Productivity @ Home

Giving Thanks for Tech Tools this Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T10:19:36-08:00

In the overall scheme of things I’ll be thanking God for this Thanksgiving, technology falls fairly low on the list. Number one will always be my relationship with Him, closely followed by my abundant gratitude for my incredible family. Also on the list this year is my successful breast cancer treatment, and thanking God for His hand in the developments related to my book, which will be released in February. The bounty of things I have to say “Thank you” for is astounding, and tech toys feel a bit frivolous.

But there on Productivity @ Home, I feel compelled to pause and give thanks for some of the many tools that make my life so much more simple and fruitful. So in the spirit of giving thanks, the following are my top ten tech related thank you notes this year:

10. My Amazon Kindle – This little six-inch piece of hardware has revolutionized my reading habits this year. It’s always tucked in my purse and ready to go. I love the fact that I’ve downloaded dozens of Catholic classics for free or very low prices this year.

9. Skype – Skype and I got off to a bit of a rough start, but I’ve grown to know and love it this year. I use it for podcasting, for keeping in touch with friends around the world, and even occasionally for videoconferencing with my boys.

8. Podcasts – These simple mp3 recorded files from SQPN.com and other content providers have entertained me, inspired me, and educated me – and all for free!

7. YouTube – I love learning, so naturally I love YouTube. It’s helped me out of many a pickle this year, including one “emergency” situation where we needed to learn to tie a double Windsor knot immediately. I’ve even become a video producer myself and am now creating a series of children’s videos related to the Sunday Gospel readings. Again, all for free!

6. My Solar Panels – This year, after so many years of paying exorbitant electricity bills, we were able to save up enough money to purchase a small solar system for our home. We have not been able to completely replace all of our electricity usage, but we’re making a dent! It also just feels like the right thing to be doing…

5. My MacBook Pro – I was able to upgrade my computer this year and have fallen in love with my new MacBook Pro. I’m also eternally grateful to the geniuses at the Apple Store who have trained me on how to best use this amazing tool.

4. Twitter – In 140 characters or less, I’ve vented, communicated, learned, laughed and prayed with thousands of friends around the world.

3. Facebook – My favorite social networking site helped me to write a book this year! Honestly, without my Facebook friends, I would have had a very difficult time coming up with many of the rich examples that will be shared in my upcoming book. Additionally, I love Facebook for keeping in touch with my “real world” friends who are scattered across the country.

2. My DVR – I’m not a big television watcher, but I do love being able to watch the few shows I enjoy exactly when I want to view them, and without commercials!

1. My iPhone – It’s so much more than just a telephone! My iPhone is basically a computer, an entertainment system, a camera, a prayer tool, and more. And oh yes, it makes phone calls too!

What tech tools and gadgets make your world simpler and more enjoyable? Are there any on your “wish list” this year?

Get Happier (.com!)

2009-09-22T16:14:17-07:00

Best wishes to the team behind the new website Happier.com on their official launch tomorrow! They have shared the following information to acquaint you with the features of the new site. Thanks to co-founder Andrew J. Rosenthal for sharing this press release:

September 18, 2009 – Philadelphia, PA – happier.com is a new website launching on September 23, 2009 designed to help people not just be happier but “do happier.” This innovative website provides online tools and exercises for users to make an immediate positive impact on their lives. The website allows users to participate for free by taking 4 validated tests with instant feedback on strengths, optimism, happiness and positivity. More than 100 exclusive videos from the world's leading happiness researchers and practitioners are also included in this section of the site. Premium users can subscribe for just $5 a month for access to more than a dozen research-backed tools customized to increase happiness, resilience, optimism, engagement, and meaning.

Doug Hensch and Andrew J. Rosenthal co-founded happier.com to inspire people to be happier and more resilient based on the field of positive psychology. They worked closely with Martin E.P. Seligman Ph.D, an exclusive consultant for happier.com, who is the “father of positive psychology” and a noted professor from the University of Pennsylvania.

