Rainy Days

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." - Langston Hughes

While I currently reside in the lovely city of Malibu, Calif., I am much more of a Pacific Northwest girl at heart when it comes to weather. For some, this concept is mindboggling--who doesn't like Malibu weather? Well, first of all, Malibu is not all it is hyped up to be. I am in sweats, boots, sweaters, and jackets more than I am in a bikini. Anyways, rainy days are my favorite. I love waking up to days when the sun is on vacation but living in Southern California my entire life has not blessed me with too many. So when the air is misty, or droplets patter against my room I like to savor every moment. I see it as a time to indulge in all the activities for which I couldn’t seem to find time for recently.

I think the following quote says it perfectly: "The best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain. This is the kind the anonymous medieval poet makes me remember, the rain that falls on a day when you'd just as soon stay in bed a little longer, write letters or read a good book by the fire, take early tea with hot scones and jam and look out the streaked window with complacency." - Susan Allen Toth, England For All Seasons

Catch up with friends. Turn on some Coldplay/John Mayer. Put on rubber boots and splash in puddles. Cuddle with my lovey. Make a cup of tea. Bake something delicious. Write a letter and send it via snail mail. Finally bust out that polka dot umbrella that has been hiding for months.

If we let it, cold, gloomy, sunless days have the opportunity to be magical.

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."- Author Unknown

Big Movie Fun for a Not So Big Waistline or Budget

People go to the movies to escape their everyday lives. Typically, they don’t want to eat everyday food while they’re indulging their need to experience something out of the ordinary. Even with the health and fitness trends, you aren’t likely to find many concession stands serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole-wheat pitas, cottage cheese cups, or bowls of mixed vegetables. So indulge and just be smart about it!

When I snuggle down in my movie seat to watch my action flick or romantic comedy with a barrel sized popcorn bucket and gallon of Coke at my side, I possess movie euphoria. That is, until I realize I have just eaten and drank enough to feed a small country and spent $25 on "refreshments." So, I'm changing my ways. I'm making my movie addiction cheaper and healthier. To be just like me, all you need is a larger than normal purse and a desire to save money (and calories!) next time you treat yourself to the delightful experience that is movie-going.

B.Y.O.S. Bring Your Own Snacks. Pre-pop some 94% Fat Free, Light Butter popcorn in your microwave--you'll save a heck of a lot of calories and not feel deprived of the classic movie and popcorn pairing (savings: $7-$10). Hit up the nearest grocery store for a Diet Coke. At CVS, an ice cold Diet Coke will set you back no more than a buck fifty. Compare this to the $5-$7 they are now charging for some soda at most theaters and you'll be happy with your choice. This is a must. Not only will the following help keep your waist slim but they will also help keep your wallet thick. If you must have candy, and let's be honest, YOU MUST, indulge smartly. Junior Mints for example have less calories and fat that M&Ms and other all chocolate cnadies because of their mint filling. Buy them along with your Diet Coke at CVS for $1 versus the $3.75 you'll shell out at the concession stand. **WARNING: Movie theaters do not really approve of this whole B.Y.O.S. message...but with today's economy the way it is, and obesity on the rise, it's okay to break a few rules.

If you decide spur of the moment to catch a flick, or aren't a rule breaker, here's how to make smart choices when you're at the tempting concession stand.

Order a small popcorn without buttery topping or better still, a kid's size. Share with your neighbor, but don't get talked into the special deals or "combos". Don't get bamboozled by that bucket that reads "Free refills on large size." in big, bold letters, either. If you have to hold it with two hands, you've probably made the wrong choice. If you've just got to have candy, force yourself to ignore all candy bars (sigh) and remember what I said beofre. Choose the lesser evil like Junior Mints, Pepper Mint Patty, Gummy Bears, jelly beans and Tootsie Rolls.

Now ... don't even get me started on those super-sized sodas! Unless you're a diet soda fan, stick with buying bottled water. The overly-generous cup of soda has thousands of empty calories that will find their way to your waistline in no time.

So you've got your kiddie popcorn, your bottled water and a resolve to refrain from refills. What's left to do? Sit back, relax, enjoy the movie ... and your sense of pride at having stuck to your guns!