rticles for Inspiration

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought."

-Buddah

A Better World

 30 August 2010

Inspiring you to live a healthy, happy life is what I am all about. So when I find things that have touched me, I love to share them with all of you!

I recently visited one of my favorite store's in Rochester, a little place called Urban Essentialz on University Ave. They were having a sale on books, so I picked up The Code by Tony Burroughs, Feng Shui Living by Sharon Stasney and Unlock the Secret Messages of Your Body by Denise Lynn.

I love to create spaces that everyone can feel comfortable in, so I was drawn to the feng shui book almost immediately. I've already gotten some really great ideas for my living room and bedroom, that we've yet to tackle since moving in! I cannot wait to implement some of the things I learned. However, that will wait until the snow starts to fall since we'll have plenty of time indoors.

My love for the magnificent human body drives to me want to learn, learn, learn more about it! Especially when it involves the mind/body/spirit connection. Unlock the Secret Messages is actually a 28 day jump-start program to get you to stop THINKING about your body and start LISTENING to it. I am going to do this at the beginning of the next full moon. (That sounds a little weird, yes... but the author suggests it can be more beneficial to align your 28 day program with a cycle found in nature. Ever wonder why you feel so at peace out in nature? Everything is connected...) So I will start this on September 23. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

The humanitarian in me jumps at the chance to read things that can help make the world we live in a better place. Bring forth The Code. What an amazing read! I finished it in just three sittings. This 'code' Burroughs referrals to is actually ten intentions:

1. Support Life

I refrain from opposing or harming anyone. I allow others to have their

own experiences. I see life in all things andhonor it as if it were my own.

I support life.

2. Seek Truth

I follow my inner compass and discard any beliefs that are no longer

serving me. I go to the source. I seek truth.

3. Set Your Course

I begin the creative process. I give direction to my life. I set my course.

4. Simplify

I let go so there is room for something better to come in. I intend that

I am guided, guarded, protected, and lined up with the highest

good at all times. I trust and remain open to

receive from both expected and unexpected sources. I simplify.

5. Stay Positive

I see good, say good and do good. I accept gifts from all of my experiences.

I am living in grace and gratitude. I stay positive.

6. Synchronize

After intending and surrendering, I take action by following the opportunities

that are presented to me. I am in the flow where great mystery

and miracles abide, fulfilling my desires and doing

what I came here to do. I synchronize.

7. Serve Others

I practice love in action. I always have enough to spare and enough to share.

I am available to help those who need it. I serve others.

8. Shine Your Light

I am a magnificent being, awakening to my highest potential.

I express myself with joy, smiling, and laughing often. I shine my light.

9. Share Your Vision

I create my ideal world by envisioning it and telling others about it.

I share my vision.

10. Synergize

I see humanity as one. I enjoy gathering with lighthearted people regularly.

When we come together, we set the stage for great oneness to reveal itself. We synergize.

And there they are... So what do you say? Want to help me create a better world? We'll do it together!

If you've read something that inspired you, I'd love to hear about! Send me a little message! :)

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6 July 2010

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Giveaway ends July 9th, so hurry and enter!

Gardens Galore!

5 July 2010

My sincere apologies, as I have not written in far too long! But my new raised garden beds look fabulous & are filled with beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, herbs & tons of lettuce!

Now you all know how I love the Public Market... but there is something absolutely magical about growing your own food. I'd originally thought it was too late to put a garden in the ground when we moved in, so instead, I decided to line my patio with planters of tomatoes, herbs, and lettuce. My thinking was that we needed to observe the sun throughout the summer, have the soil tested by the Cornell Co-Op Extension, then next year we'd have a really great garden.

Along came my dad... with his truck & trailer filled up with tools, tillers, mulch, plants, and even a tractor. Yes, a tractor! My parents came in from 2 hours out of town on a Friday & when they pulled in I was expecting HGTV to be right behind them. It was like we won the gardening jackpot!

Fast forward to Sunday evening of that weekend, and we now have two beautiful raised garden beds, and the beginning to some curb appeal on the front of the house. Yahoo!

Now don't think I am neglecting the market... It's where I purchased most of the plants I put in the bed. (It was definitely too late to start my own seeds.) Starting in early May for 6 weeks, it's home to Flower City Days at the Market, where you have the entire place filled with plant vendors. I purchased my four lettuce varieties, herbs and some tomatoes from an organic, grown in compost, local company. All of my others came from a vendor who is there every weekend.

When I say there is something magical about growing your own food, I mean it. With the heat this week, it's really important to stay on top of watering in the morning & evening. When I'm out there, hose in hand, marveling at these little plants growing- it's amazing! I'm reminded of how magnificent Mother Earth is in collaboration with the sun, water & a little love from me. I never thought I'd see the day where I could call my self a 'gardener,' and here it is.

I hear a lot of people say they don't have space to grow things. Hogwash!  Planters are a good way to start. Gardening is trial and error. Write down each year what you plant, what worked, what didn't. Each year you'll get better, and you'll soon be raving about watching your veggies grow!

Garden on my friends!

