What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance?

Small business owners have several ways to protect their financial position from loss, some of which are better understood than others. Insurance coverage, often in the form of liability insurance, and surety bonds are two of the most common types of protection small businesses may implement. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences that make them stand apart from one another. This brief guide provides insight into how surety bonds work, how that differs from insurance coverage, and when either is needed to safeguard a business and its customers.

The Ins and Outs of Surety Bonds

Being bonded and insured is not the same thing. Surety bonds – the first part of that phrase – provide protection to the customers and clients of businesses owners, licensed contractors, and other professionals. Bonds are provided by surety agencies as a way to reduce financial losses or damages incurred by the bondholder's customer should the contract agreed upon not be completed. In some cases, surety bonds are required as part of the licensing process. However, regardless of the type of surety bond in place, each agreement works similarly for the surety agency, the bondholder, and the customer.

When a contractor or business acquires a surety bond, there are three parties involved in the transaction. First, the surety agency that provides the bond evaluates the business owner or contractor to determine if a bond can be put in place. If so, the individual requesting the bond receives a certificate of bonding after paying for the coverage. The third party is the job owner, or the customer, that requires a bond to be in play for a new project to begin. For instance, a construction contractor may have the job site owner as the third party, as that individual or company is at risk if the contractor does not perform as agreed.

When a claim is made against the bond because work is not done in-line with regulations or is not completed per the original agreement, the surety agency pays legitimate claims on behalf of the bondholder. In this sense, a surety bond is like insurance. However, the bondholder is then required to repay the claim amount back to the surety agency.   

Breaking Down Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for a business or an individual contractor differs from surety bonds in several ways. First, business insurance is offered by an insurance company or agency, not a surety agency, and it is not always a requirement for licensing as a professional. Insurance coverage works to protect the business owner or contractor from financial losses. These losses may be the result of damage to the business or inventory, employee theft or other theft, fire, flood, or liability issues that arise with a customer or worker. There are only two parties involved in insurance: the insured and the insurer.

When a claim is made against an insurance policy, the insurance company pays out a benefit up to the limits of the policy for damages incurred, directly to the business or the contractor. This helps protect the individual or entity from financial ruin for circumstances beyond their control. There is no obligation to repay insurance benefits received, which differs from surety bonds for contractors.

Other Notable Differences

In addition to the organizations that offer surety bonds and insurance, and the fundamental ways each type of instrument works, there are other subtle differences between surety bonds and insurance coverage. First, surety bond pricing is based on the financial history and claims track record of the business or contractor. Because surety bond claims are paid by the surety agency and then repaid by the bondholder, individuals with surety bonds are extended a form of credit when getting a new bond. For this reason, surety agencies look closely at the financials of the individual and the business, including credit history and score. The cost of a surety bond is calculated as a percentage of the total bond amount put in place.

Insurance, on the other hand, is priced based on other risk factors. For instance, if a business owner has faced liability issues in the past where an insurance claim was paid, the cost of new insurance coverage may be high. However, most insurance companies do not review credit history or score when determining if a new policy can be issued. They focus more on the risks of the business, based on the type of insurance policy the individual is trying to secure. The cost of insurance is a monthly or annual premium that is paid based on these factors, not a percentage of the insurance policy taken out.

Both surety bonds and insurance coverage are valuable protection strategies for businesses and contractors. However, there are differences bondholders and insured individuals should be aware of before selecting the type of coverage necessary. Understanding these differences is beneficial in protecting your business, your customers, or both.

Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.

L

The post What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance? appeared first on The Blogging Painters.

Tutorials & Tips Link Party 378

Happy New Year friends and welcome to the first Tutorials & Tips Link Party of 2019! If you're new here, a special welcome to you! The Tutorials & Tips Link Party is a place for bloggers in our niche to link up their best tutorials, tips, crafts, room reveals, furniture makeovers, recipes, etc. Each week, […]

Glowing Christmas Lights Night Tour

There's nothing more magical then twinkling Christmas lights and this marks the fourth year of sharing my glowing Christmas lights night tour that positively sparkles. Cozy up by my roaring fire and enter this magical winter wonderland. Don't miss the end of this post where I link to 20 other bloggers who are sharing their […]

The post Glowing Christmas Lights Night Tour appeared first on Kelly Elko.

Why Should You Consider Finishing Your Basement?

The basement is often one of the most underutilised spaces and most homeowners simply use them as large laundry rooms. Instead of letting the basement collect moisture and lint, you should think about basement finishing.

Affordable Solution for Adding More Usable Space

Denver basement finishing provides a cost-effective way to add more space to your home. Compared to the cost of an addition, basement finishing is relatively affordable and requires less structural work. In many cases, these projects can be completed quickly and efficiently, providing minimal disruption to your normal routine.

Basement Finishing May Increase Your Property Value

Finishing your basement adds an extra room, helping to boost the overall value of your home. Whether you use the finished space for a bedroom, office, or living room, the new room may count as another bedroom for property valuations and assessments.

Along with increasing the property value, basement finishing often provides a greater return on investment compared to other renovation projects. In fact, for every $1000 that you put into the project, you may increase the value of your home by up to $700.

Accommodate Your Growing Family with an Extra Room

With basement finishing in Denver, you may not need to move when the size of your family grows. You can add an extra room in the basement, ensuring that you have the space you need.

If you want to add more space to your home, consider the advantages of basement finishing in Denver, CO. It is affordable, is efficient, and may boost the value of your property.

The basement does not need to be a dark, damp place. With a finished basement, you can gain an extra bedroom, bathroom, home gym, or storage space.

