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Meatballs: Friend, or Foe?
We all have those moments, don't we? We're right in the middle of a project, and it's simply not going well. Like me, you may find yourself becoming irritated, wishing you could find an easier way to get the job done (or even eliminate it completely.) I'd settle for a tool that would make quick work of it. Life is just too precious to spend time being irritated. I found myself in this position a few weeks ago while making meatballs. Not-So-Nice Things Now, I grew up on a small farm out in the country. And on a farm you learn to handle lots of things. Creatures. Animals. Newborns. And occasionally, some not-so-nice things. But, even wearing gloves, I absolutely can't stand my hands mussing about in raw hamburger. It reminds me of the slimy feel of a worm that's going on the hook for bait. It leaves me with an uncomfortable, fluttery feeling in the pit of my stomach. Not at all how I, as a woman, want to feel. The Journey Now, keep in mind, this journey into the Land of the Meatball is only beginning. We've still got to scoop the burger out of the bowl. Scrape it off the spoon. And only then can we finally roll the critters into meatballs. Scoop. Scrape. Roll. Over and over. It's like waiting for that worm to do it's job of luring in a tasty fish. It's a time thing. But, just as fresh catch is always a nice treat, I know these meatballs will be worth waiting for when the work's finished. They are serving a special purpose. Let me share it with you. The Strategy Because it's so flexible, I stir up several batches of meatloaf mix every other month. I then convert them into meatballs, cooking all the batches that day. Some go for spaghetti. Others I'll freeze for meatball sandwiches or Swedish Meatballs in cream sauce. If I'm feeling lazy (smile) I simply make several meatloafs. So why are these meatballs so important in the scheme of things? Because they keep us from eating out. They can be frozen after being cooked, which saves me huge amounts of time. We make six to eight meals out of them. We could easily spend a minimum of $18 per meal eating out. So in money terms, it saves us an average of $126 each time I make these meatballs in a batch. You see, it's part of how I save money. It's just that important to me. But surely there's an easier way to get the job done! What Is It That Would 'Really' Help? I donned my thinking cap... Now, I knew what I wanted. A scoop large enough to make it worth digging into the bowl. Light enough to avoid aggravation of a mild carpal tunnel problem. Something that would automatically slide the mix out. And lastly, something naturally round to alleviate the tedium of rolling into balls. I was on a Mission! After several days of searching with no luck, I considered inventing such a tool. I changed my mind after calculating how many meatballs I'd need to make to earn my money back on the patent. And then . . . it happened. The lightbulb clicked. The earth moved (or was that me, jumping for joy?) But I digress. The Solution I had found the perfect tool! And one that carries with it such sweet memories: an ice cream scoop. You know the type. As you squeeze the lever, a small piece of steel rotates inside, scooping the food out along the way. Could it get any easier than this? Admittedly, I paid quite a price for this stainless steel ice cream scoop. But what a relief! And you know what? I realized I had been tolerating this problem for way too long now! Can you relate to what I'm talking about here? Have you found your own tasks difficult due to lack of helpful tools? Take Time to Consider If you find yourself becoming irritated while doing a chore or task, stop for a moment. Consider which part of it is bothering you. Or what is more difficult than it needs to be. Begin a tool list. As you think of items that would make your life easier, jot them down. Brainstorm ideas. Have friends or family members experienced the same frustrations? Ask them to share with you their own solutions or ideas. Motivation Through Small Rewards And, when you've completed a few tasks that aren't quite your favorites, treat yourself to one of the smaller items on your new tool list. Life can be difficult. Some things you simply have no control over. But why not find an easier way to do the things you can control? You'll save time and energy. Having helpful tools will even save you money. So go ahead. Start your tool list today. It's good for the soul! About The Author Author and ezine editor Darlene Arechederra inspires busy women to put the fun back into saving their money. Her complimentary newsletter serves up heaps of motivation with a unique, down-home style of writing. Join her today at http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI) Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. DailyMe: News tailored to your individual tastes (The Christian Science Monitor) Column: Custom news websites come and go, but this one gets it right. Sarah Palin docu wins record ratings for