Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-29

Life Beyond Niches

Powered by Twitter Tools



August 29, 2010   Tags: ,   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-08

Life Beyond Niches

Powered by Twitter Tools



August 8, 2010   Tags: ,   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Healthy Winter Activities For Kids


Carson Playing In The Snow by sholden.

Flickr Photo by Sholden
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sholden/2115102069/ 

We’ve long known the importance of physical activity to help kids maintain good health.  The latest studies and statistics on childhood obesity make keeping our kids active more important now than ever before.  If you find it hard to get your kids started, join in, and watch them follow your example.

Those children who develop healthy exercise  habits at a young age are more likely to continue pursuing exercise as adults.  Even if you live where there’s a lot of snow, ice, and cold temperatures, you can encourage your kids to pursue healthy activities.

Healthy Winter Outdoor Activities For Kids

Most kids love playing in the snow, so when the temperatures are not at dangerous lows, bundle them up and send them outside.  Some tips for things to do:

 1. Build snowmen, snow animals, and snow forts

  2. Ice skating

  3. Skiing, downhill or cross country

  4. Nature walks

  5. Snow boarding or sledding

  6. Tag or hide-and-seek

Healthy Indoor Winter Activities For Kids

When the weather is just too nasty outside, bring the exercise indoors.

  1. Old stand-bys, like duck duck goose or musical chairs for the youngest set

  2. Dancing is fun and also great exercise

  3. Buy some music and exercise videos geared toward kids

  4. Floor exercises and muscle builders

  5. Household chores, even they complain at first, also count as activity

  6. Indoor skating rinks, or dance classes, gymnastics, and martial arts, and soccer are great

  7. wii physical fitness “games”

Conclusion

The more we encourage our kids to pursue healthy activities now, the more likely they are to make exercise a lifelong habit.

Karen Chaffee 2009



December 13, 2009   Tags: , ,   Posted in: Health and Wellness, Parenting  No Comments

Best Black Friday Deals Everywhere 2009


shopping Pictures, Images and Photos

Photo Link

So where are this years best Black Friday deals?  Online, try Amazon.  They are having an all-week Black Friday event, with new deals offered each day, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home:  Amazon Black Friday Deals all week

Walmart stores will be opening at 5 a.m.  To check for store locations, get coupons, and the low-down on what they’ll have in the way of Black Friday bargains, check it out online here

Kmart stores, open at 7 a.m. is another haunt of Black Fridayu bargain hunters, and you preview what they’ll offer here

Links to other favorites:

Target opening at 5 a.m.

Best Buy will also open at 5 a.m.

Macys — 5 a.m.

Toys R Us

For a complete rundown of your other favorite stores and their deals, opening times and locations, visit Black Friday Dot Com 

Shop fun; shop safely.  Now go grab some bargains!



November 25, 2009   Tags: , ,   Posted in: Holidays, Shopping  No Comments

Thanksgiving Tips For A Happier Healthier Holiday


[caption id="attachment_70" align="aligncenter" width="336" caption="Thanksgiving"]Thanksgiving[/caption]

 

Healthier Thanksgiving Foods With All The Great Taste

Do you have people attending your Thanksgiving dinner with special dietary needs?  Out of gratitude for their presence at your table in your life, try the following:

Cut sodium by using low-salt broth and herb and spice seasonings instead of salt.

Make sure there are delicious, no-sugar desserts available for any diabetics at your gathering.  Splenda makes excellent pies and cakes, and you can use it just as you do regular sugar.

Skim the fat off the pan juices before making the gravy, and set aside some that has been seasoned without salt.

Fat-free sour cream or plain yogurt make excellent spreads for vegetable dishes if you have those who must watch their calories or cholesterol levels.

Try fat-free Cool Whip rather than whipped cream.

Stuffing is just as moist and delicious when made with low sodium broth as it is with butter or oil. 

Serving coffee?  Make at least one pot, minus the caffeine.

Remembering Those Who Are Absent This Year

Has a family member passed away in the past year?  Or do you have a family member in the military?  Perhaps this was the year a grown child and some of the grandchildren had to be elsewhere or couldn’t fly home for Thanksgiving.

Ease the pain of those who are absense by offering a special toast in their honor.  Talk about them freely, and especially share those good memories of the times they, too, sat at the Thanksgiving table with you all.  Discuss the memories that will make you smile or laugh.

After Thanksgiving Dinner — Activities To Please Everyone

  • Look at old photos or show family movies
  • Play a game of touch football in the yard
  • Let everyone pitch in and put up the Christmas decorations
  • Play cards or some board games
  • Watch the game on a TV in one room and a great holiday movie in another
  • Make some Christmas crafts, decorations, or gift bags
  • Take a stroll around the neighborhood
  • Agree ahead of time to do some volunteer work or drop of Christmas boxes for the less fortunate
  • Begin a family holiday scrapbook, and all everyone to write down some of their gratitudes and blessings on note paper to start the first few pages
  • Take group pictures

Do you have tips to add? 

