Fruit and Vegetable Detox

Fruit and Vegetable Detox

                                 

    My December fitness challenge officially starts tomorrow and what better way to kick it off then to detox for the first 5 days. Although I eat fairly healthy, I do have my little slip ups. Shhhhhhhh! That’s between you and  I lol. Eating processed foods, refined sugar, meat and dairy can be hard and stressful on the body. Our kidneys and liver have to work extra hard to get rid of the toxins we expose them to on a daily bases. Fruits and vegetables keep you healthy and aid in the detoxification process, which rids the body of toxins and impurities. A fruit and vegetable detox is also a great way to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.

                Have you been feeling, tired, groggy, irritable, or having trouble losing weight? Are you not having a bowel movement atleast twice a day? Are you feeling bloated, have dark urine or just need a boost of energy? If you answered yes to any of these, then this detox may be for you!

               

                 During the fruit and vegetable detox, you are not allowed meat, bread, dairy, pasta, sugar or processed foods. You are only allowed FRUITS, VEGETABLES and WATER. This may sound impossible but it really isn’t. This gives you the chance to explore many new fruits and vegetables. You can steam, sautéed, juice, smoothie or eat them raw. The key is to eat every 2-3 hours so that you’re always full. The best part is you can eat as much as you want.  If you crave something sweet to drink, make natural fruit juice and a delicious fruit smoothie. I recommend you do this detox for 3 to 7 days. Please consult your Doctor if you intend to do this more than 7 days, are diabetic, pregnant or have any serious illness.

              

                 There are great benefits from doing a fruit and vegetable detox. You will see a difference in your skin, hair and nails. You will began to feel more energized and less tired. You will shed pounds and be less bloated, but most of all you will have given your body a well deserved break! I plan to  do my detox for 5 days and if I'm not feeling to hungry maybe 7 days. I will be using a combination of green juices, fruit smoothies and veggie and fruit salads. I will also keep a journal on my detox journey and update you guys on exactly what I ate and whether I made it through the 5 days without cheating. Yes, I plan on tell you the truth and nothing but the truth good or bad. Join me on my fitness journey :)

     

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BE MORE U: DECEMBER FITNESS CHALLENGE ...

BE MORE U:               DECEMBER FITNESS CHALLENGE          ...:                DECEMBER FITNESS CHALLENGE                                   EATING CLEAN What is eating clean?  You can not complete a...

 

     

             WATER vs SODA 

    Many people do not truly understand the importance of drinking water. Even more people don't realize just how much damage sodas do to their bodies. Did you know that 2/3 of your body consists of water and is the main component of the body? Water helps our organs to absorb nutrients better. It regulates out body temperature and detoxifies. Water moisturizes the air in our lungs and our joints. When you don't drink enough water it can cause you to feel fatigued, be dehydrated, get migraines, have kidney problems, muscle cramps and constipation. It can also cause dry skin and hair. A few signs that you need more water are DARK URINE, DRY SKIN, THIRST, HUNGER AND FATIGUE. You should drink atleast 8-10 GLASSES of water a day. A great way to make sure you drink atleast 8 glasses of water is to drink a glass in the morning, a glass before and after each meal and a glass before you go to bed. 

     Some people drink soft drinks more than they drink water. Some people don't drink water at all. Sure. soft drinks may taste better than water but they do not provide your body with any nutrients. Although soft drinks do contain water, they also contain toxins that do serious damage to your body. Sodas have a large amount of sugar, calories and additives that hold no nutritional value. Drinking sodas can cause obesity, tooth decay and heart disease. Because of the sugar in sodas your thirst will not be quenched, therefore causing you to drink more soda and consume more sugar and calories. Some of the harmful ingredients in sodas are PHOSPHORIC ACID, ASPARTAME, SUGAR, and CAFFEINE.  

For more information on how these ingredients affect your body visit http://www.oleda.com/oleda_tips/tips.asp?dept=48 If you are not convinced that soda is bad for your body please read 20 Practical uses for coke.

