App Mention: An App that Counts Your Bites - 80 Bites

80 Bites is an app we all need around the holidays. This app literally helps you count the bites of food you eat, but believe it or not there is a great reason behind counting your bites when eating.
( More... )

Time To Relax

Okay, you have made it through Thanksgiving but you are feeling a little run down. Wouldn't it be great if you could go to a spa for a little relaxation and pampering?
( More... )

New Hobby, Old Skill - Soap Making

I have found myself a new hobby. One that I have become obsessed with. I had heard my grandmother and other elders speak about it numerous times, but it was my daughter that actually got me started.
( More... )

Quick Christmas Decorating Ideas

Christmas decorating doesn't always have to be expensive. With a few simple items you can make your home look lavish without spending a lot of money.
( More... )

Stone Countertop Stain Removal

To remove most stains from your stone countertop use a little hydrogen peroxide in water, plus a few drops of ammonia. For everyday wear and tear on your countertops, buff away small scratches with superfine dry steel wool called "grade 0000."

---

Orignal From: Stone Countertop Stain Removal

Ways To Have A Green Christmas

This year would be a great time to start having green Christmases. Going green is a lot easier than you think, all it takes is a few minor adjustments.
( More... )

Oprah's Favorite Thing is An....iPad

On Oprah's coveted "Ultimate Favorite Things" annual show she gave her entire audience an iPad. Oprah did not stop there though...for all of those iPads the mostly Apple newcomers (I assume, as most of the audience didn't react as they saw the device float down from the sky) will need something to play with on the iPad.
( More... )

Why Should You Clean Your Carpets?

There are many people who feel it unnecessary to clean their carpets regularly, but if they knew what was lurking deep in the threads that they vaccum daily or weekly they would gasp.  Carpet is always under our bare feet, always crawled on by our babies and played on by our precious children. With this in mind why wouldn't you clean your carpets?
( More... )

Quote of The Week

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness.
~Helen Keller

---

Orignal From: Quote of The Week

A Holiday Wish

As long as I can remember the holidays were the most fun anyone could ever have. They were full of good food, great presents and all of the family together. As a child I thought you couldn't beat that. Well, I am no longer a child and I have a very different outlook on the holidays, especially this year.
( More... )

Rid Home of Mice Naturally

Around this time every year I hear people mention the problems they have with mice during the winter. I must admit that I have had my share of run-ins with them also. Unfortunately, many people rid their homes from mice by killing those that try and enter. This year I would like to try and give all of us a more humane and natural way to eliminate these pests. After all, they do serve a purpose in the world.
( More... )

The Big Apple Announcement...

The Beatles.
WHOMP....WHOMP! I like the Beatles, but to announce it as your "big announcement" is a bit much. What did you guys think the big announcement was going to be? Are you excited about the announcement?

Let us know!

---

Orignal From: The Big Apple Announcement...

Something New from Apple Inc?

So I was visiting the Apple website and the homepage showed the following. What is Apple up to? It has something to do with iTunes. Post your guesses in the comments below, because your guesses are as good as mine.
( More... )

Quote For Life

"The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."

— Gaylord Nelson
Former Governor of Wisconsin, co-founder of Earth Day

---

Orignal From: Quote For Life

Air Pollution and Our Health

With the air pollution being so bad in the world we live today, it is not a wonder that we have so many airborne diseases. Pollution affects different groups of individuals in different ways. Some people are more sensitive to pollutants than others. Young children and elderly people often suffer more from the effects of air pollution. People with health problems such as asthma, heart and lung disease may also suffer more when the air is polluted.
( More... )

Rubbing Alcohol, Who Knew?

Rubbing alcohol is an excellent and inexpensive cleaner for your home. Read a few of these tips and it just might become your most trusted under-cabinet cleaner.
( More... )

Health, Money & Running Shoes

How would buying $120 sneakers be a smart money move? Well, running reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, lowers blood pressure, burns more calories than any other exercise and is less than paying $50 a month for a fitness club membership.

