Thankfulness Project Monday

Hello all! I know, I know, it's been awhile. I honestly wasn't planning to take this long break, but things have definitely picked up in my life, and I haven't found the time I'd like for blogging. This summer will likely be fairly scattered, but I'll try to put some posts up as I can.

One thing I'd like to know from you- what would you like to read about, topic wise?

And because today is Monday, I thought I'd post a few things that I'm thankful for right now!

• It's finally summer! I love the summer, the warm weather, fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting to head out to the pool in the afternoons. I look forward to this time of year all winter!
• Pets. I love having pets around me. They're loving, funny, and pick my mood up almost immediately! Plus there are health benefits of having pets as well :)
• The ability to do laundry in the house. I'm thankful that I can just run downstairs and throw my laundry in the machine, and that I don't have to hand wash it somewhere. Sometimes I complain in my head about doing laundry, and then I realize that it is almost no work compared to what some people have to do to wash their clothes. 
• Organization. Ok, this is a little bit of a weird one, but I'm thankful for the ability to organize my stuff in my life. I love to be organized, and I'm thankful I have ways to do that. It helps keep me sane... 
• Flowers. Another thing I love about the spring and summer is all the beautiful flowers that are out. It makes walks so much more beautiful, and I love sitting in the yard and getting to see them as well. Beautiful! 

Now it's your turn!

What are you feeling thankful for today? What topics would you like to read more about on the blog? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul."

-Rabbi Harold Kushner

Awesome quote, isn't it? We so often focus on the negative in every situation that we can easily miss the good in the situations. I try to be intentional about trying to acknowledge the good, but sometimes it can be tough! That being said, here are a few of the good things I've noticed in different situations recently. I'm feeling thankful for:

• Good Quotes: I just finished quote week here on the blog, and I think I fell in love with quotes just a little bit more. They're Just. So. Good. 
• Thought provoking books: I love a good book, and enjoy reading "for fun" books. However, books that make me think, provide information, or give me new ideas for my job are always winners in my book. I'm thankful for books!
• Clementines: I've been enjoying clementines for the last few months, but I don't think I've ever put it on a thankful list. This is unfortunate because I really love them and get excited when winter hits and they are back in season. Yummmmmm.
• Fresh Air: I live in an area where I don't breathe in constant pollution and smog, and it's never really something I stop to think about when I walk outside. However, I'm very thankful that I can walk outside and breathe in relatively clean air. 
• My Little Lifesaver: Allergens have been much worse this winter then in previous winters (probably because we haven't gotten much in the way of a good freeze), and I've been battling with a lot of sinus migraines because of this. My little lifesaver has helped decrease the strength of my headaches, and has allowed me to keep functioning throughout the day. I love this thing! 

And those are a few of the things that I'm feeling thankful for right now. 

Now it's your turn!

What are you feeling thankful for today? How do you handle allergies (if you have them!)? What's one of your favorite books? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

"But the value of gratitude does not consist solely in getting you more blessings in the future. Without gratitude you cannot long keep from dissatisfied thought regarding things as they are."

-Wallace Wattles

Happy Monday! I love including various quotes on gratitude and thankfulness at the beginning of these posts. I think they stop and make you think for a moment on your perceptions and attitudes. Alright. Onto some of the things that I'm feeling thankful for today. 

• The personal stories my readers choose to share. Especially with this latest series on breakups, many of you have left comments sharing parts of some of your stories. THANK YOU for that. I appreciate your input and willingness to engage with me and others here. 
• Daylight lasting later. I know that we lost an hour of sleep, but the fact that it is now light past 8 o'clock is well worth it in my mind. I love it!
• Inspiring quotes. Quotes have a way of encouraging, motivating, and causing us to think. They are something we can help ground ourselves in, or pull out in a situation where we need encouragement. 
• The Office. I was really skeptical when Michael left last season, but I've still found myself enjoying current episodes and laughing throughout. What do you think?
• Blankets. I'm cheap, and really dislike spending much money on heat. I'm thankful for blankets because they keep my nice and warm when it's cold in my house. Plus I feel more relaxed when I'm all snuggled up. 

