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Lori Bruton

Author | Writer | Lifestyle Blogger |Speaker

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Hi, I'm Lori.
Author, Speaker, Coach, Ghostwriter

Honor and Patriotism are Served Up at Mission BBQ

January 27, 2023 by Lori Leave a Comment

Mission BBQ BAMBAM
Mission BBQ BAMBAM truck and smoker

I found a mission of honor and service in my neck of the woods.

Parked out front of Mission BBQ is a 5-ton truck called BAMBAM (Big And Mobile Barbeque Assault Machine). It serves as a billboard, a portable smoker, and a representative of their mission that proudly displays the American flag.

HONOR

Two patriotic friends, Bill Kraus and Steve “Newt” Newton created a way to honor America’s military, veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders.

PATRIOTISM

Recently, I sat down with Darin Townsend, Area Director of Operations, at Mission BBQ in Henrietta, NY. It is the first location in New York state. There are over 100 locations along the East coast. They serve up food and more with a heaping portion of patriotism.

The founders, Bill and Newt, wanted to bring patriotism back to our country to honor those who served. Hats off to them for executing this life-changing mission.

MISSION

The doors of Mission BBQ opened on a significant day, September 11, 2011. They chose that day because 9/11 changed our country forever. It was our Pearl Harbor.

This mission is about taking our country back and making it great again. Our heroes make this country great.

HEROES

Heroes are welcome the moment they walk in the door. Not only are they served authentic, homemade Texas-inspired BBQ and sauces made from scratch, but it is also served with respect and gratitude in a patriotic dining room.

Every day at noon, they stop serving at 11:58 am. Everyone in line is told they are going to pause for the Star-Spangled Banner. The teammates come out and stand around the corners of the restaurant, and at noon sharp, the national anthem of the United States comes on the speakers.

“We honor our country with the singing of the national anthem,” Townsend told me.

On special days like Veteran’s Day and Armed Forces Day, they have a live singer and National Guard. There is a guest of honor table. Last Veteran’s Day, there were three WWII veterans, a Korean War veteran, and three distinguished Army officers. WWII veterans always eat for free.

SERVICE

Throughout the year, they honor folks who have served, including first responders, police officers, and firefighters. On 9/11, they give away free sandwiches to them.

Hung on the walls are patches and pictures donated by family members of those who have served.

You’ll see a picture of Don Quigley, who served with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. His daughter is involved with the Honor Flight.

They have the academy wall honoring the four academies and the 9/11 wall in remembrance of that day.

SACRIFICE

There is a Gold Star wall for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can be free. Lance Corporal Marine Zachary Smith from the Southern Tier paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was deployed to Afghanistan at 19 years young. A picture of Zach and his wife hangs in the foyer. They had only been married for six months.

Stories of service and sacrifice fill this place. Not only is Mission BBQ about good food, but it’s also about meaning, purpose, honor, and giving back.

Townsend also shared with me, “Anytime a Vietnam veteran enters, the teammates shake their hand and say, ‘Welcome home.’”

GIVING BACK

All their service is community oriented.

There is a Veteran VIP program and birthday club offered where you get a free sandwich. The All-American Hero Cup is available year-round. A portion of the proceeds is donated to various organizations.

They take food once a week to the local police and fire departments to say thank you. Recently, Mission BBQ closed for a day to feed the homeless veterans with the message, “Our heroes served us. It’s our turn to serve them.”

Additionally, Mission BBQ gives back by donating and raising funds for various organizations. Namely, The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Wreaths Across America, Honor Flight Network, Navy Seal Foundation, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Concerns of Police Survivors are a few.

SERVANT’S HEART

Cheers to these heroes for a mission well done. Their servant’s hearts are making a difference daily in many ways. They encourage families to bring in pictures and patches of loved ones who have served or are currently serving.

It will warm your heart and quench your appetite when you support their mission. Well done, Mission BBQ.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: 911, America, appetite, community, donations, eastcoast, firefighters, firstresponders, food, foodiefriday, freedom, fundraising, giveback, help, heroes, homeless, hungry, lorisstories, meaning, military, mission, missionbbq, nationanthem, patriotism, policeofficers, purpose, restaurant, service, thelorifactor, travelwriter, UnitedStates

Refresh & Revitalize Yourself

June 12, 2022 by Lori Leave a Comment

Refreshing Lavender Lemonade photo courtesy of Young Living

It’s summertime here.

That makes me thirsty for a cool drink and time to think. Let’s start with the drink.

Mix these 5 ingredients for a refreshing summer Lemonade with a unique twist that’s ready in minutes.

Put on a sun hat, grab your favorite book, journal, pen, and find a sunny spot.

Settle in and sip on this Honey-Lavender Lemonade.

Ingredients

  • 6 lemons, juiced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 drops Lavender Vitality Essential Oil
  • Ice water, about 10 cups
  • Lavender sprigs, optional

Instructions

  • Combine lemon juice, lime juice, honey, and Lavender Vitality in a large glass pitcher.
  • Add water to taste.
  • Stir until well mixed.
  • Garnish with sprigs of lavender.

Here are a couple variations:

3 cups Lemon juice, 3/4 cup Lime juice, 2 cups Agave, 3 drops Lime Essential Oil, 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil, 10 drops Lemon Essential Oil, 16 cups water.

OR use pineapple juice instead of honey, for example.

Your surroundings and sipping this refreshing drink will stimulate your senses. Our senses connect us to awareness that communicate with our brain. Look and listen and be present in the moment.

What does it feel like when you plant your bare feet in the grass? You are literally grounded which creates a calming effect.

The same is true for our sense of taste and smell that evoke feelings and memories. Create new experiences and learn new things.

The benefits of essential oils are powerful for deepening focus and promoting relaxation, for example.

This specific brand of essential oils has added quality to my life. They can for you too.

A super simple way to get a quick lemonade without using the recipe is to squirt Lavender Lemon Vitality drops in a glass of water. Voila.

For more fun and more variety, the best place to start is the Premium Starter Bundle. Now you’ll have lavender, lemon, and many other oils to explore.

It’s been worth it for me. I haven’t looked back. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

There is so much more I want to teach you, but I’ll refrain for now. Enjoy your Lavender Lemonade. Let me know which option you chose.

Lori Bruton
Author, Travel Writer, Lifestyle Blogger

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: awareness, beach, benefits, blog, book, drink, essentialoils, explore, freedom, fun, income, journal, lavender, lemon, lemonade, lifestyle, lifestyleblog, lorisstories, lorisstoriesbythewater, read, recipes, refreshing, refreshments, relax, revitilize, senses, summer, sun, taste, travel, travelwriter, vacation, youngliving

The Power of FOCUS

March 8, 2021 by Lori Leave a Comment

You get what you focus on. You’ve heard that advice, right?

It reminds us that, to begin living the life we really want, we have to start doing those things that will get us there.

There was a time my life was extremely out of balance. All I could see were my struggles and didn’t have any solutions. It kept me stuck. Focusing on the struggles kept me in a state of hopelessness and defeat. I had to stand up inside myself and be determined to find a better way. I knew the life I was living wasn’t meant for me. I took one step and then another and kept going. Sometimes I fell back and then I got back up and didn’t give up on myself, my dreams, and the life I truly desire.

Maybe you’re not where you want to be yet, but at least we are not where we used to be. It’s never too late to live the life you were born to live. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out and do it all on your own.

Now I am a Certified Oola Life Coach. I help clients determine what’s not working for them in the areas of fitness, finance, field (career), family, faith, friends and fun – then correct those stressors and bring about the lifestyle, relationships and financial security they need to be happy, balanced and growing.

So what could the OolaLife look like for you?

 

I’m challenging you to decide, then focus on getting this life you really want.

Let’s Get Started: Decide What You Want

Have you ever thought about the lifestyle, activities, wealth, longevity, family relationships and other parts of a fantastic life that YOU want?

If you haven’t, that’s the first place to start. Why? Because in order to get what you want, you have to KNOW what you want. If you’re going to focus your time and energy, it’s got to be awesome and a major life improvement for you. For instance, do you want to . . .

Fitness: Be date-night ready with tons of energy?

