Before I begin, know that I fully recognize that it’s May.  

I selected my word of the year way back in December of 2023.  After letting it marinade for a few days, I spent an hour looking for the perfect bracelet on Etsy that would display its letters each and every day.  I also knew that beaded circle would remind me every day to lean into the word.

Something happened though.  I wasn’t proud of my word.  I didn’t feel like I WAS embodying my word.  To make matters worse, I went on a trip to Hawaii in February and that same bracelet I mentioned tarnished in the ocean.  Was that a sign that I had chosen the wrong word?

Two months, one replacement bracelet, and what feels like a lifetime later, I am finally sharing my word.  It’s STRONG, and so am I.

2023 was truly the year of the woman.  Whether Beyonce, Barbie, or Taylor Swift, women were everywhere.  They were speaking (and singing!) their truth, they were saving the economy, and the women of the world were CELEBRATING them.  I also saw the same in my life.  My girl gang achieved great things, we supported one another, and we continued to thrive.  I truly hope the young women of the world saw all of this happening too.  That they saw the possibility of achieving ANYTHING they want in this life as they saw their sisters conquering it all.

In light of all of this and because it’s VERY MUCH TIME, I knew that 2024 was a year that I wanted to stand in my power.

I wanted to be proud of what I have accomplished. I wanted to celebrate in this life I live.  I wanted to feel strong.  And just like that, strong became my word of the year.

DEFINING STRONG

Once I solidified my choice of words, it was time to validate its meaning by checking out the formal definitions.

Strong (adj):

1. having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
2. able to perform a specified action well and powerfully.
3. exerting great force.
4. possessing skills and qualities that create a likelihood of success.
5. able to withstand great force or pressure.
6. not easily disturbed, upset, or affected.
7. (of something seen or heard) not soft or muted; clear or prominent.

Strength (noun):

1. the quality or state of being physically strong.
2. the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.

These definitions confirm my intentions for 2024, and now to connect the dots with what I have in mind for the next 7 months of the year.

Acknowledge my Strengths

2024 is an 8 year in Numerology, and the number 8 in the Tarot is associated with the Strength card. My soul number in numerology (based on my date of birth) is also an 8.

With all of these 8s and mighty lions coming together in 2024, I don’t think there’s every been a year that is more associated with me and my strength than this one.

Remember I Can Do Hard Things

Also in the spirit of being strong, I’ll share that I’ve recently accepted a new job with a new company.  I am walking away from an incredible organization where I’ve spent the past 4 years and leaping into a ground-breaking startup that’s about to take the healthcare industry by storm.  To be honest and even though I am invigorated by the possibility of this new opportunity, walking away from what I know is incredibly hard.  The people that I support and that support me are hands down some of the best people I’ve ever worked with.

But it’s time to go.  I know this for sure, deep down in my soul.

A little over a month ago (taking the advice of a dear friend), I told the universe I was ready for something new.  Exhausted, I asked for it to be easy and to be more amazing than I could ever imagine.  I half-believed that anything would happen, but felt peace that I had put it out into the uni that I was ready and open.  It felt like I had written a letter directly from my heart and sent it out into the world.

Like clockwork, something new flew in to introduce itself and within 5 weeks, I had accepted a position and an offer that far exceeded my expectations.  The interview process allowed me to meet so much of the team, and in that same easy way, I just showed up.  I didn’t pretend to be anyone I wasn’t, I didn’t overly prepare myself.  I just shared who I am and how I lead, and it was an authentic match.  I just know we’re going to do amazing things together and, honestly, we’re going to change the world.

Saying goodbye to my current team still feels incredibly hard, and as my last day approaches, I know there will be tears, even if they are happy ones.  I’ve compartmentalized the emotion I feel as this transition takes place.  There are tears because it mattered, because all the very best things in life matter.  I also know this new opportunity is absolutely happening FOR me and that I can do hard things.

There is Strength in Numbers

I saw something on LinkedIn today from Susan David, PhD.  She shared a short video talking about emotional agility.  David used a tunnel analogy to describe how people overcome burnout.  She vividly compares burnout to navigating a dark tunnel trying to get to the light.  David alternatively says that struggling your way to light is not your only choice; instead, offering that you have the options that include leaning on the wall of the tunnel and also asking others for help.

Asking for help.  It’s not my first instinct.  As a wildly independent, DIY kind of gal, I have a great circle of folks willing and able to help.  If given the choice between burning out and asking for help, I know which one I need to use this time around and that I’ve strengthened my voice to ask for help when I need it.

Keep in mind, I need nothing in particular right now.  Maybe someone to spread some mulch in the yard, but that’s more cosmetic than anything else.

Plant Strong Roots

Perhaps a little bit of a stretch, I’m dreaming of becoming a cut flower farmer and those flowers require some strong roots!

Every summer, I spend time traveling to local flower farms to collect bouquets of gorgeous farm grown flowers.  Toward the end of the season last year and after a chat with one of the growers, I decided I might try my hand at growing my own cut flowers.  The “cut flower” distinction indicates that flowers that you can cut and put in vases.  Isn’t that the most lovely thought?  That you could walk into your yard and cut flowers and place them in a vase?  That’s what I’m hoping to do this year!

To be clear, my “flower farm” will be small.  I only have so much space to plant, but I’ve been devouring everything I can find on cut flower gardening and recognize it can be as big or small as you want it to be.  I’ve gotten to know my growing zone (5b) and learned which seeds produce the very best flowers for my area.  My TikTok feed is about 80% flowertok (10% SwiftTok, 10% OregonTok).  I never get tired of learning about how to do things and now that it’s nearly the end of our frost season, it’s go time.

