Fresh Start {Because it's 2012} & 2012 Goals Printable

I'm going to give my blog a 'fresh start' this year because I've been MIA for the past few months with these little cuties...

The good thing is that with many hours awake, day and night, I've had lots of time to brainstorm new ideas. So cheers to starting fresh {again} this year {just like every year, month and Sunday in my life}. I always need to hit restart in my life. I guess I just work better that way.

Every year the most common word at the end of December, begging of January is resolution. I'm not much of a resolution person. Personally, I feel that they get forgotten about by the end of January. I do have to admit there is something refreshing about starting a new year. With a new year I feel energized to start working hard again, I feel like cleaning and organizing. All in all I feel like doing more and being a better person. For me the word goal resonates a lot higher in my mind. So this year I thought I would set goals and split them into six categories: For Me, Family, Friends, Home, To Help Others, Success/Work. Here are my goals for 2012...

For Me: I want to take time to focus more on photography. Learn my new camera and techniques in editing.

Family: Take time out to enjoy life. Plan some adventures...a trip to the zoo this summer, a weekend in Door County this fall {just a few ideas}.

Friends: Work harder to stay in touch.

Home: I want to organize the rec room/playroom in the basement and finally finish the boys nursery.

To Help Others: I want to combine my love for saving money and couponing with obtaining items for the local food pantry.

Success/Work: I want to grow my marketing, advertising and design business with new clients and finally creating my website. I also want to work to grow my etsy shop with new designs and making sure that I repost listings weekly or more. Lastly, I want to revamp my blog and work on providing content that will gain followers.

Now, I just have to make sure I stay on top of my goals. I'm going to write my goals on this 2012 goal chart I created and post it near my desk. You can print a copy for your 2012 goals here.
What are your goals or resolutions for 2012?

Living A Healthy Lifestyle {The Shine Project Challenge}

This month The Shine Project is focusing on body image. Last week was about beauty. I know that I'm a week late but I got this in an email this week and had to share it. It is a poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her beauty tips.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed;

never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself and the other for helping others. 

I just think that was beautifully written and had to share.

Now, onto this week's challenge. How will I be living a healthier lifestyle?I'm not going to lie, being pregnant opens the flood gates for food and laziness. I'm less strict with myself and while I'm at the grocery store I find myself looking at items like these...



Not good choices, I know. But, I do supplement that with fruit and normal meals.

My Healthy Lifestyle Goals

On average I only eat fruit 3-4 times per week.

My goal: Eat fruit at least once per day {most likely with my bowl of Crispex cereal in the morning}

Lately I've been a little lazy with dinner. I make dinner but I don't always make sure we have a salad or vegetable included.

My goal: Include a salad or vegetable with every dinner. {Check out my easy peasy recipe below for grilled veggies. They taste great!}

Snacking...I love a little afternoon snack of chips or something that I can just pull out of the cupboard.

My goal: Instead of chips have pretzels, pita chips or something healthier. That way I'm not totally depriving myself of something salting and crunchy but I'm choosing a smarter option.

Grilled Veggies Recipe

I will be the first to admit that I'm a picky eater when it comes to vegetables. I've gotten better over the years and I think that has A LOT to do with learning how to prepare them so I'll eat them. This recipe is so easy and delish.

What You'll Need

Veggies {I prefer yellow and orange sweet bell peppers, zucchini, portabella mushrooms.}

Olive Oil {about 1/2-3/4 cup, depends on how many veggies you use}

Worcestershire Sauce {about 1/4 cup, once again depends on how many veggies you use}

In a large Ziploc bag combine clean and cut veggies, olive oil and Worcestershire sauce. {Hint: You  need enough oil/sauce to coat all of the veggies. They don't need to be soaking in it.}

Shake it up and put it in the refrigerator to marinate for about 20 minutes.

Use a grill pan on your grill so the veggies don't fall through. In about 10 minutes your veggies will be ready to eat. Viola...you'll have delicious veggies to serve on the side or over couscous.

Note: Before this recipe I wouldn't even touch bell peppers.

I'm linking this post up at The Shine Project today. Stop by and check it out.

Helping Others {The Shine Project & Giveaway}

For a while now my friend and I have made goal lists...well, we started to a while ago and lately we've been slackers. But that doesn't matter, because that is about to change. What I like to do is make goals in categories. Something creative, something for work, something for me, etc. Lately I've been thinking that I need to add to my goal list: do something for others that are less fortunate. Then, today I was reminded of The Shine Project.

The Shine Project was created by Ashley who is simply inspiring. In a nut shell The Shine Project is "Going out of your comfort zone to bring light to those who need hope.
The Shine Project emulates love, sacrifice, and CHANGE."

Each week Ashley posts different 'Shine Challenges'  A new challenge is posted every Monday to help us get out of our comfort zone.

If that weren't enough, today Ashley and Barn Owl Primitives {an awesome typography word art etsy shop} have teamed up to give away this awesome sign.

There are three ways for you to enter to win this AWESOME sign.

1. Like Barn Owl Primitives on facebook and tell them you're from The Shine Project.

2. Repost about this giveaway via blog/twitter/facebook.

3. Like The Shine Project on facebook.

Make sure you stop over to Ashley's blog, The Shine Project, and tell her if/what you liked or reposted about.

Good Luck!



Setting Goals

Every few months I attend a Women's Entrepreneurs networking meeting and I get energized and come away with some great ideas. A few months ago one of the ladies said that every week she gets together with a group of people and they set goals. Each week they review their progress. What a great concept! Way to be accountable.

So, my friend and I started getting together once a month to do the same thing. Here are a few tips that I have for setting goals.

1. Set goals that are obtainable. I know that I work 40+ hours a week and when I get home I'm exhausted. It is not reasonable for me to say that I will create 40 new invitation designs for Etsy. It is reasonable for me to say that I'll get two designs created each week {like on weekends when I have some free time}.
2. Set personal goals that will make you feel better mentally and physically. I've set goals like reading a book or wanting to run three to four times each week. 
3. Set work goals. This is important to stay on track and hopefully will give you a sense of accomplishment because you've completed a task that is out of the norm. 
4. Choose a fun goal. Make a craft. Scrapbook. Plan a trip to a museum or beach.

Since tomorrow starts a new month {and for me a new year, the last year, of my twenties}...it is time to set those goals.

My goals for March are:

1. Finish reading Eat, Pray, Love {Yes, I picked it up months ago, tried to get into it and then the holidays hit and I haven't picked it up since.}

2. Run/Walk/Just Plan Workout at least 3X a week. No more being lazy. 

3. Create 10 new designs for my Etsy shop.

4. Spring clean the kitchen. Wipe the cupboards down, inside and out.

What are your goals?