A Million Pounds – A Million Viewers
Filed under: Archives, Diet & Health, Weight Issues
Both Oprah and NBC’s Biggest Loser are challenging Americans to lose weight.
Oprah is looking for 1 million viewers who want to lose weight
NBC’s popular show, The Biggest Loser, is challenging Americans to lose 1 million pounds.
MSN’s Health and Fitness, and NBC”s “The Biggest Loser” are teaming up for the “Million Pound Match-Up”. They are also sweetening the pot, by offering prizes. The premiere of the new season (Biggest Loser Couples) will be on January 1, 2008.
I’m guessing the diet plan which will be used/suggested, will be the one that is highlighted on NBC’s Biggest Loser Diet Club Same diet & fitness program used on TV – personalized to your goals!
Oprah is teaming up with Bob Greene, to motivate a million viewers to get on the weight loss band wagon.
On Oprah’s site, there is a link to the “Million Viewer Challenge 2008″. (Lower right hand corner of Oprah’s home page)
To join Oprah’s challenge, you are required to fill in a registration form, and it is also suggested that you print and sign a “contract with myself”. This is a way of “telling yourself” that you are serious about weight loss, this time.
Bob Greene’s diet plan is divided into three phases. Each phase addresses issues that may have contributed to your weight gain.
A million viewers, a million pounds…are you up for the weight loss challenge?
Tags: oprahHow To Make Wrapping Christmas Presents Less Stressful
Filed under: At Home, At Work, Holidays, Shopping
If you hate to wrap Christmas presents, and the thought of wrapping all of those gifts is overwhelming, here are several ways to reduce that stress.
1) If you order online, check to see if gift wrapping is available
2) At your favorite store, check with customer service.
Most large department stores have a gift wrapping service. Some may be free, whereas others will charge a small fee for wrapping.
Most major department stores also provide free gift boxes.
3) Check your local mall, and see if someone has a gift wrapping booth. The amount spent on having your gifts wrapped will allow you time to concentrate on more important things.
4) If you have a friend or family member who like to wrap, either pay them to wrap your gifts, or trade a “service” with them. e.g. babysitting, running errands, cooking a meal, baking, etc.
5) If all else fails, purchase gift bags. Wrap the gift in tissue, and place it in a pretty bag.
No tags for this post.How To Get In The Spirit Of Christmas
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Parenting
Getting into the Christmas spirit can be difficult, especially when life happens, and time is a rare commodity.
With Christmas becoming so commercialized, it’s no wonder, some become disheartened, at this time of the year.
Catherine, a cyberspace friend of mine, asked me how I get into the Christmas spirit, so I’m answering her question, with this article.
First of all, let’s look at what Christmas is.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
It’s a time to worship His birth, and rejoice.
The spirit of Christmas means to share love and to give of yourself. It is not about, what you get.
To get into the Christmas spirit, try the following:
1) Listen to Christmas music. The traditional songs are beautiful. However, there are other Christmas songs that are joyful as well. For children, the Chipmunks sing silly, happy, sing-along songs. Many radio stations play Christmas music, and Christmas CDs are always available during the holidays.
Play Christmas music at home, in your car, or in your MP3 or Ipod. Learn the words, and sing along.
2) Watch Christmas movies. Currently “Deck The Halls” was recently released on video. There are many others that will get you into the Christmas spirit.
3) Christmas often means gift giving. However, a lot of people have forgotten those less fortunate. Pick a name off of the local “tree of joy”, or Ronald McDonald house, and get your children involved in picking out gifts for elders, families or other children who may otherwise be forgotten about during the holidays.
Many shelters need volunteers to serve Christmas dinner to the homeless. If you cannot give of your time, consider making a donation to your local shelters.
4) Christmas may also entail decorating the outside of your home with lights and/or lawn decor. Some people are nuts about Christmas lights, and go all out, whereas others, keep it simple and hang a star, or some garland around their front door.
