Mornings with Megan

Tomorrow is HERE!

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Now we are in the time of year when wearing white is frowned upon and the worry of how we look in our bikinis has passed. Cold weather and bulky coats are just around the corner, so it's easy to start letting our health habits slip. Still, I have heard more than one person say the last month, "I will get back on track after Labor Day."

Isn’t that the way so many of us do it? Whenever we want to change something, we say we’ll start “tomorrow” or “Monday” or “after the holidays” rather than just starting today. Why is it we think we need a completely blank slate? What’s so bad about deciding to make healthy choices midday after the third (or seventh) donut or at dinner time after a grease-laden pizza lunch? Just because a healthy choice was preceded by an unhealthy one doesn’t make its intrinsic value any less. Of course a day full of healthy choices is the ultimate ideal, but starting to live healthy now is always better than later.

Well ladies (and guys!), it’s here! Today is your day for change. Not even just today, but RIGHT NOW. Are you reading this while grubbing on a big bag of chips or carton of ice cream? Throw the rest of it away. Craving something crunchy tonight? Ditch the chips for cucumbers or carrot sticks. It’s time to stop living in the tomorrows and start living in TODAY. This is "Tough Love Tuesday" and no one wants to hear your excuses, least of all YOU. If I had to put money on it, I’d bet you don’t like always putting off your health or weight loss goals. Now we are moving into colder months and it is so easy to say you will get on track after the holidays, but why wait? Get in shape FOR the holidays so you can give yourself the best gift of your life – your health.

And I’m not saying that starting right this instant you can never again have a gram of sugar or a potato chip. No one expects you to do that because it isn’t realistic, but doing everything you can to make healthier choices every day will put you on the path to overall health and wellness. I recently read a statistic that no state in the U.S. has an obesity rate below 20% (Colorado is the lowest at 20.1%), which means that at least one in every five people in every state is obese. That doesn’t even take into consideration those who are overweight, but not obese. If that isn’t troubling to you, it should be. Being obese or overweight increases your risk for Type 2 Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease, Sleep Apnea, certain types of cancer, and a whole host of other medical issues.

Every time we decide what to eat or whether to take the stairs versus the escalator we have an opportunity to make a healthy choice and start reversing that trend. Don’t put it off another day, the time for change is now.

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:31:00 +0000

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle

Scientists have suggested that, with a little willpower, it takes roughly 30 days for a person to form a new habit. As with mastering anything new, the act of starting and getting beyond the preliminary stage where everything feels awkward is 80% of the battle. This is precisely why it’s important to make small, positive changes every day over the course of at least a 30 day period.

It’s like the old saying: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” The same philosophy holds true for making changes in your life. Trying to bite off more than you can chew will only make you choke. But taking smaller, manageable bites, one at a time – eating a little healthier, exercising a little, creating some simple productive habits, for example – is an amazing way to make positive changes and get excited about life.

And when you start small like this, you won’t need a lot of motivation either. The simple act of getting started and doing something will give you the momentum you need, and soon you’ll find yourself in a positive spiral of changes – one building on the other. When I started doing this in my life, I was so excited about it that I started this blog to share it with the world.

Below you will find 30 challenges to be accomplished over the course of 30 days. If carried out diligently each of them has the potential to create a new positive habit in your life. Yes, there is some slight overlap between a few of them. And no, you don’t have to attempt all at once. Pick 2 to 5 and commit the next 30 days, wholeheartedly, to successfully completing the challenge. Then once you feel comfortable with these habits, challenge yourself with a few more the following month.

Day One: Use words that encourage happiness.

Typically, when I ask someone “How are you?” they reply, “I’m fine” or “I’m okay.” But recently a friend of mine replied, “Oh, I am fabulous!” It made me smile, so I asked her what was making her feel so fabulous and she said, “I’m healthy, my family is healthy, and we live in a free country. So I don’t have any reason not to be happy.” The difference was simply her attitude and her choice of words. She wasn’t necessarily any better off than anyone else, but she seemed twenty times happier. Spend the next 30 days using words that encourage a smile.

Day Two: Try one new thing every day.

Variety truly is the spice of life. You can see or do something a million times, but you can only see or do it for the first time once. As a result, first time experiences often leave reflective marks in our minds for the rest of our lives. Make an effort to try something new every day for the next 30 days. It can be a whole new activity or just a small experience, such as talking to a stranger. Once you get the ball rolling many of these new experiences will open doors to life changing opportunities.

Day Three: Perform one selfless act every day.

In life, you get what you put in. When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life. Do something that’s greater than you, something that helps someone else be happy or suffer less. I promise, it will be an extremely rewarding experience. One you’ll likely remember forever. Obviously your options here are limitless, but if you’re looking to assist an ordinary person in need without leaving your chair, check out GoFundMe.

Day Four: Learn and practice one new skill every day.

Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one. And besides, learning new skills is fun.

Day Five: Teach someone something new every day.

We all have natural strengths and talents that can dramatically help those around us. What comes easy for you is no doubt challenging for others. We tend to take these gifts for granted, often hardly noticing what we have to offer, and thus we rarely share them with others. Inner happiness and zeal come from using these inherent gifts on a routine basis. What do people thank you for? What do people routinely ask for your help with? Most people’s passions and talents help others in one way or another. Perhaps for you it’s painting, teaching math, cooking a good meal or leading an exercise class. For the next 30 days devote some time each day to sharing your talents and expertise.

Day Six: Dedicate an hour a day to something you’re passionate about.

Take part in something you passionately believe in. This could be anything. Some people take an active role in their community, some find refuge in religious faith, some join social clubs supporting causes they believe in and others find passion in their hobbies like cooking, working out, etc. In each case the psychological outcome is the same. They engage themselves in something they strongly believe in. This engagement brings happiness and meaning into their lives.

Day Seven: Treat everyone nicely, even those who are rude to you.

