Category Archives: Maryann’s Articles & Podcasts

8 Ways to Say I Love You PODCAST

Posted on by

I love youStevie Wonder wrote a beautiful song that was a popular hit, “I just called to say I love you.”

The verse goes:

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

How beautiful are those lyrics?    

The most important thing in life is sharing, experiencing and giving thanks for quality time with family and friends.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives, our routines, work and daily living demands. Yet, it’s important to stop and evaluate our schedules and commitments in order to make quality time to spend with our loved ones.

8 ways to say, “I love you”

1.  Find time to call just to say “I love you” and make this a regular habit

2.  Take out your calendar and plan ahead.   Make time to spend quality time.

3. Communicate how you feel with letters, gifts, and little acts of kindness.  Putting a little love note in your husband’s or wife’s briefcase, taking your spouses work clothes to the cleaners without being asked.

One thing I’ve started to do is bringing home a fresh bouquet of flowers for the table each week.  I know this is something my husband loves, and it makes the kitchen so much more inviting.

4.  Give thanks and express thanks.  Tell those you love how much they mean to you, how lucky you are they are in your life.  Thank God and Say a little prayer for them.

5. Cherish your memories by taking photos or keeping a scrapbook and mementos of special occasions.

Recently my brothers and sisters and I went through an old box of cards, school projects and notes we had given our parents growing up.  It was truly a treasure.

6.  For a busy family, sometimes it’s hard for everyone to get together for a meal.  However, try to figure out when you can have family time.  Get the family together for a regular Sunday dinner.  Use that time to communicate, reconnect and enjoy that dinner talking minus the TV and electronics.

7.  Plan an evening out with your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or significant other on a regular basis.   Make a date for a date night.

8. If you’re not talking to someone in your family, or there’s bad blood, try and rise above it.  Take that first step to make amends and to work towards forgiveness and understanding.

Would you find it easy or difficult to take action with some of the ideas I’ve mentioned?

For some, just a reminder is enough to give them perspective on what’s important in their lives. To others, it might be easier to bury an emotion or not make a move when it comes to sharing their feelings. Maybe you might feel a little embarrassed about expressing your feelings.

If you’re a workaholic that can’t make time – take a deeper look inside.

The term workaholics, given to people that are addicted to work (for a variety of reasons, maybe they need the positive reinforcement and validation of their self worth, maybe they love the adrenaline of making the deal, or are trying to escape problems or negative feelings).  Whatever the reason, at some point in their lives, and usually when they least expect it, workaholics are faced with the realization that work isn’t the only avenue to happiness or success.

Part of Simply Delicious Living is to cherish the ones you love in words and deeds on a regular basis, you’ll always be thankful you did.

ff6fa7bc942fea49d7410b8105b6d094

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST, CLICK HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST RSS FEED, CLICK HERE.

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN ITUNES, CLICK HERE.

Share

Stay in Your Best Zone

Posted on by

BeautyOne of my favorite things  (besides cooking & writing!) – Travel with family and photographing nature’s beauty

Take care of You

If you don’t take care of yourself, there won’t be enough for you — or for anyone else — to go around.  So make sure you’re getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night and that you’re eating right.  When you reach for that candy bar or artificially sweetened food, remember that eating fresh and natural foods minus the chemicals is better for your health.  Read labels.  If the ingredients are one’s you can pronounce or can’t readily identify, don’t buy the product.

When you purchase food look for the “USDA Organic” label because these national standards define organic as those foods that are produced without the use of most conventional pesticides and without synthetic fertilizers. Food products cannot use the USDA Organic seal unless at least 95% of their ingredients are organic.

Additionally, the food can’t be genetically modified, irradiated to kill bacteria, or fertilized with sewage sludge from waste treatment plants.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given organic feed and no antibiotics or growth hormones. Currently, there are no organic regulations for fish.

Also look for foods that are NON GMO Project Verified and make sure when you buy whole grains; you’re really getting whole grains.  Look for labels that say 100% Whole Grain (47g or more per serving) vs. Just Whole Grain (8g or more per serving) at the beginning of the ingredient list.

