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Surprise! A Drool-Worthy Vegan and Paleo Cheesecake
Last week, I received a very unexpected yet pleasant surprise in my mail – a check from my former car insurance provider for $700. Now to provide some context, I have not driven any vehicle even one time in over three years now. I have no desire to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road here on the windy and narrow roads of Ireland and living downtown Boston it was unnecessary, impractical and extremely expensive for both Jon and I to have a car. In almost any situation within the city of Boston, it takes roughly the same amount of time to walk, take the subway or…
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Buy Experiences, Spend Time Connecting, and Avoid Flipping Failures with a Veggie Omelette Waffle
As I contemplate money this month, I have of course reflected on the truth that money does not buy happiness. But I have also considered more deeply how money can contribute to happiness when spent wisely or in a meaningful way. Being generous, for example, is often just as rewarding to the giver as it is to the receiver. Also, investing in the things you use often or the things that further hobbies and activities that you enjoy can be a key contributor. And as Ilya Pozin wrote for Forbes, although we think that we enjoying buying things, we may tend underestimate the pleasure that we get from spending money…
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Celebrate “Treat YO Self Day” with an Autumn in Mason Jar Salad Picnic in the Park
I mentioned recently that for the month of October, one of my resolutions is to abstain from absolutely all non-essential purchases (i.e. food and coffee). I have become increasingly lax in my budget management over the past few months and have found myself frequently indulging and accumulating more things which I do not actually need (although it is hard for an athleisure addict to admit, I do have plenty of leggings). This approach might not work for everyone, but for me, as an abstainer (as opposed to a moderator), it’s easier and better for me to give something up completely than to allow for a little bit here and there.…
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October Aspirations, Being Generous, and Paleo Pumpkin Spice Muffins
I have mentioned previously that I am in the middle of my own year long Happiness Project, which means that each month I choose a particular key area of my life to focus on, setting a few resolutions to work on in that arena with the overall objective of improving my habits, health, and happiness through small and specific actions. It’s been a few months now and I can say that although I don’t earn a “gold star” for every resolution every day, I have been successful in forming several new and positive habits which support the overall aim. Along with the resolutions, I also usually try to read books related…
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The Value of Being Versatile (as Demonstrated by Cashew Nut Butter)
Versatile – to be able to adapt or be adapted to a many different functions or activities. See also: adaptable, flexible, all-around, multifaceted, multitalented, resourceful, protean; adjustable, variable, convertible, alterable, modifiable, multipurpose. It is interesting to me how particular values, traits or qualities become more or less in vogue throughout the passage of time. Today it seems that concepts like gratitude, mindfulness, balance, and versatility are highly prized in the media and society at large around many parts of the world. Although often the rise in popularity of such buzzwords can end up translating loosely to nothing tangible (and can be a bit excessive or annoying at times), they do…
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Savoring a Suddenly Free Schedule and Whole30 Sausage Egg Sandwiches
Growing up, my sister and I LOVED playing with Barbies. We played nearly everyday, in all our free time for hours on end, and for years beyond what would generally be considered socially acceptable. At one point I know we counted and had over 120 Barbie or at least 9 Ken dolls (which meant having a boyfriend or husband was a pretty big deal) along with many kid and baby versions.  For us, playing with Barbies did not entail just the usual dressing and hair brushing activities; rather we used them to create our own microcosm of society. We used them in all the usual childhood playtime favorites – house, bank,…
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Self Knowledge, Being True to You, and Craveable Chimichurri Steak with Crispy Smashed Potatoes
If you have read more than one or two of my previous posts, you may have noticed that I am probably one of Gretchen Rubin’s biggest fangirls. One important thing that I have learned from her work is the importance of having a clear manifesto or guiding principles which help to direct your actions and decisions. In The Happiness Project, she wrote about her twelve “Personal Commandments” which are essentially her own core values acting as a mission statement for the way that she lives her life. Everyone’s would naturally be different, based upon their own experiences, beliefs, and objectives, however she did outline one which seemed to transcend most…
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Choosing to Invest Time Wisely and the Value of Meal Prepping
Throughout conversations in my recent travels and with my visitors this weekend, I have come to the amazing realization that it has already been almost TWO years of our living in Ireland. This is shocking to me and proof of the fact that the although the days themselves seem to be long, the years are in fact quite short and time absolutely does fly by. A common theme for my 2017 has been on the topic of using the resources that I have at my disposal to live a more satisfying, meaningful, and happier life. Over the past several months, I have been studying and reading extensively on the topic…
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The Power of Connectedness and Lemon Baked Haddock
For the most part, I work from home. This of course does not include the time that I am teaching at the studio, but alas, I do have an additional, regular, full time position as a business consultant which involves a lot of time at my computer or on the phone. When I explain this, it is confusing to many people, conjuring up a variety of misconceptions or delusions, ranging from “oh wow – that is awesome, working in your pajamas everyday or taking the afternoons off right?” to “yeahhhh right, you don’t really do very much work do you?” or “that must be really hard to stay focused and…
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The Strategy of Convenience and Whole 30 Coconut Crusted Chicken Fingers with “Honey” Mustard Dipping Sauce
Let’s get one thing straight – I have not always been a super healthy eater. While I have always liked my veggies and fruits, I also liked my fast food, sweets, and prepackaged convenience foods. When I was younger, I was all about what was easy and “tasted good” and not too concerned about the health (or lack thereof) in the foods that I was eating, plus I lived down the street from a Steak and Shake. According to Google, there are some Steak and Shake locations in the EU, but none in Ireland, so for those who may not know, it is a fast food diner type restaurant with…
