Little Things Getting to You?

Little Things Getting to You?

When we quit worrying over the little things, we can spend time on what is truly important in life.

Each and every day we experience disappointment.  Friends who don’t do what we expect, work situations that become fodder for TV sitcoms, plans fail, wishful thinking blows into the wind like a puff of glitter dust.  The truth is that many of these situations are out of our control.   They happen upon us, surprisingly out of the blue and it’s up to us to navigate through it.   At times we respond with intensity because we are hurt.   Continue reading

Walking through Change, Find your BEST LIFE

Walking through Change, Find your BEST LIFE

Change is a true constant in our lives.  It begins the moment we’re born and ends when we take our last breath.  While change can bring such joy, it can also bring fear and pain. How we respond to change is the key to thriving and growth.

Situations fall upon us by choices.  And it’s not always our choice that causes the problem.  What is solely your  decision, is your personal reaction to the change.  Somehow when you stop fighting it, you begin your journey of growth.  Easy?  Hardly ever.  Scary?  You bet.  You’ve got to accept it and look for the good, the blessings, the opportunities.  But, you also have to look for the lessons.

I am the master of my fate and the captain of my destiny.   Nelson Mandela

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Baked Oatmeal with Cranberries, Blueberries, and Pecans

Baked Oatmeal with Cranberries, Blueberries, and Pecans

Baked Oatmeal

October 23, 2015

Baked Oatmeal with Bananas and Blueberries

This baked oatmeal is gluten free, dairy free and egg free and FULL of great texture and wonderful flavors.  Eat it hot or cold!  You can even eat it with ice cream!

2 c oats (gluten-free certified if necessary)
2 T whole chia seeds (ground flaxseeds can be substituted)
1 t baking powder
1/2 t sea salt
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1 can coconut milk (You can use either light or heavy)
1 T vanilla extract
1/3 c maple syrup or 2 T agave nectar or 2 t stevia extract or ¼ c Honey

3/4 c dried cranberries

3/4 c chopped pecans

1 banana (optional)
1 1/2 c berries

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease 8×8 ovenproof dish
3. In a bowl, mix oats, chia seeds, dried cranberries, pecans, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add sweetener of choice and vanilla extract while stirring.
4. Slice a banana (optional) to cover bottom of dish in layer. Top with one cup of berries and then oatmeal mixture. Pour coconut milk over the top of the oat mixture. (Be sure that coconut milk is distributed evenly). Top with remainder of berries.
5. Bake 40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Refrigerate the leftovers to be eaten cold or reheated the next day.

PS This can be doubled into a 9×13 pan – I recommend it because you’ll want to eat more!

Helping Others, The Good, The Bad, and The Guilty – 6 Ways to Freedom

Helping Others, The Good, The Bad, and The Guilty – 6 Ways to Freedom

Do you volunteer some of your time?  Whether it’s helping kids, homeless, hungry, church, or family, it’s likely that you have a few commitments meant to help the world in one way or another.  I have always volunteered.  My mom used to tell me, “Do something for your family, do something for your church, and do something for your community.”  I’ve attempted to follow that.  Sometimes I might be an over achiever when it comes wanting to do it all!  I insist that you refer to my post “All Plates are NOT Created Equal.”

Be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it,  take yourself out of it.

I think the approaching fall is a great time to examine how you want to commit yourself for the rest of the year.  Somehow the fade of summer allows me to take a look at what’s ahead.  It gives me a chance to breathe in the goodness from the past and breathe out what’s not working anymore.  I exhale a long goodbye. Continue reading

WE EAT RIBOLLITA SOUP

 

Ribollita Soup

RIBOLLITA SOUP

This is a SIMPLE Italian veggie soup that I always have the ingredients in stock.  I haven’t met a person yet who didn’t rave about it! 

Ingredients

2 cans white beans, such as Great Northern or cannellini
Kosher salt
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for serving
1/4 pound large diced pancetta or smoked bacon (optional)
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
1 1/2 cup chopped carrots (5 carrots)

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A DEFINING MOMENT

A DEFINING MOMENT

Heart Flame

A defining moment can come at any time.  My moment came in the early morning hours while a gentle snow fell from a dark sky.  Oversized Chair. Warm Fire. Cozy Blanket. Bold Coffee. And Max Lucado’s book, Come Thirsty.

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The Hardest Part of a Workout

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Jaime & me on October 27, 2012 after the Healdsburg Half Marathon in Sonoma County celebrating my 50th Birthday!

Hands Down, most difficult part of a workout for me is just putting on my shoes….

I absolutely love it when I’m actually working out!  I love the feeling of making my body tired, and more than that I love the feeling of being able to walk, run, hike as many miles as I want to.  I love meeting a goal.  I love the euphoric feeling that running can bring.  My family all works out.  From running to lifting weights to playing organized sports to yoga.  We all participate in something.  I’m happy that Aldo & I were able to set an example of the importance of taking care of your body.  Even if it’s some hard work in the yard and garden!!

You’d think I’d never quit working out, would you?  Ha!  I love meeting a goal and once the goal is over, I tend to stop.  I can still do active fun but not like when I’m training.  I lose my motivation and I can’t seem to put my running shoes on to go outside or go downstairs to the treadmill.

I have come up with ways in the past to solve the lack of shoes on my feet.

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Moms, Kindly Scoot Out of the Way

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We moms can be kind of controlling. Are you intrigued because you are a mom, you are married to a mom or you have a mom?!! I write this message as a mom, who has a partner in parenting.  I don’t want to leave my sweet husband out of this!

I believe it’s in our nature to want everything to be wonderful for our children.  We want to protect them and we don’t want them to hurt – EVER.  Our wisdom and experience can certainly save them a lot of grief in life.  We think they need us to be in the helicopter over them, ready to slide down the rope to save them at any moment.  Hold Please — Land the Helicopter and Let Them Fly!

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Soaking in a Girlfriend Weekend

Quinn’s Hot Springs in Paradise, Montana.  (Seriously, it’s the name of the closest town!)  The cabins and the lodge, the tavern and restaurant are wonderful compliments to the 6 hot pools, which range in temperature from 78 to 106.  Pools that offer minerals and therapeutic healing as well as interesting people and laughter to nourish the soul!

Quinn’s was the location of my recent girlfriend weekend!  Perfect location for us four girls (AKA The Posse), who see each other as often as possible but in reality, it’s never enough!  The last time we were all together was seven weeks ago.  Yes, we live in the same town but we all work in different professions, we all have varied hobbies & passions, and we all have families and other “girl groups!”  When we get together, “Watch Out World!”  We laugh, we talk, we drink wine.  We play cards.  We dance.  We don’t sleep much….

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The Lingering Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaves Upclose

It happens every autumn, the leaves change color and fall off the tree. 

I was on a walk this week as the leaves were rapidly falling from the trees in  a serious windstorm!  The Montana Big Sky was a gorgeous hue of blue, my thoughts were no where and then everywhere.

I looked up at an Aspen tree that was quaking and shaking and noticed a few of the leaves were hanging on even though the majority were swirling off the tree.  I began to wonder about my life in  comparison to the leaves that were hanging on.

Am I hanging on to something in my life that I should be letting go?  Continue reading