I can’t believe 2018 is over! Happy New Year everyone.

I have been thinking back on 2018. I feel like I have accomplished many things this year. Looking at life and participating in it is something I keep doing. I enjoy the arts and am grateful for being able to attending performing arts performances in the city.

For 2019, I haven’t made resolutions but more of a list of things I would like to accomplish. I want to continue to have an amazing life. To continue my work as an advocate. To continue maintaining my healthy habits — good food choices and fitness. I would also like to have some new experiences and learn something new every week. Then I would like to blog and share what I have learned.

What I want to share is that 2019 marks a big milestone for me. I am turning 40! I can’t wait to celebrate! My wish for my 40th year to have a healthy and peaceful year, sprinkled with quite a bit of humour. Stay tuned!

I am looking forward to the new year. I wish all of you well. Please continue to be fit, be healthy, and push yourself hard. Be amazing!

Stay inspired,

Tanya

All things happy and bright, enjoy the Christmas Holiday’s !

I enjoy celebrating Christmas season with the people that I love and share with them hope, peace and love in a sometimes messy world. I came up with this theme of bright because it makes people think of colours and lights. We all need to have a big box of crayons or colored pencils even if we do not use them, they give us smilies and happy feelings just looking at them. Light is important today just as it was in Bethlehem long ago, the light of the shinning star.

This month I am busy as you are decorating Christmas tree, sending cards to friends I will not see, baking cookies, helping at my church to feed those in need.
My sister found me a mini Dr. Seuss and the Grinch gingerbread house how fun is that!!

So if you are reading  this blog please join me in giving, believing, singing carols, and creating memories for years to come. At this time of year we miss those who are far away. Please hug your loved ones a little tighter. Be thankful!

Sparkle on and be inspired.   Merry Christmas    Tanya

I mentioned in my blog a few weeks ago that Fall means getting back to routine. Part of that is meal planning and making healthy meals at home. Eating clean is important to me. It helps keeps me healthy and contributes to my fitness goals. We still go to the market as a family on Saturday’s. There are so many interesting foods to look at and try. I like to see the different fruits and vegetables that come out in the fall. Especially pumpkin because that means pumpkin spice everything.  What a wonderful smell!

Another part of Fall that I like is baking. It can be a bit more fun when the weather is not so nice. I like to bake chocolate chip cookies or brownies. No nuts. As we get closer to the holidays, we bake many recipes that my Grandma used to make. A warm house, warm kitchen, and baking something sweet with my family is great way to spend a Fall day. I can taste the cookies now.

Be inspired,

Tanya

Wow, I can’t believe summer is over. I feel like now is the time to get back to routine. For the rest of 2018, I would like to continue with my routine of work, health, and fitness. There are other things that I would like to do, as well.  I want to continue to learn about life, people, and other cultures. I enjoy being active and participating in arts, crafts, baking and cooking. My desire to learn just keeps on growing. I am better when I am learning. Actually, we all are.

Be inspired,

Tanya

Happy New Year Friends! I have made a list of things I would like to do, see, and accomplish in 2018. Here are a few:

Continue to keep calm in life
Travel to a tropical paradise
Celebrate life
Enjoy the arts
Be happy and enjoy myself
Exercise, eat well and get rest

I look forward to the next year and celebrating many accomplishments.

Cheers to you — Be Fit, Work Hard, Push Hard!

Be inspired,

Tanya

With Thanksgiving not too far away, I have been thinking about what I am grateful for. The thing I am most grateful for is my very special family. They are amazing, beautiful people.  Nothing could ever take the place of family. When we are together during the different holidays, there is comfort in being together. There is warmth and laughter. The house is filled with lovely smells and happy noise of people who love each other.

Thanksgiving is also a time that I think of the people in my family who have passed away. While there are so many happy memories, I do feel a little bit sad. Especially when remembering my dad. I miss him very much. Even though he isn’t here, I know he is in my heart.

This coming weekend is a wonderful time to be with the people you love and to tell them that you are grateful that they are in your life.

