Live more, Want for Less

an unnatural athlete

2010-10-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

Having a Wii game system has altered my opinion of sporting video games (except boxing which is always a good stress reliever). Hunting and fishing games are probably lowest on my list, boring (not including curling..Is that really a sport?).

I usually prefer to go outside and physically play sports rather than pretend to play them, however it isn't always easy to get a large group of people together in order to do just that (which is why I like hiking), however it is relatively easy to get one or two people together to start a Wii tournament (even more fun if you have a Wii balance board).

For almost a week now, other than when I am at work, I have been stuck inside on the couch w/ a nasty cold. Yesterday Nick and I went out for a few hours and bought two slightly used Wii games and, amazingly, the fishing game is turning out to be pretty sweet (not like My Sims which taught me two valuable lessons 1. Read game reviews BEFORE purchasing new expensive games and 2. Don't buy new games, they are too expensive!).

Where was this going again? Oh, yeah. Rapala We Fish is sweet-not difficult, but not ridiculously easy and definitely not boring. (on a side note...Nick just mentioned that we have rice that expired 2 years ago in our kitchen cupboard...i wonder if its still good....)

We also bought Wipeout (based on the tv show) but the fishing game is so good we haven't gotten around to playing it yet.

ipod case

2010-10-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

I saved up for over a year to get a new ipod to replace my decrepit, clearly haunted and old as the hills mp3 player of yon (Seriously, this thing lasted over over half a decade (a very long time in life span of electronics) and, in its declining years, created its own personal playlist that included some eclectic if not very odd song combinations.)

Anyway, because the new teeny tiny ipod nano recently came about (and I am certain to loose anything that small), I ran (drove) out and bought the 5th generation nano (using Target gift cards and recently acquired tip money) and purchased the only non granite colored nano left (what the what!).

Now, it just so happens that Overstock has free shipping until October 11th and I really want a fun case for my new nano, however I am a cheapskate and refuse to pay more than $20 (more like $10) for one nor will I submit to paying shipping & handling fees so this may well be the perfect time....which one should I choose?

IT Crowd Quiz. I am Victorious!

2010-10-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

Someone, who will remain nameless, challenged me to a quiz and, yes, I did score a whole 5% higher which proves that I watch entirely too much TV. (It should be noted that I scored an 80% and I haven't even seen season 4 (Seasons 1-3 are available for instant view on Netflix!) Again, entirely too much TV. Still, I know stuff and I firmly believe that it doesn't matter what kind of stuff it is (It matters a little).

Take the Quiz!

Watch the CNN Premiere of I.O.U.S.A.: Solutions

2010-04-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

I.O.U.S.A.: Solutions premieres on CNN this weekend

Watch CNN on Saturday, April 10, 1:00-3:00 p.m. EST or Sunday, April 11, 3:00-5:00 p.m. EST

Our country is facing rapidly growing deficits and debt. How can we change our course...and what happens if we don't?

The award-winning documentary I.O.U.S.A. opened up America's eyes to the consequences of our nation's debt and the need for our government to show more fiscal responsibility. Now that more Americans and elected officials are aware of our fiscal challenges, the producers of I.O.U.S.A. created I.O.U.S.A.: Solutions, a follow-up special that is premiering on CNN this weekend. This special will focus on solutions to the fiscal crisis and it will feature new footage from the producers of I.O.U.S.A. and a panel discussion with experts from a variety of viewpoints, spanning across generations.

Charity: Who Cares? from Mint

2009-12-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

Wow! I am pleasantly surprised by this data on charitable giving. Go Americans!

budget planner – Mint.com

Oh J!

2009-12-22T18:51:00.000-08:00

I love a good "outing" as much as the next person, but orange juice, seriously! What's next? Eggs...ha,ha. Just kidding. Eggs are awesome! Everybody knows that.

As much as I love to eat..and I do love to eat. I love controversy even more! So yes I do think I will read Squeezed: What You Don't Know About Orange Juice by Alissa Hamilton.

