Steel Cut Oats

Another passion I have is eating right.  I'm not perfect at it, I LOVE my junk food, and let's be honest, eating right is expensive.  There are some things I always do and find isn't expensive.  I never use ground beef, only ground turkey or chicken, I never buy can vegetables, only fresh or frozen.  Also, I never buy white bread, only 100% whole wheat or multi-grain bread, I fry with Olive Oil, and I TRY to use only 100% wheat or multi-grain pasta.

I always cook dinner but breakfast and lunch is another story.  I like to have something quick to grab while I'm on the go, so I have been on the look out for healthy food.

I just learned about Steel Cut Oats.  Steel Oats are healthier than instant oatmeal(what I feed my son because it was nice and easy)because it is the least processed oat, while instant oatmeal is the most processed oat.

Steel Oats are a little more expensive(I just bought it at Walmart for a little under $4) than instant oatmeal but it is filling so a little goes a long way.  Also, they take longer to cook, about 30-45 minutes, but you can cook them and put them in the fridge for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack.

Last night I cooked 4 servings.  Then I melted brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon and poured it over the oats(my version of Maple and Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal, my sons favorite).  It was too sweet so I made another 4 cups of oats and it was perfect!  I then pureed frozen strawberries and mixed it in my oats.  All I can say is yummmy!!!!!

This morning it was so nice to throw some oats in a bowl, heat it up for a couple of minutes in the microwave, bring it to work and have a nice healthy and filling breakfast!  My son had a belly ache this morning so he didn't have breakfast, I can't wait to see what he thinks of his new breakfast treat!  Hopefully, I can get my daughter(she is 14 and is and always has been a picky eater)to like it.

Have you tried Steel Cut Oats, what do you think of them?  Do you have any other healthy quick recipes?  Please share in the comment  section.  Thank you!

Achieving My Goal

I know my passion is Real Estate Investment.  I know the Lord has put this passion in me and I also know

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.

Psalm 138:8

My problem is financially, I am not in a place where I can afford real estate.  But I'm not going to let this stop me!

So what are my first step to turn this goal into an achievement?  Well, I'm not going to wait till my finances are in order.  I'm going to find mentors who are willing to teach me everything they now.  I already receive daily emails from a real estate agent sharing her knowledge

http://www.greatinvestmentproperty.com/confirm/

Today I emailed a real estate consultant about mentoring me.  I will continue to learn everything possible, so that when I am ready to make my first purchase, I will have all the knowledge to make the right decisions.

How Do I Plan On Creating An Empire?

So how do I plan on creating an empire?

One of my passions is Real Estate Investments.

Real estate investing involves the purchase, ownership, management, rental and/or sale of real estate for profit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_investing

I want to buy and flip houses

• Flipping is a term used primarily in the United States to describe purchasing a revenue-generating asset and quickly reselling (or "flipping") it for profit. Though flipping can apply to any asset, the term is most often applied to real estate and initial public offerings.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flipping_houses

I want to buy houses that need some work, fix them, then sell them for a profit.

I also want to own real estate.

Yes, I want to own residential properties, but I also want to own commercial real estate.

Definition of 'Commercial Real Estate'

Property that is used solely for business purposes. Examples of commercial real estate include malls, office parks, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores and office towers. Commercial real estate is one of the three primary types of real estate. The other types are residential real estate, which is used for living purposes; and industrial real estate, which is used for manufacturing and production. The businesses that occupy commercial real estate usually lease the space. An investor usually owns the building and collects rent from each business that operates there.

 http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/commercialrealestate.asp#ixzz1sLvqnKVI

Achieving Your Goals-Take Action!

GOALS are IMPORTANT to have, but it is MORE important to WORK on achieving your goals.  What's the point of having goals if your just going to think about them everyday but do nothing about it?  The only way to accomplish your goals is to 

No not on Monday, or tomorrow, or later on today, but right

First, write down your goals.  It doesn't matter if it's just 1 goal or 100 goals.  It doesn't matter if it is a little goal(read a book) or a big goal(create a successful business).  Just write them down.  Post them everywhere!  Places such as your mirror, the car, on your computer; make it so where ever you look your goals are their in your face.

Now pick one goal  and start taking the steps to accomplish this goal.

Once you accomplish the goal, celebrate, even if it is a small goal!  

Next, move on to the next goal.

Once you have accomplished your goals, write down new goals because there is always new things to accomplish.

And remember

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My Logo

This is the logo my wonderful daughter made for me!

