MAKE THE WORLD HAPPIER

2012-12-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!
MAY BLESSINGS OVERTAKE YOU.

This Christmas our family is scattered, spending time with their families.
Just the two of us here now. I sure won't complain, considering they all
came here for Thanksgiving... 3 days worth. ( Yes, we have the greatest
three sons in the world, one of which just married the sweetest girl ever)
and following in fashion, the best grand-children (1 young woman, 1 girl,
1 boy and a two year old great-grandson.)
I love knowing that they all feel the same way about their families.

And I feel that way about YOU, my blog family. You have opened your
world to me. Thank you. Please, continue to keep in touch with our little
part of our world. I would love to read your comments.

I'll be back for the new year!

2012-12-06T12:04:00.000-05:00

'Tis The Season' ... to catch up!

Sorry I have been away from my blog so long that I forgot it's name!!! My life has changed since last I shared. We have moved to a new town, to a nice little apartment a short distance from the beach. It seems that everything is settled down finally, and we are prepared for a Merry Christmas!.
Here is a short story of our 'happenings' since last spring.

     My precious mother-in-law became very ill; so we decided to move in with her and her husband in hopes of helping. We packed up and my wonderful husband filled the car with the first load. I remained to finish the details. Near the end of his 11 hour drive, and just blocks from his destination, the car was tail-ended. Nothing serious-just dents and boo-boos. (The first time for our year old car).
     After getting situated in the small bedroom and unloading the rest into a storage unit, he came back for me and the odds and ends. Another 11 hours, then we were finally in our new
abode with a totally new life. We hardly had time to breath and 'mom' was being transported to Dr.s and hospitals - multiple times. In two weeks she had become bed ridden. We just visited her, then stopped for dinner on the way home. While waiting for the traffic light to change, we were hit from behind - a 6 car pile up! There were injuries. Ours were not serious - a trip in the
ambulance for me (on a back board). My husband remained at the scene to be sure everyone was being cared for, then he drove himself to the ER. Xrays for both of us then released; my 'whiplash' was painful for a week or so. He had a sore foot and jammed fingers, which healed quickly. We are grateful that we were the first car in line. Our front end wasn't touched thanks to my husbands quick reflex; but the back end was hit again in the same place... plus much more. Thanks God for always being here with us through thick and thin.

     Many weeks passed and 'mom' was still being driven by ambulance to the ER, hospital, and Dr.s repeatedly. She was slowly failing. She passed away in September just a short time
before her next birthday. We miss her a lot.

  As Forest Gump would say   " And that's all I have to say about that."

Ancient Indian Proverb

2011-08-02T09:30:00.003-04:00

Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents,

it was loaned to you by your children.

We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors,

we borrow it from our children.

DID YOU EVER...

2011-06-09T20:31:00.000-04:00

Did you ever have one of those days? Of course you did, and I'm sorry to say, you probably will again. What kind of day you ask ... the uncoordinated, messy days when you overslept and that started the downhill slide.

This morning I awoke late, showered and made coffee with a reasonable amount of ability. Then my brain forgot to sequence the coming events!
I dressed in my black uniform and sat down to eat my 6 ounces of peach yogurt. A slippery blob detached from the spoon and landed in the most obvious place. Hurriedly I ran to the bathroom and attempted to remove it without leaving a stain. A dampened white washcloth was my choice for stain removal. That worked well ... by creating a new exciting dimension of fuzz and peach spot!
Moving on, I brushed my teeth and noticed the spot, which was still there, gave new meaning to the words 'peach fuzz'. While trying to wipe it off with my wet hand more spots appeared with each swipe. I could not comprehend why! Finally, I realized it was from the toothpaste on my finger. Learning from the previous blunder, I washed my hands and used them, now clean and wet, to try again. Stained, soggy and frustrated I got my first clue!
It's one of THOSE DAYS.

Did the rest of the day get better you ask ... not really, but I did relax eventually and laugh at myself !
Hope your days are without frustration and filled with laughter.

NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY YOUR DREAM

2011-05-31T12:06:00.000-04:00

Actually, no one can take anything away from you, you have to give it. Sometimes it is a surrender and other times, a gift.

Many times we surrender before it is necessary. We just give up. We stop dreaming, planning, and expecting. Our excuses range from "too old to accomplish it", "not enough money", "too busy", ____________ and you fill in the blank!

When we share our dreams, hopes, love, ___________ (and again you fill in the blank) we give a gift.

Everyone has a dream. OK, so maybe when you were 4 years old you wanted to be a fire engine and that hasn't happened. That was a dream that you surrendered because you changed your mind, and gained a new perspective. (You may have been a terrible fire engine anyway!)

In most cases your dream stays in the forefront of your mind, taunting you, daring you to try. So go ahead - try, and try again. Start with small accomplisments - a 'blue print', then 'look' at it every day and 'plan'. Take it step by step. If you never see the end at least you 'went for it'. Better to die trying than to give up! Your failures, and undone 'trys' may lay the groundwork for the next person to finish.
Remember, your dream could be the next cancer cure or the greatest ice cream sundae every tasted.

GIVE THE WORLD YOUR GIFT. THE WORLD IS WAITING!

Today's Message of the Day is:

2011-04-23T09:40:00.002-04:00

Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance like nobody is watching.

Cultivating Calm

2011-02-09T06:28:00.007-05:00

You don't have to go to a spa. Here's how to achieve peace of mind (plus health and happiness) from the inside out.

By Hagar Scher

Once upon a time, I had the time and money to go on an eight-day retreat in Costa Rica. One of the most memorable aspects of the trip was a daily walking meditation. My fellow travelers and I would line up and begin inching along. Each step demanded my full attention; I didn't want to nip the heels of the person in front of me. At first, the experience of moving so slowly was deeply uncomfortable. Soon enough, though, I was rewarded for downshifting. Eyes fixed on the ground, I encountered the little wonders a snail takes for granted: the unique contour of each blade of grass, the vivid hues of wildflowers, the fragility of the clods dotting the path.

I was reminded of those walks recently, as I rushed (yet again) to an appointment I feared I would be late for (yet again), feeling that familiar, toxic mix of self-recrimination, frustration, and anxiety.

Perhaps it was the depth of my exhaustion — my son was only 6 months old — but my body rebelled. Right there, in the middle of a busy street, I found myself replicating the ritual of those tropical mornings. My pace slowed, and soon so did my thumping heart, whirling brain, and churning stomach. I took a deep breath and felt my eyes, which had been shrouded by stress, open to the world around me. I took note of the chubby clouds grazing the turquoise sky and felt undeniably happy...and calm. I arrived at my destination five minutes late, but instead of being angry and upset, I uttered a smiling apology and went into the meeting feeling focused and energized.

"Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it," writes Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and author. We've all had those eureka moments of feeling that everything is right and good in our world. But we need to make a conscious choice to emphasize those feelings in our lives.

"We now believe 80 percent of illness is stress-related, that whatever your genetic weak link, stress will trigger it," notes Richard Brown, M.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. "Going to a spa is wonderful, but until you teach yourself ways to achieve peace of mind from the inside, you'll remain vulnerable to stress."

Learning to stay balanced is a lifelong endeavor. And yet, making small changes to your daily routine can help you reap big benefits

Next: Change Your Surroundings

Beauty & Comfort

Every day, we're bombarded with threatening, jarring stimuli and messages — Boing! John Doe has sent you an instant message! Beep! You have a new cell phone message! Tonight's headlines: "Beware terrorists!" "Killer spinach!" Each time we take in a worrisome sight, sound, or piece of information, we activate the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the so-called fight-or-flight response. The heart beats faster, muscles tense, blood pressure and blood sugar levels rise, the digestive system and immune system are suppressed, and the body is flooded with the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. These reactions are the exact opposite of those connected with the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation — and calm.

"Radio, TV, and newspapers spew out potentially threatening messages, and our deep, primitive biological systems don't know how to differentiate between psychological stress and real, physical danger," notes David Simon, M.D., medical director of the Chopra Center in San Diego. "Whether we're conscious of it or not, we're constantly perceiving the world as a scary place."

One step toward cultivating calm is to dial down the amount of information you consume — a strategy I found indispensable while I was pregnant and especially vulnerable to being thrown off center. "The next step is replacing threatening stimuli with relaxing stimuli," says health psychologist Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Northern Colorado School of Public Health.

To test whether pleasant sensations actually promote calm, Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School, sent 27 people fresh-cut flowers to place in their homes, asking them to keep a detailed mood journal before and after the bouquets arrived. After a few days living with the blooms, subjects reported a decrease in negative emotions like anxiety and depression and an increase in positive feelings like compassion for others and energy and enthusiasm at work.

"Things that are beautiful to the senses capture our attention and quiet the mind in an effortless way," says Etcoff. "Changing your environment by bringing in your favorite music or photos of happy events and places and people you love is very calming and reassuring." The world is full of small harbingers of joy and harmony — you just need to seek them out and incorporate them into your daily routine. It can be as simple as taking a walk around a leafy park in the middle of a hectic day or burning a candle of your favorite scent at night.

Another way to foster the relaxation response is to engage in pleasant repetitive activities, says Alice Domar, Ph.D., executive director of the Domar Center for Complementary Healthcare in Waltham, MA. Those that involve easy concentration and lulling repetition, like knitting, swimming, even petting an animal, calm the mind. "During the course of a day, most of the thoughts women think are negative: They worry about the future or feel like failures for not having a spotless kitchen or fitting into size 6 jeans," says Domar. "Finding something you enjoy doing that distracts you from automatic, negative thinking patterns is important. It might be something you enjoyed as a child, when you were able to live in the moment and more easily experience joy."

Next: Take a Breather

Mindful Breathing

Not only can stress make you sick, it can also age you. But quieting the mind can have the opposite effect.

New research from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that stress affects our bodies on the most basic, cellular level. Researchers drew blood from 58 moms, 39 of whom were caring for a chronically ill child, to measure the telomeres — protein complexes that protect DNA — inside their immune cells. Telomeres naturally contract with age; but the telomeres in the immune cells of mothers who reported the most stress were markedly shorter than those of the control group's, making the stressed-out moms nine to 17 years "older."

Thankfully, other research offers hope that we're not doomed to age prematurely. In separate studies, Sara Lazar, Ph.D., a neurobiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Columbia's Dr. Brown have found evidence that basic meditation techniques, such as controlled breathing, not only promote positive emotions but also help us stay youthful and vibrant. For example, when Lazar compared the brain scans of 20 experienced meditators with those of 15 non-meditators, she found that in the first group, two regions of the brain were significantly thicker: the insular cortex and part of the prefrontal cortex.

"With age, the whole brain thins," notes Lazar, "but meditation seems to slow the deterioration of the parts of the brain that are aware of emotions and physical processes in the body" — e.g., heart rate and hunger — and that integrate thoughts and feelings to make sound decisions. People who meditate daily might be better equipped to gauge how full they are, for example, preventing overeating, or have a better sense of their exhaustion level and decide to go to bed early when it would help them.

Dr. Brown has conducted several studies on how yoga breathing can alleviate anxiety and depression. Currently, he's examining the brain wave activity of individuals who have just practiced these techniques. "Their charts resemble the slow, rolling-hill pattern of the brain waves we see in babies who are in the 'quiet alert' state, like when they're looking in their mothers' eyes," he says. "In contrast, the typical brain wave activity of an adult is a series of chaotic, incoherent squiggles."

Next: Soul Food

Fuel Your Mood

For many people, the idea of calm suggests images of lounging under a beach umbrella, whiling the day away. But lethargy and calmness are two very different things, says Robert Thayer, Ph.D., a psychology professor at California State University in Long Beach and author of Calm Energy. Thayer, who has been studying ways to combat stress for more than 25 years, has identified four fundamental states of being: tense tiredness, calm tiredness, tense energy, and calm energy. In his view, most of us spend our lives yo-yoing between tense energy (you just downed a Venti-size coffee) and tense tiredness (the kids are finally in bed, the dishes are done, but you can't stop fretting about all the unfinished business on your to-do list). He believes the optimal state for daily life is calm energy, "a high level of physical and mental vigor coupled with low muscle and brain tension."

Thayer argues that calm energy must be attained through self-awareness and smart lifestyle decisions. In one study, he randomly assigned 18 subjects the task of either eating a candy bar or walking briskly for 10 minutes and then mapping their energy and tension level at several points during the two hours afterward. After an initial, fleeting uptick in energy, the sugar eaters reported plummeting energy levels and rising tension; the walkers, on the other hand, said they consistently were less tense and more energetic. "And yet, how do most of us deal with stress? We overeat and indulge in high-density foods," Thayer says. "Daily exercise is essential to feeling energetic and calm at the same time. The trick is to work out at the right intensity to find that balance. If you had a stressful day and are wound up tight, you need to release lots of tension and would do best with a challenging gym session or power walk, but if you're lagging at midday, you're better off with a short walk that will provide an energy burst without depleting you."

