Snow Tires: To Buy or Not to Buy?

Snow tires I have learned are a complicated business. There is a lot of information out there and I’m not certain what is right or wrong for any one person in particular but, here is what I can pass along to you. Mounting the right tires on your car or truck can give you a huge advantage when trekking through snow. Many car makers and tire manufacturers recommend changing all four tires to snow tires in the winter. However, if you choose not to swap out all four, the difference between snow and summer tires can cause other problems for you and your vehicle.

All-Season vs. Snow Tires:
All-season tires are NOT snow tires. Sorry folks. All-season tires are your jack-of-all trade tires. They do everything but don’t specialize specifically well in any one area either.  Snow tires or winter tires are made for snow. They focus their attention on the exact conditions you’ll most likely be facing during the winter season. They are designed to work best in cold winter temperatures, below 45 degrees, and have tread patterns and tread compounds that are designed to take bites out of the snow and work well on packed snow and ice. All season tires aren’t created to do this as well which of course can lead to sliding, skidding and low traction in bad weather.  

SUV’s and Snow Tires:
I can hear a few of you saying, “I have an SUV with all-wheel drive, I don’t need snow tires.” Well the truth is you still might. All-wheel drive is only as useful as the traction your tires allow the all-wheel drive system to gain. Having snow tires will help you get the most out of your all-wheel drive vehicle. Also, all-wheel drive can help you get going but can’t help you stop or turn your vehicle. Again snow tires will maximize your ability to do both, with or without all-wheel drive.

Picking the Right Tire:
Do your research or talk to a trusted dealer for advice. Every tire snow, all-season or otherwise are created to perform in a specific way. You will need to take driving conditions, your vehicle, and driving habits into consideration when picking which tire will work best for you.

Two vs. Four Snow Tires:
No reputable tire dealer will put only two snow tires on your car. Snow tires are so highly advanced over summer or all-season tires that it might be more dangerous to have only two snow tires than choosing not to change your tires at all. While driving, your two snow tires will dig into the snow and ice while your two normal tires will float on the surface. This will result in snap oversteer and your car will suddenly want to begin spinning down the road with little likelihood you will be able to keep your vehicle under control.

Watch what snap oversteer looks like at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9snlEeDNKA

I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee

President Thomas S. Monson taught:

"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before.

This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life."

To read the entire talk click here: I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee

What does your life show?

"Ours is the responsibility to show our gratitude by the actions of our lives."
--Thomas S. Monson

To read more of President Monson's comments on gratitude and actions click here:
Gratitude, Action and Gifts

Winterize Your Car

Here are some helpful tips to get your car ready for winter. Yes, there are a few things you should do each year to help your car perform well during winter driving conditions.

1.  Check your tire pressure.
Tire pressure is especially important during winter, because traction is often at a minimum due to wet or snowy conditions. It’s critical to properly inflate tires, which guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and the road. Read your owner’s manual to find out the correct tire pressure for your vehicle. In the winter’s lower temperatures, the air pressure in a cold tire will drop. Since air is a gas, it contracts when it cools. Keep this in mind if you are checking tire pressure. Generally, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in ambient temperature, your tire’s inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi. Has anyone’s low tire warning come on recently with the cold temperatures? This may be why.

2. Check to see if your engine requires lower-viscosity oil in the winter.
This isn’t nearly as hard as it sounds. Viscosity simply refers to how thick or thin a fluid is. Engine oils are sold with different viscosity levels. When winter arrives, the outside temperature drops. The colder the oil is, the thicker it will be. A thicker oil doesn’t circulate as well in an engine during start-up as a thinner oil would. If the oil is too thick, the engine doesn’t get the proper lubrication. To solve this problem, some engines require a change to a thinner oil. This may be more necessary to older vehicles, since many new cars already come with oil that’s thin enough to withstand the winter. Keep in mind an oil can also be too thin. Read your owner’s manual. It will list the manufacture’s oil recommendations for different climates.

3. Inspect the belts & hoses. 
Belts and hoses in modern cars lead long lives. But that doesn’t mean they don’t die. Cold temperatures can accelerate the demise of a belt or hose so have them inspected before winter starts.

4. Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid.
Visibility is practically key in winter, as it is often compromised by precipitation, salt build-up on the windshield and reduced daylight. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year.  If your car’s blades are older, replace them. Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir. Your might consider adding wiper fluid that has been mixed with a de-icer.

5. Check heater and windshield defroster. 
Winter will put your vehicle's windshield defrosters to the test. It's a good idea to check that they are in working order. While you're at it, check the air-conditioner, too. An easy way to speed up the defrost process is to turn on the A/C. (You can leave the temperature dial on warm so you don't have to suffer.) And now is also a good time to make sure your heating system works.

6. Check the battery.
Batteries give little notice before they die, and they absolutely love to expire at the worst possible moment. Very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion. If the posts are corroded, you can clean them with baking soda, water and a small brush.

