Category Archives: healthy living

ayurveda, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living

Which Spice is Right for You? – Part II

Last week, I talked about some of the most powerful anti-disease spices (turmeric, cloves, ginger) and how you can use them to boost your health (check out last week’s blog post HERE . Let’s continue our journey to uncover which spices are best to add to your diet this fall to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.

CINNAMON

The rate of diabetes in the US is increasing dramatically. The phenomenal news is that cinnamon is a natural blood sugar regulator. Incredibly, when diabetics use cinnamon in therapeutic doses as prescribed by their clinician, they can gain long-term control of the regulation of their blood sugar levels.images-1

The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine states that taking cinnamon is very useful in the care of patients with Type II diabetes. It’s unclear why this finding isn’t emphasized more widely to those suffering!

However, though cinnamon can be very powerful for Type II diabetes, it probably won’t work to control blood sugar for those with Type I diabetes. For anyone with autoimmune diseases that attack the insulin producing pancreas, cinnamon won’t affect them as much as people without those illnesses.

In Italy, research has shown that cinnamon is more effective than any antibiotic (including amoxicillin) at killing the H. pylori bacteria (which causes stomach ulcers leading to stomach cancers). The bacteria didn’t show any resistance to the spice as it does with normal pharmaceutical medication.

Cinnamon can also be used to help prevent and treat cholesterol, food poisoning, heart disease, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic metabolic syndrome, ovarian cysts, stroke, ulcers and wounds.

Shake some into your coffee, onto your apples or oatmeal and know you’re helping your body in multiple ways. Continue reading →

Standard
ayurveda, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living

Which Spice is Right for You? – Part I

Fall is the perfect moment to discover which herbs and spices keep the inner fire burning as we enter the colder months. In Ayurveda, we value herbs and spices as medicine. Let’s look at their lesser-known preventative health benefits.

TURMERIC

Did you know you can beat the beat the fall/winter blues with turmeric? Studies have found it helps to reduce depression. Turmeric owes its preventative and curative skills to an active ingredient, curcumin, a diverse compound with rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

For 1000s of years, curcumin has been shown to protect and improve the health of every organ in the body. This has been documented more recently in human and animal studies.

Spices_in_an_Indian_marketCurcumin combats over 70 maladies including some of our biggest health threats: cancer, heart disease, Type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s. It also helps alleviate asthma, blemishes, high blood pressure, gout pain, Parkinson’s disease, cystic fibrosis and cholesterol problems.

In India, turmeric is called the anti-cancer spice. It inhibits the action of genes that actually trigger cancer, curbs the proliferation of tumorous cancer cells, prevents the development of blood supply necessary for cancer cells to form and enhances cancer-destroying effects of chemotherapy in radiation.

Stir a dash of turmeric into kitchari, any rice dish or couscous and savor your meal’s delightful flavors. Continue reading →

Standard
ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Avoiding Fat Traps while eating out

In my business there are times that I travel a lot which means that I am eating out a lot. I have had countless friends, family and acquaintances ask me how do I manage my figure and my weight so well, with such a hectic and busy schedule, so I decided to share some of my secrets for successful weight management with those of you that travel a lot, eat out a lot or just want in on my secrets.

Considering that many people go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner up to five times a week, you would think that by now people would have become pros at eating what is right for their body and makes them feel good. You would think that with all the information out now days about how to eat healthy, people would have learned to avoid the fat traps that keep them stuck in the “fat” mode. Well it just isn’t so. We all know that if we are at a restaurant and we order a “Blooming Onion,” it is going to be loaded with calories due to the fat that the onion is fried in but what about that chopped salad that sounds so healthy and delicious? Here is something to note, that salad may not be as healthy and fat free as you think. In an effort to make things on the menu seem healthier, trendy restaurants are revamping their menus to look and sound healthy, but it can make a surprisingly large dent in your diet. I’ve looked at seven of the sneakiest dishes that can actually add to your waistline even though they sound healthy.

