Stuck

Feeling Stuck.  This is how I have felt a lot lately. My weight loss has come to a halt. I do the same thing over and over every day.

I'f you feel stuck, there are possibilities you are not seeing. Though it may not be obvious or easy, there is a realistic and accessible way forward.  If you feel stuck, it’s likely that the things you fear are obscuring the things you love. Progress begins with sincere, grateful focus on who and what you truly love. Life improves dramatically when you begin to give and to live in the service of what’s most meaningful to you. Think of what you can joyfully give to life, and with that thought you are suddenly facing in a new, positive direction. Keep in mind that happiness is a choice you can make regardless of your circumstances. Choose to be happy, and then express that happiness with your actions. Give yourself a good enough reason to move forward, and you will. Somewhere, within your beautiful capacity to love, is a powerful reason that’s plenty good enough. Instead of feeling stuck, feel love. Give life to that love, and you won’t be stuck any longr — Ralph MarstonHere are three questions I’ve heard before when feeling stuck?

1.       Are you in the right place?
2.       Are you doing the right thing?
3.       Are you giving it everything you got?

Then I recall from my business class M.A.P.S.: The Four Pillars of Creative Job Fulfillment.

1. MEANING:  Why are you here? What drives you to get up every morning? What makes you feel hopeful about the future? This is what really matters to you. Make a list of your purposes, or goals in life. Start with a sentence like: “The reason I work is to…” and fill in the blank. Some possible answers are, “…continue learning,” or, “…get to know amazing, talented people that expand my worldview.” When you are done, rank your list with the most important purpose at the top.

2. ATMOSPHERE:  Where do you see yourself? Close your eyes and imagine your ideal environment. Is it high energy or relaxed? Who are you working with? Or are you working alone? Be specific. What does your workspace look like? Are you working at home, in a shared space? Write it all down. Your surroundings directly affect how you feel. They can inspire you and keep your energy up, or they can drain you of all ambition. When you are finished with your list, prioritize it with the most important elements at the top.

3. PASSIONS: Make a list of the things you absolutely love. These are the things you can’t get enough of. Think of things you love to experience (beautiful architecture, vintage wine) as well as things you like to create (furniture designs, electronic music). Hopefully you will have a long list. When you are finished, restructure your list with the items you are most passionate about at the top to those you are least passionate about at the bottom.

4. SKILLS:  What you are good at? Write a list of your proficiencies, including specific tasks (copyediting) and social skills (good at motivating others). Remember that these don’t have to be things you like to do, just things you are capable of. If you get stuck, try asking friends, family, and co-workers what your skill sets are. You might be surprised to hear what they come up with. Once you have at least 10 skills, re-write them in order of importance, with your greatest strengths at the top.

Does your current situation pay off on the top few of each pillar? Ask yourself some tough questions:
Are you utilizing your best skills? Are you exercising your main passions? Are you working in an atmosphere that is conducive to your creativity? Are you getting something meaningful from your current situation?

While rereading over this it just means I have some reassessing to do.

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili

Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (I used spray oil)
• 1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 ½ cups unsalted vegetable stock (I think next time I will try chicken broth)
• 1 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup dried quinoa
• 4 teaspoons lime juice
• serving suggestions: avocado, cilantro, crema, cheese

 

Instructions

1. Heat a large heavy bottom pot with the oil over medium high heat.
2. Add the sweet potato and onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion if softened.
3. Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle, cumin and salt and stir to combine.
4. Add the stock, tomatoes, black beans and quinoa and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir everything to combine.
5. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
6. Cooke for 10-15 minutes until the quinoa is fully cooked and the sweet potatoes are soft.
7. Add the lime juice and remove the pot from the heat. Season with salt as needed.
8. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, crema or cheese before serving.

 

I found this recipe on http://whatsgabycooking.com/black-bean-sweet-potato-chili/

AND...the Vegetti rocks...Chicken Parmesan made Light!

1 can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes
1 can artichokes, drained
2 cups of fresh spinach
1/4 cup onion, diced
4 tbsp Herbs de Provence, split 3 tbsp and 1 tbsp
1/4 cup fresh basil, torn into pieces
1 tbsp garlic

2 tbsp olive oil
1 lbs chicken tenders
1 cup Parmesan cheese

2 zucchinis, made into pasta

Preheat oven to 450.

In a large skillet, add tomato through garlic. Remember to reserve 1 tbsp of the herbs for the chicken breading. Set heat to medium-low and let simmer. The longer it sits and melds together, the better!

Set out 2 shallow dishes or bowls. Place olive oil in one, and Parmesan cheese in the other. Add herbs to the cheese, mix well. Rinse chicken and cut away fat. Dip the chicken in the olive oil and then the cheese mixture. Place in a lightly greased 13x9 inch pan. Bake until slightly browned.

Prepare zucchini pasta by placing in boiling water for less than 2 minutes. Drain. Blanche in cold water.

