Sounds like a title for a song, doesn't it (and who knows, maybe there is a song with that title in it...), "Sugar Love"?
The reason I am writing this blog entry is because I guess you could say I am addicted to junk food! Not all "junk" food (and I guess what one considers "junk" food may not be considered junk to another) but I particularly love candy. All types of candy - gummy candy, chocolate candy, fruity candy, crunchy candy - you name it, as long as it doesn't have nuts in it, I probably like it.
However it is one thing to love something like that, and another thing to love it and indulge in it too much. Not a day goes by where I don't eat candy. And again - it would be one thing if I could say, "I only have one piece of candy a day / one after a meal" but usually it is, "I had many pieces of candy throughout the day!"
I exercise at least 1/2 hour a day - I usually aim for an hour but not always able to do so. Now if I could just begin to eat healthier, I think I could reach my fitness goals! Plus it would help prevent diabetes, a disease prevalent in the health history of my father's family.
I read often about nutrition and exercise, so it is not out of ignorance I am a junk-food junkie - it is from needing help telling sugar "NO!"
Do you have any tips I can try to help give up the "sugar love???"
Jan 10, 2012
Jul 26, 2011
Hot Summer
Whew! It has been soooo hot over here in Michigan this summer! Although I shouldn't complain because last summer seemed chilly to me every time we had a get-together outside. It is difficult to exercise outside when it is so hot unless it is in the early early morning.
To keep cool we have been running the air conditioner for about an hour at a time, the shutting off to preserve energy. I typically don't like to sleep with the air conditioner on because it is too cold for my taste so whenever possible I like to sleep with the window open and a fan on in the bedroom.
I went swimming twice, once in Lake Huron (about 36 miles East of me) and then again at an inland lake by my uncle's house (about 1 hour West of me). I like to swim, although I am not a very strong swimmer so it tires me out fast!
In two weekends there is my family vacation. I posted pictures from last year's vacation. I hope to do so again this year!
Congratulations to Japan for FIFA Cup championship win!
To keep cool we have been running the air conditioner for about an hour at a time, the shutting off to preserve energy. I typically don't like to sleep with the air conditioner on because it is too cold for my taste so whenever possible I like to sleep with the window open and a fan on in the bedroom.
I went swimming twice, once in Lake Huron (about 36 miles East of me) and then again at an inland lake by my uncle's house (about 1 hour West of me). I like to swim, although I am not a very strong swimmer so it tires me out fast!
In two weekends there is my family vacation. I posted pictures from last year's vacation. I hope to do so again this year!
Congratulations to Japan for FIFA Cup championship win!
Apr 19, 2011
Easter Preparation
This week is a busy week for me. Me and my family are preparing for the activities surrounding Easter weekend.
This Wednesday I am in a church musical depicting the Last Supper. I am part of the choir. Only about 8 people are in the choir so we have to sing really loud to be heard! Then on Thursday I will be doing some cooking to prepare for Good Friday which is spent with my mom's side of the family. I will be making a pasta salad and maybe bring an apple pie I bought from a friend - she makes them and you can freeze them (raw) and then bake them the day you plan on eating. I think for certain my mom's older brother will travel to my parents' house, but not sure if my grandma will come (she doesn't like to travel) or my younger uncle (he might be working).
On Saturday I will travel to my grandparent's city (about 1-1/2 south of my house) to spend the day with a friend, and the spend the evening and night with my grandparents. Then on Easter Sunday I will go with my grandparents to their church (I have never been there so it will be interesting for me) and then we'll hurry back to their house to get everything ready for Easter dinner. I am not sure what I will be preparing for the meal. We have an Easter egg hunt in the afternoon, where the plastic eggs are filled with candy. My family and my cousin's family will be there. Phil will be at his grandma's house from Friday to Sunday.
I am working on a craft to enter into our county fair in the summertime. I will try to take a picture of the work in progress with my camera at home and post the photo to show what I am working on. It was kind of difficult to figure out how to read the crochet pattern but I'm glad I stuck with it. I will post a photo soon.
