Mind, Body and Soul

How do we define health for ourselves?

Is it the fit couple at the gym that works out 5 times a week? The co-worker who is always on a diet? Maybe a relative who is a strict vegetarian?

The answer is, there is no right answer. It is not a every size fits all type of definition. You have to define what "health" is for yourself. Figure out what your values are. We all know what doctors and nutritionists say is "healthy", but the person with the lowest body fat and who does not eat red meat might be crumbling inside emotionally. Fear and anxiety might pull the person who hits the gym five times a week to a standing halt during the work day. There seems to be a correlation between emotional health and physical wellness. How many famous examples do we know like this? Many athletes we know are the best at their team sport physically, but have substance abuse problems or psychological issues. Look at Oprah. Perfect example of someone who is smart, articulate, works on her emotional and spiritual self in every way possible and is extremely giving and compassionate, but she cannot shake the weight/food yo-yo.

Exercise for me is my best defense for emotional health and luckily for me it tends to my physical health as well. Running and boxing are two of my favorites. If I have not worked out in 3 days, you best believe I am moody, easily irritated and tired. The endorphins released during exercise give me more energy and boost my mood. Its not about weight, clothes fitting or a number on the scale. It is also not perfect. It is just about feeling good on many levels. Sometimes if you go at it from that perspective instead of a number, a dress size or how many calories you plan to burn, you will find it is more pleasurable, more sustaining and will grow larger outcomes in many ways.

Being emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually healthy is a balance and one of great practice! Some days everything gels together well for us and some days you screw up on one or multiple levels. And that's OK too! We are human and everyday is a new day. A new day to start over. Be gentle to yourself. You need not beat yourself up. Find out what works for you and what makes you feel good on all levels and tend to each level of health the best you can. 

Hungry for more? Here are some articles I found that prove the link between emotional and physical wellness. Enjoy!

http://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/connecting-dots.aspx

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/13499/1/The-Benefits-of-a-Healthy-Emotional-and-Physical-Lifestyle.html

I was the receiver of this adorable positive bracelet today. And I love it J.S! Girl power.

Charged: Purge!

Charged: Purge!: Working full time and having a child pretty much puts organization at the bottom of my list each night. I know organization helps your mor...

Purge!

Working full time and having a child pretty much puts organization at the bottom of my list each night. I know organization helps your morning start smoother and helps you get out of the door faster and prepare a meal at night. But how can we keep up? 

Baby steps. One organizational purge at a time! 

At least 3 times a year I clean out the pantry. This is where snacks get lost, unopened items expire and can sometimes be a "catch all" for everything we need in the garage, so I thought it would be a good example of a small organization project with a huge impact. Did I mention we do not have a garage? 

So here I am. Fearlessly sharing and exposing my pantry for all the world to see in the name of organization!

BEFORE

AFTER

This literally took 15 minutes.I found that if I organize each shelf by categories it is easier. For instance, the top shelf is supplies. Garbage bags, napkins, plastic utensils, lunch bags etc. The next shelf is snacks and canned goods. Everything here you can eat! The next two shelves is bulk. Sugar and flour bags, paper towels, juice, bottled water etc. And the last shelf ( is a bit cut off in photo) is industrial. Cleaners, toolbox, broom, batteries, light bulbs.

Now it is still not the prettiest of pantries and I by no means will get the Good Housekeeping award of the year. But it is orderly, clean and I can finally see all the way back to the end of the shelves without rummaging through food, storage items and empty snack bags. 

Other organization habits I incorporate include ironing the night before. This is a huge time saver. If I know my clothes are picked out and ironed I saved myself at least 10-15 minutes searching for clothes, making a decision and ironing. To aid in this daily task, I purged the clothes in my closet twice a year. If it does not fit right, has not been worn in over 2 years.. it goes. And most times to Goodwill if it is in good shape still. 

I also do the lunches in advance. Again same idea. I can decide what to pack, organize it all and have it ready to take in the morning. Saves at least another 10 minutes. 

If you are calculating this correctly, that is 20-25 minutes of extra time in the morning to sleep in, enjoy your family or an extra cup of coffee!

