The New Year is always an exciting time for new hopes and dreams, plans, and opportunities. While we know continuing to be careful during the pandemic means continued social distancing and restrictions, we can still reflect, set our intentions for what we desire in our lives, and work toward our goals and dreams.   Today, someone commented to me that 2020 allowed us to reflect a lot more than usual, with more time at home, fewer social engagements, no work or school commutes for many, and much less running around than we usually do!  This is probably true for many of us.  Most people I speak with are so excited for 2021, so perhaps they’ve had an opportunity to reflect, and have set intentions for creating a new 2021. We are all looking forward to putting 2020 behind us, but what will 2021 bring?   We can only control what we can control.  So, let’s focus on that.  What are your intentions for 2021?  Here’s one approach to evaluating your current situation and determining your goals related to your health and happiness. Read More

I’ve been asked several times this week about intuitive eating.  I wonder why this is coming up?  Is there some new book or media attention around intuitive eating?    For me, I learned intuitive eating years ago which helped me stop dieting and change my relationship with food, but it didn’t have a label. It consisted of a few important concepts for me including understanding physical vs. emotional hunger, understanding cravings and satisfying them, and slowing down and being mindful with meals and eating. Read More

We’ve had a heck of a first half of the year.  We know more now about this novel coronavirus, but there are still so many unknowns.  That uncertainty causes stress and a whole range of emotions. Some days I feel sad.  I feel sad for our country.  Sad for our lack of leadership. Sad for those who are struggling with unemployment, loss of business, illness, and balancing work at home and child care. Read More

Quarantine Foods In speaking with people from all over the country during the last two weeks on our Forum’s for Connection, Discussion & Support, many mentioned comfort food eating as well as the struggle to eat well during this time of stay-at-home warnings. So, I thought I’d put together a list of foods on my shopping list that I replace when I go to the grocery store about every ten days or so, as well as a list of staples in my pantry. Read More

What a week it’s been.  Our schedules will be different this week with work and school from home for many of us, events and meetings canceled or rescheduled, or going on-line.  This change might also leave room for new opportunities.   You are washing your hands, cleaning surfaces, social distancing, and are taking precautions to avoid becoming infected with COVID-19 corona virus. Protection is in place. But did you know, eating a healthy diet can also help us ward off infection and illness?  In fact, 70% of our immune system can be found lining the digestive tract. So what we eat can directly support or harm our immune system.   How is your body is going to deal with the virus if you are exposed? A strong immune system functioning at its optimum level with good sleep, low stress, proper hydration, getting outdoors, and certain foods can help do this!  You can start to work on strengthening your immune system now. In addition to protecting yourself, try these five key steps to strengthening your immune system. Read More

When February comes around, we might think about Valentine's Day, red roses, chocolate heart boxes, and the love's in our lives.  But what about the person we need to love the most - ourselves?  

 

All year round we are taking care of our health, wellness, living our purpose, and happiness. Can you look in the mirror and say "I love you" and really mean it?  I'm not suggesting an unhealthy love such as narcissism, but a real honesty with oneself about how we are treating self.  If this is a challenge, we might be using food or other external things to sooth emotions.

 

For 8 practices that feed your soul, and support your health and self-love, read the latest blog post here.

 

1. Get moving - Find movement you enjoy and engage in it daily.  Move throughout the day to show love to your physical body and emotional self - moving more helps with our feel good hormones and mental health too.

2. Sleep, rest, and relax - When you’re sleep-deprived and/or stressed, your body will crave sugary snacks and caffeine for quick artificial energy. Chronic stress and lack of sleep are also inflammatory to the body and can lead to "dis-ease".

3. Schedule fun time - Boredom and stress can lead to overeating. Make sure to take time to laugh, play, and participate in activities you love. 

4. Take a hot bath - This is a great way to engage the relaxation response and wipe out cortisol, the stress hormone at the root of weight gain. Add some Epsom salts, baking soda, and lavender oil for an ultimate spa treatment at home.

5. Meditation - Meditation is another great tool to engage the relaxation response. Start with just five minutes each day and build your way up. Want to try it?  Check out meditationexercises.com and sign up for 100 days of meditation with an email and a meditation each day for 100 days.

6. Make your food look good - Use gorgeous dishware and plate your food in a way that’s aesthetically pleasing. (That means no paper plates!) By making meals an event, they will nourish you and fill you up more – both literally and figuratively. 

7. Spend time in nature - Spending time in nature connects you with the earth and can provide a natural high. Nature is great at bringing you back to the present moment and can be a source of stress reduction. 

8. Hug - Humans require physical contact, and long hugs are a great way to get it. They relax you and lead you to produce oxytocin, a feel good hormone. Give it a good three seconds for best results!

I hope you LOVE the blog tips!