I hope that things are improving in Japan. A tragedy of that size is difficult to overcome but can be overcome as people work together!
This Wednesday I am in a church musical depicting the Last Supper. I am part of the choir. Only about 8 people are in the choir so we have to sing really loud to be heard! Then on Thursday I will be doing some cooking to prepare for Good Friday which is spent with my mom's side of the family. I will be making a pasta salad and maybe bring an apple pie I bought from a friend - she makes them and you can freeze them (raw) and then bake them the day you plan on eating. I think for certain my mom's older brother will travel to my parents' house, but not sure if my grandma will come (she doesn't like to travel) or my younger uncle (he might be working).
On Saturday I will travel to my grandparent's city (about 1-1/2 south of my house) to spend the day with a friend, and the spend the evening and night with my grandparents. Then on Easter Sunday I will go with my grandparents to their church (I have never been there so it will be interesting for me) and then we'll hurry back to their house to get everything ready for Easter dinner. I am not sure what I will be preparing for the meal. We have an Easter egg hunt in the afternoon, where the plastic eggs are filled with candy. My family and my cousin's family will be there. Phil will be at his grandma's house from Friday to Sunday.
I am working on a craft to enter into our county fair in the summertime. I will try to take a picture of the work in progress with my camera at home and post the photo to show what I am working on. It was kind of difficult to figure out how to read the crochet pattern but I'm glad I stuck with it. I will post a photo soon.
I hope that things are improving in Japan. A tragedy of that size is difficult to overcome but can be overcome as people work together!
Feb 23, 2011
Michigan
I would like to describe the state of Michigan. I have lived in Michigan my entire life, so my knowledge from what I've learned in school and some recent research will play a part in the information below. You can Google for images of each thing, and another good source of information is http://michigan.gov
Fun facts:
State bird - robin
State stone - petosky (I have found these in a couple of areas of the state. When they are polished, they are really pretty)
Capital city - Lansing (I was born in East Lansing, a city just nearby)
State flower - apple blossom
State Industries:
Logging - This was probably our first large industry. The state was once covered with large forests. A great deal of the forests have been cut down to be used for lumber. The logs were transported using the rivers in Michigan. It was a dangerous job to cut the trees down and transport them by river - many people died. Eventually at the beginning of the 20th century the government mandated that trees be replanted - maybe not every tree ever cut down has to have another tree planted to take its place, but it is managed better than it was when the lumber industry started. There are a few areas in the state, like Hartwick Pines, that are "virgin forests" meaning the trees have never been cut down - the forest was untouched by lumbermen.
Automobiles - this was one of the biggest industries in the state for probably most (if not all) of the 20th century. Unfortunately, this industry has not been as fruitful in the past few years as it had once been. Many jobs in this industry has been lost. I believe it is because less expensive imported vehicles have become successful sellers, and at one time employees of the auto industry were paid more than most industries, so it became too costly to make automobiles as efficiently as they used to. However it is still an important part of Michigan's industries.
Tourism - Michigan is a huge tourist state. We have two peninsulas connected by an impressive suspension bridge. The Upper Peninsula has old copper mines, lighthouses, casinos, hunting and historic landmarks. The lower peninsula has warmer beaches, lighthouses, amusement parks, casinos and state forests. People come from out of state (like maybe from neighboring states to a summer house or cabin) or people travel within the state. We are also connected by a bridge or tunnel to Canada, so we see some license plates from Canada every once in awhile.
Filmmaking - this is a new industry to Michigan. There has been campaigning across the state to encourage directors and film producers to film movies in Michigan. In fact, the city in which I live has an organization that advocates local film production and contacts film makers to ask if they are interested in filming in our area. The thought is that when movies are filmed in your area, your area will draw a lot of attention as people would like to watch the film be produced or just visit a place that had been in their favorite movie. Not to mention the actors, actresses, directions and so forth would patron the local restaurants, laundromats, gas stations, etc. We haven't had any movies filmed in my area yet that I know of, but Gran Tarino (a movie starring Clint Eastwood) was filmed in the state of Michigan. State legislation has been passed to offer incentives to filmmakers as well to make it more attractive for them to film in Michigan, such as tax credits.
