#36 HOT OVER 40! HOT HEADED BABE 10/31/12

OH, NO YOU DI'NT!

OK SO ITS HALLOWEEN, A TIME FOR TRANSFORMATIONS AND WEARING COSTUMES CHOSEN TO REFLECT ONE'S ALTER EGO'S, SELF IMAGE, INTERESTS OR JUST PLAIN WISHFUL THINKING...
A GOOD TIME TO THROW SOME EGGS AROUND TOO.
SNARKS 'n SNOOTERS BE- AWARE!

I UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE WHO FEEL THE NEED TO FEEL SUPERIOR ARE REALLY JUST MASKING THEIR DEEP INSECURITIES....  

USUALLY I CAN OVER LOOK SUCH BLATANT  IMMATURITY.
(can we get past highschool? really!)
HOWEVER AT TIMES, AS DAD ADVISED, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A STAND.
Bad behavior is bad behavior-this ain't the stage its real life.
(I am a Bronx gal - we don't take crap from anybody)

The snide aside can be overheard.
HAHAHA, QVC, HOHOHO, BRAZIL WHAT LIFT? TEEHEEHEE.   HMMMMM........
YOU WANT TO LAUGH? DISPARAGE? MOCK?
I GAINED WEIGHT BECAUSE I HAD CANCER AND HAD A HYSTERECTOMY SO WITHOUT OVARIES - I BALLOONED 40 lbs.IN 2 MONTHS! That's how my body reacted to zero hormones.

I don't need sympathy just maturity. Jeez, get a life will ya!

IT TOOK ME 7 YEARS TO DISCOVER HOW TO LOSE THE FINAL 25 lbs. AFTER ONLY BEING ABLE TO LOSE 15 ON MY OWN.
THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND. 7 YEARS
I wasn't a potato chip munching coucher either. I was really trying.
NOT 2 OR 4 MONTHS
BUT 2,555 DAYS OF HAVING TO GET DRESSED, DISLIKING THE IMAGE THAT WAS REFLECTED BACK AT ME. (perhaps, privately you can relate?)
It affected my work opportunities and my interactions with people.
 
I WAS EXERCISING AND EATING HEALTHILY SO I THOUGHT I WAS DOING ALL THE RIGHT STUFF. I WASN'T.
BECAUSE MY ENTIRE CONSTITUTION  HAD CHANGED.
I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF IN A DIFFERENT WAY.  A MUCH MORE INTENSE, VIGOROUS, DISCIPLINED WAY LIKE NEVER BEFORE. 
I NOW REALIZED I COULD TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED.
Not one "ok a forkful", not one " I want to sleep in today," not one " I am just too, too busy."  Now none of that was - or still is - allowed.

BRAZIL BUTTLIFT CAME INTO MY LIFE AND VIA DILIGENCE,  AND LEARNING WHAT I NOW NEEDED TO DO, (WITHOUT THOSE HORMONES taken waaaaaaay before my time),
PLUS ALOT OF COMPASSION FROM LEANDRO (& Lara - she's low profile but pivotal too) 
I DID IT. I GOT BACK TO BELONGING TO MYSELF.

It was, and will always be, alot of hardwork however, I am so glad I found that avenue; so I don't appreciate anyone trying to make less of it. It takes commitment and discipline on a daily basis.  How many individuals can attest to that?
 
So, yes, the name might sound funny. Heck it is!  Saturday Night Live could have a blast with it...... I hope they do one day. I could be the butt of the joke. With pleasure!
Oh, and let me remind you I CAN CLIMB 20 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS as a cardio warmup - and do it 4 more times in a row ---- for the nay sayers, "can you?"

"Maybe somebody was cruel to you
So you think that's what you're supposed to do
One day, it might be you
When you need a friend, but you no longer cool  ....." (Rachel Crow)

And now that my "oh no you did'nt" moment has passed,  (its better to enunciate,afterall) if you feel poofy, bloated & out of shape - contact me.  I am always willing to help out. 

             I wish you LOVE AND GREAT JOY. JOANNA


oh and I do some really crazy ear tricks too...got me my first commercial with that ability. Sure it's not Chekhov, but a nice check nonetheless. Who would have thunk it?

