My Body on Yoga


There is nothing like the feel of a good stretch!  I was doing yoga regularly at one point in my life and then I stopped.  Recently I found myself really missing it and with all the new aches and pains I have been having I can tell my body is missing it too!  I decided to start back with a once a week yoga class and after my first session I realized how out of shape I have become.  I find myself asking how is it possible to take so long to get your body in better shape but it can so quickly fall back out of shape??

About three years ago I was doing yoga 2 or 3 days a week and felt pretty good.  This one class made me sore in muscles I forgot I had!  Am I really getting that old and out of shape?  I must admit I am not a very flexible person.  I have struggled with very tight hamstrings my whole life and I realized any progress I had made 3 years ago was lost.  So here I am kind of starting all over again…

Yoga makes me feel longer, leaner and more at peace in my daily life.  I am not sure why I ever stopped the classes, but I think it had something to do with believing I am disciplined enough to keep it up on my own at home(obviously a mistake).  I am not an habitual person, I couldn’t even become a smoker when I thought it was cool!  So anyway, here I am sitting at my desk trying to sit up straight and thinking that my upper body hurts like hell AND… if she makes me do downward dog and plank 500 times again next week my arms may fall off!  Am I really paying for this punishment??

I am pretty motivated because if my body is sore then it must be doing some good. I need more muscle in my upper body considering I don’t have any.  When my 11-year-old jiggles my underarms and giggles I realize that something must be done!  I guess lifting the fork full of potato’s and the 12 ounce beer cans to my face isn’t enough of an upper body workout. I was thinking my motivational blog about starting a new habit every month has really been causing me a pain in the ass.  Today, however, I really do have a pain in my ass and I am actually grateful that I have a desk job since walking makes me look like I have a corn cob shoved up my arse!

I love the whole idea of yoga and medication…I mean meditation.  Obviously my arms are asking for some ibuprofen as I type this.  Yoga works the entire body and it can help relax or stimulate your body depending on what kind of class you take.  Yoga includes all ages and people from all over the world.  My yoga instructor is in her fifties and makes me feel old at 34!  My meditation skills are not the greatest.  Usually my mind is humming along with my list of things to do and if I happen to quiet my mind for a minute or two I end up falling asleep.

I stay motivated because I know Jennifer Aniston is big on yoga and if my body ends up looking like hers I will be so stoked!  So every time I walk with the corn cob jive or cry with pain as I brush my teeth I will remind myself that my Jennifer Aniston body is on its way!  When I sit patiently in silence meditating I set my intention to have a Jennifer Aniston body.  As I contort my body into unlawful positions following Jennifer’s yoga instructor, Mandy Ingber (Yogalosophy), I picture myself getting longer and leaner!

My body on yoga may start out feeling old and decrepit but I know in time I will be feeling great and looking long,  lean and sexy…look out Jennifer Aniston!   

Published in: on April 20, 2012 at 3:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Book Shelf


I think the most vital part of my home is my books shelf.  Not only does each book or magazine hold its own stories but the collection of all of them together on a book shelf can tell a lot about the person who owns them.  I am an avid reader and cannot turn down many magazine subscriptions either!  So it is safe to say that I have an over-flowing book shelf with a wide variety of subjects.  I like to think this makes me a well-rounded individual, however it could also mean I have a short attention span and easily jump from one subject to another. Either way I feel that my stacks of books and magazines are probably some of my most valued possessions.

So what can you most commonly find on my book shelf?  Well, first I have a love of history and ghost stories(Troy Taylor), Horror (Stephen King), along with a few mysteries like Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles mysteries & James Patterson’s Womens Murder Club series.  The occasional love story (Nicholas Sparks & Nora Roberts). Then we have the new age (Eckhart Tolle) and self-help books (Jillian Michael’s) mixed in.  When I want to laugh I read the  Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich and they really do make me laugh out loud!  I also have many books on natural health and healing, aromatherapy, yoga, ayurveda, herbs and massage.  I have a couple of books on candle and soap making & cooking that I need to stop looking at the pictures and actually try!  Finally, my shelf has a Bible and quite a few Joel Osteen & Joyce Myers books.  Okay, think you know me a little better yet??

