2015 One Little Word

I have been pondering my one little word for almost 2 months now, and this word wasn't evening in the running. If you remember this post, you remember that I was considering "effectuate," "impel," "generate," and "design."

And "generate" was going to be the winner. But it didn't feel right. It never really resonated with me. I was even kind of disappointed that I was going to have to pick that word. There just didn't seem to be another word I could find that really encapsulated what I wanted 2015 to really be about.

The other night I was chatting with a friend on Facebook helping her come up with her word when I stumbled across "enrich."

DEFINITION: To supply with riches, wealth, abundant or valuable posessions
                         To supply with abundance of anything desirable
                         To add greater value or significance to
                         To adorn or decorate
                         To make finer in quality, as by supplying desirable elements or ingredients
                         To restore to (a food) a nutrient that has been lost during an early stage of processing

I like my life right now. Things are going pretty well. Ray and I are better than we were a year ago. My kids are healthy. I have a nice place to live. I have employment.  I have family and friends.

Things are pretty good.

But I don't just want "pretty good" any more. I want to REALLY live life. I want to do things I haven't done and that I dream of doing. I want to create adventures and tackle challenges. I want to look back at 2015, and say, "Wow, I really LIVED."

I also want to better the lives of those around me.

I have thought long and hard about why we are here on this planet. I mean, what purpose is there to all of this? Life has to be about more than just waking up every day, going to work, coming home and then doing it all over again the next day. It has to be about more than trying to earn money to pay the bills and buy stuff. And, it certainly has to be about more than wishing Monday-Friday away to get to the weekend.

So, when I read the definitions for the word "enrich," I knew it was my one little word.

I REALLY want to make my life and the lives of those around me "finer in quality." I REALLY want to "restore...a nutrient that has been lost during an early stage of processing." I REALLY want to "supply with abundance of anything desirable." I REALLY want to bring these things to me and to others. I don't want to just sit back and wait to see what happens as I have done all 43 (almost 44) years of my life.

I want to MAKE LIFE HAPPEN. I know God meant for life to be more than just making do, than just getting by. I have talents for a reason, right?

So today, I am welcoming 2015 in with my One Little Word: ENRICH and I fully intend on enriching LOTS of lives.

Peace out my friends! Thanks for stopping by!

Granola

One of my missions for 2015 is to have no processed food in my daily diet (and that of my family's too!). I say "daily diet" because I recognize that from time to time I will in fact eat processed foods. Like when I go to someone's house or I am at a restaurant or I just want to indulge (although, I am hoping to eliminate that urge too).

Another one of my missions for 2015 is to have better follow through. I always come up with great ideas, but I never actually DO them.

So, to work on both of those missions, I decided that it might be a good idea if every so often (like maybe every other week), I do a sampling of a couple of recipes and share them (and the results) on the blog.

I decided to start with granola. I've really been craving it lately and the kids seem to like to eat it. And, I feel like my weakest area is having non processed foods ready for snacks.

I first made a "Granola" board on Pinterest and collected a couple of recipes.

1. Crunchy Quinoa Granola from Two Peas and Their Pod
         
I chose to make this recipe because of the quinoa, the oats (I used gluten free), the seeds and nuts. It was relatively easy to make, but my batch, for whatever reason, needed an extra 30 minutes of baking. It became crunchy after it cooled. I wasn't thrilled with the results at first. I wanted a sweeter granola, but it has since grown on me. I eat it warmed up with unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk with a drizzle of honey for breakfast or tossed on top of my plain Greek yogurt. I will definitely be making this again!

2. Homemade Coconut Oil Honey Almond Granola from Lovely Little Kitchen

This one sounded simple. I thought the kids would enjoy this one more than the other one since it doesn't have all the extra "stuff" like the nuts and seeds. Sometimes they turn their noses up at "stuff" like that (although, I have witnessed them snacking on the other granola!). It was very simple to make and turned out very crunchy and sweet! The kids love to eat this one for breakfast! I loved the fact that it has coconut oil in it...helping them get some healthy fats in their day! This one is a tad too sweet for me. I may make this one again if I find I like it better than some others. I would like to give the girls less sweetness.

3. Homemade KIND Bars from With Love and Cupcakes

These bar far are my FAVORITE of the three! I'm not sure I have ever eaten a KIND bar before, but if they taste anything like this homemade variety, they are VERY tasty! They were a bit time consuming to make, but sooooooo worth the effort. With just one taste, I knew I was going to have to make more...I ended up tripling the recipe. All four of us eat at least one bar a day. I'm not a HUGE fan of using the brown rice syrup, but it is on clean eating lists, so I am okay with it for now. The biggest benefit is that the girls are eating nuts (yeah!) and zero processed crap since they are totally made from scratch! I highly recommend you make these as I will be making them again and again.

