Your Life. Organized.

An Objective End To 2011

As 2011 draws to a close, I invite you to take an objective look at your year. Reflect on what you did that made you proud of yourself. What mistakes did you make? Did you do things you now regret? What did you STOP doing that was unhealthy, counterproductive, or just plain destructive? What did you do to make a relationship better? What did you do to move yourself toward a goal or a dream? Give yourself credit and then move on.

Reflection on the past is important in that it helps us take stock of where we were and how far we've come. But reflection must keep its place in relation to vision. Looking back at your results is valuable, but not nearly as much as looking forward and choosing your goals, dreams and plans for tomorrow.

My wish for you is that you will acknowledge your strengths, focus on your gifts, and step up to the new year with a bold new attitude to create a live you love in 2012 and beyond!

With gratitude and love,

 

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Quote: Follow Your Heart

On the verge of a brand new yearI thought I'd take a moment to reflect on a wonderful quote from the late visionary capitalist Steve Jobs to inspire you for your next 365 day trip around the sun:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Steve Jobs
1955-2011, Co-Founder of Apple Computer

 

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Merry Christmas Friends!

In this time, when so many are struggling, my Christmas wish for you (and for myself) is that we will choose to be grateful. For everything we have, rather than everything we don't. For those who are with us, rather than pining for those who are absent. For the opportunities that lie before us, rather than what we have lost.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are both wonderful reminders to reboot our gratitude mindset and for that itself, I'm grateful. Merry Christmas to all my friends and I thank you for your continued support, encouragement and inspiration!

With love,

 

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Happy Hanukkah!

To all my readers who celebrate Hanukkah, as the sun sets this evening, know that I'm wishing for you a very happy holiday, filled with those you love, lots of fun and delicious food!

(Mail me some kugel, willya?)

With love,

 

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Quote: What is Christmas?

 "What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."

~ Agnes M. Pahro

 

 

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4 Easy Holiday Appetizers You Can Make In 20 Minutes

It’s officially the holiday season and that means you’ll be invited to gatherings, parties and soirees from now through the end of the calendar year. Between shopping, entertaining and visiting, the word of the season is (say it with me…) BUSY!

If you dread holiday potlucks because you’re not a whiz in the kitchen and time is not on your side in general this time of year, this is the post for you! Here are five super easy and delicious dishes you can whip up on short notice for your own shindig or to bring to any holiday gathering. To make it even easier, bring them on a disposable plastic platter and leave it behind so you can come home empty-handed.

Caprese Skewers
This dish is one of my personal favorites and go-to appetizers that’s always a big hit. Cut fresh mozzarella into small pieces and combine each piece on a toothpick skewer with a grape tomato and a fresh basil leaf. Drizzle the entire plate with balsamic reduction or serve it on the side for those who wish to dip.

 

Classic Bruschetta
Make crostini by slicing a loaf of Italian bread into ¼ inch thick rounds, brush with olive oil and toast on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for five to six minutes until they’re golden brown. While the bread is toasting, combine a container of halved grape tomatoes and two teaspoons of olive oil and toast them on a baking sheet until the tomatoes are soft.

Once the bread and tomatoes are out of the oven, spread the toasted crostini with ricotta cheese, top each crostini to the roasted tomatoes and drizzle each crostini with honey.

 

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bites
This classic kid pleaser goes upscale when you spread artisan Tuscan bread with basil pesto, pile on sharp provolone cheese and fresh plum tomatoes and grill it in a hot sauté pan. Cut each sandwich into bite-size pieces and stack on a plate for your guests. Simple and delicious!

 

Chicken Salad Boats
To head to a weekday party after work, swing by the grocery store and pick up a head of fresh Belgian Endive (not curly!) and a rotisserie grilled chicken. Pull the chicken off the bones, put it into a mixing bowl and set the bowl of chicken into the freezer to chill quickly while you make the dressing. For the dressing, combine 2 to 3 Tablespoons of mayonnaise, a teaspoon of dry mustard, a teaspoon of dried dill, ½ teaspoon of celery seed, and sea salt and ground black pepper to taste. Add the pulled chicken to the dressing, mix thoroughly and scoop into washed endive leaves. Arrange the leaves on a plate and serve.