Well, that covers the books on my shelf but we haven’t even touched on the vast array of magazines that have left the shelf and ended up on my bedside table or in the bathroom…(giggle)!  I have Women’s Health, Shape, Fitness, Yoga Journal, Country Living, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart Living, Natural Health…just to name a few…(giggle again)!  However, I must make a side note about one of the most recent magazines added to my collection and probably one of my favorites!  573 magazine is this awesome collection of stories on all the areas covered in the 573 area code of Missouri.  I recently picked up this magazine and couldn’t put it down!  I read this magazine cover to cover and I was completely absorbed… the photography is amazing!

My love of reading goes along with my love of writing…I have kept a journal since I was 13 and I have all of those stored away in my grandma’s cedar chest.  When I read through my thoughts as a young girl I also find myself laughing out loud!  I was such dramatic teenager, but I guess we all are.  As my 11-year-old daughter starts her own book shelf I see her own personality and interests forming.  You can see her love of animals and geography along with books on the human body.  She has a collection of Scooby Doo comics & kids National Geographic that are stacked neatly next to her collection of ghost stories by Mary Downing Hahn…(I steal those and read them when she goes to her Dads).

As she starts her own journal this year I know that I have passed on a valuable tradition that will benefit her for a lifetime.  I can’t help but smile as I watch her book shelf grow along with her.

Published in: on April 20, 2012 at 2:55 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Finding Your Independence


At the beginning of the year I wrote about a friendship break-up.  After approximately 6 weeks of not speaking to one of my girlfriends she sent me a text and we ended up talking again(we will call her Ms Dependent).  I have mixed feelings about the reasons why I decided to let her back into my life. At this point I have learned to not let her venting effect me the way it use to but she still frustrates me.  It really isn’t just her venting but how she seems to want others to feel sorry for her.  She tells her problems to any sympathetic ear and will even go as far as to ask for advice but unfortunately she never takes it.  Her problems range from dealing with her boyfriend and kids, stress at work, and all the different ailments she seems to have mounting…I understand everyone has their issues but she can be exhausting.

When I considered all the things she would tell me about I felt sorry for her.  I took her side when she would tell me situations with her boyfriend or the kids but now I find myself thinking…stop with the negativity & complaining and do something about it!  I guess as I write this I realize that accepting her back into my life was probably a mistake.  I tried to set guidelines to the friendship but of course those have been crossed too many times to count by now.  As much as I hate to admit it she just seems to have a negative effect on me.

I have worked hard to be a more positive person and establish healthy routines in my life.  I want to surround myself with friends who really listen, learn and want to better themselves.  I can look at other friends and see where they have removed themselves from jobs that make them unhappy or relationships that are unhealthy.  These women are not afraid to make decisions for themselves in order to find happiness.  They are not afraid to take action and take risks even if it means times may be hard for a while.   Then I look at Ms Dependent and I see a woman who is scared of change or taking a risk.  Ms Dependent is just that… too dependent on her current lifestyle.  So instead of doing something to find her happiness she just complains endlessly about her current situation.

There was a time when I completely related to her because I was in the same boat.  I kept wishing someone would come along and make it all better. Finally, one day I realized that the only person that can make things better is me.  At one time I had issues with my job, my relationship and my health just like her… I wasn’t happy.  After the first big step of getting a divorce I steadily began proving to myself that I was capable of taking care of myself.

At this point I have accomplished so many things, like taking continuing education courses that have made me more valuable in my career.  I kept putting off surgery that I needed because I didn’t have health insurance but I did my research and ended up paying for it on my own.  I have saved money and  now I have health insurance and I even set up a Roth IRA and life insurance policy. I have received support along the way but at this point I have paid my debts and can honestly say that I can fully support myself.

With each passing year I add to my education and stability a little bit more. It isn’t always easy to sacrifice and sometimes I let my wants outweigh my needs. My goal is to surround myself with happy, successful people who are on the same path of self fulfillment.  What is it they say…Birds of a feather flock together.  Unfortunately, after all this time, I do not see Ms. Dependent doing any of these things and yet again I realize how much I have outgrown my friendship with her.