Being nice to someone you dislike doesn’t mean you’re fake. It means you’re mature enough to control your emotions. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you – not because they’re nice, but because you are. Do this for 30 days and I guarantee you’ll see the rudeness around you dissipate.

Day Eight: Concentrate on being positive at all times.

The real winners in life cultivate optimism. They have the ability to manufacture their own happiness and drive. No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it. She knows failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life. People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times. Try to spend the next 30 days looking at the bright side of things.

Day Nine: Address and acknowledge the lesson in inconvenient situations.

It’s important to remember that everything is a life lesson. Everyone you meet, everything you encounter, etc. They’re all part of the learning experience we call ‘life.’ Never forget to acknowledge the lesson, especially when things don’t go your way. If you don’t get a job you wanted or a relationship doesn’t work, it only means something better is out there waiting. And the lesson you just learned is the first step toward it. Over the next 30 days keep a written log of all the lessons life taught you.

Day Ten: Pay attention and enjoy your life as it happens.

When I watched the Academy Awards a few months ago I realized that most of the speeches actors and actresses make when they accept an award go something like this: “This means so much so me. My whole life has been leading up to this moment.” But the truth is, our whole lives have been leading up to every moment. Think about that for a second. Every single thing you’ve gone through in life, every high, every low and everything in between, it has led you to this moment right now. Ask yourself this: How much of life are you actually living? If you’re like most people, the answer is likely: “Not enough.” The key is to concentrate on a little less on doing and a little more on being. Remember, right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. Spend the next 30 days living in the now, for real.

Day Eleven: Get rid of one thing a day for 30 days.

We have so much clutter surrounding us at any given moment (at the office, in our cars, in our homes) and we’ve become so accustomed to it that we no longer notice how it affects us. If you start cleaning up some of this external clutter, a lot of internal clutter will disappear as well. Choose one needless item each and every day and get rid of it. It’s that simple. It might be difficult at first, so expect some resistance. But after some time you will begin to learn to let go of your packrat tendencies, and your mind will thank you for your efforts.

Day Twelve: Create something brand new in 30 days or less.

Creation is a process like none other. Putting to use your innovative faculties and constructing something with your own two hands will leave you with an indescribable sense of wholeness. There is no substitute for it. The only caveat is that it must be related to something you actually care about. If you are creating financial plans for clients all day and you hate it, that doesn’t really count. But if you can find something you love, and create something related to it, it will make all the difference in your life. If you haven’t created something in a while just for the sake of creating, do so. Take the next 30 days and let your creativity run wild.

Day Thirteen: Don’t tell a single lie for 30 days.

With all the seemingly innocent, white lies that trickle out of us, this is way harder than it sounds. But you can do it. Stop deceiving yourself and others, speak from the heart, speak the whole truth.

Day Fourteen: Wake up 30 minutes early every morning.

Get up 30 minutes earlier than usual so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness and other unnecessary headaches. You can also use these extra 30 minutes to do something you don't have time to do, like workout. Give it a legitimate try for 30 days straight and see how it impacts your life.

Day Fifteen: Ditch 3 bad habits for 30 days.

Do you eat too much fast food? Do you play too many video games? Do you argue with your siblings? You know some of your bad habits. Pick 3 and quit doing them for 30 days. Period.

Day Sixteen: Watch less than 30 minutes of TV every day.

Entertain yourself with real-world experiences. Great memories are the product of interesting life experiences. So turn off the television (or the computer if that’s how you watch your TV programs) and get outdoors. Interact with the world, appreciate nature, take notice of the simple pleasures life has to offer, and just watch as life unfolds in front of you.

Day Seventeen: Define one long-term goal and work on it for an hour every day.

Break your goal down into bite-sized pieces and focus on achieving each one piece at a time. It really is all about taking baby steps, and taking the first step is often the hardest. Spend an hour every day for the next 30 days working toward something you’ve always wanted to accomplish. Take a small dream and make it a reality.

Day Eighteen: Read one chapter of a good book every day.

With the Web’s endless stream of informative, easy-to-skim textual snippets and collaborative written works, people are spending more and more time reading online. Nevertheless, the Web cannot replace the authoritative wisdom from certain classic books that have delivered (or will deliver) profound ideas around the globe for generations. Books open doors, in your mind and in your life. Read an online book list and find a good book to grab at the library today. Then spend the next 30 days reading at least one chapter a day until you reach the end.

Day Nineteen: Every morning, watch or read something that inspires you.

Sometimes all you need is a little pep talk. For the next 30 days, before you eat breakfast, or leave the house, watch a motivational video or read something (quotation, blog post, short story, etc.) that inspires you.

Day Twenty: Do something every day after lunch that makes you laugh.

Watch a funny video clip on YouTube, read your favorite comic strip, or find a good joke online. A good chuckle stimulates the mind and can give you a renewed level on energy. The best time for this laugh is during the lull in the mid-afternoon, when you need it most.

Day Twenty-One: Go alcohol and drug free for 30 days.

This challenge depends on your individual circumstance. If you are a heavy user of alcohol or a particular drug it is not recommended that you quit cold turkey. You need to see a physician and ease off of the substance slowly. But if you are a casual user, quit right now for 30 days.

Day Twenty-Two: Exercise for 30 minutes every day for 30 days.

Your health is your life. Don’t let it go. Eat right, exercise and get an annual physical check-up. Can't get to the gym? Contact me today to find a program you can do at home.

Day Twenty-Three: Get uncomfortable and face a fear every day.

With a strategy of continuous small steps into uncomfortable territory we are often able to sidestep the biggest barrier to positive change: Fear. Sometimes we’re afraid we’ll fail. Sometimes we’re subconsciously afraid we’ll succeed and then we’d have to deal with all the disruption (growth) and change that follows success. And other times it’s our fear of rejection or simply our fear of looking like a fool. The best way to defeat fear is to stare it down. Connect to your fear, feel it in your body, realize it and steadily address it. Greet it by name if you have to: “Welcome, fear.” Fear can be a guiding friend if you learn how to swallow it, and listen to it only when it serves its true purpose of warning you when you are in danger. Spend an hour every day for the next 30 day’s addressing a fear that is holding you back.

