Resolutions VS Intentions

Let's talk intentions!

I tweaked my back this morning and I have a migraine. It's the reality I live in. It's also the reality of living with all the health issues I have. I did not even tweak my back doing something cool like downhill skiing or running. I was like walking around my house and it all of a sudden hurt that's how lame my body is at times. (Having a swollen disc sucks!) Why do I even go into my boring ailments there has to be a point other than me complaining right? Stay with me there is a point!

I went to a culture meeting at my company this week and the speaker talked about how resolutions are a term has a negative meeting now-a-days and I agree! She talked a length about how we should instead set intentions and create an image around it. What does that intention look like. For example for years my goal "resolution" is to be a certain weight and I need to be that weight. But why? Why do I need to be that weight what is the real image or intention behind that and what is the intent to get there?

The intent:
I want to be healthy and be good to my body so that I do not have future injuries the older I get. I want to really LISTEN to my body.

What does that look like?
I currently have back pain. To listen to my body and be healthy maybe that means doing restorative yoga tonight and taking it easy instead of pushing my body through an intense Zumba class.  Putting the image of a yoga mat and resting in my brain helps.

Having intent is easier than a resolution because their is no wagon to fall off of and it is more achievable. I want to be a good weight sure but that is not what it is about. It is about being healthier in my eating and lifestyle overall so in the future I can still be active. Each day I can choice to make better choices and if by chance I have a bad day and eat a donut who cares. This is my life not a list or a scale that defines me.

Here are some images that have kept me centered on my intention this week:

I keep this image of this sweetie in my head. I think we may go for an old lady walk together tonight. I am keeping that image of us walking together today with me.

Also keeping the image of my yoga mat in my mind today as an intention to stretch really good tonight. This helps me stay focused on my true goal of health.












Remember you need to invest in yourself if you are going to be able to move forward with your goals.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Travel Adventures: Fruition in Milwaukee

Man what a crazy quick trip we had on Friday. It was snowing the entire trip and it varied from rain to snow. I love going on adventures with my husband and this one was really entertaining. We stopped for Rocky Rocco's on the way down which was like a blast from the past but I love pizza so I was totally in for that. It was also a nice break from the storm driving Ryan was doing. When we got to Milwaukee we arrived in a total hipster area of town complete with a little cat café around the corner from the coffee shop we went to for this concert. There is nothing I love more than a tiny venue for a concert it feels intimate and you can really feel the music. This band (Fruition) never disappoints for me and the end of the set with the acoustic song was amazing. Worth the trip. On the way home we had a struggle again with the snow storm and watched a crazy lady who had to be drunk be all over the road. She finally got off the high way in front of us and when we caught up to her she had gone off the off ramp into the ditch. No worries she had no damage to her truck that we could see she was just plowing along to get back on the road right by the sheriffs office.  Getting home late I cannot stay up that late anymore I was so lazy Saturday. Still worth it though for such an excellent concert.

Some picture highlights:

Look at that old school packaging.

Hi. :) We made it to Milwaukee in one piece.

Perks to being at a concert in a coffee shop!

We laughed at our cups because inside we are ten year olds.
WINDY---HOR? Ha!

Just a beer and a girl waiting for a band.

Here we go!

YEY!

I love a small venue.

Life is short I hope you make time for adventures!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Painting: First Paint By Numbers (Sunflowers)

Love it. I just started my second paint by numbers painting and I realized I never posted after completing my first ever painting. I have always loved painting it is a great relaxing activity for me and a great outlet for my creativity. Sometimes though I want just a mind numbing project which paint by numbers allows me to do and at the same time I get some cool art out of it in the end. These paintings are not you kids paint by numbers these are for adults on actual canvas. I like that all the paints come numbered and you get three brushes with each kit. All you need to supply is some water in a cup and maybe some paper towel to clean your brushes off. The first kit was not on a canvas frame which was fine Ryan (my husband) found a piece of wood for me to put my canvas on. This second painting I started is actually already on a frame. I paid more for that but I think it will be worth it. The first painting took me a little over a month to create and I love how it turned out. Cannot wait to frame it. These can be found on Amazon for cheap. The first one not framed was $12 the second was on a frame so about $20 and it is still reasonable!

