Taking a Blogging Break This Week

Family Comes First

My Dad is going to have open heart surgery tomorrow, so this week will be just a bit hectic for me.  Trying to keep up with my job while at the hospital is all I’m going to attempt and that will be hard enough.

Dad is 82 years old and has never had heart problems, that we knew of.  But shortness of breath recently made him talk to his Doctor. What we thought was going to be a consult with a cardiologist last Friday ended up being a series of test done immediately. The cardiac cath showed calcification in his heart and 3 blockages. One was 99.9% blocked, another 85% and another 40%.   They were unable to do stints because of the calcification.

You always hear of heart disease being the silent killer. We are very lucky that Dad didn’t have a full blown heart attack. We aren’t looking forward to the open heart and (at least) double bypass, and the recovery – but we are so very thankful that we got this chance.  So many people never have the chance because they ignore  the very sudle symptoms. One of them we didn’t realize was increased belching. Dad thought he was just having stomach problems because for the last several week he had much more belching than usual. This is a sign of a blockage.

Here are a couple good places to start if you have any concern for yourself or a loved one.

Heart Issues for Woman can be different 

Heart Disease Guide from Web MD

 

 

Just Do It!

How Many Times Do You Hear That?

I tell myself that all the time.  Do you wonder why we don’t always do the things we should?  It’s almost like we make ourselves our own enemy.

My struggle right now is with weight.  I like to eat, I love sugar.  Do I know it is bad for me? Yup!  Do I feel like crap at my heaviest weight? Yup! Do I WANT to be thinner?  Yup!

So it should be simple, right? Just stop eating the crap, exercise and JUST DO IT!

I actually am beginning tomorrow with a trainer once a week. I need someone to make me accountable, someone to push me, someone who I have to answer to.  I know I shouldn’t. I know everything I need to do, I know what I need to eat and not eat – but it is something about someone else believing in you and working with you and counting on you… to motivate you.

I think the same thing happens in almost any area of our lives that we struggle in, but want to improve.  That might be keeping the house clean, cooking or organizing for you.  Of course there are way too many to list.. but you understand.

Steps To Just Doing It

1) Goals & Visions

Write them out.  What do you want to accomplish?  Give yourself specific goals to reach. Make them attainable goals. Be sure to put a date on the paper when you write it, so you can monitor time.

2) Make a Plan

When are you going to start? What time or cost is involved? What steps do you need to take to accomplish your goal?

3) Write it on your calendar

Writing it down is very helpful in making us accountable. If that time is set aside to accomplish your goal, then that is usually one big obstacle out of the way.

4) Find the resources you may need to help you.

It might be a personal trainer, a Professional Organizer, a chef  or, it might be finding a tutorial on Youtube, an article, book or magazine to help. It may just be your friend or neighbor that can help you.

But why does it seem that anything we need help with cost money? Have you noticed that it cost more to eat healthier? Why is that? I don’t know, but when I’m watching what I eat, I always spend more on the healthy vs the unhealthy items in the store.  Hiring a personal trainer cost money too. If you have organizing problems, hiring a Professional Organizer isn’t free either. I think we have to think of it as an investment in ourselves, our well being, our families well being.

5) Just Do It!

I know… I had to say it didn’t I?  But it does come down to that. We can’t just plan and want to do something – we have to actually do the grunt work to receive the benefit.  I know I’ll feel better once I start working out and eating right, so I’m going to just do it.

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St. Patrick’s Day Milkshake

Surprise Your Kids with Green Milkshake!

Saint Patrick’s Day can be a lot of fun.  You can do something as simple as give your kids a green milkshake and they will be thrilled.

Fun thing about it, is that it can be a really healthy shake and they don’t realize it.

It tastes like banana and peanut butter, so the kids will not even realize there is spinach in it (if you don’t want them to know).

Recipe for Green smoothie Shake

1/2 cup vanilla low fat yogurt
1 cup skim milk
1 banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
3-4 Cups leaf spinach
5-7 ice cubes

I haven’t tried this but you could substitute ice cream for the ice cubes if you wanted.

Makes about 48 oz of shake.

You can see my full post here for Green Spinach Recipe

 

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Green Smoothie Recipe

The Green Monster – Spinach Yummy Smoothie!

I found this recipe on pinterest and decided to try it and loved it!  I know… looks gross… like something for Saint Patrick’s day or something. Am I a total healthy freak who thinks all that gross healthy stuff tastes good? Nope.. not at all.  I am a total sugar-holic (but going through sugar de-tox now! LOL ) I do not have a taste for veggies, they are hard for me to get down, so this is a great way to do it.

Does it taste like spinach…. NO!  Believe it or not.

I have been having one each morning and it holds me until lunch… easy!
This has been referred to as a diet secret weapon…. and I can see why!
It tastes like a banana peanut butter milk shake.

It is around 350 calories per serving – but remember, it is a meal and it is so healthy and will help you not to have those in between cravings.

Ingredients

1/2 cup fat free or low fat yogurt (Greek yogurt would be good, but it is more expensive, so I don’t use it)
1 cup skim milk
1 banana (you can slice & freeze ahead if you want, I use ice cubes instead)
1 T peanut butter
several cups of leaf spinach
hand full of ice cubes

Cup up your banana

Add 1/2 cup yogurt

Add 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Add 1 cup skim milk
Fill the rest with spinach

Add a handful of ice.

Pulse your blender until the ice has made it’s way down. I like to put it on top because it seems to push the spinach down a little better.  Once your ice is chopped pretty well… then let it blend on smoothie or high for about a full minute.  There shouldn’t be any pieces of spinach left. (at least that is how I like it)

You get a large serving. Drink it all.

It tastes like a peanut butter banana shake!!!  Honest! My 11 year old tried it and liked it (the other one wouldn’t try it)

So happy I found this… you’ll have to try it!

 

I made the shake myself. These are my pictures. Please do not use them without permission, other than pinning them to pinterest. That I would love! :)

Cold and Flu

(Originally posted on Chat with Sandy 12/30/10. I am bringing it back because I like these products. I am no longer a GT VIP blogger and I’m not getting compensated in any way for this post. But I do believe in these products and use them myself and wanted to let you know)

Has it Hit Your House Yet?

Cold & Flu  has hit mine… several times.  We have had colds, bronchitis, walking pneumonia, strep throat, sinus infection in the last 3 months between the 10 of us.

Not fun is it?  Yuck!!

What have I had?  I will tell you that I thought 2 different times that I was getting sick. But it was like 1 day of a little sore throat and then it was gone.  Last night was the first night that I wondered about a cold. My nose was stuffy, but so far today it seems fine.
You know.. I hate even writing this! Because as soon as I start bragging that I haven’t gotten sick… I’m going to get whammied!!