How to Stick to Your New Year's Cleaning Resolutions

2019 is here and the annual tradition of setting New Year's Resolutions and vowing to break bad habits has begun!

The new year is the perfect time to start afresh and set yourself a few personal goals. This year, why not try setting some resolutions for your home too? From monthly decluttering, to cleaning the fridge once a week, these can be a great way to improve your family's wellbeing and the general cleanliness of your home.

Once you have decided on your resolutions, the hard part is sticking to them! By late February, many of us begin to lose motivation.

Make this year different – we have gathered six tips that are sure to make your New Year's cleaning resolutions a success!

 

 

1. Keep it simple

It is easy to get carried away when making resolutions, especially when filled with the optimism and determination of the new year. In reality, establishing new cleaning habits will take time and willpower. So, the best approach is to settle for a few, simple resolutions. This will allow you to focus your efforts and will make sticking to your goals more achievable.  Check out our post on New Year's Resolutions to Improve Your House's Well-Being for some ideas!

 

2. Make a plan, not a wish

Once you have decided on your resolutions, the key is to make them specific. For instance, instead of declaring, 'this year I will keep the fridge organised', it is much more effective to decide, 'this year I will organise the fridge once a week'. Break your goals down into smaller steps and create a plan detailing which day each task will be completed and how often. By creating resolutions that are clear, measurable and scheduled, monitoring your progress will become much easier.

 

3. Share it with the family

Sharing your cleaning resolutions with everyone in the house will help to drive your motivation and deter you from giving up. Better yet, getting the children involved will be a great way of sharing the work load and making sure the housekeeping resolutions are kept throughout the year.

 

4. Write it down

Make your cleaning resolutions concrete by writing them down. Creating a checklist or a journal can be a great way of tracking your progress. Try placing notes around the house, such as on the noticeboard or fridge, as this will help to remind everyone what should be cleaned and when. A written checklist will keep your motivation alive and ensure your resolutions do not fade into the background after the initial enthusiasm of January!

 

5. Reward Yourself

When making your New Year's resolution plan, don't forget to include rewards! Rewarding yourself and your family with a treat, after each successful month of sticking to your cleaning goals, will give you all a sense of achievement and will help to maintain your motivation.

 

6. Don't give up!

Slip-ups are the most common reason why people give up on their New Year's resolutions. However, it is important to remember that slip-ups and set backs are inevitable. If you forget to clean the fridge or pass on your weekly declutter, don't view it as a failure or an excuse to give up altogether. Instead, treat every slip-up as a temporary set – back and resolve to get back on track!

 

Happy New Year and Good Luck!

 

 

 

Why You Should Start Adding Sinking Funds To Your Financial Plan

Why You Should Start Adding Sinking Funds To Your Financial Plan is a post originally published on: Everything Finance - Everything Finance - Its all about Money!

Your washer breaks down and you need a new one. Or in my case, the furnace is near the end of it's life and you need to replace it soon. A brand new furnace can run anywhere from $600 to $2,000.

How would you handle the extra but necessary expense? Instead of using a credit card or borrowing money from others, you can establish sinking funds to help cover the costs.

What Are Sinking Funds?

A sinking fund is a fund formed by periodically setting aside money for the gradual repayment of a debt or replacing of a wasting asset. In other words, you can have one of more sinking funds. Each one represents a savings bucket for a specific planned expense.

Many people confuse sinking funds with emergency funds or believe you only need to have one emergency savings account. Here are a few reasons why you should abandon that thinking and start adding sinking funds to your financial plan.

It's Not the Same as an Emergency Fund

Having a sinking fund is not the same as having an emergency fund. If you're using both accounts interchangeably, you're doing it wrong. An emergency fund can provide financial relief in the event of an unexpected event or emergency.

Let's say you have a medical emergency and can't return to work for a few days. Or, you lose your job with no notice. These are true emergencies and expenses you had no idea would occur.

You can't prepare for them specifically since you don't know they're happening. You can only start stashing away money to cover any unexpected expense when it pops up.

With sinking funds, you're saving up money for planned expenses. You know the expense is coming up but it can still take you by surprise and ruin your budget if you don't prepare accordingly.

Some people use sinking funds to save for Christmas, new furniture, a new car, birthdays, etc. When you don't set up sinking funds to cover these expenses, they can often seem like emergencies when they occur since you don't have the money on hand and need to come up with it quickly.

This is why it's best to have both an emergency fund and sinking funds so you can cover all your bases.

Become More Prepared For the Expected

We now know that sinking funds allow you to become more prepared for the expected. Let's go into more detail on how this helps you. You probably already have some type of budget or spending plan for your money.

Your first step with developing a sinking fund is acknowledging the planned expense. Then, you'll determine how much you need and when you'd like to have the money saved. Coming up with a clear plan helps you budget more efficiently. You can now develop a savings category for the sinking fund and budget for it monthly.

By being prepared for the expected, you'll avoid drawbacks like paying late fees or even losing benefits like insurance for example. Plus, it won't throw off your budget severely.

For example, both my husband and I have cars that need new registration stickers each year. They are $100 each and mine is due in April while his is due in May. Without it, we'd risk getting a ticket or paying a penalty for getting our stickers late.

We decided to develop a sinking fund for this expense because $200 of extra expenses could easily throw our budget off in the spring. We'd only have to set a small amount of money aside each month for the year, but this easy preparation would pay off when our registration is due.

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By being prepared for the expected, you'll avoid drawbacks like paying late fees or even losing benefits.
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Avoid Having to Borrow Money or Take Out Loans

Another reason why you should add sinking funds to your financial plan is to avoid debt. Using credit cards or loans to serve as an emergency fund or sinking fund is not acceptable and will only provide temporary relief.

