Food Fun Family

Tips For Getting & Staying Organized in the New Year

Lolli — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 13:00:49 +0000

2017 is right on our heels. We’ll blink and it will be here. A New Year gets me excited and scares me a little bit, too! Getting organized has never been hard for me, it’s the part of STAYING organized that seems to be the challenge. With some experience under my belt, I wanted to share how you can get organized and stay organized in the coming year.

Pick your battles

There is no way you are going to have your entire house organized at the same time. The way I get organized and stay organized is to pick my battles. What are my “main” areas I want to stay organized? For me, it’s my main living areas. Keeping those areas organized is super important.

You will notice that it is a lot easier to be organized whenever you don’t have the pressure to keep every single nook and cranny organized.
Checklists are your friend (whether you want them to be or not)

Listen, I know checklists are so pre-internet and smart phone, but they work! When I make a checklist, it is so much easier for me to stay organized. I will admit that checklists help me to stay organized with my kids, grocery shopping, and extracurricular things. Plus, I love having a list to “check off” when I get things done, don’t you?!

Keep the kids accountable in the organization department

If you are anything like me, you can get organized, no problem. It is the staying organized that is hard. Part of the problem, at least in my house, is that the kids seem to have a natural ability to destroy any sort of organization I’ve created.

If you want to stay organized this year, then you need to keep your kids accountable. They need to help YOU stay as organized as possible. I write my kids little notes to help them stay organized. I’m sure you can find a way that works for you!

Keep ongoing appointments

One area that I have been working on in the organizational department has been with appointments. I have found something that works and helps me stay organized. Instead of picking a “new time and date” every time I need an appointment, I keep a standing date. For example – hair appointments are every 6 weeks at the same date/time/place. Grocery shopping same date/time/place. Date night with the hubby — same date/time/place (it’s ok to pick a different restaurant or activity each time, but having that set date helps so much!). When you have repetition in your life, it’s harder to be disorganized because you know what to expect. In fact, this will make you look so organized that people are going to stay wondering who you are.

I hope some of these tips help you get more organized {and stay organized} this year! We can all use a new tip here and there, so share your tips with me. I’d love to hear them.

Sunday Inspiration: Setting Our Aim (Too High or Too Low?)

Lolli — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 13:00:06 +0000

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

~Michelangelo

How to Stay Motivated (or Get Back on Track) With New Years Resolutions

Lolli — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:13:11 +0000

The first week of January has got to be the most optimistic week of the year. It’s during those first few days of the new year that most of us commit to goals – resolutions – changes that will make the coming year better than the one that has just passed. We want to be more fit, more healthy, spend more time doing the things that matter most.

The New Year has a way of making us reflect on those things that matter most.

…And then February has a way of sneaking up on us and reminding us that sticking with goals is difficult. So how do you stay motivated and stay on track with the goals that you made on January 1st (or get back on track if you’ve already stumbled)? Since I am no expert at sticking with my goals, I turned to some of the women I admire most and came away not only with some great tips, but with a fresh resolve to do better…starting today.

How to stay motivated with New Years Resolutions

1 – Remember the WHY. Rather than getting discouraged by the things that you need to DO in order to accomplish your goals, concentrate on WHY you set your goals in the first place. Deb Thompson said, “It has taken extreme willpower, but the desire to lose weight trumps the desire to eat junk.”

2 – Is it realistic? Tonya Stabb is surprised by how well she’s been able to stay on track this year, especially after not doing so well last year. Instead of feeling defeated by a list again, she focused on putting things on a year-long bucket list that will challenge her, but that are doable. Often the problem with staying motivated is that we set too many goals, make them unattainable and feel overwhelmed, or don’t know where to start.

3 – “Half it!” I loved Beth Avant’s advice to half it: If you can’t work out 5 times a week like you resolved to do, work out twice a week and talk a long walk. It’s okay to reevaluate your resolutions and alter them to make them more accessible.