More than a decade of research has shown that everyone can proactively improve their happiness, leading to more fulfilled and productive lives. Happiness in America is at an all-time low, and happier.com was designed to help alleviate this problem.
“Users start feeling happier after just an hour or two on the site, and within weeks, we start to hear phrases like ‘life changing’ and ‘just the solution I was looking for.’ The site, happier.com, offers proven solutions for real improvement," says Andrew J. Rosenthal, co-founder of happier.com.

happier.com is the first set of easy-to-use and engaging online happiness-boosting tools backed by the science of positive psychology. To date, the online tools, videos, blog and iPhone application have been used by more than 40,000 beta-testers.

For media inquiries or for additional information please contact Christa Guidi, Cashman & Associates at 215.627.1060 or cguidi@cashmanandassociates.com or Courtney Sochacki Cashman & Associates at 215.627.1060 or Courtney@cashmanandassociates.com.

A Shocking Vision of Students, New Media and Technology

2009-09-19T11:14:30-07:00

With a teen headed to college next year and a tremendous interest in New Media, this video caught my attention when I saw it recently on a friend's blog. I've seen my kids "multitask", seen how they interact with their friends online and in person, seen them turn off the TV but live out loud to iTunes, and seen the way they obtain their information. What are we, the grown ups who love them doing to realize and communicate with them in their changing world? Fascinating - please take five minutes and watch this video. I'd love to hear your take.

College Admissions and Facebook: To Friend or Not To Friend?

2009-09-17T15:45:02-07:00

Many of you know that my son Eric is in the throes of applying to college. It's likely during the next several months that I'll be writing a great deal on this topic, not only for those of you with high school seniors, but also for those with younger children too. You'd be amazed how quickly this process sneaks up on you, and it seems impossible to be "overprepared" to apply to college.

So many things have changed since I applied to college, including the many technological advances that now exist. So when I ran across this USA Today article this week entitled To friend or not to friend? College admissions in the age of Facebook, it caught my eye immediately. This article deals with the ethical issues that surround college admissions officers' use of social networking sites. Here's an amazing statistic from the article:

While 86% of college students have a Facebook account, according to a 2008 survey by Harvard University's Institute of Politics, only 13% of the 401 admissions officials surveyed this year say their schools have a policy about interacting with students on social networking sites, Olson says. "That's the picture of the changing landscape that we are in right now."

I'm certain that most of you with teens who are online are carefully supervising your kids' use of tools such as Facebook. But it's worth having a discussion today about the types of "friends" your child should be accepting online. We had a personal experience of this during the summer, when Eric received a personal letter from the Dean of Admissions at an Ivy League school. This professional shared all of the usual information about their wonderful college and then invited Eric to be his "friend" on Facebook. Thankfully, I was standing nearby when my son zealously grabbed the letter and headed to the computer. I was able to stop him and have an immediate conversation about the propriety of this use of Facebook. While I'm certain that the college official in question is likely simply using Facebook as another marketing tool, we were able to discuss the importance of Eric's personal profile - both his own postings there and what his friends write on his profile.

It seems that history is now being written about the role of Social Networking profiles in the college admissions process. We've always discussed around our home the need for Eric to have the attitude that his Facebook profile serves in a way as his "online resume". In other words, don't post (or allow the posting of) anything you wouldn't want a potential college or future employer to consider.

For those of you who use Facebook or have teens who are on any social networking site, I'm curious to hear how you handle these issues around your home. How do you regularly monitor your child's online presence? Do you feel it is ethical for colleges and universities to consider information posted online as part of the application process? Please chime in with your thoughts!

Saturday Stuff - Links Lisa Likes

2009-08-29T05:00:00-07:00

On Saturday, we share a roundup of links from around the blogs during the past week - stuff we enjoyed and thought you would too! Have a link to share? Drop a note in the comments below with your favorite post of the week.