Although I often feel the thought of starting an organization project daunting, I try to remember the sense of completion, calm and satisfaction I feel when I am done and small ones like the pantry really take a short amount of time but have a big impact. Not to mention how much smoother everyday living is with finding what you need when and where.

Perhaps you will give some thought on giving a small amount of time to organize a few things.  Small projects that will by all means have a huge effect on your daily living. 

 Since I am not the expert on organization, here are some useful links that I found were down right fantastic! Check them out.

http://www.housemixblog.com/

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/

http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=organizing


Share your go-to organization tips!

Caps of Wisdom

I love the whole idea of buying a product to eat or drink and getting a little surprise inspiration or quote! Free therapy! It's like the adult version of getting the toy from the cereal box! I think this may have started back with Snapple in the early nineties. (I might be dating myself) A popular very common product is fortune cookies. Oh how we anticipate cracking that cookie to see what lies ahead for us. I also love the Dove chocolate wrappers that have heartfelt messages and uplifting words of wisdom.

This one is from an Honest Tea bottle. Courage. Something we all possess, but very much needs to be practiced in order to be honed. My own life has been challenged with having to show both types, but I never really gave it much thought until I finished my tea.

Wikipedia defines physical courage as courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death while moral courage is the ability to act rightfully in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement.

Sometimes fear itself prevents us from being courageous in our lives. Mark Twain I think had it right. It seems much easier to be courageous over the physical than moral. Moral courage requires us to look within ourselves and find out what matters, what is important and what values we have. I think about the obstacles I have overcome in my short years on this planet and I know how many more obstacles I face in my lifetime. So what keeps us going? Our kids? Family? Career? I'm not sure it is the same answer for all of us. What I do know is we must keep going! Facing fear, adversity, hardships with all the courage one can muster. What choices can you make to develop your courageous spirit? Food for thought. Literally:)

KIND-a addicted to these little guys! Yum! #kindaawesome

When you organize does it make you feel "charged" up or create more stress for you? Inquiring minds need to know! 

New blog post with helpful tips on organization coming soon..

Reflections From a Sauna

Recently, I joined full service "chain" gym that has a sauna, pool, spinning.. the whole kit and caboodle. To be honest, it is not the most motivating place and my time there will soon come to an end as I embark on new exercise routines and adventures that better fit my needs. Nonetheless, as I went to the changing room to change I discovered the sauna. I thought to myself, why would I want to sweat after I just sweat it out like mad in the gym? Not sure. All I know is I was very curious. So after the workout one day I got into a towel and flip flops and turned it on full force. I laid down and instantly something happened.

I was relaxing.

Yes, the heat overcame me and sweat out every bit of stress, anxiety, worry and soreness believe it or not from what I just put myself through on the gym floor. My body eased. I felt my arms and legs go limp with relaxation and I was able to think pretty clearly and gather my thoughts.(If you are a mom you know what I am talking about) I reflected on the workout I just completed and how accomplished I felt. Was it hot? Hell yes! But it was a soothing heat. It allowed my muscles to relax, my pores to cleanse, my mind to wonder and my body to just lay.

Ever since then, I look forward to my 10-15 minute sauna session after a good workout. I cannot make it in there all the time, but when I do it's like a treat! 10 minutes for me. For my mind and my body.

How do you to do replenish your body and mind??

Overwhelmed and Overbooked!

Ever get so overwhelmed you cannot breathe? Yes. You know breathing in and out and not feeling like your heart is going to explode from being stressed out?

We have all been there! We over commit, overdo and busy our schedules to the extreme. I am all about fitting in as much experience, adventure and fun into my life. But it is getting to the point where we need to schedule time just to be still. I see this in my own child. Often I get asked, "What time is it?" or says "We are going to be late!" and repeats these statements/questions until I have to assure him not to worry and that we won't be late. Am I grooming and overwhelmed and overbooked kid? 

My childhood was long days of playing in the street of my neighborhood or my friend's house playing make believe and riding bikes. I try to bring as much of my childhood into my child's by encouraging play (minus the screens) down time, reading and outdoor fun. But, you really cannot get away with a media and technologically free life these days. Come on. We as adults are the worst culprits! I guess it is a gentle balance between having real life, enriching experiences and fun with technology. 

