This is a special weekend for me. I get to spend 24 hours with just total girls...teenage girls.
oh, yes! And the best part is that we are teaching them how worship God, the consequences of stuffing and the value of communication. I am just so excited to have this opportunity to be with these 11 girls for the weekend.
God is showing me everyday what & how to work on the areas that are lacking and I just am praying that these girls rock their faces off (just an expression), sing till they're horse, & up their personal relationship with God a notch or 5...by being real, honest,vulnerable, & who they are.
Thank yous to Revolve Tour for creating such a place for them, to Pastor and church family for praying for us and this special weekend, & thank you to the Sponsors who truly made this weekend possible for them. It's going to change their lives and allow God to speak directly to their hearts.
IT'S TIME TO DREAM ON!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Feeling Stressed?
10 Mind- and Body-Saving Tips to Beat the Post-Holiday Meltdown
Start 2011 stress-free with these mind- and body-saving tips. Photo: GettyBut taking time to restore and rejuvenate doesn't have to mean an expensive new gym membership, crash diet or steeply priced spa jaunt.
We spoke to leading physicians, trainers, and health and beauty experts to find the 10 easiest ways you can calm and center yourself right in the convenience of your own home, at little or no cost.
With these tips in tow, you'll feel refreshed, relaxed and perfectly primed to conquer all of those New Year's resolutions -- and actually keep them.
1. Set a bedtime. The biggest mistake people fall prey to while making New Year's resolutions is assuming that a complex new plan must be hatched, when simply returning to basics can have the strongest effect on both your health and energy levels. "Probably the best advice is to encourage people to get back to their normal routines, ASAP. Simple solutions like committing to eight hours sleep by giving yourself a bedtime makes a huge difference," says Dr. Susan S. Blum, MD, founder and director of the Blum Center for Health, in Rye Brook, N.Y.
Sleep is also scientifically proven to make you look more attractive to boot.
2. Cut sugar and alcohol. Revamping your diet doesn't mean you have to subsist on carrots and celery or miserably drink green sludge for days on end. Just cutting alcohol consumption and those sugar-filled treats that can morph into a daily habit during the holidays will allow your system to more effectively flush out the toxins that are making you feel groggy, bloated and fat.
"Sugar causes your blood sugar to go up and down, which puts stress on your adrenal glands to make cortisol to help balance it. Also, when your blood sugar drops, you get tired, and the adrenals pump out adrenalin for an energy boost. Your adrenals can eventually get tired of this work and become unable to respond. This is often why people become dependent on eating more sugar to keep them going. Alcohol acts like sugar in the body, and therefore does the same as above," explains Blum.
3. Rock out. Savoring some tunes on your iPod playlist or best-loved CD can relax your whole body, lighten your mood and refresh your brain so that you can catch a second wind. "Spending 10 minutes at the end of the day listening to your favorite music, and even allowing yourself to dance or move with it while cooking dinner, is a great stress buster," advises Blum.
4. Bathe and breathe. Turn your bathtub into a haven by indulging in a favorite bubble bath or adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to warm water. While you're blissfully enjoying your soak, practice deep breathing.
"Most of us are shallow breathers and breathe into our chests instead of into our bellies. Deep breaths can be enormously helpful in reducing tension, anxiety and depression," says Teri Dourmaskin, who holds a health education Ph.D. from Columbia University and is founder of the all-natural La Vie Celeste skin-care line.
"Take a deep breath in, focusing on filling up the belly. Then exhale through your mouth. You can also add sound as you exhale with an 'ah.' In order to get the hang of it, you can practice first by lying down and placing a book on your stomach to ensure that you're breathing through your belly. The book should bob up and down with each inhale and exhalation," instructs Dourmaskin.
5. Laugh. It's not just sweet talk to say that laughter is the best medicine; catching a funny flick with friends or playing with a pet who makes you giggle are both ways to help your body produce more "feel good" chemicals, which are scientifically proven to make you both healthier and calmer. "Laughing can increase endorphin levels and other neurotransmitters. It helps reduce stress hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine -- which is adrenaline -- and dopamine. It may also increase the number of antibodies and T-cells, which may in turn boost the immune system," adds Dourmaskin.
6. Meditate. To instantly de-stress wherever you are -- even if it's a few minutes you catch in the car or train while running around -- simply close your eyes and repeat a soothing mantra in your mind that centers your thoughts.
"Some people may find meditation difficult because their minds wander too much. For them, I highly recommend Deepak Chopra's CD "The Soul of Healing Meditations." All you have to do is sit and listen. Deepak's words are incredibly powerful and the music is intoxicating," says Dourmaskin.
"Most of us are shallow breathers and breathe into our chests instead of into our bellies. Deep breaths can be enormously helpful in reducing tension, anxiety and depression," says Teri Dourmaskin, who holds a health education Ph.D. from Columbia University and is founder of the all-natural La Vie Celeste skin-care line.
"Take a deep breath in, focusing on filling up the belly. Then exhale through your mouth. You can also add sound as you exhale with an 'ah.' In order to get the hang of it, you can practice first by lying down and placing a book on your stomach to ensure that you're breathing through your belly. The book should bob up and down with each inhale and exhalation," instructs Dourmaskin.
5. Laugh. It's not just sweet talk to say that laughter is the best medicine; catching a funny flick with friends or playing with a pet who makes you giggle are both ways to help your body produce more "feel good" chemicals, which are scientifically proven to make you both healthier and calmer. "Laughing can increase endorphin levels and other neurotransmitters. It helps reduce stress hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine -- which is adrenaline -- and dopamine. It may also increase the number of antibodies and T-cells, which may in turn boost the immune system," adds Dourmaskin.
