MOMPROVEMENT

I Think The Spirit Is Calling Me

Posted by admin on September 21, 2008  |  1 Comment

I’ve been wanting to blog a bit about my spiritual journey, after all, that’s a big component of why I felt compelled to start this site.  But for one reason or another, I always chose to write on other topics.  However, I recently started a Beth Moore study on the Fruit of the Spirit, and I absolutely love it!  But, still I struggle a bit, as i never really grew up in a “Holy Spirit” family.  We were believers, but more of a Sunday-only type of family, and of course we’d say grace before meals, but that was about it.

Well, life has been happening, and it hasn’t been pretty, and I almost missed a week of the study, which was all about the Holy Spirit.  I knew that what I heard that evening was what I wanted in my life.  Then, just today, our new Sunday School teacher started his lesson on the Fruit of the Spirit and was talking about what is NOT the fruit of the Spirit, and it hit me square in the face.  I was definately not living in the Spirit these last two weeks.

So I apologized to my kids for yelling at them (not for correcting or disciplining them, but for raising my voice so much when I was doing it) and resolved to try more deliberately to live in the Spirit.

The next few weeks I will comment on some of the tough lessons that I learn during my double whammy instruction on the Fruit of the Spirit.   In the meantime, you may want to pick up a copy of Beth Moore’s book “Living Beyond Yourself” or any other book on the Fruit of the Spirit and see what we can learn together for the Glory of God!  Amen!

Ready, Set, Start Over!

Posted by momprovement on September 20, 2008  |  2 Comments

Well, I’d like to weigh in and say I’ve lost at least SOME weight! But the simple fact is that, well, it’s been a stressful couple of weeks, and so I’ve actually gained a pound!

I’ve actually heard that the stress of trying to lose weight can make one gain weight, and I’d believe it. I was simply pushed over my stress threshold, and resorted back to my comfort eating. Although, interestingly enough, I’ve taken on a new comfort food. Usually it’s just chocolate and Coca-cola. But this time it’s been Hostess cinnamon swirl cakes and crystal light raspberry tea! Go figure!

And my hips haven’t moved since about 3 days after my Core Rhythms review!

But not one to give up just yet, I will start again.

After all, I just drank the last Coke, and I only have 3 snack cakes left!

So, if you’ve started on a weight loss and fitness journey – how’s it going?

Deuteronomy 30:11

Posted by admin on September 15, 2008  |  No Comments

“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”   Deut 30:11

I just love it when God speaks to me clearly!  I’ve been attending a Beth Moore Bible study at church, and when Beth mentioned this verse, I just had to write it down!  Oh, how I needed to hear those words!  So often it feels like what I am expected to do is way beyond me. And then, out of the blue, I get a word from the Lord such as this one.  He just can’t be more clear than that, can he?

But beyond the obvious, it’s not too difficult for me thing, the other thing that I like, is that if God felt that it was important to mention that it’s not too difficult, apparently, way back thousands of years ago, there were people like me who were having the same thoughts and feelings about living a life that is pleasing before God!  So even though I may feel like I’m the only one “not getting it”, apparently there are plenty more of our brothers and sisters in Christ, who also aren’t “getting it” or think that it is beyond them!

I’ve decided to type up these words and place them by my bedside so that when I get up, I realize that whatever God asks of me that day, it won’t be too difficult or beyond my reach.  As a matter of fact, I’d better keep a copy in my purse, because I know I’m going to need it!

What does this verse mean to you?

Tips for Teaching Kids to Cook

Posted by admin on September 9, 2008  |  No Comments

What woman wouldn’t love having a sous chef to help her in the kitchen?  Well, if you have children, you may have a sous chef in the making.  These tips for teaching kids to cook may help you to help yourself by allowing them to take over some of the kitchen duties.

• Before teaching your children anything about working in a kitchen, teach them about cleanliness above all else.  Basic safety rules like washing your hands before you begin, not licking your fingers while preparing food, and keeping raw and cooked foods separate will go a long way toward keeping family members healthy.  Teaching them to cook foods to the proper temperature is also important.

