Jim got his blood pressure checked a few months ago, and because it was higher than normal, got the typical lecture from his doctor about less stress, eating right, more exercise…blah blah blah. It’s hard to do all of that when you’re working 60 hours a week. Plus, the poor guy lives with me, and I can raise the blood pressure of the dead. He had a followup a few weeks ago and his bp IS down, so for now, he’s avoiding being put on medication to control it long term.

One thing that doesn’t hav a side effect and will lower your blood pressure is the Pressurelow natural blood pressure remedy. They’ve sponsored this entry so I could let you know that it’s 99% effective in lowering blood pressure, without funky side effects. And speaking of funky side effects, when I was in preterm labor with my son, I had to be put on BP meds to help with the labor - weird how a side effect of traditional blood pressure medication is keeping you out of labor, huh?

I’ve been emailing back and forth with Anita of Skeet’s Stuff for a few weeks now and reading her blog. Today I noticed in her sidebar that she has information in her blog sidebar about how to buy books and help support research through the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada. From reading Anita’s entry about her failed BookCrossing meeting I know that this is a cause near and dear to her heart. Please visit Skeet’s Stuff and find out how your purchase at the Crohn’s Forum Bookstore can help someone with Crohn’s, Colitis or any other chronic bowel disease.

I thought I’d share a rockstartup puzzle piece with you. It’s the #4 search on technorati right now - pretty impressive, huh? I’m still not “playing” the game. I’m collecting pieces, but I haven’t committed yet. How’s that for waffling? Someone is going to collect all 30 pieces and put it together for a cool $1000 - I just don’t think it’ll be me!

The puzzle contains images of the Rockstartup Las Vegas episode - I see a little bit of Julie and her payperpost wedding, and Ted, and Britt, and the Flaming Tamale - I can’t wait to see the episode. But until it’s out, you can see a sneak peek of it here.

This post was sponsored by PayPerPost. Click that button in the sidebar to find out more, and soon you’ll be making moolah by blogging like me!

I was looking around for recaps of the walk in Philly, and found this one written by Debi. Then I noticed in the sidebar there is a link to a kids coloring sheet about breast cancer, so I had to take a look. What I found was a bookmark that kids can color, along with breast cancer facts. These would be an excellent activity for my daughters - they want to help me fundraise so much, and this is a great way for them to help out!

The site that I found all of this on is called Fun Playdates and they promote creative play for children. They have craft ideas and a new contest where you can win a copy of Air Buddies too!

If you don’t know what the quote in the title is from, I’ll clue you in - it was a line from an Alka Seltzer commercial in the 70’s. I never had problems with heartburn and acid reflux until I became pregnant, and then it was unbearable. When I was about 7 months along with my oldest, I was chewing on tums like candy and sleeping in a semi-upright position - it was horrible! There are a lot more options for people today, like all-natural AcidCalm. I’d rather take something all-natural like that - I’ve never liked the chalky taste of most heartburn remedies!

Here’s a new blog I found called Metastatic Liver Cancer. The author got sick a few months ago, and found out she had a tumor causing Metastatic Liver Cancer, which is a cancer that has spread from its’ place of origin to another place or any other places in the body. The blog is heartbreaking, frank, and painful to read at times, but it’s a true and honest portrait of someone living with cancer.

I think that if I had a personal trainer, I’d be able to figure out what my workout goals are. Without one, I’m sort of floundering, or in some cases, not working out at all. I came across a blog tonight that can act as a virtual personal trainer of sorts by providing information on weight training, and it’s written by a personal trainer at aerobics instructor. Marcela has worked in Las Vegas training people for the last 3 years and is now sharing information on weight training via her blog. Fitness has always been her life, and she’s worked as a dancer, a choregrapher, and a physical education teacher too. She has a Ph.D in Kinesiology, and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education, so it’s safe to assume she knows what she’s talking about. Marcela has some great tips on her blog about portion control in eating (avoid all-you-can-eat buffets!) , how to squeeze exercise into a busy schedule (definitely something I need help with - blogging only works my fingers out, nothing else!) and she’s got a whole category on training tips and ideas. Marcela even shares what SHE eats so you can see how a pro handles her food intake and calorie count!

The blog is a must-read for anyone interested in learning how to pump their workouts up!

A new study shows that a diet low in fat could help prevent the return of breast cancer in survivors. However, the benefit of such a diet only helped women who have a tumor growth fueled by hormones. While it won’t help all women, this is good news for a lot of women, and it means we’re that much closer to understand what will cure and stop breast cancer forever. Baby steps!

It’s time for me to remind my 2006 donors that I’m walking again next year - what better way then by sending them all an online ecard? I found some funny Christmas Cards online that will make ‘em laugh, and I can personalize each with a signature saying I’m walking again in 2007. Oh, and I can remind them that if they donate in 2006, they can deduct it on their taxes in a few months!

I love sending out funny cards - Jim usually prefers something religious for our snail mail cards (although I did get away with using Charlie Brown this year!) so sending funny ecards is perfect…

Did I mention I signed up to be a training walk leader for the 2007 3-Day? We’ve got a beautiful, LONG trail right next to our house practically, so I of course want to walk there. And since Tammy is signing up after the holidays, and she’s never walked before, I’m going to have to get her walking early…and break her in! Training walk leaders also get a cool lanyard to wear during the 3-Day so people know who you are! (That’s me - all about the lanyard)