The Best 50 Years

Are You an Uninspired Cook?

2012-02-22T08:34:00.002-08:00

Tangy chicken ready to cook!

I'm an uninspired cook. Are you? I don't like to spend a lot of time cooking and have trouble coming up with ideas. So over the years, I've come up with a few dinners that meet the following criteria:

Simple REAL ingredients (and not too many)
Quick and easy prep
Uses only one pan

One of my favorites is this tangy, low-fat chicken dish that is absolutely delicious. See? Only a few ingredients.

Just a few simple ingredients.

And only one pan!

Tangy chicken ready to eat!

What could be simpler than that?

So, what are your favorite quick and easy meals?

Crystal Clear Edits Logo - I'm Branded Now!

2012-02-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

Crystal Clear Edits logo
by Karen Horn at Sunlitway

Check out the stellar logo Karen at Sunlitway designed for Crystal Clear Edits! Isn't it great? How clever is she to use a shining star in my name? I am so happy to have a cool logo for my new venture!

In addition to the logo and background photo on the site, Karen also designed some ads for me. One is already featured on a writer's blog (thanks Deanna!) and I have a couple more ad-placement plans in the works.

So, who is Karen anyway?

For those who don't know, Karen is my SIL who also happens to be a professional photographer and graphic designer. How lucky am I to have so much talent close at hand?

But guess what? You can benefit from Karen's talent, too. Logos, ads, website background photos - what do you need? Contact her through Sunlitway and I'm sure she'll be happy to discuss your website and/or project design needs.

Will Walk for Food - One Easy Way to Increase the Effectiveness of Your Weight Loss and Fitness Efforts

2012-02-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

Do you want to know an easy way to increase the effectiveness of your diet and exercise efforts? Get some aerobic exercise BEFORE you eat each morning. Yep - that’s it. My big tip. But does it work?

A Little Backstory

Several months ago, I read about some little-known tips that shave pounds over at myhealthnewsdaily.com. Number four on the list was aerobic exercise before breakfast. According to Dr. Kathleen Hickey, a bariatric physician,

This is when your insulin level should be its lowest, and therefore the energy for the workout has to come from fat. Whenever insulin levels are elevated — which is nearly most of the rest of the day given how frequently Americans eat — fat stores are protected and cannot be used for energy.

Well, this was certainly news to me! So what to do? Go for a little fitness walk each morning before I eat anything. Yes, I WILL walk for food.

But is it Working?

Yes! I was more interested in improved fitness than weight loss, but I always pack on a few pounds over the winter and this year I haven’t. In addition, I am eating whatever I want, whenever I want. The biggest advantage, however, is that I actually get out and walk every day – rain or shine, sleet or snow (gee, maybe I should work for the postal service!) – no breakfast until I do, no excuses.

But Will it Work for YOU?

I don’t see why not. Just make sure you set yourself up for success.

Pick an aerobic activity that is easy for you to do every morning. For me, it’s walking.
Have the right gear. For me, proper COMFORTABLE footwear is a must. That means good boots in the winter and light shoes with ample support in the summer.
Step up your game over time. To get even more benefit from my morning walk, I’ve added a few hills and increased the distance. I also made myself a weight belt from some ankle weights to wear around my waist, giving me the benefit of carrying extra weight without undue strain on my knees.

So what are you waiting for? Make a plan and start getting some aerobic exercise tomorrow BEFORE breakfast. (FYI: This includes no sugar or cream if you drink coffee or tea before exercising.) And if what you try doesn’t seem to work for you, try something else! Consistency is the key, so find what fits into your real life and make it a habit.

NOTE: If you are diabetic, this tip is NOT for you!

CrystalClearEdits.com is Open for Business!

2012-01-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

My new site went live today and I am so excited! You may remember my previous post on getting paid to read. Well, it's officially official now - I have a website and everything!

My site is CrystalClearEdits.com. How clever is that? I'd like to take credit for the name but I can't. It was Felicia over at No Job for Mom who suggested I do a play on my name. I was leaning toward Fresh Eyes until my mom said it sounded like I was selling eye drops. So Felicia's brilliant suggestion (thanks, Felicia!) came along at just the right time. Seems like life often works out that way, doesn't it?

Anyway, head on over to CrystalClearEdits.com and check it out. And if you see any typos, please let me know ASAP! I live in fear that I will have a typo on my proofreading services site, and how bad would that be for my business?

Easy Way to Lose Weight in 2012

2012-01-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

So, how are you doing with your weight loss goals so far this year? If you're like many hopeful dieters, maybe not so good. In fact, if you made a resolution to lose weight in 2012, you're likely to have slipped more than once by now. But don't despair! There are easy ways to lose weight - really!

First, let's talk about how weight is lost or gained. I ran across The Key to Your Weight Loss New Year’s Resolution which states:

Despite the grim statistics that say most won’t lose weight, you have to know that you can. The body obeys, without fail, certain laws. The laws of body that govern weight loss are simple in concept:
* If you consume less calories and exercise more, you will lose weight.
* If you consume more calories and exercise less, you will gain weight.
* If your calorie consumption and activity level stay the same, your weight will not change.
Period.