There you go. A few little things I'm thankful for today. 

Now it's your turn!

Do you still enjoy watching the Office, or did you stop watching when Michael left? Do you like Daylight Saving Time? What are you feeling thankful for today? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

"As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world. "

-Adabella Radici

Happy March! I can't believe how quickly the winter flew by, and am excited that spring is on the horizon (and that longer evenings of light start next weekend)! I chose the above quote today because I thought the image of the sun over the horizon being like the heart bursting forth with gratitude at the start of the day was beautiful. With that said, here are some of the things I'm thankful for this week:

• The chance to catch up on some sleep. This past week was a pretty busy one for me, and while I still got a decent amount of sleep, it wasn't quite as much as I needed. I'm thankful that the lighter schedule of the weekend allows for a few extra hours of sleep.
• Spring is on the horizon! I'm not a big fan of winter, so the fact that spring is coming quickly makes me very excited. 
• Days full of sunshine. I know I've included this a few times in recent lists, but I have tried to not take a single moment of sunshine for granted throughout these winter months. We definitely had a few days of sunshine here this past week, and I'm thankful for that. 
• funny pictures that have been pinned on pinterest. This is a pretty shallow thing to be thankful for, but having a good laugh over something is definitely something that I'm thankful for in my life.
• There are things we can do to support others through a breakup. I'm thankful that, while we don't have control of the other person or the ability to fix a broken heart, there are things we can do to help encourage and support (here's an example of things you can do to support). 

Those are a few little things I'm thankful for on this monday morning. 

Now it's your turn!

What're you feeling thankful for today? What's your favorite thing about the weekends? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy- because we will always want to have something else or something more." - Brother David Steindl-Rast

An interesting quote to get you all thinking this morning. So here are some of the things I'm feeling grateful for on this Monday morning.

• The Oscars! I've been a fan of Oscar Sunday for many many years. I love the anticipation when I wake up that morning, as I begin to prep food for the little get together I host every year, when people are walking the red carpet, and during the actual show itself. It's a little thing to look forward to, but adds a bit of excitement and joy to my life. It's the little things, right?
• My work schedule: I'm a fan of my work schedule right now. Not only do I have a full load of clients, but I have some free time to work on other things, such as researching and writing. I've found a great balance at work, and I like it!
• Chips and salsa. Delicious. Absolutely delicious. I love sweet things in life, but I REALLY love salty things, and this does the trick. I eat a little bit of chips and salsa at least half of the days of the week. 
• Pictures from vacations: Sometimes when it's cold, gray, or I'm having a bad day, it really lifts my spirits to go through some pictures from some of my favorite vacations, and remember the good memories from that time. 
• Old episodes of The Office. I have most of the seasons on DVDs, and sometimes I really enjoy whipping them out and watching a few episodes. I always laugh, and they bring a smile to my face. Plus, I enjoy watching awkwardness happen, and Michael certainly is awkward!

Now it's your turn:

What are you thankful for today? Is there a TV show you like to watch when you need a good laugh? Did you watch The Oscars? What were your thoughts?

Thankfulness Project Monday

"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy."

-Ralph H. Blum

I love the phrase "a quiet joy". Sometimes we search after the next "big loud joy" in our lives (vacations, time of work or school, visits with friends, etc...), but we don't take time to experience the quiet joys in our lives. What if we took the time to focus in on the quiet joys of our every day lives- the smiles of others, the smells of food cooking, the sounds of birds chirping, or the joy of helping someone else out? How might that change us?

