As parents, we tend to blame ourselves for everything and anything that happens to our youngster. Aside from the ‘just hang in there’ advice, there are things to consider. (more…)
October 22, 2012
October 12, 2012
Keeping the Holidays Happy, Part 2
When it comes to shopping, think your gifts through carefully, keeping into account who you need to give gifts to and in which dollar amounts. Make a list and keep to it. Don’t let the giving get out of control. Also, don’t turn it into a competition. Many times, the simple thoughtful gift means more than the expensive one. If getting out to the malls and shopping center seems horrible and stressful to you, try catalogue shopping or Internet shopping. Many times you can get it done quickly, and the packages are delivered right to you. Remember that shipping and handling charges can be spendy, so include them into your budget. Look for companies that have specials on shipping and handling during this time of the year. Just have your list ready so you order everything at the same time and take advantage of the deals. (more…)
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October 4, 2012
Keeping the Holidays Happy, Part 1
That time of the year is here – and it seems to come sooner and sooner – but do you find yourself more rushed, frantic and frustrated? Does it seem like the holidays now start right after Halloween? What happened to the joys of the holidays we had when we were children? Because of all of these pressures, many people suffer from the holiday blues. They find themselves to be more frustrated and short-tempered and unhappy. (more…)
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September 26, 2012
Well Traveled Holiday Cheer, Part 2
It’s not funny to joke about having a bomb or firearm. Such antics may result in detainment, fines and time in prison.
Highways will be crowded as well. Add kids to the mix and you automatically raise the stress potential to the maximum level. Rule of thumb: Keep the kids well fed and happy. Keep the crankiness at bay by bringing along snacks and bottled water. Highway travel will be a bit tricky and congested, keeping you from food vendors when you need them most. (more…)
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Well Traveled Holiday Cheer, Part 1
One does not have to automatically equate holiday travel with medieval torture. First of all, medieval torture usually ends in death. While you may not relish the thought of venturing to parts unknown to visit Aunt Sue, you may be relieved to know that the journey is temporary and stress can be minimized. (more…)
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July 30, 2012
Be Smart
Do not exclusively focus on cutting cost. Cutting cost cuts revenue. But cut waste mercilessly. If you have costs that are not contributing directly or indirectly to your value proposition, then they are more accurately categorized under waste. Wise costs power profit. Dumb costs cut profit. (more…)
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July 18, 2012
Pushing Your Message
The biggest waste of maintaining a Web site is failing to get your message out to your audience. For fitness facilities targeting members or prospective members in the community, your site’s effectiveness depends upon publicizing schedules, services, special events and other health and fitness resources that will entice those individuals to come to your facility and keep them coming back. (more…)
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July 9, 2012
Physical Activity
If your time is spread thin and completing a full-length exercise session isn’t possible, accumulate 30 minutes of moderate physical activity throughout the day. Walk the dog for 10 minutes at a brisk pace in the morning. Vigorously clean the house in the afternoon for 10 minutes. And dance or actively play with the children for 10 minutes in the evening. Fit in what you can, when you can. Look for opportunities to get in short bursts of activity because it all adds up. (more…)
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July 5, 2012
‘Heart’y Motivation
According to the National Sporting Goods Association, running and jogging participation increased by 7.6 percent from 2000 to 2001, with 24.5 million Americans now participating in the sport. It’s not surprising to me that running has gained so much in popularity. I started running in the mid-’80s, and I remember thinking at the time that “this couldn’t possibly be good for me: all this pounding on my joints, and it is darn hard!” But my running partner convinced me to keep it up, and he increased my running distances from 1 mile to 2, 3 and so forth. Today, I run, on average, five days per week, and train for at least two marathons per year. When I miss a run, I feel out-of-shape and depressed. But, there are also times when I don’t really feel like running, either. At those times, I’ve often realized that the problem is a lack of cross-training; I’m simply doing the same thing again and again. I get into a rut by running the same distances, running the same pace and even running the same courses. What I need is variety to spice up my training. (more…)
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June 27, 2012
The Classroom as Doctor’s Laboratory
In 1907 Montessori finally found a way to test her materials and methods on “normal” children. She began working with a group of 50 children in the San Lorenzo slums at the Casa dei Bambini, or House of Children. The children were too young to attend public school and were left alone while their parents worked. (more…)
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