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Not Your Everyday Post... Paying it Forward Request

Errands Etcetera — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:58:53 GMT

Yikes. Hard to believe I haven't blogged in almost 3 weeks- what can I say... I've been busy!

So my loyal readers, I know normally I blog about saving time, yummy recipes, and interesting stories, but today I'm blogging for your advice and suggestions.

My newest client is a full time tutor and a homeschool teacher, a few months back her home was infested with mold, and on top of having to organize an emergency move, she also lost a great deal of her belongings. She's hired me to help find her some resources to replace all of her lost materials. Because of the unique circumstances, she is not being compensated financially for this huge loss, and as you can imagine, has come upon hard times.

I've searched the internet for non-profits and other organizations that focus their efforts on helping those in the education profession, but to apply for donations, in most cases one must be a full time teacher for a public system.

So here I am, my friends asking if you know of any resources that would be a good fit for this person; her students are fourth grade and up, with a focus on English, Reading, Writing, and Math. She's seeking any school supplies of any kind- stickers, word games, paper, pencils, etc. She's also looking for Piano sheet music, as she is also a music teacher.

If you know of a group or organization that would be worth researching, or reaching out to, please let me know and I will be happy to forward on the information.

Making Mom proud- 20 years later!

Errands Etcetera — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:19:00 GMT

Saturday morning I woke up at the ungodly hour of 6am- I don't mind getting up at 6 during the week, but on the weekend I like to lounge until at least 7 (Sunday morning it was 5:30, ick). I figured since I was up, I might as well get something done, something that would no doubt, make my mother proud.
Growing up, my mother was the "Bad Cop" most of the time, especially on Saturday mornings. While my dad would escape to work, my mother was left with three girls (the boy didn't come along until much later), and had a LONG list of rules to enforce. Saturday morning was no different. Saturday morning was the worst actually; for all of us. Looking back, no one had it easy on Saturdays (except for my Dad), and we're lucky to have made it out alive. Mom had this rule- there was no leaving the house, no playing in the yard, no talking on the phone, and certainly NO watching TV until our room was cleaned. The no TV rule was the worst- while I knew my friends were watching the awesome Saturday morning line up (The Smurfs, Snorks, Fraggle Rock, etc), I was busy with the Saturday morning chores. My two sisters and I shared a room, and we shared a mess.
This project took HOURS... and I'm not exaggerating. There were few memorable Saturdays in which I can recall not finishing the job until well into the afternoon (much belated apologies, Mom). It wasn't because we were total pigs, it was because we were kids, and we were easily distracted. A project that shouldn't have taken more than an hour, took multiple. I'm the oldest, and there's a 5 year difference between myself and my youngest sister- that's a wide array of toys. From dolls, to Barbies (yes, there's a difference), to magic tricks, to board game, to dress up clothes and electronics it was easy to focus for a few seconds, and then get caught up playing in the mess.

Looking back on it, having the "Bad Cop" making sure we cleaned our room, was beneficial for several reasons (safety being the most obvious, and probably most important), but I also have a real appreciation for cleaning on a Saturday morning- and I never wait a week between cleaning. Since right now, it's just Rick, Sammy and myself, cleaning is not such a distraction, and yields major rewards.

So Mom, I'd like you to know that the floors were washed by 9am, and the house was sparkling clean before I went to run errands!

Is there something that was a rule growing up in your house that you've carried with you?

-Stacy
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What are you up to?

Errands Etcetera — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:08:35 GMT

Well after a pretty slow April, May is shaping up to be a ridiculously busy month for me. I'm not sure what the change was, but it's clear that people are busy, and they are in desperate need of a housewife!

Knowing how busy today was going to be, I had intended to start my day with the last scoop of Shakeology blended up and ready to go... when the blender died on me. It's a good thing that there's a surplus of fresh fruit and healthy choices available to whip up a quick breakfast!

So after I finish my delicious and nutritious meal it's off to work with 3 clients today.

1. I'll be spending a couple of hours doing a bit of housekeeping. I usually work with this family every other, to every third week, for a set amount of time. The wife/mom/lady of the house, usually leaves me a note with what room(s) she'd like me to focus on. Easy-peasy.

