Never Before Done + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

We made an event out of viewing the lunar eclipse. We went to a park where a lot of other people were out with telescopes, high-powered cameras and lawn chairs. It was so fun to predict the exact spot where the moon would first appear over the mountains. As eerie as some of the pictures are of this rare, once-in-a-lifetime occurance, it is also motivating! 
To be able to achieve this phenomena, the earth, sun and moon needed to be perfectly lined up, with the earth blocking the sun's reflection on the moon. The earth keeps rotating and orbiting, the moon keeps orbiting, and finally it happens, a celestial event for the ages!

Photo by Dennis Dunn

We continue doing the same things that we do every single day--eating, sleeping, working, etc. But when opportunities come our way, let's seize the day! And with that may come a result that is spectacular and never before done! Listen to your inner voice, attract good things with your positivity, visualize what can be, and surely it will come! The result will be spectacular and it will be an achievement of a lifetime!

Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!

#UpliftFamiles Re-Cap, Website, and Resources

Last Saturday night, we attended the Uplift Families Event, and it was awesome!

 We started out by having an excellent meal. It was outdoors and the weather was perfect (maybe just a bit windy)! I loved the cute and easy centerpieces that were on the tables!

 The speakers were varied and entertaining. There were 6 wonderful speakers in all, including Utah's First Lady Jeanette Herbert. My personal favorite speaker was Brad Barton, who motivated me with his encouragement to do something amazing, despite difficulties, which he emulates perfectly, being the current Master's Track and Field Record Holder! Basically his premise was, "The problem is not having problems!"
The entertainment was excellent! I love Joshua Creek's sound!

I came away with an evening to remember and something valuable to refer back to---an amazing, on-going resource site to turn the job of parenting into the joy of parenting! UpliftFamilies.org is full of T.I.P.S. (Teaching Important Parenting Skills). On the site you can hear speakers from previous Uplift Families Conference's, plus the current ones will soon be there as well. 
Again, I so much enjoyed this year's event. It was so well-done and despite being sold out, had the feel of a small, friendly, get-together! The speakers were excellent, the food delicious, entertainment wonderful! Thanks again to all those involved to make it the great event it was! 
If you are experiencing a current low with some aspect of parenting, being a parent, or maintaining your sanity while being a parent, I would encourage you to check out the above site and I promise you'll find something to uplift you!

Achievement Amidst Adversity + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

John James Audubon is the world famous advocate and promoter of bird life. He is credited with discovering several new species of American birds. His drawing books are in rare museum collections around the U.S. His depictions of avian life are the standard for all other bird images. I saw one of his books at an exhibit and was blown away by the detail and life-like look of his drawings. 

Credit

 But it wasn't always such great success for him. In fact, most of his life was fraught with financial troubles, and disasters. After years of work, he enlisted the help of a good friend to keep some 200 of his best drawings--those that he planned on putting into a larger, comprehensive collection. When he returned for his drawings, he was horrified to discover that a rat had chewed into the chest where they were stored and had eaten through all of the drawings. It was a huge loss and he contemplated giving up. But he took some time to re-group, recover, and think about why he did what he did, and what he might do to maybe make even better drawings. Thankfully, he decided to start over and because of that, he was rewarded with recognition and fame all over the world. And we are gifted with some of the most beautiful drawings of birds we may never see ourselves in real life, but have the next best thing, drawings by John James Audubon.

This past weekend I attended the Uplift Families Conference, all about what it is that we, as parents, can do to give our kids the best tools to make them incredibly successful and happy human beings. My favorite speaker was Brad Barton, a motivational speaker who practices what he preaches. He does these cool magic tricks to illustrate some of his key points! He spoke about his struggles at trying to do something extraordinary, since he talks about how it's within all of our reach to do so. He had just missed making the 1992 Olympic Team in the steeplechase because of a fall, and even though he had been retired for 16 years and was considered "old" (that stereotype makes me mad), he trained and pushed forward with a new goal. Breaking his ankle in the process of his training, but finally in 2014 he ran the fastest sub 4:20 mile that anyone his age or older has ever done--4:17:54! Not to mention that he would have beat 90% of athletes 27 years his junior.  He says, "I preach the doctrine of getting better. Let's do something hard--get on the learning curve. The happiest times of our lives are our most challenging times. Then we settle into an easier, comfortable life, but we need those challenges." 

Credit

These examples make me want to kick it up a notch and find more pinnacles to climb, more personal bests to attain. It's hard, because fall is coming and that hot chocolate and Jimmy Fallon in the evenings are calling quite loudly! We'll see how it goes!
Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!
 

