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Clean your Kitchen!

1/26/2011

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I love my kitchen! It's small, and often impractical, but it has been the home of so many fun food creations, I can't help but think happy thoughts about it! A healthy lifestyle begins in your kitchen, most likely in your refridgerator (hence the week 1 task of cleaning it out!), but in general you need to become one with you kitchen, if you want to start cooking healthy meals.

The only time I do not enjoy my kitchen, is when it's messy and there are dishes everywhere. It starts off innocently enough, I remember late one night to start the dishwasher, and then in the morning, with no time to spare i have to  leave my cereal bowl in the sink. I come home from work, unpack my lunch bag- into the sink, and head to the gym.  After heating up leftovers for dinner, I put that dish in the sink, and think-- I just need to relax for a few minutes, I will get to it later... the next morning I walk into the kitchen and walk back out. Inspiration for a healthy breakfast is gone when you have to look at yesterdays glued on oatmeal.

So here's your week 4 Wellness Wednesday challenge: Each night, Clean your Kitchen! It takes 2 minutes to unload the dishwasher, just do it! Wash the dishes, wipe down the counters, and even put those clean dishes away. You will be suprised how happy it makes you to turn on the kitchen light in the morning and find your shining sink!

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Honor the Dream- Serve!

1/19/2011

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"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
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Breakfast of Champions

1/12/2011

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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!
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Free Your Fridge!

1/5/2011

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It’s the first week of the year, and most of us are off to a fresh start. January is a great time to get things going, everyone is motivated, ready to shake off the craziness of the holidays, and start living a healthier lifestyle. It is a time of cleansing and renewal.  One of the easiest things to do to move on from the Holidays is to get rid of all of the evidence!

Wellness Wednesday Tip #1: Clean out your Refrigerator! Have you looked in there lately? I mean, REALLY looked? It’s time to toss all of the homemade cookies and treats, as well as all of the party leftovers! The best way to get a grip on your fridge is to simply take everything out. Once the food is out, wipe down the inside (and outside) of the refrigerator. Here are a few hints:
  • Leftovers are only good for about 4 days. Toss or freeze anything that was made more than 3 days ago!
  • Toss as you go. Don’t think about it.
  • When in doubt, toss it out!! If you can’t remember when you opened that jar of pickles, toss it. Many items like these (and condiments) do not have expiration dates. Use your best judgment.
  • Group together condiments so you are aware of what you have. Do you really need 4 bottles of mustard?
  • Make a grocery list as you go of the items that you might want to refresh.  Item 1 might be a new box of baking soda.
Want extra credit? Take on your Freezer and Cupboards as well!

Going forward:

  • Fill your fridge with fresh healthy choices.
  • Consider using a Sharpie to mark the date you opened items that do not have an expiration date.
  • You don’t have to do this kind of overhaul all the time. Take 10 minutes once a week to clean out leftovers, and wipe up any spills.
Good Luck with this task! Let me know how it goes! I think you will feel a sense of accomplishment and calm, and maybe even some excitement for heading to the grocery store!

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