Have you ever considered selling your unwanted clothes or goods? Have you ever considered buying slightly used goods from a shop? Currently I have been enjoying shopping in consignment shops because you can fine great deals!!! <strong>Here are two good reasons:</strong>1) It’s good for you because it keeps your closets and cupboards filled with only the things you actually love and use. It simplifies your life and saves you time otherwise spent maintaining under-appreciated possessions. Best of all, it turns your cluttered closets into cash.
2) Recycling is good for you, your family, and your wallet.
Keep your closets clean. Why waste time organizing things you don’t use and love? It’s a snap to get everyone dressed in the morning—or the party table set—if you love every choice you own
I found a great website http://www.howtoconsign.com describing benefits of shopping or selling to consignment shops that I would like to share.

Do you have a favorite consignment shop?

It’s amazing how many people in the U.S. have pets. I don’t think people realize how good it is to have a pet. Not only is it good for your health in reducing stress levels, but it can increase your social life! One of our vendors (www.ForRent.com) posted a great article on the top apartment friendly pets and why they are good to have. Click below to read the article and see if your pet made the top list!

http://www.forrent.com/tips/tips-for-pets/pet-friendly-apartments/best-worst-pets-for-apartment-living

Chicken Artichoke Bacon Dip
Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 50 Minutes

Servings: 8

“Blending bacon, chicken, artichoke hearts, and spinach with an assortment of cheeses produces a creamy, flavorful dip.”

Ingredients:
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, rinsed

and drained

1 (3 ounce) package cooked chicken

breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

4 strips cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 ounces Neufchatel cheese, cut into

cubes

2 tablespoons milk, or more to taste

1 clove garlic, minced

2 slices Swiss cheese, cut into strips

ground black pepper to taste

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

(optional)
Directions:

1.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.

Blend artichoke hearts, chicken breast, spinach, bacon, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, Neufchatel cheese, milk, garlic, Swiss cheese, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a blender or food processor; spread into a baking dish.

3.

Bake until browned and bubbling on top, 30 to 40 minutes.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2013 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 1/18/2013

Well, we’re halfway into a new month in a new year. Everyone’s got lists going of things they want to do to improve themselves and their lives in the next twelve months. Some goals – like eating healthier (for some people; obviously not for <em>you</em>!) – can prove to be tough to stick to for more than a couple of weeks. What we should try to keep in mind, though, is that our New Year’s resolutions don’t necessarily have to be life-altering, crazy-difficult, or super-expensive! If you’re looking for a little change, why not start at home? The kitchen might be too daunting a project to tackle, so maybe start with the room that should be your escape: your bedroom. You might want your first step to be clearing out any clutter that you’ve got stashed in there. And let’s face it – we’ve all got junk stuffed into drawers, under the bed, and in the closet that really just doesn’t need to be there. In fact, if it’s covered in dust or dated sometime in the ’90s, it probably doesn’t need to be in any room at all! Sell what you can, donate if you’re feeling generous, or just throw it away. Once you’ve done that, you’ll probably feel like bigger changes are more doable. If you live in a community that allows you to paint in your apartment (and be sure to find out if it’s ok before you do anything), find a color you love and paint the walls! Make it bright, make it soothing, make it whatever you want; you’ll be shocked at how dramatic a new color can be in a room.

Whether you’re able to paint or not, you can always make big changes with furniture and accessories! One of my absolute favorite go-to places for that stuff is <a href=”http://www.homegoods.com/”>HomeGoods</a>. They’ve got unique items at very affordable prices – and their inventory is different every time you go (which is actually kind of dangerous, so maybe try to come up with a budget before you go). My other favorite source of budget-friendly home accents is <a href=”http://www.target.com/”>Target</a>. Target doesn’t even need to be justified; you know how good it is. Between these two stores, you can find new bedding, funky throw pillows, pretty slipper chairs (I really don’t know why they’re called “slipper” chairs – I only know they’re called that because I shop at these two places so frequently. Sigh.), unique art & decorations, mirrors, end tables – everything! Replace all of your old stuff or just update a few items; either way, you’ll be feeling fresher and ready to tackle the rest of the year in no time! Need some inspiration? Check out these <a href=”http://homes.yahoo.com/photos/favorite-bedrooms-2012-slideshow/”>ten incredible bedrooms</a> that were recently featured on Yahoo! Homes…and get to it!

