Happy Friday Eve all!! I am sorry for leaving you all hanging lately. I can honestly say I absolutely LOVE my job ~ it is amazing how much you do not mind working your hinny off when you feel challenged and LOVE what you do. I guess I never realized how much of that was missing in my life until I actually stepped out of my comfort zone at my last place and into a new one. Yesterday I reached the official 1 month mark and I still feel like it’s the BEST DECISION I’ve ever made!
That being said, I am totally struggling balancing it all. The thing is that I absolutely LOVE all of you, blogging, sharing recipes, ideas and more importantly, hearing from you. In a strange way I feel like I know each and everyone of you and I look forward to your comments, emails, tweets, and Facebook messages. You all have a way of making me laugh, smile and I am always interested in knowing how you are doing. I know I am often reading your comments to The Husband too so it’s like we both feel like we know all of you whether we have met in person or not.
I am determined to make it all work though and I am constantly trying new things to balance it all! I know a lot of my struggle is I do not know how to “half-way” anything. I feel like if I am going to do something, then, I need to give it my all and do it 110%. I do not feel like I can give you half of me or only half way answer your emails, comments, etc. You all deserve 110% from me and I wouldn’t feel good giving anything less……
So, I am making an executive decision LOL…..Even though my title Danica’s Daily implies daily posting, some days, my daily is nothing. My NEW focus is going to be on QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. I would rather post less and share something you all want to read rather than to put up a post half @$$ed. I will still post my daily eats, new recipes, giveaways and all that as time permits. When I am short on time, I will also continue to cycle through some of my archived recipes because they are a great reminder for me and my occasional Wordless Wednesday posts too. Not much will really change, other than, some “days” I do not have much to say.
Hopefully all that rambling makes sense, but, I just wanted you all to know that I care about you all and it is never intentional if I miss a post and am forever behind on emails (I will get caught up!).
Ok…..stepping off my soap box ~ I just want you all to know I am always thinking of you whether I am here rambling on or not.
This morning The Husband actually crawled out of bed early just so he could go to Starbuck’s with me….now that IS LOVE!
Venti Iced Nonfat Decaf Latte with Caramel Drizzle (3 points+)
Plus a banana!
I totally brought Soup Fusion to the Café too! I combine Green Chili Posole with Navy Bean Soup and it was spicy, smoky and just plain delicious! (8 points+)
This time I added one doughy, crunchy, homemade roll (4 points+)
There may have been a Starbust or Two in the mix too for dessert (1 points+)
When I walked in the door, The Husband surprised me by having dinner made complete with the table set ~ I LOVE HIM!!! (oh, he said to tell you all that is a Root Beer 
)
I think I just need to lay out steaks more often because um it’s his favorite and he will grill them ANYTIME!
4 oz served with 1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice (it cooks in 3 minutes!) 9 points+
Served with leftover sesame cucumber salad that I actually think tasted better today.
WIN ROCCO’S NEW NOW EAT THIS TIP BOOK!
Q’s
How do you all balance it all? I would LOVE to know any tips and/or advice you all have.
Night all!
My husband was sitting at the desk talking to me as I was ignoring him and reading your post (LOL). He saw the steaks and said WHO SENT THAT???? I’m like – nobody. It’s a blog! He said, well tell them thanks a lot!!! 🙂 Those look so yummy! I love men and their grills. Ha!
I’ll follow Danica’s Daily, even if it’s weekly or monthly…love your stuff! Take care of yourself…new job, surgery, sheesh! I know how stressful life changes can be…take all the time you need.
I wish I had some advice for you on balancing it all out, but I struggle with the same thing!
I think many of use bloggers can totally understand this need for balance…and with that said, totally understand when life gets in the way of the internet. So you do not need to feel bad about needing to prioritize your life, I am sure we can all relate!
I know just how you feel. With my kitchen all apart and my new job, I am having to reconsider my “time management.” I think it’s mostly coming up with a new routine, seeing if it works, then modifying if necessary. You are doing great!!
I can’t imagine how you have been doing this daily. You know, often I only need to see what you are eating daily to give me ideas and inspire me so keep it simple and fast and maybe once a week, give us words of wisdom and the depth of your days/life. Works for me!
Marcia
I try to balance it by: when I grocery shop I do it for 2 weeks and before I go I pour over all my yummy reciepes from you and others and plan every nights meal. I make a chart with each day and write in dinner with sides as well. Than I post it on the fridge, that way I know what we are having and if it needs to thaw out I can take it out the night before or that am. I also have now made it a must that I go to the gym atleast 4 days aweek…I am dressed in my gym gear after I drop Jake man off I head to the gym! I hope you are feeling better! miss you guys!
I am a relative newcomer to your blog and just love it. So even if you recycle recipes, dinners, or whatever, it’s all new to me. We will stay as long as you do this blog whether it’s daily or not. Thanks.
