The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
Contents Travel and Leisure………………………………………………………………………………………………….…5 Health and Fitness……………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Food…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14 Beauty and Fashion…………………………………………………………………………………………………19 Business…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Home and Real Estate………………………………………………………………………………………………26 Career and Education………………………………………………………………………………………………29 Self-Help………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..35 Parenting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….39 Spotlight Series………………………………………………………………………………………………………..42 Outreach & Awareness……………………………………………………………………………………………..47
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
TRAVEL & LEISURE 5|P age
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
ONE BUDGET TRAVEL DESTINATION Most people today find travel to be among their favorite activities to engage in and while we all appreciate an opportunity to travel, it isn’t always in our budget to do so. What we don’t realize is that there are several travel destinations that could easily be in our budget if we make simple adjustments in our daily routine like packing a lunch, skipping the coffee shop a couple times a week and dining in to save. For the next few months, I’ll be sharing travel destinations you could enjoy for under $500 (not including airfare and lodging). To address the sometimes-high cost of travel, it is always great to book in advance unless you can find a last-minute deal. These days, those are fewer and farer in between. Both Spirit and Frontier Airlines offer discount club programs that enable you to fly for even less than their standard price and send you email announcements about current coupon codes and discounts. On Frontier for example, you can catch a special where you can fly from Detroit, MI to Long Island, NY for $20. If you’re going somewhere local, the Megabus is also always a great transit solution, offering tickets as low as $1 per way plus booking fees and upgrades. If you’re traveling to a place like Las Vegas, a cost-saving option would be to utilize options like Airbnb for lodging to cut costs on resort fees and hidden extras. This month, our budget travel destination is the beautiful city of Detroit, MI. Although the city has a bad reputation for its crime, it has been carried and exaggerated by many illadvised individuals who have likely never been. Detroit is Americas comeback kid and offers history, culture, opportunity and some of the best food you will find in the Midwest. Famous for teams like the Detroit Lions, Pistons, Tigers and Red Wings, there’s always something to do, despite the season. Here’s your checklist, from a native!
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
EAT like a local. ___ Coney Island. Any Coney Island mostly. Recommendation: Coney with chili cheese fries or a wingding dinner and a drink (it’s call pop where I’m from). The damage, no more than $8.95. ___ White Castle. Get the cheese slider combo with mozzarella sticks and pop. Cost: $7.95 or less. ___Bucharest Grill. Get the chicken shawarma combo, guaranteed to change your life. Estimated price: $10.99. ___ J Alexander. Want affordable upscale American Cuisine? Here’s your spot. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu really but my favorite thing is the steak burger, extra sauce. The ticket: $18. ___Even if dining out isn’t on your agenda, you absolutely must have a bag of Better Made chips (BBQ or Hot BBQ are the way to go. Wash them down with a Faygo Pop of any flavor. Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Wings, oh my! While you’re in town, regardless of the season, there’s almost always something happening in the Sports World. Hop on over to each teams website to check out their 7|P age
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest sports schedule. If you’re into college sports, you’ve got the rivals Michigan (GO BLUE) and Michigan State you can see play. Experience History. ___ The Detroit Historical Museum. Walk the streets of Old Detroit and truly get to know the evolution of the city in this interactive experience. Cost: Free. Donations Appreciated. ___ The Henry Ford Museum. They don’t call it the Motor City for nothing. Cost: $23. ___ The Motown Museum. See “Studio A”, the place where the magic of artists like The Temptations happened. Cost: $15. ___ The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. A powerful celebration of black culture through the arts. Cost: $8. ___ The Holocaust Museum. This collection of exhibits is so vivid, it’s eerie. Prepare for a truly emotional inside look at the Holocaust. Cost: $8. Catch a Double Feature. You could see a movie anywhere, sure, but in Detroit, you can watch from the comfort of your own car---where you control the climate. For the low fee of $10.50/adult and $4/child, you see two movies for the price of one. There are concession stands, restrooms and everything else you love about your movie going experience. Feeling Lucky Punk?