Spend and Save All Year Long</strong>
Have you been in the market for a car? Have you been told all the “secrets” on when to buy? Like, “Buy it at the end of the month! The sales people are hungry to meet goals and will give you a better deal!” Or, “Buy in August! The new model stuff is arriving on the lot and they need to make room!” Well, believe it or not, there are studies on when to not only buy a car, but to also buy furniture, electronics, seasonal items, and more.

Here are some great examples from some of those studies:

<strong>Jan.</strong> – Linens and bedding (white sales are everywhere this month)
Winter clothing (most is already on clearance)
<strong>Feb. –</strong> Fitness equipment (resolutions are well under way)
Indoor furniture (just in time for spring)
<strong>Mar. -</strong> Winter sports gear (skis, skates, hockey stuff, etc.)
Electronics (cameras, TVs)
<strong>Apr. -</strong> Spring clothing (yup, by then, summer is out and spring is on clearance)
Computers (school is almost out – no one’s thinking computers!)
<strong>May -</strong> Camping and outdoor gear (watch the sales- they can get pretty good)
Snow blowers and winter equipment (end-of-season clearance)
<strong>Jun. -</strong> Swimwear (start of summer for consumers, back to school for retail)
Carpeting and flooring (could be a good vacation project)
<strong>Jul. – </strong> Office supplies (early bird back-to-school sales!)
Outdoor furniture (making room for fall and back to school)
<strong>Aug. – </strong> Air conditioners (end of season in most places or close to sold out)
School clothes and backpacks (summer is officially over)
<strong>Sept.</strong> – Bikes (still a few months to ride, but retail is preparing for the holidays)
Gas grills (steaks for us until the snow flies!)
<strong>Oct.</strong> – Lawn mowers (retail is making room for snow blowers)
Winter coats (some places offer great sales to get you in the door)
<strong>Nov.</strong> – Baby products (not sure why, but okay)
Toys (watch those Black Friday deals!)
<strong>Dec.</strong> – Small appliances (not too many people buying big before the holidays)
Holiday décor and gift wrap (from Dec 26th – January 3rd, 50-90% off!)

There are some popular items that are available at great pricing during multiple months of the year, such as TVs and computers – so watch those flyers and save, save, save!

There are apps out there that claim to make life easier but honestly they take more time than they save. I’m sure we have all done it, downloaded an app for our iphone or ipad thinking it will organize some part of our crazy lives but come to find out we have to spend more time entering data than we actually get out of it. Well here is a run down of some apps that I have found to be helpful without feeling like they are extra work.

Grocery IQ; I don’t know about you but when I grocery shop I have to have a list. I also have to create a meal plan for the week, otherwise there goes $100 and we have nothing to eat. With this app you can create as many lists as you like. One for the grocery store, one for Target, anything you need. Adding items is super easy you can type them in or scan the bar code if you already have the package. Once the item is entered you can specify the quantity and price. That way while you are shopping you add the item to your cart and it keeps track of your total. The other cool thing is if you have an ipad and an iphone the app will sync your lists. So for instance you can create the list while on your ipad browsing for recipes, then sync it to your phone for when you actually go to the store. It also keeps track of your history so you can easily add items you shop for every week.

My Fitness Pal; This handy app allows you to enter in your daily food and exercise diary. You start with your allotted calories for the day and as you enter in what you ate they go down but when you enter in what you have done for exercise they go up! It’s a really cool way to keep track of what you are really eating. The database of foods is vast so you are bound to find exactly what you ate and exactly how many calories it was. Plus you can find friends who also have the app and send them encouraging notes.

