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Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! Thanksgiving was yesterday and with Black Friday starting earlier and earlier...Christmas feels like it's already here! I did put my tree up already while playing Christmas music, so I'm in the spirit! I was smart and didn't leave my house...I don't participate in the Black Friday craziness!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving...Happy Frenchie Friday!!
I was given this Ginger Juice by The Ginger People as a gift. It is SO wonderful!! I love having my Ginger Lemon Detox Tea almost every morning and there are days I don't have time to grate the ginger...let it steep, etc. This is the perfect thing to have on those days because it makes it so simple!
Click on this link to learn more about the healthy benefits of Ginger Lemon Detox Tea, and how to make it! It's cold and flu season and this is a great way to keep your immune system strong!!
When I ran out...I found more at Raley's in the natural food section. I would think if they carry it there, that you'd be able to find it at many natural food supermarkets. Stay healthy this season!
Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! "Stella" received her November BarkBox this week and I must say, I really like what they send! She got this Cornucopia puzzle toy that is in the picture. It's a handmade soft toy stuffed tightly with other small toys shaped like fruits and veggies. Each small toy has a squeaker in it and she LOVES it. She'll pull each one out and play with them individually.
She also got some wipes for her skin...or her booty! She got another small squeaker toy shaped like a hedgehog in a chef's outfit, a box of healthy stew...maybe she'll get this treat on Thanksgiving! Also a bag of treats made from turkey and sweet potato...she loves them! You can tell that BarkBox puts a lot of thought into what is appropriate for the size dog it's for.
I was at Target this week and found this cookie jar that I just had to get...now I can put all her yummy treats she's getting from BarkBox in her own cookie jar!
This cornucopia toy got me thinking about abundance....we wish you abundance and love this Thanksgiving holiday!
The holiday season is officially here. This is the time of year when it's too easy to say, "It's not the right time to start getting fit...too much temptation." So we wait until the New Year...make our half-ass resolutions...say this year will be "different"....only to fall back into our old bad habits two weeks in. Sound familiar? It's okay if it does. I used to do this too.
That's why the perfect time to start is right now!!!! Get FIT for the holidays! It doesn't mean you can't enjoy Thanksgiving dinner or some treats this holiday season....it just means you don't give yourself a free pass to overeat and stop moving your body! I happen to love Thanksgiving dinner. I plan to enjoy all my favorites....just in moderation. I don't believe in deprivation, because that leads to trouble...you just want what you gave up more. Think moderation instead.Plan some exercise into your day to keep your body feeling healthy...not heavy.
If you start now, you'll get a jump start and not want to overeat and veg out this holiday season. You will feel more energy, less guilt, and by the time the New Year rolls around....you'll have healthy habits underway that will help to KEEP GOING!
Choose something now...a healthy habit, before the holidays. Not sure what to do? Here are some ideas....
Still not sure about how to get through this holiday season without putting on those unwanted pounds? Try a 30-Day Discipline. It's the perfect time. You will feel so much better after the holidays. New Year's goals will come easier if you START NOW! That's the thing about discipline...it's not meant to be easy. It's meant to make you better.
Like I said, enjoy the holiday season! Just learn to enjoy it in a new positive way! Get moving! Eat healthy, real food. Enjoy your favorites...but in moderation! Be grateful. Be generous. Forgive. Holidays can be a stressful time...if it usually is for you, make this year different! It starts with you! Have a HEALTHY holiday season! You can do this!
Happy Frenchie Friday everyone! I snapped this picture of "Stella" on a walk the other day...she just loves crunching through the Fall leaves this time of year. This cooler weather is so perfect for short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds that can't handle the heat very well. This got me thinking, even though I live in California where the temperatures stay pretty mild...I know how important it is to keep your pets healthy, happy and safe during these colder months....so remember your furry loved-one's comfort this season by following these useful tips from A.R.F.-Animal Rescue Foundation
Top 10 Cold Weather Pet Tips:
Dashing through the snow sometimes doesn’t feel too dashing. Learn how to keep your furry best friend warm and safe all winter long.
1) There’s no place like home The best strategy, of course, is to keep your pets indoors during inclimate weather. Outdoor cats are especially susceptible to hazards like frostbite, getting lost, or being exposed to diseases. If you don’t want to be outside, your pet probably doesn’t want to be, either.
2) Keep close When you do venture outdoors with your dog, keep them on-leash. Snow and rain can wipe away familiar scents, causing your dog to become lost or disoriented. If you live in a very cold area, unsupervised dogs also run the risk of falling through thin ice near ponds or other frozen bodies of water.
3) Bundle up! A fur coat isn’t all the protection your pet needs from the cold, especially if she is short-coated, a puppy, or a senior. She might be much more comfortable in some warm winter-wear, such as a sweater, jacket, or booties. Look for coats or sweaters that cover from neck to tail and aren’t restrictive or uncomfortable. When indoors, be sure she has a warm, draft-free spot to rest in with lots of bedding. And to keep her skin and coat in tip-top shape from the dry winter air, brush her more frequently than usual, and never shave a long-coated dog during the winter.
