Amanda

Daily Resolution: Cultivate a Herbivore Haven

Gardens are not just for country folk.  A small garden is as close as a window sill. Start an herb garden in your kitchen! Basil, fennel, cilantro and many others can be easily started right from seeds, and if you choose, they can be transplanted later. Fresh additions to your meals can be at your fingertips. Do little research on the amount of sunlight and soil your selections need. Many herbs are low maintenance requiring only periodic watering and can be placed on a window ledge until needed.

Daily Resolution: Chew Properly

Some people think that chewing 20-30 times before you swallow will help you feel full faster. Today’s goal is to find out!

Today’s Resolution: Be Happy That You’re Happy

Last week I read the most jaded article on love, life and family. It said that the person that you marry is your partner, and you move forward together, but that life isn’t meant to be fun. It went on and on about work and hobbies and how marriage is basically just to have comfort and security when you’re done with that work and those hobbies. I understand the emphasis on personal interests, but not complete separation because although I think that often happens, why does it need to be ideal?

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ridiculously happy having fun, working alongside my partner in crime and sharing my hobbies with him too. Having an awesome boyfriend / girlfriend / fiance / wife / husband is like having a built in best friend and I can’t believe that anyone would feel like they’re just meant for end-of-day couch potato-ing and bitch fests.

So today’s resolution is to look around at the awesomeness that is your life. You’re ridiculously awesome partner in crime, your kids, your family, your friends, your pets, your hobbies or anything else that makes you deliriously happy on your best days. If nobody else in your life “gets it”, then that’s OK because we all have our own perceptions of happiness. Just don’t push what makes you happy on anyone else, and try to laugh away anyone who tries to do the same to you. 🙂

Happy day everyone!

Today’s Resolution: Save Your Ears & Sanity By Going Silent

I learned a few things this week about sound. First, an ex-retail employee used to dealing with crowds and noise told me that any constant sound over 75 decibels for an extended period of time (like being a retail employee at an extremely busy small store) can cause hearing loss or damage.

Then I read that “Nonstop exposure to low-level background noise (like people yakking, phones ringing and distant horns blaring) doesn’t just drive you nuts — it’s also stressful to your nervous system and can dampen your mood by 40 percent”, suggests researchers at Cornell University.

So today’s resolution is to take some time away from the noise for as long as you can. Find a silent place, or use the earplugs we recommended in yesterday’s resolution and take a sound break.

Today’s Resolution: Figure Out Your Nutritional Deficiencies

Last week Patrick and I got our blood analyzed. Apparently we’re the only youngin’s they’ve seen in a while because everyone was very excited to see that we’re so interested in our health.

We basically sat down, got our fingers pricked, and then got to see our blood up on a screen. The wellness consultant that was there, a pretty nerdy/smart health dude, was awesome about telling us everything there is to know about how our blood looks. My blood was very different from Patricks and vice versa.

What we discovered is that Pat needs a liver cleanse, BAD, and I need digestive enzymes (not probiotics), BAD.

See, you walk around thinking “I feel OK” and “I’m still young”, but our bodies are the only things keeping us alive and well, so we should really take care of them. Supposedly after taking digestive enzymes (different than probiotics) which help break down excess protein, I should also be less affected by allergies, depression and fatigue too, so that’s a plus!

Today’s resolution is to get your own tests figured out. You can actually analyze your blood under a microscope just like we did, or you can get SpectraCell testing done locally. Or, like us, you can look out for similar blood tests like we found at our local health food / vitamin store!

Today’s Resolution: Recreate an Old Photo

Find an old photo of yourself and recreate your pose. Bonus points for matching your outfit, scenery and expression. Where am I going to find white shorts?

Today’s Resolution: Invest In Yourself

Take the time today to research online degrees, certificates and continuing education programs.

Maybe there’s a cake decorating class you want to try? A wine-tasting class? Cooking class? Investing in yourself will always pay off.

Did you find a program that looked like fun?

Today’s Resolution: Rediscover the First Album You Ever Bought

Today, rediscover the first album you ever bought. Leave a comment about what you listened too. If you liked this resolution share it with your friends. You’ll never guess what my first album was.

Today’s Resolution: Smile About It All

The good, the bad and the ugly—whatever life throws at you today, shake it off and smile.