What a beautiful day, what a beautiful life I have. Yes I woke up on the right side of the bed...but I feel great. It hasn't been often that I wake up feeling this good and then to add a cherry to the cake it's beautiful outside. Sun is shinning, snow is melting. My girls were both merry as can be instead of their usual argumentative grumpy selves this morning. I could have gone without my coffee to start the morning and it still would have been fantastic! Pretty amazing eh?
I think there might be something to be said about detox soaks right before bed. I slept like a baby and woke up feeling like a million bucks. I took my morning Vit D, Calcium/Magnesium & Omega 3 along with Aleve and had my usual fruit salad and coffee. Omega 3 is a new vitamin for me. I picked it up yesterday while out and about. I wonder if I will be able to tell if there is a benefit to taking it? I hope to keep posting updates like this, upbeat, positive and steadily moving forward as I continue my journey to self improvement and better overall health.
Check out my smoothie today! Best yet! OMG it was to die for. 1/2 cup mixed frozen berries, 1 banana, Greens+ powder (I sneak this into recipes to get more into my girls), a little vanilla extract and a 1/2tsp of cinnamon. What a heavenly treat! I will be making this exact smoothie often.
I've been fairly keen on reading up on just what I put into my body lately and what positive effects they will bring and was surprised to learn that there are some really great benefits to cinnamon.
It's possible we're just brushing the surface here, for Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have long revered cinnamon as a superpower used to treat things such as colds, indigestion and cramps and also believed to improve energy, vitality and circulation. The following are ten health benefits associated with this beloved spice that studies have suggested:
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL).
- Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.
- Cinnamon has anti fungal properties, and it's been said that candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment.
- Cinnamon can reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
- Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
- Honey and Cinnamon combined has been found to relieve arthritis pain.
- When added to food, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
- Just smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
- Cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
- Cinnamon has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.
- Cinnamon can also help stabilize blood sugar (which is great for weight loss). A couple of dashes in your morning tea or cereal is all it takes!
Today is just a happy day. I am so thankful for everything surrounding my life. I live in a beautiful home, have amazing kids, love my job, have the best family and greatest friends.
It's an easy day to really sit in contentment and reflect on life. I often stress the balance of everything, bills, schedules, keeping a neat and tidy home but today I can clearly see what matters most and that is health, happiness and family. There will always be stresses in life but it's how we manage it that matters. My mother always told me "Today might be rough but tomorrow is a new day." In a moment when I feel overwhelmed I often remind myself of that. In the moment life can seem like too much when we drown ourselves in worries but if we take a step back, a deep breath and break that list down into manageable steps it's not that big.
For me the worst is often finances. I think that's many people and couples struggle. Finances can be the root cause of failed marriages and relationships. I am the one in the home that organizes everything, lays it out and lists for balance and then I sit down with the breakdown to show my husband and together we manage our finances so that we are both on the same page. If we need to make adjustments we do it together and work through a plan.
I have always said as a ringette coach T.E.A.M - Together Everyone Achieves Miracles. The key is Team! Together my husband and I through teamwork and communication work well together and we get a lot accomplished.
I guess for both of us having grown up athletic and competitive it's been a great thing that has become many foundations to how we work as a couple & as a family. There is no better way to work than to work together as a team. Do you know where the 'i' in Team is? Not in our family but I will show you for those of you who know an 'i' on a team.
I feel ahead of the game right now, summer camps organized (at least for one), health in check with appointments made and vision taken care of...or at least on the verge of. I cannot wait to get my new lenses in as my old pair is scratched to sh*t. Hopefully the new glasses are in by Friday. Just a few days away. Never the less they are ordered. Clear sailing ahead, as with warmer weather.
Today is also a day I have reflected back to the way I was feeling and things that held me back and got me down. One of the worst was smoking! Now when I think of it I am thankful I quit, I have saved money and time. I get so much more done now that I'm not outside puffing away on a cancer stick. I'd say I've felt much better too for it but this past few months since I've butted out have been a challenge which is what prompted me to this point and writing a blog hoping it will help to push me to be accountable. I like that I've made lists and for the most part stepped up to the plate to get stuff done and crossed off within a reasonable time frame as well. It's motivational to see movement going forward and to look around and be pleased seeing things finally done and off the damn list.
Pretty positive steps I've made so far to bettering myself. Quitting smoking was a huge step and the most beneficial by far I am sure. Home cooking vs eating out and packing in lots of fruits and vegetables is also another step in the right direction. Our meals have been so flavorful too, and fresh. Organization all around in the steps I have taken has helped prepare for life balance and removing the overwhelmed feeling. I have gained better coping skills through all of these steps as well and a clearer mind and healthier.
With guidance and knowing I am expected daily for yoga my body will benefit immensely. Part of me dreads April and the Yoga challenge. I think it's fear that I will fail or quit and not follow through because of the hours I am doing it and that it's daily. It's a lot to ask as a first big step into becoming more active. Not so much the yoga but the time for sure. In the past I have always found excuses to stop. Part of me is also really giddy to get going and feeling results of good health in combination with clean eating. I keep hearing from Trisha @ Namaste - Mind Body Soul Inc. how good I will feel the further I get into the month but also that I will feel so energized and good about myself. I want that now. That is what I crave and hunger for. That feeling alone is a natural high that I long to be on.
Check out http://namaste-mindbodysoul.com/ Trisha & Lexie are amazing. I highly recommend them.
I think perhaps when I finish April's challenge I will take a trip to Lulu for capris or a nice tank top to wear for yoga. Even better maybe I will take myself to get one of the two after doing two weeks! There's nothing wrong with a reward that benefits the program right?
I saw a couple pictures of one of my girlfriends in two poses and it's my personal goal & new Bucket list item to be able to one day do BOTH! I stole the pics she posted of herself in these poses to share what I aim to achieve. Oh to have such strength and flexibility once again.
Today My Name Is....Happy. As Phil from Duck Dynasty would say, "Happy Happy" <----That I am.
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