Fox News (Reuters via Yahoo! News) In a week of records surrounding the Republican National Convention, Fox News Channel earned another one with its weekend documentary on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. MySpace ad business ahead of target: News Corp (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's (NWSa.N) MySpace advertising business is operating ahead of expectations and its digital ad business is performing better than the marketplace, the company's chief operating officer said on Tuesday. STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Erdemir shares fall on iron ore prices (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News) STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary News Buzz: Recreating the Big Bang, Gates Urges Slow Iraq Drawdown, Ike Gains Strength (US News & World Report) Top news from the Associated Press For consumers, good news down the line (Sun-Sentinel) Whether you buy a new iPod or not, there may be good news for you in Apple's release of new iPods on Tuesday . Fox News Vaults To Top Of Primetime Ratings (MultiChannel News) Who says no one watches political conventions? Fox News Channel?s coverage of GOP Presidential nominee John McCain?s Sept. 4 acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention drew 9.2 million viewers, topping all other basic cable shows last week, according to Nielsen Media Research data. Site: news - Google News Palm Unveils New 'Nova' Software, 'Palm Pre' Phone - CNNMoney.com
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for inspirational Inspirational Experts in Fashion, Cuisine and Lifestyle to Share Tips and Trends at Orange County Head to Toe Women's ... (PRWeb) Southern California's premiere women's consumer show, the Head to Toe Women's Expo returns to OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., October 10, 11 and 12, 2008. Presented by Ralphs Grocery, the Head to Toe Women's Expo gives mothers, daughters, and girlfriends a chance to reconnect during a weekend of shopping, pampering, makeovers and inspirational speakers. Several experts, ... http://firepit-plans.com Introduces "The Fire Pit Planner Guide" a Comprehensive Inspirational Guide to Building ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) http://firepit-plans.com is a new site that offers a unique do-it-yourself inspirational plan to building fire pits, the guide offers tips and advice on operating and constructing fire pits in the outdoors, house garden or backyard. Reporter's Notebook (Dallas Morning News) Certain parts of Irving City Hall will soon be getting makeovers. Residents and visitors can expect to see inspirational quotes on walls and prominent displays of the city?s mission statement within a couple of months. Bob Walter: Iraq hero gets moving tribute in Elk Grove Park (The Sacramento Bee) For a hero: As if anybody could forget Joe Nurre of Wilton, a fitting and permanent memorial to the inspirational Elk Grove High School football captain is attracting plenty of attention in Elk Grove Park. Joe Nurre A plaque dedicates an Elk Grove barbecue area to Joe Nurre. MCC Honors 9/11 Victims and Families (R News) Monroe Community College hosted a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Remembrance Walk on the Brighton campus. The hour long event included music, inspirational speeches, a moment of silence and flowers placed at the base of the 9/11 monument there. Local review: 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' entertaining, educational (The Pantagraph) For a gripping evening of theater as educational as it is inspirational, ?Bill W. and Dr. Bob? at Heartland Theatre Company, can?t be beat. Steve Amerson to Sing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Convention (Christian News Wire) DENVER, Sept. 11 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve Amerson, well-known Inspirational music artist will be singing at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Annual Convention, A Celebration of Honor, in Denver, Colorado at the "Patriots Award Gala" on Friday, September 19, 2008. Radio pirate suspect arrested in Wilton Manors apartment (Sun-Sentinel) When you tune into FM 103.9 in Broward County , you're supposed to hear a sermon by Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Pastor Bob Coy or inspirational music from the likes of Mercy Me and Steven Curtis Chapman. Randolph Reads kicks off with celebration (Asheboro Courier-Tribune) ASHEBORO ? A Randolph County initiative to unite the community in reading and discussing an inspirational non-fiction book about a nearby town?s struggles with change is under way. Honor Text Helps Americans to Remember (WCAV Charlottesville) The clock strikes 9:11am and your phone beeps, but it?s not your average text message. Instead, it?s an Honor Text, a brief inspirational message about some of America?s service men and women. Site: inspirational - Google News Gerard Lucien Gaudreau, inspirational speaker - Baltimore Sun
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