Category Archives: All blog posts

A Little Bird Told Me

A while back, someone introduced me to an online community called The Brave Girls Club. They do a number of pretty darn cool things, but my primary engagement with them is my subscription to their daily email called, you guessed it, “A Little Bird Told Me – Your Daily Truth from the Brave Girls Club”. It pops into my inbox first thing in the morning with a dose of uplifting inspiration that I just adore. Often I read it and think, “How did they KNOW that I needed to hear EXACTLY that on EXACTLY this day?!” Synchronicity in action.

As an example, here was today’s email:


Dear Unique Girl,


Everyone has a different journey. So different, in fact, that new lessons can be learned every single day from each other’s journeys. Your friends’ journey are different from yours. Your children’s are different, too. Your parents also went on an entirely different journey than the one that is meant for you.

That is why it is so important not to compare, criticize, or complain. We often have the tendency to compare the worst of what we are living through with the best of what others are enjoying. Everyone has the exact path, with the exact battles and the exact joys that are meant for them. We all learn in different ways, and we can all learn so much from each other, too.

So live YOUR life. Love YOUR life. Make the most of YOUR life. And whenever you have the chance to meet another fellow traveler along the road of life, lend a helping hand whenever you can. An encouraging smile or a kind word or two. Be happy when good things happen to others and show compassion when difficult things come along. Remind those you know that ALL of it is good. ALL of it.

All of it is meant for our growth and our ultimate joy.

Keep being the fabulous YOU that YOU are.

xoxo

“A little bird told me” – your Daily Truth from The Brave Girls Club – http://www.bravegirlsclub.com
See what I mean? Check it out for yourself. Subscribe. And when that first email arrives that you swear was written JUST FOR YOU, you’ll be so very glad you did.
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SUPERBOWL weekend!


Are you ready for some football?? If you’re like most Americans, your weekend plans include a party this Sunday as friends gather for Superbowl XLV. Whether your interest leans toward the game (my husband) or the commercials and post-game episode of Glee (me) or the chance to run merrily around the house with friends (our children), it’s an awfully nice way to spend a Sunday evening.

Game-day munchies come with the territory, of course, and I’m looking forward to some favorite indulgences just as much as you are. If you’re also interested in adding a few healthier options to the mix, here is a lightened up version of a Superbowl favorite as well as some previously-posted ideas you might consider making for the big day.

Whether you will be wielding a Terrible Towel or wearing a Cheese Head, these are sure to be a hit with your party crowd.  Enjoy the game!


Southwestern Bean Dip

1 16-ounce can nonfat refried beans, preferably “spicy”
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
4 scallions, sliced
1/2 cup prepared salsa
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 cup pickled jalapeño slices, chopped
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack, or Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium avocado, chopped
1/4 cup canned sliced black olives


Directions:

1. Combine refried beans, black beans, scallions, salsa, cumin, chili powder and jalapeños in a medium bowl. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart microwave-safe dish; sprinkle with cheese.
2. Microwave on High until the cheese is melted and the beans are hot, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Spread sour cream evenly over the hot bean mixture, then scatter with lettuce, tomato, avocado and olives.

Other ideas:




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It’s Love Month!

My daughter woke up this morning and declared “It’s Love Month!” Now that’s what I call waking up on the right side of the bed! If you hadn’t thought about it in quite that way before, perhaps it’s time to consider how you’ll celebrate Love Month this year. How will you show love to those around you? And perhaps even more importantly, how will you treat yourself for the next 28 days? (Why does Love Month have to be the shortest one, anyhow?)

If you need a little inspiration, here are a few ideas:

– Begin every day by greeting yourself in the mirror and saying something nice for once.
– Treat yourself to fresh flowers despite the snow and ice scene playing out all around us.
– Schedule date night – with yourself! 
      What movie have YOU been longing to see (Toy Story 3 does not count)? 
      What book have you been meaning to read? 
      What restaurant have you wanted to try? Now’s the time!
– Make yourself an adorable breakfast like the one pictured above.
– Choose the very best food for yourself – at the grocery store, at home, in a restaurant. No scarfing down half-eaten chicken nuggets off your kids’ plates. What do YOU crave?

 

– Listen to great music in the car.
– Find a workout that moves you. Try Hot Yoga…or Pilates…or Zumba…or whatever makes you want to get up and move!
– Make yourself over – get a new haircut or a new lipstick or a new outfit – anything that makes you feel great.


– Stop comparing yourself to others. Love yourself for who YOU are, not for how you stack up vs the competition.
It’s February, friends. All you need is love.
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