Author: oi_admin

5 Ways to Love Yourself Right Now

Posted on February 28, 2014 by - Healthy Soul

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It’s been a hectic few weeks.  Besides work, chores, errands, homework and children’s afterschool activities seven days a week, I am preparing to shoot a pilot TV show with my good friend and radio co-host Leslie Reichert!  The show is called “SLOBS” and I cannot wait to begin filming this Friday!

During these crazy times when life seems to be filled with more stress and less time, it is so important to make sure you give yourself a few moments each day to “recoup,” unwind, and re-energize.  I learned this the hard way.  There were so many times I pushed “me” time out of the way so I can take care of others, or so I can  finish up my “to do” list for the day.  After a while, I started getting cluster headaches (all due from stress) because of not giving myself any down time.  The only time I had to myself was at night when I was sleeping.  This was just not enough.

To get rid of my cluster headaches, I had to learn to put myself first and take care of “me.”  The first step in this learning process was to learn to give myself some down time every day.  Since my busy schedule doesn’t allow me to have as much time as I would like right now, I decided to devote a few ten minute breaks each day to reduce my stress and regain my sanity.

Since I started this “ten minute rule” I have not stopped.  It works perfectly in my busy schedule and it is exactly what I need to get through my busy days and come out feeling positive and successful instead of stressed out.  There are so many things you can do in ten minutes too! Try giving yourself a few ten minute breaks throughout the day, I bet you will be hooked!   Here are five of my favorites:

  1.  Sitting quietly on my porch in my rocking chair sipping a hot cup of tea.  Looking out into the beautiful sunshine, breathing fresh air into my lungs as I rock back and forth in my rocking chair is one of my favorite getaways. I instantly forget about life for a little while and focus on our beautiful world instead.
  2. Meditating by the ocean (or its sounds).  I love the water!  I grew up in a house on the Great South Bay and nothing is more relaxing to me than staring out into the water watching the sun’s rays beam down on the waves while hearing the sounds of sea gulls flying in the air.  Meditating in a peaceful environment (like the ocean) allows you to clear your head and your heart and let those negative feelings flow right out of your mind.  Just ten minutes of meditation has always given me extra energy to get through the rest of the day. Meditating while watching the sunset over the ocean is the ultimate relaxer for me. Of course, if you don't live near the ocean, a sound machine is a decent substitute! There are many online sound "machines" that are closer to authentic; they may even have seagull sounds!
  3. Walk a Mile.  Did you know the average person can walk about a mile in ten minutes?  If meditating isn’t your thing to relieve stress, why not try a little exercise?  Just ten minutes of speed/power walking will lift your energy level and your spirits up and give you a natural high to last you throughout the day.
  4. Give yourself a facial.  Relax and look beautiful all at the same time.  Throw some oatmeal, yogurt and honey on your face, sit back and rest for ten minutes.  A power nap will rejuvenate you and the facial will bring a rosy glow to your complexion.  If facials are not your thing, try a ten minute foot or neck massage.  Ten minute foot and neck massages work wonders on stress!
  5. Play with your children, your pets, or both.  Nothing melts away the stress and brings a smile to your heart than spending time with your children and your pets.  Just ten minutes of quality time can make their day and yours seem brighter.

Learning to love and take care of your self is so important, yet for many of us, it is so easily overlooked.  Take time for you, even if it’s just ten minutes each day.  You deserve it.  Remember, the small daily improvements that we incorporate in our lives are the key to staggering long-term results.  Ten minutes a day can give you a lifetime of happiness!

Marie Stegner's Five Task Tidy-Up

Posted on February 26, 2014 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

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Cleaning. As much as we hate it, we hate even more when it doesn't get done. For me, there is nothing better than coming home to a clean house. But with such a hectic schedule these days, it’s hard to set aside a large block of time to clean.  Devoting half my day to cleaning always feels like a monumental task too, but I know that stress and scattered thoughts always come with a messy house.

Just last month my goal was to thoroughly clean the main floor bathroom, living room and kitchen.  I set up my cleaning supplies and started cleaning the living room.  After my third interruption and my third attempt at trying to get back into my cleaning routine, I ran out of time.  I had no choice but to move the cleaning task on to the following week’s list instead — no big deal. What a surprise I had when my oldest son walked through the front door after swimming practice with six of his friends, each one of them needing to use my messy bathroom!  I was mortified!

