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.
=====================================================
~COVER ART~
"Holiday Warmth" East Bay Street, Charleston, SC -DeNitto ©2005
Follow SPM on TWITTER and FACEBOOK!!
On Facebook, simply search for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED or try the link below or the Facebook badge to the right of your screen.
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE NOW REACHES 171 FANS!!
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR JANUARY & STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED?
Watch for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's big GO MONTH SPECIAL EVENT with FLORENCE CRITTENTON! Also, stay tuned for GO MONTH speaking events!
=====================================================
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
__________________________________________________
+ 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 December's SIESTA TIPS/FACTS:
SLEEP DEPRIVATION!!
Read through the links below to realize the risks and dangers of not having enough sleep. If you feel you are never well-rested, it is wise to research methods for improving sleeping habits in an effort to prevent ill health and unhappiness as well as to avoid injuries, etc.
EXAMPLE OF DANGER FROM SLEEP DEPRIVATION: {After about 18 hours without sleep, your reaction time begins to slow. You start to experience bouts of microsleep-- moments when you zone out for anywhere from two to 20 seconds and drift out of your lane or find that you have to keep rereading the same passage. Your reaction time, studies show, will eventually be about the same as that of someone who is legally drunk.} Source: TIME Your Brain: A User's Guide ©2009
SLEEP DEPRIVATION
DANGERS
__________________________________________________
+ 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 DECEMBER :
TITLE: Buy Ketchup in May
AUTHOR: Mark Di Vincenzo
COPYRIGHT: 2009
ISBN-13: 9780061730887
For a modern guide about the best times to shop, be operated on, or leave for a vacation, this recently published book is great for those who want to be in the know for both managing time and saving money. The guide also includes information about why you should wait an hour before brushing your teeth, when the best time to take an exam is, and at what part of the day is it best to have the oil changed in your vehicle.
BUY KETCHUP IN MAY
THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE
__________________________________________________
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
Have a Nature Holiday!
Check out adorable deer, bunny and owl ornaments from Anthropologie!
ANTHROPOLGIE NATURE ORNAMENTS
__________________________________________________
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
RECIPE: HANUKKAH COIN COOKIES
Here is a fantastic recipe for chocolate cookies topped with golden buttercream frosting to melt in your mouth! These coin cookies are an alternative to the traditional chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil.
HANUKKAH COIN COOKIE RECIPE
__________________________________________________
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
It's time to Greeganize!!! (an official SPM term!)
December Tip:
PINECONES!
Have the children involved in handmade decorations!
DOORKNOB DECORATION
CAROLERS
SKIERS
OWL
SKIERS
GLITTERED ORNAMENTS
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!
__________________________________________________
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
SIMPLE DESKTOP SOLUTIONS
> Only keep the most necessary office supplies on the surface of a desk. A pencil holder with five to ten pens in various tips and colours, three pencils, two highlighters and two permanent markers.
> Store postage stamps in a pouch or roll dispenser.
> Find stackable in/out letter trays that are attractive and durable for daily paperwork.
> Use colour coding systems to represent business, personal, family, medical, etc. as this will help when in a hurry to grab paperwork for appointments.
> Always have a designated spot for a calendar or appointment book and if also using an online calendar, make certain that the hard copies reflect the same information as the one online.
> Supplies such as paperclips, staples, scissors and hole punchers can be kept in a drawer, box or basket for easy access, but remember that having too many supplies around a desk area create clutter and cause delays rather than improve on the abilty to save time as you may find yourself sifting through mounds of clips to find your hole puncher.
> Phones, contact directories and scrap paper for phone messages should be within reach.
> Having only the most immediate categories for folders in a vertical file holder are will help in controlling the amount of paperwork that is always left on a desk.
