Ten Things... to do in the shower (apart from bathing!!)

So let's face it, if you were to calculate how much time we spend in the shower, it's a lot! Seven days times at least a shower or two every day, maybe fifteen minutes each. It's literally hours every week.  I'm a busy mom and every minute I can steal from something to multitask gives me more hours in the day, sort of! I often try to use my showering time to do other things and so here's a list of some of them:

1. I take the opportunity in the shower to do some simple exercises! My favorite are standard barre moves.  It takes minimal room and time to do some easy barre exercise like these. Another favorite of mine are simple lunges or going on point to releve. Doing a couple sets of each is a very productive way to wait those several minutes while the conditioner does its thing in your hair!
   
2. Exfoliate!  Keep the product in your shower and if you have a few minutes extra, try exfoliating any area where hair grows! This will help eliminate in-grown hairs and promote follicular health
3. Grab that scrub brush and scrub down the grout here and there in the shower, between soaping yourself. It will make keeping your shower scum free that much easier!
4. Use this time of quiet to find your zen. Try some slow exaggerated breathing. Close your eyes and find your happy place. A few minutes each day of quiet meditation is great for mental health.
5. Have you ever tried warming up your vocal chords? Ok we are not all professional singers but the steamy warm air is the greatest place to hum, practice a tune or do your vocal scales.  It keeps the voice box warm and in tune!
6. Meal plan.  I usually spend a couple minutes in the shower mentally planning out the household meals for the next few days, even the week.  Then as soon as I jump out of the shower, I jot it down so I don't forget.  This is a great way to multitask something that has to be done during the week anyway.
7. Grab those makeup brushes and clean them while you shower!  The best product for cleaning your make-up brushes are actually just water and a mild soap like baby shampoo - which is perfect!  Make sure you take a small bowl, wash cloth or sponge into the shower to help. And in case you did't know, make up brushes should be cleaned every week, especially if you use them daily.  Not cleaning them leads to cross-contamination, build up of bacteria and potentially harming your skin and face.
   
8. Cut your nails.  Grab those nail clippers and give yourself a trim while in the shower. The warm water makes your skin nails super soft and easy to cut, and allows the cuticle and hang nails to soften for grooming too. Just remember the following: it's best to dry your nail clippers after. The water can rust them and also promote bacteria, even dulling the blades.  Also, you may want to use a wash cloth to collect the trimmings so that you can properly discard them instead of just washing them down the drain. Yes, they are biodegradable (I suppose eventually!) but I've never been a fan of washing things down the drain that can be discarded.  The drain water filters back either as recycled water or into the rivers and ocean eventually. It's not really the place for nail clippings!
9. Write a love note to your partner in the steam!
   
10. Whiten your teeth! Most tray whitening systems or strips require 10-20 minutes for the treatment to take so what better way to multitask than to pop the whitening tray in your mouth before you shower! By the time you're done with your shower, your teeth will be fresh too!

Well, try out these little tidbits that I do in the shower and enjoy the extra time you've made for yourself in your day!

My husband is doing the Whole 30 Diet

Two weeks ago, my husband told me he had gotten off the phone with one of his best friends who now lives in California. This friend is his fraternity brother from college days 20+ years ago, groomsman at our wedding, Godfather to our middle child - like family. JNP declared, "I'm no longer eating sugar or carbs". Ok, so most wives may roll their eyes or let out a giant exhale but truthfully, I was very excited for my husband.  He is overworked to the point of exhaustion, rarely goes to the gym anymore and is not only overweight, but just lacks general direction in life. To put it bluntly, he has no interests or habits outside of work. I was supportive.

Day One: He enthusiastically made four trips to Trader Joe's and loaded up on all kinds of crap. I mean, "approved food". This consisted mostly of dried fruits, jerky of some sort, chicken. Its of it. Kombucha, oh God! The Kombucha. So I didn't say anything, just observed. I went ahead and prepared meals for the children an myself, noting that shopping bags were strewn everywhere, and while, yes he was actually cooking for myself, the pots and pans were left out after and my beloved stove was not wiped down. I chose to still say nothing because in the greater scheme of things, I was so thrilled he had some sort of interest and direction with his health.

