Health & Wellness by Lexa's Journal

My mission in life is to not merely survive, but to thrive: and do so with passion, compassion, humor, and style. – Maya Angelou

recent posts

about

An eternal optimist, always wearing a smile. Must haves: sunshine, fitness (jogging, weight training, & CrossFit), reading, good food, writing, music, and fun with family and friends.

  • Hello world!

    Welcome to WordPress.com. After you read this, you should delete and write your own post, with a new title above. Or hit Add New on the left (of the admin dashboard) to start a fresh post.

    Here are some suggestions for your first post.

    1. You can find new ideas for what to blog about by reading the Daily Post.
    2. Add PressThis to your browser. It creates a new blog post for you about any interesting  page you read on the web.
    3. Make some changes to this page, and then hit preview on the right. You can alway preview any post or edit you before you share it to the world.

  • >Saving money with coupons

    >

    Last year I blogged about saving money through the use of coupons.  A co-worker shared with a couple of us in the office how she’d saved hundreds of dollars on grocery, household, and other every day items, simply by using coupons and reading various forums. 
    I took a second look when she told me that she found even better buys at smaller stores than purchasing them in bulk at the larger warehouse stores.  I was surprised. Now I have clipped coupons before, I just haven’t gotten those kind of results.  My key chain is even full with discount price plus and advantage club type cards that I faithfully use every time I shop. But I’ve never saved that much money.  She even gets tons of free stuff like kleenex tissues, contact lens solutions, air freshener, paper plates, and other  items.  She’s darn good!  
    Consider this to be an update as to how I’m doing with this coupon phenomenon. 
    Like any new habit, I started out with good intensions and a lot of enthusiasm.  Clip, clip, print, print, away I went.  From the couponmom.com website to CVS, Acme, ShopRite, Target, Walmart, and Rite Aid, I was clipping, printing, and making my lists.
    Suddenly I realized that this couponing business was an extremely time consuming full time gig!  Slowly but surely, the coupon circulars began piling up in their “designated” place…  never to be seen again… that is until I became re-inspired by the show Extreme Couponing.  If you haven’t seen the show, please check it out!  These folks are out of control BUT are saving INSANE amounts of  money!  I’m talking about buying over $1,000 in groceries and paying less than $50 bucks!  Yup!  That’s right.   Insanity!
    By the way, you can find printable coupons for most of your favorite stores like Old Navy, Target, or wherever else you like to shop. 
    I went back to my pile of coupon circulars to sort and clip only to find that most of the coupons that I saved had expired.  Oh well. 
    Although I do find the show to be incredibly inspiring, realistically, I just don’t have that kind of time.  I realize that my failure to find the right balance, was because I didn’t establish a system that could work for me. 
    I am undoubtedly one of the most system oriented persons around.  Mostly everything that I do has a system.  From stacking and rotating my abundance of bath towels and sheets, to vacuuming the house, to packing for vacations, I have a system. So I need to figure out a system that will fit into my routine.  
    I am a serious seasonal allergy sufferer.  Given the fact that, from Spring to late September, I run outside at least  50+ miles a week, I have to take a pill every day. Eventually I will seek out herbal alternatives, but for now it’s Claritin. What inspired me to get back into the coupon game was a recent $24.00 savings on my allergy meds. 
    Thanks to my teacher, Mrs. S., I’m becoming a better student. 
    At CVS, I made two separate purchases of a Claritin Non-Drowsy, 24 hour Relief (40 tablets). 
    Regular price:                  $22.99
    Sale price:                        $19.99
    CVS Claritin coupon        -$4.00
    Manufacter’s coupon:      -$5.00
     
    Final Price for each:         $10.99
    Total savings per box:      $12.00
    I should have used another CVS $3.00 off coupon to further reduce the price to $7.99, but instead used the $3.00 to get a free 24 case of 8 oz. water bottles that was on sale for $2.88.  I could have also used the $3.00 off coupon towards three boxes of tissues at 88 cents each, or…. Okay.  I know. You get it.
    So I almost have my supply for the season and I still have several manufacturer coupons to spare.  I’m hoping to catch another good deal in the upcoming week.
    Now the question is, how do I stay motivated this time?   Well.  I’m working on a system that will work for me. 
    I will keep you posted.  Meanwhile.  Happy Shopping!

  • >Are you a giver or a taker?

    >


    A giver.  A taker.  Which are you?  

    Givers will give you a listening ear.  They will share their spirit, their heart, their love, their joy, their laughter, and typically anything that they can give to help someone in need.

    The takers will take your time, your advice, your money, your spirit, your energy, and anything else that you are willing and able to give up.   

    A recent conversation with someone prompted me to write this post.

