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Happy New Year!

2 Jan

I hope you all had a lovely holiday season and that 2012 is treating you well so far! It’s going to be a busy and exciting year for me! Despite big plans, my 2012 intentions/resolutions are focused on making the most of the “little things” in my life, (in addition to checking off my long to-do list!) and creating more harmony between my personal and professional life.

I love the fresh feeling and opportunity to reset each new year brings and I’m spending time today writing my affirmations for 2012.  Some I’ll share, some are more personal, but they’ll all be documented so I can check-in from time to time.

I hope personal wellness is near the top of your goals for the year (without it, what do you have?!), and I look forward to sharing more tips, experiences and anything else you request!

Wishing you health, happiness and love in 2012 from Balancing Wellness (and puggle brothers Lincoln & Winston)!

Happy 3 Years!

8 Sep

It’s been three years since my first post on Balancing Wellness!  Most of my previous blogging adventures faded after a few months, so I’m very proud that I’m still here :)

Time sure does fly, and it’s been quite a ride!  In the three years since launching Balancing Wellness we moved from the East Coast to the West (Best) Coast and started a (canine) family, I completed certification programs in nutrition and yoga, I’ve worked as a wellness consultant for two industry-leading companies and as a yoga instructor for three local studios, and I’ve learned and grown sooo much.

There’s still so much I want to do!  I’m working on my latest goals and affirmations (another day, another post!), but really want to hear from you, the reader, about what you’re most interested in seeing on Balancing Wellness.  So have at it and let me know what you want.   And check out some old posts while you’re at it!

ps – The best way to get updates is to subscribe here and to “like” Balancing Wellness on Facebook!

relax! vacations are good for your health

2 Jul

We live in a crazy world. If you’re anything like me, you go from one thing to the next without taking much time to rest. Our technology-filled world keeps us constantly connected, so much so that we often forget to just be in the present. I sometimes feel like taking one day off will leave me feeling more stressed or behind than rested, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

My lovely little sister, Stephanie, passed along this article from Brenda Wilson on why vacations are so vital to our health and wellbeing. From lower blood pressure to improved connections with friends and family, relaxation and rest give our mind, body and spirit a welcome break.

A pic from our February trip to Puerto Rico. Ahh!

This weekend, I’m challenging myself – and you – to take some vacation. Even if it’s just a day, try to disconnect. Focus on living in the present, really being with the people (or nature or book, you get it) you have right here, right now. If you can do it, ditch your cell phone for the day (or at least put it at the bottom of your bag and only use it for emergencies).  We’re taking a stay-cation pool/BBQ day on Monday and I’m soo looking forward to laughing, swimming, eating and catching up with friends.

I hope you all have a very happy and safe 4th of July weekend and remember to relax!

Sunday Night Santosha

31 May

It’s not technically Sunday (although it is the end of the long weekend so I’ll allow it) and I wanted to share a little love with you.  I’ve decided to start a weekly blog sharing simple life inspirations and/or happenings I’m grateful for, and hopefully create positive, peaceful energy to start the new week.

Why “Sunday Night Santosha?” Santosha (सन्तोष) means contentment or a “peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires;” it’s one of the five niyamas, or personal observances, in yoga. (Niyama is the second of the eight limbs of yoga.)  Practicing contentment allows us to be present and grateful for each moment – one of the best ways to be truly happy.  Take a look around and for at least a moment, realize you have everything you need right now and that you are fine. It’s that simple.

Fresh flowers always make me happy!  Thanks to A for the beautiful flowers and G for the lovely vase. 

Tonight’s santosha has been inspired by good friends and simple beauty. I can only be content when I stop and take in the love and beauty that surrounds me: visits from dear friends, yummy food enjoyed over laughter and lively conversation, the amazing scenery of La Jolla, and outdoor yoga – the earth directly below us, the sun beaming down on us, and maybe a sprinkler shower (I mentioned laughter, right?). Life is good.

I hope you all took some time to recharge and be content. Happy Memorial Day! Here’s to a new week!

sensible yogi says…

10 May

I found this flow chart on the Yogis Anonymous Facebook page and wanted to share.  It’s a great reminder to let go and not stress about things we have no control over, as hard as that may be sometimes.

 

2011 Yoga Teacher Telesummit

10 May


All you yogis (or aspiring yogis!) out there – be sure to check out the 2011 Yoga Teacher Telesummit.  It’s free and sounds like an amazing way to connect with world-renowned yoga teachers (Kathryn Budig, Ally Hamilton, Sadie Nardini, and Mark Whitwell, to name a few!) and the greater yoga community.

