November 9, 2009

I saw this report on Lifehacker and thought it was pretty interesting. Some of these results are actually a bit surprising.

The majority of people polled for the past two years claim that music is their number one stress reliever. I fall into that same group but I actually combine the top two! When I need a stress buster, I put on my iPod and head out the door for a walk or a bike ride. I always feel better when I return home after a good five mile walk and some great music! I'm surprised that meditation and yoga fall so low in the survey. Yoga is another great stress buster for me.

One thing that has certainly been largely written and spoken about in regards to stress is medical marijuana, over the years, more and more people have moved towards the more natural and herbal side of relief and they have become a lot more open-minded to the idea. It has now turned into a vast business and people are being able to get the medical aid needed without having to take traditional medicines that have caused them previous issues. These companies will look at helpful tips from the best seed banks guide, as well as others, so they are giving their customers what they require. Growing marijuana is an important job, so companies do make sure they get everything right. Most companies will just use female seeds as they are believed to be better. To learn about identifying female marijuana seeds, it might be worth looking online to do some research. That will help people to understand the differences between male and female seeds. Anyway, stress can take over a life, but with the right tools, day by day, it can diminish and bring people to a happier and healthier conclusion.

Where do you fall on the stress scale? What do you do to relieve stress?

~LilSis

October 27, 2009

In case you missed our post at the beginning of this month, we went Pink for October to show our support for breast cancer awareness during the entire month of October.

Throughout the month of October, companies around the country step up with pink limited edition products benefiting breast cancer awareness. From laptop cases to beauty products and even applesauce, here are a few of my favorites who donate a percentage of their profits to Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

I LOVE this Komen Milano Pink Ribbon Laptop Case sold on SkyMall. Mobile Edge will donate 10% of the retail sales of each case to Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

The OPI Pink of Hearts 2009 edition nail polish will be sold at specialty retail locations throughout the month of October. If you can't find it in the stores, it is still available on Amazon. Komen for the Cure will receive a guaranteed $25,000 donation.

Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Babydoll Pink

Smashbox is offering this limited-edition Photo Finish lipstick in their best-selling babydoll pink shade to benefit Susan G. Komen. 40% of the proceeds will go to the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Motts Healthy Harvest Appleasauce

Mott's Applesauce is the newest national sponsor of the 2009 Komen Race for the Cure series. They created several special limited edition applesauces to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I've had the Granny Smith and it's awesome! In 2009, Mott’s will donate $800,000 in connection with their Race for the Cure ® sponsorship, as well as $300,000 for their cause marketing program.  Their total donation for the year is $1.1 million.

Those are just a few of my favorites. Check out Target online to see their huge selection of pink kitchen and housewares products available through October 31st. If BigSis didn't already have every single kitchen appliance in pink, I might buy her one of these.

Kitchen Aid Toaster

~LilSis

October 13, 2009

Just in case you missed the news at the beginning of the month and are wondering about the pink text, we are going Pink for October to show our support for breast cancer awareness.

While out shopping, you will have noticed by now the abundance of pink products being sold at most retail stores. Since the Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an important cause to me, I buy pink products from the companies that are giving their profits to that charity. Not that the other charities aren't completely legitimate, it's just a personal choice. I found this post on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Message Board and felt it was important enough to pass along to our readers.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure suggests consumers use care and consideration before buying pink products.

October 6, 2009

DALLAS–(Business Wire)–From grocery stores to home improvement centers, pink ribbons and labels adorn everything from candy to vacuum cleaners to raise awareness and money during the 25th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But with so many “pink” marketing programs out there, how can you be sure your money (or how much of it) is going where it should?

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world`s leader in the fight against breast cancer, suggests people ask a few questions before picking one product over another.

“Selecting the right program is a personal choice based on your interests, your passions and a cause that is important to you,” said Katrina McGhee, vice president of global partnerships for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “You work hard for your money, make sure your purchases have the impact you want.”

Whether a program offers to donate a portion of product sales or requires consumer participation in exchange for a donation, Komen's objective is that all programs that benefit Komen are meaningful, educate women and men about breast cancer and generate funds which Komen devotes to research and community outreach.

In order to determine if a cause-related program, promotion or project is one that you would like to support (or is worthy of your support), Komen suggests consumers ask five key questions.

1. Is this company committed?

Read the product packaging and promotional materials or display and visit the company Web site to make sure the company is credible and committed to the
cause.