When buying meat or poultry, it says ‘natural,’ that may mean the meat just hasn’t been fed hormones in the last 12 months before finding its way to the grocery shelf. Ask for ‘never never’ meat — as in never used growth hormones or antibiotics. Grass-fed is another step up in terms of flavor, quality, and nutritional benefit.”

Plant a Garden

Not getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables?  Plan a garden.  Gardening, a wonderful distraction to everyday life, allows us to focus on the task at hand.  In doing so, it actually helps to decrease stress.  The great thing about gardening is that you’ll also benefit from all the fresh locally grown produce.  If you don’t find gardening appealing, enjoy another hobby on a regular basis – dance, tennis, and bird watching – any hobby that allows you to escape and live in the moment.

Learn how to say NO

Before you agree to paint a friend’s house, host a dinner for 40, join one more networking group, go over your schedule and figure out if it’s coming to come with a price.  Saying yes to everything can often create stress and unnecessary activity in our lives keeping us from the things and people that mean the most to us.  Evaluate what each activity will take, the pros and the cons, and how it will impact your precious time.

Take a Trip with a Friend or Loved One – Leave the kids at home

Family vacations are fantastic and important.  However, Mom and Dad have got to have their time away from the kids. Parents need to connect as romantic partners.  If you don’t have kids, or the kids are long gone, you still need to get away every now and again.  For a long weekend — or a week or more vacation.  Planning a fun getaway is a great way to have something exciting to look forward to, dream of and talk about.

A Few of Your Favorite Things

We all remember that song Julie Andrews sang in the “Sound of Music” — “My Favorite Things.”   Well, make a list of what yours are.  It might be enjoying that first cup of coffee of the day outside sitting in your garden.  Maybe it’s having a glass of wine at night looking at the stars, talking a long walk by the shoreline or volunteering for an important community event.  Make sure you do at least one or more of these activities daily to put a smile on your face.

Live. Love. Laugh.

Live to your fullest. Love a lot and laugh daily. If you do this, the best in life will come to you and your heart will be open to receiving.

podcast

 

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST

SUBSCRIBE TO THE RSS FEED

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST in iTunes

 

***

For great recipes, creative living inspirations and more, visit my website and blog at SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

 

 

Share

Simply Green Living: 9 Easy Everday Tips

Posted on by
Beauty along a Kona Road Photo by Maryann Ridini Spencer

Beauty along a Kona Road, Photo by Maryann Ridini Spencer

The Road to Simply Green Living

Every person can make a difference in the health and sustainability of the planet. If every person does their part — a little bit everyday — imagine what an impact this would have on a global scale!

Here are some simple tips that can be easily incorporated into  your everyday life.  Be a green champion and help keep our environment safe, healthy and thriving by simply livin’ green today and everyday.

1. Drink tap vs. buying bottled water.  When you travel, carry your water in a BPA free bottle, glass or metal container.

2. As we head into spring and summer, going on picnics is a favorite outdoor activity.  So, when packing a picnic, remember to use reusable linens, plates, and utensils.

3. Shopping for groceries or other items?  Keep reusable bags in the car.

4.  Save on gas and parking costs by walking (and/or biking) around town. Not only are you doing something great for the environment, you’ll be doing something great for your health.

5.  Buy local whenever possible.  Buying local produce, meats and other items, can help the local economy and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

6.  Be Waterwise. Use Smart Irrigation for your lawn and garden.  Get a weather-based irrigation controller for watering your lawn and garden.

7.  Change out your lawn for a garden using native plants (plants that naturally thrive where you live).  Ask your local nursery about native plants.

8.  Having a party? If you’re planning to mail out invitations, why not save some trees and send an Evite (evite.com), Facebook, or other online invitation to your guests!

9.  Compost food waste and prevent waste from our overcrowded landfills. Composting recycles an array of organic materials that would otherwise end up in Why not take part in nature’s natural cycle of growth and decay by composting.  Here are some tips on how from EarthShare.org.

-This article by Maryann Ridini Spencer also appears at SustainableVentura.TV

 

 

Share

Creating the Life You Desire Podcast

Posted on by

SOAR, March 9, 2013 Seminar. jpegCreating the Life You Desire Podcast with Maryann Ridini Spencer

Change in life is inevitable. It happens when we prepare for it, and even when we haven’t.