I already have been scorned by this highly acidic beverage more than once. I'm not a fan of grapefruits either for that matter. Clementines taste absolutely fabulous, however they can be expensive and difficult to obtain at certain times of the year. I do take daily supplement drops (on more like a bi-weekly or monthly basis) containing 60mg of vitamin C though I have to question their effectiveness and nutritional value over time.

Broccoli, red pepper, mango and kiwi fruit all contain a significant amount of Vitamin C as well as some apples. I really wish that coffee was high in Vitamin C. I'd have it made then.

Christmas Card Gift Tags

2009-12-21T23:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas cards have 101 uses. Before yesterday, I thought they had one maybe two possible functions, tops. Interesting, yes? I'm referring to the many ways a Christmas card may be repurposed and not my stunning lack of imagination or knowledge in this area, which is more like an embarrassment or a travesty than anything else.

One of the simplest ways to reuse a Christmas card is to turn it into a gift tag. All it takes is some scissors or pinking shears, cookie cutters or other decorative cutting shapes, a pen or pencil, string or ribbon, and a hole punch. Begin by separating the front cover of a Christmas card from the back. It is easiest to tear along the edge. Recycle the back of the card. Trace the outline of a cookie cutter or even the rim of a drinking glass onto the reverse side of the Christmas card's front cover (the side w/o the printed pattern). Cut out the design and punch a hole near the top. Write "to" and "from" on on the tag. Thread colored string or ribbon through the hole and attach to a gift. Done and done!

It so simple it is ridiculous.

Learning to Live In the Moment

2009-12-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

Christmas certainly has its perks: spending quality time with friends and family, lovely Christmas decorations (and not so lovely Christmas decorations), yummy edible treats, and the charitable giving of those who are fortunate to those who are less so.

And, in complete honestly, gift giving (and receiving), as long as it is in the true spirit of the holidays, is nice too.

As lovely as this all sounds, Christmas is an incredibly stressful time for many of us. Spending too much time with friends and family grates on the nerves, holiday cleaning and decorating takes hours and easily becomes overwhelming, hours spent bent over kitchen counter tops and hot stoves making cookies and fudge eventually leads to extra pounds and annoying sugar crashes, and shopping at over crowded stores is an absolute nightmare. Pile on a few parties, a forty hour work week and a busy social schedule and "bah-humbug" begins to rear its ugly head.

It is at this point, when all the over stimulation of the holidays is at its peak, that a person has to step back, take a deep breath and live in the moment or risk the alternative, completely loosing ones mind. I wish I could say that I am a master at what appears to be such a simple act, but living in the moment is not my strong suit which is putting it kindly. The reality is that I suck at it.

Despite my ineptitude for appreciating life's little moments, I am determined to try to be a better person, only slightly though as don't want to be seen as completely spineless either! It's hard to strike a balance.

The first step in the journey on learning how to "live in the moment" is being mindful through a simple practice. OK, so my spiritual journey is already on pause. Oh, wait. OK, drinking coffee is my favorite part of any day (don't laugh) so I will be mindful through the simple practice of drinking coffee. Sweet, sweet coffee.

The second step is to apply the positive thoughts, feelings and emotions related to the simple practice (like drinking sweet, sweet coffee) to stressful situations to create a mindful sense of calm or well being.

Once the mind is open, refocus on the moment as it unfolds in front of you. Be mindful of sounds, colors, textures, smells etc.

While working through difficult situations or repetitive tasks, let negative emotions and feelings fade away into the background and fully experience those things that are important to you, and remember to be mindful of life's moments, whether big or small, that make the holidays such a joyous time.

And drink plenty of coffee! Sweet, sweet coffee.

OK, I think I'm set.

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."
~ Dr. Seuss's Grinch from'How The Grinch Stole Christmas'.

Eco-Friendly Christmas Cards

2009-12-21T13:41:00.000-08:00

So it turns out my suspicions were true and most Christmas cards are recyclable including those with glossy front covers. The only exceptions are greeting cards embossed with foil or those that have non paper decorations glued to them. Also, overly dyed envelopes (dark red/green) can cause a problem and glitter (Oops! My Bad!). Consider greeting cards constructed from recycled post-consumer waste paper or purchasing a card template online from a site like g squared that can be printed from home on recycled paper. Biodegradable seed cards are also available in stores and online.