2. How is the program structured?

Transparency is key. Is the company clearly stating how the money is raised and how much will be going to charity? For example, if it's a donation per purchase, ask how much of purchase price goes to charity-is it two percent or 10
percent-or some other amount? If there is a minimum contribution guaranteed by the company, what is the amount? Is there a maximum donation that will be made by the company?

3. Who does the program benefit?

Does it support a well-managed, reputable non-profit or fund? Again, we recommend that consumers read Web sites. Komen makes it very clear on our site who we are, how we structure programs and how the monies are used. The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance is one resource for information on non-profit organizations if you are unsure (visit www.give.org.

4. How will the organization that benefits use my money?

It should be abundantly clear where the monies go. What organization will they support? Will the dollars generated go to research, education, community programs or all of the above? Komen is very specific about our programs, activities and grants awarded to support our mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. View Komen's most recent Annual Report.

5. Is the program meaningful to me?

Is the program supporting a cause you believe in or have been touched by? Based on the details of the program and the potential for dollars to be raised does the program make sense to you? Selecting the right program is a personal choice based on your interests, your passions and a cause that is important to you.

~LilSis

October 3, 2009

Have you heard about Tweets for Boobs? If not, that's exactly why I'm mentioning it here today. I know that since BigSis and I started tweeting, we haven't stopped talking about it. We're both loving Twitter and see a huge potential to tweet about a broad range of topics, some more relevant than others, and some just for plain, simple fun.

I love this idea of using Twitter to help raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Just in case you haven't heard about this project, I wanted to mention it early in the month to give everyone an opportunity to jump on board.

Tweets for Boobs

Help raise $10,000 for breast cancer research.

All you have to do is include #tweetsforboobs in a tweet through the month of October and with every tweet you are making a $1 pledge for donation.

Follow @tweetsforboobs and at the end of the month, they'll give you your pledge total so you can make a donation to Susan G. Komen Foundation for your total pledge amount.

I've already talked about how Susan G. Komen Foundation is one of my favorite charities, so I'll be putting some Tweets for Boobs out on Twitter all month. If you have a Twitter account, please consider doing a tweet or two for boobs!

~LilSis

October 1, 2009

Flickr photo by Abby Lanes

Just in case you've forgotten or haven't already seen the masses of pink products popping up in retail stores, today kicks off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). This year marks the 25th year that October has been designated as NBCAM.

Wikipedia describes NBCAM as an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its' cause, prevention and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast-aware for earlier detection.

For those of you that were reading us last October, you know that Susan G. Komen for the Cure is one of my favorite charities. I've been participating in the Race for the Cure for several years now and it's always such a great event. There's something about the story of Susan G. Komen and her sister, Nancy Brinker that has always been close to my heart. What Nancy Brinker has accomplished with the Susan G. Komen Foundation never ceases to amaze me. I talked recently about Nancy Brinker receiving the Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.

Our family has been very fortunate so far, not to have been effected personally by this disease, but with the staggering number of women diagnosed with breast cancer every day, it could happen to any one of us, whether genetic or not. I hate to admit it, but since BigSis and I are both in peri-menopause, there are a lot of factors that can contribute to increased odds of getting breast cancer.

I go to my gynecologist every January for my annual check up just so that it's easy to remember when it's time to go. And, I've always followed up and scheduled my mammogram right after that appointment. With so much happening in our lives these past two and a half years, I've gotten off track and missed my mammogram.

There's just no excuse for that! I've been so mad at myself for letting ‘life' get in the way of making a simple phone call to set up an appointment. I found my doctor's order in my planner from January, so I picked up the phone this morning and scheduled my mammogram.

We'll be talking more about NBCAM throughout this month, but I would like for today to be a reminder to anyone who's procrastinated, like I have, to pick up the phone and schedule your mammogram.

Oh, and if you're a football fan, don't be surprised this Sunday when you see some of the NFL players sporting some hot pink gloves, sweatbands, towels, and even cleats! The idea for the cleats came from Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams. Williams has a personal interest in breast cancer, as his mother was diagnosed in 2004. His mother is now in remission, but she lost all three of her sisters to breast cancer.

It really is true that each individual can make a difference in their own special way. For anyone with a blog or Twitter account, you can help spread awareness by going Pink for October. Check out my Twitter @lilsisca.

