Here's a great article I read at humanevents.com :
Downsizing for Dollars:
How to make money on your unwanted stuff
Over the years, my husband and I have acquired a house and garage full of stuff, and would like to start downsizing before we get too old. To do this we would like to sell off what we can. So my question is what is the best way to get the most money for our possessions? —Retired Packrats
Dear Packrats,Selling off old items that you don't want or need anymore is a great way to downsize, de-clutter and pad your pocketbook. Here are some top options to help you pedal your stuff.
Online Selling
If you have the time and access to the Internet, the best way to get top dollar for your old unwanted possessions is to sell them on the World Wide Web. Online selling provides literally millions of potential customers, so your odds of getting more money for your stuff is much greater than you'd get at a garage sale or through a consignment store. While there are lots of sites that will help you sell your stuff, the two biggies who draw the most visitors are Craigslist and eBay.
Craigslist
If you're not familiar with Craigslist, it's a huge classified ads site that serves more than 550 cities and attracts some 50 million visitors each month, and it's free to use. It works just like putting an ad in your local newspaper. You list the item you want to sell including a brief description (pictures too) for the price you want. Interested buyers will then contact you directly via e-mail, and the rest is up to you. Larger items that are difficult to ship sell well on Craigslist like furniture, appliances, exercise equipment and even vehicles.
eBay
With around 85 million active members, eBay is by far the biggest selling site on the Web. Almost anything can be sold on eBay. The downside however is their fees which cut into your profits. EBay charges a non-refundable listing fee between 10 cents and $4 per item, depending on the asking price. And if it sells, a closing fee of 8.75 percent of the sale price up to $25, with declining percentage paid on larger sells.
EBay can also help if you don't have the time, or don't want to do the selling yourself. Just go to ebay selling assistant where you can find a trading assistant in your area who will do everything for you. They typically charge between 15 and 40 percent of the selling price.
Another large selling site you should check out is Amazon (it charges sales fees too) which is great for selling old books, CDs and DVDs. Also see Gazelle, a green company that buys old cell phones, computers and other electronic gadgets to recycle them.
Easy To Use
If you have concerns about learning how to maneuver these selling sites, you'll be happy to know that they are all pretty user-friendly and offer step-by-step instructions. Once you sell a few items you'll feel like an old pro. You also need to know that if you're planning to sell a lot of items, a digital camera is a must. Pictures are essential to selling on the Web, and a digital camera makes it easy to transfer your photographs to your computer so they can be uploaded to the sales site.
Price Setting
When it comes to figuring out how much to charge for your stuff, you can get a ballpark idea by doing a search for items that are similar to yours on the sales site you're planning to use. If however, you suspect you have a rare or extremely valuable item, you should get it appraised. Check with a local auction house to see if it offers free appraisals. If not, for a fee you can hire a professional appraiser or call a reputable dealer to assess your possessions.
Other Options
If online selling doesn't appeal to you, have a garage sale check out yard sale queen, or see what your nearby consignment store will sale for you. While neither of these options will make you as much money as the Web, they're still great ways to get rid of old stuff and make a few bucks in the process. And the stuff that doesn't sell can always be donated to a charity for a tax deduction.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Earth Friendly Baking Soda Tips
Here are some great tips on a very inexpensive earth friendly product.
Special note: always spot test any home concoctions first before going all out. That doesn't just apply to baking soda, but any tips.
Kitchen
- A bowl of baking soda in your fridge will help remove excess moisture and absorb odors.
- Sprinkle some in your veggies crisper and cover with a cloth or paper towel for crisper veggies that last longer.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for cleaning out your refrigerator and bench tops without scratching.
- Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains, plus your oven will microwave will smell fresher too.
- Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of rubbish bags will help to control odors as you add trash.
- To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.
- Baking soda can be thrown on stove fires to extinguish the flames. The carbon dioxide generated when the powder burns starves the fire of oxygen.
- Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.
On a somewhat related note, here's something interesting I came across. Baking soda is sometimes used when boiling vegetables to preserve their color. That practice is not recommended as it destroys the vitamin C content of vegetables.
General Home
- Anywhere that moisture is a problem, such as cupboards under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity. You'll need to occasionally stir the powder for maximum effective life.
- Crayon or marks on walls? Try applying baking soda/water paste on an old toothbrush and lightly brush the affected area.
- Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.
- Sprinkle some baking soda into your vacuum bag to help reduce musty/pet smells being spread throughout your house when vacuuming.
- Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorizing treatment. Most carpet powders you buy are baking soda based! Just a brief note on this - not recommended for areas that are very humid as the baking soda may stay in the carpet.
- Mops can really stink out areas where they are stored. If your mop is getting on the nose, don't throw it out, try soaking it in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda and a gallon of water for a while.
- Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn't be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.
Plumbing
- As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.
Garden
- Baking soda can deter ants - pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won't cross it.
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of (earth friendly) dish detergent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.
Laundry
- Work a baking soda and water paste onto stains prior to washing to help remove them from the fabric
- Half a cup of baking soda added to a full load of washing will help brighten your wash and remove odors.
Workshop/Auto
- Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply with a pot scourer to remove light rusting
- A baking-soda/water paste applied to chrome surfaces, allowed to dry then buffed off will leave chrome shining!
- Baking soda applied to fresh grease and oil spills on your garage floor will draw away the oil, which can then be scraped off.
Pets
- Baking soda lightly sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odor.
- Eliminate odor after you've cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda; allow to dry and then vacuum.
Personal
- Whoofy shoes getting you down? Get a couple of old socks, fill up the toe sections with baking soda, place into the offending shoes and leave overnight to help remove odors.
- A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.
- A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as mouthwash.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste
Miscellaneous
- To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.
- Sprinkle your Christmas tree with baking soda to mimic snow - a much more environmentally friendly alternative to some of those chemical snow sprays!
With so many uses you'll likely use a lot and buying baking soda in small boxes probably won't be too economical. Have a chat to your local baker who may be able to supply you with larger quantities or try contacting a bakery supplies company as some sell direct to the public.
You can also save money on baking soda by re-using it. For example, once it has served its purpose as a fridge deodorizer you can put it down your sink to help keep your drains clear.
That's quite a list of baking soda tips - it's such a versatile substance and certainly a greener way to get many jobs around the house done. This list is by no means exhaustive and I'm sure I've missed a bundle of ideas and applications! Please add your own tips below!
Celeste Peterson
Special note: always spot test any home concoctions first before going all out. That doesn't just apply to baking soda, but any tips.
Kitchen
- A bowl of baking soda in your fridge will help remove excess moisture and absorb odors.
- Sprinkle some in your veggies crisper and cover with a cloth or paper towel for crisper veggies that last longer.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for cleaning out your refrigerator and bench tops without scratching.
- Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains, plus your oven will microwave will smell fresher too.
- Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of rubbish bags will help to control odors as you add trash.
- To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.
- Baking soda can be thrown on stove fires to extinguish the flames. The carbon dioxide generated when the powder burns starves the fire of oxygen.
- Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.
On a somewhat related note, here's something interesting I came across. Baking soda is sometimes used when boiling vegetables to preserve their color. That practice is not recommended as it destroys the vitamin C content of vegetables.
General Home
- Anywhere that moisture is a problem, such as cupboards under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity. You'll need to occasionally stir the powder for maximum effective life.
- Crayon or marks on walls? Try applying baking soda/water paste on an old toothbrush and lightly brush the affected area.
- Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.
- Sprinkle some baking soda into your vacuum bag to help reduce musty/pet smells being spread throughout your house when vacuuming.
- Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorizing treatment. Most carpet powders you buy are baking soda based! Just a brief note on this - not recommended for areas that are very humid as the baking soda may stay in the carpet.
- Mops can really stink out areas where they are stored. If your mop is getting on the nose, don't throw it out, try soaking it in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda and a gallon of water for a while.
- Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn't be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.
Plumbing
- As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.
Garden
- Baking soda can deter ants - pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won't cross it.
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of (earth friendly) dish detergent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.
Laundry
- Work a baking soda and water paste onto stains prior to washing to help remove them from the fabric
- Half a cup of baking soda added to a full load of washing will help brighten your wash and remove odors.
Workshop/Auto
- Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply with a pot scourer to remove light rusting
- A baking-soda/water paste applied to chrome surfaces, allowed to dry then buffed off will leave chrome shining!
- Baking soda applied to fresh grease and oil spills on your garage floor will draw away the oil, which can then be scraped off.
Pets
- Baking soda lightly sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odor.
- Eliminate odor after you've cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda; allow to dry and then vacuum.
Personal
- Whoofy shoes getting you down? Get a couple of old socks, fill up the toe sections with baking soda, place into the offending shoes and leave overnight to help remove odors.
- A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.
- A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as mouthwash.
- Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste
Miscellaneous
- To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.
- Sprinkle your Christmas tree with baking soda to mimic snow - a much more environmentally friendly alternative to some of those chemical snow sprays!
