I read an article saying how that standing up as opposed to sitting down all day can reduce your risk of heart attack by 54%, so I was going to post it here. But a little googling only showed me four instances of that information, all written by the same person. Being therefore uncertain of the viability of this news, I will just tell you about it and let you come to your own conclusions. According to the writer, this lowered risk was seen in people whether they exercised otherwise or not.

So instead of a link for that, I will give you this one instead. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110415/ts_yblog_thelookout/closer-look-lead-codices-spending-cuts-and-the-deficit-problem

Funny how people are always wanting to forge things.

Also? It's snowing. The glee in my voice when I say that is fading swiftly. I like snow. But I like sunshine too, and in this part of the world, you rarely have both. So I am plenty ready for it to stop with the snow, and start with the sun.

This is incredible.

I have embarked on a project, that for the sake of sounding more impressive (and because the original /is/ quilted - and mine will be too, if someone other than me does it) I am calling a 'quilt'. Happily for me, it has only 5 actual seams so far - will have 4 more for sewing the outside edges together - and thus I can do it without wanting to pitch either the sewing machine or myself through the window. :D Everything is cut-and-paste. It's glorious. You find material you like, iron stuff on the back, put it all in order, pull off the paper, and iron it onto a background. Add stuffing and backing, stitch together, find someone else to do the quilty part, and voila!

Something that looks somewhat vaguely not dissimilar to this.

I'll post a picture of mine for comparison purposes when I'm done.

1. I really like automatic carwashes. I like sitting inside your car while they squirt soap all over everything. It's like a little private cave for a moment. Next best is when they have those long ribbon-like strips of felt (or whatever fabric it is!) that come swishing over your car. And then it rains.

2. It's a very strange feeling to sit in a hot-tub when it is extremely cold outside. I love doing this; it's the only time I can stay in the water for longer than about 15 min without overheating. But when the little hairs on your upper arms are all encased with ice while the rest of you is roasting hot... it's strange. That is all.

3. Dark chocolate is good for your teeth. I already put that up, but I like it so much I'm repeating it. And investing in 80% dark for 'flossing' purposes.

CHOCOLATE! What I want to know is...

Why add it to your toothpaste when you can enjoy the real thing??**

Benefits for the Heart

Research conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden, as part of the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program, showed that patients who regularly ate chocolate were less likely to die after their first heart attack. Patients, hospitalized following a confirmed heart attack, were given a questionnaire and asked to report their consumption over the previous 12 months.

Three months after discharge, the participants underwent a health screening and were followed for hospitalizations and death over the next eight years. When compared with those who never ate chocolate, the results were better for those who consumed it two or more times per week.

Benefits for the Skin

Research shows that eating cocoa can protect the skin against harmful ultraviolet lights. However, the chocolate used in this study was prepared to be higher in flavonols than conventional dark variety. A new manufacturing process may be needed before this benefit is readily available to consumers.

Benefits for the Teeth

Fox News reported that research conducted by Tulane University doctoral candidate, Arman Sadeghpour, shows that a compound in chocolate called theobromine may help harden tooth enamel, which helps to prevent cavities. In the future, this white crystalline powder may be added to toothpaste.**

Benefits for the Brain

A study performed at the University of Oslo in Norway shows a direct correlation between chocolate cocoa and brain function of the elderly. The study included 2031 participants who were given cognitive tests both before and after eating chocolate. The results were better after eating a small amount of chocolate. Cocoa products, especially the dark variety, are associated with increased blood flow to the brain. This may be especially helpful for conditions with decreased blood flow, including dementia and stroke.

In another study at the University of Nottingham, Professor Ian Macdonald found that consumption of cocoa-rich drinks boosts blood flow to certain areas of the brain for a short term, two to three hours. This study also raised the possibility that chocolate could be used in the treatment of dementia and strokes.

I think I mentioned Quirky.com a little while ago. I'd like to mention them again. I am extremely impressed so far.

I asked Mom to order me a PowerCurl - which is a handy little gadget that has a spot for your macbook adapter in the center, and clips for the cords to wind around the edges. Is exactly what I needed to keep cord fitting into its designated spot in my bag.

So I got it the other day, only to find it was the wrong size. Alas and woe! They'd sent me the one for the Macbook Air, instead. Upon inquiring how to exchange for the correct PowerCurl, here is what I was told:

"We'll send the right one out to you via FedEx. You should get it in 5 to 7 days. Don't bother returning the first one; if you have a friend who has a Macbook Air, give it to them. Have a nice day!"

Thanks! I will!

Anyone out there have a macbook air and want a bright orange powercurl??

The news from Ronan.

Lots and lots and lots of snow. And more on the way, say the weathermen.

I got up here last night, caught a ride with Dee. The bus wasn't too late. It got into Missoula about 9:20 pm instead of 9, and Karen T picked me up.

Had a nice quiet night and morning, and got to go to the biblestudy with Lori. Nice to see her again! She reminds me of that verse in Eph: Having done all to stand...

Last week, biblestudy was cancelled because of the snow, but this week, all looks well. It snowed last night, but only about 3", so the roads aren't re-blocked.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/truth-about-your-weight-gain

I think I have just lost my appetite for fastfood hamburgers...

Yes, I am still alive for anyone who might be wondering. :) Made it through special meetings in fairly good condition, save for catching a cold, and that wasn't as bad as it might have been. Roared down to Darla and Michael's with Devin, Heidi and Della, and promptly crashed. I think I may even have been lazier this visit than my previous ones!

Jonathan has started playing whatever the last thing he has seen or heard or read - so after a go on Aunty Leilani's computer playing the Red Lizard game; we have to play it with our bodies. Off we went to tromp around the house, leaping over obstacles and slashing lizards. Then it was outside to tromp through the snow, tame said lizards, camp out under the only tree left standing (after we chopped all the others down), jump on blob-creatures to squish them, and feed bats.

The next game I played with him is called Machinarium. It is a very cute little robot who buzzes around trying to fix himself up and get back to where he started... the game begins with him being thrown in the dump. So at supper time, here is Jonathan putting around with one arm out rigid, squatting down and buzzing back up again... being a little robot.

Boy, if I was that good at learning and replicating what God tries to teach!

It's been really nice weather. Today is the first day that is cloudy since last Thursday, I think. D&M&co have gone up to Bozeman to go skiing. I was tempted to go, but decided that it would be better if I didn't - as I am feeling extra tired. So I've been lazing around, enjoying a quiet house with no one in it but me, and taking naps.

Sunday, I'll catch a ride with Devin to Manhattan. Not sure yet how I'll meet up with Jane from there. We plan to start mtgs again the Sunday after that.