Fighting Holiday Calories

It is inevitable…you will eat more during these next couple of days.  Cookies, snacks and other delicious holiday foods will grace both your countertop and your workplace.  The first big step is accepting the fact that you will not be able to resist those delicious foods.  The second step is to do all you can to stay active, even though it is bitterly cold outside.  How can you do that?  Try and walk around more, even at work.  Instead of ordering food your lunch, take a quick trip to grab it.  Walk around your workplace every couple of hours while stretching your legs and body.  Not only will this be good for your health, but it will help you stay focused at work.  Lastly, eat healthy when you can.  For your three main meals of the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) try and stay away from saturated fats and grease as you will get plenty of those throughout the day.  Salad, grilled chicken and pasta are always good choices.

Have a great holiday!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

A Yogurt a Day Keeps You Healthy, We Say

Yogurt is a fun food, much like Jello, as it is hard to classify it as either a solid or liquid.  Even though yogurt is made by fermenting milk with bacteria, this fascinating food is quite good for you.  Some of the health benefits from eating yogurt include:

·        Lower Cholesterol- Eating yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and a combination of Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus thermophilus seems to lower cholesterol for people with borderline to moderate high cholesterol levels.  Granted these are some pretty big words, so check with your physician before jumping in.

·        Help Lactose Intolerance- Consuming yogurt can help those who have trouble absorbing lactose.

·        Fire-Up Your Immune System- Pretty simple, yogurt=helps you fight various allergies and viral infections.

·        Soothe Sunburn- Sunburn can hurt, especially when you do not have anything to soothe the pain.  Rub some yogurt on the burnt area and let it sit for about 20 minutes.  Wash off with warm water when completed.

There are many more uses on the following page where the information was found.  Always check with a doctor before experimenting with these uses.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Baseball Talk

 

Let’s talk baseball for a minute.  The Los Angeles Angels may be the best team in baseball.  Not only did they just sign Josh Hamilton, they also inked Joe Blanton, Sean Burnett and Ryan Madson.  That’s not all!  We cannot forget about Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger winner Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, or that guy named Albert Pujols.  The Angels will be unstoppable if they can remain healthy.  Try and imagine stepping on the mound to pitch against this new lineup; talk about a nightmare.  The truth is that the Angels are turning into a Yankee type organization…they buy what they want.  ESPN projected their starting lineup as the following:

1.) Mike Trout                     OF

2.) Erick Aybar                    SS

3.) Albert Pujols                  1B

4.) Josh Hamilton               OF

5.) Kendrys Morales          DH

6.) Mark Trumbo               OF

7.) Howie Kendrick                        2B

8.) Alberto Callaspo           3B      

9.) Chris Iannetta               C

 

So the one weak spot may be their catcher who still managed to hit .240 in limited playing time last year.

 

Heads up MLB, there is a new sheriff in town and his name is Los Angeles Angels.

 

This information was gathered from a host of sites.

 

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Snowman Treats

This holiday season, you need to make sure you have the best treats on the block!  We are here to help.  These snowman treats are not only fun to eat, they are fun to make.

Ingredients:

• 9 pieces candy corn
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 34 round butter-flavored crackers
• 12 ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped
• 34 miniature chocolate chips
• 34 milk chocolate M&M's
• Licorice pieces or assorted colors of decorating gel

Directions:

1. Remove yellow ends from candy corn. Cut each candy in half lengthwise; set aside.
2. Spread peanut butter over half of the crackers; top with remaining crackers to make sandwiches.
3. In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip sandwiches in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper.
4. Immediately position chocolate chips for eyes and mouths and add a reserved candy corn half for nose. For earmuffs, place an M&M on either side of face, connected with a piece of licorice or a strip of decorating gel. Let stand for 30 minutes or until set.

Yield: 17 servings.

Enjoy!

This recipe was found on the following site.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Fun Holiday Activities for the Family

Let’s get real for a minute, caroling with the family or sitting around a warm fire sharing holiday stories is not a child’s dream day.  That is not to say that those activities aren’t fun, but those traditions are becoming quite rare.  What else can you do?  How about ice skating?  Sure, it is quite difficult for some, but watching mom and dad fall all over the ice may be the funniest thing the kids will see all year.  Sledding is the same way.  Zipping down a hill will bring smiles to anyone’s face, and if you happen to wipe out, all the better!  After a few fun activities it could be a nice change of pace to volunteer your time serving food, wrapping gifts, running errands or collecting charity funds.  These actions will have a positive effect on the entire family as children, and adults, can really learn what the holiday season is all about.  Lastly, when shopping for gifts, break up into smaller groups and shop for each other.  Use your group to think of creative and affordable ideas for gifts that reflect how important that person is to you.  Stay warm out there!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Saving Money during the Holidays

