Easter Greetings

Dream It, Do It

Spend more time focused upon your dream than upon the reality. 

The reality gives birth to the dream -- 

but the dream is where you are wanting to put your attention.

Esther Hicks & Abraham

Wordless Wednesday

Nothing lasts forever...

Help for the Common Cold

  Seems like everyone I know has a cold, is getting over a cold or feels like a cold is on the way.  I saw this recipe and thought it sounded interesting.  I’ve been pretty healthy so far (knock on wood!) so I haven’t actually tried it.  If you try it, let me know how you like it!                                  

Irish Whiskey Tea

1 medium to large lemon (or 2 small)

1 teabag black irish tea
(Barry's, if you can get it)

honey

Irish whiskey (preferably Jamesons)

whole cloves, cinnamon stick

Cut a 1/4 inch slice out of the middle of the lemon. Stick 4-6 cloves into this lemon slice, and set aside. Juice the 2 halves of lemon into a large cup (using a clear cup is easiest). Then add a roughly equal amount of honey, and a roughly equal amount of whiskey. Stir whiskey, lemon, and honey together, and add a cinnamon stick. In a separate cup, brew a strong cup of black tea - about 6-8 oz. Remove teabag, and pour tea into the whiskey/lemon/honey mixture. Float the clove-studded lemon slice on top of the entire mixture, and drink quickly before all the "good" stuff evaporates! This really does work to help cut phlegm, soothe coughs and sore throats, make you warm and toasty, and make you feel better!

During the cold and flu season it’s important to also relax and get lots of rest.  What is your favorite way to relax and de-stress.  Is it a warm bath?  A massage?  A hot cup of tea? 

Tension Tamers

Body & Soul Magazine had some good pointers for relieving the tightness or dull ache we sometimes get in our neck and shoulders.  I often have that problem and found these to be quick and easy to do.

1. Squeeze Out Stiffness

Put your left hand on the back of your neck, take a breath and squeeze the muscle with your hand as you exhale.  Repeat several times.  Then put your left hand on your right shoulder (the muscle, not the bone) and repeat, squeezing as you exhale, releasing slowly.  Repeat on the other side.

2.   Lift and Lengthen

Rotate your shoulders in a circle:  Roll shoulders forward, then up and back and finally bring them back to a relaxed position.  Coordinate with your breath, inhaling as you pull forward and exhaling with a sigh as you rotate them around, letting go of all tension.  Repeat 3 times.

1. Tap Away Tension

With your left hand half-closed and your wrist loose, tap firmly but gently up your right arm, along the trapezius muscle and on the sides and back of the neck.  Repeat on the other side.

Wordless Wednesday

A view from our hotel in Duluth, MN.

Spring Rejuvenation Tips

  

Even though it doesn’t seem like spring here in Minnesota, these are our top ways to rejuvenate, renew and refresh yourself just in time for spring: 

1)     Tub time - drink a cup of tea while soaking in a hot bath with your favorite fragrant bath soak. 

2)     Take a mini vacation in your head - visualize yourself on a warm, sandy beach soaking up the sun as you hear the waves crashing.

3)     Make Some Daily Personal Time - take some time each day just for yourself, even if it's just 15-20 minutes. Meditate, sit quietly or say affirmations. Just 20 minutes will energize you and help you maintain a better frame of mind. 

4)     Express gratitude - remind yourself of all the things you're thankful for: your family, friends, your home, and your work. Remember to say "thank you" to those who help you.

5)     Perform small acts of kindness - Performing acts of kindness will help you to feel better about yourself too!

6)     Remember to laugh - laughter can be great medicine. Watch a funny movie, make plans with your funniest friends, or just laugh out loud at nothing!

7)     Breathe deeply - after an especially stressful situation, take a few minutes to breathe deeply. Inhale and count to five and then exhale slowly. As you exhale imagine all your tension leaving your body. 

8)     Permission to be you - Take a break from the image that you have of yourself and the image that you project. Just let yourself be whoever you feel like being in the moment. Give yourself permission to be you!

9)     Eat a healthy lunch - instead of making do with eating fast food, eat something simple, healthy, colorful, fun, and exotic or with wild flavors and textures. Enjoy!

10)  Host a gathering with girl friends - we saved the best way to renew yourself for last. How about getting together and doing facials or pedicures? 

Love to get your hands in the  earth  ? Then don't forget to care for your most important garden tools---your hands, feet and back. 

Ten Thoughts on Whole Living

1. True power comes from internal strength, not muscular prowess.

2. Every interaction has an emotional impact. Handle each one with awareness.

3. A healthy diet is a vibrant, flavorful one.

4. Passion, like fire, requires stoking. Find new ways to intensify it.

5. Personal fitness emerges when you confidently inhabit your body.

6. Know your worth--and accept nothing less.

7. Celebrate the milestones that mean the most to you, not someone else.

8. Simply being present is often the most valuable gift you can give.

9. Solitude feeds your soul, but that doesn't mean you always have to go it alone.

10. Misery may be contagious--but so is joy!

                                                    by Terri Trespicio