Week 3 of Thankfulness!

I was late posting this last week but was caught up in some good stuff. Enjoying my family for Thanksgiving!

Week 3  Thankful Thought: 

I am thankful for my home. My place of rest, solitude, serenity, all things comfortable and familiar. I am thankful for the door on my home and the pillow where I rest my head. The heat that comes on to keep us warm and the windows that allow us to see outside. I am thankful for the furniture that allows me to rest and enjoy my family and the beautiful things I fill it with that give me joy and comfort! 

Leftover Turkey Tacos

Got turkey? Sure you do! Still days later and it is lingering in the kitchen looking to be inspired, re purposed and eaten! Turn them into tacos! It is easy, healthy and super fast to make. While everyone else is making turkey open faced sandwiches and soup, here is an easy way to give your leftover turkey a new life and the kids will likely still think its chicken!

Leftover Turkey Tacos

• 4 ounces of turkey
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/2 cup salsa (Your favorite kind)
• Olives, sour cream and avocado (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• Flour or corn tortillas

Take 4 ounces of leftover turkey and warm it up in a saute pan on medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil, pepper and salt to taste. Add 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon chili powder to turkey. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, break up turkey so it starts to shred. Turn off stove and put aside.

Use flour or corn tortillas and layer turkey, cheddar cheese or Monterrey jack, olives, chopped tomato's, sliced avocado and top with sour cream or salsa. Warm for 3 minutes in the oven or 1 minute in the microwave. Done!

How have you used your turkey leftovers?

Keep Calm and Jingle On!

So you have the turkey stuffed, your best linens are on the table and your guests have been invited. You mulled over what kind of wine to buy and whether guests want sweet potatoes or mashed. You cleaned your house from top to bottom and desserts have been made. Now you are absolutely spent! AND the holidays have not even already begun.

I am sharing 10 tips for staying calm during the holidays. If you don't, you just might miss them!

1. Share it! Frustrated or overwhelmed with all of what you have to do? Tell someone. Ask for help and put some responsibility on another family member. Have that person handle dessert and drinks and you prepare the main feast. Delegate!

2. List it! What do you need to do vs what you WANT to do. Pick 2 things from each list to create balance for yourself each week. By the end of the month, you will be in good shape.

3. Take a break. Find something else to do unrelated to the holidays that rejuvenates you. Take a run, catch a good movie that just came out or go get a massage. 

4. Don't miss them! That is right. If you do not savor the moments, the holidays just end up being a date in your calendar. Be sure to participate in a local holiday event like a tree lighting or food drive. Maybe plan a cookie swap with friends. Do something FUN that puts you in the holiday mood.

5. Create! Be creative. Do something completely opposite of your holiday to do list. Go take a painting class, read a new book or try out an adult coloring books to let your thoughts wander. I love this one to the left called Color Me Calm by Lacy Mucklow and Angela Porter. Pick one up here at  Color Me Calm.

6. Exercise! Sorry. No getting around this one. Exercise relieves stress, releases endorphins and hey.. you usually feel instantly better afterward. Get going.

7. Make a date. Do you always miss seeing those you love on the holidays because you run out of time? Put a few dates on the calendar with people you have been meaning to have coffee with or visit before the year is up. If it is written down, you are more likely to keep the date.


8. Shop off hours. This is a tough one considering stores make it very easy for you to shop all day and night during the holidays. But try to get one up morning early and beat the traffic and jammed parking lots. Write a list of what you need to buy and for who and stick with it. 

9. Make a gratitude jar for 2016. If you are forgetting what the holidays are about, you might love this idea. Start in January and write down small memories and fun events by putting them in the jar. On December 31st you open the jar and share memories and good times with your family. The jar can be decorated and you can make any size that is best for you. Here is a Pinterest link with an infinite number of examples and ideas to get you inspired! Gratitude Jar projects

10. Relax. Schedule in a nap once a week, a long walk or a morning sleeping in. Sleep is what rejuvenates us and allows our body to reset for the next day.

How will you find your calm this season??

Modern Oats!

Founded in 2013, Modern Oats has one simple goal. Change people's perception about "old fashion oatmeal".