• Read the entire recipe before you start so you’ll be sure that you understand the directions and know which utensils and ingredients you’ll need.  Gather everything together.  If you can, measure out the ingredients ahead of time.  This will make the actual preparation go smoother.  Follow the directions exactly to get the best results from your efforts.

• Explain to them what each appliance is, how it works, and what it’s used for.  If you have hand appliances, explain those as well.  You don’t have to give them the theories behind electricity, but you do want them to know how to handle each appliance in a safe manner.

• Always use hot pads to remove items from the stove, microwave, or oven.  Don’t lick hot spoons or handle food while it is still hot.  Doing so could result in a serious burn.  Teach your child the proper way to remove hot items, what to do if they do burn themselves, and where the first aid is kept in the kitchen.

• Sharp knives work better than dull ones, so keep your kitchen knives sharp.  Teach your child the proper way to hold a knife, how to slice food without cutting themselves, and how to care for and store knives.  Never put knives into soapy water; that way no one gets cut.

• Don’t throw water onto a kitchen fire.  It could make matters worse.  Teach your child to call an adult immediately to see if they can extinguish the fire.  If it gets out of control, make sure everyone leaves the house, go to your nearest neighbors, and call 911.

• As much as you’re tempted, don’t taste food that hasn’t been cooked.  While your parents may have been able to eat raw cookie dough, it isn’t recommended today.  If you must taste food that is cooking, use a clean spoon and allow it to cool first. Refrain from using the same spoon to taste and cook; by doing so you’ll be less likely to contaminate the food.

• Instead of leaving dishes until you’re finished, clean while you cook.  Put ingredients away when you’re done with them.  Run a sink of hot, soapy water and place dishes and utensils (except sharp knives) in the sink until you can get to them to wash them.  Wipe up any spills you may have made.  Turn off and unplug any hand appliances.

Allow your children to watch you cook from an early age, and then begin allowing them to help.  When you feel confident that they understand the rules for your kitchen and can handle things on their own, let them do just that.  You may be surprised to find that you have a little chef in the making.

Hermit Crabs are Social Pets

Posted by momprovement on September 9, 2008  |  No Comments

Hermit crabs, despite what the name implies, are neither solitary animals nor true crabs.  The hermit crabs are social animals and live in large groups in the wild.  They have a long abdomen and no hard covering (two things that make them different from true crabs), which is the reason they must live in leftover snail shells.

Although hermit crabs are advertised or thought of as cheap and easy to maintain, there are some things that are important to consider if you want to keep your hermit crabs happy and healthy.  When kept at the proper conditions and in the right environment, hermit crabs have been known to live for 6 to 15 years.  Most, unfortunately, will only live for about 6 to 12 months.

A glass terrarium makes the best choice for the hermit crabs.  The glass helps to keep the temperature and humidity at the proper level.  There should also be a proper airflow to help cut down on mold and bacteria.

Inside the terrarium there should be enough suitable material lining the bottom to allow the largest hermit crab to dig down, about twice the height of the crab should be sufficient.  Materials that you can use include sanitized beach sand, quality play sand (not used for construction), crushed coral, fine river pebble, and damp coconut fiber.

You will also need to create two different ponds for your hermit crab by using non-metallic, non-porous dishes.  One is for fresh water and one is for ocean water.  Adding sea sponges to the water dishes will help maintain the humidity and moisture in the hermit crabs’ environment.

Under the tank you will need to place a heat pad made especially for small animals and reptiles.  It gently warms the glass and sand, but you will still need to regulate the temperature of the sand by installing a thermostat at sand level.

Hermit crabs are nocturnal animals and therefore are most active at night and least active around noon.  They do not bite, but will pinch using their strong front claws.  These same claws are used for climbing, so hermit crabs are proven escape artists.  Be sure that your enclosure does not offer them any chance to break free.

Because the hermit crab has no natural outer protection, you need to provide shells for the molting process.  Young hermit crabs may molt several times a year, otherwise the molting typically will occur about once every 12 to 18 months.  Molting crabs often bury themselves in the substrate and will remain buried for the entire process.  Do not disturb molting crabs.

