The miracle cure

This is a good video where a medical doctor spells out the most beneficial treatment money can buy which prevents a wide array of medical problems, including anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's, and many more afflictions. The video goes through study results and how to implement the treatment in your own life.



The result: Limit sitting and sleeping to just 23.5 hours per day.

Investing, it makes sense!

Here a couple of weeks ago my fiancée and I went to the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover conference. It was a huge wake up call for us. Not that we live extravagantly, or (always) spend unwisely; but there is much more to finances, and a lifestyle of debt than either of us had thought about.

In the past 7 or so years I've become a big proponent of investing. In simple terms, it is making your money work for you. And even if you're not a math wiz you can understand the power of "compound interest" (interest that is reinvested).

Without getting into the "to have credit or not to have credit" debate; let's say that instead of buying that brand new slick car with a monthly payment of $400, you opt for a different but nice and reliable car that has a payment of $250 a month. If you were 20 years old when you took on this new car payment, and invested that $150 difference in a mutual fund with a modest return of 8%, for the life of the car loan (say 60 months). If you didn't touch your investment, and never even invested in it again after those 60 months, at age 65 your $9,000 investment will have become $269,314 !!!

Here is an example that Dave Ramsey gave regarding the power of compound interest:

Ben starts investing $2,000 per year at age 19 and stops at age 26. Arthur starts investing $2,000 per year at age 27 and keeps investing that until he turns 65. Both receive a return on their investment of 12%.

Ben only put in $16,000 but started early. Arthur puts in $78,000 over the course of his life. You'd think that Arthur would have more money right?! Nope. The magic of compound interest benefits those who start early, and have patience.

When Ben turns 65 his investment is worth $2,288,996!
When Arthur turns 65 his investment is worth $1,532,166.

Seeing numbers like this make me think about my spending habits, and even my "investment" in buying a house. They say that real estate is a great investment, and even though I have a 5% interest mortgage, about 90% of my monthly payment doesn't even go towards the principle. I'm losing thousands of dollars a year to interest. I bought my house when the housing market was hot, and sure it's expected to come back around. I got a house that was more than I needed and in a costlier area to live in because I expected to sell it right away and make some quick money. My next door neighbor, who has a similar house is selling his for $50,000 less than I paid for mine.

What if I had been wiser? What if I had purchased a used home, or a more affordable one, and then started putting money away in my investments? What about thinking in smaller terms, How can I cut corners, or get by on less so I can invest?

It's your money! Make it work for you! Stop giving it away!

Dave Ramsey's Investment Calculator

Make a Healthy Menu Plan on a Budget

For years people have asked me how I am so organized with planning meals, and say they wish they could do the same. I must admit that part of it is my personality type: I am a list maker, I like to be organized and have a plan. Also, I have cultivated a love for cooking which motivates me. All that said, I think some basic tools can get almost anyone started with menu planning.

Why Should I Make a Menu Plan?

Many people fly by the seat of their pants when it comes to grocery shopping and putting food on the table. If that works for you and you can stay within a budget, eat healthy, tasty meals and not wonder at 7:30pm what to make for dinner, then you may not find menu planning helpful. But if you are like me and most people, menu planning will save you time, money, stress and help you eat a more balance diet. It will help you make a grocery list to stick to when at the store to keep you from spending too much and buying junk food. And ultimately, you will have the satisfaction of being organized and making good meals.

How to Make a Healthy Menu Plan on a Budget

There are three basic methods of menu plannings. First and easiest is to make a "Master Menu Plan," second is to shop and make your menu plan according to sales, and third is to just make a menu plan of whatever you want that particular week/month, or according to nutritional goals, based upon whatever is in season, etc. Here I will focus on the first method, the "Master Menu Plan."

First, for any method, set a realistic food budget. The question is often, "what is a realistic food budget?." This guide from the USDA is very helpful http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodCost-Home.htm. If you have extra to budget you might fall in the "liberal plan" and be able to afford all organic, more meat, etc. Most of us can only afford the "thrifty plan." I am amazed that this plan is based off the USDA budget for food stamp recipients, and many people resort to Top Ramen on this budget. There is no need for that, we eat all whole foods on this tight budget. Granted, we can no longer afford organic, but it's still important and highly beneficial to eat whole foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables even if they are not organic.

