Saturday, August 13, 2011

Pampering At The Aveda Institute in Provo! {Review and Giveaway}

Congratulations to #37, Deanna, who said, "tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/dlw447/status/108854997004988416"
The best thing to give myself is self-respect. (According to Benjamin Franklin) Close second - a trip to Aveda Institute for some pampering (According to Me)!
    This week I got spoiled at the Aveda Institute in Provo!   I got a cut, blow and style!  AND I got a 90-minute facial.  I loved it!  
The haircut:  Courtney was my stylist and she was so cute!  She is a senior at Aveda Institute and will be graduating with the required 1200 hours in January. She knows her stuff!  After I got my complimentary cup of Aveda comforting tea, a 100% organic, no caffeine, herbal tea, we headed into the salon. With every cut at the Aveda Salon a scalp massage with a sensory journey is included.  This means that you get to choose one of several hand-selected natural oil fragrances for your scalp before you shampoo.  It is wonderful!  I picked vanilla.  
Natural Make-up Display in the lobby
    Courtney asked me what I wanted to do with my hair and how I would describe my hair.  She gave me her own product recommendations based on the Aveda line.  We decided that I should use a lot of the Brilliance Line because I have thick, frizzy, dry hair.  (It's a nightmare, actually)  The Brilliance Line is designed for all of those features.  Also the Dry Remedy Line is for extremely dry hair.  I love all of their products because they use as many natural ingredients as possible and that is very important to me.  Almost all of them are 100% certified organic!  She brought an instructor to OK the selection she had made for me and we got started.
First we went back to get shampooed  The shampoo room is beautiful.  They have massage chairs you can relax in while you watch beautiful nature scenes on their big screens.  And you get even more scalp massaging with the wash.  I almost fell asleep during that time! 
Next came the cut and the style.  She was great at what she does and at the end, there was an instructor making sure that everything was done right.  I loved the way my hair looked and felt after the session.  It took about an hour and a half. 

The Facial:  This was a first for me at Aveda.  Kaylynn, my esthetician, took me back to the quiet facial rooms. Here again, I was first introduced to a sensory experience and given my choice of 3 oils.  This time I chose lavender because I wanted to relax!  Kaylynn took me through the facial experience by asking me what I was concerned about for my skin and would like to see in a facial.  I thought that I'd like to have an anti-aging experience, since my summer hasn't been very relaxing and I feel like I have aged about 10 years so far this summer, with my son graduating from college and my 14 year old being a crazed adolescent.  Kaylynn introduced me to the Green Science line, which is for anti-aging concerns.  And so to classical music, I received a foot soak, foot massage, 5 facial treatments (cleanse, tone, treatment, eye treatment, and moisturizer), scalp massage, neck massage, decolletage treatment and hand massage.  It was wonderful and when I was done, I saw a visible difference in my skin!  I felt really relaxed as well!  Thanks so much Kaylynn!
Kaylynn, my esthetician
Aveda Institute Provo is located on 1700 S. State Street, Provo, UT   84604.  For services call 801-375-1501.  If you are interested in becoming a student at Aveda, and being part of one of the top 200 salons in the country, give Tiffany in Admissions a call at 801-448-2683.  They are accepting new applicants!
GIVEAWAY:  If you live in or near the Provo, UT area, you can win the same pampering spa package I had from Aveda Institute Provo!  ($60 ARV)  Trust me, it's a good one!

Mandatory Entry:  Check out the Aveda Corporate site and pick out a product that you'd love to try and come back and tell me what it is!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES - The more you enter, the better your chance!  (1 entry = 1 comment, 2 entries = 2 comments, etc.)

(+1 each)  Like @AvedaProvo and @Xocaisgood on Twitter! 
(+2) Visit Aveda Institute Provo and tell me about a service you'd love to try!
(+2) Visit Aveda on YouTube and like a video.  Tell me which video you watched.  
(+2) Follow @evmiller on Twitter and tweet "@evemiller Aveda rocks-- @Xocaisgood sent me to say hello and give you a follow"  Leave me the tweet link and your Twitter name!
(+5) e-mail 5 friends about this giveaway! Make sure you CC me at helenalemon@comcast.net!
(+1) daily - Tweet this: "Get pampered with a pamper-me package @AvedaProvo ($60 ARV) @Xocaisgood #provo #orem #americanfork #heber http://bit.ly/p64xlf"
(+2) Blog, Facebook, Stumble, Digg or list this giveaway post on a giveaway linky.  Let me know the link where you do!  Do as many as you want!  2 entries each!
(+2) Click the +1 icon on the bottom of this post for Google +1!

