Under a Bushel Basket

Do you know your own potential for greatness? Do you recognize your talents? You can probably see them in others much better than yourself. But this is what I learned about myself this week, I only see the things that need work. Who doesn't need work? Right?

This tends to take on a life of it's own with me. I start seeing the things that I need to change and only focus on those. It's like hitting yourself with a wooden spoon. It hurts! After a ton of bruises I say "Maybe that's not the best way to bring about change."

We all pick the way we do things based on pain or pleasure. If it causes us pain we naturally stay away. If we like it, we might even find ourselves doing that more often. Old habits die hard don't they? Especially if we have been doing them for a long while. Like eating the wrong foods, eating too much of the right foods, drinking, smoking, driving dangerously, returning to an abusive situation, continuing on a path of least resistance no matter the cost.

I've done all of those and more. What I think about most is the pattern. Setting oneself up for disappointment or listening to others say "watch out for that" and continuing on just the same. What keeps us tethered exactly on that path? How does anyone break a bad habit? How do we change the way we think about what we do? What keeps a moth from hitting a flame?

It's definitely an inside job. No one can change us. We have to find a way to change ourselves. Wow, that's tough!! I can get myself thinking the right thoughts and doing the right things that I know are what I want and before I know it...BOOM...back on the old path. Dang...I thought I had it, well I did have it. It felt good too!! It brought me such pleasure. Why would I want to go back to the pain??

I wish someone else would be in control of my actions. Sort of like a video game, give someone else the controller and that way it would be easy. Willpower, doesn't seem to do it. So what's the answer??

A personal success plan. It takes the emotional part away. Then it's just following your own directions. Make that recipe for success! Find a short term motivator and prevent long term consequences. So let's think of a few. How can we reward ourselves for making good choices?? Put a quarter in a jar so we can see our success pile up. Make a mark on a calendar, add a rubber band to our wrist, take little steps toward a bigger prize (that new goal we have). What would motivate you to change??

It's easy to hide our light under a bushel basket, it's easy to sit in the back, to not speak up, to be a wall flower, to not make waves, to feel we don't deserve the things we really want or want to happen. To sabotage ourselves is easy. How do I know? We do it, we keep doing it. We go right back to it. It must be easy. We have the potential for greatness and we keep hiding it. Flip off the basket and let that light shine! Find an accountability partner, someone who you feel emotionally safe with. Someone who won't judge you. Or get a coach or mentor to pull you out from under!! I'm here too. We can do it, we just can't give up!
www.sandrabullard.com

It's a loose spring!

Every once in awhile I get this really crazy notion...maybe you get those too? You wonder what it would be like to just get up today, get showered, dressed, pack a bag, hop on any flight going anywhere and be there for lunch or supper or lupper. What a wild and really loony idea huh?

So, ever wonder why no one that you know does that? If you know of someone that has done it or if you have done it I want to hear how you came to do it in the comments. Because that my friend is FREEDOM. In today's world of routine and schedules it's hard to find time to do anything you really want to do when you are working.

I guess that kind of thinking was how the "retirement bug" bit me. I was about age 35 when my nursing career was well underway, I saw how poorly nurses were paid. It made me mad to think that chefs made more money. Then there was the guilt of not being there for my kids. I kinda felt like my life took the drivers seat and I was just there for the 45 year ride. Stuff was passing me by on both sides so fast that I hardly had time to prepare or enjoy them.

I started putting those "special events" in plastic zip bags so I could keep the mementos. Figuring that some day ...when I retired, I could take them and put them all in order in a scrap book. Well, I had the hardest time finding a good old fashioned scrap book. You know the kind you just slap stuff on the page and call it a day? No, probably not. Well, they used to make it a little less of an all out 2 day project. But, hey, I retired in 2011 and I haven't gotten to it yet. If my kids are reading this...Sorry:)

I started painting the hallway about 2 months ago now. Luckily the paint can I cracked open had just enough to reach to the end of the wall I started painting. No problem right...wrong. The women behind the paint counter said, well mam (I hate that) we don't make that number base anymore so we can't match that paint color exactly. I bought the closest color they could mix up and there it sits. Along with my 8th day of the week.

So,by now you have completely forgotten what got you interested in reading this post. It was probably the loose spring headline that did it.
I started me thinking about getting older and how I feel about aging. In general, it's obvious that we can put on all the lotions and potions we can afford. Some do nips and tucks and sucks (that's the new one) oh and freeze, I forgot freeze the fat one. But we can't escape the time. It passes even when we aren't looking . But what you remember about people isn't so much what they look like because beauty comes from within. It's the springs that make the mattress. It's how they lived their life! It's what they had the courage to do that you couldn't! It's how they inspired you or how they taught you something about yourself.  No matter what you think about when their name comes to mind, it's that little piece of them that you recall. So by chance if you get a mattress with a little loose spring...think of me! Always there to support you, pretty fair under pressure and sometimes a pain in the butt.

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.