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Don’t despair. Turns out, there’s a book for that.
That’s right. Nestled right in between grieving and healthy carbs I spotted “Happiness for Dummies.”
Happiness for Dummies
I guess there really is a book for just about everything.
Food & Fitness
March 4th, 2014 
beyondroom108 
March is National Nutrition Month. There is certainly no lack of nutrition information on the web. But how do you know what is good information? Paleo, low-carb, clean eating, and gluten free are a few of the popular diet trends right now. If you read many popular magazines or use Pinterest, you’ve probably also seen an abundance of recipes for kale and quinoa.
But how do you know what information on nutrition is reliable? How do you know if those green kale smoothies are really good for you? There are many guidelines out there, but here are a few things to consider:
1. What is the source of the information? For example, is it a reputable university or an organization you have never heard of before? Is it coming from a reliable news source?
2. Who is the person giving the information? What is their training? My first choice for nutrition information would be a registered dietitian. This link gives the requirements to become a registered dietitian and it involves extensive training. Many doctors are also knowledgeable about nutrition and can give you advice. Sadly, however, nutrition education is not a requirement to become a doctor at every medical school so your doctor’s knowledge may not be complete in this area.
3. What are the motives of the source of information? Is the person or website trying to sell you their products, foods, supplements, or books? If so, there still may be some truth to the information, but it wouldn’t hurt to check it out with a second source that doesn’t stand to get rich off of whatever is being recommended.
Nutrition is still a relatively new science. There will continue to be research and reports about foods that sometimes conflict. For that reason, it is important to keep reading and learning about nutrition. I have been using Flipboard to keep the websites and articles I find about nutrition, diet, exercise, and fitness all in one place. Please check out my Flipboard magazine, Food and Fitness to see some of the articles I have found recently. (If you are unfamiliar with Flipboard, you may want to check it out here. It can be used on your desktop computer or as a free app on your phone or tablet.)
A few parting thoughts before I take a break to eat a piece of healthy dark chocolate (well, it will be healthy if I can just eat one piece). We have all heard many times in life that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. No where is this more true than with nutrition. There is no magic food out there. But fortunately there are lots of good, tasty, and healthy foods for us to eat!
Putting That Body In Motion
January 15th, 2014 beyondroom108 
What are your plans for 2014? Will you get your body moving? Or will “rest in peace” be more your style?
I heard this phrase in a five minute video from Ken Davis yesterday.
We all have been told over and over again that exercise is important. We know it helps our health. We know it helps our brain. We know it helps us feel better in every way. More accurately, I know how important it is to get daily exercise.
But why do I so often use every imaginable excuse to sit in a chair and not exercise, especially in the winter? I almost always begin my day with some exercise, but I can’t really say I am pushing myself very hard.
I am hoping, as I am sure many of you are, to make some changes this year. Please share what works for you when it comes to motivating yourself to exercise and I will do the same.
Feeling a Little Rough Around the Edges?
October 27th, 2013 beyondroom108 
The weather has been sort of rough around here lately. Unseasonably cold, a few nights with frost, and then yesterday the final insult for a flower garden – nearly 40 mph wind gusts.
I grow roses in my garden. Actually a lot of roses. Over 100 bushes right now. When I walked outside late this evening, I really wasn’t expecting to see much. Yet, here was this beautiful rose glowing in the last rays of sun. (For you rose aficionados, the rose pictured above is a miniflora called “Showstopper.”) Granted, the edges of the petals are a bit tattered. It is far from a perfect rose. But its color and beauty stopped me in my tracks.
You see, I know what this rose has been through. I know it survived some awfully cold nights. I know it bloomed even with minimal sunlight the past few days. I know it was buffetted against other rose branches, with thorns no less, for hours yesterday. And still it has the audacity to open up today and add some beauty to a little corner of my garden. I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised because some rose varieties actually grow larger and have better color in cooler weather. But this bloom seemed even more precious because I knew what it had been through.
