Today’s tip is all about efficiency. The best way to ensure a productive day is to get up early, shower and do your hair and make up!  It may sound a little backward to do this before you clean, but unless you are sweeping out the garage, it is important to do this first.

 I used to be an “au naturel” kind of girl, but when I didn’t put the effort into myself, it was far too easy to slack in other areas. When you do this first, it gives you pep in your step, a feeling of confidence, knowing that you look your best and are putting THAT foot forward.  This podcast and website are all about being able to be your best, in all areas of your life, and this is a great way to begin.  Show your family, colleagues, strangers at the supermarket that you care about your most important asset - YOU!  Believe me, as you do this first, you will be a lot more inclined to organize your shoes, have a tidy home, wipe out your bathroom sink… it just makes you want to try harder.  If it means waking up a half hour before the kids so you can get it in, you will be grateful you did for the rest of the day.  Instead of figuring out what fires to put out, you will be thinking how smoothly your day is going. Now isn’t that a good way to start your day?!

Happy Thanksgiving to our friends south of the 49th!  I hope that all of your hard work and effort pays off with a day filled with enjoyment and thanks! I know you may be in the midst of all your frantic scurryings so we will keep this short…  What to do with all your leftovers?

Bowls are big and bulky, mostly opaque, and are a horrible use of space in a fridge where real estate is likely hotter than beach front property!  The key: Large Ziploc bags!!  They are see-through, perfect for filling, laying on their sides and STACKING!  They use up every square inch of space and can hold a large amount of food.  My mom, who after 5 kids, 5 more in-laws and 17 grandkids and knows only how to cook for an army taught me this trick.  It really is a great way to quickly get all your leftovers put away, know exactly how much you have of what and have them in a neat stack in your fridge.  So slick!!  Just remember to put them back in nice bowls before serving them again and enjoy the fruits (or bird in this case!) of your labour for days to come.

Now that your cleanup was so easy, think about how lucky you are for you blessings, and remember families aren’t perfect, but they are there to perfect you!  (Think of all the things you are learning as you spend time together, patience, humility…!)  Enjoy your day!