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New Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

August 25, 2010 By Becca Leave a Comment
brazilian jiu-jitsu
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I have been doing a lot searching this summer for things that the kids can do this fall. Between a child who has bipolar disorder and another who has cerebral palsy, I have been on a quest to find an activity that would benefit them both. I ran into a site that may just have the answers that I am looking for. NJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial arts site that is certainly unique.

Brazilian jui-jitsu is a unique type of jui-jitsu that has various components of both martial arts
and wrestling. This combination is quite intriguing to me. While I think that it may be too
physical for my daughter with cerebral palsy, I am sure that my daughter with bipolar disorder
would love it.

The Savarese Brazilian jui-jutsu website, New Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, provided a wonderful chance
to learn more about jui-jitsu. I was able to watch instructional videos and read some about
the purpose of jui-jitsu. I even let Abigail watch the videos and we tried them out. She was
immediately hooked! It is a wonderful site to see demonstrations and learn more about jui-
jitsu. With the discipline of martial arts and the physical exertion of wrestling I think it will be a
perfect fit for Abigail.

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Martial arts, New Jersey

Solar Tsunami Headed Toward Earth

August 3, 2010 By Becca 4 Comments
"Solar Tsunami" in stereo
Image by kiwizone via Flickr

It is true… I checked it out with the Associated Press and everything.  A solar tsunami is heading for earth as we speak.  Scary… well… not really!  Here is my understanding of what is going on.

  1. This tsunami in space will hit our atmosphere causing various concerns.
  2. While many think that this will be the end of the earth as we know it… this is not the case
  3. Cell phone satellites as well as other satellites may be effected causing breaks in communications.
  4. Most of North America should be able to see aurorae lights… it is of course supposed to rain here in NY
  5. The radiation should not hit the ground… we will not suffer from any health threats
  6. People flying in air planes may be exposed to a small amount of radiation (the same amount in an x-ray)
  7. Although the chances are rare, NASA scientists warned recently that high-energy electric pulses from the sun could cripple our electrical grid for years, causing billions in damages

While this collision sounds scary it seems to me that we will all live through this invasion of the earths crust.  Some are saying that the world is coming to an end…  It is important to knows that this happened about every 11 years so there is nothing to worry about!  Here is a funny video from someone who thinks it is all over for us!

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: 2010, Associated Press, Earth, NASA, Satellite, solar tsunami, solar tsunami August 3, Space, Sun, Sun explosion, Technology, Tsunami

Body Mind Awakening

July 14, 2010 By Becca 2 Comments
meditation
Image by HaPe_Gera via Flickr

As I have discussed, I have been exploring the internet a lot these days.  The kids are now out of school and so far they have been entertaining themselves.  I have been in search of some self calming techniques for myself and Abigail.  Living with a bipolar child can certainly add a lot of stress to one’s life.   I can only imagine the amount of stress she deals with day in and day out.

On my journey, I found a site with some wonderful articles on the site body mind awakening.  I came across many articles that I found to be helpful.  The first article I was interested in is titled: Choosing to Be Different – Resisting the Powerful Pull of Negativity.  I know that I often fall into negative thoughts and am sucked in by negative energy.  The main suggestion in this article is to make a conscious choice to think differently.  This means that when negative thoughts begin to enter your mind you should change those thoughts into positive thoughts.  I believe that after doing this for a few months it will be a habit to think more positively.  I think that this could be worth a try.  Abigail and I made a pact to try it together.  We will be changing our “the glass is half empty” mentality to the glass being “half full”.

Another article on this site that I found to quite interesting is about meditation.  I strongly suggest that you check out the article: Is Meditation just a Waste of Time?  I found this article to be quite interesting.  I have been told by many people that meditation would help me a great deal.  I always think of it as a big waste of time.  With three kids who has the time to meditate?  Apparently meditation will bring clarity and who could not use more clarity in their life?   This article stressed that the only thing we can control in life is our thoughts.  For me this one statement brought clarity.  We tend to create our own drama from time to time.  I know that sometimes I am enveloped by it!  Meditation could be my key to a calmer, saner life.

