Dream big and ditch the excuses

We all have dreams, but the question is are we dreaming now or waiting...... and waiting.... and waiting.....   Take a minute to see where your dreams are stopping.  Remember there is no perfect time and no perfect way, but just movement forward.

• Face your fears (this one is 40% of it)

In facing your fears, one big question to ask yourself is: “What will happen if I don’t face my fear and go through it?” If the answer depresses you- it is time to face it, if you shrug and say, “no big deal” than let it be, it must not be getting in the way of living the life you want.

• Get lost (put yourself in a new  environment)

Getting lost is one way to wake yourself up. Where are you? How did you get here? How do you find your way home? Or Maybe you found a new home.

• Test your limits

Go just a little bit further, faster, higher, and beyond what is normal. Can you run a bit further, stay in the yoga position a minute more, listen to your loved one without interrupting just a little bit longer, put more color on canvas, cook a more complicated recipe. Practice testing your limits and you will be prepared for anything

• Take a leap of faith

Whoooo. This one is hard. How do we trust that it will all work out. In today’s tumultuous world, this leap of faith is hard but necessary. If not, being stuck becomes the new normal.

• Rediscover your childhood

Play, laugh, love, giggle, play, laugh, love, giggle.

• Shed your inhibitions/express yourself

Start by dancing by yourself in your living room, walking nude through the house, or sing your heart out in the shower. Move from the private to the more public and join others in dancing, singing, sharing, and if you are up to it, go visit a nude beach.

• Break new ground

Start something fresh and new for yourself (and others if you like). Literally, plant a garden, organize a block party, go on a trip somewhere you’ve never been. It’s all about the novelty, the feeling of being a novice, and the love of the adventure. 

• Aim for (from) the heart

Love, hug, cuddle, be generous of your smiles and compliments, and be kind to yourself and others. 

French Onion Soup

I bought a new cookbook and am on a roll of a new soup a week. So far so good. Here's my latest and my family loved it. 

Note: This recipe does take about 2 hours cooking time to make so give yourself time for it to bubble up.

I've simplified it for you in terms of the essence. 

1. Melt Butter (I used olive oil for health) in saucepan over medium heat and add 2 1/2 lbs of onioins sliced and 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed. Turn the heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until soft. 
2. Take the lid off and add 1 tbls sugar and cook for another 20 minutes until golden brown and floppy. (They say this is the key to a successful onion soup. 
3. Pour in 2tbls of Cognac (I had to buy just for this recipe) and 1 1/2 cups of cider and allow to bubble
4. Add 5 or more cups of beef stock and bouquet garni of parsley, thyme, and bay) and stir to blend. 
5. Simmer for 45 minutes, then season to taste. (remove the garni bouquet)

Meanwhile, 

1. Make garlic toasts, by mixing olive oil and garlic and season well. Cut baguette in thin slices, place on baking sheet and brush with the garlic oil. Bake for 25 min until crisp

Putting it together:

Divide the soup between 4 -6 ovenproof bowls and place on baking sheet. Float 2-3 garlic toasts on tope and scatter Gruyere over the toasts

Broil until the cheese is bubbling and golden. 

Serve hot and be careful of the hot bowls!!!

Ingredients:

• butter or olive oil (3 tbls)
• 2 1/2 lbs onions
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed 
• 1 tbls sugar
• 2 tbls Cognac or Brandy
• 1 1/2 cups hard apple cider
• 5-6 cups of beef stock
• 1 bouquet of garnish (parsley, thyme, bay)
• salt and fresh pepper

Toasts:

• Baguette
• olive oil
• garlic
• Gruyere cheese  

The Simplest Way to keep your family healthy and happy

Studies have shown that kids who eat dinner with their families are all around healthier and happier. Grace Freedman, Ph.d. the Executive Director of eatdinner.org states that the research proves that the simplest way to have your kids:

• succeed in school
• feel connected socially to their parents
• have better friendships and relationships
• less likely to get involved in drugs and alcohol
  
  

In addition, parents feel that they have a more balanced life and eat healthier.

The irony is that approximately half of families make dinner a daily ritual and only one in five famlies eat together occasionally or never.

Throw away every other goal and just make this one happen, you will find that the benefits and good times just roll in. Besides that it doesn't cost a penny! 

Coming of Age Challenge #3 World Religions

Note: If you are unaware of the Coming of Age Challenge, Please Go To "What Is The Coming Of Age Challenge" and learn how you can have fun and help your daughter, nieces, and friends move into teen years with confidence and pride.

Beginning a tour of World Religions was our challenge for Nov and Dec (okay we combined two months - it was a busy time). Our goal was to expose Zoe to different types of religions in a light and easy manner. 

Stop 1; The Buddhist Zen Center at Green Gulch at Muir Beach, Ca.

