Monday, March 31, 2008

Ideas for decorating Kids rooms

Lots of ideas.

Kaboose.com

Mother resource. Tons of crafts, games, parenting articles, holiday ideas, stuff for families.

Linda and Richard Eyre's Parenting Value of the Month

How to teach values to your kids

Home and Garden TV.com

Decorating, home, gardening, crafts, do it yourself

Food Network.com

Cooking! Quick and easy, holidays, food makeovers and more.

Do it Yourself Network

Articles on how to remodel yourself.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Hilarious Mom's Overture

Anita Renfroe singing a hilarious song about Moms

Adoption.com

Info about adoption.

Pregnancy Info.net

Articles, week by week, info about pregnancy

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Kitchen Krafts and More

Tons of articles, recipes, crafts, cleaning tips, and fun blogs.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Quotations to relieve stress

The Quote Garden

Bookfinder: Find a great book for ages presch-2nd grade

This page is loaded with info about your child and reading and at the bottom is a bookfinder where you can type in the age of your child and it will list books for you.

Disney Family Parenting.com

Lots of articles and ideas on parenting

Tons of parenting articles and issues

MVParents.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

BYU Education Week

Past archives with handouts from classes in years past. Really useful information and classes!

Past BYU Women's Conference Talks

Read past talks given at BYU Women's Conference

Mormon Jokes

Brighten your day with a laugh.

Common Cold in kids

Prevention and treatment

Teething

Info and help.

Keeping your child's teeth healthy

methods and ages

Tick Removal, step by step

Step by step guide.

Information about immunizations

FAQ's

How to talk to your child's Doctor

Great tips and information.

Helping Preschoolers sleep

tips and info

What to do about kids' nightmares

Tips and info

Bed time basics

Tips on putting kids to bed.

BYU Family Studies Articles

Fascinating articles from the Family studies Center at BYU about families.

How to give a girl's haircut with scissors

How to video

How to give a Men's Haircut

How to video

Tips for traveling with babies

car activities...they have toddler games too to the right.

Helping children through sacrament mtg.

Tips on teaching children reverence.

101 Car travel Games for kids

TONS of ideas for car travel with children

Birthday Parties by age

Birthday Party ideas, they also have ideas for party games by age if you click on "parties" at the top of the page.

birthday cake ideas

family fun ideas

Holiday tradition ideas

food, deco, crafts, memories, traditions

knitting 101

How to knit

Children's Healthy Sleep Habits

Informative article. How much is enough, establishing bedtime routines etc...

fever and taking your child's temperature

When is it serious, when is it not? How to

Bed wetting

Informative article

First Aid instruction sheets

Instructions for all types of injuries etc....

Monday, March 17, 2008

Health and nutrition for kids and teens

Lots of articles and issues

Picky eaters

How to deal with it.

Pregnancy and Newborn care

Lots of articles

Post Partum Depression

an informative article

Teaching Children Anger Management

Parenting article

Helping kids cope with cliques

parenting article

Temper Tantrums

Parenting article

Surviving the teenage years with kids

parenting article

Sibling Rivalry

How to deal with it.

Helping your child deal with death

An informative article.

Information on eating disorders for teens

A very informative article

developing your child's self-esteem

Article on Kid's Health

Helping Kids deal with Bullies

Great article.

How to teach kids healthy habits

How to article

Making Family Mealtime Happen

Study on how Family meals affect children and tips on how to make it happen.

Healthy Sack Lunches

Healthy ideas and safety tips.

Printable Educational Games

For young children.

Uplifting Movie list

Camie award website. Movies that won an award for Character and Morality.

A list of Classic books for Children

Books that have stood the test of time. Once the page has loaded, click on "Children's Classics" in the first paragraph to access the list.

A list of Classic books for Teens

A list of classics that teens might enjoy reading.

Healthy Snacks for Kids

recipes

Healthy Snacks for Kids

Ideas and recipes

Studies on the effects of TV on children

Another interesting article.

How much TV is too much TV?

An interesting article to ponder.

