As I journeyed through breast cancer, I found moments of solace in various practices and resources that helped navigate the challenges I faced. I began to collect these treasures, soothing tools, and accommodations to share with others who might be facing similar struggles.
Below is a list of items that offered me comfort and strength, not just during my treatment, but even now.
This journey is ever evolving, and I will continue to update this list with new discoveries. My hope is these suggestions offer support to anyone navigating their own path.
Feel free to share this list with anyone who might find it helpful, and I invite you to contribute your own suggestions in the comments, reminding each other that we are never alone in this journey.
We found ourselves facing an overwhelming paper crisis—an ever-growing mountain of confidential documents dating back seven to eight years. As I stared at the bags and bags of papers, we always kept what we deemed “important,” but it seemed like we had miscalculated just how much “important” really added up to.
128 Gallons of Papers to Shred
In my quest to find a solution, I finally decided I could trust Assured Document Destruction. If you, too, are staring at your own growing pile of paperwork and feeling like it is taking over your home, let me introduce you to the solution that saved us—and could save you too!
Why Assured Document Destruction?
Here is why Assured Document Destruction should be your go-to for paper shredding and document destruction:
1. Security First: When my document destruction specialist pulled up to my home in the destruction truck. Yes, they pull-up in the destruction truck and shred on the premises. More about that in a few. The specialist explained how our documents are shredded beyond recovery, using state-of-the-art equipment and processes that adhere to the highest security standards.
2. Convenience is Key: One of the best features of their service is how convenient it is. You do not have to drag your piles of paper to a facility. Instead, they offer on-site shredding, so you can watch your documents be destroyed right at your location. This eliminates any concerns about data breaches during transport and saves you time and hassle.
3. Eco-Friendly Practices: In today’s world, being environmentally conscious is as important as safeguarding information. After shredding, the paper is recycled, ensuring that your old documents contribute to a greener planet rather than ending up in a landfill. How cool is that?
4. Value for Money: They understand that value is about more than just cost. With Assured Document Destruction, you get a combination of secure service and excellent value. Their transparent pricing ensures that you know exactly what you are paying for—no hidden fees or surprises. Quite honestly, this is what moved Assured Document Destruction to the top of my list very quickly. The value for the money.
How it Works in 3 easy steps
Using Assured Document Destruction is simple and straightforward.
Here’s a quick overview of the process:
1. Get an Instant Quote: Visit their website and get a quote in minutes. This is your first step to a clutter-free space. Visit here: (www.shreddingphx.com)
2. Schedule: Your Service: Once you have your quote, schedule a convenient time for your shredding service. They will collaborate with you to find a slot that fits your schedule.
3. Shredding Day: On the day of your service, their team arrives with high-powered shredding equipment.
Chain bookstores such as Barnes & Noble are convenient, but visiting your local bookstores offer more of a unique and special experience.
Recently, I strolled into Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix, there is also a location in Mesa, Arizona. From the moment I stepped inside, I could feel the vibe: with a Book Bar set off to the left (First Draft Book Bar), where patrons quietly sipped draft beer and iced coffee, snacking on pastries, worked on laptops, or enjoyed the company of friends.
First Draft Book Bar
The atmosphere felt like it was crafted by someone who dreamt of this type of space and then shared it with the community. The staff could be your neighbor, or even your neighbor’s kid. It is a retail space, selling both new and used books, yet it exudes a tranquil and relaxed ambiance with many genres spanning the aisles.
I spent about an hour browsing through the shelves and ended up purchasing a children’s book in Spanish, “Huevos verdes con Jamon,” along with a mini notebook to throw in my handbag for quick notes. Afterward, I settled into a seat at the Book Bar and ordered an Iced Vanilla Latte, enjoying another hour there.
Huevos verdes con jamon – Iced Vanilla Latte
Towards the back, I noticed a service counter where people exchanged books for credit. As well as meeting rooms available for reservation. Perfect for book club gatherings.
While I still enjoy visiting Barnes & Noble, I have added local bookstores to my must-visit list as well. When it comes to pricing, it is worth noting that local bookstores may not compete with Amazon’s prices, they often charge a bit more, so do yourself a favor and do not search while there. However, go in knowing that your dollars support a local business.
Changing Hands Bookstore Meeting Space
Be sure to check their calendar of events (www.changinghands.com); Changing Hands frequently hosts book launches, author readings, teen book clubs, and a variety of other engaging events.
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe for Families
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
If you are anything like me, when it comes to dinner and weeknights, you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe for your busy family that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes. This quick and easy dinner idea will satisfy everyone at the table, or almost everyone.
Look no further because I have you covered with a mouthwatering gyro recipe using Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb. This recipe is not only easy to make but also bursting with flavor, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight quick meal.
So, let us dive in and learn how to whip up these delicious gyros step-by-step.