2. Next stop is down to Scituate. This person has two older children- both in high school, and both fairly independent. Mom is away on business, and while they don't need a sitter, or a nanny, Mom would like me to check on the house- make sure everyone is at school, and there haven't been any wild parties. Throwing in a couple of loads of laundry, washing the dishes, and giving the dog a little exercise and playtime is all part of the plan!

3. I'll be wrapping up my day in Hingham, meeting with a social media client. She wants her personal training business to grow, and how important Facebook/Twitter/Blogging can be to her business- but is overwhelmed by all that's out there. I'm helping her to filter out the junk, and make it work best for her!

Seems like kind of a busy day, but nothing I can't handle with a great start!

What are you up to on this dreary Wednesday?

-Stacy

Guilt to Empowerment!

Errands Etcetera — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:37:26 GMT

A few months ago I began receiving, Working Mother, a magazine that I had no recollection of subscribing to in the mail. If I had to guess, I'd think that a client, or networking pal was "paying it forward," and covered my subscription to this super informative magazine.

Each month I flip through the catalog, and while I'm not (yet) a mother, it's full of great tips, tricks, and advice to pass along to my clients. In a previous issue there was an article that the focus was on guilt; and how many mother's let feelings of guilt rule their lives. This really got me thinking. We all have guilt in one form or another. Whether you feel guilty for putting your child to bed a few minutes early so you can enjoy some down time, or working a crazy schedule at work to meet a deadline, or maybe you're feeling guilty that your house isn't as clean as it used to be; this article hit all the points of feeling guilty.

Unfortunately, guilt can be so tightly hard wired into our brains, that it's become almost a natural feeling. I know that when someone asks me to do something, if I say "No," I'm left feeling guilty that I was unable to help; regardless of the circumstances. I feel guilty when I come home from a long day of work and instead of taking the dog out for a walk, I open up the back door and let him play in the yard. Guilt practically lives on my shoulder when I don't feel like I've done my share of the housework, or laundry.

A great deal of my clients hire me to help lessen that feeling of guilt. If they have me to clean the house, go grocery shopping, and do all the time consuming errands, they feel more empowered to spend quality time with their kids- not wondering when they will have a chance to scrub the baseboards. In the course of a busy life, we all feel guilt at one point or another; it's how we deal with that guilt, discover the root of the problem, and help eliminate the negative feelings associated with it.

What are some things that leave you feeling guilty? How can you avoid this series of events and live your best life for your children?

-Stacy
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Every Busy Fiance Needs A Wife!

Errands Etcetera — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:56:10 GMT

I'm thinking of changing my tagline... it's currently "Every Busy Woman Needs A Wife," but the last few weeks of my life has proven that this errand running Fiance, could do quite nicely with a wife.

Last Saturday, we went and traded in my Traverse. It was killing me on gas and it was much more car than we need right now. Having seven seats is perfect... if you have five kids you're constantly shuttling around. That's not our life. It's just Rick, myself, and the dog. I usually have a variety of cleaning products and tools, but all of that can fit into a trunk. So we pick out a car, a nice four door sedan, with a huge trunk, the dealership swaps the plates, I sign a million different papers and off we go.

Tuesday afternoon I get a frantic call from the dealership telling me I need to get back to the dealership immediately and exchange my plates. The ones they had swapped over had expired.
I'm thinking about this, and I'm scratching my head (here's how my thought process went down: "there's no way they could have expired. I bought the Traverse last March, and aren't plates good for a year? I've still got... Oh.My.God. It's April." I've been signing checks, dating invoices, cards, and looking at the calendar daily- but somehow I'm still living in March.

Sometimes that happens- we live such busy lives that it's easy to lose track of time. I met with a woman this morning, who has been meaning to call me since Christmas... December?! Somehow, here we are in April and we're just getting around to talking about the project she had wanted taken care of and completed by now.

When you put things off for a few days it's easy to forget altogether, and then wind up shocked when you realize an entire month has gone by.

Is there something that you've been putting off- how can you hold yourself accountable for making sure it gets done? Do you have a system to take care of projects you might otherwise avoid?

Stacy
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Spring Cleaning: Washing the Dishwasher!

