Frugal Healthy Choices

Nail Care

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:39:49 PST

All my life I have been blessed with beautiful nails.

Strong, hardly ever breaking, they were always easy to keep filed and looking fine.

This past winter I have had a complete change in them.

Always splitting and breaking - and a couple of them have started to curl under.

Not long any more, they are down to the nubs on a few of them, and I cannot seem to get them to gain any length before they break again.

Doing some research online, this is typical as we age. The natural oils are not produced as much.

Water also takes a big toll on them - causing them to dry out, and without the oils, they split and break.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency can make them curl, as a couple of them are doing.

So, wearing gloves as I do the dishes, getting enough B-12 (meats and dairy), and rubbing some vitamin E oil on them in the evenings will hopefully help them out.

It takes a few months for the entire nail to grow out, and as they do, I hope to see improvement.

French Onion Soup

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:20:50 PST

What a deal we found at the supermarket.

A two pound bag of onions for fifty cents.

And there were five bags of them on the shelf.

My husband and I looked at each other, and at the same time we said it: French Onion Soup.

Add some beef broth, water, red wine, and some garlic - all stuff we already had at home.

Toast some french bread, top it with provolone cheese and float it in the soup.

A perfect meal for several nights - and oh so delicious - all for a whole $2.50!

Home made Spaghetti Sauce

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:44:21 PST

It's always such a big job.

Cutting all the veggies, preparing the sauce, and making the meatballs.

We watched the sales and slowly picked up all the ingredients needed.

Everything was on sale - the veggies, the pounds of sausage, and more pounds of ground beef.

The meatballs are the most time consuming - rolling and cooking four pounds of them is a lot.

But they are well worth the work.

The sauce was all put together yesterday and after hours of simmering, it had to be chilled.

The chilling part is the finishing touch - it just tastes so much better after it has been in the fridge.

All the work will yield a couple of dinners this week and several more over the next couple of months as we pull a bag of sauce out of the freezer.

I first made this sauce when I was thirteen, and there has only been one change in all these years.

Right after I got married, 27 years ago, my husband requested hot Italian sausage to be added.

The sauce has always been made from scratch, and I remember one summer when the kids were young.

I had grown everything in my garden to make it - including the garlic and basil.

It was an experience and I am glad we did it, but all in all, it was a pretty expensive sauce once you count in all the work.

The best part though was we knew exactly what was in it for chemicals - none.

I would like someday to get back to that way.

A Cold Walk

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:15:56 PST

To look out the window, one would think spring is on the way.

Drips from the roof from the melting snow.

Bright sunshine - much stronger in the sky than it was a month ago.

Longer days - the light sticks around until almost six o'clock now instead of disappearing at four.

The cat was lounging on the porch - the sun warming his thick fur.

I almost didn't take my gloves.

And I almost wore a lighter jacket instead of the heavy winter one.

But the wind gave a big gust as I opened the door and sent me back inside.

To change into that heavy jacket and get those gloves.

The scene outside the window almost convinced me, but good thing I had that reminder before I actually left.

It was a downright cold, windy walk.

But well worth it - next month at this time the calendar will say it's spring.

Can't wait!!

The Importance of Exercise

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:03:09 PST

There has been a lot of talk this past week about our children and the overweight problem this nation is facing at such a young age.

The first lady is taking this seriously as she helps to encourage our young people and get them moving.

When we were youngsters, it was just a part of everyday life to spend time outdoors - after school, in the summer and winter alike.

Except for rain, no weather was off limits to spending time in the backyard with a ball or riding a bike up and down the road.

I can remember when the sidewalk was freshly tarred - what a treat that was for the roller skates. Spending hours on that sidewalk was great!

My children were brought up much the same way - time spent outside running and playing was a natural thing - and they looked forward to it year round just as we did.

As it was being discussed on the radio a couple of days ago, they mentioned something that I never even thought about.

Exercise produces endorphins.

Endorphins make you feel good.

When you feel good, depression has no chance to take hold, and an overall feeling of well being keeps everything running smoothly on the inside.

And we all need these good feelings - especially these days.

It is way too easy to get caught in the daily cycle and putting it off until tomorrow.

But those endorphins are waiting for us to kick them in gear - and it doesn't cost a cent, just a few minutes of time.

And feeling good is certainly worth that!

Keeping up the Walking

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:09:54 PST

In my last post, I mentioned about making my steps count for the Beewell Miles program.

So far, so good in keeping with the walking.

