New Year's Intentions ~ One Bite at A Time (with Giveaway!)

I would love to have this awesome resource to aid our family and make 2012 become the year we begin a new way of living! One of our top intentions for this year is for our family to become active together and not be split up between various individual activities. I have enjoyed your blog for a year or so I think. Your family's move is so inspirational. My father is a Newfie and I would love to live there for a while someday. We love the people, the land and the overall spirit of Newfoundland. We haven't found anything else like it!

Thank you for all of your encouragement, information and a peek into your lives. I eagerly read your messages each day and have gained a great deal from them.

May you have a blessed new year!!

I seek to live an intentional life but can always use tweaking and help. And checklists are so fun in the midst of a homeschooling life that always feels "undone" :)

With 2 young children, I'm always looking for ways to bring our family closer together; being intentional about our activities. One way that I, as the mom, can do that is by getting some of the home management stuff organized so I can spend more time just simply being with my family. This book sounds like an excellent resource for that.

Uhmmmmm! New Years Resolutions? Well, it's no easy because the life changes everyday in amazing ways (and, sometimes, in difficult ways, I know it from experience too). But one important resolution is enjoying the moment, my own time.

Reflection and goal setting are each good pause points in a busy life. Each January I have an intention to volunteer at my local park, particularly for the winter seed cleaning chores. I too am skeptical about tools like this but would like to try it.

Intention for the new year? Try to be fully present, more often.

In the past several years I have felt my life desires changing quite a bit. Living with a purpose or intention is high on my list of desires. I look back on my thirties and think I was just floating along like a leaf on a river.
I have long stopped making resolutions , but I do have goals. I keep my list small and achievable. Number one on the list this year is to read the book of John in our Bible, as a couple, with my husband. This may seem small but we plan to take our time and discuss our readings as a way of spending time together and growing spiritually as a couple.

I have stopped making New Year's resolutions as well because I find myself resolving all year long! One thing I do intend to do, beginning now, is get my family to eat more vegetables and less junk food. I am considering buying a v***mix to make smoothies to help with this if you'd like to offer your opinion on that! Happy New Year!

I plan to cultivate "being still"!

Amy @ Missional Mama

One of my intentions this year is to get our home more organized (and simplified). I really feel the negative effect of the clutter and am tired of living this way. Thanks for the chance to win.

Living with purpose and intention becomes more and more important as I age ( I am 43 LOL)...with two special needs little still 6 and 9 years living at home, living purposely is very important to their well being...I am always looking for tip and ways to make things "better" this year the focus is diet...foods that nourish and heal and help the boys with their many symptoms...that is my "goal" for 2012...

Here's to a great year ahead!! :))

I intend to reflect on my one little word this year: light. In every sense of it. I am letting go of resolutions because I am so heavy with guilt when I fail. I already feel lighter. Thanks for the chance to win this.

One big goal for this year is to declutter my life and make sure I actually use the things I have instead of just keeping them on a shelf. I still need to set the rest of my intentions for the year - today!

I have so many resolutions (I love making them because they help me live more intentionally). But I'll share my one word for the year - Listen. I know there are layers to this word and I'm excited to hear all there is to learn. I need to listen to others better (not make every conversation about me), listen to my children more intently, and ultimately take time to be still and listen to God's voice as I seek His direction in my life.

Thanks for the chance to win this book!

I'm not a resolution maker either. Just have "hopes" for the new year and one doable goal - clean out all junk drawers and closets.

This past year we've already started weeding out unnecessary possessions. We plan to continue on that path and live more simply year by year. It is a process with 3 children though!

crnest.blogspot.com

Exercise daily...Seriously.

Like an above comment, I definitely feel the effects of clutter and ill-organization. I struggle with papers - stacks of them. I would love to see less paper hanging around in this new year! As a side note - I made your mom's nut nog on New Year's and the whole family LOVED it :)

I like what Jill said about listening. On a simpler note I'd like to drink more water this year, and try to completely cut out sugared sodas, then diet, then caffeine.

Your blog is very inspiring to me. So thank you for sharing your heart. I would like to eat smarter, move more, and find meaningful volunteer work.

