How do you like that title? "Digestion is a practice in mindfulness". What to eat, what not to eat, when, how, why.... the questions go on and on. There are a biz-zillion books on the subject, all with the answer! Don't eat eggs, eat vegetarian, don't eat any grains, eat meat and no sugar... on and on it goes full of answers, leaving us all in a confused state of where to turn.
Some of these authors are brilliant, some are really very good at marketing and making money. Most come with a sincere desire to help us all be healthy and vibrant. But I wonder, how does someone who wrote a book 10 years ago, 3.5 years ago or even last month, know what my body, mind and spirit all need on this given day? How do they know the answers to my body at 11:30am on the 12th day in March, a Wednesday after working physically on Tuesday, but while working in the office today? How do they know I am hoping to mow our lawn in the sunshine this afternoon and last night I had salad for dinner? I wonder.
And yet if I pause and look a little deeper, the answers are probably with me always. It has been my experience that the more I press, push, rush, and stuff the less my body can be heard. Maybe what my body needs more than reading another book or listening to another's insight is to pause and listen to me. Maybe less is more- once again.
Maybe I would be best served by relaxing, breathing, pausing and asking my own body what it wants. Maybe I need to learn to trust my own voice and insights again. Maybe, just maybe my body and yours did come with an operators manual - the trick is to be quiet enough to hear it speak.
As with all answers there are many questions but in a society of rushing, pressing, pushing, and stuffing we could probably all benefit from a good dose of quiet time, of mindful eating and listening and pausing for the answers.
May you breathe deep and relax into your own answers.
Happy traveling,
Denise
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Our body's operating manual
I have one of those wonderful bodies that is always talking to me. I may not always understand the message but it is quiet clear there is one! I used to think my chatting body was somehow damaged or weak. As I get older and hopefully a bit wiser I understand my body is a miracle and my gift. We all are living in miracles.
It would be nice if this living miracle came with a operators manual but it came instead with senses, wisdom, instincts, a natural feedback system and the gift of ongoing change.
My personal reminder is: When a message appears, may I pause and listen. May I remember not to judge or jump to conclusions but to pause, breathe, relax and trust that the questions I have always come connected to the answers I need.
Here is to accepting ourselves at this given moment on this day - no wobbling.
Denise
It would be nice if this living miracle came with a operators manual but it came instead with senses, wisdom, instincts, a natural feedback system and the gift of ongoing change.
My personal reminder is: When a message appears, may I pause and listen. May I remember not to judge or jump to conclusions but to pause, breathe, relax and trust that the questions I have always come connected to the answers I need.
Here is to accepting ourselves at this given moment on this day - no wobbling.
Denise
Monday, January 13, 2014
Your home is a reflection of yourself
After 24 years in homes, I have come to many conclusions. First of all, there is simply no such thing as a perfect home. There may be perfect moments but a perfect home is a stressful and unattainable goal. Some homes are full, some are almost empty, some dancing with people, some are peaceful, some are stressed and some are funny but perfect- nope!
Have you ever heard the expression, "your home is a reflection of yourself"? This would be like saying I am a little white house, built in the 1960s. That is silly- of course I'm not a little white house. Houses give us a reflection of where we are at the present moment. I do believe our homes can be great teachers. I can always tell when I'm too busy or too rushed- I start throwing my shoes in my closet. When I see a pile of heels and laces, it is time to pause and breath!
Just like our bodies we are always in search of balance. Our homes surround us, keep us warm, safe and let us rest. Our homes are where we can be free to express our lives and enjoy our families and friends. Sometimes our homes- just like our bodies- get a little out of balance. They can get stressed and even sick. Our homes are living structures, there is no such thing as perfection or completion. They are every changing and in search of balance
Growing up we lived on a farm with cattle. I always found it funny, that when a pen was empty of cattle it would quickly start falling apart. Homes and pens need life and movement. Seasons chance, energy changes and our lives change every day. Using our homes to re-connect to ourselves is one of the simplest ways of finding our balance. Using clutter clearing as a way to find your personal balance gives you the added benefit of accomplishing your to-do list at the same time!
If your life or home feels a little out of balance, pause a second and breathe. You are probably judging your life and home too harshly. Take a few minutes and clean out a drawer. The little tiny act of cleaning out often gives us comfort and de-stresses our beings!
