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Encouragement: June of Summer - What did we learn?

6/30/2017

This month we have learned that to stay young, vibrant, and healthy is it not enough to just eat right. Eating right is a very important component, but will not do it by itself. The other equally and maybe more important component is moving....whether it be walking every day, doing yoga, or lifting weights, moving is huge in the fight against old age.

We will continue to get older and lose more and more of our abilities, but the rate and extent of that loss is up to us. Living to the end of life independently is my personal goal as well as living happily and active.

Staying active shouldn't be a chore, it should be fun. No matter what your level of health today you can take steps to be more active and improve your health. Even if you are wheelchair bound you can find a way to stay active, involved, and healthy. The point is DON'T GIVE UP! KEEP TRYING!

Here are some encouraging thoughts to help you stay motivated (hopefully):

"I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb."
Sai Baba
also known as Shirdi Sai Baba was an Indian spiritual leader

"The reason laziness is rarely pushed as a lifestyle option is down to one simple reason: money.
There are fortunes to be made out of active lifestyles.
Gyms charge fees.
But no one is going to make money out of sleep.
It is free."
Tom Hodgkinson
British Author

"I'm kind of a jock.
I sail, I ride a bike, I hike, I pump iron.
I just love to be active."
Laura Schlessinger
Age 70
(born January 16, 1947) is an American talk radio host,
socially conservative commentator and author

"I think it's better to burn out than to fade away...
it's better to live out your days being very, very active -
even if it destroys you - than to quietly... disappear."
Ahmet Ertegun
(died at age 83)
a Turkish-American businessman, songwriter and philanthropist.
He was best known as the co-founder and president of Atlantic Records.

"When you seek the presence of your creative Spirit
and are filled with passion about virtually everything you undertake,
you'll successfully remove the roadblocks from your life
and enjoy the active presence of Spirit."
Wayne Dyer
(died at age 75)
was an American philosopher, self-help author, and a motivational speaker.
His first book was Your Erroneous Zones (1976)

"Walking is my main method of relaxation.
I don't go over my lines or try to solve the world's problems,
I just enjoy the scenery and the wildlife."
Kevin Whately
Age 66
English Actor
"The reason I exercise is for the quality of life I enjoy."
Kenneth H. Cooper
Age 86
is a doctor of medicine and former Air Force Colonel from Oklahoma,
who introduced the concept of aerobics

Exercise is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. Improve your health and not only will you extend your life, but you will enjoy it!

Do you exercise on a regular basis? When you miss a day of walking or exercise, do you feel good or the same? What is your favorite type of exercise? Do you have a handicap but still find ways to exercise? Please share your stories.

XOXO

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Beauty: Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System --- ??

6/23/2017

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There are many facial cleaning products on the market today. Costs run from reasonable to very expensive. The effectiveness of each varies just as widely.

Before I started my skincare regime a couple of years ago, I spent many years washing my face with plain soap and water. I was just happy to have time and energy to wash my face every night with my busy schedule. There's nothing wrong with using plain soap and water, the most important thing is to always wash your face at the end of the day. Never sleep in makeup or with a dirty face. Always remove not only makeup but also the dust, sweat, etc., from each day's activities.
However, plain soap may be drying to most skin types.

Dry skin is the enemy if you are trying to avoid skin problems. Also, over the years we have learned how important "gentle exfoliation" is to the health of our skin.
Women have used everything from bare hands to wash cloths, sponges to brushes, to clean their faces. This system uses a "rotating brush".

Using this system as it comes in the box is really good. The Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System comes with a tube of Olay Anti-aging exfoliating renewal cleanser. The cleanser is gentle, but exfoliating. It did not dry out my skin and it felt really good.
The rotating brush was gentle, but it also cleaned more than any of my previous other methods.

Here are a few additional points to consider:

- Uses batteries: While I wish it were rechargeable, this is not a big deal. I have used the brush for over a year on one set of batteries. (Requires 2 AA batteries included in system)

- It has 2 speeds: You have a choice!

- The brush is water resistant: Great feature, no worries about getting it wet. I have occasionally used it in the shower when I was in a rush.

