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Happy first. Then make it last.

Zen Chick

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Last but not least (and the Yoga people are going to love this one!)

Zen Chick

Why the word Zen on a HappyFirst shirt?
The first thing that usually comes to mind when people say “Zen” is a peaceful sense of being. People might not know why or the deeper meaning of this philosophy but a sense of “coziness” envelopes the word itself and positive free association flows: Zen is a retreat, a shelter, a cocoon, a heaven of calm. It inspires harmony and quietness.  Images of meadows, gentle cloud formations, sunrises, warm sunsets… A balance of beauty in nature abounds. It also brings up thoughts of warmth by an open fire, hot cocoa, comfort of surroundings. Your mind discharges from the aches of the daily rushes and settles into a soothing harmony. The word “Zen” is a visual calming trigger.

Proceeds for a charity: Food Bank
Why? People are hungry right here, right now.

-Caroline Berry

Strong Chick and Super Chick

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Love these 2 entries! Remember to vote at the Happy First facebook page-“contests” tab on the left!

Strong Chick

A female military veteran. Strong. A female entrepreneur. Strong. A disease survivor, single mother, lawyer. Strong, strong, strong. As women we have to be strong–our lives call for perseverance and more than a little grit, no matter how we lead them.
I know firsthand how tough and resilient women can be. My mother is an Army major, retired after twenty two years of service and a tour in Kuwait. She left when I was eight and returned when I was ten. Two birthdays, a Christmas, an Easter: gone. And as she was defending our nation from those who sought to destroy it, I had to learn how to be without my mother, and more importantly, without my best friend. Both of us returned changed. We both became stronger than ever before.
This shirt would be camouflage print, with the words “Strong Chick” around a beaming star. Women everywhere would identify with this shirt, whether a college sophomore or an Army major. Proceeds from the shirt would benefit Operation Homefront, a charity dedicated to helping the families of soldiers and Wounded Warriors cope with the battles we have endured and letting them know they haven’t been forgotten: www.operationhomefront.net
-Ally Boulas and Pam Dominisse

Super Chick

Super is an adjective meaning outstanding; exceptionally fine. When paired with the word Chick- an attractive girl, Super Chick of course means that the female wearing the shirt expels the exceptional beauty, confidence and hard work ethic that every woman naturally has. Every woman has an outstanding story to tell. We all have a history and a promising future ahead of us. Super Chick conveys this message to the one wearing the shirt and lets the rest of the world know that she is a SUPER CHICK also!

My vision for this shirt is the Happy First Egg with a Chick wearing a girly cape and of course an “S”! A crown has to be present. Either on the “S” or on the Chick. Then of course the words Super Chick.

My charity is near and dear. It will be for all the Super Chicks (and men) who struggle, have struggled or have lost loved ones to breast cancer. Susan G Komen for the Cure. In all, I have 13 friends and family members that have been affected by breast cancer.
You can read more about my passion and what I do with my son’s football team at the link below.

http://www.therhok.com/2011/09/do-you-pink-out.html?m=0

by ShaRhonda Williams Crow

What’s your word for 2012?

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happy new yearHappy New Year! I love January, it is another new beginning! You can live a life you love-make choices to get you to where you want to be! You can do anything you set your mind to! One thing that helps me in goal setting is to pick a word for the year.

Last year my word was Pursue. 2010 was Create. I encouraged others to think about a word for themselves for the year and frame it and put it in a place they will see every day. I chose my bathroom counter. This year’s word for me is DELVE – as in “Delve in 2012”! I looked up Delve and it means to search for something, or the research or making painstaking inquiries into something.

I have trouble focusing, saying no, over volunteering. I’ve been spread too thin. It has kept me from delving into the areas and relationships where I really want to spend my time. I feel the need to go deeper. Delve. So this is my year.

As I have said before in my Goal setting series, when you set goals for yourself, be specific rather than general.  So that is what I am going to do. I encourage you all to think about some things you want to change or learn this year and take steps to do it. I divide up my goal setting into home, business, creative goals and fitness goals. For creative I am going to learn Adobe Illustrator. I know enough to be dangerous! I am going to master it this year through tutorials and mentors. In 2010/11 I ran 2 half marathons with Team in Training to San Francisco and San Diego. Then I got injured over the summer and couldn’t run for 13 weeks. But it was a blessing in disguise because I really got into Yoga. So I am so excited- I have already signed up for the 40 Day Revolution at Inner Peace Yoga in Tulsa starting January 8. (Yoga 6 days a week for 40 days!) I’m Type A, I have to have goals like this. Oooh, maybe that means I really need yoga, huh? For home I plan on having every room in our house reorganized and decluttered by March 31st. That’s a tough one because home organization is ongoing. I am also setting new goals for my business.

