5 Health Benefits Of Smoothies

As more and more people begin to take charge of their health by changing their eating habits, smoothies are becoming more popular. And it’s no wonder – the health benefits you can get from just one smoothie a day are remarkable. In this article, we’re going to look at just five of the many health benefits you can get from drinking smoothies. Let’s jump right in.

Antioxidants

Fruits, berries, and vegetables all offer a tremendous amount of antioxidants. Since smoothies are made up primarily of these foods, you have an antioxidant powerhouse right there in your blender. Antioxidants are an essential part of a healthy diet to fight aging and illness. Studies have shown that antioxidants actually may help lower the risk of some cancers.

Nutrients

Just as fruits, berries, and vegetables are an easy way to get antioxidants, smoothies are also a quick and easy way to get your daily requirement of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. While taking a multi-vitamin is good, it’s better for your body to get nutrients naturally through whole foods. A wide variety of nutrients are found in different fruits, berries, and vegetables, as well as other ingredients in your smoothie. With a blender full of these nutrient rich food, it's like having a multi-vitamin in a tasty drink.

Healthy Start

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But, a lot of people skip it because they feel they don’t have enough time to make something to eat. That’s why smoothies are a great alternative. Not only are they quick and easy to make, they are perfect to grab and go. Aside from all the nutrients your body will quickly absorb by drinking a smoothie, it will help keep you away from foods that are too tempting when you let yourself get hungry by skipping breakfast.

Digestion

Smoothies that are made with plenty of fruits, berries, and vegetables are a wonderful way to help ease digestion and the elimination process in your body. When you blend raw produce in a smoothie, you don't lose any of the natural dietary fiber content. Fiber is an important part of keeping the body regulated to eliminate the toxins.

Energy

Smoothies are an easy way to boost your energy naturally. They are rich in 'good carbs' which is what the body needs for fuel. The slow-burning sugars provided in good carbs keeps the metabolism going along smoothly all day. These good carbs will also help you focus and stay alert. If you find yourself feeling a little slow in the morning, jump start your ‘engine’ with a smoothie. If you find yourself feeling an afternoon slump coming on, recharge with another smoothie.

As you can see, smoothies are a quick and easy way to give your body the nutrients and dietary fiber it needs, as well as a natural energy boost. Smoothies definitely qualify as a Super-Food with the added benefit of being delicious, too!

Quote of the Day December 30

3 Ways Drinking Smoothies Can Help You Lose Weight

Losing weight isn’t easy. It takes perseverance, hard work and a determination to change old habits. It also takes a willingness to make better choices when it comes to what goes into your body. Adding smoothies to your diet is a great way to help you get into a healthy eating habit. This article will show you three ways drinking smoothies can benefit your weight loss plan.

Smoothies Make You Feel Full

One of the biggest ways smoothies can help you lose weight is because of the fiber. When you blend fruits and vegetables for a smoothie they don’t lose their fiber content. That means your smoothie is packed full of fiber. A smoothie rich in dietary fiber helps you feel fuller – sometimes for several hours. Tip: the thicker the smoothie, the longer you’ll stay full. So load your blender with plenty of raw vegetables and fruit to keep your hunger away.

Smoothies for Breakfast

You can’t skip breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day, even more so if you’re trying to lose weight. As mentioned, smoothies are packed full of fiber and help you feel full longer. Because of this, it’s a great way to start your day out on the right foot. You get a full tummy and a nutrient packed meal. Choose ingredients carefully to include plenty of healthy fats, good carbs, and protein to feed your body a balanced diet and to help boost your metabolism. A nutritious smoothie in the morning offers many benefits when it comes to weight loss.

Use Water Instead of Fruit Juices 

Most smoothies will call for some form of liquid, such as milk, water, and fruit juices. Fruit juices can be high in fructose, sugar, and calories. In this case, your best bet is to skip sugary fruit juices and replace them with water instead. You will avoid the extra calories, and if you struggle trying to get in your eight glasses of water a day, using water in a smoothie is an easy and tasty way to help increase your intake.

Lots of Variety

It’s easier to lose weight when you have variety and lots of different food choices. If you eat (in this case drink) the same thing day in and day out, you’re going to get bored and will be a lot more likely to just stop trying. That’s the great thing about smoothies – there are so many variations to choose from. You can play around with lots of different ingredients to come up with your own creations and keep from losing interest in this healthy food.

Sweets That are Good for You

If you’re worried about having to give up the sweet stuff, don’t fret!  There are so many options out there to still enjoy some of that sweetness – just in a healthier, smoothie sort of way. The sweet treat you crave now comes from whole fruits and berries. Apples, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, oranges, kiwi, and watermelon are a few of the yummy choices you'll be able to add to your smoothie to get all the nutrition and fiber along with the sweetness. You may want to drizzle in a bit of raw honey. It only takes a drop when you're using a mix of delicious fruits and berries.

Too Much of a Good Thing

One question that has probably come to mind is, how many smoothies should I drink a day? Well, that’s entirely up to you. You’ll probably lose more weight if you replace every meal with a smoothie because most fruit and vegetable smoothies don’t contain a lot of calories. But it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients  every day, too. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other health professional before making a decision to replace meals with smoothies as a method to lose weight.

Smoothies are a delicious way to enjoy fresh, wholesome ingredients. But, smoothies are also a great way to lose weight. Gather some fun smoothie recipes together and start your healthy weight loss program today.

