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Karen is a writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a U of I graduate, published at The Owyhee Avalanche and online at more than 40 websites. Karen writes about health and fitness, positive motivation, travel, relationships, careers, parenting, education, photography, home décor and gardening.
New Articles
8 Reasons to Work Out Every Day Being fit is an extremely challenging thing to achieve, no matter what shape you are in at the start of your journey. It takes hard work, dedication, consistency and a whole lot of motivation to reach fitness goals. Any athlete who has achieved success will testify that reaching...
Grief and loss are never easy to deal with. But by doing some or all of these simple steps, you will discover that life has a way of healing your pain. Living with and loving someone for many years, through the joys and difficulties, has already made you stronger than you realize.
People everywhere spend much of their time applauding and promoting the many benefits of online marketing, especially on social media. So, one day, I decided that I too, deserved to take part in the dynamic digital explosion. After weeks of organizing and categorizing my photographs in tidy little square formats, I felt ready, so finally I took the plunge!
Stress is something we all deal with every day, because life can get complicated fast. No matter who you are or what your career job is, or what your home situation is like, we all are faced with constant stress of one kind or another.
In this chaotic and somewhat unpredictable world, filled with the stress of daily living, every woman can face challenges every day. Like never before, women fulfill multiple roles; at home, in the workplace, and in their personal lives. I sometimes refer to the current society as the "age of the superwoman" because of the high expectations placed on women.
Karen Bresnahan is a writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a University of Idaho graduate and mother of three grown children. Karen has high aspirations about loving life, inspiring others and realizing her creative d... Current events in the political world have catapulted many of us into what can only be described as a shared state of anxiety.
Career
Computer technology is changing the way people work and live at such a fast rate that it can be difficult at times to keep up with an increasing load of job expectations, especially at computer-based jobs.
In our fast-paced, modern, high-tech world, there has been quite of bit of news, business talk and web page and social media chatter going on about the success of female managers in businesses. What are some of the reasons why women are able to step into managerial shoes and make them fit?
We all have careers and dreams and goals we would like to accomplish. And, it's easy to get into "work mode" and focus intently on your job. But sometimes people work so hard that they actually do things detrimental to their health, and that keeps them from making good progress.
No matter what type of work you do, It can sometimes be difficult to sort through all the "small stuff" that naturally rolls across your desk while staying focused on the larger goals you want to reach. We all hope to be mindful of choices when setting up a work routine that will enable us to be happy...
No matter where you live, the holidays can be a super busy time, with piles of things to do, expectations to meet, places to go, people to shop for and more tasks to deal with. It's no surprise, with all the added responsibilities that can come up this time of year, both social and work ...
Some of the best jobs today unfortunately require being on the computer for long periods of time. And although using technology can be amazing, efficient, and fun, sitting at a desk all day is not easy; and in fact it is very bad for your health.
Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Most people know that sitting at a computer desk all day is not the best thing for your health. Current studies are showing that computer workers can be at higher risk for weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and a shortened lifespan.
Every entrepreneur knows the value of having original ideas and wanting to develop them from the creativity stage to the production stage. It can be a challenge any way you look at it. Even the most brilliant people sometimes have difficulty dealing with the pressures that result from trying to do everyday tasks while keeping larger goals in mind.
Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Since February is Valentine's month, now is a good time to focus on the meaning of your relationships. When you reflect on all your relationships, try thinking about the people in your life who have influenced you the most and why.
Stress is something we all deal with every day, because life can get complicated fast. No matter who you are or what your career job is, or what your home situation is like, we all are faced with constant stress of one kind or another.
Politics
Karen Bresnahan is a writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a University of Idaho graduate and mother of three grown children. Karen has high aspirations about loving life, inspiring others and realizing her creative d... Current events in the political world have catapulted many of us into what can only be described as a shared state of anxiety.
Fitness
Being fit is an extremely challenging thing to achieve, no matter what shape you are in at the start of your journey. It takes hard work, dedication, consistency and a whole lot of motivation to reach fitness goals. Any athlete who has achieved success will testify that reaching goals is not easy.
