"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." Martin Luther King Jr.

This week we are honoring Martin Luther King Jr. While we know that his main message was equality, if you did a little deeper you will find that community building was a big part of it as well.

I choose to give to the community by volunteering and sitting on the board for the West Metro Miracle League. During the weeks that I have board meetings, I look forward to seeing my fellow board members and sharing what we have to bring to the meeting. In the weeks during our baseball season that I am a volunteer coach, nothing brings me more smiles and inspiration than seeing my team.

Wellness Wednesday Week 3: Share your heart. Start looking for an organization to volunteer with.  Check with your local school, church, community center, clinic, or even the vet to find your opportunity! If you really cannot find someway to give of yourself, then donated to your favorite charity or buy a bag of groceries for the local foodshelf. There's always a way to give!

Maybe you will only vounteer once, but maybe you will find something you love, like I did, and find that you want to be more involved.

For more information on volunteering. Check out volunteermatch.org or serve.gov for

I hope all of you found a little joy in cleaning out your refridgerator and starting the week off fresh. I know it's still a joy to me that when I open the fridge door, I can actually find what I'm looking for in there! And, it's so much easier to eat healthy when it's stocked with great food!

This weeks challenge may take a little more planning for you! They say that breakfast in the most important meal of the day. It is also proven that breakfast eaters tend to weigh less and be healthier than non-breakfast eaters.

Wednesday Wellness Week #2: Take 10 minutes to sit at your kitchen table and eat breakfast. No eating in the car, or at work, just sit for a few minutes, eat, and collect your thoughts.

I don't need you to make pancakes or omlettes each morning, to complete this task.  A simple bowl of Cheerios, or a piece of toast with peanut butter, and a glass of orange juice will do. As a matter of fact, it's easier on your digestive system to start the day with some light carbs (like Oatmeal). 

 If you are like me- I am out the door within an hour of my alarm clock going off, so there's not much time for breakfast. But taking the time to sit down, eat and enjoy it, helps set the pace of the day. It may be the last 10 minutes of peace you have before the craziness begins! I use it as a time to plan my day, and

Hint: If you've never tried steel cut oatmeal, give it a shot! It's more substantial than instant oatmeal, however it does take 20 minutes or so on the stovetop. I've learned to make a batch of it on Sunday night, and re-heat it with a little extra milk in the morning. It's quick, healthy and tastes great!