Do You Need a Plan B?

This past week I had the pleasure to hear Motivational Speaker, Angela Cassel with TLC Moments, talk about setting goals.  There are all kinds of goals that we set for ourselves.  During the early part of the year, these goals could be attached to getting healthy.  This could be in change of diet, loss of weight, or increase of exercise.  Yearly business goals are often set to reach a particular sales figure for the year.  A personal goal could mean a career change, such as a different job or going back to school.   Many times when we look back at these wanted changes, we often wonder did we reach our goals.  Did we attain the end result that we set out to accomplish?  I have learned that there are times that when we do not reach our first goal or "Plan A", that very often we will ditch our original plan and go for "Plan B".   Should Plan B be so different from Plan A?  Or maybe do we just need to analysis Plan A to see what is working and what is not working with it.  Make some needed changes and keep working toward that goal.

Angela spoke of instead of a totally different Plan A, you should go for a "Better"  Plan B.  A plan that reworks Plan A into a "Smarter" plan.

S -  Be Specific about your goal
M - Is your goal Measurable
A -  Is your goal Attainable
R -  Is it a Realistic goal
T -  Have you set a Time to reach goal

So, instead of ditching Plan A when the going gets tough, get smarter about setting those goals.

Angela Cassel can be found at www.tlcmomentsllc.com

Everyday Kindness

"Kindness is a language we all understand. Even the blind can see it and the deaf can hear it" 

~ Mother Teresa

So you may be thinking, What does kindness have to do with staying healthy?  Have you every had a complete stranger open the door for you?  Someone who saw that you were entering the building in which they were leaving.  They simply took the moment to let you enter before they left the building.  What kind of feelings did your experience?  Did you resent your fellow man for their simple act of kindness or did it leave you with a lighter step in your walk?  For me, a smile comes to my face and a warm thank you is given for their thoughtful deed.  Anytime something happens which make you happy, your body feels more alive and your whole outlook for the day becomes positive and having positive thoughts are way better for your health than carrying around the excess baggage of negativity.  So the next time you have the chance, smile at that person coming in the building, hold the door open for them, and see if you get a return smile from them.  

Stay healthy out there and do a simple kind deed for someone.

Breast Cancer Awarenss Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.   I am sure that everyone has been touched by some form of cancer in their life.  You may not have had cancer yourself but very possibly know someone who has had some form of cancer.   For women, breast cancer is second to skin cancer in being one of the most common cancers for women.  According to breast cancer statistics, about 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop a form of breast cancer in their life.  When you think about how many women you know, this is a large number of friends or acquaintances whom could be diagnosed.  The good news is that new breast cancer occurrences decreased about 2% per year from 1999 to 2006.

New research is consistently coming out to help with the cure of cancer, but we still do not know the exact cause of it.   Researchers are looking at many different factors to see what could be contributing to breast cancer.  Factors such as food, weight, hereditary, stress, environmental exposure, and  hormone replacement are always being looked at as contributing to woman developing breast cancer.  Many of these factors you can control.  You can make positive choices in you eating habits, getting enough exercise, finding ways to reduce the stress in your life. avoiding harsh chemicals in the home and workplace, talking with your doctor to decide if hormone replacement could put you at risk for breast cancer. 

Your diet can go a long way in helping to prevent breast cancer.  A body that is given the best fuel available is more likely to fight off radical cells and prevent them from developing into breast cancer.  The best diet is one that is well balanced with grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and small amount of oils and sweets.   When you eat a well balanced diet, you will find that you are less likely to gain weight.  If you find that you are eating balanced and still seem to put on extra pounds, then you will want to look at you activity level.  Increasing you exercise time can help with weight gain.  It can also lower any stress you may be having.  Getting into a regular exercise routine is the best way to go.  Exposure to some chemicals over and over during our life can lead to health issues.  One example is the use of chlorine products.  When cleaning with these types of typical household products, the fumes enter your body through breathing and your skin.  A one time use does not seem that bad, but when you think about how often women use these types of cleaning products in their homes.   This is a lot of harsh chemicals for a single body to absorb.  When there are children in the home, they are also being exposed to these products.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to consider what you can do to help prevent cancer from striking you or someone you know. 

