Vicki Peel | HER Life Hacks

Vacation vs. Staycation

by Vicki Peel | Jul 9, 2021 | Lifestyle | 0 comments

“The idea of having a staycation instead of vacation isn’t something new. However, in the post-Covid-19 era, families might need to rethink what kind of vacation plans will be more suitable.”

The way that the Covid-19 pandemic shifted the routine dynamics of our lives is still unbelievable and sometimes even horrifying.

Take for example the case of staycation vs vacation.

While many things now are slowly and gradually advancing towards their normal routine, the post-covid-19 recovery phase is still in trial mode.

As such, if you are considering the options of having a vacation as opposed to a staycation this summer season 2021, let’s discuss the best option for you.

So, let’s begin finding out everything necessary about staycation vs vacation and help you experience the best from the one you stick to.

Staycation vs Vacation – The all-you-need-to-know guide

What is a staycation?

The word ‘Staycation’ can be broken into two words, ‘stay’ and ‘cation’ derived from the word ‘vacation’. Staycation has two slightly different definitions.

One describes it as time spent in your home country while engaging in domestic traveling.

The other description suggests staying at home but involving visits to local sightseeing and attractions.

What is a vacation?

Vacations, as opposed to staycations, usually involve visiting someplace outside of your home, state, or country.

Difference between a staycation and vacation

The following set of key factors briefly explain the main differences between a staycation and a vacation.

Staycation

They are comparatively much cheaper.
No need to formally plan everything. Plans are mostly spontaneous and depend on your mood.
No new kind of travel-related stress. You already know what to expect while riding towards your destination.
Very few chances of getting disappointed if you didn’t achieve what you had in mind initially. There is always a chance to redo everything.
No need to carry any luggage even if you plan to spend a night or two.
Freedom to carry your pets with you.

Vacation or traveling

Depending on how many members of your family are planning to travel and your destination, vacations remain an expensive thing no matter how basic your package is.
An average travel or vacation plan will at least take a month to plan and arrange everything. In some cases, more time might be needed. This is because there is much to research about especially when it’s your first visit to a destination, looking after your vacation budgets, arranging someone to look after your stuff, etc.
For some reason, if you didn’t find your vacation to be as good as you imagined, you may find yourself in great disappointment, especially considering the time, money, and energy spent on it.
Requires carrying enough luggage to last an entire trip. In some cases, you might have to even buy extra things just for the trip, which under normal circumstances you would never need.
You experience jet-lag issues. Some people are okay with it, but others might need a few hours to adapt.
Currency issues. There may be local and foreign currency carrying limits to adhere to while passing the immigration counter at an airport.

Benefits of choosing a staycation instead of a vacation in the post-Covid-19 era

While the concept of a staycation isn’t anything new, it is expected that more and more people in the early days of the post-pandemic or post-Covid-19 era, are likely to prefer it rather than going on a vacation.

Consider the following benefits of a staycation.

Start right from where you are

As soon as the clock ticks and your working hours for the last day of work before the staycation end, you have already begun. You know what to do, where to head, who to call, etc.

No time spent on planning or quarantine

Since you aren’t traveling abroad, you won’t need to spend any time in quarantine.

There isn’t any need to formally plan or ask everyone’s opinion before going out and indulging in an activity. Just start with what seems appropriate at that time and then subsequently each family member can get to decide something from their staycation bucket list.

You remain well-prepared for the unexpected

Since it isn’t somewhere new you are visiting, you already know what could ruin a perfect outing during your staycation. Therefore, you have less to worry about any unexpected events.

You never get exhausted

One of the prime reasons for a staycation is to rest and refresh your mind and body. This isn’t normally possible during a vacation as you have limited time and a bucket load of things to do.

But while on a staycation, there isn’t any need to hurry and you can fully rest and enjoy anytime you want.

While the concept of a staycation isn’t anything new, due to health concerns, it is bound to get major traction in the post-Covid-19 era. And really, staycations shouldn’t only be preferred for avoiding exposure to any health risks.

It is a great way to help revive your country’s economy in the post-pandemic period. So, staying local and spending local should also be a priority after Covid-19.

Don’t miss any life hacks designed to save you time, energy, and money! Start by requesting your FREE report, “Self-Care Hacks” at https://HERLifeHacks.com!

