The Holidays are here!

I love this time of the year parties, time with family, traditions and so much more. However it can be a time where we forget our goals an lifestyle. When this happens we tend to feel not so good or sluggish. Here are a few of my favorite tips to continue to stay on track, feel my best and still enjoy the Holidays! I hope you will too! 

Holiday Tips!

1. Respect your Schedule: Continue to plan your workouts and meals. Do not let your schedule fill up to full. It is important to enjoy this season, so slow down!
2. Make some healthy holiday goals. This may be to promise yourself to continue with 3 workouts per week. Maybe to stick to your sleep schedule. Make a goal of only cocktails for new years. Have fun with the goals they can be small ones that will make a BIG difference.
3. Keep up your water in-take. With all the errands, parties and more going on, this will help you continue to feel your best. Do not leave the house with out any water!
4. Wake up each day and start it right! With a glass of water, vitamins, your reading/gratitude/personal development. 
5. Workout. DO not skip!
6. Never go to a Holiday Party Hungry. This will help you from over eating. My favorite is to have a half of protein shake just before I leave.
7. Before eating at the party, look over all options. Then you can be prepared with what healthier options you will place on your plate and what special treats you will enjoy!
8. Be active after your meal! Bring twister and get the kids involved. Pack your winter boots and head outside. Whatever you do try not to head for the lazy boy for a nap.
9. Most of all remember this is a time to ENJOY~ Do not stress or worry about the small things. Just enjoy.   
   
   
   
   
   
   From my family to yours We Wish You a Happy, Safe, Healthy and Memorable Holiday Season! 

A few of my favorite things . . . . .

I have a few favorite things some are in my life daily others are for a season and some I am just simply on a kick!  I love sharing these with you because it may be something you have never tried and might want to! Who knows it my become your favorite too. 

This photo sums up a few of my favorites that I have in my life daily. 

1. HOT Coffee- Organic with green tea extract, trace minerals, and coconut oil.

2. Devotionals & Books

3. Journal

4. Candles

Let me just say these 4 things is how I love to start my days. Coffee after my water. While I enjoy my coffee it is devotional/reading time then time to journal.  

This is at a early time in the morning while the house is quiet, it is my alone time. I believe we need quietness and time to ourselves to reflect and learn.  This has been huge for me in my growth. You may not have a hour each day but even starting with 15 min. a day will start to make a difference.

The Candle tops it off for me as silly as it may sound. I love the light flickering and the smell it gives. I find candles very peaceful.

Poached Egg & Kale.  I just fell in love about 2 weeks ago. I never had a poached until then and now have had them often. I love the magic in making my egg in water not oil. I sauté kale. Then enjoy!  Writing about this now makes me kinda hungry for one. 

Cauliflower Soup! I think I love this for many reasons. It is fall in Minnesota and this time of the year screams soup. It is easy it is to make. Best of all EVERYONE in my family loves it! They love it to the point that I now make a double batch and my kids ask of it in their lunches. 

Here is the recipe. 

Cauliflower Veggie & Bacon Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 head cauliflower chopped roughly
• 2 c. organic milk
• 1 head fresh broccoli
• 1-2 cups chopped carrots
• 4 cups. organic vegetable broth
• 1 lb. Cooked - cut into pieces BACON!! 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat olive oil, onion, garlic and cauliflower until cauliflower softens. Then add Milk and broth. Cook 5-10min.  to a slight boil.  Then turn down to med. heat. Use a Immersion hand blender to puree the cauliflower (I love to leave some cauliflower pieces).  Then add Broccoli, Carrots and bring to a low boil until they are soft. Last add Bacon. 

Salt and Pepper to taste and I love fresh Parmesan Cheese on top! 

Enjoy~ 

The beauty of Fall. . . . .

Back to school, crisp air, sweat shirt, tall boots, colorful leaves that are falling, a warm bonfire, everything pumpkin, honey crisp apples, squash and so much more screams FALL. 

I sometimes feel this is when God is working even harder creating this world with so much beauty.  This fall I have seen both amazing sunsets and sun rises, even a field full of fog. Then there is the constant view of colorful trees.  You just do not get to see this beauty any other time of the year. 

