Bday Dinner Yumminess

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, so he came over and enjoyed a lovely home cooked meal, compliments of me, with the family.

So in order to make it special, I had to be sure to cook some truly yummy plates.

What did the menu include?  Let's take a look.

Potato Leek Soup:
Potatoes, Leeks, vegan chicken stock, garlic salt, water, rice milk

Pot Roast:
Pot roast, Cream of Mushroom soup, French onion Dip (slow cooker)

Mushroom Risotto:
Shitake mushrooms, kale, 1/3 onion, 3 cups vegan chicken stock, 1/4 cup vegan parmesean cheese, water, coconut oil, olive oil

Chocolate Cookie truffles
Oreo substitutes, vegan cream cheese, protein powder, cinnamon, dark chocolate

It was so delicious.  I highly recommend all of the above.  :)

Happy Dining!

Facebook Remembers

Now, I'm not the biggest proponent of Facebook, nor am I a big proponent on living in the past.  Neither focus you on the future and on creating the most of the here and now to build the accomplishments in life you want for yourself.  However, part of growing is reflecting.  In order to determine who you want to become you need to understand who you are now and from where you've come.  Given the fact that Facebook save well, everything, it's a good place to start.

I went through my last 4-year history when I asked myself, "Who was this girl four years ago?  Have I changed much into the person I thought I would be?"  It was a fun little exercise.  Some of the posts made me laugh, others brought me joy, some reminded me of things and events I had completely forgotten, and a few even reminded me to hope.  If you use Facebook strategically, and not as a platform to word-vomit all of your unhappinesses and complaints, then Facebook can be a tool for good and for informing those you don't see often about your life.

If you are said word-vomiter....maybe it's time to re-evaluate your life.  How is it going?  Are you bringing into your life that which you wanted?  (I'm going to guess probably not, since you output into the universe is negative).

So take a few minutes and browse through your own history.  See where you've been and if you're on the path you had set out for yourself originally.  It's okay if you're not, but this'll give you a chance to re-evaluate which path is the right one for you: the one you had envisioned a few years ago, or the one you are on now.  Reassessing can help you decide how to best realign yourself and create the life you want.

....so that when you look back again in another four years, you'll see the footprints of a person with a vision.  :)

Relationship Advice Sources

Have you ever vented to someone about relationship problems?  Of course!  We all have!  We've probably run to a friend or a co-worker and said "OMG.  You'll never believe what ______ did?" or "I'm so mad that s/he _______".

If you're a woman, you do it because you need to vent.  You need to get it off your chest and out into the universe so that it won't fester inside you.  That seems pretty normal too!  However, you have to remember to be careful.  Maybe you only vent to this co-worker.  How do you think they view your significant other?  Pretty badly, because that's all they hear!  So, part (1) is to remember that every time you say something about your other half, good or bad, that is how that person will always view him or her.  How do you want others to view your husband or wife?

I don't mean to create this ideal person who doesn't really exist because you only ever say the positive things or you pick and choose to create this story that isn't real.  But what I do mean is that he or she isn't there, only the stories you tell are, so heed how you speak about him or her.  Would you want to be negatively viewed by someone you had never met because your significant other only ever vented about you?

Part (2) is where you gain advice.  Let's say you are venting, because, after all, that's pretty normal.  Do you want advice?  If you don't BE SURE TO SAY THAT because everyone will think they have the "perfect" advice for you!  Suddenly you'll be bombarded with absolutely ludicrous "fixes".  If you DO want advice (because, let's face it, usually the venting is b/c we don't know what to do or what we're doing isn't working), be careful who you vent to.  If you want advice, here's the thought to always live by:

Only take advice from people whose ______________ you admire or wish to have.


Would you take financial advice from a broke person?  Of course not!! (but guess how many times you have!....think about that one)

So why would you take advice from someone who's relationship you don't admire or wish to emulate?  You shouldn't.

So next time you feel frustrated about something at home, remember pieces 1 & 2.  And I'm not fully advocating that you should hold things in, but what you speak about is what magnifies.  Do you really want this 'issue' to amplify?  If you don't, then why would you speak about it all day long?  Just be careful.  You deserve the best relationship.

A Big Reader THANK YOU!

I want to take this time to say THANK YOU to all of you.  You inspire me every day to be better, do better, and bring you information and pieces that have meaning and are empowering.  Your feedback means so much, and I love seeing it!

So when I saw on amazon.co.uk the brand new feedback for Quotes in Spanish that said "EXCELLENT", that was the greatest compliment I could have received.  Thank you, readers, for letting me know how much you appreciate the works you read.

I hope you and yours have the most amazing weekend and holiday season!