I did it, almost...

In my January newsletter, I talked about my resolution to lose weight, the five steps to make change lasting and how it takes 90 days to become "permanent", speculating that I would be 5 lbs. lighter on March 31st and in my February newsletter, I talked about developing the good habit of eating more vegetables to this end (and with my health coach, Marie, of the Family Plate, I am on my way) and so today I weighed in at 4 lbs. lighter (having gone up and down for the past three months, hence the health coach) and I am really proud of myself and intend to celebrate with a healthy lunch.

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Desk organization

Before....

After.....

Enough said (Sylvie would be very proud, especially if I kept it this way.)

In the kitchen on Thursday: Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow brownies

Months ago, I decided (and mentioned publicly) that I wanted to find other uses for hot cocoa powder beyond well, a hot chocolate. My first attempt, hot chocolate pudding, was a bust. My second attempt, hot chocolate and marshmallow brownies were devoured before I could even remember to take a photo.

1 stick butter, melted
3/4 C. hot cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 C. sugar
2/3 C. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 C. marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Pour into greased 8" square pan. Bale for 30-40 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting. Makes 16. Be advised marshmallows may melt right into the brownie giving it a "caramel" flavor.

Wednesday's words to remember

Tuesday's Tip: Oil and Honey

If you are cooking or baking with a sugar syrup (i.e. honey, molasses, etc.) measure the oil first or spray the measuring tool with cooking spray so the syrup comes out easier, practically none left in the measuring cup or spoon.

Time to go or not?

Yesterday I took my daughter ice skating (her new found favorite activity) and told her we would leave at a certain time only to realize that there was no real reason we needed to be home, so I let her skate till she was done and when I was done , I got a cup of coffee and read a book on my Iphone and learned that sometimes it is better to let a kid decide for themselves when to stop than drag him/her kicking and screaming the hole way home.

Connecting to nature

At the gym this morning, I got on the Elliptical and pushed the courses button for hike through canyons in Utah and when I was done, I not only felt the rush of endorphins, but also felt a connection to nature even though I had been indoors the whole time (and this is way better then mindlessly turning on the TV function for some "cop" drama).

In perspective...

This morning my daughter was looking at her new book, 101 Baby Animals and said to her father and I, "Do you know that male seahorses if they think their wife is ugly eat the young so they won't turn out ugly" and this put every martial spat we've had in perspective for me—I am lucky to be in a species that doesn't eat its young for any reason.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Lip therapy

Lip Balm

3 Tbsp. Cocoanut Oil
1/2 Tbsp. Almond Oil
1/2 Tbps. Olive Oil.

Melt the cocoanut oil and mix in a small container with lid with the almond and olive oils. Allow to cool completely. As the cocoanut oil hardens you should get a smooth "paste." If you don't have almond oil, you use a full Tbsp. of olive oil.

Wednesday's words..."Yes, I can!"

According to an article in Good Housekeeping, "You control 40% of your outlook—and can train yourself to be an optimist."

Good Housekeeping

Tuesday's tip: A reminder

When I checked in at the gym, I was told I had a note for missing keys and so I went to the membership desk to check the lost key bin and there were so many keys, I was stunned and thought if you're afraid of leaving something behind, set a reminder on your phone to go off 5 minutes before you leave that says, "Do I have (blank)?

The ingredients: a kid, a parent and punishment

Over the weekend my daughter acted out and had to be punished and she said that I had hurt her feelings and betrayed her (I said I would do one thing and then read the situation and did another) and so she wanted to punish me and at first I resisted and then gave in thinking, heck, even parents need a to be put in line.

(P.S. I am still waiting for my punishment, while my daughter has lost "screens" for today and maybe tomorrow too.)

Wednesday's words: Of Mice and Men

"Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, 'It might have been.'" —Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut Biography

Tuesday's Tip: Moisture Boost

To boost the moisturizing capacity of your body lotion, add a few drops of olive oil to the lotion before you put it one.

(This has done wonders for my winter-is-too-long dry skin.)

Two for One Deal Today

1. What is support?
           In life and business, we hear the phrase, "support of family and friends," but my business mentor made me realize that true support comes from with in and "support of family friends" is just the decoration on the cake.

2. Keeping the end in mind
           Yesterday my daughter go upset when we left the ice skating rink even though she had been told before we left the house that we would only have an hour and half and realized that at age nine she was learning the important concept of keeping the end in mind from the beginning of a project and for the cold walk home argued with me about (Hey, I know some adults who don't have this concept down pat).

Have I learned anything today? YES

In speaking with my business mentor, she said that people like to know upfront what things cost so they  know if they can afford them and this really resonated with me—one because there are no prices on website (soon to be corrected) and two because my 9 y.o. is very conscious of what things cost and how much she is spending (Thank you, Helen).

In the kitchen in Thursday: A new pan

Puff Pancakes

1/2 C milk

1/2 C flour

3 eggs

1 Tbsp. Butter, softened

Heat oven to 450. Grease muffin top pan. Pour in batter, so each muffin top is 2/3 full. Bake for 12 minutes. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar and fruit.

Wednesday's words: Try again

"Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" —Mary Anne Radmacher

Tuesday's tip: the night before

Pack your bag the night before, so you don't forget anything.

(I learned this the hard way this morning when I had to go home twice--once for my cell phone and a second time for my wallet. I should practice what I preach.)