April 29, 2010

Poison Ivy Still Spreading






I had hoped that by the time a week had gone by I would be seeing the end of my poison ivy breakout.

The first run has now turned into dried, yet still itchy, spots, but over these last two weeks, new patches keep cropping up all over my skin.

All the clothes have been carefully washed, and I have not been outside working around the yard - I wanted my skin to clear up before I headed back out.

It is frustrating to keep breaking out with it and not being around it.

I will say though, the Calagel that I put on it really helps a lot with drying it out.

I didn't get it until I was well into the weeping stage with the first break out, but it seems to prevent the new batches from getting to that stage.

Certainly worth a little more to get the good stuff. Of course, absolutely nothing helps with the itching, and I am anxious for it all to pass.
















April 19, 2010

Poison Ivy = Nasty Stuff







It hasn't happened for a couple of years.

That itch from the evil poison ivy plant.

It is in full force right now - all over me, and can you believe it hasn't even started growing yet this season?

It's not just the leaves that contain that ugly oil called urushiol.

We have been doing a lot of cleaning and raking around our yard, and I am well aware that we are surrounded by poison ivy on all four sides.

I stay far away once it begins to grow - I swear the wind blows the oil on my skin as I never touch the plant but get the rash anyway.

Well, the roots also contains that itchy oil.

And from what I am guessing, that oil must contaminate the soil and anything else it touches also, such as dried leaves.

I always give this plant a wide berth and avoid the roots too - I know the dormant plants are there.

The raking disturbed the soil and leaves, and since it was a windy day, it kept blowing it around me as I ignorantly kept working.

The rash is even on places that were well undercover and not exposed.

Man, I really despise this plant, and all the years I have been here, nothing has worked to get rid of it.

It should take about a week for the rash to subside, but stupid me, I will be out there again.

There is much more raking to do and a garden to prepare for too.

But I will take care to work on less windy days - hopefully that will help!






















April 16, 2010

A Gift for Mom and Baby



This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Cryo-Cell International. All opinions are 100% mine.



Preserving the cord blood from newborns is a new concept to me, but it has actually been around for over 20 years.

This process preserves the stem cells in the umbilical cord which can be used to treat over 75 diseases.

These cells are a perfect match for the baby they were taken from and they can be stored and used over their entire lifetime.

They can be used during radiation and chemo treatments if they are ever needed to rebuild the immune system for fighting various cancers.

These cells are pure and have not been contaminated with viruses which makes them more acceptable by the body with fewer complications.

New technology and advances in research make storing these cells a valuable asset for the child throughout his entire life.

Many times there is a 1 in 4 chance that the cells are also a perfect match for a sibling.

One of the leading quality and best value Core Blood Banks, is having a special offer for a limited time for parents-to-be who register online.

They are giving away a free baby jogger stroller in this special offer.

A great free gift that helps to celebrate the birth of a baby and helps to get Mom back in shape at the same time!




Visit my sponsor: Springtime in the Park



















April 15, 2010

Search for Fiddleheads





We had an extra long walk today.

Last spring season, I posted about a local delicacy that we call fiddleheads.

Since the extra warm spring season has caused the trees and flowers to start budding before their usual time, we figured the ferns would follow the same trend.

We found some of the non-edible ones sprouting up, but so far none of the fiddles.

They are usually ready about the second week in May.

We will take another trip towards the end of next week if this extra warm weather continues.

Since the dried plants from last fall are where this years plants will form, we tried to find some new areas that grew these wild ferns.

So far, no luck there either.

A big secret that Mother Nature keeps hidden - and I am glad she does.

They are becoming more rare, and I fear someday there will be no more.






















April 10, 2010

Pocket Pedometer





I wear a pedometer that counts my steps each day so I can track them for the Beewell Miles program.

Now, my old cell phone, a Sony Walkman style had a great feature built into it that would allow me to count my steps as I carried my phone in my pocket.

Since I always had my cell in my pocket, I never missed out on the counting.

Well, we purchased new cell phones last week, and my new one, an LG doesn't have this feature. In fact, there are no other cell phones out there that have that feature.

So, I had to dig up one of my pedometers that I used to use years ago, change the battery, and then the most important part, remember to put it in my pocket.

I have been counting my steps for so long with my cell phone now, that I pretty much know when I go on my regular walks how many steps they are.

And I think the phone was more accurate. The pedometer seems to count a few too many even though it has been calibrated for my stride.

Or perhaps I have been ripping myself off a few by using the cell phone.

Either way, they are still getting counted as long as I remember to put the pedometer in my pocket!




















April 5, 2010

Watch Those Trans Fats





Watching what we consume for trans fats has become quite a chore these days.

There are many labels that proclaim "No Trans Fats" on the packaging, but when you read the ingredients list, there they are, usually listed right near the top.

And we all know that the ingredients are listed by the highest quantity first.

I really don't know how the companies can get away with these practices.

We need to really pay attention when consuming these fats - the body cannot process these artificial fats, and after years of putting them into our systems we begin to feel the consequences.

If I eat any product that contains partially hydrogenated fats, I feel it and the discomfort is just not worth the tasty morsel that contains it.

It is quite surprising where this fat shows up, so I am very careful to read the ingredients.

It doesn't seem to bother anyone else in my family, but I do my best to make sure they don't consume them either.

Eventually they will catch up with them, but the lesser amount they consume now the better on the other end.




















April 1, 2010

Don't Forget to Log Your Miles





So far this year I have logged 112 miles for the Bumble Bee Beewell For Life Campaign.

Last year I logged 216 miles, but I joined the program later in the season.

Since they donate .15 cents for each mile, I have already donated $16.80 for this year.

I am looking forward to logging my miles this whole campaign and encourage my readers to join this worthy cause.

It feels good to help someone else as you help your self.

The link above will take you to the site where you can sign up - every little bit helps, and you really do yourself a favor as well!