Here is the progression of the painting and the finished project.

 Here we go. See the canvas has been stapled to some wood by my husband for an easy easel. I have a professional easel made for my desk that is holding it up at this angel.

 This was after I did a couple steps. Notice the gray and yellow added.

 Added some depth with brown here. At this point I could actually start to see the outline of what I was painting. They also give you a small picture of what it should look like after so that was helpful.

 Notice the small comparison picture bottom left. About half way done here.

Really getting some depth with the darker colors and greens.

Almost done and I love it!

Here it is completed. It took a while but I really love how it turned out.

Another picture at another angel. If you are looking for a relaxing hobby I highly recommend you give this a try. They supply everything you need. Here is a peek at the new harder painting I just started last night. It is a winter scene.

Step 1 was black!

This is what it should look like in the end.

I hope you find a hobby you really love that brings you joy.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Finding Some Zen/Peace

I am almost always an open book when it comes to how I function daily and there are many days I just struggle. It could be many things that cause me to feel derailed and I have found certain things can help me get back to a safe Zen/peace place. This month with my team at work I decided to share ways to keep the stress level to a minimum and I thought this was a good topic to touch on today with you all. What do you do to find that place daily?

Here is what I do throughout the week.

 
 

 Yoga

I hate to say this because I used to laugh at people that did yoga because it was not cardio and I thought it was a waste of time. As I get older though I realized that my core is really important to prevent injuries that I have received through the past couple years in my shoulders and back. Yoga not only helps me strengthen myself it forced me to relax and calm my mind with holding stretches and breathing. I use the down dog app at home and I love this at least 2 times per week. The perfect way to find a little Zen in your day.

 Cooking

Yep. I actually find it calming to chop up veggies and focus on creating. If I can fit in making a meal at home I do it. I recently got some new cookbooks and those are fun to use like this recipe pictured. Sometimes I free-style I did that last night using whatever is in my kitchen too. I really get a good Zen going while cooking.

Exercise

 I mean Yoga is a form of exercise but I cannot leave out all the cardio I do all the time either. Whether it is skiing, Zumba, water Zumba, Biking etc. I like to really get into activity as a way to burn energy. When I do this I find I sleep better and my mind is more at peace.

Walking the dog

Walking Luna is peaceful. Especially after a snow fall. She cannot go as far as she used to so it is often a nice little walk. Last night it was so calm out and I wish she could have walked a little further.

A hot beverage

I drink tea all day every day. Your hot drink could be coffee, hot cocoa or tea. Having tea forces me to sit in the moment some times. The act of making a pot of tea is also really focused and that can often calm my nerves a bit too. 

Painting & Reading

I paint free hand but lately I have really got into paint by numbers but not like the ones you do when you are a kid. These are for adults and take me weeks to finish. This is one I did in fall that I will post about later that I finished. I am going to start a winter one soon now that I finished an almost 1,000 page book.  I love both reading and painting because my mind gets so calm I lose track of time sometimes. I get really calm and peaceful. I love both equally.

Cuddles

I cuddle my cat daily. It is relaxing for us both. Luna (my dog) is not one for cuddling but she loves being close to me which is calming too. If you have a pet make some time to get soothed by them if you can.






I hope you can take some time in this busy month to work on time for your personal Zen and reflect on what types of things can help you get there more.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily  

US Senate Bean Soup

Love it. This was super different than anything I have made before. A little back story here. I asked for cook books this year for Christmas and I now know my husband REALLY does listen to me. Like deeply when I am rambling about this. he got me this cook book after all the rambling. This cook book was on CBS Sunday Morning recently (Joy of Cooking) the grandson of the original writer reworked some recipes and updated a bunch of them. This is like the bible of cooking and I am learning so much from it. This soup was so cool it originates from 1901 and continues to be served in the Senate Restaurant to this day. We really loved it I would opt out of some of the salt in the future though.

