Mellie Miller

Scorching!

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Earlier in the year, it seemed to rain every day and our garden was a soggy mess of drowned plants. My kale washed away completely and the Swiss chard looked pathetic. But we’ve traded the rain for scorching heat and dry weather. So now the garden is baking in the sun, the ground is cracking, and the mosquitoes are out in droves.

And with summer fully here, let’s think about all the outdoor activities. There are the barbecues, the summer soft ball games, golfing, swimming, hikes in nature.

We all love doing things in the summer without the cold and rain or snow of winter. But there are dangers here, too.

Make sure you stay hydrated when you’re outdoors. It’s easy to get busy and forget to drink. But over heating is a dangerous thing. I find it most difficult when swimming. Since you’re already wet, you don’t notice that you’re also sweating, making it a tricky combo.

Also, sunscreen is a thing. I know most of us know this, but a little reminder won’t hurt.

If you’re going out into nature, please cover up. I see people all the time walking around through the woods or meadows, up mountain trails, in shorts and sandals. Between the bugs, the rough terrain, and brush and brambles, a lightweight over shirt and lightweight pants would keep you protected. And don’t forget some decent shoes.

As for me, I’m editing another book right now, after releasing my latest shifter romance in June. If you’re a fan of paranormal romance and fantasy, check it out! Look for Old Flame at Amazon.

Better yet, go on over to my author blogs and see what’s happening in my writing world!

You can find me here, at MellieMiller.com or my other pen name, SultonnaNadine.com

Enjoy your summer, stay safe, and I’ll meet you again later!

And as always,

Stay safe, be healthy...

but most of all, be kind.

Sugar is Everywhere

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It seems everyone is watching their diet these days, some of us more than others due to health concerns. Since I’m a Type 2 diabetic, I’m careful to watch for hidden sugar.

But it can be tricky. The stuff turns up everywhere! I’m not talking about places you would normally expect, like desserts, but places a lot of us don’t think about.

Here are some of the ones I’ve found.

Condiments, such as ketchup, salsa, and relishes tend to have sugar. I may have found one salad dressing without sugar in it, but I usually make my own vinaigrette at home. If I’m eating out, I get the oil and vinegar to add to my salad. Even dressings I wouldn’t expect to have sugar, such as bleu cheese, can surprise you. I have found one or two brands of ketchup without sugar, but they tend to be expensive. Salsa can go either way. Just check the label before you buy.

Summer is a great time for Barbecues! But beware the sauce! While sugar of some sort helps moderate and balance the tang of the vinegar, it does horrible things for my blood glucose. I found a recipe I could modify to make my own. Experiment a little!

Particularly watch out for sauces and seasonings in the Oriental Foods aisle. All those lovely things tend to have sugar in them, even some of the chili sauces and pastes.

Seasoning Blends are another gotcha if you’re avoiding sugar. That season salt my husband loves is loaded with sugar. Garlic pepper, most rubs, and seasonings for steak and seafood can all have a hidden sugar. Most of the spice blends at the grocery store contain at least some sugar. And if you’re diabetic, starches can be a problem also and are added to help the blend flow well. Maybe a shake or two of season salt wouldn’t matter, but I prefer not to take the risk.

One I recently discovered is dry roasted peanuts. The local grocery store where I do most of my shopping has a store brand of dry roasted peanuts. The salted and lightly salted versions both contain sugar of some sort. The unsalted are just peanuts. Other stores can differ, so watch the labels.

Stewed Tomatoes were a surprise for me. The whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and petite diced are fine. But all the stewed tomatoes I’ve checked contain sugar. So does tomato soup, as do several other types of prepared soup at the grocery.

Also watch out for canned peas and carrots. Why anyone would sweeten canned carrots is beyond me, but then again, no one asked my opinion on the matter. Kidney beans are one more item to watch. A few companies don’t use sugar, but most do. I don’t know why kidney beans in particular, since most of the other beans are fine.

Of course, all manner of chili beans and baked beans have sugar, but you kind of expect that. I have found one or two brands of chili beans which are sugar free, but you really have to search.

