Uses for Witch Hazel

Face

1. Face Astringent - Wipe on pure
2. Tired Oily Skin - Wipe on pure
3. Pore Reduction - Wipe on pure
4. Acne - Dab on pure
5. Puffy Eyes - Dab on pure (been using 50/50 nightly for makeup remover and I can feel the skin around my eyes getting tighter)

Other

1. Bug Bites - Dab on pure
2. Bruises, Cuts - I'll try 50/50 solution first.
3. Dandruff - Use between shampoo and conditioner
4. Deodorant - Wipe pure on underarms. I'm going to try this summer
5. Diaper Rash - I'd mix it in coconut oil and apply.
6. Dry Skin - Apply right after shower. I'll try this next winter
7. Hair Follicle infections - Hmm I'm going to try dabbing pure on my Keratosis Pilaris (chicken skin)
8. Hemorrhoids - soak cotton pad in 50/50 solution and leave tucked between cheeks
9. Poison Ivy - I'm going to try dabbing on pure first.
10. Sunburn - I'll be trying a pure application this summer.
11. Swimmer's Ear - I'll try a few drops of 50/50 into ear.
12. Varicose Veins - Soak a cloth in 50/50 solution and wrap around leg.

Coconut Oil is Used For What?!

I ran across this article shared by one of my facebook friends today..."WTF is Oil Pulling + Why I'm Hooked" As I sat there with my lip curled like I'd smelled a skunk, I couldn't stop reading. From there, I clicked on "101 Uses For Coconut Oil" and when I did a search for coconut oil on Walmart.com, I knew I was in trouble. I am a tightwad thrifty shopper. So after finding out it wasn't as expensive as I thought and there are many uses for it other than the swishing thing, I think I'm going to buy some.

Here's how I'm planning to use it:

1. Oil pulling (I'd love the teeth whitening, stronger teeth and gums, reduced TMJ problems.)
2. On the skin as a basic lotion
3. To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin (hands)
4. A dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
5. As an intensive nighttime facial moisturizer
6. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
7. Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
8. As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
9. On feet to fight athlete’s foot (hubby and daughter)
10. Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
11. There is some evidence that coconut oil helps digestion and may even kill intestinal parasites or yeast (Good-bye IBS?)
12. Taken supplementally for daily energy, boosted metabolism, and lots more
13. Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
14. After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
15. Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
16. On split ends to de-frizz
17. Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
18. Can help improve sleep when taken daily
19. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
20. To help sooth the itch of poison ivy (hubby gets it yearly)
21. Some evidence shows that the beneficial fats in coconut oil can help with depression and anxiety
22. For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
23. Some evidence suggests that the beneficial fats in coconut oil are helpful for those with Autism (son)
24. Mixed with mint essential oil as a natural bug repellent (I hate the smell of normal bug spray
25. Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
26. On cuticles to help nails grow
27. Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
28. Rub into feet nightly to have soft smooth skin

As soon as I get started trying it, I'll post an update!

13 Goals in 2012

Money Saving Mom has inspired me to set specific goals to conquer. I'm planning on 1 post per goal, mapping out how to meet each one with babysteps.

Here are my goals, in no particular order:

1. Read the entire bible in 1 year. Going to use Mom's Toolbox, Operation Read the Bible, and You Version bible app reading plans to help me accomplish this.
2. Complete a C25K plan
3. Read 4 new 30 day devotional books. (not counting the Journey magazine I get from church)
4. Pray daily.

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• January: 10 hrs 43 mins
• February: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Week 1: 20 min Wii Fit
• Week 2: 20 min hills on recumbent bike
• Week 3: 35 min hills on recumbent bike
• Week 4: 0

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Feb: approx 10-15 bags
• Mar: 5 bags (I find most that I bring home now are accidental)

March~~Read 3 devotionals daily.

