Friday, February 29, 2008

Reminder to Get Ready For Oprah's Webcast

Hi Everyone!

You might be aware, that Oprah is conducting a live-webclass starting Monday, March 3rd at 9 pm EST, about Eckhart Tolle's Book "A New Earth".

If you want to participate, sign up on Oprah's website oprah.com. You need to register, as well as download a movie player to be able to see the live webcast.

Buy the book, read her suggestions on studying the book, and join all of us in participating in this great opportunity to be awaken!

I really think, that this book is as powerful as Oprah claims, even if it is complex, and will demand your close attention.

Read it!

Have a wonderful day!

Your Motivational Life Coach

Claudia Blanton
www.create-your-life-dreams.com Call me for a FREE MOTIVATIONAL COACHING SESSION at 813 - 531 - 8379!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

What To Do With All That Chicken-Breast?

Hi Everyone!

Today's home school cooking lesson for my daughter was to use the lean source of protein, chicken breast.
Here is what she created:
Garlic-Infused Ginger-Lemon Chicken breast
Ingredients:

1 whole chicken breast
2 gloves of garlic (we love garlic)
Ginger grated, about 2 teaspoons
a small amount of fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
Serve with:

Brown rice, large serving of mixed tossed salad

First she rinsed the chicken breast and put it into a bowl. To that she added the garlic (squeezed through the garlic press), the ginger, finely grated, a small amount of cilantro, and the lemon juice.








Next she covered it and let it marinate for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile the brown rice, went into the rice cooker.







After the 30 minutes of marinating time, she wrapped the chicken into a foil package and baked it for about 45 minutes.





This simple, but flavorful, and moist chicken put a smile on all our our faces. Try it out!



The cook is getting a hug!

Have a wonderful day!

Your Motivational Life Coach,

Claudia Blanton

http://www.create-your-life-dreams.com/

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

What Does Your Schedule Include?

Hi Everyone!

As you look over your day -to - day schedule, I want you to see, if your schedule includes the following:

1. Meditation
2. Yoga or Tai-Chi
3. Exercise,
4. Time for yourself
5. Time for spirituality

If you have not included any or all of these following items in your schedule, I want you do to the following today:

1. Record all the things you are doing, anything, all of it.
2. Take two highlighters, one use to highlight things you do for yourself, or because you want to do them - the other one highlight the things that you are doing because someone else wants you to do them.
3. Look at the items that someone else want you to do - eliminate 95% of them today!
4. Look at the items that you want to do or feel you have to do as a part of your obligation. See where you can let go off trying to do it perfect, and how you can incorporate some fun.
5. Fill in the left over time, with activities that are in the list above.

Pleasing others by doing what they want you to do, while having no time for yourself, does not only take away from you, but also cripples the person who you are assisting. If you are allowing yourself and others to be responsible only for their own happiness, like they actually are, then both sides will be able to be more productive. You are responsible for yourself. That means that other people are responsible for themselves and their happiness. That is it. Period.

Have a wonderful day!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Life Coach, Fundraiser
813 - 531 - 8379
www.create-your-life-dreams.com

For more information on how to make yourself your priority and how to life and abundant life, contact me for a free initial Life Coaching Session at 813 - 531 - 8379 or via email at claudiablanton@lycos.com

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Does Rushing Serve You?

Hi Everyone!

What does rushing around create for you?

Think about it for a second:

Has rushing around ever made you feel good?
Did it get you anywhere earlier then you thought you should be?
Did you get more done, by cramming more things into a tight schedule, half of it filled with things, you really did not want to do in the first place?

Rushing creates stress, tension, bad mood, and potential for dangerous situations. Therefore we can all agree, that rushing around does not really benefit us, or the people who we are in contact with. The effects on our body and health are obvious, as rushing does not give us a chance to savor our foods, and instead brings us through the drive-through lane of the nearest fast food restaurant.

So what should be do about rushing? Aren't we designed to do so many things in this fast paced society, that we have to rush?

No you do not. I am here to challenge your thinking today about rushing.
Actually you do not get more done, by doing more and faster, because the quality of your work suffers tremendously.
Adding things to your schedule, that you really do not want to do, also does not benefit you.

Here are a few questions I want you to ask yourself before you set your intent for today:

1. Which items on your to-do-list can you get rid off right now, because they are only there to please someone else, and have nothing to do with your purpose or agenda?

