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KICK in the TUSH Club™
for light-hearted, low-cal loving, nutritional friendly folks who crave mammoth portions of food-facts, recipes, art and inspiration.
July 25, 2005
Our Lady of Weight Loss ™®
is a division of Oy-Caramba! Ltd.
"When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat"
~ Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910)
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faToid
Early explorers used watermelons as canteens. |
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Motivational Musings
Watermelon Straight-Up
What is watermelon?
Dig it - the watermelon is neither a fruit nor a melon. (I'm shocked. Next thing you know, they'll be telling us that the world isn't round.)
Watermelon's official name is Citrullus lanatu, and it is a member of the botanical family Curcurbitacae; and it is a vegetable. Go know!!!! It is related to the cucumbers, pumpkins and squash families. Watermelons are native to the Kalahari desert of southern Africa and were introduced to America by Africans transported as slaves.
Fresh watermelons may be eaten just as they are, used to flavor summer drinks, or in a variety of recipes. (One of my favorite summer recipes is below.)
The watermelon's exterior rind is smooth and its interior fruit is red, deliciously sweet and very juicy, and its colors and pattern are worth noting for any art project! Very inspirational.
Do you know what a hard watermelon is?
A hard watermelon is a watermelon that has had a hole pierced into it and hard liquor poured through that hole. The alcohol mixes with the juicy red fruit. You can then cut yourself a slice as you normally would. For adults only, of course, and in moderation!
Is Watermelon a healthy choice? You bet!
Congrats to the Watermelon for receiving the “heart healthy” seal of approval from the American Heart Association and for being the leader in lycopene among fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is known to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Watermelon is also loaded with Vitamins A, B6 and C, is low in sodium, fat-free, low in calories and is 92% water! A 2-cup serving of watermelon is only 80 calories. That’s twice as much bang for your buck as most fruit!
What are the benefits of Vitamins A, B6 and C?
The vitamin A found in watermelon can help to prevent night blindness and it gives a boost to the infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.
The vitamin B6 that used by the body to produce neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which we all know by know make us feel good, help to alleviate anxiety and panic.
And the Vitamin C can boost the immune system's resistance against infections and viruses. Once again, those free radicals chances of aging us or creating cataracts are diminished.
Tasty Tidbit ~ How to Pick A Watermelon:
Your watermelon should be firm, symmetrical and free of bruises, cuts and dents.
Pick it up and make sure it's heavy. Yeah baby, since watermelon is 92% water, it should be heavy for its size.
Take a look at its underside. A creamy yellow spot marks where it sat on the ground naturally ripened in the sun!
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Guiltless Joy!
LINKS:
Lycopene, the full story.
Manfred Mann sings "WaterMelon Man." . . . Everyone digs WaterMelon Man!
Fun and Fabulous Watermelon Facts.
Righteous Recipe ™~ Watermelon Gazpacho - This (mildly) spicy soup is delicious. I made it for my Saturday gathering (see this week's Blog - Saturday entry), and it was a huge hit.
Ingredients:
• 8 cups cubed seeded watermelon
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ½ cup finely chopped green pepper
• 2 teaspoons fresh (if at all possible) basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
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Instructions:
In blender, puree watermelon with 1/4 cup of onion and pepper; pour into large mixing bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients (the other 1/3 cup of onion and pepper. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour to blend flavors.
Makes 4-6 servings.
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Want to whip up another dish?
Send Our Lady your favorite recipe! Keep them easy, low-cal and FUN.
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Pious Project™ - Thin Flops - 
Thin Flops for the spa, beach or just for lounging in your home.
One of my private weight loss clients is going on vacation and is concerned about shifting into the crazy-out-of-control-I'm- on-vacation-fantasy- mode-where there are no points, grams, or calories in anything! Temptation is bad enough in real-life - never mind vacation.
We came up with the idea of making "Thin Flops." Thin Flops are functional 'wearable art' that serve as a great anchor. All she needs to do is look down, and she will be reminded of her weight loss / healthy eating goals.
Supplies Needed:
One pair of rubber flip flops.
Glue Gun.
Plastic flowers, toys, anything and everything that has meaning to you and if it should get wet, will remain in tact.
We used plastic flowers, plastic burgers, hot dogs and one plastic lady in a diving pose.
We went on a fun shopping expedition to a local 99 cent store. We spent an hour shopping. That's an hour out of the kitchen and an hour walking and thinking about creative acts of weight loss.
Instructions:
Play with your flowers and toys. Lay out a pattern.
Heat up your glue gun and get busy.
Caution: Glue guns get really hot. I keep a tray of ice nearby. If a bit of the hot stuff hits my fingers, they go right into the ice. Please, be careful and hot glue guns are not to be used near or by children.
Coffee Talk (lose the cake) Something to chew over (solo or with friends).
This Week's Topic ~ A Kick in the Tush Club member told me that confessing her food 'sins' made all the difference. As soon as she confessed, she was able to gracefully jump back on the wagon. The power of the spoken word is amazing. Set thyself free. Don't hold it in. Tell a friend and/or Our Lady of Weight Loss and move on.
Talk Amongst Yourselves.