• Week 1: 7 days
• Week 2: 7 days (added the Dieters one)
• Week 3: 7 days (added Greg Laurie one)
• Week 4: 7 days (added Proverbs 31 one)

The devotionals I am reading are:
Breaking Free Day by Day by Beth Moore
Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado
Journey for Women by Lifeway
Devotional for Dieters by Dan Dick
Greg Laurie Daily Devotionals
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Ed Young Ministries

I am not only keeping up with my devotionals, I keep finding new ones to add! Since this month's habit has gone SO well for me, I need to figure out a way to blend it w/January's habit which hasn't really stuck!

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• January: 10 hrs 43 mins
• February: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Week 1: 20 min Wii Fit
• Week 2: 20 min hills on recumbent bike
• Week 3: 35 min hills on recumbent bike

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Feb: approx 10-15 bags
• Mar: 3 bags

March~~Read 3 devotionals daily.

• Week 1: 7 days
• Week 2: 7 days (added the Dieters one)
• Week 3: 7 days (added Greg Laurie one)

The devotionals I am reading are:
Breaking Free Day by Day by Beth Moore
Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado
Journey for Women by Lifeway
Devotional for Dieters by Dan Dick
Greg Laurie Daily Devotionals

These last 2 devotionals I added are subscriptions from online that I reveive daily on my cell as a text message. I get it in the middle of the night, download & read it in the morning, then I write it in my journal before bed & delete it.

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• Week 1: 26 minutes
• Week 2: 65 minutes
• Week 3: 100 minutes
• Week 4: 231 minutes
• Week 5: 221 minutes
• Week 6: 90 minutes
• Week 7: 50 minutes
• Week 8: 20 minutes
• Week 9: None
• Week 10: 20 minutes
• Week 11: 20 minutes of hills on recumbant bike

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Feb: approx 10-15 bags
• Mar: 3 bags
  

March~~Read 3 devotionals daily.

• Week 1: 7 days
• Week 2: 7 days (I'm getting addicted to this!)

The devotionals I am reading are:
Breaking Free Day by Day by Beth Moore
Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado
Journey for Women by Lifeway

Plus, I've added a Daily Devotional For Dieters that is sent to my cell phone.

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Fitness Friday

I totally lost my groove (that I was just settling into) when my husband went on sick leave for knee surgery last month. He was home from work for about 3 weeks, but it was enough to mess up my whole routine (and I'm not just talking exercise!!)

He has been exercising at our church w/a co-worker now because it's cheaper than physical therapy free and he can work on more than just the knee. Yesterday his co-worker couldn't make it, so I tagged along. I've always wanted to exercise there, but never had anyone to go with me. And I didn't wanna intrude on my husband's time w/this guy because my husband's been using this to witness to him. Anyway...

I hopped on the recumbant bike & he set me up to do hills for 10 mins. I loved it! I did an additional 5 mins & cleared 3.5 miles in that 15 min time. I think I'm going to start joining them up there as much as possible now. I'll just pop in my ear buds while I'm riding.

I'm also trying to enforce a new rule on myself. On the days I don't workout, I should count WW points.

For more Fitness posts, click the banner above!

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• Week 1: 26 minutes
• Week 2: 65 minutes
• Week 3: 100 minutes
• Week 4: 231 minutes
• Week 5: 221 minutes
• Week 6: 90 minutes
• Week 7: 50 minutes
• Week 8: 20 minutes (DH being off work is killing my routine)
• Week 9: ---
• Week 10: (3/2-3/8) 20 minutes

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Feb: approx 10-15 bags
• Mar: 2 bags

March~~Read 3 devotionals daily.

• Week 1: 7 days

The devotionals I am reading are:
Breaking Free Day by Day by Beth Moore
Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado
Journey for Women by Lifeway

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• Week 1: 26 minutes
• Week 2: 65 minutes
• Week 3: 100 minutes
• Week 4: 231 minutes
• Week 5: 221 minutes
• Week 6: 90 minutes
• Week 7: 50 minutes
• Week 8: 20 minutes (DH being off work is killing my routine)

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Week 1: 3 bags
• Week 2: 6 bags from Walmart
• Week 3: 2 bags from Dollar Tree

Monday I went to Walgreens, Walmart, Schnucks, & Aldi's with my husband & both kids because of the holiday and didn't bring any bags home.