So there you have it! 3 Granola recipes for you to try that have been tried and tested at my house. It is a bit time consuming (I probably spent a couple of hours making all three of these recipes), but knowing that when my kids eat breakfast or reach for a snack that they are grabbing something with zero processed junk, makes the time I put into these things worth it. Plus, today is Tuesday; I made these recipes on Sunday, and we still have plenty left for tomorrow (KIND bars. The granola will last probably through the weekend if not longer. And, it can be stored in those jars up to a month and still be fresh!)

Give these three recipes a try and let me know what you think!

Peace out Peeps! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Couple's Challenge Debut

It's time for you to get fit!

Grab your partner...wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, the person you are forced to live with (lol)...and get your workout on TOGETHER!

A fitness journey is long...it can get monotonous. It can get challenging. It can seem stalled at times.

Wouldn't it be nice if your significant other was traveling the SAME journey as you? You can motivate, inspire, lift up, and encourage each other TOGETHER as you improve the quality of your lives.

Ray and I are going to start our very first Couple's Challenge on January 5th! You and your significant other should join us!

What you need to do:
1) Choose a program you BOTH want to do...we have LOTS of options.
2) Purchase that program + at least a one month supply of Shakeology (this will give each of you enough for 2 weeks...)
3) Start your workout program on Jan 5th
4) Check in daily in the Challenge Group
5) Lose weight, feel great, and connect with you loved one!

It's super simple, but you will be amazed at the payoffs both for your body And your relationship!

Find us on Facebook (Karen Heckle Durbin or Ray Durbin or TeamDurbin Fitness) and message us today for more details!!!!

Pondering...

Every year I choose a word (inspired by Ali Edwards) that I use to focus my life around.

One year I chose "DO" because I wanted more follow through in my life.

In 2013 I chose "TRANSFORM" because I wanted to change my life in a multitude of ways.

This past year, I chose "TRANSFIGURE" because I wanted to continue my transformation in a more elevated way.

Each year these words magically shape my life. I have done some awesome things because of my One Little Word.

In 2013 I ran my first half marathon and then went on to run 2 more that year.

In 2014, I ran my first full marathon + 2 more, several half marathons, multiple 5Ks and a 10K. I went to Vegas and started a fitness business with Ray. My photography business grew. I am more comfortable taking chances and "putting myself out there." I am not even close to the same person physically or mentally I was this time last year. And my relationship with Ray became stronger and deeper.

Every year, I start pondering my new word in November and finally decide right before New Year's Eve. I look up definitions and examine all aspects of the word. It really has to fit...it has to "speak" to me and most importantly, it has to bring to me what I am hoping to do.

This year, I want a verb to express my desire to create life, to create moments and experiences. I want a verb to draw awesome opportunities into my life. I want to grow both of my businesses. I want to travel. I want to grow exponentially--spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally. I essentially want to take life by the horns and actually LIVE it. I want to set a WOW goal...a goal so big that the last-year's-me would have cringed and cowered and thought, "Not possible." I want to DO things...BUILD things...BE someone...BECOME someone...I want to inspire and uplift and motivate and encourage. I want to leave this place and everyone I come into contact better off because of me.

I want to become so full of life that I am busting at the seams. And I want to be OPEN to all the adventures and experiences and avenues and opportunities that I don't even know are there yet.

Right now, I have 4 words in the running:

1)effectuate--to bring about; to cause to happen; effect; accomplish

2)impel--to drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action

3)generate--to bring into existence; cause to be; produce; to create by a vital or natural process; to create and distribute vitally and profusely; to produce or specify

4) design--to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for, especially to plan the form and structure of; to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully; to form in the mind; contrive a plan; to assign in thought or intention; purpose

Each one of these words has an essential component that I am looking for: purposefully creating...but each one has little nuances that I need to ponder...

So, the race is on...the New Year is a little over a week a way...It's not too late for you to join me! Think about what you would like to achieve, what you would like to overcome or accept or how you would like to grow or change. Read Ali's blog and learn more about it and then choose a word for yourself. You will be amazed at how that one little word will guide your life!
 Read

Peace out my friends!

Fashionista Challenge

I am by no means a "fashionista." I just want to put that out there. Before you even glance at the pictures below. I will never make the pages of well-known fashion magazines or popular fashion blogs.

