Monday, January 31, 2011

It's snowing again!

It's snowing again here in Minnesota.  What was once brown ugly snow is now white again.  It wasn't enough to stop us in our tracks, but enough to be a bit annoying when went out for a drive.
I showed up at the bank today and the lady asked if I fell down.  I was covered in snow from brushing off my truck.
This snow makes life tempting as I would love to go out and play in it.  We only get 4 months a year of snow, if we get any at all, and then it's back to summer.  I enjoy summer but it can get a bit hot and humid around here.  When it gets hot we live in the fake cool air that we tried to get away from in the winter.  It doesn't make much sense to me.  Why do I live in a cold house year-round???
Many times I step out onto the deck and enjoy the heat of the summer.  The heat of the summer seems to last longer than the freeze of the winter.
All in all, the four seasons bring their own special meaning.  I love all four seasons.  Thank you to the one who gave us all four seasons to enjoy!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Look out for this question....

“The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend.”


pjc1190 Chuck Palahniuk quotes (American freelance Journalist, Satirist and Novelist. b.1961)
I listened to this CD twice today.  I can't decide if she is country, pop, or rock and roll.  Check it out!  She's a great singer and a lot of fun!  I am a new fan of hers.  I like her better than some of the actual winners of American Idol.  Sometimes, the winners aren't always the best...

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Alka Seltzer multiple uses

How to clean your toilet bowl with Alka Seltzer
Remove 8 Alka Seltzer tablets and fill a measuring cup with 2 cups of tap water.
Microwave the water on high for 3 minutes until warm but not boiling.
Add all the alka seltzer to the warm water and wait until the tablets are completely dissolved.
Stop the temporary flow of water to your toilet by lifting up the float lever that is inside of the toilet tank. This will allow the valve to shut and not allow water to fill up in the bowl.
Flush the toilet so that all of the excess water is out of the bottom of the toilet.
Dump in the Alka Seltzer water to the empty toilet tank. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
Brush the bottom and the inside of the toilet bowl gently with the toilet bowl brush.
Lift the back of the toilet lid up and drop two dry Alka Seltzer tablets into the bottom of the tank. This will automatically keep the tank clean for the next few flushes.
Release the float and allow the valve to open and the toilet to fill up with water. Flush the toilet.
These directions are from EHow.com

Clean a Coffeemaker
Fill a dirty coffeemaker with water. Insert four Alka Seltzer tablets and let them fizzle and dissolve in the water.
Turn the coffeemaker on and run the brew cycle.
Dispose of the water when it finishes dripping into the coffee pot.
Refill the coffeemaker with clean water, brew it and throw the water out when the cycle finishes to ensure a clean coffeemaker that's free of buildup and Alka Seltzer residue.

Clean a Flower Vase
Put warm water in a narrow vase and drop two Alka Seltzer tablets in it to combat stains at the bottom of the vase.
Cover the vase's opening and shake a bit. Let the vase sit for about an hour before rinsing it out.
Repeat the process to clean glass thermoses and other dishware with small openings.
Remove Stains From Glass Cookware
Pour water into a stained piece of glass cookware.
Add six Alka Seltzer tablets. Allow it fizzle and soak undisturbed for an hour.
Use the rough side of a sponge to easily scrub away the sticky buildup and unsightly brown stains.

 Clean Jewelry
Get a glass and put an Alka Seltzer tablet inside of it.
Untangle your jewelry while Alka Seltzer is fizzing.
Dunk your jewelry into the Alka Seltzer water for a few minutes and remove to find your jewelry shining like new.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Vinegar does what?

Add 2 Tablespoons of venage to your bath water to moisturize your skin.

To soothe a sore throa, measure one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water.  Mix and gargle, then swallow.

To relieve a bee sting or jellyfish sting, dot the area with vinegar to relieve itching.
Relive a sunburn by rubbing on shite vinegar and then reapply as necessary.
Condition your hair by adding a Tablespoon of vinegar to dissolve the sticky residue that shampoo leaves behind.
Rub vinegar on your fingers before and after peeling an onion to reduce the onion smell on your hands.

Add a tablespoon of vinegar to your dishwater to reduce grease and odor on your dishes.
Has fruit stained your hands?  Rub vinegar on  them.
Clean the refrigerator with equal parts of vinegar and water to reduce odor.
To unclog a drain, pour a handful of baking soda down the drain, add 1/2 cup of vinegar, and close with plug for 20 seconds. Rinse with hot water.
To clean the dishwasher, run a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.
To clean the microwave, Boil a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave and soon food particles will loosen from the microwave walls and deodorize.
Simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution to eliminate cooking smells.

