It's about marriage...

This morning I was looking over my favorite blogs from the blog roll and read the awesome post by Heavenly Homemakers. She shared a song that really touched me. It is more geared to men than women, but if you pull back - you can really apply it to anyone who has an impact on others lives (which I think would be everybody).



Speaking of marriage, my cousin is getting married in about two months. His wife to be is a sweetheart and I'm really excited for both of them. I'm gathering some things that I think they may find helpful as they begin their lives together. One thing that we find essential is a household notebook. We keep frequently called phone numbers, how to use the TV remote (for our parents who visit), directions to coffee shops and stores that sell donuts, schedules for the girls, locations of commonly used items (like band aids, extra toothbrushes, etc).

Once our students discovered our notebook and had a tremendously good time poking fun at it. But I know how useful that thing can be. My first page is frequently called numbers. Even if the info is in your cell phone, is it charged? do you have bars? is it in the vehicle your husband is driving? is your friend watching the house or kids and needs report a power outage?

So gather up those numbers and make sure you have them easily at hand. To make it easy, I'm sharing the printable "Frequently Called Numbers" we use in our house. I'm giving one to my cousin for their notebook - shhhh - it's a surprise ;-)

Love,

"Real Simple" ...real dangerous

Pardon me, don't let me accidentally drop this on your foot. But my soapbox is getting a little dusty and I'm just compelled to bring it out to comment...

So I got a deal last fall for a subscription to Real Simple (RS) magazine for $5. I'm glad it was such a deal. RS is a thick, visually appealing magazine with articles that sound interesting. A ton of friends read it and just love it. I'm...well... read on...

It is mainstream... I know that Covergirl, Revlon and Loreal are major advertisers - of course they're not going to talk about the dangers of most makeups.

BUT - this got me riled up. Title of the article: "Sunblock, solutions for every excuse not to wear sunscreen." The excuse they were battling was "I want to get enough Vitamin D."
RS's retort: "Some research links vitamin D deficiency to cancer, heart attack and diabetes. But why risk wrinkles and cancer when you can get vitamin D from food and supplements?" (page 108, June 2010 issue)

Seriously?

Watch your toe again... God made the sun. God made the sun to literally create vitamin D inside our bodies. We were not made to worship the sun (or the tan it offers). But there is sooooo much research to show that we are doing far more harm than good by running from the sun.

I used to use sunscreen all summer long, but not anymore. Here are a few interesting pieces from a recent Mercola article (you have to register your email to read the rest, but access to this level of research is so worth a few more items in your inbox - and it's free)

• While excessive sun exposure can increase certain types of cancer, there is a good deal of research that shows that exposure without sunburn actually decreases the likelihood of melanoma.
  
  
• Your body produces the most active form of vitamin D in existence -- calciferol. Also known as vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is actually the precise form your body needs for the proper functioning of your organs and cells.

• The main chemical used in sunscreens to filter out ultraviolet B light is octyl methoxycinnamate. OMC for short. OMC was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses. Plus, it was also shown to be particularly toxic when exposed to sunshine. And guess what? OMC is present in 90% of sunscreen brands!
  

Well, I try not to wear sunscreen except when I will be out prolonged times that I simply cannot control to I'm in intense sun my body is not used to (like the beach). There are lots of ideas for safely enjoying the sun without a chemical bath. So join Mercola and read up on the best ways to enjoy the sun. Enjoy your Real Simple magazine for the cute decorating ideas, organizing tips and photos, but find your health advice elsewhere.

Love,

Fascinating!

Check out this video from OK GO - those cool guys who sing and walk on treadmills. It was totally viral several years ago.

This is a new song I heard about on the Colbert Report the other day. The girls and I watched with fascination the cool Rube Goldberg device. I have never seen one quite so cool.



Mommy note: I looked up the words - one mild four letter. I can't say I understand what the meaning of the song is (feel free to enlighten me) but I am loving the effects. Just watched it again and saw more stuff than I did before. Enjoy!

Love,