Michelle R. Cullum's Blog

[image error]Hosting a Valentine's Day party can actually be pretty versatile. All you really need is to create a warm, loving atmosphere that makes your guests feel welcome and loved.It can be a couples' party, or it can just be a fun time with a group of friends. Here are some ideas on how to make your Valentine's party a time to remember.Pick a TimeIf you are going for a romantic love type of theme, an evening time would set the right mood. For a friendship party, you could do brunch or a late afternoon party. If you are having children, early afternoon might work best. The key is to choose a time that fits the schedule and lifestyle of the majority of your guests.Choose the MenuThere are all sorts of ideas for Valentine's Day food. Here are some ideas based on party themes and types.Couples' party - Food at a couples' party can be romantic and share-able, like kabobs and/or fondue. Fruits like cherries, raspberries and strawberries can be dipped in chocolate for a lovely dessert. Friends' party - A buffet is a great way to welcome friends. You can decorate the buffet table with all sorts of Valentine themes, such as candy hearts and cinnamon candy scattered around on a white tablecloth, or muffin papers filled with assorted treats tucked among the food dishes. Children's party - Kids love just about any excuse for a party, and Valentine's is no exception! Have a trinket as a favor for each child, or a goodie bag with a few candies and toys. Cupcakes frosted in pink, white, red, or purple are pretty and festive, and you can decorate the tops with hearts. Arrange the cupcakes in a big heart on a cloth or platter. For healthier fare, cut watermelon, whole wheat bread, deli meats, and cheese slices into heart shapes.InvitationsNow that you know your time, place, and basic theme, you can send out invitations. It's fun to make your own, or you can just buy ready-made ones at the store. You can also do e-invitations, which are gaining popularity. Try to choose invitations that reflect the overall feel of the party.DecorateNow to decorate! Couples' party - Votive candles, rose petals, strings of pearls, and flowers make romantic decorations. A single tulip, rosebud, or carnation makes a lovely, simple statement on a dining table, end table, or windowsill. Lighting should be low.Friends' party - For this party, you can combine the favor with the decorations. Have several bouquets of flowers around such as tulips, and let everyone take one home as a gift. Use tulle on your mirrors or wall art to create swags and bows. Have you ever cut paper dolls? Use that technique to make long paper chains of hearts to hang in front of windows or from chandeliers. Children's party - Go for fun with this one. Bring out the stuffed animals and arrange them so they look like they're having a tea party. Balloons are always fun for kids; tie bunches of red, purple, white, and pink ones in bunches around the room (tie them to the stuffed animals' "paws" for a really fun effect). Make paper heart garlands using construction paper and string, and let your kids do some window decorations with dry erase markers, cut-out hearts, or store-bought stick-ons.
Enjoy Once you have the invitations sent out you can start preparing the decorations and finalize your menu.  The day before your party get all your decorating done and everything ready for the big party.  The day of your party prepare your food and you are ready to enjoy your party! Have a great party. 

[image error] Have you been feeling a little out-of-sorts this winter?  You might just need to add some Vitamin D to your daily routine to put that zing back in your step.   There is a reason why some healthcare professionals give their patients Vitamin D supplements in the fall and winter - it has been shown that a lack of Vitamin D plays a role in SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (click here for a great article on SAD). Studies point to Vitamin D's role in cognitive and mood problems in older adults, and studies on overweight people showed a positive effect on mood when Vitamin D was supplemented.  Because the body makes Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, experts believe that the lower levels of sunlight in fall and winter may contribute to lower levels of Vitamin D, and hence depression. When skin is exposed to sunlight the body reacts by manufacturing Vitamin D3 (calcitriol) which is stored in the liver, kidneys, and other organs until it is needed. There have been many cases of people experiencing a much-needed mood boost by consuming even more Vitamin D than the US RDA recommends (which is 200 IU). Most sources agree that 2000 IU is the safe limit of supplemented Vitamin D, although your body can synthesize much, much more than that in just a few minutes of sun exposure, sources point out.  So how do you get more Vitamin D in your diet? Supplements are an option, but many people prefer to get vitamins through foods. Here are some foods that are rich in Vitamin D. * Oatmeal - It's nice that a cold-weather breakfast cereal - which you might instinctively reach for when the weather turns colder - provides around 188 IU of Vitamin D per serving.  * Soy Milk - Try adding some soy milk to your oatmeal - it has about 200 IU per cup, with some brands and varieties containing more.  * Salmon - Have you ever wondered how people in far northern climates, where the sun doesn't even shine for months in the winter, get enough Vitamin D? Their diets are rich in fatty seafood. Research supports the positive effect of fish oil on mood, and fish oil contains Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so getting it through a (healthy) fat-rich source makes sense. Sources note that wild-caught salmon is best. (Other fish with Vitamin D include cod, herring, sardines and trout.) * Mushrooms - Canned or fresh, mushrooms are a good source of Vitamin D, with almost 170 IU per 1-cup serving. White mushrooms and shitake, even dried, are considered the highest in Vitamin D.  * Eggs - One egg has about 20 IU of Vitamin D. Organic, free-range eggs may be higher in this vitamin than conventional eggs.  * Fortified Foods - While it's not a natural form of Vitamin D, you can find significant amounts of this vitamin in enriched breakfast cereals and fortified cow's milk. Whether you eat more food that is rich in Vitamin D or take a supplement to boost your "sunshine level" you will feel a difference.  Don't think you need it?  Check this out, studies show that 75% of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in Vitamin D.  When increasing your Vitamin D intake give your body 6 weeks to reach normal levels in your body.  For myself I found taking gummy Vitamin D supplements works great and I do have more zing in my step.  What's your story with Vitamin D?  Have you taken it and had success?  I'm looking forward to hearing your comments and thoughts.  