Hope this helps you out a bit. These were just some of the things I would never have thought to look at. It pays to check all your labels when you’re shopping.

Have trouble reading all that fine print? Grab your mobile phone and snap a picture of it, and then enlarge it so you can find out exactly what is in your food.

That’s it for today.

Stay happy. Stay healthy and enjoy your summer.

Ready For a Break?

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If you are, come with me to a Japanese spa, or maybe a hot spring. Feel that wonderful mineral water as you soak and relax, letting your cares drift away.

All right, I know. You’re like me and can’f afford the journey.

But you can help set the mood in your own bath with a new candle from Mythologie Candles. Inspired by Fantasy, their candles offer unique scents reminiscent of myths and legends. The new Onsen Bundle captures the feeling of the Japanese spa.

Not ready for the spa?

How about St. Patrick’s Day? The new St. Paddy’s Day candles are ready! You can choose the Angry Leprechaun or Emerald Isle. Or take them both in the St. Patrick’s Day Bundle!

Not sure what you’re in the mood for? Just go on over and shop! Since I’ve discovered these candles, they have become my favorite scents. I particularly like the Camelot candles, The Blacksmith, and Dwarven Forge. But I’m dying to try the Onsen candles.

Go on over and, once you’ve experienced them, drop me a comment and share your favorite!

In the meantime, don’t forget self-care is not an option. It is a necessity. Do something good for yourself.

Now go out and spread a little sunshine with your smile.

‘Cuz everyone could use a little sunshine.

It Has Been A While

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And it has been quite a time.

Earlier last year, I managed to pull the muscles and tendons in my foot and calf. There went my nice long walks for a while. But with summer coming on, things got busy.

Then came autumn, with multiple weddings and birthdays, along with the bridal showers, and all that goes with a garden wedding.

So, things were healing up nicely until my husband and I went to lunch. As my foot hit something in the parking lot of the restaurant, my still weak right leg couldn’t recovery sufficiently to keep me from falling.

And fracturing my right patella.

Two months later, just before Christmas, my doctor finally decided everything was healed enough to resume normal activities. But in the meantime, sitting for any length of time was painful, walking wasn’t fun, and the stairs were killer.

I’ve also recently had surgery for cataracts, so my time on the computer has been shortened, since it kind of makes my eyes tired.

Turns out all that research on stress helped me out!

I know. I’m a klutz. But funny!

So this has been my world lately. But I’m recovering nicely from all of the above, doing weight training and stretching to get those muscles back in shape. And watching my diet.

I hope to be back on a more regular schedule soon, so stay tuned!

And if you like to read, head over to my author web for news on my books: melliemiller.com

See you soon! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

A Summer Walk

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Sometimes we just need a break. Maybe a nice walk to get in touch with the nature. I know you can’t actually slip into my world just now, but…

...come walk with me. A virtual walk if you will.

Out the front door, we close the heavy iron gate behind us. The trees arching over the sidewalk invite us forward as we begin our stroll. Turning toward the little country road, we walk in the shade of the trees, cooling us from summer’s sun.

The scent of the earth after a rain surrounds us, as a cool breeze rustles the leaves. The crunching of our footsteps along the dirt and gravel lane provide a percussive note to the birdsong from the woods alongside.

Though it’s mid-day, the shade from the trees cools us as we walk along. Reaching a branch in the path, we turn downhill toward a little stream. The shade is deeper here, and the breeze coming up off the stream is wonderfully refreshing.

Before long, we hear the splashing of the stream as it tumbles over the rocky ledge. Turning off the path, we go down to the water’s edge, feeling the refreshing mist rising from the stream.

The interplay of light and shadow here under the trees, beside the stream, along with the woodland sounds, is soothing, relaxing. It feels as if all your troubles could float away, like fallen leaves on the water.


Stop for a moment.


Close your eyes and breathe deeply of the woodland scent. The smell of moist earth warmed by the sun, mingling with the wildflowers growing along the stream teases your senses. On the breeze, you catch a hint of newly mown hay from further down the path.