Day Twenty-Four: Cook one brand new, healthy recipe every day.

Cooking is fun, challenges your mind, and if done correctly, provides vital nutrients to your body. Win-Win-Win. Prepare one new, healthy recipe every day for the next 30 days.

Day Twenty-Five: Spend 10 minutes every evening reflecting on what went well.

For the next 30 days spend 10 minutes every evening pondering the small successes that occurred during the course of the day. This process of positive reflection will remind you of all the tiny blessings in your life, and help you to celebrate your personal growth.

Day Twenty-Six: Have a conversation every day with someone you rarely speak to.

People are interesting creatures, and no two people are exactly alike. Interacting with different people will open your mind to fascinating ideas and perspectives. So for the next 30 days strike up a conversation daily with someone you rarely speak to, or someone you’ve never met before. Find out what makes them tick.

Day Twenty-Seven: Pay down debt and don’t create any new debt for 30 days.

Live well below your means. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. Sleep on big purchases. Create a budget and savings plan and stick to them. For the next 30 days pay for things in cash and micro-manage every cent you make and spend.

Day Twenty-Eight: Let go of one relationship that constantly hurts you.

Keep people in your life who truly love you, motivate you, encourage you, enhance you, and make you happy. If you know people who do none of these things, let them go and make room for new positive relationships. Over the next 30 days, if relevant to your situation, gradually let go of one person in your life who has been continuously hurting you and holding you back.

Day Twenty-Nine: Publicly forgive someone who deserves another chance.

Sometimes good relationships end abruptly because of big egos and arguments based on isolated incidents. If there’s someone in your life who truly deserves another chance, give it to them. If you need to apologize too, do it. Over the next 30 days give your story together a new chapter.

Day Thirty: Document every day with one photograph and one paragraph.

For 30 days bring a camera with you wherever you go. Do your best to take one photograph that represents a standout experience from each day. Then, before you go to bed each night, write one paragraph in a notebook or journal that highlights your day. If do it all digitally you can unite your daily photograph and paragraph in one digital space (like a personal blog), which can be easily reviewed in the future. Many moons from now these old photos and journal entries will ignite your recollection of interesting memories you would have otherwise forgotten.

As you progress through these challenges remember, personal growth is a slow, steady process. It can’t be rushed. You need to work on it gradually every day. There is ample time for you to be who you want to be in life. Don’t settle for less than what you think you deserve, or less than you know you can be. Despite the struggles you’ll face along the way, never give up on yourself. You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as capable as you have ever imagined.

I would love for you to share with me how you chose to challenge yourself! Hit the contact links to the right of this post! Talk to you soon!

Have a blessed and productive day,

Megan

Shakeology for Beauty and Better Sex?

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:02:00 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook, you know I talk a lot about working out and what healthy superfoods can do for you and while I have thankfully been able to help many reach their goals, the fact is there are a lot of people that health is the last thing on their mind. What is on a lot of people’s mind? Let’s be honest- looks and sex.

I can tell you that there is a strong connection with what you eat on a daily basis and your sexual technique, performance and stamina. If you think about what makes someone great in bed, it’s partly their stamina, energy, taste and smell. It’s no secret that athletes pay close attention to their diets when training so they perform at their peak. If you think about a junk food diet and how it affects your athletic or sexual performance- I’d say you probably sputter out much sooner than you would like. So what can you consume to make you smell better and perform better? Superfoods and you can find many that enhance your sexual performance in Shakeology. Here’s a list of some of the superfoods in Shakeology to increase your sexual prowess:

Maca Root- known as Peruvian Viagra. It heightens the sexual appetite of both men and women as well as increases fertility for both. Not only that, men should experience an increase in testosterone which improves erectile dysfunction and impotency. Maca is a powerful aphrodisiac!

Goji Berries-the Asian sexual fruit that increases testosterone levels, stimulates libido in men and women and improves overall stamina and well being.

Quinoa- once called “the gold of the Incas” for increasing the stamina of Incan warriors.

Reishi Mushroom- helps increase energy and widely used to improve the cardiovascular system. You don’t want to be out of breath do you?

Schisandra- widely known as a longevity herb and aphrodisiac. This little herb also increases stamina.

Chia Seeds- are coined as the Aztec running food. They would eat a handful of these and have enough stamina and endurance to run for a day.

Cacao- a nut used to make chocolate and its one powerful aphrodisiac!

Blueberry- nature’s “little blue pill”.

In addition to Shakeology, I would also recommend adding celery, avocados and bananas into your regular diet.

Avocados- Aztecs call it the “testicle tree”. Avocados increase the libido of men and women as well as increase energy.

Bananas- give a boost to the male libido.

Celery- boosts androsterone which is a hormone released in male perspiration. It doesn’t have an odor just one of those kinds of sweats that puts a spell on a woman.

Now that I have you all excited about performing better, let’s talk about what’s in Shakeology to make you LOOK better. All 70+ ingredients certainly make you feel better, but here is some of what will make you beautiful from the inside out:

Acai Berries- seen as the best anti-aging food out there. The Amazonian Indians call the tree the berries grow on “the tree of life”. The large amount of antioxidants protects your skin from premature aging. The berries also contain high concentrations of Vitamin C and E and both are needed for fabulous, radiant skin.

Acerola Cherry- loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants for healthy skin.

Camu Camu- has more Vitamin C than any other plant in the world. Talk about radiant!

Goji Berries- loaded with antioxidants for anti-aging and helps promote collagen growth to keep your skin plump and youthful.

Grape Seed Extract- improves elasticity of the skin.

Iodine (from kelp) – healthy hair and nails.

Biotin- widely known to benefit hair and skin.

Amaranth- keeps your hair from turning gray!

Bilberry- fights premature aging.

