Okay, okay Universe, I’ll exercise

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Happy Crystal

There was a time 5-10 years ago when losing weight – thus fitting into my summer pants – mean simply cutting calories.  I’m afraid now though, at 41, I need to actually add in some exercise too.  Fuckity.

And I’m not against the idea.  I know that it will help my bone density (Oh #$%@… when did I get old enough to care about my bone desity?!?!) and tone some giggly bits  as well.  And I can attempt to sound cool around the water cooler by recounting my various exercising adventures.

But what exercise to choose?  While I can certainly do a mixture of different things, I feel like I want to choose one main one to focus on.  So, I’ve given it some thought, and here are the options I think could work for me:

  • Walking and/or jogging/running
  •  Jumping on my mini trampoline while watching TV
  • Attending some of the exercise classes offered at the gym at work
  • Doing some weight lifting at the gym at work and making use of the cardio machines
  • Hot yoga (do not knock this one until you try it – while I didn’t enjoy regular yoga at all, I looooooove hot yoga)

Stand by… I’ll let you know what I come up with.

Posted in Crystal's Weight Loss Journey | 801 Comments

If the kids just want noodles, why do I cook meat?

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Happy Crystal

I love to cook.  I love to bake.  I love to swim.  Oh, wait, that last one isn’t important right now!

Since I love kitcheny activities such as these, every now and then I’ll forget that my kids have limited food preferences and make a nice meal for us. Then, two or three days later, I’ll throw away 3/4 of a ham… or pork tenderloin… or roast beef… or sloppy joes. And I’ll kick myself for wasting the money on meat that I knew they would only have a little bit of. Preferring instead to have two loaded potatoes or bowls of pasta and side heaps of watermelon.

Because even though they tell me that at Daddy’s house they eat ribs and chicken and steak (and I believe them), at my house, what I SEE is them devouring carbs and cheese and fruit and vegetables. And I’m not gonna lie, I’m okay with it. Because, in proper combinations, many foods make up perfectly acceptable protein sources.

So really, I think I need to let go of the idea that a “good or fancy” meal needs to be centered around a meat. Honestly, let’s face it, meat can be pricey. And really I can take it or leave it myself as well. Maybe we’ll have falafels for dinner sometime ;)

704 Comments

Reducing your breast cancer risk

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Happy Crystal

Breast cancer is a very scary subject.  But I think that’s exactly why it needs to be talked about. While cancer is a complex illness, new research has pointed to environmental and lifestyle factors that may increase or reduce the risk of breast cancer. Here are some tips helping to reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Keep a Healthy Weight

Obesity is associated not only with increased breast cancer risk, but also with increased risk of recurrence. This may be due, in part, to the excess estrogen and other hormonal imbalances that are associated with obesity. According to various sources, overweight, menopausal women are at the greatest risk.

So a regular exercise routine and healthful diet to keep excess weight at bay are good lifestyle choices.

Choose Safe Beauty Products

Beware of the “toxic trio”: formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. These chemicals are often used in nail polish and nail polish remover, as well as other cosmetics. These are implicated in the development of cancer, so steer clear of them whenever you can.

As a general rule, it’s probably best to choose cosmetics with the fewest ingredients possible, and with as few synthetic ones as possible. Deodorant, due to its proximity to the breasts, is of particular concern – experts recommend aluminum-free deodorants. You may wish to go a step farther and avoid deodorants with any synthetic ingredients (effective ones are now widely available).

Beware of the vague term “fragrance” on cosmetics. That could mean any number of scent-producing chemicals, some of which are implicated in cancer.

Minimize the Use of Plastics

Plastics, especially heated, worn, or damaged plastics, may leach chemicals into the food or liquids they contain. Some of these chemicals, such as BPA, are strongly implicated in the development of breast cancer, probably due to their tendency to disrupt hormones. Sources note that heating plastics is particularly likely to release these chemicals, which is why many of these same sources advise women to cover foods with a paper towel rather than plastic wrap before heating.

To minimize your plastics exposure, carry your own stainless steel water bottle, look for “BPA Free” plastics, and store and reheat food in glass or ceramic containers. Also, limit your consumption of canned food, as BPA is found in many canned foods.

Eat Healthy Foods

Healthy oils, particularly fish oils, are said to protect against breast cancer. Taking supplements and/or eating bi-weekly (at least) portions of fish like salmon and sardines may be a key preventative of breast cancer.

In addition, experts agree that lots of organic, fresh fruits and vegetables are keys to cancer prevention, as are hormone-free meats and dairy products.

