Meditation-Yes even you can do it!
I just finished learning TM meditation techniques at the Transcendental Meditation Center here in Encinitas. Yes, I took the full 5 day course of personalized instruction with lifetime follow up. I've tried to meditate before and found it to be difficult to get my mind to a settled place devoid of thinking, but once I was able to get there I could genuinely say I felt something both physically and mentally. We all meditate in our own way, we don't always call it meditation, for some it's that runner's high, for others it's the ascent to the top of the mountain or a walk along the beach. We all need to take the time to de-stress however we de-stress. Meditation has nothing to do with religion, it's about understanding how your mind works in conjunction with your body and how that effects everything around you. Just ask Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres, they both meditate everyday. I'm supposed to mediate twice a day for 20 minutes at a time, well everyone is supposed to meditate 2X a day.
Cleanse Redux
Earlier Maddie introduced us to juice/smoothie cleanses. I followed her suggestion and went on a cleanse of my own. Mine was more focused on reducing blood pressure so there are some added beneficial ingredients that have been added to mine. Even if you don't have high blood pressure, you can still use this recipe for overall wellness.
You should also add 2 tablespoons of protein powder, you can choose either Whey based protein or if you're more vegan inclined use plant based protein. For additional blood pressure control I added 1 teaspoon of Ceylon Cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of organic ginger. Beets, Hibiscus, Cranberries, and Pomegranates have known properties to reduce blood pressure and regulate insulin production so that is why my smoothies have a red color, If you don't have beet powder feel free to use beets. Clinical studies have shown that 2 cups of hibiscus tea a day can reduce hypertension as well as most medications.
Take Time Out Everyday for Appreciation
We all lead hectic and stressful lives. When you have beautiful vistas near you as we have here in San Diego, we have to remember to take time out every day to appreciate the beauty around us and contemplate our place in the universe. Whether you take the time to watch the sunset, or smell the roses in your garden take the time to appreciate what you have and remember that the sun will rise again tomorrow and you'll have a chance to do better today than you did yesterday. There's always time to give thanks and appreciate beauty around us.
Wellness Wednesday - Cleanse Time
This cleanse is super important to me, why? 6 months til my 55 birthday! I want to feel strong, energetic and vibrant all the time. I exercise almost everyday, between Pilates and SUP (and Pilates on SUP) I am in pretty good shape. My eating can use a tweak or two (thanks Stephen! He is an amazing chef so it's hard to resist) that's were the cleanse comes in. Will keep you posted on how it goes.
I put this intention out into the Universe so I know it's already on it's way, as co-creator I am taking action, one green drink at a time.
I put this intention out into the Universe so I know it's already on it's way, as co-creator I am taking action, one green drink at a time.
Why Cleanse?
When you do a cleanse, you are going to get rid of the toxic build-up that’s currently in your body, these toxins may influence the way you feel and function every day.
The aim is to move you into a healthier state so that your metabolism speeds up, you burn fat faster, and feel healthier.
By cleansing, you move toward healthy body weight and increased vitality.
When you do a cleanse, you are going to get rid of the toxic build-up that’s currently in your body, these toxins may influence the way you feel and function every day.
The aim is to move you into a healthier state so that your metabolism speeds up, you burn fat faster, and feel healthier.
By cleansing, you move toward healthy body weight and increased vitality.
Fix You
I know this section is usually reserved for health and wellness tips, but sometimes we all need to take a timeout to give thanks for what we have and who we have in our lives. Music has to power to emote and inspire and often it serves as a way of self expression and it brings us together whether it's at a concert, karaoke studio, shower, or even in the car singing out loud. Here's a video from Naturally 7 singing Coldplay's Fix You without any instruments. We all need each other and we shouldn't be afraid to help each other and thank each other every day. Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest differences in our lives.
Create a Soothing Work Space
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Lucky to have an aquarium!
Aquariums help to bring the calming effects of nature into your environment whether it is your home or office. Watching fish swim is a stress and anxiety reducer. Studies have shown that the therapeutic effects include reduction of blood pressure and emotional agitation.
