Lifestyle

Why Online Grocery Shopping Changed My Life for the Better

May 30, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

30 minutes.

That’s how long it took for me to place my Dillons ClickList online grocery order, pick up the order at the store, and put the groceries away in the kitchen. 30 measly minutes! Online grocery shopping has changed my life for the better and if you haven’t tried it, you should! Here’s why:

By using online grocery shopping, I get back so much time I would have normally spent wandering the aisles for items I never planned to buy. So, the tin of mixed nuts or artisan cheese never makes it into my cart thus saving me money! Dillons ClickList remembers what I typically purchase so it doesn’t parade a bunch of extra items in my face that I would be tempted to buy.

When I pick up my groceries curbside at the store, all I have to do is call a phone number and a courteous employee carts my bagged items to my car. At which time they explain if a substituted item (of a better brand or larger size) was used in my order. After my groceries are loaded in my trunk, I’m on my way! Bonus: Ordering groceries doesn’t rob anyone of jobs at our local store, but actually employs more people in the community.

Did I mention you can pick up your groceries the same day you order them? And you can still use digital or paper coupons? :: mind blown ::

Some people complain that when they order online groceries, they can’t hand select fresh produce or determine which color of an item is best. So far, my personal shopper has done an excellent job of choosing large, ripe produce and even went as far as to choose neutral colors when I requested items like Kleenex added to my order. Besides, you can leave notes in your online order such as “Bananas should be slightly green.” I’ve been super satisfied with their personal shopping decisions!

Not once has my personal grocery shopper forgotten one of my items!

While the initial three Dillons ClickList grocery orders come without a fee, the fourth or more online order includes an added $5 service fee. Some shoppers may prefer to visit Walmart or Target for the same service without the added fee, but I don’t mind an extra $5 since I would spend that in gas to drive all the way to another market from my home.

If there is one drawback (and it is a slight one) to shopping for groceries online, it’s that I don’t get to use my reusable bags. Each piece of produce is packaged in a bag within a bag, a less environmentally-friendly option to using cloth bags to tote my groceries.

So what do you think? Have I convinced you of the accessibility, convenience, and cost-saving benefits of using online grocery shopping? It may just change your life for the better, too! Let me know what you think of online shopping in the comments below! Share your tips!

*This post is not an advertisement paid by Kroger or another online grocery retailer, but merely my opinion of the aforementioned service.

The Power of Sharing Books: Little Free Library

May 29, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Give a book. Take a book. Little Free Libraries are pop-up stands, located around cities, that contain books for people to donate books to, and if they need a book, take a book to read. It’s brilliant!

Have you seen a Little Free Library in your town? We have several in our city where stands are typically located near parks or civic organizations. I appreciate the thought behind the book kiosks because each one stands as a symbol for building community, a thoughtful ripple of pay-it-forward kindness. The book exchange concept is a fun way to donate books you no longer want and perhaps find a new book to read. Because it is free — everyone wins!

I dropped leftover classroom books off at two Little Free Libraries in my area. Inside each stand, I found deep shelves partially stocked with all genres of books from young adult literature to true crime dramas. Each library had plenty of room for me to add my donated books. All you have to do is open the front door of the library, place your book donations inside, and close the door. This act of kindness couldn’t be more simple!

Out of consideration of potential readers, your donated books should be in like new condition.

You can locate a book exchange location using this map! Don’t like the books within a Little Free Library, no problem! Simply located another kiosk in your area using the interactive map.

NOTE: If accompanying a child, you might need to help them open the door to a Little Free Library as they are built for an adult’s height.

Fun Fact: Little Free Libraries are also referred to as “mini-town squares.”

Want to learn more about starting a book exchange stand in your neighborhood? Interested in donating books on behalf of your kid’s scout troop or school? Learn more about Little Free Libraries here.

I would love to hear about your experience donating in your community! Please comment below to tell me about it!

How to Achieve Clutter-Free Bliss

April 26, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

You might think I’m weird when I tell you my secret. I love to declutter. The messier the junk drawer, the more I want to clean and organize it.

I realize not everyone enjoys my odd hobby, but decluttering has to be done people! If you accept that what you’re pitching in the trash, or donating to charity, is only “stuff,” then it makes it much easier to remove it from your life. Besides, doesn’t spending time with your friends and family hold more meaning for you than the energy you spend looking for things amongst the junk?

After cleaning my closet of clothes I don’t wear, I was shocked at what I was actually wearing! About half of my closet represented clothes that were out of style, over worn, not my size or in bad shape. Warning: Don’t clean out your significant other’s closet without their permission. You’re just asking for WWIII by assuming they’ll appreciate you for spring cleaning.