  • Ever go to an Italian restaurant and they place nice warm bread and olive oil on your table? I’m sure you have, so check this out, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil is hearth healthy, many people go overboard, soaking up as much as a tablespoon of about 119 calories with each chunk of bread that is dipped in it. Food for thought, if you dunk four chunks of bread into that Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you have just taken in over 400 calories and you have even gotten to your meal yet. Here’s a Blissful Tip: Drizzle a little olive oil onto a small plate and add balsamic vinegar to dilute the fat and pump up the flavor. Better yet you might want to use some butter. At Cornell University researchers found that when people spreaded some butter on their bread, they consumed 21 percent fewer calories per slice than those that dunked their bread in the olive oil. Here’s the catch, butter eaters consumed more bread so be sure to cut yourself off after one piece.
  • Having a chopped salad always seems like a great thing to do and can seem light compared to other items on the menu. Here is something to be aware of, because everything is so finely chopped, the restaurant can actually fit way more onto a plate or in a bowl. Some chopped salads can contain upwards of 700 calories and with the pieces being so small, it is often difficult to tell what you are eating, which is important in terms of satiation.

Here’s a Blissful Tip: Order a regular tossed salad instead. If you are building a salad at the salad bar, add no more than five toppings and avoid crispy Chinese noodles, dried fruit and other high calorie options. Get your salad dressing on the side, along with a few wedges of lemon or vinegar. You can make a little vinaigrette that will go a long way in avoiding the fat trap.

  • Sweet potato fries have become so envogue and are a wonderful super food but when cut into strips and deep-fried, they end up being just “French fries.” Besides a lot of restaurants load them with salt to balance out the vegetables natural sweetness, bringing the salt count to 800 milligrams, and opposed to 40 milligrams for regular “French fries.” Here’s a Blissful Tip: Gram for gram sweet potato fries contain about the same number of calories as regular fries. Since they contain more fiber, calcium and vitamin A, the sweet potato type is definitely better than regular fries. The key to keep portions down is to order them when you have someone else to share them with and only eat a handful.

Rest assured that even though these tips seem small they could play a huge role in successfully managing your weight when you go out to eat whether you are at home with the family or traveling. Small changes that you make in the way you consume your food can have a huge impact on the improvement of successfully managing your weight and your health and well being. So give it a try and see the difference it makes in your life.

I welcome your comments and any additional tips below.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

 

 

 

Standard
ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Anger

Over the course of years as a healthcare professional I have noticed that people seem to be angrier than in times past. I don’t know if it has to do with the abundance of stress that society is faced with on a daily basis or if we have just become angrier people. In Ayurveda, anger is associated with the element of fire and people of the Pitta Dosha tend to have more challenges with keeping the fire within them from sprouting into an angry rage.

Anger is an enchanting and complex emotion. It is the type of emotion that can spring forth from what appears to be nowhere. What seems like a sense of calm can in an instant become like a raging volcano when a trigger is activated and before you know it, the volcano has erupted like Mount Saint Helens. However you might be the type of person that has a slow burn style of anger that simmers and bubbles beneath the surface, only erupting in tiny bursts.

Anger is a fiery emotion. Even when it’s cold it requires a lot of energy. When we pay attention to how it feels in our body, we might notice a knot in our stomach, a clenched jaw or fist, tightness in our chest, shallowness in our breath and an increase in our heart rate. We may notice that the state of anger can strongly taint our thoughts and how we interpret the world in conjunction with our emotional element.

Deep within the anger, we may be storing feelings of rejection or inadequacy that causes us to see threats and injustices where no real threat exists. It helps to uncover and uproot these feelings and deeply held false views. At the same time, anger can have beneath it a wise and powerful protectiveness that can lead us to believe that we are enforcing a sense of justice in the face of someone wronging us. In fact, anger is so powerful that it can ruin any situation. If it is allowed to lurk inside us it becomes more spicy and intense and will make us sick. It is one of the most ugly and yet most powerful emotions that exist. It has astronomical power.

Rich, complex and powerful, anger benefits from contemplative time and reflection, which in turn can teach us a lot about what is truly going on beneath our outbursts. If you are prone to angry outburst or can’t seem to get a grip on the fire raging within, I suggest you follow this little exercise to help you get back on the cool track and calm the fire within. I call this exercise “Cooling the Flames.”

