Thrifty Thursday - "7 Radical Ways to Save Money"

Hold the mother of all garage sales. Cast a critical eye on the stuff at the way back of your closets. If you haven't used it in six months, chances are you can do without. Same goes for all that junk in storage.

Quit smoking. Pack-a-day habit? In Washington state, that's easily $5 a day -- or about $1,800 a year -- that can go right into your savings, not to mention what it saves you on insurance and health care.

Tame your driving addiction. In other words, carpool or use public transportation. This saves on gas, insurance and maintenance costs -- not to mention any money spent on aspirin.

Buy used. The average consumer spends about $1,750 a year on clothing and its upkeep, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey. You can potentially cut that in half by shopping at consignment shops and auctions, though the life of the goods may be less than buying new.

Become a homebody. At just over $1,800 a year on average, entertainment spending has a way of quickly eating through the best-planned budgets. Consider the library for books, music and movies. Eat out less often.

Cut your housing expenses. While a move across the tracks may save some money, moves are expensive in themselves. Consider renting out a room or renting out your home for Notre Dame home game weekends. Got a nice basement or an extra room, take on a room mate to help with home costs.

Cut up your credit cards. Build an emergency fund first to handle most unexpected expenses. This allows you to become your own lending agency. (OK, if you're chicken, try cutting up all but one.) Credit cards can be a cash-flow management tool, but paying only the minimum will keep you in debt for years.

The entire article is really good and informative, it's from MSN and you can read it HERE

I’m weeping right now as I try to form my words and thoughts . . .

This morning I jumped on Comcast to check the news like I do every morning, I can’t help it, I’m a creature of habit. I do my best not to bombard myself with depressing news, but I do think it’s important to know what’s going on in the world, so I carefully screen what I read. I noticed a headline that said “Jurors Weep at details of “Baby Grace” torture”. I looked at it and looked at it, not wanting to click on it – wondering if I should “protect” myself and bypass it. Something told me I needed to read it, so I did. What I read paralyzed me for a few long minutes – then I cried . . . then I got angry . . . then I got motivated and excited (I’ll explain that part later).

Now, I know that I have made a promise that my blog would be uplifting and encouraging – that you can always count on finding good news here, but stick with me, because believe it or not there is good news in this post.

In short, the article told of little Riley Ann Sawyers, who was named “Baby Grace” after her decomposed body was found in a storage container, washed up on an island in Texas in October of 2007. Her mother, Kimberly Trenor who is 20 now, is on trial for her murder, along with her husband, Riley’s step-father Royce Zeigler (he’ll be tried separately). It seems the couple was trying to teach Riley to say “please” and “yes sir”. She was not doing it to their expectations so they tortured and abused her, thinking they were disciplining her. At one point she tried to stop her Mom by reaching out to her and saying “I love you”. The final act that killed Riley was her step father flinging her across the room, fracturing her skull. The step-father convinced Mom that they couldn’t take her to a hospital or they would go to jail, so they tried CPR and she died with her Mom holding her. They bought a storage container, put her body in it, placed it in a shed for a month or two, and then set the container out to sea.

(Okay . . . Stop . . . breathe . . .breathe . . . )

Kimberly says that she never intended to hurt her daughter - that things spun out of control and she didn’t know what to do to stop it.

Riley’s father, Kim’s ex boyfriend, assaulted her and they did not have a good relationship so she stayed until something better came along. Kim met Royce (the step-dad) while playing an online game and decided to move from Ohio to Texas to be with him because he was her “knight in shining armor”.

(Ok – are you ready for the good news? It’s coming, I promise)

My take on this (and there’s no judgment here, just concern and compassion) is that for some reason Kim wasn’t OK – she did not have the support and training she needed to function as a balanced and strong woman or a loving Mom. She became dependent on others to define who she was and take care of her instead of taking care of herself. I don’t know her entire story, but I’m guessing she’s been hurt a lot, and I truly believe the saying is true “hurt people . . . hurt people”. What I know just from this article is that she was abused by her boyfriend and she ran to “a knight in shining armor” to save her, only to put herself and her baby into an even worse situation. My heart breaks for her and all the other “Kims” out there that don’t know they were created for soooo much more than that – that life was designed to be beautiful, happy and full of joy, even in difficult times.

What happened to little Riley cannot be changed, but from her story we can choose to make change happen if we become PROACTIVE rather than reactive. Reactive would be responding with judgment and blame, complaining about it and not doing anything about it, hoping for the death penalty – that helps no one.

