I mentioned that I'm a Goal Setter and last night I did just that. I have goals written down in the following areas:
Financial
Faith/Spiritual
Career
Personal
Fitness
Relationships
It was a task of love. I found that learning to love yourself is a big deal and I feel setting goals supports the development of your inner self. I'm eager to get started. The year will fly by quickly I'm sure of it!
And in support of this topic I like this prayer I found today and thought I'd share it:
God of time and eternity, take into your hands all of the hopes, fears, plans and expectations that I have for the year 2009. Walk with me into this new year, and shape me into the person you are calling me to be, so that 12 months from now I may know, love and serve you more. Amen.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Post Christmas Reflections with New Years Peaking Around the Corner
Okay ladies and gents - how did Christmas go? Did you focus on the people and not the food? Did you put all the tools in place that we've been learning? Or did you cut loose with a free for all and roll around miserably afterwards from over eating?
If so and you feel great, wonderful! Give your self a pat on the back. If not, it's here nor there at this point. Doesn't matter. What does matter is what you do NEXT. Take a deep breath and let it go. Jump right back into your healthy eating and exercise plan. Move on and look to the future.
New Years is just around the corner with it's mighty pull of resolutions. I tend not to be a resolution kind of gal; but rather a "goal setter". I like to take a look back and think about what has changed this past year. Then I look forward and think about where I'd like to be a year from now. What's it going to take to get me there? What do I need to do.... and do I have the knowledge and tools to get me there?
Now here's the kicker and very often the key. WRITE IT DOWN. Put it somewhere that you can see it often, be reminded of it, and focus on it. If it's important enough to you, you'll do it. And that makes all the difference.
Here's to goals for 2009! There's nothing stopping us now.
If so and you feel great, wonderful! Give your self a pat on the back. If not, it's here nor there at this point. Doesn't matter. What does matter is what you do NEXT. Take a deep breath and let it go. Jump right back into your healthy eating and exercise plan. Move on and look to the future.
New Years is just around the corner with it's mighty pull of resolutions. I tend not to be a resolution kind of gal; but rather a "goal setter". I like to take a look back and think about what has changed this past year. Then I look forward and think about where I'd like to be a year from now. What's it going to take to get me there? What do I need to do.... and do I have the knowledge and tools to get me there?
Now here's the kicker and very often the key. WRITE IT DOWN. Put it somewhere that you can see it often, be reminded of it, and focus on it. If it's important enough to you, you'll do it. And that makes all the difference.
Here's to goals for 2009! There's nothing stopping us now.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas is Just Around the Bend - What's the Plan?
Hello my friends!
Christmas is less than a week away! Do you feel it's going to be a challenging time for you regarding food?
Couple things:
Plan for success
-shop for healthy food and have it readily available
-make time to get some movement into your day (excercise)
-mentally see yourself in the situation behaving in the manner you desire. Play it through in your mind until it feels comfortable and you have a pleasing outcome
-Don't beat yourself up if you go off program! It's a day or two, then get right back on program.
Most of all please remember, it's NOT about food. It's about family and those you love. Enjoy them. Love them. Cherish every moment with them.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
Patti
Christmas is less than a week away! Do you feel it's going to be a challenging time for you regarding food?
Couple things:
Plan for success
-shop for healthy food and have it readily available
-make time to get some movement into your day (excercise)
-mentally see yourself in the situation behaving in the manner you desire. Play it through in your mind until it feels comfortable and you have a pleasing outcome
-Don't beat yourself up if you go off program! It's a day or two, then get right back on program.
Most of all please remember, it's NOT about food. It's about family and those you love. Enjoy them. Love them. Cherish every moment with them.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
Patti
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Poached Eggs- Not as hard as they look!
Are you looking for a new way to prepare your eggs? Hard-boiled eggs are a great core snack, but in the winter I want something warm. You can fry eggs in non-stick spray, but if you want something different, why not try poaching them?
Poaching can be tricky, and until now I've only had them at restaurants. However, a few pointers and you can do it at home too! You will need:
eggs
large pot water
vinegar (We didn't have white vinegar on hand, but brown rice vinegar worked just fine.)
pinch of salt
large slotted spoon
small soup or other small bowl
1.) Fill a large pot of water 2/3 full, and bring to a boil.
2.) Arrange all your items the counter near your pot of water. Crack an egg into the small bowl. Be careful not to break the yolk.
3.) Once your water has reached boiling, add a pinch of salt and a drizzle of vinegar. (Maybe 1-2 tbsp.)
4.) Turn your heat down so the boiling slows. You want your water just below boiling.
5.) With your spoon, stir the water along the edge of the pot until you have a good swirling vortex. Be sure the water isn't boiling-if it is just turn it down a bit more.
