therunninggarlic.com

In past posts I have mentioned searching out and connecting with like minded people and groups.  I have been doing just that and have found a wonderful site to help me reach my goals.  Initially I joined the site SparkPeople to finally lose the nagging pounds that have creeped up over the past few years.  As I started tracking my daily eating habits and fitness routine, I realized what a truly remarkable site SparkPeople is.  It is loaded with resources, techniques, motivational tools, recipes - you name it, it's on the site.  I have been a member for one week and can't wait to log in every day.  It takes time to grasp all the information that is offered through the site but it is definitely something everyone should look into.  Take the time for yourself and check it out.  The Spark book hit the bookstores just the other day and I made sure to purchase a copy and I am so glad I did.  I just finished reading Chapter 2 and it talks about affirmations which I mention on the website page Motivate Me!.  I am a true believer in positive affirmations and goal setting.  Up to this point my goals have been somewhat vague and today I plan to sit down and write down what they actually are and move along with the reading in The Spark and use this as my guide in reaching my dreams.

I know that gardening, healthy living, fitness and sharing this with others are top priority.  Somehow they will all connect and evolve into the successful business I envision.  I feel I have found the core idea - Healthy Living through Gardening and it's not perfected yet but it is the beginning.  Taking small steps is a basic philosophy with The Spark and this has helped tremendously with my thinking process.  I feel the pressure has been lifted and I can succeed without overwhelming myself.  I joined the group to make myself accountable for losing the weight, but it will lead to much more than that.  It will guide me through the whole process of changing to a healthier happier lifestyle. 

In past years I had stopped making New Year resolutions simply because it seemed like just a formality and I never really took them seriously.  This year is different - I am excited and I am ready for all that lies ahead in the future!!

Hoping all your dreams and goals are within your focus and motivate you to become all you are possible of being!

Happy New Year!!!

Till next time,
the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

        

On a daily basis my mind is usually going in several different directions at once ... my thought process changes constantly and it can drive me crazy if I let it.  Right now I am having a major mind confusion trip since I recently acquired a new puppy who needs constant attention, the holidays are a few days off and I am still not finished with the shopping and I want to spend my time working on my business creations and writing on my blogs!  So how do I organize my daily routine so that by the end of the day I have a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment?

I have found the best approach for pulling all my thoughts and actions together is by making lists and charts.  Lists being my primary tool with charts used for more complicated thought processes.  You can create all sorts of lists and charts ... it is endless, but for now we want to develop a uniform system to carry us through each day.  The first step is to clear your space and mind.  Clutter all around will stall any progress you are trying to make.  Clear your desk and area of unfinished projects and lose all those piles of papers sitting for months.  Once your space is clear you can take a deep breath and focus on planning.

Plot out a plan for working  your business on the internet.  Use social networks and your most basic tool ... your blog.  Develop a business blog which will alert readers of your business activities - write about topics that are business related or product related.  Don't necessarily use your blog to outright sell but use it as an informational tool to show what benefits there are for the reading audience.  Exposure and repetition are key as well as being different and unique in developing your business image.  Create a list of websites that focus on your same business philosophy and visit them frequently.  Many have forums and message boards where you can become actively involved and link your comments to your own business blog offering your helpful information.

A calendar can be a useful tool with your list making attempts.  Purchase one large enough for jotting down your notes or print one out from the computer.  Take it month by month and start making lists.  Check off items as they are completed and feel content that you are moving along with your business planning.  The calendar is also useful for scheduling your blog posting schedule.  You want to work on your blog(s) on a consistent basis.  Yes, you can have more than one blog - each for a different topic of interest.  The key for maintaining a good blog is adding quality content to each so make sure you don't overdo too many blogs.  Start with one then add if needed.  Each blog can link to each other and entries from each can also be linked.  You want to spend time organizing your blog and the "Category" feature is a great help for this.  Decide on categories within your scope of interest and create a category.  Then you have specific subjects to write about keeping your blog organized and also allowing readers an easy method to search for the topics they are interested in reading about.

