Movie Review: Biloxi Blues

This adorable movie features a young Matthew Broderick and a much younger Christopher Walken. The film is sure to have you laughing out loud the whole way through. A little gem in its own right, Biloxi Blues is forgotten classic that was made just after Broderick's hit Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The story is about a young aspiring writer who heads off to boot camp in Mississippi late WWII era. Eugene Jermone, who is played by Broderick, manages to butt heads with army leutenient Sgt. Toomey almost first thing in the movie. The events to follow are delightful, as we get to see Eugene "grow up" in less than ideal circumstances. My rating: 4 out of a possible 5 stars!

Recipe variation of Art Eggertsen's Fruit and Nut Bars

Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chopped dates (fresh, not canned)
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp orange extract
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cardamom
1/2 c dried currants or other dried fruit. Dried cranberries work well, too.
1/2 chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds
1/2 granola or toasted oats
3/4 c peanut butter

1. Chop the dates and combine them with the maple syrup, vanilla, orange, salt and spices.
2. Stir in the currants, nuts, granola and peanut butter until consistent.
3. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Mold recipe into a ball and roll out the mixture until the thickness is about 1/2 inch.
4. Chill in freezer for 15 mins. Cut into bars.

A protein packed healthy treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth and sustain you for hours!

The Art of Meditation - You can do it anywhere

Most people might think they don't have time for meditation. That's not true! You can meditate just about anywhere. If you are at work, you can use a few minutes of your lunch break. If you are at home with kids, use their nap time. If you are surrounded by people all day, use the restroom!

Here is a simple meditation to clear your mind and relax you. Five minutes a day is all you need.

1. If possible, find a comfortable seated position. A cushion to sit on is nice but not necessary.
2. Close your eyes and notice the sounds around you. Is there a fan humming in the background or perhaps the faint sound of cars driving down the street? Whatever the sounds, notice them and then bring your attention to your breathing. Is your breathing heavy and shallow or is it calm? Focus on your breath only. Notice any thoughts that come to mind and greet them with non-judgment and let them go. Return your focus back to your breathing. Do this for five minutes. You will come out of it more relaxed. The better you get at doing this, the quicker you will be able to relax and less distracted you will be.

Movie Review: Raising Victor Vargas

Raising Victor Vargas is about a teenager growing up in less than ideal circumstances and forced to change his ideas of family and love in this cute little film that takes place on the Lower East Side. This is a feel good movie that will leave you simultaneously glad that you are not a teen anymore and also longing for your youth. Raising Victor Vargas is an intimate journey of a young man awkwardly embarking on his first love and finding what it means to be an example to his younger siblings. Torn between his strict Catholic upbringing and his adolescent desires, Victor is faced with a dichotomy of wanting to be accepted by his peers and his family, all the while trying to be true to himself.

The quality of the film is charming. The story feels real and the characters pull you in immediately. If you're in the mood for a little comedy, a little drama and a lot of heart, I recommend Raising Victor Vargas.

Good for the Soul and Your Relationship: Travel

Whether it is a week in the Bahamas or a week up north at the cabin, you need a vacation. We all do. Vacations are good for the soul and replenish life. I just took a vacation and I am already planning the next. Even if you only go somewhere once a year, having a trip planned is essential. I'll tell you why.

First of all vacations are healing. They give us a chance to "get away from it all". But, what are we getting away from? Well, for starters, most of us are creatures of habit. From day to day, we live in our little boxes and rarely venture far from the norm. We get up, eat, work, tend to the needs of others, maybe have thirty minutes to zone out in front of the TV and go to bed. Repeat. Humans are designed for growth and evolution. How can we possibly evolve without knowing another reality? Some of the most amazing and inspiring times of my life have been my fortunate travels to Latin America. Although, those trips are big and take planning and a little cash. But, if you're smart, you can travel cheap and get a more "local" experience. Check out http://www.couchsurfing.org/. And hey, if you have the money, what are you waiting for?! Work will always be there. But you will not! Remember this.

Looking for a little spice in your relationship? Or perhaps a chance to know your partner a little better? A vacation is the perfect way to do this. Especially a road trip. Knowing how you travel with someone is a good indicator of how your relationship will handle the rocky road of life. Furthermore, vacations put that spark back into a long term relationship. It is almost as if you had just started dating. Seeing your partner in a new light and experiencing what you can only experience on a trip creates a bond between you that will bring you closer. Try it; it works! Or if you have already forgotten what that feels like, then you definitely need a vacation. Planning a vacation with a loved one is a shared goal that you can both have fun planning for an anticipating.

So, are you booking your flight now? I hope so. There are some great deals out there right now. Be smart and travel safe!

Fun filled travel adventure stories await from yours truly. Stay Tuned.

PEACE!

Leaving the house without concealer...gasp!

I have been using Reviva products ever since I was 18 and worked in skin care sales. I have liked their eye firming serum since then, but recently they upgraded their line with better, more effective ingredients. I am currently loving Reviva's DMAE & Alpha Lipoic Acide & Vitamin C Ester Firming Eye Serum. What I really enjoy besides the fact that this stuff is ALL NATURAL is that it supplements my need for concealer. After washing my face in the morning, I dab a few drops underneath my eyes and on my lids, and I gently pat the serum to even the spread. And voala! The stuff actually works. Not only do I notice a lightening of my dark circles but I also notice a slight firming sensation and reduced baginess. I am not saying that my eyes feel like they are going to peel back behind my hairline, but the feeling is that of a gentle lift and rejuvination. I recommend!!

10 Free Things to do in the Twin Cities in the Summer

1) Walker Sculpture Gardens (and free admission to the art gallery Thursday nights)
2) Minneapolis Institute of Arts
3) Lake Harriet Bandshell concerts and Lake Harriet Rose Gardens/Japanese Garden
4) Taste of Minnesota concerts
5) Walking around any of the beautiful city lakes
6) Movies in the Park at Loring Park starting July 20th every Monday at dusk
7) Any one of the public tennis courts or volleyball courts in the cities
8) Nature Centers located in the cities and suburbs- great wildlife viewing and nature trails!
9) Gay Pride Parade in late June
10) Como Zoo in St. Paul