Lifestyle: How to Set Yourself up for Success in January

How to Approach a New Year

With the new year upon us, it's that time and the frequently used "R" word is being thrown around like confetti.

Many of us make resolutions in January but it's only a matter of weeks before they are forgotten and we fall back to our old habits. 

I really don't mind the word 'resolution' but I think that's because I have a pretty healthy relationship with goal setting. I believe goals are meant to be set and reset time and time again. In fact, I really think it's a great idea to set your goals in January and then revisit them again in a few months. 

Check up on yourself every quarter- just like you would at your job. See what worked and what doesn't...

If you plan to set and reset, you won't get down on yourself if you don't make permanent changes in one shot. It's a process- not a magic trick. Real change takes time and is hard work. 

So how do I approach January 1st? For the last few years I've been doing a few things that have really worked for me. I have a New Year routine and it really helps me set my mind for the upcoming calendar year.

So forget "resolutions," here are the 'R' words you should be embracing this December 31st.

Recharge

Rest and Relax. As you wrap December up, take some time to pat yourself on the back. 

Good or bad, you made it through a whole year of challenges, obstacles, ups and downs. You deserve a break! Schedule some "me time" leading up to December 31st and do the things you love to do. 

               

Read a book, meditate, journal, do some yoga, go for a mindfulness walk, take a long candlelit bath or book a massage. The idea is to congratulate yourself on the year you've just completed and to celebrate the accomplishments that have come along with it. 

Taking this time for yourself will help you approach January with a positive attitude and more energy to start again.

Refresh

Clean, de-clutter and reorganize. These are things I love to do before a new year begins. There is something so satisfying about cleaning out your closet or junk drawer and getting rid of anything that doesn't serve you in the new year. Cleansing brings renewed energy into your space and into your life too. 

Put away some of your holiday decor if you're no longer enjoying it, rearrange your desk or bedside table, replace broken items around the home and generally de-clutter. Whether it's old makeup, outdated magazines or socks with holes in them, you will feel the shift in energy when you get rid of these things that are just taking up space.

Tip: take on one small action item at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed by this huge task. 

And don't stop there- open some windows, light some candles or burn some sage to cleanse the energy in your home before ringing in the new year. 

Reflect

The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the last 12 months. It can be hard to remember all the things that went down when you look at the year as a whole. 

I recommend starting with your photo gallery. Just scroll through the photos you snapped over the last year. It's amazing the small moments we forget even happened. 

Take some time to remember the family gatherings, amazing sunsets, vacations, people and places you enjoyed and experienced. 

It's easy to lose sight of all the great things that happened when we are charging ahead to a new year. But I always think it's important to raise a glass to all that went well in the last 365 days and to celebrate the small things, while taking note of big changes or challenges of the year gone by. 

Reset 

Now that you've had time to reflect on all the awesome and not so awesome moments of the year gone by, it's time to set some goals for the year ahead.

Make a list (yes, write it down) of all the things you'd like to experience or achieve in the upcoming year.  Instead of broad statements like "Get in Shape," write down a solid and specific goal Ie. "Work out 3 evenings a week using an online video."

  

Once your list is complete, look at your goals again and see if there are a few steps that you could take in January to get your goals started. 

For example, if you want a new job in a different industry, take an online course in January that will help give you the skills you may need or update your Linked In profile as a first step.

If you want to "Travel More," find one place you can explore in your hometown in the Spring. 

If you want to "Eat healthy,"  borrow a vegetarian cookbook from the library or find a blog and commit to one new recipe a week.

Breaking your goals into smaller steps and chunks will help you get on your way to achieving them over the course of the new year.

Achieving your goals doesn't have to be a burden or cost a lot of money. Make it manageable and you can make it happen.

Let's Get It

I hope that these "R words" help set you up for a year of renewed energy and success ahead. Wishing you all an amazing celebration and a healthy, happy and productive year ahead.

Happy New Year and all my love! 

xo 

Angelie 

Lifestyle: Holiday Decor and Favorites

Home for the Holidays

If you ask me, there's no place like home for the holidays!

I love being surrounded by all the warm and fuzzy feelings that come this time of year. Family gatherings, special meals and lots of quality time. 

Everyone has some time off and is generally a little bit happier - which is a welcome feeling especially during the freezing Canadian winter. 

I really look forward to this time of year and enjoy decorating my home with wintery and Christmasy touches. There's lots of red in my closet and there are some special foods which make appearances on our dining table as well. 

Today, I thought I'd share some of my absolute favorite things to have around during holiday time. 

There's things that keep you cozy, winter comfort foods, special decor and even a few items that make the holidays a little easier.

Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more home, travel, style and food content!

Lifestyle: A Fresh Cut Tree

Christmas Tree Tradition

Growing up, my family purchased a fresh cut Christmas tree for about 10 years in a row. My dad loved the scent and the look of a fresh pine and I was definitely with him on that one! When I got married, my hubby and I decided to bring that tradition back and purchase a fresh cut tree of our own.

Living in a condo, it also made a lot of sense since we didn't need to store a bulky tree in our tiny locker.

It's our fifth year getting a fresh Christmas tree and I have to say I still love this tradition. We make an outing of it and enjoy selecting the perfect tree to bring into our home.

We look for:

• fullness (it should look good from all sides)
• the shape (we like a slender cone) 
• freshness (it should be nice and green)
• trunk (you want enough space at the bottom to put some presents)

We always get a Fraser Fir and have found that they have a great scent and retain most of the needles until after New Year's.

