Summer is finally here! But with the warm weather comes crazy schedules! Not sure what it is about Summer in particular that makes our calendars get out of control, but it seems like when I flip my calendar to June, everything gets crazy! I’ve been thinking about some things that make me feel better—quick tips that make life slow down for a second. I thought I’d share 5 of them with you.

1)    Make your bed. I grew up in a household where we made our beds each day, so this is a habit for me, but still every once in a while, I can’t seem to get my cat up and out (and I don’t want to disturb her), and my bed is left unmade or partially made. I come home at night and it seems sloppy and unwelcoming. There is a sense of calm and accomplishment with fixing your bed each day. One thing off the list.

2)   Pack a Snack! Make it Healthy and you know you have at least ONE good thing happening that day! A piece of fruit or veggies and dip, or even a granola bar! It’s something yummy to look forward to! And p.s.- an apple provide more energy than a snicker’s bar- without the guilt!

3)   Stretch! Each morning I do 3 minutes of yoga right when I get out of bed! I understand for a lot of people, this would be impossible, so try stretching at your desk instead. Link your fingers, and straighten your arms (palms out), stretch infront of you, then reach over your head and lean to each side—think about pushing your hands up- more than leaning over. A quick 20 second stretch every couple of hours, can help relax those work stressed muscles!

4)   Organize and prioritize! Whether you are a home maker or office bound, a clean work environment will leave you less frazzled. At the end of each work day, take a minute to organize your work space. Pile papers in a stack, make a list of tomorrow’s priorities. And then- leave it at work. It will be there tomorrow, and you won’t have to think about it at home! This also works for the kitchen table (also known as the “to do” pile, at my house)

5)   Unplug. Turn off the TV, phone and computer for at least 30 minutes before you go to bed! Your brain needs the down time before it can settle into a good sleep! And when I say “unplug” that includes checking facebook on your phone!!

Let me ask you a question! What is your most prized possession? Is it your TV? Your car? Your iPod? Some other piece of technology that you just can’t live without?

Let’s just say that it’s your car. So, let me ask you this: Would you put diesel in the gas tank, when it really wants unleaded? Do you change the oil and replace it with beer? Do you drive it fast, and slam on the brakes at every stop light?!

I’m going to guess that the answer to all of these questions is “no!”. You probably are thinking- I would never treat my car like that, it needs clean oil, premium gas, and a gentle touch to run at peak performance!! Am I right?

Tell me- why do you treat your body like that? Why do you feed it junk food, when it runs best on vegetables and lean protein? Why do you attempt to rehydrate with sugary sodas and toxic alcohol? Why do you burn the candle at both ends, running yourself ragged until you simply crash?!   Don’t you think that your health is more valuable than your car?

My body is my most prized possession.  Sure, sometimes I hit the brakes too hard, but generally, I try and treat it like the fine oiled machine it wants to be!

This week- ask yourself- what is my body worth? How much would I pay for good health?  Sure, fresh fruits and veggies might cost a little more than a box of Mac-n-cheese, but the money you save by not being on cholesterol meds, and long term health care needs, but just even that out. Think about it.

This morning on my way to work, this song came up on my iPod (admittedly- it was the GLEE version). I found myself inspired by the opening lyrics, so much so that I replayed it so that I could really listen to them a second time.

“When you wake up and don’t want to smile, if it takes just a little while. Open your eyes, and look at the day, you’ll see things in a different way!”

Some days are just plain, good days. Other days, you have to choose to be happy! You say to yourself, “I’m not going to let my boss get to me today”, or “I’m not going to let the 3 brownies I ate yesterday, make me feel fat today!”. Choosing happiness is about setting aside what happened yesterday, and getting back on track today!

