Y is for Yellow

I hope the saying is true..."Better late than never." I am very late writing the last few posts for the A to Z Challenge. I got caught up getting several giveaways ready to launch for May 1. But excuses, excuses. How about a nice, light, mood-boosting post for the letter Y? I love the color yellow because it instantly brightens my mood. Yellow reminds me of sunshine and summer and other happy things. Here are some pictures to prove my point:

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Don't you just love yellow and blue together? I decorated most of my last house in variations of those two colors! 

  And you gotta admit that a big yellow smiley face is a happy thing!

Wouldn't you rather have this on your desk than the traditional black tape dispenser? So much cheerier!

photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, right? 

And nothing says happy summer days like homemade lemonade! 

And what better pick-me-up than a new pair of shoes?! Especially if it's springtime and the shoes are YELLOW! I found these super cute Jessica Simpson wedges at Belk.com (in case you are now considering a pair for yourself).

What else can you think of that is yellow and happy?

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

X is for Xylitol

Xylitol was discovered in the late 19th century, but lately the sweetener been touted loudly and often as a healthier alternative to sugar. Because it doesn't effect insulin levels the way sugar does, xylitol is considered safe for diabetics. In the 1970s, scientists discovered it also causes remineralization of tooth enamel before cavities can form. The natural sweetener also inhibits the bacteria that cause cavities because it cannot be used for energy, causing the bacteria to starve while the xylitol remineralizes the teeth. The bacteria in our mouths aren't the only ones inhibited by this substance. Xylitol inhibits pneumococcus, which is a leading cause of pneumonia, sinusitis, ear infections, meningitis, sepsis, cellulitis, brain abscess, and other infections. 

Be careful, however, not to overindulge. While it is considered safe by the FDA (that we all love and trust, right?), xylitol is not easily digestible and causes upset stomach if over-used. Symptoms can include bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Our bodies can handle much less xylitol than sugar. 

Of concern are the studies that show animals as small as rats and as large as dogs have experienced life-threatening symptomes when consuming xylitol. In fact, large doses resulted in liver failure. 

It is also important to note that much of the xylitol manufactured today is produced from corn, which presents all of the same problems as high fructose corn syrup. Is the corn organic? Is it GMO? How much of our farmland is being destroyed by overgrowing of corn? How much farmland could have been used to grow real food for hungry people all over the world? 

What do you think? Would you eat xylitol mints or use xylitol as a sweetener in your food? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

W is for What I Wish I Knew Then

What I wish I knew then...

Like most people, I knew everything when I was 18. So I'm not sure I can explain how I've learned so many things since then. There is a long list of lessons learned that I wish I could go back and pound into that 18 year old brain of mine...

Like... life doesn't have to be a rat race. Slow down. Because before you know it you'll be old and looking back wondering where the time went.

Like... losing your temper doesn't make anything better and often makes things worse.

Like... even though your parents were sometimes wrong, they were usually right, and they always had the best intentions. Parenting is hard!

Like... keeping up with the Jones' ain't all it's cracked up to be. There will always be somebody who has more and you will just keep wanting more and more of the things in life that don't really matter. Better to focus on what is important to YOU.

Like... if you're gonna go to college, get a degree that will actually help you get a better job than you can get with only a high school diploma.

Like...going to church isn't just for old people; it's being in church twice a week that keeps my head on straight the rest of the week, and to heck with people who think you can't be a Christian and still be cool 'cause they don't know you!

Like... when people scoff at something in which you truly believe, it's okay to stand up for it anyway. In fact, you should stand up for it anyway.

And so on and so forth.