Here are a few of the quiet joys from my week that I am thankful for:

• The sound of birds chirping: This isn't a sound I expect to hear in mid-February, but when I woke up this morning I heard them chirping outside my window. I paused for a few moments and allowed myself to enjoy the sound that I so often take for granted in my life. 
• The smell of coffee brewing: I love starting my morning off with a hot cup of coffee, and the smell perks me up, especially on chilly mornings. I have to admit that most of the time I'm guilty of not  pausing to enjoy this little moment of the day. 
• Sunshine! I'm so thankful that this winter has been sunnier then usual. Even on chilly days the feel of sunshine beating down of me is fantastic. 
• Music: Music has the ability to deeply move the soul. It can lift our spirit, transport us back in time, and motivate us to keep going. Music is powerful and enjoyable, and I'm glad that it exists!
• Conversations with family and friends: Sometimes they are planned, sometimes they are unplanned. Either way- I love them! It obviously takes time and intentional effort to reach out to those around us, but it's worth it. 

I challenge each of you to be on the lookout for the "quiet joys" in your life throughout the next week. Pause and notice the sights, sounds, and feelings around you as you live your daily life. 

Now it's your turn!

What makes it difficult to notice the "quiet joys" in your life? What are you thankful for today? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

"There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy."

-Ralph A. Blum

I'll be honest. I'm tired tonight (it's Sunday night as I type this). I've had a really busy and excitingly fun weekend, and it's worn me out. This weeks list of what I'm thankful for will be short and sweet, but it doesn't mean I'm feeling any less thankful! 

• Sleep: This week was busy and fun, but it included a lot of late nights and early mornings. I'm feeling really tired right now, and looking forward to my nights of sleep over the next couple nights. I'm thankful for sleep, and how it allows us to be a healthy, well functioning individual. 
• A time to think about love: I know some people get frustrated if they are single this time of year. You know what? It's OK! This time of the year is a great reminder to focus on those you love, and how you love them. This includes friends, family, AND YOURSELF. Although I don't love the hallmark holiday so much, I do enjoy the reminder of loving those around us. 
• The opportunity to do what I love to do: While I was originally thinking about this in terms of my job, I guess it reaches much more then that. I'm thankful for my job, as well as getting to engage in hobbies that I enjoy.
• Sports games on the weekend: FUN! It's a chance to get out and cheer and enjoy time with others. I love watching them:)
• Good food: I had quite a bit of that this weekend too. Yummm. 

Simple list, but I'm still feeling thankful today. 

Now it's your turn!

What are you feeling thankful for today? Do you catch up on sleep on the weekends, or do you usually find yourself more sleep deprived by the end of it?

Thankfulness Project Monday

"It is greatfulness which makes the soul great." -Abraham Joshua Heschel

There was something about this quote that really stood out to me, and I've been saving it for a couple weeks for a thankfulness posts. So, here you go:) The more I practice regular thankfulness and gratitude, the more I believe this is an important component of being a healthy individual. I continue to challenge each of you to add this to your daily or weekly habits!

That being said, here are a few things I'm feeling thankful for today:

• Time with someone I dearly love: This past week I got to spend time with someone that I deeply care about and don't get to see very often. Time with people like this is so precious to me, and I try to live moment to moment in the days I have. 
• Exercise: Throughout my day I look forward to pounding everything out on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike. It's time to process my day before I get home, and I'm almost always in a better mood when I'm done. I'm thankful I have access to equipment to work out in the winter months. 
• Twitter Chats: There's numerous twitter chats for just about any subject you can think of on twitter. It's a great way to connect with people who have similar interests, and gain some knowledge or be challenged in different ways. Take some time to figure out if there are any twitter chats that might be fun for you to participate in throughout the week!
• Almond Milk: Lactose free and full of calcium, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite drinks. I'm not a fan of drinking milk, but I actually look forward to a cup of this milk. Have you ever tried it?
• Salsa: LOVE. If it's mango or peach, I'm gonna love it even more. I crave this almost every time I work out, and absolutely love eating it. Salsa is a constant exercise in self control for me!

Now it's your turn: 

What are you feeling thankful for today? Have you ever tried almond milk? What twitter chats do you participate in throughout the week?

