Make a List

The summer is half-way through and your Simple Saturdays may start heating up.  You know the deal.  School sales are in full swing and time starts running short.  As the particular needs of your family increase over the next few weeks, have your daily routine securely in place.

Plan ahead and make a checklist before you start any project.  It takes less time to jot down a few bullet points on paper than it will take you, later on, if you forget to do things and have to backtrack.   

Plus, checklists can be fun!  Do a task, check it off. Do another, check that one of the list, too. Start by jotting down even the simplest of things and get a real sense of accomplishment.  

Example: your Before-Work List could look something like this:

• Put in a load of laundry
• Walk and feed the dog
• Shower and get dressed
• Take vitamins/eat breakfast
• Prepare lunch
• Leave meat out to thaw for dinner
• Bring new can of coffee to work
• Make bank deposit.
• Office keys: don't forget them
• Stop and get gas.
• Tonight: put laundry in dryer

Have a to-do list waiting for yourself at work, too.   

Are you a stay-at-home mom or off from work right now? You still need a list or time will slip-slide away.  Your list will look a bit different:

• Complete the morning routine for you, the kids and the family pet (walking the dog?)
• Special errands (back to school shopping, etc)
• Appointments (doctors, veterinarian, library, mechanic)
• Chores (laundry, yard work, etc) 
• Have FUN!
• Prepare dinner

Lists bring order to chaotic lives.  Do you use a list?  Give us some ideas on how you keep on track. Feel free to include links to your posts related to organizing, scheduling and back-to-school!


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Healthy Eating Tips For Kids

By Sinea Pies
Our greatest motivation in getting our weight under control could just come through helping someone close to us, such as our children, make healthy food choices. But there's more. "Monkey see--monkey do", as they say. It's not about just telling them what to eat, or not to. The question is, what are we doing ourselves?


This week's post is a feature article that I wrote for the Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Though this is aimed at helping our children to avoid habits that will lead to obesity and its complications years down the road, these tips really apply to family members of all ages.


Fighting Childhood &Tot Obesity: How to Make Healthy Choices
By Sinea Pies
July 2011 GVParent Magazine

www.alldaynatural.com 

Obesity in young children is becoming an ever-increasing concern amongst parents, educators and the medical community.


The definition of “obesity”, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is: “Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.” 


So many of us have struggled with the “battle of the bulge”. Being overweight is physically uncomfortable, restricts movement and requires more energy to get around. While others are active and enjoy being on the move, the excessively overweight person may be physically challenged by the simplest activities, such as taking a walk. Being overweight can also rob a person of self-esteem. Additionally, the health-related issues that obesity bring are serious business: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, some cancers, arthritic ailments, and even premature death are some of the hazards of carrying an extra load.


We love our children so much. The last thing we want is for them to struggle with any of these problems. But the statistics don’t lie. Today, one in three children is considered to be obese. According to the World Health Organization, obesity in children ages 2 to 5 and at 12 to 15 years of age has doubled since the early 1980’s. Youngsters in-between, ages 6 to 11, have reached the more frightening level of triple the numbers of their predecessors just three decades before.


Why the change?
Lifestyle. With each decade our culture has become more sedentary. We move less and eat more. Portions of food have grown from ½ cup of this and 4 oz of that to huge helpings, “super-sized”, and a dessert with every meal! (Yes, a thick chocolate shake with lunch is a dessert!) Soda pop is packed with pure sugar. Chips and other snack foods contain empty calories. Fast-food meals tend to be over-laden with fat. What we have come to accept as the norm, and even necessary, is doing our kids harm.


So, what can we do about it?
We must change our ways. Children learn by example. Little ones eat what they are given. Serve a healthy, balanced meal to them, and that’s what they’ll eat. Buy them a Happy Meal® every day and that will be what they want. That is not to condemn the occasional McDonalds treat. But so often it has become our default plan. No time? Go to the drive-up. Scheduled too tight? Order a pizza.
A healthy lifestyle takes planning. Practice it long enough, and it can become a way of life. It is important as parents that we begin to eat this way ourselves. If the whole family buys into balanced nutrition, it will be so much easier to enforce with our children.