Next, write down healthy meals the family already enjoys so you can keep staple ingredients on hand. If you are having difficulty coming up with anything try for at least 10, you can go to 20 or 30 if you are up for it. You will use these meals to create your menu plan.

For breakfast, alternate between a few quick, nutritious meals your family enjoys. Think oatmeal, eggs and whole grain toast, whole grain cereal, smoothies, whole grain English muffins with peanut/almond butter and honey or jam, etc. Reserve making pancakes and more elaborate breakfasts for lazy weekends and so they remain a special treat. Saturday breakfast is one of my favorite times of the week.

For lunch, plan leftovers a few days per week by simply making double batches of a few dinners, then keep on hand healthy staples you enjoy (whole wheat with natural PB&J, pita and veggies with hummus, cooked beans, tortillas and fixins for burritos, organic mac n' cheese, salad stuff, etc).

Don't forget healthy snacks! This is key to eating healthy, keep healthy snacks on hand and you will eat them. Don’t keep junk on hand or you will resort to eating junk. For snacks I plan or at least keep on hand: fresh fruit, carrots and hummus, stuff for smoothies (fresh/frozen fruit, yogurt, soy milk, flaxseed, spinach and kale, etc), yogurt/soy yogurt, rice cakes (plain and flavored), nuts and dried fruit (usually almonds and dates), celery with almond/peanut butter and raisins (a.k.a. "ants-on-a-log"), whole grain crackers like Ryvita or Wasa (I love these with Trader Joe's Olive Tapenade), granola bars, etc.

For dinner have a basic menu rotation of types of meals your family enjoys. Example:

• Monday: Mexican
• Tuesday: Chinese
• Wednesday: (Whole grain) pasta
• Thursday: Soup and sandwiches or home-made muffins or main dish salad
• Friday: Home-made pizza (using pre-made dough from Trader Joe's or Fresh and Easy)
• Saturday: "Fancy Dinner" - chicken/fish or meatloaf/vegetarian loaf with starchy side (potatoes/sweet potatoes/roasted squash/brown rice or other cooked grain) and a green veggie or salad
• Sunday: BBQ - beef/veggie burger, sloppy joes, grilled chicken sandwich or hot dog and sides.

Don’t forget to plan dessert once or twice per week. Looking forward to it on the menu will keep you from getting ice cream every night.

Now, that doesn't mean you'll eat the same seven dinners every week. Each theme is just a jumping off point: Mexican night can be tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, with meat or vegetarian, etc. Again the menu plan is not meant to restrict you, but to make things easier so you aren't wasting time wondering what to make. Also, customize your rotation to fit your tastes, Steve and I have curry weekly, but that may not be on many people's list of favorite foods.

Try to buy at least 1 green veggie for each day of the week and prioritize working it into your menu. Example: buy broccoli, spinach, asparagus, kale, romaine lettuce, brussel sprouts and bok choy. Then make asparagus on the side with Monday's Mexican food, bok choy can go in Tuesday's stir-fry, sauteed kale with garlic can go on the side with Wednesday's pasta, broccoli can go in Thursday's soup, a spinach salad or sauteed spinach can go on the side or on top of Friday's pizza, the brussel sprouts can go with Saturday's dinner and a salad made from the romaine can to go with veggie burgers on Sunday.

Finally, go over your menu for the week and make your grocery list. Do a quick inventory of what you already have that you can use, then fill the rest in from there. Consider the quantity you will need of everything. Think of the store(s) you will shop at and how they are laid out, and group things together on your list in the order that you will go through the store. Of course, shop sales, price compare, use coupons if applicable, etc. I don't recommend basing shopping off coupons as coupons are mostly for processed foods, but if it is for a nutritious or treat food already on your menu and list, great!

I usually do weekly menu plans, but for a sample of a full one month master menu plan, see my blog, http://welcometonicoleskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/03/1-month-master-menu-plan.html

Now, relax a little knowing you’ve done most of the work in advance and enjoy the fruits of your labor with your family and loved ones!

The 5 layers of the outdoorsman

When spending an extended period of time outdoors, whether it's a day trip or overnight camping, it is imperative to dress appropriately. The proper way to dress is in layers. This allows you to regulate your body temperature throughout the day and night so you do not overheat nor do you freeze. So what are the layers?

First, a few rules for being outdoors.

