Tag: Health

Celebrate

Melody Beattie writes:

Take time to celebrate.

Celebrate your successes, your growth, your accomplish­ments. Celebrate you and who you are.

For too long you have been too hard on yourself. Others have spilled their negative energy — their attitudes, beliefs, pain — on you. It had nothing to do with you! All along, you have been a gift to yourself and to the Universe.

You are a child of God. Beautiful, a delight, a joy. You do not have to try harder, be better, be perfect, or be anything you are not. Your beauty is in you, just as you are each moment.

Celebrate that.

When you have a success, when you accomplish something, enjoy it. Pause, reflect, rejoice. Too long you have listened to admonitions not to feel good about what you have done, lest you travel the downward road to arrogance.

Celebration is a high form of praise, of gratitude to the Creator for the beauty of God’s creation. To enjoy and celebrate the good does not mean that it will be taken from you. To celebrate is to delight in the gift, to show gratitude.

Celebrate your relationships! Celebrate the lessons from the past and the love and warmth that is there today. Enjoy the beauty of others and their connection to you.

Celebrate all that is in your life. Celebrate all that is good. Celebrate you!

Today, I will indulge in the joy of celebrating.” via August 26: Celebrate | Language of Letting Go.

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Mediterranean baked feta with tomatoes

We have tons of cherry tomatoes from our garden and I love feta cheese and olive oil. This looks like an amazing and healthy way to use them! Get the recipe here: mediterranean baked feta with tomatoes | smitten kitchen.

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Self care

Melody Beattie writes:

“When will we become lovable?  When will we feel safe?  When will we get all the protection, nurturing, and love we so richly deserve?  We will get it when we begin giving it to ourselves.”Beyond Codependency

The idea of giving ourselves what we want and need can be confusing, especially if we have spent many years not knowing that it’s okay to take care of ourselves.  Taking our energy and focus off others and their responsibilities and placing that energy onto ourselves and our responsibilities is a recovery behavior that can be acquired.  We learn it by daily practice.

We begin by relaxing, by breathing deeply, and letting go of our fears enough to feel as peaceful as we can.  Then, we ask ourselves:  What do I need to do to take care of myself today, or for this moment?

What do I need and want to do? What would demonstrate love and self-responsibility?

Am I caught up in the belief that others are responsible for making me happy, responsible for me?  Then the first thing I need to do is correct my belief system.  I am responsible for myself.

Do I feel anxious and concerned about a responsibility I’ve been neglecting?  Then perhaps I need to let go of my fears and tend to that responsibility.

Do I feel overwhelmed, out of control?  Maybe I need to journey back to the first of the Twelve Steps.

Have I been working too hard?  Maybe what I need to do is take some time off and do something fun.

Have I been neglecting my work or daily tasks?  Then maybe what I need to do is get back to my routine.

There is no recipe, no formula, no guidebook for self-care.  We each have a guide, and that guide is within us.  We need to ask the question:  What do I need to do to take living responsible care of myself?  Then, we need to listen to the answer.  Self-care is not that difficult.  The most challenging part is trusting the answer, and having the courage to follow.

Today, I will focus on taking care of myself.  I will trust myself and God to guide me in this process.” via Blog Archives – help and hope ministry.

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Detaching in Relationships

Melody Beattie writes:

When we first become exposed to the concept of detachment, many of us find it objectionable and questionable. We may think that detaching means we don’t care. We may believe that by controlling, worrying, and trying to force things to happen, we’re showing how much we care.

We may believe that controlling, worrying, and forcing will somehow affect the outcome we desire. Controlling, worrying, and forcing don’t work. Even when we’re right, controlling doesn’t work. In some cases, controlling may prevent the outcome we want from happening.

As we practice the principle of detachment with the people in our life, we slowly begin to learn the truth. Detaching, preferably detaching with love, is a relationship behavior that works.

We learn something else too. Detachment – letting go of our need to control people – enhances all our relationships. It opens the door to the best possible outcome. It reduces our frustration level, and frees us and others to live in peace and harmony.