For additional information:  Breast Cancer

Fresh Herbs in the Kitchen

I have always like the ideal of using fresh herbs in the kitchen and found out this week that using them is much easier than you think. I had the opportunity to attend a local Herb Farm to learn more about these often forgotten home vegetable-garden plants.  With a few basic herbs growing in your yard, you can replace butter, salt, and oils to help reduce calories in your favorite recipes.  Some of the easier herbs to grow include basil, chives, mints, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sage.  When growing herbs, make sure that you start with a sunny location with good garden soil with good drainage.  Herbs do not like to have soggy feet.  If you do not have a sunny location, you can always plant in pots on your patio or deck.  Whenever using pots, it is best to keep the containers elevated off concrete or brick surfaces.  This will help to keep the plant's root system cool.

When harvesting herbs, it is best to cut in the morning.  This will help to insure the most oil is in leaves of the plant.  It is this oil which gives you the most flavor when cooking.  If you have extra herbs and would like to dry some for later use, you can simply cut herbs and bunch together.  Place a rubber band around the stem and hang upside down to dry.  Be sure to dry in a warm non direct sun location.  Making use of a closet or pantry is a perfect location.  After your herbs have dried, remove the leaves from the stems and store in air tight containers.  If you are harvesting basil, you can make pesto and freeze in ice trays.  the pesto cubes can then be store in freezer bags until ready to use.


Some basic uses for fresh herbs:

Basil - Add 1-3 teaspoons of finely chopped basil to one stick of butter. This can be served on crackers or small bread squares.

Chives- Chop and add chives to scrambled eggs and omelets at 1 teaspoon per egg.  Minced chives can be added to any vinaigrette salad dressing.

Rosemary - Chopped leaves can be added to cubed potatoes for roasting in the oven.  Drizzle with olive oil and minced garlic and place in a roasting pan.  Cook until soft.

Breads - You can add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs per one pound loaf of fresh baked bread.

Soups - fresh herbs can be added to soups & stews about 15 to 30 minutes before completing the cooking.

Hope that these tips have inspired you to purchase a few herbs to try in your garden this year.  Once you start cooking with your own grown herbs, you will not want to use the store bought dried herbs.

Enjoy!

WinterTime Blues

This is the time of the year when it is very easy to become depressed or to get the "wintertime blues".  If you find yourself lacking in energy or just do not feel like doing things that you normally enjoy, you may have a mild case of the blues.  If you are finding that the cold temperatures and the gray skies are affecting your outlook on the day, you will be glad to hear that there are some very simple things you can do to help you.

1.  Diet - It is very easy for us to grab sweets and high carbohydrates when feeling down.  These foods only add to the symptoms.  Instead, we need to have a well rounded diet of proteins, vegetables, and fruit.

2.  Supplements -  Make sure that you are getting enough Vitamin D.  With the cloudy skies and shorter days during the winter months, we are not getting exposure to the sun.  A good supplement can help give you the needed Vitamin D.

3.  Light - Make your surroundings as bright as possible.  Leave you blinds and drapes open to allow any winter sunlight in to your home.  Turn on more table lights if you need to.

4.  Exercise - Be sure to get plenty of exercise during the winter months.  It will lower stress and anxiety and at the same time lift your mood.   If possible, exercise outside in the fresh air. 

5.  Rest - Make sure to get your recommended 8 hours of sleep each night.  When you are tired from lack of sleep, your mood is going to be effected.

6.  Social Activity - Be sure to have contact with others.  If you live alone, make plans with others to get out of your home environment.  Spending time with friends and family outside the home settings will lift your moods.

7.  Aromatherapy - Having pleasing scents can boost your mood.  Think about burning candles, filling your home with fresh baked smells, or just purchase a new lotion to use.

Don't let the colder days of winter bring you down.  Remember, spring will be here before you know it.  If you cannot wait for spring, purchase some fresh flowers to brighten your home.

Which Foods to Buy Organic?

We are now hearing daily about organic foods and why we should purchasing and eating them.  For years, our food has been sprayed and fertilized with syntheic chemicals.  According to the USDA, Organic farming has become one of the fastest growing areas over the past decade.  Betwenn 1990 and 2002, certified organic farms doubled in acreage and doubled again between 2002 and 2005.

Even with this many acres in organic farm production, organic foods are sometimes hard to find at your local grocers.  There a few ways to find what you want by shopping at local farmer's markets.  This is a great way to find out first hand how your food is being grown and what pesticide practices are being used.   According to the Environmental Working Group, the following list are the fruits and vegetable with the least amount of pesticide.  These are relatively safe to eat when not grown organically.