Ok - so how simple is that? Now all you have to do is figure out how to effortlessly move into the first category, which I would like to amend to be "consume less calories and/or exercise more" because you can still lose weight doing just one or the other but doing both will speed up the process.

Now for my easy way to lose weight.

Substitute. That's right, a single, simple substitution can add up big over time. For instance, about 25 years ago I switched to fat-free (skim) milk simply because it had fewer calories and I realized I could lose weight with no effort on my part.

How did this work? Well, I typically drink one 8-ounce glass of milk each day. According to the CalorieKing website, non-fat milk has 91 calories, reduced fat (2%) milk has 122 and whole milk has 147. As I was already drinking low fat milk, my switch to skim saved me 11,315 calories per year. At approximately 3,500 calories to lose one pound, this simple substitution equates to over 3 pounds lost weight for the year.

While this may no seem like much, remember that it was effortless. Also, consider how this single change adds up over time. Over 10 years, we're talking 30 pounds! And if I had switched from whole milk to skim, my weight loss would be nearly double.

Yes, there is a disclaimer!

For this easy weight loss tip to work, you can't be making up for the calorie reduction elsewhere. But you knew that, right? So no extra helpings at meals or added snacks or desserts just because you're feeling all virtuous, ok?

This easy weight loss tip works everywhere!

Another substitution that has saved me big over time is my hamburger fix. I don't have them too often but I do love hamburgers. So how can you save calories on this high calorie item?

Well, my preferred fast-food hamburger comes from Burger King (nutrition info here) and I ALWAYS opt for the Whopper Jr instead of the regular Whopper. Calorie savings? Almost half (340 vs 670). If I have just one hamburger per month, there's over a pound saved during the year. And I knew I was a total success the day I got my Whopper Jr and thought they'd given me the wrong sandwich because it was SO BIG!

So where can you make simple changes that will save you big on calories over the course of the year? Look at the foods you eat regularly and see if there are painless, calorie-saving substitutions you can make to lose weight now and keep it off in the future.

And if you'd like more ideas and inspiration for losing weight, check out
The Over-50's Guide to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off. And no, you don't have to be over 50 to read it!

Please note: I reviewed the guide previously and I liked it enough to sign up as an affiliate. So if you click on a link and buy the guide, a portion of your purchase will go to me.

These Boots are Made for Walking

2012-01-22T16:28:00.000-08:00

…in a winter wonderland.

Well, what do you think? Aren’t they cute? And better yet, they are comfortable, warm and dry in all kinds of weather. It’s taken a long time for me to find winter boots that actually work for me but these are definitely it!

Originally I’d planned to get Sorel Caribou boots. Both my BIL and SIL wear them and have raved about how wonderful they are. Then I borrowed my SIL’s Caribous for a test-drive. NOT! They might be warm and all, but they are WAY too heavy and clumsy for my liking. You see, I want to WALK in them every day. Not just trudge from point A to point B through deep snow, but actually do some brisk walking. So heavy and bulky don’t work for me. Another problem is I’m overly picky about what’s on my feet. If I can feel it, it’s got to go. In fact, I’d rather just be barefoot all the time but that doesn’t work during winter or in restaurants.

Anyway, I did some online research in search of the perfect boot. I was pretty set on Sorel because I know they’re good. In fact, I’ve yet to run into anyone who has ever had a pair that they didn’t LOVE. Plus, I hate to shop, so if I can narrow down my choices ahead of time, so much the better. In researching the Sorel brand with walking comfort (including traction) as a main criterion, I ran across the Cumberland. I opted for leather uppers but they have the same style in some sort of fabric.

So if you’re in the market for warm, weatherproof winter boots that are actually comfortable to walk in, give Sorel Cumberland a try (affiliate link below - Amazon had the best price when I bought mine). And if you want a little more in the way of fashion, Sorel has a whole lot of other options, as well.

Chocolate on Chocolate DIY Wedding Cake

2012-01-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

Chocolate wedding cake - Yum!
Photo: Sunlitway Photography

Well, here it is! The chocolate on chocolate (and another on choclate if you count the curls) wedding cake. I was afraid the Cornelli Lace (the squiggly decoration on the sides) might not show up in brown on brown but it's absolutely beautiful! And oh so yummy, too.

The bottom layer was milk chocolate and the middle layer was Devil's Food. The milk chocolate was a little crumblier than I like so I would go with Devil's Food for both were I to make a chocolate wedding cake again. For the frosting, I modified the recipe on the Hershey's cocoa container. Instead of using all butter, I substituted half Crisco to give it extra stability. Then I mixed in more powdered sugar to get a stiffer consistency for the borders.

