Following up with my last post, I'm going to share some of the ways that I save money every month. Some of them will be damn obvious, others maybe not so much. Either way, I invite anyone who reads these tips, tricks, and stories, to share their personal feelings and opinions about it. I love learning new things from different people, and saving money is something that we all have to do in life.
I was reading in the newspaper on the weekend that Canada's debt-to-income ratio is sitting around 150%. That means that people who are making 50,000$ a year owe (or add to their debt) approximately 75,000$ per year. (Correct me if my concept is wrong, please!). How on earth can we as a population be expected to contribute effectively to the economy if we owe more than we make? Ridiculous numbers, if you ask me.
Saving money and saving the environment absolutely go hand-in-hand. Buying less new both saves money and puts less strain on limited resources. Using homemade cleaners, same concept.
Today, I'm going to start with a task that takes me (on average) about an hour each week, and saves me close to 200-400$ per month. That is some sweet return for my investment if you ask me. It's like making 50-100$ per hour for those hours.
What could be so easy a way to save money for so little time?
Read Your Flyers!
Seriously. That's it! Check out your flyers, make a list of whats on sale, and buy from that list. For non-perishables, buy extra to last (ideally) at least until the next sale.
Doing this will also give you a good idea of what a "good sale" price is. For example, some people will go out and buy a brick of cheese whenever they need it. The going rate for a 500g brick of cheese right now is 8-10$. That's ridiculous. Cheese is something we eat A LOT of at my house. So when it goes on sale for less than $4.50 per brick, we buy at least 8 and freeze them. Currently, we have about 20-25 bricks of cheese in our freezer, none of which did we pay over $4.50 for.
Almond milk (since I don't make my own due to time/space constraints) is purchased in bulk when it's on for less than 2$ a carton (regular price is $3.99).
Small changes create big effects, and reading your sales flyers is just one small change that can really open your eyes into how much money and time you are wasting.
If you don't get the flyers delivered to you (like us), you can use websites that post them online (which saves paper too!) such as flyerland.ca.
Do you read flyers for your shopping (if you even shop at grocery stores)? How do you prepare your grocery/food list for the week? Share, share, share!
Much love,
Laura
Showing posts with label easy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy. Show all posts
Saturday Morning Fun!
So this morning we're babysitting Z, as we do every other Saturday. After breakfast, we decided it would be fun to finally get outside and play on those huge hills the snowplows created around the parking lot. It was a blast!
I actually threw on a pair of snowpants and got right in there, got a sweet workout and felt the burn let me tell you! Climbing to the top of the hill proved harder than I had originally thought, but it made it even more satisfying when the two kids would climb up and I would roll them back down the hill. They laughed so hard!
The two of them kept trying to knock me over to no avail, so M decided that it would be her job to take me down. She tied the dog to a tree, and then climbed up and tried to knock me over. I saw her coming though, so I braced myself and grabbed her as the got to the top, and brought her down with me! Success!
All in all, what a blast! It was so much fun, and man am I tired! We're planning on going out again after lunchtime, to toboggan this time, and I can't wait.
Have you done anything outside yet this weekend? What are you waiting for?
Peace and serenity,
Laura
I actually threw on a pair of snowpants and got right in there, got a sweet workout and felt the burn let me tell you! Climbing to the top of the hill proved harder than I had originally thought, but it made it even more satisfying when the two kids would climb up and I would roll them back down the hill. They laughed so hard!
The two of them kept trying to knock me over to no avail, so M decided that it would be her job to take me down. She tied the dog to a tree, and then climbed up and tried to knock me over. I saw her coming though, so I braced myself and grabbed her as the got to the top, and brought her down with me! Success!
All in all, what a blast! It was so much fun, and man am I tired! We're planning on going out again after lunchtime, to toboggan this time, and I can't wait.
Have you done anything outside yet this weekend? What are you waiting for?
Peace and serenity,
Laura
Easy snacks and fun facts
So we just finished the first batch of homemade granola that I made a few weeks back. I used the recipe from the Healthy Snacks To Go e-book at Kitchen Stewardship, and I gotta say it really was super easy. I never would have imagined that making granola was so simple. I am looking at trying to make the energy bars next time, along with some more granola.
