Posts with the label tips
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Monday, May 16, 2016
Why Do I Need to Spring Clean?
I enjoy a clean-smelling house, do you? The feeling you get from a clean house is exuberant. These things are nice but the reason you need to spring clean is to protect your family's health. I had never really thought much about indoor air quality
For your health and lung safety, here are a few spring cleaning tips:
UNTIL...
my husband was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Suddenly, air became super important to our family especially in our home! There are so many contaminants and pollutants in the air these days, indoor air quality can no longer be ignored.
For your health and lung safety, here are a few spring cleaning tips:
- Lint and dust particles can irritate the lungs. I removed all window coverings and draperies in our home replacing them with plantation shutters. The shutters help reduce cooling bills by shutting out the sun, they look sleek and modern and the shutters are simple to clean with a damp cloth. No more removing dusty curtain/drapes to wash and rehang.
- Change your heating and air conditioning filter every 30 days to reduce pet dander, dust and other allergen inducing particles in your home. You can program some newer thermostats to automatically remind you with a flashing message when it's time to change your filter. Be sure to check yours for this handy feature.
- Make sure you're informed about the contaminants in your house that can affect your health. For example, most homes built before the 1970's contain the toxic material asbestos, which can cause mesothelioma cancer if it is disturbed or not removed properly. Ensure a professional comes in to assess your home if you think it has asbestos in it. Click here to order FREE information about mesothelioma and your rights.
- Warning: Chemicals are hazardous to your health! Vinegar and baking soda are two common household items that can be used to clean most anything in your home without harsh effects of store-bought cleaners. Add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil for a nice fragrance. I like peppermint or lavender.
- Make a list of the things you want to accomplish realizing you can't do everything in one day. When you do finish, take a deep breath and enjoy your clean home.
Clean it up,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon
Have you ever chunked an unripe "green" watermelon? Cutting a watermelon to find out it is green or half-ripe and tasteless! Very disappointing to say the least. I've always used the finger-thumping method as I'm pretty good at it. I need a foolproof method that's easier, 100% reliable, money-saving and never disappointing! Nowadays with watermelons close to $10 a piece, it is more important than ever to know how to pick a ripe one!
I read several tips in Southern Living and saw an article on facebook that I put to the test. The tips to picking a ripe watermelon I tried are:
1. Look for a yellow belly which means the watermelon has been in the field a long time hence riper. See the yellow?
2. Look for scarring on the skin of the melon, the blacker the scars, the riper the melon.
These two pictures are opposite ends of the same watermelon. Some yellow belly and an impressive scar pattern! How did this seedless watermelon taste? AMAZING! The sweetest, juiciest, early "May" watermelon I've ever tasted. The appearance of the inside of the watermelon looks questionable but trust me, the taste is delicious! My family and I enjoyed every ounce of the goodness!
I was pretty pumped that I had found a method other than thumping to pick a ripe watermelon! I couldn't wait to try out this new found skill again. I walked into the BI-LO strutting like a peacock with a fanned tail. This trip to the same store picking from the same watermelon bin turned out quite differently. I went thru the same process looking for a definite yellow belly and dark black scars, no thumping.
Found one! Brought it home. GREEN AS A GOURD! Had to chunk it! Now...
I read several tips in Southern Living and saw an article on facebook that I put to the test. The tips to picking a ripe watermelon I tried are:
1. Look for a yellow belly which means the watermelon has been in the field a long time hence riper. See the yellow?
Found one! Brought it home. GREEN AS A GOURD! Had to chunk it! Now...
I'm a yellow-bellied, black-scarred, finger- thumping watermelon picker!
Is there a foolproof method out there for picking a ripe watermelon? I'm not so sure! What's your watermelon picking secret? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment and share it with us folks who are ready to give up!
Let them ripen before picking please,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, January 17, 2015
5 Ways to Make your Man Happy for FREE!
Happy Birthday to my Husband!
He's 58 today. How do you make a man happy that has everything he wants? His past wishlist included:
- a shop filled with every tool imaginable
- the brand new Harley Davidson that seems to purr to him with a hypnotizing love noise
- the restoration of his baby (a 1979 CJ5 Jeep he bought new). He tells everyone that he will get rid of me before that Jeep
- the restoration of a 2000 Ultra Classic Harley Davidson. He had that motorcycle in so many pieces (down to the frame). I'm impressed he got it back together and sold it for a profit.
- and then there's the GLOCK!
At this time in our lives, big stuff becomes less important and the small stuff becomes much more important. Here's my list of 5 ways to make your man happy for FREE!
- Cook him a meal. Yes, the way to a man's happy place is through his stomach. Take-out is easier but it won't guarantee you the compliment that's sure to come whether he likes the food or not! Take-out doesn't say "I love you enough to take my time and use my hands to make something just for you." Click to Tweet: While woman may overlook small sentiments, men don't.