This giveaway will run through August 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm at which time a winner will be chosen with random.org and notified with e-mail.  Winner will be given 48 hours to respond.  Open to Utah residents only.  Thanks to Aveda Institute Provo for providing services for review and giveaway!  Special Thanks to Brittany Sharp for facilitating this giveaway and for all the great students and professionals at Aveda Institute Provo!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Underage Drinking - Lots Of Hazards

Today I read about a mom who is charged with hosting an underage drinking party. 

"Julie A. McPike, 49, of the 200 block of Beverly Road in Barrington was charged July 28 with hosting an underage drinking party at her home..."

There are so many things on so many levels that are wrong when a parent chooses to host parties like this.  I can almost hear the rationalization--"well, at least they're at my house so I can monitor their behavior...."  Apart from the stark fact that alcohol kills more teens than all other illegal drugs combined, here are a few hypothetical situations:
What about the neighborhood kid who gets so drunk at the party that he totally forgets where he lives?  He staggers around the neighborhood and finally recognizes a familiar street corner and that's when it hits him.....the car, that is. Seriously, 6000 kids per year that are 15 or under end up in a hospital because of alcohol!  

Or what about the inebriated kid who is just playing around and accidentally shoves a broken bottle into his friends face, lacerating him badly and then ending up in juvenile detention for it?  It's true that 1 in 5 sixteen year old kids are involved with violence after drinking alcohol!  
Here's another possible scenario--A young 15-year-old girl goes to a party and gets royally smashed for the first time.  But that's not the only first.  She also hooks up with a guy there and they have unprotected sex and then she ends up with a baby.  Yep, 1 out of 8 15-16 year old girls have unprotected sex after drinking alcohol.  

It's just too easy for teens to become victims to the effects of alcohol.  And for adults to think they are doing any favors by promoting drinking in any way, shape, or form, is a badly misguided mistake!

I'm glad that some states are stepping up and holding adults responsible for what is happening on their property.  For instance, Missisippi just stepped up to the plate and established the "social host" law, which holds adults responsible for underage drinking.  Violations result in a $1000 fine and/or 90 days in jail.  

I have a 14-year-old son and I feel inclined to not only be aware of the friends that he will be with, but also have a good feel  for the parents.  Just because he is going to a party and the parents will be there doesn't mean that he will always be in good hands.  Thankfully, I know many of the parents in my community and I absolutely shouldn't have to worry about something like that.  But it's always a good idea to be sure!

Another thing that should give my son pause when confronted with a drinking situation is that we don't drink in our own home.  He sees his parents doing just fine without booze and so most likely he will stop and think twice before drinking.  Personally, one of the reasons I don't drink is that I want to know when I'm having a good time!  That's just me, though!  

Here are some more reasons, if you're still on the fence, as to why you shouldn't expose your underage child to alcohol!
• Teens who begin drinking before age 15 have a 40 percent higher chance of becoming alcohol dependent than those who wait to 21 to begin drinking.

• Teens who drink regularly can shrink the part of the brain that controls learning, memory and decision-making. An adolescent's brain is still developing and is especially sensitive to alcohol and drugs.

• According to a recent Monitoring the Future survey, nearly 1 out of 5 10th graders and 1 out of 4 12th graders had engaged in binge drinking at least once in the previous two weeks.

• A 2009 national CASA (Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse) teen survey found that 1 out of 3 teen drinkers usually drink with the intent to get drunk, and teens that get drunk are 18 times likelier to have used marijuana.

• Teens who drink are more likely to get poor grades, drop out of school, have unplanned and unprotected sex, and be a victim of car crashes, date rape, alcohol poisoning or suicide.

• According to a recent study, an estimated 29 percent of high school students rode in a car with a drunk driver in the last month.