One way Modern Oats does this is by working with small farm, gluten free, Non-GMO verified, perfect whole rolled oats. These are the highest grade from family run operations throughout the upper Mid-West. After selecting the whole rolled oats, they are carefully crafted artisanal, delicious blends of fruits such as mango's, goji berries, apples and nuts such as pine nuts, walnuts and seeds such as flax, sunflower and chia for the perfect, healthy modern meal, anytime, anywhere. Modern Oats convenient recyclable, portable cups are an ideal healthy meal for your on the go lifestyle. Keep one in your desk or in your bag.

I found these flavors to be inventive and delicious. I also was happy they were not filled with sugar to compensate for the lack of taste. Each cup was hearty and nutritious tasting and filled me up all morning and the addition of berries, chocolate or nuts in each cup made it feel like you were having a treat. They are also certified Vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO.

For more information and recipes click here www.modernoats.com

(I was invited to sample these products by Modern Oats as a social media representative. All opinion's are my own)

Friday's Fix: Week 2 of Thankfulness

Not much to say here in light of the past week of international events. 

How could I sum up one thing to be thankful for? How could I possibly try to narrow it down? I could only start here...

Thankful Thought: 

Let's be thankful for FREEDOM. 

Freedom of faith, freedom of marriage, freedom of education, freedom of where we live, how we pray, how we raise our families, how we use our money, how we spend our free time, how we determine our professional path, where we travel and who we spend our time with. 

My list could go on and on.. what is on your's? At the very least, we can share the many thanks we each share. 

Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Bites

It is always a challenge to feed our children healthy snacks. Ok. Let me switch that. It is always hard for our kids to make healthy choices! This recipe makes that easy with peanut butter, Chia seeds and cranberry and naturally sweetened with honey. I have found similar bite recipes online. I especially enjoy the version from Gimme Some Oven . Many variations and recipes have been created and adapted but, I wanted to make my own version and include some other ingredients so I adapted it using some fall flavors. So here you go!

Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Bites

• 1 cup Rolled Oats (You can use Gluten- Free oats as well)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
• 1 Tbsp. Chia seeds
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp pumpkin spice 
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Mix all the ingredients well. (I use my hands!) Consistency should be like cookie dough. Place in a bowl and pat into a ball. Cover firmly with plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.

 Once chilled, roll into 1 inch balls using your hands and place in airtight container. Refrigerate. 

Don't be fooled. The kids won't be the only one digging into these! 

Comcast Kicks It Up With Xfinity Home!

A lot of unique opportunities come about from being on social media and having a blog. Most recently,  I was invited recently to the Home of Distinction in North Haven, CT to check out Xfinity Home along with other bloggers in my community and learn all about the services Xfinity provides for your home. I am only sorry that they do not provide in the town I live in, cause I would have signed up for it at this event for sure!  Approaching the home you could instantly tell this model home was special. No detail was left unturned to the immense amount of molding, decor, high end appliances, ornate lighting and of course sophisticated technology. 

The best part of this event was learning about the technology that is provided by Xfinity Home and how this system can alter your family life and keep you organized and safe. 

The overview started with the entertainment experience that X1 customers can receive. X1 is an entertainment operating system that gives Xfinity TV customers an interactive TV experience. You can easily find and watch shows and movies in seconds from TV listings, DVR recordings, personal favorites and Xfinity On Demand. They also have TV tailored apps that bring up your Facebook feed or photos up on the big screen. 

Being able to find your favorite program as easily as possible is often just as important as the content itself. Newly launched and what impressed me the most was the Kid Zone programming. Kids Zone gives parents peace of mind with a safe and secure experience for kids to independently explore their favorite content and discover new programming without the worry of coming across something with adult content. The remote also has voice control options. Yes. You speak into it! If your child is in love with Mickey Mouse, simply say "Mickey Mouse" in the remote and instantly everything Mickey will show up. Amazing! What kid would not want control over the TV remote?! Xfinity thought of everything.