As the week went on, this continued, his trips to Trader Joes increased and by now I was observing and evaluating his movements and thinking to myself, this was not efficient at all. I still didn't know exactly what "diet" he was on or what he could eat or couldn't eat.  I had, however, realized that most things he said "I can't eat that" to me.  I had by now ascertained he was not eating carbs, sugar, processed food, dairy, juice, desserts, chocolate, salt, pepper, salad dressing, spices of any kind, oil. Basically, flavor, I was dubious but stayed silent.  I was secretly plotting to intervene just so I could help him a little with this new fervent for the supermarket.

By the end of that week, we had dined out and I noted he was (surprisingly) sticking to this meal plan. I was actually very impressed and I think having his buddy keep in check was the key in this success. But at the restaurant, he had ordered a grilled salmon with nothing on it and a side of spinach. I kept thinking, surely there's more to this diet than this kind of food??

On Monday of week two, I headed to the grocery store after my morning Pilates class, planning to shop for the beginning of the week. I walked around taking items off the shelf and then putting them back, not knowing what I could cook or buy. I was assuming I could fry him some tofu with some vegetables. So, I called him, he was at work.
"Do you want tofu for dinner?"
"I can't eat it."
"How about black beans?"
"I'm pretty sure I can't eat that"
"black rice?"
"no rice"
So then I said, "how about you have Jim tell me what I can buy. It will make grocery shopping and meal prep so much easier for you if I can help"

Five minutes go by and my phone vibrates. Group text.
No soy. No rice says Jim
Can you tell me the name of this diet? I respond
It's not a diet, it's a nutritional reset
(yeah...yeah... just give me the GD name of it!!)
yes, sorry, can you tell me what JNP can and cannot eat? It will help me a lot
Look up Whole 30

OMFG. Now I knew exactly what JNP was doing! I don't think he knew what he was doing, but I sure did! I've had a whole lot of friends Insta their Whole30 'journeys', some with their husbands, some with other girlfriends! I had instant flashbacks in my head of all those potato-hash-fried egg- breakfasts, avocado on lettuce with beef tips, bowls of green vegetables and chicken on top. Got it!

JNP Do you realize you're doing the Whole30?
Um...no.

Texts went back and forth (if you're interested, click this link for more details on the Whole 30). I bought a cart of green veggies, potatoes (yes they are allowed JNP!), Wild Sockeye Salmon, ghee (also allowed).

There were a bunch of confused texts the came from my husband after, all along the lines of I can actually eat that? Yes, dear! You can actually have flavor! Poor guy had been cutting out salt, pepper and spices!

So.... It's been about 3 weeks now and the biggest thing I've noticed is JNP's attitude. He is much happier. I asked him about it, he said "it's given me something to focus on outside of work. I like going and getting my chicken and snacks.  The biggest thing is, I did' realize how much I missed Jim.  Doing this together makes me call him several times a day and we talk about what we are eating, or I ring him to ask him questions. Before that, I would call him maybe once a month".

If you're wondering, I definitely think JNP has lost weight but the more important thing is I have noticed how much of a better mood he is in. He seems interested in something non-work related. He was never one to cook before and now he is in the kitchen (messing it up, yes, but also cooking!). He is definitely a little obsessed with the Kombucha...I'm half expecting him to start doing yoga (not opposed to it!)... he even borrowed a colleague's Sam's Club card to buy a case of it (it was half the price of WholeFoods apparently).  JNP also didn't eat a lot of vegetables before this 'nutritional reset' and now he'll eat big bowls of it. Every  night, I make a big pot of various steamed green vegetables, they're delicious! My seven-year old devours them! I just steam them for a minute or two, then fry lightly in a touch of ghee and a garlic clove, and add salt and pepper to it off the heat.

I'm extremely proud of JNP and very supportive and I just hope he can keep up the woodwork. Even though, I literally just called him to let him know his bar hopping antics of Friday night were not Whole30 'approved'. Oh well, a little cheat here and there is not harmful!

100 Things to do in the Summer

You can find Summer Bucket lists all over the Internet so I put together my own, with all the things I like doing over the summer by myself and with my husband and children.

1. Make fruit platter of assorted seasonal sweet summer fruits - berries, watermelon, nectarines and plums, pineapple, strawberries, cherries, kiwi fruit, mangos... 
   
2. Have a water balloon fight with your kids... or ditch the kids and have it with your partner or friends! 
   
3. Make your own burgers 
   
4. Eat popsicles in your front yard 
   
5. Visit the local pool 
   

3 Kitchen Items I cannot live without

We all know how much I love to cook so here are my 3 Kitchen Items I cannot live without!

