Maybe you needed this reminder today, too?
Monday, we’re not going to let you get us down! We’re going to choose love, choose joy, choose gratitude, choose courage, and choose to do the next right thing.
Summer Bucket List
Classic View
Grid View
5 Things I’m Loving This Week
1. A Funny Introvert Quote
This made me laugh this week. And judging from the comments and likes on the post, I’m not alone there.
2. A Choose Joy Banner
I met Mandy from Happy Hoot Parties at the Business Boutique event. She was SO sweet to send me one of her adorable products recently — this Choose Joy banner. I love it and love the constant reminder it gives to choose a positive outlook during the day!
3. Volunteering in the Childrens’ Ministry at Church
I started volunteering in the Girls’ Class at church on Sundays — much to Kathrynne and Kaitlynn’s great excitement. (I had no idea they would think it was the coolest thing ever or I would have volunteered sooner!!) I’m so grateful to have a much quieter schedule these days with a lot less travel — which means I can be involved in volunteer opportunities like this!
{Last Sunday, the girls were supposed to journal and decorate a page of things they were thankful for. The teachers/volunteers joined in and it was so good to sit and just document a page of gratitude to the Lord.}
4. Camp in the City
Our kids went to Camp in the City hosted by Pinecove/our church this week. They had so much fun! This is their second year to participate in this camp and they just absolutely love it.
Plus, Jesse and I got to have some great quality time together — including a lunch/movie date one afternoon plus have lots of good conversation and get a number of work projects completed, too.
5. Poldark
Multiple readers suggested we should watch this show since I loved Downton Abbey. I was leery of it, because it’s not one of my favorite time periods and it was hard to imagine anything could top my love for Downton.
But we’re finished the first season this week and we’ve fallen in love. Jesse and I both think this show is very, very well done, highly engaging, and the character development is rich and deep. There are a few parts that are a little edge-y, but all in all, we’re finding it fantastic and such a fun show to watch together. (Best of all, Season 2 is supposed to be coming out soon!)
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!
5 Tips to Start an Online Business While Working Full-Time
Guest post from Monica of Redefining Mom
As a mom who had a stressful corporate career, I learned really fast that trying to build an online business while maintaining my full-time job was going to be extremely difficult.
I started blogging in 2013, as an outlet to vent my frustration about how hard it was to maintain a corporate career and be a mom after I had my daughter in October 2012. As I became invested in the online business and blogging community, I was blown away by other moms making a full-time income while being at home with their kids. It seemed like the answer to my prayers!
But how would I ever find the time?
I spent at least 10-11 hours of my day commuting to work and sitting in a poorly lit cubicle where working on my blog was not considered acceptable. On top of that, when I wasn’t at work, I wanted to spend as much quality time as I could with my family.
I quickly learned that to be successful and earn an income from my blog, I was going to have to become a time management ninja!
Here are three tips I’ve implemented in my online business that enabled me to bring in a part-time income from my home while working full-time at my day job:
1. Schedule dedicated time to work on your business.
The most important part of scheduling the time to work on your business is to write it down on the calendar, let your family know, and set proper expectations for this time being uninterrupted work time. Here are some ways you can do that:
- Wake up 30-minutes earlier
- Schedule a night in a hotel room by yourself
- Escape to a coffee shop on a Saturday morning
- Go to a networking event for entrepreneurs or a blogging conference
2. Find an accountability buddy or mastermind group.
We’ve all heard the saying, “it takes a village”. Well, online business is no different. Trying to do it alone will set you back months, if not years.
This is one piece of advice I wish I had listened to early on in my blogging career. I always hated networking in my corporate career. I thought making the time to network with other bloggers would only take up more time that I didn’t have.
This couldn’t be further from the truth! The online business community thrives on partnerships and you’ll come to learn that it truly is WHO you know.
Put yourself out there. Join Facebook groups, lend your expertise, ask questions, and get to know your fellow business owners!
3. Realize that you can’t be everything to everyone.
When I started blogging, I talked about a lot of random topics. One day I was talking about the business trip I just went on and the next I was giving advice on how to lose weight.
