The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life by Hal Elrod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, Hal really taught me to just get my buns out of bed and get my day started! The thing that stuck with me the most was to just decide to get up and get over the excuses. Then when I did get up and follow his SAVERS routine in the hour before everyone else got up, I LOVED starting my day that way!

Workout, reflection, quiet, PD... calm before the crazy of getting a family out the door. As a teacher, we are spending so much energy just getting through the day, that an evening workout or chapter of a book sounds like the last thing we have time for.  But solving the problem of not being able to get to the gym by doing a workout at home before the family needs me has created the very best demeanor for my mornings at home that extends far into the school day.  Now, when I sleep in until after the kids wake up, I always regret it.

This book will definitely motivate you to try his method - and who knows, it just might be perfect for you even if you are not a morning person (like me).

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy cow! This book is so freaking interesting! I started it with the expectation that it would convince me to workout and eat better and change some lifestyle habits. It sort of did that, but mostly it told me stories of how the habit loop works and how habits change people, groups, and entire societies!

I actually connected a lot of this more with how to help my students be successful at following basic rules at school. It explains the science and research of how habits work in our brain in such an interesting way. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to stay in my car listening longer or yelled, "That is so interesting!" At my steering wheel. This one did more teaching instead of persuading like a lot of the PD books I have read. I loved all of it!

The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think Gretchen Rubin is my soul sister. Except we have different "Tendencies." I couldn't stop writing little tidbits on post-its as she said so many things I connected with. Each month, she focused on one different thing to be happier each month. This is one I need to buy the hard copy of. I need a highlighter. I need to remember to do happier things in my relationship with my husband, kids and friends. I also need to remember that it's ok to just be me.

A light, fun dive into a quick burst of happiness without being heavy!

The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Freaking MIC DROP!

First of all, Mel's voice and flow on the audio book is really fun to listen to. It's one of those where you feel like she is standing with you as you clean your kitchen, holding a cup of coffee and sharing her life story.

Though repetitive for a reason, it's never boring, absolutely accessible for EVERYONE no matter what you are trying to change in your life from getting out of bed earlier, to finishing that load of laundry, to getting that grading/paperwork done. The story she told at the end with the story of her dad brought me to tears of absolute connection with my own life.

WOW! 5 seconds really can change your life.

Serves 2-3
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes depending on chicken

UPF: 1 Red, 2 Green, 1/2 Blue
2B Mindset: Dinner

INGREDIENTS

• 1 head of bib or romaine lettuce
• 1 lb of boneless/skinless chicken breasts (I used tenders for faster cooking)
• 3 cups of chopped Brussels sprouts, broccoli slaw, or cabbage (whatever you prefer or can find- the photo is Brussels)
• 1 cup of chopped raw cashews
• 1.5 cups of Asian sauce (I used Trader Joe's Island Soy-aki, but anything you love and is relatively clean will work)
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Tear off the bottom of the lettuce, separate leaves, wash, and lay to dry
2. Heat Olive oil in large pan on medium heat
3. Add chicken gently to avoid oil splatter
4. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes until sides begin to turn white
5. Dust with salt & pepper and turn
6. Dust with a few more salt and pepper shakes and cook until temperature reaches 165F
7. Remove chicken from pan and cut or shred into bite sized peices
8. Add cashews and roast until lightly browned
9. Add chopped vegetables and saute lightly
10. Add 1/4 cup of sauce and mix with the vegetable/cashew mixture until warm
11. Remove mixture from the pan and into a serving bowl
12. Add chicken back to pan with the remaining sauce and cook until flavors set and sauce is warm
13. Move lettuce and chicken to serving plates/bowls
14. Fill the lettuce with chicken and veggies and ENJOY a healthy meal