon
2,460 calories
61 g saturated fat
1,769 mg sodium
246 g carbohydrates

The Cheesecake Factory never fails to amaze us. This outrageous restaurant consistently earns the title of “Worst” on nearly every list we create. Their French Toast Napoleon is no exception—it contains well over a day’s worth of calories (that’s about the equivalent of 19 bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, to give you some idea). It also has 61 grams of saturated fat (three times your daily limit). The only saving grace here is that not all of Cheesecake’s breakfast items are inedible. You’ll be safe if you stick to the healthy (and healthy sounding) scramble, below.

Eat This Instead!
Shiitake Mushroom, Spinach and Goat Cheese Scramble
570 calories
16g saturated fat
994 mg sodium
13 g carbohydrates

Bonus Tip: Improve the way you look and feel—fast and forever—with these 25 Best Nutrition Secrets Ever! They've helped people lose 10, 20, 30 pounds or more in record time--and can help you too! (Bonus: You don't have to stop eating your favorite foods or go on a diet.)
One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.....

until next time...

Oct 19, 2010

Can You say Tamarac....???

I'm glad we did it, partly because it was worth it, but mostly because we shall never have to do it again....


Good news for us.  We have finally found a place to call our own and after much debating we have decided to go with a house.

Very different lifestyle from what we have had but something the three of us look forward to experiencing....

I know many are curious to see what we will be getting but be patient....we are not telling until it is a done deal:) so to those trying to pry information out of us not happening:)).   I am less likely to keep a secret (so maybe my family already knows or maybe not)... but Arvid sure can keep secrets.....

We have decided on an area called Tamarac..that much I will say.  No waterfront, no pool, no hot tub:(
but, even so very excited to begin this new lifestyle...if we get bored there is always Eleuthera.....where we plan to go as soon as boredom sets in:)

So much to do....but when will the deal be finalized is something else:).....hopefully VERY soon!!  One only needs two tools in life:  WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop...the joys of owning a house....all we know is that Brutus will be HAPPY!!!

Let's take the good times as they go, and I'll meet you further on up the road...

until next time....

Oct 17, 2010

Pleasantly Surprised::)))

Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.....

Just by accident I happened to stumble upon a page in my blog stating statistics.  Never saw it before and imagine the surprise I got when I saw all the different countries viewing my blog.  Needless to say I am pleasantly surprised and a bit shocked (good way).  Some of the countries where I have the most viewers are below......what surprises me more though is that I rarely get many comments on my blog from them.  Most of my comments are mostly from the same people and quite a few come to me privately either via Facebook or my home email.  Thank you for that!

I am happy so many of you read my blog but, it would also be nice if you commented directly on the blog page rather than sending me a personal message.  Don't get me wrong  I enjoy your comments but think it would be great if were left on the comment page of the blog.

I know many of you have told me you are having a hard time commenting using your email address still do not know why...do like what a few have been doing.... comment as anonymous but PLEASE leave your name so at least I know who it is:)

Just a thank you to all of you out there.  I really enjoy writing and hopefully you are also enjoying reading what I write....

Pageviews by Most Viewed Countries:

United States
Ukraine
Taiwan
Portugal
Germany
Norway
Canada
Hong Kong
Iran
Bahamas
United Kingdom

Australia
France
Russia
Brazil
Luxembourg
Spain
Denmark
Sweden
Puerto Rico
India

Just a little sideline.....house hunting almost over.  After seeing tons of condos this weekend and tons of houses as well we have narowed it to a house.  No more beach lifestyle for us in Fort Lauderdale.  Something new awaits us....you know what they say....  Every once in a blue moon, something new comes along that scrambles your preconceptions....this will be very different for both of us but at the same time exciting.  Our main problem is to not get bored in a house:)  Don't get me wrong I have nothing against living in a house it's just that we have always lived in a condo and we really enjoyed all the benefits of that lifestyle....views, waterfront, shops nearby and the sorts:))

Better understated than overstated. Let people be surprised that it was more than you promised and easier than you said......I feel a very unusual sensation - if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude.....

Oct 15, 2010

The Search Continues.....

  I think we're narrowing it down. But who knows, it may change in the next minute.....wow, there are a lot of properties for sale....


Beach Condo


Nu River Condo

Our search continues....we have looked at houses and condos all over the place.  Now for some more condos in the Broward County area.  We know Las Olas so we will check around there.....much smaller of course.

The Waverly

Waverly Pool Area

Today my blog is picture based on some of the places we will be visiting during the next couple of days....


Nu River View

The Venetian
The Venetian:  is a 15 story luxury condominium ideally situated on a private peninsula off Las Olas Boulevard at the Intercoastal Waterway. It is one block from world famous Fort Lauderdale Beach on Las Olas Circle, just west of the intersection of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard....we once lived there....

