No Heat? Try Some Jumping Jacks!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Many of us in the tri state area are still without heat or hot water....and we are the lucky ones to still have a roof over our heads.  If you're cold, and have electricity, turn the oven on to heat the house (like our mothers did over 40 years ago).  Still cold?  Try doing 20 jumping jacks at a time.  It will get your blood cooking and circulating and you'll do your cardiovascular system some good while warming up!  20 Jacks every hour for 8 hours....that's quite the cardio!  I'm taking a break for a few days, so I'll catch up with all of you on Tuesday.  Have a great weekend and stay safe and warm!  Over and out.

Fall is on its Way, Let's Get Creative

Summer is coming to a close...sad but true.  But Fall doesn't have to be all doom and gloom.  Let's get creative!  There are so many outdoor activities to be enjoyed during the next few months.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Things are beginning to dry out here in the NorthEast.  Plan a day's hiking or fishing adventure.  Plant some beautiful fall perennials and add beauty to your space, put on a pair of sweats and go for a run, jump some rope or enjoy a fall foliage bicycle ride.  Spend some time by a stream, visit your local farmer's market for apple cider, root vegetables, pumpkins and squashes.  Have an evening party with friends; build an outdoor fire, play some music, drink some brandy and roast some chestnuts.  It's the weekend - have fun and make merry!  Stay tuned next week for more healthy tips.

Small Acts of Kindness Create Big Smiles

Hurricane Irene did tremendous damage to the lower Catskill region of New York.  Stories of neighbors and strangers coming together to help the people who were affected by this massive storm touch our hearts.  I have my own story to share.  It's small and insignificant, but heart warming none-the-less:  I tried to protect my little flower cart as best I could by sheltering it from the winds we thought we would have gotten.  Unfortunately, it was the water that affected all of us.  My little cart was half immersed in water.  We had put all the flower pots inside the dealership and I mentioned to the crew to just put them out on the lawn after the storm.  I figured these hanging plants would somehow survive this type of disruption...hopefully....
A week after the storm, I pulled up to the dealership and a huge smile filled my face and my heart was filled with enormous emotion.  Three members of the crew had taken my flowercart from the flooding pool it had been in, they cleaned it off and placed all the flowering plants back into the cart.  The pretty little cart was back in its spot in front of the store; looking happy and bright as ever.  Appreciative thanks and hugs were given to these three people, who cared enough for me, for beauty and for the happiness that little cart has brought to so many people.  This is what true friendship is.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Do something to bring a smile to someone's face today.  No matter how small or insignificant it might seem, it really does make a huge difference to another person.  I can't wait till they see the mums I'm planting in the flowerbed for the fall!  A burst of color we shall all have!