I would have to say that I think you should check this site out.  We all have stresses.  We all have drama.  We all have things in our bodies and minds that could use some awakening.  It is vital to take care of you first in order to assure that you have the ability to deal with all life throws at you in a positive constructive way.

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Alternative, body mind awakening, Drama, Energy, Health, Meditation, Mental Health, mind body awakening, Stress

CongressRatings.com Review

June 23, 2010 By Becca 1 Comment

This week I have been doing a lot of web surfing.  I am sure that it is because I know that the kids will be home for the summer by the end of the week.  Once they are home life will no longer be the same!  I stumbled across a great site that is currently using the same “wordpress theme” as us.    CongressRatings.com is a site that will soon take off.  On Congressratings.com patrons have the opportunity to rate their congressman.  It is important to note that I not only had the chance to rate congressmen but also the president and other politicians.

Rating your congressman is not all that this site has to offer!  There are also current news headlines.  On one sight I was quickly able to catch up on the latest political news.   I was also able to join in on discussions about such headlines as the Gulf oil spill and Al and Tipper Gore’s separation.

It is important to note that this site does not just cover American politics.  There are many other major politicians on the site.  These politicians include Abdullah Gül, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-il and many others.  I love this about the site.  Goodness knows that I have trouble keeping the array of American Politician straight.  Now when a political name is mentioned I know the site to go and look up what nation the individual is from and a little bit about them.

That’s right… on top of everything else each politician has a bio posted.  I learned that Hillary Rodham Clinton’s middle name is Diane and that David Alexander Paterson is the second legally blind governor in the United States.  This site is such a wealth of information.  I know that I will be visiting this site more frequently just to catch up on news headlines.  I also want to make sure that my voice is heard.  This site offers me the opportunity to let the President, congressman and local politicians how I feel about how they are doing.  We are a nation founded for the people by the people.  This site helps to assure that we are being heard!

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Weight Loss: Falling Off The Wagon

May 25, 2010 By Becca Leave a Comment

The past few weeks I have been having a terrible time.  I have fallen off of the wagon.  I think in fact that the wagon is dragging me and running me over.  Today, for about the 100th time in the past 3 weeks, I am going to make an effort to jump back onto the waggon an bring it all back under control.  I have do ne so well and I just cannot throw it all away now.  I must continue on and be a success.

covered wagon
Image by Nancee_art via Flickr

Here is my action plan for the day:

  1. Eat breakfast.  I know it seems simple but I am not a morning person and I have tons or trouble getting up and eating.  I have already accopmplished this goal so I am happy to say that I can check this one off.
  2. Make a list of things to do today so that I will not be tempted to eat badly.
  3. Plan out meals for the remainder of this week.  I just know that if I can go into the rest of the week with a plan I will be more successful.
  4. Eat a healthy lunch.  I keep telling myself that this does mean not licking the peanut butter knife!  That is a really hard thing for me.
  5. Take the kids to the park and walk while they play.  This does not always go as planned but I will give it a shot.
  6. Look back at why I started this journey in the first place.  I am hoping that this will help me remember why I want it as well as show me just how far I have come.
  7. Think of one good thing about myself.  I will admit that I have been in a funk.  Perhaps some Pollyanna thinking will help to pull me out of it!
  8. Eat ice cream.  I kow this sounds rather odd!  I of course mean my Skinny Cow ice cream.  Ending a good day with a reward seems to keep me focused.
  9. Weight myself.  It has been about a week and I am sure that after this weekend I have gained about 10 pounds.  Sure some of it is water but you can only use that excuse for so long!
  10. Try… This is a big one.  I am going to remember that is at first I do not suscees… try try again!

I am off to what I am hoping will be a good day.  Let’s hope that the wagon slows down a bit so that jumping back on is a little easier.

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Bandz: The New Tween and Teen Craze

May 13, 2010 By Becca 2 Comments
Choices
Image by MGShelton via Flickr

First we had beanie babies, then there were Webkinz and now there are Bandz!  These new  “bracelets” are the newest craze on the streets.  Silly Bandz, ZanyBandz and Crazy Bandz could not keep them on shelves a few weeks ago and this week I noticed that there are even New York Yankee Bandz.

