Floral Inspiration

As mentioned in the past, little acts of kindness are truly some of the most powerful things around!

While finding it hard to motivate yesterday morning, one of my co-workers popped her head around the corner with a bouquet of beautiful purple flowers. Simply seeing fresh flowers instantly brightens my mood but she then announces they’re for me! I am teaching her daughter to swim and she told her mommy she wanted to get me flowers –  SO THOUGHTFUL and ADORABLE!

It may sound silly but my week was instantly off to a better start! Working with ‘Mini’ and seeing her progress is reward enough but the flowers will keep a smile on my face all week!

Whether they’re a thank you to yourself or for someone else, pick up some floral inspiration and SMILE!

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Eat More Cake!

Eat More Cake!

I don’t know too many people who would be opposed to consuming a little more cake if it weren’t for all those pesky calories and fat! While I normally try and post unique entries on my blog, I had to share this link from Greatist.com with everyone! As a sweet fiend I am constantly looking for ways to make delicious treats as healthy as possible and I am clearly not alone!

Check out these helpful hints for healthier baking with your own recipes or try one of these 20 tasty treats!

Eat more cake….enjoy!

Workshop in out

Taking a step outside your comfort zone can lead to some awesome self discovery! With a little inspiration from the ladies of Nourishing Storm (left:Kristin Ritter -Founder, Director of Wellness & Yoga Instructor/right:Kate McGlasson- Yoga Instructor), I attended my first yoga workshop!

While the rest of Philadelphia was outside enjoying the beautiful spring day, we packed our mats into the sticky Walnut St. Dyanna Yoga studio to go upside down and inside out with the internationally recognized Tiffany Cruikshank.

I was nervous, excited and totally didn’t know what to expect! Tiffany is sweet, funny and incredibly knowledgeable! Her accessible approach to yoga and the ease with which she gracefully glides into poses was totally inspiring but also highlighted something I know already – I have A LOT to learn!!

While the three hours were tough, sweaty and sometimes a little painful I walked away renewed and inspired! I was totally scared  – “what if I’m the least experienced in the class?” “what if I fall on someone?” “what if I can’t handle it?” – but I allowed myself to recognize those fears and move past them! The things I learned are tools I can bring to my everyday practice but the inspiration/empowerment I gained from doing something I was uncomfortable with is far more valuable!

Step outside your comfort zone and be inspired!

Cutie Clemy Craze!

These little bursts of sunshine are more than just adorable, they’re a perfect portable snack!

Pop a few clementines in your purse and you’ve got a healthy, easy, on the go snack that’s sweet and juicy!

Bursting with vitamin C to give your immune system an extra punch, this cute fruit is a great alternative to candy or other sweet snacks and contain about 35 calories each.

Pack your purse with some clementines and see if this adorable orange fruit doesn’t bring a smile to your face!

Eat more fruit…enjoy!!

She’s got the look

I came across this on facebook not too long ago and became mildly obsessed…I would love to hear your thoughts!

If you don’t recognize them, the trio on the bottom are Victoria Secret Models – iconic symbols of sex and beauty, right? …yea, not so much!

I don’t look like either set of women but find the top tier much more attractive than the emaciated looking women below.

As a culture we obsess over this unhealthily thin idea of beauty that is next to impossible for most women to achieve instead of obsessing over self love and healthy habits!

Shifting focus towards embracing your body type, eating healthfully and being active will always lead to your most beautiful self!

Don’t subscribe to the hype…LOVE every inch of the beautiful body with which you’ve been blessed!

One step at a time

Even the most eternal optimist has days where they just can’t snap out of it! For all my positive perspectives, sunny side up sayings and memorable musings, I still have my bad days!

The most important thing, when you’re really not feeling it, is to put one foot in front of the other and give yourself a break!

Everyone has days or moments when they feel sad, lonely, overwhelmed, inadequate, depressed etc.. but the trick is not to let it consume you.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop when things aren’t going our way (wouldn’t that be awesome!?!), so even if we’re not feeling it, we’ve got to carry on. So it isn’t your best day..take pride in knowing you put one foot in front of the other and plowed through.

Some people say “fake it ’til you make it” and that’s all well and good but I find the best way to pick yourself out of a rut is to acknowledge it! Sometimes pretending like everything is okay when its not is a sure fire way to compound your negative feelings, so forgo fake!

Know you’re never alone, its okay to feel low and just take it one step at a time!

Dilla Delicious!

Every now and again I crave the cheesy crunch of a quesadilla! Unwilling to waste a full days calories on one meal, I swap some less than stellar for you fillings with some healthy ingredients and BOOM – guilt free comfort food!

This mixed mushroom quesadilla with wild spinach and goat cheese is around 350 calories, nutrient packed and oh so satisfying!!

All you need is a whole wheat tortilla, some goat cheese, mushrooms (I use shitake, crimini and oyster), spinach, onion, garlic and parsley. I stir fry the veggies ahead of time and get as much of the excess moisture out as possible (to prevent a soggy tortilla). Spread some cheese and parsley on one side of a whole wheat tortilla and spread a portion of your veggies on the other. Fold and bake in the oven at 400 for about 7 minutes (if you have a panini press or similar product by all means, use that instead!).

With a little bit of prep work, a quesadilla is a healthy, filling option – anytime!
Boasting protein, calcium, iron, low carbs and a whole host of vitamins and minerals, this delicious dilla is perfectly in line with a healthy diet and lifestyle!

Dive into a delicious dilla….enjoy!

Perspective is Everything

Pretty Intense pose, right?!?! I love the ease of his expression…”no big deal, I’m just going to balance here and contemplate life!”

Its very easy to see something like this and think, “that’s impossible!” Admittedly, such a pose is way out of my reach, for the moment, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get there eventually! Keeping a positive perspective can help make a seemingly impossible feat achievable.

Allowing your focus to center around the idea of success in whatever you’re trying to achieve will inevitably bring you that much closer to your goal. Oppositely, if your focus is centered around the insurmountable difficulty of the task at hand, it will be impossible.

Change your perspective and the possibilities are endless!

Holy Hydration!

If you’re eating all the right foods but still feel sluggish and fatigued, you may not be drinking enough water.

How much is a person supposed to drink everyday? Simple question, right?!?! WRONG!

How much fluid your body needs is determined by your size, physical activity, climate, etc..so its different from person to person. One constant is your body uses fluid in almost all its functions. It is essential to replace the fluids being used to keep your body running efficiently.

In general, a male should consume roughly 3 liters and a female 2.2 liters daily…that’s A LOT of water! If you’re someone who likes to exercise or lives in a hotter climate, those figures are even higher!

If you’re not feeling your best, ask yourself….am I drinking enough?

Hydrate…enjoy!

Shine Bright

“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”

When I was in high school, my father had a copy of Marianne Williamson‘s ‘Our Deepest Fear’ framed for me.  He wanted me to keep those words close to me and remind myself of them often. To this day, the frame is proudly displayed in my apartment. Her words have always spoken to me but they’re certainly more powerful now than ever before.

As I enter this new chapter, I am paralyzed with intermittent moments of fear. I am scared that as I continue down this path, things will change –  a terrifying prospect in and of itself!

I talk a BIG game but am quick to hide behind my daily routine as an excuse not to move forward in my journey. Its much easier to come up with a million things I need to do instead of taking a chance on myself.

Stifling your inner light doesn’t serve you or the greater good in anyway! Don’t fear the success you have coming to you..listen to your heart and let your inner light shine bright!