Brought to you by
Me Time Contributor
Debi Silber
themojocoach.com

Feeling a sense of control is important to your health, self esteem and well being. It helps us feel strong, empowered and in charge of our lives and the way it’s unfolding. While a sense of control is beneficial, too much control often leaves us micromanaging everything and everyone in our path. Are you micromanaging? Do you need to oversee everything and make sure it’s all done your way? Is it unsettling for you when things aren’t done to your exact specifications? Besides taking on an enormous amount of extra stress, you’re probably making things more difficult for everyone in your path. If this sounds like you, it’s time to stop micromanaging, learn to delegate and let it go. First of all, consider it from your children’s perspective.

Let’s say you ask them to make their bed. The cover may be pulled up but it’s not tucked in with military precision by any means. You’ve asked them to handle the bed making task, it doesn’t meet your approval so you decide to remake their bed. What message are your children receiving while you’re satisfying your need for a perfect house? They’re probably feeling like their efforts aren’t good enough which discourages them from trying harder while diminishing their self esteem. Here’s another example.

You’ve asked your husband or partner to go food shopping in an effort to share the workload. So far, this is a great plan. He comes home with every concoction of sugary, fatty junk food that can be found on the supermarket shelves. What do you do? Maybe you decide that he simply can’t get it right so it’s yet another job you’ll have to do. Who are you punishing here? Yes you’ll bring home some healthier options, but how about providing him with a specific list and hoping for the best? Your first option only leaves you with more work, frustration and unhappiness while he’s off the hook and wishing you could simply ask for what you want.

This next example is something way too many moms can relate to. What happens when your child comes home with a complicated project that’s due in a few days? Is it really their project, or has it become yours? Of course you want your child’s project to be completed, nicely done and timely but many moms feel that if their child’s work will be seen in or outside the classroom, it needs their decorating touch. There are a few things going on here.

The first thing worth mentioning is how does your “involvement” affect your child? Sure the project may look award winning by the time you’re through but consider the long term consequences. Your child will be doing hundreds of projects during their school career. As they grow, the time involved, difficulty and requirements will only increase. If they’ve never had an opportunity to take full responsibility for their work, their effort and their time, how will it affect them later on? Picture your child in college. If he or she never had to take responsibility for their own assignments during school because you were always on hand to help, think about how this abrupt change of events will affect him or her now. Chances are, it will be a rude and uncomfortable awakening, leaving your child frustrated, overwhelmed and anxious.

Next, take a look at how it affects you. First of all, if you have more than one child, multiply the extra project time by how many children you have. If you have a few children, you’ve just given yourself a part time job!

The trick with ending micromanaging is to delegate the task and then let it go! Sure it may not be perfect or exactly the way you want it. But try to ask yourself this very deep, spiritual and philosophical question which can only be answered after careful though and consideration. Ready, the question is…..who cares? Chances are, no one cares but you. So for your health, well being and sanity, stop micromanaging; learn to delegate then let it go. Not only will you be happier, but so will everyone else.

Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC
Debi is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition, a Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, Lifestyle Expert-just for moms, speaker, President of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc. and author of The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best and From Mom To Wow: Your Ultimate Body, Mind and Life Makeover Guide. Debi’s branded The Mojo Coach TM because for nearly 20 years, she’s inspired unfit, overweight and overwhelmed moms to “get their mojo back” through gradual lifestyle change. www.themojocoach.com

Did you know that the leading cause of death for women in the United States is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?  Cardiovascular Disease claims the lives of over 500,000 women each year.  For many of us we don’t think of our heart health risks.   June 1 – 7, 2010 is National CPR & AED Awareness Week.  This week take a few minutes to evaluate your heart health risks and learn how to keep your heart healthy.

What puts us at risk factor for cardiovascular disease?  High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes, stress and lack of physical activity are just a few.  These are risk factors we can control by changing habits or visiting with our healthcare provider.  Some risk factors we can’t control; such as our age, race or hereditary factors.  But these are things that you can include in your conversation with your healthcare provider as they will include these in their healthcare plan for you.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest?  In sudden cardiac arrest a person collapses and becomes unresponsive.  They stop breathing and their heart beats with an irregular rhythm that does not effectively circulate blood through their body.  Start CPR and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). A person having a heart attack may have sharp or crushing chest pain; but many people only have mild discomfort or pressure in their chest or upper back and some difficulty breathing.  It is important that anyone having chest pain or pressure with difficulty in breathing seek medical attention immediately.  Call 911.  If they become unresponsive and stop breathing start CPR and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). 