[image error] It's that time of the year no matter where you live that your skin starts crying out, "water, water!"   Winter can be very hard on your skin. The air is dry and cold, and your skin gets chapped and dried by wind and household heat. For some people, dry skin can become quite problematic in winter, resulting in flakes, redness, or even eczema.  Here are some tips and ideas for helping heal your dry skin, and preventing it from getting too dry again.   Night CreamsNight creams with oil rather than water. This is important for wintertime moisturizing - water-based lotions may be fine for summer, but in the winter, you need something oil-based that will seal in moisture, sources say. Night creams tend to be oil-based.  Not all oils are created equal, though, and not all parts of your body will respond well to certain oils. For your face, experts point out that non-comedogenic oils are best. Jojoba and sweet almond oils are good for the face, as they most closely resemble your body's natural oils. For dry hands and feet, castor oil-based creams can be very effective.  "Spa" Footies and GlovesMany of us like to slather on the moisturizer at bedtime. Then it all ends up being wiped off on the bedding. An effective solution is thin cotton mittens or gloves and footies. You can usually get these for very little at your local pharmacy, drug store, or health food store. You can also use cotton socks. Apply moisturizer heavily to hands and feet (start with your feet), and then cover them with the socks and gloves. The socks and gloves will hold the moisture against your skin all night.  Moisturizing Make-UpOne of the keys to healing and preventing dry skin is to use moisturizer daily. However, it can be easy to forget, so using a make-up with moisturizer is a good way to get your skin moisturized each day. Some of these moisturizing make-ups are lightly tinted, while others provide coverage that is more opaque.  Moisturize the AirWherever possible, get moisture into the air in the winter. It will also make the air feel warmer. Sources recommend using a humidifier in the wintertime. If this is not practical, take some other humidifying steps: leave the bathroom door open when you shower; hang your wet laundry up in the house; leave pots of water on heating vents or on wood-burning stoves (safety first, of course).   Moisture in the ShowerWe often unknowingly exacerbate dry skin in the shower. Many people love the hot water on a cold day, but this added with scrubbing themselves all over with soap each time they shower, can be very drying.  Instead, try turning the hotness of the water back once you are in the shower and warm.  Look for soaps and scrubs made especially for dry skin.  There are also lotions and oils for your damp skin to seal in moisture before drying off. Applying moisture lotion or cream after your shower will help ease dry, tight skin.     Any favorite tips or tricks on how to keep dry skin happy and moisturized this winter?  I would love to hear from you.  

[image error] Winter can be a gloomy time. It can feel very long, and the lack of daylight combined with holiday stress can get some people pretty down. What's interesting is that certain aromas or scents have been known to help lift your spirits during the winter blahs.  How Does It Work?Our sense of smell is very powerful, and can have a profound impact on our feelings. Of course, you ultimately smell with your brain, and it's this scent-brain connection that aromatherapy seeks to tap into. Studies have shown that certain smells actually affect brain wave activity. For example, lavender induces brain waves associated with relaxation. Smelling bright, uplifting scents may generate brain activity that makes you feel much more alert and happy.  What Scents Are Best for Winter Blues?To help combat the feelings of melancholy associated with winter, there are certain "sunny" scents that may lift your mood. One group of scents that is highly recommended for fighting sadness is citrus. This includes lemon, orange (sweet, bitter, and mandarin varieties), grapefruit, lime, and bergamot. Other scents that may help are sage, basil, ylang ylang, and jasmine. Ginger essential oil may also add zing to your mood.  Other popular essential oils with uplifting qualities include the mints, particularly peppermint and spearmint.  You can blend these in various proportions to achieve a pleasing, bright scent. Some ideas might be equal parts of all or some of the citrus oils; basil and grapefruit; jasmine and ylang ylang; ginger and lemon; or sage and bergamot. You could blend peppermint and ginger, too.  What Are the Best Sources of Scent?It's generally agreed that, regardless of what scent you choose, natural essential oils are the best. Synthetic fragrances can induce unpleasant reactions, such as chemical allergies, and may not have the same positive effect as natural scents.  To get these essential oils into your nose, you can try several methods.    [image error] * Massage - Mix 10 drops of your favorite blend or single essential oil with 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of carrier oil, such as sweet almond or castor oil. Rub some of this oil on your temples and apply to your wrists. If you're lucky enough to get a massage, have your masseur use this mixture.  