In the evening, calm tiredness becomes the ideal state for getting the rejuvenating sleep that's essential to maintaining your cool and calm. While a glass of wine seems like a simple, effective way to shake off the stresses of the day, "drinking offers a fleeting, superficial fix rather than an abiding sense of calm," cautions Thayer. Initially, alcohol turns off adrenaline production in the body, generating a sense of relaxation. But this effect wears off after 90 minutes or so, according to British nutritionist Patrick Holford, who specializes in food and mood. "Later, alcohol suppresses dreaming, a mental process that releases emotional stress. Not only do you wake up dehydrated but also tired and irritated."

A better way to ratchet down tension at the end of a long day is doing easy relaxation exercises. A 2004 Harvard Medical School study found that gentle yoga helped insomniacs increase their sleep time by an average of 12 percent. Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., a renowned restorative-yoga teacher and author of Relax & Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times, recommends practicing a pose she calls "basic relaxation with legs elevated" daily for 15 to 20 minutes: Lie on the floor with your head on a pillow, bend your knees, and rest your calves on the couch; drop your chin toward your chest, rest your arms a few inches away from your sides, close your eyes, and let go.

Recently, after a maddening day of cranky baby, irate mom, lazy husband, messy house, and overcooked dinner, I tried this position, hoping to calm my jangled nerves and maybe, just for a few minutes, reconnect with that lush, breeze a-blowing, happy Costa Rican vibe. True, my brain was never duped into believing we had traveled to greener pastures, but I felt the tightness in my jaw and shoulders diminish and my choppy breath get smoother. When I got up a short time later and came out into the living room, I decided to forgo my habitual, cranky nighttime chore mode and sit down next to my husband on the sofa. We read quietly, side by side, holding hands.

"Cultivating calm is like investing in a good long-term relationship — it feels good from the beginning, but as you develop, it gets better, sweeter and more rewarding," Lasater observes. "You learn to focus on what really matters rather than the task at hand. Eventually, it will change the way you behave in traffic jams, interact with strangers, and care for the people you love."

10 Minutes to True Calm

Neurobiologist Sara Lazar, Ph.D., recommends setting aside 10 to 15 minutes a day to retreat to a quiet space and practice basic meditation. One option is lying down and taking deep breaths in and out of the nose, expanding the belly and chest with each inhalation. Another is sitting with your eyes closed and saying to yourself "breathing in/breathing out" with each cycle. When your mind spins off to think about tonight's dinner or yesterday's spat with your teen, simply label it thinking and return your attention to your breath. "When you become aware of your breath and learn to observe your thoughts, your buttons won't be pushed as easily," says Lazar. "You'll be able to temper your reactions to difficult situations."

INSPIRATION

2011-01-31T12:46:00.001-05:00

"Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more then others think is possible."

Claude T. Bissell

What I think, I create.

What I create, I become.

What I become, I express.

What I express, I experience.

What I experience, I am.

What I am, I think

The circle is complete.

unknown

"PROSPERITY and ADVERSITY... are the brothers and sisters in life, they teach us to grow, change, love and gain wisdom, through the experiences they give us."
Quote by Rob Whally

All I need to know about life I learned from my cat.

2011-01-22T14:22:00.000-05:00

author unknown

Life is hard, then you nap. * Curiosity never killed anything except maybe a few hours. * When in doubt, cop an attitude. * Variety is the spice of life: one day ignore people, the next day annoy them. * Climb your way to the top - that's why the drapes are there. * Never sleep alone when you can sleep on someone's face. * Find your place in the sun - especially if it happens to be on that nice pile of warm, clean laundry. * Make your mark in the world - or at least spray in each corner. * When eating out, think nothing of sending back your meal twenty or thirty times. * If you're not receiving enough attention, try knocking over several expensive antique lamps. * Always give generously - a small bird or rodent left on the bed tells them, "I care".

WISHING YOU

2010-12-21T12:15:00.004-05:00

Joy

Peace

Love

   ...all the greatest of

                                the season.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 20

2010-12-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

By Kathy Nicholls

With only 5 days until Christmas, we are really in the countdown mode! Are you all ready for the big day? Some will have been done with their shopping for months by now, some haven't even started. Some folks have everything decorated, spent the weekend baking all of their Christmas goodies, and are ready to relax the next few days.

I'm one who tries to get things done in the month before Christmas, and yet still end up with some last minute shopping to finish things up. I do most of my shopping these days online. It's easy, quick, and there are some great deals. I'm also in favor of anything that means I don't have to go to the mall these days! It's just too hectic, too many people, and it seems to take forever. With online shopping, I can click and it's done. That has taken some getting used to for my husband this year. Since we were always in Barbados, he didn't see the boxes arriving every day for a couple of weeks before Christmas. Folks in Barbados just don't do a lot of online shopping; it's way too expensive to get things shipped and then you have to deal with getting things cleared through customs. He came in the other day and said "WHY are we getting all these boxes?" I had to chuckle. It's Christmas, it's what happens!

Today I still have five people on my list to get a present for. Two are easy, young boys who will get movie gift cards. I wish they were all that easy! One other will be easy as well. The hardest ones are the two adolescent/teenage girls I have in the family. Teenagers are tough to shop for! I believe today I have solved that one. They will get gift cards. I hate giving gift cards to someone who's really close to me, however, I'm also a realist. If I get them something, there's a good chance it won't be what they want or would pick themselves. That means they will return it. So, if they're going shopping for returns anyway, why not just let them pick the right thing the first time around!

How about you? Is your shopping finished or will you be out in the crowds this week looking for last minute deals?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Nicholls

25 Days of Christmas: Day 17

2010-12-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

By Kathy Nicholls

Day 17 in the 25 days of Christmas, and that means this is our last weekend for getting ready for the holiday. I hope that you're planning something fun in addition to the hustle and bustle of things that "must" get done.

One of my favorite things at Christmas time is taking time to drive around and look at the lights. I haven't put outdoor lighting on my house for a very long time and I love how it lights up a neighborhood.
At one time in our town, we had a family who did the most awesome decorations. You could see the lights for blocks. As you drove past their house, you could hear Christmas music coming from the yard. As the cars slowed down to take a closer look, you would often see Santa coming out to the cars to give the children a candy cane. It definitely put you in the Christmas mood and was an annual trek for us to go see that house.

