Why Eating Whole Foods Makes You Slimmer

Eating whole food has many, many healthy benefits including lowering your chances of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and obesity. If you want to become or stay healthy, you need to take a look at what you are putting in your mouth.

People who eat healthy, mostly unprocessed foods including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and small amounts of lean animal protein become healthier and slimmer. They many times find that they can eat as much as they want without the risk of weight gain. But, why?

Because natural fruits, vegetables and whole grains are high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, they are absorbed slowly and satisfy your feelings of hunger. They also do not contain white sugars and simple carbohydrates that make your blood sugar spike and drip at alarming rates. This causes confusion in your body and your mind, thus food cravings begin. Processed foods (which have little to no nutritional value) don’t leave you feeling satisfyingly full, so you eat more of them.

Learning to eat well and exercise is the only solution to becoming healthy, staying healthy and obtaining and maintaining long-term ideal weight. While striving to eat a healthy diet, one must consider variety. All food groups should be a part of your meal.

Aim for the following portions with each main meal - ½ plate vegetables, ¼ plate meat, ¼ plate plant based food (rice, pasta, bread) and a side serving of fruit. Portion sizes must also be taken into consideration. A good judge of portion size is the palm of your hand.

7 Tips to Actually Enjoying Exercise

Is getting and staying in shape something that you have decided for a goal for 2011? Many people that are concerned that they don’t have enough time to exercise. They are only kidding themselves. The real problem is that they don’t like exercising, so it will never be a priority.Here’s some tips to make exercise something you actually want to do:

1. Make it a Habit. Remove the thinking part of this goal. If you can make exercise a habit, then it becomes that much easier.
2. Get a Partner. Get someone else to go to the gym with you. Pick someone who is committed to their health. Not only can you socialize with someone while you’re there, but you’ll have a backup in case your motivation alone isn’t enough to drag yourself out there.
3. Set Goals. Not weight-loss or muscle gain goals, but fitness goals. Set goals to beat your past records in distance ran, push-ups or chin-ups you can do, weight you can lift or degree you can stretch.
4. Shorter Workouts, More Often. Don’t have time or enthusiasm to last an hour? Just go for twenty or thirty minutes. Shorter workouts can be better than longer ones if the intensity is higher and you become more focused as a result.
5. Reward Showing Up, Not Weight Loss. Some people have gotten the idea that they should reward themselves for losing weight or gaining muscle. Instead, think of rewards for showing up to the gym and exercising regularly. There are many ways you can lose or gain weight in unhealthy fashions. Rewarding exercise is rewarding your commitment to health.
6. Make Exercise Your Stress Relief.  Many people that swear by using the gym to relieve stress. Some of them will head to the gym because of a frustrating day even if it isn’t on their schedule. Exercising can be cathartic and release negative feelings if you get used to using it that way. Then instead of avoiding the gym because of a stressful day, it will be your reason to go.
7. Make Time for Exercise. You can’t say you don’t have time to exercise. Exercise improves your energy levels and mood which makes you more productive than any time lost. Find your forty minutes somewhere in the day and make it a commitment. Get up a bit earlier and go in the morning. Or schedule it right after work before you settle down for the day. Once you make time and make it a habit, you’ll actually want to exercise instead of just feeling you should.

Focusing on How Far You Have Come

When working toward your goals, take a step back and think of your success in a whole new way. Try looking at how far you’ve come, not how much you have left to do. Look at your cup as half full, not half empty.

Recognizing and acknowledging your progress gives you the encouragement to try again tomorrow, the next day, and the next. Because you becoming aware of what you’re doing right, you have more confidence that you can do it again.

Appreciating the successes that you have made today makes it easier to succeed the next day as well. If it is something that involves a lot of energy and effort over time, it is especially important to keep appreciating how far you’ve come to this point. This will give you the drive to keep on going.

Self-appreciation is very powerful and motivating. It continues to reinforce the behaviors you want to bring into your being. It tells your mind to do more of this good stuff. So, the next time around, you are more likely to make the same good choices toward your goals.