Part of living successfully, or as I like to say, simply delicious living, is embracing change and even rejoicing in the planning for it.

Sometimes we get caught in a rut.  The same routines day and night.  We get up, get washed and fed, and drive to work.  Then we work 9 to 5 (or longer), come home make dinner, help the kids with their homework, maybe, if we’re lucky, steal some time with our significant other, and then repeat.

While you may be satisfied with your job and the life you are living, there are ways to enrich your experience and appreciation. How? When you take stock of your life and your dreams and your goals.

It’s vital to honor your heart’s desires.  Doing so, will increase your vitality for life and your life experience.

On my blog at SimplyDeliciousLiving.com, if you SEARCH “Scrapbook Your Dreams,” I explain how to go about creating a scrapbook to inspire you and help you set goals for every area of your life.

As a brief recap, at a craft store, you can purchase poster board or a blank scrapbook.  I like to use large photo albums where I can place a number of images on one page within a plastic covering.

Then, once you have some poster board or a scrapbook, at a table or desk, make sure you have a selection of different types of magazines (sports, fitness, health, travel, women’s magazines, etc.), some scotch tape (scotch tape is best vs. permanent glue, so you can remove/change photos should you desire), and scissors.

On different pages of your scrapbook or LIFE BOARD or LIFE BOOK, make headings for every area of your life you’d like to explore.

  • Travel
  • Relationship
  • Work
  • Winning a race or competition
  • Writing a novel
  • Buying a home or car
  • Harmony with family and friends
  • Tapping into your creativity

Then cut out the images and words from the magazines that speak to you or inspire you. Really think about what it is you desire and then go for those goals.  When you cut out images that speak to you or inspire you, whether you realize it or not, the act of cutting those images out, and thinking of what you’d like to achieve, is a way for you to start getting those goals put into action by your subconscious mind.

If you’d like to travel more, make a “travel” page.  Put those places you’d like to visit. Maybe you might want to include a suitcase, a tropical setting, drinks on the table, a photo of you and your loved ones from a previous vacation having a good time, the words, “Paradise Found” and “We’re having a great time.”

Live the page, feel it as you are creating it.  Looking at images and words will trigger ideas.

If one of your goals is to develop a closer relationship with your spouse, make a page or two that focuses on your relationship.

Put smiling pictures of the both of you on the page.  Surround your photos with words (that you cut out from magazines) like “Forever Happy” “Soul Mates”  “A Partnership to last a Lifetime,” “Communication with Ease,” and photos of peace, harmony, happiness, love, etc.

It’s been documented that making “affirmations” or positive statements and visualizing the outcome, without laboring on every detail, can actually assist and guide the unique powers that exist in the universe to make these affirmations a reality.

Believe and it shall be.  In the bible, in Luke 11:9  reads: “So I say to you:  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Look at your Life Board every morning and every night, as that is the time when our subconscious mind is more open to suggestion.  You might want to change some of the images on your board or create a new board.

This activity is great to do alone, or with a trusted friend.  You’ll see, that when you do your board, and later revisit it, you may be well on your way to achieving the things you desire!

To LISTEN to this Podcast (and/or to SUBSCRIBE the Simply Delicious Living Podcast RSS Feed, CLICK HERE.

To LISTEN to this Podcast in iTunes, CLICK HERE.

Share

The Simply Delicious Living with Maryann Cookbook – On Sale Now!

Posted on by

SimplyDeliciousLiving_CB_Cover_1Are you a busy working professional, student, and/or an active Mom or Dad? Would you like to enjoy scrumptious meals that taste gourmet, but are oh so easy to make? The “Simply Delicious Living with Maryann® – Entrées” cookbook by Award-winning Producer, Writer, TV Host and Journalist, Maryann Ridini Spencer, features over 40 easy-to-make, delicious recipes made with fresh and natural ingredients that will make your taste buds jump for joy! GET THE BOOK!

