On his podcast, On Purpose, Jay Shetty shared his 20 lessons learned in 2020 and challenged others to share their lessons learned too. We took you up on the challenge Jay! Michelle and I each made our own top 10 list for ourselves, and took turns sharing them on this episode of the podcast to get to 20 collective lessons learned from us this year.

Maria’s list:

1. Don’t wait for things to be perfect, they never will be.
2. Communication is everything 
3. Tell people you appreciate them. Genuine compliments are always welcome and most adults don’t get enough recognition.
4. Breaks and quiet time are necessary.
5. Self care is more than a face mask, although those are great too. Do things for fun, for your mental health.
6. Community is important. When you can’t be “together” find ways to connect and be with people in other ways that are meaningful.
7. Find joy in other’s successes - you expand your own joy and elevate others in the process.
8. When the world feels like it’s crumbing we come back to what we know and what we can control 
9. There is no point where you say OK now I have solved myself and now I can serve.
10. Vulnerability is powerful. No one has it together, everyone feels like they’re doing their best and imposter syndrome from time to time.

Michelle’s list:

1. Normal, just like perfection does not exist. It is what you need, when you need it.
2. Life is short. Make the most of each and every damn day.
3. Pandemic or otherwise - good and bad things happen period. Learning and growing in these pivotal times, that is what is important.
4. This podcast has become a new way for people to stay connected to us.
5. I “survived” an unintended sabbatical and job searched successfully in a pandemic.
6. Cooking is therapeutic, so is cooking from the heart. 
7. Nature is full of gifts, grateful for the time to explore some of the best WI state parks.
8. Hormonal acne and “mask-ne” are treated completely different than the acne of our teens/20’s.
9. EVERYTHING happens as it is “supposed to” and in good time, sometimes better than how you expect.
10. Love, is everything. I learned to embrace it rather than fight it.

Catch Jay’s top 20 podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-purpose-with-jay-shetty/id1450994021?i=1000503477113 

We’d love to hear which lessons resonated with you most, and what YOUR most valuable lessons learned this year have been! Please share!

#goodlifegirls #podcast #lessonslearned #2020 #top20 #lifelonglearners #JayShetty #OnPurpose 

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Episode 26: Thanksgiving Eats and Memories

Thanksgiving is two weeks away! Have your plans on how to celebrate changed this year? Ours sure have! With the pandemic surging in many places having a plan A and possibly B might be helpful this year (thanks a lot Covid...). We share some of our favorite Thanksgiving memories and foods that go with those memories. We’d love to hear from you: What are your favorite Thanksgiving memories? Do you travel (will you this year)? Is it a large celebration or on the small side? What are your favorite thanksgiving foods?

#goodlifegirls #podcast #thanksgiving #thankful #grateful #blessed #gobbletillyouwobble #dressing #stuffing #turkey #allthefixings #itstheholidayseason #Friendsgivingiscanceledthisyear

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We thought we’d take some time to share what podcasts we’re listening to - besides recording ours. Maria uses podcasts to enhance learning on business and personal growth. How I Built This, The New Corner Office and On Purpose are three that she really enjoys. Michelle listens to podcasts for entertainment and really has been enjoying Smartless; Terrible, Thanks for Asking; and Girls Gotta Eat (this one is best listened to with airpods if children are around its of a more personal nature). We want to know - what do you listen to (besides us)? What are you enjoying about our podcast? Are there topics you want us to cover? If you like what you are listening to we’d love you to share us with others and give us a review, too.

Post recording one additional podcast was shared with us The Happiness Lab; especially the coronavirus bonus section. This content is from Yale University, Dr. Laurie Santos who teaches “Psychology and the Good Life.”

#goodlifegirls #podcast #whatwelistento #whatareyoulisteningto #business #personalgrowth#entertainment #sharesomelove

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When the pandemic started it seemed “novel” to return to cooking and preparing more meals at home. Cook with the family, have some fun. Well, fast forward to fall, and we are still at home more than going out; and if you have kids at home it seems like they still eat all.the.time. We figured out that each week is 42 meals (if you eat 3 a day, not counting snacks) on top of work and everything else - who has time for it all??? 

