In the News

Buy at AllPosters.com

 

 

Studies indicate a lack of sleep can be dangerous, causing significant mental impairment.

While looking through the newest issue of SUCCESS Magazine, the statement above pretty much jumped off the page and got in my face. Apparently it knows how much caffeine I drink, so it harassed me a little bit.

The article, “Sleep Your Way to Success,” by Lisette Hilton is a great read - albeit alarming (ironic pun intended). The author points out a very hard truth - most of us are sleep deprived. We’re filling out our to do lists so ambitiously that we neglect to figure in time for sleep.

We’re not doing ourselves any favors by skimping on sleep. In fact, as the article stresses, we’re doing ourselves a whole world of harm. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that most of us get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each night. Sleeping less than this (on a regular basis) is associated with:

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular Disease
• A Shorter Life Span
• Weight Problems

At least one study suggested that decreased sleep time could lead, years later, to greater weight gain. - SUCCESS Magazine August/September 2008

The article included some great ways to improve your REM time or Quality of Sleep. A few are listed below:

1. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
2. Try to keep regular sleep and wake hours.
3. Get enough exercise durning the day but not too close to bedtime.
4. Get regular sunlight (or bright light) during the day

For more sleep tips, grab a copy of the August/September issue of SUCCESS Magazine and visit SUCCESS.com - Sleep Your Way to Success.   In the newest issue of the magazine (on page 26, to be exact!), you can find detailed information on how a lack of sleep leads to heart problems, immune deficiency, weight gain, and memory problems.

Jay Leno is best known for his wonderful sense of humor, his love of cars, and for his one-of-a-kind ability to make any interview interesting and funny.

An e-mail is making the rounds that shows a different side of him. Jay Leno wrote the following message that I think you’ll find interesting. It really doesn’t matter if you’re pro-Bush, anti-Bush, pro-McCain, anti-McCain, pro-Obama, anti-Obama, or haven’t really been moved by a politician since Reagan.

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.

In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘What are we so unhappy about?”

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H.. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus
saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your
family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The
most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every
day. Make no mistake about it.
The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ‘other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling
lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.’ ‘With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, ‘Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of
Allegiance?’

So, what are YOUR feelings? Do you agree or disagree with Jay Leno’s sentiments?

There’s a whole string of imperfections in my R’epertoire.  My driving? It’s the one thing that would have corrupted Job.  Decisiveness?  I can’t decide if I possess that trait or not.   Procrastination?  I know I have that one up my sleeve.  I’ll work on it tomorrow, though.

However, the biggest knot in my psyche is money.  Cold, hard cash - the stuff that gets me into more fixes than Hong Kong Fuey ever hoped to get into.   To me, the concept of saving money  is spending half of your money at the grocery store, saving the other half for the mall.  No wonder the concept never works for me.

Times are tough and getting tougher, though, so it’s making me re-think my carefree ways.  I’ve just got to be more careful where I throw George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson these days.  They don’t come to visit me as often as they once did.  When they do, they don’t stick around very long.

I came across a cool website, WalletPop.com, that’s full of monetary wisdom and woes.  I love their Daily Fantastic Freebie and have even taken advantage of a few.  You’ll find very useful information about gas prices, the economy, restaurants, saving money, etc. 

A few Must Read posts are:

• Gas Prices a Killer for the Elderly
• Raising Cash in a Hurry - Make Stuff to Sell
• Downsizing Your Food Budget
• Elton John’s #1’s: $1.99
• Paying the Higher Cost of a Higher Education
• Feed the Little Birds in Dollar Store Style (this one might as well have been written for me…)
• Saving Cash These Days - Cancel Your Newspaper Subscription

Be sure to check out the Daily Deals, too.

How about it, wise readers?  Do you have any words of wisdom to share about saving or stretching money?  You have my undivided attention.

I just got an e-mail from my aunt about a lady she knows in Louisville, Kentucky. The woman was recently pumping gas at a gas station. Her car doors were all locked except for the one on the driver’s side. When her back was turned (apparently toward the pump), she heard a young woman yell to her, “He just took your purse!” A man had opened her door, grabbed her purse and sped away.