4 – Focus. Achieving and maintaining proper focus is not an issue unique to cameras. Hillary Chybinski said, “I believe in making a few well-chosen long-range goals, then taking small focused steps to achieve them. Life is constantly throwing us curves, and we need to remain mindful of our goals, and think about the best way to navigate the curves and get back on track.”

5 – Put it down on paper. Jessica Cohen recommends not only writing your goals down on paper, but also writing your specific reasons for choosing this particular goal and the benefits that will come from succeeding. Say your goal out loud – today and tomorrow and the day after that – to keep it fresh in your mind.

6 – Enlist a buddy. Sometimes all we need is accountability. And an advocate. Whether it’s a friend (online or off), a community of people with similar goals, or simply an app on your cell phone that allows you to track progress, it’s important to have somewhere to report and turn to for support.

7 – Celebrate your successes. Susan Carraretto was right on the money when she said, “I think a key to making these changes in my routine is celebrating my successes along the way. I’m trying to pat myself on the back and encourage myself as I take steps towards changing my lifestyle for the better.” know that I get discouraged when I look at the big picture and see how much I have yet to accomplish. But I always feel uplifted when I accomplish something, however small, that puts me closer to my goals. When I feel like I’m making progress…I actually make more progress. I love how that works!

8 – If you stop, don’t look back. Start again. Danielle Liss was down with the stomach flu for a few weeks in January. Instead of becoming discouraged by her lack of progress, she reevaluated her goals at the end of the month and is ready to move forward.

What tricks have you learned to stick with your goals?

Build your best year yet!

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Disclosure: I am blogging on behalf of Visa Prepaid and received compensation for my time from Visa for sharing my views in this post, but the views expressed here are solely mine, not Visa’s. Discover more at VisaPrepaid.com or join the Visa Prepaid community at facebook.com/VisaPrepaid.

Believe – Give Me Your Best Shot #PSF

Lolli — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:46:34 +0000

Balance – That was my word of 2012.

I’m not sure how I did seeking balance last year. Some weeks were certainly better than others.

I thought about choosing a new word for 2013, but nothing seemed right until this morning.

I had an early morning conversation with my good friend, Caryn, during which I realized a personal weakness that I need to work on. I was discouraged and questioned my value in this space.

Instead of being disappointed about the opportunities and jobs and skills and luxuries that I don’t have, I need to have more faith in myself. I need to believe once again.

The word Believe was on my mind all day, as I worked, as I made dinner, and as I helped my kids with their homework tonight.

And so it is that Believe is my word for 2013.

I believe that 2013 will be an incredible year. I believe that I can accomplish so much this year. I believe in me.

A few more photos from this recent shoot, just for fun:

Do you have a word or a phrase for 2013? Please share!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

To play Give Me Your Best Photo Story Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign the link list:
<center><a href="https://foodfunfamily.com/tag/give-me-your-best-shot" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://mychaosmybliss.com" target="_blank"></a><br />Hosted by <a href="https://mychaosmybliss.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="https://www.foodfunfamily.com" target="_blank">Lolli</a></p> <p/></center>

Teaching Kids to Set Goals – Goal For It!

Lolli — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:39:33 +0000

After potty training, I have always felt like training kids to do chores consistently was one of the hardest and most painful processes of parenting. It’s so much easier to just do the work myself….but I don’t have time to do everything on my own and I recognize the value of teaching kids the life skills that they’ll need when they leave home.

Over the years, we have tried countless chore charts, incentive programs, and (I hate to admit it) both avoiding messes and yelling until jobs got done. Some methods worked for a while, and some methods were complete flops right off the bat.

My biggest issue with teaching my kids to help around the house is not teaching them the actual chores they need to do, but inspiring them to be self-motivated, goal-oriented individuals who see a need and know how to act on that need. Chores like dishes and laundry and bathroom cleaning are only the beginning. Not having to tell (and yell) every time the dishes need to be unloaded or homework needs to be done is one of MY goals.

I was recently introduced to GoalForIt.com, and enjoyed making a chore chart for AJ, my kindergartener son. When his oldest sister was his age, she was taking over lots of jobs around the house, but AJ is a typical youngest child and is still often treated (and acts) like a baby. He needs a little push.