What are some things that can make you happy today? Remember to be realistic in your happiness expectations. For example, I would LOVE it if the sun would come out today, but I have no control over the weather.  I do know that eating right makes me happy. So today I’m choosing to eat healthfully, and tomorrow, my pants won’t be too tight. I also know that working through my pesky “to do” pile on my desk, makes me feel so much better about work. Getting through it today, will make work easier tomorrow.

Now, you make think to yourself “eating a giant piece of chocolate cake is going to make me SUPER happy!”… but later, when your feeling guilt from your gluttony—it’s not really making you happy! It’s about making a choice to do/say/be/eat something that’s only going to be positive when you think about it later.

So, make choices that make you happy. As far as tomorrow goes, “it’ll soon be here! It will be better than before, yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone!”

I have this quote written on my bathroom mirror.  I don't know where I first saw it, but over the last couple years, it has become one of my favorites. It is a piece of advice that can mean whatever you want it to.

Here's what it means to me... It means that I strive to live a life full of these words : Unite, Hope, Volunteer, Give, Educate, Love & Inspire. These words are also written on my bathroom mirror, so that I am reminded each morning to be  a better person.

Being a better person... this phrase has been going through my head a lot in the last week, with the news of Harmon Killebrew ending his fight with cancer, and in his passing yesterday. Michael Cuddyer was quoted saying, "Harmon makes you want to be a better person", and he did! Harmon is the reason I got involved in the Miracle League, and ultimately what drives me encourage people to volunteer. And I am a better human than I was 4 years ago because of it.

So this week, I ask you to find what it is that you belive in! What do you think you need to do to make yourself a better person.

My new motto is: Be More 3! When my time comes, I hope that someone says that I inspired them to be a better person. The world would be a much better place if we had a few more Harmon's!!

I saw this article online recently, and thought it would make a perfect Wellness Wednesday tip!  It's a great reminder that we should be more polite to people! So this week, PLEASE, take some of these to heart, and mind your manners! :)

25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9
by Parents.com

Manner #1 When asking for something, say "Please."

Manner #2 When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3 Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4 If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5 When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6 The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7  Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8 When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9 When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10 Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11 When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12 Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13 Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14 Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15 Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16 Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17 If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18 Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19 As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20 If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21 When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22 When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23 Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24 Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25 Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Originally published in the March 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

It's finally May. If you live in MN, you probably just wanted April to get over with, it was snowy, rainy, cloudy and cold most of the month! Yuck! I'm ready to move on!

I have had most of the last week off from work. Originally the plan was to celebrate my birthday and the Royal Wedding! It seemed like the perfect time to take some vacation. I'd hoped for lots of meals on patios and time with my kindle. I only got one patio meal, and only a few hours of Kindle time on the couch (which also equals snuggle time with my cats). However, what I really got out of the 5 days of no work, was rejuvinated!

I got to do basically, whatever I wanted for 5 days! I had one or two events planned for each day, but the rest of the day was mine. I got to spend time with some of my favorite people, doing my favorite things!

I also had time to figure out just how I'm going to move forward in life. I've dedicated May as a month to focus on Dandy LIfe. Promising to spend a little time EACH day to get it to a better place.

This week, I'd like YOU to spend just a few minutes each day on yourself.  Do something rejuvinating! Go to the gym, make a fun meal, play with your kids (or pets), make a lunch date... do something each day that reminds you that life is not about keeping a schedule, it's about sharing the time you have with people or things that make you happy.

Well, today is Sunday, and as I was playing around with the website, I realized I never published this draft! OOPS! So here is last Wednesday's Wellness Tip.
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This week was Easter week!  6 weeks ago, I asked you to give something up for Lent, even if you were not Catholic. It was a mini resolution.

This week, I would like you to reflect on what you learned from your 6 week resolution. Did you break an old habit, or develop a new one? Did you give up Facebook? Whatever it was I hope that you got something out of it.

I gave up eating dinner in front of the TV. It's a terrible habit that most of my single (and some not-so-single) friends have. It's not good for your digestive system to sit hunched over your coffee table. It's not good for your carpet, rug, couch or shirt to eat dripping over yourself. These are the EASY reasons that I changed a bad habit.

