Make Healthy Food Choices and Stay on Track with a Meal Planner

 

About eight months ago I made a radical diet change to improve my overall health and help me lose 10 pesky pounds I had been carrying around for a while. The eating plan was simple: no refined flour or sugar, no dairy, and lots of lean protein, veggies and complex carbohydrates, like sweet potatoes. That paired with a gym routine of three to four 60-minute workouts per week and I quickly dropped the excess weight (I actually ended up losing 16 pounds!) and felt better than I had in years.

The holidays, though, threw me off track. The office was loaded with sweet treats, popcorn tins and candy. I am a sucker for sugar.

Determined to get back into my healthy eating habits, I created this laminated meal planner for my refrigerator door. On it, I can list what I’ll have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the entire week. I can even include items for my grocery list, which really makes shopping once a week a lot easier. 

Here are the steps to create this custom meal planner:
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Create Personalized Thanksgiving Day Menu Cards

 
Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away, but you still have time to add some special flare to your holiday dinner table. This year, I decided to help our Thanksgiving host (my grandmother) by making menu cards for the table. She always decorates with a festive centerpiece, so these really brought the colors together and provided a nice touch to the table.
Here’s how I create these personalized menu cards:
Step one
Before you can write a menu, you have to plan a menu. Decide in advance what will be served on Thanksgiving Day. If your family is like mine, the basics (turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes) are always served, but sometimes we like to mix it up and try new recipes.
Step two
Create a menu template in design software.

Make Your House a Home with a Personalized Photo Collage

 

Sometimes it is difficult to find artwork that is unique and personal. In my home, I have a couple of paintings I really like, but wanted to add something different created just for my family. I decided to make 3D letters made of a collage of photographs. You can choose color or black and white photos depending on your decorating preference. 

Here are the steps to create your very own family masterpiece:  ...read more

Personalize Your Smartphone with a Custom Case

 

With the holidays on the horizon (yes – it's already THAT time of year again), big tech companies have started to announce and release the latest versions of their mobile phones. If you're like me, you don't want to wait in line outside a store for hours (let alone camp out!) or elbow your way through a mass of eager shoppers all waiting to get their hands on the newest devices. I say save your sanity and give your current phone a makeover. 
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Race Track Play Mat

 

Now that my son is toddling around, I'm looking for activities that keep him busy but don't make our house look like a toy store showroom.

That's when I got the idea to make a play mat I can roll up to store in a closet or under a bed. The vinyl used to make banners is the ideal material for this craft. It's durable, it's easily wiped clean, and you can make a custom design. Win, win and win!

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From Lemonade Stands to Neighborhood Events, These Banners Will Keep You “Green”

 

I always joke that when you turn into our neighborhood, you've entered the 1950s. We have children playing in the streets and many neighborhood events and gatherings. What I've noticed lately is that with all the events we have going on (lemonade stands, neighborhood association meetings, Friday meet and greets, rummage sale, etc.), we have a real need for signage that can be reused throughout the year, something that looks a little more polished than the spray painted sheets or plywood that everyone uses currently. ...read more

ABCs and 123s: Tracing Out Learning Fun

 

The end of summer is near, and soon students will be heading back to the classroom. While they may be groaning all the way to the school bus, many parents are breathing a sigh of relief as the long days of “I’m bored” draw to a close. ...read more

Inspiration for your Home Office

 

When working from home, you face a unique set of challenges that include avoiding distractions, staying focused and keeping your workspace separate from your living space. ...read more

Following the Rules (plus info on a discount!)

 

It’s back to school time again (gasp – where DID summer go, anyway?).  ...read more

Get Noticed: Making Resumes Pop

 

While some people are enjoying the lazy days of summer poolside (how I wish I was one of them!), many others are hitting the pavement looking to find the perfect job. But with the large pool of recent college grads plus seasoned professionals looking to make the next big leap in their careers, how do you get noticed among all the prospects?


Obviously you want to put your best foot forward and highlight your skills and experience in a concise and eye-catching way. But what about some out-of-the-box ideas to help take your resume from plain to perfection?

If you have graphic design skills, or a good friend with those abilities, put them to good use to jazz up your resume. It’s probably best not to go too crazy with design, unless you’re seeking a job in a highly creative field, but a small touch here and there may be just enough to stand out.  
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