fuel your body

When I am hungry you do not want to be around me.  I am the type of person who gets 'hangry' pretty quickly.  Dustin can vouch for my irritability and inability to make a decision in that moment. 

As soon as I get a little bit of food in my tummy, my mood changes and I am back to my old self.  I have learned that what works for me is smaller meals and snacks throughout the day.  It helps to keep my energy level high and irritability at bay.  

Nourishing our bodies is a form of self-care.  What we choose to put in has a direct effect on how we feel.  I know that when I do not feed myself well and am only surviving on sugar my body revolts and I feel awful.

I never thought I would be the person bringing quinoa and broccoli to work for lunch but have learned over the years when I eat the pizza instead I want to fall asleep at my desk by 2 o'clock.  It is at that time I will reach for caffeine and then ultimately crash, again.  

Nourishing my body does not take a lot of work, but it does take a bit of planning.  I never thought I would be one to do weekly meal prep but it has become a lifeline for me.  Having something that I can just grab takes out the thinking and makes it quick and easy in the moment.  

I have become the girl who leaves the house with her lunch box and has healthy snacks in her purse.  Because like I said, you don't want to see me hangry.  And having something that fuels me makes it that much easier for me to say no to the vending machine.  

Nourishing my body has not been a skill that was developed over night.  In fact it is something that I work on daily and consider a practice.  I still struggle with dinner but find eating the same breakfast for a week works for me.  

There are tons of food and fitness bloggers that make it seem pretty and fancy.  For me it never looks that way.  After meal prep on Sunday it looks like a hurricane went through my kitchen. But that's nothing a little soap can't help scrub away.  

What I have learned on this journey is to not get caught up in the comparison game. When we do that we throw self-care onto the floor and stomp on it for some extra pain.  You need to do what works right for you.  Only you know the type of schedule and time you have.  Only you know what your taste buds truly desire.  Only you know what food really fuels you.  You can be inspired by others, but don't let them bring you down.  

I invite you to simply notice this week what you put into your body and how it makes you feel.  Is your food fueling you or slowing you down.  Does what you eat give you energy or make you feel like it's time to nap.  Keep a list of everything your consuming and how it makes you feel.  Doing this will help you be more conscious of what you are putting in.  

Fueling your body doesn't have to be a scary and overhwelming feeling.  In fact it is pretty simple, but it all starts with you.  

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Join me on a 30 day exploration into self-care where together we will committed to practicing self-care for the entire month of June. Because when you take care of yourself you are better equipped to show up in this world and have something to give to others.  

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self-care brings forth self-love

Being sure I showered and brushed my teeth before I headed out the door was my go to college self-care routine.  At the time I had no idea what self-care truly meant and how important it was to my overall well being.  I knew then that I had to eat more veggies and get protein in my body {although I never really did that}but what I didn't know was that self-care extended far beyond the food I ate.  In fact what was truly important was my mental and spiritual self.  This side of myself I had no idea how to tend to as I was still unearthing who I was.  

Today if I do not take care of myself I become irritable, cranky, and want to spend time on my own.  It is in these moments that I will turn to netflix and veg out on the coach.  But even non-stop episodes of Brothers & Sisters does not help fill my well and bring me back to me.  

Writing is one of my self-care practices.  When I feel this lost distant version of myself it is usually because I have not sat with my journal in a really long time. The blank page provides me a space to let go of all my worries, expectations, fears, and dreams.  It is my opportunity to say exactly how I feel and work through how to get to how I want to feel.  

Meditation is another one of my go to's.  Sitting, even if just for a few moments helps me clear my head and just be.  Even just five minutes of uninterrupted silence in my car can do wonders for my mood.  

But here's the thing.  We do not have to wait until we are irritated and fighting with everyone we know to give ourselves permission to take some time for self-care.  We can carve out a few moments each day to fill our well and ignite our inner light.  

Self-care takes practice.  It is like a muscle you have to condition over time.  If you let it go it will become flabby and leave you feeling heavy.  But if you work on it, even if just for a little bit each day it will become stronger and more resilient.  

You cannot pour from your cup to give to others if you have let your own cup run dry.  You need to tend to you mind, body, and heart.  You deserve a moment just for you.  You deserve to feel yourself lit up from the inside out.  You deserve to do whatever it is that makes you happy. 

I invite you to take some time for you.  To start a practice of self-love, compassion, and kindness.  I invite you to make yourself a priority and fill your own well.  Do not wait for someone else to do it for you.  You are the one in charge of your own happiness.  You are the one who decides what you are going to do and where you are going to go.  You are the one who makes the rules for you.  How is it that you want to feel?  