1.Avocado
2.Sweet Corn
 3,Pineapple
 4.Mango
 5.Asparagus
 6.Sweet Peas
 7.Kiwi
 8.Cabbage
 9.Eggplant
10.Papaya
11.Watermelon
12.Broccoli
13.Tomato
14. Sweet Potato



Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, these 12 fruits and vegetables had the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy or grow organic:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet bell peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Lettuce
• Grapes (imported)
• Pears
• Spinach
• Potatoes

Take the time to choose your food wisely.  Just a few simple changes in you shopping habits can make a difference in how your body feels.

October Breast Cancer Awarness Month

This month is the perfect time to think about scheduling a breast mammogram.  If you or someone you know is at risk for breast cancer, do not put this very simple test off.  It very well could be the one thing that could save a life.  Throughout October, there are numerous way you can show your support.  You can either walk or support another in the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure.  There are events being held globally.   You can find additional information at Susan G. Komen for The Cure    You can click daily at The Breast Cancer Site to help make mammograms available for those who cannot afford them. If you know of someone fighting breast cancer, you can help by sending a card, making meal, or offering to run errands for them.  The smallest gesture can go a long way in letting them know that you care.

Women's Health Week - May 10th - May 16th

As a mom and wife, staying healthy is very important to me. Let's face it, the fact is that most often it is the mom who is the primary caregiver in the home. We are there when someone is sick, needs a ride to band practice, or when your little ones are hungry. So it is up to the mom to look after everyone else before herself. Sad to say, but very true.

Moms, it is time to put your health first. Check out the web site Women's Health Week Here you will find articles on diet and nutrition, physical activity, preventative screening, and mental health. Yes, all of these work to together to make you a healthy, happy woman. Celebrate being a woman and taking charge of your health during May 10th - May 16th. Make needed changes that you will continue with in the weeks and months to come. Do if for yourself. You will notice the changes and will feel better as a result.

Time to Set Goals for the Year

The new year has started and it is time to set goals. Every year many of us make our New Year's Resolutions. These can range from weight loss, to getting fit, to reading more, to spending more with family and friends, to finding a new job. Whatever we decide on, we are setting goals. Some goals are easier to reach than others. I have found that if I want to accomplish something, writing it down makes the goal come to life. To make reaching my goals more attainable, I will place my long term goal at the top of the page. Below this goal, I will write in my "baby step" to reach the goal. When I complete or reach each baby step, I am able to feel good about it. Often, one of the baby steps may change, but my long term goal is still there. To reach any of my goals, I know that I must dream about my goals and imagine myself at the finish line. The only way to reach this finish line is to work. So it is time to get to work on my goals for 2009.

Simple Truth Video 212 degrees makes a difference. Set your goals and put in the effort to reach them.

5 Ways to Improve Your Memory

Do you often forget where you keys or glasses are? Do you often walk into a room and can’t remember why you entered? We all have days when we may think that we are losing our memories. Is this because we have too much going on in our life or are we not challenging our brain as we should be. There are some very simple and easy things we can do to insure that our brain and memory stay as healthy as possible.

1. Play a game - Anytime we can put our memory into action, we need to take advantage of the time. Games which engage our brain to work, such as memory games, math games, jig saw puzzles, and word puzzles are going to increase our memory. (Puzzle books are great to have in the car when waiting to pick up a child from a sporting or other event.)

2. Read a book – Picking up a good book will challenge our mind to think about what is happening in the story. This is especially true in mystery novels and trying to figure out “who did it” Reading material to increase our knowledge on a particular subject is great memory challenge.

3. Take a Class - Anytime you can add education to your daily routine, you are going to increase your memory. You may want to take a class in something you know nothing about, such as learning to speak a new language or how to build a web site. Often it is nice just to take a class to be with others with the same interest as yours. If you have always wanted to learn how to knit or paint, group classes are great for this. You are challenged and encouraged by those around you. Socializing with others helps to keep your brain active.

4. Eat brain food – Eating a healthy diet is like feeding you brain. Your brain, just like the rest of your body, needs nutrition. Without proper nutrition, your brain will become sluggish or will tire easily. A tired brain will not remember those items you need. One of the best brain foods is omega-3. These are found in cold water fish, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. Foods rich in anti-oxidants are also great for your memory. Great sources include blueberries, blackberries, red grapes, plums, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, etc. Any fruit or vegetable which is dark in color fits into the anti-oxidant group. Studies have also shown that drinking green tea daily helps with cognitive health. There have been some connections made between high saturated fats diets and an increase risk of memory loss.