- The brush head is replaceable: After a year of use, I have not had to replace the brush head. This may be due to my habit of always rinsing it clean under running water after each and every use. I may replace yearly anyway...haven't decided, yet. 🙂

- Gentle enough to use everyday: You can use this every day, however, I only use it two to three times a week.

- Cost is very reasonable when compared to some other systems: The average cost is $30.

The cleaner your face, the better your moisturizers will be absorbed. However, treating your facial skin gently is very important. You don't want to use harsh brushes or systems that pull or push on your delicate facial skin.

My personal thoughts on this system? I love it!

What is your current skincare routine? What do you use to clean your face each night? Has that changed since you reached the age of 50? 60? 70+? If you have used the Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System, what are your thoughts on it?

XOXO

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Product Review: SMARTMADE Frozen Meals - A Smart Option for Fast Food

6/16/2017

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I love trying new products. I am especially happy when they are good. This is a really good one. SMARTMADE ™ by SmartOnes (R) Frozen Meals are produced by Kraft Heinz Foods Company, and are surprisingly well made and taste good - at least the Roasted Turkey and Vegetables one that I tried was very good.

This the description on the box:

"Roasted white meat turkey
medallions with
honey glazed roasted sweet potatoes
and citrus green beans."

Here's a few details about this meal:

Calories: 240 (Calories from fat: 20)
Fat: 2.5g

Only 1g is saturated fat

Fiber: 3g
Protein: 20g
Takes a total of 4:30 minutes to cook in microwave from frozen
Vitamin A: 365% of the daily requirement
Vitamin C: 8% of the daily requirement
Iron: 10% of the daily requirement
Carbs: 36g
Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 16g
Cost: $3.28 at Walmart (also available at other grocers)

For more Info: www.smartmademeals.com/

As you can see for a convenience food product it is pretty good healthwise. Of course, nothing is as healthy as preparing it yourself, but this is about convenience. All frozen meals have high sodium levels, so you should limit their use to only when you need the convenience.

The portion size is about average. If you are a big eater, you may find it looks like a small portion of food, but it is actually quite filling. It also tastes good.

If you're in a hurry and need a healthy meal, this is a good choice. Sometimes I am so busy that I forget to eat and this is not good. By the time my next meal comes along, I over eat. When I grab a fast meal like this one, I don't overeat and I am not starving.

Whether you are trying to lose weight, maintain weight, or just want to eat healthy, these meals are a good choice....at least for me they are.

Do you ever run out of time to cook a healthy meal for yourself? Do you have a "go-to" solution to eating in a hurry but staying healthy at the same time? Have you ever tried a SmartMade frozen meal? What other ideas do you have to share with others on fast food alternatives?

XOXO

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Product Review: Argo Tea – My New Favorite

6/9/2017

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There is a new tea in my life, Argo Tea. One of my family members in Oklahoma suggested I go to a Murphy's Gas Station and purchase Argo Tea. I looked every where for this tea and sure enough, the only place I found it was at Murphy's Gas. They had two sweetened choices: Carolina Honey or Green Tea Ginger Twist. Argo offers several other sweetened varieties: Hibiscus tea Sangria, Charitea, Mojitea, Hibiscus tea Squeeze, Pomegranatea. They also offer unsweetened varieties: ginger peach, hibiscus apple, green tea strawberry.

My favorite is the Carolina Honey. The first taste is like lemon tea with a lot of honey, strong honey flavor. The more you drink the less the honey flavor dominates. The tea states it is "tea & ingredients with a purpose". It has 50 calories per serving. It also states on the front of the bottle "all natural, real ingredients, smart calories."
It is really good; however, the Ginger Lemon flavor is a little strong for me. I love ginger tea and I love lemon tea, but this is strong in both flavors. Not a bad flavor, but not something I would choose very often. The Carolina Honey is delicious.
The cost is a little higher than most other choices, but well worth it. The retail at Murphy's is $2.49 for 13.5 fluid ounces. They do offer it for 2 bottles for $4.00 sometimes, so that saves you 49 cents per bottle.

It also comes in a glass bottle, which I absolutely love! It is so much colder than a plastic bottle and it feels really good when holding it to drink. The slight hour-glass shape makes it easy to hold.