How about making a family night of it? Pack everyone in the car, grab some hot chocolate, turn on the Christmas music, and take a drive. Make it a game. Find the house with the most lights, the one that's most creative, the funniest, whatever categories you can come up with. You will create memories for your family that you will remember for years.

Last year, we took my grandmother out to see the lights. She didn't do those kind of things growing up, and at 96, she's really like a child again. My greatest pleasure that night was watching her get excited about the beauty of the lights and decorations. This year, she's in a nursing home, but will be coming home next week. And on our way home, I plan to make a drive through some of the areas that have the prettiest lights, just so she can have that pleasure.

How about you? Do you have a family tradition of heading out to see the lights in your town?
What's the most amazing display you've ever seen?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 15

2010-12-16T20:35:00.000-05:00

By Kathy Nicholls

Today is day 15 in our 25 days of Christmas. The time is passing fast and hopefully you are enjoying the holiday season.

Today I'd like us to think about what you do to relax and enjoy the season. Christmas is a hectic time of year, at least it can be. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season that we simply wear ourselves out.

I've had years that I was totally exhausted by the time the big day came around. When that happens, it's hard to enjoy the time with family and friends.

It's important at the holidays to take some time to relax and just enjoy things around you. For me, that meant a day of going to get my hair cut, getting a pedicure and having my nails done, and spending a couple of hours in the book store. Yesterday I just took the time to "check out" for a bit and do some things for me. It was wonderfully relaxing.

You can also plan those things around family events. How about a movie night with the family? Nothing fancy, just make popcorn or your favorite treats and sit down together to watch a Christmas movie. You can end up creating some wonderful traditions while doing this and also get in that relaxation that you need in this hectic time.

Sometimes an afternoon of relaxing for me can include making a batch of candy. If I plan it as a time to just "do" something I really want to do, then it seems less like work and more like pleasure.

Over the years, I've learned to try to make the holidays less stressful. For me, that also means valuing how I spend my time and doing some things that are fun and relaxing.

How about you? What do you do to relax and enjoy the season?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 10

2010-12-15T10:43:00.002-05:00

(I know that these postings are running a little late, which makes perfect sense because SO AM I.)

By Kathy Nicholls

What a wonderful way to take some time each day and look at some of the holiday traditions we have and share some of the things that make the holidays special for us. Today is day 10, and there are just 15 short days until Christmas. As my niece reminded me today, "Aunt Kathy, it's really more than two weeks, well, actually two weeks and two days."
In a previous post, we talked about how wonderful it is to do something for someone else at the holidays. Today I want to share how wonderful it is to be on the receiving end of that.
Yesterday was my birthday. Usually that's the "deadline" for to that means the decorations should be up. Well, this year it just hasn't happened. The guys in my house brought all of the things upstairs last week. When I went to put up the tree, lo and behold everything was in that box but the feet for the tree. I don't know if you've ever tried to put a tree up with no feet, but let me tell you, they just won't stand up! On Sunday, I went and bought a new tree, which wasn't an expense I had planned this year. I took it out of the box Monday, set it in the stand, and there it has set all week. By the way, with a real tree you can "let it fall out" when you set it up. Not so with a fake one!:)
Two days ago, I decided it just didn't matter. If it got put up, fine. If it didn't, that was fine as well. I wished it were up, but in the end, I just wasn't in a hurry about it. And yesterday was my birthday. I was not going to spend time putting that tree together and decorating the house.
I spent a wonderfully relaxing day. My husband, who has a tough time keeping secrets, gave me my presents last night. A funny story there. He is, as you know, from Barbados. Last Easter, we had to teach him about making Easter baskets for everyone. After he gave me my presents last night he said "I'm so sorry. I meant to get your basket done, but I forgot to go get the things I wanted." I got a chuckle out of that. I explained that we don't do baskets for birthdays, but we DO do stockings for Christmas, so he still has time!:)
I had a wonderful massage early in the afternoon and then headed to the nursing home to see my grandmother. I had decided that spending time with her was how I wanted to spend the afternoon. I took decorations and we decorated her room for Christmas. She didn't remember it was my birthday, but once we talked about it, she even sang me happy birthday. That was one of my highlights as every year of my life for as long as I can remember, she has always sung to me on my birthday. And today, when I really needed her to remember, she did.
On the way home, I stopped for a Starbucks and then headed to the house. Imagine my surprise when I walked up the stairs to find my house beautifully decorated, the trees (both of them) full of decorations and lights, and all of my Christmas things out in their place. My house was visited today by a Christmas fairy! She had straightened, hung pictures, put up lights, decorated the trees, everything all wonderful, sparkly, and it IS a holiday in my house. And that feeling of eone doing for you is like none other. I love you, my very awesome niece, and am blessed that you're my Christmas fairy today.

How about you? Ever had a time when someone else did for you during the holidays?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 9

2010-12-10T11:14:00.001-05:00

By Kathy Nicholls Platinum Quality Author

Today is day 9 and Christmas Day is ever closer. I find it amazing how fast time passes sometimes. It seems hard to believe Christmas is here already and seems like just yesterday it was spring.

One of the things I love about Christmas is Christmas cards. Although I love all cards, I am fond of the old time Christmas cards. They make wonderful decorations. When I was growing up, all of the cards we received became a part of our holiday decorations. It was fun to read them, to sometimes catch up with people we hadn't heard from in awhile, and I even loved those letters that were sometimes added telling us what the family had been up to throughout the year.

Some of the best cards I've received over the years have been the homemade ones from children. They are creative, it is giving of a part of them, and they have always found a special place on my refrigerator. I believe that' something I got from my mother, who tended to put our pictures on the refrigerator.

I don't think we see as many Christmas cards these days. People send their Christmas letters via e-mail. Sometimes they send their cards that way too. I must admit, I'm a big fan of an electronic greeting card site, where I can drop a card to someone for a special occasion. Does it mean we are losing touch? I don't think so. In the end, it's about taking the time to make a connection, however you make it. And, I can still print those electronic cards and letters and put them out just the same.

Now over to you. Do you have a special memory about a Christmas card you received?

25 Days of Christmas: Day 8

2010-12-09T17:11:00.000-05:00

By Kathy Nicholls

Today it's all about Christmas stockings! Do you know how this tradition came about? It's said that a nobleman had three daughters. His wife had died and left him in a state of grief. When it came time for his daughters to marry, he had no dowry for them. One evening the daughters, after washing their stockings hung them near the fire place to be dried. Santa Claus, being moved by the plight of the daughters, came in and put in three bags of gold one in each of the stocking hanging by the chimney. The next morning the family noticed the gold bags and the nobleman had enough for his daughter's marriage. The daughters got married and they lived happily ever after. Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings.

