It's beena while since i've posted.. but i could not help but share this email.
Dear Friends,
Sunday at the pot-luck I heard this song, Keep on the Sunny Side. It reminded me of this essay I wrote. Here it is.
In the middle of night I wrote something down again. This is becoming a habit too. When I got up this morning I found the note in the bathroom. It is almost like I get a gift each morning. I could not wait to see what is going to come from it.
The words I wrote down were; Keep on the sunny side of the street. I looked it up on Google and lo and behold it is the words to a Frank Sinatra song. I can't remember ever hearing it and I don't know the tune, but the words have other meanings too.
One evening I walked down the main street of our little town. The sun was setting; one side of the street was in shadows and the other in bright sunshine. When I got up this morning and saw these words I remembered this picture.
In the sun we are bathed in warmth and love, while the shadows make us feel cool or maybe even cold. Then I got to thinking about what we do to ourselves. It is our choice to walk on the sunny side or we can drudge along in the shadows and hide from ourselves and our feelings.
I don't know about you, but I am tired of hiding! When I began to FLY, I started to come out of the shadows and into the light of love. This is the love that I have for myself. Every day that love glows brighter. When I take care of my body I am taking care of my spirit too. My being needs a comfortable place to live and be loved. My body is the sacred place that is me. I am not going to eat food that is poison to my body!
All of this love didn't happen overnight. It took lots of babysteps and to tell the truth I take a new one each and every day. With each little step I FLY higher and love myself more.
There are other things that put us on the sunny side of the street.
Saying positive things instead of whining
Getting enough sleep
Eating meals and drink your water
Taking breaks instead of pushing to exhaustion
Giving your children hugs and not harsh words
Limit your volunteering
Let go of your perfectionism
Please and thank you are better than nags
Let go of your martyred attitude
Don't pile on to your duties.
Take BabySteps
Use your routines to guide you through your day
Plan for tomorrow instead of putting out fires
Go to the doctor and dentist for check ups
Most of all be kind to yourself and others
If you are doing these thing, you will be walking on the sunny side of the street. When are you going to step out of those dark looming shadows into the light of your own love! It doesn't take much, any one of these babysteps will set you on the right path if you will just step out of the shadows in faith and start to FLY!
Are you ready to join me in the warmth of the sunshine of your love?
FlyLady
http://www.facebook.com/TheFlyLady
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Morning Musing: I Can See Clearly Now!
Flylady email i got today, enjoy. about clutter in your house and body and mind!
Dear Friends,
Do you remember the song that has this verse? I can see clearly now the rain is gone; all obstacles that were in my way. I don't know the exact words, I will look them up later.
Your clutter is standing in your way. When you take the time to eliminate it, you will find that the brain fog that has been clouding your vision will slowly begin to lift and you will start to think clearly. You don't believe me. How can my clutter be clouding my brain!
Well let me tell you! Clutter has a life of its own! And it changes shapes too! We have the physical clutter! We all know and have it hiding. Then there is the mental clutter: WORRY! My granny calls it "studying on it" Worry takes you away from the here and now and puts you in that "Ole poor me" mode in the future! I am here to tell you, if you think about it, you are going to bring it about!
Then there is GUILT! Oh this one eats us alive! It takes you away from the present and puts you in the past! No wonder you can't get anything accomplished, you are stuck in some time warp and you can't get out! I want you to jump out of this black hole and deal with the now! What can you do right this minute that would make you feel better? Is it balance your check book, look at your bills and pay them, or is it shining your sink or just spending 15 minutes clearing off your desk so you can think when you are sitting there!
Financial clutter is baggage that just gets heavier if you don't sit down and deal with it. As hard as it is; opening up those bills and putting them down on paper is going to help you see through the fog. It is the not knowing and not dealing with it that keeps us blinded. Then you can see who you need to call and talk to. You can make a plan if you know. If you don't face this with courage and at least 15 minutes at a time, you are going to get stranded not knowing and the fear, worry, and guilt is going to keep you paralyzed in your blindness!
This kind of clutter makes your other clutter get worse! Not to mention your hips! We stuff our feelings and eat, putting more clutter on our bodies which put more guilt on you! This vicious cycle has got to stop!
I would not be able to do what I do surrounded by clutter! It was only after I faced my fears of letting go of stuff, money problems, and guilt that I was able to see that my life had a purpose! Your well being is precious to me! I want you to take care of yourself!
Are you ready to FLY?
FlyLady
Leanne and I recorded our book Body Clutter for you. It helps you to deal with the clutter in your head.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_book_packages.asp
Dear Friends,
Do you remember the song that has this verse? I can see clearly now the rain is gone; all obstacles that were in my way. I don't know the exact words, I will look them up later.
Your clutter is standing in your way. When you take the time to eliminate it, you will find that the brain fog that has been clouding your vision will slowly begin to lift and you will start to think clearly. You don't believe me. How can my clutter be clouding my brain!
Well let me tell you! Clutter has a life of its own! And it changes shapes too! We have the physical clutter! We all know and have it hiding. Then there is the mental clutter: WORRY! My granny calls it "studying on it" Worry takes you away from the here and now and puts you in that "Ole poor me" mode in the future! I am here to tell you, if you think about it, you are going to bring it about!
Then there is GUILT! Oh this one eats us alive! It takes you away from the present and puts you in the past! No wonder you can't get anything accomplished, you are stuck in some time warp and you can't get out! I want you to jump out of this black hole and deal with the now! What can you do right this minute that would make you feel better? Is it balance your check book, look at your bills and pay them, or is it shining your sink or just spending 15 minutes clearing off your desk so you can think when you are sitting there!
Financial clutter is baggage that just gets heavier if you don't sit down and deal with it. As hard as it is; opening up those bills and putting them down on paper is going to help you see through the fog. It is the not knowing and not dealing with it that keeps us blinded. Then you can see who you need to call and talk to. You can make a plan if you know. If you don't face this with courage and at least 15 minutes at a time, you are going to get stranded not knowing and the fear, worry, and guilt is going to keep you paralyzed in your blindness!
This kind of clutter makes your other clutter get worse! Not to mention your hips! We stuff our feelings and eat, putting more clutter on our bodies which put more guilt on you! This vicious cycle has got to stop!
