My post is short and late today, sorry. Today is Thursday, the day on my blog to think about thankfulness. I am so thankful for so many things in my life, but one of the greatest treasures to me is my husband. (Yes, this will probably be a little sappy, so enjoy!)
My husband, Rich, and I will be have been married for 15 years on December 18th. I remember when someone told me they were married for 10 years and I was in awe. The last last 15 years have been full up ups and downs, tears and joy, laughter, and lots of love. (We have fours kids!)
I know I often get caught up in all the things I have to do as a mom, that I forget I am also a wife. I am grateful for Rich's patience. I am still learning on how to be a better wife, person, and mom. He is supportive and loves me more than I deserve.
So today, be grateful for that man who drives you crazy, misses the laundry hamper, forgets you own a dishwasher, but loves you more than anyone else in the world.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Staying Hydrated
During physical activity the body loses water primarily through sweat, even in cold weather or in water. The body has several mechanisms to protect itself from the negative effects of dehydration, but thirst does not occur until the person is already dehydrated!
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) points out that as we get older, drinking enough water is especially important because with age our body is less able to regulate our temperature, putting us at increased risk of heat-related illness. Age also affects our ability to stay hydrated during exercise and our ability to recognize when we need more water.
A key to successful workouts is keeping well hydrated before, during and after exercise. The length of your workouts, heat, humidity and the amount you sweat are all major considerations for keeping your body in proper fluid balance.
Hydration Tips
Start hydrating early by drinking 1-2 cups of water in the morning
Keep a water bottle with you all day long
Drink before you get thirsty
Drink 1-2 cups of fluid 30 minutes before exercise
Drink ½ - 1 cup of fluid for every 15 minutes of exercise
Replenish fluids lost (2 ½ cups for every pound lost during exercise)
Keep drinking even after your thirst is quenched
Water vs. Sport Drinks
For exercise lasting under 45 minutes, water is your best choice. For the recreational athlete who may exercise 30-40 minutes per session, water is sufficient for hydration:
Over-hydration
Drinking too much water can cause problems such as water intoxication and, although this is not something most of us have to worry about, it does happen among many exercisers and should be something to be aware of. As the water content of the blood increases, the salt content is diluted; consequently, the amount of salt available to body tissues decreases, which can lead to problems with brain, heart and muscle function.
Symptoms include:
Dizziness
Nausea
Apathy
Confusion
These symptoms can also be attributed to dehydration, so it is important to know your body and know how much you are drinking.
Remember that you can get your daily water requirements from sources other than pure water. Your cup of tea counts! Water is the main ingredient in all drinks – carbonated drinks, fruit juices and even coffee. All these contribute to your daily fluid intake. Fruit and vegetables also have high water content, so proper nutrition is just as important.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) points out that as we get older, drinking enough water is especially important because with age our body is less able to regulate our temperature, putting us at increased risk of heat-related illness. Age also affects our ability to stay hydrated during exercise and our ability to recognize when we need more water.
A key to successful workouts is keeping well hydrated before, during and after exercise. The length of your workouts, heat, humidity and the amount you sweat are all major considerations for keeping your body in proper fluid balance.