Each day I log in my mileage, and there is a facebook application that automatically posts it to my wall.

Hopefully it will inspire some friends to join the program too.

To my friends who are already participating, I have a question.

The beewell site has a "buddies" link, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to search for anyone or add them to my list.

So if any one has any idea of how to do that and would share the procedure, I would be most appreciative!

Making Those Steps Count

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:09:01 PST

Last year I participated in a program where my walking counted.

That program was the BeeWell Miles that was sponsored by Bumble Bee Tuna.

Last year they donated .10 cents for each mile walked to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

This year they are donating .15 cents per mile, and I have already started logging my steps.

The program runs through October 31, and they are hoping for a total of one million miles from all the participants.

My sister also participated last year, but due to health problems, she didn't think she would be able to do it this year and was quite upset about it.

But after checking more on the site, it is not only steps that are counted by walking. Running and cycling are also on the list.

Being the thoughtful and determined person that my sister is, she purchased one of those pedal exercisers that you can use in a chair.

Now, I figure, if she can do this, there is no reason why the rest of us cannot due our part.

I am so proud of her, and my niece too - she signed up this year for the first time.

It's free to sign up and the program is a great motivator to get and keep walking.

Chicken Sausage

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:37:58 PST

Trying out something new for dinner tonight.

Sausage is not one of my favorites. That greasy, fatty pork filling with those hard things in it is not for me.

Besides, they don't agree with my stomach anyway.

And the turkey ones, well we haven't been able to eat turkey for a number of years now.

That meat has been so manipulated during it's growing that we can't eat that delicious meal any longer as it doesn't agree with the digestive tract.

Chicken is still okay, so when we saw the chicken sausage on sale, along with a discount coupon, we decided to try it.

This particular sausage has sundried tomatoes and basil in it.

Cooking it up with some onions and serving it with seasoned vegetable rice should be pretty tasty.

Okay - back after the meal, and it was delicious!

The basil made it smell heavenly as it was cooking and there was no fat at all in the pan.

Low price, healthy low-fat meat, and great taste - it will certainly be on the menu again!

Parking for a Walk

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:57:01 PST

Where do you like to park at a shopping center?

Close to the entrance is where most people prefer, and when I am alone, I feel safer parking closer to the entrance and being around more people.

But when I am not alone, I prefer to park as far away from the entrance as I can get.

And sometimes the car is completely by itself - not another one around.

When that is the case, we try to put it by a wall or light post so it isn't a prime target for a collision as it sits in the middle of "no where".

And the main reason for this distance - why the walk of course.

This time of the year with the snow and cold wind makes me think we are crazy at times, but it just makes the heart pump all that much faster.

Yes, it takes a few more minutes to get to where we are going, but we are supposed to be getting so much time exercising anyway.

It's free, it's healthy, and you feel good after doing it - what more can you ask for?

Good Advice in a Nursery Rhyme

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:13:56 PST

I ran across this quote and thought I would share it's wisdom with you:

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.

~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

I thought it fit this blog perfectly and couldn't resist posting it.

A Few Spins Around the Ice

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:18:29 PST

It has been about four years since I was on the ice.

Today was the day the ice skates went back on and we headed out.

We are lucky to have a pond at a local park that is kept up during the winter for ice skating.

It is watered each evening and the morning brings a most pristine finish to the surface.

So smooth and perfect for gliding, and oh so slippery!

After two rounds, I had to retire, and when did I fall, at the last two feet before I exited the ice.

Figures.

A Few Tips for Good Health

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:59:22 PST

I have an elderly relative that is always sending emails - things we may find amusing or thoughtful or just plain cute.

He sent one earlier this week and it was titled: The 2010 Handbook.

The first section relates to Health, and what one should do for themselves over the upcoming year. I thought I would share them.

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

I don't know where he found it, but I am glad he passed it along.

I could certainly use a few more of these things in my life - how about you?

A New Year Again

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:22:42 PST

A new year tends to bring new resolutions, and this being a new decade as well will bring them on even stronger, I'm sure.

I am not so sure about these "resolutions" though.

All the good wishes for our "bad" habits or lifestyles are once more washed down the drain, leaving us with bad feelings and regrets.

I started this blog last year at this time with the thought of loosing a lot of weight by making the right lifestyle choices.

Well, I didn't loose a lot, but I did loose almost a quarter of my goal.

I wanted to walk a certain amount every day. I didn't succeed with that either, but I do walk a certain amount at least 3 days a week.