In today’s episode we talk about what we have been making and some resources that are “go to’s” for us. Do you need a recipe to follow or can you walk into the pantry and just find things to experiment and make? Michelle’s secret to the latter is Google & Pinterest. Type what you have and search for what comes up and scroll until you find something you like. Michelle’s goal has been not to make the same thing twice. Not as easy as it sounds! 

Wanna make “Move in With Michelle” Mushroom Ragu and Polenta? https://www.thekitchn.com/polenta-mushroom-ragu-22982166

The chicken dish Michelle ended up making the night this was recorded: https://realsimplegood.com/korean-bbq-chicken/

Our tip for cauliflower rice is to prepare ½ cup brown or white rice as the package suggests (subbing broth of any kind for water for more flavor in rice). Heat a skillet with olive oil until it shimmers and some fresh minced garlic (at least a clove) and frozen cauliflower or grated fresh cauliflower “rice” & season with salt and pepper. Cook until it has some golden color and mix with rice. 

What are your tips and tricks for cooking? Any great recipes you have found? Favorite sites? Do you plan meals out or are you spontaneous? We’d love you to share your tips and tricks with us and our listeners. Especially since winter feels like it is going to be long!

#goodlifegirls #podcast #livefromthekitchen #mealplanners #spontaneouscooks #everyonecancook #pandemiccooking #whatscookinginyourkitchen #cookingisfun #trynewthings 

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Children are mesmerized by videos of others opening presents and mail online. Know what? Adults are too! It's a hole that we can all fall down, right? In the before times, before Corona, this was a show topic that we had and now that corona isn’t going anywhere - and we are doing ALL the online shopping, this topic is even more relevant! Our Mission with The Good Life Girls is to share life hacks that bring you more fun, joy, and fulfillment. And this one is joyful for sure! 

Full disclosure, Maria and Michelle both work for a company that rewards us well for hard work and we get some really cool mail, on the regular. Maria for years has been sharing her “mail” and unboxing on the social channels with hundreds and thousands of views per video, and we dove in for the behind the scenes on how this goes down. Does anyone get “real” mail (not bills or advertisements) anymore? We would love to know what favorite things you’re getting delivered?We unboxed the BRAND NEW Redefine set for anti-aging skincare together. If you’re interested in trying it, or seeing what’s right for you, check out Michelle’s Solution Tool for more info: https://michellerector.myrandf.com/solution-tool We’re all aging, all the time, and we don’t have to look it! 

#goodlifegirls #podcast #whatsinyourmail #unboxing #live #livevideos #socialmarketing #sidehustle #gottawerk #werkwerkwerk #turnbacktime

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 It’s the middle of October 2020 as we bring you this episode. Our minds are on things to distract from the current climate of politics and pandemic. As we roll into fall, we’re in the midst of holiday decorating “season” - technically the window between Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Winter. We got to wondering: how do you decorate? Just outside? All your rooms or just specific ones? Where do you get your ideas and inspiration? Do you decorate for you? The kids? Since the chances of hosting large events this year are likely non-existent, are you going to do more in your home to feel festive? Maria and Michelle share some of our ideas in this episode and we’d love for you to share ideas with us & and our listeners. We are better when we all come together to share ideas and inspiration to keep us all going!

Through October 23, 2020 we invite you to head to the Good Life Girls Facebook page and share photos of your Halloween/Fall Decor on our giveaway post for a chance to win a fun fall tumbler. We can’t wait to spoil one of YOU!  

#goodlifegirls #podcast #holidaydecor #itsfallyall #pumpinksandspiceandeverythingnice #home #decor #contest #giveaway #showusyourdecor

As a long-awaited follow up to our last episode, life has been crazy as we adapt to a new school year (virtually), numbers rising for covid in WI, job searching and surgery/recovery in our worlds. Stress is everywhere. Nothing is “normal.” We know you all are dealing with this too. Today we welcome Life Coach Jonny Richard from Cause & Effect Coaching. As you will hear, Jonny is Maria’s personal and business coach. You’ll hear how he walks Maria and Michelle through his easy to use Cause & Effect Model to better understand and frame the story you’re telling yourself with reality. We really focus on reframing self talk on job searching and virtual learning specifically today, but this model can apply to any struggle you’re facing! We know that his approach can help you too, if you want to dig in further, his framework and a free tutorial are available at www.causeandeffectmodel.com. 

