Posts

Start the Week Off Right by Making the Most out of your Sundays

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Sunday Funday: The last bit of the glorious weekend until Monday comes along and sucks all the living energy out of you. Okay – maybe Mondays aren’t  that  bad, but a well spent Sunday can actually give you a little more energy to power through the week. How so, you ask? Lazy Sundays are for sure a thing, but making the last day of your weekend just a bit more productive goes a long way. Fruitful planning and well-thought out preparation can help you transform the start of your week. Keep reading to find out how you can make the most out of your Sundays and take back the week. WAKE UP EARLY Step one to getting a full and productive day in? Be up and out of bed by 9:00am at the latest. Don’t cut your weekend short by sleeping in ’till noon and writing off your entire morning. Get up and go – you’ll thank yourself later. Bonus: Getting up early means your body won’t let you stay up all night, binge-watching  Scandal . Instead, you’ll fall asleep sooner Sunda...

Meatless Monday

Chickpea Angel Hair Pasta Ingredients * 3 cloves garlic, chopped * 7 cups low-sodium vegetable broth * 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper * 1 pound angel hair pasta * 1 15.5-ounce can chickpeas * 1 cup flat-leaf chopped parsley * 1/4 cup unsalted chopped almonds * 1/2 cup grated Parmesan How to Make It Step 1 Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Step 2 Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the broth, crushed red pepper, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Step 3 Add the pasta and cook, stirring, until the broth is nearly absorbed and the pasta is al dente, about 6 minutes. Stir in the chickpeas and parsley. Step 4 Divide among individual bowls and top with the almonds and Parmesan.

Spa Day Every

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Have you ever walked out of your favorite spa wishing you could somehow make enough money to always feel the way you do when you step out of a spa? While there were no “spas” in the ancient times when Ayurveda was revealed to  Rishis  (sages) living in the Himalayas and faraway forests of India, these Rishis have discovered an incredible daily ritual to make you feel like every day is a spa day – regardless of your annual income.  Though many people may only associate the word “ Ayurveda ” with fancy, expensive spa treatments, Ayurveda is actually a complete medical science of life. The word “ Ayurveda ” derives from the Sanskrit words “ Ayush ,” which means “life” and “ Veda ,” which means “knowledge of.” And the beauty of Ayurveda’s wisdom is that it truly touches upon every aspect of life. From psychology to managing difficult diseases like psoriasis to practical home remedies, to seasonal, dietary and lifestyle recommendations to prevent diseases, to guidance on ho...

How To Care For The Caregiver

More than 65 million family caregivers — 29% of the U.S. adult population — provide an average of 20  hours of care per week; some provide care around the clock. The physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. So how can you nurture yourself as the caregiver? 1.  Seek support from other caregivers. There are great benefits from knowing that there’s a netw ork of other caregivers you can turn to for encouragement and problem-solving. 2.  Take care of your own health. You need rest, healthy food, plenty of water, and time away—whether it’s taking a walk, meeting a friend  for  a movie, or taking a nap. 3.  Keep your ow n doctor appointments. Let your doctor know that you are a caregiver and be sure to mention any signs of depression (e.g., overeating or loss of appetite; difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisio ns; feelings of hopelessness ). 4.  Be fl exible. Why argue  for 30 minutes to get your loved one to ...

Mindfulness Techniques

Mindfulness  involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there's a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment.   Below are several Mindfulness Techniques. Breathing  Begin by sitting comfortably. Look around the room and orient yourself to what is around you. Sit upright, yet relaxed. Now close your eyes and take three deep breaths. One, two, three. Pay attention to your breathing. Let your attention rest on the inhale, then the exhale. It’s fine to notice other sensations as well, but keep your mind focused on breathing out. Let your breath come naturally; don’t force or change it. When you notice that your attention has wandered, let the thought go, and gently bring your attention back to your breath. Hold your awareness here.  After 2-3 minutes, bring your awareness back to the outside world. When you are ready, open your eyes. Take a few momen...

Memo #1

1. Stop blaming your circumstances. I guarantee there are other people with similar or worse circumstances doing really, really well. Follow their lead. 2. Stop blaming other people. As soon as you take responsibility you're ahead of 95% of society. 3. Be persistent. Real success doesn't come easily. Work hard. Stay consistent. 4. Do what you should be doing. Your actions are either moving you closer or further from your goals - be aware of your time. 5. Invest in others. Spend time every day trying to add value to your family, friends and associates' lives. It will come back to you 100 fold. 6. Work on 'you' every day. Seminars, books, audios, coaching - you can always improve. 7. Focus on solutions - not problems. No whining, no complaining. Once you've identified an obstacle devote all your energy on overcoming it.

How do you live a holistic lifestyle?

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For me, living a holistic lifestyle means regularly incorporating: Self care Self-awareness and mindfulness Healthy, sustainable habits Education and personal growth Taking a holistic approach to healing is remembering to nurture every part of our self and our lives, because we know each part is connected and important. What are the benefits of holistic living? Holistic living can have many benefits. Some of which include: Increased mental clarity, happiness, and energy Decreased stress, anxiety, and overwhelm More self awareness and alignment with highest version of yourself Find healthy emotional outlets Whether it’s seeking out a therapist, playing a sport, or creating art, find a way to express your emotions. When we go through difficult things without a way to express it, it can get bottled up inside and cause us to get angry or sick. Writing has always been such a therapeutic practice for me and such a great outlet. Find what works for you, and m...

