Mormon Life - Lifestyle tag

{Lifestyle} Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:09:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: You still have three days to buy or make your mother a gift--don't forget!

Every year I'm in a panic Saturday night before Mother's Day because I've procastinated getting her a present yet again. This year I'm thinking about it three days ahead of time--a new record! I usually like to combine a store-bought gift with something homemade or a type of service. I found these beautiful items and clever ideas that would make great Mother's Day presents and thought I'd share. What do you like to get your mom?

Photo from Anthropologie

Farmer's Market Baskets, $14

Photo from Deseret Book

Life Lessons from Mothers of Faith, $23.99

Photo from Amazon.com

Skirted Cake Stand, $25.96

Photo from Laura Winslow Photography

Printable Mom Survery

Photo from Deseret Book

Forget Me Not, $13.49

Photo from How About Orange

DIY Bunting Flag Card (of course, minus "Happy Birthday")

Photo from Deseret Book

Marble Christus Statue, $59.99

Photo from House of Earnest

DIY Painted Wooden Spoons

Photo from Make and Takes

Bookmark for Mom

Photo from The 36th Avenue

DIY Cupcake Kit (plus 24 more DIY crafts)

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Modest Swimsuits 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Swimsuit season: there's no need to dread it anymore because cute and modest swimsuits not only exist – they seem to be everywhere! Check out this season's offerings.

Only two years ago I felt stymied in my attempts to find a modest swimsuit for a family cruise – they all looked like they were meant for someone 40 years my senior or someone who really wanted to live in the 90s. I stumbled upon one of the few beautiful and modest pieces out there just in time.

But now, it seems fashionable, feminine suits are everywhere! Polka dots continue to be popular, but there are also a few cute plaids out there this year. I bet you'll find something you'll like here.

Note: One person's idea of "modest" might not exactly square with someone else's, but these are swimsuits I think might generally be considered modest.

Photo from Downeast Basics

Retro Revival Suit, $49.99

Photo from Old Navy

Women's Twist-Front Control Max Swimsuit, $44.94

Photo from Downeast Basics

Silver Screen Suit, $49.99

Photo from ModBe

Islander Top, $50

Photo from Walmart

Catalina Women's Retro Tank Swimsuit, $15

Photo from Lime Ricki

Floral Retro One Piece, $61.99

Photo from Gap

Bandeau one-piece, $59.95

Photo from Lime Ricki

Gingham Retro One Piece, $61.99

Photo from Old Navy

Women's Ruffle Tankini Top, $24.94 (bottoms $19.94)

Photo from Divinita Sole

Flower Ruched Tankini, $99

Photo from Divinita Sole

Square Halter, $99

Photo from Lime Ricki

Pink One-shoulder Tankini, $48.99

Photo from DownEast Basics

Malibu Swim Skirt, $26.99

{Lifestyle} Planting an Edible Garden

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Joy Bossi and Karen Bastow
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Whether you have two acres or two containers, it is possible to harvest crops nearly year round in your own little slice of garden heaven.

“Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the veggies is?”

Planting an edible landscape gives room for all the veggies and fruits any family would love. In many areas, spring planting may start as early as March—or even February in warmer climates. Here in the Intermountain West, we are pushing the freezing envelope if any warm season crops are planted before the middle of May. Okay, okay . . . it’s even better if we wait until around Memorial Day.

Whether you have two acres or two containers, it is possible to harvest crops nearly year round in your own little slice of garden heaven. The downsizing of home lots can cause some concern about available space.

Instead of just choosing plants that provide ornamental delight, try planting some yummy edible substitutes that are beautiful in their own right. Lawn has its place and important function, but if the only sunny area in your yard is now lawn, maybe that is the space you should be aiming at for food production. Gardens can be planted in rather unconventional ways that add interest and surprises throughout the entire yard.