The granola I'm going to try to make today, as it only takes about half an hour as long as I have everything (which I'm pretty sure I do). Maybe I'll throw some chopped dried apricots in there as well to add a little bit of additional sweetness.
So far, all that's needed is:
Quick Oats oatmeal (picked up at the Bulk Barn)
Chopped cashews (Bulk Barn)
Sunflower seeds (Bulk Barn, I chose unsalted)
Honey (purchased from a local vendor)
Dried apricots (or raisins, craisins, or other soft dried fruit, Bulk Barn)
I may be missing a few ingredients, but those are the main ones. Katie at Kitchen Stewardship very politely requests that those who do purchase her e-book (which is my favourite recipe book by far) don't share the exact recipes on the web. Instead, let me tell you that this is the best granola I've ever had. It is baked in the oven, so if you are baking something else, make your granola at the same time and save energy!
I've also made applesauce thanks to the simple and easy directions of this e-book, and now I don't even need to reference it anymore to make perfect and deliciously fresh applesauce any day I please. Since apples are in season right now, that's a lot of apple sauce! But it all gets eaten, so I must be doing something right.
What are your favourite easy to make recipes? Do you have certain things you fall back on when you need a quick snack? Do you consider your personal health as well as the environmental impact of your snacks when you choose?
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Please note there are affiliate links in this post that will help me earn a small portion on every sale of the Healthy Snacks to go e-book. Thank you for helping to support Simply Green!
The granola I'm going to try to make today, as it only takes about half an hour as long as I have everything (which I'm pretty sure I do). Maybe I'll throw some chopped dried apricots in there as well to add a little bit of additional sweetness.
So far, all that's needed is:
Quick Oats oatmeal (picked up at the Bulk Barn)
Chopped cashews (Bulk Barn)
Sunflower seeds (Bulk Barn, I chose unsalted)
Honey (purchased from a local vendor)
Dried apricots (or raisins, craisins, or other soft dried fruit, Bulk Barn)
I may be missing a few ingredients, but those are the main ones. Katie at Kitchen Stewardship very politely requests that those who do purchase her e-book (which is my favourite recipe book by far) don't share the exact recipes on the web. Instead, let me tell you that this is the best granola I've ever had. It is baked in the oven, so if you are baking something else, make your granola at the same time and save energy!
I've also made applesauce thanks to the simple and easy directions of this e-book, and now I don't even need to reference it anymore to make perfect and deliciously fresh applesauce any day I please. Since apples are in season right now, that's a lot of apple sauce! But it all gets eaten, so I must be doing something right.
What are your favourite easy to make recipes? Do you have certain things you fall back on when you need a quick snack? Do you consider your personal health as well as the environmental impact of your snacks when you choose?
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Please note there are affiliate links in this post that will help me earn a small portion on every sale of the Healthy Snacks to go e-book. Thank you for helping to support Simply Green!
Create Beauty
Creativity is often thought, or presumed, to have only to do with arts. Graphic arts, digital arts, or verbal arts, but always arts. There are many ways to display and emphasize creativity without being artistic.
This may seem a little bit odd coming from me, as I declare myself as a creative artist. But simply because I am an artist, does not mean that I think any less of the other forms of creativity.
Music is an art. Drawing and painting are arts. But creativity is everywhere. Creativity is adding your signature at the end of a note, or decorating your living room. Your personal flair is what creates and amplifies that aspect of life. Don’t hold it back.
Creation requires creativity. If you want to create something, from something as simple as a filing system, you need creativity. Each and every person I have ever met has the potential to be creative.
Most individuals were not given the chance to show their creativity. It has been shot down, blocked and subsequently repressed. It is time to break it out. Set it free.
Anything that you add your personal touch to has been affected by your creative nature. Holding this back will leave you feeling that your input is not relevant, or not important, but it is. Each person’s personal and individual interpretation on anything is what makes it come alive.
Life is beautiful, and it is miraculous. It is creative and inventive. Life has an open mind to the imagination, and the freedom to become what you want it to be.