The #1 Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Life

by Vicki Peel | Jul 1, 2021 | Lifestyle | 0 comments

“See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it. It always works, it works every time, with every person.” – Bob Proctor

You probably don’t constantly think about how your mindset affects your life. You may have always thought this way, either because of how you were raised or through your experiences. Your mindset in fact not only affects your life, but it also directs your life. Changing how you think is the single most important thing you can do to improve your life.

It’s not easy to do. I know. I’ve been working on mindset shifts to improve my life for a long time.

Abundance mindset, scarcity mindset, fear mindset, fixed mindset, growth mindset, confident mindset and many others are all different types of mindsets we have. Do any of these mindsets sound like you? Each unconscious and conscious belief affects our lives every moment.

According to the research of Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, the power of our beliefs, both conscious and unconscious, is far greater than we imagine and changing even the simplest of them can have profound impact on nearly every aspect of our lives.

The world has changed dramatically in the last few years, especially in the last year. The pandemic has affected all of us in some way and has been devastating to many. There is speculation among leading experts that many people will not make the shift to new thinking and action until COVID-19 affects us personally. The impact of the virus will not become real for us until someone we know contracts the virus or dies from it.

The world has moved into what has been described as a “new normal”. But what that means is open to discussion. What some may see as limiting and disruptive may be seen by others as an opportunity – an opportunity to emerge in ways you define. Change has occurred rapidly and definitively. Are you moving around by the winds of change or defining your own change and how you can take control of your life?

The first step is becoming aware of our mindset and consciously choosing to develop a mindset that will help us move forward with creating our intentional life. If we allow ourselves to remain stuck in the flow of things, we are abdicating our choices to circumstances. All the advice in the world about how to get the most out of life is worthless if we don’t take responsibility for the choices we make, or we allow those choices to be made for us.

For us to emerge from these experiences and thrive, not just exist, we need to think about and plan for who we are now and who we want to be in the future. We can start by practicing mindfulness and reframing our mindset.

If you are totally happy with yourself and your ability to navigate the new normal, I suggest you stop reading here. But before you go, describe your strategies for being in control of your life and what makes you feel secure in your abilities to move forward with confidence.

If you’re still reading, here are five ways changing your mindset to an abundance or growth mindset can improve your life.

You aren’t afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Changing your mindset to one of growth allows you to see the many different paths available to you in whatever you are seeking, whether it is job advancement, creative outlets, or something more personal. This allows you to move forward rather than being stuck in the same place.
You become comfortable sharing ideas without feeling threatened or intimidated, which leads to better choices, environments, and relationships.
Changing your mindset to one of growth helps you build better personal and romantic relationships. You realize people will always have differences. You learn that a relationship involves learning about and from each other.
You’ll begin to judge yourself and others less. You won’t have time to waste on judging others are saying or doing. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on making progress in your life.
The change to a growth mindset allows you to accept constructive criticism for what it is and use it for personal growth. You become more confident because you won’t need validation to reassure you that you’re doing it right.

You can change your mindset. And it will improve your life. Your skills can be cultivated, learned, practiced, and grown. You no longer worry about what will happen. Instead, you will commit to the process of taking action and learning along the way.

Changing your mindset helps you to step out of your comfort zone to go after what you want and believe you will get it.

Is your mindset helping or hindering you at this point in your life?

My new course, “Designing Your New Normal Mindset”, is a great place to start to examine your mindset and define ways to change it to benefit you. It’s easier than you think. This course provides the guidance to help you enter the next phase of your life with awareness and confidence. If you’re interested, click on the Contact Me page of HER Life Hacks and request a coupon code, and I’ll send you a 50% off coupon code just for you!

Try on “Designing Your Normal Mindset” for size! Then let me know what worked for you and how you applied the course in your life.

Here’s to the peace and joy of your new normal mindset!

Is Your Clutter Creating and Perpetuating Overwhelm?

by Vicki Peel | Jun 16, 2021 | Clear Clutter | 0 comments

Two kinds of clutter can create chaos in your life – physical and emotional clutter. Both can derail you from achieving the kind of life you want and need. Clutter can create and perpetuate overwhelm in your home and in your mind.

A cluttered home can emotionally overwhelm you, making it harder to tackle the issue. And for me, clutter also makes me cranky! I’m going to be decluttering and organizing my home and sharing my process with you, including before and after pictures. See my featured image above? I didn’t get it from online sources of photos. It is an embarrassing true-life photo of my craft room! So – stay tuned!

There are a number of ways clutter can play with your emotions. Here, we’ll look at some of the most common emotional challenges that can keep you from de-cluttering the home and how you can overcome them.

