Do you believe that physical clutter can cause mental stress?

I honestly never really thought about it until I started to focus on my Personal Development this last year and in several of my favorite books they talk about just this.  In both of her books, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, Gretchen Rubin focuses on possessions and how they affect happiness.  Like her, I want my home to be a place of happiness and calm, not clutter and chaos.  In The Slight Edge, Jeff Olson talks about how unfinished business can actually drain your potential and your momentum when trying to move forward and reach your goals.  This was such an eye opening thing for me to read.  He is so right!  The unfinished stuff is what wakes me up in the middle of the night and keeps me awake and full of anxiety.

In the last year and a half I have made a lot of changes in my life.  Based on what I have been successful at and what I have not, I do believe in the concept behind Olson’s book, that small steps forward taken with consistency deliver big results!

I am so very ready to take on my clutter and SIMPLIFY my life.  I am ready to create a happy home, a place that gives my family a place to recharge after taking on the crazy world outside.  I am ready to finish my un-finished business so I can let things go and move forward.

So starting next week I will be taking on my clutter 1 week at at time.  Would I love to get this all taken care of and put behind me, YEP!  However, I know that small actions done with consistency are going to get me farther than trying to tackle this all at once.  I also know when you take on smaller, more manageable projects, you get to enjoy a sense of accomplishment that will help keep you going.

I am taking on this project like I did my health overhaul with the attitude that slow and steady wins the race!

I realize that this concept is not new- it is all over Pinterest.  I did take a look at a few lists to get some ideas and then created my own- based on what I need to do in order to create my happy, simplified home.  Please feel free to download my list and follow along.  You can also create your own, or use one of the others you can get online.

Join me on this journey!

I have created a private Facebook page where I will share my weekly journey and other ideas about decluttering, organizing and “getting your shit together”!  This is a place we can check in and share ideas and support as we work to create a haven of calm and happiness in our homes.  Join me here:

52 WEEKS TO A HAPPY HOME

The rules:

I will be following a few simple rules as I set out on this journey to simplify and, therefore, “happify” my home and life.

As I am cleaning out areas and rooms in my house I will ask myself 2 things:

1. Do I use this?
2. Do I love this?

If I can’t answer YES to this question it needs to go!  I need to toss it or donate it- the end!

To keep up on the everyday clutter of life I will follow the One Minute Rule.  Basically this means that if I can get something done in 60 seconds or less than I will do it right then and not later.  I know that I will be happier, more at peace, if I can keep up with the daily clutter.  I know if I take care of the small, seemingly inconsequential stuff instead of letting them add up to big projects, I will be on my way to creating my happy home!

Finally, I need to take a look at each room/area in my house and ask myself “How does this space make me feel?”  I have way too many areas in my house right now that make me feel like turning and running away!

For me this project is NOT about perfection.  I know myself and my boys well enough to know that our house will always be lived in.  This project is more about simplifying my home.  This project is about creating a happy haven for myself, my husband and my boys.

Join me on my Year of Simplicity!

On the 12th Day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 12 jumping jacks
• 11 joyful bridges
• 10 love handle liquidators
• 9 triceps dippers
• 8 squats a’ squating
• 7 shoulder presses
• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

Hot cocoa is just part of the holidays  for so many of us, but the kind you get at the store is so full of junk!  Here are 2 different homemade versions to try!

Dairy Free and Sugar Free (1 serving):

• 1 cup non-dairy milk or water
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• liquid Stevia, to taste*
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract, optional

Put all your ingredients into a saucepan and stir over low heat.  Once it it the desired temp, pour and enjoy!

*We love liquid Stevia in our house as a carb free, but natural sweetener.  You can get our favorite brand, SweetLeaf, on Amazon or at some grocery stores like Whole Foods.

Chocolate Overload (6 servings):

• 4½ cups almond milk
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼-1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• small piece of dark chocolate  (70% cacao or more), melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Heat milk on medium until warm.  Stir in the remaining ingredients and whisk together.

I hope you enjoyed our 12 days together and that you got a few new recipes to add to your holiday collection.

Merry Christmas!

On the 11th day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 11 joyful bridges
• 10 love handle liquidators
• 9 triceps dippers
• 8 squats a’ squating
• 7 shoulder presses
• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

I love quinoa!  I usually make it with just water and add it to homemade burrito bowls, serve as a side or add to salads as a great source of plant based protein.  I really haven’t ventured out of making a big pot of it on Sundays and adding it to things through out the week.  I saw an interesting wild rice recipe while scrolling Pinterest a while back and decided I would adapt it a little and use quinoa instead.  The results are AMAZING.

Cranberry Apple Pecan Quinoa:

• equal parts water and apple juice (depending on the direction to make your quinoa)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 Fuji or honeycrisp apple, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Make your quinoa as you normally would using half water and half apple juice adding the salt, pepper, parsley, oregano and thyme.   In a warm sauce pan add oil, apples and garlic,  Sauté until apples are soft, about 5-7 minutes.  Add cooked quinoa, vinegar, cranberries and pecans.  Stir all the ingredients together, serve and enjoy!

* Side note- I have recently been introduced to a pressure cooker and picked one up on Black Friday and LOVE it.  You can make this quinoa in 10 minutes!!!  Here is the one I got: InstaPot Programmable Pressure Cooker

Have an amazing day!

