Mediterranean Dinner Bowl

This high protein + low carb Mediterranean Dinner Bowl comes together in 15 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Swap out proteins and leafy greens for variety and taste. Salmon, shrimp, steak, jammy eggs or seared tuna work well too.

Here’s How You Make It:

Ingredients:

1. 1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs

2. 2 tbsp Plain Greek yogurt

3. Juice of one small-mediun size lemon

4. 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika

5. 1 tbsp. garlic powder

6. 1/2 tbsp. sumac

7. 1/2 tbsp. oregano

8. 1/2 tsp. cumin

9. 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

10. Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Start with1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (five-six thighs). Toss them in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, sumac, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, sea salt & ground pepper, along with plain yogurt and the juice a small - medium size lemon. Mix well to coat

3. *You can allow it to marinate a few hours to overnight in the fridge or make it right away. It’s delicious either way!

4. When you’re ready to cook, bring a pan to medium heat, add avocado oil.

5. Add the chicken to the skillet, smooth side down and do not touch it for 5-7 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken, so it gets a good sear. You’ll know it’s ready to flip when the thighs release easily from the pan and nothing sticks to the bottom.

6. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-6 minutes, until meat is a golden brown and juices run clear.

7. While the chicken is cooking, plate bowls with baby gem lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced baby cucumbers, sliced avocado and fresh feta.

8. Slice cooked chicken thighs and add them to the bowl. Top with lots of fresh herbs (cilantro, dill, parsley, mint) and dress with a homemade vinaigrette made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, a dash of Dijon mustard, a drop of honey, crunchy sea salt and pepper.

Enjoy with warm pita or skip it for a low carb meal.

Eight Tips to Help You Uncover Your Why

Tips and Activities to Help You Dig Deeper and Unveil Your Why:

Uncovering your "why" involves introspection and self-exploration, asking you to dig deeper than creating a checklist of things you want to achieve in the coming year. Techniques like journaling, meditation, coaching, or engaging in activities that ignite your passion can help you uncover your deepest wishes and dreams for a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life.

Here are Some Steps to Get You Started:

1. Reflect on Values: Consider your core values. What matters most to you in life? Align your goals with these values. For instance, if family is a core value, how does your goal relate to your family's well-being or desire for a fulfilling family life?

2. Ask Yourself, "Why?" Multiple Times: Use the "Five Whys" Technique. Start with your initial goal and ask yourself why it's important. Then, for each answer, ask "why" again. Doing this multiple times helps uncover deeper reasons behind your goals.

3. Visualize Success: Imagine achieving your goal. How does it make you feel? What impact does it have on your life or the lives of others? Visualizing success can reveal emotional connections that highlight your deeper motivations.

4. Reflect on Past Experiences: Consider accomplishments or times when you felt genuinely motivated. What drove you then? Use those insights to help inform your “why”? What lights you up? What has made you feel in the flow of life? What gives your life meaning and purpose?

5. Connect Emotionally: How does the goal resonate with your emotions? How does it make you feel? Does it bring joy, fulfillment, security, or pride? Understanding the emotional significance can reveal underlying motivations.

6. Consider the broader impact of achieving this goal. How does it contribute to your growth, relationships, career, or community? Understanding a goal's more significant impact can reveal deeper motivations that inspire and sustain you.

7. Discuss your goals with someone you trust—a friend, mentor, or coach. They can provide insights or ask questions that help uncover motivations you hadn't considered.

8. Journaling: Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and reasons for pursuing a goal can help uncover deeper motivations.

Last Thoughts:

By going through these thought exercises, you can better understand your deeper motivations and values, helping you align your goals with what truly matters most. Remember, this process might take time and self-reflection, so be patient and gentle with yourself as you explore your values and deeper desires.

Happy, Healthy New Year!

Infusing Goals with Purpose and Meaning

The Power of Knowing Your Why: Achieving Goals with Purpose

At its core, your “why” is the deep driving force behind your goal, the compass guiding your actions and keeping you motivated to create new habits, even when challenges arise, which they always do. Taking the time to uncover your why amplifies goal achievement and sustainable habits by providing you with:

Clarity and Focus

When you know your “why”, everything you do falls into place. It provides clarity, allowing you to set more meaningful and aligned goals. It's akin to putting a destination on your GPS – knowing where you're headed helps you plan the most efficient route.

Motivation

In pursuing any goal, obstacles and setbacks are inevitable. It's during these challenging times that knowing your why becomes invaluable. Your “why” acts as a reservoir of motivation, reminding you of the bigger picture, rekindling your determination, and empowering you to persevere.

Alignment with Values

Our goals should align with our values for a sense of fulfillment. Knowing your “why” ensures that your goals align with your core beliefs, fostering a greater sense of purpose in your endeavors.

Resilience Amidst Challenges

The journey towards our goals is challenging and full of bumps and setbacks. Knowing your “why” instills resilience. It transforms setbacks into opportunities for growth and learning, enabling you to bounce back stronger with a reaffirmed purpose.

Enhanced Decision-Making

Knowing your “why” is a guiding principle when faced with choices and opportunities. It helps you make decisions that align with your ultimate objectives, steering you away from distractions that could derail your progress. When you doubt your actions or decisions, return to your “why.” Are you in alignment or not?

Increased Satisfaction

Achieving a goal without understanding why it matters can leave you feeling flat or unfulfilled, no matter how hard you worked. Knowing your "why" provides a sense of purpose and satisfaction when you reach your goals, amplifying your chances of maintaining and enjoying the behaviors used to reach them.

Want to learn how to uncover your “why”? Head on over here.

Last Thoughts:

When setting your goals, take the time to delve into your “why” – it might just be the missing piece that transforms your aspirations into reality.