  • When you notice yourself feeling angry and aggressive, turn your attention and awareness to how you are feeling. Where are you feeling the anger within your body? What is happening at that moment in time?
  • Now take a few long, slow deep breaths allowing your abdominal area to fully expand and contract, taking 3-4 seconds to do this with each breath. Listen for your thoughts without adding to the inner dialogue, or trying to silence your thoughts. When you are offended, you’re usually holding onto a rigid definition of yourself. What are your thoughts saying to you?
  • Now come back to observing how the anger is manifesting itself within your body and breath coolness into that part of your body. Observe what the anger may be trying to teach you at this moment. Is it self -compassion? Forgiveness? Or something else?
  • Now affirm something that you want in the present moment that will calm the anger such as “ May I find the resources to understand and transform my anger,” or “May peace and calmness be restored within me now.”

Once you have completed the exercise, take another slow, long deep breath extending the breath to 5 seconds to seal off the volcano. Although it may take a little practice for you to get used to using this technique, keep at it because eventually you will notice, see and feel the tremendous benefits of utilizing the “Cooling of the Flames” technique. You will gain a greater sense of control and be able to align yourself with your natural, balanced and peaceful state.

When you are ready you can take the “Cooling of the Flames” to a deeper level by learning how to awaken bliss within you and your life. (www.awakeningbliss.com)

I welcome your comments below.

Wishing peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit!

 

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

Author of : “Intro to Holistic Health, Ayurveda Style”

Co Author of:  “Answering The Call, ” “Rapid Change For Heart Centered Women”  and “The Live Sassy Formula”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

Standard
ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Super Foods for A Super You #2

I had so much fun sharing information about green super foods that you can incorporate into your diet that are naturally designed to improve your wellbeing that I decided to talk more about other super foods that are extremely beneficial to you, that you may not know about. In my last article “Green Super Foods” (post link here) I shared with you super foods that are designed to help you rock your workouts, improve digestion, build healthy bones, regulate blood sugar levels and fight off colds. In this article, I want to share with you foods that are designed naturally to protect your heart, protect you against cancer and keep you slim.

 

  • If you are looking for natural ways to protect your heart, then you will want to incorporate eating more leeks into your diet. This member of the onion family is loaded with flavonols, compounds that work to keep your blood vessels flexible and prevent bloods clots that can lead to a heart attack. One flavonol that is found in Leeks is kaempferol. In the American Journal of Epidemiology it is reported that people who consume the most kaempferol-containing foods are the least likely to die from heart disease. Leeks are also rich in the B vitamin folate, which plays a role in protecting your heart.
  • Protecting yourself naturally against cancer is not a difficult thing to do. You just need to know what to do to help your body increase its ability to fight off cancer. One thing that you can do is to eat more Watercress. Although Watercress may look a lot like spinach it is actually a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli and Brussel sprouts, which are also packed with cancer fighting glucosinolates. These compounds are thought to prevent cancer by ridding our bodies of carcinogens before they can damage our cells. Since heat slowly destroys glucosinolates activity, these raw leafy veggies may provide an additional advantage over other cruciferous veggies that we eat cooked. Consuming three ounces of raw Watercress a day for eight weeks has been shown to reduce DNA damage in the white blood cells by up to 24 percent, documented in a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
  • If staying slim is one of your top priorities, then I suggest that you begin by eating more peas. Peas are high in fiber and protein and can help you eat less and still feel nourished. One cup of peas packs an impressive seven grams of filling fiber, plus green peas contain resistant starch, a special kind of carb that our bodies can’t digest thus leaving you feeling full for hours after you eat your meal. A cup of peas delivers eight grams of protein, which is more than one large egg. Protein takes longer to digest than carbs and it requires more energy so you naturally increase your metabolism and burn up more calories in the process. Like all green foods, peas contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help prevent chronic disease.

 

Most people don’t get enough vegetables in their diet and eating vegetables is such a great way to improve your health and well being naturally. If you have never tried these super veggies, then I suggest start slowly by incorporating one or two of them at a time into your diet. Check in with yourself and notice how you feel during and after you eat them. You may be surprised at how thankful your body will be to you for doing this by allowing you to have more energy, vibrancy and successful weight management. So go ahead and splurge by incorporating fresh, organic, GMO and pesticide free Leeks, Watercress and peas into your life.