20 Practical Uses For Coke

Coke acts as an acidic cleaner. The amount of acid in soda is enough to wear away at the enamel of your teeth, making them more susceptible to decay. In tests done on the acidity levels of soda, certain ones were found to have PH levels as low as 2.5. To put that into perspective, consider that battery acid has a pH of 1 and pure water has a pH of 7.

To prove Coke does not belong in the human body, here are 20 practical ways you can use Coke as a domestic cleaner:

1. Removes grease stains from clothing and fabric
2. Removes rust; methods include using fabric dipped in Coke, a sponge or even aluminum foil. Also loosens rusty bolts
3. Removes blood stains from clothing and fabric.
4. Cleans oil stains from a garage floor; let the stain soak, hose off.
5. Kills slugs and snails; the acids kills them.
6. Cleans burnt pans; let the pan soak in the Coke, then rinse.
7. Descales a kettle (same method as with burnt pans)
8. Cleans car battery terminals by pouring a small amount of Coke over each one.
9. Cleans your engine; Coke distributors have been using this technique for decades.
10. Makes pennies shine; soaking old pennies in Coke will remove the tarnish.
11. Cleans tile grout; pour onto kitchen floor, leave for a few minutes, wipe up.
12. Dissolves a tooth; Use a sealed container…takes a while but it does work.
13. Removes gum from hair; dip into a small bowl of Coke, leave a few minutes. Gum will wipe off.
14. Removes stains from vitreous china.
15. Got a dirty pool? Adding two 2-liter bottles of Coke clears up rust.
16. You can remove (or fade) dye from hair by pouring diet Coke over it.
17. Remove marker stains from carpet. Applying Coke, scrubbing and then clean with soapy water will remove marker stains.
18. Cleans a toilet; pour around bowl, leave for a while, flush clean.
19. Coke and aluminum foil will bring Chrome to a high shine.
20. Strips paint off metal furniture. Soak a towel in Coke and lay it on the paint surface.

Now can you imagine what is does to your stomach lining? 

Who needs the ‘household and cleaning’ section at the hardware store when we have Coke.

Disclaimer: The following information on Coke was gather from the below website. I reposted the 20 practical uses of coke onto my website to share with my readers. I am in no way claiming to be the originator of this information. 

http://www.thoughtpursuits.com/20-practical-uses-coca-cola-proof-coke-belong-human-body/

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Hidden Talent

 HIDDEN TALENT

NOT YOUR AVERAGE MAKE UP ARTIST

Born in Jamaica, raised in New York and recently relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, Cerra Bellum has set out to change the Make Up game and there is no stopping her. Most people would have stayed in the Big Apple but Miss Bellum is not your average lady. Determined to stand out from the rest, she's catching the eyes of many other make up artist who dare to mimic her. She's constantly ahead of the game and just when they thought they mastered her technique she's already on to the next one. Constantly educating and challenging herself, I see big things in her future. She has been my Make Up Artist for the past two years and I don't see that changing. Check out some her beautiful work.

CERRA BELLUM LIP ART (All lip art is hand painted). It is smudge proof, so you are able to speak while wearing it. To view more of Cerra Bellum portfolio follow her on Instagram @Cerra10. For inquiries on her prices and availability of her services, please email her at Cerra.Bellum@yahoo.com

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Detox Baths

                                                 DETOX BATHS

                 

Detox baths have been known as great a way to sooth aching bodies, remove toxins, sweat out the common cold and leave you feeling relaxed. Everyday we breath in these toxins and we accumulate heavy metals in our bodies through cigarette smoke, paints, vaccinations, and drinking water just to name a few things. These toxins often leave us with fatigued, bad breath, aching body, nausea and much more. Here are a few detox baths that will help you detox and be on your way to feeling more relaxed and soothed. Here are four of my favorites

SALT DETOX BATH: RELAXATION 

    

      Sea salts baths are the most common detox baths. Sea salts have been use for centuries for health, beauty and healing. Sea salts improve the condition of everything from your heart to your skin. Sea salts, when combined with warm water, help open up the pores while plumping up the skin just a bit, giving you a healthy and youthful glow.

