Learning it.

                                                                           source

This past week I've taken on a massive retraining in myself to be very conscious of what I'm eating/drinking. ;) I'm a very busy working Mama, and the truth is I have been depending on processed, empty calories and caffeine to fuel me when I am absolutely exhausted.

I've started using MyFitnessPal to log calories and journal every single thing that I'm consuming. It was a rough, rude awakening the first couple of days! I actually felt so hungry and shaky a few times that I felt ill! But I'm learning...I'm upping my water intake, I'm eating more raw veggies, I'm not drinking caffeine first thing to fuel me when I have slept oh...4 hours less than I need.
It's been really, really good for me.
Oh and today a sweet client of mine gave me a little bag of Reese's chocolates (one of my favorites!) and I gave them to a co-worker so I wouldn't be tempted to eat them. That's progress people. ;)

Self-care is the best way to take care of those around you, too...that's what I'm realizing. :)
And if it helps me feel like a sexy Mama? Bonus! ;)
Small steps!

The power of purging :)

 

Clothes that I never wear, forgotten cards or papers from a toxic past relationship, home décor items that aren’t my style, excess “stuff”.

I am in an ongoing processing of ridding myself and my home of this stuff and I am more and more drawn to a minimalist approach! It frees up energy. It gives space for better things.

 

It may seem like a lot to take on, but it feels SO GOOD to get rid of things that are literally and physically or even emotionally and figuratively taking up space. :)

I thought this was such a great reminder. And any quote that can inspire me and get me excited about purging the excess is a favorite of mine!

Healthier eating for the working Mama

I have a confession. My “breakfast” has consisted of a Dr. Pepper and maybe a cereal bar for the past I- don’t-even- know- how- long.  A lot of times I wouldn’t eat anything at all in the mornings, and then fall victim to the bowl of tempting candy that sits next to the employee entrance at work. Aside from when I was pregnant. Then I was eating fairly healthy. ;) I am working on making healthier choices just for me, and my non- pregnant health.:)

 

I recently stumbled across the term overnight oats and thought I’d google. I found this website that’s loaded with tons of recipes and ideas and decided it was time to stock up on some supplies!

 

I have made several varieties and have loved them all!
So far, I’m sticking with a base of :

1/3 cup of raw oats

1/3 cup of vanilla almond milk

2-3 tablespoons of plain vanilla yogurt

(I’ve heard greek yogurt is great in it, but I no likey the greek yogurt)

 

Mix it all up with whatever add-ins sound yummy to you.:)
Here are some that I’ve tried.

 

A small handful of fresh blackberries, a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts

 

A sliced fresh strawberry and a sprinkling of dried blueberries

 

Sliced fresh green apple, walnuts and a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar

 

Just mix everything together and stick it in your fridge so it’s ready to eat the next morning.:) I have a small tervis tumbler with a lid that’s perfect for this.

I’ve topped it with granola just before eating it also. So good!

I just thought I’d share some healthier eating inspiration. Nom-nom.

Here's to making small conscious decisions towards a healthier self. :)

Four Simple Goals

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw the idea of Four Simple Goals on Elsie Larson’s blog and thought I’d share mine for the New Year!

I know that an important part of goal making is to make yourself accountable by remembering what those goals actually are, long after New Year’s Day. ;)

I have a lot of personal goals that are a bit less tangible and not as easily defined to another person, and those are always going to be things that I will work on. But here are four that are defined, relatively simple and attainable.:)

 

*Eat consciously. I want to start shopping our local farmer’s market for fresh produce, and take the time to plan more meals for my family that aren’t heavily processed foods. I want to reach for water more often. I want to skip some snacks in favor of cherry tomatoes or fruit. Being real, I am fully aware that this won’t happen all the time.:) I work full time, and I have three precious kiddos who keep me very busy. But if I can make better decisions most of the time, I will be a happy girl.

 

* Keep my home current and happy. I want to regularly purge our house of “stuff’ that is not being used. Anything broken needs to be repaired quickly or tossed out. Clothes that the kids have outgrown need to be taken to the consignment shop or given away quickly. Magazines from three years ago really don’t have a place in our house anymore. I could go on and on, but these are a few things that I need to do soon!:) There’s a lot to be said for a minimalist lifestyle when it comes to your house.