In our book, The Incredible, Edible Landscape, we help gardeners explore new ways to produce food in the most local place of all—their own yards! There are many reasons we feel this is an important part of provident living, and here are a few:

-Serious counsel has been given to grow our own food.

-Commercial food supplies sometimes become contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, etc.

-Pesticide residue on our fresh foods poses increasing health risks.

-Nutrients begin to be lost the moment crops are harvested.

-Perhaps most importantly: no one should miss out on the taste of a freshly picked ripe peach or a sun-warmed, homegrown tomato.

As President Benson once said, “The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah.”

One of the early titles of our book was “Provident Gardening.” That title ended up on the editing room floor, but the message behind that title is still addressed in every chapter. So, just what is gardening providently? It’s carefully preparing for future needs by focusing on growing edibles—and not only in the future but, deliciously, in the here and now! Knowing how to grow veggies under a variety of conditions can certainly supplement and enhance basic food storage. We strongly believe that NOW is the time to learn and practice gardening skills. There is no better place or time to hone these skills than when choosing your next gardening project. Try some of these edible substitutions for a start:

TREES – FOR -

Almond trees Flowering Cherries

2 varieties of Filbert Clump River Birch

Sour Cherry trees Lilac, Forsythia

Dwarf Peach tree (not in deep shade) Japanese Maple

SHRUBS –

Gooseberry Pyracantha, Barberry

Raspberry Privet, Juniper

Grape vine Virginia Creeper

Dwarf peach, plum, or apple Mugho pine

ANNUALS –

Opal basil Ageratum, Lobelia

Eggplant Tall Zinnia

Bright Lights Chard Medium Marigold

Sun Sugar tomato Black-eyed Susan vine

PERENNIALS –

Asparagus Ornamental Grass

Golden Sage Moonbeam Coreopsis

Chives Blue Fescue Grass

Oregano Ajuga

Here are some more ideas for incorporating edible plants into your garden:

Rhubard chard with edible Pansies.

Can you spot strawberries, nasturtiums, peppers, marigolds, melons, peaches, and ornamental sweet potatoes?

Condominium containers = edible landscape

Here’s a personal survey to help you determine your progress towards provident gardening:

1. Do you know how to grow plants from seeds?

2. Can you gather seeds from the produce you grew?

3. Have you stored those seeds?

4. Are there spare tools, parts, fertilizer, etc. in your storage?

5. Can you protect your little plants from cold, heat, insects, wind, and animals?

6. Do you know how to properly plant a leggy tomato start?

7. Can you freeze, dry, bottle, preserve and store your produce?

8. Would you like to know how to grow a Chocolate Cookie Bush?

Our book addresses these and other important gardening questions, but for all of the ideas in our book, the most important message we share is this: spiritual and emotional comfort and healing can come from being in a garden—especially when that garden is an incredible, edible landscape!

To learn more or order The Incredible, Edible Landscape, please visit joyinthegarden.com.

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Knee-length Shorts

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: We've scoured the stores to find you this season's best knee-length shorts – just in time for that delicious spring weather.

Photo from DownEast Basics--Heart Throb Shorts $44.99

Photo from Old Navy--Distressed Denim Bermudas $24.94

Photo from Old Navy--Cuffed Denim Bermudas $24.94

Photo from Banana Republic—Cotton Sateen Bermuda $49.50

Photo from Banana Republic—Button-pocket Bermuda $49.50

Photo from Piperlime—Mystic Saturday Crop $78.00

Photo from Macy’s—Tummy Control Denim $23.99

Photo from Macy’s—Denim Straight Leg $64

Photo from KneeShorts—Ladies’ Cargo Shorts $19.99

Photo from J. Crew—Summerweight Chino Short $49.50

Photo from New York & Company--Denim Bermuda Skinny Short $39.95

Photo from New York & Company--Demin Skinny Gotham Wash $39.95

{Lifestyle} Roundup: Forget Me Not

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:22:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: President Uchtdorf's talk "Forget Me Not" was an instant classic, resulting in "reminders" of all sorts - from statuettes to pretty rings, and even a book. We've found the very best the Mormon marketplace has to offer.

