How I’m applying “Upcycle” principles in my own life

Posted on October 25, 2012 by

I’m fighting off a nasty cold (or possibly the flu) right now. I rarely get sick, which I usually attribute to both my positive thinking and my (healthy, not obsessive) germaphobe ways. When I do get sick, it’s usually because I’m stressed and not getting enough sleep. You probably experience the same thing often enough; after all, stress weakens our immune systems, and if we’re not getting enough sleep our bodies don’t have time to fight off the little bugs we encounter on a daily basis.

Why the stress? You may know that my husband and I moved across the country and away from our families just a few months ago. My husband has a lot of stress because he’s in medical school now and has to learn a crazy amount in just a short period of time. I have stress because not only have I never lived farther than 90 miles away from my family before, but my husband and I don’t have the kind of time together that we used to have, either. He has to spend long days and weekends studying. To be honest, I really miss having time with my husband. But we have both learned to use some of the “Upcycle You” principles, by recognizing what we can do to improve our situation, instead of dwelling on the things that we don’t like and can’t change.

How?

We talk to each other constantly about what we can do to keep our relationship strong, like making time to see each other EVERY day, even if just for a quick half hour lunch or dinner break. We also make it a point to frequently tell each other how much we care about each other and value our relationship. So even though our time is limited, the time that we do have together is very good.

I also use the whole upcycling idea in my life away from my husband, too. He is pursuing his own dreams of becoming a physician, and so it’s important for me to focus on what I want to do with my life as well. I have started doing a little bit of life coaching, and am starting a girls’ self-help group at a local high school. I’m getting really close to finishing my eating disorder recovery book and thinking about future projects I’d like to do.

I’ve also had to make a big effort to reach out to other people to form strong, supportive connections with that will keep me going through our time here. All of this definitely takes time, but it’s essential for my well-being in the long-term. Even though our situation will likely continue to be a little stressful for both of us for quite awhile, it’s our relationships (with each other and with new friends) and our positive focus on our life goals that will keep us grounded throughout everything.

In upcoming posts I’ll share more ideas with you on how you can begin “upcycling” your life and relationships. Next on my own list? Definitely getting more sleep so I can finally kick this bug!

Keep in touch, and keep it real!

Justine

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“Proactive Patience”: One of the best tricks I’ve learned

Posted on October 17, 2012 by

Okay, so maybe it isn’t so much a “trick” as it is a truly effective way to a successful, satisfied life. If you’re like me, you don’t always (or ever!) have a lot of patience. But it’s when you’re trying to force things to happen that they don’t end up working out the way you want them. When I wanted to be in a relationship in the past, instead of waiting for the right person, I ended up with a very much WRONG person for a very long time. It wasn’t until I learned how to be patient that I found the love of my life.

However, I don’t think you should EVER just sit and “wait” for something to happen, either. Hence the concept of “Proactive Patience”: You have to do everything you possibly can to make something work–everything that’s within your control–and then, when you’re done doing that, you have to have faith that everything will work out the way it should.

I was reminded of this concept when I made cookies the other day. I found a recipe that promised the “best” chocolate chip cookies (because the recipe was actually called “Best Chocolate Chip Cookies“). I followed the recipe to a tee, as you usually need to do if you want really good cookies. While they were in the oven, I read a review that suggested you leave the cookies on the hot cookie sheets for about 10 minutes after you take them out, so they can set up properly. As a non-patient person, I knew this would be a test for me.

I had divided the recipe in half, so I ended up with two cookie sheets full of cookies. After I took the first pan out, it bothered me that the cookies still seemed pretty doughy, but I put the second pan in and made myself leave the first alone. Sure enough, by the time the second pan was finished baking, the first cookies had set up perfectly. I mean perfectly.

That still didn’t stop me from picking at the second pan of cookies as I tried to analyze (and over-analyze) whether or not they would set up as beautifully as the first. I had to leave for a meeting soon, and the more and more I poked at the second pan of cookies, the more their doughiness began to annoy me. I hated the idea of leaving without really knowing how the cookies were going to turn out (I know–a little silly). Finally, I put them back into the turned-off oven and left, knowing that by the time I returned, they should definitely be baked all the way through!

They absolutely were completely baked by the time I got back–to the point where they now need a long dunking in milk in order to get soft enough to eat without breaking a tooth. Even though the first cookies were perfect, it was because I couldn’t just leave the second cookies alone that they ended up turning into the less-than-delectable snacks that they are now.

