5 Reasons That I Love Jeep

My 2013 Jeep Compass

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I love cars. I love them so much that up until a few years ago I would trade to get a new one every two years. I love discovering the variety and experiencing the "feel" of driving different models. Of late, my favorite vehicle is a Jeep -- a Compass to be exact. Here are five reasons that I love Jeep.

1.  Jeeps are cool. Call it a mid-life crisis or whatever you want, but I feel youthful when I'm driving my Jeep. It's stylish, and the model that I drive could even be termed as elegant, if you stretch the definition.
2. Jeeps are fun. The way that my Jeep handles is what I'd call 'perky.' It has all kinds of hidden storage space and all types of fun features, such as in-car speakers for your phone, an efficient navigation system, and you can even choose what mode you want to drive it in, e.g., automatic transmission or a pseudo-manual transmission where you can drive it as if it has a stick.
3. Jeeps come in a variety of models. There's a Jeep out there for every personality type. Whether you're outdoorsy, practical, elegant, or suburban -- there's a Jeep model that will fit your lifestyle perfectly.
4. Jeeps allow you to sit up high. I'm sold on the SUV experience of being able to sit up high. It just offers better visibility in my opinion and makes it easier for me to process transactions when I pull up to ATMs, drive-thru windows, and other kiosk-type scenarios where I don't have to get out of the car to make a transaction.
5. Jeeps are practical. With my Jeep bad weather isn't a major limiting factor when I need to be mobile. Because of the drive system and the built-in safety features I can continue to navigate with ease under almost any circumstance.

If you're in the market for a new vehicle and have a preference for an SUV-type driving experience, please consider the Jeep brand. Millions have purchased them over the years and have remained loyal, so much so that you can find a number of social networking events geared towards Jeep enthusiasts.

For more information on the different Jeep models that are available, be sure to visit the company website listed in the sources section below.

Happy driving!

Sources:

Jeep.com

Personal experience

*Photo: (c) Angela Lane Woods

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/21/2014 (no longer published there).]

Work at Home Tip: How to Maintain Productivity When Working From Home

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I've been blessed to work from home almost continually since 1989. Over the years, I've tried a couple of times to go back into office work, but it just didn't suit my nature. Not having to spend eight hours a day on a 'cube farm' is a wonderful thing, and I'd like to share my tips on how to maintain productivity when working from home.

Maintain a daily in-office routine

By this I mean get up, wash up, and get dressed as if you're going to work (casual business attire is fine), and follow the standard business hours that you've set for yourself. If you've decided that your workday is from 8:00am until 4:30pm, then with only few exceptions find yourself working during that timeframe. Keep a space reserved in the house that is to be used exclusively as your office.

Minimize distractions

The truth of the matter is that most folks who have never worked from home don't really understand the dynamic. They think that you can just up and play, run errands, and talk on the phone without restriction and without consequence. You and I know though that the set-in-stone formula for working at home is time=money. It's up to you to set boundaries about when people can call, come by, and ask you for favors.

Create a system for meal preparation

Maintaining high productivity hinges a lot on how you feel, and how you feel depends to a great degree on what you eat. Get a system in place where you can prepare meals and snacks in advance so that when hunger hits you aren't tempted to hit the fast food joints. Place an emphasis on lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, filtered water, and healthy snacks.

Get at least 30 minutes of exercise in every day

As above, your productivity success is affected to a great degree by how you feel, and exercise can help with that. It doesn't have to be a complicated routine; you don't even have to go to the gym. Try walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes or working out to an exercise DVD. Just get moving! Your choice of exercise is only limited by your creativity.

Use productivity systems

Use little productivity techniques, like the Pomodoro system. This is where you use a simple kitchen timer and work and then take rest breaks in intervals. There are also apps that you can install on your computer to block websites that can kill your productivity.

Take a lunch break every day

It's important that you give your mind a rest during the course of your workday. Plan a lunch break that's not only long enough to have time to eat, but use it to return phone calls and emails, take care of simple household issues that may arise during the day, and even run a short errand or two.

All of the above tips taken alone may seem very simple, but when combined they make for a day that is very productive, that minimizes stress, and that will leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Incorporate a few of them, or even all of them, into your own workday and come back and let me know how it works out for you.

Happy working!

Sources:
PomodoroTechnique.com
Mashable.com
Personal experience

*Photo: David Svensson via Flickr

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/22/2014 (no longer published there).]

Why I've Decided to Kill the Cable and Turn Off the TV

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

Over the last few years a quiet movement has been taking place among deep thinkers and those who value personal development: they're deciding to minimize, or cut out entirely, TV viewing. Even before I found TurnOffYourTV.com, which presents many excellent arguments for doing so, I'd already decided that minimizing my TV viewing would be a good personal choice for me. Here's why I've decided to kill the cable and turn off the TV.



