are you a sloucher?

Are you a sloucher?  Not a slacker... a sloucher?  I am for sure.  When I catch myself slouching, which is quite often, I think of the Grandmother in the movie The Parent Trap telling Hayley Mills "Stand up child, don't slouch!  I hope you haven't picked up any bad habits from that camp of yours."  Slouching is a bad habit and not only that but it makes your body less efficient and can damage your spine, muscles and ligaments and can make you tired.  I can be at my computer, sitting on my stool and the day care or just standing there talking and realize that my back is curved in like a C or my midsection is oddly using my right hip to rest on.  All slouching!

I remember sitting in church, some years ago, and noticing this gal at the other end of the pew.  I didn't know her and she was sitting by herself.  She was sitting as straight up as anyone I have ever seen.  Her back wasn't even touching the back of the pew.  I wondered for a minute if she might have had a back brace on that wouldn't let her sit back.  But the whole time, there she sat with this perfect posture.  Of course I tried to sit up straight too.  I am sure I forgot in a very short amount of time and slumped back on the pew. 

Matter of fact, or I may have dreamed this but I seem to recall a gadget or an idea that they should make a buzzer that you attach to your bra that will vibrate when you start to slouch to remind you to stop it.  That's an idea. I would wear it too. I truly feel better and more alert when I stand up straight and am trying to train myself to be aware of myself slipping and make myself sit up better. 

Here are five tips to stop slouching today!

1.  Hold your shoulders back.  This will immediately make you tilt your lower back in straightening you up.

2.  Look up or straight ahead when you walk.  Don't stare at the ground which you really shouldn't do anyway.  Especially when walking in a parking lot where strangers are. 

3.  Hold your chin up!  It curves your upper back inward instead of outward.  No one wants to be a hump back!

4.  Stand erect and pretend to zip a zipper all the way up your midsection while taking a deep breath.

5.  Adjust your chair to a position that helps you sit up straight or get one of those back pillows for lower back support.

Good posture makes you look and feel better.  Not to mention a confidence booster in both your appearance and mind!  Are you a sloucher?  What kind of tricks do you have to remind yourself to stand up straight?

And while you 're at it... tame your tush!  and... Have a jog and a smile!

making breadcrumbs

Y'all... I don't know why I haven't been doing this for...ever.  I read a little tip on how to make breadcrumbs that made me feel a tad wasteful.  I usually have store bought breadcrumbs in my pantry at home and at the day care.  I use them mostly when I make salmon paddies, ground turkey steaks or zucchini cakes.  But I never really gave it a thought to making my own.  It is so easy!  Now, as I am making peanut butter and jellies at the dc, I cut the crusts before and set them to the side.  Then when I am ready, usually when nap time starts, I will pop them in the oven and crunch them when they are done into a pretty Pyrex bowl.  Sometimes there will be a few thicker pieces that need a minute or two more in the oven so I will pop them back in.  You can also season your breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning or whatever you wish!  This is especially helpful to know what kind of bread goes into the breadcrumbs if you are on a whole grain or wheat diet.

weekend shots

What a gorgeous weekend it turned out to be!  Hard to believe we had snow and ice just a few days ago.  I think it is official that spring is on it's way!  After Shaun and I finished cleaning up a couple of downed trees from the sides of our driveway, I went on a woods walk and wound up rock hunting and I found buttercups blooming in the woods!  Kate and I got some valuable play time in and even Tommy got to come outside.  While I was brushing the dirt off my new found rock collection, all my friends, including Cotton (our chicken) came to hang out.  Brace yourself.... I even washed my car!  Inside and out.  Terrible to admit but I am not the best housekeeper when it comes to my vehicles... unless they are covered in mud.  Hope you had a great weekend!  

By the way, I have a special invitation for my facebook group Peppysis!  If you aren't already a member please send me a friend request on FB and I will add you.  You might not want to miss out on this one!

Miss Kitty photo bombing.

 I made this bread!  It is rye with caraway seeds and it was fantastic!!!!!

Happy Friday

It's lil ole Laurie here sharing clicks from around the global internet.  I have a couple of lists of ideas for my weekend, one for each day, work on taxes, a grocery visit, day care plans, a birthday, acupuncture, library visit and maybe an organic chicken to roast on Sunday along with a fresh loaf of homemade bread.  Hopefully I can squeeze in a walk in the woods or begin sewing my camper curtains.  I really have a small list of winter goals in my journal that includes a few updates to our camper that I want to finish before camping season which for us begins in May.  All the while listening to a Bill Monroe greatest hits album on the hold shelf waiting for me at the library.  Don't worry... I will have some down time while I am watching Doc Martin series four and five.  Whew... I've starting to wear down already! 

Hope your plans don't tire you out too bad!  Have a good one and here are some clicks in case you don't have any plans!

I love the idea of hosting a soup party before cold weather is gone.  Terrific idea!

My grocery list will include the ingredients for this dairy-free chocolate banana shake this weekend!

What a cute make over for a vintage birdcage!

I've never thought of putting a mirror in the kitchen.  The first picture is my favorite.  You can see a bigger glimpse inside the house and kitchen here.  I love it! 

I want these striped jeans for some reason although I can't think of where I would wear them.

What pretty hoop art in this shop on etsy.  The cactus ones are my faves.

How to clean the inside of your oven door.

St. Patrick's Day crafts for kids on kiwi crate.

And 12 ways to start feeling happier, now.