leannmanderson

I suggest mixing it with rice and serving with some salad on the side. 1BTW, xoxmalsxox- I make traditional shepherd's pie a lot because my husband and I are both of Scots-Irish descent. The traditional recipe is close to yours, but without the french onion soup. 1 lb ground beef Brown gravy 2 cups mashed potatoes Some…

I don't know about strengthening the ankles, but swimming is a very good exercise. I know it's more for the summer months, but most gyms and YMCAs have indoor pools, if you can afford a membership. I also suggest belly dance. I don't do it much because I have so little room in which to practice. I mainly have to do it when…

My step-daughter had implanon. She went off of it because it was actually causing her to have hallucinations. There are SO many side effects that they never tell you about, or lie to you about outright if they're only interested in profit. I still say ditch the hormones unless actually needed medically and start charting…

It's the progesterine in birth control that causes weight gain. This is because one of the side effects of hormonal birth control is to trick your body into thinking that you're pregnant, which is why it helps stop your period except during your "off week" if you're using the pill. Because your body is acting like you're…

I had lost 14 pounds, and I'm now 6 pounds back up, myself, so you're not the only one finding it hard! I think having a bad cold and asthma can definitely bring you down. I've been suffering since September, and it REALLY makes you not want to exercise. So can cold weather. In my case, so can having a husband who is NOT…

Might I speak as a certified teacher? And PLEASE read the whole thing before judging what I'm going to say, whether you're pro-homeschooling or not. We tend to frown on homeschooling for several reasons. One is the lack of socialization. Another is that we feel like we're being slapped in the face when a parent tells us…

My step-daughter did not get the vaccine, and if I am ever blessed with children of my own, there will be no Gardasil for them, either. Multiple reasons, both religious and medical. Medically speaking.... 1) 1 out of every 900 girls in the initial trials DIED as a direct result of the injection. That's pretty significant,…

I make rosaries for charity. I'm currently working on a batch of 300 to go down to Haiti. I will also do any other little art project that grabs my attention. Also, every Palm Sunday, I help the kids make crosses out of palm leaves. My main "craft," though, is writing. I'm a published author!

Drop the divatude. You're the one who chose to join two choirs at the same time that practice on the same night of the week. You joined ours first and made that commitment first. Just because you want to play at being Christine when you're really La Carlotta, that doesn't mean you can just insult our director by slyly…

What frustrates me about my profession is a number of things. I'm a teacher. First is the parents. The parents annoy the heck out of me because if I give their perfect child anything less than a perfect score, they want to know why. God forbid I give their child an F. Then I tell them that it's because their child did not…

A single stevia leaf works wonders. Or squeeze some lemon juice in your mouth. That works really good for me, too.

I have bursitis in the shoulder and knee. Sungurl23- Bursitis is an inflamation of the bursa, a small liquid-filled sack that helps to cushion your joints. It's really painful. The best way that I can describe it is...very strong pain, kind of like a cross between sharp/stabbing and dull/achy. It's like sharp/achy, you…

I am an ice cream addict, to the point that I had to give it up for Lent back in the spring. I've replaced it with the lower calorie organic gelato that a local place makes. I'm also a third-generation Dr. Pepper addict, so I've switched from regular to diet. My absolute new favorite, though, has become broccoli. I'm still…

I met my husband through Star Trek! Okay. I know this requires more explanation. It always does. I joined up with a local Star Wars fan club that has since gone defunct. We decided to break away and form our own Star Wars club, which has also since gone defunct. Around that time, my friends that broke away with me asked me…

* People chewing with their mouths open * People reading over my shoulder (especially my husband, who hovers when I'm writing) * Being tickled * Being poked * Anything near my neck * Teachers not being recognized as professionals * The No Child Left Behind Act (Seriously, this is the WORST piece of educational legislation…

Anything by Trans Siberian Orchestra. Wizards in Winter is a particular favorite.

Tell them. They're human beings, NOT objects for your amusement!

I needed this information, myself, as my handbell group's season has started up again, as well. And I'm proud to say I found the information. A 150 pound person will burn 114 calories an hour ringing the handbells.