3 “Can Do” – Steps To A Happier & Healthier Day

Hello Everyone,

I’m so glad you are here. If you are reading this blog I believe that you would like to live a healthier and happier lifestyle. However, it doesn’t come by osmosis. We need to make lifestyle adjustments.

Fortunately, losing weight does not have to require extended trips to the gym. And choosing to eat a healthier diet does not mean you have to deprive yourself, necessarily. But in order to achieve our goals means that we have to change the way we think so that we can create new habits. Be mindful that thoughts are so important. How many times have we had the good intentions to do something worthwhile but then we had a negative thought and missed out on the chance to work out or to pick up a good book and read instead of munching out on snacks? Many of us want to change, but do not want to do what it takes for those changes to occur. For instance, if you are a size 16 and you really want to be a size 12 you already know what you need to do. But you have to build the bridge to get from where you are to where you want to be. It takes prayer, determination and a “can do” attitude.

Here are three steps to a healthier day that can help you achieve your goal…

Exercise Daily.

Daily exercise can make a difference in your body shape and is important for maintaining or reducing weight. A minimum of 20 minutes a day, three times a week is recommended. When you exercise, you work not only your body, but your mind and your heart. You are building your muscle mass, circulating the bloodflow, and releasing serotonin the hormone that helps you feel good. This will help you have a more positive attitude and helps to combat stress. It’s easy to think of reasons why we do not exercise. Now let’s try harder to think of reasons why we should exercise and make it a habit.

Eat All Things in Moderation.

Making healthy, low carb dietary choices is necessary to help us feel happier and healthier. Eating more fruits and vegetables and less carbs helps to maintain a healthy weight. If you are an emotional eater then decide to make changes and deal with the issues that are causing your pain. I used to be in a vicious cycle of binging and purging, but thank God that I am overcoming this horrible habit and making changes to learn new ways of thinking. Binging is a temporary fix and does not solve anything but instead makes it worse. I heard someone say that if hunger is not the problem, food is not the solution. Eat if you are hungry, not based on depression, loneliness or other emotional issues.

Eating in moderation will help your stomach adjust to consuming less food. Also, if you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first. Wait about 20 minutes and if you still feel hungry go ahead and eat. Sometimes we may feel that we are hungry when our bodies really need to be hydrated instead. Drinking water also helps you feel full. Of course, 6 to 8 glasses are recommended. If you don’t like to drink water try adding a spritz of lemon or lime in it and see if that helps.

Call a Buddy

Studies prove that having a Buddy helps you to work out and increases your chances of maintaining an exercise routine. At my previous job we had a walking program and we used to motivate each other to walk during our breaks and lunch times. If it were not for that a lot of us would not have done it. Buddies are great motivators and hopefully will push you beyond your normal limits. Everyone needs someone to help them feel accountable throughout the day. If you don’t have one try asking a friend or loved one to help you in this area. You may need a push to get you going but you’ll be glad once you get started. Every little bit helps. Why not start today? You can do it!


You’ve Got the Power


Hi there,
I received a letter from a friend of mine and I was encouraged. Her letter was giving information about natural health alternatives and the power of God-given foods to heal our bodies when they are out of balance. Lately, I have been doing a lot of research on diets, fasting, eating more nutritious foods and monitoring my emotions.

Thankfully, I recently found out about Dr. Rhonda Byrne’s new book entitled “The Power”. She is also the author of “The Secret” which is also about the law of attraction. “The Power” is a wonderful work about how every thought has a frequency. The highest frequency in the universe is love. Her goal is to teach others how to come out of the pit of negative thinking. Thoughts of anger, resentment, and malice are of the lower frequencies and can adversely affect you. She says to think about what you love and you will attract more of it into your life. The law of love and the law of attraction are one in the same.

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for modern medicine and those who have dedicated their lives to serve in the medical community. But I am also grateful for those practitioners of natural health because it is proven to be valuable as well as cost effective.