While there is nothing wrong with writing about a lot of different topics, it’s not an effective way to build a business. If you want people to keep coming back to read what you have to say, they need to identify with you. That means your topics need to be dialed in and your messaging needs to be clear.
While it may seem counterintuitive, the less you focus on, the more people will come! That’s because the people who do come will feel emotionally invested in what you have to say.
4. Consider Yourself a Business Owner from Day 1
Don’t downplay what you are building when you are talking to family and friends! The best way to succeed in your business is to believe in it. That confidence will help you to believe in yourself even when it gets hard and you feel like quitting.
5. Don’t be afraid to get started.
I know that finding time to work on an online business while you have a full-time job can be intimidating, but it’s also so much fun. Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you!
You have something amazing to offer, so let’s see it!
Monica Froese is a mom, wife, marketing director, and entrepreneur. She has an MBA degree in finance and blogs at Redefining Mom, a site for empowering working moms. Her passion is to help other moms build online businesses through her free 7-day e-course, Busy Moms Building Online Businesses.
Note from Crystal: Want to start your own business? Check out my FREE 5-day course on How I Make a Full-Time Income From Home.
How to Avoid Fast Food on Busy Nights (and Save Big!)
Guest post from Jamie of Medium Sized Family
When you have five children like my Hubby and I do, you can expect to be busy a lot of the time. For our family, baseball season is especially hectic. We have kids playing on four different teams, so we are running to practice or games more often than not.
In the past, this has meant hitting a lot of fast food places for a quick meal.
But this year, that isn’t an option. Our family is in the middle of paying off a big debt, and we are spending every penny carefully. We are calling it the #YearofNo; and that means no fast food.
Last year during baseball season, we spent hundreds of dollars on fast food. So far this year we have spent $5! Here’s how we are avoiding fast food in our busy season:
Meal Prepping
Whether you call it supper or dinner, this meal can be stressful. You are often trying to scarf down food and get out the door. Often, that stress is what makes me want to give up on the thought of putting together a meal and just join the drive thru line instead.
Here are a few simple meals that lessen the stress:
1 Burritos in the Freezer
I printed out Crystal’s Brown Bag Burrito recipe years ago. Our family loves the taste of them. I love the fact that I can put together a batch of them without taking up too much time. They wait in our freezer, ready to warm up at a moment’s notice.
Not only that, but you can easily take them along with you if you have to be extra fast.
I have also made burritos out of leftover chicken I had made for a different meal. This can be a great way to use up leftovers, especially if you made a meal with a bit of a Mexican flair. Just be sure to label your bags so you know which ingredients are inside!
2. Slow Cooker Meals
Collect as many simple but great Crock Pot ideas as you can handle. Keep them simple, so that you can throw them together whenever you have the time.
You can deal with a different Crock Pot meal each morning. Or you can take one day to compile seven meals into bags that you can just drop into the pot on the morning you need them. Do what fits your schedule best.
The great part about the Crock Pot is that you don’t have to be in the kitchen when you really need to be finding cleats. You can also eat the moment everyone is ready to sit down instead of waiting for something to finish cooking.
3. Sandwiches
Hot or cold, sandwiches are a great option for on the go eating.
Pair it with a crock pot recipe for sandwich fillings and you’re in great shape! Add variety by using buns, sandwich bread, tortillas or wraps, french bread loaves cut into individual portions, pretzel bread, or whatever you can find in your local grocery store.
4. Mac & Cheese in a Cup
Whether you make homemade mac & cheese or use the blue box (you’ll get no judgement from me!), take it along in a cup for a little variety.
Plan Ahead for School Lunches
Buying a school lunch always costs more than one we can pack from home. Here’s how we make packing a lunch easier.
Make It Easy to Pack Lunches the Night Before
Our family prefers to pack lunches the night before. We place cold things in a basket in the fridge. Room temperature items wait in the lunch boxes for the next morning.
But getting home late from sporting events makes it tough to keep up with school lunches.
