Goal Setting

They say goals are dreams with deadlines. I think goals go hand in hand with dreaming big. I was reading the other day about a man named John Goddard, who, when he was 15 in 1940, sat down one afternoon and wrote down "My Life Goals."  127 of them to be exact. Here's a few of them-

• Milk a poisonous snake
• Skin-dive to forty feet and hold breath two and a half minutes underwater
• Learn jujutsu
• Study primitive culture in Borneo
• Land on and take off from an aircraft carrier
• Run a mile in five minutes
• Go on a church missions trip
• Retrace the travels of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great
• Learn French, Spanish, and Arabic
• Light a match with a .22 rifle
• Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
• Study Komodo dragons on the island of Komodo
• Read the Bible from cover to cover
• Circumnavigate the globe

One of the coolest goals he had on the list was to visit the moon. This was in 1940! Nobody had even left the atmosphere at that point! Mr. Goddard didn't achieve all his goals, but how many of those do you think he would have actually done if he had never written them down or dared to dream them? 

I believe goals go hand in hand with dreaming big, and praying big. God wants us to live life to our fullest capacity. Why would there be so many amazing places waiting for us to experience them? Goals turn into prayers, and prayers turn into goals. 

Here are 10 steps to goal setting:

1. Start with prayer
2. Check your motives
3. Think in categories
4. Be specific
5. Write it down
6. Include others
7. Celebrate along the way
8. Dream big
9. Think long
10. Pray hard

Good Reads

Does anyone else start 4 more books before they finish their current one? I can't help myself! Maybe its the inner ADD I try to keep bottled up, letting loose. 

So here's what is in my current 'book bin.' ...I have a bin beside my bed. Anyways.

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. My former Sunday School class (from when I lived in Oklahoma, I still get the email updates) read it, and it took a long time before I finally decided to pick up a copy for myself. I usually read this at night, but I probably shouldn't- it gets me too pumped up! Mark challenges us to dream, dream BIG. Inspire God in your life and reach for ridiculous miracles you feel silly for even thinking of, much less expecting. He will having you praying circles around any situation you are facing, and bring you to a deeper relationship with God. 

I've told several people I would let them borrow this but...I may have to re-read it a couple times first! Its pretty brilliant.

This devotional by Joel Osteen is definitely not for nighttime reading! Joel is so talented in light people on fire. Not literally of course, but spiritually! Some people I have talked to said they didn't like Joel because he wasn't a good preacher- he was just a good inspirational speaker. I have to disagree! God put Joel in his position for a reason, even if it is just to encourage people. But think about this- if a non-believer is flipping through the channels, who are they more likely to stick to and watch- Joel, or somebody like Charles Stanley? Now don't get me wrong, Dr. Stanley is incredibly wise, and I enjoy watching his sermons. I even have his edition of the Bible! But to someone who doesn't believe in God, he's probably about as boring as watching paint dry. Whereas Joel hits home on a lot of his sermons. Everyone can relate to what he talks about. This book is no different. I love starting my day with this little jewel! Each page is a different day of the year, and the devotionals are short enough that you can read it pretty quick and move on- perfect for people like me who have busy mornings! 

What? Its interesting! Beginning with anatomy, this book breaks it all down. I've flipped through it a bunch, but I'll let you in on a little secret...Its taking me a long time to get through the anatomy! I took equine anatomy in college and this feels exactly the same. It feels like death. But to be a personal trainer is so much more than 'getting big' and knowing how to do all the different exercises. When you're training different populations (the elderly, working around special injuries, college athletes, etc) you have to know how the body works. So, now you know what the nerd does in her spare time! 

I also have different binders I've started writing in on different topics. I have iRun for all things running, Eat Clean, Live Lean for everything nutritional, and I actually haven't named my weightlifting book yet.Any time I come across useful information, it goes in the book! 

One book I will forever read, over and over and over again, is this beauty right here.

As I mentioned earlier, this is an awesome version of the Bible! It has all sorts of add ins- the "Life Principles" are Charles' way of explaining how to get the most out of life by living a Holy life. I know I can turn to the Bible for any problem I'm facing. 

Vegan Protein

Recently, I have switched off of my whey protein to vegan. Am I totally vegan? Heck no! I love meat. This protein source is the bomb though! (are people still saying the bomb? ...hmm)

I switched to Arbonne Essentials Chocolate Protein Mix. 

At first I was a little skeptical how it was going to taste, and I'm not going to lie...it has a different taste to it. Its pretty dang good though! And way better than whatever beefhead crap my brother drinks after his workouts. 

So here's why I like it-

When it says vegan, it is actually a pea protein- made of pea, rice, and cranberry proteins. Sounds strange, I know, but it is highly absorbable and easily digestible. When the pea protein is combined with the cranberry and rice proteins, it provides a full amino acid score- very important! Pea protein provides essential amino acids and is a good source of the amino acids arginine and glutamine (those words sound familiar, my fitness enthusiasts?). It is also a good source of glutamic acid and branched chain amino acids (leucine + valine + isoleucine). Arginine participates in the supply of nitric acid and branched chain amino acids, which are essential amino acids that need to be supplied by the diet. 

In this protein, there are 20 grams of protein (which has been proven is the amount your body needs after a good workout!) and 21 essential vitamins and minerals and plenty of other beneficial nutrients. Also included in the ingredients are coenzyme 20 and ginseng. 

It contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors; as well as no cholesterol. It is also forumulated with no gluten or fructose. That is awesome! I hate when all these big name whey proteins boast about all the good stuff in their product, but fail to mention all the chemicals they add. NO THANKS!

Here are some other sources you can find vegan protein-

• legumes
• nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, filberts, hemp seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts-black)
• spirulina (nutrient-rich, blue-green algae)

Arbonne

I do my research. My skin has been horrible my entire teenage/adult life. Until now. I tried everything under the sun and nothing ever helped. I didn't think Arbonne would either, but it did. When I learned what made Arbonne so different, I made the decision right then I was switching everything over. So did my mom, my aunt, my other aunt..even my 19 year old brother who is "too manly" to use products uses Arbonne now.

This is why we love it!

ARBONNE PRODUCTS

Arbonne's premium skin care products are formulated in Switzerland at the Arbonne Institute of Research and Development (AIRD) and made in the U.S.A.

Our proprietary formulas are:
*Botanically-based
*PH correct- not just PH balanced
*Hypoallergenic
*Dermatologist tested
*Never tested on animals
*Formulated without animal products or by-products
*Formulated without mineral oil
*Formulated without dyes or chemical fragrances

Arbonnes product line is represented by Independent Consultants who used to be employed in the following fields: Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Plastic Surgeons, Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, and Professional Makeup Artists.

Scientifically Advanced Nutritional Products:

Based on the same principles that propelled the success of our skin care products, Arbonne expanded into total body care with the introduction of Arbonne Essentials. Developed for every stage of life, these nutrition, weight management, fitness products are convenient, safe, backed by the latest scientific research and contain:

*The finest pharmaceutical grade ingredients
*Standarized botanicals and herbs-(Meaning you get the same quality and strength every time)
*Proprietary herbal blends that work synergistically with active components for optimal results.

Arbonne offers a complete line of Skin Care, Aromassentials, Men's Care, Baby Care, Glamour products.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE PRODUCTS ON YOUR BODY, WHY WOULD YOU NOT USE THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE PROVEN TO BE PURE, SAFE, AND BENEFICIAL TO YOU!!!

Now to the gross part...which is always my favorite part to tell people!

I love Arbonne because it works so well, obviously. But what if other products work....why would I still use Arbonne?

In Europe, they have banned over 1500 chemicals and ingredients, and considered so bad, you could go to jail or receive a huge fine....America has only banned TEN of these. Thankfully, Arbonne goes by European standards!

And if that isn't enough...who has heard of a rendering plant?

I hadn't ever heard of this either. But its where they send leftover parts from slaughterhouses, roadkill, and restaurant grease....they boil it down, and the fat that rises is called the "good juice." That's what is shipped to all of your cosmetic companies as fillers. It is in your lotions, shampoos, makeup, you name it. They have a whole episode on Dirty Jobs on rendering plants. 100 years ago, this was how the cosmetic industry got started- it was too expensive for companies to not use fillers. They don't even have to tell you there is animal in your product either unless it is an active ingredient. The word you're looking for is "propyl-paraben." Most people don't even know what it is, so when I first heard this, I found it plainly listed on almost all my products- Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Jergens were a few that I checked. 

And you know how they say to throw your makeup out after 6 months? That's how long it takes the animal in your bottle to go rancid. You know when your bottle of liquid foundation gets that line in it, and you have to shake it up? That's the animal fat separating. Unless your product says "100% Vegan," there is animal in there. 

Grossed out yet? Gotta love FDA standards. 

Neon, Neon

For my debut blog post....let's do a fun one! 

I love neon! For anyone who hates working out, my suggestion is simple- go buy something NEON! I totally forgot I had this top, I bought it on a trip to the Outer Banks last October (I crashed the men's fishing trip...it smelled horrible but I survived! That's a whole different story there...) 

No, really though. It always pumps me up in the gym and I could swear it is a form of pre-workout! Plus, it just gives this "hey, i'm friendly!" vibe. If you're going for that sort of thing. 

Life isn't meant to be taken so seriously- find things, even silly small things like this brighten your own day!