I polled some friends on Facebook about what they wish they had known at 18 and I got some great answers:

• Credit cards are a bad idea.
• Jealousy is not love. (My own comment on this: neither is lust.)
• Start investing now for your retirement, and don't dip into it for anything.  
• It's okay to learn from your parents' mistakes; you don't have to make them yourself to learn the lesson.
• Serious relationships need not be a priority until you have time to figure out who you really are.
• The directions on your birth control are there for a reason. 
• Your parents were teaching, not preaching.
• Student loans may not be as good as they seem. Proceed carefully or you may regret it later.
• Marrying someone who wants to be a rockstar, doesn't mean you will ever be a rockstar's wife.
• Smoking isn't as cool as you think it is. You stink. And you'll regret by the time you're old enough to drink legally.
• 18 is really NOT that old.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were 18? Leave a comment with your words of wisdom to your 18 year old self! Or tweet your advice with hashtag #knowitall. Looking forward to what you have to say!

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

U is for Unusual / Wordless Wednesday

Definition from Webster:

unusual adj : not usual : uncommon, rare

Examples from MMC:

http://peperonity.com/go/sites/mview/sokalzone/26691388

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/24/5-surprising-facts-about-rare-species/

http://mudfooted.com/pink-insect-katydid/

http://www.cornucopia3d.com/portfolio/zane_egginton

http://www.humorsharing.com/unusual-houses-people-lives-in/3825

http://www.beautiful-animals.com/category/funny-animals/

T is for TheUselessWeb.com

As I was reading some of the A to Z Challenge Posts on other blogs, I came across a humorous post on The Odd Particle [Re]View. If you haven't seen her blog, you should. Her post on Twitter and other social networking sites had me laughing at myself! She mentioned a website in her post that I had never seen nor even heard of: 

TheUselessWeb.com

Now if you are the type that will stare at a computer screen for hours, mindlessly clicking around, even if you have no real purpose other than killing time...this site may be for you! Of course, on the other hand, it may suck you in and never let you go... 

When you go to TheUselessWeb, you just click the "PLEASE" button and... voila!...you are redirected to a totally useless website! Bored with that website? Exit out of it and click the "PLEASE" button again. You guessed it! Another useless website! 

The first website to which I was directed by the lovely pink "PLEASE" button was eelslap.com. It truly is useless and left me shaking my head in wonder that an entire website was devoted to this lovely slow-mo video. 

Now, my dear readers, go forth into TheUselessWeb by clicking here. You have been equipped with all of the tools you will need to waste hours and hours of your valuable (or not so valuable) time. Enjoy!

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

R is for Roasts and Rivers

Spring has sprung! The weather is beautiful! Flowers are blooming! It's time to get outdoors! 

We got invited to an oyster roast tonight! Funny thing is I don't even eat oysters. The friends and the family-friendly atmosphere are enough to draw me in, though. Put a big group of friendly people together and I will never turn down an invitation to join!

Planning a camping trip for a few weeks from now, too! Canoeing and fishing in the river, hiking in the woods, cooking over a fire, and lots of friends. All the makings of a great weekend! 

What do you like to do outdoors in the spring? 

Q is for Quiet

If you're thinking "Quiet? What's that?", then this is for you! 

I used to run all day at near the speed of light and then drop into bed after everyone else was sleeping. I'd lie in bed with a zillion thoughts running through my mind till I fell asleep, then get up the next day and do it again. 

It was actually my pastor that made me realize that this was unhealthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. I was stressed and tired and I never took time for myself. I thought giving selflessly was part of being a good wife and mom but in reality I wasn't much fun to be around. 

I bought some headphones. I moved my laptop to the bedroom. The dishes will wait if they haven't been done yet. Completely alone, after I put my daughter to bed, I  sit and listen to music while I relax. I may blog, chat online with a friend, read my Bible, write in my journal, whatever...but it's my quiet time, my peaceful time. 

When I get sleepy, which happens much more easily when I'm relaxed, I switch the music to my bedtime playlist at a low volume and I close my eyes. 

Do you get your quiet time every day? If so, how do you like to spend it? If not, I challenge you to make it happen for one week and see the difference it makes!

