Category Archives: Wellbeing

Cran-Raspberry Mint Lemonade

  By juliefeb14 | November 21, 2016 - 2:03 am | ,
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cran-raspberry lemonade

 

This is SO GOOD! cran-raspberry lemonade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a version of my fabulous sister-in-law’s recipe.  Grow some mint and try this. Mint is very easy to grow but be selective where you put it because it is invasive. This is a great container plant.

 

Mint Syrup

1 ½ C sugar

1 C water

6-8 sprigs of fresh mint

Combine water and sugar. Bring to boil to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and add mint. Let sit for several minutes. Strain leave

Fresh pureed fruit (raspberry or strawberry is wonderful) you can use frozen

1 Can of lemonade or fresh lemon juice, water and sugar to taste

1/4 Can of cranberry juice (adding water to taste)

Mix and serve chilled

Cran-Raspberry Lemonade – This is so good!

  By juliefeb14 | November 20, 2016 - 6:03 am | ,
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cran-raspberry lemonade

Cran-Raspberry Lemonade – This is so good!

cran-raspberry lemonade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a version of my fabulous sister-in-law’s recipe.  Grow some mint and try this. Mint is very easy to grow but be selective where you put it because it is invasive. This is a great container plant.

 

Mint Syrup

1 ½ C sugar

1 C water

6-8 sprigs of fresh mint

Combine water and sugar. Bring to boil to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and add mint. Let sit for several minutes. Strain leaves.

 

Fruit & Mint Lemonade

½ C mint syrup (or to taste)  You can serve this without the mint syrup–but you will be missing out!!

Fresh pureed fruit (raspberry or strawberry is wonderful) you can use frozen

1 Can of lemonade or fresh lemon juice, water and sugar to taste

1/4 Can of cranberry juice (adding water to taste)

Mix and serve chilled

Glorious Sun

  By juliefeb14 | January 20, 2016 - 4:53 pm |
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Sunshine

Sunshine

Sunshine is good for you in many ways. Obviously, we need to be cautious with the danger of skin cancer. Here are some wonderful benefits of partaking of the gift of sunshine:

 

1. We get a large portion of our Vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium; in essence it helps keep bone and teeth healthy.

2. Sun can boost our level of serotonin, which is a happy hormone.  Mayo Clinic explains serotonin here.

3. The higher serotonin levels due to sun exposure help suppress appetite.

3. Being outside in sunshine warms your muscles which can reduce pain and stiffness.

4. A small amount of sun exposure (5 -15 minutes) unprotected can aid in later protection from sun rays.

5. Sun rays can aid in treating jaundice.

6. Sun helps the kidneys through the elimination of waste with sweating.

7. Studies have shown that lowered levels of Vitamin D can cause a rise in Cholesterol levels.

These are some pretty wonderful reasons to get outside! I have only listed a few of the many great health benefits of the sun. Remember to be cautious of the damaging effects of the sun.

My husband and I feel so proud of ourselves when we get our 15 or so minutes of sunshine!

 

Functional Family Elements

  By juliefeb14 | November 19, 2014 - 10:05 pm | , ,
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family

familyFamilyFunctional Family Elements

At one point in my life I had the following 12 ideas taped to the wall in my bedroom. I had each one printed on a tacky colored paper. It was definitely an eyesore…but I read them frequently. There is so much value in each thought below.

1. There is an inviting, comfortable, loving atmosphere in the home and in the company of the family. HAVE A HOME THAT FEELS GOOD.  You know those homes the kids friends want to be in.

2. Parents offer their children all of their love and support without worrying about the outcomes of their parenting.

3.Parents in a functional family, parent consciously and intentionally.

4.Parents are very aware of the impact they have on their children.

5. Parents understand that the family is the best place to address basic human needs.

6. In functional families, relationships are of supreme importance.

7. In functional families parents are teachers.

8. Functional parents have clearly defines rules and responsibilities that they mutually agree upon.

9. Functional parents exhibit strong and confident leadership and are passionate about their responsibilities as parents.

