Guest Blog: Benefits of Yoga for Mothers

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Alexis Smith

A yoga class. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Whether you have one or several children ,being a mom is not always an easy job.
Your kids depend on you to cook for them, help them with their homework and even clean up after them.

This can get exhausting, especially if you work outside of the home. Motherhood is a 24/7 type of job
that allows little time to relax de-stress.It is important to not let motherhood drive you crazy. One of the best things you can do to relax is yoga.

With yoga, you stretch and stimulate your muscles by doing a variety of different poses and postures. As you perform each pose or posture, you must breathe in and breathe out.

Breathing is a key building blog in yoga and should always be stressed.
It is also one of the biggest factors in relaxing and removing
stress from the body. In addition to getting your body in better shape, yoga helps relax you.

Experienced instructors can help you with your goals, whether you’re new or experienced and can help you make sure that you are doing all of the yoga poses correctly. It is important to know your limits, so you do not injure yourself.

Whether you’re pregnant or not, there’s no requirement to be a seasoned athlete or have prior knowledge to reap the benefits. The job of the instructor is to guide you through each pose, while knowing your limitations.

Props can be used for the benefit of sore areas and are always modified for
the benefit of comfort. Blankets can be cushioned under sore backs, foam blocks can support hands when reaching all the way to the ground gets tough,
and canvas straps can help a forward fold when
fingers can’t quite touch the toes anymore.

The benefits of yoga don’t have to stop when your child is born. There’s no need to roll up your yoga mat in exchange for the changing table. Many mothers choose to take prenatal yoga with their newborns.

Not only does it help strengthen the bond between mother and child, it has also shown to
strengthen newborns muscles and could help ward of scoliosis. Not to mention, the gentle movements and soothing music provide calm and comfort for the infants.

Yoga can also assist patients diagnosed with terminal diseases, such as papillary mesothelioma and is a widely suggested practice by the American Cancer Society.
with terminal diseases, such as papillary mesothelioma and is a widely suggest practice by the American Cancer Society.

Easing aching muscles and melting the stress of the day away, while promoting better
health is what yoga is all about. Besides, we all know that if mom isn’t happy, nobody’s happy.

Kristin Wells CuriousMindMusings.blogspot.com

Kristin Wells contributing writer on CuriousMindMusings.blogspot.com

Kristin Wells is a recent college graduate from The University of Georgia and an aspiring writer.

She wants to make a difference in people’s lives through her writing. Kristin frequently contributes on
CuriousMindMusings.blogspot.com

My Neighbor’s Pet Cayman Gator

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Alexis Smith

Cayman Alligator (Photo credit: krossbow)

I have recently moved to a small town. My neighbors use to have a very interesting pet.
Its not the kind of pet you would expect. They had a Cayman gator in their backyard. He
spent his time, sunning himself and taking walks to the local football field. I’m more of a dog lover myself
but that’s just me.

You can just about imagine the excitement just before the big game.
As some of the locals were getting the field ready for the game, they
spotted my neighbors precious pet.

He had decided to go for a stroll and ended up sunning himself
on the football field. Some folks were a bit scared. Someone knew my neighbors
and gave them a friendly call.

No big deal the gator simply had enough of all the excitement and just
walked back home.

My folks also knew a truck driver who had a snake.
One day as he was eating lunch at the truck stop he got
a call.

Apparently as the mechanic went to move the guy’s truck
his precious pet snake decided to wrap himself around the mechanic’s
leg. The Mechanic was a bit shook up, as he wasn’t expecting anything like this.

Poor fella he was just having an average day fixing trucks. He met Joe’s
pet snake. So the truck stop called Joe to the front. No one got hurt,
and Joe said no one ever stole from his truck, they just look and see his
snake floyd sunning himself on the dashboard, and move along.

Woman who Loves her precious pet Crocodile

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Guest Blog Top Tips for a Fantastic Birthday Party in Dallas

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Alexis Smith

Planning for a kid’s birthday party at home can be stressful and expensive.
What’s more, it seems that these days you have to go to great lengths to compete with the entertainment on offer at other parties.

So why not take the stress out of organising your birthday party in Dallas at home and step out into the city to find a great party venue that your kids and all their friends will simply love?

If you want to take the stress out of having to entertain a bunch of kids for a few hours or a whole day then take a look at the top kids attractions in Dallas that are ideal for birthday parties and special events. Don’t fret over planning a party at home, get out and about and you could make this year’s birthday party Dallas the best ever!

What about a Water Park?