Your life sounds like so many others, including mine! There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do! You will find a balance, I promise! Even if you post when you can, I’ll keep checking and be very happy when you do! You have a faithful follower here! ?
I will read whatever you post, whenever you post. Balance and sanity are more important than a daily post. I am happy to read whatever you post.
I completely understand, Danica! It is hard to be and do everything we want, but most important is to “do life”!!! I had to give myself a big pep talk in that same respect. Managing my home and my family has to come first, so I’ve scaled back my blogging, too. Now, I try to post 3 days a week, but if I can’t….well, I can’t. I feel badly sometimes because, as you said, when you’ve been blogging for a few years, you really create a community of friendship with your readers. However, I know my readers understand that life has to come first and you know that we (your readers) understand the same for you!! We’ll be here for you! 🙂 xoxoxo
How I balance it all. Wow. What a loaded question. I have to say some days are a lot better than other ideas. I just say to myself most times that I definitely deserve some “me time”. Although me time is usually spent huffing and puffing at the gym.
I feel you on this one, Danica! It’s tough to balance everything. Work (well, school for me!), food prep, homework, social events, clubs.. everything! Your readers will always love your posts, no matter if we get them once a day or once a month! I’d much rather read well-written,thoughtful posts than something thrown together just to get up your “daily” anyway! That being said however, I would love if you revisited some of your older recipes as reminders to your readers! I think when a blogger repeats a recipe, it’s a tell tale sign that it’s a winner! I love that you’re enjoying your new job. And never forget to take a little time for yourself too!
Sarah
Atta girl Danica. Do whatever is best for you!!! Maybe your new title should be “Danica’s Not Quite Daily” – and we’ll be back to read whenever you are able to post. So glad you are enjoying your new job. I envy that enthusiasm for a workday!!!
What I have found is, most things will wait. I now try to put people before tasks. If my husband wants to watch a movie, I can sweep the floor tomorrow. It’s not like the dirt won’t be there. Folding the clothes and taking out the trash aren’t urgent matters. I explained to my husband that I’d love to “bond” with him at the grocery store, he now comes with me to shop. I like the fact that your husband helps you out with your blog! I try to gauge the urgency of things by asking myself “in 10 years, is anyone going to remember I….. folded laundry in a timely fashion, prepared a five course dinner five nights a week, exclaimed that you could eat off my floors they’re so clean, talked about how organized my pantry was ….. you get the idea. What’s important to you should come first. Sounds like most followers here would love any time you can give them, even if it’s not daily!
This is my first post and I felt compelled to write because I went through something similiar not long ago. My advice is to give it time. Once I got into the swing of things after moving and changing careers, the rest of the stuff starting falling back into place. Obviously, you have to concentrate on your priorities, like work, family, and health. The “Daily” part is a goal you set for yourself so you have the perogative to change it!
Danica you started a new job, had surgery, keep the blog going, it is a lot, and I give you a lot of credit. You will find a routine that works for you. Your priorities are yourself and your family, the rest is a nice to have. as a prior person mentioned, the daily part is a goal that you placed on yourself. Take care of you 1st
I struggle with balance, too. I am the ops mgr at a HomeGoods and sell real estate part time. I am on a weight loss journey, lost 65 lbs and 40 more to go. Stalled a bit in weight loss and trying to get it moving again. Planning for eating is the number one key and not getting so hungry that you stuff anything in your mouth. Thinking that all the work through the holidays will help at least keep my weight stable till the beginning of the year for the big push to my goal. I also signed up for a Bootcamp to challange myself. Also, saying no to things that sound fun or a good idea at the time will help give you some downtime. I will enjoy your posts even if they don’t come every day. Thanks. Jan
Of all the blogs I follow yours is by far THE BEST! … I have often wondered how you keep up with The Husband 🙂 , work, household duties, family, etc and still do this. I have learned a lot from your daily post (see, you are a teacher too!). I will gladly except and look forward to daily, 2X – 3X a week, monthly what ever your time allows. Thank you for all you do in sharing and in allowing me a total strange into your part of world! (I’m in NC)
Toni
Love Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice. Some evenings I am so tired I make that and throw some veggies on top and maybe some soy sauce…..yummy! Danica I can relate to finding balance. I used to have a blog and the word “Daily” was in the name. I never intended to blog everyday but felt I had to because of the name. I started posting everyday and did end up posting 2 to 3 times a week. Then I had to give it up because I have too much other stuff going on. I love your site and will continue to visit no matter how little you post. I rather you do fewer posts if need be and you keep this site up. I feel bad because I do not comment alot, but I do stop by all the time. So I am here even if my comments are few! Take care.
How do you make that cucumber salad?
Hi Janel,
We combined a little sesame oil, rice vinegar, agave nectar, sesame seeds with cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
Danica