Make it a family event to drive around and look at the lights.
5) Christmas trees are traditional. Some families have more than one tree, whereas others make cutting down a tree, a family affair. Decorating them with pretty ornaments or home made ones, can become a tradition for any family. Putting on the tree top, can also become a celebration.
6) Christmas stockings are often a tradition for families. Stockings can be filled with candy, small toys, games, etc. Use your imagination. Decorating or making Christmas stockings can be a fun family event.
7) Wrapping Christmas presents, to some, is a real chore. But if you get family members involved, your burden can be lessened. Put on Christmas tunes, and get children involved. Let them decorate the packages for other family members. Let their creativity emerge.
8.) Go to church on Christmas Eve. Most churches have special services, and the message usually enforces the true meaning of Christmas.
9) Display nativity scenes. Currently there is yard decor for outdoors, and indoor scenes can range from small sets to large, impressive ones.
10) Often many people bake during the holidays. Pick a few of your favorite recipes, or try new ones. Share your baked goods with neighbors, friends and relatives.
Plan a cookie exchange party, and have each person bring 6-12 cookies for each of the other guests. By the time the evening is over, you will have had a fun time, and you will leave with several dozen cookies of different varieties.
11) Take time to see Christmas through the eyes of a young child. They don’t understand how commercialized it’s become. They get excited about little things like Santa, Christmas trees, lights, and sugar cookies. Their innocence is magical.
12) Make it your goal to give meaningful gifts. Let the older children know you have a budget. Have them make a “wish list” and pick one or two items off of their list. Let them be surprised by what’s under the tree on Christmas morning.
As parents, it is our responsibility to teach children that they don’t always get everything they want, when they want it. Some things have to be earned.
13) A sure fire way to get into the Christmas spirit, is to spend time with others who have Christmas spirit. Before long, you will find it’s rubbing off on you.
To avoid getting so over whelmed during the holidays, make it your goal to shop and/or make gifts all year long. After Christmas, great buys can be found on winter items, that can easily be stored until the following year. During the year when you are in your favorite stores, take time to find a gift of two to put away until the following Christmas. This method not only spreads the expense of the holiday, but will alleviate some of the stress of last minute shopping.
Want some inexpensive gift and wrapping paper ideas, check out the following articles:
1) Last Minute Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas
2) 22 Cheap Holiday Gift Ideas
Hopefully I have answered Catherine’s question, and have helped others to find the true spirit of Christmas.
Tags: blog, Gift IdeaHow To Save On Energy Costs – 30 Ways
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Home Improvement, Saving Money
Energy costs are on the rise.
How to save money on energy costs, is partly common sense, but can also be time consuming, and may involve a monetary investment.
Using some of the following ideas will help to reduce your energy costs, and put more money in your pocket.
1) Install or increase insulation in any part of your home that needs it.
2) Replace air filters in your furnace. Dirty filters will reduce the efficiency of a furnace.
3) Have your furnace professionally cleaned and serviced on an annual basis.
4) Seal air leaks in doors and/or windows. Replace caulk and/or weather stripping, as needed.
5) Buy energy star appliances
6) Use compact florescent light bulbs
7) Turn lights off when you leave a room
8.) Turn your computer off when it’s not in use. Unplugging it, will save even more.
9) Unplug small appliances when not in use
10) Dress warmer in the colder months, to avoid turning up the thermostat
11) Lower your thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, at night. With a programmable thermostat, you can have the furnace come on shortly before you get out of bed.
12) Install an energy star programmable thermostat
13) Have blankets and/or throws handy to use when sitting, watching TV, and/or reading.
14) Use styrofoam vent “plugs”, to keep cold air from entering the crawl space of your home. When spring arrives, remove the vent plugs to allow air movement under your home. Save the vent plugs, as they are reusable for the future. (The can be purchased at most home improvement stores)
15) Use LED lights where ever possible, e.g. Christmas/holiday lights, under the counter lights, etc.
