Hey Girls,
Happy Spring to you all! We are so happy to welcome in spring here, at ScienceSisters. We don't know about you, but have you been seeing those spring robins again? We noticed they were MIA during the winter months and are glad to see them back home. We've heard them singing out our kitchen window and have seen them when we take our walks. It is such a nice Spring Sight!
But, do you girls know why the robins migrate south during the winter and come north during the warmer months? According to our research, most robins fly south for food. In the winter, their only food option is fruit, while warmer weather allows them to eat insects and worms. (Could you imagine eating, say, only apples for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?) As the temps fall in winter, robins need more food, especially fruit if they are up north. So this diminishes the food supply.
And, you can always tell when the robins are back home because of their singing! Robins tend to sing when they arrive on their territory, telling other animals this is their home.
You should check out this website on the American Robin
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/robin/ - it is where we found our research and we also love the maps and photos it provides.
Now, when you are out walking, running, or even going to the library, keep your eyes and ears open - you are bound to see some of these feathered friends.
Happy Spring,
Jena & Mary
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Pets & Your Health: Why Owning a Pet Improves Your Overall Well-Being
Hey Girls,
Happy March! Wow, we can't believe spring is almost here! Pretty soon the trees will be filled with new buds, the grass will be green, and flowers will be blooming. And you know what is great about spring? It is the perfect time to learn about your pets. With many of you owning dogs, cats, birds, or fish, pets play a vital role in our lives. Our animal friends are true companions who keep us busy and provide great health benefits to you.
According to the National Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC), animals tend to lower owners' blood pressure, cholesterol, and decrease feelings of loneliness. Animals, especially dogs, even help with your excercise routine because by taking them for a walk, you in turn are able to exercise too!
Pets even help with stress and heart disease. In an article by Ursula Cunningham, she points out, "Walking with a pet helps to soothe nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners . . . Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease."
This is a great lesson to us. So, why not, treat your dog to a nice walk today or read a good book with your cat on your lap? Animals definitely help us live healthier lives and promote our well-being.
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Happy March! Wow, we can't believe spring is almost here! Pretty soon the trees will be filled with new buds, the grass will be green, and flowers will be blooming. And you know what is great about spring? It is the perfect time to learn about your pets. With many of you owning dogs, cats, birds, or fish, pets play a vital role in our lives. Our animal friends are true companions who keep us busy and provide great health benefits to you.
According to the National Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC), animals tend to lower owners' blood pressure, cholesterol, and decrease feelings of loneliness. Animals, especially dogs, even help with your excercise routine because by taking them for a walk, you in turn are able to exercise too!
Pets even help with stress and heart disease. In an article by Ursula Cunningham, she points out, "Walking with a pet helps to soothe nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners . . . Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease."
This is a great lesson to us. So, why not, treat your dog to a nice walk today or read a good book with your cat on your lap? Animals definitely help us live healthier lives and promote our well-being.
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Thursday, February 5, 2009
True Blue
Hey Girls,
Do you ever feel like re-decorating? Maybe you like to feng-shui your room or update your pictures on your bulletin board. We, here, are all about changing things up. Otherwise, our own personal space can get downright stagnant. But, did you know that re-decorating can boost your creativity?
According to a recent New York Times article, researchers are discovering that color can have a major impact on just that. Scientists at the University of British Columbia conducted various tests on cognitive performance and color. Turns out that when subjects were exposed to the color red, they exhibited improvements in memory. Blue, however, influenced participants on tests requiring imagination. Reporter Pam Belluck states in the article "In cognitive realms, experts say colors may affect performance because of the mood they transmit."
So, if you're looking to transform your own personal space into a creative outlet why not try adding a splash of blue? Invite some friends over and have a decorating day! Those blue walls just might help out with your next English paper.
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Do you ever feel like re-decorating? Maybe you like to feng-shui your room or update your pictures on your bulletin board. We, here, are all about changing things up. Otherwise, our own personal space can get downright stagnant. But, did you know that re-decorating can boost your creativity?
According to a recent New York Times article, researchers are discovering that color can have a major impact on just that. Scientists at the University of British Columbia conducted various tests on cognitive performance and color. Turns out that when subjects were exposed to the color red, they exhibited improvements in memory. Blue, however, influenced participants on tests requiring imagination. Reporter Pam Belluck states in the article "In cognitive realms, experts say colors may affect performance because of the mood they transmit."
So, if you're looking to transform your own personal space into a creative outlet why not try adding a splash of blue? Invite some friends over and have a decorating day! Those blue walls just might help out with your next English paper.
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Don't Forget Your Vitamin C!
