Want a Quickie... Workout?

Got 10 minutes?  Jump start your morning with this 10 minute exercise routine. Its quick and easy, gets  your metabolism going for the day and you can do it right in your home!

Start your morning with a full body stretch routine seen here:

Then... Go right into your workout!

NEED:  Water, Kettlebell and a mat 

Do each exercise for 50 seconds, taking a 10 second break inbetween each exercise:

Exercise 1:  Jumping jacks (gets your cardio going!)

Exercise 2: Squats

Exercise 3:  Mountain Climbers  (add a twist to intensify)

Exercise 4:  Kettlebell 1 arm swing with right arm  (bell in one hand, other arm out to your side.  Be sure your swing is controlled and pop up using your hips.  Once bell is at eye level, return to a swing.)

Exercise 5:  Kettlebell 1 arm swing with left arm  (bell in one hand, other arm out to your side. Be sure your swing is controlled and pop up using your hips. Once bell is at eye level, return to a swing.)

Exercise 6:  Jumping Jacks

Exercise 7:  Plank  (down on your elbows and toes, butt low and hold!)

Exercise 8:  1 leg lunge right leg (step back with one leg and start on your toes. drop straight down from your center as if someone has a string over your head. Be sure that your knee and ankle are parallel and knee stays behind your toes.)

Exercise 9:  1 leg lunge left leg (step back with one leg and start on your toes. drop straight down from your center as if someone has a string over your head.  Be sure that your knee and ankle are parallel and knee stays behind your toes.)

Exercise 10: Jackknives (lay flat on back and bring arms and one leg to center of body for a crunch. Lower leg and repeat with opposite leg)

 

How did you do?

Praying for your Health?

Are YOU praying for your health?  If you are, then you are not alone!  More and more people are taking their health concerns to the Creator, to God...

I discuss with my clients and in seminars that being FIT and HEALTHY is a lot deeper then what we see physically.  There is a deeper connection between the Body, Mind and Spirit then what is visible to the naked eye.  Finding the connecting is an exciting experience!  If you are spiritually lead, it makes logical sense to seek guidance and direction from God regarding your health.

Historically, many churches and society promote financial wealth and prosperity, monetary manifestations, large homes, cars and lavish vacations but what good is all of this if you are not in good health?

Many pastors, priest, bishops and church leaders are starting to promote good health to their congregations.  I have personally held seminars for church groups and lead group exercise sessions in morning worship services to bring awareness to health and fitness to individuals and church families.  I believe that your body, your temple, is a temporary vessel that houses your Spirit.  You are deeper then what you see physically.  The purpose of your body is to manifest the Spirit.  If your physical man is not at an optimal level, then your mental man is in disarray and your Spirit cannot properly manifest itself in our world.  (check out my previous post on the Secret of Successful Leaders)

According to a study published by the American Psychological Association in the May issues of the APA journal of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (the "Study"), praying for health issues increased by 36 percent between 1999 to 2007, with a large increase post 9-11.

The correlation?
--People who experience a decline in personal health or see health decline/tradgedy in others are more likely to turn to prayer to cope with the changing circumstances in their lives and surroundings.  Prayer is also a common coping resource for those with recent improvements in their health as people tend to pray gratuitous prayers.  70% of cancer survivors reported recent prayers during their illness and after their recovery according to the Study.  Most people tend to turn to pray AFTER they have been diagnosed or AFTER they get better.  In general, according to the Study, individuals who use positive religious coping techniques such as prayer, have both improved perceived mental and physical health as well as improved objectively measured health outcomes.



However, I think ALWAYS praying for good health*, giving thanks for good health and praying for guidance and direction for living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle should be part of your daily prayer and not just during and after healing but PRIOR to illness or health issues.  
TIPS for DAILY PRAYER FOR GOOD HEALTH, for you and your love ones:

Tip 1:  Pray for protection and good physical, mental and spiritual health daily.
Tip 2:  Give thanks for your present state of good health as a preventive measure.
Tip 3:  Pray for recovery back to a good healthy balance.
Tip 4:  Use prayerful meditation to cope with existing circumstances.

Any other tips?  Do you pray for your health?

Article of Reference:  National Trends in Prayer use as a Coping Mechanism for Health Concerns: Changes from 2002-2007

*My reference to health in this article refers to good health of the internal and external body, the mind and the spirit. 