I try to prepare for that by having easy to grab foods close at hand. Making a sandwich can take more time than you want to spend after being at a ball game all night. Hard boiled eggs, muffins, or cold pizza slices are all great choices.
Bring Snacks and Drinks On the Go
If your kids are like mine, they probably spend a lot of time begging for things from the concession stand. I try to anticipate this and head it off as much as possible.
I do that by bringing our own snacks and drinks along to the games. Water coolers or even a pack of juice boxes are cheaper at the grocery store. I bring along cut up fruit (grapes, melons, and berries keep pretty well), raisins, trail mix, breakfast bars, and even some fun candy.
You can avoid pricey convenience food and make great strides in paying off debt with a plan.
Following these tips will make your life a little easier and a lot less stressful. Not to mention the money you’ll save by planning ahead!
What are your favorite recipes and tips for avoiding fast food on busy nights?
Jamie Jeffers can be found on a baseball field almost daily. But you might find it easier to visit her via her blog, Medium Sized Family. That’s where she gives her best money saving tips. Follow along as her family continues their BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal) of paying off a big debt this year.
Shared Jun 17, 2016
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Brigette’s $61 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $61 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
1 bunch Bananas (2.85lbs @ $0.39/lb) – $1.11
10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.49
1 64-oz carton Orange Juice – $1.69
1 Cauliflower – $2.49
7 ears Sweet Corn – $1.40
1 jar Gourmet Pasta Sauce – $1.99
1 jar Meat Sauce – $0.99 (My husband did the shopping this week. I wrote “pasta sauce” on the list, and he came home with the “gourmet” and the “regular.” If he is unsure of what to buy – I usually end of with multiple brands/flavors of the same thing. :))
2 bags Sliced Pepperoni – $4.38
3lbs frozen Ground Turkey – $5.67
2lbs Green Grapes – $1.58
6lbs fresh Ground Beef – $14.27 (Since we still have leftover produce and eggs from last week to use up, I used the extra money to buy ground beef and turkey to freeze.)
1 3-lb bag Lemons – $2.49
1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $1.99
2lbs fresh Asparagus – $3.98
1 4-pk Zucchini – $1.49
1 3-ct pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99
1 Cream Cheese – $1.29
1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.29
2 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $3.98
1 gallon Milk – $2.99
Total: $61.55
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Cereal x 2
Oatmeal x 2
Oatmeal Waffles (recipe from a church cookbook)
Eggs, Toast, Fruit
Cinnamon Rolls, Eggs
Lunches
Almond Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Bananas, Carrots x 2
Veggie Omelets with Cheese, Fruit x 2
Baked Potatoes with Broccoli and Cheese, Grapes
Leftovers x 2
Dinners
Taco Salad, Cornbread, Spanish Rice
Hotdogs, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Macaroni and Cheese, Fruit Salad
Spaghizza, Quick Soft Breadsticks, Tossed Salad
Grilled Chicken, Roasted Cauliflower and Zucchini, Grilled Corn on the Cob
Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Twice Baked Potatoes, Asparagus, Cottage Cheese Pie (Father’s Day)
Leftovers x 2
Gretchen’s $54.20 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan
Aldi
1 bag Green Grapes – $1.58
2 pints Blueberries – $0.99 each
2 cartons Strawberries – $1.99 each
1 gallon Milk – $1.89
1 Graham Pie Crust – $1.19
1 loaf Bread – $1.39
2 dozen Eggs – $1.38 each
1 pkg Celery – $1.29
1 pkg Frozen Tilapia – $3.39
1 lb Ground Beef – $2.99
1 pkg Summer Sausage – $3.79
1 pkg Carrots – $0.99
2 Cucumbers – $0.49 each
1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.29
1 Cauliflower – $1.89
1 pkg Tomatoes – $1.49
1 pkg Chocolate Chips – $1.79
1 Frosted Flakes – $1.29
Total: $34.57
Dillons
1 pkg Frozen Chicken Breasts – $6.99, used $1.45/1 e-coupon – $5.54 after coupon
1 bag frozen Broccoli – $1, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $0.50 after coupon
1 bag frozen Peas – $1
