This is the almond milk egg nog I referred to in an earlier post. Realized I'd shared it on my FB page, but not here.

I have two 70's references here, so a shout out to anyone old enough to remember them!
Who loves egg nog? I do, and it's one of the first things I remember making in my 7th grade Home Ec class. There's 70's reference #1 -- also took sewing, and that was painful, but anyway.

Over the past year or so, I've replaced cow's milk with almond milk. We use it for cereal and hot cocoa, and I'd stopped drinking egg nog. Partly because of the dairy, but also because most versions are loaded with sugar, fat, and some highly questionable artificial ingredients.

So, how excited was I when I discovered there's an almond milk version!

My review of it -- very tasty! Make sure you shake it well. It's not as thick as regular nog, and has 8g of sugar to a serving. That's still about 1 teaspoon of sugar, but much less than traditional versions, and it's much lower in fat.

Give it a try! It's an easy way to enjoy a holiday favorite without having to go to a lot of work to make it healthier.

While holding the carton, I felt like the hostess gals on Bob Barker's The Price is Right -- there were two who were on the show with him for years and as a kid I was always amused with how they would motion their hands around the items on display. 70's reference #2 : )

What's a memory from Home Ec. or a holiday treat you've transformed into a healthier version?


 

Healthier Holiday Makeover

What do they say about the best-laid plans?

After discovering the almond milk egg nog, I wanted to find another healthier version of a holiday favorite. Over the course of the week, I meant to check out some different ideas. 

Hasn’t happened yet. But something else occurred to me -- being a better version of myself.

We all know the holidays are hectic, often stressful. We’re out of our normal routines with holiday gatherings, family visiting or traveling ourselves.

And at a time of year when every commercial and song says we should be feeling joyful, the reality is sometimes very different.

I’ve been listening to the late Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and two quotes he shares have been very helpful to me when I remember to apply them in moments when I find myself less than joyful.

From A Course in Miracles, “I can choose peace instead of this.”

And from Richard Carlson, “Choose to be kind over being right and you’ll be right every time.”

If I consistently applied those two statements whenever I felt like doing or saying something quite the opposite, I’d be the healthy holiday makeover.

Wishing me, and you if you need it, the strength of character to be my own healthier version.

 

Today isn't a good example since I'm not exercising till my gums feel better (had some gum grafts last week), but in the larger picture, the way my clothes fit, the muscle tone I now have in my arms, and am starting to see in my legs, and the strength I've gained, is a result of continued effort.

Sadly, that wasn't a concept I'd embraced much in life. I don't know why because I'm from a family of hard workers. Can-do people who pick themselves up and keep going.

My grandfather is a self-made man. He scrapped and scraped for everything, and didn't quit. Somehow I missed the memo, or missed out on those genes.

I'm looking back on a pattern in my life -- not pushing myself, not always doing my very best, not sticking with something when it got hard. It isn't pretty, and I'm not proud. And, I know I can do things differently.

Doing Focus T25, 21-Day Fix, and PiYo have gradually changed my physical appearance. More importantly, they've changed my mental attitude. I'm seeing the negative patterns I've had for far too long, and working on reprogramming with positive energy and direction.

I feel like I have a lot more work to do internally, but I like the progress I've made.
When I look back over the past year, I'm hopeful about where I'll be this time next year based on the changes I've experienced in the last 12 months.

Thank you Beachbody!
 

VICTORY!!!!

Craig asked me to make him a shake for lunch today!

We have Shakeology for our lunch most days, but to have him REQUEST one, be still my heart!

He needed something quick, and he does know, because I repeat it often, that it's packed with superfoods, so even though his preference might often be something much LESS nutritious, he's coming around!

I'm hearing harps playing, angels singing -- it's a happy day!

And, Shhhhh, don't tell him, but I popped in some wilted greens that I can't use for a salad anymore, and you can't even tell!

A quick, nutritious lunch that's also allowing me to utilize icky produce.

Thank you Beachbody and Shakeology!

Why the heck did I get involved with Beachbody? First because of my sisters. When your younger sisters are in better shape than you are, you take notice, but I was slow to get on board.

In the beginning it was about convenience.

When it came to working out, I didn't want to go to the gym (for many reasons -- time, money, effort) so I was hiking and doing yoga occasionally, but I didn't have a set workout plan, which meant I wasn't getting anywhere.

I wanted exercise programs that kicked by booty, but got the job done in under an hour, preferably less than 45 minutes, and ideally in 30.

Beachbody offers all that, and at 51, I finally feel great about my fitness level, how I look, my strength and endurance. If someone said to me, "Grab your bathing suit, we're going to the hot tub." I'd be psyched instead of worrying how I look.

It didn't happen overnight, but it was something I could do easily once I made it a priority.

Beachbody offers so many great programs. I'm only getting started, and I've done 6 -- but because they make it convenient for me to fit it into my day, I feel great about me!

If you've been wanting to start exercising and improving your nutrition but have no idea where to begin, I get it. I felt the same way.

I can help. Message or email me at tarasfitforlife@gmail.com

You're worth it, and you can do it. But sometimes having some help getting started is the key.

As the holidays approach, I've been thinking quite a bit about traditions. And I thought about how habits are a form of tradition. Some habits may be positive, some not so much.

 

I'm reading The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson, and he shared a few actions he learned from Shawn Anchor, author of The Happiness Advantage, who says that when done consistently over time, these 5 simple things will make you significantly happier.

1. Each morning, write down three things you're grateful for. Three NEW things every day. Teaches our brains to look for the positive.

2. Journal for 2 minutes a day about one positive experience you've had over the past twenty-four hours. Be as detailed about the experience as possible -- it causes our brains to relive it, doubling the positive experience.

3. Meditate daily. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Stop what you're doing (this is the hard part for me), and focus on your breath for two minutes. Trains your brain to focus where you want it to, and not get stuck in a negative loop.

4. Do a random act of kindness over the course of each day. It can be as simple as taking 2 minutes in the morning to send someone an email, thanking or praising them for something they did.

5. Exercise for fifteen minutes daily -- I would add, AT LEAST 15 minutes daily : ). Even a brisk walk can be a strong anti-depressant.

Jeff goes on to say that according to Shawn, doing just one of these consistently for 3 weeks will begin to rewire your brain. And, you don't have to do all five at once. The suggestion is to start with one, keep repeating it till it's a habit, a TRADITION!!, then add another and so on . . .

So, who's with me? Anyone else want to begin spreading happiness? Let's create a new tradition!

I started earlier this week, and will keep going. If you want to join me, and some other friends who are committing to spreading happiness, email me at tarasfitforlife@gmail.com, or text me at 970-471-4711.

Heard Tarah Carr, an incredibly successful Beachbody coach, say on a weekly call, that she built her business under difficult circumstances (living in Okinawa, Japan, husband deployed, raising two small children . . .) because she, and other military wives in her group made the decision to prosper where they were planted.

Prosper where we are planted . . . the weeds, trees and flowers don't complain if the soil is too rocky or of poor quality, they grow anyway.

I've spent too much time in my life making excuses or complaining about why I "couldn't" do something. I don't want to be that person anymore.

Are you prospering where you're planted?

I'm part of a 'positive action, grab life by the horns' group. We're making it up as we go, helping one another to set goals, go for them, and encourage others to do the same.

Come join us! Email me -- tarasfitforlife@gmail.com, or click on the "Contact Me" button

Bloom.

xo