Anti-Procrastination Tuesday

I just got back from a trip to California to visit my sweet friend Karen from I Choose Hope.
I wrote a bit about how we met (this blog!) at this post.

This will be short and sweet as I am a bit jet lagged.

Can't wait to tell you all about my trip!

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Have you seen our new sponsor options?  

You can sign up now and have your ad up and running today!

Attention New Nostalgia Readers: 

Did you see this post about the changes here at New Nostalgia? 

Seriously, I think this is the BEST sponsor deal you will find! $25.00 for a month exposure to over 500,000 views, 250x150 size ad. Come read why I decided to offer the best deal possible & why I felt uncomfortable charging twice that, despite success.

{To Sign Up RIGHT NOW & have your ad up and running in no time, CLICK HERE}

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Be Inspired, Be Encouraged & Get Something Done!

Nectresse Sweetener- 100% Natural Made from Monk Fruit

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nectresse™ Sweetener for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have read New Nosgalgia and know me, you know that I like finding healthful ways to make food taste good, so when I read NECTRESSE™Sweetener, it caused me to take a closer look and explore if it is a product that I would love and recommend.

Now, we all know I like my whole food sweeteners, but there are times, especially when I am on the go, that I would love the convenience of a packet sweetener.  Fitting a bottle of 100% maple syrup in my purse is just not an option!  When I read that Nectresse is the one and only 100% natural sweetener made from fruit - monk fruit extract, my curiosity perked up a bit.

The first place I explored was the NECTRESSE™Sweetener website, which is so well organized that I was able to quickly find the ingredients that NECTRESSE™Sweetener contains.  Monk fruit extract, molasses, sugar & erythritol.  The only ingredient I was not familiar with was erythritol.  After further reading, I learned that it is an all natural sugar alcohol that is naturally fermented and found in many fruits and vegetables.  Monk fruit extract is blended with the perfect blend of these other natural sweeteners to give the rich taste of sugar with out all the calories.

NECTRESSE™Sweetener not only comes in packets (40 packets for $3.99), but also in a canister (140 servings for $6.99).  The canister is easy to hold and comes with a multi-purpose lid for easy sprinkling, pouring and serving.  It is 150 times sweeter than sugar, and can be used in cooking or baking to a zero calorie per serving sweetness to beverages or a variety of recipes.

Lisa Ling is the spokesperson for NECTRESSE™Sweetener, the video below tells of her love for the product and shows such beautiful pictures of Monk fruit growing on lush vines in Asia.  

NECTRESSE™Sweetener was perfect sprinkled into my green smoothies.  I loved that it does not have any strange aftertaste.  I threw a couple packets into my purse for green tea sipping on- the- go, and to sweeten up my coffee when I visit coffee shops, which is frequently!  You can have your very own FREE sample of NECTRESSE™Sweetener to try it out for yourself.

I also used it sprinkled into my favorite breakfast at the moment--Strawberry Banana Raw Chia Oats!  Delicious!

 

Strawberry Banana Raw Breakfast Oats

 

1 banana, mashed

4-5 strawberries, cut up

1 cup oats (or two handfuls)

2 tbls chia seeds (or 2 palmfuls)

1 tsp vanilla (or 1 capful)

1-1/2 cups milk (almond, coconut, dairy)

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one packet of NECTRESSE™Sweetener

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Mash banana.  Add strawberries, oats, seeds & vanilla.  Add milk.  Stir.  If too thick, add more milk, you want them slightly runny like picture above.  Let sit for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.  Before eating, sprinkle with one packet of NECTRESSE™Sweetener.  Can be refrigerated up to a day.  

 

Eat That Frog-Don't Procrastinate!

This is a guest post by professional organizer Susan Stewart of Perfectly Placed.

Have you heard the saying that if the first thing you do when you wake up each morning is eat a live frog, nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day?

Brian Tracy, author of Eat That Frog, writes that your "frog" should be your most difficult task on your To Do list—the one you are most likely to procrastinate on. If you eat that first, it will give you energy and momentum for the rest of the day. If you don't, and that frog stays on your list, you'll spend all kinds of time doing unimportant tasks while you try to avoid eating it. Not only does avoiding your frog waste time, but as you you are busy distracting yourself with a more pleasurable task, thoughts of your frog keep creeping back all day long, bringing stress along with it. By the end of the day the frog is still there and you are mentally exhausted. 

I remember when I first came across these amazing thoughts by Brian Tracy. They resonated so deeply with me! You may think that a professional organizer doesn't ever procrastinate, but of course I do! We all try to avoid things that are difficult, boring or scary. Those are the things that tend to be the frogs. Knowing this, knowing I'm not alone, and knowing I have a choice in it, has brought me freedom and that's why I'm sharing it with you. I want YOU to experience the freedom of eating the frog too.

When I get up in the morning, I look over my to do list and pick 2 or 3 things that I know are my frogs for the day. When I admit they are frogs and confront them first thing, it is amazing how that affects my day! I have more energy, get more done and feel much more in control. I feel proud of myself when I eat those frogs!

My question to you is this- what are your frogs today and what will you do about them? The only way to get rid of them is to eat them. Will you eat them first or will you let them sit there all day, hoping they'll hop away? The choice is up to you. I encourage you to eat them first and enjoy the freedom and success you'll feel when they're gone. By the way, I just finished eating mine.

P.S. Sign up here to receive 10 Time Management Secrets Every Woman Should Know

Diversions & Simple Labels Made From Clothespins

This is a guest post from Becky at Clean Mama

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Hi, New Nostalgia readers!  I'm Becky from the Clean Mama blog.  Today I'd like to talk a bit with you about diversion.  There are times when everyone needs a diversion from the everyday or not-so everyday.  A diversion, or distraction, can be helpful on so many levels.  Babies and kids benefit from diversion - enter screaming baby and noisy rattle - screaming stops and baby is diverted to something new and different.  How about a small child throwing a tantrum - offer a lollipop and the tantrum is gone (not that I'm advocating this, it's just for example purposes).

Sometimes as adults, we need a diversion or distraction.  I think the beauty of a diversion is when we recognize the need for a diversion as a helpful tool.  How do you create a diversion or distraction?  Is it purposeful  and intended?  Quiet and therapeutic?  I'm not suggesting ignoring real problems or issues, I'm merely suggesting that instead of treading over the same thoughts, divert them for a bit and find something comforting to do.  Diversion looks different for everyone - reading a book, paging through a favorite magazine, sewing, going for a walk, baking up a batch of cookies, creating something....

When I need a diversion, I tend to go to my craft closet and look for something simple to make.  My latest diversion?

  A new twist on clothespins - I have found yet another way to use them in my house.  

I made clips for IN and OUT mail stacks.  Very simple and yet a good diversion.

Supplies:
clips, wood circles, stamp pad, letter stamps (from $ spot at Target), glue, clear coat (if you want)

stamp letters on circle disks

glue

IN/ OUT

some reminder clips were also made

I bet Amy would love to hear some simple diversion ideas in the comments - what's your favorite diversion?

Want more from Clean Mama? Click here for her July Cleaning Schedule or visit links below!

::Clean Mama Blog::

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Oven Roasted Veggies On Pasta

This is a guest post from Kendra at Our Homemade Happiness

This recipe is one, healthy; two, super easy; and three, delicious enough to serve to guests. A rare trifecta! It's awesome because you can throw in whatever veggies you have on hand. Definitely use tomatoes. The tomato juices have so much flavor when they are roasted in the oven with a little olive oil and salt. It's like a homemade chunky marinara sauce. Some other veggies that taste great in this dish are onions, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, mushrooms, carrots, eggplant, kale, spinach, . . . and the list goes on and on. 

OVEN-ROASTED VEGGIES ON A BED OF PASTA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
4 medium tomatoes + veggies of choice, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
whole wheat pasta or quinoa pasta
fresh basil, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta and drain. Cut up tomatoes and whatever veggies you have on hand. Place chopped veggies on baking sheet. Throw on some pressed garlic. Drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. I mix it all together with my hands to keep dirty dishes to a minimum. (Or you can mix in a bowl and transfer to pan if you prefer.) Cook for 20 minutes in the oven at 425°F. Serve on a bed of pasta. Add some chopped fresh basil. Serves 4.

Underneath that hoard of veggies is a silicone baking mat I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law. It makes clean up a breeze because nothing sticks to it. I went a little overboard and used more veggies than normal for this batch (pictured above) because it was for the blog. Had to be blog worthy, ya know? I used 4 large tomatoes, 1 onion, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 zucchini, 1 banana squash, 8 oz. mushrooms, 1 orange bell pepper, and 2 leaves of kale (don't use the tough stalk in the middle). I could barely fit all the veggies on the pan! Leftovers lasted a couple of days, but I'm not complaining!