From that point on I told myself that I have to find time to clean, even if it is only a few minutes a day.  My goal was to keep my home looking tidy so that, when unexpected guests arrived, I wouldn’t be embarrassed.

I accomplished this goal by creating my Five Task Tidy-Up plan.  I realized that if I can keep up with a basic routine of five tasks, five minutes each a day, things won’t get so out of control and my home will look good all of the time.  Plus, I don’t have to worry about devoting half my day towards cleaning.  This basic routine has changed my life!

The most important thing was to get myself in a simple rhythm of daily upkeep in my home.  Once this was accomplished, the other tasks didn’t seem so overwhelming.  Setting a shorter time for the job at hand also kept me focused on moving quickly through the process and completing the task rather than getting lost by distraction.

Of course, keeping my supplies stocked up and easily accessible always helps.  I keep my all-purpose cleaner, my glass cleaner, and a few microfiber cloths under my kitchen sink cabinet, and my microfiber mop and HEPA vacuum in the kitchen closet.

The basics of of my Five Task Tidy-Up are as follows:

  1. Clear the clutter on countertops and off the floor.

    Make a home for bills, paperwork and mail on a desk or countertop so it is not spread all over the counter or table.  Clear the sink of breakfast dishes. (This won't take long if you load the dirty dishes from each meal shortly after). Have a box in the dining room for donations, a basket in the hall or kids' rooms for toys and belongings, a laundry basket in the laundry room for dirty clothes, and a box in the garage for sports equipment and outdoor toys. It shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes to walk around and put clutter into these designated baskets. Then, throughout the day, as you enter one of these rooms, you'll have everything that needs to be put away in one convenient place.

  2. Dust off tops of wood furniture with a microfiber cloth.

    Dust off hanging lights and knick knacks.  Use a dry paintbrush to help dust off hard to reach areas.  Clean pet hair off upholstered furniture by placing a rubber glove on your hand and wiping up the hair. This sounds like it would take a while, and your first go might. But if you do it regularly, it won't take nearly as long.

  3. Wipe all noticeable fingerprints off doors, walls, glass tables and mirrors.

    Use a pre-prepared mix of vinegar and water to clean areas with a microfiber cloth, and then wipe dry with a separate cloth. Again, I know that's a lot of surfaces, but just walk around and wipe where you see something.

  4. Sanitize your surfaces.

    Throw some vinegar in the toilet bowl for a quick sanitizing clean of all your kitchen and bathroom countertops.

  5. Vacuum floors and area rugs with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.

    This one will come the closest to busting your five-minute-per-task limit, but if you keep it up, it will get easier and easier. No time to vacuum your hard floors?  Grab your dry microfiber mop and quickly brush over your floor, making sure you pick up all noticeable crumbs and dust.

The best part about my Five Task Tidy-Up is that, once you make it a habit, it will feel like you hardly ever clean, but your house always looks great. Share your experiences with the Five Task Tidy-Up in the comments below, or tell us how you keep your home neat and tidy!

Sweeten Up Your Cleaning Routine This Valentine's Day

Posted on February 14, 2014 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Valentine's Day is finally here, and we've got some festive ways for you to sweeten up your cleaning routine. Here are the ways to add a little sugar to your day in perhaps an unexpected way.

1. Get those sweet but messy chocolate stains up and out!

Nothing says “I love you” quite like a huge box of chocolate candy. So go ahead, eat some candy, share it with your children, and don’t worry about those lovely chocolate candy stains the kids got on their white t-shirts, we’ve got you covered!

Chocolate stains may look hard to remove, but they are not.  A few non-toxic homemade ingredients mixed together can get those chocolate stains out safely and effectively and get those t-shirts looking brand new.  No need to use harsh chemicals for stains anymore!

  • To remove chocolate from clothing, get started on the stain right away. Rinsing the fabric in cold water is usually all it takes.  However, if the stain is still there after rinsing it in cold water, try dabbing a small amount of liquid castile soap directly on the stain.  Rinse again in cold water.  If the stain is still present, sprinkle some baking soda on the fabric, rub gently, and rinse again.  Voila!  No more stain!
  • To remove the stain from the crème-filled chocolate candy piece that accidentally made it onto your beautiful carpet, try removing the stain with ice cold water.  After carefully picking up the remnants of the candy, pour ice cold water onto the stained area and dab with a dry microfiber cloth to soak up and the chocolate.  Repeat until the stain is gone.  For tougher stains, mix 1 tablespoon borax, 1 tablespoon baking soda and some club soda together and blot on stain.  Rub gently and rinse.
  • For chocolate stains on the furniture, dab some liquid dish soap onto the stain.  Using an ice cube, rub the dish soap into the stain.  Blot with a dry cloth first, then rinse with a wet cloth until the soap is gone.  Repeat if necessary.

