Health To Home

Electronics

2009-03-04T11:01:00.002-06:00

I'll admit it. In addition to being an old fashioned, housewife-type mother, I'm also addicted to electronics. I love the convenience and fun they provide. While I enjoy doing things by hand, and the pride it brings, I'm just as likely to take an easier route and use something electronic to get the job done faster.

One of my favorite new "toys" is my GPS. It sits in the corner of the car's dash and directs us where ever we want to go. Sometimes it's even a little on the cocky side if we don't follow its directions exactly. I just love the idea of setting out on a road trip to someplace new, and not getting lost! You just gotta love technology!

Or what about the computer? I cannot imagine a day without it! I use it for everything, from looking up recipes, to finding out the weather for the day. As a matter of fact, because of the computer, I rarely watch TV anymore. There's always something much more interesting to do on the computer.

What are some electronics you love the most? What's something you just couldn't imagine being without? What are some new things coming out that you just can't wait for? Give me your thoughts. Who knows? Maybe I'll find something new that I can't live without, too!

Greener Living: A Series

2009-03-04T10:47:00.003-06:00

People are always trying to find ways to save money and protect the environment. After all, in today's unsure economy, saving a buck is important. Protecting our environment is just as important, for if we don't, the economy will be the least of our worries.

Here's some tips for doing both:

Drive Less, Drive Smart:
Almost one third of the carbon dioxide produced in the United States comes from our cars, trucks and airplanes. Here are some simple, practical things you can do to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you produce when driving:

Check your tires regularly to make sure they're properly inflated - Proper inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Since every gallon of gasoline saves money and keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, every increase in fuel efficiency makes a difference! Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated. Check them monthly. Save 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $840 per year.

Make sure your car is well-maintained - Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and helps keep your car running at its best. When just 1% of car owners properly maintain their cars, nearly a billion pounds of carbon dioxide are kept out of the atmosphere.

Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates - Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. eRideShare.com runs a free national service connecting commuters and travelers.

Walk, run or ride your bicycle - Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year!

Try car sharing - Need a car but don't want to buy one? Community car sharing organizations provide access to a car and your membership fee covers gas, maintenance and insurance. Check out ZipCar for more information about car sharing.

Try telecommuting from home - Telecommuting can help you drastically reduce the number of miles you drive every week. Just as important, no sitting in rush hour traffic and more time at home with your family.

If it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle - If we could all get an average of 35 mpg instead of the 27 mpg on average we get now, we could end U.S. dependency on mid-east oil by 2025. You personally can save 3,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your current one.

Our Newest Addition

2009-03-02T07:54:00.004-06:00

A couple of months ago, we welcomed a new addition to our family, a mostly black, partly white Shih-tzu I named Rascal (after the Country group Rascal Flatts). This brings our family of animals to three dogs (Jake, Bear, and Rascal), two cats (Taz and Oreo), one hamster (Sunny), and one guppy named Bob.

It's not easy caring for so many animals, but I love it! I cannot imagine my life without my "babies", and take enjoyment in their care. Of course, someone is always needing something. Between the dog supplies, cat supplies, and various other necessities we're always shopping for them. Not to mention keeping the house clean with all these furry creatures running around. It's no easy, quick chore, let me tell you.

I guess my point is this, if you're an animal lover as I am, you can have your animals and still maintain a clean, healthy house. It can get expensive caring for your pet, but it really doesn't need to be. Most pets are quite happy with the basics: food, water, and love. Oh, and don't forget toys! My dogs (and cats!) love to play with toys. Heck, even the hamster has toys! I make most of mine, if possible. Balls are their favorites, but I also tie knots in old, holey socks and it makes for great tug-of-war toys. Tie knots in rope for the same, more durable toy.

If you do need to buy supplies for you pets, be sure to check out some of the places online. Places like JeffersPets.com have wonderful supplies at discount prices. They have everything you might need, from health care supplies to toys, for your furry little buddy!

Living Green

2009-03-01T21:15:00.002-06:00

Saving the planet and saving money. That's what it's all about, right? Everywhere you look these days, someone or something is making an effort to save our Earth. In the process, if a person can save a buck or two, even better!

So, I thought I'd start a series of posts dedicated to the idea of greener living, and saving money in the process. After all, we all want to have a safe, clean place to live that will be around for years and years to come, and with today's economy in a slump, saving money ranks numero uno.