~LilSis

August 18, 2009

As your kids head back to school, you probably have a to-do list a mile long. There are clothes and uniforms to find, school supplies to buy, transportation arrangements to make, dorm rooms to set up, and schedules to coordinate. In the midst of all the chaos, don't forget that a meningitis vaccination could save the lives of your children, and may be the most important to-do of all.

I didn't know much about the risk of meningitis until the son of a family friend passed away from it during his first semester at college. Here's what I know now and want to pass on to you:

• Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

• There are two kinds of meningitis: viral and bacterial. Bacterial is the more severe kind, and can lead to brain damage and death.  There are several causes of each kind.

• The Meningococcal vaccination does not prevent all cases of the disease, but it does protect against most types.

• The most common symptoms of meningitis are headache, fever and a stiff neck.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends vaccinations for these individuals:

• Children: MCV4 is recommended for certain high-risk children from ages 2 through 10.

• Pre-teens/Adolescents: MCV4 is routinely recommended for all 11 through 18 year olds. If your child did not get this vaccine at the 11- or 12-year-old check-up, make an appointment for him or her to get it now.

• Adults: Either MPSV4 vaccine or MCV4 vaccine is recommended for adults if you:

• Are a college freshman living in a dormitory

• Are a military recruit

• Have a damaged spleen or your spleen has been removed

• Have terminal complement deficiency

• Are a microbiologist who is routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitis (the causal pathogen)

• Are traveling to or residing in countries in which the disease is common

There are also some individuals who should NOT get the vaccine.  Please check out the meningitis reference information on the CDC's web site and make an informed decision for your family.

~BigSis

August 15, 2009

I know that yesterday's topic was pretty serious and we typically like to keep things pretty “chipper” here on our blog. But, that being said, when we're passionate about something, we feel it's important that we share it with you here. That information about the dolphins in Japan is very disturbing, and if there's anything we can do to make a difference, we have to do it.

When I think of one person who has been able to make such a huge difference in a fight for a cause; it would be Nancy Brinker. I was so happy when I heard that on Wednesday, President Barack Obama honored Susan G. Komen for the Cure® founder and cancer advocate Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

“One of the last things Suzy Komen did before she died was to have her sister, Nancy make her a promise,” President Obama said. “Nancy promised that she would prevent other families fighting breast cancer from suffering the way her family had. What began as a shoe box with $200 and a list of friends has become a global Race for the Cure; a campaign that has eased the pain and saved the lives of millions of people around the world. In the months after making that promise, Nancy lay awake at night wondering if one person can really make a difference. Nancy's life is the answer.”

The story of these two sisters has always stuck in my mind and has motivated me to help raise money for this cause for several years now.

Until yesterday, I had come to the conclusion that I wasn't going to be able to commit to Captain our team in this year's Race for the Cure due to some major demands on my time.  I was still going to participate but I was going to try to recruit another team member to take on the role of Captain. Then, in the same day that I heard about Nancy Brinker receiving this award, I ran into a friend, who is a Survivor, only to find out that she is sick again and still unsure of her prognosis. It makes me really, really sad. She isn't even 40 yet and has two young children.

That sure put things into perspective for me.  Sure, I have too many demands on my time right now, but I'm not fighting for my life! So, I really feel like this is something that I'm supposed to do.

Our local San Diego Race for the Cure is November 1st, so I think I better start rallying my team together! You can go to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure site to find out more about a race near you!

~LilSis

July 24, 2009

I know it's not as hot here in California as it is in other parts of the country, but right now, we're having some pretty warm temperatures. Doesn't the heat just suck the energy out of you? It does me!

If you find yourself feeling tired a lot and running out of energy before the end of the day, in other words, just draggin' ass, maybe this article will help. A few simple changes in what you eat or what you do during the day could actually help give you that needed boost of energy. I ran across this post, “55 Ways to Get More Energy” over at Zen Habits. The post was actually written by a guest author, Greg Go. This is a great list of things we can all do to try to get more energy.

Since I like Top Ten lists, here are my Top Ten favorites from his list:

• Eliminate stress – Stress is draining and a waste of energy.
• Listen to tunes while you work – Music can boost productivity.
• Aromatherapy with lavender – Lavender increases alertness.
• Eat lots of berries –  Antioxidants boost energy levels.
• Have a laugh – Laughter is great medicine.
• Take up yoga – Feeling relaxed can make you mentally sharper.
• Look on the bright side – An upbeat outlook can keep your energy level up.
• Get more Ginseng – Ginseng can boost energy.
• Drink lots of water – Staying hydrated is very important to energy levels.
• Avoid the mid-day cocktail – Sad, but true, it'll just make you tired.

