Month: August 2017

Thyme for Writers

Thyme for Writers is a new blog series for writers and book lovers. As many of you know, my website focuses on adding spice to your life, whether it be with nutrition and health tips, delicious recipes, or through Hidden Bloodlines, my romantic suspense novel and associated adventures in creating it and its sequel.

writers, authors, resources, toolbox, encouragement, fun, romantic suspense, journey, writer’s journey, adventure, tips, direction, research, joy, funny, inspiration, thyme, time
Thyme for Writers
Adding Spice to Your

Most of us are writers in one form or another (whether by choice or necessity). The purpose of this series is to help you along the way with

  • tips,
  • direction,
  • encouragement,
  • inspiration,
  • the research and adventure behind some of your favorite works, or
  • just something interesting and fun to bring a smile to your face.

While I may be authoring some, my goal is to invite fascinating guests with different life experiences and areas of expertise.

The Author Toolbox
writers, authors, resources, toolbox, encouragement, fun, romantic suspense, journey, writer’s journey, adventure, tips, direction, research, joy, funny, inspiration, thyme, time
The Author Toolbox

My first guest will be Candee Fick, author of The Author Toolbox. She is the reason I am able to create and maintain my own website. As a genuine techno-idiot, I volunteered to be Candee’s beta test project. Our goal was to determine if it’s possible for someone like me to gain the skills necessary to build a website and how long it would take. Needless to say, Candee is a miracle worker. In fairly short order, I learned the skills necessary and have continued merrily on my way.

Candee is an incredible writer and teacher and painstakingly created a blog series meant to help writers in all stages get their work created and a website begun. She compiled and added to this series in The Author Toolbox. Keep in mind, the tools provided and skills taught aren’t just for writers of books. Many pursue different artistic careers and businesses, but in today’s business environment, websites and social media dominate the marketplace if you want to succeed. The days of the telephone book are over. The reality is that websites and social media require writing.

Where to Start
writers, authors, resources, toolbox, encouragement, fun, romantic suspense, journey, writer’s journey, adventure, tips, direction, research, joy, funny, inspiration, thyme, time
Candee Fick
author of
The Author Toolbox

There are thousands of writing guides and resources out there, but where should one begin? I have personally found that The Author Toolbox is the best first stop. Candee not only provides “how to…” information, but makes recommendations on easy to use resources to make life easier. On September 7 I am excited to have Candee Fick as my first guest on Thyme for Writers. Stay tuned… .

If you have something to share and you’d like to be a guest, please email me at karen@KarenVanDenHeuvel.com.

GETTING FIT — TAKE IT UP A NOTCH!

Getting fit… . Are you ready to take it up a notch? In my last article, Fitness — Moving to the Next Level, I shared a little bit about my background and these wonderful ladies who took me on as their project (yes, in this case, instead of completing the project, I am the project). With Physical Therapist, Diane Foley, I will share two paths — one for the newbie (that’s me), and the other for the more advanced. As a reminder, please talk to your physician before making any changes to your regular health care routine. If anything you do hurts, please STOP immediately! The purpose of this series is to move our fitness to the next level and improve our health, not detract from it.

physical therapist, Diane Foley
Diane Foley, Physical Therapist
Rules of the workout:
  • Frequency: 2-3 times a week. Take 2 days off between workouts to give your muscles time to recover.
  • Time: one minute on each station (unless otherwise noted)
  • Intensity: Pick a weight that you can lift for the entire minute and is moderately difficult on the last repetition. The weight may be very light for some of the exercises. This is okay!
First Set of Stations:
fitness, exercise, aerobic exercise, weights, body beautiful, weight control, weight loss
Getting Fit – Karen on the Elliptical
  1. Ride a stationary bike or elliptical (for advanced and newbies). If you do not have access to either, march in place at a quick pace making sure you bring your legs up high enough to hit your hands as you hold your arms at the elbow straight out at a 90 degree angle.
fitness, exercise, aerobic exercise, weights, body beautiful, weight control, weight loss
Getting Fit: Diane – Wall Squat with Overhead Lift

2. Wall Squat:

  • Newbie: Using a large exercise ball, place the ball between your lower back and the wall while move your feet comfortably away from the wall. Slide into a squat moving up and down, keeping the knees behind the toes. Hold each squat for 5 seconds and return to beginning position.
  • Advanced: Do the Wall Squat as noted above, however, add weights and lift overhead on the way up.
    fitness, exercise, aerobic exercise, weights, body beautiful, weight control, weight loss
    Getting Fit: Karen – Wall Squat with Overhead Lift

    The first exercise is more like a warm up to get things going. What is your favorite exercise to get that heart rate up?

Stay tuned for next week’s article with the second set. Because this series makes up an entire workout routine, these articles will be published weekly rather than biweekly.