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

P is for People Changing the World

Not long ago, I posted several messages on MMC's Facebook page encouraging everyone to vote for the Time 100. If you aren't familiar with this list, Time publishes an entire issue each year dedicated to spotlighting the top 100 most influential people in the world. 

Note: I did not say the most famous. I did not say the wealthiest. I said the most influential. And not necessarily an influence for good...

These are people that are changing the world around them through their example and/or actions. The world around you. These are important people, especially in the eyes of us who want to see some big changes happen, some specific changes even. The Time 100 is a list of people that we all should know about and keep an eye on. 

Time chooses the final 100. However, they use our votes as a guideline so we definitely influence their decisions. 

Time released the final 100 today, April 18, at www.time.com so head over and check it out. 

Is anyone missing that you think should definitely have been on the list? Are there others that you would remove? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

O is for Opera

Have you seen Phantom of the Opera? Did you see the musical? Last year the musical played on Broadway for the 10,000th time! Did you read the book? Try the movie! The 2004 movie is actually quite good! And definitely don't miss the soundtrack by musical genius Andrew Lloyd Webber. This is the same music that is in the musical and it tells the story as an opera would tell a story. My late great husband introduced me to all things Andrew Lloyd Webber and I was immediately a fan. Listen to all or part of the soundtrack below and tell me what you think!

L is for Light

Like most people, I love  the light. The "light" can mean so many things, all positive. There is sunlight, moonlight, lamplight, candle light. Your face lights up when you see certain people. A great smile or a great personality can light up a room. And then there is the proverbial light at then end of the tunnel. 

Here are some great quotes about light:

"14You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

"When they have a choice, people will always gravitate to those rooms which have light on two sides, and leave the rooms which are lit only from one side unused and empty." - Christopher Alexander

"A light exists in spring 
Not present on the year
At any other period." - Emily Dickinson

"People press toward the light not in order to see better but in order to shine better.--We are happy to regard the one before whom we shine as light." - Friedrich  Nietzsche

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that; hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"The book should be a ball of light in one's hand." - Ezra Pound

"May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out." - J.R.R. Tolkien, from The Fellowship of the Ring

"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world." - William Shakespeare

"I'm sorry, Gemma. But we can't live in the light all of the time.You have to take whatever light you can hold into the dark with you." - Libba Bray, from A Great and Terrible Beauty

"Love is not consolation. It is light." - Simone Weil

"Stars and shadows ain't good to see by." - Mark Twain

Do you have a quote you like about the light? What does light mean to you? 

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

H is for Hemp

H is for what? I know, I know, you're wondering why in the heck I'd want to talk about hemp, which is precisely why I chose this topic. And if you will bear with me, you'll see! 

Hemp often gets a bad rep because people confuse it with marijuana. Hemp, however, is not psychoactive (meaning it will not get you high). Hemp is a quite useful plant that has been used for at least 8000 years! Not only can the fibers in the stalks be used similarly to cotton, but hemp seed is very nutritious. Hemp is also the most sustainable bio fuel and can be used to make plastics.

Hemp can also be used to make paper. It produces more pulp per acre than trees and is more easily sustainable. Paper products made from hemp have also been said to be more durable and can be recycled more times. 

Did you know that hemp is naturally resistant to most insects and is therefore very easy to grow organically? Hemp also suppresses weeds, all on its own, without the help of herbicides. 

Are we starting to see why hemp is kinda cool? And why environmentalists champion it's use? There are more than 25000 documented uses for hemp! 

A few hemp products that I love:

• Straw covers for carrying your glass straw in a pocket, purse, or backpack. You can buy these (and the straws) at www.GlassDharma.com.
• At www.Hempys.com, you can find a new hemp purse for yourself and some hemp board shorts for him!

Do you own any hemp products or have links to some items you love?

G is for GMO

Too often, we assume that because we are passionate about a subject that everyone else should not only know exactly what we're talking about, but also share our opinion! In reality, many people just don't know what the heck we are talking about.

