I Found a Winner: Egg Roll Noodle Bowl!

We have another winner in my quest to find heart healthy meals to make for dinner - thumbs up from my husband, daughter and me!  I found this one on Pinterest tucked inside a Taste of Home pin entitled 30 Days of Heart-Healthy Dinners.  Besides being heart healthy it was super easy to make, which is always a bonus in my book.

My only complaint, which is so minor and has nothing to do with the recipe, is that I wish I had a deeper skillet.  Cabbage kept spilling out all over my stove as I was stirring!

Check out my adaptation of Egg Roll Noodle Bowl!

Egg Roll Noodle Bowl

Ingredients
1 T Sesame Oil
1 lb ground pork
3 T soy sauce, low sodium (divided)
1 T minced garlic
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground tumeric
1/4 tsp pepper
1 - 10 oz bag of shredded cabbage
2 cups carrot matchsticks
1 package ramen noodles, without the seasoning packet
3 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
Cook and crumbled pork until browned, 4-6 minutes.
Stir in 1 T of soy sauce, garlic and seasonings
Add cabbage and carrots; cook until tender stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes longer
Cook the Ramen Noodles according to the package, do NOT add the seasoning packet; drain
Add the noodles and 2T soy sauce to the pork mixture; toss to combine
Sprinkle with green onions

This served three of us for dinner with my husband getting seconds and left enough for me to take to work for lunch tomorrow. 
ENJOY!

Why? Because I love you and I got you. My Husband's Heart Attack Timeline

Most children go through phases in their lives when they ask why questions constantly.  Why can't I touch that?  Why do I have to go to bed?  Why is the sky blue?  Why is her hair blue?  We smile, bend down to their level and answer their questions to the best of our ability.  Every once in awhile after the fiftieth question of the hour, we may get frustrated and lose it a little bit screaming "I don't know why!" or "Because I said so!"

I often wonder if that is how God sees me.  Does he look at me and see a sweet little girl constantly peppering Him with why questions.  Why did you pull us out of youth ministry?  Why does Jamison have to live in pain?  Why do I have to get a second job?  Why is deep dish double cheese pizza so bad for me?  Why????  Deep in my heart I know the answer to all of these questions - Because God loves me.  His plan for my life is perfect.  He is using my life - the good, the bad and the ugly (as perceived by me) - for His glory.  He desires for me to trust in Him and find joy in the journey. 

That is all often easier said than done,  While God has given me the tools to be able to trust Him and has shown Himself to me time and time again, I often find myself throwing my hands in the air asking through clenched teeth "Why are you doing this?"

Every once in a while I wonder if God has one of those parenting moments with me where He gets frustrated and says, "If you need a reminder that I am here and that I got you, I'll show you!"

The timeline of my husband's heart attack is one of those moments where I can so clearly see how every single moment of the timeline was put together so perfectly that it could be nothing else other than God's hand upon us. Let me show you.

1. My Friday nights are normally pretty wild and crazy.  If I'm not scheduled to work at my side hustle (I do love my part-time job at Target!), I normally work late until 5-5:30PM and then stop at the grocery store on my way home.  This gets me home around 7PM.  I make dinner and am dozing on the couch by 8:30PM (Life doesn't get much more wild and crazy that that, right?).  However, on February 1st I arrived home much earlier.  My day had not gone at all as I had planned.  I spent most of my day doing nursing home and home visits.  The snowy weather slowed down my travel (I actually had a little meltdown in my car that morning because the snow was slowing me down and messing with my To Do List!).  I unexpectedly ran into the manager at one of the apartment buildings.  One of my clients needed some extra TLC which resulted in two visits.  I finally finished up my last stop at 3:15PM.  Seeing as I was about 20 minutes from the office and a tad frustrated at how my day went, I figured that it was not worth it for me to go back so I headed to grocery store early.  For that reason, I got home a little after 5PM.

Jamison started experiencing the first symptoms of his heart attack shortly before I arrived home.  If I had not gotten home until 7PM, our outcome would have been very different.  He would have suffered extensive heart damage or worse.