16) Close heat vents in rooms that are not being used. Then, close the door to avoid heating an unused room
17) Use ceiling fans to push warm air down….heat rises.
18) Close window blinds when the sun sets. Open them in the morning to let the sun shine in, which will produce more light and natural heat.
19) Install storm windows, or use a protective barrier on older windows
20) Wash clothes in cold water
21) When you are shopping for a new washer, consider a front loading HE (high efficiency) model. They use less water, less detergent, and energy.
22) When drying clothes, use the automatic sensor, that will shut the dryer off when the clothes are dry.
23) Turn down the temperature of your hot water heater
24) Insulate your hot water heater with a hot water heater “blanket” (they can be bought in home improvement stores)
25) Use heavy drapes in the winter months to avoid cold air from “seeping in” from windows
26) For the summer months, lower the thermostat on your air conditioner
27) Planting shade trees will also help to keep your home cooler.
28) Keep the filters in your air conditioner clean, and/or changed often.
29) Have your air conditioner professionally cleaned and serviced on an annual basis.
30) Close window blinds in the summer to keep your home cooler.
Using these tips could potentially lower your energy costs, and result in substantial savings. That, is also something, that is great for the environment.
Last Minute Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Saving Money
If you are looking for last minute cheap, themed, Christmas gifts, here’s a list of 20 great ideas.
These last minute gifts, can be put together in a short period of time, without “breaking the bank”.
1) Reading theme: Get a magazine subscription
2) Car Detailing Theme: Buy a plastic bucket. Inside the bucket, place car washing soap, a chamois, wash mitt, window wash, tire brush, roll of paper towels, and a product like Armour-all.
3) Popcorn themed gift. Large bowl filled with a bags of microwavable popcorn, plus some popcorn seasoning. For an added bonus, a include a movie DVD
4) Pedicure theme: Line a small basket, or plastic basin, with a washcloth or hand towel. Add spa socks, Johnson’s Foot Soap, and a bottle/tube of foot lotion, and maybe some nail polish.
5) Painting theme: Fill a paint tray with a roller + handle, brush, stir stick, blue painter’s tape, etc. Add a coupon for “a free day of help painting”. Place the items in a box and wrap with white butcher paper, using the blue painter’s tape as the “ribbon. Add a blue or white bow.
Wrapped in the real estate section of the newspaper, this would also make a great house warming gift.
6) Craft Theme: Place skeins of yarn and knitting needles (or crochet hooks), in a basket. Add a “how to” book. Place items in a box, wrap with brown kraft paper and use yarn as your “ribbon”. Insert two knitting needles or crochet hooks into the “bow”.
7) Scrap booking Theme: Buy a plastic scrap book “box”. Fill it with assorted papers, stickers and embellishments. Check your local dollar store for these items. Add a pair of fancy scissors and some glue.
8.) Cooking Theme: Buy a cookbook
9) Kids Theme: Buy a toy or board game. Wrap it in the comic section of the newspaper. Use a jump rope as a “ribbon”.
10) Kids Money Theme: Instead of giving them a $20 bill. Get twenty ones. Wrap them in a box, or put them in a wallet or purse. The kids will think they’re rich, with their big “wad”. Or use Origami, and fold the money into different shapes. Make the Origami book as part of the gift.
11) Tool Themed Gift. Pick up a plastic tool box. Add a few tools and a gift card for their favorite home improvement store.
12) Quilters Themed Gift: Buy a pack of “fat quarters” (most fabric/quilting stores will have these available). Add a pair of small sewing scissors, and spools of thread. Place in a small basket. Wrap the box with piece of fabric, as an added bonus.
13) Exercise theme: Get a pedometer. Add a subscription to a “health” magazine (See #1)
14) Baking/cooking theme: Does someone love a specific recipe of yours? Make a “batch”. Deliver it in a casserole dish, or on a pretty plate (for them to keep). Include a copy of the recipe.