Posted in Keeping your family healthy | 685 Comments

Diet shakes and other things I thought I’d never try

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Happy Crystal

I was (screaming and crying and ranting) talking to some coworkers about my portliness and someone suggested diet shakes. I won’t get into the brand because I’m not trying to sell you any here. Suffice to say he says he knows people who lost crazy amounts of weight drinking them. If memory serves, one woman lost 22 pounds in a month. It just fell off – how great is that??? Oh wait, it sounds painful… but I’m sure he didn’t mean it literally… that would never be legal. Right?

So I’m seriously considering them. Okay, okay, you got me, I ordered a month’s worth. I’m splitting the order with a friend. It comes in sometime next week. Angels will probably sing when he hands me the package, and suddenly the waistband of my pants will become some version of comfortable again. Yep. It’s gonna be great. Imma be hawt.

In the meantime, because once I set my mind to something I like to take action… or Git-er-dun… either or… I’m going to start Slim Fast shakes tonight and try them until the heaven-sent-magic-fat-killer arrives.

Giggity ;)

724 Comments

How to get glossy, healthy looking hair.

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Happy Crystal

Glossy hair makes everyone look better and there are ways to bring it out for most of us. Hair loses its gloss through the use of harsh styling products and shampoos, exposure to the sun, chemical exposure (such as the chlorine in swimming pool water), poor diet, and blow drying.

There are several different approaches to achieve a glossy look to your hair; here are a few.
Natural Products

If you’d like to take a natural approach, you may find you need go no further than your own kitchen for some of these hair treatments.

1. Vinegar Rinse

Did you know that apple cider vinegar can help make your hair shiny and soft? In fact, combining it with a baking soda shampoo treatment may be just the thing to bring shine to your hair. Here’s how it works.

* Put about 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a jar or cup. When you’re ready to wash your hair, add about half a cup to one cup of warm water.

* Pour this mixture evenly over your wet hair, and work it into your scalp with your fingertips. Gently massage the rest of your hair as you would with a normal shampoo.

* Rinse out the baking soda mixture.

* In another cup, put 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and add about 2 cups of water. Pour this evenly over your hair, and rinse with lukewarm water.

2. Hair Salad

This deep conditioning treatment helps restore shine and strength.

* Mash up one avocado and add half a cup of mayonnaise. Mix until smooth.

* Work this mixture thoroughly into damp hair.

* Put a shower cap on and sit in the sun or use a blow dryer to generate heat for 15 to 25 minutes.

* Rinse hair in lukewarm water, then shampoo and condition as usual.
Conventional Products

Applying heat may cause damage to hair, but done correctly, the application of heat combined with the right products can really bring out the shine in your hair.

* To damp hair, apply a deep conditioner. Sources recommend the type of conditioner that comes in a jar, as this will be thicker. Massage this thoroughly through hair, concentrating on the ends.

* Wrap your conditioned hair in a towel or shower cap. Apply heat from a blow dryer for 15 to 25 minutes. Allow hair to cool.

* Rinse out conditioner with lukewarm or cool water – the cooler the better.

* Shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo and apply normal conditioner, again rinsing with cool water.

If you like, you can also apply a shine spray or ant-frizz product to your hair while it’s still damp. Allow your hair to air-dry.

Posted in Ideas for looking your best | 737 Comments

Well hellooooo summer pants!

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Happy Crystal

I have a kind of tortuous, twisted relationship with my summer pants. While I’m rather fond of them, I find that come late spring when I’m tentatively pulling them out of the closet on those “capris and a sweatshirt might be okay” days, I come to hate them.

Because my winterized body (read: body with fat layers that I will insist are for warmth) is too big to fit into them… again.

And thus begins the yearly struggle – which last year I’m sorry to say never was won and I spent a lot of time in yoga pants – for me to be able to wear my summer pants.

Ugh… SUMMER PANTS!! It’s on.

166 Comments

It’s time to start again

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Happy Crystal

I think it’s time for me to start blogging again.  I just have stuff to say; stuff that I can’t say at work because, well, it’s about work lol!  And stuff I can’t say to the guy who served me at Tim Hortons because, well, apparently the drive thru is for “driving through”.

Disappointing.

653 Comments

Some information about Guinea Pigs

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Happy Crystal

Guinea pigs are sweet little animals that are large enough to offer companionship, but small enough to be manageable for most households. This rodent is native to South America, where it lives in groups called herds. The pig terminology applies to the sexes, too – male guinea pigs are called boars, and females are called sows.

Guinea pigs eat often, and have certain nutritional and space requirements. Here are some tips on how the care for your guinea pig, and what you’ll need to set up a nice home for your pet.

