You Mean I Have to be Consistent

The message of consistent effort has been flowing through me the past few weeks.

Why is it the most challenging parenting moments come at my weakest times. On the night before leaving for two weeks of camp and a vacation for my husband and I: checking lists, packing, house sitter set up, pets watered, mail held. My child decides it's time to complete a deadline, at the LAST POSSIBLE minute. Her tear filled cry explaining now this was something she has dreamed of since she was two, caused me to hide in my bathroom. Drop a brick on my head please. It would hurt less than my OCD exhausted self. 

Ealier in the week I escaped the kids and tried to reclaim my compromised fitness routine and go for a short 4 mile run in the neighborhood. I was hit with Texas July heat and 98% humidity, defeated....walking. This is a one of my vision board for fitness. 

I know weight is not the only measure of healthy, but I use it to keep me inside some boundaries.  At one point in my life I didn't have any boundaries and ended up in a place I didn't want to be. So I tap the scale awake and step on it. It tells me it's time to change what I am putting into my pie hole, uh, mouth. 

A shiny piece of tensel drew my attention away July 1st when my company announced that I could earn a 7 night cruise to the Carribean. It was like a squirrel jumped into my office and I started to chase it. 

I willed myself out of the bathroom to talk to my daughter. My words were of love, encouragement and highlighting all her success and talents. Then what flowed thru me have replayed in my heart and mind. 

We can not achieve our goals and succes with last minute Hail Mary efforts. What we desire is a result of small daily efforts repeated. Not one great movement. Small. Daily. Consistent. We can increase our strength lifting a 10 pound weight a few times daily, but will not gain strengh heaving a 50 pound weight once a week. Small. Daily. Consistent. 

The hundreds I have lead thru the Arbonne 28 Day Clean Eating Challenge learn this principal. With a plan and daily effort they reclaim their health and healthy eating habits. What I learned from them is that you can mess up and get back on track with small daily consistent effort. You can start anywhere, wherever you are in your healthy journey, and start moving towards your goal.

Don't be fooled that you can cheat and get lazy in your effort and still reach your dreams and goals. Lysa Terkeurst wrote in Made to Crave, that "compromise built on compromise leads to failure." 

Wherever you are in your journey towards a goal or dream, keep going. Daily. "And let us not grow weary of going good, for in due season, we will reap, if we DO NOT GIVE UP." Galatians 6:9. 

One stretch, jog, meal, phone call, book, nap, hug, prayer at a time (repeated) and I will achieve my goals and dreams. 

I pray she doesn't give up on her dream as much as I pray she learns the lesson of consistent effort.

Vegan Zucchini Soup

This was so yummy I had to share.  I would NEVER make anything called Zucchini Soup, but it was served to me at the Arbonne Business Launch of Debbie Mauzerall. You can't be rude and NOT eat what is served to you, right?  Her husband Peter made it and it was WON-DER-FUL!

I didn't get the exact recipe, but I think it went something like this.

4 Medium Zucchini
Olive oil
1 medium Onion
5-8 Garlic Cloves
4C Veggie Broth
Salt and Pepper

Saute a medium onion (diced) and 5-8 minced garlic cloves in a teaspoon of olive oil until it is all translucent and smells good. Add zucchini and the broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer on low for about 45 minutes. 

Let it cool a bit and blend with an immersion blender or put into a blender.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Serve hot or cold.

Debbie did a great job at her business launch.  Her sponsor Liz is a wonderful leader. Debbie shared how her health improved in just 2 weeks of doing the 28 Day Clean Eating Challenge.  She even had the lab work to prove it!  Got to love a numbers person.  The proof is in the numbers.  So much so she decided this business was for her!  

Debbie, if you read this, please tell Peter thank you for the soup!

Freedom and Independence

Happy Independence Day. The day that 56 "outside the box" thinkers risked being different to move towards their vision for our country.  They were true entrepreneurs that gave the opportunity to all Americans to be independent and free.  

Their leadership of putting others needs before their own left a generational legacy. 

Are YOU are truly Independent and Free?  