As for the curls, all you have to do is warm a Hershey's bar to about 80 degrees and then slowly shave off the curls with a vegetable peeler. I only made a few of the curls myself and it's a little tricky to get the chocolate to the exact right temperature for curling perfection - too warm and it creates mush, too cool and you get chips. So be patient if you're going to try this at home. Just find a warm spot above a heat source and test your chocolate bar with the peeler until you get curls. And if you get the chocolate too warm, just let it cool down a bit before shaving more off. Also, don't try heating your chocolate in the microwave.

The cake stand is the coolest part of all from a wedding-cake-making standpoint. Talk about easy! Beings each layer is on a separate plate, you don't have to insert dowels for support. And you don't have to worry about getting the layers centered on each other. Also, the cake is a LOT easier to move and set up. The only problem we had is that the stand and plates were white. Not acceptable to the bride. So a little floral tape and some duct tape later (really - brown duct tape - how redneck are we, anyway?), the stand and plate edges were appropriately brown!

Me trying all the cakes.
Photo: Sunlitway Photography

To top off the cake eating experience, we made lemon and Pink Champagne side cakes for those who don't like chocolate. Or for those (ME!) who wanted some of each. We used cream cheese icing on both but added a little lemon flavor to the icing for the lemon cake. All in all, the cakes were a huge success. And the wedding was really nice, too.

Oh! And if you're thinking about making a wedding cake, see my other DIY Wedding Cake post, as well. If you have any questions, please leave a comment here or on my other post and I'll be happy to answer if I can.

DIY Wedding Cake

2012-01-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

DIY wedding cake.

I'm off to help make a wedding cake. My friend's daughter is getting married next weekend and we're coming out of wedding-cake-making retirement to whip one up! Although we keep swearing that we'll never do another cake, this one should be easy. All the lovely bride wants is chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. We know that some guests don't like chocolate, however, so we're also making a couple of side cakes - probably pink champagne and maybe lemon?

We've been working together on wedding cakes nearly 30 years, since her husband's niece (a bride on a tight budget) needed one and I had a budding interest and some cake decorating stuff. Over the years, we've done many cakes together, and we've each done a few alone. It's been fun but we decided a few cakes ago that it's past time to move on! Baking, decorating, storing and transporting a multi-tiered wedding cake no longer works for us. But we'll make just one more....

So why are we starting so early? Well, we bake our layers and then freeze them prior to frosting. This serves a dual purpose - first, we can make the cake ahead of time (a huge stress reducer, especially if something goes wrong) and second, cakes are easier to frost when frozen. So we'll bake and freeze this week and then stack, frost and decorate the day before the wedding, which also allows the cake to defrost overnight. Does this actually work? Well, the proof is in the results, and one thing that we hear with every cake we've made is how yummy it is - our cakes are not only pretty, they are delicious!

If you want to try your hand at making a wedding cake, here are my must-have recommendations:

Getting Paid to Read - My Dream Has Come True!

2012-01-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

I'm embarking on a long-awaited, new adventure this month. After three-plus decades, I am finally getting paid to read. Yes, you read that right - paid to read! Does is get any better than that?

A Little History

I love to read. I was the kid who preferred to stay inside during summer with my nose stuck in a book. I read my way through my teen years, early parenthood, my kids' teen years, and on and on. I also read in bed almost every night before I go to sleep (and researchers that say it's counterproductive and inhibits sleep obviously haven't studied me - it is THE way I fall asleep). So, of course I'd love to get paid to read. I mean, who wouldn't?

I've been wanting to get paid to read for over three decades, since my oldest child was born and I wanted to earn money working at home (was I ahead of my time, or what?). In fact, two decades ago, I bought Get Paid for Reading Books by Barbara Hensen. At the time, getting paid to read was just a dream, an ideal-sounding job. There was really no practical way, however, for me to put Ms. Hensen's experience and advice to use in my own life. But fast-forward 20 years and here I am with the opportunity to fulfill my dream. How cool is that?

So How Can I Get Paid to Read?

Let me explain. I am not just a reader. I'm also an obsessive error-finder. When I read, spelling and grammar errors seem to jump right off the page. Sometimes they even stop me cold. Well, since I've become "friends" with several authors online, I've found a way to put my innate tendencies to good use and help (as opposed to annoy) others at the same time by offering a final read-through service for eBooks and quilt/craft patterns.

One thing I know from experience to be absolutely true is that it's next to impossible to catch all your own errors when you finally get to the final draft of any written material. You will often see what is supposed to be there rather than what really is. After all, you know what you wrote, right? And that is most likely what you will read. Even if (well, especially if) you read it over and over and over again. Seriously, it's true - ask any author.

So, if you have written an eBook, let me be your fresh eyes. Let me read your final manuscript through to catch your overlooked errors. Or if you know anyone who may need a final read-through of an eBook or quilt/craft pattern, please send them my way.

Questions? For now, email me at crystal (at) hornsjewelry (dot) com or leave a comment here and I will contact you. Once I have my website live, I'll include a link in this post.

Update: CrystalClearEdits.com went live 1/30/12!

