Okay, nothing to complain about today...
So what am I doing instead? I'm making soap and a couple of other special Christmas presents. Mostly because I don't have the money or patience to deal with the crazy people doing their last minute shopping.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Be safe, be smart and be loving!
Gods' speed,
Monika
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
All Natural Wednesday: Music
This might sound trite coming from someone with a music degree, but there have been studies that link music and all sorts of things.
One of my favorite forms of this is singing for health! Betcha didn't know it was good for ya, eh?
Ever notice that after you've sang your heart out you feel better, healthier, stronger? There is a good reason for it, actually.
According to Dr. Ben Kim of www.drbenkim.com, singing from your abdomen (your lower belly) engages your diaphragm, which in turn helps to move your lymph fluid through its lymphatic system. This, in turn, makes way for general good health with a raised immune system and helps remove toxins from the body.
Singing also, to a lesser extent than real (sweat producing) exercise, releases endorphines, which raises that feeling of "good" that helps keep us healthy mentally as well.
How do I cash in? Thats easy!
Stuck in traffic? Sing along to the radio...
Have a free weekend before Christmas? Go caroling with friends... (Plus you'll have the added benefit of walking around your neighborhood or wherever you go.)
Have the house all to yourself? Dance and sing to your favorite music. Who cares if you look silly... after all, the only one looking is you!
Have some fun, and belt it out... trust me, you'll feel better. Who knows? The one stuck next to you in traffic might just be singing along to the same song!
One of my favorite forms of this is singing for health! Betcha didn't know it was good for ya, eh?
Ever notice that after you've sang your heart out you feel better, healthier, stronger? There is a good reason for it, actually.
According to Dr. Ben Kim of www.drbenkim.com, singing from your abdomen (your lower belly) engages your diaphragm, which in turn helps to move your lymph fluid through its lymphatic system. This, in turn, makes way for general good health with a raised immune system and helps remove toxins from the body.
Singing also, to a lesser extent than real (sweat producing) exercise, releases endorphines, which raises that feeling of "good" that helps keep us healthy mentally as well.
How do I cash in? Thats easy!
Stuck in traffic? Sing along to the radio...
Have a free weekend before Christmas? Go caroling with friends... (Plus you'll have the added benefit of walking around your neighborhood or wherever you go.)
Have the house all to yourself? Dance and sing to your favorite music. Who cares if you look silly... after all, the only one looking is you!
Have some fun, and belt it out... trust me, you'll feel better. Who knows? The one stuck next to you in traffic might just be singing along to the same song!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday Soapbox: Entitlement
Entitlement is the state of being entitled. Entitled means that you are owed certain things or certain behaviors just for being who or what you are.
The Queen of England is entitled to service and esteem from the English people.
Most people are not entitled to that level.
Police officers are entitled to respect, even if its a begrudging form of it, from the people they are sworn to protect. They have earned this entitlement because they have sworn to serve and protect the people.
A similar thing applies to Fire fighters. If a Firefighter tells you to get out of the building, you do it, because you know they are going to be running into it to put out the fire.
Entitlement is not for everyone.
We are not all the Queen, or in positions of authority or protection. Children are entitled to the right to dream and dream big. That doesn't mean that a thirteen year old girl deserves or will get a laptop for Christmas. She is entitled to ask, but thats kind of it. (The same thing goes for her brother, who wanted a $250 toy x3...)
Many of the simple problems that we face day to day could be simply resolved if people would let the idea that they are owed something fall by the wayside.
No, actually, I do not have to give you my parking space or the right of way because you have a more expensive car than I do.
Neither do you have the right to demand my time and attentions when you don't care about my life or my loved ones enough to ask or listen or care to ask about them. Don't bother me with trite worries about your world when you don't give a hoot about my life. I'm not a psychologist. They make a lot more than I do.
On the same token, people are all entitled basic respects.
Be courteous to people. Hold the door open for people behind you (especially if they're carrying a large box).
Be honest. If you're not happy in a relationship, don't cheat on them, separate and see if that clears up the problem. Tell them the truth in a gentle way and work on your problems together.
