Tax 101

Stephanie | February 15, 2017

Getting your taxes done can be confusing. If you do them yourself, keeping up with tax updates can be very time consuming. Here are a few tax tips that will hopefully help!

1. If your employer offers a 401K with matching contribution options, take it! This is not just food tax advice: if someone offers you essentially free money, take advantage of it!

2. Donate to charities: You will help a good cause, feel good, declutter and possibly get a tax break! If you do this, please save reciepts and even take pictures! Keep an itemized list and got to a website like Salvation Army to get customary donation amounts. However, please keep in mind this only helps if you itemize (file a schedule A).

3. MFS – if you are thinking of filing married filing separately, please be sure there is a good reason. Most of the time, it is not beneficial and some credits and deductions are eliminated if you use it.

4. Read a 1040: if you aren’t familiar with the credits and deductions out there, take a look at a 1040. You can go to IRS.gov to get one. It lists some of the more common credits like: educators expenses; school and moving for a job.

5. If you have insurance through the Marketplace, be prepared to provide your 1095-A. The government is now requesting this form. If you don’t have insurance, you will most likely get a penalty.

6. If you owe, you may be able to reduce that amount by contributing to an IRA. This may be able to reduce your tax liability and you can make contributions to the tax return filing date.

What is your favorite tax tip? Did this help? If so, please share with someone who can use this information.

Do you have 5 minutes for your personal health assessment? Click here for your free personalized plan.

To stay connected with Sharing A to Z, please see Facebook or Pinterest. You can also subscribe (on the middle right sidebar) to get our SATZ newsletters.

Healthy cleanse days 4 and 5

Stephanie | January 8, 2017

Healthy cleanse days 4 and 5

Day 4:

This morning was a fasting morning as I had blood work. However, I have been trying to do a 12 hour fast daily, so it was no sweat! After the blood work was completed, I had a Lifeshake! I put 8 ounces of water in a shaker bottle and then add the protein to a container, for a healthy meal on-the-go. I had a doctor’s appointment at 11:30, so brought a banana (to eat 1/2). I should have packed a little more because I had to wait at the doctors!

When I came home, I was starving and so glad that I had made hard-boiled eggs; stir fried cauliflower and bought some more fruit! I finished lunch with an energy tea and lemon juice.

For snack, I enjoyed some raspberries – my favorite! Dinner is sautéed kale and onions with raspberries for desert.

I’m so happy my cravings for processed food and sweets are gone and I am feeling a lot less bloated!

Day 5:

Hooray it is Friday! I’m feeling amazing! Today can be the last day of the cleanse or it can be continued for seven days.

For breakfast, I had a Lifeshake! and snacked on apples and 1/2 a banana. Dinner was a salad and these adorable carrots.

Aren’t these carrots so cute?

During this reset, I lost four pounds and six inches!

You may enjoy reading Day 1; Days 2 and 3.

Do you have 5 minutes for your personal health assessment? Click here for your free personalized plan.

To stay connected with Sharing A to Z, please see Facebook or Pinterest. You can also subscribe (on the middle right sidebar) to get our SATZ newsletters.

Healthy Cleanse days 2 and 3

Stephanie | December 1, 2016

Healthy Cleanse days 2 and 3

Day 2:

I was hungry shortly after I woke up, but made sure to drink a glass of lemon water and regular water before having two clementines and 1/4 cup of coffee.

After getting the children off to school, I ate a Granny Smith apple on the way to volunteering in my little one’s class.

When volunteering was done, it was 11:30 and I was getting hungry. So, I smacked on some green beans while I went to take some classes for work. I made sure to drink lots of water. Not only is it good for you, but getting up for more water and to use the restroom is a welcome break from sitting.

I returned home at 1:00 and had a smoothie made with water, chocolate Lifeshake and mint. Then, took the dog for a walk; dusted and vacuumed. When my oldest got home from school, we did homework, went to basketball, picked up my youngest and came home to make dinner.