2. Jamison has experienced a lot of physical pain in his life - from kidney stones to chronic back pain to leg pain to migraines.  I've learned that he knows his body and he knows his pain.  As a result, I have always listened to him when it comes to knowing if we need to go the hospital or not.  There have also been plenty of times over the years when Jamison has said that it is best for him to be alone when he is in a lot of pain.

Had I walked away and left him alone or if I had listened to his request and not called 911 when I did, our outcome would have been very different.  He would have suffered extensive heart damage or worse.

3. There are two hospitals close to our home - UPMC East and Forbes.  We have UPMC insurance so East is our hospital; however, we learned that  UPMC East does not have a Cath Lab (I don't want to assume that everyone knows what I'm talking about.  The Cath Lab is the room in the hospital where Cardiac Catheterizations - a procedure to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart - and needed surgical procedures are performed.).  If Jamison would have been taken to UPMC East, he would have had to be transported via ambulance or life flight to a different hospital in order to get the procedure that he needed.  Instead, the paramedics took Jamison to Forbes Hospital which has a Cath Lab on site.

Going to a different hospital would have delayed the treatment of Jamison's heart attack.  If that was the case, our outcome would have been very different.  He could have suffered increased heart damage or worse. 

4. Arriving at the hospital when we did - around 6:30PM - the Cath Team (the group of medical professionals who perform the Cardiac Catheterizations) would have normally not been at the hospital.  They would have had to be called to come back and we would have had to wait.  However, as we were arriving at the hospital, they were just finishing a complicated procedure which had kept them at the hospital late that evening.  Therefore, the only waiting that we had to do was for the Cath Lab to be cleaned and prepped, which took minutes.

If the Cath Team had not already been at the hospital, Jamison's treatment would have been delayed potentially resulting in increased damage to his heart.  

Jamison and I outside of the Cardiac ICU at Forbes Hospital.

Jamison's artery was 100% blocked.  100%!  Everyone we spoke with at the hospital told us over and over again how the timing of Friday night was key to Jamison surviving his heart attack with very minimal heart damage.

The timing was the key. 

I believe that the timeline of that evening was not mapped out by fate.  It wasn't luck.  It wasn't a coincidence.  It was God.  I can clearly see how every event of the day - starting with the unexpected snow at 6AM! - impacted the outcome of Jamison's heart attack.  To me, that is absolutely amazing!

Jamison's heart attack is going to impact each of us differently and in ways that we may not understand right away.  I already know that part of the influence on my life is a fresh reminder - a big huge slap in the face kind of reminder - that God's holding me, guiding me and protecting me.  In the moment I may not understand why something is happening, but God loves me and He's got me. 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9 NIV

I have clung to this verse for the past eight years.  But I must confess that over the past few months I have been growing weary and asking God why things are happening the way that they are.  Have i veered away from His plan?  Am I supposed to be somewhere else?  But I've heard Him loud and clear - keep my eyes focused on Him and do not give up for His timing is perfect. 

I've struggled with whether or not I should share this story.  Over the past two weeks we've met people and heard stories where the outcome was very different.  Stories that ended with extensive heart damage or loss of life.  I can't even imagine the heaviness of the WHY that fills their minds.  I do believe that in times of great sorrow and pain, just as in times of great joy, God's timing is perfectly planned.  The answer to the why may not come tomorrow or next year or ever during our time on earth.  That can be hard to accept.  I pray those who are struggling to find that peace reach out to a pastor or counselor or friend to talk about it.

Heart Healthy Valentine's Dinner

Since my husband's heart attack I've been scouring Pinterest for Heart Healthy recipes.  Making the necessary food changes is going to be interesting as my husband loves food and my family can be a tad picky (I will say that my husband has been willing to expand his food horizons over the past several years, but this change is still going to be a challenge!).

This past weekend our son was home from college.  It was the perfect time to celebrate Valentine's Day!  I was happy with the recipes that I found to try and even happier with the way they turned out. We had Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with a Red Pepper Relish, Steamed Green Beans (I used fresh green beans in the steamer bag found in the produce section of the grocery store), Pear Walnut Salad and Oatmeal Raspberry Cookies.  Everyone gave the dinner a thumbs up!