We first discovered Silly Bandz over Easter break while on vacation.  They were super cute so my father picked up a pack for the girls as a reward for helping.  They loved them.  I never would have thought that so much joy could come out of a cheap rubbery bracelet.  The kids came back to New York and shared them with their friends.  My children are so generous that they gave all of theirs away to their friends who were not fortunate enough to have Silly Bandz of their own.  Because they were so generous I hit the stores trying to find more.  No such Luck.  I had spies out all over the county in search and then some turned up at the dollar store.  We purchased 6 packages so that we could use them as a bribery tool.  We then found Rock Bank Bandz that the kids HAD to have.  Now my kids have over 100 Bandz a piece and I heart that their friends have many more!

In a meeting at the school I began to see the down side of Bandz.  The principal said that she was thinking about banning Silly Bandz all together.  I had a look of horror on my face… I did not understand.  They were cute.  They were a way for me to get my kids to clean their rooms and do dishes.  The were the path to my happiness.  How could she say that there would be no more Silly Bandz?  Upon further discussion  I learned that the kids were trading them, wanting theirs back by the end of the day, flinging them at one another, and focuing more time on Silly Bandz then on school itself.   Today they were banned…  What is a mom to do?

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Bandz, Beanie Baby, crazy bandz, New York Yankees, Silly Bandz, teen trends, tween craze, ZanyBandz

Weight Loss: How To Be Successful

May 13, 2010 By Becca 3 Comments
The updated USDA food pyramid, published in 20...
Image via Wikipedia

I have been working on this weight loss journey for over 5 months now.  I have lost a total of 36 pounds!   With every pound I lose I feel a little bit more confident that I will continue to be successful.  Many people entering into a weight loss journey wonder how they can be successful.  I have just a few tips for those of you who wondering what the keys to success are.

  1. BELIEVE: I know it sounds simple but if you believe you can do it… you will.  I also think that you have to believe that you are worth it!  This is a tough step for many people who are trying to lose weight.  I wake up every morning and remind myself that I can do it.  I believe in myself.
  2. COUNT: This can mean a great number of things but for success it is important to discuss calorie counting.  Calorie counting is important.  It is vital in order lose weight that you burn more calories than you take in.  There are a few great sights with activity calculators that help to make this task easier.  Fitness Partner has a great activity calculator.  It is extremely easy to use.  All you need to do is enter your weight and the duration you plan to exercise into the calculator and a printable list of calories burned per activity will appear.  CaloriesPerHour.com also has an easy and wonderful calculator.
  3. MOVE: I know it stinks when you first start your weight loss journey but exercise is a vital part of success.  The more you move the more you lose.  In the beginning you may be able to lose without moving but the longer you are invested in losing weight the more necessary exercise becomes.  So get out there and walk if nothing else.  Do it alone, with friends or with the dog.  Just get out there and move.
  4. NEW: On this weight loss journey to a new you it is important to remember that you need to focus on new.  No I am not talking about clothing, although that is needed also.  The thing that needs to be new is your food.  It is important to switch it up some.  Studies have shown that people who eat the same breakfast every day become unmotivated.
  5. SUPPORT: It is important that you find some support.  This can be a family member, a friend, or even a stranger.  Yes I know that a stranger sounds unlikely but in situations such as Weight Watchers meetings many people find that there are people they relate to.  It is also nice to have someone removed from your life helping you with your journey.

I am still hoping to reach my first big goal… Lose  pounds by the time the kids are out of school.  I figure if the people on the biggest loser could lose 100 pounds in 17 weeks I can certainly lose another 14 pounds is 7 weeks.  It is an average of 2 pounds a week so I will have to work really hard.  I just have to believe, move, remember new, count my calories and most of all remember all of the wonderful support I have!