1. A flat cooking utensil. I have found that this is my 'go-to' item when cooking everything from pancakes, to scrambled eggs, to fish and even pasta.  Surprisingly, one of my absolute favorites in this category is this IKEA 365+ Hjalte one. So much so, that I have bought several for friends and family. It's soft handle is ergonomic and it's plastic texture is perfect for any pot or pan, both metal, cast-iron and non-stick. I have left my utensil resting on my hot pans before and it never created those nasty plastic indentations from the heat. The bonus is they cost just $3.99 each and you can throw them in the dishwasher!

IKEA 365+ HJÄLTE

Spatula, stainless steel, black

$3.99

                  Article Number: 

001.494.59

2.  My Mini-Prep.  I own the Cuisinart Mini-Prep but there are so many versions out there. So here's what I love about my Mini-Prep. Whenever a recipe calls for "finely minced" or "finely chopped" onions, garlic, or ginger - or a combination of all three, I can throw it all in my Mini Prep and I have the least stinkiest and least labor-intensive way of prepping these items.  There's nothing worse than doing this by hand!  The Mini-Prep bowl has just two settings: chop and grind. Its capacity is roughly 24 ounces or 3 cups and there are only 3 components to the small appliance: the base motor, the bowl and the removable blade.  Both the bowl and the blade can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Cuisinart also sells their appliance with a spatula and a recipe book. I store my mini prep in a drawer by my cutlery,  it's that small! If you don't own one of these, definitely go buy one for yourself, they retails for about $40.

Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor DLC-2A

Instruction and Recipe Booklet

3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Olive Oil is oil pressed from olives which are fruits from the Olive Tree. I hear the process is actually very simple and if you actually press an olive, you can see the oil come out! Olive Oil is proven to be incredibly good for you. It has a  lower smoking point (due to its high monounsaturated fat content) which also allows you to cook food without extra risks of burning it and safely at a very high heat.

The main problem with Olive Oil is that just because a product is labelled as 'Olive Oil', does not necessarily mean it is of great quality. It's like the difference between a wine that is sold in a box and a wine sold in a bottle. Two different calibers and two totally different products, in terms of quality.  Some of the lesser quality oils labelled as 'Olive Oil' sometimes extract the oil from the olives using chemicals, or even dilute the oil with cheaper ones.

So what do you buy? Always buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil!!! It is extracted using natural methods and is standardized for purity, taste and smell. Extra Virgin Olive Oil always has a distinctive taste and is high in phenolic antioxidants (one of the main reasons why olive oil is so beneficial).  Extra Virgin Olive Oil is also very high in monounsaturated fats (good fats!), contains a modest amount of vitamin E and K and is loaded in antioxidants, some of which have been proven to have powerful health benefits (such as anti-inflammatory properties and protection against cardiovascular disease).  Studies have shown in preliminary evidence that Extra Virgin Olive Oil can help fight Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, heart disease, joint problems and strokes.

I always try to buy Olive Oil that is source from a location reputed for its high quality olive oil, such as regions in Italy, Spain and even locally in California. Always, read the label and see where your Olive Oil comes from, and do buy the more expensive one, it is expensive for a reason! Your food will always taste better when cooked in a higher quality oil.

10 Things: Fall Garden Preparation

Fall is a nice way to end a leisurely warm summer. The leaves start to change into beautiful crimson and amber shades and then every gust of cool wind seems to leave the streets scattered with pretty fall foliage.  House porches welcome back pumpkins, scarecrows, corn husks and bales of hay.  It's a time to drink pumpkin spiced lattes, eat caramel apples start planning our upcoming Holiday season.

I really enjoy September, but it is also that time of the year when our yards start to wind down for the year. So here is a checklist of the essentials for this time of the year:

(1) Start pruning back your trees, bushes and hedges before the nights and mornings get too frosty.  You also need to cut back perennials and prepare them for the winter months.  Consider covering some less hardy perennials with hay and burlap before the frost. You want to time this so that it is after the last summer growth but before temperatures compromise your plants.  Aim for mid-late September.  By October, it is usually a little too cold in most states in the US

Hostas

(2) Now is the time to divide any bulbous plants and re-plant. These include hostas and calla lilies.  Hostas thrive during Fall replanting because the warm days coupled with cooler nights provide the perfect conditions for strong roots and winter preparation.

(3) This is also the time to plan your spring garden and plant the spring bulbs - tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, jaunquils. These bulbs do a lot better after having been underground during the winter months so get them into your ground during Fall the year before.

