SPRING BREAK!!!

Spring Break is about to come.... are you ready?!?! If you don't have enough money to go on a long vacation here are some things you can to do to have a wonderful Spring Break for 2010:

1) Volunteer @ an Animal Shelter, Tutoring, or a Bingo Day with the elderly

2) Scavenger Hunt

3) Drive-In Movie

4) Picnic at the Park & Play Time on the Playground

5) Start a Scrapbook

6) Amusement Park Day

7) Cook a new recipe

8) Make a killer dessert

9) Reorganize your closet for Spring and Summer

10) Rearrange your room

11) Paint

12) Plant Flowers or a Garden

13) Get a team together for baseball or kickball

14) Read a new book

15) Create a blog

Whatever you choose to do, you have the power to make your Spring Break Rock!!!!!

New Hobby for 2010

Here is a thought... would you like 2010 to be different than any other year?!?! I'm going to make a change and I challenge you to as well, make 2010 different! Start a new hobby, a small business, or do something out of your element. Try something that you have always wanted to do, but you have been too scared to try. Life is to short... make 2010 the year of possibilities! Good Luck and Best Wishes on your new journey!

Healthy Tips for your Thanksgiving Lunch or Dinner!

Did you know that the average person can eat 2000 calories or more during their thanksgiving lunch or dinner?!?! I know all that food is calling your name, but in order to fit in your jeans after you eat keep some small tips in mind:

Make sure that you are not going to your Thanksgiving Lunch or Dinner hungry – have small healthy snacks throughout the day so that you aren’t overeating at one meal.

Thanksgiving is not an all you can eat meal – make sure that you remember that you will eat again. Also a lot of times people over eat because they only have this meal once a year, in order to not overeat at Thanksgiving make the sides and meal more than once a year so you won’t gorge and be miserable.

Shake off the Skin – If you want to cut calories easily eat your turkey without the skin, this is better for you and it still tastes great!

Side Dishes, watch your size! – Even with the holidays moderation is the key… make sure that you are having smaller portions of sides. You want to be able to try different sides so having small quantities will allow you to do that very thing!

Drink plenty of water- Water makes you feel full faster and if you have water you will save calories that you would have wasted on cokes and other beverages.

Hopefully these tips will help you at your wonderful Thanksgiving meal this year!!! Have a great and Happy Thanksgiving!

Need Weekend Plans

Do you need weekend plans? Try something new… here are some ideas. Since the holidays are coming make Thanksgiving center pieces or name cards for your Thanksgiving guests, make Christmas ornaments, or if you are really talented try to sew stockings. If you can’t sow stockings get a plain stocking and decorator stockings as a family. Try to do different hobbies and crafts that would make memories for this holiday season and for years to come. Have a great weekend!

What are you thankful for?

This time of the year is a perfect time to reflect on what you have been blessed with. I challenge you to make a list of all the things that you are thankful for. Think above and beyond, here are some things to be happy for:

Being Alive
Being Healthy
Being blessed with a Family & Friends that love you
Being an American
Having Shelter
Having Food to Eat
Being able to enjoy different types of entertainment: Movies, Sports, Hobbies, & Etc
Having clothes to wear
Having freedom of religion
Having freedom of speech
Being able to go to school to become more educated
Being able to have dreams that you can strive after and achieve
Being able to vote
Being able to have favorite foods, restaurants, colors, activities, and etc
Being able to love other people
Being able to attend a great church

Don't Get Pounds as a Gift This Year!

Do you ever feel like you gain a lot of weight during the holidays? Well the average person gains around 5-10 pounds in the months of November – January. The holidays are so easy to gain weight during, and no one wants to diet during the holidays so in order to keep your great shape for these next couple of months get on top of your game and follow these 5 easy tips:

1. Go in with a good attitude and mind set

Everyone always says that they will work off the weight as a new year’s resolution so they go into Christmas thinking that they will eat anything and everything. Not a good plan. Also many people say they aren’t go to eat any goodies and that can’t happen either. Make good choices don’t eat the whole dessert just think of the word moderation!

2. Turkeys are suppose to be stuffed, not you

At every meal aim for a comfortable feeling of satisfaction rather than getting to the stage where you need to loosen your waistband and you are miserable. Watch your calories and try to still have 6 small healthy snacks/meals so you don’t over eat at one setting.

3. Don’t give up exercise

It is hard to go to the gym at this time, but this is the perfect time to exercise. You will be with family at these times so make exercise fun, play sports, go on walks, and even have exercise competitions to play against each other and burn fat at the same time!

4. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

If you are baking a lot for the holidays or you have been given many great goodies, make sure that they are out of sight. Many times if something is out to eat people tend to eat more than if the goodies were put away out of sight.

5. It’s Christmas…. All is Calm

Try and keep calm over Christmas. As stress levels rise, so does our tendency to eat for comfort. Also remember at the end of the day that you are one person and so you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself while you are trying to make Christmas fun for everyone else. At the end of the day enjoy what you have and don’t think about what you didn’t get or get done. Instead of turning to food when you are stressed turn to a good movie, good book, a bubble bath, a walk, or something that relaxes you.