6. Meditate. To instantly de-stress wherever you are -- even if it's a few minutes you catch in the car or train while running around -- simply close your eyes and repeat a soothing mantra in your mind that centers your thoughts.
"Some people may find meditation difficult because their minds wander too much. For them, I highly recommend Deepak Chopra's CD "The Soul of Healing Meditations." All you have to do is sit and listen. Deepak's words are incredibly powerful and the music is intoxicating," says Dourmaskin.
Take time to pamper yourself with a DIY facial mask. Photo: GettyIf you're too tight on time or funds to seek out a class, both PBS and Fit TV run free workout broadcasts every day that you can do at home.
And if the stress is of the deeper emotional kind, you may benefit more from a calming stretch session or restorative yoga -- not to be confused with an intense vinyasa class, says Hoebel.
8. Mask and pamper. Taking time to indulge your skin will not only make you feel valued, but give you the glow that others see as a sign of vitality and wellness. Marina Valmy, director of Christina Valmy Skincare, shares two beauty recipes you can cook right up in your kitchen:
Exfoliation Enzyme Mask
1 teaspoon mashed papaya
1 cube pineapple or 1 1/2 teaspoon pineapple juice
1 teaspoon cornmeal
3/4 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
Blend all ingredients in a mixer, adding sea salt last. Apply to entire face, save for eyes, using a mask or foundation brush for even application. Leave on for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing. The mask gently removes dead cells without irritating, leaving skin velvety smooth. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.
Eye Puffiness Reduction Mask
2 tablespoons grated raw potato
1 teaspoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon grated broccoli
Blend potatoes with instant coffee in a mixer. Add broccoli and blend until homogenized in texture. Apply under eyes and leave for 20 to 30 minutes, removing with cotton pads and water. Coffee increases blood circulation for better oxygenation, and potato enzymes extract toxins. Broccoli is rich in vitamin K, which counteracts the appearance of skin darkness and bruising.
Om! Unwind with a simple yoga pose. Photo: GettyLie on your back on soft carpeting or a yoga mat, and bring your knees to the chest and over to your right. Look with your head in the opposite direction and feel your center extend away from the side as you twist. Inhale again, and switch to the other side, exhaling your knees down to the left and head in the other direction. Hold for several moments on each side as you breathe deeply. While twisting, think of releasing an old habit or thought that no longer serves you, instructs Morano.
10. Clean out. You know how sweeping out clutter can make you sigh with relief and breathe in with new energy? It's not just your imagination -- making physical room for something fresh can also clear your mind of negative thoughts and the debris of stress, and make you feel ready to take on the world. "Consider cleaning out a closet, drawer or area in your home to clear space to bring in the new. Envision how you would like it to look. Let go of objects or clothes that carry an old energy that you feel you no longer resonate," says Morano.
Without Training Wheels
It’s a breezy, warm, summer’s day. Everything seems to be making its own melody. The trees sway in a happy dance with the wind, the sun beams flicker with excitement, the birds chirp and sing as if it were their last tune; all softly watching on to see if she’ll do it this time.
“She’s almost got it…there!..Uh!…OH..she’s…aaahhh” says the squirrels, as the 5 year old (going on 8) falls once again off her little pink bike.
Chloe determined not to have training wheels anymore! Why, she’s 5 today! “A whole hand full!” she declared after eagerly blowing out the candles on the purple cake with her name on it; for purple is her favorite color & mommy knew.
With mom and dad watching closely-ever ready to prevent a broken arm or clean a skinned knee, but allowing her to fall or stumble in order to learn to ride properly-she feels safe, but independent.
“I almost did it!” she shrikes as she pauses long enough to catch her breath. “You can do it sweetie!” they encourage.
Isn’t this the picture of our lives? No matter our age, aren’t we all trying to accomplish, achieve, or conquer a feat of our own?
All trying to find our way, find a dream and daring to believe in it.
Learning to ride a bike was (at that time in each of our lives) the biggest feat to achieve; the balance, steering, peddling. For me, my bike was somewhat too big…my poor little legs couldn’t quite peddle and set down at the same time.
But after about a day of spent hours on the hot pavement Chloe was a pro! Her purple and pink pom-poms blowing in the wind as she flies by mom and dad; now not afraid, but proud.
How many times has our Heavenly Father sat back and watched us as we try life out on our own? Jesus showed us how much He truly values children.
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] [a]
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18: 10-14
Think of a child you know. Think of a time that they showed complete trust; tons of faith and zero amounts of doubt.
Do you remember feeling that way at one point and time in your life?
Do you remember feeling that way at one point and time in your life?
Like you could accomplish anything! Answer this question:
“What would I try if I knew I wouldn’t fail?”
A few months ago, it would’ve been completely impossible to answer that, because after being hurt, left, lost, depressed, without self-esteem, emotional disconnection, procrastination, & much more…I was unable to make decisions, my truster was broken, and I had no desire to dream a dream only to wake up to more disappointment.
It wasn’t until I stepped out of the dark corner I sat in that I forced myself to deal with my past, learn to God made me, & not be afraid to DREAM!
So whatever the answer to that question is, make THAT your LIFE resolution. Not just this year or the next, but if it’s something God put into your heart—then you’d be crazy NOT to work towards it.
Dare to dream BIGGER this year!
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