HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

One of Our Neighbors

A column in the January/Februay 2010 Issue of Discover Magazine states that a new study suggests the secret to a long life is watching what you eat. Science Magazine recently published findings from a study saying longevity depends on a "healthy" diet and thirty minutes of exercise a day.  And, fish oil is being touted as a real life extender.
Doesn't anyone remember our mothers telling us to "eat our vegetables, drink lots of milk, go play outside and walk to school?" Then there was Popeye the Sailor Man always eating spinach to make him super strong and defeat all enemies. Weren't we plied with cod liver oil and told that smoking would "stunt our growth?"  Cod is a fish--hello--just like the fish oil which is being touted as an almost perfect supplement.  My mom made tons of oatmeal way before it became a designer food and peanut butter was our main staple.  Then, she kicked us out of the house for an entire afternoon, so she could mop the floors.  Many of my school chums and I never rode a bus to school--ever. 
Now that science has told us how we should be treating our bodies, I guess more people have faith in what they say, instead of what our grandmothers told us.  Regardless, if we adhere to these rules, will we eventually become the oldest people in the nursing homes woofing down red Jell-O?  Not that there is anything wrong with Jell-O.  It's just that when we enter any supermarket, we are presented with thousands of other choices that are alot tastier but unfortunately not very good for us.  Do you realize that we are not supposed to eat most of the stuff sold in stores?  

All this scares me because I don't want to be the last remaining nursing home resident in my age group.  Actually, I don't plan on every ending up in a nursing home.  So, now I am searching out the most delicious health food products ever.  I will start with a recipe I found on http://www.101cookbooks.com/ for Nickki's Healthy Cookie Recipe.  These are made with bananas, vanilla and coconut milk.  I will let you know if they are any good--next week.
In the meantime, what recipes do YOU have for food that is actually "good for us?"  Email me!

More Neighbors

So what's your healthy life plan?

p.s.  Still haven't gotten that 20th clicker on my sponsors.  I know they are a little lame but Google is not responding on how to change them.  Hopefully they will soon.

Please leave a comment and click a sponsor.  Then, email me at:

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Thanks! Dot

THE YEAR OF PEACE

I'm so glad that 2010 has been declared "The Year of Peace."  Hopefully, it will encourage millions and millions of people to focus on how they can personally help further this cause in their own way. Hey, if everybody wants peace, who will continue the wars?
My favorite "Let's Make Peace" idea is that most peole love music and pictures.  Why not have huge screens along the highways of the world playing videos of people from different nationalities singing and embracing one another?  At first, people would be shocked to witness a Jew and any number of different Muslim sects, singing with their arms around each other in the middle of Iraq or Jerusalem but eventually they'd get over it.
How about hearing "There's a Time for Us" by Barbra Streisand blaring from a telephone pole speaker at a Palestinian but stop?  That song cannot help but move people to envision a world where we care more about helping one another than killing each other.  At least most people.  Perhaps most people joined together can overcome the dictatorial nut cases who actually do control the world.

Remember "We Are the World?"  How about flashing that with the video along the roads of Syria and North Korea?  An updated version could depict several different groups dressed in native garb, holding hands.  Wouldn't that knock our sandals off?
Why not use a few great songs from WWII that touch everyones' hearts?  "There'll be Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover" promised children a safe place to sleep when the bombs stopped dropping in England.
For sure these things would give us a different idea as to how people really do feel about war and each other.
Honestly, I don't hate anyone because they go to a different church, worship on a different day, have a different culture altogether or don't look anything like me.  But, more on that next week.

So, what are YOUR solutions?

Etc: Shawn S. added this money saving tip from last week.  He does not use shaving cream but shaves right out of the shower when his face is still wet.

Chris A. said:: "I save on dog food at BJs--you can buy 50 lb.bags for about $5.00 less than you pay for 25 lb.bags at other retailers.  Of course, you have to haul it into you car and house by yourself.  I call this, dragging the body."

Thanks guys!

I am very happy to announce that I am now an Amazon.com associate.  If you go through my blog for your Amazon purchases, I get a commission.  I have dealt with this company for several years and have been very pleased with them.  Purchases and returns are never a problem.  And, of course, they make shopping so easy.  Please consider making your purchases from my blog.

As yet, I have not reached my 20 sponsor clicks and as soon as that happens, I will inform both you and the winner.

Please click a sponsor on the right and leave a message at BlogggerOne@yahoo.com Thanks!

CHEAPSKATES' SURVIVAL GUIDE

THE CHEAPSKATES' SURVIVAL GUIDE

See that lovely floral arrangement above?  It came in a pretty red sleigh that I can fill with different flowers next year.  Savings? About $14.00.  Thanks Kelly!

Lorraine H. says she runs her last spin cycle in the washer twice so that it takes less time to dry them in the dryer.

Judi W. wrote that she walks to the store saving on gas, how much she spends at the store (can't carry too much home) and lowers doctors bills with healthy walking.  Judi also had a new air conditioner/heat pump (with an energy star rating) installed, cutting her electric bill in half!

Tracy T. recommends getting a BJ's card.  When they offer their own coupons, along with the lower prices, you can also use the manufacturer's coupons and get a triple whammy.  She also buys furniture from Craig's List.  Driving 30 minutes saves hundreds on these items.  But my very favorite Tracy tip is checking out the "still good" pile at the dump.  As long as those things can be cleaned up, they can be great free finds!

Jon S. suggests keeping a jug of water in the fridge so you won't have to waste running water every time you want a cold drink.  Many municipalities charge for water "in" and water "out."

Jack S. says, "Never buy extended warranties on electronic products.  They cost more than the depreciated value if the item fails."