Thankfulness Project Monday

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." -Epictetus

Happy Monday! This has been a really enjoyable week, and there's quite a few things that I'm feeling thankful for today. Today for my Thankfulness Project post, I'm choosing to rejoice in the things that I have been given in life:

• I'm thankful for puppies: They are cute, fun to play with, and incredibly cuddly. And it's hard to not smile and laugh when I'm around them! And pets are generally healthy to have around too, so that's a big plus!
• I'm thankful for running: I can pound out some stress, have some time apart to clear my head and process the day, think about what I want to do with my clients, and get some endorphins! Plus I know I'm doing something to benefit my body for the future. 
• I'm thankful for friends around me: There's very little I feel like I need to say about this. I'm thankful for the love, support, and laughter I get from the people in my life. 
• I'm thankful for fresh baked bread: Give me some olive oil with pepper and/or garlic to dip it into, and I'm a very happy camper. Not only is it delicious, but it is a comfort food as well! Yummm. 
• I'm thankful for hot showers: I try to be responsible and take as short of showers as I can. However, in the winter there's little that feels better then hot water and a steamy bathroom around you. Have you ever wondered why showers seem to be such a great place to think?
• I'm thankful for foods covered in chocolate: Raisons, fruit, nuts- it's all delicious, and when it's dark chocolate, there are health benefits too:) 
• I'm thankful for quotes that allow us to refocus

Now it's your turn!

What are you feeling thankful for today? Where's your favorite place to think and process the day? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a good weekend, and are starting the week feeling refilled or productive! Here's a few things you may have missed in the last week:

• On Tuesday I talked about our body's reaction to stress
• On Wednesday I talked about Stress Management Techniques
• On Thursday I talked about playing the victim
• On Friday I talked about my favorites for the week
• On Saturday I shared a recipe for sweet potato cauliflower soup

And now here's a few of the things that Im feeling thankful for today:

• The wind dying down: It's been so windy the last week, and I can hear it howling while inside the house! Luckily the wind has finally died down, and it feels tolerable to walk outside again!
• Hot Tea: I think this goes along with it being a colder week outside! I've had tea non-stop each day, and I love the variety of tastes that tea can have! I don't have a favorite flavor, but have still been drinking a lot of the candy cane green tea from Christmas. 
• Meals with Friends: There are very few things I enjoy more then sitting down to a meal with friends and spending that time talking about life, laughing, and processing various events. More often then not, sitting down with a friend lifts my mood and leaves me thinking a bit more clearly then I did before. 
• Magazines:  Simply put, I love them! I love curling up in front of the TV on saturdays and flipping through magazine articles, looking for organizational or fitness tips, or even recipes. 
• Time to Organize: After a very busy fall and holiday season, I finally have some time to sit down and go through old papers and things that have stacked up since this summer! It feels good to finally get some control over all that extra stuff in the house, and feels even better to toss some of it out!

Now it's your turn!

What are you feeling thankful for today? Now that Christmas is over, what's your favorite hot drink to consume?

Thankfulness Project Monday

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." -Charles Dickens

The practice of gratitude doesn't make our problems magically go away, and it's certainly not a "cure all". There is something to be said, however, about regular reflection on the blessings we have, and how this practice impacts both mental and physical health. Why not give it a try?

Here are some of the things I'm feeling thankful for right now:

• Medication: I can't imagine being born a few centuries back, with minimal medical attention or ability to treat diseases well. I'm so thankful for the advancements in the field of medicine that have been made, and I'm thankful for the ease in getting medications. All I need to do is make a call, and my medications show up in my mailbox. Win! 
• My Foam Roller: This has been a true blessing since I started working out regularly. My IT bands get really tight, and this has been incredibly helpful. If you experience IT band tightness, or are a runner, I'd definitely suggest checking it out. It hurts so good.
• My space heater: Like I said yesterday, the temperature with windchill has been about -4 the last few days. I've camped out in front of my space heater and have managed to stay fairly warm and comfortable. I love my space heater. LOVE IT. I also love being able to get out of the shower and not start shaking immediately because the house is cold. All I need to do is start the space heater about 10-15 minutes before my shower, and it's nice and toasty when I get out. 
• Pinterest: I feel pretty weird about putting this on my list, but I'm going to do it anyways. This site  allows for easy access to everything from inspiration quotes to do it yourself crafts to recipes to exercise information. It's amazing. Sure, it can be a huge time waster, but with a little self discipline and limits this site can become one of your best friends. Just be a responsible pinner, ok? 
• Good Books: I've read more this week then in the last few months combined. Maybe it's a combination of the cold weather and the fact that all the holiday celebrations are now over, but I definitely have more time to curl up with a good book at the end of the day. 