How to talk to your kids about sex, by Linda and Richard Eyre

Article on Values Parenting.com website

Instructions on Cloth Diapering

Instructions for using this frugal method, if you choose it.

How to treat an insect Bite

How to video

Planning Family Reunions

Variety of how to and tips

Geneology

An introduction. Also look on LDS.org for more instructions.

Fitness

Exercise how to videos

How to change a car battery

How to video. (you can find other car repair options by clicking on categories and then car repair.)

Home repair

Home maintenance and repair how to videos

Decorating

Decorating how to from experts on how to do it yourself, and make your own curtains etc...

House cleaning tips

How to videos from experts

Gardening Instruction videos

How to videos.

Baby articles

How to videos on taking care of your baby.

How to find clothing bargains

how to advice from expert bargain shopper.

How to make jewelry

how to video

How to recycle old clothes into new fashions

how to instructions

Tips on fitting women's shoes

How to video.

Budgeting tips

Tips on budgeting and a family budget worksheet

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Scrapbooking

Articles on the left of this page on how to get started with your scrapbooking family history.

Some General Authority Talks on Motherhood

Of worth.com has listed some great ones.

Bargain Baby Clothing Ideas

by, Delilah Hatch

Get Hip and trendy baby clothes for half the money. Creative ways to piece together a stylish baby wardrobe.

Are you a hip and trendy Mama? Do you want hip and trendy baby clothes but new baby expenses got you pinching pennies? So many of the baby clothes out there are covered in cutesy kittens and ballerinas. Teddy Bears and dinosaurs. Where are all the cool baby clothes? When you do find the hip and modern clothes they also include a hefty price tag. You can have truly chic baby style and spend half the money. I'm going to show you how.

* Customize your baby's clothing. There really are great ways to turn a plain old boring onesie into a fun and funky onesie. It's a wardrobe staple. Many babies will live most of their baby lives wearing a onesie. So go out and buy a value pack full of them. Get plain white onesies and use clothing dye to make them whatever colors you want. Tie dye them if you wish. A few more great ways to customize a onesie? Buy Iron-on printer paper. You can create pretty much any design you want. Print it from your computer and iron it to the onesie! The possibilities are endless! Another really easy way to decorate a onesie is to use iron on fuse-able webbing. You can find this stuff in the sewing notions aisle of any sewing store or even Wal-mart. The stuff comes in rolls. Basically, you just iron it onto a cool fabric. Then cut the fabric into any shape you like and iron it to a piece of clothing or accessory. Viola! No sewing required.

* Go Bargain shopping. Cruise the mall and clearance sections of every store you come across that sells baby clothes. You can really find some gems this way. If any of the clothes are boring or plain than just customize them to look how you want them to.

* Shop thrift stores and second hand shops. You will save a fortune this way. Check your local yellow pages to find where the closest thrift stores are. Many are focused solely on baby's and children's clothing.

* Check Craigslist and Freecycle.org. Quite often there are people who are just plain giving away all of their outgrown baby clothes. You can acquire bags and bags of clothes this way. Sort through. Keep the best and dump the rest. And again, customize whatever is blah and boring.

* Make your own baby clothes. If you do not know how to sew then making baby clothes is really a great way to learn. You can really truly come up with some great baby fashion this way. Buy fabric on clearance and you'll really save a lot of money as well.

* Learn to crochet. Crocheting is really much easier than it looks and easy to learn. You can really create some great quality clothes this way. It's relaxing and stress relieving to boot! check out www.lionbrand.com where you can find information on how to crochet as well as many free patterns for baby clothes, bedding, and toys.

The key to keeping costs down and style high is to spend money on a few key items like sweaters, jackets, and shoes. Match some handmade, and customized items with items you bought on clearance. With all of these tips you really can put together a stylish and unique baby wardrobe on a fraction of the budget. For more information and ideas for DIY baby clothing visit www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com


About the Author

Delilah Hatch is a stay at home mom and owner/creator of www.make-your-own-baby-stuff.com

Disney Princess Party Ideas

by, Cynthia Marcano

The Disney Princesses are arguably the most recognizable princesses on the planet. Every little girl dreams of being a Disney Princess and what better time to become one than on her birthday? With so many Disney Princess party supplies available, it can be overwhelming planning a party. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect Disney Princess Birthday Party.