7. Check antifreeze mixture.
The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. I the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot and cold weather performance can suffer.
If you were to put pure water in your vehicle’s radiator, it would freeze at 32 degrees F. But if you combine after with the equal amount of antifreeze, the new mixture won’t freeze until -34 degrees F. Most antifreeze you’ll find in stores already come pre-mixed, which makes this process much easier. You can check the composition of a radiator’s mixture by using an antifreeze tester, which is available at auto part stores and is inexpensive and easy to use. If the mixture is off, adjust it by adding more antifreeze.

Find more info at: http://www.edmunds.com/how-to/winterize-your-vehicle.html

Got turkey questions?

Thanksgiving meal preparations are almost always overwhelming. Check out these links for some added help to make your day memorable and full of gratitude. Isn't that what it is really about?

Butterball Hints
Top Turkey Tips from the Food Network
A little help from Martha Stewart

Avoiding Depletion Depression

Just a little reminder as we approach the beginning of the holidays.

"In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help. As with your automobile, be alert to rising temperatures, excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel. When you face “depletion depression,” make the requisite adjustments. Fatigue is the common enemy of us all—so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill. Physicians promise us that if we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill."

To read more check out Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's October 2013 Conference Address  Like a Broken Vessel

Gratitude

“Gratitude is one of the most important human virtues and one of the most common human deficiencies. Gratitude does not develop without effort.”
-- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

But Wait....There is More for Your Winter Car Survival Kits

Here are a few more ideas above and beyond your survival kit. Each can help if you get stuck in an unpleasant winter situation.

• Hand warmers:  Blankets aren’t always helpful in keeping hands and feet warm. Hand warmers are small and easy to keep hidden away.
• Spare charged cell phone:  Old cell phones which no longer have service can still call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. Keep it wrapped in a blanket in order to help it survive an accident.
• Flares:  Help rescuers see you. In a snow storm it might be what saves your life in a world of white.
• Wind-up radio:  Can help keep you informed of weather conditions regardless of having electricity in your car. They also have solar power options and can give you traffic updates and radio options. My dad received one from me as a gift last year. It also is very handy if the power goes out. Just an idea as gift season rolls around.
• Jumper cables:  Very helpful on cold mornings when your car won’t start. This often occurs when your battery has become overly cold throughout the night. If you don’t have another vehicle to help you jump your car, there are also portable battery powered options.
• Sand/Kitty litter:  Adds weight to your car which improves traction but they can also be spread on the ground in order to help your car gain traction if you’re stuck.
• Shovel:  Helps you dig out in a pinch. Use a military shovel. They collapse down and are easy to store. You can buy small portable shovels if you can’t snag a family member’s.
• Small tool kit:  Multi-tools or small tool kits can help you fix minor problems you may have with your car. Make sure it contains something to help you change a tire and loosen or tighten bolts.
• Roll of toilet paper:  Think about it folks. You’ll be glad you did! Even better put a small bag of kitty litter in a extra large can with a snap-on lid. It will offer a big more privacy.

Winter Car Survival Kits

Everyone should carry a Winter Survival Kit in their car. In an emergency, it could save your life and the lives of your passengers. Here is what you need: 

• a shovel 

• windshield scraper and small broom 

• flashlight with extra batteries 

• battery powered radio 

• water 

• snack food including energy bars 

• raisins and mini candy bars 

• matches and small candles 

• extra hats, socks and mittens 

• first aid kit with pocket knife 

• necessary medications 

• blankets or sleeping bag 

• tow chain or rope 

• emergency flares and reflectors 

• fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention 

• cell phone adapter to plug into lighter 

Kit tips: 

• Reverse batteries in flashlight to avoid accidental switching and burnout. 

• Store items in the passenger compartment in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut. 

• Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold. 

Check out this link for kit ideas.  http://ready.wi.gov/winter/HowToMakeAKit.asp 

Winter Driving Tips

Most of us hate driving in the rain, sleet and snow but with winter at our doorsteps we know the inevitable is coming.  To help you get to and from where you’re going safely, here are some easy tips to keep you safe and moving during dangerous weather conditions.

GENERAL WINTER DRIVING TIPS:
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surfaces (wet, ice, sand). It gives you a faults sense of security and can decrease your reaction time in a skid or when having to break to avoid hazards.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.  Apparently it could freeze in the locked position.
• Always look and steer where you want to go. (This is not as stupid as it may originally sound! When on ice it’s a great tip.)
• Keep your gas tank as full as possible. You don’t want to get caught in a three hour traffic jam with only ¼ tank left.
• Clear your windows of all ice and snow before driving away and if your windows are fogged up, defrost first. (Rolling down your windows half way to clear snow does not count! And, clearing a round patches the size of your head isn’t safe either.)

IN SNOW:
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and to avoid skids.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, and turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes! Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts the wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slow as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on icy roads. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

For more information and tips from AAA go to: http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadway-safety/winter-driving-tips/

Job Search Tip Sheets

The job search tip sheets cover the basics of a successful job search. Job seekers, employment specialists, and priesthood and Relief Society leaders will benefit by becoming familiar with the information contained in this series of handouts. Find the handouts at this link Job Search Tip Sheets

Job Search Planning
Having a plan for how to approach your job search will help you be more successful in finding new employment. This tip sheet will help you plan your time effectively.