Beauty is a subjective thing, so your view of beauty will invariably be different from your neighbour’s or your family’s view of beauty. Creating beauty can be as simple as having affection for something that you have created. Your influence on the world around you will create beauty all on it’s own, and adding your conscious efforts into that will magnify the level and quality of the beauty that you have created.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
This may seem a little bit odd coming from me, as I declare myself as a creative artist. But simply because I am an artist, does not mean that I think any less of the other forms of creativity.
Music is an art. Drawing and painting are arts. But creativity is everywhere. Creativity is adding your signature at the end of a note, or decorating your living room. Your personal flair is what creates and amplifies that aspect of life. Don’t hold it back.
Creation requires creativity. If you want to create something, from something as simple as a filing system, you need creativity. Each and every person I have ever met has the potential to be creative.
Most individuals were not given the chance to show their creativity. It has been shot down, blocked and subsequently repressed. It is time to break it out. Set it free.
Anything that you add your personal touch to has been affected by your creative nature. Holding this back will leave you feeling that your input is not relevant, or not important, but it is. Each person’s personal and individual interpretation on anything is what makes it come alive.
Life is beautiful, and it is miraculous. It is creative and inventive. Life has an open mind to the imagination, and the freedom to become what you want it to be.
Beauty is a subjective thing, so your view of beauty will invariably be different from your neighbour’s or your family’s view of beauty. Creating beauty can be as simple as having affection for something that you have created. Your influence on the world around you will create beauty all on it’s own, and adding your conscious efforts into that will magnify the level and quality of the beauty that you have created.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
5 tips for easy relaxation
With the holidays having just passed us, and a large many people feeling the effects of stress and frustration, it’s time to share a few tips on how to relax. Stress can easily take its toll on the body, causing a deterioration of both body and mind. Fight the effects of stress with these easy tips:
What do you do to relax, either at the start, middle, or end of your day?
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
- Take a breath. A deep breath. Now exhale. Deep breathing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to convince your body to release any stress. When you breathe into you abdomen and allow the air to fill you up, you are maximizing oxygen. It is also possible to practice deep breathing anywhere and anytime.
- Give yourself five minutes to do whatever you want. Read a page in a book, wash your face, or take a quick walk around your house/neighbourhood to stretch your legs. Just as long as it’s something for yourself.
- Drink something warm and non-caffeinated and enjoy the flavour. Enjoy the warmth and relaxation of the steam as it wafts into your face as you take each sip. Drinking a warm, soothing drink forces you to take your time and enjoy what you are ingesting, and taking your time will allow you time to release your thoughts.
- Turn on your favourite song and just sit and listen to it. Remember why you like this song, and think about what memories it brings back to you. Music has the ability to impress its energy upon us, so if you are trying to relax try to choose a calmer more relaxing song instead of a more upbeat one.
- Do something physical, get your blood moving. It will release endorphins, which will relax you from the chemical side. This can be a way to release and let go of stress or anger without inflicting it onto anyone else. This works particularly well if you do it outside, as the fresh air has a rejuvenating sensation and the sunlight can assist in resetting priorities.
What do you do to relax, either at the start, middle, or end of your day?
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Random acts of kindness
What is the simplest way to brighten someone’s day, along with your own? Do something nice for a stranger. Or a friend. Or even the cashier at the grocery store or fast food restaurant that you frequent.
Complete a random act of kindness. These acts, contrary to popular belief, do not require the use of copious amounts of cash, if any. They can be as simple as helping someone carry their bag/books, opening the door for the person walking behind you, or sharing some homemade cookies/treats.
Nothing says ‘I think you’re important’ like a homemade cookie. Bring in an extra dozen and share them with your coworkers.
There isn’t much nicer to me when I’m walking through a building and someone who is going through the door stops and holds it open for me. They don’t know me, they have no real reason to do so, but they do it anyways. Random act of kindness.
To those who receive a random act of kindness, always always always say thank you! It is incredibly rude to not voice appreciation when someone does something nice for you. Whether you asked for it or not is irrelevant, spread the good cheer and thank them.Maybe you’ll even pay it forward! Spread the joy from one person to the next by passing on good deeds to those around you.
Smile at strangers.
