ARE YOU A NEW SIESTA MAGAZINE READER?
If so, then the message below if for you!
Since the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED newsmail began in January of 2006, it has grown in length and popularity, now reaching multiple states in the US as well as several European countries. As SPM strives to offer a fresh look with each issue, Siesta Magazine has moved most contents to the new blogspot site. Though this e-mail will continue to arrive in your mailboxes on the first of the month, it will only include the magazine cover, news and announcements. From now on, if you click on the cover or the direct link to the blogspot, you will be directed to view the various sections of the magazine within the new site. SIESTA MAGAZINE issue dates are on the first of each month.
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~COVER ART~
"Patience for November Hot Apple Cider" Lincoln Center Greenmarket, W.66th & Columbus, NYC -DeNitto ©2007
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Join STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED at the First Annual Lowcountry Baby & Children EXPO!
WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 11am-4pm
WHERE: Gateway Academy, 1966 Magwood Drive, Charleston, SC
(West Ashley- behind the Home Depot on Glenn McConnell)
For complete details, visit the link below!
SPM SPECIAL EVENTS
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR DECEMBER & STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED?
The December issue will be packed with tips for preparing for National Get Organized Month! Watch for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's big GO MONTH SPECIAL EVENT with FLORENCE CRITTENTON!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
+ THE BOOK CORNER
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH **COOKBOOK PART IS NEW!
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
+ MOM TIME
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
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+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
{ Pictured: Ulysses resting from his little kitty journey. DeNitto © 2006 } A siesta /siːˈɛstə/, original Spanish pronunciation [ˈsjesta] is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some hot countries. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").At SPM the true definition is taken a bit further. If a nap is not possible, but there is enough time allowed for any other type of break, it is strongly encouraged to take advantage of that precious moment. As long as the mind and body can rest for a short period as often as possible during the work week, it can only enhance the quality of living.
Each month, learn more facts about SIESTAS and how you may benefit from taking them into your daily routine.
Below are November's SIESTA TIPS/FACTS:
NAP UP!!
With extra rest, the holidays can certainly run more smoothly and stress can be avoided. After all, what's the use of a holiday, if you cannot enjoy it?
Below are tips to get through the holidays ahead.
- Take short power naps whenever possible.
- Don't over plan events or visits. Take less time, but give it more quality. What's the point of being with loved ones only to be too tired to relish their company?
- Eat moderately. Prepare less, eat less. Keep your diet and have more time to mingle.
- Watch alcohol intake. Drinks lots of water to keep hydrated.
- Consider simple and practical gifts, keeping in mind that it's the thought that counts.
- Make a list of holiday priorities- people, places, events for which you hold deepest in your heart.
- Don't overspend on gifts and entertaining.
- Make sure to have some time alone by spacing out breaks for yourself.
- Volunteer!! Helping others in need also helps YOU. Freshen your spirits and give your time and energy to a worthy cause and feel good. For more info, read the "Pick of the Month" section below.
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+ THE BOOK CORNER
This section offers ideas for books related to various subjects including organizing, designing, lifestyle improvements, humour, business, psychology and green living. During the year, the occasional novel or biography may also slip into an issue.
: BOOK RECOMMENDATION FOR NOVEMBER :
TITLE: Buyology
AUTHOR: Martin Lindstrom
COPYRIGHT: 2008
ISBN-13: 9780385523882
Written by master marketer, Martin Lindstrom, this book takes readers deep within the inner core of how we buy, what we buy, why we buy, etc. with the use of neuromarketing. Neuromarketing is a special part of the marketing industry which actually uses studies of consumer responses to products through brainwave measurements, connected to that of heart and respiratory rates. It's an interesting read as we enter the holiday purchasing season.
BUYOLOGY
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+ PICK OF THE MONTH
VOLUNTEERING!
Help others. Feel enriched. Watch your gracious giving spread to others who turn to give with you.
Making a difference in the lives of others can truly make a difference in your own life. The benefits of volunteering are great. By contributing well to society, it can increase self esteem and give a feeling of warmth to watch someone appreciate your efforts with honesty.
It is evident in people who volunteer seeming to be happier with themselves.
Spending time with others keeps their spirits alive and gives hope to those who are lonely, ill or desperate. Volunteering aides in keeping healthy, alert, and youthful. In fact, there is a report about the health benefits of volunteering, which can be viewed in the 20-page PDF below:
VOLUNTEERING HEALTH BENEFITS
It's easy to decide how you may wish to spend your time and energy as their are countless worthy charities eager to meet with you and inform you of their missions.
If you work well with the eldery or with animals, many organizations are listed in your local directories to offer your skills. If you wish to work with the homeless or hungry, this is a particularly busy time of year when you could certainly find your time well spent in a soup kitchen or organizing bed linens for shelters.
