Productivity @ Home

Cooking Up a Little Luck

Attention Food Lovers:  I wanted to let you in on a little contest that Macy's is running - this could be your chance to win big!

Celebrated Food Network chef, Tyler Florence.  Tyler has partnered with Macy's and produced a 12-podcast series called Macy’s Keeps America Cooking. This podcast series features Tyler cooking some of his favorite recipes and shows how you make truly gourmet and delectable meals from the convenience of your home and with the help of some trusty kitchen tools and products. In addition, Tyler is hosting a contest to find out what gets you and your readers cooking and give you the opportunity of your life!  So, what gets you cooking? Could it be the magical people in your life?  Maybe it's a family tradition?  Whatever your reason, we want you to tell us while showing off your cooking skills for a chance to win a $2,500 Macy’s kitchen shopping spree with Tyler Florence in San Francisco!

If you have a favorite meal that you prepare as a couple, or perhaps this is a favorite family recipe that your in-laws have passed on to you and would like to make a make it your own now that you are engaged, please share it with us and you could win great prizes and your own podcast!

The requirements to enter are simple!  Create a short video (2 minutes or less) of yourself demonstrating a favorite recipe that represents what gets you cooking.  Then end your video with the line, “From my (insert your town) kitchen to yours, Macy’s keeps it cooking.”  You may start by simply registering at www.macys.com/keepitcooking.  Once you’re registered you can upload their video and share it.  Viewers can vote for their favorite videos and make it your very own reality show!

Macy’s Keep it Cooking Sweepstakes:

The grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to San Francisco and a $2,500 kitchen shopping spree at Macy’s with Tyler Florence.  9 runners-up will receive a $1,000 Macy’s Gift Card.  Winners will be selected from the top rated videos by Macy’s and Tyler Florence.  All entries must be received by April 3rd, 2009 11:59 pm EST to qualify.

Bonus: Mention what you like about your local Macy’s or Macy's.com in your video and if you have one of the top ten videos, you’ll win an additional $500 Macy’s Gift Card.

Lose the Attitude and Boost the Gratitude

Today's guest article on the topic of Family Finances was written by Alyssa Johnson.

Many of us are experiencing fears about our struggling economy. This is causing a lot of people to re-evaluate the way they spend money. These "cut backs" may not be very popular with the other members of our household, however. A big reason for this is due to a sense of entitlement that our children have. For a long time now, the focus has been on each generation doing better than the previous. We're in a situation where that just may not be possible. So how do we move our children from this sense of entitlement to one of gratitude and thanksgiving?

First and foremost we need to teach them the difference between privileges and rights. Our children have a right to a roof over their head, clothes on their bodies, food in their bellies and to be safe. Beyond that, everything else is a privilege. Now I know a lot of you may be think, "Hold on now, that's a little extreme!" It truly isn't though. Materially, we've gotten so far away from the bare necessities that we don't even remember what they are. Am I saying you shouldn't do more than the bare necessities for your kids? Of course not, but they should realize you don't HAVE to. These "extras" should be looked on as just that - extras. Those extras need to be appreciated with the bare minimum of a "Thank you" to show their gratitude.

Secondly, try to expose them to people or situations where less is the norm. There's nothing like volunteering at a homeless shelter to help kids put things into perspective real quick. Even learning about other cultures can get this point across. Children in America just assume having 2-3 TVs, a cell phone and a car at 16 is the norm for everyone. What about countries that don't even have electricity in most of its areas? I'm not saying they need to go on a mission trip here, but give them opportunities to be exposed to other cultures.

Finally, give them the opportunity to practice budgeting. It's difficult for kids to really grasp gratitude until they understand how money works. A lot of little kids don't even understand that bank machines don't just "give" you money. If your teens "have to have" this season's latest clothes, give them an allotted amount of money and explain to them that is all they get. But then hold them accountable to it. If they choose to spend $150 on 1 shirt and pair of jeans rather than 2 shirts, 2 pants and a pair of shoes so be it. That's all they get.

As parents, you play an integral role in how your kids view the world. All of us want the best for our kids. No one disagrees with this. But we also need to temper the materialism with time, love and attention. Those things aren't privileges, but absolute necessities.

For more great parenting ideas, I encourage you to visit, http://www.HowToBecomeABetterParent.com to build the family of your dreams! Get power parenting tools to strengthen your family relationships now.

By Alyssa Johnson from http://www.RemarriageSuccess.com;  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alyssa_Johnson

Life Lessons on a Unicycle

Today's guest post on the topic of Learning and Professional Development was written by John Bishop of GoalSettingForStudents.com.

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips speak only words of kindness."        Audrey Hepburn

Ever try to ride a unicycle? Many people call it “terror on a stick,” and I agree. But it is also a great teacher of some valuable life lessons.

I chose a unicycle to teach my grandchildren some valuable lessons.  At sixty years old many of my friends thought I was out of my mind. In truth, I thought they might be right, particularly after my first fall. Older people do not heal as quickly as they did when they were twenty, and I’m certainly no exception.