I was going to put this video at the end of this post….but I want you to see this.  Dr. Lindsay Duncan was on the View and did a great job explaining some of these… After the video… check out the rest of our adventure with these juices. Consider this a commercial break! lol

What have I been doing that the rest of my family hasn’t been?  I’ve been drinking Omega Orange Juice from Genesis Today.  Do I know that is why I haven’t been sick and they have been?  Nope, I don’t.  Could it be?  Sure…

My boys got home from the first 3 weeks of basic, both with congestion and the beginnings of colds and coughs.  I started them drinking the Omega Orange and also the Resveratrol, Acai juices along with taking the new Vitamin C and Acai chews that I received from them.

Neither of them have gotten worse like you would expect with a cold. They are both doing great. The first several days that took Nyquil at night and Dayquil during the day. But then that was it. About 3 days and they are better.  Again… can I say it is from the Genesis Today products that they are better?  No… I can’t.

We had several different juices from Genesis Today to try.  The favorite of my older boys (we were out of Omega Orange) was the Pomegrante & Berries with Resveratrol. We also tried the Cranberry Goji and the new Veggie Blast.

The Vitamin C chew has 200% of vitamin C in it, along with some other great stuff.  It tastes good, reminds me of a starburst piece of candy.

The Acai chew is the same size. The consistency is slightly different.  It is just a little firmer. The taste is very much the same as the Acai juice. It is a little tart, and I like to have my coffee to drink after I eat it.  It doesn’t taste bad, but my mouth is actually watering as I type this. lol

My thoughts on the new Cranberry Goji juice – taste wise, I don’t care for it. But… remember!!! The Genesis Today products are about the health benefits for you and what they can do… Let me tell you… the pure form of these things do not taste good. You can get the concentrated form and take 1 oz a day.. and it is terrible! But they have made these juices in a diluted 8 oz serving form that I get at Walmart. So those of us who want the health benefits but want a better taste.

The Veggie blast tastes like cold tomato soup.  I personally have never liked V-8 because of the peppery taste. The Veggie Blast did not have the peppery taste when I was drinking it. Now – what I did notice was an “after burn” in my throat – not really my tongue. Kind of strange really – but a good way to get your veggies in!

I have to start eating healthy and this year is going to be kicked off right. Genesis Today is going to be part of my healthy lifestyle for 2011 and beyond!

Disclosure: I am on the Genesis Today VIP Superfood blogger team. I did receive samples of the Veggie juice, Goji juice and chews to try. I was allowed to use the video if I wanted to (which I did). The pictures are my own and opinions are my own.

(Update 2012 – I’m no longer a GT blogger and did not get compensated with any product to repost this blog)

Healthy Smoothie

(reposted from Chat with Sandy 2/7/11)

Super Healthy Shake that taste good!

I’m like things to taste good, and often when I see or hear of “healthy” food, it doesn’t taste good.  Here is something that that I like and is really healthy for me. 

My sister gave me the recipe for this shake that she has been having in the mornings. She started drinking it in January of this year and has lost 11 pounds, just because she isn’t hungry during the day.  She is still eating.. but she isn’t snacking.  {perfect!!}

I made it again today, and other than my Lean Cuisine that I ate for lunch, I have been great with water and now a piece of gum. It is 3:54pm (and that 3:00 hour usually kills me) and I’m fine. So really hoping this works for me too.

Here is the recipe:

1) 1 cup Omega Orange Juice (you can use any juice here. My sister uses a juice with grapefruit etc..)
2) 1 cup Frozen Fruit (mixed)
3) 1 cup Greek Yogurt
4) 1 cup fresh spinach (I just use a big bunch)
5) 2 Tablespoons Flax Seed
6) 2 Tablespoons Metamucil (I didn’t have for first batch. My sis recommends the berry favored. I could only find orange)
7) ice – optional

Just measure everything out and put into the blender

Greek Yogurt

Frozen Fruit – My husband went to the store for me, and got blue berries instead of a mixed frozen bag of fruit. No complaints.. the blue berries are good.  But next time I’m going to try the mixed fruit.

These are frozen.. not sugared as they appear
Next I added the Omega Orange Juice from Genesis Today. Love this juice! You can get it at Walmart. I drink it every morning, so I wanted to use it.

Add your fresh, washed spinach

My sister just said to take a big bunch of it. Hard to really measure a cup

Add your 2 T of Flax seed and 2 T of metamucil

Then you turn on your blender and blend it all together

I had to stop once or twice to get stuff off the side and move the spinach down, but it mixed pretty well.

You can add ice if you want.  I don’t know that it needs it, but I did add a few cubes each time I made it. Of course you can add the ice in at the beginning.. I just forgot.

Then blend some more

I originally poured it into a 12 oz glass. That was too small. I needed a bigger cup.

I have had things with flax seed in them before… so I wasn’t too sure about this. I was a little scared to try it.  I thought…. spinach, flax seed .. oh no.  This shake did not have the metamucil in it.

But this really was good.  I was so pleased!  It wasn’t one of those that I had to hold my nose and force down. I enjoyed it.

I made it again today with the Metamucil.  It was thicker.  I noticed that right off the bat.  If I would have taken a picture, you wouldn’t have seen all the bubbles, it was more like a thick milk shake. I got a straw.  It was also very good. I didn’t really notice any change in taste adding in the Metamucil.

Some of it was left at the bottom of my cup.. maybe about 1/4 of a cupful… and I went to wash the cup out a little later and it had really thickened up. I defiantly think that was the Metamucil at work.

I’m going to keep drinking them. I’ll try some different combination’s with the mixed fruit, and maybe I’ll try another one of the Genesis Today juices in it… but for now I am wanting to stick with the Omega Orange.

Update: I posted this originally on my Chat with Sandy blog 2/7/11. I have not been able to find the Omega Orange juice for awhile when I go to Walmart. You can use any juice, and I’ve made it with Acai or Resveratrol from Genesis Today also. I’ve inspired myself by reposting this. I’m going to get these started again. They are good… and good for me.

Disclosure: I have done some work with Genesis Today in the past and love their products. This post was not done as a review, promotion or even the knowledge of GT.

New Year’s Goals

Goals not Resolutions

What is the difference between a New Year’s Goal and a New Year’s Resolution?

A goal is something you are striving for.  A resolution is something you say “will happen before next year”. You are resolved that it is going to happen.  I think that is the reason people don’t like them. There is no “give”.  Then people feel defeated when they aren’t living up to what they want to do, and they quit.