Errands Etcetera — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:16:54 GMT

Someone posted to my Facebook yesterday asking me how to clean dishwashers and washing machines... My first thought- brilliant idea for a blog!
When people do their spring cleaning the focus on the floors, walls, window sills, baseboards, and sometimes ceilings- but when was the last time you thought about your appliances?

Dirt, grime, slime, and lime build up in cleaning appliances when we don't remember to thoroughly clean- preventing ultimate shine, freshness, and overall cleanliness. With products that are currently being flushed with water, you'll want to take special care in cleaning- to prevent this gross build up, and minimize the risk of mold.
When it comes to cleaning out the dishwasher, you'll want to check your manual to ensure safety and see if they have any tips for cleaning. Generally, you'll want to take the arm in the bottom that spins out, and clean each hole- I like to use skewers to poke the build up through. I also like to take out each rack and wipe down, as well as give the interior and wheels a quick wipe.
Truth is, all that cleaning is time consuming- and I don't think that you should have to sacrifice your busy life for a clean home... and neither does Real Simple! With a few strokes of fingers across my keyboard and a quick click on a link provided, I found this great tip: Lemonade Kool Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner. I've used products like Affresh before for washers and dishwashers, but never would have imagined that one could use a sugary sweet drink as a cleaning agent!

What unique things have you used to clean?

-Stacy
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Delivering Happiness, Delivering A Giveaway!

Errands Etcetera — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:11:00 GMT

A few months ago, someone gave me a list of books to read to help me grow myself as a business owner, and keep me inspired. One of the books suggested was Delivering Happiness, it's journey of the owner of Zappos. Somehow in my excitement of receiving this book, I ordered two.

Well, isn't that lucky for you, my dear, lucky reader.
I am only going to read one copy of this new hard cover, and I'll be passing the other copy along to a lucky reader.
How can you win your own copy of this book you might ask... well, my pal Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds, and current President of South Shore Women's Business Network is a big believer in paying it forward. So here's what I'm asking from you; in the month of May, I'm seeking some do gooders- you can nominate yourself, or someone you know, and you can post a quick note about the experience as a comment under this blog. While details are wonderful, let's keep it simple- just a few sentences or a paragraph about what you did, or what you observed, and how it left people feeling.
Pretty simple.

A great example- the same person who referred me to this book is known for on a very hot summer day having gone out and found some pals that were working outside (landscapers, painters, movers, etc.) and delivered popsicles and cold water to help brighten their day. While my friend making the deliveries expected nothing more than a smile, that's a story that's hard to forget, and even harder to top!

I'll be choosing a winner at random on May 29, 2012 and you can enter as many DIFFERENT situations as you wish between now and then. The winner will be announced on the Facebook Fan Page, so make sure you like us!

-Stacy

Social Media isn't Going Anywhere!

Errands Etcetera — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:57:00 GMT

I'm pretty sure I've blogged before about my roundtable group, but in case you missed it here's the back story. Every month I get together with a group of women from different backgrounds in different life stages of their business and we discuss struggles, successes, and new ideas we might be toying with. I look at these women as my board of advisors- know that while they might not keep financial interest in me, I try my best to provide them with sound advice that I would follow if I were in their shoes- making me somewhat of an asset for them, and them for me.
We spend a great deal of time talking about social media- how overwhelming some of these women find it, and how some have sourced out virtual help with postings, and some have hired Errands Etcetera for some coaching. The bulk of our conversations revolve around FaceBook (wait until they hear about Twitter and FourSquare!), why you should keep your business and personal pages separate, and is it something they really need.

I recently gave a presentation on social media and I opened my talk with something like "People are no longer looking in the yellow pages for a plumber. They are searching reviews on Yelp, and asking outright on FaceBook and Twitter for referrals. You don't see many people flipping through the National Enquirer anymore while standing in line at the grocery store- instead they are scanning through status updates on FaceBook. While you may not be tech savvy, and while it may be new to you, the next generation of your customers or clients are very likely to rely on social media and technology to connect with their world. If you're not easily found on line, with reviews, or testimony- you most likely just lost a sale."

While social media may be confusing, time consuming, and overwhelming, it's just like any other component to consider in the health of your business. I can speak from true testimony, that without Social Media (specifically FaceBook), my business wouldn't be where it is today. I can reach all of my clients with the tap of a few keys with specials, incentives, tips and tricks, and to let them know what I'm up to.
If you're a business owner and know that you need to take that next step, please feel free to contact me, or anyone else in your network or circle that seems to be tech savvy and ask for the help you need. You're only doing yourself a favor!