Sentimental Value is Hard to Relinquish

By far one of the hardest challenges of de-cluttering the home, is letting go of items we don’t need. Just because we don’t necessarily need them, doesn’t mean it’s easy to let them go. This is especially true if the items hold some form of sentimental value.

Consider whether you really do need to hold onto the items with sentimental value. If not, don’t think about it, just let them go. If you’re still struggling, think about selecting just a few sentimental items, the ones that have the most meaning for you. As for the remaining items, maybe they would bring joy or comfort to someone else, which in turn could provide joy and comfort to you. Then the items you selected to keep would have even deeper meaning to you.

Clutter Can Provides Comfort

Although clutter does make the home look messy, it can actually provide some level of comfort. Some people unknowingly use the clutter to fill a void.

Whether you have difficulty letting go of items or find that shopping fills a void, the kind of comfort you find in either scenario is unlikely to be enough.

If you do find yourself buying new things to fill a void, list other ways that would comfort you. Ask yourself whether the items you’re buying are actually useful and how often you’ll use them. Do they bring you joy? If not, ask yourself whether you’re just using them for comfort, and find a replacement activity on your new list.

Find other things that bring you comfort, such as reading, doing yoga, listening to music or cooking a nice meal and add them to your list.

It’s Just Too Much

When there’s a lot of clutter to contend with, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Where do you start when absolutely everywhere needs to be de-cluttered?

If you often just look at the clutter and feel overwhelmed, you’re definitely not alone. However, the common thing to do is to put it off for another day. Then, when you attempt to go back to it, you’re met with the same overwhelming feelings that stopped you doing it in the first place.

When there is just too much to do, it can really help to start small. Break down the tasks into manageable chunks, focusing on things which take just a few minutes at first. Or set a timer for 15-30 minutes at a time. You’ll often find taking care of the smaller tasks boosts your motivation to continue with the larger ones.

Emotional Overwhelm is Real, but Can Be Overcome

If you find yourself becoming emotionally overwhelmed, there are some tricks you can use to calm the mind.

Taking a step back and utilizing deep breathing exercises is a great start. You can also remind yourself you’re in control of your mind and you will tackle the clutter. It doesn’t have to be all at once, and it doesn’t have to be today.

Ensuring you de-stress as much as possible is also going to help. So, take time out for yourself every day to relax the mind and deal with any outside stress you’re facing. The more relaxed you are, the less likely you’ll become overwhelmed emotionally by clutter.

It’s common to get overwhelmed when you start to remove the clutter from the home. However, think through which strategies will work for you, and start there. As your home begins to look clean and tidy again, that alone will boost your spirit and help you continue the process.

Need a jumpstart? One of my favorite new series in recent years was “Get Organized with the Home Edit” on Netflix. Now you can get “The Home Edit Workbook” to help you work through your own chaos of clutter! You can get it HERE!

What’s holding you back from getting control of your stuff? If you have control of your stuff, share your best organization tips in the comments below.

9 Ways to Find Extra Time in Your Life

by Vicki Peel | Jun 7, 2021 | Lifestyle | 0 comments

We’ve all heard it again and again – everyone has the same number of hours in the day. It’s all a matter of how you manage your time. You may have tried some of these time management techniques yourself. And maybe they worked for you for a while. But if you did not make the necessary changes to keep them going, you may have slipped back into old, and perhaps destructive ways.

I am on a mission; a mission to provide the right tools for the right people to learn to live simpler by having fewer decisions to make on a daily basis. And those fewer decisions translate into making the mundane and repetitive daily tasks automated. Making daily tasks automated means you create and implement systems that work for you, on their own and with little supervision so you will have more time to live your life the way you want. That means more time to do the things that give you joy and energize you.

Here are 9 strategies that can help you find extra time in your life, so you can spend it doing things you love. Embracing and implementing just one of these strategies can make a huge difference in your life.

I’ve already mentioned what I consider to be the number one strategy to manage your life in time-saving ways – create systems.

1. Create Systems

Anything that you do regularly needs a system. Whether that’s paying bills, bookkeeping, or taking a bath, it all happens regularly.

Setting up systems that use a combination of technology, delegation, and habit creation will help you organize and automate your life.

In fact, this number one strategy is an umbrella strategy that encompasses the remaining eight strategies. If you recognize and embrace the value of creating life systems – simple life systems, that mindset will make implementing strategies two through nine much easier.