I welcome your comments below.

Wishing you much health and wellness!

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

 

Standard
ayurveda, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Green Super Foods For A Super You #1

Now a days we hear a lot of talk about super foods and how we should incorporate them into our daily diet, but what exactly are super foods and how can they be beneficial to us? Stress is a fantastic way to use up or burn up the precious vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function, yet most people don’t even realized that they are stress, let alone as to what the stress is doing to the internal resources and fuel sources of their body. As the seasons change from fall to winter, winter to spring and spring to summer, we have an abundant supply of veggies available to us that fall into the “super food” category. Springtime is a great time of year to be adventurous and begin to incorporate these super foods into your diet. This is the time of the year when greens are especially fresh and nutritious, so why not take the plunge and reacquaint yourself with nature’s vast variety of super foods. This will do your mind and your body good.

You may be asking so what is the big deal about these super foods, why should I be concerned about them and what’s in it for me if I eat them? So here are the answers to all of your questions concerning super foods:

  • If you want to rock your workout, here is a super food that, you will want to incorporate into your daily diet, it is Arugula. Arugula provides more nitrates than other top vegetable source, such as rhubarb, celery and spinach. Why is that beneficial for you? Nitrates relax the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, accelerating blood flow so energizing oxygen is delivered to cells throughout your body more efficiently. As a result, your workout might feel a little easer: Nitrates reduce your muscles’ need for oxygen during exercise, so you don’t tire as quickly.
  • To improve your digestion, eat more asparagus. These tender thin green stalks are rich in inulin, a unique fiber that doesn’t break down in our digestive system until it arrives at the large intestines. When it gets to the large intestines it feeds the beneficial bacteria that keep your intestine healthy and may help your body absorb more nutrients. Asparagus is also rich in vitamin A, Zeaxanthin and lutein, all great for eye health.
  • If you are looking to maintain strong bones or improve your bone health then you will want to incorporate Bok Choy into your diet. This cabbage variant is packed with bone friendly nutrients, such as calcium, which is well absorbed for a vegetable sour of the mineral. The reason is that Bok Choy is low in oxalates, compounds present in many green leafy veggies that can bind to calcium making it harder for your body to absorb. Just two cups of this yummy, low calorie vegetable delivers as much calcium as a half a glass of milk. Two cups of raw Bok Choy provides 80 percent of your daily dose of vitamin K needed to bind calcium to bone.
  • If you have been told that you are Pre-Diabetic or you want to just fend off Diabetes, then you definitely want to incorporate more Chard into your diet. One cup of cooked Chard delivers nearly four grams of fiber. Chard slows the rate at which carbohydrates enter your blood stream, preventing blood-sugar dips and spikes. This plant is a top source of magnesium, a mineral that helps the body use the glucose-regulating hormone insulin more effectively. Chard also contains syringic acid, a substance that blocks the breakdown of starch into sugars, helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Given the fact that many of us only get half the fiber and less than two-thirds of the magnesium we need, Chard is a good source of these blood sugar balancing nutrients.
  • Looking to build your immune system up or to fight off a cold, then you want to eat more dandelion greens. This veggie is high in vitamin A, a nutrient that keeps the lining of our airways healthy, which is one of the first defenses against bacteria and pathogens that cause the common cold and other respiratory illness. Just one cup of raw dandelion greens boast 110 percent of your daily dose of Vitamin A, which is twice the amount you’d get from the same serving of spinach and 10 times the amount you would get from eating the same amount of broccoli. Dandelion greens are high in vitamin C, which is great for boosting the immune system.

Here’s a little tip, if you want to get more of these yummy green veggies into your diet, you can incorporate them into salads, stir-fry’s or smoothies. Once you start eating these goodies, I guarantee that you will love them and your mind and body will thank in you many ways beginning with the essence of feeling more energized, healthy and vibrant. So eat up. What are you waiting for?