6.) Carefully pour your egg into the center of the pot- the swirling vortex helps keep the egg white in one piece. It may look funny at first but let it be. Cook for ~ 2 minutes and then gently scoop out with slotted spoon.
7.) Shake gently to remove excess water. If your slots are completely covered with egg (this happened to me!) gently blot with a paper towl.
Serve immediately on wheat toast! We addded grilled portabella mushrooms, avocado slices and some shredded Parmesan cheese to ours. I apologize for the lack of pictures-they disappeared too fast!
Don't be discouraged if the first few attempts end up a big shredded mess in your water. Just scoop out the offending egg, discard, and try again. It'll be worth it. :-)
Other tips:
* I used a metal tea filter to scoop up stray strands of egg whites in the water in between eggs. They don't hurt anything, but it's nice to be able to see how your egg is doing.
*Also feel free to cook the egg a bit longer if you are concerned about the runny egg yolks- it may make the egg a bit tougher but I couldn't tell the difference when I did. I even put one of the eggs back in the water when the whites didn't look quite done, despite having been over 2 minutes.
*Be sure to have any other food prepared before starting the eggs so you can give them your full attention. (I put my husband to work.) Watch the water and adjust the heat incrementally as needed to either keep the temp up (just below boiling) or to settle some sneaky bubbles.
*If you'd like to spend a few points, a pat of butter on top of the egg is MARVELOUS.
Finally, if these directions aren't working for you, you can also do what I did- just google it and look for a video demonstration. There are plenty out there.
Good luck! Enjoy!
Poaching can be tricky, and until now I've only had them at restaurants. However, a few pointers and you can do it at home too! You will need:
eggs
large pot water
vinegar (We didn't have white vinegar on hand, but brown rice vinegar worked just fine.)
pinch of salt
large slotted spoon
small soup or other small bowl
1.) Fill a large pot of water 2/3 full, and bring to a boil.
2.) Arrange all your items the counter near your pot of water. Crack an egg into the small bowl. Be careful not to break the yolk.
3.) Once your water has reached boiling, add a pinch of salt and a drizzle of vinegar. (Maybe 1-2 tbsp.)
4.) Turn your heat down so the boiling slows. You want your water just below boiling.
5.) With your spoon, stir the water along the edge of the pot until you have a good swirling vortex. Be sure the water isn't boiling-if it is just turn it down a bit more.
6.) Carefully pour your egg into the center of the pot- the swirling vortex helps keep the egg white in one piece. It may look funny at first but let it be. Cook for ~ 2 minutes and then gently scoop out with slotted spoon.
7.) Shake gently to remove excess water. If your slots are completely covered with egg (this happened to me!) gently blot with a paper towl.
Serve immediately on wheat toast! We addded grilled portabella mushrooms, avocado slices and some shredded Parmesan cheese to ours. I apologize for the lack of pictures-they disappeared too fast!
Don't be discouraged if the first few attempts end up a big shredded mess in your water. Just scoop out the offending egg, discard, and try again. It'll be worth it. :-)
Other tips:
* I used a metal tea filter to scoop up stray strands of egg whites in the water in between eggs. They don't hurt anything, but it's nice to be able to see how your egg is doing.
*Also feel free to cook the egg a bit longer if you are concerned about the runny egg yolks- it may make the egg a bit tougher but I couldn't tell the difference when I did. I even put one of the eggs back in the water when the whites didn't look quite done, despite having been over 2 minutes.
*Be sure to have any other food prepared before starting the eggs so you can give them your full attention. (I put my husband to work.) Watch the water and adjust the heat incrementally as needed to either keep the temp up (just below boiling) or to settle some sneaky bubbles.
*If you'd like to spend a few points, a pat of butter on top of the egg is MARVELOUS.
Finally, if these directions aren't working for you, you can also do what I did- just google it and look for a video demonstration. There are plenty out there.
Good luck! Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
JOY!
Joy is so very cool!
It can be seen in the eyes....in the smile...in the walk and it's great when it's bubbling up and overflowing outward for others to enjoy. I feel that joy is not something that can be given to someone else or believe me I'd give it to you. There is nothing I can do or say that can place joy on your heart. It can't be given or forced however it can be shared. Joy is something that is found within, comes from within and must find it's place in your heart by you alone.
I pray JOY is a lifelong resident in your heart -
It can be seen in the eyes....in the smile...in the walk and it's great when it's bubbling up and overflowing outward for others to enjoy. I feel that joy is not something that can be given to someone else or believe me I'd give it to you. There is nothing I can do or say that can place joy on your heart. It can't be given or forced however it can be shared. Joy is something that is found within, comes from within and must find it's place in your heart by you alone.
I pray JOY is a lifelong resident in your heart -
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