Plate zucchini pasta, top with chicken pieces and then the sauce.

Thermometer vs. Thermostat?

Have you ever known someone who seems to set a positive tone every time he or she enters a room? Their presence is either electrifying or through a calm knowing, sends waves of peace into the room. But when a person in a bad mood enters the room, you also know it...and feel it. It's awkward.  The environment becomes tense with the negative energy and those around the person feel on edge or worse, drained of all positive energy they originally possessed. (I think we have all been there).  Look around at your friends and the people you are in constant contact with. What does it look like? Is your close circle positive and uplifting and pushes you to be your best? Or Is your close circle full of 'Debbbie Downer's" and when you walk away you feel down and negetive?  Let's put it another way, is your glass half full or half empty by the company you keep?  Let's even go deeper who are you in the your close circler, at work, in public.... are you the one that sets the tone or do you bring everyone down?  Le'slook at the defintiion of a Thermometer vs. Thermostat...

1.        Thermometer:  an instrument for measuring the fluctuating temperature. 

2.        Thermostat:   to establish and maintain a desired temperature automatically.

 

Therefore, the person being affected by someone else’s energy is like a thermometer. While the other person, who knowing or unknowingly impacts others, positively or negatively is like a thermostat. I think  that the reason behind many “thermometers” is their own discouragements.

So let's make it simple. I was reading an article the other day and to summarize it said, "Thermometers like to criticize once a direction is chosen." They always notice when something is wrong BUT can't find what needs to be done to fix it. They end up fluctuating up and down, cant adapt. "Thermostats take the temperature of the room first and then put a plan in place to adapt." These are the leaders and the visionaries, and the people you can rely on to stay calm in a crisis and lead you to the next level. Thermostats are able to work past criticism and negativity and push forward even when the odds are against them. Thermostats exhibit self-control and stability.

It is important to understand whether you are influencing or being influenced, in a situation, because it will help you to respond more wisely. Being influenced for good is never a bad idea. In fact, many people choose their friends wisely, giving and receiving positive influence, so they can develop or sharpen areas in their own lives. Which are you? Do you influence your surroundings? Or, are you influenced by your surroundings?  

Four Ways You Can Instantly Become a Thermostat:

·         Be YOU.
·         Understand what you stand for. Know your beliefs.
·          Smile, it's the least expensive way to improve your looks.... and set the tone. 
·          Respond versus react (this one takes some work and constant thinking) (I hold things in which is NOT good so sometimes when I'm pushed I react rather than respond, I am working on this) Recognize the difference.

In the ever-changing, ever-turbulent circumstances of life, our personal attitude should resemble the thermostat more than the thermometer. No matter what the temperature reads outside, whether times are good or times are bad, your internal temperature should be determined by the constant, unchanging characteristics about you.

 

Peppermint Fudge Weight Watcher Friendly

Peppermint Fudge

Ingredients

8 oz	Bakers chocolate squares (I used half unsweetened half semi sweet)
1 tbs	Unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup	Baking stevia or 1 cup sweetener that measures like sugar 1
1/8 tsp	Salt
1 cup	Plain low fat Greek yogurt
1/8 tsp	Peppermint extract, for peppermint fudge
Optional Topping:	Crushed candy canes OR Andes Peppermint Chunks for topping

¹ 10-12 pkts stevia (or to taste).

Makes 24 and is 2 Weight Watcher Points.

1. Microwave the chocolate baking squares in medium microwaveable bowl for one minute, or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

2. Stir the rest of the ingredients into the melted chocolate, until mixture thickens. Form fudge into 2 rectangular blocks, and sprinkle peppermint candy on top if desired. Wrap fudge in saran wrap, or place on parchment or wax paper, and place in the freezer for 30-60 minutes, or until firm enough to cut into squares. Wrap up and give as a gift, or enjoy yourself!

 

This recipe came from dashingdish.com.  Fast EASY low point treat. ENJOY!

Best Salad Ever

Original Recipe:
http://dabblesandbabbles.com/best-salad-ever/


Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of slivered almonds
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1-2 heads of romaine lettuce
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 4 shallots or green onions, chopped
• 1 can mandarin orange pieces
• 1 diced avocado
• 1 diced apple
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Dressing Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp old fashioned (grainy) mustard
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Place sugar and almonds in sauce pan or skillet and cook over medium heat until sugar melts and starts turning brown – keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly.  Remove from heat and place on a plate to cool.
2. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and finish the salad with the nuts and salad dressing.
   

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad  

1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek Yogurt 

1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Wings Buffalo sauce 

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper 

4 cups of shredded cooked chicken

2 celery stalks, chopped 

1/2 cup cilantro, minced 

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Mix all the ingredients together and enjoy. Add more Frank's if you like it HOT! I like to serve on the 100 calorie skinny girl flat bread, and my boyfriend just eats his with celery.

So yummy and so easy to make. Perfect for you lunch!!