We left the session with Jonny feeling better equipped to manage how we show up and our feelings, giving us more control over situations we face regularly. If only we could solve the world's problems, too! But what we CAN do is give you a valuable tool to help yourself right now.

Connect with us - We’d love to know from you, what is one thing that really sucks right now; and one thing that is super awesome?

Want to find out more about our guest Jonny Richard? Want to work with him or learn more about his Cause & Effect Model? Head to his website: www.causeandeffectmodel.com or you can connect with Jonny on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Kindra Hall’s book storytelling that Jonny referenced can be found here (we highly recommend it!): https://amzn.to/33uXGJe

#goodlifegirls #podcast #specialguest #whoisJonny #causeandeffectmodel #lifecoach #lifeskills #showup #findthegood #pandemiclivingisnteasy #bekind #findthegood #nopoopsandwiches

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Episode 20: Celebrate Every Day, Covid Edition x2

We believe in celebrating all things, so cheers to 20 episodes! No topic today just a cheers to the fact that while we had great plans, we adapted to the changing world when we decided to launch. We had great episodes lined up but in the covid world we now live in, they don’t feel right.  While we aren’t experts we both have grieved big losses - Maria her dad, Michelle her husband, mother and father in law (three years apart) and right now it seems like the world is in one big grieving process - what was, is, and will be are all different. We are even struggling because it is hard to deal with so much!  But yet, there is good. Time to slow down, appreciate where we are in a new way, and create new plans and goals. So a virtual cheers with coffee and n/a sparkling orange juice to you and us. Thanks for sticking with us. We would love to know what is in your cup? How do you like your coffee?  What do you want to hear us talk about? How can we help one another through this new “normal?”

After this episode was recorded - Michelle accidentally broke the glass that the orange juice was in; just as randomly as a wine glass broke the night before. In consulting “Google University” she discovered it is actually a good luck sign if a glass breaks on accident… hmm, let’s hope for some great corona good luck in the coming weeks!

Want the “Not Today Satan” shirt that Maria references at the beginning of the show:

http://www.evie-alec.myshopify.com

#goodlifegirls #podcast #cheers #celebrateeverything #butfirstcoffee #liquidsunshine #caffeine #creamsugarorblack 

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What is there to DO this summer??? Many families have had to cancel vacation plans and trying to figure out how to entertain children (and adults) amidst a pandemic can be overwhelming. Maria and I have both taken to being “tourists” in WI and planning day trips and outings within the region. We discussed many of these options today and thought we would compile links and tips to help all the friends because summer is long… 

First a shout out to Go Valley Kids https://govalleykids.com/

What a great site that has compiled so many awesome things to do: Mural Hunt in downtown Appleton, Places for a Sunday Drive, Summer Bucket List, 60 Spots for Ice Cream in Northeast Wisconsin, a day trip to Waupaca, Beaches, if you aren’t following this page you should. Their facebook page is filled with so much information - right at your fingertips.

Maria took her kids and some of the kids in their “bubble” tubing on the Wolf River. http://wolfrivertrips.com/ has everything you need to know about taking your own trip. Who doesn’t want to float on the river for a few hours?

Maria and Michelle both visited the Paine Art Center and Gardens recently and were quite impressed with the levels they are going to to keep everyone safe. Reservations in advance are required (pay at the door) and the garden gnome hunt is such a fun way to spend a few hours in the mansion and gardens https://www.thepaine.org/events/admissionreservations/

Why not hit an outdoor patio at Fox River Brewing Company, Beckets or Mahoney’s after, go on a mural hunt downtown or get some custard from one of the many places in Oshkosh Carmel Crisp, Rhapsodies, Leon’s or Ardy and Ed’s. 

