Tag Archives: energy

How to Get the Ya Ya’s Out

It’s cold outside, even if it is not snowing. It seems like we have spent most of our time indoors for a few months, now. If you are the parent of an active toddler, then you will probably agree that you miss outdoor play as much as I do. Not only is it healthy for kids to play outside, there are plenty of opportunities for them to run, jump, climb, and otherwise make good use of their boundless energy. Now that play time has primarily moved indoors, our active toddlers need one or more outlets for all of that energy. … Continue reading →

Fitness and Shoveling Snow

With most of the country dealing with snow, shoveling has become a concern for many. Experts are issuing warnings that if you aren’t in good enough shape, you may be at risk when shoveling snow. Not only have there been reports of injuries but there have even been reports of death due to shoveling. In a previous blog I wrote, Keeping Fit Boosts Your Energy, I talked about how fitness has never been on my radar screen and how for years I battled fatigue. In years past when I attempted to shovel, I always found myself worn out quickly. I … Continue reading →

Saving Energy on Lighting

In my household, I am the light keeper. That is, I go around the entire house on a regular basis shutting off all of the unused lights, especially the ones my husband leaves on. I’m hoping that shutting off lights will become a habit for my family, but so far that just isn’t happening. Turning off unused lights is one way to save energy costs, of course, but there are several other strategies that you can use to reduce the carbon emissions caused by your lightening use. Here are some ideas. Ask yourself if you really need that light. In … Continue reading →

Foods That Can Help Boost Energy

Foods that Can Help Boost Energy There’s a lot of information on those tiny little food labels. It’s very smart to read before you buy! Keeping an eye on calories, fats, fiber, and vitamins can help keep you and your family healthy. Scanning for other specifics on the label can help you find foods that will help your body run more evenly and efficiently. For example, if you’re looking for foods that can give you an energy boost, look for two things: whole grains/fiber and iron. Whole grains help keep your blood sugar levels stable. When glucose levels are stable, … Continue reading →

Spreading Yourself Too Thin

Show me a dedicated single parent who does not have a tendency to burn the candle at both ends and I confess I will be a little surprised. Perhaps I am making a generalization here; surely there are plenty of single parent who are not maxed out in terms of obligation and responsibility but for those of us who have a tendency to try to be everywhere and do everything—we run the risk of spreading ourselves too thinly. The thing about getting yourself spread out too thinly is that it can either happen gradually (in which case you may not … Continue reading →

Keeping the Energy Level Up

I have yet to meet the single parent who can stay perky and up all the time. That said, I also have to share my anecdotal opinion that single parents are some of the most energetic people I know! Perhaps I am a little biased but there is something about having a busy life that forces us to find a way to muster the energy to meet those expectations. Far from being magic, however, I think there are some practical things we can do to keep our energy level up. As I get older, I definitely subscribe to the classic … Continue reading →

Shutters Can Be More than Window Dressing 2

Did you know that today’s homeowners are going back to the basics of weather protection through the use of functional shutters? No longer just decorative, shutters can cut down on your heating costs, your cooling costs and even prevent your furniture from fading while letting in the light. This is part two of a two-part series. In the first part, I talked about different types of functional shutters that can be purchased for your home. The second way to take advantage of the benefits of functional shutters is to adapt standard decorative shutters into real working shutters. You can do … Continue reading →

People Who Take up More Than a Fair Share of Your Time (and Energy)

I recently came back from a work event that I had coordinated and organized. As usual, there were about a dozen individuals out of over two hundred that seemed to be at my side or in front of my face throughout the entire event asking me one question after another. Whether they were asking for favors, clarification, or just wanting to share their opinions with me, they definitely consumed more than their fair share of my time and energy. In our home business operations, we all have those customers and clients who tend to demand far more of our time … Continue reading →

Optimizing Your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in your home. That is because of the compressor. It takes a lot of energy to run the motor and keep your food cool. It is estimated that as much as 20 percent of your home energy costs come from running your refrigerator. Knowing how to optimize its usage can really help you cut costs. here are some guidelines. We already know that packing food tightly in a freezer can reduce the amount of energy that is needed to keep everything at a frozen temperature. You can add ice or gallon … Continue reading →

One of the Great Things About a Home Business—Not Dealing with Other People’s “Energy”

I realize that one of the things I love and most cherish about working at home on my home business projects is that I am not in an office, surrounded by other people’s “energy” and “vibes.” Having worked in all sorts of office situations, I know that there are times when a couple of stressed, ill, or snarky coworkers can change the energy of the entire workplace. I love when I do not have to tend to other people’s negative, hyper, or tense energy! I suppose it makes me sound a bit anti-social, and I really am not. I am … Continue reading →