I hope that you are all able to enjoy the beautiful crisp fall days that have finally arrived, I know I am!
Today I cleaned out my car and in doing so, I did my part to embrace the 'green movement'. No today my tip is not to reduce the entropy in your life, but to recycle. I had several plastic bottles as well as 2 copies of the Sunday paper floating around my car, but today instead of just trashing them, I drove the less than half a mile out of my way to the recycling center to recycle them. It was only a small handful of things, but it felt good to know that I was doing my part to help protect the world, and being less wasteful. When I got home I looked through my trash can, and ended up making another trip to the recycling center... as it turned out, more than 3/4ths of my trash, was recyclable! ( Imagine how much that could save on your garbage bill!)
If you don't want to make frequent trips to the recycling center, when you go ask them if they have a recycling bin. ( Many garbage companies will sell you one, or you may be able to get a free bin depending where you live). Another suggestion is to have 2 trash cans, one for recyclables and one for trash. I promise, you will be amazed at how much of your trash is recyclable!
For a list of recyclables items check out this link:http://www.burrtecdesert.com/page81.html
To find your local recycling place check out this link: http://earth911.com/
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wait a Minute Mr. Postman, See do You have a Letter for Me?
I had the greatest bit of excitement today when I was checking the mail to see if there were any new bills (that's all I'm used to getting)- I GOT A LETTER!!!! A real handwritten letter! I know to many people, snail-mail, handwritten letters seem out dated. Ok perhaps as a main mode of transportation they are, but I must tell you, it was soo delightful to receive a handwritten letter from a good friend who moved away. I couldn't stop smiling, much less wait till I got to the door to open it.
See the thing about receiving mail (that's not a bill) is that it is personal, meant just for you. Someone cares enough about you to sit down and take the time to write you a note. Sending a letter to a friend or family member reminds me of when I was younger. As a kid I used to write letters all the time to my cousin who lived states away as it was too expensive to call and talk to her. After I wrote the letter and successfully mailed it I would try to figure how long it would be before I got a response from my cousin, each day anxiously awaiting the arrival of the postman.
If you have a family member older or younger, or a friend whose moved away, take some time today or tomorrow and write him or her a letter. Then, after you've mailed it, you'll have something to look forward to in a week, and perhaps if you're like me you'll have forgotten about it and will have pleasant surprise waiting for you.
See the thing about receiving mail (that's not a bill) is that it is personal, meant just for you. Someone cares enough about you to sit down and take the time to write you a note. Sending a letter to a friend or family member reminds me of when I was younger. As a kid I used to write letters all the time to my cousin who lived states away as it was too expensive to call and talk to her. After I wrote the letter and successfully mailed it I would try to figure how long it would be before I got a response from my cousin, each day anxiously awaiting the arrival of the postman.
If you have a family member older or younger, or a friend whose moved away, take some time today or tomorrow and write him or her a letter. Then, after you've mailed it, you'll have something to look forward to in a week, and perhaps if you're like me you'll have forgotten about it and will have pleasant surprise waiting for you.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Protect from unwanted vampires
I hope that you have had an excellent weekend, hopefully yours didn't fly by as fast as mine has.
Do you feel you are being followed by the vampires from your favorite novel, and want to protect yourself? Would you like to reduce your risk of heart disease? How about protecting yourself from various cancers? Are you constantly being bitten by mosquitoes?
If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then garlic is for you!
Research shows that the chemicals which are released from garlic help to relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow! Although it can cause unpleasent breath, it helps to reduce the risk of heart disease as well as colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Garlic, has 1% of the potency of penicillin and can ward off many types of bacteria. Even more exciting is that you cannot build up a tolerance to it! Garlic can even by used to keep mosquitoes at bay. One source suggests that garlic's repelling of mosquitoes could be the origin of the notion that garlic scares off vampires. Not only is garlic excellent for your health, it tastes delicious and will add flavor to many dishes.
When cooking with garlic it is recommended that after preparing the garlic, you should allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before incorporating it into your dish.