She and her husband began cancelling credit cards and she deactivated her cellphone. She had keys to her office, so she had to notify security. She grieved for pictures, jewelry, and other possessions. Her heart also skipped a beat when she realized, “He knows our address.” That part alone sent chills down my spine.

Before they were able to cancel the credit cards, the creep had used it at a local K-mart, eaten at McDonald’s, and filled up his gas tank. Oh, the irony.

The uglier the economy gets, the more desperate people are getting.

Desperate people make me very nervous.  Thankfully no one was physically harmed.  But I doubt this couple will sleep peacefully for a few months.

I’ve e-mailed the message to each of my daughters and told them to pass it on to all of their friends.  Now I’m all up in your face.  Be very careful wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you are.  Male, female, 12, 99 - everyone can become someone else’s victim in the blinking of an eye.  Never think that you’re safe because your town isn’t “that big…”   There are just as many desperate people in small towns as there are in larger towns. 

I teach and preach volumes about being happy, being confident, being persistent - basically being all that you can possibly be.  I want to do all of that, but be safe while you’re doing it.  Lock your doors, whether they’re your car doors or doors to your house.

It’s bears repeating, so bear with me while I repeat it, People are getting more and more desperate.  When you’re desperate, you don’t think of the consequences.  You only think about what you need and you do what you have to do to get it.

Be on guard.  At all times.  And pass it on to everyone you know. 

According to the National Sleep Foundation, Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times on our roads. One of the reasons is “drowsy” drivers. Some people are more susceptible than others to nodding off behind the wheel. Personally, my own driving concerns me too much to drift off. By “concerns,” of course, I mean my driving scares the spit out of my mouth.

“Too many Americans are too tired to drive. In fact, according to NSF’s recently released 2008 Sleep in America poll, an alarming 36 percent of respondents admit to actually nodding off or falling asleep while driving,” David M. Cloud, NSF’s chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement.

“Hectic weekend getaways may add to the problem as many get on the road at ungodly hours to beat traffic. Not getting enough sleep puts everyone at increased risk for fall-asleep crashes. Understanding crucial warning signs and countermeasures is key to preventing sleep-related crashes,” he added.

If you ever experience any of the following, be sure to pull off of the road asap:

• Heavy eyelids
• You find yourself swerving out of your lane
• You lose touch with your surroundings
• You’re frequently yawning
• Your head keeps nodding forward or falling backward

Never take any risks.  Ever!  If you won’t be extra cautious for yourself, think of your passengers or other drivers’ safety.  

The following are some suggestions that’ll help keep you safe:

• Always get a really good night’s sleep the night before a trip.  Don’t stay up late, packing, or finishing up preparations.  Do that earlier in the day and aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep - more if you can get it.
• Give yourself plenty of time.  This way, you can stop frequently during the trip to stretch your legs and get your blood circulating. 
• Make frequent stops.  Stop at least every two hours - the movement will do you a world of good.
• Don’t take any medications that’ll cause drowsiness.  Benadryl and other allergy medications knock most people flat on their backs.  If you aren’t sure how a medication will affect you, try not to take it until after the trip.
• C-O-F-F-E-E!  Caffeine makes a perfect  co-pilot for all of us, but for those who fall asleep easily at the wheel, it might just be the perk they need.  A word of caution, however, if you aren’t used to high levels of caffeine (the mind boggles), drinking a great deal might give you the jitters.  A jittery driver’s just a little bit better than a woozy one!  Bottom line:  Don’t go ape.  Two cups of coffee should keep you alert for about two hours.
• If you can avoid it, don’t travel alone.
• Turn the radio on, turn the radio up, and sing out loud.  Louder!

If you’ve taken the precautions but STILL start to feel sloppy-eyed and drowsy, don’t be a hero.  Pull off the road and, if you have to, take a nap.  Even 15 to 30 minutes can help you feel better and fresher.  Just be sure you’re in a safe place.  And lock the doors!  Great, now I’m mothering you.  Next thing you know I’ll be asking if you’re eating enough vegetables lately.

Well, are you?

Save Polar Bear Tote Bag

Warning: She’s stepping up on her soap box and she has painted it green.

Not surprisingly, the Bush administration recently added the polar bear to the “threatened” species list, agreeing with conservationalists that the bear’s Arctic habitat is melting because of global warming.

