Frenchie Friday...Christmas is right around the corner!

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Happy Frenchie Friday everyone!

"Stella" received her BarkBox on the doorstep yesterday, but I didn't show her because it's getting wrapped and put under the tree!!  Christmas always sneaks up quicker and quicker every year it seems!  I'm baking and cooking today as we are having our staff over this evening for a white elephant gift exchange!

I'm doing appetizers and cocktails...keeping it mostly Paleo and simple!  I made the pie, fudge and roasted nuts yesterday to make today easier;)

I'm making:

• Meatballs in the crockpot...so easy and always a hit!  (I've always used the grape jelly/chili sauce recipe...can't be beat!)
• Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno Poppers (my husband requested these...he loves them)
• Baked Brie with Pepper Jelly inside, served with salami and almond rice crackers
• Homemade Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream (if this turns out good...I'll do a recipe blog post because it looks goooooooood!)
• Fudge (with extra in tins to send home with everyone)
• Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies with red sugar
• Maple-Spiced Nuts...Pecans and Almonds

For our white elephant gift we got books this year!  I think everyone should read more, so we thought if someone's not a reader now...maybe this will inspire them to read!  Books are always a good gift;)

Enjoy your holiday parties, and remember if you're throwing one....plan ahead, keep it simple so you can enjoy yourself!  :)

Our deepest fear...

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We think that our deepest fear is failure, but what about our fear of success?  We all have something special within us to share.  Often we hold back sharing something with someone because we don't have "training" or "credentials" in a certain subject that we think we must possess in order to help others.  This isn't always necessary to truly make an impact on other's lives.

I believe every person has a special gift...something to give.  Some people tend to hold back because we ask ourselves, "Who am I to ______?"  That's Imposter Syndrome creeping in.  You never know when you can make a huge impact on another person's life.  It might be encouragement.  It might be believing in them when no one else has.  It might be information that they knew nothing about.  It could be something small that changes their mood for the better.  It could be information that seems small to you...but can actually change or save their life!  It could be that one thing they were ready to hear in that moment that could make all the difference.  Our job is to share the gifts we have with others...without fear.

I believe people cross our paths for a reason.  I've studied the Law of Attraction for quite a few years and this has helped me recognize when an opportunity presents itself...and take it, when I may have let it slip by in the past.  The thing is...if someone is not seeking what you have to give, it's hard for them to receive.  They have to be ready to hear what you have to say.  Don't get discouraged if someone doesn't receive what you have to offer, don't take it personally.  It just may mean they aren't ready at that moment to take that information in.  That's okay...just share your gifts...without fear.  It could make all the difference in the world, to someone.

- If you've thought about becoming your own boss, maybe even starting your own blog like me!?  I offer help with that!  I'd love to chat with you.... >> maybe I can help. :-)

It's Frenchie Friday...Stay Dry!

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Happy Frenchie Friday everyone!  Yesterday we got some serious rain here in the north bay of California!  Biggest storm in six years!  The good part is...we need it here in California with the drought that's been happening!  The bad part is, people who have to get around in this weather....hope everyone stays safe out there!  :)

I can't remember schools ever being closed because of weather in this mild-weathered state we call home!  All the schools were closed here in Sonoma and Marin counties, along with many businesses in preparation for the flash flooding and high winds.  It made me laugh when I saw on TV that the east coast is laughing at us for being such wimps!  Maybe true, maybe not...we do get our share of serious flooding from time to time in California.  I'll never forget the flash flood we got when I was about 7 or 8 years old when we were living in Beverly Glen Canyon in Los Angeles, it was about 1979.  Many of our neighbors homes were literally washed away.  The canyon became a rushing river in an instant when the reservoirs at the top of the hill overflowed, boulders the size of VW Bugs were slamming into our house....scary to say the least.  So I feel for those who are dealing with flooding yesterday and today!!

We were sad we were unable to attend a wedding out of town yesterday due to road closures.  I'm sure it was beautiful;)

As you can see, "Stella" is always prepared...and fashionable...in her reversible puffer coat;)  Stay safe out there and enjoy your weekend!

5 Rules for Setting Physical Goals...

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It's the time of year for New Year's Resolutions!  It's the fresh start of the New Year that get people thinking about their GOALS!  For our family, this is actually a very important, interactive, fun event in our house.  In our house it's actually mandatory.  Yes...mandatory.  Our kids are now in college...but they are still expected to get their goals done if they want to continue to get assistance from us!  It's that important.  A goal without a plan is just a wish.

