Is it just me? – Page 5 – The View from Lajeune

20 Things I do not want to give up in 2020

With the arrival of Lent it got me thinking of what I would like to give up this year. But before I get to that, here are 20 things I do not want to give up in 2020 (in no particular order):

Kombucha – I discovered this delish drink during Dry January at the beginning of the year when I was purposely seeking out cool refreshing drinks with a kick (smile). Kombucha hit the spot and the fact that it is Gluten Free and Dairy Free is an added bonus.

Red Wine – It’s no surprise that this one made my list before: 9 things I do not want to give up in 2019. My new favorite reds are Pinots and my new favorite Pinot (discovered on my recent trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL) is Meiomi.

Kickboxing – I joined the specialty gym I Love Kickboxing this month because I needed something that was going to challenge me and kick my butt all at the same time (smile). So far…so good.

Golf – It’s still cold here in New England (at least for another month or so) but once it warms up I will be back with my ladies hitting the links in Golf Fore Women 401.

Hot Green Tea – I like to order hot green tea when I eat in or out of a Japanese restaurant. It not only tastes good but it’s extremely good for you.

Speaking of Japanese, I def do not want to give up Sushi this year, it’s become a regular part of my bi-monthly cuisine and just thinking of it makes me want to call in an order or two (smile).

Love me some sushi with edamame and hot green tea – delish!

Staycations – what a novel idea – discovering fun things to do in your own state. I feel like when we staycate in Connecticut the time to go back to work moves slower (smile). Check out my blog post: Vacay in CT

Bikini Waxes – Summer is not the only time to get a bikini wax (Vacays count too!) and Tommy K’s Wax Center offers your first bikini line for free, if you are a first time customer – check out my blog post: Brazilian bikini wax for my Mexico vacay!

Blueberry Ale – I’ve never been a big beer drinker but Elm City Market in New Haven has this delish brand from Wachusett Brewing Company that tastes more like something you eat than drink.

Oysters – I can eat this delicacy any season of the year but I have to admit that they taste infinitely better in the Summer than they do in the Winter.

Homemade Soups – I love soups made from scratch especially in the Winter so I’m truly enjoying the likes of homemade Lentil, Split Green Pea, Red Kidney Bean, 16 Bean Soup and more~

Candles – I like burning things in a safe way (smile) so scented candles are high on the list – check out my blog post: Put your slippers on….

Bananas – I buy and eat bananas on a daily basis as the potassium and fiber help me out during super intense workouts – and I buy organic so I don’t have to worry about pesticides.

Salad – This was on my list before because it is also something I can eat any time of the year (as long as it contains protein). Cafe Java in New Haven has my all time fave Bosco Salad which I probably eat at least once a week…

Love me some Bosco Salad at Cafe Java in New Haven, CT

Spinach and Mozzarella Pie – New Haven, CT has the best Spinach and Mozzarella Pizza I have ever eaten – I love veggie pizza and this does it for me!

Edamame – Steamed lightly salted soybeans are my favorite appetizer before a japanese meal. They are high in protein and fiber and relatively low in calories so for me they are an obvious snacking choice.

Trail Mix – I might have hiked maybe once, maybe twice in my lifetime but if you saw me eating raw trail mix you might think I was an avid hiker (smile).

Sirius (XM) radio – I love listening to music and happen to have eclectic tastes so my satellite radio (at just $6.99 a month) puts Terrestrial radio to shame and keeps me entertained (smile).

Netflix TV and Movies – I just love the original content of the re-occuring Series on this channel as well as the Movies. It takes binge watching to a whole ‘nother level for me…

My Iphone – I won’t leave the house without it, I won’t sit still anywhere without it nearby, I won’t rest knowing that it needs re-charging, am I addicted (the answer is a resounding YES!! Check out this blog post: An Apple a day…

Sincerely,

TVFL

Fun Things to do in Connecticut – Part III

There’s lots to do in the state of Connecticut during the Summer, especially when the weather is cooperating. It is truly ‘hotter than July’ so there is really no need to travel anywhere, we have sun filled days and long nights right here in CT (smile).

Here is a short list of annual events that occur in the Summer months and involve food, fun, music, festivities, entertainment and more! The good news is that most are free to attend and some even offer free parking.

A Taste of Mystic (New London County)

This annual event takes place at the Olde Mistick Village (OMV) around the second weekend in June (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) and involves food and drinks, live bands, loads of entertainment, merchant specials and more!

Admission is free (parking is also free). To participate in The Taste you buy sleeves of tickets for $1.00 each to be exchanged for food and drinks from the vendors.

Joyce Reskinoff the owner of Olde Mistick Village being interviewed by News 8’s own Co-Chief Meteorologist Joe Furey

And the OMV Merchants offer money-saving specials as well! Here’s a PSA: Be sure to support these Connecticut based small businesses.