This lesson applies to not only baking, but also your life. When you create a plan (recipe) for yourself, follow it as best you can. Then, once you’ve completed all those steps, be patient in the process. Have faith that it will work out as long as you’ve done everything you needed to do along the way. If you try to control every little thing that happens, it almost certainly won’t turn out the way you’d like. I believe that God has a plan for all of us, and part of the beauty of life is seeing how it unfolds in ways that we could never try to control!

Keep in touch, and keep it real!

Justine

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Upcycle Project: Make Over Your Thoughts

Posted on October 8, 2012 by

Enough with negativity already–today we’re “upcycling” your thoughts! How?

Start paying attention to what you’re thinking throughout the day. The next time you notice something negative going through your head, upcycle that thought: Change it into something more positive, and then add two more positive statements! Repeat those positive statements every time you start to think something negative throughout the rest of the day.

 
Here’s an example: You’re late for work, and as you’re driving you get cut off by another vehicle. You become irritated and start to think about how you’re going to be even later thanks to “all the stupid drivers.” The more you think about those other drivers, the more you notice yourself becoming more agitated. By the time you get to work, you’re in a pretty foul mood. Coworkers comment that you don’t look like you’re having a very good day–which annoys you further. You continue to feel tense the whole morning, which seems to drag on even more than normal as you work.

Here’s what you could do INSTEAD:

When you get cut off, before you get (too) mad at other drivers, upcycle your thoughts by reminding yourself that it’s because YOU’RE driving well and paying attention to what you’re doing that you avoided getting into an accident (woo hoo!). Then, add two more positive thoughts: Think about how happy you are to have a job to go to, and how excited you are for the date you’re going to have (with your spouse, significant other, friend, etc.) later on this week.

Repeat those thoughts throughout the day, especially when your “inner pessimist” starts to come out.

Feel free to sprinkle in more positive thoughts as necessary. :)

Commit to doing this every day for at least a week–and preferably, forever. In time, you’ll be amazed at your new outlook!

Stay tuned for the next Upcycle You project!

Justine :)

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Upcycle You: The New Life with Cheeseburgers!

Posted on October 2, 2012 by

You may have noticed that things have changed a lot around here. Why?

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about what I’m trying to accomplish through my work and through my blog. I’ve realized that although some of the things I’ve been writing about (hopefully!) have been interesting and helpful, I’ve been going off on a bit of a tangent from what I really hope to accomplish. Enter the new website, and my new focus: “Upcycle You!”

So what the heck does it mean to “upcycle” something? My favorite definition comes from good old Wikipedia: “the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.”

If you’re a Pinterest stalker like me, you’ve probably seen plenty of upcycling project ideas, like converting old bottles into pretty vases or even creating coasters from empty soda cans. When you upcycle, you find value and uses for things you maybe would have thrown away in the past.

Why not take the concept of upcycling and apply it to your life? I’m not saying to turn yourself into something else, because that would be impossible (and counterproductive!). But there is a huge value in recognizing your positive features and abilities and using them to do great things, instead of focusing on the things you don’t like or don’t think you’re good at. Dwelling on what you don’t like or what you “can’t do” won’t get you anywhere! I’ve learned through both personal experience and my professional work just how powerful it can be when you finally learn to swim with the current of your life, instead of against it.

My goal is to help you put yourself in a positive “upcycle,” instead staying stuck in a downward cycle or even on a “safe,” steady plane towards nowhere. Upcycle your thoughts, your old perceptions of yourself, and your world. Upcycle your feelings. Upcycle your actions, so that what you’re doing helps you finally start getting where you want to be. I’ll help you get started.

Come along with me, and start living the life of your dreams!

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What the heck happened to the “old blog?”

Posted on October 1, 2012 by

You may have noticed that things have changed a lot around here. Why?

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about what I’m trying to accomplish through my work and through my blog. I’ve realized that although some of the things I’ve been writing about (hopefully!) have been interesting and helpful, I’ve been going off on a bit of a tangent from what I really hope to accomplish. Enter the new website, and my new focus: “Upcycle You!”

So what the heck does it mean to “upcycle” something? My favorite definition comes from good old Wikipedia: “the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.”

If you’re a Pinterest stalker like me, you’ve probably seen plenty of upcycling project ideas, like converting old bottles into pretty vases or even creating coasters from empty soda cans. When you upcycle, you find value and uses for things you maybe would have thrown away in the past.

