I found this article wile looking into Matt Monarch and Angela Stokes-Monarch and their raw businesses/media/etc. I thougth I would share the 10 Tips because, I don't know about you, but I work and live among people that love love love drama, whether its their own or others or they create it.
Angela is a very mellow person, at least on camera, and she has used her passions to create nto only a business and her books but to express her lifestyle to others in hopes that they too will become healthier.
http://www.rawreform.com/content/view/469/2/
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Happy Living Exercises
First off, sorry for the gap in posting. I've been busy with work and my studies and my writing, which I am sure you have seen on my I Chose Health blog and my Suite 101 account.
Recently I have been reading Kevin Gianni's book, High Raw, which is such an amazing read even if you don't plan to go on a raw food diet (which I'm not on so I can't really recommend it).
In High Raw, Gianni not only gives so much information on how to know if the health news on t.v. and in the newspaper is reliable (always find who funded the research) and about how to get and stay healthy, but also tips on how ot live and healthier, HAPPIER life!
He gives 4 exercises that, as I was reading, I felt they could be applied not only to getting healtheir but getting happier, which is what this blog is all about.
High Raw Exercises 1-4
These exercises do not have titles or deadlines.
Gianni also adds "You don't need answers to make changes in your life, just questions."
Exercise 1
Ask yourself:
What can I do tomorrow that will healp me reach my goals?
How can I improve my health?
What can I do to get healthier right now?
Who can help me improve my health?
What can I do to get the best water possible?
How can I help more people today?
What's the best way to get the best results?
What's the fastest way to feel better?
Exercise 2
What are you Passionate about?
What am I doing right now? Do I like it?
How do I want it to be?
How do I want to feel?
Once I achieve these goals, how will I feel?
What makes me truly excited?
What do I really like to do?
What makes this fun for me?
What are my dreams?
What motivates me?
What's important to me?
What am I doing to feel my best?
Exercise 3: The Perfect Day Exercise
Think about your perfect day and answer these questions, be detailed.
How would you wake up?
When would you wake up?
Who would you wake up with?
What would you see or do when you wake up?
What would you eat?
How would you spend your day?
Who would you spend your time with?
What would you have for lunch?
Who would you eat lunch with?
How would you feel through the day?
This exercise is your catalyst:
After answering these questions, make a list of 15 actions to take to move closer to your vision.
Exercise 4
How do I feel?
Am I feeling my best emotionally and physically?
What would it be like to feel my best?
How important is it to feel my best?
What are my priorities right now?
If I want to feel my best, am I willing to make it my top priority?
If it was, what would I be doing differently?
Recently I have been reading Kevin Gianni's book, High Raw, which is such an amazing read even if you don't plan to go on a raw food diet (which I'm not on so I can't really recommend it).
In High Raw, Gianni not only gives so much information on how to know if the health news on t.v. and in the newspaper is reliable (always find who funded the research) and about how to get and stay healthy, but also tips on how ot live and healthier, HAPPIER life!
He gives 4 exercises that, as I was reading, I felt they could be applied not only to getting healtheir but getting happier, which is what this blog is all about.
High Raw Exercises 1-4
These exercises do not have titles or deadlines.
Gianni also adds "You don't need answers to make changes in your life, just questions."
Exercise 1
Ask yourself:
What can I do tomorrow that will healp me reach my goals?
How can I improve my health?
What can I do to get healthier right now?
Who can help me improve my health?
What can I do to get the best water possible?
How can I help more people today?
What's the best way to get the best results?
What's the fastest way to feel better?
Exercise 2
What are you Passionate about?
What am I doing right now? Do I like it?
How do I want it to be?
How do I want to feel?
Once I achieve these goals, how will I feel?
What makes me truly excited?
What do I really like to do?
What makes this fun for me?
What are my dreams?
What motivates me?
What's important to me?
What am I doing to feel my best?
Exercise 3: The Perfect Day Exercise
Think about your perfect day and answer these questions, be detailed.
How would you wake up?
When would you wake up?
Who would you wake up with?
What would you see or do when you wake up?
What would you eat?
How would you spend your day?
Who would you spend your time with?
What would you have for lunch?
Who would you eat lunch with?
How would you feel through the day?
This exercise is your catalyst:
After answering these questions, make a list of 15 actions to take to move closer to your vision.
Exercise 4
How do I feel?
Am I feeling my best emotionally and physically?
What would it be like to feel my best?
How important is it to feel my best?
What are my priorities right now?
If I want to feel my best, am I willing to make it my top priority?
If it was, what would I be doing differently?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Updates
First off, I am loving these new templates through Blogger! Special thanks to their design team!
