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I was reminiscing the other day about how long it took for my birthday to come each year when I was young. I specifically remember my 12th year. It took forever to get to 13 and officially become a teenager! Now I would love to go back to that time when birthdays were slow in coming and life was so simple. My birthdays come faster and faster. I just had a birthday and before I know it another one will be right around the corner. It’s funny, but I don’t feel any older than when I was in my 20s. Physically, I would never know the difference. If I didn’t have to color my hair every five weeks and look in the mirror every day and see the changes that age brings, I could live in blissful ignorance of how old I really am. Other than that, I’m still feeling young and spry, and I am definitely young at heart. People put too much emphasis on their number. Stop it! It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you stay active, you are going to feel good for many years to come. Take a walk, enlist a friend to be a workout buddy or sign up for a yoga class. It’s true that you’re as young as you feel. If you get up off the couch and do something, you’ll start to feel better and younger too. As my dad says, “I may get old, but I’m not getting ugly with it!” I totally agree with him.  Age doesn’t have to define you, and it’s not defining me.

With the big game just around the corner, you’ve probably started making plans for your annual Super Bowl get-together. Although our beloved Steelers didn’t make the cut, the game is still a great opportunity to spend some time with friends and family watching some good football. And with such gatherings comes good food. One of my party favorites to have around is buffalo chicken dip – it’s so versatile in that it tastes great with chips, veggies or crackers and it’s easy to make. The following is a recipe I found on foodnetwork.com that I am sure will please even your guests with the most discriminating tastes: Ingredients 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing 1/2 cup hot sauce 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 (9.75-ounce) cans chicken in water, drained Crackers, chips, and/or veggies, for dipping Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a (9-inch) deep-dish pie plate add the cream cheese and stir with a fork until smooth. Stir in the dressing, hot sauce and cheeses. Mix in the canned chicken and bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir before serving. Enjoy!

We’re nearly a month into the new year so it’s time to check in – how are your resolutions going? With our busy schedules, it can be tempting to let resolutions slip to the backburner. It’s a lot easier to be hopeful about the potential of a new year than it is to actually do the work. I find it helpful to think of my resolutions one day at a time so that I’m not overwhelmed by the big picture. I like to break things down into a bunch of smaller tasks that need to be completed in order to be successful at my larger resolution. One tool that is really helpful for task organization is the app ToDoist. There are lots of different to-do list apps out there, but ToDoist is my favorite because it’s very customizable but also very simple. I put almost every task I need to do each day – both at work and at home – into ToDoist in order to keep me organized and up to date. I even keep my grocery list there! ToDoist also lets you set recurring tasks. So if there is a bill I always need to pay on the first of the month, I can create one task in ToDoist and it’ll automatically update itself each time I check it off. It’s a great way to get yourself on a schedule for housework, recurring work tasks and all sorts of things. Because ToDoist works on my phone and I can also check in on my computer, I’ve always got a way to keep track of my tasks. You can also share your to-do lists with other people. Since my husband also uses the app, we can look at everything that needs to be done around the house and decide who will take care of each task. Best of luck with your new year’s resolutions! I hope you are able to find a system that helps you achieve everything you set out to in 2018.