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest Detroit wasn’t built on gambling to the casino culture isn’t like that of Las Vegas however Detroit houses three very dynamic, very different casinos. Greektown Casino is the best hotel for surrounding attractions including some of the best food you’ll eat in the city. Motor City Casino offers an urban upscale experience of not only gaming but nightlife as well. The centerpiece of the gaming industry MGM Grand promises pure luxury. Regardless of which you visit, free play, buffet, sleep, repeat. Ninety Nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall. There is truly no shortage of bars, clubs, lounges or pubs in Detroit and the Metro area but with beers like Bell’s Oberon/Two Hearted Ale, Founder’s IPA, and Atwater’s Vanilla Java Porter brewed locally, you in good hands. The city’s outskirts include cities like Ferndale and Royal Oak just moments away from the city and if you’re fortunate enough to be in town during St. Patrick’s day, you’re in for a real treat! Going some other time? Check out the Traverse City Beer Week which happens each November. Music Lovers Unite. The iconic Fox Theater, in the heart of Detroit is one of the most well-known music venues however Detroit and the Metro area houses several others including Cobo Hall and the Kellogg Arena. If you’re into something more intimate, I recommend visiting Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the oldest documented jazz club in the world. Enjoy some jazz, some soul food and a phenomenal vibe. -CM
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
HEALTH & FITNESS 10 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
THE NECESSITY OF EXERCISE
According to a recent study conducted by the American Medical Association [1], People who exercise regularly increase their immunity against most diseases among many other health benefits. More results with regards this study seem to suggest that individuals who exercise more enjoy better sleep, and are less susceptible to high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and even weight gain which is gradually becoming a bane in our modern society. Another study[2] carried out by Rachel Permuth-Levine, PhD, deputy director for the Office of Strategic and Innovative Programs at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health suggests that there were noticeable improvements in breast cancer survivors with regards overall physical activity, strength and social wellness thanks to a health exercise regimen. A generally spread misconception about exercising regularly flaunts a picture of engaging in strenuous exercise activities to obtain media propagated results. This does not directly translate to a healthier lifestyle and could even cause long lasting injuries on the long run. Moderate exercising for four days each week could bring forth tremendous results in just a couple of months. There are three main points to note when beginning an exercise regimen.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest 1. Make sure to engage in any exercise regardless of how minute the impact might be, as a little is better than nothing at all. 2. Once every week, ditch the treadmill (cardio) and engage in a bout of weight carrying exercises. This ensures the muscle groups get their own fair share of exercise. 3. In this case, Pain doesn’t necessarily translate to gain. This is not love, if a muscle area aches after exercising, you are either not executing instructions properly or you are not stretching after sessions. A major deterrent of most individuals who might want to be in the best physical condition is the prevalent issue of scheduling. For most people, 9-5’s ensure they treasure every bit of time outside their cooperate desks, thus making exercising a difficult fix in an otherwise tight schedule which has to provide time for family in most scenarios. One method that can be used to eliminate such embargos, is a system the Japanese call “Kaizen” which simply means little improvements over a long period of time. What this ensures is a progressive improvement over time, by inputting really minute efforts consequently. By this, I mean increasing reps on push ups by one every day or every two days, starting with one on the first day. This technique not only saves time, and gets results, it also helps individuals overcome the issue of procrastination with regards starting a new exercise. Seeing the benefits of exercising on the part of the population which engages in it suggests that making exercise a part of your lifestyle can project better self-image, better health state and that dazzling body you always wanted all through your teen years. It is note-worthy however that exercise can be executed wrongly, therefore the need for qualified instructors. Catch us in the Health & Fitness column next month for an effective workout routine for a summer body in 30 days. -Zuby References 1. Eijsvogels TMH, Thompson PD. Exercise Is Medicine At Any Dose?. JAMA. 2015;314(18):1915–1916. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.10858 2. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/74545823#/74545823/1
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
FOOD
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
5 Not-So-Vegan Recipes That Are Still Healthy for You
From one absolute carnivore to another, don’t count this recipe out! I stumbled upon this dish years ago while fasting for lent and I’ve been reminiscing on the experience ever since.
