T.G.I.W.

How many people do you think are on unemployment?

The number that came up when I checked Google, which took me to a Department of Labor statistic said that in February 2013 there were 12 million people in this category across the United States. Mix that with those who are receiving disability which is another 5.6 million. Then, there are those who are not in the mix (i.e. homeless) who do not have an official source of income.

You can add those together or, to some extent, they may be mixed together. Either way, we are thinking over 15 million people who do not have a job in this country. The good news is, you do.

For a select few of you, your job is a really enjoyable job and environment. You enjoy what you do. For others, you kind of like your job, but could think of another job you might like to do more. For the next tier, you are not that satisfied with your job and you come to work because you need the money.

Sure there are things that one may not like about all the things "taken out" of your paycheck before you even receive it. However, just to have the ability to make a difference in your workplace and then feel good about the money you receive is a good thing.

As this is written with the County employees in mind, there are people who take care of physical grounds to make it look good ro easier to travel on - appreciate that. For others, you take care of a lot of paperwork to make sure people know about their property or have proper tagging on vehicles - celebrate that. For others, you help make those you supervise an environment worth working in - give yourself a hand. All of you will assist with one another in various ways, picking up where someone cannot do something or training a newbie as they learn the ropes - thank you for that.

What is T.G.I.W.? It has nothing to do with Friday or Wednesday. However, it is "Thank goodness I work." Maybe it isn't the dream position for various reasons, but you have a job and within your job you can make a difference for your coworkers or customers.

Enjoy your work! You will enjoy it as much as you put in to it!

March Madness

Have you ever been really frustrated - at someone, your job, or even yourself? Maybe it is not frustration, maybe it is just "mad" at someone. Depending on how close you are to that person may determine how much that feeling seems to be pent up inside of you. The longer it is "in" you the more damage it can do. It may stay there for hours, days, weeks, or maybe months (hopefully not years). But it can do some damage to your health.

As I was thinking about what this "month" is known for in our culture, it made me think of "March Madness." This time of year when teams are "upset" and go home unhappy. I was involved in championship game in high school, we lost in the State finals by 2 points and ruined an undefeated season. That was 25 years ago this month and I still think about it.

With that said, the madness that can come through situations in life can cause us to think about it for quite some time. One thing that can help alleviate those pent up feelings is some exercise. Simple "marching" around the block, on a treadmill, around your worksite, around a store, around the hallways in your worksite, and the list continues. If you have stairs, utilize those, as well.

Are you having some "madness" issues? Then don't let it be pent up, but go "marching" and let the body naturally take care of some of those negative feelings.

Go "marching" for the health of it!

Shrimp Scampi

(Picture not from actual recipe)

Shrimp Scampi

2 lbs. med-large shrimp
1 T. Olive oil
garlic pepper to taste

Peel and de-vein shrimp. Heat oil in pan, you may use more or less as you see fit.  Once oil is hot. Place shrimp in pan and sprinkle garlic pepper to taste.  Cook shrimp until done. 

Enjoy.

Nephrology Presentation

Lunch and Learn - March 13, 2013

View an audio presentation on Nephrology - the study of kidneys

 http://play.goldmail.com/zp76dkwk2ask - Take Care of Your Kidneys!

Challenge of Change

Whenever I have tried to make some fairly significant changes in my life it seems that they are rarely easy. The easy things are just that - easy. Something significant usually isn't easy but rather a challenge. Challenges are difficult and people like to stay away from anything difficult.

Just making it through school can be a challenge for many. There is work to be done and many do not want to put the work into it to be able to succeed. As you encounter adulthood you may become married and/or have a child. Both being a spouse and a parent involve work. The work involved is rarely what people want to do to become better. They like to just do what is easy - remember there are no challenges with easy.

As you think about our Finney County Wellness program there are going to be challenges involved. Whether you have weight to lose, diets to trim, salt to eliminate, sugar to moderate, blood pressure to lower, or exercise to gain, you will have a challenge before you.

Are you willing to take on the challenge to have a better lifestyle?

As we mentioned earlier, these kind of changes will be met with a challenge. Again, I mentioned that challenges are not easy. Therefore, we must think about how we are going to overcome the challenge with a victory.

Another thing that is common to the challenge is that the victory tends to be exhilerating and rewarding. The work was difficult but the results are worth it. With these challenges, the work is never over. You must always continue to work on things. However, you will greatly enjoy it in the end. You will see tangible results and those will provide successes and successes will motivate to do more.

Now it's your turn...how will you put before you the challenge to change? How will you climb it and reach the top to see the succeses to show you "made it?"

Look for the small victories that hide in each challenge. Fuel yourself off of them as you continue on your journey.

RECIPE: Kale Chips

Maria Castillo, of the Appraiser's office submitted this and said that her kids liked these snacks. Directions: Preheat oven to 275-degrees. Break kale away from stem into bite-sized pieces. Place in bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and other seasonings to taste. Spray pan and lay out kale - do not overlap Bake at 275-degrees for 10 minutes on each side.

What Would You Like to See?

As we begin this program, we would like to know what you'd like to see on the blog/website.

We have plans to put articles, pictures, recipes, tips, news and the list goes on and on.

Now it's your turn...pleas leave a comment on what we can do for you!

You Can Do It!

The power of the mind is extremely powerful when it comes to the body being able to accomplish something. I don't know how many times in my life I have had to change my mental outlook in order to have the physical portion of my body accomplish what it needed to do. Examples of areas in which I had to "push through" were exercise, tasks on my job, or homework. Once the mind was changed then I was able to press on to the goal.

I can remember several nights in preaching school where I would stay up late preparing for an exam. I would use multiple ways of studying to help me remember the subject matter. There have also been nights that I have worked through being tired to accomplish tasks for work. Those tasks were not even "last minute" but simply because I get a lot of ideas at night.

There are also times where I see the end coming up when I have been exercising and will push through to get to the end - to cross the line or hear the timer beep. It was challenging but the end is exhilerating!

When I would cause my mental capacity to be stronger than my physical I knew I could do it! That brings us to this week's quote...

I have always believed that anybody with a little guts and the desire to apply himself can make it, can make anything he wants to make of himself. ~ Willie Shoemaker, Horse Jockey and Trainer

Some days there are going to be times when the physical side is more submissive to the mental side. In other words, it may be easy to push through your fatigue or lack of interest. Where as others are going to be the opposite. You are going to have to have your mental state climb high to become higher than your physical.

Of course, there are other areas that are not simply physical where you must climb high with the mental. Maybe it is an area like forgiveness, that you must work through some obstacles in order to allow yourself to release the weight you're holding on to daily. Another area may be spiritual. You are having lots of doubts in one or more areas of your spiritual belief or state. You are going to have to challenge yourself to work through and find what you need to achieve the belief that you're hoping for.

As you go through life, remember that the mental can be stronger than the other areas of your life. This will allow you to beat the odds when you are trying to accomplish things in life.

Now it's your turn...What areas in your life are you needing the "mental" to rise up so that you can make something of yourself?