How is Stress affecting you?
NBC had a story today about America's stress level. According to the package a recent poll says,25% of Americans are stressed out. The story got me to think about my own stress level. The three top stressors are not surprising: money, work, and the economy. In addition to these top stressors add job stability, paying mortgage/rent, and taking care of a family and you have one emotional time bomb waiting to go off!
This story hit me to the core because I feel I can be counted among the 25% of Americans polled. I have started to gain weight, stress can trigger hormones that store body fat, and suffer from constant stomach aches. These two symptoms are from being overly stress. Other symptoms include insomnia, increase in headaches, and problems eating.
So what can I do about it? What can you do about it? That is difficult to say because some people just cannot seem to find the time to relax.
Having a busy work schedule can make it difficult for anyone to take a few minutes to have some personal time, after all time is money now a days right? But is it worth it for your health?
One thing that I have started to do with my limited budget is take a yoga class. It's a 90 minute class...which is a lot, but this is what I find works for me. I find it funny how just after one class I felt as if the boat load of stress I was carrying on my shoulders was lifted. I felt lighter as I walked to my car. Although I might have been lighter because my friend tricked me into taking a hot yoga class!! It was awesome but not what I was thinking at all!
It is making small improvements to your daily life that can help you to relax. You don't have to do anything extreme just find something that can help you to let go...even if it is only for a little while.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
BP Succeeds in Stopping the Leak for Now...
BP has control over the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. They placed a fitted cap over the geyser as a temporary fix until a relief well can be built to fix the problem for good. After nearly three months there is no oil escaping into the the Gulf. Now the waiting game begins as the world hold's it's breath to see if the cap holds.
More then 180 million gallons of oil has spilled into the Gulf making this one of America's biggest environmental catastrophes. Many have high expectations for this new solution. According to WHDH BP's Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says, “It's far from the finish line,” and warns that it is not time to celebrate... at least not yet.
According to The Boston Globe the Senior Vice President of BP Kent Wells says the last of several valves was closed on a cap at the top of the well. It is not clear as to whether the oil will remain bottled in the cap, or whether BP will choose to use the new device to funnel the crude to the surface on to four awaiting ships. The next few hours will be critical as engineers and scientists monitor the well around the clock to look for any changes in pressure. Low pressure could mean more leaks further down in the well, below 6 thousand pounds per square inch or so.
Once the well is officially stopped the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration is expecting to track the crude in all it's formations. According to the WHDH website once the well stops leaking the NOAA will rely on low flying air-crafts to search for tar balls and patties as they can last for years.
It may be years until we see any improvement in the environment but then wha?. When the leak is finally fixed the real problem will be cleaning up the mess and dealing with the damage sustained by the crude in the gulf. Once evaluated we will know the true damage to the environment. We can only hope that this disaster will not affect our lives anymore then it already has.
More then 180 million gallons of oil has spilled into the Gulf making this one of America's biggest environmental catastrophes. Many have high expectations for this new solution. According to WHDH BP's Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says, “It's far from the finish line,” and warns that it is not time to celebrate... at least not yet.
According to The Boston Globe the Senior Vice President of BP Kent Wells says the last of several valves was closed on a cap at the top of the well. It is not clear as to whether the oil will remain bottled in the cap, or whether BP will choose to use the new device to funnel the crude to the surface on to four awaiting ships. The next few hours will be critical as engineers and scientists monitor the well around the clock to look for any changes in pressure. Low pressure could mean more leaks further down in the well, below 6 thousand pounds per square inch or so.
Once the well is officially stopped the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration is expecting to track the crude in all it's formations. According to the WHDH website once the well stops leaking the NOAA will rely on low flying air-crafts to search for tar balls and patties as they can last for years.
It may be years until we see any improvement in the environment but then wha?. When the leak is finally fixed the real problem will be cleaning up the mess and dealing with the damage sustained by the crude in the gulf. Once evaluated we will know the true damage to the environment. We can only hope that this disaster will not affect our lives anymore then it already has.
Monday, May 31, 2010
BP Efforts to Control Oil Leak Fail Again
BP admitted defeat after yet another attempt to stop the oil leak this Saturday. During the six weeks after the spill the company has failed time and time again to find a solution to the oil spill.
It is believed that this is the worst spill in U.S history surpassing the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. According to Channel 7 BP PlC Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says, "This scares everybody, the fact that we can't make this well stop flowing, the fact that we haven't succeeded so far....Many of the things we're trying have been done on the surface before, but have never been tried at 5,000 feet."
