Fitter Than You Think

You may just be fitter than you think – and I can prove it! You stand and sit. Active people feel the need to get up and move around throughout the day. Getting in and out of a car involves basic squat movements, and you should be able to do this without pain. You constantly carry stuff. Whether you’re picking up and carrying children or shouldering a massive bag to and from work, those pounds add up to a healthy dose of weightlifting! You recover quickly. Take a short jog, try a few squat exercises, or just walk at a steady pace for a while. Are you tired and worn out, or could you endure a bit more? A healthy recovery time is a good indicator of physical fitness. You do household chores. Carrying laundry down the stairs requires balance. Navigating several tasks in the kitchen while avoiding dropping, burning, or falling is proof of coordination and dexterity. You take the stairs. If you can walk or run up and down stairs without feeling lightheaded or out of breath, you’re probably in decent aerobic shape. You crave healthy habits. It’s a good sign if you seek out exercise simply because it makes you feel good – and you get extra points if you vary your workouts, which offers different benefits to different muscle groups. Ditto if you prefer to eat healthily as well.

Volunteer Park

Located in the heart of the city Volunteer Park offers 48 acres of parkland and tons of variety! The City of Seattle acquired the land in 1876 and hired the Olmstead Brothers to design the park in 1901. Named in honor of the volunteers who fought in the Spanish-American War. A few of the highlights of the park are the Conservatory, the water tower, 1969 Black Sun sculpture, and the Asian Art Museum. The park is full of amazing landscaping and has been designated as a Seattle Historic Landmark and National Historic District.

Burke Museum

There is no better time to explore our amazing museums. The Burke Museum is Washington States oldest museum established in 1899. Attracting over 100,000 visitors annually they have a collection of more than 16 million artifacts. Located on the University of Washington campus their specialty is natural history and Native American collections. I love their dinosaur collection! The Burke offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month and stays open until 8:00pm that evening. www.burkemuseum.org

Seattle’s Great Wheel

If you have not been on the Wheel give it a try! When my sister and her family were in town we jumped on and we enjoyed it more than I expected to! Opened in 2012 and reaching a height of 175 feet it is one of the tallest Ferris Wheels in the country. The 12 minute ride seems longer and part of the fun is actually standing in line on the Seattle waterfront. Enjoy the experience!!

Time For New Tires?

Take some time this month to walk around your car, paying special attention to the tires, to stay safe on the road this fall and winter. • Tread: Take a penny with President Lincoln’s head facing down. Place it into each tire’s tread. If you can still see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires. If not, you’re good to go! • Pressure: Check your tire pressure regularly. If your tires are losing more than one pound per square inch (PSI) a month, it may be time to have them checked out.

House Plants

Put your green thumb to work and get these plants growing where they serve you best! In the living room:  The peace lily removes mold spores in the air and is relatively low maintenance. Though it can adapt to low light, placing it in a well-lit area will keep it flowering almost nonstop.  Colorful or striking-looking plants like cacti or bird of paradise can add a fun touch to this lively space. In the bedroom:  Weeping figs remove airborne toxins and increase oxygen levels, allowing for better sleeping conditions.  French lavender promotes calm and serenity.  If you have ample sunlight, add aloe, which purifies the air. In the bathroom:  Chinese evergreen is durable and the soil should be kept moist – perfect for a humid room!  Ferns thrive in environments with low light and high humidity. In the kitchen and dining room:  Golden pothos are good hanging plants, so they don’t take up precious counter space.  Bamboo is simple to care for and makes for an interesting table centerpiece.  From rosemary to mint, any sort of herb is welcome in the kitchen.

La Conner Day Trip

The drive to La Conner is worth the trip in itself! On a sunny day the views of the Cascade Mountain Range above the fields in Skagit Valley are amazing. La Conner was first settled in 1867 as a fishing village and safe harbor for ships but today it is almost entirely dependent on tourism. They have a beautiful downtown core with historic buildings right on the Swinomish Channel. La Conner is listed on the National Registry of Historic places so this town will be preserved for the next generations. There is a good reason La Conner is so often voted as the perfect Washington State romantic getaways. While you are there consider checking out the Skagit County Historical Museum, Museum of Northwest Art, or the Pacific Northwest Quilt Arts Museum. Of course there are some fabulous restaurants to enjoy. One of the most popular places to stay is the charming boutique Wild Iris Inn that offers elegant accommodations!