So as my independence grows I know in my heart that I am moving on.  I will do my best to accept her and not judge.  I know eventually our paths will only take us further apart. The best word to describe my feelings is frustration. I  had hoped she would be a person I could grow with because we were once in the same place in life and both so eager to find our independence. I know that God puts people in our lives for a reason and she was my closest friend at that time in my life.  She was going through the same thing and it was nice to be able to relate to someone but I am no longer that person.  Sadly, she seems to be stuck in that same place. I have learned many lessons and taken advice and I am happier and healthier than ever. I can no longer wait for her to move forward with me, I must move forward even if that means leaving her behind.

Published in: on April 17, 2012 at 10:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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Falling In Love All Over Again…


I met my boyfriend in the summer of 2007. I was recently divorced and not looking for anything serious. I had spent the past 7 months in a small apartment learning how to be on my own for the first time in my life. I had never really dated or lived out my wild college days and I was making up for lost time. I turned 29 during the time I was moving out of my 7 year marriage and into the single life. So in my mind I would allow myself the one last year of my 20s to be wild and free before settling into my more serious 30s.  When I first met him I didn’t think much about it because I was focused on meeting another guy.  That “other guy” was seriously all wrong for me and eventually we were to meet up again. He approached me showing confidence and a bit of a flirty side that immediately intrigued me. I admit I gave him a hard time at first because after 7 months of going out and partying I was starting to get burned out. I didn’t want another fling, I had decided I was going to just learn to be alone for a while, but he was persistent. After some time I found myself in an unexpected situation…I didn’t want to be in a relationship because I had a plan to be alone for a while…but I was falling for this guy. 

I tried to end things one night but after a few tears I finally admitted that I loved him and couldn’t really even explain why. A few months later we moved in together. It all seemed to be happening fast and the first couple of years were not always easy. We still had a lot to learn about each other and there were times when I know we both questioned if we wanted to stay in it.  Last year, around the 4 year mark, he blind sided me with his reasons for possibly never wanting to get married again….he has been married twice before. I am a girl who values a full commitment, I want the full package and that includes marriage.  So needless to say I was hurt but I have stayed anyway.  After much debate in my mind I decided I love him more than the idea of  marriage. I have went through some struggles of self-doubt because I want the man I love to want to marry me but I know he loves me. We have a stronger relationship than some married couples I know.

So here we are starting the 5th year together and I can’t help but think how much I love this man. I am so thankful for all that he is and all that does for me and my daughter.  We may not always agree on everything and we have some different hobbies and interests but that is what keeps the relationship interesting. We have fun together and we have learned a lot from each other but most importantly we respect each other.  When I think of the years I have spent with him and where we are now I know I am right where I need to be.   I no longer complicate things by trying to make plans or push to do what everyone else thinks we should do. We are moving at our own pace and letting our love mature like a fine wine.  As I become comfortable with where our relationship is right now, instead of  worrying about where it’s going, I find myself relaxing and really enjoying myself. 

You only live this life once so you must make it good. Learn something new everyday! Learn from your mistakes, learn from other people, learn to live in the moment and learn to love.  On this day I find myself thinking of him while he is away….thoughts of what I have learned in our time together and simply falling in love with him all over again.

Published in: on March 24, 2012 at 8:58 am  Leave a Comment  
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Living with Intention


I love yoga and meditating! I meditate daily and attempt yoga weekly in order to keep myself balanced. At the end of each yoga class I create an intention and meditate on it. I love this part of meditation and it keeps my eye on the prize. When choosing an intention you must choose your words wisely. Keeping it realistic and believable for yourself is key but you must also be positive.

Intentions are kind of like goals but more like mantra’s. I have had a lot of fun creating suitable intentions for my life. I recommend everyone have three or four intentions they focus on weekly. For me, it helps me keep my priorities straight. “I am easily and gracefully experiencing financial prosperity.” That is an intention I stole from a friend and I use it often.  “I am easily and joyfully maintaining my ideal body weight”, is another intention that fits me.  “I am successful and enthusiastic in my career” and “I am happy in my harmonious relationship with my boyfriend”. I have been meditating on these four intentions on a regular basis and I have really noticed a difference.