When you think about it, using a credit card or taking out a loan to pay for an expense you can't afford means you don't have the money in the first place. How will you then manage to pay back the money plus interest? You can clearly see that borrowing money you can't really afford to repay just puts you deeper int he hole.

I can't even mention enough how great it feels to be able to pay for Christmas in cash as we've been able to do the past few years. The same goes with being able to pay for our wedding in cash along with birthday parties for our son.

Having the money you need on hand helps you avoid unwanted debt. In turn, you have the opportunity to get ahead faster.

You're Probably Already Using Sinking Funds

Let's face it. Sinking funds are nothing new. In fact, you're probably already using them in one capacity or another and just don't realize it. Have you ever saved up for a vacation? Many of us have and this is an example of using a sinking fund.

You see, you're already planning to set aside money for planned expenses even though they may be for fun or leisure activities. Maybe you have a concert for your favorite recording artist coming up and start to plan out your paychecks over the next few weeks.

Why not formalize this method of financial planning and establish a few core sinking funds to help you plan for other expenses? You can create sinking funds for any planned expense that you'd rather start saving for in advance.

I have sinking funds for

• Christmas
• Birthdays
• House maintenance
• Car maintenance and a new car
• Our car registration
• Travel

I'd recommend starting with 1-3 core sinking fund categories. That way, you don't spread yourself too thin. Consider opening an online savings account that will allow you to open several connected accounts for free. I like CapitalOne 360 because they have no fees and you can open up to 25 different savings accounts and nickname them for free.

Have you ever thought about using sinking funds? Which one of these benefits would best serve you?

 

 

Why You Should Start Adding Sinking Funds To Your Financial Plan is a post originally published on: Everything Finance - Everything Finance - Its all about Money!

Advantages of Owning a Franchise

Advantages of Owning a Franchise

On the previous feature, we have discussed the advantages of buying a franchise. In this article, we will further discuss why it is a better idea to own a franchise.

 

1. Organized training and support is provided by the franchiser. You can expect that whatever good practices there is in the brand, this will be carried out to your franchise as well.

2. Franchisees use various measures to ensure your success. It is in the franchiser's best interest to make sure you grow and sell.

3. Franchisers often have good track record, a sure prerequisite to become a successful franchise as well. You as an owner carry out the same reputation as well.

4. Franchisers provide you with location assistance, making sure that wherever you decide to put up your franchise will have the maximum possible profitability.

5. A good franchise can take advantage of the entire economic system, and negotiate the best prices for everything you need at significantly lower rate than you would as an independent business owner.

 

To know more about franchise opportunities at Life Maid Easy, click the link: http://www.lifemaideasyfranchise.com/

The post Advantages of Owning a Franchise appeared first on Life Maid Easy - House Cleaning Services for Vancouver.

Your mission today: send $50 to that elusive goal of yours!

Your mission today: send $50 to that elusive goal of yours!

I was asked the other day what my biggest lesson learned in 2018 was, and the answer to that was a pretty simple one:

I learned that I was doing a lot more THINKING than I was DOING.

With my goals, with my ideas, with small stupid things that would have only taken 20 minutes to test, etc. I was in my head over analyzing every little thought and paying more attention to the "what ifs" than the *realities*, until one day I finally had my epiphany.

So in the spirit of this, I challenge you to take out $50 from your account right now, and then apply it directly to a goal of yours that's been driving you crazy. Whether in thought, or inaction!

Maybe it's finally tackling that accumulated debt over the years, or making the move to invest in your first stock or business or index fund, or maybe it's simply adding enough to that emergency fund to fully prepare you for that zombie apocalypse!

Whatever the goal, I encourage you to take that First Step and make it happen right now once and for all. No more pussyfooting around!!

(That's right – I said pussyfooting!)

$50 might be a lot, but I can almost guarantee that you'll survive just fine without it. And if it'll absolutely break you, then send in $49 or $48 instead ;) It's more about finally doing something about your goals and getting the ball rolling than the money itself.

If your goal requires spending more *time* on something than money, then I give you full permission to tackle that in its place instead! Go get that first budget or credit report going, or spend that 15 minutes to save 15% on your car insurance, or finally call your mom back who's long overdue a "hello" and a "thanks" from you, because you know – SHE BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS WORLD!! (And can take you back out! Or at least that's what my mom likes to threaten with… ;))

If you've been waiting for that "some day," it's finally here.

Make it happen and then report back!

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Another thing I was asked about? What my favorite *books* from 2018 were… Here they are, courtesy of fellow reader Jarret who got me to spill ;) –> Atomic Habits by James Clear (a perfect companion to today's post!), and The Year of Less by Cait Flanders – great for curating your life, but also about learning her deepest darkest secrets that she never revealed on her blog!

 

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[For more $$$ nuggets, head over to Budgets Are Sexy!]

Creative Uses for Rolling Carts

One of my goals for 2019 was to spend more time making art. This wasn't just a casual idea made on the fly, I've been thinking about this for months. I always feel so good when I'm channeling my inner artist, it's therapeutic isn't it? I think it's connected to when we're kids and we spent several hours a week being creative with art supplies. I also have a big project I'm launching this year, so I decided to create a corner for myself to bring it to life.

There's a little corner of my design studio where the natural light is so perfect for this endeavor. Just outside the windows, there are pretty plants in view, and on a sunny day it's a magical spot where the light streams in and warms this little corner of my world.

 

 

I invested in an art table, swivel stool, and a collection of art supplies to get me going. I've gathered acrylics and watercolor paints, markers and colored pencils, all contained in a rolling cart from Target. This is the spot where I'll be spending several hours a week as part of my new commitment to create more art!