I would not be able to do what I do surrounded by clutter! It was only after I faced my fears of letting go of stuff, money problems, and guilt that I was able to see that my life had a purpose! Your well being is precious to me! I want you to take care of yourself!
Are you ready to FLY?
FlyLady
Leanne and I recorded our book Body Clutter for you. It helps you to deal with the clutter in your head.
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_book_packages.asp
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Don't Quit
Enjoyed this.. thought i'd share!
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Edgar A. Guest
and heres a random picture - marley playing 'fetch'
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Edgar A. Guest
and heres a random picture - marley playing 'fetch'
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Crispy Ranch Chicken
Got this from http://recipes.sparkpeople.com
I made this last night - we gave it about a 7/8 out of ten. The only thing is i didn't have any rice crispy treats and i think i'll try that next time - it was pretty good, i think it'd be really good w/ spagetti. Enjoy!
- here's the recipe link if you want to read other users input
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=447376
Crispy Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 oz pkg ranch dressing mix
2 cups crispy rice cereal
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 egg whites (beaten)
2 tablespoons light butter (optional)
Nutritional Info
Fat: 5.3g
Carbohydrates: 15.2g
Calories:245.8
Protein: 34.1g
Mix rice cereal, ranch mix and Parmesan cheese together in bowl. Dip chicken in egg whites, then in the cereal mixture to coat evenly. Arrange chicken on greased baking sheet. Bake until golden. 30 to 35 minutes.
Number of Servings: 4
I made this last night - we gave it about a 7/8 out of ten. The only thing is i didn't have any rice crispy treats and i think i'll try that next time - it was pretty good, i think it'd be really good w/ spagetti. Enjoy!
- here's the recipe link if you want to read other users input
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=447376
Crispy Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 oz pkg ranch dressing mix
2 cups crispy rice cereal
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 egg whites (beaten)
2 tablespoons light butter (optional)
Nutritional Info
Fat: 5.3g
Carbohydrates: 15.2g
Calories:245.8
Protein: 34.1g
Mix rice cereal, ranch mix and Parmesan cheese together in bowl. Dip chicken in egg whites, then in the cereal mixture to coat evenly. Arrange chicken on greased baking sheet. Bake until golden. 30 to 35 minutes.
Number of Servings: 4
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
leftover martyrs
This email cracked me up from Savingdinner.com. Growing up i totally HATED left overs, and to this day i wont eat anything left over unless its alfredo.... thought this was interesting, and yes rachel.. GROW UP hahahahahahhahaha
Dear Friends,
There is this notion going around in families, that leftovers are an evil thing. This isn't new; it's been around since the advent of the icebox when the idea of even keeping leftovers was doable. Not having a freshly made meal, to most, is unthinkable. A meal of MRE's and dehydrated astronaut food would be better. Anything twigs and pebbles in the Outback, but NOT leftovers!
You've heard it yourself. "What's for dinner?", asks your earnest family. "Leftovers!" you retort with a sense of pride in your voice (after all, what a smart woman you are to make enough so you only have to cook once for two meals!). Then the groans start; pitiful and pathetic. Like you're threatening to stick a hot poker in each of their eyes. As if they're going to be fed cold gruel and a portion of dried chipped beef in a cage for the rest of their lives.
The problem with leftovers is they look so leftover. Girlfriend, if you want to trot out the leftovers the next day (and who doesn't?), you just gotta dress 'em up a little different! Let's go over the Three Rules for a Leftover Relaunch:
1)Change it. If it was baked chicken last night, chop up the leftover chicken and make chicken enchiladas tonight, chicken potpie or chicken noodle soup. The possibilities are endless; think beyond adding a can of cream of whatever soup and calling it a casserole.
2)Freeze it. No one said you HAVE to have it the next night. If the recipe is amenable, throw it in a freezer bag, mark it with a Sharpie (what it is—no, you will not remember, and the date; you won't remember that either) and yank it out as a great back up when you need it.
3)Lunch it. Pack it up for your hubby and you to take to work the next day. Chances are good it's just enough for the both of you. You're both adults and can suck it up a bit and do this. I promise, you will not die from eating the same thing twice in less than 24 hours.
There is no need to moan over leftovers (though your children may think so) and there is no need for you to act like a leftover martyr (though you may have inherited this unfortunate skill from your mother).
Now, if YOU are part of the problem with not liking leftovers, it's time to pull up your big girl panties and put on a great big smile. Part of growing up and maturing is doing the right thing for the right reasons. In today's economy and just for the sake of being a little more green, eating your leftovers and using them up is helping you, to quote Benjamin Franklin, become "healthy, wealthy and wise."
So chins up leftover martyrs and tally ho you leftover hating people! There are ways around this mountain and using the 3 rules above will get you where you want to go, save you so money, time and sanity. What's not to love about that?
Love,
Leanne Ely, Your Dinner Diva at http://savingdinner.com
Dear Friends,
There is this notion going around in families, that leftovers are an evil thing. This isn't new; it's been around since the advent of the icebox when the idea of even keeping leftovers was doable. Not having a freshly made meal, to most, is unthinkable. A meal of MRE's and dehydrated astronaut food would be better. Anything twigs and pebbles in the Outback, but NOT leftovers!
You've heard it yourself. "What's for dinner?", asks your earnest family. "Leftovers!" you retort with a sense of pride in your voice (after all, what a smart woman you are to make enough so you only have to cook once for two meals!). Then the groans start; pitiful and pathetic. Like you're threatening to stick a hot poker in each of their eyes. As if they're going to be fed cold gruel and a portion of dried chipped beef in a cage for the rest of their lives.
The problem with leftovers is they look so leftover. Girlfriend, if you want to trot out the leftovers the next day (and who doesn't?), you just gotta dress 'em up a little different! Let's go over the Three Rules for a Leftover Relaunch:
1)Change it. If it was baked chicken last night, chop up the leftover chicken and make chicken enchiladas tonight, chicken potpie or chicken noodle soup. The possibilities are endless; think beyond adding a can of cream of whatever soup and calling it a casserole.
2)Freeze it. No one said you HAVE to have it the next night. If the recipe is amenable, throw it in a freezer bag, mark it with a Sharpie (what it is—no, you will not remember, and the date; you won't remember that either) and yank it out as a great back up when you need it.