HALLOWEEN and HOLIDAY EATING TIP:
don't deny, indulge but with only 1 or 2 candies --- Three Musketeers in small size can fit the chocolate craving, along with KitKats --- not too fattening or calorie laden compared to other candy treats.  Apple slices covered with cinnamon work well too.

more info:
IMDB www.imdb.me/joannabonaro

#18 HOT OVER 40! HIGHLAND HIGH TEA & HIKING AMIDST THE HEATHER 3/1/12

SCOTTISH ROMANCE

ROAMING THE MOORS,
 ROBERT BURNS &
ROBUST INDIVIDUALITY 
(Part 2)

Heather Tea at The Balmoral

I had the great opportunity to travel to Scotland recently.  This is a country with a unique culture and people who are creative, authentic and unique. You can learn a heck of alot from a Scot! 
We stayed at The Balmoral, in Edinburgh, a wonderful hotel overlooking the river with a grand view of the Edinburgh Castle Battlements. 

Yes, this was my view. Spend a day walking uphill to the main 12thc Chapel and you have earned the right to eat a hearty lunch.  

We toured with one of the friendliest, nicest, down-to-earth woman I have ever had the honor to meet.  Her name is Helen Fraser, and she runs
Afternoon Tea Tours.

http://www.afternoonteatours.co.uk/

We discovered Helen and her wonders because we wanted to experience a Scottish High Tea.  The tea and scones in Scotland
rival the ones from London. 

High Tea at Cringletie House w/ Helen!

I highly recommend Highland Tea, and Heather Tea.  Satisfying, sweet and with a touch of lemon a truly satisfying low calorie late nite treat.  But for special occasions, a Highland Tea of warm scones, homemade jams, cucumber sandwiches, and just a few wee cookies during a rainy day, fulfills all your needs. Especially when you are with your favorite guy! 

We began our journey with a wish for tea, and ended with a wonderful, warm friend. She embodies what Scottish charm and sensibility are all about. No Hollywood slickness, nor smarmy commercialism here.   Just real concern that we, her charges, did all we set out to do and more - Helen, once she discovers what you like - makes time for unexpected and delightful adventures. We frequented many castles, toured turrets, discovered exuberant gardens, meandered through mazes in the sunshine and rain,

 and drove towards, a hurricane so that we could explore the heather filled Highlands.  A mere hurricane didn't bother Helen at all.  We drove right behind it. Sublime. (She also loves to explore and walk so we kept pace very well indeed. I even got out and ran along the car down a long castle bound roadway.  I was getting too antsy sitting.) 

Now since this blog is about fitness too, I will tell you that walking the Moors, amidst the heather is a great way to not only build your appetite, but also to burn those calories.  Surrounded by an astounding array of hills, mountains, ravines and every shade of green, one can understand why the Scots are known for their robust, hardy constitutions, and their hearty sense of humour.

Glen Coe trails and Heather!

I think they embody individualism.  This is the country that gave birth to genius, Alexander McQueen. In fact, on our way to a wonderful mountain folly, at Glen Coe, hiking uphill to view the raging waterfalls, we passed a man with a homemade walking stick, white unruly hair, and a trusty dog who muttered in the Highland way, "aye" as way of greeting without stopping.   (the man not the dog!)
A serendipitously authentic Scottish experience.  He could have come out of central casting.  Alas, asking him to stop for a photo op seemed completely out of the question.

It is a bit hard to find salads and steamed veggies in Scotland.  A request for egg white omelettes warrants blank stares.  These people like hearty food. Yet, they stay thin - must be all the hiking.  Helen, however, did her best to scout out places where I could imbibe lemon heather tea to my hearts content along with steaming vegetable soups.  The bread here is outstanding so, yes, I indulged.  One small whole grain roll eaten mid-day, so fresh and delicious, was worth it. Tasty, filling and healthy. 
You must eat at Angels with Bagpipes restaurant on the Royal Mile.  http://www.angelswithbagpipes.uk.com/   A new, modern hip restaurant that won't break the budget with authentic Scottish fare and the best salmon to be had in town. 
I know, for I ate fresh, grilled fish every single night, in various restaurants. (though, I had to ask for it to be grilled, no butter, with lemon)

Shopping is wonderful too. One can find very reasonable cashmere sweaters, scarves and gloves along The Royal Mile. 
Blue Collar Babes crave cashmere. Right gals?!
For very fashionable fare, I highly recommend  ArkAngel and Felon Boutique  http://www.arkangelandfelon.com/  
Owned by a Fashion Stylist for major fashion shows, shoots, and stars.  This woman knows how to pick out the trends, showcase the hottest new designers,  and present them in a lovely, intimate shop.  Situated in the "newer" hip sections of Edinburgh. New York has nothing on her!

I plan to spend Hogmanay (celebrating the New Year with bagpipes and scotch) there one day very soon.  The Scots love to dance, hence, the Scottish jig.... but there always seems to be a reason to dance and sing, and I for one think they actually out-do the Italians.  It is quite romantic. 