Princess Invitations

Invitations are hard to come by. They can be found in most party supplies or discount stores. However if you are looking for something unique, you are only limited to your imagination. For those limited on time or creativity, here are a few suggestions.

If you are on a limited budget, try finding Disney Princess clip art on the and printing your own made party invitations. Disney Princess clip art is readily available online. You can keep it simple by adding the graphic to the top and adding the details below. Its a no fold invitation. Tip: Make the invitations the size of a readily available envelope so that mailing them will be a snap.

If you have a bit more time and don't mind a little crafting, try something a little more out of the box. The Disney Princesses are most recognizable by the gowns they wear. Create a variety of invitations each focusing on one princess. On each invitation you can place one princess in her well known gown. Embellish the gown by making it 2D. Cut colored foam or fabric into the shape of the gown. Glue accordingly to the clip art. Embellish the invitation with fairy dust powder or glitter to us modern folk. Search online for Disney princess fonts and word your invitation using the official font of the princesses.

Princess Decorating Tips

A Disney Princess royal affair needs to have the royal venue. Jazzing up your party space to be princess perfect can be easy as you want to as elaborate as the princess may demand. Using pinks and purples are the common colors for any princess, but if you have a specific Disney Princess in mind, using the color of their gown is your best option.

A princess thrown is a must. A simple and affordable thrown are in your reach. Use a standard dining chair and wrap tulle on the back of the chair and tie a big bow. Measure the circumference of the chair's seat and multiple by 3 to 4. That is the width of tulle you will need for the seat portion of the thrown. Use fabric glue and pleat the top of the tulle. Allow ample time to dry. Place books or something heavy on the tulle to keep the pleat together while drying. Wrap the tulle round the seat of the chair and glue the ends together. Do not glue to the chair. Use pins to keep together at its end to allow the fabric glue to dry. The chair should have a pleated look and the tulle should reach the floor. You can also make shorter versions of the pleated tulle and than layer one on top of the other going from the bottom of the chair up. You can embellish the tulle with glitter or sequins. Do this a few days before the party.

Whether you decorate a chair or use a Disney Princess plush chair that doesn't complete the thrown just yet. All thrown need a red carpet that leads up to it. You can accomplish this by using red construction paper or a red mat and lead it up to the chair.

You can even add a tulle canopy above the chair for some extra flair.

Disney Princess scene setters are are fast and inexpensive way to transform your party space into a Disney Princess ballroom. There are also life size Disney Princess Stick ups to go with the ballroom scene setters. You can choose one or all the princesses to adorn your wall. The princess scene setters work well as wall decor and a backdrop for photos. It is an easy alternative to making a castle from cardboard and is fairly inexpensive. Its also just a matter of adhering to your wall.

Princess Party Games

There are lots of Disney Princess games that you can choose to entertain your guests.

Pass the Poison Apple - a Snow White version of hot potato

Find the Key - Cinderella is locked in the attic, find the key and set her free

Mermaid Charades - Ariel has lost her voice to Ursula. Think up popular themes or scenes from the movie and act them out.

Guess The Disney Princess Movie - Sing or play a song from the movies and have the guests guess which movie it comes from

Dress Up - While this used to be for just girls, you can now find Disney Princess dresses and Knights attire for the boys. You can also turn this game into save the princesses or for the boys, fight the dragon. The dragon is imaginary of course.

Disney Princess parties are fun and classic. Its becoming a rite of passage for every little girl to have a Disney Princess party within her lifetime. Embrace her royal spirit and create the most magical and enchanting party that she and her guests are sure to enjoy.


About the Author

Cynthia Marcano is webmaster for www.allthingsprincess.com and www.princesstreasurechest.com. Find everything princess related.