The whole disaster feels like something out of a horror movie. I understand that BP is trying their hardest, but it seems as if it is not good enough. Makes you wonder what else is going on...Why is it taking so long to find the solution? What is this going to do to oil prices in the future? In and already stuggling economy how will the spill effect us? There are many more questions and many of them cannot be answered for sure until after the disaster is taken care of. Lets just hope that this leak gets patched soon before it gets even worst.
It is believed that this is the worst spill in U.S history surpassing the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. According to Channel 7 BP PlC Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says, "This scares everybody, the fact that we can't make this well stop flowing, the fact that we haven't succeeded so far....Many of the things we're trying have been done on the surface before, but have never been tried at 5,000 feet."
The whole disaster feels like something out of a horror movie. I understand that BP is trying their hardest, but it seems as if it is not good enough. Makes you wonder what else is going on...Why is it taking so long to find the solution? What is this going to do to oil prices in the future? In and already stuggling economy how will the spill effect us? There are many more questions and many of them cannot be answered for sure until after the disaster is taken care of. Lets just hope that this leak gets patched soon before it gets even worst.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Cooblog?
Alright, so you are most likely a little confused by the term and that is only natural. I made it up! I know it is silly but Cooblog is term I have been using when I search or find a cooking blog. Just something to keep me entertained for those days/nights when I am looking for ideas or out of boredom. I am not usually one to make up words but in this case, as you can see, I have made an exception.
Blogs such as Smitten Kitchen, We are not Martha (although they are not just about cooking), and hundreds of others offer recipes and advice for anyone who would like to cook. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chef a lot of the recipes hold your hand or give you great ideas for something delicious to eat in the kitchen.
Being an intermediate cook I find these Cooblogs help me to find amazing meals to impress; they give me more confidence to deviate from the original recipe whenever possible. Reading the blogs I find my mouth watering to the sound of the dishes. In most cases it is to a recipes that would otherwise not interest me. I have become a more adventurous eater...except when it comes to fish. My friends are shocked that a person, like me, who grew up in New England has a very limited pallet for seafood. I will admit I like clams and calamari but, only out of tricky aunts, uncles, friends, and a gullible nature.
A lot of you out there might not be interested in cooking and that is okay. You may think that it takes too much time, and it can from time to time, but the results can be very rewarding. However, I am one to talk. I usually cannot seem to find the time to cook a good meal for myself. When I do I feel a small sense of accomplishment.
If you are like me and have only a limited time frame to cook there are things you can cook or Cooblogs you can find that offer you just what you need. Just take a peak at Smitten Kitchen or We Are Not Martha and check out some of the things they offer. Then check out their favorite site. You are bound to find something you will like. If you already so come Cooblogging or write a Cooblog what are some of your favorite recipes you like? Where did you find them?
Blogs such as Smitten Kitchen, We are not Martha (although they are not just about cooking), and hundreds of others offer recipes and advice for anyone who would like to cook. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chef a lot of the recipes hold your hand or give you great ideas for something delicious to eat in the kitchen.
Being an intermediate cook I find these Cooblogs help me to find amazing meals to impress; they give me more confidence to deviate from the original recipe whenever possible. Reading the blogs I find my mouth watering to the sound of the dishes. In most cases it is to a recipes that would otherwise not interest me. I have become a more adventurous eater...except when it comes to fish. My friends are shocked that a person, like me, who grew up in New England has a very limited pallet for seafood. I will admit I like clams and calamari but, only out of tricky aunts, uncles, friends, and a gullible nature.
A lot of you out there might not be interested in cooking and that is okay. You may think that it takes too much time, and it can from time to time, but the results can be very rewarding. However, I am one to talk. I usually cannot seem to find the time to cook a good meal for myself. When I do I feel a small sense of accomplishment.
If you are like me and have only a limited time frame to cook there are things you can cook or Cooblogs you can find that offer you just what you need. Just take a peak at Smitten Kitchen or We Are Not Martha and check out some of the things they offer. Then check out their favorite site. You are bound to find something you will like. If you already so come Cooblogging or write a Cooblog what are some of your favorite recipes you like? Where did you find them?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Heath Care For Everyone
Health care for everyone! Extra, Extra read all about it!
Somewhere in the tenth hour of last night the House passed the health care bill. Needing only 216 votes to pass the Democrats made it easy with 219 votes for it. Despite the Republicans unanimous vote against, it was the Yays who took it.