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

“The best opportunities in life are the ones we create."

-Gary Blair

I am so looking forward to this year! I have an exciting new work-from-home venture on the horizon (hint: if you write eBooks or quilt/craft patterns, you need my services!) and have an informational website in the works. All in all, 2012 promises to be great!

So, what do you have planned for the coming year?

Life-Changing Habits for the New Year

2011-12-29T12:01:00.000-08:00

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Do you plan to? Maybe you're into "goals" instead? Or do you forgo the whole resolution process beings it's usually doomed to failure anyway?

Well, have I got an alternative for you! Marcus Sheridan over at The Sales Lion recently posted about 20 Life-Changing Habits That Will Make 2012 Your Best Year Ever. Instead of listing things you SHOULD do, Marcus highlighted 20 things to STOP doing. I read them through and I have to say - it's brilliant! What a way to think outside the box - well done, Marcus!

Of the 20, I've already stopped doing some, such as watching the news. But is it cheating if you don't even have television? Well, I used to spend way too much time with the news online and it was a huge benefit when I quit filling my time and head with a bunch of negatives. Truthfully, when I'm away from home and get exposed to tv news, I'm appalled. I mean, really, how many times can they run the same bad news over and over and over and . . . Isn't there any good news? I know the answer is yes but you certainly can't tell by watching the news on tv. Ok, enough of that rant.

The main thing on Marcus' list that I want to stop doing is:

"19. Stop Consuming So Much Information without Doing Anything

Seriously, do you really think that next eBook for $27.99 is going to tell you way more than you already know? It amazes me how many people would rather ‘consume’ all day than actually apply the teachings they’ve been reading and hearing again and again and again.

The fact is most of us don’t need any more information, we just need to actually do something."

Was he thinking of me when he wrote this? Seriously. I think he was! I have several folders on my computer filled with eBooks telling me how to do this and how to do that. And today I almost bought yet another "get organized and get it all done" eBook. I really DO need to stop consuming info and TAKE ACTION instead!

So there you have it - my New Year's resolution. Now why don't you head on over to The Sales Lion and read about the other 18 things to stop doing in 2012?

Yes, YOU CAN Lose Weight After 50

2011-12-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

How to lose weight after 50.

Who wants to lose weight in 2012? Or, even if you don’t want to lose weight, who wants to be less flabby in 2012? Yep, that’s what I thought - YOU do. Me, too! While I don’t actually need to lose weight any more (been there, done that plenty over the past 40 years), I sure would like what I have to be firmer (and positioned a little higher up would be nice, too - gravity can be so unkind!).

But is it even possible to lose weight after 50? Or does the 50+ metabolism slow to a snail’s pace and prevent you from shedding even a few pounds? Actually, the answer to the first question is YES. In fact, losing weight after 50 (or at any age) is simple. Not easy, but simple. Losing weight is a matter of consuming fewer calories than you use. Period. See? It is simple. But I know from personal experience that it is anything but easy!

How to Lose Weight After 50

Josh Farrell is a regular 50+ guy who shares his weight loss experience and advice in The Over-50's Guide to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off. Full of tips and nuggets of wisdom, Josh’s guide gave me a lot of food for thought. Keep in mind that I have dieted off and on for over 40 years. I’ve counted calories, I’ve counted carbs, I’ve done liquids, I’ve eaten just certain foods or at just certain times - if there’s a weight loss diet out there, I’m sure I’ve tried a rendition of it at some point. But what I found in the Over-50s Guide was refreshing. Not new, necessarily, but refreshing.

You see, Josh’s approach to weight loss is more about attitude than rules. And yes, what I have learned over the years is that losing weight, and then maintaining your ideal weight, requires a change in your attitude toward food. Or maybe your relationship with food is more accurate. But anyways, Josh has it covered.

What I Like About the Over-50s Guide

First off, the Over-50s Guide has a nice layout - landscape orientation for reader-friendly column width and easy-to-read font size, which I especially appreciate with my aging eyes. Secondly, Josh clearly presents his no-nonsense, doable approach to weight loss. Third on my list of things to like about the guide is that it is concise - no fluff or filler to pad the page count and waste my time. And fourth, the guide is reasonably priced at just $9.98. Good job, Josh!

What You Won’t Find in the Over-50s Guide

If you’re looking for the latest fad or some magic trick to lose weight, then this guide is NOT for you. Josh presents simple, practical info and tips that will work for anyone, even you. But there is no magic, no gimmicks, no strict diet.

So what are you waiting for? If losing weight is one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2012, grab a copy of The Over-50's Guide to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off!

Please note: Josh was kind enough to send me a review copy of the guide and I liked it enough to sign up as an affiliate. So if you click on a link and buy the guide, a portion of your purchase will go to me.

Christmas Blessings to All

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

May you have a blessed Christmas filled with love and laughter.

(BTW, who let the elves out?)

DIY 7 Minutes to Whiter Teeth!