Window Cleaning - Tips To Make Your Windows Sparkle

by, Richard Legg

Whether you like it or not, house cleaning is a necessary evil that most people have to endure. Just one of those tasks is window cleaning. However, unlike the interior of your house, your windows need to be cleaned both inside and outside which can often prove difficult. The best solution is to hire professionals to clean the outside windows - particularly on upper floors of your house - but if you want to clean the interior windows yourself, here are some top tips to make them shine.

1) First of all, make sure to use your vacuum cleaner to clean around the edges and to remove any loose dust, dirt or even cobwebs in the corners. The more of the loose dirt you can remove now means that there is less chance to get unwanted residues smudged or smeared on the glass when you are washing it. Don't forget to vacuum around the sills also. If you have blinds installed, it is often useful to use a feather duster to remove any dust from these before you clean the actual pane.

2) Cleaning any exterior screens. Again, you can use a vacuum to clean these mesh screens. If possible, try to remove them from the window and clean them over a sink or in the bathroom so that any loose dirt will not make too much of a mess. For any heavier dirt that may be crusted onto the screen, take the screen outside and use a brush to remove it.

3) When cleaning the actual panes, make sure to start at the top of the window and work your way gradually down - this will help ensure that you don't have any drips or streaks running down parts of the window that have already been cleaned.

4) Try to use a soft cotton cloth that doesn't leave any threads when you wipe. There are also plenty of good household window cleaning detergents that you can use. However, you can achieve very good results with just soap, warm water and a soft, clean cloth.

5) Take your time when washing. Rushing the job will mean you are likely to make a mistake, miss a spot, or end up with streaking on the windows. Allow time for the windows to dry and then clean them again with a dry cloth to polish them and remove any excess water that may still be there.

Don't forget to clean the whole window as well as the frame. For "French windows" you should clean each pane individually for the best results. It may require extra time and energy but they will end up looking much better.

If your house has very tall windows you can use extendable tools with a cloth on the end to reach the high places. Alternatively you can use a stable step ladder but be sure it is secured and safe before climbing it. Don't over-reach when cleaning at a height as it can lead to a fall.

As for the outside windows, it's oftentimes best to leave that to the experts!


About the Author

Northwest Window Maintenance, INC is a Seattle window cleaning company specialising in window and gutter cleaning for both commercial and residential buildings. Get a free window cleaning estimate online: http://www.Northwest-Windows.com/

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Marriage: How to Make a Silent Husband Talk

by Angel Cuala

Wives are known to do more talking while the husband makes a good listener. But it is also unhealthy if the husband does not talk enough. Being a good provider is not sufficient to be called a good husband. You must also know his ideas about future plans for the children, house improvement and most of all, his feelings for you. Although you knew about his unique habit of silence all along since your dating days, you can try some things to change him gradually now that you are living together. Here of some strategies that might work for you:

Talk softly. Raising your voice would not make him talk. Do not attempt to perform reverse psychology. It is better to always maintain a low tone when you talk to him. There will be some times that you cannot understand his silence but you must keep your composure at all times. Whispering about sweet nothing can help trigger his attention and he may respond enthusiastically. After all, your husband is not deaf. He just prefers to be silent.

Ask for suggestions. If you have something to say, leave a question. In this way, he will start to talk and may be able to explain further. Try to ask questions that requires long answers like what if, what should be and how about. If you are not satisfied with his short answers, ask another question that relates to the first. But you must be quick in making the follow up question so that his attention will still be there.

Have a good sense of humor. Everybody has a funny bone and you must discover the ways how to find his. Always reserve a funny film or book that you can share with him. You can also make yourself look funny or perform a practical joke that he will not get offended. If he starts to laugh, then divert the topic slowly until it becomes serious. If you can make him laugh, it is easier to make him talk.

Leave letters for him. Although it is now the age of electronic mails, leaving a note in his cabinet or near the car keys can start a good conversation. He may not respond through his voice but replying through a pen is just enough to express his ideas. A man of few words does not mean he cannot write a lot. By doing this frequently, you may be surprised that one day your pen will not be needed anymore.