I love fall time traditions. Heading out for pumpkins, decorating the front porch, baking pumpkin seeds, making soup. This is one of my favorite times of the year to get in the kitchen and get creative! Last weekend I made a simple squash side dish. 

Baked Simple Squash 

1 Squash
1 small apple
Cinnamon 
Coconut oil 


Peel Squash with a vegetable peeler (or knife) or cut into approx. 1 inch squares. Then Cut your apple into small cubes (leave the peel on the apple).  Transfer to a large, rimmed baking sheet. Toss with coconut oil, cinnamon and spread out in a single layer. Roast, tossing occasionally, until just tender and golden brown, bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until squash is tender. 

Enjoy~

What brings you JOY?

In this blog I focus on being active, recipes, and workouts. Overall living a healthy lifestyle. I really want to bring more to you and it just hit me! I plan to be sharing more of my travel adventures. Travel is a big part of who I am. When I am traveling I enjoy taking in all the new places and experiences. I am in the present moment and most of the time unplugged yet recharging myself.  For me personally living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying this journey called LIFE. It is way more than recipes and workouts. It is really asking myself "What brings me joy?" That my friends is why I will be sharing many more actual moments! You may not enjoy traveling. Maybe you have a different passion, yet I hope we can connect on the agreement of the desire to live our dreams not just to dream them. 

When was the last time you asked yourself "What brings me JOY?"

Last week was my 15th Wedding Anniversary and I surprised my husband with a 5 day trip to Colorado. This is new for us. We typically travel to warm beach style destinations. However I have been wanting to take him to Colorado for a few years. I knew the fall time would be EPIC! 

When planning this trip I wanted to enjoy QUALITY time, being completely active, new foods and of course Wine!  Mission Accomplished. 

I have been traveling since high school but it was my honeymoon 15 years ago when I absolutely fell in love with going to new places. There is so much to see and enjoy. Most of my trips are warm tropical weather destinations.  Two of my top favorites are Negril Jamaica and the stunning island of St.Lucia. 

I had been to Colorado twice, once in high school and once in college. I have never forgotten the beauty of this state. I also knew there were so many more areas I have not enjoyed. 

With mountains everywhere hiking is a must. A great way to get a workout in, take in the views and enjoy some fresh air. 

 Mountain biking was TOP on our to do list. With no Mountains in Minnesota this is something we had never done. What a workout! You could really feel the elevation. There are many biking tours you can join with a group or you can do what we did and that was just renting bikes and letting the bike shop suggest where to bike.  This was out of my Comfort ZONE but in the end I had a blast. I thought going down the mountain was harder than up.

 We also rented a Jeep for a day and headed to Storm Mountain just outside Estes Park. Took a few stops to enjoy more hiking, a little rock climbing and a picnic at 10,000 feet above sea level. 

The Red Rock amphitheater is a fun place for concerts however we went for a hike and s stair workout. The views here were incredible. 

In our family we have a rule, we only eat at a restaurants where you cannot back home. We use a app. on our phones called YELP to help us find the most unique places. We found a little Indian restuarant off the beaten path in Estes Park. Locals and visitors were loving this place. I also just let the waiter pick my dinner. Worked in my favor, delish and fresh. We are still talking about this meal. 

Remember to take a moment and ask yourself "What brings me joy?"

www.destinationvacationtravel.com

I have been on a kick . . .

It is amazing how comforting soup can be! Soups that are made from veggies and beans are full of nutrition! For those picky eaters you can hide a few veggies that they might not eat alone.  

Last winter I made a cauliflower soup but was missing a kick! Today I made the same soup but added extra veggies and bacon pieces. That was the missing flavor I was looking for. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. You can always make a double batch and freeze the extras. 

Cauliflower Veggie & Bacon Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 head cauliflower chopped roughly
• 2 c. organic milk
• 1 head fresh broccoli
• 1-2 cups chopped carrots
• 4 cups. organic vegetable broth
• 1 lb. Cooked - cut into pieces BACON!! 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat olive oil, onion, garlic and cauliflower until cauliflower softens. Then add Milk and broth. Cook 5-10min.  to a slight boil.  Then turn down to med. heat. Use a Immersion hand blender to puree the cauliflower (I love to leave some cauliflower pieces).  Then add Broccoli, Carrots and bring to a low boil until they are soft. Last add Bacon. 