1. Avoid cotton. Cotton, when wet, stays wet a very long time. If you are in a wet situation and stay wet, you can develop hypothermia.
2. Over prepare. It doesn't matter if the weather forecast says it will be bright and sunny, prepare for weather changes. You can keep the extra layers in your backpack.
3. Don't over do it. Being too warm is just as bad as being too cool.

Base layer
Your base layer is the layer that touches your skin. Its purpose is to wick away moisture and regulate your body heat. It keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Look for long sleeves and legs made of merino wool or synthetic materials specifically made to wick away moisture. I prefer wool as it is comfortable and is naturally odor resistant.

SmartWool makes great base layers.


Mid layer
The middle layer provides your first layer of insulation. It is what consists of normal casual wear, though it should be functional for outdoor use. Again, stick to wool or synthetic materials. Flannel wool is a good shirt. Find one with chest pockets, as they will get used. Pants are meant to get beat up, so a synthetic material may last longer than wool in this case. I like the convertible pants which allow for even more layering options as the heat rises.

I could do a whole article on socks. Again, wool or synthetic socks. The thickness of your socks will be determined by the season, and how much weigh you will carry in your backpack. SmartWool is the go-to for many adventurous types.


Outer layer
The outer layer provides the greatest amount of insulation, for the coldest times of the day. This will adjust with the seasons. For the warmer months, it can be as little as a thick sweater. As it gets colder, you will add a thick jacket. I like the idea of having a two part outer layer, with a down vest and a jacket. The down vest will keep your core warm, and when the cold begins to bite, add the extra layer provided by the jacket.



Shell layer
The shell layer provides protection from the wind, rain and snow. Some people will combine the outer and shell layers, and that's fine. But for more flexibility throughout the year, adding a poncho and snow pants is a good idea. This will keep you dry, and keep the bitter wind from penetrating your layers.


Boots and head coverings
Finally, you will need boots that will keep your feet comfortable, dry and provide support for climbing up and down hills with weight on your back. This can take a whole article in itself, so I will simply refer you to your local outdoors specialist (like REI or Bass Pro Shop) to get yourself fitted. You will need to wear socks of the appropriate thickness while trying on boots. Consider how much weight you will be carrying, and what kind of terrain you will meet.

They say your head lets the most body heat escape. Whether that's true or not, it is important to keep your head warm. A simple wool cap can keep your head and ears warm, or opt for a balaclava which you can wear as a wool cap, and then pull down to keep your nose and face warm too. In the summer months, a wide-brimmed hat is ideal to keep the sun off.

Have a smaller wardrobe

What do you do when you open your closet and think to yourself, I have nothing to wear? Is it because you can't think of an outfit to put together, or are you just bored with the clothes you have? In either situation, it might help to have a smaller wardrobe.

Why should I have a smaller wardrobe?
A smaller wardrobe will allow you to put together outfits easier, saving you time every day. Sure, every once in a while you might just be bored with it and give up, but if you stick with it, you can be stylish every day, develop your own look without it growing boring, and save time and money in the long run.

Having too many garments in your closet or drawers means you have a lot more clutter, and so many options it's difficult to make decisions. When I go to The Cheesecake Factory, their menu is so big it could take an hour to read through it all, and I would still have no idea what to order. At Chipotle, everything on the menu is built to go together, so you start with a form, add the base, accessorize, and enjoy. It's the same with a purposeful wardrobe.

Building a structured wardrobe also saves you money. Only buy items that will supplement your wardrobe, and only buy it if you love it. Of course not everything in the wardrobe has to match, but you should have an idea of what you're looking for before you get to the mall where you may buy something that is cute but ends up in your closet for three years before it goes to Goodwill.

How to build a smaller wardrobe
A smaller wardrobe doesn't have to mean less options to wear, it just means your wardrobe has to be thought out in advance. You won't look like you belong in an animated cartoon where everyone is always wearing the same outfit, but you will develop your own unique style.

I've already hinted at how to build a wardrobe, and I'll just call it a "structured wardrobe." This means everything in the wardrobe has a purpose. You've put your creative juices to work when you researched new styles, when you tried on different garments in different arrays, and then when you decided on what to ultimately purchase. Using my silly Chipotle example above, you will pair down your wardrobe to a few different basics, and then build on each of those with different options.