 

 

 

It got me thinking… aren't rolling carts the best thing ever? They're compact, versatile, and mobile and can serve so many purposes. I wrote about the IKEA Molger cart several years ago and styled it three ways: in the bathroom, in the playroom, and in the laundry room.

But there are so many other ways to use rolling utility carts!

 

Breakfast Stand

Wheel your coffee maker and small appliances wherever you wish to serve.

 

target

 

Bathroom Caddy

One of the most useful spots of all, a rolling cart can hold beauty products and towels for daily skincare.

 

ikea blog

 

world market

 

Catchall Nightstand

Keep one next to the bed for magazines, your markers for doodling, and to hold your books or cup of tea.

 

the everygirl

 

Creative Hobby Storage

Have a creative hobby? Like sewing, knitting, or crochet? Use it as your storage for your yarns and notions.

 

annixen 

 

Clean Clothes Essentials

Laundry soap, cleaners, stain removers, and other cleaning products can be stored inside.

 

better homes & gardens

 

Herb Garden

Cooks, take a look! Use a cart for your indoor herb garden, wheel it into the sun by day and use it next to the range when you're cooking by night.

 

this little street

 

Shoe Storage

In the entry or the closet, this cart is a great place to corral footwear!

 

ikea blog

 

Libation Station

Roll one around the party room when hosting a soiree!

 

 

chez larsson / the kitchn

 

Pantry Overflow

Kitchen extras or essentials can overflow into this hardworking storage cart.

 

ikea

 

Plant Stand

Spring is coming soon! But no need to wait, use a rolling cart for all your indoor plants and succulents too.

 

target

 

Office Supplies

A wider cart is useful in housing a printer and bins for paperwork in your home office.

 

sf girl by bay

 

January is the season for organization, and these are so versatile, aren't they? Here are a dozen different carts to consider for your home organization projects!

 

 

 

wood trolley / matte gold / raskog by ikea

teal cart / gray round / chrome finish

red art cart (multiple colors) / acrylic & gold / gold wire

wood and gold / rose gold / black metal square 

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Develop Your Landscaping Plan

It's cold outside, and most of our landscapes are quiet and at rest at this time of year. But like many,, you probably always have landscaping plans in your head. Winter is the perfect time to do some dreaming and planning and put those thoughts on paper. It's also a great time to start making plans with your landscaping company. Well-thought  landscaping plans can help achieve successful results and save money.

How Can I Put Together a Landscaping Plan?

1. 1. Start with a list.
      Write down the features you currently have in your outdoor space and landscape. Then write down the additional things you want; anything from a patio to a pool, a storage shed or a playground, or simply adding some plants.
   2. Map it out.
      Think about the layout of your property and where different features might go. Sketch out a rough plan, leaving room for suggestions from your landscaping company.  The University of Missouri offers some great suggestions for making a plan, including separating public areas like the front of your house from private areas for family activities and service areas like trash cans and storage sheds. Think about where things should go in relation to your house; asking how each area would effectively function. Then draw your landscape as is and overlay the features you'd like to see. It's an exciting process.
      • Here are just a few features to consider as you sketch your map:
        • Plantings
        • Walkways
        • Patios and entertainment spaces
        • Privacy features and shade trees
        • Vegetable and flower gardens
        • Sheds and outbuildings
        • Pools, pergolas and pavilions
        • Fire pits and grilling areas
        • Outdoor lighting

         

   3. Think long-term.
      When you talk with your landscaping professionals, share your long-term goals and ideas even if you can't make them happen right away. This helps us develop your property in a more holistic way. For example, if you think you might want outdoor lighting down the road, it's best to go ahead and add conduits for electrical lines  now. Saving you from tearing up hardscapes or plantings later just to install the lighting. Once your landscaper has the big picture, they can help you break things down into bite-sized chunks and move forward step by step, as your budget allows.
   4. Find The Right Partner.
      As you consider your long-term landscaping goals, be sure to find a partner who is ready to work with you to make your ideas become a reality. You want a company that will listen to your goals, desires and concepts while at the same time bringing their extensive professional experience into play. It's important to find a partner who can look at the big picture but also make things happen in the short-term by helping you prioritize and work out a schedule.
   5. Think About a Budget and Payment Plan. 
      At Epling, we encourage clients to think big, but we also understand the role that budgeting plays when designing a landscape. We work with clients whose budgets vary, from wanting to get it all done at once and fast track multiple projects to those who need to take things one step at a time, phasing the project. Our experienced staff will help you find the approach that works best for you.

 

Create Your Landscape Plan with Epling

At Epling, helping clients plan and achieve their goals for their outdoor space is one of our favorite parts of the job. From beating back the jungle and getting on a routine lawn care schedule to decorative plantings for a perfect entryway to attractive, family-friendly patios and play areas, our team can help you take your landscape from a dream to a reality on the schedule that works best for you.

Self-Care Interview Series: Erin Lovell Verinder

Erin Lovell Verinder is a herbalist, nutritionist and energetic healer living in the wilds of the Byron Bay hinterland in Australia, working with clients locally in her Sydney clinic and worldwide via Skype.

Routine

- Is routine important to you or do you like things to be more open and free?

I honestly love both. I keep certain parts of my day very structured especially around work days and where I can, I claim open space. I follow structure to bring in the foundations of support that are essential for me to thrive and maintain my balance. Like slow mornings, connecting to nature, enjoying a whole nourishing breakfast. But then I open up my days where possible to flow & allow spontaneity.

- What do your mornings look like? If they differ from day to day, describe your ideal morning.