I have created a new blog via Happy Chick account called I Chose Health.
As I stated in the intro post on the health blog, I am not leaving I Chose Happiness, I am simply creating a health blog so I don't fill this one up with posts on lavender and green tea.
Also, I want to thank all of my family, friends and readers who are praying for the Oil Spill, our Government, and our World. Choosing Happiness doesn't mean denying that there are sad and upseting things in this world. Pray and educate yourself, but don't let all this insanity anger/worry you (it not only effects your life but your health).
I have created a new blog via Happy Chick account called I Chose Health.
As I stated in the intro post on the health blog, I am not leaving I Chose Happiness, I am simply creating a health blog so I don't fill this one up with posts on lavender and green tea.
Also, I want to thank all of my family, friends and readers who are praying for the Oil Spill, our Government, and our World. Choosing Happiness doesn't mean denying that there are sad and upseting things in this world. Pray and educate yourself, but don't let all this insanity anger/worry you (it not only effects your life but your health).
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Get Addicted!
University of Arizona (and other colleges I'm sure) have studied the chemical compounds of emotions such as happiness, stress, sadness, etc. By doing so they have shown that the body creates specific compounds per emotion and for each compound the body creates a receptor.
The more of a compound your body creates, the more receptors are created.
What does this mean?
Well when your not feeling that emotion, your body is not creating that compound but the receptors are still there and they will cause cravings for that compound.
This means that your body can actually become addicted to an emotion, any emotion, including happiness.
The bad news.
This also means your body can become addicted to stress. Ever find yourself with nothing to do but relax and enjoy yourself but sure that this free time means you must have forgotten something or something bad is about to happen to ruin your good time? This is your bod's reaction to stress addiction.
Also, your body can develop other receptors to compounds you put into your body, like nicotine.
Nicotine compound is very similar to that of happiness. Your natural happiness receptors take in this compound and later develop nicotine receptors instead of happiness ones, creating addiction.
The good news.
Addiction can be stopped and receptor creation reversed. By starving the receptors, they will lessen in number, making your craving for that compound lessen.
When starving nicotine receptors, slowly but surely, happiness receptors will take their place.
Just a thought the next time you stress over a to-do list instead of taking a break or reach for that pack of cigarettes.
The more of a compound your body creates, the more receptors are created.
What does this mean?
Well when your not feeling that emotion, your body is not creating that compound but the receptors are still there and they will cause cravings for that compound.
This means that your body can actually become addicted to an emotion, any emotion, including happiness.
The bad news.
This also means your body can become addicted to stress. Ever find yourself with nothing to do but relax and enjoy yourself but sure that this free time means you must have forgotten something or something bad is about to happen to ruin your good time? This is your bod's reaction to stress addiction.
Also, your body can develop other receptors to compounds you put into your body, like nicotine.
Nicotine compound is very similar to that of happiness. Your natural happiness receptors take in this compound and later develop nicotine receptors instead of happiness ones, creating addiction.
The good news.
Addiction can be stopped and receptor creation reversed. By starving the receptors, they will lessen in number, making your craving for that compound lessen.
When starving nicotine receptors, slowly but surely, happiness receptors will take their place.
Just a thought the next time you stress over a to-do list instead of taking a break or reach for that pack of cigarettes.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Forgiveness is necessary
Very simply:
you must forgive others and yourself to be happy.
Not so simple:
this is, how you say, "easier said than done," yes?
Most major religions demand forgiveness.
This comes in 3 parts:
Asking forgiveness of God, the Divine Creator
Forgiving others in likeness of the Divine
and forgiving yourself in turn.
If you do not forgive others, not only does this hurt your relationship with others but this hurts yourself.
Vengeance is a meal best served cold and excellent when not served at all.
Holding grudges has a rotting effect on your soul.
Let go and let be. You do not have to be best friends with the person that wronged you but you should love them: meaning you should wish them to be happy.
Forgiving yourself is harder.
You are your own worst critic. Even when others and God have forgiven you, can you forgive yourself for what you have done no matter how minor or major the transgression?
I want to define two terms before moving on with my sermon of sorts.
Guilt and Regret are two different things.
Guilt is recognizing what you've done wrong and believing you are unworthy of love because of it.
Regret is recognizing what you have done wrong and resolving not to do it again.
Now class, which of the above is a healthy response?
Yes, regret.
By forgiving yourself and showing regret, you are not saying that what you've done is now ok but you are allowing yourself to move on.
If you are guilt ridden this is like your soul slowly rotting and going bad.
Guilt leads to more sin and bad habits.
Guilt can lead to drugs and alcohol, to bad relationships, to depression and harming yourself and those around you.