Lisa Likes:

How Lifehacker Readers Find Value at Fancy Restaurants
5 Tips for (Almost) Free Travel
Use the Bubble Test to Get Your Grill Ready for Fall
Get Less Done: Stop Being Productive and Enjoy Yourself
Start Your Christmas Planning in August

Friday Food: Vegetable Kabobs with Lemon Pepper and Banana and Peanut Butter Obsession

2009-08-28T14:19:23-07:00

Find more great family recipes and meal planning assistance at Dine Without Whine

Vegetable Kabobs with Lemon Pepper
Makes 4 servings
Prep Time: 55 minutes – Yield: 4 servings

VEGETABLES
8 small new red potatoes
2 medium onions
1 medium yellow summer squash, cut into 8 pieces
8 medium fresh mushrooms
8 cherry tomatoes
SAUCE
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1. GRILL DIRECTIONS: Heat grill. Remove thin strip of peel from around center of each potato. Place potatoes and onions in medium saucepan; add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook 5 to 8 minutes or just until potatoes can be pierced with fork. Drain. Cut each onion into 4 wedges.

2. Melt margarine in small saucepan. Stir in all remaining sauce ingredients.

3. When ready to grill, alternately thread vegetables onto eight 8 to 12-inch metal skewers. Place on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium coals. Cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, turning and brushing frequently with sauce.

Banana and Peanut Butter Obsession

1/2 to 2/3 cup milk
1 cup partially frozen diced bananas
1/3 cup or more creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate-peanut butter or favorite chocolate ice cream

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix by using the on/off pulse function until the ingredients are mostly blended. Continue mixing, gradually increasing the speed, until the mixture is smooth. Pour the smoothie into a glass.

Dine Without Whine - With your membership to Dine Without Whine, every Thursday You Receive In Your Personal E-Mail Box A Complete Weekly Menu That Covers The Following Week (Monday-Sunday). Included Is: A Personal Note From Christine Main Dish Recipes For Dinner Every Night Of The Week Suggestions For Side Dishes Brunch Ideas For Saturday And Sunday A Couple Dessert Recipes To Be Used Anytime During the Week In addition Christine will include a grocery list (categorized by aisle) for the week that includes all the necessary ingredients to prepare the recipes highlighted in the newsletter! All you have to do is cross off any items you may already have on hand - add breakfast, snack or lunch items you may need and you're ready to shop! Recipes will be fairly simple and family friendly - meaning hopefully your children (or picky husband) will enjoy them as well; and they will include ingredients that you have actually heard of. (You won't have to search all over town for that special ingredient!) Dine Without Whine - A Weekly Menu Plan & Grocery List Delivered To Your E-mail Box

Friday Fitness: Sneak Workouts Into Your Busy Fall Schedule

2009-08-28T12:00:00-07:00

Friday is our "Free for All" day. Today's guest post is shared by Lynn Bode, a certified personal trainer specializing in Internet-based fitness programs. She founded Workouts For You, which provides affordable online exercise programs that are custom designed for each individual. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for a free sample workout. Fitness professionals take your business online, visit: http://www.trainerforce.com

Believe it or not, the end of summer is within distance. You may be enjoying the season so much that you don’t want to admit that, but the truth is that Autumn will be here quicker than you think.

With Autumn often comes a lot of busy days. This is particularly true if you are returning to school or you have children that are. With the extra-curricular activities that come with school, you probably find it difficult to stick to your workout routine, at least until your new Fall schedule becomes commonplace for you.

So, while Fall is often a time when more people eventually head to the gyms, there is often a period of a few weeks where workout routines get completely abandoned. Rather than punish your body for your hectic schedule, find a way to sneak a little bit of physical activity in. Try some different, fun workouts rather than the standard treadmill and gym machines. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Check out a local bike path, walking/hiking trail or lake. Go once or twice a week for just an hour and burn some calories the fun way – by biking, walking, rollerblading, or even canoeing.

Play a sport. Maybe you enjoy the traditional games like volleyball, softball or soccer. Or, if you don’t feel you have the skills for those games try something different. How about a game of ultimate Frisbee with friends at the nearby park? When’s the last time you tried shuffleboard or bowling? Or, even try something in your back yard. Go to your local sports store and you’ll find loads of different backyard games that require little athletic skill yet keep you on your feet and provide a group of friends with an afternoon of laughs.