Even if you’ve only made one baby step toward your goals, appreciate yourself for that. Think about what made the one-time success possible for you. Being grateful for everything you’ve done reminds you that you indeed have succeeded at something that you set out to do.

Set your goals, establish your standards, and aim high. Your intentions are limitless.
　

How to be a Positive Person

Positive thinking can change a person and a person‘s life. Being positive and keeping your mindset in the same tone will attract more and more good thoughts, feelings and things into your life. You can be in charge of changing your life. Tune your thoughts into more positive reflections of yourself and others will begin to respond more positively to you as well.

Here are some tips to follow:

• Realize it’s possible, instead of telling yourself why you can’t. Set your mind to knowing that you can do whatever your goal is successfully.
• Be grateful for your life, your gifts, and other people - every day. Set aside a few moments to thank your higher being for the beautiful life you have been given.
• Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t. This is not so much material things, think the items that money has provided for you.
• Don’t compare yourself to others, be inspired by them. When you look at someone else’s life and accomplishments that you admire, begin to initiate some of their steps toward success in your own life.
• Ignore the negative people. Negative thoughts, actions, and attitudes breed more negativity.
• See bad things as a blessing in disguise. Try to figure out what you can learn from unpleasant experiences.
• Surround yourself by those who are positive. You become what you spend time with. Fill your life with positive and inspiring people.
• Complain less, smile more. Smiles and laughter become contagious. Smile at everyone you meet.
• Image that you’re already positive. This is a good way to bring more and more positive experiences into your life.
• Then become that person in your next act. Set your sites on being a positive role model to others. Then just do it.
• Focus on this last tip first, and you’ll have a much easier time with any other.

It is time to take control of your thoughts and actions and create new habits and begin to achieve new ideals. You are in control of your own thoughts and are responsible for each action that you take. Think for just a moment, then approach your day with a mindset of positive thinking. You will be amazed at the results.

‘A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.’ ~Herm Albright

Release That Extra Weight for Good

You’ve tried and tried to lose those extra pounds that you are carrying around with you. Nothing seems to work. Well, the good news is that all you really need to do is to make a few lifestyle changes. Eating healthy is not about dieting, it is a commitment to yourself for now and the future. By changing your eating patterns and thoughts about food, you will be making a difference for life. Here are a few tips to get started.Eat real fresh whole foods. Foods that have a shelf life of up to a year or two are not going to provide you with optimal nutrition. Your new lifestyle change includes eating real food. Not foods that come in a box or bag.

• Cook your own meals. Food preparation takes times, but can also save you a lot of money, and cut back on your intake of fat, preservatives and calories. Learn to pre-plan and cook in bulk to save time.
• When cooking meat, cook enough for 3 or 4 meals. Store the rest, save time on other days to relax, exercise, or play with the kids. Crock pot dishes are great. When cooking is finished, portion out to the serving size, freeze and presto, ready meals whenever they are needed in a pinch.
• Get up and move. Walking is one of the most natural movements for the human body and provides an awesome workout. A good pair of tennis shoes and a stretch of land is all that is needed to start this workout. It is easier on your joints than running and provides a great cardio workout while helping you build muscle and burn fat. Muscle helps burn calories!
• Watch out for the extras on your plate. Ketchup, butter, barbeque sauce, salad dressing, mayonnaise, and other condiments are sometimes full of fat and sugar which add empty calories to you daily intake. The low-fat and fat-free versions are usually the worst choices as they many times contain more sugar than the original version.
• Feel the weight you have already released. Once you have released 5 pounds pick up a 5 pound weight and walk around with it for five minutes. You will be amazed that you were carrying that around all day a few weeks ago. Do it again with 10 pounds, 15 pounds and on as you release that extra weight. This is a great personal motivator.
• Think about what you really want. Do you want to feel sluggish, tired, ill and overweight for life? Or is it to look good, feel good, have an abundance of energy, and to come off of medication? Whatever your primary motivator is, it is usually not the food. Focus daily on what it is you really want. Write down your goals and post them in a spot you will see over and over again each day.
• Stop being your own worst enemy. If you are looking at changing your lifestyle and eating patterns as painful, stressful and time consuming, while at the same time feeling sick, tired and not liking the way you look in the mirror, then you are in need of a major life shift. Experiencing dislike on both ends of the spectrum is not fair and a conscious decision is needed to stop creating your ambivalence. This is referred to as “growing pains”.

