Friday, December 18, 2009

Healthy Holidays

"My New Year's Resolution is to drop 10 pounds..." How many times have you set that goal for yourself--but really had no idea where to begin-or how to stick to that goal once you've set it? You're not alone-most of us really have great intentions when it comes to wanting a healthy start to the New Year-but end up losing control or figuring it is just too difficult a goal to achieve. Fitness expert Jay Kerwin from Boot Camp L.A. offers easy and doable advice to help you get through the many temptations surrounding the holiday season with tips you can use all year long for a healthier you. Don't wait until after the holidays to start getting healthy...start now and your New Year's Resolution will be something you might finally achieve this year!

The Holidays are here and we want to give you a gift. A gift of how to
handle all of those delicious holiday sweets that are going to make their
way into your offices, homes, and stomachs…leaving you,
possibly, with an unwanted gift …around the mid-section.

To avoid this, the best exercise you can do this holiday season, is to exercise
control when eating all the high calorie holiday foods!
Of course, this is easier said than done, especially with all
of the wonderful Holiday baking and cooking that lies ahead.

So how can you exercise control?
Well let’s say someone brought his or her famous sugar cookies into
the office, and then someone else brought a tin of grandma’s
famous brownies. First step: Set a limit for yourself up front.
“I am going to have one treat”, then Second step: Decide if it is going
to be one of the sugar cookies or one of the brownies. If you must
have both, then cut the brownie in half leave the other half and only
have half of a cookie. If there are three items to pick from – still pick
one or a bite of each to equal one dessert item.
Third step: and this is a big one! Walk away once you have made your choices.

Hanging out at the dessert station is only going to challenge the limit you set yourself. The key is not to deny yourself, but also not over indulge yourself. Your taste buds will be happy and your body will thank you for not over eating and gaining so much holiday weight, and as result everybody wins!

So to put it into business terms: Set a limit up front, Stick to it,
Negotiate the items and go for a Win-Win!

The keys to losing weight are commitment, knowledge and being prepared.


We have identified a few culprits that can keep you from realizing your fitness goals this holiday season– they are items that can keep you from losing weight and even worse possibly contribute to gaining weight.


Top 5 reasons:
1. SOFT DRINKS. I think that this is one of the main reasons people can not lose weight. One glass of regular soda has almost the same calories as an entire meal. You can drink a can of soda and you will have almost taken in the calorie allotment for that meal and you haven’t lost your hunger at all. DON’T WASTE YOU CALORIES ON ANY DRINKS, ESPECIALLY ALCHOHOL!

2. TOO MUCH TIME BETWEEN MEALS. When you wait too long between your meals, it’s pretty much guaranteed you are going to over eat when you have your next meal. Try to be more conscious of how long it has been since you ate your last meal. Eating smaller meals more often throughout the day versus two large meals will help you speed up your metabolism and improve your digestion. Be prepared to have something nutritious to eat when your body calls for it. Being prepared, means taking time to put yourself first and getting to the grocery store so you have the fuel you need to be healthy everyday. May sound like a lot, this being prepared business, but give it a try and watch how others start to see the changes in you and soon they too will start taking care of themselves. Be a leader and take care of yourself first!

3. BAD FOOD DECISIONS. Just because you are at the Fast Food drive thru, doesn’t mean that you have to order the worst thing on the menu. O.K, so lets say you weren’t prepared to eat (as in bringing in your own lunch) and you are now at the fast food drive thru. Well, try to at least order the healthiest thing they have. Most places have a light chicken sandwich or salad. But, be aware of the dressings and mayonnaise they are usually very high in calories and can totally ruin you efforts.

4. TOO LARGE OF A PORTION. Your stomach is only the size of a baseball, or softball, why would you think that whole entire burrito would fit in there? A good guide is to eat only eat what fits into your hands as if you are cupping water out of a river. Always split you meal with someone or cut it in half as soon as it gets there and wrap the other half in a to-go box. Don’t make up for missed meals by over eating. If you have been eating large meals and have been wondering why your energy levels aren’t that great, it’s because nothing slows down the metabolism more, than meals that are too much for you stomach to handle.