• 1/3 Cups Epsom salts
• 1/3 Cups sea salt
• 1/3 Cups baking soda
• 2 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• Epsom salts: helps make you sweat, reduces inflammation and relieves muscle aches
• Sea salt:  helps remove toxins and soothes open sores or blemishes
• Baking soda: highly alkaline, helps balance an overly acidic system, helps eliminate chlorine in the water, softens water and skin
• Ground ginger: increases circulation, opens pores, makes you sweat

           Pour all ingredients in a tub of hot water and soak for 30 minutes.

HYDRO PEROXIDE DETOX BATH: NATURAL REMEDY FOR COMMON COLD

    With the winter cold comes the winter COLD! You know what I'm talking about, the sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, coughing and aching body. Before you run out and spend big bucks on Nyquil, cough drops and tissue, try this soothing detox bath. Within 5-10 minutes of soaking in this hot soothing bath you will begin to sweat your cold out. You will feel more relaxed  and soothed.

• 3 pints of hydro peroxide 3% 
• 2 tsp of ground ginger

• Hydro Peroxide: This oxygenates the body and helps purge toxins. It's also antibacterial and antiviral.
• Ginger: a natural anti-inflammatory that increases blood circulation and helps promote the elimination of toxins through sweat.

Soak for 30 minutes and drink lots of water before and after this bath. Get a good nights sleep and should wake up with more energy and less achy. If you your symptoms have not completely left, repeat this bath for up too 3 days.

BENTONITE CLAY DETOX BATH: REMOVING HEAVY METALS

 The bentonite clay lowers body's PH levels, making it a perfect substance to take internally or use externally. Bentonite Clay magnetically pulls toxins, heavy metals and waste from the body. Here are a few ways we consume this heavy metals on a regular bases

Drinking water

Eating non-organic produce

Taking antibiotics

Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides sprayed on lawns, gardens, in homes, etc.

Cigarette smoke

Paints

Vaccinations

Mercury dental fillings (high levels of mercury are released in the body every time you chew)

Pharmaceutical drugs

Skin-tightening creams

Antiseptic creams 

Some ointments 

Using aluminum cookware

Using foil when baking

Using antiperspirant deodorants  

This bath is a fairly simple one. Add 1 to 2 pounds (I recommend 2 pounds) of Bentonite clay to your hot bath. Soak for 30 minutes. Be sure to take pieces of the clay that may be floating in the water and rub it all over your body. Please note that the clay will not go down the drain with the water. You will need a wash rag to remove the clay from the bathtub. The bath with also leave you feeling very relaxed so be sure to have a few hours to spare after your bath. It is recommended that you take this bath once a week for the first month and once a month thereafter. 

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR DETOX BATH: FOR ARTHRITIS OR GOUT

Apple cider vinegar detox bath is great for arthritis, gout and other inflammatory body ailments. This is a good bath to take if you feel you need to sweat out toxins, and also if you want to make sure that you get to sleep without lying awake with a wandering mind. You will continue to sweat for a few hours. This is just the your body getting rid of all the toxins it has collect over a long period of time. Again be sure to drink plenty of water before and after this bath.

When pouring your bath, add 1-2 cups of pure apple cider vinegar. Soak in the tub for up to 30 minutes.

If you have a heart condition or high blood pressure please consult a doctor before trying any of these baths.

WARNING: Detox baths will dehydrate you. I suggest you drink atleast 8 ounces of water before and 8 ounces of water after each bath. Hot water is recommended for all detox baths because hot water opens your pores which helps the detoxing process. Detox baths are very relaxing and can cause you to feel weak. Stand up slowly and carefully because you may feel a little light headed. In most cases you will feel tired so take the bath when you have a few hours to spare. Don’t take hot baths or salt baths if you are pregnant, have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or if you are diabetic. If you’re not sure, talk to your doctor first. While your body works to detox and flush out the toxins you may feel a bit under the weather for about half a day. Stay hydrated to help your body clear out the toxins and you should feel better pretty quickly.

If you find any of these detox baths helpful please be sure to comment below.