It is important to make a conscious decision each day to make time for the small things. A slow sit down dinner with family where conversation is key. A short walk after dinner to settle our stomachs and enjoy a late summer evening before bed. A time for good morning kisses and goodnight hugs. A decision to skip church one Sunday to sleep in and make pancakes for your children. 

All of this is important. Important to slow down our roll! Teach ourselves about self-care. Not speed through life going 60 mph. Our kids take their cues from us. If we stress and run around haywire, so will they. If we enjoy the little things and take our time (when we can) doing activities and learn to just slow down, they will follow suit. The child who plays 3 sports and goes to every birthday party and every school function is not necessarily more grounded or well rounded. They just might be overbooked!

I often think of this quote by John Lennon. " Life is what happens when are busy making plans." I think what he meant by this is that you can get so caught up with your busyness that you are missing out on life itself, as it is happening. 

 Let's be conscious! Let's be deliberate! Let's start today. 

How do you conquer the overwhelm in your life?

A Joyful Find...

Today's blog post was all finding your personal space and I find an item that "called to me" while shopping! It is up hanging and is a constant reminder of the spirit in my home. Go me!

Creating Space

Our space is something never thought about until we need to clean it! And it should be more than just a cleaning vessel. We are in need a space to come home to that is inviting, comfortable, warm and makes us feel good inside. It should be a space that welcomes you home from a long day at work and instantly changes your mindset from stressed to relaxed.This can be challenging when you live with other people especially children who adorn their toys, drawings, books and other things all the way into your living room. 

It is the things inside your home that can help you have a comfortable and warm setting. Think of all the things inside it. Pillows, decor, furniture, blankets, family photos, memories of events, your child's artwork, a special lamp you bought at an antique shop. All these things believe it or not bring your energy up or down. Now do not get me wrong. The people INSIDE the home is what makes it truly special and warm. But we are talking about the other things that you choose to have in your home. When was the last time you went to a store to buy something for your home and asked yourself " How does this make me feel and how will this fit in my home?". I did recently.

I bought a shiny, silver, ornate cute owl. I certainly did not seek out my day to go buy it, but when I saw it everything inside me said, COME HOME WITH ME! He is shiny, a nice weight when lifted and owls have these big, bold eyes that just stare at you. I often think of this little guy watching over me in my home. Symbolically, the owl is sacred to Greek goddess of learning. Plus, he looks pretty cute on my bookshelf. The lesson here, is that the owl charges me up! He gives me a sense of love in my home and warmth and is a good conversation piece. 

The other thing I need in my house is books. I always have a book or two next to my nightstand and a bookcase with much of what I have read over the years and some I still have to get to. Something about a book always being available to be picked up to be read gives me a sense of security.

So choose your home decor and items wisely. They often can dictate our emotions and how we feel each day.  Decide how you want the look and feel of your home to come across when you walk in the door. Are you a minimalist or materialist? Do you like bright colors or soft hues? Do you like candles and music playing or prefer quiet and serene. Go create your best space and give it detail and thought. After all, home is where the heart is!

What's For Dinner?

The easiest answer ... is BREAKFAST!

This is a 3 times a month meal for dinner in our home and why not! Sometimes you are just out of ideas, creativity, food (yes, that too) and well...time. We always have eggs and pancake mix in the house. Sometimes the guilt sets in about not having some elaborate meal,  but then I think..why? Alice is not on the payroll in my home and I work full-time. Besides the obvious, eggs are a great source of protein and adding spinach, ham, tomato's and any other veggies just makes them that much healthier. Add a little cheese on top and boom! Plus not many kids will say no to chocolate chip pancakes and eggs for dinner.

Because we do a lot of gluten-free cooking in our home, this is by far my absolute favorite pancake mix and we have done plenty of gluten-free varieties both homemade versions and boxed. These are light yet fluffy, crisp and only take coconut oil, water and the mix. For variety I add banana, pumpkin pie spice, or fresh fruit. Top with jam or syrup. For more information on Cherrybrook Kitchen products visit http://cherrybrookkitchen.com/. 

So the next time your family asks you "What's for dinner"? you need not go farther than your kitchen pantry. 