So, what exactly is green living?

Living Green is about living consciously, with awareness of your actions and the impact they have on your body, the health of life around you and the sustainability of our planet. Sustainability, in the most basic terms, is the ability to provide for the needs of the population in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, in this generation and for generations to come. In practical terms, sustainability involves taking specific actions that have a positive impact on the health of our environment.

OK, now that we all know what it means to live green, what specific actions can be taken to ensure that our environment remains healthy for generations to come?

In the series of posts that I plan to write, I'll discuss the actions we can take as an individual and as a population to help our planet thrive. We all know that if appropriate steps aren't taken now, we will run out of our most basic resources. Pollution and overpopulation has already harmed the environment, but there are things that can be done to help save it.

Let's get started with the tips right away!

Shop Online

The best part about Internet shopping is that you can find just about anything, there is no waiting in line and you can shop in your pajamas. In addition to the major convenience factor, online shopping also saves energy, resulting in enormous environmental benefits. On average, e-commerce warehouses use 1/16th of the energy of that used to operate a traditional retail store. It also saves transportation energy. Although we always recommend ground shipping, even overnight air shipping uses 40% less fuel than the average car trip to the mall - and that's not even counting the drive around the parking lot to find a decent parking space. In fact, each minute spent driving to the mall uses twenty times more energy than a minute spent shopping online. Shopping online will reduce your carbon footprint too according to the Department of Energy. Save money too ! With gas prices reaching well over $3 per gallon this summer, consider the true cost of that trip to the mall.

Put the kids to bed, pour a glass of wine (preferably organic) and surf the web for some stylish eco-friendly clothes and accessories or the gift you need for that upcoming event. Now that's some relaxing, low-carbon shopping

GPS: It's All The Rage

2008-12-31T12:20:00.002-06:00

You just gotta love Buy.com! It doesn't even matter if you're Christmas shopping or just shopping for the fun of it. Buy.com has some super deals!

My brother has a GPS. A talking GPS, at that. It drives me crazy, but he loves it, and actually, it does come in handy when you're unsure of where to turn. Believe me, if you're unsure, that thing has no problem telling you where to go!

So, after playing with my brother's GPS, my husband decided he wanted one. After an split second of eye-rolling, I headed online to Buy.com, because they always have what I'm looking for. Sure enough, the perfect GPS popped up. It's got a 4.3 inch backlit screen, preloaded street maps for the US, and Bluetooth wireless technology. Everything the technologically insane could want!

So, we're doing away with the paper maps and putting our trust in the GPS.

How's Your Holidays Going?

2008-12-31T11:55:00.004-06:00

Ah, so it's been a while since I've posted. I have to apologize about that. I have taken on quite a few extra activities that have taken up all of my time lately. Add in the holidays, and there just doesn't seem to be enough time in a day to get it all done.

Anywho, I am back. I have tons of new recipes for you guys, and lots of new tips I've come across, so make sure you're stopping by every so often to catch up.

On a side note, I'm thinking about trying to sell some of my creations. Mostly knitted and crocheted items like scarves, hats, etc. If anyone is interested in anything beforehand, I'd be glad to get some pics out to you. When I find some time, I'm going to post some pics for the items I have, and maybe even take requests for specific colors or whatever. It's just a thought, but I'll keep you updated.

Make Your Home Inviting To Guests This Holiday Season

2008-11-13T10:32:00.003-06:00

Tis the season to spend with family and friends. The one thing we all want is to make our guests feel welcome in our homes. After all, it's all about family, right? We want everyone to feel at home when they visit.

Here are some really great, simple tips to achieve just that.

Enter As Your Guests Would

Walk outside your home by the front door all the way to the sidewalk or the street, turn around, and look back at your house. What would you see first? Scraggly plants, brown grass, snow-covered sidewalk, house light bulb burned out? Not very welcoming! If you need to, sweep the sidewalk, shovel the show, use a broom to clear off spider webs or major dust, and clean off the front porch. Replace burned light bulbs. Clean off the "Welcome" door mat so that your guests really feel welcome.

Freshen Up the Planters

Get rid of the droopy fall mums and replace with fresh poinsettias or sprays of holiday greenery. For color, add big red bows if you have time.

Open the Door

What is the first thing you see? Jackets and mittens strewn around the entry? Get a big trash or shopping bag and collect all the family things that you use every day. Stash the things away until your guests leave.

