Child's Pose

Mommy Yoga

Mommy Yoga: The 50 Stretches of Motherhood

By Julie Tilsner

Steps for Instant Calm

From traffic tension and work deadlines to health and money issues, stress and anxiety are almost hardwired into daily modern existence. Yet given the detrimental affects of these two all-too-common emotional states, having some strategies on hand to manage and cope with them is a powerful ally toward better health.

 
So, the next time you feel your breath shortening, your heart rate increasing and the adrenaline starting to course through your veins try one of our five instant calming techniques:

• Ground yourself in the present moment - close your eyes and breathe deeply. Feel your feet on the ground and the air on your skin. A lot of anxiety is caused my the uncertainty of the future, so getting present is key.
• Skip the caffeine – that same little rush that can give you the jitters can send your nervous system into overdrive during times of stress. Instead go for green tea or a calming herbal like Chamomile.
• Try child's pose– this classic yoga posture is restorative and nurturing, creating a feeling of safety.
• Reach for lavender or bergamot essential oils or products. These two scents are beloved for their calming, uplifting properties. Dab them on your temples, inside your wrists, or rub between your palms and breathe deeply for several minutes
• Take a brisk walk – movement and exercise can help 'burn off' stress and anxiety and offer a fresh perspective on the situation.

This post was taken from HealingLifestyles.com.

Journaling By the Moonlight

Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mother's Path to Self-Discovery

By Tina M. Games

Are You Journaling?

Oprah does it.  So do Nicole Kidman, Richard Branson, Renee Zellweger and Alicia Keys. They all journal. Says Oprah, “Keeping a journal will absolutely change your life in ways you never imagined.” 

Think of a journal as a room for your thoughts—a special place to write down your fears, your dreams, your goals, or simply a place to record how you feel. Journaling is an excellent way to express negative thoughts as well, especially because no one will ever read it except you. Journaling is a perfect way to understand yourself because writing down your thoughts forces you to deal with issues honestly (no one is judging or censoring you).  Journaling can also be a form of meditation—just letting the pen scrawl thoughts in no particular order is a way to quiet your mind.

How to start?  First, buy a journal—it can be lined or unlined, elaborate or plain. Choose one that inspires you. For those not concerned with looks, even a yellow-lined note pad will do. But once you’ve bought your book, where do you start?  All those blank pages can be pretty intimidating. Amanobooks has six suggestions.  Try writing down one of the following thoughts and then let it flow:

“Today, I am grateful for…”

“Right now, I am feeling…”

“Three things I know to be true are…”

“I have faith that…”

“My life is lacking…"

Still stuck? Write down your feelings on a certain event, idea, or person; or write about a change in your life and how you dealt with it. How about this: if you could live five different lives, what would they include?  An artist?  Doctor?  Teacher?  What does your dream life look like?  Try collecting photos or anything having to do with your dream and put them in your journal. Visualizing is an excellent way to actually make your dreams happen.

Sandy Grason, author of Journalation: Journaling to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life, and Manifest Your Dreams (New World Library, 2005), says, “The beauty of journaling is that it’s not just about recording and interpreting, it has the power to change who you are.  Journaling changes the way you think and feel about your world, because you start to notice more of your life. You find yourself more ‘in the moment’ than you have ever been.”

In her workshops, Grason often asks, “If I had a magic wand and I could grant you anything, could you tell me what you truly wanted?” Although participants may have an idea of what they’d like, they often have trouble putting it into words. “Ask yourself now,” says Grason, “Do you really know what you want? If you had to state your greatest desire out loud, in a succinct, passionate sentence, could you do it?” Having a written vision for your life inspires you and guides you in all of your actions.  It also keeps you on track; so when distractions come up, you can re-read the vision you’ve created in your journal and remind yourself of what you really want.

Think of the journal as your special friend who will always be there for you. So grab your pen or pencil, open your journal and start writing!


This post was taken from HealingLifestyles.com and it is entitled Journaling.

Whole Roasted Carrots Recipe

I love this video- lots of teaching & good eating too!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms - 101 Stories Celebrating the Power of Choice for Stay-at-Home and Work-from-Home Moms

By Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Wendy Walker

Carrot

The carrot is a rich source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body.  Beta-carotene is required for normal vision, effective reproductive functioning, healthy looking skin, and helps the body fight off infections.  Carrots may also help reduce cholesterol levels.

fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com

Relax- Take It Easy

Monday Madness? Relax & Take It Easy

Relax - Relax Take it Easy

Clutter Free Living

Ours is a culture of abundance. Even in this time of economic recession - most of us have more ‘stuff’ than we really, truly, need. Clutter, whether it be too many tasks on our agenda, too many thoughts pulsing through our minds, or too many belongings in our homes, seems to be a societal epidemic. When we slow down a bit and take notice, however, we find that more stuff actually creates more stress.