Hey Girls,
Hope you are all doing great and staying healthy in the new year. Here in New England, the snow keeps on falling, making our town look like a pretty winter painting. So, with everybody indoors, it is important to stay healthy. During this time of year, germs are prone to spread with people always in close proximity to each other. To help ward off flu and cold germs, it is absolutely essential you girls continue to get your vitamin c. The best way to do this is through eating oranges, one of our favorite snacks.
According to the Sunkist Website, "During cold and flu season it is best to up your intake of vitamin C. Remember, unlike some vitamins, vitamin C cannot be stored by the body; so, it is important to replenish regularly to stay healthy and avoid the flu this season. Just one medium orange provides more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs." (http://www.sunkist.com/healthy/flu_prevention.aspx)
Also, the website is awesome in pointing out that oranges provide a great amount of energy for you. So if you are feeling sleepy or sluggish, an orange is likely to pick you up. From the orange's color to the strong smell to the texture, an orange is definitely going to get you going.
Hope this advice helps you girls continue to stay healthy during these winter months. So grab an orange, a great book (maybe one from the Twilight Series), sit by the fire and enjoy!
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Hope you are all doing great and staying healthy in the new year. Here in New England, the snow keeps on falling, making our town look like a pretty winter painting. So, with everybody indoors, it is important to stay healthy. During this time of year, germs are prone to spread with people always in close proximity to each other. To help ward off flu and cold germs, it is absolutely essential you girls continue to get your vitamin c. The best way to do this is through eating oranges, one of our favorite snacks.
According to the Sunkist Website, "During cold and flu season it is best to up your intake of vitamin C. Remember, unlike some vitamins, vitamin C cannot be stored by the body; so, it is important to replenish regularly to stay healthy and avoid the flu this season. Just one medium orange provides more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs." (http://www.sunkist.com/healthy/flu_prevention.aspx)
Also, the website is awesome in pointing out that oranges provide a great amount of energy for you. So if you are feeling sleepy or sluggish, an orange is likely to pick you up. From the orange's color to the strong smell to the texture, an orange is definitely going to get you going.
Hope this advice helps you girls continue to stay healthy during these winter months. So grab an orange, a great book (maybe one from the Twilight Series), sit by the fire and enjoy!
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New Year, New (Energized) You!
Hey Girls,
With the new year here, it's important to start it off with energy. Although it is cold and snowy in New England, and maybe where you are too, don't opt for that winter nap! Hibernation, although a temporary one, will not give you the energy you might expect. If your new to-do list is chock-full of resolutions and filled time-slots, you might want to pencil in a new item ... exercise.
Did you know that regular exercise can boost your energy? Editor and advise guru, Stephen R. Covey states in his article Your Healthiest Year Ever, "Both low and moderate intensity exercise upped energy levels by 20% in sedentary young adults..." Instead of the power-nap, consider the power-walk! Covey further says "exercise acts directly on the central nervous system to increase energy and reduce fatigue."
So, in addition to looking and feeling great, exercise just might give you the boost to achieve all your hopes and dreams this year!
Peace,
Jena & Mary
With the new year here, it's important to start it off with energy. Although it is cold and snowy in New England, and maybe where you are too, don't opt for that winter nap! Hibernation, although a temporary one, will not give you the energy you might expect. If your new to-do list is chock-full of resolutions and filled time-slots, you might want to pencil in a new item ... exercise.
Did you know that regular exercise can boost your energy? Editor and advise guru, Stephen R. Covey states in his article Your Healthiest Year Ever, "Both low and moderate intensity exercise upped energy levels by 20% in sedentary young adults..." Instead of the power-nap, consider the power-walk! Covey further says "exercise acts directly on the central nervous system to increase energy and reduce fatigue."
So, in addition to looking and feeling great, exercise just might give you the boost to achieve all your hopes and dreams this year!
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Warmth of Christmas Lasts All Year
Hey Girls,
Merry Christmas! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. We like to relax the day after Christmas, eat leftovers, read by the Christmas tree, play Christmas carols. We can't believe Christmas is actually over. It feels like we just got our tree, watched White Christmas, hit the Power Hours at Kohl's. Our home was truly filled with peace, love, and the joy of the season. We also loved exchanging our gifts!
But, you can continue the gift giving of the season. Why not buy your Mom a cute pair of gloves for the New Year? Or get your sister that pretty keychain with her initial? Or buy your aunt a Vera Bradley belt? Scientists have reported that gift giving has important psychological beneifts. According to The New York Times, "They have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends." Gift giving not only makes others happy, but you too. Dr. Laura Langer said in The New York Times, "Giving to others reinforces our feelings for them and makes us feel effective and caring."