References:

For more recipes or benefits of detox baths please visit these sites

http://bembu.com/detox-bath-recipes

http://www.bathsalt.net/Benefits_of_Sea_Salts.html

http://www.beautybets.com/2011/03/natural-cold-remedy-bath-soak/

http://jillshomeremedies.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-to-take-detox-bath.html

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              DECEMBER FITNESS CHALLENGE

                                 EATING CLEAN

                          

What is eating clean? You can not complete any fitness goal without first changing your eating habits. This has been proven to be the hardest challenge in getting fit for many people. In todays world where processed food and sugary treats are easily available and less expensive than our healthier alternatives, many people find it hard to break old habits. The great news is that it's not impossible to do and once it becomes habit it becomes easier to live a healthy lifestyle. You must remember that it is a LIFESTYLE, not a DIET! I'm going to share some tips to help you on this journey to a healthier LIFESTYLE.

DO'S and DONT's

DON'T: Eat three large meals per day. Eating large meals 5-6 hours apart will slow your metabolism down leaving you feeling tired and unmotivated. It will also cause you to snack on unhealthy treats to curve your hunger.

DO: Eat 5-6 Meals per day. This includes Breakfast, lunch, dinner and three snacks. Try to eat every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism up. This will help you have more energy to workout. It will also prevent your body from going into starvation mode, which usually cause you to eat a larger serving during your next meal. The key is to not feel hungry.

DON'T: Be fooled by labels that say WHEAT! wheat does not equal whole wheat or whole grain and does not have the same nutritional value.

DO: Choose whole grains and complex carbohydrates to give you more energy. They will also make you feel fuller longer. Look for breads, pasta, and rice that are not just brown, but also made with 100% whole grain.

DON'T: Purchase processed foods. Processed foods contain starch, preservatives, sodium, sugar, artificial color and artificial flavors amongst other things that are not good for our bodies. Processed foods also contain cheap and unhealthy oils and most of the vitamins and minerals that fresh foods contain are lessened.

DO: Purchase fresh foods. Eating fresh foods (especially organic) will allow you to reap the full benefits of the vitamins and minerals they contain. Fresh foods also taste better. I recommend going to your local farmers market to ensure that you are getting the freshest fruits, veggies and fish.

DON'T: Eat snacks packed with refined sugar, unhealthy oils or fats. Eating these foods will surely pack on the pounds and have you on a sugar high that will come crashing down in about an hour. This will cause you to constantly crave for more sugar!

DO: Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you want. the natural sugar in fruit will eventually help curve your craving for those unhealthy snacks that are packed with refined sugar.

DON'T: drink sugary drinks such as sodas, concentrated juices, or even those vitamin waters that are also packed with a ton of sugar.

DO: Drink plenty of water, green tea and herbal teas. Use honey or raw sugar if you prefer your drink a little sweet.

DON'T: Eat fatty meats. Also do not eat a large amount of meat. Portion control is key. A serving is usually the size of your palm.

DO: Eat lean meat like skinless chicken breast that is full of protein and fresh wild salmon that is also high in protein, omega 3, amino acid minerals, vitamins A,D,B6 and B12

DON'T: Skip any meals, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most and important meal of the day. Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can actually make controlling your weight more difficult. People who skip breakfast tend to eat more than usual at the next meal or nibble on high calorie snacks to ease their hunger pains.

Now that we've gotten some do's and don'ts out of the way let's get start with December fitness challenge. We all know that we will stuff our face on thanksgiving and the next three days after on grandma's cooking. Afterwards we will go through our guilty feelings and want to get back on track. So lets bring the new year in right with a healthy LIFESTYLE change:

EAT FRESH FOOD

NO PROCESSED FOOD

ELIMINATE REFINED SUGAR

EAT 5-6 SMALL MEALS A DAY

COMBINE PROTEINS WITH HEALTHY CARBS

CONTROL YOUR PORTIONS (A portion is usually the size of your fist)

COOK YOUR OWN MEALS

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

CHOOSE WHOLE GRAINS

WHOSE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?!!