Finance: Eliminate all debt and have money to spare?

Family: Have a rockin’ good marriage + amazing kids, too?

Field: Find a dream job or start a business you love?

Faith: Start an exciting new faith-based project?

Friends: Find new friends and mentors who believe in you?

Fun: Crush those bucket-list adventures you’ve dreamed of?

Whatever inspires you, why not share it below? (But hey, don’t reveal super-personal details!)

To help you achieve your own OolaLife, I’ve joined forces with Dave and Troy – The OolaGuys – to privately coach you and support you via a TRANSFORMATION Program designed to transform your life, your finances, your relationships and more. Click here to get started. I am glad I took my first step on the journey to transformation. You will be glad you did too. I believe in you and want to see you win.

Much Love,

Lori

Lori Bruton
Author, Speaker, Coach,
Copywriter

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: balance, breaking point, business, career, coach, decide, desires, dreams, faith, family, fitness, focus, framework, freedom, friends, fulfillment, fun, goals, happy, help, hope, hopeless, inspiration, journey, lifestyle, love, motivation, oola, oolalife, plan, relationships, starting point, struggles, stuck, system, thelorifactor, transformation, wealth

You Rather Not Write, Right?

November 2, 2020 by Lori Leave a Comment

What should I write?

Everyone has different likes and dislikes. I like to write, but not everyone does. Does writing provoke joy or stress for you? Maybe you just don’t have the time, or you don’t know what to say. If writing isn’t one of your strengths, then find someone who is gifted in that area.

Content creation can be mind boggling and time consuming. However, you need to get your message out there. Your services and products need to get visibility. What you have is what people need, but if no one knows about it then no one wins.

How can I help you fill in the blanks to get your thoughts flowing to write emails, blog posts, or social media posts? Would it be helpful if you had a template where you literally fill in the blanks to get your creative juices flowing? Or would you rather hand it off for someone else to do?

I know coaches, speakers, authors, and business owners want to spend their time doing what they do best. It helps lighten their load to delegate the tasks they don’t enjoy or don’t have time to do. The investment is well worth the return.

Creating the right atmosphere makes all the difference. For example, since I am a writer my favorite place to write is by the water. I created a tagline of Lori’s Stories by the Water. It’s all part of The LORI Factor.

Today, I want to talk about the “I” in The LORI Factor. “I” is for INVEST in yourself. Look at your goals and dreams. Decide if how you’re spending your time is serving you well. Is it giving you the freedom to present your greatness and gifts to the world? Or are you getting bogged down by the extra tasks that are draining you and eating up too much time?

Think about your Goals

I help people lighten the load. First and foremost, I am a writer and author. There are things I need to do behind the scenes to write books and blogs like choose a topic, research, edit, and proofread, for example.

Imagine re-purposing your speeches, audios, or videos into a guide, eBook, or workbook. That could add huge value to your audience. Your clients and customers will come back for more.

A key component is seeing the value in with whom you decide to co-create. Everyone wants to be valued and appreciated, but many still want “the blue light special” deal. I had a potential client who needed my services and I even asked about his budget. I gave him a proposal below his budget, and he said that was way more than he could afford. Really? Okay, no problem.

Sow into quality people. It will be worth it. Many people want others to buy into what they have but are not willing to purchase quality from others. Keep that in mind. Remember that U.S. based business owners are not able to offer third-world country rates. What’s it worth to you? Of course, it’s your choice. All I know is we reap what we sow.

I would be delighted to help you reap amazing results. Share your needs with me and let’s see if working together would be a good fit. Message me or text my text only number:  844-394-4798.

Here’s to your success and may all your dreams come true.

In Gratitude,

Lori

 

 

 

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: atmosphere, audience, audios, author, benefits, blog, books, clients, coach, content creation, customers, delegate, dreams, ebook, entrepreneur, flow, freedom, gifts, goals, ideas, investment, life coach, loribruton, lorisstories, lorisstoriesbythewater, message, products, reap and sow, repurpose, ROI, services, social media, speaker, stress, support, thoughts, time, value, videos, virtual assistant, visibility, worth, write, writer

7 Ways to K I S S

March 31, 2019 by Lori 2 Comments

KISS – Keep It Simple, Sweetie

A kiss is sweet. If you want more love, give more love, especially to yourself. It sounds simple, right? To love and be loved is in our nature. Most of us desire to live a happy, fulfilling, simple life.