Schedule a private talk. Prepare a list of good topics to discuss and invite him to a watch a movie or a park where you can be alone. If you have children, ask a close relative or friend to watch over them so that the talk can be longer. However, do not insist to talk about things that he does not want to talk about yet. The more you force him, the more he will not talk. Instead, ask him gently when the right time he will be available for it.

Ask his friends. Know his close friends and office mates, and learn from them. Although they may have the same problems with your husband, they can still somehow provide suggestions that they think are effective but are hesitant to try. You can also ask them how to find the right timing, especially when he is not too busy with his work like just having completed a big project.

Actions may speak louder than words, but words are more powerful than actions.


About the Author

I am a Filipino engineer who recently found himself more comfortable in writing letters rather than numbers. For more quality articles on how to have a successful marriage, and what marriage is all about, please feel free to visit Successful Marriage Tips at http://www.whatmarriageisallabout.blogspot.com.

Family Time-The Glue That Holds Families Together

by Aurelia Williams

With our busy life styles, finding family time can be hard. Most homes these days are two income homes. Kids are booked with activities from school to church to sports. The older the children are, the harder it seems to schedule family time with everyone in one place.

Family time is an important bonding time. It helps parents stay in touch with what is going on in their kid's lives. It helps the children bond with each other and their parents. It is a significant element in families that is often pushed off to another time.

What qualifies as family time is up to your family. Not every family can enjoy a trip to Disney or fancy resort. While these are great getaways for the family, they are not the only way to enjoy time with your family. Look for opportunities for everyday family times.

Something as simple as a family dinner is great family time. Though it is often hard to schedule, do this as often as possible. If only a few times a week, it is a great time to gather your children around the table and talk about their day, what is on their minds or things that are happening in their lives or yours. Even if only one parent can be present, show the children that you care enough to share a meal with them. A bucket of chicken with the fixings, shared together at the picnic table in the backyard, is a great family time.

Find a hobby that parents and children all enjoy. It can be stamp collect or roller hockey, just something that you all enjoy doing. You can find a new activity or enjoy an older love that you haven't found the time to enjoy lately. The point is to share that time with family. It can be a hobby that is done at home or one that gets you all out of the house together.

Start walking or working out together with your kids. Most parents have goals of getting fitter. This may include walking, running or working out at the gym. Make this a family activity. Walking and hiking are great activities for the family to enjoy together. It is a great time to talk to your children while you are hiking along. It has the side benefit of sharing and teaching the kids about living healthy as well.

Institute a family fun night. A night at home watching movies, solving puzzles or playing board games is a great time for all family members. Let the kids take turns picking out the games or movies each week. Kids really enjoy these activities and doing them with Mom and Dad is even more fun.

You can turn any activity into family time, if it involves family members. Make a shopping trip a fun family time adventure. Get the kids involved. These can be bonding experiences for everyone. Show kids that you are interested in them and who they are becoming.


About the Author

Visit Real Life Guidance: Finding More Family Time. Take the 1st step to finding more family time today.

Helping Your Teen Overcome Depression

by Aurelia Williams

Statistics on teenagers suffering from depression and other mental ailments are alarming. Various studies suggest that 1 in 4 teens suffer from some sort of mental illness. Teenage mental illness, to include depression, can have dire consequences. Teenage suicide is on the rise. It is the third leading cause of death in the age bracket of 15 to 24 years. Dealing with depression in teens is an important step in reducing these numbers in our society.

Many things can lead to depression. A teenager is just learning how to handle the pressures and emotions of an adult. Only 30% of teens suffering seek help. The others just suffer through and do their best to get through. Adults have difficulty dealing with many things, asking a teenager to deal with it on their own, is not be the best option.

Learning the signs of depression for our youth can be difficult. Depressed teenagers are often just seen as being a teen. Signs of irritability, fatigue, withdrawal and changes of eating and sleeping habits, are seen as normal signs of growing up and hormone surges. They are also signs of depression. Learning the difference in your teen's behavior may be key in getting them the help that they need.