Salt and Pepper to taste and I love fresh Parmesan Cheese on top! 

Enjoy~

You know it is fall when . . .

........There is Turkey Chili simmering in the Kitchen. 

I do not know what it is with this meal but September comes and so does the chili. Maybe because it brings me back to Saturday mornings as a kid. 

Whenever I make chili I make it like a meal prep. I always make a double sometimes a triple batch an freeze for a later time! This is such a easy thing to do and it feels so good to be prepared. 

Turkey Chili

• 1 lb cooked ground turkey 
• Chopped Yellow Onion
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 2 cans diced tomatoes & 1 can low sodium tomato sauce
• Garlic Powder (to your liking, I like a lot)
• 1 can organic Black Beans & 1 can organic Chili Beans
• Chlil powder 
• 1 small can low sodium tomato paste
• Chopped red and green peppers


Mix all together in pan on stove top and heat. Enjoy with Greek Yogurt on top!

TIP: Remember the fall is a beautiful time to get out and be active! So enjoy~

Not Perfect!

I must confess I try and I try to be a better blogger. I have some much to share yet it is hard to some time sit down and put it all into words. Thank you for being patience with my blogging skills. However if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you will notice I am way more consistent with a quick photo! I will not give up at this because I know I have so much to give. 

So much of our Journey is about personal development. Many of us start with having the desire to loose weight and feel good about ourselves each day then it all becomes so much more. For me yes I started with wanting to end my yo-yo dieting cycle and it turned into wanting to be a better friend, wife, mother and wanting to share this new found passion. 

"Life is a journey. You find yourself to reach the top of one Mountain only to find another mountian there waiting to climb"

As a woman we try to do it all yet it is the complete wrong way of going about our days. We also over use the word busy it is almost like it is our way to brag or has a status.  

This last Thursday night while talking with my husband just before bed, he asked me why I am so stressed out, because I got so much done that day? I replied "It was just so much, yes I got a ton done but the list goes on and on. However the kids played so nice today"  He replied "Well then you need to focus on that and be grateful for that!"  WOW can I say he was so right?  This has had me really thinking! 

We need to stop trying to be SUPER WOMAN and focus on what is important. Creating a list of our 3 top things that need to get done each day could be way more beneficial. Then find Gratitude in it all. As I have been taught by one of my beautiful mentors Lori Harder, it is being in constant Gratitude that brings us in the present moment. 

So I guess my point of this post is . . . 

1. We cannot and will never be perfect at the things we do, even if I love blogging and sharing with you. I may not be consistent and perfect and that is ok.
2. We must remove the word "BUSY" from our vocabulary and just find constant daily Gratitude in our lives. 
3. When planning our day focus on the 3 most important things that need to be completed. Know the rest will fall into place. 

Thank you as my friend and follower to my blog for understanding my passion yet being patience with my not always writing a blog. Fall is near and with that brings a routine to life, I hope you will be hearing from me more soon! 

I would love to hear form you, feel free to comment your feels about being perfect, being too busy and always feeling the stress of a to-do list! 

Summer time Salads . . ..

I love how summer arrives and so does salad season. 

I remember as a teen thought a salad was Iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, croutons, turkey sandwich meat and a ton or ranch dressing. Never feeling very full.  Now Salads are so different! I fill my bowl full of so many colorful and nutritious ingredients.

My Salad for lunch today was

Chopped Kale, Brussels Sprouts, & Cabbage

Then added Beets, Hard Boiled Eggs, Avocado and

topped with Cilantro Avocado Dressing.

Today's salad is a reminder that there is so much more than Iceberg lettuce!

A few greens to try . . .

Kale

Cabbage

Spring Mix

Romaine

Spinach

Broccoli Rabe

Collard Greens

Next time when at the farmers markets or your grocery store take a little time to find a new green to try next in your salads. 

Whats your favorite Salad? 

A few of my favorite things . . . .

I wanted to start sharing a "few of my FAVORITE things"

This past Christmas my girlfriend and I exchanged gifts but we exchanged our "FAVORITE" things.

I remember having so much fun thinking of my favorites, really putting thought into her gift. 

My gifts from her ranged from Franks Red hot, Tea, a Big Basket and so much more. 

This gave me the thought I need to share with the things I love! 