Photo from Deseret Book

We love President Uchtdor's newest book Forget Me Not. This would make the perfect Mother's Day gift (hint, hint, husbands!).

Photo from WillowTree

A lovely forget me not figurine

Photo from It Works for Bobbi

FREE 5x7 printable quote

Photo from TaylorsEclectic Esty shop

Never forget to be happy with this forget me not ring.

Photo from PrintasticDesign Etsy shop

Subway art bookmarks

Photo from Caty99 Esty shop

Digital print of President Uchtorf's "Forget Me Not" talk

Photo from Ringmasters

Forget me not necklace

{Lifestyle} Making General Conference Last

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:19:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: It’s easy to be filled with feel-good emotions and aspirations to never sin again while watching and listening to conference. But then Monday comes, and real life starts again.

Once upon a time, a bunch of chickens got together for a big flying convention. Every day, they were taught the basic principles of flight and physics and did training exercises and practiced for hours. As the convention continued, they gradually improved, and some of them even got to the point that they could fly for very short and then longer distances.

And then the conference ended, and they all waddled home, talking about how great it was and how much they had learned.

Hmmm. A Sunday school teacher once taught me this analogy, and it struck home. There have been plenty of times I’ve sat in conference, welled up with the Spirit and planning to do my visiting teaching on the first day of every month and become best friends with those sisters, to read my scriptures for hours each day, to pray every morning and evening and over every meal without fail, to attend the temple weekly—if not daily—and do genealogy for hours on end until every person who had ever lived had been saved.

And then Monday arrives, and I go back to work, and I waste time on Facebook, and I think I can start doing genealogy and visiting teaching and temple work tomorrow.

Since I know this situation isn’t completely unfamiliar to all of you, I’ve rounded up a few ideas for ways you can make that conference feeling and gospel motivation last through the next six months.

Post your favorite general conference quotes around the home. I’ve had some friends create a conference wall, while others just strategically place quotes on oft-opened kitchen cupboards, the refrigerator door, the bathroom mirror, next to the computer, etc. Click here for an example of an adorable and free printable you can place in your home from Elder Uchtdorf’s talk (design by My Sister's Suitcase):

Journal—or blog!—about it. Writing down the inspirations you received and setting your goals to paper (or the internet, which is even more binding) will commit you to following through on them. By writing about it in your journal, you have the opportunity to be much more intimate in your feelings and experiences. But by posting it online, you can inspire others as well and you’ll be held more accountable by those who read it. Pick which method works best for you—or do both.

Reread and listen to the talks. Get a copy of the conference Ensign or Liahona, laminate and/or bind it, and use it! If you love colors like me, you can even develop a coded highlighter system according to topics that seemed to trend throughout the conference or are particularly applicable to you in your life right now. You can also download talks (or whole sessions, which include the music) at lds.org. Have a long commute to work? That’s the perfect time to also get your spiritual study in.

Make an FHE of it. The week after conference, take the opportunity to let everyone in the family share what they most enjoyed in conference and what their goals are to apply it in their lives. For each of the following weeks in the next six months, you can focus on a different talk to study as a family, and you can also periodically review the goals you made to help keep one another on track.

Your turn: What was your favorite part of conference this year? How will you keep the spirit of conference strong in your life through the next six months?

{Lifestyle} General Conference Activities for Kids

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:10:00 -0600

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Fun and educational activities to keep your kids occupied and engaged during general conference.

Photo from Somewhat Simple.

Printable Activity Packet

Photo from Blue Skies Ahead.

Conference Baskets full of treats and activities

Photo from Little LDS Ideas.

Conference Jenga!

Photo from We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ.

Conference Collage

Photo from Lady Create-a-Lot.

Printable Guessing Game

Photo from Brown Paper Packages.