To remove stains on clothes, gently rub vinegar on the stain before placing in the washing machine.
Clean eyeglasses by wiping each lense with a drop of vinegar.
The list goes on and on....try some of these and see how it works!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Decemberists

I just bought this CD!  I'm really enjoying it with it's rock & roll bluegrass roots. 
Give it a try!  You might like it...

White Chicken Chili

This style of chili is becoming more and more poplular.  I entered a chili contest last year and I made the normal style of chili but this style won!  Give it a try....
Ingredients:


4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cans (15-ounce size) great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 medium zucchini, diced
2 onions, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Mix the broth, chicken, beans, zucchini, onions, cumin, garlic, and chili powder in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on High until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 1/2 hours.

Stir in the corn and sour cream; cook until heated through, about 5 minutes longer. Season with the salt and pepper and serve.

Per serving: 193 Cal, 3 g Fat, 1 g Sat Fat, 34 mg Chol, 264 mg Sod, 19 g Carb, 6 g Fib, 21 g Prot, 64 mg Calc.

This recipe from CDKitchen for Chicken White Chili serves/makes 8

Monday, January 24, 2011

Bath Salts news

I read in the paper this last weekend that people are using bath salts like meth.  The discussion of discontinuing bath salts came up in the article after that.  I am going to experiment mixing some up and using it in my bath this weekend.  Once I find a good mixture for the bathtub, I will let you know!  Stay tuned...

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Homemade body cream

This year I gave away homemade body cream.  I first purchased a bottle of unscented lotion.  Then I added essential oils and color.  Shake well before using.
For the containers I purchased 2 -3 oz. travel bottles.  The essential oils I recommend are from Young Living essential oils.  They are the safest to put on the skin.  Be sure to smell the oil before using it! 
The coloring I used was soap coloring.  You can buy that at your local craft store.  You can also buy the lotions there too but I would question the quality.
Make your friend happy and give them a bottle of homemade lotion!

Friday, January 21, 2011

My Favorite Cranberry Sauce Recipe

1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1 bag of fresh cranberries
Mix togerther and boil and simmer until misture begins to thicken.

Great CD!

This is a great CD!  Everyone wants to know who it is when I play it!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mixing up a body scrub

I like to exfoliate my body at least once a month.  I often find that the stores sell body scrubs at a price that I feel is not affordable.  So, I naturally tried to find a way to make it myself.  Here is what I do.
Grab a small canning jar.  Fill it with coarse salt or pure cane sugar.  I prefer sugar over salt because if I have any cuts it doesn't sting with sugar like it does salt.  Salt is more coarse and holds together better than sugar though so you can exfoliate longer with it and use less scrub.  Then I grab and oil.  I use grapeseed for cost effectiveness but if you prefer almond oil, that will also work.  I pour the oil in until the sugar or salt is completely saturated.  Then I find an essential oil, or a soap fragarance that is nice.  I pour a few drops in until I can smell the scent in the mixture.  Be sure to stir the scrub completely before smelling it for fragarnce.  I hope this helps!  Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Snowy winter in MN

As far back as I can remember, this has been the snowiest winter yet since I moved to Minnesota.  For the past week it has been snowing everyday.  There is nothing that I love more than to wake up in the morning and see the snow fall from the sky.  Fresh snow keeps the world white and beautiful.  It is actually a brighter day than a warm summer sunny day in July.  The beauty of a snowflake is hard to capture in words and is neverending.  I love snow!
Unfortunately, we have not had to time to play in it.  I have tickets to Welch Village and I am hoping we use them before spring melts us away.  Growing up in the UP of Michigan taught me many ways to enjoy the winter season.  Then I grew up and forgot to make time to enjoy the snow once again.
We will never see the snow I lived in when I was in Michigan.  Lake Superior brings on it's own weather up there and it is hard to forecast what the lake will do from day to day.  But I have never seen anything more beautiful than the country by Lake Superior.  Some days I miss the UP and her magical surprises she brings upon the people living there.  Then there are times I am glad I got to get out and enjoy some of the other wonders of the United States.
For now, I am going to pray for a ski day!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Need yoga supplies?

Thai Yoga Massage Workshop

This past weekends workshop was a hit!  A request was made to continue this type of workshop.  Everyone did well and everyone was happy when they left.
We kept it simple as the person giving the massage needs to take care of their body as well as the body they are working on.
I did my best to teach so everyone could understand the meaning and purpose behind giving a thai massage.  Many found out how much energy it takes to perform a Thai Yoga Massage.  They also got to experience how good a That Massage is for you.
There are many different reasons why it doesn't hurt to receive both a table massage and a Thai massage.  Both have their own benefits and one will need to experience them both to find the difference.
I hope to hold one more That workshop in March.  That date is yet to be set.  Keep your eyes and ears open for the date and time.  Hope to see you here!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Tired of Winter? Read on! I love Winter!!!!

