Misty Zaugg's Blog - Posts Tagged "tips"

Hi friends,

First a big thanks to everyone for helping our book 2, Deadly Escape get a fancy #1 New Release banner in the Infectious Disease category.

And special thanks to the eight people who gave us the crucial reviews a brand-new book needs, like:

Scott: "The intensity is ramped up in this entry, as the non-stop action makes for one exciting story. All while building up the suspense as the plots continue to unfold. With the authors doing a great job on the characters (both good and bad) as well. I can’t wait for the finale to hit."



Deadly Escape: Book 2 in Escaping the Virus

But what about my broken toe? And how am I fixing it?

I gotta say that comfrey is one of my top ten favorite herbs. Nicknamed 'Knitbone' for it's ability to heal broken bones, it contains allantoin, a substance that supercharges the healing process so injuries can heal much faster - and it can even help minimize scarring.

It grows via root propagation and if you can get a start, it's hardy enough to come back year after year.

The root is medicinally stronger than the leaf, but either works. Both fresh and dried can be used.

So, how do you use it for an injury?

Simple: Make tea. Soak the owie. :D

Here are a few pics and a bit more explanation:

Step 1: Broken Toe (hint - the purple one next to the pinkie)



Step 2: Chop up a bunch of prickly comfrey leaves (root works well, too):



Step 3: Cover with water, bring to a boil, cover and turn down to simmer for 10-20 mins or just leave to steep and cool on its own if you're not in a hurry.



Step 4: Strain off the 'tea' or extract. Keep refrigerated and heat a portion when it's time to soak



Step 5: Soak the injury 2 - 4 times a day and watch how fast you heal. It's amazing! For hard to soak injuries like a rib or shoulder, warm the extract, dip a cloth or paper towel and drape over the injury. You can reuse the clothes by bagging them and refrigerating them for next time.


This is my foot right now as I'm sitting at my desk typing this up. :D

Note: Comfrey has been painted as dangerous for internal use (still fine for external) because of a substance that can damage the liver. But the data is questionable, ie. isolating the dangerous substance instead of using the whole herb, rat studies, using excessive quantities, etc. Check out the studies and decide for yourself. (Or compare the number of deaths due to liver damage by correctly prescribed Tylenol vs comfrey.)

Have any of you ever used comfrey? I'd love to hear your experiences.

And thanks for the well wishes for my trip - we're driving cross country and will be visiting family and friends for the next few weeks. Road Trip!! :D

Thanks again for all your support!
_____________________

Misty's Writing Update:

Here's a sample of what I've been doing this week:
• Changing the oil and rotating tires on the van
• mountains of laundry
• buying lots of snacks - healthy and not-so-healthy
• loading phones and tablets with audiobooks, ebooks and movies
• buying new shoes for a teen boy who insisted just 2 weeks ago that his were "perfectly fine!"
• buying shorts for a different teen boy who found only one pair when it came time to pack.
• repacking the suitcase the 6-year-old girl packed 2 months ago when she found out about the road trip. It was full of clothes that didn't fit and others she didn't like. LOL. But, hey, at least she tried.

Yep, we’re going on a big road trip. Two days of driving out West to visit family and friends and then the same drive back two weeks later.

So, not much writing going on here, I know (except for this newsletter). But this is the last big trip of the summer, and then my son (the third child) will be leaving to serve a two-year mission for our church. With him leaving the nest, only three will still be living at home when fall comes.

Such a happy and sad moment. When they're adults stepping out on their own with confidence, but you still miss them.

Wish us luck on our two-day drive out West! The middle teen will be helping with some of the driving to get hours before he tests for his license in the fall. Eeek!!

If you don't hear from me after this, it was nice knowing all of you! :D

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

First thing - you have one more day to grab Deadly Lockdown for 99c if you were excited about the deal, but forgot about it, like I often do:



And second, check out the awesome #1 best-seller tags! Even Deadly Rescue got one, thanks to all of you!

Even better, we got a few great reviews like this one from Scott:

"Fantastic Read! Deadly Rescue was an exciting end to this series. The twists and suspense all built to a thrilling finale; the story being so hard to put down I read it in one day.

From strong character work to action to science, this series is easy to recommend. I can say the same for the authors’ other works as well. Well done!"

