Reconnecting to the Present Moment

I wasn't really on board with Smartphones when they first came out several years ago. It seemed like way more computing power than I would ever need, some kind of gimmick to get me to spend more money on devices and data plans. When I received an iPhone as a Christmas gift, I reluctantly accepted and began switching over. Crumpled lists, pens, cameras, notebooks, receipts and folders slowly disappeared from my life. Everything was perfectly organized, categorized and saved to databases. I hacked my phone and adjusted apps and coding to be able to use a more affordable plan on a different network. I fiddled with the satellite tracking system to find friends, places to go and let people know where I was. I keep my grocery list, my daily reminders, and my workout plans in one place. I get news alerts when important world events are happening. I play Sudoku when I'm waiting in line or for a friend. It checks me in at the airport and gets me to a place I recognize when I'm lost.

Last night, I made the unfortunate mistake of submerging my phone in water. It slid right out of my pocket and plunked straight into the toilet. When I saw huge bubbles of air releasing from it as it filled with water, I knew it was doomed.

Weirdly enough, I don't talk on the phone much. I'm not even much for texting. But my phone is my staple. More of a staple than my wallet or keys. I feel naked without it in my pocket. It's my alarm that wakes me in the morning and my news source as I wind down to go to bed at night. It hasn't even been 24 hours and I keep finding myself reaching for it.

It's socially acceptable now, and even a social necessity to have a smartphone and be connected to it at all times. In any given public place, you'll see at least half of the people playing with their phones. But noticing how panicked I feel without it, how disconnected, how disorganized, just in the span of a few hours, I realize that my reliance on it is bordering on ludicrous. There was a time in my life when I owned an alarm clock, sat quietly and people-watched when waiting, where I ate my food instead of taking pictures of it. Some data is obviously very useful. I would be reading a newspaper, have a calculator on my desk and a notebook to write down to-do lists. It's nice to have all of the basic stuff in one place.

What's most eye-opening, though, is realizing how much time I spend thinking about other things. And even with the smartphone, I don't think I'm necessarily getting more done. Most of the data I had can be recovered. It's on a database or backed up on my computer. But my list of bands to check out is numbering several hundred long. As many hours as I spent reading the news, an equal amount of time was wasted looking at funny pictures of cats. And I'm certainly guilty of using my phone to escape awkward conversations or chase some piece of information down the rabbit hole of the internet, like "What was the name of that one actor in that one movie I sort of liked 2 years ago?", as though it's of dire importance.

Many people complain of phones preventing people from connecting face to face. I am actually in the camp that believes it helps people connect more and in new creative ways. The problem I find myself facing is never being alone with myself. That type of cerebral silence is difficult to train yourself into. With constant instant gratification, I can't help but wonder what skills my brain has gone soft in because the task was usurped by my phone. I have a feeling that being rushed and stressed is something I've constructed for myself with technology instead of something I actually have to abide by.

So today, I present a challenge. Resist the urge to use your phone. Instead of playing a game, talk to someone or play tic tac toe on a napkin with a friend. Instead of looking up what's-his-name, test your memory. Instead of tracking yourself on GPS, try to memorize the streets in your neighborhood and find your way. If you eat lunch by yourself, bring an actual novel to read or sit quietly with your thoughts. Instead of sending an email, get up and walk over to your coworker's desk to ask a question.

Enjoy some time with yourself, you may teach yourself something. And until next time, keep it clean!

Make Apple Pie like a Pro !

     As you all of my friends and family know, I am very much a beginner in the kitchen. Especially when it comes to desserts!  So when my mom assigned dessert to me for a benefit that was hosted for my dad, I was in full panic mode as I didn’t want to let everyone down! Dessert, afterall, is the most important part of the meal.  Furthermore, I was instructed that store-bought items were not welcome – we all know I was already planning to cheat..

     After consulting Pinterest for some Apple Pie recipes, I came across this recipe for Apple Pie Baked in the Apple – I thought it was a nice blend of simple instructions and a gourmet look.  I’m a big fan of things that look more impressive than they actually are! Less work for me, but I look like I slaved in the kitchen and everyone is impressed, its a win win!