Dress for the occasion
This is where you start. What occasions will you find yourself in over the next six months to a year? Make a list if it helps. What is appropriate for these occasions? Start with a base for each.

Give yourself options
From your starting basics, find a few garments that all coordinate with each of your bases. With separates, you can have 9 outfits with 3 bottoms and 3 tops. Add 2 sweaters, and you now have 18 outfits. How many outfits you need should be determined by what type of occasion.

Add flair
Accessories provide depth and  life to any outfit. Belts, hats, necklaces, bracelets, watches, shoes, etc. These are things you can add to most any outfit at any time to dress up any outfit not called "yoga pants."

Dress for the season
We don't all experience drastically different seasons, but even if you live down south where the summers are hot and so are the winters, you can still change your wardrobe up for the seasons. In some parts of the world, you may have 3 or 4 wardrobes, and in others, 2 will suffice. At the beginning of each season, go through your wardrobe and take out what won't work in the season and put it in storage. Take out of storage what you have put away for this upcoming season. This will clean out your closet, making dressing less daunting, and it will also provide variety in life. By the time you're bored with your summer wardrobe, you are now entering your autumn wardrobe.

Only buy it if you love it
You can save money by purposefully shopping for a structured wardrobe. You won't throw away money on garments you wear once or twice and then ignore because it doesn't go with anything else. But since you're not buying 12 pairs of pants, maybe use that budget to buy higher-quality garments. Instead of 6 cotton sweaters, maybe you can live with 1 cashmere sweater and 2 lambswool sweaters. If you don't absolutely love something, or if you're not 100% sure about it, just put it back on the rack and move on. If you change your mind next week, it may still be there.

By it on clearance
When you plan ahead your wardrobe, you are able to buy items on clearance to wear next year, or from a clearance store like Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, etc for wear right now. Often times I'll find something I like, and then two months later buy it half off when it goes on sale.

Dress for business
Dressing for business may be the easiest way to dress. It's easier than dressing casually even. Of course many companies have relaxed, casual dress attire which confuses everyone, but don't let that dissuade you, just dress for business and you should do OK. Business attire means neutral colors. White, gray, black, navy, brown, green, and blue. Add color with accessories. You can do with 5 shirts, most of them white, 2 pants in dark gray, and a blazer or sweater in navy. You can decide the colors, but remember that black is moribund, and provides too much contrast for most complexions - opt for gray. You will look serious, and you won't have to think about what to put on so early in the morning.

These tips work equally well for both men and women. Of course a woman's wardrobe is generally bigger because while a man can wear the same suit to work or a wedding, women have different dresses for different occasions. Like I said before, dress for the occasion.

Do you have any shopping tips that help you decide what to buy?

5 inexplicable garments

There are some items of clothing seen in the wild that are just too weird to be explained. These are the first five I could think of, in no particular order. What are some items you just don't understand?

Sleeveless hooded sweatshirt
As is vests weren't weird enough, the hooded sweatshirt without sleeves has got to be one of the weirdest garments ever devised by man.

Cargo capri
Capri pants have the great duty of making any frame appear shorter. It takes the average leg, and makes it look stubby. Cargo capris take this, and add bulk to your thighs, just what every woman wants.

Screen printed dress shirt
A favorite amongst Evangelical pastors, the screen printed dress shirt says, "I'm aware of social etiquette enough for buttons, but edgy enough for shirt tattoos." Or maybe it says, "I'd rather be wearing a T-shirt."

Overall shorts
If you're worried you might get pig slop on your shirt, but want to make sure to keep your legs cool on warm summer days, than the overall short is right for you.

Leggings as pants
Leggings are not pants. I don't think this needs an explanation.

Glamorize your life

There was a time in American history when we embraced glamor. Radio, film and television stars were real celebrities, bigger than life. People did their best to make every occasion special, a break from the ordinary.

Over time, celebrities became beach bums, strung out in rehab. Casual culture took over, and special occasions mean little more than a continuation of life.



It's about time we put glamor back into our lives.

Why should I glamorize my life?
Adding glamor to your life creates a sense of adventure. It provides greater enjoyment, and greater satisfaction.

It has been said that things anticipated are enjoyed more than thing unanticipated. I'll use an example of camping, because it is similar. When you plan a camping trip, you set the time, plan out what will happen, get your gear together, prepare yourself for what will happen, dress appropriately, and when you finally set up camp, you have a good time knowing everything is taken care of, and you're prepared. But camping wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if you didn't prepare for it. Perhaps your car got stuck in the snow for a couple days.

