Recommit to Building Healthy Habits

Back in March when COVID cases started to rise and communities started shutting down restaurants, gyms, nonessential businesses, and more and more people started working from home a lot of people made a commitment to start taking better care of their health. Internet searches for at home exercise routines and healthy meal recipes soared. There wasn’t a dumbbell, physioball, jump rope, or exercise band to be had anywhere.

In my own neighborhood, I started seeing neighbors I hadn’t seen in months out for a run, walking their dog, or doing squats in their driveway.

But now it’s September and my neighborhood is again a quiet little hamlet. No more family bike rides, no more sidewalk yoga, and no more strolling puppies. Everyone it seems is settling back into their routines.

Restaurants are open, people are eating out again, fitness equipment is back in stock, and the number of online workout classes is starting to dwindle.

Folks commitment to better health is slowly going by the wayside. As we edge slowly closer to our lives returning to “normal”, we are falling back into old routines where physical activity and good nutrition are no longer on our, “to do” lists.

So, what about you:

• Are you sticking to an exercise routine, either at home or in the gym?
• Do you find yourself eating out more often, maybe grabbing a quick burger and fries rather than making a healthy dinner?
• Have you stopped having your groceries delivered and started doing your own shopping only to find yourself making impulse purchases like the newest flavor of potato chip or those M&Ms that were on sale?

If you have found yourself sliding backward into old habits, NOW is the time to recommit to those healthy habits you pickup earlier in the year.

You may need to get creative if your schedule is less open and flexible than months past, but with a little thought and planning you can keep those good habits going.

This week pick 1 of your healthy habits and commit to focusing on building and reinforcing that habit to the best of your ability each day.

Don’t let your old normal ruin the progress you made during your “new normal”.

Good luck, have fun, and have a happy healthy week!

Blueberry-Avocado Smoothie Recipe

Feed your brain with this delicious “brain food” smoothie loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fat!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, plain
• 1 cup almond milk or other nut milk, unsweetened
• 1/2 medium avocado
• 2 teaspoons honey, optional

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. ENJOY!!!!

Kindness Challenge – Week 5

These days it is all too easy to look at the world and see what is wrong. Disease, violence, injustice, bullying, anger, and hatred seem all too common.

The world is divided into US versus THEM. If you aren’t with me, you’re against me.

It appears that no news is good news, literally.

But is that really true? Is there nothing good going on in the world?

The answer is an unequivocal, “NO”

Recently in the face of a local tragedy my community stepped up to show what’s possible. The acts of kindness and compassion were in numerable. It was truly amazing to see the outpouring of kindness that my community exhibited. Yes, there were a few negative ninnies and naysayers. But people in the community came together to make the community stronger, to help others, to show kindness, to show compassion, to show courage, and to show love. It was truly inspirational to witness.

That’s why this week my challenge to you is to look for kindness in the world.

Every day look for one act of kindness, whether it be an inspirational story on YouTube, an article in the paper about someone who helped a neighbor in need, or a story of two very different animals coming together and being friends. Whatever it is, search out acts of kindness around the world.

If you look for them, you will find them. I promise kindness and compassion abound if you choose see them.

For a few minutes every day for the next week, set aside the negativity, the fighting, the arguing, the cruelty, and the hypocrisy and look for the good!

Focus your attention for just a few minutes on those good stories. Share them with others. Repeat them over and over.

Focus on kindness and you will see more kindness. It will start to pop up in front of you everywhere, but you have to look for it.

Take the time look for the kindness, share the kindness, be kindness and we will have a kinder world.

Please, share this challenge with your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers! The more people choose kindness and compassion the more we all benefit!

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook.

Kindness Challenge – Week 4

Don’t you love the feeling when someone at the grocery store sees you are in a hurry lets you move ahead of them or when a stranger pays for your coffee?

This week, it is time to return the favor. Make it your goal this week to do something nice for a stranger a minimum of 4 times. It does not have to be a huge gesture or cost money: hold the door open for someone (maybe stand behind it so you don’t breath on them), toss a few extra pennies in the “take a penny”, cup at the gas station, volunteer to mow a neighbor’s lawn, or donate to a charity. Think up your own creative way to do something to make a stranger’s day a smidge better. Do it without expecting or requiring recognition or gratitude, do it because a little heartfelt kindness goes a long way to making your world a better place. Don’t forget to make some observations about what you experience and how this exercise made you feel.

