Stay Resolved in 2023!

1.8.2023

Investing the time to set New Year Resolutions is a debatable topic because for so many, well-intentioned goals fizzle out by mid-February.  Here's how to put something in motion that will outlast and endure, even if motivation wanes.

Follow the acronym "SMART," or specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-limited.

Specific. A lot of people say "I want to get in shape." Transform this desire into a "SMART" goal by drilling down a little deeper.  When you say get in shape, is it weight loss? strength? toned arms? endurance?  If it is yes to all, then each needs its own goal.  For example, if it's endurance a revised goal might be something like "I want to be able to walk 1 mile in under 20 minutes without stopping."

Measurable. If you set a vague goal, you won't be able to know if you are making any progress. And it is that progress that drives motivation and keeping with it.  With the endurance example above, you could add something like "I want to be able to walk 1 mile in under 20 minutes without stopping by 7 weeks from now [insert date]." So you start your goal by timing how long it takes you to walk 1 mile right now.  And then you come back 7 weeks from now and you do the same thing.

Attainable. So often people set a goal that is unachievable or too large and has set themselves up for failure from day 1. If you have been mainly sedentary, it would not be safe or recommended to set a goal to run a marathon.  Don't get me wrong, that is a fine goal, just not a fine goal to start with. Instead, take the first step and try something with a goal like "I would like to participate in a 5k with a combination of walking/jogging."

Realistic. Evaluate what is truly manageable.  If you don't foresee yourself going to a gym, don't take on the monthly cost of membership and instead invest in some home equipment and an app.  Or, if you don't like the concept of group exercise, don't force yourself to go to spin two times a week and instead opt for an activity that can be done solo like walking or hiking.

Time-limited. Your plan needs to consider a date that you will achieve the goal.  It's okay if you don't finish by that date, but there needs to be one. That way when that date comes, you can assess what has or has not been working for you to be successful. When you approach it this way, you don't lose months or years aimlessly.

I believe that SMART goal writing is one of the best tools for successful lifestyle changes!  I enjoy helping clients set meaningful and inspiring goals, and also hurdling roadblocks. Let's get started!


Charlie!

2.27.2021

I was on PetFinder for months trying to find our family pet.  I would find a great dog, take the time to submit the application that often felt like an interrogation, only to be politely declined.  Is it normal to feel like you need a hug after applying for a dog?

Enter “Max.”  As my partner would say, he was totally “my type.”  A larger breed, beautiful coat, and some distinguishing change of color fur around his eyes.  His picture got me hook, line and sinker.  He was available at LaMancha Animal Rescue in Coatesville, PA which was a manageable drive from my work.  I easily applied, without needing to provide the material that my fence was made from, or the height and weight of each of the members of our household or promising the rescue my first-born child.  The application was quickly responded to and an appointment to meet Max was set up for the following day.

When I got to LaMancha Animal Rescue, it was a great set up.  A huge farm, with some awesome Great Pyrenees dogs and other breed dogs that roam and serve as the greeters.  Along with the fur welcomers, I met Alexis, who was responsive and kind and easy going as she walked me around the farm.

Max and his brother, Prince, were brought up to LaMancha through a train of volunteer transports from the Carolinas.  I met Prince first, as I think he was regarded as the more affable of the two.  Prince was a great dog.  A volunteer, Geoff, brought Max out to a fenced area and used hot dog treats to get Max to show me his tricks.  Max is a bigger dog, but he did this trick where he would put both his paws ever so gently on Geoff’s shoulders if Geoff got down to his knees.   With two little kids at home, this trait caught my attention.  Max was so handsome, excellent with his commands, and LaMancha had made the process easy.  I asked to make sure that Prince and Max were not a bonded pair and the following day, I returned with my entire family and we officially made Max ours.

We will celebrate our 3rd “Gotcha Day” this March 7, 2021 with Max who we lovingly renamed “Charlie.”   Charlie has made those years eventful for sure, to include but not being limited to randomly being bitten by a copperhead snake, breaking his back paw while playing backyard ball and consuming an entire avocado pit (that, if you are wondering, is not small enough to pass through the digestive tract).  Even with these experiences in mind, I would not trade him for the world.  He is such a good boy and loving companion and has made his mark on our lives despite the short period of time.

