Going on a diet?

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Spring Liver Cleaning

Spring is here for most of us, and "coming" for the rest of us... Here in New England we are supposed to get some snow tomorrow. Anyway, this is the time of year where kickstarting the liver is a good idea. The fattier diet most of us eat in the winter can really slow down or system. Making sure the liver is functioning properly will help with weight loss, energy, and to enhance our overall state of health. Here are some herbs I like to take for the liver. These are my top three favorites:

• milk thistle
• dandelion root
• burdock root

Nourishing Onion Soup Recipe

On a cold day, there is something great about onion soup. It is simple and easy to make. It is reminiscent of Paris, France where the recipe was created. And, what is not to love about the warm melted cheese that goes over the soup? Here is a quick recipe.

Four large white onions, sliced
One carton beef broth
some chicken broth added at the end to thin out the soup if needed
salt and pepper
Gruiyere or Cheddar Cheese

Sautee the sliced onions in some olive oil until translucent. Add beef broth, salt and pepper and cook until onions are soft. Ladel into an oven proof bowl and cover with some shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is melted.

Booking Hotels in Orlando

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So, you've decided that you want to go on a trip to Disney World. Do you know where you want to stay? There are a lot of options for Orlando Hotels and it is a good idea to make sure you find the right one. But, there are plenty of hotels right in the park, why not stay in one of them? Well, it is because there is more to Orlando than just Disney World. Yes, that is part of it. But Orlando itself is a great city with a lot of options for entertainment and shopping. Plus, if you want to visit the places where the locals go, visiting Orlando is the way to do it. Unless the locals work in Disney World or are taking vistors there, you won't really find them there.

Getting Back in Balance

Having a balanced life is a good way to make sure that everything is going properly in your life. But what is balance? It can mean different things for different people. For me my sense of balance gets thrown off when I don't like where I am living and if I am not completely happy in my career. But that doesn't mean that when factors are askew that I am unhappy. I am always happy. What can you do to help yourself feel better balanced?

Watching Cooking Shows

If you want to learn how to cook, one great way to do it is to watch cooking shows. You don't need to be precise and follow each of the recipes. You don't even need to take notes. Just watching people prepare food can be a remarkable education. A lot of people learn how to cook by watching their parents and grand parents. But some people don't have that luxury. Watching other people cook whether on tv or at home is an easy way to learn the skills and methods.

Disney Vacation

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Taking a vacation to Disney World can be a great thing for the whole family. There is more to it than just a vacation for kids. There is plenty for adults to do. Great food, great rides, and even a thriving social scene for adults. It makes it desirable for everyone. As if you need any more convincing, it is possible to find Discount Disney Tickets. So not only can you and your family have a great vacation, but you can also have one for less money than if you paid full price. Keep in mind that you don't need to have kids in order to enjoy Disney World. It is for the kid at heart. Or, if you don't want to deal with being a kid, or being childlike, you can be an adult who wants to enjoy the fine dining and social scene and maybe even learn something.

Getting Some Sun

It is important to get some sun each day. Fifteen minutes is the amount you need for your body to manufacturer vitamin D. If you don't get that amount, you could run the risk of being deficient in that vitamin. The best thing to do is to make sure you get at least fifteen minutes of outdoor time each day. What about a fifteen minute walk? This is a good way to help burn some calories and make sure you get enough sunlight.

Healthy Lunches

Eating a healthy lunch is just as important as eating a healthy breakfast. In fact, if you eat a healthy breakfast you are more likely to make better choices throughout the day, including lunch. But if your breakfast was less than ideal, you have the chance to gain some ground when it comes to lunch. Here are some lunch ideas:

• Tuna sandwich with light mayo on a whole wheat roll and a small salad
• Cottage cheese, whole wheat bread, and a small salad
• chicken ceasar salad with low fat dressing

Resort Vacations

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When the winter drags on, it could be time for a vacation. Months like March are usually the worse because one day it is cold, the next it is warm. It can be frustrating with all those false starts. What you need is an all inclusive resort. These are resorts where everything is included and you don't need to worry about anything. Vacations.net is a great resource to plan them because they have a lot of offers and things to choose from. Where do you want to go? Somewhere warm will be nice. Or, you can plan a trip in advance for the summer months. Either way, going on vacation is a lot of fun.

