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Atkins Diet – Days Four and Five

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The first three days that I was on the Atkins diet were easier than I expected them to be. I was having fun figuring out how to fix foods in ways that were new to me. On day four, things continued to go well. Day five, on the other hand, turned out to be the worst day since I started the Atkins diet. I started day four feeling optimistic. I had managed to stay under 20 carbs every day so far. I hadn’t had any soda since I started the Atkins diet, and I wasn’t experiencing any caffeine cravings. I … Continue reading →

The Final Days of School

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We are in the midst of finals at the school where I teach. These last few weeks have been particularly difficult with this stubborn morning sickness that lasts nearly all day. My students have been really supportive and sympathetic which has been such a big help. Initially I wasn’t going to tell them that I was pregnant because my family and I are moving out of state. But I feel that open communication with my students is important and since it was pretty obvious that I wasn’t feeling well for awhile, I felt that I should tell them. I have … Continue reading →

Ways to Save on Holiday Cards

Does your budget include Christmas cards for this year? If not and you still want to send them, consider the following options. They will help you save money and still follow this cherished tradition. First take a look at what cards you may already have before you purchase any new ones. Maybe they don’t all match, or maybe you have a few less popular cards, but if you have them, you can use them. This will save you on the cost of having to buy new cards this year. I know that I frequently find extra cards packed in with … Continue reading →

Fall and Holiday Centerpiece and Decorating Ideas

Over the summer, Better Homes and Gardens published an idea for a nautical centerpiece that used an old lantern, some sea glass and a lemon. While it wasn’t exactly my style, I though the idea could really be adapted to fall and holiday decorating, especially with a few changes. The concept is very flexible, and you can adapt it to suit your own particular style. For example, why not substitute the nautical lamp for a hurricane lamp? This may give you a more homey, New England or country feel to the decor. Actually, any type of container that has some … Continue reading →

Fight Cavities with Gummy Bears

Another candy joins the fight against bad teeth: those sweet, colorful Gummy Bears! As long as those Gummy Bears are sweetened with xylitol, that is. Xylitol is a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol that is often used as a sugar substitute. Studies have shown that xylitol can help reduce levels of a particular kind of bacteria (mutans streptococci) in plaque. You may have seen xylitol as an ingredient in sugar-free chewing gum! However, gum isn’t usually recommended for younger children — it’s all too easy for a young child to chew and swallow gum, rather than just chew it. A study from … Continue reading →

Have You Considered a Prayer Covenant?

Prayer – how important a part does it play in your life? And how other person focused is your prayer? Or are you mostly concerned with your own needs? Recently a fellow writer suggested that a number of us online, most of us writers, form a 40 day prayer covenant, the idea being that each day everyone on the list would pray for the person nominated for that day. We were asked to each give three brief points, the first a point of praise and the other two requests. Prayers could be changed as they were answered and new ones … Continue reading →

Have a Merry Choco-Christmas

How much is too much? Is it possible to have too much chocolate? My sister-in-law certainly doesn’t think so. With less than two days until Christmas she is in her kitchen whipping up her famous chocolate macadamia nut clusters. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that if I see one more Christmas cookie I may just run in the opposite direction. But, that’s just because I spent the last three weeks churning out more than 300 cookies to give to friends and neighbors. (Did I mention I sampled a few dozen along the way?) My sister-in-law is by … Continue reading →

Hawaiian Style Holiday Gifts—Fruit Salsa and Passion Fruit Dressing

While my daughter and I have been icing cookies and dipping pretzel rods in chocolate my best friend in Hawaii has been busy whipping up her own holiday treats. Though hers are decidedly more savory than sweet. My pal Lisa’s handiwork serves as the inspiration for this blog. Her holiday recipes for fruit salsa and passion fruit dressing prove that fancy sweets aren’t the only homemade holiday treats that can be doled out to friends and co-workers. In fact, these recipes offer a welcome change to the traditional sweets given this time of year. Just package each in individual jars … Continue reading →

Rich and Creamy Zucchini Lasagne

I realize that this seems a little out of place considering the season but truthfully, around this time of year, if it’s not a holiday, it’s a busy night getting ready for the holidays. So I like to pull out my tried and true crock pot and casserole recipes right about now so that no matter how busy we are, we have dinner on the table waiting. There are three things that I really like about this dish. First of all, it looks like you fussed but you really didn’t. Secondly, it can be done ahead and anything that can … Continue reading →

Substitute Teacher’s Corner: Medical Intervention

You know, one thing that teachers struggle with on a day to day basis are the individual needs of their students – as a sub, when you walk into a classroom where a student has specialized needs, it can really ramp up the pressure you feel. Recently, I was called in as a floater. In other words, I’d go where they needed me throughout the day. Sometimes, you get a class where you teach all day and sometimes you don’t. That day, I was assigned to a kinder class and that was fine. I like kindergarten, they’re young, they’re fresh … Continue reading →