Mini Goals & Today's Smoothie

Last week I mentioned I was going to make another mini goal for myself and that was to do at least 5 morning smoothies per week (Monday thru Friday).  I'm on day 3 and so far so good!

Today's smoothie is...

1 Frozen Banana
2 Dates
1 C Non-Dairy Milk*
1 Scoop of GoL's Marley Coffee RAW Fit
6 Frozen Strawberries

*I used a combo of Coconut, Almond, and Hemp

This was tastier than I anticipated!  Just a hint of strawberry and coffee!  YUM!!!!

I have been thinking about starting another art/junk journal with the focus on adding daily things "I Enjoyed Today".  I've done art and junk journals before but I tend to go in spurts (like many other things I enjoy).  What made me think about it again is when I was watching Rylew's Video on YouTube on How to Journal for Alignment.  Once I grab a book to journal in I will make this a mini goal for myself once again.  Question of the Day: What is a NEW Mini Goal you have made for yourself?  If you haven't made a mini goal for yourself lately - won't you join me and making one now?  If so feel free to brainstorm in comments.  Everyone have a Blissful Day!

Goal Book ~ Page 2

Last week I started a Goal Book using Mixed Media and I reached all 5 of my goals.  This is what this weeks Goals are...but before I elaborate on this weeks goals...here's a short recap on last week...1 was to write at least 5 articles - I at least doubled that!  Another goal was to make at least 1 'World Foods' dish - I did 3 or 4 of them.  Then I wrote 'Start A Vision Board' - I started one but it's in the very beginning stages still.  I wanted to breathe more...more deep breaths...I was able to do that.  Then, finally, I wanted to laugh/smile more...I also did that.  Hubby and I started watching Brooklyn 99 on Hulu+ and it's sooooo funny!  Nice way to unwind at the end of the day.

So on to this week!  #1 on my list is to get back into Yoga.  Any kind of yoga!  I mostly do Kripalu Yoga but am open to others.  I also enjoy Yoga Trance Dance that was made popular by Shiva Rea.  #2 on my list this week is to visit my parents.  This isn't unusual for me - I try and get over to their place once a week or every other week - but - it's still a goal.  #3 is to send at least 3 "Thank You" Emails to people and places that I think are doing 'good things'.  It's so often we hear the complaints and not the GOOD feedback and I want to change that.  #4 is to text at least 3 friends that I haven't chatted with in a while.  I have two in mind as I type this.  Finally - #5 is to concentrate on LARGE salads for dinners most of this week!

Not only did I reach all of my goals last week - I have a good start on the ones for this week - AND - I found myself accomplishing a lot of OTHER things around the house and at work that I didn't include in my Goal Book!  I'm VERY pleased so far with this project!

Goal Book ~ So It Begins...

I figured I would do a stand alone post for this one.  I've officially started my Weekly Goal Book and thought I would share it with you.  By posting it here on my blog it will give me a bit of accountability to stick with it, I hope.

I've had this sketch book for a while and have been stain pages and trying to use different inks for junk journaling and art journaling for a while but didn't really have a purpose...now I do.  You can see the edges are starting to change because of the inks and dyes and I think that is completely fine.  I want it to be pretty funky.  The outside is fabric so it's soaking up the liquid pretty well.

Here's a blank page - randomly - in the book that I will use down the road so  you can see that each page will be different. 

I receive daily emails from DailyOm.com and last week they sent me this quote and it pushed me over the edge to finally start this project.

"Take the time to reclaim your creativity and watch your life blossom as a result."

 So this is my very first page...my first week!  What do you think?  Yes...I think the penmanship is a little rushed but I'm ok with that for the first one.  I am looking forward to seeing things change each week.  I found a small photo and the width of it was perfect and decided to use it at the bottom of the page.  Plus the colors match up with what I already had on the page.  I used mostly alcohol inks and Tattered Angels spray for this page background.  I used a glue stick in certain spots and used a very fine clear glitter to accent it.  I scribbled a hand drawn line boarder around the page, too.  And finally jotted down 5 goals I would like to focus on this week.  Some people say if you hand write your goals you are a more apt to do them VS typing them or saying them.  I want to write at least 5 articles (or Uplifters) for The Raw Food World News site this week.  I sort of slacked during the month of September.  I want to make at least 1 veganized World Food dish this week.  Eventho I started this Goal Book this week I still want to start a Vision Board, too!  So I added that one to the list.  I want to at least start it.  Then I want to Breathe more and Smile more this week!

Old Dogs, New Goals, & Green Hummus NOT Made from Avocado!

I am still trying to catch up from my vacation and have lots more to share but I've been itching to post some foodie posts, too!

And share this sweet snapshot of Suzie sleeping last night.  She's lost some weight but still eating and playing like her usual self.
 She's 14 and for the last 5 years have had different things she's visited the vet for.  We will continue to keep an eye one her and each time we visit the vet for her nails to be done they will weigh her, too.