Kindness Challenge – Week 3

Compliments, we love to get them. But all too often we fail to give them to others.

This week resolve to give at least 2 compliments every day. You can compliment a family member, a friend, an employee, a coworker, or a stranger. The who doesn’t matter. As far as the what, make it honest and heartfelt, don’t just toss out a half-ass compliment because I told you to, do it to show kindness and appreciation. Your kind words will make someone’s day just a bit brighter.

Don’t forget to make some notes in your journal about how this activity made YOU feel.

Don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook!

Kindness Challenge – Week 2

Welcome to week 2 of The Kindness Challenge.

The purpose of this challenge is to spread kindness, love, and appreciation in an effort to make our world a little happier and more peaceful.

My challenge to you this week:

Say “Thank you” to a stranger.

Nothing breeds kindness and goodwill like gratitude. We all love to be told, “thank you” when we have done something for someone else.

This week make it your mission to say, “thank you” to 1 stranger every day.

• Thank the grocery clerk for working
• Thank the woman in the parking lot for putting her cart in the cart corral
• Thank the customer service representative for helping you over the phone
• Thank your bank teller for always greeting you with a smile
• Thank the man in line with you for standing 6 feet away, whatever.

No act is too small to garner a “thank you”.

Have fun with this, get creative, think up different reasons or ways to say, “thank you” to someone you don’t know.

As always you may want to keep journal or some notes about how thanking a stranger made you feel.

Don’t forget to share this challenge with your friends and family!

Take 5 Minutes

Take 5 minutes today to go outside and experience Mother Nature. I don’t care where you are or what the weather is, take 5 minutes and put your hands on the Earth or your bare feet on the grass. Don’t think about viruses, politics, social injustices, your bills, job, or any other problem you have. Instead, focus on the amazing set of circumstances that created this planet and life (our life) on it. The perfect size planet, the perfect distance, from the perfect star, orbiting in the perfect way to sustain life for millions of years. For 5 minutes, appreciate the miracle of where we live and what it gives us.

Take 5 Minutes

Take 5 minutes today to go outside and experience Mother Nature. I don’t care where you are or what the weather is, take 5 minutes and put your hands on the Earth or your bare feet on the grass. Don’t think about viruses, politics, social injustices, your bills, job, or any other problem you have. Instead, focus on the amazing set of circumstances that created this planet and life (our life) on it. The perfect size planet, the perfect distance, from the perfect star, orbiting in the perfect way to sustain life for millions of years. For 5 minutes, appreciate the miracle of where we live and what it gives us.

What is Reiki and How Can it Help You Lead a Healthier Life?

What is Reiki?

Reiki is defined as “ universal life force energy”. Reikiis a Japanese technique used to reduce tension and stress and to promote healing.

How does it work?

Ki” is the life force energy that flows through our body. When the flow of energy comes slow or stagnant, stress and illness can occur. In Reiki, a trained practitioner places their hands on or above the client and allows Reiki energy to flow through them and into the client.

How can you do a session if i am not there?

Because Reiki is a universal energy, it can be “ sent” to clients through a distance healing. Using a photograph or the clients name on paper, the practitioner can focus Reiki toward the client.

What can Reiki be used for?

Reiki can be used to help alleviate stress and tension. In addition, Reiki can be used to help create a positive environment within the body that can help facilitate healing. Reiki can help address physical, mental, and emotional conditions. It can also be used to encourage the release of bad habits and help accelerate achieving a goal.

Will Reiki cure my illness?

No, Reiki cannot cure a particular disease or illness. However, it can work in conjunction with traditional forms of healing to help enhance and speed up the healing process.

How will I know my session has been performed?

It can be difficult to know if a Reiki distance healing session has been conducted, particularly if you are distracted by daily activities, however many clients have reported a feeling of sudden ease or relaxation occurring while a session is being performed. In the hours and days following your treatment, you will notice that you have more energy, your mind is clearer, and you are better able to manage stressful situations.

Order your Reiki Distance Healing Session today!