You deserve to start a new stage of your life. Staying focused on your goals, pre-planning your meals, moving more each day, and celebrating the small victories each and every day will bring you closer to your new life. 　

Eating Whole Foods

Whole, fresh foods are foods that are in their natural state. No preservatives or additives are present. These foods (with the exception of dried beans, rice, pasta, etc.) will spoil. They do not have a shelf life of up to 3 years. They are natural, not man made.

Whole foods are healthier for you because they are more nutritionally dense. When consuming whole foods, you become full faster. Your body is able to absorb the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are naturally present in the foods. You become healthier. And to be quite honest, they just taste better. These benefits takes time to notice.

Always choose foods in this order: home grown or farmer’s market, organic, grocery store fresh, frozen, canned. Buy meats at local packaging plants versus grocery store. The meat is most likely local, processed at the facility and is much fresher (even if in the frozen department).

While eating 100% fresh, organic foods is ideal. It is difficult to due. The goal should be to strive to eat 85% “good food”. Good food includes whole foods and natural foods. This eliminates the use of boxed meals, canned goods, frozen dinners and many snack foods.

While striving to eat a healthy diet, one must consider variety. All food groups should be a part of your meal. Strive for the following portions with each main meal - ½ plate vegetables, ¼ plate meat, ¼ plate plant based food (rice, pasta, bread) and a side serving of fruit. Portion sizes must also be taken into consideration. A good judge of portion size is the palm of your hand.

Cooking with whole foods may take a bit longer to begin with. But once you have been eating healthier and feeling better, you will realize that the additional time is well worth your efforts. Avoid the use of your microwave oven. This appliance fills your foods with infrared rays and this is what your radio and TV also runs on. Always use your stove top and oven (or toaster oven) when preparing cooked foods. Eating a good deal of raw foods is ideal. Raw foods are easier to digest and maintain all of their nutrients. Cooking, even steaming and sautéing, reduces the nutrient content.

Seven Ways to Know "Who Am I?"

Adapted from Life After Death, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2006).

Deepak Chopra is a world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body healing, a best selling author, and founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.  He has more than 55 books, including 14 bestsellers on mind-body health, quantam mechanics, spirituality and peace. Here is a little advice from his book Life After Death.
Below are seven ways to help you define who you are.

1. What is your story?
Your story is more than just a list of events in your life. It is about your self-image, how you see yourself, what shaped your mind, which memories imprinted themselves on you.  Taken altogether, your story tells you where you are in the cycle of life.

2. What are your expectations?
Expectation are seeds.  Once planted, they manifest into those things we gain from life, or lose.  When you become aware of your own expectations, you discover the unspoken limits you have set on yourself.  There is a huge difference between those who expect great things and those who don't.

3. What is your purpose?
This is the meaning you are trying to find.  Purpose runs deeper than the superficial things we hope to get, which mostly center on money, possessions, status, and comfort.  If you know your purpose, you know the deeper project to which your life is dedicated.

4. What is your destination?
This is about fulfillment.  Human goals are endless; they unfold, not like a road that has an end but life a river that flows to join the sea, merging with ever larger possibilities.  If you know your destination, you can envision your highest fulfillment.

5. What is your path?
Having identified your purpose and your destination, there must be a way to get these.  "Path" has been adopted as a spiritual term, but in fact everyone, spiritual o rnot, follows certain ways to get where they want to go.

