August Healthy Choices

Over the last 6 months I have not dieted, but vowed to make healthier choices. Its making a difference in my life. When I get stressed at work I go out for a walk and if its too cold or raining I put the Weightwatchers Walking Kit CD in my computer, tell the guys I'm unavailable and do the 15 minute 'walking' program. It helps to destress and isn't too bad for my waistline either.

Every evening I have been reading a passage from my daily devotions book. My hubby likes it too, something other than work to talk about. This has helped strengthen my faith in God. Something that has made a dramatic impact in my life lately!

Now to step up my game and what better time than the first day of the month?



Peaches, I love them! The smell, the texture, the taste.. something that has more fuzz on its face then me.. lol. This amazing fruit has inspired me to put more fruits and veggies into my daily diet. Right now I get about 2 servings a day, this month I up it to one to two servings per meal and at least one for a daily snack. It doesn't sound like much... but its a start.

I'm trying this recipe - let me know what you think about it when you try it: http://www.canadianliving.com/food/grilled_fresh_peach_salsa.php

Exercise - yes, I groan at the word too, but we gotta suck it up and do something. That's why I have kids.... during this warm weather I am taking the kids to the park or a walk through the neighbourhood once a week. This month I'm bumping it to 3 times per week. When the kids play at the park, instead of sitting and watching them, I am bringing a book on CD and listening as I walk at least 5 times around the park- then I'll sit.  Oh, and the occasional rainy day? Dancing around the living room with my daughter to Katy Perry or Lady Gaga! Last month I taught my daughter how to do the Jive. This month Bunny Hop and The Twist.

Now a tricky one..... Sleep... those that know me, know I don't sleep well. Either its insomnia or its being forced awake by something going on outside, hubby snoring, kids nightmares, cats going crazy and a few others wonderful nocturnal curses.  I am told the excercise and drinking tea (decaffinated) an hour before bed will help.... I'm gonna try. (I love the fruit teas from the Fairmont Hotels)

Eating dessert - I don't have it every night and I don't go too crazy, I'm Considering it a mental health break. The important thing? I'm makeing sure to enjoy every mouthful.  So savour your pie, pastry or ice cream sundae, and if you can, make it healthier: use some whole wheat flour when baking, pick fruit desserts over creams and custards, and top your ice cream with heart-healthy walnuts or almonds.
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/baking_and_desserts/maple_apple_and_blueberry_crisp.php

Do nothing once a week. I may have a problem with this. I have always thought I have to be busy. At work, home, errands, whatever. I am going Give my brain a time-out by taking time to do nothing. Sit or lie in the sun and watch the clouds go by. Let my mind wander. Do scrapbooking, reading or cross stitch if I'm a bit restless, but something to just make the mind zone out (not the TV).

Well I hope that you will comment on this blog and let me know what changes you have or are making to improve your life and/or way of living.  I would love to hear from you!

"Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force."~ Tom Blandi

sometimes it can be really hard to keep a positive attitude. I like to think that I have a positive attitude in most aspects of my life. I do have those days when all the days seem to come at me at once.

Latly, I have had the pleasure of experiencing the positive power of prayer. It has been a trying couple of years for our business and things are coming together for the good. We were facing closing the business and moving and our personal finances were (and for a while longer) are in the negative.

But with all this coming at  us I have been able to look to the Lord and gain an inner peace that things will all come together, if I work at it.

This has not been an experience of 'believe in the positive and all will be right in the world' just because I'm thinking it. No, I, with the help of my husband and family and prayer from friends have made the struggle to climb back into the light.

This flower is a perfect example. My brother gave me this potted Iris last summer. I kept meaning to plant it in the garden, but time got away from me.  Then fall killed it and winter covered it. Spring came and I saw the pot. I thought for sure it was dead and I picked it up to throw it out. The pot fell over and the leaves covering the dirt fell out and I saw it.... a shoot... defying the odds and making it work.

That's me. I am sick of cowing to what others have been telling me about my business. I am following my heart with the help and guidance of the Lord. Its making a true differance. and when that doesn't work I think of the line from the movie 'They Live'; "I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass and I'm all out of bubble gum!"