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year as family, friends and delicious food fill our lives and stomachs.  Saving money on the other hand, is another story.  Gifts, travel and those great times often come with a heavy price tag so we thought we would share some ways to save a little cash during the spending season.  For starters, if you can eat home, do so.  Buying meals at the mall or on the go, while easy and convenient, can add up.  If anything, eat right before you go out so you don’t have to buy a meal during your shopping spree.  Shop online when possible.  Believe it or not, there are many gifts that are cheaper online.  You can also use the internet to compare gift prices before you drive around to five different stores.  Speaking of driving, take a few extra minutes and plan your trip.  The miles and gas can add up if you have to double back for different stores.  Lastly, always drive and shop safe!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.      

Smoke Free North Dakota

Yesterday was the first day of smoke free North Dakota.  Under the new North Dakota law, all public establishments must be smoke free.  Like many new laws, this ban came with some controversy as business owners, specifically bar owners, were concerned that the ban may negatively affect their business.  It is a worthy argument as a large group of clientele chooses to smoke while in their favorite bar, but I honestly believe that this new law should be viewed as a positive.  We all know that smoking is inherently bad for you and when someone who does, or does not smoke, is in the smoky atmosphere they are inhaling massive amounts of second-hand smoke.  There was a recent story on KUMV news that featured a local doctor who explained that during an 8 hour shift in a smoking establishment, an employee can inhale 2 ½ packs worth of second-hand smoke!  Wow, talk about a bad job.  Smoking is your choice, no doubt about it, but the general public should not be forced to inhale smoke when in a public atmosphere.  I honestly do not think people are going to stop going to their favorite bar or restaurant because of the smoking ban.  If anything, some business owners may see an increase in sales due to new customers who previously did not want to enter the once smoky establishment.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.  

2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

The votes are in and it is official, the 2013 Ram 1500 is Motor Trend’s 2013 Truck of the Year.  As more and more of these fine vehicles begin to roll into our dealership, we are very grateful for the opportunity to sell them to our customers.  The 2013 Ram truck won in unanimous fashion after the proper testing had concluded.  The variable valve timing, air suspension, revised cooling system and pulse width modification were just a few of the features that stood out in the 2013 Ram.  Motor Trend notes that these technologies, along with others, allow Ram to hold best-in-class fuel efficiency in the V-6 and V-8 models.  Stunning both salesmen and customers alike is the new air suspension system which allows the truck to be raised up 2 inches and lowered by .6 inches depending on terrain.  The smooth driving was also noticed immediately, as Motor Trend said “The 2013 Ram 1500 SLT is essentially like driving a Chrysler 300 with a bed.”  That is hard to beat.  Not to mention that the 2013 Ram won in all of the 0-60mph testing.  Lastly the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine that was introduced showed a staggering 43% more horsepower than the previous model.  We are all very glad, and proud, to have the 2013 Ram models grace our lot.

This information was gathered from the following site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Coconuts are a very interesting fruit as their rock-hard shell can often make them a hassle to break into or enjoy.  We are here to tell you that the work may be worth it because coconut oil can be used for a variety of things beyond.  The juice from this unique fruit can be used for:

·        Skin Care- Coconut oil can be used a moisturizer for your skin.  The oil can also help with conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.  Next time try this oil instead of expensive lotion.

·        Stress Relief- Crazy and hectic day?  Relax by rubbing coconut oil on your head in a circular and massaging motion.  The oil will help to reduce your stress level.

·        Digestion- Consuming coconut oil occasionally can help your body better absorb and digest vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

·        Fitness/Weight Control- Jumpstart your metabolism with this versatile oil.  It can also increase thyroid function and overall energy.  Sounds good to us!

·        Healing Properties- When applied to cuts, bruises and other skin injuries the oil will form a thin layer over the wound and help it from getting infected.

·        Conditioner- Stop buying expensive hair conditioners and stick with coconut oil.  It does a great job for about a quarter of the price.