Make Room for Guests' Coats

If there's room, push your coats and jackets to one side of your coat closet to make room for what your guests will be wearing. If your closet is too small, move some of your own coats into bedroom closets temporarily. Clear room on the closet floor if you'll be collecting boots or overshoes. Or use a big bucket for umbrellas.

Find Chairs for Everyone

You may be having more guests than you have chairs around your living room. Forget the perfect furniture arrangement and collect what chairs you'll need and arrange them around the room. Everyone will be able to talk to each other and no one will be left out or feel uncomfortable. You might have to move some of them to the table when it's time to eat. No problem. Enlist everyone's help.

Forget the Total Cleaning

Don't try to have your home spic-and-span. A quick wipe will be fine and no one will know the difference once they're all there visiting. Use a towel to wipe down the bathroom sink and countertop, flush the toilet, fill the toilet paper, fluff the pillows, sweep the kitchen floor, and enjoy the day. You can clean tomorrow.

Turn Down the Heat

Once you get the oven going, candles burning, fireplace lit, and room filled with guests and happy conversation, you'll be amazed how warm your home will feel. Save energy by turning down the thermostat! Who knew?

Set the Mood

Even if you don't have time to put Christmas decorations around the house, you can really set the mood for a holiday party with candles everywhere. Keep them safely out of traffic, but light the coffee table, side tables, dining table, with pillars, votives, and pillar candles. Don't forget the powder room. Wherever you can't use candles, create atmosphere by simply dimming the lights.

Blackberries, Yum!

2008-11-13T07:59:00.002-06:00

Have you ever had a fresh, homemade blackberry pie? There is nothing like it on Earth! My grandmother used to make us a blackberry pie every time we came to visit. We'd go out and pick wild blackberries, bring them to her, and she'd work her magic. Our once a year visits to grandma's house was filled with many treats like this.

You don't have to visit grandma to get a fresh blackberry pie, though. You can plant your own Blackberry plants right now and have plump, juicy berries next summer. It's easy, too. Berry plants need little care, and they produce a wealth of fruit that can be used in pies, milkshakes, and cereal. Or, just pick them right off the bush and eat them!

I've had berry bushes in my yard for years. The kids look forward to the fruit every year, and I don't even have to do the picking! Their favorite berry treat is a blackberry milkshake on a hot summer day. There is no better way to cool off!

Leftover Turkey Casserole

2008-11-13T07:49:00.003-06:00

It happens every Thanksgiving. You have a ton of turkey left over, and you wonder what you're going to do with it. If you don't change it up a little bit, everyone is going to get tired of turkey. "Turkey again?!"

To avoid hearing that tired statement, make the following recipe and watch your family ask for more!

1/4 cup margarine (melted)
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups turkey (cooked & diced)
1 1/2 cups cooked spaghetti
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mushrooms
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Topping:

3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup melted margarine (for topping)

Directions:

Add flour to the first 1/4 cup of melted margine and stir until well mixed. Slowly add the milk and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
Place the rest of the ingredients (excluding topping) in a large bowl. Pour heated milk sauce over this and mix everything together very well. Pour mix into a casserole dish.
Mix the breadcrumbs with the second 1/4 cup of melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole.
Bake at 350°F. and bake for 25 minutes or until done.

This recipe is provided by TipNut.com.

Add A Touch of Class To Your Home

2008-11-10T09:57:00.002-06:00

If you're like me, you want your home to look inviting and beautiful, but you don't like spending a ton of money to make it look that way. Especially with today's economy, most people are saving rather than spending, and home redecorating and remodeling is being put on hold.

But, there are ways to update and revamp your home without spending a ton of money on paint, wallpaper, and the like. All you really need to do is change the ambiance of the room to give it a different feel. Change the curtains, add a few big plants, or even change the lighting.

Changing the lighting by installing beautiful chandeliers can add a touch of class to any room. Add an adjustable light switch to control the brightness of the light, for a romantic, warm setting.

Save a little money, enhance the beauty of your home, and make your house feel more like a home just by changing a few simple things.

Worms In Puppies

2008-11-10T08:56:00.003-06:00

I just discovered something alarming. I had always heard that most puppies are born with worms - roundworms to be exact. The mother may not even have worms in her intestinal tract, but she carries the eggs in her tissues. In the later stages of pregnancy, the eggs become active and enter the growing puppy inside its mothers womb.

