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I have to admit that February has been a difficult month.  I think all the frigid temps and snow are getting to me.  Depression has been setting in and then I eat everything in sight.  If it was just the snow, it wouldn't be so bad because then I could still get outside; I'm an "outdoors" person, I have to be able to see outside and be able to go out to either work or play...I just don't do well with staying in the house.  But when the snow stops, the frigid temperatures have been settling in - too cold for even me.

My husband bought a bag of potato chips and dip.  I admit that I've been dipping into it and boy, was it hard to restrain myself and not eat the entire bag in one sitting!  At first I tried to ignore that bag but it kept calling my name, so I gave in.  BUT I limited myself to just a handful with a small amount of dip for lunch with my whole wheat pita and tuna salad.  I like to think that they counteracted each other.  Probably not, but a handful was better than a whole bag.

The good news is that I stepped on the scale this morning and I haven't gained any weight, as I had feared.  So apparently I've been behaving myself more than I thought, which makes me feel better and lifts this depression a bit.  Now I just need to find a way to stay away from the chocolate cream pie my husband brought home for Valentine's Day!!!

I'm going to type fast today; it's absolutely freezing outside with the winds howling and the windchill temperatures hitting -45 degrees.  It's a sight to watch the snow swirl in the backyard, reshaping the snowdrifts and creating new worlds of white.  Our ducks, geese and chickens are hunkered down in their coop and the dogs don't even want to go out for their little bathroom breaks.

To stay warm I'm keeping myself busy in the kitchen and doing a bit of laundry; making some Banana Nut Bread this for breakfast - heating the kitchen up a bit with the warm oven - and now I have some Cheesey Potato Soup, with leftover pork and fresh green beans, going in the crockpot.  Neither one is good for my cholesterol, but I figured I'm allowed one "bad" day considering the weather outside!

 On days like today, when you are stranded in the house because of the weather, it's important to keep your spirits warm as well as your body.   Put your favorite movie in DVD player, make a good pot of soup and snuggle under the blankets with your family...it'll warm your soul.

Dinner last night was very good!   Not that the food was exceptional - just Grandma's Chicken Paprikash recipe, vegetables and bread; but it was that we had a table full of people.  Two of our three kids were home and a friend also joined us.  Comments on my husband's day at work, college papers, politcal comments and funny recollections were passed around along with plates of food.  It was great!  I'd forgotten how much I enjoy dinner with the family!

When my husband & I married, we decided that we would all sit for dinner.  Like most families, our kids were very active in school and we both worked full-time jobs (I worked 2 jobs for many years).  Sitting together for dinner was not easy and there were lots of nights that we ate late because of all the goings-on.  At first the kids grumbled and were embarassed when their friends came to visit because "no body else's parents make them do this", but when friends commented about how cool it was that we all talked about our day then it was okay with our kids too.  Suddenly they couldn't wait for dinner to tell their stories, they looked forward to it every night.  Even yesterday when my daughter arrived home from college, it was "where is everyone?  when's dinner?  I have stuff to tell you guys!"

Living a heart-healthy lifestyle isn't just about the food we eat or the exercise we get, it's also about how we live our lives.   We humans are social creatures.  People who spend the majority of their time alone, not taking with others, become depressed.  Studies show that laughter is an excellent healer; it gives us a wonderful boost, helping us to face our problems with a smile.  It makes us feel good about ourselves and when that happens we take better care of our bodies.  It has also been shown that children who regularily spend time with their parents do better in school and are less likely to use drugs.  What better way to do all this than by gathering around the dinner table?!

I know it's not easy to do.  Getting your kids to sit together at the table can be like herding cats - everyone has their own agenda, but the benefits are unbelievable...and food served up with family and lively conversations seems to taste better too!

This is going to be a really short blog, but I wanted to remind everyone to keep exercising...

After about a week of single digit and below-zero temps, we're finally having a nice day.  I took advantage and spent some time outdoors...I shoveled part of the driveway and walkway, then went snowshoeing (did about 1-1/2 miles).   I wore  myself out but the exercise felt good.  Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer; I'm hoping to get a couple 5-mile walks in this week before the temperatures plummet again.

I know it's hard to go outside when it's cold, and it's oh-so-nice to stay snuggled in the house,  but doing some extra activity is just what your body and mind need to keep the winter-blues away!