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Celebrating Four Years at the Barre :: The 4 Most Important Lessons that Barre has Taught Me
Tomorrow marks two very significant events in my life. The first, is my mother’s birthday. I cannot begin to put into words just how much my mom has taught me, supported me, and shaped who I am and am striving to become everyday. If you have met my mom, I am willing to bet that you may have been a bit stunned. She is good at just about everything and she is someone who can and does take on multiple superhuman tasks all at once, executing each one to an unprecedented level of exceptional. Long story short, she is pretty amazing. And I remember clearly calling to wish her a…
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Visualization and a Visually Appealing Whole30 Salmon Nicoise Salad
Something I always find interesting when I learn something new, hear about a particular concept or idea, or start a different activity, is the feeling that it seems to pop up everywhere, across a variety of settings. The Pacific Standard described it well: “your friend told you about that obscure blue-grass-electro-punk band yesterday morning. That afternoon, you ran across one of their albums at a garage sale. Wait a minute -that’s them in that Doritos commercial, too! Coincidence… or conspiracy? More likely, you’re experiencing ‘frequency illusion,’ somewhat better known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon.” And although research has shown that this occurs due to the psychological processes of selective attention and…
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Positive Thinking, the AIM Method, and Spirulina Bliss Balls
I wrote not too long ago about the Cognitive Triangle which describes the interplay between the way we think, feel, and act. Although we may mistakenly believe that one always influences the other, there is a lot of evidence which shows that in reality, each of these processes actually both affects and is affected by the others. In that post I considered the ways that acting the way we want to feel can lead to a shift in our emotions, which is something I have tried to remember in my day-to-day experiences. But more recently I read about the power of positive thinking on our subjective well-being in Ed Diener…
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Priorities, Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand
One thing I need to remind myself of often is the unpleasant reality that “working” can be one of the most insidious forms of procrastination. Many times I can distract myself or delay working on my highest priorities or the most important things because I convince myself that I am busy being otherwise productive. I love my daily To Do List. It makes me feel organized and productive just writing everything down in one place so that I can map out the day strategically. I always check my calendar for any classes, meetings, or appointments which occur at particular times and add them as well as deliverables, assignments, and errands…
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The Power of Routine (and Starting the Day with a Whole30 Tuscan Frittata!)
Habits and routines often have a bad reputation. Especially on the surface, many people consider it dull, tedious, or monotonous to do the same things consistently each day or week. However, I beg to differ, agreeing with British writer, Arnold Bennett who said “the pleasure of doing a thing in the same way at the same time every day, and savoring it, should be noted.” Although it’s exciting and beneficial to go new places and try new things, a routine can also contribute significantly to our happiness. And it certainly does to mine. I love traveling in general, especially the time recently spent back in the States with my family,…
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What I Read Last Month :: December
2018 is officially underway and I am excited for a fresh start and the year ahead. I am feeling refreshed by my visits back home, the time spent with friends and family and just to be back in the States.  Now I am happy to be back “home” in Cork with my little Coco, back to Flex in the City and my beloved routine. As I mentioned previously, my Happiness Project last month was focused on fun and allowing myself to do things just for the sake of enjoyment and pleasure as opposed to limiting myself only to my more traditionally productive activities. This was a good decision in light…
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Distinguishing Between Resolutions and Goals :: Whole30 Hazelnut Crusted Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce
I know that at this time of year especially, there is no shortage of motivational quotes, inspirational advice, and “fitspo” photos flooding all media outlets. Conservative estimates say that at least 40% of people start their new year off by making some resolutions and goals. And although developing a new good habit or dropping an old bad one is something which can be done and beneficial at nearly anytime, there is something quite psychologically powerful about the start of a new year. I wrote previously about Katherine Milkman’s fascinating work related to fresh starts and how her research shows whenever we go through a change of season, literally or metaphorically…
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My One Word Theme for 2018 :: Prepare and a Whole30 Chili
I love words. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been passionate about learning, especially when it comes to reading and writing. Building a more expansive vocabulary continues to be a goal of mine and therefore I spend what I would consider a considerable amount of time consulting thesauruses and dictionaries to find the most impeccable, consummate, or quintessential means of conveying my message. Succinctness is not necessarily my strength, but I do actively strive to find the best fitting word to do the job. And in light of my affinity for words – it may not come as a shock that I am a big fan of…
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Tucking Around the Christmas Tree :: Barre-less Barre Workout
Merry Christmas! I am looking forward to a relaxing day spent with loved ones and lots and lots of good food. While in the U.S. I am still getting my barre-fix ala Pure Barre Grandville, but since they are closed today and tomorrow, it’ll be a holiday home workout for me. And because I am a big sister excited to be reunited with my little sister, I am doing one of the things that I do best – being bossy and getting her to join in the tucking with me! The best part is that we don’t need any equipment at all for this a full body barre-less barre workout…
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The Joy of Holiday Traditions and Paleo Zucchini Muffins
Since I have such an intense affinity for a good routine, it may not come as a shock that I am also a big fan of traditions! While discussing my trip back home with someone this past week, I was asked about some of the holiday traditions and rituals that my family observes. As I excitedly told her about decorating gingerbread houses, Christmas Eve with the extended family, and Christmas morning stockings with the immediate family in pajamas, I immediately felt a surge of happiness rush through me. As I basked in the glow of cheerful anticipation, I was reminded of what I had read earlier in the year in…