As always, every new year I begin with the intention of praying more. It is something I strive for all the time. Happy New Year!

I always like New Years as a fresh start. Especially now that we live in the south and there is not a huge change of seasons to mark the year for me (it was 65* here yesterday). One of my goals this year is to find more time for myself this year, which I often don't do as a mom of 3 and a homeschooler but I am going to make a bigger effort.

I want to be more intentional about time management this season. No more wasted time!

My intention this year is ME! Me, me, me. I've not been taking care of the engine of this family, and it shows. That involves many different parts (food, sleep, exercise, regular haircuts, etc) and I think this guide would be great for helping me take this elephant on. Really enjoying your blog, BTW!

Um!! I need a big simplification in my life, to put what is more important first, learn to eat more healthy, slow and enjoy more our homeschool life style, do my best to accomplish and take out of the dust all my dreams and start to polish them (one step at a time).

I'd like to play more! Games with my family, sewing for enjoyment, cooking things we love, doing art, being outside. Being intentional to make sure the fun things happen, often!

First, I love reading your blog - your lifestyle is very inspiring.
My intention for this year - to be more present for my kids and to eat more whole foods.

I've declared this year a planning year. We've talked in circles for so long about whether or not we should move (move out of state or just move into a different house, or stay put). This year I want to do the deep work that allows my husband and I to understand what it is we really want, and then write a plan to get us there. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

Our family is on the brink of much change and restructuring as I type this. We move our family of 7 in one week from an oversized home to a smaller one....also we move from being home owners to renters. There is freedom in being debt free. It is our clear goal to stay that way. I haven't had tons of time to process fully....but both my husband and i feel the need to greatly simplify. This resource sounds like a great help for the direction we are desiring to go. LIke so many, we have been exhausted and stressed by the lifestyle we had allowed ourselves to live. BUSY and COMPLICATED. Life moves fast enough..... I want our journey to be enjoyable with intention :)

I am hoping to bake bread regularly.

We are working on a Big Move this year, and my main intention is to be mindful of William Morris as I am decluttering to pack us up. When we unpack in our new lives we want everything in our home to be beautiful or useful to us. I would love to use Tsh's resource as I am working through this process. The simpler our home life is (greener, more frugal, etc) the more things I find I can release from our home.

First of all Renee, I like how you say "intention" instead of "resolution". It removes the guilt of the thing, or of not doing the thing I should say. Heather uses that word too, which got me to thinking about the word Intention itself. Its a good word. One of my intentions for the new year is to become more mindful in each situation I find myself in. I often find myself not fully present in what is going on right in front of me because I am busy thinking about what needs to be done next. My husband, after spending a week walking around the house with his hands in his pockets, says I don't know how to relax. Not true, I do, but perhaps I don't do it enough, so thats another intention for me.

What we need for this new year is to get more organized. Trying to homeschool with six children in a small space is very difficult...

I am feeling the same desire to simplify and live mindfully and intentionally as many of the other comments have mentioned, and not get completely swept up in the busyness of raising twin toddlers. Thanks for such a great resource!

I plan to be more organized this year!

Would love to simply and declutter to live a more peaceful life with my family.

I don't make New Year's 'intentions', or resolutions, or what have you. They always fall flat - but I'd love a copy of the book.

I'm a newbie to this place of yours. So glad I found it though, looks like a great place to hang out :) I have intentions instead of resolutions too. And this year I intend on taking better care of myself!

My intentions for 2012 are to make better use of my evenings, meaning less to no TV-watching (I don't watch a lot now but would like to cut back further) and more cooking, reading, knitting, and writing. In 2011, I successfully transitioned to getting up early every morning and now I would like to shift what I do with this time to make it my exercise time a few mornings a week.

I already have One Bite at a Time so please exclude me from the giveaway. I have skimmed it on my computer but need to print it out for more deeper reflection!

I would love to win a copy of this book! I have several goals that I have set for myself this year, but I think the biggest are to get fit and be more active and to not spend so much time on the computer. I feel like I am constantly attached to my laptop and it's really hindering me from accomplishing anything!