BEETS, they have become a recent LOVE! Beets on a bed of Kale is delish. 

 SPIN CLASS, I tried it a few years ago and then took a break, I recently went back and remembered how much I loved to spin! Now I try to attend once per week. I love getting on the bike and someone else kicking my butt.

For almost 4 years my super foods nutritional supplements! I will not live a day with out this. This is my favorite combo.

Bolthouse Dressing! This a yogurt based dressing, I love it for salads and I use it as a dip. 

I am excited to be sharing 

Summer is near . . .

Here in Minnesota many of us have been limited to our outdoor activity! Well Summer is NEAR, June is almost here. 

I LOVE this time of year! Days are getting longer, the sun is warmer & Minnesotans are out everywhere with smiles on their face. In my home all this fresh air makes for tired kids during these last few weeks of school!

I wanted to share a few activities my family enjoys thru the summer. Maybe you can schedule in a few new ones for you and your family! I feel it s important to find the time to get your workouts in for some alone time yet make time to lead by example for your kids! 

My kids and I always hit up the Paul Bunyan trail for a long bike ride.

We like to pack water and trail mix!  At times we are just being silly, others biking fast, then there are times my boys find a hill to mess around on that is off path!  

Kayaking is a BIG activity for us, it is great for just about any age. 

We also have a paddle boat. I love seeing the kids paddle their little legs around the lake. They are having fun and not even noticing that they are being active!

 

My daughter and my favorite activity is paddle boarding! This is a great upper body and core workout. 

Depending on your Child's Age your activities will vary.

Here are a few more ideas:

Toddler: Running thru sprinkler

Playing at the park

Swimming

School Age:  Biking/Hiking

Tubing/Knee Boarding

Walking to the Library

Playing just about any sport!

Neighborhood kickball

Teens: Wake boarding

Skateboarding

Mountain Biking

Inviting them on your workout

Enjoy your summer with your family. The best part about being active together is the memories you all will create. The activity for our minds and body is just a bonus.  

Grilling Season!

Spring is here and that means it is time to GRILL! It makes meals and meal prep so easy!

For our family I will grill up red and sweet potatoes, tons of veggies and a protein. I love filling the grill with extra because it makes perfect lunches for the rest of the week. Not only are you cooking up your dinner but you can prep your weeks lunches. Added bonus is no extra dishes to do later. 

Last night grilling I layered in a foil pan many veggies. Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and multi-colored peppers. You can have fun and change up your veggies with different seasons. Try Coconut oil, garlic, Cayenne pepper! This will give you veggies a new kick. Get creative and do not be afraid to mix up your veggies. 

Same for your protein I have found there is so much more that burgers and brats to grill. Now I love to grill Salmon, Shrimp, Pork Tenderloin, Kabobs and so much more. 

If you are not firing up your grill a few times a week it is time to start. Almost all our summer time dinners are on the grill. I will keep you posted thru the summer some of our favorite recipes. 

In addition to the spring time allowing us to grill to not forget to get out and be active in this beautiful weather!! 

I am back!

Sorry I have been gone for a little while. You know sometimes in life you need to shift your focus and take a break from a few things. Well my break was from blogging. 

As we learn to live a balanced full life we learn to say NO once and awhile. For the last two months I needed to be more present with my clients, had some personal development coaching, worked on my own meals and workouts and preparing my family for a 2 week dream vacation to Hawaii! 

Thank you for your patience in my break. I am currently feeling inspired to be back sharing with you.  As a woman many of us feel pressured to always be on top of things and to be perfect. However do you know we are perfect just the way we are. Even if we say no to something. I challenge you to look at your daily life, is there something you can take a break from? Something that can give you more you time? Go ahead and take something off your schedule for a little while. My next one is not to plant a garden this summer! As much as I love my garden I get stressed out from keeping up on it. I have a very large garden and then fun of it is gone. Just for this summer I will not plant one, then if I missed it maybe next year I will try one again or maybe I will plant grass! I will visit more of the farmers markets and see how that goes. 

 In the last 2 months I did not create many new recipes, I stuck with simple meals that was helping me get to my goals and feel better. However one evening I whipped up this stir fry. 4-6 Chicken Breast (cooked thru) then added a bag of Broccoli Slaw, Garlic and Liquid Aminos. This is super simple and tasty! I had never cooked with broccoli slaw talk about easy!