This page may eventually convert to a flower page if when anything everything grows and blooms in a few months.  Stay tuned.

Lean into my Superpowers

When I think of my superpowers, I think of those things that are innately and authentically me.  I get lost in being creative. I love public speaking.  I really enjoy motivating people.  My intuition is incredibly strong.

If I’m honest, I don’t spend as much time as I’d like in my superpowers.  The burdens of life and all the shoulds tend to take over, and I often feel like I’m living in a constant state of the Sunday Scaries.

There are always ways to infuse what you love into your life.  Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours, the time is never wasted doing what you love.  That’s exactly what I plan to do this year.

If we are not authentically traveling through this life and doing those things we really love, what are we even doing?  I recognize I have more than enough strength to make all of this happen, and it starts now.

Check out my word(s) of the year for previous years via the links below.

NTTC Word for 2023:  Harmony

NTTC Word for 2022:  Exhale

NTTC Word for 2021: Welcome

NTTC Sub-Word for 2020: Magic

NTTC Word for 2020: Light

NTTC Word for 2019:  Clear

NTTC Word for 2018: Renew/Next

NTTC Word for 2017: Balance

NTTC Word for 2016:  Embrace

NTTC Word for 2015: Energy

My Word for 2024: Strong originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 05/21/2024, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

For a million years (more like 15,) I’ve been listening to a radio show:  The Taylor Strecker Show.

It’s a daily show that originated on SiriusXM and through a series of events became an independently broadcasted show on Patreon.  There’s something interesting that happens when you listen to a daily show.  You get to know them, and you spend at least 9 hours together each week (more than many of my IRL friends!) As a result, you start to feel like you’re friends or as Taylor mentions has become her brand, you become best friends.

Truth, I’ve actually met Tay several years ago pre-pandemic.  My IRL bestie Angela and I saw her perform live in Nashville years ago, and even did a meet and greet.  So fun, and I believe our mutual best friend was equally excited to meet us.

Fast forward several years, life has been a whirlwind – – New jobs (for both Taylor and I), the lifechanging pandemic, and the thousands of other moments that we’ve survived together.  During the pandemic, her show became a lifeline to me.  My days were often the same with uncertainty swirling around, my friends were suddenly busy with their families 24 hours a day; it was a relief to hear that others were trying to thrive, but mostly surviving.  It’s that level of real-life real-talk that keeps me coming back for more.  That and a peek into life in NYC which couldn’t be more different than my suburban Denver life.

Just like real friends, our friendship ebbs and flows.  While I’m not sure it’s the ebbing or the flowing, there’s common ground that we continue to come back to.  Very recently, I’ve noticed something about my friend Taylor.  Something interesting and swoonworthy, she sounds free.  And, I couldn’t be happier for her!

While at very different places in life, Taylor and I share a connection tied to weight struggles.  Ups and downs, I can relate very much to her experience and her discomfort with weight gain.  Society pretends to be open to bodies of all shapes and sizes, but the reality is no one has to judge us for our weight – – we do a great job of this all on our own.

Over the past 6 months, my diet has changed dramatically.  As you likely know if you’re here, Jenny Craig suddenly went out of business, up-ending the trusty program that’s kept me at a steady weight for years.  I went from a very systematic and predictable meal plan, to having to make choices for each and every meal.  Attempting to listen to hunger queues while also admittedly excited for this new process, it’s been a rough several months.  I haven’t quite figured out what the right ratio of intake is.  I also don’t know that a return to Jenny Craig is in my future, but I also know that I’ve reached a point where something has to give.  I’m up about 40 lbs – – that same 40 lbs I tend to gain when life gets hard – – and let me assure, you things don’t get any easier when you add the weight.  I always re-lose it, but if I’m honest, I’m exhausted by the idea of restricting myself again.  More truth: I’ve restricted my eating since the 80s in an effort to force my body into a shape that is socially acceptable.  I’m just tired.

There’s something freeing about just saying that.  I’m tired of being told to work out, to reduce carbs, and to consider bone broth.  None of it sounds appealing, and I just feel weighed down by the entire process.

Enter my friend Taylor:  She is currently on a semiglutide journey.  After years of hearing her struggle and hearing undertones of body image holding her back, there is a levity in her podcast now that we haven’t heard since she was the original almost-hitched bitch.  In her social media posts and through her words, there is a weightlessness she exudes now.  Her smile is full, and her life is as well.  Her adventures are colorful, frequent, and she appears to be living her best life.  To date, I believe she’s lost 25 lbs and she has regained her life.

I am THRILLED for her, and that she has found peace with her body and food.  Truth: I want this for every single person I know to be able to live fully and freely.

I want this for every single person I know, including me.

I don’t know what my next step in this journey will be, but I do appreciate Taylor’s transparency about her journey and the hope she has inspired.  Something’s got to give… I deserve that same freedom, and it’s time I start chasing it again.

The Sound of Freedom originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 10/01/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

To review part one of this adventure with Taylor Swift, click here.

Click here to see all the Instagram highlight videos from Denver Night One.

Mile High Stadium was pink and sparkly from head to toe.  Never had I ever seen so many women in one place, nor so many generations piled into one venue.  Grandmas, Daughters, Sisters, Friends, and Kiddos… the place was packed with Swifties and “the whole place… was dressed to the nines.”