Such is often the case when I start talking about GMOs. Occasionally someone will ask me what is a GMO? In fact, my mom admitted not long ago that she didn't really know anything about them and wanted to know more. 

So, this post is for those who have wondered but not asked. Just a quick and very basic overview. No opinions, just facts (although the facts are what determine our opinions, right?). There is so much more information than this, but this is an introduction. Do a little research on Google and you'll find plenty more if you find yourself interested. 

1. GMO is an abbreviation for genetically modified organism, an organism being defined by www.dictionary.com as "a form of life composed of mutually interdependent parts that maintain various vital processes." 
2. A GMO is created when scientists in laboratories alter the genes of an organism to create what they determine to be a "better" version of the original, i.e. more drought resistant or resistant to common herbicides.
3. GMO seeds are marketed to farmers as a way to produce a more bountiful crop using fewer natural resources.
4. Monsanto is the leader in producing GMO seeds and was the first company to ever successfully alter the genes of a plant.
5. Farmers who use GMO seeds are not allowed to keep seed from their crops because Monsanto, the company that produces these seeds, claim to own the sole rights to the seeds (and this has been upheld in United States courts).
6. If GMO crops pollinate neighboring farmers' crops, Monsanto claims the rights to all seed on those farms also. Thus, Monsanto currently controls about half the world's seeds for agriculture.
7. When GMOs are sold as food, there is no legislation to require that the food be labeled as such, although about twenty states have attempted or are presently attempting to obtain a labeling requirement.
8. While there is a lack of definitive research, some studies have indicated that animals that eat GMOs are negatively affected and some claim that GMOs are a carcinogen. 
9. Monsanto scientists claim that GMOs are completely safe according to their privately conducted studies.
10. About thirty countries have restricted or banned GMOs because they have not been proven safe.

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

F is for Food

Food...BIG subject. I could write a book I feel so strongly about many issues involving food. Don't worry! Not tonight and not here! This will be brief!

About a year ago, I started making more effort to eat healthier and to know more about what I eat, not just me but my family too. I've made a ton of changes since then and learned so much. I've also lost about thirty pounds in that time without being hungry! We rarely eat corn now, we buy locally grown, organic vegetables and free-range natural meat. I have given up pasta and rice. I buy local raw milk from grass fed cows. I could go on. I won't go into all of the whys in this post - after all I promised not to write a book tonight. I'll list a few links at the bottom of this post if you want to learn more.

I think we can all agree, however, that a diet of "real food" only is healthier than a diet of highly processed foods like potato chips, crackers, frozen dinners and the like. In January, I participated in the 7 Day Real Food Challenge from Holistic Mama. I got a 7 day menu plan, complete with recipes for everything on the menu and shopping list. My family and I agreed to do the Challenge together and it was a great experience! We were able to give up some of those highly processed foods that were remaining in our diet. In fact, separating our food into what was allowed and not allowed during the challenge, we realized how many unhealthy foods were still in our kitchen.


Holistic Mama is bringing back the 7 Day Real Food Challenge at the end of April! I'm so excited! I will be posting details since this time I am a contributing blogger, but you can head over to read about the challenge now by clicking here. Hope you'll join us when sign-ups open soon!

For more info on why we've made so many changes to our diet, try some of these links:

http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/
http://www.localharvest.org/buylocal.jsp
http://www.fixfood.org/
http://www.mamamakingchanges.com/2012/04/new-facts-draw-your-own-conclusions.html
http://robertkennerfilms.com/food_inc_return.html
http://www.transferofhealth.com/healthy-eating/why-eat-healthy/corn-facts/
http://www.mamamakingchanges.com/2012/07/summer-blog-challenge-day-49.html
http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/resources/grass-fed-beef-grain-fed-beef-00412000070712/
http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2007/05/the-difficult-lives-and-deaths-of-factory-farmed-chickens/
http://worldtruth.tv/how-monsanto-big-ag-are-killing-us-planet-earth/
http://theholisticmama.com/store-7/?ap_id=lrbroach1973




Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

D is for Do-It-Yourself

My great friend and an amazing blogger, Shai, is back as a guest on Mama Making Changes! I've said before, I'm just not the artsy, creative type. I have to rely on my friends for craft ideas! Shai, however, is a true artist. Enjoy this genius DIY post and then head over to thank her by visiting her site. The link is at the bottom of the post.