My intention for 2012 is to learn and be frugal!

this is just what im looking for my only motto for 2012 is "Less is More" i want to continue to work part-time and spend time with the family while they are young and have a desire to live a better life and by better i mean healtheir,simpler, less stressful life not more stuff.

I am stepping out of fear and going back to school while homeschooling and managing by busy family.

My intention for the year is to declutter our house and try to keep the toys under control!

I would love to SIMPLIFY! So I will just keep my comment simple :) thanks!

I'm hoping to add more 'color' to our year - more bright moments of simple joy that will wrap the year in joyful memories to be thankful for.

Our office has become the place for "organized piles" and other supplies and WIPs. As we add more members to the family, it gets easier and easier to make this space a sort of dumping ground, since the rest of the house is fairly orderly. This year as we transition the office into a different space, I'd like to dust and vacuum in there every week -- which means being able to dust and having access to the floor!

I want to finish our basement (bath, bedroom and family room area).

I plan to be intentional this year about meal planning! This is a hugely stressful area of my life, and anything I can do to help, I am excited about!!

My intention this year is to let go of my desire for more children and appreciate fully the amazing little person I was blessed with. I also want us to become more active as a family.

Thanks to both you and Tsh for sharing your ideas and resources for the rest of us. :)

I intend to move this year, though I'm not certain it will be possible. I'm starting the year by getting rid of anything I wouldn't want to take with me to my "dream home."

LIVE HEALTHIER~ Building up some strategies for not only becoming healthier myself, but helping my four children and my husband grasp a healthier life as well!!

I want to be better at meal planning an organization!

The timing of this resolution just happens to coincide with the new year. I resolve to live like I am the beloved daughter of Almighty God instead of living a restrained, defeated, self-centered life.

my intention for 2012 is to slow down and enjoy my kids each and every day! Life gets so busy sometimes that we forget, to listen to the laughs, hear the cries and share the memories! Family is everything to me. - And I intend to keep it my top priority.

I did quit my job as a teacher two weeks ago. I can't work in an organisation with so much rules and goals anymore. Education in my country is not dedicated to the children but to the system. So my intention is to make a new way of living out of my heart.

My intention for the new year is to be "real" not perfect. But in all things striving for radical obedience in Christ.

my intention this year is to expand my repertoire of homemade grain/veg/bean-based simple family meals. as the weather turns chilly there's great comfort is spending time in my kitchen, lovingly preparing these meals for my family.

I would love to win this book! I have been feeling the need to simplify my life. I live overseas where in some ways life is more simple, but in others it's crazy! My intention is to write down all the projects and ideas floating around my head, stick them on a calendar one week at a time and start doing them!

For me, 2012 is the year of slow. There's nothing in my homeschooling, stay-at-home life that needs to be urgent and I need to act that way. That's the plan - we'll see how I do. This looks like a great resource to help me out.

Our family has big intentions this year to change our lives. I will be quitting my full time job and start homeschooling our kids. Sounds like this book would be a great resource as we change our lives!

Too keep carrying forward my growth as a mother and woman--to care for my family and home joyfully, simply, mindfully. And to write, in small bites, the story of this journey.

I'm all about simplifying in 2012~would love to read this book. :)

one new years resolution I have for around here is listening to more music during the day with the kids, to expose them to various types and all that but also just because we own a great deal of music and we ought to enjoy it more than we do!

I was just looking at this book last night on Tsh's website; thanks for your honest recommendation/thoughts about it. I don't make resolutions really either, but I do like a good checklist! I'll wait and see if I win a copy of the book before I go buy it!

I'd love to set smaller goals. I'm not sure I'd accomplish more, but I'd recognize that I was making progress all..the..time!

Jenny

My intention this year is to consume less. Less processed food, sugar, unhealthy foods in general. Consume less "wants" rather than needs in regards to household items, clothes, toys, etc.

I am seeking to find more ways to create balance in our life so we can spend more time as a family enjoying leisure play together.

Thanks for the recommendation. I just bought the book... I'll be back to work (part time, from home) after the birth of my second child and after quite a long maternity leave. I really need some help!