Quote of the Day December 29

Bookstore, All Locations/Items - BookBarista

Bookstore, All Locations/Items - BookBarista

Check out their books and for those Authors out there looking for a place to advertise your books this store offers both online and in store.

Quote of the Day December 25

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Quote of the Day December 17

Kelly Clarkson - The Trouble With Love Is (Lyrics) HD

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Quote of the Day December 14

Goodbye to ABC

THIS CAME TO ME VIA EMAIL.......WHAT IS HAPPENING TO AMERICA?

Subj: ABC Has Gone Goofy!!!

Goodbye to ABC.

ABC News Joins Obama and Bans American Flag Lapel Pins!

ABC NEWS BANS FLAG LAPEL PINS

This is what we get from the present attitudes in Washington .

Barbara Walters said that this was going to hurt ABC bad. And she works for ABC.

YESTERDAY THE BRASS AT ABC NEWS ISSUED ORDERS FORBIDDING REPORTERS TO WEAR LAPEL PIN AMERICAN FLAGS OR OTHER PATRIOTIC INSIGNIA.

THEIR REASONING WAS THAT ABC SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL ABOUT 'CAUSES'.

SINCE WHEN IS PATRIOTISM TO BE DISCOURAGED?

I URGE YOU TO BOYCOTT ABC AND ITS SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES.

WE ARE SLOWLY LOSING EVERYTHING OUR COUNTRY STANDS FOR AND EVERYTHING OUR MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE!

THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED THROUGH:http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/a/abcflag.htm

THIS ONE NEEDS TO BE CIRCULATED...QUICKLY

Did they become Socialist?

Business Structure Know-How for Entrepreneurs

Chances are, when you started out working online, you didn't put much thought into your actual business setup. You probably just set up a PayPal account, added some “buy” buttons to your website, or maybe created an invoice or two for clients. Before you knew it, though, you were thinking about quitting your job, and suddenly, filing taxes was a huge concern. 

The truth is, many new entrepreneurs are well on their way to having a full-blown business long before they put any thought at all into legal business structures, and that can really mess with your tax bill. In most states (and we’re speaking of the US, here) you have three choices when it comes to business entities:

Sole proprietor. This is where you started when you sent your very first Pay Pal invoice. When your business is structured this way, you are your business, and your business is you. There is no separation of funds, either for tax paying purposes or in the event of a law suit. You file your taxes just as you always have, but you’ll also need to add a Schedule C to record your business profits and losses.

Limited Liability Company. A small step up from a sole proprietor, the limited liability company (or LLC) affords you some degree of protection from debts incurred by your business. However, you still file your income tax return as if you and your business are the same – because as far as the IRS is concerned, you are. LLCs are regulated by the state, and not recognized by the federal government.

When you operate as either a sole proprietor or an LLC, you are responsible for paying the entire amount of your taxes. That means that the percentage of Social Security tax your employer used to pay is now your responsibility.

Corporation. When you incorporate your business, you are saying that your business is completely separate from you as an individual. So separate, in fact, that you’re actually an employee.

The good news is, corporations don’t file income tax returns, and you won’t receive 1099 forms from your customers. The bad news is, you will be required to pay yourself a salary. That means that every month, you (the corporation) will be required to send withholding tax to the IRS.

This can mean savings for the entrepreneur, because now the corporation has to foot the bill for half your social security tax. But the added burden of dealing with payroll and even more government paperwork means it might not be worth it to you.

The best advice? When your business turns from a hobby – meaning you’re earning more than pocket money – into a real business, it’s time to talk to an attorney or qualified accountant. They’re the ones who can best advise you about the business entity that makes the most sense for you, your financial situation, and your business goals.

Quote of the Day December 12

A Family Affair – How to Save by Hiring Your Kids

For small business owners with kids, the most often forgotten deduction is sleeping in the next room: your children. Sure, you deduct them as a dependent, but if that’s the only tax savings you’re getting, you’re missing out.

Here’s the thing. As a business owner, you can legally hire your children and avoid paying many of the taxes that go along with having an employee. Things like income tax withholding are not required for the underage children of the business owner unless you are a corporation. Sole proprietors and LLCs do not have to deal with payroll, even though technically your child is an employee. You also don’t have to cover them on your worker’s compensation insurance.

Even better, your kids don’t have to pay income tax on the money they earn. To a point, anyway.

All that said, though, there are a few rules you have to follow.

Work, not Just Chores

You have to be careful that your kids are actually working in the business. Things like raking leaves and doing dishes won’t qualify – unless your business is a lawn service or a restaurant, that is. Instead, have them do tasks you would normally either do yourself or hire outside help to handle.

Depending on the ages of your kids, such tasks might include:

•     Internet research

•     Video editing

•     Site updates

•     Basic graphic design

•     Addressing envelopes

•     Simple bookkeeping

You will also need to be able to show proof of hours worked, and that the pay was reasonable. In other words, you can’t pay your child $50 an hour for a job that – if anyone else were to do it – would normally pay $10 an hour. Set up a timesheet, and make sure he or she fills it out and turns it in every pay period, so you can have it on file.

Paying Your Kids

Each pay period, you’ll pay your children just as you would any other employee or contractor. As we already said, there’s no payroll tax or other deductions to worry about, so they get paid everything they earned. Even better, your business can claim the expense.