The reason I'm telling you this is because we just got a brand new puppy. He's only 8 weeks old, but until yesterday, had not been wormed. My mother told me I should buy some worming medicine and give it to him, just in case. I really didn't think he had worms, but I did as she suggested.

I gave him the medicine yesterday afternoon, and by last night, he had pooped out a bunch of spaghetti noodle-looking worms. I was horrified! I had no idea that my sweet, new puppy could be so full of them! I'm just glad I chose to take my mother's advice.

If an infestation of worms is left untreated, it could cause death in the animal. The worms steal all the nutrition the animal takes in, causing the animal to eventually become malnourished and die. So, the point of this whole spiel is: Even if you don't think your new puppy has worms, it's best to have them wormed anyway. Chances are, they do have worms, and it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible!

Luggage

2008-11-07T09:17:00.002-06:00

I am not a traveler, although sometimes I wish I were. The thought of seeing foreign lands, meeting interesting people, and experiencing new things has a certain allure for me. All that aside, I know that a good number of you are travelers, whether for business or pleasure. Flying off to another state for a business meeting, or vacationing in another country can be made easier by carrying good, spacious luggage.

And good, spacious luggage is just what you'll get with Delsey luggage. The luggage offered at Luggage Universe for Delsey is beautiful, practical, and discount priced. Most bags are on wheels with handles to make for easy transportation from place to place, and the stylishness of each piece allows you to carry it with pride.

If you're in the market for some new luggage, I suggest you take a look at the Delsey line at Luggage Universe. For a great price, you'll get luggage that will last you for years!

Holiday Decorating Safety

2008-11-06T09:44:00.002-06:00

Here are some holiday decorating facts you may not know.

Each year, emergency rooms treat 12,500 people for injuries, including falls, cuts, and shock, due to holiday lights, holiday decorations, and Christmas trees.
Candles start about 11,600 fires each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1200 injuries, and $17 million in property loss.
Christmas trees are involved in 300 fires each year, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries, and $10 million in property loss.
Since CPSC started monitoring holiday lights and decorations sold at stores nationwide, inspectors have prevented the import of 116,500 units of holiday lights that did not meet safety standards.

CPSC tips to make your holiday a safe one:

Trees:

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights:

Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).

Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights - they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.

Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.

Decorations:

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair."

Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Fireplaces:

Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.

Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

[Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]

All Weight Loss Supplements Are Not Created Equal

2008-11-06T08:52:00.002-06:00

I sometimes wonder just what people are thinking when it comes to making and buying weight loss supplements. I realize that where weight loss is concerned, people will do just about anything to lose the weight without having to exert much energy. But where do you draw the line?

One weight loss supplement that comes to mind, is alli. The idea behind this pill is to block fat absorption in the body and have it eliminated in the bowel movements. Less fat absorbed should equal weight loss. The only problem is, Alli may or may not be effective in achieving that goal. People might actually lose just as much weight just by avoiding fatty foods.

The possible side effects are the reason I'm not quite sure that Alli is worth it. From greasy, oily anal discharge, to uncontrollable bowel movements, it doesn't sound appealing.

Alli does come with a diet and weight loss plan to enhance the effectiveness of the supplement. Most of the weight loss using this pill and the included weight loss plan occurs during the first six months. If you can stand the side effects that long, you may lose a few pounds.

Good Neighbors Make All The Difference

2008-11-06T08:36:00.003-06:00

I woke up this morning to a wonderful surprise. Aside from the noise outside my bedroom window, I was touched. Our neighbor behind us was in my yard with his John Deere tractor picking up all the leaves that have fallen in our yard.

Our trees are not completely bare yet, so we haven't started the dreaded process of picking up all the leaves and disposing of them. I noticed a couple of days ago, that our neighbor was picking up leaves in our other neighbor's yard, but I didn't think anything of it. My thoughts on the subject: He either likes helping out his fellow neighbors, or it bothers him that we hadn't picked up our leaves yet. At any rate, I am grateful for the assistance. I will definitely be doing something nice for him in return.

To make life easier, getting along with your neighbors is vital. A quarrel with a neighbor can make for difficult times on a daily basis, and no one wants to live that way. Be kind. Keep the noise to a minimum, keep adjoining property clean and tidy, be friendly when you see your neighbors, and keep an eye out for suspicious activity in and around your neighbors' houses.