Surviving Unemployment 
Experiencing unemployment can be difficult.  There are many things to think about. This tip sheet lists several things you can do to survive unemployment and be successful in your job search.

Power Statements
To be effective you need to be able to communicate your strengths and accomplishments to employers and those in your network.  This tip sheet will help you develop concise, powerful statements that you can use in all of your job search efforts, including your résumé, interviews, networking, and following-up.

“Me in 30 Seconds” Statements
Developing a concise statement about your skills and interests will give you confidence when meeting with employers or approaching individuals through networking. This tip sheet will help you develop an impressive way to introduce yourself to others.

Effective Networking
Networking is the most effective way to find a job.  This tip sheet outlines who is in your network, how to add more people to your network, and how to manage your efforts to network with these individuals.

Interview Techniques
Being well prepared for an interview will help you be confident and impress the interviewer(s). This tip sheet will help you prepare to respond to basic interview questions with impressive answers  that will set you apart from the competition.

Writing a Résumé or CV
Creating a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that communicates your strengths can be challenging. This tip sheet includes recommendations to help you stand out.

Written Communication (Cover Letters, Applications, Thank-You Letters)
Aside from résumés or CVs, your job search will likely require you to write cover letters, complete applications, and send follow-up thank-you letters.  This tip sheet will help you know how to approach each of these types of written communication.

Effective Negotiating
Accepting a job offer may give you the opportunity to negotiate salary, benefits, and other job details with an employer.  This tip sheet will help you know when to negotiate and will help you prepare to do so effectively.

Job Fair 
There are some things you can do to prepare in order to benefit the most from a job fair. This tip sheet will help you gain the most from your job fair experiences.

Earning Your Daily Bread
We each have the responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families.  This tip sheet outlines steps you can take to be self-reliant.

5 Excuses That Kill Your Exercise Routine--And How to Avoid Them

Do you know anyone who makes excuses for why they can't exercise? Excuses rarely have anything to do with the reality, and often have a lot to do with a ridiculous rationalization for why you should stay inactive and unhealthy.

Constantly making excuses won't get you anywhere you want to go. In fact, it can be a cause for more than just a weight issue, but also for unhappiness, and even depression. So it's time to ditch the cop-out attitude and find the real reason you aren't making your life better.
Here are some of the excuses I hear most when it comes to exercise. Some may sound familiar to you and you may have used some of them yourself:

1. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME
People will always find time to do what they enjoy. Saying you don't have time to exercise is just an excuse to get out of something you don't think you'll enjoy.

One of the reasons people say this is because they are focusing on the wrong thing. I don't necessarily enjoy the pain of a tough exercise session, but I always feel great after a workout--every single time. And this is exactly what I choose to focus on.

I'm not saying that you are not a busy person. We all are, but everyone can find 30 to 40 minutes a day to exercise. Some of the toughest exercise programs I've done took just 15 minutes.
If you want to get it done, prioritize and schedule exercise into your daily routine.

2. THERE IS NO GYM CLOSE TO MY HOUSE
You can get in great shape without ever stepping foot into a gym. In fact, some of the best workouts I've had only required some workout gear and a pair of trainers.

Not sure what to do? You can join an outdoor fitness camp or get a personalized fitness program from a reliable trainer that you can follow in the comfort of your home. No gym? No excuse.

3. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXERCISE
If you really have no idea where to start then hire a personal trainer or join a fitness camp where you'll be able to work out at your own level. Some personal trainers prescribe programs you can follow at home.

If you have been exercising but you haven't been getting the results you wanted, then you may need a tougher or different type of program. You can get a certain fitness level and certain health benefits by walking or running, but if what you want is to sculpt your body to look a certain way, then you need a more personalized program with weight-bearing exercises.

4. I HAVE NO ENERGY
If you sit around all day doing nothing, it's no surprise you will feel lethargic and lazy. It's a fact that motion creates energy. The more active you are the more energy you will have. Exercise has been shown to increase energy levels, leave people feeling better and more revitalized. Get up off the couch and get moving, preferably outdoors.

Avoid getting caught up in your feelings. It doesn't really matter how you feel now, it's about how good you feel after you've worked out.

5. I HAVE NO ONE TO WORK OUT WITH
Having a training partner can be a good thing as long as you are both equally motivated and share some of your goals.

However, what would happen if your workout partner is not as motivated as you or if they start skipping workouts? If you're left to work out on your own, will you still do it? If you absolutely cannot work out alone, hire a trainer, participate in an exercise class, or join a fitness camp.

The other day a client told me she wants to exercise, but once she gets home after work she sits on the couch, gets comfy and finds it hard to motivate herself. Then, she feels bad for not having trained, and punishes herself by eating a bar of chocolate.