I keep my mornings slow and sacred, it's been a very intentional movement towards this over the years. I wake with the sunlight pouring into our bedroom, we live in an old church and the light in here is just next level serene. I always keep the blinds open to allow my body rhythms to harmonize with the sun and moon cycle. This regulates your cortisol and melatonin in such a fundamental way.
I allow myself to wake slowly, no rush, no jump out of bed, no alarms, no startle response! I will then take time to do some stretching sequences with conscious breath, and then sit for a 20 minute meditation. Followed by a morning dog walk around our very green country town. Other mornings it's a swim in the ocean with my husband and a lazy lay on the sand.
After this, it's breakfast time. I brew a tea, or make a tonic and take that out into the garden. I really feel it's so important to have a whole breakfast, and we really honour that in our household, we sit and chat and connect over a meal before the day unfolds.
I do my absolute best to only engage in anything work related after 8am and completely screen free before then is the daily goal.

- Do you have any bedtime rituals that help you sleep well?

Yes! I am super ritualistic about the evening wind down. I ensure I am off all screens at least two hours before sleep. I feel this is so greatly important to allow our bodies to align and flow into the yin cycle of the night. I switch off all overhead lights and only use very warm low light lamps as the sun sets. This is another trick to converse with your body to wind down, let go of any tasks and prep for rest. I read, write, listen to music and savour evenings for creative flow and conversation with my husband.

- Do you have any kind of mindfulness practice? 

Many. I practice conscious breath and meditation as my main allies. But I also spend A LOT of time with plants, growing, making, conversing and in nature scapes. This is for me the ultimate mindfulness practice of oneness, presence and connection.

Sustenance

- Describe your typical or ideal meal for each of these:

Breakfast – Scrambled eggs with turmeric, garlic and greens, avocado and some home fermented veggies on the side. 

Lunch – Wild caught Mahi Mahi with tarragon, parsley, lemon and garlic cooked in ghee, on top of a bed of greens with some roasted sweet potato on the side. (Literally one of my favourite dishes ever)

Snack – I love smoothies. Often a smoothie, my current fav is Strawberries, cashew nut butter, cashew nut mylk, collagen, hemp seeds, tocos, cinnamon, vanilla powder & ashwaganda powder.

Dinner – San choy bow, with a rainbow of veggies & lots of bold ginger flavour in vibrant cos lettuce cups.

- Do you do caffeine and in what form? If not, what is your drink of choice in the morning?

I actually do not, I am completely stimulant free. I have not always been, but just find myself so very sensitive to any stimulants these days. I used to love love love a great spicy black chai tea but since going caffeine free I have replaced it with a dandelion chai blend I make myself that is just so warming and grounding I adore it. Plus no crazy energy spikes and lows, so thats a plus!

- Do you have a sweet tooth and do you take any measures to keep it in check?

At the same time when I let go of stimulants, I completely let go of sweets- even natural sweeteners. In the past I have been an avid lover of raw chocolate and quite the connoisseur (ha) but these days I make my own carob chocolate that has no sweetener in it at all. I love carob as it's very sweet naturally so you can get away with no added sweeteners. I pair it with vanilla powder and they work synergistically to give a natural sweetness that I find so comforting.

- Are there any particular supplements, herbs, or tinctures/tonics that you take regularly and find to be helpful with your energy level and general wellness?

I do utilize supplement support as needed, this shifts as my body shifts. I love Vitamin C on so many levels but particularly for its adrenally restorative healing elements, so it is absolutely in my daily supplement routine, alongside Magnesium citrate on the daily. With herbs, I will vary what I am taking depending on my needs. I add herbal powders and medicinal mushrooms to my tonics and smoothies. Currently my favourites are Withania (Ashwaganda) and Reishi.
I also am a huge lover of infusions (long loose leaf herbal brews) and always have a big jar of an overnight infusion with me to sip throughout my day. My most utilized blend would be Nettle leaf, Oat straw and Hibiscus. Earthy, calming, tangy and nourishing.

Exercise

- Do you exercise and do you have a particular exercise routine that you repeat weekly? 

Years go I had a heinous back injury, I herniated multiple discs from overexercising. My approach and relationship to body movement completely shifted after this, from rigorous to gentleness. It is still an area of my life I have to encourage myself back to and approach more as an act of self love. Taking care of my temple. I walk my pups daily, I love pilates and swimming, I have begun the be.come project and absolutely LOVE the approach to body movement with body positivity, inclusivity, no need for any equipment and in the comfort of my own home. This all feels really supportive and a mix of gentle yet effective support for me and my body.

- Do you find exercise to be pleasurable, torturous or perhaps a little of both? How do you put yourself in the right mindset in order to keep up with it?

I am not a natural athlete by any measure! I have recently connected to how emotional it can be to return to body movement when you have been through a big physical injury/body change/life change. So for me the way I psyche myself up to do a session is to come from self love, to know this is a loving act of care for my body. That really helps me so much. Also knowing there are no rules to how you must move your body, allow exercise to meet your vibration- yin, yang and all between. Shifting the type of body movement I do with my menstrual cycle/hormones is so key. Be your own compass.

Beauty

- What is your idea of beauty – external, internal or both?

Authenticity, when someone is just purely themselves and at ease with it. I find it absolutely stunning.

- What is your skincare approach – face and body?

