Kick-Start 2012!

I have two serious resolutions this year.  1. I want to loose 40 pounds or so.  2. I want my house to be organized and clean.  My friend Anna at Ask Anna  is running a 14 day challenge that will hopefully help me get started on #2.  If you haven't already, check it out and join in!  I'll be posting my progress here starting next week.

So, My Sink is Shiny...

If you understand my post title, then you must be familiar with my newest favorite website/email service, FlyLady.net. I get an email every day from this woman chock-full of tips and schedules to help me "fly", which is her way of saying "keep your house clean". 

From what I've gathered so far, Flylady's system draws from a couple of basic principles:
1. Baby Steps.  The first one is to "shine your sink", which I have been doing for a few days now.  At the very least, when I go to bed at night I know that one part of my house is sparkling, and that feels good.
2. Schedules.  The email I get each day gives specific instructions as to which part of my house I should focus on and what I should be doing to it.  I'm also encouraged to follow daily routines and keep a "control journal" so that my household is in order.

I've known about FlyLady for a while now, but I'm just now starting to follow her advice.  It seems that she has fans and admirers all over the world, so if you are struggling to keep your home neat, definitely check her out.  The site and email service is completely free!  

A Funny Confrontation from my Husband

Here is the conversation.

Him: "Honey, what did you do?"
Me: "What do you mean?  I just finished cleaning the kitchen"
Him: "That's what I mean! You've cleaned the kitchen every day this week.  Did you do something wrong? Are you cheating on me or something???"
Me: "Honey, calm down. I just cleaned the kitchen"

heehee ;)

BzzAgent: Green Mountain Fair Trade Certified Coffee

I've been a BzzAgent for some time now, and while I am reluctant to turn this blog into a forum for product reviews, I would like to review some of the products that BzzAgent has allowed me to try.  If you aren't familiar with BzzAgent, check it out!  The partner with companies who want their products "bzz-ed" about through word-of-mouth.  You'll get to try new products (often for free), and influence some of the biggest companies and brand around. 

A recent package from BzzAgent included two packages of Fair Trade Coffee from Green Mountain Coffee. Green Mountain was one of the first brands to sign on with Fair Trade USA, and is a pioneer in the fair trade movement, which supports farms and communities and is committed to sustainable growing practices and protecting the environment. 

Why should you buy Fair Trade Coffee?

• Fair Trade supports farmers.  Green mountain buys directly from the farmers and avoids middlemen who can take advantage of them. 
• Fair Trade protects the environment. Farmers are held to higher standards in the use of chemicals and pesticides. 
• Working Conditions are better.  Fair trade communities must adhere to strict labor laws that don't otherwise exist in the areas where coffee is grown.  

I've been drinking this coffee all week, and it is definitely one of the better coffees I've had.  I think the fact that it's Fair Trade Certified almost makes it taste even better, because I know that it's better quality for me, and better quality of life for the people that grow it.

Visit Green Mountain on Facebook to learn more and join the conversation!