What is Goalforit?

Goalforit is an online community of people committed to achieving success. They offer a variety of free tools to help people master the art of getting the right things done and bring more focus and personal success into everyday life.

Here’s what we came up with:

I love that it’s colorful. It’s cheap (actually it’s free – plus, no charts and stickers to keep buying!). It is a great visual reminder for AJ – and for me – as to how he’s doing. And because it’s easy for him to click on the spaces to add a virtual sticker, he is motivated to get things done so that he can check a new item off. We’ve got a long way to go…but he’s only in kindergarten, after all.

GoalForIt.com also has behavior charts, goal setting trackers, to-do lists, and tips and tricks to help any age make progress and gain success. I love it.

This post was sponsored by GoalForIt.com through BSM media. All thoughts are my own.

Biggest Loser at Home with @mgCheerios

Lolli — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:27:44 +0000

Last week, I mentioned that I am finally motivated enough to get serious about losing weight and being more healthy. Changing habits and making long term lifestyle adjustments is not easy, though. MultiGrain Cheerios® cereal and The Biggest Loser Club® are here to help you with whatever your healthy living, weight loss goals are with a free 7-day plan.

With tips, advice, and inspiration, the MultiGrain Cheerios website can help you get started on a healthier you. After entering the code found inside specially marked boxes of MultiGrain Cheerios cereal, you can access exclusive tools, including:

A Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator to gauge how much weight you may need to lose or gain to be considered healthy and not at risk for serious health problems
An exclusive 7 Day Plan that pairs daily meal plans with cardio and strength-training routines
15 tasty recipes that will give your body the fuel it needs to get through the day
Daily workouts that couple cardio with mobility and resistance exercises to hit major muscle groups

Along with using the online tools, eating MultiGrain Cheerios cereal in the morning is another simple step you can take toward helping to manage weight. Studies have shown that people who eat more whole grain tend to have healthier body weights, and with 110 lightly sweetened calories per serving, MultiGrain Cheerios has more than 16 grams of whole grain per serving (48 g recommended daily) to help keep you on track for a healthier you this year!

Just the other day, KitKat, my 14 year old, asked if it was bad that she had eaten Multigrain Cheerios for breakfast, lunch, and a snack. She loves them that much! Luckily for her, it’s totally ok!

Join MultiGrain Cheerios on Twitter during each episode of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser: Couples” Tuesday nights at 8PM EST through May 24, to connect with past contestants, share weight loss tips and discuss how to become your own Biggest Loser. Be sure to follow @MGCheerios and use the hashtag #mgcheerios to keep up with the conversation!

Guess what else? If you guessed giveaway, you’re right! To help give you a kick start, I’ve got a great prize from Mulitgrain Cheerios and MyBlogSpark to give away to a lucky reader!

The Giveaway:

The Multigrain Cheerios prize pack includes a box of MultiGrain Cheerios cereal with an exclusive online code, a gym bag, water bottle and cereal container.

To enter:

Tell me one change you’ve made or would like to make for a healthier 2011.

For additional entries (do as many or as few as you’d like)

Subscribe to Better in Bulk

Tweet about this giveaway (the easiest way is to click the tweet button at the bottom of this post). You can do this once a day.

Post about this giveaway on Facebook (use the FB share button at the bottom of this post). Again, once a day.

Like Better in Bulk on Facebook

This giveaway will end on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at midnight EST and a winner will be selected at random and notified via email. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received the Multigrain Cheerios gift set from Cheerios and My Blog Spark but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

My Motivation

Lolli — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:37:05 +0000

This year, I did something I typically don’t do. I made a New Years Resolution. I usually steer clear of the ever-popular New Years Resolutions because the idea of setting goals once a year has always turned me off. I like the idea of always striving to be better and setting goals as they are needed, and not waiting til everyone else does it on January 1st.