  

Hungry For More

How do you best feed your soul? You know... the yearning deep inside for what you most desire at any given moment.

Merriam Webster defines soul searching as the activity of thinking seriously about your feelings and beliefs in order to make a decision or to understand the reasons for your own behavior.   

Taking action on doing what feeds our soul gives us a better understanding of our own feelings and beliefs and understanding not only our behavior as stated above, but how we best wish to also react to others behaviors, our own thoughts and how we carry ourselves in our everyday lives. Clear the head. Let the thoughts flow. Be creative. Push pause please!

In a world filled with overwhelm and excess it is easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected and tired which I think is a result of "soul malnourishment". Think of the things that give you most inner peace, satisfaction and overall feeling of fulfillment. For some this might be associated with sex, rest, intellect, prayer, peace, love, exercise, family or silence.The possibilities are endless. If you do not tend to your inner spirit, who will? 

I invite you to investigate this for yourself.Yes, your soul gets hungry! Feed it everyday..and feed it well. 

The most powerful weapon on earth, is the human soul on fire.-Ferdinand Foch

Work Hard, Play Hard.. and Be Prepared!

I don't know about you, but my goal this year is to squeeze in as many bike rides, pool days, beach days and outdoor fun as I can with my son, family and friends. Living on the east coast the winters are very long and can be very cold. Summer is short and a time of play, freedom and relaxation. Kids are out of school, vacations are planned, picnics to attend, fireworks the list goes on. Now, if I can ever figure out how to work from the beach!

We are the only society that portrays leisure time as being "lazy". If you are not busy, busy, busy and working late and coming in early, we are not seen as productive in our society or putting in the extra effort in the workplace. People are viewed as "dedicated" when they come in on off days or stay real late. What about balance of life and work? Shouldn't it be enough for me to work 35 hours, squeeze in errands, organize dinner, extracurricular activities, raise my child, fit in the gym a few times, return phone calls and prepare for it all the next day and do it again? Countries across the world have way more vacation time each year, paid time off and many of those countries are reportedly the "happiest" countries in the world. So is there a link between productivity and happiness? Maybe so. I feel very blessed and happy and often choose to create my own happiness in my life. I may never get 3 months of paid time off, but I can use my 3 weeks per year to the fullest!

I decided that on weekends,  I would give myself until noon to do my weekend errands and work and then... I'm out! Time to enjoy family, friends, the sun, water and take it down a notch. I guess I recently realized that if I want to, if I prepare and planned ahead, I can go on my own beach vacation each weekend. Game on!

Work hard, play harder and remember to enjoy the little things. Time flies and so does summer. 

What is your perfect weekend vacation idea?

Sweet stuff

I love this stuff! I was a 2-4 tsp of sugar a day in my coffee gal until discovering Stevia products. I recently found it in packets so often bring a few to work with me for coffee during the day.

Suitcases, Pillows, Delays... Oh My!

There is no place like home..right? Well, call me Dorothy! As Dorothy had taken an awful situation of being lost and not getting home and went with her intuition to fight off flying monkeys, scary apple trees and of course the biggest witch out there, along the way...she found strength she did not know she had and a very strong will that eventually got her home. So what was ending up to be an awesome getaway trip with my love, ended being a bit of a challenge. Such is life!

Upon just boarding our early morning flight home, we were politely notified by the pilot that a mechanical issue was found with the plane, yet it was still safe to fly and get fixed later. (no joke) The pilot was just waiting for approval from corporate to take off. As I looked over at my love with horror on the graphic and specific details the pilot just gave us all about the delay, I quickly expressed my discomfort in flying on this flight. (Sorry kids!) I kept thinking this sounded like a CNN story I did not want to be apart of. I used my intuition and free will and decided to leave the plane. It overcame me like never before and said ABORT! I have never done this before. Gratefully my love took my lead and said whatever you want to do, he would follow suit. As we got our carry on bags and left, we quickly re-booked our flight for later that evening. Waaaaaayyyy later...

We both realized this was going to be a long day and quickly took stock of how we could turn lemons into lemonade! Just like I consciously decided not to take that flight, I consciously decided to make the best of the situation.

