Hey there!  How are you holding up during these trying times?  

I have had a lot of extra time to think recently.  I have been thinking a lot lately about the future. There are two futures on my mind-- the first is the short-term one.  The one in which my quarantine will be over, I will be gallivanting all over the place, and I can hug on the people I have been missing. 

The other future is the one a little further down the line.  The one in which I get to be a mother-in-law and maybe even a grandma.   I have always said that I want to be there for our kids as they have their own families-- I want to be the fun grandma that calls and offers to take the kids for the weekend.  I see myself baking, reading, playing outside, going on walks, and building with Legos with them.  I envision being strong and fit enough to keep up with them.

That's the vision for "future Kim," but what I do today-- even in quaratine-- and each day up to that point either puts me closer to that goal or further away.  I don't always do a stellar job, but when I keep my goal for my future in mind, I am more compelled to make the choices to help get me there.

On this day-- the 15th day of my quarantine, I must envision the future Kim when I feel like being a slug, or when I feel myself gravitating toward the kitchen looking for some comfort food.  Being there to help my kids as they build their lives and eventually have kids is my why.  I have to hold onto that.

Stop for a moment and envision the best version of yourself in ten years.  Are you still at your current job?  What do you do in your leisure time?  What do you eat?  How do you spend your days?  Where do you live?  What are your relationships like?  Are you active? Fit? Healthy?  

I bet the future you is active, fit, and healthy.  Who would want to envision the best version of themselves as something other than that?  No matter what you would like your job to be in ten years, or what home you live in, or what you do in your leisure time, you want to be comfortable in your own skin.  You want to be energetic, confident, and happy.

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.  Do something so that when life goes back to normal-- because it will-- your future self will thank you for taking care of her.  It doesn't have to be something big.  Starting small is key.  Choose an action that you can repeat until it becomes habit and then you can build upon it.  Here are some examples:

• If you drink soda or coffee all day, replace one serving with water.  
• Get some extra steps in.  If you are still going to work, Maybe you park further away from the door at work.  Maybe you take the stairs instead of the elevator.  Maybe you take a walk at lunch time or after work.  
• Go to bed a little earlier.  Aim for a solid 7-8 hours.  You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your energy level.  
• Eat your vegetables.  An easy way to get more in is to incorporate a salad a day.  
• Sit less.  Stand more.
• Take a few moments for stillness each day.  It might be when you wake up and before you get out of bed.  It could be while you are having your morning coffee. Take a moment to breathe deeply and be grateful.
• Connect with someone via text, call, or FaceTime.

These are strange times, but we have to stay focused on the bigger picture.  We have to have a vision of who we want to be when this thing is over as well as who we want to be 10 years from now.  Both versions are counting on us to do something nice for them today. ❤

You guys!!  How are you moving your body these days?  The gyms are closed, we have to keep our distance, but there are things we can (and should) be doing.  Why?  Why should we be moving? 

When we change our bodies, we change our minds. 

These are trying times, and it is really easy to be sucked into feelings of fear, anxiety, pressure, sadness, loneliness, all the negative feels.  When you notice that you are feeling less-than-stellar, move your body.  It feels like magic, but it is based on science.  Here is a nice article on 5 ways movement changes our brains.   

 Spoiler: Here are the 5 ways:

1.  Exercise helps prime the brain to connect with others.
2.  It can make our brain more sensitive to joy.
3.  It can make us feel brave. 
4.  It builds trust and belonging. 
   It can transform your self-image. ​

Find a way to move today.  Get outside with the kids.  Take a walk.  Ride bikes.  Do some deep cleaning.  Crank up some old school dance music and boogie down.  It doesn't matter what it is.  Just move.  Aim for 30 minutes.  It can be in little spurts of 5 or 10 minutes at a time.  It doesn't have to be all at once.  It all adds up!

​When you move your body, you change your mood!  

Be well!

Baking makes me so happy. I love the way it makes the house smell, and I love knowing exactly what ingredients are in my food.  

I bake less than when the kids were home, but when I do bake, I love to see how I can make healthier alternatives for old favorites.   I love how this recipe doesn't even call for any added sugars.  I used Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips, which do have added sugar, but there are only two ingredients, and the chocolate is healthier for you because it is 69% cacao.  (The higher the percentage, the better it is for you!)

I found the recipe here, on Caroline's Kitchen.  Check this young lady out!  She started her website when she was still in high school!

I am trying to be intentional about my thoughts, feelings and actions as I hunker down and try to maintain my “social distance.” During this time, I am going to try to post the things that bring me joy. Today, it’s this pasta sauce (my MIL’s recipe!) that I will freeze and enjoy for several more meals. It makes a nice big pot-- perfect for throwing in the freezer for several other meals.  

Ingredients:

3-4 cans crushed tomatoes (I am loving Muir Glen organic fire-roasted lately)
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red pepper, diced
Olive oil
1/2 C red cooking wine
1-2 bay leaves
1 1/2 t dried basil
1 t sugar
1/4 t dried rosemary
Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer 45-60 minutes. Remove bay leaves before serving.

You can add cooked ground beef/turkey/venison or meatballs when you simmer your sauce if desired.

​What is bringing you joy today?