For more on clean eating watch the video below :)

     

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 7 STEPS TO REGAINING YOUR INNER PEACE     

     

     Some times in life we are faced with challenges that can take us out of character. We face everyday challenges that often cause us to succumb to negative vibes. These negative vibes usually take over our lives, leading to destructive behavior. Often this negative behavior can feel right and cause us to continue making poor decisions. At some point the negative behavior take such a toll on your life that things began to spiral out of control and you began to lash out further. At this point you can choose to surrender to this behavior or you can began your healing process and start living peaceful again. I'm going to tell you a little about how I started my journey to become a more positive person and what lead me to my breaking point.

     In December 2009 my mother suffered several strokes which caused her to lose the ability to move or speak. It was quick and unexpected. Shortly before that I had lost my job and was on the verge of losing my home and relationship. I went from being a happy and vibrant women, to hurting emotionally, financially and praying for my mothers life daily. Each morning that God blessed me with, I wanted to lay down and go back to sleep. I had to juggle stressing over bills, saving my relationship, taking care of my children and making some really tough decisions concerning my mothers life. In May of 2010 my siblings and I decided to sign a DO NOT RESUSCITATE order for my mother. This decision was painful and extremely hard to make. It was also a decision that I hurt over up til this day. I completely shut myself off from my family and spent most of my days pitying myself. On July 31, 2010 my mother, my best friend and protector passed away. Shortly after that I lost my home and my 8 year relationship with my boyfriend was over.  I began to act out because of the tremendous pain I was in. I was not myself and I truly needed to be saved from all the pain I was feeling. The problem was, I was looking for the wrong things, people and places to save me. Although I took myself through some unnecessary heartache I don't regret it because I learned some great lessons. The reason I'm sharing some of my heartaches and pains with you is to show you that you are not alone. Everyone go through some form or hurt pain and defeat. The great news is that I'm going to share 7 steps that helped me regain my inner peace.

     In July 2013 I decided I want to live a happy and peaceful life. I decided that I would no longer allow negative things, people, places, words or attitudes affect my life. I will dismiss anything I feel is not a positive addition to my life. I decided to live a HAPPY life and rid myself of all things the did not contribute to my new journey. In order to do that I had remove anything I deemed negative and replace it with ALL things positive.

#7 READING: Start reading books on being positive. Choose books that inspire you and feed your mind. Reading a good book will help distract you from all the negative energy around you. It allows you to have some quiet time and help you relax. Find a comfortable space and cuddle up with a good book.

#6 WRITING: When you are stressed find a calm and peaceful place to sit with your pen and pad. Spontaneously began to write whatever comes to mind. Relax and allow all the hurt and pain to be release on the paper in front of you. By doing this you allow yourself to unleash all that bottled up anger.

#5 MUSIC: Music has always been a great way to change your mood. Make a playlist of music that make you happy. The playlist can consist of calm soothing music, much that make you smile or music that make you dance. Whatever you decide to put in your playlist, be sure that it change your mood to a good one.

#4 STOP WORRYING: Worrying will not change your situation. Actually, worrying will harm you more than help you. Worrying can interfere with your appetite, life style habits, job performance, sleep and relationship. Instead of worrying, began to think of solutions that may help you with your situation. If you can not find a solution continue to stay positive and do not allow the negative thinking to enter you space.

#3 YOGA: Emotional stress of daily life often contribute to physically stress like muscle tension and constricted breathing. Yoga help reduce stress by encouraging you to take deep, rhythimic breaths. It also increase the flow of blood and oxygen in your body allowing you to feel relaxed and calm.

#2 MEDITATE: Much like yoga, the deep slow breathing technique helps to reduce stress. I usually breath in on a ten count and breath out on a ten count. While breathing, clear your mind and began to think or speak positive words such as peace, love, humble, etc.....

#1 FORGIVING: This one is tough. It's not always easy to forgive someone who hurt you or forgive yourself for hurting someone. Carrying around pain and hurt will only harm you. You should forgive those who hurt you because if you hold onto that pain you are allowing that person to have too much power over your life. If you don't forgive yourself your are allowing your emotions to control your life. Release yourself by way of forgiveness and you will be a much happier person.