• An alcohol conviction can limit a teen's scholarship opportunities and future career choices. Many careers require a license to practice, which may be denied.



image
source:  cafeprevention.com

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Most Gorgeous Romantic Dress!

I was being distracted this morning, and how I was led to Bon Bon Rose Girls Blog is rather puzzling.  But nevertheless, there I was and was just amazed at the dress she posted there, with the intent on buying it for her upcoming tropical vacation!  I'm so jealous, I admit it!  I hope she got it though, because it is so gorgeous!  I even left this comment on her blog: 

I haven’t seen a dress in quite awhile that I’ll actually need to make a comment on. But this dress is absolutely exquisite, if you are talking romance and other worldliness! I looked at the other examples of mullet dresses and this one is by far the best!

Have you heard of this "mullet dress" trend yet?  Seems like it is so very popular this year!  Can I even say 'hot'?  All in all, I feel that it is a very hard fashion to wear and can end up looking rather silly.  But fashion is fashion, and if it's in, I want to at least find the best looking example of said trend.  I think that I found it in this dress! 
Oh, and maybe this one too! 
I love anything she wears, probably because she is so gorgeous!
Can I just say these are not my favorites?

Katy Perry is lovely, but no...
Oh Miley...just let your Dad live down his mullet! 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce {Review & Giveaway}


Many Congratulations to the winners, #36 Cynthia, who said "I just made chicken thighs in the oven and they would have been great with bbq sauce", and to #35, Tarter95, who said "I "Like" Country Bob's on FB. #2"




    I have been a fan of Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce for awhile now!  This past weekend I used it to cook some venison that my dear son brought in!  About half-way through the cooking process, I simply added about  3 Tbsp. of the sauce into the pan.  It was absolutely delicious!  And that's what I love about the "All-Purpose" element of this sauce.  I can use it on anything.  It's great with chicken, beef, and now, venison!   I am also guilt-free, when it comes to the ingredients used in this sauce!  For 1 Tablespoon it is 25 calories, 6 grams of sugar and 170mg of sodium.  Those are quite impressive figures for such a great taste! 
It was 1968 when Country Bob Edson perfected his sauce recipe and today we call it All Purpose Sauce because it was more than just a steak sauce. Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce has remained the flagship item since 1982 when Country Bob, Inc. was established. 

     In addition to the original All-Purpose Sauce, Country Bob's also has Spicy All-Purpose Sauce, BBQ Sauce and Seasoning Salt!  Also, found exclusively in the gift pack ($19.95), two new flavors of the All-Purpose Sauce--Apple Chipotle and Honey Habanero!  Yum!   Country Bob's is available at grocery stores (just check their store location finder for a store nearest you) and available for purchase at the Country Bob's website!   Also on the website is Cooking With Ken--a collection of savory barbecue and meat recipes, showing how to use Country Bob's products in them.  
    Keep up-to-date with Country Bob's on Twitter or Facebook because they always have something going on--either a great promotion, event or a giveaway.
    I'm excited to be able to offer 2 readers 2 bottles each of Country Bob's All-Purpose Sauce!  Make the rest of your summer cooking something to remember! 
Mandatory entry:  Tell me something that you already cook that you think Country Bob's Sauce could work well with!  (Remember, you can use it in most anything!)
Extra entries:  ( 1 entry = 1 comment, 2 entries = 2 comments, etc.)
 (+1) Follow me on Google Friend! (right sidebar, leave your Google name)
(+1) Subscribe to my e-mails!  (Also on my right sidebar!)
(+1) Follow Country Bob's and @Xocaisgood on Twitter!  (1 entry each)
(+1) Tweet this out using @CountryBobs and @melahelen  (Use the tweet below for your convenience!)
 (+1) Follow me on Facebook!  (Leave me your FB fist name and last initial!)
(+2) Grab My Button and show me where you put it!  (give me the link)
(+2) Like Country Bob's on Facebook!  Comment on your favorite summer grilling food! 
(+3) Blog, digg, stumble or Facebook this!  Leave me the link!
(+2) Follow my giveaway listings blog!
(+1) Click the Google +1 button at the bottom of this post!