5. NOT EXERCISING ENOUGH. The last one is simple. Get out there and do something that gets your heart rate going, whether its raking your own leaves, or washing your own car or even better, waxing your car (That ‘s a great workout)! Overall, when you think of exercise think of doing cardio, along with a good weightlifting program. This combination will get you the results you are looking for much faster.

Remember little changes can make a big difference on the scale!
Our best wishes to all for a Healthy and Happy 2010!

Jay Kerwin is the Major of Boot Camp L.A., which brings to Los Angeles both group and individual fitness training and nutritional counseling. Boot Camp L.A. was recently featured nationally on The Discovery Channels “Fit TV” program and on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, as a great way to have fun while you get in shape! For more information about nutrition, getting in shape or to inquire about Boot Camp sessions or personal training you can contact Boot Camp L.A. Head quarters in Los Angeles at
323-938-6179 or visit the website at http://www.bootcampla.com

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Savvy Gifts

Growing up in the 80s when decadence and shoulder pads were all the rave-most people thought nothing of presenting extravagant gifts to their loved ones. Nowadays-gift giving is difficult-whether it be because of financial issues or even just the selection of what's out there. The rough economy has caused many stores to just use whatever is in stock--but the problem is-the stuff is left over from past seasons because no one wants them!! And-those boring old things are expensive to boot.
Scroll through the list of offers and start shopping!!

Now the question is "how do I find something affordable, presentable, and unique?

I've found a few really cool sites that offer all of these things.

Gifts

Bluechopsticks.com Gifts
5% OFF with coupon AC11759">

This is a great site that has so many types of gifts, gift baskets, flowers, theme gifts, and more all on one great site. Their Baby Einstein wagon set is super cute and their Harley Davidson gift set will get your biker's engines in a flurry. Be sure to look at their vast selection of cookie and candy baskets that will put a smile on almost anyone's face. I've sent the cookie baskets to my bosses on Boss' Day-and it was a big hit. Many items are on sale and the coupon code has no expiration date.

Collections Etc. offers a huge collection of unique gifts, home decor, housewares, seasonal decorations, and garden accessories. You can shop from a huge assortment of incredible values where most items are $19.99 or less. With over 3,000 products online all at low prices, Collections Etc. has made gift-giving so much easier!

Collections Etc. Logo Banner - 125x125

Save big on Holiday Clearance! Save up to 50% off and get Free Shipping on orders over $50! Promo Code 4GZZE6

For those of you looking for Christian gifts here is a great site that offers a huge selection of items for the home, as well as jewelry, greeting cards, journals, art, and much more all with an inspirational touch. Be sure to browse their entire site for lots of items and click on the promo link that works best for you.

New Kitchen Collection by DaySpring

Receive Free U.S. Shipping at DaySpring Online Store with coupon code NOSHIPCHARGE through 04/01/2010 - Minimum of $10 order
15% Off All Items from DaySpring through 04/01/10 with Coupon Code SAVE15
$20 Off Orders of $100 or more from DaySpring- Use Coupon Code: 20off100 through 4/01/2010

Here is another great site that offers many Catholic gifts hat are appropriate for religious occasions such as Baptisms/Christenings, First Communions, Confirmations, or just something that shows expression of your faith. Click on the text links to be directed to other sections of this store that have even more gifts, as well as a link for lovely Irish gifts.


Rosary.com is your premier destination for rosaries, cases, rosary prayer books, and rosary gifts.
Grace Designs is your store for Christian Gifts. We carry a wide variety of Christian and inspirational gifts for every occasion.
Celtic Hills - Inspired by the Celtic Spirit, Imported gifts from Ireland

NOVICA is a very unique site that showcases worldwide fine art and home decor. Visit the site and have a gateway to the fascinating cultures of the world where you will explore remote regions across the globe, can view the faces of fascinating artisans, read about their lives, learn about the meaning behind their works, and select from more than 30,000 unique, handmade works of art. NOVICA has had a profound impact on the lives of many artisans and many artists have been able to overcome the economic challenges felt in developing regions of the world, and have been able to concentrate and work full time as artists as a result of this site. This is true "make a difference" shopping!!


Take $15 off any purchase over $50! Use Coupon Code: NOVICA9327
Novica weekly coupons and promotions

For animal lovers, Whales & Friends is one of the foremost Nature oriented sites featuring clothing, sweat shirts and tees, prints, sculptures, jewelry all with a nature oriented theme. A perfect site to find Whales and Dolphin and sea life items, cats, dogs, birds, butterfly and horse related products. Fun and practical gifts for the young and young at heart.

Bring out the animal in you at Whales & Friends


Here's another great site that has lots of gifts and fun ideas for the animal lovers on your list. I just bought the stuffed animal cardinal and blue jay toys for my son, who loves to chase them outside!



Need a special gift for a special teacher? Homeroom Direct is your one-stop shop for Teacher Gifts and Supplies.

Homeroom Direct for all your Classroom Needs


The New York Times Store offers a vast array of quality products from the country's pre-eminent newspaper. Starting with an unmatched collection of historic and contemporary photography, the store provides the discerning buyer everything from fine art prints, books and sports memorabilia to historic autographs, electronic gadgets and reprints of vintage news. Items include Audubon and Native American Art, New York Sports Memorabilia, historic and rare original newspapers, personalized keepsakes and one of a kind U.S. patent models. Other exclusives include the U.S. Postal Collection and works from the Hudson River Painters School of Art. The Store also offers unique New York Times-branded accessories and clothing while guaranteeing shoppers a secure site, seamless transactions and the finest in customer service. Don't forget their famous crossword puzzles--challenging and fun.

The New York Times Store

New York Times Beach Towel With FREE Cookbook
FREE Personalization On The Fantastic 50's Collection
FREE 8x10 Hideki Matsui photograph with purchase of personalized Louisville Slugger Bat
FREE shipping and FREE NY Times Magazine with purchase of Inauguration and Election Newspaper Set With Barack Obama Photo
FREE Shipping and Photograph With Collectible Handcrafted Wooden Ship Model Purchase
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Society

The official online store for NBC Universal, which includes products from NBC, Vancouver 2010 Olympics, CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, SyFy, and Universal Studios features a wide selection of products (DVDs, soundtracks, logo apparel, bobbleheads, toasters, mugs, you name it) bringing in new and exclusive items all the time for an interesting shopping experience.

Shop the NBC Sale - The Office, Biggest Loser!

Free Shipping on orders of $100 or more. Use code FREESHIP at checkout.

Need a special gift for the executive in your life?? Executive Essentials offers the lowest prices on thousands of executive and business products including fine pens, desk accessories, leathergoods and more. They offer more than five thousand products from brands like Parker, Waterman and Lamy to Movado, Johnston & Murphy, Filofax and more! Executive Essentials provides huge product selection, competitive prices, fast delivery, and the highest level of personalized service.

Executive Essentials - FREE Shipping


Know a couple who is getting married? Skip the toaster and get them some much needed luggage that can be used for years to come. Need a gift for the professional in your life? The traveler? The college student? Your relatives who have overstayed their welcome?? (Hey-I've got you a brand new bag for your trip home...LOL) This site has excellent discounts on all kinds of luggage, briefcases, back packs, duffel bags, and more. Click on the link for free shipping and also browse the site for even more savings.
Free Shipping
.
Save up to 50% on Vera Bradley at eBags.com

One of my favorite channels to watch is the Discovery Channel-although "Shark Week" does creep me out! Their site has really unique- as well as educational items that make fun gifts. What's even better is that right on the site are tabs to click onto the TLC, Animal Planet, Military Store Channel, and Science Channel Stores where you can get DVDs of your favorite shows like Cake Boss (my personal favorite--if anyone from the show happens to read this--send cannoli pronto!!!!), Miami Ink, and many more. Enjoy free shipping with qualified purchase and don't forget to look at their sale items.


FREE shipping on orders over $75. Enter code FREESHIP at checkout.
Discovery Channel Store DVD Sale

Oh...Winter in Paris...Summers in Rome...we can dream oui? Nothing speaks quality like fine European "craftspersonship" (not all of the good things are made by men right??)...a fantastic site that I've come across in my "web travels" has unique and reasonably priced items from Europe. This site has gourmet food, baby gifts, soaps, vintage linens, and so much more!! So if you can't catch the next plane across the pond... start experiencing "La Dolce Vita" right at home by visiting Touch of Europe for authentically European products. Be sure to visit their sale tab.
Holiday Gift Ideas Under $20 from Touch of Europe

Cavallini sticky notes shown on the Today Show from Touch of Europe
Free Shipping on all orders over $50 at Touch of Europe

For a truly "blast from the past shopping experience, be sure to visit Betty's Attic where you can find 800+ classic games, dolls, apparel and accessories, sports memorabilia, books and videos, and many other nostalgic products.

BEST GIFTS BEST PRICES AT BETTY'S ATTIC!


Another fun shop is The Lighter Side, who offers lighthearted gifts and a wide selection of licensed and nostalgic collectibles. With over 500 games and toys, apparel, housewares, personalized gifts and much more from such cultural icons as Betty Boop™, Wizard of Oz™, Coca-Cola® and Looney Tunes™--there is something that is sure to please.

LighterSide.com

WHATS ON SALE AT THE LIGHTER SIDE?


The ultimate in super savvy shopping happens in the "Amazon." The absolute best deals are to be had here with many items eligible for super saver free shipping with qualifying items and totals. I absolutely love this site and have been shopping on it for years. I always just go straight to the outlet and have gotten designer sunglasses, shoes, and high end housewares for more than 70% off. Of course percentage of discount varies-but it's worth a look. I usually only look for the free shipping items to save even more. Click on the link to get first class access to quality discount shopping.



I'm so glad that greeting cards have never gone out of style--as much as I love presents--there's nothing more important to me than reading a greeting card--maybe it's the poet in me--but well-expressed words given as a gift is extra special. I even enjoy getting e-cards sent to my inbox. Whether you are a traditionalist who prefers paper cards-or a modernist who prefers the internet--American Greetings has something for you. Check out their free e-cards and look around the site for great time saving deals.

Send Birthday eCards on americangreetings.com

Wide Selection of Free Ecards from American Greetings. Animated, Funny, Talking & More! Start Free Trial>>

One of my favorite greeting card companies is Blue Mountain Arts--they have truly inspiring cards where the words/poems represent the actual art of the card. They are also very open to freelance writers, who want to try to get some poetry published. One of my graduation poems actually made it through to the final step of their reading process; however, in the end my work wasn't selected---but getting that far in a company as well respected as Blue Mountain Arts was still exciting and encouraging. See for yourself...










Will post more as I get them!! Let me know what you got at these sites and how much you saved...Happy Shopping!!! Remember-to get the savings-you must shop directly on my site!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Frugal Office

I've been working as an office manager in a Chiropractic facility for almost 20 years--a job that I absolutely love. Keeping things in order in the most chaotic of financial times is something that we office managers have to become creative with on a daily basis. The two most important things that I've learned over the years that have helped to weather the storms of ever-changing regulations that sometimes prevent profit growth-like insurance mandates, fee-schedule cuts-and so on--is to 1. keep in-house overhead usage costs down and 2. keep promoting your business any chance you get.

Obviously-keeping overhead costs from overtaking the business is essential to making a profit-which these days is a blessing! Oftentimes in a busy office-it just becomes easier to just order whatever and from wherever without really weighing out the costs. Ordering items just becomes one of the many tasks that need to get done--but if you really take a little extra time and try to utilize better spending practices--you'll see that at the end of the sales year--you may actually have a little bit more capitol to work with--and maybe you'll have some leverage to convince your boss just how affordable it now is to give you that raise...

I don't care how successful you think your practice is-you should never have the mentality of--we are fine-we don't need any more patients/clients--they know where to find us...that kind of thinking will keep you "stuck" in an average spot of your business potential. There should always be room for more people who want the services your company has to offer and will pay you for it!If you get so busy that you can't handle the rush--you can always add more support staff. Wouldn't that be the ultimate success!! I can already hear the rebuttal argument: "Have you seen the cost of traditional print ads?" True--the general ad in a newspaper or other print media is quite costly. There are other smaller-and less expensive ways to get your name out to the public and to keep name recognition. What may seem to be cheap-throwaway items like pens, magnets, notepads, etc. are actually useful tools that help your patients/clients to remember you and have your information quickly. These items are things that most people have around them on a daily basis and serve as a reminder of what services you have to offer them.

Click on the following links for useful, one-stop shopping of your practice needs and be sure to utilize the coupons for extra savings.

One of the companies I've been using for years is the National Pen Company. They have high quality promo products at very low prices. Often they offer two for one deals and introductory specials that give you a lot of product without spending too much money.Click on their "free products" link to take advantage of these excellent deals. Search their site for products that can help generate company recognition and customer satisfaction. Many of our patients tell us that they look forward to our giveaways and often hand out our promo products to their friends and family to generate in-house referrals--the best-and most lasting customers come from this type of marketing. Be sure to use the coupon code ps65zt at checkout to get free set up and 20% off on most items.



Shop here for other great deals on personalized pens and promo items with free 24 hour rush delivery on specific products.

Personalized pens with free 24 hour rush.


Another great shop for promo items...

20% Off Promo Items & Gifts!


Need a unique logo for your business?? Here is a truly affordable site that helps you to create your very own logo to help make your business stand out and get noticed. They also have promotional products to help solidify your logo recognition.

Logo Design by Logoworks

$20 LogoWorks Coupon

A really "sweet" and memorable way to promote your business is to use personalized M&Ms-They make excellent gifts and are perfect to use at trade shows or fairs.

Promote your business with personalized M&M’S®.

MY M&M'S For Business Gifts - Free Logo Setup - $100 Value!

For those of you who wear scrubs/uniforms-this link has deeply discounted items along with shoes and accessories to fit your daily comfort needs. Free shipping is often offered-click on the site for details.

Uniform City


For your office supply needs-here is a link that offers some good deals. The selection may not be as vast as some of the larger office supply vendors-but I can't say that they are a bad site. Enter code BON55 at check out to get $5.00 off your purchase of $50.00 or more.

BuyOnlineNow, Office Supply Superstore

Free Shipping on Office Supplies & Office Furniture

A really good site that offers club warehouse type savings when you increase your order sizes to case quantities is Bulk Office Supply. They do have fair and competitive prices plus a large selection of items to fulfill your office needs. There are no membership fees and you may also order items individually if a case is not something you want to order.



Here is another interesting office supply site that offers free shipping on orders of $75.00 or more and has a large inventory of items that you can use to help run your office effectively.

DiscountOfficeItems.com


One of the biggest expenses I have are printer supplies-toners, drums, etc-these items are so crazy expensive and of course are things that you must have in order to have a functioning office. I have to admit that I was leery at first about buying printer/ink supplies from a vendor other than Staples/Office Depot etc--but wow-what an amazing difference in price when I found these guys--and-I can't say that I've encountered any issues. The printing quality is exactly the same at a FRACTION of the prices I was used to paying. This is definitely the site to see to get huge savings on all your ink/toner needs plus more. Click on the site to save even more with a 10% coupon and free shipping on orders of $45.00 or more.

10% Off Carrot Ink Products Today!

Save $10 off all orders over $40 and receive FREE SHIPPING from Carrot Ink today!


Here is a fairly good site where you can browse for your printing needs. They offer high quality brochures that you can personalize to showcase your business services.
Look on the site for discounts and shipping promos.



Talk about incredible savings on your printing needs. If you've never been on it before-you have to click on this link for unbelievable discounts on all your business cards, labels, stamps, letterhead, cards, and so may more items. The best part is their "FREE" section where for a small handling fee-you can get many items of your own choice-customized for you-for FREE. The quality is fine and the prices can't be beat!

Save up to 90%! Plus, FREE SHIPPING!


Remember-to get these savings-you must shop directly from my site!


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DIT can help your organization implement and productively use many different technologies, while helping you to save money by cutting down on the costs of telecommunications and maintenance. Here is just a sampling of the products and services DIT can provide to your organization:

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