Now more than ever you need to shower yourself with kindness so that you can show up in this world as the best version of yourself.  When you are kind to you, you set an example and inspire others to do the same for themselves.  

Everyone's version of self-care looks a little bit different, but one thing is for certain.  We all want to be happy.  We all want to feel love.  We all want to smile with our entire being.  

So join me for 30 days of self-love prompts, inspiring stories, adventures, and inspiration that will guide you in starting your own attainable self-care practice.  Through audio, video, and written prompts you will be unable to unearth what your heart needs.  This doesn't require any fancy tools or makeup.  The most beautiful part about self-care is that you show up exactly as you are and nourish your mind, body, and spirit.  

We begin on June 1st and all lessons will be delivered to your inbox so that you can revisit them time & time again. 

Or click HERE to learn more.  Together we will walk this journey and dive deep into self-kindness.  Will you join me?

stronger together

When the universe wants to teach you a lesson it doesn't give up until you learn it.  

I am an introvert.  I tend to observe rather than engage.  I take in all that is happening around me.  But when you only observe you stand on the outside and no one knows what is going on with you inside.  There are times I feel isolated and lonely.  There are times when I feel defeated and unsure.  

One of the ways that I connect is by showing up to this space and spilling open the contents of my heart.  It allows me the opportunity to share my story.  In sharing my story I hear from others who are going through something similar and it makes me feel less alone. 

All to often I feel like I need to do it on my own.  I do not like to ask for help and when others try to help I push them away.  I am a pleaser and want to do anything to make someone else comfortable.  I think of others needs before my own even when they are willing to help me.  When it comes to my work I feel like it all has to be done by me.  I bog myself down with trying to do it all.  But no one person can do everything.  

We are stronger when we come together.

This is the lesson the universe has been trying to teach me.  The lesson I have been pushing away time and time again.  But within these last few weeks I am learning that I can't do it all alone.  I need to reach out.  I need to invite others in.  

My sister in law showed me this by sharing a very personal story publicly.  In doing so she connected with other tender hearts who have gone through or is going through what she had.  In sharing her story she helped others to know that they are not alone and in turn she learned that when she felt isolated that there were others out there going through what she had.  

It is important to share our stories.  

It is our stories that invite others in.
It is our stories that connect us. 
It is our stories that bring us closer to one another.  
It is in telling our stories that we help our hearts heal. 

For the past couple of years I have been on a journey to eat more mindfully and move my body daily.  Karen and Katrina from Tone It Up have been my inspiration.  I want to have more energy, a clear mind, and feel strong. 

I have lingered on the outskirts of the Tone It Up Community.  I longed to find a couple of other girls from NJ who followed the plan but never took the effort to really seek them out, until now.  They just kicked off their next challenge and I actively pursed finding others from my area.  It has been such a blessing to know they are out there.  I never would have found them had I not sought them out.  Together we are going to go through this.  We will be there to support one another to hold each other accountable and let each other know it is ok when we slip up.  

We are stronger together.

The theme for this challenge is actually titled 'Stronger Together'.  That could not have been more appropriately titled.  The universe showing up again to try to teach me this lesson.  

When I was younger I was terrible at math.  I remember sitting for hours at the dining room table with my dad as he tried to explain it all to me.  It took a while but once I got it, I had it.  My mom always said she could see the moment the light bulb went off in my head and I understood what he was explaining. 

If my mom was here today I think this would be one of those moments she would see the light bulb going off.   I am FINALLY learning to invite others in.  To share my heart not only in the written word but through stories and conversations.  I crave and desire that face to face connection.  Being an introvert it can be hard to show up into that. 

Writing has given me the opportunity to pour my heart out and learn that when I did so I would not be rejected.  It is ok to share.  It is necessary to share. 

I have grown steady on these writing legs but it is time to spread my wings and dive in deeper.  Knowing that we are stronger together I feel deep courage and confidence inside my heart to keep stepping forward on this journey.  It is time to open up and let others see me in ways that I have not done so before.  

I invite you to join me on this journey.  To take these steps together.  To encourage one another.  To let each other know that they are not alone.  Will you join me?

seek out space

Seek out the space where you can expand and grow.  Do not let others tell you cannot do it, or it is not meant for you. Your hopes and dreams are deep inside your heart. 

Breathe life into them.
Tend to them.
Allow them space to grow and thrive.

You deserve the utmost happiness. You deserve to be smiling and living the life you desire.  But the only way for that to happen is for you to grab hold of the reigns and write your own story.  You are the keeper of the pen.  You choose what you want to do and where you are going to go.  You can choose to say yes and you can choose to say no.  