With so many uses you'll likely use a lot and buying baking soda in small boxes probably won't be too economical. Have a chat to your local baker who may be able to supply you with larger quantities or try contacting a bakery supplies company as some sell direct to the public.
You can also save money on baking soda by re-using it. For example, once it has served its purpose as a fridge deodorizer you can put it down your sink to help keep your drains clear.
That's quite a list of baking soda tips - it's such a versatile substance and certainly a greener way to get many jobs around the house done. This list is by no means exhaustive and I'm sure I've missed a bundle of ideas and applications! Please add your own tips below!
Celeste Peterson
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Time for Another Tea Party
Here's a good article by Chuck Norris on our Federal taxes:
Time for TEA and a Fair Tax
Teatime, anyone? I hope you've joined one of the thousands of TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties or FairTax rallies, which are happening across the country April 15 to protest outrageous government spending, the deepening of our national debt, and the subsequent taxes. This is a nonpartisan time to rally around like-minded citizens and declare that we're tired of the same old political rhetoric and that we want a better way.
I personally encourage all people to voice to their representatives that we need to return to a taxation system similar to the one established by our Founding Fathers. They did not penalize productivity through taxes the way we do today. They had no Internal Revenue Service. They believed in minimal taxation. They did not pay income taxes, which were prohibited by the Constitution. They did not pay export taxes, which also were prohibited by the Constitution. But they did tax imports. The Founders believed in free trade within our own borders and a system of tariffs on imported goods.
That's a system that makes sense to me. It is a system designed to preserve individual liberty and encourage productivity (through no income taxes and no discouragement of domestic production through export taxes) while choosing to keep taxes as painless as possible (through taxes on foreign imports). And it doesn't require an IRS to run it.
The Founders would have been horrified at the bloated federal bureaucracy we have now and the maze of taxes we have to navigate: income taxes, employment taxes, capital gains taxes, estate taxes, corporate taxes, property taxes, Social Security taxes, gas taxes, etc. It was excessive taxation like this that drove the Founders to rebel in the first place.
All of the Founders were opposed to domestic taxes. They regarded high taxes and aggressive tax collectors as tyrannical and always to be guarded against. Patrick Henry warned: "Excisemen may come in multitudes, for the limitation of their numbers no man knows. They may, unless the general government be restrained by a bill of rights or some similar restriction, go into your cellars and rooms and search, ransack and measure everything you eat, drink and wear." (A prophetic statement?)
The IRS wasn't started until nearly 100 years after the Revolutionary War, in 1862 as the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Its creation coincided with the creation of the income tax, which it was designed to collect. Both were the work of President Abraham Lincoln and Congress, who saw them as necessary to pay for Civil War expenses.
It is interesting to note, however, that the income tax law expired 10 years later, was revived in 1894, and then was ruled by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional in 1895. Yet in 1913, it became law through the 16th Amendment. Ever since then, the income tax has deprived families of their rightful earnings, restricted our liberties, and deprived our economy of money that could have been invested in productive enterprises.
Today the IRS is the No. 1 enemy of your pocketbook. Who doesn't fear an IRS audit? It's the only federal agency that considers you guilty until proven innocent. It can't be overhauled or even reformed (Congress' attempts have failed).
The best answer is to abolish the IRS, sweep away the present tax code, and implement FairTax's plan, which lives up to its name. As Mike Huckabee says, "Wouldn't it be nice if April 15 were just another sunny spring day?" (Mike himself will be hosting a FairTax rally in Columbia, S.C.)
FairTax's plan would do away with all taxes and would put in their place a single consumptive (fair) tax, which right now is the closest practical proposal to the taxation system favored by the Founders. With the fair tax, the harder you worked and the more money you made the better off you and our economy would be. You would pay taxes only when you bought something, which means that you could control how much you'd be taxed and that you never would be penalized for working hard.
It's time we had a system through which people didn't have to figure out ways to cheat in order to save their money. Again, as Huckabee says: "The fair tax is a completely transparent tax system. It doesn't increase taxes. It's revenue-neutral. But here's what it will do: It will bring business back to the United States that is leaving our shores because our tax laws make it impossible for an American-based business to compete. … The fair tax was designed by economists from Harvard and Stanford and some of the leading think tanks across the country."
There are also trillions of dollars hiding in offshore accounts. With the fair tax, the people with their money offshore could bring it back to invest here, which would give a huge boost to our economy. It's the biggest stimulation package there is. As the FairTax Web site says, "Think of it as the World's Biggest Economic Jumper Cables."