Being PROACTIVE would be finding a way to help at risk women become strong and confident in who they are - helping them understand they were created for something amazing and that they are here for a purpose, not by accident. Have you ever heard the saying “If Momma ain’t happy, ain't nobody happy”? Well, I believe that is the honest to God truth! The root of helping families work better is diffusing these types of situations before they happen – we’ve got to help our girls and the women in our lives learn how to Live Happy and be in control of who they are and who they were made to be.

(So finally, here’s the part that motivates me and excites me . . . )

Just last night, 12 hours prior to reading this news article, I completed a volunteer training at Hannah’s House, a pregnancy home in Mishawaka. The timing is amazing, because I learned that is exactly what their mission is - to transform the thinking and actions of “at risk” Mom’s to be. At Hannah’s house, many of the girls who come in have been abused, are in co-dependent and/or abusive relationships, and have no idea what being a Mom means. At Hannah’s House they learn basic life skills like taking care of a baby, making healthy and safe choices for them and their baby, eating together as a family, cooking a nutritious dinner, meal planning and budgeting, how to get a long with people you live with, etc. Hannah’s House is being PROACTIVE by teaching the girls how to take care of themselves and their babies in a healthy and balanced way so that they are never in an unsafe situation like Kim found herself to be in. They are stopping the problem BEFORE it happens! (Click HERE to read some of the girls stories.) Hannah’s House and the volunteers work with about 40 Mom’s a year. That is HUGE in stopping this damaging cycle of poverty and low self esteem right here in our own community. With that kind of program, hopefully their stories will turn out much differently than Kim and Riley’s tragic story.

If we stick our heads in the sand (like I wanted to do when I read the head line) and we become complacent or just stuck in our own little world and then REACT negatively when we hear of the bad things that happen, it’s not very productive. What we could do is be PROACTIVE and help where we’re needed BEFORE a tragedy strikes.

I’m excited that there is an incredible local organization (Hannah’s House) that I can partner with and use my skills and experience to help women uncover the light that’s inside them. Those Mom’s will pass that light onto their children, and it goes on and on. I’m motivated to do the hard work it’s going to take because even though times are hard and there are so many bad things happening all around us, we have an amazing opportunity to shine our lights and conquer the darkness. The world needs every single one of us to SHINE!

That could look different for every person, because God has wired us all in different ways. For me, I am committed to helping people, especially women dig deep and find out what is keeping them small, what it is that makes them shine, and what it is they’re here for. It’s why I have this blog, it’s why I provide workshops and classes to any female who will listen or take the time out of their schedule to come. Because if we all would get really solid in who are and who were created to be, our lights would shine so brightly that it would overcome the darkness of this world, and THAT my friend, it what it’s all about!

So that’s why this story excited and motivated me. The darker the world gets the brighter our lights need to shine to overcome the darkness. And remember, the darkness NEVER overcomes the light, but the light, even with just a small flicker, CAN conquer the darkness!

Some Questions to think about:

How can you shine your light to overcome the darkness?

Where will you shine your light?

What gets in the way of your light being brighter?

How will you choose to be proactive instead of reactive?


Some quotes to inspire you:

You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in. ~Arlo Guthrie

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within. ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light. ~Felix Adler

You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:8-10 (The Message)

Let me tell you why you are here . . . You're here to BE LIGHT, bringing out the God colors in the world. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God. Matthew 5:13-14, 16 (The Message)

Vision Board Workshop this Saturday!

Facebook users click HERE to see original blog post

Vision boards are amazing!

Creating a vision board with Lanette is a unique, interactive experience that's not only a lot of fun, but is extremely valuable in helping you get clarity about what you want and how to LIVE HAPPY!

Getting from where you are today to where you want to be requires purposeful and imaginative goal setting. After all, if you don't really know where you're going or what you're working towards, there's very little chance you're going to stumble on it without a plan. Lanette will guide you through several exercises that will help you discover and clarify your own individual plan.

A vision board is made by cutting out motivating pictures and words from magazines and then putting it all together to make a very interesting and informative collage.

If you think you're not creative, don't worry - Lanette will guide you the entire way. When you're all done, you'll be shocked at all of the important information that's on your vision board. And when you're all done, you get to take your board home to continue to inspire, motivate and challenge you.

DATE: Saturday, January 31, 2009

TIME: Noon - 3:00

COST: $20* (includes all supplies plus light snacks)

LOCATION: Lanette's, 11881 Riverview in Osceola

Space is limited - click HERE to register

Bring A Friend!!!

Motivation Monday - "The Connection Movie"

Facebook Viewers: Click HERE to view the Connection Movie

Connecting with compassion creates a ripple effect that changes attitudes and reinforces the positive




There are times we think our actions have not made a significant difference, and that can be disheartening.

