Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Learning Toys for Blind and Low Vision Kids

Learning toys for blind and low vision kids are basically the same ones that you would use for a perfectly sighted child - only the way that you use them perhaps may be a little different.

Having a child who is blind or low vision means that you have to think 'outside the box' when it comes to what is appropriate for them to play with and how they learn but it can be incorporated into a normal everyday family.

For instance, blind or low vision kids learn adaptive skills by playing with blocks, configuring puzzles (foam or regular), walking a low balance beam, watching a mobile, or even just listening to music.  They also love learning musical instruments, reading actual books or listening to audio books. 

A low-riding bike with training wheels, a big wheel, a trampoline - all of these common childhood toys can enhance a blind or low vision child's life and teach them things you may not even be aware of.

Toys with handles and knobs that teach sensory integration skills, games that test mental abilities such as who, what, where and why can teach a low vision or blind child in a subtle way about perceiving the world around them and will eventually give them invaluable skills to enter the world one day as an independent person.

For more ideas and thoughts on learning toys for blind and low vision kids, please see this link!
Learning-Toys-For-Blind-and-Low-Vision-Kids

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Favorite Funny Stories: Soccer Bloopers

One would think that starting to play sports at age 38 is a bit much.  Especially if that sport happens to be soccer.  All in all though, this experience serves as the back drop for my favorite funny stories and my soccer bloopers.

I never do anything halfway and am probably a type AAAA personality.  When I realized that I truly wanted to learn to play soccer, there was nothing to be done for it except to join a league - which I fondly refer to now as 'old lady soccer'. 

It was a truly wonderful experience, even through all the injuries, all the training, all the botched attempt to be athletic and actually be pathetic!  It taught me much though about the sport, about athleticism in general, and how to not be quite so hard on yourself.  It also taught me a lot in retrospect about being a team.

I grew up being forbidden to play sports - because I was a musician and because I was a girl.  I think that was perhaps some of the draw in wanting to play later in life - that and the fact that all 3 of our children played sports nonstop from a young age through high school and even into college.  I discovered that contrary to my family's knowledge, I loved sports and I had a keen understanding of many of them.  Unfortunately, my body didn't quite follow suit - and hence the perfect beginning for my favorite funny stories and soccer bloopers.

Just remember - you are never to old to try anything!  After I gave up soccer, I moved on to urban mushing!


http://hubpages.com/hub/Favorite-Funny-Stories-Soccer-Bloopers?done

Friday, May 21, 2010

Low Carb Healthy Recipes: Pork Tenderloin With Herbs

 If you want to make a dish that your family will love or you need a special recipe for an important occasion, it doesn't get much easier than this one! Try this low carb addition to healthy recipes with pork tenderloin and you will be amazed at the results.

Pork tenderloin has many less calories than a beef tenderloin and added to that, this is an extremely low carb dinner choice.  The recipe is for 4 servings and a pork tenderloin usually weighs in at about 1 pound.  It is a very lean meat and if cooked properly, as in this recipe, can be one of the most tender meats you will ever cook.

The trick is never to overcook - always use a meat thermometer.  This recipe probably takes 5 minutes to prepare and 25-30 minutes to cook/let stand another 5 and slice.  It doesn't get much simpler than that!

The aroma while it is cooking is divine.  The blend of the herbs and mustard creates a mouth-watering blend to bring out the best in the pork tenderloin - all the while being low carb and one of the best healthy recipes I've discovered recently.

I actually found this recipe in a cookbook for people with diabetes but the recipe will stand for any diet and for anyone but check out some of the other recipes in the cookbook highlighted.  It is a wonderful cookbook for people with diabetes or people just trying to find healthy recipes.

Enjoy!

Low-Carb-Healthy-Recipes-Pork-Tenderloin

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Cooking Light Magazine's 7 Best Foods For Women

Cooking Light Magazine just published an article on the 7 best foods for women to eat on a regular basis and incorporate into their diet - however, I think that these same foods could be of equal benefit to men.  These highly recommended foods are cranberry juice or berries, kale, tomatoes, flax seed, Greek yogurt, walnuts, and salmon. 

With just a minimum of effort, these foods are easily combined with other foods to promote such health properties as fighting breast and cervical cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and lower your cholesterol - all naturally. 

Salmon, flax seed and walnuts are high in omega-3 fats that are so important in terms of heart disease but these same omega-3's are also vital in preventing osteoporosis and fighting breast cancer.

Kale and tomatoes are good for their vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein and their lycopene.  These as well fight heart disease and breast and cervical cancers.  Lutein is good for eye health.

Cranberry juice is great for preventing and treating urinary tract infections but also contains many antioxidants, as do the actual berry the cranberry.  They also help prevent kidney stones as well as give you natural antioxidants. 

Lastly, Greek yogurt is a food rich in protein and zero fat.  It promotes intestinal health as well as through its valuable proteins aids in weight loss, maintenance of muscle mass, and healthier aging. 

For more of the article, see my hub on hubpages!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Cooking-Light-Magazines-7-Best-Foods-For-Women?done

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Central Oregon Travel - Bend Oregon, Sunriver Oregon and the Paulina Plunge

If you are looking for a unique experience for a vacation memory, Central Oregon and in particular Bend Oregon and Sunriver Oregon are enchanting places to spend time.  You can find just about every level of outdoor activity you would like to participate in but there is one unique trip you will find nowhere else....the Paulina Plunge brought to you by a recreational company out of Bend Oregon.