But, I do love clothes, and I do love to browse Pinterest for outfits ideas.

But, I am very conservative and I get stuck in ruts.

Since gaining those 10 pounds over the last several months, a lot of my clothes do not fit--especially my pants. I only have 2 pair that I only just recently got myself back into. I refuse to buy a larger size--I do intend to get back into shape.

For awhile, I wore the same outfit combinations over and over because I felt so blah about myself. Well, guess what dressing blah does...it makes me feel even more blah. That's when I decided to try to have "fun" with my clothes. 

So, I gave myself a challenge: use what I have in unique ways...for me at least and try not to duplicate an outfit until after Christmas! 

Here are some of my outfits from the last 2 weeks (I forgot to take pics of 3 of the outfits...I will eventually wear them again so I will post those later!)

I was nervous about combining the flower print and the polka dot scarf, but I think with the sweater the same color as the scarf and the shoes, I pulled it off...I think!

This is a very basic "teacher outfit" if you ask me...but I was short on time. I was pleasantly surprised that I could button that shirt...haven't been able to do that for a couple of months!

The scarf and the tank are the new additions here for me. I have worn all of these pieces just not together.

I bought this blingy sweatshirt last year, but have been afraid to wear it. Today, as I was deciding what to wear, I saw it hanging next to this skirt (which I needed to wear since I had already worn the only 2 pants that fit!). I decided to give it a whirl! I was very nervous...teenagers can be quite harsh, you know, but it was fun.

And here I have plaid, with polka dots, with purple! Very out of the box for me!

So, those are my outfits. Again, not a fashionista by any means, but I thought it might be fun to share to maybe motivate you do try to do the same.

It's funny; I would never have thought that giving myself this challenge would amount to much, but this challenge is stretching me in ways I never imagined. I am taking risks each day I do this...minimal risks, yes, but risks none the less. I am finding that I am more willing to take chances in other areas of my life...recipes I choose, lessons I plan, decorations for the house that I buy.  Maybe as I continue this personal challenge, I will find myself a person more comfortable stepping out of her comfort zone in all areas of her life!

Peace out my friends and thanks for looking!

You gotta believe

I don't know about you, but I tend to be my biggest critic.

I am always pointing out what I am doing wrong. I am always slamming my mistakes. I am always broadcasting my failures to the world.

Sometimes I even think that the way to make someone else feel better about herself (or himself) is to put my own accomplishments down. To minimize my own efforts and my own attempts so that her lack of effort or attempts isn't so obvious. I try to make her feel like she isn't the only one.

She probably isn't; but a lot of times, it's not me who is in the same boat as she (or he) is.

I also RARELY believe in myself. I WANT to do great things; I just don't BELIEVE that I am capable. "Every human being wants success. Everybody wants the best this life can deliver. Nobody enjoys crawling, living in mediocrity. No one likes feeling second-class and feeling forced to go that way." The Magic of Thinking Big by David J Schwartz (my current personal development book).

Lately, I've been trying to discover WHY I think this way about myself because I sure don't think this about others. I mean, I try to be everyone's biggest cheerleader because I firmly BELIEVE that if she (or he) just puts her mind to something, she (or he) CAN achieve it.

I BELIEVE this...about others.

I wonder if maybe I feel this way because I equate belief in myself with someone who is full of herself/himself. You know the person I am referring to...can do no wrong...thinks his/her poop doesn't stink...always bragging...maybe I equate this belief in success with lack of humility.

I wonder if maybe I am afraid of success. That sounds crazy, I know. Who would be AFRAID of success? But I think I kind of am. Or maybe it's more a fear of taking the chance to see if I can be successful because with taking chances comes the risk of failure, and I know I am afraid of failing. I try to reduce that fear of failure or embarrassment from failing with an "okay-I'll-give-it-a-try-but-I-don't-think-it-will-work" attitude. That way, I can say, "See, I told you. I knew it wouldn't work; therefore, I don't have to feel embarrassed since I already stated that I knew it wouldn't work." The problem is that "The 'Okay-I'll-give-it-a-try-but-I-don't-think-it-will-work' attitude produces failures."

"Disbelief is negative power. When the mind disbelieves or doubts, the mind attracts 'reasons' to support the disbelief. Doubt, disbelief, the subconscious will to fail, the not really wanting to succeed, is responsible for most failures."

"Think doubt and fail.
Think victory and succeed."

I do think doubt. I do fail. But there are times when I believe I can and I do.

I think sometimes people confuse believing you can with wishing you can. Have you ever put the thought out there that you would like to achieve something and then, seemingly out of nowhere, the idea of HOW to do that thing you would like to do comes to you?