I welcome your comments, tips and suggestions below.

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

info@healthhealingwellness.com

 

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Standard
ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Fear

It is hard to imaging life without fear. Its raw power can save lives, contribute to unnecessary stress and invade every part of our lives. Taming it is possible however it can be one of the greatest challenges a person can face, especially if they are a Vata Dosha or are comprised naturally of the Emotional Element of air. ( link to doshas) In this article, I would like to explore how you can overcome fear as you move about your day and travel down your path to bliss.

Fear is a primal instinct and is essential for survival. It is highly energetic and even exhilarating. People of all ages get a kick out of being scared while watching a movie or riding on an amusement park ride however fear in nothing to joke about. It can be a highly aroused state that can overtake us in response to a perceived threat causing us to either fight, flight, freeze or faint. It can lead to high states of anxiety and ultimately panic attacks. Fear can be a very unpleasant feeling.

As with all emotions, the practice of meditation can stablilize us enough in the midst of fear to help us see more clearly to distinguish a false threat from a real threat that needs to be acted upon. The type of fears meditation can help extinguish are the fears that we continually generate in our own minds which are usually the product of our own imagination and desire to control everything.

As our fear rises, we can start spinning in our heads to reinforce the size and shape of the threat. The good news is that this really is a natural process. It is when we are out of balance that the spinning wheel of fear can spin out of control. The very intense energy of fear,can become a powerful driving force in helping us to achieve our goals. It is just a matter of how we process this energy. Being able to recognize that fear is present can be hugely important in not allowing it to control you. If you struggle with fear, here is an exercise that can help you to not allow fear to paralyze you.

    Name the Fear

  • Confronted with a fearful situation, notice your heart and how it is pumping more, how your chest is tightening, how your back is stiffening and let an imaginary alarm bell go off in your head.
  • Take 3 or 10 or 20 slow, long deep breaths to slow your body down. Place your hand on your heart as you take the deep breaths so that you can feel when your body begins to slow down.
  • Acknowledge to yourself, I’m scared, I’m afraid ~ this is the actual act of naming the fear, so you automatically create a bit of distance between yourself and the intensity of the emotional reaction.
  • Say a few phrases of well –wishing toward yourself and others. This may includes phrases such as: May (I/others) see the source of our fear. May (I/others) be safe and free from fear. May (I/others) be happy and at ease.

Be kind toward yourself for being afraid. It is a natural emotion that we all have. The key is to learn how to use the energy of this emotion to propel you forward instead of keeping you feeling trapped and smothered. Learning how to bring more bliss into your life can further assist you with taming fear. (www.awakeningbliss.com)

I welcome your comments below.

 

Wishing you much health and wellness!

 

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

The Queen of Feeing Fabulous

 

www.rochelelawson.com

www.healthhealingwellness.com

www.stressassessmentmagic.com

www.youtub.com/rochelelawson

www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

info@healthhealingwellness.com

Twitter: @rochelelawson

 

www.linkedin.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Standard
ayurveda, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction

Chill Out! Stay Cool During the Summer Months

Right now, we’re in the middle of what Ayurveda calls the Pita season. The Pita dosha is all about fire and heat, which is why we refer to the hottest months of the year as the Pita season. Lots of people love to go to the beach, spend time at lakes, go camping, spend time Bar-B-Qing and being outdoors as much as possible when it’s nice out. All of this is really fun and enlivening, but it can also turn Pita people into an irritable, hot mess!

Pita is comprised of the qualities of fire and water. When you add more heat to the fire… it just gets hotter. Summer is the time of year when the Pita people (or the Pita aspect within Kapha and Vata people) is thrown out of balance (for more information on which dosha type you are, take this QUIZ [http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com].

When the Pita aspect is out of balance, you might experience acid reflex, stomach aches, irritability, ulcers, inflammatory responses in the body, more extreme allergies and digestive system upset.

Are You Out Of Balance?

Here are some clues that your Pita is out of balance during the hot summer months:

You might feel irritable and angry or prone to criticism. You might have an increased sense of competitiveness or suffer from digestive issues such as heartburn, diarrhea or gastric upset. You eyes may become dry or blood shot, you might feel dehydrated and experience excessive sweating, difficulty staying asleep or you may break out in a rash or acne. Yikes!