Paco is plugging along, and we will be visiting the vet again soon for more blood tests to see if his platelets continue to climb.

Earlier this week I was hungry for hummus but I wanted to change it up a bit so I came up with this one.  I really don't have a name for this hummus yet but here is what's in it...
 1 Can of Organic Chickpeas
1/4 C Tahini
1 tea Garlic Powder
1 T Lime Juice
1 T Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 tea GoL's Perfect Food Engerizer
Water to consistency

On top I sprinkled some Raw Vegan Parmesan Chipotle Flavor that I got over at The Raw Food World.

A sneak peak of something that I will start doing and blogging about on a weekly basis starting Monday.  I'm combining the Vision Boards and Inspiration Boards that I have blogged about doing before into a Goal Book.  I haven't decided whether or not I will be doing 3 Goals each week or 5 goals each week.  Regardless it should be great for getting my rear in gear and start setting some goals and mini goals for myself and having some sort of accountability for them.  I will apply a bit of Mixed Media and Junk Journaling or Art Journaling into this project a bit but I intend to take photos of my Goal Page each week and post it on my blog here for all to see.  Comments and feedback welcome and encouraged because it will encourage me to stick to the goals!

The inside cover to the Goal Book isn't all that involved but I think each individual page will have a theme of its own or a completely different look and feel to it each week.

I think this will help me get back into crafting, too.  I need to use up some of my supplies that have just been sitting there for months and months.

Also...I hope this helps with my Time Management a bit.  I've been slacking in a number of areas.  Perhaps this will help!

This project will be positive and fit in nicely with my blog here at My Blissful Journey, too!  What do you think!?

Participant:
Healthy Vegan Fridays

Blissful Journey ~ Personal Wellness & Enrichment & iTunes Tuesday!

I was a little lazy last night with the food situation as I still have to get to the stores and produce stands this week (I hope to do that tonight, actually!)  I had a Veggie Sub from a local 'mom and pop shop' that usually has awesome subs - but last night - I thought it was just 'ok'.  So no real foodie type post today but there are a few other things I would like to touch on including some Mini-Goals, Health/Wellness Updates, Personal Enrichment, and iTunes/PodCasts I have been 'into' lately.

 

First up...a wellness update...if you will!  I have been doing VERY well with my Sciatica and visits to my Chiropractor.  So much so that I think I might have to only go every OTHER month (or quarter) to maintain everything as a precaution.  Now...I don't mind going.  I remember being SUPER Nervous about it at first, tho!  Speaking of being nervous...I still have one more dentist appointment but it's not for another few weeks and I'm NOT looking forward to that either.  Grrr!  But I am really trying NOT to worry about that until I HAVE to - like the day of the appointment!  My digestion is still doing REALLY well and I have no plans on turning back to those old habits (ie the dairy habit!  Blah!)  This past month I was 'off' on my 'monthly' but think I am back on track and totally FINE, now!  I think it was between stress at work, still losing some weight, next to no-sleep for about a week and a half, and schedule changes that messed me up.  Once 'everything was back on track' I rejoiced and was very thankful for everything! 

 

To continue with these positive feelings I want to get back on track with my exercises - most specifically - my Yoga.  I have been using Hulu+ as well as iTunes Pod Casts lately for that.  In my queue is Yogamazing with Chaz Rough.  I really like his laid-back delivery and encouragement without it making you feel like it's a competition or that you won't be able to 'get' a stretch or pose.  He's wonderful at telling you 'go as far as you can go' and 'do what you can do'.  I access my Hulu+, Netflix, iTunes, and PodCasts thru our Apple TV which I might do a more lengthier review on down the road.  I really like AppleTV and you may have read about one of my previous mentions about it.  Another Yoga Program I follow on there is the one that Yoga Journal puts out.  I also subscribe to their magazine.  I'm pretty fond of Tara Stiles, as well as others, as far as the Pod Casts go!

I'm REALLY happy to be back writing FULL TIME over at Sororitea Sisters.  For those of you who don't know it's a Tea Review Site that Anne and I co-founded a few years ago.  Anne has been a wonderful Sororitea Sister and friend by letting me catch-up on several things and issues time and time again.  If you are a Fan of TEA please swing by!  We have nearly 3,000 reviews on that site with TONS more on tap!  We update EVERY DAY at least once!

My mind is going a 'mile a minute' because there are so many things I would like to get started on but know there are other things that need attention, too!  Last night I worked on Paco's Pen and Play Area a bit and tonight I am going to work on the Cat Rooms.  Even tho they have the run of the house most of the time they have their 'areas' they feel more comfortable in time and time again.  

I have been crafting in spurts again - mostly Mixed Media and Art Journaling.  I hope to post more projects soon!  I have been thinking about re-doing my craft room.  First I was thinking of making a pantry.  But I am thinking about tweaking it to keep my Crafting Room THAT and pair it with a small space for Yoga.  I have so many art and crafting supplies it's really hard to do much else with that room.