WHAT YOU’LL DO ✓ Pre-heat oven to 350 ✓ In a media bowl, mix brown sauce, brown sugar and seasoning. ✓ Slice Eggplant to the thickness of your liking. ✓ In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, sea salt, pepper, minced garlic, and additional seasonings to your liking. ✓ Layer in glass or non-stick baking dish tomato sauce, sautéed spinach, eggplant, the cheese mixture and then repeat until desired layers created. ✓ Top with a final layer of tomato sauce. ✓ Sprinkle Sharp Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese. ✓ Finish with Sliced Tomatoes. ✓ Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. ✓ Let cool for 10 minutes and serve.
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
2 Eggplants, Large Sea Salt Brown Sugar Minced Garlic Sweet Basil Tomato Sauce Ricotta Cheese Black Pepper Mozzarella Cheese Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spinach (optional) Sliced Tomato (optional)
NOTE: If the vegetarian version isn’t for you, you may substitute the eggplant for either ground turkey meat or chicken. You may also add turkey or chicken in addition to the eggplant.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
“The hot wings of the vegetarian realm!”
1 Cup Soy Milk 1 Cup Flour 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper 12 ounces of Cauliflower Fleurets (may also use one head, chopped) ✓ 1 cup Hot Sauce of your Choice (Siracha is my favorite). ✓ 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil ✓ Ranch or Bleu Cheese Dressing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
WHAT YOU’LL DO ✓ Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F. ✓ Make breading by mixing soy milk, flower and seasonings. ✓ Coat cauliflower in breading and place in baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. ✓ At 15 minutes, remove the cauliflower and add hot sauce and olive oil mixture. ✓ Bake for 10 additional minutes. ✓ Let cool and serve with ranch or bleu cheese dressing. ✓
WHAT YOU’LL NEED ✓ 1 Head of Lettuce ✓ 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts ✓ 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil ✓ Balsamic Vinaigrette ✓ Avocado ✓ Tomato ✓ Cilantro ✓ ½ Cup Greek Yogurt ✓ Black Pepper ✓ 1 Lime, 1 Lemon
NOTE: For a crispier finish, you may flash fry in extra virgin olive oil for 2 additional minutes.
WHAT YOU’LL DO ✓ Squeeze juice from one lemon into a small bowl. ✓ Season chicken with pepper (plus additional seasoning to your liking). ✓ Sauté chicken in oil until cooked medium. ✓ Add in lemon juice and finish cooking. ✓ Dice chicken breast, avocado and tomato and place in leaf of lettuce. ✓ Top with Greek Yogurt and drizzle Balsamic Vinaigrette. ✓ Garnish with lime. ✓ Enjoy. 16 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
This recipe is as quick and simple as it is delicious and only contains 215 calories per serving. Pescatarians rejoice!
WHAT YOU’LL DO ✓ Pre-heat oven to 300 F. ✓ Mix amaretto, nutmeg and 1 tablespoon honey in a small saucepan and heat on stove until warm. ✓ Line baking sheet with aluminium foil and pour mixture over walnuts. Bake for 7-10 minutes. ✓ Combine remaining honey, soy sauce, ginger and garlic into a large bowl. ✓ Add shrimp, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. ✓ Boil Jasmine Rice until tender. ✓ In skillet, heat oil and add shrimp mixture. ✓ Add walnuts and cook for additional 5 minutes. ✓ Drain rice, add shrimp. ✓ Let cool and enjoy.
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
½ cup honey (or agave nectar) ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced 1 lb. cocktail shrimp ½ cup walnuts ¼ cup amaretto 1 tablespoon Nutmeg Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Bag Jasmine Rice
NOTE: This recipe can be made without walnuts, without rice or with brown rice instead.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
5. Sometimes, you aren’t quite in the mood to ‘eat’ but you recognize the importance of the intake of vital nutrients. For days like these, consider a superfood smoothie.