So far in my blog life, I’ve written about cloth diapering, no’pooing, baby wearing, healthy eating, container gardening, and a plethora of other awesome but often irrelevant topics, depending on who’s reading. This post can apply to anyone who can hold a needle and thread, and/or owns duct tape!  This project is absolutely NOT a necessity…but it sure is fun to make.

Besides, you can turn yourself into a superhero. Raise your hand if you’ve always wanted to be Wonder Woman?

Thought so.

Here’s what you need:
Old t-shirt you don’t need/want
Silver Duct Tape
Colored Duct Tape (optional, but fun!)
Stuffing of some sort (magazines, newspaper, quilt batting, fabric scraps…I used a bit of each)

Eco-Conscious Status: Somewhat. The duct tape isn’t the most biodegradable thing on the planet, but neither are the contents of ‘real’ dress forms. You may also already have duct tape lying around the house. If you repurpose the stuffing, and shirt, and save the money/gas/shipping/packaging/footprint of a ‘real’ dress form, then I’d call it a good choice! It’s also personalized to your form, so you save on alterations (which saves on thread and material, in the end).  Add all of that together and I think you’re on the eco-friendly good end with this project.

And here’s the easy peasy tutorial:

1. Put on shirt, and have a friend wrap the duct tape around you, over the shirt. Take a picture which accidentally focuses upon your feet.

2. Keep going, but try to make the rows as even and un-bunched as possible. Go all around the shirt, bottom to top, at least two times. We did two because I knew I would do extra layers with the colored duct tape later. 

3. Stand in super hero stance, like a goofball, and let your best friend take humiliating pictures of you.

4. I didn’t get a picture of us in action on this one, but you can get the point. Cut straight up the back, including the old shirt. Be careful doing this – we almost cut my dress and I would have had to drive home in my birthday suit. True story.

5. Tape the seam back up, tape up the holes, and then cover in duct tape/marker as you see fit. Again, the last part is optional. I just figured if this thing was going to be around awhile, I might as well use it to display my top-secret X-Men status. 

Voila! Dress form! You can stick it on a pole (umbrella stands work great, I hear) and fill it with caulk to hold it in place, if you wish. Mine works for me as is, as I rarely make anything that needs to fit my hips. Have fun! 

Author Bio: Shai is a mom, student, artist, and blogger. Her popular blog, The Vagabond Studio, is full of healthy recipes, upcycling ideas, and inspiring posts about her thoughts on everything from parenting to peace, green living to green businesses. Head on over to check it out and maybe leave a comment, here on this post or on a Vagabond post, to let her know you love it and thank her for posting on MMC!

B is for Bags

Click here for a full list of my posts and a list of participating blogs in the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

Aren't bags convenient? Bags allow us to carry more, stay organized, contain loose or small items, and more. But are we using them responsibly? What could we change to be a little more eco-friendly?

Think about how many different ways we use bags each day:

• Is your makeup in a bag?
• Do you keep special jewelry in little jewelry sacks?
• Did your groceries come home in bags?
• Do you buy packaged products that come in bags?
• When you buy bulk, like oats or rice, do you scoop it into a bag? Store it in a bag at home?
• Do you store food in bags?
• Do you carry a handbag or shoulder bag?
• Is your gym bag packed and ready to go at a moment's notice?
• If you are in school, do you carry a book bag?
• When you pack your lunch, do you put it in a bag?
• Do you use gift bags?