2011-12-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

You all know that I'm totally into DIY, right? Well, I just found out about the easiest, most inexpensive way to whiten your teeth at home. Are you ready? Plain old hydrogen peroxide. You know - the stuff you can buy at any grocery store or pharmacy for about a dollar? All you do is swish it around your teeth, spit it out, and then rinse your mouth with water. Takes about one minute each morning and I noticed results in one week. Seriously. Noticeable results in just 7 days!

But is it Safe?

I was going to get all complicated and do a ton of research into this very question. But after reading some info from the American Dental Association and a few other websites, I went to check to make sure exactly which product I had. Guess what? Right on the label it recommends using hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse. So I guess that pretty much answers the safety question. Also, my dental hygienist told me a couple of years ago that I could swish with hydrogen peroxide daily as needed for gum health - she just didn't tell me it would whiten my teeth, as well, so I did it only a few times.

So how white are my teeth now? Not blindingly white, but I don't want them that bright! I'd just like to keep ahead of the tea stains that build up between my annual cleanings and this is definitely a way to do that. So far, I've had no negatives other than the stuff tastes nasty so I avoid getting it on my tongue as much as possible. Anyway, if you want whiter teeth for mere pennies, give hydrogen peroxide a try.

PS - I was too lazy to go take a picture of my peroxide bottle so the image is an Amazon affiliate link. But seriously, unless you're housebound or just prefer to have items delivered to your door, go to a grocery store or pharmacy. And for REALLY frugal teeth whitening, wait to buy until the hydrogen peroxide comes on sale.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

2011-12-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

Got any last minute gift ideas?

Yikes! Christmas Eve is only 10 days away! Are you ready? Well, I should be but I'm not. Although my daughter got me started in August, do you think I could finish up my gift shopping without a last minute crisis? NO! I've still got two neices left on my list.

So what to do? Well, I'm taking a really easy way out - it's called delegation. After brainstorming all the possible options to get me out of my pickle, I called my daughter and cried the blues. Well, it worked. She's going to do my shopping for me. And better yet, our shopping trip to Kohl's last weekend netted us $40 in Kohl's cash, which has to be spent by the 18th, so I may not even be out much money.

Wait a minute - how does this encourage me to get it together better next year? Hmm. I guess it doesn't. But anyway . . .

Last-Minute and Consumable Gifts

For those of you who are in a panic and don't have a willing love-to-shop daughter (and who don't know my daughter's phone number), there are several other last minute gift options. For a few ideas I've used each year, check out the following articles I wrote at Suite 101 two years ago.

What are your favorite last minute gift suggestions?

Homemade Fudge, Anyone?

2011-12-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

I've been making homemade fudge every Christmas since 1974. I know some may think it's cheating but I like the kind made with chocolate chips and marshmallow cream. Why? Because it's easy and I usually have all the ingredients on hand. Not that marshmallow cream is a common kitchen staple but I buy enough when it's on sale each year to get me through.

Easy Homemade Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk (NOT sweetened condensed milk)
2 cups chocolate chips (12 oz package)
7 oz jar marshmallow cream
1 tsp vanilla
1cup chopped walnuts

Combine the sugar, butter and milk in a sauce pan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted.
Stir in marshmallow cream and vanilla, then beat with an electric mixer for a few minutes.
Stir in chopped walnuts and pour into a lightly greased pan.
Let set until firm, then cut and enjoy!

That's it! And you'll have about 3 pounds of delicious homemade fudge for gifts or to enjoy at home. Merry Christmas!

Affordable Christmas Shopping with Kids

2011-12-06T11:09:00.000-08:00

I’m taking the local grandkids Christmas shopping at the dollar store this coming weekend. Although there are four of them now, one just turned a year old so I think I’ll have big sister shop for her. My daughter comes along so we’ll have two adults and only three kids, ages 3, 8 and 10. The 10-year old can also help the 3-year old so each child will be able to find appropriate gifts for everyone on their lists, including my daughter and me, without spoiling any surprises.

Our Christmas shopping goal is threefold:

Allow the kids to experience the joy of giving.
Teach the kids to be wise shoppers.
Provide enough guidance that the gift recipients don’t end up with junk.

Can we meet this goal at a dollar store? Absolutely! Although there is a lot of junk at dollar stores, there are also many nice items. The trick is to pick the treasures from the trash, which is a valuable skill for consumers of any age.

Last year, for instance, the 2-year old picked out a dishtowel for his aunt. He was going for color only but coincidentally chose one that seemed the best of the lot. Well, I saw the thing in auntie’s kitchen last week and it looks just about as good as when he bought it last Christmas. I know it’s been washed repeatedly and used this whole time so there’s a firsthand testimonial for decent quality finds at the dollar store.