Step 1: Cut off the top of 4 apples off and discard. Remove the inside of each apple with a spoon or melon baller very carefully, as to not puncture the peel. If you’re a skilled interior apple excavator, salvage as much as you can so you can use it for Step 2.  I, on the other hand, am not skilled so I just had to throw my interior apples away and chop up additional apples for filling.

Step 2: Remove skin from remaining apple(s) and slice very thinly. These apple pieces will give you the additional filling needed to fill the four apples you are baking. Mix sliced apples with sugars and cinnamon in a bowl. If you prefer more or less cinnamon make adjustments as desired. Same goes for the sugar. Scoop sliced apples into hollow apples.

Step 3: Roll out pie crust and slice into 1/4 inch strips.  You can also add a strip of pastry inside the top of the apple almost like a liner to add a little more texture/sweetness to the pie. Cover the top of the apple in a lattice pattern with pie crust strips.

Step 4: Place apples in an 8×8 pan.  Add just enough water to the cover the bottom of the pan. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and sliced apples are soft.

 

How neat does that look? The entire thing is edible and best served with ice cream if you ask me.I hope you take this recipe and use it to impress, as i have! From us at AZUMA Leasing, until next time - keep it clean! :)

Last Minute Shopping!

If 'tis the season for you to put off your holiday shopping for the last few days before Christmas, you are not alone! According to the Today Show, despite $25 billion dollars already spent this holiday season (up 15% from last year), 37 million consumers have not yet started their holiday shopping (I happen to be one of those consumers!).
Here are a few holiday shopping tips that may help to make your season merry and bright...and to get you through that last minute holiday rush!!

• The National Retail Federation states that 90% of online retailers are offering free shipping. Equally as important to free shipping is a free return policy. Be sure to read the details of this policy so you don't have to fork out any extra bucks to return an item that didn't work out for you or your gift recipient.
• Consider taking a day off from work to do shopping. A week day morning is an excellent time to do some shopping. Not only do you not have to battle the after-work crowds but you get to make the most of your day. Many stores open early and close late during the holiday shopping season so take advantage of this! You may be able to knock out all of your shopping in one day!
• Don't rule out shopping on Christmas Eve. Many malls are not crowded because people begin gathering with their families. PLUS, many retailers begin their markdowns on Christmas Eve so there are some good deals to be had if you wait until then.
• Crowds aren't for you? Consider shopping online. Many retailers are guaranteeing delivery by Christmas eve on in-stock items. Be sure to check order deadlines for this guaranteed delivery because it does vary from retailer to retailer.
• Always make a list. If Santa does it, then it MUST be a good idea! In reality, a list will help you keep track of everyone you plan to shop for. I also write down three gift options for each person so that I know what to look for instead of randomly shopping. It helps to save lots of time!
• And speaking of saving, be sure to make a budget. Not having a budget can lead to overspending and, let's face it, who wants to be stuck with hefty credit card bill at the end of the season? Set a target amount to spend for each person on your list and try to stick within a few bucks of that target. You will feel a lot better about the holiday and budgeting eliminates a lot of holiday stress.

Hope these tips make your holiday shopping easier and virtually pain-free! Don't forget to take a minute to enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate and some holiday music. Remember, it's the little things in life that matter most, not the new tablet computer for little Johnny or Jenny. Until next time, keep it clean!!

December

Welcome to the last month of the year, ya'll!! We made it through another year! December is a wonderful, but hectic month (take a look at all the December words to the right and see if you agree with any of them!!). Things take on a more festive, light-hearted attitude. People around the world celebrate various holidays with a variety of customs, faiths and beliefs. Here are a few fun tidbits about the awesomeness that is our twelfth month of the year.

• For those with December birthdays, blue topaz is the traditional birthstone. Turquoise is the alternate birthstone for December.
• There are 31 days in the month of December.
• The birth flower for the month of December is the paper white narcissus. The narcissus symbolizes self-esteem.
• Holidays during the month of December are Hanukkah (beginning December 1st), Christmas (December 25th), Kwanzaa (beginning December 26th) and New Year's Eve (December 31st).
• How do you spell December in other languages? Here are a few of them:
• Spanish: diciembre
  Italian: Dicembre
  French: décembre
  German: Dezember
  Polish: grudnia
  Latin: augustus
  Russian: Декабрь
• December 12th is Poinsettia Day.

Here are a few important and historic dates for the month of December:

• 1941 - Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
• 1955 - Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give her seat to a white man and not moving to the back of a bus.
  