"Have nothing in your house that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."- William Morris

 

*Take more pictures with my camera, instead of just my iPhone. I love the convenience of my iPhone for pictures and take some almost daily (like I did for the picture on this post!), but have been really disappointed to see that the quality just isn’t there when I print them. (This is mostly true for indoor photos, since we’re spending the majority of our time indoors during the Winter). Time to pull out my DSLR more often!:)

 

*Make time for creativity.  This blog has been a step towards that for me.:) I don’t have a lot of free time,  so choosing to spend what time I have on things that are refreshing and make me happy is important to me. I can give more to those close to me when I’m not drained. “Me” time seems like such a luxury for a lot of us, but it’s really important!

I’d love to hear yours!:)

I’ll be checking in throughout the year with ways I’ve found to meet these goals!

 

This year.....

                                                    Image via the Tao of Dana 



This year….

 

Someone is going to marry the person of their dreams

Someone is going to be offered the perfect job for them

Someone is going to make a difference in someone else’s life

Someone is going to travel to Europe

Someone is going to rekindle a lost romance

Someone is going to become known for their talents and gifts

Someone is going to meet the best friend they’ll have for the rest of their life

 

This year…..

Someone is going to become a parent for the first time

Someone is going to believe in themselves and be blown away by what happens next

Someone is going to learn to stay away from toxic situations and the people that cause them

Someone is going to become ok with being blissfully happy for the first time ever

Someone is going to move into their dream house

Someone is going to start a new hobby that becomes enormously fulfilling

Someone is going to say “yes” to new experiences and “no” to being afraid to try

Someone is going to see that out-of-reach dream become reality

Someone is going to say good-bye to baggage and feel what it’s like to be free

Someone is going to experience things that become their favorite memories to reminisce about twenty years from now

 

 

Sounds like a great year, huh? 2014 is shiny and new and full of possibilities!

 

 

Every day of every year is, actually. ;) Any one of those “someone’s” could be YOU. What changes do you want to make this year? Make it your intention to grow and invite the new and positive into your life! Here’s to the best year yet! I can’t wait to see what happens for those around me. It’s so inspiring to see people living out loud!

 

 

Wishing you lots of light and love in this New Year!
Charin

On being who you are, and being ok with it.

 

 

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a little unsure of myself and have had more than my fair share of battles with low self-confidence.

 

I have regrettably turned down some fun experiences because I was too self conscious to let loose and have fun. (Nothing too crazy I should add. Things like dancing with friends or riding an elephant at a circus, or playing a sport when I am NOT athletic at all. What if I messed up and someone stared? It turns out, that would be ok, and I’d have some fun along the way!)

 

I stayed in a physically abusive marriage for years too long because, while I knew in my heart I needed to escape, I also was torn by the thought of “What will everyone think of me if I file for divorce?”  and even worse, “What If I deserve this?” This need for approval kept me from ever voicing a word about the abuse, even to those closest to me, until I was out of it.

 

I have definitely made faces at myself in the mirror when I see a woman who is a little curvier than she’d like to be. ;)

 

I have made some seemingly far -fetched goals and almost gave up on them because I started questioning whether I was being self-absorbed to think that someone like me could achieve them.

 

Thankfully, I’ve made some changes along the way. I have learned (and I am still learning) that it’s ok to be who I genuinely am. Really.

 

Who you are at your most liberated and freed state of being is a God given gift. We all have our own talents and passions and goals and that’s a good thing!

 

I think a mix of things have helped me along the way…the myriad of life experiences that I’ve had over the past 5 years have definitely shaped me. Having a husband who loves me exactly as I am and encourages me every day has definitely helped me be ok with who I am. :)

 

Being a mother, especially to a daughter, has made me realize how very important it is to pass down a gentle self- confidence to my children. My daughter needs to know that there can be girls and women who are comfortable in their own skin and beautiful in their own right. She needs to know that you can be a confident woman without being arrogant or hurting people along the way.  Is it just me, or can women be really catty and judgmental to other women?!  Let’s break that cycle and be encouraging and uplifting to each other!

 

I can’t mention being a mother without adding that when you are raising children who are beautiful and funny, kind and smart you need to realize that they’re looking up to you. Instill in them all of the things that you wish you hadn’t struggled to find until you were much older.

 

I hope that you will celebrate all of those things that make you uniquely you. This isn’t about deciding that you’re done improving and are a finished product. :)

This is about listening to your instincts and being who you are. Don’t let self doubt and low self esteem stop you from being the amazing person that you are designed to be!

There are some really important things out there that will only come to pass through you.

When you realize that, the magic begins.

 

<3

Charin 

  

Nothing is permanent

Nothing is permanent.