Money does not buy happiness, but it provides choices and freedoms (which make me happy). Are you a slave to your employer? Are you trapped because you live beyond your means? If so, you are not honoring the sacrifices those 56 men made for you. Where is the freedom of living in fear to pay your bills?   

 The signers of the Declaration of Independence did something that most of us could never do.  They lived like most people would not. They put their lives and families lives at risk.  Many were killed and jailed.  Their homes were destroyed. However, they put their faith above their fears so that we can live in abundance. They were servants as read in Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." 

Starting and continuing my business with Arbonne is not always easy. But it something that benefits others health and wealth and will continue to bless my family and provide opportunities that we would not have without it. 


 There is great happiness in time and financial freedom that is ours for the taking thanks to the Declaration of Independence. Make the most of that gift. There will be hard work, risk, haters and doubters.  Use or reclaim your freedoms and use it to bless and serve one another.





It's not for the weak to stand up against the social norms and make a change.  Change in your life to follow your passions.  Change to live below your means so you can bless others.  Change to do work that is important. Change to get up and move your body daily. Change to stop putting unhealthy things in your body.   I believe in you and believe you can change.  If you change your life to honor God, you will succeed. "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  Deuteronomy  31:6


To read a wonderful account of the "first" Fourth of July and the stories of the lives of the signers, read this short historical story.
Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor

Cajun Shrimp and Quinoa Casserole

Some Like It Hot

Clean Eating is easier than ever. It just takes reprograming of what is "normal".  One tip to make your busy life easier.  When cooking quinoa and brown rice, make more than you need.  Make enough that you can eat off of it for a week.  You can always freeze it as well.

If you like shrimp and spicy, you will love this easy dish.  Now I have 3 daughters who do NOT like it hot.  So I simply skipped the jalapenos and cut down on the cajun seasoning.

Ingredients:
¾ lb large wild caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 medium organic tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 organic jalapeno, seeded and chopped
½ C chopped sweet onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp olive oil
2½ tsp cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2½ C cooked quinoa
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions:
- Toss the shrimp and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning together, set aside.
- Toss the tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat in a cast iron skillet.
- Cook the shrimp until opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil to the pan along with the onion, jalapeno and garlic.
- Cook until the onion and jalapeno are tender, stirring often.
- Mix in the quinoa, tomato paste, ½ tsp Cajun seasoning and tomato chunks.
- * If eating dairy - Top with the shrimp and then sprinkle with the fontina cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
-- Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Vanilla Mint Arbonne Protein Shake

I wanted to try something different light and refreshing.

8-10 ounces of Original unsweetened Almond Milk
2 Scoops Vanilla Arbonne Protein Powder
1 handful of spinach leaves
10 mint leaves (could use more)
1/2-1C chopped ice
1 Scoop Arbonne Fiber Powder
1 Packet of Arbonne Digestion Plus

Mix in a good blender.

I ended up adding 1/2 of a peeled lime and reblending. So glad I did.

Do you know that green is my favorite color?

Commitment Day is June 29th for the July 7th Challenge

It's I want to Win, It's up to Him!

I was got a call from a good friend yesterday.  We have known each other at least 25 years.  Our conversations are always full and deep about doing life.  She shared something with me her therapist shared with her.  He said "you can either humble yourself before God, or her will humble you."  YIKES.  

What does it mean to be humble?  Humble is defined as having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.  not proud or arrogant; modest

I am a classic Type A personality and more often than not, think I am in charge and can do all things on my own will and sheer determination (some say stubbornness). If it's to be, it's up to me. So hearing those words were a sharp reminder that I must turn over all and humble myself before HIM.  

The good news is, that when we do put God in the driver seat, we benefit more than if we try to command our lives by ourselves.  James 4:10 reads "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."  By letting go, we are lifted up.  Peter said it this way in chapter 5, verse 6, "Humble yourselves therefore beneath the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time He may set you on high".  If it's to be, it's up to him.  But that doesn't rhyme.  How about "If I want to WIN, It's up to HIM!".