Is my child overweight?
The answer is best determined by BMI (Body Mass Index). While not a perfect method of determining obesity, it is a more accurate measurement than looking at weight alone. The BMI takes into consideration weight, height and, with children, gender and age.


The ranges for children are as follows:

• Underweight Child: BMI is below 5 percent
• Normal Weight Child: BMI falls in the range of 5th and 85th percentile
• Overweight Child: BMI is from 85th to 95th percentile
• Obese Child: BMI exceeds 95th percentile

How to calculate BMI
The hard way is to take the child’s weight and divide by their height squared and then multiply that answer by the conversion factor of 703. An easier way is to go online to a BMI calculator2. and plug in the numbers.


First Lady Michelle Obama has taken her concern about the crisis of child obesity to the next level by forming a task force called Let’s Move. The goal of this initiative is to educate and encourage the community to teach children at the youngest ages to make good food choices so that they will enjoy a healthy future.
"In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me.” said Mrs. Obama. “This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition."3.


The Cure: first, downsize
Portions in today’s American culture are out of control. Reduce your family’s serving sizes. If you read the nutritional information on many canned and boxed foods, you may be surprised to see that ½ cup is often considered to be one portion.


Depending on your family’s eating habits, you may want to first cut portions that you have been accustomed to in half. When you dish up your food, can you see some of the plate or is it piled up and overflowing? If that is the case, make it your goal to have no two foods on your plate touching each other.


Are snacks a multiple-event during the day? How about reducing them to one or two times a day and choosing fresh fruits or a piece of cheese instead of processed cookies and crackers?


Next, Substitute!
Out with the bad, in with the good. Start by replacing sugary, white flour based foods with fresh fruit and high-fiber whole grains. Limit fat-rich sauces to rare occasions instead of daily occurrences. It is best not to revamp everything overnight but don’t lose sight of the goal: reducing low-nutrition food items (junk food) and replacing them with healthy choices: fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, nuts, whole grains, lean meats.


Plan Ahead
Good eating habits require planning. Make a grocery list with a weekly menu in mind. Consider school and work lunches right along with main meals. Breakfast is very important. Quick breakfast items should no longer be welcome in your home. Unsweetened oatmeal with fruit, eggs, yogurt or whole grain toast make much better choices. A piece of fruit with cheese on the side can be a quick breakfast, if you find that you’re running late.


Make Food Fun!
Don’t just plan, get creative. This is where the changes can be fun. Many people “eat with their eyes”. The cooking magazines that we love to read make the dishes look so beautiful. Children are no different in how they enjoy food. Set up their plates with visual kid-appeal. Make a funny face using sliced apples or orange sections for the smile. Round grapes or strawberry slices for eyes and a nose. Carrot curly-cues for hair. Use your imagination! Disney’s Family Fun4. website has a host of kid-friendly food suggestions such as Cucumber Race Cars with Radish Drivers, Bagel Critters and Banana Octopuses! Your little ones will look forward to every meal.


Get on the Move!
Good eating habits work all the better along with an increase in exercise. Take a family walk after dinner. Get out in the fresh air and walk, talk and enjoy the scenery. Encourage even your very little ones to be active with you. Work together in the garden. Join your children in playing outside with the dog. Everyone should sit less, move more!


Don't Panic
Methodically move toward a healthier goal knowing that big changes are best done in small increments. Life was made to enjoy. Feast only on special occasions, employing wise food choices for your daily routine. Live long and prosper!

Sinea Pies is a local freelance writer who is a regular contributor to the 
Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Her work can also be found on HubPages, Ehow and her website Ducks ‘n a Row. www.ducksnarow.com


Online Resources:


1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 


2. Kids Health BMI Calculator 


3. Let’s Move 


4. Disney Family Fun  

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Simple Lovely Living

Instead of "Simple Lovely Living" perhaps this post should be called "Living Like Martha".  There is something so casual and warm about Martha Stewart that living like her, in some small way, seems possible.  It does not require a lot of money.  It does require a love for life and for pretty surroundings.