3)Lunch it. Pack it up for your hubby and you to take to work the next day. Chances are good it's just enough for the both of you. You're both adults and can suck it up a bit and do this. I promise, you will not die from eating the same thing twice in less than 24 hours.
There is no need to moan over leftovers (though your children may think so) and there is no need for you to act like a leftover martyr (though you may have inherited this unfortunate skill from your mother).
Now, if YOU are part of the problem with not liking leftovers, it's time to pull up your big girl panties and put on a great big smile. Part of growing up and maturing is doing the right thing for the right reasons. In today's economy and just for the sake of being a little more green, eating your leftovers and using them up is helping you, to quote Benjamin Franklin, become "healthy, wealthy and wise."
So chins up leftover martyrs and tally ho you leftover hating people! There are ways around this mountain and using the 3 rules above will get you where you want to go, save you so money, time and sanity. What's not to love about that?
Love,
Leanne Ely, Your Dinner Diva at http://savingdinner.com
Monday, April 18, 2011
Being thankful
Read this today... enjoy.
I am Thankful :
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..
FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
submitted by The Silent Force
I am Thankful :
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..
FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
submitted by The Silent Force
Friday, April 15, 2011
Snowboarding pictures, better late than never, right?
Jared and i
Night inner tubing <3 sooo scary!
How i spend most of my time snowboarding HAHA on the GROUND
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
FACE stands for Financial Awareness Continually Empowers
Email i got from Flylady - thank yo mom for introducing me to this site! Thought i would share:
Dear Friends,
Every time we turn around we are slammed in our face with the fact that our economy is in a recession. What we think about we bring about. I am not about to allow some talking head to tell me how I am doing financially. I know what is going on with my checkbook balance and I know where my money is going. I don't have to rely on someone else to tell me what to think. I am armed with my own numbers and can think for myself.
Who knows why the media has decided to jump on this bandwagon, but we don't have to follow it all the way to the poor house. We are in control and all we have to do is FACE our own numbers and adjust our spending.
FACE stands for Financial Awareness Continually Empowers. When we know the numbers we are in charge. When we allow the talking heads to tell us what our bank balance is then we are no better than an ostrich sticking its head into the sand. By the way an ostrich is smarter than that and this is a myth.
Are you scared to look at your checkbook balance? Do you know where you are spending your hard earned dollars? We only have so much money in our bucket. When you don't know where your money is going then you are carrying all your money in a bucket filled with holes. No wonder you feel poor! You are not in control! Your emotions are?
You feel sorry for yourself, so you head down to get a café mocha to drown your sad feelings. Well guess what after you consume that over-priced, over sugared caffeinated cup of coffee, your bank account suffers too and so does your waistline! I have even heard on television of people taking a job at a well known coffee house to get their coffee fix for free. How sad is that! Creative but is it really free if you have to drive there and take time away from your family to get your coffee addiction satisfied. Why not make it yourself?
I know what it is like to be poor. My car has been my home, I have slept at the box office that I ran and showered at a friend's house. I have had 13 cents to my name and have not known how I was going to pay for a flat tire to be fixed. This is not a fun place to be. I thank God that I am not there any longer but He taught me a great lesson; To do what I could with what I had to make the best of my situation.
There was only one point when I succumbed to tears. I quickly realized that those tears were lack of faith in God and the common sense He gave me. I pulled myself up with the help of some wonderful people who reached out to me at my lowest. I had to be willing to ask for help in order to give them the opportunity to lend a hand. They were the people at the Charlie's Tire who notice that in order to get the flat tire out of the trunk, they had to move a bunch of imperfect sweatshirts my brother-in-law had put there for me to get rid of for him. It just happened to be a very cold day in February. I had already told Mr. Charlie and his son that I didn't have any money and they told me not to worry that we would figure something out. About that time one of the guys from the shop came in and wanted to buy a sweat shirt. In only a few minutes I had $200 in my hand by selling them for a few bucks each. This was enough to buy a new tire to replace the one that could not be fixed.
We have a choice. We can believe the people who tell us we are poor or we can know what our bank balance is and where it is going. When the talking heads say these things it reminds me of all the years we were told that we were lazy and stupid. We are neither of these!
You are prosperous in proportion to what you can do without. Can you do without the Café Mocha or the cost of the gasoline to get there?
FlyLady
If you need help with FACEing your Finances. Check out Pam's Get Out of Debt Book.
Dear Friends,
Every time we turn around we are slammed in our face with the fact that our economy is in a recession. What we think about we bring about. I am not about to allow some talking head to tell me how I am doing financially. I know what is going on with my checkbook balance and I know where my money is going. I don't have to rely on someone else to tell me what to think. I am armed with my own numbers and can think for myself.
Who knows why the media has decided to jump on this bandwagon, but we don't have to follow it all the way to the poor house. We are in control and all we have to do is FACE our own numbers and adjust our spending.
FACE stands for Financial Awareness Continually Empowers. When we know the numbers we are in charge. When we allow the talking heads to tell us what our bank balance is then we are no better than an ostrich sticking its head into the sand. By the way an ostrich is smarter than that and this is a myth.
Are you scared to look at your checkbook balance? Do you know where you are spending your hard earned dollars? We only have so much money in our bucket. When you don't know where your money is going then you are carrying all your money in a bucket filled with holes. No wonder you feel poor! You are not in control! Your emotions are?
You feel sorry for yourself, so you head down to get a café mocha to drown your sad feelings. Well guess what after you consume that over-priced, over sugared caffeinated cup of coffee, your bank account suffers too and so does your waistline! I have even heard on television of people taking a job at a well known coffee house to get their coffee fix for free. How sad is that! Creative but is it really free if you have to drive there and take time away from your family to get your coffee addiction satisfied. Why not make it yourself?
I know what it is like to be poor. My car has been my home, I have slept at the box office that I ran and showered at a friend's house. I have had 13 cents to my name and have not known how I was going to pay for a flat tire to be fixed. This is not a fun place to be. I thank God that I am not there any longer but He taught me a great lesson; To do what I could with what I had to make the best of my situation.