You might also remember the stories about your stocking that said if you weren't good all year, all Santa would leave was a lump of coal.

When I was young, our stockings always had some certain things. There was an apple, an orange, and some nuts. They also had some candies, maybe a very small toy of some kind, and they always had a candy cane stuck at the top. It was one of the fun things we did on Christmas morning.

http://ezinearticles.com/?25-Days-of-Christmas

Kindness Is Contagious - Pass It ON

2010-12-04T19:31:00.001-05:00

'natural awakenings' magazine

December 2010

Sarasota/Manatee Edition

www.nasrq.com

The best gift of all can be as simple as an act of kindness, generosity and cooperation. Even better, we hope that our good acts may spread. Now a study published in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides the first laboratory evidence that kind behavior is indeed contagious and that it spreads from person to person. In short, the researchers found that when just a few people benefit from kindness, they pay it forward by helping others who were not originally involved. This cascade of cooperation can influence many known and unknown participants in a broadening social network.

Here's how researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and Harvard University illustrated the principle. When one person gave money to help others in a public-goods game where people had the opportunity to cooperate, the recipients were more likely to give away their own money to other people in subsequent games.

This type of behavior created a domino effect, in which one person's generosity spread first to three people, then to nine and then to others in subsequent waves of the experiment. Better yet, the effect of being part of such a kindness circle persists, observes James Fowler, associate professor at UCSD, who co-led the study, observing, "You don't go back to being your old selfish self."

(Let's all remember this, not only at Christmas, but all year long.)

Roast Pork Loin with Apples, Potatoes, and Sage

2010-12-02T20:14:00.002-05:00

James Baigrie

(AFTER YOU READ ALL ABOUT THE WONDERS OF APPLES, IN THE FOLLOWING POST, TRY THIS RECIPE.)

From Good Housekeeping

triple-tested at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute

Serves: 8

Yields: 8 main-dish servings

Total Time: 1 hr 5 min

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 50 min

Oven Temp: 450

Ingredients

3 tablespoon(s) margarine or butter, softened
2 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1/4 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
1 (3-pound) boneless pork loin roast, trimmed of fat
1 1/2 pound(s) baby red potatoes, each cut in half
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 pound(s) (3 to 4 medium) Gala or Jonagold apples, cored and cut into 8 wedges

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon margarine, 1 tablespoon chopped sage, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper. With hands, rub sage mixture all over pork loin.
In 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly-roll pan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons margarine in oven. Remove pan from oven. Add potatoes, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon chopped sage; toss to coat. Push potatoes and onion to edges of pan and set small roasting rack in center; place pork on rack. Roast 20 minutes.
Add apples to pan, around pork, and roast 30 to 40 minutes longer, depending on thickness of pork, or until meat thermometer inserted into center of pork reaches 145 degrees F. (Internal temperature of pork will rise 5 to 10 degrees F upon standing.)
Transfer pork to warm platter; let stand 15 minutes to set juices for easier slicing. With slotted spoon, transfer potatoes, onion, and apples to platter with pork. Pour pan drippings into small cup. Skim off and discard fat from drippings. Serve pork, sliced, with drippings.

Top 5 Reasons to Eat (at Least) an Apple a Day

2010-12-02T19:48:00.004-05:00

Good Housekeeping Dec. 2, 2010
By Delia A. Hammock, M.S., R.D.

Beyond its fabulous flavor and perfect portability, this fruit packs major health benefits. Here, the lowdown on why you should be getting a daily dose.

1. They're Slow Food
Firm and packed with fiber (5 grams, or 20 percent of your daily value), they demand a chewing commitment, giving your body time to register itself "full" before you scarf down too many calories. And the natural sweeteners in apples enter the bloodstream gradually, helping keep your blood sugar and insulin levels steady so you feel full longer — the opposite of many sugary snacks, which produce a quick rush followed by a hunger-inducing crash.

2. They Help You Breathe EasyKids of women who ate the most apples while pregnant were less likely to wheeze or develop asthma by age 5, researchers from the United Kingdom found recently. The fruit may also protect the lungs of adults, lowering the risk of asthma, lung cancer, and other diseases.

3. They Zap Cholesterol
Thanks to two key components, pectin (a type of fiber) and polyphenols (powerful antioxidants), apples can take a bite out of blood cholesterol levels and prevent the oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol — the chemical process that turns it into artery-clogging plaque. The trick to maximizing the benefit: Don't toss the peel; apple skin has two to six times the antioxidant compounds as the flesh.

4. They Fight Cancer Lab studies have shown that several compounds in this juicy fruit curb the growth of cancer cells — but they're most potent when the apple is eaten whole (minus the stem and seeds, of course). People who munch more than one a day lower their risk for several cancers (oral, esophageal, colon, breast, ovarian, prostate, and others) by 9 to 42 percent, Italian researchers found.

5. They Make You Smarter
Possibly because they boost the production of acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells, apples are now thought to keep your brain sharp as you age, enhance memory, and potentially lessen the odds of getting Alzheimer's disease, suggests one recent animal study from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. With this sort of nutritious nosh at your disposal, it might be time to rethink the idea of a "smart cookie."

(Personally, I love them in salads!!)

THANKSGIVING

2010-11-23T17:09:00.001-05:00

'Tis the season for travel, family, food and most of all giving thanks.

Be safe, be loved, be filled and be joyful.

My 'grateful list' is huge and grows exponentially. You, my followers, are on that list. I appreciate your interest in my blog and hope you continue to read it; but most of all I hope something I post will help, and encourage you.

HAPPY HOLIDAY TO ALL

7 FOOD ALIASES

2010-11-18T21:13:00.001-05:00

from: thedailygreen Nov. 17, 2010

Do You Really Know What You're Eating?

The names of these foods have been changed – not to protect the innocent, but to sell more fish and fruit. Learn the surprising real identities behind everything from the humble dried plum to the exotic mahi mahi.

Kiwi (a.k.a. Chinese Gooseberry)

What to do if you're a New Zealand farmer trying to sell a tangy green fruit from the Yangtzee Valley in Northern China, roughly 10,000 miles away, when the native yang tao won't do, and neither will "Chinese gooseberry," as it was also called? You change its name, and add a dash of nationalism. That, essentially, is how we came to call the Vitamin C-rich kiwi (or kiwifruit) by something it is not: native to New Zealand (where folks, and some birds, are known as Kiwis). The marketing scheme was hatched in 1962, and by 1974, the name had stuck. And it turns out yang tao means strawberry peach, which is a pretty apt description of a kiwi. Anyway, the strategy has been pretty successful, as New Zealand remained the largest exporter of kiwifruit to the U.S., as of 2007, though fruit-producing vines have now been transplanted around the world, and imports have increased markedly from Italy and Chile.

