Mission Possible Mondays!

HERE IS YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Try to visit a small business this week for your needs instead of a mass merchant. Support the little guys this week.

DETAILS:

The small businesses are the core of most towns. Most of us don't realize that. They were around before the mass merchants and provide exceptional service. They are loyal to their customers and are honest and knowledgeable about what they sell. If you really want to know about a product, they are the ones to visit.

I am definitely thankful for the little shops. They are usually unique in some way and offer many different types of higher quality things than you can get from a mass merchant. Check one out that you have never visited and let me know what you think!

DEADLINE:

Try to visit a local small business by Monday, June 22nd.

LAST WEEK'S MISSION: COMPLETE!

Last week's mission was to "Try to eat a fruit and vegetable at every meal and for snacks instead of junk food."

I tried to eat a fruit or vegetable at every meal this week as well as for a snack instead of junk food. Thursday night I was really crazing potato chips but I resisted the urge and ate an apple instead. I felt much better about my snack than I would have if I would have given in to the potato chips.

I visited the local farmer's market and bought a basket full of apples, nectarines, blueberries, watermelon, peppers, and banana! Now I have lots of fruits and a few veggies for this week. The key is to eat fruits and veggies of different colors. Each color gives different nutrients. Be sure to get a variety of things for optimum health.

If you still have trouble eating enough fruits and veggies, another thing you could consider is Juice Plus. I also take Juice Plus to compliment the fruits and veggies that I do eat each day. Click here for more details.

Mission Possible Mondays!

HERE IS YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Try to eat a fruit and vegetable at every meal and for snacks instead of junk food.

DETAILS:

Fruits and vegetables have a great deal of nutrition that would be a great benefit to anyone's diet. It is recommended that adults eat 7-10 fruits and vegetables a day. Do you eat that many? I know I struggle to eat one at every meal which only makes 3. No where near what should be eaten a day.

Since last week's mission was to go to the farmers market, return this week to get the fruits and vegetables needed for each meal.

DEADLINE:

Try to do this all week at the least and continue it on each day forever! At least try to do it this week and see if you feel a difference in energy.

LAST WEEK'S MISSION: FAILED!

Last time the Mission was to "Make an effort to find and go to a Farmer's Market this week instead of getting your produce from a grocery store."

I know where 2 major Farmer's Markets are. One is about 10 minutes from my house and the other is about 40 minutes away. I had every intention of going to the close one this week but things got CRAZY and I didn't make it out. I plan on going this weekend and stock up.

How did you do? Did you complete the mission? If so, leave a comment here. Do you know where a Farmer's Market may be? Leave a comment with that here also, it may just help someone else who lives near.

Mission Possible Mondays!

HERE IS YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Make an effort to find and go to a Farmer's Market this week instead of getting your produce from a grocery store.

DETAILS:

Did you know that product you purchase from the grocery store has already lost most of its nutritional value in transit? Fruit and vegetables have 100% of their nutrition before they are picked. Once picked, they begin to loose their nutrition.

Farmers markets usually pick the fruit and you can purchase it that same day or the very next. It is the freshest you can possibly buy the fruit/veggies without growing it yourself! Grocery stores order the produce from farmers and several days later it is shipped on airplanes to the grocery stores. Each day that goes by, the produce loses more and more nutrition. How many days was it sitting at the grocery store before you purchased it?

All this considered, there may be more nutrition in frozen produce than actually getting it fresh at the grocery store. So with all this in mind, do what you can this week to get the most nutrition for you and your family and visit a Farmer's Market!

DEADLINE:

Try to visit a Farmer's Market from now until Monday, June 8th! If you do so, come back here and comment that you completed the Mission!

LAST MISSION COMPLETE:

Last time the Mission was to "Go through your clothes and get rid of all the ones that don't fit anymore, out of style or that you haven't worn in over 1 year.".

I completed this mission. It was a very hard, sad task for me. I had to face the fact that my college clothes would never be worn again. Either I didn't like the styles anymore or they just wouldn't fit the same again. It was a very hard task for me but I did it! I got rid of 2 laundry baskets full of clothes.

My mom had a garage sale where I was able to sell most of my blue jeans and a few of my shirts. Everything else is going into my FREE Rummage Sale this Saturday! It will be nice to be rid of them once and for all!

Did you complete this Mission? If so report it here!

Mission Possible Mondays!

It has been a while since I posted Mission Possible Mondays. I thought this would be a perfect time to post it again.

HERE IS THE MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Go through your clothes and get rid of all the ones that don't fit anymore, out of style or that you haven't worn in over 1 year.

DETAILS:

This will help to clean out your clothes and avoid clutter. This can also help a needy cause. Once you get your bag of clothes, call or bring them to a shelter. There are several organizations that will come right to your home and pick the items up. They will even give you a form for a tax write off.

It is so easy to let clothes and other items get out of control and cause clutter. Once you have done this major task of decluttering, a good rule of thumb is for every clothing item you get, get rid of one. This way you will not end up with a cluttered closet again.