Detachment means we care, about others and ourselves. It frees us to make the best possible decisions. It enables us to set the boundaries we need to set with people. It allows us to have our feelings, to stop reacting and initiate a positive course of action. It encourages others to do the same.

It allows our Higher Power to step in and work.” via Detaching in Relationships – Saturday, August 21 – Adult Children Anonymous.

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Wondering About a Vegan Diet?

Visual Loop

via Wondering About a Vegan Diet?.

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How Corn Syrup Makes America Fat

Visual Loop

via How Corn Syrup Made America Fat.

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The Business of Obesity

Visual Loop

via The Business of Obesity.

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The best of @toddlohenry for 8/12/2012

  1. “If you want to succeed in your life, remember this phrase. The past does not equal The future. Because you failed yesterday; or all day today, or a moment ago, or for the last six months; the last 16 years, or the last fifty years of life doesn’t mean anything…All that matters is what are you going to do, Right Now.” – Anthony Robbins
    Today’s Quotes: The PAST doesn’t equal the future!
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 22:47:40

  2. Retronaut
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 15:28:58
  3. “Faith is the power to stand up to the madness and chaos of the physical world while holding the position that nothing external has any authority over what heaven has in mind for you.” – Caroline Myss
    Today’s Quotes: The PAST doesn’t equal the future!
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 15:29:23

  4. Dilbert
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 13:51:10

  5. “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”Nelson Mandela
    simple-reminders
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 14:17:06

  6. Make your beer bottle do double duty with the GoPlate
    Kate Rinsema
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 08:42:21

  7. Amazonaws
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 08:48:16

  8. Cabin atop Black Butte Lookout in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. From Devin: ” My boyfriend, Bryan, and I both left our jobs in SF and are on an endless road trip before we hike the John Muir…
    cabinporn
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 03:34:57

  9. “Learn to become still. Take your attention away from what you don’t want, and all the emotional charge around it, and place your attention on what you wish to experience.”Michael Bernard Beckwith
    simple-reminders
    Sat, Aug 11 2012 04:40:25
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14 Mind-Blowing Facts About Sugar

14 Mind-Blowing Facts About Sugar (Infographic).

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7 Crazy Things Pesticides Are Doing to Your Body

Pesticides are designed to kill, although the mode of action they use to put the stranglehold on pests varies. Whether it’s nerve gas–like neurological disruption, the unbalancing of key hormones, or the stunting of a plant’s ability to absorb life-sustaining trace minerals from the soil, none of the chemical interventions seems all that appetizing, especially considering that chemical residues routinely wind up on and even inside of the food we eat everyday. Pesticides are also blamed for diminishing mineral levels in foods.

Agrochemical supporters tend to fall back on a “the dose makes the poison” theory, meaning tiny exposures aren’t really that harmful. Increasingly, though, independent scientists are debunking that belief, even proving that incredibly tiny doses could set a person up for health problems that might not crop up until decades down the line. Luckily, eating organic, less processed foods can cut back on your pesticide exposure.” Get the scoop here: 7 Crazy Things Pesticides Are Doing to Your Body | Rodale News.

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Open Your Mind… or you may miss something

Open Mind (album)

Kristin Barton Cuthriell writes:

Often, people come into counseling because something in their lives is not working for them. They may be depressed. They may have anxiety. Their marriage may be falling apart. Maybe they have been grieving old wounds for years, and they just can’t find joy in life. Teenagers may be rebelling. People feel stuck in dead-end jobs. Addictions are impacting the family. People have lost the ability to let life in.

People want help. They want to feel better. Some, come in with an open mind and are ready to look at things in new ways; do things in new ways. They are ready to change. Others, however, resist change, no matter how bad they feel. They continue to do the same thing over and over again, bringing them the same undesirable results.

We are creatures of habit. We often resist change and stay with the status quo no matter how miserable we feel. We avoid doing something different.

We must stop and think about what we are doing. We must ask ourselves if what we are doing is working for us. We need to remember that if we always do what we have always done, we will always get what we have always gotten.

Let go of always being right.

Let go of thinking that there is only one way to do something.

If it is not working for you, try something different.

Be open to suggestions.

