Situational Awareness Saturday

Situational Awareness Saturday

I'm a couple days late posting this, been feeling under-the-weather and also busy busy busy. Never fear, though: I am here!

Situational Awareness Saturday is a recap on your week. How did your positive actions effect others? Did you have situations occur that weren't pleasant during the week that you could have changed just by your actions or attitude towards them? How will you choose to act the following week?

By taking a look back we can reflect on ourselves and decide to be better if we weren't pleased with the outcomes. While regret is nothing healthy, we learn instead to change for the next time situations arise. 

It's almost plan building. Did we make more of something we shouldn't have? Did we show negativity instead of making a positive choice? Were our words credible? Did we make our words count when you spoke?

It's time to take that look back so that you can move forward to a better week next week. If you have trouble making the most of the week you can always refer back to our One Day At A Time blog for the listing of each day to bring some focus and sparkle to those around us: in turn making a better mindset for ourselves!

Having Fun Friday

Having Fun Friday

Having Fun Friday is actually very simple. After you get off work, school, or done with your household duties it's time to make time for yourself.

All week we learned some ways to treat others and be mindful of happiness that we can spread. Thursday was a little different but the results for ourselves and perhaps those around us by repelling negativity are the same- spreading happiness by letting things go or removing ourselves from situations.

But today is really relaxing. I really find it hard to give 100% when we are run down, tired, or just need some "me" time. It's really quite simple to do and all you need is to know what you enjoy to do on your off time.

Some ideas to focus on yourself and 'having fun'

You can always hang out with friends. Good company is always great.

Go see a movie or go out to eat. Sometimes scenery change is good.

Order take out and rent a movie.

Focus on meditation.

Catch up or start on an artistic project.

Play a video game- or if you aren't the console owning type- play some online games.

If you enjoy writing you can always plan and start a book.

Read a book.

Take a bath with dim light and music.

Just sit outside with a drink and enjoy.

Having Fun Friday is really about relieving the stress by dedicating your time to doing what you want. You work all week taking care of your needs and sometimes we spend a lot of time making sure other's are in good shape. It doesn't take a lot of money or time to pamper yourself: just make sure you are doing what you like to do!

Healthier May Equate to Happier

Diet Changing To Better Health 

Seems that fitness and healthier eating are a trend nowadays. While activity and healthier eating may contribute to weight loss and and a better physical feeling, having more vitamins and nutrients may also make one feel more happy with themselves. 

I took a plunge into fitness and healthy eating a couple years ago. I was tired of not finding clothes that fit and the one's that I did want I couldn't find my size. I was hurting all the time even though I had an active job at Disney. I made it a goal of mine to get fit and loss the weight. I paid for a one-on-one personal trainer at a training gym and started eating like I should have been all along. I cut portions, cut calories to about 1200 a day (what I needed for my goal and my activity level)  and lost almost 80 pounds, gained muscle, and felt AMAZING. 15 pounds from my goal I met someone, moved, lost my job and got pregnant. I didn't have the funds even with my new job to always eat right. I still don't at the moment, but the focus is still there. I'm just under 200 now, up from the 165 at my best. When we move in the next couple weeks I will be focusing on my eating habits. Where I am now I have limited room and area to work on good food. It's... a disaster to say the least with the people I live with. I'll update my progress as I start again to better health.

Until then, whether or not you want to lose a little or a lot, it's undeniable the health benefits of eating better. It does make you feel better. Your energy will greater. Your outlook may also improve. You may even save money in the process.

Add some or all of these and watch what happens!

I have been hearing a great idea to cut out some starch and calories all over Pinterest and food shows. I love the idea of mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes! I got this recipe from http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbsidedishes/r/cauliflowermash.htm

Ingredients:

• raw Cauliflower - a medium head makes about a pound of florets
• any combination of butter, milk, cream, or whatever you use when you make mashed potatoes - about 1/4 cup
• salt and pepper
• If you have low carb "instant mashed potatoes", add up to 1/4 cup for texture*
• Options: minced garlic (a clove or two); garlic powder (1/2 to 1 teaspoon); cheese

Preparation:

*I like to use instant "potatoes" made for low carb diets, such as Dixie Carb Counters Instant Mashers. Other people use a small amount of real potato or instant potatoes to improve the texture. But you don't need any of these things.

Break the cauliflower up into florets, or just chop. I like to cook it in the microwave in a container that I prepare and serve it in, but you can steam it. Cook it until it's tender -- a fork should easily pierce it.

The easiest thing to do is to add the rest of the ingredients to the container the cauliflower is cooked in, and then use a stick (hand) blender to put it all together. Or you can put it all in a regular blender or food processor.

Assuming 4 servings from a pound of cauliflower, each will have about 3 grams of usable carbohydrate plus three grams of fiber. The calories will depend on what else you add.

Of course, you can add things like some cheese, garlic, or chives! I'm looking forward to this soon.