Happiness Poem

February 3, 2013 | Newbloggycat

~ Help Yourself To Happiness ~
Helen Steiner Rice

Everybody, everywhere
seeks happiness, it’s true,
But finding it and keeping it
seem difficult to do.
Difficult because we think
that happiness is found
only in the places where
wealth and fame abound.
And so we go on searching
in palaces of pleasure
Seeking recognition
and monetary treasure,
Unaware that happiness
is just a state of mind
Within the reach of everyone
who takes time to be kind.
For in making others happy
we will be happy, too.
For the happiness you give away
returns to shine on you.

How to live longer and feel better

February 3, 2013 | Newbloggycat

Pretty much everything we do affects our lifespan, and here are some simple things we can do every day to lead a longer and healthier lives.

Drink tea: Every cup of tea is packed with antioxidants, meaning a longer life. Studies on people who had heart attacks found their risk of having another one in the next three years was cut by 44 percent if they drank two of tea a day.

Eat chocolate: The reason is probably the chocolate’s high antioxidant count. It contains even more of these vital nutrients than fruit! Jean Calment, who at 122 was the world’s oldest living woman, attributed her longevity to eating chocolate every day.

Eat a banana a day: Bananas, raisins and potatoes are all high-potassium foods. Potassium lowers blood pressure and this dramatically increases life expectancy.

Practice ‘hara hachi bu’ :No, not a martial art, but a tip from the Japanese island Okinawa. It means stop eating when you are 80 percent full. Not only does this cut calories, it also reduces stress on the kidneys and liver.

Control your cholesterol:Studies of Japanese centenarians have found that these people tend to be those with the lowest cholesterol. Cutting fat down to under 40 percent of your daily calories helps reduce cholesterol.

Eat fewer calories: A diet of 900 to 1100 calories a day can extend life by up to 15 years, according to the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Animals on this diet developed fewer cataracts, had fewer cancers, and their fur didn’t turn grey.

Get up every hour: Sitting could kill you. According to studies, people who sit for 4 hours a day outside work have a 50% greater risk of dying than those who sit less than 2 hours a day. The average person should take roughly 10,000 steps a day. Taking fewer than that could have an impact on your risk of death.

Be positive: Think positive and happy thoughts. People with positive outlook are usually less stressed and better able to deal with challenges. Having a positive outlook has been link to decreased mortality risk. Optimistic people live about 12 years longer than pessimists.

Quote of the day – Michelle Obama

February 2, 2013 | Newbloggycat

“Clearly this is a tough economic time, and a lot of families are hurting. So when we talk to parents, we talk about small changes for kids and things that don’t cost extra money. Like adding water and eliminating sugary drinks and sodas. That’s going to save money right there. Or adding a few more vegetables.” – Michelle Obama

My rottweiler

February 1, 2013 | Newbloggycat

One spoiled rotten rottweiler lives here 🙂

If I like it, IT’S MINE
If it’s in my mouth, IT’S MINE
If I can take it from you, IT’S MINE
If I had it a little while ago, IT’S MINE
If it is mine it must never appear to be yours in any way
If I’m chewing something all the pieces ARE MINE
If it looks just like mine, IT’S MINE
If I saw it first, IT’S MINE
If you are playing with some thing and you put it down, it automatically becomes MINE
If it is broken, IT’S YOURS

Handy kitchen tips

January 31, 2013 | Newbloggycat

Some handy kitchen tips that will help save you time and energy when you are in a hurry.

1. To make uniform-sized muffins in a hurry, use an ice-cream scoop to fill the cups. Quick and neat.

2. If you want sweet potatoes that are easy to peel, rub the skin with vegetable oil before baking and the skins will come right off.

3. Does it take forever to clean your crock pot? To speed up the process, line your slow-cooker with foil before adding in ingredients so cleaning up later will be a snap.

4. When a recipe says to cover with aluminium foil while baking, just turn a cookie sheet upside down over the dish. This saves time and foil.

Keeping flowers fresh

January 31, 2013 | Newbloggycat

To get the most pleasure from your bouquets, follow these blossoming guidelines:

1. Fill your vase with lukewarm, not cold water. Warm water contains fewer air bubbles that can block water up in the stems. It also encourages buds to open. (Bulb flowers such as daffodils, however prefer cold water).

2. Cut stems at an angle with a sharp knife or scissors to provide a larger area of water intake. Re-cut every few days to remove air locks.

3. Remove all foliage below the waistline.

4. To avoid dehydration, place flowers away from heat sources, including direct sunlight, large appliances and cooling vents.

5. Dethorning roses may shorten their life. If you must do it, use a sharp knife and work from the top of the stem downwards.

Joke of the day – Delusion

January 30, 2013 | Newbloggycat

Wife: My husband thinks he is a refrigerator.

Psychiatrist: I wouldn’t worry as long as he is not violent.

Wife: Oh, the delusion doesn’t bother me. But when he sleeps with his mouth open, the little light keeps me awake.

‘Green’ ways to clean your home

January 30, 2013 | Newbloggycat

Go green with these non-toxic ways to clean your home:-

Surface:
Mix some baking soda with liquid soap to make a paste. Use this to scrub delicate surfaces clean. Only make what you need because this paste dries quickly.

Streak-free Glass:
Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 1 quart of warm water. Place the mixture in a spray bottle to spritz onto glass or windows. Use newspaper to clean the glass to get streak-free results.

Oven:
Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz onto a cool oven surface. Use a sponge to scrub the oven clean. For stubborn stain, use baking soda or citrus-based cleaners.

Toilet bowl:
Sprinkle borax around the toilet bowl then drizzle with white vinegar. Leave for several hours before scrubbing with a toilet brush to remove stains.