* Diffusion - Many health food stores and even mainstream retailers carry electric diffusers. You simply add drops of essential oil according to the instructions. This gets the scent throughout the room.  * Bath - Add a teaspoon or so of your massage oil to your bathwater and mix well.

 There are several places you can buy essential oils.  Many grocery stores like Trader Joe's, Sprouts, and Whole Foods carry essential oils in their vitamin area.  Online is another great place to look.  I googled essential oils and these are the top 3 sites that came up: www.youngliving.com www.rockymountainoils.com www.anandaapothercary.com My all time favorite is lavender.  I always feel so relaxed and sleep better when I have a couple drops on my pillowcase.  If you find any special oils that work best for you make sure to let me know.  All the best, Michelle. 

[image error] "How did you come up with the name A Renaissance Chick for your business?"  Since I am asked this question all the time, today I am going to explain how this came to be. Have you ever heard the expression, "a renaissance man"?  Webster's dictionary defines this as, "a person who has wide interests and is expert in several areas."  Reading that definition, I thought this fits me to a tee, except for the man part.  Why add chick and not woman you ask?  There was a shirt out a couple of years ago with a yellow chick on the front wearing black rimmed glasses that said "Chick with Brains" and I loved that...so I went with A renaissance Chick. You see I am a person of wide interests.  I have worked in the travel industry as a ticket agent back when airline tickets were written by hand.  Next, I worked over seven years in the makeup business.  I worked for a major cosmetic company starting at the make-up counter and finishing in management.  I loved helping women bring out their best features and have more self-confidence.  I always enjoyed their transformations and the incredible feeling it gave me.  This began my love of helping others.  Helping others is what gives me energy and makes me feel alive.  From makeup, I moved into the home health industry.  Again, this was helping people.  What do you do after these careers?  You go to school and get a degree in nutrition.  Somehow, from earning a BS in nutrition I decided that I wanted to help people more with their lives than just food, so I went on with school and got a BA in religious studies.  I become an ordained pastor and now I was helping people from the inside out, spiritual and physical.  I was like a one stop shopping.  Three years into ministry, I realized alot of people are not happy with where their life is and don't know what they want to do when they grow up.  Back to school again to become a Certified Life Coach.   A life coach helps you to see where you are right now and how to move forward with your life to where you want to be.  I became the one stop shopping.  I can tell you where to travel, what makeup to wear while traveling, how to take care of your body inside physically, spiritually, and mentally…whew!  Your understanding how I came up with the name, A Renaissance Chick.  I am that person who has wide interests and is an expert in many of them.  I'm not an expert in everything; put I am always learning.  So, what's my latest thing?  A Renaissance Chick...writing and speaking for women of today.  I am taking everything I know and putting it together in books, workbooks, group sessions, and blogs for women.  My mission statement is this, "I have a destiny, but my destiny is fulfilled by investing in the destinies of others." You are the others I want to invest in and help fulfill your destiny.  I look forward to helping you in 2012 move forward with your business and your personal life.  

