Wellness Wednesday

The message today - it is ever so important to laugh, relax and let go.

In the past couple of weeks I have probably embraced the whole idea of laughing and letting myself be myself with friends and family more than I have in a long time.  I've eased up a little on the school thing and focused a little more on the whole having fun and living thing.   There are two things that happened recently that made me stop and realize the importance of this.  First, for the first time in a very long time I had a photo taken of myself that I liked.  It was with some dear friends on the girls day out over lunch with much fun and laughter - and all that came through in the photo.  Secondly, Last night, for the first time in a while the hubby and I got to spend time just being silly with each other (there has been a lot of stress lately but some big decisions were made that have eased the burden a little) and it made me realize just how important laughter is.

Wellness Wednesday

As I've been feeling a little off this past week with one of those annoying dry throats that wont go away - but seems to only be present when I'm at work (Obviously I'm allergic to work) I thought today's Wellness Wednesday could use some info on battling colds, flu and other nasties the natural way.

Peppermint oil - okay I love this stuff.  It is my 'go to' for so many things.  I use it to combat headaches mostly (I'm a migraine sufferer) but it is also great for clearing up the respiratory tract as well as an awesome way to cool off on a hot day (peppermint oil infused spritz, or a few drops on the back of the neck).

Eucalyptus - now this one seems to be most peoples 'go to' for any kind of winter nasty, and I know that it does work, but I'm allergic to the stuff (nasty migraines ensue) so I can't really speak from personal experience here.

Feverfew - as the name indicates its a great one for helping take down those nasty fevers.

Ginger - in tea it is great for heating you up when you've managed to stay out in the nasty weather long enough to get a chill.  It is also a good one to include in meals on a regular basis.

Garlic - I eat lots of this on a regular basis, I add it to meals and any recipe that actually calls for it has the amount doubled.  It is great to help keep you healthy.

Yarrow Flowers - will fight inflammation and can help make you sweat out that nasty stuff :)

Marshmallow Root - great for coating a raw sore throat.  (As is slippery elm bark)

Thyme - helps to loosen up all that gunkiness sitting in your throat.

Wellness Wednesday

Welcoming Home

I've been thinking a lot lately about the positive influence a welcoming home can have on the body and the mind.  You see we are moving in about 18 months.  Not just moving, but moving overseas.  So we will be giving up our home - hopefully to some wonderful tenants that will rent her and look after her (because we can't sell for what we owe, but that is a whole other story).

Yet, despite knowing that my home will not be my home for much longer I am still driven to make it what I envision it to be.  I want to finish painting all the walls, put up artwork and inspirational quotes and turn it into a wonderful welcoming sanctuary.  This has confused me a little as 1. I've never really been a make it homey person, and 2) My logical side of my brain knows that its financial output that we wont get to enjoy.

So why so driven?  I think it comes down to the need to have a sanctuary.  A place that I feel good to go home to.  My life is so stressful with school and work that I need to come home and feel like this little part of the world is all mine, it reflects my personality and it offers me a warm embrace to soothe the tired body and mind. I don't think we can underestimate the impact that this type of environment can have on us.  I think I'm just experiencing it for the first time.  My childhood was such that the house I grew up in was not a home, then we moved around a lot when my parents split and I never really had a home.  In fact I don't believe that until now I have ever lived in one place for longer than 3years.  We are going on four in this house.

Wellness Wednesday

Today's Wellness Wednesday is in celebration of my having commenced (once again) the C25k program. For those unaware of the program more information can be found here.  Essentially it is a 9 week program designed to get you off the couch and running 5k (approximately 3 miles for those using that system).  I have attempted this program 2 times before and never made it through.  The first time I was just too damned unfit.  The Second time I broke my ankle which put paid to that.  So I'm at it once more.

Last night I did my first day of week one and I was very proud of myself - compared to where I was when I stopped last time I was less out of breath and covered more distance.  The out of breath thing is huge for me.  I'm an asthmatic and since I've move to the USA I have not been able to take my instant relief medication because I have bad reactions to the brands available here so I've had to learn to control my breathing and my attacks without medication.  It has taken a long time but I can now play a full game of indoor soccer and go running without needing my medication at all.

Now I'm not a runner by nature - give me a really long walk any day, but I acknowledge that I need to get my butt moving if I want to be healthy again so I figured why not really challenge myself.  Plus my hubby is a runner who hates walking so it gives us an excuse to spend some time together (which we get precious little of).  Where will I go once I achieve the 9 weeks?  I don't know.  Maybe I'll learn to love running, maybe I'll always be one of those people that just suffers through it.  All I know is that for the time being I'm trying.

Wellness Wednesday - Taking Time Out

A dear friend, QLD, Australia.

Yesterday was a glorious reminder to me of the importance of taking time out.  I lead a fairly hectic life (not as hectic as some I know) and I have noticed especially since moving to the USA that I don't take time out as much as I used to simply to enjoy doing something.  Yesterday the hubby decided to leave work early and come home at the same time I did so that we could spend some time together.  We don't often get to do this because I work from 7-4:30 and he works from 10-7.  So we decided to clean the BBQ and fire her up for the first time this season and enjoy a nice leisurely dinner out on our balcony.

This type of dining is something I dearly miss from back home - and I will admit I don't enjoy the fact that our balcony looks over the main street so anyone walking by can see us as well as the neighbors - but there is just something nice about eating out in the fresh air and sunshine that makes the food taste better.  Plus, hubby and I are notorious for eating dinner while watching an episode of something on the couch because it is usually our only down time we have all day.  So this meant that we got to talk to each other as well (something our relationship is missing a lot lately).

It was amazing the tone that this period of 'time out' set for the evening.  Both hubby and myself were more relaxed and dealing with school work was much more productive.  It is funny how we forget this, these simple things that make life living.  That make you appreciate the time you have, the world around you and the people you love.  That make the journey worth it and help you to re-focus.  And that I am certain help extend your lifespan also.

Wellness Wednesday - April 11th, 2012

Today's Wellness Wednesday is Organics.

I cannot recommend highly enough organic products.  While I know some people who think it is just a marketing scheme and that there is no helpful benefits, I could not agree less.  The saddest thing about Organics here in California (I don't know about the US as a whole) is that they're just so damn expensive and not always the easiest things to come by.  Of course if you have a yard you can grow your own organic garden but not everyone has that luxury.  I am quite lucky that I now have a Whole Foods near us.  There is also a company that will deliver organic produce to your door (although that didn't work out so well for us - I'm fussy and like to choose my produce).  There is of course the issue with Whole Foods that not everything that is organic is locally grown and I know that buying local is definitely a better option but not always a viable one.

So why do I love organics?  Because it not only is better for you, but it tastes so much better.  We first got hooked on organics in New Zealand.  There we were lucky, we had a delivery service for the produce and an organic butcher for our meats and eggs.  We also had three different organic/natural stores within easy driving distance where we could get everything else for the house - and best of all - the grocery bill wasn't any more than if we purchased regular items from the grocery store.  We noticed the taste difference straight away - things had flavor (not much regular produce or meat does anymore), you could eat a salad without piling on the dressing because each vegetable was full of flavor.  Of course after a few weeks we noticed the health and energy benefits as well and that sold us on the process.  I used to have an organic beauty range that I used too - it was a NZ brand, and I received so many compliments on the quality of my skin when I was using it.

And of course this doesn't even go into the earth conscious parts of the argument for organic produce.