2. Set Up Your Computer Properly

Your computer can maintain itself with the right additions of software. Set up your computer so that it automatically updates, automatically checks for viruses, and keeps the computer clean.

Whether you have a Mac or a PC, there are options for you to learn about. And many of these options are free. You just need to do a little research – Google it!

And managing your online files with a system that works for you will save you tremendous time, especially as you continue to add new files. Even with the system I use for filing documents and videos, I sometimes have difficulty finding specific files.

Whatever system you choose to keep up with digital files, it is a good idea to use an intuitive system that will be easy to retrieve later. You could start file names with a date or use keywords that describe what is in the file. It needs to be a system that works for you.

3. Pay Your Bills Via Your Bank’s Bill Payment System

Most credit cards and bills let you set up automatic payment options directly through them. You can also set up payments via your bank’s system. This works well because all your information is in one place, thereby saving you time accessing the data.

You can also automate the payment process, either through websites of your credit cards and bills or through your bank’s process. This is a great way to never forget to pay a bill, which could negatively affect your credit score.

4. Automate Meal Planning with a Meal Delivery Service

If you find that meal planning and shopping take too much time, you can automate much of this by signing up for a meal delivery service. Although this can be an expensive alternative to cooking at home, setting up your subscription to deliver a few meals weekly can free up some time when you need it most.

There are so many choices of meal delivery services now that you will need to do some research to find one that meets your needs. You can usually find very good coupons for first time subscribers.

Ordering groceries online is another option to save time, and you may be able to have groceries delivered or at least pick them up quicker than shopping in the store. If you use certain products on a regular basis and know when they will need to be replaced, online subscription services will deliver them to you regularly.

5. Go Paperless

If you have a lot of paperwork you’re always going through, try to find a way to go paperless. Paperless files are easier to find with a search than other types of files.

Simple phone scanning apps or even photos taken with your phone is a great way to save and file documents that need to be saved. Be sure to save your files on a backup drive or cloud drive so you won’t lose them in case of computer hardware failure.

Online options like Evernote or Dropbox are great for filing documents.

6. Learn to Use Your Smartphone

Learn about the features that come on your phone. Most phones will do so much more than most people could imagine. It is worth it to take a little time getting to know your phone and all it can do to save you time.

Check out the many free or inexpensive apps to help you save time. Just search your app store for the kind of help you need to see options available.

7. Make Your House Smarter

Today you can have a house that unlocks the door for you, turns on the light, preheats the oven, adjusts your thermostat and much more – all from a distance and at your command.

If you can afford to invest in this time-saving technology, it is a great way to ensure that things get done. You can even water your lawn or house plants using automation technology. e

8. Hire Household Help

Automate your household chores by hiring someone to do it for you on a regular basis. Even if you can only afford someone once a month, that can save you a lot of time. It would at least lighten your cleaning tasks in between monthly cleanings.

9. Develop Tiny Habits to Organize Your Life

Once you spend time organizing to simplify your life, you can make it feel automated if you just turn organization and cleaning into a habit. This is how most people learned to brush their teeth. It became a habit.

Throwing away your trash each time you get a fresh cup of coffee can become a habit too. Incorporate little habits into your day, and it’ll feel as if everything is happening automatically.

What’s Your Plan?

Which strategy or strategies resonated with you? You can probably think of other ways to save time that works for you.

If you need a little help setting up some systems, check out my shop of digital products at https://simplesystemsforlife.com.

If #9, “Develop Tiny Habits to Organize Your Life”, is your choice to find extra time, check out my free habit tracker, “My One Thing Daily Habit Tracker”. Just click on the title!

I’m adding new products monthly to help make your life a little simpler. You’ll find checklists, workbooks, planners, journals and much more. Keep checking back from time to time to see what has been added.

And leave a comment below to share your thoughts about finding extra time in your day. I’d love to hear what you think.

From Self-Doubt to Poise in 5 Actionable Steps

by Vicki Peel | May 17, 2021 | Lifestyle | 0 comments

What is your opinion of yourself? No doubt (no pun intended) you, like so many others, doubt yourself. This issue affects both personal and professional lives. Self-doubt and low self-esteem can keep you from reaching your goals and dreams.

These personality traits appear to be more common among women. If self-doubt plagues you, check out these tips to boost your confidence and trust yourself more:

1. Accept Yourself

I grew up with self-doubt. And even now, I vacillate between total confidence and demeaning self-doubt. As a result, I was always an over-achiever. When I came home with straight A’s on my report card, my father would take a cursory look and reply, “Is that the best you can do?” And while I knew he said it as a joke, it cut deeply. I know he was proud of me, but he just didn’t know how to express it.