These simple tips can really make for some nice times in the neighborhood!

Space Heater Safety

2008-11-04T18:26:00.002-06:00

With today's home heating prices skyrocketing, more and more people are turning to space heaters to try and save money. Running a space heater only in the occupied rooms of your house do help cut heating costs, but there are certain risk factors to be aware of. I myself, run space heaters whenever possible, so I know that it can be done safely. You just have to be responsible.

The first rule of space heating is to never, ever leave them running unattended. Never run them overnight while sleeping or when no one is home. Another concern is if you have small children in the house, to make sure they do not have access to the heaters as they are very, very hot. Space heaters should also not be run where there is risk of being knocked over, such as with cats or dogs running around them.

The CPSC offers the following guidelines for the use of space heaters:

Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or the heating element. This will help keep children, pets and clothing away from the heat source.

When selecting a heater, look for one that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. These heaters have been determined to meet specific safety standards, and manufacturers are required to provide important use and care information to the consumer.

Buy a heater that is the correct size for the area you want to heat. The wrong size heater could produce more pollutants and may not be an efficient use of energy.

Read and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions. A good practice is to read aloud the instructions and warning labels to all members of the household to be certain that everyone understands how to operate the heater safely. Keep the owner’s manual in a convenient place to refer to when needed.

Keep children and pets away from space heaters. Some heaters have very hot surfaces. Children should not be permitted to either adjust the controls or move the heater.

Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an unvented fuel-burning space heater. This helps to prevent pollutant build-up and promotes proper combustion. Even vented heaters require ventilation for proper combustion.

Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or leave the area. For fuel-fired heaters, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide could accumulate or uncontrolled burning could cause a fire.

Never use or store flammable liquids (such as gasoline) around a space heater. The flammable vapors can flow from one part of the room to another and be ignited by the open flame or by an electrical spark.

Be aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating equipment. Only electric or vented fuel-fired heaters should be used.

Place heaters at least three feet away from objects such as bedding, furniture and drapes. Never use heaters to dry clothes or shoes. Do not place heaters where towels or other objects could fall on the heater and start a fire.

Following these simple guidelines will help you stay safe and warm this coming winter, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the money you'll save on your heat bill!

Promotional Products Get The Word Out

2008-11-04T08:31:00.003-06:00

People love to get free things, plain and simple. Even if it's just a free pen from their insurance company, people are thrilled to get it. The idea behind giving away promotional products is to get your name or product out there, to bring to light what a great place your business is, and to bring in new customers. Someone might see that free pen you gave away when a current customer writes a check at the grocery store, and ask about the service they receive at your company. You may have just reeled in a new customer!

It doesn't stop at pens, either. You can give just about anything as a promotional product! USimprints has a huge variety of promotional products to choose from, and they screen print or engrave your company's information right on the items for you.

Give away a wind up flashlight radio to new customers when they take out a new insurance policy with your company. Give a free pen when a new client needs to sign their policies. The options are endless!

Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating

2008-11-04T07:46:00.003-06:00

We all know how easy it is to get off our diets during the holidays. All that good food and family, it's no wonder we come away with an extra few pounds after the first of the year. Instead of making a New Year's resolution to lose weight, stick to your usual routine with these helpful tips.

1. Don't go to the holiday meal hungry. It's a known fact that we tend to eat faster, and eat more, when we're hungry. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch on the day of the meal to avoid overeating at dinner.

2. Don't think of your holiday meal as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Fill your plate half with vegetables, one quarter meat, and one quarter a starch of your choice. Eat slowly and stop when you're full.

3. Go skinless. Eat your turkey portion without skin to save on fat and cholesterol. Save your appetite for the side dishes and dessert.

4. Practice moderation when it comes to side dishes. Smaller portions make it possible to sample all the choices without overdoing it.

5. Make a conscious decision to limit high fat foods. Fried and creamy foods are high in fat. Smaller portions are key!

6. Drink plenty of water. Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body. Drink cold water to fill your stomach and keep you hydrated.

Attention Entrepreneurs!

2008-11-03T08:44:00.003-06:00

Do you have a dream of running your own business? Would you like to be your own boss, not having to answer to an unappreciative higher-up? Do you have these dreams, but don't know where to start? It's really not that hard, and chances are with the help of americasbestfranchises.com, you'll be running your own business in no time!