If someone drops something, on the sidewalk, bus, road, in a car, etc, tell them. You could even pick it up and hand it to them.
Let others know when they have dirt/food/newspaper smudges/lipstick on their face/teeth, because chances are they don’t know about it!
Think of things that you would like others to do for you, and start doing them for others! Positivity starts within, and so does kindness.
Speechless
Maybe it's the weather, and maybe it's just me, but it seems like it's getting harder to express yourself. Walls are closing in and looks are given for the smallest of variances from the norm.
But what is the norm? And why can't it change?
Should those with creativity be forced to live in a world and mindset that does not permit use of their talents? Sometimes it seems like dreaming of becoming something or someone that doesn't bring in a huge salary is looked down on. Why should everything be about making lots of money? Is it so hard to believe that you can be satisfied with your life without being a millionaire?
It boggles my brain, as I find my consciousness awakening from within my own mind, that people are so distracted that they don't realize they're being herded.
Each and every person has the capability to help make the world less stressful, more satisfying and more relaxing than before.
To do so is unbelievably simple, yet unbelivably challenging at the same time. Each person, if/when they awaken to themselves, needs only to stop talking. Stop talking without thinking about what you're saying. You don't need to be in contact with hundreds of people at the same time, because doing so only perpetrates the image that you need to be in contact with people to be successful and feel content.
It's a hard fact, but you don't. To be content with your life and the people around you, you first need to be content with yourself.
This is why I am advocating and repeating and underlining the fact that you need to do things for yourself, and you need to do them consciously. Because your subconscious mind, normally, just wants to go with the flow. Well, right now the river is flowing in such a way that will not improve the quality of life for anyone.
So don't be afraid to push against the crowd, you may discover more about yourself than you ever thought possible.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
But what is the norm? And why can't it change?
Should those with creativity be forced to live in a world and mindset that does not permit use of their talents? Sometimes it seems like dreaming of becoming something or someone that doesn't bring in a huge salary is looked down on. Why should everything be about making lots of money? Is it so hard to believe that you can be satisfied with your life without being a millionaire?
It boggles my brain, as I find my consciousness awakening from within my own mind, that people are so distracted that they don't realize they're being herded.
Each and every person has the capability to help make the world less stressful, more satisfying and more relaxing than before.
To do so is unbelievably simple, yet unbelivably challenging at the same time. Each person, if/when they awaken to themselves, needs only to stop talking. Stop talking without thinking about what you're saying. You don't need to be in contact with hundreds of people at the same time, because doing so only perpetrates the image that you need to be in contact with people to be successful and feel content.
It's a hard fact, but you don't. To be content with your life and the people around you, you first need to be content with yourself.
This is why I am advocating and repeating and underlining the fact that you need to do things for yourself, and you need to do them consciously. Because your subconscious mind, normally, just wants to go with the flow. Well, right now the river is flowing in such a way that will not improve the quality of life for anyone.
So don't be afraid to push against the crowd, you may discover more about yourself than you ever thought possible.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Wednesday's Small Step: Turn the lights out!
Small steps are small steps.
Maybe you already turn the lights out when you're not in a room, or maybe you don't. Either way, even if you use CFLs or halogens, you should try to avoid using electricity or energy to power something that's not in use.
I admit, even I leave lights on sometimes when I'm not in the room, and honestly my excuse is weak. I don't like the dark, so I'll leave the hallway light on if I'm home alone or just with my daughter. It makes me feel safer, even though it really doesn't change how safe I am.
But I try to ensure that I have the least amount of lights on as possible.
Also, due to my mood disorder, I have a hard time staying awake in the morning when there's no lights on. Which may be a slightly more realistic excuse, but it's still an excuse.
What about when you're watching a movie? Do you leave the lights on, or do you let the TV bask you in the special effects and acting wonder (or horror) that is in front of you?
What are your views on having lights on when you're not in the room?
Do you give yourself excuses sometimes, like I do? Or do you just suck it up and turn it out anyways?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sidenote: great minds think alike! check out liverenewed.com 's article on shutting out your lights as well! just found it today. simple steps and small drops make big staircases conquered and buckets overflow. peace and love
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Maybe you already turn the lights out when you're not in a room, or maybe you don't. Either way, even if you use CFLs or halogens, you should try to avoid using electricity or energy to power something that's not in use.