What about income tax? Your kids (and everyone else, for that matter) can earn up to $5,950 tax free. That’s the standard deduction, and it applies whether you pay your child or a total stranger, so it just makes sense to keep that money in the family if you can.

Not only that, but since you’re the parent, you still get to claim your kids as dependents. So your kids earn money tax free (which is a great way to start teaching them about budgeting, etc.), your business claims the expense without worrying about payroll taxes, and you claim the deduction. It’s a perfect system for getting work done while at the same time saving a substantial amount of money on taxes every year. 

Quote of the Day December 11

Master Your Time, Master Your Income!

By Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero

Yep, this subject has really gotten my attention. I am so glad I finally picked up Dan Kennedy’s “No B.S.

Time Management for Entrepreneurs,” after meaning to read it for quite some time. You’ve gotta love a time management book that’s short enough to read in a couple hours or less!

Here are three gems from Dan…why not try them out this week and see what happens?

1) Absolute punctuality is absolutely powerful. As a professional speaker for nearly three decades, Dan has shared the stage with some of the most successful people on the planet, including Colin Powell and Henry Kissinger. The one discipline the top achievers all share is punctuality: being where you are supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be, as promised, without excuses. This provides personal power for a number of reasons – it demonstrates your integrity, it’s a simple way to impress others, and it speaks volumes about your self-esteem and self-discipline.

I’ll admit, this is one area where Dan and I differ. Especially in social situations, I’m not one to get stressed out about being late…plus, I find that when I am on time, I often find myself sitting there alone because the other people are late. Well, that might just prove Dan’s point: punctuality stands out, in a good way. I think I’ll give this approach another try, by integrating it with the next tip:

2) Make the most of “Odd-Lot” time. Although Dan is a fanatic scheduler who looks for efficiency when setting up meetings and business trips, he still has to sit in traffic from time to time or wait in offices or airports. In the car, he listens to books on tape, both educational and entertaining. He keeps files of articles torn from magazines that have caught his eye and carries them with him on trips; once an article is done, he generally throws it away and lightens his load as he goes.

I always have a notepad handy to jot down ideas and make a note of copy that I think is good. When I’m waiting to pick up my kids, I use that time to make these notes or just “ideate” on things that would help my business. Who knew you could be more patient and more productive at the same time?

3) Improve your work environment and hit peak productivity faster. Take a look at where you’re working: is it somewhere you’d be proud to show the world? Do you feel comfortable there? Dan is a big believer in psychological triggers and packs his home office with images that remind him of qualities he wants to attain. He has several clocks positioned around the office to remind himself of the passing of time, and he has been using Asian Feng Shui principles since they first caught the attention of Western business.

Sometimes it’s challenging to work in a home office, no matter how tidy it is or how ‘Feng Shui compliant’ it might be! One way to get to a more productive place is to literally get up and go work in another place: at a coffee shop, a shared office, heck, even a park bench might work. Some people even take train rides just to have an uninterrupted place to work, and I’ve read of one entrepreneur who occasionally rents herself a hotel room in her own town when she has a bunch of work to do. As Dan says, if they can’t find you, they can’t bother you!

All in all, what makes these so powerful is that they are 100% in your control. When you start paying attention to how you spend your time and making small changes, great things start to happen. You may get the feeling that you’ve been given a big helping of the most precious, irreplaceable resource there is: time.

Author Resource -> Copywriting guru Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero has been helping entrepreneurs and copywriters get their marketing messages razor sharp since 1999. Get free access to 5 tips to turn your “blah” sales message into red-hot copy that ROCKS… at  http://www.RedHotCopy.com

Quote of the Day December 10

The Benefits of Creating a Household Budget

By Jenny Kerr

Creating a household budget can be a scary thought for most people. A lot of people look at a household budget as something that will restrict them from doing things. In reality, a budget is actually a tool that you will use to help guide you financially so you are able to buy and do the things that are important to you in your life. One of the best personal finance tips you can employ today would be to create a household budget. Take a look at the following benefits to creating a household budget.

1. Take control of your control your money- First and foremost, having a household budget lets you finally take control of your money once and for all. When you see how much money you have going in and how much money you have going out, you will be able to make better financial decisions. Instead of stressing over how you will bring more money in, what if you could cut back on your expenses? Having a budget let’s you see what you are spending your money on so you are able to make better choices.

2. Create a financial plan- No one wants to work forever. A budget will let you start to create a financial plan so you can make sure to reach your future financial goals. We work an average of 35-40 years of our life, so why not make our money work for us, instead of spending it all on things we end up tossing away later?

3. Stress less – When you know where your money is going each month, you will stress less over money (or the lack of it). Once you get a firm understanding of your financial situation and start to make some changes, you will stress less over money each month. Your situation still may not be perfect, but you can get yourself on the road to personal finance recovery quickly by following a monthly budget.

4. Live within your means- One of my favorite quotes is “A budget tells us what we can afford, but doesn’t stop us from buying it”. And that’s just the thing about budgets, if we don’t follow them, they don’t work! Once you see what you can afford each month, you will begin to live within your means to make your budget work.  This isn’t always a negative thing either. Sometimes cutting things out can make life much simpler and less hectic which in turn can make you happier!

5. Find out what’s important- When you see what you have coming in and going out each month, you may start to notice that some things just aren’t important anymore. Is it worth having to stress about where the money will come from when you decide what your stressing over isn’t worth it? It’s doubtful. Once you start to understand your spending you will realize that some things just aren’t that important.