Pantothenic Acid- helps clear breakouts.

There are so many amazing benefits of Shakeology and many other superfoods available at your grocery or health food store. You can’t have one Shakeology or one of these superfoods and look instantly better or perform like a rockstar, but if you make it a regular in your food plan you could radiate beauty and improve the strength, length and quality of your sexual performance. Cheers to Shakeology!

How could I share with you all these amazing benefits and not encourage you to try it yourself! Order your 30-day supply HERE!

Have a blessed and productive day,
Megan

The Secret Behind A Great Person

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:22:00 +0000

A while ago I found a YouTube video of Josh Groban singing Vincent. It’s a beautiful song and the performance was also beautiful. I loved it. But then I got interested in what the song was about.

The song is about a 19th-century Dutch painter named Vincent van Gogh. I’m sure you know about him; he is a famous painter whose paintings are among the most expensive in the world. According to Wikipedia, his top seven paintings alone were sold for over $700 million. Incredible!

Unfortunately, the painter himself didn’t enjoy all the fame and wealth that his paintings generate. He died when he was only 37 years old. At that time only a few people knew his work and even fewer appreciated it.

Moreover, he went through a lot of difficulties in his life. For years he suffered from painful anxiety and frequent bouts of mental illness. He suffered from nightmares, insomnia, and stupor, among others. This is not to mention his financial difficulties. He was only able to sell one painting in his lifetime and needed financial support to make ends meet.

Considering the phenomenal fame of his work later on, it’s tragic. So tragic, in fact, that it inspired the song Vincent to be written.

But I found something interesting: despite all the difficulties in his life, he still managed to create a lot of great paintings. How could that be? What was it that made it possible?

The answer is that he had a strong supporter, his younger brother Theo.

Unlike his older brother, Theo van Gogh isn’t famous. Only a few people know about him. But he was the person behind Vincent van Gogh who allowed the latter to produce many great works.
Theo was a constant supporter of Vincent throughout all his difficulties. He supported Vincent financially, but more important, he supported him emotionally. His letters to Vincent were full of praise and encouragement. He continued to believe in his brother no matter what. I think it’s safe to say that Vincent was able to become the great artist he was because of this constant and unfailing support from his brother.

There is an important lesson here: never underestimate the value of a supporter. No matter how strong you think you are, you need a supporter who believes in you. Life isn’t always nice. There are always tough times. Having someone who believes in you through all the troughs makes a lot of difference.

If you have such a supporter now, be grateful for them. Don’t take them for granted. You might not realize it, but much of what you achieve now is most likely because of your supporters. They are the ones who lift you up when you are down.

But then you must also do your part: be a constant supporter for someone else. Believe in what he or she does and give your unfailing support. Be a “Theo” for your “Vincent.” You never know how far things could go.

A Prayer for Forgiving Oneself

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Gracious God, my heart is heavy with my own failures. I try to excuse them and explain to myself why they occurred, because I want to be free from the feeling that I am unworthy and incapable of being all that I can be. But I find it easier to accept your forgiveness than to forgive myself. When I try to forgive myself, it seems I only remember and re-play my failures in my mind, and a sense of hopelessness floods over me. Help me to know that my past actions are a part of my growing humanity and that even when I fail to live up to what is your will for me, every single moment can be lived anew. Remind me that refusing to forgive myself only keeps me from experiencing that newness. Assure me of the truth that by casting “my sins into the depth of the sea” (Micah 7:19b), you have freed me to discard them myself and live the next moment as if it were my first—for indeed it is. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.

52 Healthy Meals in 12 Minutes or Less!

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Being hungry sucks (it’s a scientific fact). So why spend hours cooking a gourmet feast when a nutritious and delicious meal could be only 12 minutes away?! Skip the grumbling tummy and cranky kids (or guests) and serve up any one of these 52 satisfying meals.

Breakfast:

1. PB & H Waffle
Toast 1 whole-grain waffle and smear with 1 tbsp. natural peanut butter. Drizzle with 1 tsp. honey and sprinkle with 1 tsp. sesame seeds.

2. Cold Pizza
Nope, not the takeout kind! Toast 1 slice whole-grain bread and top with 2 tbsp. ricotta, 1 large basil leaf, 2 tomato slices, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt and pepper.

3. Eggs in a Muffin
Heat a pan with a spritz of cooking spray over medium heat. Season 1 egg with salt and pepper, scramble, and cook to desired consistency (no more than five minutes). Top egg with 1 slice cheddar cheese and allow cheese to melt. Pile egg and cheese on 1 toasted whole-wheat English muffin and add 1 slice cooked Canadian bacon. (Use half the muffin and eat it open-faced to save a few calories!)

4. Canadian Waffles
Toast 1 whole-wheat waffle and top with 1 slice cooked Canadian bacon, 1 over-easy egg (prepared with cooking spray), and a 1 to 2 tsp. drizzle of maple syrup.

5. Cereal A-Go-Go
Swap out the milk in a bowl of cereal for 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt flavored with 1/8 tsp. lemon zest and 1 tsp. honey. Add ½ cup bran flakes and some extra flavor with ¼ cup fresh berries or 1 tbsp. sliced almonds.

6. Breakfast Taco
In a pan spritzed with cooking spray over medium-high heat, scramble 3 egg whites, a small handful of spinach leaves, and 1 tbsp. drained and rinsed black beans. Season with salt and pepper. Wrap mixture in an 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla and top with 1 tbsp. salsa.

7. Chocolate-Banana Shake
Blend together 1 packet chocolate breakfast powder (like Carnation Breakfast Essentials), 1 cup milk of choice, and ½ frozen banana. Optional: Add a scoop of protein powder for improved muscle recovery.

8. Oatmeal in an Instant
Skip pre-made packets in favor of this homemade version. Combine ½ cup rolled oats, 1 cup milk or water, and a pinch of salt, and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir in toppings of choice, like 1 tsp. maple syrup, 2 tbsp. sliced almonds, or ¼ cup dried fruit.

