Megan Kincaid - November 2020 - McCormick Ranch Lifestyle

Lifestyle MCCORMICK RANCH

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2020

Motherhood & Career A Quest for Balance

Island Hopping Center of the Home

Slow Cooker Lasagna GoodNes

EVENT CALENDAR NOVEMBER | DECEMBR 2020

Fall Colors Tour on Verde Canyon Railroad Clarkdale| Nov. 1-27 VerdeCanyonrr.com Catch the last of the Autumn colors set against the Red Rocks of Sedona and the Verde River as you chug along this scenic track. Mild temperatures bring out active wildlife that passengers can spot through panoramic windows or open-air viewing cars.

America’s Largest Virtual Turkey Trot Online | Nov. 1-Dec. 12 TheVirtualRunChallenge.com This annual event celebrates healthy fun, encouraging participants to complete a 5k Turkey Trot while offering maximum flexibility: the race can be completed at any location and within your own timeframe. Registered runners will receive race swag and a finisher medal. Additionally, The Biggest Flock award will be presented to the largest team. Connect with other runners on the event Facebook page @americaslargestturkeytrot.

Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market Phoenix | Saturdays Nov. through Dec. 18 ShopTheFarmersMarket.org This popular attraction brings together more than 100 local farmers, food producers and artisans that have prepared fresh produce, baked goods and more. Enjoy our beautiful desert winter weather and support small businesses as you fill your bags with goodies for you, your pet and your home.

Watercolor Online Workshop Virtual | Nov. 21-22 SedonaArtsCenter.org All skill levels are welcome to join this 2-day online workshop presented by the Sedona Arts Center. Students will learn from professional artist Karen Elaine.

Different styles, methods and materials will be explored as the group learns skills such as creating color swatches, glazing and color lifting.

Gather Round T

hink dream kitchen and what comes to mind? Maybe it’s shiny new appliances, more cabinet space, or a new soothing modern color. But for many, a large kitchen island tops the must-have list. What was once considered a small prep area for serious chefs has now gone mainstream. Perfect for everything from late-night homework sessions to Super Bowl snack spreads, today’s kitchen island truly is the hub of the home.

Those who have a kitchen island know that it’s truly indispensable for family living.

And most likely they’ll never buy another home without one! First and foremost, the kitchen island gives you extra counter space for cooking and baking. It is a kitchen, after all. But it can also provide additional storage space for dishes, linens, cookbooks, school supplies, and anything else you can think of that finds its way into today’s kitchen. After all, the island is also the perfect spot for doing school assignments, working at home, and completing numerous other projects. And when it comes to entertaining, the kitchen island makes a great area to serve meals and snacks buffet style. If you’re looking to gather with family or friends, the kitchen island with bar-style seating simply can’t be beat.

But what are your options if you don’t have a kitchen island in your home? If redesigning your current kitchen layout isn’t in the budget, you can create an island with something you already own, such as a vintage country table placed in the center of the room. Not only is this functional but it’s unique and will give your space that one-of-a-kind farmhouse look. Don’t have the perfect chippy antique table or cool old desk on hand? Search for kitchen islands online and you’ll find some with wheels that can be moved around the kitchen as needed, and others that look like built-ins with architectural moldings and marble tops making them as attractive as they are versatile.

While many kitchen islands are big, smaller workstations can provide just the extra space a kitchen needs. Add a few baskets and there is plenty of storage space below. Islands can also provide a fun place for a pop of color to break up the aesthetic of a monochromatic kitchen. Blues, greens, and creams are all popular island cabinetry hues for the years ahead. The only downside to a kitchen island that we can think of? Keeping it clutter free!

Virtual Star Party Stargazing Online | Dec. 5 TucsonAstronomy.org Explore the regions of space from the comfort of your living room! Steaming live on Facebook (@TucsonAstonomy), members of TAAA using telescopes and image-capturing software will lead roughly an hour and half star tour for viewers.

If you can’t make the live stream, you can view the recorded version at your leisure.

REAL ESTATE

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Motherhood & CAREER

T he Q u e st f o r B alan c e

I had a career and my own business for nearly 10 years before arms and legs. sleep can also contribute to becomingyour a mother.

With my Reduced high-achieving, perfectionist personality, irritability, depression and just the inability to recognize emotional I thought becoming mother would be another job on my resume cuesI would from others, canstill cause professional and personal and one that excelwhich at while thriving in my business.

Any relationship conflict. parent reading this probably laughs at that last sentence. Boy, was I Sleep also plays a major role in both short-term and long-term misguided!?

health. Your immune system is able to function better when you’re consistently getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of Given my own experience and many conversations with other parents rest every night. In fact, regular sleep deprivation actually at various changes stages ofthe theway journey, it seemscells we are on the search poor for that your immune function.

Similarly, elusive balance.