Why not take the concept of upcycling and apply it to your life? I’m not saying to turn yourself into something else, because that would be impossible (and counterproductive!). But there is a huge value in recognizing your positive features and abilities and using them to do great things, instead of focusing on the things you don’t like or don’t think you’re good at. Dwelling on what you don’t like or what you “can’t do” won’t get you anywhere! I’ve learned through both personal experience and my professional work just how powerful it can be when you finally learn to swim with the current of your life, instead of against it.

My goal is to help you put yourself in a positive “upcycle,” instead staying stuck in a downward cycle or even on a “safe,” steady plane towards nowhere. Upcycle your thoughts, your old perceptions of yourself, and your world. Upcycle your feelings. Upcycle your actions, so that what you’re doing helps you finally start getting where you want to be. I’ll help you get started.

Come along with me, and start living the life of your dreams!

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WIAW Europe Series: Venice, Italy

Posted on September 26, 2012 by

Today I’m giving you a mini-tour of the 10th city on our European Honeymoon Adventure: Venice, Italy!

Venice truly is a beautiful city. The canals that meander throughout are breathtaking.

Our first stop was to visit St. Mark’s Cathedral, where the relics of St. Mark are located above the high altar. The church also houses the famous Pala d’Oro, a Byzantine work of art with the story of St. Mark.

Just across from the church is an old tower with incredible views of the city.

But now for the food! We stopped at a little pizza snack bar, where I had a GIANT piece of pizza and the hubby got a calzone. They both had prosciutto and mozzarella. They were okay but not as good as the wraps we had in Padua!

Venice is also home to the famous Rialto market, where fresh fish, fruit, and veggies have been sold for centuries. It was fun to see!

Venice was just a super-fun place to wander around, trying to get lost and then find ourselves.

It’s definitely going on our list of places to go back to when we get back to Europe someday!

That’s all for now–Keep in touch and keep it real!

Justine

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Dark Chocolate No Bake Cookie Makeover!

Posted on September 21, 2012 by

I couldn’t get no bake cookies out of my head. And can you blame me?

Today’s ingredient is lowfat (2%) milk. I used to hate 2% milk because all my family ever bought was skim. That all changed when I got married because my husband is the big milk drinker of the house and so we just buy what he likes. I still don’t like drinking it straight, but I’ve actually started to like it with my cereal because it makes everything taste so much sweeter (mmm. Cereal). And it’s perfect for recipes like No Bake Cookies.

You’ve probably made the “old version” of these before. They were actually the very first thing I learned to make, and I had the recipe memorized. But since I’m so in love with them, I also wanted to make them a little healthier. I’ve found other recipes where the sugar is cut in half and the butter is replaced by a banana, but they always tasted like socks or something to me. I’d eat three of them to try to satisfy my cravings, and then wish I’d just made the real thing and eaten one.

No Bake Cookies aren’t actually that bad for you, because they have healthy ingredients like peanut butter and oatmeal (and our superstar, milk!!). But I did find a way to make them even better: My recipe includes dark cocoa powder, which is a great source of antioxidants. I reduced the sugar a little bit (but not too much!) and added in a little bit of honey. I substituted light butter and cut down on the amount used, and I used more oats, just because they’re so darn healthy and tasty! And of course, I added just a teeny bit more milk (woo-hoo!) to add back some of the moisture I took away by cutting down the butter.

As you know, milk is an excellent source of calcium, as well as protein (yay!), Vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12,  and Phosphorus (Source). What are you waiting for?

Here’s exactly what you’ll need to make my version:

1/3 cup light butter

2/3 cup milk

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons honey

4 Tablespoons cocoa powder

3 Tablespoons DARK cocoa powder

1/2 cup (or more!) peanut butter (I always use crunchy)

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups oatmeal (You can use a little less if you like them really ooey gooey)

1/3 cup coconut

Here’s what you do:

Combine your butter, milk, sugars, honey, and cocoa powders in a pot on the stove over high heat until boiling. Boil the mixture for one minute, stirring frequently.

After the mixture has boiled for a minute, remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Then stir in the oats a cup at a time. Once everything is mixed, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper or spread evenly in a 7 x 11 pan.

Finally, sprinkle the coconut over top and press down (make sure you do this right away so it sticks).

I always spread it in the pan but take a little bit out to make a big cookie for myself, then stick it in the freezer until it’s nice and chewy.

I know you’re going to make these right now!

The Verdict: No surprise here. They were DElicious. Next time I might play around with the honey ration even more, to lessen the amount of sugar I use. But even if I don’t, these are still part of a healthy balanced diet!

What’s your favorite way to use milk (cereal, baking, cooking)? What’s your favorite “no bake” recipe?

Keep in touch, and keep it real!

Justine

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