Oils, oils and more oil. I swear by the dewy hydration of oils. I am pretty low maintenance with skin care, and have noticed I need a lot less intervention since moving to the sea and swimming in the ocean most days. The salt magic is so nourishing for the skin. I also find the sun very healing, contrary to the fear of UV rays we have been indoctrinated with!
I use a homemade herbal balm for a lot of applications, hair mask, makeup remover, and moisturizer. It is a power packed plant based mix, and such a heavenly blend. I also use Ritual oil, a moringa and blue lotus oil as a body moisturizer.  I am in my mid 30's and really notice my skin responds so well to the dewy goodness of oils.
I practice dry body brushing also, which I feel is so wonderful to aid stagnation and lymphatic flow. I use a jade roller which I keep in the fridge for extra lymphatic cooling, and use on my face every few days with oil. I always end my showers with cold water, to add in a hydrotherapy element.
I wear very little makeup, but when I do it is always natural, as clean as can be. I love RMS and Ere Perez.

- Are there any foods, herbs or supplements you find to be helpful to your skin/hair/general glow?

The importance of a vibrant whole foods diet and hydration is EVERYTHING! So many compounds in our foods, fruit + veggies are anti aging and collagen boosting anti oxidant heros.
I drink 3+ litres of filtered water daily and do my very best to eat a rainbow of seasonal organic fruit/veggies daily and honestly I rely on this to support my health, skin and hair primarily.
I do add in a marine based collagen daily to either smoothies or tonics.
Also I am in a stage of encouraging my hair to grow, and am using nettle, rosemary and horsetail infusions as a hair rinse. I also massage in olive oil and rosemary oil into my scalp, truly it is so simple and aids hair growth.

- Do you have any beauty tips/tricks you've found to be especially useful throughout the years?

A low tox life is key. Keep your stress in check, move your body, eat as clean as possible – mostly plants, organics or pesticide free produce, clean water and clean air.
The most incredibly glowy humans I know follow this ethos. This has been my guideline and I am often told I really do not look my age. I am so at ease with ageing but it is always nice to hear you are maintaining a youthful glow!

Stress, etc.

- Do you practice any consistent routines in order to avoid stress? 

I really do. I work for myself and direct all of my offerings at this point. This can be demanding and means "work" can have a never-ending feel. There are always so many thoughts, needs and energy streams flowing into my work life. I also feel when you work as a space holder and in the healing realms, your energy output can be hefty. Burn out is high in this line of work, as you truly want to assist so deeply to aid others, we can often throw our needs to the side. I have learnt this many times in my years as a clinician/healer.
I implement a lot of consistency with a structured clinic week~ limiting the amount of clients I see weekly to where I feel my energy is at and how many clients I can truly be present for. I balance myself with time off, away from screens, in nature and welcome in receiving energy to counteract my giving energy. My self care practice is the core of how I seek balance. I am actually freakily good at giving back to myself, which I believe enables me to do what I do!

- If stress cannot be avoided, what are your ways of dealing with it?

For me, it is much healthier to come at it head on.. (typical Aries answer!)
I do my finest to address the stressors, and clear the way. Whether this means a mountain of admin,  which is often a stressor for me as I not a natural lover of admin. I bunker down, switch off all other distractions, play some flute music or chants, burn some incense and get in the zone. When I exit that zone I feel so accomplished and reward myself with an ocean swim, or a nature walk to balance out the mental space I have been in.

- What measures do you take when you sense a cold/general feeling of being under the weather coming on?

First and foremost I rest. Immunity can be a very strong conversation our bodies communicate to us with the message of needed REST. My go to supplement and herbal approach is to take a high dose of Vitamin C consistently in divided doses throughout my day, I also add in zinc supplements.
I always have an immune focused liquid herbal tonic in my first aid support cabinet, so I begin this at a high frequent dose to meet the acute presentation of a cold/virus~ generally dosing up to 4 x daily. Usually it will have Echinacea, andrographis, elderberry, manuka, thyme in it. I love medicinal mushrooms to support immunity so I will take a blend of Reishi and Chaga in higher doses. I avoid raw foods and focus on lots of cooked warming nourishing food to feed the cold, congees, broths, soups, stew. I also make fresh oregano, thyme with sliced lemon & ginger tea. If I really honour the rest that is needed, the cold/rundown feelings will shift very swiftly.

- How do you reconcile work-time with free-time? Do those things overlap for you or do you keep them distinctly separate?

The best thing I ever did was to get a separate work phone. I have a dedicated phone that my clients can contact me on, so in my free time it is left at home or on silent. This has helped me enormously create healthy boundaries. I also do not have my work emails on my phone, so I do not check them at all unless I am sitting down at my computer to work. It is so important to be available to your own process and own life, especially when you are in the field of assisting others. These simple interventions help fortify those boundaries greatly for me.

Motivation

- Describe the actions you take or mindset you try to tap into in order to stay on track with your self-care practice and being nice to yourself?

I return to softness with myself if I lose my way a little. I do my best to not judge or engage in negative self talk. I soften and return to my centre. We all have patterns we are cycling. Although I feel I am quite a master of my own self care practice I definitely can get caught up in my workload a fair bit. One thing I do consciously do is to book a treatment in weekly in some form, usually a bodywork-massage session. I find this tactile healing so restorative.

- What do you consider to be the single most important change you've made to your routine or lifestyle in terms of wellness?

I recently moved from the mountains to the sea, although they are both completely beautiful nature rich locations I was very much in need a big environment change for my own health and wellbeing.  Having lived in a very cold environment mountain side for 10 + years I was craving the warmth, the salt and the sun. Being by the ocean and soaking up the sun rays has been so fundamentally healing for me at this point. Total game changer! The power of changing your environment is so potent when you feel the call to do so.

- How do you deal with periods characterized by a lack of inspiration or procrastination?