In my first blog I wrote how I came up with what I would be blogging about. 

http://faithpassionbusiness.blogspot.com/2012/04/faith-passion-business.html

This logo fits me and this blog perfectly!  As I said in my second blog business is my passion.  

http://faithpassionbusiness.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-passionbusiness.html

As you look at this picture you think, this doesn't say business, it says vacation.  I believe my passion for business is what will bring me to my other passion, the tropics!  I love everything about living in a warm place, such as the tropics!  I want my house on the beach with views of the ocean from every room!  I want  to wake up every morning to see this view from my bed.

Most things I love relates to the tropics.  My favorite tree is the Palm Tree, my favorite animal is a Turtle, I love flip flops, oh and I love warm weather!

The beautiful cross you see in my logo represents my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move;and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20

Perseverance 101:4 Never Give Up!!!

Lets talk about something must business owners don't like to think about never mind talk about, When your business fails.

So you have worked endless hours doing everything you possibly can do to have a successful business but in the end it doesn't work out.  Now you are going through all the emotions, why me, what did I do wrong, where do I go from here?  Negatives thoughts start to sneak back into your head.  You think well if I failed once, what makes me think I won't fail again?  Why waste my time?  Owning a business must not be for me.  Go read Perseverance 101:2 Need Some Inspiration?

http://faithpassionbusiness.blogspot.com/2012/04/perseverance-1012-need-some-inspiration.html 

So now what?  This is where perseverance comes in full force.  Learn from your mistakes then go back an follow the steps in How to build an Empire.

http://faithpassionbusiness.blogspot.com/2012/04/why-empire.html

 Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained. 

--Marie Curie Polish-French chemist

Are you still to scared to persevere?  Think about Romans 5:3-5

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

-Romans 5:3-5

Let's break this down. 

Tribulation(Your business) is a cause of great trouble or suffering.
Perseverance(Your action) is a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Character(Who you are) is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
Hope(How you feel) is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Why do we glory in tribulations?  

When you have a problem, you start to solve it(perseverance).  Once you start to persevere,  you start feeling good about yourself(character).  Once you start feeling good again, your hope comes back.  When your hope comes back, you succeed!

Perseverance 101:3 Never stop learning!

Even when your business is running smoothly, you should still continue to learn.  It will help you persevere during the difficult times.

Here are some great books I have already read:

I just LOVE this author!!!  Check out his website and sign up for his emails.

http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Paper-Entrepreneur-tell---like-/dp/0981808204/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334109901&sr=1-1

"Never started a company before? Struggling with little or no cash? Have no experience, no baseline to judge your progress against? Thank God! You've got a shot at making this work." So says Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, a business book that is so uniquely useful, so raw and entertaining, it reads like the brainchild of Steve Jobs and Chris Rock.

The founder of three multimillion-dollar companies, including Obsidian Launch, a company that partners with first-time entrepreneurs to grow their concepts into industry leaders, Mike Michalowicz knows what it really takes to spin your great idea into pure gold.

Whether you're just starting out or have been at this for years, Mike's "get real" approach to business is a much-needed swift kick in the pants. In this book, you'll discover:
* Why a business plan is a total waste of your time.
* Why fulfilling your own needs is the first and last order of business. 
* Which three sheets of paper you need to successfully launch, manage and grow your business.
* How to get started in business with little or no money.
* How to find and exploit resources that no one else knows about.
* How to stop procrastinating and take action NOW!

Hate him or love him, Donald Trump is a great businessman!  I don't agree with everything he has done but for the most part his advice is very useful.

http://www.amazon.com/Trump-The-Deal-Donald-J/dp/0345479173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334109842&sr=1-1

TRUMP ON TRUMP: “I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: if you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big.”
And here’s how he does it: the art of the deal.

Beginning with a week in Trump’s high-stakes life, Trump: The Art of the Deal gives us Trump in action. We see just how he operates day to day—how he runs his business and how he runs his life—as he chats with friends and family, clashes with enemies, efficiently buys up Atlantic City’s top casinos, changes the face of the New York City skyline . . . and plans the tallest building in the world.

TRUMP ON TRUMP: “I play it very loose. I don’t carry a briefcase. I try not to schedule too many meetings. I leave my door open. . . . I prefer to come to work each day and just see what develops.”

Even a maverick plays by rules, and here Trump formulates his own eleven guidelines for success. He isolates the common elements in his greatest deals; he shatters myths (“You don’t necessarily need the best location. What you need is the best deal”); he names names, spells out the zeros, and fully reveals the deal-maker’s art: from the abandoned property that became the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to the seedy hotel that became the Grand Hyatt; from the race to rebuild Central Park’s Wollman Skating Rink to the byzantine saga of the property that became Trump Tower. And throughout, Trump talks—really talks—about how he does it.

