New Year, New Me...??

I have always been inspired by the phrase "New Year, New You". I have taken it as permission to try something new, to become someone that I have always wished to be or to simply become better than I am.

However, for some reason or another, I am now a bit bothered by this phrase as today starts another new year. Why is it that toward the end of each year, I look back and feel just a small sense of inspiration but most of all, I feel a sense of failure and frustration???

I think back to the things that I told myself that I would accomplish or complete, dedicate energy to and that I wanted to overall become a "better" person. Why do we continue to tell ourselves that we have to be a "new" person when we should just focus on being who we already are?

I am not against setting goals for yourself (which I am terrible at doing) or saying that there are things that could be improved or focused upon for the upcoming year. I am merely saying that we don't have to become someone NEW to become what we are intended to be.

I wholeheartedly believe that we are meant to live a certain life, to come across certain people, to make a difference in a way that no one else possibly could, but this is all because of the person that you already are, not the person you think you should become.

I don't think we need to focus on becoming someone "new" but merely remind ourselves that we are already someone and need to be that and that only.

New phrase for myself: New Year, New Outlook on You

Black Bean and Salsa Soup

Courtesy of some friends and thanks to the Happy Herbivore... I came across this great and EASY recipe for a quick Black Bean and Salsa Soup

Took me a total of about 10 minutes to mix it up, will warm it up tonight and test it out!!

Yummy, Healthy and Easy-- can't beat it!

Perfect for a cold night!

Ingredients: Black Beans, Vegetable Broth, Ground Cumin, Salsa, Frozen Corn and Tortillas on the top!

 

For the exact recipe: CLICK HERE

Acid Reflux=Cranky Baby=Stressed out Mom!

My apologies for not posting for a bit, but my entire day yesterday was set aside to try and figure out what is going on with my almost 2 month old daughter and her acid reflux.

We were given Prevacid to administer to her over 2 weeks ago and I just don't feel like it make a huge difference, especially with all of the side effects that come along with it. Don't get me wrong, if it solves the problem and helps alleviate her pain, I am willing to take the risk of some side effects. However, when it isn't working and I am still just giving my baby a drug that is not necessarily appropriate for her, then I start to look elsewhere.
(to research the side effects of drugs such as Prevacid, just "Google" any of the words and come up with your own conclusions)

So with that said, while my daughter was in my arms screaming... I decided to do some research on my own.  Over and over again, I came across a product called "Nat Phos No. 10". (click to learn more)  There were numerous people talking about reflux and babies and wanting to do something that wasn't so harmful but would help. 

Yes, it is a "homeopathic" remedy and I am usually a person that is all about getting what drugs might be needed to help solve the problem, but I am tired of nothing getting better and risking the health of my family. 

So off I went to our local Natural Food Store (Kankakee Natural Foods) and asked about the product. Sure enough, it was on the shelves and came in a small bottle.  Is this the miracle product that I have been looking for?? We will soon find out. Can't hurt to try, right?? Can't get any worse than it is already!

So here goes nothing...

Have you tried Nat Phos 10 or do you practice homeopathy??  What are your thoughts about this sometimes controversial way of practicing medicine?

Really it's for my sanity... not my hubby's nutrition!

You know what they say... breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  So why do we make it so hard to find something to eat every morning and start our day off on the wrong foot?? For example...

Every morning, my husband wakes up and has his coffee. He will watch the morning news or the  and NBC Today Show then before you know it, it is time to get ready for work. It is at THIS point that he thinks about having breakfast and then realizes that he barely has time to iron his clothes, let alone think about making something to eat.

http://toonclips.com/design/11376

I guess I could help by ironing his clothes.. but that ain't happening, so I came across some easy to make and make ahead breakfast ideas instead! ;)

Of course, as always, Pinterest has some great ideas for such a task.... actually, quite a few ways to make sure that your mornings aren't so hectic and that you are at least getting some sort of nutrition to at least carry you to lunchtime.

Here are some great ideas: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=make%20ahead%20breakfast

If you happen to not have a Pinterest account, what is wrong with you???? Only kidding (sort of)
But if this is the case, feel free to share links or ideas on your favorite make ahead breakfast ideas on here for all to enjoy! 

One of my absolute favorites, as I have a 3 year old that LOVES to eat smoothies and it's always annoying when I don't have the right fruit or any at all for that matter!

Smoothie Freezer Bags: Cut up combinations of 2 cups of berries, bananas, and/or peaches and freeze in a quart size bag. Label the bag with the amount of milk (almond, soy, dairy) and ice that is needed to make a smoothie. Kids can grab a bag and make up smoothies for breakfast (or a snack). I think this is a great way to take advantage of fruit when it goes on sale!

 

http://www.thecelebratedfamily.com/2012/08/make-ahead-breakfast-ideas.html?m=1

 

Great idea from another blogger... why couldn't I think of this????

 

 

Wouldn't we all love for this to be our body?? I know that I would! Does anyone else get as discouraged as I do when you see a picture like this or see someone in the gym who looks like this and think to yourself.... I am never going to look like that, so what's the point? Do we all need to strive to look like this or just be comfortable in our own bodies? It is a two-edged sword, to be honest. I think that if we do what is best for our own bodies and have REALISTIC expectations of what we can accomplish, we can do nothing but succeed. After having a child, I am pretty certain that my abs will NEVER look like that... but who's to say that I can't have flatter abs than I do now? Who is to say that I wouldn't be able to better exercise and have more energy and be able to actually balance on one of those ball things that they make look so easy? I am willing to give it a try! Goal for the week: workout at least 3 times this week for a 45 minute session, going balls out and working up a sweat... WITHOUT focusing on what I should look like and rather what kind of person I would like to be on a fitness level