Hydration Tips
Start hydrating early by drinking 1-2 cups of water in the morning
Keep a water bottle with you all day long
Drink before you get thirsty
Drink 1-2 cups of fluid 30 minutes before exercise
Drink ½ - 1 cup of fluid for every 15 minutes of exercise
Replenish fluids lost (2 ½ cups for every pound lost during exercise)
Keep drinking even after your thirst is quenched
Water vs. Sport Drinks
For exercise lasting under 45 minutes, water is your best choice. For the recreational athlete who may exercise 30-40 minutes per session, water is sufficient for hydration:
Water is easily absorbed
Water is the best choice to drink before moderate length exercise
Water is readily available and less expensive than sport drinks
Research suggests that for workouts consisting of at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise or high-intensity workouts of any duration – running, aerobics, biking and intense weight training – a sports drink may be beneficial in delaying muscle fatigue by providing your body with additional energy:
Water is the best choice to drink before moderate length exercise
Water is readily available and less expensive than sport drinks
Research suggests that for workouts consisting of at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise or high-intensity workouts of any duration – running, aerobics, biking and intense weight training – a sports drink may be beneficial in delaying muscle fatigue by providing your body with additional energy:
Sport drinks will replenish fluids while containing a small amount of carbohydrates and electrolytes
A steady source of carbohydrates during prolonged exercise fights off fatigue and enhances performance by fueling the muscles
Studies show that a solution containing electrolytes and carbohydrates may be absorbed more quickly and helps to retain fluids consumed after prolonged intense exercise
The taste of a good sport drink may encourage you to keep drinking
A steady source of carbohydrates during prolonged exercise fights off fatigue and enhances performance by fueling the muscles
Studies show that a solution containing electrolytes and carbohydrates may be absorbed more quickly and helps to retain fluids consumed after prolonged intense exercise
The taste of a good sport drink may encourage you to keep drinking
Over-hydration
Drinking too much water can cause problems such as water intoxication and, although this is not something most of us have to worry about, it does happen among many exercisers and should be something to be aware of. As the water content of the blood increases, the salt content is diluted; consequently, the amount of salt available to body tissues decreases, which can lead to problems with brain, heart and muscle function.
Symptoms include:
Dizziness
Nausea
Apathy
Confusion
These symptoms can also be attributed to dehydration, so it is important to know your body and know how much you are drinking.
Remember that you can get your daily water requirements from sources other than pure water. Your cup of tea counts! Water is the main ingredient in all drinks – carbonated drinks, fruit juices and even coffee. All these contribute to your daily fluid intake. Fruit and vegetables also have high water content, so proper nutrition is just as important.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Shortcuts For Household Chores
Here are a few of my favorite cleaning shortcuts
If you have a favorite cleaning shortcut, please comment so that it can be added to our list.
Dusting
- Use an old sock on your hand to dust. (Your kids will enjoy helping with this one)
- If you need to dust a lampshade or your fake plants use a lint roller.
Cleaning the Microwave
- Boil lemon water in the microwave for about five minutes. After the five minutes, let the bowl sit in the closed microwave for about 10 minutes. You should be able to just wipe off the grime with a paper towel or wash rag.
Windows and Mirrors
- Use Vinegar to spray the windows.
- Then use newspaper paper to clean the windows. Your windows will shine.
Cleaning Your Floors
- Use Vinegar and Hot Water to clean your tile.
- This works best when washing your floor on your hands and knees.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Managing Your Grocery Shopping
I wanted to share with you guys some new sites that I have found that have really helped on my grocery bill. This does take some time, but it is worth it. The other day at Albertsons I got the big size of Juicy Juice for .99 each using coupons and ad shopping. Just bookmark the following links and it is easy to check every week. I promise after a few weeks you will be surprised at how much you can save.
Pinching Your Pennies
Not sure how well this one is in all state, but for Nevada it is awesome. Every week it list the deals in all the local grocery ads. It stars them to show how great of a deal. One * an ok deal 5*s an awesome deal. It also tells you what coupons to use from the Sunday paper as well as link you to coupons sites on the Internet to print more coupons. It will also send you emails with online shopping codes that can save you on shipping.
Shortcuts
This site allows you to add coupons to your shopper card. Here in Vegas, we have shopper cards for almost every store. Some examples of stores with shopper cards: Smiths, Albertsons, Kroger, Vons. The great thing about this site is that you don't have to print coupons they are added to your shopper card and deduct at the registar. You can print out a list of what you have on your card so you know.
Proctor and Gamble
This site is from Proctor and Gamble Products and can also load onto your shopper card. I wish this one would just print because I would like to use them at Wal-mart and Target, but sometimes the grocery stores do put non-foods on good deals.
Cellfire
This site also links to shopper cards. It does however have some different sites besides just grocery stores. But another don't have to carry the coupons. If you have Internet on your cell phone it will send you an email so you have your list right there.
