Prevention is worth a pound of cure

We've all heard the old adage: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". And a pound of cure costs money. Money that these days seems a little harder to come by.

It makes sense then to do everything in our power to help the "prevention" along a bit by staying healthy.

I recently found out that the Aspen Club (vic.pvhs.org/portal/page) has a deal with the Orchards Athletic Club www.orchardsathleticclub.net/index2.php in Loveland to offer your first month free.

So I have recently joined the gym. If you are over fifty you can join the Aspen Club for free. As far as the Orchards Athletic Club goes if you are an Aspen Club member you can join their club for free too. No start up costs at all and you can go month to month.

I looked at the Gold's Gym www.goldsgym.com/gyms/calendar.phpin Loveland too, and they have AARP discounts. It is a very nice place with all the latest equipment and a steam bath, but no pool. So the swimming pool at Orchards caught my attention. Then there is the Hatfield Chilson Recreation Center on E. Fourth Street in Loveland and a few other places available.

But for all of you in the Denver area, why, the choices seem endless.

Something free we can all do is walk more. Whenever I go shopping or to the mall, almost anywhere, I park far away from the door and that way I get a little walk in during my errands. Many people walk the malls to get exercise and to keep their blood sugar stable.

I met a very nice lady at the Sunflower Market last month, who rides her bike everyday and calculated that she had ridden for 1400 miles last year alone! Wow, what a savings on gas and she was in tip top shape for her age! With Spring finally here, the bicycles are coming out of the garage and are getting tuned up for the summer months. Colorado has some awesome bike paths, in the Metro Denver area, and throughout.

Then of course eating right is a big deal, I eat my granola everyday, the recipe is under "Marilyn's Topics" on my home page. Make sure to subscribe to my page so you will receive a spam free notice whenever a new article is posted, just click the subscribe to email button next to my picture.

Make sure you check the dates for the 9Health Fair, they offer low cost screening and in some cases free, depending on the test.
For more info: www.9healthfair.org

Etsy-Your place to buy and sell all things handmade

Have you heard of Etsy? I was introduced to Etsy last summer, and have found myself perusing the aisles (so to speak) for hours. It is the place to go for handmade items. Everything can be found on Etsy.

You can buy on Etsy as well as have your own "storefront" to sell your wares. It is an attractive place to sell for WAHMs (Work At Home Moms). For many women, who prefer to be a stay at home mom, but still bring in a little or sometimes a lot of income, etsy is the answer. But it is not just for women.

The creative juices just flow on etsy, it's like walking through an art museum online. From handmade oriental clothing to jewelry to paper crafts, you name it, it is on etsy.

My friend Melissa Walker has a store on Etsy, she is a mother of four, and an artist. She helps bring in a little income by doing her art work in between diaper changing and home-schooling the other three. It would never pay her enough to go out and get a "JOB" what with her four children day care costs would go through the roof. But with Etsy, she can stay at home, be a mom, and still do her art work.

Go to Melissa's storefront at: www.etsy.com/shop.php

Pan gloves for your cooking comfort

A very generous and loving friend of mine made something for me that I use nearly everyday, in fact I must give her credit for many of my suggestions, her name is Marjorie (Marj), and she is eighty five years old. Her wisdom is unsurpassed and I am privileged to be her friend. She made these from old leather for cast iron pan handles. It will keep your own hand comfortable when you are cooking with cast iron (my favorite pan). You can make your own with an old pair of gloves, or any other leather. Simply make a template out of cardboard by drawing around the handle, and then cut two pieces out of the leather to match and sew them together. It is so simple but so useful. I hope you try this suggestion, I know you will love your pan gloves!