This information was gathered from the following site.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Quarterback Conundrum

 

What is going on with the quarterbacks this year in the NFL?  Alex Smith, Mark Sanchez, Michael Vick and Matt Cassel have all lost their jobs as starters and Ben Rothlisberger, Jay Cutler, RG III and Andrew Luck have all been injured at some point.  One thing is for certain, this is not the year of the quarterback.  Those are not the only quarterback problems either, as Christian Ponder, a fan favorite around these parts, has played like a high schooler.  The league has cracked down on head to head contact penalties and has even suspended players for hits on defenseless quarterbacks, but there are still plenty of big names that continue to struggle every week.  What is the reason?  Pressure?  Misfortune?  It is hard to tell, but watching atrocious passing has become stressful for fans.  We have yet to see a team really bounce back from a poor start.  In Ponder’s case, he needs to start focusing a little more.  Throwing for around 100 yards a game is unacceptable.  Not to mention, he can’t seem to throw a pass more than 30 yards.  Hopefully the final weeks of the NFL feature some stellar passing and minimal injuries. 

Is this the year of the backup?

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Tale of Success: Treating Each Person with Respect

The employees at all of the Ryan Family Dealerships always try to treat each person that walks through their doors with respect.  You never know how far your actions will take you.  One of the employees at Ryan has an interesting background to their life.  This person once had a job interview and while they were waiting to talk to the owner of the company, they struck up a conversation with the receptionist.  The conversation went well and when the conversation ended he thanked the receptionist for her time and told her to “have a great weekend.”  What this employee did not know was that the receptionist was the wife of the owner.  That night, on the way home, the receptionist was telling her husband, the owner, how nice and outgoing the gentleman was in the lobby.  Little did the candidate know that his kind acts pushed him to the top of the list as other applicants had simply said a few words to the woman at the front desk.  That employee was given the job and later told what his respect towards the owner’s wife had done.

Treat everyone with respect.  You never know how far the ripples of your actions will carry.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.  

Saints vs. Falcons

Tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup features two of the highest powered offenses in the NFL.  The last time these two teams met, the Saints edged out a narrow victory.  What can we expect tonight?  Defense is neither of these two teams strong suit, but it will be the difference maker in tonight’s matchup.  The winner of this game will be decided on the defensive side of the ball.  The Saint’s defense struggles tackling in the open field but we have seen the Falcon’s secondary get picked apart on a number of different occasions.  Lastly, Matt Ryan has to get himself out of his current funk as he has thrown six interceptions over the last two games.  Consistency and defense will be the difference makers tonight.  Around the office, the general consensus is that the Falcons will take the cake.  What do you think?

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Helpful Household Tips: Use Those Old Socks!

Old socks are one of the most annoying items in a home.  They can never seem to find their way into the garbage, but that is ok because there a variety of uses for them!  It is important to note that you should always wash the old socks before using them around your home.

·       Drink Koozie- Cut off the foot end of the sock and use the tube section for a fun outdoor drink koozie.  No worries if you lose it!

·       Duster- Put your hand inside the clean sock and spray any safe cleaning product on it then wipe down furniture and other appliances.

·       Cat Toy- Fill that old sock with stuffing and let you feline friend go crazy!

·       Heat Pack- Put some rice in the sock, do not fill it too tight, and sew the opposite end shut.  Place in the microwave for roughly one minute and apply where necessary.

·       Ladder Pad- Tape socks to the steps of a ladder to reduce pain when climbing up and down.

·       Soap Saver- When your bar of soap is getting slimmed down keep it off of the floor of your shower by storing it in a sock.

·       Kitchen Scrubber- Cut your sock into a square.  Then take the orange mesh bag that oranges come in and sew a square portion on the other side.  Soft on one side and scratchy on the other!

There are just a few.  Use this site, where this information was found, for more ways to use those old socks for some good!

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

North Dakota, #1 in the Nation

Congratulations North Dakota!  A recent study found that the great state of North Dakota is the best run state in the nation.  The unemployment rate is the lowest in the country at 3.5%.  No mystery there, the oil boom in the Bakken as opened up thousands of jobs.  Home owners have scored huge as property values in North Dakota have risen by 29% over the last five years.  The median household income in North Dakota is $51,704, which is 22^nd highest in the nation.  Let’s not forget that for the most part North Dakota has a relatively low cost of living.  This great state has also had the largest jump in GDP over the last year.  What is the best aspect of North Dakota?  The budget deficit in North Dakota is a grand total of 0%.  North Dakota is one of only two states that have not reported a budget deficit in the last three years. 

Go North Dakota!

This information was gathered from the following site.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion!