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Essential Oils & Himalayan Salt Lamp
Essential Oils / Blends
Here are a few simple blends to try in your diffuser:
made from pieces of Himalayan salt crystals. Combined with a light source inside the lamps, the chunks of salt produce negative ions, Benefits include:
Here are a few simple blends to try in your diffuser:
- Rosemary and Peppermint— Wake up
- Cinnamon—Great to Stimulate and Focus
- Grapefruit—decrease the appetite
- Lavender—Calming
- Jasmine & Rose—Uplift mood
- Lemon, Tea Tree,Lime –antibacterial properties
- Eucalyptus and Rosemary—muscle pain
- Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit—Citrus improve mood
made from pieces of Himalayan salt crystals. Combined with a light source inside the lamps, the chunks of salt produce negative ions, Benefits include:
- Balance Electromagnetic Radiation
- Enhance Mood
- Alleviate Coughing and Other Symptoms of the Common Cold
- Reduce Stress and Promote Relaxation
- Boost Blood Flow
- Enhance Overall Breathing
- Raise Energy Levels
- Sharpen Concentration and Performance
Live+Love Pilates La Jolla
http://www.live-lovepilates.com/
Live+Love Pilates, basically where you can find me every weekend! Teacher Training with Adriana Vargas, teacher extraordinaire!
Relaxing with Koi
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Koi pond owners report that having a personal Koi pond to enjoy at their leisure allows them to relax and reduce the amount of stress that the average always-on-the-go lifestyle that most of us lead can cause. De-stressing near the water’s edge is also a time for getting in-touch with one’s inner- spiritual self as well. Many Koi pond owners share that they feel “rejuvenated” after spending quiet time near their Koi pond. They report a sense of “centeredness” and feel they are more capable of handling the stresses of everyday life head-on.
Some doctors have begun to voice their opinions about the benefits of having a personal Koi pond. They have gained these opinions by witnessing improvements in such medical conditions as high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, and some heart conditions in patients known to have their own personal Koi pond. Stress can exasperate these conditions and doctors are always looking for ways they can recommend to their patients for reducing the amount of stress in their lives for better health. Doctors have even found that many stroke and heart attack sufferers recover sooner when they have an area they can access frequently for relaxation, such as with a Koi pond. |
A Walk in the Park to Sooth the Soul
A walk in the park to observe nature and calm your mind is always good for the soul. How many times have we heard others to tell us to stop and smell the roses.
Spring means baby ducklings around water features at your local park. Frequently duck families can be seen in the morning going for a swim in their local pond. Keep an eye out for them and make sure that they make it intact to their destination. Ducks partner for life and both parents are frequently together shepherding their ducklings back and forth to safe grounds.
What the Snail?
See how Snail Mucin is harvested!
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Thanks to our cosmeceutical friends in Korea and France we now have a plethora of snail mucin products to put on our faces and other body parts. Mucin is harvested from common garden snails, and commercial manufacturers in France and Korea have found ways to get snails to produce mucin in vast quantities. Snails produce more mucin when they are under stress. Now I can see you thinking about all these poor snails under stress, just running around as fast as they can with someone chasing them collecting their trails. How many snails do you think it takes to fill a 55 gallon drum of snail mucin? You can see in the French video below how these nice Chilean women harvest snail mucin, doesn't look like the snails are under too much stress. I'm sure that soon there will be snail cosmetics that advertise that they use only organic mucin that is harvested cruelty free. We can only hope!
Snail enzyme is an active and effective ingredient made up of proteins, glycolic acids and elastin. In beauty products, snail mucin firms and restores skin by adding to cell regeneration and replenishing moisture. It has been shown to help smooth, fade acne scars, and reduce hyperpigmentation. The slime, I mean mucin, is derived from what snails produce to heal cuts on their bodies from rough surfaces they slide over. Thank you to our beauty obsessed Korean friends, this trend is taking hold here in the US and we are loving it! From the .99cent masks found at the Asian Markets to the high end fusion brand Erborian. 
I wonder why these face masks don't seem to fit all faces in the same way
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Best way to Start your day!
There are several benefits of drinking lemon water everyday, first thing in the morning. Although we think of it as acidic, lemon is alkaline in our digestive system. It's best to have in the morning either warm or room temperature use about 1/2 a lemon and wait at least 15 minutes to eat or drink anything else.
The benefits include:
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