The Gibbs Team

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Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips

ID-100119091Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

I would like to let all of my family, friends, business associates and clients know how much I appreciate you and how blessed I feel by the joy you bring to me! I am truly fortunate and grateful for all that you do!

I am so excited that I am staying home this Thanksgiving and entertaining over 20 guests in my home. I look forward to a wonderful time spent enjoying my family and friends.

Since so many of us will be cooking and serving food throughout the day for larger crowds than usual, I thought it might be helpful to gather information on what will help keep everyone happy and healthy this Thanksgiving.

According to the USDA, the below Top 10 food safety guidelines should be followed whenever handling and cooking food.

TOP TEN FOOD SAFETY GUIDELINES:

  1. Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling any food.
  2. Wash food-contact surfaces (cutting boards, dishes, utensils, countertops) with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.
  3. Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked (such as raw meat, poultry, and seafood) and another one for those that will not (such as raw fruits and vegetables).
  4. Do not put cooked meat or other food that is ready to eat on an unwashed plate that has held any raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, or their juices.
  5. To check a turkey for safety, insert a food thermometer into the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. The turkey is safe when the temperature reaches 165°F. If the turkey is stuffed, the temperature of the stuffing should be 165°F.
  6. Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating.
  7. Refrigerate leftovers —and any type of food that should be refrigerated, including pie—within two hours.
  8. Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave—never at room temperature.
  9. Cook food thawed in cold water or in the microwave immediately.
  10. Leftovers should be used within three to four days, unless frozen.

May you and your family enjoy your Thanksgiving!

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!

**Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Holiday Stress

photo 4For many, this week is full of running around trying to get work done in record time before the kids get out of school; we leave for a holiday trip or welcome family and friends into our own homes to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Regardless of what our particular holiday plans are, many may be dealing with stress due to a plethora of reasons.

Thankfully, this year I’m so blessed not to be under much stress as we are staying in town to celebrate the holiday with family and friends in our home. I’m really looking forward to this year’s Thanksgiving!

However, I know in years past my stress level may not have been as low as it is this year and that many of my friends, family, business associates and clients may not be so fortunate.

Therefore, when I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Review titled “How to Handle Stress in the Moment” by Rebecca Knight – I knew I had to share the wonderful ideas she gave for what to do when the stress is actually happening.

Knight makes a great point in the beginning about how many of the stress pointers people give are actually long-term remedies. For example, if something is stressful at this moment, one cannot:

  1. Get more sleep immediately.
  2. Do yoga right now.
  3. Eat a healthier breakfast.
  4. Write in a journal.
  5. Figure out what causes stress in life.

These are all fabulous ideas on how to handle stress overall, but it does absolutely nothing for those dealing with a stressful situation right now.

However, through Knight’s research she found several tips that are useful in the exact moment that one might feel stress. These solutions can help anyone in their business dealings, relationships and any other stressful circumstance they might come across. The remedies include:

  1. Think of the stress as an opportunity.
  2. Refuse to think negatively and instead say positive declarations over and over.
  3. Take three deep breaths where the stomach expands and contracts.
  4. Make a list. Write down everything pertinent to the current stress to make it more manageable.
  5. Call a friend…but, choose carefully. Make sure this person is a confidant and also someone who lends thoughtful perspective.
  6. Keep your voice gentle, controlled and calm. Do not let your emotions escalate.

Everyone can use a little help keeping the stress at a minimum in our lives! Hope these ideas help you enjoy your family time during the Thanksgiving holiday.

To read the article I have referred to in its entirety, please go to How to Handle Stress in the Moment.

If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate, please contact Mary Lynne Gibbs at 512.431.2403 or austinluxurybroker@gmail.com. It would be an honor to earn your business!