4) Warm as toast Wrapping your pet up in an electric blanket all day might sound like a good idea, but leaving an animal unattended with an electric item is a recipe for disaster. SnuggleSafe Pet Heating Pads can be warmed in the microwave and retain heat for 12 hours. They are excellent for tucking in your pet’s bedding at night, giving her an extra bit of snuggly warmth as she nods off to dreamland.
5) Potty problems When it’s cold or rainy out, pets might resist going to the bathroom outside. (And really - wouldn’t you?) Work with them to try to keep them comfortable while they do their business - a jacket or rain slicker might help, as would holding an umbrella over them to keep them dry.
6) Check for cat cargo When the temperature drops, chilly kitties will look for any warm place to curl up. This includes under the hoods of cars where they can be seriously injured or killed when the car starts. A trick to evict stowaways is to bang on the hood of your car loudly a few times before you enter. Any slumbering felines will be frightened by the noise and escape before you start your car.
7) (Don’t) chill out You should never leave your pet unattended in a car on a cold day. The winter weather turns your car into a rolling refrigerator - great for keeping your groceries chilled, but terrible for keeping your pet safe. If it’s cold outside, leave your animals warm and safe at home.
8) Dry them off When coming in from a winter walk or play session, dry your pet off thoroughly and take extra care to wipe her legs, paws, and stomach. Pets in snowy climates can pick up salt, antifreeze, or other dangerous chemicals on their pads and lick them off, making them sick. Ice and salt can also cause their pads to crack and bleed, so look them over thoroughly after all outside adventures.
9) Gimme shelter Pets should not be kept outside during the cold months. However, if you absolutely must leave them outdoors for a limited amount of time, create a shelter for them to retreat to. It should be dry, clean, and well-insulated (straw works well to trap heat), and protect them from the wind and elements. And be sure to frequently check their water bowl to be sure they have plenty of fresh (not frozen) H2O.
10) Stay healthy Animals with fragile immune systems - including kittens, puppies, and senior pets - might be more susceptible to illness during the change of seasons. If you suspect your animal has a cold weather-related illness, take them to see the vet right away.
I hope you enjoyed these cold weather pet tips to keep your pets safe this season..."Stella" wishes you warm wishes on this Frenchie Friday from her bundled spot on the couch;)
She definitely knows how to stay snuggled up...LOL! This throw makes her feel particularly fancy...
For those of you who read my blog posts regularly, sometimes I've written about being "drawn" to certain books which I believe is for a reason. A few years ago this happened with a book called "Quiet" by Susan Cain. I was immediately drawn to this book because it was the label I'd been given probably more than any other in my life. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, "You're quiet"....I'd be pretty set. I grew to absolutely despise it when someone would say that to me, even though I knew it was true. I hated it because I felt like I had no control over it...it was who I was.
What came with that label was a constant underlying feeling that something was wrong with me. Being shy is not a favored quality in the world we live in. We are taught we should be extroverts. We even learn to fake it when necessary. This was before I understood the difference between being shy and being an introvert, they are not the same thing. Cain explains the difference... "Shyness is about fear of social judgement. Introversion is more about how you respond to stimulation, including social stimulation."
I was definitely more shy when I was younger. This is understandable because we tend to care more about what other people think of us at a younger age. What's changed for me is, I've stopped believing that something's wrong with me. A belief is just a thought you keep thinking. I learned what it means to be an introvert...and embraced it. Now I believe it can be a pretty powerful tool that I'm proud to possess.
There is no such thing as a true introvert, which means 100%. Everyone has a little bit of both in them. For example, yes, I would consider myself to be more introvert than extrovert, but I also don't mind large crowds, for example. I actually love big cities and events like concerts and parties...they key is who I'm enjoying those things with. Also, we learn to adapt and become extroverted when necessary. Cain says "Introverts are capable of acting like extroverts for the sake of work they consider important, people they love, or anything they value highly."
I read an article recently on the Huffington Post that listed ways that introverts interact differently with the world.....
These are just a few that I could really relate to. I'm writing this personal blog post because I understand what it's like to feel different. I understand what it's liketo feel alone about these things. Once we understand what it means to be an introvert, we can learn to embrace it, understand our needs, and stop feeling bad about it! If I was empowered by this knowledge, I know others can be too. The truth is, introverts simply have different needs and desires than extroverts.
Now, what if you can't identify with either one? There's a term that some may not have heard of before that may describe you. An Ambivert sits on the spectrum of social interaction right in between introverts and extroverts. Cain speaks about this in the video below, or if you'd like to read further information about ambiverts, check out a great article about the subject here.
I really would like to share this TED Talks video featuring Susan Cain with you. I must say, I started this website and blog because I just knew with everything that I am that I've always had something to say...something to share with others. I literally had tears in my eyes as this video ended...because I realized I'm not alone, there's nothing wrong with me, and mostly....I'm on the path I'm meant to be on.
http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?embed=true
Some well-known introverts: Abe Lincoln, Albert Einstein, JK Rowling, Charles Darwin, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Emma Watson, Elenore Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Audrey Hepburn, Warren Buffet.
.... I could't have said it better myself. That above quote pretty much sums it up.
If you or someone you know can benefit from this explanation of introversion...pass it on. I know I wish I would have known more about the subject at a younger age.
Click here to find out more about Susan Cain's book, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" It's a very interesting read...for introverts and extroverts alike;)