january: grow consistent.

over the last couple days, i've actively pondered how to best use my one little word.  per ali's prompt in her one little word class, i sat down and wrote out every way that i'd like to grow.  and trust me, the list was ridiculously long.  but instead of getting frustrated or overwhelmed, i decided on this: much like last year, i'm going to commit to a few things a month.  but unlike last year, these will be centered not only around grow, but also a few key components from zig ziglar's wheel of life.

i first heard about this wheel of life as a. and i were driving across the country.  as we drive, we love listening to books on tape & podcasts.  for us, it's a great way to learn and grow when we're on the go.  and if you've been following this blog, you know how much we love our trips.  as i was listening to john maxwell's the 15 invaluable laws of growth, he mentioned the wheel of life.  intrigued by the message and always on the pursuit of balance, i decided to incorporate it into my 2013 resolutions.

instead of focusing on seven different components all at once, i'm breaking the wheel down to five a month, so i can actively spend more time on each category.  some months i'll be heavily focused on the family or social piece of my life whereas others i might be more physically and spiritually focused.  as with everything, it's all about balance.

for january, my main focus is to grow consistently.  lately it seems everything i start, i have a hard time finishing.  i feel as though i'm losing focus on the important things and my life is getting rather chaotic.  i'm sure this has a lot to do with the fact that we're still living out of suitcases and are still in transition.  so to get back on track & centered, i'm going to do everything in my power to stay consistent.

as i focus on consistency, my secondary goals are these:

1. simplify our life
2. stretch daily
3. read one book
4. organize all blog components
5. volunteer

these are all relatively easy tasks, but things i feel as though i need to start doing consistently.  incorporating these components into my life will undoubtedly tie in other habits i'm hoping to grow.  for example, reading a book means watching less tv and organizing this blog will lead to consistent posts that hopefully take half the time to create.

for me, january is all about baby steps & hoping these little changes bring about huge opportunities to grow.

ps. interested to know more about one little word?  start here.  want to know how to get involved with this community?  join us here.  follow my voyage here.

a new year in big bear.

to ring in the new year, a., myself & my family took a mini-getaway to big bear mountain.  my parents got their hands on a cute little condo right at the base of snow summit so we packed up, made the two and a half hour drive, and spent three, very comfortable and very snowy days in the mountains.

it was perfect.  we filled our days with snow play and took advantage of a sled a.'s folks have held onto since his childhood.  we were rather bummed all our winter and snow sport gear is in storage in boston- but still took advantage of the snow...even if only in running shoes.

not only was it wonderful to spend time in the mountains and the snow (man, do we miss the snow), but it was the perfect excuse to spend time with the family.  we played a ton of board games, attempted to build snowmen, played pool, ping pong & of course, watched the ball drop at midnight.  it was so great to catch up & ring in the new year together and as we sat around the table on new year's day enjoying breakfast, i loved sharing our favorite memories from 2012 and goals for 2013.  i'm hoping we can make these little new year's getaways habits, but if not- this new year was definitely one for the books!

grow, my one little word.

here we go.  a new year, a new word.  as mentioned in yesterday's post, this year i'm ditching the idea of mega resolutions.  to me, they seem rather lofty & unfortunately, i'm the type that when i fall off the wagon, it could take me days or even weeks to get back on track.  and this year, in hopes of being consistent, i'm going to try and avoid that.  so instead, i'm starting the year off with a mantra; one little word to help me focus, stay on track and guide my life goals.

last year, i chose one little word as well.  while i did my best to use the word to enhance my life, i often found, without consistent reminders and constant recognition of how this word was affecting me, it got lost in the shuffle.  and sometime between late summer and up until a week ago, i rarely referenced it.  so this year, again, to make sure i stay on track and allow my word to help me grow, i joined ali edwards one little word workshop.  basically, i'll be receiving monthly reminders and prompts as to how my word is bringing change to everything i do throughout 2013.  also, i'll be keeping up a monthly journal with images, notes, quotes & anything else i feel represents my challenge to grow.