• 1958 - Charles de Gaulle was elected President of France's 5th Republic.
• 1980 - John Lennon was shot in New York City.
• 1981 - The first test tube baby was born.
• 1983 - Lech Walesa, Poland's Solidarity Union's founder, received the Nobel Peace Prize.
• 1988 - Benazir Bhutto named first female PM of a Muslim country (Pakistan).

Well, there ya have it, a few interesting items about the month of December that aren't wrapped up in green and red! Until next time, keep it clean!!

Give Thanks

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day yesterday. Traditionally, the holiday is spent with our loved ones (family and friends) and we all give thanks for the many things in our lives that we are grateful for. But what happens the day after? Do we still say thanks for the great things in our lives? A lot of people go right from being thankful to pushing and shoving in lines at stores to buy "things" that aren't really necessary (they are wants not needs).

Instead, why not keep the feeling of gratitude going by giving to those who have less than we do? If you are off today, why not donate your time and energy at a soup kitchen, food pantry, or nursing home? You may also consider helping out a neighbor or family member with things on their to-do list. Helping others is a great way of passing on our gratitude. It keeps the holiday season positive and full of hope. And isn't that what the holidays SHOULD be about?

Until next time, keep it clean!!

All American Foods!

I don't know about you but sometimes I get a hankering for junk food. Some of the best were created right here in the great USA! Here is a little list of some foods that have roots in our great country. See if any of your favorites made the list!

• Corn Dog - This yummy golden goodness on a stick was invented in 1942 at the Texas State Fair. This cornmeal-battered hot dog has paved the way for other fried goodies like fried Oreos, cheesecake, Twinkies and even Coca-Cola.
  

• Philly Cheesesteak - You don't need to be from Philly to appreciate this gigantic, messy sandwich. Fatty meat, Cheese Wiz, chopped onions on a white hoagie roll. Resistance is futile so grab a stack of napkins and eat up.
  

• S'mores - Graham crackers and marshmallows aren't particularly exciting on their own. Add a campfire and a nice hunk of chocolate to the party and s'mores are hard to say no to. They are melty and ooey-gooey which equals a whole lotta fun.

• Buffalo Wings - Chicken is usually a pretty healthy form of protein but only in America could someone have concocted the idea to fry wings until crispy and then smother them in hot sauce and butter. As if that weren't enough, they were wise enough to add creamy, cheesy sauces on the side for dipping. No Super Bowl watch party is complete without these.

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream - I don't know about you but I am guilty of eating cookie dough straight from the refrigerated roll. Now, add that yummy goodness to some vanilla ice cream and you have a delicious sweet treat. It tastes even better while watching chick flicks with friends.

Hope this list got you thinking about your favorite junk foods. I betcha some of them were created right here at home. A word of caution: don't eat all of the above listed items in one sitting or a tummy ache is eminent. Until next time, keep it clean!!

Giving Back

Times are hard right now and there are lots of people, families and animals in need of a helping hand. Charitable donations are always needed but even more so in times of crisis. With the economy as it is and many parts of our country being devastated by natural disasters, now is a great time to not only say thanks for what you have but to also give to those in need. Here is some general information on how to get started if you are interested in making donations of time, items or money.

• Give to an established charity. Find a charity with a proven track record. There are a lot of bogus groups out there that label themselves as "charities" and just take monies from unsuspecting philanthropists.
  
• Budget your donations. Work your donations into your monthly/annual budget just as you would any other payment.
• Keep good records. Most donations are tax-deductible but receipts are required for this. A canceled check or credit card statement for gifts of $250 or less is acceptable documentation for the IRS. For gifts over $250, a receipt from the charity will need to be provided to the IRS as proper documentation of your charitable gift.
• Volunteer! In additional to financial support, giving your time and skills to a local charity organization can be just as beneficial to the cause of your choosing.
  
• Consider donating unused or outgrown clothing and household items to a charity in your city. What you may see as an outdated sweater can be a source of warmth for someone who is in need.
• The website www.charitywatch.org is a great site for getting more tips on donating in addition to providing a listing of reputable charities that can use donations. Worth checking out before opening up your pocketbook.

Hope this helps to put you in a giving frame of mind. It's always good to help other because we never know when it will be our turn to need it. Until next time, keep it clean!!