Giveaway will end on 8/19/11 at approx. 11:59 pm MST.  Winner will be selected from random.org and e-mailed the results.  Please respond within 48 hours.  Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada.  Thanks so much to Country Bob's for the opportunity to review this great product!  Disclosure: CMP.LY/2






    

Monday, August 1, 2011

Making Your Own Stock or Broth

Making one's own broth or stock seems like a lost art because you can usually get canned broths and bouillon cubes easily and not-too-expensively!  But here's a case for making your own! 
    First of all, you can control what goes into the broth.  Oftentimes, monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be found, or even excess sodium or wheat gluten in the store bought offerings.  Secondly, if it is done well, it can taste so much better!  Thirdly, it can add a wonderful smell and a warmth to your home, especially in the cooler months!  And last, it makes you feel really great when you can use up everything in a chicken dinner, including the carcass! Two things can make the project very easy and rewarding.  Those two things are a slow cooker and a rotisserie chicken!  
    On an evening where you bring home a roasted chicken from the grocery store for a quick dinner, don't toss the carcass.  Instead put the carcass in the slow cooker and cover it with cold water.  Add any skin as well (it adds flavor and can be skimmed off at the end of the cooking process!)
    Clean out your vegetable drawer and put in celery (include the leaves),  onion, carrots and garlic along with the chicken. Don't forget salt and pepper as well!
    Turn the slow cooker on low and leave it for at least 4 hours!
    Take off the lid after that and continue the condensing process by turning the cooker to high and leaving it for 6-8 more hours.  This makes it more flavorful and when it is done, will be delicious to add to your homemade soups and stews.
    Pour the remaining liquid through a strainer, leave out for another hour and remove the remaining fat and store in airtight containers in the freezer!  I guarantee you'll feel like such a diva chef! 
    

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Tips To Keep Children Safe Around A Pool

One of the things I always worry about with little kids is water safety.  Kids are so fascinated by the water and some are even more fascinated than others and just dive right in!  So when I'm at a location where little kids and water are in the same place, I don't totally relax.  If you have a pool in your yard or know of someone with a pool, here are some tips so that you can relax more, if not totally, because accidents always happen!  These tips are from The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP):
  • Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
  • Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
  • You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
  • Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
  • Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
  • Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
  • After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
  • A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety pool cover will not prevent all drownings.
Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. 

Disclosure: http://www.cmp.ly/0

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

How To Survive School This Year

    It's a pretty sure bet that now summer vacay is more than half over, our thoughts are gradually turning to the inevitable back to school days and what that entails!  I know that I am hoping for the best with my youngest son, who is 14 years old.  
    This last school year for us, as parents, was filled with monitoring homework, constant reminders about doing homework, talks about behavior in class and actually visiting a class once.  More than once assignments were lost and forgotten about until the day before they were due.  In the end, he ended up with A's, but we felt like we held his hand much of the way through 8th grade. Why did it seem so unimportant to be responsible for his own grades??  Why was he not motivated to get in there on his own, as we have seen him do when he really wants something?  Is it because peers don't see being responsible as cool?  I wonder... 
    As our son enters into high school as a freshman, I've got some great advice on how to survive the school year!  

For the student:  First of all, know that High School is where your real future begins.  This is the game that says if and where you'll go to college.  So play it smart.  If given the choice to play around in the hall or play funny guy in class, think twice.  These things will garner you a reputation that will be hard to shake.  Teachers and administrators do go on reputation, whether you like it or not.  
    Wear good clothes but don't worry about being the most trendy kid in the school.  Wear clothing that is comfortable, in style, but not too trendy.  Again, you are playing the game for your future.  If you're not viewed as the coolest kid in the school, OK.  After you're done with school, no one cares if you were cool or not.  They care if you did well in school.  Funny how things change.
     For the parents:  Make sure that you keep your finger on the pulse of what is going on in the classroom.  Keep up to date on the teacher updates that most teachers do.  Make sure that you check on assignments, tests and projects through e-mail or power school.  Teachers appreciate your willingness to be involved.  However, don't be a pest.   Teachers are extremely busy people and they have plenty of people to answer to.  Don't make them feel like they have to answer to you as well! 
    Set your expectations high as far as grades and homework.  Put a reward system in place for good things done, like remembering homework, doing well on tests, staying out of detention, or finishing a project.
    Keep unnecessary stress down by taking precautionary measures.  For instance, if your student rides a bike, make sure that you have a good lock for it like Masterlock.  Having a bike stolen would just be an extra stressor for you and  take away energy you could use for something else! 
    Finally, make sure you set aside some time for you to re-focus and re-fuel.  After all, it's going to be 9 long months until summer rolls around again!
  



