Time to Let go of the Crazy!

No, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth or given up on my blog. I was simply taking a much needed and well deserved break from technology and reality. The last several weeks have been absolutely crazy, and for the rest of this month at least–it’s only going to get worse.

The month of May is the craziest time of year for us. Between mother’s day, our youngest’s birthday, our anniversary, and spring sports, we’re lucky to get 5 minutes to ourselves. Add wrapping up the school year with 3 days of PASS testing, gathering and sending 4th quarter work samples for 3 kids, and managing 2 businesses and 3 blogs between us, well–you get the idea.

So, the better half & I decided to celebrate our anniversary a little early–with a kid-free trip to the beach. Let me tell you–I highly recommend for ANY one with children. Whether you’re home all day with them or not, a little break from them does wonders for the soul.

I can’t think of anything more therapeutic than sitting on or near the beach, drink in hand–watching the sunset and then the full ‘super’ moon come out. Not to mention the beautiful breeze and the smell of nothing but ocean. I could fall asleep to the sound of the ocean every night for the rest of my life. It’s extremely romantic too. There’s just something about the beach & the ocean that, well, gets your libido going if you know what I mean ; )

It even prompted us to look for our own place there. Just the idea of our own little paradise getaway gets my adrenalin pumping. Knowing that I could escape the noise, heat and pollution of Columbia–anytime I wanted to–would make dealing with the job, the kids’ schooling & sports, & business all worth it.

I’d love to hear YOUR idea of the perfect getaway! And till next time, Cheers to your sensual health!

Life doesn’t come with a rewind button–make every second count

I’d be lying if I told you that this post came easy for me. In fact, I’ve wrestled with myself over it for several days now, ultimately putting it off because of the pain it causes me. For situations like the one I’m about to describe, there are no such things as the ‘right’ words. It was inevitable that it would come out; I just needed to regain my composure.

You see, I recently learned of the passing of someone I’d known since the 9th grade. She was the last person I’d have ever expected to be called home after such a short time here.

She was spirited and so full of life, leaving behind two loving parents, a sister, her soul-mate, and 6 children. Yet she had been suffering in silence for years–with rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Not many people realize it, but rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease. The immune system actually attacks the soft tissue in and around the joints, and no one can really figure out why.

The kind of pain caused by this disease is unimaginable to those who have never experienced it. On the surface, Anne was the picture of perfect health. Tall and slender with a smile that could light up a room, she was always quick with the right answer to the teacher’s question. Very few ever suspected that she also apparently had an incredibly high pain threshold, for she never complained.

As we weren’t particularly close in school and went our separate ways after high school as many graduates do, I’ve struggled to figure out why her passing is so upsetting to me. Maybe it’s because a few years ago, I found out that we had something in common that I don’t share with anyone else from my graduating class: 4 boys. Or perhaps it’s because I just found out that not only had she been dealing with her own physical pain, but the emotional anguish of her 3 year old daughter’s bout with brain cancer as well.

Then again, it could be the fact that she just gave birth to number 6 a little under a year ago. Now we’re all left to ponder our own mortality, and this question: How could there have possibly been a ‘greater calling’ for this woman, then staying here to raise her children?

She gave plenty of herself right here on earth. Did she deserve to suffer? Certainly not, but why not take away her physical pain and leave the rest of her life in tact? This is probably just me being selfish, but I cannot think of anyone who deserved to be here to see her children and grand-children grow up–more than Anne.

I really wish you could’ve known her. She was the most kind-hearted, non-judgmental, gentle soul I’d ever met, and she made it her mission in life to set a higher example by celebrating each and every day. Simply knowing her made one a better person.

Her loved ones can only take comfort by the fact that Anne is now pain-free and gained her wings the instant she crossed through the gates of heaven. I for one, plan on honoring her memory by treating every day like the gift that it is.

Please keep the Borgman-Clements family in your prayers and till next time, Cheers to your everlasting health!

♥ jen

PinExt Life doesnt come with a rewind button make every second count

Back Up and…Breathe

I remember when my brother used to get mad and throw the controller when the game took an unexpected turn and he lost a life. I also remember when he’d throw his hat during a baseball game or kick the ball return at the bowling alley.

Sound familiar? This does NOT have to be your child. And I’m not advocating Ritalin or any other ADHD drug, either. There’s a new strategy on the horizon, and it’s already being practiced in schools all over the country: the Mindfulness Movement.

Based on a Buddhism philosophy, mindfulness teaches deep breathing and other techniques to help with focus and in dealing with frustration. And you can relax–there are no spiritual or religious overtones involved. The exercises teach students to pay attention to detail, how to actively listen and to think before they speak.

The last one is particularly important to me, as both a parent and learning coach. I can’t tell you how tired I was of hearing my boys screaming at each other to ‘shut up!’ The name calling was even worse. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the mindfulness technique has solved ALL of our problems.