(4) Book your sprinklers to be blown out and winterized.  If you live in a climate where you experience sub-freezing conditions, as we do, your sprinklers must be blown out and closed until the temperature is steadily back over about 40F and in time for the Spring's first growth (Usually mid-April).  The cost involved is minimal - usually around $30, sometimes less, rarely much more.  This needs to be done sometime in early-mid October.

(5) If you plan on getting the help, you will need to organize leaf clean-up around the end of October, when most of the deciduous trees have completely finished expelling their season's leaves and before it is too cold.  Aim for the very end of the season so you don't need to do this too many times in the year, although expect to rake leaves a couple times to ensure your yard is tidy and in compliance with your city's leaf removal ordinances. Some cities allow you to rake your leaves directly to the curb of your street and a sweeper comes by on an allocated day to collect it. Other towns require you to bag your leaves for curbside collection.  Make sure you find out your town's regulations and comply accordingly. Many gardeners will actually take your leaves away with them and re-purpose them into mulch, so that helps too!

(6) Take stock of your lawn and prepare it for the next season.  Have it aerated to break up compressed soil so that water and nutrients can penetrate to the roots and sub-levels, apply a high-phosphorus mix to your soils to encourage Spring turf and cut your grass back for the last time of the season to 1 1/4 inches because disease is less likely to occur with short grass, plus shorter grass tends to encourage leaves to blow away rather than cling to the blades.

Pruning a dead branch or limb from a tree

(7) Trim any dead tree limbs so that the winter months of snow and wind pose no additional risks to you or your home.

(8) Mulch young plants.  The newly planted plants of the season are the most vulnerable in its first winter so you should add a layer of mulch (chopped leaves, weed-free straw or wood chips) after the first frost but before the ground freezes. As mentioned before, I have found added a layer of straw and then protected by burlap to be a great barrier between the new plants and the winter elements.

(9) Arrange now for your upcoming snow removal, or confirm with an existing contractor. Many landscapers provide this service during their down season so check rates and make sure your driveway, front stoop and any other access ways will be adequately cleared during a snowfall. Also make sure these areas will be salted to eradicate icing and ensuring safety.  This is especially important if you have regular front door visitors such as postal workers, UPS or a city sidewalk - which must be shoveled and salted by you.

(10) Order your firewood!  This is the time to clean out your wood-burning fireplace and chimneys and order your season's firewood.  Make sure this is stored properly, with a cover if you need, to keep the wood dry.  You should also keep the wood far enough from the house so as to not pose any additional fire risks to your property and to make sure any critters, such as rodents or bugs stay far enough from your dwelling.

Easy Ways to Serve Cake and Ice-Cream

I found these fantastic tips on how to easily slice cakes and serve ice-cream for parties and I wanted to share them with you because I will definitely be doing this in the future. You can find the article here at realsimple.com

Slicing a sheet cake

Use unflavored waxed dental floss to make nice clean cuts in your sheet cake. Hold a piece of floss taut between your fingers (it should be about a foot longer than the cake itself). Drag it down through the cake, then release one end and pull the other end out of the cake sideways. Continue to “cut” in a grid pattern.

Carving a Round Cake

Apparently you will get more pieces if you slice a round cake this way. Use a long, sharp knife to cut a smaller circle inside the round cake. Cut the outer ring into pieces, then cut the remaining, smaller cake as you normally would, like a pizza. Give the frosting-laden outer wedges to the kids, and reserve the more lightly iced interior pieces for the adults.

Dicing Ice-Cream

I love love love this tip! Why didn't I think of this before?? Save minutes (and your poor wrist) by trading in an ice cream scoop for a knife. Place a cylindrical cardboard container of slightly softened ice cream on a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise to create 2 half-circles. Turn each portion of ice cream cut-side down. Remove and discard the packaging. Cut each portion crosswise into slices.

Scooping Ice-Cream

To prevent a sticky situation, start scooping before the party starts. Place individual scoops in a cupcake tin lined with paper baking cups and transfer the tray to the freezer for up to several hours. After the cake is cut, remove the scoops from the paper baking cups (or not) and drop them onto the waiting plates.

Seasoning a Wok

I cooked a beef stir-fry last week and made the mistake of leaving my wok in the sink overnight. Big mistake, there was a ring of rust underneath and a little bit of rust inside! Uh-uh!  If you cook with a wok regularly you know that woks are supposed to be "seasoned" (this means oiled and blackened in a sort of self- rendering non-stick process) and to maintain a seasoned wok, you should never wash it again with detergent but just hot water and then keep it oiled thereafter.