Understand that creating a household budget may take time. But once you get started, you will start to see the ways your financial situation improves. There are many reasons to create a household budget. If you haven’t done so, what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Quote of the Day December 9

5 Ways To Add Money Back Into Your Monthly Budget & And Get Your Personal Finances In Order

By Jenny Kerr

If you are struggling with your personal finances each month, chances are you have more money going out  each month than you have coming in. This is actually quite common with most Americans as most people do not track their spending.  So how do you overcome it?

The first step is to realize that in order to create a balanced budget for your household, what you are bringing in each month and what is going out should be equal. Ideally, you would have more money coming in each month than going out. This is how you start to build a savings to use in emergency situations.

If you are looking for ways to cut expenses and add money to your budget each month, try these 5 strategies. I have used them successfully and recommended them to other people in my classes and they have worked well.

1. Phone lines - Your cell phone and home phone are two areas where you can find money in your budget. If you still have a land line, do you use it? If not, consider cancelling it or reducing some of the extra add ons like call waiting or caller id. The same goes for your cell phone. Is your plan the best you can get for your usage? Take some time to explore these two areas of your budget to see where you can save money.

2. Television – Paying an expensive cable bill? If you are struggling monthly, cutting out the cable bill is one way you can help to get your finances in order. With services like Netflix, there is no need to pay expensive cable bills each month. I have written a detailed report on my website about this using the Rokudigital video player.

3. Haircuts – Going to expensive salons can make a huge dent in your budget. Have you thought of trying abeauty school? A beauty school is a great way to get professional services at a discounted price. Just remember, they may take a little longer because they are students, but they are supervised. Just be clear on what you want and you shouldn’t have a problem.

4. Limit eating out and take your lunch to work – Food is one area of the budget that can really hurt you. I mean we all have to eat, right? By limiting the number of times you eat out each week you can help save money. If you want to save even more money, take your lunch to work every day. You can take leftovers or sandwiches to save money and eat healthy.

5. Budget Billing for utility bills - In our area it’s called budget billing but does your utility company offer you to set up your monthly bills so you are only paying an average each month? This can help even out your utility bills so you are paying an average all year around instead of a spike in price during the heat of summer and cold in winter.  By paying a monthly average, you know what you are paying and you won’t get an unexpected high bill.

Finding money in your budget can be easier than you might of thought if you just start to look at your finances in a new way. These 5 tips should help you start to do that. Can you think of more ways you cansave money each month by making small and manageable changes?

Ready to create your own personalized household budget? Learn how with the Budget Bootcamp: A Common Cents Approach to Personal Finance and Money Management for Women. Find out how to finally set up a realistic budget that you can live with and stick to, cut your living expenses without living like a monk and get rid of debt once and for all, so you can start building up your financial assets! Jenny Kerr  specializes in helping women get out of debt and build wealth . Get her highly-acclaimed Budget Bootcamp: A Common Cents Approach to Personal Finance and Money Management for Women and find out how to take care of your finances once and for all so you can become debt free! 

Quote of the Day December 8

Daily Bible Quotes

Every day is a beautiful day for inspiration and faith from Daily Bible Quotes!

It's 12/7 and here is today's scripture:

If you believe, you will get anything you ask for in prayer.    Matthew 21:22

jrramzz123_poemsoflove

THIS IS THE TRAILER OF MY NEW BOOK ON YOUTUBE...

Quote of the Day December 7

Quote of the Day December 6

Seven Ways To Make The Most Of Your Small Living Space

It is very seldom that a home or an apartment has exactly what you want as far as space and the layout of the rooms are concerned. Add to that a growing family, and you’ll soon find space is at a premium.

You can make the most of your small living space by using your imagination when it comes to decorating, and knowing how to arrange furniture to disguise the imperfections. Here are seven ideas you can use to make the most of your small living space.

1.  Your undersized room does not have to look cramped. Decorate using smaller pieces of furniture and aligning everything up against the walls. This leaves the floor space open and makes the room look bigger. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 30 inches of space so people can walk through a room comfortably.

2.  Use your wall space to its best advantage. What you lack in floor space can be made up using the wall area by adding lots of inexpensive shelves to hold everything from books to trinkets. Hang baskets from the ceiling and use them for storage. Pile decorative wicker chests or cute storage boxes against the wall, and use them for clothes or other items that don’t need to be in view.

3.  When deciding on furniture for a small room, purchase pieces you can see through and under. This decorating scheme doesn’t make the room feel boxed in and gives the impression of open space. One example would be to have a couch that has legs so you can see the floor under it, or a coffee table and end tables that have glass tops.

4.  Dual-purpose furniture is a must in smaller living spaces. Use a sleeper sofa as a place to sit and to sleep. Dining tables come with fold down sides making more space in your dinning room; just flip up the sides when you have guests. A chest makes a wonderful coffee table that doubles as a storage space for blankets, books, or throw pillows.

5.  Place small bright patterned rugs on your floor to give the room a larger look. Using rugs that have small patterns on them will also extend the look of the room.

6.  If you need more storage space, look up for the answer. Hang fish netting from the ceiling (think hammock) and use it to store pillows, toys and any other lightweight items.