Global Warming, “living green,” Conservation, Animal Protection, Saving the Planet, and even the proverbial phrase tree hugging shouldn’t be thought of as just political issues. They’re far deeper than that - they’re human issues, they hit all of us where we live.

As with everything in life, when it comes to issues such as these, we are either part of the solution or we’re part of the problem. It doesn’t matter if it’s a personal issue such as weight, procrastination, temper, hypertension, etc. or a global issue such. We always have a choice: We can either stand up and do what we can to make the situation better or we can sit down and hope it takes care of itself.

When we stand up, we’ve chosen to become part of the solution. When we sit down, we’ve chosen to become part of the problem.

While it’s a sobering thought, one day, our children will have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  I desperately want these children to grow up in the beautifully green and blue world that I’ve always loved so much. I want them to see, firsthand, how amazing all of God’s animals are. I don’t want them to have to just read about Polar Bears, Bison, Whales, Sea Turtles, Bats, Sea Otters, Dolphins, Elephants, Snowy Owls, Woodpeckers, etc. 

Sometimes we all tend to live in our own personal little space.  I think it’s time for us to throw open our doors and windows and see what we can do to make the world a better place for us as well as future generations. 

• We should make places on our blogs and/or websites for buttons and links to support the Red Cross, the WWF,  WorldVision - to name just a few. 
• We should donate money to these causes and encourage others to do the same.
• We should support agencies seeking cures and better lives for victims of cancer, autism, alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, etc. 
• We should let our political leaders know how we feel.
• We should educate ourselves and always know what’s going on in the world around us.  Being an ostrich with its head in the sand doesn’t accomplish anything.

We know what we should do, now it’s time to see what we will do. 

If not us - who? 

Also Read:
U.S. adds polar bear to threatened list
Senate poised to take up sweeping global warming bill

Every now and again, there are so many things buzzing around my head that I want to post about that I just have to corral them all together in one place.  That would be now. 

Each of the links I’m posting will open in a new window, so you won’t lose the rest.

First of all, I’ve been reading a great deal lately about blood pressure and heart health.  My mom died from heart problems, and a much, much beloved uncle has problems with his heart as well.  High blood pressure  runs in both my husband’s family as well as my own, so I’ve been doing my homework in an effort to compile information that’ll keep both of us, as well as our three daughters, healthy.

The American Heart Association is a great place to start your own research, but don’t limit your education to just one “instructor”.  Collect as much information as possible - you’ll see a trend develop.  If everyone says something is extremely harmful (smoking, salt, being overweight, inactivity….) - get rid of it.  If everyone says something is extremely helpful (activity, losing weight, bananas, orange juice, fruit, vegetables, salmon, tuna…), welcome it into your world.

In all of the countless articles, books, interviews, and magazines I’ve read on Blood Pressure, do you know what enemy number one seems to be?  Before researching, I would have thought caffeine…. maybe stress… possibly red meat.  I would have been totally wrong.  Salt is the culprit that every expert I read mentioned first.  When asked what people could do to lower high blood pressure or maintain a healthy blood pressure, the experts all agree that cutting WAY back on salt is one of our smartest moves.

And it seems so harmless!

I got to thinking about my family’s own diet and my salty jaw hit the floor.  My biggest culprit is diet soda.  I honestly worry that Diet Dr. Pepper may have trouble staying in business now that I’ve switched to tea.  My daughters’ number one problem would be things like chips and fries.  When you’re so young, you just don’t think about things like blood pressure and sodium.  Big mistake.

The experts agree that adding potassium (white baked potatoes, bananas, orange juice…) to your diet is a great move to make as well.  Needless to say, increasing our activity is another smart thing to do for our heart’s health.

Regardless of the state of our blood pressure or heart health, losing extra weight is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, our health, and our loved ones.  We’re all familiar with the campaigns that urged smokers to quit, “If not for yourself, for your loved ones…“  Very effective, very true.  However, it’s just as important to take care of ourselves in other areas.  If we want to be around (and be healthy while we are around) for a long time with, and for, our loved ones - we have to get serious about what we eat, what we drink, what we don’t eat, what we don’t drink, how much rest we get, how much we exercise, and how we live our lives.

