OpinionMom

Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve posted here. I’ve got a stack of ideas, but I thought it would be a good idea to find out what you want to see here.

Take the following poll to let me know what kind of posts you like.

Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

I know that I do and so do my kids.

Well, I discovered this neat puzzle site through the Mom Blogs. The site is called, believe it or not, Wuzzles and Puzzles.

The thing that I like about this site is that you can print the puzzles out.

So, whether you’re headed to the Doctor’s office or ready for a long trip, you can take these puzzles with you to keep older kids entertained. If you have a pre-teen or teen sick at home, just hand them a stack of these puzzles.

Have fun!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day: a quiz and a contest.

The quiz asks whether you follow your head or your heart in love.

Here’s how I did, how did you do?

You Follow Your Head

You’re rational, collected, and logical. Generally, it takes you quite a while to fall in love. In fact, you’ve even been accused of being very picky. While you’re cool, you’re not ice cold. You just know what you want, and don’t mind waiting to get it.

Do You Follow Your Head or Your Heart?

The contest is over at the Really Lousy Dates blog. If you share the story of your worst Valentine’s Day, you could win a prize.

I’ve sort of been on a health kick since the start of the year. This post continues in that frame of mind.

My premise: good health doesn’t need to be expensive.

For today’s post, I pulled the ad from my local grocer to find eight healthy foods that are not expensive. (Of course, prices at your local grocery store may vary.)

1. Onions.
   Cost: 1.00/3 lbs.
2. Peppers.
   Cost: 1.00/each.
3. Apples.
   Cost: 1.00/lb.
4. Grapefruit.
   Cost: 1.00/each.
5. Head of Lettuce.
   Cost: .99/each.
6. Broccoli.
   Cost: 1.29/lb.
7. Mangos.
   Cost: 1.00/each.
8. Navel Oranges.
   Cost: 4.99/8 lbs.

So, don’t let anyone tell you that it costs a lot to eat right.

What’s in your shopping bag?

Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

A few months ago I reviewed a skin lotion, Skin MD Natural. The lotion has the unique characteristic of being a shielding lotion. You can read my review here.

Well, Skin MD Natural have contacted me again. They are conducting a field trial and want to invite OpinionMom readers to participate.

 Edited on February 1, 2008: This offer is now closed. All participants should be receiving their lotion in about a week.

Here’s a quote from the e-mail that I received:

Skin MD Natural is doing a field trial of our product and we’d like to invite a few of your readers to participate. We will send you 12 bottles of Skin MD Natural to give out to your readers to do a one-month trial of the product. We are looking for both men and women who suffer from dry skin or want to try it as protective lotion from chemicals, irritants, etc.. We are looking for their honest feedback.

If they’d like to do a photo journal of their skin over the month that would be a great idea too.

If you live in the U.S. and want to get involved in this field trial. Leave me a comment. I will send the e-mail information for the first 12 people to respond to the folks at Skin MD Natural. You should get your bottle in a few weeks.

(By participating in this drawing, all participants agree that they are trying this product at their own risk without any warranties or guarantees about product performance from OpinionMom.)

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Apparently, I’m a little of both …

You Are 60% Left Brained, 40% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you’re left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you’re right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Around the first of the year many of us make a resolution about getting fit and/or losing weight.

Now, losing weight or getting fit can be expensive. Membership in a health club starts at about $40 a month ($480 a year). Diet aids can be $30 or $50 a bottle (or even more), and you may have to worry about side effects. Surgery to remove excess fat is also very costly.

Getting fit doesn’t have to cost big bucks, though. Here are four fitness tips that barely cost anything at all.

1. Walk. Walking is great aerobic exercise. Nearly everyone can do it and it doesn’t cost a thing. Even if you don’t have an outdoor place to walk, many malls allow walkers in an hour before the stores open. (Just make sure that you leave before the food court opens.) Try to walk for about thirty minutes at least three times a week.
2. Drink water. Soda and other beverages typically have a lot of calories and very little nutritional benefit. Even drinking juices or milk can pack on the pounds. Try substituting water for a beverage every time you take a drink. Keep a pitcher of ice water in your refrigerator. If you don’t like the taste of water, then you can add a little zing by squirting a little lemon or lime juice into it. (Lemons and limes are both available at a very low cost.)
3. Think fresh. Processed foods are generally higher in calories and fat than fresh foods. Instead of reaching for potato chips or a cookie when you snack, reach for an apple or a banana. You do have to eat, but you can choose fresh over processed most of the time. (Bananas, in particular, are often on sale since they spoil very quickly. Look for good deals on bananas when they are very ripe.)

   4. Keep a food diary. Most people aren’t aware of how much food that they actually eat. Write down exactly what you eat every day for a month, including portion sizes. Use a library book or a calorie guide on the Internet to assign calories to each food that consume. Once you realize how much you eat, it’s much easier to cut back. There’s a pretty good calorie counter at Caloriesperhour.com, or you can find your own favorite.

(Note: Before starting any diet or fitness plan you should consult with your doctor.)

Best wishes to any readers who wish to lose weight!

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved