Monthly Archives: October 2017

Life Is A Balancing Act (focusing on time management and how to manage a healthy lifestyle)

When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle it’s easier said than one. One reason why people tend to give up on their lifestyle change is not just because it’s hard, but because they’re doing too much a one. You can’t expect to wake up 6 am every morning to workout, eat clean, meal prep, and… on top of your regular day to day schedule and expect it to stick. You need to take things slow and ease into them. Start working out for 30 minutes a day and replace one bad meal with a good one. Once you get used to this change, make it a little more intense by working out for an hour a day and replacing two bad meals for two good ones. As time goes on you will see that things will get easier and that you’re able to fit more things in your schedule at a time.  

More than a diet is all about learning how to make healthy routines a constant in our hectic everyday lives. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a long and grueling process. It comes with a few trials and errors, relapses, cravings etc. In order to combat that you should create small changes at a time to form habits.

Aside from forming small habits, another way of balancing a healthy life with a busy one is making your workouts, and meals more efficient. Try HIIT training instead of a regular hour-long workout. A full HIIT workout could be as short as 15 minutes long. Depending on what type of HIIT circuits you do, you could get achieve a full body workout in 30 minutes or less! Another way is to make your meals more efficient, meal prepping is a great way to do that. Prepping your meals for the week during the weekend could help you from buying junk food on a busy day.

With most things in life, too much of one thing isn’t always a good thing. Moderation and patience is the key to success with anything in existence because life indeed is a balancing act.

Barre Fitness: The Best Way To A Dancer’s Body Without Dancing

What exactly is a dancer’s body? Well, it sounds exactly like it is–  toned muscles, tight waist, flexible, long & lean. For a long time the only way to get a ‘dancer’s body’ was to, well, dance! Now, Barre fitness classes have come to shake up that attitude! If you didn’t grow up in a dancing studio, you can still get that lean yet strong body by completing the hour long classes that focus on ballet-inspired positions and small, tiny, isometric movements.

When it comes to working out, we often tend to think more is best, go hard or go home, etc. With Barre, women can see quick results after a few weeks, because the movements target and isolate each muscle. Plus, classes often tend to include some cardio (so they still get your heart pumpin’!) and still are low-impact. Barre classes are safe for everyone, so you may be a fitness junkie looking to shake up your routine, or new to scene trying something that will get you hooked, barre is perfect for you!

Benefits of Barre go beyond “looks” too! By regularly participating in the classes, you can expect better posture, improved flexibility and reduced stress. If you’re a fan of yoga and pilates classes, barre also is inspired by these two disciplines, so this might very well be up your alley. Barre classes are almost always smaller and more intimate, so if you’re looking for that highly motivating and encouraging fitness class, you may want to check it out!

Barre classes can exist at both gyms that offer a variety of classes as well as Barre studios. Even if you’re not a fan of dancing routines or dancing-based fitness classes (think ZUMBA), you’ll still be able to sculpt that sexy ‘dancer’s body’!

Intuitive Painting

Art has always been a way to express oneself and a method of not only relaxation but
meditation as well. In the Healing Power of Art, we acknowledge that art, in its many forms, can
do a number of things. As we all know, this weight loss journey, as unique as it is for each of
us, comes with restrictions. Wouldn’t you love to be doing something where no rules apply?
Well, I’m going to take you there this month with another coloring concept called “Intuitive
Painting”.
What is intuitive painting? This art form is one of the purest forms of expression and is known
as a spiritually creative process. As an artistic form of meditation, intuitive painting is used to
increase and strengthen your intuition and instincts, which means that your artwork isn’t
governed by any rules whatsoever. However, it does matter if it’s pretty or ugly, thick lines or
thin lines, light or dark and even big or small, but it DOESN’T matter what it is. Many use this as
a way to differentiate between your intuitive mind and analytical mind. As a matter of fact, you
can even put a blindfold over your eyes and just paint or, you can go a step further, if you’re up
for the challenge, if you’re right-handed, out the paint brush in your left hand and just paint.
Whatever you do is fine because it’s artwork with NO boundaries, guidelines or techniques, so
nothing matters.That being said, it can require a lot of devotion, but those who practice it have
loved the journey.
It’s GREAT! And sometimes you need that kind of stress release to be able to not have a care in
the world and just let go. There has to be an area in your life where you can apply this practice,
a place in your life where you are allowed that kind of freedom, sort of like a judgment free
zone.
You don’t need to be “creative” or a skilled artist to practice this art form. Intuitive painting
doesn’t teach you how to be creative, but it helps you become a better you. Intuitive painting
can be a soul-searching activity, helping you let go of life’s stresses and trust in your
subconscious mind. The art can be messy or neat, “pretty” or not, whatever comes to mind,
place it on paper. There is no right or wrong, just be who you naturally are.
Art is meant to be a release from the pressures of conformity and with intuitive painting, you can
do just that. So, take a deep breath, pick up your brush, dip it in your paint …. NOW PAINT 🙂

Building Immune System// Camomile oil

There is nothing quite like a mug of Camomile tea at night before bedtime.  It’s relaxing, it tastes delicious with a little honey, and it’s great for helping you fall asleep.  It’s also excellent for your immune system!  However, when you’re on the go, you most likely do not have the time (or the access for that matter) to brew a cup and feel immediate effects.  No need to worry though, because there are other ways to ingest Camomile!  One of the best ways to take advantage of what Camomile has to offer is by taking it in its essential oil form.  

Camomile oil has been used for centuries, dating back to roman times when soldiers believed that it would give them the courage to fight in the war.  Since then, it has been used for a number of different health health benefits, and the smell of the oil has certainly kept it popular among collectors of essential oils.  

One of the greatest benefits to camomile oil is a strengthened immune system.  By adding a drop or two of it to your water or tea, and ingesting it, you are helping your body combat against everyday dangers that try to make their way into your system.  It can help against anything as small as the common cold, to cancer, by inhibiting the duplication of cancer cells.  Camomile oil can also work as an anti-inflammatory, as well as a blood-pressure reducer.  There is no shortage to what this concentrate can do!

Hair Tips for the Active Traveler

Taking care of your hair, as we all know, can be a difficult task, but it becomes even more so
while traveling. I personally understand the sometimes daunting feeling of “what will I do with
my hair” before going on a trip, especially if there is water involved. So, for this month’s issue,
here are my top 3 travel tips for hair care.

1. Travel Sizes
Travel sizes aren’t just convenient for flights, but it is exactly what you need on a big trip. If
you’re like me, you might be tempted to either pack all of your haircare products into your
suitcase or not pack any at all. You can’t take everything because the bottles may be too big,
but you still need your essentials. Before vacation, go to a beauty supply store and pick up a
few, empty, travel-sized containers and fill each with your “essential” hair care products. This will
ensure that you have what you need without overpacking.

2. Stick with What You Know
I can admit that I have also wanted to take my vacation time to try new things that I haven’t
been able to. However, this is actually not the best time to do that. On vacation, since you may
want to look your best, you don’t necessarily want to experiment with the unknown. You never
know what might react with you in a negative way, and for this reason, it is best to stick with
what you know best.

3. Protective Styling
Another great alternative to hair care during vacation time is protective styling. I often go this
route because it’s simple and easy, especially if you want to take a dip in the water. These
hairstyles don’t have to last too long either, you can simply use it during vacation and it’s always
nice to change up your look