So everybody, keep that Christmas spirit all year and share it through buying a surprise gift for a family member or friend. That way the warmth of the season lasts all year.
Merry Christmas,
Jena & Mary
Merry Christmas! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. We like to relax the day after Christmas, eat leftovers, read by the Christmas tree, play Christmas carols. We can't believe Christmas is actually over. It feels like we just got our tree, watched White Christmas, hit the Power Hours at Kohl's. Our home was truly filled with peace, love, and the joy of the season. We also loved exchanging our gifts!
But, you can continue the gift giving of the season. Why not buy your Mom a cute pair of gloves for the New Year? Or get your sister that pretty keychain with her initial? Or buy your aunt a Vera Bradley belt? Scientists have reported that gift giving has important psychological beneifts. According to The New York Times, "They have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends." Gift giving not only makes others happy, but you too. Dr. Laura Langer said in The New York Times, "Giving to others reinforces our feelings for them and makes us feel effective and caring."
So everybody, keep that Christmas spirit all year and share it through buying a surprise gift for a family member or friend. That way the warmth of the season lasts all year.
Merry Christmas,
Jena & Mary
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas Caution
Hey Girls,
Hope you're all enjoying the holiday season. It sure has been busy around here, with Christmas shopping and decorating and baking. A fun kind of busy, though...full of Christmas carols and cards and lights and cookies. And let's not forget the tree! It's our favorite part here at Science Sisters, and this year we've chosen a pretty Fraser Fir from a local nursery. But, we do admit that we came really close to purchasing an artificial tree. Our reasons were as follows...
1. We can put the tree up a lot earlier (say Thanksgiving) and really get into the holiday spirit.
2. The tree lasts for more than one season!
3. No more tree-hunts/excursions looking for Thee Tree.
4. Artificial trees often come with the lights already strung on the tree (okay, this makes the job a lot easier =) )
5. No watering the tree, vacuuming fallen needles, etc.
6. Always a perfect shape & never a bare spot.
Convinced? We can change that. Upon a recent seasonal shopping trip, Jena and I discovered some shocking truths about the Artificial Christmas Tree. At a chain dept. store, the trees were all packaged in boxes, but these boxes contained a warning label on the side. The trees contained lead (Pb, science majors), as in carcinogenic lead. The label even stated that after having any contact with the tree, one should wash their hands. We couldn't believe it! Young children and pets are certainly not going to wash their hands every time they touch the tree. If toys are recalled if they contain lead, then why aren't the artificial Christmas trees? It's a scary situation, but hopefully this post will lead you to share this information.
If you are thinking about buying an artificial Christmas tree this holiday season, do read the warnings. If it contains lead, consider the real deal--a live Xmas tree. But, if you own an artificial tree now, consult the manual and check the warnings or contact the manufacturer. Because, as you may know, a healthy tree is a happy tree!
Peace,
Jena & Mary
Hope you're all enjoying the holiday season. It sure has been busy around here, with Christmas shopping and decorating and baking. A fun kind of busy, though...full of Christmas carols and cards and lights and cookies. And let's not forget the tree! It's our favorite part here at Science Sisters, and this year we've chosen a pretty Fraser Fir from a local nursery. But, we do admit that we came really close to purchasing an artificial tree. Our reasons were as follows...
1. We can put the tree up a lot earlier (say Thanksgiving) and really get into the holiday spirit.
2. The tree lasts for more than one season!
3. No more tree-hunts/excursions looking for Thee Tree.
4. Artificial trees often come with the lights already strung on the tree (okay, this makes the job a lot easier =) )
5. No watering the tree, vacuuming fallen needles, etc.
6. Always a perfect shape & never a bare spot.
Convinced? We can change that. Upon a recent seasonal shopping trip, Jena and I discovered some shocking truths about the Artificial Christmas Tree. At a chain dept. store, the trees were all packaged in boxes, but these boxes contained a warning label on the side. The trees contained lead (Pb, science majors), as in carcinogenic lead. The label even stated that after having any contact with the tree, one should wash their hands. We couldn't believe it! Young children and pets are certainly not going to wash their hands every time they touch the tree. If toys are recalled if they contain lead, then why aren't the artificial Christmas trees? It's a scary situation, but hopefully this post will lead you to share this information.
If you are thinking about buying an artificial Christmas tree this holiday season, do read the warnings. If it contains lead, consider the real deal--a live Xmas tree. But, if you own an artificial tree now, consult the manual and check the warnings or contact the manufacturer. Because, as you may know, a healthy tree is a happy tree!
Peace,
Jena & Mary
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