This post is sponsored by ZonePerfect. 

Blog Forward 2014 Challenge by ZonePerfect 

So we are just a littl over  a month into the new year. How’s it going? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? I didn’t make any spefic resolutions but I did make a comittment to spending a lot more time with my family and to improving our health overall. I’m taking part in the Blog Forward 2014 C
hallenge by ZonePerfect! While participating in the challenge I’m going to be receiving some Zone Perfect products as well as some thoughtful challenges to help keep me on track and I’ll blog every one of them. 

Blog Forward 2014 Challenge #1

“Between January 1, 2014, and February 28, 2014, post a blog article detailing 3–5 New Year’s resolutions and include a letter to your future self that encourages you to stay on track or get back on track.” 

1. RESOLUTION: Spend more time with my family and less time working. Zone Perfect has some great tips on how to work with your family toward common goals. I’ve shared them below. Anway, so far, I’ve given up one of my four jobs. I’ve set a specific schedule and try really hard to abide by it. While working from home has its obvious benefits, one major downfall is the grayed line between work and home.
2. I’m “in the office” all day but that no longer means I need to be working from the time my eyes open in the morning until they finally close at night. I shared Five Tips to Make Working From Home Work over a year ago- they are great tips and my goals is to follow my own advice here! You’ll see my tips for eating more carfeully while working from home as well- I need to read and reread that post every day, I think!! Which, brings me to my next “resolution.”
3. RESOLUTION: Make better, more nutritious choices for myself and for my family.As you might have read in some past blog posts, I’ve struggled with being overweight for most of my life. I’m also a night-time sweet snacker. I’ve had the priviledge of trying many ZonePerfect products including their Greek Yogurt bars and, more recently the Perfectly Simple limited ingredient nutrition bar.I’ll be honest here, while Zone Perfect offers a ton of options for chocolate lovers- I’m not a huge fan of their chocolate coating. They are good but in my opinion, not enticing enough to substitute for a good ole fashioned and completely unhealthy candy bar. That being said, I’m in LOVE with their Perfectly Simple line of products! Their Toasted Coconut bar is to die for with only 8 ingredients it packs in 10 grams of protein and is gluten free!I’m also swapping out some of the kids unhealthy snacks for Kid Zone snacks. Their Caramel Crunch bars are like granola bars with caramel, preztzels and chocolate chips (these are tasty- yes, even the chocolate chips!). Plus, each bar has 5 grams of protenig, 23 vitamins and minteals and 3 grams of fiber. 
4. RESOLUTION: Finally finish my Master’s Degree!Although I won’t finish until 2015, 2014 is the year of learning for me! I started a month ago and while it’s not anywhere close to easy- I’m doing the work and maintaining A’s. I’m working toward a M.A. in Public History which will help me with my teaching career, my writing aspirations and encompasses my passion for “old things” or, more specifically living history. 

Dear Future Self, 

Screwed up? Just get back on the wagon! You can do this! Remember why you want to be healthy and make better lifestyle choices! For your children! To set a good example for them and to be around long enough to see them grow up to be healthy, wonderful adults that make their own great choices! You got this! 

Me! 

 Tips on Working With Your Family

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 The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

The family that _____ together, stays together. You fill in the blank! I’d love to hear your thoughts! I love these tips from Zone Perfect. I love cooking with my kids- this is something that I we do fairly often. What other tips do you find useful? Is this list short on any tips? Leave me a comment and let me know! 

Disclosure: Although I have entered the Zone Perfect Blog Forward program and received complimentary product and ZonePerfect promotional items, I am free to comment about ZonePerfect in a positive, neutral or negative fashion.