Now it's your turn:

What are you feeling thankful for today? Have you read any good books lately? If you have, what was it?

Thankfulness Project Monday

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.  ~Aldous Huxley

For the most part, I think the above quote is very true. I think it's easy to focus so much on the negative aspects of our life that we forget to list the positive, or focus on the things that we have been given in life. How different would life be if we acknowledged the positive on a regular basis instead of just gripping about the negative? 

That being said, today I'd like to focus on some of the basic things of life that are easy to take for granted:

• The ability to pay for heat in the winter: I often complain about how cold it is in my house because I choose to keep the heat low to save money instead of choosing to feel grateful that I have the luxury to be able to afford heat at all. It's an easy thing to take for granted, but in the winter, it's important to have, and I'm much more comfortable on a daily basis. 
• Food in the refrigerator: It's SO easy to take basic foods for granted, isn't it? We often just reach into the frig and grab something to eat or, even worse, look in and complain that "there's nothing good to eat in here." Yikes! We have food in front of us, but it's easy to not be grateful for it. 
• A support system: I have people around me who love me, care about me, and would jump up to help if things went wrong. I'm grateful to each of them, and I know I don't say that enough. 
• My Co-workers: It's easy to just walk in to work and get started for the day, and not think much about the people that I'm surrounded with, especially because everything I do at work is by myself (or with clients). I'm thankful I have co-workers who I can laugh with, get advice from, and help make the days fly by.
• Fresh water: Pretty self-explanatory, huh? How often do we turn on the faucet to get a glass of water to drink while we're complaining? The fact that we can even get fresh, clean, safe water in our houses is amazing, yet that thought tends not to cross our minds. 

These are 5 things that I'm feeling incredibly grateful for this week. My goal for this week is to be grateful for these things whenever I want to grumble about being cold, when I open the frig, when I eat a snack, when i take a drink of water, or when I talk to someone on the phone or via text. 

Here's my challenge for you this week. Pick 2-3 things that are "everyday" little things in your life that are easy to take for granted. Focus on your gratitude for these things over the course of the week, and see what happens. 

Now it's your turn:

What are some of the "basics" of life that you are grateful for right now? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

The Old Year has gone.  Let the dead past bury its own dead.  The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time.  All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!  ~Edward Payson Powell

A new year is upon us, and most of us are trying to figure out (whether we make resolutions, goals, or create dreams) what we'd like this year to look like. Over the last year I have become convinced that the practice of gratitude is essential for a healthy and happy life, and I will seek to continue to implement this practice in my life. Because of that, continue expecting to see this post each Monday in 2012! It helps me to start the week on the right foot. 

Here are a few things I am grateful for on this first Monday of 2012:

• Safety: I never want to take this for granted, and I know that it can definitely be easy to forget this one. With the holidays, there are lots of people traveling, and I drove about 1,500 miles over the last two weeks. I'm thankful for safety while traveling (and that the other drivers around me were being safe as well!).
• Time with Family: This doesn't happen enough, and there are some family members I won't see for at least 5 months now. I'm grateful that my entire family made it home to my parents' house for Christmas!
• Time with Friends: I spent the last few days of 2011 and the first day of 2012 celebrating with a number of good friends whom I haven't seen in a number of months. It's hard to have friends spread out across the country, and it's always exciting to spend time with them! 
• A New Year: Sure, just because the date changes from 2011 to 2012 doesn't mean that our problems magically disappear. We wake up on January 1st in the same situation as December 31st. However, sometimes we need times that can motivate us to make a change, and for some people the start of a new year is the motivation they need to change and grow. I'm thankful for times in life that cause us to pause, think, and evaluate our lives. 
• Dreaming: It's fun to dream big dreams for our lives, and try to put practical steps in our lives to achieve those dreams. It certainly is tough work, we hit glitches, and we might want to give up. The dreams we dream can keep us going, give us motivation to endure, and create hope. Don't be afraid to dream for your life! 