But this same amount of preparation doesn't go into, let's say, a date night. No, it's not a matter of survival, but how much more would you enjoy the evening if it was prepared in advance? You set the time, plan the events, get your gear together, prepare yourself for conversation, dress appropriately, and when you arrive, you have a good time knowing everything is taken care of, and you're prepared.

Glamor is like that. It's a break from the ordinary into a romantic adventure. It's escaping the dregs of life and into a fantastic world of imagination.

How do I glamorize my life?
Adding glamor to life isn't difficult, and can be done in small measure. Here are a few things I've done to add glamor to my life:

• Have dinner at the dining room table, with glass tableware and cloth napkins.
• Dress up for date nights, and prepare the evening so half of the conversation isn't about what to do next. Even if all you're doing is going out for self-serve yogurt, put on some dressy clothes. Make the night special.
• Save up a little bit longer and purchase higher-quality items for the home. A chair that will last decades is worth far more than one that will last a few years.
• Read more books. Books stir your imagination much more than a TV program or movie because your mind has to fill in all the details the book does not provide. You become part of the story.
• Continue education constantly. Learning new things is a great endeavor that enhances the mind, and provides great opportunities for conversation always.
• Tea time. Tea is not only very tasty, it is something I've found to be very meditative. It provides a break from the day to participate in the Zen of preparing and consuming tea.
• Exercise often. The chemicals our brains release during exercise provide greater feelings throughout the day, and it's just much more healthy that living a sedentary lifestyle.
• Make plans, and show up. It is just too easy to go about life with no obligations. We don't want to commit to anything, so we tell our friends we'd like to get together but we don't make plans. When we do make plans, we show up late. Grow up, and take responsibility for your time.
• Get a hair cut. Low-maintenance hair is very easy to live with, but when you have a hair cut that takes time to put together every morning, you will look better, and will have a few minutes of your day just to yourself. I'm done with just buzzing my hair short. I still cut it short, but I get a shape to the hair to have a little style. 

From my examples, you can see that glamor doesn't take a lot of work, but the rewards are magnificent. Think up ways to make your days more elegant, think of ways to make your occasions more glamorous. You will find your life is richer.

If you have ways of glamorizing your life, post them in the comments.

Join a gym

If you're anything like me, you have a hard time motivating yourself. But when you reach a certain age, it's not enough to just watch what you eat, you also need to get regular exercise or turn into a softer, plumper version of yourself. You need motivation. Join a gym.

Why should I join a gym?
Keeping healthy is important, and this requires regular exercise. But what's wrong with exercising at home? The main reason I joined a gym was for motivation. It isn't enough to just provide time for exercise, you also need a reason. Knowing I'm paying for the gym gets me up and out the door.

Aside from motivation, gym memberships provide access to a wide array of exercise equipment. Home equipment doesn't provide as many options, and it would cost a tremendous amount of money and space to own it. Professional gym equipment allows for many different work out options, and will provide flexibility as your strength improves.

Gym memberships also provide free exercise classes for more motivation and education on how to get fit and remain fit so you are not left on your own. You may also hire their staff of personal trainers for one-on-one training designed specifically for you.

How to join a gym?
This is a personal decision only you can make, but these are a few tips to help you decide:

• Visit multiple gyms in your area and walk around them, inspecting for cleanliness. Visit around the time you were planning on using the gym to see what you could expect to find. Make sure it's not too crowded, and that the atmosphere is comfortable.
• Determine what you expect from your gym. Are showers important? What about a steam room or sauna? Are you interested in tanning beds? Do you need a swimming pool?
• Check their workout class schedule to see if it fits your personal schedule.
• Are the gym hours flexible enough for your schedule?
• Local gyms are usually cheaper, but chain gyms usually have more facilities and more locations in case you move.
• Try not to pay upfront for memberships. Avoid cancellation fees in the contract. You never know what you are going to get until you are actually a member. Some gyms only require monthly payments. Others require an initial large payment and then smaller monthly payments. Gyms that require the full year membership upfront aren't as common anymore.
• Some community centers have gyms with incredibly affordable prices. They don't have a professional staff usually, and they're much smaller, but if it works for you, you can save a lot of money.