So I was now faced with the dilemma of what to do with a previously seasoned wok that now has its patina compromised.  I searched on the internet and found some useful websites and instructions and I set about fixing my wok problem.

I found this website, which not only explains how to properly season your wok but also explains how to give your wok a "facial" (exactly what I needed) and so I followed Grace Young's clear instructions.  First I got it smoking again on a hot stove and oiled it once more.

Off the heat, this oil was rubbed off with a dry paper towel.  I then added a couple of tablespoons of course salt and a little more vegetable oil and rubbed this into the wok with another dry paper towel.

It was amazing!! Not only was my salt turning brown and removing all the tackiness and grime built up on my wok, not to mention the rust, but suddenly a lovely dark patina emerged on the interior surface. It was slick and shiny! I was so happy!!!

After a few minutes of rubbing the hot oiled salt on my wok, I discarded the salt into the sink and rinsed the wok out in hot water.  My wok was looking great! Seasoned beautiful and smooth to the touch.  Here is a photo:

On Sunday, I made a vegetable fried rice using my newly re-seasoned wok. The food turned out great, did not need a lot of oil and the food slipped out nicely afterwards into its serving dish.  I was able to easily wash my wok out with only boiling hot water (couple times) and then I stuck the wok back on the heat to evaporate the water.

My vegetable fried rice

After a 4-year love/hate relationship with my wok, I think I finally get it.  I had always been washing my wok in detergents (WRONG!!) and I had also never taken the care to really season it properly (WRONG!!).  I found some additional great wok tips. Here they are.

The DOs and DON'Ts of owning an engagement ring

So you're engaged or married and sporting a fabulous engagement ring with that bedazzling diamond perched on top.  It's the ring either you or your partner, or maybe both of you together, agonized over for months and months let's do a cushion cut... yes, has to be a carat... no I prefer platinum... It must have a halo! Well.... what now? I will tell you! You must now spend your lifetime following my simple DOs and DON'Ts to make sure your ring always stays pristine and your luck too!

DO have your ring cleaned often.  If you are lucky enough, you have a jeweler who has offered lifetime cleaning for your investment. Take advantage of this and make sure you have your ring cleaned at least every few months. Alternatively, you can purchase a great ring cleaner on the market. I have the Brookstone Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner (retails for USD$49.95) and uses only tap water and advanced sound wave technology to remove dirt. It's great and there are no fancy detergents or solvents to buy or worry about.

DO take your rings off when you cook, clean with detergents - actually generally around the house. There is no need for you to be lazying around the house in your sweats and feeling the need to adorn your finger.  If you are conscientious about your stone and its settings, just leave it in a safe place in the house and do your housework stress-free.  Detergents unavoidably enter your ring setting, build up grime in small crevices and can even loosen the stone if the solvent is strong enough. Settings can also be compromised if you knock or damage your ring accidentally.

DON'T let anyone else wear your rings, even your best friend. Haven't you heard that it is completely bad luck!? It's also not wise to take your rings off when out and about, you never know when you will lose it or what will happen!

DO take your rings off at night when you sleep. Not only is sleeping with your rings a pain, literally, but it is bad for your circulation and your fingers.

DO reconsider wearing your rings on vacation, particularly at the beach.  It's not urban myth that rings go missing while snorkelling. It does happen.  Wearing a nice engagement ring could also pose potential safety risks to you and your traveling companions if traveling to areas that are not too safe. Rings have been known to go "missing" even in hotel rooms!

DON'T apply moisturizers, creams, sunscreen or any other lotion on your hands whilst wearing your rings.  Take the time to carefully take your rings off, put them somewhere safe (not on your lap!) and then apply your creams.  The oils in the creams build up over time in your ring and its setting and even good cleaning will rarely get it all out, unnecessarily making your ring cloudy and gritty.

DO take care when allowing your ring to "rub" on another metal, for example another ring, because this can cause erosion and abrasions, degrading not only the general aesthetic of the ring but also the metal quality. Gold is expensive today so you want to look after, just as much as your diamond! Always make sure your wedding band and engagement band are made of the same metal to preserve the finish of your ring.