If the Founding Fathers were here today, I believe they would support the fair tax. As James Madison said, "Taxes on consumption are always least burdensome because they are least felt and are borne, too, by those who are both willing and able to pay them; that of all taxes on consumption, those on foreign commerce are most compatible with the genius and policy of free states."
We don't need more tax reform. We need a tax revolution! And FairTax's plan would provide it. If we all jumped on the bandwagon and demanded our representatives implement such a taxation system, we could restore our nation economically and make the financially impossible become possible again.
Friends, we must keep fighting. Join your nearest TEA party or FairTax rally, and bring your cell phone, too, so that you can call Congress and the president to share why you've gathered together. (The phone number for representatives and senators is 202-224-3121, and the president's is 202-456-1414.)
If you haven't found the nearest location for a TEA party or FairTax rally, go to http://www.TeaPartyDay.com or http://www.FairTax.org. Invite your friends, too. And don't forget to bring copies of this article or another one that explains the fair tax so others can be educated, as well. Why wait? Forward it now to everyone you know, and let's get the party rolling!
Time for TEA and a Fair Tax
Teatime, anyone? I hope you've joined one of the thousands of TEA (Taxed Enough Already) parties or FairTax rallies, which are happening across the country April 15 to protest outrageous government spending, the deepening of our national debt, and the subsequent taxes. This is a nonpartisan time to rally around like-minded citizens and declare that we're tired of the same old political rhetoric and that we want a better way.
I personally encourage all people to voice to their representatives that we need to return to a taxation system similar to the one established by our Founding Fathers. They did not penalize productivity through taxes the way we do today. They had no Internal Revenue Service. They believed in minimal taxation. They did not pay income taxes, which were prohibited by the Constitution. They did not pay export taxes, which also were prohibited by the Constitution. But they did tax imports. The Founders believed in free trade within our own borders and a system of tariffs on imported goods.
That's a system that makes sense to me. It is a system designed to preserve individual liberty and encourage productivity (through no income taxes and no discouragement of domestic production through export taxes) while choosing to keep taxes as painless as possible (through taxes on foreign imports). And it doesn't require an IRS to run it.
The Founders would have been horrified at the bloated federal bureaucracy we have now and the maze of taxes we have to navigate: income taxes, employment taxes, capital gains taxes, estate taxes, corporate taxes, property taxes, Social Security taxes, gas taxes, etc. It was excessive taxation like this that drove the Founders to rebel in the first place.
All of the Founders were opposed to domestic taxes. They regarded high taxes and aggressive tax collectors as tyrannical and always to be guarded against. Patrick Henry warned: "Excisemen may come in multitudes, for the limitation of their numbers no man knows. They may, unless the general government be restrained by a bill of rights or some similar restriction, go into your cellars and rooms and search, ransack and measure everything you eat, drink and wear." (A prophetic statement?)
The IRS wasn't started until nearly 100 years after the Revolutionary War, in 1862 as the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Its creation coincided with the creation of the income tax, which it was designed to collect. Both were the work of President Abraham Lincoln and Congress, who saw them as necessary to pay for Civil War expenses.
It is interesting to note, however, that the income tax law expired 10 years later, was revived in 1894, and then was ruled by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional in 1895. Yet in 1913, it became law through the 16th Amendment. Ever since then, the income tax has deprived families of their rightful earnings, restricted our liberties, and deprived our economy of money that could have been invested in productive enterprises.
Today the IRS is the No. 1 enemy of your pocketbook. Who doesn't fear an IRS audit? It's the only federal agency that considers you guilty until proven innocent. It can't be overhauled or even reformed (Congress' attempts have failed).
The best answer is to abolish the IRS, sweep away the present tax code, and implement FairTax's plan, which lives up to its name. As Mike Huckabee says, "Wouldn't it be nice if April 15 were just another sunny spring day?" (Mike himself will be hosting a FairTax rally in Columbia, S.C.)
FairTax's plan would do away with all taxes and would put in their place a single consumptive (fair) tax, which right now is the closest practical proposal to the taxation system favored by the Founders. With the fair tax, the harder you worked and the more money you made the better off you and our economy would be. You would pay taxes only when you bought something, which means that you could control how much you'd be taxed and that you never would be penalized for working hard.