2. Sweeten up the smell of your cleaning routine with essential oils.

This can easily be done by adding essential oils to your homemade cleaning solutions. Essential oils derived from plants can add a wonderful smell to your green cleaners.  Not only do they smell good, but many essential oils also have natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties giving you even more cleaning power.  Just five to ten drops of your favorite smelling oils can add a burst of freshness throughout your home.  Here are my favorites:

  • Chamomile essential oil is a calming, soothing scent of fruits and herbs.  It goes very well with citrus, floral and lemon.
  • Cinnamon essential oil is spicy and sweet.  It goes wonderfully with tangerine and orange.
  • Geranium essential oil has a rosy scent that blends well with rosemary, lemon, lavender and orange.
  • Lavender essential oil has a fresh, floral scent which soothes and relaxes your senses.  It goes very well with floral and citrus oils.
  • Vanilla essential oil has a sweet, warm, vanilla scent.  It is one of my favorite smelling oils that blend very well with lavender, rose and lime.
  • Almond essential oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the sweet almond tree.  This oil is rich in vitamins E and A to help keep you looking young.  A good substitute for almond oil is coconut oil.
  • Sweet Orange essential oil has a sweet, fresh fruity scent.  It blends very well with geranium and citrus essential oils.
  • Rose essential oil, you guessed it, smells like roses, which goes perfectly with Valentine’s Day!

3. Sweeten up your self-cleaning routine as well with a honey-based face wash!

Honey is a natural sweetener that nourishes the skin with nutrients like vitamins B and C, amino acids and minerals. It has antibacterial properties that help speed up healing and prevent infection.  Honey also has natural antioxidant and anti-aging properties which keeps skin looking younger.

To use raw honey as a face wash, simply add a quarter size amount of honey or more to wet hands and massage into your skin.  That's it — it's that easy! Rinse your face, and moisturize as usual.  You can also leave honey on your skin for as long as you like as a honey mask, or combine it with other ingredients for more cleansing and brightening.

May your Valentine’s Day be as sweet as you want it to be!

 

Be Your Own Valentine [GIVEAWAY]

Posted on February 7, 2014 by - News, Uncategorized

Maid Brigade fans, we need your help. We're releasing our annual consumer survey, and we would love for you to take it! It will give us insight into the value and experience we provide at Maid Brigade.

But what's in it for you?

I'm so glad you asked. Actually, there's quite a bit in it for you! If you fill out the survey by February 27, you'll be automatically entered to win our super-sweet prize package, which includes:

  • a free cleaning from Maid Brigade (or cash value if you don't live in a service area);
  • a $100 gift card to SpaFinder (with over 20,000 locations nationwide); and
  • a $50 gift card to Godiva!

That's right, you'll be able to pamper yourself BIG TIME with our prizes this year. So what are you waiting for? Complete the survey by February 27 if you want to be eligible. Winner will be selected at random and announced on the 28th. Good luck!

Click here to fill out the survey and enter to win!

Zest Yourself Out Of Those Winter Blues

Posted on February 6, 2014 by - Healthy Home

Six more weeks of winter — at least, that what Pennsylvania’s Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicts.  And even though I anxiously await the beginning of this year’s Winter Olympics, eager to cheer on my friend’s son who is representing America on the Men’s Luge team, I really cannot wait for warmer weather to arrive.

The entire East Coast has gotten hit with so many arctic blasts this winter season, it seems as if almost every person I speak to has some form of the winter blues.  Personally, I feel like if I see one more snowflake, I am going to scream!

But fear not, my friends!  Spring will soon be here!  The winter can't last forever, can it?  In fact, the days are already getting longer, and hopefully these “mini” snowstorms that seem to be hitting us three times a week will soon fade away.

But we're not out of the woods yet, so what should we do in the meantime?