Learning to talk to your teen may be your best investment in their mental health. Parents and adults in a teen's life struggle with this aspect. They often want to see the teen as still a child where the teen wants to be seen as an adult. Learning to bridge this gap and communicate efficiently may be a daunting task, but can be managed.

An adult should learn to offer support when conversing with a teenager. Let them know you are there for them. Ensure them that you are available to them at any time. Show them that you can listen without being judgmental. Don't try to talk them out of the way that they feel. Show them that you can understand and give them the help that they need to deal with how they are feeling.

Trust your own instincts. If you have a teenager that is showing signs of depression get them help. Trusting your own feelings and emotions may be what sets the teen on the road to better mental health. They may resist getting help at first. Be firm. Let them know you are there for them and willing to work with them, but insist that they find someone they can work with to help them through this difficult time in their life.

Often a teen will find it easier to speak with someone other than a parent. Consider a peer mentor for your teen. These are teens that are trained to work with others. They become a positive influence. Teen mentors can become a confidant and will be there for the teen that may be in trouble otherwise.

Teenage depression is a serious problem, but can be treated. Learn to recognize the symptoms and get help as soon as possible. Turn the teen in your life into a success story instead of a statistic.


About the Author

Aurelia Williams is a certified life coach and author of Real Life Guidance to Understanding Your Teen. Learn how to make sense of what's going on with your teen and be able to offer them the help they need.

Here's How to Help Boost your Teens Self-Esteem

by Aurelia Williams

Here's How To Help Boost your Teens Self Esteem Many people suffer from self-esteem issues. Teens are often more effected by esteem issues. They are going through changes, both physically and mentally. This can radically effect how they view them selves and their capabilities.

Self-esteem is more than how a teen views their appearance. It is how they view themselves as a whole. It could be how they see themselves in academics, sports or performance based activities. Doing well in these areas can build self-esteem, but may not be the case. Many teens that are outstanding in these fields and are judged good looking by their peers can suffer from self-esteem issues. It is in how they view themselves and their performance.

Help a teen improve their self-esteem gradually. Radical highs and lows can result in depression or other problems. Show them that they can feel good about themselves as a whole.

Self-esteem issues may be reflections of how adults around them behave. Think of your own behaviors. If you are constantly brow beating yourself your teen sees this. They notice that you only seem to point out your negatives. They will emulate this learned behavior. Start by having a healthier self-esteem level yourself.

Show them that body image isn't the key to everything. A teen that has low self-esteem due to looks, weight or other physical features may be resistant to these. The teenage years are one of adjustment. They are learning to be comfortable in their own skins. We live in a society that endorses beauty and thinness as the things to be. Teens, even those that fit this model, struggle with this. Teach teens that difference is what makes the world a more enjoyable place. Show them we don't all need to look like we belong on the cover of a magazine to be beautiful. It comes from within. This is an issue we all need to get comfortable with, not just today's youth.

Help them to celebrate their success and forgive their shortcomings. If they do well on a test give them praise. If they don't do well show them that is ok too, that they can forgive themselves and move on. Consider all areas, not just academic, sports, clubs and other activities, no matter how small should be included. Encourage them to try new things as well. Even if they fail, they are better for trying.

Learning to deal with criticism is part of growing up. Teach your child that constructive criticism is good, but always balance criticism with praise. A growing youth needs to know they do things well. This will help balance out the negative they may be getting.

Most of all be there for your teenager. A teenager with the love and support of family and friends often has higher self-esteem. If they are secure in this area, they are often more secure in other areas. Knowing that you are unconditionally accepted does a lot for a teenager.

Be aware of the signs of low self-esteem in your teen. Low self-esteem can lead to depression, eating disorders, alcoholism or other problems. Making yourself aware will help you know when your teen may need professional help.

Developing a strong sense of self and healthy self-esteem will get a person far in life. Helping your teen develop this is one of the best things that you can provide. Lead by example, give plenty of praise and show them they are wonderful worthwhile person are good first steps.


