Spring, The Best Time Of Year.....

If I could bottle the weather here today and screw the top on tight,  I would open it in August,  when the heat sores in the high 90's. 

We had the most beautiful, perfect 75' day here,  today.  

I used this day to pull all the weeds that have collected over the winter.  I even put on my tattered  jeans and my garden boots,  then took out the weed wacker and cleaned up  down by the creek.  This was not an easy job. I had to cut several Banana trees that had to endure the cold weather.  Branches and limbs from the tall Hickory Trees,  were scattered from the high winds we've  had and all of the garden waste went into the pile for the lawn guy, who will cart it away tomorrow.

After the ground was turned and the weeds were gone I got myself cleaned up and headed to my local garden shop.  

Geraniums and Soprano's for the front yard flower bed. This spot shows from the street and each year I do my best to make it beautiful and proud.

I may have started something this morning. One of my neighbors came out with his rake and garden tools and said,  "I was making him feel guilty" and he got started on his yard.

Although I love to craft, do needle work and putter around my house, I think the most pleasing activity for me is working in my garden.  This past winter I've been busy inside with family and projects, I'm so happy to be able to venture outside with my garden tools.

I do hope everyone gets as much pleasure in the garden as I.

 * * * *

A Prayer in Spring 

OH, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

 For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Robert Frost

((huggss))

10 Things You Can Clean In the Dishwasher....

"Spring is on the way and time to clean a few things around the house"

 I just love helpful hints and I ran across this article the other day.  It's been something I've been doing for years.  For those of you who may worry about the dishwasher being unsanitary after using it for other items, keep in mind the dish washing detergent has bleach in it,  so be careful with colorfast items and don't put anything silver in there, it will turn black.  I totally ruined a set of silverware.

 Sure, your dishwasher makes quick work of dirty plates and cups. But lots of other stuff will get squeaky-clean in there, too. "Dishwashers are real time-savers for cleaning many household and personal items."

I have been putting so many items in my dishwasher for years.  In fact,  I have put my kids sneakers in there on occasion.

1. Glass Globes from Light Fixtures
It's amazing how much brighter a room will look after this cleaning task is checked off your to-do list. "Run these through on the top shelf and make sure there's space between them because the glass is more fragile than what's used for drinking glasses.   Use the delicate, china or crystal cycle if available, and skip the heated dry option. And to be safe, avoid washing antique or hand-painted globes or those with gold-leaf trim in the dishwasher.

2. Shower Heads and Faucet Handles
If your shower head is spraying sporadically from clogged holes or your faucet handles aren't as shiny as they used to be, place these on the top rack and run the pots and pans cycle. It's fine to run cookware through at the same time, so you're not wasting a wash for these few items.

3. Plastic Hair Brushes, Combs, Clips and Barrettes
These personal care items get coated with hair products, but clean up well in the dishwasher, says Trotter. Remove all strands of hair, then corral everything in a mesh lingerie bag or dishwasher basket on the top rack. Run a normal cycle. One note:  Don't try this trick with wood-handled or natural bristle brushes because the water and heat can damage them.

4. Baseball Hats and Visors
"The dishwasher is a fantastic way to make sure hats keep their shapes."  Put hats on the top rack, head opening down, on a separate wash cycle from dishes because you can't use dishwasher detergent (many contain bleaching agents). Instead, fill the detergent cup with borax, found in the supermarket laundry aisle. Run a regular cycle without the heated dry option, then place hat over a glass or jar to dry. Reshape brim while damp.

5. Plastic Toys
Small plastic items such as baby toys, teethers and action figures can get funky pretty fast. Toss them in a mesh bag or dishwasher basket and place on the top rack. "Wash these on a normal cycle along with your other dishes"

6. Pet Bowls and Toys
It's generally fine to load these with other dishes. "Wash them regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria that can make both you and your pet sick."  "But it's prudent to run a separate load or use the sanitize cycle if you have a baby or a familymember with a suppressed immune system." Most dishwasher-safe toys are labeled accordingly on the package or manufacturer's website. However, if you're not sure whether the material will hold up in the dishwasher, just to be safe, you can also soak toys in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, and rinse well. Rope toys and rawhide chews can't be cleaned; toss when icky.