Take responsibility for the bad as well as the good. If you screw up, own up to it and work with whoever it effects to make you both satisfied with the outcome. It takes two to tango.
And finally, remember that we're all people with hopes and dreams and aspirations. No one is better than anyone else. Its all the amount of work that you put into your endevors that determines your amount of success. Be nice, work hard, and you'll earn the right to be entitled.
The Queen of England is entitled to service and esteem from the English people.
Most people are not entitled to that level.
Police officers are entitled to respect, even if its a begrudging form of it, from the people they are sworn to protect. They have earned this entitlement because they have sworn to serve and protect the people.
A similar thing applies to Fire fighters. If a Firefighter tells you to get out of the building, you do it, because you know they are going to be running into it to put out the fire.
Entitlement is not for everyone.
We are not all the Queen, or in positions of authority or protection. Children are entitled to the right to dream and dream big. That doesn't mean that a thirteen year old girl deserves or will get a laptop for Christmas. She is entitled to ask, but thats kind of it. (The same thing goes for her brother, who wanted a $250 toy x3...)
Many of the simple problems that we face day to day could be simply resolved if people would let the idea that they are owed something fall by the wayside.
No, actually, I do not have to give you my parking space or the right of way because you have a more expensive car than I do.
Neither do you have the right to demand my time and attentions when you don't care about my life or my loved ones enough to ask or listen or care to ask about them. Don't bother me with trite worries about your world when you don't give a hoot about my life. I'm not a psychologist. They make a lot more than I do.
On the same token, people are all entitled basic respects.
Be courteous to people. Hold the door open for people behind you (especially if they're carrying a large box).
Be honest. If you're not happy in a relationship, don't cheat on them, separate and see if that clears up the problem. Tell them the truth in a gentle way and work on your problems together.
Take responsibility for the bad as well as the good. If you screw up, own up to it and work with whoever it effects to make you both satisfied with the outcome. It takes two to tango.
And finally, remember that we're all people with hopes and dreams and aspirations. No one is better than anyone else. Its all the amount of work that you put into your endevors that determines your amount of success. Be nice, work hard, and you'll earn the right to be entitled.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
All Natural Wednesday: Grapefruit=Superfruit
Alright, alright...
There are a lot of stigmas associated with Grapefruits. And truth be told, they've gotten a bad wrap for a long time.
No More!!
Give a grapefruit a chance this week. They are one of nature's superfruits and if eaten correctly, are actually really tasty and refreshing.
Here's how you do it:
Cut one grape fruit in half between the stem and end of the fruit.
Next, with a small pairing knife, cut between the fruit segments, but be careful not to cut through the skin.
Then, cut along the skin between the segments.
Top with a spoonful of sugar, or a packet of equal or similar substitute. Place in a small bowl and use a small spoon to pull out the segments and eat. When all the segments are out, squeeze whats left into the bowl and drink the remaining juice. It will be sweetened by the sugar or substitute and is really refreshing.
Still not convinced? Here are some tastey facts:
-Half of a grapefruit provides all the vitamin C the body needs for one day and is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, potassium, folate, vitamin b-5 and Lycopene. (Folate for heart health, b-5 for Seratonin production, Lycopene is a potent antioxidant)
-Grapefruits come in many colors, such as yellow, pink, white or ruby.
-Grapefruits flavonoid content helps fight against free radical damage, which results in aging.
-Pomelos, or Chinese grapefruits are the largest citrus fruits.
-A Frenchman, Count Odette Phillipe, planted the first grapefruit trees in Florida in 1823. Today, Florida produces about one third of the world's grapefruit.
-Some mature grapefruit trees can yield up to 1,500 pounds of fruit in a season.
(Thanks Skin Inc. January 2009 issue, "The Main Squeeze"... and Thanks Sean for teaching me how to eat them!)
Hungry yet? You know what to do! Have a nice fruity snack, and a wonderful week!
There are a lot of stigmas associated with Grapefruits. And truth be told, they've gotten a bad wrap for a long time.
No More!!