First Day of Fall

Today is the first day of Fall! It's my favorite time of year. The air is crisp, mornings and evenings are cool and the colors of the leaves start to change from green to beautiful autumnal shades of gold, red and orange. Welcome to the Autumnal Equinox!

On the Autumnal Equinox, the sun is right over the Earth's equator and there are equal hours of day and night. From now until the Vernal Equinox, days will remain shorter and than nights. The longer nights aren't such a great thing but that is even more reason to make the most of the daytime hours we do have!

Fall is a great time to go for hikes outdoors. It's always nice to get some fresh air and most trails are beautiful when the seasons change. Be sure to take your camera along! If you are a gardening enthusiast, Fall is the perfect time to plant fall bulbs so that you will be able to enjoy a wide array of Spring flowers! Tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are all good options. And don't forget to plant some garlic! Farmers markets are full of apples, root vegetables, pumpkins and gourds. Try picking some of those items and incorporating them into new recipes. It's always good to try new things!

Hope you are as excited about fall as I am! Until next time, keep it clean!!

Blog

Azuma Leasing has one. Lots of businesses and organizations have them. Someone you know may have one. They can be funny, serious, provide valuable information or just be random thoughts or ideas. I'm referring to blogs. Blogs are basically online journals with commentary, ideas, information that is updated regularly. Blogging has gained popularity with the increase in the use of social media like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and others. There are even things called "blogathons" where a large number of people get together and blog about blogging. The term "blog" is an abbreviation for the term "web log". Generally, most blogs follow the same general format and include the content itself, an archive of older articles, a place where people can leave comments and list of links to related websites or blogs called a "blogroll". You can find blogs about almost every subject online.

Blogging itself has many incarnations. Some people do video blogs, photoblogs that contain only photos and audio blogs known as podcasting. There is also a form of blogging called microblogging where people just make very brief postings. Blogging has become very popular and as of February 2011, there were 156 million publicly posted blogs. The "blogosphere" is the collective community of all existing blogs. There is even a day called Blogday that is held on August 31st. This was established by blogday.org as a way to get fellow bloggers to interact with each other. On this day, bloggers share 5 blogs with others so that previously undiscovered blogs can be read.

So if you are interested in specific hobbies, causes, activities, schools, etc., swing by their website and see if they have a blog for you to read. You may even be inspired to start a blog of your very own!

Until next time, happy blogging and keep it clean!!

Friday! Friday! Friday!!!!

Happy Friday! TGIF!!! Ever have one of those weeks where a lot has happened but when you go back at the end of the week to replay all of the events in your head, it's a blur? That's kinda how this week was. We have had a busy week here at AZUMA Leasing (and we like it that way!).

After such a hectic and stressful week, I'm sure we could all use a little R&R. Looking for something fun or relaxing to do this weekend? There are so many options! The theater, parks, shopping, staying in and watching movies - all are good options to take one's mind off of the whirlwind that was the previous week. Local newspapers and news websites are a couple of places to look if you are needing ideas for some weekend activities in your area.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!. Until next time, keep it clean!

Happy Friday!

Who doesn't love Fridays??? Fridays were made for fun. Things are more relaxed and people are upbeat in anticipation of the weekend ahead. I don't know about you but I love random fun facts and I thought that sharing a few of those would be a good way to get our weekends off to a great start. So, here are some fun little tidbits! Enjoy!

• Picasso could draw before he could walk
• Blueberry jelly beans were created for Ronald Reagan
• It takes 7 shuffles to thoroughly mix a deck of 52 cards
• Milk chocolate was invented by Daniel Peter who sold the idea to his neighbor...Henri Nestle
• The tongue of a blue whale is as long as an elephant
• The word ‘umbrella’ is derived from the Latin root word ‘umbra’, which means shade or shadow.
• As an iceberg melts, it makes a fizzing sound because of the compressed air bubbles popping in the ice.
• The U.S. has the most movie theaters, but India produces the most movies.
• The reason why your nose gets runny when you are crying is because the tears from your eyes drain into your nose.
• The first lighthouse was in Alexandria in 290 B.C.
• Domestic cats purr at about 26 cycles per second, the same frequency as an idling diesel engine.
• A storm officially becomes a hurricane when cyclone winds reach 74mph (119k/h).
• There is enough concrete in the Hoover Dam to pave a two lane highway from San Francisco to New York.
• Checkmate comes from the Persian word “shah mat”, which means ‘the king is dead’.
• La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, is the highest capital in the world at over 17,000 feet (5,181 m)
  The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters
  The name for Oz in "The Wizard of Oz" was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence "Oz"
  There are no poisonous snakes in Maine
  In your lifetime, you'll shed over 40 pounds of skin
  Armadillos, opossums, and sloth's spend about 80% of their lives sleeping
  It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open
  One gallon of used motor oil can ruin approximately one million gallons of fresh water
  