Each and every January it seems we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and the highs and lows that accompanied it. We often think of what we would have changed and how we can do better in the future. A lot of times when we’re going through this thought process we try to determine how to best accomplish our goals for the new year – whether it be to get that raise, start exercising or simply to find more time to spend with family and friends. Although thinking of these goals is the first step to accomplishing them, there are three specific tools I’ve found that help me get on track to complete what I’ve set out to do over the course of the New Year: Writing it down There’s something to be said for writing down a task you’d like to get done or a goal you’d like to achieve and crossing it off your list. Studies have found that simply writing things down has led to a greater increase in the likelihood that they will get done. For me, making a list allows me to prioritize what I’d like to accomplish and when, and further, allows me to see a bigger picture as to how best to use my time. You can do this as little or as often as you’d like by writing a monthly, weekly or even a daily schedule to help you execute your plans. Starting a morning ritual A lot of complaints we hear about in our world of constant communication is that we never have any time to ourselves - that we are always subject to the phone ringing or a flow of emails interrupting us at any given time. With this dilemma, we often ask ourselves how we can get anything accomplished? To that I answer – start a morning ritual. After graduating from law school and beginning my first job as an attorney, I made it a habit to wake up an hour earlier than needed to simply give myself time to get the little things done that I knew may have to be pushed off later depending on what would arise at work or other obligations that may pop up over the day. Having this time to myself to either accomplish small chores or get in a workout allowed me to start my day with a sense of productivity and ease of mind that I had achieved even a small task that I wouldn’t have to worry about later in the day. Asking questions Many times, the reason we are held back from accomplishing a goal or a task is because we simply don’t know how to go about tackling it. I’ve found that asking questions, whether it be to your boss, a friend or even a family member can often provide you with some insight as to how to succeed in completing a goal. We often times think that others will look down on us if we ask for help without realizing that these people also want us to succeed and are there to help us along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in 2018! Here’s to a happy and productive New Year! Each and every January it seems we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and the highs and lows that accompanied it. We often think of what we would have changed and how we can do better in the future

No longer can I take the frigid temperatures nor the dirty slush that refreezes nightly on the roadways. My shoes are covered in salt, snow and cinders.  My dogs need assistance to get through the mounds of snow just to relieve themselves; my children have chapped skin, my husband has had enough shoveling and I am tired of following everyone around with the Swiffer.  School is canceled again; the grocery store lines are insane and, just like the ice on the window pane, I have finally cracked.  It’s time to move to a place where the winter isn’t quite as fierce. If it were December, I would say there is nothing more beautiful and comfy than sitting by a lit fireplace wearing a cozy sweater with a cup of hot chocolate in hand in a chateau overlooking a fresh blanket of snow.  But then there’s the aftermath in mid-January. The salt, the cinders and grime are everywhere, and I no longer have the tolerance for the cold, bitter winters with which I grew up. It may be time to head south or out west for a little longer stay because we have a lot more winter to go around here. It has become the norm for my family to intentionally take a warm trip in February or March because, as I get older, our winters seem so long and less tolerable. I find myself with much less energy with the early sunsets and the cold weather, but this is where I live, so for now, I try to find my escape. I have booked this year’s trip to a warmer climate. The countdown begins, so that is what I focus on when the winter glum holds me down. In the past, there have been trips where we sprinted from the airport parking lot to the terminal, suitcases in hand, because we did not want to drag along our winter coats.  There have been trips where we’ve come back suntanned and relaxed simply to be greeted, as we were landing, to the vision of more snow on the runway.  I don’t care. I still need that little break. Until it is time to go, I try to “escape” by tackling indoor projects to occupy my mind.  Yet, each time I look outside, there is a constant reminder that it will be awhile until the birds chirp and the summer breeze blows through our town. Sometimes I need to give myself a little pep talk and this is one of those days. I can’t move the gloomy clouds and I can’t control the precipitation, but I can survive it and I can defy it. So, snow, snow go away and do not come back for any stay.

With the start of a new year comes resolutions – things like eating healthier, stopping smoking and the ever-so-famous beginning an exercise program. The gym is packed this time of year. If you’ve opted for the latter, figuring out your formula for success is key. When I began my fitness routine a few years ago, one of the questions in my mind was what is the best time of day to exercise to maximize results? According to an article on msn.com, there’s not a one size fits all answer. The article states that there’s no evidence that shows there is a universal best time to train and that it all comes down to the individual. One of the trainers interviewed said, “the best time to work out is the time you can stick to. The time you know you can make it to the gym without making excuses, without having to cancel and without being too tired to perform at your best.” According to MSN, there are advantages to working out in the morning such as avoiding an interrupted routine because of a late night in the office, evening plans and weakening willpower. However, some prefer evening exercise because you have a longer duration during the day to fuel your body for a tougher workout and it can be a great way to relieve some stress after a busy day in the office. In addition to determining when you want to train, you will also need to determine how you want to train. Some prefer weights, while others are into activities like yoga and barre. Depending on your goals, a fitness professional can help you determine what approach is best for you as an individual. I typically exercise in the evening – weights and cardio. Working out with a trainer or a buddy helps me stay on track because I know another person has set aside time for me. Yes, there are days when I am tired and not motivated, but I push through and I am always pleased, post-workout, that I had done so. There’s no doubt that a fitness routine is a commitment, but it is an investment in you…a healthier you. So figure out your fitness formula and hit the gym (but don’t forget to consult with your physician first). You’ll be glad you did!