Lack the knack for decluttering? Use The Get Rid of It List below to guide you to clutter-free bliss. Happy Spring Cleaning!

If you want to deep clean your home after you declutter the junk, check out my Ultimate Summer Housecleaning List!

Grab a pen and cross off each item as you get rid of it!

Netflix Shows For People Who Like To Drool Over Food and Daydream About Traveling

March 26, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

True foodies. Nomadic travelers. I’m talking to you. Boy, do I have the ultimate Netflix list of must-watch shows hand-picked for your viewing pleasure!

Now, you could simply login to your account and scroll around until you discover a show that appeals to you, but I’m going to save you a ton of time. People who dream of food, who want to travel to another country vicariously through a reality culinary show, and who appreciate learning are going to love this post: Netflix Shows For People Who Like To Drool Over Food and Daydream About Traveling.

:: Bonus Discloser:: I’m pairing each of my show selections with one of my delicious cocktail recipes! Cheers!

In no particular order…(insert drumroll)

Somebody Feed Phil (2018) You can escape to New Orleans restaurant kitchens or ride in a riverboat in Bangkok’s market district when watching this series with Phil Rosenthal, the creator of “Everyone Loves Raymond.” Rosenthal travels the globe to sample all kinds of authentic dishes from extra spicy crawfish to savory bowls of hot pho. As he says, “food is the great connector” and he certainly makes friends wherever he goes thanks to his quick wit and charming smile. His lovable personality is infectious and his culinary travels open your eyes to areas of the world you may never visit in-person. Warning: You’re going to want to check the expiration date on your passport after binge watching his series. You may get the travel bug and want to span the globe, too. (Rosenthal also has a Netflix series entitled “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” (2015). )

Cocktail Suggestion: Cantaloupe Margaritas

Ainsley Eats the Streets (2014) Set our on a journey with celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott as he tastes local street food in locales like the back alleys of Taipai and the tapas bars in Madrid. His curiosity for fresh ingredients typically leads him to street markets where he samples local food. Sometimes he doesn’t always know what he’s eating — but that’s the fun part of watching his explorations! Additionally, you will learn the history of each location’s food culture because Ainsley likes to pair up with a food guide or a food blogger from the area. Because Ainsley is a chef, viewers also learn how to prepare fresh side dishes while cooks alongside market cooks. You’ll walk away with a new, ethnic recipe with each episode!

The aspect of Ainsley’s travel show that I enjoy the most is honest reaction to trying new foods. If he loves it, he passionately explains why he is falling for it. Better yet, if he dislikes it, his opinion is transparent and refreshingly authentic.

Cocktail Suggestion: Grilled Pineapple and Peach Tequila Cocktail

Poh and Co (2016) An Australian chef of Malaysian decent, Poh Ling Yeow is one of the most creative people, and happy people, you’ll witness on Netflix. When she’s not baking in the middle of the night, she’s gardening or creating small works of art from her basement studio. Somehow she makes time to run a highly successful space at an area food market. Her zest for life is so much fun to watch because if she flubs, she laughs at herself. When a recipe goes well, she laughs at herself. She’s a real person and is perfectly imperfect in every way. For example, she doesn’t know a thing about gardening yet she’s determined to not only grow fresh vegetables, but also tend bees for their honey.

By the end of the first episode, you’ll wish Poh was your best friend (or if you’re a guy, your girlfriend). She is a delight. Watching her giggle her way through a recipe is too much fun and she makes preparing delicious pastries look easy.

Cocktail Suggestion: Blueberry Vanilla Mint Mojito

While it’s overwhelming selecting what to watch on Netflix, I highly recommend this short list. I enjoy this selection because each reality chef teaches me something about cooking and/or living elsewhere. Naturally a curious person, I’m willing to set aside hours of my life to watch television if I can enhance the experience by gaining knowledge. If you enjoy researching future travel destinations, witnessing other cultures go about their day or want to learn about new foods, please take an hour to watch at least one of these shows.

Do you have a favorite travel documentary or cooking show you prefer to watch? Tell me about it in the comments below. I’d love to add it to my weeknight line-up. Until then, you’ll find me watching Planet Earth — it’s so amazing!

Note: None of the recommendations above are affiliates.

5 Ways I Spoil Myself (and why you should pamper yourself)

March 5, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Sometimes you have to put yourself first.

Pampering yourself is necessary to regain perspective, to boost your confidence, and to hit the reset button now and then. If that means that you spoil yourself by splurging on a night out with friends or restocking your closet with a new wardrobe, then by all means – celebrate you!

