Monthly Archives: January 2011

January 19, 2011 · 11:22 am

How to get unstuck in 3 steps

Have you ever had to stop short on the road because a squirrel darted in front of your car and then just stood there, frozen, staring at you? It’s as if the squirrel doesn’t know whether to run to the right or run to the left, but knows it needs to run and it needs to run fast. But the confusion is so paralyzing, it just keeps standing in the middle of the road, terrified, causing you to have to drive around it or wait a few minutes until it finally figures out which way to turn.

Do you ever feel that way? Like you know you need to move, but you’re not sure in which direction? Or you know where you need to go, but you’re not sure how to get there?

On Monday I got stuck. It felt as if the universe was determined to prevent me from moving forward. I tried to pay bills, and my online banking account was not letting me log in. Three hours and dozens of phone calls later, I tried to blog about staying cool under pressure, and wordpress was telling me that my account had expired (it hadn’t). I went to wrap a gift – no tape. Tried to make soup – no onions. It was just one of those days.

All of this frustration left me unmotivated – stuck right where I was and unable to move forward. If you’ve ever felt this way, here is a three-step guide to how to move on:

1. Figure out what is holding you back. When you are in a rush to move forward, the last thing you probably want to do is take a step backward. But it’s important to evaluate what is holding you back, so you can develop strategies that will help you tackle these things and get them out of your way. In order to reach your goals, you need to make space for them to materialize. Write down all of the things that you feel are preventing you from reaching your goals. What makes you feel like you can’t move forward? What do you wish weren’t the case, so you could move on? Next to each item, write five ways you can get past that item.

2. Before you try to tackle the thoughts you wrote down next to each item, take a deep breath and find some motivation. What pulls you forward? Who can you connect with and what activities can you practice that will help you get out of the doldrums? For me, running is a way I nourish my body and give it the energy it needs to move forward. I also look to my friends for motivation. I read my friend Jen’s blog for inspirational tips on how to live life to the fullest and be my authentic self (this week’s post on heart asanas really spoke to me), and I connect with other female entrepreneurs through a group my friend Jordana Jaffe founded, She’s the CEO. All of these things help pull me forward.

3. Next, set some small, attainable goals that will move you closer to getting what’s in your way out of your way and achieving the bigger picture. The key word here is attainable. Sometimes we can be our own worst critics. If you set expectations for yourself that are too high, you’ll only be disappointed and hard on yourself. As my friend Karen put it this afternoon, we often want me time – we are our favorite people to be around – and yet we can be so mean to ourselves, we spend the entire time yelling at ourselves and being critical. Take a deep breath and treat yourself like you would a mentee or friend. You’ll be happier, more productive and more successful for it.

Don't get stuck! Figure out what's in your way, seek inspiration and set small goals to move yourself forward.

Baked millet with butternut squash and sage

This is a Mark Bittman recipe that I found on one of my favorite blog’s, Heidi Swanson’s 101 Cookbooks. It is so simple and SO delicious. You don’t even need to cook the millet first – you just throw it all together in one bowl, and what comes out of the oven is warm, sweet and nourishing. Enjoy!

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3/4 cup millet

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 cup fresh cranberries

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon minced sage leaves or 1 teaspoon dried

2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

1 cup vegetable stock or water, warmed*

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or coarsely chopped hazelnuts

Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 2-quart casserole, a large gratin dish, or a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.

Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the millet and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden, about 3 minutes (note: don’t overdo it). Spread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Scatter the squash or pumpkin cubes and the cranberries on top of the millet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and the sage and drizzle with syrup. Carefully pour the warmed stock over all (note: you may want to try 1/2 cup stock & 1/2 cup low-fat cream). Cover tightly with foil and bake without disturbing, for 45 minutes.

Carefully uncover and turn the oven to 400F. As discreetly as possible, sneak a taste and adjust the seasoning. If it looks too dry, add a spoonful or two of water or stock. (note: This is key! The millet should be close to being cooked through at this point, if not you need to add liquid and keep it moist and cooking – I used another 1/4 cup+ of stock here). Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds on top, and return the dish to the oven. Bake until the mixture bubbles and the top is browned (note: and the millet is cooked through), another 10 minutes or so. Serve piping hot or at room temperature.

Serves 4 to 6

Healthy tips for snowy days

If you live anywhere along the east coast of the U.S., chances are you were either snowed in earlier this week or have a snow day ahead of you!

Here are my FIVE favorite tips for how to “weather” the snow storm in a healthy way, so you don’t get cabin fever, the munchies or that gross “I can’t stand to be in this house” feeling:

1) Have you stocked up on TONS of fresh fruits and veggies? You can have as many of these as you want, and if you get the snow snack-attack that usually comes with a storm, it’s nice to have some baby carrots with low-fat dip, fugi apples, grapes and oranges to munch on.

2) Do you have tea, coffee, reduced-calorie hot chocolate, and ingredients to make a good soup? Check out my site for some good, simple, quick soup recipes.

3) Have you made it to the gym in preparation for a day or two when you may not be able to make it there? If you have, great! If not, try to incorporate some movement into your day this afternoon so you don’t feel sluggish tonight and tomorrow.

4) Do you have lots of activities at home to keep your attention, so you don’t get bored and start snacking? Think board or Wii games, art projects, good books and movies, pets to play with and good company.

5) Do you have some warm snow gear? Remember that the snow can be FUN! Put on those snow pants and go for a walk, shovel or build a snowman. You’ll burn hundreds of calories and have a lot of fun, just like when you were a little kid.