Roasted Chicken topped with Red Pepper Relish, Garlic Potatoes
and Steamed Green Beans.

Here are the recipes.  Enjoy!

ROASTED CHICKEN AND GARLIC POTATOES*

1-1/2 lbs golden new potatoes, halved
4 T extra virgin olive oil
3 tsp minced garlic (I used pre-minced garlic sold in jars, often found in the produce section of the grocery)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper

Heat oven to 425 degrees

Place potatoes, olive oil, 2 tsp minced garlic and sprinkle of salt in a large bowl.  Toss until potatoes are coated.  Place potatoes in a single layer on a large rimmed cookie sheet.  Place in the oven for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet on medium high.  Season chicken with salt and pepper.  If the breasts are large, cut in half.  Add 1 T oil to skillet.  Brown the chicken, 4 minutes per side.  Add 1 tsp of minced garlic to the skillet and cook for one minute.  Place skillet in the oven or transfer chicken to a greased 9X13 pan and place in oven.  Cook for 15 minutes.

RED PEPPER RELISH*

3/4 cup jarred roasted red peppers
2 scallions, chopped
1/3 cup roasted almonds (I used slivers)
3 T sherry vinegar
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
2 T chopped fresh parsley

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Red Pepper Relish
This was my favorite part of the meal!

PEAR WALNUT SALAD*

1/2 cup toasted walnuts (toast on a baking sheet in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes)
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 pear, thinly sliced (I used a Bartlett Pear)
1 scallion, chopped
2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
bagged lettuce (I used 3/4 bag of Italian Lettuce)

Whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Add the celery, pear and scallion.  Toss to combine.
Pour on top of lettuce.  Toss to combine
Sprinkle walnuts on top.

Pear Walnut Salad

RASPBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES**
1 cup instant oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 T unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup  honey
6 T fresh raspberries, diced

In a bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  In a separate bowl, combine the oil or butter, egg and vanilla.  Stir in the honey until fully combined.  Add in the flour mixture until just combined.  Fold in the raspberries.  Chill for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Drop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet into 15 rounded scoops.  Flatten slightly (I missed this step and wish that I hadn't!).  Bake for 13-15 minutes.  Cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes before removing.  Store in the refrigerator. 

Cookies ready to go in the oven!

*Adapted from recipes found in the Women's Day article 75 Delicious Heart Healthy Dinner Ideas to Try Tonight.
** Adapted from Amy's Healthy Baking.  https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/07/13/raspberry-oatmeal-cookies/

My 45 Year-Old Husband's Heart Attack Looked Nothing Like What You See on TV

Last Friday my 45-year-old husband had a heart attack.  Thankfully he survived and is on the road to recovery.  I'm sharing our experience with you because his heart attack looked absolutely nothing like what I thought a heart attack would look like.

I've seen many people have heart attacks on TV shows or in the movies.  People gripping their chests, moaning softly and collapsing to the ground.  I've learned about heart attacks during education sessions at conferences or during CPR training at work.  The picture painted was someone having discomfort in their chest possibly radiating through their left shoulder and down their arm.  Maybe its because of the pictures painted for me on TV, but the image in my head was always of a dull pain.  The person's face scrunched up in discomfort.  A little bit of moaning or wincing.

That's not at all what my husband looked like on Friday.

I came home from work to find my husband pacing in the hallway.  He said that he had shoveled snow and then taken a shower.  His asthma had acted up so he took a puff of both his inhalers, but he was still having trouble catching his breath.  We thought that maybe if he laid down for a little bit he could relax and catch his breath.  When he laid down in bed his nose began running.  Sitting up, he blew his nose and instantly had an  incredibly intense headache.  Intense doesn't even describe the pain.  He felt as if his head was going to explode.  He was sitting on the bed gripping the sides of his head with both hands rocking back and forth moaning loudly.

