Winter Break Ideas for Adults and Children

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Family Fun

Tags

acts of kindness, Being Active, Cook, Family Fun, Fun, Healthy Lifestyle, Laughter, Meditation, Over 100 Ideas to do, Pampering Yourself, Play, Play Games, Self care, Time with Children or Grandchildren, Volunteering, Winter Break Ideas, Winter Vacation Ideas

How do you want to spend your time this winter break? Having fun, experiencing something new, enjoying some down time, pampering yourself, connecting with friends and family, spending time with your children or grandchildren, being active, starting or completing a project or craft, volunteering…

Below are ideas with related links that include over 100 possibilities:

Pamper yourself and each other

Play games

Cook together

Cultivate laughter

Over 50 Ways to Take Care of YOU and Some Fun Things To Do! (for adults, teens and children)

Play make-believe

Spread some kindness to others

Make personal posters

Have a pot-luck lunch or dinner

Take long walks

Take up meditation

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Care or Curse Your Body?

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Appreciate Your Body, Happiness, Health, Healthy Body, Healthy Lifestyle, kindness, Messages We Tell Ourselves, Self care, Weight Loss

On a continuum, of lovingly caring for your body on one end, and cursing your body on the other, where do you see your level of care? Do you feel let down or betrayed by your body? Do you appreciate all that it does for you?

We only get one body, and the messages we tell ourselves about our body can significantly affect how well we care for ourselves. What if treating your body with kindness was the answer to feeling better, less stressed, more confident, and possibly the answer to overcoming an illness, injury or weight issue?

You only get one body. Treat it with the kindness, love, respect and care that it and you deserve.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

How Are Your Teeth?

30 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body

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Bacteria, Bacteria and Plaque, Dental floss, Dentist, Flossing, going to the dentist, gum disease, Healthy Body, Healthy Gums, Healthy Lifestyle, Heart disease

Yesterday I went to the dentist for a cleaning. There were many years in the past, when I didn’t floss regularly and my family knew that I would be going to the dentist soon, because that’s when they would see me floss.

I believe I was able to “skate by” because of my otherwise healthy lifestyle and eating habits. Flossing removes bacteria and plaque that form on your gums and teeth, and when you don’t floss, not only do you put yourself at risk for gum disease and cavities, but you may also be putting your entire health at risk since plaque and bacteria can be absorbed into your blood stream via your gums.

Several studies have linked gum disease with heart disease. So if you haven’t flossed in a while, be gentle as you begin. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or floss, after a few days the bleeding should reduce or stop. If not, you probably should see your dentist and be checked for gum disease. And if you haven’t had a cleaning in over 6 months, it’s time!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Have You Found The Lifestyle That Works For Your Body?

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Deep Breathing, Feldenkrais Method, Healthy Body, Healthy Diet, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy-living, maintaining weight loss, Meditation, Metabolism, Movement, Obtain and maintain a healthy body weight, Physical Activity, Prevention of Diet Related Diseases, Relaxation, Sleep, Water, Whole Grains, Yoga

Many components make up a healthy body, including what we eat and drink, how much we sleep, some physical activity and relaxation.

Let’s look at each one:

1. What we eat and drink: A healthy diet, made up primarily of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lentils has been shown to prevent and reverse diet related symptoms and diseases. Also, since our bodies are made up mostly of water, it makes sense to make this our “beverage of choice.”

2. Sleep: Recent research has shown how important sleep is for our basic functioning and the ability to reach and maintain a healthy body weight.

3. Physical Activity: Movement helps with circulation, burning calories, increasing your metabolism, building agility, stamina and strength. It can also improve mood, blood pressure and build a strong core and back.

4. Relaxation: For some people a regular practice of meditation, deep breathing, Feldenkrais or yoga serves as a way of relaxing the body and the mind.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

An Apple A Day…

02 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body, Healthy Eating

≈ 1 Comment

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5-10 servings of Fruit and Vegetables, An Apple a Day, Cancer, Cruciferous Vegetables, Diabetes, Fruit, Health, Health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyle, Heart disease, High Blood Pressure, high cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Obtain and maintain a healthy body weight, Prevention, Prevention of Diet Related Diseases, sleep apnea, Vegetables

While eating an apple a day may keep the doctor away, one piece of fruit a day won’t give you the benefits of eating 5-10 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Eating five or more servings of produce has been shown to significantly reduce rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Other benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may include the prevention or reversal of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, sleep apnea, and aid in obtaining and maintaining a healthy body weight.

If you haven’t gotten a check-up in a while, with a blood test, you might want to so that you can have a baseline and know what’s going on within your body.

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, bok choy, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, rutabaga, turnip greens, radish and watercress, have been shown to protect our bodies against certain types of cancers.

Visit a local farmer’s market to see what fruits and vegetables are in season. Add vegetables to what you already eat. Have some fruit when you want something sweet. Once you start experiencing the benefits of feeling better, having more energy and looking better, it will be easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle of eating.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Increase Your Metabolism, Part 2

25 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body, Healthy Eating

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Fiber, Frequency of eating and metabolism, Georgia State University, Health, Healthy Body, Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy-living, high fiber foods, Increasing Metabolism, Lack of Sleep, maintaining weight loss, Metabolism, Sleep and Metabolism, starvation mode, Vegetables, Weight Loss

While exercise is considered the best way to increase your metabolism (click here for part 1), there are other factors to consider that you have control over.