I wanted to exercise every day. That didn't last either. I only do them on average 2 days a week. And there were some weeks when they didn't get done at all.

This year I am not going to make any big promises for big deeds that I want to accomplish.

I have learned that taking small steps is the way to go.

It takes much longer to accomplish the goal, but it will get done.

And none of us need any additional bad feelings or regrets trying to interfere with our lives.

Feeling positive about those small accomplishments is much better!

The Day After

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:19:07 PST

Thank goodness the big holiday meals are over.

I love to cook, bake, and prepare massive amounts of food for my family.

And one of the best parts of the holidays is all the treats and sweets that we do not normally eat.

And my innards are paying for it now.

I don't have the steel insides that the younger ones do.

We cooked a fresh ham this Christmas, instead of the precooked, or smoked ones that we usually have.

I will not do that again. It was good, don't get me wrong, but the fat that was on that meat was incredible.

It permeated all the meat and covered all the dishes and utensils so much that it took several washings to clear it off them.

I can just imagine what our innards look like. Mine are protesting so much that the leftovers will have to go to the younger family members.

Can't believe I am looking forward to getting back on the healthy track!

Home Made Toffee

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:26:07 PST

Okay, I know this post has absolutely nothing to do with losing weight or being healthy, but I have been making so many sweets for the holidays, I just had to post this one.

This is a batch of home made toffee candy that is made of all natural ingredients, so that part is good.

The first time I made this candy, I was stirring away with a plastic spoon, and the next thing I knew, my spoon was gone. All that was left was a piece of the stick that was the handle.

The rest of it had melted into the sugar and butter mixture, and this was a thick spoon too.

So it's best to use a wooden one for this candy as it gets very hot.

You will need:

1 cup of real butter
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat the butter and sugar in a heavy saucepan to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Boil for 6 minutes or until golden colored, still stirring constantly. Pour into a buttered 9 inch pan and let stand for three minutes. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let stand for 5 minutes. When they are shiny, spread the chocolate evenly over the surface. Cool completely in the refrigerator. Remove the candy and break it in small pieces. Store in the refrigerator.

So rich and so addictive, this home made toffee is so delicious.

Don't eat too much though - that butter is so bad for diets!

A Walk in the Snow - In the Dark

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:10:14 PST

There wasn't much walking going on this past week.

Moving the foot of snow around that we received earlier in the week took much of our energy and time.

Today's snow began about 2:00. By 4:00, we had almost three inches on the ground.

My husband suggested we go for a walk, and by the time we left it was getting dark.

The snow was beginning to turn to ice and we could hear it bouncing off our jackets as we walked along.

The world was a quiet one - no cars, no people. Just the sound of the bouncing ice.

It was dark, but the white snow covering everything kept the road visible.

And the most beautiful part of the walk - the lights from the Christmas trees.

It was picture perfect with all the snow - just like a card.

Glad my husband talked me into a walk in the snow in the dark.

Exercise the Brain Too

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:01:16 PST

As we age, our metal capacities tend to slow down.

Our brains are not as sharp as they once were, but with some "exercises" they can be kept in good shape too.

One thing we like to do each morning is a daily Sudoku puzzle.

Not the kind on the computer where you just have to punch in the numbers, and most times it will let you know if you are wrong.

We do it the old fashioned way - with pencil and paper after we copy it from the newspaper onto a blank grid.

It has become a competition of sorts between my husband and I.

See who can complete it first, and have it all correct.

Some of these puzzles are so easy it only takes a few minutes, but the majority of them really make you think - some of them for way too long sometimes.

We like to think of this as exercising our brains - use it or loose it.

We love to use them - and it is a free workout each day!

A Pounding Heart

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:09:19 PST

One thing I really do not like is when I lay down at night and I hear my heart pounding - no matter what position I am in.

As we get older, this becomes more noticeable, and as we gain weight, or our blood pressure rises, it seems to also increase the sound.

About two months ago, I became more diligent in my daily workout, and I have found that it helps tremendously with this pounding heart noise.

Another benefit - a few more pounds have been shed.

Sitting at the computer all day makes it all the more important to get exercising.

A bit of prevention goes a long way!

Don't Forget the Grocery Store

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:08:14 PST

While everyone was hitting the department and electronic stores today, we took a stroll in the grocery store to get a couple of essentials.

And did we hit the jackpot.

All the extra fruits and veggies that the market purchased in anticipation of holiday sales were on clearance.