Taking steps to bring your body back into balance with alkaline water, less junk food and more fruits and vegetables will help you improve your mood, increase your energy and very well could prolong your life. Many times, we do not appreciate what we have until it’s gone. So invest in your emotional as well as physical health while you can.

You have the power to elimate toxic emotions by thinking about what you are grateful for. Dr. Byrne says that when she is feeling down it represents a lack of love. So she thinks on what she loves, whether it’s people, places or things continually until her frequency is elevated once again. Thank God for giving to us seasoned, knowledgable teachers who are able to impart these timeless lessons into our lives.

It is my hope that you will take the time to research some of the plethora of ways you can heal yourself naturally and take charge of your emotions in a better way. It may seem foreign at first. But little by little, bit by bit you will begin to notice improvements if you don’t give up. Be conscious of your thoughts. Replace the negative feelings (and thoughts) with good ones. The resources and the tools are there for you on the world wide web. Google Dr. Byrne’s book, “The Power”. There’s so much to learn. My prayer is that more people will tap into this wonderful power and be the better for it. You can do it if you try!


8 Tips for a Stress Free Day

What’s eating you? How do you remain calm in a stressful world? Most people’s schedules are busy, busy, busy. There are so many things to do, places to go and people to see. There are deadlines to meet and the boss is breathing down your neck.

Here are a few things that you can consider to help you stay centered and to help you cope with some of the challenges you may be facing.

1. Start your day with quiet time. This includes prayer, reading scriptures and/or devotionals, positive affirmations.

2. Make healthy choices in your diet. Try to avoid too many processed foods, soda or sugery food.

3. Drink purified or alkaline water. The optimum water level to keep your pH levels in balance is between 8.5-10.0.

4. Exercise helps to combat stress and helps to improve your mood. Walking, yoga stretches, bicycling, or whatever your favorite form of exercise is, it is important to be consistant.

5. Meditate even if it’s only for 5 minutes a day.

6. Socialize with people who have a positive mindset. It’s important to have a good support network to be with you through the good times and the not so good times.

7. Visualize your life the way you want it to be. Don’t focus on what’s going wrong, focus on what’s going right. What you are grateful for you will get more of.

8. Believe that the best is yet to come. Stay in joyful expectation that God Almighty is a powerful force that has your best interest at heart. Believe in His promises and His Word.

Whatever may be eating you can come to a halt as you use these tools to your advantage. Expand on these by using your know how and by doing research. Whenever there is an obstacle it can be overcome by being aware of what’s going on around you and staying focused on your goal to remain calm and stress-free. Most importantly, believe that you have the power to change your life for the better. You’ve got what it takes. I know it!


How to Determine if your Body has a Normal pH Balance


High acidity can be an unhealthy condition that can weaken all major body systems. Having a proper pH-balanced environment, however, helps you to achieve proper metabolic functioning and can maintain a healthy immune system. A healthy body maintains alkaline reserves that is necessary for emergency demands. Experts find that most people are at least slightly “acidic”; and their pH is low.


If your pH is too acidic, your body borrows minerals – such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium – from vital organs and bones to neutralize and remove the acid. Although not outwardly noticeable, high acidity can negatively affect our health. On the other hand, alkalinity in the body, which is less common, can also have potentially serious consequences. Studies show that it often takes longer for a person who is “alkaline” to achieve balance than one who is “acidic.”

Our bodies are comprised of 70% water. Keeping our bodies hydrated is essential. Drinking water helps to neutralize acid residues. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH, which is a balance between positively charged ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming). Our bodies continuously strive to balance pH. If left unchecked problems may occur as a result of a compromised pH balance.

Understand that the pH of the body fluids and tissues is not the same as stomach acid or the pH of the stomach. Without getting too technical, nutrition writers suggest testing the pH balance with pH test strips such as litmus paper (saliva) and urinalysis sticks (urine). It is recommended that you test your body’s pH balance two times a week. It can be done quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home. The best time to test your pH level is about one hour before a meal and two hours after a meal to determine if it is within a healthy range.

