Other Pains Related To A Stubbed Toe

You can imagine the expletives that comes out of the mouths of the toe stubbers. Hopping on one foot and with one hand clenching your toe is a common sight. Eventually the pain subsides, but for how long? Most times stubbing your toe doesn't lead to other complications and when it does it's a whole new pain.

What seemed like an innocent, but careless-not-watching-where-I-was-going toe stubbing event lead to intense, electrical shooting pain that made me flinch every time I felt it. A simple visit to the doctor ruled out gout, which usually affects the big toe and it's a form of arthritis.

A prescription of antibiotics cleared up the infection which had the toenail hitting a nerve in my toe. Nerve pain can also occur with improper trimming of the toenails which causes an ingrown toenail.

Cut your toenails straight across and watch where you're going!

When Life Give You Lemons

Make lemonade. How true to word is that? I like lemonade. It quenches the thirst on a hot summer day. It is also low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Use it to your benefit because lemons are a natural antiseptic. Some people use it directly on cuts which destroys bacteria. It's effective in digestion problems as it cleanses and removes toxins and other impurities from the body.

And a great big thanks to Darlene from Watkins Recipes and More for awarding Healthy Perspectives the Lemonade Award.

"When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade"

I've known Darlene for quite some time now and her blog Watkins Recipes and More showcases a variety of wonderful recipes using Watkins spices and extracts, food facts and more. Ask her anything about Watkins and I'm sure she'll answer all of your queries.

Here's how the Lemonade Award works:

1. You must link back to the person you received the award from.
2. You have to nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award.

Congratulations to you Darlene and to the recipients listed below. Shhh..I came close to 10 as I possibly could. :)

From Dominique's Desk
Big Shoes
Weekly Beef
Brain Foggles
My Chronic Life
Vibrant Healthy U
WAHM-Articles
2 Work At Home

Facing The Scale: Struggling with Weight Gain

Whether you're overweight or underweight, trying to maintain a healthy weight is difficult for both. I struggled with weight gain for many years. People kept telling me I needed to eat more, put more on my plate and even said how lucky I was to be skinny. On the hand, some would rudely remark how skinny I was and asked if I didn't like food.

Excuse me?!

What people don't realize gaining weight is just as difficult as losing weight. Can you just tell someone to stop eating so much? I don't think so because I know by someone telling me to eat more didn't help either. I couldn't eat more; I was full or I couldn't eat more because that wasn't what I was used to doing. People would tell me all the time I could eat everything and anything I wanted and again how lucky I was. Well obviously I wasn't so "lucky" because I didn't gain weight for a long, long time.

While I could have eaten ice-cream every single day and chowed down on greasy burgers, sweet cookies, high-calorie cakes, chips and other sugary snacks and drank pop to my heart's desire, my body eventually would have paid the consequences.

Gaining weight doesn't mean you have to compromise your eating habits. You don't have to make bad choices.

Metabolism plays a big part. If you have a fast metabolism, you're going to burn calories like that and it's easier said than done to remember to eat. It will have to be a conscious effort.

You can find free calorie counters and food journals online to help you in keeping track. Then you need to choose a variety of foods from the four main food groups. Enjoy eating lean meats, unrefined carbohydrates, and exercising all work together to reach your desired weight goal.

Some simple tips:
- Avoid unnecessary stress
- Get plenty of sleep
- Eat dark chocolate - contains antioxidants
- Mix your juices for a higher calorie count
- Eat six smaller meals or snack between three main meals

I eventually gained the weight I was happy with and now it's the matter of maintaining it.

Yummy Amish Friendship Bread with Cranberries

Today was the day I made my Amish Friendship bread with cranberries. It turned out really well as you can see in the photos above. I did forget to sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture on top, but honestly, I like it without. What was really quite weird and I wouldn't have thought, but the batter was the consistency of cookie dough.

Yum! I can't wait to eat a slice or two.

Amish Friendship Bread

When it comes to chain letters, this is the kind I like. Anything to do with food is fine by me. I received an Amish Friendship bread, batter and recipe from my sister and I will share it with you. By the way, it's delicious!

Amish Friendship Bread
Do not use a metal spoon or bowl for mixing
Do not refrigerate

If air gets in the bag, let it out. It's normal for batter to rise, bubble and ferment.

Day 1: Do nothing - this is the day you received the batter
Day 2: Mush the bag
Day 3: Mush the bag
Day 4: Mush the bag
Day 5: Mush the bag
Day 6: Add to the bag - 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk then mush the bag
Day 7: Mush the bag
Day 8: Mush the bag
Day 9: Mush the bag
Day 10: Follow the instructions below:

1. Pour the entire contents of the bag into a non metal bowl
2. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups milk. Mix well
3. Measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each into 4 large Ziploc bags. Keep a starter for yourself and give the other 3 to friends along with a copy of this recipe. (Should this not be presented to them on the first day, be certain to tell them which day the bag is at when presented to them. It is helpful to mark the bag. When you pass this onto a friend, the "new" day will be the day you baked.
4. Preheat oven to 325 F
5. Add these ingredients to the remaining batter in the bowl. Mix well.

3 eggs
1 cup oil (or 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce)
1 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 large box of vanilla instant pudding
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour (can add nuts, dates, blueberries, raisins, anything really)

6. Grease 2 large loaf pans and mix additional 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon
7. Pour batter evenly into the 2 pans and sprinkle the sugar cinnamon mix on top
8. Bake 1 hour. Cool until bread loosens from the pan evenly. Turn into serving dish. Serve warm or cold.

If you keep the starter for yourself, you will be baking every 10 days. The bread is very good and makes a great gift. *Only the Amish know how to create the starter so if you give them all away you will have to wait until someone gives you one back.

Makes 2 loaves.

*AllReicpes.com has a recipe for the Amish Friendship bread starter

Enjoy and I'll be making it in 9 days!

Living Healthier in 2009

Well it's 5 days into 2009 and what weight goals have you set up for yourself? Are you going to lose weight, gain weight or maintain weight? My goal is the latter. I may be well be on the right path after shovelling snow day after day. :)

It all comes down to what you put into your mouth and physical activity. I know for me I consciously think of what I'm choosing to eat. I still have a lot of sweets from the holidays and it's okay if you eat it in moderation. Don't pig out in one sitting or maybe you can give it away. Personally I don't like wasting food so I can't bear to throw it out; it's simply not an alternative for me.

Besides being careful of what I'm eating, I have to beef up on fitness. I do a lot of walking and walking on ungroomed and gushy sidewalks is like walking in sand. It's a good walk especially when I'm wearing Sorels.

But, that's not enough movement.

When was the last time you skipped rope?
When was the last time you used free weights?
When was the last time you turned on the TV to watch your fave soap opera and instead you saw a workout program?

All of these activities are free and available to you.

The Biggest Loser new season starts tomorrow -- January 6th. Get motivated, start moving and Live Strong in 2009!

Happy New Year!

The New Year usually starts with setting new personal goals, self-growth, business growth and anythng and everything that requires you to move forward in life. Whatever it is I hope you find what you're looking and striving for.

May it be the year you reach your milestones, move mountains and be the best you can possibly be. 2009 is going to be great and it will be prosperous and healthy for all of us!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

:)