Although the opening acts were performing as we walked into the stadium, the lines were ever-so-plentiful.  From the merch line that wrapped around the building to the lines for the ladies room, this crowd had assembled and was willing to wait (again) for what they wanted – – the first wait being the 8 hours online to get these tickets to start with.

We found our seats and immediately I felt a sense of relief.  We had arrived.  WE MADE IT.  Glistening from our trek, we sat for a moment and then decided to go get some water.  I also wanted to see if there was any bracelet trading underway.

Make the Friendship Bracelets, Take a Moment to Taste It

The past few months have been tricky for me, both personally and professionally.  And, while the Monday-Friday was jam packed, I have been using my weekends to refuel.  One of my favorite ways to refuel is to be crafty, and the friendship bracelet making idea landed at the exact right time.  I had about 10 bracelets that I’d hoped to trade with other Swifties at the concert.  Strangely I didn’t see one single adult trading.  Shoot.  So, I decided to gift them to a bunch of Little Swifties at the show.

I had two standout trades that really made me smile.  I offered a bracelet to a little one in the long bathroom line, and she opened her tiny purple purse to present me with a “Mad Woman” bracelet.  So stinking cute!

In an attempt to offload my extras, I went up to two moms with about five little ones in tow.  They excitedly grabbed every last bracelet I had, and even peeked at what was on my wrist for others they wanted.  My new Mad Woman bracelet found a new home in this moment, but the joy in these little girls’ eyes made it worth it.

R U Ready for It…

The main event started promptly at 8pm, and Taylor took to the stage.  The roar of the crowd was like nothing I’ve ever seen.  The stomping of the feet in the stadium.  The excitement of the couple in front of us.  The feral screams of the girls behind us.  Everyone was ready for it.

Taylor opens the show with the Lover era.  Songs that we’ve all listened to, but have had very little opportunity to see live thanks to Covid.  She belted out her hits with the famous “Lover House” as a backdrop.  While Lover was the first of the 10, each era truly encompasses its own vibe.  1989 was a poppy moment, Fearless had its country flair.  The witchiness of Evermore, the romantic innocence of Speak Now, the boldness of Reputation, and the whimsy that is Folklore.  The show closed out with Midnights, which to me has a maturity to it that shows how she’s grown as an artist.  It was an absolute treat to be on this journey that night and to experience them all again.

They’d say I Hustled.  Put in the Work

What struck me most, and you can see it here.  Look below the screen.  She’s right there.  Tiny.  Just her.  Her tiny frame, bright red lips, and all her songs.  She is a powerhouse.   Can you even imagine being on stage like that?  Can you imagine 73,000 people cheering for you and singing every song you’ve written loudly, word-for-word?  

What an achievement she has made, and what a role model she is for women of all ages.  Because her lyrics are so personal and so poetic, there is a part of me that feels like I know her, like we might have similarities.  Perhaps she’s just a friend I haven’t seen in a long time, and one I’d talked on the phone with when she had her heart broken over and over again.

This is going to sound weird:  But I felt proud of Taylor that night.  Like she’s one of us.  As a fellow fiercely independently and wildly successful (in my own way) woman, I tipped my hat to her on the stage and literally rooted her on for the 3.5 hours she was on stage.

Truth: I know fully that she is well beyond “one of us”, but she has a unique ability of creating an intimate setting (even in a crowd of this size) making you feel like you’re friends.  

Salt Streams Out My Eyes and Into My Ears

Taylor’s songs are full of emotion.  Most are written about being in love and love lost.  Her poetic lyrics tug at your heart strings, and for many of us, she played our favorites that night.  While I loved every bit of this concert, there were a few moments bigger than the whole sky.

• All Too Well (10 Minute Version – Taylor’s Version): Standing alone on stage with a guitar, Taylor belted out this heartbreak anthem.  With the release of her re-record of Red – Taylor’s Version, she released an extended version of her classic song.  Knowing that we all had 10 minutes available, she played every verse of this long song… and the crowd ate up every minute of it, singing along!
• Long Live – Taylor’s Version:  Confession:  I don’t know this song well.  I started listening to Taylor with Reputation, so I missed some of her early work.  Long Live I’ve heard described as a “love letter to her fans,” and that is 100% what it felt like hearing her sing it.  As she intro’ed this song, you could see Taylor swell with emotion talking about how the fans embraced her latest release.  As she played this song, it was epically clear:  Long Live was meant to be played in stadiums, and was one of the standout moments of the night.
• Vigilante Shit: I liked this song when it came out on the Midnights album.  I fell in love with this song when I saw clips of her performance on the Eras tour.  A very Roxie Hart inspired moment, this choreography gives major Chicago vibes.

• Other Noteworthy performances:  Don’t Blame Me (Reputation), Blank Space (1989), Willow (Evermore), and August-Betty (Folklore) – – Loved each and every one of them

Saving this one for last: Taylor has one song that just wrecks me every time I hear it – Marjorie.  The song Marjorie is literally written for her grandmother and they have somehow used her grandmother’s voice in the track.  I’ve heard that Taylor sings this song on the Eras tour as her grandmother always wanted to be a professional singer, but became a mother instead.  Taylor bringing her voice to life during the tour pays homage to that dream.