The kids wanted tomato soup and grilled cheese, which is great because it was easy and I wasn’t tempted to sample it while cooking (to see what it needed, of course). For me, I made a salad with EVOO, lemon, vinegar and garlic powder. I also warmed up some cauliflower with EVOO, garlic and an onion. I was still hungry, so had a hard-boiled egg, too! Guess I should have let the food digest a bit because now I am stuffed! It’s 9:30 and I’m still full. It’s time for the evening supplements and getting ready for bed.

Day 3:

Today was amazing! I weighed myself and lost two pounds of water weight! Even better is that I feel less bloated and my cravings are drastically reduced. For breakfast, I had two glasses of water, a clementine and 1/2 a banana. Then, was off to tax class. Because I would be gone for about four hours, I packed an apple and Lifeshake. They are so convenient and good for you!

When I got home from class, I has an apple, cauliflower and some grapes for snack. For dessert, I had energy tea. My daughter wanted to go to Panera for dinner, so I got their go green salad. It was good and reset friendly, but next time I will get lemons and EVOO for the dressing.

You may enjoy reading Day 1; Days 4 and 5 or Days 6 and 7 (coming soon).

Do you have 5 minutes for your personal health assessment? Click here for your free personalized plan.

To stay connected with Sharing A to Z, please see Facebook or Pinterest. You can also subscribe (on the middle right sidebar) to get our SATZ newsletters.

Healthy Cleanse Day 1

Stephanie | November 29, 2016

Today is Healthy Cleanse day 1.

I have done the healthy cleanse once before a few months ago and had great success. So, this time, I wanted to document my progress. I was thinking today, the first day, would be difficult as I just came back from a Thanksgiving break eating fest. I literally felt sick from all the sugar and carbs I was eating. I also wasn’t listening to my body’s hunger cues. These are some of the things I am looking forward to resetting on this cleanse.

On day one of the healthy cleanse, I awoke and took my supplements with a big glass of water. I followed that with a glass of lemon water. Over Thanksgiving, I drank more coffee than my usual on cup and started to get a caffeine withdraw headache, so drank 1/2 cup of black coffee. I was so full from the prior few days that I didn’t eat until about 9:30. My selection was limited as I didn’t have a chance to go shopping yet, so I ate two clementines and a red pear.

Healthy Cleanse

Feel healthier in 7 days

I started putting away things from the trip and before I knew it, it was lunch time. I ate some broccoli slaw with EVOO, apple-cider vinegar, lemon juice with some garlic powder. For dessert was my vitamins, a clementine and energizing tea. Yum!

Then, it was off to Whole Foods to get some fruits and veggies for this challenge. After I unloaded all of the goodies, I snacked on some fresh green beans and packed my dinner. I had a long tax class tonight, but wasn’t worried. I packed two scoops of Life Shake in a container and filled my shaker bottle with water. Then, I put some green beans in a bag and also some chickpeas (if I was still hungry). Dinner was packed and I could go to class knowing I was sticking to the challenge! When I came home, I had the remaining supplements, more water and was ready for a good nights sleep. Day one was a success and I was excited for day two. Have you tried the healthy cleanse?

Do you have 5 minutes for your personal health assessment? Click here for your free personalized plan.

To stay connected with Sharing A to Z, please see Facebook or Pinterest. You can also subscribe (on the middle right sidebar) to get our SATZ newsletters.

Fall favorites: Gratitude journals

Stephanie | November 11, 2016

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. One of the reasons is because it is a time of reflection, thanksgiving and gratitude.

I have read multiple times that gratitude journals are wonderful tools for both adults and children. I have started many!

This time, I decided to start one in November, the gratitude month! Each day I have been writing one word that explains what I am thankful for that day. Then, I write a sentence explain why. This quick method is proving much better consistency results! The children even have gratitude journals.