2. Do you really get any help from people, when you are rushing them, right along with you?

3. Are your kids more cooperative, if you spent some quality time with them, before you asks them to look after their chores?

4. Can you let go off perfect somewhere in your schedule?

5. Have you thought about what you want to do, really thought about it?


Think about these questions over the next few hours. Over the course of this week, I will be talking more about scheduling, and reduction of rushing, and the effects that relaxing can have not only on your health, but all areas of your life


Have a wonderful day!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Life Coach, Fundraiser
www.create-your-life-dreams.com


For more information on living a healthy, and balanced life, and a free Motivational Life Coaching Session, call me at 813 - 531 - 8379 or contact me via email at claudiablanton@lycos.com .

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Food Reviews Time Again! Yummy!

Hi Everyone!

Here we go again! It is time to try out new foods! I had fun experimenting and revisiting old favorites. I hope you will be enjoying this little trip to the grocery store, right along with me!

Keep in mind that the food products featured on this blog have to fall under one or more of the following categories:

1. Indicate that their healthy on their package
2. Are a whole grain product
3. Is an organic product.

Here we go:


  1. All Bran Multigrain Crackers from Kelloggs. 5. Stars! Okay the packaging is not the greatest, looks more like a not to great cereal package, but do not let yourself get sidetracked by that, and go for the stuff inside! It is great! With a slight sweet aftertaste these crackers are a little treasure. And with 5 grams of fiber per serving, you can not beat that snack
  2. "Clearly Organic" Organic Black Beans 15 oz can. 5 Starts! Beans are a must in a healthy kitchen and these canned black beans make it easy to add nutrition to any meal. Do not forget to rinse, though, even if they are already low in sodium (85 mg = 4 %)
  3. Tropicana No Pulp Calcium Orange Juice 5 Stars! You already know that we should have more calcium in our diet, so there is a chance for a great, sweet, tasty way to bring more of that good stuff into your life.
  4. Goldfish Whole Grain Crackers from Pepperidge Farm 4 Stars! Not quite as cheesy as the regular variety but still satisfying! Worth the switch!

Now it is your turn to be adventurous!

Have a wonderful day!

Claudia Blanton

http://www.create-your-life-dreams.com/

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Examples of Visionboards

Hi Everyone!

A visionboard, as explained in the movie "The Secret", does not have to fall under the same format in every case.

Here is a vision-scrapbook, that I have created:



Another example of a variety to the vision board, is using the surfaces of your home, such as a door, or a wall:






The more traditional used vision board, can be as individual and diverse, as you are:




Visionboards, in whichever form you choose to use, are a great tool, which are fun to make, and can involve the whole family! Be creative! Have fun! Set goals!


Have a wonderful day!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Life Coach






Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Mindset of Wellness

Hi Everyone!

"All of the biology - every bit of it - is following the mind. Every bit of it, EVERY bit of it.

So the wellness that is being allowed, or the wellness that is being denied, is all about the mindset, the mood, the attitude, the practiced thought. There is no exceptions, in any human or beast, that you'll ever discover. It's ALL that. Treating the body really is about treating the mind. Because you have discovered you can patch them up again, and again, and they will just find another way of reverting back to the natural rhythm of their mind, you see.

It is all psychosomatic - every bit of it - no exceptions."

Abraham-Hicks

What does that mean fro healthy, balanced living?

It means that:

1. Until you are dealing with the emotional reasons for overeating, you will not stop with unhealthy behaviors.

2. While dealing with the current symptoms - which can include trips to the doctor, the nutritionist or an expert in the field of weight management, you have to reconnect with you, the core of you, so you will be able to detach unhealthy behavior associated with food or exercise.

3. Raising your self-esteem, and your feeling of self-worth has to become an integrated part of becoming overall balanced. That means improving self-talk, arriving at a place of an positive outlook, and the control of your emotions through deliberate thinking, affirmations and meditation.


Weight loss, health improvement and achieving a successful life, has to become an integrated part of each-other, in order to be at a place, where you are comfortable with whom you are, in your day to day existence. The way to get off the roller-coaster of dieting is to include the work through the root of the problem, while working on the symptoms immediately.

Have a wonderful day


For more information on Motivational Life Coaching, contact the Self-Talk Expert, Claudia Blanton at 813 - 531 - 8379 or via email at claudiablanton@lycos.com for a free, no-obligation Life Coaching Session.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Are You Writing in Your Gratitude Journal?

Hi Everyone!

Are you still writing in your Gratitude Journal daily?

Remember that the key to unleashing the true power of Law of Attraction is through the following main components:

1. Appreciation
2. Gratitude
3. Joy
4. Laughter


Practice daily!


Have a wonderful day!
Claudia Blanton
www.create-your-life-dreams.com

For more information on Motivational Life Coaching, and a free telephone coaching session, contact me directly at 813 - 531 - 8379

Monday, February 11, 2008

My thoughts on Meditation

Hi Everyone!

Meditation is one of the best ways, that I have found for myself, as well as for many people I converse with, to calm, center and focus yourself toward a new, more controlled way of thinking, and being.

It has been a vital part, and always will be of my daily routine, as it gives the ability to think clearly, focus on what is important to me, and relax, something that 10 years ago, would have been impossible.

Many people I encounter though, have the question of how to start, where to begin, and what kind of meditation to follow.

I suggest to start with guided meditations, short in durations, as they are an easy way to get the feel for the practice while giving you the same results, in a short, quick, easy to use way.

A guided meditation, is a practice, where you listen to an audio recording of someone talking you through the process of meditation, how to relax, and how to use guided imagery to come to a deeper level of relaxation.

The website "Learning Meditation", www.learningmeditation.com is my favorite place to get people started. Pleasant guided meditations, with easy to follow instructions are what this site is filled with.

Begin simple, once a day at first, until you find a meditation you are comfortable with, just for a few moments. You can increase to twice a day, with longer meditations if you feel the need, later.

Put this time of meditation into your routine, right up there with brushing your teeth. Once you feel the benefits, you will be looking forward toward your few moments of solitude each day.

Have a great day!

Claudia Blanton


For more information on setting a healthy living routine, living with the principles of Law of Attraction, and focusing your thinking, contact me directly at
813 - 531 - 8379 or via email at claudiablanton@lycos.com for a free telephone coaching-session.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Apprechiation and Self-Love Quote

Hi Everyone!

"Are you understanding that appreciation and self-love is the most important tool that you could ever nurture, that the appreciation of others and the appreciation of yourself is the closest vibrational match to your Source energy of anything that we ever witnessed?

When you are appreciating or when you are loving or when you are acknowledging the value of something, you are in that moment a vibrational match to the Source, that is truly you.

Do not worry about where you are at any point in time. Don't take score and beat on yourself. Just make a desicion from right here where I stand, I am going to reach for the thought that feels the very best of anything I have access to, and understand, that your inner being is adoring you, always...."


Have a wonderful day!

For more information on Motivational Life Coaching, and Improving your Self Talk, contact me at 813 - 531 - 8379 or via email at claudiablanton@lycos.com

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Part Two of the Dr Oz - Oprah Recap

Hi Everyone!

Real quick, and then back to motivation, here is the second part of the recap as promised from Tuesday's Oprah show about Anti-Aging:

Here are Dr. Oz Vitamin recommendations (you can check out the transcripts on Oprah.com)

1000 unites of Vitamin D per day

600 milligrams of calcium plus 200 milligrams of magnesium TOGETHER twice a day

DHA omega 3 - 600 milligrams per day

over 40 - under doctors supervision - 2 baby aspirin

Multivitamin - cut in half ( I did not know that either) - one half taken in the morning, the other half in the evening.

On Oprah. com Dr. Oz has posted a printable by age-group divided vitamin guide, so take a look at it.

This information is not meant as medical advice, therefore check with your doctor, and check out the info for yourself again on Oprah.com. I am by no means a medical professional, I am a Life Coach, who wants to point you into the direction of valid information, so you can make the best decisions for yourself.

Have a wonderful, inspired day!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Life Coach, Self-Talk Expert
813 - 531 - 8379
www.create-your-life-dreams.com

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

A Quick Oprah - Dr. Oz Recap - Part One

Hi Everyone!

This is going to be a quick recap of Oprah's show from yesterday, about ant-aging, and living a healthy lifestyle. (Part one)

White tea!
Again Dr. Oz stressed the importance of drinking white and green tea, but pointing toward the white teas, as they have a more powerful level of antioxidants.

I agree with the good Doctor. Drink your white tea! Available now in so many different varieties, my daughter loves the strawberry flavored one, and I am a blueberry tea person. Check them out!

Dr. Oz also mentioned spices. Here are a few to have in your cabinet at all times:
1. Cinnamon
2. Ginger
3. Cayenne Pepper
4. Turmeric - which is within cumin
5. Paprika
6. Rosemary for focus.


Now, lets get to the fiber, people!
Women need 25 grams, men need 35 grams, a day!

Remember to please add them slowly over time to your diet, to avoid digestive problems, as I have mentioned in various posts, here, on my groups, and in my articles. Slow down people!

How do you add fiber into your diet?
1. Eat 100 % Whole Grain Bread!
2. Eat beans
3. Eat fruits and veggies (don't drink them, chew)
4. Eat Whole Grain Cereal!
5. Switch to Steal Cut Oats
6. Switch to brown rice
7. Switch to whole grain pasta


Tomorrow, I will be posting the second half of info from the show, which will mainly include exercise and the recommended dosing of vitamins according to Dr. Oz.

Have a wonderful day!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Coach, Fundraiser

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Play with your Food

Hi Everyone!

Sounds like a strange title for a blog.

This is an invitation to do exactly, what we were told not to do, when we were kids: Play with your food.

Okay, I am not talking about having a food fight, what I am talking about is, to get more in touch with what you are eating, by getting more in touch, literally.

Touch your food - feel the texture of the flakes of your (hopefully whole-grain) cereal. Break it, crunch it up, really examine it. You are putting this into your body, don't you think you should know, how it feels like, and what the texture is?

Become familiar with all of your foods, your lunch meat for example. Bend it pull it apart, hold it in your hands, feel it. You can find out lots of things by it's texture, like the fat-content, just by the way it feels, and looks.

When you make a cake, feel the dough, touch the flour with your hands, to break up the clumps before sifting. Can you feel a difference between whole-wheat flour, and regular cake-flour? Find out!

The purpose of this is the following:

1. Too many times we connect so many emotions to how we are eating, that we forget how it feels like to really be present with food. This exercise or game if you will, gets you back in touch with the food, and away from the emotions.

2. You should really think about what you are putting into your mouth. After all it effects you greatly. Then shouldn't you know all about it, at least all that your senses have to offer?

3. Being aware that the rules we are usually taught in childhood about food, are not because they have any merit - expect the one of not talking with your mouth full - but because they were either a convenience for our parents, or they were simply brought forth, because they were taught that way.
This gives you a chance to detach from these rules, and make up your own. After all, it is your life, not that of your family you are living, so why play by their rules still? At the same time, you are giving yourself an opportunity not to pass those rules onto another generation, who is already beginning to struggle with issues relating to food.

Think about it!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Coach, Fundraiser
813 - 531 - 8379
www.create-your-life-dreams.com

Friday, February 1, 2008

Bean and Cheese Quesadillas Recipe

Hi Everyone!

Try out this quick and easy recipe! It is delicious, fun to make, and nutritious.

You will need:

2 Small Whole-Wheat Tortillas
1/4 cup of refried beans
1/4 cup of shredded cheese (I prefer 2% mild cheddar for this dish)
substitute for a Mexican blend if you prefer
Salsa ( get your desired heat-level - I am a medium gal)
Red Chili Sauce


Spread the beans on one of the tortillas.
Place the tortilla in a nonstick pan, over medium high heat.
Top right away with cheese.
Top the whole thing with another tortilla.
When the cheese begins to melt, flip like a pancake.
Heat for about 2 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted completely.
Remove from pan, cut into wedges, and enjoy immediately, with a spoonful of salsa on the side.

You can add some spice to the refried beans, if you like it really hot! Use some red chili sauce (just a few drops) or put some jalapenos slices in the tortilla before topping it with cheese.

Enjoy!

Claudia Blanton
Motivational Coach, Fundraiser
813 - 531 - 8379
www.create-your-life-dreams.com

More Motivation

Hi Everyone!


If you are interested in more motivational articles, visit my blog on typepad at
http://livingpossibilities.typepad.com/motivation

Also watch out for more articles and motivational tips, as well as some discussions, at my Yahoo Group "Think Well of Food."!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thinkwelloffood

Join in the discussion, introduce yourself, and get more info on an active, motivated lifestyle!

Have a great day!

Claudia Blanton
www.create-your-life-dreams.com