2 bags Shredded Cheese – $1.88 each, used $0.25/1 Ibotta rebate – $1.75 each after rebate
1 pkg Cream Cheese – $1.25
2 Cottage Cheese – $1 each, used $0.75/2 catalina coupon – $0.62 each after coupon
1 Kroger Sliced Cheese – $1.67
1 box Cheerios – $2, used $0.75/1 printable – $1.25 after coupon
1 Kroger Jelly – $1.79
0.91 lbs Peaches – $0.90
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
Total after coupons and rebate: $19.63
Total for both stores: $54.20
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Eggs and Toast x 3
Cereal x 3
Oatmeal and Fruit
Lunches
Tossed Salad Bar x 2
Mac & Cheese, Veggies
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Fruit
Cheese Quesadillas, Carrot Sticks
Lunch at my parents
Leftovers
Dinners
Grilled Tilapia, Steamed Peas, Toast, Pudding Pie
Summer Sausage, Crackers, Cheese, Veggies
French Toast, Eggs, Fruit
Spaghetti, Biscuits, Steamed Broccoli
Build Your Own Haystacks
Chicken Pockets, Steamed Peas
Leftovers
How I Do It All (my top 2 time management principles)
People ask me all the time, “How do you do it all?” Well, it’s safe to say that the most accurate answer is, “I don’t do it all. I’ve selectively chosen to only do a few things and to aim to do those well. And there are plenty of times when I feel like I’m failing at even those few things.”
Practically speaking, I have 2 time management principles I live my life by:
1) You are not a slave to your calendar.
You can choose to say yes or to say no. If you’re overwhelmed and busy, you can almost always choose to make changes to simplify. (I did a scope on this last night, if you’re interested.)
2) In the absence of a plan, there is chaos.
A builder would never build a house without blueprints. A pilot would never fly somewhere without a flight plan. And so, if we want order and focus in our lives — and we want to actually make progress in the right direction — we need to create a plan for our days.
This can be as simple as 3-4 items that are your priorities for the day on a whiteboard or a long list with 30-minute time blocks. Do what works for you and your family.
{Many of you have asked what my daily plans look like. Shown above is a real-life example of my plan for today to give you an idea. My kids are at camp during the day this week and today is a really heavy project/work day so this is reflected in the list.}
Links to items shown in the picture: The Book I’m Reading — Loving My Actual Life, My Gratitude Journal, She Reads Truth, Erin Condren Journal
Choosing joy… and extra coffee!
I had planned to go to bed early last night and then unexpected thing after unexpected thing happened which meant I went to bed way later than I had planned… So then I woke up later than I would have liked this morning (because I am working hard to make sleep a priority so I let myself sleep in some).
I felt tired and behind, the kids were already up and snapping at each other, and I wished I could just crawl back into bed. But I needed to get the kids fed and out the door for camp and I needed to get on with my other responsibilities for the day.
So I have a choice: I can go through my day snapping at everyone, feeling stressed, and complaining about being tired. Or, I can choose to be grateful for the sleep I got, choose to be thankful for the opportunity to be flexible, and choose to embrace the moment right in front of me.
I’m going to choose the latter. And also, I think I might choose some extra coffee, too. 😉
Let’s choose joy today — no matter what our circumstances or struggles are. They don’t have the power to ruin our attitude.
{The banner was a gift from Mandy at Happy Hoot Parties. I adore it!}
Shared Jun 14, 2016
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A baseball, a broken window, and the best way to break free from guilt & shame
A baseball, a broken window, and the best way to break free from guilt & shame
I heard the crash.
It almost sounded like a gunshot.
I knew something had broken. Possibly a window. Possibly worse.
Silas was outside and my mother’s intuition knew that it wasn’t good. I immediately went to see what had happened… even though I was a little scared to see what it was.
He met me at the bottom of the stairs, before I had a chance to investigate. His head was down, his voice quivering, “Mom, it’s really b-a-d.”