Check out her Martha Stewart Living website and enjoy the beautiful photo montage of what Martha loves to have in her life...like the flowers in this perfectly decorated dining room.  OK...so much of it probably did cost a pretty penny but she didn't start out that way.

In fact, since we are dedicating Mondays to the inspiring Martha Stewart, I decided it was time for me to read her biography.  Being Martha was written by her friend, Lloyd Allen, who has known her for over 30 years. When the media began to rip her apart and basically "have her for lunch" during the unfortunate period of her life, it grieved him to think that the wonderful attributes of this woman were being overlooked...trashed and forgotten.  So, he set himself to tell the whole story about Martha Stewart.  I've only just started reading it but, so far, I love this book!

Did you know that she started out as a fashion model, then stock broker, and in a heartfelt desire to be at home and do what she was created to do--homemaking--she quit her day job. As a SAHM, she started a catering business from her house and hired other moms who also wanted to stay at home, but needed an income to support their families, to help.  They would cook at home and bring the dishes to her for the catering events! Is that wonderful, or what!

Her charm and unending talent carried her into the spotlight as she shared her passion for simple, lovely living.  And she makes it so easy for us to learn how to do it for ourselves.

To Get Your Own Copy of Being Martha: Click Here

As I said, I have just started reading this fascinating book but can already say that I can recommend it to anyone who is curious to know more about Martha or who gets strength from true stories of real people who started humbly small and became a brilliant success!

Enjoy Martha Monday this week and, now, go pick some fresh flowers to put on your table!

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Red Robin Knock Off Bonzai Burgers

By Sinea Pies

Don't you love a thick, juicy burger when it first comes off the grill? Can't wait to get your hands on it!  Whether you select a traditional burger with ketchup, mustard and pickles or something more exotic, burgers are the best way to make cooking on a Saturday SIMPLE.  

This Simple Saturday post is for those whose Saturday is not going to be a staycation, but a working Saturday. You clean. You shop. You work outside. Maybe take in a ballgame...and you make dinner. Let's make it fun for the whole family but not too much work for you!

So, let's spotlight something exotic...

Teriyaki Burgers

Have you ever eaten at Red Robin?  One of their most popular menu items is the Bonzai Burger.  This is a Bonzai Burger "Knockoff" Recipe.

Simple Summers -- 12 Great Ideas on Vacations at Home

Going away on a vacation not a possibility this year?  Staycations are becoming a popular substitute for the proverbial "Family Vacation" and Martha Stewart has 21 great suggestions on her site.

Before we go there for our Martha Monday post, Ducks 'n a Row has some of our own!

Backyard Carnival
Invite the neighborhood kids for a carnival right in your yard.  Set up areas for bean bag toss, fishing for toys in a wading pool, paint faces, have snacks.

Lemonade Stand
Set your kids up in business with an old-fashioned lemonade stand.  Depending on how business goes, you may want to match the results from your own pocketbook.

Rainy Days
Summer should always be sunny but sometimes its not.  On rainy days, get out the board games, have movies & popcorn or go outside for a romp in the rain!

Visit a Petting Zoo
Free petting zoos are lots of fun for the kids.  If you don't have a regular petting zoo in your neighborhood, keep your eye out for the county fair where similar opportunities are available.  Of course, you can always go to the "real" zoo, too.

Go Fishing
Do you have a fishing hole nearby?  A creek, pond or lake will do.  Bring your sunscreen, pole-hooks-bait, and for adults, your fishing license (most states require one) and have a great time outdoors.

Put on a Play
Do you have some young thespians in  your house. They could put on a play.  Invite their friends to take part, other siblings and parents can be their audience.

Water Day
Similar to the carnival, plan a backyard water day.
Family Picnic
Little League
Homemade Ice Cream
Bike Parade
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Top 20 Best Diets to Lose Weight

U.S. News and World Report just came out with its list of the Top 20 Best Weight-Loss Diets of the year.  Perfect timing for Weightloss Wednesdays on Ducks n a Row!


As you can see, several weight loss plans tied for the honor of whatever position they achieved but the final result is that there are 20 in all!