After you've established a workout routine, you may find the gym isn't required anymore to motivate you. If so, then you're lucky, and you can dump the membership. But if you relapse, head back to the gym.

The candy is on sale, and today doesn't feel quite as romantic...

Why must only one day a year be dedicated to romancing our "significant other"? We should spend time each and every day investing in them, and in that love. Sure, maybe we can't spend hours and hours, or a sizable amount of money on them every day but there are plenty of things we can do to let them know they mean the world to us instead of playing catch up each year on February 14th.

One of my favorite things I like to do for my fiancee, that I've done during the course of our dating relationship, is to make her a mix "tape". While we both love music, I'd say that I'm the one who's much more in tune with the music scene. This is fun for me, because I get to listen to a ton of music while on the prowl for the perfect editions to the mix that I'm building. This has also opened her up to music that she would normally not listen to. There is something special about listening to these songs later. In fact we'll probably use some of these very mix tape songs at our wedding.

Here are a few more ideas:

• When you think about her during the course of your day send her a text message letting her know. Not only is it very simple but more than likely you have unlimited text messaging so it's free. Don't do this to an ex, well, unless you want to be the subject of a restraining order.
• Buy her flowers at random. This is a special surprise when it's unexpected.
• Drop by and see her at work. This not only makes your day all the brighter, but breaks up the monotony of her work day. Plus she'll be the envy of the office because the other boyfriends/ fiances/ husbands don't ever stop by to say "hi" to their loved ones.
• Make dinner or take her out. This is nice especially after she's had a long day at work, and totally would make dinner but absolutely isn't looking forward to it.
• Leave a note for her, and not the "honey-do" variety.
• Go for a walk and hold hands while you're at it. Not only is it good for you but it's good for the intimacy of your relationship.
• Stop supporting Hallmark, and make a card! The investment of your time and creativity makes it all the more special.
• Become a snuggler. I'm not ashamed to say it: I love cuddling! The world just seems to slow to a stop, and nothing else matters but the other person.
• Let her know you think she's beautiful, whether that be by whispering it in her ear or the above mentioned card or note.
• Do yourself and your partner a favor, and read the book entitled "The Five Love Languages."

Keep at it! Love is worth investing in daily. And like that proverbial saying, "practice makes perfect"- the more you love, the easier it becomes.

“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home,

and let him make her sorry to see him leave.”

-Martin Luther

Tie your shoes

It used to be children and elderly people wore slip-on shoes because they didn't have the dexterity or flexibility to tie their own shoes. Now it seems like everyone wears slip on shoes, even if there are laces. This mostly applies to men, because women still put effort into presenting themselves, where men's fashion has basically turned into a contest to see who can be, or look, the most lazy.

This mainly applies to trainers (athletic shoes or sneakers). It all started with skateboard shoes becoming mainstream. Apparently in skateboarding, it's a good idea to have shoes that fall off while you're airborne. But soon, everyone began wearing these shoes, and never tying them. I was among them. This trend progressed, and the act of leaving the shoes untied has gone to basketball shoes, boots, and even "dressy" tennis shoes. I've even seen shoes that are designed to look like they have laces but possess none.

Why should I tie my shoes?
There are many reasons to tie your shoes, and I'll explain a few of them here. Of course this doesn't apply to loafers, drivers, pumps, and other shoes designed without laces.

• Foot health
• Shoe longevity
• Comfort

Foot health
Many people do not know how to fit shoes to their feet. Some people may not even know why they should know. Shoes serve a purpose, and that is to protect your feet from dangers on the ground and the environment. But shoes are not natural, and can impede the natural movement of the foot. Fitting shoes properly to your feet will help your foot move more naturally, and avoid future foot problems. But even if your shoe fits properly, it will not perform properly unless the shoe is tied.

Some shoes are designed without laces, and they were meant for specific purposes - like driving, lounging around, or attending galas. These shoes are not meant for much walking. If you are walking, or running, you should wear shoes with laces.

Shoe longevity
A side effect of not tying your shoes, or tying them loosely and wearing them like slip-ons, is that the back of the shoe gets collapsed over time. This can even happen with lace-ups (why you should have a shoe horn), but it is especially the case with slip-on shoes. The heel tab and/or Achilles notch will become compressed, leaving stress points and even fraying seams. I encourage taking care of your property, including your clothes, to save money, time, and even the environment. The longer your shoes remain in good care, the more value you receive for your dollar.