Example: if you have cheated on your spouse and do not forgive yourself and are in turn filled with guilt, you may never have a healthy relationship again.
My recommendation:
Recognize what you have done wrong
Ask for forgiveness of others if applicable
Ask for forgiveness of God
Forgive yourself
Show regret in that you will do your best to not do this again
Move on and be happy
you must forgive others and yourself to be happy.
Not so simple:
this is, how you say, "easier said than done," yes?
Most major religions demand forgiveness.
This comes in 3 parts:
Asking forgiveness of God, the Divine Creator
Forgiving others in likeness of the Divine
and forgiving yourself in turn.
If you do not forgive others, not only does this hurt your relationship with others but this hurts yourself.
Vengeance is a meal best served cold and excellent when not served at all.
Holding grudges has a rotting effect on your soul.
Let go and let be. You do not have to be best friends with the person that wronged you but you should love them: meaning you should wish them to be happy.
Forgiving yourself is harder.
You are your own worst critic. Even when others and God have forgiven you, can you forgive yourself for what you have done no matter how minor or major the transgression?
I want to define two terms before moving on with my sermon of sorts.
Guilt and Regret are two different things.
Guilt is recognizing what you've done wrong and believing you are unworthy of love because of it.
Regret is recognizing what you have done wrong and resolving not to do it again.
Now class, which of the above is a healthy response?
Yes, regret.
By forgiving yourself and showing regret, you are not saying that what you've done is now ok but you are allowing yourself to move on.
If you are guilt ridden this is like your soul slowly rotting and going bad.
Guilt leads to more sin and bad habits.
Guilt can lead to drugs and alcohol, to bad relationships, to depression and harming yourself and those around you.
Example: if you have cheated on your spouse and do not forgive yourself and are in turn filled with guilt, you may never have a healthy relationship again.
My recommendation:
Recognize what you have done wrong
Ask for forgiveness of others if applicable
Ask for forgiveness of God
Forgive yourself
Show regret in that you will do your best to not do this again
Move on and be happy
Sunday, February 28, 2010
"Would you care for a spot of tea?"
Tea is one of my favorite things in the whole world and, of course, makes me happy.
Many people, when thinking of tea, have an image of some see-through, brown-gray beverage drunk by lil old Brits or green tea drunk by the Japanese (depending on what sort of movies you watch, I suppose).
Tea to me, is more like wine ot many others. There are so many types, flavors, etc that to taste all of them would take a lifetime. Also, like wine, there are the inexpensive types and types that would cost more than I could make in a year working over min. wage.
The basic differences in teas. First there is the obvious: bag and loose. Tea bags can sometimes contain dredges of tea leaves (also called fannings) and often loose tea's true taste (there's not much to protect the tea in putting it in a bleached bag and a cardboard box). Loose teas are usually the way to go, especially if you can find and afford to buy them at a shop specializing in organic, local, and fresh produce.
The other major difference is tea vs. tisane (aka. herbal tea).
Tea is actually only tea when it involves leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. These are the teas sub catagorized as White, Green, Oolong, and Black. If the tea you are drinking does not have Camillia leaves, it is not a tea but a tisane.
Tisanes are made from herbs (chamomile, peppermint, rose hips, etc) and are equally yummy and good for you, just in different ways.
Best way to brew tea?
Everyone will probably differ a little bit on how to brew and drink your tea.
Me? I heat my water, usually just to the point right before boiling (its an eye thing). I then pour the hot water over the tea (if its loose, use 1 tsp. per 8 oz of water in a strainer, tea pot, or diy tea bag) and let steep. I usually do this by eye as well. When the water is thoroughly tinged with the color the tea is (golden yellow for chamomile, dark and black for black tea, etc) I take out the tea bag/remove the strainer and set the tea to the side for a second use (yes, teas can be reused, though the second time calls for a longer steep).
What sweetener I use depends on my tea. White/natural sugar is used in most of my teas but for green, white, and florals I use honey (my fiance's family has their own hives. For those of you not this lucky, use natural honey bought at the local stand in the warmer seasons).
Many teas are sweet by themselves and can be drunk without sweetener but I have a strong and demanding sweet tooth so I've yet to experience this.
Next time you want to reach for the coffee try a strong black chai (some chai teas even have vanilla or chocolate in them for a gourmet cafe flavor). Or when you want some hot cocoa to relaxe with try chamomile instead. Teas are a healthy and wonderful drink to add to your happy life.
Many people, when thinking of tea, have an image of some see-through, brown-gray beverage drunk by lil old Brits or green tea drunk by the Japanese (depending on what sort of movies you watch, I suppose).