WHAT YOU’LL DO ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
2 Cups Kale 2 Cups Coconut Water 1 Cup Ginger 1 Cup Pineapple ½ Cup Lemon Juice ½ Cup Fresh Ginger Flax Seeds
This one’s pretty simple! You’ll add 6-8 ice cubes, plus all your ingredients, blend well and enjoy. This recipe also works as a juice if you prefer. Hold the ice and the coconut water is optional. Enjoy!
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
BEAUTY & FASHION
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
BUSINESS
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
10 Business Ideas Under $10K 1. Virtual Office Solutions Many individuals across the country are starting businesses on smaller budgets than ideal and in this economic climate, many of them are cutting office space as an expense to save money while they get started. At the same time, it is unprofessional and potentially even dangerous to list a home address as your business address. That dilemma has increased the need for virtual offices. Some of the solutions a virtual office provider can offer include mail receipt and rerouting, reception, voicemail, concierge and appointment setting. The essentials to start this business include an address where you can receive and sort mail, a dedicated phone line, a website, and some marketing. 2. Cleaning Service In the busy world we live in, cleaning is such a tedious task that sometimes gets neglected. It isn’t just rich who outsource jobs like these anymore; it’s the middle class working family, disabled persons, and even businesses and corporations. There is no required licensure to start your company so you could truly educate yourself on the reaction of chemicals on certain surfaces – and the art of deep cleaning and disinfecting- and have the knowledge needed to get started. You’ll need to purchase tools and supplies, pay for marketing and eventually hire staff, all totaling under $10k to start.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest 3. Ebay Broker If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing and you haven’t seen the Netflix original series ‘Girl Boss’, you should stop what you’re doing right now and watch it. In short, it’s about a young girl who is bored with her 9-5 but has a passion for fashion so she goes through the motions of starting her own vintage reselling business. It briefly shows her stocking her inventory, shipping and delivering, and highlights some of the struggles but does so in a comedic tone so it’s not documentaryesq. I won’t give away the end so I’ll stop the synopsis there. There is business in reselling and companies like The Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet are proof. The thing that both of those companies aren’t capitalizing on though, is the rise of the digital age. Ebay was the first to get it right. The challenge for most people though, is that they don’t have the technical capacity to set up an Ebay store or perhaps don’t have the time to wait for bids or “Buy It Now” offers so they don’t bother. That’s where you’d come into play. As an Ebay broker, you would be responsible for building a store where products would be sold. It would be up to you rather to purchase the items from offline sellers directly or to charge for the listing and take a commission. You would need the platform (which is free), marketing, storage space (if buying items outright), a decent camera and some business cards. For under $2K, you’re up and ready to go. 4. Hair Distributor There is money in vanity. Wigs and hair “bundles” are all the rave these days. People pay anywhere from $40 to $400 per piece on average, all in the name of vanity. Some companies have now made it possible to bulk purchase and resell those items for profit. Others allow you to sell from their inventory with no inventory for you to carry, and you make a small commission from each sell. Either of these two options are fairly cost effective and can be started up quickly once the initial investment is made. This is an excellent upsell opportunity for stylists and other beauty industry provider.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest 5. Jewelry Making So as a continuation of the aforementioned idea, accessories are becoming a growing part of the beauty industry and there is additional equity in the idea of having a “one of a kind” item. Sure, every designer’s dream is to have a celebrity rock one of their handmade items and help their business go viral but even without that kind of exposure, a jewelry maker can do well. With the rise of consciousness of the chakras and the stone trend, diamonds aren’t the only gems valued as gifts. Those interested in businesses of this kind have a number of ways to learn the craft, Michael’s stores being just one of them. The initial investment in this business idea will depend on several factors including the amount of inventory you’ll carry, how much education you’ll pursue, the type of materials you’ll use and what selling platforms you will utilize. The best practice would be a combination of an online store and farmer’s markets and vendor events. Most of your investment will be in the time it takes to create your pieces. Regardless of which avenue you take, with marketing and advertising considered, this business idea can be pulled off for under $5K. 6. Notary Public For as long as documents must be signed on paper, there will be a need for a Notary Public. Avis Budget is a company that employs up to 32 notaries per office at a time. The essentials to start this business are the state commissioning and training, insurance, a laptop or tablet, dedicated phone line and marketing materials. The costs should not exceed $1500 for startup. 