Wishing everyone many Thanksgiving blessings and hearts full of love.

Be inspired,

Tanya

Life is full of experiences. Some are fun and joyful, some I am not so sure about. Last year I went through a new experience that was scary and at times painful. I had to have surgery! It was discovered that I was missing a bone in my left foot and to make sure that my big toe stayed straight, I needed a metal plate and 5 screws implanted. The operation was explained to me ahead of time but I was still nervous. My mum, family friends and I took a road trip to Camrose where I was having my surgery. That part was fun! My sister stayed in Edmonton so she could be my nurse when I got back. The staff at the hospital were very kind to me. We talked alot before they gave me some medicine to make me sleep. I even got to pick the smell that would come through the oxygen mask. Bubblegum seemed like a good choice. When I woke up in the recovery room the nurses were very gentle and talked to me softly. They had me bundled up and even my head was wrapped up. My mum says I looked like a boxer. Wow, was my foot swollen. I was very concerned that it was going to look like this for the rest of my life. Quite a few people made sure I understood that my foot would look normal again.

Now came the hard part, my recovery. I had to stay off my foot for 8 weeks. The first week after my surgery was not fun. I was in pain and had sensations in my foot. Once I started to feel a bit better, I was able to use a special scooter for people who have to stay off a foot or leg for a period of time. This was a good thing. I allowed me to have my independence and move around. I had some crutches too, but they hurt my armpits. When my doctor looked at my foot many weeks after the surgery, he said that I was a great patient. I guess that means I am good at following doctor’s orders.  This experience was not one of my favorites but I learned something. I learned that the body is a pretty amazing at healing and that I was able to work through the pain and frustration. Now a year later, I have a beautiful foot and I am ready to dance!

Be inspired,

Tanya

At the beginning of the year I thought to myself that I needed a motto for 2017. I thought about the things that are important to my life and the saying that have been repeated to me over and over again, like a broken record. I came up with Be Fit, Be Healthy, Push Hard, Work Hard. Being fit is important to me. It is not about being skinny. It is about being strong and in good shape. Of course I like to feel good in my clothes too. My trainer continues to coach me in exercise and healthy eating. The best ultimate fitness gift I can give myself is to get active and make healthy food choices. This can be hard sometimes but we have to push ourselves even when we do not feel like doing something. When I have a day like this, I have to say “Tanya, stand up and be somebody”! When we work hard, good things start to happen!

Be inspired,

Tanya

You will often hear me talk about the people in my life. My family and my friends who have helped me on my life path. The important people who have taken the time to show me that I can accomplish many things. The people who have made sure I understand that I am capable  and  never put a ‘dis’ before the ability.

Growing up in my house meant that when I accomplished something, big or small, it was celebrated. But it also meant that if I was having a bad day or couldn’t quite figure something out, I was not allowed to sit around and feel sorry for myself. I had to keep going. This could be frustrating sometimes. Now that I am older I think I get it. I understand that by not letting me quit I was able to realize my abilities.

As an adult, I know that I am a capable woman who still wants to grow and learn. I feel grateful that I can learn and that I have people to support me in this. I wonder about the people who live in our world who might not be able to see their capabilities or maybe they don’t have anyone to support them. This makes me sad. We all need a support system. People who can show us things about ourselves. We have been given abilities and different gifts. Sometimes we just need a little help.

Be inspired,

Tanya

Have you ever been involved in something and looked back and felt proud of yourself?

In 2016 , I celebrated my 10 year anniversary of being a advocate and motivational speaker. In this role I have has so many wonderful opportunities. Traveling to new places and making new friends have been the best part of my job.

Looking towards the next 10 years, I hope I can continue to encourage people to recognize their capabilities and gifts. I want to motivate people with all abilities to be themselves by creating happy and healthy lives. Through my passion the greatest gift I can inspire is hope. We always have hope!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me and shared your personal stories. I am so grateful that you have been apart of my life path.

Cheers to you and the future!

Be Inspired,

Tanya