52 Weeks of Self-Care: Weeks 1-4

woman reading a book and drinking tea

52 Weeks of Self-Care: Weeks 1-4

WEEK 1

START A NEW BOOK

I love nothing more than getting lost in a good book…the characters, the setting, and all the adventure.  It’s a great way to transport yourself to another world. 2023 is the perfect year to try new books, or even new genres. To help you find a great new book, take a peek at some of these recommendations:

2018 Book Gift Guide

2019 Book Gift Guide  

2020 Book Gift Guide 

2021 Book Gift Guide 

Best Summer Reads of 2022 

WEEK 2

GET BACK TO YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE

woman stretching

If you have been putting off starting a workout routine, this is the time to start! If you’re already working out then why not try something different? I was so excited to join a new yoga studio and a new gym this month.  I love the variety of classes they both offer. I’ve also dusted off my treadmill (literally)

treadmill workout

and continued using my Peloton (I LOVE Sam and Tundi)

and even did a few yoga classes at home.

yoga and stretch class

I’m hoping the variety of workouts is what is what will me stick to it.

Looking to create your own workout area? Here are some ideas:

Hand weights

Resistance bands

Workout mat

Medicine ball

Weight bench

Half balance ball

Push up board

ab wheel

Gliding discs

WEEK 3

MEAL PLANNING

Meal planning saves me so much time and money each week.  I get so stressed out when I have to think about breakfast, lunch, and dinner for my family.  Plus, throw in snacks and school lunches and it’s a recipe for disaster if I don’t sit down at the start of the week and plan.

These are the tools I’ve been using:

Life & Apples planning pad ($12.99)

First I go through my fridge and freezer and see if there is anything I can use for the week. Then, I go through my cookbooks and try to use one cookbook at a time to choose some meals for the week.

This planning pad makes it easy to plan out my meals and make a grocery list. I also love that it has a section for meal prep notes. The pad has a magnet that you can keep right on your fridge.

Life & Apples meal planner ($24.99)

Next step is to look at what activities/meetings I have during the week and put the meals where I think they’ll fit best.  Do I have to make something in a crock pot on a crazy day? Do I have to make a meal the day before? Seeing it all in one place really helps me stay on track.

I love this tracker because it has a “notes” section where I can plan my food prep for the week.  It also has an expense tracker, lists of seasonal produce, essential vitamins lists, and even a place for your favorite recipes. It also has a spot to list family members favorite foods, favorite restaurant and take-out places, and you family’s staple pantry lists.

Check out their website!

Instagram

Facebook

I LOVE cookbooks and making new meals.  Here are a few of my favorites that I use all the time:

The Skinnytaste Cookbook by Gina Homolka

(I actually have all her cookbooks and most of my family’s favorites are from them.)

True Roots by Kristin Cavallari

True Comfort by Kristin Cavallari

Cook Once Eat All Week by Cassy Joy Garcia

Go To Dinners by Ida Garten

(This is her newest book but I have a few of them.  I love them for when we have people over.)

Half Baked Harvest by Tieghan Gerard

(Again, another favorite for entertaining and I have a few of her books.)

Feel free to message me (mytravelingkids@gmail.com) to ask me what our favorite meals are from those books.

Check out my list about Cookbooks that Inspire Travel 

WEEK 4

SURROUND YOURSELF BY POSITIVE QUOTES

As a former language arts teacher, I believe in the power of words. Sometimes all you need is a good quote to snap you out of a bad mood.  It is a wonderful way to set your mind to a new perspective and see life with a positive outlook.

My daughter installed an app called Life Quotes to my iPhone that gives me different quotes throughout the day and I look forward to that.  She has it on her watch too and when we’re together and get a new quote we say it out loud to each other.

There are many books you can use to read some positive quotes each day.  Check out a few…

Inspirational Quotes: 365 Best Inspirational Quotes For Daily Motivation by Paul Brown

 

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