The first day of Spring is just about here (yeah!). Although you wouldn’t know it. It’s bitterly cold outside today here in New York. We’re also expecting 1″ – 3″ or 3″ – 6″ of snow later on today (on the map we live right on the border of both amounts – I’m hoping for 1″!). Right now my thoughts are on digging out the gloves and hats and not green grass and flowers. LOL!
I can’t believe we changed the clocks already. Although it is nice to have a little extra daylight each day.
As a busy mom I always appreciate some easy tips to help make the most out of every day. After all, with more sunlight each day I want to make sure I accomplish as much as I can before night falls.
I have some great tips to share with my readers. Balance Bar has paired with Laurel House, The Quickie Chick, to offer some actionable and easy ways to “do it all” this spring while still maintaining life balance. I love these tips! There are some things here I didn’t know about such as Rye Bread has health benefits as does onions. My husband has been eating Onion Rye Bread for a few weeks now. I’ll have to let him know that his new choice of bread is actually a wise choice.
Check out some more great tips from Laurel House.
On March 10, Americans set their clocks forward and gained an extra hour of daylight. With Spring right around the corner comes the opportunity to do even more with already jam-packed days. Before you stress out, take the time to read how you can make that extra daylight really count with these tips for balance from lifestyle expert, Laurel House, The Quickie Chick.
Do THIS First
You don’t want that extra sunlight to cause your entire day to be in a daze. Counteract the fact that the average person loses 40 minutes of sleep the first night of daylight savings time by eating energizing foods that will help keep your mind sharp and your mood lifted. A few to try and why.
- Rye Bread – Filled with iron and lots of nutrients, rye bread helps to deliver fresh oxygen to brain cells, keeping you alert and energized
- Avocado – The monounsaturated fat in this healthy food helps to keep healthy oxygen flowing
- Onions – Sulfur found in onions can increase blood flow and circulation, both essential for energy
- Apple with a smear of peanut butter –This energizing combo of fiber-rich carbohydrates and protein takes longer to digest than eating carbs alone, therefore maintaining elevated energy longer
Be Selfish
Your life called and asked for its balance back. Don’t feel bad about leaving the office when it’s still light. That doesn’t mean you’re leaving early. Take advantage of the extra hour of daylight by taking care of yourself. Use it as a transition time to decompress, shed the work stress and enter into the second phase of your day. Finally take that yoga class that you’ve always wanted to try, take a walk to find the best view of the sunset, or stop on your way home at the flower garden that you always pass and smell the roses.
Be Selfless
After work, go to your local animal shelter and take a couple of dogs for a walk. Or volunteer somewhere in your area. You’ll offer help to those who need it, and brighten your evening, too.
For Your Relationship
Cut off the work energy, drop the residual stress of the day, and reset the stage for romance. It doesn’t take much time or energy to put some effort into your relationship, but it’s often those little things that make the biggest long-term difference. Here are a few ways to fill that extra hour with love:
- Take a walk together before dinner
- Reservations are easy – Make dinnerinstead. Even if you don’t know how. In fact, even better if you don’t know how. You are trying. You are taking time. You are putting some effort in.
- Bought bouquets are nice but just a simple flower is just as sweet, especially if you were driving or walking down the street, spotted one, and it made you spontaneously think of a loved one.
- Stop at a card shop and buy a dozen little cards. Then, once a week, hide a simple “I love you” note in a closed laptop, a coat pocket, a travel bag – somewhere you know it will be spotted.
For Your Friendship
A Walk and Talk Happy Hour! Stop debating between working out or having girl time. Do both! Instead of meeting up at the bar, spending too much on mixed drinks and straining your voice as you scream to speak, take advantage of the extra daylight and make plans to meet up for a walk and talk! It’s one of the best ways to catch up, gossip, dig deep into issues that you need advice on, and simultaneously get in a workout! A few ways to do it:
- Meet up on a certain corner at a specific time and take off from there.
- Pick a house – yours or theirs, as the meeting spot, then walk from the house.
- Choose a favorite hiking trail, beach walk or scenic local spot and start from there.
- If you live close to each other, decide to leave your houses at the exact same time and meet somewhere in the middle, then walk a new route together.
- Make the hour even happier by bringing along a Dark Chocolate Crunch Balance Bar. It will sustain you through your walk and you’ll feel like you’re eating dessert first (without the calorie-dense guilt).
These are some great tips! Personally I do the little hidden “I love you” not frequently for my hubby. I even draw hearts in lipstick on the bathroom mirror or hide his favorite candy bar in his car for him to find. ♥
I also like the tip about volunteering at a local animal shelter and taking the dogs for a walk (or playing with the cats). I wish more people would offer an hour or two of their time each month to help out (even better if you can spare more hours).