I could tell he was really upset. Shame was written all over his face.
He had done something bad and he felt terrible about it.
He pointed to the large window above our front door and I saw the big hole his baseball had left.
Instead of frustration, I instantly felt compassion. It had been an accident. He had been throwing his baseball against the garage door and it had ricocheted off the door and hit the window and busted right through it.
Was he throwing it too close to the window? Possibly. Was he being a little careless? Maybe.
But he knew that he had caused damage and he felt so upset about it. He wanted to make it right, he was extremely apologetic, and felt very repentant over his actions.
This was not the time for harsh words or lectures. Instead, I wrapped my arms around him and told him that I loved him, that I wasn’t upset with him, and that it could easily be fixed.
I talked to him about how I was grateful no one had gotten hurt, I was glad it was our window, and how this would be a reminder to be more careful with baseballs in the future.
He still looked scared and upset, so I asked him, “Want to know what I did when I was 17?” And then I proceeded to tell him the story of when I accidentally crashed our family’s van into the front of the garage — permanently damaging some of the brick and requiring a lot of creativity by my dad to patch up the area with extra trim.
I was upset at myself for months over that accident. I replayed it over and over in my head again — wishing I wouldn’t have been careless, wishing my reflexes would have kicked in faster, wishing I just wouldn’t have been driving that day. It was very embarrassing — especially since I felt I was old enough that I shouldn’t have made a dumb mistake like that.
But last week, when Silas broke the front window, I was grateful for that seemingly “dumb” mistake. It gave me the ability to be more compassionate with my son and to remember the shame I felt over a careless action.
Earlier this week, I shared the story in our Financial Peace University class (we just started facilitating the course with a small group of friends). One of the class participants was sharing how they were so frustrated with themselves over some “stupid” financial mistakes they had made. They wished they could go back and re-do the last few years and not make the same decisions.
I encouraged this individual by reminding them of three things:
- We all make mistakes. Mistakes don’t make us failures; they make us human. There is no such thing as a person who hasn’t experienced failure or setbacks or made mistakes that cost them in some way or another.
- Carrying guilt accomplishes nothing. There is never anything good that comes from carrying around guilt over our mistakes. Remind yourself of what the truth is when you want to beat yourself up over your failures.
- Making mistakes makes us more compassionate. Just like I was able to be more compassionate toward Silas because of my own garage door accident, so the mistakes you make will give you the ability to have more empathy and understanding toward others in your life.
So, instead of beating yourself up over the mistakes you’ve made, remember that we’re all human, replace the guilt with the truth, and look for opportunities to extend grace and kindness toward others when they make mistakes.
It will not only allow you to move on from the shame and guilt, but you never know how your compassion toward another in the midst of their own dark place might be the hope they need to keep moving forward when they want to give up.
Your turn: Tell us about a mistake you made in your life & how you’ve moved on from it in a healthy manner.
Seven Ways We Lowered Our Gluten-Free Grocery Bill
Guest post from Jen of Working At Homeschool
Our grocery budget was unprepared when my oldest daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease three years ago.
At the time, I was caught off-guard – I didn’t know anyone who had Celiac disease who could give us advice, and the grocery stores were filled with brightly colored gluten-free packaged foods that seemed like necessities (they weren’t).
My first shopping trip post-diagnosis was a total failure. I spent my entire monthly budget for food on one week of groceries! How could a family who had heavily relied on pastas, breads, and tortillas survive financially when the gluten-free counterparts were triple the cost?
We didn’t plan well and overspent immediately after her diagnosis; however, we have finally figured it out, and now our grocery budget (and our family) is healthier than ever!
Here are the 7 main ways we have lowered our grocery bill while eating gluten-free:
1. We use naturally gluten-free foods.
We plan our meals and snacks around foods that are naturally gluten-free like meats, eggs, dairy, vegetables, rice, quinoa, fruit, and nuts. We used to buy Goldfish crackers and granola bars, but my kids are just as happy with cheese sticks, almonds, and sliced veggies – which are a fraction of the cost!