It's time we had a system through which people didn't have to figure out ways to cheat in order to save their money. Again, as Huckabee says: "The fair tax is a completely transparent tax system. It doesn't increase taxes. It's revenue-neutral. But here's what it will do: It will bring business back to the United States that is leaving our shores because our tax laws make it impossible for an American-based business to compete. … The fair tax was designed by economists from Harvard and Stanford and some of the leading think tanks across the country."
There are also trillions of dollars hiding in offshore accounts. With the fair tax, the people with their money offshore could bring it back to invest here, which would give a huge boost to our economy. It's the biggest stimulation package there is. As the FairTax Web site says, "Think of it as the World's Biggest Economic Jumper Cables."
If the Founding Fathers were here today, I believe they would support the fair tax. As James Madison said, "Taxes on consumption are always least burdensome because they are least felt and are borne, too, by those who are both willing and able to pay them; that of all taxes on consumption, those on foreign commerce are most compatible with the genius and policy of free states."
We don't need more tax reform. We need a tax revolution! And FairTax's plan would provide it. If we all jumped on the bandwagon and demanded our representatives implement such a taxation system, we could restore our nation economically and make the financially impossible become possible again.
Friends, we must keep fighting. Join your nearest TEA party or FairTax rally, and bring your cell phone, too, so that you can call Congress and the president to share why you've gathered together. (The phone number for representatives and senators is 202-224-3121, and the president's is 202-456-1414.)
If you haven't found the nearest location for a TEA party or FairTax rally, go to http://www.TeaPartyDay.com or http://www.FairTax.org. Invite your friends, too. And don't forget to bring copies of this article or another one that explains the fair tax so others can be educated, as well. Why wait? Forward it now to everyone you know, and let's get the party rolling!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Perception Quiz
Here's a quick perception quiz from Cambridge University:
Olny srmat poelpe can ra ed this. I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I wasrdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to arscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what oredrthe ltteers in a word are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the first and last ltteer be in the rgh it pclae. The rset can be ataotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?! Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! If you can raed th is psas it on!
Cletese Ptesoren
Olny srmat poelpe can ra ed this. I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I wasrdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to arscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what oredrthe ltteers in a word are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the first and last ltteer be in the rgh it pclae. The rset can be ataotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?! Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! If you can raed th is psas it on!
Cletese Ptesoren
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Future is Today
This little presentation is humorous on the surface, but the reality is closer than you think.
Watch Here>>: http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf
Think of your medical records being online and compare that with the security breaches we've had with credit cards. Want your medical records to go public?
This is not good.
Watch Here>>: http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf
Think of your medical records being online and compare that with the security breaches we've had with credit cards. Want your medical records to go public?
This is not good.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
"Obituary" for Common Sense
"Obituary" from the London Times, December 2007:
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. Hewill be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend morethan you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to getparental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar inyour own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now,Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. Hewill be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend morethan you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to getparental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar inyour own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now,Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Fix Your Diet in '09
Well, now that we're into 2009, how are those healthy diet resolutions going? I didn't make any big resolutions to start on January 1st, but I have made small changes to work into my daily routine. The ones that work, I'll keep, and the ones that don't...well...they'll go by the wayside.
I read a great article in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel which I'm passing on to you:
10 Ways To Fix Your Diet In '09
By Betsy Klein Tribune Media Services
This year is all about change. As a dietitian, one change I am thrilled about is that there appear to be no fad diets on the horizon, and the old ones (e.g., the low-carb craze) seem to be vanishing into old year.Consumers are becoming more interested in what they eat, but their concern goes far beyond watching their waistlines. We're more conscious of the deeper health benefits of certain foods, as well as the environmental impact of our diets. Balanced meals, antioxidants and the overall lifestyle change are front and center. It's about time.So how can you resolve to eat better this year? So glad you asked.
1. Think and eat green (and I'm not talking about veggies — yet).
Going green has become a trend in the last decade. Driving a hybrid or buying organic is no longer an eccentricity but rather something most of us aspire to do. Eating green means eating foods that are environmentally sustainable, and that means, where possible, locally grown.Eighteen percent of greenhouse gas emissions are from livestock alone — that's more than transportation. Most foods travel thousands of miles before they appear in your local market. The message: eat less meat, hit your local farmers markets, stay informed and ask questions.
2. Court the exotic and ethnic.All over the United States, ethnic cuisine is going mainstream, whether it's Latin American or Mediterranean or Indian or Asian. This trend is not just good for the palate, but it has health benefits as well.We're no stranger to the heart healthy benefits of the olive oil consumed in Mediterranean diets. Indian diets include more vegetables and less meat than the traditional Western diet. And South American grains (quinoa, for example) hold very respectable amounts of fiber and other vitamins and minerals.I recommend you try one new ethnic food a month to broaden your palate and maybe improve your health. You may surprise yourself and add new foods to your repertoire.