7. Wedding Officiant Each year, on average, there are over two million marriages in the United States and while couples may opt to cut back on the attire, the décor or the venue, an officiant is the most essential part of the ceremony. Becoming an “ordained minister” is fairly simple and depending on the organization you go through for your ordinance, could only require as much as an online application. There are options to purchase “Clergy” certificates and credentials once you are ordained. Add in your marketing expense and voila, you’re in business! NOTE: Be sure to consult your state governmental organization’s website to ensure the organization you choose for ordination is recognized locally.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest 8. Tax Preparation You have the option of working as a service provider or starting your own actual business as a tax preparer and both should be able to be accomplished for under $10K. The first step to becoming a recognized tax preparer is to register for a PTIN with the IRS. This can be done online through irs.gov. The next step is to receive training and several local organizations like Liberty Tax and Jackson Hewitt offer free training in exchange for work during the tax season. If this is all too formal for you, you can opt to purchase either company’s software and follow the prompts but you will be less equipped to deal with things like audits and fraud without the training. You’ll need a space to meet clients, a secure way to store sensitive documents, a credit card processer, marketing materials and software to get started. 9. Gift Baskets If you’ve got the creative gene, making gift baskets is a fun and festive business idea. With such an emphasis on commercial holidays, there is almost always an occasion you can capitalize on. Depending on the level of investment you plan to make, you can set up shop online, get space at vendor events and flea markets, or sell in a brick-and-mortar space in a mall. Regardless of the medium through which you sell, the investment for this idea consists of supplies, placement and marketing, and should total less than $5K to start. 10. Moving Service Hunka Hunka! This is an excellent business idea for anyone who can handle physical tasks like carrying and lifting heavy boxes however if you aren’t so physically inclined (or aren’t interested in being such) you can merely be the brains behind the operation. You have the option of offering local moving service or taking on those cross-country relocations, both impacting the price of your startup. You’ll not only need the business basics (website, business cards, supplies) but you’ll also need some good business insurance to cover potential damage and loss, and commercial vehicle insurance. You’ll also likely need some staff but all of this can be accomplished for under $10K. Get a move on! -Candace Denise.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
HOME & REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE – KNOWING WHEN TO LOWER THE PRICE OF YOUR HOME
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest IS IT TIME TO LOWER YOUR PRICE Sellers want to get the highest price for their home but sometimes this isn’t the case, if your home has stayed on the market for a longer period you might want to consider dropping your price. Choosing when to reduce the price of your home isn’t a walk in the park but if it is very necessary then it must be done. Most of the time your real estate agent is the person best qualified to decide when to make the reduction, although a lot of sellers make the mistake of hiring a real estate agent based on the price they offer to sell their homes and not on competence, here are a few things to consider in your before you finally make your decision: • Have you done all you can Usually your agent will cover all the bases necessary to sell your home, but it never hurts ensure that you are doing absolutely everything to make sure you close the deal. You might investigate other reasons as to why your home doesn’t seem lucrative enough. • How eager are you to sell If you’re really eager to sell your house you might have to adjust your price in relation to the current market status and this might mean selling it for a much lesser price. But if you are in a position to hold off you should, while you wait until the market is more in your favour. • There are not many showings Not having much activity is an indicator that something is wrong and it more than likely is the price. If buyers are not scheduling showings it’s time for you to consider dropping your price, when new listings hit the market it almost always see a significant amount of traffic right away especially in a good market because the first few weeks your home is listed should be the busiest as buyers want to get out and view the newest listing right 27 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest away so they don’t get bought by someone else. So if this does not happen it’s probably because your price is high. • Buyer attention with no offers On the other hand to if you have a lot of buyers looking and none making any offer then it could be a price issue. Your home may be really appealing to buyers but if the price isn’t reasonable they will purchase elsewhere. You don’t want your property on the market any longer than it has to be. So if you’re experiencing this kind of situation you might want to drop that price a wee bit. • No enough funds for repairs If you have a major issue with your home that needs repairs and you do not have enough money to fix it up, you should take it into consideration will pricing you home as buyer are likely to take note of this deficits and it will play a role in what they believe your home is worth. If you are not in a financial position to correct issues with your home, you really should not ask for a price that does not account for these damages.