15) Another baking theme: Buy tubes of sugar cookie dough and cookie cutters. Add a sheet pan, rolling pin, some sprinkles, wax paper, and maybe a plastic spatula. Place in a box. Use a cookie cutter, as part of your bow decoration. Make sure to tell the recipient to open the package right away. (the prepared cookie dough needs to be refrigerated) Making, cutting, and decorating sugar cookies is a great way to get children to help in the kitchen. (Just remind them to wash their hands often)
16) College Student Theme: Buy a laundry basket (or bag). Add a small container of detergent, fabric softener, and some plastic hangers. Other “essentials” can also be added to this gift.
17) Spa Theme: Buy some candles, candle holder(s), bath salts and/or bubble bath. Add to that a CD of relaxing music, and maybe even a plush towel.
18) Cheese Theme: Buy small packages of specialty cheeses. Add a cutting board and a small knife. Include boxes of gourmet crackers, as an added bonus. (Remember to keep the cheese refrigerated)
19) Wine Theme: Purchase a bottle wine and two (or more) pretty wine glasses. Wrap the wine in a cloth wine bag or round wine box. Ask the store where you purchase the glasses from if they have a box for the glasses. Use some plastic grapes as part of your “bow” on the box of glasses.
20) Music Theme: Buy a package of blank CD’s. Add a gift card/certificate to Shop at iTunes“. Wrap it in sheet music, or sheet music looking paper.
Don’t forget those less fortunate. Pick names off of your local “tree of joy”. Involve your children, and teach them the true meaning of the holiday season. As an added incentive, donate to, and/or volunteer at the local soup kitchens, and help to serve holiday meals.
For additional inexpensive gift ideas, see: 22 Cheap Holiday Gift Ideas
Do you have other great gift ideas…themed or not?
Feel free to add them to the comment section, so they can be shared with others. 
Pedometers May Help With Weight Loss
Filed under: Archives, Diet & Health, Parenting
Much has been written about individuals needing to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day.
Charting how many steps you walk can easily be accomplished with a pedometer.
Many articles have been written stating that those who use a pedometer are more apt to walk more.
Apparently, if you are tracking your steps, you are more likely to meet your daily goals.
Having read these reports, it makes me wonder if anyone, adults and children alike, could use this technique to achieve weight loss.
I would venture to guess, it could almost become a game, of sorts.
Anyone needing to lose weight, could chart how many steps they take each day.
It could end up being a contest between family members and/or friends.
At the end of each day, the number of steps taken by each person could be recorded.
Then at the end of each month, a special prize (non-food), could be given to the person who has walked the most steps.
Wearing a pedometer, could not only help individuals to lose weight by increasing their activity levels, but could also result in a great “bonding” experience.
Save Money With Energy Saver Appliance Bulbs
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Saving Money
Saving energy by changing out light bulbs, can save hundreds of dollars over a short period of time.
I am in the process of changing out most of our light bulbs, and replacing them with long lasting, compact fluorescent, energy saver bulbs.
I started by replacing the light bulbs in the lamps and fixtures we use most often.
I recently found energy saver appliance bulbs at WalMart. They are for use in appliances, ceiling fans and garage door lights.
I bought a package of three, and replaced the bulb over our stove, and the one in our refrigerator.
The brand I purchased, is Lights of America. The package of three was under $8.00.
The bulbs are 7 watt, which are similar to a normal 40 watt incandescent bulb.
According to the information on the package, it claims I can save $20.00 in energy cost, per bulb (based on one hour of usage per day).
Each bulb is guaranteed to last five years.