10. Functional families realize that they do not need to be perfect.

11. Functional families like to play and have fun together.

12. Functional families make their home a gospel school.

(The ideas listed above came from a family life course I took from BYU.)

 

 

 

 

Amazing Brain Dendrites

  By juliefeb14 | October 27, 2014 - 12:29 am | ,
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Dendrites

Amazing Brain Dendrites

Dendrites

Amazing Dendrites can help the body’s ability to remember and perform.

One of the coolest things about these dendrites is that you can build them so easily. By doing something new, or out of the ordinary for yourself, you strengthen and help build them. Things as simple as crossing your legs opposite of what you are used to, stretching your brain by learning a new subject, trying a new skill, taking up a sport you haven’t ventured to do, learning in a new way (such as learning visually or hands-on, for instance), all promote dendrite growth.

Try painting, skiing, yoga, writing, singing, basketball, card tricks….the list is endless!!

Dendrites

Dendrites

Below is a link to some great information on dendrites.

In lab animals of all ages, environmental enrichment has been related to dendritic branching, spine density, and overall number of synapses.[11] In addition, skill training has been shown to lead to the formation and stabilization of new spines while destabilizing old spines,[15][16] suggesting that the learning of a new skill involves a rewiring process of neural circuits. Since the extent of spine remodeling correlates with success of learning, this suggests a crucial role of synaptic structural plasticity in memory formation.[15] In addition, changes in spine stability and strengthening occur rapidly and have been observed within hours after training.[14][16]

 

Note: As with most things, there is debate on this topic.

Mind, Body, and Spirit

  By juliefeb14 | June 22, 2014 - 11:54 pm | ,
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Fitness

FitnessMind, Body, and Spirit

When considering well-being, think of your physical, emotional, and spiritual self as a 3 legged stool. When one of those aspects of your life is off-balance you are going to fall. You can be in top physical shape but if you are an emotional wreck, you fall. You’re spirituality will suffer if you are not taking care of yourself physically etc.

 

We know that stress causes emotional, physical, and spiritual troubles.

A few of the causes of stress:

  1. Family issues
  2. Work issues
  3. Money issues
  4. Driving while talking on the phone
  5. Driving!
  6. Gruesome, scary movies
  7. Arguing with people

There are ways to attack stress:

  1. Serve others
  2. Spending quiet time with those you love
  3. Work
  4. Exercise

 

A few of the benefits of exercise

  1. Improves health
  2. Releases tension
  3. Gives you a healthy perspective on life
  4. Improves self-esteem and confidence
  5. Strengths muscles
  6. You have a more restful sleep
  7. Gives you time to meditate and ponder
  8. Is a diversion from your worries
  9. Counters fatigue
  10. Better blood circulation

 

 “Physical well-being is not only a priceless asset to one’s self—it is also a heritage to be passed on. With good health all the activities of life are greatly enhanced. A clean mind in a healthy body enables one to render far more effective service to others. It helps one provide more vigorous leadership. It gives our every experience in life more zest and more meaning. Robust health is a noble and worthwhile attainment.” 4

Ezra Taft Benson, talk given at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second annual Council on Physical Fitness, Cascade, Maryland, September 8, 1958.

Molasses Oat Bread — Delicious

  By juliefeb14 | June 9, 2014 - 4:43 am | ,
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molasses oat bread

molasses oat breadMolasses Oat Bread — Delicious

I love this recipe! I can toss the ingredients into the breadmaker and a few hours later slice it up for dinner.

Put ingredients into the breadmaker in the order listed.

 

1 1/3 C boiling water

2/3 C rolled oats

1/3 C molasses

1 TB oil

2 TB honey

1 C spelt flour (or wheat, or white)

2 ¼ C wheat flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp yeast

Set your breadmaker on the wheat setting.

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