Bahama Beach Water Park is a short trip away from the centre of Dallas and is packed full of water based fun for kids of all ages. Older kids will love daring each other to take a ride on the forty foot slide whilst younger children will keep themselves amused for hours in the interactive aqua playground.

There’s plenty of water slide fun to be had, but there’s only a small selection of restaurants and shops to choose from so take your own party food and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Or even an Aquarium

The Dallas World Aquarium is a treasure trove of aquatic creatures from all over the globe. There are great interactive activities for kids and staff are well equipped to accommodate birthday groups. Kids will love the underwater tunnel, dolphins and penguin attractions and will be so enthralled that they won’t even know that they’re learning about the environment too.

All kids love LEGO

Do you know any kid that doesn’t love Lego? Your birthday group will go crazy for the LEGOLAND Discovery centre. There’s so much to do here for kids of all ages that you could find the discovery centre becomes a regular haunt for your kids parties for many years to come.

For younger children there’s hours of fun to be had in the Duplo Playcentre, girls will go wild for the Lego Girls Princess Parlour where they can rock out to karaoke, work out dance routines and even build a Lego fairy kingdom.

Your party will be on the edge of their seats in the 4D cinema and will love the thrill ride of Kingdom Quest, where their very own chariot comes equipped with dragon fighting laser guns!

If you don’t mind travelling…

Situated just a few miles out of Dallas is Celebration Centre. This place is ideal for parties and has plenty to amuse younger and older kids. Indoors there’s a games room featuring 100 of the most up to date video games and individual batting cages. Outdoor activities include bumper boats, laser tag, mini golf, go carting and much more.

Author bio:

Carlo is a freelance writer specialized and he write about kids activities and birthday party in Dallas. Cycling and gardening are his favourite hobbies.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

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German Pancakes

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Alexis Smith

As a child I loved my mom’s German Pancakes. They are delicious !

So easy to make. I recommend you mix it in a blender. From my experience it just comes out better. Use a big cast Iron skillet. I promise you, you will love these pancakes.

What you will need:

Pancake:
3 Large Eggs
3 Tablespoons of Flour
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
6 Tablespoons of Milk
Pinch of Lemon Zest

Topping:
1/2 Lemon Juiced
3 Tablespoons of Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 cup Melted Butter
Dust with Powdered Sugar

Use a Blender and Blend 3 Eggs with 3 Tablespoons of flour, 1 Tablespoon of sugar and 6 Tablespoons of milk. Preheat the Oven to 425 .Once mixture is blended pour the batter into a larger generously buttered skillet. Bake it for 8 minutes at 425. Reduce the heat to a more moderate temperature of 375 for another 8 minutes. Until the pancake puffs and turns a light brown color.

After you take it out of the oven place the pancake on a plate and sprinkle it with the juice of 1/2 a lemon, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/4 cup of melted butter. Then roll the pancake and dust it with powdered sugar.You can also serve it with applesauce. I find you don’t really need to put anything else with it. Its good just the way it is.

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Sourdough Starter Nancy Silverton Method

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Alexis Smith

For many years, my family use to buy sourdough starter.
I found this recipe from Nancy Silverton for starter. Its the
best!

Her method makes the bread taste like the sourdough breads,
my mom use to buy when I was a kid. I had been looking for that
similar flavor. The smell and taste are to die for.

I use this starter when I make sourdough french bread.

The secret to this starter is using the grapes. Here is her method,
Thank you to Food.com for posting this:

2 cups unbleached bread flour
2 ½ cups water , un-chlorinated
½ lb red grapes , unwashed organic stemmed
Directions:

Note you can also use, green grapes, if you can’t get
good red ones.

1)
Wrap the grapes in well washed cheesecloth, tying the corners to form a bag; lightly crush them with a rolling pin (to release the sugar to mix with the natural yeast on the skins; just like making wine!) and immerse them in the flour water mix. Cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. Leave at room temperature for 6 days, stirring once or twice a day for six days.

2)
The bag of grapes will eventually appear inflated, and liquid will begin to separate from the flour base. The mixture will begin to taste and smell slightly fruity, and the color will be strange. That is as it should be. By the sixth day the bag of grapes will have deflated, the color will be yellow, and the taste pleasantly sour; the fermentation is complete. The starter is living but weak, and it needs to be fed.

3)
Remove the grapes and squeeze their juices back into the starter. Stir it up thoroughly and transfer it to a clean container. (Although you can use it after just one feeding, the starter will be stronger and healthier with the full treatment) You can refrigerate it until you’re ready to proceed.