Self-doubt is part of being human. How can you turn it into a strength? When used correctly, this personality trait can help you make better decisions, instead of rushing things. Think of it as a tool that guides your actions and keeps you from making costly mistakes.

Also, affirmations repeated to yourself can make a positive difference in your life. Find a few affirmations that resonate with you. Write them down. Then repeat them to yourself in front of a mirror. Or print them on cards to display around your home as reminders of your special strengths. I start off my day with reading the card I created and placed on my beside table: “It’s gonna be a great day!”

2. Know You’re Not Alone

Even the most successful people have doubts. They often question their actions and wonder what the right thing to do is.

Focus on building your confidence by taking these actionable steps. You might never get rid of doubts, but you can stop them from taking over your life.

3. Accentuate Your Strengths

Your doubts don’t necessarily reflect the truth. They often mirror your fears and emotional struggles. Think about your achievements and how hard you worked to get where you are today.

Make a list of things you do well. Write down your skills and accomplishments. Accept praise from others gracefully and acknowledge your talent.

Celebrate your strengths every single day. Make positive affirmations and remind yourself how much you’ve done so far. Stop thinking of what you could have done better. You might be amazed at everything you’ve done!

4. Choose Your Friends Wisely

Negative people can drag you down and ruin your self-esteem. Nothing will ever be good enough for them. That’s why it’s so important to surround yourself with positive people who support you and listen to you instead of judging.

“You’re the average of the five people spend the most time with,” is a quote attributed most often to motivational speaker Jim Rohn. Take a look around at your friends. What kind of average are you exemplifying? Do they build you up or drag you down?

5. Define Your Line in the Sand

Lastly, define your values and the values you live by daily. One of the assignments in a college course for my doctorate was to define our line in the sand. What were the values that defined my life and how far would I go to protect them? That one exercise was something I came back to year after year. I found it to be just as strong in every successive year.

Focus on the things that drive your actions and are at the core of your beliefs.

Overcoming self-doubt is a lifelong process. Stop questioning your own decisions. Don’t waste time overanalyzing – trust your actions and put your plans in motion.

My FREE tips report, “Set a Life-Changing Intention” describes 9 best tips to setting your life-changing intention, and thereby replacing self-doubt with confidence. Get your FREE copy HERE!

Are You Poised for Greatness?

by Vicki Peel | May 10, 2021 | Lifestyle | 2 comments

Dictionary.com defines poise as a “state of balance or equilibrium”; or “a dignified, self-confident manner”. Does that feel like you? Is it something you want for yourself?

I’ve always admired people who I consider having poise and grace. It is not a state of arrogance. It is a quality that indicates someone is comfortable with themselves. Comfortable enough to know that they are enough and can handle what happens for them – not to them. That level of confidence means they know there will be rough times in life – that’s just life. But they also know they can take whatever happens and learn from it, grow from it, and make it work to their advantage.

Maybe I’ve admired those people with poise and grace because I never quite felt I attained it. And I’ve always wanted to.

But here, and now – I feel my life is transforming. I feel that I am transforming into who I was meant to be. It may be just the understanding that comes with age. Or it may be that years of working toward being a better person, a better me is actually paying off.

What about you? If you feel like life has become predictable, unfulfilling, and boring, maybe it’s time for a fresh start. Deciding to make a change doesn’t mean you have to turn your life upside down, but it is an opportunity to stand back and revise your current way of life.

Whether it’s a lifestyle, location, or career change, there are some simple things you can do right now to climb out of that rut and get some positive energy back into your life.

Consider these five simple ways to gain or regain the poise you need to live your life with confidence, peace and joy.

1. Discover or Rediscover What Makes You Happy

Happiness is an elusive state of being for many people. They often think that the accumulation of money or things will make them happy. But when or if they get to that level of accomplishment, they find they are no happier than they were before.

Remember the quote about happiness that is attributed to Abraham Lincoln? “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

That quote might be a good starting point for you to think about what makes you happy? What lifts your spirits and puts a spring in your step? What makes your heart sing and your energy levels skyrocket? Some people feel happiest out in nature, while others prefer sports or reading. Maybe you love the arts or helping people. Make a list of what makes you happy and what you can do to focus on bringing more joy into your life.