Begin to decrease the amount of clutter in your life by trying the following:

10 Steps to a Clutter Free Life

1. Designate one spot for all incoming mail/paperwork and go through it daily.

2. Unsubscribe from email newsletters, blogs, and retail email lists that no longer interest you. Its YOUR inbox, after all.

3. Before purchasing anything, from new socks to a new smartphone, ask yourself: “Do I love it?” and “Will I use it?” Think twice unless the answer to both questions is a resounding “Yes!”

4. Commit to clearing clutter from one area of your home each day for a week and schedule ten minutes daily to do it. Start with something totally feasible, like your coat rack or medicine chest.

5. Meditate for five minutes each day. This will help de-clutter your mind and give you the clarity to keep what’s essential and part with the rest.

6. Eliminate clothing from your closet and dresser that hasn’t been worn in the last calendar year.

7. Find a home for clutter-prone items, you know, the things that wind up on the kitchen table, living room floor, and bedroom dresser. Designate a place for them and make a habit of putting them there, every single day.

8. Create clutter-free zones in your home. The entryway is a great place to start. The kitchen table is another good choice. Keep what you love and use, recycle, donate or toss everything else. Be ruthless!

9. Use “maybe” boxes. If, in the course of de-cluttering, you’re not sure what to do with an item, put it in the maybe box. Note the date on the box and store it out of sight. If you don’t go looking for those items within six months to a year, it’s time to get rid of those things.

10. Evaluate your commitments. Most of us are over-scheduled, which is it’s own form of clutter. Make sure your commitments are reflective of your values and your priorities. Say no to new commitments without guilt and drop whatever commitments no longer serve you. Your life needs space for free flowing energy, just like your home.


This post was taken from HealingLifestyles.com. Click here to read the entire article- Conquer Clutter: In Your Head and Your Home

Asparagus with Ginger

Healthful Cuisine!

Ginger Sesame Pasta Salad

Lunch Time!

Vegan Comfort Food

Quick & Easy Vegan Comfort Food: 65 Everyday Meal Ideas for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Over 150 Great-Tasting, Down-Home Recipes

By Alicia C. Simpson

Ginger

Ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory and has pain relieving and soothing properties.  It helps relieve morning sickness during pregnancy, combats arthritis by reducing the pain and swelling in the joints, and supports heart health by preventing platelets from sticking together and lowering cholesterol levels.  

Ginger is also great for the digestive tract where it calms the stomach, eases nausea, dispels gas, and helps absorb nutrients.

Eye Massage

An eye massage increases circulation while decreasing sinus pressure, headaches, and tension.

Technique: Close your eyes. Begin with the arc of your eye socket, just beneath your brow bone. Place your fingertips at the inside of this arc and firmly, but gently, smooth around this area.

Return to the inside corner of the eye socket; place your thumbs on this area. Begin to make small circles, working toward the outside of your eyebrows.

Slowly and continuously move around to the underside of your eye socket until you reach the bridge of your nose. Firmly and gently press on the area where your inner eye socket and the bridge of your nose meet. Repeat several times as needed.

Grilled Greens

Take your salads a step further with grilled greens. 

Get started by heating your grill to medium (350-450˚F.)

Kale
Coat 1 bunch greens lightly with one tablespoon oil, and cook until soft, turning once, approximately 5-6 minutes. Mix with a creamy dressing like Green Goddess from Annie’s Naturals.

Romaine
Combine 2 hearts of romaine lettuce with one tablespoon olive oil. Grill as mentioned above. Mix with avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and a poppy seed dressing.

Bok Choy
Take your Asian greens outside! Mix baby bok choy with 2 tbs. soy sauce and 2 tbs. canola oil. Wrap in foil and grill for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with red chile flakes and cashews.

This post was written by Melissa Williams for HealingLifestyles.com.

Heartwarming Thought for Moms

Heartwarming Thoughts for Moms

By Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe

Here's a Treat to Satisfy that Afternoon Sweet Tooth!

Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being

Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being

By Esther M. Sternberg M.D.

Mommy Needs a Spa Day!

NOW!

So let's go global!

Asia Spirit Lodge & Spa in Koh Samui Thailand

This spa's mission is to lift your body, mind and spirit to a higher level of awareness as you relax in a completely natural, ecological environment.