                                     Ever Talk Back to Your Scale?
                                photo: Dreamstime.com

Here they are:
1.   Weight Watchers                                      
2.   Jenny Craig
2.   Raw Food
4.   Volumetrics Diet
5  . Slim Fast
5.   Vegan Diet
7.   Atkins Diet
8.   DASH Diet
8.   Eco-Atkins
8.   Mayo-Clinic Diet
11. Mediterranean Diet
11. Ornish Diet
11. Southbeach Diet
11. TLC Diet
15. Vegetarian Diet
16. Medifast Diet
16. Nutrisystem 
18. Zone Diet
19. Glycemic Index Diet
20. Paleo Diet


Ever tried any of these? Do you have a diet of choice?  I've heard of many of them but some were a total mystery to me. Thanks to US News & World Report, each one is summarized in the article.  (Link below).


Personally, of all of the plans on the list, Weight Watchers, Southbeach Diet and Atkins are my favorites. Weight Watchers is the easiest for me to stick with in the long term and I had been very successful on it, at one time.  I lost 14 pounds and kept it off for many months.  So, what happened? "Life", I guess.  But I never give up.  In fact, I have started it again.
Best Diets List from US News & World Report


Related Articles:

• Calculating Weight Watchers Points
• Weight Watchers Food
• The Dukan Diet (One that did not make the list-possibly because it is originally European.)
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Have you missed our most recent "Simple" Posts?  Catch up now!

• Simple Living
• Simple Saturdays
• Simple Summers

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Simple Saturdays

By Sinea Pies


In a continuation of our "Simple Living" series, let's talk about Saturdays. 

A Simple Saturday!
photo Thundafunda.com

For many of us, Saturday is the only day when we can get things done. If you are a parent who works outside of the home, or has a home-based business with similar time constraints, then Saturday may be the only available day of the week. 


Add to it family events--birthdays, graduations,  bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, baptisms, company picnics, and so forth--the weekends can be filled up without you having anything to say about it at all.  It's all good stuff, but it can be exhausting!


So, how to simplify? Getting a Simple Saturday really begins on Friday (or even earlier) It's all about planning.

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First, tell your family that this Saturday is going to be different. No errands, no cleaning, nothing that looks like "work". In fact, you are NOT going ANYWHERE. You are staying at home and taking it easy. It's a "stay-cation". I love it!  Vacationing at home.
Second, filter out what is not a "must". Pretend that those particulars don't exist.
Now, make a list. Yes, checklists are your friend. Assign the essential chores to early-evening a few days prior to your big day off! 
So, what has to be done? Put it on your list!

1. Laundry
2. Grocery Shopping
3. Errands: pet supplies, pharmaceuticals, get gas in the car, wash the car
4. Wardrobe: must church, school or (in the summer) day-camp clothes be ready for Sunday and Monday? Don't wait till the weekend. Get them ready and in place before Saturday begins.
5. Food: you don't want to spend your time preparing meals, unless it is your passion and something you've been wanting more time to do. Either get food ready before Saturday or save a few dollars to use for take out (or call for a pizza that will show up at the door).
6. Entertainment: If you still bring in movie rentals, get your DVD's before Saturday arrives.
7. Phone calls/emails: get it all out of the way ahead of time.  Make sure that everyone knows that you won't be available on the weekend and that's why you are calling today.  If the phone has been invading your life, tell them with kindness not to worry but you will be turning the phone off. You are having a Simple Saturday stay-cation!

Now that you're ready...enjoy a wonderful, SIMPLE day off!

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Weight Loss Wednesdays

Weight Loss Wednesdays have arrived!


Actually, I have some nerve even talking about this...especially today.  
I am at an all-time high for my 5'2" frame. I confess that way too often in recent months I've been topping 150-ish pounds. Clothes too tight.  Totally uncomfortable.  "What do you mean I can't eat desserts twice a day, get almost no exercise, and consume major fats like ice cream, pancakes, and go out to eat four times in less than 8 days, and lose weight?"  Oh...so THAT's the problem!


Well, today is the first day of the rest of our lives, people, and it's time to get ORGANIZED and lose weight for good!  