Monday is sharing day here at A Renaissance Chick.  I always am on the look-out for neat things that you might like and that don't cost anything. Well, here we are the 2nd day of 2012!  Are you ready for this new year?  I've got a couple great items that are totally FREE...check them out!  [image error] 1. My Life Matters Personal Planner Unique to this planner is a flexible set of tools to help you seamlessly master the important areas of your life. Its flexible planning and record-keeping pages will help you build daily habits that propel your life in the direction you choose. My Life Matters is arranged so that you can set goals and track your progress in any areas of your life.  Try this amazing planner for women for FREE.  Download January 2012 and February 2012 and see for yourself how this is the planner for you!  CLICK TO DOWNLOAD JANUARY AND FEBRUARY To order the complete calender, go to www.womansplanner.com   [image error] 2. Special Report-Healthier LifestyleToday could be the day that you decide to make a change with your life, your habits and your future. But, you will probably need help. Most lofty goals we devise are usually good for a couple of weeks and then we return to our old habits. Don't feel bad. It's a situation that is set up to fail unless we have the right tools to get the results that we want. Read this great report for FREE. Download and print it out or read it on your computer. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD SPECIAL REPORT  [image error] 3. Way Cool BackgroundThis is just great!  What a groovy way to get inspired each time you see your computer screen.  The background is FREE.  You can order poster size and frame it, if you need a little more motivation.  Neat company that has all kinds of organizational planners and notepads.  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BACKGROUND To see the other neat items check out www.lobotoME.com Ok there you go, three items to help kick of the beginning of 2012.  Let me know how they work for you and if you have an idea for a sharing Monday please let me know.  All the best, Michelle P.S.  Make sure to share this with your friends.

[image error] I just finished reading The Friendship Fix, by Andrea Bonior, Ph.D.  I'm giving the book 4 stars out of 5.  Here is the scoop. This book is relatively new, coming out April 2011.  It is available in paperback and e-reader format for the Nook and Kindle.  It is only 240-pages long and is divided into 12 chapters. The book is written for those who are called the "quarterlifers".  These are people in their twenties and thirties who found friendship in college easy to come by but harder to find in real life. One of the great comments made in the book is we all are human beings and as such we are born to connect with people.  We are wired to connect with others and not be alone.  Sometimes it might seem easier to be alone but we all need one another. A great question that Dr. Bonior asked people was how they came into their current circle of friends.  The overwhelming response was most people just kinda fell into their friendships.  They were passive about it and didn't choose on purpose their current friendships.  Think about that for a minute.  Have you been in friendships with people for maybe years and you don't really have anything in common with them at all?  Why are our efforts so low in choosing friends?  Something to think about. Dr. Bonior shares a great exercise you can use to help choose friends.  7 words to describe myself are:7 words I'd use to describe people I'd want to be my friends are:Now you have something to use as a guide when making new friends. There is lots of great information in this book.  You can read from front to back or choose a chapter that sounds interesting and start there.  I would recommend this book if you are looking for knowledge and like a humorous twist with that knowledge.  Find out more about Dr. Andrea Bonior at http://www.drandreabonior.com/book.php and baggage check.

[image error] At New Year's, a lot of people make resolutions to get into shape. If you and your family want to get into shape in the upcoming year, you might be going to make some similar commitments. Here are some tips to help keep your whole family fit in 2012 and thereafter. DIY"Do it yourself" - it can apply to home repairs and fitness. Think "DIY" regarding chores and tasks such as car washing, yard work,  painting, window washing, etc. Tackle these tasks as a family and get everyone moving. If you're currently paying to have these tasks done, getting the family involved will save you money. If you're already doing these tasks yourself, it will take a load off if you all work on these tasks together. Yard clean up, for instance, can be divided into those who rake or shovel, those who sweep, those who trim, mow, and so forth.  Include OthersFind another family that wants to get in shape and keep fit, and see if they will team up with you. Then you can make dates to play at the park, or sign up for sports together. It can help keep everyone motivated to have another family participating, because it makes it more fun and holds you accountable (if someone is waiting to meet you, for instance, you're a lot more likely to keep a fitness activity appointment than if you're just going by yourselves).  Try Something NewSign the family up to learn something together. Maybe everyone could take a family martial arts class, or learn surfing. You can try several different activities depending on family interest and time of year. It's likely that your family will find an activity that you all really take to, and you can continue this for years to come.  Think Before You ParkMany of us automatically try to find the closest possible parking place when we run errands and go shopping. Try reversing your thinking - park farther away to get an extra walk in. Whatever family members are along will get in on the extra exercise as well. Family Game Night - Fitness-StyleHave you thought about all the fun and active games that a family can play together? Try implementing a family game night several times a week (or once a week to start) that requires movement on the part of the players.  You can play some active games inside or out, such as:* Capture the flag
* Tag/Freeze tag/"Flashlight" tag
* Dance contests
* Hopscotch
* Catch
* Frisbee
* Relay races These are just some simple steps to start 2012 off with a bang!  Want to know exactly how much physical exercise your child needs?  Check out what the National Association for Sport and Physical Education has to say about physical exercise and your child's age.   Want to keep track of the exercise?  Here is a free exercise chart  from fitness and kids. All the best to you and your family as you move into a fit 2012!