This January 1, I knew it was time. I couldn’t wait any longer to get back in shape. The last 3 1/2 years of not having a steady income have been rough on me emotionally and physically, and I have not been taking care of myself like I should have been. I decided to set some small goals for myself so that I could reach my larger goal of losing weight and gaining energy.

I added exercise in to my routine on week one. I have been loving dancing with the wii at my friend, Safire’s, house. We have been sweating to Just Dance 2 for a few weeks now and love it. When I don’t get together with Safire, I have been doing workout DVDs at home. Not my favorite way to exercise, but it’s free. And warm.

On week 2, I vowed to add more water into my day. If trips to the bathroom are a good indicator, I have been drinking more water. Maybe not enough, but I’m definitely doing better.

Week 3 is starting today, and my newest goal is to get more sleep. I wake up every morning at 5:00am to get KitKat up so she can make it out the door for her 6:00am seminary class. Sadly, despite the early wake up time, I’ve had a bad habit of going to sleep after midnight. I know that five hours of sleep is not enough for a healthy body. So this week, I am striving to make getting to bed earlier my newest habit.

In future weeks, my goals will include eating healthier (particularly dropping the snacks) and increasing my exercise (adding muscle toning to the cardio). With the influence of my friend Leah from Bookieboo and Mamavation I’m hoping to keep on track (By the way – the new round starts this week! I’m really hoping that @katjrobertson is picked as one of the Mamavation Moms!)

As an added motivation, this month’s Fishful Thinking newsletter and message came via email last week. What perfect timing! This is what my friend and mentor, Karen Reivich, says about achieving goals:

Think about how you and your kids pursue long-term goals. Do you do whatever it takes to reach the goal, even if it means weeks, months, or years of effort? Or do you stick with your goal but lose interest, quit when it gets tough, or stop when there are roadblocks in your path?

Psychologist Dr. Angela Duckworth has studied why some persist in the pursuit of goals (for years and years), while others quit and find something else as soon as they get bored or hit obstacles. She calls this mental trait of perseverance and passion for long-term goals “grit”. Angela’s research shows that individuals with grit are more likely to persist in reaching their goals, and are more likely to succeed and outperform those with less grit. In fact, her research shows that grit is a better predictor of success—like those who make it to the final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which West Point Cadets will make it through the grueling first summer at West Point, and even a student’s grades in school—than intelligence or self-control.

Grit requires perseverance and optimism. It also requires setting goals that align with our passions. After all, it’s going to be easier to keep a goal that intrigues and excites us—a goal that we have heart for—rather than a goal that fails to ignite our zest and enthusiasm. You can take a free test of your grit by going to https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu and clicking on the Grit Survey link found under Engagement Questionnaires. (You will need to make a username and password – there is no charge)

Reflect on the questions below to help you think about how much grit you have:

What long-term goals have you set for yourself? What has been your progress in meeting those goals?

When working toward a long term goal, how do you respond when you encounter difficulties or challenges along the way?

What are you most passionate about? How do your goals fit with your passions (are they related or unrelated)?

How would you describe your self-control? How do you respond when you are tempted to do something that will undermine your ability to meet your goals?

How optimistic are you? How do you use your optimism to reach your goals?

The field of Positive Psychology doesn’t yet have empirically validated techniques for teaching grit. I believe, however, that if we help our children develop optimism, self-control, and perseverance, and marry those attributes to their passions, we will increase the likelihood that our children develop grit. In addition, we can teach our children that success and talent take a lot of time and effort by praising them for their efforts and the daily steps they take to reach their goal.

If all of that wasn’t motivation enough, I stumbled upon this photo of myself holding Twizzler, my third child, on a Florida beach during the Summer of 2001. Granted, I was in my late 20s then (instead of my late 30s…) and I have had two more kids since this picture was taken. But the stark difference between how I look NOW versus how I looked THEN is all the motivation I need to stick with my goals.

I hardly even recognize myself.

What motivates you to stick with your goals?

PS – I am hosting the live chat in the Coffee Talk BlogFrog community tomorrow morning at 11:00 am Eastern Time. We’re talking about photography tips (woohoo!). I hope you’ll join me there!