Creating a clean slate… This is exactly what I have been doing over the past week. We ripped up the carpet and put in vinyl hardwood flooring. It was an extensive project and I hurt in places that I didn’t even know were there! But oh how rewarding it was!!
All the dirt and the dust and the muck that accumulates over the years! It felt good to clear that out and clean things up. Giving us a new, fresh, and more open space. Which got me thinking…
Sometimes a new perspective can really open your mind. Just like the dust bunnies that gather behind your TV stand, you can clear out old patterns, thoughts and habits. Anything that gets you stuck in the same old routine.
Removing those cobwebs may be all it takes to see things differently, to ignite new ideas, or passions, or a sense of hope and possibility.
It doesn’t have to be as extensive as re-doing your floors, it could be rearranging furniture in a room, adding a plant to an empty space, putting something inspirational or beautiful on a blank wall, or clearing off and organizing your desk, work space or a junk drawer.
In doing so, hopefully you take a deep breath and see a new light. The window that was stuck, now opens freely. The mirror that was streaked and cloudy, is now more clear than ever.
Now you can see what’s possible. Now you can see what you may need to change. Now there’s room to explore, stretch and expand. Now things are new and open. Now you are free.
In love and light and creating a clean slate!
I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
Have you done this? Are you willing to try this?
Leave a comment and let’s talk. We could all use the support of community. Like minded souls to connect with, now more than ever. Let’s love, support, and uplift each other!
The year is coming to a close. This year brought us many things. It brought us confusion and fear. It brought us stress and anxiety. It brought uncertainty. It brought change. It also brought an opportunity. An opportunity to remember to take care of ourselves a little more. A chance to look at our lives and see what really matters. It allowed us to experiment and try new ways of doing things. Exploring other options, interests and hobbies. Maybe we can take these things, the lessons learned, the hardships endured, and the new sparks of insight and interests and create a year of possibility. Set our intentions for the New Year not just as resolutions to quit this, lose that, or try this, but as a new reality. Creating a life of our dreams, not just a list of things you write down and never look at again. But as a vision, a feeling.. See your life as you want it to be, feel how amazing it is. See what steps you can take, thoughts you can think (or change) to step into the life you love and deserve.
In love and light and setting intentions
I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
Have you done this? Are you willing to try this?
Please leave a comment and tell me what your intentions are.
You can also find my video here on this discussion. We could all use the support of community. Like minded souls to connect with, now more than ever. Let’s love, support, and uplift each other!
We all hear about self care and the importance of it.
There may be some of you, that might not know what that really means.
Self care isn’t always about getting your hair or nails done, although that can be part of it. It’s not always about indulging in a piece of chocolate or glass of wine, but those things do have their place as well.
Self Care is also about going to bed early, creating healthy meals for the week, and giving yourself a moment to breathe. It’s about having that hard conversation, letting go of toxic relationships, and creating boundaries. Self care is about forgiving yourself when you don’t live up to your own impossible standards and expectations. It’s about loving yourself exactly how you are, no matter what, and knowing you are worthy.
Self care is about having a love affair with yourself, and doing the things that make your heart sing.
Self care isn’t always about the shopping spree and material things, it’s a means of survival and a necessity to thrive!!
In love and light and giving you and the world the best of you!
I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. What is your self care routine or rituals? How do you show up for you? Comment below. You will also find my video on this discussion here.
We could all use the support of community. Like minded souls to connect with, now more than ever. Let’s love, support, and uplift each other!
We are in the thick of a very stressful time, in an already incredibly stressful year.
It’s Christmas time! We’re shopping, trying to find the perfect gift, stressing that it is enough. The stores are busy, people are grumpy, retail staff are exhausted.
We’re bumping elbows in the aisles, when we’re supposed to be 6 feet away. It’s hot, stuffy, hard to breathe, and for some of us, we can’t see through our fogged up glasses because of our masks. Does that sound about right?
All of that while still maintaining our every day lives–Work schedules, kids, home life, and trying to find balance within it all. So, I’ve put together a short list of do’s and don’ts to help you get through the holiday season. Hopefully, with a little less stress and a lot more joy.