I have noticed that my use of garlic in my meals has significantly increased. You can buy a bulb of garlic for very cheap (69 cents for a bulb) in your grocery, its right next to the tomatoes in the produce section. And the flavor that just one clove will add to a dish is phenominal!
In parting I will leave you with a healthy, garlic filled, recipe for my most recent dish of choice - hummus.
1 can of garbanzo beans
2 cloves of garlic
3 tbsp of lemon juice
2 tbsp of tahini**
1/4 -1/2 cup of vegetable broth
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1. dice cloves of garlic and let sit (for a more blended flavor mash into a paste)
2. drain the juice from the can of garbanzon beans and rinse
3. combine beans, tahini, half the vegetable broth, pepper, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor and blend till consistancy is a smooth paste. use the vegetable broth to thin the paste further if needed.
4. let chill for 10-15 minutes and serve in a wrap, or with pita bread
5. Enjoy
** half cup roasted sesamee seeds, fourth cup of vegetable oil. place together in food processor and blend to a paste.
Do you feel you are being followed by the vampires from your favorite novel, and want to protect yourself? Would you like to reduce your risk of heart disease? How about protecting yourself from various cancers? Are you constantly being bitten by mosquitoes?
If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then garlic is for you!
Research shows that the chemicals which are released from garlic help to relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow! Although it can cause unpleasent breath, it helps to reduce the risk of heart disease as well as colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Garlic, has 1% of the potency of penicillin and can ward off many types of bacteria. Even more exciting is that you cannot build up a tolerance to it! Garlic can even by used to keep mosquitoes at bay. One source suggests that garlic's repelling of mosquitoes could be the origin of the notion that garlic scares off vampires. Not only is garlic excellent for your health, it tastes delicious and will add flavor to many dishes.
When cooking with garlic it is recommended that after preparing the garlic, you should allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before incorporating it into your dish.
I have noticed that my use of garlic in my meals has significantly increased. You can buy a bulb of garlic for very cheap (69 cents for a bulb) in your grocery, its right next to the tomatoes in the produce section. And the flavor that just one clove will add to a dish is phenominal!
In parting I will leave you with a healthy, garlic filled, recipe for my most recent dish of choice - hummus.
1 can of garbanzo beans
2 cloves of garlic
3 tbsp of lemon juice
2 tbsp of tahini**
1/4 -1/2 cup of vegetable broth
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1. dice cloves of garlic and let sit (for a more blended flavor mash into a paste)
2. drain the juice from the can of garbanzon beans and rinse
3. combine beans, tahini, half the vegetable broth, pepper, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor and blend till consistancy is a smooth paste. use the vegetable broth to thin the paste further if needed.
4. let chill for 10-15 minutes and serve in a wrap, or with pita bread
5. Enjoy
** half cup roasted sesamee seeds, fourth cup of vegetable oil. place together in food processor and blend to a paste.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Change for the Better
Since it is once again late, I will make my suggestion short and sweet. It can be summed up with a quotation from Gandhi: 
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
As of late I had been unhappy with how things in a certain sector of my life were going. I finally realized today that nothing was going to happen to change the way things were. Even though my situation couldnt change, I could by removing myself from the situation.
If you are not happy with something in your life, and nothing is changing about it, dont forget that YOU can change and do things differently; this can be as simple as cleaning a messy room, getting work done and not waiting till the last minute, finding a better job, or taking those college classes that you really want to take. This may be difficult but I think that in the end, you will be pleased.
Peace,
Eliza
Friday, September 25, 2009
Savor the Flavor of Your Craving
Hello how are you doing? I know this is a bit late, but better late than never.
I have had a bleh day today, but there was one thing, that really perked me up.
As of late, Ive been craving, and I mean REALLY craving doughnuts. I saw a special about them on Food Network one night, it seemed there was a billboard for Dunkin' Doughnuts every mile and an ad on every 3rd page in my magazine. I usually try to stay away from doughnuts, because I can never just have one; I always end up with a whole dozen, but today I gave in. I drove 20 minutes out of my way to get that cinnamon apple filled doughnut (plus 11 other assorted doughnuts) that Id been craving.