All in all, I love the Carolina Honey and will make the effort to find a Murphy's to purchase. It is so refreshing that it makes it worth the effort. Remember, this is not your average tea. Argo Tea has a strong flavor, is in an ice cold glass container, and is made with real stuff...real tea, teal lemon, real honey.

That's my opinion of Argo tea. If you can find it in your area, please try some and share your thoughts about it.
Drink on!

Are you a tea drinker? Prefer hot or cold? If you have tried Argo tea, what is your opinion of the taste? Do you prefer glass to plastic containers when drinking a cold tea? If you know of other places that sell Argo tea, please share.

XOXO

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Health and Wellness: Walk! Walk! Walk!

6/2/2017

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If you are able to walk then you should. It is the one thing you can do that pays off in numerous health benefits. It's easy and anyone who can walk can do it. You don't have to be fast, just walk at your own pace. A pace that feels safe and comfortable to you.

I have always walked, but for a period of time I walked very little. I started a few years ago walking on a regular basis and it has made all the difference in the world as to how I feel. I started off walking 1 mile, slowly with lots of rest stops and now I am up to a max of 6 miles per day. My average is 3 miles per day with no rest stops. I love being outside in nature walking.

Some of the best benefits to walking include:

Helps you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Helps you manage other conditions such as heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure.
Helps improve your mood and fights depression.
Helps keep bones strong and strengthen bones.
Helps to improve your co-ordination and balance.
Helps protect against dementia.
Helps to reduce your risk for certain cancers.
Helps control diabetes.
Helps to manage pain.
Helps to reduce risk of stroke.

Walking is one of the best exercises for the body and the mind. If possible walk outdoors - the fresh air and changing scenery with be refreshing. There are various ideas on how to walk for the most benefits, but here a few ideas to consider (most people will agree with this list.)

Walking Tips:

Pick up the pace in which you walk. (Start off slowly and gradually increase your speed.)
Get into a rhythm. If you listen to music try keep the beat of the music, steady and even.
Lift your head and look ahead of you. Yes, you may need to watch your path so you don't trip.
As you get into the rhythm, add some interesting effects to your walk - like walk as fast as you can for a distance then slow down for a distance.
Don't get distracted, know your surroundings, pay attention to other walkers and non-walkers.
Wear light and/or bright colored clothing so that you can be seen.
Don't carry weights, just let your arms hang freely and swing as you walk.
Wear good shoes, don't walk in shoes not made for walking or running.
If you begin to experience dizziness, headache or chest pains, nausea or anything unusual stop walking.
On average, a mile is 2,000 steps. Get a pedometer and track your progress. It will encourage you and motivate you. (10,000 average steps equal 5 miles) My phone has a free fitness app that I use to track my walking, exercise, calorie intake, water intake, sleep hours and times, and other things that I want to track. I love it! (It's called S Health)
Set goals. Start slowly and add steps in regular intervals (for example: started with 1,000 steps a day and after 7 days increased to 2,000, after 14 days increased to 3,000, etc.)
Last, but not least, if you have been inactive, you may want to check with your doctor before you begin any type of exercise, including walking.

We have all heard about the 10,000 daily steps, but any amount of walking is good. Besides, you shouldn't try to go from zero to 10,000 immediately. Start slow, work up and add steps as you are more comfortable.

The important thing is just start,
just do it,
just walk!

Do you have a walking routine? Did you know that walking was so healthy? Please share your experiences and success stories about walking. Keep it up if you do walk and if you don't - start!

XOXO

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Encouragement: June of Summer - What did we learn?

Beauty: Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System --- ??

Product Review: SMARTMADE Frozen Meals - A Smart Option for Fast Food

Product Review: Argo Tea – My New Favorite

Health and Wellness: Walk! Walk! Walk!

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Encouragement: June of Summer - What did we learn?

Beauty: Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System --- ??

Product Review: SMARTMADE Frozen Meals - A Smart Option for Fast Food

Product Review: Argo Tea – My New Favorite

Health and Wellness: Walk! Walk! Walk!

My mission​

Categories

Archives

About

Blog

Contact

My mission