I admit, even I leave lights on sometimes when I'm not in the room, and honestly my excuse is weak. I don't like the dark, so I'll leave the hallway light on if I'm home alone or just with my daughter. It makes me feel safer, even though it really doesn't change how safe I am.
But I try to ensure that I have the least amount of lights on as possible.
Also, due to my mood disorder, I have a hard time staying awake in the morning when there's no lights on. Which may be a slightly more realistic excuse, but it's still an excuse.
What about when you're watching a movie? Do you leave the lights on, or do you let the TV bask you in the special effects and acting wonder (or horror) that is in front of you?
What are your views on having lights on when you're not in the room?
Do you give yourself excuses sometimes, like I do? Or do you just suck it up and turn it out anyways?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sidenote: great minds think alike! check out liverenewed.com 's article on shutting out your lights as well! just found it today. simple steps and small drops make big staircases conquered and buckets overflow. peace and love
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Happy Halloween!!
Halloween to me is a day to dress up in something you wouldn't normally wear. Now, I don't take it to the degree, and dress like a hooker or anything. I'll just throw together a really off the wall outfit.
It's fun, and it doesn't cost me anything because I just use whatever I already have in unusual combinations.
My daughter this year is going as a bride. She is wearing her flower girl dress (which was white or off-white, not sure which) and my veil from when I got married in August and a bundle of pink plastic flowers I got as a Christmas gift from her two years ago.
So cute! I can't wait to post a picture of it.
What are you doing for Halloween? Do you dress up? Do you go out, or do you stay in? Tell me all your gorey secrets (pun intentional).
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
It's fun, and it doesn't cost me anything because I just use whatever I already have in unusual combinations.
My daughter this year is going as a bride. She is wearing her flower girl dress (which was white or off-white, not sure which) and my veil from when I got married in August and a bundle of pink plastic flowers I got as a Christmas gift from her two years ago.
So cute! I can't wait to post a picture of it.
What are you doing for Halloween? Do you dress up? Do you go out, or do you stay in? Tell me all your gorey secrets (pun intentional).
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Wednesday's Small Step: Smile at strangers
When you feel sad, or lonely, doesn't it always pick you up when you see someone smiles at you? It could be the guy sweeping the sidewalk downtown, or the friendly cashier at the coffee shop. Or your child when you wake them up in the mornig. But it always makes you feel that little bit better.
Can't you be that for somebody? Pay it forward, and share the happiness you feel.
It will feel so good. And it doesn't take any extra effort. Just throw a smile on your face, and watch people light up when they pass you.
Love is all you need. Love can change the world. One smile at a time.
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Quick breakfast recipe
I decided to make a real breakfast this morning, instead of the usual cereal and milk, for myself and Emily. She didn't seem thrilled, but she loves her cereal.
So I quickly browsed the index of my cookbooks, starting with the vegetarian ones since they happened to be at the front. Then I came across The Really Useful Ultimate Student Cook Book.
(Note: if you click through the Amazon link, and purchase the book, Simply Green makes a small commission. But I always recommend you look at the library, yard sales, or second hand stores for a used copy. Thank you.)
I found a super easy mushroom frittata recipe, which worked out perfectly since I just bought my first portobello mushroom yesterday!
I altered the recipe a bit, based on what I had in my kitchen, and came out with this:
Simply Mushroom Frittata
4 eggs, beaten
handful of bread crumbs (I had been saving them and letting them dry from the bottom of bread bags)
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup grated marble cheese (pre-grated from dinner last night)
2 white mushrooms, sliced into 3/4 inch chunks
1/4 portobello mushroom, sliced into 3/4 \inch chunks
oregano (you can use whatever seasonings you'd prefer)
Throw all the ingredients into a bowl and mix them together until the eggs have coated everything.
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased pan, and cook on medium-low until the first side browns.
Flip it over, cook until the second side is brown.
Serves 2 (myself and my daughter)
Absolutely delicious.
If you have some quick and easy breakfast recipes, throw them my way! I'd love to give them a try, and review and share them here!
