Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Importance of Sleep

Having a newborn has got me thinking about the importance of sleep.  If you have had a child you can understand why...the sleep A LOT!  I found this information re: how long children sleep based on age:


Newborns typically sleep about 15 to 18 hours a day, but only in short periods of two to four hours.
4 Months Old: 14 - 15 hours per day.
4-12 Months Old: 14 - 15 hours per day
1-3 Years Old: 12 - 14 hours per day
3-6 Years Old: 10 - 12 hours per day
7-12 Years Old: 10 - 11 hours per day
12-18 Years Old: 8 - 9 hours per day
There is a lot of sleeping going on here, something that a lot of adults cut back on in the name of productivity.  Well, here are some good reasons not to cut back on sleep per an article found on harvard.edu 
A recent survey found that more people are sleeping less than six hours a night, and sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry about. The bigger concern is chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decrease in the immune system’s power, reports the Harvard Women’s Health Watch.
While more research is needed to explore the links between chronic sleep loss and health, it’s safe to say that sleep is too important to shortchange.  
The Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests six reasons to get enough sleep:
1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new
information to memory through a process called memory
consolidation.  In studies, people who'd slept after learning
a task did better on tests later.
2. Metabolism and weight:  Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
3. Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime.  These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps and road accidents.
4.  Mood:  Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate and moodiness.  Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
5. Cardiovascular health:  Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat.
6. Disease:  Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body's killer cells.  Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.


So, take a note from your children, this article, and common sense and  
make sure your body is getting enough consistent rest!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Presenting Origami Roses and Bouquets by Deborah Loya!

I have a wonderful sister (I actually have more then one but lets talk about just one of them today), named Deborah Loya.  She is a stay at home mom of 3 who home schools, manages a household, helps out friends in her church & community, and more!  She is devoted to God, her family, is talented, and is just an absolutely WONDERFUL person!  She is also very crafty and was recently inspired by my origami bouquets to begin making some blooms of her own.  Her work is gorgeous and now for sale at my shop in the form of rose bouquets and mixed floral origami basket bouquets.  Either would be a perfect gift for someone you love "just because," for a birthday, holiday or special event.  Price discounts are available for bulk orders.  Please stop by my shop and take a look today.  We would love your feedback on selection, price point, and of course purchases and referrals!
Mixed Floral Bouquet Sample

Roses

Mixed Blooms

Friday, June 3, 2011

Origami Bouquets & Pinwheels

I've added some new items in my shop today and thought I'd share them here.  These are perfect for summer weddings & parties!



Thursday, June 2, 2011