Is there something that has brought your business great success that you were hesitant to do/invest in?

Stacy
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BBQ Pulled Pork!

Errands Etcetera — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:29:19 GMT

Hello Summer-Like Weather,
My name is Stacy, and we've been apart for far too long.
That's how I feel this week. If there's such thing as summer-fever, I've got it. With unbelievably warm temps, it's so hard to focus while working inside (even now, I'm planted at the window seat of the coffee shop, watching the world go by and feeling the warm sun through the glass). I spend time dreaming of my garden, and being outside with the dog while I should be scheduling clients and getting down to business. With the warmer weather, Rick's been cooking on the grill almost every night, and as much as I love his cooking, sometimes you need something other than steak or chicken.
Yesterday I dragged out the old crockpot- I know, I know... but it kept the house cool (despite the 86* temps outside), and took no maintenance while I was off at work. Following a recipe a friend shared with me, I tried something new.
Rick loves BBQ, and he really enjoys rich, delicious dinners. So I made pulled pork sandwiches with fresh cut potato wedges and cole slaw.
Into the crock pot I put a 3lb salt and peppered pork loin (after trimming the fat away), one can of diet root beer (you can use regular, but I was concerned about the calories), a few table spoons of BBQ sauce, one onion cut into chunks and sprinkled around the meat, and finally placed the cover back on for 7 hours. Following the rule of low and slow, the pork cooked to perfection.
Having dinner preparing while I was at work allowed me some extra time to hit up out door bootcamp, before heading home to eat!

What are some time saving dinners you love for summer nights?

Running the Boston Marathon, Running a Business

Errands Etcetera — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:46:02 GMT

Here we are, the first real day of April vacation, Patriot's Day, and Marathon Monday (if you're lucky enough to live in the Boston area). Today we are expected to hit record breaking highs which is not in the runner's favor. I heard last night that organizations were asking people not to run- due to the health risks. Running 26.2 miles in mid-high eighties isn't going to be good for anyone. According to a Fox 25 morning news poll that about 1000 people responded to, only 46% would have taken the option to back out at the last minute. This is not really surprising. If you spend hours upon hours, training for such a big event, you might literally think nothing can stop you- not even high temperatures.
This got me thinking... a few years ago, when I was starting Errands Etcetera, I was also training for a triathlon (yes, while also working at a bar- I enjoy over extending myself!) When I told people I was starting a business, they looked at me like I was crazy; "didn't I know where the economy was?" was something that was constantly brought to my attention. The truth was, no I didn't. I'd heard the economy was bad, but I was determined. I had a goal, and I'd been sitting on this idea for over 5 years- it was time to make things happen.
Today I compare myself to those runners- the runners that have been warned about the dangers of a marathon in general, and for an added challenge, the rising temperatures making "Heartbreak Hill" that much more heartbreaking! The runners that have been cut a deal- if they want to not run, they will receive a discount on next year's race. I too was warned of the risks and dangers of starting a business- you never get a day off, you're at the mercy of your clients, you might fail. Yet, through all of those speed bumps, I've grown my business, and never given up. I've been offered other positions, and turned down some lucrative work- all because I had a goal.
Is there something that people tried to talk you out of that you felt couldn't be sacrificed?

Stacy
703 304 4067
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Product Review- Mr Clean Magic Erasers

Errands Etcetera — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:26:00 GMT

When meeting with a housecleaning client for the first time, they almost always ask what products they should have on hand; since the housecleaning side of my business has taken off, I've created a list to give to each client before my first visit to clean. This is helpful to them because they know what they are expected to have, and it's easy for me because I'm familiar with the products and as long as I have everything on hand, I'm not wasting time reading labels or looking for replacement products.
The number one thing I suggest everyone have on hand would be the Mr Clean Magic Erasers. I was first introduced to the Magic Erasers about ten years ago, but I couldn't be bothered by them. I thought they were some weird hoax, and would continue to scrub away with a sponge and soap for several years. About three years ago, a woman I was talking with was gushing over how much she loved the Magic Erasers.
I had to see what all the fuss was about, so I grabbed a box upon my next trip to the store. I was hooked. I used them to clean the stove top, counters, inside & out of the fridge, the microwave, walls, and switch plates, the bathtub and the shower door, I even used them to scrub wood furniture clean. There's some kind of magical power in them so there's no scrubbing, just a few swipes of the eraser and all scuff marks, dirt, and grime disappear.

