Want To Build Your Own Empire?

Empire Building Kit

I’m going to stray a bit from the usual green-talk here today to let you know about something really cool.

Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Nonconformity is one of my favorite people on the web. As I told a friend recently, there are a lot of snakes in the pit, but Chris is definitely NOT one of them. Chris has two primary goals: 1. To visit every country in the world before he turns 35; 2. To help people build their own empires doing work that matters.

I’ve purchased a couple of Chris’s products and have never been disappointed. I bought Working For Yourself which is one of Chris’s Unconventional Guides and I participated in the $100 Biz Forum he co-produced with Pam Slim. Chris is honest and the information he provides is genuinely helpful. He has achieved success himself and simply sets out to show others how to do the same — but his focus is on helping you achieve success with your dreams rather than merely replicating what he’s done.

One of the things I really like about Chris is that there’s very little hype around his products. There are no pictures of him driving fancy cars (he doesn’t even own a car–this is by choice, not because he can’t afford one) or promises of earning millions while you sleep. His life and his message are about achieving freedom, not about amassing huge quantities of money. His advice is specific and actionable.

I’m telling you about Chris Guillebeau today because he’s opened up his most ambitious product to date. It’s called The Empire Building Kit and it comes with loads of case studies of regular people who have managed to earn between $50,000 and $150,000 per year doing things they love. The people profiled in these case studies run their own very small businesses with 3 or fewer (often no) employees. The most impressive part of The Empire Building Kit is that Chris will send one email per day for 365 days that helps you build your empire one step, one day, at a time.

If you’ve ever thought about building your own empire or about designing a life based on your own goals rather than someone else’s, I can’t recommend Chris’s products enough. Give The Empire Building Kit a look and see if it’s right for you. There are three different price points to make it affordable for all would-be empire builders. 

Do yourself a favor and let Chris help you Build Your Own Empire in 1 Year. What have you got to lose?

[Disclaimer: I'm recommending this product because I truly believe in Chris Guillebeau and the quality of projects. Should you purchase The Empire Building Kit through any of the links in this post, you won't pay any more, but your purchase will help support Smart Family Tips.]

Where Should Your Organic Dollars Go?

It’s hard to know where to spend your precious organic dollars. Fortunately, Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) has just updated their Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce where they list the “Clean 15” and the “Dirty Dozen.” The Clean 15 are the least sprayed fruits and vegetables and therefore the safest bets if you want to skip organic. The Dirty Dozen are the 12 most heavily sprayed fruits and vegetables, so whenever possible, it’s best to buy these organic.

There are many reasons to avoid consumming pesticides, not the least of which is the often unknown impact of these chemicals on our health. According to an article on CNN Health, a recent study has found that “Kids with above-average levels of a common pesticide byproduct had twice ADHD risk.”

I’ll list the Dirty Dozen below, but the EWG has created a handy printable guide that will fit in your wallet. Click here to get it. Dr. Andrew Weil has come on board this year extolling the virtues of the Shopper’s Guide. You can watch a short video of his comments while you’re there if you’d like.

The Dirty Dozen – Buy these organic:

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Bell Peppers
Spinach
Kale
Cherries
Potatoes
Grapes (Imported)

One way we’re saving money is by growing some of our own. For example, this year we’re growing strawberries, potatoes and bell peppers from this list. Good luck with your organic shopping. Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.

Photo Credit: FoodNews.org

Mmmm. . .Smoothies

I’ve been trying to find easy and delicious ways to increase my intake of good foods. One of my favorites is the smoothie. There are two combinations I’m really into lately and I thought I’d share them with you.

The first one I learned about from Hannah Keeley. I’m no longer sure of the exact amounts her recipe calls for, because I tend to estimate as I’m tossing things in the blender. In other words, consider this an adaptation.

Blueberry Energy Smoothie

Frozen blueberries (I use organic wild blueberries)

Orange juice

2 Tbs. ground flax seeds

2 Tbs. wheat germ

Blend and enjoy. Sometimes I’ll add in frozen raspberries as well for an extra fiber boost. (Did you know that raspberries have a whopping 8 grams of fiber per cup??)

Strawberry Almond Milk Smoothie

Frozen strawberries (organic whenever possible – strawberries are heavily sprayed with pesticides)

Almond milk

1/2 cup rolled oats

1-2 Tbs. ground flax seeds

This has been my go-to smoothie of late. It’s so yummy and keeps me full all morning.

There are so many wonderful options for making smoothies. Please share some of your favorites in the comments.

Photo Credit: terriseesthings