And this one from Lanfear - our awesome UK fan:

"A must read! This book has everything from action and adventure to love and loss and much more. Fast paced with a great story line that delves into every facet of what it is too be human from the very worst, to the very best. It has two great female leads who've grown in themselves as the series progressed, facing their past head on. This can be read as a stand alone but far better as part of the series."

Keep them coming! You guys are awesome!

***
Ginger isn't just a spice - Herbal Tip #2



If you like spicy, but not the long-lasting burn of cayenne, you might already enjoy the tingling flavor of ginger in recipes.

It also had two really awesome medicinal effects you might not know about:

1. Anti-nausea: Going on a plane or boat ride? Know someone with morning sickness? Ginger is an excellent remedy for mild nausea, and it's tasty too!
2. Anti-inflammatory: Instead of reaching for the ibuprofen, try a cup of ginger tea instead. Studies on osteoarthritis show a reduction in pain and inflammation and you can even use it topically on the swollen joint.

How to use it:
1. Ginger chews or crystallized ginger: These are sugary pieces of ginger candy that are easy to keep in a purse, which makes them great for nausea sufferers.
2. Ginger capsules: To control your dose and try to replicate the amounts used in studies, these are readily available where herbal capsules are sold.
3. Ginger tea: Fresh is always awesome. Grab some ginger root at the store, peel and chop, and then bring to a simmer before putting a lid on it and letting it steep. Yummy! You can also dip a cloth in warm ginger tea and use as a compress to wrap around painful joints. Or simply dunk the hurting finger or toe into a container of tea.

How about you? Do you use ginger medicinally and have a story to share?

I'd love to hear about it.
______________________

Misty's Writing Update:

So my husband, an engineer and avid sci-fi reader, is my best sounding board as I'm designing a story and hammering out the plot.

I had rewritten the first two chapters of this new book multiple times and finally had him give it a read through . . .

. . . and he said I should just cut off the first half of chapter 1 because I'd packed too much info into the start and made it a slow read.

Sure enough, when I looked at it again, I realized that during the rewriting, I'd kept shoving more and more information about the world and the characters into every paragraph . . . over and over again until it was bursting with information and not enough of the fun action. LOL.

So, lesson for me: stick to one draft and one rewrite and then move on. Or force myself to chop out some stuff as I edit instead of keep stuffing more in. :D

Enjoy reading this week and I'd love to hear what you think about Deadly Rescue if you have a chance to read it!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

I could use a little help, and I just have to say hearing from you guys is like a breath of fresh air.

Sam took the time to give me a tip about chewing a chunk of raw ginger for stomach pain and cramps after last weeks tip on the herb.

And Chelsea, an awesome new fan, wrote me a friendly note after what she called "rude people" left mean comments on my Facebook ad.

I'm wondering if you're noticing them being more vocal lately, or is it just me?

I call them "sand castle kickers".

You know, after a kid spends hours of work and creativity building a beautiful sand castle. Many kind passersby comment on how much they like it, or even just walk past without a word if it doesn't appeal to them.

Then comes the kid who kicks and destroys all the work as if it personally offends them and then yells out to warn the world about the "stupid sand castle!"

How do you handle people, adults even, who act like this? I generally ignore them and move on.

However, lately they're attacking my books and ads with nasty words and low reviews that are as destructive as those kicks to ratings and sales.

I'll interject that I'm fine with a well-written critical review. I don't expect everyone to love my writing. But these are not that.

Like this recent one:

Kat2009: "Couldn't finish it. Was stupid. Characters weak. Storyline ridiculous. Waste of time. Don't waste yours. I didn't get past 6th chapter although I tried."

These are generic and mean enough that some authors think they are targeted "review bombs", or attacks to hurt successful books.

Want to help me counter this kind of stuff? Here are two easy ways:

. . . and I understand time is always tight, so no pressure at all! :)

1. Scroll down to the reviews on Deadly Lockdown's page and find a few of the positive reviews that you like. Click the "Helpful" button under them which helps them move to the top of the page ahead of the nasty ones.

2. If you've read Deadly Lockdown or even the opening chapter, post a positive, honest review or rating. It can be just a sentence or two, nothing long or complicated.

That's it. And you can smile knowing you've done a small part countering some of the bitterness out there with a touch of positive.

