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10-19-11
This morning at the market I overheard two women discussing their impending New Years Resolutions. I smiled as I heard them outline big plans of only eating healthy, exercising daily & meeting their personal goals… … just as soon as 2012 hit and the holidays were behind them. Before they walked away I offered them each a card – told them I can help them attain those health, wellness & home organization goals when they were ready.
But now I’d like to share a secret with you guys that I didn’t have time to share with them – New Years Resolutions rarely work. Change doesn’t happen unless you make it happen — and putting it off to an arbitrary date is the first step to failing. The second step to failing is to set unreasonable goals. So, essentially I got to stand and listen to two women who were ‘planning to fail’.
Instead of worrying about what you’d ‘like’ to do come January, think instead about what you WANT to do now – which goal is your priority and how do you attain it?
Need help? Give me a call – You & Improved’s “New Years Resolution” special begins today! You & Improved’s offering 20% off any one service – consultations are always free.
You & I can help you: Organize your home/office, go back to school, lose weight, exercise more, in home cooking lessons, update your resume, start a company newsletter, incorporate social media into your business, and so much more… give me a call – I can help.
541-261-5234
09-01-11
Wow! Can’t believe I missed updating the entire month of August – actually, I guess I can, it was an incredibly busy month! Been working hard to finish a collection of paintings and getting the research and details down for the spice company, (it’s coming, really) as well as a line of greeting cards and another TOP SECRET project with a girlfriend of mine that should be a lot of fun — watch for details!
My Social Media business is expanding nicely and I’m really enjoying my new clients – they have such great products and are truly neat folks – and with the sociability side of the business being right up my customer service alley – I get the added bonus of loving what I do!
The same goes on the wellness coaching front with a new client coming in next week – a neat gal from my neighborhood who, at 40, is ready to turn over a new dietary leaf and learn how to cook whole foods from scratch! I’m excited to be sharing my passion for whole food with a client who is ready to embrace change and learn how to play with her food!
In other news — today is day 15 of my personal 30 day exercise-bike challenge. The Challenge is to ride the bike every day for 30 days — doesn’t matter for how long or how far so long as my backside hit that seat and those pedals were turning! Yesterday they turned for 12 miles!!! I am really proud of myself.
When I first got the bike (free – from a guy in my local Freecycle.org community) it was right after my foot surgery — to repair what I catastrophically broke the day after my 35th birthday. The first time I got on the black beast I pushed myself – sweating and panting – and managed to just barely make it three minutes — not three miles, three minutes. I didn’t even go half a mile. It was pathetic. It then took me something like two months to get back on and try again – the results were the same but this time I gave it a few days and progressed.
Over the last two years the bike and I have had an on-again off-again relationship that has definitely enriched my life! Well, the bike and interior stairs — they’ve done wonders for my backside and my foot! I’ve noticed that even when my body pain is high – 6 or above – I still crave the bike… like my body is begging me to ride… so I do! I like giving into those cravings — and I’m slowly learning to accept the occasionally nasty bouts of fatigue that all FMS/CFS suffers face regardless of their activities because at least know I know I’m doing my best every chance I get — I feel I’ve EARNED the pain and fatigue instead of it being there just because I’m “sick”.
That pretty much covers it for this update — pretty soon I’ll have another edition of Willamette Valley Wanderer up – as well as updates on various projects. Meanwhile, feel free to visit me on facebook and let me know if I can help you become You & Improved!
07-31-11
There has been a whole lot of busy going on around here! I’m back from a week of ‘working-vacation’ where I got to meet up with several clients, including the owners of Willamette Noodle Company & Willamette Burger Company Janet and Rob Henry – super neat folks serving up delicious food and yes, there will soon be a new foodie blog up on Willamette Valley Wanderer ! I don’t want to give too much away but let’s just say – there is sausage involved, NOM! They have terrific specials each month, here’s August: Aug 11 Specials – Dinner
I know I keep saying the shopping cart will be up soon and it will – it really will. Shortly thereafter I’ll have spices for sale, as well as blank art cards (so you have no excuse to not send birthday and thank you cards). Before too long I’ll have other nifty things available to help you be You & Improved! 
I’ve also, finally, gotten back in the exercise groove – well mostly, a series of migraines came up and bit me in the butt, however, they will not be keeping me from meeting my long term goals. Nor will anything else for that matter!
My Facebook/Twitter quote of the day is: Do just once what others say you can’t do and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.
~ James Cook
I saw this while looking for something else and was all like “whoa, that is SO TRUE”. When I sat down to meditate for 10 minutes just after that, I just focused on the quote and examined all the thoughts that flooded my brain. Once I pushed away the thoughts about cookies, quince paste, what to make for supper, mail-checking, errand running & several other inane things I was able to concentrate on the bare-bones meaning of the quote.
Several memories came rushing back – memories of accomplishing things I was told I couldn’t accomplish – like learning to walk properly on my reconstructed foot without the benefit of a paying a physical therapist (as I didn’t have the funds, not because I didn’t want to go).
I walk fine most of the time, it’s only when it really starts to hurt (like from standing still on cement or for too long or walking too far at once) that I start to limp or have to give up and do the elevate-and-rest thing. Otherwise the only lame part is the dearth of available footwear for someone who now has a Franken-foot.
I remember being told I could not do a lot of things and then I went and did them anyway – I’m coming to find that ‘limitations’ are relative. If you don’t believe me then check out this guy who shows us that A. its okay to ask for help now and then and B. if you make a commitment to yourself you can accomplish more than you think.