He asked me to warm up his Rice Bag (a flannel pouch filled with rice that we heat up in the microwave to serve as a heating pad).  That took five minutes.  I brought it to him.  He was laying on our bed in the fetal position rolling around still gripping onto his head.  We laid the Rice bag over his head.  Suddenly he popped up into a sitting position throwing the Rice Bag across the room.  He started screaming, "It hurts!  It hurts!"  What hurt?  He told me that it felt as if someone was stabbing his left shoulder with a knife.

My husband has suffered through years of chronic pain which at times has been intense stabbing pain.  There have been times when he's sneezed or twisted slightly and an intense pain has popped up in a random part of his body.  So at this point I'm assuming that he had pulled a muscle or pinched something or thrown his back out by rocking on the bed.  His pain has been bad before.  I tried to get him to lay back down and prop him up on some pillows so that he was not laying flat.  That did not help the pain at all.  He couldn't stay still.

He decides to go sit in his recliner in the basement.  On his way to basement, with me following, he stops in the kitchen.  The pain is now moving down his left arm.  That's the first moment that I think this could be a heart attack. I asked him if I should call 911.  But our minds go back to all of the times that his body has hurt before and the times that we've gone to the ER and it has been nothing.  We decide that we shouldn't call.  This has to be a pain issue.

We get to the basement.  For a few minutes things are very chaotic.  My husband is bouncing from the recliner to the couch back to the recliner tossing pillows and remotes and blankets continuing to scream and wail in pain.  He can't get comfortable.  The pain is not going away.  There are brief moments of calm during which I again suggest calling 911, but he's worried about the cost, about it being nothing and about the fact that we're supposed to be going out for dinner with our daughter.  The calmness passes and he returns to screaming in pain.

At this point he is laying back in his recliner, still screaming and crying.  I'm trying to plug in the heating pad and prop him up with pillows.  His conversation is beginning to not make full sense.  I get him to pause and look me in the eye.  With wide eyes he screams at the top of his lungs, "I don't know what is happening to me!"

That's the moment that I grab my phone and call 911.

The 911 operator told me to have my husband stay still and wait for the paramedics.  Instructions which I communicated to my husband who is now sitting in his recliner breathing heavily and sweating.  I run upstairs to open the door and move the 20 bags of groceries I had carried in from the car 15 minutes earlier and are laying on the floor in the kitchen and family room.

Next thing I know, my husband, who has never been one to follow directions in these situations, is upstairs trying to pack a bag, grab his phone charger and change his clothes.  I get him to sit on the couch while I put on his socks and shoes and we wait for what seemed like forever, but I know was only a few minutes.  He is still in a lot of pain shifting from side to side, but he is much calmer.

When the paramedics arrive, they check his vitals.  His blood pressure is high (which is to be expected with how much pain he was in), but everything else seemed normal.  The paramedic feels around his back and shoulder where my husband said the pain was originating.  Their initial thought was a pinched nerve from shoveling, (My next thought is, "Crap, he's going to kill me for calling 911 and its only a pinched nerve.) but that they would take him to the hospital just to be sure.  They ask if my husband is able to walk to the ambulance.  He says yes and out the door they go.

I put on my shoes, gathered my purse and a book, put away the frozen food items and casually made my way out to my car which is parked on the street.  The ambulance has pulled up to the curb directly in front of my car.  I can see a lot of movement in the back of the ambulance and assume that they are hooking him up to some monitors.  I send several text messages to family.  I picked a play list to listen to during the drive.  And then one of the paramedics gets out of the ambulance and approaches my car.  I roll my window down.

"We have a change in plans.  Your husband is actively having a heart attack.  He's already been given medication and is being monitored.  We're going to be going to Forbes instead of East.  I'll be going with lights and sirens so please don't try to follow me."

Did I just hear him right?  Was this really happening?  My husband is only 45 - how is he having a heart attack? But in fact he was at that very moment having a heart attack.

The ambulance took off with lights flashing and siren blaring.  When I arrived at the ER, I had to wait awhile, but I was soon escorted back to where my husband was laying a gurney hooked up to many wires and beeping machines. There were a lot of people in the room.  A LOT!  I was told that I had made the right decision to call 911 and in fact we had caught it early which was a very good thing.  At this point, my husband was stable and we were waiting for the Cath Lab to be cleaned.  The Cath Team had literally just finished with another patient and were waiting for us.