The legislation now moves to the Senate where it will work on the revisions demanded by the House on Tuesday. Eventually the legislation will make it's way to the White House for Obama to sign into law some time this week or maybe as early as tomorrow.
The 32 Million of Americans who have no health insurance will be covered. This new bill prevents insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions or from canceling coverage when something develops. It also provides Americans with more access to insurance plans.
By 2014 all Americans must have health insurance or chance getting an annual fine of $695. The plan will cost nearly a trillion dollars over the next decade. Republicans shared their frustration over the decision but, Democrats turn a deaf ear as they celebrate a victory, in their opinion, for all.
Somewhere in the tenth hour of last night the House passed the health care bill. Needing only 216 votes to pass the Democrats made it easy with 219 votes for it. Despite the Republicans unanimous vote against, it was the Yays who took it.
The legislation now moves to the Senate where it will work on the revisions demanded by the House on Tuesday. Eventually the legislation will make it's way to the White House for Obama to sign into law some time this week or maybe as early as tomorrow.
The 32 Million of Americans who have no health insurance will be covered. This new bill prevents insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions or from canceling coverage when something develops. It also provides Americans with more access to insurance plans.
By 2014 all Americans must have health insurance or chance getting an annual fine of $695. The plan will cost nearly a trillion dollars over the next decade. Republicans shared their frustration over the decision but, Democrats turn a deaf ear as they celebrate a victory, in their opinion, for all.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cupcake Fanatic
My name is Danielle and I am addicted to cupcakes! I absolutely enjoy how the cupcake has evolved in the last several years. They have become a popular item among the elite instead of just for children's parties. Nowadays bakeries have been putting their own little twist on them and you can too.
Last year I was introduced to a book called, Hello Cupcake. It is the most amazing book I ever bought! The instructions can be difficult and never come out like the professionals but, who cares they're fun to make anyway! Some of the cupcake recipes I have tried from the book tend to be on the dry side so I have been looking for better recipes.
Since I am new to blogging I have been interested in what other blogs are out there and have found some ultimate gold mines! A friend of mine introduced me to Smitten Kitchen and it has been a beautiful love affair ever since. When we get together we will attempt to make anything from this website! So far so good. The recipes are easy to follow and don't take to much time at all. Smitten Kitchen has a delicious cupcake recipe for car bomb inspired cupcakes that I am dying to try:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/car-bomb-cupcakes/
My friends know me as a non beer drinker, but are ultimately excited about this new project I will be undertaking. Luckily I have a friend who has attempted these before so I have good advice in the cooking department.
Another recipe I found was one through Martha Stewart. Another friend suggested the recipe as she has made them the other day and found them deLUSHious! It is a snicker doodle cupcake! My mother makes snicker doodles all the time and they are delicious so the cupcake version must be absolutely out of this world.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/snickerdoodle-cupcakes
For Christmas I recieved some excellent cupcake supplies and tools that I am just itching to use. Depending on which one I dedide to make I think I will put my own unique decorating twist on it.
I will post pictures of the finished product and maybe of the whole process. I will also try and get a post of where you can find Hello Cupcake as soon as I can get a new application up on this blog.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
6.1 Aftershock Hits Haiti
Eight days after Port-au-Prince was hit by a devastating earthquake a powerful aftershock hits Haiti. The 6.1 quake caused buildings to shake sending people into the street screaming. The earthquake hit 35 miles Northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince. It struck at a depth of 13.7 miles but was located too far inland to cause any tidal waves.
It is still unclear if there is any additional damage and injuries. Search and rescue teams resume their search with amazing rescue stories. This morning The Today show reported that it is hard to estimate the loss of life as bodies are being buried with out being identified and counted. Estimated totals of the loss have been predicted but we will never know exactly how much.
****
There is SO much information about the quake and the totals of people injured and people dead keep pouring in. As I said above it is difficult to ascertain if all of these are accurate.
Many fundraisers around the world are trying to help raise money to get Haiti back on their feet. It is unclear as to how much more damage it has caused.
It is still unclear if there is any additional damage and injuries. Search and rescue teams resume their search with amazing rescue stories. This morning The Today show reported that it is hard to estimate the loss of life as bodies are being buried with out being identified and counted. Estimated totals of the loss have been predicted but we will never know exactly how much.
****
There is SO much information about the quake and the totals of people injured and people dead keep pouring in. As I said above it is difficult to ascertain if all of these are accurate.