- Listen to his suggestions. I know you tune him out and hardly listen more than you'd care to admit. I'm guilty myself. I've learned over the years though my husband is very smart and ingenious if I will pay attention and simply listen to him.
- Change his sheets. Is there anything better than lying down on a clean set of sheets? Nope, didn't think so and neither does he! 5 minutes to a crisp, clean, relaxing haven. Clean sheets have their own special message whispering "Come here!"
- Agree with him. What a novel idea. Just in case you forgot what "agree" means, it is the direct opposite of argue. When I notice I'm disagreeing or arguing, I check to make sure I'm wearing my hormone patch.
- Thank him. No matter how small the deed, compliment or thought, thank him for doing, noticing and acting on it.
Simple is good. Try these and see how it works for your man. You may make him happier than he's ever been for FREE!
Love my Steve,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, September 27, 2014
An "Allergy" Word from our Family
Allergies even affect poor ole Herm dog. Steve gave him a steroid shot this week. Seems like every spring and fall he scratches off the hair from his eyebrows after a few hour-long romps in the hay field. See the white patches on his eyes and nose where his hair is coming out. Such a sweet puppy!
.JPG "dog allergies")
If you or your family members suffer from asthma, here are 14 tips to prevent asthma attacks that may help prevent a life-threatening event. Leave me a comment and let me and others know what helps your allergies or things to do to prevent serious effects of asthma.
Breathe freely,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Proven Herbal Supplement for a Sensitive Ailment
My IBS is controlled better now than ever before. The stress in my life is low. My diet is easy to control from home. I found a supplement that works quickly for flares when I have them. If I took the product daily, I might not have a problem at all. IBS is a sensitive ailment in two ways; the subject is sensitive and the digestive tract is sensitive!
My proven herbal supplement for IBS is Nature's Sunshine Intestinal Soothe and Build. Taking 3 pills, 3 times a day for a week calms down my noisy, gaseous, painful colon. I increase or decrease my dosage based on my symptoms. I may take less pills per day for a longer period or more pills per day for less days. Listen to your body signals to use the supplement best for you. At first, I used Intestinal Soothe and Build for 6 months to help heal my colon. Now, I use it for flares only.
Want to try this proven herbal supplement? If you can't find a Nature's Sunshine Distributor in your area, I can help you get it. Simply email me at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com. Leave me a comment with ways you've learned to control IBS. Your suggestion may be the help someone is looking for.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I am not prescribing supplements. My statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, only my bowel. If you have IBS, please see a licensed medical doctor.
Sensitively,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Money-Saving Thursday #4: Tips for FREE Hilton Hotel Stays
5 Tips for staying free:
- Join the Hilton Honors Program
- Book as many stays as possible at the Hilton Family of Hotels. You receive points/bonus points for every stay
- Use your American Express card to maximize your points with Membership Rewards. Receive 1 point for every dollar you spend on the card. AMEX runs bonus points offers too!
- Redeem hotel stays when points are on sale
- Sign up for Hilton Honors emails to receive news of discounted rooms
I've taken some pretty sweet family vacations with FREE hotel rewards. We stayed at the Double Tree Times Square in New York FREE! Everyone wants a reward program that works for them...this one is it!
Racking up the points,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Money-Saving Thursday #3: How to Lower the High Price of Gas
Grocery Fuel Programs
Because we all love to eat!
Join any of these programs by simply obtaining a membership card from the specific store brand.
BI-LO. I rank this fuel reward program #1. Bi-Lo is the best I've found to lower the high price of gas for three reasons:
- Weekly incentives to maximize your reward. Bi-Lo rewards .05 per gallon for buying certain foods. For example, this week, they offer rewards for buying lunchbox supplies for back to school. Save .03 to .05 off per gallon of gasoline when you purchase specific items. Deliciousness and savings too! Look for the red circular bubble in their weekly flyer to spot even more deals.
- Save .05 per gallon for every $50 spent at Bi-Lo. These seem to add up quickly!
- Bi-Lo fuelperks can be combined* with BP Driver Rewards to DECREASE your gas bill twice as fast. For every two times you buy 20 gallons of BP gas, receive .05 off per gallon. Think of it as double dipping since BI-LO and BP are partners in their gas reward programs. *Can't be combined at the pump. You must go in the store to use both rewards at the same time.
Don't have a BP rewards card? Sign up for one here or pick up one at your friendly neighborhood BP station.
TIP: Check with your local grocery store or favorite gas station to see if they partner with other gas reward programs. They may combine rewards too! And...you never know until you ask.
TIP: Check with your local grocery store or favorite gas station to see if they partner with other gas reward programs. They may combine rewards too! And...you never know until you ask.
These are other fuel reward programs I use regularly and highly recommend to lower the high price of gas:
Share your fuel tips in a comment. I'd love to know of more ways to save money! Check out other ways to save at Money-Saving Thursday.