Now it's your turn:

What are you feeling thankful for on this first Monday of 2012? 

Thankfulness Project Tuesday

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.  ~Charles Dickens

Well, my Thankfulness Project post is coming to you on Tuesday instead of Monday this week due to Christmas and spending time with my family. I hope you each had a good Christmas, and enjoyed your day spending time with family, friends, or celebrating in whatever fashion you chose to!

 

This is what every night of Christmas break looks like:)

• REAL fires in the fireplace: I don't have a fireplace at my house, so when I'm at my parent's house I soak it in for all it's worth. Christmas break to me means having a fire every night while we watch movies, and I love the warmth and glow the fire gives off! 
• Time With My Family: It's been a fun last week, and I'm soaking my last few days of it before heading back home! It's been a great week of eating, watching movies, exercising, and hanging around the house together. 
• The presents I received for Christmas: I hate to be materialistic at all about the holiday, but I AM so thankful for the items I received for Christmas. It's a great time to get some things for the house that I can use on a regular basis, and some other things that I know I will regularly enjoy throughout the year. 
• Pilates: I love it, and wish I could take classes a few times a week! I love how I feel when I do it, and I enjoy the strength I see that comes from doing it. Seriously, you all should try taking some reformer pilates classes- they're awesome!
• Christmas: I'm thankful for the entire season of Christmas. I love the parties and time to celebrate with family & friends. But more then anything, I am thankful for the reason we even celebrate Christmas! I look forward to this month for the entire year, so I'm feeling a little sad that it is over now. 

Now it's your turn:

What're some of your favorite Christmas break traditions? Have you ever tried pilates? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all. But softly gives itself away; while quite unselfish, it grows small." -Eva K. Logue

Christmas is only a few days away (and Hanukkah starts tomorrow!) , and I'm sure most of you out there are busy prepping for the holiday, traveling, or getting ready to visit family or friends. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths and check out these tips. And focus on the things that you are thankful for today. Without any further ado, here are a few things I'm feeling thankful for right now:

• Christmas Outfits: No, I don't wear Christmas sweaters, and certainly don't even own a "tacky Christmas sweater", but I do love holiday themed outfits (red, green, sparkles... you get the picture). It's been fun to see everyone dress in professional Christmasy types clothes over the last few weeks, and makes the day just a little more fun!
• Christmas Music: Songs like Carol of The Bells or I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day definitely add some extra joy and fun to the Christmas season. I've been listening to Christmas music in the car, in my house, and have instrumental Christmas music playing quietly in the background of my sessions. It's cheery and brings warmth to the room. I love it:)
• Reading: I don't read nearly as much as I would like to, but when I do get the chance, I really enjoy it. It's fun to learn about new people, cultures, or topics in my field, but it's also fun to lose yourself in a good story! 
• For the ability to deal with stress appropriately: This is a bit of a different take on the things I'm thankful for, but I'm very glad that we aren't doomed to feeling out of control and I'm glad that we have the ability to control our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I'm thankful we have the power to choose healthy coping skills over those that are unhealthy. 
• For clients who work hard and fight to get healthy: It's so amazing to watch people fight towards health and make changes in their life. I really feel lucky to have such an amazing job! 

Now it's your turn!

What are you feeling thankful for today? What's your favorite Christmas song? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  ~Cynthia Ozick


Isn't the above quote so very often true? We can often remember to be grateful for the big things in life, such as a vacation, new car, or something we've long awaited for. However, sometimes we forget to be just as grateful for the little things in life. Besides, don't the little things often become the big things in life?