Peace and deliciousness,
Simply Me
So I quickly browsed the index of my cookbooks, starting with the vegetarian ones since they happened to be at the front. Then I came across The Really Useful Ultimate Student Cook Book.
(Note: if you click through the Amazon link, and purchase the book, Simply Green makes a small commission. But I always recommend you look at the library, yard sales, or second hand stores for a used copy. Thank you.)
I found a super easy mushroom frittata recipe, which worked out perfectly since I just bought my first portobello mushroom yesterday!
I altered the recipe a bit, based on what I had in my kitchen, and came out with this:
Simply Mushroom Frittata
4 eggs, beaten
handful of bread crumbs (I had been saving them and letting them dry from the bottom of bread bags)
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup grated marble cheese (pre-grated from dinner last night)
2 white mushrooms, sliced into 3/4 inch chunks
1/4 portobello mushroom, sliced into 3/4 \inch chunks
oregano (you can use whatever seasonings you'd prefer)
Throw all the ingredients into a bowl and mix them together until the eggs have coated everything.
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased pan, and cook on medium-low until the first side browns.
Flip it over, cook until the second side is brown.
Serves 2 (myself and my daughter)
Absolutely delicious.
If you have some quick and easy breakfast recipes, throw them my way! I'd love to give them a try, and review and share them here!
Peace and deliciousness,
Simply Me
Wednesday's Small Steps: Buy one thing per grocery trip organic or local
One small step towards sustainability, sometimes they are very small.
This week, our small step is:
When you go to the grocery store, buy one thing that is either local or organic instead of the regular one you usually get. That doesn't mean just to grab something that is organic/local that you normally wouldn't get. It means to replace something that you buy regularly with an organic or local counterpart.
This week, after I had already bought my butter, I found organic butter. Next time I need some, I'm getting that. I also have replaced regular peanut butter with the organic version (actually tastes better!) and strawberry jam, until I learn to make my own, has been replaced with organic as well. Just this past shopping trip, I got organic yogurt, since I haven't gotten around to making my own (I only just got a thermometer, throw me a bone!)
Give it a try, help your local agriculture and economy, and improve your health too!
Let me know what you try to replace, and keep me posted. Maybe you'll find something that I don't know of yet, or maybe you can learn from the other comments!
Health and vitality,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
This week, our small step is:
When you go to the grocery store, buy one thing that is either local or organic instead of the regular one you usually get. That doesn't mean just to grab something that is organic/local that you normally wouldn't get. It means to replace something that you buy regularly with an organic or local counterpart.
This week, after I had already bought my butter, I found organic butter. Next time I need some, I'm getting that. I also have replaced regular peanut butter with the organic version (actually tastes better!) and strawberry jam, until I learn to make my own, has been replaced with organic as well. Just this past shopping trip, I got organic yogurt, since I haven't gotten around to making my own (I only just got a thermometer, throw me a bone!)
 |
| My jam-y goodness! So tasty |
Give it a try, help your local agriculture and economy, and improve your health too!
Let me know what you try to replace, and keep me posted. Maybe you'll find something that I don't know of yet, or maybe you can learn from the other comments!
Health and vitality,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
Personal health tips to avoid the flu
With flu season beginning to bear it's ugly head, and myself just getting over a nasty cold, I figured I would share my thoughts on germophobia.
Keep in mind, these are my personal views, and if you don't like them, that's fine.
1. Hand sanitizer is a waste of money. It's cold, feels gross on your hands, makes you smell like a booze-hound, and is overall bad for you immune system.
Why? Because your body needs to maintain a certain number of bacteria to balance it's own system, and to keep your immune system in check. Using hand sanitizer just kills off all the bacteria, making your system start fresh. With consistent use, it also tells your body that it doesn't need to create those anti-bacterical systems, and lowers your own personal immune system. Just wash your hands regularly with plain soap (not that antibacterial junk).
2. Keep warm. I know, technically you don't get sick by being cold. But it certainly doesn't make you feel any better! Throw on an extra layer, and your body will thank you. Plus, you'll exert less energy shaking/shivering, and won't lose hydration so quickly.