Wishing you a home that nurtures and a life that flows with the seasons.
Denise
Have you ever heard the expression, "your home is a reflection of yourself"? This would be like saying I am a little white house, built in the 1960s. That is silly- of course I'm not a little white house. Houses give us a reflection of where we are at the present moment. I do believe our homes can be great teachers. I can always tell when I'm too busy or too rushed- I start throwing my shoes in my closet. When I see a pile of heels and laces, it is time to pause and breath!
Just like our bodies we are always in search of balance. Our homes surround us, keep us warm, safe and let us rest. Our homes are where we can be free to express our lives and enjoy our families and friends. Sometimes our homes- just like our bodies- get a little out of balance. They can get stressed and even sick. Our homes are living structures, there is no such thing as perfection or completion. They are every changing and in search of balance
Growing up we lived on a farm with cattle. I always found it funny, that when a pen was empty of cattle it would quickly start falling apart. Homes and pens need life and movement. Seasons chance, energy changes and our lives change every day. Using our homes to re-connect to ourselves is one of the simplest ways of finding our balance. Using clutter clearing as a way to find your personal balance gives you the added benefit of accomplishing your to-do list at the same time!
If your life or home feels a little out of balance, pause a second and breathe. You are probably judging your life and home too harshly. Take a few minutes and clean out a drawer. The little tiny act of cleaning out often gives us comfort and de-stresses our beings!
Wishing you a home that nurtures and a life that flows with the seasons.
Denise
Monday, December 9, 2013
Stay Hydrated with Chia Fresca
Welcome to winter and the dryness that comes with cold weather. If you want to have extra energy this season plus happy skin and bright eyes make sure to stay very hydrated.
A few years ago I came across this recipe for super hydration in the book called Born to Run. The ancient running people called the Tarahumara Indians used this drink as a sports and hydration drink for their long runs- think 100 miles wearing sandals!! Before food went into the laboratories it was used in its natural form. Using quality food as your medicine should be your first step to health.
Recipe for Chia Fresca
10 oz of fresh/filtered water
1 tbl spoon dry chia seeds and yes just like the chia pet commercial chia seeds
Fresh squeezed lime or lemon- to taste
Raw honey to taste
Mix into a glass or container. For the first few minutes shake or stir the chia seeds until they become suspended. If you don't stir you will have clumps. The chia seeds hold hydration are super hydrating for us. I usually make up a big batch and keep it in our refrigerator for up to 4 days.
The original recipe used wild limes and agave nectar. I don't have access to wild limes so I use organic limes or lemons. You could use either I prefer lime. As for my sweetener, you can use agave, raw honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar.
Warning:
Raw products are not recommended during pregnancy.
Raw honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.
Chia seeds can be found just about anywhere.
Health food stores, Fred Meyer, Super supplements and Winco just to name a few.
If you want a fascinating read and a good Christmas present idea check out the book
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall- one of my favorite books of all time.
Happy holidays to all,
Denise
A few years ago I came across this recipe for super hydration in the book called Born to Run. The ancient running people called the Tarahumara Indians used this drink as a sports and hydration drink for their long runs- think 100 miles wearing sandals!! Before food went into the laboratories it was used in its natural form. Using quality food as your medicine should be your first step to health.
Recipe for Chia Fresca
10 oz of fresh/filtered water
1 tbl spoon dry chia seeds and yes just like the chia pet commercial chia seeds
Fresh squeezed lime or lemon- to taste
Raw honey to taste
Mix into a glass or container. For the first few minutes shake or stir the chia seeds until they become suspended. If you don't stir you will have clumps. The chia seeds hold hydration are super hydrating for us. I usually make up a big batch and keep it in our refrigerator for up to 4 days.
The original recipe used wild limes and agave nectar. I don't have access to wild limes so I use organic limes or lemons. You could use either I prefer lime. As for my sweetener, you can use agave, raw honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar.
Warning:
Raw products are not recommended during pregnancy.
Raw honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.
Chia seeds can be found just about anywhere.
Health food stores, Fred Meyer, Super supplements and Winco just to name a few.