7. Kitchen Dish Sponges and Brushes
Load these up at the same time you do the regular dishes. The top rack is usually the best place so you can stand them up or wedge between other items. Run through on a normal cycle.

8. Kitchen Appliance Parts
Once a week, load all of these into the dishwasher to make the whole kitchen seem shinier: chrome drip pans, enamel-coated gas grates and burner caps, fridge water dispenser grate, sink plugs, microwave tray and range hood grease filters. Use the normal washing cycle.  I even put my refrigerator racks in the dishwasher.

9. Butter Dishes, Sugar Bowls, Spoon Rests, and Salt and Pepper Shakers
"We handle all of these things every day, so they collect lots of grease and grime, which you may not even notice," says Trotter. Periodically empty sugar, spice and condiments and wash these containers along with your regular loads. Once they are completely dry, you can refill them with the contents you set aside before washing.

10. Personal Care Items
Toothbrushes, toothbrush holders, goopy soap dishes, nail brushes, plastic makeup brushes and bathtub drain plugs all benefit from an occasional run through the dishwasher. Place on the top rack with smaller items tucked in a dishwasher basket, and wash on a normal cycle with your other dishes.  Lets not forget the rubber bath tub mat. It comes out beautifully.

 Ok, no more excuses to not wash all those items around your house.  
Put them in the dishwasher.

I'm linking this great info 

Saturday Night Special 

x0x0x0x

"Blaze of Glory Climbing Rose" Has Arrived. But do I have the patience to wait for it to grow?

 'Blaze of Glory, Climbing Rose'

My Rose plant was ordered from a gardening catalog back in November and finally arrived yesterday.  It's a small plant but the "Jackson and Perkins" catalog said;

"Incredible, our blooming dynamo covers a 6' trellis in just one year!  This fiery ember-colored climber is a guaranteed garden success, flowering profusely all summer! The color stays true". The tiny plant also has a two year guarantee.  The paperwork is in my desk.

After I finished building my front porch trellis, I bought a large clay pot just for the rose. Today I used two 40lb bags of good potting soil with a layer of rocks on the bottom.  A bit of plant fertilizer, and in my mind, I can see the rose bush climbing tall and full in the perfect sunny spot over the summer..  But, the Rose plant, it's so small?

"6 ft they say"? 
I'll need to gather up all the Patience I can muster to wait for my rose to reach 6'.

Can you see the rose climbing up? 

The trellis,  I built several months ago is so alone out there and so ready for it's new rose.  

I have lots of patience and am so excited. 

Today was a beautiful windy, warm, sunny day.  Perfect for working in the garden.

The weather man said our winds came from the Northern storms that have caused so much troubles with the tornado's in the Mid Western states. Having lived in Central Illinois and going through several  tornado's I totally understand how they cause destruction.   I wanted to send out prayers to all who were in the path of these destructive storms.  

You are all in my thoughts.

((huggss))

I'm linking this post up to
Saturday Night Special 

Marvelously Messy 

Tuesdays To Do List 

Outdoor Wednesday 

Create and Share 

Alphabet Thursday  

Show off your Stuff 

Fertilizer Friday 

Tickled Pink

Blooming Friday 

Crystals in my ears.......

This is how I spent the past 24 hours.

 I've been experiencing tiny dizzy spells for the past several months. Little ones that came and went in a mater of seconds and never during the same movements that my body went through during the days or nights.  Then when they came on only when I was laying my head on the pillow, rolled over to the right, the world started spinning.

Not wanting to know something like, "You have a brain tumor" or some ucky thing, I just ignored it for much too long.  Then I gave in and went to my doctor.

After hearing my symptoms he told me "You may have crystals in your ears".  Crystals, what is that?

Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) is a common type of vertigo. The most typical movements that provoke vertigo are lying back into bed, getting up out of bed, tipping the head back (for example to instill eye drops), and bending over and standing up quickly.
It is caused by inner ear crystals that drift into the back, bottom inner ear semicircular canal (otoconia in the posterior semicircular canal). Viral illness, head injury, stress, tiredness, aging, and other things seem to be correlated with BPPV.
The canalith repositioning maneuver (Epley maneuver) or the Semont's liberatory maneuver almost always resolve the problem. When these measures fail, a careful re-evaluation may reveal a different diagnosis. Commonly, BPPV is accompanied by other balance organ problems that improve with vestibular exercises.

My doctor sent me to Physical Therapy and I went through some maneuvers that put me into positions like a pretzel.  After these maneuvers the Therapist held my head in her hands for two full minutes and looked deep into my eyes to watch them  quiver and diagnosed, Vertigo.  "You have had this for some time", she said.  Yes, for months, I told her.  But then I remember 4 years ago having a horrible bout with Vertigo that had me in the hospital for 3 days.  Then, they simply sent me home with medications.  It went away until now it showed up at a slower pace.

I was told, when she did the third and last treatment (took about an hour), as she gazed into my eyes, "Your eyes are still and I think I got it".  She then put a neck collar on me and told me to "Not move my head for 24 hrs".  Really, make believe your tied to a cross and do not move your head in any way. Do not look up or down or move from side to side.  Also, do not lay down. Sleep in a sitting position."Do not lay down"!

Well, I have 4 hours to go and I can remove the collar.  Then should call her tomorrow to let her know how I'm feeling or if I have any new episodes of dizzy.  And, for the next three days I can not sleep on my right side. 

So far I've not been dizzy, but then I'm not moving  I will go see her one more time and depending on if the dizzy returns, will get one more treatment next week.

I was told I can do the maneuvers at home if it was to return, by doing this exercise. My problem is in the left ear and this is one of the treatments she did for me.

Self-Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo:

Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo is caused by loose inner ear crystals in the inner ear that migrate while sleeping to the back-bottom inner ear balance canal, the so-called “posterior semi-circular canal.” The maneuver demonstrated below is the way to reposition the loose crystals so that the symptoms caused by the loose crystals go away. You may have a floating, swaying sense while walking or sitting for a few days after this procedure.

LEFT Ear Treatment:

If vertigo occurs on left side

What I learned from all this is  "If dizzy spells come on, it does not mean some horrible thing is happening to you".  Go get it checked, it could be nothing more than a form of vertigo that comes on many people.

I will continue to do these exercises, on my own, in the future because I sure don't want to get dizzy again.  It was no fun with the kids here this past few weeks.  Walking the big theme parks was a chore with vertigo.

Hopefully this information will help someone out there in blogland.

(((huggss)))

I'm linking this info to

Potpourri Friday 

 

25 Things ....

My Bloggie friend "Pat" over at

Gypsy Heart 

put up her list of "25 Things"

I thought I'd give it a try.

These are both  things I love, and love not so much, so bear with me...

1)  Living my life all these years on the go.  I've lived in 5 countries and 13 states. Yes, since birth, moving every few years and it's getting tiring to say the least.  But this past 6 years I've been in the same house, in the same city, on the West Coast of Florida and I've told my family "I'm here to stay and to have me cremated when I die, then toss my ashes in the back yard!"

2)  The bug man. He comes once a month and I'm always chasing him with his bug spray out of my yard.  The HOA sends him.  My yard is registered with the "National Wildlife Federation" as a back yard habitat..... Why does he want to kill wildlife, no matter how small?  I've finally got the bees to return!

3)  The early morning is my time of day.  For some reason I wake about 4:30am and make my coffee, check my e'mail then go out on the back deck to listen to the gators talking to one another and watch the sun come up.  It's my time to thank the Lord for what I have and for letting me live another day.