No food, no drink…NOTHING… is as important as a quality life with those we love.

Of course, what I learned about stress in relation to blood pressure and heart problems was pretty expected.  We MUST do everything we can to remove as much stress as possible.  At the risk of sounding like a drama queen, our lives depend on it.

We should first identify what stresses us out, then make moves to cope with it.  If we feel overwhelmed or overworked, we should cut back asap.  Life is to be enjoyed, after all.  So many people lose sight of that.  They get so caught up in the rat race that they fail to realize that they’re a racing rodent until life has breezed right past them and their left worn out and spent.

Not a pretty image.

In that vein, I’d like you to check out: Relax:50+ Simple 30-Second Ways to Bring Tranquility To Your Life - it’s a wonderful compilation of things you can do to bring more relaxation to our days.  If that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will.  This is an amazing list and, I promise, you’ll get a lot from it.

A few more heart-y links:

• Heart Insight.com 
• Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH (PDF)
• Power for Healthy Living with Al Sears, MD

My motto: 

Laugh as often as possible, Live out loud, and Love everything and everyone around you - including yourself.

For the most part, on my blogs and websites, I pretty much keep my political views to myself.  I don’t hesitate to give my opinion on certain subjects.  For example, I think the war on terrorism had to be waged, but I think it’s time to bring our men and women home.  And I’m all for hugging trees but not at the expense of human beings.  I’m more interested in programs and institutions that better the lives of people than I am those that better the lives of plants.

However, I personally don’t feel the need to announce the candidate I’m supporting.  As someone who is all about people making their own decisions in life and pioneering their own paths, I wouldn’t want to try to influence anyone with my own choice.  It’s my hope that everyone reads everything they can about each candidate.  Each individual is intelligent, compassionate, and has a lot to offer to their country.  I believe each would do us proud.

I think each one takes a lot of needless heat for issues that, on the grand scale, simply aren’t that important.  One of my pet peeves is when John McCain (born on August 29, 1936) is accused of being “too old.”   Do his critics think he’ll be called on to literally run a race?

Irregardless of the side of the political fence we’re on, we have to see the ridiculousness of suggesting that someone is too experienced for any position or job.

Take, for example the following ageless marvels:

• Helen Mirren not only won the Academy Award while in her early 60’s (for her amazing performance in The Queen), she had people all over the world using the word “hot” and they weren’t just referring to her career!
• Mark Twain wrote “Eve’s Diary” and “The $30,000 Bequest” at the age of 71.
• Corrie ten Boom traveled the world with her missionary work in her 80s’.
• Jack LaLanne, at 70, towed seventy boats containing 70 people for a mile across Long Beach Harbor….with a rope in his teeth….while handcuffed…and wearing shackles on his legs.
• Goethe finished “Faust” in his early 80’s.
• Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States at age 69.
• Winston Churchill initiated his protest against Hitler as Prime Minister at the age of 65.  He returned to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament at 80.
• The famous preacher, John Wesley, traveled an average of 20 miles a day for 40 years.  He preached 4,000 sermons and produced 400 books.  At 83 he was actually “annoyed” that he could not write for more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes.  At 86, he got impatient with himself because he couldn’t preach more than twice a day.  But, best of all, he complained in his diary during this time that there was an “increasing tendency to lie in bed until 5:30 in the morning.”!

I’m just against imposing limits on anyone.  When we do so, we impose them on ourselves, as well.  Age is one of those things- along with money, time, education, etc - that people use to limit what they think other people can or will do.  Thankfully, men and women who refuse to be limited just keep proving them wrong over and over again.  The examples above are just a precious few, can you imagine how many more there actually are? 

Get this:  According to “Speaker’s Sourcebook II” (where many of the facts, above, came from), researchers studied the lives of 400 famous people.  They found that 35 percent of the group’s achievements came when they were between the ages of 60 and 70.  23 percent when they were between 70 and 80, and 8 percent when they were over 80.  As the author, Glenn Van Ekeren, concluded - ”The world’s greatest work has been achieved by people over 60.”

That’s great news for all of us.  For those who are 60 or above, you know you’re in the zone!  For the rest of us, we know our best is still ahead. 