Ingredients:
Pita bread
Tzatziki Sauce
Red Onion, diced
Romaine Lettuce, shredded
Fresh tomatoes, diced
Feta cheese, crumbled
Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Fresh Ingredients for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
Gather all your ingredients together. I chopped the lettuce, tomatoes, and onion first and put them in a Ziploc bag so any leftovers would be ready to store right after dinner. I took out Hannah’s Tzatziki Sauce. You can use any brand, but Hannah’s is one of the best I have tasted. The same goes for feta cheese. Any brand will work. Make sure to have everything ready before you prepare the beef and lamb to make the gyro assembling process smooth and efficient.
Step 2: Heat Up the Costco Precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb
Since the Daphne’s Beef and Lamb from Costco are precooked, you will just need to heat them up through in a skillet on the stovetop until warmed through for approximately four minutes. I wanted our beef and lamb a little browner, so I heated them for about 10 minutes.
Costco’s Daphne Beef and Lamb Slices for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
Tip:
If you have a family member whose preference is chicken or vegan, this recipe is just as great using chicken instead of beef and lamb or using all vegies instead of meat.
Step 3: Prepare the Pita Bread
While the beef and lamb are warming, heat the pita bread. You can do this the conventional way by wrapping the pita bread in foil and placing them in a preheated oven for a few minutes until they are nice and warm. Alternatively, if you want to keep the quick and easy weeknight dinner idea in mind, you can do what I did and throw the pita bread on a microwaveable plate and put them in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
Papa Pita Greet Pita Breads for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro RecipeHannah’s Tzatziki Sauce and Feta Cheese for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
Step 4: Assemble Your Gyros
Lay out your warm pita bread, then spoon some of the heated Costco precooked Daphne’s Beef and Lamb onto each pita bread. Next, top the meat with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and add tzatziki sauce.
Assembled Costco’s Daphne Beef and Lamb Slices for Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
Step 5: Fold, Serve, and Devour
Once you have added all your desired toppings, it is time to simply fold the sides of the pita bread over the filling, serve, and devour.
Folded Costco Daphne’s Beef and Lamb Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner Gyro Recipe
With this quick and easy weeknight dinner gyro recipe, you can whip up a delicious dinner for your family in no time. So, next time you are craving something flavorful and satisfying, give this recipe a try using Costco’s precooked Beef and Lamb. You will not be disappointed! Happy cooking!
Have you made gyros before? Do you plan to give this quick and easy family dinner a try?
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures
When we went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I had one thing in mind, to RELAX. I did not want to do the usual excursion, city hopping, out all hours of the night, that we usually do. Sleeping, eating, and sitting by the pool were the only things on the agenda.
View from Oceanview AirBnB in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Click for Listing.
Until I stumbled upon a Puerto Vallarta post in one of the travel groups, suggesting that anyone going to Puerto Vallarta MUST do, “Rhythms of the Night” by Vallarta Adventures. Initially it was just my husband, me, my best friend, and her husband travelling, but my daughter talked us into letting her come along. My friend then brought her daughter as well.
The girls enjoying the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phoenix to Puerto Vallarta
We flew from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Puerto Vallarta International Airport, non-stop. It was important to me to leave the country, with a short flight time. Our flight was two and half hours.
We booked this Airbnb with a gorgeous view. The view was mandatory considering that my agenda consisted of merely breathing, lounging, eating, and sitting by the pool.
We headed into the city one of the days, for about three hours, but the activity that had every one of us in amazement was the Rhythms of the Night sunset cruise, dinner, and show.
Dinner in the city Puerto Vallarta, Mexico La Madalena Restaurant
Puerto Vallarta’s Rhythms of the Night
I purchased tickets to the show in advance from Puerto Vallarta Tours, $116 for adults and $109 for kids, 6-17 years old. We received 30% off for booking more than four days in advance. Regular or same-day pricing was $165 for adults and $155 for kids.
TIP 1: Book more than four days in advance to take advantage of 30% off regular ticket pricing.
The day of the tour, I used my very beginner Spanish to hale us a taxi and to get us to the dock where we boarded the boat. Honestly, you do not need to know Spanish to get a taxi and arrive at your destination safely. However, I find every opportunity to practice.
Once we arrived at the ferry station, we made our way to the line where we presented our tickets, then we went through a security check. Yes, a security check, like in the airport. Check the Vallarta Adventures website for prohibited items.
We boarded the boat, where there was a bar and plenty seating. I suggest getting there well before departure, so your group can sit together. The suggested arrival time is 45 minutes prior to departure.
We arrived on the island where the Rhythms of the Night show takes place in about 30-45 minutes. There was onboard entertainment, where they sang American songs, most people would be familiar with. People danced and sang along.
It is a whole experience as soon as you step foot on the boat, let alone once you make it to the tiki lit island.