6. Who are your adversaries?
Forward motion is never without obstacles.  On your path you will find yourself blocked.  At times the adversary is external, but if you examine yourself deeply, you will find it is always internal as well.

7. Who are your allies?
We all bring others with us on our journey.  Just as your adversaries did, you may identiry these allies as
external, but they only reflect your own inner strength, just as an opponent reflects your inner vulnerability.

Way to Use Essential Oils at Home

Essential oils are very versitale in their use.  Four common oils:  eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and tea tree are effective and may be used in a variety of ways.  Listed below are a few ways to use them safely in your home for first aid and health benefits.

Eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and tea tree oils are effective when used alone, combining them can increase their healing actions. Here are a few ideas on how to mix oils and what they can be used for:

• Sunburn can be relieved by diluting four drops each of eucalyptus and lavender with four ounces of distilled water and sprayed onto the affected areas. This is especially comforting when the mix has been stored in the refrigerator.
• Small cuts and scrapes can be disinfected when washed with a dilution of warm water and several drops of lavender.
• An effective insect repellent can be made by mixing five drops each of lavender and rosemary with a carrier oil and sprayed onto the exposed skin and clothing.
• When it is necessary to build up immunity, try a steam inhalation of four drops each or eucalyptus and lavender mixed with a pan of steaming water. Drape a towel around to cover the head and pan and breathe in for up to five minutes.
• Respiratory and nasal congestion can be effectively treated in the same manner. Add three drops of each eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and tea tree into a pan of steaming water.
• An excellent rub for muscle pain can be made by combining two drops each of eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary with four teaspoons of a carrier oil such as sweet almond or extra virgin olive oil.
• Ear ache pain can be relieved by mixing three drops of and lavender and tea tree oil with one teaspoon of a carrier oil and rubbed around the affected ear.

As suggested above, these four oils are very versatile and useful for common injuries and illnesses. So, if looking for natural products to fill a first aid kit or medicine chest at home, be sure to include these four versatile essential oils to address many healing needs.

Color Nutrition

We should all be working toward health. One of the best ways you can do this is to pay attention to your diet and food choices. It is through choosing the right balance of foods that color can work every day to improve your overall health and prevent illness and disease. That's what color nutrition is all about, learning why you should get plenty of some foods and you should limit other foods to bring balance to your body.

Yin and Yang Foods
Foods can be associated with the energies of yin and yang. Yin energies are cool and pacifying. Yin foods are more alkaline and found in violet, indigo and blue foods. Yang energies are energizing and stimulating. Yang foods are more acidic and found in yellow, orange and red foods. Green foods tend to be a balance of these two energies making them a neutral color group. Green foods absorb the energies of the sun’s rays and give us essential minerals, nutrients and vitamins.

When a diet is high in either the yin or yang foods, you may experience cravings for the opposite foods as your body is striving for balance. This is why many times dark, leafy green vegetables are recommended for good overall health - it is to bring balance to the body.

The Chakras
Just as food color is associated with yin and yang energies, it can also be connected with your chakras. Certain foods are beneficial for energizing and balancing your chakra centers. Chakras are energy centers that are aligned at different points in our body. The location of the seven chakras represent different aspects of our life experience. Our emotions, physical health and ability to connect with others are reflected by the condition of each of our chakras.

Foods for Balance
Red foods for the root chakra (yang energy) for grounding and increasing your appetite for life. Red foods are a good source of protein, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Good choices include red potatoes, radishes, red peppers, red apples, cherries, strawberries, red meats, kidney beans and tomatoes.

Orange foods are for the sacral chakra (yang energy), for nurturing your creative self and keeping and alert mind. Orange foods help the body with removing toxins and provide minerals such as zinc and selenium. Mangos, oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, pumpkins, squash and grains are great additions to include in your diet.

Yellow foods for the solar plexus chakra (yang energy) for boosting your self-esteem and keeping a positive outlook. Yellow foods help to build the immune system. Try adding some lemons, pineapple, yellow pepper, bananas, poultry, eggs, rice, corn and cheeses to your daily food selections.