2. Practice Saying Yes

You’ve probably heard it said that you should say no more. You may need to say “no” to some things other people want you to do and “yes” to things you want to do. Think about how that might change your life.

Most people are so busy with the everyday life that they don’t make time to get out of their comfort zone and do something different. When was the last time you tried something new or challenging? Be open to new experiences, start saying yes to yourself, and choose to do things that feel good.

3. Make a Stop Doing List

Once you start saying yes to the things that feel good, you need to practice saying no. You need a stop doing list! You’re probably well aware of the bad habits you’ve fallen into and the things you do that don’t bring you joy. While there are some things you have no control over, see what energy-draining tasks you can eliminate from your life. Write a list to remind yourself of the things you can choose not to do, and free up time for the things that make your heart soar.

4. Declutter

Most people have way too much stuff in their lives. Look around you right now and see what’s holding you back. Clutter includes spending hours scrolling through social media, limiting beliefs, and bad lifestyle habits as well as all that junk in the kitchen drawer. You may find there is just as much clutter in your head as in your home.

How might decluttering your mind and your home make a positive impact in your life?

5. Say No to Fear

Perhaps the single most empowering thing you can do to make the life changes you want is to walk away from fear. Fear will stop you from taking risks, big or small. It makes you too afraid to try anything new and holds you back from reaching your potential.

Which of these FEAR acronyms describes you?

FEAR – Forget Everything And Run
FEAR – False Evidence/Expectations Appearing Real
FEAR – Face Everything And Rise

Make a commitment to yourself to take back control of your life and leap into a fresh start. Turn your FEAR into Face Everything and Rise

None of us are completely happy with who we are. We are always wanting more – to have more – to be more. But changing things in your life that allow you to be the person you were meant to be is actually freeing. Staying stuck in habits that hold you back is what’s hard.

Need a gentle reminder of tackling FEAR. Download your free printable HERE about FEAR, like the ones above.

And join me on my journey of an intentional life. It’s free! Sign up at https://HERLifeHacks.com

The Mindset of an Entrepreneur

by Vicki Peel | Apr 28, 2021 | Lifestyle | 0 comments

When I retired from education, I floundered. I didn’t know what to do or what I wanted to do. But these “great ideas” kept popping up. My mind kept drifting to ways I could help others with my knowledge and experience. My thoughts came as if I were writing down what I would tell someone. They wouldn’t leave me alone.

So, I started writing down these ideas, including what I thought would be a great domain name and what I could do with that concept. I started responding to emails that looked as if they could help me build on my imaginary plan. And I started filing information and ideas of how to build an online business. I thought I had a message to share but didn’t know how to get it “out there”.

I was on a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. Every time I thought I had a great idea I would get excited just thinking about how to present it in a way that would be profitable. I just knew I could do it. Then, that little voice in the back of my mind said, “Who do you think you’re kidding! Everyone already knows the information you think is so great. And who do you think would actually pay you for what you know?”

So, I kept alternating between fear and excitement. I developed that dreaded disease of analysis paralysis. All the reasons for not jumping into the online entrepreneurial fray kept me from moving forward with something I really wanted to do.

There were two major drawbacks that also kept me from taking further action. I was an extreme introvert who didn’t like to talk and although I thought I could share my knowledge in ways that could help people, I wanted to do it incognito. I was afraid to open myself up to scrutiny by online experts or an audience who might be too critical and think my information was worthless.

It was at least two years before I mustered up the courage to act on my ideas. What a waste of precious time!

Everyone said developing an online business was simple. And they were right. But it’s not easy. The first thing that can make you or break you is your mindset. Believing you have something worthy and valuable to share with the world that can be both helpful to others and benefit you monetarily is key.

The final mindset shift I had to make was to combine my comfortable role as an educator with the out-of-my-comfort-zone role of entrepreneur. I grew up with the mindset of an educator even before I became one. The educator mindset is one of helping people.

The whole concept of marketing myself was something I couldn’t fathom. After all, I was not a salesperson. I couldn’t sell ice water in hell! But I also knew I had to conquer that fear if I was going to realize my dream. To say I’m over it now, would not be the entire truth, because that fear continues to pop up in my mind. But I will not let fear alone defeat me.

So now, I am pairing that educator mindset with the mindset of entrepreneur. Helping people and being compensated accordingly – it’s the best of both worlds!