I am grateful for organizations like LaMancha Animal Rescue and others like them that are committed to saving animal’s lives.  LaMancha is staffed nearly completely by volunteers, around 200 of them!  Many non-profits would not be able to offer their services if not for generous donations.  Paw Prints on Your Heart Virtual 5k is a salute to these organizations and bringing us together with our closest companions.  Please register for Paw Prints on Your Heart Virtual 5k Fun Run and Walk (Sign Up Here).  If you are able, please consider making an additional donation to LaMancha Animal Rescue.  Thank you!

Making Lemonade can be Tough!

1.7.2021

My Bachelor's degree is in outdoor, health and physical education, and I have a Master's degree in Health Promotion. I'm currently pursuing a second Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and also a certification in Yoga Teaching. I mention these to let you know where my interests are. My approach to helping people achieve their happiest and healthiest life is rooted in the belief that whole person wellness is truly an ongoing search, balance and practice integrating many different factors. I believe that on the way to building physical prowess, that we do not spend equal energy devoted to building mental fortitude. This is problematic because when life gives us lemons, making lemonade can be tough! I refer to those lemons as deficiencies or roadblocks, and they absolutely can create a snowball effect. In my experience, a deficiency in one area, can greatly affect many aspects of our lives. For example, let's say that our sleep becomes an issue. Sleep isn't isolated, it trickles down to create potential problems with poorer nutrition choices, lack of energy to exercise and a lackluster in relationships to name a few. That said, a strong, healthy wellness routine can protect and buffer us from many of life's struggles. I'm here to help you identify imbalances, hurdle the roadblocks, and create a mindset and daily living practice guided by healthy choices and built for positive outcomes. You may feel as though you need a complete life overhaul, or perhaps have just one small aspect nagging you. One of the things I've learned in the last several years is that the little things aren't usually so little and can stack up to negatively affect us almost without us knowing. All of our programs at BlueSky Healthy Living incorporate a full skillset for maintaining a healthy balance across your life, even if you are signed up for a specific topic, like Walking or Weight Loss. Topics are introduced in manageable, bite-sized chunks. And, I am genuinely invested in your success and progress. We have 4 signature programs to start 2021- one that focuses on weight loss, one that focuses on movement, specifically walking, a virtual 5k, and a space for me to directly assist you- The Guiding Accountability Program.

How to Create a Happy & Healthy Year- Steps for a year that will make you smile

1.1.2021

1. Put some concrete, measurable, and inspiring goals in front of you. I'm a big fan of goal setting and have goals in different categories (for example: relationships, health, parenting, personal growth) 2. Surround yourself with the right people. You know who they are. Make a point of connecting or reconnecting with people that fill your cup. If it's been a little while, shoot a text, email, social media message or snail mail letter to say "hello." 3. Do the thing! What have you been putting off that you've been saying for years? It's time. Unless your "thing" is restricted by Covid-19, make a plan so that "the thing" happens this year. 4. Seek Help. I stumbled upon a quote recently that resonated from Pablo Picasso, it says "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." While there are some really knowledgeable people out there, no one is an expert on it all. Luckily, most people work toward finding their gifts through work, then stay on in a related career. Within those careers, they can share their passion. Seek out someone whose strength is in something you need or find interesting. If your mobility is lacking, seek a Physical Therapist. If you are stuck with your thoughts, seek a Counselor. If you want to learn how to play the violin, seek a Musician. If you want to learn how to paint, seek an Artist. As you can imagine, this list could go on for miles. The greatest joys in life are sharing your passion with someone who's interested in learning about it! So seek out the professional assistance you need. If you want to get inspired and stay motivated to live a happy and healthy life, then seek no further. BlueSky Healthy Living is your place for that mission.

Magical Elves Virtual 5K- Walk or Run for a Cause

11.14.2020

Early this month on mix 106.5, I heard the station interviewing “Miss Milly,” a local Baltimore centenarian approaching her 102nd birthday!  The radio DJ's asked her what her trick for living so long was and she talked about the power of giving to others.  She said many people think they have to have a lot of money to give, but that’s not true.  She gave an example of going to the grocery store, and every time you go, picking up a little something extra to donate to the local food pantry.  Miss Milly also shared this great quote from Jackie Robinson, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

We are all in a position to be able to give- to give of our time, share our gifts, and even monetarily. I hope that you will join me in giving to two incredible organizations this holiday season.