although i rarely referenced my one little word (commitment) the second half of last year, it played a significant role in my goal setting during the first half.  for me, these words are so important and bring so much good to my life.  this year for example, grow found me.  i had originally settled on another word & was working on ways to incorporate it into my life.  working should have been the first clue the word wasn't right for me.  then, while reading the happiness project, i read (& re-read) this quote: "...then I thought of a line from William Butler Yeats.  'Happiness,' wrote Yeats, 'is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth.  We are happy when we are growing.'  Contemporary researchers make the same argument: that it isn't goal attainment but the process of striving after goals- that is, growth- that brings happiness."

and it stuck.  grow.  my one little word.  i knew then and there for me 2013 would be focused on growth.  and to be honest, it couldn't be more appropriate.  in a few weeks we'll grow into a new home and i, a new job.  as we become settled in our home i'll grow into a new city, new friendships & grow the relationships i'm already so fortunate to have.  i'll grow into a new life, new skill sets, new hobbies, better health, a revamped blog and a whole new set of goals.  if i embrace it (like really embrace it), so much growth can happen over the next 365 days.  so while grow is currently in it's infant stage & i'm certain it will evolve over the year, i'm setting off with zero limitations & no boundaries.  if there's one thing i've learned in my few years of gardening it's this: plants always grow to the size of the container they're planted in.  and so- with limitless boundaries, there's no doubt 2013 will be great.

bake 20: coffee cake

recipe: ridiculously easy coffee cake

adjustments: this was a total crap shoot.  we didn't have eggs, sugar, sour cream or canned fruit.  so i guess, i used the recipe for the bisquick to milk ratio.  here's what i did instead: i added two cups of bisquick, one individual peach greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of milk with another 1/4 cup of orange juice.  then, just because it was the last recipe, i added about two tbs of cream cheese.  i mixed everything together, put it in a baking dish and baked it in a toaster oven for about 40 minutes.  

reviews: nothing like cutting this challenge down to the wire!  so here's the thing, technically, i guess you could consider this recipe cheating.  first of all, it goes completely against my eating philosophy since the main ingredient is bisquick.  secondly, well...it's made with bisquick.  but know what?  this was my challenge, so i say it counts :).  originally i had much loftier plans for my last bake 20 experiment, but a. & i decided to head up to the mountains for an impromptu new year's weekend with the family and surprisingly, i totally forgot everything i needed for a legit recipe.  thanks to some major motivation from my sisters, i experimented with what we had on hand and lo and behold, this recipe was devised.  on a good note, everyone loved it- so before i had a chance to take a decent photo, it was gobbled up...

this was #20 of the bake 20 challenge...i made it!
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over the next five months i'm going to try my hand at 20 different baked goods.  there's no specific order and no plan.  just making things that look good and hopefully in the process, finding a new appreciation of baking.  feel free to join me in the Bake 20 Challenge.

hello, 2013.

it's so good to see you.  i have so many plans for this year, so many new challenges & one little word to  guide me through the next 365 days.  after giving it some thought, i've ditched the idea of making long-term resolutions.  i really enjoyed making small, monthly goals like i did (for the most part) last year & plan to use my one little word, grow- to guide me through my personal goal-making process.

i'm super excited about 2013.  i have a feeling, much like 2012- there's so much good stuff in our future.  i'm excited to grow personally, professionally, spiritually, & physically.  i'm sure my word will evolve & the meaning will change.  i'm excited for that as well.  so with much joy, let's give 2013 a huge high five and 2012 a big 'ol hug goodbye!

i signed up for ali edwards one little word 2013 big picture class.  currently, i'm planning to document my one little word monthly & will share it here.  it'd be so much fun if you joined us.  i'd love to know you're little word & see how it changes you over the course of the year as well!