Hi, I'm Kendra! I have a passion for all things homemade, especially cleaners, skincare, and healthy eating. Going back to simpler times and natural ingredients, all while sticking to a budget. 

Our Homemade Happiness

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DIY Simple Decorative Vases

*The following is a guest post from Laurie at Beauty Divine Design*

My office doubles as a nursery for my baby girl, so something I try to do is add in a few modern, creative touches and make sure it’s a place where I can still be inspired to design.

I’m going to share a really easy example of a DIY Simple Decorative Vase project that can be used in so many ways. I love that this project can take an everyday household item and turn it into a work of art without spending a lot of money.

All you need are glass vases from the dollar store (or recycled bottles, jars, etc.), candles or flowers to put inside and a few rolls of washi tape. I get mine from PrettyTape and use it on a LOT of projects. All you have to do is literally put the tape on the vases! It really is that easy.

I started with a vertical stripe. This result was my favorite and the easiest to pull off in a small amount of time. All you have to do is snip off the ends and fold them over the top of the vase.

The next design I tried was a spiral pattern which was a little more difficult only because it was hard to get a perfect angle each time. But luckily, the washi tape peeled off so easily when I needed to redo a strip!

I also tried doing horizontal bands around the vase. These turned out nicely but were actually really hard to keep straight all the way around.

And here’s the final result! So simple and fun.

I love to these for when I have fresh flowers in the house but when I don’t, these work perfectly as artsy candle holders too. Place a few on a mirror for a really inexpensive centerpiece for a wedding. Or you could line a few on your mantel over the fireplace to change it up. The possibilities are endless!

//

Thank you, Laurie, for this awesome tutorial!  I just love how simple it is and how many ways these vases can be used.  I'm off to order some washi tape right now!  

Laurie is author of Beauty Design Blog where she posts on everything from design trends and tutorials to her random daily life. She has such a way with beauty, and her taste is divine!  Click here to visit her blog.

Laurie also is the creator of Beauty Divine Design company which focuses on providing photographers with design templates.  Click here to visit her shop.

You can follow Beauty Divine Design here:

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Date Paste - A Healthy. Raw Sweetener

 

Date Paste is popular in the raw food world.  After making it a few times myself, I can see why!  I am not a fan of dates-maybe it is their shriveled up wrinkly appearance-but when softened with water and blended in a food processor into a smooth paste, then I become a BIG fan!

Date paste is creamy and has an almost "caramel-y" like flavor that I fell for immediately. My favorite way to use date paste is on my oatmeal in place of brown sugar.  I have also used it to sweeten smoothies & chia oats. We have spread it on tortillas, added banana & chia, then rolled up as a health snack (post on that coming soon!)  My kids loved these, but FYI, make the date paste when they are not around.  My girls saw the dates soaking and were a bit skeptical to try it.  The second time I made it, I did it privately, and called it "sweetener."  They ate it up.

So why go to the trouble to make date paste?  Well, first, it is not much trouble. 

Second, I like that it is one more way to satisfy our sweet tooth while keeping blood sugar levels stable due to the fiber that dates contain. They are also good source of iron, vitamin A & potassium. They have their fair share of antioxidants, and are not processed like most sweeteners are.

I have seen date paste used not just raw, but in all types of baking, like this Banana Date Paste Bread Pudding, which I want to try, it looks awesome!

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Date Paste

1 1b medjool dates

1/2 cup reserved soaking water

Pit and cover dates with water.  Soak for 10 minutes.  Pour off water reserving 1/2 cup.  Process in food processor until desired consistency, adding more water if needed.  Place in a jar and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

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What about you?  Do you look for more healthful ways to satisfy your sweet tooth?  

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday

Goals This Week:

~Car vacuumed & detail cleaned on the inside

~start my attack on sneaky weeds out front

~sort bin of paperwork

{Yep, same as last week.  I was not too productive this last week!  I blame the heat.}

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Have you checked out our Giveaway yet?

It is the Busy Mama Kit from Clean Mama!  Click here to sign up.  Don't miss out!

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We have a second giveaway going on just until tomorrow, so hurry up and check it!

It is the Bubble Bib Necklace from Groopdealz.  Click here to sign up!

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Attention New Nostalgia Readers: 

Did you see this post about the changes here at New Nostalgia? 

Seriously, I think this is the BEST sponsor deal you will find! $25.00 for a month exposure to over 500,000 views, 250x150 size ad. Come read why I decided to offer the best deal possible & why I felt uncomfortable charging twice that, despite success.