2. We don’t buy pre-packaged gluten-free “replacement” foods.
Instead of pricey packages of gluten-free substitutes for pasta, tortillas, bread, and desserts, we substitute spaghetti squash, regular corn tortillas, and the kids’ favorite ice cream.
3. We buy in bulk.
We buy gluten-free flour in bulk when we find it at a decent price.
Most gluten-free foods are full of ingredients that aren’t very good for you, and gluten-free flours are no exception. But my daughter has cravings for yummy, homemade bread (and I don’t blame her!) so we stock up on gluten-free flour and make it as a special treat from time to time.
4. We don’t waste!
When we do make gluten-free bread, we use the heel ends or leftovers to make croutons or crackers.
5. We avoid more expensive “natural” stores.
If we do need to buy gluten-free, we make sure to buy online or at the local grocery store.
We’ve compared prices multiple times over the years and discovered that the staples can be found at Kroger or Trader Joe’s for a far better price than a specialty store known for gluten-free foods.
6. We buy regular cereals instead of specialty cereal.
My kids love cereal, and while we used to have to buy a separate box for my daughter because it was so expensive, now many cereals that have coupons available are going gluten-free. We can buy Chex, Cheerios, and several others without breaking the bank.
7. We research specially labeled “gluten-free” products before we buy them.
Some products (pure vanilla extract, for one) are naturally gluten-free – but some are marketed as a gluten-free product unnecessarily. A quick Google search revealed that most, if not all, pure vanilla extracts are completely gluten-free and there is no reason for me to spend an extra $4 on a specially-marked bottle.
These are just 7 ways we’ve saved money as a gluten-free family.
Have you cut out gluten? How do you save money?
Jen is a work-at-home homeschooling mom who works part-time on her website, workingathomeschool.com, part-time for a non-profit ministry, and full-time wrangling her 5 young kids. Jen writes passionately about Bible-based homeschooling, organization, healthy gluten-free food, and meal planning. While acknowledging that meal planning is an incredibly boring hobby to have, she is thankful that it works to the benefit of her readers as she provides monthly free printable healthy menus, meal plans, and shopping lists.
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Clean Eating Banana-Coconut Green Smoothie Recipe
Packed with nutrients and natural energy, this smoothie is the perfect way to kickstart your day or recharge after a workout. It’s so easy and everyone will love it!
So, I told you all that Jesse and I are doing this 2-Week Clean Eating Plan. While I’m totally missing bread and desserts (let’s just be honest!), I’m actually surprised at how much I’m enjoying some of the recipes.
One of our favorites so far was this Green Smoothie.
I didn’t think the combination of ingredients sounded good, but was surprised how yummy it was! I posted a picture of the smoothie on Instagram and a number of you asked for the recipe, so I wanted to share how we made it!
Ingredients for Green Smoothie
- 1 large frozen banana
- 4 cups baby spinach, washed and drained (one 5-oz. bag)
- 2 cups coconut water (or almond milk.)
- 4 Tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter)
NOTE: We love to buy bananas when they are reduced and then stick them in the freezer for smoothies.
How to Make a Green Smoothie
1. Put all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth (we use a Vita-mix).
2. Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.
NOTE: This is a thinner smoothie. If you like a thicker smoothie, add less liquid or more frozen bananas.
Recipe
Banana-Coconut Green Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large frozen banana
- 4 cups baby spinach washed and drained (one 5-oz. bag)
- 2 cups coconut water or almond milk
- 4 Tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
This is a thinner smoothie. If you like a thicker smoothie, you could add less liquid or more frozen bananas.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 1385mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 5664IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 4mg
Love this recipe?
Make sure to share and save it on your favorite platform below!
More Smoothie Recipes You’ll Enjoy!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Orange Cream Smoothie
- Patriotic Smoothie
- Pick-Me-Up Smoothie
- Blueberry Ginger Smoothie
- Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie
- Tropical Hawaiian Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Smoothie
What is your favorite smoothie recipe? Tell us in the comments.
FREE 50+ Easy and Cheap Breakfast Ideas!!