We all know the famous saying, “Have a Coke and a Smile.” Coca-Cola is an iconic brand that is loved by many generations. This week, Coca-Cola announced that they will be rolling out a new line of Diet Coke flavors in 2018. Four new Diet Coke flavors will be joining the family. The flavors are Ginger Lime, Twisted Mango, Feisty Cherry and Zesty Blood Orange. The look of the bright and friendly new packaging can be seen on Coca-Cola’s website. Coca-Cola shares that the new flavors “bring more variety to the trademark by complementing the unique, crisp taste of Diet Coke with unexpected-yet-delicious tastes.”

I’m sure most people have attended or hosted a Super Bowl party. Well, football is not really my thing, so my Super Bowl is the Grammys. Every year, my friends and I have a Grammy party. We get together and discuss all the hits and misses of the night and sing along with all our favorite performers. Our favorite part is anticipating who will win the highest honor of “Album of the Year.” The whole awards show is just a build up to the unveiling of the winner. In past years, I would get upset when an album of an artist I never heard of was nominated and then win over the artist who was the obvious choice. But this year I know all the artists nominated for this coveted award. Of course, I have my favorite, but I think it’s a tight race and anyone could take home the award. Aside from all the glitz and glamour of the show, I’m looking forward to all the statements that may be made. The start of awards season kicked off with the Golden Globes. This award show made a firm stance on how they felt about recent events in Hollywood. I found it beautiful how everyone was wearing all black to show solidarity with sexual assault victims. I’m interested to see the Grammy’s take on these events. With a lot of the artists in attendance also participating in the acting world, will they too feel the need to speak out? I look forward to finding the answer to this question.

Are you a dreamer? Do you strive to reach your dreams?  Many people have dreams, but they never pursue them. Do they just give up? I have always been a dreamer, I admit it.  I dream of wonderful things for me and my family, but I would never just give up on a dream. One of the best quotes I have ever heard is from author Napoleon Hill - “Success requires no apologies and failure permits no alibis.” The basic rationale of the quote is that in the pursuit of a dream, we are often met with many forms of resistance and some come through others encouraging our own self-doubt.  There are some reasons that seem to make it easy to just abandon your dreams. A true failure isn't making a mistake or not getting results you wanted, it’s not even trying – it’s giving up, just quitting. What if you plowed forward despite the self-doubt and lack of encouragement of others?   What if you pushed beyond the limits of what you closest circle of family and friends believed?  What if…just what if you succeeded and realized your dreams? No matter your background or social circle, everyone can fulfill their dreams and make their own choices.  Dreams may come easier to some rather than others.  Some dreams may change.  Some dreams may end up not being what you thought in the first place, but how do you know unless you try? I particularly think of these inspirational quotes because summer soon will end and our children go back to school.  It is up to us as the adults, the mentors, the examples to all children whether it be to our own, our neighbors, relatives or complete strangers, to encourage those children to dream and dream big and to find an alternate path if the road they are walking is closed, to never quit and certainly never give up. Demonstrate encouragement to those around you.  And find the silver lining when the odds may not be in your favor.  Dream it, strive for it and then live it. After all, if we all just give up on dreams, successes would never be met. We would just numbly walk through life day after day without anything to look forward to.  A dream can be a trip.  A dream can be an invention.  A dream can be anything you want and as Mr. Hill says, “DREAMS ARE THE SEEDLINGS OF REALITY.”