So there ya go! Hope you were able to learn something new!! Until next time, keep it clean and enjoy your weekend!!

Summertime Laundry Tips

Ahhh, summertime!! Time for fun and outdoor activities by the pool or beach or out in the backyard. All of that outdoor activity can lead to some seriously dirty clothes though! What to do when you a scoop of ice cream falls from your cone and onto your favorite t-shirt? Or how should you treat grass stains that end up on your child's shorts after an afternoon of backyard football?
Here are a few tips that may help with those pesky messes you may encounter!

• In a well ventilated room, dab some mineral spirits on grass stains (of course, test for color-fastness of the clothing before doing this). Scrub with an old toothbrush and then launder. The stain should come right out!
• To remove mustard, ketchup or BBQ sauce from fabric, soak the item in white vinegar for 10-15 minutes and then toss in the washer on cold. *Poof*! No more stain!
• Did you eat some greasy BBQ along with that sauce and get grease on your shirt? Never fear, cornstarch is here!! Immediately pat cornstarch onto the grease stain to absorb the offending oil. Let it sit then wash it with the rest of your clothing as usual. The stain will come right out (learned that little trick from my Mom!).
• If you happened to get ice cream on your shirt, soak the item in warm water for approximately 15 minutes, apply a stain pre-treater and wash as usual. Launder as you normally would!
• Gum can be removed from clothing by putting it in the freezer. Leave it in the freezer for at least 6 hours and then chip away the hardened bits with a butter knife.
  
• Lemon juice works wonders for removing berry stains from clothing. Now, be careful because the acid from the juice may bleach the clothing. Always best to test in an inconspicuous area before treating the stain.
• Hydrogen peroxide is very good for removing blood stains from clothing. Soak the spot in HP and watch the stain magically disappear!!
• Salt and baking soda make EXCELLENT laundry boosters. On a side note, they (along with white vinegar) are also really good for cleaning your home if you are concerned about using noxious chemicals.

Hope these tips help you and get you and your clothing through a wonderful summer!!! Until next time, keep it clean!

It's a scorcher!!!

It's summertime and that means more outdoor activities in the heat. This summer has been unseasonably hot which can be very dangerous especially for children, the elderly and pets (okay, so just about the entire general population!!). While you don't need to curtail your activities, it is a good idea to take some precautions if you will be out in the sun for a prolonged amount of time. Here are some helpful ideas on how to stay cool and protect yourself (and others!) from the summer sun and heat:

• Try to take advantage of the early morning or late evening when planning outdoor activities or work outs.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes that are in a light color to keep your body cool.
• Use fans to circulate air to make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned home.
• Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer and grab one when going outside. As the ice melts, you will have a supply of cold water to enjoy!
• Drink plenty of water or sports drinks when engaging in outdoor activities to replenish the electrolytes in your body that are lost when perspiring.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol since they promote dehydration.
• Use products with mint or menthol. Body washes, lotions and body sprays refresh the skin and create a cooling sensation.
• Wear a hat to keep the sun off of your face.
• Drink chrysanthemum tea. The tea is said to have a cooling effect on the body.
• Eat spicy foods. Yep, you read that right! Foods that create warmth in the body enhance circulation and causes sweating that will cool you down.
  
• Dogs are less efficient at cooling themselves than people are. If your dog lives outdoors, consider bringing him indoors during the hotter times of day and be sure to provide a shaded area in your yard for him (like a dog house beneath a tree).
• Always use sunscreen. And don't forget to put sunscreen on your pets too! Short-haired dogs are susceptible to sunburn especially on the bridge of their noses, tips of their ears and belly area. May sound silly but it works and can save Fido from a lot of discomfort later on!
• Your dogs paws can get burnt on a hot sidewalk or asphalt driveway. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws. If the dog MUST go out, keep the walk very short and keep him in the grass if at all possible.