~Do embrace the spirit of giving.~ Don’t go overboard, or beyond what you can afford. Give from the heart and that will always be enough. ~Do try to find little moments and make them special~ Don’t forget what the spirit and magic of the season is really about ~Do things that bring you joy
Drink hot cocoa
Go on a search for the best Christmas light display
Start a new tradition (It’s a good year to do that since it may be different for you this year anyway)
Watch Christmas movies- (my favorites are Elf, Christmas Vacation, and I’m a sucker for Hallmark movies)
~Don’t forget to give to yourself and know when you need a break ~Do remember to be kind. To yourself, to a stranger, and to everyone you meet. ~Don’t forget we are all in this together!
In love and light and finding the magic of Christmas!
I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
What brings you joy? What moments did you make special? What are your favorite Christmas movies or traditions?
Please leave a comment and share with me.
You can also find my video here on this discussion. We could all use the support of community. Like minded souls to connect with, now more than ever. Let’s love, support, and uplift each other!
Find out how you can lose weight and feel great with the smoothie diet! Imagine! Weight loss that’s delicious!
I’m not considered a food or recipe blogger, but I have been having so much fun in the kitchen this summer! I’ve been experimenting and creating new recipes. Some have turned out so good, I just had to share!
I am definitely an everyday smoothie, kinda girl. It started way back, when a smoothie was my only source of fuel for my body. I had some weird sort of digestive disorder, and my diet was limited to 5 ingredients. (You can read that story here, if you are curious.) So ever since then, I have always enjoyed my daily smoothie. As I continue to add more and more foods to my menu list, it makes it so much more fun to switch it up using fresh fruits and veggies that are in season! While having the added bonus of getting most, if not all, of my fruit and vegetable servings in one punch! I am very conscious of what goes in my body. I try to eat as clean, healthy and nutrient rich as I can. That is why smoothies are such a huge staple to my diet.
Do you have a blender?
I couldn’t talk about smoothies without raving about my blender!! My trusty ninja is amazing! It is the most used, abused and loved appliance in my kitchen! Not only does it create my daily smoothie and make my deliciously easy and healthy spaghetti sauce, it doubles as a food processor to make soups and other sauces, and you can even mix dough!
I hope you try this recipe, and start experimenting with your own healthy concoctions, while the vast supply of fresh produce is still abundant!!
Happy blending!
Summer Peach Smoothie
Robin
It's that time of year where the delicious, juicy peaches are in season!! Mmmm…my favorite! This is a healthy way to enjoy the tastes of summer and include 5 servings of your fruits and veggies in one glass!
Summer nights, cooking on the grill, and fresh veggies from the garden. Is there anything better? This meal is the ultimate taste of summer. Not only is it delicious and healthy, it is easy, with little to no clean up! Especially if you transfer it onto paper plates! Summer just got even better.
I was fortunate enough to start my garden early this year. If the weather stays warm like they predict it will, I will be enjoying the fruits (well in this case, veggies) of my labor well into fall.
I hope you enjoy this recipe. Let me know. In the meantime, here’s to summer, growing your own garden and eating healthy, delicious meals!! Enjoying all the simple pleasures of life! Stay healthy and eat well.
Chicken and Summer Veggies Foil Packs
Robin
A great way to utilize your fresh, garden grown, summer veggies. An easy, no mess clean up, using foil packs. Throw it on the grill and enjoy those summer nights!
I absolutely loooove this spaghetti sauce!! My boyfriend also loves this. He told me, “it is the best spaghetti sauce he has ever tasted!” And no, he isn’t biased. Nor does he say anything to protect my feelings. Lol. It is just simply THAT good!!
We have both had issues with traditional, store bought sauce in a jar. Causing digestive upset, indigestion, and that heavy feeling you get after a rich carb loaded meal. Neither one of us experience that with this! That is a win in my book. When food makes you feel good, that’s when you know you are eating right!
I love that everything is natural and nourishing in this recipe. I pair it with gluten free noodles, these are my favorite! They also come in spaghetti and fettucini. I don’t even notice the difference! And I use ground turkey instead of beef or sausage, but it would also pair well with either of those.
The balsamic vinaigrette used in this spaghetti sauce recipe is my absolute favorite. It is so versatile too! I use it for marinade on fish and chicken, splash it on my salads, and I make a pasta salad with it as well.
My trusty ninja is amazing! It is the most used, abused and loved appliance in my kitchen! Not only does it create my daily smoothie and make this deliciously easy sauce, it doubles as a food processor to make soups and other sauces. and you can even mix dough!