Struggling to excel in either area, or giving up career sleep causes irregularities in the hormones that control appetite, with a sense of failure, or leaning into business blood sugar levels and heart health. with a sense of mom

guilt. Add So, to this journey, a do global pandemic, and seems what can you to help yourself get a balance restful night’s sleep? impossibly Simple out of lifestyle reach. changes can have a big impact on sleep

patterns. Giving up alcohol or caffeine altogether may help he importance of sleep cannot be overstated; in a world your bodyinreadjust to aare natural sleep Additionally, As with most things life, there seasons ofrhythm. balance and seasons that’s constantly buzzing, people are exhausted. Maybe establishing a consistent bedtimeIf and arising timetohelps when the scale must tip in one direction. we can learn embrace you’re used to rushing through your days with the power reset your internal clock. Give yourself a sleep-conducive these seasons, I think it is truly possible to enjoy the journey and escape of coffee and determination, not even realizing how your environment that is dark, quiet and a comfortable temperature. those feelings of failure or guilt.

I find it helpful to stay away from sleep habits influence your everyday mood, productivity and If you’re able to, leave your windows uncovered so natural my journey to another, often joy.

Also, try to wellness. If you’ve been viewing a good night’s sleep as comparing a sunlight can come throughcomparison and stimulate you kills in the morning. luxury you can’t afford, take a closer look at the vital rolestay it present when you are in mom mode or work mode, segment your As with any new routine, give yourself time to adjust and build plays in every aspect of health and happiness. day to be new fully healthy presenthabits. vs multi-tasking.

Lastly, Don’t be afraid tosleep, ask for Give yourself permission to prioritize In a normal sleep pattern, your body cycles through five help! knowing it will help you be more present and positive in all different stages that can be simplified to light, deep or REM aspects of your day-to-day life. Sweet dreams! sleep. Light sleep usually occurs as you fall asleep and your While not an ideal world, reassure yourself that this time is not forever. body starts to relax. In deep sleep, important physical and And looking back, this time may be some of the most precious. Seasons mental recovery take place. REM sleep is when will change and the scales will tip again, but your brainwaves are more active as they prepare you’ll never have this moment right now again. to wake up. Your body will typically repeat these stages every 90 minutes throughout the night.

T

IN GOOD TASTE

Your emotions and cognitive function take a big hit when your sleep pattern is disrupted. If you’re finding yourself extra forgetful or clumsy, it might mean you didn’t have a restorative slumber the night before. This causes your brain to function less efficiently, whether its processing new information, recalling a stored memory or sending signals to

If you’re like me and are in a greater need of community in this stage of motherhood, please join our Facebook group: McCormick Moms, an authentic place for connection and fun. If you’re looking for more career support, you’ll enjoy my colleagues’ group: Women Who Mean Business.

SLOW COOKER LASAGNA INGREDIENTS 12

Dry lasagna noodles

1 bag

Frozen chopped spinach

½ tsp

Ground black pepper

1 container

Ricotta cheese

¼ cup

Parmesan cheese

1 jar

Marinara sauce

2 cups

Shredded mozzarella

2

Large eggs, beaten

¾ cup

Water

DIRECTIONS Combine marinara sauce and water in medium bowl. Combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, spinach, eggs, parmesan cheese and pepper in a separate medium bowl.

Pour one-quarter of sauce mixture onto bottom of 6-quart slow cooker sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Top with 4 lasagna noodles, broken to fit and overlapping as needed. Spread one-third of cheese mixture over noodles. Repeat layers of sauce, noodles and cheese mixture 2 more times. Top with remaining sauce and remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.

Cover; cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or until noodles are tender. Turn slow cooker off.

Keep covered; let sit for 30 minutes.

GoodNes.com

LETS GET SOCIAL!

@megankincaidrealestate Looking to grow your social circle?

Join our McCormick Moms Group!

Megan Kincaid REALTOR®

602.621.3950 Direct MK@MeganKincaidRealEstate.com www.MeganKincaidRealEstate.com

McCormick Ranch

is off to a strong start of the 4th quarter, and it is expected to continue with strong sales even through the holidays. Do you know what your home is worth today? If not, let’s change that. Your home is likely one of your largest investments, and one you should monitor like a savings account! More than just a realtor, I’d like to become a lifelong real estate advisor. Lets connect soon to talk about your real estate goals.

Highest Closed Listing: $949,500

Annual Appreciation: 14%

Highest Pending Listing: $1,197,000

Average Days on Market: 55

A professional is only as good as the team they surround themselves with. Let me introduce you to my partner.

We are McCormick Ranch specialists and want to guide you through the journey of buying, selling or refinancing.

Mayra Hawkins Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS ID #942439

Founder of “Women Who Mean Business” 480.695.6683 Your home is your family’s nest and one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. As a professional with over 30 years of experience in the banking and financial industry, my goal is to provide you with excellent service. I’m here to assist you and guide you through the process with great patience and understanding.

Women Who Mean Business facebook.com WomenWhoMeanBusinessAZ womenwhomeanbusinessaz@gmail.com

If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.

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