5. Exercise – Not only is getting 30 minutes of daily physical exercise good for you waist line and your bone health, it goes a long ways in helping with your memory level. Every time you increase your heart rate, your are increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. Studies have show that this can increase your memory level.

By working with your memory now, you will have a reduced chance of memory loss for later in your life. Anytime you can exercise your brain, your brain is going to thank you. Work your brain now to insure good memory for your future.

Electronic Waste - Where Does Yours Go?

I was visiting my dad a few weeks ago and he had just received in the mail coupons for his television digital converter box. Living outside the reach of the local cable company, he has had a dish satellite for years. He knows he will need the converter boxes in order to get the local station and this means having one more remote to keep up with. Wow, what happen to the days when there were no remotes. It seems like now we have remotes for everything.

My dad does have another choice, buy a new TV which will not require the converter box. If he decides to do this, like many homes will, what will happen to the old set. Anyone getting an additional set for their home will not want one which will require the purchase of a converter. This means that the landfills are going to be filling up with tv cathode-ray tubes containing lead, mercury, and plastics. Sure a few sets may be recycled, but at some point a huge amount of sets will find their way to the community landfills to leach toxins into our earth.

If you find yourself left with an electronic device, consider a recycle drop-ff location in your area. Visit ComputerTakeBack.com to find a convenient location for your electronic drop off.

8 Week Excerise Class??

This past Sunday, I headed off to the gym for a workout. Sunday is not my normal workout day, but the mood struck so off I went. When I arrived, I remembered that there was a new workout class on Sunday afternoon and thought I would check it out. This particular class was advertised as a combination of yoga, tai chi, pilates workout. Okay I do yoga and pilates regularly. I thought how much different could it be. I found out that each pose was held for 8 counts and then you move to the next. The problem with this is that the teacher gave very little instruction cues on how the pose should be done. I found it difficult to follow the class and also that when looking around that I was not holding arms correctly or having my feet in the proper position. After the class, I mentioned the lack of cues to the teacher. I was informed that with only 8 counts per pose, she did not have time to give very many instructions. I see this being a time problem, but where is the teaching in this type of class. Also, I wondered about how effective or harmful doing poses incorrectly could be. I for one had a very sore knee the next day. I have since find out that this is a class taught using a script and doing the same routine for 8 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, the instructor learns and then teaches the class a new routine for the next 8 weeks. I have decided that this is not for me and will stick to my regular yoga class where every class is different and continuous cues are given throughout the class.

"Staying on the Go"

A few weeks ago, our family was spending the night in a hotel. While TV channel surfing, I found a show on how an office was using constant motion to help employees to lose weight. (sorry, I do not remember the shows name or even the network which aired it) Each employee used a special treadmill which had been equipped with a desk top to hold a computer keyboard and monitor. All day long, the employee would walk at a very slow pace while working at their computer. It was found that employees had lost weight without any other lifestyle changes. No additional exercise outside the office or any change in their diets.

I found the results to be very interesting and that we could all learn form this. Stay on the go and you are going to burn calories. Whenever you have the choice, take the stairs over the elevator. When shopping, park far from the store entrance and get some walking in. If you have a desk job, take time out to get away from your desk. Walk around the building a few times, do some simple stretches and bends. The point is get your body moving.

Positive Attitude

I have always found it truly amazing what having a positive attitude can do. Whenever I am struggling with a difficult situation, changing my outlook can make a difference. This holds to be true in family life, social life, or in business life. Finding the good in a bad situation is not always easy. At times, we have to step back and take a look from a different angle. We need to find the source of the problem and work back from there Our approach can change when we know why we are having a problem. It could be that we need to talk to others or that we need to change our own attitude. I have found that approaching with a positive attitude, over a negative one, shows those I am working with that I want a solution. They can see that I am not just looking to get my way. I am interested in what others think.

Taking a positive attitude approach will not only reduce the stress in my life, but it will also create a healthy environment in all areas of my life. Being positive makes for a happier, healthier life.

The Power of the Blueberry

This past week I had the opportunity to visit my dad, who lives about one hour from my house. Thanks to my mom who was an organic gardener before it was cool, he has several blueberry bushes in his yard. This year has brought a bumper crop of blueberries. Within about one hour, we were able to pick around two quarts. To me there is nothing better than to be able to eat a fresh picked blueberry. Especially, one which I know has not been sprayed with any pesticides or fungicides. In fact, these bushes are so organically grown we had to cut an invasive grape vine off them.