Here, I'm sharing my other tips when it comes to bringing home a fresh cut tree. If this is a tradition you may want to try in your own family, you'll find all the information you need in this video.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Zucchini Pancakes

The gifts are wrapped, the stockings are hung, the cookies are baked, the movie is playing...but wait...what's for breakfast on Christmas morning?

My family gets super excited for Christmas Eve dinner but we often overlook the most important meal on December 25th, which should be breakfast. Sometimes presents trump food, I know, but it's always good to have a quick and healthy recipe to help sustain you as you tear open the wrapping paper and say your thank yous. 

This Christmas, may I suggest my quick and easy Zucchini pancakes? They are a great way to whip up something quick, while also getting an extra serving of vegetables in between all the carb heavy holiday meals. 

These pancakes are a green spin on potato latkes so I love to serve them up with some apple sauce or plain greek yogurt and green onions. The result is simply delish. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Zucchini Pancakes

Preparation time: 10 minutes Total time: 30- 40 minutes

Ingredients:

2 large zucchini squash, grated

¼ cup bread crumbs

1 small shallot, finely diced or 2-3 green onions, chopped

1 egg, beaten

salt and pepper

1 medium sized potato, grated

olive oil for pan frying

½ cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Method:

Step One Using your hands, squeeze as much liquid as you can from the grated zucchini

Step Two Combine the zucchinni in a bowl with the shallots/green onions, potato, and salt and pepper

Step Three Add the beaten egg, cheese and bread crumbs (add more bread crumbs as needd to create a thick and sticky batter)

Step Four Heat a non-stick pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add a tablespoon or two of olive oil and then spoon small amounts of the batter into the pan, flattening with the back of the spoon to create the pancake shape. Adjust the heat as necessary (you want the pancakes to sizzle) and do not disturb the pancakes until they have browned on the bottom slightly (about 5-6 minutes)

Step Five Flip the pancakes and continue to cook the other side for about 3 minutes more

Step Six Transfer the pancakes to a plate lined with paper towel to drain before serving with apple sauce or greek yogurt

Bon Appetite!

The most beautiful, quick and easy appetizer you ever did see...

Let's face it- the holiday are a busy time. If you're like me, you love going the extra mile when you're entertaining, to let your friends and family know you love them. There's something magical about the moments when you're hosting and toasting, surrounded by the warmth of loved ones; but when there's shopping, wrapping, baking and cooking to do, sometimes there's just not a lot of time left for beautiful plate presentation or extra fancy dishes.

It's at moments like these that efficiency is key, so I thought I'd share one of my favourite time-saving appetizers with all of you.

This plate will be sure to wow your guests and make them feel like you took some extra time and thought to make something special. It looks beautiful, tastes amazing and it's ready to eat in under 5 minutes. 

If you ask me, that makes it a winner.

All you need are Boursin cheese (it's an herb flavoured, medallion-shaped, soft cream cheese), pomegranate seeds and some chopped rosemary. 

Simply place the cheese medallion in the centre of a plate, and sprinkle the top with fresh chopped rosemary. Then add some pomegranate seeds on top and serve it with a plate of crackers. I like to showcase this showstopper on a plate all  by itself since it's so beautiful and the colours really pop. Serve this on a pretty white or neutral plate to really get the effect as the colours play off each other and it's an instant attention grabber.

Hope you enjoy entertaining with this quick and simple, elegant dish as much as I do. Bon appetite!

Compound Butter

It's the most wonderful time of the year and a lot of us are busy with holiday parties, work events and even casual get-togethers. While it's quick and easy to grab a bottle of wine to take over to a friend's house, I sometimes find myself inspired to give them something a little more personal.

I always appreciate little thoughtful gestures from friends and a homemade hostess gift is one of the ways I love to have my friends feel all warm and fuzzy too.

This recipe for compound butter is so quick and easy and it's a great addition to any holiday table as well. I like to use it as a finishing touch on roasted potatoes, boiled vegetables or with freshly baked bread. Make it for yourself, make it for others...either way it's a crowd pleaser and an easy and delicious way to take your dinner to the next level.

Rosemary Compound Butter

Preparation time: 10 minutes Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup salted butter

3 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, removed from the stem and chopped

Method:

Step One Leave the butter at room temperature to soften about 30 minutes to an hour

Step Two Mix the butter and rosemary in a bowl, combining with a spatula

Step Three  Spoon the mixture on to a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a log shape

Step Four Tie the ends off with string or twist off the ends

Lemon and Shallot Compound Butter

Preparation time: 10 minutes Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup salted butter

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest

1 small shallot, finely diced

 

Method:

Step One Leave the butter at room temperature to soften for about 30 minutes to an hour

Step Two Mix the butter, lemon and shallots in a bowl, combining with a spatula

Step Three Spoon the mixture on to a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a log shape

Step Four Tie the ends off with string or twist off the ends

Get in the Spirit with Holiday Scents

One of the things I love about the holidays is all the delicious smells: pine trees, baked apples, cinnamon, oranges and clementines....ahh smells like Christmas!

I absolutely love this time of year and love celebrating all month long. If you are like me and don't have the time to make fresh gingerbread cookies daily to make your house smell all cinnamon and gingery...this is the perfect trick for you!

Your friends and family will walk in to a home full of warmth that smells like the holidays and there is absolutely nothing to it!

Here's what you need to make your home smell perfectly like this magical time of year:

1 orange, sliced

1/2 a lemon, sliced

a handful of fresh cranberries

2-3 sticks of cinnamon

4 bay leaves

Place all the ingredients in a pot and fill it two thirds of the way with water. Simply leave the pot on the stove on medium heat and wait for the aroma to do it's thing. Add more water as it evaporates and enjoy the nostalgia as Christmas smells fill your home!

Happy Holidays :)