Such good deals, and from what we saw of the regular stock - they will be joining the clearance rack too in the next day or so.

We shared a good portion with our daughter - the deals were just too good to pass up.

Don't forget to check the grocery store over the next couple of days - I bet the deals will continue - especially when the fresh turkeys get marked down. Nothing like having one in the freezer for a treat!

New Guidelines for Women's Health

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:50:23 PST

There has been a lot of talk this past week regarding the guidelines for women's health.

I am sure that there are many individuals that abuse the health system, including this sector of it.

I do hope though, that this does not set the standards across the board.

A pap smear in my early 20's saved my life.

I had always had them since the age of 18 with no problems.

In one year's time, it went from normal to a stage 4 - the next step was cancer.

Going by today's guidelines, it would not have been caught in time.

Prevention has always been the thought regarding these tests, and I hope those in charge do not let the monetary aspects control good sense in determining how we receive health care.

It will end up costing a lot more in the end - and it will be paid with human lives, not money.

Best Blog Award

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:32:34 PST

I have just been honored with this blog's first award.

Barbara, over at Goal for the Green, bestowed it on myself, and 14 other very worthy blogs.

I visit her blog regularly and enjoy reading her environment and earth-friendly posts.

This award was designed by Will Oaks Studio which is another blogger friend of mine.

To be in such good company gives one a great feeling - and just think, all these good feelings are spread by a kind deed.

And that didn't cost a cent!

A big thank you to Barbara - you made my day!

Still Walking

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:05:29 PST

The path shown here with a trail marker is one that we have taken in the past on one of our walks.

These days we have been walking in the woods - but not on a nice path like this.

In fact - there is no path.

And it really makes for tough walking.

Dodging tree branches, climbing over uneven ground, balancing on rocks, and trying not to slide on the slippery leaves, we have been getting more of a work-out than a walk.

Autumn is the best time of the year to be in the woods, and we will hopefully continue these "walks" until snowfall.

Then it is back to the roads and the maintained paths.

Chamomile Tea

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:54:20 PDT

The soothing taste of this sweet little treat is so enjoyable.

I used to drink a cup of chamomile tea in the evenings many years ago, but for some reason I stopped having it.

I rediscovered it again a couple of weeks ago, and what a joy it is.

This herb tea is considered to be an aid for falling asleep as well as having moderate antioxidant properties.

I have read though, if one has allergies to ragweed, then you should probably avoid this tea as it is a relative of the ragweed.

If you are looking for a treat in the evening before bed, then a cup of hot chamomile tea may be just what you need.

Enjoy this natural gift from Mother Nature!

Apple Harvest is the Best

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:37:35 PDT

Nothing like biting into a crisp apple that you have just picked from the tree yourself.

Crunchy, sweet, juicy, and so delicious!

Harvesting the apples has been underway in our area for the past month and we have made several trips to the orchard as certain varieties begin to come into season.

Picking is the best way to save money on a peck, and it guarantees you get exactly what you want.

But when it comes to baking or cooking with apples, I like to purchase the utility ones that the orchard offers at a huge savings.

They are supposed to be the ones with blemishes, but it is very hard to find anything wrong with them.

There must be something about them that doesn't meet the standards, but they taste, cook, and look just like the more expensive ones.

Apple Sauce and Apple Crisp top the list of baked goodies we have enjoyed this season, and there will be one more trip up next month to purchase the big load we need for making apple jelly.

We will be enjoying that until next season when it will be perfect timing for making more.

Deep Breaths for Good Health

noreply@blogger.com (kml) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:21:36 PDT

Filling the lungs fully with air is best way to ward off potential respiratory infection.

The fresh oxygen helps clear the blood of toxins and it keeps the lungs working at their full capacity also.

Most of us do not breathe correctly - we take shallow breaths, not the deep cleansing ones we should be taking.

This is one of the reasons that pregnant women have a harder time fighting the swine flu.

The growing baby doesn't allow them to take those deep cleansing breaths.

Many of the mother's organs are pushed up, including the lungs.

There is no physical way that they can take deep breaths.

I really have to concentrate on doing this, and I am hoping it becomes second nature with time.

Of course, when I am standing in line somewhere, or passing by a coughing, hacking person, I will make sure my breaths are most shallow.

Breathing those germs in deeply is not logical.

And if worse comes to worse, wearing a face mask around public is not a problem for me - no sense inviting trouble - especially since I have a pregnant daughter in my life.

Need to keep her and my grandbaby safe.