One of the things I've been giving lots of thought to lately is how I can reduce my personal impact on the environment. Not only do we have the larger issues of global warming and the environment to think about, but for me personally, I have my five acres in Missouri. Someday, I'll be living on those five acres, and I want to make sure that I leave as small a footprint as possible. So, one of my goals this year is to green up my life in as many ways as possible.

Today, I'm thinking about my coffee habit. I drink three cups of coffe in the morning. I have a Senseo machine, and I love it. But, each of those little coffee pods in their self-contained world create an impact. And then there's the creamer. Because of Weight Watchers, I'd switched to the individual serve creamers that I get a Office Depot in their "break room" section. Easily measured. No fuss. No mess. But all those little creamer containers add up.

So I'm going to switch to the bigger bottles of creamer. Yeah, I'll have to measure, but I have measuring spoons/cups (little 2 TBs one tha I use for salad dressings, etc.). This will be cheaper in the long run, plus less of an impact because of no more little creamer cups being thrown out/recycled. No more foil lids either.

I'll use up my current coffee pod stash, but I also have what's called an Eco-Pod. This is a refillable coffee pod. I'll use it to brew free trade, organic coffee. I love the Arbor Day foundation's, "Rainforest Rescue" blend. And I also have tried Gevalia's Peruvian Organic coffee. Both very delicious. Plus, my local natural foods store carries many free trade, organic coffees as well.

And I'll compost. I'm currently looking for a composter that I can "hide" in my trailer court. I've found one, so I'll be ready for spring. Coffee grounds, coffee filters, vegtable scraps, lots of things can be composted, and I'll leave my little plot of land here better than when I found it. Which is kind of saying a lot. :)

So let's see... we can compost our coffee grounds, switch to less package intesive options, use ecopods or refillable coffee pods for those single-serve systems... It may not seem like much of an impact, but every little bit helps.

Posted by Mary Winter :: 11:19 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007 My Venus Press Titles are No Longer Available

Just a quick note to my readers to let them know that the titles I had with Venus Press are no longer available. I appreciate your support over the past couple of years, and want to reassure you that these books will be seen in another incarnation. They will not go away, and I hope to bring them to you in the future.

Again, thank you so much for your support, and I promise lots of great things in 2007. After all, I still have titles with Ellora's Cave and Changeling Press.

Happy reading!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 5:43 PM :: 2 comments

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Monday, January 22, 2007 52 Weeks of Weight Loss: The Need for Structure

I don't know about you, but the first few weeks in January have been challenging for me on my weight-loss journey. This week's weigh-in had me holding steady, thank goodness, and last night I figured out why I'd been having such troubles the last two weeks.

I lacked my usual structure, not only in my writing, but also in my weight loss plan. You see, when I'm busy producing (right now I'm in a revise, rework phase) stories, I write so many words a day, rain or shine, muse working or not. This keeps me at the keyboard and provides discipline to my days. This is discipline I need to kind of keep everything else on track.

Last night I saw a Weight Watchers commercial, and in it the actress said, "I know when to eat because I'm hungry and not because I'm bored." Well, in giving me this "time off," I realized that I am at loose ends a lot. I'm like "what to do now?" I think this has led to boredom eating.

So I guess this week's wisdom is to know when you need discipline and structure and make sure you get it in your life. May the scales be kind to you this week!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 7:04 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, January 15, 2007 52 Weeks of Weight Loss: Running to catch up with the wagon

I consider myself very fortunate this week. The scale gods smiled down on me and I managed to lose a smidge over a half a pound. I missed my goal by one pound.

You see, I had planned to lose 75 lbs by my birthday. I'm still a pound away. I won't lie. I'm a little disappointed, but frankly, after the week I had, I'm thrilled not to have gained two or three pounds. And I know I'll make that goal next week...I hope.

It's too easy when we don't achieve our goals to use them as an excuse to slide backwards. I messed up today. Now that I've "blown" the week, I should just enjoy myself. Next week I'll get back on plan. Tomorrow I'll get back on plan... oops... make that another tomorrow.

I know where I went wrong. And it would be easy for me to say "oh that always happens at that point in my cycle" or "my depression got out of control" or "this is the week of the anniversary of my dad's death" or even "it's my birthday." They all sound like nifty excuses don't they? But that's what they are. Excuses.