Passive entertainment

TV watching is passive entertainment. What this means from the standpoint of brain activity is that your brain isn't being challenged to function at a level that stimulates creative thought and productivity. In fact, the effect is just the opposite. Your thought processes atrophy a little bit each time you engage in TV viewing. Your brain just plain gets lazy.

No real quality programming

In my opinion, the TV shows of today just don't have real value for the most part. Violence and moral standards that were deemed unacceptable by society in the past are now promoted nonstop on TV. Reality shows present unrealistic portrayals of life and behaviors that if carried out on the streets would result in jail and/or prison time.

Productivity sink

Valuable time that could be spent working on life goals, nurturing relationships, and participating in activities for the betterment of society is wasted parked in front of the "boob tube."

Less reading

Reading is the most effective pathway to personal growth and development, creation of a universal worldview, and independent thinking and problem solving. There's no need to quote statistics to understand that the more time one engages in TV viewing, the less time one generally spends reading. Many young students frequently ask, why should I read a book when I can watch the movie?

Added household expense

I pay approximately $75/month for my cable bill, and I know other folks who have bills even higher than this. Despite this added household expense I find myself surfing, surfing, and surfing trying to find something appealing on TV or a quality show or movie that I haven't seen before. The thought hit me one day that if I survived years of my life without cable TV, why is it so essential that I have it now?

This, of course, is America - the land of the free - and you have the right to do whatever you want to do in your own home. I encourage you though to give some focused thought to the points presented above, even take some time to visit the website that I've listed in the sources section below. In my own case, I've achieved a 50% (no exaggeration) increase in my personal productivity and creativity since minimizing my TV viewing.

What types of gains could you make if you made the decision to turn off the TV?

Sources:
TurnOffYourTV.com
Personal experience

*Photo: Regan Walsh via Flickr

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/22/2014 (no longer published there).]

A Tale of Headaches, Insomnia, Jitteriness, and Irritability: No More Caffeine for Me

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I finally have to concede defeat. I've made up my mind -- no more caffeine for me. I love my morning cup of tea, no matter which blend I choose, but the subsequent headaches and bouts of insomnia that materialize are just too much for my constitution.

A little about caffeine

According to WebMD, not only is caffeine a chemical, but it is found in many products, not the least of which are coffee, tea, guarana, mate, and cola. People consume caffeine for many reasons: to increase mental alertness, help with low blood pressure, and, unbelievably, even to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), just to name a few.

Side effects

Even with my self-defined conservative dosage of one cup a day of tea my body just doesn't seem to be able to withstand the side effects. Many people report no problems at this level, but I can always tell when the caffeine is leaving my system and I'm going through withdrawal because I then get terrible headaches, sometimes just common ones and other times blinding migraines. While I am under its influence I can without fail always count on being jittery and irritable. In addition, my one cup of tea early in the a.m. can cause me to lie awake, staring at the ceiling all night long.

Not a good choice

Even the Mayo Clinic acknowledges that caffeine may not be the best of choices for folks who are caffeine sensitive or who take certain medications which may interact negatively with it. If you have no ill effects from a moderate caffeine use, then I'm sincerely happy for you. My mileage though has unhappily varied, so after this last ceremonious cup I'm done with it forever.

I scoured the Web to see if there might be a workaround that would allow me to still have my beloved tea (aside from choosing a decaffeinated variety, of course), but though hope may spring eternal, none was found.

At this point, I've come to the conclusion that the healthiest energy boost is that which comes from clean eating and exercise. And a natural consequence of these two good habits is more restful sleep, no headaches, and a natural elevation of mood.

Good night, good night, my dear sweet cup of tea. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Now on to find my new morning beverage replacement …

Sources:
WebMD.com
MayoClinic.org
Personal experience

*Photo: Raheel Shahid via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/06/2014 (no longer published there).]

Tips for Owning a Turtle

5 Ways to Keep Your Turtle Healthy and Happy

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

Congratulations, new turtle owner! Turtles have walked the earth for over 200 million years. Who would have thought that a reptile with such ancient lineage would be considered one of the most popular known pets today? According to Petsmart, a major retailer specializing in the sale and care of pets, turtles have sharp eyesight, an acute sense of smell, and they make fascinating four-legged companions.

As your turtle settles in, there are five ways that you can ensure that he lives a long and happy life:

1. Keep him fed. Turtles are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal food. As most humans like veggies, salads, and steak, turtles enjoy green leafy vegetables and bugs, most notably crickets and worms. Veterinary experts also recommend that you add commercially prepared turtle pellets. These can be easily purchased at any reputable pet store. Feed them and make sure that you remove any uneaten food daily. Also consider asking your pet retailer about any supplements that your turtle might need.
2. Make sure he gets plenty of water. All living organisms known to man need water to survive. Always make sure that your turtle has lots of fresh clean water, both for swimming and to drink.
3. Keep his habitat clean. Do a full thorough cleaning of your turtle tank and change the filter every two to three weeks minimum. Do periodic checks for rotting food and feces and remove them promptly.
4. Ensure that he has good heating and lighting sources. As reptiles, turtles need consistent lighting sources to thrive and heating elements to help them maintain their body temperature. Your pet supply store will offer you many options for this. Take your time and choose the best bulbs and heating sources for the habitat that you're constructing for your pet. Avoid direct sunlight.
5. Make certain that his environment is free of predators at all times. Turtles have many natural predators, i.e. cats, dogs, raccoons, some types of birds, snakes, etc. Never leave your turtle unsupervised in an area where these types of predators may lurk.