I wish my friends lived closer because I would LOVE to do the Walk and Talk Happy Hour. It would be fun to do that at least once a week just to enjoy each other’s company, catch up on the week’s events and even just to vent about whatever is bothering you that week. Not only is walking healthy for you but so is spending quality time with friends and releasing some stress.
Do YOU have some great tips you’d like to share about how to get the most out of your time with yourself, your significant other or with others? Share your tips with me and you can win a nice assortment of Balance Bars including;
- Chocolate Mint Cookie Crunch
- S’mores
- Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter
- Yogurt Honey Peanut
- Dark Chocolate Crunch
If you are unfamiliar with Balance Bars here is a little information about these mouth-water bars.
Founded in 1992, Balance Bar, one of America’s original nutrition/energy bars, inspires consumers to lead active, well-rounded and balanced lives by providing great-tasting, healthy and convenient nutrition for lasting energy. Balance Bars come in six unique product lines (Original, Gold, BARE, Café, nimble and CarbWell) and are available in 22 flavors with all based on a 40/30/30 nutritional model (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein and 30% from dietary fat).
I LOVE the Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Balance Bars (those are my favorites). The S’mores are ooey gooey too, just the way I like my S’more. Of course the other flavors are mouth-watering and delicious too. 🙂
If you would like to learn more about Balance Bars please visit Balance.com. You can also check out the brand on both Facebook & Twitter.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on March 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to respond or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter, as stated above, shared your tips on how to get the most out of your time with yourself, your significant other or with others?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.
Deirdre says
Scheduling and writing to-do lists are necessary. Plus, we stick with routines so that the kids know what to expect each day of the week. Thanks for the chance to win.
nancy reid says
I make the most out of my time with family by insisting on sharing time which is totally unplugged and tuned in to each other! Last night I played two games of face to face scrabble instead of Words with Friends! LOL
Julie Cutshaw says
I really like all task written down and especially meal playing so i know in advance what to shop for, when and what to fix. Saves time to use else where
sewitupjulie@gmail.com
Michelle H. says
I think I get most of out the time I spend with others when I take the time to really listen to them.
Claire says
I’m part of the to-do list crowd, too!
georgine langlois says
I think it is most essential to be active as often as possible-whether it is walking the dog or taking a zumba class
alicia campos says
I get the most out of girl time by meeting up at least once weekly for a hike.
Margaret Smith says
I try to do a bit each day, to have weekends free for my husband, kids and myself to have some extra time to do the things we want to do.
Catie says
My fiance and I agree to not talk about work at the dinner table!
brian says
remember to enjoy life and one day you’re not gonna look back and say “I wish I would of worked more.”
dawn k says
You have to make time to have time. Make it a priority!
Stephanie Chin says
To be time savory, a schedule is always helpful. I also try to stay ahead of my work so that my schedule is more open to unplanned spontaneous fun events.
Ttrockwood says
I have thursday night set aside as the night i go out with friends and every week i meet a different friend or group for drinks or dinner to catch up
Michelle C says
I make a point to spend time with each of my children separately. Thanks for the chance to win!
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
Donna George says
It is important that you are in the moment. If you are at your child’s play, really pay attention, don’t just look like it. Live for the moments with your kids and family.
Jacob LaFountaine says
Multitask on the computer. Check emails while you listen to music or watch tv or have a snack
Kate F. says
I multi-task and keep a schedule.
Jackie says
We make the most of our time by having dinner together as a family every night.
debbie says
I make sure the time I spend with them, I am not distracted by other things.
Vicki Wurgler says
every day my husband and I go to our local school and use their walking track and discuss our day-the good and the bad
Kristie says
Our family makes sure to have meals together in order to talk about our day and enjoy each other’s company.
kristen m says
I get the most of my “me” time by not making that chore time! If you’ve got some time by yourself don’t use it to load the dishwasher!
Cynthia C says
Good planning and scheduling really helps
D SCHMIDT says
I get the most of my time with my family by preparing in advance to save time, for example I prepare lunches/bags the night before a trip
Susan Broughton says
Remember to cherish your time together and make a to do list
kelly nicholson says
first you have to find time…think ill read some of these and find out myself
Danielle D says
Making a plan and sticking to it!
M.Clark says
I have a schedule that I stick to and try to stay on task
Linda Lansford says
I work out daily and spend lots of time with my hubby
Tari Lawson says
I put electronics aside and focus on enjoying what I am doing and who I am with.
Nori S says
I try to combine activities. For instance, I’ll get my exercise by going on a hike with my family. Or I’ll make cooking dinner a family activity.
clarissa says
i make sure we get a lot of family time together by eating every meal of the day together (my children are home schooled and my husband works from home)
Stephanie Larison says
We have to schedule special things or us time. Even if it’s something small, still needs to be done.
Sarah S says
If I feel rushed, I force myself to close my eyes and take a deep breath. It’s a kind of reset button that allows me to focus on the present and not stress about doing everything all the time.