Mahi Mahi (a.k.a. Dolphinfish)

Usually, when the locals in some far-flung locale have a name for something valuable, marketers come along and change it so that it will appeal to their customers back home. Not so with dolphinfish, which we call mahi mahi, just like the Pacific islanders do. Why? Easy: Even though dolphinfish aren't at all related to dolphins (they're fish, not mammals), the idea of eating a dolphin comes to mind when presented with dolphinfish as an option. Not so with mah mahi, which has a benign, slightly exotic and utterly safe taste on the tongue… especially for those who are squeamish about eating certain sea creatures, but not others.

Mahi mahi is classified by the Montery Bay Aquarium and the Environmental Defense Fund as a “Best Choice” safe sustainable fish only when caught in U.S. waters by troll or pole. The longline fishery, especially from non-U.S. fisheries, is a problem because of the high levels of "bycatch" – fish, turtles and other creatures that are caught and killed inadvertently.

Canola Oil (a.k.a. Rapeseed Oil)

Rapeseed is a flat-out wretched name for a cooking oil. If you're going to use the oil-rich seeds and turn them into biofuel, fine; by the time it gets to your tank, it's just fuel. But if you're cooking with the stuff, a name with more appeal is in order. Which is why in the 1970s its growers tried on some name changes. Low erucic acid rapeseed didn't exactly work, but Canadian oil, for the place the seed was grown was promising. Ultimately, in 1978, they found the sweet spot: Canadian oil, low acid – Canola. It's fair to say that most chefs feel a whole lot more comfortable buying and cooking with Canola oil.

Chilean Sea Bass (a.k.a. Patagonian Toothfish)

There were big problems for fishermen bringing Patagonian toothfish to market. The fish swims deep in icy sub-Antarctic waters, it's ugly and the public at large wants nothing to do with something as unappealing as "toothfish" on their plates. (So its cousin, the Antarctic toothfish, wasn't going to help fishermen make a buck.) So the L.A. marketing genius that changed its name to Chilean sea bass (yum!) successfully opened a market for the flesh of the mild, white fish, back in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, it also set off a fishing frenzy, including an illegal fishing frenzy that claimed so many of the slow-maturing, long-lived sea bass that many conservation groups now consider them over-fished and at serious risk of depletion. The fishery, even where it's legal, also kills many albatross and other sea birds.

One small fishery has Marine Stewardship Council certification, but unless you see that marking, pass on Chilean sea bass, as says the campaign slogan that removed the fish from many menus. Sustainable alternatives to Chilean sea bass include farmed striped bass and Alaskan sablefish.

Dried Plums (a.k.a. Prunes)

Everyone knows what prunes are for, and why your grandparents eat them, begrudgingly or not. Which is why the California Prune Board asked, and in 2000, received permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to start calling them "dried plums," instead (after which it changed its own name to the California Dried Plum Board, and started littering its materials, ads and statements with the words dried plums). It's accurate – like calling raisins "dried grapes," and it drops the bathroom connotation. Whatever you call them (we still think of them as prunes), they're loaded with vitamins, and really do make a great healthy snack, or a delicious addition to ordinarily savory dishes. Or, are we just saying that because the California ~~Prune~~ Dried Plum Board is successfully marketing plums as a superfood?

Orange Roughy (a.k.a. Slimehead)

Orange roughy isn't obviously appetizing, but it sure beats slimehead, which is how the fish is known where it is caught, off the coast of New Zealand. It only caught on with U.S. consumers after it lost the slimy connotations, and unfortunately it's really caught on, and bottom trawling coupled with a long-lived (up to 150 years!) fish have endangered this fish. The Environmental Defense Fund recommends against eating orange roughy, whatever you call it.

While we're on the subject, another no-no is the monkfish, which tastes a lot like lobster, is really called a goosefish and is being fished unsustainably, too. Sustainable alternatives include farmed striped bass, Alaskan sablefish and farmed U.S. catfish.

Corn Sugar (a.k.a. High Fructose Corn Syrup)

The campaigns against obesity and for real foods have continually irked the corn growers of America, and those who turn corn into high fructose corn syrup, which is added to just about every processed food sold in U.S. stores, from applesauce to soda. First, the industry made sure it could define its product as "natural," even though many consider it highly processed, and now the Corn Refiners Association is asking the Food and Drug Administration to allow it to rename its product "corn sugar." We've seen this movie before, or its prequel: In the early 1900s, the product was called "glucose," but the uncontrollable association of the words "glucose," "glue" and ... candy led the industry to call it "corn syrup."

In light of recent evidence that, chemically, the high fructose corn syrup in sodas may not be as similar to sugar as we thought, could influence the FDA decision. Then again, we're talking about government, and it could take two years for the agency to decide.

PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE

2010-11-11T18:25:00.004-05:00

8 Products Designed to Fail

Manufacturers' planned obsolescence costs consumers and the environment. by Brian Clark Howard Don't you hate it when something breaks just after the warranty runs out? Or what about that new electronic gadget that fails to work with your old accessories from the same manufacturer? Some of these infuriating problems were caused on purpose, by product designers practicing "planned obsolescence." More than a 10,000 Maniacs song, planned obsolescence occurs when something is intended to wear out or stop being useful after a predetermined period of time -- and that time is often as short as a few years.

Planned obsolescence isn't always easy to identify, since there can be many reasons why something becomes no longer useful, including technological irrelevance or changing social tastes. And some degree of planned obsolescence is probably necessary in many fields, through so-called "value engineering" (eg, a car would not be affordable if every part had to be made strong enough to last 100 years). But there are also ways manufacturers exploit planned obsolescence to make consumers buy more product, such as by purposefully making it difficult, or too costly, to make repairs, or by preventing backwards compatibility.

At least as early as the 1960s, critics have complained that planned obsolescence wastes consumers' money, uses up valuable resources and chokes our landfills. The issue has big environmental implications, because our insatiable appetite for stuff drives carbon emissions and pollution. (True, some have suggested that planned obsolescence could benefit the environment, if products were made to be easily recycled and/or upgraded as technologies progress, versus promoting the throwaway culture that we have now.)

Read on for some of the most infuriating examples of planned obsolescence at work.