The care of my 2 elderly in-laws has fallen into my hands. I'm glad to do it but there are times I feel overwhelmed and I fear my children, husband, and home are often put on the back burner. My intentions this year are to ask for more help from my sisters in law and to take more time for my family.

my intent for the new year is to let go of fear. all will and is well. let go of fear and water all the WondErFuLL seed inside and around me :)

Wow, what great timing for the new year. This sounds like something that I would really benefit from.

This year, one of my goals is to stay off the computer during the day and be more present with my kids. I have this book on my wish list...it looks so good!

Love your fireworks in the snow - very exciting!!! I am with you - No bucket list, I would be in a desperate rush to tick things off... and often it is the everyday things that bring us joy rather than the things we "have great expectations for." I'm also wary of new years resolutions - everyone always wants to improve themselves - do better, work harder, play more, read more... more, more, more. There is very little focus on what we are doing well already... like reading with our kids everyday, healthy meals or whatever we are doing. That being said I would like to change how I sleep!!! Finally after fourteen years of totally disrupted sleep my kids are sleeping well... Let's just say they have trained me otherwise and I would like to kick the refresh button and learn how to sleep properly again.

I seek to live more intentional this new year by reading the the whole Bible and digesting it bit by bit. This will be my guide for 2012.

Some changes are ahead for our family in 2012. This past year was very challenging with the changes it brought and I think this tool would be helpful to relieve some of the stress involved. I need some direction and some bite size tasks to make it all less overwhelming!

One of the main goals I have for this year is to spend more intentional time outside enjoying the beautiful nature around us. My husband and I want to do more hiking and camping. We don't have a lot of time and the finances are really tight. But somehow we like to fit it in!

I plan to be intentional about personal health this year--checking off the to-dos of flossings, drinking water, getting outside and exercising a bit everyday.

I hope to create more peace in my household and within myself.

to let go of my fear. to spend more time with my son. to develop closer relationships with my girlfriends. thanks for the giveaway!

Little bits at a time is a reminder I need. I'm good at that in my writing but when it comes the rest of my life I need a reminder. I would love to be included in your drawing. Happy New Year!

I would love to win this fabulous resource. "Over-tasking" is my problem - I keep adding new items to previous years lists. This year I am going to concentrate on what is right in front of me...RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, I tell you...Smiles... Hugs From Laurie AKA Idgie

This year I intend to get a job as a fitness instructor :) lose 20 lbs and try to keep my house cleaner :) hopefully they all happen ... oh, and have a better garden this year

I have been wracking my brain for a week, trying to remember what other book you recommended in a previous post... this was the one! So thanks for the reminder, and coupon code!! :)

One of my focus goals this winter is to purposefully make time for things that feed my soul, before I am drained, instead of afterward.

I would be 100% thrilled to win a copy of this book, so thank you for the chance.

My intentions for the new year are many. One is to keep up with the commitment we made (and followed through on) last year to spend the Sabbath as a family, pausing life to enjoy time together, Another thing that I would LOVE is creating better sleep hygiene patterns for my children b/c their difficult bedtimes push my limits.

As the last three years have been very stressful for my family and business, my intention since 2009 has been to experience as much joy as possible. I keep a joy list and regularly check it to make sure I remember that despite the stress and financial strains, there are good things. I'm going to keep on with that!

I too love tweaking my goals on a regular basis. If the Lord is willing, I intend to improve in each category of plans I'm pursuing. I hope everyone has a lovely 2012.

One thing I want to do this year is learn how to take better pictures.

My intention for this winter is to form a clear idea of what my next move is. HA! I'm a new birth and postpartum doula with lots of herbal training. What's next?

I am not a resolution maker either, but I like to consistently improve. And what has been on my mind lately is the need to be consistent in my relationship with God in order to be consistent in my own progress. So my focus is more on my spiritual self at this time. Of course, I also read Super Immunity after I heard you talking about it on your blog and have been so inspired to clean up my family's diet.

My intention for the new year is to keep the main thing the main thing.

What a great resource...Hope I win, but if not I'll buy!

One of my intentions for the new year is to grow my yoga practice. I always walk out of class feeling both energized and relaxed and I want more of both in my life!

