Let Your Inner Child Free

Take some time for yourself this week!

Stretch...

Walk...

Run...

Dance...

Play...

Let your inner child run free!

 

During June, I am implementing the Beta version of my new online community!  Leave a comment with some of the nutrition questions you might have, or a health topic you would like to learn more about.  The first 10 comments get a chance of trying out the next launch of the community in October for 50% off!!

Mantra Monday: Natarajasana

Hi friends!

This week's mantra is all about self love!  As we come to the end of January and beginning of February, we are constantly bombarded with red and pink everything every where.  Whether its ads on TV or online, we are constantly reminded of the fact that Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
Whether you are in a relationship or not, this "holiday" can be overwhelming.  I have never truly enjoyed Valentines Day simply because it puts pressure on people to buy yet another gift.  If we want to give a gift to a friend or loved one, why wait for a holiday?  Just buy them the gift and give it to them.

Instead of indulging in more consumption, I would like Valentine's Day to truly turn into a day of love.  You know how during the holidays, everyone seems to be in a better mood?  Why don't we carry that love and merriment more consistently throughout the year?!

That is why, this week, I have devoted the Mantra and Asana to love and fun.  Life is too short to be grumpy all the time.  Lighten your heart with some play time this week (see the pose below) and remind yourself that it is good to smile and be happy.  The yoga pose below is meant to lift your spirits and evoke a sense of play and fun!  The key to this mantra, though, is to actually believe it!  And from personal experience, even if you don't really believe it at first, the more you say it, the more you start to truly believe it!  I can tell already how beautiful you are!!

So...go...right now...look in the mirror and let yourself know how beautiful you are.  Give yourself some of this love and then pass it along to a friend or loved one!  Tell them how beautiful they are, and then let them know to pass it along as well!  It can't hurt, the world needs more love anyways :)

This week's Mantra:

This week's Asana:  Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose)

From standing, lean your weight onto your right foot and gently bend your left knee so you can hold on to your left foot behind you.  If you can not comfortably hold onto your foot, use a strap, belt or towel to loop around your foot for extra length.  Breathe.  When you feel balanced, lift your right arm up towards the sky, then gently start to lean forward; bending at the hip.  Press your left foot into your left hand (or strap, etc.) and breathe.  Keep your gaze forward, your chest lifted, and both legs strong and steady.  Stay here for 5-10 breaths, then repeat on the other side.

 I would love to see your pictures!!  Tag me on Twitter or Instagram @TheYogiRD

Flavorful Friday: The link between Obesity and Sleep

Hi friends!

I come to you today with another study.  This time, it is about the link between obesity and a lack of sleep (if you didn't catch that in the title...).

All joking aside, the link is real. In this study, published on December 11, 2015, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, researchers were looking at the values between reduced sleep (less than 7 hours per night) and obesity.  Wheat they found was that a lack of sleep led to increased mindless eating and drinking.

In my own dietetics practice and personal life, I have definitely noticed that a lack of sleep seems to be a trend among many people. Think about the last time you got less sleep than you are used to. How did you feel the next day? Were you tired, more cranky, or more easily agitated than normal? Maybe you had different eating habits or drank more caffeine? If any of these scenarios sounds like you, you are not alone! Not too many people get the required amount of sleep their body needs. As a species, we are constantly going going going and doing doing doing.

But sleep is for the weak!

Well, I am here to let you know that this is just not true. As a matter of fact, it may even be the exact opposite is true. As seen in the article, sleep plays a large role in our health, whether we want to believe it or not. You may feel just fine after a few nights of little sleep, but your body is doing more work than you know to make up for it.

Picture Link

If you are one of the many people that has a hard time getting to sleep, here are some of my suggestions:

• Have a night time routine- This really helped my husband, who has insomnia. By having a routine, you are basically telling your body that it is time to unwind and relax. The more routine and monotonous, the better.
• Sip some herbal tea- As part of your evening routine, there is something comforting and calming in a cup of tea.
• Eat a good meal 3-4 hours before you go to bed. This will allow enough time for the meal to at least partially digest before you go to sleep. Sometimes, the process of digestion is what keeps people up at night.
• Listen to calming music, maybe even do some light yoga or stretching. Both of these activities help to calm down tense muscles and over active minds.

What things help you to sleep better? Let me know in the comments!

25 Days of Blogging- Day 17: Where's Your Spirit?!

Hi Friends!

I hope you are enjoying this festive season.  I can't believe there are less than 10 days left of this daily blogging challenge!  I am really enjoying writing to you every day, so we will see what happens after December 25th.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah, or any of the other festivals I mentioned in my last posts, there is something about this time of year that makes everyone just a bit more happy.  Have you noticed it?  People seem to have an extra sparkle in their eye due to all of the festivities.  Maybe its because they get to see their friends and family that they may not always get to see...maybe it's all the festive food and drink...maybe they just love the cold weather (nah, that can't be it! ha!)

Either way, people are happy and that is what makes this world a better place to live. 

I do believe that this time of year also brings out the kid in all of us cranky adults (the world can do that to you...) We remember what it was like to go sledding, we drink hot chocolate with marshmallows, we hug more, we sing songs, and just feel like a kid!  One of the best ways to feel like a kid is to play!

It's a blurry picture, but I'm sure you get the point.  This is me having a blast with my hubby and friends!!

If you take a step back and watch the kids in your life, notice that they don't care about fitting in their exercise regime, they don't stress about what foods they should eat; they simply live and play!  So, I challenge you to get outside with friends and family, young and old, and PLAY!  It doesn't have to be anything crazy strenuous or physically challenging.  Throw a ball, play tag, dance in the living room with holiday music (I do this one all the time :)  Just find an excuse to have fun let your inner child shine though. 

What do you do to let your inner child out?  Let me know in the comments!