Yeah. That's happened to me. Many times. But guess what I tend to do? I tend to dismiss the idea. I overlook it and push it aside. I lack followthrough...BIG TIME. But guess what. Those ideas are not coming to us by accident. "There is nothing magical or mystical about the power of belief. Belief works this way. Belief, the 'I'm-positive-I-can' attitude, generates the power, skill, and energy needed to do. When you believe I-can-do-it, the HOW-to-do-it develops....Belief, STRONG BELIEF, triggers the mind to figure ways and means and how-to. And believing you can succeed makes others place confidence in you."

The person who BELIEVES takes action. The person who just wishes doesn't.

I am a person who typically wishes. I am also a person who typically gets jealous when others have what I am wishing for be it money, clothes, social status, happiness, a particular physique, success, possessions, etc. I think I get jealous because I know, deep down, that these people have what I am wishing for before because they have been willing to do what it takes to get those things...they BELIEVE in themselves and they follow through with their actions. I do not.

"Belief is the thermostat that regulates what we accomplish in life."

I am going to make this one of my new missions for 2015 (but starting today). I am going to strengthen my resolve in myself while maintaining my humility. When I achieve the "things" I set out to achieve, I am going to be grateful about them not smug. I want to BE awesome. I want to GROW in positive, meaningful ways. I want to INSPIRE others to do the same. I just want to BE the BEST person I am capable of being.

"A person is a product of his own thoughts. Believe Big. Adjust your thermostat forward. Launch your success offensive with honest, sincere belief that you can succeed. Believe big and grow big."

Change is Messy...

Why does it seem like as soon as I try to make a change, everything seems to fall apart? Like the notion that it has to get worse before it gets better is true? I mean, I have read that if I want something, I just need to put my thoughts out there, and I will get it...with some effort on my part, of course. 

Well, here is what I put out there: I want to be more organized, more punctual, more put-together and on top of things than I am now (which is really a false statement because I am currently NONE of these things--especially organized---you should see me in the morning).

I put those thoughts out there...I'm not quite sure I'm getting what I asked for.

For most of my adult life, I have changed in response to some kind of external stimuli...like...bringing two humans into the world, my dad's lost fight against cancer...getting diagnosed with Lupus and having some serious health issues. Pile all of that on top of a marriage in crisis...and well, I changed. Sometimes for the better...sometimes not so much.

But, deciding to change for change's sake is NOT an easy task. It's almost like my entire being is fighting against this change. My life hasn't been this stressful in a long while. I've gained weight...so much so that my clothes don't fit...I've missed marathon times...I've been late to work almost every day...my computer died...I have made stupid photography mistakes...I'm behind in my grading...the kids need to be run EVERYWHERE...students have acted up...projects for classes have been due...I could keep going...I mean, I'm just trying to change for the better, so why the many pitfalls???

Honestly, I have to believe that the universe is trying to test my resolve. I think it wants to see if I REALLY want to make these changes or if I'm just talking a big talk. 

When I spend an hour prepping my food the night before so I can eat healthy while away from home and I forget to take the food with me...

Or, I plan out my smoothie ingredients the night before so I don't have to waste time in the morning getting all of that stuff out only to not find the blade to the blender that next morning because I didn't think to look for that the night before...

When I took copious notes while at a conference because I knew I could use the information for the project that was coming due for this class I am taking only to not be able to find that notebook containing said copious notes when I sit down to write it all up the night before the project is due...

Or, I think, "I am going to be more festive this year and string up lights outside," only to spend triple the time on them because fuses keep blowing...

Just stupid, simple things that keep happening in spite of all my planning. When they happen, I throw my hands in the air, look at the sky (I guess that's where I think God is), and yell, "Really???? WTF???? Why is this happening???"

Usually, after these moments, I throw in the towel. I'm like, "Screw it. It's not going to work anyway so why even bother?" And that's when the universe sits back and says, "Yep, that's what I thought."

But not this time. This time I am stepping back from these experiences and trying to view them with an objective eye. What can I take away from these experiences to make me better? What can I learn from this? What bad-habit thought process am I indulging? I believe the universe is actually trying to HELP me when "disasters" like these strike. 

I don't want to just "get through" my day or my life; I want to live it with gusto and intention. Deciding I need to change is not easy; it really is a very messy process. I am making so many mistakes and generating a TON of unwanted stress, but I have to trust that the universe knows what it is doing, and that I will come out the other side more centered and focused and energized.

And that I will indeed become a better ME!