One Bite at a Time: Get More Sleep.

Gorgeous, no? You should feel it. Ahhh.

Next up, Project 18: Get More Sleep.

I told you it wasn't that exciting. I promise there are a lot more interesting (and photo-worthy) projects. Like create a family tradition, start a garden, and declutter your wardrobe. And I will get to those.

But to start off, I've been drawn to the simple, personal health-oriented bites.

It's very much my mode of operation to skip the necessary and attempt the (more) exciting. So far, however, it's been a struggle to implement and maintain the secondary type projects when the primary need-based projects fall by the wayside.

Just like drinking water, sleep is a requirement for my motivation and effectiveness.

I have an infant who still wakes up in the night to feed so a full night's sleep is out of my reach no matter wha...who am I kidding? My 3-year-old wakes up in the night on a regular basis, too.

I am in a bad cycle of staying up way too late after the kids are in bed for some "me" time, and then I end up sleeping until the very last minute in the morning. Consequently, the start of my day feels rushed, and I am dragging.

In the book, there are some excellent ideas for adjusting your sleep cycle and making the most of the hours you do get to rest, even if it's interrupted.

I'm most excited to try the warm towel scrub!

*****

Hello and welcome. In 2012, I am working through Simple Mom's e-book "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler." Each week, I will post about a project I plan to work on for the following week (and beyond). I will post regular thoughts and progress along the way.

If you're interested in buying the book (only $5!), would you consider purchasing it using the link listed above or the button on my sidebar? I'm an affiliate, and I will receive a portion of the each book sold through my affiliate link. Thanks!

Drink More Water: Results

Oh. Hi, there. Remember me?

[Insert story about where I've been...leadership camping trip...sick baby...wisdom teeth pulled...blah, blah, blah.]

Now that that's out of the way, I have been drinking more water. So Project 34 has been a success.

It is not complete, however.

I am still not drinking enough water.

But I'm working on it. I'm pretty sure these projects are not meant to be complete in a week.

Right?

One way I've tried drinking water that has made it more "special" (plain water always seems so boring) is to infuse it with apple slices. A nice change from your average lemon or lime water.

Also, it's lovely to photograph.

See?

I've also stopped drinking sodas as a part of a fast I'm doing with Landon, and that definitely drives me to drink more water. Soda -- what I was drinking by default -- is not an every day option.

Because the idea of never, ever having a Dr. Pepper is something worth a proper mourning period, Landon and I built in a loop hole: We can drink a soda with a meal when we're out of town. It's the perfect limit. And so far, we're adhering.

I'll be back later with my next Bite. I'll tell you now, it will be about as exciting as drinking more water. Read: not.

In the meantime, here's my reason for being absent. Note all the snot and screeching.

*****

Hello and welcome. In 2012, I am working through Simple Mom's e-book "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler." Each week, I will post about a project I plan to work on for the following week (and beyond). I will post regular thoughts and progress along the way.

If you're interested in buying the book (only $5!), would you consider purchasing it using the link listed above or the button on my sidebar? I'm an affiliate, and I will receive a portion of the each book sold through my affiliate link. Thanks!

One Bite at a Time: Drink More Water.

cool. clean. refreshing.

Because starting at the beginning is boring, I'm starting with Project 34: Drink More Water. It seems simple, yet I know how much better I feel when I'm drinking water instead of my normal beverage of choice (cough*DietDr.Pepper*cough).

I have read quite a few suggestions both on Simple Mom and other sites for how to drink the recommended number of ounces of water everyday. I will experiment with a few in the coming week, and let you know which works best for me. I am quite certain that I often graze when what would really help me feel better is water. Drinking water helps me feel more clear-minded and motivated to do something other than sit around mindlessly clicking links and munching on Cheez-its.

Stay tuned...

*****

Hello and welcome. I am kicking off 2012 by working through Simple Mom's e-book "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler." Each week, I will post about a project I plan to work on for the following week (and beyond). I will post regular thoughts and progress along the way.

If you're interested in buying the book (only $5!), would you consider purchasing it using the link listed above or the button on my sidebar? I'm an affiliate, and I will receive a portion of the each book sold through my affiliate link. Thanks!

Getting out of the way.

(twenty)12.

If I had a dollar for every post I've read about resolutions and goals in the past two weeks, I would be a rich, rich woman. I have several lists myself, to be honest. And on New Year's Day, I was praying, telling God all that I hoped to accomplish in several different categories when I said something that the Holy Spirit used to get my attention.

"I know I've planned to complete many of these things before and failed, but this time is different. I just need to get out of my own way."

It just sorta came out.

I. My. Own.

As soon as I said it, I stopped, my soul knowing before my brain what was coming.

"Wrong. You need to get out of My way."

Gulp.

It quickly became one of those moments in which I instinctively went to my knees. Silent, listening, where I should have been from the beginning.

New Year's Resolution 2012: Get out of His way.

*****

Because I do crave structure, I am going to be working through Simple Mom's e-book: "One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler" and blogging about it here. Many of the projects are already on my 2012 to-do list, and Tsh breaks everything down beautifully in easy-to-digest bites. Look for the first post later this week.

I've had the book since August, and read through it several times. I have no question that it's awesome. If you think you'd like to join me on the journey, won't you click the link listed above (I'll include it in all my posts) or the button on my sidebar when you purchase the book? I'm an affiliate and will receive a portion of the sale if you buy using the links on this blog. Thanks!

project no. 3.

establish a morning routine.

five things:

1. shower
2. drink a glass of water
3. brain dump
   
4. sit outside
   
5. eat something nourishing

four and five.

whole wheat english muffin + egg + colby jack + baby spinach