RDtipoftheday September Goals

As promised, I am sharing updates on my goals and 2016 resolutions each month. You can take a look at my 2016 goals and my thoughts on goals and resolutions. Sharing these goals is a way to keep me accountable and help me to improve, grow, and learn. People who share their goals tend to be more successful. So, I'm sharing the goals here to encourage you and to keep me accountable. You're welcome to comment with your goals and share your progress as well. Feel free to tag your goals with #RDTODgoals or #healthyRD on social media.

2016 Goals

Try 30 new recipes. 

In September, I tried a few new recipes including:

• Peanut butter banana muffins

• Ravioli Lasagna

• Jalapeño Sliders

• Chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter buttercream and chocolate hazelnut buttercream

For those keeping track, this makes my new recipe count 29 out of 30.

Build endurance and strength.
I'm still loving my strength class. I've added another day of cardio, and I'm glad to say I've been able to be consistent with physical activity. There are times where I get sick and can't go, but I know the benefits of physical activity. What keeps you motivated? Comment below.

Travel.
We made a quick trip through Arkansas to visit some friends.  We lived in AR for a few years, so it's was great visiting familiar places, relive memories, and see friends! It was a quick trip, so we couldn't see everyone. We also explored some new places and restaurants, which I loved! Stay tuned for some of my AR favorites. 

Can you see the quote in the picture above? It says "Pumpkin spice tacos are here! Just kidding." You know it's Fall when pumpkin spice appears, but I can not fathom a pumpkin spice taco. What do you think? Are you pro pumpkin spice everything or is a pumpkin spice taco too far?

Read more.

This month, I read Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. I enjoy this author very much. One of my friends is hosting a Brunch and Books discussion, which I'm greatly looking forward to! And, a couple of my friends and I are attending the Belong Conference, where she will be speaking.

For those keeping track, my book count is 7 in 2016.


These are my broad goals for 2016. What goals are you working on in 2016? Comment below.

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy:

My First Cooking Class

Summer Pasta Class

August Goals

State of My Goals Address: March 2016

As promised, I am sharing updates on my goals and 2016 resolutions in the state of my goals address. You can take a look at my 2016 goals and my thoughts on goals and resolutions. Sharing these goals is a way to keep me accountable and help me to improve, grow, and learn. People who share their goals tend to be more successful. So, I'm sharing the goals here to encourage you and to keep me accountable. You're welcome to comment with your goals and share your progress as well. Feel free to tag your goals with #RDTODgoals or #healthyRD on social media.

2016 Goals
Try 30 new recipes.
In March, I tried a few new recipes including:

• Lemon loaf (pictured above)

• Homemade pizza dough

• Blueberry lemon custard bread

For those keeping track, this makes my new recipe count 11 out of 30.

Build endurance and strength.
I'm still going to my favorite strength-training class. The leader did this crazy squat circuit, and I'm still walking funny 2 days later.

I continue to update my workout playlist to encourage myself to do continue building endurance and enjoying cardio. Adele anyone? Listening to music or watching shows is super helpful motivation to me. Songs and shows help me keep track of time and encourage me to finish strong. I set goals in my head like "Keep sprinting through the end of this song" or "You can keep jogging through this show . . . it's only 5 more minutes; you're strong. You can do this." Do y'all do this self-talk through workouts? Or, is it just me? Please tell me it isn't just me. Hahahaha.

Let me know if you have favorite workout songs. You can leave recommendations in the comments below. I'd love to hear what you listen to and what motivate you.

Travel.
There was no big travel this month. We did have family and friends visit, which is so fun! We got to show them our city!

Read more.
I've started reading more than watching television. I started and finished Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker. It was a book about ministering and the Church. I've heard her speak twice, and her writing style is very much her voice. I really enjoy when someones speaking voice and writing voice are similar.

For those keeping track, this brings my book count to 2 in 2016.


Learn something new.
I learned how to make pizza dough (see goal #1). It's also National Nutrition Month (NNM). I had the opportunity to share healthy recipes and teach children at Seacrest Studios. I always learn something new when I'm in new situations, like being on t.v. or radio. It was a fun experience, and I learned a lot about green screens. Happy NNM!

These are my broad goals for 2016. What goals are you working on in 2016?
Comment below.

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you liked this post, you might enjoy:

Goals: February

 

Goals: January

The Beginning of a New Year 2015

Vacation Tips ROUNDUP

Eating Healthy While Traveling

It’s that time of year. The end of school is approaching. Some students are graduating and others are finishing up this school year. Some are celebrating the end of the year. Others are focused on new starts in the Fall. Either way, the end of school signifies the beginning of Summer! I always looked forward to Summer vacation with my family.

But, traveling can bring challenges for healthy eating. So, today we will discuss some ways to be healthy when you are traveling.

1) Pack healthy snacks

 It is great to have healthy options accessible. Plan to bring snacks for traveling and while on vacation. Think about healthy, portable snacks like: fruits, vegetables, peanut butter for dipping, low fat popcorn, etc.

2) Cook one meal at “home”

While on vacation, I would encourage you to cook or make one meal per day at your vacation home or hotel. This creates some normalcy to your eating routine and saves money. I usually think about packing or purchasing breakfast items that way your morning is easy and not rushed.

I also think making a picnic is a great vacation lunch idea. You can easily purchase or pack some picnic snacks. Picnics are a great way to enjoy your vacation surroundings. 

3) Incorporate physical activity into your vacation

Physical activity is a great way to see different cities while traveling. You can walk or bike around most cities hike in parks, swim on the beach.

Being physically active is one component of a healthy lifestyle. Physical activity can help offset some of the additional vacation calories that you will incur. So, make it fun! Incorporate some physical activity on your vacation and be active!

4) Enjoy your vacation

 All diets (aka eating patterns) should be flexible. Your diet should be a healthy pattern of eating that allows some flexibility. So, relax and enjoy your vacation!

I hope these ideas will make it easy for you and your family or friends to have a healthy vacation. What are your ideas for a healthy vacation? Share them with me on Instagram and Twitter. I would love to hear your tips on incorporating physical activity and healthy eating into your vacation.