If you have children you know that they outgrow clothes faster than you could ever realize. One good way to keep their closet organized is vacuum bags. Buy different sized vacuum bags and place each size category in a different vacuum bag. Once the bags are full, seal them and store them. They will be clean and ready for the next little one to come along and need that size category. If you do not plan to have more children or you don't know anyone you can give them too, bag them up and bring them to Once Upon A Child or another consignment shop like it who will give you cash for bringing them your gently used items.

DEADLINE:

It is always a good idea to set a deadline for any major task you perform. This will prevent you from putting it off until later. Try to declutter at least one individual's closet in your home by Sunday, May 24th. When you have done so, come back here an leave a comment letting me know that you accepted the challenge and how it went.

Mission Possible Mondays!

Last Monday, I got so busy that I completely forgot to post MISSION Possible Mondays.

DID YOU ACCEPT THE MISSION?

The last posted MISSION was to make some change in your home to help the environment. Make a "GREEN" change!

MY MISSION COMPLETE!

We have been slowly changing out our lightbulbs to energy saver bulbs. Everytime an old lightbulb burns out, we put in an energy saver bulb. It is a slow change but a positive one. We have also started using rags more and less paper towels. The goal is to phase out paper towels completely and just use rags. I have also turned to hemp all natural hair dye instead of the chemical dyes. There is a store called LUSH that sells all natural products. I am really excited about the hair dye. Since it is chemical free, it is safe if you are nursing or pregnant. There are no containers or toxic chemicals which helps the environment. The sack that the hair dye blocks come in is made from recycled material and is biodegradeable. Lastly, in the near future, I plan on composting. Once I figure out which style container I wans to use, I will begin that process as well.

HERE IS YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT!

Plant something. Whether this be a flower or a garden.

WHEN, WHERE, WHY?

If you live somewhere where it is still pretty cold at night, you may just need to start your plants, vegetables, or fruits indoors. You can start them as seedlings and let them grow slowly indoors. Place them in a window that gets morning sun. Find a place in your yard that you can begin to prepare for you to transfer your plants. You don't have to completely cultivate, you just need to dig out the sections in which you will drop the plantling and fill with fertilizer or compost.

What does this benefit? Well...number 1 it will benefit your and your family's health. Eating fruits and vegetables that were naturally grown is so much more beneficial health wise. You are not ingesting toxic chemicals, your fruits and veggies will be packed with nutrients that they don't loose in the transport from the grower to the grocer, and you will save money having the supply at your fingertips. I grew cherry tomatoes last year just to see if I could do it. They were MAGNIFICENT! I loved being able to just grab and eat, pull them right off the vine to put in my salad or pasta, and to give to friends and family because there were so many.

REPORT A MISSION COMPLETE!

Whenever you complete your mission (4/13/09-4/19/09).

1. Grab my MISSION Possible Mondays button from the left side bar.
2. Post on your blog about the MISSION and how you completed it.
3. Come back here and enter your post URL into the Mister Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, please leave a comment here with how you completed the MISSION!)

Next Monday, I will report on how I completed the MISSION and will then post a new one.

Do you have a MISSION idea? Email me and yours may be featured!

Mission Possible Mondays & Giveaway!!!

DID YOU ACCEPT THE MISSION?

Last week's MISSION was to complete a book that you have started and put off finishing. Sometimes we get so busy that we forget the importance of finishing a task and of reading. Both are important to exercise our brains properly.

MY MISSION COMPLETE!

The book that had been on my list to read for quite some time was Mentor The Kid & The CEO. This book turned out to be an excellent book. It was very easy to read and kept me engaged. I didn't want to put it down! The more I read, the more interesting it became. It is the type of book that makes you think and allows you to easily relate the situations to your own life. I have found that if I can relate the books I read to my life, I have a better understanding of them.

If you are struggling financially or know anyone who might be, I would suggest getting this book. It is very inspirational as well as demonstrating how to be successful. Have you ever felt like you could not do any better than you are right now? I have felt that way in the past. This book will really encourage you. It would also be an excellent book for older children and teenagers to read. Why not teach them the value of money, hard work and commitment before they are on their own.

The author of this book Tom Pace, build a successful business from the ground up called PaceButler Corporation. He now also mentors others from all walks of life. He has also founded a website for mentoring help called Mentor Hope. Be sure to visit the website to enter a $1000 cash sweepstakes, check out the book and get a FREE Mentoring Sheet.

The author has also graciously given me a copy of the book to giveaway to my readers! To enter the giveaway simply fill out the form below. The giveaway will end 4/13/09!

HERE IS YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT!

Make some change in your home to help the environment. Make a "GREEN" change!

WHEN, WHERE, WHY?

Whenever you notice something that you can improve for the environment. Make this change in your home whether it be as little as switching a regular bulb to an energy saving one or as big as installing solar panels! It is very important for us to all take steps to make where we live better for us and our family. We have to remember that what we do now affects how our children and their children live. What type of environment do you want your children living in? Help make it better for them one step at a time!

REPORT A MISSION COMPLETE!

Whenever you complete your mission (3/30/09-4/6/09).