Why is fitness so important? There are dozens of reasons why you should get fit, or improve your fitness. And most of these reasons will give you visible results in a short amount of time, such as: Weight loss More energy Less stress Increased muscle mass Improved muscle tone and shape Increased strength and stamina Improved lungs Enhanced moods Better mental focus Most people don't think about the future when they work on fitness goals.
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: KAREN BRESNAHAN Karen Bresnahan is a professional writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a former competitive swimmer, and has enjoyed running, cycling and working out at health clubs for many years. She is published as a feature writer and photographer for the Valley News in Meridian, ID, and the Owyhee Avalanche in Homedale, ID.
Looking for a way to push yourself to the limits and see "what you're made of"? Ever thought about participating in a triathlon? This combination of swimming, cycling and running pushes you to the limits and is a great way to make amazing new friends. Read more about them below!
My life has been a whirlwind of change and flux, but one thing that has remained a constant in my life is my bike. I have always had a bicycle and have ridden it for years as a means of exercise, relaxation, escape and adventure.
Karen Bresnahan is a writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a University of Idaho graduate and mother of three grown children. Karen has high aspirations about loving life, inspiring others and realizing her creative d... Since the new year is here, now is a good time to outline for yourself your fitness goals.
Guest Contributor: Karen Bresnahan Karen Bresnahan is a professional writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a former competitive swimmer, and has enjoyed running, cycling and working out at health clubs for many years. She is published as a feature writer and photographer for the Valley News in Meridian, ID, and the Owyhee Avalanche in Homedale, ID.
Life is about learning to overcome challenges, and competing in sports is one of the most exciting ways to do that. No matter what sport you are going for, like running, cycling, swimming, or even triathlons, you have started down a new path.
Bodybuilding is a very unique and individually-focused activity, which like many other athletic endeavors, requires a tremendous amount of work and dedication. Those who decide to do it usually make a list of short-term (and long-term) goals for exercising, healthy eating, and recuperating that they often spend years working on.
Life
In this chaotic and somewhat unpredictable world, filled with the stress of daily living, every woman can face challenges every day. Like never before, women fulfill multiple roles; at home, in the workplace, and in their personal lives. I sometimes refer to the current society as the "age of the superwoman" because of the high expectations placed on women.
My life has been a crazy mix of constant change, stress, challenges, and years of bouncing back and forth between what I thought was happiness, misery, and relationships that never seemed to work out. But you would never guess those things to be true about me, if you met me today.
get elephant's newsletter (From left are: Sieb, Karen, Rebecca and Sarah.) I imagine my life as a mom is probably not too different than many others. I am so grateful for everything I have gained from motherhood, especially the things I learned from being a single mom.
Stress is a big part of life, unfortunately. Particularly if you're a dreamer, and some things just haven't gone the way you wanted them to. However, once you know how to control your stress levels, things become a lot easier for you. Unfortunately, we all have daily stress, and it can come from many sources.
Since February is Valentine's month, it is a great time to show someone just how much you appreciate them. Instead of rushing out to buy the usual gifts this holiday, like a bottle of wine, chocolates, balloons, or cards, why not find a new way to celebrate the month?
"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time." ~ Saint Francis de Sales We all struggle with change, stress and difficulties in life. Things happen unexpectedly every day in both job situations and personal lives.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a very large happy family. There were 7 children and two loving parents who were married for many long years. This sounds too good to be true, I know, but now I realize there are many people in this world that are not as fortunate as I was, and I have come to deeply appreciate my upbringing.
Karen Bresnahan is a writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She is a University of Idaho graduate and mother of three grown children. Karen has high aspirations about loving life, inspiring others and realizing her creative d... My New Year's resolutions this year are not complicated.
February is the perfect time of the year to talk about love. There have probably been more words written about love than any other single topic in the history of the human race. And yet, it remains one of the greatest mysteries of life.
How do you change Christmas stress to Christmas joy? Stop and listen to your heart, and pay attention to your feelings. Be thankful for all the good things in your life. BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 30, 2015 - Now is the time of year when almost everyone takes a break from the normal routine of daily life.