I just want to thank you in advance for being such supportive fans that encourage me to continue writing even when I run into a handful of angry sand castle kickers. :)

Hopefully you also have more supporters than kickers in your life!

You're the best!

______________________

Misty's Writing Update:

I'm in the groove again!

I just wrapped up chapter five in my new litRPG novel and Pax, our teenage street kid, has just been rounded up for the annual Awakening, where the powerful mages from the capital use magic to unlock the classes and talents of the youth of the city . . . whether they want to or not.

Pax has some mysterious backstory, including the ever-popular missing parents, along with an unusual spark of power that's been a secret he's kept since childhood.

The question, now, is how that spark will interact with the magic of the Awakening ceremony . . . :)

Yes, I'm having a blast writing this. The whole magic, coming-of-age fantasy story has always been a favorite of mine since I curled up in sun-warmed nooks as a child with Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong series and Ender's Game.

I was thinking of giving Pax a disability or weakness that sets him apart and that he can later overcome. What do you think? Or is being an orphaned street kid already enough?

Enjoy reading this week and thanks again to anyone who helps me fight the sand castle kickers with positivity!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

So Covid finally hit us, but thankfully only a mild version!

While I was in Utah, my teenage son had two friends over for his birthday, only to find out that one boy's father felt bad that evening and eventually both the father, the son and then one of my sons tested positive.

Thankfully, my 13-year-old only had a mild fever, cough, sore throat and a few sniffles. So, if we hadn't know it was covid, we'd have thought it was a mild cold.

And since I'm planning on going to this awesome author's conference: 20Books Vegas next week, I decided to cancel my flight home and go directly to Vegas on Monday.

I'm pretty bummed not to get a few days with my family, since this is the longest I've ever been away from them - 4 1/2 weeks by the time I get home, but I definitely wouldn't want to take a chance with covid before going to a large conference like that.

So, I'm at my brother's house for a couple of days instead, catching up on my sleep and missing my little granddaughter resting on my chest.
***
Herbal Tip #3
Lemon Balm heals Cold Sores!

Cold sores aren't a major illness, but for anyone who's had them, they can be a big annoyance - painful, unsightly and slow to heal.

The good news is that there is an effective herb that can speed that process up: lemon balm.

Lemon balm is in the mint family, which means it is super easy to grow, so much so that it will spread out into your yard and garden if you let it. But it gives off a fresh lemony scent when mowed down, so it's all good. :)

How to use it? Don't worry, it's super easy.

This is a fresh herb extract, since making lemon balm tincture from dried herb isn't as effective. (With the extra water being pulled out of the fresh herb, stronger alcohol is better)

1. Cut fresh lemon balm, rinse and let air dry before chopping coarsely - just enough to make it easy to put into a jar.
2. Pack it tightly to fill an 8 oz. or pint glass jar, depending on how much you have.
3. Buy the cheapest 100 proof Vodka (50% alcohol) or if you want stronger but pricier, Everclear is 190 proof (95% alcohol).
4. Pour alcohol over the fresh cut herb. Fill right up to the top and put on a lid, trying to leave as little air in the jar as possible.
5. Put in a dark cupboard and shake as often as you remember for the next six weeks - daily is awesome, but don't worry if you forget. (You can use it earlier if needed)
6. Dab a little on your cold sore throughout the day, starting as soon as you feel it emerging and it can heal in half the time.

That's it! Not much harder than making a cup of tea. :)

I like to keep some in a glass, brown dropper bottle in the bathroom or any container with some Q-tips will also work. Seeing it in the bathroom helps me remember to place a drop or two on my finger and then dab on the cold sore throughout the day. (fyi - it works for all types of herpes sores).

Here's the jar of tincture I just helped my sister-in-law make (it's missing a bit at the top, because we poured some off today):



I'd love to hear how it goes if you try making some. :)
***
I hope all of you and your families are safe and doing well!
______________________

Misty's Writing Update:

I finally had to make some decisions on the game mechanics in my new litrpg book.

I've been running through the world-building in my mind for a while, but I finally got to a chapter where Pax is involved in a battle with a huge lava lizard that he helps kill.

Now what?

For those of you who like playing fantasy-based games, you know that killing monsters is a big part of advancing in levels, acquiring loot and increasing your skills and abilities.

