Seven Extraordinary Reasons To Be Thankful
October 1, 2008
by Dar Arechederra
Ah, so many reasons to be thankful, today and throughout the year! How many reasons can you find? I hope they’re too numerous to count. This *potpourri* of thanks touches only the surface, but you may find yourself nodding in agreement. Enjoy!
1. Having Elderly Persons in Our Lives
Throughout a lifetime, an elderly person has most likely been a child, a sibling, a spouse, a parent. Let’s not forget grandparent and great-grandparent.
And, the stories they have tucked away behind that twinkle in their tired eyes! They carry within them the emotions and memories of their lives as they unfolded. They truly have been there, done that.
2. Enjoying the Animal Kingdom
Animals teach us about life, as well as the end of life. From them, we learn about about responsibility while we are still young.
Perhaps best of all, animals teach us about unconditional love. They even comfort us when we’re sick or feeling down. A cold, wet nudge of the nose is often all it takes to set us back on course.
3. Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge
Without an occasional bad day, how could we appreciate the good? We’d have nothing to compare it to. Even feeling poorly for a single day can cause us to appreciate feeling well! We face various challenges as we travel through life. Some not so bad; others quite energy draining. Enduring, even.
But, challenges are the crafters of our character. They mold us into what we will become. Challenges contribute to that inner strength we sometimes call upon to keep us going. They teach us endurance, strengthening us for that next challenge. And, without a doubt, there’ll be another.
4. Being Around Children
How vibrant children are! Consumed with curiosity. Full of energy! Willing to attempt the seemingly impossible.
Children allow us to remember the joyous and carefree days of our youth. They carry with them a refreshing honesty. Children have an innate sweetness that cannot be disguised (nor duplicated!) They keep us honest and alert.
5. Appreciating Nature
Even a tree stripped of its leaves in winter is a beauty to behold. Its naked limbs will gladly support a winter’s snow. In only a short while, it will usher in the new spring. Another delightful assortment to behold!
Nature represents the beauty and constancy of change. How boring life would be without change to carry us into a new season and landscape.
6. Spending Time with Friends, Family and Loved Ones
These gems are the backbone of our society. It’s difficult to imagine life without them. They’re as necessary to us as the air we breathe.
Whether they’re a continent away or a block down the street, they’re in our hearts. Friends, family and loved ones make the world go round.
7. Embracing Technology, Even When It Has an Attitude
Technology has made our lives easier. No need to travel across the ocean to hear a loved one’s voice. We simply input a few numbers, and presto, we’re greeting our friends and family. Not to mention, some are now only an email away!
Technology can seem our worst enemy. We come to depend on it. And just when we need it the most, it gets an attitude. It gets sensitive, goes berserk, and frustrates our attempts to use it. Yet, where would we be without technology?
It’s Thanksgiving, a time to share your reasons for being thankful. Enjoy your time with those you love. May you be surrounded in warmth, caring and peace during this season and throughout the year.
Free Reprint Article from http://www.ladypens.com – Articles by Women
© 2004 Darlene Arechederra Darlene Arechederra offers simple, unique strategies to help others move from spending to saving. She believes the trick is to discover which ideas work best for each person — because their money is not one-size-fits-all. Darlene encourages others to discover their *own* unique strategies for saving money! Free weekly newsletter. www.RatRaceRemedies.com
Quick Healthy Easy Breakfast
September 30, 2008
You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Start the day right for the entire family with some quick, healthy
and easy breakfast.
Most of us have heard the saying “Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day” and it’s certainly true especially when it comes to children. Studies have shown that children who eat a balanced breakfast are more alert in school, perform better and in many cases are less prone to bad behavior than children who skip breakfast.
Here are some quick and easy breakfast ideas for kids:
Give them Eggs – Eggs are versatile and nutritious, plus most kids like them. Start their day with simple scrambled eggs, you can add a little chopped ham, cheese, chopped tomatoes or mushrooms. Boiled eggs with slices of toast will down well too.
Bake Ahead Muffins – Muffins aren’t always the most nutritious meal, but if you bake your own muffins you can use mashed banana and a little honey for a naturally sweet breakfast muffin. You can also replace half of the amount of white flour for healthier whole wheat flour. And don’t just stick to sweet muffins, try a savory bacon and chive muffin or cheese and ham. Bake them the night before for a quick and healthy breakfast.
Don’t forget the Fruit – Try a fresh fruit salad with a yogurt and cheerio dip. Using a rolling pin mash a handful of two of whole grain Cheerios in a plastic bag and transfer to a bowl. Fill another bowl with yogurt and let your kids dip the fruit pieces in yogurt then in the cheerio mixture. Whole grain Cheerios have a lower sugar content then many of the cereals on the supermarket shelves.
Pancakes in a flash – Prepare a basic pancake batter the night before, cover and refrigerate in the morning. In the morning all you need to do is heat the grill and your whole family can enjoy delicious homemade pancakes. Serve with a little maple syrup or jam and some fresh fruit on the side.
Try Pizza for Breakfast – Split a couple of bagels in half, top with a little pizza sauce, grated cheese and some chopped ham. Place under the grill for a few minutes and you have a nutritious breakfast pizza. You can also use English muffins or pita bread.
Breakfast Burrito – Wraps are a great alternative to toast and cereal. You can make a scrambled egg breakfast wrap with a little bit of ham or cheese added to it or you can add a little cream cheese and turkey or even make a breakfast pizza burrito.
Remember breakfast doesn’t have to always consist of the traditional toast, cereal and eggs you can experiment a little to keep things interesting. And don’t put too much pressure on yourself to always make the perfect family breakfast. If your kids really aren’t hungry at breakfast time a simple banana and a glass of orange juice will give them an instant boost.
The most important thing is that your child starts the day with one or two nutritious foods.
Additional Resources:
Benefit Of Owning A Family Pet
September 29, 2008
Do you remember the old saying, “A man’s best friend is his dog.” Not only is this true for man, but for a family as well. There are quite a few ways that having a pet can benefit your family. Inviting a cat, dog, goldfish or hamster into your family can be a wonderful experience for everyone involved.
You remember your first pet, don’t you? And you also remember the day when you first got it. Maybe your parents took you to the pound to pick out a pup. Remember how excited and happy you were. Then the dog licked your face and stuck out his paw; he melted your heart, didn’t he? This is no less true for families today. Yes, having a pet may start out as a gift for the kids who have been nagging you for months. But the truth is you and your spouse will start to love this new family member pretty quickly too.
Pets give unconditional love; always. They trust you’ll take care of them at every turn, and they take care of you. After a long day at work, you come home to find your pet waiting for you at the front door; excitedly jumping up and down at your arrival. They are a comfort to kids when sick; and to the old when infirmed. Some dogs even have a sixth sense when you are ill and unaware of the problem. They can sense danger; and guard you and your family when necessary. They instinctively know when they’ve been naughty, and look to you for forgiveness. They comfort you in time of need like no other human. They can sense sadness and, when you pass, they mourn.
There are so many pets that need love and attention. Unfortunately, all too soon pets arrive at home only to find they are neglected or mistreated. How sad for the rest of us.
If you have the room and the time, why not consider adopting a pet. There are so many animals out there who will be put to sleep unless we afford them the opportunity to live in a home with a loving family. They ask nothing, but give so much.
We recommend:
SitStayFetch – Dog Training To Stop Your Dog Behavioral Problems!
Put an End to the Stress and Annoyance of Your Dog Behavior Problems!
…AND Slash Your Dog Obedience Training Time in Half by Using Techniques That Give You Immediate Results