Charts also help connect my business ideas in a manner that allows me to pull it all together.  For example, using charts I can mark out all my ideas and interests and then use arrows to link them together - similar to a flow chart.  One idea leads to another; all with one major outcome ... my business focus.  Charts help visualize more clearly.  This chart visualization can be the outline you work with to develop key components for your business.  Charts can be created in many areas and revised as many times as needed.

Make sure when developing your business lists and charts that you include your positive sayings/affirmations so they are clearly in view as a guide and motivation tool to follow.  Posted on top of each list or calendar page .... 

           I will have a Successful Business that I Enjoy each and every day!!!

Till next time,
the girl @ The Running Garlic

        

A good question to ask as we build our business - "Where do I want to go?"  With the emphasis on the word I - not we or them, but I.  As I continue the process of building my business I am spending considerable time looking at what others are doing, taking note of how other businesses are set up and looking alot at "them".  While this is a necessary step in the planning stages and I would image all along the life of the business, it can drain your desire and enthusiasm.  This fact dawned on me this week as I corresponded a bit with a fellow tweeter.  She asked what one of the groups was that I had listed on my twitter account and I replied it was a social networking group which I had recently joined.  In turn the comment she made was that she had joined several different groups and they were "a lot of effort for little return".  WOW....this statement hit home with me!  I seem to be putting a lot of effort into groups or areas that weren't really an interest and I wasn't really getting involved in and therefore realizing very little return.  Go with what you enjoy and what you have a true passion for.

Here I was running all over the internet looking for groups to join (reminds me of trying to be a member of the in crowd) and I did find myself at times becoming frustrated simply because these groups weren't really what interested me; I just wanted to be part of the group and noticed!  So I have a list of groups that I signed up with as a member and some of them simply don't do anything for me.  I was losing focus here.  Am I building this business for everyone else or is it something I want to build (notice the emphasis on I there).  I believe it is time to take a breather and rethink what I aim to accomplish.  I seriously think this rethinking and refocusing will become a routine practice when building my business since I do find myself steering off course and need to remain on my path.  Maybe once a month I should post on my calendar a reminder note ....something like "Are you on track?" or maybe just the question "Where do I want to go?".  There has to be a part of building a business that brings excitement and drives you to get where you are going and it is so easy to get distracted.  Granted the holiday season can be a tough time and overwhelming with all that is going on ... so maybe a few days off to refresh now and then should be part of the business plan as well.  I know that when I take my walk/runs in the morning my mind is clear and I can head into the day fully charged up!

I have been spending considerable time working in the sewing studio and have almost completed the NINE embroidered pillows for nieces, nephews and friends along with the two embroidered stockings for my own teens AND my newly designed wall hanging which came out rather nice.  It has some of my affirmations (positive sayings) embroidered in hearts and will hang where I spend most of my time during the day as a reminder.  I may create and add these wall hangings to the store after the holiday frenzy!



With the new year right around the corner and resolutions ready to be drawn up, I think my #1 statement on that list should be ... "Where do I want to go?"  and my #1 affirmation .....

 I am Focused!

Till next time,

the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

 

        

Right now the #1 reason for me to Blog is Motivation.  I find myself searching for topics to blog about and will actually go out and do things just so I can blog about them.  Of course, these are things I am interested in like creating a craft project or planting certain seeds.  The point is that I am undertaking these actions so I can post them on my blog and share the experience with others.  Since I have started blogging I am taking alot more pictures than ever and I really enjoy it!  It seems to bring out some hidden creativity and let's me enjoy nature's beauty at the same time.  I have taken some really cool photos and would never had given thought to these magnificent critters, scenes and even people I come across with camera in hand if not for the internet and blogging.  All the photo sharing sites on the internet are encouraging and so easy to use - TwitPic is my most recent find and it lets you upload a picture and send it with comment straight to your Twitter account.  I also realized you can browse the Timeline and see other people's photos and comment on those as well.  All you need to log into TwitPic is your Twitter user name and password - same one.  I also have a Pro account over at Flickr which I have linked to my Social page on this website and there are features popping up all over where you can add the Flickr widget to your websites and blogs with a click of a few buttons.

Interacting with like-minded individuals is another big reason for creating a blog.  What you can learn from others is amazing!  We bought a country home a few years back and reading and following others who totally live the country life is gratifying and first hand knowledge.  We even took the plunge and now have chickens!!  This has been an enlightening experience and really quite fun! 