If you feel like you’ve gotten a dose of the winter blues, brighten up your cleaning by putting a little zest into your routine.  It's easy to get cabin fever staying at home all day, but with a little citrusy goodness, it will be easier to forget that you're trapped inside.  Just ten minutes spent cleaning your home can brighten your mood on a gray day when you use products with bright, uplifting scents.  After all, our sense of smell influences our behavior, triggers our memory, controls our cravings, and enhances our moods.

Think about it.  Each day, we breathe in over 23,040 times and inhale about 238 cubic feet of air.  We are capable of recognizing about 10,000 different odors, and each and every odor we smell has the power to influence our moods and our behavior.

Certain smells can brighten our moods and lift our spirits, like the smell of a good cup of coffee or a warm cinnamon bun fresh out of the oven.  Other smells bring a sense of calm and make us feel at home, like the smell of lavender.  Some smells even make us think of old memories, like Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s house, weekends at the log cabin, or lazy days at the beach.  For years, doctors have been diagnosing certain diseases by smell alone.

Smells are everywhere: in our household products, our homes, our cars, and our office environments.  Cleaning our dwellings with essential oils can help freshen up our moods.  Some of my favorite oils to clean with are lemon, lavender, vanilla, tea tree, ginger, eucalyptus, grapefruit, citrus and peppermint.

Citrus oils especially are all great mental up-lifters, making them great choices for these cold, wet days of winter. Here are just a couple of ways you can incorporate them in your cleaning routine to help brighten your mood:

  • Mixing four cups of vinegar with a gallon of water and some lemon juice can freshen up any floor in your home.
  • Add some grapefruit or citrus essential oil to your all-purpose cleaner made of two teaspoons borax, four tablespoons vinegar, four cups hot water, and some liquid soap.
  • Disinfect your home by adding a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil to your favorite homemade cleaners.

And if cleaning with essential oils isn’t your thing, brighten your mood and freshen your home with leftovers!  For amazing, inexpensive ways to spice up your indoor air, save extras from cooking and from the pantry – like citrus rinds, bits of ginger, herbs, and juices.  Use them for homemade potpourri, squeeze the oils out of them after freezing and thawing and use with a diffuser, or even throw them in your garbage disposal to get rid of smells there.

As strange as it sounds, I really do believe that smells play a large role in health and well-being because they are powerful influencers of moods and behavior.  Adding certain essential oils and juices to homemade cleaning products or using the citrus leftovers can definitely boost up our energy levels and brighten our days.  It all makes perfect “scents,” doesn’t it? 🙂

Celebrate V-Day the Right Way

Posted on February 4, 2014 by - Healthy Soul

Dearest Maid Brigade readers,

As you know, Maid Brigade is a company that values, above all else, quality of life. It's written all throughout our mission statement, as well as our day-to-day operations. It's why we use only fully green and all-natural cleaning products, and it's why we try to provide content on this blog and on social media that promotes only a healthy and happy life.

But some among us aren't experiencing good quality of life. Sometimes, their quality of life kind of sucks.

I'm referring now to the women and children in our world who suffer abuse: physical, emotional, verbal, and even spiritual. Every aspect of life that we strive to improve at Maid Brigade is denied to these women and children at the hands of another human being, and we are not okay with that.

That's why, this Valentine's Day (and every other, for that matter), we're standing behind One Billion Rising, an organization that advocates passionately for justice for women and girls. Last year, OBR threw hundreds of events all over the world on V-Day to demonstrate that we do not take this issue lying down. Through dance, song, art, and peaceful gathering at places of influence (courthouses, places of worship, etc.), OBR showed the women and girls around the world who suffer abuse that there are people out there who love them, care about their well-being, and are willing to do something about it.

This year, we're taking it one step further. OBR is requesting that cities begin petitioning for certain justices. Is there a law that keeps women subdued in your town? Is there a need for funding for a battered women's shelter? Whatever your town's need is, OBR asks that you advocate for it alongside hundreds of thousands of your peers by attending one of OBR's V-Day events.

There is a multitude of injustice in this world, and I for one am so thankful for people like Eve Ensler, Monique Wilson, and Melissa Sandgren at OBR who are willing to take a stand and actually push for a difference to be made.

If you would like to attend one of the V-Day events or simply learn more about One Billion Rising, visit the events page here.