Becca

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Filed Under: Main, Weight loss Tagged With: Calorie, Food, Health, Physical exercise, Shopping, strategies for losing weight, Support Groups, Weight loss, weight loss journey, weight watchers

Bipolar Kid Connection

April 13, 2010 By Becca 2 Comments

Hello everyone…  Over the past few months I have been working hard on developing and launching my new website.  It is a cause close to my heart and I would love it if you would take a quick peak.  As I have stated before I have a a daughter who struggles with Bipolar.  It is not easy but this site is being developed to provide support and advice to other kids who are forced to deal with all that Bipolar is. Today the first article was posted and although it has a long way to go before it is what Abigail and I would like it to be, it is a great start.  Thanks for all of the support.  Please visit http://www.bipolarkidconnection.com.  Let me know what you think so far!

Becca

Filed Under: Main Tagged With: bipolar, bipolar children, Bipolar disorder, bipolar kid, bipolar kid connection

Weight Loss: How to Overcome a Plateau

April 9, 2010 By Becca 1 Comment

I know that I have not been great about posting to www.askbecca.com but I want to reassure you all that I have been working hard on my weight loss journey.  I have lost a total of 29 pounds so far and weigh in day is tomorrow.  The trouble is that I have hit a weight loss plateau of sorts.  I keep bouncing from one weight to the other back to the first.  I am finding it to be discouraging and have been reading everything I can to discover how to change it!  There is one word that I have read again and again… CHANGE…

Here are some of the things that others say you should change:

  1. Eat More:  Many times people are not eating enough of the right foods and the body holds on to weight when it is deprived.
  2. Track:  It is something I think that everyone who is trying to lose weight has heard.  Journal your food intake.  Yes that includes the peanut butter you choose to lick off of the knife after making the kids a sandwich.
  3. Increase exercise:  Most of what I have read say to do this gradually.  A sudden increase will not have the same results.  If you have been walking 1 mile 4 times a week try walking 2 miles 5 days a week.
  4. Prepare yourself:  If you know what to do when a plateau arrives it will not be as discouraging.
  5. Find a Pal:  Many studies have shown that if you have a weight loss pal you will lose more weight and remain motivated through a plateau.
  6. Begin Strength Training:  Muscle burns more than fat so this should eventually pull you through.
  7. Snacks:  If you are only eating three meals a day add in some healthy snacks through out the day.  This will keep your metabolism working.
  8. Take a break:  For a few weeks take a break from dieting and exercising.  I know that this will not work for me.  I will never go back to it, I will gain 40 pounds and it will just all be bad.
  9. Reduce Carbs:  For some all it will take is less carbs and more protein.  I am not saying that you should knock carbs out.  Just reduce them.
  10. Do Nothing:  Sometime a plateau is just the next step.  Often times if you do nothing you will begin to see a loss again in a few weeks.

I know that for me it has been 3 weeks now that the scale keeps bouncing.  I am frustrated but I also know that I have eaten some Easter candy, I have slid some on exercise.  I think that this week I will be getting back on track.  I will start with increasing my exercise and go back to journaling my food intake.

Becca

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How to Stop Dog Nipping?

March 5, 2010 By Becca 1 Comment

For Christmas we adopted a 1 & 1/2 year old dog. I was quite excited we found him.  We have been trying to rescue a dog for about six months.  When we brought him home we were so excited.  We have had a golden retriever before.  He was our first baby.  His life ended early due to cancer and it took us a long time to make the plunge again.  So we found a new golden retriever and thought that he would be the same.  He is not at all the same.  He has a dominance issue and likes to put our hands in his mouth!  I do not know how to stop it.

He has nipped the baby in the hand.  It was a little more than a nip.  We rushed to the hospital.  I was so upset over it.  He had been bad with adults but he has been wonderful with the kids.  I am pretty sure that she stuck her hand in his mouth to take his bone.  So this was not all the dogs fault… right?  Her hand was cut a little but was horribly bruised.  We really thought that it was broken.   Luckily it was not broken but I left just wondering what to do about it.    We have invested a ton of money into this dog and we have accepted him as a member of our family.  So I am left with what do I do…

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