The truth is I lost sight of the goal. I fell off the wagon, then lay there, wallowing in the mud, while it went on down the road without me. Luckily, I was able to pick myself up, run after it, and then hop back on.

There's no shame in falling off the wagon. This is the time of year when we start to slide in those New Year's Resolutions. It takes 21 days to make a habit, and we haven't even had 21 days of 2007 yet. The shame lies in not refocusing, chasing that wagon, and hopping back on.

Some tips to help you do that (I've found these helpful).

1) Don't beat yourself up! It's water under the bridge. You can't uneat what you ate (okay you can, but you'd still retain 50% of the calories, and can we say ewww!). Live in the moment. You can change RIGHT NOW. And you can change the next minute.

2) Analyze, but not too much. It's good to know why you went off plan (see my excuses above), but don't dwell on them. They happened. Now you know. Now you can work on a way to change it.

3) Refocus your goals. I could focus on the big 75lb number. It sounds cool, doesn't it? I'm focusing on 1 lb. Small bites will help you devour the entire desert. (and face it, losing X amount of lbs is oh so better than a simple desert. Even really expensive Tiramasu)

I hope these tips help. It's only week three of a year-long journey. Don't sweat it. Just keep going!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 6:26 AM :: 0 comments

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Tuesday, January 09, 2007 Book Review: Wolf Tales III by Kate Douglas

Wolf Tales III
By Kate Douglas
Kensington Aphrodisia
Paperback 249 pgs
$12.95

Sent across the country to protect Tia’s friend, Shannon Murphy, Jacob Trent feels like he has a lot to atone for. Shannon inspires instant lust, and she’s not like any other woman he’s known. If she’s Chanku, then it’s his chance for a mate. If not, then as soon as she’s safe, he’s done, and he’ll walk out of her life forever. When Shannon meets Jacob it’s like the other half of her suddenly clicked. Her seemingly insatiable sexual appetite makes sense, and she learns more than the fact that her best friend has fallen in love with Jacob’s friend Luc. But with her life in danger, she can’t think about the future, a future she desperately wants with Jacob.

Kate Douglas has done it again. Stock up on ice, open up the windows, and be prepared to read a scorching tale of two tough-as-nails individuals overcoming their inner wounds and finding love with each other. Each page ratchets the physical and sensual tension higher and higher, with well-written characters you find yourself rooting for and genuinely liking. Intertwined with Jacob and Shannon’s story are glimpses of Luc and Tia, and even Anton and Keisha from the first book, making readers of the series feel like they’re peeking in on past characters and getting an update into their lives.

This is a hot, emotional tale. If you love werewolf (shape shifter) erotic romances with strong alpha males then run, don’t walk, to your nearest book store and pick up Wolf Tales III. While you’re there, don’t forget the first two books in the series, because I guarantee when you finish reading Shannon and Jacob’s story, you won’t be able to get enough of Kate Douglas’ Chanku.

Posted by Mary Winter :: 3:35 PM :: 0 comments

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Monday, January 08, 2007 NEW RELEASE- Elemental Elves 1: Horse Play

Elemental Elves 1: Horse Play

by Mary Winter

Available now from Changeling Press!

cover art by Reneé George
ISBN (10): 1-59596-638-2 ISBN (13): 978-1-59596-638-4
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy
Theme(s): Shapeshifters, Elves
Length: Novella (12k - 28k words)

$3.99

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=527

Naming her new horse Flynn after the actor famed for his pirate movies proves prophetic for Clarice. The golden horse dumps her, breaking her arm, and ruining her chance for prize money at the next horse show. Prize money she needs in order to expand her therapeutic riding farm.

Sent to Clarice’s farm to teach her how to have fun, Flynn D’Artange, an Earth Elf with the ability to shapeshift into a horse, takes his work seriously. When his exuberance overcomes good sense, and he bucks Clarice off, he’s faced with the task of completing his mission, and winning her forgiveness. He’s willing to do what it takes, including invade her dreams and show her that the perfect place for horse play is in the bedroom.

Clarice needs to forgive herself. Flynn needs forgiveness from Clarice. Can these two different individuals overcome their pasts to create a future?