Do you or your spouse have a honey-do list that’s been collecting dust? Check it out and you’ll surely find some activities that will burn some muscle and increase your heart rate. Outdoor options that require pulling weeds or raking definitely fit the bill. Also, cleaning out a garage or painting a room can offer great benefits.

Organize a charity event. Helping others makes us feel mentally good. A great way to both help others and simultaneously yourself is to organize an exercise-related charity program. This doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. It can be as simple as getting a group of neighbors together and agreeing to walk X miles on a given day. Then ask other neighbors to donate a small amount to support your walk. All the money that you raise can be given to the favorite charity of your group.

Is Your Refrigerator an "Environmental Time Bomb"?

2009-08-27T13:52:55-07:00

On Thursdays, I share my thoughts on Family Finances.

Following on the heals of "Cash for Clunkers", plans are underway for a "Cash for Appliances" program later this year. This article at USA Today provides an overview of the government's plans to emulate the automobile program and use stimulus money to encourage consumers to trade in antiquated and energy hogging appliances for new models with greater efficiency.

How can you tell if your household appliances are weighing down your family budget? Take a look at the following resources:

Energy Star - Chock full of resources and lists of energy saving appliances, discounts, rebates and more
ACEEE Consumer Guide - A great resources from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Check out the individual appliance listings for specific tips to make your current appliances more energy efficient.
US Department of Energy - Additional energy saving tips and suggestions

Prior to cashing in on government trade in programs and perhaps spending money unnecessarily, spend a few hours this weekend reviewing these tips and making and informed decision.

Home-work for Today:

Chill Out! Spend 30 minutes cleaning out the contents of your refrigerator, discarding outdated food and wiping down the shelves.

On the Bookshelf:

Billion Dollar Lessons: What You Can Learn from the Most Inexcusable Business Failures of the Last 25 Years

Reading Room Resources:
The Best of the Blogs from this week on today's topic

Are Poor People Lazy?
Kitchen Monki Makes Planning Your Grocery Shopping Easier
Living within Your Means

Beating the Back to School Budget Slash Blues

2009-08-26T10:56:21-07:00

On Wednesdays, I share my thoughts on Learning and Professional Development.

My son, a high school senior, has been fighting the budget-cut blues this week. If you live in California, you may be aware of the impact the state's budget crisis has had upon the California State University system.

Eric happens to attend a very fine charter school at California State University Fresno, where students in their junior and seniors years have access to Fresno State classes. They are permitted to take two college classes each semester, enabling many of them to accrue quite a few college credits prior to graduation. This year, however, budget cuts have resulted in drastic slashing of courses offered resulting in quite a lot of schedule wrangling for all of the students impacted. Today, well into his second week of school, Eric is still working on finalizing his schedule. College students in the CSU system are facing tuition increases, decreases in services provided (for example, shorter library hours), and amped up student fees. It's stressful on them, to say the least, and will result in many students missing out on prerequisite courses required for their degrees.

My son is only a high school student, so the impact of this is much less critical than it is on the college students involved. But I've been trying to work with him this week to see some of the positive skills he's acquired in working through this mess:

Planning skills - Eric has had to come up with a broad variety of options and plans for the various alternatives that he could face when he walks into a college class and tries to register.
Research skills - My high school senior is now pretty well versed on the college registration system and its ins and outs. He has handled the scheduling "mess" independently, with his counselor as an adviser. This knowledge will serve him well when he heads off to college next year on his own.
Patience - It's a virtue, right? In today's "now" society of instant messaging and real time video alerts, it can be a difficult thing to learn to wait for things to work out properly.
Diplomacy - Gaining entry into a class when you are wait listed frequently involves speaking with the professor and gaining his approval. The likelihood of receiving an affirmative response is greatly heightened if you address the professor courteously, yet assertively. Learning to speak with those in authority is a valuable life skill.
Gratitude - We don't stop frequently enough in life to count our many blessings. It can be easy to fall into the trap of complaining about what we don't have rather than embracing and being truly grateful for the things that are going right in our lives.