With this in mind, here are a few of the "little things" that I'm grateful for right now:

• Christmas movies: OK, I know that I put this on my list last week too, but I'm using it again because I'm equally as thankful for them this week. I've watched a Christmas movie a night this week, and I've loved that! Some of them have been busts (A Princess for Christmas, anyone?), and some of them have been great (Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Love Actually, The Holiday, & Christmas in Connecticut, to name a few). It's such a relaxing way to end the day. 
• My Space Heater & Blankets: These things keep me WARM and cozy in the winter. I don't like turning my heat on too high because I think it's a waste of money, so it usually hovers between 64 and 66 degrees, but sometimes lower. The space heater warms up the room I'm in, and is much cheaper. Of course blankets are a HUGE help as well! Cozy and cheap- that's the way I like it. 
• Luna Bars: Easy and convenient, these guys are a great way to boost my energy towards the end of the work day, and before my evening work outs. They are delicious, unlike many protein bars I've tried, and are easy to throw into any bag I choose to take with me. 
• Lotion for the winter: I use much thicker cream lotion for the winter, and I'm so glad they invented this stuff! My face and body gets SO dry and uncomfortable in the winter, and I would feel pretty miserable without this stuff. It's a little thing that is easy to pass up when thinking about "gratefuls" for the day, but I'm very glad that I have found something that makes the winter a little more comfortable.
• Scarves: They're a fun accessory, but can also have a very practical use in the winter as well. I love adding a scarf to my outfit for the day:)

Now it's your turn:

What are you feeling thankful for right now? What's your favorite Christmas movie or favorite way to get in extra protein in the day?

Thankfulness Project Monday

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!  ~Author Unknown

I love the Christmas Season, and feel that it goes far too quickly. This weekend was low key, which was nice after a fall of constant busyness on the weekends. 

Here are a few of the things that I'm thankful for right now:

• Time to sleep in: Like I said, the last few months have been pretty busy, and I haven't really had a day to sleep in at all. The last two days I've gotten the chance to sleep in a bit and catch up on a little extra sleep. It's been fantastic!
• Christmas Concerts: Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a fantastic Christmas concert. It wasn't super traditional, but I really loved it! I'm a fan of anything that gets me in the Christmas spirit!
• Christmas Movies: I've been watching Christmas movies almost every day. Some of them are SUPER cheesy and cringe-worthy, but those are even fun to watch. I love the classics as well... Throw in a blanket, some Christmas lights, and hot chocolate, and it's a perfect evening in my book!
• Time for grocery shopping: Last week was so busy, that I didn't have time to grocery shopping. In fact, I haven't gone shopping in about 2 and a half weeks! I'm really excited to eat something besides oatmeal and scrambled eggs this week. 
• Running: I love the feeling of my muscles loosening up as I hit the pavement. The cooler weather has been fantastic to run in as well. 

Those are a few little things that I'm thankful for right now.

Now it's your turn:

What're you feeling thankful for today? 

Thankfulness Project Monday

Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.  ~Robert Caspar Lintner

While Thanksgiving has now passed, the practice of gratitude & thanksgiving doesn't have to pass! With that, here are a few things I'm thankful for at the moment:

• Safety: Especially with more wintery weather upon us, traveling can lead to many unsafe situations, especially with increased holiday traffic. I drove over 30 hours in less then a week, and I'm so thankful that I stayed safe throughout the entire drive. 
• Time With Family: I love holidays as they create a forced vacation & natural time to get together with family & friends. I had an awesome time (with some stressful moments thrown in at times). 
• DELICIOUS food: There's nothing better then wonderful home cooked foods. I enjoy prepping meals with people I care about (not having to cook on my own!) in the kitchen! This last week brought a lot of good conversations, laughter, and sharing of memories while prepping and eating food. 
• Family Workouts: From group runs, to walks, to stretching and pilates in the house, my family tries to be healthy & active during the holidays. This past week was no exception, and I'm thankful that I don't have to do it alone when I'm visiting my family. 
• Christmas Flavored Teas: YUM! There are very few words I have to explain how delicious these are. Celestial has 4 holiday teas, and Bigelow also has a few that are delicious as well! There's nothing better to keep you warm in the Christmas Season then some delicious Christmas tea! 