How To Handle Debt As You Grow Your Business

I have been a business entrepreneur for 20 years. I love my hobby store. One thing for sure is I have earned every grey hair on my head!  From time to time other perspective entrepreneurs ask me questions about what things to do or keep in mind because they want to open a busienss of their own. 

Here is a great article I found to help with the thoughts of Debt. Its really not such a bad word and once you read this article, it will be a less scary one too. Please let me know what you think...

One of the most daunting four-letter words for entrepreneurs—particularly women entrepreneurs—is the word D-E-B-T.




Most of us have had debt, or are in it right now and desperately trying to get out of it. We want to grow our businesses, but we cower under “tough love” financial advice from advisors like Suze Orman.



I love Suze’s advice on investing, and I’ve had the pleasure of speaking on stage with her a few months ago. But she got my goat when she recommended that aspiring entrepreneurs should build impeccable credit first, and save TWELVE months of operating expenses… BEFORE starting a business at all!

I surely didn’t wait to have all my ducks in a row before I started my business…



When I started my first little venture back in New York City in 1999, I was not only broke but in TONS of debt. My last job paid, but I realized it was a fixed income and I had no possibility of making more money until I went off on my own. I had no cash and no Plan B and my credit stunk. There surely was a bumpy period, and I was living day to day, but for me I knew I had to do this with my back against the wall. No other way out. Otherwise I’d still be right where I was!



And I’d still be right where I was if I focused all on my debt and saving.



What I did was create a plan to get myself out of debt, while focusing on growing my business. You need to do BOTH if you want to be successful, and the great news is, you don’t have to wait at all. Here’s how to get started today…



Key 1: Let go of guilt about your debt



If you want to take ownership of your debt, you have to come to terms with your current circumstance, and that means getting past the guilt and shame around it. Think of the time-tested weight loss advice that says to not beat yourself up if you fall off your workout or diet plan. This is because trying to make change from these low-energy places is usually a recipe for disaster. If you simply accept with no judgement that you are where you are, and you’re working to move yourself to a better place, it’s not only more motivating, but it’s more effective.



We can’t always control our circumstances. But we can very well control how we respond to them. Remember, you have a choice: YOU can stew in your mistakes and feel terrible, or you can take in the lesson that you’re being presented with, and honor it by responding in a productive way. Which sounds better to you?



Key 2: Get clear on the debt you have



This is usually the most difficult step, but getting clear on exactly how much debt you are in can be liberating! And, as crazy as it sounds, once this step is done, the fun begins. Because here’s where you step into a place of power.



Ignoring your bills won’t help you achieve wealth. When you take ownership, you stop blaming others, and you stop blaming yourself. So just face the numbers head on. The money is spent. You’re just getting clear on how MUCH was spent.



If you can’t manage the money you have, it’s unlikely the universe will bring you more. Your money management system doesn’t have to be complicated—a notebook, pen, and calculator can even get you started. I created a simple spreadsheet that listed my debts and used it to track paying them down.



Don’t be afraid to get help in this area if you need it. I used a credit counseling company in my 20s and early 30s, and it was a huge help in getting me back on my feet. If you need a good starting place, check out The National Foundation for Credit Counseling.



Key 3: Focus on your business while paying it down



What you focus on expands, so again I don’t want you to focus on your debt!



Set up and honor a plan to pay off your debts and bills, but put your focus on creating a positive and healthy net worth.



For starters, take yourself as a business owner seriously and pay yourself first. Write yourself a set paycheck every 2 weeks, as if you’re on the payroll. If extra sums of cash come your way—a tax return, affiliate commission check, some windfall—then use that to pay off your debt, or reinvest it in your business, like buying a course, or coaching program.



When you shift your focus to growing your business, and paying yourself first, magic starts to happen…



Remember money is simply energy that you give and receive. So don’t forget to allow yourself to RECEIVE the blessings of money that you’re earning for yourself. Receiving allows you to grow your business and grow your wealth.



Key 4: Use debt as a smart tool



When you are growing a business, there are certain opportunities that are worth the investment, and often worth some debt. BUT, here is the #1 condition where this makes sense: A good debt is when you invest in something that will give a return on your investment.



Remember, I was pretty much broke when I started my first business, and I was also in debt. After reviewing my options though, it still made sense to put my initial expenses on a credit card I did have some room on. It got me what I needed to start making money—business cards, a basic website, a printer/fax, and one good suit and a pair of shoes. I used an old computer that my younger brother gave me—it was a clunker, but got the job done for the time being. From there, I had to hustle.



