My Birthday Manifesto! (and one for you too!)

Cheers to 39! I am that person that actually likes their birthday and am sort of sad when it is over. So instead of sulking around that the party has passed this weekend, I decided to take something I heard on a podcast and make it into a fun yearly activity.

A birthday manifesto.

What is that you say? Think of it has your yearly bucket list but the fun version! A manifesto is a tool for putting your stake in the ground and declaring what you want. So in this case you are declaring what you want to be and what you want to do for this amazing year. Think of it as a rallying point. Sort of like your Jerry Mcquire moment (although you don't have to share it with anyone or your entire company!)

What is your dream?
Where do you want to go?
How do you want to feel?
Who do you want to connect with?
How do you want to feel?

So today, I am writing mine. There is no right or wrong way. Just think about how you want to celebrate your life and what you want to do. Say it like you mean it. Use strong action words and then share it or save it somewhere to remind yourself what you are working towards.

Sound fun?  I have created a starting point for you! You can download it HERE! Try it! And let me know what you think!

And yes, eating cake and celebrating is probably my favorite. Cheers to embracing your birthday and celebrating the future!

Treat Yo' Self!

Happy Sunday! As we start to head into Valentines' week I thought I would share some of my FAVORITE treats (aka chocolate) and some self-care ideas I have been brainstorming! Because part of self-care Sunday is treating yourself right!?!?!

CHOCOLATE
- Life changing 3 ingredient healthy PB cups. Drop the Reese and make these!!!

- Dark chocolate PB Fruit dip. Yes, all my favorite things in one! And it is packed with antioxidants!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup + 4 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk 
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. all-natural smooth peanut butter

• 1 scoop Chocolate Vegan Shakeology (or other protein powder)
• Fresh fruit

Instructions

1. Combine ¼ cup almond milk, peanut butter, and Shakeology in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Add remaining almond milk, 1 Tbsp. at a time; mix until well blended and smooth.
3. Serve with your favorite fruit

SELF-CARE

1) Schedule a reward for yourself (like a pink manicure) for sticking to your goals for the week!

2) Take a social media break! (My goal lately is to disconnect during the day on Saturday and spent it being super present!)

3) Plan an at-home Valentine's Day party! We are doing a dress-up tea party and a special movie night! But a kid-free version would be to make this awesome fondue and watch the Olympics! It doesn't have to be complicated. (I would probably throw in an episode of Fixer Upper!)

4) Make working towards your goals something you look forward to. I am pretty excited that my first goal was met this year and I am celebrating with these new leggings! And this helps me get up in the morning. I am pretty excited to wear these out and about this spring also!

(Source)

5) Tell someone thank-you. ❤️ And remember to be thankful for all the progress you have made! (There are so many journals on Amazon that make gratitude easy...for those of us that don't like journalling! Oh that's me!)

6) Go alarm free at least one day. While this sounds like a silly self-care step, allowing yourself to sleep in a little and enjoy the morning is truly something you should take advantage of! Especially if you are working hard all week! (Hello 5am virtual gym gals!)

I hope you have a happy and healthy Valentines Day! Treat Yo' Self!

Liven up your Lunches!

Getting sick and tired of those carrot sticks or microwavable meals? No time to pull together lunches that actually sound good and don't want to go out to eat every day? I have just the plan for you that you can pull off this weekend!

I have been super focused on cleaning up my diet, mainly to get my energy back, which has led me to find some inspiring lunch ideas! Ideas that I can implement on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week even between crazy meeting schedules.

Ready for some deliciousness? These would be great to whip up for the BIG GAME this weekend too!!

TIPS TO GET STARTED!

1) Find recipes you love throughout the week and create a Pinterest Board or notepad with links to them. (I used Google Keep)

2) On Thursday or Friday create your plan and grocery list. (You can download my plan here!)

3) If you are looking to save extra time repeat the same lunch on M/W/F and then on T/TH so you only have to make two recipes!

RECIPES: 

In a Pinch:

• Pick a Protein (Hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, lunch meat)
• Add some veggies and hummus
• Toss in some fruit!
• Make a wrap! (Roll your meat / cheese in a tortilla, add some spinach and you are ready to go!)

MONDAY: Daydream Lettuce Wrap (4 Servings)

TUESDAY:  Paleo Friendly Taco Salad

WEDNESDAY: Loaded Vegetarian Baked Sweet Potato

THURSDAY: Red Quinoa Salad

FRIDAY: Easy Peasy Chicken Salad

And just for fun. Here is your grocery list! I told you this would save you time!

Try it! And let me know what you think!

Get your priorities in check! My quick colorful tip!

Did you catch my video on FB this morning? I dressed like a rainbow today for my workout (that is what happens at 5am) and it got me thinking about how I used to color-code my homework in 6th grade. Anyone else do that? History was red markers. Spelling blue. Yep. I’m that girl. 

So here’s a quick tip as it relates to schedules and balance and all that color coding. 

If you categorize your calendar. You can easily see what needs attention. Family is blue. Work activities green. Personal self-care is pink. When you look quickly you can easily see where you need to focus your time and what is getting too much attention. The goal. Make a rainbow so you are in balance. 

One of the books I love is the One Thing. I have it on my desk at work to remind me that multi-tasking doesn't always work. I get more done when I am focused on the top priority task. When my calendar is green, I work. When it is blue, I play! (Well or whatever princess party the girls are into!) Here is an example. 

https://www.the1thing.com/time-management/the-pomodoro-method-of-time-blocking/

Have you tried this? I would love to know if it works for you!

What's your inspiration? My reading list for 2018!

Happy 2018!

Ah, I cannot believe we are already into the first week of January already! As I am sure you are, I am trying REALLY hard to stay motivated and start the year out strong.

One of the BIGGEST changes I have made and something I would tell you if we were having lunch or coffee is reading.

Now you are probably saying, Holly, I don't have time to read. And yes, I know. I don't either. BUT, I have created a habit where I read 10 minutes a day when I first wake up. As in the very first thing I do.  Guess that equals. Over 18 books a year. Yep. Kind of the best habit you can start. And if you are one of my clients, I will tell you this over and over. This has changed my life.

So, with that said, here is what is on my reading list for this year!!! (I only picked 10, but WOW, there are so many great new books coming out!) Grab a cup of coffee and let's get to it!

1) The Self-Love Experiment (which is my January book) - 15 principles for becoming more kind, compassionate, and accepting of yourself.

2) Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life  -  Yes, I know the title is a little out there, but sometimes you just have to go for it!

3) You are a Badass - I have read this twice already and make it a goal to read it once a year. So good.

4) The Great Alone - I LOVE Kristen Hannah. And while most of my books are motivational, I can't pass this new one up!

5) I am that Girl - How to speak your truth, discover your passion and #bethatgirl - This one just looks inspirational and downright interesting. Plus I have read other books by this author and her simplicity and motivational is great!

6) The Gifts of Imperfection - I have read 2 of Brene Brown's books, watched her Ted talks and am really just in love with her message. I can't wait to get my hands on this!

7) Still Me - Another fun book. It is based on a girl moving to NYC which when I was 20 was my ultimate dream!

8) Judgement Detox - I love Gabby and her whole hippy, universe vibe. I can't wait to read her latest!

9) A Simplified Life, Tactical Tools for Intentional Living - I just recently discovered this author, her amazing blog AND cannot wait to get extra organized with her planning techniques.

10) The Miracle Morning - This will forever be on my list. It has transformed my routine and my life. Read it.