Let's not let this atrocity continue any longer. Let's join together in the happiest and most lively way possible to combat those who would seek to take away someone's quality of life. Let's lend a helping hand and show our cities what Valentine's Day is really all about.

LOVE,

Marie

Your Game Plan for Super Bowl Cleaning

Posted on February 1, 2014 by - Green Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and for us New Yorkers this one is going to be exciting because it will be taking place right in our own back yard! The festivities circling around the Super bowl have already begun around town and in New York City. The excitement is starting to fill the air, and for those of us (like me) who are hosting this year’s football gathering, we have only four more days to spruce up our homes and get them looking top notch for the big day!

For Sunday’s game, I decided I don’t want to be the hostess that runs around cleaning and serving the entire time. The game is only three hours and I plan on watching it with my guests, so I need to do some serious pre-planning and pre-cleaning – enough to last until the game is over. I already hit the food store and ordered the food for game night so all I have left to do is clean. I am not going to go “crazy” cleaning before-hand because this Sunday’s guests will only be focused on three things: The game, the food, and the bathroom!

The game plan consists of tackling only those areas in my home that guests will be confined to the most, which are the entryway, the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom and the bedroom where the guest’s coats and bags will go. My defense team for tackling the bad guys will be my homemade cleaning solutions, castile soap, rubber gloves, my HEPA vacuum my microfiber cloths, and microfiber mop.

Starting in the entryway, the plan is to make this area cozy, warm and inviting. Put that microfiber cloth into motion by wiping down baseboards, picture frames, accent furniture and lights. Make your windows shine by cleaning them with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. Toss those shoes, hats, backpacks and gloves laying around into a bin and store it in an off limits bedroom. Replace inside and outside burnt bulbs. Dust off decorative objects, cobwebs and dust bunny piles. Spritz the entry way with a spray bottle of warm water and a few drops of your favorite smelling essential oils.

If guests will be hanging their coats up in the entryway closet, make sure there are plenty of hangers available. Make additional room in the closet by moving your bulkiest items to a bedroom closet for the evening. If you are asking guests to remove their shoes before entering your home, be sure to provide shoe racks or baskets to store them on.

If you plan to pile guest jackets up on your bed, be sure to give your bedroom a once over first. De-clutter the floor, especially the “walkway” area to the bed. Put away anything personal until after the party.

Moving down the field to the next cleaning hotspot is the bathroom. Grab your homemade all-purpose cleaner made of equal parts vinegar, baking soda, and water, and clean the vanity, sink, and countertops. Tuck those stray items in cabinets or drawers until the party is over. Make your mirror sparkle by spraying it with water and wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth. Spray bathroom fixtures with vinegar and scrub them with an old toothbrush. Polish them off with a dry microfiber cloth. Clean the inside, seat, rim and outside of the toilet bowl with your vinegar, borax, baking soda and water solution. Put out fresh, fluffy hand towels. Keep a container of homemade wipes handy in the bathroom for quick cleaning. For a fresh scent, dab a few cotton balls with your favorite smelling essential oils and place them around the corners of the bathroom. To remove unwanted odors, leave an opened box of baking soda on the floor behind the toilet bowl.

Heading into the kitchen, the first stop is the sink. The kitchen sink is one of the busiest spots in the kitchen, especially during a party. The goal is to try and keep the sink as empty as possible throughout game time. The plan of the evening is to keep the sink shining by rinsing the dishes and putting them right into the dishwasher.

During a party, the kitchen can get quite chaotic. Streamline your space by stashing unnecessary countertop appliances and knick-knacks, then giving the counter a good cleaning with castile soap and warm water. Do the same with your stovetop, cabinets and the exterior of the refrigerator and freezer, paying special attention to their handles. Wipe down interior messes in the refrigerator and if needed, rearrange the refrigerator to accommodate appetizers, beer and other edible gifts guests may bring.

When cleaning the kitchen, don’t forget the microwave! Speed clean your microwave by heating up a bowl of lemon juice and water in the microwave for one minute. Wipe down after the microwave cools off.

Pull out the big coffee pot you only use for parties and make sure it is cleaned inside and out. Wipe down coolers, ice buckets and other items you only take out only for special occasions with castile soap and warm water.

Begin your party with an empty trash can and leave an empty trash bag underneath for a quick change out. Throw some lemon wedges or sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of the trash cans to keep smelly odors at bay. Clearly label where your guests can recycle their empty bottles and cans.