But it was important to teach my grandchildren that they can do anything they want to if they are determined and willing to put in the extra effort. Riding a unicycle is not easy at any age, but at sixty it was a real eye-opener.

What I learn about life on a unicycle:

1. Some of life’s lessons are painful, but keep trying.
2. Determination helps you overcome your fears.
3. You won’t go very far without balance in your life.
4. Breathe naturally, even when you are afraid.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
6. Don’t be concerned about what others are saying.
7. On a unicycle you will stand out in a crowd.
8. You’re as old as you think you are.
9. If you believe you can go for it.
10. You can do anything you make your mind up to do.

I’m not professing that everyone should start riding a unicycle. I am suggesting that it is important to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Some of life’s most important lessons do not come easy.

Ideas for Implementation

1. What have you always wanted to do? Take singing lessons, hike the Appalachian Trail or take a college course? If it’s realistic; go for it. If not, modify your dream to fit your current situation.
   
   
2. Develop a plan with a goal, action steps, and a timetable for completion.
   
   
3. Find a partner to help and share in your newfound excitement.

Please visit the archive section of www.goalsettingforstudents.com  for more life skills ideas to help teenagers succeed.

5 Tips on Getting Your Whole Family to Sit Down at the Kitchen Table Again

Today's guest post on the topic of Family Life was written by Susan Aprahamian.

It is no surprise that thousands of families from coast to coast are having it harder to find the time for the whole family to sit down at the kitchen table together anymore. Hectic busy schedules have made it almost possible for everyone to be on the same page never mind the same room. Years ago families got together every evening and sat and discussed the events of their day, now you will be lucky if families get together once per week to discuss anything. Hope is still out there. You have to make things unique and creative in order to make it possible. Here are some tips that should help many families get on each other's radars again.

1. Find out Everyone's Monthly Schedule: Put together a schedule form for your family to fill out at the beginning of every month and hang them on the fridge or keep them in a folder. If all the children have sports or after school activities make them write it in their schedule and try to decide on some times during the week where everyone seems to fall into a time slot where everyone is home. Try shooting for one or two days per/week at first.

2. Get Creative with the Meals: Ask your family in the begging of the month what they would like to eat. You can then find recipes online if it is something you have never made before. If your family knows that there will be something they enjoy cooking they will make more of an effort to come home for dinner at the same time. By incorporating everyone's favorite ingredients you can increase your chances of getting everyone together at the same time.

3. Put Everyone to Work: If you have young ones that do not have after school events but you get the sense that they just don't like to sit with the family at dinner ask them if they would like to help you make dinner. Many times a young child will enjoy getting their hands a little dirty and helping mom or dad in the kitchen. If your children are a little older and you wish to get the family involved you can give everyone a task to do either for cooking or before cooking like setting the table or lighting some candles. Whatever it takes for everyone to unwind a bit and relax from their long day.

4. Make Rules: If your family does not have any after work or school activities but you still find it difficult to get everyone to sit down make some house rules. No TV, computers, cell phones and video games until dinner is done. This might sound old fashioned but if you truly want your family to start sitting at the table and acting as one than it will take laying down ground rules and a foundation.

5. Start Slow: If your family has not sat down together for some time work at getting them together at least once per/week. If you can achieve this you are on your way to a positive outcome. People young and old have much busier lives than ever before. Try get everyone down just a few times a month at first. If you push too hard it might get even more difficult to get your family to sit an enjoy everyone's company.

Susan Aprahamian is the owner of You've Got Supper which is a website that offers free online recipes.  You've Got Supper allows you to build a grocery list and print it right from the website. With life's busy schedule You've Got Supper realizes the importance of being able to find quick dinner recipes online.  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Aprahamian

Printer Query - What Would You Recommend?

OK readers, today I'm asking for your input!  I am in the market for a small, portable printer that is relatively inexpensive and has cheap printer cartridges but will work reliably.

In about a month, I am going to be taking my writing act on the road for a week or two and spending some time at the coast, holed up in my trailer working on my book.  Before this trip, I want to purchase a printer to take along for the trip.  It doesn't need to be large or fancy, and truly doesn't even need to print in color. 

Any recommendations?  Picks or pans?  What are you using or what would you purchase for this type of second printer setup?

Working Things Out

Some of you know that I have recently been undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer.  As of today, I've complete 15 of my 33 scheduled treatments and can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Truthfully, I've been feeling great.  I had fully recovered from the surgery I had the week of Thanksgiving, and my only side effects are a rash and some slight swelling and pain.  So I have no excuse not to be keeping up my normal workout schedule and getting to the gym or exercising three times per week.

But I'll 'fess up here - I've been a slacker the past few weeks.  I'm not sure why I let my nutrition and fitness slip during times of stress when I absolutely know in my mind that eating well and moderate exercise ALWAYS make me feel better both physically and emotionally.  But the mind knowing something doesn't always translate into the body doing it!

So for the past two days, I've made an effort to go immediately from the Cancer Center to my gym for a 45 minute workout.  I've also been wearing my pedometer, which is a silent talisman that reminds me to get in as many steps as possible during the course of the day.  These are small steps, but I can already feel and improvement in my energy level and attitude.