Any of the ancient healing techniques (massage, wraps, steams) will do.

After I've tried every spa service, I can retreat to the balcony of my room

to gaze at this amazing view of Gulf Archipelago!

Or I can relax inside my open-air room to enjoy this splendor. 

And when I need a bite to eat, it's off to this beautiful dining space.

And as the evening comes to a close, I'll pier out over the islands from here.

What a spectacular space & place to experience! The focus of health & rejuvenation that this spa offers is so appealing because Mommy Needs a Spa Day!

Click here to visit the Asia Spirit Lounge & Spa.

8 Proven Ways to Manage Stress

Here are some great tips from the Mayo Clinic:

Racing against deadlines, sitting in traffic, arguing with your spouse .... There's so much in life that can make your body react as if you were facing a physical threat. This is why chronic stress can make you more vulnerable to life-threatening health problems. But there are simple ways you can take control of stress — by avoiding some stressors and limiting the detrimental health effects of others.

Effects of stress on your body

In short, stress is a physical and emotional response to a particular situation.

• Headache
• Chest pain
• Pounding heart
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches, such as back and neck pain
• Clenched jaws
• Grinding teeth
• Tight, dry throat
• Indigestion
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Stomach cramping or bloating
• Increased perspiration, often causing cold, sweaty hands
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Weight gain or loss
• Skin problems such as hives
• Impaired sexual function

8 proven ways to minimize stress and limit its health effects

1) Think positively

Studies indicate that optimism or pessimism may affect your quality of life. Optimism enables you to cope better with stressful situations, likely reducing the effects of stress on your body.

2) Change your emotional response

Managing stress doesn’t mean eliminating stressors from your life. It means developing positive strategies for dealing with stress to avoid negative consequences. Think about stress as your reaction to an event, rather than the event itself. This makes it easier to identify healthy ways to manage stress. Even though you can’t control some of the stressors in your life, you can control your response to them.

3) Embrace spirituality

Certain tools to reduce stress are tangible, but there is another tool that helps many people manage stress in their lives — embracing spirituality. Exploring your spirituality can lead to a clearer life purpose and better stress management skills.

4) Protect your time

How does your behavior contribute to your stress? Some people find it hard to say no to any requests made on their time. But saying yes to everything comes at a price — more stress and less peace of mind.

5) Restore work-life balance

Finding work-life balance in today’s frantic world is no simple task. Spend more time at work than at home and you miss out on a rewarding personal life. Then again if you’re facing challenges in your personal life such as caring for an aging parent or coping with marital or financial problems, concentrating on your job can be difficult.

Whether the problem is too much focus on work or too little, when your work life and personal life feel out of balance, stress – plus its harmful effects – is the result.

6) Try meditation

Different types of meditation techniques can calm your mind and reduce your stress. Concentration meditation involves focusing your attention on one thing, such as your breathing, an image you visualize or a real you look at – for example, a candle flame.

7) Keep your cool

Feeling stressed is normal. And so are setbacks in dealing with stress. If you lapse into your old ways, don’t give up. Focus on what you can do to gain control of the situation.

One easy way to help yourself keep your cool and lighten your load is to remember the four As of managing stress: avoid, alter, adapt or accept!

8) Keep a strong social network

To help you through the stress of tough times, you’ll need a strong social support network made up of friends, family and peers. This differs from a support group, which is generally a structured meeting run by a mental health professional.

Although both groups can play an important role in times of stress, a social support network is something you can develop when you’re not under stress, providing the comfort of knowing that your friends are there if you need them. A coffee break with a friend at work, a quick chat with a neighbor, a phone call to your sister, even a visit to church are all ways to reduce stress while fostering lasting relationships with the people close to you.

This blog post was written by the Mayo Clinic Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine for blog.gaiam.com

The Pregnant Body

The Pregnant Body Book

By DK Publishing

Unplugged!

What kind of woman would I be if I didn't live what I teach.  I'm unplugging for a few hours (or maybe a day or two).  Simply put, I'm tired and need to refuel.  

Unplug with me.  Take some time away from work, technology & stress.

You're worth it!

A Favorite Healing Environment

This is taken from a post I wrote a few years ago.  

Coffee shops still remain one of my healing environments.  They embody tranquility, simplicity, & comfort.  Whether it's coffee or tea in my cup, I can sit back, relax, listen to some great music and read a great book.

Organic Gardening

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener

Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley, Barbara W. Ellis, and Ellen Phillips

Half-Butterfly Pose

Benefits: This pose helps to ease childbirth when practiced consistently into late pregnancy, and stretches the knee, inner thigh and groin.  