4)  Family.  Mine is especially close to me. No not in distance but in heart and soul.  The closest in distance is one of my daughters, 4 hrs away.  Then the rest in different countries.  Guam, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, New Jersey, NY, Alaska, Palm Beach and an assortment of States. I have always wondered how it might be to have everyone just down the street or at least in a 50 mile radius? 

5)  Traveling.  I'm so done with that. Especially the "Sick Ships".  Yes cruise ships.  I will get in the car and drive somewhere, or fly to visit one of my children but never again out of the country.  It's just too much trouble.  My sister and all the kids come to me now!

6)  Food.  In the past 10 years I've given up meat totally.  I eat loads of green veggies and a bit of dairy but not milk. No sugar and no soft drinks of any kind.  No bags of munchies come into my pantry.   I love that all my blood work comes back with great results and I have had great results keeping my weight in check.  But, I do eat Dark Chocolate and have a glass of red wine.

7)  My Garden.  I've always loved to garden but for some reason I picked the house with a yard that slopes into a creek.  Every time I put in new soil and plant really nice flowers it turns into rainy season here and all the plantings wash down into the creek.  No one has to tell me to create a flower bed.. been there done that with bricks.  The raging water just flows over the brick walls and away it all go's!

8)  The home phone that is connected to the modem.  I want it out of the house.  I have my iPhone and no longer need it.  The only time it rings is when an 800 number shows on the caller ID.  The only reason it's here to connect my heart monitor that relays my pacer activity directly to the doctors office.  Why can't the pc modem do that?

9)  Vertigo that has plagued me for years.  I'm happy to say this week I'm going into rehab to get the crystals out of my ears.  Don't ask me what that means, it's just what the doctor said.  I call them my "Swarovski" crystals. Getting dizzy all the time is not fun!

10)  Walking on the beach is where I like to meditate.  Hearing the Gulls squawk and feeling the sea breeze is wonderful.

11)  My neighbor, down the street who tells me "I need to remove some of my yard ornaments"... really!  He said, it's like a trailer park in my front yard!  If he was not so old and in a wheel chair I might confront him?

12)  Yogurt.  I could eat that every meal.  With blueberries in it.

13)  White paint.  My friends and family look at me strange when they walk into my home.  I've painted everything white.  It's shabby and white.  I have accent colors scattered but that does not make them see what I see?  Oh Well!

14)  My 4 grandsons and one grand daughter.  The joy of my life. One, the oldest just turned 22 and is now a member of the US Coast Guard. The other three are still very young and live on the Island of Guam My new grand daughter lives in Alaska. We are always in touch and they know me well but so far from me.

15) The United States Military.  I have this enormous  pride for anyone who ventures into the military.  My family is rich in the history, from my grandfather to my kids. Our country would not be as great with out our military.

16) My great pet peeve, those who live in these United States and complain about everything.  Being one who has lived in third world countries I've seen how those poor people live... If some of the complainers just went to live in some of the  countries that are poor or have dictators, as those humans do, the complainers would kiss the ground the moment the airplane landed back on our soil.

17)  I'm proud of me and my creative self.  I'm a thrifter and refuse to buy anything new.  Well maybe the coffee pot or some needed appliance, but every piece of furniture in my home came from a thrift store or garage sale... or I build what I want.  I refinish everything. I call it, "My part to keep it out of the landfills". We are such a wasteful civilization.

18)  My adult mind.  I never want to go back to being a child or young adult.  I love how mature my mind is now.  I'm wiser and read everything I can get my hands on.  I love to know how things work or why we are the way we are.  

19)  Unhappy People.  I have no time for unhappy people.  They seem to ooze unhappiness on everyone around them.  If life gives you troubles, then it's just life.  I found that every crisis comes and go's in the proper amount of time.  The sun comes out every day no matter how bad things seem. I found that out 6 years ago when I was told I had 3 months to live... really!  Well the doctors helped me and ever since that time, no matter what comes my way I take it with a smile.  I know I could have sudden death at any moment still but I take it with a smile because I'm at peace with life.  When you think about life, sudden death could come to any one of us from some sort of trauma.  So to all those unhappy people... "Smile for the moment", it's all we have.

