1,000 Ways to give, live, and love

Update!

Alana — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:57:39 +0000

We’re working right now on an exciting announcement…we’re taking our business to a new level and can’t wait to share more with you soon!!!

What is your go-to recipe for dinner?

Alana — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:22:46 +0000

I will confess: I really, really struggle with cooking dinner! So, I need your help — what is your go-to recipe for a quick and maybe even healthy dinner?

Way #83: Master the meals!

Alisha — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:21:30 +0000

Last week, my husband and I disagreed about what we were having for dinner almost every night! What should have been a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company became a time that we both dreaded.

He didn’t want to eat what I had planned for that night, and I didn’t want to spend the extra money to go out to eat. So this week, before I went to the grocery store, we sat down and made a weekly meal plan that we both agreed on. That way, I knew what ingredients to buy at the store because I knew exactly what we were eating, and we didn’t spend any extra money on going out to eat when we didn’t need to…we save our “out to eat night” for Friday, and usually a couple other times over the weekend!

So far this week, our meal plan has worked, and saved us from a needless nightly argument over dinner. All it took was a little extra time planning and communication with my husband…and it’s definitely been worth it!

Way #82: Start a collection!

Alisha — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:21:16 +0000

When I was a little girl I used to collect stickers. My mom use to buy me those little plastic sticker books, and boy did I have fun filling them up! Whenever we went to the store, I was always exited to get a new batch of stickers, especially sparkly ones! As I got older, and my interests changed, I started collecting magnets. Anytime we’d go on vacation, the one souvenir that I always got was a magnet. Now that I’m an adult, my collection interests have changed again. For the past several years I’ve been collecting Willow Tree Angels. They used to only sell them at Hallmark stores, but now you can find them all over and the variety of them has increased as well. I’ve received ones for my birthday, for my wedding, and even before I had my son. I use them all around my house as little decorations. Although I still collect angels, the newest item I’ve been collecting is my son’s artwork! It covers the refrigerator and truly brings a smile to my face! What do you collect?

Way #81: Grow a Garden!

Alisha — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:30:56 +0000

Around the end February and the beginning of March is the perfect time to start planting a garden for the spring and summer! If you’re not really into planting fruits and vegetables, then try planting a flower garden. Either way, gardening is great activity to do outdoors and to get your children involved with. Vegetable and fruit gardens are also a great way to save money, since you will be growing your own food and not buying it at the store. And even if you’re like me, and don’t really have a green thumb, just try growing one thing, in a pot on your front porch! Once you see how easy it is to keep a plant alive and thriving, you’ll be inspired to plant more!

How do you keep track of your schedule?

Alana — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:21:49 +0000

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I just can’t keep up with everyone’s schedule — last week, I had a “surprise” early release day for my son wreak havoc on my routine and today, a “surprise” field trip caught me off guard. I am curious — how do you keep up with the family schedule?

Way #80: Love unconditionally!

Alisha — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:22:14 +0000

Loving someone unconditionally is much harder than it sounds. We say we truly love someone, but it usually comes with a set of conditions. I’ll love you as long you never_____________ or I’ll love you as long as you _____________.

And if that person, who we are supposed to love unconditionally, makes a mistake or two, it’s really easy for us to hold it against them. That’s loving conditionally. Loving unconditionally remembers the passage from Corinthians that says, “Love is patient, love is kind….love keeps no records of wrong….love believes all things, endures all things….love never fails.” And since we, as human beings, are not perfect, it takes practice to truly love someone unconditionally…but it’s worth the extra effort it takes to not be a person who loves only on certain conditions.

How can you work on this concept with your spouse or child or even a dear friend? (Please share — we need some ideas!!!)

Way #79: Recycle!

Alisha — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:22:27 +0000

Does it ever feel like you take the trash out on a daily basis? That the garbage man comes on Tuesday, and by Thursday, your can is already full again? One way to eliminate so much waste it to recycle.

If you’re like me and don’t have space to put a large recycle bin in your house, then try putting it out in your garage. You can collect small amounts of recyclable items in your kitchen, like cans or bottles, and then take them out to the bin when you’re ready. Or you can make that “a job” for one of your children to do! It’s a good way to make them involved in daily chores. And if you’re really reluctant to start recycling because you’re overwhelmed by all of the different items in your house that can be recycled, start slow. Try recycling just cans the first week, or just newspapers — whatever you use the most of! Then slowly add more items to your pile.

Sometimes it’s a pain to make the extra effort to collect and take out the recycling, but in the end it not only eliminates trash in your house, but it also helps the environment!

Way #78: Have a Snack!

Alisha — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:17:50 +0000

During the first of the year, many people set goals to eat healthier and lose weight. My husband is one of those people, and so far he is doing a great job. One thing that’s helped him is eating little snacks throughout the day, as opposed to letting himself get so hungry that he stuffs himself at lunch or when he gets home from work. Some of the snacks he likes to eat are: pretzels, Fiber One Bars, tomatoes, or a few tortilla chips with salsa. What are some of your favorite things to snack on during the day?

How do you keep your car clean?

Alana — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:21:20 +0000

I thought about posting a picture of my car, but then decided it might frighten you! We clean out our car EVERY week, but somehow, by Wednesday, it is SCARY! Papers, shoes, socks, (disgusting) food crumbs, books, markers, crayons — ARGH! It is making me a little crazy, and I wanted to see what tips or guidelines you use (or plan to use) to keep your car clean!