Comfort
Another side effect of slipping on shoes is also related to foot health. Shoes worn loosely might feel more comfortable, but as you wear them they will wear on your feet. Lose shoes create friction, which can cause sores, bunions, and blisters. Shoes made for slipping on are designed differently than lace-up shoes, so this doesn't usually apply, but even with these, they will rub your feet. Just ask any women who wore pumps all day.

How should I tie my shoes?
This is the fun part. I created a helpful video to show you three ways shoes are tied, and why each one is better than the last. I start with the standard shoe lace knot, and then show you a modified version of it that lays flatter on the shoe. Then I finish up with my preferred knot, which I borrowed for Ian's Shoelace Site years ago. It's called Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot. It is the best shoelace knot I've ever used. I use it on my hiking boots and my dress lace-ups. It lays flat, it never comes loose, and it is released just as quickly as other knots.

I have a good friend who works with middle-school aged active boys and I showed him this knot and he uses it on his kids now and loves it.

Improve Your Elocution

Do you often have to repeat yourself? Do you mumble, talk to fast or too quietly? Some of us make every word understood when we talk, but many of us need to improve the way we talk to be better understood.

You may recall the musical My Fair Lady where Audrey Hepburn was given lessons on speech. Rocks were put in her mouth to help her learn to form sounds. You don't have to go through such lengths to improve your own speech, and you don't need wealthy busybodies to help you out. All you need, as with most skills, is practice.

Why should I practice speaking?
When you speak with proper elocution, you are better understood by friends, family and those you work with. It will help others understand what you are trying to say more quickly, and with less error. It will help you in many areas of your life.

At home
Domestically, the biggest frustrations my wife and I face are in miscommunication. Often times this is the result of my mumbling. Perhaps if I could better speak the words I'm saying, my wife would be able to understand me and she wouldn't be frustrated by her misunderstanding, and I would be less frustrated by not being understood.

At work
Speech is one measure we all use to determine intelligence and capability. If you can go into a job interview and speak clearly and intelligibly, you have an advantage over someone who mumbles, or who is otherwise incoherent. When giving presentations at work, or distributing information, it is important that others are able to understand what you are saying. For those above you, you will seem like you have what it takes to lead. For those below you, or collaborators, you will reduce errors by providing the right information. You will also improve efficiency by not repeating yourself over and over again.

How do I improve my elocution?
Classical stage actors know the importance of elocution, and they spend much of their training making sure they can be heard and understood. One example of such elocution is John Malkovich. His elocution is a bit exaggerated for use on stage, but you can hear and understand everything he says clearly.

Some of us have real speech impediments which may require a tutor. Hopefully you were able to get help early in life as your speech developed to get past these issues. But for you, and for those of us without these problems, it's a good idea to continue this practice even into adulthood. Even professional speakers, politicians, and executives practice speaking to improve themselves in business or politics.

So what can you do to practice?

The first thing I suggest is professional help. This can be found at your local community college. There you can find classes on public speaking and speech which can help you out. You can even find specialized elocution classes online, or in local community business and personal development classes.

As with most skills, it takes more than just a few classes and know-how, but it takes practice. Practice at home. Maybe get together frequently with a few friends to help each other practice.

Find a few resources, like this and this, which have exercises you can practice at home. Practice at full volume for several minutes at a time. You might feel silly talking to yourself, but it will pay off eventually.

Additional help
In addition to elocution, it is good to practice vocabulary, rhetoric and even acting.

Vocabulary
The more words you use in common practice, the more intelligent you appear. Ways to do this are to use the dictionary and thesaurus regularly, sign up for "word of the day" emails, and play word games like crosswords, Scrabble, Boggle, and similar games.

Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of developing ideas to make them understandable, and even the ability to convince others to accept these ideas. There should be Classics and Rhetoric classes at your local community college, and you can always read these classic works:

• Institutio Oratoria, by Quintillian
• On Invention, by Cicero
• On Oratory, by Cicero
• Topics, by Cicero
• The Art of Rhetoric, by Aristotle
• Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres, by Hugh Blair

Acting
Taking basic acting classes at the local community college or community center can improve your confidence when speaking before people, and teach you how to present your body, as well as your speech, to the greatest effect.

