30-day Fitness Challenge - Day Twenty-Five

tip taken from webmd.com

TGIF!  Have a great weekend!

Fitness Fact of the Day: Fitness Can Help Build Relationships

Think of what exercising with a partner can do for a relationship, whether it's with a spouse, a sibling, or a friend you used to go to lunch with once a week.

Not only that, says Astorino, but exercise is always more fun when there's someone to do it with. So plan to walk with your spouse after dinner every night. Meet your sister or that friend for tennis or an aerobics class instead of lunch.

Besides, Astorino says, people who have exercise partners stay with their programs and reach their goals more often than those who try to go it alone.

"For long-term weight loss, you need to have social support," Astorino says.

30-day Fitness Challenge - Day Twenty-Four

tip taken from webmd.com

Fitness Fact of the Day: It's Not As Hard As You Think To Find Time For Fitness

The key, says Atkinson, is to use your time more wisely. Think about killing two birds with one stone.

Take your kids to the park or ride bikes together, and you're getting physical activity while enjoying family time, he says. Beyond that, go for a hike, take the kids swimming, or play hide-and-seek, tag, softball, or horseshoes in the backyard.

At work, he says, schedule a meeting on the jogging track or on the golf course.

Also, forget the idea that you have to trudge to the gym and spend an hour or more doing a formal workout. Instead, you can work short spurts of physical activity into your day.

"Everyone has 20 minutes," Atkinson says. "Everyone has 10 minutes to jump rope, and sometimes that's better than 20 minutes of walking or running."

Indeed, squeezing in two or three bouts of 15 or 20 minutes of activity is just as effective as doing it all at once, says Astorino. Vacuuming the house in the morning, riding bikes in the park with the kids in the afternoon, then taking a brisk walk in the evening can add up to an active day.

Recent U.S. government guidelines say that to lose weight and keep it weight off, you should accumulate at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, says Astorino. But half an hour a day is all you need to reap the health and disease-fighting benefits of exercise.

After reading this, what are some ways you can think of to incorporate more exercise into your day? Which would work best for you, 15 minute bouts of exercise 3 times a day, or just getting it done all at once? 

Homemade Honey Cleanser

Many of you know that I've been on a journey of making my own home and beauty cleansers.  For the most part, it's been fun and enjoyable.  I love trying out new recipes and adapting them to fit my needs.  But, sometimes it's SO frustrating and I want to give up...but only sometimes.  

This is not one of those times.  I have a new recipe that I'd like to share with you.  It's for a Homemade Honey Cleanser.  My friend shared this recipe with me.  I'm not sure where she found it, so I can't quote a source. If I had to guess, I'd say it's from the book "Natural Beauty at Home."  Even if the recipe didn't come from this book, it's still a good one to check out.  

I've been using this recipe for a couple of days and I love it!  I was using Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Castile Soap, which I really like, but I wanted something a little more mild.  I plan to use it in my girls bubble bath, and on their skin and hair.  I've been using it on my hair and body.  The results are great!  My hair is soft and full and my skin is smooth.  It's a nice change from the castile soap.  

Here's the recipe: 

2 tbsp liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Castile Soap)

1/4 c of honey

1/4 c of rose water (I used regular filtered water)

Mix all ingredients together in a clean container.  Give a little shake (not too much.  You don't want too much foam).  I used an old squeezable jelly container at first.  I plan to put it into a pump container, which is suggested.  

Makes 4 ounces 

To use: Pour or pump a small amount into your palm and massage gently into your skin or hair.  (I use a puff when I'm using it as body wash.  I like the foaming action).  Rinse thoroughly with water.  (I haven't needed a conditioner when I use this in my hair).

Note: Honey is a lightener.  Keep that in mind if your hair is dark. 

Just a couple updates on some other products I've made: 

Deodorant: I made a new batch and reduced the baking soda to 1 Tbsp.  I still broke out in a rash.  This is frustrating because the deodorant works really well.  The baking soda is the only thing that kills the odor for me.  I've tried other homemade recipes, but they aren't working.  So, I'm still on the lookout for a great homemade recipe.  At this point, I'm doing some research into natural store-bought deodorants.  If you have any recipes to share, please do! I'm kind of desperate.

