EATING HEALTHY FOODS, Live Longer and Feel Better – Part 4

   

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

 T

oday’s topic is going to be about berries and chocolate, yes, chocolate. Chocolate is really a bean (cocoa bean), however, I thought it fit really well in this category and also I love talking about and eating chocolate so thought that would be a fun thing to do this gorgeous sunny Sunday morning. 

Chocolate:  Healthy chocolate isn’t a mars or snickers candy bar, they aren’t created equal just like the different kinds of fat, there is the good and the not so good.  First off the chocolate needs to be dark chocolate and preferably organic and then it needs to be at least 70% cocoa, preferably 75% or higher and with no more than 5% sugar grams.  So you see this isn’t a soft sugar laden candy treat, but you will find that it takes care of that chocolate urge many of us have and with that it is actually very healthy for you. The health store I shop at has a nice variety of chocolate bars that fall within these guidelines, so they are out there readily available for us the general public.  

Some of the benefits of chocolate, other than many of really crave it, is that chocolate increases dopamine release and provides flavonoids, which keep our arteries young. It is also known to help reduce high blood pressure; which of course then helps with heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  It is said that chocolate has twice the antioxidants then that of red wine and three times the amount of antioxidants then that of green tea. It is important to remember that a little goes a long way and that it must be dark chocolate, as the processing of the other chocolates removes these valuable nutrients from the chocolate. So if you are going to eat chocolate, it may as well be chock full of powerful nutrients and be good for our bodies. Also, teach children early to enjoy the taste of this healthy candy and they will forever be attracted to it and enjoy it, and it will create healthy, happy children. 

Goji Berries:  These little berries are about the size and shape of a raisin and are a medium burgundy color, and have a chewy texture with the taste of between a cranberry and a cherry.  I put them in my morning smoothie along with acai powder and blueberries, this powerhouse smoothie keeps me going strong until noon and it tastes marvelous. This berry has one the highest antioxidant power ratings of any fruit and it is said that the sugars that make this berry sweet actually helps reduce insulin resistance. Goji berries have been used for medicinal food in Tibet for over 1,700 years. Another healthy snack that would be readily available for car snacks and/or put in a healthy trail mix to have in the car for quick snacks.  There really is so much available to us for healthy snacks, we just get them purchases and have them available for quick taking with us. 

Acai Berries:  Acai berries have twice the disease fighting antioxidants of blueberries, and we all know how the blueberry has been taunted for its healthy benefits.  These berries come in all forms for consuming; tea, juice, powder, combination tonics and supplements.  One of the big benefits of acai berries is the added energy you will have, increased mental focus, regulates cholesterol levels, also contains omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, improve circulation, helps to naturally resist colds, flu and other diseases.  

Blueberries: This has been the most popular with the anit-aging communities for a very long time and still holds a high recommendation, with eating blueberries comes the benefits of improving heart function, boosts immunity, is a brain stimulant and a cancer fighter. It is sometimes called the “brain berry”; they are also rich in fiber and can boost cardiovascular health, it is good to eat at least 1 cup fresh, ½ cup frozen per day and the good news is that blueberries maintain most of their nutritional power in dried or frozen form. 

Be sure and take proper care of fresh berries, they should be stored in the fridge, if they are in an open container put a paper towel over them, if they are in a sealed plastic container, just leave them in the container, and don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Blueberries will keep about a week and raspberries and strawberries just a few days. 

Thought for the Day: “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary to that the necessary may speak.”  -Hans Hofmann-

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA – The Perfect Baby and Shower Gift

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

Yes, there are the gift registries, and if you are like me, I love to give something special and unique that won’t be duplicated and still clever and useful. So we are always searching for that special unique gift, something that will stand out above the rest and let the receiver know they are special to us, especially when it comes to their children and especially if it is the first born. 

The beauty of shopping online is that you can do it at your leisure and at any hour of the day or night, which is so valuable in the busy lives that we seem to lead, you can find unique and thoughtful gifts that are sure to please the receiver. 

Have you ever thought of an amulet necklace and/or amulet bag?  Amulet necklaces are used to carry precious mementos of events, people and prayers. They also can have gemstones, special coins, crystals and personal objects placed in them.  Items that are new and/or from the past can be placed in them and how this presents its self for a baby and/or shower gift is that an amulet necklace/bag can be used for the tooth fairy receptacle; it can hold a special meaningful prayer/saying; it can hold gemstones representing the newborn and hang on the crib/wall/changing table.  