Take heart in those moments!

Always remember that you RECEIVE the instant you GIVE.

You can trust you've made a difference in someone's life, because you felt it in your own!

Don't Worry!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, PRAY! Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Jesus displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:6-7

Thrifty Thursday - "DealOfDay.com"

This is a pretty cool site - http://www.dealofday.com/

It gives you a list of some really good deals that different stores are offering. I especially liked that it took you straight to the store's website, and you didn't have to put in your e-mail address or anything. (NOTE - be careful though, there was one free offer for some lipstick, but you had to put your e-mail in to get it - I hate junk e-mail, so I didn't do it).

Here were some of my favorites that were shown today:

• Priceline's $125 round trip flights


• 75% off Old Navy online clearance


• 60% off Toys R Us clearance


• 50% off Rock Band 2 software from Dell


• 50% off Delia's winter faves


• Cabela's Outerware Clearance

Take a look and see if there's anything on your shopping list!

Wellness Wednesday - "7 Ways to Stay Active This Winter"

Here are 7 tips for staying active and getting your daily exercise, even when it’s cold and yucky outside:

Suck it up and get outside anyway. Take a walk, go sledding, skiing, ice skating, etc. There’s something about the bracing air on a cold, sunny winter day that just gives a girl energy. Don’t believe me? Try it. If nothing else, you’ll get a move on just trying to stay warm. ;]

Take a dance or structured workout class at a nice gym. Even if you're not a member, consider doing a temporary membership just to get you in a different environment and moving. Community centers, local colleges, and of course dance studios and gyms offer a variety of classes. Not only will you learn something new and become more fit, you may make some new friends.

Take a swim. Most gyms have an indoor pool, so if you’re a member already, you’re golden. If not, check your local high school, which may offer commnity swim time after school hours.

Throw yourself into housework. Vaccuuming exercises your abs, folding laundry tones your arms, and running up and down the stairs putting stuff where it goes gives your buns a bit of a workout. But make a point of working at what you’re doing for maximum benefit.

Rent or buy a workout DVD or video. There's a ton of them out there. If you have Comcast On Demand, there's a huge selection of free ones that you can view and they change them up all the time. It's a nice change of pace and you don't even have to get dressed to go outside!

Get a Wii. I’m not joking, I LOVE this thing! But call around to local toy stores, department stores, and big-box electronics stores to get a better price, because they’re out there. In addition to fitness-specific programs, there’s also fun stuff like Dance Dance Revolution to get you moving.

If you're married, have more sex (with your spouse). There's lots of health benefits, but I'm not going to go into detail here. You can do your own research if you don't believe me, but just trust me - it helps you in all kinds of ways, especially in the winter time!

Congrats Rob Wegner - MLK Drum Major Award!

Here's some great news - On Monday, Rob Wegner, a friend of mine who happens to be one of my Pastors, received the Martin Luther King Drum Major Award!

The award was given to 6 outstanding people in the community and is sponsored by the Urban Enterprise Association and the Martin Luther King Foundation.

Pictured is Rob with his lovely and very supportive wife Michelle (she deserves the award to - her and Rob are a great team).

Congrats Rob and Michelle! I am so proud of you and your example!!

You can see the entire article from the South Bend Tribune HERE

Motivational Monday - "Reflections: Civil Rights"

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
Margaret Mead



The world can and does change for the better!

Thrifty Thursday - "It's a Crock . . . Crock pot that is"

Today's dissolving dollar is making the dinner time dilemma even tougher. Luckily, your slow cooker - fabulously frugal and brilliant at budgeting - is ready and willing to come to your aid.

With the cold weather outside, how great would it be to throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to some piping hot and yummy comfort food all ready to go!

Here are 2 crockpot recipes that will feed SIX people for just $10!

Cheeseburger Soup - Total Cost $9.92

• 1 pd ground beef


• 1 medium chopped onion


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• 2 medium potatoes, coarsely chopped


• 1 medium carrot, sliced


• 1/4 cup ketchup


• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard


• Salt and Pepper


• 2 14 ounce cans beef broth


• 1 10 ounce can condensed cheddar cheese soup


• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is brown. Drain off fat.


2. In a 5 quart slow cooker, combine beef mixture, potatoes, carrot, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper. Add broth and soup; stir to combine.


3. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 10 -11 hours or on high heat setting for 5 hours. Top each serving with cheese.