Open your mind… or you may miss something.” via Open Your Mind… or you may miss something.

One of the tools I use to keep my mind open is this quote: Nietszche said “You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” I agree with Kristin! Let go of always being right — it’s a terrible burden to bear and you’ll feel much better when you put it down… :-D

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Mission accomplished

Can I tell you again how much I love Endomondo? 5 months ago I was not exercising and my life was showing it. Now, thanks to this handy app, I can look back and see that I am making progress. On the 20th of this month I saw that I had already equaled last month’s output so I made a goal to hit 200 miles of exercise for July I reached that objective.

Almost 50,000 calories equaling almost 100 hamburgers slain! For some reason, being able to look back and visually see my progress and getting all these numbers really helps motivate me. Endomondo is kind of like a coach, too, and a riding partner because I frequently use it to race against myself or the clock to get more out of my ride.

I have not yet reached Nirvana, however, I am making progress thanks to a better diet, a lot of bike riding, and Endomondo…

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Your Body: One Year From Today

One of my favorite quotes in working with clients is “A year from now you’ll wish you started today”. Along those lines, Craig Harper writes:

If you’re serious about changing your body, and more importantly, keeping it that way, below you’ll find some relevant, valuable and potentially-transformational questions. They are the type of questions that I ask anyone who comes to me for coaching in this area. Keep in mind that transformation lives in the doing, not just the knowing, so if you’re in need of a physical overhaul, or maybe just a few minor modifications, take some time to answer the following thoughtfully and courageously.

What do you want your body to look, feel and function like one year from today (be specific)?

What do you need to do practically, to make your goal a reality?

What happens once your motivation subsides (it will)?

What happened last time you tried to change your body?

Why and how will it be different this time (if nothing changes, nothing changes)?

What’s your optimal exercise strategy (based on your genetics, age, goals, fitness, injuries, etc.)?

What’s one simple thing (that will make a difference) that you can change today?

What happened over the last 365 days (with your body)? Why?

Are you genuinely prepared to do the work (and to keep doing it), or do you just like ‘the idea’ of a different body?

Do you need to change your relationship with food? If so, how?

Do you have an accountability system? If so, what is it?

When it comes to the practical change-your-body variables (food, lifestyle, exercise, time management), what are your ‘non-negotiables’?

As I’ve said many times before on this site, when we ask better questions and we’re genuinely committed to change, we make better decisions, do better things, produce better results and our reality shifts.

Statistically, we know that, despite their conversations, declarations and intentions, most people won’t improve their health or fitness over the next year. Some will, most won’t. Of course, they can change and they want to change, but sadly, they won’t. Like the majority of our ever-expanding population, some will continue to get on and off the weight-loss merry-go-round, all the while complaining about their genetics, the weather, their sore ankle, their limited time and their exhausting schedule.

And then they’ll wake up and it will be July 2013.

Today, I challenge you to be in the minority.” via Your Body: One Year From Today.

When I read things like this I used to feel guilty — now I’m happy I’m on the right path! I started power walking in March and now walk, run and bike ride; thanks to Endomondo, I know I’ve put in over 500 miles in all three since I started…

I’ve lost over 100 pounds with Atkins in the past 10 years but gained 75 of it back because I don’t believe that Atkins is sustainable or healthy based on my experience. I’m sorry to tell you there is no substitute for eating better and exercising more…

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Nutrition for Dummies

Craig Harper offers this practical list:

1. Don’t eat anything bigger than your head. Unless it’s a watermelon. Or you have a tiny head.

2. If your meal arrives through a car window via a teenager wearing a headset, don’t eat it.

3. If it comes in an exciting range of fluorescent colours, don’t eat it.

4. Don’t confuse the marketing on the front (of the pack) with the nutritional information in the teeny-tiny box on the back.