What are your goals?

By the way, doing what that guy is doing is NOT one of my goals! lol  (photo from Google photos)

The same thing happens with organizing.  Someone wants it “perfect” and when they aren’t achieving that, they end up just giving up and things get out of control.

I have goals this year. Many of them are things I’m always working on.  But here is a list of my goals:

1) Get up around 6am. Go to bed by 11pm
2) Work on my blog in the morning BEFORE I open any other windows to start my job.
3) Work towards working my job 9-5 M-F instead of 7am-11pm M-Sunday.
4) Exercise everyday. Walking (with goals of jogging 1 mile) and maybe a Zumba DVD the other day.
5) Lose this extra weight I am carrying around (that is heavy to carry! lol)

Sit down today, if you haven’t already done so and write out at least five goals you have for this year. Something to strive for, something to work towards.  Don’t beat yourself up & give up, if you aren’t where you need to be at a certain point.  Work slowly and steadily.

Exercise has always been a thorn in my side. I wasn’t athletic in school and I’ve never had a good routine that I have maintained for any real length of time.  I picture myself as someone in shape who can run! I am inspired by watching the Biggest Loser. I always think, “hey, if people that have that much extra weight can do this, then there is no reason that I shouldn’t be able to do this.”

With work there is so much work to be done, that I could work 15 hours everyday and still have things that I could be doing. That is one down fall of working from home – work is always there. lol  But I think it is about the only down fall I can think of. I love everything else about it. I love being able to sit in my family room with my feet up, with my turtle neck and hoodie and tennis shoes on and working. cool huh? (I’m not a PJ worker).  But I’ve not been able to keep up with my blog and one of my goals is to give it more time this year.

What are your goals for the new year?

Weight Loss Plan Decision

I am not going to continue on the Nutrisystem Plan.

Why?  Am I crazy or what?  I might be, but I wanted to let you know what has been happening.

I went out of town again last week (and you know I always have trouble with that). But even before that I had been eating less and less of the Nutrisystem food.  Why?  I just didn’t like a lot of it. There are plenty of things that are good.  I highlighted those in my posts.  But even the things I first enjoyed I began to not like.

Do I think this plan works?  Yes I do, if you eat the food and stick with it I know you will lose your weight.  But I couldn’t in good faith continue the program when I haven’t even had any of it since I got back from my trip last week.

Am I gaining back some of the 12 pounds that I lost? I’m sure I am, I haven’t got back on the scale.  Is this a failure on my part? Sure is! Can’t say anything other than that.

What are my plans now?

I will need to get myself together and make myself exercise and get back on some kind of routine with what I am eating because I still have this weight to lose.

Would I suggest Nutrisystem to others?  I would tell them that there were things I didn’t like and some things I did like. That it might work for them as I know there are many people that it really helped.  It might also be because I was on Jenny Craig for a year in 2008 and compared a lot of the food to that.  I didn’t enjoy the food as well as the Jenny Craig food.  I missed the accountability of having to go and pick up the food (which was a pain I admit) and get weighted in.  Having food delivered to my door was really nice. But having to go and know that someone was going to weigh you in was even more powerful that taking a picture of the scales for you guys.

I was being sponsored for a four month period of time with Nutrisystem.  I am opting out after 11 weeks.  I feel bad for letting them down, letting you down, but I also can’t continue to write about something that I’m not using.

 

 

Hoarders Are People Too!

What Are Your Thoughts About The Hoarders On TV?

Have you watched some of the shows on TV about hoarding? Had you known this condition existed before you first saw about it on TV?

What are your thoughts about hoarders? The people who live in those situations, those houses filled with junk? Would you want to be friends with them?

My guess is that there are hoarders that you know…. but you have no idea they are hoarders. They are usually very “normal” people. People you see everyday at work, at school, in the neighborhood but you have no idea that they have a problem.

This is the home of a client I once had. She was a very sweet, nice woman. She has many unfortunate events happen in her life that led up to this. No one knew her home looked like this. She had a full time job, was very involved in her church, but kept this a secret. She was too embarrassed to let anyone know.

She wanted help, she wanted to move past all the stuff and she knew she needed help.

I put out comments on Twitter about hoarding, for instance:

“You might be a hoarder if: You can’t find a place to sit down in your house because all your chairs have stuff on them. #hoarders”

I had a disturbing comment back to one of those tweets.  Someone said,

“I bet that show just makes your skin crawl! Those ppl are soooo gross! All those dead cats, rats, spoiled food….yuck!”

It actually made me cry. Now also realize that I had just come home from seeing the movie “The Help” and it was a disturbing movie portraying the treatment of the black maids had to go through back in the 60′s.  But it just made me SO sad that someone thinks of the people as “sooooo gross.”  I think specifically of the two clients that I had that were true hoarders. Both were very nice people… not gross. They just both had problems that they needed help with.

I commented back with this:

“Hard 2 watch but I feel 4 those ppl. They have real illness, I don’t think of them as gross, just their situation #hoarders“

I think the hardest part about hoarding is that people don’t understand it is an illness. They do just look at the people who live in home filled with junk and often filth as “filthy people”.  They view the people simply as “lazy” and “gross”.

For the majority of hoarders, this condition has developed over time and their accumulation of “stuff” has grown over time.  It isn’t like they lived in a pristine home one day and the very next had stacks of stuff piled everywhere.  It happens gradually and gradually their defenses, their coping mechanisms build up so that they rationalize their situation as “normal”.

The illness has trapped them into a life where their “stuff” is their security, their safety net, their sanity. So that the thought of losing that stuff, is intolerable to them. They don’t feel they can cope in their daily lives without it.

What about people who smoke? It isn’t really the same, but you can draw parallels.  The smoking is the coping mechanism to help deal with stress. To go without cigarettes for some people is intolerable… they need them to deal with what live hands them.

I know they are completely different things…. the smoking just popped into my head when I was thinking of vices that people need to cope with everyday life.

Please try to watch those shows (if you do) with compassion, with empathy, and with caring for the people.  You can think their living environment is gross and filthy (usually it is), but don’t relate the grossness & filth to the person.

The woman who owned this home, got some other help (she was also receiving psychological help) from her church members I think. She wasn’t able to afford to have me (or any other Professional organizer) help her for long. I suggested to her to reach out for help from her church – they would be more understanding than she thought. There was no way she could do it physically by herself, even if the mental part of it wasn’t there. But she did receive help, was able to clear the things out and move into a smaller home like she planned. There is hope!

 

Couch to 1 Mile – Week 4

Stop the Running my Doctor Said!