Do you know how to do CPR?  If you have never taken a course or are not sure if you remember how to do CPR you can do Hands-Only CPR.  Call 911, push up and down on the center of the person’s chest and don’t stop until the ambulance arrives.  Your quick action can make a difference.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women (www.goredforwomen.org) website has interactive heart check up tools, tips and programs to help you check and improve your heart health.  Set aside of a few minutes of Me Time this week and check your heart health.  It is something you can do for yourself and your family.

About Gail Klanchesser
She is the owner of Coastal CPR & First Aid, LLC.  She is an American Heart Association BLS CPR & First Aid Instructor offering both community and on-location courses for busy parents, healthcare providers, care providers, business, schools and youth organizations.  She is a former EMT-I and firmly believes that we all can make a difference to someone in an emergency by using CPR, choking and First Aid skills.  She and her four children are active community volunteers living on the New Hampshire Seacoast. coastalcpr.com

Send your Mind on Vacation This economy doesn’t always support a fly-away vacation to white sandy beaches where your troubles are washed away in the rolling surf. Carve out 5 minutes and think of a place you have visited that brought you peace and tranquility. Close your eyes and visualize all your muscles relaxing. Picture yourself in your favorite spot and take in all the sights, smells, and sounds of that wonderful place. Enjoy the feeling of pleasure that comes your way from “visiting” your vacation destination!

Embrace your Youth! Think of all the things that you did as a child that gave you joy! Go to a park and swing, climb a tree or play dress-up. Grab some friends and go to an amusement park, do cannonballs in the pool, have a squirt gun fight, or grab your bike and go! Find something that brings you cheer and laughter… giggling is GOOD!

Shake  Things up and Push your Boundaries Stop saying “I’d like to do that someday” or “I don’t think I could do that” and JUST DO IT. Jump out of a plane, scale a cliff, go bungee jumping, set a goal and start training for your first 5K, 10K or marathon.

Take a Step into the Past Looking at old pictures of family and friends can give you comfort and take you back to happy times in your life… so dig out those old photo albums and thumb through them.  If you are one of those ladies that has stored bins of pictures or have a portable hard-drive of digital pictures that haven’t been printed – GET TO WORK SCRAPBOOKING. You can do this in the solitude of your home or enjoy this project in the company of friends or family.

Take a Walk of Gratitude Grab your sneaks and head out the door to re-energize! With every step repeat “I’m thankful” in your head and tell yourself something that you are thankful for in your life, whether it’s family, friends, relationships, work, health, reaching your goals etc.  You’ll be shifting into a positive energy gear in no time!

Enjoy a Girls Night Out Create a GNO experience! A girls night doesn’t have to equal dinner, cocktails and dancing… Try something different! Attend a professional sporting event, go visit an art gallery, museum or theatre or attend a wine/cheese tasting.

 Host a Girls Night In Although you can enjoy the latest chick flick and wine etc… Think out of the box! Enlist the help of a local expert and try something new! Learn to make jewelry, host a scrapbook class, have a clothing and accessory swap or enjoy a low-cost spa/makeover party.

Remind yourself all year long of the importance of “Me Time” by purchasing a Me Time tee… check out special deals via our Me Time Matters eNewsletter, our Facebook Fan Club page and Twitter @metime

Joan Lunden, longest running host of ABC TV’s “Good Morning America,” best-selling author, international speaker, and women’s health and wellness advocate, never expected the overwhelming response she received to an essay contest launched this spring whose winners would attend her women’s weekend getaway, Camp Reveille as her guests in August. 

Her web site, www.campreveille.com, was inundated with entries, including heart-warming stories from a son nominating his supportive mother, a mother seeking a respite for her daughter who is a Hurricane Katrina survivor, and hundreds of women who themselves felt in need of a summer camp getaway.

“It was too difficult to select a single, winning entry,” said Lunden, who ended up choosing five winners from around the country to join her for the women-only, long weekend getaway she hosts once a year on the grounds of Camp Takajo in Maine.

“This is a guilt free weekend,” says Lunden.  “If we want to be our best as women, we must take care of ourselves. That means taking a break from our demanding schedules to revitalize mind and body. Camp Reveille offers a chance for renewal, personal growth, and self discovery, but most importantly it’s time to relax and have fun! These five women are going to truly relish the Camp Reveille experience.”