For many people, Christmas is a joyful occasion, where they celebrate the excitement of opening presents with their children, cherish the closeness of friends and family, take exotic vacations or rekindle the romance of a special love. Those might be the storybook lives of some people, but they're not true for everyone.
Not everyone goes through the holidays feeling great. BOISE, December 14, 2015 - Christmas can be a time of joy for many people, but not everyone goes through the holidays feeling great. For some people, the holidays roll around at a not-so-happy time, which can make it seem difficult to get through.
Health-Wellness
The Widespread Problem of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Karen Bresnahan. Every year in the US, it is estimated that more than 500,000 people undergo surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a condition where the median nerve in the wrist at the base of the hand is compressed, due to swelling of the nearby ligaments.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes We are meant to be peaceful, happy and joyful. And when things are good in your life, everything seems to be beautiful and right. Life seems to flow along and happiness seems to come naturally. But sometimes there are physical signs that tell you that something is wrong.
Life can be complicated, and it's easy to let the pressures of daily living feel like a heavy weight on your shoulders that you can't escape. We all know what stress feels like, and it doesn't feel good. Stress is dangerous, more so than most people realize.
Life can be so full of change and stress from a number of causes that (especially if you are a parent) just about anything can trigger sleep loss. We all know how important sleep is to our overall health and how miserable life can be when you go without it.
In our overcrowded and high-stress world, it can be hard to get a good night's sleep. Many people have problems sleeping just because of all that goes on in the world. One thing people from all over are doing to relieve daily stress (which can be caused by any number of things) is to change their sleeping habits.
If you are one of those people who tries to avoid all the holiday craziness, you're not alone. There are so many activities that go on this time of year, and it can be easy to feel anxious, rushed for time and stressed out.
6 Simple Ways to Avoid Getting Sick at the Office by Karen Bresnahan. It's winter, so it's the time of year when most people spend the majority of their time indoors and statistics show that people tend to get sick more often.
Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn The Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays are right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to decide if you plan to enjoy yourself as the year ends, or if you are going to suffer through holiday depression with your head down.
Now that the excitement and busyness of the holidays is over, it's time to take a big sigh and get back to normal daily life. This can be a tough time, especially for families who have been extra busy.
4 Ways That Using a Hammock Can Help You Sleep by Karen Bresnahan. Many people have trouble getting the proper amount of rest and there can be numerous causes for that.
We all search for happiness, because that is what life seems to be about. But some people seem to find it, while others often don't. It is valued like a precious gem, but the origin of happiness can often be a mystery to most people.
The holidays are a time for embracing tradition. No matter what that means for your family and friends, here are some tips for celebrating a truly traditional Christmas. A thoughtful way to make your holiday dinner table more traditional is to serve a few homegrown foods.
Travel
Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Traveling is an adventure, just like life. You will find that everything you gain from it depends on your attitude. No matter when you do it, or the reasons why, if you have a carefree attitude, you are sure to have some fun and learn a few valuable lessons to ...
I grew up in small town America, so I had never traveled outside the country until recently. I took an amazing trip to Costa Rica a few years ago to meet up with my college-aged daughter, who was finishing up a foreign study program.
If you get a chance, one of the most inexpensive and beautiful places to travel to is Costa Rica. Although it is a poor country, it is very rich in what it has to offer an eager tourist in the way of natural, unspoiled beauty and exotic animals.
Many people dream of taking a tropical vacation, but often that dream is never realized. Whatever the reason is that you have not gone yet, forget about it, because if you really want to, you can make it happen. It's simple. Make a decision, save your money and go.
Diet
If weight loss is your goal, you are not alone. Many inspired and impassionate individuals out there hold close the same burning healthy-minded desire as you. Two out of three adults, and one in three children are overweight or obese in the US.
Recent studies show that more and more people in the U.S. are choosing to reduce or give up meat in their diet because of the growing body of evidence linking meat consumption to obesity, digestive problems, heart disease, some types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and early death.