Layering for Hiking

It is pretty cold out, but I know I am going to be warm. With the proper layering scheme you don't need to worry about the weather. The weather is really cold and extremely windy. Here is what I am wearing:

Shirts:

1. Sports bra made of dry weave
2. wicking shirt lined with fleece
3. long underwear shirt, large
4. fleece
5. hard shell windbreaker

Pants:

1. dry weave running pants
2. hard shell.

I will also wear a hat AND a hood and big comfy gloves.

Healthy Breakfast Options

I am about to go hiking, and I am aware of how important breakfast truly is. If I don't eat the right foods this morning, I will not have enough fuel to get through my day. So, here is a list of some healthy breakfast ideas that will help you start your day right. These are my favorites. And if I am about to be active, I will try to eat a little more.

• Bran flakes with raisins and almonds or walnuts
• English muffin with peanut butter and an orange
• cottage cheese, toast, and fruit
• Greek style yogurt, honey, and walnuts mixed together and fruit

Shopping For Baby Gifts

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Are you looking for ways to help other people? Buying gifts for new parents is a great thing to do. A lot of new parents are overwhelmed with the sudden cost and expense of having a child. Why not help them out? There are several places where you can buy baby gifts. One of the best places is Babynest.com. This is because they have a good selection. But, this isn't like any other baby shop. You can purchase unique, personalized gifts that will be more meaningful than anything you could buy at a department store. Department store gifts don't necessarily have that personal touch.

Plan for better eating habits

I try to eat healthfully. But sometimes I feel as if I need to write down exactly what I need to do to be even better at it. Here are some ideas:

• Cut out salt. See previous post.
• No refined sugar.
• Reduce saturated fats
• Drink more water.
• Drink more stinging nettle infusion and more tea.
• Pay attention to fat burning herbs.
• Wildcraft.
• Listen to what my body is saying.

Cutting Out Salt

As mentioned in a previous post, I love olives. Unfortunately, they are filled with salt and it is nearly impossible to find salt free olives. In fact, I've never seen it. On my quest to help live a healthier life, I will cut out extra salt. I feel bloated a lot of the time. This could have something to do with excess sodium. Hey, we know what we have to do for our health, right? It is just a matter of applying it.

Working at Home is Good for the Family

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Working at home is good for the family. If you have kids, it allows you to be there for your children. A more flexible schedule means that you are better able to handle their schedules. If you do not have kids but have a partner, you are able to travel with your partner without worrying about taking time off work. Being your own boss is great. If you are a freelance professional, that is one very good job to have if you work at home. Freelance writers, programmers, and other freelancers use sites such as Elance. Also known as bidding sites, these websites are focused on connecting freelancers with new clients. The goal of the site is to help clients and freelancers find each other while also protecting them from not getting paid, etc.

Cooking With Olives

Olives are filled with healthy fats and are therefore great to cook with. I have been known to eat jars or tubs filled with olives in one sitting. They are salty and filled with flavor. I've always been a sucker for salty foods.

Here are some ways to cook with olives:

• instead of adding salt to your omelette why not add olives?
• Chopped olives work quite well in tomato soup with basil
• great as a garnish for salads
• chop some olives along with tomato to put on a bruschetta
• they taste really good on pasta

Vacations Are Good For the Soul

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Whether you are looking to relocate or are searching for a vacation home, Orlando is a good place to consider. It has something for everyone. There are things to do, a great economy, and plenty of jobs so the economy is good. That is what makes real estate in Orlando so valuable. If you are considering purchasing property in Orlando you will need an Orlando Real Estate Agent. The great thing about Orlando is that it is a desirable place to live or vacation for several reasons and the property is less expensive than a lot of other desirable places in the U.S. Compare prices for seacoast communities, for example, and you will be paying A LOT more. Orlando is just as desirable in a lot of ways.

The Importance of Strength Training

Strength training is an important part of any exercise routine. It is important to lift at least a moderate amount of weight 2-3 times per week. Those who want to build a lot of lean muscle should focus on their workouts and train differently than those who just want to enhance their health.

One thing to make sure of is that you continue to challenge yourself. This is a good rule of thumb regardless of what your goal is.

