I can’t believe it’s been five years since Lucas and I moved down to Central Florida from Syracuse, NY. We left the snow capital of the world:

And moved to the Sunshine State:

Upgrade! Of course, Florida has hurricanes (four in a row, the same summer we moved here), big-ass cockroaches, a hotbed of Republican activity and other things I’d rather not have to deal with. And, we have heat like you would not believe. Hot. Searing. Humid. Sweaty. Sticky. Gross. Heat.

Sometimes, when I step outside during the summer, the humidity takes my breath away — I feel my chest getting tight, then relaxing, as if I’m boarding the space shuttle and heading to outer space. And so, between April and September, you can find me, Lucas and our boys in once place. The pool.

Okay, truth be told — I needed to test out our video camera this weekend, and figured these guys would make a good subject. Aren’t they cute?

I’ll be getting a bit of a break from the smokin’ hot Florida weather this weekend, at the Healthy Living Summit. It’s in Boston, my hometown! I always assumed I’d end up somewhere in New England after college, but my career path veered south. I still think I’ll get back north at some point, and although I don’t get to visit my parents as often as I’d like, when I do get up, it’s always a blast.

Plus, I get my fill of my OTHER favorite boys:

Although, if they don’t start playing better, I’m going to be forced to do this:

Sorry, folks, it’s something in the water. We’re born this way.

Not much food stuff to talk about tonight … I’m doing my best to follow strict clean eating principles right now, because I’ve noticed my pants getting a leeeeettle too tight. Maybe more than a little. Noticed the ol’ zipper fly losing a battle with gravity yesterday. Time to get back to goal.

So what does it mean? Here’s the explanation from founder Tosca Reno’s Web site:

What is Eating Clean?

Eating Clean is treating your body right.

It is eating the way nature intended. You eat the foods our bodies evolved to function best on, and that makes you feel – and look – fantastic. When you Eat Clean you eat more often. You will eat lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. These practices keep your blood-sugar levels stable and keep you satisfied. The best part is that if you need to lose weight it will happen almost without you having to try. And yes, you can have a treat now and again.

Best of all, Eating Clean keeps you feeling great and full of energy. In fact, you can forget all about the days when “dieting” meant feelings of hunger, lethargy or deprivation.

Eating Clean is not a fad; it’s a way of life. When you Eat Clean your body will react by losing weight if you need to lose, maintaining a healthy weight if that’s where you are, and even gaining weight if you are too skinny. But regardless of whether you want to lose, maintain or gain, you will feel better than you ever have before.

Never worry about counting calories again. You will never have to diet. Eating Clean will keep you lean and healthy for the rest of your long life. Eating Clean guarantees results!

Hype? Meh. When you eat clean, you try and eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. You stay away from processed or refined foods, and all artificial sweeteners. You don’t count calories, you just try and watch portion size.

It’s easy … delicious … and isn’t a diet at all — it’s really a summary of how I feel about food. The more pure, whole and unprocessed you try and eat, the better you are. Slip once or twice? Oh well. Start again tomorrow. Actually, the whole Clean Eating concept reminds me so much of the Crap Free diets so many bloggers have tried. And since I’m all about trends, when I get back from Boston, I’m going to jump on the Green Monster movement that has so many foodies hooked.

No, not this one:

This one:

They sound delicious … so I’m going to give it a try. Have you had a GM? What’s your favorite recipe?

Tagged as: Boston, dogs, Food, Green Monster, Pets, Red Sox, Silly Tater Tot, Syracuse