Word Treat Buckets

Photo from Oopsey Daisy.

Conference Bingo Sheets

Photo from Craft Critters.

Activity Boxes

Photo from The Readheaded Hostess.

Note Taking Packet

{Lifestyle} Genealogy as Art

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Family trees are all the rage now as people get back to their roots (no pun intended) and use their ancestry as art. Check out some of these great ideas for your home.

Photo and guide from Poppytalk.

This is probably my favorite by far. I love how the frames are "hung" on the branches of the tree. For some variations on this idea, click here and here.

Photo and guide from Better Homes and Gardens.

On board with the bird vogue? Use these templates and instructions to create an adorable family tree of nesting birds that would be perfect for any nursery. For a vinyl wall art bird family tree, click here.

Photo and guide from Martha Stewart.

This different take on displaying your ancestor's photos may not show the exact relationships of your family members, but it will present them in a stunning way that's sure to lead to questions and thus opportunities to share their stories.

Photo from Etsy; guide from The Craft Patch.

Use names to make the tree! I love the idea of words as art, and this is a beautiful way of doing just that. Click here for another great example. This one follows the same idea, though it's not actually a family tree.

Photo from Style Me Pretty.

Try preserving more than your family's names by incorporating thumbprints or handprints as leaves. This idea will work best for living relatives, or, in the photo above, as a wedding guest book. Click here and here for more thumbprint examples, or here for a guide to make a hand tree.

Photo from Shelterness.

Make your family tree into a cool centerpiece. You can make it themed like this Easter one or a traditional tree like this one here. You can also buy ones to hang pictures from on Amazon.

Photo and guide from Martha Stewart.

For an ultra cool and contemporary take on the family tree, follow Martha Stewart's guide to creating a silhouette family tree that you can match to any decor color scheme.

{Lifestyle} Fab Five: Balloontopia

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:04:00 -0600

by Alexa Justesen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Balloons just scream (and sometimes pop) fun. Here are five ways to get extra creative with them.

Ring in spring with some color by way of balloon craftiness.

Photo from Disney's Family Fun

Yarn eggs:

Using graft glue mixed with water, soak yarn and apply to a blown up balloon, criss-crossing as you wrap it. Let the glue dry overnight, and then pop the balloon, peeling it away from the yarn as it deflates.

Photo by Quirky Momma

Balloon drums:

Using old cans, stretch a balloon over the top of the can, double layering if you would like, and secure with packing tape.

Photo by Bakerella

Balloon bowls:

Melt chocolate chips, and dip small balloons into the chocolate. Set on wax paper and allow the chocolate to set. Once it has hardened, pop the balloon and peel it away from the chocolate bowl. Then fill it with ice cream!

Photo by Design Mom

Balloon banner:

Choose your favorite balloon colors and blow them up to equal size. Using strong thread, sew it through the base of each balloon knot in any design you would like. Then hang on a wall or doorway.

Photo by How Does She?

Balloon wreath:

Using a straw or Styrofoam wreath base and greening pins (found in craft stores), pin deflated balloons to the wreath in any design you would like.

{Lifestyle} Fab Five: Things to do with Used Glass

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:44:00 -0600

by Emily McClure
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Glass is beautiful, and if you have extra laying around, we found some beautiful ways to use it.

Photo from Treasure Again.

Try this inexpensive and classy way of lighting up your garden at night, or make your own jar lights by fitting a solar lid into a jar.

Photo from Natural Home and Garden.

Use old light bulbs as hanging flower pots.

Photo from Lushlee.

Make a “vase frame.”

Photo from Garden Drama.

Have some old marbles? Drill holes in your fence and fit them in for a sunny day.

Photo from Design Sponge.

Make use of an old cream soda bottle and use it for plant decoration.

{Lifestyle} Fab Five: Most Popular

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:10:00 -0700

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: These are five of our most popular pins on the LDS Living Pinterest page). It's no wonder they're loved - they're fun and useful.