For many women, goals usually include some physical goals.  Maybe it's getting in shape, losing weight, eating right, etc...

When we look for inspiration for physical goals, we usually look at magazines.  What's in those magazines can cause a problem because when we strive for the perfection that we see in magazines...we set ourselves up to fail because it's not real.

That's why I want to give you 5 Rules for Setting Physical Goals:

1. Strive for progress, not perfection.
2. Your only competition is looking at you in the mirror...don't compare yourself to others.
3. The only person you're trying to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.
4. Focus more on HEALTH, less on VANITY(click on this link for my blog post about this!)
5. Don't quit.  If you stumble, get back on track!

It's great to set physical goals but the statistics show, that most people don't follow through and quit by February!  Don't let this be you this year!  Set realistic goals, write them down, and look at them three times a day.  Challenge yourself and get excited!!

This blog post is about setting physical goals...but there are so many other categories to consider.  If setting goals is new to you, read my blog post about the basics of Goal Setting!  Have fun with this!  This could be the one thing that's missing that can make THIS year your year for SUCCESS!!!

Happy Holiday Frenchie Friday!

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Happy Frenchie Friday!  It is officially December so we are in the holiday spirit around here!  The tree is decorated, Christmas music is playing, the DVR is set to record all our favorite Christmas classics, I'm making fudge, and "Stella" is awaiting her stocking...

My grandma always brought her homemade fudge in an old coffee can stuffed amongst waxed paper.  My mom made it after her, and I'm making it today!!  That feels like the holidays to me.

I know it's hard to escape the materialism of the holidays, but try to remember what is truly important this holiday season.  LESS STUFF, MORE HAPPINESS!  Enjoy your love one's, embrace old traditions...or make new ones!  One thing my husband and I love to do on Christmas Eve is take a quick drive around town (usually I'm in my P.J.'s) to look at the Christmas lights.  I LOVE that tradition we've made together.  What are your holiday traditions?

May you get into the true holiday spirit this season!!

Why do we want anything?  Because we think we will feel better in the having of it.  This has taught us that we need __________ in order to be HAPPY.  I'm not saying it's bad to want things...not at all.  I want all kinds of things;)  The difference is, those things are not going to determine my happiness.  To learn more about turning this idea on it's head, follow this link to The Law of Attraction and learn how to be happy NOW.

Make time for what makes you Happy

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What makes you happy?  This morning as my alarm went off to get ready for my 6:30am workout class...I would've really liked to hit the snooze button.  It was dark, I could hear the rain outside, my husband is off today...and Stella, my Frenchie, was snoring away (this is actually a soothing sound in our house).  But the moment I had that thought, I had another thought...I was excited to get up and get to go to my class...because I know how great I feel afterward!

This made me happy because this means that working out has truly become a HAPPY habit for me.  I've become stronger than my excuses!  I feel SO great when I'm done with my class.  It's such a fantastic start to the day, it actually gives me energy.  I can see the positive effects it's having on my body.  It's become about so much more than looking good....it's about feeling great!!  Looking good is just an added bonus!  I find that I don't even weigh myself anymore.  By exercising so regularly, I know I'm on the right track, I feel good, I feel strong, I don't need the scale to validate that for me anymore.  Again, it's health vs. vanity....why are you exercising?

The other day, after Thanksgiving and enjoying some pie and extra goodies...I did get on the scale to see if my indulgence  "in moderation" had served me.  I had actually lost a pound or two.  What?!  That's what happens when you have some muscle on your body to keep your metabolism up!

I KNOW how easy it can be to make excuses.  I KNOW how easy it can be to find something "better" to do.  MAKE THE TIME.  FIND THE TIME to invest in your health.  It's one of the best investments you can make.  I just might make you happier.  It just might make you feel more alive.

Make the time.  Tight on time?  Ok, I'll kill that excuse for you right now!  You're welcome;)  Try my 7 Minute Workout!!

Make exercise a habit.  It can be one of the BEST mood boosters there is!!  Maybe not the first workout...maybe not the fifth...but you'll get there!!  It is worth it.  Make the time...for YOU.  Your body will reward you.