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5 Things I’m Loving This Week
1. Being Short
Okay, so this might seem like a weird one to include in my weekly list, but I used to wish I wasn’t short. Now, I actually love it.
Not only do people almost always think you’re younger than you are, but you can sometimes find clothes that fit in the Girls’ section at the store. And in another year or two, I’ll probably be able to share clothes with my girls, too!
2. Walks With My Husband
We’ve been doing a lot more walking these days — as a family and as a couple. We sometimes walk to get smoothies or another treat. Sometimes we just walk around our neighborhood. No matter what, though, it’s such a great way to get exercise, sunshine, fresh air, and quality time together.
Plus, I’ve found that it’s so relaxing! I come back from a walk feeling invigorated and ready to jump back into my day with gusto!
3. Working From the Pool
Summer is officially here and I am grateful that I can work from anywhere… including the pool! I think I’ll be spending a lot of time here over the next two months. 😉
4. Experimenting in the Kitchen
So, Jesse and I started a two-week clean eating plan. This was somewhat motivated by the fact that I’m working out in earnest now and I wanted to see what it felt like to pair clean eating with it. It was also inspired by him telling me he’d love to cook in the kitchen with me and try new recipes together.
Here’s the plan we’re doing. It’s not at all as frugal as we usually are, but we decided to splurge on all the ingredients for two weeks as a sort of adventure/experiment.
I can already tell you that it’s going to be an adventure. For instance, I caught the oven on fire today. Yup, I did. Despite that, we had so much fun cooking in the kitchen together and we’re loving the recipes.
5. Flowers Blooming
I walked outside one morning this week to see these flowers blooming. Every time I pass by them, I smile. They remind me that hope and beauty is all around us… we just have to look for it, notice it, and appreciate it!
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!
8 Free and Frugal Activities for Children
Guest post from Aileen of Aileen Cooks
When we made the decision for me to stay home with our kids, we knew we would need to cut corners. Staying home meant more quality time for our kids and a better balance for our family. It also meant fewer funds for extras.
Not only have I learned to cut corners by making my own version of expensive items, I have learned about some great resources for free and inexpensive activities to do with your kids.
Being on a budget does not mean you have to stay at home!
1. The Library
The library is not just for books and storytime (which are great). Our local library hosts all kinds of events including live entertainment (jugglers, puppet shows, drum circles, etc.), weekly play times, a new mom’s group, crafting programs, and weekly movies.
Our library also offers the Discover & Go Program which allows us to visit museums for free or at a discounted rate.
2. Splash Pads
Splash pads are getting more popular. They are basically playgrounds that spray water so you and your children can cool off during those hot summer months. It’s worth it to ask around and see if there are any free splash pads available in your city.
3. Meetup.com
Find a Mom’s Group through MeetUp.com. My mom’s group has been a lifesaver… and most events are free.
My kids and I have made some wonderful friends through our group. I get out at least once per week and get to connect with adults while my kids enjoy the company of their friends. It’s win-win!
4. $1 Summer Movies
Both Regal and Cinemark theaters offer $1 summer movie showings. They are usually the first showing of the day and are a fun outing — even for little kids.
5. Kids’ Building Workshops
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer free building workshops to kids. They suggest this for kids ages 5+, but I have taken my 3-year-old with no problem.
We haven’t been to the Lowe’s workshop, but the Home Depot workshop provides a free apron for each kid and pin for each project they complete.
6. Free Bowling
Kids can bowl two free games per day at select bowling centers (only during the summer). You can search for a participating bowling alley at KidsBowlFree.com.
7. Regional & State Parks
Check to see if your local parks offer any free classes or events for kids. Ours offers free toddler hikes and nature classes.
8. The YMCA
If you have a local YMCA, I highly recommend their kid’s sports classes. I’ve found their prices to be quite affordable price — and you might even be eligible for a scholarship.
What are your favorite free and frugal kids activities?
Aileen is a stay at home mom of two living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She blogs at Aileen Cooks where she shares family-friendly recipes, tips on cooking with kids, and money-saving tips.