> Category examples for most immediate files needed regularly may include the following:
- TO BE FILED
- TO BE PAID
- TO DO
- CURRENT MEDICAL
- WORK EXPENSES
- PERSONAL
> The TO BE FILED folder is critical. The reason being that when in a hurried moment, one will inadvertently leave important paperwork on a desktop, leaving the possibility for it to become buried by other papers. Later, there will be an unnessesary search for those important papers, when they simply could have been stashed quickly into the TO BE FILED folder for safe keeping until they could be dealt with properly. The TO BE FILED folder will be the one folder which fills up the most, but the purpose of this file is simply to contain items which you cannot afford to misplace before permanent filing.
> Any paperwork that is considered junk should be removed from the surface of a desk, much less never make it to the desk. Keep a trash can, recycling basket and a shredder near the desk for immediate decisions as to where mail can end up.
> If not already accomplished, try setting up online accounts for bills, banking and other tasks which are no longer necessary to handle by regular mail.
> Unless living alone, ask family members or roommates to never leave papers on your desk unless they are asked to leave it there.
> Keep personal items, such as framed photos down to a minimum, as such items take up space and can be distracting, which is not effective for a workspace.
By simply adopting new routines to keep desk surfaces clear, you may find that you are far more productive with your work and spending a lot less time searching and raising your stress levels.
__________________________________________________
+ 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!
MORE FUN GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Just think!! I could have had my son hooked to RADIOHEAD long before his high school years! My daughter could have been humming THE CURE's Love Cats as a toddler! COLDPLAY? No problem. LED ZEPPELIN, THE BEATLES and others also available. Get those babes and tots cool from the start!
BABY LULLABY COLLECTIONS FOR INDIE PARENTS
Stickers? Who doesn't just LOVE stickers? Here is a great company with practical solutions for fun labels to keep track of items! Bag tags, clothing labels, notepads, invitations-- you name it!
STUCK ON YOU
How fast can your child play dress up? In a cinch, you can suddenly have a chef in the house with personalized aprons and hats from SUGARFOOT EMBROIDERY, based in Atlanta. Connect with them on Facebook and view photos of the customized aprons, hats and many other creative items for kids and adults!
SUGARFOOT EMBROIDERY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
__________________________________________________
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
DECEMBER - A TIME FOR PLANNING FOR THE NEW YEAR
Listed below are ten top New Year resolutions in random order.
- Spend more time with the Family
- Get Fit
- Get Organized
- Stop smoking
- Lose Weight
- Enjoy Life More
- Quit Drinking
- Get Out of Debt
- Volunteer
- Learn Something New
As you can see, these are ten of the most common resolutions which appear year after year. With the recession taking deep hold on 2009, it is easy to imagine that the resolution of getting out of debt will be stronger in 2010 for those who have suffered major financial hardships. Likewise, with the recession causing people to spend less, many are realizing that time is far more precious and are finding it easier to reconnect with family and friends. As a result, people are enjoying a higher quality of life as they realize that the possessions that they already have are not as necessary or as desired as they once were. People are becoming a bit more willing to let go of items. Many turn to simplifying their homes, careers and lives, striving to become more organized. In fact, it is common for people to start with organizing, which frees up clutter, time and stress leading to healthier thinking and adjusting to other resolutions, including that of better fitness, weight loss and setting aside time for volunteering.
When making resolutions for the coming year, consider drafting them in an order which would make utmost sense and be beneficial to your ultimate goals. Try to only begin with one resolution and focus on adjusting to it for 10-15 days before considering adding another resolution. Chances are, (aside from some serious health-related resolutions,) if a new routine can stick for about fifteen days, it likely that it has been accepted and is working appropriately.
If truly serious about making certain improvements in life, but have great difficulty in producing will power or proper guidance on your own, don't be afraid
to call professionals to at least get you started. There are professionals who can safely guide you with facts about health improvements, financial recovery and of course, organizing and managing time.
Ask someone who has already made resolutions last year-- and was dilligently able to reach goals-- about how their thoughts, physical health and happiness has improved. Most people who stick with resolutions are happier, healthier and enjoy sharing how much their learned along the way.
This is something helpful to think about going into another year...
__________________________________________________
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life. --Ralph Waldo Emerson
__________________________________________________
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
"IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER" - Central Park, NYC DeNitto ©2006