Details here

Nancy Silverton video: Method Sourdough Starter

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Cooking with your Children

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Alexis Smith

Future Chef

One of the things I love to do with my son, is cook.
My son can help me mix the ingredients, or pull out the pots and pans.
He has his own set actually.

We use a cook called Junior Cook Book .It has some simple and fun recipes.

Best of all your spending time with your child and bonding. Nothing
beats that.

Some things you need to consider:

1) Safety, supervise and do the cutting if your
child needs some help.

2) Make sure to have the floor dry.
My son likes to wash things and can get water all over
the floor.

3) Do the heavy lifting, such
as pulling the items from the oven. Make your
child aware of safety in the kitchen.

As for the rest have a good time bonding. Who knows you maybe
inspiring a budding chef. One of the things we started with
was French toast.

We use cinnamon extract, and alittle vanilla.
Put together the mixture and let it sit overnight and the
next morning we make it together.

Share some of your own favorite recipes and ways you
cook with your child.

Mom’s Share how they cook with their kids

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Decaf coffee starts a strike at local paper

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Alexis Smith

Many people love their morning cup of coffee. I know that I am one of those folks. Seems like I just can’t fight any battle or war without it. During my time working at a small newspaper I found out just how important coffee was to them.

We ran out of full leaded coffee. Of course I saw that there was alot of decaf laying around. So I took the liberty of making it. Unfortunately I didn’t think to hide the decafe bag that I opened. Silly me I just threw it in the trash where it could be seen. What happened next stayed with me forever.

As I went to the back for my short break to grab a cup of unleaded coffee, I noticed the carafe was missing. So I went on a quest to find where it went too. Then I looked up on the wall,where coffee had been spilled and the broken carafe was laying in the trash.

In decaf coffee grounds someone had taken the time to write, “Don’t ever do this again, we want the real thing!” .
WOW I thought they are mighty serious about coffee here. As I was thinking about this, the sports editor entered into the break room.
He was using some four letter action words that would make any truck driver proud and just marvel at his masterful skill of cursin. Foolishly I told him that maybe he ought to just, you know cut down on the caffeine. Huge mistake, he was very angry about the whole thing. More editors came in mighty upset about it as well. .

That day they went on strike refusing to write anything unless the paper bought some real coffee. Yes I kid you not, my day was short. The next day everything was back to normal because we had coffee and very stocked for say many years to come.

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Staycation: At the Laumdronat museum

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Alexis Smith

Yes I know its hard to believe but there is a “Laundromat Museum”. My family needed an outing .When we saw this sign wow it caught our attention. Though its hard for me to see them as a valid historical source do to the spelling on the sign, its actually on purpose, to get your attention

The admission price is free and you can learn all you ever wanted to know about, washing machines. Its complete with tricycles and bottles hanging from the ceiling to give it that rustic and historic feel. Oh yeah you can do your wash here as well. They have some arcade games and vending machines.

I never thought in a million years I would find a place to do my wash and see a museum but hey what a deal. If your looking for some serious excitement this should really do it for you. Hey you can always check out the crazy water, and learn how one crazy lady got sane by drinking the water here. Wow doesn’t that just spell family fun.

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One wild picture from Yelp!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Alexis Smith

One day as I logged into My Yelp, I received a question, asking me to explain this picture. After some careful thought , I finally came up with something. I explained that the owner of the vehicle just wanted to give the dead one last wild ride, on their way to heaven.

It seemed to satisfy my fellow Yelper’s curiosity. If you have some of your own thoughts about this feel free to share some of your best witty thoughts. I wonder what its like when they visit their family or friends. Imagine the conversation about their hearse. The lady from Murder she wrote could use some friends like this. Everyone knows when she is at party or event someone is going to die.

Truck Chats and Meetings

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Alexis Smith

I have recently moved from the Metro Plex into the Micro Plex. The culture is different as well. For example we have something called a “Truck Chat & Meeting”. Folks like to hang out in their truck while its running and parked, and engage in a lengthy and chatty conversation with other folks doing the same thing. Its a rare site to see. As they never get out of their truck, they just sit and hang out this way.

Sometime this afternoon I’m going to try my hand at a “Truck Meeting” do it just like they do. I need to make sure its in the middle of the street and that I have a nice cola to sip on while I engage in a very deep conversation. Not sure if I can do this but I’m just dying to try it. Although I don’t know all the social etiquette rules for this, definitely think it will be fun.

First I need to purchase a big Gulp, a bag of chips, and flag to post in my back window.After all I want to look official when I try this. In terms of what deep conversation we can have, I’ll just wing it and let it ride. Let you know how this goes though. If you have any tips on how this works let me know.

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