Turtles typically tend to have long life spans, so accidents withstanding, If you follow the above tips your turtle should provide you many years of entertainment and fun. You might even be tempted to expand your turtle family as you become more of an expert at providing your pet's necessary love and care.

*Photo: Henry Tseng via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/07/2014 (no longer published there).]

Shirley Temple: How She Impacted My Life as a Young Child

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

I know that I'm dating myself here, but folks of my era grew up watching -- and loving -- Shirley Temple, the bubbly child actress famously known for her signature baby-doll curls. You can still find a rerun or two of movies in which she starred from time to time, and in them you can plainly see why she was considered a national treasure.

Watching Shirley Temple movies got me through a difficult stage of my childhood. I was skinny beyond belief, had bad skin, and wore braces. Yep, the struggle was real. Lol. I felt awkward around my peers and lacked self-confidence. When I watched one of her movies though I let my imagination take me back to a different time period and would lose myself in her singing and dance routines. I could see and hear myself singing "On a Good Ship Lollipop" and everything would be alright.

I loved Shirley Temple so much that for many years I insisted that my Mother style my hair just like hers for each Sunday service and especially on Easter.

For the few of you who might not have been as enmeshed in television movies as I was, Shirley Temple was born in 1928 and was the most famous and highest paid child star of her time with multiple movie credits on her resume. She reached the height of her acting career during the Great Depression and she was frequently used as an icon for positivity and hope during the challenges of that period.

Temple won an Academy award for her rendition of the aforementioned "On a Good Ship Lollipop" in the 1930s.

The young actress took on additional acting roles as a young adult, none of which were as popular as the roles which she played as a child.

Unlike many child stars, Temple went on to live a full and productive life. She later married and became known as Shirley Temple Black.

In an unforeseen twist, the actress entered politics later in her adulthood and was appointed a United States diplomat to the United Nations. Her career in public service stretched across a significant span of her life.

Temple was a natural dancer as a child and most of her movies showcased her singing and dancing abilities.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt nicknamed her "Little Miss Miracle," unofficially dubbing her as the country's primary morale booster during the Great Depression, even going so far as to say that as long as we had Shirley Temple that we would be all right.

Black died of natural causes on February 10, 2014 at the ripe old age of 85. She left an impressive legacy of achievements in both her personal and professional life to carry on her name.

For as long as I live I'll always remember how second only to reading her movies were the vehicle through which my imagination grew as I pretended that I was living the life of the many characters that she played.

Source:
Biography.com

*Photo: Michael L. Kaufmann via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 06/08/2014 (no longer published there).]

What is the Peace Corps? And Five Facts You May or May Not Know

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

You've probably seen them on TV and in the movies, but what do you really know about the Peace Corps? These volunteers are truly unsung heroes, giving sacrificial service on behalf of their country, fostering good will, and promoting understanding wherever they go. As previously implied, most folks don't have an accurate understanding of the scope of what they're all about.

Here are a few facts that you may or may not know:

Founding

The Peace Corps was founded in the early 1960s as the result of a challenge made by Senator John F. Kennedy to students at the University of Michigan to rise to a mission of service by living and working in developing countries.

Mission

According to PeaceCorps.org, the organization has a three-fold mission which has remained in place since the very beginning of its history:

"1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans."

Organization

The Peace Corps is a federal agency. Their primary focus is on "world peace and friendship," according to official statements published by the agency.

Service

Peace Corps volunteers work for sustainable change in the host countries which request their technical assistance in seven major areas: Education, health, environment, community economic development, youth in development, and other areas as needed/identified. Peace Corps volunteers are the United States' unofficial ambassadors to the world abroad. Through their service to other countries they build lasting and significant relationships, foster a positive image of America, and create global understanding between residents of their host country and the United States.

Volunteers

Peace Corps volunteers generally serve for two years following their initial training. During the span of the organization's history volunteers have served in the Philippines more than in any other country.

Although the Peace Corps rarely receives a lot of publicity, the quiet work that it does behind the scenes is an essential service that not only benefits the host countries that it serves, but the home country-the United States of America-that it represents.

Kudos to the many volunteers who have made their time of service to the Corps not just about carrying out a job well done, but about a lifestyle of working to ensure that the world is constantly evolving into a better place.

Source:  
PeaceCorps.org

*Photo: Todd via Flickr.com

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/20/2014 (no longer published there).]