It may not seem like much to improve your life, just indulging in something that youve been trying to avoid will make your day a little bit better! Give in to whatever it is that you've been craving lately, but with restrain. Savor what it is that you crave. Take it slow, enjoy every second of it. See how it makes you feel, allow yourself to identify what it is about your craving that you love so much. <<>craving I thought to myself as I finished the last bit of doughnut by licking the chips of icing from my fingers. >>
Whatever your craving is, dont be afraid to give in; just make sure you enjoy every second of it. Once you do, tell me that it doesnt make your day just a little bit brighter. : )
I have had a bleh day today, but there was one thing, that really perked me up.
As of late, Ive been craving, and I mean REALLY craving doughnuts. I saw a special about them on Food Network one night, it seemed there was a billboard for Dunkin' Doughnuts every mile and an ad on every 3rd page in my magazine. I usually try to stay away from doughnuts, because I can never just have one; I always end up with a whole dozen, but today I gave in. I drove 20 minutes out of my way to get that cinnamon apple filled doughnut (plus 11 other assorted doughnuts) that Id been craving.
It may not seem like much to improve your life, just indulging in something that youve been trying to avoid will make your day a little bit better! Give in to whatever it is that you've been craving lately, but with restrain. Savor what it is that you crave. Take it slow, enjoy every second of it. See how it makes you feel, allow yourself to identify what it is about your craving that you love so much. <<>craving I thought to myself as I finished the last bit of doughnut by licking the chips of icing from my fingers. >>
Whatever your craving is, dont be afraid to give in; just make sure you enjoy every second of it. Once you do, tell me that it doesnt make your day just a little bit brighter. : )
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Never Give Up
I hope that you've had a slightly more exciting day than I have; mine has been quite long and tedious.
This morning I had to get up earlier than normal to take care of some things, and before I was even out of bed, I was filled with dread for the day. As I laid there in bed, putting off the day ahead, I started to think about what I would write about today. When I finally found a topic, it brightened my day a little and I had the motivation to get up and get moving.
I have picture that a friend's daughter colored from me along time ago, hanging up in my room. Its a picture of a crane standing in the water with a struggling frog half in its mouth. The caption at the bottom of the picture reads: 'NEVER GIVE UP'. When I saw it hanging there on the wall, I realized that even though I had a busy day with lots of unexciting, tedious things to do I would still be able to get through it. Alot of times when I am having a bad day and am just ready to quit, I always end up being reminded not to give up.
I have had several times in my career when it would have been SOO much easier to give up and take the easy way out, but I never did. Sure, it may have taken me longer to get things done but I know that when Im finally finished that I have earned it. I like to think that in a way my not giving up has set me apart from all the others. Its like the saying goes: nothing worth having comes easy.
I would like to encourage you to NEVER GIVE UP! Don't be afraid to take the extra step to help get you where you want to go; its not always easy, but in th
e end it's always worth it!
This morning I had to get up earlier than normal to take care of some things, and before I was even out of bed, I was filled with dread for the day. As I laid there in bed, putting off the day ahead, I started to think about what I would write about today. When I finally found a topic, it brightened my day a little and I had the motivation to get up and get moving.
I have picture that a friend's daughter colored from me along time ago, hanging up in my room. Its a picture of a crane standing in the water with a struggling frog half in its mouth. The caption at the bottom of the picture reads: 'NEVER GIVE UP'. When I saw it hanging there on the wall, I realized that even though I had a busy day with lots of unexciting, tedious things to do I would still be able to get through it. Alot of times when I am having a bad day and am just ready to quit, I always end up being reminded not to give up.
I have had several times in my career when it would have been SOO much easier to give up and take the easy way out, but I never did. Sure, it may have taken me longer to get things done but I know that when Im finally finished that I have earned it. I like to think that in a way my not giving up has set me apart from all the others. Its like the saying goes: nothing worth having comes easy.
I would like to encourage you to NEVER GIVE UP! Don't be afraid to take the extra step to help get you where you want to go; its not always easy, but in th
e end it's always worth it!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
'Pay it Forward'
Bonjour! I hope that you are having a good day so far, I know I am.