Ink Cartridges

A set of new inkjet cartridges can cost more than the printer itself...yet you may be prevented from using every expensive drop of pigment. Many ink cartridges come with proprietary smart chips on them that disable printing when one of the colors falls to a certain level, even if there's really enough ink to do the job. Plus, the smart chips can discourage refilling or use of third-party ink.

Greens should be particularly irked at this last point, since each large laser printer cartridge requires about three quarts of oil and 2.5 pounds of plastic to make. Some water filters have similar technology that calls for replacement before the medium is necessarily used up.

Solutions for consumers: Buy cheaper generic cartridges, particularly ones that let you refill the ink. This cuts down on plastic use, and saves you serious money. You can also probably get away with printing less. Use draft and grayscale settings to save ink, and optimize content from the Web or e-mail before you send to the printer, so you don't waste ink on headers, footers and ads you don't want. You can also skip printing by using online backup services, Google docs and e-mailing things to yourself.

Video Games

When the Super Nintendo (SNES) came out in the early 1990s, it made the earlier Nintendo Entertainment System obsolete. Yes, the processing power and other capabilities had increased, but the SNES also made the massive game library of the 8-bit console obsolete because it couldn't play the old cartridges. Those who wanted to play earlier games had to keep both systems around, and new customers had no option to try older, cheaper titles.

With a few exceptions, most video game systems have been designed to prevent backwards compatibility, in no small part to spur sales of the latest technology -- and new copies of the same old games.

Solutions for consumers: Trade video game titles with friends, buy and sell used, or rent games. If you do it through Gamefly or a similar mail service, you can also reduce transportation. You can also play games online or on your computer instead of a dedicated console.

Textbooks

Planned obsolescence isn't limited to newer kinds of technology. Even though not much changes from year to year for most core subjects, textbook publishers issue frequent updates. Trouble is, each new edition is usually printed with the information shifted to different page numbers, making it difficult to follow along in class with a previous volume. Textbooks are quite expensive, since publishers believe students have little choice, and it would be better for consumers if new information was placed at the end, or offered as slim supplements.

By issuing new editions, publishers also suppress the used market.

Solutions for consumers: Some students are fighting back, and are buying recently used texts at a fraction of the cost from places like Craigslist. Or perhaps even cheaper and more convenient, you may be able to rent the textbooks you need. Chegg.com, for example, is a mail service not unlike Netflix, in which shipping on return books is free. Chegg plants a tree for every book users rent, sell or buy, and rental costs range from about 10% of list price to about 30%. Finally, some savvy students have discovered that they need not even buy every text on the class list; rarely used ones can be referenced at the library or shared among friends.

Fast Fashion
One year fishnets are out, the next year they're in. Unless you have your own warehouse like Demi Moore, chances are good that you don't hang on to every piece of clothing you own to wait until acid wash comes back into vogue. Whether it's because of cuts, hemlines or colors, a lot of what is advertised and sold is designed to go out of style in a short time. As big-label designer Gary Harvey recently put it, "Too many garments end up in landfill sites. They are deemed aesthetically redundant and get discarded at the end of the season when there are often years of wear left."

Solutions for consumers: Instead of buying the latest and greatest apparel, consider timeless classics. Vintage clothes are a great green choice, and offer nearly endless style possibilities. Avoid so-called "fast fashion," which is churned out quickly based on ephemeral trends and isn't designed to last. Rent the items you'll only wear once or twice, like tuxedos, prom dresses or possibly even hand bags. Finally, learn to mend the clothes you already have -- that's the greenest option yet!

Software

In software, as with some video game hardware, many titles are incompatible with previous files or programs. This definitely gives consumers incentive to upgrade across the board. Many users are also forced to upgrade to new editions after publishers stop providing support to older versions. This is particularly effective for software in which copyright protection limits the amount of service third parties could perform.

The march of progress in software often drives hardware sales as well, since newer versions often require increasingly powerful machines. Microsoft's Windows, in particular, gets larger and hungrier for bits with each incarnation, forcing people to purchase faster computers.

Solutions for consumers: Instead of proprietary software, use open source titles, which are usually free for typical users, including upgrades. You also may be able to save money by using general titles instead of specialized ones that only do one thing, since you are less likely to get trapped into expensive service or upgrades later. For example, use Microsoft Excel or Google Spreadsheets instead of custom accounting software. Some users may also find that they don't really need to get the latest and greatest upgrades, unless there are security reasons to do so.

Cars

Automakers are often accused of planned obsolescence for a variety of reasons. They routinely discontinue parts that could otherwise be made available for repairs. And they hew to a strict yearly cycle of model releases, often introducing purely cosmetic changes from one year to the next. Instead of sticking with hits and standardizing them over time, which would better support a repair aftermarket, car companies retire popular models and bring out something new every few years, making it harder to fix older vehicles.

Cars today are partly seen as fashion accessories, and a whole culture has arisen of keeping vehicles for only a few years, when it wouldn't be very difficult to extend the life. Cars take a lot of resources to produce, so adding a few years to every model's lifespan could have a big impact.

Solutions for consumers: Used vehicles! It may not be the trendiest option, but keeping used cars on the road can prevent new resource use, as long as they aren't too horribly inefficient. Keep your car in good working order to make it last longer, and consider bartering for mechanic service.

Consumer Electronics

Some have complained that cell phones seem to follow planned obsolescence, although it is also true that handsets endure heavy daily use, and often do wear out. Plus, cell phone technology has been proceeding apace. MP3 players, on the other hand, seem to be designed with more rapid planned obsolescence in mind. Unlike many gadgets, these units are rarely upgradable with more memory, meaning consumers are more likely to buy a whole new unit after they fill up their old one. But perhaps even more aggravating is planned obsolescence of proprietary batteries -- typically lithium-ion -- that are found in many MP3 players (in addition to laptops, cameras and some other devices).

In the worst case, such as with Apple iPods, the battery can't be removed easily by consumers, forcing an expensive service request when it runs out -- inconveniently priced just below replacement cost of the whole unit, and encouraging a throwaway mentality. Also, many batteries have integrated circuits on them that help regulate power. That can help reduce fire risk, but many are also set to disable the battery after a predetermined number of cycles, even if the life of the individual battery could go on for longer. These advanced batteries are often expensive ($75 or more in the case of laptops, but still pricey for smaller devices), so extending the life is no trifling matter.