DO not fall victim to this growing trend of having your ring re-set if you have more money or if you simply tire of your ring setting. The design you and your partner chose is symbolic of the journey you have made together and the love and commitment you share.  It is not a reflection of your bank balance or status.  Be wary of this growing trend to "upgrade" and hold on tight to sentimental attachments to a ring offered to you in the grandest and most romantic traditions known to man and woman! To her dying day, my mother wore the simplest of engagement rings, it had a teeny tiny chip of a diamond and two little tiny rubies.  She always wore it proudly because my father had saved his money and designed it just for her in the shape of an "S" - for her name.  Now, that is meaningful, not the carat size of your stone!!

Finally...

DO look after your ring!!! Keep it in a safe place, have it insured if you need to and keep that insurance current and appropriately certified.  If you leave your unworn rings in the house, be mindful of who is in your house and who has access to it.  Rings commonly go "missing", especially when left lying around carelessly.

10 Steps to Take if You're a Victim of Identity Theft

For the full article please go here

Identity theft can happen in a variety of ways, but regardless of the method, the outcome is still the same: Your personal identifying information has been misused and it could have a serious impact on you, your reputation and your personal records -- including those pertaining to your employment history, health and credit.

If you are the victim of identity theft, what should you do?

Although every identity theft case is unique, the licensed investigators at Kroll Fraud Solutions offer the following general advice for a quick and prudent response to immediate signs of identity theft. Depending on your specific case and situation, you will likely need to supplement these steps with additional activity.

1. Analyze Your Situation

There are multiple types of identity theft. How have you been affected? If you are a victim, your case might involve one or more of the following types of fraud: credit, banking, taxes, employment, government benefits, medical, and criminal.

2. Place a Fraud Alert with a National Credit Reporting Agency (CRA)

Contacting one of the three CRAs reduces the risk of accounts being opened in your name without your authorization. Place the alert by calling either Equifax -- (888) 766-0008, Experian -- (888) 397-3742 or TransUnion -- (800) 680-7289. If you place the alert with one agency, they will notify the other two for you. A fraud alert also affords the right to a free credit report from each credit reporting agency. (See step 9 for more on ordering your credit reports.)

3. Check Your Financial Accounts

Close any accounts that were opened without your permission, and close any of your existing accounts that have seen unauthorized activity.

4. Check Your Computer for Viruses 
If you use your computer to access sensitive online accounts, a computer infected with malicious computer programs could allow a hacker to steal sensitive data you may be typing to manage online transactions, such as bank, credit card and other sensitive identification information. If you believe your computer is infected, run your anti-virus program to scan for any viruses that need to be removed.

5. Secure Your Proof of Identity 
Expect that you’ll be required to complete and submit an affidavit and provide proof of your identity. The Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Affidavit is widely accepted and can be downloaded here.

6. File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 

Share information about your situation with the FTC so they can collect it for possible use by law enforcement across the country. You may file online and print a copy to show to the police when you file your report (see step 7). You may also file a complaint by calling the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at (877) IDTHEFT, or (877) 438-4338.

7. File a Police Report

The police may only take the report as a courtesy and not pursue the matter. However, this step is still helpful to you, because you will need proof you reported the matter to the police. Preparing the FTC ID Theft Complaint beforehand will help you organize the pertinent information.

8. Keep a Record of Your Actions

Log the steps you take to address the situation. Include numbers called, names of people you talked to, dates of calls, faxes and mailings. Keep copies of all correspondence, affidavits, reports, etc.

9. Order Credit Reports for Review

If you’ve placed a fraud alert, confirmation letters from the CRAs will tell you how to order a free report. If you chose not to place a fraud alert, use the Annual Credit Report Request Service to obtain a free copy from each CRA. Federal law mandates that one free report from each CRA is available once every 12 months. You can request your credit report online or by calling (877) 322-8228.

Please note: Don’t rush to take this step if the ID theft event happened recently. Creditors may only report to the CRAs monthly. If you discovered credit-related ID theft right as it happened, wait 30 days or more before ordering a report so you don’t miss something that hasn’t been reported yet.

10. Don’t Ignore the Activity

You must take action to prove you are the victim and that you are not the party responsible for the suspicious activity in question.

For more information on what to do if your identity has been stolen, check out the Federal Trade Commission’s “Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft,” which provides excellent basic information. 

10 Things: How to keep your refrigerator clean and tidy

Here are 10 tips for making sure your refrigerator is clean, hygienic and not a dumping ground for old food.

