Belief in yourself and in the possibility of success
is the most important requirement for living an extraordinary life.
Believe in belief.
Believe in yourself and the best of the world will come to you,
and you will be prepared to receive it. Don’t sell yourself short.
You do not require permission to be extraordinary.
(Richard Quick)

Hello, lovelies! I hope you’ve had a delightful weekend. Thanks so much to those of you who left helpful and supportive comments on my last few posts. It’s great to know that I’m not the only one craving solitude in January.

Since starting the Whole Living Action Plan last week, I’ve noticed how seldom I acknowledge daily victories. Small, quiet steps go ignored while I look towards the finish line and hold off on uncorking the metaphoric bubbly. Do you struggle with the same? Tiny triumphs are critical building blocks—each one a glittering, golden brick worth celebrating.

“You can do this. You are doing this,” I remind myself over and over. Changing patterns, adjusting priorities, and establishing new habits can be disorienting. Until we are practiced and comfortable in our new way of doing things, the old way just feels best. Maybe that’s one reason why so many people drop the ball on their resolutions.

I’ve held onto my intentions and stuck with the #WLActionPlan through this week, but not without sacrifice. I’m laying low and spending a lot of time in the kitchen. And even though the alarm goes off at 5 am, I’m not relying on 3 cups of coffee and 2 shots of espresso to get me through the day. When my energy dips around 3 pm, I am no longer leaning on a bag of mini M&Ms to revive me.

Instead, I’m drinking tons of water and herbal DAVIDsTEA (which I love!) and snacking on kale chips or pomegranate seeds. A change is unfolding. I feel vibrant, happy and connected. This week I got back to working out, with 4 days of Barre3′s DVD in the mornings before work and 3.5 miles run/walk on Saturday. This morning, I went to the lululemon store in Raleigh for a goal-setting session followed by a complimentary yoga class.

Changing my priorities has meant less time with my Mister—and certainly less time for flipping through magazines, painting my nails, and general lounging around. The upside is that I’m in a much better mood and am excited (instead of feeling guilty) when I do find some time to chill.

Week #2 Highlights:

• Listening to my body. This process has brought me a new level of awareness when it comes to hunger and mood. I’m learning to cope with the ups and downs of the day without sugary snacks or surges of caffeine.
• Getting a new package from DAVIDsTEA in the mail! So far my favorites are Forever Nuts, Licorice Twist, Jessie’s Tea and Organic Peppermint Amour.
• Losing a little weight. The number on the scale has dropped some and my clothes are starting to feel a bit too big… I can see a shopping trip for new jeans in my future.
• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). I bought Mindy Kaling’s audiobook to listen to on my commute (she reads it herself—so cool!). It’s funny, inspiring and down-to-earth.

Favorite Meals:

• Baked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus
• Raw Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Toasted Walnuts
• Watercress Salad with Sardines, Oranges, and Pepitas
• Grilled Salmon and Bok Choy with Orange-Avocado Salsa

I’m grateful to be in a place (emotionally, financially and otherwise) that allows me to pursue these dietary and fitness changes. Just a few months ago, this would have been too much to take on. It’s as if the stage was set and ready for me to step up. It’s an incredible feeling. Even though I think I could do this on my own, my Mister has been a huge help. He even got up with me this morning to hit up Whole Foods at 7 am so I could get all my grocery shopping done before yoga (I’m a slow shopper and he helps me stay on task).

I’m looking forward to seeing where week #3 will take me. I hope you find yourself happy, healthy and fulfilled this week. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, I recommend doing something that lights you up. Go to a local tea shop, buy an inspiring magazine, get a manicure, or do some yoga. I’ll be working to do the same!

Image Credit: 164 / 365 – I’ve got the brightest star you’ll ever find via Noukka Signe

Live with intention.
Walk to the edge. Listen hard.
Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh.
Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn. Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.
(Mary Anne Radmacher)

Hi there! I’m Analiese, and I blog about food, health, and holistic living at Green Plate Studios, though some of you may recognize me from my former blog, Tulips & Tea. As a long-time reader and fan of Kaileen’s blog, I’m so excited to be guest posting today!

A couple years ago, frustrated with my lack of energy and general feelings of blah-ness, I embarked on an effort to transform my health. In the process, I discovered a passion for wellness that changed not only my physical self, but also my career and life’s work. Wanting to help others experience the same level of health and happiness, I enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and now spend my time writing about and counseling others in nutrition and wellness as a holistic health coach. What an amazing two years it has been!

It can be difficult, especially as a woman, to prioritize our own wants and needs. There’s a lot of pressure to maintain a façade of perfection: fabulous social lives, successful careers, and always-amazing relationships – not to mention a physical appearance that meets with society’s approval. Yet, it’s critical to realize that we must first nourish ourselves – literally and figuratively – in order to build a strong foundation that will enable us to truly live the life of our dreams (our own dreams that is, not anyone else’s!).

Sounds great, you might be thinking. But how exactly do I put it into practice?

Here are the 4 elements of self-care that I’ve experienced as absolutely essential in my path toward wellness:

1. Find your glow with fresh, whole foods.

Clean, unprocessed foods boost energy levels and provide you with the nutrients you need to look and feel your best. Reclaim your right to super juicy good health (not to mention beautiful skin, shiny hair, and all-around goddess-like vibrance) by consuming a colorful, plant-heavy diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Eat close to the source by emphasizing local, seasonal fare and, as Michael Pollan says, avoid “anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can’t pronounce.”

