MAKE A NOTE!! -- September 15th, 2000

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A Free Twice Monthly Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics

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In This Issue:

NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.

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My Favorite:     Books         Pet Stuff

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Editor's Note

Regarding three items from our last issue...1-WHODUNIT BOOKS-while I said that kids loved these books, some of the stories are murder mysteries. While the evidence about the murder is presented similar to those in the game "Clue", they may not be okay for ALL ages. I have children who enjoyed them in the younger elementary grades & were not disturbed by it, but everyone should make their own decisions & screen them before reading them to their children. 2-ICEBREAKERS-Our readers enjoyed this site so much that I wanted to add one put together on birthday games from Debi, Editor of Simple Times ezine. Go to http://www.themestream.com/articles/11536.html. 3-MILITARY RETIREMENT TIP-On the other hand, IF you KNOW where you want to retire, then you should try to be stationed as close to the site as possible to make it easier to job/house hunt. If any of you missed this past issue and don't have a clue as to what we are talking about, just follow the directions under "Back Issues" to get the scoop on the September 1st, 2000 issue.

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He's My Son-Mark Schultz

This is the first music review I can remember doing for the Make a Note, but this is well worth it. If you are a parent, if you have ever had or have a sick child, or a child struggling as they make their way through life, if you have ever cried out to God for your child, or known anyone who has...buy this CD. The song is "He's My Son", the artist and (self-titled) CD is Mark Schultz. While he is a contemporary Christian artist, the song is getting a lot of play on pop stations also, a testament to the many hearts it has touched. If you don't believe me, just click HERE or go to  http://www.mark-schultz.com and read all the messages people have left. And the other songs on the CD are great too. He wrote this song for a friend whose 14 yr old son had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and the insight he wrote with is incredible. If you aren't sure about buying the CD, just call up & request the song through your local Christian/pop station. I don't think you will be disappointed. POST IT...by the radio, on your shopping list, by your computer (and write to tell me if it touches your heart as it has so many others).

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Cookie Press-For Easy AND Fancy Cookies

When we were in Germany I discovered the cookie press. A wonderful tool for making cookies that are fancy, in a very simple way. You make up the dough and then put it into the cookie press which is shaped sort of like a big round gun, then with each squeeze of the trigger you "press" out a cookie. No messy fingers! The press comes with an assortment of disks that fit into the end to make the cookies into different shapes like circles, spirals, flowers, pumpkins, diamonds, hearts, rectangles, trees, stars, umbrellas, clover, butterflies, and leaves. Can you imagine the possibilities? After you press them out, you can sprinkle toppings on them before baking, or frost them afterwards. You can even color the dough with food coloring before pressing them out. This is also great for kids; even young children can make pretty cookies easily. My German cookie press lasted a long time, but finally broke down, and unfortunately, two others that I acquired stateside (one electric) gave out very quickly. BUT, now here's the good news, my friend Teri bought one from Pampered Chef that has stood the test of time. She says that she has put it to heavy use with no weak spots. I have one on order now and am excited about being able to do the cookies (you may know them as Spritz cookies) again. But Pampered Chef may only have them for a limited time, so I wouldn't wait too long. You can see a photo by going to http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=600&categoryCode=NEW; this page also has a link in the top right corner to find a rep near you. If you do not have a Pampered Chef representative in your area, then a friend of mine has graciously agreed to take orders via email for you. If you find a local rep, the price will be about $31.54 total; if you do not have the local rep & need to place a special order with my friend Heather, then it will run $34.98 (USA/APO). To reach Heather & order a cookie press, send an email inquiry to her at MHMAJURI@aol.com The press comes with some basic recipes. POST IT...by your computer, or in your recipe box under "Cookies".

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Workout Video Recommendations

Over the years I have owned and/or borrowed a large number of workout tapes. While what you like/don't like depends a great deal on the individual, here are a few suggestions you might consider. First of all, always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Use the library or a video store to borrow a variety of tapes to see which ones appeal to you the most. Make sure they aren't too easy, too hard, too short, too long, too boring, or too annoying (remember your child's favorite video that was cute the first time, but now makes you want to scream after multiple viewings :-). Also make sure that they aren't too area specific (stomach, legs, etc.), unless you plan on having other tapes to balance things out. Try to find tapes that work on flexibility, strength, and aerobic training. If you cannot afford to purchase them, try to find shows on TV and record them for future use, this also gives you more variety. On local stations they are usually on EARLY in the morning, ESPN2 has a series on from 9-11am weekdays, and Lifetime has Denise Austin on from 7-8am weekdays. Now for my more personal preferences...avoid tapes that use actual songs that might play on the radio (tapes like some Richard Simmons, MTV Crunch, Jazzercise). I got so sick of hearing those songs over & over again on one tape, that I actually tossed it because of that. I still cringe when certain songs come on. Wordless music designed to be background music will rarely get annoying. When I was first getting into shape I felt that Jane Fonda, Denise Austin, and yoga workouts just weren't challenging enough even for beginners. Gilad tapes are pretty good. But my personal favorites are Kathy Smith's. The nice thing about most of her tapes are that they have 3 levels of exercise shown on screen at all times. So if you have really strong legs and weak arms, you can do the hardest leg exercise, but the easiest arm exercise. Also you can drop down a level if you become overtired with the more challenging exercise. All this without buying beginning, intermediate, and advanced tapes. She also does an excellent job of explaining the exercise to help you get the most from it. I'd especially recommend her Aerobox  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1573309958/makeanote and Kickboxing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738920525/makeanote tapes. All of her tapes are very reasonably priced. If you are looking for a very challenging tape, TaeBo might be a good choice. People have a lot of fun with it, but definitely go with the beginning one http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305242143/makeanote if you aren't already in excellent shape (if you are you might try the advanced http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J2I0/makeanote). It is a good hard workout, although a GOOD TaeKwonDo school will give you an even better workout (like KC TaeKwonDo in Fayetteville, NC) But remember, if you don't enjoy it, you won't use it. Don't spend a lot of money on gadgets or machines just to have them sit around collecting dust. If you REALLY think a particular machine will get you moving, see if you can borrow one from a friend for a couple of weeks & see if you use it, or use one at a local gym if possible. Different people prefer different styles, so find something you like and get moving. POST IT...on your shopping list, by your computer.