TRUMP ON TRUMP: “I always go into a deal anticipating the worst. If you plan for the worst—if you can live with the worst—the good will always take care of itself.”
Donald Trump is blunt, brash, surprisingly old-fashioned in spots—and always, always an original. Trump: The Art of the Deal is an unguarded look at the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur and an unprecedented education in the art of the deal. It’s the most streetwise business book there is—and a sizzling read for anyone interested in money and success.

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Big-Make-Happen-Business/dp/0061547840/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334109770&sr=1-1

Donald J. Trump is an icon: the very definition of the American success story. The star of The Apprentice and developer of some of the planet's most prestigious real estate, he's been on the bottom and risen to become one of the world's wealthiest men.

Bill Zanker started The Learning Annex with $5,000 and grew it into a $5 million a year company. That was before he met Donald Trump. Thirty months later, after Zanker learned to think BIG himself, The Learning Annex is generating over $100 million a year in sales—and still growing.

Together, they're living examples of how thinking BIG and knowing when to back up your opinions aggressively—regardless of what your critics or opponents might say—can help you maximize your personal and professional achievements. For the first time ever, you too can learn Trump's secrets to thinking BIG! Learn:

• Momentum: the Big Mo. How to get it and how to get it back.



• Revenge: how and when to get it (and why it's so sweet).



• "I love you, now sign this!" Why contracts in business and personal life are so important.



• Real-life stories from people who've applied the think BIG formula in their own lives.

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Champion-Informal-Education/dp/B005DI8WUY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334109700&sr=1-1

Over the years, Donald Trump has written many bestselling books, but he has also written shorter essays that encompass his philosophy about how to live life to the fullest, both personally and professionally. In these pieces, which have been personally selected by Donald Trump for this book, he gives his special perspective in what amounts to an “informal education” about success in business and in life. His insights are engaging, educational, and informative and together they provide a very clear window into the mind and heart of this extraordinary and successful man.

Topics include:
*The Shock Market
*Keep the Big Picture in Mind
*Give Your Higher Self a Chance
*Essays, Assets, and Stephen King
*Discover and Live Your Purpose
*Go Against the Tide
*Imagination: A Key to Financial Savvy
*The Good, the Bad, and the Rogue Wave
*Financial Literacy
*Think Like a Genius

No, this is not a business book, but it teaches you what happens when you have faith.  It is a great, easy, quick read.

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Real-Little-Astounding-Edition/dp/0849948363/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334109586&sr=1-1

"Do you remember the hospital, Colton?" Sonja said. "Yes, mommy, I remember," he said. "That's where the angels sang to me."

When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren't expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed-a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy's trip to heaven and back.

Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery-and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. He talked of visiting heaven and relayed stories told to him by people he met there whom he had never met in life, sharing events that happened even before he was born. He also astonished his parents with descriptions and obscure details about heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read.

With disarming innocence and the plainspoken boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members. He describes Jesus, the angels, how "really, really big" God is, and how much God loves us. Retold by his father, but using Colton's uniquely simple words, Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, "Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses."

Heaven Is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child.

You can find answers to all your questions in this book.

Does this MOST important book need any explanation?  

Here are some books that I want to read:

I've been looking for a business book that also incorporates Gods ways. 

 I can't wait to read this book!

http://www.amazon.com/God-CEO-Following-Principles-Bottom-Line/dp/1580627641/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334109493&sr=1-1

Larry Julian is a successful consultant and speaker who specializes in leadership development. He has trained scores of business leaders, and his clients include 3M, AT&T, Honeywell, Mayo Clinic, General Mills, and many more. Business leaders may often face the conflict of reconciling their personal beliefs with the bottom-line demands of their business. God Is My CEO offers a practical and inspirational source of guidance for achieving a balanced and accomplished life.

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Napoleon-Hill/dp/0143143743/ref=sr_1_8?qid=1331080095&s=books&ie=UTF8&sr=1-8

The bestselling success book of all time is updated and revised with contemporary ideas and examples.

Think and Grow Rich has been called the "Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature." It was the first book to boldly ask, "What makes a winner?" The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world's winners himself.

The most famous of all teachers of success spent "a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort" to produce the "Law of Success" philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.

In the original Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. In the updated version, Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D., a nationally known author, lecturer, and consultant in human resources management and an expert in applying Hill's thought, deftly interweaves anecdotes of how contemporary millionaires and billionaires, such as Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Dave Thomas, and Sir John Templeton, achieved their wealth. Outmoded or arcane terminology and examples are faithfully refreshed to preclude any stumbling blocks to a new generation of readers.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Trump-Card-Playing-Work/dp/B003NHR64K/ref=tmm_hrd_title_1

INSPIRATION. SUCCESS.
CONFIDENCE. PASSION.

