Do All The Good You Can

Do All The Good You Can”  This poster should be in every apartment community and classroom, in every church and religious building, in all of the governmental building around the world and in every house on this planet.  The message is so simple that it’s undebatable.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can”

Don’t just let this slide by because though I would like to see this optimistic photo art in every building on planet Earth, it would do more service in every human heart on planet Earth.

Are You Happy Enough To tell The Difference?

Is happiness really just a state of mind? Experts continue to debate on this, but it is widely believed that there are some things that we can all do to at least improve the quality of our daily lives if we are willing to put in the effort. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Be mindful: Try to stay in the moment. The here and now is all that matters, so make sure you do your best to pay attention to whatever is in front of you and leave the rest for later.
2. Laugh: Laughing (and even anticipating something funny) raises endorphin levels, helping you to have a general sense of well being, and who wouldn’t want that?
3. Sleep well: Getting in some good sleep can help improve your mood dramatically. It goes without saying that those who feel rested tend to be more productive and have a more positive outlook on life in general.
4. Nix the clutter: Even just making your bed before you leave for work can start your day off in a more positive direction. It’s amazing how even the little things can add up to an even brighter day!

Reader’s Digest is a great source of information on all things health, so stop by and check them out for more ideas on how to embrace positivity.

What do you do to stay happy? Leave your comment here or on Facebook

Esteban Cambiasso, Winning Goal World Cup 2006

While this side of the world indulges in basket ball and the NBA Finals, the other side of the world is dancing around with some fancy footwork looking to figure out who is the greatest soccer team is the universe.  The World Cup kicks off in South Africa, June 11th.  Here is a clip of the 2006 winning goal by Esteban Cambiasso

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Jeanne Haegele: Living Without Plastic

What is around you every day, you can see through it and it helps to make your life a little more convenient? Plastic. We are growing more and more in our love hate relationship with plastics.

“Hey Plastic, thanks for holding my juice.” “Plastic, how could you!? You’re getting in all of my food.” “Plastic you’re conveniently hurting me, don’t do that! Stop melting in the microwave. Awe! Come here, let me hold you, twist you, gulp… gulp… gulp… and Drink water from you.”

How would our life be with out plastics? Hard to imagine and it would take quite an effort to escape from its presence. Plastic is as much a part of our lives as our food. Just ask Jeanne Haegele as she went on a quest to see if her life could really be plastic-free. CNN did a Top Story on Jeanne and how she has transformed her life Living Without Plastics.

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Photo by: Nemo’s great uncle

Allergy Season is Among Us

As I get older my sinuses and allergies start to get worse and worse. Now that Spring has rolled around I’m dreading the allergens (especially pollen) that become rampant.

I know there are people out there that can’t even go outside without a facemask because of the severity of their allergies. You can’t control the amount of pollen that’s floating around outside, but you can control the amount in your home and I can help you with that. If you follow these steps you can allergy-proof your apartment.

