10 Improvements in 12 months

1. Get Organized!

   Why? It will lower your stress levels, help you balance your daily activities and will help you manage your time better!
   
   
   How?  
   Buy a Planner or Desk Calendar! Check out these Planner Systems I love!
   • Uncalendar - This is for the Ultimate OCD Person that doesn't want to get crazy creative with their Organization, the best All-In-One Planner in my book!
   • Arc System by Staples - This is what use now and I LOVE the Versatility!
            Try using a new phone app to help you! Try these out!
   • Google Calendar - Sync & Share your Calendar and Tasks with Friends and Family through email. Available for iOS and Android
   • Agenda Calendar - Super Organization! Available for iOS and Android! 

2. Get Some Exercise!

   Why? "Exercise produces Endorphins. Endorphins make people happy! Happy people don't just shoot their Husbands!" -Legally Blonde
   
   
   Guess what? ITS TRUE!! You can look on the internet, you can ask people at the gym, or you can even ask me! Exercise just makes you feel refreshed! (Why do you think the Military makes our men do PT so often? They're trying to force them to be happy! :D )
   
   
   How? 
   Just start by being active, this could be something as simple as taking the dog on an extra long walk, doing and hours worth of window shopping walking around the mall or even just some extra sex for those of us that are married! ;] 
   
   
   Want something more hands on? That doesn't mean you need to become a body builder or you have to be a gym rat! Try working out at home or with some girlfriends!
   
   
   Pinterest basically makes finding the perfect workout for you the easiest thing ever!! They have a whole category dedicated to Health and Fitness, hmmm I wonder why! No matter what kind of workout schedule you're looking for I'm pretty sure you can find it on Pinterest! 
   
   
   Need some inspiration to get you started? Check out my Pin Board Fit > Skinny here.

3. Eat REAL Food!

   Why? It's simple. Real food gives you real energy. Junk Food is just going to make you feel energized or hyper for a bit and then you'll crash and feel worse than before. Just make the right decision from the start, "Do I really need a bowl of chips, or should I just have a handful of almonds"
   
   
   If you're trying to lose weight, remember, the way you eat accounts for up to 80% of your results!!
   How?
   Keep your current diet and look at how much excess food/calories/fat you're intaking! Then get rid of everything that is unhealthy in your house, JUST DO IT! All you have to do is throw it all in a bag and toss it out! Simple!
   
   
   Try My Fitness Pal! It's an amazing App and Website that helps you track your food intake and calorie expenditure. You can even just scan the barcodes of things you eat to add it in! I and half the people at the gym I used to work at swear by this app!

4. Find and Outlet!

   Why? Everybody gets Angry, Angsty, Anxious, Sad, Depressed, Stressed and/or Lethargic, its human nature! Find an outlet so you don't project those feelings and emotions onto the people around you.
   
   
   Remember attitudes are contagious, don't spread a bad one.
   
   
   How?
   Find something that helps you relax!
   • Reading a Book
   • Join a Soccer League
   • Start a Blog
   • Journal about it
   • Clean the house

5. Smile More!

   Why? Let me just list a few reasons why!
   • It can help relieve stress
   • It can actually make you happy
   • We are born being able to smile, its not something we learn, its natural for us!
   • Smiling is contagious, spread the happiness!
   • Smiles are more attractive than makeup
   
   
   How? You just do it! Don't be a grumpy cat!
   
   
   Need something to make you smile? Check out the Daily Haha for some pictures that will make you giggle!

6. Be Helpful!

   Why? GOOD KARMA! What you put out into the world, will come back to you eventually! Not only that but helping people less fortunate than you will help you to remember to be grateful for the things you have!
   
   
   How?
   • Volunteer at a siblings school
   • Volunteer at the a local animal shelter
   • Buy a hot chocolate and sandwich for a Homeless person
   • Check on your husbands/boyfriends base to see if you can volunteer at any upcoming events! Even if its just helping out at another units family day.

7. Sleep More! 

   Why? & How? I'll let the picture explain! Click to enlarge! or view it Here on Pinterest!

   

8. Goof Off Sometimes!

   Why? Because it's fun. It can reduce the risk of heart disease and the best memories in life always come from those stupid things you do with people you love. 
   
   
   How?
   • Use your imagination! Play princes and princesses with your nieces and nephews or children or siblings
   • Play a board game!
   • Build a Pillow or Blanket Fort
   • Color a coloring book
   • Draw a mustache on your husbands face while hes taking a nap after he gets home from work ;P

9. Don't Be Afraid of Change!

   Why? Everything happens for a reason. If something is changing in your life, trust that the universe has a plan for you. Even if it doesn't seem like something that's going to benefit you, it will... eventually! Have Faith!
   