So I guess since I have told you a bit about my goals, I have to be accountable, right? It really helps to be accountable to someone. Last year a friend and I were accountable to each other with our weight goals. So feel free to be accountable to me if you want, or a friend. What are some of your goals? It is inspiring to see what everyone comes up with! I am going to be featuring some of my friends soon and their words of wisdom!

Oh, and what is your word for 2012?

Praying Chick & Spa Chick

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Today’s “chick” entries we are highlighting are Praying Chick and Spa Chick. You can vote at the Happy First facebook page– go to “contests” on the left.

Praying Chick

Anyone can pray.  Prayer can be done by anyone of any faith. No special talent is needed, just a sincere heart.  It can be done alone or in a group. Prayer is transforming. It can heal mentally and physically.  It can give us a tremendous amount of peace and comfort.  Prayer makes a difference!
As a mother and a Christian, I am called by God to pray for my child as well as others.  I truly believe it is one of the best gifts that we can give our children.  I started praying with other moms in a Mom In Touch group every week when my daughter was in grade school and continue to do so now that she is in college.
There is something incredibly powerful and beautiful when 2 or more are gathered together to pray.  When Fern Nichols started Moms in Touch in 1984, the group consisted of just a few moms.  Now there are groups in every state and in over 120 countries.  We meet every week during the school year to lift up our children, their schools and the staff in prayer.  As moms we support, nurture and offer encouragement to each other. We offer up praise, thanksgiving and requests.  We laugh with each other as well as cry.  We love our children unconditionally, and in this crazy sometimes scary world, we pour out our concerns before God knowing He will answer.
I could not be half the mother, wife, friend, daughter, etc if it were not for prayer.  Praying helped me through the challenges of child rearing, family problems, illness, death, and even helped me keep my mouth shut a few times 🙂  It comforted me during the times of 9/11, the Virginia Tech shooting and so many more!  I have built everlasting bonds with many others who I love dearly and am incredibly thankful for.
My involvement in this prayer group inspired me to come up with the idea of “Praying Chick”.  I believe it would look incredible over “praying hands”, and I know a lot of women who would love to wear it.   My charity of choice is Moms In Touch, who’s vision is to have every school in the world covered by prayer, and I believe it can happen.  Thank you very much for this opportunity.
Keep praying,
Shelly Morgan

Spa Chick

SPA is about Wellness.    SPA is actually the acronym for the Latin” Sanitas Per Agua” which simply means health thru water.   Water is the most elemental building block in creating a lifestyle that pursues wellbeing.
SPA is about renewal of relationships.     I love that we use spas and spa parties as a chance to connect with ourselves and those around us.  There are so many great stories of girlfriends going together and sharing in the experience of restoration and revitalization.  Couples often find that “spa-ing” together a wonderful renewal for their relationship. And most importantly when we think of spending time with ourselves spa treatments seem a perfect choice to rejuvenate without feeling alone.
SPA is about nurturing ourselves and others.  The primary components of spa are things we incorporate every day without realizing it.  For example when you offer a cup of hot herbal tea to a friend who is overwhelmed, it’s herbal therapy; when your child is grouchy and out of sorts so you run them a relaxing bath, it’s water therapy; when you give a hug to someone who is down, it’s touch therapy and when you wake your family up on the weekend with the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls and coffee, that my friends is aromatherapy.
A SPA CHICK is someone who takes an active role in her own vitality, enjoys joyful relationships, and cherishes themselves and those around them.

My Charity is the Tulsa Lindsay House who is dedicated to helping women and their children regain self sufficiency.

Kelli Lene

Spa Kamp Director

(Kelli is also a neuromuscular therapist in Tulsa)

Charity Chick and Drama Chick

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Here are 2 more wonderful entries for the new “chick” tee contest! Remember to vote at the Happy First facebook page – click on the “contests” on the left side of the page!

Charity Chick

Why “Charity Chick”?
 By: Amie Slemaker
Making a “Charity Chick” t-shirt would be such a wonderful addition to the wide variety of Chick tees that are already available.  I personally know hundreds of women who would wear “Charity Chick” with pride! 

Think about it…Who doesn’t give to charity?  Whether they give for personal or tax reasons, everyone gives!
Charities help address important issues in our community and our world. Giving to charity is a way of thanking God for all the gifts He’s given to you.  Giving back is good karma, the more you give the more blessings you receive.
Charities need help! So many people are hungry or are in need of other assistance. Your small donation can help save lives and/or feed the hungry.  The charity I have chosen to receive a portion of the profit from the Charity Chick t-shirt is the Add A Meal Foundation. http://www.facebook.com/addameal OR   http://www.addameal.org .
Add A Meal is a non-profit organization conceived and founded by my brother, Charlie Slemaker in the fall of 2010.  Charlie, with the help of friends, family, and a group of dedicated forward thinking restaurants is making Add A Meal a viable and successful fund raising organization benefiting well established food banks with the experience and know how to help those in need.  In Tulsa, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma will benefit from all donations.  Along with partner restaurants, Add A Meal offers restaurant patrons the choice to make a donation when paying for their bill.  In the space provided on the bill, simply write in a dollar amount.  In this way, donations to Add A Meal are made anonymously and with no pressure, and you can be sure your money will stay right here in OUR community!

