Couch to 5K

Every year I say that I am going to get in shape and run a 5k.  WIll this be my year?  Not sure but I am always trying trying trying.  If I stop trying, I am screwed.

So, again, my favorite resource in the world is Google.  I used to call my mom.  "Ma, how long do you cook a ham.  Ma, what do I give the baby for a fever.  Ma, where is the best place to go fishing in Northern Minnesota." Etc etc.  My mom passed away 8 years ago, so now Google is Ma.  LOL!

If you google couch to 5K you will find about 4 1/2 million results full of tips, advice, mobile apps and more!  That's a lot of info!  I decided to narrow it down to my local area, and that narrowed it WAY down.  If you search your area, you can find info on local running events.  Another good resource is your friends.  Chances are you know at least one person that likes to run.  (Pssss....runners are a little crazy)  HA.  But, talk to them, and they will help you.  Runners love to convert non runners.  One of these days I will get brave enough to talk to my crazy runner friends and have them convert me!  Just not today.  

There is also several amazing apps on mobile to help you out as well.  The couch to 5k mobile app is great because it is made for beginning runners.  

This HIgh Cost of Eating Healthy

Some friends and I were recently talking about how much eating healthy costs. It's true. A small carton of berries the other day was $5.00! WOW! I could have a whole meal at McDonalds for that much! I will admit, I have seen my food bill go up significantly. Especially since I live in Minnesota and in the winter, fresh produce gets trucked in from South America mostly. It is expensive. And if you want organic food, pretty much double the prices. Cheap, unhealthy food is INEXPENSIVE! You can buy carb filled sugary fatty garage for real cheap! Not only can you get it cheap, but you can get it SUPERSIZED! A family of five can eat at McDonalds for a month on what I spend in groceries in two weeks. It is insane!

BUT, let me put this in perspective for you.....and please, listen carefully.

My mother was overweight (severely obese - like 500 pounds), and she had arthritis (prescriptions), diabetes (prescriptions and blood testing supplies), heart problems (more prescriptions), and a few other prescriptions that I wasn't even sure what they were for...

She had to buy special clothes because she was SO large that they didn't carry her size in stores. Had to order it all and pay extra shipping costs. Special bras. Special shirts. Special pants. Special underwear. She had to buy a special machine to use on her legs to bring the pressure down, and had to buy special socks that were like $300 a pair. 

She was so fat that she had trouble walking. She had to buy a cane. Then when that wasn't enough to help her, she had to buy a walker. Then when that couldn't support her weight, she had to buy a wheelchair. And then, when she couldn't handle that, it actually broke because she was so large, she had to buy one of those "scooters". But, she was too fat for a normal scooter, she had to buy a super heavy duty expensive scooter. She spent $3000 on a lift chair because she was so fat she couldn't stand up on her own. She had to buy a new mattress every couple years because she was SO fat that she ruined them. 

She had to buy a special toilet partly to support her weight, and partly because she couldn't get down low enough to a regular toilet. She had to have her bathtub removed and get a special walk in shower. She had to pay to have special bars put in the shower to hang onto.

She had horrendous medical bills that even insurance and medicare didn't cover.

She lived with extreme humiliation due to her weight. She was ridiculed and teased behind her back. From the time I was little, people made fun of my mom. And not behind my back either. Growing up with the stigma of an obese parent is worse than you can imagine. It's like having a parent that is an alcoholic. (Gee, I must have hit the jackpot, I had one of those too.) She couldn't fly on a plane or go places she wanted because she was just too fat. She couldn't use most public restrooms. People, I could go on and on and on and on about the things she endured. I debated about using the word endured. Perhaps "brought on herself" would be better.

Yes, it is. She could have changed. She could have gotten help. She chose not to do so. And it killed her. She went into congestive heart failure at the VERY young age of 70 years old and died within days. It was all because of her weight. She left behind a family that still needed her, and 4 grand children who barely had a chance to know her....

That healthy $5 carton of berries doesn't sound so bad now, does it?

Tromping to the grocery store every 2-3 days to get fresh fruits and vegetables and spending more than I want just doesn't seem so bad...

Really my point is, the high price of the food is worth it. TOTALLY! The costs of high food are NOTHING compared to what happens to an obese person.....

There are tons of way to learn how to manage healthy eating on a budget!  

How to Use Pinterest

Ever wish you could gather up all of the amazing images you find online without worrying about disorganized bookmarks, buried blog posts or wasted paper and ink? Well, say hello to Pinterest.

Pinterest is an incredibly addicting and easy to use site.  It allows its members to collect and organize the eye candy they discover everyday while browsing the web. It's streamlined, simple and -- above all else -- fun!  Here you'll find information about how to use (and NOT use) Pinterest both personally and professionally. From signing up to sharing your pins, this lens has got you covered.

Already excited to sign up for Pinterest? Check out my Pinterest page here. Not quite convinced yet? Read on!  

1. You can save all the images you find online in a single, streamlined place.


2. You can pin any image from any website using the simple "Pin It" button, also known as the pinmarklet.


3. You can create unlimited boards about anything and everything that interests you.


4. You can organize your pins onto themed pinboards.


5. You can discover anything from new recipes and travel destinations to birthday cake ideas and decorating tips.


6. You can follow other Pinterest members (or just the boards you like).


7. You can contribute new pins to someone else's board, if their settings allow it.


8. You can repin another member's pins onto your own board.


9. You can comment on your favorite pins.


10. You can mention another Pinterest user when commenting on or describing a new pin.


11. You can share your pins on Twitter and Facebook.


12. You can like a pin, which will add it to the "likes" section of your profile.


13. You can invite others to follow you on Pinterest with cute buttons. Click mine in the introduction to check out my pinboards!

Amateur Photography

I will never forget my first digital camera.  I actually won it in a contest online back in 1999.  It was a wonderful little Kodak that opened up a whole new world for me.  Being able to take as many pictures as I wanted, only printing the ones I wanted and then being able to use them on my computer to boot was heaven!

As a mom of three young children, I immediately fell in love with my camera.  I upgraded a few years later to a better Kodak, then eventually a little Sony, then I went to a Canon.  I am now on my third Canon.  We have a wonderful relationship together.

A few years ago, we saved up almost enough to pave our gravel driveway.  That was right around the same time that the Canon EOS 7D came out.   I gave my husband the puppy dog look, and I had a great argument that I still tell people today....

"20 years from now,  I won't care that my driveway was muddy in the spring, but with this amazing camera, I will be able to show my grandchildren amazing photos of their mother, my daughter, gracefully dancing her way across the stage.  I will be able to show my sons children incredible action shots of their daddies playing football, wrestling and more."

He just shook his head and let me win.  I have a HUGE collection of incredible photos now of dance recitals, football games, proms, wrestling meets, family memories and more.  Never regretted it!!!

At Home Parties

Origami Owl Lockets

If you are looking to put a little extra cash in your pocket or just get out of the house once in awhile, the home party biz is a great way to make a little extra moola and have some fun.  There are so many more choices beyond Avon and Tupperware!  There is everything from Origami Owl, which is a party where you build your own beautiful lockets, to Scentsy Wickless candles, flame free scents for your home and even, *gasp* Sex Toy Parties!

Whether you want a part time job, or want to host a party, most are the same and have great benefits.  What do you get for hosting a party? Most hostesses receive 10%  or more of the party sales in free products as well as hostess gifts and hostess only deals! 

Home parties are a great way to have a fun night with friends and shop for unique products and get great gifts for birthdays and more.  Check the Home Party Plan Network for hundreds of opportunities in your state!