 

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Quote: Love Changes The World

"Maybe you can't change the whole world, but if you have love in your heart you can make small differences every day, which really does change the world, one life at a time."

 

Kristina Koncz
Customer Experience Specialist

 

 

 

 

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6 Simple Steps to De-Stress December

If the normally joyous holiday season makes you nervous, anxious and stressed out, why not change it up this year? Here are six tips to help reduce your holiday stress and boost your enjoyment of the season.

 1. Give up doing all the cooking for your holiday events. It’s more fun and so much simpler to ask your guests to contribute something special to the meal. They’ll feel valued, you’ll get a break and you’ll get to enjoy your event a lot more. 

 2. Allow extra time for all your errands this month. No matter what, things just seem to be more hectic in December. Everyone wants to be all the same places you want to be, so psych yourself up for it by expecting delays in advance. If you’re mentally prepared for traffic and crowds, it won’t bug you as much.

3. Be aware of your sugar and fat intake. Over-indulging on sweet treats can make you depressed and bloated. Did you know the average person gains EIGHT POUNDS between Thanksgiving and the end of the year? Ouch! Avoid as many holiday goodies as you can, saving your calories for only your most favorite treats. Bonus: when you choose your calories consciously you won’t stress over potential pounds gained come January.

4. Plan menus realistically. When inviting people to your holiday gatherings, remember it’s December so assume a bunch will already have other commitments. Plan for a realistic number of guests so you don’t overspend on food that won’t get eaten. Another holiday happiness tip: Remember to be in the moment and enjoy the people who DO attend, instead of lamenting over the ones who didn’t.

5. Be thoughtful about traditions. Choose which ones are really important to you and ditch the rest. There’s no reason to stick with traditions you don’t even love, simply because you’ve “always done it.” Start some new traditions of your own this year and leave the old ones behind.

6. Give up the myth of the “Perfect Holiday.” Nothing is ever perfect, so stop worrying about things that don’t really matter. Believe it or not, nobody really cares if the decorations aren’t flawless, the wine isn’t quite cold enough, or the pie crust is a smidge overdone. People matter, not things.

Don’t let chaos, stress and guilt ruin your holiday season. The holidays are a wonderful time to focus on being grateful for friends, family and all the good things in your life.

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Quote: Infamy

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was surprise attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the morning of December 7, 1941, and the resulting declaration of war on Japan by the United States signaled the states' official entry into World War II.

That December morning, the United States lost over 2400 Navy personnel and nearly 1300 more were wounded. Today, I hope you will take a moment to remember the great loss sustained that day, and honor the men and women who gave their lives for the cause of liberty. Truly, the Greatest Generation.

 

 

 

Click on the clip to listen to the stirring audio of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's speech to the American people and declaration of war upon Japan.

 

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Is It Still Christmas?

Simplicity during the busy holiday season is a beautful thing. I started a no-gifts policy many years ago and for the most part it works. The stress around gift-giving is all but gone and I can truly enjoy the season. I've been blissfully Christmas Tree since December 1985 when my sweet kitten Clara relentlessly climbed the trunk of the tree and pulled the ornaments off, day after day until the tree came down in January. Ugh. That was the last time I put up a Christmas Tree and my holidays have been simpler ever since.

When it comes to decorating our home, Christmas Boy and I keep it simple. Today he was kind enough to go underneath the house to pull out the Christmas boxes and decorate our home. It took him all of thirty minutes. We figure whether we go all out with lights, trees, garland and mistletoe or put up the few things we really enjoy, it's still Christmas at our house. As long as my Nanny's ceramic Christmas Tree gets put on display, I'm happy.

This year and every year, however you choose to create your own simplicity at the holidays, I support you. I advocate for you. And whatever you do, it'll still be Christmas.

Here's to holiday simplicity!

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