Habits

Popular belief is that it takes 21 days to make a (new) habit, so being that it's now the 23rd of January all of us new year revolutionists should be safe, right? Not! 21 days might be okay if your new habit is as simple as brushing your hair a new way, but it is not realistic for those life altering changes most of us want to accomplish. Actually, 21 days is the minimum amount of time it can take to create a new habit. New habits can take anywhere from 2 to 8 months to feel "normal" and even then, it depends on how hard the new task is and the personality of the person wanting to achieve it. I'm not here to bring anyone down because hey, I have some lofty goals for myself this year, too! This is just your 21+ day reminder that you're doing awesome and to keep going! You are part of the 26% who have stuck with their resolutions so keep going you totally got this!  

Let's Taco 'Bout It

I mastered recipe number 2 from my MDM (million dollar magazine)! I made the low-carb, low calorie taco-stuffed acorn squash from "Eat This, Not That". Again, I found their recipe very minimalist in seasonings and pretty easy to prepare. As the dish calls for ground turkey, which I find pretty tasteless, I did add more than the requested cumin and chili pepper and despite the guilt, found myself adding a little salt for flavor (and garlic powder, too!).

Despite the final product looking more like a baked potato than the picturesque squash in the magazine, I enjoyed this dish and found the squash very complimentary to the taco flavored stuffing. I topped this baby off with some added scallions, a dab of sour cream, diced jalapeno and a spoon of fresh avocado for added flavor and kick, but it does taste great on it's own, too! 

What's on your dinner menu this week? 

Lift...

It's another January 1st and I have so many random things flowing around my head. Of course there's the typical thoughts of resolutions and fresh starts but in addition to all that new year positivity, I've added a word of intention for 2020 to my mindset. I want to LIFT.  What would be your word or mantra for 2019?

I heard someone once say, "Lift as you climb." and it has stuck with me for many years. I've probably blogged about it before, but it bears repeating. We all need to lift others as we climb to our successes. Whether it's at a job or personally - take the time to help others and "lift" them up. Not only do I want to follow this practice, help lift others, but I can apply the word "lift" to so many other aspects of my life.

I want to lift more weights (get stronger in the gym). I want to lift my head up in pride by working hard at my job and doing work that I can be proud of. I want my thoughts to be lifted and to be more positive, including internal self talk. I want to lift my face with more smiles and recommit to the things that make me the happiest. In order to lift though, I have to have some type of game plan, so here goes...


Get healthy...mentally and physically. 
- Commit to working out 2-3 times a week.
- Stay away from negative people.
- Make more play-dates with positive people.
- Complain less.

- Participate in one 5K per month.
- Eat clean(er).
- Stretch.

Read more.
- Read one book per month.
- Stop buying new books!
- Set aside 30 minutes a day via lunch or bedtime to read.

Bucket List Items...continued from 2011.
- Attend Cubs Spring training.
- Travel (Italy, Spain, Germany, Bora Bora)
- Hike Piccachu Peak, AZ.

Personal
- Go to the chiropractor more.
- Book a spa service per month.
- Remain grateful and practice gratitude daily.
- Commit to a schedule of chores and add help services as needed to make life easier.

Happy 2020 to you and me.
Cheers!

Midnight Resolutions

This is my new year resolution. 

Period.