Toast and confetti

Dear readers,

Have you decided what you are doing for new years?

Not me. Between school and work I can't even manage to get the snow tires on my Jeep or answer my mom on what kind of bed sheets she I want for xmas. That's pretty sad.

My partner in crime, my peanut butter to my jelly, or mac to my cheese asked what we're doing for new years so he knows when to book off work. Yeah right, like I've had time to even think about making plans. haha. funny.

He suggested something unusual. Out of the norm. This obviously wasn't his idea...

1) Get a jar
2) Now fill it -->
3) Throughout 2013 make notes about all the great things that have happened
4) At the end of 2013 open the jar and read
5) cute hey?

Eat your pickles and empty that jar for new years! It's like a journal only better.

P.S. Thought I'd share some great date ideas for over the holidays:

•  Home Alone movie night (a classic)
• Winnipeg Now! At the Winnipeg Art Gallery 
• Shop at St.Vital or Polo gotta love them pretty lights
• Even better shop for a hamper or volunteer 
• Go skating  
• Canad Inns Winterwonderland at Red River Exhibition Park 
• New restaurant time - I wanna try Segovia Tapas and Bar! :)

Happy Holidays!

Watch out for my article in this week's projector! Floating yoga anyone? 

Silly blender.

Hello there!

Last night I was downstairs making smoothies -like I do many nights of the week- and my blender broke…again. Milk was everywhere! All over the counter. Guess my crazy gluing job wasn’t the solution. Shucks.

Time to invest in a Magic Bullet?

My Smoothie making started in the spring after reading Bob Harper’s ‘The Skinny Rules’. There’s a great skinny shake recipe inside that uses berries, Greek yogurt and almond milk. Yum. I recommend taking a browse through the book. There are some great rules to abide by if you want to eat healthier. Seeing the glass half full also means feeling good on the inside. Here are three of his simple rules I have found helpful and have stayed with me:

Drink a glass of water before each meal: I now have two Brita water bottles, one purple and one blue. When I finish one there is always the second one in the fridge cold and waiting for me. When I wake up and before I go to bed I have a glass of water. Staying hydrated means fewer headaches, better complexion, and feeling fuller. Win. Win. Win.

Go to bed hungry: Not easy, not one bit! When it’s late at night my stomach growls that candy cane ice cream looks more and more delicious. In the back of my mind is the voice of one of my friends who recently lost 50 pounds. I asked her what’s her secret. She said the most helpful rule she had was stop eating by 8pm. It’s a great rule for burning fat and hey, you’re gonna sleep better.

Eat apples and berries every single day: So I’m not a huge fan of apples but I adore berries (exhibit A - my berry smoothie mess last night). Harper explains why this rule is good for your body, phytochemicals and such.  All I know is that I feel better when there are berries and apples are mixed into my diet. I buy a big bag of frozen mixed berries and fruit and stash it away in my freezer for smoothies. It’s also great to put in Tupperware containers for lunch because by then they’re thawed and ready to eat. Try it!

Those are just three of his 20 rules. I also like: don’t drink your calories and eat protein at every meal. His book includes a meal plan and a ton of healthy recipes. Check it out. I’m also a fan of The Biggest Loser, but perhaps that’s for another blog post. I hope these rules help you as much as they’ve helped me to be healthier. Now to find myself a new blender…

- Hug it out -

There’s the airplane hug – you zoom into each other. The forever hug - you just don’t let go. The group hug. The bro hug - a half-handshake half-hug. The wiggle hug – you sway back and forth.  The running hug – standing at opposite ends of the room and running towards each other for a hug. The acquaintance hug - a light pat to the back. But - My favourite - the squish - the other person loves you so much they squish your insides and crack your back.

It’s a way to greet each other and say good-bye. We comfort each other with a hug and celebrate with one. There are a few different reasons why we hug it out but the feeling remains the same - good. It’s simple and can mean a lot. We thrive it, it releases endorphins, and we bond. It’s natural to want to feel close to someone else. 

One of my first jobs was at a seniors home. There I really began to understand the power of a hug. Some of the residents I looked after encountered very little touch during the day.  One hug from me and they didn’t want to let go. It meant a lot to them that I cared enough to hug. It’s a way to reach out and brighten their day. 

Juan Mann's free hugs campaign started in 2004 and demonstrates the power of a hug. Read more @http://www.freehugscampaign.org

The old saying ‘walk a miles in someone else’s shoes’ is true. Our days can be clouded by stress and problems and we think it’s a big deal until we meet someone who has it worse. We don’t know what someone else is going through but perhaps a hug can help. It certainly couldn’t hurt. Sometimes we are afraid to hug because we’re not sure how they'll respond. Take a risk, not many will deny you a hug. However you hug it out, give them free of charge and do it often. 

Huggers Amanda Trunzo and Janessa Wirth 

Celebrate good times

We make choices that lead us down different paths. Some are intentional, and others not so much - and there’s usually a twist or a turn in it here or there. We experience milestones and accomplishments but sometimes we pass them by and move onto our next goal. Most often we’re just too busy. Take the time to reflect and celebrate those occasions.

Examples

Moving out. Your first REAL job. Anniversaries! Birthdays. Breaking up and making up. Graduation. When you finally train your dog to go pee outside…Finishing that awfully long assignment…. And the fun holidays.

 

This week I was reminded ‘Some opportunities only come once, seize them’

I was given a promotion this week. I’ve passed it up before because I wasn’t keen on more responsibility. I’m still worried about not having enough time to do well in school, take on a job, and still manage a social life…but I’ll give it a shot. I’m working on the philosophy: put pressure on yourself you’ll adapt. Not too much pressure, of course.

One of my favorite foods is sushi, which made the perfect outing to celebrate my promotion. Seize the opportunity and celebrate it. (I swear I'm happy in this photo - just need some serious sleep!)

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES.

P.S.: Skyfall movie tonight! So excited! I’ve been looking forward to it all week! 

I'm watching people workout while I eat popcorn

This week let’s discuss plans. Having something to look forward to makes me happy. Talking to some classmates I found out they use similar tactics.

 I’m an avid planner.

I like the anticipation that builds up before a concert or going zip-lining.  It’s nice to have a reward at the end of the week for all your hard work!

Do you buy an advent calendar for Christmas? I can’t wait to get mine.

Do you use a planner? Mine has cartoons for special events weekly and on holidays I get funky with it and use highlighters.

I have a blackboard on one side on my room and a white board on the other. They both are updated weekly. My blackboard has my to do list on it and the white board is my calendar. This helps my family know what’s going on and where I am most of the time. I always make sure to schedule in something fun to do - otherwise the list looks longer and dates look daunting. 

There is the odd time when I’m so excited about certain plans they turn into a let down. That birthday party you attended only had three people show up instead of 20. Not fun. That’s why I focus on events that are a sure bet – like Halloween. Dress up and candy = sure bet to be a good time. 

The weeks when I don’t have something big to look forward to I create small rewards such as painting my nails, watching a movie, or baking cookies. If there isn’t that exciting outlet, a goal to work towards, I’m sullen.

I’m a planner. That also means I have short-term goals and long-term goals. Once I reach them I feel a sense of achievement and happiness. Don’t you?

What are your goals?

Do you have rewards at the end of the week? 

How about humpday (Wednesday)? That’s a tough one to get through.

Often little rewards work just as good as the big ones. Working towards a goal, achieving it, and treating yourself feels great. After a long week at school I’ve got a 60’s party to go to this weekend…which means I’m going shopping an outfit...right now.