Note: This isn’t about running around to 20 different seminars, buying a pair of $300 stilettos, and a new iMac and not implementing anything. You have to IMPLEMENT on your good investments.



If you sign up to work with a coach, be prepared to work. If you buy a new computer, use it to snag two new clients asap—make sure that what you invest in pays you back. That’s using debt as a smart tool to grow.



Question: how have you gotten out of debt while growing your business? And what do you use debt for in your business? I’d love to hear your comments below!

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© 2012 Ali International, LLC


“Entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD “Top 10 Secrets for Entrepreneurial Women” at www.AliBrown.com“

My Personal Journey

I have been told many times 'You can't do that!!' ? By parents trying to keep me safe, but teachers correcting how I spell or do math, mostly from the business industry I am in. I own a Hobby Store, with my husband.

In the Hobby business it is mostly males. Male customers, male staff, testosterone is everywhere. I love these challenges! The guy that comes in and says 'You can't help me' (with the unspoken, You're a girl). Until I ask, 'Well, try me and if I can't help, I'll get you someone who can'. 9 times out of 10 those guys are stopped in their tracks because this woman knows what she's talking about! Its great correcting them, without correcting them with an IN YOUR FACE!!

The spiritual strengthening is coming along great. I have really moved forward in becoming a Social Media Manager to improve my business. My other favourite thing - I am assserting myself more and saying NO more! Its all so empowering! Its feeling so awesome!!

Every once in a while a person needs to change their direction because their life has changed or needs a change for the better. This is my Midcourse Correction! Quote~The shifting tides of life have a way of testing our faith, our determination, and our common sense. But when we accept our changing circumstances and adapt to them , we gain maturity and insight. ~Daily Inspirations For Women ;Mar. 24

So the next time someone tells you "You can't do that!" Prove them wrong if you know your can do it! Today I am grabbing for my own brass ring, and I'm gonna do it my way! And when I succeed its gonna feel AWESOME!

My Share With You! Tina Graves: Stalking Slandering and Bullying

So many talk of bullying these days. I just got a phone call from the Police News that they are doing an Alberta Campaign to inform kids about bullying. Yes, its nice to share info about what kids may be able to do to stop it but what are we doing to stop it?

I was one of the many that faced bullying in Elementary school. I was chased on bikes, wrapped in a chain link fence, thrown off a school roof, constantly harrassed by the 'popular' crowd and it all started with a rumor. One of the 'popular' boys asked me on a date, I said 'No', then the crap began. It really hurt my reputation, which I didn't care about too much, but they trickled to my younger siblings and they started getting bullied.

Its over two decades later and we all survived. My son who's 9 has had his experience with bullying. His school has a zero tolerance and suspended the bully. My son intervened on the behalf of another boy that was being bullied and talked to them both. Now all three are friends. So is it how we are shown to handle bullies that is the difference?

Below is a blog from someone that was bullied. Its an interesting read. It poses the questions, how can we overcome the bullying of our youth? How do we overcome the feelings and avoid it in the future? How do we not put up with it when we're an adult? 

I hope you will comment on this.

Thinking of You, Val

Tina Graves: Stalking Slandering and Bullying: I have had plenty of people asked me do this and I told them when the time is right, I will share my perspective on these cases. I thought...

A Great Weight Lifted!

I don't like to push religon on others unless asked. Although Today I have to shout from my balcony, THANK YOU GOD! I'm alive and doing fine.

We have had so much pressure with financial obligations at the store my hubby and I own. With divine help and much prayer from us and our Church we have overcome the worst of the hurtles! We had a business that could have closed our doors if we didn't pay their bill and today (one day early than the deadline) I was able to give our lawyer the cheque.

Now all of our worries aren't over we still have a few hurtles to jump yet, but this one was weighing very heavy in our lives and now it seems a load has been lifted. My lawyer was so proud and happy for us that he gave me a High Five! Now how cool is that and how many lawyers would be excited for their clients to the point of a High Five and a vigorous handshake??? It was totally awesome! (sorry for the '80's phrase)

God never gives us more than we can handle, but Holy Cow did we cut it close! Thank you Lord for this blessing!