Mindset is one thing, but it will get you nowhere without action. And the best thing I did to take action was to secure a mentor who already knew and had implemented strategies for being successful online. Having a go-to person to rely on keeps me focused on what to do and what to do next. It’s invaluable. I know I can do it now!

Join me on the journey. It’s free! Sign up at https://HERLifeHacks.com

Taco Soup – A Healthy One Pot Meal That’s So Easy, Even a Husband Can Do It!

by Vicki Peel | Apr 20, 2021 | Food | 0 comments

When you’re super-busy during the week and have to get dinner on the table, it can be pretty stressful! As well as the cooking, there’s also pots and dishes to clean up.

If you don’t want all of the dishes that go with cooking, an easy way to avoid it is by using just one pot. There’s a lot of one-pot meals you can cook up, but here you’ll discover one of the easiest – Taco soup.

Want to know how easy it is? My previously non-cooking husband has made this his signature dish! And it’s delicious! Now, it’s his “go-to” meal, even when the weather turns warmer!

Why Taco soup?

The great thing about Taco Soup is that it is so versatile! It also doesn’t take very many ingredients.

You’ll need ground beef, onions, smoked paprika, black beans, corn, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, salsa, and chicken broth. Plus, optional ingredients for serving could be sour cream, shredded cheese, chips, lettuce, salsa, and avocado.

This soup is a great way to use leftover meat. Try leftover chicken, hamburger, shredded pork or turkey.

The full list of ingredients include:

1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound of ground beef
1 small, sweet onion, chopped
1 teaspoon of kosher salt or sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
8.75 – 15-ounce can of corn kernels, drained
15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
10-ounce can or jar of mild enchilada sauce
16-ounce jar of mild salsa
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Tortilla chips, Mexican shredded cheese, sour cream and avocado for serving

For specific instructions to prepare, click HERE.

You can cook this meal on the range or in a slow cooker. Add all the ingredients to the pot and leave to simmer and cook. My husband cooks it in the crock pot for 4-6 hours. Easy peasy!!

You’ll be surprised how quickly this soup is to make; especially in the morning when you’re getting ready for the day. You can easily put everything in the pot and turn on the slow cooker for the day while you’re at work.

Or you could prepare it the night before. Put the slow cooker insert into the refrigerator for the night and then take it out in the morning and put into the crock pot. Turn it on low power and by the time you get home, you’ll have a tasty and filling soup.

Making a one pot healthy meal is easy to do and once you’ve gotten used to doing it this way, you’ll want to find more recipes that use only one pot to cook in. It’s really convenient and a huge time saver!

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What’s Your Decorating Style?

by Vicki Peel | Apr 16, 2021 | Organize | 0 comments

Do you have a decorating style? And just what does that mean, anyway? When I researched decorating styles, there doesn’t seem to be any definitive list of styles! Apparently, if you can describe your decorating style in a few words, then you can add it to the ever-broadening list of decorating styles out there. The most accepted rule for decorating is that that are no rules!

Just for fun, I looked for style quizzes online. There are almost as many style quizzes as there are styles! While they are not meant to define your style and how you should decorate your home, they are fun to take and see how the results resemble how you define your decorating style.

Here are just a few decorating style quizzes that are minimal in the number of questions and fun to take. I took them all, and it was interesting to see how close they were to defining my actual style. And you were not required to give your email address or sign up for a subscription in either of these quizzes.

Apartment Therapy: Trust Your Taste: Our Ultimate Find-Your-Style Quiz

The seven questions in this simple quiz include photos of four different rooms labeled A, B, C, and D. Write down the letter of the image you like the best in each group of four. Then examine your responses to see which letter you have chosen the most times. Your suggested style is defined by the letter you chose the most.

The result of the Apartment Therapy quiz for me was warm industrial. From the photos available, I can see how that would be my result. However, some of my choices were more like the “best of the four options” than “I really loved this room”.

Design Society of America: Interior Design Style Quiz

There were six options from which to choose in each of the 12 questions. The first question asked which room created the feeling you would like your home to have. The following questions asked which you liked best among chairs, sofas, tables, flooring, lighting fixtures, patterns, art, rugs, mirrors, dining rooms, and kitchens.

I enjoyed taking this quiz, because the results offered more options to explore your design style. When your designed style is revealed, you are given a detailed description of the style, suggestions for magazines you might like, and suggestions for places to shop for your style.

I took this quiz twice, and made some different choices the second time, but I still liked each of the options I chose. Interestingly enough, my style turned out to be the same – Coastal Chic.