About the Author

Need more tips on parenting your teen? Visit Parenting My Teen for free tips, resources and a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to helping you parent your adolescent.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Fitting Exercise into Your Every Day Life, by Carol Wiley

You're busy. How can you fit exercise into the day? Fortunately, exercise doesn't have to be a long formal workout, and you can find dozens of ways to get more fitness into your life. Start with the following suggestions to incorporate more exercise into your day-to-day life.

1. Fitness at Work

You can exercise at the office without anyone knowing. Use the stairs rather than the elevator. Take that idea a little further and walk around as much as possible. Walk over to a co-worker's desk rather than sending an e-mail or instant message. Instead of using the bathroom on your floor, go to one a few floors away - and take the stairs.

Other ideas include doing simple exercises and stretches right at your desk, in your office, or in the bathroom. Four five-minute exercise breaks throughout the day can do wonders for you.

2. Fitness at Home

An easy way to add fitness at home is to get the whole family involved. Kids don't view exercise as work, and you can make it a special time to share with your children. Take a walk with your family before or after dinner or organize a family game of tag in the backyard.

Other ideas for home fitness include turning housework into aerobic exercise. Get the vacuum cleaner going and use your arm, back, and core muscles to move it back and forth. Load the dishwasher and maintain proper posture as you bend and straighten, keeping your abdominal muscles tight. For a quick aerobic workout, sweep the driveway as fast as you can.

3. Out and About

Incorporate fitness into your errands. When you're standing in line, contract your buttocks for a count of 15 and then release. Another good exercise to strengthen your calf muscles is to stand on your tiptoes for a count of 10 and then relax.

When you're sitting in traffic, do some arm exercises and stretches while you wait.

At the mall? Walk briskly around all levels at least twice. Or stop by the park for a walk on the way home.

You can find hundreds of options for brief fitness moments, so just take a minute to figure out what you can do wherever you happen to be.

Visit http://www.bellevuemassagetherapy.com for more information about massage, wellness, and self-care (including stretching, exercise, stress management, and more). To learn more about abdominal exercise, visit http://www.great-you.com for some great tips.

Gardening Basics, by Nicholas Tan

The thing to remember while gardening is to start small. A small plant bed, about 25 or 30 feet square is perfect, is just enough room for about 30 plants. This will give you a chance to try out your green thumb and if you find that you enjoy your garden you can always expand and increase your plantings.

The next thing you will want to do is choose a site. Gardening must be done in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight. Try and stay away from large trees that will take your plants water and nutrients, and at least three feet from any fences or buildings. In hot climates it is a good idea to choose a place that will have shade from a part of the intense afternoon sun. It is possible to have a healthy garden with even ten to twelve hours of sunlight, but the type of plants must be adaptable. While soil can always be improved, a site with good soil is a plus. Avoid areas that have rocky soil, steep slopes, or areas where water stands.

Now comes the fun part: start digging. Gardening is not a clean hobby; you’re going to have to get some dirt under your nails. First remove the rocks, debris, and any grass and weeds then dig the spot up about one foot deep. Level up the dirt and add compost or minerals if the needed. If your soil is too acidic, add lime; if it is too sandy, add peat moss. Plants will thrive in neutral to acidic soil with a little added fertilizer.

If you buy seeds then plant them according to the directions. If picking plants, choose ones with green, healthy looking leaves and stems and healthy roots. Put the smaller plants towards the front of the bed and larger ones in the back. The key to a successful beginning in gardening is planting at the right time. Make sure and wait until the frosts are over before planting. If you are planting seeds the package will usually tell you exactly when you can plant them to achieve maximum growth.

Once you have started and gotten into gardening, making sure your plants receive enough water is essential to their growth. Hand watering works well if you only have a few plants. Other options include sprinklers or sprinkler hoses. Watering is more effective during the cooler parts of the day. The type of plant will depend on how much water is needed, but most require about an inch per week. During the hottest periods plants will be need watering about three times per week.

One of the most helpful things to add to a garden is mulch or compost. Just a few inches of organic mulch will improve fertility and help the soil hold moisture. Wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, manure, and pine needles are all things that can be used as mulch.


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