Fall Healthy Snack #Giveaway [$60 ARV]

Welcome to the Fall Healthy Snack Giveaway featuring the Gluten Free Bar! Even if you aren't the least bit gluten-sensitive, these bars will pass the taste test because they are so delicious. With flavors like Cranberry Toasted Almond, Coconut Cashew Crunch, Dark Chocolate Coconut, or PB&J,  you'll definitely be able to find a flavor that you love! In addition to being gluten-free, these bars and bites are also:

• High in protein from brown rice and healthful peas
• Vegan
• Soy-Free
• Non-GMO
• Dairy-Free
• All Natural
• Casein Free
• Low Sodium
• No Trans Fat
• Cholesterol Free
• Wheat Free
• Contains Omega 3 from Flax
• Good Source Of Fiber 
• 100% guaranteed

As you can imagine, with such wholesome ingredients, you are sure to be full and stay full until your next meal!

Based in Grand Rapids, MI, the Gluten Free Bar Company was founded by two Celiac brothers, Elliot and Marshall Radar. The company produces its own bars, crafts its own flavors, and picks ingredients based on their production schedule and demand. This hands-on process makes their ingredients fresher and brings a level of dedication to their products that can be tasted in every bite! Connect with the brand on Twitter and Facebook!
 
DISCOUNT CODE: the Gluten Free Bar would love you to try them out. If you aren't 100% satisfied, they will return your money. For 15% off your purchase, use AGALNEEDSGFB at check-out through October 3rd!

GIVEAWAY: One winner will receive a $60 Prize Package of Gluten Free Bars and Bites! Open to U.S. only, age 21+, and one entrant per household. All entries are optional! Remember the more entries you complete, the better your chances are for winning!

Thanks to the great bloggers who are participating in this giveaway! Please consider liking all participating bloggers on Facebook. They worked hard to bring you this giveaway and others like it! Don't miss out on any future events! Sponsor is responsible for delivery of prizes, not participating bloggers. This blog received no compensation for the facilitation of this giveaway. Enter the giveawy in the Rafflecopter below! Giveaway runs from 9/15/15 - 10/03/15. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

the Gluten Free Bar + #DiscountCode

When you think of a healthy snack, what do you think of? Raw fruits and veggies? A Smoothie? A bar of some kind? It may depend on where you are, what you are doing, and how long before your next meal! To be satisfying, a snack should have some protein in it! If you are looking for a convenient, satisfying, and wholesome snack, please look at the Gluten Free Bar! It is the most tasty gluten free bar on the market. It comes in many flavors and in a smaller Bite size.

When I was given the chance to try these meals in a bar, I was really impressed. Having recently been diagnosed as "gluten sensitive", I really dreaded trying to eliminate or cut down on some of the foods that I've grown up loving, like popcorn, bread, cereal, (sniff, sniff) cakes, cookies, pies, (sob) and pizza (now we're doing the ugly cry). But these bars have given me a brighter hope. With 10 yummy flavors such as peanut butter, dark chocolate coconut, coconut cashew crunch, and chocolate hazelnut, I think I can safely cut down on the glucose without having to feel deprived. That's really good news for me! Plus, they're less than 300 calories!

In addition to the taste treat, the Gluten Free Bar really packs a nutritional punch! They are made with all natural ingredients like flax, organic plant proteins, organic dates, nuts, seeds, chocolate liquor! They are non-GMO, non-Soy, and much, much more!

Reasons To Pack the Gluten Free Bar:

• You won't be eating a meal for awhile and need something nutritious to maintain your glucose levels.
• You want something in between meals to kill hunger pangs
• You want a snack that is healthy
• You are doing a prolonged sport where you need to have steady energy supplies
• You need something easy and convenient when your schedule is busy

Last weekend my husband and I took a hike to a beautiful lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon. It said 'moderate hike' on the description, but I feel like it was really hard! Hoisting yourself up rocks for a mile isn't my idea of moderate! By the time we were finished, it had been a 6 hour trek. We each took a sandwich, water, and a Gluten Free Bar. We ate the sandwich at the lake, and the bar on the trail down. It was perfect! The bars were so filling and provided the energy needed to make the whole trip.

 I am a believer in these little nutritional powerhouses and plan on incorporating them into my life! 

DISCOUNT CODE: the Gluten Free Bar would love for you to try them out. If you aren't 100% satisfied, they will return your money. For 15% off your purchase, use AGALNEEDSGFB at check-out through October 3rd!