7.  Light colored wall paint makes your room look bigger. The same goes for your window coverings. It is okay to have bright colored furniture and floors, but keep the walls and curtains neutral to give the room the appearance of openness.

Decorating a small living space can be challenging. Just remember that an over-furnished room will look smaller and cluttered. Keep things open so the room will look bigger and inviting. One good rule of thumb is if you can’t fit something in easily, don’t use it, you will just be cluttering up the limited space you have.

Make Your Home Look New With These Creative Window Coverings

Curtains are one way to make a room look new and refreshed, but the price of new curtains may give you sticker shock. If you don’t have the budget for brand new pricey curtains or you don’t want to use traditional window coverings at all, here are some creative ideas to help you get the look you want while sticking to your budget.

Beaded Curtains

Beaded curtains were quite popular in the 1960’s and they are now making a comeback in the world of Feng Shui decorating. It is believed that putting a beaded curtain in your window will bring in positive energy when the wind blows through. We could all use some of that!

You can make beaded curtains easily and inexpensively. Measure fishing string to the desired length, tie off the end and string your beads on. Tie the top to a circular hoop similar to the ones used on shower curtains and place on a curtain rod. It is so easy to find beads and baubles to match the décor of your room, and the look will be quite unique.

Blinds and Shades

Venetian blinds are cheap to purchase and easy to decorate. One inexpensive decorating idea would be to weave wide satin ribbon of different colors through the slats. The finished look is like a woven basket. You can add pretty bows or other decorations to the bottom of each ribbon to complete the look. All this idea takes is glue and ribbon—easy to create and easy on the budget.

Shades can be purchased inexpensively; you just have to search out the sales. Shades that are made of vinyl can be decorated with wallpaper scraps to match your décor, or you can staple material to the shade as well. If you purchase shades that are opaque or translucent (usually used to keep out the sun) you can use press-on embellishments like fringe, braids, appliqué, or paints and stencils to create just about any look—cheaply.

Towels

Nothing makes for better homemade window coverings in your bathroom than towels. You can purchase towels brand new from big-box and dollar-type stores and then jazz them up to match your bathroom décor. Often times two regular sized towels will be enough for one window. Just hem the top to make an opening that fits your curtain rod and the job is done. If you want to add decorations, you can sew on just about anything from appliqués to dangling tassels.

Valances

Sometimes all you need to spruce up your windows is a valance to add extra charm to your already existing curtains. You can make your own valance using any type of material. Make a casing at the top of the material and thread it through the curtain rod. Add appliqués, braids, ball fringe or tassels to the bottom to create a unique, but complimentary addition to your existing window coverings. You can even drape scarves over the curtain rod for a unique effect.

Creating your own window coverings is only limited by your imagination. By being resourceful, you can have beautiful windows that add beauty and charm to any room in your home without spending a fortune doing it.

Five Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Decorating Budget

Do-it-yourself decorating is the best way to get the most out of your home-improvement budget. Instead of spending big bucks, use time, energy and your imagination to give your home an inexpensive makeover.

You don’t even need to be handy with tools in order to get the results you want. Don’t be shy. Get free advice and ask questions at hardware stores, fabric shops and the local lumber company—they are more than willing to help you if you just ask. All you need is confidence in your abilities, an active imagination and the willingness to get the job done. So let’s get started.

Cute End Tables

Wooden crates make inexpensive end tables. Paint four wooden crates and decorate the sides with stencils or paint your own designs freestyle. Stack them together in whatever fashion suits your purposes and you have end tables with added storage space. You can find wooden crates in the dumpsters behind grocery stores or at flea and farmers markets.

DIY Room Dividers

If your home is wide open, then you might want to make use of room dividers to make it a little cozier. One easy way to make a room divider is to use three or more doors and hinge them together. You can find doors at thrift stores, in dumpsters where housing construction is going on, and at some Habitat For Humanity second hand stores. Paint them in solid colors and go crazy with stencils, appliqués or freestyle painting. This could be a great weekend project for the whole family.

Unique Dining Room Table

Purchase a used picnic table and benches from the thrift store for use as an inexpensive dining room table. Sand the table and benches if need be and paint in whatever color matches your décor. Painting the benches a different color than the table makes a great contrast and can add much needed color.

Restyle Your Old Furniture

Don’t toss your old furniture just because it is scratched or needs a few minor repairs. Restyle your old furniture for a new look and save a ton of money. For example, if you have an old desk that looks like it came from your great grandmothers house, restyle it using a spray-on antiquing paint. Once you have spray painted the desk, paint the trim in a contrasting color and add new hardware to the drawers if you need to. You now have a functional desk that looks new.

Make a Creative Area Rug

Cut out pieces of old rugs and carpet samples into different shapes and sizes. Piece them together on the floor until you find a pattern and shape that suits your needs. Sew the pieces together using thick carpet thread and a carpet needle. You might be surprised at how different colors, textures and thicknesses make a beautiful and unique area rug.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to decorate your home. Use your imagination and keep a positive attitude throughout your projects and you may find that you have a knack for creating useful and beautiful décor for your home from used items, and still stay within your limited budget.

Create a Cool Teen Room Using Bargain Store Decor and Some Elbow Grease

A teen room needs to be a reflection of her personality, so it is only fitting that the bulk of the decorating should fall on her shoulders. You should help with the initial discussions and planning stages, but once the decisions have been made, your teen needs to take over.