There are alot of neat ideas shared, instructions on "how to" actually do something yourself and inspiration written on blogs.  Inspiration is key with blog writing and sharing... if you can help others realize their own potential to do something the benefit is so worthwhile.  There are huge numbers of young adults on the internet in our current generation and this is their ultimate resource for anything and everything.  If they can connect with positive role models who can share knowledge in an atmosphere with no peer pressure, the results can be remarkable.  Families can connect through blog writing and businesses can share endless information of their products and companies.  I did create another blog for Running Garlic a few days ago and it will contain more random postings and focus on the craft projects and gardening fun I come across.  I also discovered NING a social networking site where you can create your own free social network.  At this point I will check out and join other groups and consider creating a network of my own in the future....this task will definitely take a considerable amount of time to create and one should really have a following of people already.

Two quick tips on the organizing side of things - I finally went out and purchased a Dry Erase Board.....Yay!!!!  I was dealing with tons of post it notes, notes written on napkins, little pieces of paper, etc. and it was getting messy.  I decided it was time for this much needed purchase.  Not only will I save paper but all my notes will be in one spot and I can and will carry the dry erase board along with me in the car for jotting down notes as I go.  Always write down those random thoughts you have since they just may well be developed into a worthwhile blog post to share.  Lastly, I found myself marking quite ALOT of websites and adding them to my favorites to come back and look at later.  Well, the computer was getting jammed with site after site so I decided to create a special folder - I call it  'check' and each day as I favorite websites I add them to this folder.  I give myself the rest of the day to go back and look at them and keep them if they contain something worthwhile - if not, the whole contents of the folder is eliminated and cleared for the next day of 'checking' sites.  This should eliminate some of the daily clutter I find myself creating!

Keep my space clear so I can think brilliant, creative thoughts .........

Till next time,
the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

        

I took the Big step and listed my first item on my store this week!!  As always when you do something for the first time you are apprehensive and I sure was, but all went well.  It was very, very easy and Coneflower seeds were listed in no time!  The tough part came when I had to add postage to the listing.  I browsed many listings at various sites trying to get a handle on this postage issue.  Some people list FREE (which is an excellent deal) but they either eat the cost of mailing the item or factor that into the item cost.  I decided to visit the post office and have them weigh the envelope with seeds in it.  Seeds should be mailed in a bubble mailer so they don't incur any damage and this, of course, costs a bit more.  The package will mail for $1.25 so that is my postage cost on this item.  Quite a few hits on the listing but no sales.  It could be because it's my first listing or folks are curious about Coneflower seeds.  I plan to create a "Gardening Tips" booklet or something of that nature to send along Free with all my seeds or garden items.

I continued my research on the postage since I knew this was an important issue and I want to charge the right amount.  Usually when I purchased items online or through a catalog I never really thought much about the shipping costs; I just realized it was part of the process and did try to make purchases wisely.  Amazon is great for offering free shipping if you purchase over $25 so I always make sure I do.  Now on the other end of the purchasing transaction I am looking at the shipping costs quite differently.  I wonder if that will be a deciding factor in the purchase or if it will be just looked at as a cost of buying online.  There were several websites I visited to compare the different mailing companies - Sidekick does a comparison for you after you plug in different variables.  The UPS shipping charges seemed high so I did some additional research on the USPS website - the US postal service.

What I initially settled on was using Priority Mail for my next 3 items I wanted to add to the store.  I figured the boxes were supplied by the post office free and the rate was one flat rate no matter what it weighed.  I stopped at the post office and grabbed a few boxes that I thought would fit my items.  Here I was ready to list but something was holding me back ....... I thought I better check these postage rates one more time and good thing I did.  The boxes I grabbed were not the "Small" box that mails for $4.95 flat rate - I had the medium size which mails for much more $10.95.  I realized this after looking a little more closely at the sizes and ran back to the post office for the "Small" sized box.  It IS Small alright.  My three oven mitts were a very snug fit - they will make it this way, but I wasn't quite satisfied.  Racking my brain trying to recall all the hundreds of items I have received in the mail and how they came was not going to work - my mind drew a blank.