The other day, I was going through a drawer looking for something when I came across a birthday card I received a few years ago. The Hallmark card, of course, was beautifully designed with pink roses on the front, but the verse it contained didn’t convey a sappy message as cards sometimes do, but rather some advice entitled A Little Guide to Life. The words made a lot of sense, so I thought I would share. “Be good to yourself. There are things everyone deserves – love, respect, time to recharge. Never settle for less. Seek out your dreams. Start small. Take it as it comes. Even a butterfly has to inch along before getting its wings. Listen to your heart. Trust your gut. If the way seems unclear, look within you. Let your voice be heard. You have a story to tell and opinions that count. And a difference to make. Stay curious. Wonder. Take every opportunity to learn. Knowledge is a gift. It will take you places. Hold on to what’s important. Let worries go. No matter how you look at it, some things just don’t make sense. The way you choose to carry on is what really matters. And when you make that list of what you want in life, make another list of what you’ve got. Be sure to start with all the things that make you a beautiful person.” We sometimes get caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and forget the points made in the verse. The card was a nice reminder. I think I will put it back in the drawer, so when I run across it again in the future, the words will prompt further reflection like they did a few days ago.

Several years back, as a part of new landscaping, a butterfly bush was planted on the corner of my garage. After only one summer and much to my disappointment, it died. I so enjoyed the pretty purple fragrant flowers it donned and, of course, the beautiful butterflies it attracted. Once we were sure there weren’t going to be new blooms, my husband uprooted it, mulched the remainder and discarded it. The following summer and every summer since then, I have had more butterfly bushes than I can count. It’s no longer about getting one to live, but selecting the ones to keep. (They were everywhere, even in some of the most inconvenient places.) Opting to leave a number of the bushes around the deck has been so enjoyable. At any point during the day, there are several beautiful butterflies sipping nectar. And if you stand still long enough, some of the butterflies will take a rest on an arm or shoulder. I didn’t expect to get so much enjoyment from what I initially considered landscaping. It is more like Mother Nature in one of her finest forms…so beautiful and serene. For those interested in adding some color and fragrance to your yard with a butterfly bush, garden.org recommends the following: select a site with full sun and moist, well-drained soil; plant in spring or fall; space plants 5 to 10 feet apart, depending on the variety; prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost; dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in; carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface; carefully fill in around the rootball and firm the soil gently; and water thoroughly. With regard to ongoing care, the website recommends applying a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than one inch per week. Flowers are produced on new wood, so prune back old growth almost to the ground early each spring before any new growth emerges. I mentioned above that the blooms on the butterfly bush in my yard are purple, but garden.org notes flower colors can include blue, pink, red, violet, yellow and white. Butterfly bushes grow well in shrub or perennial borders, and the fragrant flowers can be used for cutting. Enjoy!

I am not one of those people who can bound out of bed, grab a shower and head out the door. I have to ease into things. My day has always started with a cup of coffee and the news. Sometimes I would surf Facebook and then I discovered Netflix. I knew what it was. I’d heard people talk about it, but I really didn’t know exactly how it worked until I started a fitness program that required nearly an hour of my day on an exercise bike in my basement. The time spent pedaling away staring at a cement block wall went so slowly. Music from iTunes just wasn’t cutting it. I thought I’d give Netflix a try, so I downloaded the app onto my phone and now I am hooked. (Netflix can also be viewed on a tablet, computer and television. My phone just worked best for me.) I was amazed at the number and types of shows and movies available. I seem to lean towards TV series and I immediately loved Grey’s Anatomy. Talk about a binge watch! (I still can’t believe McDreamy was written out of the show. He and Meredith had such great chemistry!) I’ve also enjoyed Army Wives, Heart of Dixie, How to Get Away with Murder, the Good Witch and, most recently, Gilmore Girls. Netflix has certainly eased the “pain” of cardio and I find myself logging on even when I am not exercising, like in the morning with that first cup of joe. Long gone are the days of limited programming and 13 channels that sign off every night. Now you can basically watch what you want, when you want and where you want. How technology has changed the habits of consumers. And a habit it has become. If you haven’t tried Netflix, give it a shot. You won’t be sorry.