Meditating on an intention is a lot like praying. After reading many books like: The Power of Now, A New Earth, The Power, The Secret and Unlimited: How to Build and Exceptional Life, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the power of positive thinking.  If you want it then you must imagine it, when you imagine it you must really see it and feel it, when you finally see it and feel it you must really believe it and when you truly believe it you start to live it and once your living it then you have accomplished your intention. Sounds easier said than done, trust me, but if you honestly give it a try it can be really fun.

I have created my intentions on “vision boards”, meditated on phrases like those above and I have even wrote out every detail of my idea of the perfect life for myself.  The clearer you are in your intentions for yourself the more likely they are to happen and the quicker the results. I have read over and over that if you want to live a certain life just start acting like you are already living that life.

For example, a bubbly, sexy supermodel type with glowing skin and shiny hair is going to eat healthy fruit and yogurt for breakfast, salad for lunch and a light dinner of baked, skinless chicken with steamed veggies. She will drink lots of water,  get plenty of sleep and exercise daily.  She will carry herself in a confident way and be friendly and outgoing with tons of energy.  So if you want to be that girl then you must act like her.

You can’t skip breakfast, eat a bag of Doritos & a do-nut for lunch and then stay out until 2AM drinking with friends.  You will wake up a bitchy old hag with no time to fix your hair… so you throw it in a ponytail and go to the office drinking Red Bull and Cokes to stay awake.  You keep going on this schedule and you will end up with bad skin, dull hair, an extra 15 pounds on your ass and your attitude will be anything but bubbly!

Much of life boils down to common sense. Everyone knows if you want to be healthy and fit you have to eat right and exercise.  If you want to be financially secure you have to save money and invest wisely. Setting positive intentions and creating vision boards are simple tools to help you focus on the life you really want. Each day you wake-up with a fresh new start to be exactly who you want to be and if you keep it up eventually your will become that person. It will happen naturally and without effort if you just make the right choices, taking it one day at a time.

From the moment you choose to eat that banana for breakfast instead of skipping breakfast to the moment you choose to get on the treadmill for 30 minutes in the evening instead of watching TV; these are simple but life changing steps. It all adds up and it all makes us who we are at the end of the day. So have fun,  set your intentions and then live the life you want!

Published in: on February 16, 2012 at 12:43 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Anger Management


I must admit there have been some seriously upsetting revelations recently in my life. The eye-opening information has left me a bit upset to say the least. I have always believed that emotions are healthy but in the past few years I have really tried to focus more on the positive. I think the more you give your attention to the negative the more negativity you bring into your life. With that being said I have to admit that letting out your negative feelings is definitely better than holding it in.  It cannot be healthy to go around pretending everything is hunky-dory when it isn’t.  I mean if someone has wronged you and you have something to say about it, isn’t it better to get it off your chest?

I have been really tired lately, like I need a gallon of Red Bull kind of tired. I believe my can’t drag my ass out of bed attitude is because I have something seriously eating at me.  I have really tried to let it go but I can’t.  I ended a friendship recently because it had become very negative. I started to feel guilty and considered reaching out to this friend after a month had went by. Then her boyfriend mentions how wonderful their relationship has been since we haven’t been talking.  The way he said it made it obvious that he was blaming me for all their relationship problems.

At first I thought when he said thank you for not talking to her anymore that maybe he knew her negativity was a problem.  That when I ended the friendship she finally realized how bad it had become so she changed her ways in fear of losing all those close to her.  But as I sat there at my desk it dawned on me that he truly felt I was an instigator and the cause of their problems. I began to wonder, just what the hell she was telling him each time she got off the phone with me?

She often called to vent about something he said or did to upset her and I would listen and give my opinion. Usually I would start with supportive advice but she would continue to say awful things about him…”he is a snake, I can’t trust him, he is a liar”…so finally I would tell her if she is so miserable and unhappy she should just leave.  To this day I stand behind all the advice I have given her.  However, I can’t help but have the sneaky suspicion she twisted it when she would talk to him.  His recent comment seems to confirm this.

Their relationship started out on the wrong foot from day one but I have remained a friend to her until this year. I still care about her but we agreed to go our separate ways after I told her I couldn’t take the negativity anymore.  Now I am really beginning to realize that everything really does happen for a reason.  How can they blame me for all their relationship problems?  I am not such a powerful person that simply by talking on the phone to her I have kept their relationship in turmoil for 5 years!  So this is where the anger starts to set in.

