Get yourself some green by keeping track of all the money you spend on bad food and bad habits.
You know what we’re talking about – the candy bar you pick up at the checkout counter, the drive-through fast food stop that just “happens” to be on your way, the cigarettes you smoke when you’re out with friends, the way you hit “snooze” instead of going to the gym.
Figure out the cost of your gym membership per visit (aiming for three times a week is reasonable). How much does it cost you to skip a day? We know you want to say, “Fine, I just won’t renew my membership, and that will save me money.” Well, yes, but it will also cost you unless you are dedicated to your own non-gym workout. Sometimes the money is the motivator.
Look at your grocery bill and figure out what doesn’t need to be there. How much did you spend on junk food? It could really add up in a year.
Now think green, and start saving that money. You might have enough for some really great incentives – like jewelry or vacations or hey, there might be enough to cover that gym membership (which you’ll be using) after all!
If you need a fresh start, this is a good week for it.
The Chinese New Year started on Sunday – it’s the year of the tiger. While the traditional association is for people born during this year, there are a few Tiger characteristics that you may want to adopt.
Brave, courageous * try something new; be fearless; take risks
Hunter * pursue your goals; don’t let anything stand in the way of success
Competitive * challenge yourself
Leader * take control of your life
President’s Day was on Monday – celebrating both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both of these men managed to overcome a lot of failures before they were successful. Don’t let the past stand in the way of your future!
Lent starts today – six weeks of spiritual preparation for Easter. Take stock of where you are, and where you want to be. If you need to make changes, do it now – don’t put it off.
“Give up” something you enjoy * some Christians give up something they enjoy for Lent (chocolate, soda, wine, etc) as an act of sacrifice.
Add a daily habit * some Christians add a spiritual habit (prayer, spiritual reading, etc).
Is there a habit you need to drop or add to your life? This could be a good time to do that – it doesn’t have to be connected to religion. Give up sugar for 6 weeks, or exercise for 30 minutes a day for 6 weeks.
Oh, and there’s a budget bonus for people who eat fish – it’s probably on sale for the next 6 weeks because of Lent. If you buy fish to keep in the freezer, ask them to wrap it appropriately at the store – in the portions you want, in plastic and then in freezer paper.
Go for a new beginning this week – a fresh start. Your inTENtions are still within reach, if you’re willing to make a commitment to them.
This salad can be served warm with sliced tomatoes and crusty bread as a main dish for vegans or it can work as a side dish, either hot or cold.
And kale is good for you! Eat more kale!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ Barley-Kale Salad Blue * Serves 4-6
1 small bunch kale (washed and chopped)
1 cup pearl barley (not barley flakes)
1/2 red onion (sliced)
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
2 teaspoons mustard
1/2 to 1 teaspoon agave nectar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Cook barley according to directions.*
While barley is cooking make the dressing. Whisk together mustard, agave and vinegar. Add olive oil in a slow stream whisking until emulsified.
Pour dressing into a large serving bowl. Add onions, then kale.
When barley is cooked, drain any excess water if necessary, and spoon it immediately over the kale being sure to spread it out to cover the kale. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes or until kale is wilted. Toss all ingredients thoroughly. Add parsley, and salt and pepper to taste, and toss again.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
* If you purchase grains in bulk, they’re much cheaper, but they don’t come with directions. Most grains are cooked as follows:
Rinse grain under running water. Place in pot and cover with twice as much water (1 part grain to 2 parts water). Bring to a boil over medium heat. When it boils, stir once or twice, reduce the heat to simmer, and cover (or mostly cover). Cook until the water is gone, usually about 20-30 minutes. Most grains triple in volume, so if you start with 1 cup uncooked, you’ll end up with 3 cups cooked.
4 cups dry white beans, rinsed and soaked overnight in 6 cups of water OR 4 15-ounce cans white beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup minced carrots
1/2 cup minced onions (fresh, not dried)
1/2 cup minced celery
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
8 cups water (not the soaking water)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced thyme
First, strain the beans you soaked overnight in a colander. If using canned beans, drain and rinse.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat, and saute the carrots, onion, celery, and garlic until lightly cooked. Add the beans, water, and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 1 hour (if you used dried beans and soaked them overnight) or 15 minutes (if you used canned beans). Add the salt, pepper, and thyme.
Serve with crusty whole grain bread and a fresh green salad.
We often buy things with good intentions and big plans. Things like musical instruments, foreign language CDs, DVD courses, and craft supplies.
More often than not, all this stuff ends up in our garage or basement or attic, gathering dust and taking up space.
If you’re not using this stuff anymore, and you know you probably won’t get around to it, turn it into a gift for someone who has a new passion for the same thing.
Regifting is fine as long as you repackage and personalize the new gift. Put the cooking DVDs in a basket with some new cooking tools or some staples (like extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar). Add a French dictionary and a photo or wall calendar of Paris to French foreign language CDs. Offer several hours of babysitting with the craft supplies, and a gift card for some introductory lessons with the musical instrument.
Make good use of the things you don’t use. Pass them on. Recycle them. Regift them. Your good intentions make great gifts.
When you’re deciding on your holiday outfits, check your hairstyle, too. Different clothing styles work better with different hairstyles. Hair accessories can also be part of your ensemble.
You may already have your hair appointments scheduled for this holiday season – cut, color, blowout, whatever you need (or want!) done. If you still need an appointment, don’t wait any longer to call.
At home, remember to be a little on the “spare” side with product. A quarter of shampoo and a dime of conditioner will do for a wash. Styling products almost always work on the “less is more” principal, too. Plus you’ll save a little money if you don’t use as much product.
You know the most famous exercise slogan ever … just do it. We’d like to modify those words just a bit.
Just do something. Anything. But move.
Take a walk.
Shovel the walk.
Go for a hike.
Ride your bike.
Go inline skating.
Go ice skating.
Get some friends and play basketball.
Or volleyball.
Or hockey.
Tennis, anyone?
Jump rope.
Hula hoop.
Go sledding.
Go for a swim.
Chase the dog.
Chase the kids.
Dance with your sweetheart.
You can usually check them out for a week or so. You’ll get to try all kinds of new routines and instructors without spending any money, and this time of year is all about budgeting.
Take care of yourself before the holiday – you’ll look and feel better if you pamper yourself just a bit.
Soften your skin * Use a dry skin brush before you shower, or a lathered up scrubbie or a body scrub in the shower. Then after your shower, while you’re still a little damp, slather on the moisturizer.
Take care of your hands * Since they’ll be busy this week, warm them up before bed in a sink of warm water, then work almond or olive oil into the cuticles. Cover them in moisturizer, and then put on some white cotton gloves and go to bed that way.
Home manicure and pedicure * If you can’t get an appointment at a salon, no worries. Just give yourself a manicure and pedicure. They don’t have to be perfect. Just use a good top coat, to keep them from chipping.
Facial mask * Treat yourself to a mask before bed. They only take about 15 minutes, but your skin will love the attention. (If you don’t wash your hair every morning, be sure to do the mask the night before you will be washing your hair – to ensure all the mask is gone from your hairline.) There are masks and scrubs for every skin type and price range, but if you want a simple one, just use an egg white on a clean face. Let it dry, then rinse it off.