There was only one point when I succumbed to tears. I quickly realized that those tears were lack of faith in God and the common sense He gave me. I pulled myself up with the help of some wonderful people who reached out to me at my lowest. I had to be willing to ask for help in order to give them the opportunity to lend a hand. They were the people at the Charlie's Tire who notice that in order to get the flat tire out of the trunk, they had to move a bunch of imperfect sweatshirts my brother-in-law had put there for me to get rid of for him. It just happened to be a very cold day in February. I had already told Mr. Charlie and his son that I didn't have any money and they told me not to worry that we would figure something out. About that time one of the guys from the shop came in and wanted to buy a sweat shirt. In only a few minutes I had $200 in my hand by selling them for a few bucks each. This was enough to buy a new tire to replace the one that could not be fixed.
We have a choice. We can believe the people who tell us we are poor or we can know what our bank balance is and where it is going. When the talking heads say these things it reminds me of all the years we were told that we were lazy and stupid. We are neither of these!
You are prosperous in proportion to what you can do without. Can you do without the Café Mocha or the cost of the gasoline to get there?
FlyLady
If you need help with FACEing your Finances. Check out Pam's Get Out of Debt Book.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Turkey Asparagus Fettuccine Alfredo
Found this recipe on the internet last night, made a few adjustments. Jared & I rated it a 9.5!
Ingredients: (this is for two people)
Quarter of a pound of ground turkey
Classico Alfredo sauce (thank you grandma!)
Asparagus
Fettuccine noodles (however much you wanna eat)
Garlic clove
Garlic powder
Chili Powder
Red Crushed Peppers
Bread Crumbs
Parmesan cheese
Brown ground turkey with garlic cloves, garlic powder, chili powder.
Cook noodles, when the noodles have about 5 minutes left chop asparagus into 1 inch spears and put in with noodles (while still boiling) - drain noodles and asparagus after 5 minutes and put into oven safe glass dish, mix sauce (add extra as it absorbs and i had to add more after i took it out) ground turkey and noodles and asparagus and add any more spices, Parmesan cheese + bread crumbs and put into oven at 350 for about 10 minutes :)
and then its..... TASTY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ingredients: (this is for two people)
Quarter of a pound of ground turkey
Classico Alfredo sauce (thank you grandma!)
Asparagus
Fettuccine noodles (however much you wanna eat)
Garlic clove
Garlic powder
Chili Powder
Red Crushed Peppers
Bread Crumbs
Parmesan cheese
Brown ground turkey with garlic cloves, garlic powder, chili powder.
Cook noodles, when the noodles have about 5 minutes left chop asparagus into 1 inch spears and put in with noodles (while still boiling) - drain noodles and asparagus after 5 minutes and put into oven safe glass dish, mix sauce (add extra as it absorbs and i had to add more after i took it out) ground turkey and noodles and asparagus and add any more spices, Parmesan cheese + bread crumbs and put into oven at 350 for about 10 minutes :)
and then its..... TASTY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Did they find atlantis?
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/14/atlantis-finally/
I read this just now and thought it was interesting!
Has the lost city of Atlantis finally been found? A Connecticut professor and his international team think so.
In Sunday night's National Geographic special "Finding Atlantis," Richard Freund from the University of Hartford presented evidence that the sunken city may be located in mud flats in southern Spain.
The fabled island metropolis was believed to be hit by a tsunami thousands of years ago that caused it to disappear into the sea.
Following clues from ancient Greek philosopher Plato, Freund and his team focused their search on the Mediterranean and Atlantic. They used satellite images to locate the site just north of Cadiz, Spain, Reuters reports.
"It is just so hard to understand that it can wipe out 60 miles inland, and that's pretty much what we're talking about," Freund told Reuters.
Using ground-penetrating radar, digital mapping and underwater technology, the team of archeologists and geologists surveyed the site for evidence.
In addition to the rumored Atlantis site in the mud flats, Freund also discovered a series of "memorial cities" built as tributes to Atlantis by the island's refugees and tsunami survivors, Reuters reports.
The presence of these memorial sites boosts Freund's confidence that he has, in fact, located the hidden city. However, there is no definitive proof for Freund's claims.
The team plans to lead more excavations at the rumored Atlantis site and dig out more mysteries hidden in the dirt.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/14/atlantis-finally/#ixzz1GiOtiNS4
I read this just now and thought it was interesting!
Has the lost city of Atlantis finally been found? A Connecticut professor and his international team think so.
In Sunday night's National Geographic special "Finding Atlantis," Richard Freund from the University of Hartford presented evidence that the sunken city may be located in mud flats in southern Spain.
The fabled island metropolis was believed to be hit by a tsunami thousands of years ago that caused it to disappear into the sea.
Following clues from ancient Greek philosopher Plato, Freund and his team focused their search on the Mediterranean and Atlantic. They used satellite images to locate the site just north of Cadiz, Spain, Reuters reports.
"It is just so hard to understand that it can wipe out 60 miles inland, and that's pretty much what we're talking about," Freund told Reuters.
Using ground-penetrating radar, digital mapping and underwater technology, the team of archeologists and geologists surveyed the site for evidence.
In addition to the rumored Atlantis site in the mud flats, Freund also discovered a series of "memorial cities" built as tributes to Atlantis by the island's refugees and tsunami survivors, Reuters reports.
The presence of these memorial sites boosts Freund's confidence that he has, in fact, located the hidden city. However, there is no definitive proof for Freund's claims.
The team plans to lead more excavations at the rumored Atlantis site and dig out more mysteries hidden in the dirt.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/14/atlantis-finally/#ixzz1GiOtiNS4
On the job Weight gain...
Courtesy of spark people...
Avoid Packing on Pounds Behind Your Desk
-- By Rebecca Pratt, staff writer
Australian researchers found that men sitting at their desks more than six hours a day are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than those who sit for less than 45 minutes a day. While women fared slightly better—spending on average 20 more minutes on their feet at the office than men—researchers conclude that a sedentary job is a major health concern for both genders.
And it’s no secret that sedentary jobs (and lifestyles) have contributed dramatically to the accelerating obesity rate of the past 20 years. Put emphasis on the word ‘dramatically’—a study conducted by the University of Chicago in 2001 found that a worker in a sedentary career may end up with a Body Mass Index 3.3 units higher than someone in a highly active job. If you’re 5'5" this can mean an increase in weight from 140 pounds to 155 pounds!