On the 10th day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 10 love handle liquidators
• 9 triceps dippers
• 8 squats a’ squating
• 7 shoulder presses
• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

Looking for a healthy alternative for Santa???  These almond flour cookies are dairy free, gluten free, low carb and DELICIOUS!

Almond Flour Cookies:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• stevia to taste
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (alcohol free)

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  If it’s too dry you can add a tiny bit of water.   Roll batter into small balls and set out on parchment paper.  Use a little less than a tbsp of your batter for each cookie to make 12 cookies.  With your palm lightly press down on each cookie or use a fork to make a design.

Or, just roll out dough and use a cute cookie cutter to make your cookies.

Bake at 325° F for 10-12 minutes or until firm.

*I used “homemade” almond flour left over from some almond milk I made, so my flour was not as fine as store bought.   This worked great for the ones I made, but I don’t know if they would have rolled out well for cut out cookies.

**If you don’t like an almond taste you could probably use vanilla extract instead of almond.

Enjoy!

 

On the 9th day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 9 triceps dippers
• 8 squats a’ squating
• 7 shoulder presses
• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

I used to get so excited when I would see the Limited Edition Holiday Coffee Creamers hit the stores this time of the year!  Who’s with me???

Then I flipped over one of the containers and read the back- YIKES!

I actually drink my coffee black or with a little bit of cinnamon or a few drops of liquid Stevia, but around the holidays I really wanted to enjoy a little treat so I use this homemade creamer recipe now!

Homemade Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer:

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Place all the ingredients in your blender and pulse a few times.  Store in glass container in the refrigerator.

This is definitely a treat.  It may not be considered healthy by some standards, but it is better than this ingredient list:

Water, sugar, coconut oil, sodium caseinate (a milk derivative), natural and artificial flavors, dipotassium phosphate, mono-and diglycerides, salucrose

Sounds good, huh????

Enjoy!

On the 8th Day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 8 squats a’ squating
• 7 shoulder presses
• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

Looking for a healthy way to start your Christmas morning (or any morning!)?  Try this delicious baked oatmeal!

Banana Baked Oatmeal:

• 3 large bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed banana)
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup gluten free quick oats or gluten free rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup of fresh blueberries (optional)

Enjoy!

 

On the 7th Day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 7 shoulder presses
• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

This time of the year brings some pretty yummy and tempting coffee drinks at our favorite coffee shops!  Along with that yummy drink comes a ton of calories and unsavory ingredients.  Try this healthy option instead:

Minty Mocha Chiller:

• 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology or your favorite protein powder
• 1/2 tsp of peppermint or mint extract
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup cold brewed coffee
• 1 cup ice

Blend together and enjoy!

Minty Mocha Chiller made with Vegan Chocolate Shakeology:

• 210 calories
• 17 grams of protein
• 7 grams of fat
• 20 grams of carbohydrates
• 8 grams of sugar
• good stuff- superfoods, probiotics, antioxidants, adaptogens

Starbuck’s Java Chip Frappuccino (tall):

• 230 calories
• 4 grams of protein
• 4 grams of fat
• 47 grams of carbohydrates
• 44 grams of sugar
• good stuff- ZERO

*want some additional information about Shakeology?  Email me at wendy@wendylivingclean.com!

Enjoy!

On the 6th Day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 6 walking lunges
• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer pushups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome push ups
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

I got this delicious recipe from a fellow coach I work with and couldn’t wait to try it!  My family had no idea there was…an avocado in there!

Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 1/2 cup oat flour (rolled oats blended to make oat flour)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup enjoy life chocolate chips (dairy free)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place all ingredients except for chocolate chips into blender and blend just until mixed well.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Drop rounded tsps of batter onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper.  Bake 10 minutes.  Allow to cool (about 5 minutes) before removing cookies from baking sheet.

Enjoy!

 

On the 5th Day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 5 gold star jumps
• 4 killer push-ups
• 30 second wall sit
• 2 awesome burpees
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

Growing up I always looked forward to sweet potato casserole at every holiday meal!  You know the one made with like a gallon of syrup, brown sugar and topped with marshmallows!  It’s really kinda sad that we cover up a naturally sweet, delicious, and nutritious thing like a sweet potato with sugar!  I now make this version of sweet potatoes all the time and when I bring them to a get together people rave about them.  They don’t even miss that casserole.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes:

• 3-4 sweet potatoes, washed, peeled and cubed
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• cinnamon

Toss cubed sweet potatoes, oil and cinnamon.  Cook at 400 degrees on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.  I will stir them a couple times while they are cooking.

These make a delicious side dish and I will use any left overs in a yummy breakfast hash.

Enjoy!

On the 4th Day of Fitmas, Coach Wendy gave to me:

• 4 jolly pushups
• 30 second wall sits
• 2 awesome burpees
• and a 1 minute holiday plank

 

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with our friends and family.  If you are hosting a get together this year why not serve a delicious skinny cocktail for everyone to enjoy!

I will be having this for my New Year’s celebration!

Skinny Champagne Berry Cocktail:

• 1/4 cup of unsweetened blueberry juice
• 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup champagne
• 1 cup ice
• fresh or frozen blueberries (for garnish)

Place the blueberry juice, lime juice, champagne and ice in a large serving glass.  Stir to mix.  Garnish with a couple blueberries.

*This recipe came from my FixAte Cook Book.  It is full of amazing, easy and healthy recipes- all with 21 Day Fix container counts!  Get one for yourself and for your friends and family here because the gift of health is the best gift to give!

Enjoy!