Next, get your game day viewing room ready by de-cluttering the space first. Pick up any out-of-place items. Straighten couch cushions, flush pillows, refold and re-drape throws. Wash the windows and the lamps. Grab your lint brush and wipe the dust off your lampshades and your draperies. Clear off the coffee table and get it ready for drinks, snacks and appetizers by wiping it off with a dry microfiber cloth. If the top of the table is glass, spray it with vinegar first before wiping.

Because the television and the items around the television will be the focal point of the evening’s party you want them cleaned! Run a microfiber cloth over your television screen and the surrounding areas and check for fingerprints and dust. Clean last minute carpet stains by blotting club soda on the stain. For larger stained areas, sprinkle on corn starch. Grab your rubber gloves and remove pet hair off upholstered furniture by spraying vodka on the pet hair and wiping it off with your gloves.

Be sure to give your baseboards a little love by wiping them down or vacuuming them off. For quick and easy wall cleaning, take a stroll around the room with microfiber cloth in hand, and scan for noticeable smudges, smears and finger prints on your walls, in your doorways, hallways, picture frames, photographs, doorknobs, light switches and any other common touch spaces that you might have overlooked. Take another look at your mirrors and wipe smudges off with a cloth and warm water.

Last but not least, decorate! Hang up some strings of LED lights in the team’s colors (www.oogalights.com has a great selection). Add a little fun to the game by making yellow penalty flags before-hand and giving each guest a few so they can call the shots during the game.

Cleaning for the Super Bowl can be quick and simple if you target the areas where your guests will be. Learning a few simple tasks can lessen your pre-party stress and get you game ready so you can enjoy your party too.

Game on!

Follow Us on Bloglovin'!

Posted on January 24, 2014 by - News

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hey there, Maid Brigade fans! We're going to be linking up with Bloglovin, a handy tool that lets you follow all of our posts. It will also enable us to run promotions from our blog — stay tuned for those in April! To follow us, click the link at the top of this post. Thanks!

My (Hopefully) Achievable Goals for 2014

Posted on January 21, 2014 by - Healthy Soul

We all have resolutions and goals about things we want to accomplish (or change) going forward. The majority of us like to start implementing these ideas at the beginning of a new year.  The rest of us, however, like to wait until the right moment, no matter what time of year it may be.

Here is a list of small, attainable goals that I have set for myself throughout this year.  I plan to start slowly, accomplishing a few of them each month.  By the end of the year, my main resolution of having a healthier mind, body and diet should be attained!

  • Watch less TV.  I admit, I am a reality show addict!  However, I am realizing that focusing on my life (and not someone else’s) clears up so much time for me to accomplish things that I have put aside.
  • Limit online activity.  Working and checking emails are fine, it is the shopping that keeps me on the computer longer than I want to be. But don't worry, I'll still be around to write some blog posts 😉
  • Sleep better and longer.  This is a tough goal to accomplish but a much needed one.  I go to bed late and get up early.  I am a working mother with LOTS to accomplish each day.
  • Exercise.  Exercise helps purify the mind and body by releasing endorphins and aggressive emotions.  I feel so much better after I exercise. It’s a shame I haven’t kept this steady in my life.
  • Breathe deeply.  When all else fails, breathe deeply!  It relaxes the mind and helps increase the flow of oxygen in the body.  This works extremely well in “pressure” situations.
  • Stay in AND go out more.  Sounds confusing, right?  But both are great relaxing techniques.  I just need to learn to balance them better — go out when I'm just being lazy, and stay in when my body wants to rest.
  • Work on time management. Improve my focus. Keep track of time better. Set goals throughout the day so I stay focused on the things that matter.
  • Set realistic goals. Realistic goals help make you feel a sense of achievement and triumph after completion. Hopefully this list is one fulfillment of that!
  • Boost self-confidence.  Get rid of negative thoughts that prevent you from doing the things that make me happy.
  • Simplify life.  Learn to say no.  Keep things in perspective of what's going to be important in the long run.
  • Take time out.  Slow down every once in a while and give my mind and body a rest by taking time out for myself.  This is a much needed goal that I always seem to push aside.
  • Continue to de-clutter.  A cluttered house or a cluttered schedule can cause anxiety and stress.
  • Say no to junk food.  This is tough for me to do, but I know how happy I would be if I cut out the sugar and added more fruits and vegetables. Remember, easy isn't always right!
  • Volunteer more. I have always volunteered my time to causes I believe in, and it makes me feel good.  This year and beyond, I want to make more time for giving back.
  • Smile.  Smiling helps focus on the positive and helps forget about the negative feelings. It's actually scientific!

