Year of Fear Challenge

This year I didn’t really give myself any New Year resolutions. Mostly I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do or conquer. That’s where inspiring bloggers like Donloree come in. She’s decided to do one thing each month that scares her for an entire year.

My First Reaction was this:

From Google Images

My Second was this:

But what does the Year of Fear Challenge really mean? 

The year of fear is about conquering one thing (big or small) each month for 2013 that puts you out of your comfort zone. It means trying new things and not being afraid and ultimately becoming a a better version of yourself. Isn’t there something you’ve wanted to try or do but been scared to do it? I for one am not going to allow fear to navigate 2013 so the challenge for January is to get rid of 25% of my personal things. 

This is going to be extremely tough. Given that I am a fashion blogger I am constantly looking for hand me downs and clothes from friends and family. I keep things that are vintage, things that have potential, things that may come back in style. I also have a personal training business so I have weights, dumbbells, mats etc. and don’t even get me started on my books! But with less I know I can do more in my space, and be more creative in all aspects of life including my closet.  Its also going to be interesting given that I am having major renovations done. I had a flood earlier this summer and my floors are finally being replaced among other things. It will difficult to accomplish by February 1^st, 2012. but I wont let fear stop me from trying!

Donloree's Rules:

• If I haven’t used, worn, or enjoyed in over a year…buh-bye! 
• Only my things are up for getting rid of – clothes, books, hobbies, sporting goods, all other things that belong to others must be returned. 
• Duplicates and ‘back ups’ have to go. 
• Keep things I love, not things I like. 
• Things that have sentimental value or are personally valuable (ex: my figure and bikini suit from my first fitness competition) can be kept if there is space and they don’t put me over 75% of keeping things.

I'm going to tackle this project by dedicating a half hour each night to the project and a few hours on the weekend. I'll keep you all updated on how it goes, and if you want to join, simply write a comment below, or join Donloree here. 

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Coconut Sugar Almond Cookies

Nothing screams holidays more than baking. Though they may be over I wanted to share one of our “healthier” modified holiday cookie recipe that I borrowed from A Second Glance's Browned Butter Almond Cookie Recipe. 

What you will need:
1/2 cup almond butter
2 cups almond flour
1/3 cup Coconut Sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup vanilla Almond milk
splash of vanilla
Slivered almonds (for garnish)

Mix almond milk, egg, vanilla and coconut sugar together. Combine with almond butter and almond flour. Mix well together. Note cookies will be sticky and wet. spoon batter onto wax paper on cookie sheet. Sprinkle slivered almonds on top for garnish (you can add fruit, jam whatever you like).

Bake these delish treats at 350F fro 20 minutes. This batch made approximately 30 cookies, which were gobbled up with post dinner tea and breakfast.

  

We also reuse our wax paper to reduce waste and frankly they work just as well the second and third time around as well. 

Do you have baked goods recipes that you make during the holiday season?

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New Year Tips for Sticking to your Resolutions

Happy New Year Friends.

If you're like many other Canadians and Americans, the holidays can throw you off track. Your Office coworkers mat have brought in extra sweets and holiday treats, you may have indulged in an extra alcoholic beverage with friends and family and of course, eaten a variety of food rich in butter, and cream. And while you may have put this all behind you with the new year and resolutions to lose that weight you may have put on, here are a few tips and tricks to make sure you don't fall into the new year resolution health trap.

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The Gym Membership

Come January 2^nd, the gyms are flooded with those new year resolutioners who vow to get back into shape, but come March they are nowhere in sight. There are a few reasons for this (See Be Specific Below), but before you sign that gym membership, make sure you have all the facts straight. Within Ontario, you have a 10 day grace period to opt out of a gym membership. After that you’re stuck baby. So unless you’re positively sure you’ll make use of the gym, don’t sign up. If the gym is not your thing, train outside, or join a class with a friend. Having someone there to motivate you and workout with may help both of you stay on track and pass the 90 day challenge of remaining active and healthy.

The Diet

Your diet can have one of the biggest impacts on your ability to shed those pounds and not only feel better but be better. While we all make those resolutions to eat more salad and not stuff ourselves with cake, don’t forget that the body needs a good dose of healthy lean protein. With every meal I try to have some. In the mornings, a protein shake, Lunch chicken or tuna with that salad and for dinner, a nice piece of fish with a tonne of veggies. Remember that our bodies need to be replenished with food for fuel especially if your workouts are heavy. However just because you exercise does not mean you can add on that extra slice of pizza or fries. Don’t sabotage your own hard work!

Purge

Just how we have a spring clean and air out our homes and get rid of things that we don’t need. Purge your kitchen. Remove temptation and replace it with foods that are good for you. Same goes for your home and closet. Remove the clutter, throw out your fat pants. Make room for the new you.

Be Specific

 People who tend to become unmotivated in their Health resolutions tend to have very lofty ideals on what they want to achieve. My advice to you would be to be specific and set a time oriented goal. This year, I have decided to do another half marathon and have already signed up. I know my date for the run (May long weekend) and know that I have from now until then to train. Do the same. Pick a goal. Whether it’s to lose ten pounds, 50 pounds whatever it is, make a plan. Set a date for when you want it to be completed and be realistic. If your plan is to lose 50 pounds, know that it won’t happen in 3 months, this is a goal that could take well over a year, if done in a healthy and monitored way. How do you plan on achieving this goal? Will you join a run club, take up a sport, what exactly will you do to make that change to remain active past March?

There’s an App for that

There are so many Apps out there that can help you track your calories, provide workout tips and even help you create a program just for you. Whether it’s the Couch to 5K program, or the JeFit App which provides a range of exercise for each muscle group, or Calorie Counter which helps you track what you’re eating, these apps, and many others are free and can help you find ways of modifying your workout and your meal plan. 

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