Fruitful Contest - I suspect that we all know Sara Lee and Betty Crocker - intimately! Nevertheless, one of them is actually a real person; the other fictional. Name the fictional cake maker. Is it - A) Sara Lee or B) Betty Crocker?
RULES: The 18th to enlighten Our Lady wins an Our Lady of Weight Loss prize! (Sometimes people send in their answers within minutes - even seconds - of each other. Our Lady declares them all winners!)
Write Our Lady.
Last week's Fruitful query: There are superstitious beliefs about the nightshade family. It is said that they're toxic and may harm our immune system. Which one of the following is NOT part of the nightshade family:
A) Potatoes, B) Tomatoes, C) Peppers, D) Eggplant or E) Zucchini? - The answer is Zucchini.
The winners are: Melissa from Hugoton, KS and Donna from Ligonier, IN
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Chewing the Fat -
How you doin'? Write Our Lady.
If you've written and your letter has not been published, it's probably coming down the pike and will be in next week's KICK or the week after! NOTE: If your letter and/or Weighty Confession and/or Righteous Recipe are published, you will receive an Our Lady of Weight Loss prize! Be sure to send your mailing address with your email.
Dear OLofWL, Since the beginning of December, I have lost nearly 50 pounds (with a bunch more to go). Even though I have gotten so far, I have been yo-yoing for about a month, losing and gaining the same 3 pounds. I am scared that I am dangerously near the edge of the wagon but am determined not to fall off! I appreciate your weekly cheering, since I definitely need the weekly kick in my tush! ~ PrixMadonna
Dear PrixMadonna, The Our Lady of Cheerleaders are cheering you on, for sure (see below). You can do it. One of the most important aspects of weight loss is being able to see or experience yourself as a thinner person - a successful weight loss loser. So, please - close your eyes and imagine what it feels like to be back on the wagon, for the fat to be burnin' off you and leaving a trail behind you (don't slip). Imagine what it feels like to reach that next level of pounds be gone. Note any feelings of defeat and turn them around. Even if you don't fully believe it, take a few minutes every day to imagine it. The day will come when your vision will become your reality. The new you will fully emerge. ~ OLofWL
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Dear OLofWL, Your newsletters are so much fun and so inspiring. I am signing my divorce papers this week and your uplifting news has been a Godsend. I am no longer a second class citizen. I am worthy of love, admiration, and respect. I am not discarded, but I am free to be me, finally! ~ Free to Be Me
Dear Free to Be Me, Congratulations on taking control of your life. Your note is filled with empowering thoughts and affirmations. You are most worthy, my friend, of all that you want. Grab it, take it, it's yours. ~ OLofWL
Forgive me, for I have sinned.
I have lost my drive (but unfortunately not the taste for sinful food) and feel rather lack luster. Bless me, Our Lady, for I am trying not to fall into temptation! (I only wish my snake were only offering an apple! Mine comes equipped with much higher calorie laden demons!)
All is Forgiven * Move On.
Send your confession to info@ourladyofweightloss.com.
No Names - Strictly Anonymous
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The Art of Weight Loss Workshops
Six Week Workshop ~
Gain insight into your inner Weight Loss Artist ™ while steadily shedding pounds.
When it comes to permanent fat removal, thinking outside of the donut box is key! New six week workshop forming now.
Six Weeks of Inspirational Weight Loss via USPS Mail ~ Revolutionary Concept!!! Very cool, inspirational, art-filled stuff! Motivational, inspirational and fun!
For more info... click here or contact: info@ourladyofweightloss.com
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The Our Lady of Weight Loss CHEERLEADERS
Mary Ann is a 20 lb. loser! 3 more pounds this week! Wowweeee.
Cheers to Jan, the Queen of Reinvention.
PrixMadonna - Keep it goin'! You CAN do it.
You can do it. If Janice can, seriously, you can too!
Send OUR LADY of WEIGHT LOSS your name, handle, initials (identify yourself in some way, please), and we'll all cheer you on.
Let's all clap and root for each other! Cheering can be healing. Send an email to: Cheer On!
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The KICK in the TUSH Club provides a weekly reminder in the form of an Art-KICK for those who wish to anchor themselves to their weight loss and/or health goals (or for those who need to satisfy their craving for a quirky kick). It's fun, fab and fat-free. Sign-up now (there's no charge). Click here! Our Lady. (Or send an email to: info@OurLadyofWeightLoss.com) and say, "YES! I need a KICK in the TUSH.
Volume II, KICK #28™©
Janice Taylor
www.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com™®
a Division of Oy-Caramba, Ltd!
Interested in reprinting the KICK in the TUSH or licensing the art?
Contact: info@ourladyofweightloss.com
Our Lady of Weight Loss has been recommended by:
The New York Daily News, The Arizona Republic Newspaper, SKIRT! Magazine,
Energy Express, Tribune Media Co., Herbs for Health, Good Housekeeping, First for Women,
Family Circle and Good Morning America.
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Disclaimer: This column is for information only and no part of its contents should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, recommendation or endorsement by Our Lady of Weight Loss, Oy-Caramba, Ltd! or Ms. Taylor.
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