We next moved onto learning about Xfinity Home. This is Comcast's home security, control and energy management platform that allows customers to stay connected to their home while on-the-go through the use of an interactive Web portal, mobile devices and the free Xfinity Home app. Imagine being able to set your home alarm from your phone or controlling the temperature of your house from work. Wanna know what the kids are up to? You are able to position the cameras and view different parts of your house with live video monitoring. It is total household management at your finger tips. Xfinity home is 24/7 professional monitoring that can be armed or disarmed remotely. You can also manage energy consumption by controlling lights and the thermostat remotely. I was truly amazed at how far home technology has come!

Lastly we got to learn all about the Xfinity mobile apps. Comast offers its customers eight free down loadable apps so you can get the most popular entertainment and communications services while on the go no matter where you are. These apps get you in touch with the your DVR and allow you to stream Xfinity TV on your mobile devices and download your recordings. In addition, you can control your TV remote controls from your mobile apps. Never forget to set your DVR again! You can also send videos and photos from your mobile devices right to your TV for home viewing and access your email, call logs to your phone and call forwarding options. Think about the vacation you can take with the kids having their favorite shows or music to stream in the car!

Special thanks to Comcast and Brett Martin for inviting me to this special event. For more information on Xfinity Home services, visit Xfinity

( I was invited to the Home of Distinction to learn about Xfinity Home services by Comcast as a social media representative. All opinions and reviews are my own)

Friday Fix! 4 Weeks of Thankful!

November is the month of Thanksgiving. The month that the leaves finally start to fall and bare trees expose themselves among the dropping temperatures. As the leaves fall, we too transition into a time of holiday. 

Having so much to be thankful for, it is good to hit the pause button and remember what we have and not always what we are trying to look for. In a busy life of schedules, work, family and technology, we should realize a life full of abundance, constant pleasure and materialism never really makes anyone grateful without the importance framework of family, friends, love and health.

In the next 4 Friday Fix posts, I will outline a Thankful Thought for you to consider as you go into the weekend. Here we go! 

Thankful Thought: 

TAKE THE TIME TO BE THANKFUL FOR THE HANDS THAT HELP US

This can be co-workers, friends, our children's teacher, your spouse, family member.. anyone who lends a hand to help in your life. Thank them. Reward them. Be grateful they have hands to help. 

Who are the helping hands that help you? 

Pocket Party

I have not done a good old gadget find in awhile. This one is blog worthy so I hope you will consider supporting it!

7X24 Technologies, Inc. today introduced the world's best pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker combining incredibly powerful and high quality sound with an integrated, music-synced light show. Created by a DJ and engineer team, the Pocket Party brings the energy and fun of the club experience to anyone on the go. Coaster-sized, the speaker boasts the power and sound fidelity that has only been previously available in a speaker three to five times its size. 

The Indiegogo (#indiegogo) campaign, which has a funding goal of $15,000 USD, features limited Early Bird specials of $24.99 USD ( for one Pocket Party Speaker), a 50% savings off the retail price of $49.99 USD as well as other rewards. A limited quantity will be ready to arrive in time for Christmas. People can contribute to the campaign and order a Pocket Party Speaker at:http://igg.me/at/pocketparty

Pocket Party is built with cutting-edge X-Bass (tm) technology that features an expandable chamber to amplify the sound and uses its vibration mode to turn any hollow surface ( including a pizza box) into a subwoofer for deep bass that defies the speaker's size. The speaker's expandable chamber and also allows the listener to customize the mid and low sounds to a person's ideal listening experience depending on how much they expand.

At the touch of a button, the Pocket Party turns into a colorful light show that intelligently synchronizes with the music being played via four preset modes: "beats", "party," "mood light," and "lamp". The light show an be controlled directly on the Pocket Party or through the speaker's mobile and web app. In addition, the user can sequence different patterns via the app to create a one-of-a-kind light show.

Pocket Party provides the ultimate in versatility. It's included suction cup, karabiner and bike mount strap allows owners to take their music with them anywhere hands-free or use the speaker as a tablet stand. The speaker's IPX4 splash-proof certification allows for the speaker to be placed pool side, used as a shower speaker or at the beach.