   
   How? 
   It's okay to worry sometimes! Things will always change in some fashion, just take it one step at a time and work through it. 
   •  Do research, see if someone else has been through what you're going through, chances are there is! Maybe they can give you some advice.
   • Make a list of all the good things that can come from change
   • Reflect on past changes in your life and where they led you, remember that even though you didn't see the plan at first, things always work out.
   
   

10. Seize The Day!

    Why? Never put something off until tomorrow that you can do today! Sometimes you just need to be spontaneous! If you know you have the extra money, BUY THE SHOES! (you can always return them if it was a total mistake!)
    
    
    Plan to do something you've never done before, why? Just because you can! Appreciate every day and always live life to the fullest, it ends all too soon.
    
    
    How? 
    • Run an Obstacle or Mud course with friends
    • Go skydiving
    • Hit a piantball park
    • Go Bowling
    • BUY THE PURSE!
    • Make cookies
    • Insert-something-spontaneous-that-you-never-thought-you-would-do-here
    
    
    
    What other things are you doing to make your life easier this year?
    
    

    

    
    

A Mug FULL of Love!

So today Chris and I were lazy.

I mean really lazy. We spent an extra 2 hours in bed this morning, barely made ourselves breakfast, just laid on the couch and watched TV. After rounding up the motivation to actually get up, get dressed, and go out to lunch, (we went to Panera, it was drool-worthy) we decided we needed to do something fun.

I've been on my Pinterest more and more these past few months because, its the "holiday season" and lets be honest, everybody wants to be that crafty person that sends out homemade gifts to everybody, and saves a bunch of money by doing it! 

I pinned so much Christmas crap. I don't even like Christmas except for the day of! I didn't do A SINGLE PROJECT I pinned.... I'm so ashamed!

So Today Chris and I decided we wanted to be crafty and make each other decorated mugs!! 

It's super easy & ours turned out really cute! I actually cried when he showed me the one he made, apparently my hormones are through the roof!

What you need:

• Oven
• Ceramic mug, cup or plate, whatever you want to decorate (you can find them at Dollar Tree, or a bargain store, we got ours at Big Lots!)
• Sharpies!
• A little bit of creativity

 What you do:

Draw, write, decorate anywhere you want on the mug, other than than the inside!! (I'm not sure if its safe!)  Chris and I didn't really decide on a theme or anything we just went at them!

When  you're done, just pop them in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, I put ours on a cookie sheet!

WAHLA! or VOILA! if you want to be gramatically correct about it!

You now have, custom mugs! They are dishwasher and microwave safe and the color shouldn't fade or wear off anymore than a regular cup would!

Here's how ours turned out! :]

 

So this ^^ is the mug I made Chris, I was aiming for cute, and sentimental, I left the personal stuff out!

 

So this is the mug Chris made me! I think his is better than mine because its covered in  a bunch of stuff that's relevant to what we've been doing the last couple months. I cried when he gave it to me! As you can tell I may or may not have a twitter problem, as you can tell by him including my @ name and the # hashtag descriptions. ;]

I love how Chris wrote all over mine! And its all things that have been relevant to us recently! I tried to mix my almost artistic skills with writing! Chris said, AND I QUOTE "That was way more fun than I thought it would be!" And we basically decided that from now on every Year anniversary we're going to make each other mugs! So when we're old and decrepit & living off tea and cakes together we can reminisce on our Golden Days as a couple, through the mugs we made each other!

Along with anniversary gifts, these would make great presents for grandparents from grandkids, Christmas Presents or a fun birthday party activity!

Did you make mugs with your Significant Other or Children after reading this? How did they turn out!

Have you done another Pinterest Project with your SO that you'd like to share?

Verify your Pinterest Account

I recently found out that Pinterest offers Verification for people that own or run their own websites. This is an awesome opportunity for people that run their own blog, create tutorials or post their original images on their blog! Why? Because if the original pin is was created by you and you're verified, its less likely that someone else can pass it off as their work, and it helps when people are searching for you!

Now a couple of days ago when I tried to verify there was only one way to do it which was to upload an html file onto your Website. This wasn't possible for me yet because I don't technically own my blog/website yet, (no worries, I'm working on it ;] ) But when I checked again earlier today they were offering verification through meta tagging. Its super easy! 

Here's my not-so-little picture tutorial! Please let me know if you find this helpful or not! :]

 

Hopefully this is helpful for you guys! If you have any issues with the tutorial please let me know so I can fix it! If you found this helpful please +1 this post!!

The Hungry Mans Dinner

Ever have those evenings where your man comes home, and he's so hungry that he's turned into a barbarian that's about to tear the house apart. In order to avert some kind of crisis, you have to get food on the table, and fast.

Men are manly. Manly men like steak. Hungry Barbarian man would probably love steak, but you've got to make it quick! So here's the quick simple version.