With that thought I leave you to contemplate your own “limitations” and how you might overcome them. Until next time – DLA
I must say that Sundays remain my favorite day of the week – with Tuesdays a close second. Around my house we have “Sunday Rules” which basically just means that we don’t stress about time — there is no such thing as rushing. There are occasional exceptions to the rule, family gatherings that have a hard-start time, school events, etc… however for the most part it’s just a day of peace. A day to work on art projects, read pleasure books, board game, zone out on old movies. This is one of those Sunday’s. We have plans, things that need to get handled – but nothing major so puttering around is the name of the game.
One of the ‘chores’ is, of course, to make food happen. Today it’s going to be super simple – cheese & sliced veggie plates, grilled chicken Caesar salad with left-over grilled chicken or a scoop of our new favorite — Soy-free Asian-inspired Peanut Slaw. Possibly some chocolate pudding for dessert since I have everything on hand. No worry, no stress Hakuna Matata all the way baby!
Per usual things have been busy, busy, busy at You & Improved. Between a new art collection in the works, great new story and comic ideas and an expansion of the Social Media Marketing department things have been hopping for sure! I have a new edition of Willamette Valley Wanderer up — a recap of my fantastic 4th of July celebration. The third installment of Nutty Little Moment’s – The Scrabble Trilogy is also up. I’ll also be hitting the road several times this summer and I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures to share with my loyal readers! We’re continuing to work on the new spice line — the next step will be adding a shopping cart here for your convenience.
As always the heart of You & Improved is to help you meet your personal and professional goals regardless of what they are. From organizing your home or home business to helping you get your health on track, go back to school or learn to cook – give us a call, we can help!
Part II of Nutty Little Moments – The Scrabble Trilogy is now up!
Also coming soon – I’m going to be reworking the website over a bit during the next few weeks making several changes – come back often for updates and as always – let me know if there is anything you’d like to see on this site that help you become You & Improved! 
Happy Monday everyone – I have a new edition of the Willamette Valley Wanderer up and ready to read. Enjoy!
Boy, it’s a good thing I know how busy I’ve been or I’d feel guilty for not having updated this sooner! Things have, in fact, been crazy – what with the move, family holidays and a terrific batch of new clients and new projects to keep me hopping – it has been literally been one-thing-after-another. Oh!! But worth it all.My new home and home office are beautiful – and yes, I pushed my health issues to the limit — and survived!! I was rather pleased with myself, overall, at how well I held up. I’d be lying to say the pain wasn’t there — nope, I’m in full flare – but somehow stronger than ever. Proof, in my mind that my hard work and persevering attitude do pay off; even if I don’t always notice it right away. Pain and fatigue aside – I’m healthier than I have been in ages. My blood pressure, cholesterol – everything is as it should be — except the weight, but hey – I’m back on track there too after a long hiatus of ‘poor choices made during “crunch time”‘ during this last few months. Okay, so I’m only human – like everyone else.
The cool thing is that I’ve learned so much over the last decade about health, exercise, my conditions and my own body that slipping back into good habits is a bit like the old saw about riding a bike — once learned the skill remains – even if it does take a bit of wobbling and a crash into the neighbors hedge before sorting it all out again.
I recognize that my seemingly unconventional work habits don’t make sense to the general population – but I’m finding my niche and like many chronically ill folks out there I’ve learned how to work around my issues and play to my strengths… what’s even better is that while I set out to primarily help others like me – chronic pain/fatigue patients, I’ve discovered that the skills I’ve learned cross-over and are highly beneficial for helping nearly anyone, from any walk of life who are looking to attain their personal and professional goals. That’s right – living a healthier lifestyle is a critical part of reaching professional goals as well.
Essentially, it comes down to just that; goals – and how to reach them. Simple stuff, on paper. Much harder when you have to go-it alone. Who knew that my eclectic work history (which includes everything from Fire Restoration work and Fredericks of Hollywood to travelogue writer and personal chef) and love of knowledge would one day lead me to a career as a Professional Renaissance Woman. Yet, here I am: Writer, Cook, Notary Public, Bartender, Non-Denominational Minister, Artist, Researcher, Marketer — and whenever possible; comic relief <– together these skills combined become a superpower –
No, really, they kinda do! See, it’s my job to come in and help you define your goals…and then reach them. I do the research, run the paperwork when possible, clean out the closets, re-vamp the pantry, teach you how to cook and hold your hand as needed — or any combination there of – and more!
Little goals, big goals, long-term, short-term… … I’m here to help – and if I can’t help; I’ll find out who can!
So – what are your goals … and how are you going to make them happen?
P.S – one of my goals is to always feed my inner artist – today’s work? Another edition of Nutty Little Moments
It has been an incredibly busy month – two trips north to Willamette Valley, new clients to register and set up, writing, painting (new pictures soon) and packing up the office and house to move across town to be closer to family and my daughters school.I will also be adding some new recipes soon, per request – more of them will be GF and more will feature seasonal ingredients, in this case, spring and summer favorites like berries, tomatoes, cucumbers and chilies. These are a few of my favorite things anyway – and I love all the quick salads and sandwiches that come with warmer days!I’m currently working on the next blog/comic since the last one was well liked, sorry it’s taking so long — see above ;0). The next Nutty Little Moments is also in the works.That’s all for now – stay posted for further updates and thanks for reading!
