Welcome to 2012! I was watching people mope around in the rainy Victoria sidewalks today and noticed that there is a definite “holiday-worn” look that many people are wearing. We ate our plum pudding, buried our mashed potatoes in gravy, and drank bubbly grape juice at the stroke of midnight, so it must mean the holidays are over. The beginning of the year is a great time to reflect on the previous year, take note of what we have learned, and plan the year ahead. While I don’t like the term “New Years Resolution” I think there is tremendous value in goal setting. We should be goal setting at least once a year. Highly productive people goal set and make a plan of action at least once a month. Studies show that by simply writing down your “intentions” for the year make you 70% more likely to achieve them, even if you put them in a drawer and never think about it until this time next year. So, if you could fast forward to December 31, 2012 and you could look back and say, “That was a great year!” what would have needed to happen? Do you need to stop smoking? Lose weight? Improve your diet? Start exercising? Manage stress? Sleep more? Do you need to change careers? Change your outlook? Change the people you surround yourself with? Do you need to travel? Take a vacation? Build that invention that you had stored in your mind? Learn French? I would encourage you to ask yourself that simple question. If nothing comes to mind, it’s OK, just wait. Often people...
Christmas time is near and work, school, and family parties are plenty! During this time we are bombarded with food, drink, merriment, alcohol, excess sugar, fat and calories, followed by a dash of guilt and regret in the morning! After a few nights of trying to “behave” most people simply give up trying to resist the sweet lure of butter tarts, the call of Camembert, or the egging on of the Eggnog and start over consuming until the “New Year.” If you want to avoid putting on holiday weight, feeling tired and sluggish during this time of year try these 4 tips. 1. Don’t Arrive Hungry 2. Stay well hydrated 3. Eat what you actually want 4. Control your portions You can also trying watching this quick video! Excuse the ‘quality’ I am just getting familiar with the camera and a microphone! 4 Tips to Survive the Holidays ~Think...
September is upon us, school zones are back in effect, and kids are back in school. We have all heard, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” so here are 5 easy tips to help your and your family start the day off on the right foot. 1 Breakfast smoothie Don’t have enough time to make a 5 course breakfast in the morning? Throw some fresh, or frozen fruit in a blender with a scoop of protein powder, some extra virgin coconut oil and you have a complete breakfast! 2 Add to your cereal Add plain yogurt, hemp hearts, frozen blueberries or blackberries, cinnamon, goji berries, and/or nuts and seeds to your regular cereal to make it pack a nutritional punch. 3 Almond butter Yes, “extra smooth peanut butter” is tasty but if you look at the ingredients you will find sugar is the second or third one. Try almond butter on sprouted grain toast (like Squirrely Bread), apple slices, or celery sticks. 4 Eggs with veggies Grab a couple of free range, free run, omega 3, or organic eggs and scramble them with 1 cup of veggies of your choosing. Using left over stir fry as your veggies makes for some interesting combinations! 5 Time One of the worst things to do is jump out of bed and attack the day with fury! Giving yourself an extra 15 minutes of slow, quality time in the morning can help you stay grounded and ‘present’ throughout the busy day! ~Think...
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on a several principles; the Yin and Yang Theory, Meridian Theory, Qi Theory just to mention a few. One important and very complex idea is the 5 Elements. 5 Elements was developed by observing nature and noticing that everything is either one or a combination of 5 different ‘elements.’ Each element represents a combination of personality traits, health patterns, and ideal lifestyles. It is important to recognize your ‘nature’ and keep yourself in harmony with the other ‘elements.’ Here is an online questionnaire that can help determine what element you may be. Acupuncture, qi gong, exercise, diet and lifestyle can help encourage your element and live in balance but it helps if you know what element you are first! What element are you? Take a simple test here. ~Think...