I hope these tips helped you the same way that they helped me. Don't allow your life to be overcome by negative the energy of people, places, emotions and things. If you find these tips helpful let me know by commenting below. If you have some tips to add to this list feel free to share. 

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8 Fun ways to work out

                         

               8 Great ways to get fit and have fun

     Getting fit can often feel like a chore. If you're not a fitness fanatic staying in shape can a be extremely hard, often because it's more strenuous than fun. When I started my fitness journey I wanted to make sure I began a regimen that I can stick to. In order to do this I had to make it fun. I decided to compile a list of things that I enjoyed as a kid but will help me burn calories as an adult. 

SWIMMING: Did you know you can burn up to 400 calories per hour swimming moderately and up to 600 calories swimming vigorously? This is a great way to burn calories without the strain of weights or high paced aerobic workouts.

BIKE RIDING: Who didn't love bike riding as a kid? We rode our bikes up and down the street not even realizing the benefits of it. The toning of our thighs and glutes, not to mention burning up to 500 calories per hour riding moderate.

HULA HOOP: Who would've thought that moving in a circular movement over and over would do wonders for our waistline? The hula hoop was one of my favorite toys as a little girl and is still a favorite of mine as an adult. You can either purchase a regular hula hoop or a weighted hula hoop to start working on that waist.

SKATING: Every weekend I would lace up my skates and sway to the beat of the music at our local skating rink. Although it did not do my feet much justice, it definitely did wonders for my calve muscles not to mention my thighs. Grab your head phones, lace up your skates and have a blast burning off those calories.

SPEED WALKING: Often times we are so out of shape that a light jog seems impossible. Don't allow that to stop you from getting fit. Start often with a slow walk and pick up the speed. Grab your headphones with a playlist of your favorite tunes and speed walk those pounds away.

OBSTACLE COURSE: Gather some friends together and make a obstacle course. Challenge and push each other to the limit. Who can run the fastest, jump the highest, run up the stairs fastest, do more crunches etc. Just be sure to make it fun and exciting. Support each other through each course and watch the pounds began to drop.

TRAMPOLINE: Jump jump jump up up and away. A perfect way to work your entire body. Jumping on a trampoline boost your heart rate into fat burning mode while working the muscles of your lower body. It can also improve flexibility. Jumping on a trampoline can burn as many as 500 calories per hour.

DANCING: Beyonce, Ciara, Janet, and J-lo all entertainers who have strong dance backgrounds. They also are very fit women and I'm positive that those dance routines and rehearsals have a lot to do with it. Put your favorite songs on and have fun pretending to be some of your favorite celebrities. You also can try Zumba or Rockin body which are great dance work outs.

DISCLAIMER: No exercise regimen will work without a healthy diet. Be sure to eat plenty or fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats high in protein, fresh meat and fish. Limit your sugar and salt intake. Also drink plenty of water. You must take care of the inside as well as the outside.

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SUGAR SCRUB EXFLOIATE

BENEFITS OF EXFOLIATES

 

Exfoliating can be very beneficial for your skin. It removes dead skin cells which keeps pores from clogging and help keep acne under control. Exfoliating also speeds up your skin renewal system which allows your moisturizer to penetrate your skin deeper. The removal of dead skin also helps with discoloration and uneven skin tones. An exfoliate can be used all over your body leaving it soft, glowing and moisturized. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply exfoliate to wet skin using a circular motion. Gently massage into skin for 2-3 minutes and rinse. I prefer to do this while taking a bath or shower. If you have oily skin I suggest exfoliating using a sea salt scrub. I will place a DIY for this soon. For dry skin I suggest you exfoliate using this sugar scrub up too 3 times a week. 


INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 tsp of Honey
2-3 tsp Olive Oil
Lemon Zest 
Essential Oils of your choice
One air tight container

Place 1 cup of brown sugar in a bowl. Pour olive oil 2 tbsp at a time and mix until brown sugar is dark brown and moist. (Do not add too much olive oil because it will cause a mess whenever you open then container).  Add a tsp of honey and 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oils (lavender, peppermint, rosemary etc.). Add a little lemon zest. Mix all ingredients in the bowl. Place exfoliate in an air tight container. 

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4 Great ways to save money

                     

                  Need Money Saving Ideas?!

                             

             EASY MONEY SAVING TIPS

Saving money is not always an easy task, especially in today's economy. Although saving may not be easy it is important. There are many reasons we save. Whether you're saving for a family trip, a new computer or your retirement plan know that it is possible to meet your goal. I'm going to share some of my favorite ways to save money. It may not be easy at first but over time it will become habit and before you know it you will reach your financial goal. 

KEEP THE CHANGE: This may not seem like a good way to save a lot of money but you will be amazed at how much change you can accumulate in a day. There are 365 days in a year and if you are saving all of your change at the end of the day you are at least making small steps towards your goal.

A DOLLAR A DAY:  This concept is the same as Keep the change except you are keeping all of your $1 bills at the end of the day. Reminders 365 days in a year!!! If you're saving at least $1 per day you're guaranteed at least $365 at the end of the year. That may not seem like a lot of money but it's better to save a little than none at all.

CAN'T MISS WHAT I DON'T SEE: If you have direct deposit you're half way there. Most direct deposits allow you to take a percentage of your pay and place it directly into a savings account. This is a excellent way to save because it's place in a savings account before you even see it. Out of sight out of mind! You can choose to transfer 5% to 50% into your savings account each pay period. You can do this online, at your bank or through your employer.

52 WEEKS IN A YEAR: I came across this great chart that shows you how to save $1378 in a year. The concept is to match the dollar amount with the current week. Example: Week 1 save $1 Week 2 save $2 ...... It's fairly simple and won't break your pockets. I started this process late but it's better late than never. 

I hope these money saving tips were helpful. If you have some money saving tips that you would like to add please comment below. If you try any of these tips let me know how it worked out for you?

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Busy Productive Positive Focused More U

Here are some great tips on becoming successful in business and in life.

GET BUSY: Set goals that are realistic for the amount of time you have. You can not do a 5 year plan in 2 months. Being realistic with yourself give you a better chance of succeeding. Study your craft is must. A successful person know their craft inside and out. Never stop learning new and improved ways in your field. There will always be room for improvement. Network with other people in your field. Networking with other people in your field will not only help you gain future clients but will also help you gain new business relationships with other talented people. Learn some of the ways that helped them become successful. Use social media to your advantage. Social media is a great outlet to get free advertising for your business. Seek to live at your full potential. Use all of your skills, intelligence and great personality to your advantage. 

BE PRODUCTIVE: We all have our long term goals but sometimes we become so consumed working on a long list of goals that we lose our way and become less productive. One way to becoming more productive is to make a short list of goals to be completed each day. By doing this you have a better chance of completing your list, therefore becoming closer to your goals. Remember never bite off more than you can chew. Quality over quantity will always get you better results.

STAY POSITIVE: A positive attitude goes a long way. Being resilient is one of the benefits of staying positive. When you are resilient you are able to ignore negative behavior and/or people. You are more optimistic therefore having the ability to focus on making a difficult situation better. Having this positive attitude will not only rid you of negative energy but will also help you overcome some of life's challenges. The benefits of staying positive are definitely worth the effort.

REMAIN FOCUS: Stop procrastinating! People who are bored or distracted easily are usually procrastinators. If you notice you are procrastinating STOP! Saying "I'm going to do it later" or "I will finish right after...." will not get you closer to your goals. Remove all things that are distracting you (cell phones, television, Internet etc.). Set aside a time slot to work on your goals uninterrupted. You will find yourself closer to your goals in no time. 

BEMORE U: There is nothing wrong with admiring the next persons work, style or personality but never lose yourself trying to be someone else. Find your own niche. You will find that when you self evaluate and learn more about yourself you will not only have a more successful business but you will have a better life all together.

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