Give a grapefruit a chance this week. They are one of nature's superfruits and if eaten correctly, are actually really tasty and refreshing.
Here's how you do it:
Cut one grape fruit in half between the stem and end of the fruit.
Next, with a small pairing knife, cut between the fruit segments, but be careful not to cut through the skin.
Then, cut along the skin between the segments.
Top with a spoonful of sugar, or a packet of equal or similar substitute. Place in a small bowl and use a small spoon to pull out the segments and eat. When all the segments are out, squeeze whats left into the bowl and drink the remaining juice. It will be sweetened by the sugar or substitute and is really refreshing.
Still not convinced? Here are some tastey facts:
-Half of a grapefruit provides all the vitamin C the body needs for one day and is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, potassium, folate, vitamin b-5 and Lycopene. (Folate for heart health, b-5 for Seratonin production, Lycopene is a potent antioxidant)
-Grapefruits come in many colors, such as yellow, pink, white or ruby.
-Grapefruits flavonoid content helps fight against free radical damage, which results in aging.
-Pomelos, or Chinese grapefruits are the largest citrus fruits.
-A Frenchman, Count Odette Phillipe, planted the first grapefruit trees in Florida in 1823. Today, Florida produces about one third of the world's grapefruit.
-Some mature grapefruit trees can yield up to 1,500 pounds of fruit in a season.
(Thanks Skin Inc. January 2009 issue, "The Main Squeeze"... and Thanks Sean for teaching me how to eat them!)
Hungry yet? You know what to do! Have a nice fruity snack, and a wonderful week!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
A friend of mine from my Alma Mater, Metro State College of Denver, posted this on his Facebook page, and I really think it fits. What a fun way to celebrate a Holiday?!
So, in addition to Health, Family and all of the things I've learned over the course of this year... and its been a very enlightening year, let me tell you.
Here is a bit of levity... because try as I might, I keep coming back to music as my rock and my salvation of sorts...
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Don't eat too much, and don't drink and drive... but do enjoy the holiday and treasure the knocks as much as the successes, cause they make us the people that we are! Best wishes to all!
So, in addition to Health, Family and all of the things I've learned over the course of this year... and its been a very enlightening year, let me tell you.
Here is a bit of levity... because try as I might, I keep coming back to music as my rock and my salvation of sorts...
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Don't eat too much, and don't drink and drive... but do enjoy the holiday and treasure the knocks as much as the successes, cause they make us the people that we are! Best wishes to all!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
All Natural Wednesday: Dry Shampoo
Here's an easy way to get clean minus the water that soap requires.
There are a ton of different materials that can be used for dry shampoos.
The most common are: Rice flour, corn meal, and baking soda.
Rice flour and corn meal are much more gentle on the scalp, though.
The application is simple. Part hair in 1" sections and apply a small amount to the scalp exposed as you go.
Once the whole scalp has 'shampoo', massage in gently (I'd do this somewhere that you can sweep, or over a sink if possible.). Let set on hair for ~15minutes. Don't take a shower in this time, it will create a paste on your head that is really not pleasant.
Brush out (again, somewhere you can sweep) with either a natural/boar bristle brush or a nylon brush.
Your hair will be cleaner and if you color your hair, it will not have faded.
To be fair, I haven't been able to use the dry shampoo effectively, though Corn Meal is definitely the best of the three. Generally I use "Dirty Secret" from Rockstar hair products. It smells nice, its pressurized and doesn't make a mess of my bathroom. Corn Meal, if you can manage it, is by far a less expensive option, however.
Enjoy!
There are a ton of different materials that can be used for dry shampoos.
The most common are: Rice flour, corn meal, and baking soda.
Rice flour and corn meal are much more gentle on the scalp, though.
The application is simple. Part hair in 1" sections and apply a small amount to the scalp exposed as you go.
Once the whole scalp has 'shampoo', massage in gently (I'd do this somewhere that you can sweep, or over a sink if possible.). Let set on hair for ~15minutes. Don't take a shower in this time, it will create a paste on your head that is really not pleasant.