My husband and I both said multiple times in the ER, "I didn't think it would hurt this bad."  One of the nurses had the line of the night - "Well, it is called a heart attack and not a heart tickle."  So very true!

There is so much more to tell of this story, but I'm going to stop here for now.

My reason for sharing our story is to let others know what a heart attack can look like.  I don't know what image you have in your mind.  Obviously, not all situations are going to be the same; however, as I've said before, this is not AT ALL what I pictured.  I thought we were dealing with a pain flare up . . . until my husband looked me in the eye and screamed, "I don't know what is happening to me."  That is the moment that continues to play over and over in my mind.

People have told us that it was a good thing we called 911 when we did.  That we didn't wait to see if the pain subsided.  That I didn't attempt to take my husband to the hospital myself.  There were many reasons why we were hesitant to call, but in that moment of pure chaos I just knew we needed help.

My prayer is that you never have to deal with a loved one having a heart attack, but if you do may you feel a little more prepared should his or her symptoms resemble those of my husband.

Thumbs Up following a successful trip
to the Cath Lab!

We are thankful for the care we received at Forbes Hospital!

3 Tips for Achieving Your 2019 Goals

It's been one week since New Years Day.  One week since many of us set goals for a healthier, more adventurous, happier, more organized, focused or more active 2019.  Regardless of what goals you set, setting a goal is not a one time event.  It takes time.  It takes work.  It takes heart.  It takes the classic blood, sweat and tears.

One of my favorite and most popular blog posts was one that I wrote last year about three things that I did back in 2010 to help me be successful in reaching my goal.  Here it is . . .

Today I celebrate a New Year's Resolution that I made eight years ago and have kept ever since.  Eight years ago I was overweight, over-stressed and about to go over the edge.  I resolved to get healthy in 2010 and to do that by training for and completing a 5k.  Eight years later, I weigh less, handle my stress better and am an overall much happier person.  How did I accomplish that?  Here are three simple things that I did to help me be successful.

1. Make a PLAN.

In my family, my father is famous for reminding us to PLAN YOUR WORK AND WORK YOUR PLAN.  It's one thing to state your resolution.  But how are you going to do it?  You want to travel more?  When?  Where?  How?  You want to spend more time with your family?  What are you going to do?   When are you going to get together?  Eight years ago I wanted to get healthy.  How was I going to accomplish that?  By training for and completing a 5k.  I chose a local 5k and registered for it.  I found a training plan on-line and mapped out how I would follow it marking training runs on my calendar.  I planned my work.



2. Be PURPOSEFUL in working your plan.

Talking is easy.  I can talk with others about what I plan to do.  Great conversation take place in my head about what I'm going to do.  Creating a plan is easy.  I can write anything I want on my calendar or make charts all day long.  In order to truly make a plan work you must put it into action.  That means making decisions that go along with your plan.  Reminding yourself of your resolution.  Actually doing what you said you were going to do.  For me, that meant posting motivational quotes and reminders of training deadlines around my home, car and desk.  Making the conscious choice to get off the couch and head out the door for a run.  Asking family and friends to hold me accountable.  I worked my plan.



3. Be PATEINT with yourself.

Nobody is perfect and change does not happen overnight.  There were days that I just couldn't get myself together to get out for that training run.  Sometimes that happened two or three days in a row.  I didn't throw in the towel and give up.  No.  I forgave myself, tied my running shoes and got out there.   You're going to mess up.  That's a fact.  Accept it and move on.  Don't let a single mistake or bad decision knock you off track.  Stand up and start again.  It's ok.  Be patient with yourself.



Eight years ago I resolved to get healthy and I set in motion the plan to do that by training for and completing my first 5k.  I beat the statistical odds of New Years Resolutions by successfully keeping my Resolution.

Me and my brother-in-law at the Finish Line of my first 5k - April 2010



And guess what?  Eight years later I am STILL holding tight to that resolution.  Every year I set a few goals for myself.  I PLAN out how I'm going to accomplish them.  I PURPOSEFULLY make decisions sticking with that plan.  And I am PATIENT with myself when things don't go as planned.