1. Grab my MISSION Possible Mondays button from the left side bar.
2. Post on your blog about the MISSION and how you completed it.
3. Come back here and enter your post URL into the Mister Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, please leave a comment here with how you completed the MISSION!)

Next Monday, I will report on how I completed the MISSION and will then post a new one.
Do you have a MISSION idea? Email me and yours may be featured!

Mission Possible Mondays!

DID YOU ACCEPT THE MISSION?

Last week's mission was to teach your child or a loved one a valuable lesson. Whether this be to teach them something they didn't know that would be valuable to them or to correct them of something they should be doing differently.

MY MISSION COMPLETE!

This week, I was able to teach my son a few lessons. One was that listening to mommy is important. He is 17 months old and tries his limits. He will push his luck just to see if I will follow through with what I say. Sometimes he does things he isn't supposed to in such a way that appears cute. I realized the importance of not laughing when I need to discipline. No matter how cute he is, I need to make him know that he has to respect me and what he is told.

When he was playing outside this week, he started throwing rocks. He was told that this was not good. We don't want him to get into the habit of throwing things at people or other things. He did it again and looked at me. I told him more sternly that this was not allowed. He tried his luck and did it again. He was then disciplined for it. He started crying and ran to hug me. I did not hug him though it was very hard for me. I told him when he is a good boy, he will get all the hugs he wants but when he is a bad boy, he has to learn. He said "Sosy" which means sorry, then I hugged him. Now when I tell him no, he looks to see that I am serious and thinks twice about doing it.

HERE IS YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Complete a book that you started and have put off finishing.

WHEN, WHERE, WHY:

Try to take this week and spend a few extra minutes each day to complete a book that you have started and not completed. If you need to break away to a quiet place for a little while, go sit at the library, bookstore, etc. For some of us, that may be a real task but it is worth a shot right?! Why is this important? Well...I have a bad habit of starting things and setting them aside and starting something else. I am trying to work at finishing things that I start before starting a new task. If you have the same problem, accept this MISSION with me and strive to finish something this week!

REPORT A MISSION COMPLETE:

Whenever you complete your mission (3/23/09-3/29/09).
1. Grab my MISSION Possible Mondays button from the left side bar.
2. Post about the MISSION and how you completed it.
3. Come back here and enter your post URL into the Mister Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, please leave a comment here with how you completed the MISSION!)

Next Monday, I will report on how I completed the MISSION and will then post a new one.

Do you have a MISSION idea? Email me and yours may be featured!

Mission Possible Mondays

DID YOU ACCEPT THE MISSION?

Last week's MISSION was to focus on your spouse or significant other. You were to do something nice for him/her. How did you complete the MISSION? Post here and let me know.

MY MISSION COMPLETE!

This weekend I, my hubby, son, best friend and her hubby took a trip to Chicago to celebrate my best friend's birthday which is St. Pat's. We decided to also celebrate my hubby's birthday since his is the end of this month. We went to a restaurant that they both wanted to go to, Ed Debevics. It was lots of fun.

The next day, I surprised him and took him to Banana Republic and got him a shirt for his birthday. He was very happy.

Now for this week's MISSION.

HERE IS YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Teach your child or another loved one a valuable lesson.

WHEN, WHERE, WHY:

Whenever and wherever the opportunity arises because they deserve it. It is really sad to me to see children learning negative behavior from their parents. My best friend witnessed a child stealing gum from a vendor at the Farmer's Market last weekend. The child saw that she saw him and went and told his mom, "That lady saw me!" He looked nervous. The mom looked at her and gave her a dirty look as if to say, "You better not say a thing to my child." My friend was upset to say the least. I can't believe that parents are intentionally teaching their kids how to be deviants.

We as parents are raising the next generations of leaders in our country. What kind of leaders do we want? That should definitely give us reason to teach them the proper behavior and personal attributes.

REPORT A MISSION COMPLETE:

Whenever you complete your mission (3/16/09-3/22/09).

1. Grab my MISSION Possible Mondays button from the left side bar.

2. Post about the MISSION and how you completed it.

3. Come back here and enter your post URL into the Mister Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, please leave a comment here with how you completed the MISSION!)

Next Monday, I will report on how I completed the MISSION and will then post a new one.

Do you have a MISSION idea? Email me and yours may be featured!

Mission Possible Mondays!

Welcome to Mission Possible Mondays from a Mom on a Mission since 2008!

I thought it would be fun to host a new Mission every Monday for myself and others that may be willing to participate. It will be a lot of fun to see what new things we can set out to do!

HERE IS YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT:

Do something unexpected for your spouse this week.

WHEN, WHERE, WHY:

Whenever it will surprise him/her, wherever the opportunity arises because they deserve it!

REPORT A MISSION COMPLETE:

Whenever you complete your mission (3/9/09-3/15/09)

1. Grab my Mission Possible Mondays button from the left side bar.

   

2. Post about the Mission and how you completed it.
3. Come back here and enter your post URL into the Mister Linky below. (If you don't have a blog, please leave a comment here with how you completed the Mission!)

Next Monday, I will report on how I completed the Mission and will then post a new one.

Do you have a Mission idea? Email me and yours may be featured!