Take another deep breath. Hold it in for a few seconds before you slowly exhale, releasing your cares into the vastness of the universe. Listen as the sounds of nature speak to you soul.

I could spend all afternoon here by the water, but I need to go home. So we turn away from the water, taking a last look at the ferns growing there in the shade, and wishing we had time to climb out and sit on the log bridging the stream.


I fell lighter of spirit, somehow, as if a weight has been lifted. Back up the path to the turn, and then up the road toward the drive, we look out across a meadow filled with tiny yellow flowers.

Back to the sidewalk, we slip under the living arch, stroke the cat who is waiting there for us, and open the heavy gate back into the house.

I feel refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day now. I know, it’s time to say goodbye. But thanks for coming with me. I had a wonderful time.


How about you?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Yes, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since I’ve already written one blog post about it, let me simply refer you to it.

In the meantime, keep the girls checked out. Early detection is one of the keys to recovery.

Be Aware

A Little About Me

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Photo by Dawn ThumbnailI don’t share much about myself sometimes, mainly because I don’t want to seem like I’m hoping for sympathy I suppose. Yes, I’ve been through a few things, but I’ve made it through.

Back in 2004 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. To hurry through the story, I survived chemotherapy and radiation therapy, losing my hair and growing it back again.

Since then, I have recurring symptoms which drive me crazy, but I think they’re a little less now than they had been.

But my scalp has been sensitive to products, which was not helped at all when I began to use a supposedly more natural product that made my hair loss increase drastically after about three months.

Nor was I alone in this. I have a good friend who had the same problem, as did our daughter. Three different people. Three different kinds of hair. Same issue. Unfortunately the company decided it couldn’t be their fault.

But since then, my scalp has been even more sensitive. Everything I tried over the counter either made my scalp break out in huge sores, or it made my hair loss increase. or both!

The salon suggested a product to me, which slowed the hair loss, but unfortunately made my head start breaking out again after a couple weeks. Where do you go from here?

Thankfully our daughter’s hair dresser suggested a product to her, which she loved and then suggested to me. I’ve been using it for nearly eight months now. My hair is filling in, it’s soft and smooth. It’s longer than it has grown in years without split ends.

And no sores on my scalp!

It’s amazing when you find something that works. And not only works, but works well!

Thank you, Tasha and Dawn for introducing me to these products. They’re amazing!

Follow me on Facebook for more information!

http://www.facebook.com/mellie

Emotional Abuse

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Black and white2Emotional abuse is a growing concern in our world, and since it is nearly invisible, the perpetrators go away Scot free.  It often stems from the need to be in control. We all know what physical abuse is, and while the victims oftentimes try to hide it, the symptoms are fairly obvious.

But what is emotional abuse? 

According to the Counseling Center, abuse is any behavior which tries to control or subjugate another person by fear, humiliation, verbal or physical assaults. Emotional abuse can include verbal abuse, constant criticism, intimidation, manipulation and refusal to ever be pleased.

Emotional abuse takes away its victim’s sense of self-worth, self-confidence, and their trust in their perceptions. The communication between partners develops into more of a parent/child pattern than one between adults.

Are you in an emotionally abusive relationship?

What are the symptoms of emotional abuse?

  • Feelings of isolation from family and friends.
  • Excessive dependence on him or her
  • You feel like you can’t plan ahead because of your spouse’s response to anything you plan.
  • You feel depressed or anxious most of the time.
  • You doubt your ability to speak your mind, and express your opinions
  • You feel like you can never do enough.

These are a few signs to watch for, but the list isn’t all-inclusive.

What can you do?

Sometimes, once a person realizes they are in an abusive situation, refusing to be a willing party is enough to start the changes in the relationship. Other times, marriage counseling can help.

And of course, last of all, when there is no hope of change, it becomes necessary to leave the relationship.

Don’t continue to consent to emotional abuse. Though the scars are invisible, they can be even more devastating than those people can see.

Take action today.

 

Faith

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 Black and white2What is faith? We’ve all heard about faith, but to many it is much the same as making a wish. And if it is nor more than wishing, why bother?