It has been a little over a week since he made his comment and I still can’t let it go. I want to confront him and her both and set the record straight but then I worry that I may just invite more negativity into my life. I went to my friends and oh so wise boyfriend for advice and most of them advised that I should just let sleeping dogs lie.  I must manage my anger and keep with my original goal, focus on the positive. 

So after a week of stewing over being accused of something I know is not my fault I am going to let it go. I am not going to attempt to confront him or her because I know it will not do any good. Past experience has already proved that giving her advice is pointless and telling him all that she said would only make me the bad guy for real. I know I am not an instigator and I was a good friend to her but I no longer feel guilty for ending the friendship.  I gave good advice to her and in turn I have received good advice from my friends on this situation.  What comes around really does go around and that rule applies to all of us.

So one month or six months from now when their relationship is on the rocks again I won’t be around to blame. I will keep my opinions and advice to myself and I will not go out of my way to set the record straight and defend myself. I will move forward and focus on the positive. As I focus on the positive in my life I will manage that bit of anger by taking comfort in the sweet revenge of karma and let time prove my point for me. The only action I plan to take is to move forward staying positive and no longer feeling a bit angry…but simply a bit wiser.

There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot. Plato

Published in: on February 14, 2012 at 10:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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Happiness


Without a doubt a smile is the number one way to create beauty.  Everyone knows at least one person that has a radiant way about them…when they are around you just feel their happiness. When they laugh it is contagious and when they smile they light up a room. My daughter is one of these people and she swears she gets it from me. I hope she is right!

I haven’t always been positive in my life.  When I look back now I realize when I was in my early twenties my attitude attracted negativity.  After living a little I know now that attitude is everything and it is my own choice what attitude to have.  I no longer let those around me dictate how I feel. This since of freedom to choose is powerful and leads to a life of beauty.  To be able to create the exact kind of day, week, month or year you want to have by just choosing to make it a great day.

Yes, this is much easier said than done and some days it is much harder than others.  However, with much practice and staying aware of the moment you are in, it can completely change your life.  I have found a few methods that really work for creating a positive attitude and I will share them with you.

First of all I wake up each morning and list all the things in my life that I am thankful for…from the hot water in my shower to the car that takes me to my office and so on.  It is the first basic principle of happiness, you must be thankful for what you have before you can ask for more.

Second, appreciate what you have by speaking positive words and avoiding negative words.  If you and your boyfriend have an argument don’t list off all the reasons he made you mad with your girlfriends the next day at lunch.  Instead choose to list all the wonderful things about him and before long you will forget why you even had the argument.  Speak only positive and do not give credit to the negative and in turn you will have more positive in your life, this brings me to number three…

Treat others how you want to be treated.  This is a tried and true lesson that our Moms taught us from school age.  It is one of the best lessons anyone can learn in any relationship.  If you wouldn’t like it said or done to you then do not say or do it to others. It is a lesson that if learned early will make life so much easier.

Method number five, live in the moment! Stop worrying about the past or the future and simply focus on this very moment.  Life can be wasted away with regrets and guilt of mistakes made and opportunities missed in the past and the what ifs of the future. It really is not worth it!  The only thing you can really control is what happens to you in this very moment so make every minute count and make it good!

The final method I practice to keep my life positive will be different for everyone.  It is something special and unique to each of us as individuals who all create special parts of one big unit in our world.  Find something, or maybe more than one thing, that you are truly passionate about and do it every day. I have a whole list of things I love and I make sure I do something on that list every day.  Letting yourself be absorbed by something you truly love will give your life a positive outlet, keeping the mind, body and soul happy.

Honestly, I have found the more I do the things I love, the more I appreciate the simpler things in life….and to me…simple is beautiful!  

Published in: on January 17, 2012 at 11:25 am  Leave a Comment  
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Friendship Breakup


I have to admit I have never really found any girlfriends as great as the friends I had when I was in school.  A few years ago when I went through my divorce I thought I found a long lasting friendship, but when I look back now I know it was never meant to last.  How do you know when you have outgrown a friendship?  I recently had to ask myself this question and the answers for me were obvious.  It was definitely time to breakup!