Yes, weight loss involves organization, just like anything else that we want to be good at.  So, let's start out with some questions and for the next few weeks we'll share some answers, and success stories, for ENCOURAGEMENT.


Questions to Ask Ourselves:
Do I need to lose weight?
How much?
How long have I been fighting this battle--and am I tired of it yet?
Am I ready to get my mind set and do this?
Do I have a plan?

GREAT INSPIRATION: Here is a video clip of Joy Bauer, the Today Show diet expert, of her recent visit on CBN's 700 Club where she gives some weight loss tips AND a wonderful testimony from a mother and daughter, Sherrie and Courtney, who have lost a ton of weight.  Courtney, 60 pounds.  Her mother, Sherrie, 156 pounds.  Sherrie started out on Weight Watchers and then they added encouragement and direction from Joy Bauer's book "Your Inner Skinny"....did you know we have an inner skinny us?                    
Apparently we do!  I love it!

For “Your Inner Skinny” Click Here

Add your comments, share your links.  Let's team up and encourage each other!










Here's the VIDEO:

And, for the month of July 2011, do not forget to enter 
the GREAT GREETING CARD GIVEAWAY!  

Introducing "Martha Mondays"

For the next few weeks we are going to have some Monday fun with "Martha Mondays" in honor of the lady who we all tell everyone we are NOT...Martha Stewart.  


Isn't it the truth?  How many times have you heard someone say "She's no Martha Stewart!"   Why, there even is a blog called "We're Not Martha".  Really!

So, what is there about Martha Stewart that we all emulate  (minus her brief little stint in you-know-where)?
I think it is because she epitomizes success, simplicity, grace, beauty, style, homemaking excellence, culinary expertise, organizing genius.  Her name is synonymous with "hospitality perfected"...though she would probably be the first one to say that she is not perfect.


So, last Saturday, in honor of the upcoming MARTHA MONDAYS, my family tried a new dish right from the  Martha Stewart website.  It was Chicken with Artichoke Hearts served on angel hair pasta and it turned out really, really good!  


Here is the recipe and the link to her site where you can see what it looks like:
Chicken with Artichoke Hearts and Angel Hair 
from MarthaStewart.com


Ingredients:

• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 thin chicken cutlets (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts packed in water, rinsed, drained, and quartered
• 2 tablespoons rinsed and drained capers
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 8 ounces angel-hair pasta
• 1/2 cup parsley leaves

Directions:

Set a large pot of salted water to boil. Place flour in a shallow dish, and season with salt and pepper. Dredge cutlets, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. 

Cook chicken in batches, adding remaining oil as needed, until light golden, 1 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a dish.

Add broth to skillet, and bring to a boil; cook until reduced by half. 

Add artichokes, capers, and the chicken with any juices. 

Gently swirl to combine, and bring just to a boil. Remove skillet from heat. 

Swirl in butter, and cover to keep warm.

Add pasta to boiling water. Cook until al dente; drain. 

Serve chicken and sauce over pasta, topped with parsley.

How about you?  Do you have any favorite Martha Stewart recipes or other MS quips you'd like to share?


Question of the Day:  who is the famous television talk show host who has a huge crush on Martha Stewart?  


REMINDER:  be sure to enter our Great Greeting Card Giveaway!  You can enter up to 7 times to win a package of beautiful assorted cards.  
Estimated value $30-$60.00.

The Great Greeting Card Giveaway

Don't you love greeting cards?  I love giving them.  I love getting them.  I love buying them...at a really good price, of course!  :)  How about getting them for FREE!  Enter Ducks 'n a Row's Great Greeting Card Giveaway and you may be the winner of an assortment of new greeting cards, absolutely free.


To tell you the truth, I was given these cards by my dear dad.  He had quite a collection of all kinds of cards, some very nice ones, and no place to send them.  I think several of us in the family may have received the same very cute birthday card with a fluffy puppy on the front...maybe even more than once!  


Anyhow, I took them off his hands thinking I would use them, eventually.  But how do you properly store them, let alone use them?  After several years, they won't look new anymore.  Plus, the same people he sent the "Fluffy Puppy" card to are also my relatives and I'd probably send them the very same thing!

