Welcome to the 12th edition of Weekend Wellness! Today I’m talking about finding balance in the areas of four of my favorite F-words – finance, fitness, food & fun, and sharing our delicious chicken salad with dried cherries recipe.

Finance – Finding Your Balances

While I believe you should be aware of all your financial balances, today I’m talking about a few specific ones. Now that we are beyond the half-way point of the year, it’s a great time to check-in on your retirement account contributions and tax withholding.

Are you on track to hit your contribution goals or max out your retirement savings accounts? Are you withholding enough for taxes or way too much? You’ve plenty of time to adjust if your balances are not where you would like them to be. Increase your contribution % or file a new Federal W-4 to alter your number of allowances.

2017 Annual Contribution Limits

401(k)s, 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan = $18,000

401(k) Catch-Up for employees age 50 or older in 2017 = $6,000

Individual Retirement Accounts = $5,500

Individual Retirement Account catch-up contribution limit = $1,000

Now is also a great time to look at your other savings goals and budget balances for the year. Ensure you are on the right path to achieve financial freedom.

Fitness – Finding Balance with Exercise

Balance is necessary to perform everyday tasks and activities in your daily life. Standing from a sitting position, walking, bending over to tie or buckle shoes, showering, driving, picking up your child, sports activities and more. Almost every activity requires balance control, usually without you even thinking about it.

To maintain muscle control so that you don’t fall over when carrying out your activities practice these simple yet effective moves.

• Walk in a straight heel-to-toe 20-30 steps, then walk backward toe-to-heel the same amount of steps
• Stand on one leg 30-60 seconds each side; One you can stand on each leg for 1 minute, challenge yourself further by standing on a slightly wobbly surface such as a large pillow
• Alternating Bodyweight lunges
  • Stand with your feet shoulder’s width apart. Step forward with your right foot, while keeping your left foot planted.
  • Bend your right leg until your thigh is parallel to the floor and in line with your knee, be sure not to let your knee go forward past your toes
  • Step back with right foot, returning to starting position and repeat for left leg
  • Repeat working up to 10-12 repetitions per leg
• Hands and knees balance
  • Start on your hands and knees on an exercise mat, padded surface or a folded blanket
  • Stretch one hand out in front of you as you also stretch the opposite leg out in the air behind you
  • Contract your core muscles to help you balance throughout the exercise.
  • Repeat on the other side.

Food – Finding Balance on Your Plate

At every meal or snack (eating opportunity) strive to eat a balanced meal of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The following diagrams can help you easily determine portion sizes and serving amounts.

Source: Precision Nutrition

Fun – Keep Balance in Your Life

I’ve let myself get caught up in the busyness of life this blog lately and haven’t taken as much time for fun and relaxation as I’d like. So this past weekend I got back to practicing what I preach and unplugged for a few days. It was just what I and my family needed. Cookouts, kayaking, relaxing on the deck, hiking in nature, with loved ones, those are the things that count.

This weekend I’ll strive to do the same to keep finding balance. Unplug for a few hours and ground myself with nature. Spend quality time with family and race my husband in the kayaks. I hope you too will take time for fun this weekend to ensure balance in your own life.

Featuring

Some more awesome posts from around the web I think you’d enjoy –

Melanie, from Mindfully Spent, explains the four factors (miracles) that helped her husband and herself pay off 5 digits worth of consumer debt in 10 months!

Farmer’s Markets are the bomb and Julie, from Our Provident Homestead, shares some tips to enjoy a productive shopping experience at one.

Amanda and Alan, jumped into their first rental property, and she spills the good, bad, and the ugly at Centsibly Rich.

I’d love to hear in the comments how you are finding balance in your life. Are you on track with your savings goals this year? Do you find time to exercise and have fun?

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ~ Keep the balance!

Be well,

Amy

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Chicken Cherry Salad

Serves: 2-3
Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 cooked, skinless chicken breasts, chopped or shredded

2 celery stalks, chopped

1/4 cup dried cherries

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Fresh romaine, spinach or other lettuce

Instructions

Stir together greek yogurt, mustard, pepper, and salt.

Add in chicken, chopped celery, dried cherries, and walnuts, mix well.

Serve in romaine lettuce wraps or on a bed of spinach or lettuce.

 

Notes

Options: Substitute pecans for walnuts. Add in diced apples or serve sliced apples on top of salad

 

Note: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is provided to educate you about nutrition, exercise, and personal finance, and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. For my full Disclaimer, please view here.