On the back of the package, the “Caution” statement says not to use the bulbs where they may be directly exposed to water (electrical shock may occur), or in emergency exit lights or fixtures. They are not to be used with dimmer circuits, nor are they recommended to be used with timers, photocell, and motion control devices. The minimum starting temperature is -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have never used energy saver, compact fluorescent, light bulbs before, when you turn the light(s) on, the light starts out dim. Within a short period of time, they brighten to, what appears to be, the same brightness as a regular incandescent bulb.
No tags for this post.Regifting – The Cheap Way To Give
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Gift Ideas, Holidays
Regifting, is the “art” of passing a gift you received, to another person. Some call it “recycling a gift”.
The question remains, “should you regift”, or recycle a gift?”
Whether you like a gift or not, whenever you receive a gift, the first thing you should do, is thank the giver. A hand written thank you, is always appreciated.
If you receive an article of clothing, or anything “sized”, you can always let the giver know, it is the wrong size, and you would like to exchange it.
You could also tell the giver, you have a similar item.
Asking the giver where they bought it from, so you can exchange it, isn’t rude. They may still have the receipt, or may have gotten a gift receipt.
Do not rely on the box it’s wrapped in, as many people wrap presents in miscellaneous boxes.
However, if the item is a “specialty item”, engraved, or otherwise, you may be stuck with the gift.
Passing a gift on to someone else, is pretty tacky.
Although regifting could be construed as being cheap, regifting also says that you really care about the person you are passing the gift on to.
If you have received a gift that doesn’t “suit” you, it would be better to donate it to a favorite charity, or just give it to someone who can use it.
There’s nothing worse than regifting or recycling a present, and without realizing it, years later, you give it back to the person who gave it to you.
How embarrassing would that be?
Instead of regifting or recycling a present, check out my list of 22 Cheap Holiday Gift Ideas for some great ideas.
BMI, Blood Tests, Breakfast and Breast Feeding
Filed under: Archives, Diet & Health, Infants and Children, Parenting
On December 3, 2007, NBC aired a broadcast with regard to childhood obesity.
Four of the issues discussed were:
1) Getting a BMI (body mass index) test on your child.
This test determines if your child is over or underweight, or if they fall in the obese category.
2) Have your child screened for high cholesterol.
High cholesterol is becoming more common in young children, and may lead to a variety of problems.
3) Ensuring that your children eat breakfast.
Eating breakfast has again been proven vital to maintaining a healthy weight in children.
It is also a known fact that when children eat breakfast, it helps to fuel their brains, and they do better in school
4) Breast feeding is now proving to be an indicator for normal weight children.
It was suggested that an infant be breastfed for the first six months.
It’s sad to see that children should have to be subjected to blood and/or cholesterol screening at an earlier age, however, without it, we have no way of knowing if we need to change our children’s diets.
Product Review – John Frieda Curl Around
Filed under: Archives, Beauty, Product Reviews
I have been using John Frieda Dream Curls, for my naturally curly hair, and have been pleased with the results.
Just today, I added the John Frieda Curl Around Shampoo and Conditioner to my hair washing routine.
The Curl Around shampoo is a creamy formula, that creates a lot of suds, without having to use very much of the product.
I shampooed my hair twice, and then applied the Curl Around Conditioner.
After towel drying my hair, I spritzed on the John Frieda Dream Curls.
I let my hair air dry.
My hair feels soft, but not “crispy”. It also appears to have more shine.
On the bottles of the John Frieda Curl Around products, it does state that it is a “curl enhancing complex…frizz fighting…smooth curls…with lasting definition from root to tip” It also “locks in moisture for glossy salon-style spirals that resist frizz in all weather”.
These John Frieda products also state that they are “safe for color treated hair”.
I wasn’t sure if a shampoo and conditioner could enhance naturally wavy or curly hair, but with my naturally wavy hair, it does appear to encourage the waves, while providing a healthy looking, shiny hair.
I would highly recommend these products.
Since I also like the John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze, I will continue to use the glaze, after conditioning, on a bi-weekly basis.
Life Saving Tips
Free E-Book
Sponsors