Doin’ the Friday dance over here (it’s a combination of a fist pump and karate kick with the occasional air guitar). 

It may be gloomy outside, but it’s not too cold, and most importantly – it’s almost the weekend!

Breakfast:

Basic yogurt mess:

Vanilla Greek yogurt

Uncooked oatmeal

Blueberries and raspberries

One Small Healthy Effort Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!  The winner is Tanya, who wrote that her small healthy effort was: “I move my body every day. Some days it’s just a 30 minute walk, but I always get at least that in. It not only is good for me, it makes me a happier person.”

Tanya’s prize is either the upcoming Healthy Tipping Point: A Powerful Program for a Stronger, Happier You book (available for pre-order on Amazon,Barnes and Noble, or Indie Bound) or my kids’ book, Operation Beautiful: For Best Friends (available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indie Bound).

There were so many other awesome small healthy suggestions that I thought I’d also list 10 of my favorites.

• Angela:  “One small thing I do is practice breathing deeply in the car when I’m driving to and from work. It really helps me to slow down (both mentally, and in terms of driving too!) and relax all of the muscles in my body that have become tense from sitting at a desk all day.”

• Jenny: “I keep a gratitude journal and try to write down at least 3 things I’m thankful for everyday. Some days all I can come up with is “indoor plumbing” or “good parking spot” but it still has helped change my perspective and now I go to bed in a good mood instead of ruminating over a bad day”

• Gina: “I do pushups (almost) every morning after I get up. It helps energize me and get me going.”

• Kelly: “Everyday, I engage in positive self-talk. I never realized how much I beat myself up until I started make a concerted effort to be positive. This has helped me to make strides in my professional and athletic life!”

• Pop Tart Yogini: “I try and be as friendly as possible at work. It makes the day much more manageable when there’s a smile on my face and in my voice.”

• MaryBe: “One small action I do everyday, is to NOT smoke. I quit 6 years ago, and I am grateful everyday for my ever-improving health. I still can’t believe how much better I feel. I encourage everyone to quit, right NOW.”

• Kari: “I don’t take work home with me anymore.”

• Martha: “One of my longest-running (and easiest!) healthy habits is to eat fresh produce at every meal and snack. This is especially good for those days when you want a PB&J rather than a salad — go ahead and have the sandwich, just add an apple or some bell pepper strips to the side. Easy!”

• Mel: “I have work during the day and class at night, so I spend a good 30 minutes each night packing lunch, snacks, and dinner for the following day! I always have something healthy when I’m hungry.”

• Ali: “I tell my daughter 3 things every morning about her that I love. They are not about her looks but about her personality. She is 2. I’m not sure she gets it, but it sure starts the day out on the right foot for me.”

Happy Friday!