Saturday, July 9, 2011

Lose Weight With 'Green Tea Daily' Review


  
    Have you ever wondered if there is a way to lose weight without having to go on a strict, regimented diet where you need to keep track of points, calories and servings?  I have!  I am just not successful at dieting that way.  I need to eat when I'm hungry.  I can't keep track of what I shove into my mouth eat every second of the day!  I've got too many other things that I obsess about!  ;) 
     I had actually come to the sobering conclusion that I would probably have to settle with the answer to the above question as a big, resounding N-O.  But by chance, I was walking through my local mall one day and saw this great little kiosk with a really outgoing and cute salesgirl, who thrust an ice cold 20 oz. water and a little packet into my hands and said, "Try this!"  When I asked her what it was she said it's Green Tea with a twist!  My first question was, "How much caffeine does it have?"  She said that first of all, the "caffeine" you get from this is equivalent to what is in a regular size candy bar!  Secondly, unlike the energy drinks in the stores, the energy source in Green Tea is natural and has no side effects!   My interest was piqued because it had been a hard week and my energy was zapped.  Wow!  Natural bottled energy with no side effects?  Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
    Then she showed me that not only does it have the benefits of "first flush" green tea, it also has other great natural ingredients to enhance the already great benefits of green tea!  Noni, acai berry and maqui berry, all super fruits rich in natural anti-oxidants, are added.  Calcium is also added for good measure! 
    If I got all that in a drink I'd be ready to get it!  But the other great benefit of drinking MyGreenTeaDaily is that it naturally speeds up the metabolism and causes healthy digestion, which results in weight loss!  OK, now I'm sold!  I walked away with a month's supply!  Guess what!  It's the best!  At this time last year I was 5 lbs. heavier and I haven't really done anything differently.  In fact, if anything, I have been indulging even more, with my new found love of experimental cooking!  (Pass the butter, please!)
 I recently went back to get my 2nd month's supply and talked to Keri.  She's 20 years old, cute as a button and was ready to tell me what greenteaDaily has done for her!  She was a heavy diet coke drinker, and was addicted to it even though she would get headaches from the caffeine.  When she switched to greenteaDaily, all of that disappeared and she still had the natural energy, but with no jitters.  Whereas before she was spending $3.00/day for her coke habit, now she spends $2.00/day for her much healthier green tea habit!  She also stated that she had really brittle fingernails and since she switched to GreenTeaDaily, her fingernails are stronger PLUS she lost a dress size around the waist! 
    "GreenTeaDaily began with one ingredient: premium quality green tea harvested at first flush. The whole idea was to introduce the power of pure green tea at its optimum stage. Rich with antioxidants and fat-burning properties, first flush green tea has the ability to elevate our body's metabolic rate, lower cholesterol levels, promote cardiovascular health, and most importantly, increase our body's immune power. Antioxidants are elements found in fruits and vegetables that help get rid of free radicals in our body. This, in turn, helps slow down the aging process, giving us young and beautiful skin, and strengthens our body against diseases. Ultimately, green tea gives us the energy we need by regulating healthy weight loss. Unlike the energy drinks found in the market today, the energy we get from green tea has no side effects and is completely natural."

greenteaDaily comes in 5 flavors, in convenient, tear-open packages and should be consumed within 2 hours of mixing to make sure that none of the nutrients dissipate.  A month's supply is $59.99 or sign up for their loyalty program, which gives you deep discounts for automatically shipping it to you every month, 2 months, or every 3 months.
    Check them out on Facebook, Twitter, their blog, their website or call them directly at 1.888.903.2459!
    greenteaDaily would like to give someone a full month's supply ($59.99) of your two favorite flavors!   If you would like to win this great prize, please do the following mandatory entry and any or all extra entries you choose!

