I’m going to start my very own challenge for the month of January. Challenges are constantly blinding me on other blogs I read; I try to figure out which ones I could apply to my own life, but it’s tough. So instead, I am going to create my own challenge. It is going to be for the month of January that is going to kick start my 2015 resolution.
January’s 31 Day Challenge: Try something new every day.
Something new can be a new work out, a recipe, a green drink, a blog post, a teaching strategy, a morning routine, etc… January is going to be my month to figure out what works and what doesn’t. It will be a month that will encourage more writing & reflecting, (a blog post will follow daily to report the newest of the new for that day), healthier lifestyle – green drinks, no processed recipes, and workouts – & it will help in staying creative through a tough month of cold weather!
Today, I am going to try a new blog post {second post for today! That’s something new!}. Tonight I am going to take you through some of my favorite things from 2014 – ahem.. reflecting!
1. The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. This book had me turning page after page & I had the book read in two days. It develops great characters & a story that leaves you thinking for days after it’s ending. It was my favorite book this year, hands down! Without giving too much away, the three main characters discussed, all women, have their lives spiral in different directions, and intertwine by none other than, you guessed it, a husband’s dark secret. I can’t say enough good things about this novel & highly recommend it to anyone! {I am currently reading another book by Liane Moriarty, Little Big Lies, and I will post a review when I finish!}
2. My Plum Paper Family Planner. I switched from the amazing Erin Condren Life Planner to Plum Paper’s family planner this fall. I LOVED my Erin Condren planner, but I needed more space for to-do notes, reminders, and I just needed a completely different vibe. It was a fantastic switch. I ordered the family planner because there are seven sections that can be customized, (I think the purpose for this was to have each family member’s name as a section, to keep track of multiple calendars), but I had my sections labeled the following: Events, Home, To-Dos, Appointments, Exercise, Dinner, & Blog. {See picture below to understand what the heck I’m talking about!} It is sturdy, has pockets for various notes and safe keeping, and is just pretty cute in general! {I have my new, Passion Planner, ordered & I am expecting it early January, I’m pretty pumped to see what this planner adds to my life as well!}
Okay, okay, I’m a bit weird about my planners! But I need it to be just so to really feel organized!
3. Quinoa Enchilada Casserole. I stumbled across an amazing recipe website while searching the net one night for dinner inspiration. My favorite recipe was made this fall. I am a sucker for anything with casserole in it’s name. I always think of some sort of cheesy goodness & this recipe did not disappoint. It is a pretty healthy meal that adds a silver of the comfort food factor. Tony and I loved it. It was actually better the next day after all the flavors had mixed and spent the night getting cozy in our fridge. I would also encourage you to run on over and check out the blog where the recipe originated, Damn Delicious; because her recipes I’ve tried out have been just that, damn delicious.
4. Asphall’s Perronelles Blush Cider. Think presecco meets cider beer, with a splash of pink. I am not a big drinker; in college I drank because that’s what you did, but I always remember forcing myself to like the taste of whatever it was that I was drinking. As I’ve gotten older, I have learned to appreciate a good glass of white wine, but now on chemo, I have to really think how badly I want any type of alcohol because I deal with some not favorable repercussions. I went out to brunch for a girlfriend’s birthday last month, and after breakfast we stopped at an Irish pub for another quick drink. The bartender insisted that we try their special ciders; so we did, and it was amazing. I have had Katie, {who works for a liquor distributor} on the hunt to find me this wonderful drink in a local liquor store. It’s light, fresh, and simply magnificent.
5. The Everygirl & Teaching Sam and Scout. As I have gotten more comfortable with my writing, I have also found some amazing writers to follow in the process. These websites/blogs are completely different & I love them both for very different reasons. The Everygirl discusses various topics; fashion, trends, reflecting, & inspire their readers to become a better you. I love reading various columns & advice. Teaching Sam and Scout is a witty website, authored by an inspiring woman who juggles her family, her job as a High School English Teacher, and her passion to write. I find myself giggling at her entries & connecting with some of her thoughts. Both websites are great reads!
There you have it. Some of my favorites from the past year. I enjoyed writing something different tonight & I’m looking forward to the rest of the month to try out some new things!
[…] my post at the beginning of the month, {My favorite things}, planners are proven to be an essential part of my day. I live & breathe by my planner. I have […]