Some of the gemstones and their meanings that are found on amulet necklaces are: Red Stone Ruby: Spiritual protector, good health, brings peace and contentment; Rose Quartz: Brings love, joy, charm, happiness, health, makes strong friendships; Sapphire: Spiritual development, spiritual enlightenment and divine wisdom; Smokey Quartz: Gives purity, patience, protects, eternal love and innocence; Tourmiline: Gives tranquil sleep, attracts success, love, new friends, peace of mind and joy. 

Amulet necklaces can be made out of several different kinds of materials, depending on the culture they are patterned after and then are usually beaded with beads and gemstones. View an amulet necklace and this will give you an idea and/or ideas of how they can work for your baby and/or shower gift. 

Thought for the Day: “Realize that now, in this moment of time, you are creating. You are creating your next moment. That is what’s real.”  -Sara Paddison-

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA – Ideal for Celebrating Special Occasions

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

We are always searching for that special unique gift, something that will stand out above the rest and let the receiver know they are special to us, especially on those memorable, special occasions. 

The beauty of shopping online is that you can do it at your leisure and at any hour of the day or night, which is so valuable in the busy lives that we seem to lead, you can find unique and thoughtful gifts that are sure to please the receiver. 

Have you ever thought of an amulet necklace and/or amulet bag?  An amulet necklace is usually worn at heart level, which lays right over the heart chakra. Amulet necklaces are used to carry precious mementoes of events, people and prayers.  They also can have gemstones, special coins, crystals and personal objects placed in them. Items that are new and/or from the past can be placed in them that resemble this special occasion which will bring even more meaning to the amulet necklace as the receiver wears it. 

Some of the gemstones and their meanings that are found on amulet necklaces are: Amazonite: General good fortune, stimulates pleasure and love. Carnelian: Gives health, long life, good for job hunting, increases your ambition, increases one’s energy. Emerald: Strengthens memory, gives money and success, gives hope, calms troubled minds. Jade: Cleans vibrations, gives health and long life. Jasper: Business success, gives courage, gives good vibes, and feeds energy centers. 

Amulet necklaces can be made out of several different kinds of materials, depending on the culture they are patterned after and then are usually beaded with beads and gemstones.  View an amulet necklace here and this will give you an idea and/or ideas of how they can work for a very unique special occasion gift. At the present time people usually wear amulet necklaces as jewelry and to carry personal mementos in them. 

Thought for the Day: “If you are going to commit to anything, commit to happiness.”  -Alan Cohen-

EAT HEALTHY FOODS, Live Longer and Feel Better – Part 3

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

Part 3 is about oils/fats and yes, you can eat some fats and oils that are very healthy for you, they aren’t the kind you will find at your local restaurant drive thru however.  Also, unfortunately, some of them you can’t even be found at your local supermarket, although, they are becoming more readily available there. The right fats/oils can actually be good for your heart and even help you manage your weight.  So lets start covering these miracle fats and learn a little about them: 

Flax Seed Oil:  Some facts about flax seed oil; it never converts to body fat, not ever, so this works for both the dieter and the hard gainer; never use flax seed oil for cooking, oils high in essential fatty acids are not good for cooking, in fact heat can turn these healthy fats into harmful ones; only purchase flax seed oil in the refrigerated section and they should be in very dark containers; flax seed eaten at meals can increase the nutritional value of other foods.  Many of the chronic diseases are classified as chronic inflammation, some of these are heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, asthma; and the good news is that these can be reversed with natural anti-inflammatory foods and supplements and yes, flax seed oil is one of those. Flax seed is effective in lowering cholesterol levels; stimulates the immune system; contains high levels of antioxidants; so consume at least a tablespoon of the powerhouse fat everyday, the perfect way to introduce it into your diet is put it in your morning smoothie. 