9. Broiled Grapefruit
Preheat broiler and halve 1 chilled grapefruit. Sprinkle each half with ½ tsp. sugar and ¼ tsp. cinnamon. Broil both halves on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Serve with 1 slice of whole-wheat toast spread with 1 tbsp. nut butter for a complete breakfast.

10. Mini Wrap
Top an 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla with 2 slices Canadian bacon, ½ sliced apple, and 2 to 3 slices cheddar cheese. Roll up and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until cheese is melted.

11. Vegan Breakfast Scramble
In a frying pan over medium-high heat combine ½ cup tofu (crumbled), a handful of spinach, ¼ cup chopped red peppers, 1/8 cup chopped onion, 1/8 cup chopped vegetarian bacon, and a few dashes of paprika. Sauté until veggies are cooked and tofu is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

12. Nutty ‘Nana
Toast 1 slice whole-grain bread and top with 1 tbsp. crunchy almond butter and ½ a sliced banana.

13. Berry Yogurty Smoothie
Blend together ½ cup frozen strawberries, ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt, 2 tsp. honey, and ¼ cup milk of choice.

14. Sweet n’ Savory Breakfast Pizza
Preheat the broiler (or toaster oven). Microwave 2 slices turkey bacon for 30-60 seconds (or until crisp) and crumble once cooked. Spread 1 tbsp. low-fat ricotta on 1 whole-wheat tortilla. Top with ¼ cup sliced strawberries and/or blueberries and the bacon. Broil 5 minutes or until fruit softens and begins to caramelize.

15. Sun-Dried Tomato Omelet
Coat a pan with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Pour in 3 egg whites mixed with 1 tsp. water and salt and pepper (to taste). When eggs begin to set, top half with 2 tbsp. goat cheese, ½ cup fresh spinach, and 2 tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Fold in half and cook 2 more minutes, or until egg whites are set, veggies are warmed through, and cheese is melted.

16. Frog in a Hole
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Spread 1 slice of whole-grain bread with 1 tsp. butter. Use a cookie or biscuit-cutter to cut a hole in the center of the bread. Place the bread— buttered-side down— in the pan and crack 1 egg into the hole. Cook until egg sets, about 2 to 4 minutes. (Flip half way through for a more well done egg.)

17. Fruit Parfait
Layer together: 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt sweetened with 1 tsp. honey, ½ cup granola, and ½ cup frozen blueberries and strawberries.

18. Breakfast Quickie Cookie
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine ½ cup oats, ¼ cup liquid egg whites, 1 ½ tbsp. brown sugar, 1 ½ tbsp. all-purpose flour, ½ tsp. vanilla extract, ½ tsp. baking powder, 2 tbsp. raisins, and cinnamon to taste. Flatten half the mixture into the bottom of the bowl and microwave for 45 seconds. Pop cookie out of the bowl and repeat with second half of mixture.

19. Pumpkin Muesli
Combine ¼ cup quick-cooking oats and ¼ cup pumpkin puree in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and nuke for 20 seconds. Let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine ½ cup plain nonfat yogurt, 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tsp. lemon zest, and 2 tbsp. sliced almonds in a separate bowl. Stir yogurt mixture into the oat mixture and enjoy. Extra points for adding fresh fruit, too!

Lunch:

20. Green Tortilla Pizza
Preheat the broiler. Spread 2 tbsp. pesto (homemade or store bought) on 1 whole-grain 8-inch tortilla. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp. chopped broccoli florets, a large handful of spinach, 4 sliced baby bella mushrooms, 2 tbsp. chopped onions, and 2 tbsp. part-skim mozzarella. Broil until cheese is lightly browned, about 4 minutes.

21. Taco Salad
For the dressing, combine 2 tbsp. salsa, 1 tbsp. low-fat Greek yogurt, 1 tsp. olive oil, and 1 tsp. chili powder. Serve dressing over a salad with: 2 cups baby spinach, ½ thinly sliced celery stalk, 1 chopped scallion, 1 tbsp. chopped black olives, 2 tbsp. corn, and ¼ cup drained and rinsed black beans. Optional: Add ½ lightly toasted tortilla cut into strips to each salad.

22. Mediterranean Pita
Split open a whole-wheat pita and spread one side with 2 tbsp. hummus. Add 1 large roasted red pepper (sliced), 1 tbsp. crumbled feta, 1 tbsp. black olives, 5 slices cucumber, and a small handful of mixed greens.

23. Niçoise Sandwich
In a bowl, combine 1 6-oz. can tuna, ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup pitted black olives (chopped), and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Split open ¼ whole-wheat baguette (about 4 inches in length) and fill with the tuna mixture and a handful of baby spinach leaves.

24. Roast Beef Roll
Spread 1 oz. light cream cheese and ½ tbsp. horseradish on 1 whole-wheat wrap. Layer on 2 oz. roast beef, 1 oz. sliced cheddar, and a handful of romaine lettuce. Roll up and enjoy.

25. Open-Faced White Bean Sandwich
Mash ¼ can rinsed and drained white beans with 1 tsp. olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toast 1 slice of whole-grain bread and spread with the bean mixture. Top with 1 slice red onion, 5 cucumber slices, and ¼ avocado (sliced).

26. Lighter Chef’s Salad
Tear ¼ head of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Top the lettuce with ½ tomato (sliced), ½ avocado (cut into bite-sized pieces), 2 slices deli turkey, ¼ sliced red onion, 1/8 cup shaved Parmesan, 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

27. Grilled Cheddar n’ Apple
Between 2 slices of whole-grain bread, layer 1 to 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese (from the deli section) and ½ green apple (thinly sliced). Spread one slice of the bread with 1 tsp. deli mustard. Grill in a nonstick pan for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or cook in a panini press until cheese is melted.