Crops and animals - some of the major crops grown in Michigan include soybeans, sugar beets, corn and apples. Cherries are also grown in some parts of the state. Many areas have wild berries like raspberries and blueberries. There are also many vineyards that grow grapes and other crops to make wine. Driving through the state you can see many cow farms and chicken farms.
Fun facts:
State bird - robin
State stone - petosky (I have found these in a couple of areas of the state. When they are polished, they are really pretty)
Capital city - Lansing (I was born in East Lansing, a city just nearby)
State flower - apple blossom
State Industries:
Logging - This was probably our first large industry. The state was once covered with large forests. A great deal of the forests have been cut down to be used for lumber. The logs were transported using the rivers in Michigan. It was a dangerous job to cut the trees down and transport them by river - many people died. Eventually at the beginning of the 20th century the government mandated that trees be replanted - maybe not every tree ever cut down has to have another tree planted to take its place, but it is managed better than it was when the lumber industry started. There are a few areas in the state, like Hartwick Pines, that are "virgin forests" meaning the trees have never been cut down - the forest was untouched by lumbermen.
Automobiles - this was one of the biggest industries in the state for probably most (if not all) of the 20th century. Unfortunately, this industry has not been as fruitful in the past few years as it had once been. Many jobs in this industry has been lost. I believe it is because less expensive imported vehicles have become successful sellers, and at one time employees of the auto industry were paid more than most industries, so it became too costly to make automobiles as efficiently as they used to. However it is still an important part of Michigan's industries.
Tourism - Michigan is a huge tourist state. We have two peninsulas connected by an impressive suspension bridge. The Upper Peninsula has old copper mines, lighthouses, casinos, hunting and historic landmarks. The lower peninsula has warmer beaches, lighthouses, amusement parks, casinos and state forests. People come from out of state (like maybe from neighboring states to a summer house or cabin) or people travel within the state. We are also connected by a bridge or tunnel to Canada, so we see some license plates from Canada every once in awhile.
Filmmaking - this is a new industry to Michigan. There has been campaigning across the state to encourage directors and film producers to film movies in Michigan. In fact, the city in which I live has an organization that advocates local film production and contacts film makers to ask if they are interested in filming in our area. The thought is that when movies are filmed in your area, your area will draw a lot of attention as people would like to watch the film be produced or just visit a place that had been in their favorite movie. Not to mention the actors, actresses, directions and so forth would patron the local restaurants, laundromats, gas stations, etc. We haven't had any movies filmed in my area yet that I know of, but Gran Tarino (a movie starring Clint Eastwood) was filmed in the state of Michigan. State legislation has been passed to offer incentives to filmmakers as well to make it more attractive for them to film in Michigan, such as tax credits.
Crops and animals - some of the major crops grown in Michigan include soybeans, sugar beets, corn and apples. Cherries are also grown in some parts of the state. Many areas have wild berries like raspberries and blueberries. There are also many vineyards that grow grapes and other crops to make wine. Driving through the state you can see many cow farms and chicken farms.
Feb 4, 2011
Snow Day 2011
On Wednesday, I could not get to work. Neither could about 95% of all employees, so they closed down work for the day because it was unsafe for people to be on the roads. We got about 8" of snowfall overnight Tuesday, but the wind blow the snow into huge drifts. Some people's backyards had over 2 feet of snow drifts!
This is a picture of the front of our apartment, and you can see the snow piled on top of the air conditioner and the light.
One person from my area is actually missing because of the snowstorm. His truck broke down and he tried walking to a house for help and no one has seen him since. I am praying that he is found as it was bitterly cold Wednesday.
It has become warmer these past few days - by warmer I mean around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Yesterday it was sunny - it was so nice to finally see the sun! Although I love winter for the variety and beauty that it brings, I am becoming a little lonesome for the spring and summer days.
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