Lastly, another way to know if your situation is normal is to check out other comparable properties in your market at the moment, like how long it took them to sell, if your house is priced way beyond the range of similar properties in your area then it’s time you reduced the price. An important thing to remember is that the time your home spends on the market listing is significant and the longer a home lingers on the market, the greater the chance of getting low offers. -DZ
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
CAREER & EDUCATION 29 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
JOB SATISFACTION TOP 3 Admit it or not, most of us are stuck in a loop of constant routine. All we do is wake up, go to a job, come home and repeat. On top of that, if the job you’re doing is miles away from your interest, it becomes even more difficult to live that tiresome routine each day. Besides following your passion, being content with your work is also important. I’m sure if majority of people are questioned about it, they will tell you that satisfaction and job, are two opposite terms forced together. So what is job satisfaction? Ideally, vast majority would want a job that pays well and makes some positive impact on society, gaining monetary and benevolent rewards. To put it in simpler terms, the best of both worlds. As strange as it might seem to a common man, there exists some privileged percentage of humankind, which leads a happy, satisfactory job life. Before jumping on the titles of those jobs, we need to assess what are the factors which make you gratified in your job. After conducting a survey, we’ve compiled a list of elements which influence an individual’s satisfaction level. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Serving humanity Protection of people Guiding people towards the right path A hefty paycheck
In this article we will look upon the top three jobs which possess the highest job satisfaction. 1. Clergy Having a massive following behind you can be a huge responsibility, so it’s in your hand to steer that population towards positive endeavors. Making them closer to God is not the only objective of clergymen, they also lead their followers to serve humanity and be kind, caring and protective towards the society. So spreading positive messages, and making people believe that they can do good in the world, is in itself a satisfactory deed, but if it pays well, then it’s a win-win situation for everybody. The median salary of a clergy is $42,248. 2. Physical therapists Motivating people, making them believe in themselves, and providing the physically disabled people enough confidence for them to be able to move again, after they have lost all hope, is an achievement which has no bounds. This achievement is shared by both parties: the person in need and the person helping. A challenging job indeed, but it provides immense
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest satisfaction each day. Well, this is the daily routine of a physical therapist, sounds surreal right? The median salary of a physical therapist is $72,106. 3. Firefighter If I would have to describe a firefighter in one word, hero would be it. They put their lives at risk not every day, but multiple times of the day, to help people whose lives are at risk. This job is not everybody’s cup of tea, but it promises the best night sleep, knowing that you took part in saving a life today and every other day. The median salary of a firefighter is $44,218. So which category do you fall in? Always try to live the full meaning of life, whilst performing the daily necessary routines. -Javayria
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATION Over the years, the norm for most people has been to save for college or take back breaking student loans to ensure that the ever elusive “college degree” is within our grasps. Pundits argue however, that the importance of education in the modern-day market place seems to have taken the back seat. And rightly so. With the increasing rate of unemployment ravaging most economies worldwide, education seems to not be the key, as opposed to popular belief; as the world has gone way past a theoretical approach in the handling of it’s affairs. While a college degree will most likely provide a chunky salary, landing the job becomes the struggle as the number of qualified personnel churned out annually by these degree awarding institutions simply exceed the number of positions available for these degree holders. To make matters worse, most of these degree holders tend to possess all but practical knowledge of real life problems and solutions. This to large extents explains why terms like “Unemployable” and “ Millenials” are being slapped about amongst media spheres. While Education could very easily have been the path to a better life in the past, these days a college degree does not guarantee a “stable” future if we are to be honest. While a degree possesses just as much Pros as it does Cons, let it be noted that a general misunderstanding of the resultant effects of education could be held responsible for this cul de sac which we find ourselves. Firstly, a degree tends to streamline our creativity. Similar to the never-ending rambling