The lucky winners include:

Andrea Bennett of Lynn, Mass., a physician’s assistant at Children’s Hospital of Boston and the highest ranking black woman in the Massachusetts National Guard. In December she will be deployed to Iraq. Andrea’s daughter, Aisha Bennett nominated her mother, Andrea, who has dedicated her life to her four biological children as well as three children who she took in and cared for over the years.

Catherine “Cat” Thomas of New Orleans, who was displaced from her home for three months in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and ever since, has juggled a full load including working a demanding hospital job in New Orleans, raising an energetic six-year old boy & her two step-children, and volunteering her time wherever needed, teaching her children about the importance of giving back. According to Cat’s mother, Mary Levesque, who nominated her daughter, Cat puts everyone else’s needs first including her mother. For the past two years Cat has cared for her mother in Oxford, Massachusetts throughout 11 surgeries.

Diane Ambrosio of Kings Park, Long Island, NY, a working mother of five children (16, 14, 13, 12 and 9) and a nursing school student, devotes her life to her family. Every moment is spent continuing her education, working, or making sure her family is cared for. Diane shared in her essay that her home and family, as well as her own physical and mental health, are suffering from her frantically busy schedule. Feeling constantly overwhelmed and guilty, Diane is the epitome of today’s working mother. Camp Reveille will help her re-charge and return a better mother for her family.

Gloria Pleasant of Maple Valley, Wash., was nominated by her son Kyle, a New York City-based musical theater performer. Kyle wrote in his nomination of his mother, “Joan Lunden has always been a tremendous role model and inspiration for my mom. My mother worked tirelessly to pay the bills, even filing bankruptcy to make the best life possible for our family and support my passion to be a performer. She taught me to follow my dreams, embrace my differences and never give up.”

Linda Kennedy Hassel of Redding, Penn., a grief counselor and mother says “my life has become my work as I believe that somehow I can be an anchor in the storm for many women. Yet, to do my best, I know I need to take care of myself – advice I give my clients, yet somehow do not take readily for myself.” Linda has found passion in her work after enduring her own share of grief and challenges, losing a daughter at age 10 from blood-transfused AIDS after battling leukemia from the age of two. Linda has raised three children and will finally have a weekend to take care of herself.

Camp Reveille runs from Aug. 20-23 in the lake region of Southern Maine. The idyllic location includes an active waterfront and beach, which offers swimming, sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, sunbathing, and banana boat rides. Women can enjoy a myriad of fitness classes including dance, yoga, Pilates, and strengthening or partake in traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, archery, a 50-foot climbing wall, beach volleyball, basketball, or tennis. During the four-day, three-night getaway renowned skincare line, Murad, sets up a luxurious spa for women to enjoy complimentary facials and massages. This year Joan will be offering one-on one nutritional consulting and dermatological full body checks for those who choose to sign up.

View related story: Joan Lunden, former Good Morning America co-anchor, accomplished author and busy mom of seven, touches the lives of those around her by inspiring them to live a healthy lifestyle.

To find out more about Camp Reveille, please visit www.CampReveille.com.

To find out more about Joan Lunden, please visit www.JoanLunden.com.

Part 4 of 4 (view previous articles in the series)
Moving forward after having the support for the last month can be as difficult as the initial challenge of making the time for “me-time”! So let’s make sure you have a solid plan in place for healthy habits to continue improving on!

Make sure you always know what you like to do for yourself, be sure to schedule it in ahead of time so it’s sure to happen and recognize if you’re still stressed out when the time is over. As you define how this happens in your day to day life try to make it as normal as breathing & before you know it – it will be!

Brought to you by April Welch simplyorganizedonline.com

As you evaluate the last few weeks of lessons ask yourself the following questions:

• Did I think I could actually accomplish “me-time” when I started?
• Have I found out things about myself that surprised me?
• What could possibly stand in the way of moving forward?
• Is there a system in place that I can rely on?
• What does Plan B look like?

Example: “I still remember the days when I wondered if I even existed outside of being “my husband’s wife” or “my kid’s Mom”. When I look back now I realize that I stopped taking care of myself & allowed taking care of everyone else to become my identity. Funny thing is, it doesn’t have to be one or the other.

