So I hope everyone is fairing well this Monday! I just wanted to say “Hello”.
I am going to be discontinuing the Question of the week category I was attempting to do. Seems like no one is really interested in it so I might occasionally pose a question but for now I am not worried about doing that weekly.
I just try and bring things of interest to the forefront, by reposting and sharing things I find in a vast variety of venues. Things like Health, Exercise, Diet, Recipes, Poems, different interest in animals, and such. I hope you will always find something of value or interest.
If you have any suggestions or comments for me, please feel free to leave them in the appropriate comment box or you can email me at Mwsrwritings@gmail.com.
Another thing is I no longer have chat so I thought I would let you know that.
As far as where I hope my blog will go this year….
I hope it will expand in it’s following, and commenting. I hope to get more visitors, more likes, and to form new writer friends. I see many more poems in my future! I am also not doing a good job at making my new poem book but that is okay. I have had a lot going on this year. There has been a handful of things that needed my attention.
I hope to see everyone on this side of the Rainbow!
To stay healthy, adults aged 19 to 64 should try to be active daily and should do:
at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking every week and
strength exercises on 2 or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms)
Or:
75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity such as running or a game of singles tennis every week and
strength exercises on 2 or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms)
Or:
a mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity every week – for example, 2 x 30-minute runs plus 30 minutes of brisk walking equates to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity and
strength exercises on 2 or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms)
A good rule is that 1 minute of vigorous activity provides the same health benefits as 2 minutes of moderate activity.
One way to do your recommended 150 minutes of weekly physical activity is to do 30 minutes on 5 days every week.
All adults should also break up long periods of sitting with light activity.
With food prices increasing almost daily, the additional expense to buy weekly groceries is cutting into other budget items. Start thinking about cutting out certain items that are not absolutely essential. This train of thought got me to start thinking what everyday items can stop buying from the store. Here are some ideas:
Sandwich bags and other zip type bags: These are certainly convenient and I have used them for years, but I can remember my parents did not use them during lean times. I have sandwich size plastic containers that I got from the dollar store and will now pack lunches in these reusable plastic containers.
Aluminum foil and plastic wrap: Foil is also very convenient and we have started counting on it as a staple. But if you think about it, you can just use reusable containers to store leftovers, and use unlined baking pans for the oven. Just grease well and food will slide off easily.
Paper goods Paper napkins: Use cloth napkins instead of paper, and throw them in the wash with the rest of your laundry. Paper towels: Although I really liked the super absorbent paper towels like Brawny, but they have gotten quite expensive. I brought out the sponges and old rags and now use those for cleaning instead. I still keep a roll around to drain grease from food after frying (not willing to use newspaper next to food) but the roll now lasts for a very long time. I’d have to figure out another grease absorbing substitute-let me know if you find one! Coffee filters: I got a wire mesh coffee filter and now no longer need paper filters.
Cereal Apartment prepper daughter was the one who showed me how to make granola at home. I thought it would be difficult, but it was quite simple if you follow these directions step by step.
Soda I stopped drinking soda a long time ago, but I still like sparkling water. Instead of buying Perrier or La Croix, I now make sparkling water and soda at home. I’ve had my SodaStream for a couple of years now and have never gone back.
Bottled water: If you don’t like the taste of tap water, just use a water filtration system. Even a water filter pitcher like Brita or Pur will improve the taste of tap water.
Laundry Detergent: I enjoy the smell of laundry detergent, but it is so much better to make it yourself. I found an easy recipe and have been making it ever since. It is also useful for other cleaning jobs.
Mouthwash I used to buy inexpensive mouthwash from Walmart, until I learned how to make it myself. It is all natural, with no chemicals or preservatives.
Yogurt Make yogurt once and you will never go back to store bought. It contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives and you get all the yogurt goodness. If you prefer Greek yogurt, you can make that too.
Cleaning supplies Cleaning supplies are so easy to make. If you reuse containers, you must wash them thoroughly before you refill them. NEVER mix bleach and ammonia – sounds like common knowledge but I still see news reports about people getting overcome by fumes from this.
Dog treats I thought my dog would be too picky to eat this, but once he tried it, he loved it! Never went back to buying dog biscuits at the store again.
Vanilla I am still using the vanilla I made from this project. And it is as flavorful as the store bought kind.
I used to think giving up on buying stuff meant deprivation. The opposite actually happened. By using a bit of creativity, substituting and making things myself, I felt more abundance. When you stop buying these everyday items, you feel more empowered and more self-sufficient than before. You’ll appreciate the money savings too. What everyday items have you stopped buying?
Pictures are all I have They are like a wound with a little salve. You are and always will be The very core part of me. I know you existed I see and hear about it all. I just wish you were still here for me to call. Often you are in my head I find myself thinking of you while looking ahead. If one little wish I was able to make It might be to see you, you know before the ache. Dads are more than a name we give, They are the ones that teach us how to grow and live. I never got to have that with you I often think about what if’s and it makes me blue. Others get to call up their dads and talk Some get to spend time with them and go for walks I get to ponder and wonder a lot About what I have and what I not. It is not your fault I am sure you would have stayed But that wasn’t how it all got played. Taken too soon from this earth and from your family The ones who loved you and made you happy. I guess some things never come to be Like my wish for you to had known me. Or maybe just to spend the day talking to you And carrying on about the days that we went through. It’s a good thing memories come around Because that’s all some have when their hearts start to frown. Dad, I know if you knew me You’d see a lot of you inside of me, probably. You would have also known how much you meant to me…you know why, After all, you were my first guy.
Mws R Writings 