Here are 5 ways to chill yourself out this summer if you’re turning into a hot Pita mess.

  1. Rest Your Eyes. Fire manifests as light and heat, and Pita manages the vision in the body. When you rest your eyes, you can help prevent them from becoming dry and irritated. I highly recommend that everyone wear sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection.

Covering the eyes with a silk eye pillow filled with lavender can be a wonderful way to rest. It will calm any anxiety and promote deeper sleep.

  1. Dress More Lightly. We tend to do this during the summertime anyway, but be mindful of the clothes you choose. Cotton and linen are good fabrics that will allow the skin to breath and cool down the body.
  1. Don’t Wear Black. Instead of choosing black-colored fabrics (which actually take in the heat and pulls it into the body), wear colors like white, off-white, blue, green or orange, which naturally deflect heat. This will allow your body to stay cooler.
  1. Soothe Your Skin. If you’re experiencing itchy, red patches of skin and acne, treat yourself to a cucumber facial mask. Lay back with your lavender eye pillow and rest your eyes. This is very cooling and hydrating to the skin, it reduces inflammation, and helps the skin rehydrate and refortified. Another bonus is that it reverses the aging process.
  1. Enjoy a Massage. A daily self-massage will flush out toxins and relax the body. Getting a professional massage once a week from a certified therapist is another great way to calm and sooth the body. Have the therapist use cool, natural oils like coconut, sunflower or sesame, which will counter-balance the heat.

What natural tips do you have that help keep your body cool during the hottest months in the year? Leave a comment in the area below to share your tips!

 

Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.

 

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

International Best Selling Author

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

http://www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

info@healthhealingwellness.com

Twitter: @rochelelawson

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

Standard
ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Simple Ayurvedic Tips for Bliss & Beauty

Ayurveda is an ancient healing modality that uses natural remedies to help you become your most healthy, peaceful self. It also has a strong emphasis on achieving bliss and creating beauty in your life for yourself and all the people around you.

Follow these tips to experience more joy, freedom and blessings in your day-to-day life.

Drink A Glass Of Water

First thing in the morning, drink a glass of room temperature water or a glass of hot water with lemon. This is an age-old secret for reducing toxins. The warm water stimulates the digestive and elimination tract. Over time, you will see your skin clear up because your body is better at pushing out the toxins.

Enjoy A Walk

Go for a walk with a friend, co-worker or even your dog. A daily moderate walk benefits the cardiovascular system, tones the muscles and balances the mind, body and spirit. We all have a natural rhythm to which we walk. That rhythm calms the mind and stimulates our respiratory system to breathe deeply thereby filling us with more oxygen which aids in bringing a positive balance to our mind, body and spirit.

Take An Ayurvedic Lunch Break

Take a break from processed, canned, frozen or packaged foods. These foods are really harsh on the body and create a build up of toxins in the system.

Instead, treat yourself to a fresh, warm lunch (avoid leftovers because they have less nutritional value and contain dullness). A nice, wholesome salad with green leafy vegetables is the perfect way to nourish your body. If you can, eat at a local café that serves fresh organic foods. Silence your phone, shut off your laptop, and devote all your attention to the meal you’re about to consume. Let your mind think about how this food will bring nourishment to your mind and body.

Manage Stress With Breath

We tend to overbook ourselves quite a bit. Take a moment during the day to pause and do some deep breathing for 2-3 minutes. You can do this anywhere: in your car, at your desk, in the rest room.

Allow the deep breaths to help you melt away any stresses that may be harboring in the mind or body.

Give Your Emotions A Boost

If you’re hungry, eat a pear instead of a Hershey’s bar. When you stay away from candy and super sweet, salty or sour foods, you help your body stay balanced through the day. You can still have your dessert. Focus on something yummy like a pear, an apple, pineapple or watermelon. These are naturally sweet and good for your body.

Drink A Glass Of Milk

At bedtime, drink a glass of warm almond or coconut milk. I love to add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to aid digestion and help induce sleep.  Light a candle and play some music when you sit down to enjoy the warm, comforting beverage. This is a delightful way to begin a routine that will help your body to get ready for slumber.