Also, there’s usually a nice selection of:

Coloring/activity/puzzle books for all ages
“Consumable” gifts, such as stickers, note pads, kitchen scrubbies, etc.
Colorful calendars

An Early Christmas Memory

I remember shopping as a very young child. My parents took the three of us to the dime store. Remember dime stores? I guess they were the dollar stores of the 60s. Anyway, we’d each have some change in our pocket and off we’d go, up and down every aisle looking for treasures, in search of just the right gift for each other and our parents. What a treat! Well, at least for us - how my poor mother survived taking three kids under the age of five or six Christmas shopping is beyond me. But she did and it started a tradition that I continue 50 years later with my grandkids.

How to Shop with Kids

To make your dollar store shopping trip a success instead of a nightmare (I’ve had both), follow these tips:

Help each child make a list of everyone they are shopping for. This is best done in advance, like the night before. Limit the number of gifts to buy (we go with 10 because that’s how many quarters are in a roll) and start with parents and siblings. Then let the child fill the remaining slots on the list with anyone they want but help them remember close family and friends, teachers, etc. If they have more than 10 (or whatever your limit is), they need to cut back the list. Provide guidance but let them have the final say (with the exception of parents and siblings, although they could buy one gift for the parents to share) - after all, it is their list.
Make sure everyone is well fed and has used the potty before leaving home. And I mean everyone. Go shopping in the morning for best results (less crowded store, less cranky kids) and plan around naptime, if necessary.
Hold on to their money for the little ones. Trust me, they will lose it. Then give them their money when they check out so that they can have the grownup fun of paying.
Postpone your own shopping until another time - this trip is just for the kids. Do buy some Christmas gift bags if you want, to make wrapping easy for the little ones.
Have a little extra cash for sales tax, if applicable. If you live in a state that collects sales tax, pay it out of your own pocket when each child checks out. The kids need to focus on selecting gifts. At the dollar store, they should be able to get one item for each person on their list without having to worry about setting aside extra money for sales tax, too. There’s nothing to spoil holiday shopping like getting to the register and being a tad bit short of funds so pay their tax for them.
Pair an adult with each child under eight or so. Put anyone under four or so in the shopping cart. Have older kids pick an adult with whom to shop. Take the little ones around the store to the areas you know are most appropriate given the people for whom they are shopping. This helps them focus and avoid getting completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Let older kids take you around the store and help them make wise decisions, as needed. Your job is to educate them as consumers while letting them have the final say.
Swap kids with another adult, if needed, so that each child can shop for each adult without spoiling the surprise.
Limit your trip to just an hour or so. You want this to still be fun when it’s done!

Gift Wrapping - the Fun Continues!

Take the kidlets straight home and have some lunch or a snack. Then help them wrap and label all their gifts. If you bought gift bags, this part should be easy. If not, be sure to have blunt scissors and LOTS of paper and tape!

Can You Avoid Holiday Weight Gain?

2011-12-01T08:46:00.000-08:00

We spent the four-day Thanksgiving weekend with kids and grands. In addition to the turkey day food-fest, we also celebrated a birthday on Saturday. What all this means is food . . . LOTS of food. In fact, according to my daughter's digital scale, I gained 2.4 pounds on Thanksgiving alone!

Now, I know that isn't even possible. In order to gain that much weight, I would have to consume over 8,000 more calories than I burned. Even if I did nothing but lie on the couch and eat ALL DAY, I don't think I could possibly gain 2+ pounds overnight. But it got me to thinking about how easy it is to gain weight after 50 and especially over the holidays.

Holiday Weight Maintenance Secret

So how can you avoid holiday weight gain? Portion control. That’s right, control your portions. I know, I know . . . easy to say but hard to do. But yes, it really is that simple.

Eat what you want but in moderation.
Enjoy each meal but leave room for desserts.
Use a small plate.
Take small helpings of your favorite foods.
Decline foods that you don’t absolutely love.
Forego second helpings.
Limit your indulgence to just one day, not every day between Thanksgiving and January 1^st.

Ok, so who am I to give advice? After all, I’m the one with the 2.4 pound overnight weight increase, right? Well, yes and no. The scale did show the increase but there are many things that can cause overnight weight gain, such as excess sodium, different clothes, etc. - pigging out on just one day won’t really do it. Pigging out day after day, however, is another story . . .

10 Reasons I am Thankful . . .

2011-11-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

Photo collage by Karen Balvin, Sunlitway Photography (sunlitway.com)
Thanks, Karen!

Aren't grandkids the greatest?

Live to Be 100: Should You Take Baby Aspirin Every Day?

2011-11-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

Aspirin therapy - yes or no?

The November 2011 issue of Reader's Digest has 12 tips on how to live to be 100 (see page 187). Number six advises asking your doctor about taking a single 81 mg low-dose aspirin to help prevent heart attack, stroke and cancer. The article also cautions that aspirin use has risks, so be sure to consult your doctor BEFORE starting.

Then I read a September 2011 Costco Connection article on how to make your real age younger (page 37 - and yes, I'm behind on my reading) which states, "If you're over the age of 40 (women) or 35 (men), take two baby aspirin (162 mg total) at breakfast; just make sure to get your doctor's approval first."