Im sure many of you have seen or at least heard of the movie "Pay it Forward". The general theme of the movie is about a young boy who does little things for others, not taking much credit, just telling them to pay it forward and do 3 nice things for other people. The theory behind it was that if each person does 3 nice things for others and each of those people do the same, there would hopefully be an exponential effect.
What I propose today is that you pay it forward, and do something positive for the community of people around you. I was inspired by this today when I was at the grocery store. While I was shopping a man came on the loudspeaker and announced that the local food bank was running very low and any donations would be much appreciated. I love all aspects of food- cooking it, smelling it, baking it, eating it, making it for others. I cannot imagine what it would be like to not have access to it. So, on the way out of the store I picked up a few things, not amounting to much, but just a little something. You see even though I have never met the people I donated food to, they are a part of the larger community that I live in and if I were in their shoes I'd hope they'd do the same for me.
I encourage you to take a little bit of time out of your day to pay it forward. Donate your time to help a colleague move boxes to their new home, when youre stuck in traffic let the car next to you get over, take a little extra time to pack a lunch for your loved one, help a classmate study for a test, or collect yogurt lids to help find a cure for cancer.
I wish you the best of luck in your efforts of paying it forward, and would love to hear what you've done!!
Im sure many of you have seen or at least heard of the movie "Pay it Forward". The general theme of the movie is about a young boy who does little things for others, not taking much credit, just telling them to pay it forward and do 3 nice things for other people. The theory behind it was that if each person does 3 nice things for others and each of those people do the same, there would hopefully be an exponential effect.
What I propose today is that you pay it forward, and do something positive for the community of people around you. I was inspired by this today when I was at the grocery store. While I was shopping a man came on the loudspeaker and announced that the local food bank was running very low and any donations would be much appreciated. I love all aspects of food- cooking it, smelling it, baking it, eating it, making it for others. I cannot imagine what it would be like to not have access to it. So, on the way out of the store I picked up a few things, not amounting to much, but just a little something. You see even though I have never met the people I donated food to, they are a part of the larger community that I live in and if I were in their shoes I'd hope they'd do the same for me.
I encourage you to take a little bit of time out of your day to pay it forward. Donate your time to help a colleague move boxes to their new home, when youre stuck in traffic let the car next to you get over, take a little extra time to pack a lunch for your loved one, help a classmate study for a test, or collect yogurt lids to help find a cure for cancer.
I wish you the best of luck in your efforts of paying it forward, and would love to hear what you've done!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"If you see someone without a smile, give em' yours"
Hello! How are you doing today? I'm Eliza and I'm glad to have you here with me today!
:) Yes hopefully you've guessed it. My advice for you today, for the premier of my blog, is to smile. I was watching a movie on TV the other night-"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", and if you've ever seen it, you would know that Dolly Parton's character exemplifies my topic of :) smiling. My favorite quotation from the movie is "If you see someone without a :D smile, give em' yours!"
I really believe that :) smiling is the first step in making a positive experience out of whatever you have to do each day. At work I get told all the time, how wonderful it is to see such a happy :D smiling face. When you are having a good time, you :) smile and your positive energy radiates to all those around you. People like to be around someone who is happy and having a good time with what their doing, even if its something as unexciting as taking out the trash.
:D Smiles are infectious, so get out there and put yours on, then if ya see someone without one, you can give em' yours!
:) Yes hopefully you've guessed it. My advice for you today, for the premier of my blog, is to smile. I was watching a movie on TV the other night-"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", and if you've ever seen it, you would know that Dolly Parton's character exemplifies my topic of :) smiling. My favorite quotation from the movie is "If you see someone without a :D smile, give em' yours!"
I really believe that :) smiling is the first step in making a positive experience out of whatever you have to do each day. At work I get told all the time, how wonderful it is to see such a happy :D smiling face. When you are having a good time, you :) smile and your positive energy radiates to all those around you. People like to be around someone who is happy and having a good time with what their doing, even if its something as unexciting as taking out the trash.
:D Smiles are infectious, so get out there and put yours on, then if ya see someone without one, you can give em' yours!
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