(This is my post from last Friday that I wasn’t able to post due to my site being down) 

Can’t believe I’m already in the 4th week! I have been consistent in getting my three workouts in each week.  I still have a LONG way to go, but I actually look forward to my workout mornings now. That’s hard to believe isn’t it?

I say I’m going to do my “run” which is a LONG stretch of the term, but it is the positive view point.  It makes me feel more motivated.

My heart rate has been my major concern with the work outs.  It is going way too high. But I’m not keeping it high for a long period of time and I’m not feeling dizzy or symptomatic in any way (other than your normal sweating and hard breathing).  What I have noticed is that I’m not breathing as hard with my little runs as the first two weeks. I’m not easy breezing it either though.  I do get winded, but it is better.

This week I am moving up to 90 second run followed by a 90 second walk.  I did my first workout today as I write this (Sunday) and the first 90 seconds wasn’t bad at all!  I felt pretty relaxed and good. My heart rate was 170 after that one.

The 2nd 90 seconds was a little harder, but I didn’t feel like I was dying either.  But… my heart rate was over 200! So I walked for 2 minutes after that so that it could get back down to a reasonable number.

The 3rd 90 seconds was ok, heart rate was right about 200 after that.

I could have done one more 90 seconds (and not had much more time before I hit 1 mile) but I decided to just walk it out, not because I felt I couldn’t to it (which was a great feeling) but because I don’t like that my HR is going so high.  Just shows how terribly out of shape I am.

But even when I was younger (in 20′s) and was taking some aerobic classes, my HR was always going way over my target rate and I’d have to slow down what I was doing.  So it isn’t a new thing I guess… being out of shape.. I’m just older! lol

Step In… Doctor Visit

That is what my Doctor told me on Tuesday. I’m SO bummed!!  I told her what my heart rate was doing and she said to STOP RUNNING! She said I should not let my HR go over 160.  She said that my heart is doing all the work, not my muscles. She said I’m to not start running UNTIL I can get my HR to stay under 160 walking a mile.  Since I don’t want to end up being a “poster child” for a heart attack… I’ll listen. But it feels SO unmotivating!  I was really enjoying it.

My Week 1

5 minute fast walk to warm up
30 Seconds run
90 Seconds Walk
For 20 Minutes

My Week 2

5 minutes fast walk to warm up
60 Seconds Run
90 Seconds Walk
For 1 mile (less than 20 min)

My Week 3

Repeating week 2
5 min fast walk
60 Seconds Run
90 Seconds Walk
For 1 Mile

My Week 4

5 minutes fast walk to warm up
90 second run 
90 second walk
For 1 mile

Walk 5 min fast walk to warm up
Walk  even faster, keeping HR below 160.
For 1 mile

I am going to incorporate my walking exercise plan with the post I do each week for Nutrisystem. I’m going to be beginning the plan on Monday and you can follow along with me each Friday.

I’m using the Couch to 5K plan as a guideline – but I’m modifying it greatly. This is just want is working for me. I’m not saying this is right for anyone else. You are more than likely more advanced than I am, in better cardio shape. But if you aren’t, please discuss with your Doctor – do not feel like my plan is sanctioned by anyone or recommenced by anyone with credentials to do so. I am just sharing with you what I am doing.  - As you can see…. my Doctor told me something different…. so be sure to see yours before you start a running program.

Couch to 1 Mile – Week 3

Week 3 of Working Towards Running 1 Mile!

Two weeks are down and I’m still standing!  No injured knees, no falling on my treadmill, just a lot of sweat and feeling good!

My goal is to run 1 mile and I’m taking the slow and steady route to do it.  I’m not in a rush, I’m not going to run in a race, but I have a goal: I want to run 1 mile!

I’m using the Couch to 5K plan as a guideline – but I’m modifying it greatly. This is just want is working for me. I’m not saying this is right for anyone else. You are more than likely more advanced than I am, in better cardio shape. But if you aren’t, please discuss with your Doctor – do not feel like my plan is sanctioned by anyone or recommenced by anyone with credentials to do so. I am just sharing with you what I am doing.

I do 3 workouts a week as they recommend in the Couch to 5K plan.

My Week 1

5 minute fast walk to warm up
30 Seconds run
90 Seconds Walk
For 20 Minutes

My Week 2

5 minutes fast walk to warm up
60 Seconds Run
90 Seconds Walk
For 1 mile (less than 20 min)

My Week 3

Repeating week 2
5 min fast walk
60 Seconds Run
90 Seconds Walk
For 1 Mile

Why am I not moving up for week 3? My hear rate is still too fast.  After my last run of my 3rd workout in week 2, my pulse was 200. Way too high! It worked it’s way up slowly.

Week 3 –  Workout 1

After my 5 minute walk – 120
After 1st 60 sec run – 140
After 2nd 60 sec run – 160
After 3rd 60 sec run – 180
After 4th 60 sec run – 200

At least I’m pretty consistent! lol  It was back down fast once I started walking again. I slowed to a slow walk after I hit that pulse of 200. After a minute it was back down to 140.

Once I finish my walk/run I do some exercises to cool down and stretch.

I have one of those big balls, and I do some squats with the ball behind the small of my back against the wall. I squat down so I’m in a sitting position and then roll the ball back up so I’m standing again.  I do 10 of those.

I so a variety of other floor exercises I’ve been taught.  But most of them are geared towards stretching.

I usually just do about 15 minutes of stretches/exercises after my walk/run.

Then if I’m able I come downstairs to get some water and cool down before my shower. That isn’t always possible because of my schedule. If I have to take my shower right away I take a cool shower to help my body cool down.

 Workout 2 this week

It was a little easier today.

My heart rate was always between 160-170 after my runs. Even though that is still high, it is better than 2 days ago. That seems odd to me that there could be a difference that fast. But I’ll take it!

Workout  3 this week 

Today was ok. My breathing was better, I actually felt like I could have run past the 60 seconds.
My hear rate was 170-180′s today.

I am planning to move up next week.  I’m not sure yet if I’m going to go for 75 second runs or up to 90 second runs. I will try for the 90 seconds with 90 seconds inbetween – guess you’ll have to wait until next week to find what I decided! lol

 

 

Couch to 1 Mile

Week 1 – My Couch to 1 Mile Running Plan

Me run?  I never have… I’ve wanted to for a long time.  My biggest problem?  Me!!

I have this total attitude that I can’t do it.  Why? Because almost  every time I have tried to do an exercise program, I have inflamed something and have had to stop.  Last year I was being so good in going to a kickboxing class.  I ended up injuring my shoulder and have been working through a frozen shoulder for the last year.