A growing number of health-conscious and environmentally concerned people of all ages are adopting a vegan diet so they can live more efficiently and improve their overall health. A vegan diet promotes efficient living because it requires fewer resources to grow vegetables than to raise animals.
If you are striving toward a healthy lifestyle, you naturally want to avoid gaining excess weight. Many people struggle with their weight as they get older and it can be hard to find a plan that helps them keep the weight off consistently.
Let's face it. Life can be stressful for many reasons. So, it's no surprise that people buy energy drinks to help them deal with stressful days and sleepless nights. But what's inside an energy drink, and how can it be bad for you?
by Karen Bresnahan If I can drink a cup of coffee, I thought, an energy drink is nothing to worry about. No problem, right? I couldn't have been more wrong. Most people are aware of the ongoing debate on the safety of energy drinks, like Rock Star, Red Bull, and Monster, and unfortunately a few deaths of young people from drinking them.
Home Decor
If you are like me, I sometimes grow tired of seeing the same type of Thanksgiving and Christmas decor going up every year. Making wreaths and other holiday gifts is a popular DIY trend. So, here is a nice project I am sharing with all you nature-lovers!
Fall is such a beautiful time to be inspired for decorating projects. No matter where you live, there is always a way to create something that will make your home or apartment have that cozy feeling.
There are many ways to break up the boredom that can be associated with the winter months, especially after the excitement of the holidays is over. For active families or individuals, there is one item that might prove to be valuable to have on hand in the winter, for a number of reasons.
There are many ways to add to the beauty of a home patio. Whether you are starting from scratch (as I did in this case) or just sprucing up an existing patio, you will find that with just a small amount of effort and a few creative ideas, you can do a lot to make a patio an original design that will stand out and add to the attractiveness of your home .
The beginning of a new year is an excellent time to welcome a change in decor for your home office or work environment. Revitalizing your workspace can help inspire and motivate you to get busy on your personal and professional goals.
Most people enjoys good artwork, and one of the most unique ways to display art in your home is to consider having a wall mural made. Good use of large walls A mural can be something original to consider, especially if you have a large wall area in your home and don't know what to use it for.
A Unique Way to Display Your Wedding Photos There are many couples who move into a new house after their wedding day, and some who already share a living space. But, moving into a home together and figuring out what to hang on the walls can be a challenging experience.
Health experts everywhere are talking about the importance of stress relief in everyday life. Stress can be caused by many variable factors and can disrupt your physical, mental and spiritual well being. And because of this, it has become more important for homeowners to incorporate a peaceful outdoor space where they can relax.
If your life is stressful, you are not alone. Many people struggle with the stress of everyday living and are searching for relief. Workplace stress seems to be at an all-time in many places high due to things like faster technology, increased job expectations, long work hours, shift work, family vs.
Business
Technology is quickly changing the way information is being used in the medical field. New technology is directly responsible for many exciting new applications that are quickly changing the way the healthcare industry operates. From DNA testing h...
8 Ideas for Marketing Your Wedding Photography Wedding photography is a very challenging and competitive business to be in. And, in order to be successful, you not only have to be an amazing photographer, but smart about your marketing strategies. Here are 8 steps to being a successful wedding photographer.
Now that summer's officially over, many of us are buckling down and getting back to business in a serious way. If one of your fall marketing strategies involves trade shows, you'll find some helpful hints in this guest post by Karen Bresnahan.
Employee happiness is one of the most important factors to develop in a small business, because happy employees stay at their jobs. The small business can shrink or grow, depending on how good its employees are at their jobs, and productivity is related to how happy they are in the workplace.
Parenting
So often today, we see children everywhere who spend too much time playing video games. This is something they do at home in front of the TV or on their tablets and or phones. This can be an ongoing frustration for many parents, who are worried about the amount of time kids want to spend gaming.
In this digital age of computers, phones, tablets and iPpads, at times it seems like we only get to see photographs via our high tech electronic devices. I miss the "older days" where photographs were valuable treasures you could hold in your hand.