One of my intentions for 2012 is definitely to simplify and organize our home life. We are filled with clutter of all kinds and I'm ready to rid our home of it! My entire family is tired of the rush to "have more" and "do more" and our quality of life has dropped because of this.

I also have a goal to start menu-planning and actually stick with it. :) Love your blog and thanks for the chance to win this book!

My intention is to put down my iTouch more and connect with my kids more directly. I get way too engrossed in my reading and give too little attention to my people. To quote myself: "This behavior is unacceptable and must stopimmediately or there will be consequences." ;)

My intention for this year is to be less list focused and more people focused.

I make New Year's Resolutions every New Year, and then again on the lunar New Year (Chinese ) !New Beginnings are great. While each day, even every hour, can be a new start, there is something about a solid new entity. September (back to school time) is good, too! This year, I plan to accept the fact that I will never be able to read all of my books. I will slowly wrench them from my bookcases and release them into the world where they will nourish other minds (I hope!).

I intend on being more present for my children and husband, less distracted, and provide chemical free household and beauty products to improve our footprint on this green marble.

This year I intend to make organizing and decluttering a little bit every day or week a regular habit. I am so tired of feeling overwhelmed by the stuff around me. Thanks for the chance to win!

Intentional. Real. Raw. Uncluttered. Free. Humble. Passion-filled. Courageous. Ready to trust His ways and His path.

We, as afamily have a plan to save more money this year and living a life more intention and porpuse. We have found ourself in a big hurry, we do noot like that feelling.We feel as days are too short for as and that at the end of a day we actually do not know how was our day...sad...sad feelling.Especially when you realize that you do not live as you want, but just day to day living()with too many chores) and so day...what days,years just fly by.

First of all I'd like to thank you, I have been blessed by your blog for more than 2 years now, but I'm not very good at commenting :) I don't do new years resolutions either, but one thing I have on my winter list is to manifest more grace towards my husband.

Your blog has inspiried me so much in the past year! And so, not in small part thanks to your inspiring words, my intention this year is to focus on strengthening our family unit, to live life together with purpose and intention and simplicity. (Can it be my intention to live with intention? ~smile~) Thanks for the chance to win Tsh's book - it looks like a very useful resource for where I'm at! Bless you and yours, Renee!

My intention is to regularly, for the first time in my life, take care of my skin. That means, washing, wrinkle cream, etc.

I also want to work on being more present for my children. Seeking daily ways to enter into their play, their interests, their worlds.

I too have stopped making resolutions & am trying to be more goal oriented. This book would definitely help. One of my goals this year is to downsize & organize better. I'm a recovering pack rat & have discovered how good it feels to declutter!

I'm with Wendy above: Exercise daily. For over 5 years now I've had a 4-hour round-trip commute, which often leaves me only an hour or so at home on weeknights before I should retire to bed. You wouldn't think sitting for so long all day could be so tiring...but it's very wearing. I must start doing something to start getting healthier.

Intention for 2012 is to just be. Surrender to the moment when you don't ask, "Why is this happening to me?" I'm going to keepmy attitude and thinking calm and cheerful. RIGHT NOW. Change is like a thermometer, let go, adjust.

Namaste.

My new year intentions are to be mindful, clear the clutter in my home, be and stay organized, take better care of myself, eat better and spend more quality time with my family.

We're definitely working on connecting more as a family this year. And one thing I really need to tackle is being more organized with our family business. I stay home with the children and one way I help with the business is to do some of the paperwork. This generally gets put off until it's time to do taxes. Both of us realize it would be so much better, so much less stressful and wiser to get it done weekly, but we just don't make the time to do it on a regular basis.

I am looking forward to this "new" year, leaving what is inthe past, seeing what DIDN"T work last year and moving forward in "getting it together" ! I love new beginnings! God is sooo good like that!

Hi, I intend to finish the first round of household organization by completing my bedroom upstairs and the science sink area downstairs! : ) We homeschool and run a product business from our home, so organization tips are always useful. Happy New Year!

Pray more . . . fret less . . . enjoy more . . . let the housework just be sometimes . . . that's more than one, but that pretty much sums it up!