Hope those tips help to keep you and your entire family safe during the dog days of summer. Now, go grab a cold glass of lemonade and head for the nearest pool! Until next time, keep it clean!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Monday July 4th will mark the day that the original thirteen colonies declared independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence was signed on that day in 1776 and now, the rest is history! Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue. Patriotic themed decor is generally colored red, white, and blue in keeping with the colors of the American flag. Communities across the country have parades and fireworks displays (although safety concerns have led many cities to cancel fireworks displays due to drought and excessively dry conditions this year) happen in the evening at places like parks, fairgrounds, or town squares.

A few fun facts about the 4th of July:

• In July 1776, the number of people living in the newly independent United States of America was 2.5 million.
• THIS 4th of July, the U.S. Census estimates that our nation now has approximately 311.7 million people.
• Thirty-five places have “eagle” in their names. The most populous one is Eagle Pass, Texas (26,248).
• One place with “patriot” in the name. Patriot, Ind. (209).
• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.
• Over $211 million has been spent on the importation of fireworks from China.
• The first Fourth of July party held at the White House was in 1801.
• The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

So there you have it, a few fun facts that you can use to dazzle all of your friends and family at those July 4th BBQ's you will be attending this weekend! Wishing you and yours a restful yet fun Independence Day weekend! And as always, keep it clean!

Breakfast

As you can tell by the subject this morning, I'm a little hungry! I violated the cardinal rule of mornings - don't skip breakfast because it is the most important meal of the day! I'm sure you can relate - you get into a hurry, didn't prepare the night before and don't have time to pick something up on the way to work (or you will be late and who wants that?).

Here are a few reasons why breakfast is so important:

• Eating breakfast gives you better focus, attention span and productivity
• Helps you to maintain a healthy, consistent weight
• Eating breakfast has been linked to better learning and cognitive ability
• It increases your metabolism
• Gives you more energy for your day
• It helps your body take in all of the nutrients it needs
  

Those are all pretty good reasons to have a healthy, nutritious breakfast! And it doesn't have to be something that's crazy complicated to make in the morning. A healthy breakfast can be some oatmeal with some fruit thrown in or an English muffin sandwich with an egg white, a little cheese and maybe a slice of tomato (I personally put spinach and mushrooms on mine...when I am good and make myself breakfast!). A few other easy options for a quick, nutritious breakfast are:

• A high fiber, low sugar cereal with fruit
• A pita pocket filled with lean ham, cheese and veggies (yes, it's perfectly okay to have veggies for breakfast!)
• A cup of Greek yogurt with fresh berries and granola
• A fresh, fruity smoothie
• An apple, cheese stick and a handful of walnuts
• A whole grain waffle with peanut or almond butter and a banana (seriously - try it!)
• And if you absolutely MUST stop off for breakfast in the morning, an Egg McMuffin is a good way to go! Yep, you read that right. Tell them to make it with no cheese and it's an even better deal.

Hope all of this gives you a few ideas on how to get your morning off on the right foot. Take the weekend to stop at the grocery store so you can be prepared for next week. I betcha that eating breakfast will make your days a lot better!!

Until next time, keep it clean!

Take a Hike!

This is such a beautiful time of year and in most parts of the country, the weather is perfect for some outdoor fun and activities. Why not take a hike? There are lots of state and national parks that are just waiting to be explored. What? Never been hiking, you say? Well then, let me give you some basic pointers because, even though it may seem that you are simply walking outdoors on a trail, there are a few pieces of knowledge that will make the experience so much more enjoyable and safer.

• Don't travel alone. There is truth to the old adage about safety in numbers. If you hike with a partner, there is someone to help should you become injured, ill or if you become lost. It just makes good sense to have a friend along for the hike PLUS it will make it a more fun experience.
• Know where you are going. Maps and field guides are essential when hiking in a place that you have never visited before. Most state and national parks have a headquarter office where you can pickup a map on the way into the park. Take a few minutes before you begin your hike to do some map reading to familiarize yourself with the location.
  