I was among those who said “I don’t have time for me”, the truth was – I didn’t know how to have time for me. By stumbling my way through many trials and errors I discovered that some weeks I get in lots of things I love doing and others I barely stay awake long enough to think about what I missed! By establishing a system that worked for me (planning a month at a time) I found where I would have to just grin and bear it & where I could finally breathe. But I’ve always known that Plan B is either a “just for now solution” or a “WARNING sign” that is to be avoided at all costs – because I enjoy my own identity!

For those still lingering on finding their way:
In my early 20’s I worked for an airline, during one of our training sessions the question was asked “if you were on a plane that had lost cabin pressure while traveling with your child, who would you put the air mask on first?” I was passionate about my answer and debated that I would save my child before I would save myself! Then the instructor asked one of the most important questions I’ve ever been asked … “If you put the mask on your child & then pass out before you get yours on, who will be left to take care of your child?”

That moment changed a lot of things for me, including the priority I put on making time for myself – so I was the person I wanted to be for my family as well as myself.

I hope these 4 weeks have brought you practical advice as well as solutions you really can accommodate in your own lifestyle!”

Me-Time Assignment: Continue improving your systems until they feel like they “fit”
Do not let another week pass by without “me-time”

I popped on the local news site to check the weather for the week and a stories in the sidebar caught my attention. It was titled “Woman Rings in 100th Birthday with Ride on Hog” (video link below). A woman’s family teamed up with the local Harley dealership on her 100th birthday and arranged for her to take a ride on a Harley motorcycle – something that she enjoyed since her first motorcycle ride in her twenties.

After I watched the video, I began thinking about what I did as a child, teenager or BC (before children) that I truly enjoyed. I recalled pastimes and events that made me laugh, scream with excitement or brought a sense of being carefree! Memories started flashing in my head… riding my bike (it was my key to freedom – I’d ride for miles to meet my friends for lunch or hang out) or riding on the fastest roller coaster at the amusement park 10 times straight (no lines, no waiting). Then there were the simple things like cannonball contests in the pool to see who could make the most water to spill over the sides of the pool (that wouldn’t be as hard these days LOL). Or trying new things like water skiing or painting.

So I ask each of you… what pastimes or events that made you laugh, scream with excitement or brought you a sense of being carefree? Share with us! Write down the topics in a comment on this post.

I challenge each of you to revisit one of these pastimes in the next month… It just may help you let go of a little stress and provide a fresh perspective and a sense of renewal.

We will have more on embracing your youth and will provide you with information on how to win a trip to “re-engage your sense of play” in the coming days. Stay tuned to www.metime.com. If you aren’t a regular subscriber to this blog register now in the upper right hand column and be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter Me Time Matters.

Check out other great articles and resources at Me Time Central. Topics include: health, wellness, fitness, motherhood, careers, beauty etc.

“Woman Rings in 100th Birthday with Ride on Hog”

LaborKit is everything you need for the big day! ($55)

LaborKit™ hospital bags are filled with essential items to help new moms through labor, delivery and the first few months with a new baby. LaborKit™ was created to help moms be prepared and have the best birth experience possible.

To help plan for the big day, every LaborKit™ includes a Birth Plan, Hospital Checklist and Share the Joy Contact List. To help mom through labor and delivery all kits are filled with trusted brand name items like Lansinoh Lanolin, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Gerber Nursing Pads, and Pampers Swaddlers, and much more. All LaborKits are breastfeeding friendly and are packed in reusable canvas toiletry bags.

LaborKit™ is a unique and practical purchase for an expectant mom. A perfect baby shower gift for the mom-to-be that helps her prepare for the birth of her new baby. With four to choose from, there is a Laborkit™ for every budget. www.laborkit.com

Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too: It’s Good to Be a Little Selfish, It Actually Makes You a Better Mother ($16.95 – McGraw-Hill 2008)
This book is about taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. Through research—both academic and anecdotal—we seek to prove that life is better for everyone if mothers start respecting their own needs. It doesn’t take a lot of money or even a lot of time… it starts with small steps in the right direction. We interviewed 500+ moms in America and abroad so we could share their stories and tips from the trenches. We discuss mental and physical health in detail, and give encouraging and fresh advice.

Many stressed-out modern mothers try so hard to be more and more selfless—always putting themselves last on their to-do lists—when, in fact, the secret to greater happiness (for husbands and kids too!) is to be more selfish. We believe that parenting with energy, optimism and according to our own instincts is possible in this frenzied world! www.momstimeouts.com.