My intention is to attain and maintain peace within myself and family in this new life with twins

I want to finish my final revision on my first novel, and get good and efficient at spinning my angora rabbits' wool.

Those are my main goals, but if I have a wish in there too, I'll figure out a working schedule that will make me more effective in everything that is important to me.

Oh dear! I gave you the wrong email in all my communications today. My email is @gmail, not at yahoo. Is there a way to fix that on your end?

Thanks for the opportunity to win an e-book, Renee! There are so many things that I intend on doing this year. Following through with these intentions is the hard part, so I think that my main intention this year will be to follow through. :)

My intentions are:

:: to appreciate the beauty in the everyday

:: to make family, health and happiness my top priorities.

I also have some daily goals:

:: drink water ( 2 litres)

:: make and eat healthy food

:: do some exercise and/or yoga

:: spend some time outside in nature.

xxoo Julie http://julie-beautyintheeveryday.blogspot.com

Always so inspiring . . . I love your blog, Renee! One of my intentions has been to finish Tsh's book "Organized Simplicity" and work on the planning with my husband. :)

I guess my primary intention right now is to stop waiting. I feel like I'm waiting for work to change, for our schedules to get better, for the house to be fixed, for a word from God . . . waiting on so many things that it feels like I'm waiting to live. And meanwhile, life is slipping away. We don't have to have everything perfect in order to start taking steps (or bites) towards healthier, more intentional living.

So many intentions but I'm only going to focus on one...simplify. Simplify our home, routines... decluttering and simplifying my environment and mind. It's much needed. -violet

Save money.... we have two daughters starting college in the fall and we lost so much money on our dream home when we had to move two years ago...money that would have gone to fund college is now gone,so I must be creative and find more ways than ever to save so my kids aren't in debt after school. I would really love to win this as this is definitely something I would put to good use every single day with three kids,trying to live healthy, remove the clutter from our new home,etc. It looks so great!

Write. And downsize our belongings and alter some habits as a family so that when we move to a smaller place and potentially more remote location, the transition is a blessing of an adventure and not a strain on our family. I feel like this year is a year to prepare for the mission of our family so-to-speak, to lay down the rails of our journey to come, even as that vision is forming in conversation and in the hearts of my husband and I.

My biggest intention this year is to get me healthly, both in body and mind. Then, hopefully, I will be able to work on some other areas in our life.

This would be wonderful, as we have already started on our family journey and a guide would be a great help. Please consider me for a copy! It would be gratefully received.

I intend to start running again this year. I've had 4 kids in the last 5 years and have not run all that time. I am starting out with the couch to 5K plan.

I want to get the kids outdoors more too. Nice weather is easy, we spend almost ALL of our time out in the yard but winter is more challenging. All 4 of the kids need help dressing in their outdoor gear so that takes alot of work on my part. And it seems like once we all get dressed someone (3 are still in diapers) has a dirty diaper and needs changed. Sigh. Then they only last about 20-30 minutes until someone is crying that they are cold. Sigh. Maybe "littles" were just meant to spend winters indoors.

Also, I will continue improving our diets with whole foods and make regular date nights with my husband.

My intention this year is to get back on my yogic lifestyle bandwagon. I've kind of fallin off the last six months of last year. After working so hard at setting up a simple lifestyle I don't want to take too many steps backward. This book sounds perfect.

I plan to sew more days than I don't. I spread my interests thin, and this year I want to concentrate and see if the focus will help me not only to improve my skills, but also increase my drive or passion for a single thing.

Daily exercise !!! For our whole family.

This year I just want to locate me. That's where I want to start. I know I'm out there, I remember being me once for quite a long time. I loved being me. But I lost me a few years ago. I was given the opportunity to start over completely a few months ago. Now that I am in limbo I am starting with trying to be present and when I'm quiet and go inside myself I look for signs of me. Fortunately there's lot of light in there so I'm certain I'll succeed. I am oh so hopeful.

My intention this year is to write. A lot!

A New Year intention...sort out and have a very organized garage space and keep purging. Keep calm and carry on...I think I need to post that one in my house!