Is there a cleaning product you can't live without? What's one product that you would recommend to everyone?

Stacy
703 304 4067
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New Beginnings Start With Small Changes

Errands Etcetera — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:45:48 GMT

Yesterday morning I took my first Vinyasa Yoga class at The Healing Tree, in Quincy. While I've taken a few different styles of yoga classes (Hot Power, Hatha, and Ashtanga), I had never tried Vinyasa. The instructor started the class with a few sentences about where our focus should be during practice and what she wanted us to think about. The theme she chose was water; she stressed how important water is to us- both internally and externally. She wanted us to think about bodies of water and how fluid they are, while incorporating our interpretation into our graceful movements. She discussed briefly how important water was to rebirth, and spring being about celebration, and new beginnings.
This really struck a chord with me. The last few weeks I have been making an effort to make small changes to hopefully create long term habits; working out regularly, making sure that I am working smarter not harder, keeping my car clean (it sometime feels like a never ending battle), and lastly, making healthy food choices. Do any of these things sound familiar?
Typically we see people at the New Year setting very aggressive goals to overhaul their lives and make major (and sometimes unrealistic) changes. The normal trend is falling off the diet wagon mid-January, or giving up on that organizational project sometime in February. The spring seems like a great time to check in with yourself and see where you stand with those New Year Resolutions, and maybe reevaluate your original plan to something more flexible and attainable. Introduction to the warmer weather is a chance to shed some clothing layers, and figuratively speaking, some negative energy layers. Making small changes and taking baby steps to where you want to be is something I constantly stress to my clients. If you try to bite off more than you can chew, you will be left feeling defeated, unsatisfied, and go back to your old habits.
The good thing about your life; it's constantly changing, and you are ultimately in charge of being responsible for most of those changes.
What small changes can you make this spring to lead to a less stressful life? Is there a project that you've been avoiding because it seems so overwhelming? What's are the first few steps you need to take to get there?

-Stacy
703 304 4067
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Dinner's Ready!

Errands Etcetera — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:33:35 GMT

Here's a quick, delicious and nutritious dinner idea for the night where you are craving comfort food, but know that beach season is right around the calendar.
I love soups, but I constantly forget that how delicious they are until I've got a steaming spoonful in front of me. After a long day of clients, and a double dose of Boot Camp I came home beat and hungry. I didn't have the energy to do all the prep work for a salad, and didn't want a sandwich so I turned to an old stand by... Tomato Soup.
Looking at the can, I knew I could do better and add some little treats to it to really make it a meal. Here's what I threw together:

In a small sauce pan I poured 1 can of Campbell's condensed Tomato Soup, with 1 Can of water
To that I added 1/2 cup of Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend (it's an awesome mix, and a great substitute for rice)
1 Cup of Goya Black Beans (I was hesitant at first to add the beans, but something told me I wouldn't regret it)

It took about 8 minutes to warm up, and cook the grains through.

I spooned it into a bowl and added a few Fat Free Parmesan Ranch Croutons to the top for an added bonus.

-Serves 2

The soup was so filling and exactly what I needed after such a long day, and at 380 calories I couldn't feel guilty!

What are your go-to foods after a long day? Need a little advice on how to make it a little healthier? Head on over to see my friend, Stacey Shipman at Healthy South Shore!

Stacy
703 304 4067
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Tanning; The Healthy Way!

Errands Etcetera — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:33:08 GMT

While I service many busy women in helping them get their chores and "To Do" lists completed, my good friend, Jennifer Mitchell, is helping busy women maintain their bronzed look!
If you've been to a tanning salon, you've no doubt seen the literature about the risks of tanning beds. They can do damage to your eyes, mess with medication, subject you to cancer, and then there are all the lovely risks of laying in a dirty bed. To keep up with trends many salons have adopted the spray tan method into their business- to keep clients happy and healthy.
If you're anything like me, you love a year round glow, but don't look great in orange. I have to be very careful with fake tanning- I love the lotions, but the smells can be downright offensive, and there's nothing worse than your "tan" coming off on your clothes and leaving towels marked up.

