Get Happy

I'll admit I have been a bit of a grump lately. I'm sorry everybody that has had to put up with my Negative Nancy behavior. I've just been in such a bad mood that I couldn't seem to shake it. So I sat down and wrote a couple things that always make me happy. I feel like I'm perking back up.

 Thank heavens! 

1. Listen to music.
This is always my number one go-to feel better trick. I even have a playlist on Spotify specialy made for cheering me up. My Happy Playlist

2. Take a walk around the block.
Some days at work can be so stressful that I just want to cry or scream or a combination of both. Those are the days that I find it especially important to take a walk during lunch. There is a nice little loop that I can walk around the buildings that clocks in at about a little over a mile and it's the perfect way to calm down and take a break.

3. Do a quick exercise routine.
Elle Woods said it best "Exercise gives you endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands" A quick little workout sometimes is all it takes to turn that frown upside down. My favorite quick workout is this one from thinfithot.tumblr.com

4. Phone a friend.
Sometimes all it takes to cheer me up is a familiar loving voice. That's when I call my best friend or my mom. They both know exactly what to say to make me feel better. Or as my mom sometimes says "wake up and stop feeling sorry for yourself."

5. Count your blessings.
When I'm in a really terrible mood I don't want to sit down and think about all the good in my life. I just want to dwell on what's making me mad. But it's always so much better to think about the positive. Even better if I write down a couple things that are particularly great at the moment and realize that life is pretty great.

6. Take a nap.
Other times I just want to give up. When things are that bad it's best if I just take a nap. My bad mood is probably coming from a lack of sleep anyways. I'm not normally one who can take a mid-day nap but when I do you'll know it was because of a particularly terrible day.

7. Drink a cup of tea.
I'm not really all that crazy about tea but I do have to give some credit to Sheldon Cooper when he said "Social protocol states when a friend is upset, you offer them a hot beverage, such as tea." It really does a bit of cheering up when I'm down.

8. Go outside.
Just being outside feels good when the sun is shining. Take a blanket and a good book and just sit outside in the sunshine and read.

9. Take a hot shower.
Pretty self explanatory. Showers are awesome.

10. Take a deep breath.
When I don't have any time to actually do any of these little tricks all I can do is take a deep breath. In through the nose out through the mouth. Just a couple of times and I'm a little calmer and can think a little straighter.

What do you do to cheer up, get happy, or get rid of stress?

Green Goddess Smoothie

When I decided to make just green food this week for St. Patrick's Day I did not plan on making a whole bunch of green smoothies but this one is really good and I just had to post it. Not only is it good for you but  it's super delicious. It has easily become my new favorite breakfast.  

This smoothie has a whole bunch of really delicious, fresh ingredients that are really great for you. 

Spinach, is great for your skin but it also promotes healthy brain function. 

Broccoli, boosts your immune system and fights cold virus'. 

Kiwi, is high is fiber and antioxidants, has been found to protect against cancer. 

Pineapple, improves digestion and strengthens bones. 

Orange, is rich in vitamins and minerals, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure as well and boosts immune system.

Ingredients:

1 Kiwi (peeled)

1/4 Cup Fresh Broccoli Florets 

1 Cup Frozen Pineapple

1 Navel Orange

~4 Cups Raw Baby Spinach

1/4 Cup Water

Blend all ingredients until liquefied. 

Pour into a festive glass and enjoy.

I love this smoothie because it tastes more like a tropical cocktail than a ultra healthy smoothie. If you don't think it's sweet enough you could add a small sweet apple, like a honey crisp, or more pineapple. 

    Makes One Large Glass.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 557 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 244 Calories from Fat 12

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 1.4g 2%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 105mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates 58.6g 20%

Dietary Fiber 12.1g 48%

Sugars 40.2g

Protein 7.5g

Vitamin A 238% • Vitamin C 494% Calcium 24% • Iron 24%

Nutrition Grade A

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

                 What is the best smoothie you've ever had?

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful, wild & crazy New Year's Eve!

I know that everyone is talking about what they are doing for their resolutions. Weight loss, quit smoking, walk more, they're all common resolutions people make every year. What I need this year is a complete shake up. A total 180 overhaul. As I mentioned in my last post, I've been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. It has inspired me to start my own Happiness Project as my resolution.

I am in desperate need for a Happiness Project. I am rapidly approaching a quarter life crisis. I am terminally single and all of my friends are getting married and having kids (on purpose). I swear if I see one more engagement announcement I might go lose it. 

Having recently moved 3,000 miles from my hometown, I don't know anyone and working 8+ hours a day (realistically it's more like 9.5 hours) I hardly have time to go out and meet new people.

(For a better explanation of a quarter life crisis check this out. He's hilarious and completely spot on. In fact, I just recently bought myself a new Jeep without having any idea that it had anything to do with the fact that I am experiencing a quarter life crisis.)

Isn't she beautiful? I can't wait to take her to Lake Tahoe.

Gretchen Rubin outlined The Happiness Project by using each month as a different goal. January is probably the easiest month to follow, at least I think so.  

            

Go to sleep earlier.

Exercise better.
Toss, restore, organize.
Tackle a nagging task.
Act more energetic.

 I started by tackling my sleep process. There are far too many things that light up my room at night so I've started using an eye mask.  

I feel so very Audrey.

As for exercising, I'm off to Zumba tonight. I absolutely love Zumba and kick myself every week for skipping it but I resolve to make at least one class a week. As for organizing I will post all my pictures of the crazy OCD organizing that I've begun this week. The only negative I've had so far is that when I tried to accomplish the "Act more energetic" resolution I decided to down an extra large coffee this morning and now I'm all jittery and hyper. 

Are you planning on using some of Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project Resolutions this year? Is anyone else feeling the crash of a quarter life crisis? Girl, keep me posted and maybe we can get through it together.