28. Hawaiian Wrap
Combine ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar, and ½ tsp. caraway seeds in a small bowl. Toss together ¼ cup pineapple (diced), ½ carrot (shredded), 2 slices of deli ham (chopped), and ¼ head Napa cabbage (thinly sliced). Dress vegetables with the yogurt mixture and roll up in a whole-wheat wrap.

29. Souper Spicy Soup
In a medium saucepan, combine ¾ cup vegetable broth, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and ½ tbsp. olive oil. When it reaches a boil, stir in 1/8 cup uncooked couscous, ¼ cup broccoli, and ¼ cup cauliflower (both chopped into small florets). Cook until tender. Optional: Serve topped with 1 oil-packed sun-dried tomato (chopped) and 1 scallion (thinly sliced).

30. Quinoa Salad
Microwave ½ cup quinoa (rinsed) and 1 cup water for 5 minutes at full power. Reduce to 70 percent power and microwave another 5 minutes. Fluff and stir in: 1 tbsp. chopped walnuts, ¼ cup rinsed and drained chick peas, 1 tbsp. chopped parsley, 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Optional: Add ½ can tuna for a meatier meal.

31. Loaded Sweet Potato
Prick 1 sweet potato with a fork 4 to 5 times. Microwave on a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate for 4 to 5 minutes. Split open lengthwise and top with 2 tbsp. nonfat Greek yogurt, 1 tsp. honey, 2 tbsp. drained and rinsed black beans, and a pinch of paprika.

32. Black Bean Wrap
On 1 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla, mash ¼ cup drained and rinsed black beans with a fork. Sprinkle with a pinch of cumin, a pinch of paprika, and 1 tbsp. cheddar cheese. Roll up and microwave for 30 seconds. Serve with 2 tbsp. salsa.

33. Low-Carb Roll-Up
On a plate, layer 1 slice low-sodium deli turkey and 1 slice provolone cheese. Spread the cheese with 1 tsp. pesto (homemade or store bought!) and top with 2 slices avocado. Roll up the turkey and repeat 2 more times.

34. Fancy Fig Sandwich
Mix together 2 slices goat cheese, ½ tsp. honey and a pinch lemon zest. Spread the mixture between 2 slices whole-grain bread. Add 2 tsp. fig preserves and 1 tsp. thinly sliced basil. Grill the sandwich in a pan for 2 to 3 minutes per side or prepare in a panini press until warmed through.

35. Mango Quesadillas
Spread 1 8-inch, whole-wheat tortilla with 1/8 cup mango chutney. Add 2 slices deli ham, 1/8 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese, and 1 tbsp. scallion (chopped). Fold in half and grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Cut into quarters and serve.

36. Curried Chicken Salad
Combine 2 tbsp. nonfat plain Greek yogurt and ¼ tbsp. curry powder. Add ½ cup roasted chicken (diced), 1/8 cup red onion (diced), ¼ cup grapes (halved), and 1 tbsp. cilantro (chopped). Serve atop a large handful mixed greens.

Dinner:

37. Springtime Stir-Fry
Combine 5 asparagus spears (quartered lengthwise), ½ cup snow peas, ½ cup broccoli florets, and ¼ cup fava beans (shelled) in a pan coated with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Cook for 4 minutes. Instead of using pre-made sauce, heat 2 tbsp. canola oil with ½ tsp. grated ginger and 1 scallion (chopped), and toss with cooking veggies. Cook for an additional 3 minutes or until veggies are softened but still crisp inside. Optional: Serve with rice (like Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice, which cooks in approximately 90 seconds).

38. Kale and Cauliflower Pasta
Bring a small pot of water (with a lid on it) to a boil (about 4 to 5 minutes). Add 1 serving angel hair pasta (a small handful) and ¾ cup cauliflower florets. After 3 minutes, fish out the cauliflower and add to a trying pan over medium-high heat with ½ tbsp. olive oil, ½ shallot (chopped), 1 clove garlic (minced), and a handful of kale (stems removed and roughly torn). Cover and cook 4 minutes. Add cooked pasta, 1 tbsp. grated Parmesan, and ¼ cup reserved cooking water and toss to combine.

39. Honey Soy Salmon
Preheat the broiler and combine ½ tbsp. honey with ½ tsp. soy sauce. Season 1 5-oz. salmon filet with salt and pepper and broil for five minutes. Drizzle with honey-soy sauce and broil an additional 2-5 minutes. Serve with microwaveable rice.

40. Superfood Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Prepare 1 serving angel hair pasta according to package instructions, about 10 minutes (including the time it takes to boil the water). Heat ½ tbsp. olive oil in a frying pan and cook ½ lb. peeled and de-veined shrimp seasoned with a pinch of salt for 3 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat. Remove shrimp and add 1 tbsp. olives (chopped), 1 tbsp. parsley (chopped), and 1 clove garlic (minced). Cook 1 minute and add 1 cup fresh baby spinach, ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup chicken broth, and 1/8 cup white wine. Cover and cook 3 minutes. Stir in shrimp and serve with pasta.

41. From-Scratch Fish Sticks
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice 1 6-oz. cod filet into 6 strips. Season with 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar, 1/8 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. paprika. Bread each by dipping into 1 egg (scrambled) and then ½ cup seasoned whole-wheat breadcrumbs. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet, spritz fish strips with cooking spray, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until opaque throughout. Serve with a green salad (2 handfuls of spinach or mixed greens with a spritz of oil and vinegar) for a healthy dose of veggies!

42. Asparagus and Orzo Pasta
Preheat the broiler and bring a small pot of water (with a lid) to a boil (about 5 minutes). Add ¼ lb. asparagus (cut into 3-inch pieces) and ½ cup orzo to the pot. After 3 minutes, remove only the asparagus and continue cooking orzo according to package instructions (usually about 6 minutes). While orzo cooks, season 5 oz. salmon filet with salt and pepper and broil for 5 minutes, or until opaque throughout. Meanwhile, whisk together ½ oz. crumbled feta, ¼ tbsp. chopped dill, ½ tbsp. lemon juice, ½ tsp. olive oil, and pepper to taste. Flake the fish and toss together all ingredients.

