Affirmation Book

This year, a few of my friends and I decided to each do an affirmation book for 2012.  I used to do them all the time, but somehow with the hustle and bustle of daily life I just forgot about it.  If you aren't familar with what an affirmation book is, it's a book that you put positive quotes, thoughts, and pictures.  The ones we make are kinda like a calendar of things we want to do or wish to accomplish/affirmation book/journal/scrapbook.  You only put positive and uplifting things in it.  The thought process behind it is that we often dwell on all the bad things we encounter, but have to be reminded of the good things around us. With this journal, you actively have to consider the awesome things that are going on around you, or are coming your way.  It keeps us grounded, hopeful, and content.

It's kind of a throw back to the things we did as young girls.  There is nothing like cutting, pasting, and coloring to make a woman feel youthful and hopeful. I try to work in it every day and I find it very therapeutic. Especially if I have had a bad day, this kind of task seems to soothe me and make me slow down and remember the simple things in life.

I challenge you to make one for yourselves.  I find that actively taking part in the balance and harmony in my life, helps me to focus on all the great things in my life and to better deal with those things that aren't so great.  It's a reminder that the days aren't always so dark and no mater what, if you search hard enough, there is always a glimmer of light out there.

Happy 2012!

I wasn't able to blog this past year, but that is going to change! In an effort to become less wired, I have turned off my Internet. What is it they say, you make a void and something else will fill it? Well I have filled this void with things I love. Reading, writing, cooking, and spending times with friends.

In a bid to lose weight and become overall healthier, I have completely changed my eating habits. Along with doing the local, natural thing, I was doing before, I have also gone gluten free for a couple of months, to see I feel better. Last year someone questioned if I might not have a dairy allergy, but a gluten intolerance. We shall see!

It's one week gluten free and so far it's not been too bad. I am already making these wonderful meals and this just makes it a little more challenging, but the meals are never the less still wonderful.

The above picture is an example of one of my meals this past week. Rotisserie chicken, quinoa and brown rice pilaf with fire roasted peppers, and a salad made with walnuts, cranberries, feta and raspberry vinaigrette. I also created a wonderful pan seared steak fillet, sweet, caramelized onions. As side dishes I made an arugula, green olive red onions, almonds, and herbed feta salad with homemade Dijon vinaigrette. I also oven baked some sweet potato fries, that was spiced up with a little Cajun love. The dinner was a huge hit with my son. He informed me it is a definite do again. Unfortunately I didn't remember to take a picture, before I dived in, so you are going to have to take my word that it was gorgeous and delectable.

I am becoming a big fan of quinoa and hope to find many more yummy recipes for it's use. I am also having a ball coming up with delicious, yet health dishes. I spend hours researching and so far the results have been spectacular. Even my son has become a fan of my healthier menus. I'll continue to post pics of the meals, along with some recipes. Hopefully the picture quality will improve.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for when to start your seedlings. I have charted my schedule by using the Farmers Almanac. Last year's results were very good, but I am aiming higher for this next year. Can anyone say canning??!! I can't believe I'm actually excited about canning my own food, but I really can't wait to start. I thinking it's a natural move in my choice to be more organic, less processed.