For a fruit to be so small, the blueberry packs a powerful punch. Not only is it a great tasting fruit, but it also brings with it some great nutritional benefits. When eaten whole in their raw form, the mighty blueberry provides antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins E, A, and C. There is a lot in the news in nutritional world about the advantages of getting antioxidants into your diet. Research has found that antioxidants help to delay or prevent free radical cells in your body from developing into cancer. Free radical cells are present in everyone’s body. Some are produced naturally by our body, while others can enter through our respiratory system. These free radical cells can be in the form of cigarette smoke, pollution, or breathing chemicals in our cleaning products.

Other health benefits have been found to include anti-aging properties. Studies have found that eating blueberries may help with better memory performance. This is a plus for anyone with memory loss or in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies have shown the lowering of LDL Cholesterol, which can reduce the incidence of stroke and heart disease. This could be in part due to blueberries are low in fat and high in fiber content. One cup of blueberries contains less than ½ gram of fat and over 3 ½ grams of fiber.

So when you are selecting fresh fruits at the market, blueberries should be at the top of your shopping list. Eating a cup is an all around good choice.

Source: US Highbush Blueberry Council

In no way is this information to replace any medical advice from you physician

The Effects of Fiber on Your Health

Just what is fiber and how does our health benefit from it? These days we are hearing a lot about the amount and kinds of fiber we are adding to our diet.

A very simple definition of fiber is that part of eaten plants which passes through our system without being digested. Fiber can be label as either soluble or insoluble. Our bodies benefit from both types and each type plays important roles in helping to keep our bodies healthy. Soluble Fiber is that part of the plant that is dissolved by water once we ingest it and insoluble fiber remains unchanged as it passes through our intestinal tract.

The benefits of fibers to our overall health are numerous and should not be overlooked. Soluble fiber has been found to lower cholesterol and helps to regulate glucose levels in the blood. This type of fiber can be found in whole grains (bran and oats), fruits (apples, prunes, pears), vegetables(broccoli, carrots), and legumes(peas, peanuts). Insoluble fiber helps to prevent constipation and has been linked to preventing the risk of colorectal cancer. Insoluble fiber can be found in brown rice, wheat bran, nuts, and seeds.

An additional benefit of fiber in women's diet is reducing the risk of breast cancer. Fiber helps to reduce the absorption of fat and therefor helps reduce the production of estrogen. Estrogen plays a role in the occurrence of some types of breast cancer.

While the recommended amount of daily fiber is 25-30 grams each day, the average American person only consumes half of this. We have increasingly become a society who eats whatever is put in front of us without thinking about a balanced diet. Some form of fiber should be included in each meal which we consume. For those who do not get enough fiber in your diet, supplements are available. These need to be natural supplements and any increase in daily fiber intake should be done gradually. Adding to much fiber at one time can lead to digestive problems, such as bloating and intestinal gas.

Note: In no way should this post replace medical advice from a physician.

Eating Healthy Calories

How many calories are you burning?

We all know that in order to live a healthy life, we need to be aware of the kinds and amounts of calories we consume. In order for our body to function properly, we need calories. This is what helps to build and maintain the cells which make up our body. These cells also include fat cells. If we consume more calories than our body needs, we produce fat cells. When we exercise, our bodies will burn calories. If we are not exercising, our body will turn excess calories into fat.

Every time I hope on the treadmill or the statuary bike at the gym, I am looking at how many calories I am burning. I use this as a guide to help me plan which foods I am going to eat for the day. I know that keeping your weight in check is more complicated than the difference in calories consumed and calories burned. But this is a good encourager for me to stay out of the cookie jar. When I know how long it is going to take on the treadmill at the gym to burn up that one very delicious chocolate chip cookie, I more likely to dig for the will power to put it back.

While playing around on the Internet, I have found several sites which list calorie counters for both foods and exercise. I have put together a simple list of some basic forms of exercise for those who do not have access to gym equipment. I hope that this will help you track those calories you burn when performing any of these activities for 30 minutes. (Please keep in mind that these are average calories burned)

Frisbee - 85 calories
Bowling - 90 calories
Walking for pleasure - 99 calories
Ping Pong - 114 calories
Basketball - 128 calories
Calisthenics- 128 calories
Bicycling - 144 calories
Soccer - 199 calories
Jump Rope - 227 calories
Tennis - 227 calories

As you can see, some very basic forms of fun can be great at burning up the calories. There is no expensive equipment involved and these are some ways to get the entire family moving together.

Just to give you an ideal of how quickly our calorie intake can add up in a single day, I have given you a list of basic impulse foods with their calorie content.