I decided another trip to the post office was in order so I headed there this morning.  I packaged up only 2 of the mitts in a manila envelope (all I had here at the time) and stopped by for a weigh in............. Only $1.79 !!!    Now we're talkin'!!  I asked how this is calculated and was told by weight so if I used a bigger envelope the amount would be the same.  So figuring the cost of the envelope and the fact that the set I was selling had an additional piece to it, I changed my $4.95 priority mail shipping cost to $3.00 on the listing and I feel Much Better!  Once I actually sell and mail these items I will know exactly the amount to charge and may have to adjust that again.  So package up your items and visit the post office for the real cost of shipping your items - it may take a couple trys but you will rest better knowing the amount is reasonable and is a part of doing business.

Till next time,
the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

        

                                             Seeds!

I have added a bit more content to my Motivate Me! page on the website and then I sat down and thought --- ok, what really motivates me?  From my last blog post it's obvious I let stress overcome my whole life and I lost focus of the fun in life and the purpose of what I am trying to accomplish.  I tend to get caught up in detail and overwhelm myself with what I need to accomplish.  If everything doesn't fall nicely into place as I predict it should - well, I freak out.

So I ask myself seriously - What motivates me?  There is not just one thing that motivates or excites me but many.  Right now I am quickly writing this up so I can move on to my next project and that is = Seeds!  I have 4 seed catalogs in front of me and several plastic storage boxes full of the seeds I have saved this season.  I am very excited to start browsing the catalogs looking for the flower seeds I wish to plant.  Flowers that dry well, craft well and can be added to my store.  My preliminary list includes statice, strawflower, globe amaranth, broomcorn, wheat, anise hyssop, millet and that's just the beginning!  One of the catalogs is from Seed Savers Exchange and I mention them on my Grow a Garden page and I am considering becoming a member of this worthwhile organization.  These folks are motivated and I share their enthusiasm.  Make sure to check out their website and order a seed catalog for yourself this year!

Now I am off to surround myself with happy seeds and I think I just may add some extra coneflower seeds I have to my new store.  I need to learn how to set up the store and what better than seeds to start me off!  Seeds motivate me!  What motivates you?!?!



  Echinacea purple (Coneflower)

Till next time,
the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

        

During this past holiday week I learned a very valuable lesson.  The week started out bringing home one child from college (a long car drive) and dining out with family all in the same day.  Reading through mountains of mail and catching up with the daily rountine after a 10 day absence took a few days which lead right into the holiday - Thanksgiving!  Did I relax and enjoy myself ... No.  All I could think about was my business which I "need" to build - one of the traits that I have is to become all consumed with whatever I am doing at the time.  An admirable trait but one that can lead to missing out on some of life's happy times.  So after the Thanksgiving festivities I rush home to continue plugging away on the sewing machine trying to create works of wonder that I can sell in my store.  I had previously decided that January 1st was the target date for finding a store online and going live - so I have a little over a month to produce the items I had in mind.  Items that are motivational and functional.  I already had hours of thought into the items and I realize that with all new skills (brushing up on my sewing) it takes continued practice.  I was successful in producing two sets of what I intended to sell while I was away brainstorming and decided I needed to create tons more since I am sure the orders will come flowing in.  Once again I sat with paper, pen and calculator and came up with figures I would need for the store opening.  All seemed doable and there was plenty of time I thought.

Catching up with all my emails and tweets and researching more on this online store brought about a major decision change - one I was not prepared for, but charged ahead with full force.  Two of the companies I was considering were offering special deals on a store if purchased within a certain timeframe.   I tossed back and forth which one to sign up with - all the pros and cons and since there were only a limited amount of stores being offered with one company I had to make a decision!   The day after Thanksgiving I signed up with Zibbet and now have my online store!  The pressure was real - 100 stores were offered; when I made my decision there were only 9 left.  A lifetime purchase of $100 - no more cash outlay.  I knew if I let this deal go I would be sorry.  I have noticed that many people can and do purchase stores from several companies at once - most offer a free limited plan where you can test out the ropes.  I do have the capability to add my own store through my website which offers several plans.  The reason I decided to hold off on this was the second plan that offers a Merchant account.  This is clearly something I don't understand and if I plan to list more than 20 items I need this which also allows me credit card services and an account with Quickbooks ... Ok, too much to try to absorb at this point especially when I NEED to get some products to list in my store!!  There are different advantages to hosting with a "community type" store (my own definition) as opposed to my own exclusive store.  At this point, I need to basically learn how to sell my products online, market myself and even how to mail the items.  Those with ebay experience have this basic knowledge, but I have clicked on ebay maybe once or twice in my lifetime ... Something more I need to research!