Also, if you are decluttering in your residence, you may find items which can be donated to various centers for the holidays. You may also round up friends or neighbors who may have donations and gather them all and deliver them all at once. Items particularly in need at this time of year are listed below.
- blankets
- coats/jackets/sweaters/gloves
- canned foods
- shoes/socks
- paper goods: tissues, napkins, plates, cups, etc.
- pet foods
- bed linens/pillows
- toys for children
- diapers
If more and more people could offer their time and energy to worthy causes, it would become easier to help others help themselves. They inspire us to help and we inspire them to continue our efforts and create a cycle of assistance, better health and happiness.
Incidentally, STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's Madeleine DeNitto has been a devoted volunteer to a long list of non-profit organizations for over 23 years. These efforts are continued with more and more plans into the new year and beyond.
Pick a cause and volunteer!
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+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH **COOKBOOK PART IS NEW!
BEST TURKEY EVER!
RECIPE: CLAYPOT ROAST TURKEY
Okay-- yessssss-- it's a little bit of work, but so unbelieveably worth it! It has become the only way we cook turkey, as it is wonderfully succulent with a rich taste that cannot be copied in a regular baking pan.
For reference to this recipe, visit this link for the book:
CLAY POT COOKING
INGREDIENTS
- oven-ready turkey weighing up to 10 pounds
- 2 fresh bouquet garnis*
- 2 onions
- sea salt & cracked pepper
- 6 rindless bacon slices
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups giblet stock
* parsley, thyme, bay leaf, sage, garlic, celery
NOTE: Only use clean claypot and soak in cold water in clean sink for 15 minutes. You must completely submerge pot and lid.
> Weigh and rinse the turkey and let dry thoroughly.
> Open up turkey cavity to stuff with one of the bouquet garnis and one of the onions.
> Slice up the second onion and arrange the slices in the soaked clay pot.
> Place the turkey on top of the onion slices and add the second bouquet garni.
> Arrange the bacon slices over the turkey.
> Cover the pot and place in the cold oven and then set it 400 degrees.
> Cook for 20 minutes per pound adding an extra 20 minutes.
Two great complementing side dishs for this turkey are a yellow squash casserole and sauteed whole green or wax beans with slivers of seedless cranberries.
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+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
It's time to Greeganize!!! (an official SPM term!)
November Tip:
Keep the holidays GREEN!
There are many ways to keep your holidays green and even lower your budget at the same time!
POWER: Soon, holiday lights will be plugged in and circuits will be busier than usual. This is a good time to visit all outlets in the home and unplug any appliances or electronic devices which are not being used. Turn off lamps and other electrics when not present in the rooms to keep costs down as well as to keep the system from over-loading or wasting power.
PAPER: Brainstorm alternatives to standard wrapping papers. Be creative and design paper using packing papers, brown bags, large shopping bags, or cloth. Not only will your gift become even more thoughtful for the time and energy that you put into it, but it will be highly unique and remembered. Use November holidays to have a creative session with family and friends recycling the old into new.
WARMTH: If you have a fireplace, have it serviced to prevent fire accidents or inhalation of carbon monoxide. As long as it is well maintained, use it and cut down on power costs. Invest in more ski-style undergarments and sweaters to wear in the house, which are more confortable than jackets and coats indoors. Check all vents and seal around windows, doors or any cracks that you know of. Keep what heat you are generating in the house. However, at the same time, allow your house to "breath" so that stagnant air has a way to escape, allowing fresh air to circulate. Even in the winter months, if windows are cracked on a warm day, this allows slights bursts of fresh air indoors. This is also a nice routine to practice following illness as it allows odors and hopefully, germs to escape, bringing the room back to a healthier level.
Now is the time to embrace the green.......
>>In future issues, Siesta Magazine will offer more tips or product guidelines with the latest information on how to adopt routines of green living!
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+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
LOWER STRESS LEVELS
Don't procrastinate! How many times can an organizer recommend this concept?
Again, holidays are supposed to be about quality time with loved ones, being happy and giving. Prepare well enough ahead of time to be able to experience your holiday season with utmost joy.
Declutter now. Clear the rooms where you intend on hosting any visits or parties at least two to four weeks in advance and keep them clear up to the dates of your entertaining.
Make lists and keep them all year. You can start making holiday lists quite early in the year and keep them in a special notebook or on your computer so that they can be edited at any moment. You can have as many lists as needed, including gift lists, card lists, recipe lists with accompanying ingredient lists and decor lists.
Create a special holiday wall calendar. Around the beginning of November, it's a great idea to find two blank monthly calendar grid sheets and use them specifically for your holiday planning. These calendars make planning so much easier by being able to see exactly how many days you would have to decorate before a certain date. It's also very helpful to know how many hours you have for that special cake to bake properly before a dinner party. You can also judge more easily when you should pack up for a holiday vacation. Having these customized calendar sheets, you can cross-reference the plans to your regular calendars to determine any changes which may need to be made. Once each day ends, mark that day off, giving yourself a view of how many days are left. This keeps up motivation and lends a bit of pressure to make certain that all tasks are accomplished in ample time.