{To Sign Up RIGHT NOW & have your ad up and running in no time, CLICK HERE}

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Last Week's Most Clicked On Links:

A Bit Of My Food Journey @ The Not So Super Mama

How to Turn Any Juice Into Lacto-Fermented Soda @ Life Unprocessed

Create Your Own Hair Accessory @ Fine Craft Guild

Entry Closet Makeover @ Woven Home
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Be encouraged, Be inspired, & Get Something Done!

Attention New Nostalgia Readers

*Important Information Regarding The BEST deal I can possibly offer.  

Keep on reading if you are interested!

As you have probably noticed, New Nostalgia now has sponsors.  We have been offering sponsorships for a few months now, and really have been trying to figure out what fits best here at New Nostalgia.

We have been experimenting with ad size, placement, and price...and I think we finally have figured out what is best for both New Nostalgia, our sponsors, and our readers.

Let me start by saying what a blessing it is for the opportunity to have anyone sponsor New Nostalgia.  I do not take it lightly that New Nostalgia is a place where others would want to be seen and known.  I see my sponsors as those who come along side of me and together we work at making the web a better place while at the same time, support our families through our art.

That, my friends, is an important relationship.  One that I want to nurture.  One that is much more than just money, even though if we are all honest, money plays a key part.

I  know how much time, energy and money it takes to put your art out there to be seen by the world, which is why I want to be the best support I can be here at New Nostalgia.

Because of this we have been doing a lot of brainstorming here and have come up with a plan that I feel excited and super good about, for Sponsors of all types and desires.

Here is what we now are offering:

There will be 2 large 250x250 ad spaces for $75.00 for 30 days. These are at the top right sidebar. This is where you want to be if your desire is to be seen and if you are willing to pay for prime space.  This comes with a solo giveaway or feature post during the month, which is a $200.00 value.

The only other ad size and price I will offer will also be in the right side bar, a 250x150 ad space size for $25.00 for 30 days. No giveaway or featured post.  This is where you want to be if you still want exposure to all our wonderful readers, you still want a nice size ad, but want to keep the price at a minimum.  A MAJOR minimum. 

Yes, this is an amazing deal and I get that it is way underpriced.  We have been successfully selling the same size ad (250x150) here at New Nostalgia for $50.00, but I was never super comfortable about that.

 Here is why...

I preach frugality.  I preach simplicity.  I want to offer both.

With the number of readers we have been blessed with, which also means the number of times your ad will be exposed if you choose to sponsor New Nostalgia, this price is an AMAZING deal.  I don't think you will find a better one on any other blog with our size following.  That is the desire of my heart and that, my friends, is what I am going to offer!  That covers the frugal part.

Current Statistics (as of July 2012):

500,000 pageviews per month

5,100+ subscribers via RSS, Google Feed Reader, and Bloglovin’

1800+ followers via Google Friend Connect

3100+ Facebook Friends

29,000+ followers on Pinterest

As far as simplicity goes, I wanted to make it as easy as possible for my sponsors to sign up and submit an their ad image, so I have decided to use Passionfruit as a way to do just that.

What does this mean for you?

{To Sign Up RIGHT NOW & have your ad up and running in no time, CLICK HERE}

 It means you just click and purchase your ad spot, upload your ad, and it will show up on New Nostalgia for 30 days! It means that you can sign up for an ad at ANYTIME during the month and that your ad can start running as soon as you are approved, which can be within a day tops!  No more waiting for the beginning of the month. The ads will also rotate automatically, with each page view to keep things fair and square. Passionfruit utilizes Paypal & all types of credit cards, and will walk you through a few easy steps to get you up and running.

Oh, and don't worry.  Although we are utilizing Passionfruit, Robyn is still here as busy as ever helping me run New Nostalgia as smoothly as possible.  Let us know if you have any questions or need help with anything.  Shoot us an email at "sponsornewnostalgia.gmail.com" and we will help you the best we can.

{To Sign Up RIGHT NOW & have your ad up and running in no time, CLICK HERE}

Bubble Bib Necklace Giveaway from Groopdealz

Today I am excited to tell you about a great giveaway from Groopdealz!  One lucky winner will receive a Bubble Bib Necklace!  This super fun necklace is just one of the great deals going on right now at Groopdealz.  If you like a deal, you will love getting to know their site.  I have to admit, I was very impressed with their deals, and it takes a really good deal to impress me!

a Rafflecopter giveaway