Almost six months ago, I found out Jennifer had started her own mobile (yes, you read that right) spray tanning business, and I knew I wanted to hear more. As luck would have it, Jennifer needed a volunteer at a luncheon (thank you very much, www.SSWBN.com), and my mexican tan was starting to fade.
She used the clean and clear solution- free of odor, and since it went on clear, didn't rub off on my clothing! The spray dried almost instantly, and the color began appearing upon contact. I only had my arms and face done (we were afterall, at a luncheon), but the process was quick, painless, and so easy. The color lasted for about 10 days... leaving me wanting more!
Another added benefit- as I said, the product was odorless, but I didn't mention, it's also ORGANIC! Hello, Mother Nature!
I love that her service is mobile and will come to you. Jen has a very professional attitude and wants her clients to feel comfortable with her. She views each person as blank canvas to work on, and loves leaving people feeling good about themselves.
Senza Sole is available for pre-date preparation, weddings, body building competitions, beauty pageants, girls night out parties, proms, and those just looking for a nice, healthy, glow! Jennifer also offers gift certificates, bundle packages, and accepts credit cards!

For more information:

Phone	1 857.939.0072

Email	info@senzasole.com

Website	http://www.SenzaSole.com

What's for Lunch?

Errands Etcetera — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:49:05 GMT

Getting up and making Rick lunch in the morning is something I look forward to. It sounds silly, but I like for him to see that I'm getting up before my alarm goes off, to do something nice for him, that will hopefully make his day a little easier. Since we've begun eating healthier, I've learned a great deal about portion sizes, which has limited the cop-out leftover lunch. If I cook the correct portions for dinner, there are usually no leftovers for us to have seconds, or to pack the next day. This is a double edge sword.
I try really hard to make healthy, creative, delicious lunches that he can eat at the office with minimal effort. They do have a full size kitchen and lunchroom at the office, but let's face it; he's at work to negotiate, talk with reps and vendors, and work deals, not cook his lunch.
Here are 5 easy lunch ideas that don't take much prep work, and can be packed for school, work, or lunch on the go!

1. Old Faithful. Rick loves a good ol' PB & J, and honestly, who doesn't? Eating peanut butter and jelly absolutely brings me back to my childhood, and is like a nice little lunchtime hug to my taste buds and stomach. Sometimes he'll ask for two sandwiches, saying the first one doesn't fill him; after reminding him of the calorie count, he'll pack an extra snack or two.

2. Speaking of snacks... in order to avoid the 3pm crash, and to mindless eat, I make an effort to only pack healthy snacks for him, and every so often slipping in a treat. Some staples always found in his lunch bag include: string cheese, yogurt (hello, 110 calorie desserts!), goldfish, or cheese-it's, a box of raisins (he's kind of picky with fruit so it really surprised me when he asked for those!), granola bars (our new favorite: Smash Bars) pistachios, or trail mix, and sometimes as a splurge, I'll toss in some hummus and crackers. Keeping a variety of healthy snacks on hand is motivating, and is imperative to avoid hitting up the vending machine.

3. Here fishy, fishy, fishy! Rick sometimes gets stuck in a food rut, and will eat the same thing for a week and a half straight. His current obsession, tuna fish. Because I always like to make things "fresh," I get up in the morning and crack a can of tuna for my love. Adding mayo is predictable, so I mix in a few standard ingredients and then experiment a little. My standards are: breadcrumbs (homemade or store bought, it gives a little texture and boost of flavor), paprika (I had heard on Dr. Oz once that it keeps you healthy, so I try to incorporate it anywhere I can), celery salt (or fresh chopped celery if we have it), garlic seasoning (I'm Italian, I'm sorry), chopped onions, a couple of chopped pickles and a tiny bit of juice (my Aunt, Dr. T, turned me on to this, and it's an a.m.a.z.i.n.g. must try), and a dash of salt and pepper. This past week I kept the ingredients to a minimum and only mixed together mayo, tuna, celery salt, pepper, and Cajun spices. The result- spicy tuna salad- and a possible new favorite.

