Top 5 Benefits of Creating a Spiritual Journal

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Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV

Creating a spiritual journal can offer numerous benefits, and here are the top five:

  1. Self-Reflection: A spiritual journal allows you to reflect on your thoughts, experiences, and spiritual journey. It provides a space to explore your beliefs, values, and inner experiences, leading to greater self-awareness.
  2. Personal Growth: Regular journaling can facilitate personal growth and spiritual development. It helps you set and track spiritual goals, identify areas for improvement, and measure your progress over time.
  3. Stress Reduction: Writing in a spiritual journal can be a form of stress relief. It allows you to express your emotions, release tension, and find solace in your spiritual beliefs, reducing stress and anxiety.
  4. Connection with Spirituality: Keeping a journal helps you strengthen your connection with your spiritual beliefs and practices. It can deepen your understanding of your faith, provide clarity on spiritual questions, and reinforce your commitment to your beliefs.
  5. Gratitude and Positivity: A spiritual journal often includes gratitude entries, which promote a positive outlook on life. Regularly acknowledging your blessings can boost your overall well-being and enhance your sense of contentment.

Ultimately, a spiritual journal is a valuable tool for personal and spiritual growth, self-exploration, and deepening your connection with your spirituality.

Peace be with you,

~Kelly

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Easy Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms via Allrecipes

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Easy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

We’ve all been there, right? That magical time between paychecks when your food budget resembles a tightrope walk over a pit of hungry alligators. But fear not, fellow budget warriors! Let me let you in on a little secret weapon in my pantry arsenal: the search for “orphan ingredients”! It’s like playing detective in your own fridge. You open the door, and there they are – those random ingredients that never quite made it into a full-fledged meal. That half-bunch of cilantro, a lonely can of chickpeas, and that single chicken breast just chillin’ like a culinary bachelor. Well, challenge accepted! With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of resourcefulness, I’m turning these culinary orphans into mealtime heroes! Stay tuned because we’re about to whip up something really delicious.

Today is Thursday, and my check won’t arrive till tomorrow. My kiddos have been in and out of the refrigerator for the last hour, looking for something to snack on. What shall I do? So I peeked in the refrigerator to see what was left since last week’s shop.  There were some Portabello mushrooms that were on their way out. I knew that I had parmesan cheese, garlic that I had preserved**, and Italian sausage in the freezer. So I put my little thinking cap on, and viola sausage sausage-stuffed mushrooms came to mind.

Usually, these are considered a treat in my house, but today, they will become a dollar stretcher. Best of all, my family will be none the wiser!

Easy Sausage-Stuffed Mushroom Recipe

Ingredient List:

  • 24 large mushrooms, stems removed, or more as needed
  • 1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Please visit the recipe page for the full ingredient list and recipe instructions. **Please check out my post, How to Preserve Garlic for Long-Term Storage, to learn how to eliminate food waste.

The post Easy Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms appeared first at Allrecipes. The user DRFHRLAW submitted this recipe.

If you have tried this recipe, please leave a comment.

Enjoy,

~Kelly

Recipes

New Year’s Eve 2023 Thoughts

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on New Year’s Eve 2023 Thoughts

Spiritual Enrichment Journey in 2024

New Year’s Eve Thoughts 2024

As we welcome the dawn of 2024, I aspire to embark on a  journey of spiritual enrichment and cultivating gratitude within my soul. In the upcoming year, I yearn to delve deeper into spirituality, striving to unravel its mysteries and find solace in its embrace. I commit to nurturing gratitude daily, recognizing its power to bring inner peace and contentment.

My primary goal is to undertake a meaningful journey toward spiritual growth and nurture a sense of gratitude. I hope to explore spirituality more deeply in the coming year, seeking comfort and understanding in its teachings. Simultaneously, I dedicate myself to making gratitude a central part of my daily life, recognizing its ability to bring inner peace and contentment.

While I enjoy the comfort of my home, I frequently contemplate those less fortunate. I realize the privileges we often overlook. A simple turn of the faucet grants us access to clean water for drinking and bathing, and just a few steps away, our refrigerator is filled with nourishing food, shielded from the violence that plagues many parts of the world.

Yet, life’s unpredictability may bring times when despair overwhelms us and the world appears overwhelmingly grim. In these challenging moments, I urge you to tap into the power of gratitude. Consider your invaluable gifts: good health, a safe place to live, and the means to support yourself through work. Life presents a complex journey, brimming with ups and downs, often imperfect and occasionally appearing unfair. However, the potential for growth and transformation resides within every difficulty.

How to Develop Your Own Grateful Living Journey

If you want to embark on your grateful living journey, you can visit the article Thirty Daily Practice Ideas for Living Gratefully from Grateful Living. In addition, One of my first goals for my spiritual enrichment journey in 2024 is to begin writing a daily journal. To learn more, you can visit my post, Top 5 Benefits of Creating a Spiritual Journal.

As we bid farewell to 2023 on this final night, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all of you. May security, prosperity, and happiness mark the upcoming year. May peace surround your lives, offering steadfast support as we all navigate this shared journey.

Peace be with you all,

~Kelly

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Chicago Area Residents: Pace is Offering Free Late Night Rides on New Year’s Eve

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Chicago Area Residents: Pace is Offering Free Late Night Rides on New Year's Eve
Residents of Chicagoland celebrating New Year’s Eve are encouraged to utilize public transportation where available. Pace will provide free bus, Pace Connect, and ADA Paratransit rides from 10 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, until 4 a.m. on Monday, January 1.

Pace Connect is Pace’s new late-night ride-hailing service in the O’Hare and Harvey areas. Pace Connect Harvey Area recently expanded its operation to allow pickups and drop-offs anywhere in the service area. Previously, trips had to start or end at the Harvey Transportation Center. Now, riders can go to or from anywhere within the zone.