Disclosure: I received product in order to facilitate an honest and fair review. All opinions are my own

Friendship + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

I was reading the paper the other day, something I occasionally do since they provide our school free daily newspapers, and I ran across an article about friendship. It caught my eye because I have recently been thinking about the friends that I have and evaluating what kind of friend I have been over the years. I am sad to say that some friendships that I should have nurtured and kept up with, I let go.  I moved out of an area I'd lived in for 10+ years, right about the time when I should have been nurturing friendships that would last over my lifetime. According to the article I read, studies show that the 20's are the time to define what you want in a friendship and draw in many different friends. The 30's are when you start to narrow down your circle of close friends and start to build even more on what you've begun in your 20's. The 40's and 50's are when you enjoy the fruits of your building years and are happy and enriched with your circle of friends. Studies show that when you have a good group of close friends your overall health is much better than those who don't have close friends. Couples also benefit from having friends to socialize with.

I am more motivated than ever to start concentrating on becoming the best friend that I can be in the hopes that when I need the mental stimulation of a good conversation, the companionship of a lunch date, the enjoyment of a funny movie or the comfort of an arm around my shoulders, I will have my good friends to rely on! So don't be surprised if you get my text or call saying, "Hey, wanna do lunch?"

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!
 

Just Showing Up + Motivating Monday Link-Up

Some days I literally only have energy to show up, nothing more. It's not the best offering in the world, I can tell you. On the other hand, it may just be enough sometimes. Especially if you are dealing with all kinds of other things on your plate. 

It's definitely not OK to "just show up" in a relationship, though. "Just showing up is better than nothing at all, but your mate can tell the difference between a begrudging, obligatory appearance and a whole-hearted effort to listen and understand." --Tim, Joy Downs

There is the optimal version of you showing up at your best and then there is the minimalist version. I say if you can just show up at your best more times than you simply just show up, that is winning! It's a rare occasion when you can actually show up in top form in everything, every single day, anyway. So why even feel bad when you can't? 

Just be real with yourself. For instance, your optimal routine may be a 5 mile run, but you don't have the time or energy today. It's OK to give yourself permission to do a brisk 15-minute walk instead. Save the 5 miler for when you are available and energized! At least you are creating a habit, and good habits are what create excellence!

image credit: JennyTibbetts
 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase! 

A Mountainside Spa Retreat #Utah

 Last week I was so excited to go to Mountainside Spa, a new spa in the Holladay/Cottonwood Heights area, for an amazing facial and body wrap! This was my first visit and being relatively unfamiliar to that area since my move north, I pulled out my navigator and headed out. I was easily supposed to be there within 10 minutes, when things took a turn. Apparently, my route was blocked because of a power transformer explosion, causing a wild fire in the middle of a residential area. 

 My detour apparently caused my navigator to get confused and the pleasant woman's voice led me half-way up a mountain to an ancient, gated building. "Wow, strange place for a spa, rather rustic!" I thought. Turns out it was an old, abandoned, delapidated, padlocked, electric power plant. I turned around, made my way down the mountain and parked in a parking lot. By this time instead of being 10 minutes early to the appointment, I was 15 minutes late. I was torn between cancelling and soldiering on. 

The pleasant gal at the desk made me want to keep moving on. She was very kind and became my human navigator, so I continued my journey with her guidance. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding at a crucial time, and I found myself in the middle of an intersection with a red light. I was not in the left turning lane, where I needed to be BUT if I went straight, it looked like the entrance to a freeway, where I definitely didn't want to go. So I did the only logical thing in my mind--always questionable. I made an illegal left turn, on a red light. I didn't get very far because right behind me was a cop. It took quite awhile for me to get out of that situation, but I must say I'm glad he stopped me because he alerted me to another very problematic situation I was driving with, since corrected, which I won't go into right now! I am so appreciative of his kindness because he seemed to understand that none of this was my fault!!!! Needless to say, I was extremely stressed out and harried by the time I reached the spa about 45 minutes late!!

Still managing to smile upon arrival to Mountainside Spa

When I walked in, I was not the mildly stressed person I was when I left my house. I was now beyond stressed, uncomfortable, overheated, and shaken...oh wait, that's called a hot mess! But walking into that spa was like walking into another world. It was so calming and so comforting. I can tell you right now that staff is so important in a place of relaxation. Staff can make or break your experience. I'm happy to say that the staff at Mountainside Spa is wonderful! I  was taken in and pampered beyond what I expected!  