Now that you’ve heard the bad news, let’s turn to the good news…
You CAN love your less-than-active job and be fit. Here’s how:
1. Be sure to eat. It’s easy to slog through a day of meetings, e-mails, and phone calls to discover at 4 p.m. that you haven’t eaten since breakfast. But, your body needs energy to get you through the day. Make it a priority to have a healthy and tasty meal—along with 1-2 healthy snacks. It is not a sin to opt for such shortcuts as microwave meals, as long as you read labels to avoid items with excess calories and sodium.
2. Compensate, compensate. Get physical to compensate for your sedentary workday. Join a gym, take an early morning run, or find time for fitness fun with your family. Buy one or two pieces of home exercise equipment that will allow you to exercise no matter what the weather.
3. Rework your network. Chances are, your friends and co-workers need help with their love handles just as much as you do. So, try some new activities that don’t revolve around food. Organize a bi-weekly volleyball game, walk during lunch, or play a quick round of mini-golf after work.
4. Bring your buddies on board. While you’re coaxing co-workers to modify those after-work habits, see if you can’t involve them in a friendly get-fit challenge during work hours. By sharing healthy potluck lunches, exchanging recipes, and providing moral support, you’ll find that getting in shape can be a team-building triumph. (You might even check with Human Resources or management to see if you can involve them in a fun or meaningful way—since healthy employees save $$$.)
5. Don’t eat due to boredom. Blacklist the office vending machine by stashing strategic healthy snacks (apples and almond butter, low-cal energy bars, nuts, or hummus and pita bread) that will give you a lift without adding to your waistline. If you know that occasionally you’ll fall—and most of us do—pick out ahead of time the items you can live with so that your dip doesn’t become a dive. Keep water at your desk; it’ll give your hands something to do when you’re stressed and will divert you from eating when you’re not really hungry.
6. Vary your routine. We all have them— those daily social rituals, like heading upstairs to the cafeteria for a mid-morning latte and muffin. You can still have those items…but make it sometimes, not all times. If you want to change your life in big ways, try some small changes, like substituting a yogurt and black coffee with skim milk half the time. You’ll save about 470 calories (660 vs. 160)! (And you’re taking the stairs up to the cafeteria, right?)
7. Lose the technology. Modern advances are great, but do you control them or do they control you? As much as possible, take advantage of opportunities throughout the day to get up and move! Deliver that memo in person, sit on a stability ball at your desk to improve your posture, park at the far end of the parking lot for a brisk walk to your building. You’ll be surprised how quickly minor changes can improve your energy level and help you get fit.
8. Choose wisely. Whether you normally go out for lunch or eat in the cafeteria, try to make your meal choices conscious ones. Learn how to eat out wisely, and remember how much better you feel come mid-afternoon when you eat healthy. If you find that your cafeteria or workplace doesn't offer healthy choices, check with the person who’s in charge of food service—you may be the person who tips the balance to get better options!
One in five Americans is obese; three in five are either overweight or obese. But sitting at a desk doesn’t have to mean you’ll be just another statistic! Incorporating these simple strategies into your workday will bring you one step closer to being a healthier, more energetic you.
Avoid Packing on Pounds Behind Your Desk
-- By Rebecca Pratt, staff writer
Australian researchers found that men sitting at their desks more than six hours a day are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than those who sit for less than 45 minutes a day. While women fared slightly better—spending on average 20 more minutes on their feet at the office than men—researchers conclude that a sedentary job is a major health concern for both genders.
And it’s no secret that sedentary jobs (and lifestyles) have contributed dramatically to the accelerating obesity rate of the past 20 years. Put emphasis on the word ‘dramatically’—a study conducted by the University of Chicago in 2001 found that a worker in a sedentary career may end up with a Body Mass Index 3.3 units higher than someone in a highly active job. If you’re 5'5" this can mean an increase in weight from 140 pounds to 155 pounds!
Now that you’ve heard the bad news, let’s turn to the good news…
You CAN love your less-than-active job and be fit. Here’s how:
1. Be sure to eat. It’s easy to slog through a day of meetings, e-mails, and phone calls to discover at 4 p.m. that you haven’t eaten since breakfast. But, your body needs energy to get you through the day. Make it a priority to have a healthy and tasty meal—along with 1-2 healthy snacks. It is not a sin to opt for such shortcuts as microwave meals, as long as you read labels to avoid items with excess calories and sodium.
2. Compensate, compensate. Get physical to compensate for your sedentary workday. Join a gym, take an early morning run, or find time for fitness fun with your family. Buy one or two pieces of home exercise equipment that will allow you to exercise no matter what the weather.
3. Rework your network. Chances are, your friends and co-workers need help with their love handles just as much as you do. So, try some new activities that don’t revolve around food. Organize a bi-weekly volleyball game, walk during lunch, or play a quick round of mini-golf after work.
4. Bring your buddies on board. While you’re coaxing co-workers to modify those after-work habits, see if you can’t involve them in a friendly get-fit challenge during work hours. By sharing healthy potluck lunches, exchanging recipes, and providing moral support, you’ll find that getting in shape can be a team-building triumph. (You might even check with Human Resources or management to see if you can involve them in a fun or meaningful way—since healthy employees save $$$.)
5. Don’t eat due to boredom. Blacklist the office vending machine by stashing strategic healthy snacks (apples and almond butter, low-cal energy bars, nuts, or hummus and pita bread) that will give you a lift without adding to your waistline. If you know that occasionally you’ll fall—and most of us do—pick out ahead of time the items you can live with so that your dip doesn’t become a dive. Keep water at your desk; it’ll give your hands something to do when you’re stressed and will divert you from eating when you’re not really hungry.
6. Vary your routine. We all have them— those daily social rituals, like heading upstairs to the cafeteria for a mid-morning latte and muffin. You can still have those items…but make it sometimes, not all times. If you want to change your life in big ways, try some small changes, like substituting a yogurt and black coffee with skim milk half the time. You’ll save about 470 calories (660 vs. 160)! (And you’re taking the stairs up to the cafeteria, right?)
7. Lose the technology. Modern advances are great, but do you control them or do they control you? As much as possible, take advantage of opportunities throughout the day to get up and move! Deliver that memo in person, sit on a stability ball at your desk to improve your posture, park at the far end of the parking lot for a brisk walk to your building. You’ll be surprised how quickly minor changes can improve your energy level and help you get fit.