While Pace offers limited bus service during these late-night hours, ADA Paratransit Service operates 24/7 in the City of Chicago. Regular Sunday schedules are in effect on Sunday, December 31, and holiday service schedules will be in effect on Monday, January 1. Passengers should review Pace’s New Year’s Day Holiday Schedule before traveling. Pace wishes everyone a safe and happy New Year.

Everyone, please have a safe and Happy New Year!

~Kelly

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USPS Holiday 2023 Recommended Ship By Dates

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USPS Holiday 2023 Recommended Ship By Dates

Good morning everyone! The United States Postal Service has announced the recommended Holiday ship by dates for 2023.

If you’re shipping holiday cards and gifts for Hanukkah (Dec. 7–Dec. 15), Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26–Jan. 1), or other holiday traditions, find the USPS® recommended domestic, international, and military deadlines in these tables.

Use the Retail Postage Price Calculator to get expected delivery dates.

Have a beautiful day!

~Kelly

Christmas

Free COVID-19 Tests: Accessible, Convenient, and Secure

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Free COVID-19 Tests BinaxNow

Beginning September 25, 2023, free COVID-19 tests are now available to the public. This initiative aims to make testing more accessible and convenient for everyone. Families can request four complimentary tests through covidtests.gov. These tests come at no cost, and there are no shipping fees. Deliveries will commence in the week starting October 2, 2023.

If you have expired tests at home, check the FDA’s website to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended. The new tests that are shipping may show expired on the box or are only good through the end of 2023, but the FDA has extended those dates; see the complete list of extended expiration dates.

Upon selecting to place an order, you’ll be guided to special.usps.com/testkits. On this site, you’ll provide your full name and address. You can also enter your email to receive delivery notifications from the U.S. Postal Service.

It’s important to note that this official portal only asks for your name and address. If there’s any request for additional details like bank or credit card information, it’s likely fraudulent.

~Kelly

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Unlock Financial Freedom: Mastering the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on Unlock Financial Freedom: Mastering the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule

Navigating the complex world of personal finance can be daunting, but the 50/30/20 Rule offers a clear and structured approach to managing your money. This tried-and-true budgeting guideline provides a straightforward division of your after-tax income, ensuring that essential needs, personal desires, and future financial security are all addressed.

Whether you’re a seasoned financial planner or just starting your financial journey, understanding and implementing the 50/30/20 Rule can be the key to achieving a balanced and sustainable economic lifestyle. Discover how this simple yet effective rule can transform your financial habits and set you on the path to monetary well-being.

Understanding the 50/30/20 Rule

The 50/30/20 Rule is a budgeting guideline that divides your after-tax income into three relatively simple categories:

50% – Needs

Half of your net income should be allocated towards necessary expenditures. These are the essential costs you incur in your daily life, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, health insurance, and transportation. These are costs you absolutely cannot avoid and are necessary for your survival and well-being.

30% – Wants

Thirty percent of your budget is reserved for wants or personal choices. This category includes unnecessary expenses that enhance your quality of life, such as dining out, vacations, shopping for clothes, or indulging in hobbies and entertainment. Essentially, this is your leisure and entertainment fund.

20% – Savings and Debt Repayment

The final 20% of your budget should be directed towards savings and debt repayments. This includes contributions to your emergency fund, retirement savings, and paying off student loans, credit cards, or car loans.

Implementing the 50/30/20 Rule

Implementing the 50/30/20 Rule requires a few steps:

Calculate Your After-Tax Income
Your after-tax income is what you have left after all taxes have been deducted from your salary. It is your take-home pay, which becomes the foundation of your budget according to the 50/30/20 Rule.

Categorize Your Expenses
Next, take the time to categorize your expenditures into needs, wants, and savings/debt repayment. It might take a while initially, but once organized, it becomes easier to manage your budget.

Track Your Spending
Regularly track your spending to ensure you are sticking to the budget. This could be done through budgeting apps, spreadsheets, or a simple notebook. The key is to be consistent and honest in recording your expenses.

Adjust as Necessary
It is okay to make adjustments as you go. The 50/30/20 Rule is a guideline, not a strict rule. The percentages can be tweaked based on your circumstances to suit your financial situation better.

Benefits of the 50/30/20 Rule

Simplicity
The Rule is straightforward, making it easy to follow for people new to budgeting.
Encourages Savings

Setting aside a portion of your income for savings and debt repayment fosters a culture of financial responsibility and forward-thinking.

Allows for Personal Spending
The Rule doesn’t restrict personal spending but allocates a fair percentage of the income for personal enjoyment.

In conclusion, the 50/30/20 Rule is a financial tool that helps individuals and families create a balanced budget, encouraging a healthy economic lifestyle by effectively dividing expenditures into essential needs, wants, and savings/debt repayment categories. While it offers a simple framework for budgeting, it is flexible enough to be customized according to individual financial situations, promoting a sustainable and financially secure lifestyle.

Starting with a budget is the cornerstone of rebuilding financial stability. It’s a proactive step, a clear blueprint that can guide you from the shadows of bad credit. Financial challenges can be daunting, but many have walked this path and emerged stronger. Bad credit is not a life sentence; it’s a temporary setback. With commitment and the right tools, like budgeting, you can navigate your way to a brighter financial future. Stay focused, stay hopeful, and know that every effort you make today lays the foundation for a more secure tomorrow. One of the resources I used when I was starting out on my financial wellness journey was: What Lies in Your Debt? It Pays to Know! Click here to access a 60-day risk-free trial. I assure you you won’t be sorry.

Unlock Financial Freedom: Mastering the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule

~Kelly

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