 I wanted to share a few vacation pictures! We visited Oahu and Maui for 2 weeks. This was our first time visit and my goal was to unplug and be active! Well we did just that. Surfing, hiking, beach walks, Stand up Paddle Boarding really just always moving.  Also made a lot of great memories with my husband and kids! 

 5 mile hike thru the Bamboo forest & seven scared pools.

I wish you health and happiness! Spring is here and it is so refreshing, get outside and be active! 

How do you start your day?

Each morning do you hit your alarm clock multiple times? Are you always running late? Maybe rushing so much you forget to pack a lunch or even skip breakfast? All you complete is pouring a cup of coffee in a travel mug? Are yelling at the kids to HURRY, when it really is not their fault? Then you find yourself stressed. By the time you are in your car your day has just started and all this is not a way to start your day.

As you proceed on with you day you may notice stress, feeling frazzled not feeling full filled or feeling bad for yelling at the kids!

Have you ever thought about starting your day differently?

I believe a great day actually starts with the evening before. Please note the tips I am going to share with you work for my family and are flexible for yours. Each evening I make sure my desk is cleaned off (because I work from home) and my kitchen is picked up. Having that completed I know I will wake up early in the morning feeling refreshed. Once I started this new morning routine I knew I needed to settle myself down earlier in the evening to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

I wake 30 minutes before my kids, this is time for me to make my bed and head to my favorite spot in my home (my seating area off my kitchen) I start my day with a glass of water then a hot cup of coffee. But most importantly I take this 30 minutes for a devotional read, prayer and journal time. As a mom of 3 our days get CRAZY however it is such a exciting feeling to wake up in the morning knowing I a going to get some me time.

                     (My current devotional is 66 first dates by Gretchyn Quernemoen,
                    I highly recommend it  http://www.grace-for-today.net/home.html )

Then the next 45 minutes of getting kids ready, breakfasts and packing lunches does not feel so crazy because I have already had a little peace in my day.

I challenge you for 30 days to try a new morning routine. Set you alarm a little earlier and do what your heart desires!

Here are a few Ideas to enjoy and help your mindset:

Reading

Meditate

At home Yoga

Prayer time

Daily Devotionals

Journaling

 

This is my favorite place in my home where I start my  mornings!

I wish you the best in trying a new routine, who knows you and your children may head off each day a little less tense and happier! If something is not working or your days are full of stress try making a change there is nothing to loose only to gain!

Its a New YEAR!!

Its that time of the year where just about everyone is talking about their New Years Resolutions! We have all made one a time or two.

Honestly I do not care for that term, I prefer New Years Goals. I agree having a new year upon us is a perfect time for a fresh start, but why continue year after year saying you want to do something yet never fully accomplish it.

 

I started New Years Goals 2 years ago. It was then that I made a goal to read 1 book per month. Anything self improvement or business related. I kept tally of each book to know if I was on track of my goal. I ended 2012 reading 15 amazing books. Since then I have continued the great habit of reading that I have benefited from in so many ways!

 

 

I want to share a few simple tips on creating your NEW YEARS GOALS!

 

1. Get a Notebook:

 

2.Take some time and reflect on what you want!

Here are a few areas in your life you could create goals:

1. Career

2. Financial

3. Health/Fitness

4. Relationships & Personal

5. Contributions & Giving Back

 

When reflecting, DREAM big and don't be afraid of anything. You deserve anything you desire!

 

3. Write each of your goals down. A Goal is only a wish unless you write it down.

 

4. Make a plan on how you are going to get there.

Remember, if it is a BIG goal, break it down.

Example: You want to organize your home.  Start with Jan. you will organize your master bedroom (you can even time block a weekend to do complete it) then Feb. is your office.

 

5. Put a date on when you want to achieve your goal! This will give you a deadline and a sense of urgency!

 

Make 2015 YOUR year! You may have 1 BIG goal on your mind or a few things pulling at your heart that you want to achieve this year. Whatever it may be, you can do it! Stay positive, even when it may get tuff.  Keep your notebook of goals on your night table.  Turn it into a journal to keep notes and track of your progress. Reward yourself once you achieve it

 

Cheers to 2015!