20)  People who use other people. I'm one who is always doing for others and there are a few people I've been forced to say no to now.  Seems when I ask for their services or help they always are too busy or have other things to do.

21)  Tulips.  I love Tulips.   Living in Florida makes it hard to grow them, so every few weeks I buy myself a bunch and tenderly place them in a vase on my dining room table.

I love how they start to bend in all directions as they age. 

This weeks potted Tulips in such a pretty shade of yellow. I'll  plant the bulbs in the garden. Never know, they might  come up next spring?

22)  Wishing I could write.  Words taken and put on paper to tell a story.  I read so many of the blogs and the words seem to flow in such interesting ways.  I did take journalism in college and they did teach me to write, but when I start putting my fingers to the keys I'm blank!  So many have told me to write my story in a book... Seems I have a lot to tell. People, places and such.  To me it might not be interesting but others say a book will sell?

Am thinking of taking a refresher course at the local college?

23)  Of all the humans I've encountered in my life the ones that have given me the most joy are my children.  Two daughters, one Step-daughter and my son.  These kids have given me not an ounce of trouble in all their years.  Really!  My girls, may sound silly to some, but their so nice to me.  Anything to make me safe and happy in this life, they are always there for me although they live far from me.  My son, well, he made me proud by going into the family business, the US Coast Guard.  Today he is an officer living in Alaska with his new wife and daughter.  

24)  My sister, my friend, my savior.  She has to be the most important person in my life because she has been there since birth.  My first memory of her is the string going down the center of our bedroom.  "Do not cross" were her orders,,, but, but the door is on your side. "How do I get out"?  We separated at the age of 19, she stayed in Saudi and I came back to the states.  Not one year has gone by that we did not get together.  Our children played together on those visits and we have always remained as close as small girls.

25)  Tangerine.  This is my new color of the season.  I walk the shops and this color is everywhere and I'm going to incorporate it into my home this year. 

There, I finished my "25 Things"

Although not many will take the time to read it, it was therapeutic. 

In fact, it felt good!

   Have a great Sunday!

Family....

I've been off the blog for the past three weeks due to family.  This has been my fourth family visit this year and today I'm sitting here tired and full of good thoughts and memories.  The house is so quiet and I think I might have gone deaf!

I once again gave up my bedroom to family members with children. Mishal, his wife Mona and their two small children, JoJo and Majed.  They flew in from Kuwait and totally took over my home and life.  This was a good take over and I so enjoyed each and every moment but a few times I forgot I had a heart problem and did a bit too much. But I did survive all the fun.

Mishal is my sisters son, Mona his wife and their two children. JoJo is three and Majed is 19 months.

JoJo and I made cupcakes.

Feeding  bread to the Gulls was a big hit for the kids.

 Oh how we laughed while Mishal peddled us on the bike build for 6.

The children were so happy to talk with and hug Elmo and Big Bird.

Cousins, Cyndi and Mishal racked up points for the kids.

 There were times when I wanted to pass out along with the kids.

 Shopping, how we shopped.  Today the van took 8 large, over weight suit cases  along with numerous carry on's to the airport. I'm afraid to ask what the airline charged for it all? 

All of you who are frequent flyers  know how much easier it is to find your bags on the busy round about. Tie a ribbon of sorts on each, of color.  Mishal bought a 'dog chew' and separated it.. wonderful colors tied to each.

Shoes Mommy, Shoes!

Even at 3, JoJo is an experienced shopper.

If I was to list the places we went, it would take at least 4 pages.   Each day, 21 in all, we went out in a large rented van equipped with car seats and enough room for us all, including  my sister, Mishal's mom. We must have visited every tourist attraction in Florida. My body is telling me to stop and take it easy but my mind is in over drive because it was so hard to say bye this morning as the airport shuttle took them away. 

