STEVIA - Natural Sweetener

I have begun to use Stevia in my beverages (ie. coffee, tea, hot cocoa, etc.), and thought I would let you know where I found it......Wal-Mart of all places!
(It was kept in the pharmacy section by the vitamins!) you can purchase little packets, or a dispensing bottle, that looks like a little "baby vitamins bottle".

Stevia is 100% natural, made from stevia powdered leaf extract, is sugar and calorie free and has 0 carbohydrates!

http://www.herbalselect.com

I like the little "dropper bottle", since it has no waste paper to throw away, and no clean up!

~Annie

Re: What's your favorite exercise video? (response from my sister)

Hi there! I have been using "Power 90" DVD exercise program. It is excellent. You can visit their web site at "beachbody.com". I have been working out with their videos for three months now. Day 1 is cardio and the next day is sculpting. I have been working out 6 days a week. I feel great! My body is getting smaller, stronger and tighter! The company sent me the complete program for $19.95! It includes info on health, nutrition and the exercise DVD's. They send me encouraging weekly e-mails and they have a "virtual work out" web site (WOWY.com) to log on with others who will work-out at the same time with you! It's a lot of fun. My family is now joining me each morning!

Another natural sweetner.....XYLITOL!!!

Someone just e-mailed me this link for XYLITOL. This is another natural sweetner that I was not aware of. Have any of you tried this one before?

http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?action=itemdetail&item_id=19899&F=1

Improving Your Marriage.....(You'll love this one!!!)

I heard this on the John Tesh radio show today, and did a "Google Search" and found the link:

http://www.altavistabaptist.org/parentpages/What_Your_Teen_Really_Needs.doc

"Long kisses. Make a habit of squeezing in at least one 15-second kiss every day. And don't be afraid to do it in front of the kids. They might think it's gross but they will find more security in that kiss than they'll ever admit. Keeping your marriage strong is one of the best things you can do for your teenager. So put down some of those plates and get busy reconnecting with the love of your life."

~This was discussed on "Intelligence for Your Life", a program hosted by John Tesh:

http://www.tesh.com

Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com

CHALLENGE TO PLAY!!! (Please read this!!!)

"Play - believe it or not, playing games helps your memory. Crossword puzzles, word searches, and other games help with information recall."

Source:
http://www.bafound.org/support/strategy.php

"The old saying "use it or lose it" describes the aging memory. Some activities that are recommended for maintaining memory as one ages are crossword puzzles and word searches. Proper nutrition entails getting the correct amounts of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and trace elements that the body needs as it ages. A good physical exercise program helps to maintain overall general health."

Source:
http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.aspshow=article&page=8_1228.htm

The article below, is about a girl called Jennifer, who is a post-brain tumour survivor, who works on "word searches, puzzles and writing to people" to improve her memory! (ie. Posting on this site, is great for improving memory!)

http://www.irsa.org/publications/BrainTalkV6_1.pdf#search='word%20searches%20%20short%20term%20memory'

As a teacher, I have always given my students word searches or puzzles to do, if they had finished their work or exams early, and had nothing to do. (Most do not feel like reading after doing a lot of intensive work.) One day, I saw a group of my students in the mall, and had just finished speaking to a woman in the mall, who was in her mid-90s, working hard on some word searches, in the mall eating center! With her consent, I called the students over, to meet and speak with her. She had just bought "another" word-search book from Wal-Mart, and said she works hard on these, to keep her mind sharp. And sharp she was!!! They were SOOOOOO impressed with her!!! She REALLY motivated us to keep up with these "brain puzzles"! As the saying goes, "You snooze....you lose!!! You don't use it....You lose it!!!"

Who would like to join me in the "CHALLENGE TO PLAY"???? (By this, I mean, set aside some time each day, or several times a week, to work on word searches, puzzles, etc.) You could even create your own, for you and your kids, at: http://www.puzzlemaker.com
I have used this site a lot, as a teacher. It is easy, and fun to use!!! Kids LOVE creating their own word searches and solving them! (PS/ Make sure you proof-read the spelling words, before they print it off, so they do not reinforce wrong spelling.)

Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com

Forgetful???

Here is a link regarding the TWO MINUTE ALZHEIMER'S TEST (which really consists of two separate tests which last one minute each.)  For anyone worried about Dementia and forgetfulness in old age, this is a "must read"!!!

http://www.meandermagazine.com/page14.html

Another excellent article is: "Keeping Ageing Brains on Top Form"

"A healthy diet, aerobic exercise and mental stimulation all helped to keep the mind young, researchers emphasised at a conference in Dublin. In contrast, prolonged stress and social isolation act to age the brain.....Advocating a "use it or lose it" approach, the scientist stressed that the decline in mental sharpness usually seen in people over the age of 65 is not inevitable, and can be stopped or even reversed by mental exercise."

So ladies, get out those word searches, crossword puzzles, and aerobic mats, and get those minds and bodies to work!!!

Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com

The latest: "TWO apples a day, keep the doctor away!!!"

Did you know that "two apples" a day are better than "an apple" a day????
According to the latest research, eating two apples a day, lowers your cholesterol by 10%, and has many health benefits.

http://www.personalmd.com/news/n0830071548.shtml

http://www.womenoffaith.com/whatsnew/apple.asp

If you "Google" this topic, you will find many other links on this topic!

Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com

"10 Second Tidy!!!"

A lady introduced me to the "10 Second Tidy" this week. I had NO clue what it was!!! For those of you who are "green behind the ears" with regards to this phrase, this is what it means: (Before unexpected guests come to your home........)

~A shove of items under the couch.....
~A stash of items under the bed......
~A stack of dishes into the oven..... (Don't forget to take them out, later!)
~A stash of items into the closet......

The rest is up to your imagination!!!

I had NO idea, that this was called the "10 Second Tidy", but my kids or I have been guilty of one or more of these items on this list, on various occasions!!!

Do any of you have anything to add to this post??? (ie. Has this ever happened to you???) Do you have any humourous stories to share?????

organizingannie@yahoo.ca

Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com

A "best-selling" cleaning author......with a FREE newsletter!!!

I absolutely LOVE the homemaking books written by Don Aslett!!! As a father of six children, and the owner of a large cleaning business, he puts humour and common sense into his extremely helpful cleaning advice. Here is the link to his free newsletter, which offers monthly cleaning tips and help for homemakers:

http://www.cleanreport.com

Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com

Do you need "support"?

After a big hunt, my sister-in-law found a wonderful "sports bra", which provides amazing support!! I had been to countless shops, hunting for the "right one", and she discovered this design, which offers "perfect support"!!!

COMFORT STRAP SPORTS BRA
(available from Mountain Equipment Co-op)

http://www.mec.ca

-plastic-protected underwires for maximum support
-wide,cushioned shoulder straps control motion and disperse weight
-moulded, support cups minimize movement during strenuous activities
-comfortable, non-stretch cups are specially treated to wick away moisture

The specific link is:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442328633&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302704029&bmUID=1136220748341

Now, I can really get going on the "Army Walk"!!! The description is at this link:

http://organizingannie.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_organizingannie_archive.html#112719428359774354" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)

May we have a healthy, blessed, and active new year!!!


Organizing Annie
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com