Chicken and Biscuits - Total Cost $8.75

• 2 medium potatoes, cubed


• 2 medium carrots, chopped


• 1 medium onion, chopped


• 1 large celery stalk, chopped


• 1 cup sliced mushrooms


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and sage, crushed


• Salt and Pepper


• 2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca, crushed


• 1 pound bone in chicken thighs, skinned


• 1 cup chicken broth


• 1 cup frozen peas


• 1 3 ounce package cream cheese, cut up


• Cheesy Biscuits (see recipe below)

1. In a 4 quart slow cooker, combine potatoes, carrot, onion, celery, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Sprinkle tapioca over the mixture. Top with chicken thighs and pour broth over all.


2. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 - 7 hours or on high heat setting for 3 hours.


3. Remove chicken from slow cooker. When cool enough to handle, remove chicken from bones and coarsely chop; discard bones. Return chicken to slow cooker along with peas and cream cheese. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir well; serve over split Cheesy Biscuits.

Cheesy Biscuits

Preheat oven to 450

• 1 2/3 cup Bisquick mix


• 1/2 cup shredded cheese


• 1/2 cup milk

1. In a medium bowl, combine the bisquick, cheese and milk. Stir well.


2. Drop a spoonful of mixture onto a greased cookie sheet.


3. Bake at 450 for 10 - 12 minutes

From the Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Slow Cooker book - page 34 & 35

Wellness Wednesday - "5 Resolutions to Toss"

It’s two weeks into the New Year – How are you doing with your diet Resolutions? (I actually prefer to set intentions rather than Resolutions, but that’s a different blog post :0)

Some of our stand by resolutions regarding nutrition are really outdated. Here are 5 resolutions to toss out and rethink:

Resolution #1:

Usual Advice: No Cheating
New Advice: Indulge occasionally

Depriving yourself of occasional treats can send your cravings into overdrive, causing you to binge rather than thoughtfully indulge. The key to doing it right is balancing indulgences with good behavior. If you go with an unhealthy food choice, make it up by eating more wholesome foods that day and/or exercising. Make sure you limit yourself to small portions and approach it mindfully by taking time to savor the treat.

Resolution #2

Usual Advice: Cut back on fat
New Advice: Focus on healthy fats

The low fat food craze has led us to believe that the less fat we ate the healthier we would be, but our bodies HAVE to have fat to work right. Good fats like Omega-3 found in wild salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts have been shown to help prevent heart disease, stroke, dementia and depression. Other healthy fats (monounsaturated fats) found in olive oil, avacados, and almonds have cardiovascular benefits. Choose these fats instead of saturated fats, which are found in the majority of animal products. Avoid trans fats too, which you find in many processed foods and junk food. So focus on getting only the healthy fat in and you’ll probably notice a huge difference in your weight and health.

Resolution #3

Usual Advice: Eat only fresh produce
New Advice: Don’t shun frozen

Locally grown, freshly picked, organic produce is best, but advances in technology like flash-freezing have allowed packaged foods to retain nutrient levels and flavors similar to those of fresh produce. In some cases fruits and veggies may be more nutritious than fresh. Just check the label and make sure there’s no added sugar or preservatives and be careful how you prepare them. Overcooking or boiling can destroy certain nutrients.

Resolution #4

Usual Advice: Eliminate salt
New Advice: Cut it back – not out

Salt isn’t all bad – we need it to survive. A half teaspoon of salt fulfills our daily requirement, but Americans get far too much of it – about 3 times more than we need. Almost 80% of the salt we consume comes from processed foods like frozen dinners, box mixes and canned soup. Rather than passing on salt altogether, cut back on processed foods and substitute some of the salt you use in cooking with flavorful herbs and spices like cumin, turmeric, basil, oregano, and dill.

Resolution #5

Usual Advice: Skip the pasta
New Advice: Eat pasta wisely

Pasta CAN Be part of a healthy meal. Whole wheat pasta is easier on your blood sugar than carbs like bread and potatoes. Cook pasta al dente (a little firm) to hold some of the nutritional value in. A standard serving of cooked pasta is half a cup, but most of us eat more than that. Fill your bowl with veggies and healthy protein – you’ll find it filling, but easier on the waist line. Add fresh garlic for its medicinal properties. Top with high quality tomato sauce, it has a cancer protective substance called lycopene that is really good for you. Choose a sauce low in sugar and preservative free. Make sure to watch the pasta portions. A standard serving of cooked pasta is half a cup, but most of us eat more than that.

Adapted from an article in the January 2009 issue of Body + Soul Magazine

Motivational Monday - "212 Degrees"

(If you're reading this on Facebook - click HERE to view the video)

At 211 degrees water is HOT
At 212 degrees water BOILS

With boiling water comes steam
and steam can power a locomotive

One extra degree makes all the difference!




It's time to turn up the heat!!