Some options would have been to complain and sulk, let anxiety over the experience drown every emotion and fun out of my last day or look at this from a different perspective. An anonymous author once stated, "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us". With that, I decided I had 12 precious hours to consume every life experience this day would bring!

I quickly discovered a few things during that day as a "not so frequent traveler".

First, people sleep there! Like a lot. People were huddling in corners of gates napping, sitting at gates in chairs with blankets over there head and even on the floor with their own blankets and resting heads on duffel bags. Us? No way.. we were going to make the most of this delay day!

Secondly, everyone had a neck pillow. I had no idea those things came back in style to use on the plane, until I asked for a blanket and pillow earlier on our flight in and was told they no longer provide them on domestic flights. Grrr. Note for next time!

Thirdly, we saw all walks of life! Kids and families heading on vacations, business people rushing to make flights, lovers meeting lovers, families reuniting and college kids going abroad for summer. People from all colors, speaking all kinds of languages and wearing the most eclectic clothing to down right pajama wear. It was a melting pot of America and we did not even leave the gate!

So in the midst of our 12 hour day experience, I came back with my first of several.. 5 Things Learned.


1.Walk. Sitting all day is more tiring I felt so in our best power walk formation, we did just that. We walked up and down each section of the gate taking mental vacations with looking at all the destinations people were going. Barcelona? Sure I'll be there! Jamaica? Yeah Mon!

2. Eat. We had a total of 3 meals at the airport. I was surprised at the diversity to be honest! It might be the best time to try an ethnic cuisine you never had or find your go-to favorite. We saw an Irish Pub, burger joint and a lot of healthy options too which is nice.

Greek salad and water

3. Look around. We found all kinds of interesting art work on display. Some was specific to the geographic area we were in or the city of the airport and others were art displays of specific artists or genres.

6. Bring a blanket. Not many flights provide them anymore and although it might be summer and you are going somewhere tropical, the airplanes are as cold as a meat locker. It will add to your comfort. Especially if you actually do not go anywhere, in our case.

5. Dress comfortably. I quickly observed that so many people wear workout gear when they travel. Bring it on! I never understood some of the passengers I saw with high wedged shoes and uncomfortable suits on just to sit on the plane. I guess if it is a working trip, you might not have that many choices.

All in all ..our lemonade was just fine..and I am happy to report our flight (and the one we left) arrived safely. Although it was a long day for what some might think was foolish or a waste of a day to ditch the earlier flight, I listened to my inner voice and stuck to it. I find the more I listen to it and practice, it doesn't fail me. What I did prevent, was a 2 1/2 hour anxiety driven, panic stricken experience for myself that I know would have been even more unpleasant. Instead we made the best of the situation and learned to take it all in.


Have a travel snafu to share? Let's hear it!

Drink Me!

I heart juicing! It is the easiest, freshest way to get my greens and if you put all kinds of yummy in it, you won't even realize it is a health drink, especially the kids! I often feel like people think this is hard to do. It's quite simple and with a bit of planning can easily become a regular routine in your day. So here is a very simple and no scare recipe for newbies!

This one is my basic, easy go-to juice as I normally have all these things in the house all the time. If you like it, you can add other things and eliminate and exchange different fruits and veggies. Hope you like it and it charges you up!

Before

After

*1/2 cup greens (I use fresh organic spinach)
*1 cup strawberries (any berry is fine- even organic frozen and it keeps longer)
*1 Tbsp Chia seeds (fills you up and provides a ton of fiber)
*1/2 of a ripe banana
*1 Tbsp raw honey-(Add more for extra sweetness)
*1/4 cup organic carrot. (I use shredded but regular works too)
*1 1/2 cup water

Note: If you take out the carrots, this will work in a traditional blender. Otherwise you will need a juicer or bullet type product to extract the juice of most vegetables as it will be chunky. 

Other options to consider adding: Almonds, sunflower seeds, avocado. Be creative!

The Angels Among Us

Have you ever escaped what seemed like and unpredictable and difficult situation and came out unscathed? Met someone who came out of no where and helped you in a difficult time when you felt utterly alone? Received a sign that you were desperately seeking?