I have tried to gradually pull away from this particular friend in the past because I could feel how her negative rants were beginning to effect me.  I even found myself taking on her thought process and applying it to my own relationship, which was never good. I believe the only reason we have remained friends this long is because she needed a sympathetic ear and in turn it made me feel wise and needed.  So for a while the friendship worked but in the last year it has progressively gotten worse.  I found myself trying to be the sympathetic ear on a weekly basis, giving the same advice over and over. The fun stuff like drinks after work and our lunch and dinner dates were all consumed with conversation about her awful relationship.  Then she stopped attending any invites and basically just called, emailed or text me with all her problems. I was nothing more than her ranting tree and I felt used up and frustrated. At one point I even pointed it out and she apologized but the very next day it started all over again!

Her monthly emotional break-downs have become more frequent and the good times have become nonexistent.  Basically it has become an unhealthy relationship and I am the only one who seems to notice.  I came to a  point where I had nothing nice left to say.  So I decided to end the friendship  which feels a lot like breaking up with a boyfriend.  I told her that I wish her luck on trying the same old crap over and over and expecting different results.  I went on to say she is crazier than a outhouse rat if she thinks that she is ever going to change him and not to come crying to me in 3 weeks when she starts this emotional roller coaster ride all over again!

That is not the exact words I used but pretty close.  The fact that I didn’t feel any since of guilt afterward made it even more clear that I had indeed outgrown the friendship. The next day I kept expecting to feel a bit regretful but instead I felt like a weight had been lifted.  She simply said she was sorry and that I was her best friend.  As I sit here writing this I think….of course I was her best friend, nobody else would have put up with that craziness!  All the times she cried to me that she was a fool for staying with this guy and I am thinking that I was the fool for listening to her cry about the same crap for 4 years!  I started feeling drained and depressed after each conversation.  I do hope she finds her happiness but not at the risk of mine…     

So as part of my fresh start for the new year I have decided to not only declutter my home and detox my body but also detox my relationships. Closing the door on a friendship is not always easy but I have been missing the person I originally became friends with for a while now. People change and unfortunately not always for the better.

Refer to this article that explains in detail the “dark side of friendship”….

http://womenonthefence.com/2010/01/13/the-dark-side-of-friendship/#more-2208

Published in: on January 9, 2012 at 9:24 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Back to the Basics


Now that the holiday season is over I must admit I am a bit relieved. I cut back on the amount of money I spent this holiday but still felt something was missing.  I recently read an article about how a couple made at least one homemade or handmade gift for their children every Christmas. I have decided to cut back even more next Christmas by following this example.  I plan to knit some scarves, make jelly and salsa, some baked goods and research a few other creative projects throughout the year.  My daughter will be turning 11-years-old in another week and I think it will be a good way to reinforce that Christmas is more than just gifts under the tree.  I hope to start a new tradition with my daughter that she can some day pass on to her children.  

As I get older I feel this overwhelming need to get back to the basics.  Keeping a clean and uncluttered home and cooking more home cooked meals has become more of a priority.  Having a garden every year and learning to do some canning, like my Mom, has become an interest.  I would like to start knitting and sewing again, which I haven’t done since 4-H club many years ago!  I may even take on the art of making a quilt!  There is nothing more cozy than a hot cup of herbal tea while reading a good book, wrapped in a handmade quilt. 

My daughter often feels a bit disappointed that she can’t buy gifts for others without a parents help.  As I teach her she can begin creating her own special gifts to give all on her own.  Timeless traditions like knitting, sewing and canning are becoming a lost art with all the new technology and our overly busy lifestyles.  I am planning to slow things down a bit this year and simply get back to the basics.   The following is a recipe that I love and found from the Queen Bee of homemade…Martha Stewart.  MarthaStewart.com is full of wonderful recipes for homemade jellys and jams!

To sterilize jars, submerge clean ones in boiling water for ten minutes. Use new lids, and sterilize them according to manufacturer’s instructions. Jars should remain in hot water until they are ready to be filled. For complete instructions, refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s canning guidelines at foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/canningguide.html. Try this jam with yogurt or toast topped with fresh ricotta cheese.