Watergarden

We are also looking at a few condos located on the new river in downtown fort Lauderdale as well as a few located on the beach.....



The Palm on the Beach

Moving from a large space into a smaller space will be a challenge especially with all the "crap" we have.  Arvid refers to everything as crap hence the word.  What I would really like is enough closet space for my clothes, shoes and handbags:) that's the ideal set up for me.


The Symphony

Beach Condo

Arvid requires some view and at least 2 covered garage spaces.  For Brutus we would also like a space for him but with this downsizing that is looking not so good...oh well he will just have to sleep with us as he did in Chicago....

Can't wait to find a home ....

 Peace - that was the other name for home....Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.....














until next time.....

Oct 14, 2010

An Amazing Story....

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.......

The world watched in awe as an amazing story of resuce unfolded for those 33 miners trapped in Chile.  I can almost bet that there was not a single dry eyed person in the room as we all saw these miners being brought up to the surface after being trapped for 69 days (some for 70).....

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_mine_collapse

Both Arvid and I followed the story and we both got caught up in the drama and emotion that was unfolding live....imagine the reaction of their loved ones......

I don't personally know any of these miners nor their families yet when I think of the ordeal they went through and the pain and suffering it caused not only to their loved ones but also entire nations and the pouring out of help coming from all over the world it makes you realize all over again that people are good.  People no matter color, race, nationality nor religion can unite and form a bond in the face of suffering and despair.

Their story has touched me as it has millions of people out there.  It is a reminder to us of how fragile life is and that nothing should ever be taken for granted.  To all I say live your life to the fullest and enjoy each and every moment of it......Life is full of beauty.  Notice it.  Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.  Smell the rain, and feel the wind.  Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams......

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

until next time....


Oct 13, 2010

Movie Time....

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money...Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.....


This evening we did something relaxing and fun.  For a little while we forgot all about looking for a house.  We went to the movies.  Nothing unusual for most but, for us it is.

We went to this really awesome looking theater...MUVICO.  Looks like a diner from the 60's.
We saw the movie  Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.  We both really enjoyed the movie.   Briefly the movie summarizes like this:  Gordon Gekko (Mike Douglas), fresh from prison, re-emerges into a much harsher financial world than the one he left. He now has to play catch-up and redefine himself in a different era. He has to become relevant again.  But a young, idealistic investment banker learns the hard way that Gekko is still a major manipulator and if there's one place where you can redefine yourself, one place where your relevance is a deal away, it's Wall Street.
One of my favorite lines in this movie was "stop telling lies about me and I will stop telling the truth about you".   If you are in the mood for a couple of hours of good entertainmet see the movie....and a good quote for this movie would be....

Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game.

until next time...




Oct 12, 2010

Tired....Long Days....

A lot of people are tired around here, but I'm not sure we're ready to lie down, stretch out and fall asleep......


I am exhausted.  We have been on the go ever since we got here in Fort Lauderdale.  I sure miss those nice and relaxing days in Chicago.  Somehow our lifestyle in Florida is ALWAYS hectic...to the point of not being fun at times.

The days are long..long..long... when we get to the apartment we just want to sit down and not get up nor talk to anyone.

Hopefully we will soon have a more relaxed pace.  Looking forward to the weekend with hopefully nothing too exhausting and just some time for the two of us to relax and do something fun.....

Our best times are spent with just the 2 of us.  May sound selfish but we have lived alone for so long that when we go out in the weekend we just want to have a nice and peaceful time.

Don't get me wrong we also like going out with friends.....like we did last weekend but after a few hours some people tend to get a little carried away (way too drunk).....this I hate and then we leave.

Right now all we want is a quiet weekend, a good dinner out and a stroll along the beach.  The best part about being in the apartment  we are in is that it's the PERFECT location to EVERYTHING....beach, restaurant, shops etc.  Everything just steps away from us.  Just thinking of this is already making me feel better....:)


The only thing experience teaches you is what you can't do. When you start, you think you can do anything. And then you start to get a little tired......

until next time....

Oct 10, 2010

Busy But Having A Great Time....

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game....




Arvid, Brutus and I have now been in Florida for 4 days.  Four days filled with a little of everything...house hunting, furniture hunting, looking for flooring and you name it...we are doing it:)

I have to admit the process of finding a place to call our own has been filled with setbacks, disappointments and at the same time has been exciting....everything combined in one.

Most of our daytime hours are filled  with looking for our new home.  In between we browse furniture stores and in the evenings we stroll along the beach....

Yesterday evening we went to this very nice place on the beach for drinks and appetizers ($$$).....what a great time.

Right now it feels like we are on a vacation.....(Brutus is having a ball as usual).  We are out most of the day and at the beach in the evenings.....life is good and we are loving it.....

Beautiful don't you think?
If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.....

until next time....