---

Orignal From: Health, Money & Running Shoes

Diabetes Fact

The largest age group currently affected by diabetes is between 40-59 years. By 2030 this "record" is expected to move to the 60-79 age group with some 196 million cases.

---

Orignal From: Diabetes Fact

Getting Ready For Holiday Guests

The holidays are always great, but getting ready for them can be stressful. I am not sure about your house, but holidays for my family home means a big crowd and lots of overnight guests, especially since we always host Christmas Eve. I have a few suggestions that I hope will help you prepare. Believe me, they will work for you just as they have for me over the years.

1. As with anything, always plan and prepare as much ahead as possible. For our many guests, it always takes a lot of food. So I always start my cooking of vegetables right after Thanksgiving dinner and then set up my menu plan. Once your vegetables are cooked, store them in your freezer and that is a check mark off of your very long list.

2. I usually start my Christmas shopping around May, but I know that has not been possible for many this year. My suggestion would be to have a list of all the individuals that you will be buying gifts for and what gift you would like to give. With the season already in full swing time is valuable. Try shopping online for many gifts. I have found that you can receive free shipping on many items and if the store is not located in your state you won't be charged tax. Therefore, you save more money than if you had gone to the store yourself.

3. For my decorating needs I also start right after Thanksgiving. Christmas is my favorite time of year and I tend to overdo. If you start early it will give you the opportunity to look back over what you have done and fix your decorations for the better, each time.

4. Okay, now it is time to spruce up your home. Below you will find quick links to a few checklist that I have found on one of my favorite websites. Once you download the list I would suggest that you tweak it so that it will fill your needs better.

4. As far as cleaning goes I always like to clean from top to bottom and left to right in a room. That way it will be less likely for you to miss a spot. I like to always leave the guests rooms carpet cleaning for 2 days before expected time of arrival, then the mattress, linens and pillows for the day before. That way the room is much fresher. Just because, I usually leave something a little personal for the guests from me. This year I will leave homemade soaps and maybe facial scrubs, bath salts or bath oils that I have made myself.

5. It would be a good idea to also leave fresh towels and washcloths for each guest in each room. I usually also leave small bottles of lotion, shampoo and conditioner for each room. You know, like a hotel.

6. I am very fortunate that I have my own little baker. Every year one of my daughters takes care of baking all the pies, cakes, muffins and her specialty Coquito, Latin Egg Nog. Delicious! Oh, by the way, it is better to make the Coquito well in advance, a few weeks. It will give the ingredients time to blend, we usually add 1 cup of Brandy or Cognac. If you aren't so lucky to have your own baker, plan ahead at your local grocery or bakery by ordering in advance. That way you know you will have all that is needed for your event.

7. Last but not least, the night before, start setting up your tables, chairs and how they will be arranged in your home, along with all specialty dinnerware and serveware. As you go along, carry some of your cleaning items in a bucket and do some of the last minute dusting and cleaning as you go.

Everything is done and the guests are not there yet. So sit back, look over all your work and relax for the next day of great fun and holiday cheer.

Complete Living room, Bedroom and Dining room checklist

Complete Bathroom cleaning checklist

This checklist is great also. It is a guide to good guest behavior at seasonal festivities . Etiquette Advice for the Holiday Guest

---

Orignal From: Getting Ready For Holiday Guests

Are You Wearing the Right Bra Size?

Did you know that 75% of women are not wearing the correct bra size. That is 7 out of 10 women, maybe even you.

I found that I was part of that statistic, and decided to help others by researching and finding out the correct way for us to measure for our true bra size. Matter of fact, Oprah decided to focus one of her shows on this very subject.
( More... )

Holiday and Diabetes - Holiday Swaps

When having a great time at a holiday party please take in mind that you can make healthy food substitutions and still savor the holiday treats, while managing your diabetes.
( More... )

College and Bed Bugs

Not sure if anyone has heard but bed bugs have become an epidemic in many major cities, Atlanta and New York to name a few. Bed bugs are tiny blood sucking nuisances. The name bed bug comes from the preferred home of the parasite. Bed bugs can feed on a human and go virtually unnoticed.