Omega Fatty Acids: These can be taken in a form of a supplement which if that is your preferred method it needs to be the balanced amounts of 3-6-9, however, as you start eating healthy you will get this balance in some of the foods you eat, so the amount of the supplement will be able to be reduced as you are getting the value from the foods you eat. Omega 3 helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as strokes, high blood pressure, brain, nervous system, protect again certain cancers like breast and prostrate, they help reduce inflammation by improving the blood flow in the body and also strengthening the joints. Omega 6 also needs to come from our diet and/or a supplement and the conversion of this for the body to use is very limited and is blocked my our on the run lifestyles, such as stress, smoking, ageing, sugar, nutritional deficiencies; which means many of us are deficient in this Omega. The supplement that supplies this fatty acid is evening primrose oil and you need a supplement that has at least 10% GLA and from a reputable company. Omega 9 is essential not a fatty acid, because our bodies can manufacture some of it as long as the other two are present in our bodies, however, they all three work very well together and so the premium supplement would have the three included in it. Omega 9 is what the call Oleic Acid and it lowers the risk of heart attack, arteriosclerosis and can reduce the risk of cancer. Foods that contain Oleic Acid are extra virgin oil, olives, avocados, almonds, sesame oil, pecans, pistachio nuts, cashews, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts. 

Olive Oil: This is another oil that should not be used for cooking as when it is heated it looses it healthy properties and it should be extra virgin olive oil. Once again this oil reduces body inflammation, it can also assist in weight loss; it helps you look better by reducing dry, coarse skin, strengthen cracked and weak nails, helps hair to be shiny and sleek; protects your heart; combats cancer; helps with the affects of diabetes.  

Hazelnut Oil: It is probably one of the most luxurious of all the above oils, or at least it may seem that way as gourmet chefs around the world use it in their prized recipes. This oil can be heated to 430F, so you can cook your favorite foods in it and it has about the same healthy properties as olive oil, with just a little different taste to enhance your menus, it goes well as a substitute for butter and it also goes great with chocolate. 

Just so you will know what other oils/fats are good for cooking I am going to give you two other ones that can be heated to higher temperatures. One is grapeseed oil, which can be heated to 420F and it has all three of the Omega Fatty Acids in it and it also comparable to all the above oils; the other one that can be heated to higher temperatures is coconut oil and it is once again one of the most healthy oils you can cook with and it can be heated to 350F for cooking your foods, it has a very distinct flavor and you would need to like coconuts to be able to enjoy this in your cooking. 

These are many options for you to get started on your healthy path to good eating and know that the food can taste good and still be healthy, quite looking for short term answers and fixes, and make long term lifestyle changes. 

Thought for the day: “We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.”  -Goethe-

WAYS TO Help Eliminate Stress – Part 7

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

The basic theme of this article is get out and get moving, get whatever is creating your stress in perspective and not let it take over your whole being.  This is not the same as running away from it and/or ignoring it, it is just so you don’t sit and just sort of stew in what is going on.  Also, when you go out and get a change of scenery, so to speak, you are less likely to get depressed and/or moody, just get off the couch which will be good for you mind, body and stress. 

Have you noticed when you are stressed your self esteem sort of takes down hill spiral, your hair is not perfect, your clothes fit funny, you drop your keys, or you can not find your keys, traffic is annoying and so on and so forth.  Then you do something special for yourself and bingo, you feel better, let that something be eating a good healthy meal, go shopping for healthy, interesting food and fix a super healthy meal that makes you feel special after you eat it, not, like what did I eat that for. 

Volunteering can do the same thing for your stress level, there is always someone who is better off than you and much worse off than you, and when you go out and volunteer, you get to see both sides and know that your life is right on.  It will give you confidence and an over all feeling of self worth and self esteem. It is all about attitude, it has been said “life is 10% what happens and 90% how we react”, and if we are busy contributing to life we will be somewhere closer to the 90% end of the scale.  There is all kinds of volunteering, figure out what and where your interests lay and then check out the different facilities that are involved in your interests and go volunteer.  Usually most facilities will accept part time and many even drop in participation. Another good idea may to be to find a facility that is involved in the area you always find your self stressed out in, that way you can learn how to see and possibly overcome some of your stress in the situation, if nothing else you can identify when a stress “attack” is coming on. 

Watch how you talk to yourself and to others, do you use the words should, must and ought to; do have the feeling you are always last; feeling like you always expect the worst; compulsive about not being late; compulsive of always being late; these are things you can watch for in your behavior and if you are working with others and watching your own behavior, you may get the clue of some of your stress signals.  The other people you are working with, interacting with, will be your mirror. 