Idea for the design- I am envisioning a logo with a daisy and in the middle of the flower, hands that look like they are giving.

I personally THANK YOU for your consideration and your vote!!!

Drama Chick

I’ve been involved in theatre since I was a little girl.  My dad used to take me
to rehearsals with him when he performed in community theatre productions in my
hometown.  From there, my love of theatre grew and I have been lucky to have the
support of my parents in obtaining a degree in theatre and working for 15 years
as a director, choreographer and actress.  So, “Drama Chick” just seems to fit,
not just me, but all of us who have a little “drama” in our lives.
If this ideas wins the Happy First contest, I think that the percentage of
proceeds should benefit Youth Services of Tulsa.  Though I was fortunate to have
parents who helped me find my passion and supported me, not all teens have that
support.  Youth Services of Tulsa creates great opportunities for many
struggling teens in in Tulsa who need basic support and guidance. I know they
would appreciate a donation to put toward all of the great things they do for
the youth of this city.

Sara Phoenix

Adventurous Chick and Bling Chick

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Here are  2 entries from the top ideas for the  “new” chick tee contest! If you don’t know about the contest, see my prior blog post, “Chicks with Attitude” .  I will be posting all of the entries this week. You can also read them all in the “notes” section of the Happy First facebook page.To vote, go to the “contests” tab on the facebook page.  I love everyone’s ideas and charities!

Adventurous Chick

The adventure begins the day you are born.  we are all, really, in a constant state of adventure!  Whether you are taking your first steps, a cooking class, learning to jump rope, taking a stroll in the woods or snow skiing; one can find an adventure in it all.  It is learning, teaching, moving, changing, growing and even loving.  “Adventurous” is learning to cope with the unknown – what woman doesn’t have an adventurous spirit?

I am envisioning a shirt design with a mountain in the background, a paraglider soaring above the mountain, someone fishing in a stream below, all being adventurous.  (however, please take editing privileges!)

The charity I would like to support is Dayspring Villa, Sand Springs.  Dayspring is Oklahoma’s only faith based certified domestic violence shelter where women and their children discover life without abuse.  Www.dayspringvilla.com

Terri Sensintaffar.
Shop on 97, Proprietor

Bling Chick

I chose bling chick because I LOVE BLING:):):). Why do I love Bling? I love Bling because it’s pretty, sparkly, eye pleasing, and exudes happiness!!! I think everything needs Bling to some extent…what’s wrong with making the world a pretty place ?  We need Bling in our appearance and attitude!!!! If you can share your Bling then you’ve done a very good thing:)
My charity of choice would be Animal Rescue League.  I feel our displaced animals are at humans’ mercy and they need all the blessings we can send them as they are totally dependent on humans for survival.

Susie Cunningham

“Chicks” with attitude!

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Yoga ChickMy “Chick” line of tees has been growing by leaps and bounds! It all began with the “Happy Chick” tee and from there the ideas have been endless. We now have Runner Chick, Yoga Chick, Tennis Chick, etc (too many to name! Just look at our “chick” link on our Happy First site.) Everyone keeps coming up with new ideas.

I think it is fun to wear a tee  that says who we are or what we like to do-it  reflects our mindset and hobbies.  It’s an attitude! It invites others to come along and join the fun. We women like to spend time together  with girlfriends and be part of a group.

As women we have so many demands with family, work, volunteering, etc. that sometimes it is hard to carve out time for ourselves. One of my friends said once she had kids, it wasn’t about her anymore. We have to (and want to) put others first; but I think it is important not to lose ourselves. We need to find some things that give us joy and energize us so we are better at all the other things we do. I think I am a better wife and mom because I put some fun and friendship in my life and am pursuing various hobbies and adventures. There is not enough time in the day to pursue all the things I want to do-I am a runner, yoga, golf, okie chick! (I think more than that actually).

Right now we are having a contest to name the next “chick” tee-we received over a hundred entries on our Happy First Facebook  page and painfully (because they were all great!)  narrowed it down to the top 10. The top 10 ideas are- Adventurous, Biker, Bling, Charity, Drama, Praying, Spa, Strong, Super, Zen. People can vote on Facebook and the winner will be announced on January 12th. Then we will get busy designing the winner tee. The winner will receive a free tee for herself and a friend, plus we  will donate 30% of the proceeds from that tee (sales from January 16-March 31) to their favorite charity.
Come join the fun and read what the top 10 had say about their “chick” idea and who their favorite charity is and why. They will be on Facebook and I will also feature them on our blog in the upcoming days.  And then vote for your favorite and spread the word!