*** My Prayer:  Lord, teach me how to pray and what to pray for.   Guide my steps, minster to my Spirit.***

The Colors of Gucci, Summer 2011 Fun!

Summer really brings out the colors doesn't it!?  This season, Gucci  definitely did not disappoint, showcasing some really bold colors on the runway.  This darling number by Gucci, graced the cover of Vogue Paris back in Feb. 2011 and is beginning to translate into "real time" as a few celebs have worn it.  Do you plan to rock any of these vibrant colors this summer?  I'm a HUGE fan of orange, turquoise, green and purple so I plan to rock these colors!

Here are a few pics:



Here are a few celebs in the outfit in a couple variations of it:



Kim Kardashian in Orange and Purple, gold belted Gucci

   

JHud in Gucci



Camilla Belle in Gucci



Summer Beauty Tip! Protect Your Skin...

Yep! It's here... almost.. at least the weather says so...ahhhhh... blissful SUMMER!

Here are a few Tips to Protect Your Skin During the Hot Summer Months!

#1:  Mix 100% Raw Whipped Cocoa Butter with Sunblock



I've been using this little beauty secret for years! Mix 100% Raw whipped cocoa butter with sun screen for a warm summer golden glow!

All you need is:
1 part  100% Raw Whipped Cocoa Butter
2 parts natural Sun Screen

Results?   ... golden sun-kissed, protected skin!

#2  Stay hydrated!  During the hot summer months, its crucial to stay hydrated.  Over 60% of Americans are dehydrated. So make sure you drink lots of water.  In addition to water, ditch the sugary energy drinks and substitute them with pure natural coconut water.   My favorite brand is Zico.
Coconut water is packed with potassium and builds your electrolytes for rapid hydration and replenishment!

#3  Get a Big Hat and Shades!   Hats are sooooo much fun and very chic in the summer.  In addition, the wide rim provides protection for your face from the sun.  So.... glam up dolls!

Bird Nesting @ My Home! A-Mazing

So... for the last 5 summers that I've been living in my first home (I bought right before the housing market surged), I've been blessed to have a dear visitor each year!

A BIRD! 

I haven't quite figured out what species this years bird is but she's beautiful! 

She's gray with a blue tail and blue "eyeliner". 

Of course my bird would HAVE to be a diva! :) 

Maybe she sensed my "house vibe" to make her temporary home? I digress...

Now each year, a new life manages to make their way to my home and build a nest on top of my light positioned to the left of my front door to bring new life into this world... A-Mazing, if I must say so myself!  What's sooooo amazing to me is the light where the birds have built the nest is about 6" by 6" and is circular!  The nest has been there for 5 years (I never touched or moved it) and it stood through snow storms, hail and other environmental elements.  Each year a new bird builds on top of it making it their very own) and its still standing strong.

June Jet, (YES, I named my bird) has been nesting for about 3 weeks so far.  I accidentally scared her off one evening about 2 1/2 weeks ago when I was leave out of the house. I opened my automatic umbrella... guess it sounded like a gun shot to her and she took off!  I couldn't sleep that night and thought she wouldn't return.  ...yes, I know...a bit much... but what can I say?  I'm a compassionate person- even with nature.   Anywho, to my great comfort, the next morning June had returned and then she officially received her last name... "Jet".  June because I estimated her babies should be here in June and Jet because she took off flying and I thought I lost her! 

My story of June Jet makes me think of the classic piece Summertime, composed by George Gershwin for the opera Porgy and Bess:

Summertime,

And the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin'

And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich

And your mamma's good lookin'

So hush little baby

Don't you cry

One of these mornings

You're going to rise up singing

Then you'll spread your wings

And you'll take to the sky

But till that morning

There's a'nothing can harm you

With daddy and mamma standing by

Well... I'll post a pic soon of June Jet at her nest and hopefully I will have some pics of June and the babies once their eggs hatch....

tata

Ironically: June Jet that was the name of my favorite doll growing up!

UPDATE!!!

Hello! I know its been a few weeks since I last posted!  So many exciting things going on and so much good stuff to post about! .. good stuff on the way...!

In the meantime, have you had a chance to check out "The Rose Lounge"?  The Rose Lounge is my new show which will feature various topics from fitness, holistic health, recipes and much more to help you find or maintain YOUR individual balance towards being Beautiful Naturally, Inside and Out!

Have an Amazing Day!