Sugar Intake Tracker Log Form

Here you have found a simple tracker log for recording grams of sugar intake for the day.

I haven't purchased these record log notepads as of yet, but I do plan to. I designed them based on how I was keeping track of my own sugar intake for the day.

In the first column is the food with the added sugar in it. In the second column is the number of grams of sugar eaten for that food item. The third column is where I keep a running total of sugar grams eaten for the day.

In addition to the log part, there is an information and tips section at the top of each page, recommended daily intakes of grams of sugar for men and women (For men it is 36 grams and for women it is 24 grams.), and a line to write your own individual goal for grams of sugar intake for that day.

At the bottom of the form, you get to check off whether or not you achieved your goal for the day, along with some encouragement.

The notepads measure 5.5" x 6" and has tear away sheets. There are 40 pages per notepad, giving over a month of record keeping per notepad.

Reducing sugar intake tips daily sugar tracker log
by CherylsArt

I have been keeping my own record of my grams of sugar intake for a week now. Not long, I know. However, I got started, and I've been noticing some improvements in my energy level, especially for day time hours. My first three days, I did not reach my goal, but on the next two days, I came very close. On the sixth day, I even came in under my goal, which is very good indeed.

I shall be keeping up my record keeping of my sugar grams, until I have a good handle on what foods and amounts are best for me to eat during the day.

I do find it helpful to have my log so that I know where I am on my running daily total, and I can easily see what foods that I ate and how many grams of sugar are in them.

I don't know if I will ever be sugar free of added sugar, but I may actually do that on some days. We'll see.

If you think this form would be helpful to you, you can find them in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle.com: Sugar Intake Form.

If you know of anyone that can benefit from this info, please share this blog with them. Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

Safe Cat Food and Litter for Cats

Without going into a lot of the background as to how this article came about, I found out that there apparently aren't very safe ingredients not only in some pet food, but also not so safe ingredients in the packaging of pet food. The term PFAS was the main culprit as to the unsafe ingredient, and it can refer to a variety of chemicals.

So long story, short. If your cat presents with vomiting, and you have tried the elevated dishes, then also try upgrading the cat food to an organic one. Also, if you are using clumping litter, switch to a biodegradable non clumping litter.

In my research, I also read that the first five ingredients in cat food should be meat.

Packaging however, probably won't say what is included in the making of the packaging. Ingredients that are in the packaging can affect the food that is in the packaging.

I also read that in 2023 that PFAS will be banned. Upon further checking into this, I found that one type would be banned in early January in 2023. Another type would be banned in July 2023. There are various types and scientific names, but the term PFAS appear to apply to them all. The PFAS can also be in products made for people, including items for babies and kids. A shout out to California for doing it's diligent research.

So that is some of the background. The good news, there are some cat foods and litter too, that have been determined as being safe, and or at least better for your cats, in 2023, according to Mamavation.

On the list that I found at Mamavation are:

Best Natural and Organic Cat Food

Applaws Chicken Breast with Asparagus in Broth – pouch
Applaws pouches with meats in gravy
Feline Natural Lamb and King Salmon in Water Grain Free
Gather Free Acres Organic Chicken Dry Cat Food
Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Chicken and Fish Recipe Freeze Dried
Just Cats Fish and Chicken
Raised Right Original Chicken Adult Cat Recipe
Raised Right Turkey and Pumpkin Pate for Adult Cats
See a more detailed list at Mamavation

Better but not as good as the foods on the Best Cat Food List

Cat Person Duck and Chicken Shreds in Broth
Cat Person Salmon and Tuna Recipe Dry Food
Costco Kirkland Maintenance Cat Chicken and Rice Formula Dry
Crave Adult Cat Food
Diamond Naturals Indoor Cat Chicken and Rice
Diamond Naturals Whitefish Dinner for Adult Cats and Kittens
Diamond Naturals High Protein Active Cat Formula
Halo Holistic Chicken
Lucy’s Pet Kettle Creations Cat Food Stew Salmon and Chicken Recipe in Gravy
The Honest Kitchen Grain Free Whole Food Clusters Chicken and Fish Recipe
Tiki Cat Ahi Tuna Recipe Wet
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse with Chicken Broth
Wellness Core Tiny Tasters Tuna Pate Grain Free
Wellness Core Healthy Indulgence Morsels with Chicken