I hope you give this recipe a try and let me know what you think. I truly believe it will be a go-to for your Italian night dishes. A delicious, home made experience you can feel good about! Buon Appetito!!
Delicious Natural Spaghetti Sauce
A delicious spaghetti sauce, made with natural ingredients. This has all the zest of traditional sauces, without the heaviness and processed ingredients from a store bought jar.
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What Does it Mean to be Grounded?
To some people growing up, the term being “grounded” means being in trouble. A consequence or punishment for your actions or behaviors. For adults, and those of us that are in tune with our more spiritual nature, being grounded means being in your body. Having a secure connection to the Earth and a feeling of being more centered.
I’m sure you’ve experienced times when you feel:
Distracted
You can’t focus
Scattered
Dizzy or flighty feeling
Your energy is drained
Stressed, or
Overwhelmed
These are just a few examples of what it’s like to be ungrounded.
The Miraculous Feeling of Being Grounded
When you are in tune with you body and feel that connection, you can feel:
More centered
Focused
Motivated
Inspired
Calm
Energized
And Productive
Boosts Immune system
Fights Inflammation
So How Do You Become Grounded??
Now that we all know the benefits, and want to have more focus, drive, and presence in our lives. How do we get there?
There are several ways to do this.
However, I will focus on my top 5 go-tos:
5 Ways to Become More Grounded in Your Body
Breathe.
As simple and automatic as this may sound, if you actually took a moment to realize your breath, you would be surprised to notice how shallow your breathing is. You might even be holding your breath.
Just the act of noticing your breath might be enough to instigate a natural deep inhale, right now! But if you need a little more help,
I enjoy the 5 block process. As you inhale, count to 5, hold your breath for 5, exhale for 5 (or longer if you can), hold for 5 and repeat. Do this at least 5 times or longer if you’d like. I always feel a deep sense of calm after a round of deep controlled breathing.
Earthing
Just as it sounds, getting down and dirty with the earth! Whether that’s walking barefoot in the grass, or sand, or squishing mud between your toes. You could play in the dirt, plant something or weed your garden.
When you make physical contact (skin to Earth) you receive Earths’ negative charged energy that your body then absorbs through your feet or hands. This energy counter attacks the body’s positive charged energy, caused by stress and today’s overwhelming to do lists and emotional uncertainties.
Feel the cool grass on the soles of your feet, the blades tickling your toes, the dampness, and the solid foundation of energy rising up and rooting you to its core. The result will be a centered, calming effect.
Meditation
There are so many different ways to meditate. Some claim they can’t do it, while others can sit and meditate for hours. It doesn’t matter how. Most likely you are, or have done it without even knowing it!
When we think of meditation, we think chimes, bells, soft music, candles, sage, cross legged position, and a complete zen like experience. While that is all wonderful, it doesn’t have to be that way.
There are ways to meditate by walking, breathing (see #1 above), raking leaves, gardening, etc. Whatever it takes to get you in the present moment. Where you can clear your mind and be fully in tune to what you are doing. You’re not thinking about the past or the future, just right here and right now.
Ever wonder how you can solve all of life’s problems in the shower? Why you automatically have a sense of peace and calm when you are in nature? You’re not trying to solve, think or fix your problems. The answers just come. This happens when you are in a centered, calm, grounded and peaceful place.
Energy Medicine
When I took Donna Eden’s Energy Medicine course, I was hooked. Energy Medicine is the ability to work with your own energy for healing, balance, and grounding. Plus, there are so many ways of working with the body’s different imbalances, I was fascinated by it all! There are many, many ways to ground yourself using Energy Medicine. I will share a couple of the simpler ones with you. If you find you are just as amazed by this process as I am, I encourage you to check out her book here!
Triple Warmer– Along with feeling grounded, this can have a mental, physical and emotional impact on the body. It can also help get you out of the flight, fight or freeze response.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 3
Step 1. Start with your fingers over your eyes. Inhale.
Step 2. As you exhale, sweep your fingers across your eyes, and rest on your temples.
Step 3. With your next inhale, drag your fingers up over and behind your ears, and exhale as you slide them down the sides of your neck and throat and come to rest on your chest (heart Chakra).
Step 4. Take another deep breath here.
Belt Flow– This is also good for hormones and digestion, in addition to feeling grounded and balanced.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 1. Take your right hand and reach as far as you can to the right side of your back. (closest to the spine). Take your left hand, across your body to join with the right hand.