Now it's your turn:

What are you feeling thankful for today? How do you plan to continue a practice of gratitude after the Thanksgiving season?

Thankfulness Project Monday

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.  

~Theodore Roosevelt

Well, here we are at Thanksgiving week! While I try to regularly practice gratitude and thankfulness in my life, for me this week becomes even more focused on this. My challenge for you this week is to not just focus on what you are thankful for, but turn that into action of some kind. Let your deeds show your gratitude!

On this Thanksgiving week, here are a few of the things that I'm thankful for:

• A time of year to intentionally focus on gratitude: I wish that we had more than a day to focus on thanks every year, but I'm very glad that we have a holiday that is devoted to it. My hope would be that each of you chooses to take a more active stance in the practice of gratitude this coming year. This will be one of my goals this year as well. 
• 2 for the price of 1 Holiday Drinks at Starbucks: For the weekend, Starbucks had a 2 for 1 deal that I wish they would continue all season long! I went with a friend, got a venti (I always order a tall), because splitting the cost of a venti is still cheaper then the cost of a tall alone. So, we both got venti peppermint mochas. I drank half of it last night, and saved the rest for today. Not quite as good, but still pretty amazing in my opinion. Yummmm. 
• The excitement that comes with anticipation: I'm SO excited for both Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season. I love the celebrations and the time with family! I love holiday foods and the joy and laughter that holiday activities bring with it. Needless to say, despite some nervousness over some extended family issues (eek), I'm REALLY excited for Thanksgiving. 
• Healthy Living Blogs: There are so many blogs out there that help provide the encouragement and motivation I need, are helping me increase my cooking abilities, and increasing my knowledge about various sorts of fitness. The other counselors I've "met" out there have been a great support through various weekly chats and posts, and I've gained some great ideas from them. 
• My Ice Packs: I use my ice packs 5-6 days a week to help after any number of fitness activities I engage in throughout the week. I can usually tell when I don't have time to ice, as I'm stiff and achy the next day. I'm thankful that someone created ice in a pre-sealed "bag" to make this process easy and convenient. 

Now it's your turn:

What are you feeling thankful for today? What are you excited for this week?

Thankfulness Project Monday

"Gratitude takes three forms: a feeling in the heart, an expression in words, and a giving in return."

-John Wanamaker

This week I've been filled with all sorts of gratitude as my blog hit 1 year old and Veteran's day was this week. I originally started this weekly "holiday" on my blog because I know the physical & mental benefits of developing a practice of gratitude. 

Here are a few of the things I'm feeling thankful for right now:

• Those who are currently serving (or have served) in our military. It takes a lot of courage & sacrifice for those who serve and their families & loved ones. I think I said what I had to say here. 
• Pumpkin: Oh, have you missed my incessant pumpkin recipes? If you have, make sure to check them out under the "recipes" tab at the top of the blog. I'm loving adding pumpkin to so many recipes right now, and can't believe that it's taken me so many years to start liking it!
• Flannel PJ pants: Yes, I've finally pulled mine out for the winter. It seems like every year I forget just how amazing and comfortable these are! In fact, one day this week I walked in the door from work and the first thing I did was put these on! Comfort and warmth in one:)
• Ice Packs: This is an item I regularly use to ice my knee/foot after workouts. I'm thankful they exist so I don't have to take ice baths! brrrr. 
• Great Co-workers: There's one co-worker who, in particular, has been incredibly encouraging and giving this week. I love my co-workers, and I'm especially thankful for this one in particular! Co-workers really can make or break a place of employment. 

Now it's your turn:

What are you feeling thankful for today? Have you pulled out your winter clothes yet?