As if that weren’t emotional enough, the lyrics of the song are incredibly beautiful.  Mentioning she know she didn’t have a ton of time with her, Taylor writes “I would have asked you questions.  I would have asked you how to be. Asked you to write it down for me.  Should have kept every grocery receipt ’cause every scrap of you would be taken from me.”  We all have people in our lives that we would have loved to have had one more moment with.  Serenaded by that huge crowd, it was way more emotional than I could have anticipated.  And, I know that I wasn’t the only one crying in that arena. 

When lyrics have the ability to touch your heart and make you feel, that is true artistic magic.  Taylor Swift is magical in this way.

Slipped Away Like a Moment in Time

As the concert shifted into the last era, Taylor began singing all of our favorites from Midnights.  Midnights is such a mysterious, yet relatable album.  As Lavender Haze began, my heart was sad that this 3.5 hour journey was coming to end (even if my feet were cheering for the relief that would follow.)

When they announced the Eras tour, there was a lot of rumors that maybe this would be Taylor’s last tour.  That she was playing all of her hits as a farewell to her fans.  While I can only imagine the exhaustion of playing shows like this around the world, I also hope that instead of this being the end, this is in fact, just the beginning.

Breathe in, Breathe through, Breathe deep, Breathe out 

Something else happened with this tour:  It gave me something to look forward to.  SOMETHING BIG.  The past two years have been a lot of work.  Settling into my new home, my new job, and more, I’ve definitely been in an all-work and no-play sort of mode for an excessive amount of time.

Going to the Eras tour felt like “the end of a decade, and the start of an age.” While Erin, Pyper, and I got to visit at the concert, I also know that I had so many other friends who were at Denver night 1.  While I didn’t see them, I know that they too had a blast, and that we were all there part of this awesomeness together.  After years that felt so separated, this felt uniquely close and I’m super grateful for that.

Fireworks marked the end of the show, and I know for a fact that those weren’t the only sparks flying.  I felt them inside – – like my world had be reignited in some beautiful way.

Thank you, Taylor, for showing us how BIG DREAMS can come true and for creating such a kind and joyous community for us all to be part of.  I had a marvelous time (ruining everything!)

Until next time… 

 

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That Time I Went to the Eras Tour [Part Two] originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 07/17/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

Do you ever have one of those experiences where you want to remember exactly how you felt?  That’s how I feel about my experience at the Taylor Swift concert this weekend.  Correction:  At the Eras Tour.  Saying it was a concert does not feel like enough to justify the magnitude of the event.

Let’s talk about the details… you might remember that I went to the Reputation tour with my niece 5 years ago at Mile High.  Before that concert (and being the cool aunt that I am), I listened to the Reputation album on repeat at work.. casually in my ears, while others buzzed around me with all sorts of technical talk.  Until then, I had always thought TSwift was for the kids.  Wow, was I ever wrong.

Fast forward five years…

We’ve lived through a pandemic.  I’ve nestled myself completely in my forties, and leaned ever-so-slightly into my late forties.  When news of the upcoming Eras Tour landed, I knew I wanted to go.  I just had to be there.  After all, I’d spent literal months listening to Folklore and Evermore on repeat.  Different from Lover that also came out around that same time, there was a whimsical moodiness of F & E that made me swoon.  Taylor’s first tour in years, I definitely wanted tickets.

I called my friend Erin to see if she wanted to join me, and of course, she said yes.  Find yourself a friend like Erin.  We tend to do events together… and when one of us wants to go, the other is a near-instant yes.  I love our friendship, and that we don’t get together often, but when we do it’s for something spectacular!!  Sidekick aligned, I signed up to be a Verified Fan and hoped for the best.

When I didn’t get a code, that was fine.  When I heard about the Ticketmaster debacle, I decided to buy a pair of tickets my friend Pyper had on hand.  The thought of sitting in a queue all day on the upcoming Friday sounded awful, and I chose the easy route.  As the entire ticketing process fell apart in the days that followed, I’ve never been so relieved about my personal laziness.

And then, we waited.  Tickets were purchased in November for a show in July…. that gives you plenty of time to obsess about what to wear, to plan a staycation downtown around the show, and naturally, to make a million friendship bracelets and send them to your favorite Swifties around the country.

“Two Days” Prior to the Show

I decided to take a day off.  I was exhausted and wanted to be fresh to see my girl TayTay in concert.  After a quick brunch with some out-of-town Swifties, my plan was a full afternoon of beauty in preparation for the next day.

Chipped nails would be resolved, pasty skin would be bronzed, and a makeup tutorial would be had.  The girliest night of the year was 24 hours away…. or so I thought.

Pyper transferred tickets to me on Friday morning.  Having just changed my password to “something more secure”, I naturally locked myself out of the site.  Terrible timing for the day before a concert, and I was thrilled when I got that squared away.  Tickets in hand, I knew a sneaker decision needed to be made and I had the whole afternoon to compare and contrast.

Around 4pm I got a text from Pyper who mentioned that “the train was a scene.”  Weird.  Pyper being quite a bit younger (and more adventurous) than I am, I thought… that’s weird, why would she go downtown if she didn’t have to…. WAIT

AND IN THAT MOMENT, I KNEW.

I pulled up the Ticketmaster app to find a one and a four staring back at me.  One Four.  Fourteen.  My tickets were for July 14th, not July 15th!  

In a full-blown panic, I called Erin about 3 times to let her know about the mix-up.  No answer.  So, I started getting ready.  In order to get downtown (alongside 73K other Swifties on the same journey), I knew I needed to leave within the next hour.  I had no idea how I was going to get there, but I was not missing this event that we had been preparing for the past 8 months!

I added some red lipstick and quickly got dressed for the show.  Without time for a full fashion show, I opted for the skirt and blouse combo I’d found at Target and this butterfly belt I’d picked up that morning.  I left my room in absolute shambles, knowing I would have the whole weekend to deal with it…

Skirt | Top | Belt | Sneakers

Remember earlier when I said we should all be as lucky to have a friend like Erin?  When she learned the news, she quickly got dressed, packed some snacks for the train, and even figured out which train I needed to get on to make it to Union Station to transfer to the line that took me to the concert.

One of the funniest things to happen?  I picked up a work call while I was hurrying up to get ready.  The consultant who called had SO MUCH INFORMATION HE WANTED TO SHARE.  Do you ever have this happen?  When someone calls at the very wrong time, and they absolutely had no idea?  He had so much to say that I literally had to sit down to take notes.  When he wanted to talk in depth about our solution, I had to break the news to him that I had to go to the concert.  Did it stop him from sharing more information?  Absolutely not… hilarious to look back on, and I am definitely calling him tomorrow to apologize.

Meanwhile, I had a concert to get to!!! Actual footage of me running to the train… 

Sweaty, excited to see one another, and ready for the adventure that lied ahead, we connected at Mile High and headed in to find our seats to rock out to Taylor Swift with 73,000 of our new Swifty besties.

To be continued in Part II… click here

That Time I Went to the Eras Tour [Part One] originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 07/16/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

Special thanks to Jenny Craig for their sponsorship of this post.

In honor of the Super Bowl this year, I decided to make a Philly to enjoy.

Knowing the Philadelphia Eagles were playing (and with no plans to watch the game), I let the City of Brotherly Love inspire this tasty dish.  I used the Jenny Craig Turkey and Cheddar Baguette as the foundation, and topped it with some sauteed peppers and onions.  I tend to buy the colored bell peppers because they’re a little sweeter, but any color you enjoy works well!

I also made a video to share related to this recipe.  If you’re someone who enjoys a quick video, click below!

 

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Click here to see a full listing of my Jenny Craig Recipe Creations!

Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Jenny Craig; however, all of the opinions and comments about the program are exclusively my own and do not necessarily represent that of the brand.

Jenny Craig Recipe Creation: Turkey Philly Baguette originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 02/13/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

Special thanks to Jenny Craig for their sponsorship of this post.

Over the past year, I’ve shared a TON of recipe ideas; however, most of them have been on social media – – specifically instagram.

Knowing that I missed sharing many recipes with this blog-reading community and for all those who search the internet for creative ways to spice up their Jenny Craig meals, I am working on populating the backlog of recipes for all of you.

When I was sick late last year, I created this recipe.  I had ordered several of the Chicken and Wild Rice Soups to eat while I was ill.  Somehow, I received the Jenny Craig Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bowl in its place, and decided to get creative.  From this accident became this amazing recipe.

And this one, y’all… it’s so so good.  I actually had it for dinner tonight again and LOVED IT!

This recipe creates a large and flavorful bowl of soup.  One you’ll crave on a cold evening, or when you’re not feeling 100%.  Do let me know what you think as you make it for the first time.

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Print

Jenny Craig Recipe Creation: Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

On a cold winters' night, there's nothing better than this easy-to-make chicken and rice soup.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. Jenny Craig Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bowl
• 2 Tbsp. red onion diced
• 1-2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 roma tomato seeded and diced
• 1 cup fresh spinach packed
• 2 cups chicken broth reduced sodium
• 1-2 Tbsp. salsa (2 recommended)
• 1 Tbsp. cilantro freshly chopped
• cooking spray

Instructions

• Prepare a medium sauce pan with cooking spray. Raise to a low temperature, and add onion and garlic. Salt lightly. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add spinach to sauce pan and cook until wilted.
• Add 2 cups of broth + 2 Tbsp. salsa. Mix well.
• Prepare the Jenny Craig Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bowl per the packaging instructions. Add to the sauce pan along with the fresh cilantro; stir to combine.
• Simmer on low for 5 minutes, and then move to a bowl. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe was created in partnership with Jenny Craig.

Click here to see a full listing of my Jenny Craig Recipe Creations!

Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Jenny Craig; however, all of the opinions and comments about the program are exclusively my own and do not necessarily represent that of the brand.

Jenny Craig Recipe Creation: Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 01/23/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

Special thanks to Jenny Craig for their sponsorship of this post.

Hellooooooo!

It’s been so long since I shared a recipe post.  Last year, y’all… it was JUST SO MUCH.  As I reclaim my life and establish a little harmony, I’m getting creative again in the kitchen and if the first few days are any indication, you are going to want to follow along here for recipes.  I’ve got so many ideas!!!

The first of which is SUPER simple and involves sort of a secret ingredient:  Broccoli Stems.

When I was little, I was hands down the pickiest child.  I remember going to a Chinese restaurant in town – – my family loved Chinese food.  In the beginning, I would bring a happy meal because I had zero interest in Chinese food.  As time progressed, I gradually became interested in chicken and broccoli, made a special way.  I would order it with “no trees, only stem.”  Yep, I asked specifically for the piece that most people threw in the trash and I loved it!

Fast forward to when spiralizers were all the rage, and I was amazed with how delicious the stem was made into noodles.  I’d recommend peeling the stem to remove the spiky parts, before you make them into noodles.  Definitely to give them a try, they’re so so good!

I spotted a thick-stemmed broccoli at Trader Joes, which inspired this dish.  Paired with the Jenny Craig Sesame Chicken Stirfry, it’s just incredible!  Details below… 

And… I even did a sassy instagram reel for this recipe – – I’m on a roll!  Check it out here!

 

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A post shared by K E L L Y | No Thanks to Cake (@nothankstocake)

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Jenny Craig Recipe Creation: Skillet Sesame Chicken with Broccoli Noodles | No Thanks to Cake

This skillet sensation is made even better with the addition of a few ingredients.

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 1 package Jenny Craig Sesame Chicken Stirfry
• 1-2 stems broccoli stems only
• cooking spray
• ½ cup broccoli florets
• 2 Tbsp. sweet onion diced
• red pepper flakes optional
• 2 Tbsp. water

Instructions

• Spiralize your broccoli stem to create broccoli noodles. You'll need about 1 to 1.5 cups of broccoli noodles.
• Prepare a skillet with cooking spray. On low heat, add your broccoli noodles, broccoli, and onion. Salt lightly, and stir. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add 2 Tbsp. water to the pan and cover. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the water evaporates. This allows the veggies to steam.
• Remove the veggies from the heat into a small bowl
• Add the Jenny Craig Skillet meal to the pan and cover. Cook for 3 minutes.
• Remove the cover and stir the dish. Cook an additional 3 minutes.
• Add the vegetables back to the skillet and stir to combine. Sprinkle with a few red pepper flakes, if desired.
• Serve and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe was created in partnership with Jenny Craig.

Click here to see a full listing of my Jenny Craig Recipe Creations!

Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Jenny Craig; however, all of the opinions and comments about the program are exclusively my own and do not necessarily represent that of the brand.

Jenny Craig Recipe Creation: Skillet Sesame Chicken with Broccoli Noodles originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 01/21/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

Back in November, I spotted a word that I considered using as my word of the year.  It seemed strong, and it seemed to show up everywhere.  That word was STORM.  Did it make you gasp too?

There was a bit of fear that choosing STORM would cause more storms to erupt.  Considering the tumultuous 2022 that I just experienced, I was a little leery of calling in more storms in the new year while at the same time, I loved an image of me standing in the wonder woman pose, weathering an intense storm with no fear in my eyes.

In the end, it is highly possible that storm was my sub-word for 2022.  That image will definitely carry me into the new year in a positive fashion feeling stronger and ready for what might come.

If my word wasn’t going to be storm, what in the world was I going to choose?  CHARM came to mind.  And, I liked it… but not enough to make it my word.  In a moment of overwhelm, I thought perhaps BALANCE made sense.  And then it hit me, my word was not balance, instead it was HARMONY.

Oh Harmony, I can’t wait to spend the year with you.  There is a story behind the word choice that dates back several years.  I was talking with my friend Pepsi about work-life balance.  With her typical wisdom, she replied quickly that she stop seeking work-life balance, instead opting for work-life harmony.  There would be moments where she would give more to one area and less to another, but in the end, it all needed to work together.  Harmony.  That’s exactly what I was craving.

DEFINING HARMONY

As I do every year, I’ll share a few ways that I intend to seek Harmony in the year ahead. To get started, let’s see what we’re working with from our friends at Webster.  I’ll also use my creative liberty to claim harmonize as well.

Harmony (noun):

1. the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect.
2. the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole.
3. agreement or concord.

Harmonize (verb):

1. add notes to (a melody) to produce harmony.
2. produce a pleasing visual combination.
3. make consistent or compatible.

Lots to work with here, I’m more convinced than ever that this work is perfect for what I have in mind.

Establish Greater Work-Life Harmony

In 2023, I’ll go from onboarding 5 new team members to onboarding 2.  I also have the benefit of having 4 wildly-talented, tenured employees to lean on for help.  I believe my workload will be different in 2023, and I’m looking forward to it.

I used the word different because managing a seasoned team brings different challenges to the table.  All of the easy questions have been answered, and my role will be to help us level up.  I know that this will allow me to be creative and innovative (which is my favorite).  But I need to be careful…

I am fully aware of the fact that I am a hard worker and also that I will fully immerse in a project.  When you’re looking for work-life harmony, you also need to fuel your personal life too… so there’s reason for the balance to take place.  Whether a supper club, a Tuesday night yoga class, or a new class, I want to find new things to explore and to meet more people in my new town.  I also completely missed Yoga at the Botanic Gardens this year, and I’m hoping to get back there!  Which leads me to my next idea…

Find Harmonious Physical Activities – – and Do Them!

Yoga: I’ve been thinking about joining a yoga studio forever.  Since my favorite studio in Arvada closed (gasp!) and after moving to a new town, I’ve had this weird fear around trying something new.  What if it’s one of those super-strenuous classes?  What if it’s all Lululemon and crop tops?  What if I can’t do the poses?  All of this is possible, but I won’t ever know until I try.  My goal is to find a new studio to practice.

At-Home Options: I also set up a workout space in my basement that I’ve literally never used.  Yep, not once.  I could easily practice yoga in my basement or at least do some stretching.  I just need to roll out my mat and take the next step.

Walking: I do this every day.  Seems normal that I could just put on some shoes and go outside to make this happen.  Adding it to the list.

Bottom line, physical activity is important as we age.  Staying active helps us stay healthy and I know that more active folks live longer and more healthily.  Add me to that list, please!