Fun to save,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Acupuncture: Proven Treatment for 8 Common Disorders
This is not hearsay. I have received effective proven treatment for these 8 common disorders:
- Sinus Inflammation. I have lots of allergies. My sinus passages used to swell enough to block my nose breathing daily. Acupuncture alleviates sinus swelling and restores free breathing.
- Kidney Stone. Acupuncture helped me pass a 7 mm kidney stone, avoiding lithotripsy surgery for the fourth time was one of the best days of my life.
- Sciatica. I have experienced nerve pain on my left side for years caused by my birth defect. Acupuncture helped to completely resolve my sciatica. I would be remiss not to mention I also use chiropractic to complement acupuncture for this problem. However, I went to a chiropractor for years without total resolution.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Regular treatment controls my IBS symptoms of cramps, gas, pain and alternating diarrhea/constipation. Now I experience IBS flare-ups occasionally, maybe every 4 to 6 months. The duration of flare-ups have shortened considerably, 3 to 5 days opposed to 2 weeks.
- Anxiety. Acupuncture cured my anxiety! I tried meditation, herbs, exercise and lots of self-heal techniques without success. I was able to quit an anxiety drug I took for almost 2 years after receiving acupuncture.
- Vertigo. Completely cured of vertigo as shared above.
- Rotator Cuff Injury. The joyous birth of my first grandchild also birthed me a shoulder injury from holding her SO much! My fault totally. I'm happy to report my shoulder is completely healed and I'm still holding that precious baby girl.
- General Well Being. These days I go to acupuncture to maintain my general well-being. The treatments just make me feel good. No, I'm not some kind of needle fanatic that enjoys pain. I hate pain! I love acupuncture!
Trusting the needles,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Money Saving Thursday #2: Eating FREE on Vacation
The trick to eating FREE on vacation is joining chain restaurants clubs and using coupons. Many restaurants have clubs but I'm sharing my favs. These restaurants continually prove to me they don't send junk mail! I receive valuable coupons and you can too! Coupons can be printed or conveniently shown to your server right on your smartphone for redemption. It's that simple! Below are a list of restaurants with FREE food.
Chili's Email Club Receive a free endless Chips and Salsa with registration. Requires the purchase of one adult entree. You will receive coupons from Chili's 1 to 2 times a week for FREE food options. Their Molten Cakes are to die for plus they have a $20 Dinner for Two that is awesome. Find a Chili's close to your vacation here.
Red Lobster Email Club. Get a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two adult entrees. Receive emails for special food events and discount coupons. Find a Red Lobster for your vacation here.
Arby's Get Deals. Receive a free roast beef sandwich with the purchase of a drink when you sign up. Arby's is always sending a free coupon for their latest taste crazes too! Find the nearest slicer here.
Long John Silver's Coupon Club. Get a free drink for signing up. LJS sends emails about current promotions and deals. For example, they have $1.99 Fish & Fries this week. This is my Dad's favorite place for fish. LJS gives Dad's a FREE meal on Father's Day. Score for Dad and me! Search locations here.
Longhorn Steakhouse eClub. Free appetizer with purchase of adult entree. Receive occasional coupons for free appetizer or dessert. Search for a Longhorn Steakhouse here.
Other perks of these restaurants and clubs:
- Serves FREE Water. Make FREE Lemonade by adding FREE sugar packets and FREE lemon to your FREE water.
- Sends FREE birthday coupons so it's sweeter if your vacationers celebrate birthdays in the same month!
- Join the clubs with multiple email addresses for more FREE stuff.
- Welcome customers to share food.
- No plate charge for sharing food.
- Allows customers to eat from the kids menu.
More tips:
- 50 or older? Always ask for a senior drink. They are usually FREE or reduced price.
- The Combination Meals (sandwich, fries & drink) are not always the best value. For example, you can get the same or comparable food individually from the value menu at Wendy's, Burger King and Arby's cheaper than ordering a combo.
- Dipping sauces. Save your extras on vacation or for vacation. Extra sauces are .25 each.
- Check your local newspaper for chain restaurant coupons like Steak n Shake and McDonald's. McDonald's has Buy One Get One FREE coupons a lot!
- Pack individual Crystal Light or Koolaid packets to flavor FREE water.
- 55+? Look for restaurants that offer reduced senior pricing like IHOP, Outback Steakhouse (AARP members), Golden Corral, Arby's, Carrabba's Italian Grill (AARP members receive 20% off) and Applebee's.
- Save 25% at Papa Johns on pizza when ordering online. Use coupon code AARP25
- Take advantage of the kids menu whenever possible
- Pack some sandwich food and have a picnic at a rest area
Like these tips? Make sure you don't miss another Money Saving Thursday, join this site or sign up by email. Scroll down and look on the right side of the page to see how!
Getting hungry writing this,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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