I have gained back all the weight I had lost in 2008.  I feel like crap… I look like crap. I need to so something!

I decided to try this – but with a bit of a change. My goal is 1 mile not a 5K. I am not in a race to get there. I want to go slow and steady and actually make it there. So I will be altering this plan, but using it as my guideline.

Here is week one on the Couch to 5K program.

My week one: 

Brisk walk for 5 minutes. 
Then alternate 30 seconds of jogging & 90 seconds of walking for total of 20 minutes.   

Once I can hit my 1 mile, then I’m hoping to go for 2 miles.

You aren’t supposed to do this everyday.  You are supposed to only work on this three times a week.  This was me this morning after my workout.  My face is red… I am sweating up a storm… but I feel great.

I have a treadmill in my bedroom and I use that.  I am far too embarrassed at this point to walk/run outside.

I used this Target Heart Rate Calculator from American Cancer Society to find my target heart rate. I just plugged in my age.

Mine should be 85-127

This target heart rate calculator from About.com seems more accurate. It is a full formula you go through to get your lower -higher exercise rate.

Mine comes out to 126-158

I didn’t check my heart rate the first week of exercise (but I should have)

Here is the week two that I’m supposed to be doing.

My Week 2 Plan

Brisk 5 minute walk to warm up
Alternate 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking for total of 1 mile.

My heart rate was in the 180′s.

So I am going to stick with this same schedule next week. Like I said, I’m in no rush. Slow and steady wins the race right?

Here are some of my thoughts after my workouts this week.

Day 1 of Week 2.

I was all set today to do the 60 seconds of running then 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes.  It amazes me how out of shape I am. Well.. not really… I know how bad I am. But I didn’t do the full 20 minutes. I stopped at the 1 mile mark.  I did the 5 min. warm up, then 60 seconds run, 90 seconds walk throughout though.  It wasn’t so easy.

I don’t know if treadmills are all set the same. But this is what I’ve been doing.  I know those of you who really run/jog will laugh, but it is what it is.

I set my treadmill on 3.2 to start my walk. Before the end of the warm up I walk between 3.4 – 3.6.  For my jogging (slow jog for most of you) I was setting it at 5.0.  I decided last week it was almost too slow, some of the steps my feet seem to scuff on the tread. Falling isn’t an option for me. lol
So I tried 6.0 and that was too fast.  I have been doing 5.5 and that seems pretty good.   But my last 6o seconds today I went back to the 5.0.

My breathing is my big thing. I get out of breath.  My heart rate was about 160 after I was finished & doing my stretching exercises.  I need to find that formula to figure out what my top rate should be. I know when I was young (20′s) my high heart rate was supposed to be 160 and it was always higher when I worked out. I don’t know if it should be the same or lower now that I’m 51 years old.  ( I have since found the calculator… link above)

The other reason I stopped at 1 mile was because I was starting to feel dizzy.

Day 2 of Week 2 

Today wasn’t as bad as 2 days ago. I didn’t feel dizzy. I did decide to slow back down to the 5.0 on the treadmill speed. But I took my heart rate as I was running and it was in the  180′s. That isn’t good.

Day 3 will be tomorrow.

I plan on keeping with this same routine next week. Until I get to the point that my breathing is under better control and my heart rate comes down a little bit. Then I will keep progressing.

 

Cell Phones

Now They Cause Cancer Too?

I’ve heard that rumor for years, that cell phone can cause brain tumors; but they have always said it wasn’t true.. or there was no data to prove it.

They are changing their tune.  Evidently the from the article I read on Mercola.com and video I saw by Dr. Mercola who is saying this:

In June of this year, 2011; a committee consisting of scientist from 14 different countries who were working for the World Health Organization have concluded that exposure to cell phone radiation is a possible carcinogen.  They have put it into the 2B category which is the same group they put DDT, gasoline exhaust and laundry chemicals. (per Dr. Mercola’s video)

I am also reading on several different sites that using bluetooth or most earphones actually is worse. The wire actually acts as an antenna and brings the radiation closer to your brain than anything else we’ve seen.

The other big thing they are saying is that we really have to be concerned for our kids. They are at the greatest risk because they are starting usage so much younger than we ever did.  They also have thinner skulls which don’t have as much protection as ours from the radiation.

Oh… and even keeping our cell phones on our person isn’t good. They still emit radiation if they are on.

So…. looks like I don’t have just skin cancer to worry about, now I have brain and butt cancer (I often put my phone in my back pocket if I’m not carrying my purse)  to worry about too!!

I’m waiting to hear that they are going to determine the same problem with my laptop too. It gets so warm on my legs…. so there is thigh and probably girly cancer added onto the list.

Geeze…. maybe I should just give up now!

So.. what are we supposed to do?

1) Decrease cell phone use and try to keep it off unless we need it. (yeah sure… lol)
2) Keep it away from our body. In a purse or near by table.
3) Get a protected headset. There is tubing (like a stethoscope) that emits sound waves that are supposed to decrease the exposure by like 98%.
4) Limit our kids cell phone use.  I guess the texting isn’t so bad huh? Better than talking
5) Look for a cell phone case that protects from radiation?

I did a look and found this one.
Pong Products – - Sounds good until you see that the radiation bounces off of your phone and goes out towards the person next to you.  So now we have to worry about 2nd hand cell phone radiation? OMG! LOL
So I kept looking and found this article on Youserblog-Nothing Else blog that was published in December 2009 saying that they thought it was very coincidental that this cell phone case came out claiming to protect you against radiation around the same time there was concern over cell phone causing cancer.  This was back in 2009!  But they go on to say in the article that from what they can find, that Pongs claims are true.  Also that the radiation that bounces away from that cell phone case dissipate and are not harmful to others around them.

So… what am I going to do?  I’m going to order one. (I got the neon green one) Ugh  I’m also going to look for the safer airtube earphones for my phone.

I put on the link for the pong cell phone case. I just want you to know I am not any kind of affiliate for them at all. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to sell something.

 

Sunscreen

FDA requiring New Labels on Sunscreens!

Did you even know there was a possibility you weren’t being protected against skin cancer if you used a sunscreen? I didn’t!

I read an article yesterday and also saw on the news where there were going to be new regulations on the labels of sunscreen products by next year.

I had no idea there were issues with the labels. There seems to be so many to choose from, waterproof, Paba Free, spf 20-70, sunblock, etc.  I never thought that we were not being given all the information we needed to protect ourselves from sunburns and skin cancer. I didn’t know that the sunscreens differentiated in that they may protect you from wrinkles and not skin cancer if they were the same spf.