And, here are a few BloggerOne tips:

Don't believe your printer's "low" cartridge message.  I print stuff out way after the "empty" sign flashes

Paper towel and disposable gloves used for cleaning can be re-used.  Better yet, use rags and toss them in the laundry.

Don't throw away those tubes and plastic bottles of lotions until you cut off the top and scape out the remainder.  You'll be shocked at how much is left inside.

Tracy T. also mentioned the "markdown" aisles at Marshalls and Home Goods.  I bought this great $160.00 Calvin Klein jacket two days after Christmas at T.J. Max.  It was marked down to $59.00.  Way to shop!

Now that we've discussed money savers, on Jan. 1, please click one of my sponsors on the right, then email me at BlogggerOne@yahoo.com.  If you're the 20th emailer, I'll send you $20.00!  That's all you have to do.  Good luck and thanks to all of you who sent me your tips.

CHRISTMAS WISHES, HOPES AND PRAYERS

To the many people suffering from economic and/or medical problems this year, I hope all of these will be happily resolved in the new year. 

To those who lost their mates within the last few years, I pray you will find solace in the loving memories you carry each day.

To you suffering from deep depression, I wish you new joy and balance in your lives soon.

To my relatives and friends suffering from rheumatoid arthritis--a disease that is as serious as it is debilitating-- I pray new medical treatments stop both the progression of your illness and pain that is with you constantly.

And others, enduring severe pain either from past injuries or chronic condidtions, I hope the care you receive will relieve that pain so you can quickly get back of your very busy lives..

To those who will be undergoing treatments, I wish a wonderful outcome and many, many more happy, healthy years.

For all the people either out of work or facing job loss, I hope you find your dream job, soon.

For military personnel and their families who have given so much to our country--I pray your sacrifice will be greatly rewarded with a free, bountifull and peaceful future, which you have so bravely helped to create.

AND LASTLY,  I WISH, HOPE AND PRAY
YOU ALL WILL HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
 AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

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OUR NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS IS HERE!

How amazing is it that today we are celebrating the birth of a tiny baby born under the most humble of circumstances over 2000 years ago?  This amazing child grew into the most written about, talked about and revered individual in all of mankind, bringing his simple message of love and proper behavior.

What more is there to say except Happy Birthday may we all be able to emulate him in some small way, making this world a much better place in which to live.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR

SEE YOU IN 2010

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LET'S BAKE SOME COOKIES

Cookies make a great last minute gift and reflect the time and effort you put into your baking them. I found these great boxes at Big Lots for a couple of dollars each. Aren't they pretty?  I filled the large farm scene one with the following cookie bars using a recipe from recipegoldmine.com.  These got excellent reviews from my tasters.

CHOCOLATE-DRIZZLED CINNAMON PECAN BARS

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, separated

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup white baking chips (optional)

Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.  Add egg yolk, beat well.  Add flour and cinnamon; beat on low speed until well blended.  Press dough out evenly into a 1/4 inch thick rectangle on large ungreased baking sheet.  (I used a rectangle baking pan with sides.) 

Beat egg white until foamy.  Brush on dough.  Sprinkle with nuts.  Lightly press into dough.  Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes or until lightly browned.  When dough is slightly cooled, press in half of the dark chocolate chips and all of the white chips.  Cut into bars while still warm.  Melt remaining dark chocolate in a pan set inside a larger pan filled with boiling water.  Drizzle chocolate over bars.  Makes about 2 dozen.
(One taster said he preferred these without the chocolate chips.)

Bake these just before company comes and you house will smell fantastic!

What's YOUR favorite cookie recipe?

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A FEW GIFT IDEAS

First, in response to my commentors (commenters?) on last week's blog--THANKS!  I love hearing from all of you.  I learned that Beta Sigma Phi Sorority prepares "suitcases" packed with items for foster children, teachers are giving to "Pennies for Peace" (for building schools in rural Afghanistan) and Santa's Helper's health class has adpoted a family for Christmas giving.  God bless you all.  It's a joy to see the real spirit of Christmas alive and well.
I must also mention that Jack corrected me about the snow thing in Bethlehem.  He says it may very well have been snowing there that night.  If so, I hope the animals kept everyone nice and warm.  Thanks for the info, Jack.  I think it was Michaelangelo who said that he never stopped learning--me, too.

It's easy to get into the Christmas Spirit when it looks like this outside. 

Here is a suggestion for an unusual gift that is not very expensive but would be very welcomed.  Ask that special someone to give you a list of their very favorite songs by specific artists.  Then, download those songs to your music library and burn a disc with just those songs.  If you have trouble doing this, ask your favorite teenager to do it for you.  Most songs are no more than $.99 each.  Another special gift would be to download one song that says exactly how you feel about your "special someone" and ask them to play it when they are alone.  The cost of the gift will be the $.99  for each song, plus the audio disk.  To make it even more special, you can scan in a photo, sign it and place it where the disk cover goes.  I love this idea because I am a music freak and so many songs say things better than I ever could.

A gift I REALLY want is a car visor extender (you can see through) that pulls down to block the sun from blinding me while I'm driving at sundown!  I guess you can only find them in catalogs but I'm sure others would appreciate one.  It's certainly something they will use year-round.  One more thing, I'm hoping someone will give my husband a carrying case for his glasses that hooks onto his belt.  Then he will have no more excuses for not bringing them everywhere and he can stop using mine.

Don't these photos make you want to have a snowball fight?

What gift ideas do YOU have? 

Comments, please!

Next week:  Let's bake some cookies!

Please click a sponsor on the right.  It helps alot!  Thanks again....Dot