Read Maryann’s Simply Delicious Living Syndicated Print & Video Column

Also visit: SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV and RidiniEntertainment.com

Share

Celebrating the Love on St. Valentine’s Day

Posted on by

ValentineThe Legend of St. Valentine

In ancient Rome, around the time of 278 A.D., St. Valentine, a priest during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II, was executed on February 14.  The Emperor decreed that young men could not marry and have families, as the he felt that it would detract from their duties and commitments as soldiers.  Legend has it that St. Valentine performed many wedding ceremonies for young lovers in secret. Eventually, St. Valentine was caught, imprisoned and beheaded for these acts of love and kindness. The fact that St. Valentine was executed for love makes him a much loved, heroic and martyred romantic figure.

Just before his execution, he is said to have written a letter to his jailer’s daughter, signing it “From Your Valentine.”

Throughout the ages, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in many ways across the globe.  It’s been recorded that Valentine’s Day greetings date back to the Middle Ages, with written Valentine sentiments coming much later.

While some may look upon Valentine’s Day as a becoming somewhat of a commercial holiday, it’s important to remember the true meaning of how and why the day is remembered.

This Valentine’s Day, how are you planning to show your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, mother, father, children and other family members and friends your love?

A beautiful card? A romantic dinner? A gift of a dozen red roses or a box of candy?

Whatever you decide, here are some ideas that I hope will inspire you:

*For a very special Valentine – a great gift for a woman to receive is a locket (with slots for photos inside). That way she can wear her locket close to her heart — always.   And for a man, a pocket watch, also with room for the photo.

*Poets such as John Donne, William Shakespeare, Dickinson, Gibran and Browning set hearts afire with their words. Purchase a book of love poems (or download them from the internet), and then read and share the poems with your loved one by a roaring fire.

*If you’re good at taking photos, building a book of memorable pictures of the places you’ve visited together, and the places you’d like to visit, can be made and bound on online publishing sites such as lulu.com and blurb.com.

*Create a series of special cards (the size of index cards) on nice card stock. You can purchase these types of cards at stores like JoAnn’s, Michael’s, Staples and Office Depot to name a few. Decorate the cards by writing and painting on them, even attaching photos. Come up with a series of things that you will do for your loved one and document this on each individual card.   Some ideas could include:  A massage after a long day at work, preparing their favorite meal, packing a picnic lunch to share on an ocean bluff, a day get-away to a spot you’ll both enjoy.  Have fun and get creative!

*Surprise your partner with an unexpected weekend get-away (or even a night away) to a romantic bed and breakfast. (Minus the computers and electronics!)

*Prepare your partner’s favorite meal and share a romantic movie classic together.

Love is precious and our time on earth is limited.  Remember to tell the ones you love, how much they are loved.  Celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day – and better yet, every day.

images

For simply delicious, easy-to-make recipes and creative inspirations for joyous living, visit my blog at SimplyDeliciousLiving.com.

Love,

Maryann

podcast

Listen to THIS “Celebrating Love on St. Valentine’s Day” PODCAST, CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

LVposterWatch “The Lost Valentine” (co-written and produced by Maryann) available for $19.98 at Hallmark.com. Find out more about the film, Here. 

Share

Think Green Everyday!

Posted on by

thinkgreen

Everyone can make a difference in the health of our planet!  How?  By living and thinking GREEN.   Follow these easy tips to Simply GREEN Living!

•When you buy something packaged, think about the packaging.  Is there an alternative with less packaging? Can the packaging be recycled or will it end up going in the landfill? Are you able to reuse the packaging (is it a gift bag or bow you can reuse?

reusable gift bags

When you buy something packaged or that needs to be packaged, think about “reuse.”

•When you purchase electronics, give preference to the model that can be easily upgraded or that has parts that can be reused and recycled.  Avoid products that shut down if one part breaks.

Recycle

•Think cardboard over Styrofoam.  Cardboard can be recycled, Styrofoam can’t. Syrofoam is a petroleum product.  However, if you’re looking to put that cardboard pizza box in the recycle bin.  STOP!  Food and grease – that’s one thing you can’t recycle (you can recycle the top, if it has no grease and/or cheese on it).

Pizza boxes

•Plastic bags can be recycled, but not in your curbside recycling. Take plastic bags back to the grocery store and recycle them there. Every major grocery store is required to take them back by law.