3 Oreo Cookies - 160 calories
1 slice pepperoni pizza - 181 calories
4 oz. Chocolate Ice cream - 145 calories
20 Potato Chips - 150 calories
1 Soft Shell Taco - 210 calories
1 small Fries - 230 calories
1 Fast Food Cheese Burger - 350 calories


When looking at the two above list, I ask you "Are those potato chips worth it". Skip the bad calories and look for the healthy alternatives. Challenge yourself to a healthy eating style. Look to see where you can make positive changes to improve your health.

Are You Living Stress Free?

Meeting job deadlines, completing that volunteer commitment, a child needs to be picked or delivered. Does this sound like you life? There are times when I do not even realize just how stressed I am until I have a moment to slow down and think. We move along thinking that we are doing great budgeting our time, until "bahm" we hit the wall. Suddenly, nothing is working the way it should. The house is a wreck, take-out has become the norm, your kids are waiting to be picked up, things are being left undone with your work, and you have a committee meeting tonight. Sound familiar? How do you re-gain control of your life?

It is time to step back and look at your life. When this happen in my life, first I look to see what I am doing which is not necessary. I have learned to say "no" to volunteer work. There are times when I know that I am not the best person for the job. When asked, if I cannot commit the needed time to do a through job, I graciously turn down the opportunity. If possible, I recommend someone else. I have found that being a volunteer means that you do not have to always say yes.

At other times of stress, I have found that getting back to an exercise routine helps to get the levels of stress down. We all know that exercise is not only good for keeping the extra weight off, but research has shown that reduced stress levels are good for the heart and blood pressure. I have found that just taking a walk around the neighborhood will do wonders for my outlook on my life. If something is worrying me, after a walk, I can focus on the problem and find a solution.

A healthy body can deal with stress much better than a run down fatigued body. You cannot make day to day decisions when you are tired. Getting 8 hours of sleep at night keeps you rested and able to focus on your day. It is much easier to stay relaxed in tense situations, if you are not already tired from lack of sleep. Eating a healthy diet and regular meals give your body the needed energy to function properly. It always seems that it is much easier to become ill when you are under a lot of stress. Most times this is due to the fact that you body is not being nourished properly. Our mothers have always told us to eat breakfast. They new what they were talking about. Your day is being built on the very important meal. Don't skip it.

Take time for yourself. Remember, you cannot help others if you do not help yourself. Set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour a day to do something you enjoy. Yoga, listening to music, chat with a friend, or read a fun book. Whatever it is that you enjoy, take the time to enjoy it.

Go today and start your stress free life!!

Change it Up

When you go to the gym, do you find yourself taking the same classes, or using the same cardio machine, or maybe doing the same strength training exercises? If you do, you may not be getting the workout you think. Each time you hit the gym, you need to give your body some variety. By this, I mean you need to work your muscles in a different way each workout.

I always enjoy my yoga class with my favorite teacher. I am use to her voice and her flow from one yoga pose to the next. This past Saturday she was on vacation and I had a different teacher. At first, I thought "Oh no, Where is my regular teacher?". As we got into the class, I realized that I was having to pay attention to the instructor and not just go through the motions. I came out of class feeling like I had had a good workout.

I now plan to switch workout classes from time to time. I feel that this will keep my body and mind on its toes. No more just going through the motions. Next class to try is step for a cardio change. This should be great for burning up the calories.

Why only Earth "Day"

My daughter and I were talking this past week about Earth Day coming up and she made the comment that we should always be thinking of the Earth. Not just one day out of the year. She definitely has a good point. Everyone should put the earth first when making decisions about the simple things in our lives. Do we need all those lights on when we are really only making use of one light in the room? What about that quick trip to the mall for one item? Instead of driving separately, how about calling a friend and riding together? The list can go on and on. What are you doing about saving our Earth for future generations?

Ten Ways to help the Earth

1. Turn off computers overnight
2. Recycle the most possible in your area
3.. Run errands during less traffic times of the day- saves gas while waiting in traffic
4. Don't sit in long drive through lines - park and go in for food
5. Purchase cloth shopping bags
6. Ride your bike or walk to local destinations
7. Purchase local grown food - saves on long distance transportation gas
8. Think twice before washing your car - Does it really need to be washed?
9. Take your lunch to work instead of driving to eat out.
10.Purchase from resale clothing shops -

This is just the tip of the ice berg on helping our earth. Feel free to add to the list. It is amazing how helping the earth can make you feel inside. Try it out and see for yourself.