I acknowledge that this too shall pass, it is transient. I do my best to trust my own creative genius. I am quite a forward motion person, so when I am feeling uninspired it absolutely can get me down. I am naturally a procrastinator in many ways, which can be so frustrating but saying that I also have the ability to then smash out the tasks in an uncanny way! I often find when I am not in such a wonderful place with myself I feel that sense of stagnation, so I do my very best to get to the roots of that stagnation. Often it takes me getting into nature to be re inspired, crafting out some quiet space to re energize and tackle the task head on. I try to ask myself what is the block, and unpack the block to free up the energy flow.

- A book/movie/class that influenced your view of self-nourishment or self-care.

As cheesy at it sounds I LOVED Practical Magic, the witchy plant potions and the apothecary Sandra Bullock's character opened was a total inspiration for me as teenager.. & still is now (lol).

Knowledge

- What was your path to becoming a herbalist, nutritionist, and energetic healer? How do all of those practices interweave for you?

I was always drawn to the esoteric realms and the mystery of nature. As a little girl I loved being outside, I loved the flowers, the trees, the plants, the grasses, the oceans, the mountains. I loved being an observer and always felt so held when I was in nature.
As soon as I began to understand that plants could have a positive effect on our health, it just fascinated me. Learning about folklore of plant medicine, applications and remedies drew me into a language I wanted to be fluent in.
I believe that much of our call to the plant path is remembering, these plants have been with us through our ancestral lines for eons.
My career began really at the age of 16 with energetic healing, I met a group of wild women up north in Australia and was welcomed into circles, introduced to the concepts of healing, and recognized as a student of these realms. I learnt reiki which led to crystal healing, then to sound healing, colour therapy, kinesiology.. I went to a college for 2 years to learn energetic healing in depth and graduated by the age of 19 holding full in depth sessions on auric healing and clearing energetic blockages. For me it felt too much too soon. So I went and travelled, met my husband in the USA and studied a whole lot more.
When I returned to Australia I wanted to anchor my knowledge of healing with more grounded modalities so I began studying Naturopathic medicine. I forked off into a Bachelor of Western Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Medicine. I loved learning about plants and food as medicine, I loved the union of science and grass roots knowledge.
Over years of being in practice, I have found that there is no way or no need to seperate these modalities. I weave them all in together to ultimately support the client in a very holistic way. I approach my practice with this lens of perception. I lead with intuition, and merge functional testing, pathology testing, traditional folk medicine, evidence based plant medicine, nutritional medicine, and energetics all to support.
I believe there are always energetics involved in a health presentation, along with the demand for nutritional healing as powerful ally, and herbal medicine to assist, shift and support. Aligning these healing modalities is a potent combination. Essentially the basis of Naturopathic Medicine is individualised care, no one case is the same. This ethos rings true to me, there is not one client I have worked with that is the same as any other. How can we approach health in one way, or believe there is one remedy for one presentation? It goes against the nature of our uniqueness! My practice is about honouring the individuals path, story and health goals.

- You put a lot of emphasis on gut health in your practice and believe it to be the root to all balanced health. Can you talk a little bit about why you see this as such an important aspect of wellbeing? 

"All diseases begin in the gut" – Hippocrates had it right!

So many issues stem from the gut, it is the root of our health. With the emergence of continued evolving science we are seeing so much more information come to light around the microbiome/microbiota, which is truly wonderful. Much of our immunity is linked with gut health, it impacts mental health greatly with our "second brain" residing in the gut producing neurotransmitters, it is involved in the auto immune expression, it defines our ability to absorb and produce nutrients/vitamins/minerals, it impacts our metabolism, it is directly connected to our stress response and digestion responds accordingly.. And so much more…
I work very closely with digestive healing with each and every one of my clients as I believe this is a key element to balanced health and shifting imbalanced symptoms. Many of my clients present with poor digestion and we dig like detectives to get to the roots, often it is a leaky gut like picture – with parasites, yeast overgrowths or SIBO which we generally detect via functional testing. Once we have a good sense of what is actually happening in the gut, we go in with a supportive treatment plan – lifestyle, supplemental, nutritional and herbal interventions. It always astounds me how health can transform so greatly, from imbalanced to balanced with the right support, intention and dedication. Our bodies are so wise, and so willing to transform.

- What is your favorite way of incorporating herbal medicine into your (or your clients') everyday life?

I personally incorporate it in so many ways. I make my own products and use them on my skin and in my home on the daily, I drink herbal teas and infusions daily and use tonic herbs to support my body/being. I have a herbal garden that is buzzing right now, so connecting with the plants via gardening is medicine to me. There is something so potent about growing and caring for a plant and utilising her healing, knowing the story of the plants beginnings enhances the healing power I believe.
For clients~ it really depends but I do always advise infusions to become a part of their everyday lives. They are so very simple and accessible, basically a long brewed overnight tea! If you are working with me in a session we will touch on many ways to incorporate plant medicine into your life, from the herbs that are suitable for your current process, to cleaning up your skin care with more plant love, to working with herbal tablets/liquid tonics for marked support.

Fun and Inspiration

- What is something you are particularly excited about at the moment?

This next year feels so full of creativity, as I expand and launch multiple new offerings. Right now I am in a potent brewing stage, so I look forward to it all coming to fruition!

- What do you do to unwind or treat yourself?

Days off at the beach, going into the bush, gardening in my medicinal plant patch, reading a great book, screen free days, massages, hugs with my husband & dogs.

- A book/song/movie/piece of art to feed the soul:

Book – Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer
Song –  Stay – Cat Power/ Ba
Movie –  Call me by your name
Piece of Art –  A oil pastel pencil drawing gifted to me by my husband and family by my dear friend and incredible creator Chanel Tobler called "Curves like jam"

- Is there anyone you would like to hear from next in this interview series?