3. Say no to extremes and yes to a healthy lifestyle.We have come to realize that extreme diets don't work. Giving up food groups has proven not so effective. They're hard to maintain, and deprivation eventually leads to overeating and guilt. Sound familiar?What does work is making small changes. Identify one change every week or even every month, and commit yourself diligently to make it.For example, if you're not eating breakfast now, start by having a small bowl of a high-fiber cereal with nonfat milk. Or if you notice little fruit in your diet, add it as a snack between lunch and dinner.Make a list of 10 changes, and add them one by one to your routine until they become habitual. They may seem insignificant, but over time your body will show the benefits. And the best part is that you'll be making a lifestyle change, not sacrificing your life for the sake of a cookie.
4. Think foods with a function.Functional foods, or food components, are those that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Examples are the live and active cultures (good bacteria) in yogurt, the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed, and the exceptional amount of soluble fiber in oats.Thanks to consumer interest in the connection between diet and health, functional foods are booming. But not all functional foods are healthful.All manner of fortified junk food is lurking in the grocery aisles. Just because a chocolate chip cookie is labeled as "fortified with fiber" doesn't give you the green light to chow down. Read labels.That cookie is most likely laden with sugar and fat. Nature's functional foods (i.e. fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds) are still superior — and they don't come with a label.
5. Tea it up.Green, black or white — whatever your pleasure. Tea shops are becoming almost as common as coffee shops. Tea is considered a super food of our generation.We may have all heard that tea is full of antioxidants, but it has also been linked to heart health, cancer protection and improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.It's also calorie free and considered part of our daily fluid requirements. Next time you pass the teahouse (that you no doubt pass by at least once a week), pop in and sample a few. Maybe you can swap your afternoon java for a cup of antioxidant-laden tea.
6. Commit to be fit.Just get moving. Dance, join a gym, take an aerobics or martial arts class, get involved in team sports, walk, jog, ride a bike, go swimming, do yoga or get a trainer. Get the point? Pick something and commit to it.
7. Spice up your year.Herbs and spices have a lot more to offer than just flavor. They are full of phytochemicals, and researchers believe they may help control or prevent diseases.The U.S. Department of Agriculture rated oregano at the top of the list for its antibacterial properties. Cinnamon may help diabetics lower their blood sugar.Turmeric may slow the progression of Alzheimer's. And cumin is believed to have cancer-fighting properties (and, as a bonus, it just might keep you away from the saltshaker).Next time you're grilling a simple chicken breast, add a spice of your choice to jazz it up.
8. Eat a rainbow of color.When I was growing up, my parents told me I needed to eat my greens. As a soon-to-be parent, I'll be preaching for my kids to eat all the colors in a Crayola box.We now know that vegetables of all colors provide an array of phytochemicals (plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventative properties), antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. And what one has, the other may not.Tomatoes house lycopene, carrots and pumpkin contain beta-carotene, and the antioxidant glutathione is found in asparagus. For maximum protection, we need it all.Add veggies to your morning omelet, pack them on your sandwich at lunch, and dip a carrot in your hummus for a mid-afternoon snack. Variety really is the spice of life.
9. Eat at home — and I don't mean takeout.If you're not cooking at home now (or if you are only sometimes), add one day or additional day to your dinner schedule.Cooking at home puts you in control. You determine the ingredients and how much to use, as well as your portion sizes.Eating at home is one of the best ways to lose or maintain weight and eat healthfully. The 24 hours in a day give you plenty of time to organize a home-cooked meal (so I don't want to hear that there's no time).Aside from the nutritional aspect — it's much more cost effective. And with this economy, who doesn't want to save a buck?
10. Indulge.We've already learned that deprivation leads to overindulging. So treat yourself.You're not on a diet. I encourage my clients to live by the 90/10 rule, meaning: 90 percent of the time eat healthfully and exercise; 10 percent of the time indulge. There are 21 meals a week (three meals per day, not including snacks); 10 percent of that is two meals. So, two meals a week are yours to eat as you wish, be it in two dinners, or one breakfast and one dinner.There you have it. These resolutions are a far cry from what we've heard in the last decade or so, but then look where the old-style diet resolutions got us (obesity, co-morbidities and so on). Change is happening in the ways we think about nutrition, and change is exactly what we need.
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Couldn't have said it better myself.
Til next time...
Celeste
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