So back to my stress lesson and level ... very high at this point, since I now have my store and not sure what I will put in it!  First, I need to jump in the car and drive all those many hours to bring my child back to college.  I load up my sewing machine and all my ideas knowing that I plan to come home with a car load of merchandise to sell.  I plan to stay over down south near the college for a few days and create.

Glitch #1 - when we arrive at the college we find that the dorm rooms are not open and will not open for another 2 1/2 hours ... now with my all consuming, jump right in and create attitude I am beyond myself.  I have to SIT here for 2 1/2 hours and do nothing???  I let the frustration build up and at some point I could barely even think ... how could the college be so uncaring and besides that not even let us know!  Apparently an email was sent out on dorm reopening which happened to miss my mailbox and of course my child didn't see this either.  So there we sat ...

Glitch #2 - the return trip home was slowwwww - every holiday traveler in the world was driving either in front of me, next to me or far ahead holding up my journey.  I crept home and needless to say the frustration continued to build.

When I arrived at my destination, I immediately jumped on the sewing machine and started to create my designs ... a huge mistake!  I was not in the right frame of mind by any means to whip out design after design of motivational and fun projects.  I ended up using my seam ripper more than ever and by the end of the evening I just sat there - almost driven to tears ... I decided it was time for bed.

This next morning I decided to sit down and reflect on my past week and accomplishments.  I did manage to bring a child back and forth safely, visit with family, research more options online and purchase my store....But, did I enjoy myself?        

I let stress win this one. 

From now on, I need to let it be, live in the moment and enjoy everyone and everything around me at the present time.  Sometimes when we try hard to accomplish something, we end up accomplishing nothing ... except maybe learning a very important lesson.

Till next time,

the girl @TheRunningGarlic

        

Is a food dehydrator worth buying?  Yes!!  One of the best decisions and purchases I ever made was buying my food dehydrator.  The main reason I bought my first dehydrator (stacking version) many many years ago was to make beef jerky - the cost of jerky at the grocery stores was and still is outrageous!  Making my own was easy and it never lasts more than 1 or 2 days in the household.  I buy a round steak (the cheapest cut), slice it up into pieces, add terikayi marimade and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator and then add it to the dehydrator the next day.

Now all my extra garden harvest that is over my limit (after the family has their fill, the neighbors have seen enough and I have canned all I need for the winter months and gift giving) I dehydrate.  Tomatoes are excellent dried - my version of sundried tomatoes!

   Tomatoes loaded and ready to dry   Dried chives, beef JERKY, blueberries and mushrooms

Herbs, vegetables, fruits and even flowers can all successfully be dried in the dehydrator.   I have taken some produce a step further and after drying in the dehydrator have used a coffee grinder to make them into powder - hot peppers, garlic and even celery.  Here's a look at the garlic powder I recently made.                    

Now on my second dehydrator - an Excalibur - I waste very little food.  Bananas used to get dark, grapes would start to shrivel, mushrooms would get slimy and I would end up tossing all in the compost bin.  Then I realized the Excalibur was an excellent means to save these foods for later - either for snacking or for cooking.  Having the machine on the countertop helps tremendously as a daily reminder!  I also take advantage of the clearance rack at the grocery store and stock up the dehydrator; strawberries on sale, pineapple, melons, grapes .... the list is endless.  The dehydrator has more than paid for itself.  I have come a long way since those early days with my first dehydrator.
       Pineapple, strawberries
    Blueberries, grapes

I have added the Excalibur to My Picks on the Craft page of the website along with some good books on the subject.  I do own Mary Bell's book Complete Dehydrator Cookbook and you will definitely find tons of great ideas and recipes there!  Ask for a dehydrator for Christmas!!