I  learned that sitting at my kitchen table looking out at the neighborhood kids is... quite frankly... boring! I found myself eating less (which is a good thing) because I would get bored. However, it meant that I was more aware of how much I was eating. I rarely went back for seconds. I think at first this was because I was "rushed" to get done with dinner and turn on the Twins game or watch something I'd DVRd.  But after a few days,  Mindless overeating is gone from my life, and that is the biggest lesson I took from this 6 weeks.

I can't promise that I will continue to eat at the dining room table every meal, but I will make the effort most days, I think... I will keep you posted.

In the mean time... think about making ANOTHER mini resolution. I did! It's a habit I hope to form this time!

Today we honor lives changed by the tragedy at Columbine High School 12 years ago. I've been thinking about this all day, literally, all day. I heard the reminder of the date on the news this morning while getting ready for work, it became part of my facebook status a couple hours later, and part of a realization a few hours after that.

You could say that the happenings at Columbine were a result of bullying. Some kid, gets his (or her) giggles from picking on another kid. Most of the time we call it "being mean" and let it pass. Until that first kid, brings a gun into the school THEN it's finally noticed and labeled as "bullying".

Yesterday I had an incident with a co-worker. She's a known "Negative Nelly", constantly has to have everyone's attention, and does it by being the biggest pessimist in the department. When she doesn't get her attention that way, she's rude, inconsiderate, and well... mean.  I already said it- but as adults we call it being a "Negative Nelly"... but really, she's just a bully.

Earlier this week, I overheard a coworker talking to his college daughter on the phone. I missed the entire conversation except when he told her to "be nice". right before he hung up the phone. I said, "you must have been talking to one of the kids", and he went on to explain that his daughter often speaks down to people when she needs help.  She too- is a bully.

My wellness tip this week, is to really take notice of what is going on around you. Notice how your friends speak to others, how your boss speaks to you. Be mindful, that bullying isn't something that stops in high school. And watch your own actions- do you

I know this will come as a suprise to most of you, but, despite the title of this article, I am NOT telling you go go and eat Skittles... although skittles are yummy.

We haven't talked food for a while in the Wellness tips department, so this week, we are!

Stop for a moment, and think about what your dinner or lunch plate looked like today. How many colors did it have? Was it a little too much of one color. It's ok to eat some white foods (bread, potatoes, rice)... but remember these foods have very little nutritional value! So try to add color to your plate to boost nutrition content.

Here are some fun things I do!
*Wilt a couple handfuls of spinach into mashed potatoes
* Use sweet potatoes in place of regular potatoes.
* Have a glass of V8 frusion with dinner for a serving of fruits and veggies!
*Add spinach, mushrooms and onion to your eggs (omlette or scrambled!)

Most importantly this week, just stop and take notice of your plate. Remember your plate should be MOSTLY veggies, with some fruit, starch and protein.

For added ideas- check out websites like eatright.org... or just google things like "colorful diets" or "veg

Today is the American Heart Association's "Start Walking Day"! It occurs the first Wednesday of each April.

Walking is a great, stress free way of getting excercise. This time of year, we are ready to get out and start seeing some sunshine! If you live in the Twin Cities Area, today was the perfect day to start walking!

I got to this post a little late today, so you might not be up for a walk at this point in the day, but start thinking about tomorrow! Make a plan with some co-workers to start walking at lunch time a few times a week! Even a 10 minute walk is a great break in the day.

Taken after a meal, a walk is a great way to boost your metabolism, so get the family and the dog, and go for a post dinner walk tomorrow night!

Get walking, and start enjoying the Spring!

P.s. You may have noticed there wasn't a Wellness Wednesday post from last week. Perhaps the post SHOULD have been... "sometimes you need to learn to say no/take a break/get some down time"...