How do you find your bliss? Visit http://www.freegiftsfromRochele.com to get “21 Tips to Instantly Reduce Stress” for more ideas.

Wishing peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

Author of : “Intro to Holistic Health, Ayurveda Style”

Co Author of:  “Answering The Call, ” “Rapid Change For Heart Centered Women”  and “The Live Sassy Formula”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

Standard
ayurveda, health and wellness, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

11 Ayurvedic Tips To Deal With Sleepless Nights

On a typical day in the United States, there are millions of people who wake up feeling exhausted because they didn’t get a good nights’ sleep. Getting adequate rest is becoming more difficult because of technology and the fast pace of our every day lives.

Fatigue caused by sleeping difficulties is becoming one of America’s top health problems. Researchers say lack of sleep can lead to health problems ranging from blood sugar and blood pressure issues, to increased levels of stress hormones in the body, to weight gain and even to shorter lifespan.

Tranquilizers and sleep aids, although frequently prescribed, are not a solution to curtail that problem. Drugs like this are highly addictive and can increase stress during the day. Although they may knock you out, your body still doesn’t get the deep, peaceful sleep cycles it needs, and you may still wake up feeling tired, sluggish and un-rested. The next time you experience difficulty sleeping, try the following tips to assist you with getting a good night’s slumber.

11 tips to naturally enhance the quality of your sleep:

Tip #1: Give yourself a morning and nightly massage with coconut oil, almond oil, sesame oil or olive oil. Feel your body become stimulated and receptive as you massage the muscles. Before bed, this will help you fall into a deep slumber.

Tip #2: Exercise during the day. It doesn’t have to be intense exercise, but if you take a walk, do yoga, or use a stepper or treadmill for even 20 minutes, you will find it much easier to fall asleep at night.

Tip #3: Sip water throughout the day. I recommend 4 -6 ounces of warm or room temperature water to stay hydrated. This will also help your body flush out toxins.

Tip #4: Avoid eating too many heavy, sweet, sour or salty foods. Instead, balance the flavors on your plate and don’t eat too much food. Overeating will interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Tip #5: Eat a light meal at night. Especially as we move through the summertime, keeping things light will help your body come to rest easier. Try putting a little fresh ginger or black pepper on your food for a flavor bonus.

Tip #6: Drink tea such as chamomile, lavender or ashawaganda in the evening. This  is a nice and gentle way to help prepare your mind and body to get ready for bed.

Tip #7: Drink a glass of warm almond milk with a dash of nutmeg, this is the spice that helps with insomnia. This is a phenomenal  and natural way to fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night long.

Tip #8: Keep the pressures of the day away from your sleep area. Remove any electronics (including your phone) from your bedroom. The goal is to make this room a comfortable, warm, loving and intimate space where your body feels nurtured.

Tip #9: Avoid watching suspense movies, dramas or violent movies before bedtime. Turn off the TV at least 15 minutes before you go to bed.

Tip #10: Draw a warm bath as you prepare for bedtime. Put a little lavender essential oil in the tub, and let your muscles melt into the warm water and the scent of the lavender relax your mind.

Tip #11: As you lay in bed, do this relaxing exercise: mentally scan your body from the crown of your head down to the bottom of your feet.  Now imagine that all your muscles are relaxing deeply and sinking into the mattress, as if you are floating on a cloud.

What bedtime routines do you have to help yourself fall asleep? Leave a comment in the area below to share your best tips.

 

Wishing peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit!

 

Namaste,

 

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

Host of “Blissful Living”

Author of : “Intro to Holistic Health, Ayurveda Style”

Co Author of:  “Answering The Call, ” “Rapid Change For Heart Centered Women”  and “The Live Sassy Formula”

http://www.rochelelawson.com

http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.doublewidenetwork.com/index.php/Shows/detail/blissful_livng

info@healthhealingwellness.com

http://www.youtube.com/rochelelawson

http://www.facebook.com/rochelelawson

Twitter: @rochelelawson

Standard