Laundry Detergent: Use it and LOVE it!  If you haven't tried it yet, you must. 

Stain Remover: Used it the other day on my daughter's shirt.  She spilled chocolate on the front of her.  It took the stain right out.  I also spilled cherry cough syrup on my shirt and it came out!  I was amazed.  And just so you know, I am not the "wash it right this minute to get the stain out" kind of girl. I spray it and it sits for days until I'm ready to do laundry. 

If you haven't tried this recipe yet, get off the computer and go make it right now!

All-Purpose Cleaner: Use it and love it.  Won't ever go back to store bought. 

Dishwasher Detergent: Ugh.  Another source of frustration for me.  I keep getting a film on my dishes.  Up to this point, my husband has been supportive and excited about making our own products.  But this is the one area where he says, "If you wanted to switch back to store bought, I wouldn't mind."  No way! I'm determined!  I'm experimenting and checking the web for other ideas.  The only one I've seen so far is to add lemon juice to the rinse compartment.  I'm going to try that as soon as the vinegar runs out.  I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, if you have any other recipes, please share!

That's all for the updates for now.  Stay tuned.  I'll be posting a homemade body lotion recipe I've been trying.  I'm still testing it out, I'll let you know soon if I really like it or not. 

Be on the lookout - I'm still looking for a good hair spray and hair gel recipe. There are a few I've found, but none that I'm interested in trying.  Let me know if you have any.    

Thanks for stopping by,

  

    

30-day Fitness Challenge - Day Twenty-Three

tip taken from webmd.com


Fitness Fact of the Day: Exercise Gives You Energy

"You might be surprised at how, say, popping in a workout tape for 30 minutes in the morning can change your whole day. When endorphins are released into your bloodstream during exercise," says Astorino, "you feel much more energized the rest of the day."

And when you improve your strength and stamina, it's easier to accomplish everyday tasks like carrying groceries and climbing stairs. This also helps you feel more energetic over the course of the day.

A common excuse among Atkinson's clients is that they're too tired to exercise, he says. While exercise may make you feel more tired at first, he says, that won't last long.

The physical tiredness you feel after working out isn't the same as everyday fatigue, he says. Besides, once your body adjusts to exercise, you'll have more energy than ever.

I know sometimes I feel like a frumpy, exhausted Mom.  Exercising has really helped me feel better about myself and has given me more energy.  More than that, I feel good about sticking with it! That gives me confidence.  While I'm not where I want to be physically, I know I'm on my way!   

Bird Update - Because You're Dying to Know...

A couple of weeks ago, I found a bird nest on my patio.  Two weeks later, they hatched.  I checked on them yesterday, and this is what they look like: 

He does not look happy to see me.   

As you can see, I had to get pretty close to take this picture.  I was balanced on the arms of a patio chair, arm reaching high, snapping pictures.  I know, I know, a ladder would have been safer, but the chair was right there.  

After about the fifth picture, the bird let out a tweety-scream and flew right out of the nest!  I think he was as shocked as I was.

  

Mama Bird immediately appeared and they began tweeting to each other in high pitched tones.  I thought Mama B was going to attack me.  I got off the chair, walked to the door, and watched Baby Bird hop-fly around.  I was horrified!  I thought for sure a cat would come along and eat him up.  He didn't know how to fly yet!  

I kept checking on him, for hours, as he hopped around the yard.  He'd fly for a second and land back on the ground.  Later that day, he still was not in the nest (I say he like I really know.  I don't.  I didn't check.  I wouldn't know how if I wanted to).

This morning, much to my relief, I saw Baby Bird up in the nest with the other babies.  Phew!  He didn't get eaten.  And apparently he learned how to fly!  I didn't mean to force the flying thing.  I like to think of it more as "providing the opportunity for a teachable moment between Mama B and Baby Bird."  I'm just glad he wasn't eaten.  

Here is the progression from eggs to feathers:

April 23rd

May 6th 

May 10th 

It's amazing how quickly they grow!  I'm sure the nest will be empty in a few days, so this may be the last of the bird chronicles for this year.  I know, don't cry.  You'll fill your days up with other meaningful stories from other meaningful blogs.  

Thanks for stopping by,