Louis says
have special nights with my family with no computer, no phones…
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
kelly g says
I changed shifts
Marti Parks says
To get the most out of my time I make lists. If I stick to the tasks on the list it seems to help me do a lot more in a timely manner.
Karen R says
Have dinner as a family and discuss the activities that are coming up in the week ahead.
Jennifer Short says
All electronics need to be put away!
nicole krutz says
after the kids and daddy are asleep, i get quiet computer/tv time to myself, i need the down time to be able to relax enough to go to sleep!
Jennifer T. says
Meal planning helps to cut down on all the decision making back and forth. And, I try to make lists to cut down on errand running.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Marseira Noiloel says
I lock my bedroom door to get the most out of my nap time.
Mary Calabrese says
My husband and I talk without distractions each day after work.
Becca says
I try really hard to exercise daily – either by walking, doing Couch 2 5k, going to the gym or going to yoga class.
Gianna says
Get the kids to bed first and then have a couples movie night together.
Janna Johnson says
being flexible and not overly scheduled
Thanks! Janna JOhnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on gfc
Lle Schreiber says
You just have to take the time for yourself – but when you do it, don’t stress about what else you need to be doing. It’s not productive and it prevents you from really being able to enjoy your downtime!
David Haug says
I schedule my day to meet my priorities and also allow for the unexpected to not mess things up too much. Some days my priorities will change a little, but I will still have my core of work, friends, exercise, and my dog.
Nancy says
I have gotten good at saying no so that I do not over commit. Then when I make plans to spend time with someone, I am available to thoroughly enjoy them and our time together.
Cody Anderson says
I get the most out of the time with my kids and my husband my making to-do lists.
sandy weinstein says
since i am by myself except for my 3 4 legged girls, i just have to make the time for them, since they are the most important things in my life. i try to give each one some attention everyday….i just make the time even if something else has to suffer. i make a schedule at the beginning of the wk of everything i need to have done…of course, i dont always follow my schedule….
ky2here says
i THINK the best way to utilize time wisely is to listen to the other person(s) and make sure everyone understands.
Cori Westphal says
I like to stay up late at night. That’s ME time! The later I stay up, the quieter the house is, and the more I can get done…or do nothing at all!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Amanda Kinder says
I make sure I put away any electronics so I can just focus on my family for that moment.
Karen says
I make the most of my time with family and friends by really talking and listening to them.
Suzanna Pickering says
i make a list to keep everything on track sometimes it works sometimes not
Sharold says
we try to schedule a date night
katfam says
I try to combine. For example today I want to swim laps to get some exercise, so I’m going to take my kids with me, so that they can play.
Katie K says
force unplugged time for the family
Kim Reid says
Our family starts the day with a family breakfast together and talk about the events of the day, thanks!
Kim Rush says
Put down all electronic devises and really listen to each other
Virginia Rowell says
My husband and I make sure we take a walk together every day.
Ed Nemmers says
We bike and hike together!
amberlyn johnson says
turn off cell when spending q time. no distractions
Laura P. says
We always sit down and eat dinner together.
Brittney House says
When my husband and I spend time together we make sure to leave the phones and any other distractions away from us/
Kimberly Hilbert says
I get the most out of my time together with my family by not having any computers or phones on during dinner.
Melanie Montgomery says
I try to multitask
Misses Giveaways says
turn off your cell phone!!
Angela W says
I make a point to spend time with each of my children separately.
Lucy Schwartz says
To get the most out of gatherings, I try to plan ahead and keep it simple.
judy gardner says
i get up an hour earlier than i need to so i can have some time to myself to read, take a long bath or sip a cup of coffee while reading the paper
Jennifer Reed says
I have to schedule time with my husband sometimes unfortunately because we are busy parents but at least we do get to spend time together.
Elaine says
Take time and prepare to have dinner all together round a table, no TV, just chatting
Lisa says
I make sure to spend the weekends doing things with people. Household chores can be during the weekdays after work.
Susan Climan says
I try to make a plan so I can accomplish the most in the time I have.
Diana Stanhope says
We have found a mutual hobby that we are both passionate about which is a rare blessing.
Brenda Elsner says
I use a chore list for everyone so that everyone helps around the house, then we have some family time when we are all done!!
Shirley Zolenski says
I just have to schedule everything. It seems to work out pretty well
Kari Flores says
When spending time with my husband, I give him 100% of my attention. I do not multitask and I actively participate in the conversation.
Katherine Donovan says
We make sure to have dinner together every night with the family. It is time to relax and catch up with each other
cassandra (rab pom) says
We usually always eat together as a family. When we all have free time I like to plan the day that way there is always something fun to do that we can really enjoy 🙂
Carolyn Daley says
Sometimes if we help each other with the task at hand we can get things done faster in order to have more time to spend together.
kay p says
I get on the PC and close out all the distractions. It’s my own little world.