Below is a list of some alkaline foods and beverages to help maintain a healthy pH balance:

-avacados
-beets
-cabbage
-cucumbers
-green leafy vegetables
-peas
-squash
-strawberries
-zucchini
-herbal or green tea
-water (Fiji or Evian is best)

It is important to drink the recommended 8 eight oz. glasses of water per day. Increase your intake of alkaline foods and beverages to restore and/or maintain a healthy pH balance. Having proper nutrition helps to reduce stress and may prevent other problems from occurring. As the old adage goes “prevention is the best medicine.”


5 Low Impact Ways to Become More Active-Every Day

If one of your goals is to improve your health then create a plan of action. We know we should be getting some sort of exercise, so the time to start is now. The truth of the matter is that most of us could stand to exercise more. It doesn’t have to be weight lifting or jogging. Think of something that you enjoy whether it’s going for a brisk walk, cycling, yoga, etc. You know of all the health benefits that come with a more active lifestyle. You feel more energized because it releases seratonin the “feel good” hormone. If you’ve tried the whole gym thing, but it just wasn’t for you here are some tips to get you going:


1) Play with your Kids
You’d be surprised at how much of a work out you’ll get playing with kids. A game of softball, playing catch, hoola hoops or even tag. Get out there and play.

2) Put on a workout DVD
Don’t be a couch potatoe. There are plenty of DVD’s that show you how to dance, do pilates, yoga and the list goes on. This will help you get your heart rate up, and you’ll also have fun doing some of them!

3) Go for a Brisk Walk
Take a walk and invite a friend or go it alone and listen to some music or a motivational CD. This makes it more enjoyable and makes the time fly by.

4) Go for a Swim at Your Local YMCA or Gym
Swimming is a great form of exercise. It is easy on your joints and gives your muscles a good workout. Start slowly by swimming a few laps, and gradually work your way up by adding more each time. Do what is comfortable for you.

5) Go for a Bike Ride or Invest in a Stationary Cycle
Go out for a spin or even take the entire family on a bike ride. You can ride through your neighborhood in the evenings when it’s not too hot or plan a longer trip for the weekend. Ride for at least 20 minutes and enjoy the scenery. If you use your stationary bike put on some uplifting music and start peddling.

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Incidentally, try to make it a habit that when you go to the mall or the movies park in a spot farther away so that you will get more walking in. It may be inconvenient but this is one of the best forms of exercise. I encourage you to pick one or two of these activities and get moving. The most important thing is to do something you enjoy, and be consistent. Don’t stay stagnant get out there and move your body.You’ll be so glad you did.


Meditation Techniques

Meditation refers to a state of extreme relaxation and concentration, in which the body is generally at rest and the mind quieted of random thoughts. Research shows that those that practice this technique have increased awareness, focus, concentration and a more positive outlook on life. All you have to do is find a quiet place to practice it. Try to carve out at least 20 minutes a day for this exercise. It is easy to make excuses why not to do it, but if you make a commitment to yourself that you want a more peaceful, harmonious state of mind then you will be glad you did. Turn off your cell phone and let your family members know that this time is for you to unwind.

The most important principle here is to bring in all of your wandering, negative thoughts and focus on releasing them. You will focus on surrendering obstructive and intrusive thoughts and prepare your mind to concentrate on deeper, more meaningful thoughts, detaching yourself from all commotion. You can focus on a profound thought like love or abundance or simply focus on your breathing.

Most practictioners of this art suggest that you sit Indian style with your hands on your knees palms facing up. However, it can be done lying down or standing up as long as you are comfortable. Wear loose comfortable clothing because tight fitting clothes makes you feel tense. Focus on your posture with your back straight so that you can breathe properly. Using an aromatic candle is not a bad idea either as you want to create a comfortable atmosphere. Focusing on breathing or even humming will help you to enter a higher state of consciousness.

Another technique is to focus your attention on every part of your body naming it to yourself and being aware of any tension there. Mentally visualize releasing the tension. It works! Studies show that the benefits of meditation are well worth the effort. It will give you a new perspective and will bring balance and harmony. Practice it each day and you will experience a calmer more peaceful you!


