Recently I became the CEO of a highly recognizable
company – The Household. There were several disgruntled employees
(dust bunnies, coffee stains, empty refrigerator, hungry husband), but ultimately
they gave in and emphatically brought me on board and welcomed me in to my new
position. This was just a mere few weeks
ago and already I feel as though the changes I’ve made have been for the best
(not to mention long overdue).
In my first week, I knew
I would be faced with the inevitable- letting go of things that have been a
staple of The Household. This task was
of course, quite daunting, and left me with extreme anxiety as I began my
job. Shortly after starting, I pulled
out the broom and began sweeping up the mess that had been left for too
long. The dust bunnies were the first to
go and didn’t even put up a fight. They
knew their time here was over. The
coffee stains had other plans and proved to be quite resistant. It was a struggle for power, but I eventually
won. The empty refrigerator was replaced
with the help of some much needed resources (which I’ll happily share, soon)
and I’m proud to say that business here at The Household is off to a great
start in the new year.
Below you’ll find a list
of a few of those changes that deserved immediate attention as well as the
solution that has made a positive difference.
My hope, is that as CEO’s of your own companies such Home.Is.Where.The.Mess.Is and
Cottage.Gone.Crazy, you’ll find some peace in knowing these resources exist and
won’t put a dent in your budget!
Problem One:
Empty Refrigerator
Visit this online recipe box and you’ll be
ready to fill your fridge and your bellies with easy, no nonsense, healthy
choices to those every day classics you forgot existed. Yes, your meal can look like this:
 |
| www.skinnytaste.com And it IS as good as it looks! |
Don’t forget to head on
over to the planning
department for my favorite meal planner forms to help you with your
shopping. This will save you time and
money when walking the aisles of your grocery store. My tip, plan meals that involve some of the
same ingredients over a two week period; one trip to the store and you’re
done. If you’re a CEO of a larger company
than mine, you might prefer this. If you’re lucky enough to have “assistants”,
take a moment to look here
before embarking on your next trip (the former teacher in me would appreciate
you making it a “teachable moment”).
Problem Two: Overworked Employees
Right in line with the
Empty Refrigerator issue, I found that my one and only employee was working two
jobs, with very little to show for it. I
brainstormed and immediately thought of Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday I make a different sweet treat
for him to share with his boss (GREAT option) or take to his other job. I’ll start sharing my Thankful Thursdays in
the future, but for now, enjoy this little sweet treat recipe from Kacie’s
Cupcakes (my “other” job).
Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Level: Easy
Serves: 16-18 Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 box of
triple chocolate cake mix (Ghiradelli)
**Whatever
else is necessary to complete the box recipe**
1 box of
instant fudge pudding (surprise!)
1 bag of
Peanut Butter Cups
1 bag of
Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips
Jiffy’s
Peanut Butter (or whatever you prefer, those this is the BEST for icing)
1 bag of
powdered sugar
½ lb
unsalted butter at room temperature (or ½ cup Crisco
for that crisp icing)
1
teaspoon vanilla (more to taste if necessary)
Directions:
1.
Prepare
cake mix as directed on box. Add ½ the dry
pudding mix. Pour in to cupcake molds (I
always spray mine and try not to use liners unless making them for others. I
spray my liners, too).
2.
Unwrap the PB Cups. Push the PB Cups upside down
in the middle of each cupcake so that they are flush with the top of the mix.
3.
Bake as directed.
NOTE: You can NOT put a toothpick
through these so always check your cakes starting at 5 minutes before the
buzzer is set to expire. Check often so
they don’t burn.
4.
Eat extra PB Cups (check for quality control, of
course!)
5.
Let cool for 5 minutes in tin, then transfer to
wire rack. Let cool completely.
6.
Prepare Icing:
a.
Sadly, I don’t have an exact measurement, as I
like to just continuously taste until I think it is perfect. But, start with:
·
1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1
teaspoon vanilla, and ¼ cup of softened butter.
·
Beat butter and peanut butter until creamy.
·
Slowly add the powdered sugar by ¼ cups.
·
Add vanilla.
·
Continue until you have reached your desired consistency
and taste, alternating between the powdered sugar and peanut butter. Add more
butter if you’d like it to be creamier. (I almost ALWAYS use an entire bag of
powdered sugar- ooops! )J
To Ice
Cupcakes: Place in Ziploc bag. Cut one corner off to make a small
triangle. Squeeze gently and swirl as
you go! Sprinkle PB chips on to!
In a rush?!?!
Use a store brand container of icing, add peanut butter, whip and go! J
Problem
Three: BORED CEO
Don’t let the day to day routines get you in a
rut. Remember, CEO’s take vacation days,
too! Get out and enjoy things (and the
company of others) that make you happy.
I recommend at least once a
week. Gather with other CEOs and
consider it a business meeting!
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