No Plastic Bags

•Wire hangers can be recycled in your curbside recycle bin. It is preferable to bundle wire hangers, if possible.

No wire hangers

•USE Washable cloths over paper or napkins.  Napkins and paper, because they are often contaminated with food, are not recyclable.  A great way to save on having to buy paper products is to use washable cloths instead.

reusable wash clothsNote: Please check with recycling laws in your city by visiting your city’s website and/or by calling your city for more information.

By Maryann Ridini Spencer, SustainableVentura.TV

Share

Simply Green Living: New Year’s Resolutions for 2013

Posted on by

 

buylocalWhile your making your New Year’s resolutions in your personal and professional life.  Keep the environment in mind!

Here are some green tips to help save the planet that can also help you save on your pocketbook!

•Buy local, fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables

Save on greenhouse gas emissions and use less gas when you visit the grocery store.  Plan your trips and carpool with a friend.  You’ll cut down on local pollution and also contribute to the local economy when you buy local.

•Efficient Transportation

Is your car a gas guzzler?  If so, why not opt for an energy saving vehicle or better yet, if you can, walk, ride a bike or take public transportation!

•Energy Efficient Living

Discover how to make your home more energy efficient, CLICK HERE.

•Green Your Office

You can help save the environment buy employing sustainable practices at the office.  READ MORE.

•Green Cleaning

Clean your home, yourself & your environment using healthy Green Products. LEARN MORE.

•Buy Recycled Paper Products

Products made with 100% recycled paper require less water in the manufacturing process.  Recycled products also reduce waste going into our already overcrowded landfills.

•Carry a water bottle and Recyclable bag everywhere you go

Avoid buying bottled water when you can bring delicious tasting tap water with you in a BPA-Free, recyclable container.  You’ll save money, your health (drinking water is healthy and you’ll save the environment.

A great way to reduce plastic bag use is to keep reusable bags in the car, your purse/briefcase/backpack, etc.,  where you will remember to take them into the store. Use reusable produce bags instead of the plastic bags at the store and Farmer’s Market.

•Easy retrofits for water conservation

Installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators in your kitchen and bathroom sinks are simple and inexpensive ways to conserve water. Low-flow showerheads and aerators can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50%.  The cost of heating the water can also be reduced 50%. Using less water and energy keeps money in your pocketbook and saves our natural resources!

•Smart irrigation

A landscape can be both beautiful and water efficient.  Set your irrigation timers at season appropriate watering cycles set to water only in the early morning or later in the evening to avoid evaporation and wind interference.  Get water to the intended targets, the roots of your garden and lawn.

REDUCE•REUSE•RECYCLE IN 2013!

By Maryann Ridini Spencer, From Sustainable Ventura

Share

5 Easy Ways to Green Your Holidays!

Posted on by

Saving our earth and natural resources is everyone’s gift to the planet.   Everyone can make a difference.  So why not start this holiday season?  Here are 5 easy ways to green your holidays!  Mother Earth will be glad you did.

1.  Buy local & Eat Local.  From farm to table is the best way to think.  Shopping for local produce is better for you because produce is fresh – literally from your local farms.  Shopping local also saves on saves on green house gas emissions.

2.  Shop using reusable shopping bags.  Keep reusable bags in your car.  You never know when the inspiration for shopping will hit!

3.  Give the gift of green. Visit  your local thrift or antique shop and find a great gift to recycle.  You might also get creative and make a gift out of materials you already have.   Taking extra care to pick out a special gift or make a special gift,  is also a unique and beautiful way to express your appreciation for someone special.

4.  Save trees!  Entertain using reusable utensils, dinnerware and linens vs. disposables.  When it comes to clean up, cleaning reusable products may take a little more time,  but at least all that trash won’t be dumped into our already overflowing landfills.

5.  Recycle & Recycle.  Bottles, boxes, cans, glass jars, anything that can be recycled,  place them in your blue recycle bin.

 Happy Holidays!

Share

Winter Wonderland from SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

Posted on by

 

 

 

When I can, I enjoy photographing shots of nature and taking pictures of images that speak to me.  Please enjoy the slide show!

Happy Holidays,

Maryann

Share