Care4Hire 1 Month Subscription ($29.99 per month)
This Mother’s Day do away with flowers, chocolates or anything ordinary. Why not really pamper mom and get her something she deserves – a break! Care4Hire.com is offering fantastic services to help mom with a cleaning lady, a trustworthy babysitter, or anything else her heart desires…

Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone. For more information visit care4hire.com

Mom’s Meal Mastery Session
Between work, children’s activities, and the demands of running a household, pulling dinner together can be a struggle. You don’t have to feel guilty. It’s challenging to get everyone together and serve a healthy, home-cooked meal, but it can be done. Learn skills to make enjoyable family meals a reality. Dinner Together offers a 30 minute phone session which will help moms:

• Create a crystal clear vision for taking charge of their kitchen and feeding their children to create more enjoyable family meals with less stress.
• Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging their family meal success.
• Leave this session, renewed, reenergized and inspired to take consistent action to make relaxed and happy family meals a reality for their families.

For more information visit the Dinner Together website.

Deluxe Scentsy Warmer and Scentsy Bars ($44)
Safe, Elegant, Fragrant, Long-Lasting! Introducing Scentsy, The Hottest New Thing in Candles! Scentsy bars melt at a very low temperature over a 25-watt light bulb in our exclusive electric warmers. Because they use no open flame like a standard scented candle, they pose no danger to children, pets or property when used properly. Scentsy candles are leadless, wickless, flameless and smokeless, and are available in over 80 exclusive scents.

Scentsy warmers are also more economical than jar candles. You can warm your favorite scents 24 hours a day, for a fraction of the cost. Each Scentsy bar lasts from 50-80 hours of “on time”. It’s also easy to change the fragrance whenever you’d like. Just pour the melted wax back into the bar container, wipe the warmer top with the paper towel, and drop in new scent cubes. If you like candles, you’ll LOVE Scentsy! Check out the Scentsy designs online.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire – 4 pack of passes ($28 value)
The museum is located at 6 Washington Street on the banks of the Cochecho River in downtown Dover and offers two levels of hands-on exhibits for children ages 1-12. Families can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. A special area on the second floor has been designed especially for children under age 4 to spark imaginative play. Visitors enjoy a uniquely New Hampshire experience, as all exhibits have been created by museum staff in conjunction with local artists and craftspeople. The museum also features two classrooms for field trips and birthday parties as well as a gift shop. Open year-round Tuesday – Sunday plus Mondays during summer & school vacation weeks. Visit the Children’s Museum of NH website for more information and current schedule of programs, classes, performances and family events.

Swarovski Crystal Personalized Koozie ($10 value)
Look super stylish while keeping your drink cold and your hands warm and dry! These Swarovski Crystal personalized holders are the perfect way to keep track of your or your child’s beverage. What a perfect gift idea for a birthday, wedding, teacher or the gal on the go in the gym. No more worries that your child is drinking from someone else beverage at a sports game or activity. Your child will be able to pick it out of the crowd.

Machine washable in cold water. Each holder is custom made to order with a maximum of 8 letters. Made from black collapsible Neoprene and your choice of Swarovski crystal color – crystal (clear), light pink, hot pink, light blue and a brushed silver or gold stud. Ships in 5-10 business days. Click here to visit online.

Me Time Tees ($24-29)
Me Time branded apparel is where fun meets fashion, and where you can identify with the important me time message among our many fashion top designs. From shopping to sunbathing, wine to dog walking and everything in between, we have your favorite me time activities covered. Our tees make a statement and will draw comments and smiles. We have 65 tees available online. In the coming weeks we will be adding coffee mugs, lounge pants and bling tees to our offering. Shop tees now.

If you need some help coming up with a design for your special someone use our Me Time Gift Suggestion Guide.

Mother’s Day Me Time Certificate (FREE – downloadable).
You don’t find much for free these days, but, we are here to change things. Give Mom the gift of Me Time. This can also be a nice simple gift for kids. They feel a great sense of accomplishment creating something special for Mom. Simply click on the certificate to the left. Print it out on fine quality paper. Fill in the certificate. Roll it up in a scroll and tie with a fancy ribbon. Be sure to arrange for a peaceful time for the gift to be carried out or hire a babysitter if needed.