between genders where a one fit all system is used as a scale of relativity to measure who possesses more ability rather than realise that there is no basis for equality between genders as both are there for very different purposes. Think of a comparison between a Falcon and a Lion. When Everyone is taught to align with existing knowledge and build on it rather than critique it and make improvements, the resultant effect becomes a century long modification of the internal combustion engine until “Elon” comes along to defy the formulas and rigid theories of our college professors. This also explains to large extents why “geniuses” seem to have chosen to boycott Earth and find other planets. All it took an Isaac Newton, was an apple on the head, these days however, there are life threatening issues ranging from global warming to nuclear warfare yet these institutions continue to churn disciples of an existing system and break the free thinkers of our time. Another downside towards a college degree as stated earlier are the financial requirements in order to obtain a college degree. Most people begin to save up for years just to pay for college, only to 33 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest attend college and still get slapped back into the over-pouring unemployment pool. Worse still are the student Loans which students may take and payback at a pseudo period of better earnings. College degrees have their benefits, but just like a round of gambling, the only one who wins at the end is the Educational institution. -Zuby NOTE: The views and opinions independently expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the CDLD.
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GENERAL SELF-HELP 35 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
Get the best book you’ll ever read!
Now available on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com 36 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
The Balance Work Hard, Play Hard. You spend most of your time either working, preparing for work or commuting to work and at the end of the day, you’re too exhausted to do anything else. Does this sound familiar? Is your social life hanging on by a thread because you’re always too busy for leisure activities? If so, chances are you’re headed straight for burnout which is easier to avoid than it is to recover from. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR VACATION DAYS AND PTO According to many studies, employees who don’t take advantage of their paid time off have a lower level of job satisfaction than those who do. Your vacation time is your opportunity to reset and start anew. It’s also a good time to invest in your personal, social and love life and get back into doing the things you enjoy but have been too busy for. Whether you plan to vacation, staycation or just unplug, your mind needs the time away from the hustle and bustle. We should always work to live. Not live to work. “Taking time off helps to remind us who we are outside of work,” says Stefanie Spilde in an article published by Unity Point Wellness. TREAT YOURSELF TO A SPA DAY There are some things a massage can’t fix, but for everything else, there’s the spa. Whether you’re the Swedish massage type or someone who limits your spa experience to a good old mani-pedi, you’ll appreciate the pampering and your body will thank you. Spa days are my vacations when I can’t actually get away and I leave each massage feeling like a brand new me. With the help of deal sites and apps like Groupon, the experience can be yours for a smaller price than what they
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest charge in house. If you’ve never gone before and are skeptical, check out each establishment’s reviews for the inside scoop on what to expect. KEEP A STASH OF “MAD MONEY” We’ve all had those days where we wanted to throw the whole day away. Some of these days, we just wake up on the wrong side of the bed but on some others, it seems like we are bombarded by negative things we cannot control. Regardless of the root of the “bad day”, something must be done and the I’m here to offer you a solution: mad money. How you save is up to you. Some people put ten percent per pay check and others store away their spare change. In either case, the mad money you save is for those kinds of days. When you experience your next rainy day, you’ll use your mad money on a guilty pleasure to make it all better. Depending on what you can afford, you can buy yourself a bag, that new pair of sneakers you’ve been eyeing or maybe even just a carton of your favorite ice cream. LIVE A LITTLE Corporate America can make us so uptight and with everything that’s going on around the world and in the news, it can be easy to just get bogged down. What we should realize, however, is that life is too short to be taken so serious all the time. That being said, today is the day to make your bucket list and live a little. Whether you want to face a fear and skydive or have always dreamed of auditioning for American Idol, do it. After all, there’s nothing to fear than fear itself. Take a stab at our balance suggestions and let us know if they help! Tag us in your photos on social media and use hashtag #CDLDBestLife for a chance to be featured in the upcoming issues.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