    For the sake of her privacy, I’ll call her Shauntel.  We were chatting about a number of topics.  You know how it goes.  Aimlessly jumping from one topic to another, playing catch up from a busy day, week, or month.  Trying to cover everything in a short span of time.
    With a hint of frustration, Shauntel asked my opinion about a situation she was experiencing.  Someone had asked a favor of her.  She agreed to the initial request. A day or so later, the person wanted to add more to the favor.  Shauntel felt as though she’d extended herself enough and was second-guessing her instinct to say no to the additional request.
    The scenario is so typical of the givers and the takers in the world. 
    Since she asked my opinion, I told Shauntel the following:

    Don’t let this person guilt you into over commitment.  Do what you can do. Do what you want to do.  Do what you feel like doing.  I’m so sick of the takers manipulating the generous hearts of the givers into over extending themselves.

    The madness occurs at work (between colleagues, supervisors, subordinates, and mangers), at home (with parents, spouses, and kids), extra-curricular activities (amongst soccer moms, football moms, cheerleading moms, coaches, etc…), and with family (at holiday gatherings, vacations, weddings, and funerals) 

    Thankfully, I’ve come to my senses.  I’ve matured and wised up some and can usually identify the givers and the takers that pass through my life.  The takers use to try to suck the life out of me, but I learned to avoid them and to stay away from them like my life depends on it.  I advised her to do the same.  Run!

    I also believe that the givers share the responsibility of the situation and the outcome too.  It is not just the fault of the takers.
    Rather than to continue to play the role of innocent victim, complaining and sulking to anyone who will listen as to how they’ve been done wronged and taken advantage of  (by the way, Shauntel is not like this), the person should understand and access their own actions and determine what steps they can take to change the situation. Sometimes it takes extreme measures such as ejecting people from your life.
    You bettcha!  I’ve kicked full-fledged adult “takers” out of my life and felt darn good about my choice.   “Don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you!”  When I was a kid, I heard that phrase a lot.
    My eight year old understandably struggles from time to time with the idea but my recently turned 22 year old has embraced the notion rather nicely.   I hope and pray that I’ve taught and continue to teach my children to see the value of giving over receiving; it really is a life long process.
    Give generously and take only when needed and only when necessary. 

  • >Being unconventional can lead to success

    >

    Buck the system. Go nontraditional. Be unconventional. Celebrate being eccentric. Be yourself. Do you with confidence and with flair.

    I’ve always condoned the traditional in much of everything that I’ve done. I know- as I’m told, tradition has its place. Not to sound clichéish, but my kids have always been encouraged to leave their own footprints in the sand and avoid following in anyone else’s footsteps.

    With those thoughts in mind, last night I celebrated the Philadelphia Eagles, 23rd NFL Draft pick, Danny Watkins!

    Sidebar- I don’t follow college football. I do watch professional football and can only name a handful of football players. On a good day, I can name nearly ten professional football teams. I can’t tell you jack about the stats on ANY player.

    I’m sure that by the time this posts, there will be hundreds, if not thousands of posts on the good and the bad of the Philadelphia Eagles Draft pick.

    That said it’s not the stats that’s sent me into a tizzy, it is the fact that this 26 year old didn’t play football in high school. And get this! He’s a part-time firefighter! I love it!

    Wait! Those who know me will say that I’m excited and am partial because my hubby’s career is in fire suppression, but I assure you that one has nothing to do with the other.

    The fact of the matter is this:

    • In spite of Watkins missing out on Taxi, Pee Wee, JV, and Varsity football, the guy was drafted to play NFL Football.
    • In high school, he played rugby and hockey and probably enjoyed every minute of it.
    • At 6’4”  312 pounds, he was probably a decent size athlete who was encouraged to play the all American game of football, but chose another sport.
    •  After high school, he attended college and majored in general studies. Perhaps he was uncertain about his career path. I’m sure that as the days pass, we’ll learn  more about Watkins.

    From what I’ve read, he didn’t play football until 2007 and four years later, he’s drafted by a national football team. Amazing!

    So what’s my point?

    Watkins, like many child athletes, probably didn’t stand out as the “star athlete” destined for professional ball, yet he’s catapulted to the forefront. Ahead of other athletes who no doubt feel as though they’ve “done their time,” or “shown their commitment” to the sport and deserve to be there over Watkins. Regardless, he chose a different path from many others, yet ended up at the same destination.

    I’m convinced that the same holds true for every other kid or adult in the world. Regardless of the individual appearing to be an average Jane or John, each of us has much to contribute to society. We shouldn’t judge or count others out because their credentials are less esteemed than the next guy.  We should simply respect others and  focus our positive energies on our own indvidual path and destination.

    Congratulations Danny Watkins!

  • >Foul ball on the jewelry selection

    >I cannot believe that I’m blogging about this incident, but it’s true and I’m just keeping it real.

    “Staying in the moment” and being “present” sometimes comes as a challenge to me.  I have to constantly remind myself to focus,  to enjoy the present moment and to not think about anything else.  Some days I am more successful then others.  Case in point-

    My latest fad is an attraction to anklets and bracelets made of materials like hemp and leather.  On one recent shopping trip, I purchased quite a few bracelets.  I chose a few cool pieces mainly due to their bright and vivid coloring.