Growing old is not upsetting; being perceived as old is. - Kenny Rogers

To age with dignity and with courage cuts close to what it is to be a man. - Roger Kahn

You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was? - Satchel Paige

And my favorite:  Live your life and forget your age! - Norman Vincent Peale

I actually have three things I want to share with you today, things that I think will help you help yourself (Self Help Daily’s favorite scenario).  I’m going to put them all in one post rather than three separate ones… So here we go!

GREATER GOOGLING

My daughters kid me about being the Queen of Google.  Whenever we need to find anything out, my first response is, “I’ll Google it.”  And then I do…  I find what we need, too - as in every time.  I kick some serious search engine butt when it comes to knowing when to add a + sign along with quotation marks and knowing what search terms to use.  Spending your working hours in front of the computer screen has its benefits.

However, and this pains me somewhat to say it, I recently read a post by Jim Edwards that pointed out a few things I didn’t know.  Imagine!  The link is below and it’s a wealth of information for anyone who…. well, for anyone!  We all need information, and usually on a daily basis.  Jim’s post will show you how to make sure you get all of the information you need.

Improve Search Engine Results - 5 Easy Tips

YouTube and YOU!

Another amazing source of information is YouTube. It’s not just music videos and Dane Cook (though I highly recommend each! ).  Wordpress recently came out with a slick new  version - 2.5.  I have 13 of my own blogs and maintain 5 more, so I had a lot of updating to do (which explains why there haven’t been as many posts lately).  Problem was, I had no idea how to go about it or, really, if I even should try. 

Option #1 - I GOOGLED, of course.  There were countless forum and blog postings by experts and geniuses.  But all of the blah blah blahs were flying over my head and the yadda yadda yaddas were giving my headache a headache.  So I thought, “Hmmmm… I wonder if anyone has put up a YouTube tutorial…”  Eu-freakin-reka!  I searched “Wordpress 2.5″ and it produces over 40 results.  There are probably even more now.

If you haven’t upgraded, you should look into it - either by using the Automatic Upgrade Plugin or manually, the old school way.  Some of the blogs I upgraded worked with the Plugin, others had to be led through it step by step.  Neither process killed me, thanks to a great little plugin and to the professors of YouTube.

It made me wonder how many other “classes” were available at the University of YouTube.  I searched for random “How To’s” - some of which I already knew full well how to do (anything related to baking or gardening), others I had no clue about (how to save money on anything), and some I have no intention of ever doing (manual, sweaty stuff… Oh, and saving money on anything.  Sorry, honey.)  Below are just some of the tutorials available - and each has more than one.

• How to Knead Bread
• How to Change a Tire
• How to Save Money at the Grocery Store
• How to Grow Tomatoes
• Organic Gardening
• How to Prune Rose Bushes
• How to Plant Tulips
• How to Clean Your Gutters
• How to Change Your Oil
• How to Make a Million Dollars
• How to Make Fudge
• How to Build a Computer
• How to Build Golf Clubs
• How to Play Golf (over 3,700 results)
• How to Be a Better Husband (about 750 results)
• How to Play the Piano
• How to Play the Guitar
• How to Get into College
• How to Decorate a Cake 

Great stuff!

A REVOLUTIONARY IDEA

Last, but certainly not least:  This is for those of you who blog. My husband recently found (and purchased) some amazing blog themes - The Revolution WordPress Themes Package. He bought the package because we have so many blogs and wanted to use the theme on more than one.  However, the gorgeous themes are also available individually, since most people have only one blog.   

These themes are positively stunning.  You can customize them to the ends of the earth and back.  I’ve already redone three of my own blogs using various Revolution themes, and plan to do at least one more.  I’ve linked to mine below - I redid the colors on a few (simply to “match” the attitude of the blog) and created banners for the top.  Thankfully, the themes are so easy to customize you could change the looks as often as you want.  They’re also beautiful, as they are,  so you don’t actually have to do anything AT ALL in the way of changing the colors, etc.

I’ve used the following themes on the following blogs:

I have the Revolution Magazine Theme on my Kentucky Blog, and Music Blog.  I might use this theme on my Hollywood Yesterday blog as well.  I think the featured video will be perfect, and come on, the thumbnails are crazy cool!