We've had a lot of fun populating our Pinterest page since it went live a few weeks ago (you can view it at pinterest.com/ldsliving). Here are five of our most popular pins. Make sure to pop over and see what else we've found!

Photo from Curbly

15 awesome and adorable uses for Mason jars

Photo from Baby Space

Lovely idea for documenting a baby's beginning

Photo from The Curvy Carrot

Henri's French Onion Soup - can substitute white grape juice or vinegar/water combo for white wine.

Photo from One of a Kind Gifts

A binder with all the documents and emergency information you can grab at a moment's notice.

Photo from Shabby Apple.

A beautiful one-piece suit. Can it be? (Makes me think of M&M commercial with Santa - "They do exist!")

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Roundup

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:48:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

I realize that modesty is interpreted slightly different for everyone. Some of these outfits might need an undershirt or slip extender, but in general, I found these ensembles to be both modest and fashionable. Here are a few of my favorite finds this week:

Photo from Shabby Apple

Photo from Clothed Much

Photo from Banana Republic

Photo from Meggie Lynne

Photo from Glam and Love

Photo from Jeana Sohn

Photo from Shabby Apple

Photo from ASOS

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Roundup

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:49:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: These ladies are doing a lovely job pulling off vogue and virtue. Check out these modest outfits for your own style inspiration.

LDS Living recently opened a Pinterest account (follow us here). One of our boards is called Vogue and Virtue, featuring modest fashion and style inspriration. Right now I'm loving pastels, lace, and stripes; here are a few of my favortie finds this week:

Photo from Bathwater

Photo from Lilly's Style

Photo from Sunday Crossbow

Photo from Ish & Chi

Photo from Fancy Treehouse

Photo from Thread Ethic

Photo from Atlantic - Pacific

Photo from Late Afternoon

Photo from Pretty stuff

Photo from Shopbop

Photo from Illuminated

{Lifestyle} Roundup: Best Baby Stuff

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:53:00 -0700

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: With the explosion of online shops for babies on Etsy and easy ways to see cool things on Pinterest, it seems there is better stuff than ever for the precious butterballs in our lives.

I could look at cute and useful baby things on Pinterest and Etsy all day. (And I've certainly spent more time than is good for me doing so. What laundry?!)

These are a few of my recent favorites:

Knitted Baby Shoes

(Photo by Crochet Dreamz)

Homemade Play Dough (for older babies)

(Photo by An Art Nest)

Valentine's Day Baby Onesie

(Photo by Square Paisley Design)

Linen Nursing Cover (for Mom)

(Photo by The Busl Barn)

I Am a Child of God Nursery Hanging

(Photo by Sugarfresh)

For a girl:

Pom Pom Beanie

(Photo by Chloe's Crochet Closet)

Personalized Applique Owl Onesie

(Photo by Anything Baby Boutique)

For a boy:

Valentine's Day Boys Grey and Red Tie Onesie

(Photo by Antsy Pants)

Crocheted Football Helmet

(Photo by Laura Betty)

(Note: This particular version would be heresy in my house; luckily she does a 49ers version, too, among others.)

Dinosaur T-shirt Monster Size

(Photo by TNTees)

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: LDS Subway Art

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Why it's called subway art, I don't know. But I do know that it's really pretty and I would love this LDS art in my home.

I could spend hours browsing LDS graphic art - there are just so many beautiful options nowadays. But these are my top picks.