    Black clothing dominate my work clothes because it’s easier and quicker to put an outfit together at 5:00 a.m..  I’ve learned that adding a spice of color through accessories is simpler for me.  The process of coordinating my bracelets, earrings and other jewelry pieces with my outfit is less time consuming.

    Anyway, few weeks ago I was excited to sport my cool black natural fibered bracelet with rectangles painted bright yellow, red, and green.

    Fast forward to around 8:00 a.m. the day that I wore my bracelet to work.  I’m sitting in my office, easing into my work day.  I gingerly glance down at my bracelet smiling and admiring its beauty. At that moment, I realized that the pretty “tropical” plants looked familiar.  I stopped to take a closer look.  “Hmm…. this isn’t good,” I thought.

    No, it can’t be!  I put my reading glasses on!  Perhaps I need to wear my glasses when I shop now.  I take a second and third look.  OMG!  I am horrified to discover that the damn tropical looking plants  on the side of my bracelet are marijuana plants!!! What the heck?!?!

    Duh!  I forgot to mention Bob Marley’s pic!

    At the time of my purchase, I had no idea of the art work depicted on  the bracelet.  Just wasn’t paying close attention.  I don’t use drugs nor do I make it a habit of buying merchandise that contain pictures of drugs.  I work with teens and pride myself in setting a positive example for students.  Jeez!  What an airhead!

    Needless to say, I made an immediate adjustment to my adored accessory on this morning and the bracelet never became visible to students.  I am so glad that I realized this outrageous snafu before any students got a chance to see it.  

    For sure, I learned my lesson the hard way.  Stay “present” woman!  The irony is that I tell both my kids all the time, “pay attention!”  He he!  The jokes on me.  Doggone it! Pay attention Tanya!

  • >Will you still love me if…

    >

    Through the spirit of a child-
    Will you still love me if I’m gay?
    Will you still love me if I’m over weight?
    Will you still love me if I’m not like you?
    Will you still love me if I’m not a college graduate?
    Will you still love me if I fall down and can’t get up?
    Will you still love me if my life long partner is an atheist?
    Will you still love me if I love someone of a different faith?
    Will you still love me if I don’t achieve your definition of success?
    Will you still love me if I chose to love someone outside of my race?

    If you’ll still love me in spite of the characteristics that make me different from you, than you appreciate the significance of unconditional love.  I love you mom.  I love you dad.
    A recent conversation with a young woman prompted me to think about the idea of unconditional love.  Unconditional love is often talked about by parents like it’s some automatic device that comes with parenting. 
    When our children are young, innocent, impressionable, cute, and still hang onto our every word, it’s so easy to love them… unconditionally. 
    However, with the passage of time, our impressionable babies become independent, outspoken, confident, rebellious, courageous, and begin to make their own choices-  And that’s when the true test of unconditional love presents itself.
    The young lady told me that she was gay.  This was her official “coming out” to me, but I was not surprised.  I told her that her sexuality had no bearing on our relationship and that she should live her life being true to herself. 
    I was curious and questioned her about her peers, her family, and her friend’s knowledge and acceptance of her homosexuality.  All was well until she spoke of her parents.  Neither parent approved of her lifestyle; consequently, life at home was a struggle.  She quietly spoke of betrayal and other events that took place within her family circle that continue to weigh her down.  She revealed that for a short moment, she contemplated suicide, but quickly realized that suicide wasn’t the answer.  
    She referenced biblical scriptures that she’d been shrouded with by family and a few others.  She also expressed her love and commitment to her faith.

    I couldn’t tell her that I knew how she  felt, because I didn’t know for sure.  However, I vividly remember my own struggles at age 17 that left ball patches in the front of my hair and ulcers in the pit of my stomach.  So I could certainly empathize with her and hope and pray that she would soon find peace in her heart and within her family.

    As the mother of a soon-to-be 22 year old, I’ve discovered that as our children blossom into young adults, we have to let go.  Letting go doesn’t mean disappearing from their lives.  To me, it simply means that we have to find a balance between trying to help them avoid severe life altering mistakes to allowing and encouraging them to make responsible choices and to become the adults that we hope and pray that we’ve raised them to become.
    Nearly 20 years ago, I remember working with this lovely and hard working woman.   Members of her family stopped speaking to her because she was Jewish and was dating an Italian guy.  A patriarch of the family forbade her to continue dating the guy and, when she refused to end the relationship, stopped speaking to her.  I was amazed. This was a closely knit family.
    I just don’t get it!  I’ve always told my daughter, “I don’t care who you date or marry- Black, White, Asian, Latino, Hispanic, man, woman- that’s right!  As long as the person has a good head on his or her shoulder and treats her with dignity and respect… that’s the criteria for me.”  She understood and has always been open with us.  She dates a nice Irishman, who is smart, career minded, witty, and treats her with dignity and respect.  Of course, my mom has issues with the bi-racial relationship, but that’s her problem for her to keep all to herself. 
    My final thoughts are to love your kids— regardless.