Many fundraisers around the world are trying to help raise money to get Haiti back on their feet. It is unclear as to how much more damage it has caused.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Reading
In college I never had much time for reading. I was always doing something. When I did I was usually bored or on vacation. During those times I was always reading what someone else had just finished. Never really having the time to pick books out for myself.
Now between recommendations and books I choose I find myself consumed by the amount of books I want to read and unsure of where to begin. Last year I entered a little dry spell of not having any reading material. A friend promptly introduced me to the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. A wonderful series about spies, with a little romance thrown in, beginning in the late 1700s and into the early 1800's. In the first book, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation you are introduced to Eloise a Harvard graduate student studying espionage in England in France around the time of Napoleon. During Eloise's thirst for research she stumbles across a Diary that gives that gives her clues as to the identity of the Pink Carnation. In following along with Eloise you fall back in time and are introduced to Amy a young French-English woman desperately trying to join the league of the Purple Gentian (Another Spy on a mission to keep England from Napoleon).
Bouncing between Eloise and Amy among a few others you find yourself wrapped up in mystery and espinoage that it becomes hard to put down. After the Pink Carnation you follow Eloise's journey and are introduced to other members of the Pink Carnation.
If you are interested in something geared more toward romance and woman power then Susan Carroll's Dark Queen Series is for you. I accidentally read the first three books out of order. However, having now read all of them I am still enchanted by the initial characters. You are introduced to a world of Women around the time of Catherine de Medici the Dowager Queen of France. You learn about magic...not the spell casting and broom stick kind but, the healers, artists, and educated women of the period. The first book in the series is The Dark Queen and introduces you to the Lady of Faire Isle, Ariane and her two sisters as they struggle to fight the Dowager Queen of France.
Moving on further into Romance...One series I am ashamed to enjoy is the Twilight series...You all may know about that one. It is full of the things we hopeless romantics find interesting. This just about proves that my friends and family are correct, I like just about everything.
Currently, I am in the middle of three books. One is a classic entitled, Flowers for Algernon, another is a thriller by David Baldacci called, The Whole Truth, and the last one is Dan Browns, The Lost Sign. Having gone through a phase where I needed more literature and thrilling tales I found a combination of the three perfect. The only thing bad about it is that I cannot put any of the three down making it completely impossible to finish a book.
When I am finally finished with all three I will probably head to my mecca of resources to find a new book, Shelfari.com. It is a wonderful resource in which you can look up books on your favorite genre or author, read the summary, and read people's reviews of the book.
Now between recommendations and books I choose I find myself consumed by the amount of books I want to read and unsure of where to begin. Last year I entered a little dry spell of not having any reading material. A friend promptly introduced me to the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. A wonderful series about spies, with a little romance thrown in, beginning in the late 1700s and into the early 1800's. In the first book, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation you are introduced to Eloise a Harvard graduate student studying espionage in England in France around the time of Napoleon. During Eloise's thirst for research she stumbles across a Diary that gives that gives her clues as to the identity of the Pink Carnation. In following along with Eloise you fall back in time and are introduced to Amy a young French-English woman desperately trying to join the league of the Purple Gentian (Another Spy on a mission to keep England from Napoleon).
Bouncing between Eloise and Amy among a few others you find yourself wrapped up in mystery and espinoage that it becomes hard to put down. After the Pink Carnation you follow Eloise's journey and are introduced to other members of the Pink Carnation.
If you are interested in something geared more toward romance and woman power then Susan Carroll's Dark Queen Series is for you. I accidentally read the first three books out of order. However, having now read all of them I am still enchanted by the initial characters. You are introduced to a world of Women around the time of Catherine de Medici the Dowager Queen of France. You learn about magic...not the spell casting and broom stick kind but, the healers, artists, and educated women of the period. The first book in the series is The Dark Queen and introduces you to the Lady of Faire Isle, Ariane and her two sisters as they struggle to fight the Dowager Queen of France.
Moving on further into Romance...One series I am ashamed to enjoy is the Twilight series...You all may know about that one. It is full of the things we hopeless romantics find interesting. This just about proves that my friends and family are correct, I like just about everything.
Currently, I am in the middle of three books. One is a classic entitled, Flowers for Algernon, another is a thriller by David Baldacci called, The Whole Truth, and the last one is Dan Browns, The Lost Sign. Having gone through a phase where I needed more literature and thrilling tales I found a combination of the three perfect. The only thing bad about it is that I cannot put any of the three down making it completely impossible to finish a book.