In my work in end-of-life care, we often see images of angels associated with the care we deliver. Lots of quotes with symbols of angels and figurines of angels adorning our offices. Sometimes it is a family telling us that their home health aide was "an absolute angel or "gift from God" during their loved ones care. These symbols represent the nurse who held a patent's hand while they wept or a volunteer who told the family that they are doing a good job and gave them relief to get out of the house for 30 minutes. Angels are among us! And they are not all in heaven. You sometimes have to look deep for the tiny blessings, especially in times of extreme sadness or difficulties. Especially in this line of work. I never go to work feeling sad about the outcome our patients face, but joy that we can change someones life, even at the end of it. That is what charges me and gives me my emotional paycheck at the end of the day. Sometimes those patients are the real angels, teaching us how to live and to love. 

 Look around at the people who fill you up, give you love and better your life. Are they not in your life for a purpose? Embrace them. 

The next time you are spared a disaster, lifted up from a complete stranger or given an unexpected gift in your life, how can you not believe that angels are among us?  

Have an "angel" in your life? I would love to hear about it.

Ever have the most vivid dream you were almost upset it ended it was so realistic and surreal?

Keep calm, and Drive On!

As if fighting the enviable Monday shuffle is not enough, we have to get our minds off the weekend of adventures, fun and relaxation to focus once again on work and our weekday responsibilities. On top of that, for some, there is the most dreaded commute to work. For many, this is quick and free of traffic and disturbances. For most it involves traffic delays, possible weaving around accidents and a long time in the car. For me, it is a time of solitude and a time to reflect on my weekend and to mentally prepare for what is in store for my day at work and I actually enjoy the time thoroughly.

For others, it is a game of "racetrack". C'mon you all know what I am talking about! For the "racers", these are people that are mostly consumed with getting just one more car ahead and zooming by everyone to get to work just that much quicker all on top of sending that one last text message while trying to zoom through lanes. They have forgotten about the loved ones they just said goodbye too and lost perspective on their morning all before 9am.  I don't know. I love my job and certainly there are times when I need to be there early, but why the disturbing behavior? With a little bit of planning and executing, I normally can do it and keep my head on. Never a need to run down the cars in front of me. For some, this is a daily routine and I cannot imagine it feels good inside at all. 

I often wonder why people expel the energy to get so angry and aggressive and take such personal grudges over for the most part, things we cannot control. I have to imagine there head either pops off by the time they get to work or they are beet red in the face upon arrival. God knows there is so many things we cannot control in life, this should be one you just surrender to. For your peace of mind as well as for your safety. Do people act this way in their workplace? At home? With their loved ones? Is being aggressive and pushy the only way to get ahead in life? 

I guess those questions might not all get answered. In the meantime you have a deliberate decision to make your commute pleasant and safe. For me, a typical car ride in consists of a cup of coffee, a Podcast show or music playing and reflection. It also involves small talk with my son and hopefully while his friends are not looking, a quick kiss goodbye if I am lucky! Sometimes deep breaths. Nobody's perfect and I too sometime feel the frustration of traffic and "racers" during my weekday commute. (I think I get more overwhelmed with the shuffle of actually getting out of the house honestly.) But there is a significant difference over feeling something and just allowing it to be and reacting on those feelings in a negative way. Sometimes the littlest of things can have the greatest impact on our everyday routines.

We all need to slow down and reflect on our every action and how those actions build into other parts of our lives whether it is work or our personal lives. So the next time someone lays on the horn because you are not moving QUITE that fast enough or is tailgating because you did not move over QUITE that quick enough, I hope you will consider happily to move right over! Put a smile on your face! Better yet wave to the racer :). We cannot change other peoples behaviors, but we have a complete decision to change our own behaviors for the better and be the example you desire.

Beauty at the beach

Welcome to Charged!

 I'm Christine. I hope you will enjoy the stories, insight, experiences and new discoveries that get shared here. It is my goal that this becomes a community place of inspiration, fun and sharing of life's adventures. You will get to read stories, recipes, good finds, helpful tips, how-to's and anything else that "charges" my life and others to the fullest. I hope it will yours as well! Be sure to let me know what charges your life everyday. Thanks for stopping by!