Time is on your side!!

Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock, the clock struck one and down he run... where was he going in such a hurry? To market to market to buy a fat pig, home again home again jiggity jig.

I know you didn't come to read your old nursery rhymes, but time is a little bit of a riddle with too much rhyme and reason. We all get 24 hours a day, but if we took away the clock would the day seem longer or shorter? Do you think you could master time then? From sun up to sun down could you figure out when to do what, or what to do when?

As a world we have been driven by the clock since birth. Feedings every 3 hours, school and work start at a certain time and end at a certain time each day. Catch your favorite show, hear your radio program, "I have so much time before I have to..." are thoughts that come and go all day in the minds of people all over the world. When we don't want to get out of bed we want to smash the alarm clock don't we?

I have a challenge for you, it won't be an easy one, but just for one day, NEVER look at the clock. Take them down off the wall or cover them up. Don't sneak peak at the corner of your internet screen or linger on your cell phone to catch an inadvertent peak either!!! Don't watch the news to see what time it is and don't cheat!! I bet you can't do it! We are creatures of habit. It'so hard to change. Especially when it comes to time. But here is the good news...time is on your side.  If you do get through a day without a clock and don't get a fine (for parking too long and your money runs out) you miss something or someone because you were late or maybe early, or you just threw up your hands and just did the best you could with this new concept...you will see that when you do get your clock back, life is a snap...a walk in the park.

I want to hear from you if you actually do this challenge. Let's hear how you did and be honest. If I don't get anyone brave enough to try it...I won't be surprised. Mary had a little lamb...little lamb....little...

Start your day with Qi

   

Just like the sunrise inspires the flowers to open and the birds to sing, Qi-Gong practice in the morning....ahhhh....what a way to start each day.Warm up your mind and gently awaken your body by doing simple but meaningful movements. You can get your DVD from me.
     I used to believe that I didn't have time to exercise. Fear told me that if I spared even 15 minutes it would throw off the entire days schedule, I would be late for work and it wouldn't be worth it. I couldn't have been more wrong. If this is you, read on with an open mind will you?
     When we have a job to do each day, no matter where that is, it's important that we start each day in prayer, appreciation and reflective thinking to set the tone you want to have that day. Our thoughts, our beliefs, rule the day. Our body follows what our mind believes and helps us achieve our goals. So take 10-15 minutes and welcome each day into your life, I guarantee your days will be much better. Your mood will be brighter, your body happier and your life much more fulfilling. This practice will help you stay stress free and full of energy throughout your day and allow you to access spiritual inspiration. It will allow you to be open and creative and think clear. Have an abundant and passionate day!! Your best days are just ahead. Get the Simply Healthy Newsletter by returning to my website at www.sandrabullard.com and fill out the sign up form and get started now.
     This morning practice encourages us to use our Qi (key)-this lifeforce energy is inside us and we learn to channel this energy instead of our muscle force. These flowing movements help your flexibility, power, strength, increases circulation and promotes relaxation. I have never felt more alive and well! But don't take my word for it, try it yourself.
     We do what we believe 100% of the time. Willpower is only temporary energy. For sustaining long term, you may need to challenge your beliefs...is that really true? Then allow yourself to change what doesn't fit your goal and your lifestyle. Come back soon will you? Leave a comment below any time!
   
     

Simply Sizzlin'!!

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Ingredients:

6 (6 oz.) mahi mahi fish fillets, 1/2" thick

Dressing:

3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp. honey

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. salt (you can omit)

 Preparation:

• Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. For dressing, in a small bowl combine cilantro, lemon peel and juice, oil, honey, garlic, and salt. Mix well.
•  Place fish fillets into glass baking pan and pour dressing over; turn fish to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Lightly grease indoor electric grill and preheat or fire up the outside grill.  Drain fish, discarding marinade. Place fish on the grill rack, tucking under any thin edges. If using a covered grill, close lid.
• Grill until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, about 2 to 3 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish on a two sided grill. On uncovered grill, cook for 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish, turning once halfway through grilling. Makes 6 servings. 

