Day 36 - Buy A Sound Therapy Machine

So, I know that sounds stupid. But, I like white noise when I sleep. I sleep sounder and better. My husband feels the same way. For years we have used a fan for white noise. That works great in the summer. But, during a Wisconsin winter a fan is proving to be very, very cold. I don't like it at all. My frugal side has prevented me from buying a sound machine for years. Let's face it, they are not cheap. A fan is cheaper, but like I said, they are cold!

Today while at the mall, I passed Brookstone and decided to just look. I stared at that machine for awhile, going over the pros and cons of buying it. I finally decided that life is short, it is something I have been wanting for a few years and that it was for my overall well being. I finally did it and it is now set up in my bedroom. It has 12 different sound settings, so I am kind of excited to hear something besides a fan.

This is part of my ongoing sleep hygiene improvement. I talked in my first post about my lifelong insomnia. I take OTC sleep medication if I feel sleeping will be an issue. I only use them when necessary. But, I would like to get to a point in my life where I don't need to rely on those at times. My overall goal is to be free of all medication and to go purely homeopathic. But that is for a later post. For tonight, I believe I will sleep very well.

Day 35 - Set Up A Christmas Savings Account

This week I opened a savings account specifically for Christmas. Every year the holidays roll around I wonder how are we going to cover all those expenses in one month. Sometimes it is just too much to think about. Like so many people we charge everything. We are lucky to be able to pay it off, but that comes at the cost of sacrificing in January. I don't want to do that anymore.

I figured out how much money we are willing to spend on the holidays for everyone we buy for. I assume that I will be taking that money out on December 1st, 2011. I then got out my calculator and figured how much needs to be automatically transferred to savings twice a month to reach that magic number. When I spread it out, the cost didn't seem too high. In fact I would call it manageable. The nice thing is that it will be accruing a little bit of interest. I also know that when the next holiday season rolls around, I will be able to buy all of gifts with cash. That is a really nice feeling to have.

Day 34 - Eat More Fish

Over the next year I am hoping to implement more fish into my diet. Wild Salmon specifically. I choose wild because it has fewer toxins and I believe it just tastes better! Wild Salmon also provides omega-3 fatty acids that are good for both your mood and skin.

I also really like the taste of salmon, as does the rest of my family. I never hear complaints when I cook it. I know that a lot of kids do not like salmon, thankfully mine do.

I am going to try to eat less tuna, it has mercury in it. But add more anchovies, which are delicious in Italian cooking. I am not a fan of the white fish that is found in this area of the country. I also hate the fish fry that people attend every night in Wisconsin. The last thing I want is deep fried fish with fries and cole slaw. Yuck! But, to add a little more salmon will not be difficult.

Day 33 - Enjoy A Snow Day With My Kids

For those of you who live anywhere between Texas and the East Coast, you know we got a storm! Wisconsin and the midwest got hammered last night. I have never seen so much snow fall in one night, ever. That is saying a lot since I was born and raised in Wisconsin. Snow takes up much of our year. I learned how to drive in snow and tend to laugh when I hear about places that cancel school for an inch of snow. It is not a mean spirited laugh, just disbelief because it takes so much to cancel school here. Which brings me to my point, school is cancelled today. My husband is also home from work, good thing because we can't even get out of our driveway now.

Today I let the kids sleep in. We are going to shovel, play outside until the sub zero temps get here (rumor is that will be soon). Then we will have some hot cocoa and watch a movie. Today is going to be about simplicity and enjoying a childhood ritual, enjoying a beloved snow day. Today's snow day is for all of us, not just the kids. I am excited, I can't remember the last time I had hot cocoa! I will have to remember to have a lactaid with it, otherwise I will be paying for that dearly.

Day 32 - Drink Green Tea

Over the last month I have made a cup of green tea a part of my daily routine. Since January 1st I do not believe I have missed a single day. Implementing green tea into my diet was not at all hard to do. In fact, before starting this year long mission, green tea had already been a component of my diet. I like the taste of it and I like the idea of a cup of hot tea in afternoon before the kids get home. It calms my nerves and relaxes me.

Science has told us that green tea has a lot of health benefits. The main one being it's abundance of antioxidants. I am not sure what the exact antioxidants are, I don't think I even care, I just know that they are there and that to drink tea will give them to me.

I do not limit my tea consumption to green tea. I also have a cup of herbal tea, every night before bed. This is a routine that I have followed for years. Rarely do I miss a night of tea. I think my body knows that when I have had my tea it is time to start winding down for bed. It is weird to think that the act of one simple routine can add so much to your life.

Day 31 - Start Strength Training

Today I started to lift weights. Ugh! How I hate lifting weights. I never understand the logic that says pushing your muscles to absolute fatigue, requiring at least 48 hours for recovery is good for you. But, I know that I am not an expert in this area and that I need to listen to what the experts say and lift weights.

Today my routine consisted of biceps, triceps, hamstrings, back, abs and that big muscle in the back of your leg. I have no idea what the official name is. I just know that working that muscle out hurts and that I don't like it. I was told that since I did this today, I don't need to lift any weights tomorrow, which I am really happy about!

I need to implement strength training into my weekly routine. I have known that for years, we all do. I have tried several times to pick it up, but I am not a strong person to begin with. Because of that, it is so painful and uncomfortable for me. Time for me to get over it and start to improve my overall health.

The benefits of strength training or endless. It increases muscle mass, improves flexibility and makes ones overall health better. I know the benefits are greater than the list I made, but a few reasons really should be all I need. I will make strength training a habit and part of my routine to improving my life and health.

Day 30 - Buy New Underwear

Yes, I know this is too much information. But, I needed to new bras and underwear. I tend to wear them out, thinking that I can get just more wear. These are items that need to be replaced and I am not usually on top of that. Today I took care of that and bought both new bras and underwear. Hooray! I guess that is all that needs to be said on that matter. I will clean out the draws, throw away the old and in with the new.