5. Nobody accidentally eats cake. Own your choices and your behaviours.

6. Calories consumed in secret count. Your friends might not know but your arse will.

7. If dieting was an effective way to lose weight permanently, nobody would ever diet twice.

8. Don’t confuse ‘what your head wants’ with what your body needs. Your mind is a lying bitch.

9. If the ingredient list is full of weird-sounding numbers and words ending in ‘ose’, throw it away.

10. If you haven’t had a poo since June, maybe cut back on the processed food. And try a little fibre. Just saying.

11. If it comes with orange-coloured cheese, throw it away.

12. Most cereals are shit. Avoid them. Unless you want diabetes by Friday.

13. Amazingly, following a generic eating plan from a magazine is not your best bet.

14. If food is your lover, you need to get out more.

15. If you’re considering taking your kids to McDonalds for a treat, punch yourself in the face.” via Nutrition for Dummies (Craig’s version).

Thanks to David Kanigan for introducing me to Craig’s blog…

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Owning Our Power

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030UDW9I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0030UDW9I&linkCode=as2&tag=makrai-20

Melody Beattie to the rescue!

Don’t you see? We do not have to be so victimized by life, by people, by situations, by work, by our friends, by our love relationships, by our family, by our feelings, our thoughts, our circumstances, and ourselves.

We are not victims. We do not have to be victims. That is the whole point!

Yes, admitting and accepting powerlessness is important. But that is the first step, an introduction to this business of recovery. Later, comes owning our power. Changing what we can. This is as important as admitting and accepting powerlessness. And there is so much we can change.

We can own our power, wherever we are, wherever we go, whomever we are with. We do not have to stand there with our hands tied, groveling helplessly, submitting to whatever comes along. There are things we can do. We can speak up. Solve the problem. Use the problem to motivate ourselves to do something good for ourselves.

We can make ourselves feel good. We can walk away. We can come back on our terms. We can stand up for ourselves. We can refuse to let others control and manipulate us.

We can do what we need to do to take care of our selves. That is the beauty, the reward, the crown of victory we are given in this process called recovery. It is what it is all about!

If we can’t do anything about the circumstance, we can change our attitude. We can do the work within: courageously face our issues so we are not victimized. We have been given a miraculous key to life.

We are victims no more unless we want to be.

Freedom and joy are ours for the taking, for the feeling, for the hard work we have done.

Today, I will remind myself as often as necessary that I am not a victim, and I do not need to be victimized by whatever comes my way. I will work hard to remove myself as a victim, whether that means setting and enforcing a boundary, walking away, dealing with my feelings, or giving myself what I need. God, help me let go of my need to feel victimized.” via Just For Today Meditations » Blog.

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Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. – Confucius

via Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. – Confucius.

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Lasting Change Starts from Within: Transform Your Life

“All meaningful and lasting change starts on the inside and works its way out.”  ~Anon

Get the rest here: Lasting Change Starts from Within: Transform Your Life | Tiny Buddha.

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7 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Superhero (and Get Insanely Healthy)

Stepcase Lifehack

Get the answer here: 7 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Superhero (and Get Insanely Healthy).

My favorite?

Eat right
Using food as fuel and getting enough water makes everything easier. You’ll move better, feel better, and have more energy — the essentials of good health.
A diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and healthy fats will keep you in fighting form, creating a lean and mean look that can power you through the toughest of days, while giving you the strength to take on any of life’s challenges. While some like to dive all-in, the best approach might be to start small and build the healthy habit. Try to not drink caloric beverages for a week. Only water, green tea, and black coffee. Once you’ve got the hang of that then think about moving on to your next healthy habit — like 30 minutes of exercise daily.

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Let Go of What You Can’t Control

Karen Salmansohn writes:

Don’t let regrets about the past or fears about the future stop you from fully enjoying your present. A good way to ensure you’re living fully in the present is to make sure you’re fully using all of your miracle senses – and seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching – and intuitively being – as much as you can in a day! Most people pay attention to mostly what they see around them. But you have so many wonderful other senses as well to tap into.” via Let Go of What You Can’t Control.

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Mindful Eating: Nourish Your Mind And Body

FinerMinds

Get the scoop here: Mindful Eating: Nourish Your Mind And Body.

 

 

 

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3 Steps to Fuel Your Creativity and Purpose with Exercise

Stepcase Lifehack

Get the scoop here: 3 Steps to Fuel Your Creativity and Purpose with Exercise.

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