Sounds like a lot to accomplish, doesn’t it?  But they are all easy attainable goals that, in the end, will help be the person I want to be. Whatever moment you do decide to put your actions into gear, remember that hard work and motivation will pay off!   Stay strong, think positive and don’t lose focus of your goals.

What are your goals for 2014?  Do you have any tips or advice on how I can achieve all of my goals?  Share your comments with us!

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Top Resolutions of 2014 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Posted on January 16, 2014 by - News

I told you my new year's resolution in a post last week, and now it's time to take a look at yours.

Maid Brigade held a contest this month on our Facebook page where we had you all tell us what your resolutions were. We've taken that information and turned it into an infographic so that you can see what your peers are resolving to do this year.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking a look at all of these categories as we explore what it means and what it takes to be healthy and happy. Subscribe in the righthand column to make sure you don't miss any of our posts!

Whenever you are looking for professional house cleaning services, make sure you reach out to Maid Brigade. Call us at 1-866-800-7434 or Click here to find a local maid service provider in your area. We are the only home cleaning service that is Green Clean Certified® with more than 400 franchise service areas in the United States and Canada.

An Organized Life is a Happy Life

Posted on January 10, 2014 by - Healthy Home

This week on “Green Clean Talk Radio,” Leslie Reichert and I spoke about the importance of organizing and de-cluttering, and how these simple tasks can help us reach our goals and put “balance” into our daily lives.

Our guest on the show was a woman named Christine Salberg, who founded Sort and Toss, a company dedicated to helping minimize clutter, maximize efficiency, and make time for the things in life that truly matter.  She gave many useful organizing tips throughout the show, and I am proud to say that many of her tips are things I already implemented in my home!

There are a few unique pointers, however, that Christine spoke about, and that I am really looking forward to trying, especially when it comes to cleaning out the closets. Christine is a professional at helping families maximize their leisure time by implementing organization and time management strategies.  She wrote a wonderful blog called, “12 Months of Organizing Your Home,” and another on “Organizing Personal and Financial Documents” that we all could use around this tax season time!

I love being organized, and I love to de-clutter, which is why I feel the need to do these two tasks quite often throughout the year.  I honestly believe that organizing and de-cluttering is not just about cleaning, it is a time to freshen up our lives and reorganize our world.  This is why starting off a new year with a goal to “de-clutter” is very important.

De-cluttering helps us move forward and not get stuck in the past.  It helps us say “good-bye” to bad relationships, bad ideas, and anything else that has a tendency to hold us back from moving on to a new beginning and achieving new goals.  De-cluttering helps us free up space in our homes and in our lives by removing those unwanted or “never worn” items from our closets.  It allows us to feel good about ourselves by donating unused and unwanted items to local charities.  This way, we have more room to buy new things to fill up our closets with!

Organizing helps us re-gain that “special peace” that I know I yearn for when my home (or life) becomes disorderly.  Too much clutter raises my stress level at times. To de-clutter is to organize, and to organize is to be in control!  Sometimes, life seems so much easier to handle when we are in control, making it far less stressful.  Go ahead…organize!  Redefine your life, set up that new office space, regain control of your budget, and establish new habits for this year.

De-cluttering and organizing your closets is something I am sure we all have had to do in our lives.  I really believe that there is a junk drawer, storage room, or hidden closet that is lurking in every home that needs extra “organization” attention!  Well, it’s time to tackle that area and find out what has been hiding in there this past year.  Who knows?  Maybe there are items that can you can sell at a yard sale or on Ebay or Craigslist that may be profitable.  If you rent storage space on a monthly basis, this can be a great time to get rid of the monthly storage bill and sell or donate unused items.

