The holidays are a time when many of us honor our most heartfelt traditions. Those traditions usually revolve around our families, our spirituality, and our religion. Sometimes our traditions are deeply intimate. Sometimes they are light and fun. Whatever they are, our traditions are meant to bring us joy and satisfaction.
Cranberry Mango & Cranberry Kale Smoothie
With the holidays upon us, our homes will be overflowing with joy, love, and cranberries –well, with all kinds of delicious foods! Unfortunately, most of us throw out more of that food than we’d like to admit. Smoothies and juices are a great way to use a lot of the extra fruits and vegetables we find in our kitchens.
I came up with these smoothie combinations from different fruits and greens that I needed to use up before they went bad. I don’t buy fresh cranberries often, but I know I’ll have plenty of them in the house during the holiday season. They also stay fresh in the fridge for several weeks because of their acidity.
2 Low Calorie No Bake Oatmeal Cookie Recipies
These low-calorie no-bake oatmeal cookies are some of my favorite treats. They also happen to be very healthy. Oatmeal is high in fiber and protein so it stabilizes blood sugar and is filling. I eat oatmeal every morning (yes, EVERY morning!) for breakfast. Because oatmeal is so healthy, I came up with these low-calorie no-bake cookies as a tasty snack:
Decision-Making 101
We make so many decisions every day that it makes sense to have a set of guidelines to help us make them timely, confidently, and wisely.
Our decisions range from the small, seemingly inconsequential (what we’re going to wear, what we’re going to eat, where we’re going to stop for gas); to the ones that have lifelong implications (our choice of spouse or career); and those that fall in between. These days, decisions can be complicated even more because everywhere we turn there’s so much to choose from. It’s not just information or product overload…it’s everything overload! As a mom of three – (and grandmother) – and service business owner/operator for 25 years, life has been a continuum of decisions. These are some of the decision-making guidelines that help me keep my sanity:
These are some of the decision-making guidelines that help me keep my sanity:
3 Key Practices for Long Term Financial Wealth
There are three key practices that will significantly affect your family’s long-term financial health and wealth. Although these practices may require some planning and self-discipline, they will powerfully impact your family’s net worth. The big payoff will definitely be worth your effort!
Simple Non-Toxic Household Cleaners
Non-toxic household cleaner formulations can be both simple and effective. They’re usually made up of only a few ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand. These common and simple ingredients are the same ones our mothers or grandmothers also used for the same reason-they worked.
Homemade Honey Face Masks
Honey is a perfect ingredient for homemade and natural face masks. Not only is honey an antioxidant, but it also possesses antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. Honey contains minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. These properties make honey a natural anti-aging agent. Honey is also a natural humectant—this means it attracts and retains moisture. Honey helps clarify skin by opening pores. After using any one of these natural, chemical free homemade face masks, your skin will feel incredibly soft and smooth.
Simple Strawberry Lemonade & Berry Sparkling Drinks
Simple sparkling juice drinks are a year-round staple at our house. My kids and I enjoy creating our own blends of refreshing and delicious juices and smoothies. Creating something new, whether it’s a drink or another recipe or a craft is a great way to spend time with any child but especially a teen.
Finding fun things to do or ways to bond with a teen can be challenging. None of the three teens I’ve raised wanted to spend much bonding time with me unless, of course, it included me driving them somewhere-preferably to the mall ready to wear down the strip on the back of my debit card. There’s a special feel about creating something from nothing that seems to break down barriers with my teens. We’re both starting a project on level playing field ready to do something, participate, and have fun. I won’t deny a little arguing goes on sometimes, but working together on a common goal creates a connection. By the time we’re done we’re always in a better mood!
Here are two of our favorite sparkling juice drinks:
Low Maintenance Houseplants and 5 Essential Tips for their Care
Although gardening is one of my favorite hobbies, the lush green plants that I would bring home from the nursery often turned into brown, dried-up dead things. I just wasn’t able to give them the attention that they needed. Instead of giving up on houseplants, I’ve learned a few tricks to help keep them alive and healthy.
Back to School – As An Adult
Kids aren’t the only ones heading back to school these days. More than ever, adults are also heading back to the classroom. Adults usually have a variety of reasons for wanting to further their education which includes increasing their income, strengthening job security, or switching careers. Some want to become better educated, more informed people with broader horizons. Others, like me, need a change.
I decided to finish my bachelor’s degree in American Studies two years ago not long after having a kidney transplant. I wanted to make the most of my renewed health and pursue my goal of becoming a writer, but I had a sneaking suspicion that the workload of wife, mom, and a small business owner would take over my life again. So I decided to shake things up. [Read more…]