I guess this was more of an UPDATE Post and a venting/blabbing post.  BUT...venting in a GOOD way!  I'm just feeling so thankful things are looking up and I'm feeling better thru and thru!  I don't want it to end, ya know!?  More tomorrow, friends!

Blissful Journey ~ Adventures in Art Journaling, Self Esteem, and Avocado Hummus!

I've struggled with Self Esteem issues and Body Image Issues most of my life.  As I get older I am more accepting of myself for the most part on most days.  I think some of that came along with dropping dairy from my diet, too.  I know that sounds like a superficial item on the list of reasons but it's just something I have noticed the last few months.  I think because I feel better overall it has made me feel better about myself.  Not in a vanity type way but more accepting of who I am, I guess.  I guess it's just hard to explain. 

Over the past week or so I have been adding more and more layers to a few Art Journaling Pages and last night completed this one.  I had the layers down and even the two digi stamps but last night I decided to go with the "JUST BE" theme and text.  It seemed to work here and as I added more and more of the "BE..." elements it 'felt right'.

I saw this little 'meme' on Instagram the other day and LOVED that is was Pirates of the Caribbean and Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow and it all seemed to come together.

I realize we all have our faults but I also think we are all 'perfect' in our own way!  Yes...that's contradicting but pretty deep if you give it some thought!

Yesterday, I forgot to mention, while at the Festival over the weekend we ended up meeting some 'new friends'.  That's one of my favorite parts about being a vendor at these things!  Meeting people but also fellow vendors that you 'click with'.  My mom, dad, sister, and I always come with 'goodies' and invite other vendors over to 'take a break' with us.  Ever since my sister had some store-bought 'Avocado' Hummus a few months ago she's been wanting to try some others.  I finally decided to make it last week.  It made a HUGE batch and I brought it with me to the event and shared with about a dozen or more people!  EVERYONE absolutely LOVED it!  Even people who are NOT focused on their diet or food intake or 'health' foods commented.  One person even said he didn't like hummus - as a rule of thumb - but LOVED my Avocado Hummus!  This totally made my day!  Woot!  Here is what I used...

1 1/2 C Chickpeas
2 Avocadoes
3 T Lemon Juice
2 T Tahini
2 Cloves Garlic
Water (or Grapeseed Oil), Pepper to taste/consistency

Photography & Art - Blissful Journey

 Once again I have some catching up to to in the form of blogging. 

I've blogged about my adventures out and about - around town - and such - and I have some more to share with you.  This time around it will be a bit different, tho. 

Starting with this photo.  The only filter I used was a 'Black & White' setting after taking the photo on my iPhone.  It was taken at a local park.  This is part of Soldiers & Sailors Park in our downtown/Business District (also known as our Historical District). 

You can see the steps going up.  On both sides there are cement seating/bleachers for outside concerts (the stage is behind me).  At the top you will see a small structure - a cement gazebo.  You can sit in it.  There is also a large Sculpture to the left with soldiers as a remembrance.  Behind you can see our Main Street Buildings and Storefronts.  Of course there is a road in between this and the other side of the street.

Several weeks ago I took a walk over to our Crescent Park area of the city.  That's were our General Hospital is and other medical buildings but also a very nice walking park and water front.  This section of town is a big part of why we are listed as a Tree City USA City.  It's not really promoted much around town so I had to do some research on my own!  As you can see I took a LOT of photos that day and held off for a while to post here because I wasn't sure how to go about it.  So last week I did a collage of a few dozen photos and thought that might be best - or this post would have been a mile long!  You should be able to click on each photo to enlarge if you so choose!

Some day I will post photos of the water and ducks but for today I will stick with the trees.  This is really the first time I have concentrated on trees in that area.  There are also historical markers and structures that I will post down the road, too!

There are many things that make me happy - nature, photography, art, culture, traveling, etc. 

I thought I would take some time-out and share some of them with you.  As far as ART is concerned - if you followed my old Crafting Blog you can see see many of my past projects.  But I took a long hiatus from crafting and am trying to slowly return.  I think I am going to switch gears and focus more on Mixed Media for a while and maybe more altered projects.  I also think I will be posting them here on this blog instead of my old one since this is my main site now.

Here is one of my new projects - an Art Journaling page using mixed media.  I know it's a bit dark for my Blissful Journey site, here, but it all can't be rosy.  PLUS...I find this therapeutic so it does bring me bliss.  Almost like a before and after type thing.

"Everyone Has a Dark Side"

"Darkness Lurks Its Head.  Was It Something I Said?"

I used: Gesso, Modge Podge, Powdered Chalk, Glitter, Perfect Pearls, Tattered Angels Ink Spray, Digital Stamps, and Sharpie Craft Markers.

Because I did various layers this page took a few days of going back and forth.  In a way I keep going back to the thought of dedicating this page to those struggling with depression and alcohol and substance abuse.  I know of many and think and pray for them daily in my own way.