Aromatherapy Kits

Aromatherapy Kits For Sensory Stimulation Recent studies of people with and without dementia have shown that aromatherapy can lessen anxiety, improve people’s mood, and help people sleep better. Essential Oils Overview • Aromatherapy works when scent molecules are inhaled and then connect to specific receptors in the brain. Molecules that are man- made or contain impurities do not connect to the brain receptors in the same way as organic scent molecules do. It’s important to make sure your essential oils are pure and unadulterated. • Even the best quality essential oils have an expiration date and should be stored away from sunlight, which can spoil them. A great way to learn more about storing and caring for essential oils is to take this excellent online class, which is completely free. • Forbes magazine hired independent researchers to test the quality of different brands of essential oils. They recommend Aura Cacia brand oils. Besides being pure molecules without synthetic a...

Quick Qigong

Quick Qigong For Fitness Qigong (chee-goon) is a traditional Chinese practice that is designed to invigorate and “wake up” the body. The movements may seem unusual, and even a little silly at first, but they are surprisingly invigorating. This is a great way to warm up before more vigorous chair exercises, or anytime a quick energy boost is in order. Setup Place chairs in a circle or semi-circle with several feet between them. Practice qigong in a quiet space if possible. Exercises All exercises are done in a seated position. Participants should sit up straight in their chair with their feet touching the floor at the start of the activity. Bouncing Come up on your toes, leaning forward slightly. Rock back on your heels, leaning back slightly. Continue this motion for about a minute. Vary the pace throughout the exercise. Start by moving fairly slowly, then speed up, and gradually slow down again. Do the exercise for 60 to 90 seconds. Arm Pats Reach your left arm strai...

All About RSB

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In one week I will be flying down to North Miami Beach Florida to finalize my Certification as a Rock Steady Boxing Coach! Below is everything you should get to know about RSB! ABOUT Mission:  The mission of Rock Steady Boxing is to empower people with Parkinson’s disease to fight back. Rock Steady Boxing, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, gives people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum. THE CHALLENGE Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder which can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech and sensory function. The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation estimates there are more than 1 million people in the United States diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed each year. Rock Steady Boxing is the first gym in the country dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s. In our gym, exercises are largely adapted from boxing ...

Humming Your Way to Health

Did you know that when humming to a favorite tune you are also improving your health and well-being? Try this little experiment: Hum one of your favorite songs for about 20 seconds. Do you feel calmer? A bit happier perhaps? How to Hum The good news is everyone can hum. You don’t have to be a musician, and you don’t even need to be able to carry a tune. • Close your mouth, gently put your lips together, and make the sound Hmmmmmmmmm. • Make sure your lips are barely touching, your teeth apart, and your tongue flat in the bottom of your mouth. When you hum, you should be able to feel light vibrations in your upper lip and also perhaps in areas around your mouth. • If you cannot feel any vibrations, you are probably keeping your lips too tense. Relax your head, neck, and shoulders and try again. • Continue humming until your thoughts quiet and you begin to feel relaxed. Humming Benefits The benefits of humming reportedly are many, and some may come as a surprise to you. • H...

6 Rules of Anti-Aging Products

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1. If your skin is sensitive, choose products containing hyaluronic acid. Tread lightly with AHAs and retinoids, which can cause irritation with overuse.  2. Apply retinoids only at night; they are sensitive to sunlight and could lose potency if applied in the morning.  3. AHAs might deactivate retinoids; if you use them both, apply the AHA in the morning and the retinoid before bed (or, if your skin is sensitive, on alternating days).  4. For the most effective protection against skin-damaging free radicals, use a mix of antioxidants—morning and night.  5. Apply all treatments right down to your collarbone—except retinoids, which can irritate the thin skin on your neck. Bonus points if you include your hands.  6. Unless the stars are out, wear sunscreen. And reapply often.

Fermented Foods and Gut Health

FERMENTED FOODS - HAPPY GUT Did you know, that 70-80% of immune system cells are found in the gut.  Besides, healthy gut supports weight loss, boosts energy levels, lowers cholesterol, improves mood and mental health, reduces yeast infections, improves digestive health, oral health and skin health. And the list goes on!  One way to improve and maintain your gut microbiota is to include fermented foods into your diet.  Most common and easily accessible    fermented foods are:  💥 Yogurt or Kefir (you can find dairy alternatives if intolerant!) - make sure it has active cultures - go for sugar free options.  💥 Saurekraut  💥 Kimchi 💥 Kombucha (fermented tea) 💥 Miso 💥 Tempeh (fermented soy beans, similar to tofu) 💥 Sourdough bread Why not to try a probiotic yogurt with my homemade granola recipe?  Lavender Kombucha is my fave!

Coconut Curry Chickpea Stew

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   Coconut Curry Chickpea Stew Ingredients 1 large onion 2 medium zucchini 1 tbsp curry powder 1 (13.6 oz) can coconut milk 2 (14.5 oz) cans chickpeas Steps Heat a large greased skillet on medium-high. Finely chop the onion and add to skillet. Cook 5 min. Meanwhile, cut the zucchini into 1-inch chunks and add to skillet. Cook vegetables 5 min., until golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in the curry powder and cook 1 min. Add the coconut milk and heat to a simmer. Season with salt. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, and add to skillet. Cook 8–10 min., until zucchini is tender.