This was my first visit with Mishal's family and I fell in love with them all.

Out of the 21 days I cooked only twice.  We ate out every day and that in itself was a treat for me.  But the house, what a mess it stayed.  

 Today was me and my sister going from room to room finding little things that only small children could leave... cars, balloons, little bits of paper and so much more.  I also found a few of Mona's (my niece) hair rollers and bath items... wonderful reminders that were left for me.  They will grace a shelf in the bath.

When Mona first entered my home all I could see was her 'black sweater coat"... I so loved it and although she wore it quite a few times, she knew how much I admired it and today it was hanging on the coat rack on the stair case.. (Thank you Mona)

The kids are on their way to their home in Kuwait with the promise of coming back next year..  

I'm holding them to that!

Family.  There is nothing better, except maybe family living closer.  My kids are so scattered around the world.  

But, that makes it all the more special when they come.

A Beautiful Day to Plant "Caladiums"

Today was such a beautiful day here in my area. The sun was out and the temp went up to 86',  so I spent the day doing a bit of gardening.  Although I live in West Central Florida we do get winter and our temps get low enough to put the plants to sleep.  We also have not had much rain so the grass browns, if not watered each week. 
Ok, so it may never happen but this is what I want my back yard to look like.  I have the space and I have the area started with brick surrounding each flower bed but I don't have the proper soil.... 

 I want my yard to look like this!

 
My soil is Florida sand mixed into clay and it's really horrible! Each spring since moving into this house I've bought dozens of bags with rich top soil and incorporated it into the beds.  A few bags of manure along with pete and anything else my local master gardener has told me to add.  I even took a sample of my soil to her and she told me that all I need is to add a bit more acid.... so I did that.. but my flowers do not grow as lush as they should.  It's a bit depressing to say the least.
I  put new grass seed this morning, in all the bare spots of the lawn. 
Today I'm dreaming of a lush garden full of color.

 Look at the colors of these beautiful Caladiums.

I bought  a large number of Caladium bulbs today and planted them in groups of color all around my back yard.

The photos are taken from the net, so I could look at them and dream about how nice my garden will be in the Spring.

This one is Cherry Caladium

I did notice my Day Lillies are starting to reach to the sky and the trees have new buds on them. Most of the perennials are showing green buds. That means Spring is not far away.

My thoughts are to create a space that looks like this lush garden. This year I'm going to have it... or at least something like it. 
Lets look at it one more time.

This is my sad wintery yard today. Everything is dry and sleeping and it's a bit depressing but  like most  gardeners around the country, I am patiently waiting for Spring!

Hurry Spring! 

I need you!

     

Found Junk Pile Floor Lamp

My first real attempt at recovering a lamp shade with sheer fabric turned out pretty well.  I wanted the light to be bright so I pulled out a scrap sheer fabric left over from the drapes I made months ago.

This old floor lamp was laying on the side of the road in a trash heap.  At first I was going to leave it there but then I felt it was crying out to me to take it home. Was pitiful really because I have trouble leaving such a treasure.

 It's lamp shade was made of a fau sorta leather/plastic and very yellow with age. 

The first thing I had to do was paint the lamp stand that was in good working order. I can move the top portion to bring the light back and forth with the hinge.    It was rusting in spots so I gave it a quick cleaning then used that wonderful invention, 
"Spray Paint"

 I know this pitiful lamp was sending out my praises to the "Big lamp in the sky"

The next step was to re cover the shade. 

Was easy as cutting off the existing yellowish fabric/leather/plastic stuff! 

I  measured the sheer fabric to size then hand stitched it to the wire frame.

 Afraid using glue would leave residue and show through the sheer fabric, hand stitching was the only way.

Then I added a bit of decoration to the shade

The lamp sits next to my sewing table and really lets the light shine through.  
My eyes say Thank You!

Another piece of trash kept out of the landfills.
This is indeed a good thing.