Review Puerto Vallarta’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures Tiki Island Arrival
TIP 2: Book the sunset cruise time. There is an earlier day show, but the sunset booking time is more exquisite.
We were seated in designated areas around the island and assigned a dinner station. Dinner was buffet style. We had a traditional Mexican dinner.
We had a waiter who served drinks and any additional items you may want from the buffet.
After about an hour and a half, the staff began to clear the tables, and we waited to be dismissed.
TIP 3: Use the restroom before you head to the stadium for the show.
We travelled to the stadium up large, flat, rocked stairs. We stood in line for about 15 minutes before we could enter the stadium. This activity is not recommended if you have difficulties doing a slight hike.
I would like to describe the show, but it is indescribable. It is something to be experienced. Here is glimpse of the amazingness we witnessed.
Review Puerto Vallarta’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures
The entire crew from start to finish conducted this experience flawlessly. If you need any more convincing, check their reviews. Perfection.
Review Puerto Vallarta’s-Rhythms of the Night by Vallarta Adventures
Cost & Booking
Total Cost: $341 (included ferry ride, dinner, and show for three people)
We bought our first home in 2018, and like many others, the first thing we thought was, let’s go shopping!
Well, that’s what we though, but for us, that was not an actual reality after dishing out closing and down payment funds. So what did we do when we needed a dining room table at a reasonable cost? We DIY ourselves a farmhouse kitchen table. I began researching and found the amazing Ana White. Ana White provides free, printable, and easy to follow woodworking plans for hundreds of types of projects.
Ana states in the plans that only two tools (drill and a saw) and $50 are needed to build and complete the DIY farmhouse kitchen table and immediately my husband was skeptical.
TIP: Your local home improvement store will make cuts for you for free if you do not own a saw. Some policies charge .25-.50 cents per cut after two cuts.
We are not woodworkers by trade, so we were not sure if the tool assessment or cost was accurate. I said to my husband, we should go price the materials. We did just that at our local home improvement store, and the $50 cost was spot on (see editor’s note).
For us, all the lumber and screws were about $55 with local taxes. We had to buy stain and paint in the color we preferred, so that was an additional cost and if you do not have a drill, that will also be an expense. A drill will be cost worthy for future projects, if you plan to build other projects around your home, so consider it an investment.
Ana provides a cut list and specific instruction in each of her plans to make it simple to shop for what you will need at the home improvement store.
It took us a weekend to build the table. We sanded, stained, and painted over the next week. We let the table cure for about three days before we put it to use. We built the table inside the house, otherwise it would not fit through the doorway once we completed it. The length of the table is 8 feet, and width is about 4 feet. From start to finish, total completion time was 10 days, with having to go work in between.
Editors Note: This post was originally published August 19, 2019 and has been revamped and updated for comprehensiveness.
Our DIY farmhouse kitchen table is still our main dining table 5 years later, in 2024.
Jackson’s Catfish Corner was recommended by someone I met online that was from the area. It was the perfect off the plane, grab something to eat meal. The catfish was seasoned well, the fries were great. If you have to choose between the sandwich and the strips, get the strips. The side sauce is A1.
This is what we ordered: 1/2 Fillet Catfish Strips with Hushpuppies – $16.99 Catfish Sandwich – $12.99 Total Bill: $31.95
Location Visited: 2218 S. Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98144
Communion Restaurant & Bar
Let me start by saying, make sure you make a reservation well in advance. I made our reservation about 10 days ahead of time, and there was only one early 4PM dinner reservations left. We almost opted out, but decided to follow through, and I am so happy we did. Everything from the host, our waitress, to the food was AMAZING! The fried chicken was probably the best fried chicken I have ever had outside my home. I was afraid of the pork chop, but my husband said we are on vacation, let’s try new things. It was delicious. We also had hoecakes, and macaroni and cheese. I love me a hoe cake, and macaroni and cheese always rounds out this type of meal.
This is what we ordered: Unc’s Wings – $21 Pork Chop – $42 Better Than Yo Grandma’s Mac & Cheese – $12 Sweet Potato Hoecakes – $8 Total Bill: $134.61
Location Visited: 2350 E. Union Street Seattle, WA 98122
Biscuit Bitch
The biscuits at Biscuit Bitch were soft, fluffy, and buttery. I could not stop talking about how airy, and pillowy the biscuit was as I ate it. Even with the softness of the biscuit it did not fall apart, as we ate it.
Tip 1: Order a sandwich to eat then, and order one for later or for the following morning.
This is what we ordered: Bitchwich Sausage – $8.50 Bitchwich Hot Link – $9.00 Total Bill: $21.83
Tip 2: Order ahead to cut down on your wait, and be sure to arrive at the proper location. Two locations are blocks away from each other.