1. Every week, do a stocktake to check the expiration dates of everything in your fridge and do a big "throw out". The best day to do this is the night before your trash is collected so you are not creating a big stinky mess in your trash cans.  This basically means, go through all the dairy and left overs, as these are the things that are constantly perishable.
2. Every month, get into the habit of clearing the shelves so you can wipe them with soapy water. Alternatively, you can mix 1/4 cup bicarbonate of soda with 1 quart of warm water to naturally clean and deodorize.  Wiping the shelves is really important in keeping everything hygienic.
3. Everytime you wipe your kitchen counters, try to wipe down the front of the fridge, especially the handles.  The refrigerator is one of the most touched things in the kitchen and the handles can be a breeding ground for bacteria due to sticky hands and food residue left on the surface. This takes less than a minute at a time and once you form this habit, you will notice how nice your fridge always looks.
4. I am not against magnets and personal accolades adorning the fridge but if you do have them on your fridge, try to keep it neat and uncluttered.  Try to go through everything weekly and decide what is to be discarded, which to file away as a keepsake and what remains on the fridge.
5. Have you ever stored your food according to categories? It is simple and keeps the fridge very neat and tidy.  Use the drawers for cheeses and cold meats. Drinks such as larger juice bottles and milk can take up the large middle shelf and then try to use just one shelf for all your leftovers.  Raw meats should always be kept at the bottom to contain any potential contaminations from drippings or escaped raw meat juices. Reserve the door storage for dressings, sauces and jars. Starting the categorization in the beginning will seem silly and tedious but once your fridge is sorted, you will see how easy it is to complete No. 1 above and also how neat the inside becomes.
6. Always store your leftovers in tupperware-style containers and never in bowls with plastic wrap on top. Cooked food should always be kept airtight to prevent contamination and to extend its longevity.  Additionally, containers with lids helps promote a greater stacking system, so you get the most out of the limited fridge space you have.
7. Start buying those zip-lock bags. They aren't cheap but you can buy these in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco.  Whenever you open a package that requires re-packing, using plastic wrap and then inserting the food into another zip-lock will not only mean everything is neat and tidy but it will increase the shelf life of your food and put money back in your wallet in the end.  Products that do well with this system include block cheeses and packets of cold lunch meats/bacon.
8. Every week, take everything out of the fruit and vegetable drawers and wipe them down.  These drawers collect so much dirt and debris that if you don't do this, not only does it compromise the fresh new items you put in these drawers but it also stains the drawers and makes the fridge smell
9. At the rear of your top shelf, keep a small open container of bicarbonate of soda (about 2 Tbsp). This will help eliminate nasty odors through an easy absorption method. The bicarbonate only needs to be replaced every couple of weeks and is a very inexpensive way of deodorizing your refrigerator.
10. Regularly check your thermostats.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states, "Keeping foods chilled at proper temperatures is one of the best ways to prevent or slow the growth of these bacteria." Read more: Correct Temperatures for Refrigerators | eHow.com Getting it wrong poses serious health risks to yourself and others.  Although the FDA requires the refrigerator thermostat to be at or below 40 degrees (F) to maintain quality and slow bacterial growth, most refrigerator manufacturers and repair centers will tell you that 38 degrees is the optimum temperature.  We tend to keep ours at 36-37 degrees but do note that below 35 degrees, your refrigerator will require a forced defrost cycle and it will use additional energy.

Family Photographs - tips and information

Seven months ago, we had our second baby and we have still not had a single photo taken as a family of four. In fact, I am always finding myself on the other end of the camera.  I am really keen to have a nice family photo taken this Fall - one that we can use for our Holiday cards.

Here are my hopes for our family photos:

• keep it simple and casual
• try to time it right with the children's "best times" - avoiding meltdowns, meals and naps. 
• Aim to co-ordinate our outfits but not match. Also aim to fit the season we will be shooting in
• Keep the energy positive and natural. I really want to just capture the moment and not have the photos coming out contrived or fake
• Keep the background and location interesting and fresh, but I don't want it to detract from the subject matter of the photos - US!!
• I am hoping to use a photographer we already know and trust, that the girls will be comfortable with and hopefully we can get some sort of package deal to keep the cost low.

Resources:

• Ideas of what to wear for Family Photos
• 10 Tips to take great Family Photos
• More tips for Family Photos
• What to wear for Fall Family photos

10 Things: to keep in your car glovebox

Here's a short list of the essentials you should always keep in your car's glovebox.

