Sneezing your way to a big belly: Do allergy medications make you fat?

Interesting article on a subject I have recently been mulling over in my own life.  I take allergy meds year round for seasonal allergies, and I wonder if this has something to do with weight gain/loss.  This is definitely something to look into more.

Sneezing your way to a big belly: Do allergy medications make you fat?.

Esperanza Rising Book Review

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan was a surprisingly good novel set in Post Revolutionary Mexico and Great Depression Era California.  Esperanza is a young girl who was born into a wealthy family and has never known poverty.  That is, until her father is killed by bandits, and her uncles take over the land.  Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their home to avoid a forced remarriage of Esperanza’s mother.  The two, along with three loyal servants steal away in a mango cart toward California and the promise of freedom.
In California, Esperanza learns what it is like to be poor and an immigrant.  She learns to work hard, to make do, and to think about someone other than herself. Like the mythical Phoenix she rises from the ashes to remake herself.  This was an excellent book and one I want to share with my students.

View all my reviews

Dedicated to Mom

A silent tear

slid down my cheek

As I paged through memories

bitter and sweet

 

Not many years have gone

by

Yet, remembering

still inspires me to cry

 

Back then, I was safe

Secure

enfolded in arms

that helped me mature

 

The bitter, violent world

held at bay

while, I grew

learned how to make my way

 

Although,

I resisted

Rules were insisted

Your firm, guiding hand

Stood its righteous stand

I took

Selfishly

You gave

Faithfully

 

I turned the wrong way

You

a strong tower

led me right

 

When I was critical

drawn away

You, built self-esteem

Inspired flight

 

Never did you

humiliate, put me aside

You let bygones be by

 

You –

Molded; morals, self-respect

Personality

Me

 

I hope Mom

You are proud

For I am proud

To be you

Creation

 ________________________________________

Copyright © Jamie Nowinski and Grandmother Wisdom/ Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

 

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: One Shot in Two Ways

 

My recent trip to the Smokey Mountains resulted in these beautiful shots of the clouds over the peaks. The best part was driving through the misty clouds on twisty-turny roads up and down the Tennessee and North Carolina Smokeys. Clearly, this is an example of why they are called the “Smokey Mountains”.

 

Check out these other Weekly Photo Challenge interpretations:

Post Cards from Around the World…

Serendipitous Cookery

Around and About the Pacific Northwest

Javanese Wanderer

 

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Make Your Own Curtain Rods

Necessity breeds invention!

Today, I came home from work and found my curtains pulled down from the wall. Thank you dogs.  The curtain rods were twisted and the brackets that held the rods up were pulled out of the wall.  So, off to the Home Depot I went to buy new curtain rods.

What I didn’t realize was just how expensive pre-made curtain rods were going to be for my space and situation.  I would have paid well over $100, not the $35 that I did spend,  if I had not thought of a better solution.  I have included my solution here so that all my reader’s can take advantage of this brain storm, too.

My materials are for double-rod system, 120 inches long, to cover my bow window in the living room. You can adjust your materials to fit your needs by simply asking a employee from the hardware store to trim your rods to size.

 

Materials

2 packages of Martha Stewart Living 1 3/8 in wood brackets for double rod

2 PCV pipes 120″ long and 3/8″ thick

2 Rubber protectors for the bottom of chairs 1″

1 can of white spray paint

sandpaper

screwdriver

drill

drill bits and screw heads

I used Martha Stewart’s brand of brackets.

Directions

1.  Sand the PCV pipes to remove any lettering and to prep the pipes for spray paint.  Wipe them down after sanding.  Spray paint at least two coats of white paint to hide the lettering.

2.  Once the PCV pipes are dry, hang the wood brackets at the correct height and width over your window, using the instructions on the package.

3.  Slide your curtains onto the PCV pipe and then put the chair stoppers on the ends of the pipes.  This looks decorative and no one will know that you used a pipe as a rod.

4. Hang your curtains and enjoy a sturdy, beautiful look.

If you try this method of hanging curtain rods, please share your results with a note and some pictures.  I’d love to see what others invent. Happy Creating!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Great Movies to Celebrate Memorial Day

A Memorial Day Weekend celebration is not complete without a few good movies to watch in between the barbeques, picnics, and parades. I have compiled a list of some of the best flicks to watch that commemorate our veterans and those currently serving in the military. Check out Netflix, Cable, Satellite, and your local TV stations for the following titles….