Whatever you do this Thanksgiving, may the holiday be full of love, happiness, and blessings for you and yours :)



November 23, 2009   Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: Health and Wellness, Holiday Ideas  No Comments

Reconnecting with Loved Ones and Friends

Life Beyond Niches

Sometimes, and the reasons vary, we tend to lose that close connection with certain family members or friends, even the ones we adore the most.  Once the connection is strained, it can be hard to reconnect. What if you want to, though? What are the best ways to go about it?

*

Someone Has To Make The First Move To Reconnect

*

For some people, a call and a hug are all it takes to pick up where you left off. For others, the process is more gradual, but reconnecting with family has to begin somewhere, and it might as well begin with you.

*

You can send an e-mail, make a phone call just to see how the other person is doing or to share some good news, or drop them an “I am thinking of you” card. Any of these moves can be great ice-breakers.

*

Once the ice is broken, take the next step and offer up an invitation to lunch. If you still feel a strain, perhaps a movie out would be a better route to take. Not much conversation is required, but the closeness will still be felt.

*

If you feel talking about the situation would help, then give it a try. The other person may be relieved to express their point of view and reconnect.

*

If an apology is warranted, make it a sincere one.

*

When you feel the need to make amends, do so.

*

What Comes Next To Stay Connected?

*

Once a reconnection is definitely established, make contact more often and for longer periods of time.

*

Set up an afternoon or a whole day of doing something you both enjoy.

*

Call several times a week to catch up on each others latest news.

*

Give a spontaneous gift, especially something you’ve made your self, for no reason but to say I love you.

*

Do your best to maintain it once you’ve reconnected. If things get in the way, as they sometimes do, make sure they don’t STAY in the way. Drop the person an e-mail or note or make a call to let them know you’ve been tied up but are still thinking of them.

*

What are some things you’ve done as far as reconnecting with family or friends when someone goes MIA?



November 17, 2009   Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Family and Friends, Relationships  No Comments

Kwanzaa Poems– Modern Haiku Chain for the Kwanzaa Holiday


kwanzaa image Pictures, Images and Photos
Photo Link

A modern Haiku poetry chain in celebration of the Kwanzaa holiday

Strong black beautiful,
Feast fit for a family–
First fruits realized.

We come together,
On this Kwanzaa holiday–
Unified purpose.

Independence day,
Potential realized–
All for the people.

Heritage re-found,
In our spirits so profound–
God of wisdom reigns.

Colors fly as flags,
The table bears its burden–
Love of family.

Sisters brothers all,
We will catch you if you fall–
Love’s celebration.

Dark as velvet night,
Clarity of autumn’s dawn–
Purpose unites us.

Karen Chaffee 2009



November 14, 2009   Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in: Holidays, Poetry  No Comments

Thanksgiving Recipe: Cranberry Freeze


Cranberries Pictures, Images and Photos

Photo Link

 

Holiday time, and Thanksgiving is almost here.  Cranberries and turkey, Thanksgiving dinner staples, just seem to go together. For a different kind of side dish that includes the anti-oxidant rich, healthy properties of the cranberry, try the recipe below. It’s unique and may become a Thanksgiving holiday favorite, as it has in my family.

Thanksgiving Recipe: Holiday Cranberry Freeze

Ingredients:

2 cans jellied cranberry sauce
2 TBS lemon juice
1 6 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup chopped English walnuts
2 cups Cool Whip, thawed

Directions:

In the bottom of and 8×8 inch square pan, crush jellied cranberry sauce with a fork, and sitr in lemon juice.

In bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add salad dressing , and mix until blended. Add cream cheese and walnuts, and again, mix until blended.
Fold in thawed Cool Whip.

Gently spread cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture over crushed cranberry layer.

Cover with foil and freeze overnight.

Thaw for 10 minutes, cut into 1 1/2 inch squares, and serve.



November 14, 2009   Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: Holidays, Recipes  No Comments

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-07


Powered by Twitter Tools



October 25, 2009   Tags: ,   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

10 Trick-or-Treat Alternatives To Halloween Candy


Photobucket

Trick-or-Treat

When you want some alternatives to sugary candy to pass out to those who call at your door this Halloween to trick-or-treat, there are many.  Below are listed some of those alternatives.  You’ll send your little ghosts and goblins home happy, minus the Halloween candy, and these ideas can be tailored to suit every budget.

  1. Kids love Halloween pencils or pencil toppers
  2. Pass out colorful toothbrushes, as my dentist does
  3. Wrap some small change in “cellophane bags” and tie with orange ribbon
  4. Small boxes of cereal or raisins make a healthy treat this Halloween
  5. Wrap some homemade miniature muffins for your trick-or-treat callers
  6. Offer some sugar-free bubble gum
  7. Shop the dollar stores for bags of scary spiders and other Halloween toys
  8. Dollar-store sunglasses for kids are great if you get just a few trick-or-treaters
  9. Another treat when you have only a few callers are small sticky note tablets
  10. Juice boxes, no sugar added

I’m sure these 10 trick-or-treat alternatives to Halloween candy will trigger some other ideas for you.



October 24, 2009   Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Creativity, Family and Friends, Holiday Ideas  No Comments