Ok - so which is it? One or two? I'm well over 40 and have been taking one baby aspirin each morning for quite some time. Do I now need to double up? If so, no problem because it's already a habit.

But wait! Further research online turns up some interesting info at the Mayo Clinic website. According to Daily Aspirin Therapy: Understand the Benefits and Risks, "You should consider daily aspirin therapy only if you've had a heart attack or stroke, or you have a high risk of either. And then, only take aspirin with your doctor's approval."

What? I get the second sentence but have not previously heard the first. So do I have a high risk for heart attack or stroke? No. And what about cancer prevention? The Mayo Clinic article doesn't even mention that. It does address stopping aspirin therapy, however, and this may be even more important! In answer to what happens if you stop taking aspirin every day, the article goes on to say that “. . . stopping daily aspirin therapy can have a rebound effect that may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.”

Are you kidding me? Is this a case of damned if I do and damned if I don’t? What happens if I just miss a day or two? Will that trigger the rebound effect that increases my risk? Or does it take longer? Hmm. Well, beings I have my doctor's blessing to take one baby aspirin each day, I'll continue on with that. But I guess I need to start taking it when I’m away from home, as well. And the next time I go in, I'll ask if I should up my daily intake to two.

So, what about you? Have you talked to your doctor about whether or not you should take baby aspirin every day?

New Hairdo - the Big Reveal!

2011-11-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

Finally! Some photos of my SHORT hairdo taken with my daughter's cell phone the day of the "correction." I'm also re-posting the before picture from my original DIY hair donation post for comparison. And if you missed the backstory on this new do, you can get the scoop in my DIY Hair Donation Update.

Having short hair has been kind of fun (except it's a little cold - I probably should have done this in the spring). I've gotten mixed reactions to this new look but even the naysayers seem to have gotten used to it now. Mostly folks commend me for sacrificing my hair to help some woman I will never meet who has lost hers while battling cancer. Well, that was exactly the point. And I'll do it again when it regrows if I'm not too gray by then to be eligible.

Before hair donation.

After hair donation.

So . . . what do you think?

Blogging for Beginners by Felicia A. Williams

2011-11-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

Old cover . . .

~~Blogging for Beginners~~ Make Money Blogging is a new eBook just released by Felicia A. Williams that gives a newbie basic info and techniques to be a successful blogger and earn money blogging. For those who don't know, Felicia is a full-time blogger/writer that I "met" online a couple of years ago. Since that time, I’ve become a faithful follower of No Job for Mom, the little slice of cyber-heaven where Felicia shares what she’s learned to help others “free themselves from the rat race in order to have a more fulfilling life . . .”

Read ~~Blogging for Beginners~~ Make Money Blogging to learn everything you need to know to, well, make money blogging. In classic Felicia-style, you will find no tricks, gimmicks or get rich schemes. What you will find is clearly presented, solid information on setting up your blog, choosing blog topics, posting frequency, search engine optimization and much more.

NEW cover!!!

So what are you waiting for? For just $9.98 you can grab yourself a copy of ~~Blogging for Beginners~~ Make Money Blogging and be on the road to success! (And yes, that image is an affiliate link but I would still have gladly written this post without it. After all, if Felicia were a rock band, I would be her biggest groupie!)

Please note: This post was updated 11/18/11 to reflect the new title. It's the same great info but with an updated cover that gives a clearer indication of the contents.

Goodbye ArtFire

2011-11-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

After reexamining my goals and evaluating the numbers, I’ve decided to let my Wilderness Crafter ArtFire studio go. I’ve enjoyed selling there but spending more time and money to maintain the studio just doesn’t make sense. While the site is easy to use and very seller-friendly, my sales volume does not justify the monthly fee - and I really never wanted to have a handcraft “business” anyway.

I don’t remember how I found out about ArtFire but it was shortly after I started selling on Etsy. My primary goal at both venues was to destash my excess (mostly vintage) craft books and supplies "so my daughter never has to" with the secondary idea of maybe unloading some of the excess handcrafted items I’ve made over the years. Although I usually dig into my stash to make Christmas and birthday gifts, there is a limit to the amount of handcrafted stuff that even I can off on family and friends.

When I joined ArtFire, the basic account was free. I didn’t have access to a lot of the cool seller features but the basic studio more than met my needs. Then about 13 months ago, I signed up for a special pro-seller rate when they started to transition their business model toward paid seller accounts only. I figured I’d give it to the end of 2011 and then make a decision on whether to continue. Well, it’s not quite the end of the year, but the correct decision is obvious.

So How Will I Destash Now?

So how will I continue “destashing my stuff now so my daughter never has to” if I close my ArtFire studio? Well, I still have my Etsy shop although it’s set to vacation mode indefinitely. I had such trouble signing up there (I’m sure it was me, not them) that I don’t want to delete my account just yet. As Etsy’s business model includes listing and transaction fees but no monthly fee, it won’t cost me anything to take my time on this decision.