Gratitude journals @sharingAtoZ

Click To Tweet

Have you done a gratitude journal? If not, would you like to write one with me?

Do you have 5 minutes for your personal health assessment? Click here for your free personalized plan.

To stay connected with Sharing A to Z, please see Facebook or Pinterest. You can also subscribe (on the middle right sidebar) to get our SATZ newsletters.

Pumpkin protein balls

Stephanie | October 26, 2016

These pumpkin protein balls are so adorable, yet are healthy, too! They are a great way to celebrate fall and get more protein into your little one’s diet (or yours)! Enjoy!

pumpkin protein balls @sharingatoz

Click To Tweet

Pumpkin Protein Balls

1 cup vanilla protein (our favorite is this one or this one)

1 cup organic creamy peanut butter

1/3 cups organic pumpkin purée

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*

1/3 cup honey

Mix together. Roll into a ball. Make a pumpkin shape with a small knife. Then top with a natural chocolate chunk or chip.

This makes approximately 20 balls. You can also freeze some for later.

*You can add extra pumpkin pie spice to taste.
If you want them a little softer add 1 teaspoons vanilla.

What is your favorite pumpkin recipe? Here are a few more of mine.

You may also enjoy these other protein ball recipes:

No bake healthier “cookies”
Healthier Buckeye Cookies
Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin protein balls
Valentine energy bites
kids protein bars

If you enjoyed these tips and would like to hear more, please subscribe (on the middle right sidebar) to get our SATZ newsletters. To stay connected with Sharing A to Z, please see Facebook or Pinterest.

Healthy through the holidays

Stephanie | October 25, 2016

The holidays are such a wonderful time filled with family, traditions and memories. However, they are often times filled with sweets and excuses not to exercise, which can lead to weight gain. Previously when I have when I have enjoyed the holidays in a carefree and unplanned style, I have gained weight. Each year, it takes longer and longer to lose the weight.

Last year, I had a plan and didn’t gain weight. This year, I am going to be healthy through the holidays and attempt to lose weight. Would you like to join me and my team?

I do so much better when I focus on health and exercise with a group. The accountability and support are priceless!

This year, my Shaklee team and I are going to work together to make this the best and healthiest holiday season yet! We would love for you to join us! Interested, read on.

Healthy through the holidays @sharingAtoZ

Click To Tweet

We are so excited that you have chosen to learn more about how you can stay healthy this holiday season with Shaklee! We are personally committed to your success in this group. We intend to provide you with all of the tools, tips, recipes and inspiration you could possibly need to exceed all of your goals. We will walk alongside you on this journey and we hope that you can experience and participate with us in this community. We would love for you to connect and encourage each other to stay healthy this holiday season!

On our Shaklee team, we always talk about the importance of striving to reach healthier goals. We realize that the holidays, on top of the demands of everyday life, can be extremely draining. Not to mention how tired we feel after a night of binge eating. We envisioned a group of men and women dedicated to investing in their health and commitment to making healthier choices throughout the holidays. We couldn’t think of a better way to start our own health journey then by working together to stay lean and healthy this holiday season.

We will be posting here more of the benefits of joining our exclusive Facebook group but first let me tell you how you can get full access.

We have three different kits that will get you to qualify.

1. Shaklee Life Plan
2. Vitalizing Plan
3. Turnaround Kit

Proper nutrition is the key to anyone’s health. So to ensure that we stay healthy this holiday season we are going to be replacing one of our meals with Shaklee’s like shake. It is packed with protein, pre and probiotics and all of our omega-3’s! We will also be having a daily supplement to ensure that we are getting the proper nutrients that we need and maybe lacking this holiday season!

Please let me know if you have any questions. I can’t wait to stay healthy this holiday season together!

Fall favorite: pumpkin seeds

Stephanie | October 21, 2016

The fall favorite this week is pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds. Have you tried them? I got these from Trader Joe’s and while they aren’t the healthiest, they are so good!