Say It To My Face

I know, the title sounds harsh, but it's true. Treat people in your life the same way you would like to be treated. Be honest, be upfront and don't pretend to be something you're not. Failure is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength, your trying things that no one else is doing. Your attempting to change your life by finding what your good at.  Those things you call failures are challenges, mere obstacles that will only make you stronger and a better person.


Don't be hateful by playing games, don't be hateful by bad mouthing people, don't be hateful by thinking that your negative attitude will make that situation have a positive outcome. Negative + Negative only equals more NEGATIVE.


Be open minded, share share and share.  Network Network and Network! Be Human! Love life to the fullest and don't be afraid to interact with strangers, they are not all out to get us!


Be Blessed!

Planning a month worth of meals

Impossible you say, hardly!  As much as I love to cook and be in the kitchen, getting dinner on the table every night is not easy. It takes some serious organization and planning, not to mention some creativity to please five different palates. My husband is a recovering picky eater, and our children are young (ages 4, 7 and 15). You can imagine the challenges I face!

Every Friday I make out my list for my bi-weekly groceries based on the meals I plan to make over two weeks. Yes you read right, I plan in 2 week increments.  Any special request I get from the family I put on my list of meals to add in the month.  All of my groceries consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, pastas and the occasional frozen pizza and vegetables.

My family is flexible and open to trying new things.  Last week we were obsessed with Risotto and this week we are obsessed with Egg Noodles.  Our meals can vary from Salmon, Soups, Homemade Pizza, Hamburger Patties, Tacos and even Sandwiches. 

My husband and I established some rules early on and have stuck with them. The most important rule is that I make one dinner and one dinner only. If the children chose not to eat it, they are out of luck. While that may seem harsh, it gives them the control, and most of the time, they eat what I serve them. Every night, we turn off the TV, sit at the table and don’t answer the phone. It’s nonnegotiable. The children set the table and clear afterwards. Everyone has some ownership, and it makes getting dinner on the table every night easier.

Any of our leftovers, because we always make plenty, go for school lunches and work lunches.  My children do not traditionally eat sandwiches for lunch or like school lunches so I make their lunches homemade.  It does take a team effort and as the children get older they each take part in cooking and making lunches.  After years of doing it this way, it seems seamless, but is a challenge in the beginning.  The secret is to make a plan and stick to it.

my projects

I had a great conversation with an employee today. I'm even more motivated to make it to the next level.

Going Vegetarian!

If your are new to vegetarianism, it is important to remember that you cannot simply exclude meat and fish from your usual recipes, because this will deprive you of protein and other vital nutrients that are essential to your health and wellbeing.  Meat and fish must be replaced with other protein and nutrient rich foods such as beans, nuts and seeds, bean curd and dairy products.  If you have allergies to any of these foods, take advice from your doctor or a nutritionist to ensure that you will not damage your health instead of enhancing it.  Here’s a recipe to get you started.  Try a light appetizer of Guacamole.

Serves 4

2 large ripe avocados

Juice of 1 lime

2 tsp olive oil

1/2 onion finely chopped

1 fresh green chile (poblano or jalapeno) finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/4 cumin

1 tbsp chopped cilantro

Salt and pepper to liking

Mash the avocados with a fork until the desired consistency.  Blend in all your ingredients and place in serving dish.

Budgeting in 2012

Where has the time gone? 2012 is around the corner and now is the time to start getting organized.  Let’s get you started. 

How?

Sit down and do a household budget and see where you can cut back on cost.  Maybe eating out too much?

Tips:

Did you know, that the number one cost outside of the home in 2011 was GAS.  Read your car manual and see if your car can handle the lower premium gasoline.  Several cars in the last ten years have been manufactured to take 87/89 unleaded.  If your manual says yes, then why not? Making the switch can lower your gas bill by up to 30 cents a gallon.  Purchasing gas at Costco, Sams or Grocery stores, with rewards, can also save you up to 30 cents a gallon.

Check your local movie theater for concession stand coupons. Most discounts and printable coupons require you to sign up for a newsletter.  I highly recommend that you obtain another email account only for coupons and discounts, you’ll quickly see your inbox fill up with weekly specials and savings.

Restaurants know that if your coming in with a coupon you are a loyal patron.  Don’t be shy when using coupons.  If you have a Girl Scout or Eagle Scout in the family, also have them take their uniform with them, you would be amazed on the freebies the whole family can receive. Such as free popcorn!

Extreme Coupons!!!

Don’t throw those coupons out.  Did you know that the average household spends a min of $866 a month in groceries for a family of 6? Imagine what you can buy with $866 if you use coupons.  Even if your saving only 50 cent on those items you love, imagine using 20 of them in one transaction for 10 items, you’ve now saved $5.00.  Don’t forget to take advantage of store club cards that offer built in store and manufacture coupons, which allow you to still use paper coupons.   Don’t throw your money away. You can also receive coupons to your favorite foods by writing the manufacture directly. Shop and Save in 2012!

Getting started takes a little bit of effort and lots of organization.  Pool your friends and family together to collect coupons. If stores are not shy about charging you full price why not use coupons to reduce your cost. The key is to purchase when things are on sale, become a loyalty card holder and cut coupons.

Why use coupons

Stores submit coupons to the manufacture for a rebate on your savings.  So if you submit over $300 in coupons at checkout  the store receives a rebate for that amount. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

How to get started

Look for an online discount code for your Sunday paper to be delivered to your home.  You can save up to 90% on in store cost.  In Chicago you can received the Chicago Tribune up to 26 weeks on Sunday for only $13.00.  Without a coupon that would cost you about $51.47. Start telling family and friends to save you their Sunday coupons as well.  Buy yourself a coupon organizer and organizer your coupons and get ready to shop. 

How to use your coupons

When you’re at the checkout have your loyalty card applied before you hand over paper coupons. Watch the screen closely and make sure you see your loyalty prices being applied.  Paper coupons should always go last. Also check your final receipt before leaving the store.

In the summer of 2011, I discovered the wonders of couponing.  I’ve managed to reduce my personal monthly grocery bill by 70%.  If HR can do you so can you.

 

The Sky Is Blue

The sky shines brighter today because you were part of this world.  I only wished that I had the opportunity to have been part of your life much longer than I already was.  You leave behind a powerful impact on all women looking to do better and bigger things in their lives. It was because of you that I knew I could be a better manager and positive role model to many females around me.

September has proven to be a blue sky month for me.  Remembering all those I've lost in the last few years and recent days. Family members, co-workers and employee. I am a better manager, mother, friend and co-worker today because they were part of my life in the living and will continue to be part of my soul forever.