No one is born with these qualities, but they are the key ingredients for reaching goals, building careers, or taking a blueprint and turning it into a breathtaking skyscraper. In The Trump Card, Ivanka Trump recounts the compelling story of her upbringing as the ultimate Apprentice, the daughter of Donald and Ivana Trump, and shares the life lessons and hardwon insights that have made her a rising star in the business world.

From her office in the Trump Organization, where she is a vice president of development and acquisitions and co-founder of The Trump Hotel Collection, to her career as an international model to the launch of her successful jewelry collection, Ivanka offers valuable, practical advice for young women. Whether it's landing that first job, navigating the workplace, or making a lasting impact, Ivanka shows how to:

• Use uncertainty to your advantage: thrive in any environment.

• Step up and get noticed at work: focus and efficiency will open doors.

• Create a strong and consistent identity: your name and reputation are your best assets.

• Know what you want: get the most out of any negotiation.

The Trump Card also features "Bulletins" from Ivanka's BlackBerry that tap into the wisdom of today's leaders, including Arianna Huffington, Tory Burch, and Cathie Black. "We've all been dealt a winning hand," Ivanka writes, "and it is up to each of us to play it right and smart."

What books have you found helpful or plan on reading?

Perseverance 101:2 Need Some Inspiration?

Anything tropical always get's me motivated!

Highly recommended as a must read!

A big beautiful house on the ocean, one of my inspirations to keep persevering!

Vacation, without a budget!

My son likes this car!

Faith, a must have to be successful!

Every day on our way to school, I ask my 6 year old son, 

"Are you ready for a good day?"  

So let me ask you,

 "Are you ready for a good day?"

My favorite saying of all times:

With God before me, who DARE opposes me?!?!

So what's your inspiration?  Share below.

Perseverance 101:1 Let's get rid of some excuses!

Let's  Persevere by Getting Rid of Some Excuses!

Are afraid to start a new business because you may fail?  

Don't know where to start?

Here are some great links to help you get started:




Finding a mentor

http://www.score.org/mentors


Step by Step guides to start a business

http://www.sba.gov/content/follow-these-steps-starting-business

http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business


Business Plan Templates

http://www.score.org/resources/business-plan-startup-pdf


Business Magazines

http://www.forbes.com

http://www.entrepreneur.com/

http://www.economist.com/

Does this help get rid of some excuses?  Is there anything else I can help you find?  If so, leave a comment below and I will do everything I possibly can to help you.

Perseverance 101

I love the word PERSEVERANCE!!!!

per·se·ver·ance

   [pur-suh-veer-uhns]  Show IPA

noun

1.

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, ordiscouragement.

2.

Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end,leading to eternal salvation.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perseverance

In the next couple of blogs I will be talking about how to persevere and what happens when you do.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

-Romans 5:3-5

How to build an empire

An empire is a large organization controlling many firms.  To create an empire, you must have more than one successful business.  So, how do you build an empire?

1) Think about a business you are passionate about.  Maybe you have an invention that will help solve an every day problem or maybe you have created the next must have app?

2) Sell your product.  Use as many avenues as you can to sell your product.

• Open up your own store.
• Ask a local business owner if they will sell your item for you.
• Start a website.  You can easily build your own website using templates from  http://www.intuit.com/
• Sell on  http://www.ebay.com/ or  http://www.etsy.com/
• Sponsor a blogger https://www.bloggerdise.com

3) Market.  Once you have your product or service, you are ready to market it.  Join networking companies such as the Chamber of Commerce.  This allows you to meet many new people that may be interested in your product.  Hand out business cards to everybody. Use social media, such as www.facebook.com   www.twitter.com  www.pinterest.com

http://www.uschamber.com/

4) Find a mentor.  No matter how prepared you think you are, you WILL run into problems.  Have someone who can help get you through the rough patches.  A great place to find a mentor is through SCORE.  According to their website, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.


http://www.score.org

SBA is another great organization that can help you find local resources.

http://www.sba.gov/

5) Never, Never, Never Give up!  Find that passion you had in step one and use that to help you through the tough times.  Don't forget, just because your product failed, doesn't mean YOU are a failure, learn from those failures and move on.  Go back to step one and start over again with a new product.

"Rejection is the big kahuna in all entrepreneurship. Show me someone who can take a hit, and I'll show you a good entrepreneur... It's all in how well you get back up." --Barbara Corcoran


6) Start all over again!  Once you have a successful business, start all over again!  It is time to create another successful business!

That's how you build an empire!