I am especially concerned with the skin cancers.  Many of you who follow me know that I recently had to have a skin graft on my nose due to a basal cell cancer removed.  My bigger fear is the high risk I have of getting melanoma. My mom passed away from it and I’ve had many abnormal moles removed to this point.

These are some things that I learned from the article I read in the June 15,2011 USA Today front page newspaper. The article was written by Liz Szabo, but this break down list is in my own words from what I read out of her article.

The FDA announced that sunscreens will have new labels by summer of 2012.

The FDA have wanted to change the labels since 1978.

The labels will have to state which sunscreens give “broad protection” from both of the biggest forms of UV rays (ultraviolet radiation)

UVA causes wrinkles – can cause skin cancer

UVB causes burns – can cause skin cancer

SPF only measures burn protection

To pass test for new labels and state they are “broad spectrum”they have to have spf of 15 and pass the FDA tests for UVA rays.

Products that don’t protect against UVA, or have spf of less than 15 will have to have a warning on them that they don’t protect against skin cancer.

Sunscreens will also have to have a “drug facts” box with more info in it.

The sunscreens that say “Broad Spectrum” now – we have no way to really know if they are because there has been no formal standard.

They will no longer be able to say they are – “Sunblock”, “sweat-proof” or “water-proof”!

They are only going to be able to claim whether they are “water-resistant” for 40 or 80 minutes.

That really floored me!  I guess I have been thinking all this time that if I have an spf sunblock on myself or the kids that we WERE protected against skin cancer.  Now I’m hearing that maybe we were… maybe we weren’t.
I have to say that it ticks me off a bit that the general public didn’t know that there wasn’t a standard in place, that there was even a possibility that we might not be protected completely by these sunscreens.

I’m glad the changes are being made so that we can be sure that ourselves and our children are being protected the way we thought we were always protected previously.

 

 

Morel Mushrooms

Hunting Morel Mushrooms

Have you ever heard of morel mushrooms?  I never had until I met my husband 7 years ago.

Personally I think they are totally gross looking!!  But they taste really good.  Morel mushrooms are actually a delicacy.  I worked for a client who used to buy them. I just looked online and saw 16 oz for $155 on amazon! omg!!

Dave took the triplets to the farm today to go mushroom hunting.  They only come up for about 1-2 weeks at the end of April, beginning of May. They are very hard to find also. I actually have never found one myself.  They both have wet hair here because they just took their showers when they got home from the farm.

Evidently they grow best underneath hardwood trees.  Even better are dead Elm trees.  You use a walking stick to more things out of the way because the blend right in and they grow underneath leaves and stuff on the ground. This was all Dave and the kids found after hunting for about two hours today.

It helps when there has been rain and the best temps are around 70 during the day and 50′s at night.  It has been a little cold, although we’ve had plenty of rain!

This is the yellow variety of morel mushrooms.  There is a gray variety. Some people call those brown ones.  Dave said that is the kind that they generally find at the farm.  I guess those taste a little better.

The yellows get bigger, but they aren’t quite as tasty, although they are still supposed to be good.  Dave and I will go to the farm next weekend and hopefully be able to find some more.

We are planning to cook these tonight. After washing them and soaking in some cold water, we will dip them in some egg mixed up and coat with flour and then fry them in olive oil. There are several different ways you can cook them.  I was looking online at some recipes and found some that used crackers to coat them, Parmesan cheese, cornmeal, potato chips and others.

Oh.. they are good!

Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Cancer and Mohs Surgery

Do you think much about skin cancer when you go outside to tan?  I never used to.  I used to love to layout.  Heck, we used to use baby oil to help us tan when I was young.

I just had surgery for skin cancer yesterday. I had a basal cell skin cancer on my nose and had to have the Mohs surgery preformed. I wanted to share with you, so that hopefully you won’t have to have it done at anytime in your lifetime… or you will get that questionable mole or spot checked out by your dermatologist.   Don’t worry.. I won’t show you the actual wound.. nothing gross (just my face…ewwww…)

My Mom passed away from melanoma 11 years ago.

My Dad has had multiple basal cell cancers removed, almost all from his face.  He used to play golf a lot and was exposed to a lot of sun. He has had flaps to repair where they had taken the basal cell cancers.

Now… me.  I have been going in to the dermatologist almost every 6 months for several years.  I get a total body scan. My dermatologist Dr. Kelley Zyniewicz with Central Ohio Skin and Cancer is wonderful.  She is very pro active with me (“with your family history Sandy…” ) and takes off anything she sees, along with anything I am worried about.  My motto has become, “Better scars than dead”.  I have had well over a dozen dysplastic nevus off, one really bad one on the back of my calf.

But this has been my first experience with a basal cell cancer.  I went in for my basic every six month skin check and my dermatologist wanted to know how long this place on my nose had been there. I said, “I don’t know, a few weeks, I think it is a zit”.  She said she was taking it off.  She was right… it was a basal cell.

I want you to look at it. Even though getting this close to my face is kind of gross, it really didn’t look like much of anything did it?  It didn’t hurt or bother me at all. It had only been there a few weeks as far as I know. So I thought it was a zit.

There are three kind of skin cancers:

Melanoma – The worse skin cancer.  This one will metastasize to other organs of your body and has the highest death rates from skin cancer.

Squamous Cell - This is the least common of the three skin cancers.  It usually doesn’t cause problems when caught early. But it can also metastasize to other parts of the body.

Basal Cell - This kind of skin cancer won’t kill you. It doesn’t metastasize, but it can disfigure you.  It grows like an ice berg. What you see above the surface (what we see) is only the tip of the ice berg. The rest of the ice berg is underneath and it is hard to tell how large it is.   They treat it by doing what they call Mohs Surgery.

Mohs Surgery - They go in after you have been diagnosed with the skin cancer.  My Doctor originally took off the little bump I had a couple weeks ago. I got the results back last week that it was a basal cell cancer. I had my appointment yesterday for the Mohs.

They told me to pack a lunch, or I could go out to lunch – but to plan on being there all day.  My appointment was at 8:30am.

I went back and they did the first “pass”. They removed part of the area.  This was me after she had me numbed and I was waiting for the Doctor to come in and start surgery.  I mean… who really takes a picture of them self right before surgery? lol

They put a pressure dressing on me and I went out in the smaller private waiting room to wait.  It took close to 2 hours and they told me they didn’t get it all.  Great isn’t it?

About 12:15 they told me that they did get it all, but that it would still take a little time for them to bring me back to close the wound.

Once back in the room, she asked if I could look at it.  I said sure.  It was bigger than a pencil eraser, but smaller than a dime, circular and was black because they had cauterized it to stop the bleeding.