I hope these help everyone save a little extra money especially over this holiday season.
Just a side note. If I print out list from these sites, I use my printers fast draft setting to save ink.
Men and the Doghouse
I had to share this with ALL of you. I know it is an extra entry, but thought it would put a smile on every one's face. Share and educate the men in your life.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Prayer
It seems to me that through out life, we often take for granted a wonderful gift that we all are given, the power of prayer. Prayer is our own personal opportunity to talk with our Father in Heaven. What a wonderful and amazing thing to have a direct line to the one person who loves us more than we can comprehend. He is the one person who always wants us to succeed, who has no hidden agenda, who cares more for our eternal welfare then what we have here on earth.
I love to hear little children pray. Their prayers are so sweet and from the heart. The things they are thankful for and the things that they ask for are genuinely pure in heart. When we found out that my husband had a new opportunity with his job that would require us to move away from our home in Texas, we asked our oldest two girls to pray about it. We asked them to really ask their Heavenly Father if this was the right thing for everyone in our family. My husband and I told them that if the answer was yes or no, they would have peace with the decision. We didn't expect them to understand nor be happy about moving away from their friends. After a couple days of both family prayer and their own individual prayers separately both girls came to us and told us that they knew we were supposed to move. Of course, this was with tears in their eyes, but they had been touched and really listened for the answer to their prayers. I know they listened, because I am sure they were hoping the answer was no, you are staying right where you are.
We often tend to rely on the Lord through hard times in our lives, but at this time of the year, what a wonderful gift to tell our Father how grateful we are for him and all the blessings he gives us everyday. Then, please take the time to just listen and feel that love and peace he gives us all.
I love to hear little children pray. Their prayers are so sweet and from the heart. The things they are thankful for and the things that they ask for are genuinely pure in heart. When we found out that my husband had a new opportunity with his job that would require us to move away from our home in Texas, we asked our oldest two girls to pray about it. We asked them to really ask their Heavenly Father if this was the right thing for everyone in our family. My husband and I told them that if the answer was yes or no, they would have peace with the decision. We didn't expect them to understand nor be happy about moving away from their friends. After a couple days of both family prayer and their own individual prayers separately both girls came to us and told us that they knew we were supposed to move. Of course, this was with tears in their eyes, but they had been touched and really listened for the answer to their prayers. I know they listened, because I am sure they were hoping the answer was no, you are staying right where you are.
We often tend to rely on the Lord through hard times in our lives, but at this time of the year, what a wonderful gift to tell our Father how grateful we are for him and all the blessings he gives us everyday. Then, please take the time to just listen and feel that love and peace he gives us all.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Spotlight
Saturday is the day to Spotlight amazing women in our lives. If you would like to nominate someone for a spotlight, please email me at kmjbmom@hotmail.com.
I have so many amazing women in my life, my mom, mother in law, sister, sister in laws, cousins, nieces, friends, and Grandmas. The list could go on and on. Today, I would like to spotlight my Grandma Petersen.
I have so many amazing women in my life, my mom, mother in law, sister, sister in laws, cousins, nieces, friends, and Grandmas. The list could go on and on. Today, I would like to spotlight my Grandma Petersen.
My Grandma
My Grandma has shown me over the last year that with persistence, determination, and lots of love and support from those around us, that we can make it through the most difficult times in our lives. You see, a year ago today was the last day on this earth that my Grandma was able to spend with my Grandpa. He passed away in his sleep early in the morning on December 7, 2007.
Grandma has had the harder end of the deal in this situation. While I know that Grandpa is in a wonderful place, learning, growing, and waiting for my grandma, my Grandma has had to face the earthly loneliness of being without the love of her life. She has done this with such grace and dignity. She never doesn't think about him, but everyday she is living her life for him. She plays cards with her girlfriends three times a week and has even joined a bowling league.
She is a true example of when life hand you lemons, you make lemonade. I don't think her lemonade is perfect yet, but everyday there is a little more sugar added to sweeten up her life. Thank you Grandma for living on so we can enjoy loving you.
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