Tea to me, is more like wine ot many others. There are so many types, flavors, etc that to taste all of them would take a lifetime. Also, like wine, there are the inexpensive types and types that would cost more than I could make in a year working over min. wage.
The basic differences in teas. First there is the obvious: bag and loose. Tea bags can sometimes contain dredges of tea leaves (also called fannings) and often loose tea's true taste (there's not much to protect the tea in putting it in a bleached bag and a cardboard box). Loose teas are usually the way to go, especially if you can find and afford to buy them at a shop specializing in organic, local, and fresh produce.
The other major difference is tea vs. tisane (aka. herbal tea).
Tea is actually only tea when it involves leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. These are the teas sub catagorized as White, Green, Oolong, and Black. If the tea you are drinking does not have Camillia leaves, it is not a tea but a tisane.
Tisanes are made from herbs (chamomile, peppermint, rose hips, etc) and are equally yummy and good for you, just in different ways.
Best way to brew tea?
Everyone will probably differ a little bit on how to brew and drink your tea.
Me? I heat my water, usually just to the point right before boiling (its an eye thing). I then pour the hot water over the tea (if its loose, use 1 tsp. per 8 oz of water in a strainer, tea pot, or diy tea bag) and let steep. I usually do this by eye as well. When the water is thoroughly tinged with the color the tea is (golden yellow for chamomile, dark and black for black tea, etc) I take out the tea bag/remove the strainer and set the tea to the side for a second use (yes, teas can be reused, though the second time calls for a longer steep).
What sweetener I use depends on my tea. White/natural sugar is used in most of my teas but for green, white, and florals I use honey (my fiance's family has their own hives. For those of you not this lucky, use natural honey bought at the local stand in the warmer seasons).
Many teas are sweet by themselves and can be drunk without sweetener but I have a strong and demanding sweet tooth so I've yet to experience this.
Next time you want to reach for the coffee try a strong black chai (some chai teas even have vanilla or chocolate in them for a gourmet cafe flavor). Or when you want some hot cocoa to relaxe with try chamomile instead. Teas are a healthy and wonderful drink to add to your happy life.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Power of Prayer
Studies show that prayer relieves stress. Many people out there will give a big shout of “Duh!” but in reality such a statement should be contemplated.
Most people, I admittedly used to be one of them, would only pray when in need (whether that is for the traffic to move to prevent yet another late day at work or to save a loved one from a terrible fate). It is in our times of desperate need that most of us will ask for aid.
However, part of choosing to be happy is choosing to not wait until the last minute on anything!
By praying every day, you can reduce stress. Prayer not only connects you with God and the Divine but also allows you to slow down.
In the morning, pray over the coming day. If something is coming up that might cause stress or issue, pray for strength to handle it. If the day is uncertain in most/all aspects, pray for an open mind and heart to have a good day.
Pray over meals. This not only gives thanks but also slows down your eating. Scarfing down a meal isn’t healthy and taking a moment to give thanks and see what you are about to partake of will allow the mind and senses to prepare for the sensory upload about to happen.
Before going to bed, take time out to think about the day and pray. Let go of anything bad that has happened, ask forgiveness from God and from your own conscience for the wrongs you have committed, and focus on having the needed rest for the night.
Most cultures around the world believe in the healing power of prayer. This power need not be reserved for the big times, for illness and pain, but for every day. Use it to heal your mind, body, and spirit daily. And give thanks for the joy in life!
Most people, I admittedly used to be one of them, would only pray when in need (whether that is for the traffic to move to prevent yet another late day at work or to save a loved one from a terrible fate). It is in our times of desperate need that most of us will ask for aid.
However, part of choosing to be happy is choosing to not wait until the last minute on anything!
By praying every day, you can reduce stress. Prayer not only connects you with God and the Divine but also allows you to slow down.
In the morning, pray over the coming day. If something is coming up that might cause stress or issue, pray for strength to handle it. If the day is uncertain in most/all aspects, pray for an open mind and heart to have a good day.
Pray over meals. This not only gives thanks but also slows down your eating. Scarfing down a meal isn’t healthy and taking a moment to give thanks and see what you are about to partake of will allow the mind and senses to prepare for the sensory upload about to happen.
Before going to bed, take time out to think about the day and pray. Let go of anything bad that has happened, ask forgiveness from God and from your own conscience for the wrongs you have committed, and focus on having the needed rest for the night.
Most cultures around the world believe in the healing power of prayer. This power need not be reserved for the big times, for illness and pain, but for every day. Use it to heal your mind, body, and spirit daily. And give thanks for the joy in life!
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