Green foods for the heart chakra (which is neutral combination of yin and yang energies) for balancing your body emotionally and physically. Green foods decrease your cravings and give you a greater sense of well-being. Look to add spinach, broccoli, green cabbage, peas, limes, kiwi, asparagus, green peppers and green beans to your diet.

Blue foods are for the throat chakra (yin energy), for increasing your ability to communicate and expressing your thoughts. Blue foods also help fight free radicals in your body. Good choices include plums, blueberries, eggplant, fish, purple cabbage, spices, red grapes and blackberries.

Indigo and violet foods are for the third eye and crown chakras (both yin energies), for developing your intuition and awakening your spiritual senses. Indigo and violet foods are also at the top end of the spectrum.

Though some of these foods can be beneficial for assisting in fighting free radicals, be cautious when eating others that can cause imbalances in your body. Associated foods include onions, mushrooms, alcohol and sugar.

An overall balanced diet consists mainly of foods from the orange, yellow, green and blue colors, with a limited amount of foods from the far ends of the spectrum - red (yang energy) and indigo/violet (yin energy). When planning meals, also consider that a half of your plate should be vegetables, a quarter plant based grains and a quarter protein. Your meal should be accompanied with a side dish of fruit. Keeping in mind color and portions can lead to a better overall healthy way of eating for you!

Five Ways to be Thoughtful and Considerate of Others

Being thoughtful, considerate, kind, caring and respectful of others is one of the greatest self-serving actions that you can take. How you treat and think of others reflects on how you think of yourself. Being kind to other people can make a huge difference in your life. There are many people out there that display rude behaviors. Many don’t realize it, they just aren’t making a conscientious effort to think of others feelings. Here are a few tips to motivate you into becoming thoughtful of others.

1. The first step toward being thoughtful of others is to admit to yourself that you are not perfect. In fact, realize that, at times, you can be downright inconsiderate and selfish. Many times you don’t even realize it at the moment. But when you realized this has happened, consider how you could have acted differently in the situation. This is a very important part of becoming respectful, kind and caring to others.
2. Secondly, place yourself in others shoes. This is a key concept in becoming respectful. Consider how others feel. What their needs and wants may be in a given situation. Look at things from their perspective. Make a conscious effort to think of what others are really going through. What would you want to have happen if you were in their place. This task isn’t always easy, but it will get easier with practice. Sometimes you may not be correct in your assumptions about what another’s wants or needs, but it is an important step for you to make the effort to try.
3. When dealing with other people, always attempt to act with compassion and kindness. If someone else is distressed, even just a little bit, try to ease their suffering in some way. Treating others with kindness, respect, and love is one of the best ways to show consideration. You can do this in little ways such as a smile, a kind word, a thank you, or a hug. You can also go out of your way to be courteous to others by holding open a door or letting another person in front of you in traffic. Random acts of kindness go a long way and make a big, big difference.
4. Practice will improve your efforts and your attitude toward others. Making it a priority with every interaction with another person is a chance to practice being considerate. Every time you speak with someone, send out an email, or even pass someone on the street is an opportunity to practice consideration and respectfulness. Practice, practice, and then, practice some more. This is how you get really good at anything.
5. Make yourself a goal to do 6 little things each day that are kind and thoughtful. This adds to your practicing efforts. It doesn’t take long or even matter what those things are. Be creative. Try baking something for a family member or friend, tidy up a bit after yourself or someone else, send a sincere thank-you email to a co-worker, say “please” and “your welcome” when others are being considerate of you and your needs, hold the door open for a total stranger, or lend a hand to a friend. Your opportunities are endless. Reach out and do at least 6 things each and every day and soon it will become second nature.