See a more detailed list at Mamavation

Best Types of Non-toxic Cat Litter

Biodegradable:
Wheat Based
Walnut Based
Wood Based
Corn Based – corn cobs
Grass Seed Cat Litter
Recycled Paper
Pine Pellets
Wheat Straw
Sand
Paper Based

I am not here to promote any one specific brand of cat food or litter, I just wanted to get this information out there to help other cats have happier and healthier lives.

Here are some ideas for biodegradable cat litter.

Thank you for stopping by. If you know of anyone that can benefit from this information, please do share this page with them.

Cheryl Paton

Lip Moisturizer Treatment Review

The best thing that I have found for keeping my lips moisturized, is the Original Vaseline Jelly. The label says that it is pure 100% petroleum jelly.

I have used a variety of other lip moisturizing treatments and balms, which were name brand, but I have had the best long term results with the original Vaseline.

I usually apply it after brushing my teeth. So for the most part, that is once in the morning, and again at night.

The nice thing about Vaseline, is that it's not just for lips. It can be applied to rough elbows, heels, etc., and also to squeaky door hinges!

As for applying the Vaseline to my lips or anything else, I use a clean Q-tip for each application. Just one dip per end of the cotton swab; that way the Vaseline stays clean for future applications.

Ready to order? This link will take you to the Amazon site: my lip moisturizer.

Need cotton swabs? These cotton swabs are organic, which is a plus in my book. Amazon didn't permit me to use a link for the Q-tips brand, but you are welcome to search for that brand, or whatever brand you might like, once on Amazon.

The above text links go to Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn income for qualifying purchases made from the above links.

Thank you.

Cheryl Paton

Rebounder Review

Photo is by Cheryl Paton, including my cat Tori checking out the rebounder.

I have had a couple of mini trampolines, over the years. On the first one, the mesh wore out. When I replaced the first one, I was both surprised and impressed with my second one.

This newer model had more bounce to it. The stretchy fabric has more give to it than what my old mini trampoline had. It was a basic model for around $50.

And then, I got busy with doing other things, and it sat in the basement, awaiting for my return. Well you know what, after I switched to a plant based diet, I got more energy, and also had some extra time, so I got my trampoline out and bought it up to my living room to make it more convenient to use. It was a welcome and fun activity. So much so, that I decided to upgrade to one with more bounce and give to it. I was looking for one with bungee type cords over the metal springs. I liked that there wouldn't be squeaks to it.

I did some research and decided on the JumpSport 350 rebounder. It was within the weight limits for my husband and I, and had a great amount of repetitions that it could handle for its lifetime.

It had added bounce that I wanted, which feels like more fun to me. It is also quieter than the ones with the metal springs that I had before. The legs feel very solid and sturdy.

I had watched videos where people not only jumped on it, but kicked as well. So far my favorite exercises to do on it is to stand and bounce on it, and to just jog in place. Sometimes I also add arm exercises that coordinate with the jumps, and steps.

I like that this a fun way to get extra steps in and I don't have to drive somewhere. I also don't have to think about what the weather is doing.

JumpSport Rebounder

This mini trampoline/rebounder has two thumbs up from me.

I found this one online on Amazon. (That is where the above link goes.) The rebounder was delivered rather quickly, and was so much easier to put together than the old models I had. I did not have to stretch metal coils to attach the fabric to the frame. All I needed to do was to attach the legs.

The other main difference is that this one sets a couple of inches higher, and also has a wider area to jump on. That also feels good.

Cheryl Paton

The above text links go to Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn income for qualifying purchases made from the above links.

All Votes Count Products for Election Change

Here you will find items to encourage people thinkingabout ways to make All Votes Count. And our votes do count!

When our forefathers wrote the constitution, I imagine that they made a provision to try and make the voting process more equal. They wanted the people in smaller states and more rural locations to have more representation of their voting voice being heard. The Electoral College was born.