I'm blessed that I am feeling so well during this treatment.  At the Cancer Center every day I see men and women of all ages who are so ravaged by their illness that they can barely stand.  I also know that eating nutritiously and staying in good shape will help me ward off future illness.  So now, I need to "just do it" and stop making excuses, as long as I'm feeling physically up to it.  I'm not going to be running any marathons soon, but walking on the treadmill can only help my situation and strengthen me inside and out.

Do you ever let your workouts or healthful eating slip during times of extreme stress?  What helps you to get back on track? 

Lovin' My Library

My favorite purchase at my recent trip to Macworld Expo was my acquisition of Delicious Library 2, a wonderful piece of software that’s helping me regain a bit of control over my incredibly chaotic  library.

I’ve tried other systems before, but without great results.  The amazing thing about Delicious Library 2 is its partnership with my Macbook’s built in iSight webcam.  The camera scans the book’s barcode and within seconds, the book appears on the virtual bookshelf on my computer screen.  Books can be sorted by title, by author, or even by other “smart” selection terms.  I can create multiple virtual shelves, placing all of my time management books on one shelf or all of the books relating to faith, family, or parenting on another.  Books can appear on more that one shelf if they fall into multiple search criteria.

This may not excite some of you as much as it does me, because Delicious Library combines my love of my books with my love of my computer.  As a book reviewer, I can easily scan newly received books into my library and go ahead and place them on my bookshelves instead of stacking them around the floor of my office.  The $29 bargain price I paid for the software will likely save me hundreds in doctor bills since I’m less likely to trip over a stack of books and break my leg!

Delicious Library runs only with Apple computers with Leopard installed, but if you’re looking to organize your books on a PC, I can also recommend LibraryThing.com, a terrific online book catalog service that’s half database, half social networking environment.

I will admit to having a hoarding problem when it comes to books.  Very few things make me happier than finding one of my favorite author’s books in a used bookstore to round out my collection. 

Do you love collecting books, or are you a kind book sharer?  How do you organize your personal library - by name, by topic, or randomly?  What are some of your favorite books?

Getting Started with Google Reader to Get More Productive

I love to follow a number of blogs and podcasts, so one of the best tools in my time management arsenal is Google Reader.  This week, over at their official blog, the good folks of Google have put together a post and video to help you begin using Google Reader to organize your blog reading time.

While the post is aimed at beginners, veteran Google Reader users should take a look too to ensure that you are using all of the application's features. 

Why use Google Reader (or any other RSS reader)?  Here are a few of my favorite reasons:

1. Never miss a post by your favorite bloggers.
2. Don't waste time wandering aimlessly around the web - target your reading time to maximize the time you spend online.
3. I have a few Google Reader accounts and log in to the account that has information relevant to the topic I'm working on - this works well if your work cuts across multiple sectors.
4. Your subscription supports your favorite blogger - as his number of subscribed readers grows, so does his power and reputation.
5. Google Reader makes it quick and easy to share articles that inspire you with other readers or on your blog.

What's your favorite reason for using an RSS reader and what's your favorite reader?

Check out Google Reader for Beginners

Keeping Life in Balance

On Mondays, I share my thoughts on Working @ Home.

Over the weekend, I spent time catching up with a good childhood friend by email.  She is returning to work full time for the first time since her children, now school aged, were born.  A health care professional, Kath has found a wonderful position with flexible hours that should allow her to "do it all" while helping to support her family.

Not surprisingly, she seems a bit stressed over her ability to "keep life in balance".  Even for those who don't work full time, I think this is a continually challenge.  We have a primary commitment to the well being of our families.  We owe our best to our employers or clients.  We need to care for ourselves physically and emotionally in order to care for everyone else in our lives - it can be a crazy tight rope to walk.

I was having few thoughts today on the topic of keeping things in balance.  Just as a tightrope walker needs to continually readjust his weight and position to keep from precariously falling off into the abyss, a balanced life requires that we juggle our loads on a constant basis.  Some days, life is smooth as silk.  Other days, everything feels a bit out of whack - and that's ok.

Keeping life "in balance" doesn't mean that things are perfect all the time.  It doesn't even necessarily mean that every day looks exactly the same.  What it does mean is that we stay atop the tightrope and continue to inch forward, shifting and progressing, if even at a snails pace.  Some days a balanced life will include a clean home and a great workout.  Other days, it might include hours spent in a doctor's office or a positive meeting with a prospective customer. 

Every day, it should include a great attitude that serves as the little "umbrella" that helps to guide our steps along life's tightrope...

...and a notion that it's fun to try to inch along, that the joy is in the challenge.

25 Tips for a Better Life - 2009

On Tuesdays, I share my thoughts on Family Life.  Today, as I head off to spend the day at MacWorld Expo geeking out, I would like to thank Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda for sharing the following inspirational tips for making the most of the gift of this new year!

25 Tips for a Better Life - 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It Is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence (pray) for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, and almonds.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9 Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Read a lot. Write a lot. Live a lot.