The goal of America's Best Franchises is to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with an all-in-one place to find great information about franchise opportunities. You can search their directories for a comprehensive list of franchises and business opportunities for sale, including home based businesses, children's franchises, food franchises, retail franchises, and much, much more.

Don't let your dreams go by the wayside because of lack of information. Visit americasbestfranchises.com to begin making your dream a reality!

What To Do With Autumn Leaves

2008-11-03T08:32:00.002-06:00

Fall is upon us (well, most of us anyway!), and the leaves are falling at a fast pace. They smother our yards and make them look messy and unkempt. Rather than looking at those pesky leaves with hate in your eyes, see them in a whole new light.

Leaves can lend a helpful hand to any garden. They make a great addition to soil, adding much needed nutrients. Leaves also make for some beautiful decorations this time of year.

Here's a list of things you can do with the leaves that fall in your yard.

1. Compost them. Like I said before, leaves make for wonderful fertilizer, and composting them is easy. The easiest way to compost leaves is just to rake them up and place them in a pile somewhere out of the way. Every once in a while go out and turn the pile over. By next spring, you'll have a wonderful fertilizer for your garden/flowerbeds.

2. Just rake them into a pile and let the kids play in them. It's lots of fun!

3. Mow right through them! It sounds kind of lazy, but it does work. Mowing shreds them up and the resulting mulch will fertilize your grass.

4. Collect some of the prettiest leaves and attach them to a wreath base bought at any craft store. Add some seed pods or any fall decor to make a beautiful Fall wreath.

5. String leaves, cranberries, etc. together to make a nice swag to hang over curtain rods or doorways.

6. Take the kids outside to look for pretty fall leaves. Kids love to find leaves that are colorful and unique, and are proud to make projects out of them. Make a collage by gluing various leaves to paper.

7. Stuff a scarecrow. Use an old flannel shirt and a pair of jeans, and stuff them with raked leaves. You can even use a pumpkin as the head! Sit your new scarecrow in a chair out in front of your house.

These fun activities will make picking up the leaves in your yard more fun. You'll look forward to Autumn and the leaves falling!

Thanksgiving Tips For Hosts

2008-11-03T07:21:00.004-06:00

Can you believe we're only a few short weeks away from Thanksgiving already? 2008 has flown by so fast! It's time to start thinking about the dinners we're going to make, the guests we're going to invite, and how we're going to make it a wonderful holiday filled with good food, family and friends.

Here are a few tips to help the host throw a stress-free, fun party that the guest will be talking about until Christmas!

Plan to provide a traditional Thanksgiving feast, then be creative with side dishes.

Whenever anyone offers to help or bring a dish, say, "Yes, thank you!"

Use hollowed bread loaves for charming serving containers for cheeses, dips, olives, chips and small sandwiches.

Once the table settings and centerpiece are in place, sit in each chair to make sure each guest will feel comfortable.

Include favorite kids' foods, especially those they can eat neatly with their fingers.

Provide at least one low-calorie dish and a vegetarian option. Then serve a sinful dessert.

Completely clear the table of all dishes from previous courses before serving dessert.

Fill the sink with soapy water so cutlery and small dishes can soak clean as the guests are finishing.

Make it easy for guests who help you clean up to help you recycle. Place bins in the kitchen labeled "glass," "cans" and "trash."

Keep club soda nearby to clean spots or stains on the tablecloth or clothing.

Funny T-Shirts

2008-10-27T20:18:00.002-05:00

I'm not a fancy woman. I don't spend a lot of money on my clothing, and I don't dress fancy. I'm most comfortable in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I'm a no-nonsense type of person who tells it like it is, and if my t-shirt can say it, that's all the better.

I almost laughed myself silly when I looked at Roadkilltshirts.com! Their funny t-shirts are hilarious! And, there's something for everybody. From the rated G to the rated R, these t-shirts get the point across.

My favorite ones are the smart-alecky ones. I have a tendency to be a smart-aleck myself sometimes, and these fit my personality perfectly! I think for Christmas, I'm going to buy my brother-in-lush a shirt that says, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy". He's gonna love it1

If you're looking for some gift ideas for Christmas (it's less than two months away!) have a look at Roadkilltshirts.com. You'll laugh your butt off, and probably find something for everyone on your list!

Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-10-27T19:55:00.003-05:00

As we near the end of October, I'd like to bring to your attention the facts about breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The idea behind this awareness is to hopefully educate women (and men!) about breast cancer and be able to prevent deaths caused by this terrible disease.

