How to never leave yourself behind!

Dodinsky's words were just words until something BIG happened to me.

As a mother,health & lifestyle coach, I was often the last one to take care of myself. 

I needed to help my family and others,find their way to joy and health. 

That's what I do. There is no time for me. 

Besides I would tend to my needs eventually.

Looking back now I saw that even though I "knew better" I often left myself behind to serve others and usually kept the left-overs for myself.

It started about a year ago....intense head, neck and shoulder pain that lasted for 3-4 horrific days. Not to mention the very bad  attitude to go with it! 

Those days were just about surviving the pain and asking myself "how can I just through it.

There was no joy, no happiness and no patience. 

My body felt drained of all it's goodness.

I was miserable and I bled bad energy & unhappiness.

I know because during those days, my 5 year old mirrored my emotions. It was ugly!

So I would nurse myself back to health, taking care of my needs for just those 3-4 days.

Once I felt good again, it was back to trying to be superwoman.

This quotes comes to mind:

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Albert Einstein

In my own mind I thought I had tried everything I could to try and figure out what my body was trying to say. Funny enough I kept trying those same things over and over and the results were the same. I felt insane!

I tried taking certain out foods, adding more veggies, not doing weights at the gym, going to a yoga class here and there  but nothing worked ( or so I told myself).

So I put it off (AGAIN) and told myself I would take care of it later.

Later never came!

Until a year later when my body started screaming at me! 

The pain now started happening every two weeks!

Enough was Enough!

Something had to change!

I had to change!

So I did some research and....I found out that my body was on fire (on the inside anyway).

All signs pointed to chronic inflammation.

So I changed my diet, I began my day with drinking a big glass of warm water to hydrate, followed by a veggie smoothie (then my coffee) and I started taking some minerals I felt my body needed.

I started gently moving my body 3-5 times a week.

I started calling up my friends and setting up time to meet for tea or just take a walk. 

I started making time for more relaxing showers.

And hardest of all: I realized that not everyday had to be packed with a zillion things to do. That my agenda didn't need every minute filled with places to rush off to and a dozen people to meet.

I realized that my husband had given me the gift of being able to stay home to be with our daughter, and that it was okay to give myself permission to spend time on things that I enjoyed and wanted to do.

It's been a month and so far the pain has not returned. Yay!

Changing things has made me a more patient mom, a not so stressed wife, a more listening friend and a Happier more joyful, gratitude filled woman!

Mama, Now it's your turn to feel a little JOY in your life!

It's starts with a small change and a little DIY challenge.

__________ A CHALLENGE FOR THE SUPER MAMA______

Below are some questions that will help you begin to find that so needed joy in your life:

A. List 1 activity you would like to start doing in your life, but are not currently practicing:  (Make it something you really enjoy doing for YOU)

I want to start practicing ________________________________

B. Identify 2-3 challenges keeping you from practicing this activity.

 I am not practicing ____________________ because_______________and ______________________ and blank.

C. List 3 solutions to the challenges you listed?

I could:

1.

2.

3. 

D. Now complete the sentences below.

Today, I commit to__________________________________

I want to do this because____________________________

I will accomplish this by______________________________

You can do it!

Until next time!

Joy & Gratitude to you, my beautiful superwoman!

X, Nancy

ps- I want to hear all about your change. E-mail me here.

Need happy Pleasure? + Mango Recipe!

What makes you smile?

Laugh?

Go giddy with glee?

For some, it’s a walk barefoot through the grass.

For another, it’s a spin on a roller coaster, a solo movie date, or a perfectly ripe mango.

So… when was the last time you did something that makde you actually feel happy?

If it’s been awhile, consider this: happiness lowers stress levels, increases immune system function, and lowers your risk of disease. It also makes life easier.

So want Happy Pleasure daily?

Doing one pleasurable thing per day (or more!) is the most powerful cure for gray, boring, or stressful days. Try this:

• Make an “I love” list. List everything that you enjoy – nothing is too small or too large. If you enjoy it, get it on the list. and make sure you schedule it in!

• Take a look at how you spend your days. When could you fit in a little pleasure? Perhaps you could leave the office at lunch to walk in the park? Maybe you could play your favorite music while doing the dishes? Book yourself a massage or spa day this weekend?

• Repeat daily, or more often, as needed.

So right now, grab a pen and schedule in some daily pleasures this week!

To get you started down the road of pleasure, give this luscious recipe a try and sit down and savor every bite:

Mango Cream

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon raw honey or agave nectar (optional)
• 1 cup organic whipping cream or carton of soft tofu or large ripe banana

Directions:

• Process the first four ingredients in a blender.
• Blend for one minute, or until pureed.
• Pour puree into a medium bowl.
• Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. If using tofu or banana, whir in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
• Fold whipped cream, tofu, or banana into mango puree, using a knife to swirl in a marbled effect. Enjoy!

Until Next time,

Sending you love, joy and gratitude, Nancy