Here is what threw me… I thought they could just stitch it up.  But she said because it was deeper and more extensive than they thought they could do one of two things.

1) Skin Graft – Take a small piece of skin from in front of my ear and transplant it. The negative part of this is that the skin color won’t match. It will be whiter than the skin on my nose.

2) Flap surgery – If she were to do this surgery, she would use a piece of skin that attaches to my nose. She would have gone down the edge of my nose towards my lip. This keeps the skin and blood supply alive to heal.  But I would have had a scar.

I picked the skin graft, but inside I was crying.  I had no idea that only after 2 times going back that this was a possibility. I thought these procedures were for much more extensive repairs.  I was actually glad for the anesthetic injection this time because I was able to let out some real tears along with the ones that came from the stinging so close to my eyes.

The took a place in front of my ear that required 4 sutures and put a bandage over that. Then the actual graft she said had 6 sutures in it.

Here is me this morning: I was surprised my eye wasn’t all swollen and black like they said it might be. It is a little dark, and you can see the swelling just above the dressing on the side of my nose.  I do know I’m wiped out today. That is pretty wimpy isn’t it? It isnt’ like I had some big surgery or anything.

I get to wear that beauty on my nose a full week!!  I am not allowed to get it wet or remove it at all.  The graft has to “take”.  I guess there is an actual dressing sutured over the graft too.  The one on over the “donor” site or the place in front of my ear I can take off today.

So.. moral of the story is:   USE SUNSCREEN and GO TO YOUR DERMATOLOGIST for checks!!  A nice tan isn’t worth dying over or having to have surgeries to remove skin cancers for! Really!

Fire Protection

NFPA – National Fire Protection Association and Sparky The Dog

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to check on all those wires and cords. Hopefully you are moving furniture and cleaning and dusting all the surfaces of your house.  So don’t neglect the electrical wires!

You all know Sparky the fire dog right?  I had the pleasure of interviewing him (via email) to give you some tips on how to keep your home safe in regards to wire and cord safety.

Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that extension cords that we overload can get really hot and could create real fire risk?  NFPA suggests that as part of our spring cleaning each year we need to check our electrical wires throughout our homes.

They also say that electricity is a leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It’s because we overload extension cords or plus, there is wiring not done to code, we have damaged cords or loose connections that can create these fires.

Sparky.org is a cute web site that has games and activities for children to do to learn about fire safety.

I created some questions that Sparky answered. Take a few minutes to read through them, there may be some info that you weren’t aware of.

 

#1 Sandy: How do you know if your electric system is up to code?
Sparky: A home would be determined to be code compliant by  an electrical inspector.

#2 Sandy: What are some key things to look for when it comes to your electrical wires?
Sparky: Among many, damage or discoloration of a wire are both common indicators of an issue.

#3 Sandy: How do you know if you have too many plugs in one room if you don’t blow a short?
Sparky: This is something that typically needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.  If a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows, it is usually an indication that the circuit is overloaded.

#4 Sandy: What is the best thing to do if you have something electric (for instance a lamp) that sometimes goes off by itself and there isn’t something obviously wrong (such as a loose light bulb)?
Sparky: Have it repaired by a qualified person or replace it.

#5 Sandy: Is it alright to plug an extension cord into a power strip?
Sparky: It is best not to plug an extension cord into a power strip.

#6 Sandy: If you run over an extension cord with a vacuum cleaner and it cuts some of the plastic, what is the best solution for the cord?
Sparky: Replacement is often the best solution.

#7 Sandy: Do you have suggestions for cord or cable organization? Are there any methods that can cause harm or danger to the wires?
Sparky: There are many varieties of cord organization systems available so it would be important to refer to the manufacturers’ recommendations for the product when selecting one.  Avoid any systems that would require putting cords against walls or furniture or running them under carpets or across doorways.

#8 Sandy:  What are the dangers of using inside extension cords outside or vice versa?
Sparky: Indoor extension cords should not be used outside because they were not intended to be exposed to elements typically found there.

In general, it is a good idea to call a licensed electrician if you experience any of the following:

·         recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers

·         a tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance

·         discolored or warm wall outlets or switches

·         a burning smell or rubbery odor coming from an appliance

·         flickering lights

·         sparks from an outlet

·         cracked or broken outlets

#9 Sandy:  What are your tips for a good home safety plan for fire evacuation?
Sparky: Be sure to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside every sleeping room and outside of each sleeping area.  Draw a home escape plan and discuss it with everyone in your household.  Practice the plan during the day and at night with everyone in your home at least twice a year. It is important to know at least two ways out of every room.   (More information on basic escape planning and a downloadable grid are available at www.nfpa.org/escapeplan

#10 Sandy:  What are some other tips you’d like to share when it comes to spring cleaning and fire safety?
Sparky: Key fire safety tips: Key Fire Safety Tips – From “A Reporters Guide to Fire and the NFPA

Be Prepared for Illness

Take Care of Those You Love!

It’s sure no fun to be deathly ill and realize you have to go to the store to get medicine for your child because they are sick too and don’t have any fever reducer for them.

I recommend that you have certain over the counter medications always on hand. Of course these are just my recommendations as a mom and pediatric nurse – this is not Doctor recommended, just Sandy recommended.

Prevention is your best defense – Good hand washing, good nutrition, vitamins, exercise

What To Put In Your “I’m Ready Kit”

1) Vaporizer – Warm or cool mist for coughs and congestion
2) Ibuprofen – (like Advil) Fever, pain, inflammation.
3) Antihistamine – (like Benadryl) Allergic reactions
4) Cough Medicine – (honey also works for kids). As age recommend by your Doctor
5) Congestion Medication
6) Antidiarrheal – adults only (children to use dietary measures)
7) Laxative – adults only (children to use dietary measures)
8) Pedialyte – to hydrate your child to prevent dehydration.
9) Tissues
10) Disinfectant
11) Plenty of Soap and Water

Send a Care Package To Someone You Love!

I put together a package to send my two boys while they are in the Army. They both just went  to boot camp at Fort Sills and graduated last month. They are now in San Antonio learning to become lab techs for the National Guard. I’m not allowed to send them care packages!

It drove me crazy while they were in boot camp that I wasn’t able to help them when they were ill.  Drew on the left had problems with sinus infection, cough, cold and shin splints.  Joe on the right had a back and ankle injury during his 12 weeks.

I had so much fun picking out what I thought would really benefit them.  I got duplicates of everything I bought since they are in different rooms.

I got them some items for prevention.  I got the Centrum multi vitamins along with extra Vitamin C and Acai berry chews.  The Chap Stick is to help protect their lips since they are in TX where it is sunny and dry.

