|
Greetings!
As I write this month's newsletter, there is a crisp
breeze coming in the window, and I hear the sounds of dry leaves
blowing around. What a difference a month makes! Fall is truly here,
and with it all the fun activities the changing seasons bring.
With our newsletter, it is our goal to provide useful
information and tips to help you keep your life in balance, and to be
on call for you when you need help.
With pumpkin wishes and cider dreams,
Ellen Lovelace, Founder and President
|
|
October
Calendar
|
|
13
Columbus Day
Today honors Christopher Columbus' first landing in the New
World on October 12, 1492. He actually landed in the Caribbean, not on
the US mainland. Despite all the controversy of who
"discovered" North America (Native Americans, Nordic
Explorers, etc), Columbus did in fact discover the New World for the
Europeans, who previously thought the world was flat and ended in the
Atlantic Ocean.
17 National Mammography Day
Part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, today is
meant to build breast cancer awareness and promote access to screening.
If you're over 50 (or over 40 if you have risk factors--talk to your
doctor), be sure to schedule your annual "big squeeze"!
31 Halloween
Ghosties, ghoulies, monsters, and vampires. No stress,
no holiday overload, no inlaws. Just fun, kids, costumes, and
chocolate. What could be bad?! If you haven't done it in a while, carve
a real pumpkin this year. All that goopy mess makes for a great time!
Have other dates this month that are important to you:
birthdays, anniversaries, etc.? Visit our Forget
Me Not page on our website to learn how QCS can make sure no
important date ever goes forgotten again.
|
|
It's Pumpkin Time!
|
|
The symbol of
the season is definitely the pumpkin. Here are some fun facts and ideas
for yours this year.
Choose wisely:
you want a gourd that is firm and free of blemishes. The stem shouldn't
be brown and dry. Knocking on it should provide a solid thump, meaning
there's no hidden rot inside.
Carve it right:
a cut pumpkin starts to rot after 4 days, so don't carve too early. Use
a serrated knife held at an angle to cut the opening in the top, making
a notch at the back to help you re-fit the lid. Use a large spoon to
get out the goop and scrape down the stringy bits. Draw the face with a
washable marker so you can re-do until it's perfect, then carve and add
a tealight.
Tasty treat:
let the kids separate out the seeds from the stringy stuff while the adults
carve. Spread the seeds on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 1
hour at 300 degrees. Then, toss the seeds in a skillet over medium heat
with a little olive oil and a dash each of cumin and chili powder until
they are lightly toasted.
Fall décor tip:
left uncarved, your pumpkin should easily last until Thanksgiving. If
nights drop below freezing, bring your pumpkins inside, as the insides
will break down and collapse if frozen. Try displaying them on the
hearth of your fireplace if the outdoors becomes too cold.
(some info from Real Simple, October, 2007)
|
|
How to Stay
Healthy This Winter
|
|
Fall is upon
us, the kids are back in school, and frosty weather is right around the
corner. All of which means one thing: cold season is here! Try these
tips to help you avoid the latest "bug" and stay healthy this
year.
Get regular
massages: Studies show massage reduces blood pressure
and anxiety, thereby lowering stress and boosting your immunity. Not in
your budget? Trade 10 minute rub-downs with a spouse or friend, the
results are the same.
Wash those
paws: All the experts say this is the number one thing
you can do to avoid colds and flu. Wash with warm water and regular
soap (not antibacterial-it's unnecessary and may be linked with
increased antibiotic resistance levels) for 20 seconds, which is the
time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice in your head.
Make sure to get between fingers and under nails. Wash every time you
use the restroom, blow your nose or cough, before you eat, and after
running errands. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are a good substitute for
germy places like grocery stores and doctors' waiting rooms.
Try natural
supplements: Although vitamin C and zinc have had mixed
results in studies, many people swear by them at the first sign of a
cold. Emergen-C and Airborne contain large doses of C, and zinc
lozenges several times a day can really help. Garlic also boosts
immunity: try aged garlic capsules for an odor-free bug fighter.
Think healthy:
Telling yourself that you refuse to be sick can actually make a
difference. Positive attitudes have been shown in studies to produce
higher levels of antibodies. Don't dwell on how you "always"
get sick this time of year; instead, refuse to give in to the bugs!
(information from Health magazine, September, 2008)
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Value of Personal Service
|
|
|
A recent article about the phasing out of concierges in
France got us thinking about the value of personalized service.
Technology today provides a variety of tools to help
people manage their lives in different ways. Virtual personal assistant
services allow clients to outsource their lives for a low price to
companies in India. Internet-based assistance and scheduling tools can
be accessed via laptops and iPhones. We're seeing that self-service at
low cost is definitely a trend.
Smart consumers, however, continue to insist on personalized service
alternatives. Our clients aren't looking for pre-packaged,
cookie-cutter service. Instead, they want solid relationships with
service providers. They want customized service based on their
individual preferences. They're looking for someone who will go above
and beyond the expected for them. And they want access to resources
beyond those found on any search engine.
We're proud that our clients recognize the added value we provide.
Quality, personalized service provides a return on investment that our
clients can measure in hours saved. Excellent customer service is not a
thing of the past and can never be replaced by technology!
|
|
|