When it comes to camping and kids, my motto has always been to do it cheap and keep it simple. Traveling around and exploring the beauty of the outdoors is an incredibly important experience for young children to have as they are growing up and it doesn't have to be an expensive ordeal for the ...
As an experienced mom of three, I learned very quickly from the time they were young that taking them to outdoor places is the best thing ever, and more importantly my kids loved it!
Many people who enjoy the outdoors end up investing a great deal of money on camping gear and gadgets, but as an experienced outdoor camper, I can tell you that it is not necessary. My motto has always been: do it cheap and keep it simple.
The Autumn season has begun. Leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter and the sun goes down a lot faster. School has started and most children are caught up in the anticipation of the coming holidays. There are so many wonderful ways for a family to spend time together in the fall.
This time of year can be challenging for any parent. As schools, businesses, churches and communities everywhere are gearing up to celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas, the days and weeks ahead can become crammed with activities that will wear out any child and their parents.
Many families go through it every year. It's like the quiet after the storm, or you could call it the "aftermath of Christmas," and it isn't always pretty. Christmas is like a fantasy-land of dreams when you are a child.
I have a memory from my childhood that will remain with me always. I was very young (only about 7 years old) when something bad happened to me on Halloween night. The important ritual of trick-or-treating, which was considered relatively safe when I was young, suddenly turned into a scary nightmare for me and my older sister one year.
Instead of worrying if you can get your child enough of the "right toys" for Christmas this year, try a new approach: Give them less. Many parents of very young children shower them with gifts at Christmas time for many years, but the overall effect of this is not good.
Being a mother is a full time, 24 hour job, as we all know. It takes constant energy, commitment, patience, planning and perseverance. It's not easy. Even daily tasks like cooking dinner, doing laundry and cleaning the house can seem overwhelming at times.
Halloween is usually a fun time for families, right? It's a time when you go out of your way to make sure your children have fun and are safe. Here is a story about a practical joke that was intended for kids, but backfired on me, as a young mother, and today my kids still crack up when they talk about it!
When you stop to appreciate all the good things that have happened to you, it can help you gain perspective. BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 20, 2016 - It can be easy to get caught up in daily living and forget to reflect on the past.
Every parent worries about keeping their little goblins (of all ages) safe on Halloween. Here are a few safety tips to follow on the night of trick-or-treating: Some costumes are not safe because the child cannot see out of the mask. Especially for younger children, you should make sure they have enough room to see where they are going.
Today's families are very busy, and with kids participating in so many different kinds of sporting activities, it can be a challenge to make sure your family spends time together having fun, no matter what is going on so here are some tips to make the most out of outdoor sporting events.
Christmas is a lot of fun, but it can also be a hectic time when you have so many gifts to buy for your family and friends. This can be challenging, especially if you at your wits end to think of ideas for children's gifts.
What can be more fun than planning your child's birthday party? Party planning is a topic that is embraced enthusiastically by families everywhere. Each year, as your child gets older, you will want to find new and creative ways to celebrate that special day when they were born.
Education
A guest post by Karen Bresnahan Phones are so much a part of the world we live in. Here in the US, ninety one percent of the adult population now owns a cell phone, with sixty one percent of them being smartphones. Most school aged children have already learned how to use phone technology before [...]
Modern day museums are faced with the challenge of how to attract, entertain, and keep the interest of patrons who frequently use digital technology to instantly access billions of high-quality, online images and information on a multitude of subjects. No longer passive observers Visiting a museum 20 years ago meant planning to take several hours (or days) to walk through it.
Technology
There are an estimated 4.5 billion people using cellphones today, including 90 percent of adults and many teens. Cell phones have become so 'smart' in recent years, that many people use their phones for nearly everything they do every day.
With the holidays approaching will your family feast be lit by tall tapers or the glow of iPhones? Here are some tips to unplug and enjoy the commune of family and friends. BOISE, Idaho, November 11, 2015 - With the year-end holidays fast approaching, now seems to be a good time to reflect on how technology is affecting the quality of your personal relationships.