The Paulina Plunge is a downhill waterfall mountain bike tour that is an all-day event but that will leave you speechless.  It is not strenuous and anyone from 4 to 70 can participate.  The company provides the mountain bikes, the helmets, buses you to the forest to begin the tour, and you can even order a fried chicken lunch delivered right to you on the tour.

It is a beautiful way to spend a day - it includes biking in about 4 segments each about 1-1/2 miles down forest roads to 4 to 6 waterfalls depending upon the runoff for the year.  The most wonderful part of the whole experience is that you can swim in the waterfalls and there are actually 2 natural water slides to partake of.  It is an experience you won't forget!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Central-Oregon-Travel-Bend-Oregon-Paulina-Plunge-Mountain-Bike-Tour?done

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Here's Your Sign - Answers From A Malamute Owner

I am constantly bombarded with the most insane questions when I take my 2 malamutes out and about - this is just a few of the ones that I get asked constantly - and what I wish I could say in return!

A take-off on Blue Collar Comedy - Here's Your Sign....hope you find it amusing.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Heres-Your-Sign-Comebacks-From-A-Malamute-Owner

Sex Drive, Coitus Interruptus and Our Naked Truth

In my late 20's, I discovered the power of being able to have a healthy sex drive - all because of my loving and encouraging husband.  However, on one particular night, this new side of me had some slightly comical and nearly disastrous results. 

As the kids say these days though - 'it's all good' - it turned out to be one of my most memorable voyages into becoming a fully evolved sexy woman.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Sex-Drive-Coitus-Interruptus-And-The-Naked-Truth?done

Friday, May 7, 2010

Central Oregon Vacation - Learn Urban Mushing and Dog Sledding

Whether you are on vacation in Central Oregon or live here, and want to learn a great way to exercise your dogs via urban mushing/dog scootering or dog sledding, Karen Yeargain of Tumnatki Siberians is your ticket to the experience of a lifetime. 

Recently, we participated with our Alaskan malamutes with Karen's Siberian huskies on an outing in Sisters Oregon in Central Oregon - not on vacation - but for the sheer pleasure of exercising our dogs and doing urban mushing.  It was a wonderful experience and only one of several we have participated in.

Dog sledding and urban mushing does not have to be confined to Siberian huskies or Alaskan malamutes - about any medium sized breed of dog can be trained to pull in this fashion as a form of great exercise - but the proper training is advised.

Central-Oregon-Vacation-Learn-Dog-Sledding-or-Urban-Mushing

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Sunriver Oregon

If you are looking for a wonderful place to go on vacation as a family, individually, a place to hold a wedding or social event, or even a place to schedule a seminar - Sunriver has it all.  Sunriver at any time of the year has the amazing ability to please anyone and everyone.  There are simply that many things to do.  In summer, you can horseback ride, river raft, golf, hike, fish and swim.  In winter, you can snowshoe, nordic and alpine ski, sled, ice skate, and enjoy the beautiful high desert Sunriver Lodge. 

Accommodations in Sunriver are unsurpassed in their amenities and their wide range of prices.  Most all come with everything you'll need to have a self-contained vacation as most come with well-stocked kitchens.  Most come with their own hot tub where you can gaze at the stars on a summer or winter night.  Most rentals also provide bikes to traverse the more than 35+ miles of bike paths surrounding Sunriver.

Sunriver by far is one of the ultimate resort communities because it feels like home rather than a stuffy resort.  However, that said, you can still wine and dine, enjoy such luxuries as a spa and a health club and all the outdoor activities that you can imagine without ever leaving Sunriver.  For convenience, there is a small mall in the center of town complete with several dining establishments and a wonderful bakery.  There are 2 small grocery stores within Sunriver, one of which has a gas station.  There are also 2 golf courses as part of Sunriver and many, many more in the surrounding communities.  Sunriver even has its own airstrip.

If you are looking for a wonderful place to vacation or schedule a business meeting, Sunriver is your place.  Happy vacationing and happy traveling!

Sunriver-Oregon

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

HubTrail Capstone: Oregon Travel

If you are looking for a vacation destination that is unlike any other and is still within the continental United States, look no further!  Oregon in its various regions has more than enough to please even the well-seasoned traveler.  From wild and panoramic ocean views to high mountain desert, to pristine mountain lakes to fantastic ski areas, from river rafting to mountain climbing, from fine dining to cultural arts, Oregon fits the bill.  Whatever you are looking for in a vacation, you will find it in Oregon. 

Hubtrail-Capstone-Oregon

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon

Whether you are an avid rock climber or just love to hike or mountain bike, if you are ever in Central Oregon, Smith Rock State Park is a must see!  It is oftentimes called the gem of the state parks in Central Oregon and is routinely visited by more than 500,000 rock climbers from all over the world per year.  On any given day 365 days per year, you will find many and varied visitors to the park making the 1/2 mile steep climb down to the canyon floor - whether it is to fish, to picnic, or to hike or rock climb.  Dogs are allowed but the leash law is strictly enforced - it is a $142 fine to have any dogs off leash.  Make sure you bring plenty of water as the climb back up the trail is grueling.  Also make sure you stick to all denoted paths as this is rattlesnake country and there is a danger at any time of running into one suddenly.  There is tent camping available just off one of the parking lots, which mostly is used by climbers, but there are many campgrounds in Central Oregon which can be located through the Bureau of Land Management.

Smith-Rock-State-Park-In-Beautiful-Central-Oregon