That was my Top Ten but this little tip gets my vote for #1 Overall Best on the list:

• Have more sex – If you keep those endorphins flowing, you'll have more natural energy. Literally, more bounce to your step!

~LilSis

July 21, 2009

I don't like to get off on a rant on our blog.  LilSis and I decided to be positive here, since there is so much negativity in the world, and we all need a little break from the stress of everyday life.  But I have to let it loose today!  The space program is my pet peeve, and if I see one more video of our moon landing 40 years ago I'm going to have a hissy fit.

Let me explain my unpopular opinion.  I think the space program is a gigantic race for bragging rights between countries.  It's an international ego trip.  Who can get to the moon first?  Who can get to Mars first?  Who can have the biggest and best space station?

I say who gives a flying fig?  Do you know how much we spend on the space program?  In 1969, the Apollo project cost $25 billion.  That's 40 years ago.  Now NASA wants to go back to the moon by 2020.  Any idea of how much that will cost?  President Obama has requested funds of $18.7 billion for NASA in 2010, $3.21 billion of which would go toward manned space exploration.   And did you know that the International Space Station is a $100 billion project?

My problem with all this ego spending is this.  I bet you a dollar that you know someone who has been impacted by childhood brain cancer, by breast cancer, by Alzheimer's disease, or by Lou Gehrig's disease.  What if we took the money we're throwing up into the atmosphere, and throw it at one of these diseases?  Do you think we might get a better return on our money?  I think we might. I want us to try.

I get that the space program provides a lot of jobs.  I get that the space program is a source of national pride.  But I say there are better sources of national pride. I'm proud of what our military is doing throughout the world to bring peace, for one thing.  And could there be any greater pride than that which would come from our research brainiacs finding a cure for one of these devastating diseases, as opposed to flying all over the galaxies looking for little green men…throwing our valuable mis-spent dollars out the window the whole way?

Do we really think there will come a day when we will need to live on the moon or another planet?  Really?  What are the odds of that?  Contrast that with the odds of getting one of these horrendous diseases.  I rest my case.  Let's kill the space program now.  Please.

~BigSis

July 9, 2009

Are the little critters eatin' you up this summer? Here in Texas we're always trying to avoid mosquito bites and chigger bites. Sometimes we can avoid them, sometimes we can't. Either way, they're super annoying! You spend most of your time trying to swipe them from your face than actually being able to sit back and enjoy watching them fly around your garden. My absolute worst nightmare would be to come home one day and see a whole swarm of critters nesting in my home. Urgh, it's making me feel queasy just at the thought of this. In fact, it happened to my friend a couple of weeks ago. She found the likes of fleas, ticks, and cockroaches in some of the rooms in her house, and she tried everything she could to try and get rid of them but to no avail. It wasn't until she was able to get in touch with somewhere like https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/pest-control/ that they were eventually exterminated from her home for good. Phew! At least I know what to do if this situation happened to me, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can avoid this altogether. Anyway, I'm too focused on trying not to get bitten by mosquitos and chiggers that I simply don't want to add any other problems to my list.

Do other parts of the country have chiggers? If not, let me fill you in. These microscopic varmints will burrow under your skin, and STAY ALIVE! How gross is that? It's like the stories you hear about the bugs that lay eggs in peoples' eardrums or the worms that live in peoples' brains. Chiggers will drive you insane with the itching because they're squirming around under your skin! One of the home remedies for chigger bites it to kill them via suffocation by covering the chigger bite with clear nail polish. I kid you not.

Have you noticed that some people don't get snacked on by mosquitoes, and other people are devoured? I've heard that taking B vitamins makes your blood taste yukky to mosquitoes so they'll leave you alone if you're full of B. I've always taken B, but I don't know if that's why they neglect me or not, but I'm glad whatever the reason. Another home remedy I've heard of is to keep a dryer sheet in your pocket to repel bugs.

There are plenty of chemical-laden insect repellents on the market, but there are also some natural ones, which would be my preference. One is called Buzz Away. It's an all natural insect repellent without DEET. It's said to repel mosquitoes, black flies, fleas, gnats and ticks. Who wants those on their body? Not me.

Buzz Away Natural Insect Repellent

You can order through Buzz Away's web site, or at many local vitamin stores, health food shops and drugstores.

Have a good summer, and stop scratching that bite! It's gonna get infected!

~BigSis