One Sunday a month, the Zen center has a children's program to accompany the adult service at Green Gulch. Hidden deep in a valley off Shoreline Drive on the way to Muir Beach is the Zen Buddhist center and retreat. Beautiful and simple Japanese type buildings house visitors and residents. After parking in the dirt lot and walking a couple hundred yards to the central building, we took some time to wander through the majestic garden in which they supply food for the famous Greens Restaurant in San Francisco. The garden connects to the Golden Gate Recreation Area trails and a few minutes on to Muir Beach. The tranquility and quietness is pervasive as you hear the birds sing and the flowers even hum.  

READ MORE ABOUT CHALLENGE #3

The effect we have on others without knowing it, especially children

I received this short story and realized how true it is. A message we should all take note of as  children 
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

It is a reminder to everyone who does so much for others but think that no one ever sees. 

LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT . 

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING


When you thought I wasn't looking I s aw you hang my 
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately 
wanted to paint another one. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a 
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind 
to animals. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the l ittle 
things can be the special things in life. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a 
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always 
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a 
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I 
learned that we all have to help take care of each other. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care 
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have 
to take care of what we are given. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you 
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't 
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be 
responsible when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come 
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things 
hurt, but it's all right to cry. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you 
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of 
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and 
productive person when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when 
you thought I wasn't looking.' 

Author unknown 

Surround Yourself with Flowers for a great New Years

In these dark days there is nothing like flowers at your desk, on your tables or in your bathroom. Studies show that people who have colorful flowers around them report feeling more enthusiastic about their daily activities. 

According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, flowers improve emotional health. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.

I am going out to buy a Yellow Rose plant as I hear that makes you feel Powerful and Successful. 

Buy a few flowers, cut a few from your garden, or find a flowering plant that will last for a long time. A simple easy way to bring happiness into the New Years for you and those around you. 

You'd be surprised the affect it will have on others at home and work as well. 

The Spirited Woman Directory is a gift to you!

Go To The Spirited Woman Directory for your inspired life!

I am so excited and delighted to be in the first-ever Spirited Woman 2012 Directory: Resources for an Inspired Life! The magazine-style Directory features Every Woman Visionaries from six countries and over 25 states, who are changing the world one Spirited Woman step at a time. It is filled with inspirational stories and an array of uplifting resources.  

I am featured in it and can be found on Page 15 in a large spread and listed on page 13 and 101 

The Directory is my gift to you to share with your friends, family, and associates. This is a remarkable resource. But, the women in it are even more amazing, each in her own phenomenal way.

Send it on to others for the holidays and lift their spirits. 

Go To The Spirited Woman Directory for your inspired life!

Americans to forfeit $34.3 billion in vacation days

From one who loves vacations, I was shocked by this article from CNN Money. $34.3 billion in vacation days are forfeited every year. It is estimated that there is 226 million unused vacation days across the US according to an Expedia survey. On average, the American employed earn 14 vacation days per year but only take 12 days. Two days are left on the table for those who wish to claim it. 

Two days does not sound like a great deal, but this amount is conservatively calculated if the average full time worker across the US earns $39,416 per year that is $34.3 billion worth of time. 

Expedia reports, the reason that most people give for forfeiting the time is they can't afford to travel. The second most cited reason was, "lack of planning."  

The question, however, is given you don't have money to travel and given you don't want to plan, there is always the option to wake up on your vacation day and do whatever you feel like -- a true luxury and vacation in itself. 

 For many you still have a few weeks to take those 2 days you are leaving on the table. Give yourself the gift of all of your vacation days and go play for a day, even if it is in your own backyard.

PS. You can also give the time to a cause that you care about, if it is not your own health and well being.

Win a Book to Gift a Friend this Holiday Season

Win a Book to Gift a Friend this Holiday Season

The holidays are such a wonderful time of year. So much to delight in and be thankful for!  In the spirit of the holidays, we’d like to offer you the gift of giving. If you have a friend or family member that you think would enjoy our book Courage and Croissants, Inspiring Joyful Living then simply post a comment on this blog about that person. We will send signed copies of our book to the first 25 people to comment on our Healthy Joyful Living and Subscribe to our Newsletter on our website.

We are also doing a Book a Day Giveaway on Facebook throughout the month of December. So visit our page Healthy Joyful Living and enter to win a book for yourself! We’ll be picking one random winner a day and it’s super simple to enter. If you already have the book, it becomes a great stocking stuffer for a friend or family member. Give the gift of dreams!

We hope your holiday celebrations are packed with love and happiness this year!

xoxo,

Jean and Suzanne

Bolinas, California

Bolinas is a tiny town nestled behind Stinson Beach on the Pacific Ocean. There is no sign that shows you the way as the villagers want to keep it a secret from tourists. Following the road towards the ocean we stopped to hike a route we had never (in 25 years of hiking in this area) ventured upon. Open, pristine, hawks flying in the air and clear skies was a gift for a Thanksgiving weekend hike. 

Thank you for the beautiful nature we have around us!