Living a simplified life in today’s world can be challenging. We are bombarded with information overload, distractions, cramming too much into our schedules, giving attention to digital devices that suck our time and energy.

Maybe you feel that you haven’t accomplished enough each day. Or, maybe you accomplished a lot, but you are exhausted. Is what you’re spending time doing worth it? Will it matter in the long run? If the answer is YES; keep doing it. You’re on the right track. If the answer is NO, take a moment to decide what does matter to you and your future that will leave a lasting legacy.

Maybe you’re not busy enough and each day slips by leaving you in a state of defeat and disillusionment. Could it be that you are overwhelmed? Overwhelmed just means you don’t know what to do next, which can be coupled with overthinking. What can you do to overcome this dilemma?

7 Ways to KISS:

  1. Stop pursuing perfection and pursue PEACE.
  2. Change your physical state by standing up or going outside; breathe deeply.

  3. Break down big tasks into smaller ones; set a timer. If you like variety, spend small chunks of time alternating activities.

  4. Instead of go, go, go until you collapse; take breaks and rest.

  5. On the flip side, too many breaks or long breaks may paralyze you and keep you stuck. Find the balance that works for you.

  6. Get help. Maybe you think you have to do it all alone and figure everything out by yourself. Who is willing and able to collaborate with you? The right help will empower you and them.

  7. Be present. Enjoy each “NOW” moment. Past and future thoughts can rob our present moments. Of course, treasure the past and learn from it. Pursue and plan for the future. Mostly, enjoy what you are doing this moment.

I am enjoying writing this blog for you. Let me be totally transparent. I admit I was consumed with overthinking mode. It’s important that I write words that add value and help you. I realized I wasn’t keeping it simple. How silly, right?

A complicated, bittersweet KISS may feel like this:  Knotted, Isolated, Self-Sabotage, Stuck.

Emotional Knots are tied to emotional wounds that rob your freedom and ability to grow. Staying Isolated can keep you separated from where you long to go and what you plan to achieve. Self-Sabotage conflicts with our thoughts and behaviors causing procrastination. This is a block to our success. When we are blocked, we are Stuck and cannot move forward. This type of KISS doesn’t sound enjoyable, does it?

Pucker up, Baby. This is the kind of KISS that will make you soar and you’ll want more. Kindness, Inspiration, Smile, Spontaneity.

Kindness is warm and tender, which is a welcoming relief in this harsh, cold world. Fill your heart and soul with Inspiration and motivation so you have enough for yourself and give inspiration to others. Put a Smile on your face to brighten your countenance. It makes you feel better and blesses others. Spontaneity is freeing and removes inhibitions. Some of the best experiences are unplanned and spontaneous.




Much Love,
Lori

Allow yourself to lighten up, enjoy life, and Keep It Simple, Sweetie. As my Grandpa used to say, “Apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.” Eat the cheese and embrace the sweet life. May you receive the best Hugs and KISSES.

 

Thanks for sharing this intimate, authentic time with me. Please share ways you KISS (aka Keep your life simplified.) Did I make you SMILE?

Filed Under: MY BLOG Tagged With: abundance, analysisparalysis, authentic, balance, behavior, blocks, blog, business, busy, communicate, community, decisions, defeat, delegate, desire, dilemma, distractions, entrepreneur, exhausted, freedom, fulfillment, fun, help, hug, inspiration, intimate, isolated, isolation, keepitsimple, kindness, kiss, knots, legacy, lonely, love, motivation, overanalyzing, overthinking, overwhelmed, peace, perfection, perfectionist, procrastination, productivity, purpose, relationships, relief, rest, schedules, selfsabotage, separation, simplify, spontaneity, spontaneous, stress, stuck, success, team, transparent, wellness

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Hi, I'm Lori!

I'm a copywriter, blog writer, and ghostwriter, with a focus in the inspirational and travel niches. Need custom copy that motivates? Learn more about what I do!

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