"Hold on," I said. "I thought chocolate was supposed to be your treat for the week. If you want to punish yourself, eat a head of broccoli, not a bar of chocolate."

She burst out laughing.

"You are right," she said. "Thinking of punishing myself by eating a head of broccoli kinda motivates me to get that session done now."

As you can see, you have options. Don't let silly excuses get the best of you and keep you from reaching your goals.

Instead, focus on the benefits you will get, the way you want to look and feel, and find out your motivation strategy. Get that fire inside your belly that propels you to want to do more and do better.

Anna Aparicio is a IINLP/Hypnosis Accredited Mind Coach, Speaker and Educator based in Dublin, Ireland. She uses cutting edge Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Hypnosis and psychology tools to develop profound transformation in your life, fast.

Green salad, anyone?

There’s nothing like having a fresh, tasty salad, but your typical salad can be….well…. typical. Iceburg or romaine lettuce, tomato, maybe a bit of onion and ranch dressing or vinaigrette. Bo-RING! Instead of tossing together the same old mix of greens and dressing, here are some great salad ideas to make your salad the star of the meal!

1. Mix up those greens! Instead of the standard lettuce options, choose greens with a little bit of zing! Try arugula, endive, or shredded purple cabbage to make your salad snappy.

2. Combine textures. Delicate lettuce, crunchy nuts, creamy avocado, tender pieces of fruit. Every bite is a little bit different, and that’s part of the goodness. It’s all about texture!

3. Make it a rainbow. When you picture salad, you probably imagine a big bowl of green. That’s no fun! Choose produce from across the color spectrum, like beets, berries, orange or yellow pepper, artichoke hearts, and olives. Not only will all those colors make a beautiful salad, they also mean lots of nutrients on your plate!

4. Get creative with your dressings. Ranch or a balsamic vinaigrette is all well and good, but an interesting dressing can take your salad to the next level. Try making your vinaigrette with interesting oils and vinegars (walnut oil with sage-infused vinegar, anyone?) or mix up a creamy peanut- or tahini-based dressing for your next salad. Yum!

5. Combine hot and cold ingredients. A salad doesn’t have to be a totally cold dish. Top your crispy cold greens with sauteed tofu or tempeh, for example. Caramelized onions make a great salad topping, too!

6. Add a little sweetness. Fresh or dried fruit makes for a lovely salad topping such as dried cranberries, sliced sections of orange or tangerine, or sliced strawberries.

7. Don’t forget the protein. Adding some beans or tofu can turn a salad into a full on, rib-sticking meal.

8. Add something tangy. A squeeze of lemon juice or some chopped green onion adds a dimension of flavor that really rounds out a salad.

9. Don’t fear the fat. You don’t have to douse those greens in oil, but adding a little bit of healthy fat, like nuts or avocado, to your salad makes it more filling and more delicious.

10. Try fresh herbs. A little bit of minced basil, sage, thyme, or your favorite fresh herb is a burst of flavor in your mouth. You can add it straight to your salad or whisk it into the dressing.

Did the government shutdown affect you?

The Shutdown's Lesson: You Need an Emergency Fund
NEW YORK October 24, 2013 (AP)
By JOSEPH PISANI AP Business Writer

Let the government shutdown serve as a wake-up call: You need an emergency fund. Thousands of government workers were out of work for more than two weeks, causing many of them to fall behind on their bills. Although they will receive back pay, the event highlights how quickly, and unexpectedly, financial situations can change. The shutdown also showed that no jobs are safe, even government positions which are normally thought of as the safest. Most financial advisers say that you should be prepared to go without a paycheck for several months, not weeks. Here's what you need to know about building that safety fund:

FIGURE OUT EXPENSES
Start by adding up your expenses for necessities, such as rent, health insurance, groceries and utilities, says Mackey McNeill, a certified public accountant and president of Mackey Advisors in Bellevue, Ky. It wouldn't hurt to also add in discretionary spending, too, like going out to the movies or eating out. "Should you cut out Starbucks? Probably," says McNeill, "but a lot of people don't change their behavior."

DETERMINE HOW MUCH YOU NEED
You need to have at least three months in expenses saved up, says Anna Behnam, a financial adviser at Ameriprise in Rockville, Md. But if you're nervous about the security of your job, you should save more. Think at least six months, especially if you've been laid off or furloughed before. "There's a chance it might happen again," says Behnam. If you've never saved for an emergency fund before, start small. "Try saving $100 a month," McNeill says. "Don't overreach." It may take longer to save up, but putting away more than you can afford can lead to failure, and you may just quit. And don't ever take the money out.

MAKE SURE IT'S ACCESSIBLE
Always keep your emergency fund in a bank account that's easily accessible. The stock market's recent record highs may be hard to resist, but you always want to keep the fund out of stocks and in cash. "It should be in the most boring account you can find," says McNeill. That means savings accounts, even though most banks offer interest rates that are close to zero. Behnam says that if interest rates on your bank's certificate of deposits, or CDs, are more attractive, she recommends leaving one month's worth of expenses in a savings account and the rest in a no-penalty CD. That means that you can withdraw money from it at any time, without paying a fee. The account should be separate from your checking account and the accounts you are using to save up to purchase a home or vacation. If you decide to go with an online savings account, make sure it is linked to your primary checking account so that you can make easier transfers, says Behnam.

