Christmas Time Treats!!

Christmas is 7 days away!  I love this time of year!  There is so much to love-  The bright lights, the festive Christmas music that plays on the radio or through out my home.  The smiles of children.  Gifts...the fun of giving and yes, receiving.   The wonderful smells-fresh pine, spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, & clove.  All the fun treats your neighbors bring over.  I love getting the wonderful baked goods from the neighbors.  I have received fresh baked bread, the best bread pudding I have ever eaten, chocolate/carmel cookies, sugar cookies!  Yes, I love all of it.  I don't wish it away.  I don't even feel guilty for trying a conscious bite of each thing!  What a gift to have such delicious food come straight to my doorstep!

How often do we find ourselves wishing these gifts wouldn't come into our lives.  We are afraid we will get fat..I think we should be more afraid of becoming numb to all the happiness and gifts that are around us.  How I look at Christmas and as it pertains to all the yummy food.
1.  First be grateful you even have food to put in your mouth.  Being grateful and conscious of this action we are so lucky to partake in each day, will help keep you from overindulging.  When I think of all those who go w/ out, the children, the lonely, the poor.  It keeps it in perspective and each bite is savored.
2.  Try to make healthy snacks and treats around the home.  I will list my favorite sweet treat below.  :)
3.  Exercise each day!!!  Trust me, if you will take a minimum of 15 min. to make yourself sweat, you will balance yourself out.  This time of year can be stressful for some.  The less you work out, the more your cravings increase and of course the less calories you are expending.  It is a win/win.  You move, you feel better, you eat less, you eat better food choices, and you burn calories through out the day.

We can all come out of the holidays feeling energetic and full of respect and grace within our body and mind!!

My favorite Recipe:   PEANUT BUTTER BALLS (I love to freeze these and take them out as a frozen treat)
Mix together:
1 c. natural p. butter
2/3 c. honey
3 c. slow cooked oatmeal
3 Tbsp. water
2/3 c. dry soy, almond, or milk powder
Roll into a ball, eat or freeze...ENJOY!!

Why Do I Exercise Regularly???

Lately I have been asked, "How do you stay motivated & consistently exercise on a regular basis?"  This is easy for me to answer, but I think it may surprise you.  With all the fitness modeling I have done and w/ the recent World Bikini Championships I participated in, one may think that I am motivated by looking good.  That all this exercise thing is about having the perfect body, the right curves, & one that can be admired by all to see.

I can honestly say that 90% of the time as I walk in the gym or get the motivation to work out, it is not for those reasons.  Exercising has been one of the biggest healers for me and continues to be each day.  Moving my body, getting the blood flowing, finishing a rep, or running just a little more when my mind says quit, reaffirms to me that I can do hard things each day!  Life throws many challenges, but through exercise (movement) we begin to open our souls to self respect, to self-esteem, to self discovery.  I don't feel motivated every day to put on my shoes and go for a run or put on my clothes and do a weight training workout.  There are days that I would rather sit and do nothing, or finish the work project that is in front of me.  But there has never been a time that after I pryed myself from work or off the couch that I regretted doing so!  There are many reasons for me to keep my body moving and to stay motivated.

I recognize my increased energy when my little girl asks me to dance w/ her and I do.  I recognize it when I am hiking in the beautiful mountains and realize that I can climb that peak and see all the beauty from above.  I recognize it when I can shovel snow for my sick neighbor and still have enough energy to do my own.  I recognize it when I want to try something new and I have enough confidence in my bodies ability to try it.  I recognize it when I am feeling down/depressed and nothing, but submerging myself in movement can bring me peace and calm in the mind.  I recognize it when my daughter asks me to go on a bike ride w/ her and I can say, "sure."  I recognize it when I have had a late night taking care of sick kiddos, but I have enough energy to still conquer the day.  I am grateful every day that I have this body that provides me with so much joy and allows me to serve, to love, and to explore and experience the beauty that is around me!

I know that I will continue to enjoy and develop an even deeper respect for this beautiful body of mine...not for man, but for myself and for the many more wonderful experiences of health that I will get to partake in.  I challenge each one of us to move a little more.  To take 3 days a week to do some type of movement, whether that be yoga, pilates, walking, biking, running, trying the new fitness class at the gym, or going to the library and picking up a work out video and doing it!!  One thing I can promise, you will not regret doing so!

To get yourself on the right track for 2012 and make it your happiest and healthiest yet, go to 
www.bodyheartmindsoulretreats.wordpress.com