Establish More Mind-Body-Spirit Harmony

This is a big one that I plan to spend a little more time on.  We all know that the food we eat fuels our body and makes us feel a certain way.  At the same time, the habits we have contribute to our overall well being.  All three have to be operating together to create the most optimal life.  Overextending in one area doesn’t make up for the lack elsewhere.  It’s time to invest in all three.

What if I ate food that made me feel amazing??  What if I spent time doing things that fueled my soul?  What if I moved my body in a way that gave me energy and longevity?  With the help of my friends at Jenny Craig, we’re going to get back to doing what makes me feel best, and it doesn’t end with food.  It’s everything.  More to come on this.

Create a Backyard Oasis

A backyard oasis… doesn’t that sound amazing?  Late last summer, I went through a design process to create a backyard that I loved.  It took some time to get connected to a landscaper, and unfortunately, we finally connected right about the time when the first snow fell in Colorado.

I have big plans to transform my “rectangle of mud” as I affectionately refer to it… into a space where I can lounge, read, dine, and even work.  I can’t wait to get this started, and this project took up big space on my vision board this year.  It’s happening!

Listen to the Ocean Again

My absolute favorite trip of 2021 was a late-in-the-year business trip turned bleisure adventure in Oregon.  I had a chance to drive up and down the coast and fell in LOVE with it.  I plan to go back in 2023, and I’d love to drive north into Cannon Beach and beyond.  It’s incredibly beautiful up there, and I just love the sweet song that accompanies trips to the coast.  I can’t wait to get there.

Of note:  I actually won a giveaway on Instagram for the bed and breakfast I stayed at in December.  It was spectacular, and I cannot wait to go back!  It’s like the starts are aligning!

Listen to More Live Music

I miss live music.  As I’m typing right now, I’m trying to think of the last concert I went to… and I’ve gone completely blank.  It was likely pre-pandemic at this point.  I’ve been to the theater a few times, but I miss the buzz that comes with a good concert.  So far, I’ve got tickets to see Taylor Swift in Denver in July and potential to see P!nk in October.  With an eye on more music in 2023, I can’t wait to see what I’m able to book.

Flow through 2023 with Ease

There is a phrase I use with my team when I want them to simplify things, to avoid overcomplicating things.  “Easy Breezy”, let’s keep it that way.  I can’t think of a more perfect phrase to encompass how I want to live this year.

• Less force, more do.
• Less struggle, more smile.
• Less challenge, more ease.

The word Harmony to me has a fluidity that I just love.  While it’s definitely referencing sound, it resonates with me in liquid state.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  Wishing you the most beautifully harmonious year ahead…

Check out my word(s) of the year for previous years via the links below.

NTTC Word for 2022:  Exhale

NTTC Word for 2021: Welcome

NTTC Sub-Word for 2020: Magic

NTTC Word for 2020: Light

NTTC Word for 2019:  Clear

NTTC Word for 2018: Renew/Next

NTTC Word for 2017: Balance

NTTC Word for 2016:  Embrace

NTTC Word for 2015: Energy

My Word for 2023: HARMONY originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 01/03/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

I’ve been off work for 10 days.

I can’t remember the last time I was not working for 10 days.  Oh wait… the last time I was off this long, I was unemployed and there was a global pandemic raging.  

During this time, I hosted family and watched way too much TV.  I ran errands and hung up some new art.  I shoveled a little snow and worked on a new knitting project I’m excited about.  It was a lovely, lazy holiday and I loved it… mostly.

Despite having this unusually carefree string of days at my disposal, it also gave me time to think about something that had been nagging at me – – that constant wondering of when exactly I was going to reclaim my life again.

That’s a big statement, and I recognize it.  Reclaiming my life sounds like it had been stolen, and in many ways, it felt like it had.  The reality is that I surrendered my life in 2022 to all that was happening around me.

Let’s flip back to this very time last year, I was…

• Selling my home of 13 years within 24 hours of putting it on the market
• Checking in on my new build home in a brand-new community
• Turning 45 which seemed incredibly older than I actually felt
• Beginning a new role, doing something I never had done before
• Leading a brand-new team that I just hired and starting the new year from scratch

That was all in January and it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.  Fast forward to early February, and you’d find me:

• Signing all the papers for my new home
• Writing the biggest check I’d ever written towards its purchase
• Packing, moving, and settling into my new home
• Wading through (what seemed to be) an endless sea of boxes
• Sitting in tears over tiny things, like where to put my nail polish
• Not allowing myself time to unpack and going back to work too early after the move
• Now having 5 new employees (a full team!) and being buried in all that it takes to start up a new team

My word for 2022 was Exhale.  Friends, I couldn’t even catch my breath to take an inhale, let alone an exhale.  It felt like my world was crumbling, while the outside world was just buzzing… coming back to life after being cooped up for two years.  I let my to-do’s gobble me alive.  I lived by my list of things that were outstanding.  I had to figure out things like snow removal… it was all just too much.

This initial 60 days sort of set the tone for the year… me constantly busting my ass to make everything work.

I’d like to say it got better.  I’m sure you’d like to hear the same.  If I’m honest, I mostly adjusted.  I set new boundaries in my life that I have never set before.  I found myself saying things like “I don’t have the energy to talk right now” which in the moment was the truest thing I had said all year.  I luxuriated in my quiet weekends, while grinding Monday through Friday chasing success.  I exhausted myself in a way I have never before, and in a way I don’t think the past 10 days have resolved.

I didn’t write here at NTTC.  I connected with friends when I felt up to it.  I did my best.  I regret nothing.

There’s something freeing about writing that last year was a hard year.  I am not writing this to gain pity or sympathy.  I recognize that many had years much worse than mine.  I’m actually writing about this to release it so that I can move on.  I don’t want this cloud to continue to hang over me.  The shame of not doing enough, not being social enough, not getting birthday cards out on time.  The shame of not being able to do it all.  Doing it all is clearly bullshit, but for some reason, I still hold onto the belief that it’s possible.  

Positive Note:  I had an INCREDIBLE work year.  Like top 2 of my career and best year financially I’ve ever had.  The hard work paid off, and the investment I made in developing my team will pay dividends in 2023.  I love what I do. I believe in what I do.  I’m grateful for what we do.  I haven’t been able to say that about a job in years, and that in itself is a win.

Another Positive Note: I had a few dear friends that came to my rescue again and again.  That swooped in and helped without being asked, who checked in without wanting anything in return.  Y’all are the real heroes of this year, and I literally wouldn’t have made it without you.

The Physical Effects

I’ve noticed in recent weeks the compounding effect of all of this EFFORT I exerted in 2022.  Not only did I take less time for me, but I also wasn’t as caring of myself as I usually am.  My exercise habits are non-existent.  I don’t love to workout, but I have traditionally enjoyed a nice walk.  Since I’ve moved, I’ve not found a new lake to walk around… and I haven’t even tried.

My meals have become increasingly unhealthy as well.  My water intake has decreased.  These two items combined truly contribute to the way my body feels.  My clothes are tight and my weight is up.  A rounder face peers back at me on Zoom.

As I flip the calendar, it’s time to start again. I’ve needed to start again for some time, but I haven’t been able to face it. 

Today, I face it so that I can move forward.  This journey in the year ahead will certainly be far from perfect, and like nothing I could have ever predicted.  In this year ahead though, I’ve got to start by taking EXCELLENT care of myself and that starts today.

Ok, now, Let’s make this a Happy New Year!  Onward… 

Flipping the Calendar and Starting Anew originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 01/02/2023, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.

It’s Me.  Hi… 

Last night, I unboxed a new computer.  Is there anything more decadent?  It likely has a lot to do with how Apple packages their products… and even the way that darn box opens, but it just feels luxurious.  I bought this new MacBook because my old one (a theme) seemed a little tired.  It seemed a little worn.  The battery wears down way too quickly (getting hot at times), and frankly… there is very little memory left.  Wow, if that’s not an analogy for this moment in time, I don’t know what is…

My thought in getting a new laptop was that I’d be inspired to spend a little more time behind it and that I’d return to my little corner on the internet.  The transfer of data completed overnight, and well, friends… I’m here.

It is incredible that nearly a year has gone by since I’ve last written anything on this site.  This was always a page I used to visit to capture my thoughts, my feelings, my successes, my finds… and well, it’s been stuck on my word of the year for a very long time (or perhaps the very exact amount of time I needed.)

EXHALE

I literally could not have picked a better word for myself in 2022.  Exhale.  More than anything in 2022, I needed to exhale.

Perhaps not exactly in that Whitney Houston kind of way… but in a truly needing to BREATHE kind of way.  In a “let the damn dishes pile up; it’s okay” kind of way.  I needed to breathe and wanted to sigh out all of that hot air I’d been holding in.  And that air wasn’t always cool and mint-flavored as it came out, at times it was fiery breath that nearly choked me on the intake.  Whatever came out, it has been an absolute pleasure to let it all go.

To say that 2022 has been a hell of a year would fall short in describing its impact.  I doubled down on some dreams at the beginning of the year and took on more than ever before.  I started a new job, built an entirely new team, sold my home I’d lived in for 13 years, and built another.  And that was all by February.  As the year moved forward, I’ve made this house a home… and I’ve even figured out how to get snow removed and the grass mowed (all new-to-me needs!)  I’ve learned how to live in an entirely new town, while getting to know a few new folks in the area.  I’ve excelled at work and built the most awesome team along the way.  I’ve traveled home to see family and dusted off my frequent traveler card after two years.  It’s been a lot, but the time would have passed anyway.

They say some of the most stressful things you can do is 1) Move  2) Start a new job.  There are a lot of other items that seem more catastrophic… but in my little world, that was enough earthquake for me.  And while I didn’t do it all perfectly, I did the best I could.

I spent Small Business Saturday with a friend, and I mentioned to her I couldn’t believe we hadn’t seen each other in two years.  So wise, she responded to me “We’re all doing the best we can.”  And, that phrase has stuck with me ever since.

We are all challenged with things in our life that seem unbearable or unattainable.  We all are facing things that only we can solve.  We are all carrying much more than humanly possible.  Can’t we just for a moment agree, we’re all doing the best we can?  Even typing that phrase out, I immediately feel better, more relaxed.  I’ve said this at least ten times since she said it.  And every time, it feels like a hug.

So, I’m back writing here for the first time in a million, and if you’re wondering where I’ve been, just know… I’ve been out here doing the best I could and I hope you’ve done the same.

With this shiny new laptop, I’m hoping to be back soon with more updates… but hello for now. 

We’re All Doing the Best We Can originally appeared on No Thanks to Cake on 12/05/2022, which is not permitted to be copied on other sites without written permission from the original author.