(Photo by Proclamation Pictures)

Arise and Shine Forth

(Photo by Lexiphilia)

Children Are the Hands by Which We Take Hold of Heaven

(Photo by Brightly Beams Prints)

Pray Always

(Photo by Finch and Fellow)

Peace Be Still

(Photo by Ciao Bella Moments)

Daughter of God

(Photo by Perfect Printables)

LDS Temple Digital Art

(Photo by Kimberly's Photography)

LDS Salt Lake Temple Print

(Photo by Little Miss Missy)

Arise and Shine Forth

(Photo by Poprocks Design)

Bring the World His Truth

(Photo by Mod Printables)

Nourish the Tree (Alma 32)

{Lifestyle} Modest Fashion Blogs Roundup

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:18:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

I love fashion, but even more, I love modest fashion. But I need all the help I can get from Mormon fashion bloggers to pull this off. Some trends I'm loving right now are bright colored bottoms, mixed prints, and faux fur, and these ladies do a great job of making these trends appropriate and cute.
Here are my top 10 picks of the week.

Photo from Cotton and Curls.

Photo from Clothed Much.

Photo from Pretty Life Anonymous.

Photo from La Vie Petite.

Photo from Lazy Saturdays.

Photo from Life of a Passeri.

Photo from High Heels and Bubblegum.

Photo from Meet Virginia.

Photo from Amy Day to Day.

Photo from Cats and Cardigans.

{Lifestyle} Mentally Training for a Race

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:03:00 -0700

by Ruthann Cunningham
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Do you have a goal to run a race - whether it be a marathon or a 5K? You might be thinking about the physical aspects of training, but it's equally important to prepare mentally.

Whether you’ve set the goal to complete a 5K or a marathon this year, you’ll find the coming months filled with physical preparation. In the future, I would love to give some suggestions on training for these different distances, but today I want to discuss another aspect of preparation that will have a huge impact on your final goal: mental training.

There will be a time during your preparation or your race when you want to quit. It is at these times you will find that having a positive attitude, pushing yourself a little further, and believing in yourself will be the difference between giving up or finishing your race.

It's exciting to have a goal to work towards and to see yourself progress over time. You may find, however, that there are days where this excitement is replaced with frustration or lack of interest in training. You are tired, busy, stressed, etc., and to go out and run seems to be another thing to add to your list. This attitude will only decrease your motivation. At these times, it is helpful to remind yourself of your end goal, perhaps see this as a chance to take a break from your everyday list, and then just go out and do instead carrying on a mental debate.

Having a positive mental attitude will get you running, but you'll also need it during and after your run. There will be times where a workout does not feel as easy as it should or you don’t finish a goal as quickly as you had hoped. During these times, you have to develop a positive attitude about the effort that you did put in. I know this all to well as I have tried for 5 years to qualify for the Boston Marathon and have come just short of the goal each time due to illness, cramping up, or my timing chip malfunctioning. I have learned from others to look at what I can improve for the future and then be happy about how far I have come and what I did accomplish.A positive attitude about your efforts changes your experience and your memories.

As you your training progresses, so does the distance, time, and speed. Stretching yourself is difficult and at times uncomfortable, but in order to improve, you have to make this stretch. When you hit what you feel is your limit, it is time for your mind to take over. You will need to mentally push yourself a little more than where you were at. Set a goal to go just a little further than you did the day before (even if it is just a couple of feet) or run a little faster than you did last week (mind you, if you feel a serious injury will result, you need to stop). By practicing this attitude of perseverance, you will be able to draw upon it during your race when you feel like you have given it your all. If you learn to keep going you will be surprised at what you can complete.

You will not only need to draw upon a positive attitude and the ability to mentally push yourself, but you need to believe in yourself. You have put forth the effort to prepare so when you start to doubt yourself or your ability to complete the race, mentally you need to tell yourself that you can do it. One minute you may feel on top of the world, and the next minute it may seem that everyone is passing you. Don’t let your mind wander and don’t question your abilities. You are not comparing yourself with other runners; you are running this race because it is your goal. Tell yourself that you can do it, even if it means repeating this to yourself over and over while you keep moving towards the finish. By believing in yourself and your abilities, you will find enjoyment in your run.