Mandy:  Be my GFC Follower (indicate blogger name) AND visit greenteaDaily and tell me which flavor(s) you'd like to try!

Extra Entries (1 comment per entry):
Worth 1 entry each:
  • Tweet about it daily for an extra entry each day you do!  Please leave the tweet status in your comment! (click on the time stamp of your tweet to get it!)  Copy and paste:
"Lose weight & increase metabolism naturally! a month's supply of ($60 ARV) "
Worth 2 entries each:
  • Link this giveaway to a giveaway linky! (Only one link to this giveaway per linky please)
  • Mention this giveaway on FB or your blog! Leave the link!
  • Like this page on Stumble!
  • Subscribe to my e-mail updates!

Worth 3 entries each:
  • Sign up for My Likes with me!  Leave your MyLikes name!
  • Subscribe to my e-mail feed! (right sidebar, don't forget to confirm through your own e-mail!)

Giveaway will end on July 25, 2011 at 11:59 MST.  Open to US and Canada.  You must be 18 years of age or older to participateWinner will be selected by random number generator and notified by e-mail.  Please respond within 48 hours to avoid another selection.  I was provided a product sample for review!  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

A One-Day only 40% off Sale at Grateful Body!!!

Pssst....heads up!  Grateful Body will be having a one-day 40% off on any and all products tomorrow, July 8th!!  This is a fabulous deal, one that I will definitely take advantage of myself!  Happy shopping!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wimbledon Moments!

I am a tennis buff, thanks to my husband who at one time, had us out playing tennis at least once or twice a week.  That has dwindled into an afterthought, but we still love watching National Tennis on T.V.  
    This week, Wimbledon is going strong.   And if you are familiar with tennis, you know that Roger Federer, the greatest player of all time,  just went down in the quarter-finals to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  It's sad seeing a great player such as Federer, succumbing to "old age" .  
A disappointed Roger Federer

     Once a tennis player approaches 30, they become vulnerable to the younger, stronger players between 20 - 25.  Both Venus and Serena Williams have already gone down this year at Wimbledon.  Venus is now 31 and Serena will be 30 in September.
     I've heard a few explanations as to why this is so.  Since the days of Pete Sempras, tennis has become increasingly more punishing.  The racquets have become significantly lighter, allowing players to swing them with higher speed, thus making the ball travel much faster.  With the lighter weight, however, the impact of the hit is absorbed into the joints, muscles and bones of the player.  And as many times as a player is required to hit, the repeated stress is bound to take its toll.  Also, with the increased ball speed, the athlete is required of necessity to be quicker, more agile, more active on the court.  It requires a great deal of flexibility, endurance and speed to play and defend at championship level.  
     But watching a finals match at any of the National Tennis events, be it US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, or Australian Open, is beautiful to behold.   It is not only a match between the best technical player, but it is literally a match for the players with the strongest psyche.   For example, sometimes players intentionally try to get into another player's head.  I'm still trying to figure out if Rafael Nadal had an injury to his foot severe enough to delay the game for over 10 minutes while he consulted with a trainer and subsequently had his foot wrapped.   He was at a clear disadvantage to Juan Martin Del Potro during the 4th round match at Wimbledon yesterday and Del Potro was on a roll, ready to take advantage of it.  But the 10-minute wait did something to him.  He was clearly irritated at having to wait and the momentum shifted soon after.  Nadal is known for taking his sweet time at serving, often getting warned for taking too much time.   Del Potro ended up losing yesterday and Nadal is going on to the semi-finals.  So who was the stronger player?  There is no doubt that Nadal beat Del Potro not just with skill, but he stayed focused and Del Potro got rattled.  
Rafael Nadal, the other greatest tennis player
      I'm thoroughly enjoying this final week of Wimbledon and you should really check  it out if you get a chance.  Also, there is still the US Open to look forward to at some point this summer!  I can't wait!  Here are some fun video highlights of this year's Wimbledon, which, by the way, Prince William and Princess Kate are attending!

Update:  It turns out that yes, indeed, Rafael does have a foot injury.  He has actually had it numbed for the rest of the tournament and has opted to deal with it after the play is finished.  Good luck Rafa!