1. If you’re allergic to dust mites, pollen, or animal dander, it’s wise to invest in a very good vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters provide filtration of smaller particles than standard vacuum filters. Miele vacuums, while pricey, are known for being among the best vacuums when it comes to trapping allergens.
2. Minimize carpets in your home. Hardwood floors are easier to clean; dust mites and allergens are inevitable with carpets. Of course, we all want to have rugs of some kind, so choose low-pile rugs (which don’t trap allergens as easily as thick-pile) and vacuum them at least once a week. Avoid carpet in the bedroom completely.
3. Buy a re-usable microfiber dust mop. While not as effective as vacuums, these are so easy to use that you’ll likely want to clean the floors more often (instead of having to drag out the vacuum every time). Dust mops do a good job of gathering up potential allergens from little nooks and crannies that the vacuum can’t reach.
4. Focus on your bedroom. This is where you spend the majority of your time at home, and mattresses and pillows naturally develop dust mites over time. Use good quality dust-mite-proof pillow, mattress, and box spring covers. National Allergy covers are reliable (and recommended by allergists). They use a soft fabric that doesn’t feel like plastic (unlike some other commercial allergy covers).
5. We all love to read in bed, but bookcases in the bedroom are a no-no for allergy sufferers too, as books gather a ton of dust. Just keep a couple of books on your bedside table and switch them out as you finish them. Also try to avoid upholstered furniture in the bedroom.
6. If you have a pet, buy a good handheld vacuum so you can easily vacuum your sofas and upholstered chairs. Even if your pet doesn’t lie on the furniture, dander hangs in the air and gets trapped in upholstery. The Shark Handvac is inexpensive and reliable. It doesn’t hold a charge very well (no handheld vacuums do), but if you just charge it for a few minutes before use, it will go for a while.
7. Consider making a shoe-free rule in your house. Even if you’re uncomfortable asking guests to remove their shoes, you can always institute this rule among family members. Keep a shoe rack by your most-frequented door. This is the most effective way to minimize allergens from outdoors.
8. Avoid heavy draperies and blinds on your windows; both are likely to trap more dust than roller shades or washable curtains.
Be sure to add any other tips or tricks that you might have. And don’t forget to Tweet us!

Photo by Subtle Device

Food, Fitness and Family

Raising healthy children has become a hot topic lately on many online mommy channels. As childhood obesity grows in our country it’s important for parents to be aware of what they are feeding their children and how they are developing their lifestyle. Are you an active family?

I have a 22 month-old and it’s a constant challenge to make sure she’s eating healthy. It’s way easier to stop at McDonalds on the way home from daycare, rather than fixing a healthy meal of chicken and veggies. The commitment is tough, but I feel like it’s important.

I was reading the American Heart Associations website and found some tips on how to help children grow to be healthy adults.

Introduce good eating habits early in your children’s life.

Pay attention to your children’s weight as he or she grows. Be sure to discuss your children’s situation with your pediatrician or other healthcare provider.

Let your children learn to respond to internal hunger cues rather than learned social ones. Don’t worry if your kids don’t eat as much as you think they should.

Encourage your children to be physically active. Remember that not all physical activity is competitive. Kids who choose not to participate in organized or team sports still can enjoy being active, and the benefits are the same.

Read the rest from The American Heart Association.

Sign Yourself Up for Your Own Boot Camp

A friend of mine is hosting a Boot Camp in her home and it starts tonight. I hope to be able to leave work on time to get there.

I’ve done the Boot Camp thing before and have actually really loved it…. AND saw benefits from it quite rapidly.

But when supplemented at home, on the off days, the results increase even more.

I found a great site that outlines the best Boot Camp exercises that you can do at home on those off days, or those days when you just can’t get there and you miss the group experience.

Check it out here.

Now drop down and give me twenty!

Stepping It Up for the Abs

I must confess. I have really let myself slip this year, regarding my fitness. The good news is, I’ve not let it get so far away from me that a little stepping it up and a little extra work won’t fix.

 

I’m going to start with my toughest area…. the abs.

 

I found a great site with a variety of resources and exercises.

 

If you’re in the same boat with me, check it out here.

 

Let me know how you progress.

Spice Up Your (Breast) Health

A new study suggests that compounds found in black pepper and curry powder help halt the growth of stem cells that give rise to breast cancer.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center applied piperine, found in black pepper, and curcumin, the main ingredient in the curry spice turmeric, to breast cancer cells in a laboratory dish. The spices, when used in combination, reduced the number of stem cells but did not harm normal breast cells.

Read more about this study here.

And try these Curry Recipes or these Pepper Recipes

A new spin for a winter hobby

I grew up in a place and time where the best thing a cold winter day could offer was a trip to the nearby city park pond for a day of outdoor ice skating with friends.

As an adult, I returned to this passion and took it up again as a hobby in the winter as a way to keep in shape and have some fun. I became instantly re-addicted and even began skating at a competition level.

If you’re looking for a fun and healthy way to stay fit this winter, consider adding this hobby to your winter workouts – with figure skatin g lessons or hockey lessons.

Here’s a place to start.

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