Wednesday we had minor errands to run & I was looking for 12 red folders for a bible study project. I ended up getting 1 plastic bag at Dollar Tree, but I carried out all the folders w/o bags! :)

Friday I sent my husband to Dollar Tree to get more binders, but forgot to tell him no bag, so there was another 1.

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Something to think about...

Excerpt from article 4 Ways to Live Longer

Good Housekeeping, March 2009

Say a Prayer
What we know: Regularly stepping through the doors of a house of worship may slow your progress toward the pearly gates by seven to 14 years, a University of Texas survey showed. Partly, that's due to the fact that faith communities provide support, and religious people tend to avoid life-shortening vices like smoking or drinking excessively. But even when you factor out healthy habits, older people who attend religious services once a week are 46 percent less likely to die over six years than people who go to services less often, a study from Duke University Medical School found. Attendance is only part of the picture; it's the underlying belief system that provides comfort and improves health, says Duke researcher Harold G. Koenig,
M.D.

What you can do: Bolster public worship with private spiritual practices like meditation and prayer. "The combination of the two is linked to the best outcomes," says Dr. Koenig. Even if you harbor doubts, join a congregation: The spiritual wisdom you'll gain may change your outlook — and boost your health.

Fitness Friday--Late Edition

My husband has been off work since Wednesday. We went to our Valentine's lunch that day & finished running all his errands for Thursday's surgery & time off afterwards. I did 30 mins of Wii Fit strength training with weights on Monday & whew was sore Tuesday, but busy running errands. Meant to do 30 Yoga, but didn't get time.

I got 20 minutes of Yoga in before finally giving up on the idea of working out between phone calls. Here is my Wii Fit age today, even though the scale went up.

I may not live through this sick leave if I don't figure out some Mii time!

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• Week 1: 26 minutes
• Week 2: 65 minutes
• Week 3: 100 minutes
• Week 4: 231 minutes
• Week 5: 221 minutes
• Week 6: 90 minutes
• Week 7: 30 minutes (will be updated later to inclue sat & sun)

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Week 1: 3 bags
• Week 2: 6 bags from Walmart

I took my husband to Walmart yesterday to get him out of the house for awhile & forgot to take my reusable bags in. All 6 bags came from 1 trip!

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Smart Habit Saturday

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• Week 1: 26 minutes
• Week 2: 65 minutes
• Week 3: 100 minutes
• Week 4: 231 minutes
• Week 5: 221 minutes
• Week 6: 90 minutes

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

• Week 1: 3 bags brought in

I had already brought one in before I decided to make it my resolution. Then I got 1 at JoAnn's (whoops) & my Partylite candle order came in one.

To see where Smart Habit Saturday originated, click the banner above! I think she keeps her updates in her sidebar now.

Fitness Friday

This has been such a hectic week that today was only my

2nd day this week.
So you can imagine how surprise I was to see these results!
(I'm 34.)

See only 2 days.

But I'm almost to next 2 week goal.

I also made myself sick Wednesday. I was still drinking my morning coffee when I started working out. Hot coffee, ice water, & exercise do not mix well! So today I drank tepid water instead & didn't get sick.

My plan for this coming week:
Mon, Wed, Fri will be strength training days.
Tues, Thur, Sat will be yoga days.

For more Fitness Friday posts, click the banner above!

February Smart Habit & Jan Update

January~~Exercise 90 mins a week.

• Week 1: 26 minutes
• Week 2: 65 minutes
• Week 3: 100 minutes
• Week 4: 231 minutes
• Week 5: 221 minutes

February~~Reduce the use of new plastic shopping bags.

In preperation for Feb's habit, I'm going to take advantage of the Walgreens deal 3 reusable bags for $1 & get 12 of them.

Fitness Friday--Late Edition

Wanna see what that time of the month looks like on Wii Fit?

The green line is my weight for that week.

Here is my activity calendar, & remember, I only do the body test on the days I work out. I have given myself Sundays off, anything else is laziness.

I did exercise a total of 3 hrs & 41 minutes this week,
10 mins shorter than last week.