Sometimes the volunteer work can even be done from you home, like making calls to shut-ins and the chronically ill to cheer them up and to just give them a call so they know that someone is thinking of them and cares, this many times helps you more than the person you are calling. Since stress involves a focus on ones self, focusing on the needs of others literally helps shift our thinking and that perpetuates pleasure and happiness. 

Volunteer work and helping others can also involve donating money and that works the same way where doing good helps us to feel good and feeling good also makes us more likely to do good.   

Then there is the all famous one that anyone can do, and that is give away a smile to just anyone for any reason, and if you do not feel like smiling smile anyway, act as if you are happy and stressfree and you will be, going thru the motions can wake up the emotions. 

Thought for the day: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”  -Leo Buscaglia-  

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA – The Perfect Wedding/Shower Gift

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

We are always searching for that special unique gift, something that will stand out above the rest.  The gift that will reflect our feelings and show the receiver how special they are to us and that we took extra care to find a gift that would have meaning. 

Have you ever thought of an amulet necklace and/or an amulet bag? An amulet necklace is usually worn at heart level; they are used to carry precious mementos of events, people or prayers.  They also can have gemstones, special coins, crystals and personal objects placed in them; it can be as varied as the individual. 

What is an amulet necklace? They can be made out of several different kinds of materials, depending on the culture they are patterned after and then are usually beaded with beads and gemstones. Gemstones have had human attraction since the beginning of time and they are known to have healing and protective qualities, for an example: Amethyst is said to relieve headaches, Agates are claimed to project security, energy and power. Now people usually wear amulet necklaces as jewelry and to carry personal mementoes in them. 

The amulet necklaces can be color coordinated the same as the shower/wedding colors and many come beaded with gemstones, charms and word charms. To view an amulet necklace click here and this will give you an idea and/or ideas of how they can work as a bridesmaid gift and/or a shower gift. 

The beauty of shopping online is that you can do it at your leisure at any hour of the day or night, which is so valuable when you are planning a wedding or a shower, and you will have purchased a unique sentimental gift that will shine when given. 

Thought for the day: “It is what we do easily and what we like to do that we do well”  -Orison Swett Marden-  

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA – The Perfect Sympathy Gift

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

The beauty of shopping online is that you can do it at your leisure and at any hour of the day or night, which is so valuable in the busy lives that we seem to lead, you can find unique and thoughtful gifts that are sure to please the receiver. 

We are always searching for that special unique gift, something that will stand out above the rest and let the receiver know they are special to us, especially during this time of reflection. 

Have you ever thought of an amulet necklace and/or an amulet bag? An amulet necklace is usually worn at heart level; they are used to carry precious mementos or events, people and prayers. They also can have gemstones, special coins, crystals and personal object placed in them and during this time of grieving they can bring comfort on a daily basis as your friend/relative wears one.

Some of the gemstones and their meanings that are found on amulet necklaces are:  BlueStone (Blue Lace Agate): Peace, calms tensions, freedom from fear, protection.  Onyx: Carry to banish woes and worries, also brings self control to emotions, encourages happiness. Quartz: Gives protection and blessings, centers energies, heals and aids in meditation. Rhodochroite: Heals emotional trauma and wards off mental breakdown. Turquoise: Brings health, happiness, has a calming effect, stimulates affection.

Amulets can be made out of several different kinds of materials, depending on the culture they are patterned after and then are usually beaded with beads and gemstones. To view an amulet necklace click here and this will give you an idea and/or ideas of how they can work for a unique sympathy gift. Now people usually wear amulet necklaces as jewelry and to carry personal mementos in them. 

Thought for the day: “A great dance may end up where you started, but what happened in between makes the journey worthwhile.” –Alan Cohen-   

EAT HEALTHY FOODS, Live Longer and Feel Better – Part 2

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

Part 2 is going to talk about seeds that are beneficial to our health and well being, once again seeds should be eaten raw and unsalted, and of course there are always exceptions to this rule, such as some seeds can be made into oils and other forms, which are just as healthy for us. This list is not conclusive, I am just covering some of the most popular and beneficial seeds so that it gives you an idea how good seeds are for you and you will use them in your daily diet and your menu preparation and on to healthy living. 