ASK FOR HELP
If you lose your job, or find yourself furloughed for a short period time and don't have enough in an emergency fund, call the companies that you owe payments to. "Most creditors want to hear from you if you're not paying bills on time," says Hugh Anderson a Las Vegas-based managing director at financial services company HighTower. Call landlords, mortgage providers, credit cards, student loan companies and anyone you may owe money too. "I think most creditors are willing to help," says Anderson.

Why H2O?

Most of us carry bottled water everywhere we go these days. In fact, it has become the second most popular drink (behind soft drinks). But water lovers got a jolt recently when we heard that a new report had found that the benefits of drinking water may have been oversold. Apparently, the old suggestion to drink eight glasses a day was nothing more than a guideline, not based on scientific evidence.

But don't put your water bottle or glass down just yet. While we may not need eight glasses, there are plenty of reasons to drink water. In fact, drinking water (either plain or in the form of other fluids or foods) is essential to your health.

Think of water as a nutrient your body needs that is present in liquids, plain water, and foods. All of these are essential daily to replace the large amounts of water lost each day.

Fluid losses occur continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health.

When your water intake does not equal your output, you can become dehydrated. Fluid losses are accentuated in warmer climates, during strenuous exercise, in high altitudes, and in older adults, whose sense of thirst may not be as sharp.

Here are six reasons to make sure you're drinking enough water or other fluids every day:

1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

2. Water Can Help Control Calories. For years, dieters have been drinking lots of water as a weight loss strategy. While water doesn't have any magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for higher calorie beverages can certainly help.

3. Water Helps Energize Muscles. Cells that don't maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. When muscle cells don't have adequate fluids, they don't work as well and performance can suffer.

4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good. Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. But don't expect over-hydration to erase wrinkles or fine lines.

5. Water Helps Your Kidneys. Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. The main toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen, a water-soluble waste that is able to pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine. Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate.

6. Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function. Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don't get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration -- and the result is constipation.

Top Ten Benefits of Eating Breakfast

The literal meaning of the word "breakfast," is to break the fast between dinner and the meal eaten after a person wakes up the next morning. If you think about the amount of time spanning between dinner and breakfast, the meaning of the word is very fitting. For most people, it can be up to 12 hours since their last meal, and yet they are quick to skip it as they rush out the door. Here are 10 benefits of eating breakfast and why it should be considered the most important meal of the day:

1. Energy boost to start the day
2. Sharper focus
3. Breakfast helps reduce morning crankiness
4. Metabolism boost
5. Prevents starvation
6. Keeps you from overeating
7. Allows you to properly portion your meals
8. Helps lower the "bad" cholesterol
9. Breakfast can be nutritious and delicious
10. Eat breakfast to lose weight

~ Matthew Cenzon

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both 
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air 
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Cash in small denominations

Sandy East Stake September Provident Living Newsletter

How do I prepare myself and my family for General Conference?

General conference is intended to be a revelatory experience as participants learn from living prophets and apostles through the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. Proper preparation will help ensure that you get the most out of your conference experience.

For more information: Preparing for General Conference

Effective Saving - Practices Made Easy

It is easy to postpone start to save for a later day, but a solid plan is key to success.  By following some basic guidelines from Mountain America Credit Union you're more likely to achieve financial security.

1. Make saving a habit.  Use automated transfers to get in the habit of saving. Money can be transferred from your account without you seeing it, which makes you less likely to miss it. 
2. Save 10% of your paycheck. The general rule of thumb is to save about 10% of each paycheck. If that seems too high, try 5% and work your way up to saving 10% of your earnings. Add 1% every year you get a raise until you reach 10%
3. Know yourself. Examine your goals to determine which savings plan will work best for you.  For example, don't invest all your money in an aggressive stock or mutual fund if you're conservative with your money,.
4. See the benefit of compound interest. The simplest way you can invest your money is to leave it alone and let it compound over time. You earn interest not only on what you save, but also on the dividends generated. The earlier and more you save, the more your money will grow.
5. Use dollar-cost average. This is the process of routinely investing a set amount of money over time, rather than all in one lump sum. It's a convenient savings method, particularly for beginning investors. For example, each month transfer $25 to $50 from your share draft account directly into an investment vehicle such as a traditional or Roth IRA. You reduce your overall risk from mark fluctuations because your money buys more share when the price of a share is down and fewer shares when the price is up.

Emergency Backpack for Children

Disaster strikes when we least expect it.  And if you were in need of leaving your home within a matter of minutes would you have everything you need?  How about your children?