The Cage

There are many variations on the kind of housing for your guinea pig. Some guinea pig owners house their pets in round, plastic wading pools filled with timothy hay and straw. Others use open cages, and still others use cages with open bottoms that can be set outdoors. Probably the best kind of guinea pig cage is a combination of these.

The Humane Society of the United States notes that most commercial guinea pig cages are far too small for these active little creatures. They suggest a minimum of 30″ x 36″ for cage size. For bedding, cedar or pine chips and a quantity of timothy hay should make your guinea pig comfortable.

Runs and Exercise

Guinea pigs needs frequent exercise. A large living area does not eliminate the need for stimulation and movement. Each day, it’s important to give your guinea pig exercise time. Some ideas include:

* Letting your guinea pig explore the outdoors in an open-bottomed cage or within moveable fencing. (It’s not a good idea to let them run loose even in a fenced yard – not only because they can squeeze through small holes in the fence, but because predators such as dogs, cats, owls, and hawks are always ready for a rodent meal.)

* Use the aforementioned wading pool to provide a fun playground. Cover the bottom with wood chips and/or timothy hay, and put in some wooden blocks, cardboard boxes, or commercial plastic tunnels for your pet to play with.

* Your guinea pig can also take some exercise in a dry bathtub with some toys and tunnels.

Food

In the wild, guinea pigs eat an exclusively vegetarian diet. Grass, clover, hay, and leaves are a large part of their diet. In addition to commercial guinea pig pellets, it is a good idea to supplement with fresh vegetables, such as carrots and lettuce, or wild plants (such as clover) harvested from safe areas. Guinea pigs should be fed twice a day or so. 

General Tips

Guinea pigs do like to be in groups. Try to get at least two of these little animals. If you only have one, it is more important than ever that you spend some time every day (or several times a day) interacting with your single guinea pig.  So be honest with yourself before purchasing.  If you can spend the time, fine, just get one.  But if you’re a really busy family, take a moment to imagine how you’d feel if you had to spend the rest of your life alone, and be kind to your guinea pig and get two :)

Posted in Fun With The Kids | 666 Comments

Does junk mail drive you crazy? Here are some tips.

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Happy Crystal

Electronic junk mail is an inconvenience, and various software can prevent it; but the paper junk mail that fills your mailbox is another matter. It is not just an inconvenience; many are concerned about the negative effects on the environment that so much junk mail may produce. Of course, trees are required in massive numbers to produce the enormous volume of junk mail (approximately 41 pounds or 1.5 trees per household per year) that takes up so much space in your mailbox and home.

When you do receive junk mail, you can help by recycling it. But if more people would simply stop the flow of junk mail to their residences, then fewer households would receive it and, hopefully, this would result in less junk mail being produced overall. Here are some tips on how you can help stop (or significantly decrease) the flood of junk mail coming into your home.

Guard Your Personal Information

Most of us think we do a pretty good job at guarding our personal information, but there are subtle ways that companies can get your name on a mailing list that you may not have thought about. For example, when you fill out a warranty card, respond to a sweepstakes, or even fill out a slip for a raffle, your name may end up on a mass mailing list.

You really don’t need to fill out warranty cards – sources point out that keeping the receipt from your purchase should be sufficient. The chances of winning a sweepstakes or raffle are so slim that it is really not worth the junk mail avalanche that follows.

When you are filling out forms at the hospital, library, or any other “official” organization, make a clear note that you do not want your personal information shared. Also, you don’t usually need to give your social security card for something like a library card. Ask the organization why they need your SSN before giving it out.

Followers

When you change homes or jobs, junk mail can follow you. This may be because you filled out a “change of address” form at the post office. Instead of making this public declaration of your new mailing address, inform your friends, family, and colleagues privately of your new information.

Off the Lists

Getting your name off of mailing lists is an important step in stopping junk mail. There are several approaches to this.

* Contact each company and tell them to remove you from their mailing list. For example, if you receive a More Stuff catalogue, you could call More Stuff and tell them you no longer wish to receive catalogues from them. This approach takes time, but it tends to be the most effective.

* Contact the direct marketers that sell your name to individual companies. The Direct Marketing Association is one of the major marketers.

* Catalogchoice.org offers a list of over 1,000 catalogues, and you simply choose from this list the catalogues you do not wish to receive. Catalogchoice.org does require some of your personal information to sign up, but sources say this is for identification only; giving out this information is not supposed to generate more junk mail.

So go ahead and take some steps.  It may seem like a lot of work but imagine how much nicer you’ll feel as the junk mail dwindles :)

Posted in Happy Mommy Thoughts, Your beautiful home | 106 Comments

chatting with steve

Posted on July 20, 2009 by Happy Crystal

:)

Posted in Happy Mommy Thoughts | 821 Comments