8. Choose wisely. Whether you normally go out for lunch or eat in the cafeteria, try to make your meal choices conscious ones. Learn how to eat out wisely, and remember how much better you feel come mid-afternoon when you eat healthy. If you find that your cafeteria or workplace doesn't offer healthy choices, check with the person who’s in charge of food service—you may be the person who tips the balance to get better options!
One in five Americans is obese; three in five are either overweight or obese. But sitting at a desk doesn’t have to mean you’ll be just another statistic! Incorporating these simple strategies into your workday will bring you one step closer to being a healthier, more energetic you.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
My latest read...
This book is interesting. I don't quite know how i feel about it yet, just finished it today. I probably give it a 5 outta 10 because i cant figure out if i liked it or not! The beginning is kinda disturbing in a TMI/wrong kinda way, the middle is blurry, and the end is just depressing.
I think their may be a movie maybe i'll check that out. I thought it was going to have more to do with the Holocaust but it was more post holocaust.. And im curious if its a true story or not... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Reader that link makes it sound alot better... and their is a movie. that shall be added to my netflix.. so in the end, i dont know if i recommend it to you!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
......... GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From spark people...
Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned.
- Buddha
When someone cuts you off while driving, or misses an appointment you made together, you probably get angry. Often our imaginations create internal situations and fantasies that perpetuate those feelings until you are boiling and ready to take it out on someone else. Truly though, we waste too much of our time and energy feeling negatively towards all sorts of things in our lives. When was the last time you went an entire day without feeling angry? Think about the times you most frequently feel those tense, frustrated feelings building up in you and examine the root. If the situation is unavoidable, you've got to force yourself to accept it and move past it. Maybe you need to sit down with a co-worker and talk to her about what is bothering you--instead of just letting her idiosyncrasies get under your skin each day. Perhaps you need to find an alternative route home to avoid the daily traffic jam that makes your blood boil. Your body and mind will thank you for the peace such moves provide in the end.
Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned.
- Buddha
When someone cuts you off while driving, or misses an appointment you made together, you probably get angry. Often our imaginations create internal situations and fantasies that perpetuate those feelings until you are boiling and ready to take it out on someone else. Truly though, we waste too much of our time and energy feeling negatively towards all sorts of things in our lives. When was the last time you went an entire day without feeling angry? Think about the times you most frequently feel those tense, frustrated feelings building up in you and examine the root. If the situation is unavoidable, you've got to force yourself to accept it and move past it. Maybe you need to sit down with a co-worker and talk to her about what is bothering you--instead of just letting her idiosyncrasies get under your skin each day. Perhaps you need to find an alternative route home to avoid the daily traffic jam that makes your blood boil. Your body and mind will thank you for the peace such moves provide in the end.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
BBQ chicken for din din :)
Last night i made bbq chicken, baked potatoes and some left over rice. Not the healthiest dinner butttttttttttt DELISH!!!!!
Jared rated it a 9 out of 10 and i rated about an 8!
Ingredients
Garlic
Pepper
Cayenne
Italian Seasonings
Bread crumbs ( the recipe called for flour but i didnt have any so i used bread crumbs)
Chicken breast
Worcestershire sauce
Bbq sauce
Honey
Put chicken in bowl and pour on Worcestershire sauce, sprinkle on garlic pepper cayenne and seasonings, then coat in bread crumbs and fry on medium heat. Once fully cooked coat in bbq sauce and honey and cayenne mixture and cook on 400 degrees for 10 minutes on each side coating each time.
Enjoy!
I think i need to start taking pictures of these :) also snow boarding pictures to come soon! We went last Sunday and are going again tomorrow with Jare's work! So excited!!!!!!
Jared rated it a 9 out of 10 and i rated about an 8!
Ingredients
Garlic
Pepper
Cayenne
Italian Seasonings
Bread crumbs ( the recipe called for flour but i didnt have any so i used bread crumbs)
Chicken breast
Worcestershire sauce
Bbq sauce
Honey
Put chicken in bowl and pour on Worcestershire sauce, sprinkle on garlic pepper cayenne and seasonings, then coat in bread crumbs and fry on medium heat. Once fully cooked coat in bbq sauce and honey and cayenne mixture and cook on 400 degrees for 10 minutes on each side coating each time.
Enjoy!
I think i need to start taking pictures of these :) also snow boarding pictures to come soon! We went last Sunday and are going again tomorrow with Jare's work! So excited!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Lending a helping hand
Also from sparkpeople... couldnt help but share this article. i loved it
Never look down on anybody unless you are helping him up.
- Jesse Jackson
It is easy to get down on someone when you aren't in their shoes. Often we throw in our two cents when it is not only unwanted, but also unhelpful and useless. Resist the temptation to waste your breath on pointless criticism at someone else's expense. Don't give advice to people unless it is asked for, lest you belittle them and come off looking like a know-it-all. Instead, examine ways you could help that person. Rather than continuously feeling irked by a coworker's mistakes, could you lend a hand or explain a task to her in a respectful way? You never know when the shoe will be on the other proverbial foot. Help others and one day it might come back to you.
Never look down on anybody unless you are helping him up.
- Jesse Jackson
It is easy to get down on someone when you aren't in their shoes. Often we throw in our two cents when it is not only unwanted, but also unhelpful and useless. Resist the temptation to waste your breath on pointless criticism at someone else's expense. Don't give advice to people unless it is asked for, lest you belittle them and come off looking like a know-it-all. Instead, examine ways you could help that person. Rather than continuously feeling irked by a coworker's mistakes, could you lend a hand or explain a task to her in a respectful way? You never know when the shoe will be on the other proverbial foot. Help others and one day it might come back to you.
20 Tips to Save Money on Gas
I found this article from sparkpeople.com - enjoy!
I thought number 5 and 17 were very interesting!!
Small Changes Can Improve Efficiency by 30%
-- By Stepfanie Romine, Business Writer
With the prices at the pumps rising every day (or so it seems), we're all wondering the same thing: How can we save money on gas? Is it even possible?
Yes, of course you can save money on gas. These tips won't bring down the cost of gas, but they will help you use less gas, which in turn will save you money. Following the tips below can improve the efficiency of your car by up to 30 percent, according to drivers who've adapted such tactics! A bonus is that many of these tips will also help you help the environment. Go green while saving some green!
