Get Up and Move!

By Terry Orr

 Today is National Walk Day! Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise that can ease you into a higher level of fitness and health. Walking is a form of exercise accessible to just about everybody. It's safe, simple and doesn't require practice. And the health benefits are many. Walking can help you:

• Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
• Raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
• Lower your blood pressure
• Reduce your risk of or manage type 2 diabetes
• Manage your weight
• Improve your mood
• Stay strong and fit

The good news –

• You can walk anywhere, anytime, and as long as you want!
• You can walk listening to your tunes or just enjoying nature sounds. 
• You can walk with others or by your self.
• You can set your own pace and distance.

So what are you waiting for?  Get out of that chair and take an enjoyable stroll.

References and Links:

http://www.startwalkingnow.org

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612

Clean Dishes?

Can Cold Water Clean Dishes? This is for all the germ conscious folks that worry about using cold water to clean.

John went to visit his 90-year-old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Saskatchewan.

After spending a great evening chatting the night away, the next morning John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.

However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking,

'Are these plates clean?'

His grandfather replied, 'They're as clean as cold water can get em.

Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!'

For lunch the old man made hamburgers.

Again, John was concerned about the plates, as his appeared to have tiny specks around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked,

'Are you sure these plates are clean?'

Without looking up the old man said, 'I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!'

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass.

John yelled and said, 'Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car'.

Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV, the old man shouted!

'Coldwater, go lay down now, yah hear me!'

Meet Coldwater!

Inspiring children to pick up a book and get reading!

By Terry Orr

As a grandparent, there are few things that warm my heart like watching kids playing outdoors or reading books.  That is why today special – International Children’s Book Day and Hans Christian Andersen birthday!

Mothers and others who read aloud while the baby is still in the womb and daily there after are providing a good foundation habit for the child.  Reading with your child helps establish quality and bonding time that will positively impact them throughout their lives.  When the child sees the parent, relative or others who are reading frequently – setting good examples.

Bookjoy! Around the World

We can read, you and I.

See letters become words,

and words become books

we hold in our hands.

We hear whispers

and roaring rivers in the pages,

bears singing

funny tunes to the moon.

We enter spooky gray castles,

And in our hands flowering trees climb

to the clouds. Bold girls fly;

boys fish for sparkling stars.

You and I read, round and round,

Bookjoy around the world.

By Pat Mora

I recommend reading these three web sites providing their Top 100 Children Books:

1. http://www.teachersfirst.com/100books.cfm
2. http://childrensbooksguide.com/top-100
3. http://www.nea.org/grants/13154.htm

The first two provide a brief overview of each book.

In addition to public libraries, there are hundreds of thousand websites that provide free children’s book to read on your computer, table, phone, etc. Here are five links for free online books for children:

1. http://freekidsbooks.org
2. http://www.wegivebooks.org
3. http://en.childrenslibrary.org
4. http://www.readingrockets.org/blog/42561/
5. http://literacylaunchpad.blogspot.com/2009/08/20-places-to-find-free-childrens-books.html

Lets all find a good book and share it with our young people and celebrate today.

Celebrating PB&J Day

By Diane Forrest

When my son first started surfing around on the Internet, he found this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ekIzGfJkBs

He thought it was wonderful, and watched it over and over.  Its one of those tunes that stick in your head, and now every time I think about Peanut Butter and Jelly…this song starts to play in my head.

There are just some things that naturally got together like bacon and eggs, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken and dumplings and peanut butter and jelly.  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple for young kids growing up.  My uncle who recently turned 75 continues to eat a pb and j sandwich for lunch nearly every day.  My father and aunt still kid him about that, and when he moved to San Antonio, he took some Spanish classes to learn how to speak the language, and he found a gift for my dad, a paper napkin holder with the words, crema de mani y jalea, which means peanut butter and jelly.

When I was in school, my brother decided he liked his peanut butter and jelly mixed together and then spread on the bread.  I didn't like it that way, preferred mine with the peanut butter on one side, and the jelly on the other, but I had to suffer with it mixed until he got tired of it, which seemed to last forever!

According to punchbowl.com, the average American consumes 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the age of 18? The combination of sweet jelly and salty peanut butter has been a staple in school lunchboxes for over fifty years.

According to one story, American soldiers invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich during World War II. They decided to combine their bread, jelly, and peanut butter rations into a fabulous new treat. When the soldiers returned home after the war, peanut butter and jelly sales soared.

Unfortunately, I recently read that a child took a PB & J sandwich to school and it was taken away from him.  Apparently kids are prohibited from bringing foods containing peanut butter because there are some students who have allergies.  Well, at least they can still enjoy this delicious treat at home.

Today is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, so why not remember your younger days and fix a nice PB & J, some chocolate milk, and some Cheetos.  What is your favorite type of peanut butter and jelly?  Let us know in the comment section below.

Play Ball!!

By Terry Orr

Been a long winter – spring is in the air – although Ole Man Winter is still hanging on around most of the country – today will be opening day and home opener for twelve teams.  Last night the season began with Houston Astros hosting the Texas Rangers. On Tuesday, the remaining teams will have their opening games.

It is also the time of year that other organized baseball and softball begin their respective seasons to include my all-star grandson Jake (AKA “Mini Quaz”) out in Sumner, Washington.  Jake is a very talented baseball player and has dreams of play in major leagues.  I for would think he has a good chance of making that dream come true.

Last year was a magical and exciting year for the Washington Nationals – and that is saying something in the die-hard Football town.  Young Bryce Harper (National League Rookie of the Year) put a spark into the community and fellow teammates.  We are hoping for another wonderful baseball season.