To Purchase or for More information including an excerpt: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=527

Another excerpt can be found at http://www.marywinter.com/book_horse_play.htm

and to learn more about the Elemental Elves - http://www.elementalelves.com/

Posted by Mary Winter :: 7:05 PM :: 1 comments

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52 Weeks of Weight Loss: Choosing a Plan

Strolling through the health section of a book store reveals a plethora of books telling you how to get fit and lose weight. Don't eat carbs. Eat carbs. Only drink juice. Natural foods. Whole foods. Calories and fat and starch. It's enough to boggle the mind and confuse anyone. So the question is, how do you choose which weight loss plan to follow?

First, speaking with your doctor is a good thing. Your doctor will be able to tell you what special requirements (low sodium, diabetic diet, etc.) that you require. Your doctor may even be able to recommend a plan.

Armed with information from your doctor, next is to think about your eating habits and preferences. One of the reasons why I chose Weight Watchers Flex Plan is because I knew if someone told me that I couldn't have something, I'd go crazy until I had it. With flex, I can have anything -- I just have to count the points for it. And it became quickly apparent to me that I'm frugal with my points. It simply wasn't worth it to have McDonald's or chips or something I used to eat, because the points value was way too high.

Are you a grab and go kind of person? Maybe prepared meals or shakes work for you. Do you have to cook for a bustling family so something with more "real" food means you can work your meals in with your family's.

There's a plan out there for everyone. Taking a few moments, or a week, or even longer to determine what works best for you means you'll be starting the journey armed with information you can use and apply.

I hope the scales were good to you this week and the weather stays good for exercising.

Take care!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 9:18 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, January 05, 2007 An awesome responsiblity

Allow me, if you will, to post today about something that's deeply personal in my life at the moment.

Diabetes.

My mother has it. My grandmother has it. My aunt has it. And it's presence in our family gene pool is what prompted me to lose the weight. But this post isn't about me, or my human family.

It's about my cat.

Tigger came into our household in 1998 after my beloved cat of 9 years, Bouncer, passed away. He was 7 when we adopted him from the Animal Rescue League, a tabby cat who had seen life on the street, only to be taken in by the proverbial little old lady. She neutered him. Had him declawed. And when she went to the nursing home, he went to the shelter. Then, he came to my home.

This picture of Tigger (front) was taken after he'd lived with us for a few years. You can see his hefty size. (Nerms the "baby" at 9 years old now is in the back). The top picture is of Tigger and Cougar taken about a year ago. Cougar is our eldest cat at 19ish. Anyway... so Tigger went to the vet yesterday for teeth issues. Once we got his teeth fixed we thought, he'd regain some weight and be a healthy cat. We ran blood work to have a good baseline before we put him under next week for teeth surgery.

He came back with diabetes.

The prognosis is good and he'll be getting daily shots. Just like my grandma. Just like my mom.

But unlike my grandma or my mom, Tigger can't tell me when he's not feeling well. He went through his first glucose curve today (testing the blood every couple of hours to check levels). His quality of life is good. He's a love, and you should see him hop up on the bed or run down the hall. For a cat of 15 - he has a superb quality of life, aside from his diabetes and his teeth (which once we get the glucose/insulin levels under control we can fix). And that's the way I want it to stay.

My pets are my children. They look to me to be their caretaker, to have their best interests at heart. It's an awe inspiring and humbling responsibility.

I'll light a candle for Tigger, and for my family, but I'll also light one for everyone who is a caretaker. Friend. Family member. Pet. It's an awesome responsibility.

Take care!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 5:26 PM :: 1 comments

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007 Well it finally looks like winter

My pleas for snow have been answered, even if it's just in a minute amount. We received about an inch of snow New Year's Eve night, so now there are white spots all over the yard, and the drive out to the barn happened on a gravel lane crunched with packed snow. So much better.

Hooray! Snow!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 9:53 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, January 01, 2007 52 Weeks of Weight Loss: Week 1 - Finding the Want

First off, I want to wish a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. May 2007 bring you joy, happiness, prosperity, and make all your goals and dreams come true.