Feel the sunshine on your face. If it’s raining use it as an excuse to stay inside. Give your children and lover an extra hug and kiss and say “I love you” once or twice more. Or five times more.

Put your phone away and laugh a little more with friends over dinner. Don’t be too busy to say “yes” to relaxation and fun. Toast to success. Make time for family game nights. Have cake (with candles!) and ice cream just to celebrate today with your children. (Mine loved it when we did that one night! So fun.)

There’s so much joy in this life!

 

And then there are days that feel like they’ll never end. Days filled with stress, with tears. Sickness hits you, or someone close to you. You have a bill that’s due and you’re not sure how you’re going to pay it. You get a flat tire on your way to work. A misunderstanding leads to words being spoken a bit too loudly, and now you both are hurting. You’ve had a crazy busy week and are exhausted.

 

Nothing is permanent.

Life is constantly growing and changing. You can enjoy and really appreciate the great things, and you can stay peaceful knowing that the not-so-great things won’t become your new forever. ;)

 

{I wrote this little blog last week, the day before my son Colin (4) fell and had to be rushed by ambulance to Children's Hospital. He has a broken leg and will be in a spica cast for the next 6-8 weeks. I just might have been writing this to myself! We are taking it day by day, and I'm thankful that this won't be forever. And there's joy along the way :) Real life perspective to solidify something I was already thinking about.}

 

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with moments to cherish! <3

 

Charin

Dream a little bigger

Taken on my iPhone



 

Dream big dreams, imagine yourself making a difference, having a blessed and fulfilled life. Picture what you'd like to accomplish in the next week, month, year.
The most successful people I know didn't get there by accident. :)

Happy Monday!

Digital Fall cleaning :)

Sometimes it feels SO good to go through and clean out your digital world! ;) Tonight I'm cleaning out my favorites folder full of websites I never visit, accounts I no longer have, etc. and I'm clearing out my email inbox. Try it! :) I truly believe that when we hold on to clutter (physical or digital-tangible or mental) it blocks us from new and fresh things coming our way.

One little step towards being mindful of making room for growth, and focusing on the things that I love and can use in the here and now. :)

taken with my iphone and edited with Lumie and Rhonna Farrer Designs apps.

This week I'm re-reading The Secret.
I love the idea that you can create the life you want.  My husband and I were talking this week about the importance of dreaming...being one step ahead of your life in what you want and where you want to be. I think that it's so true...imagine it first and you'll hold it in your hand. :)

Write it out

I'm getting back to doing something that I love...writing in a journal. :) There's just something about it...it can be therapeutic, it can spark creativity, keep you organized and on task for goals, and it definitely can make you more mindful.

I'm going to be using my current journal as a catch-all for goals (home organization ideas and tasks, weight loss goals as I'm 4 weeks postpartum with my gorgeous boy Parker Logan, etc) making lists of things I'm thankful for (so important!) and jotting down memories until I can get organized enough to start scrapbooking again. ;)

What would you journal about if you were to start today?
Pick up a pretty notebook that inspires you and give it a go! (Images above via http://www.live-inspired.com/)

 

Beauty

A pretty thought from Pinterest! :)
We're all given the same amount of time each day, live in the same world...but some people just make life more beautiful. :) Feeling inspired to make my corner of the world a little prettier. <3

Be inspired....

I love this. And I believe it! I know some world changers and they all share something...they believe in their cause, they trust that in being true to themselves they're fulfilling a purpose.
It's so good. <3

Simplicity is good for the soul :)

 

 

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest (LOVE these colors!)

 

I’m learning to love cleaning out the old and inviting clean simplicity into my home. It just feels so good to part ways with things that are just “stuff’ and have no purpose in our home. I read once that you should only keep things that serve a purpose or are pretty and loved by you. Makes sense, huh?:) I truly feel that there’s a negative energy associated with clutter and that you feel better when it’s gone.

I also believe that when you hang on to the old and beat down you don’t make room in your life for the new and shiny. ;) (Emotionally and literally…this isn’t about “things” as much as it is about a way of life.)

I’ve been working on it slowly, but surely, in between work, pregnancy, and wanting to spend all my free time playing with my energetic 4 and 6 year old, and collapsing on my husband.:)

 

My latest project was to dig out my overwhelming stash of scrapbooking supplies. I’ve had it for years. It was stuff. Not really my style anymore. Cluttered, heavy and old.  I loved scrapbooking, and really want to get back to it. But this time, with a simple & fresh stash that reflects who I am now.:) Time to toss the old stuff! Pass it on if it’s worthwhile, or throw it away if it’s damaged.