So, what are the rewards of being more considerate to others? First and foremost, it just feels good to be kind to others, do nice things for them, and make other people happier. Second, it makes your life better in so many ways. People start to treat you with more respect and kindness. They may tend to even like you better, and they may be more likely to want to work with you and be with you. And, very importantly, your efforts can make society better a better place to be. Think of what we could have if we all were to treat each other with caring, thoughtfulness, kindness, and respect. We could live better together and work better together. Your small, considerate actions can have an immediate and dramatic effect on your life and others.

Reiki in the Work Place

Reiki, a Japanese healing art, may be a company’s answer to many health related concerns. Reiki can have a direct impact on the overall health and well-being of employees. Reiki can be given to employees in offices and other work settings. It is a valuable tool in the management of resources. And, it does not require much time or a special space. Several companies across America are finding Reiki useful in improving the quality of work at their worksite. It has been useful as a stress management technique as well as a sick leave reduction strategy.

How effective is Reiki in the work place? Benefits include feeling refreshed, energized, and productive. Additionally, Reiki can:

• Reduce stresses, help reduce tension, headaches, insomnia and panic which affect health due to stress
• Bring on a feeling of relaxation and revitalization to perform tasks better
• Give a feeling of general well-being among staff
• Physically and emotionally relieve unreleased stress, thus restoring energy balance
• Increase productivity
• Reduce the number of sick days taken by employees
• Have a direct positive impact on staff morale
• Assist in attaining personal and work goals

Reiki can be very useful in improving the quality of life for employees of a business that brings Reiki to the work place. And when implemented, can not only bring down stress levels but also promote a feeling of camaraderie amongst employees. Reiki has been found to be a very cost effective tool when added to employee wellness programs.

Balancing Your Mind, Body and Spirit: Creating a Calming Home

Balancing Your Mind, Body and Spirit: Creating a Calming Home: "Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be a place where troubles are left at the door and your mind and soul are nurtured and we..."

Creating a Calming Home

Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be a place where troubles are left at the door and your mind and soul are nurtured and well cared for. To create a calming environment, make the following changes in your home:

• Bring in the outdoors. Live green plants, fresh-cut cut flowers, or blooming bulbs are a great way to bring life and nature in.  Add some decorative pieces of wood, large or small rocks, and other organic earth elements that create a feeling of being surrounded by nature.
• Paint your rooms to create certain moods. Cool colors such as blue and green promote a relaxed feeling and may be good choices for bedrooms. Warm colors such as maroon, coral, or burgundy suggest a cozy environment and encourage an inviting and welcome feeling.  These colors are good in family rooms and dining rooms.
• Surround yourself with items for all five senses. Have a variety of artwork adorning your walls and rooms - sculptures, paintings, or dried arrangements.  Add texture to rugs, curtains, wall hangings - smooth, rough, and soft.  Burn candles or essential oils to add aromas to your home. Peaceful sounds such as running water, soft music, or chimes induce a calming sensation in which you can relax. Add food features like dried cranberries or mixed nuts in shells in wooden bowls set in your dining room or kitchen.  Place slices of lemons, oranges or limes in the bottom of a glass vase filled with fresh cut flowers.
• Set aside a room or area in your house away from noise and distraction for peace and calm. A place used only for spiritual reflection and meditation. Keep the area dimly lit. Adorn with candles and burning essentials oils.  Try playing a little soft instrumental music. This area would be a good place for colors such as soft earth tones. Try a muted cream to encourage concentration,  and light tan and deep reds for grounding.
• Clear out all of your clutter. A low-maintenance home with fewer items is refreshing after a busy and hectic day filled with meetings, errands and chores. Fewer items can mean less frustration. If you don't use it, donate it, sell it, or recycle it.  Reduce for peace and happiness.
• Create an atmosphere of love. Display handmade or meaningful gifts from loved ones, such as the quilt that grandma had made draped over the back of a chair or sofa.  Frame and hang the artwork your children have created.  Photos of family and friends should be placed around your living spaces. Make places for all of your treasured items.

When implementing changes, go slowly, thoroughly, and thoughtfully through each room of your home.  Add your personal touch, be sure the items you choose to decorate with appeal to you.  Remember, your home is your sanctuary.  Bring in the peace and calm.