1. Your car registration and insurance plus your vehicle owner's manual
2. A pen and paper
3. A flashlight
4. A small first aid kit
5. At least $50, plus at least $5 in coins (believe me, you will thank me later. I was once with a friend in her car, the fuel gauge alert came on to indicate her fuel was very low. She realized then that she had no money in her bag as her 2 year-old son had pulled her wallet out of her handbag just prior to leaving the house.  The hidden cash in her glovebox really came in handy that day).
6. A small packet of granola, nuts or a muesli bar
7. A phone charger compatible for your phone
8. Hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes
9. Tissues
10. A local map, in case you don't have GPS in your car or in case it fails.

10 Things: to pack in your carry-on luggage for a long flight

1. All your "essentials": passport, money, travel details, phone etc
2. Lip Balm - lips always seem to dry out on long flights
3. Individually wrapped packets of antibacterial wipes for wiping down your seat area (buckle, tray, remote, light switches, TV etc) and for after meals and using the bathroom
4. Just one good book, flying is actually the best time to relax and rest so try not to overload yourself with too much to do on the flight. Enjoy the downtime, put a movie on or some music and close your eyes.
5. Socks - especially if you are wearing open shoes on the flight. There is nothing worse than cold feet on a long flight and these days with all the budget restrictions, few airlines provide the complimentary socks of yesteryear.
6. A small "essentials" kit that will contain ibuprofen, bandaids, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste, comb.
7. GasX. Everyone gets gassy in the altitude. That doesn't mean it's OK to fart as you please. You are still sharing confined air space with scores of others
8. Spare Underwear and light clothing.  Believe me, I never thought I would use it until I got stranded in Miami airport for many, many hours before the airline finally decided to put us up for the night in a hotel (without our luggage), which took an hour to get to as it was in the middle of an Indian Reservation. Oh, yes it was a casino/hotel/Indian Reservation - what a great combination.  Luckily, I had my toiletry bag with me and was able to take out my contacts, brush my teeth etc And I was so glad to see my two sets of spare knickers! It was at least a full 24 hours later before we were on another flight. It happens.
9. Something small (and non-perishable) to eat just in case. i.e. a small trail mix packet or a bag of chips
10. Don't forget your moisturizer. A small hydrating lotion is plenty, don't bring along your big bottles!!! In fact, just pump a little into an inexpensive refillable bottle that you can buy from any drugstore for a few dollars. It will be easy to throw out or leave behind if you have to.

Daily chore-list to keep your house clean

Here is a short list of things you can do throughout the day to make sure your house is clean and tidy

1. Do your dishes as soon as you can. Putting it off is just prolonging the inevitable. Try to utilize your dishwasher as best you can if you have one.  But remember, it is always best to hand wash certain items such as knives, pots and pans, crystal and good china.
2. Use a hand vacuum immediately when you see small messes, food crumbs in the kitchen and in the entryway. This only takes about ten minutes a day and eliminates the need to do heavy duty vacuuming often.
3. Eliminate clutter by putting things away as soon as you can.  File away mail, throw out garbage, tidy up the children's toys throughout the day (better yet, teach your children to clean up after themselves if they are old enough to learn) and particularly at the end of each day.
4. Wash your dishes, pots and pans used in cooking BEFORE you eat, if you can (refer to no. 1).  It should take just five minutes but the good news is you can enjoy your meal in peace and the only thing you have to do after meal is put your dishes in the dishwasher and store leftovers/throw out garbage.
5. Make the beds. It will make you feel good wen you go to bed, truly.
6. Put clothes requiring laundering in the appropriate hampers straight away.  Don't allow them to accumulate through the house.
7. Wipe kitchen counters, appliances and countertops that are used frequently.  Try to do this a few times a day so they always look clean and remain hygienic.
8. Empty the dishwasher and/or put away washed dishes and every morning. I usually do this while making and eating my breakfast and drinking my coffee.
9. Utilize any free moment to do something small to clean or tidy up. For example, if you are waiting for your kettle to boil, how about quickly wiping down the counters? Or while you are making that quick phone call to make your child's pediatric appointment, how about also tiding up the entrance way and shoes at the front door?
10. Everyday of the week, find one extra chore to do so that by the week's end, you have completed 7 other miscellaneous chores, instead of having to spend an entire Saturday or weekend doing chores.  Some of these extra chores could be: wiping down the microwave, cleaning out the fridge, changing linen etc

I do these chores everyday and it usually takes very little time, probably all together no more than thirty or forty minutes, though individually each task only takes a few minutes. I always feel that even though you can never fully contain the toys or the random glass of water on the coffee table, my house is actually pretty clean and tidy. Not prefect, but not bad considering I have two small children!