I’m a firm believer in Ibuprofen.  It brings fevers down faster than acetaminophen (Tylenol). It gives better pain relief and it also has an anti-inflammatory that the acetaminophen does not. So both boys got some Advil for sure!

I also wanted to be sure to get them something for congestion relief, sinus headaches etc..  So I go them this Advil congestion.   Before you get any combination OTC medication such as this – be sure if you are going to give it to your children (or yourself) that you realize what medications are in it.  This one has ibuprofen already in it, so you wouldn’t want to take extra ibuprofen. That is the main reasons Doctors discourage the combination meds for children. Some parents aren’t careful or don’t realize and they end up giving double doses of medications.

I also bought a whole bunch more for them!

and also

But I also got them goodies! I didn’t bake them anything on this first care package. I wanted to get them the things that I thought they could really use.

I packed it all up for them

Doesn’t that look fun?  They are going to love it!  I’ll be you that they never take vitamins on their own! Hopefully they won’t need any of the other over the counter medications I got them, but chances are that they will!

What a great idea for service men or woman, college students, shut ins or your newly married children!

What are some of the things you put in your “I’m Ready Kit” at your house?  Have you ever thought of sending over the counter medications or supplies as a care package to someone you love?

Check out my other posts from this series:
Part 1 – Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
Part 2 – Organizing Your Medicine Cabinet – Expired Meds
Part 3 – Disposing of Your Expired or Unused Medications
How is your medicine cabinet coming this week? Have you organized it yet? This link party is open until next week, so feel free to keep working on it! Then link it up to Organizing Mission Monday Link Party

I LOVE your comments!

The pictures I used were part of a shop I did with Collective Bias for my boys. I was so excited to send them this care package while they are in training for the Army. This is not a sponsored post, nor was I required to do it. I am the campaign lead for the Over The Counter group with Collective Bias. All opinions and pictures are my own.

Disposing of Expired or Unused Medications

Guidelines for Safe Disposal of Expired or Unused Medications

Now that you have separated out all those expired medications from your medicine cabinets, what do you do with them?  Do you just pitch them in the trash can or down the toilet? Do you have to take them some place special, because that is a pain and no one wants to have to do that.

There are guidelines that are recommended by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for safe disposal of medication. See the FDA guidelines for safe disposal of medicine

* Check the bottle itself and see if there are guidelines there as to how to dispose of the medication. If it isn’t on
the bottle, you can check the enclosed information sheet if you still have it or you can check the web site.

* Most medications can be thrown in the trash. Take them out of their original containers. Put them into a plastic bag with something make them undesirable to animals and small children such as coffee grounds or kitty litter.  Seal the bag and throw it in the trash can (where animals or children can not get to it)

Be sure before you throw away a prescription bottle, to either scratch out your personal information or take off the label and shred the label.

* There are some medications that should still be flushed down the sink or toilet according to the FDA. They are mostly medications that could cause real harm to children or animals if found and consumed.  The FDA is aware that there is concern over trace amounts of medications being found in the water. They feel this is more from people who excrete medications and that the medications going down the toilet are still the safest alternative.

See drugs that the FDA recommends Flushing down the sink or toilet here.

There are also some communities that have a “take back” program.  You can check within your own community for such a program. They have safe methods for disposing of the medications for you.

Be sure to use precaution when disposing of your medications!

Check out my other posts from this series:
Part 1 – Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
Part 2 – Organizing Your Medicine Cabinet – Expired Meds
Part 4 – Be Prepared for Illness

Your mission is to Organize YOUR medicine cabinets! I want to see them! Be sure to link them up to my Organizing Mission Link party!

I LOVE your comments!

Expired or Unused Medication

I Bet 95% of You Have Expired Meds In Your Medicine Cabinet!

It is just one of those things we don’t think a lot about, until we need it.  Expired medications aren’t usually harmful to you, they are just not as effective. But in some cases, such as severe allergies, having a medication that isn’t is not as affective can be harmful because may be preventing a life threatening reaction.

When you clean out and organize your medicine cabinet, I want you to look at the expiration date of every medication in it. The expiration dates can be in a variety of places.

Sometimes they are hard to find.

Sometimes they are hard to read

Don’t forget to check prescription medications too. See.. this one was expired!

This one too.

Here is my pile of expired medications from the cabinet above my coffee maker.

Here is my pile of expired meds from my two pantry baskets. Pretty bad huh?  But not unusual at all.

Even when some people go in and organize or straighten up their meds, they don’t think about looking for expired medications.

It is a pain to look for the expired meds!!  Trying to search all over the bottle for the expiration date. Then if you can read it without a magnifying glass your also lucky!

So how can we help solve this problem?  Simple!

LET’S SEE THOSE EXPIRATION DATES!!

Get a black sharpie marker and some sticky labels.

As you are organizing, go through each item and if it isn’t expired, you need to put the expiration date on the medication using your sticky labels and sharpie marker.

I had some clear Avery labels and decided to use those.  I first tried just writing directly on the medications label, but it was that slick plastic label and the marker didn’t go on nice, and even once it was dry, I was able to just wipe it off with my finger.  The label it didn’t do that.

When you place your label onto your medication bottle, be sure not to cover up vital information (directions and doses or concentration of the medications)

It is so much easier to see.

It is just so simple! Depending on the bottle itself, you can just write directly on the surface if it writes easily and won’t wipe off.

As your medications come into your house from the pharmacy, as you go to put them away, get that sharpie marker (that you have kept right with your medications) and mark the bottles before you put them away.

There are times that the box that has the medication is where you will find the expiration date and it isn’t even on the bottle itself. I didn’t find any like that in my stash, because I don’t save many boxes…. but you won’t have any problem if you label them right away. The simpler you keep it, the more likely you will be to comply and actually keep it up.

But isn’t this much easier to see?

Look at the ones I keep above my coffee maker.

When the dates are easy to see, you will be MUCH less likely to have expired medications.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the drug companies did this for us?  If they won’t put them large on the bottle and easy to see and to find, wouldn’t it be nice then if they at least provided a sticker or had a surface up near the top of the bottle to make it easier for us to label them ourselves?  I sure think so!

Be sure to see the rest of my series:

Part 1 – Organize Your Medicine Cabinet
Part 3 – Disposing of Your Expired or Unused Medications
Part 4 – Be Prepared for Illness

Your mission is to LABEL your medications with EXPIRATION DATES! I want to see them! You might have another idea that could help us all.. please share it!

Be sure to link them up to my Organizing Mission Link party!

I LOVE your comments!!

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