2017 Pittsburgh Marathon

Team Muscle Relay Team



If you are serious about making a change in your life - whether it's health/fitness related or not - YOU CAN DO IT!  It will take work and time and sacrifice, but it is possible and it is worth it.

Wishing you the happiest and healthiest 2019!

The Holiday Hype and My Boo Hoo Party are Over. NOW is the Time to set My 2019 Goals!

It's been nine years since I made a "resolution" to live a healthier life and actually saw it through.  I challenged myself to train for and complete a 5k in 2010 and I did it!  After that, I kept on moving and striving to make healthy life choices.  Nine years later, while the journey has been filled with many twists and turns, I'm still on that path to move more and make healthy choices.

A Journey with Many Twists and Turns
photo from www.fscaston.org

Though I can't lie - 2018 was ROUGH!  I actually did not meet any of the goals that I set for myself last January.  What I viewed as my year of the downfall started in February with a trip to the ER via ambulance thinking I was having a heart attack - turns out it was stress.  March brought an unexpected and (at the time) undesired job transfer.  September arrived with the realization that I was going to have to get a second job in order to keep us afloat.  So, I did.  Come November, we celebrated our first holiday season with both of our children working.  Add in my first year working retail during the holidays and I was thrown for a complete loop.  2018 wrapped up with me covered in hives conked out in an allergy medicine fueled haze.  What a year!

Needless to say, I was thinking that I was done.  Ready to throw in the towel on the whole move more and make wise choices  philosophy that I had been celebrating for the past nine years.  It was not working for me anymore.

Then, two things happened:
1) I adjusted my perspective.  
My family spent some time reviewing our highlights from 2018.  My son talked about his high school graduation and his successful first semester in college.  My daughter talked about getting her first job and her drivers license.  My husband talked about achieving his dream of getting to travel to California.  I realized that each member of my family achieved great things in 2018 and that I played a key role in each of their journeys.  I've tried to teach my children to find joy in the journeys of those you love.  Adjusting my perspective, I saw that I had shared in a tremendous year of great accomplishment and adventure!  2018 is a year that I should remember with great pride.   

JJ's Graduation

Ellie's First Solo Drive

Jamison enjoying the Pacific Ocean
during a Church Conference

2) I remembered my commitment to not give up.
One of Facebook's features that I love is how memories pop up of everything that has happened on that date since you joined.  These past few days have brought back memories of setting personal goals, my inaugural day of training for that first 5k, and words of motivation I shared.  One Scripture verse that I had shared was Galatians 6:9 (NIV), "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  It's been nine years and while there have certainly been times when I have grown weary, I have NOT given up on myself.  So why would I give up now?

So here I sit on January 6, 2019.  The Holiday Hype is over.  I've declared my Boo Hoo Party to be over effective today.  It's time to look forward to 2019 with great hope and anticipation for what is to come. 

In 2019 I will . . .
* Complete six 5K's by the end of the year.  I've strayed from running, but I'm going to get back out on the road this year!
* Donate blood once a quarter.  I have the same universal blood type as my dad.  He donated on a regular basis for most of his life.  Plus, this is a simple way for me to give back.  In his honor, I want to become a regular donor.
* Go the beach this summer.  Sitting on the beach staring out at the horizon fills my tank. We did not get to the beach last year and I've felt it. 
* Take the Pennsylvania Social Work Licensing Exam by the end of May.  One of my regrets has always been allowing my Ohio license to expire and never obtaining my Pennsylvania license.  That all happened when we first moved to PA 13 years ago - my kids were little, my husband was newly battling his health problems and I was barely functioning - so I can't be too hard on myself.  However, one of the things I learned in 2018 is that it is time to get this done.  

I open up my heart and soul to you simply to say that if I can do this, YOU can do this.  Life is hard.  We are each fighting out own battles.  But we shouldn't give up on taking care of ourselves - physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, financially, professionally - all of those "allies!"  I encourage you to take some time over the next couple of days to think about what you want to accomplish in the year ahead.  It might be one goal or four! 