Till next time,
the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

        

The holidays are right around the corner and as we make our own wish lists of gifts we hope to receive, we also make a list of gifts to give.  Homemade gifts are something special and even the littliest child grows accustomed to creating a work of art given to Mom and Dad from the heart.  Your time and thoughtfulness are part of the gift and carry special meaning to be cherished by the recipient for months or years to come.  A gift tag attached "Handmade by You" can be stenciled, painted or written up with colored markers.

Gifts of Food are easy to make and loved by all!  A batch of cookies, fudge, chocolate covered almonds or pretzels are gobbled up in no time or saved as goodies to savor and enjoy over time.  Canned tomatoes, pickles, or salsa from the garden are also treasured gifts and can be bundled in a basket with recipes attached.

                                                                              

You can purchase produce at your local farmer's market or grocery store when items are in season and bake or can for future gift giving.  Apples are a great example for making pies, breads and canned goods.

                                                                                                                   

Garlic oils and vinegars make a great gift for the cook on your list!  For Basic Garlic Oil you will need 1 head of garlic and about 3 cups olive oil.  Separate the garlic cloves from the head and peel.  Place in a container and fill with oil - cover.  Let stand overnight, remove the cloves, fill your decorative jars and store in the refrigerator.  For Garlic Vinegar you will need 1 head garlic and 4 cups white wine vinegar.  Separate the cloves once again and peel.  Heat the vinegar to a boil, pour over the garlic and let cool.  Pour into your decorative jars keeping a few of the cloves in the vinegar.  Store in the refrigerator until gift giving.
                                                                                                                              

Have some Fun and make your own Great Gifts!

Till next time,
the girl @ TheRunningGarlic

        

Setting realistic goals is very important when planning your business, your life and even your day!  Start each day planning small goals and keep in mind that these small goals will ultimately lead to a bigger goal; be it a successful business or a larger home.  Plan to accomplish several tasks each day that give you satisfaction toward achieving that final goal.  You can have many final goals not just one!

One of my goals is a successful business involving the things I love to do - gardening, crafting, staying motivated and healthy.  I also enjoy sharing what I learn with others.  I can share my gardening experiences with others and also develop some products from my gardening efforts that can be sold.  Garlic is in the ground as I write this and I should have quite a harvest next summer to sell.  I am looking at selling online and garlic will travel well.  Another product line I have had good success with is dried flowers.  I have been growing different types trying to determine what grows well in my area.  An idea I have is to grow products and show others  how they can create with them; wreaths or simple arrangements.  There are numerous websites that exist where you can sell your products whether it be craft items or homegrown produce....Ebay, Etsy, Artfire, Local Harvest and Foodzie to name a few.  The company I have my website hosted with may be my best option since it all looks to flow together.  I need to research setting up a store - what it costs, how it works, results.

I am a firm believer in positive thinking and motivation as key to my success.  I mention Affirmations on my website and I am truly convinced that filling my mind with positive thoughts and affirming several times a day what I want to accomplish is the answer to my successful business.  I plan to use this technique and also encourage others by using my sewing skills to produce products that are useful, as well as, helpful in this way.  I will be brushing up on my sewing skills with my newly purchased sewing machine.  This is a smaller goal leading to my bigger goal and if I am not able to work on this daily I have to make sure to set aside several days a week for this.  If I need to wake up an hour earlier each day then so be it.

My efforts need to be consistent and I will set up a time line where I plan to have certain tasks complete.  Sitting down with calendar in hand, I can mark down the days or weeks I plan to have something done.  Financial goals are a major consideration and I will have to devote considerable time to this....what do I plan to sell my products for, how many do I need to hit $1000 in sales or even $10,000 and when do I plan to accomplish this?  Giving the products I produce as gifts is a great way to gather honest feedback and reactions.  I will continue to search all resources such as books, magazines, on line websites and even the local stores for ideas and find the best tools to use and raw material at the best price possible.  Setting up separate work areas will help me stay focused on the task at hand.  This time of year is ideal for planning and brushing up on skills since once spring arrives, I will be spending a majority of time outside gardening .....

                                                                                                            (to be continued)
Till next time,
The girl @ The Running Garlic