Great Sources of Antioxidants

You don't need to only take your vitamins to get a good dose of antioxidants. They are located in foods, herbs, and spices. And one thing that supplements lack is that there are plenty of other substances in foods that are not necessarily in multivitamin and mineral tablets, such as quercetin. Here is a list of great sources of antioxidants:

• chocolate
• wine
• grape juice
• fruits and vegetables
• herbs such as rosemary, basil, and oregano
• green tea

Finding Deals Online

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Would you like to find great deals online? What do you want to buy? How about digital cameras? Ebates.com is a site that helps people find great deals and save money. They basically help you get some of your money back when you make purchases online. Cash back is a great thing, in my opinion. Why settle for paying full price when there are plenty of programs that will award you and help you save and earn money? Ebates is one of these services. All you need to do to get started is use your email address to sign up for a free membership. Once you are signed up, you can use the site to get access to their 800 different stores. So whether you want to buy cameras or anything else, there is something for you in their vast listings.

Give yourself a makeover?

Change is a good thing, especially when it comes to your appearance. New clothes, new shoes, a new hair cut, a new makeup look - they can do wonders to help improve your self esteem and just make you feel good.

And, you don't need to be a girl in order to fully appreciate it. A new look could benefit everyone.

As a girl, and one who loves to primp, I sat down and thought, hmmm, I've had the same haircut for a few years now and I want to spice things up a bit. So, I went to my trusty old hole-in-the wall salon and emerged with newly waxed brows and a sassy short haircut. It feels great!

What changes would you like to make? If you had the chance to give yourself a makeover, what would you do?

Self Change Time

Yes, it is that time of year again... Self Challenge time! :) www.self.com

This year, I am using the challenge to help increase my level of fitness. Last year, I got injured around this time of year. This year, I am taking it slower and focusing on making one step at a time.

Fitness is a lifestyle, and so is eating healthfully. So, I am not looking at what I am doing as a diet. I am considering it a way to help me maintain a sense of equillibrium and balance.

Silver Investing

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When it comes to investing, investing in silver is a good idea. Right now, the silver price is really good for investors so it is a great time to invest. When it comes to investing, I personally like to find things that are a great choice. Investing in any of the precious metals, such as silver, is timeless. When it comes to investing in silver, you have two choices. You can either invest in silver coins or ingot form. An ingot is when they take the silver and cast it in easy to store shapes. But when you invest in silver and other metals such as gold, it is a good idea to work with a company that you trust, like Monex. You need to make sure there is a secure way to deliver it to you and Monex is a trusted source.

Fending off a cold

My husband said that there is something going around in his office and he feels lightheaded. So, I am going to use my herbal expertise to help him fend off a cold. What I like to do in these circumstances is drink lots of green tea with lemon, honey, and a dash of cinnamon. I am also going to have him eat at least one more orange this evening. He is clearing his throat a lot, too so I may give him some peppermint tea to help relieve the congestion.

Bitter Spring Greens - Great for Digestion and Weight Loss

One thing I look forward to in the spring is when the greens start pushing up from the ground. Early spring greens such as chicory and dandelion are slightly bitter and extremely tasty. They are great for the liver and the overall digestion. When the liver is working properly it can help inspire weight loss. I aslo likle chickweed. It isn't bitter but a lot of people like to use it to help support weight loss.

Self Defense

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When it comes to protecting yourself, your home, and your family, most of us don't think about how to do that. Some people have guns. Others take martial arts. But most seem to forget about it... until there is a crisis. In order for self defense to work, you need to prepare in advance. Do you not want to take martial arts or own a gun? A stun gun is a good option because it makes the attacker defenseless. It is definitely something to consider because you don't need to learn any special skills. You just need to learn how to use the gun itself. And when it comes to self defense, you don't want to do anything too complicated because you might forget all your training.

Spring Cleaning for the Body

Spring is a time to clean. Yes, it is important to clean and scrub our homes. But, that process is important for the body, too. Some people call it detoxing, but I don't like to think of it that way. Detox gives the impression that the body is dirty, and it isn't.

But in the spring, it does need a kick-start... mainly to burn off unwanted fat that may have accumulated during the winter months. I'll talk more on this in future posts.

Spring Foods - Spring is Here

March is a strange month. One minute, it feels as if Spring is coming. Another, it is freezing... with a wind chill. Still, even with the cold, March is a hopeful month. It is almost time to start planting. Those of us who start our own seeds have already begun.

And, this is the time when strawberries and asparagus are at their best. This year, I am hoping to branch out from the typical pasta dishes and omelettes. Asparagus cream soup is something I've never done but I love it when I have it. So, that is on my list.