Is 2014 the year you want to start that new project or hobby?  Is it your dream to have a small art studio or sewing and craft area?  Do you have a two-car garage you would love to use for your car but can’t because of all the junk?  Then clear out some space and start working towards your goal! Believe it or not, last year my goal was to make myself a “sanity room.”  This much needed getaway is my own retreat, where I can go just to sit, relax, and re-energize.  I love it — it is one of the best things I did for myself!  This year I am working on a space there that I can use to go through old photos.  My mother lost so many of her old photos and memories during Hurricane Sandy, and I would love to sort through my photos and make a few collages for her to cherish.

It is hard to admit, but too much clutter and not enough organization does put me in a bad mood.  There are times when it’s tough to get enough motivation to start the job, but when the organization sets in, my mood is happier and my outlook is positive.  To me, nothing makes a room look better than clearing a bit of space (besides new furniture, of course)!

There’s no time like the present to start a healthy and therapeutic habit, so grab a box and let’s de-clutter!

What are your favorite organization tips? Tell us below in the comments. 

Maid Brigade can help you get your house cleaned and organized. Call us at 1-866-800-7434 or Click here to find a local maid service provider in your area. We are the only home cleaning service that is Green Clean Certified® with more than 400 franchise service areas in the United States and Canada.

Cheers to a Successful Year! [Giveaway]

Posted on January 7, 2014 by - News

Happy 2014! Another year has arrived! One week into the New Year and I have already battled two New York blizzards, one case of the flu and a summons to jury duty!  It’s not the way I would have liked to start 2014, but on a positive note, look how much I have accomplished so far!

The start of a new year has always been an important time for me because it’s one of the few times I actually get to reflect on “me.”  Let’s face it.  Life gets busy, and being a devoted wife and working mother of three extremely busy children, my time for “me” has always been pushed to the side.  This year, however, I decided to make my resolutions (or “goals” for those that don’t believe in resolutions) all about me!  I am a caregiver at heart, which is why my family is taken care of first.  I am also a nurse, who takes care of others for a living.  The only person I forget to take care every now and then is me.

Then there’s the “time” factor.  My life has never been busier.  I am the first to admit that sometimes, especially after a busy day, the last thing on my mind is getting up to exercise!  Relaxing on the couch in front of the television does help me re-gain my sanity at times but it’s not enough.  Utilizing “me” time beneficially and learning to alter my life balance daily are lifelong goals of mine that I will hopefully accomplish sooner rather than later.

This year, I decided to focus on two resolutions that are important to me, that are attainable, and that I can (hopefully) incorporate into my busy lifestyle.  One involves fitness and the other nutrition.  My fitness goal is not necessarily to lose weight, but to tone up my muscles and re-introduce some sort of cardiovascular exercise into my life.  I am embarrassed to say that I used to run marathons back in the day and now, I am lucky I can run to the mailbox!   Signing up for a gym membership is not an option so my routine must be something I can do at home.

My second resolution is to SLOWLY alter my eating habits.  I do eat healthy most of the time but not as healthy as I should.  Am I ready to give up my Starbucks Grande White Mocha?  At 550 calories a cup, probably!  But I am nowhere near ready to give up the French Vanilla Creamer that I put in my coffee every day!   My love of sugar, sweets, and chips HAS to be altered.  Eating late at night when I work has to stop completely.  Learning new recipes and ideas for healthier snacks is a great place to start.

Altering my eating habits slowly and beginning an “at home” fitness program are two attainable goals that I feel I can accomplish.  The hardest part is making sure I put myself first in my life so I am able to attain my goals.   The caregiver in me will always be there — it’s a part of my being — but most importantly, the focus of my caregiving going forward has to include myself.  Learning to not feel guilty about putting myself first is crucial.  Staying healthy is also important, because, let’s face it, I am not getting any younger.

I read somewhere that it takes thirty days for a behavior to change.  I look forward to the challenge.  Even though I am starting my resolutions a week later this year, I am determined to accomplish them.  I feel positive, refreshed and focused more than ever!  Join me on this journey throughout 2014 and let’s accomplish our goals together! Stay tuned for tips on how to keep your resolutions this year.

Now, tell us on Facebook what your new year's resolution is for a chance to win a $250 cash prize! Here's the link: http://woobox.com/zou7dq

Good luck, and may 2014 be a successful year for all of us!

If one of your resolutions this year is keeping your house clean, Let Maid Brigade help. Call us at 1-866-800-7434 or Click here to find a local maid service provider in your area. We are the only home cleaning service that is Green Clean Certified® with more than 400 franchise service areas in the United States and Canada.