I'm linking up to
Show off Your Stuff

Under $100.00 

February 3rd, Wear your Red for The Number One KILLER of Women, Heart Disease

February is traditionally the month we all celebrate Valentines Day but we also are celebrating "Our Hearts".

 February 3rd is the day we all get together and kick up our heels to get the word out about the 

Number One KILLER of Women! 

"Heart Disease"

 Are you part of a group that goes red — and beyond? Is your cubicle a sea of red? Do you even plaster your pooch in red?

 I'm Sandy and the "Wonders of Doing" is my blog.  I speak from experience.  

For weeks I walked around saying to myself "Something is not right"?  I woke in the night thinking I had saran wrap in my lungs and could not get a full breath? I was only 54 yrs old and refused to get my heart health screenings... then one night the EMS took me away. 

"Heart Failure and you have 3 months to live"!!

That was 6 years ago and now I'm doing great with my third Pacemaker/Defib implanted in my chest.  My heart is happy with it's new friend that kicks in when ever it gets tired of working on it's own.

Scarey, yes!  But it's so nice to be alive!

I am offering one simple thing for you to remember 

"GET A SECOND OPINION"

My first Cardiologist sent me home with 3 months to live!!  Then the second doctor, from the "Heart And Vascular Institute of Florida" helped me and now he is saying,

"I'm his Miracle Child"

((Dr. Walsh, YOU ARE MY HERO))

5 Simple Heart-Healthy Energy Boosters

1. Move more. In the short term, increasing physical activity to increase energy seems counterintuitive. In the long term, it works. You don’t have to be a marathoner to see benefits. Just start where you are and do more. If you don’t exercise, walk around the block and gradually work up from there.  Your goal should be to get 30 minutes of brisk activity on five days a week for a total of at least 150 minutes per week. You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once. Three 10-minutes hikes in a day works too. If you try to do too much too fast, you might get hurt, so start slowly and stick with it. Get more tips on getting healthier through physical activity.
2. Eat smart. Eat fresh fruit and veggies; the calcium and potassium they contain is good for energy. If you need a quick snack during the day, keep a serving or two of your favorite fruit or vegetable handy wherever you are.  Avoid big meals; heavy, fatty foods can leave you feeling groggy. Eating smaller and more frequent meals will help balance out your energy and blood sugar levels over the course of the day.  Whole grain fiber-rich foods are a great filler-upper.  Fiber causes food to stay in your stomach longer, so you feel full longer than with quick fixes like coffee, high-calorie energy bars and candy — which rely on caffeine and sugar — and can lead to energy spikes and crashes.) Drink lots of water, too. Dehydration reduces energy levels. Read our 5 Goals to Eating Healthy.
3. Sleep. How much is enough? Each person is different. Most adults need around seven hours, but you may need more. You need quality sleep, too. If you have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you wake up many times during the night, you won’t get the quality sleep you need and may feel sleepy all day. Heavy snoring is a major sign of sleep apnea. If your spouse or partner says you snore or that you periodically stop breathing for brief periods during sleep, tell your doctor. Sleep apnea can put you at risk for stroke.
4. Lose a few. Carrying around extra pounds saps energy. It creates extra work for your heart and can raise blood pressure, too. Increasing your physical activity and eating a healthier diet to burn more calories than you take in is the way to go. Steer clear of fad diets; they don’t work. Learn our 5 Goals to Losing Weight.
5. Lighten up. Stress is an inevitable part of life. That’s why learning to manage it is important. Successfully managing stress means keeping a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle, which helps fight energy-sapping depression. To take care of yourself, try taking physical activity breaks, meditating, taking time off and doing things you like. Avoid unhealthy ways to manage stress, include smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, overeating and relying on stimulants. Avoid these. Learn to fight stress by developing these healthy habits.

Most people who want more energy can get it. Following the steps above is a good start. You’ll feel more energetic, and feel better overall. You’ll also reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. 

 "Wear Red Day"

February 3rd

The number one Killer of Women is Heart Disease. 

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