Sometimes I feel like that rose. I’m blown and tossed in every direction possible and work in conditions that are far less than favorable. But I can still do my best. I can still brighten my corner of the world. There will be rough spots, but beauty is still possible. Perhaps that which seems on the surface to be a negative in my life can actually help make my world grow larger and brighter.
Be Smart When You Contribute!
October 8th, 2013 beyondroom108 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While I really would like to see an end to this disease and personally participate in several worthwhile cancer charities, please be aware that the scammers are out in full force right now. I just got off the phone with a telemarketer from the “Breast Cancer Financial Assistance Fund.” Five minutes of research shows that this organization may only distribute 54% of the money they collect. (See Charity Profile Report.) More research shows that they also operate under another name – “The Cancer Fund of America” that was ranked as the second worst charity by The Tampa Bay Times this past summer in an article titled “America’s Worst Charities.” . According to this article, The Cancer Fund of America gave less than one percent of their contributions to the people they claim to help. I realize any organization will have expenses, but if an organization uses less than $1.00 for helping people out of every $100 earned, that is probably not the place you want to donate your money. Bottom line: Do a little research before you donate to unfamiliar organizations.
Sing Out Loud!
April 4th, 2013 beyondroom108 
Feeling down. Maybe a little stressed? Try singing! You may be surprised at how quickly you feel better. A professor from the University of London reports that the benefits from singing can be both physical and psychological. So don’t be afraid to let loose and sing out loud!
When Words Fail…
July 25th, 2012 beyondroom108 Many of you know that about a year and a half ago the lives of my family members changed in an instant. On her way home from church at the beginning of her college Christmas break, my niece, Emily, was in a tragic car accident. A few more details are available at her Facebook page, so I won’t repeat them all here. But the bottom line is that Emily’s major injury was a severe traumatic brain injury. Her life, and ours for that matter, will never be the same.
A shirt designed with Emily’s input by www.niceshirt.org!
This shirt will be available for a limited time at their website: www.niceshirt.org Sales of the shirt will help pay for some of Emily’s expenses.
Since Emily’s accident family, friends, and total strangers have given us support on many different levels. A number of people have prayed for her, sent cards, visited, helped work with her, helped with fund raisers, etc. Many of the same people who have been helping us have needs of their own and the fact that they are willing to sacrifice to help Emily is nothing short of amazing to me.
At this time Emily is continuing to beat the odds and make progress. She is currently at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta where we hope she will continue to improve. Emily was a true music lover before the accident and she remains one today. In fact, nothing lifts her spirits quite as much as music and so the shirt design is perfect for her. If you purchase one, I hope every time it is worn you will be reminded of the power of perseverance, prayer, and community.
This experience with Emily has also made me aware of the frequency of head injuries. We have met many people in person and on-line who have also experienced the devastating effects of a traumatic brain injury. If you know of a family in your area who has experienced this, please continue to give them support and encouragement. This is the type of injury that can effect a person forever so offering encouragement even years after the initial accident will be a tremendous blessing to the family.
Keep Them Safe!
July 16th, 2012 beyondroom108 
About a week ago I had the opportunity to spend some time with my two year old nephew. His curiosity is amazing right now and he wants to climb on everything, explore everything, and touch everything. Two of his favorite sentences right now are “I’m trying something” and “What’s that?”
His curiosity is a very important part of his learning and I’m glad to see him so intent on exploring. However, that exploration brings up an issue that is sometimes overlooked for the slightly older child. How clean are all the toys and surfaces they touch in a day? Do they wash their hands thoroughly before eating snacks or meals? My guess is probably not much of the time. I know how difficult it was for me to keep my nephew even somewhat clean. Yet he is at an age where it is very easy for him to pick up germs.
Food poisoning is especially dangerous to young children. Many people think it will just cause a stomach ache and the problem will be gone in a few days. But sometimes the effects of food poisoning and bacteria can linger for years. Here is a link to some safety information for keeping things sanitary for babies and children. Safety Information from FightBac.org It has several good reminders about how to wash toys and other surfaces plus some information about keeping baby food safe.
Please take the time to review these steps for keeping things clean around your little ones!