BASIC CONTENTS FOR CHILD'S EMERGENCY BACKPACK

• Backpack, tote, duffle bag, or a small suitcase on wheels for easy transportation
• Warm jacket, sweater, gloves and hat
• Two or more pairs of socks
• Change of warm clothes, sweatshirt, sweatpants, etc.
• Change or two of undergarments
• Small blanket or emergency Mylar blanket
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• A blow whistle (can be heard over a yell for help)

ZIP-LOCK BAG ITEMS TO PLACE IN BAG:

• 1 child-size emergency poncho
• 1 or more hand/body warmer packets
• Hand wipes or sanitizer gel
• Pocket-size facial tissues

STRESS RELIEF ITEMS:

• Coloring books and crayons
• Writing pad/paper, pen/pencils
• Reading books, pad games
• Small toys
• Small stuffed animal for security

EXTRA TIPS:

• Place backpack underneath head of bed with handle facing out of quick grab.
• Closet or hanging hooks at doorway or hallway for quick grab and go.
• Children should always keep an extra pair of hard sole shoes next to their bed for quick slip on in case you need to evacuate from home.
• Children's medication, personal hygiene, and other special needs should be under parental care.

Contributed by Utah Division of Emergency Management

National Preparedness Month

Did you know that September is designated National Preparedness Month? The Red Cross has put together a three step plan to help to encourage Utahns to evaluate their levels of emergency preparedness and to take action to become better prepared.

1.  MAKE A KIT:

• Assemble emergency kits for each of your family members.
• Along with food, water and first aid supplies, include items such as vital prescription medications, important papers, pet supplies, contact lists and cash.

2.  MAKE A PLAN:

• Talk with your family about potential disasters and create a plan for staying safe and remaining connected.
• Begin building your plan today at redcross.org/prepare.
• Identify at least two locations family members might meet up after a disaster (one within your neighborhood and one outside it).
• Designate at least two out-of-state contacts.
• Plan to register yourself on the Red Cross Safe and Well website (safeandwell.org) following a disaster to list yourself as "safe and well" or to search about friends and loved ones.

3.  BE INFORMED:

• Be aware of the types of disaster situations that might occur in your area, and make specific plans for dealing with them.
• Make sure at least one person in your family has CPR and first aid training.
• Download the official American Red Cross First Aid app and the American Red Cross Earthquake app (available on iPhone and Android) for alerts, checklists, and other important tools and information.

Information from Teresa Zundel, director of communications for the American Red Cross Utah Region and Christian Gray, disaster services and emergency response manage for Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah.

50 Focus

Join the Sandy Utah East Stake Relief Society for the 50 Focus!  A special evening of events will be held Saturday, September 28th before the General Relief Society Meeting Broadcast.  Service projects will be from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  A light dinner will be served from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.  The Broadcast begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be viewed in the chapel so Sunday dress is requested.

50 Focus Challenge - Each Ward is challenged to bring seven sisters that wouldn't usually attend this event. What a great opportunity to invite sisters you visit teach, your neighbor or someone who needs a friend or an outing.

50 Focus Donation Project - Each Ward is challenged to bring 50 donation items for the Nepali Inner City Mission. Sister Rose from the 8th Ward who is serving in this mission says, "Diapers and Kotex pads are the most needed. Most of these women had never heard of Kotex before they came. During their periods some would basically sit in a river for 3-4 days. It is a strong Nepali culture that during their periods many of the women are 'unclean'. They would sleep in a shed, not their house. They could not cook or get water. As they come to the United States, we are trying to teach them that this is perfectly normal, they are not 'unclean'.  When a woman is pregnant she doesn't come to church at all.  Many of their 'customs' might seem silly to us, but this is their reality. Many of them hold on to the traditions and ideas they have grown up with. We are having more success teaching younger girls. Thanks for your willingness. I know they would appreciate any help that the Sandy East Stake would be able to provide. Probably the greatest needs are the following:
* Diapers
* Kotex
Dish soap (not dishwasher soap, they don't have those)
Laundry detergent
Hand soap
Shampoo
Basic cleaning supplies: Ajax, window cleaner, cleaning spray, paper towels, toilet paper"

50 Books of Mormon - 50 Books of Mormon will be available for sisters to write their testimonies in.  These will be given to the full-time missionaries assigned to our Stake.

50 Purple Caps - 50 kits will be available to knit or crochet caps to increase awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome. All babies go through a normal period of increased crying in the first few months of life. The color purple is an acronym for the steps to handle and understand this period of an infants life. The caps are given to babies as they leave the hospital to remind their parents how to deal with this phase.  There will be educational materials and information available for everyone as well as the kits for those who would like to knit or crochet a cap.

50 plus Candy Rolls - Sisters will cover empty toilet paper rolls with decorative paper. After Halloween they will be filled with candy donations, wrapped in cellophane and donated to Festival of Trees, a fundraiser, which benefits Primary Children's Hospital.  Bring any empty TP rolls with you.

Look who is on Facebook!

The Church has created social media pages for members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve on Facebook and Google+. These pages will be maintained on their behalf by the Church and act as an official social media presence for each of them.