4. When I was a Nanny, one of the responsibilities I had was to make the kids lunch for school. If you have a picky eater in the house, you know what a struggle meals can be. Getting these kids to eat anything that wasn't made of cheese or sugar was next to impossible. They didn't like bread, so sandwiches were out of the question. Most of the time, their lunches consisted of lunch meat slices (in a bag), with string cheese, fresh grapes and cherries, or fruit snacks, and crackers. Slightly unconventional, but they ate and that was the goal.

5. Last but not least, an excellent lunch on the go, is anything in a wrap. Sandwiches are great if you're sitting at a table, or even in the park... but a wrap is key if you're driving, or eating standing up or on the go. There's minimal mess, as everything should hopefully be wrapped tight, and secured (I like to envelope my wrap in tin foil- peeling back the edges as i eat). One of my favorite go to wrap lunches include hummus, and any fresh veggies on hand on either a whole wheat or spinach wrap.

What are some of your lunch favorites?

Stacy Mafera
703 304 4067
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz
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Get Your Move On!

Errands Etcetera — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:42:00 GMT

Every so often a business goes across my radar that is similar to my own, but we does have distinct differences. A few years ago, this business was Arrange Boston. I'd heard about Courtney from my BNI director, and she encouraged me to learn more about her business. I reached out to Courtney of Arrange Boston (www.ArrangeBoston.com), and we met for coffee to discuss what she does.
While we are both professional organizers and strive to make our clients lives a little less stressful, Courtney and her business partner, Nancy offer move in assistance as well as nesting service. They truly help you every step of the way.

I know from personal experience that when I moved it was a stressful time. I am an excellent procrastinator when it comes to my own "To Do" list, so having a service like this would have been amazingly helpful. When packing I was highly organized- we were moving from a one bedroom apartment into a 2 bedroom house, with a full basement an office and a 3 season room. Our moving crew consisted of my little brother (little meaning younger, 5'11" isn't exactly small), my overly motivated father (if there's anyone in the world that thinks he can conquer anything, it's him), myself, and Rick. Because it was one of those ridiculously hot days in September (record breaking hot actually), and I'm just a girl (it does sometimes benefit to use this phrase), I did most of the pointing, and supplying cold water.
I'm sure the next time we're getting ready to pack up and head out for our next adventure Rick, my dad and my brother will all remember the sweat that went into that day and urge me to call Courtney and Nancy!

I received an email yesterday from my friends over at Arrange Boston, sharing an Estate Sale announcement.
For details about the sale, please check out the link below:
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=t6w9hziab&v=001JO9rJ3gjxX6fgX1ibKZTdL02c8d3RnJSu-amhmyPkk49k9-WjaJympDaeqAWEo0R0nieqTUBixwH9hDBDIVmo8U1gQpyrju2Qqq1S_dmXaaQBsk4o3KrSg%3D%3D

Or email Arrange Boston at WeHelp@ArrangeBoston.com

Baked Teriyaki Chicken!

Errands Etcetera — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:07:32 GMT

The last week or so, dinner has been made on the grill. With chilly temps yesterday, standing out on the deck watching over dinner was probably the last thing that Rick wanted to do, so I gave him the night off.
Missing the warmth of the oven and wanting to get busy in the kitchen I went to work. We are trying to eat healthier, while not compromising flavor and portion sizes. We've stocked up on protein, vegetables, brown rice and whole wheat pasta for quick dinners.
I was craving something with a different kick so I tried something new.

I started with preheating the over to 350*.

Laying out a sheet of tinfoil, I sprayed a bit of non-stick spray, and 1/2 tbsp of teriyaki sauce.

Seasoning a chicken breast with salt, fresh ground pepper, and garlic grilling seasoning I laid the chicken on the tinfoil- pouring over it another 1/2 tbsp of teriyaki sauce. On top of that I layered sliced onions and a mix of sliced sweet peppers.

Wrapping the chicken up in the tinfoil into a neat little package, I repeated this with the second piece of chicken.

It took about 25 minutes to cook, and each piece of chicken was flavorful and moist (from having literally cooked up in the teriyaki sauce), the vegetable were also softened and delicious.