There are two varieties of hermit crabs most often sold in stores.  The Purple Claw Crab is usually the more aggressive and can be prone to pinching.  The Ecuadorian Crab is the sweeter choice.

Although the hermit crab may seem to be the easiest pet around, it does require some care and special housing.  If you are able to meet these needs then the hermit crab is a fun and entertaining addition to any home.

Have Fun with Fish

Posted by momprovement on September 9, 2008  |  No Comments

Fish can be a relaxing addition to the home environment.  When it comes to putting an aquarium in your home, you have many choices in sizes, designs and especially in the wildlife that will inhabit the tank.  A good rule of thumb is that for every one inch of fish you will need one gallon of water (but don’t forget that the plants and other decorations will also take up space).

Freshwater aquariums are generally the least expensive and easiest to maintain.  The smallest size to start out with is probably a good 20 gallon tank.  Be sure to use water that is non-chlorinated.  Fish should be added no more than two at a time and then time given for the water (and good bacteria) to adjust to the new occupants – this is known as cycling.

Maintaining good water quality is the key to healthy and happy fish.  It requires the optimal filtration system for the size tank and the number of fish.  You will also need to purchase lights and accessories for the tank.  All together, the start-up costs for a freshwater tank can run from about $200 and go up from there.

There are an amazing variety of fish that live in fresh water, and they come in almost every shape and color that you can imagine.  The fish that you choose should be able to live together and be comfortable in the space that you are willing to provide.

Dwarf Gourami are small, peaceful fish and can be found in several different colors.  They are well suited to smaller aquariums and community aquariums.

The Red Eye Tetra is a great beginner fish and easily adapts to a community tank.

Angelfish are peaceful and easy to care for.  They are a popular aquarium fish because of their great color variety.  They make a good choice for the community aquarium.

Rainbowfish are small and colorful (as the name implies).  They tend to swim at the top of the water and can fill a void in most tanks.  They are hardy and active and can do well in a semi-aggressive aquarium.  It is a schooling fish and prefers to live with six or more of the same species.

Bettas (Siamese Fighting Fish) will fight aggressively with one another, but will typically be okay in community tanks with other species of fish.  They come in a beautiful array of colors and their long, flowing fins make them prized additions to the freshwater aquarium.

Swordtails can make a wonderful, and colorful, addition to the passive community aquarium.  They are school fish and will do best in groups of five or more.

Fish can be a relaxing and entertaining addition to your home and your family.  Although they are relatively easy to maintain, they do require some basic needs (like space and oxygen) that should be considered before you purchase your pets.

Hamsters and Gerbils and Rabbits – Oh My!

Posted by momprovement on September 9, 2008  |  No Comments

Rodents as pets?
Rodents may not be the first species you think about when you start considering a family pet, but they can be a great choice. Rabbits are easily house-trained and are very social animals. Gerbils and hamsters are fun and entertaining, but they do have very short lives compared with other household pets.

Hamsters

Hamsters are small (about 6 inches), typically solitary animals.  They are nocturnal by nature, and may be temperamental when handled.  Raising hamsters from babies is the best way to ensure they will be more agreeable, but they can still be biters – and the bites can be very painful.  Most hamsters only live for about 2 to 3 years. But they make great first pets for older kids (3rd – 6th grade).  I had about 3 hamsters when I was growing up.  However their short life span may be an issue for those who are more sensitive about things like that.

Things to be concerned about when buying a hamster include:

• Hamsters with runny or sticky eyes, matted fur or runny nose.

• Pet store employees that cannot guarantee the sex of the hamster (you could end up buying a pregnant female – this happened to my sister once when she got a “male” hamster for Christmas, we had about 6 hamsters by New Years!)

• Cages that are overcrowded and not separated by sex (males should be in one cage and females in another).