                            

For more information, please watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QyQXm4sV_s&feature=youtu.be


About 7X24 Technologies, Inc.
7X24 Technologies Inc. is a California startup specialized in leading-edge sound and lighting technologies. Co-founder Mr. Micahel Zhang was known as the inventor of the Near-field Audio technology which is the base of a new speaker category also called induction speaker.

( Charging You Up was contacted by The Launch Pad PR Agency as a social media representative to receive and review this product. All opinions are my own.)

The Value of Friendship

Friends are so invaluable in our lives. They are not family, not our lovers or co-workers, but the other piece of our social framework in which we spend our time, share our passions and rely on. Having a small network of good people around you makes a positive impact in your life and creates a happier environment when things might not be so happy. Hopefully you would have shared similar experiences in your life that will connect you for years to come. 

So what is so invaluable about friends?

* They raise us up when we are down
* They encourage us
* Accept our flaws and support our improvements
* Share in our successes
* Support us during our failures
* Can be miles away, but so close in our hearts

* Make time for each other
* Do not look to put your down or cut you out 
* Do not compare their lives to yours
* Keep their commitments and make you a priority
* Support your family and children
* Give practical advice
* Allow you to make your own decisions
* Do not lie or make up stories about themselves or you
* Can never be too busy for you
* Looks to include you in their life

* Shows appreciation and thanks you when its given back
* Lends a hand when no one else will
* Knows when to give you space and also when to knock your door down.
* Will tell you when they are upset with you
* Can tell when you are upset with them
* Shares their life events and celebrations with you
* Listens without needing to say anything
* Can be honest with us even if we do not want to hear it
* Will laugh at your jokes even if they are not that funny
* Pick you up off the floor when you are at a low


It was cathartic to think about the things I endure the most about my friendships and the values I seek in them. I do not have many friends but I almost choose to have it that way. One or two good ones are better than a group of people you hardly know for more than sharing drinks with every weekend. Friends can be many things. Choose them wisely. Invest in them and you will get much more on your return!

What is the one thing you value the most about your friends?

Friday Fix! 5 Must Do's for your Weekend

Oh yeah! Weekend is here, time to relax. But before you do, put these 5 things on your to-do list! You will feel energized, renewed and be ahead of the game on your organizational skills for the fall season.

Here are 5 things you can do this weekend to prepare for the fall season!

1. Clean your closet. This is the time of the year to purge and donate what you do not need and toss what might be ruined. Also to switch out your clothing for the season. Have coats that do not fit or may be worn? Consider finding a coat drive to donate a coat to give to someone in need.


2. Make soup. Fall is full of great soup recipes. It is also great to let it cook and work its magic all day while you do other things. Some of my favorite sites for recipes is Yummly and Delish. Get the crock pot going and go on with your weekend. My favorite soups to make is Curry Carrot Soup and Chicken Tortilla Soup. Find both under the RECIPES tab on my homepage.

3. Plan for the holidays. It is November and the holidays are almost here. Get out the calendar and start marking off when the kids are off for vacation, dates you have parties or holiday events to attend and start making a list of people you need to buy for. A little pre-planning and an early start can really help with the typical holiday stress. You MIGHT just be able to enjoy the process and holiday season then be stressed out.

4. Check your car. Are you in need of new tires before winter? Brakes? Oil? It is always good to check the tire pressure with the cold weather coming.  Do you have an emergency kit in case you break down? Check out the DMV website for some tips here.(DMV How to make and emergency kit) 

5. Empty your cupboards. Toss what is expired, opened and stale and what just might never get used. The never get used stuff if still good should go in a donation bag. This is the time of year that many people do not have any extra to celebrate the holidays or even put a regular meal together. Find out what your local food pantry needs and donate what you are not using and maybe buy a few extra items at the store too.  Invest in some new plastic BPA containers for opened dry items and wipe down the shelves before restocking. 

Ahh...don't you feel better now? Hope your weekend rocks!

A Walk Through Essex

Fall in New England is such a special time of the year. With the cool weather beginning to take form, leaves change and the landscape of New England can take your breathe away. 

Photo credit Charging You Up

One quintessential New England town quite rich in history is Essex. Apart from the boutiques and boating that covers the downtown area, the town has a rich history and is full of majestic trees, gardens and architecture. Originally called Potopaug by local Indians, the Essex area was first settled by English colonists in 1645.