You could substitute the teriyaki for BBQ, Honey Mustard, or any other dipping sauce you like.

You might consider making a little extra, as they'd be a great reheat for lunchtime!

Enjoy!
-Stacy
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Does Your Family Have a Plan?

Errands Etcetera — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:31:00 GMT

Feeling inspired by my good friend Gwen Morgan, of The What If Work Book (http://www.whatifworkbook.com/) I put together my own family planning work book. Since it's just Rick and I, this was a pretty easy task- as our little twosome grows, the book I'm sure will come in as a very handy tool. While Gwen's book focuses on the future after your own, my book is based on today, and now, for our household.
The book contains a basic profile for each of us- along with birthdays, anniversaries, allergies, clothing sizes, and any other profile information that we might want to fill in. It also has a page with emergency contact info- the local pharmacy, doctors and dentists to contact, any specialists that we might have seen. We have a list of household vendors that we need; Directv, NationalGrid, our local handyman, the landscaper, and so on and so forth.
This book is where we can keep carry out menus for local eateries, and shopping lists for the market.
We have listed a family emergency plan- listing what to do if and when there is an emergency.
Since Rick travels a lot for work, I keep his travel plans written down in a master calendar, as well as off hour appointments that I might have, and parties or events that we are planning on attending.
I'm envisioning that when we do buy our own home, we will also include a map of the home, as well as swatches of paint, and any other DIY info that might be helpful.
The purpose of this book is to have a place to keep information stored- so it's not in random phone books, on one calendar but not another, and to avoid having a "junk drawer" where things get hidden, never to be seen again.

Do you keep a master planner like this?

Stacy
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Got 15 Minutes?

Errands Etcetera — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:04:00 GMT

We are all starved for time- there never seems to be enough time to do everything that we want to do, but here are 5 things that you can do in less than 15 minutes.

1. Windex all windows, allowing for more sunlight to stream into the house. Having a dog, our front windows and door are always streaked with Sammy-Nose, wiping them down leaves me feeling accomplished and wanting to open the sashes.

2. Clean out the fridge. It might seem like a tedious, and overwhelming task, but do a quick once over- are there left overs from last month's pot luck in there? Do you have cottage cheese from the last time you promised to eat healthy? Get rid of anything that you aren't going to use, is expired, or just aren't sure about.

3. Make a grocery list. Even if you don't need to go to the store now, do you have a list of commonly purchased items? I like the idea of an excel sheet posted on the fridge, or in a cabinet that can be updated as necessary. That way, when it is time to head to the market, I can just grab the list, reducing spontaneous purchases and forgetting things!

4. Change your sheets. I love the feeling and smell of fresh, crisp, clean sheets. I'm convinced that I sleep better in a freshly made bed.

5. Empty your email. With technology at our fingertips (literally), there's no excuse to have your email clogged with spam, or junk mail. Take a few minutes and to through your mailbox, and purge out pieces that you have no use for anymore!

Stacy
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5 Easy Things To Do To Celebrate Spring!

Errands Etcetera — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:20:00 GMT

The change of season always seems to motivate me. Spring really gets me in the mood to purge out the winter blues and hide the shovel and ice melt until next winter. Here are 5 inexpensive ways that I celebrate spring:

1. Tulips. When I was was little we had a giant tree, and a long make-shift flower bed in our yard. When the warmer weather came along, my Mom, along with her three little worm hunters (me and my two sisters), would go outside and plant tulips and daffodils. While having a green thumb may be a skill, having a pretty yard doesn't need to be.

2. Pussywillows.  Nothing says spring to me like these delicate, soft, fuzzy buds on branches. I love having a bunch in a vase as a casual centerpiece or a cute accent to a room.

3. Open the windows. I love sleeping with the windows open and letting the sounds of nature lure me into dreamland.

4. Do some spring cleaning. Every spring I go through and do a deep, thorough cleaning of the whole house- focusing on what I can get rid of, what can be donated, and what should go to storage.

5. Spend more time outdoors. Being in the Boston area, winters can be harsh and bitter- I love being to escape and take my four legged friend out for a nature hike, or walk along the beach- really enveloping myself in the landscape and all the beauty our world has to offer!

How do you celebrate spring?

Stacy
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