I enjoy quite a few of the designs from Paper Source including this Winter Berry Wreath box set of 10 cards regularly priced at $12.25 per box, however this set is currently on sale for $9.19 per box when you buy a total of 3 or more. Made from 100% recycled Eco-White paper, 30% of which being post-consumer waste, these cards are stylish and affordable.

Of course an e-card is always nice too! No paper to recycle there. After all it is reduce!...reuse, recycle.

Christmas Card Ornament

2009-12-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

Since I have had very little luck finding recyclable holiday greeting cards, I have been looking for ways to re-purpose the many "good tidings made in writing" of years past. I found this nifty DIY project online at a couple of websites including Junk Mail Gems.

The materials and tools needed to complete this project are all normal household objects including a variety of old greeting cards, cardboard or similar material, a pen or pencil, glue, scissors, binder clips (optional), ribbon or string, one circle cutting pattern and one triangle cutting pattern.

Begin by creating the circle and triangle cutting pattens. Using a round object like a drinking glass or jar lid, trace a circle onto a piece of cardboard. Note: A circle 2.75" in diameter will result in a final ornament of about 5-6" in diameter. Make a second circle and draw an equilateral triangle that fits within, similar to the pattern shown below.

Cut out one circle and one triangle cutting pattern.

Using the circle cutting pattern, trace 20 circles onto selected greeting cards. It may be a good idea to utilize a few different types of greeting cards in order to find a combination of eye pleasing patterns and colors.

Cut out all 20 circles.

On the back of each circle, trace the triangle cutting pattern. Fold all three sides of the triangle toward the front of the circle. Repeat for all 20 circles.

Arrange five of the folded circular cutouts tip to tip, glue together and secure with binder clips (optional) until dry. Repeat. You now have a top and bottom.

Arrange ten of the folded circular cutouts tip to bottom in a line, glue together and secure with binder clips (optional) until dry to create the midsection of the ornament.

Before assembling the top and bottom to the midsection, knot a loop of string or ribbon at the base and place, knotted end down, inside the ornament so it won't slip out. Secure with glue or tape for extra support.

Glue the midsection to the top and then attach the bottom. At this point, you have a finished product, however you may want to add a few finishing touches like glitter or other embellishments.

The entire process from start to finish should take approximately one hour.

For more detailed step by step instructions, click here.

Treecycle that Christmas Tree

2009-01-13T03:40:00.000-08:00

by Earth 911

"Treecycling" is the act of recycling your Christmas tree so that it can be turned into compost or mulch. In a national survey, 93 percent of consumers who used a real Christmas tree recycled theirs in some type of community program. If you're not sure how to recycle your tree, visit our Local Recycling Directory, type in the words "Christmas tree" and your zip code and you'll find drop off locations in your area.

Why Recycle a Tree?
Christmas trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest trees:

1. Chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
2. Beachfront erosion prevention
3. Lake and river shoreline stabilization
4. Fish habitat
5. River delta sedimentation management

Today around 98 percent of real Christmas trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource, and real trees are planted to be harvested just as corn and/or pumpkins are cultivated for a harvest.

For each real Christmas tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place, depending on farm size and current field rotation. Young trees in their rapid growth years have a high rate of photosynthesis and thus produce more oxygen than older trees.

This year, over 60 million new seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers all over North America.

More fun facts about Christmas trees:
-There are approximately 30-35 million real Christmas trees sold in North America every year.
-Approximately 175,000 real Christmas trees are sold via e-commerce or catalog and shipped mail-order.
-North-American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty-five percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China.
-Real Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics.
-For every real Christmas tree harvested, up to three seedlings are planted in its place the following spring.
-There are about 500,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees. Each acre provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
-There are about 21,000 Christmas Tree growers in North America, and over 100,000 people employed full or part-time in the industry.
-It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of average retail sale height (six feet), but the average growing time is seven years.
-The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
-The top selling Christmas trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, and white pine.

Content provided by Earth 911, the leading nationwide directory of local recycling resources.