Dream Big!

Besides becoming a mama, these are 3 of my biggest dreams. I'm putting these out there to the Universe. Who knows who could be reading this that could help to make my dreams come true!

Dream #1. Be a guest on the Oprah Show. My dream is to be an expert guest, talking about my best selling book. (Plus, after months and months of trying to attend the show, I've decided it is easier for me to write a best selling book and then get on the show as a guest than it is to get audience tickets.) Ok, anyone out there reading this that knows the big O? Anyone out there who loves my blog and knows a book agent or publisher? Hook a girl up. Pleeeeease?

Dream #2. Be on a show like Dancing with the Stars. Getting paid to be on t.v., dance for hours each week, and wear those glamorous sparkly costumes? Are you kidding? I'm not sure what could possibly be better. Seriously. That is as close to heaven on earth as I could possibly get.

Dream #3. Be a professional cheerleader. It's sad for me to write this one, because most likely it's just not going to happen. (You may be thinking: AND LIKE THE OTHER TWO ARE??? Well, you just never do know. Don't rain on my parade.) Now, I'm almost 35. I think the oldest cheerleader in professional cheerleading history was 36 (yes, I've looked it up before). Plus, I just got my long locks cut super short and I'm an A cup.

I've always been in love with dancing and cheerleading, but my career in those fields got sidetracked by a track scholarship. Just watching the dance team in college turned my brown eyes green with envy. I did try out for the Patriots Cheerleading Squad, once when I was 26 and once when I was 32. I got to the final round of the preliminary day that second time (which isn't too shabby because I was at least 10 years older than most of the girls and I wasn't on the dance team in college.) When I came home from the tryouts, I cried to my husband, "I'll never get to dance around with pom poms again!" Well, maybe not.

What are your big dreams? I would love to hear about them!

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

It's important to nourish yourself in fun ways. Small and seemingly silly ways that you may think do not matter. But they do.

Here's a little suggestion: step out onto the wild side and give your toenails some zip. Stripes, flowers, glitter, rhinestones, whatever tickles your fancy. See if that doesn't give you some extra pep in your step. Go ahead, I dare you.

It's kinda like wearing super sexy underwear or getting a Brazilian bikini wax. It's like you have a little secret that makes you a tigress. Reeaarr! (Insert cat claw here).

Good Morning World. How Can I Be of Service?

It seems to me, we all need reminders that we are more than enough, we have more than enough, and we all have something unique and worthwhile to contribute to this world.

I love this sign from Ashley Brooke Inzer on 31 Experiment, because it sums all that up in a cute and quick mantra. Imagine the positive energy you would create if this quote was the very first thing you saw every morning?

And here's the super-douper exciting news: If you click here, you can go right to Ashley's blog entry and download this sign in black/red or blue/yellow for free! Put it near your bed or on your bathroom mirror (right next to your mirror sign, of course) to transform your thoughts and your world.

Don't Feed Your Inner Critic

I had the wonderful opportunity to be quoted in a WebMD article today. As soon as the writer emailed me the link, I skimmed over everyone else's words until I got to mine. Goodness gracious, is that what I really said? All these years of schooling! I thought I had a better command of the English language.

I quickly emailed Miranda, the writer. Here's our email exchange:

Me: Thanks Miranda. (Did I really say that many reallys in my last quote?) Yikes!! : )

Miranda: My tape recorder says so. : )

Me: Goodness gracious! That's something I can work on for the next interview!

Miranda: I think you may be too hard on yourself- it didn't jump out at me. You were fine!

Me: Ok good. I choose to listen to your words instead of my inner critic. After all, you're the professional writer!

Miranda: Yes, and inner critics are notoriously 1) ruthless and 2) wrong.

Me: You're the best! You've officially shut up the inner critic. Well, for today.

Here's a link to the article:

Exercise and Weight Loss: 5 Truths Experts Weight In On How Much Exercise Affects Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance.

Let's Get Crafty: Repurposed Plastic Bottle Vases

I cannot take the credit for this creation. My new friend, Emily, was kind enough to invite me to her Crafty Chicks Night last week. Repurposing plastic bottles into colorful vases was the project. (I cannot express in words how excited I am to be involved in a monthly gathering of women and crafts. I'm actually giddy.) And the added bonus? This project uses mostly recycled materials. Go Earth!

The directions for the original project were from a fancy magazine, but they turned out to be more than a bit messy and involved mixing glue and water. Why bother? I say, when my trusty Modge Podge will do the job and keep things neat?

So, here are the no-fail directions that even the craft-challenged can master.