Of course you don’t want the project to turn into a money nightmare so set limits from the get-go. Go over the budget with your teen, and come up with the cheapest way to get the right look. Your best bet is to use lots of paint and bargain or thrift store items—then let your teen go wild.

The walls should be a blank canvas where your teen can show her true personality. Paint is so cheap and the colors are endless so there will be quite a bit of room for originality. If you don’t have the means to completely change the walls, then borders, stencils, stamps and potato/sponge painting are all good ways to add character to a room without doing a complete wall makeover.

Multi-functional furniture is another way to save money. Buy stackable wooden crates or cubbies to be used as shelves, storage and a place for knick-knacks and books. Many times you can find these at thrift or discount stores and that is okay, because your teen can repaint or stain them and decorate the sides with appliqués and stencils.

Shelves are a lifesaver when it comes to making extra room and keeping things off the floors. Purchase cheap metal brackets and pieces of wood from the lumber store and let your teen paint or varnish the wood before attaching to the wall. When it comes to a teen room, there can never be enough shelving space.

Changing the headboard on the bed can make a dramatic change to a room. The easiest way for your teen to do this is to apply panels of fabric, wallpaper or use stencils that can be placed on the wall directly behind the head of the bed. Take the theme one step further and sew sheets that match the wall pattern or sew strips of the same fabric that is used on the wall onto a comforter or blanket to complete the look. Your local hobby shop or decorating store should be able to tell you what type of adhesive you can use to adhere the fabric to the wall.

If you have a creative teen you can purchase dollar store items that can be manipulated into really cool stuff for the walls, or to be used as shelf decorations. Candles, vases, rocks, incense, baskets, frames, silk flowers and stencils can all be purchased at the dollar stores and used to create a room that is unique.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money in order to give your teen a room to be proud of; it just takes imagination and some elbow grease to make the magic happen.

Quote of the Day December 5

Quote of the Day December 4

Quote of the Day December 2

Top Ten Power Packed Foods

What is the secret to a long and healthy life?  It is in the food that we eat.  As you well know, all foods are not created equal.  Choosing and eating the right foods may help increase your life expectancy as well as the quality of your life.

Here are ten of the top power packed foods designed to give you energy, vitality and all around good health!

1. Beans – If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them.  Soaking them first can help.  Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, Northern) are high in protein.  This is plant protein so it contains very little fat, carbs and calories.  If fiber is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy portion of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthy.

2. Oatmeal – Oatmeal is coming into popularity as a food that lowers blood cholesterol.  You can make it yourself with rolled oats or eat the instant kind if you are in a hurry.  Oatmeal is a filling grain that also provides much needed fiber to keep hunger at bay and your blood sugar constant.

3. Fruits – Fruits are filled with antioxidants such as Vitamin C and A.  Antioxidants fight free radical damage in the body and reduce the risk of cancer.  Berries such as blueberries and grapes have the highest amount of antioxidants.  But choose an array of fruits in a wide variety of colors for maximum health.  The antioxidants in fruit boost the immune system to fight the effects of aging in the body.

4. Allium foods – This class of foods includes garlic, onions, leeks and shallots.  Garlic is known for lowering cholesterol.  Allium vegetables healp guard the body against the risk of cancer and many other ailments.  They also help lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots.  Eating these power packed vegetables in their natural state especially garlic increases their health benefits.

5. Salmon – Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of heart disease and other conditions like atherosclerosis.  Wild salmon is a fatty fish but it contains good fats that has been proven to improve health in children and adults.  Salmon is rich in protein which is of great use after an exercise session to build muscle tissue.

6. Flax seed – Like salmon it contains omega-3 fatty acids.  These seeds also contain omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.  You get a lot of power to fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes with this seed.  Ground flax seed can be added to fruit smoothies, sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added to pancake mix to name a few.

7. Peppers – Peppers are colorful.  They contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and Vitamin C.  Peppers range from mild and sweet to so hot you’ll be calling the fire department.  All peppers contain a substance called capsaicin.  Capsaicin has the properties of an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, lowers cancer risk and heart disease.  They are good in salads, salsa and all sorts of dishes.

8. Nuts and seeds – Nuts are high in fat but those fats are the good kind.  Peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios are all providers of good fats and protein.  Crush them into a fine powder and use as a coating instead of higher carb bread crumbs.  Nuts help to lower cholesterol.  Eat them right out of the shell with no additives.

9. Açai – This berry has been in the news lately.  It is rich in antioxidants and increases energy.  You can get more done and look better while doing it.  You can get Acai juice and supplements in your health food store.

10. Yogurt – The fat free variety is good for you.  Yogurt contains calcium, Vitamin B, and protein.  If you don’t drink milk, yogurt is an alternative to get your calcium in to build strong bones and teeth.  Live yogurt also contains friendly bacteria to help promote a healthy digestive system.

Building a better healthier body begins with what you eat.  Try these super foods to get started on the right foot.

The Power of Antioxidants for Staying Young

Everyone wants to grow old gracefully.  Some go under the knife to get that youthful look while others opt for a more natural way to maintain that healthful glow.  The way to make peace with age can be found in the types of foods that we eat and the miracle ingredient they contain.

This hidden “miracle” is called antioxidants.  They have graced the pages of magazines, medical journals and every product from hand cream to supplement pills.  But what are antioxidants and what can they do to keep you looking your best?