Support your local public radio station

Recently I canceled my cable television service and began donating to my local public radio station. It occurred to me that I spend more time listening to the radio than I watch TV, so it made perfect sense. The radio is on most of the time I'm home, and practically all the time I'm in the car.

If you listen to local public broadcasting, I highly recommend supporting the station with a monthly donation.

Why should I donate to public radio?

Being a well-rounded human being includes being versed in current events. There is no better place to learn about current events than public radio. The past few decades has seen a trend in media towards sensationalism and focusing on controversy. I turned to public radio when I got sick of only hearing 10-second sound bite yelling matches and hosts and guests talking over each other. It wasn't educational, it was just frustrating. Today's hosts aren't interested in informing the public on the real issues, but on getting to the controversy. Hosts will often interrupt a guest who is explaining their viewpoint to ask them about the petty argument, or to frame the issue in that particular network's narrative. I've also noticed the media focuses on the politics behind issues (who said what, what that means politically, etc) instead on what the issue actually is, and how it affects people.

Public radio, on the other hand, perhaps because of its format, or maybe because they have higher journalistic standards, takes the issues seriously, and will provide 10-minutes for a guest to explain themselves, with the host not interrupting the guest, but still asking tough questions. When I first heard this, it was a breath of fresh air.

And more than just politics, every issue is provided quality air time, from science, history, and anthropology, to law, music and culture. Everything is so well discussed, it's exhilarating.

A few anecdotes:

• When an author or actor is being interviewed for their latest project, the interview is in depth, and the story is discussed as it relates to culture and humanity, and often compared to earlier works.
• Every week, the Supreme Court decisions are detailed with background on where the case began, and its implications on future court decisions. The discussion amongst the judges is broken down, with each side of the issue being given.
• A local food show has weekly updates on new products in the local farmer's market, and reviews of local restaurants, detailing the best dishes on the menu, and fascinating interviews with farmers or food policy experts.

Because time is important, I can't afford to waste my time with the trivial bickering found in most modern media formats.

Another benefit I get from my local public station is music. Not every public station has music, but mine has a great selection of music from very knowledgeable deejays, and even a very eclectic program hosted by Henry Rollins.

Public radio relies on donation

Public radio stations receive a lot of money from organizations and businesses, but the vast majority of their budget comes from listener support. As non-commercial broadcasters, they are not making a profit, and there are no commercial advertisements. This is becoming even more critical as the current Congress is threatening to cut funding for public radio, even as over half of the population of the United States uses public media each month. An organization called 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting has a lot of information on why public media is important, and what you can do to help.

Don't murder people

In memoriam:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

S'mores, bright embers, and cold-early mornings... Ahh camping!

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
-John Muir

I find it kind of funny to talk about camping just days after the winter solstice, and that incredible eclipse. But I am. That's because I look forward to the warmer months when friends and I get out to the Great Outdoors and revel in the beauty and the mountain air. Living here in Colorado I can look out my home's windows and see mountains. I'm very lucky.

One of my fondest childhood memories was when my family went camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The funny thing is I can't for the life of me tell you how long we were there, but I can still remember the ice cold water in the stream, and the pines towering overhead.

As I mentioned, I live in Colorado. While there are plenty of outdoorsy activities, and camping that I can do, typically my biggest regret when the leaves begin to change is that I haven't been outside enough. This might sound a wee-bit cheesy but there is almost something magical about sleeping in a tent in the middle of nowhere. It is there that you can easily leave your work stress and worldly cares behind. Even better if you can find a place remote enough that your cell phone doesn't even work.

Camping shouldn't be as complex as our day to day living, so I tend to ridicule those people who go "camping" in an RV. They drag along all the amenities, to include satellite TV, and then miss out on the beauty around them. Camping should be simple, because the more simple it is the more we can love the experience.

Life doesn't get much better than when you sit around a camp fire with your closest friends. You can be laughing at the ridiculous (but true) stories they're telling or completely silent staring into the crackling flames; either way you feel more alive than you have in awhile.

Maybe I'll write a post at some point where I can outline some basic gear you should have. If you live near an REI they have free classes you can take to teach you everything from navigating with a compass to snowshoeing to avalanche survival to packing for a 3 week trip of Europe.

"The mountains are calling and I must go."
-John Muir