When I am finally finished with all three I will probably head to my mecca of resources to find a new book, Shelfari.com. It is a wonderful resource in which you can look up books on your favorite genre or author, read the summary, and read people's reviews of the book.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Games for a new decade...Banana what?
After a wonderful New Years I thought I would share some of my recently found favorite games:
Bananagrams
I have become addicted to a new game, Bananagrams. Since playing I have tried to seduce any one I could to the alluring tile game. My recent victims include my sister and boyfriends roommates.
Bananagrams is just like scrabble, you make a crossword by connecting and intersecting words. Unlike scrabble each player plays individually and builds his or her own crossword. The object of the game is to complete your crossword before the other players. Once finished a player yells, "peel" and everyone has to take another tile finished or not. You keep going until all the tiles are gone. The winner of the game is the player who finishes their crossword first however, if you have a misspelled word you forfeit and the game continues. Note:If you have a tile you feel you cannot use yell, "dump" and swap your single tile for THREE more. Also you can rearrange your crossword as many times as you want!!
Once you get the hang of the vocabulary and the concept of the game it is addicting!
Quelf
Quelf is a very interesting game that intertwines quizzes, stunts, rules, and things you have to do. It is a fun game for the whole family. It mixes the best about cranium and Kings minus the alcohol(if you don't know what that is ask your closest college student). In order to enjoy the game you need to be easy going and not take anything the game throws at you too seriously. It was made to make a fool out of anyone who dare play it. Whether you have to quack like a duck when someone draws a card, Play leapfrog while holding someones hand, write a love poem and read it to the player on your right, or singing the lollipop guild on your knees. You cannot go wrong with this action packed game.
Mexican Train Dominoes
If you are a member of my family you play this at just about every family gathering. In order to play you need a special set of dominoes to play. The object of the game is get rid of all your dominos. The players left with dominos have to add up the numbers on the tile...thats your score. The winner is the player with the least points.
The most basic one we play with starts with a double 12. Now for those of you who do not play domino's don't panic its really easy. Each player recieves a penny or peso and puts it aside(that comes into play later). The number of players determinds the amount of domino's you have to draw. All spare domino's are put to the side....this is called the bone yard.
This is a fun game that young children enjoy...it is a secret learning game as I like to call it.
These are just a few of my favorite games that I enjoy playing. If you have suggestions or want to know more about the games I mentoned feel free to contact me.
Bananagrams
I have become addicted to a new game, Bananagrams. Since playing I have tried to seduce any one I could to the alluring tile game. My recent victims include my sister and boyfriends roommates.
Bananagrams is just like scrabble, you make a crossword by connecting and intersecting words. Unlike scrabble each player plays individually and builds his or her own crossword. The object of the game is to complete your crossword before the other players. Once finished a player yells, "peel" and everyone has to take another tile finished or not. You keep going until all the tiles are gone. The winner of the game is the player who finishes their crossword first however, if you have a misspelled word you forfeit and the game continues. Note:If you have a tile you feel you cannot use yell, "dump" and swap your single tile for THREE more. Also you can rearrange your crossword as many times as you want!!
Once you get the hang of the vocabulary and the concept of the game it is addicting!
Quelf
Quelf is a very interesting game that intertwines quizzes, stunts, rules, and things you have to do. It is a fun game for the whole family. It mixes the best about cranium and Kings minus the alcohol(if you don't know what that is ask your closest college student). In order to enjoy the game you need to be easy going and not take anything the game throws at you too seriously. It was made to make a fool out of anyone who dare play it. Whether you have to quack like a duck when someone draws a card, Play leapfrog while holding someones hand, write a love poem and read it to the player on your right, or singing the lollipop guild on your knees. You cannot go wrong with this action packed game.
Mexican Train Dominoes
If you are a member of my family you play this at just about every family gathering. In order to play you need a special set of dominoes to play. The object of the game is get rid of all your dominos. The players left with dominos have to add up the numbers on the tile...thats your score. The winner is the player with the least points.
The most basic one we play with starts with a double 12. Now for those of you who do not play domino's don't panic its really easy. Each player recieves a penny or peso and puts it aside(that comes into play later). The number of players determinds the amount of domino's you have to draw. All spare domino's are put to the side....this is called the bone yard.
This is a fun game that young children enjoy...it is a secret learning game as I like to call it.
These are just a few of my favorite games that I enjoy playing. If you have suggestions or want to know more about the games I mentoned feel free to contact me.
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