Pike Place Chowder
Apparently there is a local competition about who has the best clam chowder in the Seattle area. We asked about 7-10 people, and Pike Place Chowder won, paired with their online reviews. My husband or I eat clams, but we actually thought this was pretty good. I would not choose to eat clam chowder in general, but I am with someone else who would like to make this stop, I would not mind.
This is what we ordered: New England Clam Chowder – $15.95 (shared) Total Bill: $17.59
Tip: Upgrade to the Sourdough Bread Bowl
Location Visited: Pacific Place Shopping Center 600 Pine Street Seattle, WA 98101
Razzi’s Pizzeria Downtown
It was cold rainy night and we did not want to venture to far away from our hotel, and the concierge suggested Razzi’s Pizzeria. I thought it would at least be edible. Razzi’s turned out to be more than edible. If Razzi’s was in my local town, it would be on a weekly rotation. The pepperonis were so crispy and flavorful. I seen someone else order pesto on the side. I said to my husband, they must know what they’re doing, and they did! The wings were sauced great, and cooked just right. Razzi’s has a good thing going on for a quick, fast, and delicious meal. We noted Razzi’s as a spot we would come back to even if we were traveling with our kids.
This is what we ordered: Small Pepperoni Pizza – $17.00 BBQ Wings – $21 Total Bill: $44.93
Location Visited: Razzi’s Downtown 1314 Howell Street Seattle, WA 98101
Tip: If you see a parking space upon approaching Razzi’s, get it. Parking spaces are far and few between.
*Beverages, tax, tip, and some items were not listed in the total bill.
This is a practical list of hotels or Airbnb we have stayed in with and without the kids. We would stay at each of these hotels again. I did not include any hotels that we would not stay at again.
Tip 1: When traveling with our kids, I always choose a hotel that is a suite and has complimentary breakfast.
My favorite hotel brand to stay in with the kids is Embassy Suites by Hilton, and second is Residence Inn by Marriott. When it is just my husband and me, we stay in a Hilton, Hyatt, and sometimes a Marriott.
Tip 2: Pick 2-3 hotel brands you like or love and consistently stay at those brands to accrue points to redeem for free nights.
If you thought making salsa was hard, I am going to show how to make easy salsa verde in 20 minutes.
Here is what you will need:
1lb of Tomatillos 1 White Onion 1 Serrano or Jalapeño Pepper 1 Garlic Clove 1/2 cup of Cilantro Salt to taste
Makes about 2 cups.
Instructions:
Tomatillos have an outside layer, called a husk. Shuck the husk of the tomatillo and leave the tomatillo whole. Discard the husk, you will not need it.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spread the tomatillos out on the baking sheet. Cut the onion in four pieces and place on the baking sheet.
If you like a lot of heat in your salsa roast the serrano pepper along with the tomatillos and onion without removing any seeds. For less heat, use a jalapeño, and remove half or all of the seeds.
Make sure the top rack in your oven is about six inches from the broiler. Slide the baking sheet in the oven and let the vegetables roast, turning them over every 5-6 minutes until all sides are roasted.
When finished, transfer everything, including the juices to a food processor or a blender. Add the fresh cilantro, garlic clove, and blend.
Add salt to taste, grab some tortilla chips, and enjoy!
Easy Salsa Verde in 20 minutes or less.
What is your favorite kind of salsa, red or green?
With the new year approaching, we look for ways to simplify our lives.
To have someone else do your laundry is nothing less than self-care.
We have been using a wash and fold laundry service for approximately three years, and the joy that is felt when a bag of fresh and folded laundry arrives back at our doorstep is indescribable.
This is how it works:
Search for “wash and fold laundry service near me” online.
TIDE Cleaners also offers wash and fold service nationwide: www.tidecleaners.com
2. Install the app on your phone, set-up an account, fill out the specifications of your laundry. If you would like wash and fold, hanging, comforters, what type of laundry soap, bleach, etc., and lastly schedule what day and time for a pick-up.
Your initial pick-up, bag your items and on return they will provide reusable bags. The first bag is free, and each additional bag is $10.
TIP: You can purchase large laundry bags on Amazon, at a more reasonable cost. It is not mandatory that you use the laundry service’s laundry bag.
3. Place your laundry bags on the porch or they will knock on your door to retrieve your items. Once your order is picked up, you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a secondary email to confirm the total weight of your wash and fold laundry order and total billed.
Photo Courtesy of The Wash Club
4. The next day your laundry will be delivered to your doorstep, washed and folded in clear plastic bags placed inside of your large laundry bags.
TIP: The Wash Club and Tide Cleaners offer same-day service for an additional charge.
ITEM
PRICE
QUANTITY
Wash and Fold
$1.94
per pound
Comforter
$20.00
each
Blankets
$15.00
each
Price as of December 2023
Our last wash and fold order consisted of 27 pounds of bath towels, face towels, bed sheets, and one coverlet.
Sharonda Shariee - Curating a Life Well-Lived 
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