HGTV: Find Your Design Style + Toast Your Good Taste

This simple quiz showed you photos from which to choose your favorite in nine questions. Included were kitchens, living rooms, nightstands, gardens, house exteriors, bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and fireplaces. After revealing your design style, you could further explore design inspiration in your style.

I took the quiz twice and selected different photos the second time around. I liked the options I selected both times, but the results were more different than I expected. My first design style was traditional and the second time I took the quiz, my design style was contemporary. Interesting!

Pottery Barn Style Quiz: Find Your Style

The six questions in this simple quiz showed you six options from which to select your favorite among color, pattern, architectural style, dream vacation, material, and flowers.

I also took this quiz twice, because I liked more than one of the options shown.

I was surprised when my style was the same both times – Coastal!

After revealing your style, you are invited to “shop the look”. Naturally the shopping options were from Pottery Barn, which I love anyway!

Did you take any of the quizzes? How close were they in predicting your personal decorating style? Leave your comments about your experience and decorating style!

Ultimately, you should decorate your home in the style that makes you and your family feel comfortable and happy. When you do that, you’ve found your decorating style.

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3 Things to Watch Out for When Buying Healthy Snack Bars and 4 Recommended Snack Bars

by Vicki Peel | Mar 16, 2021 | Food | 0 comments

Did you know those healthy snack bars you’ve been consuming might not be very “healthy” at all?

It’s common to assume they’re healthier than traditional granola or cereal bars, making them a good, easy switch for some of your fatty or salty snacks. However, while health food snack bars may seem like a great idea, most are anything but healthy!

If you’re worried about getting a health bar that may be just as bad for you as other snack bars on the market, consider looking for warning signs. Here are a few to watch out for the next time you’re buying healthy snack bars.

Sodium

One of the first things to look for when you’re buying healthy snack bars is the sodium count.

Remember that high sodium intake can cause water retention. This in turn can lead to weight gain and bloating. If you’re eating a snack bar that is organic and healthy, the sodium count should not be that high.

If it seems very high to you, then it is likely sodium found in preservatives and not in the ingredients of the food itself.

Sugar

Sugar content can be very high in certain healthy snack bars. The problem with this is, most people don’t tend to look at the sugar content.

It’s worth keeping in mind, some sugars are natural and come from the fruit contained within the snack bar. So, if you have a fruit bar versus a nut bar, then you will likely see more sugars. The sugar should come from naturally sweet ingredients, not added sugars.

If you are buying a bar that is nut-based, as well as high in protein and oats, you’ll likely want to consider it a warning sign if there’s a very high amount of sugars.

Consider this – one can of cola contains approximately 40 grams of sugar. If you are staying away from sugary drinks because of the sugar content, and the snack bar that is supposed to be healthy contains around the same amount, it is probably not a good sign.

Flavorings

Flavorings are a dead giveaway that your healthy snack bar isn’t exactly healthy.

Ideally, it should have natural flavors and natural colors. When you see additives like artificial flavorings, it’s a warning sign that what’s in the bar is not necessarily as healthy as you might think.

Ideally, the best healthy snack bar is the one you make at home. You can control the ingredients, add only the things you want in the bars, as well as control the quantity. If you go down this route, remember to get everything as fresh as possible and be sure it’s not overly processed.

Real Simple recommends these four snack bars as being the most healthy and also taste good. I cannot attest to the taste because I haven’t tried all of them. Also, consider that these are snack bars, not meal replacement bars. Look at the size before you buy. Most are very small because they were designed to be a snack and therefore have fewer calories

Health Warrior Chia Bars actually have chia seeds as the first ingredient listed, which is a good sign. Chia seeds have proven health benefits and the bars also include plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. You can get them HERE.
KIND Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt are great if you like extra crunchy. I have tried these and love the flavors. They feature heart-healthy nuts and a small drizzle of chocolate. Click HERE to find these.
RXBar Coffee Chocolate is the next recommended snack bar. The extra sugar in these is naturally-occurring and comes mostly from the dates. These bars, except for ones with peanut butter are Whole30 compliant. You can find a variety pack HERE.
GoMacro Granola and Coconut bars are the final recommended healthy snack bar. Their plant-based ingredients are sourced from organic and non-GMO certified growers. Click HERE for these bars.

Of course, the healthiest snack bars are homemade. If you are interested in a few recipes for healthy snack bars, comment below and let me know. I have tried several that I think are good.

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