And what kind of “Chick” are you?

Lebanese Meat and Green Bean Stew

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We’re getting ready for a cold front and possible snow on Monday (yay! I hope we do). Plus we decided to have some of Randy’s buddies over for the big Bedlam Bash tonight – OU vs OSU (Go Sooners! Sorry! I really do root for the Cowboys too, just not when OU plays them).  So I decided to make some yummy comfort food. I make this often, it is a great meal to take to someone when they are sick or have a new baby or something!

This dish is so easy because you have your meat and veggies and rice in one meal and then if you add a loaf of bread and salad you’re done! (Oh, and then there is my mother in law’s incredible brownie recipe.)

lebanese meat and green bean stew over riceThe recipes-

Lebanese Meat and Green Bean Stew-

2 lbs. stew meat, big 1” chunks (sometimes we use sirloin)
2 cans green beans, drained
1 large onion, slivered or chopped
1 no. 2 can whole or crushed tomatoes
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
4 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I add more to taste)
1 clove garlic (actually I use about 5 or 6!)
2 Tbsp lemon juice (sometimes more, to taste).

Saute the butter, onions and garlic on med high. Add the meat (in batches if needed so as not to overcrowd) Just sear the meat, dont cook all the way through and if doing in batches remove everything and then just add the new meat so the butter, onions & garlic don’t overcook (but the onions should be limp).  Put everything back in and then add tomatoes, tomato sauce and spices. Then add the drained green beans and lemon juice.
Cover and simmer for at least 20 minutes, until the sauce is thickened. Serve over rice.

Ok, this is the rice recipe we use, it is really good!

1/4-1/3 stick of butter
1/2 cup vermicilli (break in pieces)
1 cup rice

(we actually double or triple the rice recipe because we really like the rice!)

Brown the vermicilli in the melted butter. Add the rice and get it all buttery. Add 2 cups boiling water. Cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Thanks to my cousin, Julia Evans (she is the BEST cook!) for sharing her secrets on how she tweaked the original recipe.

Enjoy! I welcome your comments and your favorite comfort/cold weather food ideas!

Happy December 1st!

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Happy December 1st, my friends!

To send this card to friends (free!) , click on the card to go to our new E-card page.

I have always loved and celebrated the first of the month. It is a fresh start! I look at each month with eagerness and anticipation of what is next. I love learning new things and new friends and adventures. I wish everyone viewed life this way. I am working on spreading that message! I believe each one of you has creativity and talents. That is what the egg represents, your potential inside!

Had lots of new this past week-launched our new website, Happy First, in time for cyber weekend. We still have things to add and change, it is a work in progress. I am having fun learning how to use the new website, loading the store, learning the pages. I love learning new things-but it has fried my brain the past few days! So much new! Been hunched over the computer for days. Good thing I have yoga in my life!

Just in case I didn’t think I had enough to do, we had our first giveaway on our Happy First facebook page last weekend and are doing another one starting today. Giving away fun hoodies to those that sign up under Sweepstakes on the facebook page. Another learning curve to go! And we are running the New Chick contest, having someone come up with our next Chick tee! (see the Notes on facebook or the November blog post).

Another new this week-met a friend through a mutual friend on facebook and so we had lunch on Wednesday and talked nonstop-we had never met before. We have the same life philosophy. I know something great will come out of our new friendship. I will be introducing you to her soon!

So the theme of my post today is do something new! Take a chance! Have fun! Dive in!

Pick the next Happy First “chick” Shirt & be Charitable!

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Happy November 1st my friends! I’ve missed blogging! So much happening, I will catch you all up soon. First I want to tell you about our fun promotion!

Pick the next Chick shirt, and win money for your favorite charity!

Happy First was created to celebrate happiness above all things, and my shirts are designed to be a reminder of my philosophy of Happy First. Are you an “Okie Chick?” “Yoga Chick?” “Tennis Chick?” These are some of the most popular from our “Chick” line, but what would your perfect Happy First shirt say? The “New Chick Contest” is an opportunity for you to share your passion with others. In a few sentences, describe your ideal “Chick” t-shirt. What is happiness to you? Post your words of wisdom on Happy First’s Facebook wall, and the top ten finalists will be chosen on December 19. Then, Happy First fans will choose the winner. The “Chick” with the most inspiring t-shirt will get to wear her happiness on her sleeve. And of course, we’ll send one for a friend, too! Sometimes, the best way to get happy is to make others happy. I am committed to donating a percentage of the proceeds from the winner’s shirt to an organization of her choice. So, let’s be “Creative Chicks!”

ps-click on the ecard to send to friends free!