The END of April Photo Challenge with Fat Mum Slim

Picking up where I left off with the April Photo Challenge with Fat Mum Slim....

22. the last thing you bought

I have had trouble lately with my contacts 

so I had to buy me a pair of glasses.

I hope to get my contacts fitted soon.

23. vegetable

Beautiful roasted potatoes. You know, they are not
fattening! Just don't add the sour cream and butter...
Roast them with a little olive oil with some wonderful
herbs, and especially rosemary.

24. something you're grateful for

25. looking down

26. black + white

I have lost about 15 lbs. in the last 2 months.
Not really dieting, but watching what I eat.
Having adrenal fatigue is exhausting in watching
everything I eat because the belly fat is still being
pumped out due to stress (but trying to manage it better).
I am still going 3 to 4 times a week to the gym
and making wiser choices for food.

27.  somewhere you went

To watch my husband's band play music!
That's my husband on the right.

 28. 1 pm

Little Bit lost another tooth.

29.  circle

A circle of poppies.

30. something that makes you sad
 sorry the photo is so blurred...trying to take
a picture of a picture...which also makes me sad
when it doesn't come out right.

Today is the last day of April. Four months have now gone by from this New Year.
We always say, "My, how time flies!"  Time is so fleeting!! One day I'm a little
girl sitting on my daddy's lap, and the next moment I'm a grandmother.
I do have a lot of good memories of that time span, but it has gone
by so quickly.  Take the time to give out hugs and kisses to your
loved one. Let them know you care for them. We can never
get those moments back, but we can carry them always in
our hearts and be thankful for our many blessings.

Here's to your health!

Check out Fat Mum Slim and her many challenges.
I also would like to join Mary at Little Red House
for Mosaic Monday. Mary is a very creative photographer.

TEA BOOK to ENJOY

Look at these beautiful little books I found at my local Dollar Tree!

I only picked up a couple, but they have a whole series of them.

The books are very well decorated and very colorful.

I picked, "A Cup of Friendship" and "The Perfect Cup of Tea."

See what I mean about being very colorful?

I agree! What would the world do without tea?

How would we be able to enjoy our bagels and scones without tea?

And what about friendships?

MANY friendships have developed over a simple cup of tea!

I mean, look at us! We have developed good friendships from just posting about tea.

Where would we be without the knowledge that goes along with it?

So what "tea" shall we have today?

The Chinese are so very wise to have discovered so many wonderful things about tea.

Notice the last sentence on the left page. Never stir counterclockwise

unless you want trouble...

Well there you have it!

 The tea books are just delightful!!

To join in with the tea party, visit Terri at Artful Affirmations

and Martha at Martha's Favorites. They have the most

magnificent collections!!

Here's to your health!

Posting for April Photo Challenge #15 - #21

Back to the April Photo Challenge with Fat Mum Slim...

15. sunset

16. flower

 

17. something you don't like

blurred pictures

18. hair

 I have always loved Sharon Osborne's hair.

Some people have said that I look like her, especially when my hair was short

and this color! Sometimes I would like to do that again.

19. orange

20. something you drew

My granddaughters and I decided to do some pretty cards.

This is the one I created.

I also have to add Doodles card....

AND Little Bit's card....

don't they just melt your heart?

21. bottle

Yea, see it back on the left...I didn't partake though.

This is our good friend Jim, playing guitar.

A couple of friends and I joined some other friends

for dinner and good music, while my own husband

was at his gig that I couldn't attend.

I guess maybe I didn't put too much thought into these. I've really

been stressed out about work, but am trying to not let things bother me.

I still have to do what I can to protect my adrenal glands from overworking...

It's really hard to do!

I will see you back here in a couple of days.

Here's to your health! 

Keep it Moving!!

It has been a while since I've had time to post some very interesting health information. I do apologize! Life tends to get very busy for some and the next thing we know we are not on track to what we intended to do, not only for ourselves, but for others.

My husband and I have actually been going to the gym at least three to four times a week and are enjoying it very much.. We sure can feel the difference during those days that we are not able to attend, but we plan to remedy that with some other type of activity. I wish we could be like my blogger friends, Betsy from Tennessee and her husband George, Senior Hiker. This couple is amazing! They are a senior couple that travel to different areas to go hiking looking for waterfalls. You should really pay them a visit and check out their adventures. This couple is an inspiration for good health!! Hiking is a great way to get your circulation going.  No sedentary lifestyle for this couple. They are always on an adventure.  By them hiking and climbing and moving keeps their Circulation Superhighway in good health.

Did you know that your circulatory system is similar to a superhighway? It moves traffic (blood) swiftly and efficiently to various destinations, like the heart, lungs, arteries, veins, and capillaries, giving cells life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients and even removing carbon dioxide and other waste products. BUT if the blood flow is obstructed or even the blood vessels are constricted, every cell in the body is affected.