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show. ~Andrew Wyeth


There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~Ruth Stout


Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so. ~Stanley Crawford

Winter came down to our home one night


Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. ~Terri Guillemets


Brew me a cup for a winter's night.
For the wind howls loud and the furies fight;
Spice it with love and stir it with care,
And I'll toast our bright eyes,
my sweetheart fair.
~Minna Thomas Antrim

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Owning a business

Forget what you think you know about running your own business and take in some hard-won wisdom.  (forbes.com)
Owning my own business has been both challenging and rewarding.  It's been a roller-coaster ride that I didn't mean to step onto.
From the beginning it has been everybody else's idea but my own.  This tells me they saw something I didn't.  I found it very rewarding in the beginning as everyone seemed to enjoy my services.  Then, the hours got longer and the days more busy.  People really enjoyed what I worked so hard to offer them.  I was working for the people and doing what I could to help them through their day, week, or month.  Both massage and yoga have great benefits.  But sometimes the business owner doesn't get to reap them.  Keep in mind that their are many duties a business owner takes on when they commit to such a big task.  They are the whole team that you may see in a large corporation.  The owner wears many hats to include planning, bookkeeping, hiring, marketing, payroll and firing.  As the business grows the entrepreneur may want to pass these duties on.
The type of business I run is dependent on appointments and that brings on a whole new set of roller coaster rides.  Maybe I will share later.
For now, starting a business is done by someone willing to take a chance on themselves.  And, you have to be a little bit nervous from time to time...

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Check this out and see if it will help with your home practice!

2011 plans for Simple Pleasures Yoga & Massage

Christina is hoping for another exciting year for her business.  With all the trainings she has done in the past, she has been able to offer the best services she can provide.  Everything is for her clients or students.  She does the best she can on any given day.  She will not fall short on her promise.  She cares about your concern and will do her best to meet your expectations.
With the new year here, she is hoping to attend YogaFit's conference in June to continue her certification on Yoga Therapy.  In July she is hoping to attend the Yoga Journal Conference to improve her yoga teaching.  She is also hoping to attend another training in Thai Yoga Massage to work toward her certification and would like to get certified in Cranio Sacral Therapy.
All of this takes time and money.  Hopefully her support will come through and all of her dreams will come true.
She often grows tired from working so hard to provide the best service she can.  May God bless this business and help it grow...

Monday, January 10, 2011

A word on owning a business...

Let's be honest. There's not a business anywhere that is without problems. Business is complicated and imperfect. Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings. ~Bob Parsons


It doesn't matter how many times you fail. It doesn't matter how many times you almost get it right. No one is going to know or care about your failures, and neither should you. All you have to do is learn from them and those around you because... All that matters in business is that you get it right once. Then everyone can tell you how lucky you are. ~Mark Cuban


You can fool all the people all the time if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough. ~Joseph E. Levine

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Out with the old, in with the new

We rang the year 2000 in with many hopes and dreams.  We found out that Y2K did not leave is us in the dark and out in the cold.  But perhaps the last 10 years did.  Since 2000 we watched buildings, incomes, investments and even our dreams fall.  Our jobs were stolen from us during the night.  The gas has risen while our pocketbooks have fallen.  After the gas rose from the ground so did all of our other bills leaving us with not much hope.  Now as our health insurance premiums and deductibles have risen into the $1,000.00's and our health insurance can no longer foot the bill, there is the new evolution of another kind of health insurance.
2011 brings us more hopes and dreams while the old ones have been tried and tested.  In the last 10 years we have built new lives and created new jobs.  We have found ourselves surviving in an economy with bills going up and pay going down.  We once again have proved that we are a strong and stable country in the midst of despair!  Have a happy and healthy 2011!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Month of January

"The name, given to the month of 'January', is derived from the ancient Roman name 'Janus' who presided over


the gate to the new year. He was revered as the 'God of Gateways', 'of Doorways' and 'of the Journey.' Janus

protected the 'Gate of Heaven', known as the 'Lord of Beginnings', is associated with the 'Goddess Juno-Janus',

and often symbolized by an image of a face that looks forwards and backwards at the same time. This symbolism

can easily be associated with the month known by many as the start of a new year which brings new opportunities.

We cast out the old and welcome in the new. It is the time when many reflect on events of the previous year

and often resolve to redress or improve some aspect of daily life or personal philosophy."

- Mysitcal World Wide Web