These days we are always on the go and eating on the go also tends to pack on the extra pounds. Not to mention the saturated fats, artificial sweeteners and preservatives…

Well…I was reading a blog post written by fellow PO Aby Garvey on Organizing Your Car Travels and she asked about divided food storage.  I was out shopping a day earlier and came across divided food storage containers so I thought I would just check it out when I went back to the supermarket the next day. It turned out that the container I saw only had two compartments, not the 3 she highlighted.

Needless to say I am always looking for a better solution and came across the Fit & Fresh website highlighting a plethora of products dedicated to the preparation, storage and transportation of all foods that are fresh (and portioned).

Preparation
They offer the Smart PortionTM Prep Center which consists of a cutting board with integrated food scale and removable side measuring cup.

Storage
The Smart PortionTM Prep & Pack Tray allows you to do your food prep for the week while controlling portion sizes and then helps to organize your refrigerator by keeping all of the food in one place for easy access.

Transport
Here is where they go all out:

• The Breakfast Chiller holds dry cereal, a folding spoon, container for milk or yogurt, removable ice ring and cold storage cup.
• The Salad Shaker includes a knife & fork stored in the lid, dressing dispenser, ice pack and of course, a salad bowl.

• Their Lunch on the Go container contains 2 side containers inside for snacks, a removable ice pack and a large compartment to hold the 2 ’side cars’ and a sandwich or entree…and the cover doubles as a plate.

• The Deluxe Lunch Chiller has room for storing your utensils and napkin, a removable ice ring, small portion container and main course container.

and the list goes on…

The icing on the cake is that these containers come in bright, fun colors and all Fit & Fresh products meet FDA regulations for food grade plastic and are easy to clean, freezer, microwave (except for the ice packs) and top rack dishwasher safe. See if your local grocer or retailer carries the Fit & Fresh line.

While I am not big on promoting products as the organizing solution, these great food storage products are fun and functional. They can help make preparing and organizing lunch on the go a little easier and much more interesting, which will make your advanced lunch prep more likely to happen. My hubby always says that the only system that works for you is the one you will use. (OK, he really says that the only diet or workout that works for you is the one you’ll follow- but you get my drift, right?)

In a previous post, I discussed my transition to using a Password Manager and I thought I would share which one I chose, drumroll please…I selected SplashID. There are certainly a bunch to choose from each one touting why it is the best. And, you can’t always rely on review sites for an unbiased opinion. So I did a reasonable amount of research and came up with SplashID as being the best fit for me, considering the robust software offerings for smartphones.

Coming in a close second was KeePass. The only reason I did not select KeePass was due to the lack of (reliable, easy to use) software in the handheld department. If you don’t have a smartphone or care about the additional convenience of having your data in your phone, then KeePass is a great option- and hey, the price is definitely right- it’s completely open source & free. Allow me to make a note here- due to the fact that KeePass is open source, there are quite a few ‘add-in’ programs for sync’ing, etc. However, I was unable to find one that I felt comfortable relying on that would provide quick and simply synchronization between my desktop and handheld. If you don’t mind spending more time than money on this sync or doing it manually, KeePass is a great solution.

Here’s a little comparison chart for those of you who are visual:

	KeePass	SplashID
Custom Record Types
Encryption	AES, Rijndael, Twofish	256-Blowfish Encryption
Portability
Windows & Mac
Handheld Version
USB Key Version		(Export File)
Export/Backup
Autofill Sign in
Random Password Generator
Sync w/ Handheld

I’d love to hear your feedback on how you feel about using password manager software, what program you use, love, hate or if you are using a paper system and why?

If you are not convinced that a password manager can make that much of a difference in your life, check out this PalmAddict post on how SplashID Almost Got Me Shot!

photo credit: angermann

The best way to remember your password is not to rely on your memory at all!

Up until recently, I have relied on my memory to remember my passwords and it has become increasingly difficult. As internet security becomes more sophisticated, every website you visit and account you have requires a username & password. Some user accounts require you to update your password on a regular basis and even getting your username correct is becoming a gamble! This is because companies all create their own policies, naming conventions and definition as to what is secure enough.

So, finally, I bit the bullet and downloaded a password manager- and I love it! For those of you who haven’t made the jump yet, I have some tips to share. If you are currently using your contacts, word or excel to store this information, I urge you to quit that practice immediately, if not sooner. Here are some things to consider when selecting a password manager:

1. Online vs. Desktop Software- Since I am very rarely without my laptop, I don’t have a desire to store my passwords online, however, if you work from numerous workstations, you will want to consider this distinction as a number one priority or if you have a smartphone, see #5 below.

2. Store additional account types and information- Some password managers only allow you to enter usernames and passwords. I always look to consolidate functions and some are better than others at managing credit cards, bank accounts, SSN’s, insurance, prescriptions, etc. and some even allow you to create your own fields to store and label desired data (you know how I feel about labeling- never underestimate the power of labeling).

3. Export/Backup- Just like anything else these days, if one is good, two is better, right? OK, so I don’t necessarily agree with that theory but in this case, having a backup is always a wise idea.

4. Autofill sign in feature- A good password manager will allow you to enter all of the necessary info in order to launch and login to the desired site with the click of a button.

5. Software for your Smartphone- If you have a Smartphone, this feature can pay dividends, especially for the storage and retrieval of information other than pw’s…You can retrieve everyone’s SSN,

Oh, and of course, you need to consider the software’s password protection and security- but that’s a given!

I can’t believe that I waited so long to do this. It has been a time (& energy) saver when my memory is a bit fuzzy or it’s an account that I only access occassionally. I did an initial brain dump of my usernames and passwords but I have also been adding as I go and I am shocked by just how many accounts I have to keep track of- it’s no wonder I was having difficulty remembering.

If you don’t have a password manager (or am I the only one), would you mind sharing the reason? I know my reasons and I will share and explore the bigger meaning behind them in a future post…

photo credit: Billa

Having moved to a metro area in an entirely different state, I have definitely had some challenges getting around. And, yes, I do love my GPS (we call her ‘Gabbie’) but on a handful of occasions she just doesn’t come through for me. I was reminded of some 411 services recently that I thought I would share with you.

1-800-FREE-411- I have tried to use 1-800-FREE-411 in the past but the automated system didn’t understand what I was saying. I don’t think my Long Island accent is that thick- is it? Free, but not very useful.

1-800-GOOG-411- This free service helps you to quickly connect with local businesses- and it is soooo easy to use. OK, at first glance it’s similar to most 411 services. You dial the number and tell the automated system what city and state you are looking for. But, wait, if you know the zip code you can actually type it into the phone. Then, you tell the system the business name or category and they will find matches for you. Once you make your selection, you will be connected- for free.

And if you use your cell phone, you can say the words “text message” and you will receive a text with the business info. They even take it a step further for phones that have internet capabilities. Just say “map it” and GOOG-411 will send you a map of the business. How’s that for cool and convenient? Especially when you are driving- not that you would ever dream of it, but it prevents you from having to grab a pen and paper to write down the number while you are driving.

Google SMS- I don’t recommend this while driving…If you are looking for a business, just send a text to GOOGL or 466453 (that’s it- just six numbers) with the business name, city and state and you will receive a matching address and phone number via text within seconds. And, most newer mobile phones will allow you to dial directly from a phone number in a text message. You can get information on movie times, weather, directions, glossary, currency conversion, and the list goes on…and it’s all for free. Ummm, except your carrier may charge you.

Check out the links to watch a demo or find more info about what they can do! Do you know of any more free, fast 411 services? I’d love to hear about them.