Is it just me or has the past week or so been filled with such intensity both in the news and on a more personal level?  So many people I know (and so many more I don’t) are really going through some intense times and it makes my heart ache for them.  I can so easily recall the feelings and experiences of some of the most sad, difficult and intense times in my own life.  I’m not really a fan of the phrase ‘holding space’ but for better or worse, it’s what comes to mind when I think about what I can do in situations where there’s really nothing I can do.  So to any of you who are reading this feeling you could use some support, know that I am thinking of you and wishing you comfort and healing.

As is fairly evident by the number of times I’ve brought it up in the past few weeks, my new apartment arrangement is pretty much the most exciting thing going on in my life lately. After over seven years of living here, I’m really enjoying the new uses of my little space. I’ve also been using the room swap as an impetus to declutter and reorganize. And once I’m done with that, I have a smudge stick ready and waiting to perform a little energetic clearing as well. This will be my maiden smudging but the timing feels right. If you’re not familiar with smudging, there’s a nice explanation of it here.  Or to say it otherwise:

…keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

–A Life for a Life by Dianh Maria Mulock Craik

My brother recently send me an article about The Inner Smile.  The article basically discusses the benefits of smiling.

Did you know that it takes 26 muscles to smile and 62 muscles to frown?

Did you know that smiling is the second most contagious facial expression next to yawning?

Did you know that research suggests that receiving a smile is better than eating chocolate?

Did you know that smiling helps restore the body?

Did you know that smiling relieves stress?

Did you know that women smile more than men?

If you want more smiling, check out our One Word, Two Ways: Smile post.

I challenged myself to 31 days of a consistent yoga practice for the month of July.  I think I did pretty well but I’ll tell you upfront that a couple of days went by without even a forward bend.  Nonetheless, I’m happy with myself for sticking to it and thankful to Farrell for motivating a few times when I had every intention of taking the day off.  While I went to a lot of classes during the course of the month, the majority of my practice was at home.  I found a bunch of great podcast classes, ranging in length from 20 minutes to an hour and a half.  If you already know the basics of yoga and alignment, I think this is a great option, especially when you don’t have time (or think you don’t have time) to go to a class.  Some of my go-to’s are:

Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga with Kinndli | Yoga Flo with Jennifer | Om on the Range Yoga | Lean Power Yoga | Yoga to the People

I have been feeling like a tornado lately with so many things on my mind and so many plans in place. I have had to remind myself to chill and take a deep breath many times lately. Sometimes when I am feeling real crazy and I don’t have time to meditate, I step away from what I am doing and going on a walk. After I did this recently, I was reminded about this video. I am in love with it. Talk about zen.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loszrEZvS_k]

Also, haha, here is the parady:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV2Fm-wxgOo]

Ever since I did the amazing Clean Program, I have been hooked on a magnesium supplement called Natural Calm. It is wonderful yummy drink that we recommend to people who have headaches or sugar/caffeine withdrawal throughout the cleansing process. It made me feel so much more balanced while I was on the cleanse that I wanted to look more into magnesium and its role in our bodies.

Did you know:

• Magnesium is the 4th most abundant mineral in the body.
• It is essential for good health
• Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
• Magnesium helps support good muscles, stable blood sugar, a good calm heart rate, normal nerve function.
• Magnesium helps treat diabetes, migraines, insomnia and depression.

Boom! If that is not fascinating, I don’t know what is! So get your calm on and focus on supplying your body with more magnesium, peeps.

Source: National Institute for Health

Smoothies have lately become part of my every day life. I have been having one in the morning and sometimes, if I am not that hungry at night, I have one for dinner. Here are my 2 favorites lately.

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Chocolate Delight 

Rice protein powder, cacao, almond milk, frozen banana, ice

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Cinnamon Sugs

Spiralina, maca, protein powder, rice milk, cinnamon, stevia, ice

Happy Friday! Try and start your day with a smoothie this weekend.

Whoa…listen to this!

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Word.

I was cleaning my kitchen the other day when I decided to throw some ingredients together and make a face mask. I had some extra so I even put some on my arms and legs. My skin felt amazing after. I suggest you give it a go!

 

BENEFITS 

• Oats are mositurizing, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and mildly exfoliating. They are perfect for all skin types. 
• Honey has an anti-bacterial component as well as helps absorb moisture. It also provides protection agains the sun. 
• Yogurt aids in the anti-aging process of the skin as well as fights acne while soothing the skin.