Supplies:

1. Plastic bottle

2. Modge Podge (found at any craft store) or similar glue.

3. Glue brush

4. Newspaper cut into strips or torn into pieces

5. Acrylic paint

6. Paint brush (or rinse your glue brush and reuse. That's what I did.)

1. Find a plastic bottle that has a cool shape. Clean it well.

2. Using a glue brush, paint some Modge Podge glue onto your plastic bottle. Cover the glue spot with newspaper. Repeat until the entire bottle is covered with newspaper.

3. Add a second layer of newspaper and Modge Podge. Don't worry about wrinkles in the paper. They actually add texture and interest to your vase.

4. Paint with acrylic paint. (I found that paint in a tube worked much better than paint in a jar.)

5. Seal with 2 more coats of Modge Podge and you're done

Here's me working on the first layer of newspaper. Tell me I don't look beyond excited!

Journal Entry Dated 8/6/09

Journal Entry 8/6/09 3:47pm (Unabridged version.)

On a lounger by the pool. I really have a wonderful life. I can't complain. I commit to not complaining anymore and celebrating all that I am and all that I have. It's enough. (Except for the kid thing. It's enough for now, but I would really like to be blessed with an angel and I think that's in the cards.) I have a wonderful and loving husband, I love my profession and finally found a way to combine my artistic self with my nutrition self. I'm healthy, just found a great hairdresser, and business is picking up. And, I still have time to sit by the pool and catch rays, take naps, be crafty, and make healthy dinners for Brian. Life is good. All is well. I relax and let go. I trust the Universe will provide (a baby) on it's own timeline, not mine. [deep breaths here] Okay, I need to read this to myself a few times a day or at least when I get caught up in the clutter of life and forget this feeling right now. That all is well in my world. I choose happy. I choose grateful.

A Nourishing Newspaper Quote

Friday turned out to be a big day. I said "yes" to a lunch and movie invitation even though I was tired and cranky. As it turns out, I'm immensely glad I went.

Who would have guessed the social reporter from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution would be there? Who would have guessed she would quote me? And, who would guess my photo would be on the front page of the newspaper the following day? Crazy, huh?

Here's the article:

Or click here to read the online version (no picture though)

And here's my nourishing quote (which was bolded! I can't hide my excitement!)

You just have to see the movie, Julie and Julia, my friends. It humorously weaves together the stories of Julia Child and foodie blogger Julie Powell. People in the theater clapped at the end. It was that good.

Some of the inspirational themes from the movie include:

• Be persistent and don't give up on your dreams and goals- especially in the face of challenges and rejection.
• Don't take the first "no" as your answer. (This was a favorite quote of my father too.)
• Being yourself is a key to success.
• Food is meant to be savored and enjoyed. (And I might add: not micromanaged or feared.)
• Food is a way to show love for those you cook for. Including yourself.
• Take the time to prepare meals and take time to eat them.
• Be connected with your food.

My view at the lunch table:

And here's me at lunch on Friday with my friend, Laura Scholz.

Let's Get Crafty: Scale & Mirror Signs

Last week I hosted a craft day with two friends and fellow bloggers, Laura and Angela. We made mirror and scale signs.

What are those, you ask? Well, they're signs you post on your mirror or scale to remind you that you're fabulous. If you are like most women I know, you could benefit from a positive affirmation or two. Especially when you're looking in the mirror sans makeup or when you're hopping on the scale.

Even at 34, my main body image issue is blemished skin. So, the sign I made for my mirror reminds me to put those pimples in perspective.

I made the scale sign below for one of my nutrition & wellness coaching clients. Even though I recommend she weigh herself no more than once a week, she does it more frequently. And, like most of my clients, the number on the scale dictates how she then feels about herself. (Don't worry, we're working on changing that. )

To make your own sign:

1. Cut cover or card stock to desired size. (The signs I made are 3" x 3")

2. Type and print your affirmation. Have fun with fonts. Here are a few of my favorites:

-You look fabulous when you feel fabulous.

-Don't let a number dictate how you feel.

-Girl, you are beautiful when you smile.

-Your weight has nothing to do with your worth.

-One year from now, you won't remember this pimple.

3. Decorate your sign and add your positive affirmation.

4. If you want to laminate your sign, use heat and seal laminating pages. (Find them in office supply stores). These work well with irons (you don't need a laminating machine) but be sure to use the included paper pouch to protect your iron.

5. Trim excess laminate from your sign.

6. If you want to add glitter, rhinestones, or other accents, glue these on after you laminate your sign. Laminating doesn't work so well when the project gets too thick.

To hang your sign: you can tape it to your scale or mirror, punch one center top hole and use a suction hook on your mirror, or punch two top holes and use ribbon.

Have fun making these and let me know what you come up with!