To learn more: Social Media Pages Created for Church Leaders

What is in your handcart?

From a talk by Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President
"A few years ago, Elder Jeffery R. Holland shared his feeling about the deep rooted faith of pioneers who pushed toward the Salt Lake Valley even after the deaths of the children.  He said, 'They didn't do that for a program, they didn't do it for a social activity, they did because the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ was in their soul, it was in the marrow of their bones.'  He concluded with these thought provoking words: 'If we can keep that in our families and in the Church, maybe a lot of other things start to take care of themselves.  Maybe a lot of other less-needed things sort of fall out of the wagon.  I'm told those handcarts could only hold so much.  Just as our ancestors had to choose what they took, maybe the 21st century will drive us to decide, what can we put in our handcart?"

In modern times, this era of materialism, what is in our handcart? If we put everything in we perceive as meaningful, could we pull the cart or would we be like some pioneers who had to leave their cherished possessions on the trail because they had too much "stuff"?

One of the most essential items in our handcart should be our 72-hour kit. We don't need everything in the cupboard to survive for a few days in the event of an emergency. Our 72-hour kits should be up to date, accessible and ready to go.  We can temporarily meet our physical needs with a little preparation.

Our handcart must also include some spiritual preparation.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges but a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value."

Your 24-hour kit includes the gospel essentials and should be used and renewed every 24 hours:

• Daily prayer and study
• Stand in holy places
• Invite the spirit into your home and daily activities
• Partake of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and invite others to partake of His gift

We need to choose the things we add to our handcart wisely.  Make sure both your 72-hour kit and your 24-hour kit are up to date, accessible and ready to go!

Be water wise in every way!

The heat is on!  It’s the dog days of summer!  (Dog days generally refer to July and August when it’s too hot to do much but take a nap in the shade.) When it’s hot, it’s important to be conscious of water usage and hydration for both your landscaping and your body.
Slow the Flow, Save H2O is a great website for water tips.  You can learn how to be water wise including the best plants to use for our high desert climate, how to measure your water usage, and great water saving ideas for inside your home.
Hydration for the body is important because the body is mostly comprised of water.  Drinking enough water is important at all times but especially during warm weather to keep your body from overheating.  Signs of dehydration include:
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Flushed skin
• Heat intolerance
• Light headedness
• Dark colored urine
• Dry cough
The best way to beat dehydration is to drink before you get thirsty.  If you wait until after you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated!  There are many websites that give detailed information on how to beat the heat for both adults and children including www.webmd.com and www.familydoctor.org.
Now that your yard and garden are watered properly and you are well hydrated to tend to them, don’t forget to water your spiritual thirst.  As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings are essential for eternal life.  “Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst.” John 4:6-15  Living water heals, sustains us and brings us peace and joy.
Be water wise in every way!

Going camping?

Camping and being outdoors offers many opportunities to learn and practice emergency preparedness skills.  Have you ever cooked with a Dutch Oven or a Solar Oven or used other outdoor cooking options?  Would you like to learn how to use them?  What about how to filter drinking water?  Emergency Essentials will be holding demos and trainings at their stores every Saturday through July.  There are also fabulous tips on their blog.

Parenting and Provident Living

President Thomas S. Monson said,
"It is the home where fathers and mothers can teach provident living to their children.  Sharing of tasks and helping one another set a pattern for future families as children grow, marry, and leave home.  The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."

Why Provident Living and self-reliance?

Provident Living and self-reliance go hand in hand.  Elder Robert D. Hales said, "Provident Living is preparing for the ups and downs of life." Life is a journey and sometimes our trials are the hills and sometimes the valleys -- it is never on flat terrain.  If the landscape didn't change, our journey would ultimately be very boring!

Sister Julie B. Beck said, "We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical and social and emotional well-being."

As a Stake, we are very excited to share our Provident Living ideas with all who live within our boundaries and provide a forum where we can all share with each other.  Enjoy the Plain and Simple Solutions blog uniquely designed for the Sandy Utah East Stake!

Got Weeds?

Get Preen!  It is an excellent product to help cut down on the amount of weeds in your garden.

Do YOUR windows need cleaning?

A story told by President Monson:

A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.

“That laundry’s not clean!” Lisa exclaimed. “Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!”

John looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments.

A few weeks later Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, “Look, John—she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.”

John replied, “Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!”
Charity Never Faileth

Check out this post just in case your windows need cleaning after a long winter.
Streak Free Window Cleaner

Give 50 Challenge

In January the Sandy Utah East Stake celebrated its 50 year anniversary. To mark the event, our Stake Presidency, introduced the Give 50 Challenge. Throughout the course of the year we have been asked to do 50 of something.  Below is a list of ideas compiled by Gayle Shuler of the Willow Canyon 5th Ward.  How have you decided to Give 50?  Take the time to post it on the Stake website which can be accessed through lds.org.