Those of you that do know how to cook please ignore my ignorantly simple dinners (and teach me your ways!). I was looking for stuff like this ~6 months ago so I'm hoping there's someone out there that will appreciate it :]

Pardon the blurry picture at the bottom, hubby was running off with the plate :]

What you need 

• Round Tip, Thin cut steaks ~1 per person (unless hes really starving)
• 1/4 sliced onion per steak
• 2 cloves of garlic per steak
• 1 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tbs Margarine or Butter
• You're favorite kind of steak seasoning (or GOYA Adobo which is what I use)

 

 

And in the words of that really weird guy from Iron Chef...

A LA CUISINE 

*hand chop motion*

The Quick Fancy Feast

 Food and I

A Short History

     I wasn't a terribly picky child, I ate anything my parents put in front of me unless it was something spicy, cauliflower or carrots. Spicy was just a no-no, I don't mind a little "heat" in my mouth now, but I hate when my whole mouth is on fire, its just not appealing to me. My hate for Cauliflower, was something I grew out of along with most of the dislike phases I went through growing up, pickles, onions and other random things that you find in food regularly but as a child don't want to know about. Carrots and I have a love-hate relationship. I love the taste of cooked carrots, and I love the way carrots brighten up a plate of food, soft, mushy carrots YUM, but ask me to eat them raw and I'll probably vomit on you. Texture is a huge thing for me, especially when it comes to food, and raw carrots have an ungodly texture, like eating bark chips. EW!

     I was raised on mainly home cooked meals. But there was also a 6 month period after my parents divorced that my father fed us only Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) which are the military's version of Lunchables. They're good for like 100 years... basically forever. 75% of the MREs are flat our disgusting, but when you eat them continuously for that long you start to learn which ones are almost taste good. Don't get me wrong they're great for camping trips (because the raccoons and bears want NOTHING to do with them) and compact enough for 72 hour emergency kits, they even have a cooking mechanism in the bag so you don't have to eat the food cold. They have their uses, but I don't want my home cooked meals to taste like MREs so I generally steer clear of frozen, super processed and food that doesn't expire.

     Does your husband LOVE Tabasco? Does he put hot sauce on everything whether it needs it or not? Did he spend months in the field?  Does he do field ops regularly? Don't worry its probably not your cooking. His love of hot sauce or Tabasco could be due to eating MREs consistently in the field. Every MRE comes with a little packet of napkin, fork, knife, salt and pepper (not nearly enough to make it appetizing) and guess what? .... BINGO a mini bottle of Tabasco!! My Father and Stepmom were so used to drowning out the flavor of the MREs during their Nation Guard service that they basically just started putting it on everything. Nowadays they only use it when they actually want something spicy (so don't worry its curable!) They're both fantastic cooks now and every time Hubby gets leave and we go home, I try to spend as much time in the kitchen with them as I can. I wish I had spent more time in there with them while I was growing up, and now they always send me recipes and cooking tips. I'm learning to be a better cook but basically I'm undomesticated at this point.

This recipe is super quick and easy and has a really nice basic flavor to it, you can embellish it a million different ways. My grandmother actually gave me this one and its perfect for one or two people, you can even make it in a toaster oven! I PROMISE IT TASTES BETTER THAN IT LOOKS! Please pardon my MAJOR camera faux-pas of taking the picture of it on the aluminum foil vs. a plate :[ We were super hungry!

Prep: 10 mins  Temp: 350 Cooktime: 10-20mins maximum 

Ingredients

• 1 salmon steak per person (or one giant filleted whole salmon then you put all the ingredients in the middle not on to, but I've never tried this so be careful!)
• Mayonnaise
• Mix of seasonings (I use salt, pepper, garlic salt and onion powder)
• Capers
• A bit of fresh lemon squeeze

Directions

1.  Line a cookie sheet or pyrex pan with aluminum foil
2. Arrange salmon as desired and sprinkle lemon queeze sparingly
3. Season lightly
4. Spread mayonnaise over salmon just thin enough to cover without seeing the salmon, I like to leave the edge of the salmon out, they get a little crispy
5. Drain capers and sprinkle on top, they become more tangy and less tart after they're cooked
6. Bake in Oven at 350 until top starts to turn golden brown  normally around 10-15 minutes
7. Use a large spatula to serve, the salmon should slide right off the skin which will be stuck to the aluminum foil, ball the foil up and throw away = no stinky fishy dishes

We normally let it bake a little longer so the tops are more golden but the stove we currently have is awful, it dries the salmon out if we bake it much longer. Consuming raw fish can be very bad! use a fork to check the thickest part of the steak it should open up it you poke it and then twist your fork 90 degrees.

BONUS-- If you family likes asparagus like my husband and I, you can just sprinkle them with salt and pepper, lightly roll them in olive oil and then bake them on the same sheet as the salmon! Entree and a side all in one. Be careful of your ovens hot spots though, the asparagus is fully cooked when it turns bright green, and it should still have a crunch to it.

Did you try a variation of this? Let me know I'm always looking for something new to try!

Hey You! Do It Yourself!