Here are a few tips for you
1. Make sure your goal is a smart goal!

image from www.smartsheet.com

2. Don't set too many goals.  You want to enjoy this journey and not overwhelm yourself.  Plus, if you achieve all of the goals you set, you can always set more!    It's better to set small goals and celebrate success often rather than risk struggling and giving up.

3. Share your goals with someone.  Saying your goals out loud and to another person makes them feel real.  Whoever you tell can help to hold you accountable.  You don't have to be like me and splash your goals all over the internet, but I encourage you to tell at least one person. 

This post turned out to be a lot longer than I anticipated.  Thanks for reading this and for sticking with me these last several years.  I wish you happy goal setting and a very successful and healthy 2019!

Observations from Behind the Cash Register: A Little Bit of THIS can Save You a lot of THAT

How is my bill over $100 every time I come in here?  I only came in here because . . .

I had no idea what I was making for dinner.

I forgot to buy the broth and noodles.

I didn't think about what I would pack for my kids lunches this week.

We needed kitty litter.

I hear these comments all the time from guests who come through my line at work.  People who haven't planned ahead and needed to pop in for one thing and end up with a cart full of snacks, a couple of shirts, a board game and a lamp. They needed a $2 box of butter and left feeling upset, worried or guilty after placing a charge of $120 on their credit card because they don't get paid until Friday and it's Tuesday evening.

I want to grab them by the shoulders, look them square in the eyes and say - IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!  A little bit of PLANNING can save you A LOT of TIME, MONEY and STRESS!

PLAN MY WEEK
Every Saturday morning I spend about 30 minutes looking at the week ahead - sitting at home, sitting in the bleachers at basketball practice or sitting in the car outside of the store.  What are we going to eat?  When am I going to go to the grocery store?  How much money do I have to spend?  Is there anything special going on - a potluck at work?  a friend's birthday?  30 minutes.  That's all. Then I grab my list and head to the store.  Most of the time at that point I'm done.  Of course there are times that I forget to put something on the list or the store doesn't have exactly what I need or we run out of milk mid-week.  But for the most part, I don't need to return to the store until the following Saturday.

PLAN MY ROUTE
When I do have to run into the store for something, I purposefully plan my route.  If I need milk, i head straight for the milk.  If I need a birthday card, I head straight for the cards.  By being purposeful I avoid wandering through the store and picking up random items that I don't need and are not in my budget.

With this little bit of planning, I am saving a lot of . . .

TIME
A "quick trip" into the store is never truly a quick trip.  It is robbing me of time that I can be doing something else.  Time with my family.  Time for me!  And think of how much time is wasted if I'm are making 3-4 "quick trips" a week.  That is a lot of time!

MONEY
Every time I step into the store I am tempted to put something extra in my cart whether I am going into the grocery or a big-box store.  The Oreos from the large colorful display.  The shirts that just went on clearance.  The holiday decorations that I passed by last time, but just HAVE to have for my desk.  It all adds up and often quicker than I expect.

STRESS
Two of the biggest stressors in my life are time and money.  I feel like I never have enough of either and I can't figure out how to manage them.  Anything that I can do to help keep my stress and finances under control is high on my priority list.When I'm working, it breaks my heart to see the guests who are breaking up their purchases between multiple credit cards based on how close they are to the credit limit.  Or the guest who has to put several things back because there is not enough money in their account to cover the purchase.  I feel sad for the tired kids who are being dragged through the store at 10PM being yelled at by their stressed out parents because the parent didn't buy stuff for lunches. 

IT'S A NO-BRAINER 
I've been taking time to plan my week for a couple of years now.  I am happier.  My family is eating healthier.  We have fewer arguments.  We are all on the same page (most of the time!).  We do much better at sticking to our budget.

There are weeks that I don't make planning a priority and I feel it.  I'm stressed.  I'm grouchy.  I'm rushing around.  We're eating take out.

To me it's a no-brainer - making that planning time every Saturday morning a priority makes for a happier, healthier family.  It can also make a happier, healthier YOU!