Pumpkin Seeds:  They are also called Pepitas and are very nutritious. They can promote increased energy, and who can’t use that; they support the function of the immune system; assists in prostate health; they have protein, minerals, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc and have the heart healthy fat that reduces bad cholesterol. You can eat them as a healthy snack on the run or in a trail mix blended with the other seeds listed below and/or the nuts in part 1, however, they are high in calories, so they should be eaten in moderation; you can roast them at home and put them in salads, soups and cereal.

Flax Seeds:  This is one powerhouse of a whole grain food, it is considered one of the superfoods, its health benefits are many: helps prevent colon cancer; regulates cholesterol; regulates blood glucose readings; helps prevent the onset of cancers; prevents constipation; can aid in weight loss; it is contains Omega 3 which supports metabolic, cardiovascular functions. You can sprinkle the seeds on salads or in your cooking, how I like it is ground (just grind in your coffee grinder) and put in my morning smoothie. Flax seed is also consumed in the form of oil and that will be discussed in another part of this series. 

Sesame Seeds:  Wow, these little tiny, wonderful seed is a real powerhouse seed.  These seeds are 25% protein; you do not want to toast them as when you do they loose some of their nutrients. The fat content is another marvelous observation, with 38% monounsaturated and 44% polyunsaturated which equals 82% unsaturated fatty acids; also because sesame seeds are a plant food, there is no need to worry about cholesterol.They are also high in calcium, vitamin B, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folic acid.  Even though you can eat these whole on salads and cooking; it is best to get the full nutrient value by consuming in the form of sesame oil, tahini or sesame butter, as the whole seeds do not break down readily and release all their nutrients.  Tahini is sesame seeds ground into a paste and used in stir fry and/or any other kind of cooking, you find this in a lot of Asian cooking and it is available in most health food stores, get use to using this superfood in your everyday cooking and reap the healthy benefits of this tiny food wonder and it also tastes really yummy. 

Sunflower Seeds:  Once again these powerful seeds can be added to salads, popcorn, homemade baking, eaten whole and added to a trail mix. Seeds should be eaten raw and unsalted; and it is important to never eat rancid or overheated sunflower seeds as they can increase the risk of free radical formation. Sunflower seeds are very high in vitamin E, which is linked to reduce heart disease. 

Fenugreek Seeds:  This seed seems to be a powerhouse on helping to reduce the stress of diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin; insulin causes the blood sugar to drop, which may help ease diabetic symptoms. It has also been know to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and aids in digestion. So here are some really healthy alternatives to eating healthy and living healthy; make a practice to add one or more of these wonderful powerful seeds in your daily living and give yourself a boost of energy and a mental feeling of doing a good deed for your mind, body and soul. Thought for the day:

“The greatest blessing you can make on food is to enjoy it”  -Alan Cohen-

WAYS TO HELP Eliminate Stress: Deep Breathing, Pet Talk, Mental Imaging – Part 6

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

These methods are a little less thought of and/or talked about than the methods covered in Part 5, but are just as effective and can contribute to reduced stress.  

Deep Breathing: One sort of practices this when they do yoga and tai chi but this exercise takes it a few steps further as that is your whole purpose of the exercise, so all of your attention and activity goes into the deep breathing.  This can also be done almost anywhere you are, at home, at work, visiting, traveling etc, etc.  This helps eliminate stress, tension, anxiety and anger; when you become anxious or stressed you tend to take shallow rapid breaths and can even do what they call hyperventilate, this exercise can reverse that and relieve symptoms very quickly.  FIND a quiet place; you can sit in a chair or lie on the floor (put a pillow in the small of your back); breathe in slowly and deeply, pushing your stomach out as you breathe in; say relax silently as you exhale; picture the stress and tension leaving your body as you breathe out; exhale slowly, letting your stomach come in. For me this breathing was backwards to the way breathed, you may find this the case with you also. Repeat these deep breaths 10 times. Practice this exercise 5 times a day or as needed to maintain your stress levels. 

Pet Talking: This is a very good way to get yourself back on track and get your mind off of what is bothering you, you can either play with the pet, possibly take the pet outdoors for a walk or just to play.  Another good idea is to spend some quality time with your pet prior to a stressful task and this will get the endorphins going to make the task less stressful.  Many times spending time with your pet is even more beneficial then spending time with a friend or relative, they (the pet) give you unconditional love and their full attention and are so grateful and loving for your attention, they give that love and attention back to you ten fold, it is a win, win situation. I have known people who have found that an aquarium soothes and comforts them, watching the fish swimming has a tranquil effect, go spend some time in a store that carries aquariums and see what kind of an effect they have on you, you may be surprised. 

