Realty Rave January 2015

David Burke Tel: 760-250-2570 January 2015 Hi David Welcome to this month's edition of the RealtyRave newsletter. We hope that you find it filled with interesting and useful information! Please think of me with any real estate related questions you may have - now and in the future. It would be my pleasure to be of assistance to you. The single highest and best compliment a Real Estate Professional can receive is a referral to friends, family or colleagues. As appropriate, please feel free to forward this Newsletter and/or my contact information. Thank you! David Burke HELPFUL HINTS 5 New Year's resolutions too simple to overlook (BPT) - If you make New Year’s resolutions, you’re not alone. About half of Americans make special goals for each new year, according to University of Scranton research. Unfortunately, you’re also not alone if you break them, as only 8 percent of people are successful in achieving their resolution. Why do so many people fail, and furthermore, what’s the secret to success? “The start of a new year is not powerful enough to help you continue to make the best decisions,” says Dr. Chris Mohr, a fitness and nutritional expert who consults for television, print and radio outlets throughout the country. “People need to define their ‘why’ if they're going to make a permanent change.” If your reason for changing your life is for your mental and physical well-being, you understand your ‘why.’ But instead of selecting a huge resolution that will take months or years of dedication to achieve, why not focus on small things you can easily implement that will compound to have a dramatic effect? “Start with one small change,” says Dr. Mohr. “You don't have to wait for the right time, right date, right day, event, etc. Start now and start small. Then work your way up with small, daily habits.” He recommends five, fail-safe goals that are surprisingly simple and will still have a big impact on your overall health and wellness: 1. Include lean protein with every single meal Protein is an important part of balanced nutrition, but many people go without it, particularly for breakfast and lunch. Data suggests that 20-30 grams of protein daily helps you feel full and maintain muscle mass. While chicken, pork and lean beef are protein-rich foods, meat isn’t the only option. For example, a half cup of beans contains as much protein as 1 ounce of broiled steak. Other meat-free protein sources include soy, yogurt and eggs. 2. Make raw nuts your snack of choice When hunger pangs strike, it’s too easy to head to the vending machine or reach for prepackaged sweets. To keep hunger at bay and give your body wholesome nutrients that truly satisfy, keep several jars of raw nuts nearby for snacking. Just one or two handfuls of raw nuts a day can help control your caloric intake! Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans – all are great options that will fill you up without the extra oil and salt, plus they keep your energy high. 3. Move more every day You don’t need to join a gym or make a dramatic fitness goal – just resolve to move around more every day, particularly if you have a sedentary job. The average adult sits for 15 hours a day, not including sleeping! Take a walk over lunch, park in the back of the parking lot or opt for the stairs over the elevator; it all adds up when done daily. If you find yourself forgetting, set an alarm on your phone or computer to go off every two hours as a reminder to take a 10-minute move-and-groove break. 4. Take a Nordic Naturals omega-3 supplement Commit to taking one supplement in the new year: omega-3s. People all across the world don’t get enough omega-3, and correcting this can drastically reduce the risk of disease and mortality. A Harvard study found up to 96,000 people in the United States die each year from insufficient omega-3 intake. Omega-3 fats impact every single cell in the body and because they are essential fatty acids, they can’t be self-produced and must come from your diet. Select a pure omega-3 supplement which is produced without contaminants or impurities. 5. Turn off electronics and tune into life Your health and wellness go beyond what you eat and how much you exercise. Modern life is busy, and it’s easy to get distracted by email and mobile devices. Resolve to turn off your electronics at least once a day to focus on two things: yourself and your loved ones. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s really important, like friends, kids, your spouse and even you. Take time every day to tune out of the electronic stimuli and focus on things you’re grateful for – perhaps quiet moments by yourself, belly laughs with your kids or a tender hug from your partner. HEALTH and SAFETY The bedroom: the key to a restful night's sleep (BPT) - Whether snuggling in for the night or just trying to catch a few quick winks, your environment plays an important role in determining if you’re counting sheep or counting Zzzs. From noise reduction to lighting, there are a few easy ways you can turn your bedroom into a tranquil oasis. “A third of the adult population suffers from insomnia from time to time, but only about 6 percent meet the criteria for an actual sleep disorder,” says Dr. Christina Brown from the Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Tampa. “In a good number of cases, getting to sleep and staying asleep is a matter of your surroundings.” Anne Holic, interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Washington, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, focuses on areas of the bedroom that you may want to re-evaluate in order to create the sleep haven you’ve been craving. These include lighting, furniture and decor. Lighting: Humans were created to be in-synch with the sun cycle. For this reason, Holic recommends installing dimmer switches on your lights, which she says can mimic the way the sun works. Holic also recommends using window treatments such as blinds or heavy drapes to eliminate light. Both Brown and Holic warn about