It is important to go into any running goal with proper physical training, but equally important is the mental training. If you can be positive about your efforts and goal, push yourself a little further, and believe in yourself, you will find the training and complettion of your race much more rewarding. You will also see it carry over into your individual race of life. Keep moving: the end goal is worth it!

{Lifestyle} Forget Resolutions - Make Changes That Work!

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:21:00 -0700

by Connie Sokol
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Making a life change is more than saying, “I want to lose 20 pounds.” The great news is that it’s easier than you think.

Making a life change doesn't have to seem overwhelming. It simply takes a subtle shift in mindset and a few keys to successful goal-setting.

Set goals from a Life Paragraph

Years ago friends gave us a plant for a hospitality gift. Determined to let this one live, I watered it diligently for two weeks until one day I looked at the plant closely and realized something: it was a fake plant. Oh, yeah. Resolutions are like watering a fake plant—they aren’t real. Successful goals come from connection—choosing the ideal outcome you want first, then using goals as vehicles to get there. Try creating a Life Paragraph. It’s so easy but powerful. Life coaching guru Brian Tracy has said, “The establishment of a clear, central purpose or goal in life is the starting point of all success.” Once you have a clear paragraph of what you want from life, goals are so much easier to choose and achieve.

To create a Life Paragraph, brainstorm buzz words to describe your ideal life in three categories: Self, Relationships, and Life Skills. For example, in Self you might have, “positive, spiritually centered, emotionally healthy, fit,” etc. After brainstorming all three areas, combine and edit them to create one juicy paragraph about six to eight sentences long to describe your ideal life. Have fun with this! Tweak and change until you feel it’s just what you want to describe what you’ll be working towards.

Real goals for real people

Successful goals are not I shoulds or I have tos. They’re chosen from your fabulous life paragraph and make you feel excited to begin. Good goals are specific and make you stretch without making you feel overwhelmed or like downing a cheesecake. I’ve coached women for ten years, and my secret to their success is one goal a week. That’s it. Choose wisely and then go to it. And remember Hyrum Smith wisely says to include the following in writing your goal: make it realistic, timely, specific, measurable, and action-oriented. Translation: “I will do a FUN workout three times this week for 20 minutes, varying cardio and weights.” Voila.

The possibilities are endless when you combine your Life Paragraph with a well-chosen goal—just one—each week. I’ve been able to write and publish books, be a public speaker, have a small business, be a stellar mother to six children (that’s up for debate), teach my children life skills, and run our home generally fabulously (except weeks before, during, or after holidays). And enjoy it all (most of the time). I’m not special or tremendously talented. It’s by small and simple things that great things come to pass, like keeping the kitchen counter clear. So give this a try. If you need a little boost, or group help, consider my “Take the 8-week Challenge!” You can enter at 8basics.com—it’s free and has helpful blogs, tips, and podcasts to help you stay focused on your changes. And remember, as you set goals, life happens. If you’re nose diving by day two of a goal, adjust! Change it, tweak it, make it work for you. There are no Goal Police, so switch it up to make it more real and keep progressing.

Reward yourself and keep going.

After setting a goal, choose a reward and use it! And don’t wait until you’ve completely finished the goal. One woman paid herself five dollars every time she worked out, then put that money toward a new outfit. Go girl! Rewards help change your neuroassociation to goal-setting—a fancy word for salivating Pavlovian style to set and achieve a goal, all because of the promise of an hour-long nap. That’s my kind of reward. And whatever you do, keep going with your chosen goal by continually envisioning the outcome. Anthony Robbins says that, sadly, most people give up five feet from achieving their goals.

Not you. Create that Life Paragraph, choose a connected goal that makes you excited to start, and reward your efforts along the way. This is your year to create fabulous change, so go get it!

Connie Sokol is a mother of six—expecting her seventh—and a presenter, former TV and radio host, and author of several books, including Faithful, Fit & Fabulous. For tips, columns, and books, visit www.8basics.com.