Dash Magazine; This monthly magazine is full of awesome recipes and handy kitchen tips and tricks. It pulls information from Bon Appétit, Parade, Gourmet, and other great food resources. There are interactive videos and extra recipes imbedded in the pages.

PS Express; Otherwise known as Photoshop Express. With this handy app you can easily edit your photos without having to buy the full version of Photoshop. It comes with some pretty great effects you can add as well. Once you have doctored up your picture you can share it via Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, or regular old email.

The best thing about all of these apps is that they are both great for your iphone or ipad. And even better they are all free!

My husband and his best friend have decided to call 2013, “The Year of the Dream.” At first when they text me on New Year’s Eve and said, “Year of the Dream begins soon,” I replied with, “Is that a new movie?” Yeah. Sometimes I can be a bit slower than the rest. This year they have taken it upon themselves to work on a project they have had in their minds since the day they met. My husband and I are continuing to work on our health by starting a Facebook page to support others along thier journey. I also have some other special dreams that I hope can one day come true, and maybe this year!

So what is your dream? Have you thought about it? Let’s see if we all can take it on, and empower “The Year of the Dream” and maybe, just maybe, our dreams will come true!

When the new year comes we all try and improve different aspects of our lives. One common thing a lot of people do in the new year is save money. A good percentage of our income goes toward what we eat so it’s important to stay on a budget when shopping at the grocery store!
I recently came across an article that gave 4 tips for lowering a grocery bill and I wanted to share with you all.

1. <strong>Choose items you can do without</strong> – Do you buy orange juice every week but usually end up pouring half of it down the drain? Juices can be expensive and we can get the same vitamins from fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. <strong>Don’t be a brand snob</strong> – I immediately thought of my husband when reading this one. He is VERY brand loyal and insists on buying the pickles with the silly bird on the label. Opt for the store brand instead to save!
3. <strong>Cook from scratch</strong> – pre-packaged items certainly save us some time but baking items (like sweets) from scratch is a way to get more bang for your buck.
4. <strong>Keep a price list</strong> – Check other local markets and find out who has the best price on items you buy regularly. You might find that a different store offers your usual items for less!

Garlic Prime Rib
Rated:
Submitted By: Chef Mike
Photo By: SISSYZEKE
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Servings: 15

“Quick and easy marinade and so tasty, I was trusted with this recipe but I can’t keep it to myself!”
INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 pound) prime rib roast
10 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried thyme
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the roast in a roasting pan with the fatty side up. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Spread the mixture over the fatty layer of the roast, and let the roast sit out until it is at room temperature, no longer than 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
3. Bake the roast for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C), and continue roasting for an additional 60 to 75 minutes. The internal temperature of the roast should be at 135 degrees F (57 degrees C) for medium rare.
4. Allow the roast to rest for 10 or 15 minutes before carving so the meat can retain its juices.

I got into boxing a year ago and I must say after a few training sessions I wondered why I hadn’t tried it sooner. Those who know me best would never picture me in the ring but I’ve gotten very good at it and it’s my favorite thing to do in my spare time. Boxing is a very intense but amazing full body work out.  At first it was the most intimidating feeling walking into class being the only woman there. I knew it was a rough contact sport and that I would have to endure some hard hits but I refused to give up. I still struggle with it, the training sessions are always a series of different exercises from jumping rope  to dropping down for mountain climbers followed by burpies and that’s just the warm up.  After that you glove up and get ready to work on combos such as upper cut, hook  1,2 it’s all very fast pace moves while concentrating on form and good body mechanics . My coach incorporates a lot of self defense into my sessions as well which thankfully I’ve never had to use. The most challenging thing I ran into was proper body mechanics I injured myself numerous times for not having the right form before attempting a move. I now boldly take on any of the boys that want to spar with my bright pink gloves and matching mouth guard. It keeps me in shape and very conscious of what I eat, I’ve developed strength I never thought I’d have! I really wish more women would join the group. I go to Combat Sports Club in North Chelmsford. The owner is so great to train with and teaches a lot of the classes himself. I really encourage anyone who’s interested to try it out.