I had to decide what kind of rewards Pax and the other characters in my new world would get from killing a monster.

I decided to go with a more natural game logic - the skills, spells and attributes like strength and intelligence increase when they are used, with increased gains from extra practice or using them in new and more difficult situations.

And my characters will get 'loot' from killing monsters, but more in the form of valuable parts that can be harvested/butchered from the monsters themselves, instead of a fancy new sword suddenly appearing above the corpse.

For example, skin from a lava monster can be crafted into fire-resistant leather armor, or feathers from an air-based monster can add a speed or decreased weight bonus to a crafted item. And the biggest form of loot is the monster's core containing elemental magic that can be used to power magical devices in the fantasy world.

It's definitely a fun exercise that is stretching both my creativity and logic - because it still has to make sense, right? :)

If you're an avid gamer, feel free to offer suggestions!

And enjoy your reading this week.

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Feb. 4, 2022
Hi friends,

If you're on the northeastern side of the United States, it's likely you got a bit of snow this week.

Here's the start of our big, scary snow storm. We had winter warnings and expected 10 - 14 inches overnight.

I found it kind of funny that schools had all shut down in anticipation, dance classes were cancelled, the grocery stores were flooded with last minute buyers only to wake up in the morning to this . . .



Needless to say, we were less than impressed.

However, here's a pic of what we ended up with by the following morning:



In the end, we had to shovel three times, the roads were indeed a bit of a pain, but our awesome road crews had them in decent shape in no time.

But, it's always good to be prepared for the worst.

So, I had a simple tip I've always remembered about how to stay warm indoors during a power outage where you have no heat.

Stay warm when the power's out! - Be prepared Tip #9

Think small!

Instead of trying to keep your whole house warm, pick a single room everyone can fit in, preferably a small one with a door that closes.

Dress in layers, spend your time together in the closed room, sharing heat and snuggling up together.

The fun tip that always stuck in my mind was to make an even smaller space to keep warm by setting up a tent in this room and spending your time staying cozy in there.

I'm sure the idea of camping indoors was what appealed to me when I heard that tip as a kid, but it's an easy idea to keep in mind should you ever find yourself needing to stay warm for a bit until the power comes back on.

What about you? Any other good tips for staying warm inside when the heat is out?

Stay warm out there! <3

— Misty :)
______________________
Misty's Writing Update:
Wow! Thanks for all the answers to my questions about what length of book you enjoy reading.

What do you think the majority of you voted for?

. . . more, more story! Just like me, most people voted for #4, full-length novels or #5, series or long books.

A few mentioned that they like a mix of lengths, depending on what they're in the mood for, or if they like a particular author, and I'd have to agree on that, too.

Mostly though, if I get to like a character and a story, I'm disappointed when it ends too soon.

And, for all of you long book readers, you'll be pleased to hear I just crossed the 100k mark in the book I'm writing right now, and I'm not even close to the final climactic moment, so it'll likely be my longest book ever.

Woohoo!

Thanks for your support and especially to Pvt Rym who took the time to leave a review of the first book in our pandemic series: Deadly Lockdown:

"I couldn't stop reading once I started this series. So much going on, it held my interest all the way to the end!"

And thanks to another reader who wrote:

"Very good pandemic series. This book is well written, interesting and tough to put down. Thank you for a good book."

Your reviews are so helpful to the series and even just clicking the "Helpful" button on the nice reviews makes a difference.

Thanks for your support and happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Feb. 11, 2022
Hi friends,

We live in Michigan in a typical American suburb, though there are some more native areas nearby, so we'll see the occasional wild critter go by, though usually just a rabbit or two and a host of birds.

So, yesterday, I was in the laundry room and my daughter squeals out that there's a racoon on the back porch, which I thought was cool, even though we've never seen one here before.

Instead, with his head buried into the bowl of burnt popcorn we set outside to cool off, is this guy (his body is about the length of my lower leg or the size of a large pregnant cat, for reference):



An opossum! Though no one pronounces the first "O".

A few friends informed me that they can eat their weight in ticks, so I'm more than happy to have this guy around here considering how many ticks we had the last two summers. They were bad!

Plus, I learned they are marsupials, which is kind of cool, though they have some rat-like features. He's got the cutest little hands full of popcorn, and we all gathered on the other side of the glass door to watch him chowing down. He didn't seem to mind and even tried to take the metal bowl with him at the end.