43. Spicy Veggies
In a large skillet, combine ¼ can drained and rinsed black beans, ¼ can drained diced tomatoes, ½ zucchini (diced), and ¼ cup okra (diced). Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through, and stir in hot sauce of choice and salt to taste.

44. Veggie Fried Rice
Prep 1 serving of instant rice (about ¾ cup) according to package instructions, approximately 90 seconds. Sauté cooked rice with ¼ zucchini (diced), ¼ cup cherry tomatoes (halved), and ¼ can drained and rinsed black beans. Add 1/8 cup vegetable broth and cook 5 to 7 minutes. Push the veggies and rice to outer edges of pan and scramble 1 egg in the center of the pan until cooked, about 3 minutes. Serve the fried rice topped with egg and ½ tbsp. shredded cheddar cheese.

45. Creamy Avocado Pasta
Cook 1 serving angel hair pasta according to package instructions, about 12 minutes (including boiling time!). Meanwhile, combine the juice from ½ a lemon, 1 garlic clove, 1 tbsp. olive oil, ½ of an avocado and 1/8 cup basil in a food processor and puree. Toss together pasta and sauce and season with salt to taste.

46. Tuna Pasta Salad
Cook 1 serving corkscrew pasta according to package instructions, about 12 minutes. In a bowl, combine ½ tbsp. balsamic vinegar, ½ tbsp. olive oil, and 1/8 tsp. celery salt. Stir in ½ can flaked white tuna, 1 chopped scallion, and ¼ cup halved grape tomatoes. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and toss with the tuna mixture.

47. Couscous with Chicken Sausage Ragu
Cook 1 serving couscous according to microwave instructions, about 7 to 10 minutes. While couscous is cooking, heat ½ tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat. Slice open 1 uncooked chicken sausage to remove the casing, and add meat to the pan. Add ¼ cup onion (chopped) and sauté, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon. When the meat is no longer pink (about 4 to 5 minutes), add 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1 garlic clove (minced), 1/8 cup basil leaves (chopped), and salt and pepper to taste. Cook about 2 minutes to warm through and toss with couscous.

48. Portobello Burgers
Preheat a grill or grill pan. Whisk together 1 clove garlic (minced), ½ tbsp. balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp. olive oil, and ½ tsp. fresh basil (finely chopped). Drizzle half the sauce over 1 Portobello mushroom cap. Grill the mushroom for 3 to 4 minutes per side, covered. Meanwhile, combine the remaining sauce with ½ tbsp. light mayo and spread on 1 whole-wheat bun (lightly toasted). Place the mushroom cap, 1 tomato slice, and 1 lettuce leaf on the bun.

49. Tropical Scallops
Prepare 1 serving instant brown rice according to package instructions, approximately 90 seconds. Stir together ½ cup mango (chopped), ½ small cucumber (peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces), ¼ tbsp. grated ginger, 1 tsp. lime juice, ½ tbsp. olive oil, and 1 tbsp. cilantro (chopped). Meanwhile, heat 1/2 tbsp. olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Season ½ lb. sea scallops with salt and pepper, and sear for 2 minutes per side or until lightly browned and cooked through. Serve scallops with rice and mango salsa.

50. Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry
Heat 1 tbsp. canola oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper and ¼ onion (sliced) and cook for 4 minutes. Add ½ a red bell pepper (sliced), ½ cup zucchini and squash (thinly sliced), and ¼ cup corn kernels and cook for 5 minutes. Add ¼ lb. shelled and de-veined shrimp and cook an additional 3 minutes, or until shrimp are pink in color and opaque.

51. Turkey Frittata
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small ovenproof pan, heat ½ tbsp. olive oil over high heat. Add ¼ lb. ground turkey, ½ tsp. curry powder, and 1/8 cup grated onion and cook until the turkey is no longer pink, about 3 to 4 minutes. Meanwhile, beat together 2 eggs, 1/8 cup milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the egg mixture to the pan, lower the heat to medium-high, and cook 2 minutes or until eggs begin to set. Transfer to the oven and cook until the eggs set, about 5 minutes.

52. Southern Breakfast (for Dinner)
Recreate this southern favorite in half the time. Combine ½ tbsp. lemon juice, a dash of Tobasco sauce, and ¼ lb. peeled and deveined shrimp. Heat ½ tbsp. olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add 1/8 cup chopped onion, 1 tbsp. green bell pepper (diced), and 1 clove garlic (minced). Cook 5 minutes and then add shrimp mixture, 1 scallion (chopped), and 1/8 cup low-sodium chicken broth and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare ½ cup quick-cooking grits according to package instructions and stir in 1 tsp. butter and a pinch of salt (less than 5 minutes in the microwave). Serve with shrimp.

What are your favorite ways to speed up recipes? Tell me in the comments below!

Have a blessed and productive day,
Megan

Thought For Today

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 12:09:00 +0000

Have a blessed and productive day,

Megan

Incidentally, What IS Happiness?

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

-Denis Waitley

Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:19:00 +0000

What's holding you back? Why aren't you meeting your potential? Is it that you care what people think about you? Are you terrified that they'll find out the truth?

What is the truth? The is you're scared that people will discover that you're fallible and they'll judge you!

Well, here's the big news. We're all fallible. We all make mistakes but so what, who really cares what you other people think? It's so much more important to care about what you think of yourself.

How you feel about yourself or how you see yourself affects the way you act and the way you act is a major factor in the way other people perceive you (not that we care!).

Confident people carry themselves in a different way than others. They earn respect. They command attention. They attract success. And there's no reason for you not to be confident. You need to understand what a brilliant individual you are and that there's no one in the world who can bring to the party your own unique qualities and gifts.

You need to change the way you think about yourself, change the way you talk to yourself, and you'll start to see a positive change change in the way you feel. Best of all, your actions will fall in line with the way you feel.