If you want a fascinating read and a good Christmas present idea check out the book
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall- one of my favorite books of all time.
Happy holidays to all,
Denise
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
5 minutes of Magic
Procrastination is a form of clutter. Clutter leads to procrastination.
They are both sticking points to your energy and flow
In our homes, clutter is really a form of procrastination. When you procrastinate on putting something away or not making a decision, this creates clutter. If you have an abundance of clutter it creates stagnation. This feeling of stuck-ed-ness is really your procrastination holding you back.
Don't over think this one, just use the law of motion: An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion.
Get your motion back on with this little 5 minute jump start idea by Lynda Wallas-A certified positive psychologist coach.
"...There is a real magic in simply beginning.
How? Give yourself a 5 minute start. Tell yourself you're going to start with 5 minutes on the task and then take it from there. Most of the time inertia- the law of movement - will keep you moving"
5 simple minutes gives you freedom. You don't have to continue or even commit to a big project. Getting started is always the hardest part. Once started, even if you only plan for 5 itty-bitty minutes, this energy of motion will carry you on to 10minutes- 20minutes and beyond.
Give 5 minutes a whirl and discover magic in minutes!!
Wishing you a light load and brilliance in movement!
Denise
And in case you are wondering Stuck-ed-ness can in fact be a word!! Maybe not an official word but a good solid discription of stuck energy! There is no need not to have fun on your journey of getting unstuck:)
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
A worthy pursuit
"Perhaps each of us has a starved place and each of us knows deep down what we need to fill that place. To find the courage to trust and honor the search to follow the voice that tells us what we need to do, even when it doesn't seem to make sense, is a worthy pursuit."
Plain & Simple a Women's journey to the Amish by Sue Bender
The summer of my 9th grade year, my parents got a divorce. I was devastated. I had never experienced such pain and disbelief. Someone and I can't recall who, suggested I pretend to be happy even if I felt like crying. For some odd reason, I listened. Did I know it would matter, that it would help- nope, not a clue. Did I realize if I pretended to be happy, just acted as if, one day I would notice my smile was again authentic? My mystery advisor was right. One day, I remember smiling and laughing. It took my breath away. I wasn't pretending, I was really happy. I remember being shocked- it worked! That experience has stayed with me.
This was my first practice and experience with energy shifting. The practice of smiling and pretending to be happy when inside I was anything but. It was a simple little suggestion but it gave me power. Pretending helped me keep my emotions moving and not get stuck.
In life, sometimes things happen that knock the wind our of our sails. The key is always to keep paddling even when there is no wind. And when there are no paddles to pretend paddling anyway. When the winds return- and they will. When you get another paddle, you will be in shape and ready to go!
It takes 21 days to start a habit. It takes 1000 day to ingrain that a habit into your habit field. Emotions can become habitual- both healing and depleting emotions. Remembering to smile and paddle when there is no wind nor joy can keep your radiant system in good health.
Wishing you authentic radiance,
Denise
Plain & Simple a Women's journey to the Amish by Sue Bender
The summer of my 9th grade year, my parents got a divorce. I was devastated. I had never experienced such pain and disbelief. Someone and I can't recall who, suggested I pretend to be happy even if I felt like crying. For some odd reason, I listened. Did I know it would matter, that it would help- nope, not a clue. Did I realize if I pretended to be happy, just acted as if, one day I would notice my smile was again authentic? My mystery advisor was right. One day, I remember smiling and laughing. It took my breath away. I wasn't pretending, I was really happy. I remember being shocked- it worked! That experience has stayed with me.
This was my first practice and experience with energy shifting. The practice of smiling and pretending to be happy when inside I was anything but. It was a simple little suggestion but it gave me power. Pretending helped me keep my emotions moving and not get stuck.
In life, sometimes things happen that knock the wind our of our sails. The key is always to keep paddling even when there is no wind. And when there are no paddles to pretend paddling anyway. When the winds return- and they will. When you get another paddle, you will be in shape and ready to go!
It takes 21 days to start a habit. It takes 1000 day to ingrain that a habit into your habit field. Emotions can become habitual- both healing and depleting emotions. Remembering to smile and paddle when there is no wind nor joy can keep your radiant system in good health.
Wishing you authentic radiance,
Denise
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