I hope that you will take what we have discussed to heart and that you will enjoy this time it only comes but once a year!!

Saving for Christmas Shopping

So its right around that time of year… time for thinking about the holidays. Since the holidays are getting closer and closer and you want to be able to purchase the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones keep these two tips in mind:

1) Start Saving – Since the holidays are an expensive time start planning ahead. Set aside money in an envelope or account every week so by the time you go shopping you will have extra money that is planned out for the holidays.
2) Discounts & Savings – Why start your shopping in December? Try to find sales earlier in the year and save them for Christmas. This way you are not stressed closer to the holidays and you will have the gifts that you wanted to buy for a cheaper price.

In all enjoy this time of year and make sure that you are eliminating your stress in every way possible! Remember this is the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Halloween - Great Safety Tips

Halloween is tomorrow and here are some helpful, great tips to do before your night of fun:

1) Costumes- Make sure that your costume is comfortable. You want to enjoy the night and not be miserable in your attire. Also make sure that your costume will be seen when it gets dark. Cars are watching out for trick or treaters but if you can help them by having a flashing light or by wearing bright colors that way you are more likely to be seen.

2) Jack-O-Lanterns – If you have carved a pumpkin outside your house and it has a candle in it, make sure that you move away from the lantern when you are taking pictures so you don’t accidently catch your costume on fire.

3) Props- Make sure that if you are carrying a prop with you that goes with your costume that it doesn’t have an hard edges, you want to make sure your prop is smooth and flexible to make sure that if you fall on the object it won’t cause damage.

4) Before Trick or Treating – Make sure that you have a good and healthy meal before you go out for trick or treating. That way you won’t get hungry while you are out and you won’t get a tummy ache by eating too much candy.

5) Watch Out- Remember that you must look both ways to cross the street. Stay on the sidewalk, and ALWAYS go with someone, never trick or treat without being in a group with at least one adult. Always have a phone with you at all times, and make sure that you are home by 10, you should have enough candy at that time.

6) Candy – Make sure when you get home to check ALL candy. Never eat or keep candy that is unwrapped or open. If it doesn’t look right, DON’T try it!

Hopefully these tips will help you have a fun and safe Halloween! Have a great time!!!

New Fragrance For Fall & Gifts

Need a fragrance and don’t know which one will fit you best? I have a solution for you, try text message Scent®. Below are the different fragrances, all of them are great but I have broken down which fragrance is best for what occasion or person:

LOL – LAUGH OUT LOUD: You are the life of the group or party, with your sense of humor and your fun jokes you need a fragrance that symbolizes who you are. LOL has a scent that fills the air with the aroma of fresh petals of the most beautiful red roses which will make you stand out in the crowd!

BFF – BEST FRIENDS FOREVER: A scent to go with your friendly and compassionate personality, try BFF a romantic fragrance of wild orchids for any special day!

OMG – OH MY GOSH: This scent is amazing! OMG is a fragrance made up of freshly picked wild flowers to give you that soothing feeling of relaxing day by the pool with friends or an afternoon at the mall.

LYLAS - LOVE YA LIKE A SISTER: Everyone LYLAS, you are full of spunk and are very outgoing. Everyone wants to be like you and smell like your fragrance a cool scent of fresh, exotic wild orchids.

JK – JUST KIDDING: The comedian of the group needs a fragrance that is as bold and amusing as she is. JK puts the scent of fresh ripened peaches, buttercream with an additional touch of creamy vanilla to make anyone fall in love with your jokes and your smile.

TTYL – TALK TO YOU LATER: Want a fragrance that has everyone wishing you would stay longer? Try TTYL a sweet and exotic scent of delicious apples fresh from the orchard.

IDK – I DON’T KNOW: IDK how she does it, but she is so cool. Be the girl that has it all; her own style, fashion and makes a huge statement with her awesome perfume with the scent of wine and roses.

I hope that you will try a new fragrance for yourself this fall or buy a fragrance for someone you love as a gift for the holidays or for fun!

Chex Mix... YUM!

Every year it's great to find a new tradition that you would like to start or continue. I think that the fall & the holidays are a great time have Chex Mix. Below is the orginial chex mix recipe from Chexmix.com. Try this recipe and then try all different kinds throughout the year!

Ingredients:

3 cups Corn Chex® cereal

3 cups Rice Chex® cereal

3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal

1 cup mixed nuts

1 cup bite-size pretzels

1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

How to Prepare:

1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.

2. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.Oven Directions Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container

Fall Rocks!

There are so many things to do when each season begins. Fall has to be the one of the best seasons to have a blast! There are so many things to do. I have a challenge for you this fall make the most out of every day. Do something that is fall related every day so you make the most out of your season. Here are some ideas that you can do this fall: carve a pumpkin, go on a hayride, wear sweats, drink apple cider, go to a corn maze, go to a pumpkin patch, buy a scarecrow or make one, make hot tea, shop for Halloween, dress up in a costume, make soups or stews, have friends over for football games, and enjoy your time this fall!!!

textmessagescent.com

Pumpkins with Warts!! Why???