And of course, there is Robert Burns and his Ode to the Lasses. 
Best lines see highlighted below!

GREEN GROW THE RASHES        by Robert Burns

Green grow the rashes, O! Green grow the rashes, O! The sweetest hours that e'er I spend, Are spent amang the lasses, O! There's nought but care on every han' In every hour that passes, O; What signifies the life o' man, An 'twere na for the lasses, O? The warl'ly race may riches chase, An' riches still may fly them, O; An' though at last they catch them fast, Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O. But gi'e me a canny hour at e'en, My arms about my dearie, O, An' warl'ly cares an' warl'ly men May a' gae tapsalteerie, O! For you sae douce, ye sneer at this, Ye're nought but senseless asses, O; The wisest man the warl' e'er saw, He dearly loved the lasses, O. Auld Nature swears the lovely dears Her noblest work she classes, O; Her 'prentice han' she tried on man, An' then she made the lasses, O.

The Waterfalls at Glen Coe & Helen's surprise!

TRAVEL TIP  -----   go to Trip Advisor.com  --- you will see your fellow travelers rating people, places and sites.  Trustworthy, impartial, its all about personal experience and honest opMore info click onto



IMDB www.imdb.me/joannabonaroinions.

Oh and for the record, these are my personal endorsements - I don't get anything for them.  Part of the plan to pay it forward whenever you can.  The best part of giving is not expecting to receive. Just do it freely, but you Blue Collar Gal Hotties already know that don't you?  We are a great bunch!



#17 HOT OVER 40! MARILYN MONROE SIZZLE & SMARTS! 2/25/12

More info click onto



IMDB www.imdb.me/joannabonaro

Real vs Reel Beauty 
Yes! Marilyn knew the difference.

Sizzle + Smarts = 
Sensational  

 

My favorite Marilyn photo - with a BOOK!

Since this is a blog about beauty, image and the pressures society puts on women to look gorgeous no matter the circumstances, I harken back to Marilyn. Why? Well she did re-invent herself.  She was her own creation.  And creating one's own rennaissance whether it be through fitness or schooling, or relationships, or just a new pair of jeans is what this blog is about.  Creating a life and look that makes you happy,  gives one confidence, and authenticity - that is what I would hope for you. Because you are doing it for yourself, not to be selfish and narcissistic, but to be happy and healthy and fulfilled.
You deserve it.  
Marilyn was often misunderstood, however she was a brilliant actress and business woman.  A woman before her time who fought for her beliefs, and the rights of others.
I think if she could have continued to withstand the pressures of fame, stardom and her own personal demons, she would have been a true aging beauty.  
A role model on how to age with grace and style. 
With a face that moved and continued to move us too!

A true iconoclast. A forerunner. Trailblazer.

"For decades, irresponsible biographers like Norman Mailer have represented Marilyn Monroe as nothing more than weak, psychotic, junkie, nymphomaniac, idiot. I have tried to read her life in a different way. True, Marilyn was sometimes mired in the ideology of the past: she married men to gain an identity she wished for herself; she was over-reliant on her sexuality for success in her career. But, at the same time, she displayed real agency by divorcing three unsupportive husbands who interfered with her career and her self-esteem, by fighting for her modeling and film success, by continuing to perfect her art by taking acting classes long after she was a big star, by battling Darryl Zanuck to have more control over her own destiny, by starting her own production company, by buying her own home, even by jogging through service alleys, lifting weights, and wearing jeans. All of these things were accomplished six years before the first feminist protest at the Miss American Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and eight years before the First Congress to unite Women in New York."   (Excerpted from http://www.americanpopularculture.com/)

INSIGHT FOR THE DAY:

MARILYN JOGGED AND USED WEIGHTS BEFORE THE BOOM OF THE FITNESS CRAZE, GYMS, TRAINERS AND EXERCISE GURUS ---- SO FOLLOW HER EXAMPLE ---

YOU CAN TRANSFORM YOURSELF THROUGH DILIGENCE AND DEDICATION.  And no it ain't easy, however, eventually it will actually become fun.  Trust me. I know.
UPCOMING BLOGS ON VARIOUS EXERCISE STRATEGIES DURING SLUMPS, MALAISE & INJURIES.   

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, COMMENTS, READERSHIP, CURIOSITY, CARING, SHARING.

CHOOSE HAPPINESS - EVEN DURING DURESS.
IT WON'T CHANGE THINGS ALOT, BUT PERHAPS, IT WILL CHANGE HOW YOU DEAL WITH IT.

if you are new to this blog and want some background on my philosophies and life after cancer IN A BIKINI   see blogs #1,2,3,6,8,10 &14