You have less than 7 days to pull together a fabulous New Year's Party. What are you going to do for food? I have a great menu for you. You want the food to be great, but not boring right? You want to try to some new ideas, but none that are too out there right? Take a look and see a great party menu below:

Fondue
Fondue is one of those party foods that never seems to go out of style. You can use a crockpot if you don't have a classic fondue pot. You can serve cheese fondue with toast squares and fruit, or chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and cheese.

Vegetarian meatballs
There are so many great recipes out there for vegetarian meatballs, many of which contain flavorful chopped nuts. These tangy "meat" balls can be served as hors d'oeuvres or with rice as a stand-alone dish.

Roast
A prime rib roast is a fairly extravagant but traditional New Year's Eve main course. If you're serving it buffet-style, you can have it carved thinly and served with baguette slices and condiments. That will also help the meat go further.

Ham
Less expensive but just as appropriate as roast, a ham is a festive and traditional food to serve on New Year's. Like the roast beef, you can set it up so guests can assemble sandwiches. Honey-mustard glazed hams are popular. You can also serve it studded with cloves, pineapple slices, and maraschino cherries.

Shrimp
From shrimp cocktail to coconut-coated to kabobs, shrimp lends itself very well to a party menu. You can also make shrimp dip with tiny canned shrimp, cream cheese, minced onion, and lemon juice (best served with crackers).

Fruit kabobs
Brightly colored and easy to eat, fruit kabobs make great New Year's party food. Assemble them ahead of time with various combinations, and let guests dip them in chocolate fondue or eat as-is.

Layered salad
Layered salad is a wonderful party food, whether you make and serve it as the host/hostess or take it to a party. Serve it in a clear glass bowl so everyone can see the festive effect of the colorful layers.

Drinks
Champagne is traditional, but you may not want your guests drinking champagne from start to finish. Consider a sparkling champagne punch that combines the bubbly with fruit juice and club soda.

Dessert
Don't forget dessert! Finger foods might include mini cream puffs, éclairs, petit fours, or fudge. For a sit-down dinner, a layer cake can make a striking and yummy finish.

When setting up your buffet remember to add dimension to your arrangement of foods by making them different heights. This is easy to do, slip books under your tablecloth to vary the heights. Small tea-light candles places throughout adds a warm glow.

Do you have any great menu items for a New Year's party? We would love to have you share. Leave a comment with your favorite dish or decorating idea.

[image error]You have less than 7 days to pull together a fabulous New Year's Party.  What are you going to do for food?  I have a great menu for you.  You want the food to be great, but not boring right?  You want to try to some new ideas, but none that are too out there right?  Take a look and see a great party menu below:
Fondue Fondue is one of those party foods that never seems to go out of style. You can use a crockpot if you don't have a classic fondue pot. You can serve cheese fondue with toast squares and fruit, or chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and cheese.  Vegetarian meatballs There are so many great recipes out there for vegetarian meatballs, many of which contain flavorful chopped nuts. These tangy "meat" balls can be served as hors d'oeuvres or with rice as a stand-alone dish.  RoastA prime rib roast is a fairly extravagant but traditional New Year's Eve main course. If you're serving it buffet-style, you can have it carved thinly and served with baguette slices and condiments. That will also help the meat go further. Ham Less expensive but just as appropriate as roast, a ham is a festive and traditional food to serve on New Year's. Like the roast beef, you can set it up so guests can assemble sandwiches. Honey-mustard glazed hams are popular. You can also serve it studded with cloves, pineapple slices, and maraschino cherries. Shrimp From shrimp cocktail to coconut-coated to kabobs, shrimp lends itself very well to a party menu. You can also make shrimp dip with tiny canned shrimp, cream cheese, minced onion, and lemon juice (best served with crackers).  Fruit kabobs Brightly colored and easy to eat, fruit kabobs make great New Year's party food. Assemble them ahead of time with various combinations, and let guests dip them in chocolate fondue or eat as-is.  Layered salad Layered salad is a wonderful party food, whether you make and serve it as the host/hostess or take it to a party. Serve it in a clear glass bowl so everyone can see the festive effect of the colorful layers.  DrinksChampagne is traditional, but you may not want your guests drinking champagne from start to finish. Consider a sparkling champagne punch that combines the bubbly with fruit juice and club soda. Dessert Don't forget dessert! Finger foods might include mini cream puffs, éclairs, petit fours, or fudge. For a sit-down dinner, a layer cake can make a striking and yummy finish.
When setting up your buffet remember to add dimension to your arrangement of foods by making them different heights.  This is easy to do, slip books under your tablecloth to vary the heights.  Small tea-light candles places throughout adds a warm glow. Do you have any great menu items for a New Year's party?  We would love to have you share.  Leave a comment with your favorite dish or decorating idea.