Michelle is finding things to do between Wausau and Oshkosh with her sisters and nephews. JoJo’s Jungle https://www.jojosjungle.org/ a park for all abilities in Wausau; Stevens Point Sculpture Park http://stevenspointsculpturepark.org/ and a trip to Belts Ice Cream or a trip to the Neenah Splash Pad in Washington Park https://www.ci.neenah.wi.us/departments/parks-recreation/splashpad-washington-park/ (and ice cream) are on the short list of things to do.

State and County Parks are always a fun trip, car ride, walking, picnic, maybe stop for a treat lots of fun for everyone and every ability. Parks are also fun for all well into fall, with color change and more. Some of our favorite parks:

High Cliff State Park https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/highcliff/

Dave’s Falls https://gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/daves.shtml

Fronferek Glen https://www.browncountywi.gov/community/parks-department/general-information/

Dells of the Eau Claire River https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=109

Newport State Park https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/newport/

Peninsula State Park https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/peninsula/

Cave Point County Park https://www.doorcounty.com/experience/cave-point-county-park/

Roche-A-Cri State Park https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/rocheacri/

KohlerAndrae State Park https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kohlerandrae/

The drive in movies and mini golf/go carts are another thing fun for all ages two of our favorite places to check out are:

Field of Scenes Drive-in: https://www.fieldofscenes.biz/

Badger Sports Park for mini-golf and go-cart outdoor fun: https://badgersportspark.com/

And for adults why not take out from your favorite local business and eat at a local park if you don’t feel like eating at home. Or turn on a baseball game and grill and do an at home tailgate. Mondo and Rye are offering fun dining out options in Appleton, popular in Oshkosh at Planet Perk in the Grind are picnic lunches by local food trucks https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPerkinTheGrind and https://www.facebook.com/newfoodtruckmashup has great offerings in Oshkosh and Appleton.

We’d love you to join the conversation, what are your favorite regional places to visit? Day trips within the state? How are you keeping yourselves and family busy this summer? How can we help one another out? 

#goodlifegirls #podcast #summerfunforall #hotfuninthesummertime #travelwisconsin #explorestateparks #touristsinyourownbackyard #staycation #covidvacation 

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What do you do when you don’t know what else to do? COVID sure has done a number on everyone’s mental health in some way, shape, or form. Lots of anxiety about what we should do, what is best for our families. Roles in families are even different now because of how work is done for partners.

Maria is new to meditation, Michelle has been doing regularly since her world changed in 2017. Neither of us are experts. Just trying to figure out how to live our best lives and if we are honest - we were both doing that pretty nicely before COVID came along. Both of us will say that if you find yourself sobbing on the bathroom or shower floor - try a meditation after, it may help you reset your mood and manage the emotions around the episode a bit. 

Meditation requires nothing other than a quiet space and the ability to focus on breathing and body and to train your mind to the different thoughts in your mind and just let them pass rather than focus on each and every one. You can be seated with feet on the floor or lie down, some people stand or sit on the floor. Find a way that works for you and go with it There isn’t a right way to incorporate the practice into your life. There are several apps on the market that are free that offer great options to try and get started. Two we both have used are Calm and Headspace which have options for in app yearly subscriptions. Michelle does a daily meditation or body scan just to “get centered” for the day & even to fall asleep at night when the head is too full. One feature of the calm app is the breathing cycle - when really upset or frustrated - the act of breathing in, holding it and breathing out can bring the emotions into check. Add a “cocktail” of essential oils and mood management can feel otherworldly. Maria’s newly a fan of the guided meditations in the Peloton app.

Has your communication style changed since COVID began - do you find yourself more “ragey” with all that you have to manage and unsure how to find your voice to communicate clearly? Have you tried or do you meditate? Do you have an app or a practice you love? What works for you? How are you managing your family differently because of COVID? How can we help each other out?

#meditationformoodmanagment #meditate #dailyom #lifehacks #mentalhealth #momsmanageallthethings #whoismanagingmom #lookingforanadultyadult 

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