Tips for a Healthier Lifestyle

We all have the power to heal ourselves. The combinations of the nutrients we consume and the way we live out our lives determine the overall health of our body. The ultimate goal is to enable your body’s own natural ability to heal by supplying it with the proper support to do so. It must also be taken into account the mind-body connection and the role this plays in your overall health.

Here are some recommended basics for people who want to improve their health. These are things everyone can do to improve their health.

1. Be physically active. Daily exercise promotes your sense of well-being and overall good health. It helps keep you flexible, strong, emotionally balanced and will aid in better sleep.
2. Eat a healthy diet of whole foods. Include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat lean protein and whole grains. Limit processed and microwavable foods. Drink plenty of good water daily.
3. Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. One drink a day may be beneficial for heart health, though large quantities of alcohol are very damaging to the body.
4. Practice stress reduction. Learn how to manage your stress. Not managing stress efficiently can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and a range of emotional problems including insomnia and depression.
5. Take time to relax and participate in some sort of recreation or hobby daily. Engaging in these types of activities can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and balance the mind. Find a mix of activities that include other people and some to do alone.
6. Get the right amount of sleep for you. Lack of sleep can attribute to weight gain, inability to deal with stressors and emotional imbalance. When sleeping, sleep well.
7. Get plenty of fresh air and sun exposure. Take whatever activities you can outside. Walking, reading, playing or simply visiting with friends. The fresh air rejuvenates the body. Sun exposure causes your body to produce vitamin D3 which boosts your immunities and increases calcium absorption.

Making simple changes to your daily routine can enhance your health dramatically. Learning to make lifestyle changes takes time and patience. Forgiving yourself when poor choices are made and rewarding yourself for making great choices is a good way to stay motivated during your quest toward good health.

Tapping Into the Happiness in Your Life

Living a life of happiness does not happen by mistake.  There are certain factors that need to be present in your everyday lifestyle in order to truly appreciate who you are and what you have. Happiness is not only a state of mind, it is a condition of a good life.  Here are a few key tips:

1. Accept yourself as who are. Don’t be too critical about yourself. Just learn how to love the person that you have become.  A happy life begins with self-actualization and acceptance.
2. Happiness is a state of mind. No one can make you unhappy if you have decided for sure that you will be happy in most situations.  Always look at things that don't go the way you wanted as an experience to learn from and how can you benefit from this. 
3. Prioritize your life. Learn how to balance the various responsibilities that you may have (work, relationships, and family) so that your priorities are being met.  Priorities need to include self-indulgence activities such as leisure time and hobbies. 
4. Take care of your health. An unhealthy body cannot be the home of a happy mind.  Good nutrition feeds the mind, body and spirit.  Set aside time for physical and mental activity.
5. Stay in the company of happy people. Being in the company of people who have a habit of criticizing is likely to divert your mind toward negative thoughts.  You become what you spend time with.  Spend it with people who exhibit behaviors that you wish to acquire.
6. Be grateful. Saying a small “thank you” for what you have can make a lot of difference.  Gratitude is the seed for more wonderful things coming into your life.  Take advantage of how easy it can be to show appreciation for what life has given you.

Setting aside a few moments everyday to evaluate your level of happiness and how you have achieved those good feelings is very important.  This plants the seed for a brighter, happier and more fullfilled tomorrow.

Welcome to Balancing Your Mind, Body and Spirit Blog

Let me take a moment to thank you for visiting my blog.  Here you will learn about all aspects of health - physical, emotional and spiritual.  You will recieve practical advice on how to transform your life into one that is fullfilled with an overall sense of well-being.  You will be given ideas to explore on how you can achieve the life you know you were meant to live.  You can learn to set goals and manifest good things into your life.



Take time to visit this blog often as it is updated several times each week.  Topics include nutrition, stress management, goal setting, living a life of gratitude, physical fitness, building self-confidence, and many more. Watch your dreams become realities right before your eyes.