Garden Specialties

UNA

Bestemors Imports

Franklins

Smiths Boutique

Kitch

Sticky Situations

Munsons Chocolates

New Haven Music on the Green (New Haven County)

In New Haven the unofficial start to Summer kicks off with Music on the Green!

Ryan Kristofer and Teresa DuFour of CT Style along with Jo Jo Pastors and her gf on the New Haven Green

In Summers past we have been entertained (in our VIP seats) by such notable acts as Ronnie Spector, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne, KC and the Sunshine Band and En Vogue, just to name a few.

And this year we had the pleasure of seeing Lisa Lisa on Saturday 7/20/19 and Morris Day on Saturday 7/29/19!

Morris Day is 61 years young – a real talent for sure!

The Hamden Free Summer Concert Series (New Haven County)

Beginning late June on Friday nights at 6pm at the Hamden Town Center Park, live bands play to diverse crowds made up of singles, couples, families, dogs and more! This free annual outdoor event truly features something for everyone. There’s no VIP but at the same time there is truly not a bad seat in the house. And if you come hungry you can feast off of the nearby food trucks or better yet, pack your own picnic complete with adult beverages. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and make a space on the lawn as happy people jam to the music.

Plenty of room at the free Hamden Summer Concert Series at the Hamden town green. Long lines at the ethnically diverse food trucks

This year (2019) on Week 4 The Wailers, featuring Julian Junior Marvin, delighted the Friday night crowd.

The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz (Hartford County)

Jazz is alive and well outdoors at the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz at Bushnell Park in Hartford! This free annual event takes place over an entire weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) in mid July. There are food and retail clothing vendors and folks completely covering the Bushnell park lawn with their blankets, lawn chairs, coolers and sun umbrellas. Big screen TVs on both sides of the stage ensure that everyone gets a decent view. It’s a thing!

The line-up of jazz musicians is awesome and the party lasts all day long and well into the night.

Having a blast in Hartford – jazz is everywhere – love the energy here!

Although this is a free event donations are gladly accepted…

New London Sailfest (New London County)

This coastal city comes alive during the Summer with its signature event, the New London Sailfest!

July is the month and the entire mid-month weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) offers something for all family members.

From tall ships to face painting to patriotic costumes and more, there is truly something for everyone.

Speaking of which, there are amusement park rides, face painting, delicious food options plus sailboat and people watching.

The food, the rides, the atmosphere, the fireworks at night…

So that’s my short list of fun things to do during Summers in Connecticut – Staycate and enjoy!

Sincerely,

TVFL

Summer Love

I’m that girl who happens to love the change of seasons that living in New England affords me…However, if April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, what do May showers bring?!?

That’s the $64,000 question in Connecticut today as we head into the 2nd week of May and those pesky intermittent April showers trail right behind us…

Why do I care? Well for one I simply cannot seem to decide what to wear to work anymore – should I wear dark clothes to reflect the dim and gloomy skies or light clothes in anticipation of brighter days?

And this iffy weather is even affecting down time on the weekends: our grass is growing like wildfire so our lawnmower service cannot keep up!

But being the eternal optimist that I am, I try real hard not to take it too seriously, i.e., let it affect my mood but sometimes I’m not successful…

So here’s the glass half-full point of view: Have you taken a look outside lately?!? All of that icky persistent rain this past month and a half has turned the bare brown ugliness of Winter into a beautiful Green paradise.

And wait, there’s more: Summer! One of my fave seasons is only about 6 weeks away. I have a lot to look forward to…

Early sunrises and late sunsets…

Carefree Summer work clothes with open-toed sandals

Weekend Golf lessons with my female Golf mates

And a promise to not complain when it’s too hot outside (smile).

Sincerely,

TVFL

My Clean Living Life Part VI

As anyone who regularly reads TVFL knows, this girl has been blogging about taking care of her health and well being for the past several years. It was precipitated 8 years ago when I was diagnosed with colon cancer: Check out my blog post: A Place of Desert…(almost) 4 years cancer free So it should come as no surprise to anyone that my most shared blog post, My clean living life… is up to Part Six. Namely because health and wellness is something that I (and apparently others in or not in my age group) struggle with. And I’m not ashamed to write about it. However, don’t get me wrong, if I could wave a magic wand and become the healthiest girl alive overnight, I would’ve been there done that soooo many years ago (smile).

As is stands, working out at the Edge Fitness Center 5 mornings a week, eating clean and healthy, getting the proper ZZZs at night and imbibing only on the weekends can get old (smile).

Especially when you work on 100 percent commission in a pressure-cooker environment each and every weekday…

But I’m not one to throw a pity party for too long…I like to look on the bright side of life. For instance, my quest for good health and wellness affords me the following rewards: a brighter, sunnier disposition, faster metabolism, increased energy and overall improved health.