Overall, it was like our own personal zoo, perfectly safe behind the glass but with a front row seat to check out this native of our local environment. We really enjoyed it!

How about you? What kind of interesting critters do you have native to your area? Do any of them come up close for a visit? I'd love a pic or two!

Enjoy the world out there!
______________________

Misty's Writing Update:
Just passed the 110k word mark in my current book and am working on squeezing in an animal companion before ending the book.

These are always fun and since it's fantasy, I can make up whatever I want. I was thinking about something along the lines of The Ugly Duckling. You know, a creature that is lowly and maybe even ugly, like a rat, that at some point, through magic will reach the true potential of something like a dragon.

Instead of duck to swan, I'm thinking rat to dragon. LOL.

He'll also develop mentally, eventually forming a true bond with the main character.

Any ideas to throw at me? What would be a fun starting point and how would this animal companion evolve into something truly awesome by the end of the series?

This is the fun part of writing fantasy. Whatever you can imagine, you can create.

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Feb. 18, 2022
Hi friends,

I loved all the emails I got from you about the wild creatures you share your space with. The list was huge and some were a bit scary, like the alligator one of you had to shoo out of your yard. Eek!

Even better, a handful of you sent in some great, and some funny pics. So, I thought I'd share them with you since I enjoyed them so much myself.

Living on an island off the coast of Washington, Karen gets deer, coyote, rabbits, eagles and lots of raccoons. Check out this beautiful shot of a racoon that enjoys helping itself to the plums on her tree in the backyard:



Cherie has everything from wild turkeys to eagles perched in the tree hunting. She even included a pic of her crew of wonderful pets:






Eutre, from my own Michigan sent in some great pics, including one of her cat who "fancies herself a hunter" when finding a deer in the back:






And finally, Barbara shared a startling and fun photo of a deer coming up to say hello on her deck amidst chairs and flowers as well as a fox chilling out in the yard:




Thank you all for sharing just a bit of the wildlife around you with us!

______________________

Misty's Writing Update:
Ok, it turns out I don't have to go far to come up with some crazy monster ideas . . . just check out the stuff that lives here on earth with us.

Remember my rat to dragon idea?

Well, I decided to go with a mole to start, figuring it could unlock some sneaky stealth skills that would come in handy for my main character who is at the bottom of the social ladder in the mage academy.

A pet that can sneak around without being seen or burrow to hide and spy would come in handy.

So, I went looking for pics of moles to get ideas, and ran across something called a star-nosed mole.

Wow! That's all I can say. Go take a look for yourself, and you'll see what I mean.

It has a flared, pink nose surrounded by a bunch of octopus-type tentacles that it uses to navigate tunnels by touch. Really strange and creepy looking, which is perfect for a monster in my book.

I just added a few scales instead of fur, to give it a reptilian flare (and keep the possible dragon-ish metamorphism open for the future) plus a tail with a knob that can used as a weapon and ta-da - new fantasy monster!

And it's a baby one, so though strange, it is oddly cute. LOL. Writing fantasy can be really fun!

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Feb 25, 2022
Hi friends,

I'm so sorry to hear about recent turmoil in the world and hope you and your families are safe!

It's still the dregs of winter here, though we are getting an occasional warm day to melt things in between snow storms. For me, I'm glad when the sun comes out, since it brightens my mood. Well, that and a new variety of chocolate. :)

I've been thinking about updating some of our preparedness supplies that I've let languish for far too long. Medicine is something that takes a lot more babysitting than a sealed bucket of wheat or beans.

Normally, the expiration of most pills is one year, but if kept sealed, cool and dry, many will last much longer. Do your own research to see what you're comfortable with. The military did some research into antibiotics so they didn't need to discard tons of effective medication every year and found that some lasted many years part their expiration.

So, here's an easy, fun idea you can do as a large family or group to have medicines when and where you need them. Many hands makes light work . . . and splits the cost.

Simple Medicine Kits for cars, bug-out bags, etc.