{Lifestyle} Bowl Game Family Night

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:18:00 -0700

by Molly Gray
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Next Monday is the BCS National Championship game. After you're done with your FHE lesson, make a family night activity out of it with this trivia game.

If your home is anything like my home, this coming Monday, family night is going to revolve around one thing: the BCS National Championship bowl game (the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. the Louisiana State Tigers). We love college football, so even though our favorite teams have all ended their seasons, we will definitely be watching.

If your family isn’t as college football savvy as we are, here is a fun game of trivia about the sport and the two teams that you can play with your family! Some are easier than other and some are just downright silly. But that’s what family night is for, right?

1. How many yards are needed for a team to get a first down?
2. Who is the head coach of the Crimson Tide?
3. Who is the starting quarterback for the Tigers?
4. What is the slogan of the state of Alabama?
5. Who was the state of Louisiana named after?
6. What are the Tigers’ team colors?
7. How many Heisman winners have come out of the Crimson Tide program?
8. What is the state bird of Louisiana?
9. What is the capital of Louisiana?
10. What does the Alabama flag look like?
11. What is the Tigers mascot’s name?
12. The first footballs were made out of the hide of what animal?
13. Both teams are in which conference division?
14. When was the last time that the Tigers won the national championship?
15. How many points is a touchdown worth?

Another fun thing to do as a family is to eat only foods that come in a bowl—soup, chili, cereal, ice cream—for the whole day.

You can also have each member of the family pick a team to root for and dress in that team’s colors. The losing team’s fans get to do dishes and clean up! Just remember to keep it a friendly competition!

Answers:

1. Ten yards
2. Nick Saban
3. Morgan Ogilvie
4. The Heart of Dixie
5. King Louis XIV
6. Purple and gold
7. One
8. The Eastern Brown Pelican
9. Baton Rouge
10. White with a red diagonal cross
11. Mike the Tiger
12. The pig
13. The SEC Western Division
14. 2007
15. Six, plus an attempt for an extra point after by kicking it through the uprights

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: Winter Crafts for Kids

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:18:00 -0700

by SarahJo Ciotti
source: MormonLife.com

The best parts of being a kid are the endless energy and imagination. Give them pipe cleaners and craft glue and they’re creating masterpieces; though sometimes after a few months of being cooped up during the winter they need a little spark to get them going. Here are a few craft ideas to keep little hands occupied.

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeders
With a spread of peanut butter and a sprinkling of seeds, this easy craft will keep kids who love the outdoors glued to the windows as they watch birds grab a quick bite for lunch.

Button Artwork
Finally, a use for that box of mismatched buttons! These works of art will look terrific on the refrigerator or even on a nursery room wall.

Pipe Cleaner Creatures
Tigers, chameleons, and squirrels, oh my! These adorable creatures may be found climbing all over the house after a few days with your wild animal.

Popsicle Puzzle
Whether you use family photos or magazine pictures, this little craft is fun for kids to make and play with for hours after.

Colored Pasta
Does your little one’s macaroni necklace need some color? Helping create colored pasta will be just as much fun as creating with the pasta after!

Painted Toast
That looks good enough to eat! Turn an everyday snack into something unexpected with paint-your-own toast!

Glow-in-the dark Jell-O!
A little tonic water never hurt anyone, and making jello cutouts with this stuff will make a classic dessert new and exciting!

Slime
Stretching and squeezing this sludge will create squeals of laughter, and kids will love to help create this monstery-goo.

Here are a few assembly-required projects that can create hours of entertainment for you and your children!

Indoor hopscotch
Getting those wiggles out will be like 1, 2, 3!

Puppet Theater
With some fun-colored fabric, tension rods, and a little imagination, kids will have fun creating little plays for friends and family with this new puppet theater!

PVC Playhouse
With this sturdy structure, creating a fort will be easier on you and the furniture!

Fabric roads
Simple to make, set up, and store, fabric roads keep little cars from veering out of control!