1. Sleep – Lack of sleep has been shown to have a negative impact on metabolism, slowing it down which can be an obstacle to maintaining or losing weight. Make an effort to go to sleep when you are tired.

2. Frequency of eating – How often you eat effects your metabolism. Every time you eat you stimulate your metabolism for a short period of time. Research from Georgia State University shows that people who eat every 2 to 3 hours have less body fat and faster metabolisms than those who eat only 2 or 3 meals per day. Also, by eating frequently, you teach your body not to go into starvation mode, where it will conserve fat because it doesn’t know when the next meal will be.

3. What to eat – Include a serving or two of vegetables with lean protein or nuts. Increasing the amount of high-fiber foods, like vegetables is one of the best ways to raise your metabolism. First, your body tries to break down fiber, which is a non-digestible carbohydrate, this burns calories and boosts your metabolism at the same time. Second, vegetables are low in calories and high in nutrients aiding in your ability to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Get It Done Now – It’s Good For Your Health!

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Mind

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Anger, anger resentment, Do it Now, Energy, feelings of inadequacy, Get it Done, Happiness, Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Mind, Just Do It!, Laziness, levels of stress, Mental health, Now vs. Later, Procrastination, Stress, Time management, Well-being, Worry

Are you a “get it done now or get it done later” person? Did you know that it takes more energy to not do something than to just do it, especially if you are going to do it anyway.

We rarely, if ever, think about the amount of energy we use to ward off not doing something we need to do. Some people may call this procrastination or laziness. It doesn’t matter what you label it. Putting off doing what you need to do can negatively affect your health and well-being.

When we put off doing what needs to get done, by avoiding it and doing other, non-important things, internally we may be building increased levels of stress, worry, anger, resentment, and fear that we won’t get it done or feelings of inadequacy.

What would it be like if you just did the task or made that decision? What if you jumped in and got started on that project and avoided all of the associated stress? Or, what if you stopped all of the ways you keep “busy” doing other things and not feeling, while avoiding what you really need to do?

Try it today. Do something you’ve been putting off NOW!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

I Amazed Myself!

13 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Mind

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

100th Post, Accepting Help, Creating a Healthy Lifestyle, Happiness, Health, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy-living, Inspiration, Positive Psychology, Prevention of Diet Related Diseases, Psychology, Recipes, Reversal of Diet Related Diseases in Children and Adults, rich experience

Today is my 100th post! I’ve always admired people who are creative, have experiences and information to present and are willing to share who they are. That’s not how I saw myself 99 posts ago.

I truly am amazed that I took the leap to accept help from a friend who encouraged me to start a blog when I had no experience at all with blog sites. I also had encouragement and suggestions from another friend who is an avid blog reader. I dived in and learned how to upload photos, figure out what tags are and how search engines work. Yet the biggest step I took was when I nervously clicked the “publish” button to “go live” with my first post.

I had already been researching and writing a book for families on positive psychology, prevention and reversal of diet related illnesses, and healthy living, with the hopes of one day getting published. While I have used some of what I had already written, I am in awe and love the feeling of being inspired, even if it’s at 3am., with a great idea to write about or a new recipe to create.

I appreciate all of the people who read what I post, allowing me to share a part of myself with the world while making a positive difference in the health and lives of others.

A big thanks goes to my wonderful friends Linda and Jamie, who got me started on rich experience!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

What Do You Do To Recharge?

04 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Alternatives to Caffeine and Sugar, Drinking Water, Feel alert awake and refreshed, Good Energy, Health, Healthy Body, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy-living, Lack of Sleep, Meditation, Napping, Relaxation, Sleep Deprivation, Well Rested

After a few nights of not sleeping well, I could have pushed it and carried on until bed time, but today I took a short nap! I like feeling awake and alert, and generally have good energy throughout the day. Sometimes when I don’t feel well rested, my daily meditation is enough to give me the extra boost, but not today.

Do you take time to relax and recharge?

Here are some suggestions/alternatives to consuming caffeine and sugar, to feel more alert, awake and refreshed:

1. Meditate for 20 minutes.

2. Take a 20-30 minute nap.

3. Go for a 10-20 minute walk, do yoga or some stretching.

4. Drink a big glass of water.

5. Listen to enjoyable music.

6. Watch TV. It may be relaxing, yet when you start dozing, that’s the time to turn off the television and go to bed or take a nap.

7. Take a bath.

8. Go to bed early. Listen to your body and go to bed when you feel tired.

9. Eat a piece of fruit.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis

Don’t Wait to be Sick or Injured to Give Yourself Leisure Time

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by creatingahealthylifestyle in Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Happiness, Healthy Body, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Mind, healthy-living, Intuition, Leisure, leisure time, Leisurely Activities, Mental health, Slow Down, Stress, Thoughts

I have had several opportunities lately to spend time with friends, including one who was in the hospital after surgery. When recovering from surgery or a major injury or illness, we are forced to slow down, and then we realize the tension and stress we have been carrying while rushing around to get it all done. Our minds and bodies can handle a lot, but at what price? Without some leisure time we often don’t get to slow down enough to listen to our thoughts, our intuition and our bodies.

Today, spend some time slowing down and incorporate some leisure into your day. Go for a leisurely walk, hike, swim or bike ride, browse a store, read a book or magazine, drive at the pace of other cars rather than passing them, or any other activity done for the pure enjoyment of it.

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis