It's that time of year again....

7:45 PM Remy Maguire - Manifest the Best 2 Comments

The following is a to-do list, a handbook for a good year that was given to me last December. I did nothing but change the date to make it relevant for 2011. I did a lot of these things last year. I made some really big and some silly, small changes to my life and my lifestyle. I am excited by the prospects this new year brings. It is important to remember to take time to savor all that you have done, all you have been through. Take time to reflect and rewrite your dreams for the future. Obviously it has been a wildly busy month for me - only 6 posts to date! I haven't made my resolutions for this year yet. But, I will. And I will review this list for great ideas. Not all resolutions have to be HUGE or extraordinary. Maybe just start at the top - 1. Drink plenty of water.

SUCCESS HANDBOOK 2011

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray and/or meditate.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing! (It's the hard thing)
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. God/the Universe heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God/the Universe for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

40. Share this list:)

December where have you gone?

10:11 PM Remy Maguire - Manifest the Best 0 Comments

My "recovery" period went by far too quickly. I'm not entirely sure what happened this month! I remember 'cross season ending a few weeks ago and there's a lit-up tree in my living room. I suppose it must be the Holidays. I am reluctant to admit that the Season's magic and merriment took a bit more searching for this year. I love the Fall and Winter months. I love cooking big meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am made giddy by the twinkly lights on neighbors homes illuminating my evening walks. I love buying and wrapping gifts. And I really love opening them on Christmas morning. The emotions that hum through these shorter days and darker nights is extraordinary. People everywhere seem to be turning inward, not just to hide out from the chilling winds but to take a real good look around. What's in here? What's all this clutter? What happened this year!? It seems difficult to find time enough to answer these questions when we are running around doing errands, finishing year end tasks, visiting friends and family, and all before the sun goes down at six! My hope is that as the year closes we all find a few moments, maybe more to reflect and calm down before the new one begins. I can't seem to find the time right now but I'm going to try and schedule it in!

My 1st Meatloaf!

7:16 PM Remy Maguire - Manifest the Best 1 Comments

Yes, it was a little dry. But, that's how meatloaf is supposed to be, right? I think I'd add a bit more of the liquids next time around. I think it turned out pretty darn yummy. I made it as a surprise supper for Andrew. He's always asking for meatloaf but thinks its too unhealthy for me to make. So! I fixed up a healthy version! It felt good eating meatloaf again:) A bit different than my Mommy's all meaty and drizzled with ketchup but just as satisfying.

TURKEY QUINOA MEATLOAF Serves 5-6

Ingredients

1/4 cup quinoa
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, chopped
1 (20 ounce) package ground turkey
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon water
Directions

Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute; remove from heat to cool.
Stir the turkey, cooked quinoa, onions, tomato paste, hot sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. The mixture will be very moist. Shape into a loaf on a foil lined baking sheet. Combine the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Rub the paste over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let the meatloaf cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 286 | Total Fat: 13.3g | Cholesterol: 126mg

Metabolism Reboot!!

1:22 PM Remy Maguire - Manifest the Best 1 Comments

Top 10 Tips to get your metabolism humming. Yes, you can! No matter what time of year, no matter how old you are -- these ten tips can help. If you keep these tips in mind and try to meet as many as you can for one month you can reboot that sluggish metabolism. Stick to them all for 30 days and you'll feel lighter, have less cravings and a ramped fat-burning furnance. Try them out over the next few weeks and set yourself for a great New Year!


1. Eat the most in the morning. Make breakfast a good one.
2. Eat protein at every meal and snack.

3. Eat 1-serving of high-fiber whole grain every day, preferably at
breakfast or lunch.

4. Fill your day with colorful fruits and veggies. The more the better. Try something new.

5. Include a little good fat with each meal. Ex. 1/4 avocado, 10 almonds, 1 tbsp flax, olive oil.

6. Water (with citrus) before every meal and plenty throughout the day.
7. Skip the booze.

8. Enjoy a couple little treats every week. I choose chocolate and wine. A glass or two with a yummy meal once a week and a square of dark chocolate.

9. Stop eating after dinner.

10. Don’t let stress get the best of you.

Pity party.

9:11 PM Remy Maguire - Manifest the Best 1 Comments

Finally fully recovered from one big old bash to the ego. Raced in the US Grand Prix of Cyclocross last weekend at PIR. Even though days before I'd called my season over (after 2nd place in Salem) and decided not to race. The night before the race Andrew picked up his bib number and I caved under all the excitement. Paid an extra ten bucks to register late. How can I not race when the option is there?! Once I get my number I get my race brain running. Totally focused. Of course you couldn't tell by looking. I play it cool. I'll tell you I'm just racing for fun. I'll tell you I don't care what place I finish. Now you know I'm full of it.

I knew my body would be tired and my legs worked from a week off the bike and a visit back to the weight room. I'm been dying to do lunges!

Lined up with Heidi and a few girls I'd never seen before. I was at the front. How this happened I don't really know. Racers ready! Go! First to tenth in ten seconds. I absolutely have to work on my starts! Gross!

I turned it up and raced hard. I always do. I got out there. I rode like a sleek little mountain biker, gliding into turns, pulling out passes in corners, moving up. As soon as my mind wondered I brought it back to the dirt. I pushed and pushed.

I hear the bell. Last lap. I hear the bell. And then I don't. I cross the finish line. The woman in front of me slows and stops. Someone rides by me. I look around. "Are we done?!?! Do we do another?!"
She assures me, "No, we're done."
Questioning I ride on. I can't see anyone ahead or behind me. It must be done. I has to be over. I pedal through the tape into the parking lot to see Andrew start his race.
Stupid.
I had one more lap.
I should have just kept going.
8th place turned to 22nd just like that.
I'm embarrassed. I was wrong. I can't stop thinking about it. I let it get me.

Okay now brain, this is when I need you most. "Get yourself up and out of this! You killed it this season! Beginners to B's and getting better all the time! You're good at this! Learn from your mistakes! Don't ever listen to anyone except your gut and an official. When in doubt keep riding. And ride harder. Forget about it. You didn't care about this race anyway. Go get some rest. Then train like a lunatic. Shoot might as well try to go pro!"

Thanks brain. I feel better. Manifest the Best.

Apple Carrot Oat Bars

8:27 PM Remy Maguire - Manifest the Best 0 Comments

Thanks to my dear friend Mama Casie for this new recipe! Check out her blog, "Heads are for Bonking", while you're at it!

http://babysmallhall.blogspot.com/2010/11/apple-carrot-oat-bars.html


Apple Carrot Oat Bars
Totally made this recipe up in the need to get more finger food for Squirt. She hasn't tried them yet, but I think they're really good!

Carrot Apple Oat Bars


1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup evaporated cane sugar (could use even less now that I taste them, say 2 tablespoons)
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/4 cup yogurt (full fat)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9 pan, preferably glass or ceramic.
Mix all dry ingredients and set aside. Mix all wet ingredients and add to the dry mix. Spoon into pan and press down. Top with a little sugar and cinnamon.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool, cut, serve.