Step 2. Press firmly and smoothly, pulling your hands forward, towards your belly, with your right hand chasing your left (as if you were smoothing out your belt) all the way across to your left hip.
Step 3. Take both hands down your left leg and out your feet. Throw the energy away like you are taking off your sock. Then repeat for the other side.
Wayne Cook’s Hook up– This will take you out of overwhelm and focus your mind.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 1. Extend your left hand in front of you, twist your palm facing out. Cross your right hand over your left wrist. Palms should be facing each other. Interlock your fingers.
Step 2. Duck your hands forward and under towards your belly, and up against your chest. Cross your ankles, if you are sitting.
Step3. Take 4 slow, deep breaths, in through your nose, out through your mouth.
Yoga
I have done yoga for over 15 years. Yoga for me, does not mean holding myself up by my pinky, as I rest my knees on my elbows, upside down. Or being able to put my leg behind my head. For me, the benefits of yoga come from the breathing, through and with the movement. The stretch, the calm, and the flow.
There are many simple poses in yoga that can give you the feeling of being more grounded in your body. –without the prerequisite of being a contortionist.–
Mountain pose (Tadasana)
The most important thing to do is make sure your weight is evenly distributed onto your feet.
Spine is straight, shoulder blades back, pelvis is neutral.
Envision your tailbone dropping into the earth beneath you.
See the roots of a tree extend from your root chakra deep into the earth as it roots you.
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Feet and hips should be shoulder width apart.
Rooting into the earth with your hands and feet.
Sink back into your heels, while keeping your hands in position with the ground.
Breathe into the stretch.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Balance is a little more key here. Try focusing on a spot in front of you.
Use the tree roots example in the Mountain pose description.
Feel your whole body stretch up towards the sky and down into the earth.
Breathe.
Savasana
This is the easy one. If you know how to nap, you know how to do this one.
All you need to do is adjust your shoulder blades down your back, relax your hips, legs and feet.
Take a deep relaxing breath and feel your body sink into and feel the full support of the Earth beneath you.
I hope that you find these to be easy practices to incorporate into your daily routine.
If we can feel more grounded, everything else on our to do lists and in our life can be handled and accomplished. Coming at it from a place of ease and peace. Namaste.
Since I have been home these last couple of months, I’ve been able to reprioritize my life. I’ve been doing more beneficial things for myself, such as:
Self Care Practices
Creating soothing and comforting spaces in and around my home
Writing more
Eating and expanding my healthy food choices to keep David’s and my immune system strong.
David’s day usually starts at 1 am and he works 12-14 hours a day.
Before our paths crossed he would survive on coffee and sunflower seeds until dinner…
Not anymore!!
Not on my watch!
So now, every Sunday (usually) I dedicate a couple hours to washing, prepping and cutting up vegetables
I usually try to incorporate 3-4 servings of vegetables, 1 or 2 fruits, a grain (oats), a protein and a healthy fat.
Chicken, turkey and avocado, chicken or tuna salad, nuts or peanut butter with his celery are my usual go-tos for the protein and healthy fats.
The green tea provides him with beneficial antioxidants.
All of that sums up to be vitamin and nutrient rich deliciousness with sustainability to get him through his day.
And he loves me for it, because he feels amazing!
Now before you go off to accuse me of being a 1950’s housewife, where a woman’s place is barefoot and in the kitchen…
I can almost hear the screams of the equal rights and girl power activists now…I do it because I want to. Not because it’s expected of me or I have to.
It feels good to take care of and keep my guy healthy in that way. He takes care of me in so many ways. We take care of each other. Healthy bodies, healthy minds and a healthy relationship. It doesn’t get much better than that!
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In my blog post How I keep my guy healthy, I mentioned all the delicious, nutrient rich foods I make for David’s work day lunches.
Breakfast oats are an easy go-to option. You can make them the night before or even 2 days before. They need to set in the fridge for at least 8 hours before consuming. I rotate with many different flavors. It gives him something sustainable to fill him up, plus the added benefits of heart healthy whole grains in the oats. I use Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. Plus they are organic and gluten free!
I make them in small mason jars, half pint for me and pint sized for him and all you need is a spoon and can eat it right out of the jar, which makes it a very handy breakfast.
The base is always the same, and then I switch up the different recipes.
Breakfast Oats (Base) this is for a half-pint jar, double for a pint.