Some of the symptoms of poor circulation could be:
Overall fatigue, brain fog, numbness, burning or tingling sensations in your toes or fingers, pain in the legs when walking, shortness of breath, or feeling cold, especially in the extremities...
If you feel any of these symptoms, please see your doctor and get a good check up.

OK, so now it's time to just keep moving! Many times just simple lifestyle changes, especially adding regular, moderate exercise to your daily schedule, works wonders for circulation. It can strengthen your heart and help lower blood pressure; two things that support healthy circulation.

Try breaking up your exercise routine of 30 to 45 minutes of daily recommended activity into 10- to 15-minute sessions throughout the day. Vary your routine to prevent boredom and injuries. If you can do your exercise in the mornings, do so. It's so easy to talk yourself out of it by saying, "I'll do it later." Next thing you know you're not doing it at all. Join a social group, like ballroom dancing, or bicycle riding, or even hiking. Many people find it motivating to join others with the same interest. Remember, doing some activity, even for only ten minutes, is better than doing nothing at all!!

Eliminating caffeine, alcohol, and soft drinks is a start to improve your circulation. Avoid foods high in sugar, starch, and fat...OK, so here we go again. Simple changes make a difference!! Upgrading your diet to a Mediterranean-style menu, including lots of vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and nuts, can improve circulation. Focus on getting more fiber.

AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER! That can't be stressed enough! Even low levels of dehydration can impair circulation. Sorry, ladies, but coffee, TEA, and juices don't provide the same hydrating benefits as pure, filtered water. But why not flavor your water to make it more appealing...add a wedge of lemon or lime. What about adding a wedge of watermelon, orange, or a slice of cucumber.  Why not set you up a whole pitcher of water and fill it with strawberries and/or blueberries or your other favorite fruits. Your body will love it!

I find that B vitamins are great for energy. Find the B complex in a balanced formula and follow the dosage instructions. B complex foods are also very important, such as beans, potatoes, lentils, meats, but these nutrients are water-soluble, so they aren't stored in the body. So it's good to have the B complex supplements.

Another way to help boost circulation are the detoxification methods, after your exercise workouts, are to bathe in Epsom salt (pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate) at least once weekly, or alternating hot/cold showers. More to come on these two methods...

As the old saying goes, MOVE IT OR LOSE IT.

Here's to your health!

Second Week of April Photo Challenge

I'm ready to share more photos for the 

April Photo Challenge at Fat Mum Slims.

Hope you can take the time to visit Chantelle

and view some the bloggers photos.

Some are just so amazing!

Picking up with

9.  younger you

I found this photo of myself and my two brothers

Possible late 1970s to early 1980s.

My younger brother (on the right) looked like John Lennon.

Yes, I was a blond!!

This is a picture of a picture...

10.  cold

Margarita Fridays!!

11. where you ate breakfast

Usually at my desk. Easter egg and an apple. It's a good start.

12. stairs

Ugly stairs, but I usually climb these at work.

13. something you found

One lonely bud standing out waiting to bloom.

14.  how you feel today

Like I could take on the world! "Rawr"....she said with a Southern accent.

I don't claim to be a great photographer, but I love taking pictures!

I like taking on the challenges because it gives me a chance 

to be more creative or to use my "out of the box" thinking.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Here's to your health!

Tea 101 for Tea Time Tuesday

Did you ever wonder what makes tea really bitter sometimes? You brew up your tea 

and in taking that first sip you taste a very bitter taste, so you add more sugar or cream. 

I don't like to add sugar or cream to my teas. I love the natural taste of tea. 

But I don't like BITTER!

#1.

Did you know there is a chemical in tea that can make it bitter?

It's called tannin. The tannin is released when you put hot

water on the tea leaves. So to prevent your tea from being bitter,

you need to minimize the amount of tannin released into the tea you drink.

You need to consider the quality and type of tea you are brewing.

Teabags have smaller "fannings" of the tea that has been processed

in larger pieces for loose leaf packaging. The smaller the pieces,

the larger overall surface area you have to release tannins from.

In other words, you get more tannins per second from teabags

than from loose tea.

#2.

Have you ever noticed those brownish stains on the inside of your teapot?

  That stain happens to be traces of tannin.  If you let it build up, it will

eventually start to effect the flavor of you tea. To prevent this, rinse

out your teapot with warm water as soon as it's empty. After it is cooled,

wash it inside and out with BAKING SODA on the corner of a washcloth.

Soaps can leave a residue that affects the taste of your tea, baking soda

rinses clean and is the natural enemy of tannin since it is alkaline.

Use a baby bottle brush (used in cleaning the nipples) to clean out the spout

#3.

Taste the water you are using to make your tea. If you wouldn't drink it,

don't use it to make your tea! Use spring or filtered water. Don't

use distilled water for it has an absence of minerals altogether

and will make your tea taste flat.

#4.