Do you ever look at pumpkins this time of year and ask yourself the question, why are some smooth and why do some have warts? I have always wondered why pumpkins have warts and you know why that is??? Because the bumps on pumpkins are sometimes called "sugar warts," because they're caused by a buildup of sugars under the skin.

Hmm... you learn something new EVERYDAY!

Happy October!

textmessagescent.com

Kick it FALL Style - Carve a Pumpkin

What to do a great activity for this fall… carve a pumpkin. Sounds easy enough, but if you have never carved a pumpkin before it would be hard. In order to have a great time and have a remarkable pumpkin here are some helpful steps:

Step 1: Find a pumpkin with a smooth face… the smoother the face the easier it will be to carve

Step 2: Cut the top or the bottom off of the pumpkin. If you cut the bottom off it can help with placing a light in the candle when the pumpkin is complete.

Step 3: CLEAN IT OUT… you have to know get in and get your hands dirty… you want to make sure that you pull out all of the gooey slime and seed. It doesn’t have to be completely perfect just as long as it’s clean.

Step 4: Now create the pumpkin of your dreams… you can use stencils to make it perfect or you can free hand your drawing to create your masterpiece.

Step 5: Now that you have your drawing complete you what to cut out the shapes or design for the perfect carved pumpkin. Make sure that you are careful with the knifes that you use to not harm you or your friends.

Step 6: Now that the pumpkin is complete, put a light in the pumpkin and display for the entire world to see! Have fun and enjoy your fall creation!!

Childhood Memories

Think about you best days as a child and the memories that you cherish. What did you like doing as a kid…. Did you like to dress up and play with dolls? Did you like to play outside and in tree houses? Did you ride bikes? Did you finger paint or draw with chalk? Did you watch TGIF with the great shows like Full House, Boy Meets World, Step by Step, Family Matters? Did you wake up on Saturdays to great shows like Saved by the Bell & California Dreams? Did you watch cartoons? Did you go bowling or mini golfing? Look back and think about what your favorite childhood memories were and try to relive one today. Wake up on Saturday morning and watch cartoons, play outside riding a bike or have a baseball game, play a game of horse or pig, go bowling or get a group together to do bumper boats. Do something today that makes you happy and let the child inside of you relive some great years of your childhood.

textmessagescent.com

Fall

It’s the beginning of FALL! I love Fall!! Fall is full of great things: cooler weather, trees changing colors, leaves falling, football, chili, cute coats, pumpkins, and hay rides. As we embark on Fall make sure that you are enjoying each day try to get as much in as you can that is fall related. Have a leave fight, carve a pumpkin, take kids trick or treating, wear cute fall clothes and boots that express you, go on a hayride with friends, and take pictures of beautiful Fall trees. When you are having fun this season make sure that you take care of yourself too. Take your vitamins, flu shots, and make sure that you wash your hands! Enjoy this wonderful season with your family and friends and have fun falling in love with Fall!

Textmessagescent.com

Your Perfect Day!

If you had a day to do whatever you would like what would you do? Would you spend the day in your pjs, at the mall, or hanging out with family & friends? Everyone wishes that they had a day to just do whatever they would like for themselves, so do it! Have your perfect day soon… take time to do something for yourself. Give yourself a day or a couple of hours to relax and enjoy your life. It is necessary to take time out of your busy life to sit back and enjoy moments with things that you like to do! Do something for yourself this week or weekend that would make you feel like you are having a perfect day!

9/11

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? Do you remember what you were doing? Do you remember how you felt? I bet that if you were old enough you can answer yes to all of those questions. If you weren’t old enough to remember what you were doing its okay as long as we never forget what happened. Many Americans woke up that morning kissed there family good-bye and went to work or went on a plane to never return again. Many families are missing their mom, dad, daughter, son, or even grandchild because of a horrible terrorist attack. Many heroes risked their lives to save others in the towers some returning, some to never serve again. As you go on today, may you remember the men and women who were victims of 9/11/01, and say a pray for the family members that will never be the same since that day.

Try a New Make-Over!

Want to make a change? It doesn’t take much. If you want a new look for the new school year or for a new opportunity … change it up a bit. Change your lip gloss, change your eye shadow, or blush. Or step it up big time and change your hair the color the cut or whatever! Make a change and you might love the new you! If not ... hair always grows back and you can always get new make-up!

Don't Miss Your Life

"Often people focus too much on the arrival at the destination and don't realize that it is the journey they take to get there that is the most important. The journey is where you live, learn, and experience; the destination is just the result of this."Author Unknown

Have you ever seen the movie “Click”? It’s about a man wanting to rush through his life and missing out on some great and important things. Many times we are trying to get to the next best thing in our life that we miss the journey that we take in order to get there. Instead of wishing that you were older or wishing that time would fly by… enjoy your time, your journey, your life. You are given a new day everyday make the most of it, don’t wish it away!

First Week Down

Yeah one week down at school.... it went by fast! Take a moment this weekend to remember you first week of school. Think about your favorite moments in your first week. What was your favorite outfit, favorite class, favorite memory, favorite teacher? Want to remember all the wonderful things about your school year.... start a journal or diary; this way you can look back on great memories for years to come! Have a great school year and start a journal!