So, I posted it on a local online yard sale site and passed it on to a happy new home and took my husband on a date night with the cash I got for it! ;)

 

 

One of my favorite blogs to read “The Tao of Dana” is always adding great posts about how to add some fresh energy and purpose into your home! Check it out here….The Tao of Dana I promise you'll be inspired if you start reading. 

I’d love to hear from you if you have tips or ideas to share about simplifying and organizing! J
Charin

Learning to let it be

This is something that I've been working on for years. :) It's in my nature to try to "fix" circumstances, or events, and at times worry excessively when things aren't going as I think they should.

I have been in a situation where I was giving, giving, giving to someone who was lost on their own journey and hurt me in the process, when I was getting not- so- subtle (screaming, even!) hints to let it be.  To part ways and restore peace in my own life. :)
(Huge sigh of relief when I was out of that one!)

I've stressed myself silly at times wondering how to fit in, make a difference, make an impact.

I've questioned if I'm doing everything that I could/should be doing to be who I'm meant to be.

More recently, I have been enjoying this blessed and super happy season of my life with my wonderful husband. And I'm still working on letting it be. :)

My blog readers probably don't know this one, unless you know me personally, but we suffered a miscarriage in November. After the loss of something that we were both so very
excited about and looking forward to so much, I found myself being really nervous when we found out we were (are!) expecting again. My husband will be a first time Daddy this year, just a bit before his 40th birthday. He's been waiting for this for a long time.
So, I worry. I worry about every little twinge, and symptom that doesn't seem quite "right".
Our gorgeous little Parker's due October 5th and so far everything looks perfect!
So, letting it be is something that I'm breathing in. I'm learning (slowly) to just relax and realize that life really can be (for the most part) beautiful, and peaceful.
I'm learning that it's OK to be really ridiculously happy. :)

I thought I'd write this all down because being mindful about the journey is important to me. :)
Let it be....it's a lovely mantra for being mindful of each season and moment of our lives.

♥
Charin

♥ Being thankful ♥

I've seen the idea for a gratitude jar floating around in places like Pinterest and I loved the concept. It's so simple....write down the little things, and the big things that you're thankful for. Be mindful. Recognize things that you might not have noticed otherwise. :)


This month, I'm challenging myself to record at least one thing every day that I'm thankful for.
And that should be easy. :) Life is really beautiful and there is so much out there to celebrate! I grabbed a cute little container that I had and went to work. :) So far my "thankful list" includes a precious note that my husband gave me, extra time snuggling my kiddos, and the chance to sleep in this morning. :) (There's room to grow in that container, even on the busiest days I can just grab a piece of the paper and write it down.)

Oh, and one more thing I'm thankful for? My daughter watching me and picking up the gratitude bug. She's making her own, and her first "thankful for" was that she got to eat a popsicle today. ;) (Big or little things...they all make our lives a little sweeter!)

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate"

Spring cleaning in December :)

My husband and I moved into our new home about three months ago, and I am going into crazy woman mode lately about wanting to decorate and add new life and color and organization into it. :) (I'm nesting. Without the baby on the way!)

Last night I started purging through my tubs of scrapbooking supplies and photos...I want to start scrapbooking again. I do not, however, want old, cluttered messes bogging me down and draining my energy before I even start a project. :) I noticed (especially in the tubs of photos) that it was actually a kind of emotionally draining task. Seeing the faces of people who were a huge zap of my time and emotions, etc...it felt great to get those out of my house. :) Bye, bye, negative memories! :)

And then there was the sweetness too...pictures of people who I love. Pictures of Katie and Colin when they were so little. So many fun times and experiences. :)
Pieces of my history...I found a bookmark given to my by my Maw-Maw with all of her nicknames for my Paw-Paw and that made me remember lots of Summer's spent in Florida at their house.
A surprise find of  a CD that had some precious videos on it.

I'm all about keeping thing sorted and organized, and getting rid of things in your home that don't belong there. If there are broken things, clutter, negative memories hanging around.. they need to go. It's so freeing to make every room full of life and love and what your family cherishes. 
I love coming home to a place that feels like "us". Bonus points when guests feel warm and welcomed too. :)

I notice that I start wanting to breathe new life into my home around this time of year. It's almost a New Year! I love New Year's. Time for new resolutions and a push to focus on improvements and making things a bit prettier. (Inside, and out)

Now excuse me, I have another box to dig through. :)

** I will post a little home tour soon! Just as soon as I get a few more projects done. :)