I'm sure you can think of more! They're everywhere! Did you know that in the U.S. alone, nearly 100 billion plastic bags are trashed every year, even though most are recyclable? If you choose paper bags whenever they are available, you will be surprised how much they will hold, resulting in your using fewer bags, but what about the trees used to produce them? Of course we could and should use our own re-usable shopping bags, but we don't always remember to take them with us. 

Re-use your plastic or paper bags! Use them to line trash cans, carry your lunch, sort recyclables, pack clothes and other used items for donation, store raw fruits and veggies, or line your garden or flower beds (with paper bags) to hold back weeds. See how many times you can re-use the same bag! 

Gifts that are difficult to wrap in paper, can usually be wrapped in fabric! Try a colorful bandana or other piece of fabric, knotting the four corners on top. Use a round piece of fabric and secure it on top with a ribbon or a strip of colorful fabric. This is actually a great way to upcyle clothing that has seen better days! Just cut it up for gift wrap! You can also use old tees to make shopping bags like the one at left. Get directions by clicking here!

When choosing backpacks, handbags, and other similar bags, materials matter! Many are made from petroleum-derived products and are not easily recycled. Choose bags made from recycled materials and then donate them when you are finished with them. Recycle them again if and when they become unusable. Organic cotton is always a great eco-friendly choice (and easily washable), but a Lily Bloom bag made from recycled plastic is too! 

What other ways do we use bags? What tips can you add for using bags more responsibly?

A to Z Challenge 2013

Thanks for checking out the A to Z Challenge! Here's how it works: 

Each day corresponds with a letter of the alphabet. My post for that day must correspond with the letter of the day. On the schedule below you will see all of the letters on their scheduled dates. I will post a clickable link beside the day on the schedule each time a post is completed, making it easy for you to find them. 

Below the schedule, at the bottom of this post, is a list of links to all of the participating blogs. Please visit some or all of them. How many things can you learn about the start with the same letter each day?

Wish me luck! This should be fun!

A to Z: 2013 Challenge Schedule and Links to Posts

Week One:

April 01, Monday - Letter "A" - A is for Arlee

April 02, Tuesday - Letter "B" - B is for Bags

April 03, Wednesday - Letter "C" - C is for Climate

April 04, Thursday - Letter "D" - D is for Do-It-Yourself

April 05, Friday - Letter "E" - E is for Earth Day

April 06, Saturday - Letter "F" - F is for Food

Week Two:

April 07, Sunday - BREAK

April 08, Monday - Letter "G" - G is for GMO

April 09, Tuesday - Letter "H" - H is for Hemp

April 10, Wednesday - Letter "I" - I is for Insect

April 11, Thursday - Letter "J" - J is for Java

April 12, Friday - Letter "K" - K is for Kansas

April 13, Saturday - Letter "L" - L is for Light

Week Three:

April 14, Sunday - BREAK

April 15, Monday - Letter "M" - M is for Music

April 16, Tuesday - Letter "N" - N is for Novel

April 17, Wednesday - Letter "O" - O is for Opera

April 18, Thursday - Letter "P" - P is for People

April 19, Friday - Letter "Q" - Q is for Quiet

April 20, Saturday - Letter "R" - R is for Roasts & Rivers

Week Four:

April 21, Sunday - BREAK

April 22, Monday - Letter "S" - S is for Sugar

April 23, Tuesday - Letter "T" - T is for TheUselessWeb

April 24, Wednesday - Letter "U" - U is for Unusual

April 25, Thursday - Letter "V" - V is for Vegetables

April 26, Friday - Letter "W" - W is for What I Wish I Knew Then

April 27, Saturday - Letter "X" - X is for Xylitol

Week Five:

April 28, Sunday - BREAK

April 29, Monday - Letter "Y" - Y is for Yellow

April 30, Tuesday - Letter "Z"