Gerbils

Gerbils are even smaller than hamsters (about 4 inches), with long tails.  They are very active and very social animals.  They prefer to be with other gerbils, but putting a male and female together is one way to insure that you will get prolific breeding.  Acquire your littermates when they are young to help them get used to one another.  Gerbils can be quite tame, and a pair would be content in a small home (about 1 ft by 2 ft by 1 ft). Gerbils also have short lifespans – about 2 to 4 years.

Gerbils are best housed in a terrarium at least 10 inches by 18 inches (and 10 inches high).  Gerbils are hoppers, so keep the top tightly covered with a mesh lid.  They are also burrowers and need about 6 to 8 inches of material on the bottom (preferably a combination of straw and peat, or sawdust or wood shavings).

There is really only one breed of gerbil sold in stores today – the Mongolian gerbil.  Hybrids of the breed have been developed over the past few years to introduce color variations.  There are some rare, imported species (like the small Egyptian gerbil, the Indian gerbil or the Libyan gerbil or jird) that can occasionally be found in shops today.

Rabbits

Rabbits have traditionally been kept outside, alone, in a hutch. This is not the best place for such social animals. Rabbits make ideal indoor pets. They are friendly, like social interaction, and are typically easy to litter box train.  You can also keep them indoors in a crate like those used for house-training dogs.

Both the female (doe) and the male (buck) can exhibit negative habits as they reach maturity.  The does can become territorial and start nipping.  The bucks can begin to spray their urine to try and attract a mate.  The best way to avoid this is to have your rabbit spayed or neutered when it is at the right age.  Rabbits also tend to chew, a lot.  We had a rabbit for my teenage step-daughter, and would let him roam about the house sometimes.  We lost countless barbie heads (he found them under the beds), one laptop computer cord, and several shoe laces!  So be sure you keep a close eye, and everything is picked up (especially under the beds!)

Rodents like the gerbil, hamster and even the rabbit can make the perfect choice for a first pet. They are easy to care for and do not require a long-term commitment. There are plenty of choices when it comes to family pets. Be sure to pick the one that is best suited to your needs and your home life.

Cooking Tips for Busy Moms

Posted by momprovement on September 8, 2008  |  No Comments

Cooking Tips for Busy Moms

Quite often, women feel they must be superwoman or supermom, regardless how difficult that may be to pull off.  One area where women struggle trying to do everything is cooking.  Follow these cooking tips for busy moms and give yourself a break!

If you’re like many women today, you’re working a full-time job during the day and then come home to put in at least another eight hours taking care of the home.  Finding things that will make your time at home less taxing would be great, especially when it comes to being able to feed your family nutritious meals that they will enjoy.

Truth be told, everyone prefers to eat a good, home cooked meal.  But if you’ve just spent a draining eight hours outside the home, you may not have the energy to cook from scratch.  You can create great meals that don’t take a long time; here’s how:

• Make a plan before going grocery shopping.  Creating a meal plan for at least a week at a time will solve two problems. Firstly, you’ll know what you’re going to fix so you won’t be racking your brain after you come home trying to figure out what to fix.  Secondly, you’ll be able to better control how much you spend because you’ll already know what ingredients you need.

• After you’ve done your shopping, wash all the vegetables and cut them up into the sizes you’ll need for each meal.  This may take a while on the front, but will save you a lot of time when you’re preparing each meal later.  Don’t forget to ask for help from those that are old enough to use a sharp knife.  This will greatly lessen the time you need to spend.

• Make your crock pot your best friend.  This one cooking tool can make your life so much easier, and your family much more satisfied with the meal.  Put your ingredients into the crock pot, turn it on, and leave it alone.  By the time you return home, you’ll have the makings for a great home-cooked meal!

• When you plan a family favorite, prepare more than one meal’s worth.  You can double, triple, or quadruple the amount that you make.  Freeze the separate meals for later use.  When you’re craving a particular meal and don’t have time to fix it, you’ll have one in the freezer; all you have to do is take it out and reheat it.

• If you don’t want to spend an entire day cooking extra meals, plan on cooking enough for one extra meal that you can use as a planned leftover one night.  If you’re using making chili one night, make a little extra that you can add to baked potatoes on another night.