PARENTING
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest Parenting hacks which makes life easier Parenting is a wonderful experience. Even though it has its joys and perfect cute moments, it is a physically and mentally challenging responsibility. Children require care and attention, keeping an eye on every single one of them simultaneously, can sometimes be an impossible task. Are there some tips and tricks to make your life easier? Yes, we have compiled a list of parenting hacks for you to try, and yes you can thank us later. 1. Door handles are a children’s worst nightmare. They can easily lock themselves in the bathroom. This usually ends in screaming their lungs out for help. To prevent this from happening again: Take a rubber band, and crisscross it across both the inner and outer handles of the bathroom door and observe the magic! 2. Children have the habit of slamming doors with such an enthusiasm, that sometimes their tiny fingers get in the way. If you want your children to never experience this excruciating pain then: Take a pool noodle, cut it in half and attach it to the closing side of the door. 3. It’s cute to see a feeder constantly slipping off from the dainty hands of the toddler. Make use of the Oball lying around in your house and slide the feeder inside it. It gives the baby an excellent grip to hold onto. 4. Are you tired of seeing unfinished sticky lollipops lying randomly around your house? Well we’ve got a perfect little trick for you to save your furniture from the wrath of the sweet sticky stubborn lollipops. Take a Kinder egg and create a tiny hole at the bottom; just large enough for the lollipop stick to fit in, it’s the best lollipop storing option you’ll ever see. 5. Similarly a melting ice-lolly drips onto the floors, the child’s entire face, fingers and clothes which can end up in multiple other places as well. A simple tip is to: Stick the ice-lolly in a muffin liner, all the melting ice-lolly will accumulate in that cup. 6. Children love to tail you around, whatever chore you do, they have to do it too. If you’re painting around the house, and refuse to give your child a paintbrush, annoying tantrums can possibly become a background noise for quite a long time. Save yourself a headache by : Giving them a water bucket, an old paintbrush and let them paint till their hearts desire. 7. We all tend to throw out those plastic sauce containers, which comes with almost every food delivery, we’ve finally found a use for them: Clean out the sauce container, and place pacifiers in them. Now they would be protected from the bacteria present in the air. 40 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest 8. Have you ever wondered that the soap in soap dispenser, lasted way long before you had kids? Kids usually don’t realize how much they are squeezing out, or if you have kids like mine, squeezing out soap repeatedly is quite an entertaining activity. Tie a rubber band around the pump nozzle to stop this wastage from happening We hope these tips and tricks will add ease to your daily regimen. Happy Parenting! -Javayria
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
SPOTLIGHT SERIES
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
BEASTS OF THE UNDERGROUND 45 | P a g e
The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
UNDERGROUND ARTISTS WANTED! Are you an unsigned, underground or indie artist with a story to tell? If so, we want to feature you in next month’s issue! To be considered, here are our submission guidelines: Send an email to Digest@CeciDenise.com • In the SUBJECT LINE, type: “BOTU Submission”. • Include a short bio of 3-5 sentences. • Include an image, preferably a headshot, with written signed permission from your photographer to use the image if you are selected for the feature. • Include social media handles. NOTE: If you don’t have a YouTube or Soundcloud link, you must upload an MP3 or MP4 file of your music if applicable. • Close with your contact information.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
OUTREACH & AWARENESS
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
STALKED You haunt me throughout the night. You have forcefully chastised me most of my life. The nightmares are vivid. I’m afraid to sleep. Who knows what tonight’s terrors will be? You paralyze my body and make collapse when I have a hint of emotion. You caused me to lose friends. A social life. What is that? You stole my light. You took my joy. You allow others to ridicule me with their ignorance. You are determined to control every aspect of my day. Narcolepsy, I wish you would remove yourself from my life... -Jessica Franklin Narcolepsy affects over 200,000 Americans. To donate to the Narcolepsy Network, please visit www.narcolepsynetwork.org.
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
ADVERTISE WITH US! Do you have a business you would like to gain exposure for? Contact us today for rates!
Digest@cecidenise.com
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The Inaugural Issue |May 2018 | The Ceci Denise Lifestyle Digest
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