Motivation Monday: Fall Check-List

I love this time of year - preparations for Halloween, excitement for the upcoming holidays, crisp evenings, pumpkin spice lattes and football. And with each season I like to challenge myself with a check-list. Here are my fall to-dos!

1. Host a football gathering. Now that we have the NFL package, we no longer have to be in line at the local Bear's bar by 8am in order to score a prime spot...or even a seat. We are now able to casually roll out of bed, sip our coffee and enjoy a home-made breakfast. But we do miss our fellow Bear's fans...
2. Cook a new meal each week. I would like to integrate new, healthy meals into our menu each week, trying more crock-pot recipes for fall-like evenings.
3. Try a new exercise. I have been committed to Barre three-four times a week for almost two-years. While I enjoy this workout - and see results - I want to explore a bit. Maybe try something adventurous! Stay tuned.
4. Join a book club. Done! Excited to have been invited into a book club established by a couple of teachers I work with at Words Alive.
5. Speak with integrity. My goal is to stop thinking, speaking or doing negative things towards others and myself. The one thing I have control over are my thoughts; so, I plan to focus on the positive - and speak only of such.

Happy fall!

Motivation Monday: Cleanse

I'm not a fan of the juice cleanse, Paleo diet, nor 'sober' September - ridding myself simple pleasures such as carbs, fat, sugar or wine isn't appealing to me. Nor is it effective. Two days in and the aforementioned is ALL I crave with risk of becoming 'hangry' while overindulging and thus wallowing in guilt.

So instead of avoiding bad yet delicious things all together, each week I'm challenging myself - Monday through Friday - by removing a guilty food/drink from the menu.

This week? It's wine. I know, I know. Sounds easy for most but with my stressful work weeks and loss of many friends and family in 2014, I have enjoyed a glass of red during dinner. Or two. Almost daily! So in effort to be a healthier version of myself, I'm going to cease the glass of wine this week. Next week? Bread.

I encourage you to do the same! But don't over-do it - just pick one vice to remove from your diet each week. Maybe it's carbs for breakfast. Or, soda. Maybe coffee. But focusing on one item will not only make your goal more tangible but more attainable. And an awesome side effect? Your pants will fit better.

Motivation Monday: Busy, busy bee!

Seems like everyone I know is swamped with obligations, an overwhelming work load, family responsibilities and/or social activities. A group that once gathered for impromptu game nights or happy hours is now forced to plan weeks in advance to ensure time together. I guess that means we are growing up...

With that said, I'm personally seeking more simplicity in my life and thus more time for those I care about - whether it be a phone date, girl's night out or a hike, my goal is to be more accessible to my family, friends and...well, me!

The "list" is what monopolizes my thoughts daily - errands, household chores, exercise, work checklist, etc. It's almost maddening. In fact, while in a Barre Body class last week, I spent the entire hour reviewing the number of things I needed to accomplish by the end of the day as I perfunctorily went through my workout. Instead of taking advantage of an hour for myself, I was distracted by the "list" sacrificing the moment...and this is my chronic issue.

So, in effort to be more present, mindful and positive, my hope is to employ easy, tangible ways to stop, breathe and just enjoy life. The laundry, litter box and incessant yard work will get done in due time.

Here are some of goals I plan to implement:

• Only designate a couple days a week to yard work, laundry and the house
• Schedule more friend activities - a evening walk, dinner, game night, etc.
• Allow myself down time to rest on the couch, read or just be still

Here's to a more calm, soothing life!

Tasty Thursday: Twisted Elvis

On a recent date night, the hubby and I went to our local watering hole: The Patio. Just a short couple blocks away, we visit this venue often - even scoring the elusive Peeps Program card. Thus, we were able to get a free dessert: The Twisted Elvis.

Think banana bread.
Topped with fried banana.
Smothered with peanut butter.
Garnished with vanilla ice cream.

Heaven.

Photo credit: Pic-du-jour

Thrifty Thursday: Camp Chic

Growing up camping was a way of life, entertainment and fun for my family and me - we camped throughout the summers, enjoying traditional campfire food, nature and water. Our favorite spot is Mono Village, Twin Lakes - just outside of Bridgeport, CA. And last Labor Day Weekend I was able to spend a very special trip with my late brother, Greg and his family - great memories!

Since moving to San Diego, however, I haven't been inspired to camp as often - blame it on my newly found high maintenance self. Or, the fact that the type of camping I enjoy - a site surrounded by pine trees, bears and lakes - is a five plus hour drive away. And desert camping doesn't appeal to me.

Enter this weekend! My friend Toni is celebrating 30 in style - camping on the beach! Just a little over an hour away from home, we will be embracing all things camping with a side of sand, ocean and breeze! I'm so excited - making packing lists, establishing our menu and of course, picking out my outfits. Well, not really the latter but I thought it would be fun to incorporate camp attire in this week's Thrifty Thursday. Check out some outfit options below!

And check out our campsite! We will be at the San Onofre Bluffs group sites, near the Basilone exit, Camp Pendleton. 

Happy camping and BIRTHDAY to Toni!