I first learned more about SARC with a call to them inquiring about ways to volunteer.  Among the varied opportunities to become involved, The Volunteer Coordinator mentioned their training to accompany victims of rape at the hospital.  With a deep swallow and wiping away of tears at the thought of the victim that endures such a hospital visit, I was blown away by all the good SARC is doing in the community and the numerous ways to help.

SARC stands for the Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center and is Harford County’s lifeline to victims, potential victims, and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and stalking. Some of the many services SARC offers are a 24-hour helpline, hospital accompaniment program, counseling services, legal representation and advocacy, and confidential safe housing. All of SARC’s services are offered free of charge.

Safety and a lack of financial resources are two hurdles that victims of intimate partner violence face on a daily basis. Victims give up everything- their home, decorations, clothes, kids’ toys- to escape a life of abuse. With donations from the Holiday Project, families are adopted and that’s where we “magical elves” can help restore some of the tangible items that have been lost by fulfilling wish list and needed items.

Please help me in making this a more magical time of year for the clients of SARC by registering for the Magical Elves Virtual 5k. (Sign Up Here)


The second organization we’ve selected to benefit from the Magical Elves Virtual 5k is another domestic violence cause, however, the focus is on infrastructure and….pets!  The Purple Leash Project was started by Purina and RedRover with the vision of no one being trapped in abuse because they can’t take their whole family with them.  A friend and I were watching a “Best in Show” sort of dog competition one night, and the commercial for the Purple Leash Project got me hook, line and sinker.  


Domestic violence statistics show that an estimated one in three women and one in four men experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetimes, but only as few as 10 percent of domestic violence shelters accept pets. In addition, over 70% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured, or killed a pet as a means of control. As a result, nearly half of victims choose to stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pet behind.

For victims of domestic violence, pets are family members who provide vital, unconditional love and support. The Purple Leash Project assists domestic violence shelters by funding pet-friendly renovations. Please register for the Magical Elves Virtual 5k (Sign Up Here) to support this national effort to make more shelters pet friendly.

A portion of all proceeds will be donated to both organizations in your name.

Holiday Gift Guide

11.1.2020

Ah, Christmas, what a wonderfully stressful time of year!  And, the pandemic adds a new fun twist to holiday shopping with restrictions to store capacities, worries of contracting the virus, and busyness in most places, except maybe online. 

Get a head start by reviewing our gift-giving guide with clever and thoughtful gifts suited for everyone on your list.  Some gifts can require ordering so it’s best to get a jump start with plenty of time to spare so that you aren’t left fretting whether you’ll have it in time or not.  While Amazon is not specifically listed, it’s a great place for many items, with lightning-quick shipping.


Disclaimer:  I don’t make money from the companies suggested, they serve as popular and convenient stores in many parts of Maryland as of November 2020.

The Sentimental

Think Jo-Ann Fabric, Hallmark Store, and Etsy. These people are quick to “happy tears” and have hearts the size of Maryland. Try ornaments for the tree, Shutterfly personalized items (like a calendar or mug), a new journal, digital picture frame, or house address stamp.

The Fashionista

Target, H&M, and Loft tap into these fashion-forward friends and family members. You can’t go wrong with huggie earrings, leggings, or a stylish tote.

The Zen Type

Etsy, T.J. Maxx, and your local farmers market are all good go to’s. Candles, essential oils, indoor house plants, or jams/cheeses/baked goods from your local farm are all good options.

The Homebody

Goods from Target, Marshalls, and Walmart will work well. The person that enjoys time in the home may enjoy sweatpants, a throw blanket, slippers, or soft bed sheets.

The Fitness Guru

Dick’s, your local running store, and REI are all possible options for finding the right gift. Running waist belt, classic shape sunglasses, or wireless earbuds/headphones.

The Men

Target, Home Depot/Lowe’s, and Cabela’s hold something for those special guys in your life. Gift cards (to buy tools), a zip-up hoodie, headlamps, drink Tumbler cup, or cozy cabin socks.

The Kids

Barnes and Noble, Home Goods, and Target all have fabulous options for the little people in our lives. Crafts, board games, soccer ball and portable goal set, remote control cars/drones, Disney dress up, and money are considerations.

The "Have Everything"

For the person who has everything, gift cards to businesses that are not in near jeopardy of going out of business and edibles are great options. Meal delivery services, monthly subscriptions (like wine of the month), and baskets of pre-packaged food, or donations in their name will all be appreciated.