1. Combine trips. If you know you're going across town for soccer practice, stop by any stores you might need to visit in that area. Try to group errands geographically.
2. Downsize. Unless you need an SUV, minivan or full-size truck, then trade it in for a more efficient model. Want to save even more money? Switch to a hybrid (the prices have dropped in the last few years) or learn to drive a motorcycle or scooter.
3. Reduce your commute. Move closer to work if possible, work from home a day or two a week, or get a job in your neighborhood.
4. Don't wait for a holiday. Gas prices rise whenever more people travel, such as around the holidays. Fill up at least three days before a holiday.
5. Fill up mid week, in the morning. Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fill your tank. The weekends are the most expensive. Gas stations change their prices midmorning, so head to the pumps before you go to the office.
6. Park it. Park once, in the first spot you see. Unless you can't walk, park as soon as you find a spot instead of driving around to find one that's close. Also, if you're going to make several stops in the area, leave your car parked and drop off packages between stops, if need be. You can squeeze in a bit of exercise while you shop!
7. Charge it! Get a gas credit card that offers you savings. If your card is specific to one company, make sure those gas stations are located in the areas where you typically drive. You won't save money if you drive across town to get gas! (Just be sure to pay off the card in full each month so you don't get hit with finance charges.)
8. Go low. Use the lowest recommended octane for your car. Check you’re the owner's manual for your car, but most cars on the road today can go with the lowest-octane (and cheapest) gasoline.
9. Wait to fill up. Always fill up when you've got a quarter of a tank or less. You get better gas mileage with a lighter load, so that means gas mileage improves as you near empty. However, don't let it get too low—you could end up stranded!
10. Don't top off. When filling up, use the automatic "stop" function on the pump. When it stops, don't pump out a few extra cents worth of gas by hand. That gas evaporates (talk about a waste of money) and is bad for the environment, too.
11. Quit idling! Idling wastes gas and pollutes the air. Whether you're in line at a drive-thru, waiting for school to let out, or stopped in a parking lot, turn off the car. Turn the ignition to "accessory" mode to keep the radio and AC on. Even better, park and walk inside instead of using a drive-thru.
12. Remember what you learned in driver's education class: Don't tailgate, maintain consistent speed, drive the speed limit, and anticipate stop signs. Changing speeds constantly reduces efficiency. Decide what's more important to you: Arriving a couple of minutes (or usually just a few seconds) earlier, or saving money.
13. Got junk in your trunk? Empty it. Any extra weight reduces fuel efficiency. Also, take off any bike or ski racks if you're not using them. They can cause drag, making your car work harder to maintain speed.
14. Take care of your car. Regular oil changes improve gas mileage. Be sure to regularly change air filters, keep your tires properly inflated, and use a fuel injector cleaner, too.
15. When you are ready to fill up, fill it up all the way! Gas is expensive today, and chances are it'll be even more costly tomorrow. If you fill the tank completely, you can go longer between fill-ups.
16. Know your route. Getting lost is a waste of time and money. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but plan your routes in advance or use a global positioning unit. Carry a map, and use it!
17. Be shady. Park in the shade. Gas can evaporate on a hot day, especially when you park in the sun. Also, parking in the shade keeps the inside cooler, meaning you have to use the air conditioning less.
18. Speaking of AC. Only use it on the highways. It's more efficient to roll down the windows when you're going 40 miles per hour or less. The air conditioning is a better choice when you're going faster.
19. Slow down. Obeying the speed limit is more efficient for your car—especially on the highway. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas. Besides saving gas, driving the speed limit is also safer for you and your passengers.
20. Don't stop. Didn't we just mention safety? Yes. Always obey traffic laws and be watchful of the vehicles and pedestrians around you. However, if you can safely (and legally) slow down enough to avoid actually stopping (such as when a stop light is a long way ahead of you), then do it. It takes less gas to speed up than to start from a full stop.
Follow these tips, and soon you'll be saving some pennies (and eventually some nickels, dimes or even dollars)! If you think those of us in North America have it bad, think of our brethren in Europe: Gas tops $8 a gallon on much of the continent, including Norway, Britain, Belgium and Germany. Ouch!
I thought number 5 and 17 were very interesting!!
Small Changes Can Improve Efficiency by 30%
-- By Stepfanie Romine, Business Writer
With the prices at the pumps rising every day (or so it seems), we're all wondering the same thing: How can we save money on gas? Is it even possible?
Yes, of course you can save money on gas. These tips won't bring down the cost of gas, but they will help you use less gas, which in turn will save you money. Following the tips below can improve the efficiency of your car by up to 30 percent, according to drivers who've adapted such tactics! A bonus is that many of these tips will also help you help the environment. Go green while saving some green!
1. Combine trips. If you know you're going across town for soccer practice, stop by any stores you might need to visit in that area. Try to group errands geographically.
2. Downsize. Unless you need an SUV, minivan or full-size truck, then trade it in for a more efficient model. Want to save even more money? Switch to a hybrid (the prices have dropped in the last few years) or learn to drive a motorcycle or scooter.
3. Reduce your commute. Move closer to work if possible, work from home a day or two a week, or get a job in your neighborhood.
4. Don't wait for a holiday. Gas prices rise whenever more people travel, such as around the holidays. Fill up at least three days before a holiday.
5. Fill up mid week, in the morning. Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fill your tank. The weekends are the most expensive. Gas stations change their prices midmorning, so head to the pumps before you go to the office.
6. Park it. Park once, in the first spot you see. Unless you can't walk, park as soon as you find a spot instead of driving around to find one that's close. Also, if you're going to make several stops in the area, leave your car parked and drop off packages between stops, if need be. You can squeeze in a bit of exercise while you shop!
7. Charge it! Get a gas credit card that offers you savings. If your card is specific to one company, make sure those gas stations are located in the areas where you typically drive. You won't save money if you drive across town to get gas! (Just be sure to pay off the card in full each month so you don't get hit with finance charges.)
8. Go low. Use the lowest recommended octane for your car. Check you’re the owner's manual for your car, but most cars on the road today can go with the lowest-octane (and cheapest) gasoline.
9. Wait to fill up. Always fill up when you've got a quarter of a tank or less. You get better gas mileage with a lighter load, so that means gas mileage improves as you near empty. However, don't let it get too low—you could end up stranded!