Bedbugs are much like roaches. They can be easily transferred from place to place by latching on to luggage, clothing, furniture and even our own precious and unsuspecting pets. Warehouses and college dorms are perfect locations for bedbugs to thrive.

If you have or believe that you have bedbugs you should vacuum the house to remove bugs and eggs from mattresses, carpet, walls, and other surfaces. Pay particular attention to seams, tufts and edges of mattresses and box springs, and the perimeter edge of wall-to-wall carpets. Afterward, dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed trash bag. Steam cleaning of carpets is also helpful for killing bugs and eggs that vacuuming may have missed. For garments, sheets or towels it is best that you launder these items and use the hottest water possible. Make sure when coming home with newly purchased clothing, lingerie or other personal items (bed bugs have been found on clothing in the most elite of shopping areas) to launder or throw in a dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will kill the bedbugs. Then launder.

Bedbugs can find their way in even the cleanest homes. What is important is to locate and rid your home and personal items of these pesky little critters.

---

Orignal From: College and Bed Bugs

Your Pets and Baking Soda

Baking soda makes a great natural toothpaste for both humans and pets. For your dogs or cat, dip a small, soft-bristled toothbrush into baking soda and brush gently.

---

Orignal From: Your Pets and Baking Soda

E-Scrap Recycling in Atlanta

Did you know that every 3rd Saturday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. you can recycle all of your old electronics at Grady High School on 8th Street (between Charles Allen & Monroe Drive).
( More... )

Why Use Green Products

Why Use Green Products.

---

Orignal From: Why Use Green Products

Mobile Website vs. Native iPhone/iPod App

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="512" caption="image by dbdbrobot"][/caption]

As the popularity of apps grow, many business owners find themselves in an quandary when deciding whether to release a mobile website or create a native iPhone or iPod app to allow access to their business information on the go for mobile users.

As with everything, each path has it's pros and cons and we want to cover them to give those troubled business owners a little guidance.
( More... )

Atlanta Cleaning Companies Offering Green Products

These days we are all looking for ways to clean, yet keep our environment as safe as we can in order to protect our loved ones from harmful toxins. Well I have found a few really cool cleaning supply companies in the Atlanta area that offer really great cleaning products that are green.
( More... )

How to Green Clean with Salt: House Cleaning Tips: Salt as a Natural Home Cleaner

How to Green Clean with Salt: House Cleaning Tips: Salt as a Natural Home Cleaner.

---

Orignal From: How to Green Clean with Salt: House Cleaning Tips: Salt as a Natural Home Cleaner

Sleep Necessary For Good Health

Sleep is essential to maintaining a healthy body because that is when the body rebuilds itself.

During the night, human growth hormones trigger proteins throughout the body to build new cells and repair any damage.
( More... )

Leave Home Without It

Try leaving your home today without your credit cards. It will help you to become one step closer to financial independence. As I have been told, "start with baby steps".

---

Orignal From: Leave Home Without It

Time To Clean the Fireplace

It's that time of year when you want to relax with a big cup of hot chocolate next to a perfect fire in the fireplace. The only thing is you need to give it a good cleaning out before that first fire.

You will need the following items:

Newspaper, old sheets or anything to cover your flooring
Long rubber gloves
Small bucket with warm soapy water
Rags to clean with
ShopVac or a small broom
Garbage bags

In order to properly clean the fireplace you must first remove everything from around the hearth out of the way. You should then lay something down on the floor or carpet, like old sheets, so that it will not be damaged by any of the ashes or dirt.

Once you have everything moved out of the way and covered, you should then put on your long rubber gloves. The gloves will help to protect your hands from dirt and soot while removing the grate from the fireplace. Take your rag and dip it into the bucket of warm soapy water so you can clean as much ash and soot from the removed grate. Let the grate sit and dry while you continue cleaning.