Q: What areas in your life do you need to turn up the heat and create some steam/power?

Q: What could you do to increase the temperature by just one degree?

Thrifty Thursday - "Quick and Easy Homemade Pizza"

Say NO to delivery pizza and YES to this quick and easy pizza recipe you can make right at home!

Cost of 3 topping delivery or restaurant pizza for 6 = $25 - $35

Cost of home made 3 topping Bubble Pizza for 6 = $6 - $8

Bubble Up Pizza
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

* 3 pkgs. refrigerator biscuits (usually 3/$1)
* 1 can or jar of spaghetti sauce (never more than 99 cents)
* Shredded cheese (preferably mozzarella)
* Pizza toppings: Usually what I already have in the pantry and vegetable bin.

Directions:

Cut biscuits into quarters and place in a 9x13 baking dish. Pour sauce over uncooked biscuits and stir to coat. Spread biscuits evenly in bottom of pan.

Top biscuits with cheese and any meats or veggies you'd like. Bake at 375 degrees for about 35-40 min.

Source: The "Bubble UP Pizza" was published by Doris Christopher of the Pampered Chef, and was a long time favorite to be made at shows! Thank you for creating this wonderful recipe Doris, we love it!!!

Mexican Bubble Pizza

Same as above but just use taco meat instead of pizza sauce and add anything you would normally eat on a taco to the top - either before or after it's cooked - whatever you prefer. NOTE - of course, if you're going to put lettuce on it, wait to put that on AFTER it's cooked :0)

This is a great way to use up your leftovers from Taco Night! You can even put the taco meat in the freezer and save it for when you need a quick and easy meal.

Wellness Wednesday - "Six Easy Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease"

This is Hank, a very special man who married Emma, my Mother-in-law. They had 5 happy years together and now he is in the later stages of Alzheimers. It is devastating. After spending a few days with my Mom-in-law to help get Hank back down to Florida, I am going to do everything I can for myself and my family to keep this disease from striking our family again.

Following is a great article I found by Dr. Ben Kim with some really simple ways to help prevent Alzheimer's:

Although we don't know and may never know the exact causes of Alzheimer's disease, we do know that several food and lifestyle choices are strongly linked to a decrease in one's risk for developing Alzheimer's.
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Here are six important food and lifestyle factors that can dramatically reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

1. Drink Vegetable Juices
A study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine indicates that people who drink three or more servings of fruit and vegetable juices per week have a 76 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to people who drink less than one serving per week. Because some people develop a high blood sugar level and associated health challenges when they drink fruit juices on a regular basis, it is best for the masses to stick to vegetable juices. If you don't have a juicer, then eat plenty of raw vegetables.

2. Ensure Regular Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience indicates that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can dramatically slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The consensus among neuroscientists worldwide is that consumption of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids is essential to building and maintaining a healthy nervous system, the system that becomes dysfunctional in cases of Alzheimer's disease.

3. Strive To Reach and Maintain A Healthy Body Weight For Your Height
According to research that was presented at the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April of 2006, people who are overweight when they are in their 40s have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life than those who are not overweight when they are in their 40s.

4. Enjoy Activities That Mentally Stimulate You
The cells that make up your brain are similar to those that make up your muscles; they need to be exercised to stay healthy and strong. If your daily work doesn't require you to solve problems and be creative, consider adopting hobbies that do. Not only will you decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's, you're bound to feel more alive!

5. Avoid Aluminum
According to the National Institutes of Health, "certain aluminum compounds have been found to be an important component of the neurological damage characteristics of Alzheimer's disease." The most common sources of aluminum exposure are:
Processed cheese and cornbread
Some over-the-counter drugs such as antacids and buffered aspirin
Aluminum cookware, especially when alkaline foods (like green vegetables) or acidic foods (like tomatoes) are cooked in them
Antiperspirants
While it is impossible to completely avoid exposure to aluminum through contaminated food, air, and water, taking heed of the sources listed above can significant reduce your long term exposure.

6. Avoid Vaccines And Other Potential Sources of Mercury
While mainstream medicine and science has yet to acknowledge a link between mercury exposure and one's risk for Alzheimer's disease, a study published in a 2001 edition of the journal NeuroReport indicates that inhalation of mercury vapor can cause neurological damage that is strikingly similar to the damage that is found in people with Alzheimer's disease.
The most common sources of mercury exposure are:
Thimerosal, a preservative that is found in many vaccines
Amalgam dental fillings
Seafood, particularly large fish that are high in the food chain
Broken compact fluorescent light bulbs

http://drbenkim.com/prevent-alzheimers-disease.htm

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year Friends!!

We wish you all the best for 2009!

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