I'm hoping that Eric comes home today bearing news that his schedule has been worked out. I'm also hoping that students everywhere who face stress and uncertainty will receive the assistance they need to continue to fruitfully pursue their educations. Finally, I'm praying for wisdom and guidance for our elected leaders, that they can come to some decisions soon that will minimize the impact of crises such as this one upon families around our state. In the mean time, Eric and will be dwelling on lessons learned and trying to beat the blues with a positive attitude.

Home-work for Today:

If your children have headed back to school, review the syllabuses from their classes and discuss with them their learning goals for this year.

Reading Room Resources:
The Best of the Blogs from this week on the topic of Learning and Professional Development

On the Bookshelf:
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens

Back to School Soap Information

2009-08-25T06:00:00-07:00

On Tuesdays, I share my thoughts on Family Life. Today's guest column by blogger Katie Kimball contains very interesting information that may help you discern health decisions during this hectic back to school season. Visit Katie at her blog at Kitchen Stewardship.

Even though I won’t be going back to school this year (I’m a teacher in my former life, but I haven’t been since the year prior to last school year), I’m ready to help you think through your kids’ back-to-school shopping list when it comes to soaps and sanitizers.

Hand Sanitizer: Safe for Schools?

Is hand sanitizer or antibacterial handsoap on your child’s back-to-school list?

I know a lot of schools, especially parochial ones, are asking parents to bring basic supplies like paper towel, tissue, and soap these days to cut costs. I also know a lot of schools use alcohol-based hand sanitizer like it’s…well…water. It’s not water, folks.

I would encourage you to read my post about the pros and cons of hand sanitizer before you go shopping. You may want to try Cleanwell’s tea tree oil-based sanitizer instead.

Should You Buy Anti-Bacterial Soaps?

An even more important topic, in my mind, is the overuse of antibacterial soaps. They are not needed, not ever, unless you’re sick in the hospital. Lots of kids get sick at school, I realize that. But isn’t the fact that lots of kids get sick at school, in spite of the rampant use of sanitizers and antibac products, proof enough that the antibacterial soaps aren’t going to protect you? They are most likely doing more harm than good, in fact. I encourage you to read Antibacterial Soap: How it Works and Why you Should Avoid Triclosan to arm yourself with information, life’s greatest weapon.

What Can We do About It?

You may find yourself wanting to write your child’s teacher or principal a note about antibacterial soap and why you don’t think it’s necessary in their classrooms. You may even get your undies in a bunch about this country’s marketing strategies, companies that sell us things we don’t need while tricking us into thinking we’re protecting our kiddos’ health…all the while creating products that actually harm our kids and our earth. Grrr…

Here is a form letter to Bath and Body Works, my least favorite store, asking them to reconsider their seeming undying commitment to antibacterials and triclosan. You can cut and paste the informative part and draft a quick letter to your child’s school, too.

For now, don’t let yourself be tricked by back-to-school sales on alcohol-based hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap. Be sure to temper your frugality with your common sense, and do your research before committing to a 64 oz. bottle of something!

About Katie Kimball - Katie blogs at Kitchen Stewardship , where she offers weekly Monday Missions to help people balance God's calls to stewardship of our time, money, environment and family nutrition through the eyes of faith. Find practical tips, challenging facts and healthy recipes there. Katie is a Michigander mom with an inquisitive preschooler and a busy one-year-old, a former teacher who now spends her time immersed in her kitchen and her kids while striving to make time for an active prayer life.

Home-work for today:

Prior to rushing out to buy every item on your child's "back to school" supply list, spend some time reviewing your supplies for gently used items that might be recycled, including notebooks, binders, water colors, colored pencils, and other less frequently used items.

Reading Room Resources:
The Best of the Blogs from this week on the topic of Family Life

On the Bookshelf:
You Can't Go To School Naked!