1. Pick up large bottles of basic medicines at your local warehouse store, bulk store, or online.
2. Buy a large pack of small sealable baggies. (I used 2x2 or 1.5x1.5 sizes from Amazon)
3. Separate the medicines into equal amounts to split between participants.
4. Write the dosage instructions in permanent marker on each baggie.
5. Gather one small baggie of each medicine into a slightly bigger container. A sandwich baggie works or something more sturdy like an Altoids tin. (If you have small children, a child-proof bottle is recommended.)

When I did this, we ended up with ten different kits that included 4 - 8 doses of the following medications:

1. Ibuprofen - pain relief, anti-inflammatory
2. Acetaminophen - pain relief
3. Diphenhydramine - anti-histamine
4. Chewable Bismuth Subsalicylate tablets - stomach issues
5. Aspirin - pain reliever, blood thinner
6. Pseudoephedrine - decongestant
7. Guaifenesin - expectorant
8. Antacids (from a bulk bottle and 5 or so rolled in piece of tinfoil) - heartburn

I keep one of these kits in my waist pack along with a small first aid kit I'll have mention in another newsletter.

We also put one into each car, but be aware that high heat will decrease shelf-life of medicines. These also come in handy to grab and send with teenagers who are leaving to camp or to toss in my carry-on bag on when traveling.

What about you? How do you handle being prepared with medicines for an emergency?

With the shortages in stores we've seen over the last couple of years, it is a good idea to have a plan. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Stay healthy out there!

______________________


Misty's Writing Update:
I'm this close to actually starting the final battle in my book, which I'm thinking should probably have come a little sooner than after 125k words. Our main character and his two friends are unlocking an extra spell each to give them the best chances of surviving, and then they're off to save the academy from the horde of beasts ready to come boiling out of the underground.

Yep, this book will officially be the longest book I've written so far. But it's not a problem, since the litrpg genre leans toward longer books. In fact, one that I'm currently reading is over 800 pages. So, I will, by no means, be close to the longest books in the genre.

And this book should be right up your alley, since we had so many of you vote recently that you enjoyed longer versus shorter books.

I'm also considering releasing the book on a serial story website called Royal Road where a chapter would come out daily, probably 3-5 chapters a week, while I move on to write book 2. This gives people a chance to give me feedback on the book and for the story to find fans before it eventually goes on Amazon.

I'm just curious if any of you read on Royal Road and what you think of my idea?

It's interesting how many new avenues keep popping up for independent authors to get their stories into the hands of their readers.

If you read ebooks somewhere else besides Amazon, I'd love to hear!

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Eat and run - an effective diabetes tip? Health Tip #5: March 4, 2022
Hi friends,

I know many of us are still so worried and concerned for all the people who are struggling amidst so much turmoil in the world. They are all in our prayers and we hope things can quickly reach a peaceful resolution.

It's been a while since I had a health tip, and as I was considering the topic, I thought about my diabetes and how many others are also handling this chronic illness.

Also, our bodies are all different and will often react to various foods, medicines and treatments differently, so consult with a doctor before making any significant changes.

I thought I'd share one of the simpler things that has helped me with my diabetes and hope that it might help one of you, too

Eat and Run!

Unlike the saying that means you have to leave right after finishing your meal, I have found that a literal interpretation of the saying is very effective for diabetes.

As your body digests the carbohydrates in your meal, your blood sugar naturally goes up, and the systems of those with diabetes allow the blood sugar to rise and sometimes stay at dangerously high levels.

But what if you exercise right after you eat? Does it help? What kind of exercise works best? How long do you need to work-out?

Here are general guidelines:
• A Cleveland Clinic study showed exercising about 30 minutes after the start of your meal will help keep post-meal glucose within acceptable levels.
• During aerobic exercise (walking briskly, running, swimming, etc.) your muscles will start using up glucose at as much as fifty times the normal rate.
• This can continue for up to two hours after exercising.
• Insulin sensitivity (a good thing, that means your body is responding to insulin better) can also stay high for up to 24 hours after exercising.
• Anaerobic exercise (ex. lifting weights) may actually increase blood sugar due to using glycogen inside the muscle for fuel and a not as significant decrease in insulin levels. Bottom line: Aerobic will control glucose better in the short term. However, more muscle mass can be beneficial in the long run.
• Early evening is the time to exercise instead of morning. A study with pre-diabetic men showed a better overnight glucose control when exercising in the early evening versus morning.
• Short is still great! Another study had seniors with diabetes take a 15-minute walk after each meal and it significantly helped their glucose control - on par with a longer 45 minute exercise session. Plus, the walk after dinner really helped overnight glucose levels.

