2014 MiniResolution Update

Background: I knew I wouldn't keep a gigantic New Year's Resolution like "Lose weight" or "Be healthier" either because they were too big or too generic.  So I decided to make a Year of 12 MiniResolutions - one new one starting each month.  They would be something small that I would change that month along with all the ones I made previously.  I figured, I could do something simple and once the whole year had passed, the sum would be greater than the parts!

So here, at the half-way point, I'd like to discuss how it is going so far...

JANUARY - I thought I'd fess up to the fact that I don't always wash my hands after doing diaper changes or going to the bathroom - even not washing my hands when preparing foods.  Sometimes I'd only use water and no soap - so I promised myself to wash after each diaper change and to always use soap and really wash well.  I thought this would be healthier because it might help eliminate germs and keep our home "cleanier."  I've been pretty good - sometimes I catch myself almost forgetting to wash my hands as Bubba takes off from her diaper change, but I think I've managed 95% or more!  We didn't have any major colds/flu this season - maybe that is part of it!

FEBRUARY - Well, I had a dentist appt halfway through this month, and thought I'd better get back on the flossing bandwagon - especially since I've suffered lots of cavities in the past.  Yes - it would help my teeth, but healthy mouths have also been shown to help overall health. (http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection)  I also thought it would help save $$$ in the long run too!  The dentist said that they could tell I had started flossing again and my gums looked healthier.  I can't wait until they see them this summer!  

MARCH - This month I decided to keep it really simple - Have a daily vitamin in the morning along with a glass of juice/water/milk to help my fluid intake.  I know I don't drink enough for the day - so I thought this would be good on 2 small fronts.  I'll be honest - I didn't really notice any difference, but I had pretty much been taking a vitamin sporadically previously and the amount of liquid I drink isn't huge.

APRIL - This one has been challenging for me to keep because I never want to really do it.  I have 8 different morning stretches I do - pretty simple, but I just never like any kind of exercise.  I didn't think this would help my weight, but I hoped it would make my flexibility better.  I picked many different places for examples - but some of them are from here and I really always liked the one I used to do in my school's Yoga class where you reach up to the sky and go onto your toes while inhaling and then on the exhale, you try to reach down and touch the floor.  Good news, I can reach further to the ground, but my muscles always still feel stiff in the morning.

MAY - Okay, being a SAHM, I thought I should do something to improve my housekeeping skills.  I decided to always have the sink clear of dishes before I go to bed.  I think looking at a sink of full of dirty dishes is disgusting and I thought Terry would appreciate the clean sink in the morning as he got ready for the day.  Bad news, Terry doesn't care - so the one of the big reasons I did this, is moot.

JUNE - This one has been really hard - I didn't realize it, but I was constantly consuming soda products throughout the day - now I limit myself to 1 only.  I know it doesn't seem like a big deal - but the first few days, I suddenly realized how much soda I had been consuming.  I was flabbergasted!  I miss all the soda, but I hope this will soon wane and I might be able to give it up all-together sometime!  I figure it will help my teeth, save me calories and also help save my bones - see the background connection here.

All these steps remind me of the classic Chemistry demo - The Iodine Clock Reaction.  Here's a cool video to watch with what you can do with it to amaze students and anyone who doesn't know the chemistry behind it: (click on the picture to see the video)

This reaction is made up of multiple steps - the slowest steps are occurring when the glass solution remains colorless (and thus you think nothing is really happening), but as soon as the one chemical is all used up, the remaining chemicals and combine with each other and the starch that has been present to suddenly turn blue/black (like the reaction you've done in school with iodine solution and a potato - turning it black - classic starch test you might have done in Biology).  My overall New Year's Resolution, is going to be like the Clock Reaction, many steps but then by the end - WHAMO! - Overall impressive change!
For a pretty good explanation, see The Periodic Table of Videos about Iodine.  They do it in slow motion too!  If you want to try an Iodine Clock Reaction at home and you have adult supervision, here's a site (WonderHowTo) that does it with chemicals you can probably purchase at various stores.