I put the Tech Theme on our Gadget site, All Handhelds.  I wanted it to look like a cross between a website and a blog - kind of a website that happens to function like a blog.  A revolutionary idea that the Revolution Theme plays along with brilliantly.

I know I’ve given you a lot to chew on in this post - hindsight says screams, “You should have made this three posts, not one!”  The links open in new windows, though, so at least you can go check things out and then come back.  You know my door’s always open and the coffee’s always on.

With all due respect to my boy Kermit, it is, in fact, very easy to be green.  “Living Green” is simply a matter of choice.  If we CHOOSE to do our part to save the planet, we will CHOOSE to make positive decisions.  Every decision we make, after all, affects the world we live in for the better or for the worse.

Living green is what responsible, caring, and giving people do.  Fortunately, it doesn’t hurt and can, actually be pretty fun.  Below are some ways to add more green to your life and, in turn, add more green to our beautiful earth.

1. Reduce the number of “Packages” you buy.  When possible, buy bulk (think Sam’s Club).  This also is a sound decision financially - it’ll save you some green while you live green. 
2. Be informed.  Frequently check out websites such as Conservation International.  CI will keep you informed on the effects your lifestyle has on our environment. 
3. When we were first married, my husband was in the Air Force and money was about as tight as it could get.  I bought a book (yard sale!) about saving money/spending less.  It had a quote that jumped off the page at me and has stayed with me since.  While I’ve always used it in regards to spending/not spending, it also carries a lot of weight when it comes to living green.  Use it up.  Wear it out.  Make it do.  Or do without. I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the book (we’re talking YEARS ago!), let alone the name of the author, but the little verse is a great one.  One of the most important things we can do is to consume less. 
4. Choose products (printer paper, canvas totes for groceries, clothes) that are made of recycled material or can be reused or recycled.   Little changes add up.
5. Give your business to companies that have proven to be eco-conscious.  A few that I know of, off hand are Office Depot, McDonald’s, and Starbucks.  (I’ll add to this list as I find more.)
6. Another change I’ve personally implemented - Use glass plates, glasses and cloth napkins, even when the temptation for paper or plastic is at an all-time high.  We have a large family, so I know how tempting it is to grab plastic cups, paper towels and plates, but it’s another of those small changes that pile up, and I’d rather pile up small changes than trash our planet has to find something to do with.
7. Reduce toxicity by reusing your batteries and use batteries with reduced mercury.
8. Find fun, creative uses for old products before throwing them out.  Be sure to get every possible use from everything you have!  Old table? Dress it with a table cloth and a gorgeous plant and give it a new lease on life. 
9. Buy furniture, toys, clothes, etc that’ll hold up and stand the test of time.
10. When planting trees, flowers, herbs, and shrubs in your yard - keep in mind that all living things (from  bees and butterflies to frogs and birds) contribute to a healthy environment.  Each has a role they play and a purpose they serve.
11. Buy food that in no way harms threatened species or habitats.  Remember: Clearing forest for agriculture is one of the leading causes of global deforestation and habitat destruction. (Conservation International.org) 
12. Buy your produce as locally as possible.  Not only is it just a great idea to support your own community, when you buy locally, less fuel is used to deliver the produce.
13. Make living green a topic of conversation.  Discuss it with everyone you know.  After all, the more people who are doing their part, the more of an impact we’ll all have.
14. Find out if there are any threatened species in your community and see what you can do to help.
15. Whenever you travel - whether it’s walking at a local park or vacationing someplace a little more exotic, be sure you only TAKE photographs, only MAKE memories, and only LEAVE footprints.  Don’t even take one acorn - that’s something’s lunch!  Make sure children don’t make a mess by leaving wrappers, napkins or other culprits lying around. Things they think nothing of can be disasterous.

* The list above will grow as more information becomes available.

 Click HERE to see how Starbucks is doing their part on Earth Day!  As if I didn’t already love them enough.  Sigh.

Photo Credits:

The top picture is from Land Between the Lakes (Kentucky) and is courtesy of a guy I know, Mike.

The bottom picture is used, with permission, from a collection photographed by Petr Kratochvil.