Getting Nutrition Back On Track!

Ever since our move to Florida, we've been a bit off with our eating. We're living in a temporary space without our stuff, househunting, trying to get acclimated and having some fun, too!

But, YOU KNOW the feeling when things are getting away from you just a bit too much. There's a lot on your plate, meal planning gets to be overwhelming or stale and things start to go south. I'm thankful that I get a lot of help from my husband when it comes to meals! A friend of his mentioned Wildtree meals to him and I had a flashback!

I was using Wildtree products a few years ago and they completely dropped off my radar. I'm not sure how because I loved them! I dig that they're organic and a super added bonus for me is that they are peanut-free. I'm deathly allergic and I never have to worry about having a scary anaphylaxis incident with these foods. This is a huge relief for me!

After reacquainting myself with their website, I decided to get the starter kit. Go big or go home!! There's just so much I wanted to try...so I did it. Woot!

And, I found my ol' favorite friend - Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil. It's so dang good! I'm excited because I've been so bored with the usual foods. Plus, what is this all about??

 

 

I don't know, but I can't wait to find out! Yum! I'm most excited to try their "bundles". Basically, Wildtree sends you recipes and ingredients to make 20 meals. All I have to do is buy the protein. This is truly what I need!

 

I'm not much for cooking and I really don't want to spend a lot of time on meal planning, shopping prep, etc. It's all done for me. Quick, simple, easy...it's what I need right now! I'm so excited to have one stressor handled.

 

Now I just need to find a place to live!

 

Promoting my health - through the biggest changes yet!

For starters, I want to thank Kristy, who has a fabulous new blog, for prompting me to write this post tonight!

Remember how we celebrated the first day of spring earlier this week? Well, we did that happy dance, and then this happened:

 

For those of you that have known me for some time - or even if you haven't - I will complain about winter to anyone and everyone that will listen. I've done it for years and I'm sure everyone is tired of it by now. Ha!

I've talked on and on about moving out of Minnesota for YEARS in hopes of ending my annual 6-8 months of dread, depression and reliance on my light therapy lamp. I spend SO much time with my lamp that I feel like I owe it a nice steak dinner with a fancy glass of cabernet and probably a piece of cheesecake, too.

My diligence for having a healthy diet and working out regularly is in large part due to helping ease SAD. However, I have always dreamed of the day that I could just walk outside on the regular without having to worry about which coat I should wear or having to put on these bulky winter boots. And, have a life without having to worry about winter anymore!

I've gotten to the point in my life when I'm truly starting to realize that tomorrow isn't promised and that life can change in a moment. It's out of our control. But, what is in our control is what we do with today. Do I want to look back on my life and say, "Hey, I lived in a place I really didn't want to be for XX years and worked at the same place for XX years. It was a nice, safe life. And I was afraid to leave it all for the unknown."

As of today, I've lived in Minnesota nearly 42 years minus a 5-year stint in Wisconsin (Ooohh! Daring!). I've worked for the same company for nearly 20 of those years, which pretty much everyone views as commendable. And, so do I. My life does not suck! I have a great life married to my best friend, I have a dependable job that pays the bills and then some, and live in a fabulous neighborhood in Minneapolis. However, the SAD plague takes over for extended periods of time. I enjoy doing so many outdoor activities, being near/on the water and taking advantage of eating fresh foods - all of which I can only do in Minnesota for a fourth of the year - if I'm lucky. And, it's FINALLY time to put my health first!

So, after many years of wallowing, we are finally (and appropriately) moving to the SUNSHINE STATE. There's a lot up in the air right now, especially given that I gave notice at my job!!! We'll be leaving the state where we were born and raised, and I'll be leaving the place I've worked for so many years without knowing where I'll land. But, I know it's the right thing to do. I'm already so excited to take advantage of having a new environment, learning new outdoor activities and, most of all, improving my overall health and well-being. Stay tuned for the adventures as they unravel! And, please enjoy below a photo of the beach that will be just a few short miles from me!



2014 Goal-Setting and Vision Board

This week I committed to working on two small goals:  1) set my goals for 2014 and 2) carry water with me where ever I go.

I was successful with the water, in part because I usually do this anyway.  I just needed a post-holiday boost to get me back in the swing of the habit.  I added things like cucumber and lemon to my water to make it more flavorful.

For my goals, I did a couple of things.  I updated my vision board and made a list of things I want to do more of in the coming year.  If you aren't sure what a vision board (or dream board) is, they are easy to create.  I try to look at mine often, particularly in low moments, so I can keep my goals top-of -mind.  Go here to create your own.

Here's my 2014 vision board:



It's similar to last year's, but I updated a few things.  I'll be attending a course at the Mayo Clinic about Wellness Coaching this year, so I incorporated that.  Also, one of the things I accomplished from last year's board is moving to a larger city/urban area.  At the time, I envisioned Phoenix or Chicago.  But, I ended up staying in Minnesota - just moving from the suburbs to the city.  So, I incorporated photos taken near my home such as trails and the Mississippi River that I plan to take advantage of this summer.  And, that is a picture of my actual pool/hot tub at my new home, so I need to be bathing suit ready to take advantage of that as well! 

I'm still focused on eating healthy, so I incorporated a picture of the farmer's market near my home and demonstrated my focus on WATER!  And, I'd like to continue working on lifting heavy, practicing piano and creative writing in my free time.  Lastly, I always like to travel, especially finding a warm sanction during the long winter.  This year I'll be traveling to Fort Myers, FL and I've never been.  Here's my 2013 board for comparison:



Happy 2014!