Category: Health

From Child’s Pose to Sun Salutations – My Yoga Experience

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Eat More Yoga

I’ve read countless articles and blogs on the benefits of yoga, but nothing speaks louder than actually giving it a try. From spin bicycling to Zumba and Pilates, I’ve tried many different exercise routines, but for some reason I never really gave yoga a go. I made a note on my calendar in May that said EAT MORE YOGA and finally decided to drop by my local gym and get some of the benefits that I’ve been reading about.

Photo by madison lavern on Unsplash

Yoga Benefits to Boast About

Healthline says yoga improves flexibility, reduces stress, boosts immunity, improves balance, and increases strength. I can surely use a little bit of all of that, but the thought of stretching and posing seemed much more appealing than actually being there and going through the motions. According to MindBodyGreen, doing yoga every day can even help to improve performance while doing other exercises.

Yoga Essentials

So, I showed up with my yoga mat that had been tucked away in my closet collecting dust for a while, landed there on the floor and tried to remember the last time that I had attended a yoga class. It had been at least a year, and it was just a one-time deal that was a little more advanced than I had expected. This time my experience was challenging, but I was able to make it through to speak first-hand on some of the benefits that I’ve read about.

Photo by Louise Vildmark on Unsplash

I found myself being a little self-critical and thinking about how inflexible I was. I felt some pain during certain poses, but it helped me to identify areas where I may be holding tension. I debated on if I should look in the mirror and was a slightly uncomfortable about certain movements.  I also felt more challenged than I had expected but left inspired to continue adding this into my workout routine. I experienced an immediate change in my range of motion and balance. Ultimately, I decided to give it another go, but to start again as beginner and take it slow. I would consider myself a dedicated member of the #fitclub but my yoga experience challenged me to look into other areas that I can improve upon.  

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Healthy Hacks for the Spring

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I’m always searching for something delicious and healthy to eat. I’ve been so excited to find more and more options in my area. I find that I can easily get tired of eating the same foods, but the grocery stores are doing a great job at stocking up on a wide food variety. This week, I discovered a few tasty alternatives.

Lemon Blueberry Luna Bar

I’ve always been a fan of Clif Bars but like to try out some new energy bars every now and again. One of my favorite bars by the company is the Luna bars. The lemon bars calm my sweet cravings and have proven to be a great snack. I decided to try a new flavor, lemon blueberry and was pleasantly surprised. I would have never thought about mixing the two flavors together.

190 Calories

Gluten-Free

Made with Organic Oats

Non-GMO

Shredded Lettuce

I’m always challenged with mastering the bite. I can never seem to get the right amount of food on my eating utensils. Shredded lettuce makes it much easier. I would have never thought that this easy step would simplify my salad-making process and make it so much easier to get a better bite. It’s a great way to get some greens!

5 Calories – 1 Cup Shredded

Tons of minerals and vitamins like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6, C, A, E, and K.

Probiotic Pop

This is like a new phenomenon to me. I’m seeing prebiotics in a lot of different products. The new Poppi Soda’s give me another way to do my tummy good. Their slogan is Be Gut Happy and I’ve seen them poppin up at places like Whole Foods and Publix.

15 Calories

0 Fat

Gluten-Free

Non-GMO

Made with sparkling filtered water, apple cider lemon juice, stevia, and more

http://www.drinkpoppi.com

http://www.Instagram.com/drinkpoppi

If eating is your thing (which I’m sure it is), you may find this useful. I’d love to hear from you! Tell me what kind of healthy snacks do you like?

Loving This Blog?

Support us by shopping with One Hope Wine, a Napa Valley-based wine company that raises money for important causes. The company has donated over $7 million dollars to organizations like the Susan G Komen foundation, Why Hunger, and the Heart Foundation.

You can also shop on Amazon using our link. We do not receive commissions for recommending products but may receive a commission from purchases made using these links.

The Beauty of Eating Well

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Photo by Louis Hansel

Eating healthy is one of the most important parts of self-care. It’s been important to me for as long as I can remember. My family has a pretty serious history of health challenges, so I’ve been very focused on trying to stay fit and active since I was very young (although I haven’t always been successful). As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten even more serious about finding ways to improve my eating habits and cut down on some of the things that I used to consume that were potentially harmful. Like everyone else I’ve had bad habits, but I find that despite missing those things that we all crave, I feel a lot better, have a lot more energy, and can focus through long hours of toiling work. Most recently, I’ve been trying to practice self-care and self-love by trying new healthy foods from the grocery store, trying new restaurants, and exploring healthy alternatives without sacrificing good taste.

In Atlanta, there are tons of great restaurants to choose from. I’ve tried halal, Mexican, and many other kinds of food, but the vegan restaurants are serving up some tasty options that have left me quite pleased. One of the restaurants that I’ve taken a liking to is Maepole. They serve traditional type meals with quinoa, sprouts, sweet potatoes, green beans, and protein. Eating at this spot really inspired me to put a new spin on some of my recipes and to add a few crunchies (tasty, crunchy toppings) on the top.