Give the certificate alone or attach additional gift items like movie tickets, gift cards, theater tickets, a spa certificate or even jewelry.

Enter to Win the Fabulous Products and Services Listed Above in Our “Me Time Celebrates Mom” Giveaway.

A terrific compilation of 4 pampering products. As if these products weren’t enough, we In addition to the great products and services above we have assembled a nice Me Time Relaxation Spa Basket that we are going to include in our giveaway!

Me Time Relaxation Spa Basket ($75)
A compilation of 4 relaxing and rejuvenating products… perfect for a little pampering. Me Time “Relax” Scent Massage Oil which contains, grapeseed, sunflower, jojoba, sweet almond and avocado oils restore and soften tired, dry skin in a silky-smooth custom blend that glides along the skin effortlessly. This massage oil is 100% natural and fragranced only with the purest essential oils. Bath Fizzies that turn your bathtub into a lavish spa. Relax and unwind while the simple fizzing action releases cocoa butter and intoxicating scents to nourish, fragrance and soothe dry skin. Also included is Body Cream containing organic aloe vera make up the base for this ultra rich lotion. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, leaving behind velvety soft skin kissed with a delicate scent. And last but not least… Spa Eye Pillow filled with all natural flax seed and lavender. Eye pillows are used to provide gentle pressure on the face and temples for relaxation, meditation and sleep.

• Sign up to the Me Time Matters newsletter! Once you’ve become a member, come back here and let us know by leaving your name in the comment.
• Spread the word! Let your friends know about this giveaway – Twitter (hashtag #metime), Come back here and let us know!
• Join Our Facebook Fan Club (Me Time – http://groups.to/metime/) and invite your friends to join. Leave a comment on the discussion board, start a new discuss or post something on the wall within the Me Time group.
• Blog about this guide & giveaway. Post about this guide & giveaway on your own blog or website and come back here leaving the link in the comment box!
• Follow @aspainhower or @metime.com on Twitter! Once you’ve followed in twitter, recommend us by sending one of the following tweets.
  • Check out www.metime.com for Gift Ideas to Pamper Mom & Giveaway! #metime
  • It’s time to nurture your mind, body and soul. Follow @aspainhower or @metime. #metime
  • Please Retweet! Help your nieces, nephews, grandchildren create a special no cost gift for their Mom. http://metime.com/welcome-to-me-times-mothers-day-resource #metime
  • Or create your own tweet using the hashtag #metime
• Purchase a Me Time Tee.

Good Luck! Happy Mother’s Day!

Co-Authors
Susan Callahan
Anne Nolen &
Katrin Schumann
www.momstimeouts.com

You can start today, by taking it one small step at a time. Here are the top ten tips for taking time outs, gathered from mothers all across America.

Top Ten Tips from the Trenches

1. Steal Five Minutes – wherever you are! The next time you have five free minutes, grab it and do nothing. Get to a meeting early and sit quietly; try to forget that extra load of laundry; take a short walk; breathe deeply; pause. Being still allows you to reconnect with your instincts

2. Delegate… and Appreciate Let your kids make their own beds, and be OK with how they do it! If your husband makes dinner, don’t complain about the burnt hot dogs, but show gratitude. Give yourself a break by letting others help you

3. Your Health Matters Like clockwork, you take your kids for their annual checkups, to the dentist and to specialists, but over 50% of moms we talked to said they miss mammograms, doctor’s appointments and dental checkups for themselves! Make a master list on the computer of all your checkups, specialists’ names and numbers and dates for visits and then no slacking off allowed… Your mental and physical health is a priority

4. Sex is IN; Headaches are OUT! Commit to saying yes to your partner more often: Increasing frequency of sex from once a month to once a week improves happiness as much as getting a raise of $50,000 a year, according to a 2004 study in the National Bureau of Economics Research Working Papers. Intimacy with a loved one makes us come alive!