10. Don't top off. When filling up, use the automatic "stop" function on the pump. When it stops, don't pump out a few extra cents worth of gas by hand. That gas evaporates (talk about a waste of money) and is bad for the environment, too.
11. Quit idling! Idling wastes gas and pollutes the air. Whether you're in line at a drive-thru, waiting for school to let out, or stopped in a parking lot, turn off the car. Turn the ignition to "accessory" mode to keep the radio and AC on. Even better, park and walk inside instead of using a drive-thru.
12. Remember what you learned in driver's education class: Don't tailgate, maintain consistent speed, drive the speed limit, and anticipate stop signs. Changing speeds constantly reduces efficiency. Decide what's more important to you: Arriving a couple of minutes (or usually just a few seconds) earlier, or saving money.
13. Got junk in your trunk? Empty it. Any extra weight reduces fuel efficiency. Also, take off any bike or ski racks if you're not using them. They can cause drag, making your car work harder to maintain speed.
14. Take care of your car. Regular oil changes improve gas mileage. Be sure to regularly change air filters, keep your tires properly inflated, and use a fuel injector cleaner, too.
15. When you are ready to fill up, fill it up all the way! Gas is expensive today, and chances are it'll be even more costly tomorrow. If you fill the tank completely, you can go longer between fill-ups.
16. Know your route. Getting lost is a waste of time and money. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but plan your routes in advance or use a global positioning unit. Carry a map, and use it!
17. Be shady. Park in the shade. Gas can evaporate on a hot day, especially when you park in the sun. Also, parking in the shade keeps the inside cooler, meaning you have to use the air conditioning less.
18. Speaking of AC. Only use it on the highways. It's more efficient to roll down the windows when you're going 40 miles per hour or less. The air conditioning is a better choice when you're going faster.
19. Slow down. Obeying the speed limit is more efficient for your car—especially on the highway. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas. Besides saving gas, driving the speed limit is also safer for you and your passengers.
20. Don't stop. Didn't we just mention safety? Yes. Always obey traffic laws and be watchful of the vehicles and pedestrians around you. However, if you can safely (and legally) slow down enough to avoid actually stopping (such as when a stop light is a long way ahead of you), then do it. It takes less gas to speed up than to start from a full stop.
Follow these tips, and soon you'll be saving some pennies (and eventually some nickels, dimes or even dollars)! If you think those of us in North America have it bad, think of our brethren in Europe: Gas tops $8 a gallon on much of the continent, including Norway, Britain, Belgium and Germany. Ouch!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Spicy Southern Barbecued Chicken
Made this last night, minus the onions and added garlic. i enjoyed it!! Made it with corn and mashed potatoes :)
On a scale from 1-10, i gave it a 7 and jared gave it a 6
Removing the chicken fat and skin and adding no salt to the tasty sauce makes this chicken favorite heart-healthy.
Ingredients
o 3 lb. chicken parts (breast, drumstick, and thigh), skin and fat removed
o 1 large onion, thinly sliced
o 3 tablespoon vinegar
o 3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
o 2 tablespoon brown sugar
o black pepper to taste
o 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes
o 1 tablespoon chili powder
o 1 cup chicken stock or broth, skim fat from top
Directions
1. Place chicken in a 13x9x2" pan. Arrange onions over the top.
2. Mix together vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepper, hot pepper flakes, chili powder, and stock.
3. Pour over the chicken and bake at 350º F for 1 hour or until done.
4. Baste occasionally.
Yield: 8 servings--Serving Size: One chicken part with sauce
Nutritional Info
* Amount Per Serving
* Calories: 177.2
* Total Fat: 4.6 g
* Cholesterol: 28.2 mg
* Sodium: 275.4 mg
* Total Carbs: 23.2 g
* Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g
* Protein: 11.2 g
Gotta love Spark people recipes :) ENJOY!!!
On a scale from 1-10, i gave it a 7 and jared gave it a 6
Removing the chicken fat and skin and adding no salt to the tasty sauce makes this chicken favorite heart-healthy.
Ingredients
o 3 lb. chicken parts (breast, drumstick, and thigh), skin and fat removed
o 1 large onion, thinly sliced
o 3 tablespoon vinegar
o 3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
o 2 tablespoon brown sugar
o black pepper to taste
o 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes
o 1 tablespoon chili powder
o 1 cup chicken stock or broth, skim fat from top
Directions
1. Place chicken in a 13x9x2" pan. Arrange onions over the top.
2. Mix together vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepper, hot pepper flakes, chili powder, and stock.
3. Pour over the chicken and bake at 350º F for 1 hour or until done.
4. Baste occasionally.
Yield: 8 servings--Serving Size: One chicken part with sauce
Nutritional Info
* Amount Per Serving
* Calories: 177.2
* Total Fat: 4.6 g
* Cholesterol: 28.2 mg
* Sodium: 275.4 mg
* Total Carbs: 23.2 g
* Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g
* Protein: 11.2 g
Gotta love Spark people recipes :) ENJOY!!!
So its been awhile...
I haven't posted in ages. But i have decided to start again and this will be more interesting reads ive found, or quotes or just whats going on in life :) enjoy!
I thought this was super interesting. It is wayyyyyyy easier to blame others
The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.
- Albert Ellis
Do you accept responsibility for your choices in life?.
Do you feel in control of your life? No matter how negative events or actions may become, you are the only force that is able to determine the reaction. Often we fail to do this and instead blame the world for our feelings of sadness, rejection, and hopelessness. The reality is that your actions are a choice, and you must claim those feelings and choices. We can be our best cheerleader or worst enemy when it comes to determining the health of our emotions. Do some pep talks with yourself each morning. This will help you develop positive, self-affirming thoughts that will enhance your personal development and growth.
I thought this was super interesting. It is wayyyyyyy easier to blame others
The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.
- Albert Ellis
Do you accept responsibility for your choices in life?.
Do you feel in control of your life? No matter how negative events or actions may become, you are the only force that is able to determine the reaction. Often we fail to do this and instead blame the world for our feelings of sadness, rejection, and hopelessness. The reality is that your actions are a choice, and you must claim those feelings and choices. We can be our best cheerleader or worst enemy when it comes to determining the health of our emotions. Do some pep talks with yourself each morning. This will help you develop positive, self-affirming thoughts that will enhance your personal development and growth.
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