Several people on my chat list graciously answered my poll and said that they'd like to hear me blog about my weight loss journey. For those that don't know, last March I joined Weight Watchers. Since then (as of today's weigh-in) I've lost 71.8 lbs and gone from not fitting into my size 28 jeans down to at least a size 24, if not smaller. (I'm still not used to fitted clothes, and that's a topic for future weeks). I've sold most of my clothes on ebay, but since I had a closet full of smaller stuff, I've had stuff to "shrink into."

We'll start with a little trip down memory lane... This picture of me and my horse was taken June 06 after I'd lost about 20 lbs. I don't really have a "before" picture, a fact which I am eternally grateful. This next picture was taken September 2006 at the book signing in Waterloo, IA. I'm standing in front of the EC bus. (And I just realized I never posted these pictures. ACK! Will do so immediately!!!)

So, for this first week we're going to talk about the "want."

Yoda said it right: Do or do not. There is no try. (or something like that)

On the Weight Watchers boards you'll hear people talk about "the click" a lot. And really, that's exactly what it was. So, rolling back the clock, imagine me in January 2006. I'm almost 300 lbs. My mother, grandmother, aunt, and uncle all have diabetes. Dad died in 2004 of esophageal cancer, but his mother had really bad diabetes, so bad she died when he was still in high school, and then there's the heart problems that run in my family. Between that and my penchant for spending time out at the barn, well, frankly, I didn't expect to live to see 30. (Sometimes I'm not the most opitmistic of people either, haha!!!) But, hey, it's now January 2006 and I've turned 30. (I think of it as my partner telling me that the years sound more and more futuristic every day, and I'm more freaked out by my age. But I'm really starting to like this decade.)

I kind of realized I liked being "old." You see, I'm old enough to know better (or exactly what I'm doing) but young enough to still do it. I matured a lot since moving to the capital city of Iowa (2006 was my 10 year anniversary up here and with my employer), and damn it, I wanted to be skinny. The click happened. It took me a couple of months to screw up my courage and say "yes, I'm going to do this," but then I enrolled in Weight Watchers. I've been following the points program ever since and now you can see me in this picture taken Saturday night. It was pajama party night at the annual science fiction club's new year's party, and those pjs were a size 26/28 and laughably huge on me. But still really comfy.

But it's "the want" that makes me have only ONE potato chip. Yes, you read that correctly. If I'm at a party and want to snack, then I'll eat healthy things, but if I can't just bring myself to bypass the really bad food, I'll have ONE potato chip or a small corner of bread, or even heaven forbid, ONE Dove chocolate (a staple at our weekly gaming sessions). Because then I can say "I've tasted it."

It's "the want" that gives us will power. Just like in writing "the want" makes us apply fanny to computer chair and fingers to keyboard. "The want" creates the drive and desire we need to achieve our goals. "The want" creates the click that happens when everything falls into place and we move at full steam ahead toward our dreams.

Not everyone has "the want." Some think they do, or they wish they had, but it isn't quite there yet. That is all right. I know I'm a type A personality and a Capricorn to boot, so I come across as quite strong sometimes, but really, weight loss, or the achievement of any dream, is a long and personal, spiritual, and emotional road. We are where we are on the journey, and there really is no destination. Rest areas maybe, but no true destination.

Cultivating the want means examining the reasons why we're doing something. For me, it was obvious. I am scared to death of getting the health issues that plague my family. Scared. To. Death. One of the best ways to keep that from happening is losing weight. All the little perks (like running into my ex and realized I looked better than when we were together or facing this year at turning 31 with a better body than I had at 21 (scary, huh!), are all just icing on the cake.) The fact my blood sugars are now within normal range. And my blood pressure is better than it was in high school... those too are just icing on this cake. And yes, it's a low point Weight Watcher friendly cake. :)

So as we approach a new year with it's resolutions, many of us are going to be looking at the number on the scale and resolving to make it lower. I'll discuss, sometimes candidly, about what worked and what didn't and why/how I'm where I am. Once a week, on Mondays. It's my weigh-in day, which means I'm facing that scale the same as you. And if I can help, or inspire, well, thank you. Because really, I'm just hoping I can share my story with you and help. And remember, whatever we do, we have to do it for ourselves! Therein lies "the want." And if you want anything bad enough, it'll happen!

Happy New Year everyone and may we all have a wonderful week!!!

Posted by Mary Winter :: 9:54 AM :: 4 comments

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