Grilling fish can be tricky. I cheat and use foil on the grill with poked holes because I tend to flip the fish and it gracefully slides between the grates of the grill. 

Tell us your grilling secrets and enter to win a surprise! 

Write in your secrets below and I promise to tell!! (so sign your name:)

Retirement or Ment to Retire?

Since hitting the 55 mile marker in life, retiring was that dream that I longed for. At age 16, I began working at a nearby restaurant, Callahan's, as a "windows take out girl" after school  and from that time on I had worked feverishly towards this magical moment. It's the 40 year plan. We all do it. It's all we are taught! Go to school, go off to college, get a good job, and work 40 years to retire. How many of you are in that plan? How many of you are still paying for that college education or now your kids college education? How many of you became millionaires on that plan? How many of you think you have enough to actually retire on when the time comes? An even better question...is the time going to come?

This was the big aha moment! There is no retirement as our parents know it today (if they are still here). The new retirement plan is being revealed very quietly to the baby boomers and if anyone is awake and savvy, they will tell you about it NOW. It's clear to me that you will need a way to make income well into your golden years. The cost of living is rising and there is no way you will know how long that money you stockpiled will last. My husband and I have planned and planned and we are still not sure. We have invested in everything including ourselves and our own businesses to be able to feel some security.

So you may be asking yourself, what can I do about this? Well, before I tell you, just let me say this, you aren't going to like what I have to share. You may even immediately shut your brain off when you hear it. You will take all of your current perceptions and your current understanding of this subject and may not be open to reading the rest of this. BUT...you need to open up that steel trap of a brain and allow the information to flow in. I am telling you this because it's the truth. Not just for me, but for everyone who has already retired, about to retire, planning to retire some day.

We have established that the 40 year plan doesn't make millionaires as a rule. So you don't want to be a millionaire? That's ok, but this plan will give you every opportunity to make yourself a comfortable lifestyle in retirement and it's entirely in your control. The more you work at it, the more you can have. Give yourself raises, trips, stuff, security, joy and the ability to help others...it has so many advantages. But it has been given a bad rap. What is it? Network Marketing, MLM, multilevel marketing, direct sales...whatever you want to call it. I know you are thinking...ponzi scheme, pyramid scheme....illegal. That's the rap it has gotten. But here is a fact, even Donald Trump has had his hand in it. So you know it's legit. Now more than ever before people want freedom. They want the freedom to spend less, save more, have time flexibility and security all rolled into one.

No matter what stage of the game you are at, you can invest under $2000 ( sometimes nothing at all) to get started and you can build that security blanket!! They all work similar but you have to know how to compare them so you get something that is a fit for you. You are in luck, I have experience in this department. I can help you learn HOW to pick a great business!

What's the next step? If you read this with an open mind, go to my website, www.sandrabullard.com or if you are already on it reading this, go to the "contact me" tab at the top of the page and request to talk to me about that. Talking is just the first step. You don't have to commit to starting a business until you find the one that is right for you, I encourage you to learn all you can and I can tell you just how to go about doing that. Do it now before you change your mind. I'll just be happy if you survive your retirement plan! I'm still working on mine.

Sandra

BALSAMIC & PARMESAN ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

      Let's Spice Things Up a Little!       Ingredients

• 8 cups 1-inch-thick slices cauliflower florets, (about 1 large head)

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

     Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.

1. Toss cauliflower, oil, marjoram in a large bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until starting to soften and brown on the bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Toss the cauliflower with vinegar and sprinkle with cheese. Return to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted and any moisture has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes more.

1. Now Experiment with other herbs and spices:

• Onion

• Cajun

• Garlic

• Italian bread crumbs 

• Feta Cheese

 Got Leftovers????Use the electric mixer to make some mashed cauliflower, put it in a baking dish and bake in the oven until warm and serve instead of mashed potatoes.

