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Stress-Free Buffalo Egg Muffins
This week on the blog you’ll notice a special theme because I am celebrating my two year wedding anniversary! I can’t believe how time quickly time has flown by and what a unique experience it has been. Jon and I were happily dating and living in Boston when all of a sudden, he was presented with a career development opportunity which entailed an up to 18 month position in Cork, Ireland (now extended to 3 years). As we weighed the pros and cons of this major relocation, it became clear to us that that there was one thing that we still wanted to do while we were in Boston, which…
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Barre Class
When it comes to choosing an exercise routine, I personally think that first and foremost you should find something that you enjoy and that works for you which I have written about in greater detail here and here. Ultimately, if you don’t enjoy doing something, the chances you will keep it up over the long haul are significantly lower because research shows that habits stick better when they’re pleasurable. Although some of it is purely psychological, an activity seems easier and more convenient when it is fun or provides some level of satisfaction. Once you have found something that you like and suits you, you should try to find ways…
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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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Park Bench Barre Workout – Lower Body Focused Outdoor Exercise
I never realized how much the weather truly impacts my mood and daily experience until I lived in Ireland. I had only lived in places with dramatically different four seasons up until this point, but had often wondered what it would be like to be somewhere with a relatively consistent climate. Now I know. Thankfully, there have been many days of fabulous fall weather lately, and I have been busy trying to take advantage of it before the rainy winter season sets in. Lots of walks with Coco (who absolutely refuses to walk in the rain or bitter cold) and lots of time in the park admiring the vibrant leaves.…
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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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Consistency: One Coin (or Class!) at a Time
Despite the decidedly crisper air outside and the header on my calendar which clearly shows that fall is well underway at this point, I am still in shock that we are already through the first week of October. If you blink, your schedule will be packed with Christmas parties, decorations, and shopping for gifts in no time. We are now in the final quarter of 2017. UNBELIEVABLE. Time truly does fly, whether we are ready or not, which is why the best time to start something is usually NOW. It’s been a month, so it might be worthwhile to check in with yourself and those September Resolutions (and if you…
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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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What I Read Last Month :: September
For as long as I can remember, I have loved to read. Although at various points in my life I have made this a higher priority than I have at others, I am happy to have found many ways to make this a very consistent and important part of my day-to-day life presently. As part of my Happiness Project this year, I have tried to focus the genre of my reading on whatever area of my life my resolutions are focused on for that particular month, but September was a little scattered. Since what I read often comes up in my writing on the blog or my real life conversations,…