Have a blessed and productive day,
Megan

4th of July Fitness Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:46:00 +0000

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, READERS!

Take a break from your regular exercise routine, and celebrate America's birthday with six sweet moves.

They will have you feeling patriotic in no time! ;)

March To Your Own Beat
Head on over to the stairs in your home, or if you want some sunshine, head on over to your local park. Run up them, and try to lift your knees as high as you can. Then run back down. Do as many reps as you need to get your lungs pumping. Need a goal to reach? Try 20 reps!

Cookout Curls
Having a cookout to celebrate? Well chances are, Mom's got some baked bean cans layin' around to go with those burgers and hot dogs later. Sneak into the kitchen and borrow two cans of the same size. Hold one in each hand down at your sides. Lift your right hand up to your right shoulder, and as you go, turn it so that your palm (with the can in it) is facing up. Then lower it slowly back down to the starting position, rotating your hand so that your palm faces your leg again. Next, do the same motions with your left hand. Repeat the entire series twenty six times.

Pushup to Pledge Allegiance
Lay down on your right side. Cross your right arm over your chest, and rest it on your heart like you're pledging to the flag. Then put your left hand flat on the ground near your right elbow. Straighten your left elbow'till your body is off the ground from the waist up. Hold there for 2 seconds, and then slowly lower yourself back down. That's one. Do 26 reps, and then switch everything to your other side for 26 reps to work your right arm, as well.

Parade Practice
Stand up straight, and then pretend you're sitting down in your lawn chair street-side to watch the Independence Day parade. Without actually using a chair, bend your knees and stick your "bum bum" out. For balance, put your hands straight out in front of you, like you're waving to your little one on the Boy Scouts' float. If you look down, your knees shouldn't be farther forward than the tips of your toes. (If they are, you aren't sticking that booty out far enough.) Then straighten up, and repeat the exercise 25 times.

Uncle Sam's Favorite
Jumping Jacks work for army men, so why not us ladies, too? Here's a recap on the proper form: Stand up straight with your legs together. Then jump your legs out a little wider than shoulder width, and at the same time, raise your arms out to the sides and above your head in one movement. Jump your legs back together and bring your arms down to complete the exercise. Instead of counting each jump, set your timer and see how many you can do in one minute. Too easy? Time yourself for 2 minutes, and rotate your body ninety-degrees every thirty seconds for a different view.

Stars, Stripes, and Stability
Lay down on your stomach with your arms straight out in front of you. Lift your chest, arms, and legs off the floor simultaneously, so that your body forms an arc. Hold there for about 5 seconds, and then raise your right arm and your left leg as high as you comfortably can. Stay in that position for thirty seconds, and then switch so that your opposite arm and leg are raised higher for thirty seconds. Lower all your limbs back to the floor after that minute.

Was that fun, or what?! I know that started my day out right! Thanks for spending your morning with me!

Have a blessed and productive day,
Megan

What Motivates ME

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:32:00 +0000

What motivates me? What keeps me going, what makes me focus on my passion, what makes me strive for more? To be more? What keeps me from the soul crushing routine to day to day life? What makes me want to learn about new things, or try new things?

Is it self-respect? Is it adrenalin? Is it the need to show other people? Is it a narcissistic desire to be the best, ever, at everything? Or is it because it brings me inner peace?

With my role as a mother, my motivation has been a deep desire to show my children the beauty in this world. Since shifting my parenting focus from how I don’t want them to have the same childhood that I did to how I can guide them to living a meaningful life, I’ve noticed the fires of my passion have been ignited, so to speak. I’m not sure if it’s just being a mother, but I find myself obsessed over learning how to always be BETTER. My children growing up tell a story and make everything I went through worth it and that is what fuels me and motivates me to keep going.

With writing, I have this deep need to share my story. Perhaps it stems from the lesson and power of story sharing that I learned while helping teens who live like I have. I was speaking in front of rooms of 50 to 150 people, sharing my very personal story of overcoming abuse, depression, and fear. I felt validated, loved, accepted, and supported by everyone in the room. People would come up to me afterwards and thank me for sharing my story with them.

Maybe it comes down to that. Feeling validated, loved, accepted, and supported. It’s something we all need. In helping people not feel so alone, perhaps it helps them feel a bit more validated, loved, accepted and supported.

Some of us live so much in our heads that we rarely think we’re the only ones who feel a certain way when in reality, if you feel that way, chances are someone else does, too.

Thank you for spending your morning with me!

Have a blessed and productive day,
Megan

Importance of Motivation

noreply@blogger.com (Megan Gonzalez) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:17:00 +0000

What is the importance of motivation? When you look around there's plenty of books, seminars and resources on motivation. But how important is motivation, really?

Usually, people who are interested in motivation are either parents or employers. The reason for their interest is pretty obvious. However when it comes to motivating themselves, many people never seriously consider on that aspect of their life.

I think it's fair to say that self motivation is pretty underrated and neglected by people. Many are just too busy dealing with life that they never spare any time thinking about motivating themselves. It's not just, that some people strongly believe that they do not need any motivation.

For them it's like, "Of course I'm motivated. Who doesn't want to be successful? Who doesn't want to be financially, emotionally and spiritually rich?"

Well of course everyone wants success. However, we must remember that talking about desiring success is one thing, but being motivated enough to commit oneself to ensure is another thing. The difference is in the degree of motivation you have.

Here's the thing, the question isn't whether you are motivated or not.

The question is whether you are motivated enough or not.

I am hoping you realize that the importance of motivation is CLEAR. Motivation is the one thing that keeps us going when the going gets tough. When we feel like giving up, when we feel lazy, when we feel frustrated, it is motivation that pulls us through. Without motivation great things cannot be achieved.

May Mornings with Megan be another resource for you to get the daily motivation you need, we all need. Thank you joining me this morning! See you tomorrow!

Have a blessed and productive day,

Megan