Delegate tasks. Never try to do everything yourself if your holidays might be filled with hosting vistits or events. Ask for assistance for the smaller or less complicated tasks that would simply be taking up time and energy that you need to spend on food preparation or decorating. Family and friends can run simple errands or clean up a corner to meet party or dinner deadlines. Even children can become involved with simple chores, such as folding napkins a special way or helping to make sure that dishes are clean and arranged well on a table. Older children can help with vaccuming or making phone calls, etc. Relieve yourself of unecessary pressure and allow others to become involved.
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+ MOM TIME
FORWARD: A note from SPM MOM...
During the early 1990's, as a mother raising two children through their first years, I now learn of many new products that are thrilling to me, even with my empty nest. I often find myself wishing that some of them were available 22 years ago. Below are neat links and ideas to products or educational items currently on today's market for parents to explore for their children-- babies through college students!
FUN GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
CHRISTMAS TREE GAME
JEWISH HOLIDAY PUZZLES **NOTE: Not recommended for children under three years of age.
WORKBENCH **NOTE: Not recommended for children under three years of age.
KITCHEN **NOTE: Not recommended for children under three years of age.
LANGUAGE FLASH CARDS STOCKING STUFFER
GO FISH STOCKING STUFFER
GROCERY FUN **NOTE: Not recommended for children under three years of age.
AUTOMOBLOX STOCKING STUFFERS **NOTE: Not recommended for children under three years of age.
TITTA FOLK STOCKING STUFFERS
TITTA DJUR STOCKING STUFFERS
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+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
NOVEMBER - A TIME FOR DEEP THOUGHT AND APPRECIATION... FOR ONE ANOTHER... AND FOR OURSELVES!
Thanksgiving is set for November 26th, but why not let the entire months of November and December be full of appreciation and thankfulness? In a time of economic recession, it is certainly a time to reflect deeply at this time of year. It may be a time to make heavy decisions about what truly matters- what to cling to and what to let go of. This is in respect to that of material items, as well as thoughts and emotions.
No time is better spent than with what we desire. This may be a time to think deeply as to whether or not you have enough of that time for those most important to you. If you cannot answer with a yes, it may then be time for questions.
- Why don't I have enough time to enjoy my family and friends more?
- Do I have time to even enjoy mySELF?
- Is there something immediate I can do to afford more time for those who are important to me, including ME?
- What can I do without in order to allow more time to pursue and enjoy what I really want?
These are just four questions that you can ask yourself to begin a quest for
reflection about quality of life for yourself as well as those around you.
Whether the answers lie in the amount of possessions, an overworked schedule or too many unecessary responsibilities, there are solutions that can begin to take shape before the holidays.
A lot of people have a problem voicing one single word-- the word "no", as simple as the mere two letters that spell it, it is one of the most difficult words to utter. No one wants to miss an opportunity. No one wants to hurt the feelings of others. No one wants to seem selfish. No one wants to be thought of as cold or greedy. In certain situations, by saying "no", we may be afraid that we have closed a door, made someone feel unworthy or that we would be thought of as self-centered.
What the truth of the matter may be is that by not saying "no", we can actually be hurting ourselves. By always voicing a "yes", we can build up a wall of self-neglect over time. Self-neglect leads to not having quality time to spend for yourself and those who are most dear to you.
In this month's "Pick of the Month" section, the subject is volunteering. Volunteering is fantastic! However, volunteering is also better spent for those who have a healthy balance for themselves, their loved ones, their work and their basic needs.
With the holidays ahead, keeping in mind the words,
"quality"
"appreciation"
"thankfulness"
can be a great beginning to measure the value in your life in order to make serious considerations about how to find that perfect balance-- that perfect harmony.
Are you thinking of turning down a higher position in a company by factoring in if the pay can justify the extra time working? Is the pay worth losing time? Has your home become so a cluttered that it has crippled you from having guests visit? Can you possibly part with inate objects in order to embrace family and friends in your own space? Has offering continuous help to a friend reached the point where it has become a risk for your own responsibilities? Do you notice that an activity that was once enjoyable now causes you to grumble and send you to a sour mood?
It's not only a time for deep thought and appreciation for others and for what we have, but it is a time to reflect on ourselves-- appreciating ourselves and what we have to offer. It's about not over-extending our precious time and energy at the risk of losing ourselves. It's about creating or returning to balance.
Be thankful for others...
Don't forget about yourself...
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+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. --Saint Ambrose
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+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
"AUTUMN MAPLE IN CENTRAL PARK" -
DeNitto ©2005