So, if you've got diabetes, start small. Maybe just a 10-minute walk after you get up from the dinner table to start and go from there.

Good luck and stay safe out there!
_____________________

Misty's Writing Update:

Yay! I'm actually writing the final battle scene. It is going to last a few chapters at least. I have what happens for the finale in mind, but I'm currently brainstorming a fun twist I can weave in somewhere, something that will also add an interesting side-plot or hook to the series or flesh out a side character.

What about you? Do you like surprise twists?

Personally, I love them, especially if there were clues left earlier that I missed or dismissed as insignificant. The twists I hate, however, are the ones where a main or important side character is killed.

I know. I know. It is more realistic. But I don't read fiction for realism. I read to enjoy escaping from the hard, sometimes tragic sides of realism in my real life. I figure it's called fantasy for a reason! :)

So, it is only with great reluctance (and the urging of my co-writer Steph and now my husband) that I will even consider killing someone. And even then, I negotiate. "Who is the least important character so far who has an actual name that I can sacrifice as a martyr in the coming battle?"

How about you? Would you rather everyone important is still alive at the end of a book (battered, but alive)? Or do you think a small dish of tragedy, as long as it's not the main character, is alright and even adds more depth to the book?

Come on - if you all vote for no death, maybe I can get away with it as I finish this book. Tell me soon, though, because the scene will be written in a day or two.

. . . what do you think I'll do? :)

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Mar 11, 2022
Hi friends,

Thanks for all your tips on diabetes that you emailed me. I'm always looking for extra things to try, since I expect to be working to stay healthy with this for quite a few years to come.

And if any of you find success lowering your blood sugar by using exercise after meals, I'd love to hear. :)

Trust Your Instincts - Self-Defense Tip #20

Today, I thought I'd discuss trusting your instincts as a crucial self-defense tool to avoid dangerous situations.

Anyone who has listened to victims' stories, has likely heard something similar to:

"I knew something was off about the guy."
"I didn't want to offend him, but wish I had left earlier."
"I almost said no to the invitation. Why didn't I?"

The common theme?

Many had an instinct that warned them of something wrong, but they ignored it for various reasons: Not trusting themselves. Social pressures to fit in. Embarrassment. Trying to please someone, etc.

And we've often heard statements that discourage trusting our instincts, like:

"Don't be so paranoid."
"He's a nice guy. What's your problem?"
"You worry too much."

What can we do better?

First, trust your instincts and respond to them immediately.

Say no. Don't go. Leave. Walk away.

Whatever it takes to avoid a person or situation that makes you uncomfortable. If these actions make you feel embarrassed or you don't think you're that brave, then try a few role-plays. Get a trusted friend to act out the situation where you don't think you could stand up for yourself. Practice until you feel more confident. Good luck!!

Second, change your language to encourage yourself and others to trust themselves:

If a friend cancels on an outing they are unsure of, perhaps reply with:
"Of course. I want you to feel comfortable and if you don't, it's completely fine not to come."

A friend mentions someone they avoided because of how they feel around them. Encourage them:
"Nice way to trust your instincts and look for someone who makes you feel safe instead."

As we encourage and support ourselves and others around us to take whatever steps are necessary to feel safe and avoid people/situations that make us uneasy, we can cultivate new, much safer habits.

Good luck and stay safe out there!
____________________

Misty's Writing Update:
Ok, someone in my final battle is having a serious brush with death, but I can't say how it turned out.

Plus, there might actually be another unexpected danger looming, that our crew is unaware of . . . because that's just how a final battle has to happen, right? :D

And on the question of whether some characters should die in stories, the responses I got last week seemed to agree that an occasional side character dying upped the stakes and the surprise of a story, so a reader didn't get too complacent knowing everyone would always make it through.

Ok, fine. I guess I have to agree with that.

So, someone may or may not be dying here at my computer during these final battle scenes . . . hopefully it's not me - lol.

I just passed the 148k word mark in the book and for those of you who go by pages, there are usually 250-300 words per page which means this book is about 490-590 pages long!

Dang! It is my longest by a wide margin.

And one of these weeks soon, I will hopefully tell you I've finished it and started number 2!

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website