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Body for Life Program

Recently we reviewed the Body for Life Program, which has really been in the news lately. Amazon has over 400 customer reviews on this book, and all but a handful are extremely positive. It is subtitled, "12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength". The cover and inside cover of the book are filled with before & after photos of every day people of all ages. Mary Pride (author of "Big Book of Home Learning") recently put her whole family on the program and recommends it. The program includes encouragement, training, and diet plans. Encouragement comes in the form of real life stories of others who have turned their health around, and even an 800 number/web site where anyone can call to get answers to questions regarding the program. Training recommended includes increasing intensity workouts, alternating days of 20 min aerobics with 45 minute weight workouts (free or machine). The diet plan advises 6 smaller meals a day, rather than 3 large ones. The program also advises one FREE day a week when you skip the workouts and eat whatever you want. Your local library should have a copy, and perhaps even an audio book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0694521485/makeanote. But if you decide to pursue the program, then it would probably be a good idea to get a copy of the book for yourself. Check it out at Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060193395/makeanote. It appears to be a very rounded, & well thought out program. It is hard to argue with success. Their web site is http://www.bodyforlife.com. POST IT...by your computer, or on your library/shopping list.

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Power Blocks

Now if you read Body for Life and are looking for a good set of dumbbells/free weights, you will want to check out Power Blocks. Instead of buying a whole set of dumbbells on a big rack, that take up too much space, are hard to change plates on, or are too accessible to children, you can buy a single set of Power Blocks. A single pair of Power Blocks takes the place of anywhere from 7 to 37 pairs of dumbbells, depending on what size you buy. They range in price from $119 for the 3-21 lb set to $874 for a 5-125 lb set. They are a set of plates nested within each other and you use a pin to select how many of the plates you want to lift. After the pin is inserted, you pick up the set and it will leave behind the plates needed to make the weight you selected. To get a better idea you can visit their web site at http://www.powerblock.com or request an information packet at 1-800-446-5215 OR 1-507-451-5152. The company prefers that you purchase the sets through their dealers, listed on their web site. If there is not a dealer near you, you can order them through the Power Block web site, or I can also recommend Mr. Alton Skinner at Fitness Concepts in Raleigh, NC at ASkinnerjr@aol.com or 1-919-878-9880/1-800-371-8612. When other in state dealers balked at helping someone with info outside their city limits, Mr. Skinner's assistance was outstanding. He can take orders by email, and said he would be willing to help people locally, out of state, or even overseas. So if you are looking for a dealer who will go the extra mile for you, Mr. Skinner is the one you are looking for. Tell him you read about it in the Make a Note!:-) POST IT...near your computer or phone.

Back Issue Treasure

With all this talk of fitness (guess this is our Olympic Tribute), you may want to check out the February 15, 1999 back issue that has info on how to get an affordable Body Fat Percentage Scale. Weight and Body Mass only tell part of the story. The best way to really gauge your progress or condition is to check your body fat percentage. You just enter your height & gender into the scale, step on it, and it will give you your weight and body fat percentage. This issue will also tell you how to find unclaimed funds (one of our readers found $500 of HER money after reading the article), AND get Free Vet Advice on the phone. Scroll down to "Back Issues" and follow the directions to get the one you want. POST IT...by your computer.

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CURRENT MOST POPULAR BACK ISSUE: September 15th, 1998

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JOKE (Actually a true story, which proves that truth is funnier than fiction)

A man bought a case of expensive cigars and insured them against, among other things, fire. After he had smoked every one of them, he filed a claim stating the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires". The insurance company refused to pay, the man sued and won. The judge agreed the claim was frivolous, but that the insurance company had not defined what was considered to be an "unacceptable fire" in the policy. The insurance company decided to pay the claim rather than pursue a costly appeal, and gave the man $15,000. BUT after the man cashed the check, the company had him arrested on 24 counts of arson. He was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property & sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

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QUOTE 

Jamie & Barry were brothers. One day Barry dove into a lake, hit a rock & broke his neck, paralyzing him from the neck down. "It was a tragic accident that, as you might imagine, has taken a lot of healing to cope with. Jamie explained to me that one day he was talking with Barry about the difficulty he was experiencing trying to get in shape. He told his brother, 'I can't stand running on the treadmill or lifting weights. I just hate it!' To which Barry responded, 'Jamie, I'd give anything in the world to run on a treadmill. I'd give anything in the world to flex the muscles in my legs--to feel my arms getting stronger--to feel them move. I'd give anything to have the CHOICE that you have--to move, to lift, to run...but I don't have that choice. If you won't do it for yourself, Jamie, do it for me.' Jamie was speechless. He told me he never felt so selfish in his life. How could he complain to his brother, who can't even raise his hand, that exercising is an inconvenience, that moving the body is a 'pain'? Jamie told me that was the turning point for him, and he has never missed a workout since."

--Bill Phillips, from "Body for Life"

Remember, how you take care of your body IS a choice you make now and for the future.

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Coming Attractions 

Review of popular fitness videos, more Diet for a Poisoned Planet food lists, schooling at home/homeschooling, and more.

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THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF PASTOR WILSON'S HARD WORK AS OUR LIST MANAGER!!

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