Seven Tricks To Race You Towards Your Goal (Plus, FREE Printable!)

Did you set any goals/resolutions at the beginning of the year? Were you able to stick with them or were they ancient history by Valentines Day? If you have trouble sticking with your goals, you are not alone. In fact, recent studies have shown that 88% of New Year's Resolutions are not kept. No wonder the gym has been so empty lately.  ;-)

Today, I thought I'd share a few quick tips to help get you back on track (and a free printable checklist, too!). You don't need to wait for 2014 to roll around, or even the beginning of next week - today is as good a day as any! So without further ado, here are...

Seven Tricks To Race You Towards Your Goal 

1. Make sure you goals align with your priorities. If your family is your number one priority, then choosing a goal that takes you away from them (i.e., spending more time at the office) is not going to be very easy (or enjoyable) to accomplish.

2. Set "SMART" goals. You've probably heard this one before: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. For example, lets say you have a goal to lose some weight. Saying, "My goal is to lose weight" is not quite specific enough. Instead, try "My goal is to lose 20 lbs in 3 months." This way, you have a specific amount of weight, not to mention a date to help push you along.

3. Work on your goal every day. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish when you work on your goal every day. Add 2-3 things to your to-do list every day that push you closer towards your goal. Don't keep a to-do list? Start! There are tons of great list apps for smartphones these days and most are free.

4. Hold yourself accountable. One of the easiest ways I have found is to use a good 'ol fashioned checklist. Simply put your goals on the top and then give yourself a little check-mark at the end of the day if you met/supported your goal. No time to make a checklist? No worries! I made one for you. It may not be fancy, but sometimes simple is best. Click here for your free printable.

5. Visualize yourself achieving your goal. The mind is a spooky, spooky thing. The original super-computer, it will try to create what it "sees." Want to look good in your swimming suit this year? Imagine yourself strutting your stuff on the beach (minus a few pounds) and see what happens. *Doing this alone obviously will not melt the fat off your body, but it helps get your mind right!

6. Surround yourself with supportive people. This kind of goes without saying, but when you are around people who are encouraging and helpful, it is WAAAY easier to feel good about what you are doing (especially when you hit a rough patch, which you inevitably will). The opposite is also true...don't let the haters bring you down!

7. Finally, to piggy-back off that last point, follow some blogs related to your goal. Unless your goal is to spend less time on the internet, finding blogs that relate to your goal can help to keep you inspired. They may even provide you with helpful tips.

Implement any of these strategies into your life and you will find yourself soaring towards your goals! If you would like even more assistance reaching your goals, visit here for some 1:1 assistance - I'd love to help you!

Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Candy Bars

For my first "official" food post, I had grand ideas of posting a highly nutritious, vegetable-filled main-course that would get everyone's taste buds up and dancing. Unfortunately, I have a sweet-tooth roughly the size of Texas and couldn't help myself.  :-)  However, even though we try to eat a whole-foods, predominately plant based diet at our house, there is still room for treats on occasion. (Like, the occasion of "I need me some chocolate"). I like this recipe because while not "nutritious," it is a somewhat healthy treat (not something to have every day). I found the original recipe here - it looked good and tasted even better so I thought I'd share! So, here is something sweet, chocolate-y, (and my personal favorite) EASY.  Let me know what you think!

First, you'll need some stuff. I bet you already have most of this in the cupboard. If you are a hard-core nutritionist, which apparently I am not, you can find better (more natural) versions of the products pictured above. I, however, live in the middle of nowhere and sometimes have to take what I can get. 

 Melt coconut oil, honey & PB. 

Stir in chocolate chips. Resist urge to eat directly from pan.

Take off heat and add in cranberries & oatmeal.

The original recipe suggested pouring it into a 9x13 inch pan, but I like 'em thick, so I used an 8x8. Use whatever size floats your boat and then stick it in the fridge until they firm up. Or until you can't take it anymore. (*Guilty).

Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Candy Bars

1 C peanut butter (natural)

2/3 C honey

1/2 C coconut oil

2 C oats (not instant)

1 1/4 C chocolate chips (original recipe called for mini, I used dark, regular-sized chips)

3/4 C dried cranberries

In a medium sized saucepan, melt together peanut butter, coconut oil and honey.

Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, cranberries and oats. Stir until combined and chips are melted. 

Spread into 9x13 pan (for thin bars) or 8x8 for thick bars. Refrigerate until hardened, about 1 hour. Store in refrigerator. 

Blogs, They Are A Changin'

Maybe I missed the mark the first time. Maybe I have adult ADD. Whatever the reason, I've decided to change the style of this blog, already.

The idea for change started not long ago when I was talking with a friend about my diet (whole foods, nothing processed).

"So, what do you eat?" said my very dear, but highly skeptical friend.

"What do you eat?" I asked.

She couldn't believe that anyone could realistically eat a diet free of processed food and like it. I couldn't believe she thought I was eating tofu and lettuce for every meal.  

As I was thinking about our diet choices (which I believe to be connected to living a happier life), I realized that not long ago I, too was living in the land of Oreos & frozen pizza. It wasn't until I stumbled upon this website and let the creators virtually hold my hand & walk me through the process that I was able to make the switch in my diet.  

Then it hit me - maybe, just maybe - there are people out there who (like me, not long ago), need a little hand holding when it comes to this happiness stuff.  

So.  Wham-O.  An idea was born.  Just like that. 

Starting today, this blog will serve as your "How-To" guide to happiness.  I'll be posting healthy recipes, meditation tips, goal setting advice, and anything else that I believe will aid you on your happiness journey.

Hopefully, you'll find this change to be useful, but as always, if there is a particular topic that you would find more useful, let me know in the comments section.  

Thanks for bearing with me as I make this change! Stop back next week when I'm back with a "Healthy Eating for Happy Living" post!