October 28, 2010

Don't Forget Emotional Health






Quite often in our search for a healthy physical body, we often forget the mental and emotional side of our health.

I received some potential bad news regarding my health a couple of weeks ago, and it really didn't hit me right off.

Soon after the news, we went about our daily chores, grocery shopping and various tasks.

Not one to spend money unnecessarily, I always admire the flowers and plants in the market, but only purchase them for special occasions - mainly holidays when the family will be around.

This time I actually took a stroll around the stands - and a bright bouquet of colored daisies caught my eye.

They were not something I would usually even give a second glance - I prefer flowers in their natural state, not colored unnaturally.

But they were very bright and cheerful - just what was called for at the moment.

Throwing my usual frugalness to the wind, a bouquet made their way into the cart.

My husband looked at them and asked if they were really the ones I wanted.

Those were the ones, and they only cost $3.99.

This was over two weeks ago, and those bright flowers are still in beautiful shape right in the center of the kitchen table.

I really can't believe they have lasted so long.

They were a small thing that has given my emotional side great pleasure.

It is important to nurture this side of our health also.

Too often we forget this - I won't be from now on.












October 20, 2010

Love Those Outlets



This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Liz Claiborne New York Outlets. All opinions are 100% mine.



Outlet stores are the best.

I never fail to find a good deal on just about everything I need - and sometimes don't need.

We are fortunate to have several outlet malls within an hour or so away from us and they have some of the best stores in them.

The Liz Claiborne New York Outlets are one of my favorites, and they have some of the best clothes.

I love the quality of the clothing and the fall styles that are arriving in the stores now are just the kind I like.

Classy and feminine with simple lines and soft colors - I can't wait to go shopping!

Time to find some cozy sweaters and perhaps a new pair of jeans to go with them.

And to top all of this off - the outlet store is now offering these fashions at 50-80% of the original prices.

80% is a lot.

That means I get to buy more - my dollars will go so much further.

My frugal bone has been kicked into high gear, and I feel some good deals coming down the line on fall fashions.

Some early Christmas shopping will be in order too.

I really love a good deal, and I hope you can find an outlet store near you too for some great deals!




Visit my sponsor: Calling all Fashionistas!









October 15, 2010

Eat With the Other Hand




I read something the other day that made me think.

It was a tip that said eating with your opposite hand will help you loose weight.

I had to chuckle thinking that's for sure - everything lands on the floor - not in your mouth.

Yep, that would make me loose weight with the added exercise benefit of cleaning the floor too afterward.

But that was not what they had in mind when they posted the tip.

We eat way too fast.

And when we eat fast, our belly cannot tell us it is full until it is way overfilled.

If we eat slower, we will feel when we get full long before we eat too much.

And using the opposite hand makes you slow down your eating so you don't end up spilling it all over the floor.

I'm up for trying it- if anything it should be good for a few laughs - and that's always good too!












October 7, 2010

Breast Cancer Awareness Month







October is the month designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month.

It has been so since 1985, and it is used to promote mammograms which are the best tool we have for finding and fighting this disease.

In 1993, the pink ribbon was made the official symbol for this cause.

I have already scheduled my mammogram, have you?












October 1, 2010

Swimming in October




We started swimming this past season in May - the hot days before summer officially arrived had us heading down to the lake.

And we have ended this season in October - a first for us.

This past week had us at the lake four days.

The air temps ranged anywhere between 71 and 81 degrees - higher than normal for this region at this time of the year.

The water temperature on Wednesday was 68 degrees - up 3 degrees from the previous weekend.

A wind and rain storm started moving up the eastern seaboard yesterday and it made the air quite tropical.

By the time it passed through this afternoon, the air and water were the same temperature.

The wind yesterday had the water quite choppy and it was a chore to swim.

Today it was raining, but it was as smooth as glass - my favorite.

I do not know if we will make it in again to swim this season, but we have certainly enjoyed every minute we have spent in the water.

I will surely miss this great form of exercise.

Thanks to Mother Nature for giving us this beautiful gift!