Antioxidants are substances that fight the aging process that goes on in your body.  They are not produced by the body so to get the benefit of these power-packed substances you must ingest them.  A variety of foods contain antioxidants.

Let’s go back to the beginning.  The body continually replenishes its cells.  Through a process called cellular metabolism, the body produces energy, more cells and repairs any damage.  One by-product of cellular metabolism is unstable molecules called free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules that damage your body.  They are unstable because they are missing an electron.  To get another one and become stable, free radicals will steal electrons from cells.  That theft damages the cells in a variety of ways.

The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies.  The development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age.  Also, thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem.  Free radicals enter our body from outside sources as well: cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun’s UV rays.  The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done.

Antioxidants have been shown to be of great help in the free radical problem.  Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them.  Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage.  Scientists don’t have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the diseases that come with age, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live.

Where do you find antioxidants?  They are all around us.  Look no further than your local farmer’s market or produce aisle in the grocery store.  Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants.

Examples of antioxidants include:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin E
* Lutein
* Lycopene
* Beta-carotene

Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body.  They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage.

Antioxidants are also found in nuts, legumes, cold water fish, seafood and red meat.  So, eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables and the foods just named will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the incidence of disease.  Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benefit of other nutrients found in the foods.  Juices also contain a lot of sugar that is not needed by your body.

Food does more than stave off hunger.  Natural substances found there can cause us to live longer and stay free of disease as we age.

How to Overcome Emotional Eating

Eating is a part of life.  Your body gets its nutrients from food.  Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight.  One issue with food is emotional eating.

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind.  Stress takes its toll on your life.  When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions.

Everyone has good days and bad days.  How we deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play.  You look for comfort for your hurts.  People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them “no.” To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise.  So, after you eat, you feel better.

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress.  They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems.  This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death.

But, how do you know you are using food in this way?  The first sign is obvious.  You will gain weight if you eat too much.  In light of the weight gain, examine other areas of your life:

* Have you been under stress lately at work or at home?
* Has anything traumatic happened in the last year?
* Are you dealing with a problem but haven’t found a solution?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions could mean that you are an emotional eater.  You eat but you are not necessarily hungry at the time.  The foods that you choose are what we term “comfort foods”:

* High fat foods like French fries, fried foods
* High carb foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes
* Sugary foods like ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake

There is help for emotional eaters.  The first step is recognizing that you have a problem.  You’ll experience feelings of helplessness and guilt.  The guilt is over potentially ruining your health and the helplessness lies in the fact that you don’t see a way out.

Secondly, seek counseling.  There are many types of counselors out there that can meet your need.  Emotional eating has nothing to do with dieting or changing your eating habits but gaining control over your emotions.

A counselor might suggest things like visualization, practicing problem solving skills, relaxation techniques and family support.  Visualization helps you to see your problems in a realistic way and not blown out of proportion.  You will also learn to see food as nutrition for the body and not an emotional crutch.

Thirdly, your family can learn your triggers for stress and be on the lookout for changes in your eating habits.  They can help you be aware of the foods you are eating, assist you in making healthy food choices and exercise along with you.  Proper diet and exercise increases immunity, blood flow and positive thinking.  Yoga enhances the mind/body connection so you don’t eat when you aren’t hungry.

Finding new ways to solve your problems and deal with stress will push food out of the equation.  You’ll feel good about finding solutions which will replace the dependence on food.  

Five Easy Toning Exercises you can Do Anywhere

Exercise is an important part of our lives.  Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy.  Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.

Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising.  The problem is where and when to get the job done.  With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.

Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders.  As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass.  For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem.  When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones.  Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.

Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time.  At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.


1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks.  Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart.  Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body.  Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor.  Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps.  If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair.  Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted.  Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair.  Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight.  Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release.  At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles.  They can be hard for people with knee problems.  A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee.  Stand with feet together and arms at your sides.  Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot.  From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor.  Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles.  If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees.  Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.

5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone.  Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head.  Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor.  Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.

These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time.  The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative.  Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.

Quote of the Day December 1

Got Question About Love? Life? Your Future?

Thought I would through a little fun in for the day...

Preconceived Notions About Life and - Snakes

How do you react react when you see a snake or some other reptile?

Many people are super frightened and want to kill any snake that they may see near their home.
We’re not born with any fears except the fear of falling and of loud noises.  Other fears and phobias develop as a result of what others have shared with us as we’ve grown up.

That fear of reptiles develops from the conditioning from parents and others who have acquired the fear from their predecessors.

As a child I went to a day camp where one of the activities was going to the “snake pit”   where we would sit around the edge and the handler would
pick up snakes for us to handle.  I loved the little ring-necked snakes….about  8 – 10 inches long.  Fun to hold.   At the snake pit, I learned some of the characteristics of poisonous snakes – the flattened head, a small depression between the eyes and sometimes a “rattle” for a tail.

My parents didn’t instill a huge fear in me…. I learned the value of snakes in controlling rodents.   We lived on the edge of some woods though and seeing a snake in the shed where we kept gardening supplies was a little startling.

