2020 Real & Authentic Health - Weekly Inspiration IV, February 10, 2020

Goodbye Planuary.......Hello Fabulous February! 

Now the real "work" begins, right?  Well, I would like to take a different look at how we look at the year that passed, the year that is here and now and what we feel is going to be different.  I have LOTS of ideas and goals, intentions, plans and "new rules" for myself.  I won't bore you with all of them but areas like, setting boundaries within and also with those in my life and professionally.

Self-Wellness and accountability for that wellness, a little more practice what I "preach" and a little less "loosening of my reins.  I always joke that I can eat salad at home when I am eating out, but apparently I have not had enough salads at home.  Having said that, I am not an absolutist, but I can recognize within where the deficits are relative to taking care of myself.

I succumbed to my full-time role with a Health Tech Company I have been with for two years, and loving it, but also, giving up little pieces of myself in those two years. Ironically, my own self-care took a little bit of a backseat.  Now, this year, I am working smarter and taking leaps into the unknown in my career and zeroing in on what I really want going forward is the next stage.  It is all about growing, evolving and it is 100% personal and unique to me, as it is to you.

Emotional and Physical Fitness and tapping back into the circle of life concept.............                     

More focus on helping my clients believe in themselves that they can live a healthy life, a fun life but, in a more sustainable and realistic way.  This has always been my motto - you cannot change everything 100%


There is so much talk about cleansing, which I fully support when you are still taking nourishment.  Everyone giving up this or that, and some of the things people want to give up or reduce, not a bad idea.  The goal is not to project that you have to do it all right, every moment, every meal, every workout.  The goal is tap into your inner self and really take inventory of what you want, what you are willing to change up, and what feels right and good.  If you planned out your day from wake up to back to bed, what would that look like?  If you knew it would not fail, what would you design for yourself?  Share with me and let's start the conversation!

I will close this "monologue" with some interesting research.  Here are some things that you might find useful as you are moving through this first part of the year, looking for ways to clean up and out.  Those who enjoy the glass of wine or cocktail (myself included) should take warning on how we look at red wine as being super healthy - while it is a heart healthy choice, as it protects against heart disease and heart attack – doesn’t mean we should over do it.  When we drink too much, this can lead to high blood pressure and weight gain from the extra calories.   There is also an increased risk of stroke.  The American Heart Association advises limiting yourself down to one drink a day, which is about 4 ounces of wine.  Try measuring 4 ounces of that wine next time, you can get an idea of what it really looks like.  Most places when we dine out, over-pour and we lose track of how much we are really consuming. I am 100% certain I have seen 9 ounces of wine in one glass, and, yes, at the same time.

Another bit of information recently released by Madeline Fernstrom, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburg explains that the hot lemon water to lose weight myth really doesn't do much.  Lemon doesn't burn fat or stimulate your metabolism, and the idea of combining hot or warm water with lemon to flush out toxins is just not true.  The body already has its own detox system which is the liver and if you read last weeks email you'll recall there are many things that you can add to your diet to keep your liver running efficiently.  It's not a magic elixir and I'm just as surprised (and saddened) as you are.  I like my warm water with lemon anytime of the day quite honestly, but water at any temperature is good for digestion and without lemon. Lastly, it doesn't balance pH levels, so kind of a bummer, but it can't hurt so keep on sipping.

#FabFeb, what is this you ask?  You will LOVE this program!
Start now and move into #MindfulMarch and  #AuthenticApril
email me for more info!  #FabFeb

YOUR WEEKLY YOGA POSE

Dandasana (Staff Pose) Sit on the floor with your legs together and extended in front of your torso. If your torso is leaning back, it may be because tight hamstrings are dragging the sitting bones toward the knees and the back of the pelvis toward the floor. It may be helpful to sit on a blanket or a bolster to lift the pelvis.




A simple way to check alignment is to sit with your back against a wall. The sacrum and the shoulder blades should touch the wall, but not lower back or the back of the head. Put a small rolled-up towel between the wall and the lower back.

Sit towards the front of the sitting bones, and adjust the pubis and tail bone equidistant from the floor. Without hardening the belly, firm the thighs, press them down against the floor (or your support), rotate them slightly toward each other, and draw the inner groins toward the sacrum. Flex your ankles, pressing out through your heels.

To lengthen your front torso perpendicular to the floor, think of energy streaming upward from the pubis to the sternum, then down the back from the shoulders to the tail bone. Then imagine the tail lengthening into the floor.

Imagine your spine as the "staff" at the vertical core of your torso, rooted firmly in the Earth, the support and pivot of all you do. Hold the pose for one minute or longer.

Contraindications and Cautions
• Wrist injury
• With a neck injury, support the head on a wall or chair seat

Beginner's Tip
Practice with a chair support: Sit near the front edge of the seat and wrap your hands around the back edge. Inhale to lift your pelvis, then extend each leg with an inhale.
Benefits
• Strengthens the arms, wrists and legs
• Stretches the shoulders, chest, and front ankles

YOUR WEEKLY RECIPE

Apple Squash Soup........ this is good stuff

1 tablespoon of coconut oil butter or ghee
1 chopped onion
1 garlic clove chopped
3 pounds butternut squash peeled and diced roughly about 3 cups
1 sweet potato peeled and diced about 1 pound
2 apples peeled cord and diced
4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon of fresh thyme chopped up or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
 three-quarter cup raw milk or coconut milk (optional)

Heat the oil over medium heat and a large stock pot
add your onions garlic and cook gently for about 2 to 3 minutes until softened
next add the squash, Sweet potato and apples stir to combine
add your next five ingredients bring all to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the squash is very tender
next puree the soup, return to low heat for five minutes to warm and stir in milk if you are using
adjust your seasonings as desired, enjoy!

Have a Fabulous Week!