But simply telling them to ‘knock it off’ or ‘pay attention’ wasn’t working. They need to be shown or taught how to be present in the moment instead of focusing on the past or future. After all, you can’t change the past and you can’t predict the future.

Once they learn that they have power over their emotions and can control their responses, you get a much calmer, more effective learning environment. T’is better for EVERY body to step back, take a deep breath and think about a response rather than letting emotions rule.

Other exercises include:

miming (acting out feelings without verbal language)
visualization (imagine being somewhere peaceful and calm)
journaling
simple movement to music

There are also plenty of meditation and ‘white noise’ cd’s on the market. Soft, mellow classical music has also proven to be a stress reliever.

The actual curriculum, called MindUp, was developed by award-winning actress Goldie Hawn’s ‘Hawn Foundation’ and Scholastic. The Hawn Foundation is a nonprofit org. that’s focused on helping kids be successful in school and life.

Simple techniques you can practice at home include games such as ‘I Spy,’ which sharpens senses and teaches the importance of observation and attention to detail. Character acting or analyzing the perspective of more than just the main character in a story teaches children to consider others’ feelings and to keep an open mind. Last but not least, nurture their empathy by showing kindness to others, i.e., cheer up a friend or volunteer to help those in need.

If we ALL practiced these techniques, the world would be a much more pleasant place! Please feel free to share some of your experiences or proven methods, and till next time, cheers to your spiritual & emotional health

♥ jen

Take a Whiff of That!

Ah, the dreaded Monday morning commute. I remember it well. It’s no secret that I should NOT be on the road with a bunch of talking & texting ignoramuses. Is there ANYONE out there who can still be bothered to pay attention to the road and all the other 2 ton death traps out there? I’m considering having a window decal made that says ‘TURN SIGNALS are NOT an OPTION!’

Boy, I don’t even drive back and forth to work and just the thought of it gets me riled up. The fact is, you cannot control other drivers. You can, however choose NOT to let them get to you.

Buy a lavender scented air freshener, preferably the kind that clips to your vent. Then, breathe in, deeply and slowly. Now exhale. Studies have shown that inhaling lavender oil causes a drop in the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Dragging by 2:00, but balk at the idea of the 5 hour energy drink? And let’s face it, that stuff can make you pucker in places you didn’t know you had. Keep some citrus potpourri in your desk, or better yet–fresh oranges or orange juice in the fridge or a cooler bag. The tangy citrus scent stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which is located in the part of the brain that makes you feel more alert.

Feel a tension headache coming on? You gotta love the annoying co-worker who goes on and on about her relationship troubles, or the boss who likes to yell to get a point across. Keep some green apple air freshener or potpourri nearby, or a bag of green apples. Slice one up and take a big whiff. The strong, semi-sour aroma has been known to reduce or relieve tension.

Whatever the day throws at you, don’t let it make you lose your senses Till next time–cheers to your aromatic health!

♥jen

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Plan Your Career, Plan Your Children, Plan Your Vacation, Plan Your–Health?

If planning our health was as simple as planning our next vacation, we’d all be as fit & trim as Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley. The problem is–most of us don’t ‘plan’ our health at all. We eat on the run, fast food in the car on the way to the extra curricular activities, and we don’t pay any attention to how many calories we’re stuffing in our faces in one sitting.

How come we don’t have any problem accessing our bank accounts on a regular basis, but we can’t be bothered to count calories or track our bad habits? Our health is an investment– in our future. Ask yourself this: how much of life can I fully enjoy if I’m in poor health? And even if you’re not over-weight, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re as fit as a fiddle.

Poor eating habits and lack of exercise affects everybody. Skinny people can have high cholesterol & high blood pressure too.Your body is made to be moved, and like anything else, if you don’t use your muscles–you lose them. Don’t let the fact that you ‘feel fine’ fool you, either. Heart disease is sneaky, and symptoms don’t always make themselves known until it’s nearly too late.

Sit down with your Dr., the same as you would your accountant or financial planner. Once you get an idea of where you are (weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc.), ask your Dr. to help you set clear, attainable goals. If your health goals -like any other kind of goals- are unrealistic (lose 50 lbs in 3 months), you’ll be setting yourself up to fail.

Start small, and make smart choices, NOT excuses. If you have time to create a budget spreadsheet, you can make time to come up with an eating plan. Make your grocery list, and meal/snack calendar and STICK TO THEM. If you’re new to exercise, spend 5-10 minutes a day walking, swimming, biking, etc., for a week. Increase by 5-10 minutes per day the following week. Work on only ONE bad habit at a time. Cut your soda or chip consumption a little at a time, until you no longer need a ‘fix.’

We should treat our bodies the same way that we treat our fine china and family heirlooms; we wouldn’t smear greasy french fries or cream filling all over them, would we?

Chew on that for a while and till next time–Cheers to your health!

jen

PinExt Plan Your Career, Plan Your Children, Plan Your Vacation, Plan Your Health?

Easter Monday: A Time for Celebration and Reflection

If you’re one of the millions who’s New Year’s resolution didn’t work out so well, I have some good news for you. Whatever your goals are–business or personal–today would be a great day to re-commit to them!

Easter Monday or ‘Renewal’ Monday is a time of continued celebration for many cultures and countries around the world. Although it’s not an official holiday in the U.S., renewal Monday is thought of by many as a time for new beginnings. Many Christians are continuing the celebration of the resurrection, and spring is typically a time to celebrate the re-birth of all things nature.

In Australia, people attend outdoor sporting events and carnivals. Both Christians and Muslims in Egypt celebrate this day with the Sham El Nessim or ‘smelling of the breeze’ festival. And who doesn’t love the smell of a fresh spring breeze? Festival activities include painting eggs and taking meals outdoors.

People in the U.S. are known to celebrate the re-birth by spring planting, attending ballgames or other outdoor sporting events and attending parades and carnivals. While there are no parades or carnivals that I’m aware of in my area, I will be attending a ballgame this evening. And as for spring planting, we ‘celebrated’ on Saturday by making the yard look nice for Sunday

Yes, today is a great day to renew your commitment to your health goals, make contact with that client you’ve been coveting or the potential ‘catch’ you’ve had your eye on. Freshen a room in your house with a new paint color, plant something, clean out your closets and make a donation to charity! Even if you just step outside for a breath of fresh air, take a moment and think about what you have to be grateful for.

Alternatively, you could take your kids’ super-soaker to work & give your co-workers the surprise of their lives (and hopefully they all have a good sense of humor). However you choose to celebrate today, I hope it’s memorable! Till next time–cheers to your spiritual health!

♥jen

PinExt Easter Monday: A Time for Celebration and Reflection

It’s as Simple as Adding Cinnamon!

Need an easy, delicious way to keep your blood sugar in check? Just add cinnamon! A quarter to a half a teaspoon daily can not only reduce your blood sugar level, it’s been known to stop diabetes before it starts. Research studies have also shown that cinnamon protects your cells and keeps the cancer and alzheimer’s causing free radicals at bay.

I don’t know about you, but nothing wakes me up and motivates me first thing in the morning quite like a whiff of something delicious! Add a pinch to your morning coffee or tea to get the sweet you’re after without the damaging effects of sugar. You can also add to your whole grain toast or bagel, chili, spaghetti sauce, oatmeal, whole grain or brown rice–you get the idea.

As a yummy snack for your kids, try spreading some reduced fat peanut butter on a graham cracker and sprinkle with cinnamon. You can also add to low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt & use as a dip for fruit. A favorite at our house is frozen, yogurt covered strawberries.

Feel free to share your creative uses for cinnamon & any other healthy snack ideas. Till next time–Cheers to your delicious health!

♥Jen

PinExt Its as Simple as Adding Cinnamon!

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♥jen

Without Courage, Success is Futile

When we visited my son on base for family day last week, there was a community center of sorts, with a multi-purpose room. They had it set up with tables & chairs, and activities for the kiddos. There were board games, x-box and wii games, a bounce house, basketball arcade game, etc. Kudos to the folks at Ft. Jackson–they really went out of their way to have something for everyone and to ensure that it was a pleasant experience.

It was the rock wall that really captured my attention, though. Of course, most of the soldiers scrambled up the thing like they were being chased by a combination of Freddy/Jason (show-offs) LOL. Then there were the gawky teenagers who didn’t look like they had enough upper body strength to beat Sponge Bob in an arm wrestling competition.

The younger kids, however, really impressed me. A few made it to the top and pushed the coveted ‘button,’ some got close but lost their grip. And there were those who simply got high enough so they could jump down in their bungee cords and pretend they were flying.

Then there was Aaron, my ‘athletically challenged,’ if you will, 9 year old. While sports come naturally to his older & younger brother, Aaron has to work hard just to be average. And work hard he does. At first, he didn’t get very far off the ground. On his second try, he made it up to about the 3rd or 4th grip. When his turn was over, he got back in line and waited patiently to try again. With sheer determination, he made it about halfway up the next time. What he did NOT do–was give up when he lost his grip. By this time, the line had dwindled so the attendant let him have at it. Finally, after about 20 grueling minutes–he nearly made it to the top.

Beaming with pride, he ran over to us. “Did you see me?”

“We sure did! We were watching the whole time. Way to stick with it

My question is this: How determined are YOU? A very wise Winston Churchill said “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.”

And continue we shall. Have a great weekend, and as always–Cheers to your motivated mind & courageous spirit!