Emily L'ami from Bodha, she is a scent magician.

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The post Self-Care Interview Series: Erin Lovell Verinder appeared first on Golubka Kitchen.

Advantages of Owning a Franchise

Advantages of Owning a Franchise

On the previous feature, we have discussed the advantages of buying a franchise. In this article, we will further discuss why it is a better idea to own a franchise.

 

1. Organized training and support is provided by the franchiser. You can expect that whatever good practices there is in the brand, this will be carried out to your franchise as well.

2. Franchisees use various measures to ensure your success. It is in the franchiser's best interest to make sure you grow and sell.

3. Franchisers often have good track record, a sure prerequisite to become a successful franchise as well. You as an owner carry out the same reputation as well.

4. Franchisers provide you with location assistance, making sure that wherever you decide to put up your franchise will have the maximum possible profitability.

5. A good franchise can take advantage of the entire economic system, and negotiate the best prices for everything you need at significantly lower rate than you would as an independent business owner.

 

To know more about franchise opportunities at Life Maid Easy, click the link: http://www.lifemaideasyfranchise.com/

The post Advantages of Owning a Franchise appeared first on Life Maid Easy - House Cleaning Services for Vancouver.

contentment without conditions & health without strings

During my time off (and even squeezed into the hectic weeks before Christmas), I did a lot of pondering, writing, and planning.  I've been reading old notes and taking new ones.  I've been thinking about my past successes and times when I was settled into a sweet spot in life and business.  I've also been looking at my failures and ... Read More

The post contentment without conditions & health without strings appeared first on Miss Mustard Seed.

Friday favorites

How many of you are on day 3 of your New Years resolution?

How many of your New Years resolutions include eating healthy, dieting, or exercise?

Well, if you are like me, making healthier choices is definitely my number one priority.

Today's Friday favorites is all about eating healthy, feeling better, and getting back in shape!

I recently found these Boulder Canyon chips that are healthier than your regular chips. I really like being able to feel like I am not on a diet, just eating the same old foods, but ones that are actually better for you! 

Head on over to their Facebook page where they are conducting product giveaways!

I really like this crossfit workout that you can do from home.

Here is a protein packed hot chocolate that I discovered when I was doing the whole 30. It's really delicious! 

Take advantage of the Nordstrom half-yearly sale with some new workout wear. I love this brand, very fashionable as well as comfortable. 

These running shoes are in my shopping cart! Love, love, love them.

No excuses that you don't have time to shower in the morning before hitting the gym. I use this dry shampoo before I go so I don't look totally homeless. 

Now this is a water bottle!

If you have sore muscles from working out, or just want a detox bath, I highly recommend this product, I've been using it for years. 

And after your soak, keep that dry itchy skin soft with my favorite unscented lotion.

Make 2019 your year!

xoxo

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

This Turkey Sweet Potato Chili is made with sweet potato, ground turkey and spices and ready in just 30 minutes! 

This is the last dinner recipe in this mini dinner series, but it certainly won't be the last dinner recipe this month. This turkey sweet potato chili was an instant hit with Miguel, and I know you guys will like it too.

There are many reasons why chili is a must-make, especially this time of year. For example, it's a quick meal. This sweet potato chili recipe takes 30 minutes from start to finish. Chili is almost always a guarantee for leftovers, which means you can take one night off from making dinner and just heat up the leftover chili. 

I opted to make this chili over the stovetop in a large pot, but….

Note: you can absolutely make this in your slow cooker! You'll just throw everything in and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. If you need the chili to be done sooner, follow the instructions below. 

 

So what's all in this chili anyway? It starts with ground turkey and then onion and garlic and even some green pepper, as many chili recipes do. If you're making this over the stove, you'll want to cook the turkey completely before adding the other ingredients, but if you're making it in the slow cooker, you can add in the raw turkey and it'll cook while in the slow cooker.

Meanwhile, you'll peel and dice the sweet potato and then add that, along with the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, to the pot. In this recipe, the sweet potato replaces traditional beans, but trust me when I say you won't even miss them. Last, pour in the chicken broth and add the spices for a kick of flavor, then allow the chili to simmer for 15 minutes or so. As the chili is simmering, the sweet potatoes will cook completely, and that's when you'll know the chili is done. 

May I suggest topping the chili with sliced avocado? YES, it's a must. If you're not doing whole30, feel free to include extra toppings like shredded cheese and/or sour cream. 

You're going to LOVE this whole30 approved sweet potato chili. It's super flavorful, makes plenty of chili for leftovers and maybe most importantly, it's QUICK! Looking for another chili recipe? Give this butternut squash chili a try! 

Print

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

This turkey sweet potato chili uses sweet potatoes in place of beans, is ready in 30 minutes and serves 4 people.

• Author: Erin
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 4-6
• Category: dinner
• Method: stovetop
• Cuisine: chili

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground white turkey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1/3 cup tomato sauce*
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
• 32 oz. chicken broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. NOTE: you can make this in the crock pot if you prefer! Simply add ALL the ingredients and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
2. To make on the stove: add turkey, oil, onion, and pepper to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat and stir occasionally until turkey is cooked. Then, add the garlic and sweet potato and stir for 1 minute.
3. Next, add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, and spices to the skillet, stir, then place lid on top and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer chili for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked.
4. Serve chili with avocado and enjoy!

Notes

*If you're doing whole30, make sure you check the ingredients in the tomato sauce for no added sugars.

Keywords: whole30 chili, sweet potato chili

Did you make this recipe?

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The post Turkey Sweet Potato Chili appeared first on The Almond Eater.