…”Telesummit is designed to motivate, inspire, and educate yoga teachers and dedicated students from all over the planet; to connect and share and inquire; to provide tools for teachers, studio owners, and other yoga-related entrepreneurs to become more authentic and more sustainable, to broaden their reach and focus their attention on what really matters; to create a dialogue between many different styles, traditions, and schools of Yoga to find our common ground, the shared pscyho-spiritual ‘trunk’ that roots the yogic tree into the cosmic ground of our being.”

I will definitely be participating and sharing my learnings!  Big thanks to Jamie Koonce of Superhero Healthcare for passing this along!

Guest Post: Mood Food: 5 Tasty Ways to Beat the Blues

3 Mar
Big thanks to Wendy Lau for this submission!
—-
Wendy Lau is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on getting your bachelors degree online for the Guide to Online Schools.

When feeling tension or down, or sad, there are many ways people go about finding comfort. Some people go shopping, others resort to alcohol and then there are those who turn to food. Turning to food can be an issue if you are overindulging yourself in unhealthy food. There are foods you can turn to that are healthy and that have properties to help make a person feel better.

Some healthy foods act as stimulants to elevate mood and help the body release serotonin, or “pleasure hormones.” Many of these healthy foods also improve the immune system so you have a quicker recovery process to any challenges that come your way.

There are many foods to help you beat the blues, and we nailed down five of them here that should be easy for you to find at the grocer or supermarket. These are also foods that are readily edible or that are easy to prepare.

5 Healthy Foods That Can Help Change Your Mood

1. Almonds

Faced with tension, almonds are who you need to go to. A handful of almonds will pack your body with vitamin B and E.  Vitamin B helps improve the function of red and white blood cells, while Vitamin E is an antioxidant that bolsters your immune system. A handful of almonds a day may also help maintain a healthy cholesterol level, according to the Almond Board of California. This is a much healthier way to beat the blue than popping Doritos in your mouth. (more…)

Yoga in Fiji – 2012

1 Mar

- Coming Soon –

Yoga in Fiji – May/June 2012

Join Helen and Abbi for a beautiful and relaxing rainforest and beach yoga retreat an hour and a half drive from Nadi International Airport on the main Fijian island of Viti Levu.

More information coming soon.  Please email if interested! balancingwellness@gmail.com

 

4 steps to sustain peak performance

18 Jan

I’m borrowing these from Keith Ferrazzi’s blog and because they’re so right on, they don’t need much commentary.  These tips come from Scott Peltin, author of Sink, Float, or Swim.  They’re great for both personal and organizational wellness programs.

 

1.    Mindset: You have over 60,000 thoughts a day. Reframe thoughts that drag you down. Instead of thinking “I’m overwhelmed, “ think “I am present.”

  

2.    Nutrition: FORTY PERCENT of how you feel right now is due to your last meal. Did you eat a meal that set you up for success? Make sure that every meal you eat fuels you properly for your activities of the next three to four hours.

(more…)

warrior of change

9 Jan

Sambazon, in partnership with Off The Mat, Into The World®, is launching the Warrior of Change Contest as part of its Warrior Up Campaign – a celebration of individuals and organizations that strive to make the world a better place and inspire others to do the same.

My friend Ruthi is a finalist in the Warrior of Change Contest.  She could win $10,000 for her organization, SuperFood Drive, so please VOTE!

Ruthi Solari, Nutritionist and Corporate Wellness Professional, founded SuperFood Drive in January 2009 in San Diego.  Fueled by a passion for healthy eating and seeing an opportunity in food drives, Ruthi began working with food banks around the city to get nutritious food to the less fortunate.  She helped the San Diego Food Bank develop healthier versions of their 10 most needed food lists and soon found herself as an incorporated non-profit with volunteer staff.

Here’s what Ruthi has to say:

My purpose in life is to help as many people as possible to lead vibrant, healthy lives. I am incredibly passionate about healthy eating. I believe that my food is my medicine and with this knowledge, I want to ensure that all people to have access to healthy foods.

Mission of SuperFood Drive:
Giving the Gift of Health by providing nutrient dense non-perishable food items to populations in need.

Vision
SuperFood Drive seeks to transform local food drives, national food banks and global humanitarian aid into providers of nutrient-dense non-perishable SuperFoods. By educating both the givers and receivers of non-perishable SuperFood items, we promote health and wellbeing to individuals and their communities.

Ruthi is an amazing and inspirational young woman. I am constantly in awe of her achievements, abilities, intelligence, beauty and grace and she definitely deserves this award. Please VOTE!  For more, check out SuperFood Drive and Sambazon Warrior of Change.

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