3. Drink your liquids!!! This has to be the worst thing that people don't do when they're feeling ill. They stop drinking. Worst thing. Ever. Keeping yourself hydrated will make your body continuously flush out all the nasty crap in your system, keeps the good bacteria where they are, and keeps your kidneys and other organs happy. So just drink something.
4. Get your rest where you can. If your body isn't rested, it can't fight off bacteria or other infections. Try to squeeze in at least 7 hours a night, preferably undisturbed. If you're having trouble sleeping, try avoiding caffeine and sugar after 7pm (or approximately 2-3 hours before you're heading to bed) and don't drink too much before bed.
These are just the basics, the commandments, that I follow pretty much year round. Just remember, if you treat your body well, it's more likely to treat you well in return. Give it what it needs, and it will work harder for you.
Peace and health,
Simply Me
Keep in mind, these are my personal views, and if you don't like them, that's fine.
1. Hand sanitizer is a waste of money. It's cold, feels gross on your hands, makes you smell like a booze-hound, and is overall bad for you immune system.
Why? Because your body needs to maintain a certain number of bacteria to balance it's own system, and to keep your immune system in check. Using hand sanitizer just kills off all the bacteria, making your system start fresh. With consistent use, it also tells your body that it doesn't need to create those anti-bacterical systems, and lowers your own personal immune system. Just wash your hands regularly with plain soap (not that antibacterial junk).
2. Keep warm. I know, technically you don't get sick by being cold. But it certainly doesn't make you feel any better! Throw on an extra layer, and your body will thank you. Plus, you'll exert less energy shaking/shivering, and won't lose hydration so quickly.
3. Drink your liquids!!! This has to be the worst thing that people don't do when they're feeling ill. They stop drinking. Worst thing. Ever. Keeping yourself hydrated will make your body continuously flush out all the nasty crap in your system, keeps the good bacteria where they are, and keeps your kidneys and other organs happy. So just drink something.
4. Get your rest where you can. If your body isn't rested, it can't fight off bacteria or other infections. Try to squeeze in at least 7 hours a night, preferably undisturbed. If you're having trouble sleeping, try avoiding caffeine and sugar after 7pm (or approximately 2-3 hours before you're heading to bed) and don't drink too much before bed.
These are just the basics, the commandments, that I follow pretty much year round. Just remember, if you treat your body well, it's more likely to treat you well in return. Give it what it needs, and it will work harder for you.
Peace and health,
Simply Me
7 different ways to use salt
So, like I said, I love finding fun new information on the internet.
Found on AboutMyPlanet.com, a list of new ways to use salt. Regular table salt.
Check out the full list here.
I love that these tips and ideas are actually practical, and use an everyday household item.
Let me know if you have tried any of these, and how they work! I am interested in seeing different peoples opinions of these uses.
Lots of love,
Simply Me
Found on AboutMyPlanet.com, a list of new ways to use salt. Regular table salt.
Fantastic!
Check out the full list here.
I love that these tips and ideas are actually practical, and use an everyday household item.
Let me know if you have tried any of these, and how they work! I am interested in seeing different peoples opinions of these uses.
Lots of love,
Simply Me
Wednesday's small steps: Online petitions
I love taking small steps, and some easy ones are signing petitions. Not only is it one more name for the cause you sign, it also helps to reassure you that you aren't the only one who wants these things.
My favourite petition sites are:
Care2
Credo Action
Avaaz
So far that's it. Every now and then they send me e-mail notices of new petitions, and you can do searches for whatever subject you'd like to sign on.
Small steps, can have big effects.
Here are the petitions I've signed so far today:
Stop CNN from parroting FOX News' propaganda
Stop stoning, save Sakineh!
Protect Against New Drilling
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
My favourite petition sites are:
Care2
Credo Action
Avaaz
So far that's it. Every now and then they send me e-mail notices of new petitions, and you can do searches for whatever subject you'd like to sign on.
Small steps, can have big effects.
Here are the petitions I've signed so far today:
Stop CNN from parroting FOX News' propaganda
Stop stoning, save Sakineh!
Protect Against New Drilling
Peace and serenity,
Simply Me
Enjoy the Small Steps series? Let me know what you think below.
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