Today, people are connected via the internet. In most places, they can be in touch with what is going on in another state, across the country, etc.

Since the time that our forefathers wrote the constitution, the Electoral College has been used as a form of gerrymandering; boundaries have been adjusted to try and influence the outcomes of elections. That is not how a democratic government should operate. The government of any country or state should not be trying to influence elections.

Our government is supposed to be for the people and by the people; therefore, let the people decide who shall be president of the United States. Let us vote our president in office by using the popular vote, where all votes count.

If you are in agreement with me, then I invite you to contact your state representatives to voice your opinion.

Also, sometimes mail in ballots have been refused, and not counted. I have listed some common tips to help those ballots be counted. Such as signing the ballot. Below is an example where the tips are printed on posters. These can be passed out to the voting public.

Make All Votes Count with Election Tips Posters
by CherylsArt

​

You are welcome to browse through these various products to help promote a new way of thinking - that All Votes Count - to help change our election process and to make it more fair.

I made the following design to help spread the word for All Votes to Count. You'll find the voting tips printed on various products.

All Votes Count
by CherylsArt, family friendly designs

Cheryl Paton

The above links go to my CherylsArt store on Zazzle. As a Zazzle associate, I earn income for qualifying purchases made from the above links.

Gardening Tips - Less Weeding

My garden has grown over the years. As it has grown, it seemed that there was more weeding to do. Then I invested in making my walkway path weed resistant. It isn't perfect, but it is a lot better, and also artistic now, too.

I started out by laying down blank newspaper paper, topped it with two layers of landscaping fabric, then I laid down patio pavers; lastly I filled in the area around the pavers with pebbles and river rock. The addition of the pebbles made the pavers more secure.

Doing this has made it easier to walk around my garden and has also reduced the weeding; which is a very welcomed plus!

I placed four patio pavers next to one another with their edges touching, by the gate area, so that the pebbles wouldn't escape out the gate.

As you can see, I've also added some artistic designs to the pavers. I did this with acrylic outdoor patio paint. I love the artistic touch. It's like having a gardening room outside.

Update: It's been a couple of years now since the addition of the pebbles around the pavers. It has greatly reduced the weeding but did not eliminate it completely. However, for the weeds that have sprouted up between the rocks, pebbles; it has been much easier to remove them. I have also since, added more pavers.

2nd Update: It was a matter of time that the roots of the weeds found their way down to the landscaping cloth. And the weeds that took root in the fabric weed barrier, were a lot more difficult to pull out than the ones in just soil. So do you know what I did??? Over time, I ended up pulling up the fabric cloth up and laying plain cardboard down under the pavers. Again, that solution was also only temporary. However, now, I squirt some vinegar down between the edges of the pavers, let the weeds dry off, and pull up what I can. That's my current solution, and I'm sticking to it.

End of 2nd Update.
All the best to you in your gardening ventures. If you have had success with a weeding solution, please share the technique below.

Cheryl Paton

The above text links go to Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn income for qualifying purchases made from the above links.

No Attachments No Aversions Lesters Story

While on my spiritual path, I came across the book, No Attachments No Aversions, by Lester Levenson. Lester was a man who lived life, tried to get ahead, and ended up with all kinds of health problems, personal problems, and was given two weeks to live, three at most, by his doctors. He was sent home to die. He was told not to do the stairs.

He was frightened and scared, afraid to make a move. But gradually he thought, I'm still here. Then he decided to question himself. He went inside himself and began questioning how he got to where he was.

He also started asking himself when he was most happy. At first he thought of outside things that made him happy, but realized most of those were fleeting. He then realized that he was most happy when he was loving toward others.

Armed with his new knowledge, Lester started making changes to his feelings to feel more positive and loving toward others. This changed his life dramatically, for the better. Lester also decided to not eat animals anymore. Lester's health greatly improved after only about three months. He lived for another forty-two years, without seeing anymore doctors.

No Attachments, No Aversions
Levenson was truly an inspiration. You can read more about Lester Levenson, in his own words in his autobiography, in No Attachments, No Aversions.

Cheryl Paton

The above text link goes to Amazon, from which Cheryl Paton earns income from qualifying purchases.