Secrets for Stress-Free Living


1) Accept where you are
Be at peace with yourself and your situation, even whilst it is in existence. For the solution to come to you have to accept yourself where you are. There are opportunities in every problem. And every problem has a solution. It does not mean that you will always have the problem. Acknowledge it and move on with the hope and faith in God that the situation will improve.

2) Learn to appreciate
Being able to appreciate is important because it is the closest energetic vibrational match to source.  Therefore the more you appreciate the things that you have the more will come to you. This is a form of positive thinking and a proactive way to cancel out negativity.

3) Stay connected to source
God is the source of abundance and all that we need is in Him. We have awareness that we are part of a much bigger picture, something else, something higher than us. People are attracted to source because we recognize that’s where we want to be, we want to be peaceful and in harmony, have more energy and just by being in its presence, makes us feel better about ourselves.

4) Live in the moment
Being in the present moment help you make an emotional connection to what you want. Then you have to determine what it will take to get from where you are to where you want to be. Being in this form of emotional alignment cannot be achieved when your thoughts are always in the future or past.  You may be wondering,  how much do I need to be in the present moment? You must be in the present moment enough to assess where you are and to think about what you want to attract in your life, in order to begin the process of its automatic attraction to you. Be in the present and in touch with your feelings and decide what you want so that you can make goals to get there.

5)Learn to love yourself
It is only when you love yourself that you have the capacity to love others.The bible says to love our neighbors as ourselves.If you want to help others, you must first help yourself. Recognize that God loves you. Learn to love yourself and forgive yourself for your mistakes because no one is perfect.


Anger Management

Anger, sadness, joy and happiness are all parts of our emotions.Having those emotions in control enables us to live a productive life. However, when we begin to target or attack others then it is more and more difficult for us to handle our lives and negative thought patterns. It can be  difficult to maintain control of our temper while others close to us make us angry. It can be still more difficult with all of the other pressures that life brings our way such as meeting deadlines, juggling work and family issues, as well as health and financial challenges that come our way.

Most of us deal with the stressors in life by diffusing our anger, but a few of us cannot and become out of control. Although management is frequently the best answer for treating anger a lot of us tend to react instead of respond. Reacting usually causes more problems than necessary. But responding helps you take time to think the problem through calmly and consider the pros and the cons.

Anger is great if you have it under control. But when it’s not then it will usually cause more pain that can lead to other problems. Be proactive and consider the alternatives. Instead of retaliating, try to forgive. If you cannot discuss it with the person talk to a trusted friend. When you’re able to talk about it, it can lighten your load. Other solutions would be to go for a walk or do something that brings you joy. Do what you can to diffuse it, release it and move on. Life is precious and we need to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Controlling our anger is doable with practice and determination.


Stress Relievers: Strategies to help you beat Anxiety

Stress  is  a feeling of  pressure on one’s physical and mental capacities.  Although some stress is good for you and can increase energy and alertness, it can be very bothersome if it is not dealt with properly. Being stressed will decrease one’s focus and can reflect on your performance. Being stressed by other factors including relationships with other people can be seen in a person’s movement, health, and way of thinking.

In dealing with stress employ stress techniques and remedies readily available for you to implement. The best way to fight stress is to remain calm and relaxed at all times. Relaxation is a key component in stress relief. It helps you to be able to calmly face the unexpected pressures of the day.

Another stress technique would be to practice deep breathing exercises. The body is relaxed by breathing slowly for a count of four, then breathing out for the count of eight. Repeat this count until heart rate slows down. Thinking about stressful situations, or thinking negative thoughts could break one’s relaxation.  Avoid such thoughts by replacing them with positive ones.  ”An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Stress relief activities such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and other relaxation exercises can help in relieving stress. Stress can increase heart rate, and temporarily shuts down our digestive and immune systems. By doing any of the mentioned exercises, stress relief will surely come. Choose a specific stress relief exercise depending on your lifestyle, and with regular application, will be sure to beat the stress out of your life.


This site is for information and support only and NOT a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.


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