• Stretch your home-made meal with a great tossed or pasta salad.  Salads are quick, easy, and nutritious.  They’re also good to add when you’re having leftovers.  They’ll stretch the meal quite nicely.

You may not be able to be supermom or superwoman, but you can accomplish your goal of providing nutritious, home-made meals even after working outside of the home all day long.  By using these tips, you’ll reduce some of the time you need to prepare those meals.  You might actually find that you have a chance to enjoy your meal, as well, and that should make you feel super!

Core Rhythms Dance DVD – Product Review

Posted by admin on September 8, 2008  |  No Comments

Core Rhythms Dance DVD

Well, I finally tried the Core Rhythms Dance DVD!  Now I don’t want to make my little blog r-rated, but I have to say, the last time my hips moved that much, I ended up pregnant!

The starter set comes with 3 DVD’s, and really no explanation as to which one goes first.  So I tried the Intro to Latin Dance one, but actually what that DVD does is put together the exercise moves into a dance sequence.  So then I popped in the Full Workout DVD, and it starts right off with the warm-up.  No explanation of steps or anything.  There is a help button you can push, so if you’re not a fast learner, keep your remote control handy.

The ladies have a very new (to me) idea of what running in place is, as well as the most hip action in a walk in place that I’ve ever seen.  But to be honest, I loved it.  The music was fun, and swinging my hips all over the place was pretty fun too.  I felt muscles I forgot about right away, and have seen an improvement in my posture after just one time.

I’d recommend getting this DVD, it’s fun, effective, and actually quite motivating. To order your copy, use the following link!

Cats Can be the Perfect Pet

Posted by momprovement on September 8, 2008  |  No Comments

Cats Can be the Perfect Pet

Cats are very interesting creatures.  Most cats are solitary creatures by nature.  They want to be social when they want to be social and they want to be alone when they want to be alone.  But cats can still be some of the best pets you will ever have.

There are some things that you should think about before bringing a cat home to be part of your family.  Some cats can be aggressive territorial animals (especially the males) and can have a tendency to spray – or mark with urine – their home.  Be sure that you have your cat spayed or neutered as soon as it is old enough.

Most cats are hunters by nature.  If you have other small pets in the house (birds, hamsters or rabbits) then you might want to think twice before bringing a cat into the home.  On the flip side, cats can help to decrease a rodent problem, particularly for homes in the country or in the woods.

There are many breeds of cats – each with their own unique needs, tastes and look, but keep in mind that no two cats (even of the same breed or litter) will be alike.  Although pound cats (those that have been abandoned and are at risk of being put down) often make the best pets, there are still some breeds that you might want to consider for your home.

Breeds of Cats

The Siamese cats were made famous by Walt Disney as being picky, but more often these cats are very social, intelligent and curious.  One distinct factor is their need to talk – often and for a long time.  The Siamese cats are short haired and need very little grooming.

Himalayan cats are needy cats, but they are typically quiet and affectionate.  Because of their long hair, they will probably require more grooming (and shedding WILL be an issue).

The Maine Coon Cat is an American long-haired cat.  It is considered to be very friendly and have a loving spirit.  It is also believed to be highly intelligent.  The patient nature of the Maine Coon Cat makes it ideal for homes with children.

The Ragdoll Cat is another good choice for homes with children.  It is a sweet-natured cat, known (and named) for going limp when picked up.  It is extremely laid back, without an aggressive bone in its body.

The Sphynx Cat is the breed of choice for people who suffer from allergies.  This nearly-nude cat has little or no dander problems, but does require frequent bathing.

The Manx Cat is the tailless cat.  These are extremely playful animals and often exhibit dog-like tendencies (like playing fetch).  It is a one-person breed that will bond strongly with its owner.

Kittens are always a treat for the home, but they all grow up to be cats.  Cats are climbers and jumpers and tend to find a way into everything that you don’t want them in.  But cats are also great at knowing just when you need loving support, and their purr is the perfect stress reliever from the world outside.