Trio of products I walked out with after my treatment. Body Butters and Salt Scrub-Thank you so much!

I was treated to a hungarian facial and an exfoliating, blueberry body wrap. It was zen-like and when I was finished, I had practically forgotten any stress I was feeling when I arrived. I appreciated my considerate esthetician, Amanda, who bent over backwards with every consideration for me.
I came away with a list of things you might want to look for when you go to the spa:
 1) When you walk in, is the staff welcoming and polite? 
2) Is your esthetician both considerate and professional? 
3) Does the atmosphere lend itself to relaxation in every way?  
4) Is there an array of high-quality products to choose from that they also use in your treatment? 
5) Do you walk out feeling totally relaxed?
Mountainside Spa is having a Grand Opening on September 10, 11 - 7 p.m. They will be giving mini-facials, having drawings, and lots of other fun things! Let's welcome them to their permanent home and show them we appreciate them! 

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Youthful You #Giveaway by youtheory

What is youth? Is it a number? Or is it the feeling of health and vitality that flows through your veins?  If it is the latter, you know that it doesn't just magically happen. It takes some work and planning! youtheory has products that can help to increase your energy and the health of your joints and immune system so that you can work on the other stuff, like exercise, good food and enough sleep! youtheory is a company that believes that "whether you're 25 years old, 37, 52, or 60, your age tells a story. So proudly claim it and age beautifully." Youtheory bridges the gap between the very best that nature and science have to offer. They utilize the best of both worlds to offer products that have revolutionized how people think about beauty.

Products like Joint Collagen, Collagen, and Turmeric--all cutting edge and with maximum absorption--help you feel your best.

You can read more about these supplements in my review.
Available at over 50,000 retailers nationwide, they are readily available at your convenience. Online retailers include Amazon, Puritan's Pride, Vitamin World, Vitacost.com, Swanson Health Products, and others. Major Retailers include Rite Aid, GNC, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Costco, Walgreens, Sprouts, and Albertsons.
Giveaway: One winner will win a trio of youtheory youth promoting products--collagen, joint collagen, and turmeric, a month's supply with an average retail value of $70.00.
Open to U.S only, age 21+, one entrant per household. Remember the more entries you complete, the better your chances are for winning!

Thank you to the great bloggers who are participating in this giveaway. Please consider liking all the participating bloggers on Facebook. They work hard to bring you this event and others like it! You wouldn't want to miss out on any future events! Sponsor is responsible for delivery of prizes, not participating bloggers. This blog received no monetary or other compensation for the facilitation of this giveaway. Enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway runs from 9/5/2015 - 9/23/2015. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Conquering Conflict + #MotivatingMonday Link-Up

With the 'Back To School' Grind, comes my daily commute. It's not the worst in the world, but I miss the 5-minute jaunt from my house to work days. Now I do a 35-minute commute. 15 of those minutes is just getting to the freeway.  I like my commute, when all goes well. But I've met some real characters on my commutes. The road construction doesn't help at all. For about 15 miles, cars are relegated to several extremely narrow, bumpy, lanes and the speed limit is 55 mph. Yeah, right. Try to make people follow that one. You've got some really impatient folks out there. I wonder how some of those drivers do it, though. Some of them drive as if they are the only ones on the road, not paying attention to anything around them, serenely boxing in miles of traffic and not batting an eye. I wonder if they think that they must set the safety example for the rest of us and use their cars to enforce their standards of excellence, at 50 mph. Oh the rage that it incites, though. I admit, it used to drive me absolutely nutty. But lately, I've decided that it isn't worth the stress. I now have something that calms me down.....wait for it......I massage my face. Yep, I learned from my favorite Social Media network, that there are pressure points on your face where you can use circular motions to reduce stress, increase blood flow, release toxins and !bonus! reduce the signs of aging. So I'm driving along, massaging my stress away AND looking ever younger as I go! I can't wait to see what I look like at the end of May! In the meantime, I hope I don't box in too much traffic!

 Today is Motivating Monday!  We all need a little motivation!  I, for one, love to explore other sites for motivating, mostly non-sponsored posts, tips, pictures and videos!  If I happen to find a great one, I'll link it up and share it with you here and on Twitter via the #MotivatingMonday hashtag!  It's like being featured!  I can miss some amazing posts, but I don't want to!  So, in addition, if you'd like to link up yourself, you can do that too!  I'll visit your site, comment, promote and publicize! Don't be shy--I'm really very supportive!  Remember, any link to your posts helps your blog numbers increase!