Photo credit Charging You Up

It was the first wharf for West Indies trade in the last 1600's. A Steamboat Dock building was erected at the Foot of Main Street and housed rum, sugar, tobacco and molasses. Essex became the main port of Saybrook and remained so until 1871. Shipping in Essex began in the early part of the 1700's with the construction of the Hayden shipyard. The same yard that build Connecticut's first warship of the Continental Navy, the Oliver Cromwell in 1776. Essex became a major ship building center. Many captains and navy men settled here and many of the historic homes that adorn the streets of downtown Essex, were the homes of these men. 

Photo credit Charging You Up

 Essex consists of 3 townships. Ivoryton, Essex and Centerbrook and is located halfway between Boston and New York City. There is surprisingly a lot to do in this small community as well. Visitors can visit the Ivoryton Playhouse, Essex Steam Train and River Boat ride and the Connecticut River Museum to name a few. Beside that, the community is home to the Sailing Masters of 1812 whose members are attired in the uniforms of the traditional navy midshipmen of that era. 

The Griswald Inn. Photo credit Charging You Up

Photo credit Charing You Up

It also hosts the countries oldest operating Inn, The Griswald Inn. We could not come to Essex without checking this out. The Gris as it is often called opened it's doors for business in 1776 offering fine food, drink and lodging that continues today, 365 days a year ever since. although other establishments might have been open during this year, The Griswald Inn prides itself of never having to close periodically or for years between owners which some other establishments have. In fact, the Inn has had only 6 families own it. Right when you walk in through the doors you can see that not much has changed. The front parlor is adorn with an antique popcorn machine, rustic fireplace and a Gothic steamboat bar. We were happy to have the chance to stand at the bar and have a drink in this precious establishment. Other rooms include the Gun room which has several firearms from the Revolutionary War and 15th century on display and the Library room which holds antique books. 

Library Room. Photo credit Charging You Up

Photo credit Charging You Up

The shops downtown are as equally charming. Boutique toy stores, a Christmas shop, pet decor shop and Ashley's Ice cream. The entire area was decorated for Halloween with festive scarecrows decorating many of the lampposts and residents who decorated their own yards with goblins and skeletons. 

There is still some time to take in the breathtaking views of fall in Essex. Take a drive and enjoy the beauty!

Halloween Leftover Tips!

The pomp and circumstance of Halloween is over. You spent money on the costume, participated in Halloween parties and events at school and with friends. Now you have boatloads of candy and hopefully some festive memories from all of it.

For many parents this is the time when we now track how much of it our kids are going through and how to keep the sugar intake at a low. It is not easy. It is the one time of year maybe besides Easter kids that get a bag full of candy.

Here are some tips to incorporate the leftover candy cleverly or just get rid of it a bit faster.

• Donate it. Yes, many organizations will take donated candy including some military organizations (Operation Shoebox) to send to soldiers over seas and senior centers or area shelters. 
• Incorporate in a dessert! Fold it in your cookies, add it to granola if you have chocolate pieces or even add it to a homemade trail mix.
• Stir it in ice cream. Kids will love the topping bar idea!
• Freeze it. Yes, you can freeze many types of candy, especially chocolate. This way it can be enjoyed weeks down the line, instead of all in 1 or 2 weeks.
  
• Make candy apples! That's right. Dip apples into caramel and roll into chopped candy and chocolate. 
• Make a festive gift out of the candy. Imagine using a foam cone or foam wreath and using a glue gun, gluing the candy to a wreath. you can choose the candy pattern by colors of the wrappers. Get creative!
• Have your kids separate their favorites, to candy they really do not care for. Take the stuff they do not like to work and leave it in the kitchen or common area for co-workers to enjoy. 
• For the grown ups, put small pieces in your coffee for an added treat.
• Use candy as a learning tool for counting, dividing, multiplying and measuring.
• I am sure many families will be creating gingerbread houses very soon! They NEVER give you enough candy in the kits. Save it for your gingerbread house or holiday craft projects.
• Have a kids birthday coming up? Fill the pinata with it!

Any other tips? Let's hear them!