• Take basic gear. A few essential items to have in your backpack are matches (preferably waterproof) or a lighter, a knife or multipurpose tool (like a Swiss Army knife), first aid kit, flashlight, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a hat, a rain poncho, extra clothing and an extra pair of socks. I personally take along some emergency blankets (you've seen them - they look like giant pieces of tinfoil). A cell phone or GPS is also good to take along.
  
• Take basic provisions. Water, water, water. In case you didn't get that, take water with you. The last thing you want is to get dehydrated while out on the trail. You will want to pack foods that won't spoil. Things like dried fruit, granola, trail mix, crackers or pretzels, peanut butter, jerky, tuna (in vacuum packed pouches, not the canned stuff), carrots, apples, bananas and cheese sticks are all good options.
• Always carry out what you carry in. Take an extra plastic bag with you so that you can put trash in your pack. The last thing you want to do is litter the beautiful trail you are on. Keep your trash with you and dispose of it properly when you return to the headquarters.
  
• Pace yourself especially if it's your first hike. You will be eager to take in the views along your hiking route but you should guard against using all of your energy early into your hike. It's always good to take things slow and conserve energy because you don't know what you are going to encounter along the trail (you might need to run from a ferocious squirrel!!). Let the slowest person in your group be the lead hiker and set the pace. Keeping the slower hiker in front helps in terms of keeping your hiking group safe and to ensure that no one gets left behind. Be sure to take breaks as needed.
• Exercise common sense. If you don't know what it is - don't eat it. If you don't know what kind of animal or insect it is or whether or not it's poisonous- don't touch it. If you are tired - stop and rest. If you are hungry or thirsty - eat or drink a little. Think before you act and you will be fine.
  
• ENJOY!!!!! There are very few things that are quite as awe-inspiring as getting back to nature and realizing what a great place we are fortunate enough to call home. Take in a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy the wide open spaces.
  

Until next time, keep it clean!!!

Friday!

It's finally here! The day that most of us look forward to all week - FRIDAY!!! Friday is the greatest day between Thursday and Saturday (hee hee!). It's the beginning of the weekend and our time to relax and unwind. Fridays bring a smile to our face, a spring to our step and a sparkle to our eyes. The troubles of the week melt away and we are faced with the vast opportunities that the weekend ahead has to offer.

Wondering what to do on a Friday night? There are so many possibilities! Get together with friends. Catch a movie at the theater. Visit family. Go to dinner. Go for a walk at a neighborhood park. Play some board games. Go dancing. Catch a live sporting event (it is baseball season!). Put your feet up on the sofa and read a book. Bake cookies. Go bowling. Play miniature golf. You are only limited by your imagination! Whatever you do, make it something fun and enjoyable.

Until next time, keep it clean!!

April Fool's Day!

Happy April Fool's Day!! Rather than try to play a prank, I thought I would give you a little bit of info on this silly little day. April Fool's Day, sometimes known as All Fools Day, is a day where people play jokes on each other (some big, some small) and sometimes concoct elaborate hoaxes to catch a "fool".

Some see April Fool's Day as a turn in the seasons while others believe that it's related to the adoption of a new calendar. Many cultures including the Romans and Hindus celebrated their new year on April 1st. It wasn't until 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian calendar) to replace the existing Julian Calendar marking January 1st as the first day of the new year. Many people refused to accept this new date and continued to celebrate on April 1st by sending traditionalists on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing false stories. The practice spread all over Europe.

Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University, provided another explanation on the origins of April Fool's Day in an Associated Press article published in 1983. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine when a court jester named Kugel told the Roman emperor that he could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine was amused and allowed the jester to be king for one day. Kugel passed a law calling for absurdity on that day. The custom caught on and became a yearly event.

There was only one catch to Boskin's theory: he made the whole thing up. It took a couple of weeks for the AP to realize that they'd been victims of an April Fools' joke themselves.

Here are a few famous pranks that have taken place on April Fool's Day -

• Taco Liberty Bell (1996) - Taco Bell took out an add in the New York Times announcing that the restaurant had purchased the Liberty Bell to help reduce the national debt.
• Burger King (1998) - The "Home of the Whopper" announced a specially designed left-handed burger so that the condiments would drip out the right side. Yes, customers actually ordered the left-handed Whopper.
• In 1983, Australian millionaire Dick Smith claimed to have towed an iceberg from Antarctica to Sydney Harbour. He used a barge covered with white plastic and fire extinguisher foam to convince onlookers that he had indeed towed an iceberg.
• A Dutch television news station fooled viewers in the 1950's into believing that the Tower of Pisa had fallen. The news station received numerous phone calls from concerned citizens.