Healthy Chocolate Pudding

12 May 2010

Imagine that! A pudding that is good for you!? Yep, you read me correctly.

Last Mother's Day, I tried my hand at a raw chocolate cake that was made from figs and walnuts for the brunch I hosted. It was good, however it was more like fudgy brownies, than cake. This year, I decided to try another raw recipe after my good friend, Chiropractor Dr. Melissa, recommended it.

This recipe is very easy to make, and it was absolutely delicious! Since I cooked for six people, I tripled the recipe below. Eating healthy never tasted so good! Give it a try!

Raw Chocolate Pudding

Blend in food processor:

1 Avocado

1/2 of a Banana

1/4 C. Honey

1/4 C. Cocoa Powder

1 T. Coconut Oil

1t. Vanilla Extract

Add just enough water to make your desired consistency.

Top with fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, mangoes, or blueberries. Enjoy!

Breath of Life

28 April 2010

Taking time to focus on yourself and your wellbeing is a critical aspect that many people overlook when it comes to living a happier and healthier life. I am fortunate enough to have a career that is most likely one of the least stressful around. You on the other hand, might not be so fortunate.

Cramming our schedules full of stuff is easy to do. Sometimes we get so busy, we forget that we are even breathing. Take a moment, (yes, right now!) and inhale a deep breath in through your nose, feeling your lungs fill with oxygen, your chest expanding, and let it out nice and slow through your mouth. Felt good, didn't it? Go ahead, do it a few more times. In through your nose, out through your mouth...

We have preoccupied ourselves with so much, that we in turn allow our bodies to run on autopilot, paying it no attention. How often do you focus on your breath? For something that is always with us, we tend to disregard it quiet often.

Just taking a few moments each day to focus on your breath, brings you back to your body. It aligns your mind and body in unison, allows you to feel, clears your mental chatter, and helps calm you down. You will begin to feel your body more mindfully, recognizing where tension is held, where it needs attention.

Listen to your body. It's a very smart, beautiful creation. Ignoring it is the fastest way to dis-ease. Take the time to love it, breathe life into it, and it will in turn, love you back.

Whew! Glad that's over.

21 April 2010

"Buying a house is stressful." I must have heard that a few hundred times in the past six months. For me, I didn't feel as if the process of buying the house was stressful, more just the moving part...

Thank goodness that is done and over with now! I was sure to be proactive in scheduling a massage for myself for the Monday following the move, but I had no idea how much I would need it. Not only was my body so physically fatigued, that I could hardly stand, my mind was beyond the ability to think clearly.

I felt like a whole new person Monday evening. I came home with a fresh mind, that allowed me to navigate boxes and organize as needed. So if you, or someone you know is moving, I'd highly recommend massage shortly there after. Or even better, you could give the gift of massage as a house warming present!

Remember, our bodies can withstand a lot, but they are much nicer to us when we take proactive care of them, instead of reactive.

A Beautifully written piece

4 April 2010

Your life is a sacred journey.

And it's about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly & deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous risks, embracing challenges at every step along the way...

You are on the path.

Exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, beauty, wisdom, power, dignity & love.

                   Caroline Joy Adams

Make a Commitment to Yourself

27 March 2010

Commitment: a pledge, promise and/or obligation. How many times a day do you commit yourself to someone or something?

If you are like the rest of us, you don’t always notice the commitments you’ve made, yet you carry on about your day doing them. From putting in the energy and time at work/school, to taking care of loved ones- spouses, children, other family, and pets, to household obligations, to staying on top of the upcoming events in your life; we all wear many hats of obligation. Yet so many of us ignore the single most important commitment, of which is to ourselves!

When you make a conscious choice to love yourself first, it does not mean that you are neglecting the other aspects of your life.  It simply means that you care about yourself, and loved ones that surround you, that much more. 

Our bodies, minds, and souls need self love to flourish. While we crave the attention and love from others, it is really ourselves that we need to first connect with, if we expect to receive it.  We need to take care of ourselves if we expect to be around to take care of anyone or anything else.

You need to understand that no other person is responsible for you.  You need to accept the responsibility that this commitment to love yourself is yours and yours alone.  Cherish this fact!  When you understand that you have this power within yourself, let it elate you. Get excited about yourself and this journey that you’re on!

Start Today.

The most useful piece of self love I use, is reminding myself that any single thing I do, is more than I was doing before. Any little bit helps! Don’t beat yourself up over what you’re not doing; instead congratulate yourself for what you are doing.  Every. Single. Thing.

For example, every time I go to the Rochester Public Market, boy do I get excited! Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you how much I love to go.  Going to the Market makes me feel good! And why shouldn’t it? When I buy locally grown produce, I secretly pat myself on the back for many reasons: I’m spending my money in the local economy, supporting local farmers, nourishing my body with healthy food, and saving money doing it!  You will never here me complain about getting up early to beat the crowds, bundling up in the winter to make it out, or waiting in line.

The best part about making a commitment to yourself is that you need nothing extra to begin. Start with your thoughts, which will in turn reflect in your actions.  When you begin to love yourself first, you will quickly see that this positively affects every aspect of your journey.  So what are you waiting for?