Follow your heart, always!

Yes there will be people nagging you to make different choices, but do not let there idea of who you should be change who you are.  Only you know what lights you up.  Only you know how you want to shine in this world.  Go for it!  Along the way you will find individuals who support you and love you for exactly who you are.  

So do not let others tear you down.  But find those who build you up.  And seek out space to grow, dream, become.  Today is the first moment of the rest of your life.  How are you going to spend it?

thank you for your friendship

I am grateful for you and the way you hold up the mirror and reflect back all that I cannot see.  Without you my world would be dark.  I would fall down the rabbit hole of despair and be unable to find my out.  You walk along the path with me.  You listen when I speak and you listen even deeper when I am silent.  You know how I am feeling without me even saying a word.  What a gift you are in my life. 

As human beings we are our own worst critic.  We pick every little thing apart about ourselves, things we never would pick apart to a good friend or even a stranger.  So why do we do it to ourselves?

You remind me of the good I hold.  You invite me to slow down, take a step back, and see with fresh eyes what is really right below the surface.  You show me that I do have much to offer and you help me to not doubt myself.  

Together we laugh so hard that tears stream down our cheeks.  We jump in the car and hit the road not sure of where we are going but enjoying every moment of the adventure.  You show up with chicken noodle soup when I am sick.  You climb the stairs with advil in hand when I can't bear to move a muscle out of bed.  You bring with you joy, love, and comfort.  You remind me again and again that I am not alone and you always reach out your hand.  You understand how hard it can be to ask for help so you don't wait, you just come right in.  

You have helped me create a lifetime of memories that fill my heart with happiness.  You have seen me at my very best and at my worst.  You never once judged me even when you should have.  You accepted my mishaps and mistakes and helped me find my way back to myself.  You told me when I needed to knock it off, buck up, and just forget about it already.  Your honesty is what has helped me through. 

You have been a shoulder to lean on and someone I could call on anytime night or day.  You knew me back when before so many scars, before so much pain, before I made so many mistakes, but also before so many incredible memories, happiness, and joy.  You knew me then and loved me and know me today and still continue to love me.  

I am grateful for YOU.  For your wide open heart and incredible friendship.   Life would not be what it is today if you were not here traveling this adventure with me.  I want you to know how much you mean to me and how bright your light shines in this world.  

Thank you for the hugs.  Thank you for the laughter.  Thank you for always listening.  Thank you for the walks and the coffee dates.  Thank you for everything!  I adore YOU!  

saying YES!

I have been playing it small.  Opportunities arriving at my doorstep and I do not open the door.  Fearful of failure.
Fearful of not being able to live up to expectations.
Fearful of the unknown.
But here's the thing; when you play it small you never expand.  You never grow.  You never accomplish your dreams. You remain exactly where you are.  

I am stagnant and moving no where fast.  I have lots of hopes, dreams, and desires swirling in my heart yet I have not taken any steps to accomplishing them even when the knock comes at my door.  I avoid the opportunity and shrink away.  But it is time to end all of that. 

It is time to say YES!  

I ned to take the leap.  No more hiding away.  It is time to show up.  Even if I don't feel like I am good enough, even if I don't have complete confidence, even if I am not 100% sure of what I am doing I need to do it anyway.  The only way to truly learn something is to submerge yourself in it and do it. 

If I want to be a yoga teacher I need to teach. Even if that means messing up along the way.  Yoga is about meeting yourself where you are and doing what you can.  I need to do what I can and over time I will improve.  I am learning nothing by just sitting on my coach hoping to one day teach.   

If I want to write a book the only way to do that is to sit down day after day and write.  The words will not magically appear on there own.  And yes they may become jumbled and jump from thought to thought but once they are down on the page I can sort them out.  

If I want to run the marathon in November then I need to run now.  Putting one foot in front of the other even when I don't feel like it. 

If I want to make an impact on this world and use my ability to guide others, listen deeply, and write openly than I need to take the leap and do it.  I need to put it out there that I can create a personalized mentoring program and invite others to work with me.  Nothing will happen if I do not put it out there.  

So I am saying YES! 

Yes to the opportunities that rise up even when they scare the heck out of me.
Yes to believing in myself and going after my dreams. This means putting in the work.
Yes to taking chances even when I do not know how they will end up.  
Yes to me and creating the life I want to be living.  

I am not meant to live small. But the only way to live big is by putting myself out there, going through rough patches and failure and coming out on the other side.  I can't instantly step into the life of my dreams.  I need to build it block by block, step by step.   And only I can do that by taking chances.  And so I am.  It starts today!

What can you say yes to in your life?