1. Be a missionary/ save a soul: think of and try 50 ways to spread the gospel.
2. Obey the Word of Wisdom: find and share 50 new healthy recipes that fit the Word of Wisdom.
3. Make Christ the center of your life: write down 50 good deeds, stories, or other examples from the life of Jesus Christ.
4. Our body is a temple: Exercise at least 50 minutes and 50 times.
5. Explore: Go on 50 neighborhood or nature walks.
6. Say what you’ll do, then do what you say: reflect in your journal on 50 ways keeping your sacred covenants with the Lord has helped you in your life.
7. Promise: keep 50 big or small promises to friends or family members.  Write a reflection about what that has done to improve your relationships.
8. Live a life of service: Serve a mission and write about 50 weeks of your service.
9. Be an example: donate 50 hours to your child or grandchild’s school.
10. Teach your children: do a different family service project each week for 50 weeks.
11. Be a peacemaker: Make a difference by getting involved in politics.  Listen to other points of view 50 times and reflect on the pros and cons of their ideas.
12. Include everyone: become actively engaged in your community. Think of 50 ways to improve the quality of life for all who live in your neighborhood or community.
13. Remember those who came before: do 50 ordinances for your ancestors.
14. Research: submit 50 names to the temple.
15. Be Faithful: attend the temple 50 times.
16. Learn what you can: study the scriptures by yourself 50 times.
17. Feel the Spirit: read the scriptures aloud as a family 50 days in a row.
18. Come together: Hold 50 family home evenings.
19. Listen to the Spirit: list and implement 50 ways to bring the Holy Spirit into your home.
20. Love: lift one specific person’s day 50 times in 50 weeks. Reflect on the difference it made in your relationship.
21. Time Together: do 50 new things together with a good friend or as a family.
22. Write your history: remember the last 50 years of your life.  Write about one memory per year.
23. Acknowledge the Lord: remember and record 50 miracles that have occurred in your lifetime.
24. Remember: write down 50 memories.
25. Be teachable: make a list of 50 good things you have been taught and who taught you.
26. Make something to share: compile and share 50 family stories
27. Make something new: make 50 unique treats or gifts and give them to 50 different children or elderly people.
28. Be a cheerleader: write 50 notes of encouragement (add a candy bar) and give them to 50 different people.
29. Write it down: write 50 “Thank-you” notes (add a candy bar) and give them to 50 different people.
30. Charity: make 50 items of your choice and give them to charity.
31. Be supportive: write 50 letters or e-mails to missionaries.
32. Be creative: write 50 original poems or songs.  Optional: send them to the missionaries!
33. Don’t forget: write in your journal for 50 days in a row.
34. Listen to the Prophet’s voice: copy 50 of your favorite quotes from modern day prophets.
35. Increase your personal faith: write your testimony 50 times on 50 separate days.
36. Show a little kindness: serve 50 strangers in some little way and write about how you feel afterwards.
37. Give credit: make a list of 50 people who have influenced your life for good and how.
38. Write it down: think of 50 women you look up to and why.
39. Have faith: write about 50 times you or someone you love has had to exercise faith and place things in the Lord’s hands.
40. Do something good: do 50 secret good deeds and write about what you learned by doing them.
41. Pray: say 50 personal prayers in 50 days.
42. Learn: read 50 books.
43. Work: work in the yard or clean the neighborhood 50 times for 50 minutes.
44. Try your luck: try to do 50 new things that seem hard for you.
45. Study: learn 50 new facts about the history of Sandy, Utah and write them down.
46. Exercise your brain: memorize 50 new scriptures.
47. Be yourself: think of 50 things to beautify the earth and implement them.
48. Be an example: think of 50 ways you can be an example of faith, hope and patience for family members who have strayed.  Show them.
49. Cut and paste: Write about and document with photographs 50 weeks of your life.
50. Express Yourself: Sing with ward choir 50 times!

Happy Mothers Day!

Sheri Dew said:

"Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that.  It is the essence of who we are as women.  It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us... As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon.  Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning.  In the premortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn’t stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children.  I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won’t tell you that, but the Spirit will."
Are We Not All Mothers"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has posted this this non-denominational video message for Mother’s Day, produced in association with several faith groups to remind people everywhere of the importance of families.

Parenting

Elder Holland said, “Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with.  That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it."

There is probably no aspect of our lives where we are harder on ourselves than with our parenting skills.  It’s okay if we’re not perfect parents or our children aren’t perfect.  If our Heavenly Father was held to that standard of thinking, He would be a failure!  Read this great article to help you recognize your efforts to be a successful parent!
Five Truths to Help Hurting Hearts

Gauging Disaster Risk

"Utah residents will soon be able to gauge their risk for flood, earthquake, wildfires and landslides by inputting their address in a website created by the Division of Emergency Management and Pier Systems, due to launch within the next few weeks.  For preparation, the best thing you can do is plan for yourself, no matter where you live. Utahns need to take responsibility for themselves and their families by having at least a 72-hour kit of emergency supplies." 

Dwayne Baird, public information officer for the Department of Public Safety

Deseret News, May 4, 2013