electronics that provide artificial light in the bedroom. “Get rid of your phones, TVs and tablets while in bed. The artificial light will interrupt your sleep cycle and keep your brain activated, making it harder to get to sleep and keep you off the more natural sleep patterns,” Brown says. Furniture and decor: Holic emphasizes that paint colors are important. You want to choose colors that are calm, such as blues, greens or a calm violet and avoid colors in the red family. In addition to color, Holic says people are thinking more environmentally and choosing paints with low or no volatile organic compound (VOC). Simplifying the space is critical, according to Holic. She says that along with the TVs and computers, exercise equipment and any other potential disturbances should be removed from the bedroom. Don’t forget to include some inspiring artwork that is meaningful and brings you feelings of calm. Make sure you have a comfortable mattress, and think about adding an area rug to your bedroom. “Area rugs give a cozy feeling to the room,” says Holic. “They work well, because carpets can harbor a lot of dust and mold.” Brown recommends a white noise machine or ceiling fan to drown out the background noise. Holic agrees, adding that white noise, like the hum of a ceiling fan, can reduce the background noise you hear by about 20 percent. If you are interested in following some of the principles of feng shui in your bedroom, Holic suggests keeping the bed away from doors and anchoring the bed with a strong headboard and nightstands on both sides. Both Holic and Brown agree that keeping your home cooler during the night will help you sleep better. Keep your thermostat at the most comfortable cool setting, as changes in your body’s thermal regulation will wake you. “In the short-term, just one sleep-deprived night can interfere with your ability to concentrate, affect your mood and even make you drowsy during the day,” explains Brown. If getting healthier is a goal for you, make getting adequate sleep part of your plan. RECIPE OF THE MONTH Penne with Chicken and Asparagus Makes 8 servings and ready in 35 minutes! Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into cubes salt and pepper to taste garlic powder to taste 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 bunch slender asparagus spears, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Directions: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside. Warm 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until chicken is cooked through and browned, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to paper towels. Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Then stir in asparagus, garlic, and a pinch more garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover, and steam until the asparagus is just tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet, and warm through. Stir chicken mixture into pasta, and mix well. Let sit about 5 minutes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, stir again, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.        View my website  Email me  View Featured Listings  Property Search   Compliments of: David Burke Re/Max Consultants 47170 Washington Street La Quinta, CA 92253 Tel: 760-250-2570 Cell: 760-250-2570 Fax: 800-774-5902 David@LaQuintaRE.com e-Pro Household Tips Bathtub Seat When bathing the baby, set his infant seat in the tub. First remove pad and straps and put a large folded towel in the seat. You will have both hands free   Warm Bed Put a heating pad set on low on baby's crib mattress after you pick him up for his nighttime feeding. His bed will be nice and warm after the feeding and he'll settle down to sleep more quickly. Be sure to remove the pad.   Clean Baby Bottles Agate marbles put in the sterilizer when cleaning baby bottles will remove all the corrosion.   Swallowing Pills Put children's pills in a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Sweet Tongue Depressor Use a lollypops as a tongue depressor when checking a child's sore throat.   Removing Splinters Soak the child's finger in olive oil for a few moments, or apply ice before removing splinters from small fingers   Safety Tip Put a piece of colored tape at a child's level on sliding glass doors to prevent them from walking into the door.   Red Means Danger Mark the caps of all harmful medicine bottles, etc., with red fingernail polish to teach children that they mean danger.   Saved By the Bell Tie a small bell to the door to signal you that a wandering toddler may be on his way outside. DID YOU KNOW? Did you know crocodiles never outgrow their enclosure Did you know reindeer hair is hollow inside like a tube Did you know your skin is the largest organ making up the human body Did you know cows don't have upper front teeth Did you know everyday is a holiday somewhere in the world Did you know the coins thrown into the Trevi fountain in Italy are collected for charity Did you know French fries are originally from Belgium Did you know enamel is the hardest substance in your body Did you know there are 31,557,600 seconds in a year Did you know there are 22 stars in the Paramount studios logo Did you know in a deck of cards the king of harts is the only king without a moustache Did you know black on yellow are the 2 colors with the strongest impact About Us Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we are here to assist you in accomplishing your real estate dreams. Burke and Associates has been awarded the "Top Listing Agent, 2011, and 2012" by Keller Williams Realty. Call today and let us put our tools, techniques and skills to work for you! Also, be sure to ask us about our monthly specials for our new construction developments! P.S. Referrals are the highest compliment a sales professional can receive from a client. Please pass my name around to your friends, family, and acquaintances so that I can provide them with the best real estate experience possible!   If you wish to unsubscribe to this newsletter, please click here