Yield Makes about 1 quart

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds yellow peaches, peeled
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 3/4 cups sugar
  • 4 large sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions

  1. Halve and pit peaches, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Transfer to a large bowl. Add lemon juice; toss. Add sugar and rosemary; toss. Cover; let stand, tossing every hour, for 4 hours (sugar should be completely dissolved).
  2. Put peach mixture into a large, wide pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until liquid is syrupy, 12 to 13 minutes. Crush lightly with a potato masher, leaving one-quarter of the wedges intact. Skim foam from surface. Discard rosemary sprigs.
  3. Seal and process: Fill hot, sterilized 4-ounce jars with hot jam, leaving 1/4 inch space in each jar’s neck. Wipe rims with a clean, damp cloth; cover tightly with sterilized lids and screw rings. Transfer jars, using tongs or a jar clamp, to the rack of a large canning pot filled with hot water, keeping jars upright; cover with water by 2 inches. (Jars should be spaced 1 inch apart and should not touch sides of pot.) Cover; bring to a boil. Process jars in gently boiling water 5 minutes. Transfer to a rack; let cool 24 hours. If lids pop back when pressed, they are not sealed; refrigerate immediately, and use within 1 month. Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

What handmade crafts or homemade goodies are your favorites?  What kind of traditions do you treasure with your family?

Published in: on January 8, 2012 at 10:21 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Winter Remedies


I have learned that my body has certain signs and symptoms that alert me that I am on the verge of sickness. Usually I feel tired, achy and chilled.  Those symptoms are all it takes for me to spring into action with my tried and true remedies.  I get the winter blues every January or February.  The long, cold, dark days are depressing and basically my body goes into hibernation mode. It seems to take a lot more energy to just get through the basic routine of each day.  So over the years I have found a few essentials that help me stay energized and keep my immune system at full throttle.

When I get home from work and I have had a long stressful day I sometimes feel my immune system trying to crash out on me.  So for dinner I make some fresh juice and eat some chicken noodle soup.  If I feel chilled I  take a hot bath and I make sure I get the bathroom as warm as possible with a little space heater.  I add a few drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and lavender oil to the bath and I soak for about twenty minutes while sipping on a hot cup of chamomile tea with honey and lemon.  After my bath I dress warm and drink a large glass of water to start flushing out my system.  Keeping hydrated is important on a daily basis but becomes even more important with the signs of a cold or flu. 

After dinner and a hot bath I take a few vitamins like a natural sinus support supplement called formula 301 and a supplement called basic antioxidant.  If I am feeling really achy I take a pain reliever called Traumeel that dissolves under the tongue and does not have the negative effects that other pain relievers do if taken on a regular basis.  If you are having stomach flu systems a good probiotic is essential. Vitamins A, E and C are all very good for every day health but vitamin D really makes a difference with seasonal depression. Finally, and most importantly, I go to bed at least an hour earlier than usual when I feel a little under the weather.  This helps the body get a jump on whatever your immune system is trying to fight off and lets the supplements do their job.

The next morning I usually take a hot shower and do a saline wash in my sinus’. Also, keeping my teeth brushed and rinsing and gargling with a good mouthwash like Listerine helps, sometimes I even soak my toothbrush in Listerine.  I usually increase my fluids and try to eat warm soups and fresh fruits and veggies. I try to avoid dairy because it seems to create more mucus and of course sugar compromises the immune system.   Hot tea is a wonderful remedy for sinus drainage and sore throat, some brands even make a special sore throat tea.  I always keep a bottle of zinc lozenges in my desk at work for sore throats as well.  Local. all natural honey is also an excellent immune builder. Honey helps your body naturally build immunity to allergens in the area you live and it is much better for your body than over the counter allergy medications.

Usually after a couple of days of this routine I feel better but I continue for at least three more days to be sure.  Once I get to feeling better I do a juice and water detox for one to three days.  A detox seems to act as a reset button for my body and I immediately feel a burst of energy.  These remedies work for any time of year but I find I use them most during the Winter months.  A little down time with a good book doesn’t hurt either…

Published in: on January 2, 2012 at 9:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
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