 

 To save myself some time I did pressure cook the first part for 30 minutes instead of shimmering for 1 hour or so. It saved some time and pushed a ton of flavor into the soup. Great way to use a ham bone!

Gosh this was a delight after skiing 10 miles earlier in the day. Warm. Rich but not too thick and healthy. Just enough leftovers for some lunches this week. Just right!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Healthy Mental Health in 2020!

It's a new year and that means new challenges and reflection on how we tackled last years challenges. Last year I posted healthy-mental-health-in-2019 and I thought instead of reflecting on all my favorite memories of 2019 I would change gears and reflect on what worked for me mental health wise and what really did not. I tried a lot of my own tips from last years list and honestly I made it through some intense challenges like my Grandfather and cat passing last year. I will admit at times I had to dig real deep to find my center and I had to pull back socially at times to recharge more than ever before.

So in this post I will recap some of the 2019 tips and really dig into them a little more with you on what really worked for me.

Get as much sleep as possible.

I did this and I tried to make it a priority as much as possible. Some nights it would be 8pm and I would just go to bed. I used to try to have a set bed time and I thought recently that heck I am an adult I can go to bed whenever my body needs it instead of 10PM on a schedule. This was especially important when I was violently ill over the holidays this year. It can be hard to fit in good sleep or even get good sleep so I also really focused on not over stimulating my brain by not watching crazy tv before bed. Only cooking shows please or reading.


Take some “me” time.

This was a BIG deal this year for me with all the work, home and personal challenges I came into contact with this past year. I am still willing to admit that I continue to struggle to do this but I am a work in progress and I am trying. This year I started yoga, treated myself to massages, started paint by numbers paintings, read a ton of books and continue to go to Zumba. These things fit in a little bit daily really kept me sane throughout my stress load life. I also got a tea station set up at home so I can have a fancy pot of tea whenever I want. I will continue to really work on this.


Exercise.
 

2019 was the year of kayaking for Ryan and I. I love it. With kayaking being out on the water is so peaceful it really helps you recharge from the bustle of life. I also mentioned before I started doing restorative yoga as well. Both have brought great joy to my life and much needed mental health. I also went to a physical therapist this year and he helped me with my horrible posture, my desk set up etc. to help me avoid more back/shoulder injuries. I also will go to water Zumba from time to time. I can still jump in a pool even though I cannot in real life. This winter I look forward to breaking in my new ice skates and skiing more.








Get away from your desk on your breaks.
I promise I will continue to work on this!
I will tell you that when it is nice outside I do take breaks to walk outside and I did a step challenge at work this past summer that got me really moving on my breaks. I also like to walk around a bit throughout the day if possible. Ryan got me a new smart watch for Christmas hopefully this will make me move more.  But it is one of the things I admit I struggle with. Work in progress!



Stack your desk with healthier snacks.
I mean yes... I still do this and it is a great tip. Currently have tricuits-- smoked gouda, almonds-- sweet Thai chili at my desk.

NEW tips:

Live in the moment.
I lost some really important things in my life this year including my beloved grandfather and cat. I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandfather in the end but not my cat. It was jarring when BE my cat passed because I thought we had many years left to spend with her. Time is not a promise. So when you are running errands look outside your window, look at the snow, breath in that deep cold air, listen for the owl hooting as you walk.









Travel more and now if possible.
Back to the live in the moment comments you are not promised tomorrow. Ryan and I went on a trip
to Chicago this week on a whim and it was excellent. I really need to travel more but it does not need to be this big planned out thing. We picked two things we wanted to do and the rest of the time we just explored. Do not wait till you are old and retired to travel you may not be around for that time. I mean sadly we could not make it till tomorrow. Travel and see things!

EAT the damn donut.
I am not saying eat donuts every day but life should be able balance and if you are eating well and exercising regularly a donut here or there is not going to kill you. I often have friends that really struggle with weight loss or being healthy because they just cold turkey leave donuts behind. Whatever your treat in life is it is okay to eat one every blue moon. I prefer potato chips to donuts but you get my drift here.










I hope you focus on your own personal mental health during this busy season and all through 2020. Happy New Year!

Until next time~
XoXo Emily