Practice: Begin by sitting on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your right knee as you exhale and draw your right heel in toward your pelvis. 

Drop your knee out to the side as you hold your right foot in your right hand. Bring your heel as close to your pelvis as you comfortably can.

Never force your knee down. As you become more flexible you will be able to release your leg

further toward the floor.

Remain in this position for 3-5 minutes. Inhale as you lift your knee away from the floor and

exhale as you return it back to its original position.

Repeat these steps on the left side.

Portobello Mushroom Cheeseburger

Edible Sugar Lip Scrub

Although this recipe has little nutritional value, it will help to de-flake your pucker for a perfectly kissable pout. This DIY exfoliating sugar scrub will invigorate and plump your kisser for a lip-gloss ready look. It includes brown or white sugar as an exfoliant, honey for hydration, our beloved olive oil for added moisturizer and powdered cinnamon as a quick plumper. Along with a quick weekly rub down, don’t forget to drink plenty of water everyday, as it is necessary for lips to be hydrated for them to actually look full and juicy. Happy scrubbing!

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon of brown or white sugar
1/2 teaspoon of honey
1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
a pinch of powdered cinnamon

How to use

• Mix ingredients together in small bowl or even on the palm of your hand.
• Using your index finger, rub on dry lips gently, in small circular motions.
• Scrub for 2-3 minutes.
• Wipe with a warm washcloth.
• Apply chap stick/lip balm to lock in moisture.
• Uses once-twice per week (Over exfoliating can cause damage to sensitive skin cells)

Recipe courtesy of Spa Week via HealingLifestyles.com.

Eat, Taste, Heal

Eat-Taste-Heal: An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living

By Thomas Yarema, Daniel Rhoda, & Chef Johnny Brannigan

 

Relax as the Sun Sets

This is an exercise in guided imagery.  You will need a partner to slowly read the relaxation script for this exercise.  If you are pregnant, ask your labor partner to assist you.

To begin, find a comfortable, relaxing position.  Take a cleansing breath in.  Then breathe out.  Allow every part of your body to relax, from the soles of your feet, to the crown of your head.  Slowly, steadily, relaxation begins with your toes.  It flows up through your legs.  Then it flows up to your torso, surrounding your belly.  It flows up through your chest and up to neck, and surrounds your head.  Relaxation is overtaking your body, mind, and spirit. 

Mentally scan your body. Where there is tension, imagine that the healing power of rest and relaxation is sweeping over this area.  Feel your body relax further.

Now, allow your mind to rest as you concentrate on the image of the sunset.  Imagine that you are standing on the shore watching the sun slowly set in the evening sky.  Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.  Listen to the waves softly crash against the shore.  As your eyes gaze across the water, allow any remaining tension or stress to be released and washed away into the water as you rest peacefully on the shore.  Enjoy the quietness that surrounds you.  Slowly breathe in.  Slowly breathe out. 

Relax here for a few minutes as all that is around and within you is at rest. 

Now choose to awaken or drift off to sleep.

If you choose to awaken, feel your mind, body, and spirit become more aware of your surroundings.

If you choose to sleep, allow your relaxation to deepen.

Continue to breathe in and breathe out.  I will count to three.  As I reach three, you will be at your desired state of awakening or relaxation.  1, 2, 3

Sunset image taken from www.freenaturepictures.com.  Licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic" http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/"

Bedtime Beats

Bedtime Beats - The Secret to Sleep - Various Artists

Basil

Bonappetit.com

Cherry

The cherry helps to ease pain and inflammation and are packed with antioxidants.  They contain melatonin which boosts the immune system and helps fight insomnia.  Proanthocyanidins, an antioxidant found in cherries, can strengthen blood vessels and slow down the aging process of the skin.

Green Baby

Green Baby

By Savannah Marriott

Facial Massage

Self-massage techniques allow you to relax and unwind, anytime, anywhere.

A facial massage is great for stress and tension relief. 

Technique: Gently pull your skin upward as you move along your face, beginning with your forehead. Make circular motions with your fingertips while applying slight pressure. Move toward your temples, then over your cheeks. Move slowly to ease the tension from your facial muscles. Move your fingertips along the sides of your nose and end with your jawline. Use this technique as often as needed.

Bergamot

sacbja.org

-Uplifts the mind

-Relieves depression

-Excellent for skin care

-Relieves stress & anxiety

(Bergamot is photosensitive- keep out of the sun.) 

*Consult with your physician before using this or any other essential oil.*