Have fun with food by experimenting with new recipes, and remember that a meal doesn’t need to be complicated to be good. Here are some of my favorite resources for learning to cook and eat with whole foods.

2. Integrate movement into your life in a way that feeds your spirit and invigorates your soul.

When it comes to movement, a world of delicious, heart-pumping adventure awaits. Think outdoor activities like swimming, running, walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Restorative yoga and tai chi practices. Booty-shaking salsa dancing, hip-hop dancing, and Zumba. Martial Arts. Tennis. Boxing. Frisbee. Whatever makes you break a sweat and puts a smile on your face. Instead of viewing exercise as a chore, ask yourself what kind of movement you crave. Let your body’s intuition be your guide.

3. Release whatever doesn’t support your true self.

I believe that true wellness is so much broader than simply fulfilling the needs of the physical body. To truly call ourselves “healthy,” we must consider the whole package. True wellness means filling our lives with the things that align with our essential selves, and that goes for our relationships, careers, and virtually any other facet of life you can think of.

Take steps to clear out the sludge: toxic people (you know the ones I’m talking about), less-than-fulfilling relationships, negative habits, soul-crushing jobs, stressful commutes, etc., even if it means making big – and potentially scary – changes. Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke is great resource on this topic.

4. Create space for possibility.

When you let go of the clutter, you create a clean canvas on which to paint a new image of your life. Fill the newfound time and space with things and activities that will support your personal growth and feed your real self. That might mean nurturing friendships, creative pursuits, a new career path, or a renewed commitment to your own development. Ask yourself what you envision for yourself one year, five years, and ten years down the road. Set specific goals and trust the voice inside you, the one that whispers “You can do it!” You can do it. With your foundation firmly in place, you’ll soon begin noticing that suddenly, anything seems possible. Lean into the possibility. Your life awaits.

I hope these thoughts inspire you to begin (or continue) your own wellness journey! I would love to hear about your successes, challenges, and experiences.

Analiese is a food writer, holistic health coach, and sustainable foods advocate. A lover of vinyasa yoga, cooking, gardening, dark chocolate, and the outdoors, Analiese lives, works, and writes from her perch in beautiful Annapolis, Maryland, where she lives with her husband, Jason, and a fittingly foodie dachshund named Basil (yes, like the herb). Learn more by visiting Analiese’s website, or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Image Credit: via We♥It

Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives any challenge or any occupation, no mater how frightening or difficult, a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles.
(Og Mandino)

The middle of 2010 has come and gone, and yet I’m finding it hard to believe that half the year is behind us. For weeks, I’ve been referring to February like it wasn’t that long ago—and I’m still finding myself writing 2009 at the top of my journal.

Time is a tricky creature that I’ve let run wild for the first part of this year. Even though the last 6 months have felt like a whirlwind, I’m proud of my top 6 accomplishments from January to June.

When I sat down to reflect, I came up with the following list:

*Landed a new job that’s better aligned with my core values

*Became a guest blogger and recorded a podcast with Kimberly Wilson

*Celebrated 2 years of love and fun with my mister

*Increased my net worth significantly and took a big chunk out of le debt

*Connected with a rock star mentor, @GwenBell

*Created an inspirational ‘office’ area in a tiny nook of my apartment

The image above is a slice from my journal. I am excited about the goals I set for the 2nd half of 2010. There aren’t a lot of numbers or deadlines (a departure from my typical goal-setting strategy), but more of a focus on how I want to feel when I reflect back on these next 6 months at the conclusion of this year.

What about you? Have you spent some time considering your accomplishments from the last 6 months? This part of the process is often overlooked, but it is just as important as setting goals. Take a moment to praise yourself for all you’ve done!

Stuff happens. We dance with it.
The better & happier you dance, the better you do.
(Seth Godin)

Hello February, another turn of the calendar and a fresh new month. I disappeared last month as January flew by—you might have noticed that I rarely blogged, tweeted or connected with you lovely souls. I missed our community and am looking forward to getting back into the flow.

Some of you already know about my news from yesterday—I am excited to announce that after 2.5 years with the same company, I am moving onto bigger and better things!

Quitting my job was difficult, especially since I’m not one to retreat or give up. I knew that leaving would be a challenge, but I didn’t expect to learn so much through the process. The experience taught me about the fine line between loyalty and self-preservation. I am thrilled with my decision and will happily share more details as things progress.

With the rest of the week to myself, I am planning on cleaning my apartment, getting my haircut and enjoying some quiet time for reflection. Everyone is on their own time-line and for whatever reason, last month was at warp speed. This month, I am setting a few attainable intentions that will help me build the stage for a fantastic 2010!

Intentions for February

• revamp my wardrobe by adding a a few fantastic basics and classy accessories
• reconnect with my routine by sticking to a bedtime and working out 3 times a week
• reengage my creative juices by blogging more and indulging in artist dates

It seems as though there’s a theme around revamping, reconnecting and reengaging. Perhaps my overarching goal for February is to nurture myself with love, positive energy and productivity.

What are a few of your intentions for February? I would be so grateful if you shared how you plan on nurturing your soul during this love-filled month.

photo credit: sister72