How getting more rest has changed my life
Happy Saturday! After a week of short nights and a lot of go-go-go, I was SO happy to get 10 hours of sleep last night!!
I used to push my body to the max, live on little sleep much of the time, and just keep powering through. But my Year of Rest has taught me that I’m so much happier, healthier, productive, and focused when I’m regularly getting really great sleep.
It’s okay to occasionally have a few days or a week when you need to just power through because of things happening in life, but I don’t want to make that a lifestyle. So, I’ve had to make a lot of choices and adjustments to make that a reality.
Be willing to make those wise (albeit hard) choices. It’s worth it!
(Another way I’m taking care of myself is by fueling my body with good food — like this Banana, Spinach, Coconut Water, Almond Butter Smoothie… So yummy!!)
Need some practical ideas on ways to get more sleep? Read this post.
What are you doing this weekend to take care of yourself?
Have you ever thought about writing a book?
Have you ever thought about writing a book? Amy wrote in recently and said, “I have a book idea that I’d really like to get published. I’m not sure where to start, though. The websites I’ve read so far on book publishing have overwhelmed me.”
I wanted to share my response to her here in hopes that it might help some of you who have been thinking about writing a book, too:
Hi, Amy!
That’s exciting that you have a book idea and I love your ambition for wanting to get your book published! I don’t want to discourage you with this post, but I also want to be honest and say that it’s really hard to get a book deal if you haven’t already established a platform online.
Publishers have limited budgets and print capabilities. Meaning, they can only print and market a set number of books each year.
There are so many bloggers and online entrepreneurs with really large followings in this day and age, publishers tend to like proof of your pre-established market before they’ll even consider your manuscript. Publishers want to know that you have at least a few thousand (or more!) people who will buy your book without any marketing efforts from the publisher.
They also need to know that there is a market for what you have to say. If you haven’t already created and built that market, it’s hard to convince them to put time and money into your project — especially when they have dozens of other manuscripts from authors who do have a pre-established market of 5,000 to 20,000 people or more.
What does this mean for you? It’s good news and bad news.
The bad news is that if you don’t already have an online following, you need to focus on building a platform before you pursue a publisher.
The good news is that it’s never been easier to build an online platform. With social media networks and the power of viral marketing, everyone who has a unique message and a persevering spirit can build an online platform.
How to Get Started
1. Read Platform by Michael Hyatt — This book will encourage you and give you a vision for how you can build an online platform without money, experience, or even connections.
2. Read my post on How to Make Money Blogging — This ebook isn’t just about making money online. I share step-by-step help for setting up a successful blog and getting people to read what you have to say.
3. Start networking. One of the best ways to learn and grow is to network with others. Find those who are ahead of you, those who are right where you’re at, and those who are just starting on their journey headed in the direction you are. Develop friendships, ask questions, share ideas and advice. Relationships with others who are in a similar position are invaluable!
4. Jump out start doing things. The best thing you can be doing to get yourself closer to getting a book deal is to just start doing things. Many people have great ideas, but they never do much with those ideas. Go experiment. Try things. Make mistakes and learn from them. And keep trying and learning!
5. Keep at it! As I wrote about this not too long ago, I think the number one reason most people fail is because they give up too soon. You are going to struggle in the process. You are going to feel insecure. You are going to question why you are doing this. You are going to fail. But success comes to those who refuse to give up.
***Sign Up for the FREE Self-Publishing Success Summit***
If you’ve been thinking about writing a book and want some inspiration, I highly recommend signing up for the Self-Publishing Success Summit.
From June 12th to June 22nd, 40 top authors and entrepreneurs will be sharing their secrets to write your book, become a respected expert, and build a 6-figure business.
The material in this summit is g-o-l-d. You won’t want to miss it! And best of all, the Self-Publishing Success Summit is FREE! Go sign up for your FREE ticket here.
P.S. I so wish I had read these two books before I wrote my first book: How to Write a Book Proposal and Sell Your Book Like Wildfire. They are packed with helpful ideas and inspiration!