1/4 Cup uncooked old fashioned oats
1/3 Cup skim milk (or almond, coconut)
1/4 Cup low-fat Greek yogurt (I use a vanilla flavored one)
1 teaspoon chia seeds
These are our favorite flavorings:
Raspberry Oats (add this to your base)
1 Tablespoon Raspberry jam, preserves, or spread
1/4 to 1/3 Cup fresh raspberries
Directions:
In a half pint (one cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds and raspberry spread. Put lid on and shake well to combine. Remove lid and add raspberries. Return lid and shake again. Refrigerate overnight (8 hours) or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.
In a half pint (one cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds and maple syrup. Put lid on and shake well to combine. Remove lid and add blueberries. Return lid and shake again. Refrigerate overnight (8 hours) or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.
1 Tablespoon peanut butter (or other nut butter substitute)
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 Cup diced ripe banana (approx. half a banana)
Directions:
In a half pint (one cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, peanut butter and honey. Put lid on and shake well to combine. Remove lid and add banana. Return lid and shake again. Refrigerate overnight (8 hours) or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.
In a half pint (one cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cinnamon and honey. Put lid on and shake well to combine. Remove lid and add applesauce. Return lid and shake again. Refrigerate overnight (8 hours) or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.
In a half pint (one cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, pecans and cinnamon. Put lid on and shake well to combine. Remove lid and add carrots. Return lid and shake again. Refrigerate overnight (8 hours) or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.
Pina Colada (add this to your base)
1 Tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon shredded coconut
1 Tablespoon slivered almonds
1/4 Cup diced pineapple
Directions:
In a half pint (one cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey, coconut and almonds. Put lid on and shake well to combine. Remove lid and add pineapple. Return lid and shake again. Refrigerate overnight (8 hours) or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.
I hope you get a chance to try these and enjoy them! Let me know in the comments.
I know we have all had to adjust our lives some. Finding our new normal, when we were suddenly hit with change and uncertainty. All of a sudden the world was shutting down and we were overwhelmed with fear and questioning our very survival.
Though we were all affected by the same pandemic, our experience varied greatly depending on the way it affected us.
Some, unfortunately had to battle the virus or knew a loved one or someone who did. The first responders and medical community, who were, and always have been, the ‘heroes,’ were now being inundated and challenged to their very core.
Jobs were lost and businesses closed. Some jobs that were considered thankless or less than before, were now “essential” and expected to stand at the front lines selflessly providing for their communities that were panicking and breaking down. i.e. grocery workers, truck drivers, trash service, restaurant staff, etc.
Some people hunkered down and hated it, while others saw it as a much needed vacation and loved it!
Me, being an introvert, I had been training for this my whole life!!
To have the opportunity to not have to go out?! Are you kidding me??
To be able to avoid the energy attack of others on a daily basis?? Sign me up!
To have the chance to do all the self care practices that are so important for my well being?? Yes, please.
To finally take a pause and truly listen to myself about who I am, where I was, and who and how I want to be, going forward. To be able to look at life differently. Stop chasing my own tail. Get off the road to burn out that I was on, and stop defaulting to just being on automatic pilot.
Not that everyday was sunshine and daisies. During this time, I had my fair share of anxiety, fear of the unknown and uncertainty. My own resistance got in my way on several occasions. Some days, it would not allow me to take in the full opportunity that the gift of stillness was offering me.
But, in those pure, sweet, precious moments where I could fully sink into that peace, and finally feel my feet planted firmly on the ground, I could see myself again. I could listen. Reassess my direction and what I really want to be doing with my time and energy. In these moments, my life whispers to me, welcome home sweetheart.
And I can’t help but wonder, how will I ever go back? But most importantly, why would I want to?
To be vulnerable is not something that many people are good at. Nobody teaches you how to do this. In fact, we are not taught how to feel anything, let alone process our feelings.
I’ve got a rap sheet a mile long with ailments and health conditions. According to my mom, I came into this world with a cold. I was always crying because I didn’t feel good or I couldn’t breathe.
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In a previous post, I mentioned not being able to eat anything but bone broth and rice for 2 years. Although boring and lacking in variety, I was just grateful I could eat that!
I have lived with anxiety for most of my life. Although, I have come leaps and bounds with it in the last few years, I know it lurks in the shadows. For those of you that struggle with anxiety and depression, know how debilitating that can be. When I am in a state of despair, I tend to close myself off.