1. Saving Private Ryan – The story of “D-Day” with Tom Hanks and directed by Stephen Spielberg.
2. Sergeant York– This is the true story of Alvin York, a Tennessee sharpshooter, who becomes the most decorated soldier of World War 1. This is an old movie, but one of the best. Everyone needs to know the inspiring story of Sergeant York.
3. Flags of Our Fathers– Made in 2006, this film, directed by Clint Eastwood, is the story of six men who raised the flag at the “Battle of Iwo Jima” which was a turning point of WWII.
4. The Longest Day –This film came out in 1962 and has a star-studded cast that includes John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Richard Burton, and Sean Connery.  Filmed in the style of a docudrama, it shows the events leading up to “D-Day”.
5. The Big Red One– World War II movie starring Lee Marvin and Mark Hamill.
6. The Green Berets– Another John Wayne movie made in 1968.  This film is strongly anti-communist and strongly anti-Saigon.  It came out in theaters in response to the anti-war atmosphere and social discontent over the Vietnam War in America.
7. MASH– A black comedy about a unit of medical personnel stationed at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War.  This film inspired the long running TV show of the same name.
8. Black Hawk Down– A 1999 adaptation of the novel, Black Hawk Down tells the story of the events of the Battle of Mogadishu, a raid integral to the United States’ effort to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.
9. HeartBreak Ridge– The story involves the actions of a small group of Marines during the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada.  Clint Eastwood stars, directs, and produced this movie.
10. Glory– This American war drama, made in 1989, depicts the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal unit of the US Army to be made up entirely of African American men, as told from the point of view of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer during the American Civil War.

There are so many movies to choose from that represent the sacrifices our men and women have made for our country.  If nothing else, this list reminds us of those sacrifices.  Happy Memorial Day to all those who selflessly serve.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Check Out Other Great Posts:

Do You Know Your Memorial Day History?

Remembering Memorial Day by Susan Garren 

What is Memorial Day?

For Memorial Day

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Almond-Crusted Chicken

Almond-Crusted Chicken

This is a yummy way to make crusted chicken without the traditional bread crumbs. This is a tasty recipe for those who are wheat and gluten-free. I adapted the recipe from the Wheat Belly Cookbook, by William Davis, MD. Since we have been diagnosed with wheat/gluten allergies, dairy allergies and the list goes on…I am finding some creative ways to make good food.  Hopefully, this share will help someone else eat good!

Grapeseed Oil, Dijon Mustard, sea salt, and black pepper

Ingredients

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup almonds, chopped

1/2 cup flaxseed meal

2 large boneless skinless chicken breast

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 375. Coat a baking stone or a baking sheet with coconut oil. (I used a cooking spray coconut oil).

2.  In a shallow bowl, combine the oil, mustard, salt, and pepper.  In a large Ziploc baggy, combine the almonds and flaxseed meal.

 

Dip chicken in mustard mixture, then into the almond-.flaxseed meal

3.  Place the chicken breasts in a between 2 sheets of waxed paper or in a large Ziploc baggy, and pound with a meat mallet or a pie roller to 1/2″ thickness.  Dip chicken in the mustard mixture, spreading with a spatula to coat evenly. Put chicken in the Ziploc bag with the almonds and flaxseed meal. Be sure to coat both sides. Place the chicken on the baking stone or sheet.

4.  Bake for 25 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest portion registers 165 F and the juices run clear.

So good!

Servings: 4

Categories: Wheat and Gluten-Free

Source: Wheat Belly Cookbook by William Davis, MD

Copyright © 4/ 14/ 2013 Grandmother Musings

©Grandmother Musings 2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Brookfield Zoo in the Spring

Spring in Brookfield Zoo! The animals are out and roaring to go.

All pictures are the property of @Grandmother Musings 2013

Weekly Photo Challenge: Illumination

The Illumination of 50

2012 was a year when those who were born in 1962 marked their half-century birthday.  It is an eye-opening and illuminating event when 50 candles are lit on the birthday cake.  Not only do we see fire and smoke, but also we experience a feeling that makes us think…”Wow! I have been around for a while!”  It is quite illuminating!

Birthday cake of Illumination

©GrandmotherMusings 2013

 

The Good Stuff Jar

This is a great idea!  This was shared with me on Facebook, and I liked it so much that I made my own jar.  So often we are tempted to forget all the “good stuff” that happens to us daily and remember only the bad.  This jar will help to remind us of all those wonderful things that we experience throughout the year.  Here is how to make a jar of your own.

1.  Find a jar or can with a lid.

2. Decorate it and personalize it.

3. Keep the jar in a place where you will see it.

4. You may wish to put some small pieces of paper and a pen by the jar. (I keep a post-it pad by my jar.)

5.  Write down those “Good” moments!

6. Open the jar on New Year’s Eve 2013 and experience all those “Good Stuff” times all over again.

7. Enjoy!

 

©Grandmother Musings 2013