Greeting Card Giveaway!

Then, I thought of you.  We all love getting practical things that we will use --especially when they're FREE.  And I deeply want to build my readership with more great people like you, and your friends, who all like what Ducks 'n a Row is all about. So...that's when I came up with the giveaway.  


For the next four weeks we will take entries.  You will receive one entry for doing each thing listed below.  (Only U.S. residents--our apologies to our many friends around the globe!)
Starts Saturday July 9, 2011 and ends Saturday August 6, 2011


When you do these things, please email me at ducksnarow1@gmail.com to let me know.   In the subject line write "Greeting Card Giveaway" so that I'm sure to find it.  I WILL RESPOND.  If you don't hear back from me within 48 hours, re-send it!


This is going to be done the old fashioned way.  Each entry will be written out on a plain white card. So, you do 7 things, you'll be entered 7 times! (Seven is the limit! I'll get tired of writing your name! LOL) The entries will all be put in a basket and the winners drawn. I will then email the winners and announce their names on my site. 


There will be 2 recipients of card packages of a variety of 30 or more greeting cards each. The package of greeting cards will be mailed to the winners.  Simple!


What do you have to do?
You will receive one entry per item for doing each of the following things.

1. --become a follower on Ducks 'n a Row (found on our homepage)
2. --subscribe by email to Ducks 'n a Row (found on our homepage)
3. --"like" my Ducks 'n a Row Facebook Fanpage
4. --follow me on Twitter
5. --follow me on Hubpages
6. --"like" this post
7. --"like" my most popular post "How to Speed Clean a Room"

So, you can get up to 7 entries right there.  If you already have done some of the above, find an additional post or two that you really like on this site or my Hubpages site and "like" them.  Let me know that that's what you did!

Simple Living

Simple! What does the word "SIMPLE" do for you?  When I think it, hear it or read it, I find the word "simple" to be a true stress reliever. I'm serious. Does it do that to you? Try it.  Say it slowly, aloud: "simple".  Doesn't that lighten the load, if just for a moment? 

Real Simple magazine's title attracts me every time I see it on the news stand.  The cover design is so attractive and, just like it's name, it's Real Simple.   


And yet the magazine is not that simple at all.  It is many, many pages long, filled with tons of advertising and some articles.  (I haven't counted it up but it feels like the ads outweigh the content by far.)  

So, I don't usually buy a copy because it is just too big and, sorry Real Simple magazine, COMPLICATED!  I don't have that much time to read it. But the next time that I'm at the store, my eyes will inevitably be grabbed by that title once more. I just love the word "Simple".

So, that's why I'm naming today 
"Simple Day"
...because we all need a break sometimes.

John C. Maxwell tells a story in his book "Developing the Leader Within You"  about a young college student who changed her approach to life for the greater good. She called her newly developed life change "planned neglect".* She even attributes her rise to success as a concert violinist to it. 


You see, she came to realize that it was going to take a serious investment of her time practicing violin in order to achieve her goal of reaching the top in the profession.  Yet, she was finding that her habit of first making her bed in the morning, dusting, and basically cleaning up her apartment--then hurrying off to her class--was robbing her of valuable, quality time as an aspiring musician.  


So, she gave herself permission to delay making the bed and other "essentials" in order to throw herself into becoming the best violinist possible. She didn't skip it; she simply put it off until later. Planned neglect! Don't you love it!


What can we abandon for a few hours, or even a day, to achieve "simple"?  Are there some "good things" that are draining you of the energy you need to be your best? John C. Maxwell would say in such a case that  "The good is the enemy of the best."  


So, try it. Take some time off for a little "at home vacation". Regroup and revitalize.  Read a book, go for a leisurely walk, take a nap.  Take some time off. Drop your plans for a little while. Go "simple" and see how much better you feel!


BTW...Contrary to my quirk about the complicatedness of the magazine, I love Real Simple's website! It is easy to maneuver, beautifully illustrated and filled with great content. Worth every click! Check it out:  Real Simple

"Developing the Leader Within You"

Books and Workbooks

CLICK HERE

*Maxwell, John C., Developing the Leader Within You, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993 pg28