5. Curiosity—It’s KEY Pick up that magazine or newspaper in the corner and actually read an article! Get down to your kid’s eye level and listen to their stories. If you loved old movies as a kid, skip dinner out with your husband and head over to the local community theatre instead. Plug into the world around you to stay energized

6. Just Say No! Decide on your priorities and stick to them; you are in charge of your own calendar. Be prepared with a reason: “Sorry, I’ve already committed to something for my child/ my boss/ my family, maybe next time,” and then, be firm! Be proactive, not reactive

7. Strip Down to the Basics Try a spending embargo: Don’t re-stock your fridge for two weeks to clear out your pantry; re-use or inherit instead of buying something new; discard old clothing when you buy new. Clutter feels bad: simplicity feels better

8. Walk Don’t Run Slow down so you enjoy the scenery. If you usually take a shower, try taking a bath. If you’re always late, cut something out of your day so you’re early instead. Have a conversation instead of e-mail.Taking life more slowly is a conscious choice

9. A Blast from the Past What did you love doing as a kid? Eating ice cream? Running in the rain? Drawing? Figure out what you used to love, and invite it back into your life.Connect with what makes you tick

10. Shake Things Up! Wear three inch high pink stilettos. Go on a motorbike. Ride on a rollercoaster. Play a prank on a friend. Laughter always feels great.

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Life is crazy some days. Whether you are a single career women, entrepreneur, a working mom or stay at home mom, we all have one thing in common… we all need a little me time once in a while! Me time is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s time to relax, destress and refocus. Whether it’s 15 minutes or a couple hours, tell us how you enjoy your me time…

Me Time branded apparel is where fun meets fashion. Our tee, t-shirts and tank tops display fun designs and messages and women often identify with the important me time message. From shopping to sunbathing, wine to dog walking and everything in between, we have your favorite me time activities covered in our tees and t-shirts. Our apparel makes a statement and will draw comments and smiles.

	Maris Callahan
	Writer In Good Taste

Just because February is upon us doesn’t mean you need to abandon your New Year’s Resolutions. If you’re like many Americans and resolved to lose weight, as well as make more time for yourself, you aren’t alone. The harsh reality is that approximately 75% of Americans recently surveyed do not follow through with their resolutions.

If you vowed to eat healthier in 2009, there’s no reason why you should have to sacrifice me time by slaving away in front of the stove. If cooking isn’t your hobby, instead of logging hours in the kitchen, spend time exercising or warm up with a brisk walk with family members or friends.

“Most of us have enormous roadblocks that we need to manage [in order to commit to a weight loss plan],” said family lifestyle coach Amy Hendel, R-PA, who authored Fat Families, Thin Families. She suggests planning and preparing meals ahead of time to eat a balanced diet.

“A lot of us have budget constraints, emotional relationships with food and daunting schedules to manage. The best way to deal with those realities is to make health, rather than weight loss, our target and slowly change our eating habits.”

Whether you’re cooking for the whole family or for yourself, try these time-saving tricks and tips to cut down on stove-to-table time while you’re watching your waistline:

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• Buying bulk and breaking veggies down into mixed amounts in small baggie-sized portions so that you’ll have a great grab-and-go snack at all times
• Every Sunday, cut up a fruit salad and garden salad to start the week. Make these two dishes the only ones that are served family style – plate the rest of your food and don’t go back for seconds.
• Puree veggies to add bulk to your meatloaf, chili and soup recipes. You can also add vegetables to homemade pizzas and omelets to add bulk without additional calories.
• Embrace your crock pot – pile in all of the ingredients for your favorite soup or stew in less than ten minutes. Let it slow cook for eight to ten hours while you’re at work – or a spa day – and you’ll come home to a great meal.
• Brown Bag It: Rather than dashing out on your lunch hour or swinging by the drive-through after picking the kids up from school, prepare a simple sandwich or salad the night before so in the morning, you have a healthy meal ready to take with you. Turkey on whole-wheat bread with a smear of honey mustard or a low-fat tortilla wrap with veggies, reduced-calorie Caesar dressing and grilled chicken are simple options that taste great.

Maris Callahan: Since graduating from Susquehanna University in 2006, Maris has worked in the world of PR. While she began her career in the fashion/beauty industry, she now works in the consumer sector. She maintains a personal blog, In Good Taste, primarily about cooking, food and life. In her “me time” she enjoys running, knitting, yoga and a good latte.

Me Time branded apparel is where fun meets fashion. Our tee, t-shirts and tank tops display fun designs and messages and women often identify with the important me time message. From shopping to sunbathing, wine to dog walking and everything in between, we have your favorite me time activities covered in our tees and t-shirts. Our apparel makes a statement and will draw comments and smiles. How do you enjoy spending your me time? Email the Me Time team and tell us how you enjoy spending your me time! stories[at]metime[dot]com