Use your ShopVac or broom to remove all old ashes from the fireplace and any surrounding areas. For the fine layers of soot that remain use your damp rinsed out rag to wipe it away. It would also be a good idea to use the same rag to clean the flute, if possible, and walls of the fireplace. At this point you can put the grate back into the fireplace and begin to set your pieces of wood for a warm, cozy fire. Sit back and relax!

---

Orignal From: Time To Clean the Fireplace

Cleaning Quote of The Week

I'm cleaning toilets for $30 a day, because I needed that $30, and people are pointing at me, saying, Look at the big movie star. Look where he is now. I just said, I'm where God put me.

Willie Aames

---

Orignal From: Cleaning Quote of The Week

Stress and Diabetes

Stress isn't healthy for anyone but if you have diabetes it can be especially harmful. The hormones Epinephrine and Cortisol are produced in greater amounts when you are experiencing stressful times. As a result, your blood sugar levels can become dangerously elevated.

As we know, it is impossible to completely rid ourselves of stress, but we can help manage it with just a few tips. These tips will help keep your blood sugar levels from rising which will help to protect you from diabetic complications and increased risks of stroke and heart attack.
( More... )

Quick Clean Up Tip

Keep a container of Clorox Disinfectant wipes under each bathroom sink. Each day, perhaps after your shower, use a wipe to clean off the sinks, counters and toilet bowl. This keeps the bathroom tidy all week.

---

Orignal From: Quick Clean Up Tip

Holidays With Diabetes - Plan Ahead

Knowing how to celebrate is the best gift you can give yourself. The holiday season is very challenging for perfectly healthy people, but it is especially difficult for those who are dealing with diabetes.
( More... )

Exercise and Diabetes

It is very important for people with diabetes to maintain a regular excercise program. Exercise helps to regulate the blood sugar and provide cardiovascular fitness that protects against heart and artery disease.
( More... )

Diabetes Care

Diabetes is a serious disease that takes round the clock commitment in order to reduce the risks of serious or even life threatening complications.

Here are some ways that you can take an active role in your diabetes care so you can enjoy a healthier future.
( More... )

Cleaning Dust Off of Silk Plants

I was at a customers home cleaning when she noticed that I had started to clean a silk tree that she had. I was ready to clean each and every leaf on the tree when she told me about a great tip to quickly clean the plant and also deodorize the room.
( More... )

Remotely Control Your Car with OnStar's Mobile Apps

It's officially out as GM and OnStar have declared that their assured remote control apps have arrived for both Android and iPhone gadgets. The free myChevrolet, myCadillac and OnStar MyLink titles try to cover every feature of driving. The user can remotely unlock, start or even horn the car and access data from the car itself, such as the fuel and oil levels, the tire pressure and the odometer.
( More... )

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
( More... )

November is National Diabetes Month

The CDC states that nearly 27 million people in the United States has diabetes.

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Usually, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down into a simple sugar, called glucose. The glucose is then circulated in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, which is a hormone that your pancreas produces in order to help your body move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas will adjust the amounts of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.

Throughout this month I will post information to try and help the community become more aware of the signs, symptoms and ways to help manage their diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 - Is when your body makes little or no insulin

Type 2 - Is when your body produces insulin but your cells do not use it well

Below I have listed some of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. Please just use this list as a guide not as a diagnosis. You should make an appointment with your doctor to have yourself checked out properly.

Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Weight loss
Extreme hunger pains
Blurred vision
Irritability
Nausea
Vomiting

---

Orignal From: November is National Diabetes Month

iPhone to Target Stores on Nov. 7th

Target announced that it will begin carrying the iPhone as of November 7, 2010 in 846 of it's stores  in their Target Mobile centers. The Target stores will carry both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS, and will have on-the-spot activation.
( More... )

6 Odd iPhone and iPod Apps

We've all downloaded an app or two, some for business, some for fun, and some to track your finances, but what about those apps that just don't fit the bill for quite anything - an app that's just odd.

Well lucky for you, we've compiled a list of six odd iPhone, iPod, and iPad apps. You never know one of these apps may oddly enough be exactly what you were looking for.
( More... )