What's love got to do with it?

It amazes me how I can get to 57 years old and still learn so much about myself. Are you learning anything new about you?? I bet you do.
Because of what we are taught from age 0 to where we are right now on the age timeline, we make decisions, feel certain ways about things and live our lives really, based on those beliefs without ever questioning them. I joined in "The Ultimate Game of Life" by Jim Bunch this past 3 months and learned so much I'm busting to tell you about it. Or should I say make you question about it.
So clear your mind of distractions for a moment. I'll wait:)....now picture in your mind what the happiest day of your life would look like. Picture all the details, get caught up in it...yes daydream about it. Now capture all the details as you write that down on paper. (yes you have to write it down so stop whining) just do it! I want you to see how easy it is to get exactly what makes you happy. Write down 6-8 actions you can take that you can do on a daily basis that will bring that happy day right to your front door. (Not to discourage you but if your happy day envolves anyone else, they are working their plan as well and it may not be cohesive with yours)
If you are skeptical, like I am, try it with something that only relys on you to get it accomplished. Say you want to be more relaxed and have more fun each day. Your action steps could be to take a walk outside for 15 mintues every day, to sing along with your favorite song twice a day, to meditate before bed every night.
Now try it out and see if you can reach that happiness goal.
Here is what i learned about myself that was rather sad...I never set myself up for success. I was always striving but never arriving. Just one step more to the gold...but could never let myself take the step. Sounds crazy doesn't it? Have you set yourself up for success? To get the love of your life, to travel and see the world, to have more of what you desire, to actually design your own life? Yes? Then I applaud you and rejoice in your ability. I'm just getting started. Better late than never:)
I learned that loving myself means to be happy, to design that happiness and what it looks like in my mind. Each day is happier now, every moment is spent doing the striving but celebrating the wins!! I am winning at the game of life...and the game is always on!

What type are you?

If I asked you what personality type you are...would you say you are more of an explorer, pioneer or settler?
Here is the thing, do you like to search out new things, take risk, have fun, like excitment and challenges? Do you like to take on projects in the beginning stages, lay the groundwork, be the leader, clear the trail for the settlers? Or do you like things to be tried and true before you settle in and get on board?

I never realized we had these different personality types until today. Or maybe I just never heard of them in this way. I was trying to figure out what type I am and I think I am a pioneer.  I'm not really fond of the unknown but I am able to keep going if I can see a scant trail of where the person ahead of me has been. So where do you think you are??

It's important to figure it out because lots of things in life hold us back, trip us up and stop us cold! If we are trying to accomplish something that doesn't match up with our own mindset/personality, we may be hitting our head on the wall. If you hate leading but love to follow or you don't like taking risks and only want to invest in a sure thing...well you sure wouldn't want to be the first one on the block to try something brand new. It just wouldn't be you. You may wonder what I am getting around to here. Here it is...what has been your experience already? How many things have you tried and either been successful at or not successful at? Take a minute and think about it. Maybe those things did not match up with your mindset/ personality. Maybe it wasn't your fault at all that you were not successful. Because you didn't know that you should be a match.

So here is the deal we can make for ourselves going forward. Get to know who we are. Get to understand what we are comfortable with. If we have to do things that we are not comfortable with in order to be a success in that ...what do you think the chances are?? We all have the opportunity to step outside that comfort zone don't we? We all have the opportunity to learn how to do what we are not comfortable with don't we? But don't we tend to fall back into that comfort zone when nobody is watching?? Come on, let's be real.

Get a mentor, get someone who is successful to coach you. Stick with them and do what they tell you to do.
It doesn't matter what we want to accomplish in life, if you are trying to fool yourself, it's not working is it?
This is a master key. It will open doors, open opportunites, unlock health, happiness and wealth in ways you have never dreamed of. Get your dreams lined up with who you are and what you are comfortable with.