Brewing time can be a little tricky. In general black teas are brewed

with water that is let come to "full rolling boil", but with green or white

teas its 140 - 175 degrees F.  Some teas don't follow the general rule

so read the labels for your teas. The companies want their teas

to taste good so their directions are probably going to be right.

#5.

You need to make sure that you are using the right amount of

tea for brewing. The general rule is one teaspoon or one teabag

of tea for each six fluid ounces of hot water. Measure how many

ounces your teapot holds then divide the number by 6. Now you

know how many teaspoons or teabags to use. Some teas need 

a little more or less, so read the label on your cantainer and see 

what the company suggest. If it doesn't taste strong enough, it's

recommended not to add more tea, but to buy a 

stronger tea.

 

#6.

 Here's the most important - - the BREWING TIME!

The longer the tea steeps, the more tannin is released.

When using teabags, there are tiny pieces for quick brewing,

which means the tannins are released much faster.

Most teabags should be removed from the hot water

within 40 to 60 seconds. Loose green tea should be

removed in 1 to 3 minutes, black tea in 4, and oolong in 3 to 4. 

The best thing about Herbal teas is that you can steep them

as long as you like. They have no true tea in them, therefore

no tannin. BUT once again, read your instructions on

the containers because some teas do not follow the standard rule!

Make sure, when using loose tea, that your infuser is large enough

to let the leaves unfurl. The whole leaves have been curled and they 

need room to open. If you don't have an infuser, you can use 

cheesecloth, which can be cleaned and used again. Or just

make sure to use a tea strainer.

#7.

So if all else fails and you still end up with bitter tea,

no amount of sugar can fix it. To make already brewed tea

less bitter, add a very small pinch of baking soda. Remember

that baking soda counter-acts the tannins. But if you add

more than just a tiny bit, your tea will taste like baking soda,

and you don't want that. Just a tiny pinch will do.

Well, there you have it! I love this saying in the above picture.

If you love drinking tea enough, you'll start understanding it

and your tea will always be very tasteful to your buds.

I would like to join Martha and Terri for tea time.

Don't you know, these ladies put in a tremendous time

for their tea time. They both have many lovey

tea sets and some of the most interesting subjects.

Pay them a visit and tell them that Brenda set you.

Here's to your health!

Easter for Mosaic Monday

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter.

My granddaughters and I had a wonderful 

time coloring eggs and then having

an Easter Egg Hunt!

My girls are adorable!

Little Bit had a great explanation for Easter.

She was coloring an egg and I could tell

she was really putting in some thought

for what she wanted to do. After she

explained it to me, I told her she

had to repeat it for a video.

If you couldn't understand her, she said,

"Jesus died on the cross. We gave Him flowers.

He went to heaven. EASTER! Tah, dahhh!"

Aren't kids just wonderful!!?!!

Here's a picture of her egg.

This is Little Bit.

This is Doodles.

They do make this grandmother happy. It's a joy to spend time with them.

Over the Easter weekend, the moon was shinning bright!

I got into bed Friday evening and the moon was shinning so bright

through the blinds that I just had to get back up and check it out.

I tried to capture some pictures through the trees...

Then I tried to capture a shot or two of some of the 

wild flowers in the yard. That was a challenge.

Can you guess what this is?

Maybe this gives you a better hint...

It took me a few shots, but I did capture a few...

It was completely dark outside. There was no lighting except what was

coming from the moon. I just used the flash and starting shooting.

It was fun.

I am so thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

that took my place upon the Cross and gave his

life for my sins.  I am thankful for my wonderful

little family that brings me happiness, sadness,

joy, confusion, elation...They are the

family that God has seen fit to give to me.

I am very blessed!

Take time to give praise!

I would like to join Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

Why don't you pay Mary a visit. Her photos are just

stunning!  She is very much into Nature!!

Here's to your health!

April 2012 Photo Challenge with Fat Mum Slim

Once again it's time for the photo challenge with the 

FABULOUS Chanetelle, at Fat Mum Slim.

April 2012 Photo Challenge

1.  your reflection

I like being a little creative. Sometimes I don't

take time enough for that...

2.  colour

A drawing on the wall.  Not mine, but wish it was.

I do draw, but never seem to have time anymore.

 

3.  mail

Something confidential... I can't tell you what it is.

It's confidential.

 

4.  someone  who makes you happy

My granddaughters, Little Bit and Doodles, playing with the Woodkins.

5.  tiny

Tiny little flowers on top of a cactus. I just LOVE the little, tiny things in life.

6.  lunch

7. shadow

Me, walking in the rain. I was carrying a bag, my umbrella,

and my camera. Took this shot without a flash, then lightened it.

(sorry, this was used in a previous blog)

 

8.  inside your wallet

Just some change...and a safety pin. You never know when you will need one.

The challenges are always fun, so THANKS Chantelle.

It has given me a chance to think and explore and create.

These are always good things to do!