Wellness: Optimal LIving

Food

Wellness and A Vegetarian Lifestyle

Recap from last week

Environmental wellness is important for our health and the health of  Mother Earth. My trees must have reached a new maturity this year. They were planted 10 years ago and were good sized at the time. I have lots of birds and wildlife this year. A mother robin has decided to make her nest in a pine tree right across from my deck steps.  She has been bombing my dogs as they go outside. They now wait for me to go with them.  And I always feel it is spring when the little jenny wren appears in my front yard. My traveling companion, Mama Duck, is still sitting on her eggs.

Last week we started our journals. What feelings did your journal reveal?   How is your journey of self-discovery coming along?  I am finding my mindfulness meditations with the Ta’i Chi exercises to be very relaxing. They keep me centered and help me release my energy. Having an injury can block our energy and that can keep us from healing. How are your exercises? Have you tried any of the exercises I suggested like chair yoga or water yoga or Ta’i Chi? Even with physical disabilities, it will help your flexibility and growth. I was able to swim another lap this week with less pain. The Ta’i Chi is helping with my breathing and energy as well.  Another fun exercise is a lazy river where you walk in a pool and either walk with the current, or against the current.  The lazy river is a low-impact workout and great for joints. If you have sore joints or if you’re recovering from some sort of injury, this is a perfect opportunity to use water therapy. I go to the local recreation center at least once a week to walk the lazy river and then swim at least one lap.

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Wellness Journey: Journaling and Recipes

Keeping A Journal While Traveling Through Wellness

Happy Mothers Day!!  My traveling companion, Mama Duck, is still sitting on her eggs. I have added her first picture since she refused to pose this week and I didn’t want to make her move.  Last week I said that we would be delving more deeply into journaling.  In The Way of the Traveler by Joseph Dispenza , it is suggested that we keep a journal  as we move from one place (the old) to another (the new).  mamaDuck_4687This journal should be a record of your feelings. Let it be a record of how you feel about the people and things you encounter along your path.  What feelings will your journal reveal?   Dispenza states, “a journal of your feelings gives you the opportunity to trace the movements of your heart as you make your way…It becomes a journey of self-discovery.” Continue Reading

New Years Resolutions

My opening painting, Winter Ice, was chosen because we missed the big snow again and I just felt like a winter scene.  Most of us make New Year’s Resolutions but do we make a healthy resolution. After not being able to exercise for a year and eating the wrong foods, I started a new healthy lifestyle of eating last summer which continued into October and December of 2015. I ate fresh fruits, salads and green vegetables with some fish. I didn’t eat boxed food and I lost 12 lbs. I looked for a healthy protein shake and found exactly what I wanted with Arbonne. I liked the healthy living products so much I became a consultant. I did either the chocolate or vanilla protein shake daily. Continue Reading