Another unforgettable experience was when our basset hound yelped from the other room when we were living in a very large older home.  That large black snake definitely didn’t belong in my kitchen….  Quickly removed, safely from the house, with the help of a large shovel.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend an event at  my grandsons’ school where “The Reptile Man” showed quite a variety of reptiles to the enthralled audience of children.  HIs loving attitude toward his animals quickly spread to the children and they were all excited at any opportunity to go up with him to be part of handling the animals.    He had a cute name for all of them…..like Sheila the Gila – monster.   He was very clear about leaving snakes alone in the wild.  They like to be left alone.  And poisonous snakes are not to be reckoned with.  He described in detail the effects of poisonous snake bites.  He taught the difference between realistic caution and unfounded fears.

To see the throngs of children lining up to have their picture taken with either a small alligator or a huge snake was amazing!  They knew these creatures were safe because of being raised in captivity.   With careful education, they knew that they could be close to these animals.  The generalization that all reptiles are scary was dropped by these kids for sure.

You may be wondering what this discussion has to do with your life.

What negative conditioning have you received that is affecting your mindset?

Are there things that you are not attempting because you have generalized your fears about trying something new or going to different places?

If you can just think rationally about opportunities rather than reacting quickly from your preconceived notions, you may very well find yourself getting beyond stuck and moving on to new experiences.  Think back over the last few days or weeks.  Where have you made quick decisions without getting beyond the old beliefs that may or may not be reality?

If you’re ready to start improving your memory and your brain health, you need to check out the comprehensive Jump Start Course For Your Brain

In this three-part audio course, you will learn more about what you can do for your brain and create a simple plan for yourself to get started.

The Corporate Athlete

Are you an athlete? No? How about a corporate athlete? Do you compete in the corporate world while sitting at your desk? Still no? You are an athlete! You have to understand, I see an athlete as someone that uses their body to compete. An athlete’s body must be a highly tuned, well functioning machine. Still, many corporate athletes have forgotten that they need their bodies to work as well as possible in order for them to perform at their highest level… even if they never leave their chair.

Many corporate athletes have bodies that are not working the way they should, even beginning to break down and leave them dealing with regular aches and pains as a part of their normal day. Why do our bodies break down? Typically, you can trace most of your body’s musculo-skeletal problems to imbalances, posture, and overuse.

Imbalances are easy to identify, if you know what you’re looking for. Take a look at the movements and activities you do during an average day you will see that you basically do the same things each day. Over and over again. Day in and day out. Not much variety, and not much balance. Balance would mean that you do many activities involving muscles of your front as well as your back. Good balance would also involve movements on the right and left sides of your body.

The computer user keeps their hands in front of them all day, head pushed forward and eyes glued to the screen. They keep this nearly identical posture as they drive into work, and when they drive home, before resuming this posture again at the dinner table and the couch. How many hours in a day are they imbalanced in a forward position? Eight? Ten? Sixteen? Is it any wonder that their muscles, ligaments, and tendons start to change shape?

Bad posture is also easily identified… usually on someone else. Have someone take a look at you while you work at your desk. Is your monitor up high enough or are you looking down at it by bending your neck? How’s your chair? Does it allow you to sit up straight? Are your shoulders hunched?

What about the position of your mouse, where you put the papers you are reviewing, how you hold your phone, the angle of your wrists… it can be a lot to look at! You want to make sure that your body can stay in as much of a good, well-balanced posture for as much of the day as possible. Having a friendly co-worker take a look at you and your body position can allow you to address potential issues before it’s too late. It only takes a minute, and you can return the favor by observing them at their workstation.

Overuse injuries come from doing any movement over and over again until the body part just plain wears out! These injuries can occur over a shorter period of time when imbalances and poor posture are also a part of that movement. Trauma is usually easy to identify when it involves falling down or a car accident. What about repetitive trauma, also called micro-trauma?

Micro-trauma is not so easily noticed until symptoms start to appear. The same movement or action that caused the injury becomes painful to do. That should be your red alert that you cannot keep doing that movement in the same way. Even treatment will only temporarily relieve the pain if you go back to doing the same thing the wrong way again every day.

The symptoms of your body breaking down are not always pain. Other warning signs can be there for years before pain shows up. Bad posture is already a warning sign that trouble is ahead. The typical shoulder slouching head forward posture is rampant in our society! You likely don’t have to leave your house to find someone living with this posture.

Bad posture leads to further imbalances and a speeding up of the overuse injuries. If you take a look at someone with this posture, you’ll notice that muscles in the front (like the chest muscles) start to become shorter, while the back muscles start to become longer. This is not just a visual change, but a physical change. Your muscles are actually becoming short in the front and long in the back, a serious imbalance.

Another symptom is a loss of range of motion, or a loss of the normal ability to move the spine or any other joint through all of their normal movements. Does your head turn painlessly right and left to the same degree? Can you move your head forward and back easily, or just forward? What about your low back or other joints like your wrists, elbows, and shoulders? Compare side to side and see if they are equal. Of course they could both need help, but this is a good starting point.

The good news is that most of these problems can be helped without surgery. Of course, every person is different and when they decide to do something about their problem is also very important. Wait too long and you may eliminate many conservative treatment options. Catch it early and make some changes to your workstation and you can avoid many painful lessons later.

For now, concentrate on your posture and evaluate your work station. Seek out activities that will allow some balance back into your movements, including weight workouts and stretching. If you are already experiencing pain, now is the time to do something about it. These problems rarely resolve themselves on their own. You must act by seeking the assistance of a qualified health professional.

Author Resource – Dr. Natalie Cordova is a posture exercise expert, chiropractor, and health educator. More information can be found at his website at http://www.postureconfidence.com