Solutions for consumers: Luckily, there are a number of good quality "generic" batteries on the market for many devices. These typically are not recommended by manufacturers, but problems are rare. It also isn't that difficult to replace the battery in your iPod, and directions and how-to videos are online. If you are experienced with technology, you may be able to reprogram the battery itself to get around built-in auto shut-off.

Light Bulbs

In a few museums, some of Thomas Edison's early light bulbs still glow, after more than 100 years. Yet contemporary bulbs seem lucky to last a year or two. Clearly, the technology exists to make light bulbs last longer, but that isn't exactly a profit motivator for manufacturers.

Solutions for consumers: Consider longer lasting light bulbs, such as fluorescent and LED technology. These may cost more up front, but they'll save a lot of energy down the line. But beware that many CFLs haven't lasted as long as advertised, so stick with major name brands. Perhaps most important, keep your lights off as much as possible (dimmers and sensors make it easier); the less your bulbs are on, the longer they'll last.

Hope this information has proved profitable for you.

Please excuse the printing problem - Have no idea why it came up this way.

I tried multiple times to correct it but NO LUCK1

'Diet Blunders that Slow Metabolism'

2010-11-06T12:29:00.000-04:00

excerpts from:
Prevention.com

1. You don't eat enough

You need to cut calories to lose weight, but it's important not to overdo it. Going too low delivers a double whammy to your metabolism. When you eat less than you need for basic biological function (about 1,200 calories for most women), your body throws the brakes on your metabolism. It also begins to break down precious, calorie-burning muscle tissue for energy, says Benardot.
"Eat just enough so you're not hungry--a 150-calorie snack midmorning and midafternoon between three meals (about 430 calories each) will keep your metabolism humming.
"By eating a meal every 3 to 4 hours, you'll stay satisfied and keep from overeating later in the day.

2. You avoid caffeine

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, so your daily java jolts can rev your metabolism 5 to 8%--about 98 to 174 calories a day. A cup of brewed tea can raise your metabolism by 12%, according to one Japanese study. Researchers believe the antioxidant catechins in tea provide the boost.

3. Your carbs are white

Boost your fiber intake by switching to whole wheat bread, pasta, and eating more fruits and vegetables. Research shows that some fiber can rev your fat burn by as much as 30%. Studies find that women who eat the most fiber gain the least weight over time. Aim for about 25 g a day--the amount in about three servings each of fruits and vegetables.

4. Your water is room temperature

German researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day (that's 48 ounces) can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily--enough to shed 5 pounds in a year. The increase may come from the work it takes to heat the water to body temperature.

5. Your food is covered with pesticides

Canadian researchers report that dieters with the most organochlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a greater than normal dip in metabolism as they lose weight, perhaps because the toxins interfere with the energy-burning process. Other research hints that pesticides can trigger weight gain. Always choose organic when buying peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, and pears; non-organic versions tend to have the highest levels of pesticides.

6. Your meal lacks protein

Make sure protein is a component in every meal. Your body needs it to maintain lean muscle. Add a serving, like 3 ounces of lean meat,
2 tablespoons of nuts, or 8 ounces of low-fat yogurt, to every meal and snack. Research shows protein can up postmeal calorie burn by as much as 35%.

7. Your diet needs to pump iron

Iron-rich foods are essential for carrying the oxygen your muscles need to burn fat, says Lakatos. Until menopause, women lose iron each month through menstruation. Unless you restock your stores, you run the risk of low energy and a sagging metabolism. Shellfish, lean meats, beans, fortified cereals, and spinach are excellent sources.

8. You're missing this crucial vitamin

Vitamin D is essential for preserving metabolism-revving muscle tissue. Unfortunately, researchers estimate that a measly 4% of Americans over age 50 take in enough through their diet. Get 90% of your recommended daily value (400 IU) in a 3.5-ounce serving of salmon. Other good sources: tuna, shrimp, tofu, fortified milk and cereal, and eggs.

9. You've had one tipple too many

Skip the second cocktail. When you have a drink, you burn less fat, and more slowly than usual, because the alcohol is used as fuel instead. Knocking back the equivalent of about two martinis can reduce your body's fat-burning ability by up to 73%.

10. You're not getting enough dairy

"There's some evidence that calcium deficiency, which is common in many women, may slow metabolism," says Lakatos. Research shows that consuming calcium through dairy foods such as fat-free milk and low-fat yogurt may also reduce fat absorption from other foods.

IT'S ALL GOOD!

2010-11-04T18:19:00.000-04:00

LADIES HOME JOURNAL

NOV. 2010

Four reasons to feel happy about the world we live in (and the people in it).

BECAUSE STRANGERS CAN SAVE THE DAY

"Last year we had to put almost all of our belongings into storage," says LHJ reader Julie Godwin, of Miller Place, New York. "Then my husband and I both lost our jobs and couldn't pay for the unit anymore. The company was going to auction it off--with all of our possessions in it! And then these strangers saved us. They heard our story at the auction and felt so bad that they bought our unit and gave it to us. We got everything back!"

BECAUSE FAMILIES SHOULD HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HUNGER--FREE FAMILIES (a new initiative from the charity organization feeding America) kicks off this Thanksgiving season to help provide meals to families who can't afford them. Go to hungerfreefamilies.org to find out how you can help.

BECAUSE ALL KIDS DESERVE TO HAVE A BLAST

Morgan's Wonderland, the world's first theme park for kids and adults with special needs, recently opened in San Antonio, Texas. It's a 25-acre park with wheelchair-accessible carousel and train rides, specially designed playgrounds, a sensory garden and lots more.

BECAUSE HEARING A PARENT'S VOICE IS PRICELESS

Operation Record a Story lets kids hear their deployed military parent read them a bedtime story. Publications International is donation 5,000 books (which capture the soldier's voice reading the story out loud) to the USO and United Through Reading, two organizations that will help servicemen and servicewomen record and then send the books to their children.

NOVEMBER by HARTLEY COLERIDGE

2010-10-28T21:35:00.001-04:00

The mellow year is hasting to its close;

The little birds have almost sung their last,

Their small notes twitter in the dreary blast--

That shrill-piped harbinger of early snows;

The patient beauty of the scentless rose,

Oft with the morn's hoar crystal quaintly glassed,

Hangs, a pale mourner for the summer past,

And makes a little summer where it grows.

In the chill sunbeam of the faint brief day

The dusky waters shudder as they shine;

The russet leaves obstruct the straggling way

Of oozy brooks, which no deep banks define;

And the gaunt woods, in ragged, scant array,

Wrap their old limbs with sombre ivy twine.

HARTLEY COLERIDGE