Work Relationships

1. Respect time. Avoid hovering around your colleagues’ work areas if they’re on the phone or speaking with someone else, and respect their professional/personal life balance by keeping work issues at work. 2. Avoid gossip. Office politics and the rumor mill can run rampant, and the best thing you can do is to avoid any conversation that is irrelevant to your job. You never know whom you will have to work with – or for – in the future, so do your best to remain professional to everyone. 3. Be polite. The Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you goes a long way in a professional setting. Say hello and thank you, smile, hold doors open for others, and clean up after yourself. 4. Show concern. It is not your job to solve personal problems, but keep in mind your co-workers are people too. Be mindful that others may be having a bad day or issues beyond the boardroom. If you feel comfortable, it’s okay to check in to make sure everything is alright. 5. Welcome the newcomers. Do you remember your first awkward day of work? Make someone else’s first day on the job easier by smiling and introducing yourself. 6. Follow up and communicate. Simple communication goes a long way in helping to facilitate good relations and clear up misunderstandings. Make yourself approachable so others feel they can discuss work-related projects with you. Managers need to set clear expectations with their employees so there is no question about what is expected from each person.

Maintain Strong Bones

How to maintain strong bones? First, while bone weakness is evident in older Americans, strong bones begin in childhood. Here are four steps you can take today to prevent osteoporosis and maintain strong, healthy bones: 1. Get the recommended amount of daily calcium by drinking milk and eating green leafy vegetables, soybeans, yogurt, and cheese. (1,000 mg of calcium per day). 2. Exercise 30 minutes per day for adults; 60 minutes a day for children. This can be walking, running, or any weight-baring exercise. 3. Get Vitamin D (200 IU), which is produced in the skin by exposure to the sun. It’s also found in fortified milk and cereals 4. Your doctor can order a bone density test (DEXA), which measures bone density at the spine, hip, and wrist where most fractures occur. For more information on osteoporosis, call 1-866-718-BONE, or go to www.surgeongeneral.gov.

6 Ways to Build Stronger Family Bonds

Here are 6 positive key strategies that you can use today to improve and strengthen your family now…and for years to come. 1. Make Family Your First Priority. Strong families spend lots of quality time together. We’ve all heard the well-known quote, “How do kids spell love?” T-I-M-E! Strong families spend lots of positive time working on family projects and playing together. And they enjoy being together too. 2. Appreciate One Other. Strong families appreciate each other’s unique qualities and contributions and express their feelings openly. Make a commitment to compliment each other at least once each day. 3. Foster Communication. Strong families listen to each other, respect each other’s opinions, and avoid interrupting. One of the most valuable ways to foster communication is by having at least one meal together each day. During the meal, make it a point to engage everyone on their daily experiences, discoveries, challenges and goals. 4. Strengthen Commitment. Strong families work together to solve their problems. They may not always agree, but they are willing and able to bring things out into the open and to talk about them. 5. Create Traditions. Strong families stay connected – another reason for having at least one meal together each day. Also, give your children the gift of friendship with their cousins, aunts, and uncles by keeping in touch regularly. You’ll be giving them happy memories and friendships to last a lifetime. 6. Set Rules and Expectations. Strong families set and put into practice clear guidelines and limitations. Family members take responsibility for their actions.

Snoqualmie Falls

This is a wonderful time to visit one of Washington State’s most popular scenic attractions. Big storms with some snowmelt will get this 268-foot waterfall raging! This time of year you will basically have the place to yourself. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the falls every year to enjoy the park, observation decks, and the gift shop. If you have time enjoy a meal in the Salish Lodge. You will appreciate the history boards talking about the hydroelectric plant that began operation in 1899 at the base of the falls. Plant 2 was the world’s first completely underground facility that opened in 1910 and was further expanded in 1957. PSE still produces electricity at the plants today. Hope you can plan a day trip up there soon! Enjoy

4 Parks to Explore on a Nice Spring Day

Here are a few ideas to explore on a nice spring day! • Washington Park Arboretum – The Arboretum is a welcome oasis on the shores of Lake Washington jointly managed by Seattle Parks and the UW. 230 Acres of trees and plants found nowhere else in the NW. • Kubota Gardens – A work of art that will awaken a feeling of serenity, humility, and gratitude. Largest Japanese Garden in the region. 20 acres, 9 ponds, 2 red bridges and 140 maple varieties. • Lake Wilderness Park – Lake Wilderness Park is the crown jewel of Maple Valley. Enjoy their 117 acres with two creek systems, three wetlands, extensive wildlife and outstanding views of Maple Tree forests. • Discovery Park – 534 acre park in Magnolia with a lighthouse on the westernmost point. Amazing views and lots of native trees with a 11.8 mile trail system.