Poor Posture? Achy Back or Legs?

When I was reading about women’s health this summer, I came across some information about posture. Like so many women, I can sit for long hours at a desk in front of a computer – doing office work, blogging (a little lax lately :)), researching family. But these activities can lead to a poor posture. Posture is something I wish to keep in good order. Here are two things I’m now using and really seeing the benefits of.

The roll I use on the chair at my personal computer. It provides excellent support for the curvature of my lower back  – to keep my frame straight. It  just feels good. The foot rest I use at my office computer as my legs don’t reach the floor. It supports my feet and  prevents back and leg discomfort! I find it far more comfortable than putting my feet on a box. Since using the footrest my legs don’t ache sitting at my desk.

Maybe one of these will bring you comfort and keep your posture healthy.

I’ve attached this link to an article about posture. Have a comfortable day.

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Nutrition, Health, and Lifestyle: Issues and Insights Course

This is a great  FREE online course – starting the 20th of January 2014. I took it previously and am still benefiting from it. Thought some of you might like it.  It’s USA based, it’s very good information.

Click here for details. http://www.coursera.org/course/lifenutr

If you’re not interested in this course you might find another at www.coursera.org.

Have a wonderful week. Linda

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Juggling Life

Today I was reading motivational notes that I wrote down a long time ago. I came across this bit of wisdom.  Maybe you’ll like it as much as I do.

Life is a game in which you are juggling 5 balls in the air. Name them work; family; health; friends; and spirit. Work is a rubber ball, you drop it and it bounces back. The other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. You drop one of these and they will be scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. (Paraphrased –  Brian Dyson CEO of Coca Cola Enterprise)

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Glitter

‘Our minds are like crows. They pick up everything that glitters, no matter how uncomfortable our nests get with all that metal in them’. Thomas Merton

I really like this quote by Thomas Merton. It reminds me that it is so important to protect my mind from things that, at first glance, look like glitter.  You know, the things that society tells us we need on billboards, magazine covers, commercials,  and the like.  Gossip can also look pretty sparkly.  I try to keep my mind clean so I can think clearly; live in the present moment; and observe a real need. Let’s get better at saying no to clutter in our minds. Have a wonderful day. Linda

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Manage Your Daily Exercise

Ladies, do you find it hard to fit in a daily exercise routine? Exercise is  a gift to yourself, so don’t let it go by the wayside.  I find that if I give myself permission to exercise for 30 minutes (rather than an hour) that  it’s easier to include exercise in my day.  I rotate between an elliptical workout, a weight DVD and a Pilates or Yoga DVD.  In the summer I like to walk daily, so I eliminate the elliptical.  Here are 3  resources that I use.

If you are able to tack on a little extra Yoga daily (even just 10 minutes), then do so. Yoga has many benefits and one is stress management. I hope this post encourages you to exercise if you’re not already.  Stay healthy. Linda

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Dehydrated Apples

Today I spent some time chopping apples to dehydrate.This is one way we use the apples from our apple tree.  This year we have abundance.  I use the dehydrated apples mostly in baking and Gerry, my husband, adds them to oatmeal cereal as its cooking. We use them in homemade snack mix which includes things like nuts; dried cranberries; and chocolate chips.

To dehydrate the apples,  I chop them in uniform pieces; mist with lemon juice; place in a single layer on the drying rack; turn on the machine; occasionally rotate the racks; and leave them for a day or two.When they seem to be like chewy leather, I turn the machine off and leave them for another couple days.

Afterward,  I put them in paper bags and put the paper bags into a glass jar. Why not give this a try.  Enjoy!

Additional instructions for dehydrating can be found  on the internet and at your local library.  Overall, it isn’t complicated.  I started a few years ago when I had an abundance of apples.  I found one dehydrator on Freecyle for free and the other I picked up for 5.00 at a thrift store.  I keep track of things I dehydrate in a note book. If you dry something too much – no worries,  just mist with a little water.

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