So keep on your toes today!!! Keep the pranks light-hearted and fun and until next time, keep it clean!!

Under Pressure!!

Aside from being an AWESOME Queen and David Bowie song, being "under pressure" is a drag and, unfortunately, it's part of everyone's life at some time. Pressures at home, work and school can have a detrimental effect on your health. Luckily, there are ways to manage the stress in your life (because, let's face it, there is ALWAYS going to be SOME stress no matter how hard we try to eliminate it). The best place to start is at the beginning - what is causing your stress?
Once you figure that out, you will be able to learn healthy ways to reduce and alleviate stress.
Sometimes it's pretty clear where stress is coming from. Major life changes (the death of a loved one, marriage, the arrival of a new baby) can bring on stress and tension. Prolonged stress can wreak havoc on your body causing rapid heartbeats, headaches, stiff neck/shoulders, back pain, stomach upset and may lead to a weakened immune system, high blood pressure and a list of other detrimental health problems. We all know the signs of being stressed out but do you know how to manage or relieve your stress? Here are a few ways that I personally have found to be effective:

• Keep a journal. Write down those negative thoughts to get them out of your head! Imagine the stress traveling from your mind, down your arm and through your pen onto the paper. Once it's on the paper, let the stressful thoughts go and do your best to not revisit them.
• Exercise regularly. Even taking a quick 20 minute walk around your neighborhood can do WONDERS for improving your overall sense of well-being. Give this one a try - it's quick, easy and really helps.
• Do something you enjoy. Doing volunteer work, gardening, painting, coloring in a coloring book or partaking in any hobby that makes you smile is a great way to reduce stress.
• Let the feelings out! Talk, laugh or cry with someone you trust.
• Ask for help. Sometimes we take on too many things and don't like to say no to people and this causes us to feel overwhelmed and stressed. If you have too much on your plate, ask for help.
  
• Speak up. Not talking about your concerns and/or needs creates stress. Learn to express yourself in a thoughtful manner so that those concerns are released instead of keeping them bottled up.
  
• Learn to relax. Activities like yoga, tai chi and meditation are known to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Can't hurt to try, right?
• And lastly, when all else fails......LAUGH!!! In the end, sweating over the small things just bogs us down. Why not laugh them away? Put on a silly movie, get a friend to tell you a funny joke or remember a time when you did something sooooo silly that you can't help but laugh. Laughter IS the best medicine!

Hope you will give these pointers a try next time you are feeling some tension in your world. Until next time, keep it clean and don't forget to LAUGH!

I HEART Cupcakes!!

What is it about cupcakes that makes most people smile? Is it that a cupcake is a bundle of yumminess in a small, pretty package? Is it the fact that you aren't committed to just ONE flavor of cake or frosting? Or is it the SPRINKLES (yes, cupcakes MUST have sprinkles!)? What has me in this cupcake fantasy world, you may ask? Last night I was looking through my cupcake recipe book to see what delightful little cakes I should make for a football game party at a friends house this weekend and I found it so hard to decide what to make! Do I make vanilla cakes? Chocolate? Strawberry? Lemon? All of the above? And should I put the same kind of frosting on all of them? So many options! Then I got distracted because I started to wonder WHERE cupcakes originated so I started looking online to see if anyone knew. I found that the term "cupcake" was first used in a book of recipes from 1828 and since hearth ovens were used primarily around the turn of the 20th century, muffin tins were used to bake cakes because they required less time to bake than a large cake. According to the Food Timeline website, food historians are unsure of the origin of the name CUPCAKE - could be because they were baked in cups (before the muffin tin came along) or if it is because the ingredients used to make the cakes were measured out by the cup. Either way, I am soooo glad that someone came up with the concept! And after reading about cupcakes, I decided to run to the cupcake shop around the corner from my house and get myself a treat to eat while I decided on what to bake. In the end, I decided to make chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and sprinkles (told ya, GOTTA have sprinkles!!) and strawberry with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries on top. I think everyone will enjoy them!

Enjoy your weekend and keep it clean!