Fitness: Moving to the Next Level

In this article, Fitness: Moving to the Next Level, I am ready to share my personal journey to take it to the next level with Physical Therapist, Diane Foley and her work-out partner Karen DeGeal. For those who need to catch up, in Body Beautiful — Weight Control and Exercise, I summarized and posted the links to a number of articles as a quick resource to help you achieve your body beautiful goals.

exercise, weight control, body, beautiful, beach, bikini, ocean, water
Summer Is Upon Us
Body Beautiful — Weight Control & Exercise

For some, the mere advent of summer was enough incentive to get started. For those with a regular exercise routine, you may be ready to take your fitness and move it to the next level, like me. My incentive wasn’t the advent of summer, but my daughter’s wedding. I’m about to be the mother of the bride… . Thankfully, Diane and Karen are set on making me one “hot mama.”

 

 

HISTORY
physical therapist, Diane Foley
Diane Foley, Physical Therapist

First I’d like to share a little background since this is a more personal journey. Diane and Karen have been close friends and workout partners for quite a few years. They are both in exceptional shape and advanced in their routine. When I asked if I could join them, they welcomed me with open arms. Little did I know the extra work required to include me – a newbie. Fortunately their passion is to make a difference in the lives of others and they wholeheartedly invited me in and took me on as a special project. That being said, each routine Diane created at the advanced level for herself and Karen, had to be redesigned for me, the newbie. To alleviate boredom, Diane changes up the routine EVERY FEW MONTHS.

 

I wanted to share my journey so that others may benefit as well — the newbies as well as the more advanced. However, MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PHYSICIAN’S APPROVAL WITH ANY CHANGE IN YOUR HEALTH CARE REGIMEN — IT’S CRUCIAL!

CIRCUIT TRAINING STATIONS:

THE BRILLIANT DESIGN OF CIRCUIT TRAINING IS EACH PERSON CAN MODIFY EACH EXERCISE TO FIT THEIR INDIVIDUAL FITNESS LEVEL.

fitness, exercise, aerobic exercise, weights, body beautiful, weight control, weight loss
Fitness – Moving to the Next Level

Each routine is divided into stations, which makes it easier to work out in a group since we have a different station as our starting point. Every exercise is done for one minute. COMPLETE THREE ROUNDS TAKING A WATER BREAK BETWEEN EACH ROUND. There is something for everyone with two tracks — one for the newbie and the other more advanced.

This article provided the background on my personal journey as I take it to the next level. The next article will introduce you to the first station.

What level are you?

Pain — It’s Inevitable

Pain is inevitable in every person’s life. Whether caused from prolonged sitting in front of a computer screen, a sports related injury, arthritis, heavy lifting, or just twisting your body the wrong way, pain is guaranteed. But what causes it?

pain, Natural pain remedies, NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ecotrin, Bayer, Ecotrin, aspirin, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen, inflammation, Arnicare
Inflammation Is the Culprit

Inflammation is the culprit — the manner in which the body heals itself through focused immune activity on the area of injury or infection. Common forms of inflammation include

  • redness,
  • swelling,
  • pain, and
  • heat.

Frequently suffers find relief through anti-inflammatory drugs whether by prescription or over-the-counter. This article explores some considerations in the selection of anti-inflammatory agents.

Common Pain Relievers
pain, Natural pain remedies, NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ecotrin, Bayer, Ecotrin, aspirin, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen, inflammation, Arnicare
Pain Relievers – Over-the-Counter or Prescription

Most people are accustomed to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), a pain reliever commonly found either by prescription or over the counter. Recognizable over-the- counter brand names include Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ecotrin, Bayer, and others. Among some familiar generic names are aspirin, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen. Inflammation reduces with prescription doses. Commercials for quite a few of these drugs are a common occurrence, but the audience tends to either leave the room or zone out by the end of these commercials.

Side Effects
Take Heart with Potassium – The Role of Your Kidneys

Unfortunately, towards the end of these commercials is typically where important facts are revealed in order to make an informed decision on its use — the possible side effects. All NSAID labels include warnings of potential risks of stomach bleeding, heart attach, and stroke. There are other potential side effects which may include liver or kidney problems, allergic reactions, stomach ulcers, leg swelling, heartburn, headaches and dizziness. These are just some of the typical side effects, it’s not all inclusive.

Natural Pain Remedies

Natural pain remedies are an alternative to NSAIDS. There are quite a few of them on the market in the form of creams, gels, and tablets. Please talk to your health care provider concerning your health care practices, especially before trying something new.

What is your preferred natural pain remedy?

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2012/pdf/11_0301.pdf
3. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/arthritis.htm
4. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2014/pdf/14_0298.pdf
5. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2014/14_0298.htm
6. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php
7. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php?page=3#some_herbs_have_anti-inflammatory_properties