According to the bible, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

But how do we put this to work in our daily lives? How can something we hope for have substance?

A wise man I once knew put it sort of like this. When you ask for something in faith, ask and then go out as if your request has already been answered. So if you’ve asked for a new job to come your way, go out knowing that something will come to you and then do what you need to do to find it. Read the want ads, post your resume online, ask your friends.

The person with faith will go out the door looking for the opportunity waiting for him. He’ll be excited, because he knows something will show up–either a new job, a raise, a promotion. Something positive will happen for him.

Chances are, it won’t just fall out of the sky, but you are looking for that job, knowing it will be there. And because you’re looking, you’ll see it when it shows up.

Don’t ask for a new job and then say, “Well, I’ll probably have to make do with what I have. For some reason, God has decided that I can never really get ahead, I guess to keep me humble. Besides, no one in this family has ever done anything. Why should I be the first?”

Do you see the difference? One person is asking for something without limiting God or the universe, willing to accept the new job which will come his way. It may not occur in a way he is expecting, but he’ll be ready for it.

The second person, by his attitude, is placing limits around what can happen. He is asking for something, but accepting, as fact, that it isn’t going to happen. And if he doesn’t expect it to happen, there is no faith involved, and chances are, when the opportunity is presented, he won’t be there to receive it. He’ll be looking back at his past and wishing it was different.

So how do we show faith? By asking and expecting to receive what we need. If you need a new job, and you ask for one, expect to find it. If you need a better car, ask, and then look for what you need, knowing God wants you to prosper.

 

 

This Thing Called Happiness

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Have you noticed that some people seem to be happy not matter what problems have cropped up in their lives. And at the same time, there are people with seemingly everything going for them who can’t find joy in anything?

What is this thing called happiness? What does it mean to be happy? According to the dictionary, it is “feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.”

Are you content?

Some of us are waiting for everything in our lives to be perfect–the perfect job, perfect mate, perfect car, perfect house, money in the bank, and an abundance of people to share it with. And that would be nice. The problem with this mindset, however, is that there is nothing in this world that is perfect. We are all flawed. That perfect job comes with irritations. Mates are human and cannot be perfect 100% of the time. The perfect car sitting in your garage will begin to have problems.

If you are waiting for something on the outside to give you joy and happiness, you are going to be waiting for a long time. Having things go right every now and then can help, but if your happiness doesn’t begin with you, it will remain as elusive as the white unicorn.

People who always have a smile on their face and a kind greeting for others, who are happy overall with life, even with its ups and downs, have learned an important lesson.

You will not be happy until you learn to be grateful for what you already have.

You will find what you look for. If you concentrate on being ill, being unemployed, not making enough money, chronic pain, then that is what you will find. And the more you concentrate on it, the bigger the problem will grow.

But if you look for things in your life which are uplifting, which are blessings, you’ll find more things to be thankful for.

  • Maybe you’d like a job that paid more. But you can be glad you have a job.
  • Perhaps your health could be better. But you woke up this morning and have another day to be thankful for.
  • Are you and your mate having difficulties? If you’re together, and both willing to stay that way, be thankful for your mate and the chance to work things out for a better, stronger future together.

There is a reason the scripture says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phillippians 4:8)

This is the recipe for happiness. Wherever your mind is, that is what you will have. If all you can think about are the negatives in your life, that is all you will find.

If you focus your mind on those things around you which are good, beautiful, and uplifting, you will find more of the same.

Here is my challenge to you. Every day for the next week, write down 5 different positive things about the day, 5 different things for which you are grateful. It doesn’t matter how large or small a thing it is. Start with the small things if you wish, and work your way up.

Did you see a pretty little butterfly next to a puddle that gave you a moment of brightness? Be thankful.

Maybe you saw a songbird sitting on a fence preening in the sun. Smile and say thank you.

Did you have to opportunity to eat today? Find a penny in the parking lot? Give thanks.

Whenever you find you’re thinking about a negative, push it away and shift gears. Focus your thoughts on something uplifting. Refuse to allow the negatives a place to live in your mind.

Nurture the attitude of gratitude and see what the future brings.