One of the things that I continue to work on is my sugar cravings. I use sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar on a daily basis, but I am often hit with major cravings that leave me searching for ice cream, cake, and cookies. I decided, recently, to search for healthy options and I found a few that I might suggest.

Trail Mix with M&M – Publix

Lemon Luna Bar – Kroger

White Chocolate Cliff Bar – Whole Foods

Friendly’s Ice Cream Cup – Walmart

Chocolate Covered Pretzels – Publix

In the past, I could not escape the desire to fill my bowl with some ice cream and cake or cookies (which I still do occasionally), but these healthy options have helped me to satisfy my cravings without getting me too far off of my diet.

It’s great to look back and see how far I’ve come with following and maintaining healthy habits. I’m excited about discovering all of the new foods and ingredients that I’ve never even thought about before. Maybe one day I’ll even learn how to make some authentic, healthy dishes at home that my future dinner guests will praise.

#cheers

Loving this blog? Support us by shopping with One Hope Wine, a Napa Valley-based wine company that raises money for important causes. The company has donated over $7 million dollars to organizations like the Susan G Komen foundation, Why Hunger, and the Heart Foundation.

You can also shop on Amazon using our link. We do not receive commissions for recommending products but may receive a commission from purchases made using these links.

Black Friday Self Care Tips

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Even when you commit your life to following rituals for self-care and renewal you can get hit with a curveball, especially around Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Maintaining your healthy lifestyle, sticking to weight loss goals, or sticking to any kind of self-improvement plan is not easy. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Make it even harder. One wrong decision can lead to a bad habit that seems impossible to break. I’ve been on a long journey with my health and fitness, but I can attest to the many struggles that come along with this personal commitment. However, I’ve found that these challenges can cause you to take a closer look inside to find resilience and remember the many reasons why you became passionate about health and wellness in the first place. And the end of the year is the perfect time to do it.

Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash

My interest in beauty, health, and wellness came from my exceptional mother who was a registered nurse. She lived her life serving others and caring for people of all ages with illnesses. Unfortunately, she passed away after fighting cancer but what she taught me never left me. She was always so focused on caring for others that she rarely made time for herself. Many of my family members suffered from health conditions, and I became very health conscious at an early age. But that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t plagued with temptations that were not good for me.

Ultimately, you have to learn to take care of yourself. It isn’t always a natural instinct and sometimes people will even make you feel guilty for putting yourself first. Having a health scare will cause you to refocus your energies on being good to yourself. Self-care Sundays are perfect for taking time to reflect on what loving and caring for yourself means. Through the storms of life, I’ve come up with a few simple self-care rituals that leave me feeling like a functioning human being and I’m glad to share.

Eat More Cake

A moment of tasteful indulgence can make the world of a difference. I find renewal in eating a perfectly prepared slice of cake with a coffee or glass of wine. Usually it’s from the deli at Publix or from Starbucks (although recently I found some darn good slices for $1.00 at Walmart). I take my time to enjoy the flavors and mindfully eat each bite. In that moment, I’m taken away from tribulation and filled with endorphins that say everything is good.

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

Do Absolutely Nothing

It’s hard to be lazy sometimes but finding balance means being still enough to reflect, relax, and renew. Sometimes it’s okay to take some time to do nothing. That means turning it all off and just listening to some music and laying on the couch. You’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel afterwards. 

Take a Bubble Bath

Grab the candles and your favorite bubble bath. Fill up the tub and get in the water. You might feel anxious at first and have to convince yourself to enjoy the moment. Try to let go of all of your thoughts, plans, and concerns and just enjoy the special little private getaway that you’ve created just for you.

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

Create a Gratitude Journal

Write down all of the things that you are grateful for. Take some time to think about the many great things that are going on in your life. It can be easy to get stressed and overburdened with daily tasks, but a gratitude journal will help you to think about positive things and feel better about your life. Do you have a great family? Did you make an exciting new dish for dinner last night? Did you finally pick out the perfect nail color? There’s always something to be thankful for.

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Perfecting Tomato Soup

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Photo by Alyssa Kowalski via Unsplash

My most recent food craze is soup, soup, and more soup. I started off with popular brands and have been slowly trying to do my own thing. I just found it to be a food that I can easily make. It’s great for a quick lunch on the go or a soothing warm portion filled with veggies and nutrients. I’ve now entered the do it yourself mode – starting with chicken noodle, chicken pot pie, and tomato soup, but something was missing.

Jon Tyson

Then I found Argo! I saw a major difference in making my soup more filling as opposed to my typical watery mix. I made a tomato soup with chicken, spinach, mushrooms, and onions. Add a little Argon and it’s a bowl of deliciousness. Turned out a little lumpy but I like the direction that my new soups are going.

Anyone else tried Argo? What are your thoughts on this?