Understanding Parents

My parents were nice enough to make a trip up to North Dakota to see me for just one day.  It was a very long trip, especially to see just one of their four children.  It’s funny, parents often have a way of regressing their kids; sending them back quite a few years.  Telling their children how to stand, eat, walk, drive, think and even work becomes secondhand nature.  Needless to say, the joy of the visit turned to stress as it felt like I was still in middle school.  It took a one-on-one moment with my mom to really understand what was happening as she looked at me and said “Your dad and I really love you a lot”.  Sappy?  Sure is, but it makes you realize that no matter what, parents just want what is best for their child.  Parents could really care less as long as they child is happy and healthy.  My parents don’t want to actually change all of things about me; they are just trying to make me happy.  To all you caring parents out there, thank you for all of your time, effort and love you send your kid’s way.  And everyone else, parents are there to keep you in-line and are just trying to make you happy.

Cheers to all parents!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.      

Thanksgiving Leftovers

The story of yesterday was football and food.  Hopefully you had the opportunity to enjoy the company of close family and friends as you shared thanks and watched the Patriots demolish the fading New York Jets.  The question now remains what to do with all of those leftovers.  You undoubtedly had your fair share of food, but if you are like our families, there is still plenty to go around.  Make sure you save any extra food, as much of the Thanksgiving meal can be saved.  Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, gravy and even various vegetables can be cooled in your fridge, covered properly of course, and re-opened for another meal.  Heck, if you can’t seem to eat all of the leftover delicious food, invite some friends over to share a bite or two.  Enjoy the holiday season and of course, drive safe!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Coca-Cola’s Many Uses

This week’s helpful household item is the famous fizzy beverage, Coca-Cola.  The Coke brand has been around for decades and has served as a drink favorite for millions of people around the world.  The sweetest thing about the drink may not be its flavor, but its unique uses.  Spill some oil on your garage floor?  No problem, just pour a little coke on the mess, let it soak and wash it off with a hose.  The creators of Coca-Cola probably had no idea that their product could be used for some many things:

·       Kill slugs and snails.

·       De-rusting metal objects.

·       Stung by a jellyfish on vacation?  Pour some Coke on the sting and feel the relief.

·       Remove the black from your pots.  Simply pour a can in the pot and cook it on low for roughly and hour, then wash it out!

·       Cooking.  Coca-Cola can be used for a variety of recipes.

·       Soothe a sore throat.  Simply gargle and spit.

·       Neutralize skunk odors.  Sponge yourself or your pet down with some Coke then wash it all off in the shower.

This information was gathered from a host of sites.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Warm Winter Weather

Midwesterners know that warm weather rarely comes along once Halloween passes, so it is vital that you take advantage of the warm spell we are experiencing.  Play catch with a football, go for a run, take out the motorcycle for one last spin or bring the kids to the park.  We all know that when the cold finally sets in, and believe us it will, going outside for extended periods of time will be difficult.  Growing up, there was always the joke that when it was 50 degrees Midwesterners would be in shorts while southern folks would be bundled up from head to toe.  It is so true!  The winter months can be quite fun, as hockey, sledding and snowmobiling take over, but come March, we will all be begging for those warm summer days again.  Take those shorts out for one more day and enjoy the beautiful November weather we are so lucky to have!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Winter Workout

The cold, winter months can often wear on your personal health.  The days get shorter, temperatures drop and driving all the way to the gym can take twice as long.  No argument there!  Luckily, there some exercises you can do at home that burn calories, take little or no space and are not massive time wasters. 

·        Wall Sit- Whether you are cooking, cleaning or just watching TV, find a sturdy wall and push your back up against it while you slide down until you are knees are at a 90 degree angle.  3 sets of 30 seconds should make the legs burn!

·        Body Weight Squats- These are simple.  Spread your legs about shoulder width apart and put your hands behind your head.  Squat down to a catcher’s position while keeping your back straight.  3 sets of 10 should do the trick. 

·        Dishes Sit-ups/Pushups- Everyone in the house starts with 50 sit-ups and 25 pushups.  Every time a chore is completed by a certain time a pushup or sit-up is removed.  Do this after dinner and watch the kids hustle to clean the table.  The hurrying makes everyone a winner!

·        V Sit-Ups- Lie on your back and put your legs up at a 45 degree angle.  Perform a sit-up, but reach your hands past your knees and towards your toes.  Complete 3 sets of 20.

·        Spider-Man Push Ups- WARNING- these are not easy.  Get in the pushup position.  Each time you go down take alternate legs and bring your knee up to your elbow.   Hold the position when the knee reaches the elbow for 2 seconds (this means only 3 points of your body will be touching the ground).  On your way back up return that leg and when going down, use the other.  This is a great total body workout.  Perform 3 sets of 5(each leg.