Mental Imaging:  This is another one of those exercises that you can do practically anywhere, anytime and it works marvelous to help eliminate stress; when you do this exercise it will create a feeling of heaviness, warmth, and relaxation in your muscles. Sit in a chair or you can also lie down on the floor, close your eyes and start breathing slowly and deeply.Picture waves on a beach, as you breathe in imagine the waves coming toward the shore, as you breathe out picture the waves moving away from the shore; imagine the sun shining on you. Concentrate on your muscle groups one at a time. Visualize the sun warming each muscle group, say to yourself something like “My right hand feels relaxed, loose, comfortable”; then do another muscle group from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. Do this exercise twice a day for at least 5 minutes preferably 10 minutes. 

You will find that these exercises along with the ones I mentioned in Part 5 of this series will help eliminate any and all stress you seem to encounter in your life, and it is all manageable, all you have to do is remember these little suggestions when you run into a stressful situation. 

Thought for the Day:  “Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”  -Albert Einstein-

EAT HEALTHY FOODS, Live Longer and Feel Better

THANK YOU FOR VISITING THIS BLOG….however, all of my time and energy right now is being put into my actual website  www.spiritedboutique.com

 

PLEASE CLICK on the link above and visit me there, you will find an extremely versatile website

 

FROM Personal Growth and Spiritual Growth on into Eating Healthy, taking Healthy Baths, and Travel.

 

I am also a Wellness Coach and have a program called Effortless Lifestyle Balancing…

 

Namaste,

Darlene

Everywhere we look, read; hear it is all about anti-aging and how we can look and feel younger. I for one endorse the Dove ads, I love my age and every little imperfection I have gathered on my journey called life.  However, I am really interested in living longer (which includes being healthy) and feeling better, so I started on this journey of changing my habits of eating and looking into what foods and supplements would make me feel and look better and of course live longer and healthier. 

My first reservation with eating healthy was, how can I do this and still live, work and play in this world that rotates around fast food and the on the go lifestyle, so I was interested in what I could carry with me just incase I wasn’t at home when it was meal time and avoid that “I’ll just go thru the drive thru” syndrome. 

Today’s topic is going to be about nuts: Not all nuts are created equal, I am only going to discuss the ones that are beneficial (from my research) and that have the most healthy benefits, also please remember that the nuts should be eaten raw and unsalted, and yes, I know that doesn’t sound like the roasted, salted deluxe nut mix we are use to, but when you read the benefits you will reap by eating these healthy anti-aging gems, you will just go yummy. 

ALMONDS: This nut actually lowers blood cholesterol levels, and 90% of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, they help prevent osteoporosis and the regulate blood pressure; they are considered a well-balanced food. Studies have shown they can contribute to lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic illnesses. Almonds are considered to be the most nutritious of all nuts. 

WALNUTS: They are one of the best plant sources of protein. Walnuts have high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which help in the risk of heart disease by improving blood vessel elasticity and plaque accumulation. The suggested amount of walnuts per day is 1.5oz or about 20 halves, eat them in place of other snacks not in addition to and they can remain a very healthy snack. 

HAZELNUTS: These nuts are very high in Vitamin E, which again is a protection against heart diseases and cancer; also Vitamin E is an anti-aging supplement both for inside and outside the body. You can also use hazelnut oil for your cooking and salads. It has been said that if cancer is already formed in the body, Hazelnuts then can fight to defuse the harmful cells. 

PECANS: This is one the more elegant nuts, and is known best for pecan pie, with that said, this will not include pecan pie, but will give much more healthful benefits. Once again this nut is exceptional to reduce heart disease and coronary artery disease. Pecans are rich in oleic acid, which is also found in olive oil, which can discourage the triggering of breast cancer. Pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts contain the highest antioxidant levels of all nuts.  

So the next time you head out the door, or better yet just keep a supply tightly sealed in the car, grab a packet of nuts to munch on and have ready for the kids, wife, husband, friend and who ever else rides in your car to snack on, and you will be doing your body the biggest gift of all and it will thank you by performing in a healthy glowing way and for a very long healthy time.  

Thought for the day: “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”  -Linus Pauling-