I used to do nice things for myself only when I thought I deserved it. For example, if I passed a major college exam or got a raise at work, I would convince myself I had “earned” the right to do spoil myself. As I matured, I realized that self-preservation doesn’t mean I have to justify buying a new spring wardrobe or a vacation somewhere. Giving back to yourself is a part of self-care.

Is it time for you to pay it forward to yourself?

I bet you’re like me in that you give so much of yourself to work, family, and your household that you seldom give thought to yourself and how you’re feeling. Time constraints keep so many of us from giving back to ourselves. Check out 5 Ways I Spoil Myself below and I’ll bet you discover at least one way you to pamper yourself without spending a ton of time doing it!

Birthday Meal. I always treat myself to a delicious lunch at one of my favorite restaurants on my birthday. Even if I have to dine alone, because all of my favorite people are stuck at work, I’ll dine on my city’s best nachos, fattoush salad, or pizza. In my twenties, I once filled an entire table at The Mad Greek in Lawrence, Kansas with a spread of Mediterranean favorites including a cocktail on my birthday! Why? Because I was celebrating me!
StitchFix. Life is too short for me to spend another minute hating myself for having to cut through crowds at the mall to find staple clothing items. Enter…StitchFix! Every month I receive my “fix” in the mail that includes five clothing or accessories to add to my closet. I’m like a kid on Christmas when the green and white box arrives with hand-selected items from my personal stylist. If I don’t like something, I simply mail it back. It’s great!
Hair Color. The first time I had an Aveda stylist color my hair and give me a scalp massage at the shampoo bowl, I was hooked. I didn’t need to spend another minute contemplating hair color options in the drugstore aisle. Now my trusted stylist colors my hair and you can see the difference. The cost of paying a professional to color my hair leaves it feeling soft and looking healthy.
Flowers. Ain’t nobody got time to wait for someone else to buy them flowers! Buy them for yourself! Every month I purchase a bouquet of marked down flowers to add to our home. It makes me happy to see bright colors across the room and that level happiness is worth $5 any day.
Gourmet Food. You know me, I love yummy food. So it’s no surprise that I would spoil myself by throwing some fancy cheese or a few expensive condiments into my shopping cart. Why deny yourself sushi or fresh mozzarella? Just buy it every once in a while and relish in the satisfaction of your purchase while you devour it!

You deserve to walk around in this world a happier person even if it means going the extra mile to spoil yourself. I’m not suggesting you waste your next paycheck on all of your favorite things in the name of “self-care.” Instead, select one or two activities that bring you joy and add them into your life on a regular basis. You’ll feel more delightful overall!

20 Ways to Be Kind to Yourself

January 8, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

So often I read articles about how to pay-it-forward and be kind to others, something you know I appreciate! However, we often neglect to be kind to ourselves. It’s like the airplane oxygen mask rule: put the oxygen mask on yourself first so that you can assist others. If we’re not healthy and not taking care of ourselves, then we can’t present the world the best version of ourself to aide others.

Why don’t we take time for ourselves?

It’s simple. We allow the world’s demands to distract us from turning the focus on ourselves. Of course, there are events in our lives that require us to act and live selflessly. That’s okay as long as we understand that life is a balance. At the end of the day, we are no good to anyone else if we have nothing left to give.

When I take time for myself to relax, to learn or to just be still — I’m a better person to those who I connect with in the world. So, when was the last time you took a hour to give back to yourself?

If you’re like me and often need a reminder to prioritize myself, here are 20 Ways to Be Kind to Yourself.

Take a long shower or enjoy a hot bath. Relax.
Prepare your favorite meal even if it’s not what others want to eat for dinner.
Use your vacation days from work. Americans don’t use provided vacation days, according to Forbes. Learn why.
Subscribe to a delivery service like Stitch Fix or order your household supplies from Amazon. Give yourself a break from shopping!
Go for the appetizer. You always turn down the restaurant server’s suggestion for a pre-meal bite. Stop denying yourself the queso!
Upgrade your shoe game or wardrobe.
Make an appointment for a massage or make-up application.
Read a self-help book or an inspirational story.
Meet a friend for lunch. Conversations with friends are a vital to understanding oneself.
Buy yourself flowers or a nice bottle of wine.
Meditate.
Go to bed an hour early every night for a week.
Eat a nourishing breakfast.
Yoga. Downward dog anyone?
Allow yourself free time for a hobby you’ve put on the back burner.
Try an at-home facial.
Gently rub your temples.
Eliminate the feeling of being rushed in the morning before work. Pack your lunch the night before.
Dedicate one evening every week to watching your favorite show or movie.
Get a babysitter and take yourself on a date.

How have you taken time for yourself recently? Tell me in the comments section below!