Purpose Through Your Talents

Thanks to getting strep I've slowed down.  There has been lots of laying around and reading.  Okay and podcast listening too.  What's neat is, the things I've been listening to are directly correlating with the things I'm reading.  Call it a coincidence but I say it's Godincidence. 

I listened to Chalene's podcast today, How Does Success Feel and I thought, how do I define success?  How do you define it?  Is it money, fancy cars, raising good kids? 

To me success is fulfilling the purpose that God has for me.

 Now that's kind of vague because what is my purpose?  Just so happens day one in my new devotional was about writing your personal vision statement... your purpose.  I love the way this author breaks it down... so much I want to share it with you.  Answer these three questions, my answers are listed below. 

1. List two of your unique personal qualities. 

[creativity, gift of encouragement]

2.  List two ways you enjoy expressing those qualities when interacting with others.

[creating things/environments, words of affirmation and praise]

3.  Assume the world is perfect.  Describe it as you see it. 

[No jealousy, peace, and people know their worth]

Now when you put these together, you have your personal vision statement or purpose.  

My vision is to use my creativity and my gift of encouragement to create and give words of affirmation to people so they know their worth and find peace. 

I just love this little formula because God has given each person their very own special and unique talents so he or she can use them to make a difference in this world.  If I am fulfilling my purpose, then I'm successful because that is what life is about.  It's about loving on people and serving them with your talents.  

  This couldn't have come at a better time for me as I am starting my business.  This is my vision statement for my business.  If  my vision is being fulfilled through my business then I say it's a success.  My hope is that women will know their worth and find their confidence.  I think a lot of these mommy wars and the jealousy we see in the world of women comes from this.  When we feel self conscious it's easy to bring another person or group down to make us feel better.  I've learned that having confidence in who I am and the decisions I make has allowed me to see the beauty in others without questioning my own beauty, because I know my worth. 

So I'm curious... what is your personal vision statement? 

Until next time.  Toodles! 

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A Favorite Fatty Treat

When I heard about  NUTS almond project I had to put my two cents in.  Even before my now healthier days, I've always loved almonds.  Now I know that almonds are a great source of protein, antioxidants and fiber for our family.  They are the healthy happy kind of fat you want to eat. 

So how do we do almonds in our house?  Well for one we eat them on a daily basis because we are always snacking on trail mix.  Trail mix is n easy enough snack to prep and I have learned to skip the chocolate because then the kids will only eat the chocolate chunks.

I also love to sneak almonds into meals.  It's a great pair for regular green salads but mostly for my chicken salad.  You can find the recipe HERE.  Stuff it in a pita pocket and you have a delicious nutty lunch. 

And when paired with 100 calorie whole wheat thin bread it makes a great sandwich!  

Almonds also give a great crunch and texture to breakfast.  Oatmeal is a favorite.  I add some almond chunks or slivered almonds to my overnight oats or regular bowl of oatmeal.  So yummy!

Pair the chicken salad and the oatmeal together and you have one of my hubbys favorite lunch combos. 

How do you like to eat your almonds?  Maybe covered in delicious chocolate like the ones at NUTS?  If you want to join in the fun, let me know and who knows, NUTS,com may feature your post!

Until next time.  Toodles! 

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Hormel Turkey Club... The Man Sandwich

If there is one thing my hubby loves it is a good wholesome sandwich.  Throw in some bacon and you have one happy man ready to tackle the rest of the day.  I always want to create something yummy and healthy for him and HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® Roasted Deli Turkey Club always knocked it out of the park.    He absolutely loves it!  I love that  HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® Roasted Deli Turkey has no preservatives, is nutritious, contains no nitrates or added hormones.  Once you've had this you'll want to make the naturalchoice too.

It's simple, fresh and guaranteed delicious.  How could it not be?  It also has  HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® Bacon. 

Ingredients

Bread of choice

HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® Roasted Deli Turkey Club

HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® Bacon

Tomatoes 

Mayo

Baby Lettuce 

Add mayo to the bread, stack the ingredients, cut in half and you have a man sandwich!  Loaded with meat and bacon, this will win his heart.  The perfect weekend sandwich. 

I love using HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® deli meats because they are convenient and so versatile.  I can make sandwiches to pack in his lunch and they also make a great snack. 

I also use the HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® deli meats and the bacon in the salads he brings to lunch. Sometimes I'll throw slices in there and this time I added some bacon.

HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® deli meats are delicious and with all the options there is something for everyone!  You can create a lunch that's a hit for moms and kids.  Hormel Natural Choice products are made with a recyclable box so you'll be able to recognize them right away in the grocery store.  It's easy to find and available right down the street at our local grocery store!  No need for me to head to any specialty store.  

Be sure to like HORMEL®NATURAL CHOICE® on Facebook and Hormel Natural Choiceon Pinterest. 

This post brought to you by Hormel Foods, LLC.. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Make it Cozee

More Than Just a Run

 Back in 2012 I decided that I wanted to start running.  I thought it was something fun the hubby and I could do together since he enjoys running.  I was really into it and wanted to run a 5K.  He saw my commitment and even bought me a nice jogging stroller.

 Then just like that, after a few months of being in the best physical shape, I dislocated my knee moving a couch.

That injury didn't just hurt my knee but it damaged my confidence.  I didn't tear anything but the doctor told me that I really should get surgery and I was one bad step away from another dislocation.  That scared me.  Just this past December I was wearing a brace again because of the pain. 

In March I made a commitment to get healthy and even shared with you my fitness journey.  Found the perfect workout [Piyo] to help rehabilitate my knee.  This month didn't just get my "body back" but gave me my confidence back.  It made me stronger as a whole, showed me how to be consistent and discipline.  It gave me the courage to sign us up for the 5K I wanted to run three years ago.

This wasn't just a fun 5K.  It was me finishing what I had started back in 2012.  Telling my mind that my body was capable of doing this.  I was proving that doctor wrong that my knee should be operated on.  I was proving to myself that I can do more than what I had thought. 

It was a glow run so I of course dressed up.  I was excited and nervous.  

  I was happy that after 6 years of marriage, this desire [for us to workout together] was really becoming a reality.  There isn't anyone else I would have wanted to share this night with.  My better half.  The one who supports my crazy dreams and pushes me to want to be a better me.  

The run was way more challenging than what I had expected.  Through the woods and up a few hills.  

Mile two was a mental battle but I had him pushing me to keep going.  By the final mile, I was ready to walk but again I had that strong voice telling me we don't stop!  I really wanted to punch him at this point.  

But once I saw that finish line I was so excited.  We set a goal to run it in 40 minutes and thanks to my pushy hubby I did it in 35.  He was so sweet he even slowed down to take pictures of me finishing.

I was proud of me and I could tell he was proud of me.  It was a sweet moment we got to share together.

We joked and laughed over ice cream about how I almost didn't make it and how mad I was at him at that 3 mile mark.  Hands down one of the best date nights.

All this to say, Don't let your dreams just be dreams.  You'd be amazed at what you could do if only you would stop telling yourself I can't because... 

Never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey.

A video posted by P A T T Y (@makeitcozeee) on Jun 6, 2015 at 7:56pm PDT

Are there any dreams you have that you've been wanting to accomplish?

Until next time.  Toodles! 

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