Brush out (again, somewhere you can sweep) with either a natural/boar bristle brush or a nylon brush.
Your hair will be cleaner and if you color your hair, it will not have faded.
To be fair, I haven't been able to use the dry shampoo effectively, though Corn Meal is definitely the best of the three. Generally I use "Dirty Secret" from Rockstar hair products. It smells nice, its pressurized and doesn't make a mess of my bathroom. Corn Meal, if you can manage it, is by far a less expensive option, however.
Enjoy!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday Soapbox: Professionalism
Professional:
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs (a professional golfer) b : having a particular profession as a permanent career (a professional soldier) c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return (professional football)
3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession (a professional patriot)
...Or, at least that's the Merriam Websters definition.
A professional is someone who actively engages and specializes in a form of work for profit. It is their profession. (Root: Profess. So, it is the occupation, you say with conviction, that you have.)
As such, its important to, well, take it seriously.
This is where professionalism comes into play.
What is professionalism and why should you care? Simple. If you don't take the job that you "profess" is your specialty seriously, then no one else will either.
Professionalism is the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. (Thanks again Merriam Webster) It is the behavior and demeanor that you show the world in the process of doing your job.
Hold on, let me get on my soapbox.
-Do dress appropriately and be hygienic. Everywhere if possible, but at work is the important part.
-Do speak clearly and succinctly. But stop talking and listen as well.
-Do manage your time by priority and don't try and do too many things at once. This goes for helping people too. If you can't help more than two people well at a time, then don't do it.
-Don't make lewd comments or elude to incompetence of the people you work with or to your customers. It makes you look poorly as well. After all, you work with them, right? Who is the bigger 'whatever', the boss, or the person working for them?
-Don't assume anything. Your High School coach was right... when you assume you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me".
-Don't talk religion, politics or too much social information about yourself. All of these make people nervous and its best to leave it for late night television or Fox TV to hash it out. If you alienate your clients/customers, then you'll lose their business and they'll tell their friends. Never think they won't.
Hope this helps! But please, keep in mind that I don't write these things because I have an axe to grind or anything like that... the truth is that I struggle with these exact things.
Professionalism is part of being an adult. Whether you're cutting someone's hair or making copies of their favorite pets picture, everyone deserves the best service and respect that you can afford them.
Its what a professional does.
1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs (a professional golfer) b : having a particular profession as a permanent career (a professional soldier) c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return (professional football)
3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession (a professional patriot)
...Or, at least that's the Merriam Websters definition.
A professional is someone who actively engages and specializes in a form of work for profit. It is their profession. (Root: Profess. So, it is the occupation, you say with conviction, that you have.)
As such, its important to, well, take it seriously.
This is where professionalism comes into play.
What is professionalism and why should you care? Simple. If you don't take the job that you "profess" is your specialty seriously, then no one else will either.
Professionalism is the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. (Thanks again Merriam Webster) It is the behavior and demeanor that you show the world in the process of doing your job.
Hold on, let me get on my soapbox.
-Do dress appropriately and be hygienic. Everywhere if possible, but at work is the important part.
-Do speak clearly and succinctly. But stop talking and listen as well.
-Do manage your time by priority and don't try and do too many things at once. This goes for helping people too. If you can't help more than two people well at a time, then don't do it.
-Don't make lewd comments or elude to incompetence of the people you work with or to your customers. It makes you look poorly as well. After all, you work with them, right? Who is the bigger 'whatever', the boss, or the person working for them?
-Don't assume anything. Your High School coach was right... when you assume you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me".
-Don't talk religion, politics or too much social information about yourself. All of these make people nervous and its best to leave it for late night television or Fox TV to hash it out. If you alienate your clients/customers, then you'll lose their business and they'll tell their friends. Never think they won't.
Hope this helps! But please, keep in mind that I don't write these things because I have an axe to grind or anything like that... the truth is that I struggle with these exact things.
Professionalism is part of being an adult. Whether you're cutting someone's hair or making copies of their favorite pets picture, everyone deserves the best service and respect that you can afford them.
Its what a professional does.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)