Accountability

Recently I have thought of accountability as a partner (i.e. someone you meet at the gym that motivates you to work out) until my daughter made a Rainbow Loom bracelet and I dubbed it the "Accountability  Bracelet" and wear it when I go to the gym to remind me that I am accountable to her to be the healthiest I can and now I am wondering what else I can be accountable to her for, so I wear it  more often (I do go to the gym or yoga 4 times a week).

In the kitchen on Thursday: Not your mother's meatloaf

Turkey Loaf

1 lb. ground turkey
1 egg + 1 egg white
1/3 C. oats
1/3 C. ketchup
1/2 tsp. dried Thyme
2 Tbsp. dried Parseley
3-4 Tbsp. finely chopped Portobello mushroom
Salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together. Place in a greased loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Makes 4 servings. I cut the loaf into 8 pieces and each person gets 2 slices.

Wednesday's words from the beloved Dr. Seuss

"And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed." — Dr. Seuss
Dr. Suess Biography

Tuesday's Tip on writing...

Back when I (and you) were in school we learned the outline method to mapping out a paper/essay, well use it for that memo, presentation or article (as I did for my upcoming newsletter article for March)

Killing two birds with one stone (the cliche that is)

Today I met with two real estate agents that I reached out to, so my business could be written about an upcoming newsletter that they produce for the neighborhood and they asked me also to be in the newsletter they are especially doing for Parent's Night Out, a fundraising event put on by the PTA for a local school (the one my daughter goes to) and I came home dancing because I have been searching for a way to reach the parent body of her school—that's right two newsletters and I get the parent body of a local school as an audience (I am all smiles and off to make black bean nachos for dinner)

The power of FOCUS

I learned something in my yoga class this morning (and not new poses)—FOCUS, since the class is 1 hour and 15 minutes and most of us do our exercise all at one time to get it done, I learned the focusing for a concentrated period of time makes you more productive, so set your timer for 1 hour, don't answer the phone and email and put up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your office door and see how much more work you get done.

(Tip: For those of you in a cubicle, hang a rope at eye level across the opening and attach the sign to that. I know this works because I used it when I had a work-in-a-cubicle job.)

In the kitchen on Thursday: The savory and the sweet

"Ceasared" Brussel Sprout Slaw

8-10 large Brussel Sprouts washed, the ends cut off and cut in hlaf. Then cut each half in strips.
Dressing:
2 cloves garlic
2-4 Tbsp. Lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1/2  C. Olive Oil
1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese grated.

Mix all ingredients together. Pour half over the Brussel Sprouts and toss until well coated. Save the rest of the dressing for another salad. Makes 3-4 side servings.

Oatmeal Bars

1/2 C. Butter (1 stick)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. White sugar
1/2 C. oat flour
1 1/2 C. oats
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 eggs
1/4 C. Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips
1/4 C. White Chocolate Chips.

Preheat  oven to 350. Mix all ingredients, except chocolate chips together with an electric mixer. Mix in chocolate chips with a spoon. Pout into greased 9" X 13" pan and bake for 35-40 minuted. Allow to cool and then cut into bars.

Wednesday's words: Downhill "Skiing"

"If the going is easy, beware!. You may be going downhill." —Greg Taunt

Tuesday's Tip: Keep track of your finances

If you made a New Year's resolution to spend les,s then you need to do more than make a budget, you need to track what you spend in all your accounts (savings, checking and credit cards) to get the most accurate picture of your money habits (Hint: doing it online makes it easy; I know first hand).

For more on creating a budget....Truly Useful Budgeting

Wednesday's Words...Power vs. Freedom

"Power is about what you can control. Freedom is about what you can unleash." —Harriet Rubin

Tuesday's Tip: Master your to-do list

February is National Time Management month so master your to-do list by prioritizing the items on it, so each day you get the most important things done first.
Prioritizing Methods 101

What reading taught me about parenting

Over the weekend I learned that my daughter seeing me reading is not as good as each of us reading our own books at the same time—we are sharing an experience together, so the next time I bake or cook, I'll ask her to help me and share the experience.

The power of networking.......

Over lunch, I met the editor of Daisy magazine and today I signed a contract to be a contributing writer and this along with seeing my byline in previous issues has sent me over the top (and also the editor and I really get along).

Check out Daisy Magazine

In the Kitchen on Thursday: Easy Cod Fish Stew

Cod Fish Stew

1 lb. Cod Fish Filet
4 small potatoes
1/2 medium Onion
1 C. water
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
2 Tbsp. sunflower oil (or Safflower or Canola)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Slice the onion very thin. Peel and cube the potatoes. Cube the fish too. Place the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, when the pot is hot and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add parsley and potatoes and stir until onions are golden in color. Add water and then fish. Cook for 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper and gently stir. Simmer until fish is heated through. Makes 2-3 servings. Serve with fresh bread.

The finished stew...

(and mighty tasty too.)

More words

"People think you are crazy if you talk about things they don't understand." — Elvis Presley

Wednesday's Words: Being Valued

"The child benefits more from being valued than evaluated." —Don Dinkemeyer

Tuesday's Tip: Starting your own business

Don't just ask family friends and former colleagues their opinion of your idea, seek out your potential audience and ask them

Today I learned a lesson form my plumber

Our furnace had a leak so the plumber came and told me that the little hot water tank was shot and that this problem is so common that he keeps a tank on the truck in the most common size and mind kept repeating the phrase, "Being prepared pays off." (and literally in the case of the plumber.)