Do not perform any of these activities if you are injured or are not cleared for physical activity.

Happy Workout!

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Ryan Motors History Lesson: The Background of Jesse James

Jesse James has to top the charts as the most famous outlaw of all time as he has filled history books, comics and old western stories for years.  Jesse has often been portrayed as a “Robin Hood” figure in which he robbed the rich to feed the poor.  Unfortunately, that is not who Jesse James truly was.  Mr. James was raised a confederate and grew up under the influence of William T. Anderson, also known as “Bloody Bill.”  Anderson was a confederate guerilla fighter that attacked Union and Federal loyalists during the Civil War.  From a young age, James learned the cruel ways of guerilla warfare, which inevitably transferred directly over to his criminal tactics.  A brutal man, James would often attack and kill unarmed civilians to take money and other valuables.  The mystery with Jesse James is that although he was dangerous and brutal while “on the job”, he was also a family man that took care of not only his close family but his relatives as well.  Was this man stealing just for the sake of stealing, or was he trying to provide for the ones he loved?  We may never know as he left collateral damage all over Missouri and Kansas.  What is tricky about Jesse James and his gang is that even though he was wreaking havoc and killing the innocent, publishers and artists still produced comics and short stories that featured the gang…and they sold like crazy!  This goes to show that America does not necessarily side with the sane or the righteous.  Regardless, Jesse James will forever live in infamy as the most popular outlaw that ever roamed the Great Plains.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Helpful Household Tips: Mr. Coffee Filter

When you go to the grocery store to purchase coffee filters, not only do you receive a large bundle, but most of the time they pile up in the house.  The truth is that there are many mornings when you do not have time to make coffee so these filters can go unused.  Not anymore!  We found some interesting uses for the extra coffee filters you have around your kitchen:

·        Soften a Camera Flash- Who wants to see the flash of the camera in a photo?  We certainly don’t, so next time you are taking a close up picture hold a coffee filter over the flash light on the camera to soften the blinding light.

·        Snack Bowls- Use coffee filters as snack bowls when you or the kids are watching TV.  They are disposable and help contain messes.

·        Microwaveable- Did you know that coffee filters are microwaveable?  It’s true!  Keep dirty dishes out of the picture by heating up the leftovers in the filters.

·        Soil Saver- The next time you are potting plants, put a filter over the drainage hole to save the soil from falling through.

·        Window/Glass Cleaner- Coffee filters can be used to clean glass and windows without leaving any residue behind.

·        Popsicle Holder- Keep the delicious frozen treat from dripping on your hands by poking the stick through the base of the coffee filter before enjoying!

There are more uses at the following website where this information was gathered.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

 

 

North Dakota, A Great Place To Live

 

North Dakota has been a hot topic in the national news because of the oil boom and the incredibly low unemployment rate. These are fantastic, no doubt, but there is more to the Peace Garden State then just the economy. For example, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of our country’s most beautiful areas. The hilly terrain combined with the natural grassland make it a must see for everyone. There is also an abundance of historic locations in North Dakota including Fort Buford, the infamous site where Sitting Bull surrendered. This wonderful state is also home to a portion of the Lewis and Clark exploration trail. The vast and colorful history of the Native American people can be explored through various restored locations. Bismarck, the state’s capital, is also a sight to see. The beautiful town is located in the center of the state and features great shopping, various tourist attractions and a number of college institutions. Lastly, the best part of North Dakota has to be the people that reside within it. Genuine, honest and kind people make up a majority of the population, making this state the place to be!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Winter Driving

Winter is officially upon us, which means the roads will be covered with snow and ice.  We thought it would be important to spread some winter driving tips to those who have not been around this weather very long.  First and foremost, slow down.  We understand that sometimes you have to hurry somewhere, but driving a few extra miles an hour faster is not worth risking an accident or sliding into a ditch.  In fact, that will only lengthen your travel time.  Secondly, make sure all of the ice and snow is removed from your windshield, side and back windows and side mirrors.  It is tempting to hop in your car and “tough it out” until you reach your destination, but this is very dangerous.  Reducing your vision while driving is one of the most common ways people get into accidents.  Third, if you do start to slide or fishtail, do not simply slam on the breaks.  Use your breaks in spurts, as this will reduce sliding while calmly turning the wheel in the direction you wish to go.  Most importantly, always wear your seatbelt!  You never know when it will come into play, so it is important to always be prepared.  Drive safe out there!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.