As mentioned in a previous post on hobby clutter, I also belong to a few Yahoo Groups on which I can list sewing/quilting/craft supplies and materials. Posting to these groups has proven to be a much more expedient way to find new homes for my excess stuff. It’s a little tricky to keep track of all the posting rules, however. For instance, one group prohibits the sale of items “related to business.” Although I never intended to be in “business” selling crafting supplies or handcrafted items, apparently I will NEVER be able to post any item to this particular group that was ever listed on ArtFire. In addition, any material that was used in any handcrafted item ever offered for sale in any venue is prohibited - even if the handcrafted item was simply made to use up my stash and not originally made to be sold.

So What Have I Learned?

I think the biggest lesson from nearly two years with ArtFire is that it is easy to get distracted from my real goal. If my goal were to sell handcrafted items and crafting supplies, it would have been time well spent. Since my goal is to simply reduce 40+ years of accumulation to a manageable level, there are better ways to go about it. Add in the fact that there are usually a couple of months each year that shipping is nearly impossible because I’m not willing to snowshoe a book or pattern 5+ miles so I can get to the car to drive 20 miles to drop it in the mail. So part of the year, I need to pull back and focus my attention elsewhere (like on drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire).

The second lesson I learned is that the simplest solution is often the best (and I think this holds true in most areas of life). Posting items on sites like ArtFire and Etsy is very time consuming, as you have to take, edit and upload multiple photos, and write detailed, creative descriptions. When you have mostly singular items for less than $10 each, it’s a lot of work for little return. Posting to the Yahoo Groups is easy, however. Potential buyers usually know exactly what you’re selling and don’t require sales copy or photos from every angle.

So Goodbye ArtFire! It’s been fun but I’m moving on. And if anyone has suggestions for groups or sites on which to list sewing/quilting/craft stuff, please leave a comment and let me know.

Back to Selling Used Books Online

2011-11-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe it’s been over two years since I last posted about selling books online! It’s become something I just do every once in a while when the declutter bug bites and I guess I forgot to write about it. Well, Felicia over at NoJobForMom.com posted about selling old books on Amazon and there’s been quite a discussion going on. There’s always something new to learn there and I am so happy to have found out about Cash4Books.net!

The beauty of Cash4Books.net, other than the recommendation by another commenter on NoJobForMom.com, is that there’s no minimum dollar amount or number of books. Many of the buyers require that you have at least $10 worth of books to sell, which can be a deal breaker if your books are only bringing in a dollar or so each and you can’t find enough that you want to get rid of to reach the $10 minimum.

My Book Sales Experience

Over that past two years, I’ve shipped off several small boxes of books and have been paid by check, through PayPal and with Powells.com credit. Although the amounts received are small, the buyer provides a prepaid shipping label so there’s no cost involved. To date, I’ve sold mostly to Powell’s because they require “a minimum of 3 books or $5.00 of credit,” which works best for me as I rarely find $10 worth of books to sell at one time. I’ve also transitioned from going for the cash to opting for credit with Powell’s because I get more for my books and I’ll always be able to spend it to get books that I want for free.

Now that I know about Cash4Books, I have another option for my book sales. I’m so pleased about this that I’ve added a graphic link to this post and to the sidebar (both affiliate, btw). I’ve already found one book to sell and am on the lookout for more. But if I don’t find any, they’ll take just the one! How cool is that?

So far my online book-selling experience is just with sites that buy titles based on their needs at the time - and there are MANY. Check out BookScouter.com to compare offers from numerous sites for your books. As for selling on Amazon? I haven’t tried that simply because they require that you ship within two business days and there is no way I can commit to doing so.

So What’s the Deal with These Oregon Book Buyers, Anyway?

A little thing I find interesting is that Cash4Books is an online used book buying service owned and operated by McKenzieBooks.com, which is located in Beaverton, Oregon. Powell’s is in Portland. Beaverton is just a few miles west of Portland. I guess I noticed this simply because I have family in the area. I’ve actually been to the Powell’s store a couple of times, which I highly recommend if you’re ever in Portland, and I’ve driven through Beaverton many times. Obviously this all falls in the insignificance category but is just one of those small-world coincidences that pop up every now and again.

Looking Forward to the Time Change

2011-11-04T08:44:00.000-07:00

I am SO looking forward to the time change this year. In previous years, it hasn't mattered to me much, but this year I'm excited! Since I started walking each day before breakfast (which is working out really well, btw), the absolute darkness remaining later and later as the days go by has become a nuisance. And maybe it's even a little bit of a safety issue. There I am, traipsing around out in the woods - yes, I'm on a nice path but when there is no light, rocks just seem to jump out to trip you! And I'd hate to surprise myself and a bear. Highly unlikely one would be out at that time but who knows? Also, I'd really like to eat by 7am, but when it's still too dark to walk without stumbling over rocks until after then . . . Well, let's just say that when 8am becomes 7am in just two more days, I will be thrilled!