Did you know?

• Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most
common cancer among women, accounting for more
than 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in US women.
• Men are generally at low risk for developing breast
cancer; however, they should report any change in
their breasts to a physician.

• Breast cancer incidence and death rates generally
increase with age (Figure 1, page 2). During 2000-2004,
95% of new cases and 97% of breast cancer deaths
occurred in women aged 40 and older.
• During 2000-2004, women aged 20-24 years had the
lowest breast cancer incidence rate, 1.4 cases per
100,000 women, and women aged 75-79 years had the
highest incidence rate, 464.8 cases per 100,000.3 The
decrease in age-specific incidence rates that occurs in
women aged 80 years and older (Figure 1, page 2) may
reflect lower rates of screening, the detection of
cancers by mammography before age 80, and incomplete
detection.
• During 2000-2004, the median age at the time of breast
cancer diagnosis was 61 years.3 This means that 50% of
women who developed breast cancer were aged 61 or
younger and 50% were older than age 61 when
diagnosed.

• White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer
than African American women after age 40. In
contrast, African American women have a higher
incidence rate before age 40 and are more likely to die
from breast cancer at every age (Figure 1, page 2).
• Table 1 (page 3) shows breast cancer incidence and
death rates per 100,000 for white and African
American women by state. Among white women,
breast cancer incidence rates range from 105.0 in
Mississippi to 153.0 in the District of Columbia.4 Breast
cancer incidence rates among African American
women range from 68.5 in New Mexico to 129.8 in
Kentucky.4 Incidence rates reflect how completely the
population is screened, as well as disease occurrence
• Incidence and death rates from breast cancer are lower
among women of other racial and ethnic groups than
among white and African American women.

Sometimes, just knowing the facts is enough to get you motivated to do the things you know you should be doing. Most times, we just take for granted that these sorts of things don't happen to us. The truth is, it can strike anyone at any time.

Do your monthly exams. Have a spouse do them with/for you. Two heads are better than one. Report any changes to your doctor immediately.

For more information, read more here.

Online Trading

2008-10-27T18:44:00.002-05:00

I'm not much of a risk-taker. I wish I could say that I'm a "living-on-the-edge" type of girl, but I'm not. But, for those of you who are, and enjoy online trading there's a site called Firstrade that offers $6.95 stock trades.

With 10,000 types of mutual funds, unlimited account protection, a three second execution guarantee, low commissions, and so much more, Firstrade is committed as an online discount broker. For a limited time, they will even pay the account transfer fee up to $100 when you switch to their service!

Trading with Firstrade is easy, fun, and inexpensive! Give it a try!

Lose Weight Quickly

2008-10-27T18:36:00.002-05:00

My back is finally starting to feel better, and it's time to get back into the diet and exercise routine again. After almost three months of battling the pain of sciatica, my body needs a kick start. I found a site that has some really great tips, 101 of them actually, that if followed, can get me (and you!) on the right track to losing weight quickly.

The site is called Fitness Tips For Life. The tips listed are straight forward and easy to follow. For example:

1. Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot of water so give in to water. Water is not just way to flush out toxin but if you have more water in your body you will generally feel healthier and fitter. This it self will discourage any tendency to gorge. The best thing about water is that is has no calories at all.

2. Start your day with a glass of water. As soon as you wake up, gulp down a glass of cool water. It’s a wonderful way to start you day and you only need a lesser quantity of your breakfast drink after that. A glass of water lets out all your digestive juices and sort of lubricates the insides of your body. You may have your morning cup of tea but have it after a glass of water. It is good for you.

3. Drink a glass of water before you start the meal. Water naturally needs some space so that you feel fuller without actually having to stuff yourself.

4. Have another glass of water while you are having the meal. Again this is another way of making yourself full so that you can actually rise from the table eating less but feeling full just the same. Instead of drinking it one gulp, take sips after each morsel. It will help the food to settle faster so that you get that feeling that you are full faster. SIDE NOTE: Water is such a remarkable thing, but seldom do we give it the credit that it deserves. Did you know that over 66% of your body weight is nothing but water’ It’s amazing! Water also plays a vital role in weight control, which is why I donated so much space to it, above.

These are just a few of the great tips on the site that really make losing weight easy. To continue reading the list go to Fitness Tips For Life: Lose Weight Quickly.